Free resources and tools for designers

1. 960 CSS Framework

The 960 Grid System is an effort to streamline web development workflow by providing commonly used dimensions, based on a width of 960 pixels. There are two variants: 12 and 16 columns, which can be used separately or in tandem. The 960.css file itself is only 3.6 KB compressed.

Demo can be found here

Tutorials Explaining how to use 960 CSS Framework

• A Detailed Look at the 960 CSS Framework

  

  “Jeffrey Way” takes a close look at the 960 CSS Framework, explaing the pros and cons of using it. He also takes us step by by step and create a simple “12 column” layout with a simple header and two column structure. Most important tip here is : you must assign a class to each div. Naming conventions require that that the class name begins with “grid_” and ends with the number of columns needed.

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Treating Mesothelioma with Surgery

Whether you are a candidate for surgery and what type of surgery you will have depends upon your general health, your heart and lung function, the stage of the illness, and the extent and the location of the cancer. If you are enrolled in a clinical trial, this might also influence what type of surgery you have.

There is controversy about which form of surgery is best. Some surgeons believe radical surgery has the best chance of removing all the cancer while others are concerned about the long-term health effects of such aggressive treatment.

It is essential that you and your loved ones understand your options. Ask your medical team about the benefits and consequences of all procedures. Keep a notebook in which you can write questions to ask every doctor you see and to keep notes about all the options discussed. Take your notebook to every visit.

The most common potentially curative operations for pleural mesothelioma (which attacks the lining of the lungs and chest) are:

Pleurectomy/Decortation

In this operation, the surgeon treats the disease by performing a pleurectomy – removing all of the visible tumor in order to free the lung. It is usually attempted in patients whose disease is at Stage I or Stage II.

Pleurodesis

Often, after the pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest) has been drained during thoracentesis, the fluid comes back. In this case, talc or other materials are placed in the chest to close the pleural space and prevent the buildup. This can be done in combination with chest tube drainage or with thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

There are concerns that pleurodesis may get in the way of certain treatments later on and make surgery more difficult, so it is always important to discuss and weigh all benefits and consequences of every procedure with your medical team.

Pleurectomy

This procedure involves stripping off the visceral pleura (the lining on the surface of the lung) and the parietal pleura (tissue that covers the lung and lines the inside of the chest cavity). This is usually performed when more extensive surgery to remove all of the cancer is not an option. It aims to relieve chest pain and prevent recurrent pleural effusion (abnormal fluid buildup between the lining of the lung and the wall of the chest).

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)

An EPP involves removal of a lung and part of the parietal pleura (the membrane lining the chest) on the affected side. Often, the surgeon also removes part of the pericardium (the membrane surrounding the heart) and part of the diaphragm (the muscle between the abdomen and the lungs). It is particularly important to find a very experienced specialist for this extremely complicated operation.

Pneumonectomy

Removal of a lung.

The most common operation for peritoneal mesothelioma (which attacks the tissue surrounding the abdominal area) is:

Cytoreductive Surgery

This operation aims to remove all or nearly all of the visible tumor in the peritoneal cavity (the abdominal space containing the intestines, stomach, and liver). It is followed by a special heated chemotherapy treatment called intra-peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC).

An Overview of the Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an orphan disease. That means it is extremely rare. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. If you have been diagnosed with any form of mesothelioma cancer, it is important to find specialists who are experienced at treating this rare disease. The leading cancer treatment hospitals are usually the best place to find doctors and other experts. These experts can determine how far along your disease is (its stage). They then use that information to outline your treatment options.

Supportive or palliative care

Some mesothelioma treatments are aimed at easing the pain and trying to extend a patient’s life with the hope of someday curing the disease. Others, known as palliative treatments, are solely aimed at easing symptoms, and do not try to stop the cancer. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be used both ways (either as treatment or as palliation of symptoms).

You may choose supportive or palliative care if the disease has progressed very far and your health is too fragile for surgery or chemotherapy, or if you decide that you simply don’t want aggressive treatment. Mesothelioma patients given supportive care generally live four to nine months after they are diagnosed.

Sometimes supportive care seems like the only option, but if you want to try to beat the cancer and have been told that your options are limited, it is important to get a second opinion from another team of doctors experienced in treating mesothelioma. Although mesothelioma cancer is a very rare disease, new treatments are being developed. Be sure you know all your options.

Traditional cancer treatments

The methods used to treat disease, such as radiation and chemotherapy, are called modalities. Therapy that involves more than one form of treatment is called multimodality treatment. Multimodality treatment is believed to have the best chance of extending a patient’s life. It is also the most aggressive and complicated.

For several years now, traditional cancer treatment, which combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, has more than doubled the mesothelioma survival rate to an average of 18 months. But let’s face it – 18 months to live, even with aggressive treatment, is a very scary figure.

Thanks to strong lobbying by mesothelioma lawyers and others fighting for mesothelioma victims’ rights, more money has gone into research lately. New chemotherapy drugs and other treatments are giving patients hope. Many mesothelioma patients are now living for four or five years. There is hope that longer survival rates are on the horizon.

Diagnosis methods

Some of the methods used to diagnose mesothelioma, such as paracentesis and thoracentesis, are also considered treatment methods because they drain fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. This can help reduce swelling and pain and, in the case of a thoracentesis or thoracoscopy, ease shortness of breath.

Radiation

Radiation can be used to kill the cancerous cells; however, it’s not possible to eradicate all the cancerous cells without endangering the patient by destroying healthy cells. The side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, digestive problems, hair loss, skin irritation and stiffness.

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, the patient is given drugs that will kill the cancerous cells either by mouth or through intravenous injection. Treatment with traditional drugs alone has not been effective in prolonging the lives of patients with mesothelioma, but that may be changing. In 2004, the FDA approved the use of Alimta, a new medication, in combination with cisplatin. In clinical trials, the combination of Alimta and cisplatin was shown to prolong the lives of patients with mesothelioma by a median of three months.

Surgery

Like most cancers, mesothelioma is most treatable in the earliest stages, but it is seldom diagnosed until it has reached more advanced stages. When mesothelioma is discovered in the earliest stages, surgery is the most commonly recommended treatment option; however, that rarely happens. In fact, only about 20-30% of those with mesothelioma are candidates for surgery.

Complementary and alternative treatments

You probably remember that when Steve McQueen was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma back in the late ’70s, he reportedly went down to Mexico to try untested "alternative" treatments, though, unfortunately, without success.

Some types of complementary and alternative treatments may be helpful and your doctor or hospital may be able to direct you to trusted practitioners. Others can jeopardize your health. So, it is very important to consult with your doctor before trying any of these treatments.

Complementary and alternative treatments refer to non-traditional approaches such as using holistic medicine, modified diets, acupuncture, herbs, meditation, or guided imagery to help fight mesothelioma cancer. Many patients with mesothelioma find some benefit in eating a healthy diet, including the suggestion by the American Cancer Society that patients with cancer eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily. They may also find that relaxation techniques such as meditation can help alleviate stress and lessen the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

When these treatments are used alone or instead of traditional medicine, they are known as alternative treatments. When they are used in combination with more traditional medicine, they are known as complementary or integrative treatments.

Most people choose complementary therapies. Today, some hospitals offer complementary or integrative medicine along with traditional treatments.

You should always ask your doctor’s advice before trying any type of complementary treatments, including over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, because even these simple remedies might interfere with your current treatments. Sometimes certain herbs shouldn’t be taken for a week or two before surgery, for example, or they might be safe once chemotherapy is over but dangerous while you’re undergoing treatment. So, make sure your doctor knows everything you are considering. He or she can help you decide whether to try complementary therapies and at what point during your treatment they are safe to try.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, is beginning to study many of these practices in an effort to find ways to use proven complementary and alternative practices in combination with conventional medical practices and to encourage the study of proven practices in medical and nursing schools.

Promising new treatments and clinical trials

Clinical trials are one of the last testing steps a new cancer treatment must go through before it is released to the general public to use. They often use traditional cancer treatments – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – but in different ways to try to find more effective remedies. Other clinical trials for mesothelioma include new drugs or experimental therapies such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy or other experimental approaches.

Many leading cancer treatment centers and drug companies are conducting clinical trials in the hope of helping mesothelioma patients live longer. You might be eligible to participate in one. Ask your doctor about different experimental treatments at the cancer center where you are being treated, or at others across the country.

Clinical trials require you to meet certain eligibility requirements. For example, you might need to be at a certain stage of the disease in order to participate. It’s important to research these trials as quickly as you can by talking to your medical team, searching for information on the web and calling cancer c

enters.

There are benefits and disadvantages in being involved in a clinical trial, but many people feel that the benefit of being able to try a new drug that is promising enough to merit a clinical trial outweighs the negatives.

New chemotherapy drugs

One new drug that has shown promise in early trials is coramsine. Animal studies have shown that coramsine is effective in both slowing the rate of tumor growth and preventing the growth of more cancerous cells. The company that makes coramsine is about to begin testing it in humans.

Immunotherapy

One of the more traditional treatments for cancer has been the use of chemicals produced by the body’s immune system against the cancerous cells. The most common of these are interferon and interleukin-2. While they are often effective in treating other kinds of cancer, they’ve had only limited success in treating mesothelioma. Recently, however, researchers have found that introducing interleukin-2 directly into the space between the lungs and the ribs may slow the growth of tumors. There are a number of clinical trials ongoing.

Heat Therapy

Clinical trials have shown that mesothelioma cells are more susceptible to anticancer drugs that are heated to temperatures as high as 109 degrees. There are two ways that this is accomplished. The first is to heat the drugs themselves before injecting them. The other is to heat the pleural cavity before the drugs are injected.

Gene Therapy

There are a number of different kinds of gene therapy being investigated. One of the most promising involves genetically changing the structure of a virus so that the cells that are invaded by the virus become more susceptible to drugs used to treat cancer.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is being studied for use against several kinds of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. It involves the injection of photo-sensitive substance into the pleural cavity. The molecules of this substance are absorbed by the cancerous cells, making them susceptible to light. They are then subjected to a low intensity laser or high-intensity light which kills off the mesothelioma cells.

Asbestos is a deadly fiber that seems to have been used in pretty much every industry since its fire retardant, insulating, and strengthening properties were discovered. One of those industries that used the fiber to a more limited degree is the automobile industry. The automobile industry is known to have included asbestos in the clutches, brake pads, and brake linings of their vehicles for years. For this reason, anyone working on a car should be exceptionally careful.

The clutch, regardless of whether the car has an automatic or standard transmission, is the part of the car that allows the car to shift between its gears. This allows the car to work at higher efficiency in the higher gears. The clutch is a very important piece of a car that is used almost constantly when the car is in use. It needs to be strong and able to withstand the engine’s heat. For these reasons, the clutches of many cars contain asbestos.

Any individual that has ever had a clutch replaced on a car knows that it is possible for the clutch to wear out with time and miles. Any item that is subjected to friction will become worn out. The clutch on a car is not an exception. When the friction starts causing the item to break down, dust commonly forms in the area around the clutch. This dust contains asbestos fibers. When the clutch area is opened up for repairs or to check everything out if there’s any sort of problem, the dust can be stirred up and released into the surrounding area. Once released, the fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and can contaminate the entire car garage.

Brakes are another huge asbestos problem for mechanics. There is even more wear and tear on brakes that causes the asbestos fibers to be broken down. These fibers are then contained in the brake housing on each wheel. Because the brake pads and the brake linings can both have asbestos in them, there is potentially much more asbestos present in brake repairs than in a clutch.

One thing that mechanics commonly do to clean off the brake housing is apply compressed air to remove all of the dirt and dust. This is the worst thing they could possibly do for their own health when dealing with asbestos fibers. The compressed air expels the dust from the brakes, this is true, but it also sprays it into the air of the car repair garage.

No mechanic, regardless of experience, is able to tell which brake pad or lining or clutch contains asbestos just by looking at the item. Because of this, any mechanic should treat every brake or clutch as containing asbestos and take all necessary precautions.

Asbestos was a common mineral used for years many decades ago in homes and buildings to be used in insulation and flooring among other things. In recent years, it has been discovered that exposure to asbestos is extremely hazardous to your health and has been known to cause Mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as several other severe breathing problems. These cancers and health problems are caused by the dry fibers of the asbestos to become airborne and when inhaled, it attaches onto your lung tissue or breathing airway.

With the discovery of the hazards of it, new asbestos regulations have been put in place for buildings and homes that are being demolished as well as any of these locations that are being remodeled or repaired. Disrupting the balance of the asbestos can cause the shards to quickly become airborne, exposing those nearest to be put into harms way.

Due to relatively new laws, federal regulations require any building of a certain age to be surveyed and tested to check for the presence of asbestos. If it is detected, it must be cleaned up and removed before the demolition can take place. If this is not done, the permits will not be granted and a fine will ensue. It is imperative that you do not try to remove the asbestos yourself. This can be dangerous to not only you, but those around you. There are professional companies who are highly trained in the removal of asbestos in the quickest and safest way, keeping the asbestos exposure to a minimum.

Because of homeowner’s private rights, most residential homes are exempt from following any asbestos regulations. Although the removal of asbestos is highly recommended to a homeowner, because it is a private resident, it is not required to oblige the law. Commercial businesses, public works or domain projects are required to report the detection of asbestos and have it certified upon completion once the asbestos has been removed. Following asbestos regulations may be time consuming, but overall, it is for the health and well being of many and should be taken extremely seriously.

Although Mesothelioma is a term that is often heard broadcast over the television airways by soliciting attorneys it is nonetheless a condition which is not well understood by the general public.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect individuals who either work or have worked in asbestos manufacturing plants, automotive shops, mining, ship yards and constructions industries.

Mesothelioma Cancer is caused from exposure to the fibrous material strands known as asbestos. These fibers are resistant to heat and chemicals which makes it an ideal substance for such applications as roofs, home insulation, cement, etc. However, these same properties make it very difficult for the human body to get rid of them.

Mesothelioma has no gender or age barriers. Given the right set of circumstances children are at equal risk for developing this life-threatening disease.

Although it is true that children do not usually work with or around asbestos they may however, frequent older public buildings or schools where the asbestos material used in the ceilings and flooring has started to deteriorate, releasing small asbestos particles into the air. These particles can then be breathed into the lungs causing tissue scaring, excess fluid accumulation and breathing difficulties.

Children whose parents work with or around asbestos are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis or mesothelioma) due to second-hand exposure (asbestos particles transported from work to home via clothing or hair.

One might ask, if it is true that children can develop asbestos-related conditions, why don’t we hear about them?

The reason is simple. Mesothelioma has a 30-50 year incubation period (time from exposure to the onset of the first major symptoms). A child that is exposed at age six will quite possibly not have significant symptoms until he/she becomes an adult of age 36.

This might explain why experts say that it is possible for some people to develop Mesothelioma even when there has been no known asbestos exposure. Is it possible that this now adult individual had been exposed repeatedly as a child? This might also explain why there are so many children suffering with respiratory ailments today!

Although the United States government has established laws governing exposure limits, not all facilities comply. Abestos is still alive and well but there are things that can be done to reduce exposure risk:

1. When possible avoid old buildings that are in disrepair.

2. Check with school officials regarding asbestos safety implementation programs. 3. Be sure that anyone who lives in your home and works with or around asbestos strictly adheres to the OSHA safety rules regarding work clothes, showering before leaving the work place, etc. 4. Contact your doctor at the first sign of illness or to discuss any health concerns you might have.

Mesothelioma Treatment varies depending upon its location,stage and patient’s overall health.

Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Information

Lately, whenever we read the newspaper or watch television, the economic news always seems to be bad. The stock market is down, jobless rates are up, and financial opportunities are disappearing.

The economic news for college students attempting to pay for their college education has been especially bleak. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that, "The nation’s four-year public colleges increased tuition and fees by nearly 10 percent this year, the steepest rise in more than a decade." These conditions, coupled with shrinking endowments and less money available as gifts from the private sector, have created an increased reliance on federally guaranteed student loans.

Student Loan Assistance Still Good Investment…

Even with all the apparent bad news, the investment seems worth it. The College Board estimates that college students will earn $1 million more than high school graduates over the course of their careers. The figures are even more impressive for those who continue on to graduate school.

…But Managing Student Loan Debt Has Its Challenges

The question remains, how does one repay these ever-increasing loans and how does one manage such sizable debt? Federally guaranteed student loans are traditionally issued as variable rate loans with a repayment term of 10 years. This arrangement sometimes contributes to the problem. In many instances, former students have not even secured employment when their loan payments are scheduled to commence. Also, many times professionals are faced with substantial start-up expenses.

In 1965, the federal government passed what has become known as the Student Assistance Act. This legislation made it possible for those with large loans to extend the term of the loan for a longer period of time, based on the balance. Some loans could be extended for as long as 30 years. This solution lowers the borrower’s monthly payments, but the interest charges accumulate for a longer period thereby increasing the total amount due. It also enabled borrowers to combine many loans or several disbursements into one loan, thus the term, "consolidation."

People who take advantage of this ability to lower payments are only allowed to do so once, unless they omitted a loan from this process or they acquire additional loans after their original consolidation. When people "consolidate" their loans they enjoy the convenience of making a single payment, as opposed to several payments over the course of a month.

Fixed Student Loan Interest Rate Has Its Rewards

Borrowers may also convert the variable interest rate to a fixed rate for the life of the loan. Their interest rate is determined by a formula provided by the federal government. This new interest rate is a weighted average of all the loans combined.

The ability to "fix" the interest rate is of particular importance in the present economic climate. Interest rates for student loans are now at a 38-year low, so students and graduates should "lock-in" these historically low rates, which can never go back to the cap of 8.25 percent, where they were in June of 2000. The rates can only go down. Sandra Block, a columnist for USA TODAY, advises her readers to "Consolidate now, save a bundle later."

Some Lenders Offer Incentives for Paying On Time

While the initial rates are established by a federal formula, many lenders offer special incentives to good customers. Some offer discounts if you allow the lender to automatically withdraw the payments from your bank account. Others offer additional incentives as a reward for on-time payments.

Alternatives to Student Loan Consolidation

While all consolidation lenders must operate under federal guidelines, not all student consolidation loan programs are necessarily equal. It pays to shop around. Not everyone should consolidate his or her loans. For example, people holding Perkins loans should investigate the possibility of having their loans forgiven. Government programs exist that allow borrowers to pay back their student loans by performing community service. Teachers working in teacher shortage areas should also look into those types of programs.

Whether you begin the claims process with a demand letter, or wait for an offer from the insurance company depends on your situation. People often have no idea what their claim is worth unless they consult with an attorney. However, if it’s a small case with minor injuries, low medical bills, no extenuating circumstances, you may not want an attorney to share in your small settlement. If you’re determined to handle it yourself, it’s probably better to allow the adjuster to evaluate it and make you an offer. Although the offer may be low, it will likely be on the low side of a reasonable range. You can always make a counter-demand for a higher figure. Provide the adjuster with all of the information she has requested, along with any other documentation that might affect the value of the claim, so she can make an offer based on your best evidence.

If, however, you have a general idea what your claim is worth, it would be prudent to draft a demand letter including all the relevant information and documentation (medical bills and reports, proof of lost wages, receipts for other expenses, etc.) and close with a demand for settlement and a time limit within which to respond.

A word of caution if you are handling your own claim: The general public is not trained to evaluate accident claims. Adjusters have the education and training required, but their job also includes saving money for the insurance company and settling claims as quickly and as cheaply as possible. If you are handling the claim yourself, and time is not an issue, go slowly and negotiate wisely. Don’t jump at the first offer, and come down very gradually, allowing the adjuster to come up.

CAUTION: If time is of the essence for you, i.e. if you are running up against the statute of limitations for settling or filing a lawsuit, and it doesn’t settle for what you believe to be a reasonable amount right away, you will need to contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights.