Patched iTunes Version 5.0.1 Available For Download

I've noticed many folks hitting this old, old blog entry through Google.

The link to iTunes 5.0.1 goes to the Apple iTunes permalink.

If you click to download you'll be taken to the latest version of iTunes.

Please accept my apologies.


Updated iTunes 5.0.1 now available.

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Fix iPod Screen Scratches

Tags: iPod, iTunes, Apple

Researchers Discover Key Protein Linked to Transverse Myelitis

Thu Sep 22 16:57:54 2005 Pacific Time

Johns Hopkins Researchers Discover Key Protein Linked to Transverse Myelitis and Multiple Sclerosis (Click link for full story)

BALTIMORE, Sept. 22 (AScribe Newswire) -- Hopkins researchers have discovered a single molecule that is a cause of an autoimmune disease in the central nervous system, called transverse myelitis (TM), that is related to multiple sclerosis.

In a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, psychiatrist Adam Kaplin, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and neurologist Douglas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., also an assistant professor at Hopkins, showed that the levels of the protein, IL-6, are dramatically elevated in the spinal fluid of transverse myelitis (TM) patients.

Although the majority of TM patients suffer a single attack, 15 percent to 30 percent of patients go on to develop full-blown MS. TM evolves rapidly and without warning and usually results in permanent impairment, including weakness of the legs and arms, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain and paralysis.

IL-6 is a chemical messenger that cells of the immune system use to communicate with one another. One of the cell types injured by high levels of IL-6 includes oligodendrocytes, which help produce the protective myelin sheath coating around nerve cells. The findings offer one possible mechanism responsible for demyelinating disorders, such as TM and MS, and may aid in the development of effective therapies against these disorders, the researchers say.

"This is the first time a single culprit has been identified as causing a CNS autoimmune disease," said Kaplin.

Tag: transverse myelitis

Half of Katrina Refugees Have Police Records

Storm victims greeted by residents and police

In South Carolina, state police checked every evacuee flown there by the government. Of 547 people checked, 301 had criminal records, according to Robert Stewart, state Law Enforcement Division Chief.

Tag: Hurricane Katrina

Government Meterologist's 2:00 PM CDT Predictions for Hurricane Rita

Reconnaissance data just received indicates that EXTREMELY DANGEROUS Hurricane Rita is currently going through a “concentric eye-wall replacement cycle.” This is a natural process, characteristic of all super-intense hurricanes. It cyclically occurs in the life cycle of these powerful Storms but the timing is not predictable. Therefore, this accounts for the so called “weakening” of Rita.

Latest central pressure was 913 MB, with maximum flight level winds of 135 knots. Rita is now a Cat 5 Hurricane based on central pressure, and a Cat.4 Hurricane based on wind velocity.
Water-vapor satellite imagery indicates that Rita appears to be overcoming the wind sheer of this morning. The Hurricane’s structure again looks very impressive.

…A near worse case scenario appears to be developing for the Gulf Coast…

All “good” computer models have come into very tight agreement the next 48-hours, showing Rita passing 200 miles Southwest of New Orleans late Thursday and then onshore on the Upper Texas or Southwest Louisiana Coast sunrise Saturday.

NHC tracks are basically “shadowing” the powerful GFDL Hurricane Model. That’s a great idea, as this model has a virtual “lock” on Rita’s track.

Rita will pass close enough to produce gale force winds from the Southeast, then South across the New Orleans area tomorrow and Saturday. Heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches is also likely in the New Orleans area.

The Houston/Galveston -- Lake Charles/Cameron, Louisiana, areas should bear the brunt of Rita. All these areas are considered “high risk“ to a Major Hurricane like Rita.

Since we are now reasonably confident about Rita’s track…the only remaining question is… how strong will Rita be at landfall?

Thanks to our record September Heat Wave…the shallow water temperatures just off the Texas/Southwest Louisiana Coast are 87/88 degrees. That’s hot. So, the only possible reason that Rita might weaken is wind sheer. Unfortunately, that IS NOT predictable with any skill.

Look for a Strong Category 3/Category 4 Hurricane at landfall.

Tags: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita

UPDATED: Hurricane Rita -- Is It the Coming Oil Storm?

Last June, the FX Network aired, OIL STORM. It's a program about what happens when a powerful hurricane strikes the US coast along the Gulf of Mexico and cripples oil flow.

Program Synopsis

Oil Storm examines what happens when a category 6 hurricane in the gulf of mexico slams into Louisiana, crushing the city of New Orleans and crippling the vital pipeline for refined oil that is Port Fourchon. It examines the ripple effect of that event and the ensuing cascade of disasters associated with it, through the eyes of public officials, a family in Texas who owns a gas station, an EMS worker in Boston who has to deal with a brutal winter, and a ranching family in South Dakota who have their subsidy's completely taken away and question whether we need oil or food to survive.

As the country reels from the loss of life and energy reserves associated with hurricane's fury, the price of crude oil skyrockets and the United States government sets forth to take immediate action. It puts in motion efforts to rebuild the infrastructure of Port Fourchon (8 months minimum) and the sagging and disabled deep sea rigs in the gulf of Mexico (of equal length). It re-routes activity normally associated with the Port Fourchon shipping lanes to the port of Houston and compels Houston to work 24/7 in order to get the crude to our refineries and out to the public.

The Real Oil Storm

In the professional energy community, the important question is, "Where is the worst place for Rita to hit?" Check out the response at The Oil Drum.

The worst tracks are those which put landfall between Freeport and Sabine Pass Texas. There are 3 tracks that cross just offshore of the TX/LA border. Those 3 tracks all let the storm hit more rigs and platforms than the tracks that have landfall farther south. The big concentrations of platforms are in the West Cameron, High Island, Galveston, and Matagorda Island offshore areas. Mustang Island and North/South Padre Island offshore areas are less crowded with production. If you want to know what these areas look like and where they are geographically, try the MMS website. They instituted the block layout, naming and leasing stuff. Landfall just east of Houston's center will be right up refinery alley. Another bad spot is right up through Port Arthur and Beaumont - another big refining center. Not trying to slam anyone, but the best place in terms of damage [to the oil industry] would be between Corpus Christi and Brownsville - lots of low areas and farmland/ranches would flood, but minimal infrastructure damage. Next best is between Houston and Corpus Christi - again, fairly vacant of major infrastructure. Most of our big plants are in the stretch of coastline between Freeport and Sabine Pass. We're all just watching and hoping it stays poorly organized and just hits as a Cat 2 or 3...

Tags: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita

Here's A View of the Weather From the Mobile, Alabama BayCam

Perhaps the Carnival cruise ship "Holiday" will still be docked in view when you see this.

The "Holiday" is serving as a shelter for Hurricane Katrina evacuees while docked in its home port of Mobile, despite earlier reports of leaving for more effected areas.

For details, also see Carnival cruise ship shelter for Mississippi evacuees.

Refresh your browser for the latest image.

Tags: Mobile Alabama, Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita

COB Wednesday Hurricane Rita Information

Just received: the latest RECON on Hurricane Rita.

Incredibly…the Hurricane CONTINUES to rapidly strengthen. Latest pressure is down to 914 MB…26.99 INCHES. Maximum flight level winds are 180 MPH. Maximum surface winds are 160 MPH. We may be looking at History tonight. Rita could become the most powerful Hurricane ever measured…surpassing Katrina, Camille, and maybe even Gilbert’s record 899 MB record pressure.

Tags: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita, Mobile Alabama, Hurricane

Hurricane Rita, Destined to Become One of the Great Hurricanes of History

NOAA reconnaissance reports indicate that Hurricane Rita is strengthening rapidly, and will soon become a Category 5 Hurricane. If true, it would be the first time in recorded history that two Cat 5 Hurricanes have developed in the Gulf of Mexico in the same year.

The pressure in the eye of Rita has now fallen 11MB in less than 2-hours. Latest measurement…923 mb…27.28 inches. Maximum flight level winds are 142 Kts(160 MPH).

The Hurricane has a clear eye, with a classic “stadium effect” appearance. This only occurs in the most intense Hurricanes.

Most disconcerting is that Rita has also slowed. The Hurricane was now moving West at 9 MPH. This is most likely a temporary feature…the consequence of extremely rapid intensification. This occurred with Camille in 1969.

A Hurricane Watch will likely be issued for the entire Texas Coast, and possibly the extreme Southwest Louisiana Coast at 4PM CDT today.

Rita is obviously becoming one of the Great Hurricanes of history. The Storm has the potential to inflict immense…near total destruction to wherever it hits. This could be a “Natural Disaster” for the entire country.

Tags: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita, Mobile Alabama, Hurricane

Forget Katrina, Forget Camile, Hurricane Rita Continues to Intensify Dangerously

This could be the biggest one yet.

From NOAA: MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 140 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RITA IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS AND COULD REACH CATEGORY FIVE INTENSITY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO.

Strong high pressure is holding to the North of Rita. This will continue for the next 48-hours. Then, as the high shifts East on Friday... Rita will turn Northwest toward Texas.

Multiple weather warnings are in effect for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Tags: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rita, Mobile Alabama, Hurricane

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Barbarians are Crashing the Gate
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