Well, there’s not one flu. The term is something of a catchall for what you get when you’re infected by one of a variety of influenza virus strains that all tend to cause fevers, coughs, chills, and those other symptoms that have sufferers thinking, “Wait, what if this isn’t just a cold?”
Each year, as the leaves change from green to orange, red, and brown—well, somewhere they do—seasonal flu outbreaks begin in the Unites States. Those fevers, coughs, and chills start to spread throughout the 50 states, and health agencies, starting at the federal level and working down to counties and cities, begin pushing vaccines in the hopes that they’ll stop whichever microbes are causing the headaches and sore throats and such.
Christine Gaiger, San Luis Obispo County’s supervising public health nurse and manager of the communicable disease program, said locals began getting vaccinated at the end of September. This is the first year all local hospitals have adopted mandatory “shot or mask” policies, meaning doctors, nurses, and the like have to get the vaccine or wear a face mask while at work. After receiving a written recommendation from the county’s health officer, the Tenet hospitals enacted the policy as of Oct. 1, Gaiger said, and the Catholic Healthcare West facilities (“even Marian Medical Center!”), which opted out of such a move last year, put it into place as of Nov. 1.
But with literally countless strains floating around the planet, there’s no way a person could get injected with potential protection for all of the bugs that circulate among humans.
So flu vaccine planning is something of a guessing game, though the guesses are educated. Back in July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the strains its public health experts were expecting to be big this winter, like a must-have Christmas fad—think Tickle Me Elmo or a Cabbage Patch Kid—in reverse.
“You’ve got to quit using the ‘S’ word,” CDC spokesman Jeff Dimond said when asked about the notorious flu that alarmed the planet and gave hypochondriacs so much joy and fear during its 2009 global run. “It’s actually a California sub-strain.”
And that strain is still kicking around, even if it doesn’t kindle the sort of hype it once did. The other expected baddies this season were “A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus” and “B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.”
Notice that geographic bit in each of the names? That indicates where the strain was originally isolated. Two of the three strains to watch for this year were first spotted in Australia, and that’s actually pretty common. Dimond said influenza strains tend to move south to north.
In fact, representatives from the CDC, FDA, World Health Organization, and other public health agencies look to the Southern Hemisphere when they’re aiming to predict what the next season’s strains will be in the United States.
Dimond explained that each February, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—made up of doctors and health officials from around the country—meets to crunch numbers and follow gut feelings while looking roughly half a year ahead.
“They don’t just go into a corner and wonder what it’s going to be,” Dimond said. “Nevertheless, they still have to go out on a limb six months ahead of time.
Strains or sub-strains can come from Asia, Africa, or Central America. They’re carried by human travelers, flocks of birds, or whatever. Plus, they mutate, or “reassort.” Swine, for example, can simultaneously catch two different kinds of flu. Swirling around in a perfect pig host, the pair can produce a new strain.
“One of the vexing characteristics of flu is that it is totally unpredictable,” Dimond said. “Flu viruses are always mutating.”
So it’s essentially impossible to project all the various flu migration patterns and combinations, but Dimond said history has shown that health workers can reasonably know what’s coming by looking below the equator.
“It’s important to understand that these are science-based projections,” FDA Press Officer Rita Chappelle wrote to New Times. “However, according to the CDC, even in seasons where the vaccines and strains were not … well matched due to unanticipated changes of the circulating strains, substantial protection has been observed against severe outcomes, presumably because of vaccine-induced cross-reacting antibodies.”
2011年12月8日星期四
2011年12月7日星期三
Valeska Paris Receives Threat from Scientology Attorneys
Last week, we wrote about Valeska Paris, the Swiss-born Australian woman who says that from 1996 to 2007, she was held against her will on Scientology's private cruise ship, the Freewinds.
She says that Scientology leader David Miscavige moved her to the ship in 1996 when she was 18 in order to keep her away from her own mother, who had sued Scientology and denounced it on French television. For the first six years of her time on the ship, Valeska says she was unable to leave it without an escort.
Scientology denies that Valeska was held against her will, and now it has had its attorneys in Sydney send her a threatening letter.
"You should seek legal advice in relation to our client's rights to take legal action again [sic] you," states the letter, from the Sydney firm Kennedys.
Valeska tells me she plans to continue speaking out and will not be deterred by the letter.
"It's just a scare tactic," she says.
As we wrote earlier, Valeska signed confidentiality agreements with Scientology -- one while she was on the Freewinds, another in Australia as she was leaving the Sea Org in 2009.
Valeska has said that because her story involves church leader David Miscavige, she doesn't think he would risk suing her for speaking out since he would almost certainly be required to become a witness and be deposed.
In the letter, at least, Scientology's attorneys do their best to sound outraged that she would speak out: "Your conduct in speaking to the media was a direct and blatant breach of your confidentiality agreement with our client."
Well, in upcoming days we'll see if they intend more than just a shot across her bow.
In the meantime, I have been speaking to Valeska at length, getting more details about her time on the Freewinds. I've learned interesting new details, and cleared up other things that our readers had questions about.
On Sunday, we wrote about the 1995 marriage of Ramana Dienes-Browning, a 16-year-old member of Scientology's Sea Org, who was wed aboard the church's private cruise ship, the Freewinds.
Ramana told us that she felt somewhat pressured to marry at 16. It was the only way to move out of the girls' dormitory on the ship into a better room. The 25-year-old man who wanted to marry her, meanwhile, was favored among executives, and they wanted to see him happy. So she went through with it, and then realized she wasn't at all prepared for married life. Before long, her husband was away for long periods before the marriage fell apart.
Now we have learned that three years after Ramana's wedding, on May 9, 1998, that same dress was worn by Valeska Paris.
She married a Sea Org member from Italy named Roberto Toppi who she genuinely had affection for. But like Ramana's match, Valeska says in the Sea Org a fulfilling marriage was difficult to obtain.
"It was kind of crap. We married in May. After Maiden Voyage [a celebration that occurs in June and July aboard the ship] he was gone 6 to 8 months," Valeska says. "I actually loved the guy, and I was really upset."
None of her family had come out for the wedding. Toppi's family came out for a visit at one point, but none of them spoke English. "I went out on an afternoon with them, and ate dinner at their hotel one day," she says. Toppi was present for that trip, but otherwise he was almost never around.
After he returned from his initial 6 to 8 month assignment, he was at the ship for about 6 months. "But then he was made a registrar, and he was off the ship pretty much the whole time," Valeska says. "In our seven year marriage, we spent 9 or 10 months together." They divorced in 2005.
Last week, after Yahoo News linked to our lengthy interview with Valeska, Yahoo writer Eric Pfeiffer received a statement from the church trashing our story.
In part, it reads: "She left the Freewinds hundreds of times to go shopping, for outings with her husband on islands such as St. Kitts, Aruba, St. Barts and Curaao, as well as for numerous other reasons."
She says that Scientology leader David Miscavige moved her to the ship in 1996 when she was 18 in order to keep her away from her own mother, who had sued Scientology and denounced it on French television. For the first six years of her time on the ship, Valeska says she was unable to leave it without an escort.
Scientology denies that Valeska was held against her will, and now it has had its attorneys in Sydney send her a threatening letter.
"You should seek legal advice in relation to our client's rights to take legal action again [sic] you," states the letter, from the Sydney firm Kennedys.
Valeska tells me she plans to continue speaking out and will not be deterred by the letter.
"It's just a scare tactic," she says.
As we wrote earlier, Valeska signed confidentiality agreements with Scientology -- one while she was on the Freewinds, another in Australia as she was leaving the Sea Org in 2009.
Valeska has said that because her story involves church leader David Miscavige, she doesn't think he would risk suing her for speaking out since he would almost certainly be required to become a witness and be deposed.
In the letter, at least, Scientology's attorneys do their best to sound outraged that she would speak out: "Your conduct in speaking to the media was a direct and blatant breach of your confidentiality agreement with our client."
Well, in upcoming days we'll see if they intend more than just a shot across her bow.
In the meantime, I have been speaking to Valeska at length, getting more details about her time on the Freewinds. I've learned interesting new details, and cleared up other things that our readers had questions about.
On Sunday, we wrote about the 1995 marriage of Ramana Dienes-Browning, a 16-year-old member of Scientology's Sea Org, who was wed aboard the church's private cruise ship, the Freewinds.
Ramana told us that she felt somewhat pressured to marry at 16. It was the only way to move out of the girls' dormitory on the ship into a better room. The 25-year-old man who wanted to marry her, meanwhile, was favored among executives, and they wanted to see him happy. So she went through with it, and then realized she wasn't at all prepared for married life. Before long, her husband was away for long periods before the marriage fell apart.
Now we have learned that three years after Ramana's wedding, on May 9, 1998, that same dress was worn by Valeska Paris.
She married a Sea Org member from Italy named Roberto Toppi who she genuinely had affection for. But like Ramana's match, Valeska says in the Sea Org a fulfilling marriage was difficult to obtain.
"It was kind of crap. We married in May. After Maiden Voyage [a celebration that occurs in June and July aboard the ship] he was gone 6 to 8 months," Valeska says. "I actually loved the guy, and I was really upset."
None of her family had come out for the wedding. Toppi's family came out for a visit at one point, but none of them spoke English. "I went out on an afternoon with them, and ate dinner at their hotel one day," she says. Toppi was present for that trip, but otherwise he was almost never around.
After he returned from his initial 6 to 8 month assignment, he was at the ship for about 6 months. "But then he was made a registrar, and he was off the ship pretty much the whole time," Valeska says. "In our seven year marriage, we spent 9 or 10 months together." They divorced in 2005.
Last week, after Yahoo News linked to our lengthy interview with Valeska, Yahoo writer Eric Pfeiffer received a statement from the church trashing our story.
In part, it reads: "She left the Freewinds hundreds of times to go shopping, for outings with her husband on islands such as St. Kitts, Aruba, St. Barts and Curaao, as well as for numerous other reasons."
2011年12月6日星期二
Fight the Common Cold!
College students are often caught up with busy schedules – filled with classes, papers, exams, and work. As a result, their health is often last on their list of priorities. In the season where colds and the flu are most prominent, it is very important that students take care of themselves to prevent colds and other sicknesses.
The common cold is known as the most prominent illness in human beings. Common symptoms of the cold that interfere with a student's life include a sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. These symptoms easily spread from person to person. The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the virus after another person's sneeze or cough.
Person-to-person transmission occurs primarily when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can become infected after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes or nose.
Although it is impossible to prevent the spread of colds completely, there are many initiatives one can take to reduce the chances of becoming infected with a virus that causes colds. The most single preventative measure for colds is hand washing. This is extremely important, especially after spending time in public places such as going to the gym, shopping, or using public transportation.
People should always remember to avoid touching their faces -- especially the nose, mouth, and eye areas -- because these areas are more sensitive to germs that can cause sicknesses. If someone in the household is sick, it is important to keep household surfaces clean, including door knobs, keyboards, light switches, remote controls, and telephones. Viruses tend to stay on surfaces for hours after contact with the infected person. Germs can also live for hours on cloth towels, so it may be vital to use paper towels or use separate towels if there are infected people in the house. It is very important to also maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and exercise. These activities keep one's immune system in good condition and can fight infections if they occur. Managing stress is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that people experiencing emotional stress have weaker immune systems so there is a bigger chance of these individuals getting sick.
The common cold is known as the most prominent illness in human beings. Common symptoms of the cold that interfere with a student's life include a sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. These symptoms easily spread from person to person. The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the virus after another person's sneeze or cough.
Person-to-person transmission occurs primarily when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can become infected after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes or nose.
Although it is impossible to prevent the spread of colds completely, there are many initiatives one can take to reduce the chances of becoming infected with a virus that causes colds. The most single preventative measure for colds is hand washing. This is extremely important, especially after spending time in public places such as going to the gym, shopping, or using public transportation.
People should always remember to avoid touching their faces -- especially the nose, mouth, and eye areas -- because these areas are more sensitive to germs that can cause sicknesses. If someone in the household is sick, it is important to keep household surfaces clean, including door knobs, keyboards, light switches, remote controls, and telephones. Viruses tend to stay on surfaces for hours after contact with the infected person. Germs can also live for hours on cloth towels, so it may be vital to use paper towels or use separate towels if there are infected people in the house. It is very important to also maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and exercise. These activities keep one's immune system in good condition and can fight infections if they occur. Managing stress is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that people experiencing emotional stress have weaker immune systems so there is a bigger chance of these individuals getting sick.
2011年12月5日星期一
Little-known gene linked to cold sores by U. study
There's about a 60 percent chance that someone has it. It causes blisters and scabs, sometimes even bleeding and almost always pain. It can infect your fingers, eyes, gums, lips, and even hair follicles. And it's incurable.
Alright, so the cheap melodrama oversells it a little; it's the virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex-1, Tooling or HSV-1. Probably everyone has seen its effects, and half of Americans have experienced the embarrassment and inconvenience it brings. It's a serious disease, and some researchers at the University of Utah have taken a step toward understanding how it works.
Or rather, understanding a little bit better how we work with the virus. A study by Dr. John D. Kriesel, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, shows a strong genetic component to the visible symptom of HSV-1 infection - those nasty little blisters around the lips and mouth we call cold sores.
The virus actually hijacks our very cells turns the machinery that keeps us going into a factory for itself. It sneaks into the cell, throws it's DNA into the nucleus and says ‘Get to work.' Our own genes are used against us and for the virus. Exactly what genes are involved in that invasion is what Dr. Kriesel and team are studying.
In a lonely, out of the way place along every human's 21st chromosome sits a gene that doesn't seem to do much of anything except to determine who's going to have to suffer a cold sore and who isn't. If you have certain versions of the gene, you're likely to get sores. If you have certain others, you're likely protected from them.
Herpes, both the cold sore and the much more serious genital variety, is incurable, and once you have it you'll have it for life. But this discovery could have important implications in finding a cure. Currently, treatment is limited to antiviral medications and a few topical ointments. But these don't do much except help with symptoms and make a return of those symptoms less likely.
"The C21orf91 gene seems to play a role in cold sore susceptibility, and if this data is confirmed among a larger, unrelated population, this discovery could have important implications for the development of drugs that affect cold sore frequency," said Dr. Kriesel.
Figuring out a cure for HSV-1 could help a lot of other things as well. It not only causes cold sores, but is implicated in a whole lot of other nasty diseases as well, ranging from gum infections and eyelid infections to meningitis and the facial paralysis known as Bell's Palsy. HSV-1 has even been shown to have a role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Alright, so the cheap melodrama oversells it a little; it's the virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex-1, Tooling or HSV-1. Probably everyone has seen its effects, and half of Americans have experienced the embarrassment and inconvenience it brings. It's a serious disease, and some researchers at the University of Utah have taken a step toward understanding how it works.
Or rather, understanding a little bit better how we work with the virus. A study by Dr. John D. Kriesel, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, shows a strong genetic component to the visible symptom of HSV-1 infection - those nasty little blisters around the lips and mouth we call cold sores.
The virus actually hijacks our very cells turns the machinery that keeps us going into a factory for itself. It sneaks into the cell, throws it's DNA into the nucleus and says ‘Get to work.' Our own genes are used against us and for the virus. Exactly what genes are involved in that invasion is what Dr. Kriesel and team are studying.
In a lonely, out of the way place along every human's 21st chromosome sits a gene that doesn't seem to do much of anything except to determine who's going to have to suffer a cold sore and who isn't. If you have certain versions of the gene, you're likely to get sores. If you have certain others, you're likely protected from them.
Herpes, both the cold sore and the much more serious genital variety, is incurable, and once you have it you'll have it for life. But this discovery could have important implications in finding a cure. Currently, treatment is limited to antiviral medications and a few topical ointments. But these don't do much except help with symptoms and make a return of those symptoms less likely.
"The C21orf91 gene seems to play a role in cold sore susceptibility, and if this data is confirmed among a larger, unrelated population, this discovery could have important implications for the development of drugs that affect cold sore frequency," said Dr. Kriesel.
Figuring out a cure for HSV-1 could help a lot of other things as well. It not only causes cold sores, but is implicated in a whole lot of other nasty diseases as well, ranging from gum infections and eyelid infections to meningitis and the facial paralysis known as Bell's Palsy. HSV-1 has even been shown to have a role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
2011年12月4日星期日
Come for the noodles, stay for the cozy atmosphere
It used to be that Thai chicken soup was cold-season comfort food. Not so now. The Saeng Thai House lady shook her head with disapproval and said I did not want the Tom Kha Gai ($4.50), with its spicy coconut milk and tender chicken slices; I wanted the Tom Yum Koong (also $4.50) instead. Turns out, she was spot-on, and clear hot broth flavored with scallions and lemongrass did ease a sore throat.
Food can feel unapproachably exotic with names like Koong Rad Prik or Kai Pad Kra Pao – probably the American pie of Thai food, but a gamble for this Maine palate. I know I like Pad Thai, and I know I like Drunken Noodles. I’m adventurous, but when money is tight, I want to feel confident. Between familiar and new, familiar often wins.
Saeng Thai House is a neighborhood joint situated on a corner of outer Congress Street that’s easy to drive past. There is nothing trendy, fusion or hipster about it. But then, neither is it over-adorned with tacky paraphernalia in that “sketchy locale” designation that many people equate with authenticity. Saeng Thai House is straight-up comfort food served with a flair for detail in generous portions at a fair price.
With just six tables, the multi-toned wood-paneled space is tiny, but mismatched chairs, spotless windows and flute-like music make the dining room undeniably cozy.
The view from the large glass window is the concrete Maine Medical Center parking garage, but you do not go to Saeng Thai House for the view. You go for the food. You don’t broker deals at these tables; you pick up lunch for the office crew or grab a quick bite before a movie. Once you’ve tasted the perfection, you go back for more food that you can pack and take home.
“The Barry White of noodles,” my husband noted about the Pad Si Ew ($9.95) and its cousin Drunken Noodles ($9.95), but unlike the spicier Drunken Noodles (named not for the use of alcohol in the cooking process but for the need to quench your thirst while eating such a spicy, salty dish), the Pad Si Ew flat noodles are dressed in a mild soy-based sauce. I agreed with the Barry White assessment, “because they are so smooth.”
But let me back up. I tried to remember the last time I had eaten inside a Thai restaurant, and my memory came up blank. In my household, Thai food is enjoyed on the couch. Because of its tiny dining room, my guess is that takeout traffic provides brisk business for Saeng Thai House, and in that spirit, I divided the experience: Dining in and takeout.
First, the appetizers. Crispy Potatoes ($4.95) is a bit of a misnomer. Seven tempura-battered slices of sweet potato were hearty and soft inside the crispy casing – and with a side of plum sauce, completely accessible to even the most timid palate. Five Crab Langkoons ($4.95) tasted light, more baked than fried, and the lack of heavy oil flavor allowed for contrast between the crunchy wonton wrappers and little pockets of crabmeat-infused cream cheese.
The dumplings, however, win the appetizer prize. Saeng Thai Dumplings with chicken ($4.95) are the steamed variety, carefully constructed into six round packages with a tiny pea delicately topping each one, and the five Saeng Thai Dumplings with pork ($4.95) were fried to a perfect shade of nutmeg brown. Each appetizer was presented on a doily-covered plate with cilantro garnish and side sauces in ceramic cups with cheerful, painted roosters.
Food can feel unapproachably exotic with names like Koong Rad Prik or Kai Pad Kra Pao – probably the American pie of Thai food, but a gamble for this Maine palate. I know I like Pad Thai, and I know I like Drunken Noodles. I’m adventurous, but when money is tight, I want to feel confident. Between familiar and new, familiar often wins.
Saeng Thai House is a neighborhood joint situated on a corner of outer Congress Street that’s easy to drive past. There is nothing trendy, fusion or hipster about it. But then, neither is it over-adorned with tacky paraphernalia in that “sketchy locale” designation that many people equate with authenticity. Saeng Thai House is straight-up comfort food served with a flair for detail in generous portions at a fair price.
With just six tables, the multi-toned wood-paneled space is tiny, but mismatched chairs, spotless windows and flute-like music make the dining room undeniably cozy.
The view from the large glass window is the concrete Maine Medical Center parking garage, but you do not go to Saeng Thai House for the view. You go for the food. You don’t broker deals at these tables; you pick up lunch for the office crew or grab a quick bite before a movie. Once you’ve tasted the perfection, you go back for more food that you can pack and take home.
“The Barry White of noodles,” my husband noted about the Pad Si Ew ($9.95) and its cousin Drunken Noodles ($9.95), but unlike the spicier Drunken Noodles (named not for the use of alcohol in the cooking process but for the need to quench your thirst while eating such a spicy, salty dish), the Pad Si Ew flat noodles are dressed in a mild soy-based sauce. I agreed with the Barry White assessment, “because they are so smooth.”
But let me back up. I tried to remember the last time I had eaten inside a Thai restaurant, and my memory came up blank. In my household, Thai food is enjoyed on the couch. Because of its tiny dining room, my guess is that takeout traffic provides brisk business for Saeng Thai House, and in that spirit, I divided the experience: Dining in and takeout.
First, the appetizers. Crispy Potatoes ($4.95) is a bit of a misnomer. Seven tempura-battered slices of sweet potato were hearty and soft inside the crispy casing – and with a side of plum sauce, completely accessible to even the most timid palate. Five Crab Langkoons ($4.95) tasted light, more baked than fried, and the lack of heavy oil flavor allowed for contrast between the crunchy wonton wrappers and little pockets of crabmeat-infused cream cheese.
The dumplings, however, win the appetizer prize. Saeng Thai Dumplings with chicken ($4.95) are the steamed variety, carefully constructed into six round packages with a tiny pea delicately topping each one, and the five Saeng Thai Dumplings with pork ($4.95) were fried to a perfect shade of nutmeg brown. Each appetizer was presented on a doily-covered plate with cilantro garnish and side sauces in ceramic cups with cheerful, painted roosters.
2011年12月1日星期四
NBA returns with 5-game Christmas Day slate
Over Thanksgiving vacation, I caught the vicious head cold that seems to plaguing everyone this time of year.
Unfortunately, with a nose more stuffed than a turkey and a throat so sore I could barely swallow, my favorite meal of the year fell flat.
I tried Tylenol and Aleve, but both just gave temporary satisfaction. Within a matter of hours, the congestion and headaches returned.
But on Saturday morning, something strange happened. Around 6 a.m., I woke up and changed the channel to ESPN. Without my glasses I couldn’t see much, but I could make out the voice of NBA commissioner David Stern. At the bottom of the screen, I could make out a small red bar on the ticker, indicating breaking news.
At first I feared the “nuclear winter,” which Stern referred to when the NBA Players Association disbanded as a union, had come upon us and that the season was cancelled. But after listening to Stern for another moment, I heard the voice of Billy Hunter, the NBAPA’s executive director, and became giddy. They would only have been holding a joint press conference if a deal had been struck.
A tentative agreement had been reached, with a 66-game season set to begin on Christmas Day. I immediately felt more energized than I had all vacation. The pressure in my forehead disappeared, my sore throat eased and I genuinely felt better.
I’m not saying the resolution of the NBA lockout and the return of the NBA has healing powers. That’d be ridiculous.
But I’m not saying it doesn’t.
This is by far the best situation the NBA could have hoped for. Many NBA fans don’t even tune in to NBA telecasts until Christmas Day. Junkies like myself, who cared about an early November game between the Thunder and the Kings, are happy with absolutely anything — we’re junkies, remember?
The only depressing part of the ordeal is that all changes made were forecasted two years ago. It’s unclear how many egos pushed their way into the discussion to delay the process, but regardless, there will be the majority of an NBA season, barring some unforeseen meltdown.
What changed, exactly? Not a whole lot, but some necessary tweaks and some needed improvements, for sure.
The split of basketball-related income, or BRI, has been the biggest sticking point of the negotiations. Previously, players received 57 percent of the split — by far the most of the four major professional team sports. That number is down to 51.2 percent this season and will fluctuate between 49 and 51 percent throughout the 10-year agreement — though each side can choose to opt out after six years.
The owners solved their tussle with revenue sharing, as the new plan has three times as much money distributed to competitively disadvantaged markets. All details aren’t clear, but large-market teams with TV contracts will be forced to pay more.
In the previous agreement, teams only had to spend 75 percent of the salary cap on player contracts, giving small-market teams a reason to pocket some of their money, which disappointed fans who didn’t think their team’s front office was going all-in.
The new deal states teams need to spend at least 85 percent of the cap for the next two seasons and at least 90 percent for the rest of the agreement.
While the players received a smaller portion of the BRI, this wrinkle will force owners to put out more money for players.
The luxury tax in the new agreement requires teams to pay more into the revenue split when their spending exceeds the tax. In addition, teams repeatedly exceeding the luxury-cap threshold will need to pay more each season.
This change hopefully curbs the uncontrolled spending of teams with deep pockets, as the previous luxury tax was small compared to the new one. The new agreement also put restrictions on how much money tax-paying teams can spend in the offseason.
Another rule, called the “Derrick Rose Rule,” was implemented to reward players who outplayed their rookie contract. If a player on his rookie deal becomes the MVP, makes an All-NBA team twice or starts in the All-Star Game twice, he can receive a maximum extension of 30 percent of the team’s salary cap, up from 25 percent in the previous agreement.
Last is the amnesty clause, which allows any team to remove one contract from their salary cap. They still need to pay the player, but the money doesn’t count against their cap number, potentially freeing up millions of dollars.
Unlike in 2005, when the last collective bargaining agreement was reached and there was an amnesty clause, teams do not need to use it immediately. For example, if a team like the Portland Trailblazers wanted to wait another year to see if Brandon Roy’s knees would hold up, they can wait and choose to use it any time during the new CBA. It can only be used on contracts that were agreed to before this year, however.
So get ready. On Christmas Day, when you’ve finished unwrapping your presents, you’ll be able to take the bow off what will undoubtedly be one of the craziest NBA seasons yet.
Unfortunately, with a nose more stuffed than a turkey and a throat so sore I could barely swallow, my favorite meal of the year fell flat.
I tried Tylenol and Aleve, but both just gave temporary satisfaction. Within a matter of hours, the congestion and headaches returned.
But on Saturday morning, something strange happened. Around 6 a.m., I woke up and changed the channel to ESPN. Without my glasses I couldn’t see much, but I could make out the voice of NBA commissioner David Stern. At the bottom of the screen, I could make out a small red bar on the ticker, indicating breaking news.
At first I feared the “nuclear winter,” which Stern referred to when the NBA Players Association disbanded as a union, had come upon us and that the season was cancelled. But after listening to Stern for another moment, I heard the voice of Billy Hunter, the NBAPA’s executive director, and became giddy. They would only have been holding a joint press conference if a deal had been struck.
A tentative agreement had been reached, with a 66-game season set to begin on Christmas Day. I immediately felt more energized than I had all vacation. The pressure in my forehead disappeared, my sore throat eased and I genuinely felt better.
I’m not saying the resolution of the NBA lockout and the return of the NBA has healing powers. That’d be ridiculous.
But I’m not saying it doesn’t.
This is by far the best situation the NBA could have hoped for. Many NBA fans don’t even tune in to NBA telecasts until Christmas Day. Junkies like myself, who cared about an early November game between the Thunder and the Kings, are happy with absolutely anything — we’re junkies, remember?
The only depressing part of the ordeal is that all changes made were forecasted two years ago. It’s unclear how many egos pushed their way into the discussion to delay the process, but regardless, there will be the majority of an NBA season, barring some unforeseen meltdown.
What changed, exactly? Not a whole lot, but some necessary tweaks and some needed improvements, for sure.
The split of basketball-related income, or BRI, has been the biggest sticking point of the negotiations. Previously, players received 57 percent of the split — by far the most of the four major professional team sports. That number is down to 51.2 percent this season and will fluctuate between 49 and 51 percent throughout the 10-year agreement — though each side can choose to opt out after six years.
The owners solved their tussle with revenue sharing, as the new plan has three times as much money distributed to competitively disadvantaged markets. All details aren’t clear, but large-market teams with TV contracts will be forced to pay more.
In the previous agreement, teams only had to spend 75 percent of the salary cap on player contracts, giving small-market teams a reason to pocket some of their money, which disappointed fans who didn’t think their team’s front office was going all-in.
The new deal states teams need to spend at least 85 percent of the cap for the next two seasons and at least 90 percent for the rest of the agreement.
While the players received a smaller portion of the BRI, this wrinkle will force owners to put out more money for players.
The luxury tax in the new agreement requires teams to pay more into the revenue split when their spending exceeds the tax. In addition, teams repeatedly exceeding the luxury-cap threshold will need to pay more each season.
This change hopefully curbs the uncontrolled spending of teams with deep pockets, as the previous luxury tax was small compared to the new one. The new agreement also put restrictions on how much money tax-paying teams can spend in the offseason.
Another rule, called the “Derrick Rose Rule,” was implemented to reward players who outplayed their rookie contract. If a player on his rookie deal becomes the MVP, makes an All-NBA team twice or starts in the All-Star Game twice, he can receive a maximum extension of 30 percent of the team’s salary cap, up from 25 percent in the previous agreement.
Last is the amnesty clause, which allows any team to remove one contract from their salary cap. They still need to pay the player, but the money doesn’t count against their cap number, potentially freeing up millions of dollars.
Unlike in 2005, when the last collective bargaining agreement was reached and there was an amnesty clause, teams do not need to use it immediately. For example, if a team like the Portland Trailblazers wanted to wait another year to see if Brandon Roy’s knees would hold up, they can wait and choose to use it any time during the new CBA. It can only be used on contracts that were agreed to before this year, however.
So get ready. On Christmas Day, when you’ve finished unwrapping your presents, you’ll be able to take the bow off what will undoubtedly be one of the craziest NBA seasons yet.
2011年11月30日星期三
Natural Remedies for Moms-to-Be
He knows his patients have a lot of restrictions when it comes to what they can put into their bodies to combat common health issues many women face during pregnancy on a daily basis.
So he turned to Dr. Pina LoGiudice, an acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor at Innersource Health in N.Y. for some natural ways to make the pregnancy experience a little easier.
“Certain medications and over-the-counter medications are not recommended for expectant moms,” Alvarez said. “And morning sickness is usually a sign of a viable pregnancy, but dealing with nausea morning, noon and night could be a nightmare.”
LoGiudice said she has found taking a ginger capsule to be the most effective when dealing with morning sickness.
“And that could be a 250 milligram capsule, and I’ll recommend two of those, twice a day,” she said. “B6 is also a really great nutrient that could help your body metabolizing hormones, which will help minimize the nausea as well.”
Since the immune system is slightly lowered during pregnancy, women may be more vulnerable to colds, Alvarez said.
“Studies show that the more sleep you get, the better your immune system will be,” LoGiudice said. “I would also recommend a small dose of vitamin C when a woman has a cold. You don’t want to take too much of it because it can induce contractions, so I usually keep it at anywhere less than 500 mg. I love Neti pots, especially if there is a sinus infection. And doing saltwater gargles if you have a sore throat.”
As your body changes to make room for the baby’s growth, aches and pains in the legs, lower back and hips are pretty common, according to Alvarez.
“The first thing is definitely magnesium. That will actually help with restless leg syndrome or if you have any low back cramping,” LoGiudice said. “Calcium is quite wonderful because ... your body will cause more aches and pains because you're trying to build your baby, and so you yourself become deficient.
Acupuncture is phenomenal and safe for those low back pains or sciatica or that neck stiffness.”
But LoGiudice’s favorite for sore mothers-to-be? Massage therapy.
Additional blood and fluid can cause swelling, which is normal, Alvarez said, but it can make you very uncomfortable.
“The first thing I recommend is actually a parsley tea., which will help your body eliminate the fluid in the body so you're not so swollen,” LoGiudice said. “There is conflicting information about salt intake. You don't want to have too much, and of course you don't want to have too little. So you just want to be mindful about how much you're getting in your diet.”
If you are experiencing heartburn, LoGiudice recommended trying a papaya enzyme, chewing slowly and de-stressing.
So he turned to Dr. Pina LoGiudice, an acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor at Innersource Health in N.Y. for some natural ways to make the pregnancy experience a little easier.
“Certain medications and over-the-counter medications are not recommended for expectant moms,” Alvarez said. “And morning sickness is usually a sign of a viable pregnancy, but dealing with nausea morning, noon and night could be a nightmare.”
LoGiudice said she has found taking a ginger capsule to be the most effective when dealing with morning sickness.
“And that could be a 250 milligram capsule, and I’ll recommend two of those, twice a day,” she said. “B6 is also a really great nutrient that could help your body metabolizing hormones, which will help minimize the nausea as well.”
Since the immune system is slightly lowered during pregnancy, women may be more vulnerable to colds, Alvarez said.
“Studies show that the more sleep you get, the better your immune system will be,” LoGiudice said. “I would also recommend a small dose of vitamin C when a woman has a cold. You don’t want to take too much of it because it can induce contractions, so I usually keep it at anywhere less than 500 mg. I love Neti pots, especially if there is a sinus infection. And doing saltwater gargles if you have a sore throat.”
As your body changes to make room for the baby’s growth, aches and pains in the legs, lower back and hips are pretty common, according to Alvarez.
“The first thing is definitely magnesium. That will actually help with restless leg syndrome or if you have any low back cramping,” LoGiudice said. “Calcium is quite wonderful because ... your body will cause more aches and pains because you're trying to build your baby, and so you yourself become deficient.
Acupuncture is phenomenal and safe for those low back pains or sciatica or that neck stiffness.”
But LoGiudice’s favorite for sore mothers-to-be? Massage therapy.
Additional blood and fluid can cause swelling, which is normal, Alvarez said, but it can make you very uncomfortable.
“The first thing I recommend is actually a parsley tea., which will help your body eliminate the fluid in the body so you're not so swollen,” LoGiudice said. “There is conflicting information about salt intake. You don't want to have too much, and of course you don't want to have too little. So you just want to be mindful about how much you're getting in your diet.”
If you are experiencing heartburn, LoGiudice recommended trying a papaya enzyme, chewing slowly and de-stressing.
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