четверг, 15 марта 2012 г.

Helms reportedly won't run again Argentine wreck kills 18 Arafat ready for truce talks Suspect sought in family slayings

Sen. Jesse Helms, one of the most conservative Republicans inCongress, plans to announce Wednesday that he will retire when histerm expires in 2003, the Associated Press has learned. Two sourceswho spoke with staffers in Helms' office said today that the five-term senator's retirement would be announced on WRAL-TV on Wednesdayevening. Helms, who turns 80 on Oct. 18, was first elected to theSenate in 1972. In recent years, he has suffered from a variety ofhealth problems, including prostate cancer. Bill Peterson, generalmanager of WRAL, confirmed Helms had asked for airtime, but added hedidn't know what Helms planned to say.

A cross-country passenger bus in Argentina …

PM: Poland's deficit to be lower than expected

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's prime minister says the country's budget deficit in 2011 will be about 25 percent lower than expected because the economy remains strong.

Donald Tusk said Friday that Poland is prepared for any instability that could occur in the coming months in Europe due to the debt crisis in some euro zone countries.

Tusk predicted that Poland's …

Photos: Nicaraguan cancer patient marks birthday

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — In her glowing pink dress and tiara, Maria Jose Martinez looked the part of the excited princess celebrating her 15th birthday as friends and family gathered for her coming-out party.

She and her father entered the ballroom of the Managua hotel in grand style, between two rows of cadets from the Nicaraguan Military Academy standing at attention with bayonets raised. The thin, sad-eyed girl later let out a thrilled laugh as she danced with one of the green-uniformed soldiers.

Just hours before, Maria Jose had woken up in a different world, with no pink dress and no long, gold-streaked hair. She had sat up in bed with her bald pate and T-shirt pale in …

среда, 14 марта 2012 г.

hyaluronic acid: hope in a jar?

If you'd rather go natural than brave the dermatologist's needle, this natural compound may be your answer to more youthful-looking skin

Do you cringe at the sight of crow's feet? Have you boycotted lipstick because it bleeds into those little lines around your mouth? Before you close out your 401 (k) to pay for an antiaging miracle from your dermatologist, take heart. New over-the-counter products containing hyaluronic acid are popping up everywhere, promising to plump lips, erase winkles, and give you dewy, younger looking skin. Here's the scoop.

01

What It Is

A natural compound

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a compound naturally found in your connective …

Border Worker Disregarded TB Warning

ATLANTA - A globe-trotting Atlanta lawyer with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis was allowed back into the U.S. by a border inspector who disregarded a computer warning to stop him and don protective gear, officials said Thursday. The inspector has been removed from border duty.

The unidentified inspector explained that he was no doctor but that the infected man seemed perfectly healthy and that he thought the warning was merely "discretionary," officials briefed on the case told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is still under investigation.

The patient was identified as Andrew Speaker, a 31-year-old personal injury lawyer who …

Abortion doc: Lawyers, Kan. board OK'd referrals

An attorney for one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers says Kansas is prosecuting his client for doing something that a state medical board official had supported.

Defense attorney Dan Monnat told jurors in opening statements Monday that a former director of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts suggested that Dr. George Tiller get second opinions for late-term …

After 44 years, British GI baby finds U.S. roots

Watching war movies used to tear at the heart of Patrick Hiles.

As he saw American heroes defeat enemy troops in one ofHollywood's many recasts of the Second World War during his childhoodin Warndon, England, Patrick pondered the whereabouts of his GIfather, who left Britain for the United States in 1948 with promisesto send for him and his mother, Nancy.

"All I had was a drawing of my dad, which was done in France,"said Patrick. "I never knew of him other than the drawing. I used tolook at it and think: `I wonder, are you dead?' "

Patrick's parents married in 1945 at St. George's CatholicChurch in Worcester, just before the end of World War II. …

Iran acknowledges espionage at nuclear facilities

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's nuclear chief says personnel at the country's nuclear facilities were lured by promises of better pay to pass secrets to the West, but that increased security and worker privileges has put a stop to the spying.

The stunning acknowledgment by Ali Akbar Salehi provided the clearest government confirmation that Iran has been fighting espionage at its …

Guardiola looks to maintain hunger after triumphs

Even though Barcelona capped a perfect year and secured its place in football history with a 2-1 Club World Cup final win over Estudiantes on Saturday, maintaining the team's hunger for more success appears the biggest task ahead.

Soon after Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi scored a 110th minute winner to seal the extra-time win, Pep Guardiola was already worrying about how to defend the six titles.

"This is my target, this is my responsibility. I have to do it," the Barcelona coach said. "I don't know how."

Perhaps sensing the magnitude of the accomplishment, Guardiola wept as his players prepared to lift the trophy at the …

Rockets still perfect on road

Hakeem Olajuwon scored 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Saturdayas the visiting Houston Rockets rallied from a 10-point deficit inthe fourth quarter to defeat the Washington Bullets 103-99 for theirninth consecutive victory.

The triumph enabled the Rockets to remain the NBA's onlyunbeaten team on the road (8-0). They also matched the best start infranchise history (15-1) and set a team record for victories in amonth.

The Bullets were bidding to become the first team to beat theRockets in regulation. The Rockets' only loss this season cameagainst the Los Angeles Lakers in double overtime.Trailing by a point, the Bullets turned the ball over with 27.4seconds …

No major Fed moves expected as economy shows gains

WASHINGTON (AP) — Let's wait and see.

That's likely to be the message from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, when its two-day policy meeting ends. Few expect any bold new steps to be announced.

Fed policymakers likely want to gauge the impact of action they've taken recently to keep interest rates low. The Fed has breathing room because the economy and stock markets have strengthened enough to allay fears of another recession.

After their September meeting, the policymakers said they would shuffle the Fed's investment portfolio to try to further reduce long-term interest rates. And in their previous meeting in August, they had said they plan to keep short-term rates near …

Webcam fans mourn Calif. bald eagle chick deaths

The only bald eagle nest on Santa Cruz Island off the Southern California coast is now a lonely place, one that webcam viewers were delighted to monitor just a few weeks ago.

That was when two newly hatched chicks gave nature lovers worldwide the chance to witness the regrowth of a declining population on this set of islands off the Ventura County coast, the Ventura County Star newspaper reported.

But that fascination lasted only a few days. The chicks died soon after hatching, leaving viewers to console each other on an Internet chat board hosted by the Nature Conservancy, a worldwide conservation organization.

Webcam viewers had been watching …

Under-9s win a real thriller

TERRIFIC Tenby weather welcomed Carmarthen Athletic Under-9s onSunday and saw them depart as victors.

A top-quality game ensued and was enjoyed by all.

The team members for Carmarthen were Scott Davies, Iwan Glynn,brothers Iestyn and William Jones, Ryan King, Damien Pitmen, DillonSizer and Dylan Williams.

Carmarthen Athletic won 9-8 with tries from young Iwan Glynn (5),Scott Davies (2), Ryan King and Damien Pitmen.

вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.

Calif. lawmakers end record-setting budget impasse

California lawmakers have ended the longest budget impasse in state history, approving a roughly $145 billion spending plan that relies on accelerated income tax payments rather than borrowing or new taxes.

Lawmakers acknowledged the proposal would get the state through its current fiscal year by closing a $15.2 billion deficit but would not solve California's persistent fiscal problems.

The final action in the Assembly came shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday on the 78th day of the fiscal year, the latest date the Legislature had ever passed a spending plan. The Senate approved the package of budget bills earlier in the morning.

Despite the apparent end to this summer's grueling budget battle, it was not immediately clear whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would sign the bill sent to his desk.

Suicide blast kills 10 in Sri Lanka

A suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed into a bus carrying riot police in Sri Lanka's capital Friday, killing 10 people, including eight policemen, and wounding 85 others.

The blast came hours after air force fighter jets bombed a Tamil Tiger rebel base in the northern jungles, where 27 guerrillas and two government soldiers were killed in heavy fighting Thursday, according to the military.

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara, blaming the separatist guerrillas, said a suicide bomber on a motorcycle triggered the blast as he slammed into a bus carrying policemen on a busy Colombo street.

The bomb ripped through the side of the bus, shattering windows and damaging a dozen other vehicles. Located near the president's office and military headquarters, the blast area is considered a high-security zone.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe of the Colombo National Hospital said 10 people died.

"Eight were already dead when they were brought to hospital and two policemen succumbed after admission. About 85 people are being treated now," he said.

The blast was the first suicide attack since a bomber killed 14 people, including a government minister and a former Olympian, at the start of a marathon April 6.

If the attack was carried out by the rebels, it would show they retain the ability to strike deep inside government territory despite a maze of security checkpoints around the capital and military efforts to crush the group.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan did not answer calls from The Associated Press seeking comment, but the Tamil Tigers routinely deny responsibility for such attacks. The group, blamed for more than 240 suicide strikes, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

The Tamil Tigers have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils, who have been marginalized by successive governments controlled by the majority Sinhalese. More than 70,000 people have been killed.

It was not possible to independently verify the military's claims because reporters are not allowed in the war zone. The two sides are known to exaggerate their enemies' casualties while underreporting their own.

World stocks down on FedEx's downbeat outlook

World stock markets fell Wednesday after a downbeat forecast from the second biggest U.S. shipper of goods FedEx Corp. as well as ratings downgrades from Standard & Poor's.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 42.90 points, or 1 percent, at 4,285.67 while Germany's DAX fell 58.24 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,832.48. The CAC-40 in France was 35.56 points, or 1.1 percent, lower at 3,178.39.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 12.10 points, or 0.1 percent, at 8,492.57 soon after the open while thebroader Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 3.24 points, or 0.4 percent, to 908.73.

Stocks around the world were already in retreat amid worries that the rally since March may have been overdone. With some indexes up more than 50 percent since March on expectations of an economic turnaround this year, markets reacted negatively to some weaker than anticipated U.S. industrial data.

The stock market rally since March's lows has been fueled by hopes that the U.S. economy in particular will recover from recession sooner than previously anticipated. As equities usually start rising 6 to 9 months before actual recovery emerges in the official data, this suggests investors believed the massive sell-off in markets during the most acute phase of the financial crisis was overdone. Some of the world's major equity indexes are now in positive territory for 2009.

That optimism has dissipated in recent days, however. Rising interest rates on U.S. government bonds and higher oil prices have combined to worry investors that any recovery around the world could be choked off at birth.

Sentiment was not helped by the warning from FedEx _ considered a bellwether of economic activity _ that it expects "extremely difficult" conditions in the next two quarters and by Standard & Poor's decision to cut its ratings on 22 U.S. banks, including BB&T Corp. and PNIC Financial Services Group Inc.

"Further falls in stock markets is suggestive of more risk being taken off the table today as the market worries about the strength of the 'green shoots' of recovery," said Jane Foley, research director at Forex.com.

One bright spot emerged with the news that consumer prices in the U.S. rose less than expected in May. Investors have been worrying that increasing prices would threaten a recovery in the economy by curbing demand. Instead of the 0.3 percent monthly increase predicted, inflation only rose by 0.1 percent.

"Inflation fears that have gripped the bond market continue to be more imaginary than real as the May CPI came in below expectations and the annual decline (1.3 percent) in the headline is the largest in about 60 years," said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist at Mizuho Securities.

Overall, investors, it seems, are awaiting signs that the rally since March wasn't just misplaced euphoria.

They now want to see clear evidence that the world economy and company earnings are recovering so that current stock valuations make sense. In March, many investors saw valuations around the world as particularly cheap and started buying into the market.

Neil Mackinnon, chief economist at ECU Group, noted that the S&P 500 in the U.S. is "not cheap" at the moment at 16 times earnings and that the 925 level "is starting to falter."

Earlier in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 80.90 points, or 0.5 percent, to 18,084.60, though Japan's Nikkei bucked the downward trend, gaining 87.97 points, or 0.9 percent, to 9,840.85.

Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kospi shed 0.6 percent to 1,391.17 while Australia's benchmark fell 1.5 percent

Shanghai's stock measure recovered the session's losses to close higher by 1.2 percent, as investors found encouragement in comments from President Hu Jintao. Hu said Tuesday that Beijing's stimulus is showing results and China is determined to take the lead in emerging from the global economic crisis.

Investors were wary after the Chinese government last week reported conflicting data showing exports falling but consumer spending and investment rising.

Oil prices were slightly softer, with benchmark crude for July delivery down 57 cents to $69.90.

In currencies, the dollar was down 0.4 percent at 95.85 yen while the euro rose 0.4 percent to $1.3874.

___

AP Business Writer Jeremiah Marquez in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

Tests prove innocence of 23-year prisoner in Texas

The Dallas County District Attorney says a man who has spent nearly 23 years in prison on a sexual assault conviction is set to be exonerated by DNA testing.

District Attorney Craig Watkins said Tuesday that post-conviction tests have proved Jerry Lee Evans is innocent. The 47-year-old Evans was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon.

Evans was picked by the victim out of a photo lineup one year after the assault near downtown Dallas. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday to enter the DNA test results in court.

The New York-based Innocence Project says Dallas County has led the nation in DNA exonerations since 2000. Evans would be the county's 21st.

Locating Australian corporate memory

This research note reports on the quantity of business records available in Australia as indicated by a recent survey of the top one hundred firms operating during the twentieth century.1 The archival work was undertaken as part of a large study investigating aspects of corporate leadership in Australia, conducted jointly at the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.2 We found that the surviving records of Australian businesses cover a wide selection of firm types, and that the comprehensiveness of many archives places business history on a sound foundation for the future.

Motivation

The study of business history is a somewhat neglected area of scholarly research in Australia. While there are several histories of individual companies, in most cases they celebrate a firm's achievements over a period of time, normally a century, and provide details of particular interest to former employees such as unusual events and lists of managing directors.3 Generally these studies have shied away from making critical assessments and have been reluctant to compare the firm's performance with similar enterprises in Australia or overseas. It has only been in the 1990s that writers have utilized archival records to undertake studies that examine the performance of Australian business enterprise over extended periods of time, providing valuable insights into the current condition and future prospects for corporate Australia.4

Access to the internal business records of Australian firms is vital in order to make in-depth appraisals of comparative performance. Researchers need to examine detailed prima facie evidence available in the archival records of individual firms in order to obtain a clear understanding of the types of managerial strategies and organizational structures adopted by Australian firms and with what degree of success. This research note and a published archives listing is designed to stimulate and facilitate analytical research into the history of Australian business enterprise by providing details of the extent and nature of surviving records for Australia's leading firms throughout the twentieth century.5

Sample Construction

As a starting point for more extensive research into Australian business development, Simon Ville and David Merrett have identified the leading one hundred non-financial enterprises measured by assets, using the years 1910, 1930, 1952, and 1964 to provide a reasonable time spread.6 The choice of asset data in preference to market capitalization reflected the slow development of stock markets in Australia but necessitated the exclusion of asset-rich financial institutions with whom size comparisons would have been invalid.7 Ville and Merrett relied upon published balance sheet data taken from investment digests and a few other secondary sources. Although their paper does not use archival records, their results were used to decide which firms should be included in our sample.

Given the underdeveloped state of research in Australian business history we are particularly keen to analyze Australia's corporate leaders for their role as organizational and technological pioneers and the importance of their contribution to the development of the domestic economy. In the course of this work it has become apparent that historical records survive for many of these leading firms from which it will be possible to undertake extensive comparative analysis. However, these records are scattered widely around a range of private and public depositories. In some cases the existence of business records can be traced through the published guides of individual depositories which list many other classes of manuscripts. In other cases there is no printed listing of extant business records, especially where they remain in the possession of the original firm or its current owners.

Results

The Ville and Merrett top one hundred listings of non-financial companies for the four spot years involved 262 companies. Of these we have 162 companies (62 percent) for whom records are known to exist. One hundred and forty-four firms (55 percent) are included in the archival listing; we have been unable to find any useful information about the records of the remaining 18 at this stage. Well over half of the top one hundred firms are known to have extant records for each of the spot years 1910, 1930, 1952, and 1964.8 Except for a single omission in 1930, in each case all of the top ten firms are represented (see Table 1).

Business Records by Sector

The broad groups of the Australian Standard Industrial Classification of 1969 are used to analyze the spread of extant business records across the major sectors of the Australian economy. We find that the sectoral distribution of business records correlates closely with that of big business as a whole. Thus, comparing the companies that have extant archives with the full top one hundred of Ville and Merrett we find that the rank order of representation between sectors remains the same for each year (see Table 2). The proportion of each sector also remains very similar. These results mirror quite closely the broad macroeconomic trends of twentieth-century Australia, particularly as reflected in the growing share of manufacturing in gross national product.9

Location of Business Records

The records of firms in our sample was spread around the country in 19 public archives and libraries, and 32 private firms. Although the universities and state archives have been the predominant collectors of business records, a number of firms have preserved their internal records.10 There are particular concentrations of business records in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, although this is not an accurate reflection of the geographic location of the firms covered, many of whom operated nationally or at least across state lines. Location of records by state or territory is presented in Table 3.

Possible Sample Problems

Several problems should be noted with the survey. First, as is often the case, smaller and failed companies within the sample are least well represented except in cases where they were acquired by a larger one. Second, while the number of companies with extant records is impressive, the extent and quality of the material is variable, with some very good collections existing alongside others of limited value. Details of the business records available for the top 20 companies in each of the spot years is provided in the appendix. In many cases the business records contain qualitative information from internal letter books, directors' minutes, and correspondence files with external parties. Such data is crucial in order to construct an understanding of the intentions, beliefs, and decisions of Australian business leaders in their strategic management role. Quantitative information ranges from sales, cost and price data, to personnel and superannuation records. The appendix also provides illustration of some of the "less successful" attempts at obtaining information on date ranges, quantity of information, and access conditions. Third, the identification of records is a continuing process. In due course we hope further archives will come to light both in Australia and in the country of origin of foreign multinationals based here.

Conclusions

Corporate memory in Australia is remarkably robust. The primary records of an encouragingly large and representative proportion of Australia's leading corporations have survived. It is hoped that researchers and corporate decision-makers will be encouraged by our findings to make full use of this source of competitive advantage and to acknowledge and support the continued development of this memory bank.

[Author Affiliation]

SIMON VILLE is Reader in Economic History, Australian National University.

GRANT FLEMING is Senior Lecturer in Commerce, Australian National University.

We would like to acknowledge the excellent research assistance provided by Dorothy Terwiel and Helen Bridge, comments by Russell Craig, and support from the ANU Faculty of Economics and Commerce Research Infrastructure Fund.

'Sick woman' slits throat of famous cleric in church Worshippers in Paris pray for Brother Roger and the 152 French tourists killed when their plane crashed in Venezuela last week.

PARIS -- A Romanian woman slipped into a choir of singing monksduring an evening prayer service and fatally slit the throat of the90-year-old founder of an ecumenical Christian community in thepresence of 2,500 horrified pilgrims in Burgundy, authorities saidWednesday.

The slaying Tuesday of Brother Roger in the Church ofReconciliation drew reactions of shock and grief from the pope, theleader of the Anglican Church and worshippers around the world.

"It happened very fast. There were some screams. We turned around.He was wounded," said Brother Emile, who witnessed the killing. "Wecarried him out of the church so people didn't see the terrible part.. . . She slit his throat."

Brother Roger was stabbed at least twice in the neck.

Saved Jews during Holocaust

Pope Benedict XVI deplored the "very sad and terrifying news."Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of theChurch of England, called it "an indescribable shock."

Brother Roger, whose surname was Schutz, was born of a SwissProtestant father and a French Catholic mother. He moved to Taize in1940 with plans to found a monastery.

He harbored Jewish refugees during the Nazi occupation of Franceduring World War II, then built the ecumenical Taize Community with amission to reconcile all denominations of Christians and promotedialogue and peace.

Some 2,500 people were worshipping in the church when the womansurged forward and stabbed Brother Roger.

The 36-year-old intruder, who was not identified by name, hadvisited Taize for a week in June and was considered psychologicallyfragile. Brother Emile said they had learned from colleagues that shewas "a very sick woman in Romania" who screamed in churches.

AP

Protein determination in cerebrospinal fluid by protein dye-binding assay

Abstract: In this study, Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) and pyrogallol red/molybdate (PRM) protein dye-binding assays for total protein determination in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are compared. Using human albumin (HA) as a protein calibrator, protein concentration in CSF samples (n = 73) ranged from 55-1960 mg/L (median: 315 mg/L) with the CBB assay, and from 95-2450 mg/L (median: 395 mg/L) with the PRM assay. Linear regression analysis indicated yCB = 0.824xp"' - 8 (r = 0.99). The discrepancy between the values was investigated by comparing the response of the two assays to different proteins. Compared with HA, the PRM assay showed a more uniform response to human albumin/globulin (A/G) and bovine gamma globulin (G) than did the CBB assay, but it gave high colour yields with bovine myelin basic protein. When CSF was assayed using A/G as a protein calibrator, agreement between the methods improved (yCB = 0.960xP' + 0 [r = 0.99]), indicating that comparability is dictated by the choice of protein calibrator. Of the two assays studied, the PRM assay is recommended for CSF protein determination because it gives a more uniform and linear response to human albumin and globulin over a wider working range.

Key words: Cerebrospinal fluid. Coomassie brilliant blue. Protein assay. Pyrogallol red.

Introduction

Determination of the total protein content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is of clinical importance because raised protein levels are associated with neoplasm, infectious disease, and inflammatory or traumatic disorders that result in impairment of the blood-brain barrier or intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins.'

Total protein content can be determined by biuret assay,2M Lowry assay,', turbidimetry (using trichloroacetic acid [TCA],'8 sulfosalicylic acid [SSA]7,8 or benzethonium chloride."') or precipitation with trichloroacetic acid/Ponceau S (TCA/PS).2 Alternative methods include nephelometry (using polyethylene glycol" or benzalkonium chloride") and assays based upon bicinchoninic acid," copper/bathocuproine 16 and silver-binding. 17

However, the Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) protein dye-binding assay, which measures the shift in absorbance maxima when CBB binds protein, currently is the most widely recommended method for protein determination in CSF.**zb The pyrogallol red (PR)/molybdate (PRM) protein assay is an alternative dye-binding assay that monitors the shift in absorbance, from 460 to 600 nm, when PR binds protein.27 This assay was developed for total protein determination in urine,27-l9 and is recommended in preference to the CBB assay."

Here, we report the results of a comparative evaluation of the CBB and PRM assays to detect protein in CSF, a comparison not published previously.

Materials and methods Materials

CBB protein dye reagent (catalogue no. 610-A), Microprotein PRTM dye reagent (catalogue no. 61 I-A), human albumin (HA) protein calibrator (catalogue no. 610-50), human albumin/globulin (A/G) protein calibrator (catalogue no. 540-10) and bovine myelin basic protein (MBP, catalogue no. M1891) were purchased from Sigma Diagnostics Inc. (SigmaAldrich Co. Ltd., Poole, Dorset, UK). Bovine gamma globulin (G) (protein calibrator I; catalogue no. 500-0005) was purchased from Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd. (Hemel Hempstead, Herts, UK). HA protein calibrator was used as supplied (500 mg/L). A/G, MBP and G were diluted to 500 mg/L in 0.15 mol/L sodium chloride (NaCI), containing 1 g/L sodium azide.

Samples

Cerebrospinal fluid: Residual samples of clinical specimens (n = 73), collected without preservative and centrifuged at 4500 rpm for 10 min, were stored at -70*C. The samples were thawed at room temperature, gently vortex-mixed and dispensed for protein assay using a 5-40 liL Finnpipette (Labsystems, Helsinki, Finland), with performance precision of 20.06 0.05 gL (coefficient of variation, %CV: 0.25). A small number of samples (n = 8) were tested both fresh and following overnight freezing at -70*C, using both protein assays.

Protein assay

CBB protein dye-binding assay: CSF (20 ILL) or protein calibrator (5-20 lL; HA, A/G, G or MBP at 500 mg/L), in a sample volume of 20 gL (adjusted with saline - 0.15 mol/L NaCI, containing 1 g/L sodium azide), were mixed gently with protein assay solution (1 ml) (protein dye reagent diluted with four volumes of ultrapure water in a plastic container), according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 10 minutes, absorbance values were measured (A 595 nm) in a plastic microcuvette (1 cm) using a Jenway 6100 spectrophotometer (Dunmow, Essex, UK), zeroed with a reagent blank (20 pIL saline, plus 1 mL dye reagent). Protein concentrations were calculated by extrapolating the absorbance values from the linear portion of the calibration curve. Protein-rich CSF samples were reassayed at lower volume (2.5-10 EL). The colour yields of the individual proteins were compared over a wider range of protein amount by assaying 10-40 ptL of protein calibrator (HA, A/G, G or MBP at 500 mg/L) in a sample volume of 40 pL.

PRM protein dye-binding assay: CSF (40 gL) or protein calibrator (10-40gL; HA, A/G, G or MBP at 500 mg/L), in a sample volume of 40 jL (adjusted with saline), were mixed gently with Microprotein-PRTM reagent (1 mL) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 10 minutes, absorbance values were measured (A6 .) in a plastic microcuvette (1 cm) using a Jenway 6100 spectrophotometer, zeroed with a reagent blank (40 lL saline, plus 1 mL dye reagent). Protein concentrations were calculated by extrapolating the absorbance values from the linear portion of the calibration curve. Protein-rich CSF were re-assayed at lower volume (5-20 pl). The colour yields for the individual proteins were compared over a wider range of protein amount by assaying 20-80 lIL of protein calibrator (HA, A/G, G or MBP at 500 mg/L), in a sample volume of 80 gL.

Results

Protein concentration values were higher with the PRM assay than the CBB assay. Values for the CSF samples tested (n = 73) ranged from 55-1960 mg/L (median: 315 mg/L) with the CBB assay, and from 95-2450 mg/L (median: 395 mg/L) with the PRM assay. Linear regression analysis indicated yCB = 0.824xPM - 8, in units of mg/L (r = 0.99) (Figure 1). Both assays gave comparable reproducibility as indicated by precision studies on three CSF samples (Table 1).

Comparison of the response of the two assays to different proteins (Figure 2) indicated that the PRM assay showed a more uniform response to A/G and G, relative to HA. Thus, for 20 pg protein, the absorbance ratio for HA: A/G: G was 1:0.94:0.84 with the PRM assay, and 1:0.79:0.51 with the CBB assay. The extent of linearity was greater with the PRM assay (40 Rg HA, 20 Rg A/G) than the CBB assay (10 jig HA, Ig A/G). MBP gave higher colour yields than HA with the PRM assay, but lower colour yields than HA with the CBB assay (Figure 2). Thus, for 20 pg protein, the HA : MBP ratio was 1:1.53 with the PRM assay, and 1:0.87 with the CBB assay.

The use of A/G as a protein calibrator improved agreement between the PRM and CBB assays. Thus, CSF values ranged from 70-2600 mg/L (median: 425 mg/L) with the CBB assay, and from 1132740 mg/L (median: 438 mg/L) with the PRM assay. Linear regression analysis indicated yBB = 0.960xPR' + 0, in units of mg/L (r = 0.99) (Figure 3). Precision studies indicated that the assays retained comparable reproducibility when A/G was used as the protein calibrator (Table 2).

The use of G or MBP as the protein calibrator highlighted the importance of this choice when using the CBB and PRM assays. Calibrating with G, the CSF protein concentrations ranged from 125-400 mg/L (median: 720 mg/L) with the CBB assay, and from 1203200 mg/L (median: 475 mg/L) with the PRM assay. Linear regression analysis indicated yC = 1.338x' + 57, in units of mg/L (r = 0.99) (Figure 4). Calibrating with MBP, the CSF protein concentrations ranged from 55-2100mg/L (median: 325 mg/L) with the CBB assay, and from 38-1000 mg/L (median: 165 mg/L) with the PRM assay. Linear regression analysis indicated yBB = 2.008xP" - 8, in units of mg/L (r = 0.99) (Figure 5).

Comparison of a small number of specimens (n = 8), both before and after freezing, indicated 97% ( 4%) recovery of protein (with both assays), without effect upon their relative response. Protein concentrations in fresh samples were 232-430 mg/L (CBB) and 280530 mg/L (PRM), and in frozen samples were 231443 mg/L (CBB) and 280-515 mg/L (PRM).

Discussion

Biochemical analysis of CSF is of clinical importance for the diagnosis and management of infectious disease, trauma, infarction, neoplasia and degeneration of the central nervous system? Total protein levels are determined routinely in the hospital laboratory, and reference intervals of 120-640 mg/L have been established using a variety of methods, including the Du Pont aca and Kodak Ektachem dry chemistry systems.4 CSF total protein levels are requested commonly to support a diagnosis, but sometimes can be used for differential diagnosis (e.g. a cut off value >1 g/L reliably distinguishes septic from aseptic meningitis').

Many methods have been described for total protein determination in CSF,216 and comparative studies have recommended different methods; ,4,12-14,17,25 each of which has its own advantages and limitations. For example, the biuret method is accurate but requires high sample volumes; the Lowry method is sensitive but prone to interference; turbidimetric methods (TCA, SSA) have a wide working range but are temperature sensitive; the TCA-PS method is not sensitive to temperature but is prone to manipulative loss of protein; and the CBB assay is simple but shows a variable response to different proteins.2 26

Recently, the CBB assay has been recommended widely for total protein determination in CSF,'*zb having proved to be rapid, sensitive, economic and resistant to interference. In its automated form,21,24,26 the CBB assay compares well with the Du Pont aca dry chemistry system.26

The PRM protein dye-binding assay was developed for total protein determination in urine, and correlates well with the biuret reference method."29 It has the advantages of the CBB method, a more uniform response to different proteins,27 and less tendency to dye precipitation in cuvettes and automated systems.21

The results presented here indicate that, when applied to CSF, higher protein concentration values are obtained with the PRM assay than the CBB assay. This is consistent with previous studies reporting differences in the protein concentration values in CSF, when determined by two or more methods.'1,19,23,25 The difference can be explained by underestimation of globulin in the CBB assay, and can be minimised by the use of AIG (rather than HA) as a protein calibrator.

The A/G calibrator used in the present study is supplied commercially (63% human albumin, 37% human globulin) and used routinely (in undiluted form) for discrete analyser total protein determination in serum/plasma - it matches the CSF albumin : globulin ratio closely, which has been estimated at 70:30.?11 Although modification of the CBB method by adding sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) to the dye reagent has been recommended to overcome the variable response of the assay to different proteins,11,15 it was concluded that the choice of calibrator is more important than the method used."

Both PRM and CBB protein dye-binding assays are simple, rapid and economic (current reagent costs are kO.067 and 0.147 per sample, respectively), and demonstrate similar performance characteristics when applied to CSF. Both show rapid colour development (2-3 min) and comparable stability of colour yield (15-30 min); however, the PRM assay gives a more uniform response to albumin and globulin, and is therefore preferable for total protein determination in CSF because the A:G ratio varies in pathological samples.' Furthermore, in contrast to the CBB assay, the linearity of the PRM assay spans the reference interval for CSF protein (120-640 mg/L),4 and extends towards the cut-off value (1 g/L) used for diagnostic purposes.

The CBB assay gives higher colour yields (absorbance per microgram of protein) than does the PRM assay, and, thus, is more sensitive to low protein content in CSF; however, such samples are of little clinical significance. MBP gives an unusually high colour yield with the PRM assay but this is not a problem as its levels normally do not exceed 2.5 pg/L in CSF,31 and elevations in excess of 5000-fold would be necessary to increase total protein levels erroneously.

In conclusion, the PRM assay is an acceptable alternative to the CBB assay for total protein determination in CSF.

[Reference]

References

[Reference]

1 Silverman LM, Christenson RH. Clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid protein analysis. In: Burns CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry, 2nd edn. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company, 1994: 724-6.

2 Rice EW, Loftis JW. Critique of the determination of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid. Evaluation of the biuret method of Goa and the TCA-turbidimetric method of Meulemans. Clin Chem 1962; 8: 56.

3 Blijenberg BG, Roetring HA, Zwang L, Leijnse B. Spinal fluid protein revisited: a reappraisal of the biuret procedure. Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1985; 23: 225-30.

4 Lott JA, Warren P. Estimation of reference intervals for total protein in cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 1989; 35: 1766-70.

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5 Daughaday WH, Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Fields WS. Determination of cerebrospinal fluid protein with the Folin phenol reagent. J Lab Clin Med 1952; 39: 663-5.

6 Zondag HA, van Boetzelaer GL. Determination of protein in cerebrospinal fluid. Sources of error in the Lowry method. Clin Chim Acta 1960; 5: 155-6.

7 Bossak HN, Rosenberg AA, Harris A. A quantitative turbidimetric method for the determination of spinal fluid protein. _ Vener Dis Infect 1949; 30: 100-3.

8 Meulemans 0. Determination of total protein in spinal fluid with sulphosalicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid. Clin Chim Acta 1960; 5: 757-61.

9 Iwata J, Nishikaze 0. New micro-turbidimetric method for determination of protein in cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Clin Chem 1979; 25: 1317-9.

10 Flachaire E, Damour 0, Bienvenu J, Aouiti T, Later R. Assessment of the benzethonium chloride method for routine determination of protein in cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Clin Chem 1983; 29: 343-5.

11 Luxton RW, Patel P, Keir G, Thompson EJ. A micro-method for measuring total protein in cerebrospinal fluid by using benzethonium chloride in microtiter plate wells. Clin Chem 1989; 35: 1731-4.

12 Pesce MA, Strande CS. A new micromethod for determination of protein in cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Clin Chem 1973; 19: 1265-7.

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13 Karlsson B, Alling C. A comparative study of three approaches to the routine quantitative determination of spinal fluid total proteins. Clin Chim Acta 1980; 105: 65-73.

14 Shephard MDS, Whiting MJ. Nephelometric determination of total protein in cerebrospinal fluid and urine using benzalkonium chloride as precipitation reagent. Ann Clin Biochem 1992; 29: 411-7.

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15 Shihabi ZK, Dyer RD. Protein analysis with bicinchoninic acid. Ann Clin Lab Sci 1988; 18: 235-9.

16 Matsushita M, Irino T, Komoda T, Sakagishi Y. Determination of proteins by a reverse biuret method combined with copperbathocuproine chelate reaction. Clin Chim Acta 1993; 216: 103-11.

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17 Krystal G, Lam V, Schreiber WE. Application of a silverbinding assay to the determination of protein in cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 1989; 35: 860-4.

18 McIntosh JC. Application of dye-binding method to the determination of protein in urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 1977; 23: 1939-40.

19 Johnson JA, Lott JA. Standardization of the Coomassie blue method for cerebrospinal fluid proteins. Clin Chem 1978; 24: 1931-3.

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20 Schleicher E, Wieland OH. Evaluation of the Bradford method for protein determination in body fluids. j Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1978; 16: 533-4.

21 Heick HMC, Begin-Heick N, Acharya C, Mohammed A. Automated determination of urine and cerebrospinal fluid proteins with Coomassie brilliant blue and the Abbott ABA-100. Clin Biochem 1980; 13: 81-3.

22 Hische EAH, van der Helm HJ, van Meegen MT, Blanken HIG. Protein estimation in cerebrospinal fluid with Coomassie brilliant blue. Clin Chem 1982; 28: 1236-7.

23 Macart M, Gerbaut L. An improvement of the Coomassie blue dye binding method allowing an equal sensitivity to various pro

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teins: application to cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chim Acta 1982; 122: 93-101.

24 Gillery P, Locre F, Malgras A, Borel JP. A continuous-flow technique with Coomassie brilliant blue for cerebrospinal fluid protein assay. Clin Chem 1985; 31: 1092-3.

25 Gerbaut L, Macart M. Is standardization more important than methodology for assay of total protein in cerebrospinal fluid? Clin Chem 1986; 32: 353-5.

26 Huang CM. Development and evaluation of an automated dyebinding assay for protein in cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 1988; 34: 980-3.

27 Watanabe N, Kamel S, Ohkubo A et al. Urinary protein as measured with a pyrogallol-red-molybdate complex manually and in a Hitachi 726 automated analyzer. Clin Chem 1986; 32: 1551-4.

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28 Phillipou G, James SK, Seaborn CJ, Phillips PJ. Screening for microalbuminuria by use of a rapid low-cost colorimetric assay. Clin Chem 1989; 35: 456-8.

29 Orsonneau JL, Douet P, Massoubre C, Lustenberger P, Bernard S. An improved pyrogallol red-molybdate method for determining total urinary protein. Clin Chem 1989; 35: 2233.

30 Watson MA, Scott MG. Clinical utility of biochemical analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Clin Chem 1995; 41: 343-60.

31 Painter PC, Cope JY, Smith JL. Reference intervals. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry. 2nd edn. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company, 1994: 2199.

[Author Affiliation]

Am-teniwyAW'',*************************** INIf 1 I--1el NE,,M, Wl 110OWMARSHAUs ,logo, I * , MI,* Z7jtww,2w0

[Author Affiliation]

Correspondence to: Dr. T. Marshall. E-mail: tom.marshall@sunderland.ac.uk

Strait, Underwood Win Country Awards

LAS VEGAS - George Strait, who came into Tuesday's annual Academy of Country Music Awards show with a leading eight nominations, claimed the first award of the night, winning song of the year for "Give It Away."

Carrie Underwood, the 2005 "American Idol: winner, followed soon after with a win for album of the year for her debut CD "Some Hearts." She came into the competition with five nominations.

As he collected his song of the year trophy, Strait seemed particularly touched that as an older performer he wasn't forgotten.

"I'm old enough to be Carrie Underwood's grandfather," the 55-year-old said of his 24-year-old fellow singer.

Straight was also nominated for entertainer of the year, along with Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and two-time winner Kenny Chesney.

Brooks & Dunn, the academy's top trophy winners with 22 between them, had seven nominations this year including top vocal duo - a category they have dominated since 1991. Stiff competition this year included Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and the Wreckers.

"We're going to lose it sooner or later. We did it before," Ronnie Dunn said. The Dixie Chicks won in 1998 and 1999 when the category was briefly expanded to duo or group.

Rascal Flatts was up for best vocal group, best album and best single, as well as entertainer of the year.

Underwood, whose dark hit "Before He Cheats" dominated the video awards at last month's fan-voted Country Music Television Music Awards, was also up for best female vocalist, single of the year, song of the year and video of the year at the ACMs, where winners are picked by the 4,500-member academy.

The entertainment-driven program, hosted by Reba McEntire, was slated to hand out just a dozen awards. The show was airing live on CBS Television from the MGM Grand hotel-casino, beginning at 8 p.m. EDT, with a tape-delayed broadcast for the West Coast.

Along with the top nominees, performers were to include Martina McBride, Josh Turner, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Sugarland, and Brad Paisley.

Brooks & Dunn earlier were named recipients of the Home Depot Humanitarian Award, joining past honorees McEntire, Vince Gill, Lonestar, McBride and Neal McCoy. The group will be honored with two playgrounds to be built in cities of their choice.

"It's a pretty cool thing. I told them we're a duo, so they should give us two. They didn't blink an eye," Dunn said. He is looking for a playground spot in Nashville. Partner Kix Brooks has chosen Shreveport, La.

Other artists whose awards were announced before Tuesday's show include: Producer Dann Huff; bass, Glenn Worf; drums, Eddie Bayers; fiddle, Aubrey Haynie; guitar, Brent Mason; keyboard, John Hobbs; specialty instrument (fiddle, mandolin), Stuart Duncan; steel guitar, Michael Johnson.

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Academy of Country Music: http://www.acmcountry.com

понедельник, 12 марта 2012 г.

Laws prohibit bias based on marital status

Virginia Ray just wanted her job back at Fulton Junior High.

She'd spent 16 years teaching at the western Illinois school,only to be transferred in 1983 because her husband, Ben, becameprincipal.

Mrs. Ray didn't think it was fair. It's more than unfair, theIllinois Human Rights Commission ruled late last month. It's illegalunder state law.

"The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on thebasis of marital status," said Kent Sezer, general counsel of thecommission. "That includes any burden placed on someone because theydecide to get married or divorced or whatever."

Although the law has been on the books for more than a decade,countless companies, law firms and other employers continue to fire,transfer or refuse to hire one spouse based on the employment statusof the other.

"Many employers just don't know this is against the law," saidLisa Aisner, a staff attorney for the Illinois Department of HumanRights.

Only about 2 percent of the charges filed each year with thedepartment claim marital status discrimination, usually 80 or fewerannually, a spokesman said.

If the commission rules against the employer, the worker can beawarded back pay and reinstated in the job. Mrs. Ray was awardedmore than $10,000 in attorney's fees, and the school district wasordered to transfer her to the junior high and pay her any money,benefits and seniority she would have accrued back to 1983 when herhusband was named principal there.

As more women enter the work force and as couples increasinglymarry after meeting on the job, the problem is likely to grow,particularly if companies remain ignorant of the law.

Sezer likened employer disregard of the marital status law tothe treatment of laws prohibiting landlords from discriminatingagainst families with children.

That law has been in effect since 1914, he said, "but until wewent after the Sun-Times and the Tribune, you could take a look atthe newspaper and still see ads saying `no children allowed.' Youcan still find landlords who do that."

Federal laws prohibit discriminating against people because theyhave children, but there is no U.S. law prohibiting discriminationagainst someone based on his or her marital state.

In Chicago, a city ordinance does prohibit marital statusdiscrimination. The city Commission on Human Relations hasinvestigated seven cases in the last two years. The charges havecome from both married and single workers who claim their maritalstatus was behind their adverse treatment at work. The ordinanceallows the commission to reinstate the worker at her job, award backpay and levy punitive damages against the employer.

The cases at the city include a complaint from a woman whoclaimed she was denied a raise because she is a single mother. Inanother, a woman claimed she was fired because her supervisor did notlike single people. Another woman filed charges that she was nothired because she is married and the company only wanted singlewomen.

The majority of these discrimination complaints come from women,attorneys said, although the city commission is investigating anallegation from a man. He charges he was fired after his wife, whoworked for the same firm, filed a sexual harassment claim against thecompany.

That women are primarily affected is "the remnants of sexdiscrimination," said Stephen Katz, attorney for Mrs. Ray.

"We didn't look at it as discrimination," said Kent Hammer,superintendent of the River Bend Community Unit School District No.2, the defendant in the case. "Usually, spouses attempt not to be inthe same school. If two teachers get married and one (is promotedto) principal, the spouse usually asks for a transfer."

Those, like Mrs. Ray, who don't are transferred involuntarilyunder a district policy adopted in 1981.

Hammer said the district, located about 160 miles west ofChicago, has not yet decided whether to appeal the commission's July22 ruling. He said the policy was adopted because a spouse wouldfind it "very difficult to be impartial" toward another spouse.

The commission, however, ruled that is a faulty, stereotypicalassumption.

Under the state law, it is similarly illegal to assume that aspouse cannot work in the payroll department for fear she will slip alittle something extra into hubby's paycheck. Likewise, a firmcannot fire a wife after the husband quits to take a job with acompetitor because it fears she will blab company secrets. Nor can afirm refuse to hire single people on the assumption that singles makeworse employees because they are out carousing all night.

Employers may, however, legally fire an employee who actuallycommits such an act - a single person who performs poorly or apayroll clerk who cheats, for example. Then the employee is firedfor cause, not for marital status, Aisner said.

"There is no reason to believe a spouse will be unprofessional,"Aisner said. "If this person decided not to get married to theprincipal, then (the transfer) would be OK. But because she decidedto get married to the principal, she is subject to discrimination."

Myanmar Frees 70 Democracy Protesters

YANGON, Myanmar - At least 70 people detained by the military government following protests in Myanmar - including 50 members of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party - have been freed, a party spokesman said Friday.

The detainees' release came after Suu Kyi met with a top government official as part of a U.N.-brokered attempt to nudge her and the junta toward reconciliation, and a top U.N. envoy pressed for more talks. But hundreds of armed riot police moved into position in Yangon, a sudden show of force after several weeks of relative quiet.

The detainees were released Thursday from the infamous Insein Prison in Yangon, said Nyan Win, the National League for Democracy party spokesman, who said at least 250 members of the party were still being held.

The government has said it detained about 3,000 suspected dissidents after last month's pro-democracy demonstrations, but that most were released. There are many reports they have been mistreated in custody.

Pressure has been mounting on the junta since the crackdown to free the detainees. The U.N. Security Council issued its first-ever statement on Myanmar earlier this month, condemning the crackdown and calling for the release of political prisoners.

Meanwhile, hundreds of riot police, armed with assault rifles and tear gas, moved into position at sites in the country's largest city, apparently trying to forestall any protests. It was the one-month anniversary of a key day in the anti-regime uprising by Buddhist monks, activists and ordinary citizens angry at the country's entrenched junta.

Security was especially tight at the eastern gate of the famed Shwedagon pagoda where monks were beaten as police broke up a protest on Sept. 26. Barbed wire was erected around the area while police and pro-junta thugs also took up positions near the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city and other sites of earlier protests.

Friday also marked the end of the Lent period, an important Buddhist holiday when monks can leave their monasteries to travel after several months of monsoon season retreats.

There were no immediate signs that any public protests would take place, but thousands of pilgrims thronged to the Shwedagon and other pagodas.

A Myanmar reporter who tried to take a photo of the pilgrims climbing up the eastern gate of the Shwedagon was immediately surrounded by nearly a dozen riot police and a police officer confiscated the flash card from the camera.

Thursday's meeting was the first known encounter between Suu Kyi - under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years - and "minister for relations" retired major general Aung Kyi, who was appointed to the post on Oct. 8 to hold talks with her.

"I hope this is the beginning of the (reconciliation) process," said Nyan Win, spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Friday.

Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. envoy trying to broker a compromise, said the meeting was a good beginning.

"But it's only the first step, so this should lead to early resumption of talks that will lead to tangible results," Gambari told reporters in Japan.

But some residents and Western diplomats remained skeptical, noting that such earlier meetings produced nothing and seemed merely aimed at easing international pressure on the junta.

"She's very conscious of the difficulties her people are experiencing," Gambari told Japan's public broadcaster NHK, referring to Suu Kyi. "Her concern is to put an end to the violence and that prisoners are released."

Suu Kyi was driven Thursday a few minutes from her home to a government guest house, state-run television reported. Television images showed Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi seated in high-backed chairs having a discussion, a scene that suggested two dignitaries in a meeting rather than someone under house arrest.

A protest movement which began Aug. 19 over the government raising fuel prices mushroomed over several weeks into a broad-based anti-government movement pressing for democracy.

Tens of thousands demonstrated - the largest protests in nearly two decades of brutal military rule. Troops quelled mass protests with gunfire. The government said 10 people were killed, but dissident groups put the death toll at up to 200 and say 6,000 people were detained, including thousands of monks.

24 seven: A day on the Chicago crime and fire beats

INCIDENTS FROM 8 P.M. TO 8 P.M.

SUNDAY - 3:50 A.M. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

2 HURT IN TRAFFIC FRACAS

Police are searching for a red and white Chevrolet Suburban SUVwhich fled the scene after a traffic altercation that left two meninjured in the 1300 block of North Ashland. Preliminary reports showone man was struck in the head with a blunt object and another manwas shot. Both were hospitalized. The man who was shot sufferedserious injuries.

SUNDAY - 5:00 A.M. GARFIELD RIDGE

HANGING IN FRONT OF CHURCH

A 37-year-old man was found dead, hanging from a tree outsideGood Shepard Presbyterian Church, 5550 S. Merrimac Ave. An autopsyrevealed Slawomir Kosieradski's death involved no foul play; it wasruled a suicide.

SUNDAY - 10:05 A.M. MAYFAIR

CHILDREN HURT ON KENNEDY

Five people were hurt in a three-car crash on the northboundKennedy Expy at Wilson, including two children who remained incritical condition at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Police said thechildren were properly restrained in their car. Citations wereissued, including ones for failure to reduce speed.

SUNDAY - 5:30 P.M. HAMILTON PARK

MAN SHOT DURING ROBBERY

A man was in good condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospitalafter he was shot in the leg during a robbery in the 5900 block ofSouth Princeton.

13 Maoist rebels, 6 government soldiers killed in fresh gunbattles in India, say police

At least 13 Maoist rebels and six paramilitary soldiers were killed in renewed fighting in eastern India on Monday, days after carefully coordinated rebel attacks killed 13 police and two civilians.

Monday's fierce clashes took place in a forested area in Bijapur district of Chattisgarh state, nearly 425 kilometers (265 miles) southwest of the state capital of Raipur, said Rajinder Kumar Vij, a state police official.

"We have already recovered seven bodies of the rebels," Vij said, adding that the insurgents were firing on government soldiers to prevent them from taking the remaining bodies.

Meanwhile, government troops scoured forests in eastern Orissa state for Maoist rebels and reported killing up to 20 of them since the militants launched a coordinated wave of attacks on government targets late last week, T.K. Mishra, home secretary of the Orissa state government, told reporters Sunday night.

Three security personnel also have been killed in gunbattles with the rebels, known as the Naxalites, since Saturday evening, Mishra said.

The skirmishes follow the rebel attacks Friday night on four police stations, a training academy and an armory in Orissa state's Nayagarh district, that killed 13 police officers, a village guard and a civilian.

"We have received reports of the elimination of 20 Maoists. The reports are being confirmed," Mishra said. He gave no other details. About 400 militants took part in Friday's attacks and stole roughly 1,000 weapons, Gopal Chander Nanda, the director-general of the state police, had said earlier.

On Monday, Nanda said security forces seized a truck loaded with the stolen weapons.

The search operations and fighting continued in forested areas in five districts of the state, he said.

"We are hopeful of completing the operation very soon, but we'll continue the operation till we get full success," Mishra said Sunday.

The area is about 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) southeast of India's capital, New Delhi.

The guerrillas, who say they are inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting for more than three decades in several Indian states, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor.

They are called Naxalites after Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal state where the movement was born in 1967.

Over the past few years about 2,000 people _ including police, militants and civilians _ have been killed in the violence.

In March last year, 55 policemen and government-backed militiamen were killed when hundreds of rebels attacked an isolated police station in eastern Chhattisgarh state in one of the bloodiest incidents of the decades-long insurgency.

Dollar Drifts Higher Against Euro

FRANKFURT, Germany - The dollar drifted higher against the euro on Tuesday on the release of a report that showed investor and business confidence slipping in Germany, the euro zone's biggest economy.

In morning European trading, the euro bought $1.3405, down from $1.3411 in New York late Monday.

Traders were looking for a rise in the German investor sentiment in the monthly ZEW index that likely would have lifted the 13-nation currency after its release Tuesday.

Analysts predicted the report would show German sentiment rising to 25 points in June, compared with 24 points in May.

The Japanese yen recovered slightly off its 4 1/2-year against the dollar, falling to 123.59 yen from its level Monday of 123.61 yen.

The British pound edged lower to $1.9835 from $1.9837 on Monday.

Taiwan's foreign minister says China could steal away allies before key election

Taiwan's foreign minister said Thursday that rival China could undermine the island's diplomatic standing in the run-up to key elections this weekend amid signs that two allies are considering switching ties to Beijing.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. In recent years, China's rising political and economic clout has helped it persuade more countries to recognize Beijing instead of Taipei, reducing the number of Taiwan's allies to only 24 _ most of them small and impoverished nations in Latin America, Africa and the South Pacific.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Foreign Minister James Huang said China was likely to make further diplomatic inroads at Taiwan's expense around the time of legislative elections Saturday and President Chen Shui-bian's visit to Latin America early next week.

"Various signs have shown that China is very likely to sap the morale of Taiwan's people around the time when legislative elections take place or when a top Taiwanese official makes an overseas visit," he said. "We are facing grave challenges on the diplomatic front."

Huang's statement came amid reports that Malawi and the Marshall Islands, two of Taiwan's allies, are considering switching their recognition to China.

In his remarks on Thursday, Huang praised Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika and said Taiwan still has "positive expectations" that the African country will maintain ties.

On the Marshalls, he said, China is trying to undermine Taiwan's position there.

"China is still continuing its efforts to turn the Marshall Islands around," Huang said. "We are paying close attention to the matter."

Huang had to abort a planned visit to Malawi last week to shore up diplomatic support because the African ally refused to receive him. That visit was planned after two senior Malawian ministers visited Beijing in what Taiwan feared was a prelude to the establishment of formal ties between Malawi and China.

Taiwan's concern about a possible Marshall Islands defection stems from this week's election of Litokwa Tomeing as the country's president. Tomeing has come out in favor of switching ties from Taipei to Beijing.

среда, 7 марта 2012 г.

A's Turn to Cust This Time to Top Tribe

OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland keeps finding players to fill in for its injured starters, and they keep producing. Jack Cust became the latest addition to make an impact, driving in four runs to help the Athletics beat C.C. Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians 8-2 Friday night.

Oakland acquired Cust from the San Diego Padres on May 3 and promoted him from Triple-A Sacramento when Mike Piazza went on the disabled list last Friday. He is hitting .316 (6-for-19) with four homers and nine RBIs in five games with the A's.

Cust hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Sabathia in the seventh and a two-run single off Roberto Hernandez in the eighth. Cust, who went 2-for-4 against the …

Death toll at 13 as wildfires rage in Southern California.

Byline: Gary Richards, Dawn Chmielewski and Kate Folmar

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. _ Separate wildfires formed ferocious walls of flame all the way from San Diego to Los Angeles on Sunday. Fed by 70-mph Santa Ana winds in 100-degree weather, the flames threaten to turn the weekend's inferno into the state's most devastating fire since the Oakland Hills blaze more than a decade ago.

Nearly 10 separate fires spreading across hundreds of miles throughout Southern California have left 13 people dead, burned 650 homes and defeated 7,000 overmatched firefighters. By Sunday night, the fires had blackened 264,000 acres, hundreds of miles apart.

Rescue officials feared the death and damage tolls would grow, as crews reported zero containment on more than half of the fires raging through the region.

Flights into Southern California airports were canceled for much of Sunday. Monday night's National Football League game in San Diego was moved to Tempe, Ariz., as police turned Qualcomm Stadium into an evacuation center.

More than 50,000 residents have been ordered or urged to leave their homes, and thousands more have been told to pack and be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.

Scenes of the devastation were reminiscent of grainy film of cities that were fire-bombed during World War II: Neighborhoods consumed in flames. People grabbing their most important items and racing to safety. Weary firefighters moving from one crisis to another.

The state's largest fire, the so-called Cedar Fire in eastern San Diego County, caused at least nine deaths, including two who died inside their car as they apparently tried to escape the flames.

One victim was found dead in a trailer, one in a motor home and four in vehicles, county sheriff's spokeswoman Susan Knauss said. Three were killed while trying to escape on foot and two were dead on arrival at local hospitals.

"We were literally running through fire," said Lisza Pontes, 43, who escaped the fire with her family after roaring flames woke them at 3:45 a.m. As they drove off, they saw a neighbor's mobile home explode.

"I was grabbing wet towels. Fire was at our feet," Pontes said. "It was blazing over our heads and burning everywhere."

The 100,000-acre fire started Saturday near the mountain town of Julian when a lost hunter set off a signal fire. Authorities said the hunter was arrested and may face charges.

San Diego has not had a measurable rainfall in 174 days. The fires are raging up bone-dry canyons choked with brush, and exploding up into the dry leaves in eucalyptus groves. Burning balls of tumbleweed driven by high winds swept the fire across 10 lanes of I-15 in central San Diego County.

Around the congested suburbs of San Bernardino, a city of 185,000 about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, one flank of a 50,000-acre fire burned through four towns while the other flank destroyed more than 300 homes. The area is vulnerable because drought and an infestation of bark beetles have left behind millions of dead trees.

Dolores Ann Jimenez awakened at 2 a.m. Thursday to the sight of flames glowing like a pair of eyeballs through the bedroom window and the sound of a helicopter hovering overhead, ordering her to evacuate the Lytle Creek home she shared with Glen Huffman.

Jimenez had barely enough time to grab a handful of medications, her wheelchair, her oxygen tanks and her Jack Russell terrier _ with an electrical chord tied around his neck as a makeshift leash.

"We did not grab any clothes. We've got no valuables," said Jimenez, 57, who spent the first two nights sleeping in the bed of Huffman's pickup truck before they found refuge at a Red Cross shelter in nearby Fontana.

In the three days since Jimenez and Huffman left their pencil-dot of a town of about 250 residents in the foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains, they've heard rumors the fire has has taken the home they have shared for seven years. They have no idea what they'll do next.

"I'm way too old to start over" said Huffman, 67.

For the first time in a decade, California's considerable firefighting resources were tapped out, officials said late Sunday as they sought more than 6,000 firefighters, as well as equipment and specialists, from out of state. Firefighters were spread thinly around threatened communities, focusing on saving what homes they could. Winds prevented air tanker drops of retardant and use of backfires that are key tactics of fire containment.

In Irvine, 70 miles southwest of the fire in San Bernadino County, the sky was as overcast as a day of heavy fog in San Francisco. At 3 p.m., everyone on the freeway drove with their headlights on. The usually jammed roadways were almost free of cars.

Cars were covered with what looks like snow flakes, but was in fact soot and ash that made it difficult to breathe. One boy, 11-year-old Nathan Alder, rode a bicycle, wearing a surgicial mask.

Gov. Gray Davis, who visited the San Bernardino fire on Friday, returned Sunday to announce he was extending the state of emergency to Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

"This is a terrible situation," Davis said. "These are the worst fires that we've faced in California in 10 years." The Oakland Hills fire on Oct. 20, 1991 killed 25 people and destroyed 3,000 homes, incinerating the East Bay hills on a horrific afternoon.

Some of the evacuations ordered included Indian reservation casinos, California State University, San Bernardino, where fire burned two temporary classrooms and a temporary fitness center, and Patton State Hospital, home to 1,300 mental patients.

About 1,100 prison inmates also were evacuated, and at least 200 juvenile wards were evacuated Sunday from two probation camps in La Verne.

Weather forecasts are mixed. Some predict winds to ease today before picking up again on Wednesday in San Bernadino. In San Diego, hot, humid and windy conditions are expected to continue until Wednesday. That's when forecasters hope cool, moist ocean air will come to the aid of firefighters and homeowners.

But that will be too late for Jim Mumford, who learned he had lost his $1 million home outside San Diego. A neighbor who jumped into a swimming pool to save himself saw it go up in flames.

Mumford tried to fend off the flames himself before fleeing, but quickly realized that he was outmatched.

"A garden hose and a shovel," he said, "wasn't going to work."

The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. Contact Gary Richards at grichards(at)mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.

10/26/03 21:03 Pacific Time

___

(c) 2003, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.).

Visit MercuryNews.com, the World Wide Web site of the Mercury News, at http://www.mercurynews.com.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

Death toll at 13 as wildfires rage in Southern California.

Byline: Gary Richards, Dawn Chmielewski and Kate Folmar

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. _ Separate wildfires formed ferocious walls of flame all the way from San Diego to Los Angeles on Sunday. Fed by 70-mph Santa Ana winds in 100-degree weather, the flames threaten to turn the weekend's inferno into the state's most devastating fire since the Oakland Hills blaze more than a decade ago.

Nearly 10 separate fires spreading across hundreds of miles throughout Southern California have left 13 people dead, burned 650 homes and defeated 7,000 overmatched firefighters. By Sunday night, the fires had blackened 264,000 acres, hundreds of miles apart.

Rescue officials feared the death and damage tolls would grow, as crews reported zero containment on more than half of the fires raging through the region.

Flights into Southern California airports were canceled for much of Sunday. Monday night's National Football League game in San Diego was moved to Tempe, Ariz., as police turned Qualcomm Stadium into an evacuation center.

More than 50,000 residents have been ordered or urged to leave their homes, and thousands more have been told to pack and be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.

Scenes of the devastation were reminiscent of grainy film of cities that were fire-bombed during World War II: Neighborhoods consumed in flames. People grabbing their most important items and racing to safety. Weary firefighters moving from one crisis to another.

The state's largest fire, the so-called Cedar Fire in eastern San Diego County, caused at least nine deaths, including two who died inside their car as they apparently tried to escape the flames.

One victim was found dead in a trailer, one in a motor home and four in vehicles, county sheriff's spokeswoman Susan Knauss said. Three were killed while trying to escape on foot and two were dead on arrival at local hospitals.

"We were literally running through fire," said Lisza Pontes, 43, who escaped the fire with her family after roaring flames woke them at 3:45 a.m. As they drove off, they saw a neighbor's mobile home explode.

"I was grabbing wet towels. Fire was at our feet," Pontes said. "It was blazing over our heads and burning everywhere."

The 100,000-acre fire started Saturday near the mountain town of Julian when a lost hunter set off a signal fire. Authorities said the hunter was arrested and may face charges.

San Diego has not had a measurable rainfall in 174 days. The fires are raging up bone-dry canyons choked with brush, and exploding up into the dry leaves in eucalyptus groves. Burning balls of tumbleweed driven by high winds swept the fire across 10 lanes of I-15 in central San Diego County.

Around the congested suburbs of San Bernardino, a city of 185,000 about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, one flank of a 50,000-acre fire burned through four towns while the other flank destroyed more than 300 homes. The area is vulnerable because drought and an infestation of bark beetles have left behind millions of dead trees.

Dolores Ann Jimenez awakened at 2 a.m. Thursday to the sight of flames glowing like a pair of eyeballs through the bedroom window and the sound of a helicopter hovering overhead, ordering her to evacuate the Lytle Creek home she shared with Glen Huffman.

Jimenez had barely enough time to grab a handful of medications, her wheelchair, her oxygen tanks and her Jack Russell terrier _ with an electrical chord tied around his neck as a makeshift leash.

"We did not grab any clothes. We've got no valuables," said Jimenez, 57, who spent the first two nights sleeping in the bed of Huffman's pickup truck before they found refuge at a Red Cross shelter in nearby Fontana.

In the three days since Jimenez and Huffman left their pencil-dot of a town of about 250 residents in the foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains, they've heard rumors the fire has has taken the home they have shared for seven years. They have no idea what they'll do next.

"I'm way too old to start over" said Huffman, 67.

For the first time in a decade, California's considerable firefighting resources were tapped out, officials said late Sunday as they sought more than 6,000 firefighters, as well as equipment and specialists, from out of state. Firefighters were spread thinly around threatened communities, focusing on saving what homes they could. Winds prevented air tanker drops of retardant and use of backfires that are key tactics of fire containment.

In Irvine, 70 miles southwest of the fire in San Bernadino County, the sky was as overcast as a day of heavy fog in San Francisco. At 3 p.m., everyone on the freeway drove with their headlights on. The usually jammed roadways were almost free of cars.

Cars were covered with what looks like snow flakes, but was in fact soot and ash that made it difficult to breathe. One boy, 11-year-old Nathan Alder, rode a bicycle, wearing a surgicial mask.

Gov. Gray Davis, who visited the San Bernardino fire on Friday, returned Sunday to announce he was extending the state of emergency to Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

"This is a terrible situation," Davis said. "These are the worst fires that we've faced in California in 10 years." The Oakland Hills fire on Oct. 20, 1991 killed 25 people and destroyed 3,000 homes, incinerating the East Bay hills on a horrific afternoon.

Some of the evacuations ordered included Indian reservation casinos, California State University, San Bernardino, where fire burned two temporary classrooms and a temporary fitness center, and Patton State Hospital, home to 1,300 mental patients.

About 1,100 prison inmates also were evacuated, and at least 200 juvenile wards were evacuated Sunday from two probation camps in La Verne.

Weather forecasts are mixed. Some predict winds to ease today before picking up again on Wednesday in San Bernadino. In San Diego, hot, humid and windy conditions are expected to continue until Wednesday. That's when forecasters hope cool, moist ocean air will come to the aid of firefighters and homeowners.

But that will be too late for Jim Mumford, who learned he had lost his $1 million home outside San Diego. A neighbor who jumped into a swimming pool to save himself saw it go up in flames.

Mumford tried to fend off the flames himself before fleeing, but quickly realized that he was outmatched.

"A garden hose and a shovel," he said, "wasn't going to work."

The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. Contact Gary Richards at grichards(at)mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.

10/26/03 21:03 Pacific Time

___

(c) 2003, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.).

Visit MercuryNews.com, the World Wide Web site of the Mercury News, at http://www.mercurynews.com.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

Death toll at 13 as wildfires rage in Southern California.

Byline: Gary Richards, Dawn Chmielewski and Kate Folmar

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. _ Separate wildfires formed ferocious walls of flame all the way from San Diego to Los Angeles on Sunday. Fed by 70-mph Santa Ana winds in 100-degree weather, the flames threaten to turn the weekend's inferno into the state's most devastating fire since the Oakland Hills blaze more than a decade ago.

Nearly 10 separate fires spreading across hundreds of miles throughout Southern California have left 13 people dead, burned 650 homes and defeated 7,000 overmatched firefighters. By Sunday night, the fires had blackened 264,000 acres, hundreds of miles apart.

Rescue officials feared the death and damage tolls would grow, as crews reported zero containment on more than half of the fires raging through the region.

Flights into Southern California airports were canceled for much of Sunday. Monday night's National Football League game in San Diego was moved to Tempe, Ariz., as police turned Qualcomm Stadium into an evacuation center.

More than 50,000 residents have been ordered or urged to leave their homes, and thousands more have been told to pack and be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.

Scenes of the devastation were reminiscent of grainy film of cities that were fire-bombed during World War II: Neighborhoods consumed in flames. People grabbing their most important items and racing to safety. Weary firefighters moving from one crisis to another.

The state's largest fire, the so-called Cedar Fire in eastern San Diego County, caused at least nine deaths, including two who died inside their car as they apparently tried to escape the flames.

One victim was found dead in a trailer, one in a motor home and four in vehicles, county sheriff's spokeswoman Susan Knauss said. Three were killed while trying to escape on foot and two were dead on arrival at local hospitals.

"We were literally running through fire," said Lisza Pontes, 43, who escaped the fire with her family after roaring flames woke them at 3:45 a.m. As they drove off, they saw a neighbor's mobile home explode.

"I was grabbing wet towels. Fire was at our feet," Pontes said. "It was blazing over our heads and burning everywhere."

The 100,000-acre fire started Saturday near the mountain town of Julian when a lost hunter set off a signal fire. Authorities said the hunter was arrested and may face charges.

San Diego has not had a measurable rainfall in 174 days. The fires are raging up bone-dry canyons choked with brush, and exploding up into the dry leaves in eucalyptus groves. Burning balls of tumbleweed driven by high winds swept the fire across 10 lanes of I-15 in central San Diego County.

Around the congested suburbs of San Bernardino, a city of 185,000 about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, one flank of a 50,000-acre fire burned through four towns while the other flank destroyed more than 300 homes. The area is vulnerable because drought and an infestation of bark beetles have left behind millions of dead trees.

Dolores Ann Jimenez awakened at 2 a.m. Thursday to the sight of flames glowing like a pair of eyeballs through the bedroom window and the sound of a helicopter hovering overhead, ordering her to evacuate the Lytle Creek home she shared with Glen Huffman.

Jimenez had barely enough time to grab a handful of medications, her wheelchair, her oxygen tanks and her Jack Russell terrier _ with an electrical chord tied around his neck as a makeshift leash.

"We did not grab any clothes. We've got no valuables," said Jimenez, 57, who spent the first two nights sleeping in the bed of Huffman's pickup truck before they found refuge at a Red Cross shelter in nearby Fontana.

In the three days since Jimenez and Huffman left their pencil-dot of a town of about 250 residents in the foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains, they've heard rumors the fire has has taken the home they have shared for seven years. They have no idea what they'll do next.

"I'm way too old to start over" said Huffman, 67.

For the first time in a decade, California's considerable firefighting resources were tapped out, officials said late Sunday as they sought more than 6,000 firefighters, as well as equipment and specialists, from out of state. Firefighters were spread thinly around threatened communities, focusing on saving what homes they could. Winds prevented air tanker drops of retardant and use of backfires that are key tactics of fire containment.

In Irvine, 70 miles southwest of the fire in San Bernadino County, the sky was as overcast as a day of heavy fog in San Francisco. At 3 p.m., everyone on the freeway drove with their headlights on. The usually jammed roadways were almost free of cars.

Cars were covered with what looks like snow flakes, but was in fact soot and ash that made it difficult to breathe. One boy, 11-year-old Nathan Alder, rode a bicycle, wearing a surgicial mask.

Gov. Gray Davis, who visited the San Bernardino fire on Friday, returned Sunday to announce he was extending the state of emergency to Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

"This is a terrible situation," Davis said. "These are the worst fires that we've faced in California in 10 years." The Oakland Hills fire on Oct. 20, 1991 killed 25 people and destroyed 3,000 homes, incinerating the East Bay hills on a horrific afternoon.

Some of the evacuations ordered included Indian reservation casinos, California State University, San Bernardino, where fire burned two temporary classrooms and a temporary fitness center, and Patton State Hospital, home to 1,300 mental patients.

About 1,100 prison inmates also were evacuated, and at least 200 juvenile wards were evacuated Sunday from two probation camps in La Verne.

Weather forecasts are mixed. Some predict winds to ease today before picking up again on Wednesday in San Bernadino. In San Diego, hot, humid and windy conditions are expected to continue until Wednesday. That's when forecasters hope cool, moist ocean air will come to the aid of firefighters and homeowners.

But that will be too late for Jim Mumford, who learned he had lost his $1 million home outside San Diego. A neighbor who jumped into a swimming pool to save himself saw it go up in flames.

Mumford tried to fend off the flames himself before fleeing, but quickly realized that he was outmatched.

"A garden hose and a shovel," he said, "wasn't going to work."

The Associated Press and Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. Contact Gary Richards at grichards(at)mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5335.

10/26/03 21:03 Pacific Time

___

(c) 2003, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.).

Visit MercuryNews.com, the World Wide Web site of the Mercury News, at http://www.mercurynews.com.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.