Use tovidgui or qdvdauthor. The main problem with tovid is that you have to start from scratch each time because there's no way to save your work. The only problem with qdvdauthor is it's a bit flaky and liable to fail but since you can save your work and try again that's not as bad as it sounds. My preference is to use qdvdauthor but you MUST use the mplayer widget (otherwise, with the xine widget, the timecodes are badly wrong so you can't put in chapters etc). This is not included in the deb I found so I had to compile it myself. This is really easy and even has a graphical interface to ./configure. Use checkinstall to make a .deb of your own. You need to rename the .spec file in the dvdauthor source directory otherwise checkinstall picks up all the information from there and fails because it can't handle it properly.
Don't use 704×576 for the main title, use 720×576 (PAL). Qdvdauthor doesn't seem to resize it even if you ask it to so you need to make sure the original artwork already has the right dimensions. If you use 704 the button highlights etc show up in the wrong place.
Export the commands list and then execute them one at a time, e.g. bash -x doit.sh 1 then bash -x doit.sh 2 etc.
Cii) tovidgui is used here just to give a nice interface to dvdauthor as it doesn't need to transcode the video.
Issues with tovid: need to remove the /usr/bin/X11 link from /usr/bin otherwise get error 'can't identify video' or some such Then dvdauthor gives WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU in the Burn section.


Buy New Design Wheat/Rice/Crops Threshing Machine - Shandong Microwave Machinery Co.,Ltd.
Brief introduction of New Design Wheat/Rice/Crops Threshing Machine in shandong microwave machinery co.,ltd.
Main structure: this machine is mainly composed of feed hopper, drum, screen mesh, shelves, and so on.When at work, please send crops continuous uniform feeding, the crops will be threshed by the friction, squeezing, crash, and shake between the rack of the roller and combination parts of screen, the grain will separate from the stalk, and discharge from the screen, at the same time, the stalk will be ejection out by centrifugal function of drum.
Structure of advanced design, compact structure, selection of quality steel,convenient operation, easy maintenance, high efficiency.
The machine uses drum of axial flow threshing and adjustable airflow cleaning technology, cleaning separation on grain, chaff, valley abortive, straw, Has clear separation, small loss, high rate of net advantages, and between various crop threshing, can be achieved simply by replacing the screens.


text:
Q: Finding Specific Duplicate Text/Strings in Two Different Cells I had a quick question regarding how I might find exact duplicate text/strings using a formula or macro. Here are two of my columns for example:

With those columns in mind, I would like to have a third column next to them that runs a formula or macro which finds and prints the duplicates between T1 and T2. For instance, the third column for the values in that picture should return:

*

*45

*39, 60

*

*60

*39, 60

*

*47

A: Another option of

*

*adopt FILTERXML() and using Xpath to extract the duplicated number,

*INDEX() to force the array formula into non-array formula,

*TEXTJOIN() to join the extracted numbers,

*finally, to use IFERROR() to remove the error into blank cell.

In C2, formula copied down :
=IFERROR(TEXTJOIN(", ",1,INDEX(FILTERXML(""&SUBSTITUTE(A2&", "&B2,", ","")&"","//b[preceding::b =.+0]"),0)),"")

A: use SUBSTITUTE to create a XML like string.  Then use FILTERXML to return an array of the parts in one of the cells.  Use SEARCH with that array on the other.  Finally return the values that are found to TEXTJOIN:
=TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH(","&TRIM(FILTERXML("<z><y>" & SUBSTITUTE(B2,",","</y><y>")&"</y></z>","//y"))&",",","&SUBSTITUTE(A2," ","")&",")),TRIM(FILTERXML("<z><y>" & SUBSTITUTE(B2,",","</y><y>")&"</y></z>","//y")),""))

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Pens and Junk
A blog about pens… and other junk
Book Review: The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting by Anne Trubek
by Andrew October 21, 2016 October 21, 2016
This may come as a surprise, but a lot of people have strong feelings about handwriting. Ask a few friends, "should children be taught cursive at school?" and you're bound to receive a variety of vigorous opinions. Anne Trubek, author of The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting, may have learned this the hard way. In August of this year, just prior to the book's publication, Trubek penned a New York Times op-ed piece headlined Handwriting Just Doesn't Matter, and it received over one-hundred comments and letters. Almost all of these reader responses disagreed with Trubek's call for schools to refocus handwriting education elsewhere, and one reader even went far enough to call keyboards "offensive tools."
In some ways Trubek's newly released book is a 154-page extension of that NYT op-ed, but it's more aptly characterized as a simple history book. While she eventually gets around to discussing the digital age, Trubek fills most of the book's pages by explaining the cultural evolution of writing, from early cuneiform and hieroglyphics to the common Palmer and D'Nealian cursive fonts that most of us use today. It covers a lot of the same ground as Paper by Mark Kurlansky, though Trubek's narrower focus makes for a much quicker read.
When Trubek gets around to discussing the future of handwriting near the end of the book, it's a lot less controversial than I'd expected given much of the ire it has created. Her argument boils down to this: writing's role is changing in the digital age, as it has throughout history. Just as the printing press reduced the need for scribes, computers reduce our need for handwriting. It's simply not as critical as it once was, and perhaps the time children spend learning handwriting could be reallocated toward something more useful (like computer skills). I'm unclear whether Trubek's argument extends to learning basic, legible print handwriting – something which still has a lot of utility – but her main contention seems to be with cursive.
Trubek goes on to discuss the benefits of handwriting that are presented by its advocates, though she largely dismisses them as being cultural arguments. However, the cultural element of cursive is, in my opinion, the best reason for including it in a school curriculum. At least for the time being, cursive is still in use, and everyone would benefit from knowing the script to some extent. Though it should be pointed out that Trubek still envisions a place for cursive, at least as an art form, a hobby, or a tool for developing fine motor skills.
Whether you agree with Trubek's main argument or not, anybody with a passionate opinion about this topic will be fascinated by the bulk of this book. The history lesson it contains is worthwhile, and the book is short enough to complete within a few sittings. And, who knows, after finishing the book you might be inclined to write the author a handwritten note in response.
book reviewsAnne Trubek book nonfiction
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3 thoughts on "Book Review: The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting by Anne Trubek"
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David bogie says:
This book was a waste of both time and money. Stupid design. Rather like buying a book about comparative architecture only to find there are no illustrations of buildings. Everything in this book is available form other sources. Nothing new here. She goes on and on attempting to describe the differences between uncials, Spencerian, and rustica but refuses to display any of the dozens of hands and styles. There are only 17 illustrations in the entire book: two are cuneiform (who cares?)and six are of people and a machine. Want to enjoy somethinga bout handwriting? Get "The Missing Ink" by Philip Hensher or "Script and Scribble" by Kitty Burns Florey.
More illustrations would have been good, but it didn't bother me that there were so few. The book was more of a historical overview, as opposed to a detail-oriented text or workbook. And, yeah, everything in it is available from other sources… Again, it seems to be more of a popular-level historical overview, rather than a scholarly work of primary research.
Anyone looking for something with a lot of details or a scholarly textbook will have no use for this book. .
Top Five Pens
Nib Novice
Review: Sharpie S-Gel, Gel Ink, 0.5mm
Review: BIC Gelocity, Gel Ink, 0.7mm
Review: Zebra Sarasa Grand, Gel Ink, 0.5mm
Review: Inc R-2, Rollerball Pen, 0.7mm
Review: uni-ball Signo 307, Gel Ink, 0.7mm
@pensandjunk
atb@pensandjunk.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Scheifele Set To Make His Mark (Again)
Mark ScheifeleWinnipeg Jets
What happens when you serve up deserving words of praise to your teammate and captain? If you're Mark Scheifele, you get the same in return.
When Scheifele, about to enter his sixth full big-league season with the Winnipeg Jets, was recently asked to pick his top handful of NHL players, he included Blake Wheeler's name on the list.
"I'd throw my linemate Blake Wheeler in the top five, he's one of the most underrated players," he told TSN. "His passing is next level by far. He's a pretty special player to play with."
Wheeler, who tied with Claude Giroux for most assists (68) in 2017-18, didn't need any arm-twisting when it came to saying the same of Scheifele.
"Mark is a special player because there's no length he won't go to in order to make himself a better player," the 32-year-old said.
The numbers certainly back that up.
Last season, Scheifele, who missed 22 regular season games due to injury, scored at a point-per-game clip, netting 23 goals – three of which were game-winning tallies – and 60 points in 60 games.
Despite the time missed, he still managed to rack up NHL career highs in plus/minus (plus-19) and power-play points (16). He's also just one of 11 players to average at least a point per game or higher over the past two campaigns with 142 points in 139 games.
Scheifele was even better in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when he recorded 14 goals (second only to Alex Ovechkin's 15) and 20 points in 17 post-season games.
Wheeler expects the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to be even better in 2018-19 as the Jets look to go further than they did last season when they lost to Vegas in the Western Conference Final.
"Mark's constantly finding ways to improve his game every year," he said of the 25-year-old forward who has 15 career game-winning goals."
And not just at hockey.
In August, Scheifele traded his hockey stick for golf clubs and competed in the Players Cup, a Canadian PGA event at Southwood Golf and Country Club just south of Winnipeg. It marked the first time the Ontario native, who shot an opening round 87, had played in a professional tournament.
Despite shooting 15 over par, it didn't dampen Scheifele's mood throughout the day. Not a surprise, noted Wheeler.
"He's a great teammate because he has no bad days," he said.
Which is exactly what Wheeler and the rest of the Jets are seeing as Winnipeg begin preparations for the upcoming season.
"Mark always shows up to the rink in a great mood and he's genuinely excited about getting on the ice every day," he praised.
Dominic Moore to host eighth annual Smashfest July 25
The eighth annual Smashfest® Charity Ping-Pong Challenge hosted by Dominic Moore will take place Thursday, July 25 at Steam Whistle Brewing in Toronto.
VISA PRESENTS: Q&A WITH Mark Scheifele
Mark Scheifele's understandable pet peeve and the music he doesn't want you to know is on his playlist in this week's player Q&A!
Seguin Pulls A Fast One On Scheifele
Another entertaining display of "last to leave the ice" antics.
Player Q&A | Mother's Day Edition with Pat Wheeler
From what most people don't know about Pat's son to what surprises her most about him – get to know Winnipeg Jets' captain Blake Wheeler through the eyes of his mom!
Morrissey, Skinner recognize impact of teachers extends beyond classroom
Jeff Skinner and Josh Morrissey are happy to dole out A-pluses during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Brandon Tanev vital to Jets' postseason success
"He brings it every night," says Winnipeg Jets teammate Adam Lowry. "He's a heart-and-soul player. I think he's vital to our success."


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using Glass.Sitecore.Mapper.Configuration.Attributes;
using Sitecore.Links;
using Glass.Sitecore.Mapper.Configuration;
using Sitecore.Data.Items;

namespace Glass.Sitecore.Mapper.Data
{
    public class SitecoreInfoHandler : AbstractSitecoreDataHandler
    {
        public SitecoreInfoType InfoType
        {
            get;
            set;
        }

        public global::Sitecore.Links.UrlOptions UrlOptions
        {
            get;
            set;
        }

        public override bool WillHandle(Glass.Sitecore.Mapper.Configuration.SitecoreProperty property, IEnumerable<AbstractSitecoreDataHandler> datas, Dictionary<Type, SitecoreClassConfig> classes)
        {
            return property.Attribute is SitecoreInfoAttribute;
        }

        public override object GetValue(global::Sitecore.Data.Items.Item item, ISitecoreService service)
        {
           return GetItemInfo(InfoType, item, this.UrlOptions);
        }

        public static object GetItemInfo(SitecoreInfoType infoType, Item item, global::Sitecore.Links.UrlOptions urlOptions)
        {

            if (urlOptions == null) urlOptions = new UrlOptions();

            if(urlOptions.Language == null)
                urlOptions.Language = item.Language;

            switch (infoType)
            {
                case SitecoreInfoType.ContentPath:
                    return item.Paths.ContentPath;
                case SitecoreInfoType.DisplayName:
                    return item.DisplayName;
                case SitecoreInfoType.FullPath:
                    return item.Paths.FullPath;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Name:
                    return item.Name;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Key:
                    return item.Key;
                case SitecoreInfoType.MediaUrl:
                    global::Sitecore.Data.Items.MediaItem media = new global::Sitecore.Data.Items.MediaItem(item);
                    return global::Sitecore.Resources.Media.MediaManager.GetMediaUrl(media);
                    break;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Path:
                    return item.Paths.Path;
                case SitecoreInfoType.TemplateId:
                    return item.TemplateID.Guid;
                case SitecoreInfoType.TemplateName:
                    return item.TemplateName;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Url:
                    return LinkManager.GetItemUrl(item, urlOptions);
                case SitecoreInfoType.FullUrl:
                    return LinkManager.GetItemUrl(item, new UrlOptions() { AlwaysIncludeServerUrl = true });
                case SitecoreInfoType.Version:
                    return item.Version.Number;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Language:
                    return item.Language;
                default:
                    throw new NotSupportedException("Value {0} not supported".Formatted(infoType.ToString()));
            }
        }

        public override void SetValue(global::Sitecore.Data.Items.Item item, object value, ISitecoreService service)
        {

            switch (InfoType)
            {
                case SitecoreInfoType.DisplayName:
                    if (value is string || value == null)
                        item[Settings.DisplayNameFieldName] = (value ?? string.Empty).ToString();
                    else
                        throw new NotSupportedException("Can't set DisplayName. Value is not of type System.String");
                    break;
                case SitecoreInfoType.Name:
                    if (value is string || value == null)
                    {
                        //if the name is null or empty nothing should happen
                        if ((value ?? string.Empty).ToString().IsNullOrEmpty()) return;

                        if (item.Name != value.ToString())
                        {
                            item.Name = value.ToString();
                        }

                    }
                    else
                        throw new NotSupportedException("Can't set Name. Value is not of type System.String");
                    break;
                default:
                    throw new NotSupportedException("You can not save SitecoreInfo {0}".Formatted(InfoType));
            }

        }

        public override bool CanSetValue
        {
            get
            {
                return (InfoType == SitecoreInfoType.DisplayName || InfoType == SitecoreInfoType.Name);
            }
        }

        public override void ConfigureDataHandler(SitecoreProperty scProperty)
        {
            SitecoreInfoAttribute attr = scProperty.Attribute as SitecoreInfoAttribute;

            InfoType = attr.Type;

                UrlOptions = Utility.CreateUrlOptions(attr.UrlOptions);

            base.ConfigureDataHandler(scProperty);
        }

    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Ever since the Middle Ages, the passion with which the Benedictine monks of Saint Mont Monastery patiently transformed grapes into wine has been handed down from generation to generation. For many years, until the arrival of André Dubosc, a local boy from a family of three generations of winemakers, the wine produced was destined for distillation and the production of Armagnac. With a group of young winegrowers Dubosc set about waking up the appellation of Saint Mont, revitalising the sweet white wines of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and creating Vin de Pays dry whites (Côtes de Gascogne).
Plaimont Producteurs were joined by the cooperatives of Crouseilles (producing Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Béarn) and Condom (Côtes de Gascogne and Condomois).


Quizzed on remarks made by Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin to the rightwing thinktank Politeia, an unnamed Tory spokesman could not have made himself much clearer: "There will be no flat tax," he said. "We oppose it. Full stop." That hasn't, of course, stopped Labour's Treasury team, which wasted no time in claiming that Letwin – whose loose lips have sunk a few ships over the years – had let the fiscal feline out of the bag.
The shadow chief secretary, Chris Leslie, said: "You can't trust what the Tories say on tax. They said they had no plans to raise VAT, and did it after the election." Now, "not content with having already cut taxes for millionaires, a Tory flat tax would mean even lower taxes for the richest and higher taxes for millions of working people". To back up its argument, Labour points to the fact that a flat tax was "championed" by the chancellor, George Osborne, 10 years ago. It is right – but only up to a point.
In early September 2005, the Conservative party's drawn-out leadership contest was entering its final stages and David Cameron, prior to his headline-grabbing speech at the party conference in Blackpool a few weeks later, was far from being the the favourite to win it. Having pitched themselves as centrist modernisers, his team needed to say and do things that would garner some desperately needed support from MPs who wanted a return to Thatcherite verities, and therefore inclined towards either Liam Fox or David Davis.
Unlike Cameron's pledge on the EPP, which he wasn't allowed to renege on by his parliamentary party, and which has arguably contributed significantly to the UK's alarming loss of influence in the EU, Osborne's flirtation with flat taxes was quickly forgotten – shunted off into the sidings of a policy commission he set up to advise him on taxation more generally. Despite the fact that it was headed by the uber-Thatcherite Michael Forsyth, that commission rejected a flat tax as impractical. That it did so was actually par for the Tory course. Back in the 1960s, Brian Reading, now of Lombard Street Research, did some work on a flat tax for the party, and it wasn't considered a runner by those in charge. But if Reading thought it may have been then, even he is dismissive of the idea now. Indeed, when asked about it in 2005, he said it would be "political suicide" because there were bound to be far more losers than winners.
Added to the probability that it might therefore turn out to be some sort of poll tax mark II, the introduction of a flat tax also risks, especially early on, failing to raise as much revenue as the current system – not exactly what an iron chancellor promising to bear down hard on the deficit and debt is looking for.
Anyone who still needs convincing that the Tories won't be introducing a flat tax any time soon just has to glance at a list of the countries that have introduced it. Some of them, it's true, are respected – albeit fairly small, new and unfamiliar – liberal democracies. Others most definitely are not. Pointing out that a flat tax has worked in Russia, Ukraine and Hong Kong isn't, I suspect, going to go down all that well on the proverbial doorstep in Great Britain. Conclusion? Not. Going. To. Happen.


Boston Globe article about the Art's Room project!
My Art's room project has been featured in the Boston Globe! "Born to be abused painting featured.
Tags: "art's room" "boston globe" art "social justice" "anne plaisance" "tiny house" "socially engaged art"


mucoadhesive film which forms a complex with the mucoproteins responsible for local inflammation and promotes their precipitation and elimination in the faeces.
The gelatin tannate of wich the product is composed is not altered in the stomach and acts by forming film which protects the intestinal mucosa, reducing the frequency and duration of diarrhoea episodes.
defecation. It is effective within 12 hours.
Diatan® is a medical product used to restore the physiological function of the intestinal walls. It is specifically formulated to control and reduce the symptoms associated with diarrhoea resulting from various causes, such as abdominal tension and frequent defecation. It is effective within 12 hours.
diarrhoea episodes. The medical product is available in sachet form for adults and as a powder for paediatric use.


iflscience.com — 10-year-old boy spots that the Natural History Museum has incorrectly labeled a protoceratops as an oviraptor.
sciencealert.com — Jurassic Park's most iconic scenes should have run a little slower, based on new research suggesting our favourite dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex, couldn't manage more than a walk.
news.nationalgeographic.com — The 99-million-year-old hatchling from the Cretaceous Period is the best preserved of its kind.
nationalgeographic.com — The 110 million-year-old fossil of a nodosaur preserves the animal's armor, skin, and what may have been its final meal.


text:
Q: Paste Excel Chart/Range as Enhanced Metafile into email How can I paste a range of cells and a chart as enhanced metafiles in an email?
I have this code:
Set OutApp = CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
Set OutMail = OutApp.CreateItem(0)
With OutMail
    .Display
End With
Signature = OutMail.HTMLBody

With OutMail
    .To = "me@gmail.com"
    .CC = "me@school.edu"
    .Subject = Date & " is Today's date"
    .HTMLBody = emailBody & vbNewLine & RangetoHTML(Range("V9:AX89")) & "Chart 1" & RangetoHTML(Range("V126:AA202")) & chart3 & RangetoHTML(Range("V210:AX222")) & vbNewLine & "This message was automated. Please respond if something is wrong with it. Thanks!"
    .Display
End With

This pastes the ranges as "excel-style" text.
How can I change this code such that the ranges are enhanced metafiles?
Also, where my code says "Chart 1" and "Chart 2", I want to paste the charts named "Chart 1" and "Chart 2" as enhanced metafiles.
NOTES: emailBody is a string of text, and rangeToHTML is a function I borrowed (The author of the RangeToHTML code section is Ron De Bruin. You can learn more about him here: rondebruin.nl).
Function RangetoHTML(rng As Range)

' Changed by Ron de Bruin 28-Oct-2006
' Working in Office 2000-2016
Dim fso As Object
Dim ts As Object
Dim TempFile As String
Dim TempWB As Workbook

TempFile = Environ$("temp") & "\" & Format(Now, "dd-mm-yy h-mm-ss") & ".htm"

'Copy the range and create a new workbook to past the data in
rng.Copy
Set TempWB = Workbooks.Add(1)
With TempWB.Sheets(1)
    .Cells(1).PasteSpecial Paste:=8
    .Cells(1).PasteSpecial xlPasteValues, , False, False
    .Cells(1).PasteSpecial xlPasteFormats, , False, False
    .Cells(1).Select
    Application.CutCopyMode = False
    On Error Resume Next
    .DrawingObjects.Visible = True
    .DrawingObjects.Delete
    On Error GoTo 0
End With

'Publish the sheet to a htm file
With TempWB.PublishObjects.Add( _
     SourceType:=xlSourceRange, _
     Filename:=TempFile, _
     Sheet:=TempWB.Sheets(1).Name, _
     Source:=TempWB.Sheets(1).UsedRange.Address, _
     HtmlType:=xlHtmlStatic)
    .Publish (True)
End With

'Read all data from the htm file into RangetoHTML
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set ts = fso.GetFile(TempFile).OpenAsTextStream(1, -2)
RangetoHTML = ts.readall
ts.Close
RangetoHTML = Replace(RangetoHTML, "align=center x:publishsource=", _
                      "align=left x:publishsource=")

'Close TempWB
TempWB.Close savechanges:=False

'Delete the htm file we used in this function
Kill TempFile

Set ts = Nothing
Set fso = Nothing
Set TempWB = Nothing
End Function


text:
«Wanna Get to Know You» — третій сингл американського реп-гурту G-Unit з дебютного студійного альбому Beg for Mercy. Приспів виконує R&B-співак Joe. Перший куплет читає Young Buck, другий — Ллойд Бенкс, третій — 50 Cent. Як семпл використано «Come Live with Me Angel» Марвіна Ґея.

Відеокліп
На пісню існує відеокліп. Учасники гурту заграють з дівчатами: Young Buck — у кімнаті зі свічками через вимкнене світло, Бенкс — у таксі, Фіфті — на пляжі на морському узбережжі. Камео: The Game.

Чартові позиції

Посилання

Сингли 2004
Пісні G-Unit

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Rehden (Duitsland), een gemeente in de Duitse deelstaat Nedersaksen
Radzyń Chełmiński (Duits: Rehden), een stad in het Poolse woiwodschap Kujavië-Pommeren


With thousands of people queuing to visit it every week, Club Mission is one of the leading clubs in Leeds, if not the whole of North Yorkshire. It's around 10,000 square ft and sits below the train network in the arches.
The launch night was named 'Just a paint job?' representing one of the biggest refurbishments in the club's history. Our clients wanted to move away from the previous 'black paint' theme to a quirky and tongue-in-cheek design, whilst playing on an industrial theme throughout the whole venue.
We succeeded in giving the club an engaging and quirky attitude, whilst solving problematic issues with clever practical designs.
The clubbers journey begins by passing through the mysterious entrance with the left luggage wallpaper and vintage industrial lights to the shiny industrial themed reception. Then moving on to dancing the night away at any of one of the three dancing rooms.
The toilets are the main talking point, refreshingly different from any other club in Leeds, they are a great combination of the quirky, playful and industrial theme that the clients required.
It is no wonder our clients were exceedingly pleased with the result.


During his tenure as GVSU's president, Haas has helped to increase enrollment and foster university growth and equity. Records have been broken in total number, first-year students, students of color and those living on campus. GVSU is also recognized for having exemplary graduation and retention rates, all furthered under Haas' lead. On top of this, as of 2016 (Haas' 10-year leadership anniversary), more than 30 new majors had been established and two million square feet developed on campus. GVSU also leads in sustainability efforts today, with nearly 20 LEED-certified buildings, including the Mary Idema Pew Library.
Unlike presidents at other universities, Haas has been more than just a shrouded policymaker or figurehead. On the contrary, what has set Haas apart and made him so universally endearing has been his down-to-earth, everyday-style involvement in campus events. From serving ice cream to students during move-in week to strolling through the student section at Laker football games, Haas has actively participated in even the most mundane of campus events and made personal connections with students and other community members.
The outpour of emotion on social media after Haas' announcement shows what he means to the GVSU community. Haas was emotional, too, choking up during his announcement and in subsequent interviews. What being a part of the university has meant to him and his family is clear.
"Grand Valley has become our family," he said after the announcement. "Grand Valley means family to us."
In the final 16 months of Haas' tenure, GVSU students should be thankful for a president who has been actively involved in their campus lives and whose reach has extended beyond the Allendale and Pew campuses. Projects like the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (currently under construction) have given GVSU a footprint on Grand Rapids' Medical Mile, and broadening GVSU's reach also expands the opportunities available to students here. We should be thankful to Haas, his wife, Marcia, and the rest of the president's cabinet for that.
The next 16 months will bring a search for someone to fill Haas' shoes. In this search, the advisory committee, put together by the GVSU Board of Trustees, should expand its horizons as well.
While there have only been four presidents in the university's history, none of them have been women or people of color. While the first priority must be to find someone who is qualified and can continue to steer GVSU in the right direction, the committee should also be open to finding someone who can represent the university and its ever-changing demographics in another way.
Before he hangs up his presidential robes for good, Haas has some work ahead of him. At his address, he told the audience that he would always protect the integrity of GVSU, and on Thursday, March 1, he is traveling to Lansing to vouch for an increase in state funding. Fighting for GVSU and its students, Haas truly embodies the Laker spirit.


Amanda Huensch is Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of World Languages at the University of South Florida, where she teaches courses in second language acquisition, pronunciation pedagogy, and applied linguistics. Her research examines second language speech development in and outside of the classroom, including the relationship between perception and production, pronunciation attitudes of classroom foreign language learners, and fluency development during study abroad. Her most recent work has been published in the Journal of Phonetics, the Journal of Second Language Pronunciation, and Applied Psycholinguistics. She received her PhD in Linguistics and Second Language Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Nicole Tracy-Ventura is an Assistant Professor in the Department of World Languages at USF. Her research specializations include second language acquisition, study abroad, corpus linguistics, and task-based language teaching. She is a founding member of the longitudinal Languages and Social Networks Abroad Project (LANGSNAP) which is described in the forthcoming co-authored book, Anglophone students abroad: Identity, social relationships, and language learning (Routledge, with Rosamond Mitchell and Kevin McManus). She also has a number of publications focusing on methods for analysing learner development, including learner corpus based approaches. Her work can be found in journals such as Applied Psycholinguistics, Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, Corpora, International Journal of Learner Corpus Research, Modern Language Journal, as well as several book chapters.At USF, she often teaches Introduction to Graduate Studies in Linguistics, Methods of Teaching English Overseas, Second Language Acquisition,and Corpus Linguistics. Nicole received her PhD in Applied Linguistics from Northern Arizona University.
Camilla Vásquez is Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of World Languages at USF. At the graduate level, she teaches courses such as Discourse Analysis, Sociolinguistics, and Pragmatics, and her research explores topics such as identity, intertextuality, and narrativity in genres ranging from gossip to e-commerce. Her primary area of research focuses on the linguistic features of online reviews (e.g., TripAdvisor, Amazon, and Yelp) – and related genres. Camilla's work on this topic has appeared in Discourse Context & Media, Journal of Pragmatics and Narrative Inquiry, as well as in her monograph, The Discourse of Online Consumer Reviews (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014). Her research on review language has been featured in popular media outlets such as the New York Times, Outside Magazine, and FastCompany. Camilla is currently researching linguistic creativity, humor, and play in social media, and collaborating with several students on related projects. She welcomes inquiries from students who wish to pursue research in the areas of internet language, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and language/culture intersections. For more information about Camilla's research interests, please visit her website (camillavasquez.com) or her blog (researchingdigitalmedia.com).
Wei Zhu, currently Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, received her Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from Northern Arizona University. Since joining the University of South Florida, Dr. Zhu has been a core faculty member in the M.A. program in Applied Linguistics. She has taught a variety of courses at USF, including an undergraduate level course Grammar and Written Communication and graduate level courses such as Grammatical Structures of American English, Methods of Teaching ESL, Language Testing, Writing in SLA, and Writing for Academic Purposes.
Dr. Zhu's main research areas include second language writing, writing for academic/specific purposes, and computer-mediated communication and writing development. Dr. Zhu's work has appeared in journals such as TESOL Quarterly, Journal of Second Language Writing, English for Specific Purposes, and Language Learning.


MACON � The best defense in the Clarence Cannon Conference does not reside here.
Neither does the Class 2 District 11 champion.
And in a few more days, neither will the No. 1 ranking in the state.
The third-ranked Centralia football team laid claim to the first two titles and quite possibly Macon�s No. 1 ranking by simply doing what it has done in every regular-season game for the past six years � win.
With a 14-7 victory on Hugh Dunn Field, the Panthers (10-0, 3-0) won their seventh consecutive district title and sixth straight conference crown. They also extended their amazing regular-season win streak to 64 games.
Asking his players to break the 48-minute game into 7-second spurts of precise execution, Centralia Coach Erle Bennett watched as his team outplayed a seemingly unbeatable Macon squad that had not allowed a point in conference play and outscored its nine previous foes 331-12.
Macon (9-1, 2-1) did not achieve a first down until its third offensive possession and didn�t score until a blocked punt late in the fourth quarter set up a 22-yard pass from Dylan Perrin to Jakeb Linear with 1:55 remaining.
While the Tigers sputtered offensively, Centralia strung together two touchdown drives in the second and third quarters to silence a stunned Macon crowd that had not seen its team play from behind all year.
After moving past midfield on two of its first three possessions, Centralia scored on its fourth drive when Dax Dollens lofted a perfect pass to Alec Ford in the end zone for a 39-yard reception at the 10:10 mark of the second quarter.
With the Centralia defense bottling up an explosive offense led by junior running back Taquan Kelly, Macon never crossed midfield in the first half and had only four first downs at halftime.
Macon totaled 142 yards on 36 rushes, with Kelly topping the Tigers with a meager 38 yards on 12 attempts. The Tigers had only three running plays gain at least 10 yards, with a 14-yard first-quarter burst by Joseph Flowers the longest of the night.
Centralia extended its lead in the third quarter when Dollens dove over from 1 yard out at the 2:54 mark. The touchdown was set up by a 29-yard catch-and-run by Ford that moved the ball to the 4.
Dollens tossed two interceptions but completed 8 of 17 passes for 114 yards and churned out a team-high 69 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Kinkead added 64 yards on 10 carries, including two first-down runs in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers salt away the final few minutes.
The Panthers, who claimed the Pershing Division of the CCC with a 7-0 mark, will play host to District 12 runner-up Monroe City (6-4) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a Class 2 regional. Centralia defeated its CCC rival 42-23 on Oct. 7.


The national debt in the United States is currently above $14.8 trillion, and growing rapidly. That's over $130,000 per taxpayer.
A recent report out of the Fraser Institute, titled "Economic Freedom in the World: 2011 Annual Report", ranks economic freedom and potential among 141 different nations. The report found that the United States has dropped to tenth place over the last decade.
The report measured rank based on size of government: expenditures, taxes and enterprises; legal structure and security of property rights; access to sound money; freedom to trade internationally; and regulation of credit, labor and business.
What are the main reasons for the United States' decline?
The world's largest economy, the United States, has suffered one of the largest declines in economic freedom over the last 10 years, pushing it into tenth place. Much of this decline is a result of higher government spending and borrowing and lower scores for the legal structure and property rights components.
At some point in our personal lives most of us have experienced burdensome debt, and we understand the limits it puts on our freedom to make certain decisions affecting our lives.
This report suggests that the United States' growing debt load is threatening our worldwide status as a free and prosperous nation.


text:
Artur Tiganik (* 13. Januar 1971 in Tallinn) ist ein estnischer Brigadegeneral. Von 2014 bis 2016 war er stellvertretender Befehlshaber der estnischen Streitkräfte. Aktuell dient er beim Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum.

Leben

Militärische Laufbahn
Beförderungen

 Leutnant (1992)
 Oberleutnant (1993)
 Hauptmann (1996)
 Major (1999)
 Oberstleutnant (2003)
 Oberst (2008)
 Brigadegeneral (2015)
Nach einer Offiziersausbildung in der Sowjetarmee schloss sich Artur Tiganik 1992 den im Wiederaufbau befindlichen Streitkräften seines Heimatlandes an. Dort diente er in den nächsten Jahren auf verschiedenen Posten im Kalev-Infanteriebataillon.

Nach Weiterbildung und Tätigkeit im Hauptquartier der Streitkräfte, war er in den Jahren von 2001 bis 2004 Kommandant des Scout-Bataillon. In der Zeit zwischen 2005 und 2006 folgten wieder Aufgaben im Verwaltungsbereich. Von 2006 bis 2008 war er Stabschef und ab Januar 2009 Kommandant der 1. Infanterie-Brigade. Im Jahr 2009 wurde er zum Stabschef der Landstreitkräfte ernannt – ab 2012 war er deren Oberbefehlshaber. Zwischenzeitlich hatte er 2011 ein Aufbaustudium am United States Army War College abgeschlossen.

Als die Landstreitkräfte 2014 direkt dem Oberkommando der Armee unterstellt wurden, wechselte er auf den Posten des stellvertretenden Befehlshabers der Streitkräfte. Im Februar 2015 erfolgte seine Beförderung zum Brigadegeneral.

Tiganik wurde im Mai 2015 von Russland mit einem Einreiseverbot belegt.

Privates
Der General ist verheiratet und Vater einer Tochter. Neben seiner Muttersprache spricht er auch Englisch und Russisch. Seinen Hobbys sind Eishockey, Inlineskating und Motorradfahren.

Weblinks

 Biografie von Artur Tiganik auf der Internetseite Estnischen Streitkräfte, abgerufen am 7. Juli 2016 (estnisch).
 Biografie von Artur Tiganik auf der Internetseite Estnischen Streitkräfte (PDF; 80,4 kB), abgerufen am 7. Juli 2016 (englisch).

Einzelnachweise

Befehlshaber (Eesti Maavägi)
Brigadegeneral (Estland)
Militärperson (NATO)
Träger des Ordens des Adlerkreuzes (IV. Klasse)
Sowjetbürger
Este
Geboren 1971
Mann


text:
Major in Psychology
Psychology Advising Appointments
Department of Psychology Graduate Scholarships
Developmental, Cognitive, & Behavioral Neuroscience
Industrial Organizational
Social, Personality, & Health Psychology
What to Support
Types of Donations
Beau Alward
The University of Houston
3695 Cullen Boulevard Room 126
Beau Alward, Ph.D.
Director, Social Neuroscience Lab
Developmental, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Health 1, Room 440
balward@uh.edu
Dr. Alward will be reviewing graduate student applications for the 2020-2021 academic year in the Developmental, Cognitive, & Behavioral Neuroscience Program. Application deadline is Dec 15, 2019. Please click here for details.
Biographical Summary
Dr. Alward received his B.S. from the University of California, Davis and his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in Gregory Ball's lab. Following Dr. Alward's graduate work, he pursued postdoctoral research at Stanford University in the laboratory of Russell Fernald. While at Stanford, Dr. Alward received an Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to identify the molecular mechanisms of social status in the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni, a model system for studying social behavior. At the University of Houston, Dr. Alward's research program aims to identify the molecular and neural mechanisms governing flexible social behavior through the dissection of social status in A. burtoni. To this end, the lab combines rich social behavior paradigms with a variety of techniques including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis
Ph.D. Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
Sex differences in brain and behavior
Neuroendocrinology
Complete List of Published Work in Dr. Alward's Google Scholar page
alwardlab.com


At the outset please e-mail your initial query to the Editor-in-Chief, who is also the general commissioning editor for all Saffron Books titles.
Please include an abstract, a proposed table of contents, the intended audience, a plan for subvention if applicable, a tentative timeline for delivery of the final manuscript and related materials and any other aspects of the proposal or other materials that you consider relevant. For a brief initial query, you can also use the contact form.


text:
Las elecciones a la Asamblea Regional de Murcia de 2011, que dieron lugar al inicio de la VIII Legislatura, se celebraron el 22 de mayo de 2011, en el marco de las elecciones autonómicas de España de 2011. Los resultados arrojaron una victoria del Partido Popular más amplia a las anteriores, ya que sumó cuatro escaños más, que fueron los que perdió el PSOE.

Circunscripciones electorales

Los 45 diputados se reparten en cinco circunscripciones electorales. Estas se numeran del uno al cinco, pero también se conocen por descriptores geográficos. Según la ley electoral, el tercer distrito, Murcia, ganó un escaño a expensas del segundo distrito.

Encuestas

Resultados
Para optar al reparto de escaños en una circunscripción, la candidatura debe obtener al menos el 5% de los votos válidos emitidos en la región.

Investidura del presidente de la Región de Murcia

Resultados por circunscripciones electorales

Véase también
Elecciones autonómicas de España de 2011
Elecciones municipales de España de 2011

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Web del Gobierno de la Región de Murcia sobre las elecciones de 2011
  Proclamación por la Junta Electoral Provincial de Murcia de las candidaturas para las elecciones a la Asamblea Regional de Murcia.

2011
Murcia


text:
Managing Systemic Sclerosis and Its Complications
Monique Hinchcliff, MD
, John Varga, MD
John Varga, MD
The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine, The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine Vol 28 No 10, Volume 28, Issue 10
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a chronic connective-tissue disease that has a multitude of clinical manifestations. These authors offer a guide to recognition and pathogenesis, as well as counsel about management.
ABSTRACT: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has diverse clinical manifestations and mimics, complicating the diagnosis. Clinical presentation and outcomes are heterogeneous; in some patients, the disease follows a mild course, and in others, progressive disease develops. Skin tightening may be of greatest concern to patients, but internal organ dysfunction is common and may be life-threatening. Raynaud phenomenon is the initial symptom in most patients; the GI tract is the second most frequently involved organ. Together with pulmonary arterial hypertension, interstitial lung disease is the leading cause of death in SSc. Initial patient evaluation should include blood tests and screening for internal organ involvement. Many treatment strategies help physicians manage the complications and limit end-organ dysfunction. (J Musculoskel Med. 2011;28:380-387)
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a chronic connective-tissue disease that has protean clinical manifestations. The cause is unknown, but it probably involves an environmental trigger in a genetically predisposed person. The pathophysiology of SSc involves vasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis that manifest as Raynaud phenomenon, autoantibody production, and varying degrees of skin thickening and internal organ dysfunction, respectively. The disease is most common in women in their fourth and fifth decades of life. The incidence of SSc in the US adult population is about 20 cases per million persons per year; the prevalence is estimated at 240 cases per million.1
Patients who have SSc may be classified in distinct clinical subsets that have characteristic patterns of skin and internal organ involvement and survival rates.2 Although to date there are no proven disease-modifying therapies for patients with SSc, many treatment strategies are highly effective for managing the disease complications and limiting end-organ damage.
In this article, we discuss the classification and diagnosis of SSc, the clinical manifestations-ranging from Raynaud phenomenon to skin, GI, lung, kidney, and heart involvement-the cause and pathogenesis, and evaluation. We also describe therapies for the disease and its complications.
Scleroderma spectrum disorders
CLASSIFICATION AND DIAGNOSIS
The 2 main forms of SSc that affect adults are limited cutaneous (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) (Table 1); classification is determined by the extent and pattern of skin involvement.3 If skin thickening involves areas distal to the elbows and knees, the patient has lcSSc; proximal skin fibrosis is characteristic of dcSSc. Facial involvement may be seen in either form.
However, many patients do not fit neatly into this dichotomous pattern. Up to 7 clinical subsets may be identified according to the presence of distinct serum autoantibodies; 4 subsets may be identified on the basis of gene expression patterns in skin.2,4
Although skin tightening often is of greatest concern to patients, internal organ dysfunction is common in the limited and diffuse forms and is potentially life-threatening. A small subset of patients have scleroderma sine scleroderma and lack skin tightening but experience characteristic internal organ dysfunction.
Localized forms of scleroderma affect mostly children and are not associated with significant internal organ complications (see Table 1). In addition, scleroderma mimics that are associated with skin induration but lack internal organ involvement need to be considered in establishing the diagnosis of SSc. Skin induration in the absence of Raynaud phenomenon, or sparing the fingers, is unlikely to be SSc.
Signs and symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may bring patients with undiagnosed SSc to medical attention; initial symptoms may include chronic dry cough, hoarse voice, heartburn, pulmonary symptoms (eg, dyspnea on exertion or shortness of breath), arthralgias and diffusely swollen hands, and skin problems (eg, dry, itchy, hyperpigmented or hypopigmented skin). Misdiagnosis of undifferentiated polyarthropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome in patients who have early SSc is not uncommon.
Systemic involvement in systemic sclerosis
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Raynaud phenomenon
The initial symptom in 70% of patients with SSc, Raynaud phenomenon develops in more than 95% of patients (Table 2). A diagnosis of Raynaud phenomenon is made when a patient provides a history of acral skin color changes precipitated by cold or emotional stress. In contrast to primary Raynaud syndrome, which typically presents during adolescence and does not lead to ischemic complications, secondary Raynaud phenomenon occurs later and often is complicated by ischemic tissue damage. Physical findings include reversible cyanosis and manifestations of ischemic damage, such as digital pitting, abnormal nail fold capillaroscopy, ischemic ulcers, and pterygium inversus unguis (Figure 1).
Dermatological manifestations of systemic sclerosis include digital pitting (A); visible punctate hemorrhages in nail fold capillaries (B); digital ulcer resulting from Raynaud phenomenon and chronic ischemia (C); and pterygium inversum unguis, a distal extension of the hyponychial (subungual) tissue that is anchored to the undersurface of the nail (D).
Skin involvement
Scleroderma, meaning hard skin, is the clinical hallmark of SSc. Skin changes usually begin on the fingers and hands; early swelling often is attributed to arthritis. Gradually, skin on the fingers (sclerodactyly), hands, and forearms becomes indurated. Over time, the process may stabilize (lcSSc) or continue to progress centripetally to include the up-per arms, chest, neck, abdomen, and trunk (dcSSc). Pigmentary changes are common and may be accompanied by intense pruritus and hair loss.
Sclerodactyly (tightened skin distal to the metacarpophlangeal joints) that causes flexion contractures of finger joints (A) and perioral furrowing on the face (B) are characteristic features of systemic sclerosis.
Physical findings include flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints; thickened, tight, and shiny skin on involved areas; and reduced oral aperture and deepening of perioral facial folds (radial furrowing) (Figure 2). Telangiectasias often occur on the face, buccal mucosa, chest, and hands.
GI involvement
The GI tract is the second most frequently involved organ in patients who have SSc; the entire tract from mouth to anus may be affected. Considerable pathology may be caused by esophageal and intestinal dysmotility, as well as GERD, even in asymptomatic patients.
Esophageal disease is especially common in patients who have the CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) variant of lcSSc. Patients with CREST syndrome often have anticentromere antibodies and are at risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Heartburn and dysphagia are common; regurgitation/vomiting, sore throat, dental caries, and halitosis also may occur.
Because esophageal disease may be asymptomatic, acid suppression therapy should be started in all patients; in theory, such therapy may prevent stricture formation, aspiration pneumonitis, and Barrett esophagus. However, the precise role of acid suppression therapy in halting the progression of esophageal or pulmonary disease has not been established.5
Dysmotility of the intestinal tract may result in pseudo-obstruction and small-bowel bacterial overgrowth with vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, and malabsorption. Symptoms include bloating and abdominal pain, diarrhea/constipation, steatorrhea, and wasting.
Anemia may be a sign of vitamin deficiency resulting from bacterial overgrowth or chronic blood loss resulting from gastric antral vascular ectasia syndrome, or "watermelon stomach." The latter term refers to the characteristic endoscopic appearance of longitudinal rows of sacculated and ectatic mucosal vessels in the antrum of the stomach; they resemble the stripes on a watermelon. Endoscopic laser coagulation and obliteration of vascular ectasia decrease the risk of rebleeding.
Chronic constipation is common and may result in intestinal impaction. A diagnosis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction often is made at the time of laparotomy, although nonsurgical treatments-including bowel rest, antibiotics, and judicious use of promotility agents-often are effective. Smooth muscle dysfunction in the anus causes fecal incontinence and is a common problem. Less common GI manifestations of SSc include asymptomatic pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and wide-mouthed saccular diverticula of the colon.
Pulmonary manifestations
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in SSc and together with PAH is the leading cause of death. African American men with SSc who have antibodies to topoisomerase (Scl-70), Th1/To, and fibrillarin are at increased risk for ILD, especially within 3 to 4 years after the diagnosis.2,6
The diagnosis of ILD often is made with screening high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest that demonstrate reticular opacification of the lung base or ground-glass opacification. More advanced ILD is associated with radiographic findings of honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, and bilateral subpleural fibrosis most prominent in the lower lung zones. Unilateral or upper lobe abnormalities that are seen on HRCT scans may suggest infection or malignancy and may require evaluation by bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and, in some cases, open lung biopsy.
A lung biopsy specimen from a patient with systemic sclerosis demonstrates interstitial fibrosis with loss of normal lung architecture and pulmonary fibrosis (A). The pulmonary vasculature reveals thickening of vessel walls resulting from intimal hyperplasia, as well as intramural thrombosis. This lung biopsy specimen (B) demonstrates fibrosis that involves lung parenchyma with thickened interalveolar septae.
The pathological finding of nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis is most consistent with SSc-associated ILD (Figure 3). A restrictive pattern (reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity [FVC], and total lung capacity) is most characteristic on screening pulmonary function tests (PFTs); FVC in the 50% to 75% of predicted range suggests moderate ventilatory restriction, and FVC less than 50% reflects severe disease. A proportionate reduction in carbon monoxide–diffusing capacity (DLCO) and FVC also may be observed; an FVC:DLCO ratio lower than 1:6 is consistent with ILD.5 The 10-year mortality rate for patients with severe restriction is 42%6; this high mortality underscores the need for early diagnosis and management of ILD.
Patients with both limited and diffuse forms of SSc are at risk for PAH, which may develop insidiously, in spite of having stable skin disease. Risk factors for severe PAH include limited cutaneous disease, older age, and elevated pulmonary artery pressures at initial evaluation.7 Postmortem examination reveals thickened pulmonary arteries with intimal thickening and luminal narrowing (see Figure 3).
Regular screening Doppler echocardiography and PFTs help detect PAH before the onset of cor pulmonale. The presence of PAH is suggested by pulmonary artery systolic pressure estimates higher than 35 mm Hg or DLCO lower than 55% of predicted in the absence of other causes. PAH characteristically causes a disproportionate reduction in DLCO, reflected by an FVC:DLCO ratio greater than 1.6.8
DLCO lower than 55% of predicted is 57% sensitive and 71% specific for PAH in patients with SSc in whom significant ILD has been excluded.9 The sensitivity of Doppler echocardiography for PAH approaches 90%; its specificity is 75%.8 Therefore, neither Doppler echocardiography nor DLCO measurements are by themselves sufficiently sensitive or specific to establish or rule out PAH. However, they are useful screening tools when performed serially as part of regular clinical assessments.
The only way to directly measure pulmonary artery pressures and evaluate response to treatment is right heart catheterization. PAH is present when mean pulmonary artery pressure, as measured at right heart catheterization, exceeds 25 mm Hg. Left heart catheterization may be performed concomitantly with right heart catheterization to rule out coronary artery disease and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which can cause pulmonary venous hypertension.
Before the introduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) was the most deadly complication of SSc, with an 85% 1-year mortality rate.10 Risk factors for SRC include older age, early disease and diffuse or rapidly progressing skin involvement, significant corticosteroid use, pregnancy, and the presence of speckled antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-RNA polymerase autoantibodies.10,11
SRC is characterized by a sudden onset of malignant hypertension that may be accompanied by chest pain with decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) and papilledema. Roughly 10% of patients who have SSc with SRC have normotensive SRC, with blood pressures that are elevated from baseline but in the normotensive range.12
Laboratory studies show proteinuria, microangiopathic anemia, microscopic hematuria, and progressive oliguric renal failure. The clinical presentation of SRC may be difficult to distinguish from that of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but normal or slightly reduced levels of the metalloproteinase ADAMTS-13 suggest SRC, whereas TTP generally is associated with undetectable ADAMTS-13 levels.
The pathogenesis of SRC is attributed to endothelial cell injury that leads to intimal thickening in small renal arteries as well as platelet aggregation. Luminal narrowing decreases renal perfusion, which further activates the renin-angiotensin system. Malignant hypertension and more renal damage ensue.
Patients should be counseled to monitor their blood pressure at home because early recognition and treatment of SRC are critical. Prompt initiation and aggressive titration of a short-acting ACE inhibitor, such as captopril, may stabilize blood pressure and may prevent progressive renal damage. ACE inhibition with long-acting agents to improve adherence should be continued even in patients who require dialysis, because a significant number can discontinue dialysis for up to 2 years post-SRC.
Cardiac involvement
This is common in SSc but seldom a presenting manifestation. Cardiac Raynaud phenomenon may cause ischemia/reperfusion injury with attendant contraction band necrosis and myocardial fibrosis, leading to conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias and possibly left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.13 Ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an increasingly recognized cause of CHF in the aging US population, but CHF secondary to diastolic dysfunction from SSc-associated myocardial fibrosis is controversial.14,15
Pulmonary and renal complications of SSc are additional causes of CHF. Pericardial effusions are common but rarely lead to cardiac tamponade or hemothorax.
Musculoskeletal involvement
Concomitant polymyositis with weakness and elevations in aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and aldolase levels on laboratory studies develops in many patients, especially those with the diffuse form of the disease. Sclerodactyly and skin tightening may lead to joint contractures that impair mobility and predispose to traumatic ulcer formation, especially on the proximal interphalangeal joints. Tendon friction rubs that can be palpated over any joint, but often are palpated over the ankle, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and metacarpophalangeal joints, are associated with diffuse disease and are a risk factor for SRC.
The cause of SSc is poorly understood. The disease involves a complex interplay of 3 seemingly distinct pathophysiological processes: small-vessel vasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis.16 Vasculopathy underlies Raynaud phenomenon as well as renal, pulmonary, and cardiac pathology. The pathogenesis of Raynaud phenomenon is multifactorial; it involves reversible vasospasm in small arteries and arterioles, which is followed by intrinsic vessel wall abnormalities with smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, intimal fibrosis, and endothelial cell apoptosis.17
Systemic sclerosis clinical associations with scleroderma-specific autoantibodies
Autoimmunity in SSc is manifested by the presence of characteristic autoantibodies. Nearly all patients with SSc have a positive ANA, often with a nucleolar immunofluorescence pattern. Further testing for SSc-specific antibodies often reveals the presence of anticentromere and Scl-70 antibodies that are considered to be more specific for lcSSc and dcSSc, respectively (Table 3). The direct role of SSc autoantibodies in causing tissue damage is unclear because several studies have demonstrated autoantibody production in healthy family members and spouses of patients with SSc.18
Fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs is the pathological hallmark of SSc. Fibrosis is attributed to progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins-primarily collagens-in affected tissues. Resident fibroblasts in lesional tissue, stimulated by transforming growth factor β, connective-tissue growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and related profibrotic cytokines and chemokines, become activated and transform into contractile myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts synthesize collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, which accumulate in affected organs, disrupting their function (see Figure 3).
Initial evaluation of patients with SSc should include the following blood tests: serologies, including an ANA test and scleroderma-specific autoantibodies (anti-topoisomerase and anticentromere antibodies); a complete blood cell count to assess anemia; and a comprehensive chemistry panel to evaluate renal and liver function. The serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide may be elevated in patients who have PAH and is a useful screening test.19 Determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level also may be useful; elevation suggests vasculitis, malignancy, or overlap with another autoimmune disease.
To screen for the presence of internal organ involvement, we recommend that Doppler echocardiography, HRCT lung scanning, and full PFTs (including the 6-minute walk test) be performed on all patients at baseline. If echocardiography and PFT results are normal, serial annual studies are sufficient for disease monitoring. If there is concern about PAH and screening tests do not demonstrate abnormal pulmonary pressures, referral to a specialty center for right heart catheterization and hemodynamic evaluation is appropriate.
Screening for ILD is accomplished with routine PFTs and HRCT scanning. Findings of ventilatory restriction or radiographic evidence of ground-glass opacification, traction bronchiectasis, or honeycombing herald ILD. BAL may be indicated to rule out infection before immune suppression is started, but it is no longer used to establish a diagnosis or predict progression of SSc-ILD.20
Severe heart, lung, renal, or GI tract involvement is most likely to develop within 3 years after the onset of dcSSc symptoms; therefore, early detection and prompt initiation of therapy are of greatest benefit.21 Lung involvement in lcSSc as well as SRC can occur even late in the disease course; thus, continued routine screening is essential.10
Currently, there is no proven disease-modifying agent to prevent or reverse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. However, substantial progress has been made in the management of the organ-specific complications of SSc.
In particular, several agents provide relief for Raynaud phenomenon, GERD, and the sequelae of disordered intestinal motility. Most significantly, judicious early use of ACE inhibitors is highly effective in managing SRC; however, they should not be used to prevent SRC because evidence suggests that ACE inhibition before the onset of SRC may worsen outcomes.10
PAH-specific therapies (endothelin-1 receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, prostacyclin analogues) are approved only for use in patients with SSc who have undergone a right heart catheterization that has demonstrated a resting mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 25 mm Hg. Their use in patients with ILD can increase ventilation-perfusion mismatch and may worsen symptoms. A recent retrospective study suggested that PAH-specific therapies may not be beneficial in this patient population.22
In patients with early ILD, use of oral and intravenous cyclophosphamide has been shown to induce a modest and transient improvement in FVC.23-25 In addition, dyspnea, skin thickening, and health-related measures of quality of life showed improvement.
Recently, a small study showed that autologous stem cell transplant improves skin disease, lung function, and health care related quality of life in carefully selected patients with SSc.26 The results of 2 larger stem cell clinical trials (Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation International Scleroderma and Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplantation) of patients with SSc are forthcoming.
Lifestyle modification may greatly impact quality of life. In patients with Raynaud phenomenon, smoking cessation and avoidance of excess caffeine, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and cold exposure reduce the risk of digital ischemia. Head-of-the-bed elevation and avoidance of large, late meals can improve GERD symptoms. In addition, daily blood pressure monitoring can help detect SRC early so that ACE inhibition can be initiated promptly.
Corticosteroids have been shown to be associated with SRC. Therefore, if corticosteroids are to be used to manage an inflammatory arthritis or SSc/myositis overlap syndrome, they should be given at the lowest possible dose, and patients should be instructed to monitor their blood pressure.
Treatment of patients with SSc must be individualized to maximize benefit and reduce the risk of complications. The modest benefits of cyclophosphamide are coupled with the risk of hemorrhagic cystitis, bone marrow suppression, infection, infertility, and long-term malignancy. Stem cell transplant appears to be a promising treatment for some patients with SSc, but its use must be balanced against toxicity. The use of calcium channel blockers may exacerbate GERD symptoms, making angiotensin receptor II blockers, such as losartan, a better choice for the management of Raynaud phenomenon.
Proper management of SSc requires close monitoring and judicious use of organ-specific therapies. Referral to a center that can best provide integrated care by appropriate specialists often is beneficial and is strongly recommended. Clinical trials are under way to evaluate various immunomodulatory and antifibrotic approaches to treatment, including stem cell transplant.
Problems/comments about this article? Please send feedback.
1. Mayes MD, Lacey JV Jr, Beebe-Dimmer J, et al. Prevalence, incidence, survival, and disease characteristics of systemic sclerosis in a large US population. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;48:2246-2255.
2. Steen VD. Autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005;35:35-42.
3. LeRoy EC, Black C, Fleischmajer R, et al. Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): classification, subsets and pathogenesis. J Rheumatol. 1988;15:202-205.
4. Milano A, Pendergrass SA, Sargent JL, et al. Molecular subsets in the gene expression signatures of scleroderma skin [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2008;3(10). doi:10.1371/annotation/05bed72c-c6f6-4685-a732-02c78e5f66c2]. PLoS One. 2008;3:e2696.
5. Ebert EC. Esophageal disease in scleroderma. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40:769-775.
6. Steen VD, Conte C, Owens GR, Medsger TA Jr. Severe restrictive lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 1994;37:1283-1289.
7. Chang B, Schachna L, White B, et al. Natural history of mild-moderate pulmonary hypertension and the risk factors for severe pulmonary hypertension in scleroderma. J Rheumatol. 2006;33:269-274.
8. Steen V. Predictors of end stage lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:97-99.
9. Mukerjee D, St George D, Knight C, et al. Echocardiography and pulmonary function as screening tests for pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004;43:461-466.
10. Penn H, Howie AJ, Kingdon EJ, et al. Scleroderma renal crisis: patient characteristics and long-term outcomes. QJM. 2007;100:485-494.
11. Steen VD. Scleroderma renal crisis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2003;29:315-333.
12. Hudson M, Baron M, Lo E, et al. An international, web-based, prospective cohort study to determine whether the use of ACE inhibitors prior to the onset of scleroderma renal crisis is associated with worse outcomes-methodology and preliminary results. Int J Rheumatol. 2010;2010. pii:347402. Epub 2010 Sep 14.
13. Steen V. The heart in systemic sclerosis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2004;6:137-140.
14. Movahed MR, Ahmadi-Kashani M, Saito Y. Prevalence of suspected diastolic dysfunction in patients with a clinical diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Heart Fail Rev. 2005;10:263-264.
15. Aguglia G, Sgreccia A, Bernardo ML, et al. Left ventricular diastolic function in systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol. 2001;28:1563-1567.
16. Varga J, Abraham D. Systemic sclerosis: a prototypic multisystem fibrotic disorder. J Clin Invest. 2007;117:557-567.
17. Boin F, Wigley FM. Understanding, assessing and treating Raynaud's phenomenon. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2005;17:752-760.
18. Mayes MD. Epidemiologic studies of environmental agents and systemic autoimmune diseases. Environ Health Perspect. 1999;107(suppl 5):743-748.
19. Nagaya N, Nishikimi T, Okano Y, et al. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels increase in proportion to the extent of right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31:202-208.
20. Goh NS, Veeraraghavan S, Desai SR, et al. Bronchoalveolar lavage cellular profiles in patients with systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease are not predictive of disease progression. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:2005-2012.
21. Steen VD, Medsger TA Jr. Severe organ involvement in systemic sclerosis with diffuse scleroderma. Arthritis Rheum. 2000;43:2437-2444.
22. Le Pavec J, Girgis RE, Lechtzin N, et al. Systemic sclerosis–related pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease: impact of pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies. Arthritis Rheum. 2011;63:2456-2464.
23. Tashkin DP, Elashoff R, Clements PJ, et al; Scleroderma Lung Study Research Group. Cyclophosphamide versus placebo in scleroderma lung disease. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:2655-2666.
24. Tashkin DP, Elashoff R, Clements PJ, et al; Scleroderma Lung Study Research Group. Effects of 1-year treatment with cyclophosphamide on outcomes at 2 years in scleroderma lung disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007;176:1026-1034.
25. Hoyles RK, Ellis RW, Wellsbury J, et al. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by oral azathioprine for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in scleroderma. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:3962-3970.
26. Burt RK, Shah SJ, Dill K, et al. Autologous non-myeloablative haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation compared with pulse cyclophosphamide once per month for systemic sclerosis (ASSIST): an open-label, randomised phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2011;378:498-506.
Systemic Sclerosis | Arthritis | Musculoskeletal Disorders


Harvey Ruvin served as the President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) (1987-88). He chaired separate NACo Task Forces on Immigration, Environment and Energy, and the Liability Insurance crisis. NACo is the only national organization representing the interests and acting as a clearing house for the more than 3,000 county governments in America.
Ruvin is a past chairman of the Urban Consortium (UC) of Public Technology, Inc. (PTI). PTI is the technology arm of its parents, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and the International City/County Management Association. The UC is a coalition of the Nation's 50 largest urban government seeking to apply emerging technologies to local government needs.
Member, Intergovernmental Science Engineering and Technology Advisory Panel to Office of Science Advisor to the President (Presidents Ford and Carter, 1975-80).
Member, President's Council on Energy Efficiency, as well as Vice Chairman of Local Government Energy Policy Advisory Committee (President Carter, 1977-80).
Served a four-year term on the prestigious Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR). He chaired the ACIR Research committee. (Presidents Reagan and Bush, 1987-91).
Served as a member of the President Clinton 1988-91 Sustainable Communities Task Force of the President's Council On Sustainable Development (PCSD).
Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties (1983-present).
Member, Board of Directors of National Association of Regional Councils (1973-1978).
Member, Board of Directors of the Community Associations Institute (1978-1982).
Vice Chairman of National Immigration Forum (1980-1984).
Delegate to the United Nations World Congress for a Sustainable Future, representing America's Counties at this first-ever international effort to coordinate local governments' environmental initiatives (1990).
Was the sole spokesperson representing Local Governments World-wide to address the Prep-Com of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in March of 1992.
Served as Vice-President of the North American section and as a member of the prestigious World EXCOM of the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA), an appointment made jointly by the US Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and the Canadian Municipal League.
Served as chair of final communiqué session of the Second Municipal Summit on Climate Control in Berlin (March 1995) which produced the most comprehensive participating statement by local leaders to date on full range of climate change and equity issues.
Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks, Board of Directors (NACRC). This is the governing body which oversees the organization's efforts to promote the exchange of ideas for the professional management of county recording, clerk and information management functions.
Vice Chairman, Executive Committee of ICLEI which is the 15 member governing body of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). ICLEI is membered by 600 local governments from all over the planet, seeking pro-active ways to combat global environmental and sustainability concerns. He serves as President of USA - ICLEI. Inc. - the corporate entity operating the organization's efforts in America.
ICLEI has been designated to represent local government at all United Nations' meetings dealing with the environment and sustainability.


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Episode 35 - Jeff Chan 0
The PBA's Rain or Shine Elasto Painters sweet shooting lefty, Jeffrei Chan joins the 35th episode of Staying MAJOR. Jeff came to fame while helping FEU win two UAAP championships in the mid-2000's. Despite being a Mythical Team member in the UAAP, Jeff was taken late in the 2nd round of the 2008 PBA Draft. Chan used this snub to add fuel to his fire and since has become one of the most consistent wing players in the PBA over the last decade. He has been a PBA All-Star 5x, as well as being named the PBA Finals MVP in 2012. Jeffrei has also represented the Philippines in international competition on multiple occasions, including the 2012 Jones Cup, the 2013 FIBA-Asia tournament, as well as the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
In this episode, Chan discusses his career. Some of his highlights include playing for Coach Yeng Guiao, being a part of the largely successful Rain or Shine franchise, as well as his contributions to the Gilas Pilipinas program. Jeff takes Twitter questions and then discusses what the future might hold for him. Jeff continues to be one of the top wing players in the PBA. He is currently preparing to compete in the upcoming PBA Governor's Cup with his longtime team, Rain or Shine. You can follow Jeffrei on Twitter and Instagram at @jeffreichan
Episode 34 - Allan Caidic 0
The legendary Filipino shooter, "The Triggerman" Allan Caidic joins the 34th episode of Staying MAJOR. Allan is known as one of the best shooters Asia has ever seen. Twice he was named to the Asian Games Mythical Five team. He had such legendary performances such as the 34 points all in the 2nd half to lead the Philippines past Japan in the 1990 Asian Games. 79 points in 2 and a half quarters of a PBA Game where he hit 17 three point shots. 68 points and 15 three's in a game. 48 points in a Finals game. 76 consecutive free throws made going without a miss from October 22, 1992, to May 11, 1993! His feats are stuff of legend. We were honored to have this legendary, iconic figure in Philippine basketball history to join Staying MAJOR.
In this episode, "The Triggerman" updates our listeners on what he has been doing in recent years. We go down memory lane to discuss some of his astonishing feats he was able to accomplish as a player. Allan also reveals some of his shooting tips for aspiring marksmen. Finally, Caidic answers a plethora of questions from his very loyal fans. You can follow Allan Caidic on Instagram and Twitter at @trggrmn
Episode 33 - Mike Cortez 0
The "Cool Cat" Mike Cortez joins the 33rd episode of Staying MAJOR. Mike starred for the Green Archers of De La Salle in his UAAP days, where he led DLSU to 2 championships and where he was named to the UAAP Mythical Five team twice. Mike played so well he was selected #1 overall in the star-studded 2003 PBA Draft. Despite suffering multiple knee surgeries, Cortez has been a PBA All-Star, a member of the PBA Mythical team & is a 3x PBA Champion. Mike is a 14-year PBA veteran where he continues to play valuable minutes for GlobalPort BatangPier at the age of 36.
In this episode, the "Cool Cat" discusses his current situation at GlobalPort, the NBA Finals, and tips that have led to his success. During the Twitter questions section of the podcast, fans make it clear that they still remember his legendary UAAP career, where most of the questions from listeners are about that period of his life. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @mike_cortez11 and Instagram at @mikejoycortez
This episode of Staying MAJOR is brought to you by A-Game AfterSport Rubdown. For more on A-Game, please visit https://www.agamesport.com enter the promo code: EMENK30 to get 20% off of your online purchase.
Episode 32 - Julio Veloso 0
On episode 32 of Staying MAJOR we are talking Strength & Conditioning with the PBA's Phoenix Fuelmasters Strength & Conditioning coach, Julio Veloso. Julio is also the head coach at Movement Performance MNL. Mr. Veloso has a degree in Sports Science and a Masters degree in Sports Performance. Phoenix is the 3rd PBA team Julio has worked with. In short, Julio is one of the leaders in sports performance in the country.
In this episode, Julio and host Eric Menk, dive into training methods and diet. From professional athletes to weekend warriors, to kids, to women, Julio has trained them all. There is something for anybody who wants to live a healthier lifestyle to a professional that wants to get an edge on the competition. You can follow Coach Julio on Twitter at @julioveloso79 on Instagram at @kotshulyo. Movement Performance MNL can be found on Instagram & Facebook at @movementmnl
Staying MAJOR is brought to you by A-Game AfterSport Rubdown. For more on A-Game please visit https://www.agamesport.com Enter the promo code: EMENK#) to get 20% off of your online purchase.


All the taste of a fajita tucked inside a chimi!
We stuff a large flour tortilla with refried pinto beans, rice, cheese, savory ground beef and seasoned shredded chicken breast, and then deep-fry it to a golden brown. Topped with queso dip and shredded cheese.


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Beat the Streak Report: Thursday, July 17
Picks of the day
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Pirates
2-for-3 (.666) vs. COL RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
.450 AVG during last 12 G
Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies
5-for-6 (.833) vs. PIT LHP Paul Maholm
.461 AVG vs. LHP in '08
Top 5 current leaders
1. eazyeric, 35 games
2. stormrider1, 33 games
3. anthony.tynan, 29 games
3. yelmurb24, 29 games
5. garykittilsen, 28 games
Eric Reeder, better known to BTS competitors as eazyeric, has surged into first place on the BTS leaderboard with a 35-game streak.
A resident of Essexville, Mich., Reeder has been relying on timely hits from his hometown Tigers to build his impressive streak. Reeder likes going with his favorite player, Placido Polanco, as well as other Detroit stalwarts like Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, although he says he won't hesitate to use a guy like Ichiro Suzuki when the situation calls for it.
As Reeder has learned, however, favoring the home team in fantasy games has its price. Like the Tigers, Reeder has had his fair share of ups and downs this season, especially in the early going. Reeder went as far as to describe his experience with the game as "very stressful," a sentiment that legions of other BTS competitors can surely understand.
"I must have started over at least 20 times," Reeder says, "especially with the way the Tigers started the season."
But like his beloved Tigers, Reeder seems to finally have found his groove. His 35-game streak is tied for the sixth-longest of the season. And if Detroit's hitters stay hot and Reeder's picks keep producing, the newest BTS leader just may give Joe DiMaggio a run for his money.
Posted on July 17, 2008 at 12:25 pm
(yesterday's pick)
1. eazyeric, 35 games (Placido Polanco)
2. stormrider1, 33 (David DeJesus)
3. anthony.tynan, 29 (Alex Rios)
3. yelmurb24, 29 (Ian Kinsler)
5. garykittilsen, 28 (Ichiro Suzuki)
Season leader: spooky93, 48 games
Weekend results
Beat the Streak's season-long roller-coaster ride showed no signs of slowing down this weekend as four of Friday's Top 5 competitors were unable to last until Monday. New leader eazyeric, the only member of Friday's Top 5 to survive the tumultuous weekend, surged into the All-Star break with a 35-game streak when Placido Polanco laced a fifth-inning single off Minnesota righty Nick Blackburn on Sunday.
Second-place contestant stormrider1 celebrated his ascent into the Top 5 by picking Kansas City center fielder David DeJesus on Sunday. DeJesus stretched stormrider1's streak to 33 games by singling in the bottom of the third against Seattle righty Carlos Silva.
The rest of the Top 5 used a trio of American Leaguers to keep their streaks intact. Third-place competitor anthony.tynan took a rain check when his pick, Alex Rios, did not play in Sunday's game against the Yankees. Fourth-place competitor yelmurb24 capitalized on the relentless Ian Kinsler, who went 3-for-5 against the White Sox to stretch his own hit streak to 25 games. garykittilsen rounded out the Top 5 by going with BTS stalwart Ichiro Suzuki, who scratched out a 1-for-4 effort with a leadoff single in Seattle's tilt with the Royals.
1. Jose Reyes (NYM): 9.2%, 1-for-3
3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.2%, 2-for-4
5. Chipper Jones (ATL): 4.4%, 0-for-2
Beat the Streak Report: Friday, July 11
5-for-8 (.675) vs. NYM LHP Oliver Perez
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
5-for-14 (.357) vs. BAL LHP Brian Burres
Matt Holliday, OF, Rockies
.415 AVG during 14-game hit streak
4th in Majors with .343 AVG
6-for-13 (.462) vs. BAL RHP Daniel Cabrera
1. mday1018, 35 games (Derek Jeter)
2. slumley, 34 games (Ian Kinsler)
3. hdchannell, 32 games (Nick Markakis)
5. hej2duk331, 31 games (Hanley Ramirez)
Beat the Streak leader mday1018 continued his pursuit of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game record by riding the bat of another Bronx legend, Derek Jeter. The Yankees captain singled to lead off New York's tilt with the Pirates, stretching mday1018's streak to 35 games.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Top 5 stayed intact for the third straight day. Second-place competitor slumley kept pace thanks to Ian Kinsler, who scratched out a 1-for-5 effort with a second-inning single off Angels starter John Lackey.
Fifth-place contestant hej2duk331 was given a stress-free night compliments of Hanley Ramirez, who went 5-for-6 against Chan Ho Park and the Dodgers. Rounding out the Top 5, eazyeric and hdchannell received just enough from Placido Polanco (1-for-6) and Nick Markakis (1-for-4) to stay alive.
1. Mark DeRosa (CHC): 8.4%, 1-for-3
3. David Wright (NYM): 5.7%, 2-for-3
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.5%, 1-for-4
David Wright, 3B, Mets
3-for-7 (.429) vs. SF LHP Barry Zito
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
5-for-12 (.417) vs. LAA RHP John Lackey
1. mday1018, 34 games (Alex Rodriguez)
2. slumley, 33 games (Dustin Pedroia)
3. eazyeric, 31 games (Dustin Pedroia)
3. hdchannell, 31 games (Cristian Guzman)
5. hej2duk331, 30 games (Dustin Pedroia)
New BTS leader mday1018 celebrated his first day atop the leaderboard by extending his streak to 34 games. His surge toward the record books continued when Alex Rodriguez singled off Edwin Jackson in the third inning of the Yankees' win over Tampa Bay.
A trio of other Top 5 competitors rode the bat of red-hot Dustin Pedroia, who went 2-for-6 to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. His seventh-inning double off Minnesota reliever Brian Bass helped fifth-place contestant hej2duk331 reach the 30-game milestone, putting all contestants of the Top 5 into 30-game territory.
Fans made Lance Berkman the most-picked player just one day after he went 0-for-1 with four walks. The Houston slugger drew two more free passes yesterday, but singled off Pittsburgh starter John Van Benschoten in the fourth inning to finish with a 1-for-2 effort.
1. Lance Berkman (HOU): 9.5%, 1-for-2
3. Carlos Guillen (DET): 5.1%, 1-for-5
Beat the Streak Report: Wednesday, July 9
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
8-for-15 (.533) vs. LAD SP Derek Lowe
.379 AVG leads Majors
.324 AVG in July
Hit safely in 14 of last 15 G
2. slumley, 32 games (Matt Holliday)
5. hej2duk331, 29 games (Ian Kinsler)
Yesterday's Beat the Streak leader, dalmeetz048, saw his 34-game streak come to an end after Lance Berkman went hitless in five trips to the dish in Pittsburgh. Berkman's plate patience proved to be deadly for dalmeetz048, as the hulking first baseman drew four walks in the Astros' loss to the Pirates.
With dalmeetz048 forced to regroup, new leader mday1018 claimed the top spot on the strength of a 2-for-4 effort from Derek Jeter. mday1018's 33-game streak gives him a slim lead over second-place competitor slumley, who extended his streak to 32 games after Matt Holliday singled against CC Sabathia in the southpaw's National League debut.
Top 5 newcomer hej2duk331 put himself one game away from the 30-game milestone with some help from the sizzling Ian Kinsler. The surging second baseman extended his own hitting streak to 20 games after doubling against Angels lefty Joe Saunders in Texas.
2. Derrek Lee (CHC): 5.4%, 0-for-2
5. Ian Kinsler (TEX): 3.4%, 1-for-4
Posted on July 9, 2008 at 9:07 am
Beat the Streak Report: Tuesday, July 8
4-for-8 (.500) vs. MIN RHP Nick Blackburn
8-for-15 (.533) vs. LAA LHP Joe Saunders
1. dalmeetz048, 34 games (Jose Reyes)
2. mday1018, 32 games (Dustin Pedroia)
4. eazyeric, 29 games (Hanley Ramirez)
4. hdchannell, 29 games (J.D. Drew)
Beat the Streak leader dalmeetz048 took another step toward the record books on the strength of a 2-for-5 effort from Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. The leader's 34-game streak is the sixth longest this season.
The second- and third-place contestants rode the scorching bats of Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler. The All-Star second basemen extended their own hit streaks to 15 games and 19 games, respectively, and in the process helped mday1018 and slumley keep pace with the leader.
Meanwhile, eazyeric and hdchannell rounded out the Top 5 by surviving on one-hit efforts from Hanley Ramirez and J.D. Drew.
Fans who made Chase Utley yesterday's highest-picked player were rewarded when the second baseman went yard off Pedro Martinez in the fourth inning of yesterday's Phillies-Mets slugfest. Chipper Jones, who leads the Majors with a .384 average and was yesterday's fourth-most-picked player, was held hitless in three at-bats as Hiroki Kuroda tossed a one-hit gem against the Braves in Los Angeles.
1. Chase Utley (PHI): 11.3%, 1-for-3
Five years ago, Scott Lumley was a fresh-faced rookie competing in his first fantasy baseball league. Today, the seasoned gamer is using his fantasy baseball knowledge to chase down a $1 million cash prize.
Scott, better known as "slumley" to his Beat the Streak presented by Mitchum competitors, entered Tuesday's action with a 31-game streak, good for third-longest among active players.
A participant of Beat the Streak presented by Mitchum for two years, Scott also has fantasy teams in the MLB.com 2008 Open, Yahoo and ESPN leagues, and a keeper/auction league with his friends. In fact, the Ontario, Canada, resident has become so ensconced in fantasy baseball that he now favors individual players over one specific team.
"I was at one time a rabid Blue Jays fan," Scott said. "I've been playing fantasy baseball so long, I no longer have a favorite team."
Scott says his favorite hitters are Hanley Ramirez, Ian Kinsler, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Utley and Matt Holliday. And though he's managed to keep his streak alive using studs like those listed above, one of his most memorable moments came when he called upon a less-heralded hero.
On June 30, Scott had come up empty in his search for a promising matchup until he stumbled upon the unsung Mike Aviles. Though the 27-year-old shortstop had fewer than 100 at-bats going into the game, Scott noticed that he was raking against left-handers. With southpaw Brian Burres on the hill for the Orioles that day, Scott decided to gamble on his diamond in the rough. The gritty move paid off, as Aviles ended up swatting a pair of singles and scoring the game's winning run in the top of the 11th.
"It was really satisfying seeing the leaders' hitters listed — there was Ichiro and Berkman and A-Rod and Jeter, and I was the only guy on the list with Mike Aviles," Scott said.
Using lesser-known players like Aviles has helped Scott build his streak into the 30s, but the third-place contestant understands the importance of bona-fide stars as well. He says that Kinsler and Holliday have been "money" for him when he's used them in the right spots, but one superstar he will never use is Albert Pujols. According to Scott, Prince Albert is just too lethal for his own good.
"Pitchers are perfectly happy to walk him," reasoned Scott, "because they're absolutely afraid of him."
Scott's impressive streak and extensive fantasy background are far from being the only noteworthy elements of his life. The London native describes himself as a "full-time dad" before anything else. His plan, providing he wins the $1 million grand prize, clearly displays his family-first attitude.
"I'd buy my family a home and set up a college fund for my little boy," Scott said. "He's only 11 months old, but you can never start that stuff too early."
Outside of being a family man, Scott is also a contributor to the film Web site boxofficeprophets.com. And though Scott may liken himself to a prophet of the movie industry now, people may soon consider him a prophet of another sort if he continues his run into the BTS record books.
Beat the Streak Report: Monday, July 7
Check out our profile of spooky93, whose season-high streak of 48 games ended with Ichiro Suzuki's 0-for-3 day on July 4.
.373 home AVG in '08
6-for-11 vs. SD RHP G. Maddux
1. dalmeetz048, 33 (Josh Hamilton)
2. mday1018, 31 (Alex Rodriguez)
3. slumley, 30 (Matt Holliday)
4. eazyeric, 28 (Placido Polanco)
4. hdchannell, 28 (Nick Markakis)
spooky93's season-high 48-game streak may be over, but the race for 57 is still on. New leader dalmeetz048 extended his streak to 33
games on the strength of a 2-for-4 effort from Texas All-Star Josh Hamilton.
Second-place contestant mday1018 stayed two games behind the leader
thanks to a 2-for-4 night from Yankees All-Star Alex Rodriguez.
eazyeric, whose 28-game streak puts him in a tie for fourth place with
hdchannel, stayed alive with a first-inning double by Placido Polanco.
The early hit proved to be a lifesaver for eazyeric, as Polanco didn't
manage a hit in his remaining six trips to the dish in the Tigers' 15-inning affair.
4. Matt Holliday (COL): 3.6%, 2-for-5
Posted on July 7, 2008 at 10:06 am
BTS leader at 48 games thanks to Hanley
Beat the Streak leader spooky93 extended his season-high hit streak to 48 games Thursday night by picking Florida's Hanley Ramirez, who went 2-for-5 against the Colorado Rockies.
spooky93 enters Friday's action a mere two games short of setting the all-time Beat the Streak mark and just nine games shy of the $1,000,000 grand prize.
More updates to follow on Friday morning.
Check out this day-by-day comparison to see how spooky93's streak stacks up to the record-setting one posted by Joe DiMaggio in 1941.
Posted on July 3, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Beat the Streak Report: Thursday, July 3
Beat the Streak leader spooky93
continued to ride the bat of Ichiro Suzuki, who went 3-for-3 against
the Blue Jays. The BTS leader has made Ichiro his go-to-guy, picking
the Seattle center fielder more times (11) than any other player.
spooky93 enters Thursday's action just 10 games shy of the $1,000,000
grand prize.
rest of the Top 5 also stayed alive thanks to a 25-run rumble between
the Yankees and the Rangers. Capitalizing on the Bronx Bombers' 18-run
barrage was dalmeetz048 (Derek Jeter), mday1018 (A-Rod) and tooley.3
(Johnny Damon). slumley rounded out the Top 5 by receiving a 1-for-4
effort from Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler.
For the second
straight day, fans picked A-Rod more than any other player. The slugger
turned in a 2-for-3 effort and drilled his 17th long ball of the year.
Albert Pujols was the fourth-most picked player, but he was held
hitless in five at-bats against Pedro Martinez and the Mets bullpen.
Spooky93's favorite picks
Player: percentage picked (total times picked)
1. Ichiro Suzuki: 24% (11)
2. Lance Berkman: 19% (9)
3. Chipper Jones: 15% (7)
4. Jimmy Rollins: 9% (4)
5. Michael Young: 4% (2)
5. Carl Crawford: 4% (2)
5. Nick Markakis: 4% (2)
5. Vladimir Guerrero: 4% (2)
5. Hanley Ramirez: 4% (2)
10. Hideki Matsui: 2% (1)
10. Yunel Escobar: 2% (1)
10. Cristian Guzman: 2% (1)
10. Ian Kinsler: 2% (1)
10. Grady Sizemore: 2% (1)
10. Brian Roberts: 2% (1)
1. spooky93, 47 (I. Suzuki)
2. dalmeetz048, 29 (D. Jeter)
3. mday1018, 27 (A. Rodriguez)
3. tooley.3, 27 (J. Damon)
5. slumley, 26 (I. Kinsler)
1. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 6.7%, 2-for-3
Picks for the holiday weekend
Carlos Guillen, 1B, Tigers
17-for-32 (.561) vs. SEA RHP C. Silva
6-for-13 (.462) vs. NYY LHP A. Pettitte
Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins
16-for-38 (.421) vs. CLE RHP P. Byrd
11-for-24 (.458) vs. PHI RHP J. Moyer
.407 AVG in last 16 G
J.J. Hardy, SS, Brewers
7-for-13 vs. PIT LHP Z. Duke
BTS leader extends streak to 47 thanks to Ichiro
Beat the Streak leader spooky93 extended his season-high streak to 47 games Wednesday night thanks to Ichiro Suzuki, who collected a single in his first at-bat off Toronto's Dustin McGowan and finished with a 3-for-3 night in Seattle.
spooky93 enters Thursday's action a mere three games short of setting the all-time Beat the Streak mark and just 10 games shy of the $1,000,000 grand prize.
More updates to follow on Thursday morning, including the experts' picks of the day and a recap of Wednesday's other highlights on the BTS leaderboard.
Posted on July 2, 2008 at 12:43 pm
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