Portsmouth Doctors Concern About Measles

Doctors in Portsmouth have echoed national concerns about the threat to local children from any measles outbreak.

The Health Protection Agency, which monitors the disease across the country, has reported over 300 cases so far this year - more than the total number for 2010. Parents are being urged to ensure that their children are immunised by having both doses of the MMR vaccine as soon as they scheduled - at 12 months and three and a half years. 

Several European countries are experiencing more severe outbreaks than Britain and parents are being advised to speak to their GP if they are planning a family holiday with young children, particularly in France or Germany. 

Earlier this year Portsmouth saw its first case since at least 2005 - with records unavailable previous years. Because vaccination levels in the city are lower than the level recommended by the World Health Organisation Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health for NHS Portsmouth, fears it could only be a matter of time before a larger outbreak locally:

"Measles is a very infectious disease, and most of the cases have occurred in children  and young people who have not had the vaccine. It can be very serious and lead to life threatening complications. In some cases children can die as a result of the complications"

Matt Pickerill NHS Portsmouth's development manager for health protection backs the MMR vaccine: "The vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. It is very important for children to have it. In the past some parents have been concerned about an article that claimed the vaccine was linked to autism. This has been proved not to be the case.

"If for whatever reason your child has missed the vaccine at the usual time it is still possible get it from your GP surgery. Young adults who may have missed the vaccine as infants should also check their vaccination record, particularly if they are travelling or at university."

Here's The Full Report About What Happened On Air France Flight 447 -- Sounds Like Pilot Error

France's air-crash investigation agency has released an updated report on what happened aboard Air France Flight 447, which crashed in the Atlantic two years ago.

As described here, the plane stalled at 38,000 feet--meaning that its speed slowed to the point where its wings no longer generated enough lift for the plane to remain in the air--and it then plummeted at 10,000 feet per minute into the Atlantic.

All the way down, the pilots tried to regain control of the aircraft, but failed. The plane remained in a stall despite having all its engines operating normally at full thrust.

(To visualize this, think of a plane with the nose up about 40-degrees-- almost halfway to vertical--falling pretty much straight down, without much air moving over the wings. Planes can't fly like that.).

The report makes it clear that at least one of the plane's speed indicators failed when the plane was flying normally, and when it did, the auto-pilot cut out. The co-pilot then took over manual control of the plane. And, based on the report, it appears he then fatally screwed up.

Specifically, the co-pilot pulled the plane's nose up, causing it to climb and causing its speed to decrease.

Two stall warnings immediately sounded, indicating that the plane's speed was becoming dangerously slow.

Eleven seconds later (not a rapid response), the co-pilot pushed the plane's nose down a bit--but apparently not enough. The plane continued to gain altitude rapidly.

Thirty-five seconds later, the stall-warning sounded again. The co-pilot continued to hold the plane's nose up. It's "angle of attack" (position relative to the air flowing over the wings) continued to increase.

Shortly thereafter, having climbed rapidly from 35,000 feet to 38,000 feet, the plane appears to have stalled, with the co-pilot still holding the controls in a "nose-up" position. (Again, a stall is not an "engine stall"--it is a condition in which the air moving over the wings no longer provides enough lift to keep the plane in the air.)

Final momenst of flight 447 II

3D view of the last moments of Air France 447.


Fifty seconds later, with the plane back at 35,000 feet and now falling at 10,000 feet per minute, the pilot re-entered the cockpit. (He had been on break with the auto-pilot cut out). The plane's engines remained near full thrust and were operating normally for the rest of the flight.

About 35 seconds later, the co-pilot finally pushed the nose down--to no avail.

About 30 seconds after that, still falling at 10,000 feet per minute, the plane passed 10,000 feet.

About 1 minute later, the recordings stopped. The plane was falling at nearly 11,000 feet per minute when it hit the water. Its nose was still up.

Based on this preliminary report, and speaking as someone who has a pilot's license and used to fly small propeller planes, it appears the co-pilot screwed up. He was flying partially blind--one of the plane's airspeed indicators blipped out--but he then moved the controls in a way that slowed the plane down and caused it to stall.

Final momenst of flight 447 II

Presumably, when flying an Airbus 330 at 35,000 feet at night in a storm, it is extraordinarily difficult to accurately gauge airspeed without the help of the airspeed indicators. But assuming the plane's altitude and attitude controls were still working, which they appear to have been, the pilot's decision to pull the nose up seems to have been a fatal (and basic) error.

Maintaining sufficient airspeed is the single most critical priority in any airplane. Planes cannot fly when they stall, and in many airplanes--most notably jets at high altitudes--it is extremely difficult to recover from a stall. So the pilot's first and most important job is to maintain enough airspeed.

Now, this sounds simple, but at the time it probably was anything but. Immediately figuring out what is going on in an airplane at night when instruments cut out can be very difficult, especially if you don't realize that the instruments have failed. That said, pretty much the first thing you learn in flight school is that when there is any question about having enough airspeed, you push the nose down. Perhaps readers who have flown Airbuses in such conditions can explain how easy this error would have been to make and, once it was made, whether it would have been possible to recover if the pilots had done something different.

The text of France's BEA report is below. The key section is in red:

History of Flight

On Sunday 31 May 2009, the Airbus A330-203 registered F-GZCP operated by Air France was
programmed to perform scheduled flight AF447 between Rio de Janeiro Galeão and Paris
Charles de Gaulle. Twelve crew members (3 flight crew, 9 cabin crew) and 216 passengers
were on board. Departure was planned for 22 h 00(1).

At around 22 h 10, the crew was cleared to start the engines and to leave the parking space.
Take-off took place at 22 h 29. The Captain was PNF, one of the co-pilots was PF.

The take-off weight was 232.8 t (for a MTOW of 233t), including 70.4 t of fuel.

At 1 h 35 min 15 , the crew informed the ATLANTICO controller that they had passed the
INTOL point then announced the following estimated times: SALPU at 1 h 48 then ORARO at
2 h 00. They also transmitted the SELCAL code and a test was undertaken successfully.
At 1 h 35 min 46, the controller asked the crew to maintain FL350 and to give their estimated
time at TASIL.

At 1 h 55, the Captain woke the second co-pilot and said "[…] he’s going to take my place".
Between 1 h 59 min 32 and 2 h 01 min 46 , the Captain attended the briefing between the
two co-pilots, during which the PF said, in particular "the little bit of turbulence that you just saw
[…] we should find the same ahead […] we’re in the cloud layer unfortunately we can’t climb much
for the moment because the temperature is falling more slowly than forecast" and that "the logon
with Dakar failed". The Captain left the cockpit.

The airplane approached the ORARO point. It was flying at flight level 350 [35,000 feet] and at Mach 0.82 [approx. 600mph] and the pitch attitude was about 2.5 degrees. The weight and balance of the airplane were around 205 tonnes and 29% respectively. Autopilot 2 and auto-thrust were engaged.

At 2 h 06 min 04, the PF called the cabin crew, telling them that "in two minutes we should enter an area where it’ll move about a bit more than at the moment, you should watch out" and he added "I’ll call you back as soon as we’re out of it".

At 2 h 08 min 07 , the PNF said "you can maybe go a little to the left […]". The airplane began a slight turn to the left, the change in relation to the initial route being about 12 degrees. The level
of turbulence increased slightly and the crew decided to reduce the speed to about Mach 0.8.

From 2 h 10 min 05 , the autopilot then auto-thrust disengaged and the PF said "I have the controls". The airplane began to roll to the right and the PF made a left nose-up input. The stall warning sounded twice in a row. The recorded parameters show a sharp fall from about 275 kt to 60 kt in the speed displayed on the left primary flight display (PFD), then a few moments later in the speed displayed on the integrated standby instrument system (ISIS).

Note 1: Only the speeds displayed on the left PFD and the ISIS are recorded on the FDR; the speed displayed on the right side is not recorded.

Note 2: Autopilot and auto-thrust remained disengaged for the rest of the flight.

At 2 h 10 min 16, the PNF said "so, we’ve lost the speeds" then "alternate law […]".

Note 1: The angle of attack is the angle between the airflow and longitudinal axis of the airplane. This information is not presented to pilots.

Note 2 : In alternate or direct law, the angle-of-attack protections are no longer available but a stall warning is triggered when the greatest of the valid angle-of-attack values exceeds a certain threshold.

The airplane’s angle of attack increased progressively beyond 10 degrees and the plane started to climb. The PF made nose-down control inputs and alternately left and right roll inputs. The vertical speed, which had reached 7,000 ft/min, dropped to 700 ft/min and the roll varied between 12 degrees right and 10 degrees left. The speed displayed on the left side increased sharply to 215 kt (Mach 0.68). The airplane was then at an altitude of about 37,500 ft and the recorded angle of attack was around 4 degrees.

From 2 h 10 min 50, the PNF tried several times to call the Captain back.

At 2 h 10 min 51 , the stall warning was triggered again. The thrust levers were positioned in the TO/GA detent and the PF maintained nose-up inputs. The recorded angle of attack, of around 6 degrees at the triggering of the stall warning, continued to increase. The trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) passed from 3 to 13 degrees nose-up in about 1 minute and remained in the latter position until the end of the flight.

Around fifteen seconds later, the speed displayed on the ISIS increased sharply towards 185 kt; it was then consistent with the other recorded speed. The PF continued to make nose-up inputs. The airplane’s altitude reached its maximum of about 38,000 ft, its pitch attitude and angle of attack being 16 degrees.

Note: The inconsistency between the speeds displayed on the left side and on the ISIS lasted a little less than one minute.

At around 2 h 11 min 40 , the Captain re-entered the cockpit. During the following seconds, all of the recorded speeds became invalid and the stall warning stopped.

Note: When the measured speeds are below 60 kt, the measured angle of attack values are considered invalid and are not taken into account by the systems. When they are below 30 kt, the speed values themselves are considered invalid.

The altitude was then about 35,000 ft, the angle of attack exceeded 40 degrees and the vertical speed was about -10,000 ft/min. The airplane’s pitch attitude did not exceed 15 degrees and the engines’ N1’s were close to 100%. The airplane was subject to roll oscillations that sometimes reached 40 degrees. The PF made an input on the sidestick to the left and nose-up stops, which lasted about 30 seconds.

At 2 h 12 min 02, the PF said "I don’t have any more indications", and the PNF said "we have no valid indications". At that moment, the thrust levers were in the IDLE detent and the engines’ N1’s were at 55%. Around fifteen seconds later, the PF made pitch-down inputs. In the following moments, the angle of attack decreased, the speeds became valid again and the stall warning sounded again.

At 2 h 13 min 32, the PF said "we’re going to arrive at level one hundred". About fifteen seconds later, simultaneous inputs by both pilots on the sidesticks were recorded and the PF said "go ahead you have the controls".

The angle of attack, when it was valid, always remained above 35 degrees.

The recordings stopped at 2 h 14 min 28. The last recorded values were a vertical speed of -10,912 ft/min, a ground speed of 107 kt, pitch attitude of 16.2 degrees nose-up, roll angle of 5.3 degrees left and a magnetic heading of 270 degrees.

NEW FINDINGS

At this stage of the investigation, as an addition to the BEA interim reports of 2 July and 17
December 2009, the following new facts have been established:

ˆ The composition of the crew was in accordance with the operator’s procedures.

ˆ At the time of the event, the weight and balance of the airplane were within the operatio-
nal limits.

ˆ At the time of the event, the two co-pilots were seated in the cockpit and the Captain was resting. The latter returned to the cockpit about 1 min 30 after the disengagement of the autopilot.

ˆ There was an inconsistency between the speeds displayed on the left side and the integrated standby instrument system (ISIS). This lasted for less than one minute.

ˆ After the autopilot disengagement:

„the airplane climbed to 38,000 ft,

„the stall warning was triggered and the airplane stalled,

„the inputs made by the PF were mainly nose-up,

„the descent lasted 3 min 30, during which the airplane remained stalled. The angle of
attack increased and remained above 35 degrees,

„the engines were operating and always responded to crew commands.

ˆ The last recorded values were a pitch attitude of 16.2 degrees nose-up, a roll angle of
5.3 degrees left and a vertical speed of -10,912 ft/min

Great Singapore Sale 2011 Kicks Off Today

In news from Singapore, the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) kicks off today there. This annual shopping fiesta slash frenzy is one of the biggest such events anywhere in the world, projected sales topping $5.5 billion SD.

Organizers of the sale this year hope to exceed last year’s total for the two month long shopping season. President of the Singapore Retailers Association (SRA), Jannie Chan, had this to add about the event:

“The imported brands are almost on par in terms of pricing compared to Europe. I think our hotels are still cheaper, so if you look at the package of shopping in Singapore, we have that advantage.”

According to the press from the SRA, the organization is confident sales this year will exceed those last year and even expectations. Larger working bonuses and increased population figures in Singapore could spur retail spending significantly, at least this was part of the government’s plan for the bonuses. Dr. Chan went on to talk about this aspect:

“If you were to just look at it locally, our population has gone up to from two to four million. So in the job scope, a lot of expatriates and PRs are living here, and they come with great income. If you were to look at the bonuses, last year, we are lucky to get even the 13th month. For some of the businesses, this year, definitely they’ll get the 13th month. On top of that they might get three months.”

In further news, Mastercard, SRA’s partner this year, has come out with further initiatives to entice shoppers. About two thirds of Mastercard holders, it was discovered, shop online for products. So, a new Shopping Buddy function has been added to an already popular iPhone application.

And the organizers of the Great Singapore Sale have any number of surprises and prize giveaways to sweeten the deals at the Suntec City Mall. One for instance, the so called The Great Singapore Sale Challenge, is where visitors play a version of the popular game show The Price Is Right to win $5,000 in prizes.

For people traveling to Singapore, the Singapore Hotel Association is also offering great deals on hotel rooms and other amenities for the event. You can visit this link to find out about these great savings from over 30 luxury hotels in Singapore. One such deal offers guests a 5 star stay at the luxurious Royal Plaza on Scotts (image of lobby above) for $ 245 SG ($ 198 US) per night.

Many other such bargains are being offered too like, Late Night Shopping deals, The Great Singapore Feast dining extravaganza, and many more. Be sure and check out the Great Singapore Sale website for more information for your trip to Singapore.

Singapore jails UK author for 'insulting book'

SINGAPORE — Singapore's highest court on Friday ordered a defiant 76-year-old British author to serve six weeks in jail for contempt after he published a book denouncing judicial hangings in the city-state.

Alan Shadrake, a freelance journalist and author of "Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock", laughed and joked with reporters after the Court of Appeal upheld a prison term and fine imposed in November.

"I expected the decision. I am very sorry for Singapore. I'm not sorry for myself," he said.

Shadrake was granted a request to start his jail term on Wednesday after he undergoes a medical test. He said doctors had recently found a tumour on his face. He is also receiving treatment for polyps in his colon.

He said he would serve an extra two weeks in jail because he could not afford to pay a Sg$20,000 ($16,150) fine imposed on top of the prison term.

But Singapore jail terms are often reduced by a third for good behaviour.

Shadrake had been on bail while seeking to reverse a High Court ruling in November that found him guilty of "scandalising" the judiciary and imposed the prison term and fine.

"We affirm the sentence imposed by the judge," Justice Andrew Phang of the three-member Court of Appeal panel said Friday.

There was no immediate comment from the British embassy.

When he launched his appeal, Shadrake described the charges as "bloody nonsense" and said he was ready to go to jail.

Shadrake's jail term was the stiffest sentence ever imposed in Singapore for contempt and was denounced by international human rights groups campaigning for an end to executions and urging greater freedom of expression in the country.

Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia of campaign group Human Rights Watch, said the court of appeal's decision was "a devastating blow to free speech in Singapore."

"It is shameful. More broadly, until the government releases its iron grip on basic freedoms, the Singaporean people will remain all the poorer for it," he told AFP from Bangkok.

Shadrake said last week that the second edition of his book was already on sale in Australia and was due to be launched in Britain on June 1.

His book includes a profile of Darshan Singh, the former chief executioner at Singapore's Changi Prison who, according to the author, hanged around 1,000 men and women including foreigners from 1959 until he retired in 2006.

Singapore law requires death by hanging for convicted murderers and drug traffickers, a mode of execution dating back to British colonial rule.

Shadrake's book features interviews with human rights activists, lawyers and former police officers, and alleges that some cases involving foreigners may have been influenced by diplomatic and trade considerations.

He was arrested by Singapore police in July while visiting the city to launch the first edition of his book, first published in neighbouring Malaysia.

Singapore law provides that "a person commits the offence of scandalising the court if he makes statements which have an inherent tendency to interfere with the administration of justice," according to a court press statement explaining the case.

RSAF Open House this weekend

SINGAPORE : Members of the public can view the latest arsenal of Singapore's Air Force at this weekend's RSAF Open House.

They include the F-15SG fighter jet and S-70B naval helicopter, which will be displayed at the Paya Lebar Air Base.

The event's highlight will be the "live" military demonstrations.

Armed to the teeth, and trained to handle the most intense of situations, the crack special forces unit dashes into the thick of battle.

"The whole intent about this show is to show the synergy and integratedness of the entire Air Force, and working with the Army as well. So in this air show, what we'll see is an integrated demonstration between the air as well as ground forces," said Major Benjamin Kim, F-15SG pilot, RSAF 149 Squadron.

"What we hope (they'd) take away would be for our Singaporeans to know more about the Air Force, to know what our capabilities (are) and how we do our job in defending our skies," said SLTC Foo Young Ge, chairman of the RSAF Open House 2011 Organising Committee.

Margaritaville Goes Virtual and Twitter Gets in Trouble

Jimmy Buffett fans can go directly to Margaritaville now thanks to the musical artist himself and game developer THQ. On a free-to-play online social game, Margaritaville Online will let users build a boat as well as a bar. Players can also earn virtual currency to buy “booty” and customize their games by spending real money. Buffett appears to be banking off his one-hit wonder which has since spawned lines of real-life restaurants, bars, and alcoholic beverages. The singer stated that the characters and destinations in the online game are based off his life and experiences.

In other news, Twitter has reportedly been getting in trouble overseas lately. In the most recent turn of events, an unidentified British celebrity who goes by the initials “CTB” is suing the social network for issuing public information about an alleged affair with a reality TV star. This particular celebrity is thought to be an athlete, male, and supposedly put a block on having media report on his personal life.

One particular Twitter account posted a series of tweets revealing information about certain British celebrities, including CTB, that they had expressly demanded not be released through something called a super injunction. The super injunction is this weird vaguely legal mandate that celebrities issue which forbids media from reporting on something. Apparently Twitter is in violation of this act. A court ruling has yet to issue a legal standpoint on the matter.

On another celebrity-related front, Lady Gaga has caused another ruckus recently on the world wide web with the release of her latest album, ‘Born This Way’ just days ago. The album was offered for digital download on Amazon.com (News - Alert) for just 99 cents on the day of release, but so many little monsters clamored for their mother’s music that the site’s servers crashed. Observers in the media have suggested that Amazon’s aggressive deal on the record was issued to spur competition with Apple’s (News - Alert) number 1 hold on digital music downloads. Apple’s iTunes reportedly holds 90 percent of the market share, a number Amazon cannot even come close to, but its server crash certainly stole the spotlight for a day or two.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.



Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC (News - Alert) as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Readers' tips for handling Disneyland

The best spot to watch a parade, when to arrive at the park, how to save money on food without skipping meals.

These are just a few of the topics that Bee readers weighed in on when I asked for cost- and sanity-saving tips regarding Disneyland travel.

As many families (mine included) head to the Happiest Place on Earth for spring vacations or to experience the opening of two rides June 3 The Little Mermaid Underground Adventure in California Adventure and the newly redesigned Star Tours in Disneyland it's time to share.

Megan Smith's advice is from a trip she and her husband took to Disneyland with their grandchildren more than 20 years ago, but the Fair Oaks couple's suggestion still rings true.

"We told them ahead of time that 'everyone' sees Disneyland this way: We go first thing in the morning and stay through lunch time eat lunch at the park. Then we all go back to the motel room and take a rest Grandma and Grandpa too!" she wrote. "Then we eat dinner (outside the park) and then go back to the park until closing."

Given that "everyone" was doing it, Smith's elementary-age grandchildren bought into the plan.

"The results were very happy after the first electric light parade, most people and their very tired kids left the park. No lines, cooler weather, no lines, and our grandchildren were not tired or whiny because they had napped in the afternoon (and did I mention no lines?)" she said.

Richard and Becky Brandt of Citrus Heights have found that bringing in bottled water and plastic containers of soda helped trim their Disneyland costs. (While outside food and beverages are discouraged, plastic bottles containing nonalcoholic beverages are permitted, said John McClintock, senior publicist for Disneyland.)

"Also, and this is important, you can get cups of ice for free, just (by) asking, at any place in the park where they sell food," Brandt wrote.

Jennifer Berry, who has been vacationing at Disneyland for more than 37 years, offered (humorous) input on everything from where to stay to how to navigate the park.

"I'm amazed at the stupid things I see people doing there arriving without reservations during spring break and expecting to get a room at the Disneyland Hotel, forcing kids to stand in an hourlong line for a ride that has Fastpass, showing up at the park at 10:30 (a.m.) when the gates open at 8 (a.m.), purchasing tickets at the gate really? Do these folks make a practice of wasting their time and money? Think it's a game to torture their children?" wrote the Sacramento resident. "Perhaps it's just me am I a version of Stalin with Minnie ears?"

Nah, just a well-seasoned Disney traveler.

Berry advised purchasing passes early through the Disneyland website, through a discount travel site such as www.arestravel.com or, if a AAA member, through that organization.

Getting to the park at least 30 minutes before the gates open can help eager families zip through a few rides before lines get long, and deciding in advance which rides are "can't miss" for the family also is a good idea.

"Don't be one of those groups you see just inside the park entrance, spending 15 minutes hovering over a map bickering," she wrote.

And make hotel reservations before arriving in Anaheim.

Berry routinely stayed in Disney property hotels until last year, when they tried an "off-campus" hotel. She wasn't disappointed.

"Are the Disney properties magical? Darn tootin'," she wrote. "But, as I found out, not as magical as saving $1,000 over our last stay at the Grand Californian. I'll probably stick with Disney hotels in the future, but it was great to get out of the box and know there are viable options out there."

And then there's Debbie Vanderveer, known as "dsnydeb" to friends and colleagues, who emailed a seven-page tip sheet on all things Disneyland.

Vanderveer travels to Disneyland three times a year, often for six days at a time. The Citrus Heights resident knows Disneyland.

Here are some of her tips:

- Fastpass Get a Fastpass, which allows you to skip the wait if you return to the attraction at the specified time. But, you can pocket the Fastpass and use it later in the day or evening if you don't use it during the specified hour, she wrote.

- Parades A great vantage spot is on the benches in front of the Train Depot on Main Street, where the parades typically begin or end. Plan on staking out your spot an hour or so before the parade starts. If you're not interested in a parade, stay away from Main Street. It's also a great time to hit the rides, she said.

- Shopping Mornings or early afternoon are the best times to hit the shops. If you don't have a locker or don't want to lug around merchandise, take your purchases to the "Package Express" area at the newsstand just outside Disneyland. They'll hold your items until you pick them up at the end of the day, she said. (Note: Any item purchased in a park store can be sent over to a Disney property hotel.)

Loyal Fair Oaks reader Robert Sydnor provided advice in the form of a memory. He wanted his son, then 4 years old, to have a good night's sleep before heading to Disneyland, so he delayed telling Christopher where they were headed on their "family trip" until much of their hearty breakfast had been eaten their first morning in Anaheim.

"He had a hard time finishing his breakfast because of the intense excitement," Sydnor wrote. "Then we were off ... to the Magic Kingdom. Good memories, for sure."

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to Disneyland we go. .

Trial Stopped After Niacin Brings No Benefit to Heart Patients

Although early research had suggested that the nutrient niacin might raise levels of "good" cholesterol and thwart heart attacks, a major clinical trial has been stopped 18 months early because it has shown no such benefit.

The trial, sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and a drug maker, enrolled patients with a history of heart disease who had their LDL ("bad") cholesterol under control with statin medications. The new trial hoped to use niacin (also known as vitamin B3) to boost levels of "good" HDL cholesterol while lowering blood levels of fats called triglycerides to help reduce the odds of heart attack or stroke.

Unfortunately, "this study has ended 18 months early because we have answered the primary question," Dr. Susan B. Shurin, acting director of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), said during a morning press conference Thursday. "While high-dose niacin raised participants' HDL cholesterol and lowered triglycerides, it did not affect the overall rate of cardiovascular events," she said.

"There was also an unexplained higher incidence of stroke in the high-dose niacin group, compared to the group on statins alone," Shurin added.

It is not clear if this trend toward stroke was merely a matter of chance, but it was a factor in the NHLBI's decision to stop the trial, especially in the face of a lack of benefit from niacin, she said.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is aware of the findings and is recommending no change in labeling or practice [regarding niacin], pending full analysis of the data," Shurin said.

Prior to the trial, some observational studies had shown that low HDL cholesterol was a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, so it was thought that any drug that could boost HDL might help patients. In addition, some studies had shown that low HDL plus high triglycerides boosted the odds of cardiovascular events.

In the trial, more than 3,400 patients averaging 64 years of age were randomly assigned to high-dose niacin or a placebo. Those in the niacin arm of the trial took Abbott Laboratories' Niaspan, a time-released form of niacin that contains a much higher dose of niacin than is found in over-the-counter supplements.

All of the participants also took the cholesterol-lowering statin drug Zocor (simvastatin).

As expected, participants who took Niaspan for the 32 months of the trial saw their blood levels of HDL cholesterol rise and their triglycerides lower, compared with those who took a statin alone.

But the boost in HDL failed to translate to any reduction in heart attacks or strokes, the team said. Nor did it lower the rate of hospitalizations for heart disease or procedures to open blocked cardiac arteries, according to the NHLBI.

Worse, more people taking niacin had strokes than those on a statin alone, the researchers found. In fact, 28 participants taking Niaspan suffered strokes, compared with 12 in the placebo group. Nine of the strokes in the Niaspan group happened to participants who had stopped using the drug at least two months and up to four years before their stroke.

Earlier studies had not shown any connection between high-dose niacin and stroke risk, Shurin said. Why the uptick in strokes was seen in this study isn't clear, she said.

Shurin cautioned people who take supplemental niacin not to stop taking it. They might want to talk with their doctor, she said. But this study is no reason to change what they are doing, she added.

All those in the study have been notified of the results and will be scheduled for clinic visits within the next several months. They will also be followed for 12 to 18 months.

The trial was funded by the NHLBI with support from Abbott Laboratories, which provided the Niaspan. Drug maker Merck Pharmaceuticals provided the Zocor.

Commenting on the decision to stop the trial, Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that "these findings highlight the critical importance of basing treatment decisions on well-powered, randomized clinical outcome trials rather than on surrogate endpoints like changes in lipid [blood fat] levels or imaging studies ever, many clinicians have been led to believe that the so-called 'residual risk' of cardiovascular events that remained after statin therapy could be addressed with therapies like niacin added to statin therapy to raise HDL and lower triglycerides," Fonarow said. But this trial has demonstrated no added reduction in cardiovascular events with this strategy. "A prior trial, ACCORD, showed no benefit with the addition of TriCor, which reduces triglycerides, to statin therapy. Together these trials challenge that concept that raising HDL and lowering triglycerides is beneficial," Fonarow said.
Niaspan's maker looked at the results more positively.
The study results "affirmed the positive impact of Niaspan on HDL and triglyceride lipid [blood fat] values. Previous studies support HDL as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease," Abbott said in a statement.

Best Father’s Day Philadelphia Phillies gifts: 10 great ideas

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you are one of the many people that share's a strong baseball bond with your father, you might want to get him a gift that honors his favorite baseball team. The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in baseball, and there are many fathers out there that would love a nice gift with a Phillies theme.

Here are 10 of the best:

1. Divot tool and ball marker set

If your dad loves golf and baseball, this is the perfect gift for him. Most people invest money on clubs and balls, so this divot tool and marker set is a great addition that your father probably doesn't have. The set is available here for just $13.95. It includes two markers and a divot tool, each featuring the Phillies logo.

2. Philadelphia Phillies: An Extraordinary Tradition

With over 130 years of baseball history, there is a lot a baseball fan can get out of a good book. This hardcover book is available for $30 and features over 244 pages of stories, pictures, artifacts, newspaper clippings and artwork. It is the perfect book for any Phillies fan.

3. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

This book series takes a different look at the history of various teams, and the Phillies version is no exception. At just $10, the book is a bargain. At over 200 pages, there are plenty of great stories and features that cover all the best and worst in the history of the franchise, as well as many of the great players and other personalities.

4. Heritage banner

This neat banner makes a great addition to a recreation room or basement. The vertical banner includes a history of Phillies logos and costs a mere $18. It's a simple, classy banner but it will let your dad show everyone that he is a true Phillies fan.

5. Phillies Memories DVD

Your dad might already have the 2008 World Series DVD, but this is a short, sweet DVD. It takes a fun approach to showing some of the great memories in Phillies history. The features are unique and showcase great players as well as other personalities, including Harry Kalas. It is available for $17.

6. Throwback duffel bag

This would make a great gift for your dad. It features the famous "fat P" logo on the bag. Your dad could use it at the gym or take it with him when he travels. It is made with high quality material and can be ordered here for $40.

7. BBQ set

Like most men, chances are your father likes to grill. Baseball is the ultimate summer sport, and grilling is the ultimate summer cooking method. This set includes an apron, pot holder, and oven mitt that all feature the Phillies logo. They will go great with your dads grilling tools at his next BBQ. The set costs $25 and can be found here.

8. Phillies watch

If you are in the market for a classy gift, consider this watch that is available for $120. It features a 23 karat gold logo in the middle of the watch. The band is stainless steel with gold accents. If your dad is a man who likes nice watches, this is the perfect thing to honor him with on Father's Day.

9. Phillies tie

Chances are your dad has plenty of ties. It is a good idea to help him add a Phillies tie to his collection. This $35 tie is made from silk. It is primarily red with some blue stripes and a nice Phillies logo. It's a great tie that he can wear to work or anywhere else for that matter.

10. Spend some Phillies time

The Phillies are on the road on Father's Day in 2011, so look into buying tickets to a game either before or after. On Father's Day itself, invite your dad out to watch the game on Father's Day. Start the day off with a little catch. Then, put on your Phillies gear and enjoy the ball game with your father.

Hunt Down Threats with Anti-Malware

CAD Manager's Toolbox: Use Malwarebytes' tool in tandem with Spybot Search and Destroy to keep you users' machines safe.

Like the Spybot Search and Destroy tool I highlighted in the previous edition of CAD Manager's Toolbox, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware software is a great weapon in your battle against malicious computer worms and spyware.

The free version of Anti-Malware provides thorough scanning and removal tools, along with a constantly updated set of signature files to keep you current. The full version ($24.95 per license) adds automatic detection, scheduled scanning, and malicious site blocking based on the list of signature files.

All you need to do is download the required files from the Malwarebytes web site and run through the installation procedure, and you'll be on your way to detecting infections. As with any virus or malware tool, it usually pays to keep a copy of the installation and the latest update files on a memory stick or disk so you can install to an infected machine that is detached from the Internet. I've also found Anti-Malware works well when machines are booted into Safe Mode.

 
Download Anti-Malware at www.malwarebytes.org.

I've used Anti-Malware in conjunction with Spybot Search and Destroy for years to detect all manner of malware threats on my laptops, and have found it to be a valuable ally in the fight against malicious code.

Skype down May 26: Service unavailable

We are getting reports that Skype is down, along with their download servers. We have tried ours and all is fine, but millions of users around the world have reported that service is unavailable to them. Some have said that they cannot connect while others find that the software is crashing altogether.
As we are able to get online we thought that maybe it was a mistake, but Pocket-Lint is also having the same issue. This is a serious problem for not only them but for you as well, as they use Skype to communicate with colleagues. However, the tech site has now learned that the outage seems to be only for Windows users, as those on Macs, Android or iOS devices are able to connect.
Skype is already aware of the issue, and has updated their Twitter feed saying that they are trying to resolve the issue. They did not give any indication as to what the issue was, or how long it is likely to take. We would suggest trying to connect to Skype on alternative to a Windows PC or laptop.

It is amazing how much we rely on VoIP, as not only do we need it to chat socially, but also for business. Many companies use this as a way to conference call, as well as video. However, it never seems to get as much attention as when Twitter or Facebook goes down.

What You Should Know About Lake Mead

The water stored in Lake Mead, the Colorado River reservoir held back by the Hoover Dam outside Las Vegas, is absolutely vital to San Diego and the Southwest.

Last year, 75 percent of San Diego's water came from the Colorado. It keeps our lawns green, our faucets flowing and our businesses thriving.

But the reservoir has been under sustained pressure from drought and demand, and it's been dropping since 1997. Last November, it hit its lowest point since it was being filled in the 1930s.

And as we noted today, there's no emergency plan if severe shortage strikes the river.

Interested in the reservoir that sates our region's thirst? Here are some facts and figures about the vital waterbody.

How high is Lake Mead headed this year?

Federal officials expect it to hit 1,105 feet above sea level by Sept. 30. That's well above 1,000 feet, the level where Las Vegas gets cut off or 1,075 feet, where a mild shortage is declared.

The reservoir is currently at 1,096 feet and rising because of a major release of water upstream from Lake Powell, on the Utah-Arizona border, and from snowmelt after a wet winter.

When is Lake Mead empty?

The actual bottom is around 700 feet above sea level, according to a 2001 federal study.

But because of the way it's built, the reservoir no longer yields water once it hits 895 feet. That's commonly referred to as "dead pool," and yes, it's as ominous as it sounds. The Hoover Dam, which provides a massive amount of electricity to the Southwest, would stop functioning before dead pool. About 2 million acre-feet of water would be left in the reservoir, but it would be of crummy quality and would have to be pumped out (instead of letting gravity do the trick). By comparison, Lake Mead can hold 27 million acre-feet (enough to supply a whopping 54 million homes for a year) when it's full.

What happens if a shortage is declared on the Colorado?

This is triggered when Lake Mead drops to 1,075 feet or below. The cut primarily affects Arizona and grows larger as the reservoir approaches 1,025 feet.

If a shortage is declared, Arizona's supplies would be cut as much as 17 percent under current law. Nevada would be cut a maximum 6 percent. Arizona right now doesn't use its full slice of Colorado water, so it's storing some underground in case that happens.

"There's acute concern at 1,075," said Chuck Cullom, Colorado River programs manager for the Central Arizona Project, which supplies that state's major cities. "The tension and anxiety ratchets up the further the reservoirs drop."

Those rules are in place until 2026. They address what happens until Lake Mead hits 1,025 feet. If the reservoir falls beneath that, no one knows what happens to stop the decline.

Is the Colorado River close to coming up short?

Not today. Lake Mead is rising right now. Cullom said Arizona believes the river wouldn't drop to 1,075 until 2015 or 2016 at the earliest because of the wet winter.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the river, says there's a:

• 20 percent chance of hitting 1,075 by 2020.

• 40 percent chance by 2030.

• 50 percent chance by 2050.

A shortage would be remarkable — none have been declared in the river's modern history, though one was almost triggered late last year.

The bureau says there's a less than 5 percent chance that Lake Mead will drop to the ominous dead pool by 2050.

Just how big is the reservoir?

Gigantic. The largest in the country. When full, it covers 254 square miles, an area five times the size of Chula Vista.

That's good for the Southwest. The reservoir's trillions of gallons of storage act as a major buffer against drought, capturing high runoff from wet years to carry the region through dry ones. Lake Mead has been dropping for more than a decade, but it's still had enough water to meet demand. That's one reason water managers say they aren't concerned about the lack of an emergency plan for severe shortage.

"You can see it coming. That's the beauty of the Colorado," Roger Patterson, assistant general manager of the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District, told me. "You can see things coming and you have time to put things in place."

How much water evaporates from Lake Mead each year?

A lot.

The lake loses almost 900,000 acre-feet a year to evaporation. That's enough for 1.8 million homes. It's two times more than what San Diego's urban users consumed in 2010.

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Egypt Accepts 6 Billion Pounds in Seven-Day Repos at Auction

Egypt’s central bank accepted 6 billion Egyptian pounds ($1 billion) in seven-day repurchase agreements, or repos, at an auction today, according to data it published on Bloomberg.

The central bank said it received 6.1 billion pounds in bids for the agreements, which it offers weekly at an interest rate of 9.25 percent. Last week, it awarded 8.21 billion pounds instead of the 10 billion pounds it sought.

The North African country’s central bank started the repo facility in March to allow banks to sell government securities back in order to access more liquidity.

The yield on Egypt’s 5.75 percent dollar bond due in April 2020 rose two basis points, or 0.02 percentage point, to 5.94 percent at 3:41 p.m. in Cairo. The pound was little changed at 5.9514 per dollar.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ahmed A Namatalla in Cairo at anamatalla@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Digby Lidstone at dlidstone@bloomberg.net

Full Moon Candle goes infrared

After years of constant discomfort — waking up in the morning feeling like she’d been badly beaten — Castaneda said she feels better than she ever has before.

 

Castaneda was diagnosed more than 25 years ago with fibromyalgia, a syndrome that affects the muscles and soft tissues and creates chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, sleep problems and painful tender points or “triggers” at certain parts of the body.

 

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, according to WebMD, and can negatively impact a person’s overall quality of life.

 

Last year, medical expert Dr. Mehmet Oz introduced Americans to infrared saunas on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Intrigued, Castaneda gave the latest medical rave a try. It didn’t take long for her to reach a conclusion: She was going to have an infrared sauna installed in her home.

 

After some thought, Castaneda changed her mind. Instead, she decided to open an infrared sauna at her existing business — Full Moon Candle Co. — so the entire community can reap the benefits.

 

Not only does the sauna help with fibromyalgia symptoms, it’s an excellent tool for detoxification, arthritis, chronic fatigue, autism and relaxation, Castaneda said.

 

Dr. Oz quotes the “circulatory and blood pressure benefits” as “well-documented” and even goes as far as to say that incorporating infrared heat therapy into a health routine can extend longevity.

 

Infrared saunas work differently from regular saunas. Infrared saunas make the same rays that come from the sun but filter out UV radiation, leaving only infrared radiation, which is lightly absorbed into the skin. In effect, it heats up the body without heating the surrounding air.

Science behind the sauna

Some research shows that people who indulge in an infrared sauna a couple times of week may experience a decrease in blood pressure.

 

Another study showed that a 30-minute infrared sauna session can burn upward of 700 calories. How is that? During the sauna experience the body’s core temperature increases and the body works hard to cool itself. A substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate causes the body to burn calories.

 

Leading detoxification principles suggest that common illnesses are caused by the buildup of toxic substances in the body, Castaneda said. Ridding the body of such toxins through a natural sauna detox — which promotes sweating — may relieve symptoms, prevent future illnesses and increase overall health and vitality, she said.

 

Castaneda uses the sauna every other day. From her experience, she recommends sessions at least twice a week to experience results.

 

Clients are reminded to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after a session.

 

Towels and modesty gowns are provided at the store but clients are encouraged to bring their own loose-fitting clothes for the drive home and to shower afterward to prevent reabsorbing toxins.

 

Once inside the sauna, patrons have complete control of the reading light and music.

 

Temperatures can reach up to 150 degrees.

 

People with defibrillators, pacemakers or who are pregnant are advised not to use the sauna. Children under 18 years of age need a parent present.

 

Appointments are necessary.

 

Full Moon Candle, 161 W. Washington St., relocated from Cedar Street last November. The infrared sauna opened Jan. 1.

 

The “so-much-more-than-just-a-candle-store” offers more than 40 fragrances of locally made candles. Castaneda started making candles as a hobby in 1996, giving them away as gifts to her sister, niece and friends. What started as an after-hours passion soon turned into a full-blown business.

 

In addition to her own candles, Full Moon sells the works of American artists from all over the country and a few European artists. Almost everything in the store, however, is American-made.

 

“It’s been well-received,” Castaneda said. “People like buying products they know were made here in our beautiful country.”

Great Escape: Memorial Day

What does Memorial Day mean to you?

For many, it means the official start of summer. The pools open and kids start counting the days until the end of school. Cookouts abound and most employees are grateful for a long weekend.

With the hullabaloo surrounding the beginning of summer, it’s easy to forget the real reason for Memorial Day: remembrance. And sadly, with a large number of troops bravely serving our country overseas in recent years, more and more families are remembering someone important in their lives.

Memorial Day was first observed as Decoration Day following the Civil War as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation. Decoration Day came from the northern tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves.