Ted Ligety, of the United States, speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Ted Ligety, of the United States, speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Bode Miller, of the United States, speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
Austria's Marcel Hirscher speeds down the course during the first run of an alpine ski, men's World Cup giant slalom, in Soelden, Austria, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Ted Ligety maintained his dominance in giant slalom by taking the season-opening World Cup race by a 0.79-second winning margin Sunday, while Bode Miller finished 19th upon his return to the circuit following a 20-month injury layoff.
Ligety, who won six of eight races last season and defended his world title in GS, held on to his massive 0.90-second first-run lead to finish in an aggregate 1 minute, 59.50 seconds.
Alexis Pinturault of France came second, and overall champion Marcel Hirscher of Austria was 1.02 behind in third.
While winning his 18th career title — all in GS — Ligety became the first to win the season opener in three straight years, and he matched Austrian standout Hermann Maier's three victories on the Rettenbach glacier in 1998, 2000 and '05.
Vinicius Queiroz, who was slated to fight Cheick Kongo in the Bellator heavyweight tournament finals, has been forced to withdraw from the fight due to an ACL injury.
"I was really excited to fight Kongo, but I injured my knee and won't be able to fight now," Queiroz told MMAFighting.com's Guilherme Cruz.
"I'm devastated."
Queiroz said there was no timetable set for his return. The news was first reported by Fox Sports Brasil.
The Kongo-Queiroz tilt was scheduled to take place on Bellator's Nov. 2 card, which lost its main event on Friday due to injury, however, Kongo tweeted on Saturday that the fight was moved to the main event of the promotion's Nov. 8 show. MMAFighting.com contacted Bellator to find out what happens to Kongo now, but promotion officials could not be reached.
Queiroz (7-3) knocked out Lavar Johnson in 23 seconds earlier this month, while Kongo (19-8) won his Bellator debut on the same Oct. 4 card when he defeated Mark Godbeer via second-round TKO.
Paramount and MTV Films' Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa -- featuring Johnny Knoxville and child sidekick Jackson Nicoll -- easily topped the Friday box office with an estimated $12.6 million, putting the outrageous R-rated comedy on course to win the weekend with as much as $29 million.
After staying at No. 1 for three weeks, Warner Bros.' Gravity slipped to No. 2, grossing $6.1 million on Friday for a projected $20 million weekend. The 3D space epic will cross the $200 million mark in North America sometime on Sunday.
Bad Grandpa, the first Jackass film to have any sort of plot, stars Knoxville as signature character Irving Zisman, a crotchety 86-year-old, and Nicoll as 8-year-old grandson Billy. The outrageous duo embark on a hidden-camera road trip across America, performing stunts and punking people. Along the way they encounter, among others, male strippers, disgruntled child beauty pageant contestants and bikers.
The R-rated comedy, costing just $15 million to produce, is opening well behind the last two Jackass films (there are three in total). Paramount insiders suggest this is because Bad Grandpa is a spin-off. It opens three years after Jackass 3D debuted to a sizzling $50.4 million. Jackass: Number Two opened to $29 million in late September 2006. The first Jackass, opening in late October 2002, debuted to $22.8 million.
JeffTremaine returns to direct, and he produces alongside Knoxville, Spike Jonze and Derek Freda. Knoxville is the only Jackass regular to appear in the film, which received a B CinemaScore.
Ridley Scott's star-packed drama The Counselor, from an original screenplay by No Country for Old Men author Cormac McCarthy (his first), appears D.O.A., opening to $3.2 million on Friday for a No. 4 finish and projected $9 million weekend.
Moviegoers gave The Counselor a rare D CinemaScore despite Scott's pedigree and stars Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.
It may fare better overseas, where it begins rolling out this weekend in a handful of markets, including Brazil.
The Counselor, starring Fassbender as a greedy lawyer who gets caught up with drug traffickers, has received mostly negative reviews. Insiders say the film was a vanity project for Scott, but that it reportedly cost only $25 million to make, with talent taking a drastically reduced fee in order to work with Scott.
Scott, who has longtime ties to Fox, last directed Prometheus for the studio.
The Fox empire is succeeding at the box office with Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. The Fox Searchlight film, expanding into a total of 123 theaters in is second weekend, zoomed up to No. 8, grossing $620,000 on Friday for an expected $2.1 million weekend.
The other big headline at the specialty box office is AbdellatifKechiche's French film Blue Is the Warmest Color, which is opening to solid business in New York and Los Angeles for IFC Films.
The steamy lesbian drama could gross $100,000 or more from four theaters, a strong showing for a foreign-language film. Blue Is the Warmest Color is rated NC-17, meaning that no one under 17 is allowed in. However, the IFC Center in New York has announced it will allow in teenagers it deems appropriate, regardless of age (the ratings system is voluntary).
In recent days, the war of words between Kechiche and star Lea Seydoux has escalated, with the filmmaker calling her an "arrogant, spoiled child" who said "slanderous" things about him in an effort to gain attention following the film's Palmed’Or win at the Cannes Film Festival in May. "Thus after having been celebrated and glorified thanks to the Palmed’Or won by Blue Is the Warmest Color, she started to drag me through the mud with lies and exaggerations," he said in an interview earlier this week.
LONDON (Reuters) - A newspaper industry group will go to court on Friday to seek a judicial review of plans by the British government for tougher press regulation following a string of high-profile scandals.
Last November, senior judge Brian Leveson concluded a year-long public inquiry into press ethics with a 1,987-page report denouncing some newspaper tactics and calling for an industry watchdog, enshrined in law, to regulate journalists' behavior.
Earlier this month the three main political parties reached a deal after months of fraught debate, announcing a new set of rules to regulate the often rough-and-tumble press.
The government said the parties had agreed a system to be enshrined under a Royal Charter setting out a code of practice to editors, with an arbitration system to deal with complaints.
Some proposals were amended in response to press lobbying, including one that would require those wishing to complain about the media to pay a small fee, and another that would allow editors to play a greater role on the regulatory committee.
But the newspaper industry remained concerned that the current package could curtail press freedom, and so decided to ask for judges to check the legal basis of the decision to reject their own counter-proposal.
The Press Standards Board of Finance, which funds the current system, blamed the government for their decision to launch a legal challenge, saying it should have done more to protect press freedom in its new proposals.
"They singularly failed to do so, and that is why - as the issues at stake are so extraordinarily high - we are having to take this course of action," Chairman Guy Black said in a statement on Thursday.
The group will apply for a judicial review at London's High Court on Friday. This could delay implementation of the new rules despite opposition from high-profile celebrity victims and members of the public who have fallen foul of press abuse.
Hacked Off, a group set up on behalf of those who feel mistreated by the press, faulted Thursday's decision, accusing parts of the newspaper industry of being "desperate and deaf".
In a statement, the government defended its proposals, arguing they struck the right balance press freedom and safeguards for victims.
(Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Sleep apnea is associated with subclinical myocardial injury
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
25-Oct-2013
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Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org American Thoracic Society
Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Now a new study indicates that OSA is associated with subclinical myocardial injury, as indicated by increased high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels. Elevated hs-TnT levels are predictive of both coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) in the general population. This is the first study to demonstrate an independent association between sleep apnea severity and this marker of early myocardial injury.
"Although OSA is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, a causal association has been hard to establish because of the association of OSA with other risk factors," said researcher Amil M. Shah, MD, MPH, of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "In our study, we were able to demonstrate that greater OSA severity is independently associated with higher hs-TnT levels, suggesting a role for subclinical myocardial injury in the relationship between OSA and heart failure."
The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The study included 1,645 middle-aged and older participants in both the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities and the Sleep Health Study who were free of CHD and HF at baseline. All subjects underwent overnight home polysomnography. Median follow-up was 12.4 years. OSA severity was categorized as none, mild, moderate, or severe using the respiratory disturbance index.
Hs-TnT levels, but not N terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels (a marker for increased ventricular wall stress), were significantly associated with OSA after adjustment for 17 potential confounders (p=0.02), including age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol intake, pulmonary function variables (FEV1 and FVC), COPD status, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In all OSA severity categories, hs-TnT was significantly related to the risk of death or incident heart failure, and this relationship was strongest in the severe OSA group.
Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional design, which precludes conclusions on causality, and a limited number of participants with severe OSA.
"Our results suggest a relationship between subclinical myocardial injury and the increased cardiovascular risk seen in patients with OSA," said Dr. Shah. "Monitoring of hs-TnT levels in these patients may have prognostic value, particularly in patients with severe OSA."
###
About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:
With an impact factor of 11.080, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society.It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
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Sleep apnea is associated with subclinical myocardial injury
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
25-Oct-2013
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| E-mail
]
Share
Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org American Thoracic Society
Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Now a new study indicates that OSA is associated with subclinical myocardial injury, as indicated by increased high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) levels. Elevated hs-TnT levels are predictive of both coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) in the general population. This is the first study to demonstrate an independent association between sleep apnea severity and this marker of early myocardial injury.
"Although OSA is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, a causal association has been hard to establish because of the association of OSA with other risk factors," said researcher Amil M. Shah, MD, MPH, of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "In our study, we were able to demonstrate that greater OSA severity is independently associated with higher hs-TnT levels, suggesting a role for subclinical myocardial injury in the relationship between OSA and heart failure."
The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The study included 1,645 middle-aged and older participants in both the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities and the Sleep Health Study who were free of CHD and HF at baseline. All subjects underwent overnight home polysomnography. Median follow-up was 12.4 years. OSA severity was categorized as none, mild, moderate, or severe using the respiratory disturbance index.
Hs-TnT levels, but not N terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels (a marker for increased ventricular wall stress), were significantly associated with OSA after adjustment for 17 potential confounders (p=0.02), including age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol intake, pulmonary function variables (FEV1 and FVC), COPD status, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In all OSA severity categories, hs-TnT was significantly related to the risk of death or incident heart failure, and this relationship was strongest in the severe OSA group.
Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional design, which precludes conclusions on causality, and a limited number of participants with severe OSA.
"Our results suggest a relationship between subclinical myocardial injury and the increased cardiovascular risk seen in patients with OSA," said Dr. Shah. "Monitoring of hs-TnT levels in these patients may have prognostic value, particularly in patients with severe OSA."
###
About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:
With an impact factor of 11.080, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society.It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
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| E-mail
Share
]
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
2013 iPad buyers guide: How to choose the perfect silver/white or space gray/black iPad Air or Retina iPad mini for you!
Apple's 2013 iPad line remains discreetly metallic when it comes to color schemes. It's not as bad as 2010, mind you, when you could have your choice of color, as long as it was black. Now you can get a silver back with white faceplate, or a space gray back with a black faceplate. And you can get either finish on either new iPad, the iPad Air or Retina iPad mini. (The space gray replaces last year's slate gray, likely because it's tougher and easier to anodize.) If you're not sure which of the two colors you want, here are some things to consider!
No gold, no colors
Unlike the iPhone 5s, Apple chose not to offer a gold-backed option for the iPad Air or iPad mini, at least not this year. Whether too much gold wasn't a good thing, or they're saving it for the future, it's hard to say. Likewise, no iPhone 5c-style plastic colors are on the palette either, no yellow, green, blue, or pink. Apple's sticking to metallic finishes, and only two of the them - silver and space gray.
Fading black vs. whiting out
The silver iPad Air and Retina iPad mini have white faceplates, which means you'll see a white border around the screen any and every time to use it. For some people, that's distracting. The space gray iPad Air and Retina iPad mini have black faceplates, which means a black border, just like almost all TV sets. That's for a reason - black disappears.
I've had both white and black iPads for years, and neither makes a big difference for me. I barely notice the faceplate color no matter what I'm doing. However, other people notice them. A lot. All the time. They simply don't like the contrast between the white border and the black screen even when the device is off. It's very "panda".
If a white faceplate catches your eye, and not in a good way, you'll want to stick with black.
Discoloration vs. damage assessments
One the biggest concerns with white/silver products is that they'll discolor over time. One of the biggest concerns with black/space gray products is that they'll show scratches and chips more easily.
Apple spent much of 2010 figuring out how to make the white iPhone resistant to UV and other typical sources of discoloration. I've had a white iPhone 4 since the day it launched and it still looks every bit as white. The iPads use the same process, so they'll like be just as resistant to discoloration. Still, if it's a major concern, stick to space gray/black.
Likewise, the 2012 iPhone 5 and iPad mini taught Apple that slate black anodization was more susceptible to damage than it ought to be. Hence, goodbye slate, hello space gray. The new finish should prove much tougher than the old. It'll take a year to know for sure, however, so if you're worried, stick to silver/white.
Popularity vs. personality
Black is almost always the most popular color for electronics and electronics accessories. That's why it's so common. It's literally the hot little black number. However, true black is incredibly hard to anodize, which is why the dark iPad mini was closer to charcoal and the dark iPad Air and Retina iPad mini is closer to graphite. Space gray may not look as cool as blackout black, but it'll likely still be the default for many people.
That said, some people just love white tech. At the end of the day, you need to buy what you like. White iPads stand out more and can be more obvious with brightly colored cases. Black iPads tend to disappear more, and let the accessories be the star.
Speaking of which, even if you're planning on locking your iPad Air or Retina iPad mini up in a case the moment it leaves the box., the color will often still show through. Many don't cover the face plate. Some, like smart covers, leave the back completely open.
Choose a color you love, then add a case you love to it to complete the look. (They're accessories because they accessorize!). If you already have a case you love, pick the iPad color that either makes it pop (black) or helps it shine (white). Either way, make sure you love the iPad you get regardless of the accessories you may or may not add - or keep - to it later.
Who should get the space gray and black iPad?
If you want a color that won't distract you when you game or watch video, that absolutely won't discolor, even if it does show wear and tear a little more visibly, that's closer to timeless even if it's also more reserved, then get the space gray and black iPad Air or Retina iPad mini.
It's the classic for a reason.
Who should get the silver and white iPad?
If you want a color that draws more attention in its own right and stands out better from the crowd (without being overly fussy about it), that may be more of a distraction but that doesn't show damage as much, then get the silver and white iPad Air or Retina iPad mini.
Apple's senior vice-president of design, Jony Ive, is most often seen with it, after all.
Still undecided?
At the end of the day, the only real answer is get the color you like better. Everything else is manufactured anxiety. Just close your eyes, picture your iPad in your hand, and carefully look at what color you're picturing. Then buy that. And if you change your mind later, you can get a case. If you're still not sure about silver and white, or space gray and black jump into our iPhone discussion forums and the best community in mobile will happily help you out. Once you've decided, though, let me know - which color did you go with and why?
The World Series of Fighting returned to action tonight with WSOF 6 at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida. Tonight’s main event will see the promotion crown their first ever champion as welterweights Josh Burkman and Steve Carl battle it out in the NBC Sports Network main event. Tonight’s main card action will kick off a 9PM ET, with the preliminary card beginning at 6PM ET.
Be sure to stay tuned to MMAFrenzy for full coverage of tonight’s WSOF 6 action.
WSOF 6 Results
Main Card (NBC Sports Network 9PM ET)
Inaugural Welterweight Title: Josh Burkman vs. Steve Carl
Marlon Moraes def. Carson Beebe via KO (punches) at 0:32 of Round 1
Jon Fitch def. Marcelo Alfaya via split decision (29-28,28-29,29-28)
Justin Gaethje def. Dan Lauzon via TKO (punches) at 1:40 of Round 2
Preliminary Card (WSOF.com 6PM ET)
Francisco France vs. Hans Stringer*
Pablo Alfonso def. Miguel Torres via submission at 3:05 (guillotine choke) of Round 1
Luiz Firmino def. Jacob Volkmann via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,30-27)
Chad Robichaux def. Andrew Yates via technical submission (north-south choke) at 4:09 of Round 2
Josh Rettinghouse def. Alexis Vila via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)
Nick Lobosco def. Fabio Mello via KO (head kick and punches) at 2:02 of Round 1
Alexandre Pimentel def. Jade Porter via submission (triangle) at 3:05 of Round 3
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