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April 1, 2010 -- Maintaining regular daily routines reduces insomnia and improves sleep quality in older people who live in retirement communities, a new study suggests.
Study researcher Ana Zisberg, PhD, RN, of the University of Haifa in Israel, says performing basic activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing at the same time every day was found to improve sleep quality.
Performing less frequent activities, such as shopping or visiting a doctor, on a regular basis improved sleep quality to a lesser extent.
So to get better sleep, she suggests, it's important to keep a daily routine.
"We predicted that there would be a relationship between routine activity patterns and sleep quality, since theoretically sleep patterns and other everyday life activities are related and potentially synchronized," Zisberg says in a news release. "However, given the widely accepted view that light is the major synchronizer of the human sleep-wake cycle, we were surprised that our findings were so robust."
Routines Help Sleep Quality
The study, conducted between August 2007 and September 2008, involved 96 Russian-speaking older adults living in two retirement communities, where each apartment was fully equipped as an independent unit, including a kitchenette that allowed them to set their own meal times.
They ranged in age from 58 to 89, and 72% were women, 82% of whom lived alone. Seventy-five percent reported being in fair or good health, and some participants used sleep aid medication.
What participants did on a daily basis was determined by a trained interviewer who interviewed them three times at two-week intervals. Eighty-nine of the 96 participants finished the interviews and were included in the final analysis.
The researchers found that people who followed routines:
- Took less time to fall asleep
- Had higher sleep efficiency (the amount of time in bed that you are asleep)
- Had better sleep quality
The researchers say that changes in the body's biological clock are a natural part of aging and are likely culprits in the reduced sleep quality of older people, but developing daily routines may counteract this.
The findings are published in the April issue of the journal Sleep.


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Mercedes-Benz will begin equipping its cars with inflatable seatbelts for rear passengers, making it the second automaker to use the safety technology.
Mercedes said the belt would be introduced on an upcoming luxury car. A likely candidate is the redesigned S-class sedan, which the German automaker is preparing to put into production next year. Prototypes have been spotted undergoing hot-weather testing. A reveal is likely early next year, possibly at the Detroit or Geneva auto shows.
Ford introduced inflatable rear belts on the redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer. It also offers the technology on the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKT wagons, and charges about $200 for the option. Ford has said the redesigned Mondeo sedan for Europe will use the technology.
The technology marries a small airbag with the rear belts' shoulder strap. When the car senses a crash, the airbag in the belt inflates. The expanded bag increases the width of the belt, helping to spread crash forces over a wider area of the passenger's torso and reducing the chance of injuries.
Mercedes says it does not intend to use the inflatable belts for front seats. It notes that front passengers are protected by front, side and, in some cases, knee-bolster airbags.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
by Dr. Bryce Klabunde,
Vice President, Insight for Living
Many changes come naturally as we mature. Sometimes, though, negative habits form deep ruts, and it seems we can't change, no matter how much we want to. Friends urge us to alter course and warn us of dangers ahead if we don't. We read in Scripture about God's path of wisdom, and His Spirit awakens our spirit to a new vision of a better life in Christ. With tears of determination, we tell ourselves, our loved ones, and our Lord that things will be different. "I'll change, I promise." And we really mean it. We feel a deep sense of sorrow for our sin, even disgust. However, as time passes, the pull of the rut overpowers our most sincere promises, and we fall back into old patterns.
Part of the problem may be our mistake in thinking that sorrow and confession are enough to produce change. Another part is the misunderstanding of the process of change—a process the Bible calls repentance.
Is Repentance the Same as Remorse?
According to the New Testament, there's a difference between repentance and remorse. Judas "felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and elders" (Matthew 27:3). He even confessed his crime: "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (v. 4). Judas had come face to face with the hideous beast of evil in his soul, and he shrank back in terror and shame. Tragically, instead of leading him to God and life, his guilt hounded him to the gates of death. Eventually, his shame turned to self-hatred, and it drove him to suicide.
The apostle Paul calls this "the sorrow of the world" because the world offers no hope for people racked with guilt (2 Corinthians 7:10b). But there is another sorrow that produces life, as Paul describes:
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10a)
The sorrow of an alcoholic, for example, can either drown him in crashing waves of self-pity . . . or carry him to the shores of a new life. The determining factor is not the sorrow itself but whether the sorrow brings the sinner to repentance.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance is first a decision. The most common Greek word in the New Testament translated "repent" is metanoeo, which is based on the word for thoughts or intentions, nous (see Acts 8:22) and literally means to "change one's mind." Penitent people take a deep look inside and face the truth about themselves—how they've been excusing their sins and hurting others. They come to a decision point, or what Paul called, "the point of repentance" (2 Corinthians 7:9), in which they change their mind from pleasing the flesh to pleasing God, from trusting in self to trusting in a Savior.
This repentance decision may come at the moment of our salvation as we place our faith in Christ for the first time. It may also be a point of recommitment as we determine to follow Christ with our whole heart. In either case, it is the beginning point to a process of change.
Hand in hand with this decision is a second principle: turning. The Old Testament prophets preached a message of repentance using a special Hebrew word that means, "turn around, return." The Lord urges His redeemed people to return to Him because He has forgiven their sins:
"I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." (Isaiah 44:22)
The Lord is asking His people to take a completely new direction in life. This implies two parts: turning away from sin and returning to the Lord. And it implies a relationship between us and God—much like the relationship between the prodigal son and his father in Jesus' parable. After the son comes to his senses in the pigsty, he turns from his sin and returns to his father (see Luke 15:11-32).
The decision of repentance and the turning of repentance are demonstrated by the fruit of repentance—deeds that flow from the life of a changed person. The prophets described these deeds in practical terms: "Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice" (Hosea 12:6a). John the Baptizer specified the fruit of repentance this way:
"Let the man who has two tunics share with him who has none; and let him who has food do likewise." And some tax-gatherers also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered to." And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:11b-14)
Repentance, then, is not merely feeling sorry for sin. A person may feel deep remorse for his or her critical spirit, anger, or greed. A pastor caught in immorality may kneel before the congregation and weep bitterly over the condition of his soul. As important as it is to feel the weight of our sin, these emotions are not repentance. In fact, if we accept these tears as repentance, we can actually hinder the person from doing the really hard work of change.
With all this in mind, let's draw up a definition: Repentance is the process of turning from our sinful way of life and turning to godliness. It is characterized by a change of thinking and a change of behavior.
The path of repentance often leads through dark periods of self-examination and painful surrendering of selfishness and pride. Repentance includes letting go of cherished sinful pleasures and being accountable to others who help us lift our wheels out of the rut as we plow a new course in life. It marks a renewed relationship with the Lord based on a revived belief that His way is truly best and His righteousness is life's greatest treasure.
What Are Practical Signs of Repentance?
How do you know if you're on the path of repentance? What does the penitent life look like? How can you tell if someone you love is really changing? People who are serious about change tend to display similar behaviors that let you know they are on the right track. Here are a few signs you'll find in a truly repentant person:
- Repentant people are willing to confess all their sins, not just the sins that got them in trouble. A house isn't clean until you open every closet and sweep every corner. People who truly desire to be clean are completely honest about their lives. No more secrets.
- Repentant people face the pain that their sin caused others. They invite the victims of their sin (anyone hurt by their actions) to express the intensity of emotions that they feel—anger, hurt, sorrow, and disappointment. Repentant people do not give excuses or shift blame. They made the choice to hurt others, and they must take full responsibility for their behavior.
- Repentant people ask forgiveness from those they hurt. They realize that they can never completely "pay off" the debt they owe their victims. Repentant people don't pressure others to say, "I forgive you." Forgiveness is a journey, and the other person needs time to deal with the hurt before they can forgive. All that penitent people can do is admit their indebtedness and humbly request the undeserved gift of forgiveness.
- Repentant people remain accountable to a small group of mature Christians. They gather a group of friends around themselves who hold them accountable to a plan for clean living. They invite the group to question them about their behaviors. And they follow the group's recommendations regarding how to avoid temptation.
- Repentant people accept their limitations. They realize that the consequences of their sin (including the distrust) will last a long time, perhaps the rest of their lives. They understand that they may never enjoy the same freedom that other people enjoy. Sex offenders or child molesters, for example, should never be alone with children. Alcoholics must abstain from drinking. Adulterers must put strict limitations on their time with members of the opposite sex. That's the reality of their situation, and they willingly accept their boundaries.
- Repentant people are faithful to the daily tasks God has given them. We serve a merciful God who delights in giving second chances. God offers repentant people a restored relationship with Him and a new plan for life. Listen to Hosea's promise to rebellious Israel:
Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. (Hosea 6:1-2, emphasis added)
After healing comes living. Repentant people accept responsibility for past failures but do not drown themselves in guilt. They focus their attention on present responsibilities, which include accomplishing the daily tasks God has given them.
One final thought. Repentance is not a solo effort. God doesn't expect us to lift ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Through His indwelling Spirit, God shapes and molds us to make us pure and blameless in Christ. Listen to Paul's hopeful words: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). For many people, the first cry of repentance is, "I can't change by myself; I need You, God." Thankfully, those are the sweetest words to God's ear.
To help you apply the principles in this article, here are two worksheets you might find helpful: Redemptive Divorce Repentance Worksheets


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Sports Doping via Elective Surgery
June 16, 2009
BikeMonkey Guest PostProfessional sports continues to suffer from doping scandal. Although it is understood that preparation for the highest levels of competition involves considerably more than "training", most sports have enacted rules to distinguish allowable training/preparation aids from "cheating". This is by no means new. Nor is it over, the cycling world is poised for the now-traditional pre-Tour revelations of doping which will re-shuffle the lineup on July 4th.
But rules violations are in some ways uninteresting. There are rules to sport and if you break them you are penalized. Within that context, the nature of cheating and the ethical concepts of fair play are operationalized. Boring.
More interesting is to consider the essentially arbitrary distinctions that create the rules in the first place. Take Lance Armstrong. Winner of a record number of Tours de France, dominant rider and all around cycling icon. Did I mention he was making a come-back at his ripe old age and after a several year layoff? Great stuff.
And this was all possible only because he decided to have cancer.
Well, no, of course he didn't decide to have cancer. And it is wonderful that this person was able to survive a pretty bad case and come back to the pinnacles of human physical performance.
Still….prior to cancer, Armstrong was a great rider, make no mistake, but he was a one-day Classic race threat. A powerful all-rounder who was too heavily built (this is very relative) to be a threat in the three-week Tour, Giro or Vuelta stage races. Because those races depend heavily on the ability to ride up high mountains at a rapid pace. When it comes to climbing on the bicycle, power to weight ratio is all. The emphasis typically being on the weight, too. It is no accident that the so-called "pure" climbers of renown in pro cycling are all wisps. Skinny and short. Tiny dudes. Really tiny. There is just no avoiding the fact that stripping all (and I mean nearly all) unnecessary weight off of the body and rebuilding with just the specific musculature needed is the way to build the perfect Grand Tour cyclist.
Of course, most cyclists do the best they can with diet control and hard training. Remember however, pre-cancer Armstrong was a professional cyclist. I'm sure he was doing his due-diligence like any other pro. But having a dramatic event occur, outside of his will / lack thereof, which stripped off more weight was a boon.
So what if someone went under the knife intentionally to benefit their professional athletic performance? Liposuction, removal of unnecessary body tissues (you can make it on one kidney, right?)..heck, why not replace bones with lighter and stronger synthetic components? Should this be against the rules? Does this violate our sense of ethics and fair play?
sourceThis brings me to the case of one Simona Halep, a tennis prodigy of whom I was not previously aware. A Medscapes blog entry by Jennifer Walden, MD a reconstructive / plastic surgeon tells us that this professional athlete intends breast-reduction surgery.
Simona Halep, as you may or may not know, is from Romania and is a budding Junior tennis player. She is ranked #258 in the world. She won the Junior French Open tennis tournament in 2008, and although not yet fully developed as a professional, she reached the second round of the qualifiers for the Senior French Open in 2009. In May 2009 she received widespread media attention all over the world for expressing her desire to go through breast reduction surgery in order to perform better on the tennis court. I found it surprising to read on blogs and sports pages online how much fans and readers did not understand the purpose and benefit of breast reduction surgery. Comments ranged from disgust to outrage to frank misunderstanding of what the indications and outcomes are for breast reduction surgery.
The blog then goes on to demystify and explain the reasons for breast reduction surgery which is great. Nice public service blogging on health conditions which they seem to like around these parts. However, the sports fan in me got a little tweaked about the argument that this was justified on the following grounds:
In Simona Halep's case, it is clear that her very large breasts are causing a functional interference with her tennis game. Her swing is somewhat impeded by what is in the way, and she just can't move as quickly with her figure as it is now. There is no doubt that Halep's game will improve after a reduction of her breasts, and likely make her able to swing more quickly and react on the court faster. This is not for vanity, it is for comfort and to function in a more effective manner.
Well….yeah. But….but….. Do we really justify surgical modification of the body based on optimizing athletic performance? Yes of course we do- surgery to fix congenital defects (including poor vision…hmm) and repair injuries are okay, right. But is this something a little different? More like liposuction in that pro cyclist that can't drop that final 5 kilos necessary to climb the Alps with the front group?
Sticky question.
No Responses Yet to "Sports Doping via Elective Surgery"
June 16, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Or maybe remove lower legs to improve running performance?
I don't see any bright lines here, but I'm inclined to be suspicious when the case in question happens to be a woman's breasts. Not so much because of any arguable sexism as because breast modifications are so often suspected of being vanity-driven and thus somehow less virtuous.
I have known women who suffered from excessively large breasts [1] without any athletic, vanity, or other "suspect" motivations. IMHO anyone who doesn't have bruises from bra straps and back problems from off-center weight distribution can STFU.
[1] I do mean suffered, no rhetorical exaggeration involved.
June 16, 2009 at 7:54 pm
IMHO anyone who doesn't have bruises from bra straps and back problems from off-center weight distribution can STFU.
So you are the DECIDER of whether a woman is justified in having breast reduction surgery for functional reasons? And you have decided that the standard is bruises and back problems? Are you fucking kidding with this shit?
June 16, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Oh, wait a second. Are you trying to say that men–none of whom have bra-strap bruises nor breast-related weight distribution problems–should STFU about whether a woman's choice to have breast reduction surgery is "justified"? In that case, we are agreeing.
June 16, 2009 at 8:10 pm
"suspect" motivations? WTF!? I puke on your shoes DC.
June 16, 2009 at 8:17 pm
@comrade physioprof. I suspect the latter interpretation… you are very quick with your snap interpretations aren't you? 😉 (emoticon included as indication of light sarcasm…)
June 16, 2009 at 8:21 pm
"suspect" motivations? WTF!? I puke on your shoes DC.
I suspect that in his usual hamfisted near-illiterate fashion, Sessions was actually trying to say that it's no one's business but the woman in question whether a breast reduction is appropriate or not.
June 16, 2009 at 8:33 pm
jc, puke away. I wouldn't dream of upsetting CPP by agreeing with him.
June 16, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Good grief — you people really need to take a few minutes away from policing each others' thought crimes to work on your reading comprehension skills.
June 16, 2009 at 9:30 pm
+1 to what Neuro-conservative said (and no, I didn't think I'd ever type that).
D.C.- I'm with you on the main point, and I hate to beat up on you if CPP already is (must. not. align. self. with. that. jerk.).
But I am bemused over the whole calling any motivation for breast reduction "vanity". Since breasts are stereotypically likely to increase one's attractiveness. Although wait a second… given that "vanity" can refer to excessive belief in one's attractiveness *or* ability, I'm inclined to wonder if mayhap your privilege is showing. A woman who wants a breast reduction for the sole purpose of being seen as something other than her breasts? How VAIN!* Why, the next thing you know the girls'll want to be judged for their scientific ideas instead of how how hot they look in a lab coat!
*(not that women couldn't want reductions in order to look better by some standard. But even then, vanity may be a bit overblown- I honestly find it difficult to imagine a case where a woman focusing on her attractiveness is entirely a character flaw and not in the slightest a function of the patriarchy)
June 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Didn't Venus Williams reduced her breasts?
I see that CPP is still standing tall in his shining armor, protecting all the women who never asked for such protection. However, he got so mad when his Philadelphia Eagles lost in the playoffs, having no problem with the hormone consumers on his favorite team.
June 16, 2009 at 10:13 pm
In cycling you also have surgical modification of the bicycle. There is a constant tension between manufacturers and the UCI about regulating technological innovations in terms of aerodynamics and weight. This raises the interesting angle of "engineering" the cyclist through sugery, much like you use carbon fiber forks instead of steel.
I think for most professional cyclists the surgery option is not realistic because they cannot maintain peak fitness for very long without becoming ill or overtrained and fatigued. Thus, your lowest weight has to come right when you are peaking in terms of power output. So if you had surgery to get rid of fat right before the Tour you are not going to be able to put out 500 watts for an hour up a col. The weight loss has to coincide with maximum power output. Unless the lipo is permanent, it won't work.
Armstrong meticulously weighs his food, Landis fasted for 3 or 4 days, they all have pretty freaky ways of weight management. However, the top tour contenders are all in one way or another genetic outliers in terms of VO2 max, recovery ability etc. What I mean is that Tom Boonen is not going to have surgery to be able to be competitive in the Tour (cocaine maybe). He is fundamentally limited by his genetic endowment, his body size. Even Indurain, who very likely doped, has the lowest ever recorded resting heart rate (28 bpm) and one of the highest VO2 max values.
Simona Halep has every right to have breast reduction surgery obviously.
A thought experiment: What if a budding pro cyclist had a very large penis that made cycling difficult for him? Does he have the right to have penis reduction surgery?
June 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Becca, I could have written that more clearly. Next time I really should cool down before posting.
To clarify: the nose-in-the-air set who might object to a septoplasty because it would enhance an athlete's breathing ability are one thing. However, when it's breast alteration you get a whole host of others [1] who get bent because it's a "boob job," and to their hypothetical minds a "boob job" is all about vanity. For them, end of story.
Which is enough to make any decent person furious just on principle, but to me it's personal thanks to high-school friends who had to suffer not only a painful physical problem but also the "attentions" of boys (and too often [2] nominal men) around them as well as some really ugly snipes from other girls. I had the "privilege" of hearing my friends' sides of it [3] and hearing too many of the guys' snickering conversations.
So the whole looking-down-on-a-woman-with-a-problem-you-don't-have thing really pisses me off.
[1] IMHO an alliance of jerks with a variety of bogus excuses.
[2] Hell, once is too often.
[3] And rubbing out the knots in their backs. I normally enjoy giving people backrubs, but it's not so fun when a friend is hurting and you can't make it stop.
June 16, 2009 at 11:44 pm
A woman's decision to reduce bothersome breasts is cheating? Gosh, you're an asshole BM. Why does DM let you blog here?!?!
June 16, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Isis: is it possible that BM is posting as a reductio ad absurdem [1]?
At one end of the spectrum you have the recent debate over runners and leg amputations, at the other you have tennis player breast reduction. Is it possible to draw the line somewhere between?
[1] Sorry. For once I really would have preferred an alternate wording if I could have thought one up.
June 17, 2009 at 10:20 am
Yah, BM, why does DM let you blog here? How dare you calling a woman's choice to change her body to improve her performance 'cheating'? Next you'll call a transgender who has decided to play on the women tennis tour a cheater, too.
June 17, 2009 at 10:46 am
Next you'll call a transgender who has decided to play on the women tennis tour a cheater, too.
Shoulder chip aside, that kind of possibility is why I'm prepared to entertain BM's post as an invitation to explore the ethical limits of surgical athletic enhancement — and to put a stake in the ground for breast reduction as on the "of course she can" side of the line.
It's not altogether academic to me at the other end, too — I'm by no means a candidate for competitive sports, but I have a few replacement parts where the technology is heading towards being better than original equipment (not there yet, which is why I'm resisting knee replacement for now — to pick one example.)
June 17, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I'm with you on this issue. My beef is with the attempt by Isis to make it another gender equality and sexism issue on BM's part, when it is not.
June 17, 2009 at 1:07 pm
If you can look at that picture of Simona Halep and *not* think about gender equality and sexism, you are simply blind to the structure of society.
June 17, 2009 at 1:10 pm
So D.C., does any woman get to reduce her extraneous breast tissue? In the example given at Medscape, it is pretty clear to all that reduction might be recommended medically, regardless of occupation. Where is the line to be drawn? The top ranks of women's cycling and distance running tend to suggest that less would always be better from a performance angle. A doctor's note? The proportion of pro male cyclists who have asthma exemptions for bronchdilators suggests that is not a complete solution…
June 17, 2009 at 1:56 pm
But BikeMonkey, to me it seems elite women endurance athletes tend to have small breasts. Is this because women with large breasts tend not to participate in endurance sports because of the relative disadvantage? Or through years and years of endurace training does breast size become just smaller on elite female athletes because of their extremely low body fat in general? I don't know the answer to this, if, for example, Simona Halep was a marathon runner would her breasts get reduced on their own? Does tennis have the same kinds of fat burning effect as endurance sports?
June 17, 2009 at 2:05 pm
So D.C., does any woman get to reduce her extraneous breast tissue?
Perhaps the question should be phrased as, "does any woman except a professional athlete get to reduce her extraneous breast tissue?" or "unlike all other women, should professional athletes be prohibited from having corrective breast surgery?"
It's really a theological issue in the Church of Competitive Sports, because outside of that arbitrary set of rules the question is a long-settled no-brainer. Since I'm not a communicant of that Church, I'll take a pass. Maybe we should send the question over to PZ Myers for a theological critique.
June 17, 2009 at 2:38 pm
First, I could imagine that playing tennis or doing almost any rigorous physical activity having the breasts of Simona Halep is beyond uncomfortable. It is probably painful and could also cause long-term bodily damage. Is one born with one leg slightly shorter than the other and chooses to fix it surgically in order to improve his/her athletic performance, cheats? In contrast, if a tennis player has six fingers that allow better grip and aim of the racket should be required to remove the extra finger?
This issue reminds me of a joke I heard.
An insurance agent drives his car through the gate of a farm to meet his farmer client. As his car approached the farmer's house a chicken darted right in front of it so fast that it looked like a blur. Again, just before he stopped his car, another chicken ran extremely fast by him. Once in the house, he asked the farmer about the unbelievably fast chickens he had just witnessed outside.
"Oh, these are our new three-legged strain of chickens that we've developed in collaboration with the genetic engineering research lab at our MRU. The market's strong demand for chicken legs enticed us to fund this project."
The agent, still with a look of disbelief on his face, asked: "And how the legs of these chickens taste compared to the two-legged strain?"
"We don't really know" said the farmer, "we haven't managed to catch the first one yet."
June 17, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Good grief — you people really need to take a few minutes away from policing each others' thought crimes to work on your reading comprehension skills.
I also found Sessions' point completely comprehensible and don't understand the ensuing fuss.
June 17, 2009 at 3:47 pm
My beef is with the attempt by Isis to make it another gender equality and sexism issue on BM's part, when it is not.
I am preparing to dub BikeMonkey enemy to all women.
June 17, 2009 at 3:49 pm
BikeMonkey is a total fucking douche.
June 17, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Nice to see that things are back to normal.
June 17, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I think CPP plays tennis without balls. Isis fishes with CPP's rod.
June 17, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Sol, you're a very generous guy to make CPP look so good.
June 17, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Is this because women with large breasts tend not to participate in endurance sports because of the relative disadvantage? Or through years and years of endurace training does breast size become just smaller on elite female athletes because of their extremely low body fat in general?
I would imagine both contribute, most elite level sports have a strong selection both for an ideal type and for modification of that type. Actually 'types'. Take the example of pro cycling, it is the tiniest of waifs (male and female) who tend to dominate on the high cols. A different type (taller, more muscular) dominates the time-trials.
Closer to the topic, other, less visible (but pharmacologically modifiable) traits like hematocrit are similarly determined by both genetics and experience. However, if one cyclist has naturally higher hematocrit than the other, this doesn't mean you get to EPO up to the same hematocrit, right? As I already pointed out, if you are susceptible to asthma, you get to take a clear performance enhancing drug to get back up to "normal". If you have a degenerative hip, you get to replace it (see Landis). If you cannot maintain hydration or even caloric competence during the course of a three-week stage race you get to go on post-stage IV drips.
These kinds of distinctions make if difficult to identify any consistent lines as far as what should be okay and what is cheating in sport. Yet *elective* surgery to remove an inconvenient couple of kilos of fat, a kidney, a left testicle or reduce the breast size seems like cheating if it is done solely to enhance athletic performance.
should professional athletes be prohibited from having corrective breast surgery
They are not being "prohibited" from corrective breast surgery, it is a question of whether they are permitted to compete. There are all kinds of things that athletes agree not to do, that anyone else is free to do, as a contingency of their sport. A physics major can accept a car from the local Hummer dealer and nobody blinks an eye. If the guy majoring in professional football studies does so… problem. Now as I have already admitted, this particular case looks pretty clear cut with respect to the medical recommendation for health, apart from vocation. But where is the line?
June 17, 2009 at 8:48 pm
BikeMonkey- if your left testicle is the size of her breasts, I think you should be able to get it surgically removed and still compete. But I'm generous like that.
June 17, 2009 at 9:10 pm
DC, the idea came from a title of a book written by a transgender: "How to play tennis without balls." 😉
June 17, 2009 at 9:20 pm
BikeMonkey- if your left testicle is the size of her breasts, I think you should be able to get it surgically removed and still compete.
Oh, I don't think it would have to be the size of them both.
June 17, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I think CPP plays tennis without balls. Isis fishes with CPP's rod
HA HA HA, glad to see you're still up to your trolly ways, Sol. I'd guess BikeMonkey lets you comment here because he is the O.G. troll of the webs.
At least DrugMonkey's a decent dude.
June 18, 2009 at 12:34 am
I don't know the history between the commenters (apparently there is a lot of it) or the inside jokes going on here, but I think it's an interesting discussion as both a scientist and an amateur cyclist.
At any rate, BM, I really don't think that Halep having breast reduction surgery to play tennis is any different from hip-replacement surgery or asthma drugs.
The line between doping and not doping is totally arbitrary anyway. Caffeine is fine, but amphetamine is not, protein shakes are ok but not steroids. There are medical considerations of course but really why have we decided that some of these substances are allowed while others not? Is it the amount of improvement one offers over another, if it increases your performance 5% it's fine but 15% is not?
I would bring up technology again, where do we draw the line there? Imagine the UCI had decided in 1980 to halt all new developments in bike weight reduction, aerodynamics or technology.
"But where is the line?" I would argue that there is no line, the closer you get to it the fuzzier it becomes until it disappears altogether.
June 18, 2009 at 1:02 am
Well thanks andrew… At least some people can stay serious around here.
June 18, 2009 at 1:09 am
Jeez, Armstrong had nut *cancer* not elephantiasis, you weirdos!
Hey remember the drilling fad to lighten the bike components? Maybe they should drill their bones to lighten up…
June 18, 2009 at 9:23 am
First of all, as a woman I'd like to say that the picture of her playing looks painful. Literally OUCH. It seems clear to me that this is a serious concern for her.
Secondly, beyond ability to play, this looks like a health issue to me. Her bosom is obviously posing an impediment to her swing, making it awkward. Awkwardness leads to poor form in motion, which could lead to increased injuries from the sport. Not to mention the back issues.
Personally, the line's always going to be fuzzy. But this is something I find should be acceptable. I could easily be wrong, but from what I understand, breast size is not very controllable by diet. This proves a health risk for her in ways that things like a lower, but still normal, hematocrit level would not.
Additionally, before anyone without large breasts makes a judgment on this, I'd like to see them strap two water balloons filled to the same size around their chests and take a run.
June 18, 2009 at 11:11 am
You've banned me from your blog, claiming I'm a troll yet, you trolling me on others' blogs. Why won't you invite me to participate on your blog so you won't have to look for me elsewhere? I know that you don't always agree with my point of view, but censoring me is so undemocratic and childish. I know you miss me, otherwise how would you explain the fact the 66% of your comments on this post are in response to my comments? Your not so subtle nudge toward BikeMonkey to ban me from his blog is another sign of your immaturity. Get over yourself, your are just another blogger and you mainly deal with insignificant and irrelevant issues such as shoes, "musical" jams and your own narcissism.
June 18, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Let's get hypothetical:
We're scientists. Would we be OK looking for a postdoc if we knew that other postdocs had had an extra arm for more efficient benchwork put on, or sacrificed some lung for an internal back-up hard drive? These things would presumably enhance their performance, perhaps unfairly so.
But in the case of Ms. Halep, the surgery she is requesting would not be contraindicated in a non-athlete due to discomfort and back pain. As such, there shouldn't be a problem as it is not being done exclusively to help further her sport.
June 18, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I would prefer a postdoc with a bigger cerebral cortex than an extra arm.
June 18, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Ahh, but my dear Toaster. You must go the extra mile when it comes to these things. How about breast reduction (or liposuction or spare digit amputation or kidney removal) in an athlete for whom it is not otherwise indicated?
Recall that the Medscapes post makes a big deal out of the athletic performance issues in addition to the general health ones.
WRT postdocs: Do you encourage your trainees to take Ritalin so they can work harder? Perhaps more relevant, would you discourage one who told you that they were using stimulants?
June 18, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I know of many PIs who provide lab espresso machines and unlimited free beans. DOPING!!!
June 18, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Caffeine's a legal-threshold substance, CPP, not completely banned. Depends on the pee-test.
June 18, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Additionally, before anyone without large breasts makes a judgment on this, I'd like to see them strap two water balloons filled to the same size around their chests and take a run.
You're more generous than I would be. Since the water balloons would be supported entirely by the harness, they'd be less of a problem. True "run a mile in my bra" understanding would require at least implants so that the fascia etc. were also put under (shock) load.
June 18, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I think the post-docs on Ritalin/speed/caffeine is a great analogy. I for one am convinced that I would be WAY more productive on amphetamines and/or some amphetamine derivative. Now let's say all other things being equal I'm up for some shitty post-doc at a top-tier school and the reason I've got 20 papers as opposed to 5 is largely due to the concentration/activity enhancements from drugs to my dopamine system – is this academic DOPING?
I would point out the famous example of mathematician Paul Erdos. He is the author/co-author of over 1400 papers (this is where the Erdos number comes from – how many people are you away from someone who has written a paper with Erdos). Anyway, he was openly taking amphetamines EVERY DAY of his career. In fact he complained that he could not think wihtout speed. Does this minimize his impact on his field, or mathematics on general? Obviously not his results stand and are published. Is this somehow different from doping in sports?
June 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm
It is ok to ban something in a sport, even if it affects some more than others, simply because winning only means anything in the context of agreed upon rules.
(I suspect, given what little I know about the cultures of the sports, non-medically indicated breast-reduction would be seen as cheating in bike racing more than in tennis- there doesn't have to be one right answer)
In contrast, academic science is not a sport. It's not designed purely to serve as an outlet for our competitive natures, where success is predicated on playing by a shared set of completely arbitrary rules… oh wait. SHIT.
June 18, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Science, too, has rules and in science, too, there are those who break them in order to be on top. Almost any human endeavor can be analogous to competitive sports and cheaters, albeit, a minority, always play their part in those endeavors.
June 18, 2009 at 4:41 pm
So S. Rivlin, is chronic amphetamine use cheating in science? Come on now, not like you to be shy about these things.
June 18, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Shitlin, you are so fucking predictable.
BTW, welcome back!! Where the fuck you been?
June 18, 2009 at 4:43 pm
hey, kewl. I get the funky grey box too if I don't use caps? gee…
June 18, 2009 at 5:09 pm
The cheaters in science break the rules by using PFF. Amphetamine use, as long as it is prescribed legally, does not break the rules of science practice. If a scientist uses an illegal drug, s/he, like any other person, breaks the rule (law) and if caught, will be punished. However, just as you do not destroy the artwork of an artist who did his/her work under the influence of drugs, you do not nullify the published scientific work of a scientist whose also a drug addict. The rules in sports prohibit the use of amphetamine, so using it is cheating. The medal or prize (money) an athlete receives for his/her athletic acheivement, if obtained while cheating, must be nullify.
I know you've missed me. Nevertheless, now that I'm back, you can go back to lick my tuches.
June 18, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Almost any human endeavor can be analogous to competitive sports and cheaters, albeit, a minority, always play their part in those endeavors.
Well, any zero-sum game anyway.
Science is ostensibly a non-zero-sum game, but science funding for all practical purposes is.
In sports, the appearance of "fairness" is necessary for the business model since viewership tends to drop when a game is not perceived as fair. Thus, "unfairness" hits the bottom line in ways that full-contact basketball doesn't.
The appearance of "unfairness" doesn't hit the bottom line for science, though — so there's no business model objection to performance enhancement. Dry-lab and other kinds of data fudging, on the other hand, do — and are thus not tolerated. Or at least not any more than doping is in sports.
Darwinian selection being what it is, a good starting point for understanding behavior is to understand the business model.
June 18, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Boy, I am happy I have never had to consider altering my amazing rack in order to keep doing my science.
June 18, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I will not be inclined to forgive you if you bring the Zquake down on me with this blatant trolling Isis…
June 18, 2009 at 5:33 pm
"Boy, I am happy I have never had to consider altering my amazing rack in order to keep doing my science."
Just make sure you do not alter your data to amazing data in order to keep doing your science.
June 18, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Science, too, has rules and in science, too, there are those who break them in order to be on top. Almost any human endeavor can be analogous to competitive sports and cheaters, albeit, a minority, always play their part in those endeavors.
So are you suggesting that one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century was a cheater because he took amphetamines throughout his career?
Are his insights and work less valid? Should we look at his proofs and theorums and say "well these are correct and elegant but he thought of them on amphetamines so they don't count."
I think that argument is difficult to make – in Science or Math results are results whether the scientist was strung out on drugs when he did the work is irrelevant. Yet that is exactly what we would do in sports – Landis didn't actually win the Tour for example.
What exactly are the rules in science? Aren't the rules what we as scienists are supposed to be discovering?
June 18, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Andrew, have you read my complete comment? I specifically said that the scientifc work done by a drug user should not be nullified because of his/her drug use.
June 18, 2009 at 5:50 pm
So are you suggesting that one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century was a cheater because he took amphetamines throughout his career?
Different games, different rules. Mathematicians can dope like crazy but aren't allowed to make up stuff for publication.
Lance Armstrong couldn't use dope, but he can make up utter narishkeit for publication and nobody cares.
June 18, 2009 at 6:02 pm
@S. Rivlin sorry I see you answered my post already.
June 18, 2009 at 9:29 pm
will not be inclined to forgive you if you bring the Zquake down on me with this blatant trolling Isis…
Trolling? I'm not trolling AssMonkey. I am just trying to make sure we all maintain some integrity around here. This is serious business we're talking about.
June 19, 2009 at 9:21 am
"Trolling? I'm not trolling AssMonkey. I am just trying to make sure we all maintain some integrity around here. This is serious business we're talking about."
HA,HA,HA, integrity my ass. Isass, your double standard is sooooo blatant. Go back to your own blog to promote your shoe of the week.
June 19, 2009 at 9:43 am
Srsly Isis- is it not conceivable that a breast reduction might help in a workplace where men were constantly leering and judging on appearance? Not that these could possibly exist anymore…
June 19, 2009 at 11:56 am
So are you suggesting that one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century was a cheater because he took amphetamines throughout his career?
In fact, Erdos was remorseful that his success under amphetamines might encourage young mathematicians to engage in a practice that he knew to be unhealthy. There's more to this sort of discussion than written rules; you can also work towards a general understanding that certain routes to enhanced performance in whatever are taboo.
My number is 3, BTW, with a combined Bacon-Erdos number of 6.
June 19, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I think one must distinguish between a human endeavor where the personal reward is almost immediate, which is a strong incentive to cheat, and one in which the reward is unknown and if materialized, it usually does a long time after the specific activity that responsible for it was performed.
Erdos did not have his eyes on a specific award that was hung in front of him at the time he performed his research.
Marion Jones knew before she had ever put her spikes on what would be the awards that would come with her crossing the finish line first.
A scientist who's competing for an NIH grant cannot afford to wait until his research is published and recognized. Thus, there will be a few scientists, just like Marion Jones, who will decide to cheat by either plagiarize, falsify or fabricate their research results to get the NIH award. However, if a scientist chooses to use amphetamines in order to be able to write a better proposal an stay awake more hours to do it than other scientists, such choice is not cheating, it is simply a personal risk said scientist is willing to take, which in no way is unfair to other applicants who chose not to use amphetamines. After all, medical students doing it all the time.
June 19, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Erdos was obsessed with math and with working, he had no house, almost no personal belongings and no family. An elite althlete is obsessed with his/her sport.
I don't think that the timing of the rewards in the endeavor is what matters. Many elite althetes have to dope for years before they start to see pay-offs in hundreds of milliseconds advantage in some sports.
In both elite althetics and math/science I think people are trying to attain some kind of perfection (maybe it's Platonic or something – not being a Platonist I don't get it). Erdos spoke of "the book" where the really beautiful true proofs are written and he thought we just had to learn to read "the book". Sprinters are always trying to run "the perfect race".
I think this is where doing whatever it takes to acheive perfection comes into play – it's not only about cheating, or kicking other peoples' asses, it's also about perfection.
The famous Italian doctors who help pro cyclists dope believe that we are only scratching the surface of what is possible with human performance and physiology – if only we could get rid of doping regulations.
June 19, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I think we are hypocritcally demanding ridiculous standards of athletes in this regard, and it causes all sorts of inconsistencies (one is allowed to use a substance one is not, one can complete with a high testosterone level, because it is 'natural' but another cannot). Part of it comes from an almost religious belief that the way you were born is the way you 'should' be, and that has to be treated as some kind of inviolate standard. But there is no real reason to arbitrarily worship the 'what you were born' with criteria.
I was especially annoyed by the Congressional investigation int baseball players prescription drug habits as if that is any particular business of Congress. It is the business of the teams, the league, and the players but not Congress.
it is more consistent to treat athletes like the rest of the population
June 19, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I was especially annoyed by the Congressional investigation int baseball players prescription drug habits as if that is any particular business of Congress. It is the business of the teams, the league, and the players but not Congress.
The supposed reason that Congress involves itself in this shit is that MLB has a legislated anti-trust exemption. The real reason, of course, is that Congress is a bunch of hero-worshipping jock-sniffing grandstanding cockwipes.
June 19, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Cheating in sports became a big deal during the cold war era, when athletes from the Soviet block, especially women from East Germany, were using steroids as part of their training schedules. They collected Olympic and world championship medals in buckets. At the time, these competitions were supposed to be for amatures only and, of course, none of the athletes on the Soviet countries teams was. Thus, cheating was sunctioned by the governments of those countries, which brought much attention to the whole issue of steroid treatment in athletes and fairness of competition. Since those days much has changed, including the inclusion of professional athelets in the Olympic games and world championships. Consequently, tests for the doping in sports have become ever tighter and more sensitive and accurate. Because of the above-mentioned sunction of steroids use by athletes of the Soviet block in that era, the governments of western countries got involved in the issue and hence the involvement of our congress, the same bunch that CPP wipes their cocks for research funds.
June 24, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Good grief — you people really need to take a few minutes away from policing each others' thought crimes to work on your reading comprehension skills.


text:
Europe is in the midst of a fiscal crisis caused by too much government spending, yet many of the continent's politicians want the European Central Bank to purchase the dodgy debt of reckless welfare states such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal in order to prop up these big government policies.
So it's especially noteworthy that economists at the European Central Bank have just produced a study showing that government spending is unambiguously harmful to economic performance. Here is a brief description of the key findings.
…we analyse a wide set of 108 countries composed of both developed and emerging and developing countries, using a long time span running from 1970-2008, and employing different proxies for government size… Our results show a significant negative effect of the size of government on growth. …Interestingly, government consumption is consistently detrimental to output growth irrespective of the country sample considered (OECD, emerging and developing countries).
There are two very interesting takeaways from this new research. First, the evidence shows that the problem is government spending, and that problem exists regardless of whether the budget is financed by taxes or borrowing. Unfortunately, too many supposedly conservative policy makers fail to grasp this key distinction and mistakenly focus on the symptom (deficits) rather than the underlying disease (big government).
The second key takeaway is that Europe's corrupt political elite is engaging in a classic case of Mitchell's Law, which is when one bad government policy is used to justify another bad government policy. In this case, they undermined prosperity by recklessly increasing the burden of government spending, and they're now using the resulting fiscal crisis as an excuse to promote inflationary monetary policy by the European Central Bank.
The ECB study, by contrast, shows that the only good answer is to reduce the burden of the public sector. Moreover, the research also has a discussion of the growth-maximizing size of government.
… economic progress is limited when government is zero percent of the economy (absence of rule of law, property rights, etc.), but also when it is closer to 100 percent (the law of diminishing returns operates in addition to, e.g., increased taxation required to finance the government's growing burden – which has adverse effects on human economic behaviour, namely on consumption decisions).
This may sound familiar, because it's a description of the Rahn Curve, which is sort of the spending version of the Laffer Curve. This video explains.
The key lesson in the video is that government is far too big in the United States and other industrialized nations, which is precisely what the scholars found in the European Central Bank study.
Another interesting finding in the study is that the quality and structure of government matters.
Growth in government size has negative effects on economic growth, but the negative effects are three times as great in non-democratic systems as in democratic systems. …the negative effect of government size on GDP per capita is stronger at lower levels of institutional quality, and ii) the positive effect of institutional quality on GDP per capita is stronger at smaller levels of government size.
The simple way of thinking about these results is that government spending doesn't do as much damage in a nation such as Sweden as it does in a failed state such as Mexico.
Last but not least, the ECB study analyzes various budget process reforms. There's a bit of jargon in this excerpt, but it basically shows that spending limits (presumably policies similar to Senator Corker's CAP Act or Congressman Brady's MAP Act) are far better than balanced budget rules.
…we use three indices constructed by the European Commission (overall rule index, expenditure rule index, and budget balance and debt rule index). …The former incorporates each index individually whereas the latter includes interacted terms between fiscal rules and government size proxies. Particularly under the total government expenditure and government spending specifications…we find statistically significant positive coefficients on the overall rule index and the expenditure rule index, meaning that having these fiscal numerical rules improves GDP growth for these set of EU countries.
This research is important because it shows that rules focusing on deficits and debt (such as requirements to balance the budget) are not as effective because politicians can use them as an excuse to raise taxes.
At the risk of citing myself again, the number one message from this new ECB research is that lawmakers – at the very least – need to follow Mitchell's Golden Rule and make sure government spending grows slower than the private sector. Fortunately, that can happen, as shown in this video.
But my Golden Rule is just a minimum requirement. If politicians really want to do the right thing, they should copy the Baltic nations and implement genuine spending cuts rather than just reductions in the rate of growth in the burden of government.


text:
Solid Hardwood Bunk Bed w Vertical Ladder - Modular Design - Slatted - 66" H - Full XL over Full XL - White
ID# MX-JOLLY2XL-S-WModular Collection
Length: 84Width: 61.5Height: 66.25
Weight & Dimensions
Features & Specifications
|Knot-free Solid Birch, Maple, or Aspen.
|Weight capacity
|Rated for 400 lb, tested for up to 800 lb. Lower bunk is not rated.
|Warranty Note
|1 year
|Entry styles are reversible and can be positioned on either side of the bed.
|Made in
This solid hardwood bunk bed is part of our Modular Design collection. It comes with a vertical ladder you can install on the left or right hand side.
Size of this bunk bed is Full extra long over Full extra long which is also known as double over double extra long. Full XL has the same length as queen size.
Color is in White finish and it is pure paint therefore you can not see the wood grains. You can match the white color bunk bed with any bedding or existing furniture since there is little variation in pure white color.
Headboard is Slated style and it is a contemporary take on the traditional mission design.
The overall height is 66 inches which is compatible with a standard 96" ceiling. You can split this bunk bed into two beds. Upper headboards are 31" each and lower headboards are 35" each. This means if you decide to split this bunk bed, you will get two identical beds with a High-Low look.
This modular design gives you zillions of options of use and lots of possibilities in the future. This is because you can purchase pieces individually which in turn gives you lots of flexibility.
Our modular design solid hardwood bunk bed is suitable for use by kids, teens or adults.
You can divide this bunk bed into two separate beds.
Solid Wood Frame
We use solid hardwood for this bunk bed. Our factory uses Aspen, Maple, or Birch wood interchangeably for the production of this unit. To achieve maximum strength, we use premium knot-free hardwood for this bunk bed.
Slats are made of plywood. They are about 2.5" wide and 2.5" apart from each other. Each slat comes with holes. So, you can secure every slat to the frame with two wood screws.
Under Bed Storage
You can add a storage trundle under this bunk bed, or normal trundle bed for allowing an extra mattress. Also you can add an under bed dresser or a set of two drawers. These items are independent units so you can add them later on if you choose to.
Safety of Your Bunk Bed
This modular design solid wood bunk bed can hold a tested 400lb weight capacity on the upper deck. The lower deck can almost also hold the same weight, but we do not test the lower deck.
All sizes have a center support on upper deck, except for the Twin. For lower deck, all XL and Queen size come with center support as well.
Our modular design has 4 metal pings, purpose built Rocklocks which lock the upper and lower headboards.
We use acrylic paint for the white finish. For natural and chestnut finishes we use nc lacquer (nitro cellulose). Also, we test the finishes for chemical compliance with US and EU safety standards.
You can install this ladder on either the left or right-hand side of your bunk bed to suit your space. Ladder is vertical for this bunk bed. Vertical ladder is harder to climb than the angle ladder but takes less space. If you plan to use a trundle bed or underbed storage, a vertical ladder is going to work better.
The ladder is thick and sturdy. It has anti-slip grooves and each rung is almost 3" wide.
Assembly of the Modular design is relatively easy as you do not need to assemble the headboards. The only items you need to assemble are the ladder, guard rails, connect mattress rails, Rocklock and slats. However, installing the Rocklock is tricky.
A standard size mattress fits this bunk bed just fine. You can use a maximum of 6" thick mattress for the upper bunk. For the lower bunk, depending on which height you choose, you can use a mattress that is between 6" to 8" thick.
- Part of our Modular Design collection. The design allows you to modify your furniture as your needs evolve.
- Made from knot free premium solid hardwood.
- Converts into 2 standard beds.
- Install the ladder on the left or right side.
- Plywood slats.
- Non-toxic low VOC finish.
- Add under bed storage to maximize space saving
Shipping Box Dimensions
|Box ID
|L x W x H (inch)
|Weight (lbs)
|Box 1
|58.7 x 32.5 x 5.5
|Box 2
|58.7 x 36.6 x 5.5
|Box 3
|54.3 x 7.5 x 5.5
|Box 4
|54.3 x 7.5 x 5.5
|Box 5
|81 x 4 x 6
|Box 6
|81 x 4 x 6
|Box 7
|82 x 3 x 5
|Box 8
|64.2 x 7.5 x 3.1
|Box 9
|57.5 x 5.5 x 4.7
Assembly Information
What's Included
We offer curbside delivery to cities of the following provinces:
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
For cities in remote areas such as small islands or townships or rural communities (cities with less than ~10k population), we may have to ship to the nearest depot for you to pick up from. We do not ship to PO Boxes.
Shipping Rates
|Order amount
|Shipping Cost
For Atlantic Canada and Territories, please contact us for the shipping rate.
Our products are bulky and heavy. Shipping is a significant portion of the total cost. Normally, the shipping rate can cost anywhere from %10 to %30 of actual products. For the time being, we can not offer a flat rate to the Atlantic and Territories.
Our shipping rate is for the basic door-to-door, or curbside, delivery. Curbside means the driver is not entering inside the premise of your house, apartment, or property.
Major Cities
The shipping rate we offer is for major cities (cities with ~10k population or more) within mentioned provinces. For rural communities, townships, resorts, or cities on small islands, we may have to ship to the nearest depot for you to pick up from.
The location of depots depends on which shipping company we use for your city. It all depends on who gives us the best rate at the time of getting a quote.
Sorry, we can not ship to PO Box addresses. We do need a physical address to ship to.
We use all major, or even minor, shipping and courier companies. After you place your order, we contact a lot of companies to get the best rate possible.
Once we know which company is going to take care of your shipment, we get a tracking number. As soon as products are shipped, we email you the tracking number along with their website of the shipping company so you can track it yourself.
When you receive your order from the courier or trucking company, please inspect each box before signing of. If you see any external damage, write it on the waybill or inform the driver in case of touchless service.
After you open your boxes and find damage(s) on products, please take multiple images and email them to us. We need to know precisely which item you need a replacement for.
Our email address is:


text:
|Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, is a US citizen. (Wbz-Tv)
Ashland man faces terrorism charges
FBI alleges plan to fly explosives into Capitol, Pentagon
ASHLAND - An Ashland man who holds a physics degree from Northeastern University was charged yesterday with an Al Qaeda-inspired plot to send a remote-controlled aircraft carrying explosives into the Pentagon and the US Capitol "to kill as many people as possible,'' according to a complaint filed in federal court.
Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, a US citizen whose only known previous crime was vandalism, told FBI agents working undercover as Al Qaeda members that he wanted to "change the world,'' according to the complaint.
"I just can't stop; there is no other choice for me,'' he told the agents, according to an affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Gary S. Cacace.
"This is what we have to do. This is the righteous way . . . to terrorize enemies of Allah,'' he said, calling for the deaths of any kafir, the Arabic term for nonbeliever.
Federal officials said that at no point did Ferdaus have sole control of explosive materials, such as C-4, or guns and that he was closely monitored by the FBI during his alleged plotting in the past year. But they also say that he was repeatedly questioned about his plans and that he was committed to carrying out the attacks.
"Our top priority is to protect our nation from terrorism and national security threats,'' US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said in a statement.
"The conduct alleged today shows that Mr. Ferdaus had long planned to commit violent acts against our country, including attacks on the Pentagon and our nation's Capitol.''
She and Richard DesLauriers, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston division, said the arrest should not reflect on the larger Muslim community.
Prosecutors say that Ferdaus modified mobile phones to act as electrical switches for improvised explosive devices and that he gave eight of them to the FBI undercover agents, who he thought were Al Qaeda recruiters. According to the affidavit, when told that one of the devices had killed three US soldiers and injured at least four others in Iraq, he exclaimed, "That was exactly what I wanted.''
Also, prosecutors said that Ferdaus had already hatched a plan to attack federal buildings before he met the undercover agents in March 2011. He later traveled to Washington, D.C., and took pictures of the Pentagon and the Capitol.
He subsequently received at least $7,000 from the agents to purchase one of the remote-controlled planes, which was the size of a human body. The agents also delivered 25 pounds of C-4 explosives, three grenades, and six AK-47 assault rifles to Ferdaus. He planned to recruit other men to shoot at people fleeing the Pentagon, prosecutors said.
Ferdaus obtained the first plane in August. He then had the undercover agents deliver the explosive materials and guns yesterday to a storage facility in Framingham that he had rented to plan his attacks. Once he took possession of the materials, he was arrested.
After making an initial appearance in US District Court in Worcester, Ferdaus was ordered held without bail until a dangerousness hearing can be held at 3 p.m. Monday.
Ferdaus lived with his parents and has a younger brother. The family was well known in the neighborhood, "nice people in our community,'' said Ashland Police Chief Scott Rohmer.
Ferdaus plays the drums and played in local bands, including Goosepimp Orchestra, a psychedelic Latin/funk band, and Silk Road, which promoted its songs as sounding like "a six-pack of Pabst and a mechanical bull,'' according to websites.
Some neighbors said he tended to seclude himself from neighborhood parties. "He had no interest in socializing,'' said Brenda Macmillan, who lives across the street.
In 2003, Ferdaus was charged along with two Ashland High School classmates for overnight vandalism in which concrete was poured in front of 10 school doors.
The students, however, denied in letters to classmates that they burned an American flag that had been found flying upside-down in front of the school that morning. Ferdaus was placed on probation and ordered to pay $406 in restitution, according to local reports.
Ferdaus went on to graduate from Northeastern University in 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in physics, the university confirmed.
According to the affidavit, Ferdaus told the undercover FBI agents that he started thinking about violent jihad against the United States after seeing videos and reading materials promoted by Al Qaeda. It was then that he realized "how evil America is and that jihad is the solution,'' according to the affidavit.
"As a result, he decided to, in his own words, 'terrorize' the United States by attacking Washington, D.C.,'' the affidavit said.
Ferdaus first started talking of his plans earlier this year to a witness who was working with the FBI. The witness has his own criminal record and was working as an informant.
But the witness later introduced Ferdaus to two undercover FBI agents, and Ferdaus went on to tell them of his plans, according to court records.
He allegedly provided them with computer thumb drives detailing the types of planes he would use - more than 5 feet long, with a wing span of more than 4 feet and able to carry about 10 to 12 pounds each. He preferred the F-4 Phantom and the F-86 Sabre, small-scale versions of US military fighter jets, and would launch them from Eastern Potomac Park. He referred to them as "detonators,'' and would fly them using a global positioning satellite.
"This is realistic. . . . I can make these things happen,'' he reportedly said. "What I envision is that it's going to . . . essentially decapitate the entire empire.''
DesLauriers said: "A committed individual, even one with no direct connections to, or formal training from, an international terrorist organization, can pose a danger to the community.''
Ferdaus became the third US citizen with Massachusetts ties to be charged in a terrorism-related plot since 2007, when Daniel Maldonado, who had connections to Methuen and Lowell, was charged with supporting terrorists in Somalia. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In 2008, Sudbury resident Tarek Mehanna was arrested on charges of lying to FBI agents in a terrorism investigation. He was later charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and is slated to go to trial Oct. 24.
US Representative William Keating of Massachusetts, the state's only member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said yesterday that the arrest of Ferdaus is a textbook example of the dangers the United States faces from homegrown extremists, and that national security officials have been warning of their growth. They may follow Al Qaeda propaganda through videos and texts, and are then incited to carry out attacks without the scrutiny that a foreigner may receive.
"There's a new kind of threat, a new strain of threat, and we have to be aware of it,'' Keating said, adding that it was the first lesson he learned when he took office earlier this year. "If people need to get a clearer message of what we're hearing [of the growing threat], these events should make people even more aware of that. It can be someone inside the US presenting the danger. Those things are real.''
Brian MacQuarrie and Martin Finucane of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent Jaclyn Reiss contributed to this report. Milton J. Valencia can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @miltonvalencia.


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Staff Profile: The Fish on-a-Budget Challenge
Like many young couples, Josh and his wife, Meredith, work hard to maximize their food dollars, and when Josh sees fish, he sees dollar signs. The couple's weekly grocery budget is just $50. At checkout, that translates to bulk quantities of skinless, boneless chicken breasts and less expensive cuts of red meat. And though Josh will occasionally pick up tilapia or shrimp if it's on sale, fish comes to the family plate at most once a week. "I love salmon, but it's quite a bit more money than a chicken breast."
Budget-conscious families can eat fish. Josh and Meredith can even shop at his favorite wholesale bulk-buy emporiums and neighborhood grocery stores (no special trips to seafood stores required). The key for this couple is strategic shopping.
- Look for bargains. Grocery stores sell large packs of individually wrapped, frozen fish fillets, usually at a rate dramatically discounted from fresh varieties. In-season, fresh varieties are also a good buy; you can enjoy them now or freeze them for later. Keep an eye out for good deals on Alaskan wild salmon—it will be rounding out this year's peak this month, as will wild-caught Spanish mackerel.
- Use a little, save a lot. Look for recipes that use less expensive varieties or smaller amounts of pricier seafood in multiple servings. Our Quick Paella recipe, for example, calls for just six mussels per serving.
- Break open a can. Canned or jarred seafood is an easy, often inexpensive way to incorporate fish into your meals when fresh selections are limited or too pricey. Use one can of red salmon (at about $4 per can) for our Mediterranean Salmon Cakes with Cucumber Sauce. While you're comparing prices, check the labels, too. Unlike fresh, canned fish often come packed with added salt (200mg to 300mg sodium in 2 ounces), so choose the low-sodium or unsalted variety, if available, or give it a good rinse before mixing it in.
- Prepare ahead for lunch. Josh and Meredith like to reuse some of last night's dinner for tomorrow's lunch, but seafood may dry out when reheated. Or worse, it may leave behind odors when you reheat your food in the office break room. Fish works well in cold preparations like salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Add leftover tuna to cooked pasta mixed with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of black pepper. Or use canned tuna or salmon for a niçoise salad.


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Here's Your Chance to Add Words to the English Language
Ever wanted to have a say in which words are actually, well, words? Now's your chance — UK dictionary publisher Collins is asking the public to suggest new words to include in its latest edition.
Normally the submission process is limited to staff and other insiders, but this year, Collins' editors have opened it up to all English speakers. If a word you submit is accepted, you'll even be credited on the definition page on the publication's website.
And between now and August 31, everyone who sends in a word will be entered into a contest for daily prizes like a Microsoft smartphone — which was donated by the software giant after the word "superphone" was submitted by a Collins reader.
Other words that are currently under editorial consideration? "Super PAC," "photobombing," "Tebowing" and "amazeballs."


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Helpless FedEx Driver Can't Stop His Runaway Truck While Dogs Look On
You don't see UPS drivers having this kind of trouble.
Check out this poor FedEx driver, who gives his all (which is still not nearly enough) while trying to stop his truck from rolling away from him.
Making the scene even more amusing is the fact he has an audience. The pooches in the yard seem to be entertained by the show. Hey, it's not their insurance rates that will be affected, so why wouldn't they enjoy it?


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Dino's Cell Phone Repair Weatherford provides the best cell phone repairs for iPhone, iPod, and iPad in Texas. It hurts when your cell phone breaks. From screen repair to software issues, we can help. Cell phone repairs with Dino's Cell Phone Repair are simple and quick. All repairs come with a 60-day warranty on workmanship. If the repair does not work as expected, you can return it!
Timezone: CDT
Monday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Saturday11:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sunday12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Business Name:
2815 Fort Worth Hwy STE 200Weatherford TX 76087United States
(682) 333-7712
Things to do in Weatherford, TX
Amphitheater at Heritage Park
Antebellum Ale House
Buchanans Antiquities and Militaria
Candlewood Suites Weatherford, an IHG Hotel
Cartwright Park
Chandor Gardens
Cherry Park
Clarion Inn & Suites Weatherford South
Clark Gardens
Clark Gardens Botanical Park
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Our Newest Profiles


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Tuesday's debate between Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren, which was to be the fourth and final matchup in their nationally watched Senate race, was canceled after Brown withdrew, citing the hardships faced by residents in the path of Hurricane Sandy.
It was not clear if the debate, which was sponsored by a consortium of news outlets, including the Globe, would be rescheduled, with just seven days left until Election Day. Soon after Brown's campaign announced Monday afternoon that he was pulling out of the debate, Warren's campaign said she, too, would cancel.
Neither candidate jumped at the chance to schedule a new date. Brown's campaign told the debate sponsors that one possible date, on Thursday, would conflict with a bus tour the senator has been planning. Warren's campaign indicated it would evaluate the storm's impact Tuesday and decide whether another date might be possible.
The debate, which was to be moderated by CNN's John King and broadcast live on several television stations, was designed to allow voters to hear directly from the candidates as many potential voters are tuning into the race for the first time. A Globe poll found that 39 percent of likely voters had not watched previous debates.
It has been nearly three weeks since Brown and Warren last debated in Springfield, and both candidates are locked in a dead heat, according to the Globe poll.
But Brown's campaign said Monday that the hurricane had prompted the senator to withdraw. "It is simply not appropriate to go forward with a political debate when a disaster strikes," Brown's spokesman, Colin Reed, said in a statement. "The focus for all of us before, during, and after the storm needs to be on emergency response and disaster relief, not campaigns and politics."
Warren's campaign soon followed with its own statement canceling her appearance. "Elizabeth believes the focus now must be on public safety and ensuring people get the help they need during the storm and in its aftermath," said Mindy Myers, Warren's campaign manager. "With the concern for public safety and cleanup paramount, Elizabeth believes the debate should not be held tomorrow."
The media consortium sponsoring the debate responded by saying it hoped to reschedule.
"The Boston Media Consortium anticipated a possible debate delay because of the storm and, for that reason, had offered an alternative date to the campaigns," the consortium said in a statement. "We are working with the campaigns to reschedule the debate, to serve the interests of the people of Massachusetts."
President Obama and Mitt Romney have been canceling some of their campaign appearances, as well, as Sandy hits several battleground states where they had been planning rallies.
Tuesday's debate was to be broadcast live at 7 p.m. on WGBH-TV (Channel 2), WCVB-TV (Channel 5), NECN, WHDH-TV (Channel 7), WBUR-FM (90.9), and Bloomberg Radio and live-streamed on BostonGlobe.com and Boston.com.
It was scheduled months ago, after delicate negotiations with both campaigns.
Brown had initially said last summer that he wanted three or four debates, but two of those would be low-profile radio appearances he had accepted. Warren, for her part, balked at those radio debates, and said she wanted four television face-offs. For weeks, the candidates wrangled over the locations, sponsors, and dates. At one particularly acrimonious juncture in early June, Brown's campaign refused to negotiate directly with Warren's campaign over the debate schedule.
Later, Brown made headlines when he rejected a debate at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Dorchester because Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the senator's widow and the institute's president, refused to agree to not endorse Warren.
Eventually, both agreed to four televised debates.
When the schedule was finalized in late June, Brown's campaign boasted: "By Election Day, Senator Brown will have participated in six debates, the most of any incumbent Massachusetts senator in 16 years."
Michael Levenson
can be reached at


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discerning the spirits, ears of the heart, following Jesus, God's love, listening, Oswald Chambers, sheep, shepherd, The Good Shepherd
If we have ever been in love, we know that hearing the voice of the one whom we love can make our heart flutter with anticipation. Well, one might object here that this is a common human experience, however, does it apply to our experience of hearing God just the same? Jesus said,
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (Jn 10:27 ESV)
This is a promise, a statement that assures us that His sheep can discern His voice from others. Jesus "knows" them, i.e., He loves them, and we might assume as well that their love causes them to follow Him eventually. Although there might be many voices every day that talk to us without interruptions, there must be something special about the voice of the One who created us. In order to illustrate what I just tried to explain, I will share my latest "sheep experience" with you. 😉
Yesterday I decided to take a prayer walk before preparing dinner. Since I have struggled with fighting a cold for some days, I left my bike in the basement with a heavy heart since I would have rather made a cycle tour under the clear blue sky. Nonetheless, finding myself about a half hour later on the biker bridge (walkers are allowed too, of course), I had to grin about myself, once again, for I truly tend to forget while walking time and again that I have no "wheels under my feet", so to speak. Completely lost in contemplation and in my own thoughts, I sometimes realize that I am walking on a biking trail which is meanwhile more familiar to me than hiking trails are. 🙂 Be that as it may, as I saw that there was a flock of sheep beneath the bridge, I wanted to take some pics with my cell phone. Alas, the sun stood very low in the west and it was not possible to take good pics from there. The shepherd saw me standing on the bridge and told me what to do. Actually, he is a very friendly man. Even last week as I had come very close to his sheep on a hill at the Rhine-Main-Danube Channel where they, the sheep, had finally chased me away from one of my prayer benches, their shepherd gave me some good advice as I was biking uphill which is partly very steep. Since I did not cycle with a mountain bike, I eventually would have to realize that my city bike, out of the blue, would rear up like a horse so that I lost control and balance as only my back wheel had touched the ground. 😛 Oh boy, I was even mad at God that He didn't warn me before… But maybe, He did, though, yet my ears had been stuffed on that very day.
Anyway, yesterday as I was walking around the provisional fence that surrounded the flock, I was disappointed that those lovely sheep decided to only show me their wooly bottom. Talking to them did not help either. Quite the contrary! From whichever side I approached them, no sheepy face wanted to posh up the pics I took. As I had almost given up on it, one sheep suddenly turned around and looked me right in the eyes. It stood completely still and listened to my voice while the others kept feeding on the grass and weeds. Wow!! That was an amazing experience! Only one of those many sheep that finally listened to me… 🙄
In closing, I want to share a quote from Oswald Chambers with you which deals with the danger of knowing a lot versus knowing, i.e. loving, the One who created knowledge of any kind. If we are used to only "know" in our minds, but not with our hearts, we might miss the chance to encounter the Living God, even today.
It is possible to know all about doctrine and yet not know Jesus. The soul is in danger when knowledge of doctrine outsteps intimate touch with Jesus. Why was Mary weeping? Doctrine was no more to Mary than the grass under her feet. Any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they could not ridicule out of her was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her; yet His blessings were nothing in comparison to Himself. Mary "saw Jesus standing and knew not that it was Jesus"; immediately she heard the voice, she knew she had a past history with the One who spoke. "Master"!
[Bold emphasis mine]


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In our discussion of the science of morality commenters often assert that science may be able to describe why and how we are moral but it cannot make moral decisions for us. Or tell us what is right and wrong. Sometimes these commenters have their own motive – a covert or overt interest in promoting a religiously determined moral code and they don't want another discipline intruding into "their" arena. At other times they may be reacting to a simplistic interpretation of the role of science. This is common in criticisms of The Moral Landscape (and Harris did not help by using the subtitle "How Science Can Determine Human Values"). In partial mitigation of Harris's position he does make clear, often, that he is using "science" in a very general sense – including philosophy and history.
Emotions in human decisions
Our moral decisions are different to the apparently straightforward decisions a physical scientist might make relying on evidence. Logic and reasoning, and validation against reality. Being social animals things are never that simple for us. And we have evolved not to be a rational animal, more a rationalising one. Our decisions will usually involve our emotions and intuitions as well as evidence and reasoning. In fact research suggests that an emotional component is essential in decision-making. Where emotions are impaired people find decision-making impossible. We are also influenced by the moral attitudes of others, and in some situations a moral decision may involve a democratic process. Moral ideas get validated against society and not objective reality.
But the fact is human morality is now a very live area of scientific research and discussion. This is generally about how our morality works and its origins, and not using "science" as such to prove a moral position. But there is no doubt that an awareness of the science of morality may actually influence moral decision-making, particularly during public discussion and deliberation. Science indicates our morals are not simply "relative" (anything goes depending on our own feelings) or "divinely" commanded (our god tells us what is right and wrong – just accept it), or based on tradition. If that is publicly accepted then the proponents of "divine" commands, tradition, or relativism will have less influence on our moral deliberations.
Sure, our prejudices and emotions will still be involved. Our religious beliefs and cultural influence will also play a role. But there will be far more acceptance of discussion about facts and accepted ideas of what is good for society and individuals. In the past religion and tradition have been far too influential in such discussions. Hell, this example from a potential US presidential candidate shows they are still too influential (see Bachmann: God Told Me To Introduce Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage In MN). I think our moral progress has only been possible to the extent we have been able to override those influences.
Role of public deliberation
One argument that came through strongly for me in the Edge New Science of Morality Seminar was the role of social or public deliberation of moral questions. (See The new science of morality, Is and ought and A scientific consensus on human morality) ) Particpation of a range of individuals helps make sure that prejudice and individual emotion don't play a determining role. A group can be more rational than an individual. This indicates that groups and social decision-making may produce better moral, and hence legal, decisions than those made by individuals.
Of course, in the end our actions are made mostly by individuals. And very often these decisions and action are the result of unconscious moral decisions. But, as I pointed out in Foundations of human morality, our subconscious moral position is always changing. We are always learning and what we learn consciously becomes integrated into our subconscious. Similarly we are learning without deliberate intellectual consideration just by being a member of society, exposed to the changing moral zeitgeist through our entertainments and social contact. Just consider what influence the portrayal of women and gays has had on influence individual moral attitudes over the years.
Yes, there is an important role
So, I think the current interest in the science of morality is important. It's important from the point of view of knowledge, of finding out and understanding more about our species and its behaviour. But I also think its important because it will help us be more rational about our moral deliberations and decisions.
That must be a good thing.


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Time to head back to one of my favorite counter service spots in Disney World — Wolfgang Puck Express!
WPE offers consistently delicious food in an atmosphere that may make you think you've wandered into a table service restaurant. And with locations in both the Marketplace and West Side ends of Downtown Disney, you're never far from one of their excellent meals.
Normally, it's the Marketplace location that we favor as it's bigger and has much more seating. But today we decided to give the West Side location a try. (If you'd like to see the details of my last Wolfgang Puck Express Marketplace visit, click here.)
Located just next to Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Dining Room, this location offers great eats for everyone. From grab and go, to pizza and more, there are really some incredible options here.
Let's head in and check it out!
Wolfgang Puck Express West Side is impossible to miss, situated across from Splitsville and the AMC Theatre. You'll find the entrance tucked just to the left of the restaurant's main door.
I enjoy visiting WPE during the day. While the restaurant takes on a chic, modern vibe at night, the sun streaming in during daylight hours makes for a bright, cheerful spot.
Of course, there is also outdoor seating and this busy area offers primo people-watching opportunities. The ceiling fans and overhang make it quite comfortable as long as you're not visiting during the height of summer.
The open kitchen allows you to watch as chefs prepare the goodies — especially pizzas, for which WPE is famous.
Here's the star of Wolfgang Puck's — the [Read more…]


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Orlando may seem the least likely port of entry for a pioneering Indian chef in America. Yet, that's where Bombay-born Peter Beck—already well traveled through stints in England and Singapore—decided the USA was the place to test his talents. After a few years in Central Florida and a brief stopver in Miami, Beck landed in NYC. Starting first at Chola, he really made his mark at Tamarind, where his creative twist on Indian flavors was awarded with a Michelin star.
Beck's cooking has lifted New York's subcontinental dining away from the singular saucy-ness of Curry Hill and out of cheap eats category. His cuisine—which at his latest venture, Benares, ties together spicy seafood from South India and vegetarian dishes from its namesake city—tiptoes brilliantly on the line between the familiar and unexpected. He flips saag paneer with broccoli rabe, for example, playing with common perceptions of Indian cooking.
His genius pairs a passion for the breadth of Indian styles and an acute sense of what his local audience desires. If he sees a rising interest in sea bass, Beck translates the sweet fish to a Bengali dish. Noticing that customers want healthy proteins, he celebrates the grilled meats of the Mughals, which he hopes to one day elevate to the iconic level of the American steakhouse.
In short, Beck doesn't shy away from invention. Fusion for him is about the meeting of authentic dishes and trends in consumption. Here, he guides us through 10 key dishes at Benares that reflect a broader, decades-long quest to help Americans love and appreciate the diversity of Indian cuisine.
Benares, 45 Murray St (212-766-4900, benaresnyc.com); 240 W 56th St (212-397-0707)


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My Anritsu
United States
IoT devices have various test items needed to maintain quality. Anritsu IoT device testing solutions and equipment help to evaluate the wireless communication quality of IoT devices.
Wireless communications are assumed to be the most common method used in the IoT market for connecting to the Internet. There is also news about using 5G, LTE, NB-IoT, Cat-M, wireless LAN (WLAN) and Bluetooth for these wireless communications and IoT devices(products) featuring these technologies are appearing.
For example, there are already many smart home appliances (IoT devices and products), such as cleaners and air conditioners, using wireless LAN, and devices (products), such as wireless earphones and headphones using Bluetooth are appearing. More-and-more IoT devices (products) featuring these wireless technologies are expected to appear in the market.
In the future, manufacturers who develop and manufacture IoT devices (products) expect more customers complaints about problems, such as difficult and dropped connections and short communications range, which will increase support costs. In order to prevent this situation, manufacturers who develop and manufacture IoT devices (products) must evaluate and test the wireless communications quality at the development and manufacturing stages.
By testing the quality of IoT devices (products) thoroughly at the development stage and guaranteeing quality, after-sales support problems can be reduced in advance.
Also, at manufacturing of IoT devices (products), defects may occur due to component or assembly failure. After-sales support problems can be reduced in advance by testing and checking the wireless communications quality of finished IoT devices (products) at the final stage.
Anritsu IoT device test solutions and equipment can check and test the wireless communications quality at the above-described development and manufacturing stages of IoT devices (products). They support all wireless communications methods, including 5G, LTE, NB-IoT, Cat-M, wireless LAN (WLAN) and Bluetooth.
Anritsu has many IoT device testing solutions and equipment for wireless standard and technology as follows:
Anritsu has various wireless LAN-related documents, Web pages, etc.
Anritsu has various Bluetooth-related documents, Web pages, etc.
Anritsu provides products (measurement equipment) for wireless technologies: LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD, NB-IoT, Cat-M, Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi, WLAN) Bluetooth.
IoT (Internet of Things)
Product Range Supporting Wireless Standards


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A lighthouse that floats, it serves the same function such as:
Lighting the way
The Overfalls main aid to navigation was a 375 mm dual electric lantern located 57 feet above the water line. Rated at 15,000 candle power, (approximately 1,000 watts), it flashed every 3 seconds from dusk until dawn. On a clear night it could be seen for 12 miles.
The ship also had a dual diaphone fog horn with a range of 5 miles that sounded every 30 seconds in foggy weather.
A radio beacon with a range of 25 miles transmitted the call letters of the ship (NMJF) in Morse code. In foggy weather it was synchronized with the horn and broadcast every 30 seconds.
Click here to see Overfalls' full specifications.
Click here to read the about the history of lightships.
We've Made It!
|This site tells the story of the eleven-year project to save and preserve one of America's maritime treasures. It's a story of tens of thousands of volunteer hours of dirty work bringing one of the few remaining lightships back from the brink of ruin and all of the behind the scenes tasks that made it a reality. It's a story of community support that maintained the momentum when any rational person would have thrown in the towel. And, it's how this infectious community support spread farther afield raising the $1.2 million necessary to complete the project.


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Ed Sheeran owesTaylor Swift
big time! The country-pop singer tested her matchmaking skills recently, setting Ed up with his now girlfriend Claire Donald.
Tay met the aspiriing actress/model while shooting her Keds campaign and thought she'd be a perfect fit for Ed—and so far it looks like the country crooner could be right! The new couple seems to be going strong! At a recent concert, Ed gave the crowd a sneak peek of a brand new song from his upcoming album, and guess what it was about! That's right—finding happiness in the one you love!
But this isn't Taylor's first successful match-up—she also set up Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber once upon a time! They may be broken up now, but you gotta admit, when they were together, they were such a cute couple! So what do you think—Taylor Swift, professional matchmaker?
More From Seventeen
Would you let Taylor fix you up? Let us know in the comments!


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I have installed the following to a Syno DS215j
DVBLink Server 6.0.0 14499
DVBLink TVSource 6.0.0 14197
I am not getting epg data for some channels and want to check the epg data is correct for those channels. I referred to the following wiki page but it is for an older version. The current version doesn't have the 'EPG Sources' tab, it has been replaced with 'Channel settings' tab.
How do I check/change EPG settings for channels?
Thanks in advance for your help,