понедельник, 29 октября 2012 г.

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Woot.com Widget 5.1.2 - View current promotions from Woot.com.. (Free)

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 03:55 AM PDT



Woot.com Widget allows you to view current promotions from Woot.com.

At Woot.com one hugely-discounted product is released each evening at 12 midnight (Monday - Friday). This product is available for only 24 hours or until it totally sells out.

This widget displays the current-selling product at Woot.com.



Version 5.1.2:
  • Fixes a Growl issue where Growl would simply... not work ... sometimes, as outlined in this Growl bug report.


Mac OS X 10.4 or later

Download Now

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Cloud 1.5.4 - Share images, links, music and more.. (Free)

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 03:54 AM PDT



Cloud allows you to share images, links, music, videos and files. Here is how it works: choose a file, drag it to the menubar and let us take care of the rest. We provide you with a short link automatically copied to your clipboard that you can use to share your upload with co-workers and friends.

Version 1.5.4:
  • Add Retina display support Fix auto-uploading of screenshots on OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion


Mac OS X 10.6.5 or later

Download Now

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Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14525-14536: Study on Decomposition of Indoor Air Contaminants by Pulsed Atmospheric Microplasma

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Decomposition of formaldehyde (HCHO) by a microplasma reactor in order to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) was achieved. HCHO was removed from air using one pass through reactor treatment (5 L/min). From an initial concentration of HCHO of 0.7 ppm about 96% was removed in one pass treatment using a discharge power of 0.3 W provided by a high voltage amplifier and a Marx Generator with MOSFET switches as pulsed power supplies. Moreover microplasma driven by the Marx Generator did not generate NOx as detected by a chemiluminescence NOx analyzer. In the case of large volume treatment the removal ratio of HCHO (initial concentration: 0.5 ppm) after 60 minutes was 51% at 1.2 kV when using HV amplifier considering also a 41% natural decay ratio of HCHO. The removal ratio was 54% at 1.2 kV when a Marx Generator energized the electrodes with a 44% natural decay ratio after 60 minutes of treatment.

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14508-14524: A Two-Layers Based Approach of an Enhanced-Mapfor Urban Positioning Support

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

This paper presents a two-layer based enhanced map that can support navigationin urban environments. One layer is dedicated to describe the drivable road with a specialfocus on the accurate description of its bounds. This feature can support positioning andadvanced map-matching when compared with standard polyline-based maps. The otherlayer depicts building heights and locations, thus enabling the detection of non-line-of-sightsignals coming from GPS satellites not in direct view. Both the concept and the methodologyfor creating these enhanced maps are shown in the paper.

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14489-14507: Laser-Based Pedestrian Tracking in Outdoor Environments by Multiple Mobile Robots

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

This paper presents an outdoors laser-based pedestrian tracking system using a group of mobile robots located near each other. Each robot detects pedestrians from its own laser scan image using an occupancy-grid-based method, and the robot tracks the detected pedestrians via Kalman filtering and global-nearest-neighbor (GNN)-based data association. The tracking data is broadcast to multiple robots through intercommunication and is combined using the covariance intersection (CI) method. For pedestrian tracking, each robot identifies its own posture using real-time-kinematic GPS (RTK-GPS) and laser scan matching. Using our cooperative tracking method, all the robots share the tracking data with each other; hence, individual robots can always recognize pedestrians that are invisible to any other robot. The simulation and experimental results show that cooperating tracking provides the tracking performance better than conventional individual tracking does. Our tracking system functions in a decentralized manner without any central server, and therefore, this provides a degree of scalability and robustness that cannot be achieved by conventional centralized architectures.

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14467-14488: Interface Design for CMOS-Integrated Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) Biosensors

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful electrochemical technique to detect biomolecules. EIS has the potential of carrying out label-free and real-time detection, and in addition, can be easily implemented using electronic integrated circuits (ICs) that are built through standard semiconductor fabrication processes. This paper focuses on the various design and optimization aspects of EIS ICs, particularly the bio-to-semiconductor interface design. We discuss, in detail, considerations such as the choice of the electrode surface in view of IC manufacturing, surface linkers, and development of optimal bio-molecular detection protocols. We also report experimental results, using both macro- and micro-electrodes to demonstrate the design trade-offs and ultimately validate our optimization procedures.

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14442-14466: Framework for End-User Programming of Cross-Smart Space Applications

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Cross-smart space applications are specific types of software services that enable users to share information, monitor the physical and logical surroundings and control it in a way that is meaningful for the user’s situation. For developing cross-smart space applications, this paper makes two main contributions: it introduces (i) a component design and scripting method for end-user programming of cross-smart space applications and (ii) a backend framework of components that interwork to support the brunt of the RDFScript translation, and the use and execution of ontology models. Before end-user programming activities, the software professionals must develop easy-to-apply Driver components for the APIs of existing software systems. Thereafter, end-users are able to create applications from the commands of the Driver components with the help of the provided toolset. The paper also introduces the reference implementation of the framework, tools for the Driver component development and end-user programming of cross-smart space applications and the first evaluation results on their application.

Borderlands 2 players - don't lose your save! 'Graveyard' virus is no Halloween joke

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 03:40 AM PDT

A malicious attack on Borderlands 2 players is rendering save files irretrievably broken on Xbox 360, according to Gearbox. PS3 players are unaffected at

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14416-14441: Towards Real-Time and Rotation-Invariant American Sign Language Alphabet Recognition Using a Range Camera

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The automatic interpretation of human gestures can be used for a natural interaction with computers while getting rid of mechanical devices such as keyboards and mice. In order to achieve this objective, the recognition of hand postures has been studied for many years. However, most of the literature in this area has considered 2D images which cannot provide a full description of the hand gestures. In addition, a rotation-invariant identification remains an unsolved problem, even with the use of 2D images. The objective of the current study was to design a rotation-invariant recognition process while using a 3D signature for classifying hand postures. A heuristic and voxel-based signature has been designed and implemented. The tracking of the hand motion is achieved with the Kalman filter. A unique training image per posture is used in the supervised classification. The designed recognition process, the tracking procedure and the segmentation algorithm have been successfully evaluated. This study has demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed rotation invariant 3D hand posture signature which leads to 93.88% recognition rate after testing 14,732 samples of 12 postures taken from the alphabet of the American Sign Language.

Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 14397-14415: A Coded Aperture Compressive Imaging Array and Its Visual Detection and Tracking Algorithms for Surveillance Systems

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

In this paper, we propose an application of a compressive imaging system to the problem of wide-area video surveillance systems. A parallel coded aperture compressive imaging system is proposed to reduce the needed high resolution coded mask requirements and facilitate the storage of the projection matrix. Random Gaussian, Toeplitz and binary phase coded masks are utilized to obtain the compressive sensing images. The corresponding motion targets detection and tracking algorithms directly using the compressive sampling images are developed. A mixture of Gaussian distribution is applied in the compressive image space to model the background image and for foreground detection. For each motion target in the compressive sampling domain, a compressive feature dictionary spanned by target templates and noises templates is sparsely represented. An l1 optimization algorithm is used to solve the sparse coefficient of templates. Experimental results demonstrate that low dimensional compressed imaging representation is sufficient to determine spatial motion targets. Compared with the random Gaussian and Toeplitz phase mask, motion detection algorithms using a random binary phase mask can yield better detection results. However using random Gaussian and Toeplitz phase mask can achieve high resolution reconstructed image. Our tracking algorithm can achieve a real time speed that is up to 10 times faster than that of the l1 tracker without any optimization.

Molecules, Vol. 17, Pages 12746-12757: Total Ginsenosides of Radix Ginseng Modulates Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Protein Expression to Enhance Cardiac Energy Metabolism in Ischemic Rat Heart Tissues

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

To elucidate the underlying mechanism of cardio-protective activity of the total ginsenosides (TGS) of Radix Ginseng, proteomic analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS techniques was employed for identifying the underlying targets of TGS on improvement of the energy metabolism of isolated rat heart tissues perfused in Langendorff system under ischemia-reperfusion injury conditions. The image analysis results revealed 11 differentially expressed proteins in the TGS-treated heart tissues; these proteins, including LDHB and ODP-2, were found to be closely related to the function of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that plays pivotal roles in cardiac energy metabolism. It is thus concluded that improvement of cardiac energy metabolism via activating proteins in TCA cycle could be the major action pathway and targets of TGS activity against rat heart tissue injury.

Societies, Vol. 2, Pages 235-251: Working Stiff(s) on Reality Television during the Great Recession

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

This essay traces some of the narratives and cultural politics of work on reality television after the economic crash of 2008. Specifically, it discusses the emergence of paid labor shows like Ax Men, Black Gold and Coal and a resurgent interest in working bodies at a time when the working class in the US seems all but consigned to the dustbin of history. As an implicit response to the crisis of masculinity during the Great Recession these programs present an imagined revival of manliness through the valorization of muscle work, which can be read in dialectical ways that pivot around the white male body in peril. In Ax Men, Black Gold and Coal, we find not only the return of labor but, moreover, the re-embodiment of value as loggers, roughnecks and miners risk both life and limb to reach company quotas. Paid labor shows, in other words, present a complicated popular pedagogy of late capitalism and the body, one that relies on anachronistic narratives of white masculinity in the workplace to provide an acute critique of expendability of the body and the hardships of physical labor.

JPM, Vol. 2, Pages 175-191: The Making of a CYP3A Biomarker Panel for Guiding Drug Therapy

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

CYP3A ranks among the most abundant cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, playing a dominant role in metabolic elimination of clinically used drugs. A main member in CYP3A family, CYP3A4 expression and activity vary considerably among individuals, attributable to genetic and non-genetic factors, affecting drug dosage and efficacy. However, the extent of genetic influence has remained unclear. This review assesses current knowledge on the genetic factors influencing CYP3A4 activity. Coding region CYP3A4 polymorphisms are rare and account for only a small portion of inter-person variability in CYP3A metabolism. Except for the promoter allele CYP3A4*1B with ambiguous effect on expression, common CYP3A4 regulatory polymorphisms were thought to be lacking. Recent studies have identified a relatively common regulatory polymorphism, designated CYP3A4*22 with robust effects on hepatic CYP3A4 expression. Combining CYP3A4*22 with CYP3A5 alleles *1, *3 and *7 has promise as a biomarker predicting overall CYP3A activity. Also contributing to variable expression, the role of polymorphisms in transcription factors and microRNAs is discussed.

Bridge column, October 29: Clubs or diamonds; it's your choice

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 02:20 AM PDT

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "A clever man commits no minor blunders." It would take a clever bridge player not to make a minor-suit blunder in today's deal.

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Mechwarrior Online open beta starts now

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 02:08 AM PDT

Pirahna Games' online multiplayer iteration of mech piloting franchise; title to release in full in 2013.

The open beta for the upcoming mech simulator title Mechwarrior Online was only recently delayed, but now developer Pirahna Games has announced a concrete date for players to try the PC title: October 29.

Starting today, gamers can sign up for the public open beta on the game's official site. Pirahna Games also announced that the total amount of money it accumulated from the game's founders program has reached $5.2 million. The founders program is a scheme where players can pay money up-front to get exclusive in-game items and early access to the game on July 17. The program started on June 19.

The game's open beta was previously delayed due to network instabilities. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's coverage.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

"Mechwarrior Online open beta starts now" was posted by Jonathan Toyad on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:08:39 -0700

Asia wins big at Canada Cup 2012 tournaments

Posted: 28 Oct 2012 11:09 PM PDT

Team Japan wins SSFIV:AE international 5 versus 5 tournament, while DM Ho Kun "Xian" Xian comes in first for Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition singles match.

 

The winners for the Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition tournaments at the Canada Cup 2012 event have been decided.

Team Japan won the SSFIV: AE international 5-versus-5 tournament, with team Korea and team USA 2 following behind in second and third place respectively. The team consists of notable players such as MadCatz's Hajime "Tokido" Taniguchi and Razer's Keita "Fuudo" Ai (Evolution 2011's SSFIV:AE winner).

Singapore pro gamer Ho Kun "Xian" Xian, who represents Team DM and MadCatz, secured first place in the Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition and The King of Fighters XIII singles tournament. He used Gen in the former and the team of EX Iori, NESTS Style Kyo, and Mr. Karate for the latter.

Other notable highlights include team USA winning the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 5-versus-5 tournament, with Complexity Cross Counter's Ryan "Filipino Champ" Ramirez defeating the entire Canada team by himself during the finals. Eduardo "PR Balrog" Perez-Frangie won the UMvC 3 singles match, with Evil Genius' Justin Wong and Tokido at second and third place respectively.

The Canada Cup event took place at Calgary, Alberta from October 26 to 28.Head to the link for a replay of the Canada Cup 2012 livestream.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

"Asia wins big at Canada Cup 2012 tournaments" was posted by Jonathan Toyad on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 23:09:33 -0700

Need for Speed Most Wanted Community Time Trial

Posted: 28 Oct 2012 10:38 PM PDT

GameSpot AU and EA Australia are hosting an exclusive Need for Speed Most Wanted preview event for the GameSpot community and in addition, are running a Top Gear-style time trial ladder at the event to give away some big prizes!

Get the full article at GameSpot

"Need for Speed Most Wanted Community Time Trial" was posted on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:38:09 -0700

Cancers, Vol. 4, Pages 1146-1160: Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer: The Paradox of Evidence versus Advocacy Inaction

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Women who are at high risk of breast cancer can be offered chemoprevention. Chemoprevention strategies have expanded over the past decade and include selective receptor modulator inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors. Physicians are expected to provide individualized risk assessments to identify high risk women who may be eligible for chemoprevention. It is prudent that physicians utilize a shared decision approach when counseling high risk women about their preventive options. Barriers and misperceptions however exist with patient and physician acceptance of chemoprevention and continue to impede uptake of chemoprevention as a strategy to reduce breast cancer risk. Programs to increase awareness and elucidate the barriers are critical for women to engage in cancer prevention and promote chemoprevention adherence.

Viruses, Vol. 4, Pages 2636-2649: How much of Virus-Specific CD8 T Cell Reactivity is Detected with a Peptide Pool when Compared to Individual Peptides?

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Immune monitoring of T cell responses increasingly relies on the use of peptide pools. Peptides, when restricted by the same HLA allele, and presented from within the same peptide pool, can compete for HLA binding sites. What impact such competition has on functional T cell stimulation, however, is not clear. Using a model peptide pool that is comprised of 32 well-defined viral epitopes from Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Influenza viruses (CEF peptide pool), we assessed peptide competition in PBMC from 42 human subjects. The magnitude of the peptide pool-elicited CD8 T cell responses was a mean 79% and a median 77% of the sum of the CD8 T cell responses elicited by the individual peptides. Therefore, while the effect of peptide competition was evident, it was of a relatively minor magnitude. By studying the dose-response curves for individual CEF peptides, we show that several of these peptides are present in the CEF-pool at concentrations that are orders of magnitude in excess of what is needed for the activation threshold of the CD8 T cells. The presence of such T cells with very high functional avidity for the viral antigens can explain why the effect of peptide competition is relatively minor within the CEF-pool.

Viruses, Vol. 4, Pages 2598-2635: dsRNA-Dependent Protein Kinase PKR and its Role in Stress, Signaling and HCV Infection

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR plays multiple roles in cells, in response to different stress situations. As a member of the interferon (IFN)‑Stimulated Genes, PKR was initially recognized as an actor in the antiviral action of IFN, due to its ability to control translation, through phosphorylation, of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2a). As such, PKR participates in the generation of stress granules, or autophagy and a number of viruses have designed strategies to inhibit its action. However, PKR deficient mice resist most viral infections, indicating that PKR may play other roles in the cell other than just acting as an antiviral agent. Indeed, PKR regulates several signaling pathways, either as an adapter protein and/or using its kinase activity. Here we review the role of PKR as an eIF2a kinase, its participation in the regulation of the NF-kB, p38MAPK and insulin pathways, and we focus on its role during infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). PKR binds the HCV IRES RNA, cooperates with some functions of the HCV core protein and may represent a target for NS5A or E2. Novel data points out for a role of PKR as a pro-HCV agent, both as an adapter protein and as an eIF2a-kinase, and in cooperation with the di-ubiquitin-like protein ISG15. Developing pharmaceutical inhibitors of PKR may help in resolving some viral infections as well as stress-related damages.
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