text:
Throughout the history of business, the failure or success of a company relies on many factors, not the least of which is the corporate savvy of the executive running the show. In recent times, many CEOs have come under fire for mismanagement of their corporations, while some have been applauded for successfully navigating a tough economy.
With much controversy surrounding CEOs of today, the question stands: Who are the best CEOs of all time? Portfolio.com set out to answer the question. Assembling a panel of professors from the top business schools around the country, Portfolio surveyed them on the records of CEOs who best created (or destroyed) value, innovation, while possessing the best (or worst) management skills. From this, they've formulated a list of the 20 Best American CEOs of all time. Here they are.
Rankings By: Portfolio.com
Posted 24 Apr 2009


text: I have this Evga 7900GT and NewEggs specs says that it needs a 400 Watt power supply. It has an extra plug for power on the card, a 6 hole rectangle plug. Do I need to plug this 6 pin plug in or can I use the video card without the plug? What would happen if my power supply is not 400 watt?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Alert 2005-5
Subject: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Date: March 17, 2005
Description: Neffs National Bank
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Neffs National Bank, Neffs, Pennsylvania
To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel, and All Examining Personnel
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name are being used. To date, the checks have always shown the remitter as James Parris. The counterfeit checks are salmon in color with white marbling, and there is a thin reddish top border with security feature statements. The bank's name is in a calligraphy style font in the upper left with a poor imitation logo and a bogus telephone number of 800-432-4271. The words "Cashier's Check" appear on the top center in uppercase block letters. The ABA fraction appears as 83-347/421, the serial number is 9 digits, and the account number is 12 digits. There is no block for a dollar amount, and the word "Dollars" is missing after the imprinted monetary amount. There is no line for the date. The phrase "Authorized Signature / Issuer Accepts as Drawer/Drawee" appears under the signature line.
Authentic cashier's checks issued by the bank are light blue in color with the bank name and logo appearing at the top center in block style font. There is no telephone number appearing on the check nor is there a payable through clause. The words "Cashier's Check" appears in the lower left corner of the check. The correct ABA fraction is 60-1660/313, and the serial numbers are 6 digits. There is a block for a dollar amount and a line for the date. There is no phrase appearing under the signature line.
You can verify the authenticity of Neffs National Bank's cashier's checks by contacting Michael Bailey, CCO, at (610) 767-3875 or [email@example.com].
Any additional information concerning this matter that you think should be brought to the attention of the OCC, may be forwarded to:
Brian C. McCormally


text:
IOTA Designer Planters
IOTA Garden Australia
Outdoor Garden Pots and Planters
14 Snook St
Email: email@example.com
Phone: 07-3419-0687
Mobile: 0417-371-201
cash, check, credit card
You cannot buy direct from our warehouse.
We are only in the warehouse to pack orders as needed. We do not have sales staff at the warehouse.
But, we do have a big display along the fence line of our core ranges where you can see the product up close and even touch it through the fence. Best to bring a copy of the catalogue with you.
Melbourne Agent (Trade Only)
Din San Nursery
370 Old Dandenong Rd
Dingley Village VIC 3172
Ph: 03 9540 5222


text:
I hate having greasy hair, I think it's worst than having a massive wart, so needless to say I am a regular hair washer. There are downsides to this, like, it takes forever to dry my hair properly and it can dry it out!
Needless to say I have been trying out different dry shampoos because I don't really like that many of them – some just smell bad, and some just look like…well corn starch. On my head. Hello, there's a box of corn starch in the kitchen and its 500grams for 90p.
I prefer sprayable-aerosol dry shampoo that disappears and doesn't need too much brushing through – hello frizz! I love Ojon's.
And here is Schwarzkopf Refresh!
They say:
The formulation is made up of Oryza Sativa Starch, a component derived from rice that has incredible absorbing properties. It soaks up hair oil and mattifies the hair shaft, making for bouncy and bright hair. The clean fragrance promotes a feeling of vitality and freshness.
So it's still starch…but a special rice starch!?
First off this is pretty quick and easy to use – it smells fresh and not too obviously like dry shampoo (I can smell Baptiste on people). It is supposed to add some volume and light control so it does more than absorb oil and it does give some oomph to the hair if you like that sort of thing. I am not too bothered by volume because I have this poof on my head naturally…
So I have been using this when I have been feeling super tired, too tired to wash my hair and it works well. It definitely needs a brush through, although you don't have to worry about a bright white scalp like you can get with some of the cheaper dry shampoos. It also doesn't cling on to dark hair, like some products do, leaving those fine little while fragments that look like frosting.
There really isn't much else exciting to say about dry shampoo….it comes in a funky red can. There.
Oh yes – this also contains alcohol which is why I think it feels so light on the hair and disappears quickly, but note, I had a spot on my scalp which I had scratched and of course spraying this on it made it sting!
This is It's dearer than the likes of Baptiste, but if you find that range doesn't work for you because you find it a bit 'heavy' like I do, then this is worth checking out.
*Press sample


text:
Flow cytometry is a highly accurate technology used for cell measurements. High quality particles, supplied from Polysciences, are used to calibrate these instruments.
This product is a component of the Flow Check™ YG 6.0 Kit (Cat. #23512), which allows comparision of various levels of green fluorescence. The full kit contains 4 components, each of which is packaged with ~2 x 106 particles per ml: a full intensity bead, two intermediate intensity beads and a blank bead.
Store material at 4ºC and protect from light. No biocides are added during the manufacturing process. DI water is recommended for all particle handling and dilution operations.
- Hazards:
- Harmless-use normal precautions
- Handling:
- Exercise normal care
- Storage:
- Store at 4 degrees celsius;Do not permit to freeze


text:
Talk:Numeric Haskell: A Repa Tutorial
The tutorial contained some stub sections that were empty. I am moving this stub sections here to keep the tutorial page clean. These were originally placed after section 10 (Optimising Repa programs):
Advanced techniques
Repa's parallel programming model
Discussion about the gang threads and hooks to help
Programming with stencils
Discuss the stencil types model
--killy9999 09:16, 11 October 2012 (UTC)
Things I've Learned So Far
If you specify a slice as such: (Z :. All :. 2), for example, you will get many pages of type incantation errors. In order to be a true wizard you must touch the 2 with a salve of type annotation as so: (Z :. All :. (2 :: Int)). This will satisfy the type demons that compile your code.
The reason is that GHC assumes literals like 2 are of type Integer, and Repa demands Ints.
I'll post more "oopsies" as I come across them.
--Danharaj 00:51, 24 April 2011 (UTC)
I have a bunch of simulation code that, every frame of simulation:
- Creates a few intermediate arrays.
- Creates a list of intermediate arrays then folds them immediately
- Adds and multiplies a few intermediate arrays with (*^) and (+^)
The thing is, unless I force at every intermediate step, the performance is so abysmal that the application loses responsiveness. With the forcing, it runs fast enough (need to optimize the code to make it run faster), but then...
I get this gem of a runtime warning (reported every frame)... sometimes!
Data.Array.Repa: Performing nested parallel computation sequentially.
You've probably called the 'force' function while another instance was already running. This can happen if the second version was suspended due to lazy evaluation. Use 'deepSeqArray' to ensure that each array is fully evaluated before you 'force' the next one.
--Danharaj 16:48, 24 April 2011 (UTC)
The solution is to use deepSeqArray at each intermediate step, as the warning suggests. It works. Forcing arrays is idiomatic of Repa I think. You use it to specify sharing. force is lazy, however, so you have to deepSeqArray in order to get everything working nicely.
--Danharaj 18:47, 24 April 2011 (UTC)
= Performance Comparison with C for the desaturation example
I've pasted the results of a comparison with C here. I like Repa and I'd prefer to use Haskell for image processing, but I do not find these results encouraging.


text:
The Mortal Nuts
***** Hand History for Game 1660142475 *****
$1/$2 Hold'em - Sunday, February 27, 23:15:17 EDT 2005
Table Table 11330 (6 max) (Real Money)
Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: vtgbpfn1 ( $23.88 )
Seat 5: ferstl ( $43.25 )
Seat 8: bornagain_13 ( $10.75 )
Seat 10: katerville ( $32.12 )
Seat 3: FWALGMan ( $55.5 )
Seat 6: PokerPike68 ( $100 )
ferstl posts small blind [$0.5].
PokerPike68 posts big blind [$1].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to FWALGMan [ Jd Ad ]
bornagain_13 folds.
katerville calls [$1].
vtgbpfn1 folds.
FWALGMan raises [$2].
ferstl folds.
PokerPike68 folds.
katerville calls [$1].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Td, Qd, 4c ]
katerville checks.
FWALGMan bets [$1].
katerville calls [$1].
** Dealing Turn ** [ Kd ]
katerville checks.
FWALGMan bets [$2].
katerville raises [$4].
FWALGMan raises [$4].
katerville calls [$2].
** Dealing River ** [ 4s ]
katerville checks.
FWALGMan bets [$2].
katerville calls [$2].
FWALGMan shows [ Jd, Ad ] Royal Flush.
katerville shows [ Tc, Kh ] two pairs, kings and tens.
FWALGMan wins $22.5 from the main pot with Royal Flush.
the nuts!
Sweet!! Really weird day. Up and down. All around. Too much playing I think. I placed 27th of 1700 in a Freeroll. Umm. Just two out of the money. I had 13K with 6K blinds. I had a choice. Wait. Possibly make the money but be blinded down to nothingness. Other choice was all in with AJ. Unfortunately I was up against QQ. Oh well. I went out dead last in the TP open too. Combo of stuff. Played some O8 with Al. Played some O8 tourneys. 3rd in all of those.
Had a fun hand of 25/PL. I sat down by accident. I am dealt KK. I get raised all in when the flop is Jxx. I call. Beat KJ, and double up. I then left, cause I do NOT play PL. Had horrible luck in a 9/1 qualifier and an SNG. I had QQ, AA and some other dominating hand beated by JJ, 99 and some other crap. I was doing pretty well in the SNG too. Ah well. Up to around 400 today. Not so bad.


text:
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of autoimmunity and inflammation characterized by destruction of the myelin sheath that insulates and protects neurons. When a patient experiences an "attack," or episode of increased disease activity, the resultant impairment of neuronal communication can manifest as a broad spectrum of symptoms, affecting sensory processing, locomotion, and cognition.
Scientific research suggests both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of the disease. Current medical treatments for MS include potent immunosuppressive drugs, which reduce immune function, and anti-inflammatory medications as well as invasive procedures such as plasma exchange, which attempts to reduce inflammatory mediators in a patient's blood.
Largely ignored and discounted by mainstream medicine, nutrients offer immune-modifying benefits that can help complement pharmacological and clinical interventions and improve quality of life for MS patients.
Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D may be a missing link in virtually all autoimmune diseases, including MS. This single vitamin has the ability to modulate the immune system in ways that even pharmaceutical drugs cannot. A multitude of epidemiological studies have revealed that individuals with low levels of vitamin D in their blood are at considerably increased risk for developing MS; in fact, up to 90% of MS patients are deficient in vitamin D (SOLAR trial).
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Within the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) a vast network of neurons are constantly communicating amongst themselves, and with the peripheral nervous system (outside of the brain and spinal cord), to control every aspect of human function, from sight and hearing, to cognition and mobility. The efficiency and accuracy of communication between individual neurons forms the basis for our ability to do things as diverse as complete simple daily tasks and comprehend complex philosophical or mathematical ideas.
Neuronal communication is similar to the transmission of an electrical current through a series of wires. Droves of neurons work together to deliver messages to every corner of the body by transmitting signals along their long, cylindrical mid-sections called axons (see figure at left) and passing it on to the next neuron. This is repeated until the message reaches its destination. Like electrical wires, neuronal axons require insulation to ensure that they are able to transmit a signal accurately, and at high speeds. Specialized cells called oligodendrocytes provide this insulation to neurons by wrapping the axons in an insulating material called myelin. Without this myelin sheath, neuronal communication becomes nearly impossible, and neurons become susceptible to damage.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease which ultimately leads to the inability of neurons to communicate amongst themselves. Because multiple sclerosis is not selective for specific neurons, and can progress through the brain and spinal cord randomly, each patient's symptoms may vary considerably.
During the initial stages of the disease, symptoms often emerge for a finite time before regressing for an extended period.
Pathology of Disease Progression
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immuno-inflammatory disease in which immune cells enter the central nervous system (CNS) and destroy the myelin sheath. Immune cells, which become activated through complex mechanisms migrate into the CNS, and attack the myelin sheath. The resultant demyelination is thought to be carried out by T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and macrophages, three primary classes of immune cells, which are routinely found in MS lesions (Noseworthy 2000).
Loss of myelin followed by subsequent lack of neural communication and neuronal death is accepted as the primary cause of disability in MS patients (Dutta 2007). Axonal transection, or the severing of axons, occurs under conditions of both acute and chronic demyelination (Trapp 1998; Bjartmar 2000; Lovas 2000).
Remyelination is the process by which demyelinated axons are naturally re-wrapped with myelin, restoring nerve conduction and functionality (Smith 1979). This phenomenon is the result of oligodendrocytes repairing the damage to the myelin sheath that occurs during an episode of increased disease activity. However, as the disease progresses over years (usually decades) the oligodendrocytes begin to lose their ability to repair the damage, and symptoms become progressively worse and episodes more frequent due to remyelination failure. In addition to developing therapies that slow MS disease progression, many laboratories are developing novel therapeutics that aim to promote remyelination and reverse existing CNS damage.
In addition to immune-mediated loss of myelin, another characteristic feature of MS is inflammation caused by a class of white blood cells called T cells (Compston 2002, Friese 2006). Some of the damage in the CNS is directly carried out by two subpopulations of T lymphocytes called T helper 1 and T helper 17 which produce pro-inflammatory factors (Goverman 2009). Recent studies have identified that chemical mediators, interleukin-23 (IL-23) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), contribute to the autoimmune characteristics of these T cells. Data suggests that absence of these pro-inflammatory signals was sufficient to prevent inflammation in the brain (El-Behi 2011). This suggests that therapeutic strategies directed at blocking the production of inflammatory mediators could be effective for treating MS.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: a panacea?
Mainstream medicine has failed to recognize the pivotal role of vitamin D in regulating the overactive immune system in MS patients.
Greater than 30 years have passed since vitamin D was originally hypothesized to be an important environmental determinant of the prevalence of MS (Goldberg 1974; Craelius 1978). During the three decades following the initial linking of vitamin D and MS, evidence has continued to mount. It is now known that MS occurs more frequently in individuals with lower blood levels of vitamin D. A study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association found that, compared to those with the highest vitamin D blood levels, those with the lowest blood levels were 62% more likely to develop MS.
MS attacks occur less frequently during seasons corresponding with the highest exposure to sunlight; since vitamin D synthesis depends upon exposure of the skin to sunlight, the summer months also bring the highest blood levels of vitamin D (Tremlett 2008). A recent study has quantified the impact of vitamin D blood levels on risk for MS relapse – for each 4 ng/ml increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D in the blood, the risk for MS relapse is reduced by 12%. The investigators who conducted this study concluded that "Clinically, raising 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels by [20 ng/ml] could halve the hazard of a relapse" (Simpson 2010).
Vitamin D mediates these disease-modifying effects through complex and powerful interactions with the immune system. Hostile immune cells, which attack the myelin sheath, are calmed upon exposure to vitamin D. In fact, when aggressive immune cells taken directly from MS patients are exposed to the active form of vitamin D, the cells divide and reproduce much more slowly, indicating that vitamin D has the ability to impede the aberrant autoimmunity that is a driving force in MS.
However, vitamin D does more than just arrest damaging immune cells; it also supercharges protective immune cells.
T-reg cells are specialized components of the immune system that help keep immunity balanced. If too few T-reg cells are present, the immune system becomes overactive, as in autoimmune diseases like MS. Vitamin D increases the number of protective T-reg cells, restoring equilibrium to an overactive immune system (Correale 2009).
In a randomized controlled trial, supplementation with doses of vitamin D ranging from 10,000 IU to 40,000 IU daily over the course of 52 weeks resulted in a reduction in relapses and a reduction in the number of aggressive immune cells in patients with MS (Burton 2010).
Despite robust findings across a range of studies on the link between vitamin D and MS, mainstream medicine and the federal government have only just recently begun to realize the need to initiate federally funded trials. Results of a large scale, randomized, controlled clinical trial to assess the effects of vitamin D in MS are currently pending (ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT01285401]).
Life Extension® customers should not be surprised if vitamin D emerges as a frontline treatment for MS in the coming years. However, instead of waiting for mainstream physicians to begin recommending vitamin D to MS patients, Life Extension® suggests that all individuals monitor their blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and maintain a blood level of 50 – 80 ng/mL. This is because low vitamin D levels are also an emerging risk factor for numerous other diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (Munger 2004; Holick 2005; Merlino 2004; Ponsonby 2002; Ponsonby 2005). The amount of supplementation required to achieve this blood level varies from one person to another, but it appears that many individuals require supplementation of 5,000- 8,000 IU of vitamin D each day to reach these levels.
More information about the role of vitamin D in health is available in the compelling Life Extension Magazine article entitled "Startling Findings About Vitamin D Levels in Life Extension® Members."
Risk Factors for MS
Genetics and Family History
Studies have established a definitive role for genetics as contributing factor for developing MS. The most compelling data reveal that while unrelated adopted siblings have a 0-2% disease risk, identical twins demonstrate a 25% disease risk (Dyment 2004). Several studies have identified susceptibility genes related to many aspects of immune function (Ebers 1996; Sawcer 1996; Zhang 2005; Gregory 2007; Ramagopalan 2007). While these genetic links are helpful in understanding MS population clusters, findings such as the 25% disease risk among identical twins and the geographic distribution of MS, suggest that up to 75% of MS must be attributable to non-genetic or environmental factors.
Infection is one of the more widely suspected non-genetic risk factors for MS. Data suggests that, in genetically predisposed individuals, exposure to an infectious agent may lead to MS (Orbach 2010). One common theory, molecular mimicry, proposes that presentation of foreign antigens that are molecularly similar to self-antigens leads to an autoimmune response (Fujinami 1983; Zabriskie 1986). In other words, viruses involved in the development of autoimmune diseases could possibly display very similar proteins to the proteins found on nerves making these nerves also a target for antibodies. Investigators have probed the involvement of several viruses including: herpes simplex virus (HSV), rubella, measles, mumps, and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) (Ascherio 2007). Currently, the strongest evidence for the involvement of an infectious agent implicates EBV. Virtually all patients who have MS are infected with the EBV. (Ascherio 2007). Further, levels of antibodies to EBV are strongly correlated with the risk of developing the disease (Lünemann, 2006).
Vitamin D
Considering the regulatory role that vitamin D plays in immune system reactivity, it is not surprising that population-based studies have consistently found lower levels of vitamin D in the blood of patients with MS compared to healthy control subjects.
Data from the Nurses' Health Study (more than 92,000 women followed from 1980 to 2000) and the Nurses' Health Study II (more than 95,000 women followed from 1991 to 2001), support the notion of a protective effect for vitamin D against the risk of developing MS. The incidence of MS was 33% lower in women that consumed the most vitamin D as compared to those that consumed the least. In addition, those that consumed at least 400 international units (IU) daily of vitamin D from supplements had an astounding 41% lower incidence of MS(Munger 2004).
In a recent study, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco discovered low 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood levels in African Americans with MS as compared to controls (Gelfand, 2011). The senior author, who is also the associate director of UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center concluded, "It seems relatively clear low vitamin D levels are a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis."
Studies have shown that MS is more common in women than men, and that the disease course is affected by the fluctuation of steroid hormones during the female menstrual cycle (Pozzilli 1999). It is also widely reported that MS patients who become pregnant experience a significant decrease in relapses, enabling women who have MS to bear children safely (Hughes 2004). Animal models of multiple sclerosis have shown that the pregnancy hormone, estriol, can ameliorate disease and can cause an immune shift (Sicotte 2002, Hughes 2004). Other studies note that pregnant women who have MS tend to experience a rebound of their disease within 3 months post-delivery (El-Etr 2005).
These findings suggest that hormones can regulate the course of MS and this theory is further supported by research demonstrating that steroid hormones, such as estrogens, testosterone, progesterone, and, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), can modulate the immune system (Soldan 2003, Bebo 1998; Dalal 1997).
The specific relationship of hormones to the disease process of MS is complex, with ratios between the individual hormones also playing a role. For example, during a human study that examined the presence of MS lesions by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), patients with high estradiol and low progesterone levels had more lesions that those who had low levels of both hormones. Further, patients with a high estrogen to progesterone ratio had a significantly greater number of "active," inflamed lesions than patients who had a low ratio (Bansil 1999). These studies suggest that maintaining youthful hormone balance may ease the symptoms of MS.
A study from Italy provided further evidence that abnormal hormone levels may play a role in the development of MS. The investigators measured hormone levels in 35 women and 25 men with MS, and in 36 people without the disease. Women with low testosterone levels were found to have more brain tissue damage, as determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The women with MS had lower levels of testosterone throughout their monthly cycle compared to women who did not have the condition. Testosterone levels did not vary between men with MS and unaffected men. However, men with MS who had the highest levels of the female hormone estradiol were found to have the greatest degree of brain tissue damage (Tomassini 2005).
More information about optimizing and balancing hormone levels can be found in Life Extension's Male Hormone Restoration protocol and the Female Hormone Restoration protocol.
Organic Solvents
In the mid 1990s, researchers in Sweden evaluated 13 studies investigating the connection between solvent exposure and autoimmune disease. Organic solvents include chemicals such as toluene, paint thinner, and acetone, the latter of which is commonly found in nail polish remover. Ten of those studies indicated a significant relationship between organic solvent exposure and MS. All of the analyses suggested that exposure to solvents increases a person's relative risk of developing MS (Landtblom 1996). In another study scientists analyzed the occupational health records of more than 57,000 workers in Norway, covering a 16-year period. They concluded that workers, such as painters, who are routinely exposed to organic solvents, had twice the risk of developing MS than those who were not occupationally exposed. These results were compatible with the hypothesis that organic solvents are a possible risk factor for MS (Riise 2002).
Those individuals interested in protecting themselves from organic solvents and other environmental toxins should read Life Extension's Metabolic Detoxification protocol.
Food Sensitivities
Sensitivities to certain foods may also play a role in the development or exacerbation of MS. Antibodies to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, is more common in patients with MS (Rodrigo 2011; Shor 2009). MS is also most prevalent in areas where consumption of wheat gluten and milk are also high (Kidd 2001). This relationship lead scientists to explore a possible link between antibodies produced to bovine milk proteins and the ability of those antibodies to cross-react to the protective sheathes around nerves triggering an MS episode. Indeed, this immunologic cross-reactivity has been demonstrated in the laboratory in rodents that have MS (Guggenmos 2004; Stefferl 2000). Further investigations have revealed that in MS patients, higher levels of these antibodies are produced within the central nervous system (Klawiter, 2010). Additional studies are still needed to understand how this cross-reactivity plays into the development and progression of MS.
To help rule out food sensitivities, Life Extension® suggests blood testing such as the Food Safe allergy test and the Celiac disease antibody screen. Call 800-226-2370 for more information on how to obtain this type of testing. Additional information about food allergies is available in the Life Extension Magazine article entitled "What's Really Making You Sick?"
A recently published literature review, evaluating more than 3,000 MS cases and 450,000 controls, supports the emerging consensus that smoking increases the risk of developing MS by approximately 50% (Handel 2011). It is unlikely that smoking alone accounts for the worldwide variation in MS prevalence, and thus, the interplay between genetic markers and smoking has also been investigated. One such study reported that smokers that have two known genetic markers for MS had two times the risk for developing MS than their non-smoking counterparts (Hedstrom 2011). Another study has also verified that smokers diagnosed with MS but in remission have 3.5 times the risk of reactivating and progression of their disease than their non-smoking counterparts (Hernan 2005; Riise 2003).
Symptoms & Diagnosis
MS can affect people of all ages; however the average age of disease onset is between 20 and 40 years (Kidd, 2001). Fatigue, numbness in the limbs, impaired vision, muscle weakness, loss of balance, and bladder dysfunction are frequent symptoms.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary widely, depending on the location of affected nerve fibers (Kidd, 2001).
MS is a tremendously variable and unpredictable disease. Different patients will experience different symptoms, rates of disease progression, and responses to treatment.


text: On Wed, 28 Aug 2002 at 12:26pm, Peter Kjellström wrote > I see the same thing here. I have a intel 1000XT adapter connected to a > HP2324 with gigabit module. > > lspci says: > > Ethernet controller: > Intel Corp. 82544EI Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 02) > Subsystem: Intel Corp. PRO/1000 XT Server Adapter > > ethtool -i DEV says: > driver: e1000 > version: 4.1.7 > > Forcing it to 1000Mbit/s using ethtool seems to work though. Actually, my head node is attached to the other gigabit module in the same switch, and does 1000Mbps just fine. It has the PCI card you have above (running driver 4.3.2), and is using an identical cable. It's the onboard dual port controller in the other server I'm having issues with. I'll give ethtool a shot (and try a new cable, of course) -- thanks. -- Joshua Baker-LePain Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University


text:
Congratulations on the purchase of your San Juan Pool. It is one of the finest swimming pools in the industry and is designed to give you countless years of pleasure. It is constructed of only the best materials available and is built to the highest specifications.
Your San Juan Pool has been designed to provide you with maximum enjoyment
and minimal time spent for maintenance. Clean sparkling water in your San Juan Pool should be your goal. This goal can be attained by becoming familiar and following the recommendations for maintenance in this manual.
It is important to read and keep all of the operating instructions, owner's manuals and warranties for your pool and its equipment. Clearly understand the specifics of safe operation and proper maintenance which these manuals provide. Keep these materials on file and pass them along to future owners or renters.
Think safety first because serious injury and even death can result from unsafe use of pools, pool equipment and associated products. The following are some examples:
Drowning - Although most drownings occur in natural water settings such as oceans, lakes and rivers, drownings do occur in swimming pools. The water depth of any pool is sufficient for drowning to occur. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, especially for children under five.
Paralysis - Improper diving or sliding, alcohol consumption, horseplay, or roughhousing in and around swimming pools may lead to serious neck and spinal injuries including paralysis, in the form of quadriplegia or paraplegia. In form family and guests who will use your pool of the safety rules you have established.
Fires/Burns - The chemicals needed to maintain your water chemistry are potentially harmful when stored or used improperly. If mixed with other chemicals, explosion and fire can occur. Read the labels on the chemical containers and follow manufacturers' instructions. Always store chemicals out of the reach of children.
Electrical Shock/Electrocution – Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Electrical shock or electrocution can occur in a pool if live electrical current flowing through appliances and devices including current from a telephone comes in contact with the water. Make sure all electrical devices are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Establish safety rules and enforce them. Help ensure your family and guests are not victims of any of these unfortunate accidents.
Safety Tips to Prevent Drowning
Safety Guidelines for Using Your San Juan Pool
Diving Guidelines
Guidelines for Proper Use of Pool Slides
Improper use of pool slides can lead to accidents resulting in paralysis or other serious injury. Make sure your slide is right for your pool. Learn the correct methods to slide and enforce proper use.
Other Safety Guidelines
Lifesaving Equipment
First Aid
DO NOT DRAIN YOUR POOL. Your San Juan Pool is designed to remain full of water at all times. If the pool is drained without proper directions, hydrostatic or ground pressure outside the pool could cause the structure to buckle or crack. All damage to the pool shell resulting from improper pool drainage is the owners responsibility. If it becomes necessary to drain the pool, contact your San Juan Dealer or the San Juan Pool manufacturer. For best operation, keep the pool water level in the center of the skimmer plate when pool is in use. Low water level may cause the circulation pump to lose prime resulting in pump damage. High water level reduces or eliminates the skimmers effectiveness.
The bathtub ring, which forms on the pool wall or tile caused by body oils,
Sun tan lotions and airborne contaminates, can easily be removed with BioGuard Off the Wall surface cleaner or other nonabrasive commercial tile or vinyl cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, metal scrapers, brushes or tools as they may cause permanent damage to the gel coat finish. Dulled gel coat finishes above the water line may be restored with a heavy cut automotive polishing compound, power or hand applied followed by a coat of wax. The gel coat finish of your San Juan Pool can be scratched like any other glass surface. The gel coat is seven to eight times thicker than a normal coat of paint so it is not likely that scratches will be more than superficial. Hairline cracks, which may develop over a period of time, are not uncommon. They only penetrate the gel coat and do not affect the pools structure or result in leakage. Scratches and hairline cracks are repairable. Contact your San Juan Dealer for further information.
Pool Skimmer
Main Drain- Water from the bottom of the pool flows through the main drain to the pump. The term main drain implies a way to remove the pool water, however its primary purpose is to circulate deep water, not drain the pool.
Return Inlets- The adjustable return inlets return filtered water back to the pool.
Adjust one return inlet down and to the left of center. Adjust the other slightly up
and left of center. This allows both deep and shallow water circulation along with
clockwise water rotation.
Safety Guidelines for Fittings, Grates, and Drains:
Pump and Motor- The pump and motor draw water from the main drain and or the skimmer, then pushes the water through the filter and, if so equipped, through the heater, chlorinator then back through the pool return inlets. If allowed to run dry, the pump and adjacent piping can be damaged.
Pump Strainer (in front of pump). The lint and hair strainer basket collects lint,
hair, etc., and prevents it from entering the pump and filter. Clean as required.
Before removing the lid to strainer basket, be sure to turn the pump motor OFF. Be sure the strainer lid is re-secured, turn the pump on, and open the air relief valve on top of the filter. Silicone based grease or Aqua Lube on the O-ring in the lid will assure you of a better seal. Sandy dirt collected in the bottom of the strainer housing can be washed out by removing the quarter inch plug at the bottom of the strainer housing and flushing it with a hose.
Pool Filter- Your pool filter is designed to mechanically clean your pool water by trapping tiny particles inside. The cleaner the water, the less sanitizer and water chemistry adjustments will be required. Your San Juan Dealer will advise you regarding care and maintenance of the filter system provided for your pool.
Filter Pressure Gauge. The pressure gauge located on top of the filter tells you the condition of your filter and circulating system. With the filter clean and the
suction and return valves open, check and note the pressure reading on the gauge. When the gauge rises ten pounds above this starting pressure, it is time to clean or backwash the filter. If the gauge falls below the starting pressure, check the skimmer and hair and lint pump strainer for debris. If the reading remains low, check for any air leaks at the hair and lint strainer lid on pump. If low pressure persists, check for cracked or broken piping on the inlet side of the pump. Excessive air bubbles in the hair and lint pump strainer may also indicate cracked or broken pipes. Follow manufacturer and dealer instructions for operation and maintenance for other pool equipment and accessories.
Time Clock- The time clock turns the pump motor on and off at adjustable predetermined times. For best results the time clock should run the pump eight to twelve hours when water is at swimming temperature and three to five hours at lower temperatures. It is best to set the time clock to cycle on and off twice in a twenty-four hour period to better balance circulation, filtration and sanitizer disbursement.
Light- Consult your San Juan Dealer for bulb replacement and instructions.
The secret to clean, clear and sanitary swimming pool water is achieved through
a combination of the following:
1. Filtration.
2. Regular cleaning and maintenance.
3. Chemical treatment and water balance.
Swimming pool water will remain fresh and inviting only if all three factors
are properly applied. Many water problems can be a result of poor filtration or
maintenance and cannot be cured by chemical treatments.
The pool's circulation system is designed to filter the entire contents of the pool
every eight to twelve hours. The pump draws water from the skimmer(s) and main drain. The water circulates through the filter, removing fine particles and dirt. Filtered water may also pass through a heater or chlorinator, and then return to the pool through the return inlets. As the filter becomes saturated with dirt, pressure increases on the pressure gauge and the return flow of water to the pool decreases. The filter must now be cleaned.
There are three different types of filters commonly used, sand, cartridge and
diatomaceous earth (D.E.) filters. Please check the equipment manufacturer's
guidelines for cleaning.
Backwashing the filter should be determined by the pressure not time. Backwash when the pressure gauge on the filter increases ~ten pounds over its "clean pressure." Backwashing too frequently will waste chemicals and water and will not improve filtration. Because backwashing does not always remove oils and deeply embedded debris, every filter also needs to be chemically clean filter media every six weeks. Your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer can help you establish a filter maintenance program or consult your filters manufacturer manual for guidelines.
Safety Guidelines for Filter Systems
Regular vacuuming and brushing of the pool is essential. Manual vacuuming and
brushing should be done at least weekly. Automatic cleaners will eliminate most
of the work associated with vacuuming and brushing. Ask your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for details on these time saving cleaners.
Dirt and debris consume chemicals and can stain the pool. Therefore, remove all
dirt, debris and leaves as soon as possible with a good cleaning.
The pool vacuum works on the same principle as a carpet vacuum for your home. The pool vacuum uses water suction instead of air to remove dirt and debris from your pool's floor. Follow the guidelines listed below:
1. Turn off the pool pump and if so equipped, turn the skimmer or vacuum valve
open and the main drain closed.
2. Remove the skimmer lid and basket. Note: If so equipped, leave the skimmer
basket in place and install the vacuum plate.
3. Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum head and attach the vacuum pole to the head.
4. Sink the vacuum head to the bottom of the pool, and then fill the vacuum hose
with water by submerging the hose, displacing the air.
5. Insert the open end of the vacuum hose through the skimmer top into the
suction outlet. Note: If the pool is equipped with a dedicated vacuum wall
fitting, insert the open end of the hose into the fitting.
6. Turn on the pool pump then vacuum the pool slowly from shallow to deep end.
Note: Do not vacuum large leaves or debris as it may clog the plumbing lines.
7. When vacuuming is complete, remove, empty and replace the skimmer basket
and re-open the main drain valve.
8. Check the filter pressure gauge and if required, backwash or clean the filter.
Observe your pool daily and give attention as necessary to these other important
cleaning tasks:
1. Keep pump and skimmer baskets clean. A clogged basket restricts water
flow and filtration.
2. Keep water level in the center of skimmer, do not allow water level to go
below skimmer opening.
3. Clean water line with a swimming pool tile and vinyl cleaner.
4. Keep the main drain clear of debris.
5. Check the filters pressure gauge regularly.
Determining your pool's water capacity:
To properly apply chemicals you must know your pool's water capacity. Consult
your San Juan Dealer for gallons of water in the pool model purchased or use the
following formulas to calculate the gallonage of water in your pool.
Multiply (Using Feet)
--------- x ---------- x ------------------- x ------------ = -----------
Length Width Average Depth S factor Gallons
Use for S (Shape) factor: Rectangle – 7.5, Oval – 6.7 and Round – 5.9
Average depth is determined by taking the depth of the deep end plus the depth of shallow end and dividing by two.
Knowing your pool's gallons is extremely important to ensure accurate chemical
additions, adjustments and overall proper chemical balance.
Appearance is not a reliable gauge of the condition of your pool. A good test kit must be used regularly to ensure clear and sanitary water. Your test kit should be able to
test sanitizer level, pH and total alkalinity. Your test kit should also include the type and amount of products required to adjust your pool water chemistry. These are the chemical factors that can change quickly and require frequent adjustments.
Note: For best results when testing pool water, take water samples from at least
18" below surface, opposite side of a return jet. Make sure to hold test reagent bottles vertically when applying reagents to test cells. Chemical reagents should be replaced every year. There are several other factors that make up proper water balance such as Calcium Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Chlorine Stabilizer & Metals that once adjusted to proper levels only need to be tested two to four times a year. Bring a pool water sample to your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for a complete water analysis when you open and close your pool, and every 4-6 weeds during the season.
Chlorine Residual – 1.0 to 3.0 ppm
pH Level - 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6)
Total Alkalinity – 125 to 150 ppm
Calcium Hardness – 175 to 225 ppm for chlorine and bromine, 200 – 275 ppm for Soft Swim
Cyanuric Acid (chlorine stabilizer) 30 to 40 ppm
Metals – 0 ppm
Step 1 – Total Alkalinity
Test 1 to 2 times a week.
Always check total alkalinity first. Proper range for total alkalinity for your San
Juan Pool is between 125 to 150 ppm. The total alkalinity is the measure of alkaline materials dissolved in the water. Proper levels of total alkalinity serve as a buffer to prevent fluctuations in the pH. To increase your total alkalinity, add Total Alkalinity Increaser or BioGuard Balance Pak 100. In general, 3 pounds of a total alkalinity increaser will raise the total alkalinity in a 10,000 gallon pool by 20 ppm. To lower your total alkalinity you may need to add doses of ph lower (dry acid) or BioGuard Lo N' Slo. Always follow the directions of the chemical container. Total Alkalinity kept in the proper range will help stabilize the pH level.
Step 2 – pH Control
Test 2 times per week
pH is a measure of the relative acidity and alkalinity of water. The pH scale runs
from the highly acid range of 0 to the highly alkaline range of 14. A pH level of 7
is considered neutral. The ideal and most comfortable range for your San Juan pool water is a pH between 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6).
Problems with "Out of Range" pH:
Low pH (pH below 7.2) causes:
High pH (above 7.6) causes:
It is very important to keep your pH level between 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6), to avoid the many problems that can occur with your pool's surface, equipment and water.
What causes the pH to change?
pH can vary week to week, even day to day. Factors that affect the pH include:
swimmers, rainwater, fresh water, chlorine, and the total alkalinity.
Adjusting pH
If the pH is low, add a pH increaser (Sodium Carbonate) or BioGuard Balance Pak 200 to raise the pH. Follow directions on the container for dosage and application. Generally, never add more than ¼ to ½ pound of a pH increaser or BioGuard Balance Pak 200 per 20,000 gallons of pool water at one time.
Re-test after four hours and repeat dosage if necessary.
If the pH is high, add pH decreaser (Sodium Bisulfate) or BioGuard Lo N' Slo to lower the pH. Follow directions on container for dosage and application.
Note: If you can not maintain a proper pH level, check total alkalinity and adjust
accordingly. Proper total alkalinity stabilizes the pH level.
Step 3 – Chlorine
Chlorine is the most widely used effective and economical sanitizer for swimming
pools. Chlorine controls algae, effectively kills bacteria and other disease causing
organisms, and removes waste products through oxidation. You should maintain
low, but constant chlorine levels. Proper chlorine levels for your San Juan Pool
should be between 1.0 to 3.0 ppm.
Use slow dissolving chlorine tablets or sticks or BioGuard Silk Tabs, Silk Sticks and Smart Sticks in an automatic chlorinator or in skimmer basket.
If chlorine level is low, turn the dial up on chlorinator or Silk Tabs in
a floater or shock the pool with a chlorine shock product or BioGuard Smart Shock, Burn Out Extreme or Burn Out 35. Too high, turn down or off the automatic chlorinator or remove the floater. The most popular form of chlorine is pre-stabilized "Tri-chlor" which is available in the following forms:
3" or 1" Tablets
BioGuard ·3" or 1" Silk Tab (Pucks)
BioGuard Silk Sticks
BioGuard Smart Sticks
How much Chlorine is needed?
The chlorine level should be regularly tested and maintained between 1.0 to 3.0
ppm. Many factors affect the consumption of chlorine such as sunlight, water
temperature, rainwater, fresh water, pH, bather usage and contaminates blowing
into the pool by wind and rain. Therefore, there is no reliable chart to properly
calculate how much chlorine should be added to any particular pool. However, as a rule of thumb a 10,000 gallon pool will use about 1 to 2 pounds of Silk Tabs or Silk Sticks per week. Of course this will vary based on the factors mentioned above.
Step 4 – Super Chlorination (Shock)
Why is Shocking your pool necessary?
Waste enters the pool through wind, rain, and people. Many of these wastes are not filterable and combine with the chlorine to form "chloramines," a chlorine
nitrogen complex. Chloramines cause eye irritation and reduce the amount of
"free" chlorine available to provide sanitation. A build up of waste (in the form of
chloramines) also causes the water to become cloudy or have a dull appearance.
What Shocking Does
Shocking burns out wastes and transforms the chloramines back to free available
chlorine. Shocking uses oxidation to restore the pool water to a sparkling,
sanitary, comfortable condition. Normal chlorine levels are usually unable to
accomplish this.
How and When to Shock
Shocking should be done every week. Heavy bather use and warm water
temperatures will further increase the need to shock. The addition of 1 pound of
chlorine shock per 10,000 gallons or BioGuard Smart Shock per 12,000 gallons of pool water is usually sufficient. Preferably shock the pool in the evening. Next morning add a maintenance dosage of a Algaecide 60 or BioGuard Back Up or Algae All 60 algicide. NOTE: Additional shock may be needed after a rain storm, heavy bather load, hot weather or additional fresh water filling.
There are various shocks offered by BioGuard
·Burn Out is Calcium Hypochlorite 47% available chlorine. This shock product is a multifunctional formula that shocks, clarifiers and oxidizes the water.
·Burn Out 35 is Lithium Hypochlorite (Granular Chlorine) 35% available chlorine
This compound is different from many other chlorine shock products because it
dissolves almost instantly and does not affect the pH or calcium hardness.
·Smart Shock is 39% available chlorine and also is a multifunctional shock that kills algae, bacteria, shocks and clarifies the water to make it sparkling clear.
Step 5 – Preventative Algaecide
Algae are microscopic plant life that's introduced into the pool water by rain, wind
and leaves. When allowed to multiply, algae consumes chlorine and becomes
unsightly. Algae can grow quite rapidly, sometimes appearing in just a matter of
hours. Warm water dramatically enhances the growth of algae.
The best approach to prevention of algae is a maintenance program. Add a preventative algaecide or BioGuard Back Up or Algae All 60 (non-foaming and no copper, use for pools with water features or spill over spas) to the pool water every week. Add the algaecide the following morning after shocking the pool.
Step 6 – Water Clarifier
A water clarifier or BioGuard Polysheen Blue should be added once a week to "polish" water. Follow label directions for application procedures. Do not overdose on water clarifiers.
Calcium Hardness – Is the relative hardness of your pool water. How hard water
is has to do with the amounts of dissolved calcium in it. Pool water needs a proper calcium hardness level to prevent damage or scaling to surfaces and equipment. If the water is too soft, it will be aggressive and erode equipment components such as heaters, ladders and handrails along with pool surfaces. If the water is too hard, deposits will form on the pool equipment and pool surface.
The proper range for Calcium Hardness in your San Juan Pool is between 175 to 225 ppm for chlorine and bromine pools and 200 – 275 for Soft Swim pools. Test Calcium Hardness monthly.
To increase Calcium Hardness in your pool, add a Calcium Increaser (Calcium Carbonate) or BioGuard Balance Pak 300 and follow directions on product container for application.
Pool Stabilizer or BioGuard Stabilizer 100 (Cyanuric Acid) – Sunlight is a major factor in the consumption of chlorine. When Stabilizer 100 is added to the pool water, it makes the chlorine more resistant to the U.V. rays of the sun. Chlorine stabilizer helps keep your chlorine levels more constant while reducing your chlorine costs.
The proper chlorine stabilizer level for your San Juan Pool should be between 30
to 40 ppm. You should have your chlorine stabilizer level tested monthly at your San Juan dealer or local BioGuard dealer.
To increase your chlorine stabilizer add Stabilizer 100. Three pounds of Stabilizer 100 will raise a 10,000 gallon pool by 30 ppm. Unlike chlorine, chlorine stabilizer
is depleted only through splash out and backwashing. And because many forms
of chlorine contain stabilizer, you may not need to add chlorine stabilizer every
Consult your San Juan dealer or local BioGuard dealer for additional information
or recommendations regarding Cyanuric Acid levels.
Safety Guidelines for Chemical Storage and Use
Do not guess with chemicals. Before using, read the labels and follow directions.
Occasionally problems will occur. Your best approach is to bring a pool water
sample to your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for a complete water
analysis. Below are some of the most commonly occurring problems and their most likely solutions.
Cloudy Water
Probable Causes:
Cloudy water is caused by any of, or a combination of the following conditions:
1. High pH.
2. Waste build-up.
3. Low chlorine level.
4. Early stages of algae growth.
5. Poor filtration or non-filterable particles.
Likely Solutions:
1. Check pH and adjust to between 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6)
2. Add 1 pound of Smart Shock per 12,000 gallons or 1 pound of Burn Out Extreme per 10,000 gallons of water.
3. Add Polysheen Blue.
4. Check filter system for proper operation and circulation.
5. Backwash or chemically clean filter with a filter cleaner or BioGuard Kleen It.
Green Water
Possibly caused by metals, but most likely caused by algae growth.
Check and adjust pH and total alkalinity. Add 1 pound of chlorine shock per 10,000 gallons or Smart Shock per 12,000 gallons or 1 pound of Burn Out Extreme per 10,000 gallons of water. Follow up the next morning with a preventative dosage of a preventative algaecide, an Algicide 60 or BioGuard Back Up or Algae All 60. If water does not start clearing in 24 hours, repeat
treatment. Bring water sample to your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer
for a complete analysis.
Eye/Skin Irritation- Chlorine Odor
Low pH and/or Total Alkalinity. Possible waste build-up and formation of
Check and adjust the pH and Total Alkalinity. Shock pool water with 1 pound of chlorine shock per 10,000 gallons or 1 pound of BioGuard Smart Shock per 12,000 gallons or 1 pound of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme per 10,000 gallons.
Can't Keep Chlorine Level Up
Low stabilizer level and/or high chlorine demand from excess wastes in the pool
Take a pool water sample to your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for
a complete water analysis. Make sure they test for stabilizer level and total dissolved solids and chlorine demand. Add chlorine stabilizer if level is below 30 ppm. Shock
pool water with 2 pounds of a chlorine shock product or BioGuard Burn Out Extreme per 10,000 gallons of water to remove excess wastes. Other actions may be required.
Metal Staining
What is a Metal Stain?
Metal staining can occur on your San Juan Pool surfaces. Stains may show up on the pool's surface as large colored "splotches" or as overall "plating." Staining may occur quite suddenly or slowly over a period of months or even years.
What Causes Metal Staining?
Colored stains can be caused by the following:
1. If the pool is filled or topped off with well water or even in some cases city water and a metal inhibitor product or BioGuard Pool Magnet Plus or Scale Inhibitor is not used while or after filling, minerals from the fill water can deposit on the surface of the pool and result in staining. Most fill water contains trace to measurable amounts of metals. These metals are completely dissolved in water and in most cases are not visible. The most common metals present in fill water are iron, copper, and manganese. The metal content usually depends on your source of fill water. Iron stains appear reddish or light brown, Copper will be green or blue and Manganese is black.
2. If chlorine levels get extremely high such as after shocking the pool, and
metals are present in the water they may be forced out of solution (water) and
deposit on the surface of the pool (as a stain).
3. If pH and total alkalinity are not kept in proper range and the water becomes
acidic (corrosive), water running through the heater could bring copper from the
heat exchanger into the pool.
4. Raising the pH and total alkalinity too quickly, and if metals are present in the
water they may be forced out of solution (water) and deposit on the surface of the
pool (as a stain).
5. Additions of metal based algaecides, or any
other metal contaminants such as coins or metal shavings from the job site.
6. Fertilizer used in yards and gardens are a major source of staining (caution
should always be used when applying these products near the pool).
Stain Prevention
These are some of the possible causes, now let's discuss prevention. The first line of defense is to always ensure that your chemical levels are in proper range:
Chlorine Residual – 1.0 to 3.0 ppm pH level – 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6) Total Alkalinity – 125 to 150 ppm Calcium Hardness – 175 to 225 ppm for chlorine and bromine, 200 – 275 ppm for Soft Swim
A Metal Inhibitor product or BioGuard Pool Magnet Plus or Scale Inhibitor should be added after filling or topping off the pool water level, or after heavy rains.
Untreated water may stain your San Juan Pool surface. For prevention use a Metal Inhibitor product or BioGuard Pool Magnet Plus or Scale Inhibitor. Follow manufacturer's label directions for proper application.
NOTE: In many cases depending on the chemical manufacturer, there are
different chemical product formulations for either prevention or removal. Make
sure you are purchasing the best type of product for your needs. Consult your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for additional information.
Stain Removal
How do I know if the Stain is removable?
Get a small sample of pH lower (dry acid) or BioGuard Lo N' Slo and put in a white sock or use a couple of Vitamin C tablets. Place the sample
powder or tablet directly over a small stain (perhaps a step area) if possible, with
the pool pump off. If the stain around the test area is removed within a couple hours, this indicates that the stain will likely respond to a Stain Removal product or BioGuard Stain Remover.
Lower pH to 7.0 – 7.4 and adjust total alkalinity to 125 to 150 ppm bring your chlorine level to less than 1 ppm. Follow label directions for Stain Remover
treatment amounts for existing stains. If possible, identify source of staining and
follow prevention guidelines. After stains are gone, use a Metal Inhibitor product or BioGuard Pool Magnet Plus or Scale Inhibitor on a regular basis following manufacturer's directions (especially after refilling, topping off, or heavy rains). Slowly bring chlorine level up to proper range (1.0 to 3.0 ppm). High chlorine levels or shocking the pool immediately after treatment may re-stain the surface.
There are also other possible causes for stains, such as stains caused by organics from plants and leaves. Such stains require a different treatment. Consult your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for further solutions.
Opening Your Pool
Get Ready For the Season
Start the Pool off Right
Follow these simple steps to open the pool properly:
1. Remove Pool Cover
(New pools and uncovered pools can skip this step.) If your pool has a solid cover, drain off the water. Don't let the standing water get into the pool. Sweep off the cover and then clean with a cover cleaner – deodorizer to prevent sticking and unpleasant odors by using a cover cleaner product or BioGuard Stow Away. Once it is clean, store the cover in a dry place that is free of debris
and protected from the sun and outside elements.
2. Fill Pool
Fill the pool to the middle of the skimmer opening for proper circulation.
3. Check The Equipment
Make sure everything is clean and in working order, including the pump, skimmer, filter and heater (if applicable.) Start the circulation system, and remove debris from the pool. Pay close attention to the filter; it is a very important part of the pool's maintenance program. If it is not working properly, neither will the chemical products you add. Follow care instructions as recommended by the filter manufacturer.
4. Clean Surfaces
Give the pool a good brushing and vacuuming, and skim the surface for debris.
Use a pool surface cleaner or BioGuard Off the Wall surface cleaner around the water line to remove oil, grease, and other debris.
5. Test and Balance Water
Test pool water for chlorine residual, pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness,
Cyanuric Acid (chlorine stabilizer), and metals. Balance the water to the
following chemical ranges:
Metals – 0 ppm If metals are present use a Metal Inhibitor product or BioGuard Pool Magnet Plus or Scale Inhibitor. Follow manufactures label directions for proper application.
6. Shock the pool using either chlorine shock product or BioGuard Smart Shock, Burn Out Extreme, or Burn Out 25 per label directions to remove organic contaminants and make the water sparkle. Add a preventative algaecide or BioGuard Back Up or Algae All 60 prevent, control, or kill algae.
7. Begin Regular Maintenance Program.
Get Ready For the Off-Season
When the temperature drops you need to prepare the pool for the winter months.
Depending on where you live, you may close the pool completely or just use it
occasionally. Either way, you want to winterize the pool properly so spring start-up is less time and money consuming. BioGuard has various winterizing products available that are designed to keep pool water clear and trouble free throughout the off season.
needed. Apply BioGuard Basic Winter Kit products according to label directions.
Please consult your San Juan Dealer or local BioGuard dealer for specific information or directions for closing your pool.
*Never let pool water stay more than six inches below normal operating level
for any length of time.
PLEASE CALL San Juan Pools Water Chemistry Customer Care by BioGuard at 1-800-870-6370 FOR WATER CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS ONLY.
Only pool professionals, licensed electricians, builders, carpenters or other appropriate experts should perform the following services: Selection, installation and servicing of diving boards, pool slides, electrical equipment, heaters, filters, covers, solar systems and plumbing devices.


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Thursday, June 28, 2018
06-27-18 - Search for Life on Mars / Psychic Insights - David Weintraub, Joseph Jacobs
Audio property of https://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2018/06/27
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President Bashar al-Assad's forces pounded Sunni Muslim rebels in the city of Homs with artillery and from the air on Sunday, the second day of an offensive to expand loyalist control over Syria's strategic centre, activists said.
They said rebels defending the old centre of Homs and five adjacent Sunni districts had largely repelled a ground attack on Saturday by Assad's forces but reported fresh clashes and deaths within the city on Sunday.
The offensive follows steady military gains by Assad's forces, backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants, in villages in Homs province and towns close to the Lebanese border.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Assad must halt his "brutal assault" on Homs. Gulf countries, which back the rebels, urged Lebanon to stop "parties" interfering in the Syria conflict, a reference to Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
Opposition sources and diplomats said the loyalist advance had tightened the siege of Homs and secured a main road link to Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon and to army bases in Alawite-held territory near the Syrian coast, the main entry point for Russian arms that have given Assad a key advantage in firepower.
At least 100,000 people have been killed since the Syrian revolt against four decades of rule by Assad and his late father erupted in March 2011, making the uprising the bloodiest of the Arab Spring popular revolutions against entrenched autocrats.
The Syrian conflict is increasingly pitting Assad's Alawite minority, backed by Shi'ite Iran and its Hezbollah ally, against mainly Sunni rebel brigades supported by the Gulf states, Egypt, Turkey and others.
Sunni Jihadists, including al Qaeda fighters from Iraq, have also entered the fray.
The loyalist advances have alarmed international supporters of the rebels, leading the United States to announce it will step up military support. Saudi Arabia has accelerated deliveries of sophisticated weaponry, Gulf sources say.
The Sham News Network opposition monitoring group said fighters belonging to the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front had killed five loyalist troops in fighting in the Bab Hud district of Old Homs on Sunday.
Activists said one woman and a child had been killed in an airstrike on the old city, home to hundreds of civilians.
Video footage taken by the activists, which could not be immediately verified, showed the two bodies being carried in blankets as well as a man holding a wounded child with a huge gash in his head.
Rebel fighters also fought loyalist forces backed by tanks in the old covered market, which links the old city with Khalidiya, a district inhabited by members of tribes who have been at the forefront of the armed insurgency.
"After failing to make any significant advances yesterday, the regime is trying to sever the link between Khalidiya and the old city," Abu Bilal, one of the activists, said from Homs.
"We are seeing a sectarian attack on Homs par excellence, The army has taken a back role. Most of the attacking forces are comprised of Alawite militia being directed by Hezbollah."
The Alawites are an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam that have controlled Syria since the 1960s, when members of the sect took over the army and the security apparatus which underpin the power structure in the mainly Sunni country.
Located at a major highway intersection 88 miles north of Damascus, Homs is a majority Sunni city. But a large number of Alawites have moved into mostly new and segregated districts in recent decades, drawn by army and security jobs.
Lebanese security forces said Hezbollah appeared to be present in the rural areas surrounding Homs but there was no indication that it was fighting in the labyrinth streets of Homs, where it could take heavy casualties.
Anwar Abu al-Waleed, an activist, said rebel brigades were prepared to fight a long battle, unlike in Qusair and Tel Kalakh, two towns in rural Homs near the border with Lebanon that fell to loyalist forces in recent weeks.
"We are talking about serious urban warfare in Homs. We are not talking about scattered buildings in an isolated town but a large urban area that provides a lot of cover," he said.
Britain's Hague expressed concern over the escalation of fighting in Homs, saying in a statement: "I call upon the Assad regime to cease its brutal assault on Homs and to allow full humanitarian access to the country."
The Syrian conflict has aggravated neighbouring Lebanon's own complex sectarian rivalry, triggering fighting between Alawite pro-Assad and Sunni anti-Assad militia in the northern city of Tripoli that has killed dozens.
Gulf foreign ministers meeting in Bahrain urged the Lebanese government to "commit to distancing itself from the Syrian crisis and to prevent any Lebanese parties from interfering in (Syria) in order to enable it to confront the brutal attacks and crimes conducted by the regime and its allies."
Additional reporting by Angus McDowall and William Maclean in Dubai


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Summertime sure is fun out here! Going to the beach (didja have to pay for a beach sticker?), driving out to Montauk (gosh, golly, gas sure is expensive!), shopping (that bikini is how much?), and dining out at all the fun new restaurants, where the average check can easily reach $100 per person.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were a casual, affordable restaurant for the whole family? Better yet, one that is open all year?
Harbor Grill on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton promises — and delivers — just that, casual, affordable dining. Every night at the bar you can get a classic burger and brew for $10, a birch beer float for $4.50. Every single entree is below $20, except for the weekend special of prime rib, which is still a reasonable $22.95. The restaurant is run by the same folks who own Harbor Bistro, a bit farther down the road on the water.
On the night of our visit Harbor Grill was very busy, with families and young couples enjoying the reasonably priced menu. The decor is simple and clean — wood floors, wood tables, a cathedral ceiling with skylights, and a lot of acoustic paneling to keep the noise level down. There are also a few outdoor tables for those who enjoy the soothing rumble of cars on the nearby road.
We began with corn fritters, steamed mussels, Mongolian barbecue wings, gravy cheese fries, and Caesar salad. The corn fritters were very good, slightly sweet nuggets with kernels of corn throughout, served with an excellent horseradish sour cream dipping sauce. The mussels were a big hit; they were plump, tender, and sweet, served in a great broth full of fresh garlic and chopped parsley. The grilled garlic bread served with it was perfect for sopping up an extra dose of vampire deterrent. The wings were also very good, coated with a spicy and sweet sauce. We had to get the gravy cheese fries because you seldom see versions of "poutine," the national dish of Quebec, outside of Canada. Dare I say these were better than every version I've tried up north? Poutine is traditionally served with cheese curds and bland gravy. These fries, although obviously of the frozen variety, were served with a very tasty mushroom gravy and melted mozzarella cheese. Naughty, naughty, indeed! The Caesar salad was okay, but it could have used a little more punch, as in anchovies or garlic or something.
For entrees we tried the Gorgonzola-crusted steak, shrimp scampi, barbecue ribs, the baby blue burger, and baked clams. The Gorgonzola steak was sliced flank steak, an underutilized cut of beef that always has flavor, served with a big potato croquette. The potato croquette reminded me of my mother's potato pancakes made from leftover mashed potatoes, crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside.
The shrimp scampi was a dud, but only because the shrimp were tasteless. The pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was delicious. The barbecue ribs were well cooked and tender, but the sauce tasted bottled. The burger was one of the best dishes we tried. Excellent beef, char grilled to perfection, topped with Gorgonzola cheese and bacon, served with more of the mega-steak fries.
The baked clams were good, if a bit bready.
Service on the night we went was excellent. Our waiter was cheerful, helpful, and energetic.
Prices are $2.75 to $9.95 for appetizers and salads, $5.95 to $11.95 for sandwiches and burgers, $14.95 to $22.95 for entrees, and $3.50 to $4.95 for sides. There is an extensive and cute children's menu with dishes named after Katie, Ryleigh, Kerri, Brayden, Addie, and Maddie. From a healthy grilled chicken with a vegetable to fish 'n' chips or mozzarella shots, the prices are a shockingly reasonable $6.50 to $8.95. Best of all, the menu starts with the dessert page. For $4.50 to $6 you can choose from a variety of floats, sundaes, shakes, and daily pie and cake specials.
One of our guests, Claude, pointed out that Harbor Grill offers "real food and real portions." Another guest, Grasshopper, appreciated their mixology talents used in making her Shirley Temple. She insisted there is an art to it, the balance of the grenadine to ginger ale ratio in relation to slow ice meltage. Seriously.
For desserts we tried the pie special and the chocolate chip cookie sundae. The pies are baked on the premises, but not made on the premises. So I'm pretty sure we got a slice of Mrs. Smith's blueberry pie. It tasted like Mrs. Smith's blueberry pie. The chocolate chip cookie sundae was big and festive and everyone enjoyed it.
Harbor Grill is probably the only place on the East End where you can get a truly delicious burger, marvelous mussels, and a birch beer float in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Summertime sure is fun out here. And it can be affordable.


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In Colorado home security is a major priority for most home and business owners. Choosing the right one can make all the difference. However, not every home needs the same security system. The one that is best for you is the one that most adequately meets your needs, whether they are price, quality, dependability, ease of access or comprehensiveness. Consider our selection of the best home security systems in Colorado now for the best protection possible.
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The Need For Security Cameras in Colorado
Security cameras are the most beneficial addition you can choose in your home security system in Colorado. While having a security system is a deterrent for many burglars, the addition of security cameras will ward off even the more seasoned ones. With video surveillance, the risk of being caught and identified is just too high. For the homeowner, video surveillance gives you the option to see who is at the front door before opening it; an easy way to check in on your home and property when you are away; and actual recorded evidence that is safely stored elsewhere when events trigger the security cameras.
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Customizable home security in Colorado is what most people want today. We understand that every home is different and every need for security is different. With customizable home security, you can place sensors and cameras where you want them. You can set up text or email alerts for the triggers you choose. Monitor your home at your leisure, whether that is once in a blue moon or once an hour. With our systems, you can make your home security truly unique to you.
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One of the most critical parts of the home security system experience is the monitoring. We offer 24/7 professional monitoring through Monitronics. Its monitoring centers are Five-Diamond certified by the CSAA. That means it is held to a much higher standard of excellence than the other more than 97% of monitoring stations in the country that are not Five-Diamond certified. You get the best quality monitoring available for expedient help when it's needed and effective handling of false alarms.
Make the call today to 1-888-518-0156 and let one of our security specialists help you
find the exact system for your Colorado home security needs.


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Takeaways From CROI 2014: 7 HIV-Related Studies That Stand Out
March 14, 2014
Earlier this month, Josep M. Llibre, M.D., and Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D., and thousands of HIV experts attended the 21st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), in Boston, Massachusetts. The two doctors met over a tasty hamburger lunch to compare their thoughts and views on the top studies from the conference. Here are the top take-home messages they felt came from CROI 2014.
Table of Contents
Josep M. Llibre, M.D., is in the HIV Unit of the "Lluita contra la SIDA" Foundation at University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain. Dr. Llibre has received funding for research or payment for conferences or participation on advisory boards from Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Janssen-Cilag, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and ViiV Healthcare.
Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D., is vice president and chief medical officer of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care based in Washington, D.C., and an adjunct professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Dr. Young has received consulting or speaking fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cerner Corporation, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., Monogram Biosciences, and ViiV Healthcare. He has received research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cerner Corporation, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., and ViiV Healthcare.
Copyright © 2014 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
This article was provided by TheBodyPRO. It is a part of the publication The 21st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2014).
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If the dates from the camera and postings are semi-accurate, then we have an approximate timeline:06 July Manila07 July Singapore10 July Tokyo16-17 July Prague19 July BudapestIf the dates are off, at least we have a start at fixing the relative order.
Quote from: Kogs on July 25, 2007, 05:16:13 PMi found this today http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertgarcia/832645844/looks like in Korea?
i found this today http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertgarcia/832645844/
Last season, the teams were all quite nice people, this season theyre laying their true colors out for everyone to see. Some of the teams even wanted to start fighting with me! Theyre very, very angry people!
Were going to have a special episode before the actual premiere of the first leg of the race. Its called Racers Revealed and it gives the audience the chance to get more familiar with the racers before they actually start competing on the show. In that show, theres a good chance theyre going to show some of these audition tapes so in the future, people will have a better idea of what it takes to be in the show.
Yves' pics have been taken down.
Oh nice find Slowhatch! and I have all of Yves' pictures saved but will hang on to them because I don't want either Yves or McKay to be mad at us
The structure she's standing on was bugging me; it took a while but I finally found it: Fun Extreme Canopy, just east of the Visegrad citadel.
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TearLab gets FDA nod for home use of dry eye test (Reuters) – TearLab Corp said health regulators allowed home use of its device to diagnose dry eye condition, sending the medical device maker's shares up as much as 80 percent to their highest in eight months.
Please issue a correction. The test was CLIA-waived for professional office use, not home.


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Product 34/35
Heel measures approximately 160mm/ 6.5 inches with a 60mm/ 2.5 inch platform. Christian Louboutin cements his status as the king of fierce footwear with these spiked patent-leather sandals, specially designed to celebrate the iconic label's 20th anniversary. From the glittering Swarovski crystals to the razor-sharp stiletto heels and signature glossy red soles, this pair is the ultimate investment. Dress from the feet up and style them with a simple shift for an envy-inspiring evening look.


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HOUSTON, TX — By the end of this month, Houstonian Lite will open its newest location in downtown Houston — Houstonian Lite at Wells Fargo Plaza. The 12,000-square-foot facility, which has been under construction since December, will include a full complement of state-of-the-art exercise equipment, group exercise studio space, a private Pilates' studio and locker rooms.
The club was developed by the building owner, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Metropolitan Tower Realty Co. Inc., and Lincoln Property Co., which leases and manages the building, to serve as a new amenity for its tenants. Houstonian Lite will also market club memberships to executives, professionals and employees working in the surrounding buildings.
Members of Houstonian Lite will enjoy complimentary reciprocal privileges to the chain's other two Houston area clubs, as well as periodic discounts to other affiliates of The Redstone Companies, including The Houstonian Hotel, Redstone Golf Club, BlackHorse Golf Club and more.


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Last week I bought these glorious fabrics in the bargain bin at my local fabric shop. When you buy from the baskets, there's usually one piece and you'll never see that fabric again. You want it, you'd better be prepared to impulse buy, and fight a tiny Asian grandmother to get it.
Fabulous, right? The melon one, you'll be glad to know, is safe. I cut out my dress parts from it, bought some garish yellow trims, and you should be seeing the finished article in a couple of weeks. The leopard one however did not fare so well. I decided that I would make a bright yellow leopard print version of my usual sarong dress pattern, with black trims, black petal bust, and black lining to the draped overskirt. I could see it in my mind; this thing was going to be my new favourite outfit in the world, to be debuted at next week's Bedlam Breakout psychobilly weekender. I wasn't sure of the fibre content, so I used a Dylon hand dye in sunflower yellow. Trusty old Dylon eh? Nope.
It turned out a colour which I will politely refer to as pale lemon, but would prefer to (rather impolitely) refer to as I-boiled-this-in-a-bucket-of-my-own-piss yellow. Although annoyed at having spent £3.10 to turn my fabric such an insipid shade, I remained upbeat as we could now determine that the fabric had a high synthetic content and would need to be dyed with something suitable for polyester and nylon.
|Picture by Dixie DIY
This is what I found. I think it's the only product available on the UK market for home dyeing synthetics, but it looked pretty good anyway. I did some research online as to what other bloggers' colour results had been for each yellow shade, and picked out the yellow iDye Poly and iDye for natural fabrics in 'Golden Yellow', as directed by the packaging in order to colour a cotton-synthetic blend fabric.
The instructions stated that the iDye Poly, poly colour intensifier, and iDye natural should be chucked into a pot of hot water together to dissolve, the fabric added and brought to the boil, and a US cup of salt added.
|This is what it was supposed to look like. Via Live the Fancy Life
Problem 1. I didn't own a pot large enough to fit my whole 2.5m of fabric into. I decided to cut out all the parts of my dress, adding an extra 1/4" to each seam allowance to account for any shrinkage, fraying or wonkiness which may occur. The fabric had already been dyed and washed once so shrinking or twisting wasn't likely, but pre-cutting your pieces before dyeing is a risky strategy. It all fit into my largest pot, so I began the dyeing process.
Problem 2. The instructions said that in order for the dye to bond to the polyester fibres, I needed to keep the mixture at a 'rolling boil' for 30-60 minutes. My pot never came to the boil - it was always on the edge of simmering. This was probably because I was using a stoneware crock pot, not a metal pan, but I'm a woman living alone - I don't own a 12 litre stew vat! Frankly, the fabric looked alarmingly orange as soon as I put it into the dye bath. I thought it would rinse out to yellow, and persevered. Because the mixture never boiled, I left it in just over an hour.
|Oranges and lemons... balls.
I rinsed. ORANGE. Not even orangey-yellow, ORANGE. These pictures don't even show the full horror of just how exceedingly jaffa-hued it was. I put it through a normal wash cycle at 40C with an extra rinse. Oompa Loompa. I put it through a 60C intensive wash cycle. Colour of a pornstar's palms.
I decided it was time for desperate measures. I filled the sink with warm water and added 60ml (1/4cup) of household bleach, followed by the damp fabric pieces. Nothing. I doubled the bleach and agitated it for ten minutes... the water turned yellow but the fabric looked unchanged. I ended up with 300ml of bleach in the sink, and a mild chemical burn on my hands (no, I don't own rubber gloves. If I did they'd no doubt be orange by now). The fabric faded by a couple of shades, so I chucked it into the washing machine, thinking the residual bleach coupled with some heat and agitation would loosen the dye from the fibres. I whacked the temperature up to 90C.
|Who ya gonna call?
Then this happened. So, yeah, turns out thick bleach foams in hot water. At least I can be sure that my washing machine's innards are utterly germ-free now.
Finally, I took the fabric out of the washer. It was still sodding orange, but it had definitely become lighter, and would probably be just about acceptable when it dried. Then, ULTIMATE HORROR!
Yep... the print which had survived four washes, two dyeing attempts, being just under boiling temperature for over an hour, and being soaked in a sink of toilet-strength bleach for half an hour, had given up the ghost and come off in the final wash, turning a vile shade of rusty brown. I was utterly dejected, and my dreams of the perfect dress went up in a puff of smoke. Just as this fabric will be doing when I burn it in the garden tomorrow and dance around nude, wailing at passers-by and smearing myself with its (no doubt bright orange) ashes.
By the way, the fabric, multiple dyes, salt, and copious amounts of electricity used cost me about £20. Bargain bin fabric? I think not.