пятница, 31 мая 2013 г.

Games

Games

Dropzone 2.7 - Open, transfer, and install files by drag-and-drop. (Demo)

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:58 AM PDT



Dropzone makes it faster and easier to get things done on your Mac.

Drag a file onto the dock icon and your fully customizable grid of destinations flies smoothly out using CoreAnimation. Drop the file onto a destination and Dropzone will take care of the rest. Whether you're installing an app, uploading a file to an FTP server, or sharing your photos on Flickr.

Launch Applications: Sometimes you want to keep an application quickly available, but you don't want it taking up space in your Dock. Simply add it to your Dropzone grid, and then you can launch the app by clicking on it in Dropzone's grid, or you can drag files or folders onto it.

Install Applications: Drag a DMG onto the Install Application destination and Dropzone mounts the disk image, finds the application inside, copies it to your Applications folder, launches it, ejects the disk image, and moves it to the trash for you.

Flickr Upload: Drop a bunch of pictures on to the Flickr Upload destination and Dropzone uploads them for you. It can even copy the direct image URL to the clipboard so you can paste it to a friend. You can also setup multiple accounts.

FTP Upload: You can setup as many FTP servers as you like with Dropzone. If you hold down the Option key while dragging, Dropzone will even zip up the files or folders for you before uploading and put the URL on the clipboard.

Save Text: Drop some text onto the Save Text destination, Dropzone asks you for a name, and saves it for you. Great for storing those little snippets of text that you don't want to lose.

Copy or Move Files: Sometimes you want to copy or move a file or folder somewhere else on your Mac. Dropzone lets you setup destinations that do this. Underneath, Dropzone uses the fast and powerful Rsync file transfer tool to do its work.

Zip and Email: The Zip and Email destination zips up the dragged files and adds them as a Mail attachment, all ready to send. A simple and convenient time saver.

Extend Dropzone: Dropzone has a powerful Ruby-based API that allows you to script Dropzone to do whatever you need. Not only that, but all the code for the destinations above is Open Source, so you can help us make Dropzone even better!



Version 2.7:

Note: The demo version is currently at 2.7. The version available for purchase is 2.6.
  • Fixed bug that caused TwitPic authorization to fail
  • Fixed authorization issue with Amazon S3 destination


OS X 10.6 or later


More information

Picturito 1.0.2 - Share photos on Facebook right from your Desktop. (Commercial)

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:44 AM PDT



Picturito is the fastest and easiest way to share multiple pictures from multiple places on Facebook right from your desktop! Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Picturito is a small menu-bar app that helps you share multiple pictures to Facebook using the built-in OSX Facebook integration. You just have to choose the pictures you want and Picturito will do the hard work!

Sharing those 50+ holiday pictures to your Facebook albums has never been easier!

Picturito features:

  • Share multiple pictures from multiple folders;
  • Quickly take pictures, to share on Facebook, without leaving Picturito;
  • Drag and drop pictures to the Status Bar to be shared;
  • Drag and drop folders/zip files to the Status Bar and let Picturito find the pictures inside them for you!
  • Start Picturito at Login on the 'About Picturito' window
NOTE: You need to be using OSX 10.8.2 or later in order to use the OSX Facebook integration. Picturito needs it!

If you have any problems contact pedrovieiradev@hotmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @w1tch_ for more updates!

Created in Portugal with love.



Version 1.0.2:
  • Bug fixes


  • OS X 10.8 or later



More information

OutBank 2.1.2 - German online banking app. (Commercial)

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:34 AM PDT



OutBank is Germany's most successful online-banking application, suitable for almost all German banks and savings banks (incl. PayPal -- see prerequisites), and is now available on your Mac!

Secure
Data will be transferred directly between your Mac and the bank server, without detours and fully encrypted. All data are stored locally encrypted by AES-256.

Simple
The Setup Assistant brings you to your account status in three steps. You need, e.g., your German bank number, account number, and the PIN of your bank. Optionally you can directly import a backup of your iOutBank for iPhone/iPad.

Fast
Type in your personal password and OutBank presents you your bank accounts -- when desired with time-controlled synchronisation. Within a few seconds, all your transactions will be downloaded. Thus you have your finances in the view.

Comfortable
It is all the same if you make an account call, quickly transfer money, or categorize your transactions -- everything is in one application. Features like support for "BezahlCode" -- see www.BezahlCode.de -- prevents you from typing errors. You navigate through your accounts by gesture control with three fingers.

Prerequisite
OutBank supports over 3,000 German banks and savings banks (via HBCI+ or FinTS with PIN/TAN) -- including PayPal accounts. If your bank is supported, you can check with your bank number on our website www.OutBank.de. Note: Clients of the 1822direkt please use the following banknumber 500 522 22.

The following banks are NOT supported:

  • BMW-Bank, VW-Bank, Audi Bank
  • Santander Bank / SEB
  • Targo-Bank
  • Bank of Scotland



Version 2.1.2:
  • Points of American Express Card are listed now
  • iCloud stability improved
  • If you use TAN lists on iOS they get used on Mac too (using iCloud Sync)
  • Option to merdge iCloud data has been removed
  • More bugfixes and optimisation


  • OS X 10.7 or later



More information

Warhammer Quest - Screenshots

Posted: 31 May 2013 03:26 AM PDT

Game Features:
- iCloud support
- Intense dungeon battles with orcs, goblins, and more
- Travel across the Warhammer World
- Retina support
- State-of-the-art high fidelity game engine
- 3 additional heroes available via IAP
- Fight the Skaven in a huge expansion via IAP
- 25+ hours of gameplay (including expansion)
- Hardcore mode option with permanent hero deaths
- English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. More translations coming

Entropy, Vol. 15, Pages 2162-2180: Thermoelectric System in Different Thermal and Electrical Configurations: Its Impact in the Figure of Merit

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

In this work, we analyze different configurations of a thermoelectric system (TES) composed of three thermoelectric generators (TEGs). We present the following considerations: (a) TES thermally and electrically connected in series (SC); (b) TES thermally and electrically connected in parallel (PSC); and (c) parallel thermally and series electrical connection (SSC). We assume that the parameters of the TEGs are temperature-independent. The systems are characterized by three parameters, as it has been showed in recent investigations, namely, its internal electrical resistance, R, thermal conductance under open electrical circuit condition, K, and Seebeck coefficient . We derive the equivalent parameters for each of the configurations considered here and calculate the Figure of Merit Z for the equivalent system. We show the impact of the configuration of the system on Z, and we suggest optimum configuration. In order to justify the effectiveness of the equivalent Figure of Merit, the corresponding efficiency has been calculated for each configuration.

Entropy, Vol. 15, Pages 2129-2161: Zero Delay Joint Source Channel Coding for Multivariate Gaussian Sources over Orthogonal Gaussian Channels

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Communication of a multivariate Gaussian source transmitted over orthogonal additive white Gaussian noise channels using delay-free joint source channel codes (JSCC) is studied in this paper. Two scenarios are considered: (1) all components of the multivariate Gaussian are transmitted by one encoder as a vector or several ideally collaborating nodes in a network; (2) the multivariate Gaussian is transmitted through distributed nodes in a sensor network. In both scenarios, the goal is to recover all components of the multivariate Gaussian at the receiver. The paper investigates a subset of JSCC consisting of direct source-to-channel mappings that operate on a symbol-by-symbol basis to ensure zero coding delay. A theoretical analysis that helps explain and quantify distortion behavior for such JSCC is given. Relevant performance bounds for the network are also derived with no constraints on complexity and delay. Optimal linear schemes for both scenarios are presented. Results for Scenario 1 show that linear mappings perform well, except when correlation is high. In Scenario 2, linear mappings provide no gain from correlation when the channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gets large. The gap to the performance upper bound is large for both scenarios, regardless of SNR, when the correlation is high. The main contribution of this paper is the investigation of nonlinear mappings for both scenarios. It is shown that nonlinear mappings can provide substantial gain compared to optimal linear schemes when correlation is high. Contrary to linear mappings for Scenario 2, carefully chosen nonlinear mappings provide a gain for all SNR, as long as the correlation is close to one. Both linear and nonlinear mappings are robust against variations in SNR.

Remote Sensing, Vol. 5, Pages 2813-23937: Comparing Two Methods of Surface Change Detection on an Evolving Thermokarst Using High-Temporal-Frequency Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Selawik River, Alaska

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) allow large and complex landforms to be rapidly surveyed at previously unattainable point densities. Many change detection methods have been employed to make use of these rich data sets, including cloud to mesh (C2M) comparisons and Multiscale Model to Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2). Rather than use simulated point cloud data, we utilized a 58 scan TLS survey data set of the Selawik retrogressive thaw slump (RTS) to compare C2M and M3C2. The Selawik RTS is a rapidly evolving permafrost degradation feature in northwest Alaska that presents challenging survey conditions and a unique opportunity to compare change detection methods in a difficult surveying environment. Additionally, this study considers several error analysis techniques, investigates the spatial variability of topographic change across the feature and explores visualization techniques that enable the analysis of this spatiotemporal data set. C2M reports a higher magnitude of topographic change over short periods of time ( 12 h) and reports a lower magnitude of topographic change over long periods of time ( four weeks) when compared to M3C2. We found that M3C2 provides a better accounting of the sources of uncertainty in TLS change detection than C2M, because it considers the uncertainty due to surface roughness and scan registration. We also found that localized areas of the RTS do not always approximate the overall retreat of the feature and show considerable spatial variability during inclement weather; however, when averaged together, the spatial subsets approximate the retreat of the entire feature. New data visualization techniques are explored to leverage temporally and spatially continuous data sets. Spatially binning the data into vertical strips along the headwall reduced the spatial complexity of the data and revealed spatiotemporal patterns of change.

Remote Sensing, Vol. 5, Pages 2795-2812: Mapping Rubber Plantations and Natural Forests in Xishuangbanna (Southwest China) Using Multi-Spectral Phenological Metrics from MODIS Time Series

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

We developed and evaluated a new approach for mapping rubber plantations and natural forests in one of Southeast Asia's biodiversity hot spots, Xishuangbanna in China. We used a one-year annual time series of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance data to develop phenological metrics. These phenological metrics were used to classify rubber plantations and forests with the Random Forest classification algorithm. We evaluated which key phenological characteristics were important to discriminate rubber plantations and natural forests by estimating the influence of each metric on the classification accuracy. As a benchmark, we compared the best classification with a classification based on the full, fitted time series data. Overall classification accuracies derived from EVI and SWIR time series alone were 64.4% and 67.9%, respectively. Combining the phenological metrics from EVI and SWIR time series improved the accuracy to 73.5%. Using the full, smoothed time series data instead of metrics derived from the time series improved the overall accuracy only slightly (1.3%), indicating that the phenological metrics were sufficient to explain the seasonal changes captured by the MODIS time series. The results demonstrate a promising utility of phenological metrics for mapping and monitoring rubber expansion with MODIS.

Sustainability, Vol. 5, Pages 2389-2420: Assessment of the Impact of Business Activity in Sustainability Terms. Empirical Confirmation of its Determination in Spanish Companies

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Because the issue of sustainability presents urgent problems crucial to the future of mankind, there has been serious discussion of the role accounting should play. In this context, a new line of research, still at a relatively unexplored, embryonic stage, has arisen, which tries to establish measurement of business sustainability and so compensate for the lack of information currently existing about the net impact of the company's activity. Full Cost Accounting could allow sustainability to be translated into the language of business, together with analysis and comparison of its progress, so it might be the most appropriate vehicle for more participatory, democratic accounting, with greater dialogue, giving the accountant a much more active role, this being necessary in order to generalize the research, development and use. To analyze the current situation, a survey of 192 Spanish companies was carried out to obtain at first hand the perception of strategic positioning adopted with regard to Sustainable Development, measurement of the contribution of business activity to its achievement and the rendering of accounts carried out.

Materials, Vol. 6, Pages 2262-2273: Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition of Horizontally Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

A plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition reactor has been developed to synthesis horizontally aligned carbon nanotubes. The width of the aligning sheath was modelled based on a collisionless, quasi-neutral, Child's law ion sheath where these estimates were empirically validated by direct Langmuir probe measurements, thereby confirming the proposed reactors ability to extend the existing sheath fields by up to 7 mm. A 7 mbar growth atmosphere combined with a 25 W plasma permitted the concurrent growth and alignment of carbon nanotubes with electric fields of the order of 0.04 V μm−1 with linear packing densities of up to ~5 × 104 cm−1. These results open up the potential for multi-directional in situ alignment of carbon nanotubes providing one viable route to the fabrication of many novel optoelectronic devices.

Cells, Vol. 2, Pages 393-413: Systems Biology: The Role of Engineering in the Reverse Engineering of Biological Signaling

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

One of the principle tasks of systems biology has been the reverse engineering of signaling networks. Because of the striking similarities to engineering systems, a number of analysis and design tools from engineering disciplines have been used in this process. This review looks at several examples including the analysis of homeostasis using control theory, the attenuation of noise using signal processing, statistical inference and the use of information theory to understand both binary decision systems and the response of eukaryotic chemotactic cells.

Proteomes, Vol. 1, Pages 3-24: Protein-Protein Interactions: Gene Acronym Redundancies and Current Limitations Precluding Automated Data Integration

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Understanding protein interaction networks and their dynamic changes is a major challenge in modern biology. Currently, several experimental and in silico approaches allow the screening of protein interactors in a large-scale manner. Therefore, the bulk of information on protein interactions deposited in databases and peer-reviewed published literature is constantly growing. Multiple databases interfaced from user-friendly web tools recently emerged to facilitate the task of protein interaction data retrieval and data integration. Nevertheless, as we evidence in this report, despite the current efforts towards data integration, the quality of the information on protein interactions retrieved by in silico approaches is frequently incomplete and may even list false interactions. Here we point to some obstacles precluding confident data integration, with special emphasis on protein interactions, which include gene acronym redundancies and protein synonyms. Three human proteins (choline kinase, PPIase and uromodulin) and three different web-based data search engines focused on protein interaction data retrieval (PSICQUIC, DASMI and BIPS) were used to explain the potential occurrence of undesired errors that should be considered by researchers in the field. We demonstrate that, despite the recent initiatives towards data standardization, manual curation of protein interaction networks based on literature searches are still required to remove potential false positives. A three-step workflow consisting of: (i) data retrieval from multiple databases, (ii) peer-reviewed literature searches, and (iii) data curation and integration, is proposed as the best strategy to gather updated information on protein interactions. Finally, this strategy was applied to compile bona fide information on human DREAM protein interactome, which constitutes liable training datasets that can be used to improve computational predictions.

Plants, Vol. 2, Pages 343-353: The Hybridization Barrier between Herbaceous Medicago sativa and Woody M. arborea Is Weakened by Selection of Seed Parents

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Medicago sativa, alfalfa or lucerne, and M. arborea were considered reproductively isolated until recently. Then, in 2003, an alfalfa genotype was identified that produced a few seeds and progeny with hybrid traits after a large number of pollinations by M. arborea. A derivative of this alfalfa genotype also produced a low frequency of progeny with hybrid traits. Thus, the hybridization barrier was weakened by selection of seed parents. Hybrids from both events expressed traits from M. arborea and M. arborea-specific DNA bands, although more of the M. sativa genome was retained, based on the DNA results. Thus, there was chromatin elimination during embryogenesis, resulting in partial hybrids (hereafter hybrids). However, more than 30 hybrids with an array of M. arborea traits have been obtained thus far, and research continues on the nature of the hybrids. Traits have been genetically transmitted in crosses, and selected traits are in use for alfalfa breeding. This paper reviews the first hybrids and then focuses on further weakening of the hybridization barrier with the discovery of a more efficient hybridizer derived from crossing Medicago sativa subspecies, sativa, coerulea and falcata. This genotype was found to have reproductive abnormalities associated with its complex subspecies origin that are best described as hybrid breakdown. In effect, this subspecies derivative is a bridge-cross parent that consistently produces hybrids. Reproductive abnormalities in the bridge-cross parent are reported and discussed.

Toolbox for Keynote 1.2.1 - Collection of links for purchase of Keynote templates. (Free)

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:26 AM PDT



Toolbox for Keynote from Jumsoft is a free download that contains links to the ultimate collection of themes and illustration elements for Apple's Keynote. Besides, the first item in each product category is available free of charge -- just click Open!

The toolbox offers numerous options for creating professional and inspiring slideshows for business or entertainment. Whether you choose to purchase a single clipart image or a full Keynote Themes set, you will receive a beautiful, easily customizable product which will make your work more efficient and its results more enjoyable.

Toolbox for Keynote provides access to five product sets that can be purchased from within the app:

  • Keynote Themes
  • Infographics
  • Graphic Styles
  • Elements for Keynote
  • Clipart Prime
Once you have purchased an item, you can open it in Keynote with just one click (or in your default preview application for Clipart Prime images). Most objects in the themes can be edited without difficulty. All images in Elements for Keynote and Clipart Prime include transparent backgrounds that allow placing them on various colors and patterns. The PNG format lets you adjust brightness, tint, and other image parameters.



Version 1.2.1:
  • Fixed bug causing random crashes
  • Fixed usability issues in item selection, preview, pop-up menu, and browsing through items
  • Other minor bug fixes


  • OS X 10.7 or later
  • Keynote 5.0 or later



More information

Gazelle Point-of-Sale 12.18 - Advanced point-of-sale manager. (Shareware)

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:12 AM PDT



Gazelle is an advanced and modern point-of-sale, inventory, customer- and staff-management system which is aimed to meet the needs of small and medium enterprises. It has a built-in online store allowing retail stores to explore e-commerce, reaching the global population of the Internet. Best of all, Gazelle offers all these at a very affordable price. Visit our website for more information.

Version 12.18:

Now supports:
  • pole display/customer display hardware
  • more e-mail provider options
  • merging of quantities of same item during sale
  • stock quantity report
Plus:
  • numerous bug fixes


  • OS X 10.5 or later
  • Java 1.6 or later



More information

The Inquisitor - Screenshots

Posted: 31 May 2013 02:59 AM PDT

Lie Swatter

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:51 AM PDT

If you've played a lot of trivia games before, you're probably familiar with You Don't Know Jack, a pitch perfect blend of pop culture, snark and trivia.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Microarrays, Vol. 2, Pages 153-169: Microarray for Identification of the Chiropteran Host Species of Rabies Virus in Canada

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Species identification through genetic barcoding can augment traditional taxonomic methods, which rely on morphological features of the specimen. Such approaches are especially valuable when specimens are in poor condition or comprise very limited material, a situation that often applies to chiropteran (bat) specimens submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for rabies diagnosis. Coupled with phenotypic plasticity of many species and inconclusive taxonomic keys, species identification using only morphological traits can be challenging. In this study, a microarray assay with associated PCR of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was developed for differentiation of 14 bat species submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from 1985–2012 for rabies diagnosis. The assay was validated with a reference collection of DNA from 153 field samples, all of which had been barcoded previously. The COI gene from 152 samples which included multiple specimens of each target species were successfully amplified by PCR and accurately identified by the microarray. One sample that was severely decomposed failed to amplify with PCR primers developed in this study, but amplified weakly after switching to alternate primers and was accurately typed by the microarray. Thus, the chiropteran microarray was able to accurately differentiate between the 14 species of Canadian bats targeted. This PCR and microarray assay would allow unequivocal identification to species of most, if not all, bat specimens submitted for rabies diagnosis in Canada.

Computation, Vol. 1, Pages 16-26: Structural Features That Stabilize ZnO Clusters: An Electronic Structure Approach

Posted: 31 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

We show that a simple approach to building small computationally inexpensive clusters offers insights on specific structural motifs that stabilize the electronic structure of ZnO. All-electron calculations on ZniOi needle (i = 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18) and plate (i = 9 and 18) clusters within the density functional theory (DFT) formalism show a higher stability for ZnO needles that increases with length. Puckering of the rings to achieve a more wurtzite-like structure destabilizes the needles, although this destabilization is reduced by going to infinite needles (calculated using periodic boundary conditions). Calculations of density of states (DOS) curves and band gaps for finite clusters and infinite needles highlight opportunities for band-gap tuning through kinetic control of nanocrystal growth.

Now Playing - Dark

Posted: 30 May 2013 11:52 PM PDT

Shaun and Erick get all vampire-ish in the stealth RPG - Dark.

 

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

"Now Playing - Dark" was posted by Dan Mihoerck on Thu, 30 May 2013 23:52:50 -0700
Автор: на Комментариев нет:

четверг, 30 мая 2013 г.

Games

Games

Snail 1.0.3 - Fast and simple time management utility. ()

Posted: 30 May 2013 03:00 AM PDT



Snail is time and task management made fast and simple, perfect for mastering your daily workflow. Created with love and care, Snail combines a beautiful interface with precision execution. Intuitive to use, it's always at hand, ready to help.

Version 1.0.3:
  • iCloud synchronisation (OS X 10.8 only)
  • Some bug fixes


  • OS X 10.7 or later



More information

popCalendar 1.0.2 - Calendar for the menu bar. ()

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:42 AM PDT



popCalendar is a tiny calendar that fits in your menu bar, giving you faster access to your timetable. A month-view lets you find the day or the date you need, while a click on a day lets you see all of its events. All of that without having to launch iCal!

Version 1.0.2:
  • Bug fixes in OS X 10.7


  • OS X 10.7 or later



More information

Producteev 2.0.1 - Manage to-do's from your Desktop. (Free)

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:36 AM PDT



Producteev is the latest app from the Producteev platform, that will let you manage your to-dos right from your desktop. Either as an individual, or as part of a team, we're here to help you get things done from anywhere.

Multi-Platform - Producteev is a task-management application for individuals and teams that syncs with a lot of tools and devices that you're using everyday : IM, E-mail (send tasks to task@producteev.com to install our email plugins), iPhone, and other mobile platforms, Web (www.producteev.com), mobile Web app, and other third party clients.

Features: The Mac application works offline and syncs with all of our other apps in real time. It works with Growl notifications and integrates all of our major Web features: deadlines and reminders, assignation, labels, repetitions, notes and file preview, collaboration, starring, filters, search, multiple workspaces, etc.

User Interface - All of this with the best interface you can imagine, from a simple to-do list app.

Coming soon: Invite colleagues right from the desktop + more settings / preferences options.



Version 2.0.1:

Minor bug fixes:
  • Some of you couldn't use the subtasks, now everyone can!
  • Other improvements


  • OS X 10.7 or later



More information

Participants 1.2 - Quickly and easily take attendance. (Commercial)

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:23 AM PDT



Participants is perfect for teachers, business people, group organizers, or anyone who needs to take attendance. Import people from your address book, assign them to groups, and add them as participants in your next event. Easily take attendance at your event by checking off the participants that attend.

Features:

  • Use the groups feature to quickly add a large or small group of participants to your event.
  • Easily print an attendance or contact list.
  • Easily e-mail event participants.
  • Full address book and calendar integration.
  • iCloud syncing between iOS and Mac ensures that you always have access to your participants data, whether at work, school, or home.
Wirelessly sync between your iOS devices and Mac computers with iCloud. Visit our Web site to see Participants in action!

Version 1.2:
  • Events can be duplicated, making it easy to populate a new event from an existing event.
  • All your contacts can be imported using a new mass-import feature.
  • Attendance lists, contact lists, and participant history can now be exported to a CSV spreadsheet.


  • OS X 10.7 or later



More information

Genes, Vol. 4, Pages 264-274: Molecular Expression of the Scribble Complex Genes, Dlg, Scrib and Lgl, in Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The Scribble protein complex genes, consisting of lethal giant larvae (Lgl), discs large (Dlg) and scribble (Scrib) genes, are components of an evolutionarily conserved genetic pathway that links the cell polarity in cells of humans and Drosophila. The tissue expression and developmental changes of the Scribble protein complex genes were documented using qRT-RCR method. The Lgl and Scrib genes could be detected in all the experimental tissues, including fat body, midgut, testis/ovary, wingdisc, trachea, malpighian tubule, hemolymph, prothoracic gland and silk gland. The Dlg gene, mainly expressed only in testis/ovary, could not be detected in prothoracic gland and hemolymph. In fat body, there were two higher expression stages of the three genes. The highest peak of the expression of the Lgl and Scrib genes in wingdisc lay at the 1st day of the 5th instar, but the Dlg gene was at 3rd day of 5th instar. The above results indicate that Scribble complex genes are involved in the process of molting and development of the wingdisc in the silkworm. This will be useful in the future for the elucidation of the detailed biological function of the three genes Scrib, Dlg and Lgl in B. mori.

Insects, Vol. 4, Pages 217-229: Laboratory and Simulated Field Bioassays to Evaluate Larvicidal Activity of Pinus densiflora Hydrodistillate, Its Constituents and Structurally Related Compounds against Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens pallens in Relation to Their Inhibitory Effects on Acetylcholinesterase Activity

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The toxicity of Pinus densiflora (red pine) hydrodistillate, its 19 constituents and 28 structurally related compounds against early third-instar larvae of Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus), Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and Culex pipiens palles (Cx. p. pallens) was examined using direct-contact bioassays. The efficacy of active compounds was further evaluated in semi-field bioassays using field-collected larval Cx. p. pallens. Results were compared with those of two synthetic larvicides, temephos and fenthion. In laboratory bioassays, Pinus densiflora hydrodistillate was found to have 24 h LC50 values of 20.33, 21.01 and 22.36 mg/L against larval Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti and Cx. p. pallens respectively. Among the identified compounds, thymol, δ-3-carene and (+)-limonene exhibited the highest toxicity against all three mosquito species. These active compounds were found to be nearly equally effective in field trials as well. In vitro bioassays were conducted to examine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of 10 selected compounds. Results showed that there is a noticeable correlation between larvicidal activity and AChE inhibitory activity. In light of global efforts to find alternatives for currently used insecticides against disease vector mosquitoes, Pinus densiflora hydrodistillate and its constituents merit further research as potential mosquito larvicides.

Viruses, Vol. 5, Pages 1374-1394: Current Understanding of the Role of the Brd4 Protein in the Papillomavirus Lifecycle

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The Brd4 protein is an epigenetic reader that is central to regulation of cellular transcription and mitotic bookmarking. The transcription and replication proteins of many viruses interact with Brd4. We describe the multiple roles of Brd4 in the papillomavirus lifecycle.

Cells, Vol. 2, Pages 361-392: Monte Carlo Study Elucidates the Type 1/Type 2 Choice in Apoptotic Death Signaling in Healthy and Cancer Cells

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Apoptotic cell death is coordinated through two distinct (type 1 and type 2) intracellular signaling pathways. How the type 1/type 2 choice is made remains a central problem in the biology of apoptosis and has implications for apoptosis related diseases and therapy. We study the problem of type 1/type 2 choice in silico utilizing a kinetic Monte Carlo model of cell death signaling. Our results show that the type 1/type 2 choice is linked to deterministic versus stochastic cell death activation, elucidating a unique regulatory control of the apoptotic pathways. Consistent with previous findings, our results indicate that caspase 8 activation level is a key regulator of the choice between deterministic type 1 and stochastic type 2 pathways, irrespective of cell types. Expression levels of signaling molecules downstream also regulate the type 1/type 2 choice. A simplified model of DISC clustering elucidates the mechanism of increased active caspase 8 generation and type 1 activation in cancer cells having increased sensitivity to death receptor activation. We demonstrate that rapid deterministic activation of the type 1 pathway can selectively target such cancer cells, especially if XIAP is also inhibited; while inherent cell-to-cell variability would allow normal cells stay protected.

Biology, Vol. 2, Pages 798-809: Fungal Diversity in a Dark Oligotrophic Volcanic Ecosystem (DOVE) on Mount Erebus, Antarctica

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Fumarolic Ice caves on Antarctica's Mt. Erebus contain a dark oligotrophic volcanic ecosystem (DOVE) and represent a deep biosphere habitat that can provide insight into microbial communities that utilize energy sources other than photosynthesis. The community assembly and role of fungi in these environments remains largely unknown. However, these habitats could be relatively easily contaminated during human visits. Sixty-one species of fungi were identified from soil clone libraries originating from Warren Cave, a DOVE on Mt. Erebus. The species diversity was greater than has been found in the nearby McMurdo Dry Valleys oligotrophic soil. A relatively large proportion of the clones represented Malassezia species (37% of Basidomycota identified). These fungi are associated with skin surfaces of animals and require high lipid content for growth, indicating that contamination may have occurred through the few and episodic human visits in this particular cave. These findings highlight the importance of fungi to DOVE environments as well as their potential use for identifying contamination by humans. The latter offers compelling evidence suggesting more strict management of these valuable research areas.

Metabolites, Vol. 3, Pages 463-483: Multiple Roles of Photosynthetic and Sunscreen Pigments in Cyanobacteria Focusing on the Oxidative Stress

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Cyanobacteria have two types of sunscreen pigments, scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). These secondary metabolites are thought to play multiple roles against several environmental stresses such as UV radiation and desiccation. Not only the large molar absorption coefficients of these sunscreen pigments, but also their antioxidative properties may be necessary for the protection of biological molecules against the oxidative damages induced by UV radiation. The antioxidant activity and vitrification property of these pigments are thought to be requisite for the desiccation and rehydration processes in anhydrobiotes. In this review, the multiple roles of photosynthetic pigments and sunscreen pigments on stress resistance, especially from the viewpoint of their structures, biosynthetic pathway, and in vitro studies of their antioxidant activity, will be discussed.

JDB, Vol. 1, Pages 3-19: Evolutionary Origin of the Proepicardium

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The embryonic epicardium and the cardiac mesenchyme derived from it are critical to heart development. The embryonic epicardium arises from an extracardiac progenitor tissue called the proepicardium, a proliferation of coelomic cells located at the limit between the liver and the sinus venosus. A proepicardium has not been described in invertebrates, and the evolutionary origin of this structure in vertebrates is unknown. We herein suggest that the proepicardium might be regarded as an evolutionary derivative from an ancient pronephric external glomerulus that has lost its excretory role. In fact, we previously described that the epicardium arises by cell migration from the primordia of the right pronephric external glomerulus in a representative of the most primitive vertebrate lineage, the lamprey Petromyzon marinus. In this review, we emphasize the striking similarities between the gene expression profiles of the proepicardium and the developing kidneys, as well as the parallelisms in the signaling mechanisms involved in both cases. We show some preliminary evidence about the existence of an inhibitory mechanism blocking glomerular differentiation in the proepicardium. We speculate as to the possibility that this developmental link between heart and kidney can be revealing a phylogenetically deeper association, supported by the existence of a heart-kidney complex in Hemichordates. Finally, we suggest that primitive hematopoiesis could be related with this heart-kidney complex, thus accounting for the current anatomical association of the hematopoietic stem cells with an aorta-gonad-mesonephros area. In summary, we think that our hypothesis can provide new perspectives on the evolutionary origin of the vertebrate heart.

Information, Vol. 4, Pages 240-261: Emergence and Evolution of Meaning: The General Definition of Information (GDI) Revisiting Program—Part 2: The Regressive Perspective: Bottom-up

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

In this second part of our inquiry into the emergence and evolution of meaning, the category of meaning is explored from the manifestation of reality in its corresponding level of interaction towards the interpretation of such reality (the first part deals correspondingly with an appropriate top-down approach). Based on the physical constraints of manifestation through electromagnetic waves, which constitutes the base of animal vision, we analyze the limits of the meaning-offer of such a manifestation, which allows us, on the one hand, to compare the efficiency of natural evolution in the reception of such meaning-offers; on the other hand, to analyze the conditions of developing agency able to acknowledge the reality underlying its manifestation. Regarding the complexity of such an agency and its related pragmatic response, we distinguish different levels, which allow the development of the General Definition of Information (GDI) properly, with respect to interpretation, as advanced in the first part, throughout nature. As we show at the end, our approach provides new grounds for the Unified Theory of Information (UTI) Program, as well as the possibility for bridging other approaches in the converging fields of information, meaning, computation, and communication.

OpenDrive 1.0.25 - Finder-accessible remote storage; free 5GB account. (Free)

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:16 AM PDT



OpenDrive links you directly to the cloud by creating a virtual drive accessible through the Finder. It allows you to open, modify, and save files just like a traditional drive. Keep your most important files backed up to OpenDrive for access anywhere, at anytime, from any Internet connection. Share your memories with family and friends, or stay in sync with clients and colleagues. OpenDrive integrates seamlessly and gives you instant access to the cloud for sharing, backup, and online storage.

Note: You must first sign up to use OpenDrive.

OpenDrive is available at various pricing plans. The Basic Plan is free for one user and you get 5 GB storage, 1 GB/day bandwidth, 200 KB/s speed. For premium users OpenDrive creates a zero-knowledge encryption folder, "Secure Files", where uploaded files are encrypted with strong AES-256 encryption on-the-fly. The encryption key never leaves your computer and files are encrypted before they are sent to OpenDrive servers.



Version 1.0.25:
  • Sync and backup task notifications
  • Task-bar icon crash fix


OS X 10.5 or later


More information

Quick3DPlan 2.7.7 - Design kitchen layouts easily. (Commercial)

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:08 AM PDT



Quick3DPlan is the easiest kitchen design software for professional designers. Includes two universal cabinet catalogs, one in inches and another in centimeters. More than four hundred units, appliances, and accessories. More than a hundred materials and colors.
  • Easy to use and easy to learn.
  • Design in inches with a frameless cabinet catalog.
  • The catalogs include thousands of cabinets with customizable dimensions and different models of doors, knobs, handles, and finishes. There are dozens of accessories (tables, chairs, stools, etc.) and appliances.
  • Modify the design directly on the screen by moving the cabinets with the mouse. You can also double-click on a cabinet, accessory, or appliance and change its dimensions or replace it with a different model.
  • You can use two windows to design. One with the 2D floor plan and the other with a 3D image with lights and textures. You can insert, move, and modify items in either of them.
  • Generate a list of cabinets, appliances, and accessories that can be printed or exported to Excel.


Version 2.7.7:
  • Cabinets can't be inserted by mistake over doors or windows.
  • New option to center doors and windows on walls.
  • Pillars can be moved a specific distance.
  • Dialog windows open where they were when you closed them.


  • OS X 10.6.6 or later



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The Flock - Screenshots

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:49 AM PDT

As the Carrier, you need to survive as long as possible and try to hold the artifact for a set amount of time in order to win the game. However hunting Flock might be lurking around the corner and kill you in an instant and steal the light artifact for themselves, in their turn becoming the new Carrier.

Flock are bigger, faster and can reach far higher places than the Carrier. But the Carrier is not helpless. It can use the solar capsule to spot moving players which will be burned to their death in an instant as a result. In their defence, Flock players can decide not to move and be safe from the light!

The dark atmosphere will help making it an engaging, sometimes even scary game. Players will switch roles from hunter and being hunted. This will make it a psychological experience in which players must deal with their weaknesses very carefully and play to their strengths or be outsmarted by other players.

Features:
- Asymmetrical online multiplayer
- Exciting and unique gameplay
- Engaging and simple mechanics
- Non-linear dynamic audio system
- Hunt and be hunted

20th century Cornish life is captured in early film clips

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:48 AM PDT

We are all used to viewing the most memorable events of the 20th century on archive film but how often do we get a chance to see the everyday lives of those who inhabited our own localities in previous generations? From the earliest days of moving pictures, enthusiasts across the country armed themselves with crude cine cameras, setting out to ... (more)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Antibiotics, Vol. 2, Pages 274-287: Assessment of the Presence of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Seawater Samples from Coastal Area of Gran Canaria Island (Spain)

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

This study presents the evaluation of seven pharmaceutical compounds belonging to different commonly used therapeutic classes in seawater samples from coastal areas of Gran Canaria Island. The target compounds include atenolol (antihypertensive), acetaminophen (analgesic), norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (antibiotics), carbamazepine (antiepileptic) and ketoprofen and diclofenac (anti-inflammatory). Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for the extraction and preconcentration of the samples, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the determination of the compounds. Under optimal conditions, the recoveries obtained were in the range of 78.3% to 98.2%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 11.8%. The detection and quantification limits of the method were in the ranges of 0.1–2.8 and 0.3–9.3 ng·L−1, respectively. The developed method was applied to evaluate the presence of these pharmaceutical compounds in seawater from four outfalls in Gran Canaria Island (Spain) during one year. Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were found in a large number of samples in a concentration range of 9.0–3551.7 ng·L−1. Low levels of diclofenac, acetaminophen and ketoprofen were found sporadically.

Sensors, Vol. 13, Pages 7121-7139: A New Hybrid Gyroscope with Electrostatic Negative Stiffness Tuning

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

A variety of gyroscopes have been extensively studied due to their capability of precision detection of rotation rates and extensive applications in navigation, guidance and motion control. In this work, a new Hybrid Gyroscope (HG) which combines the traditional Dynamically Tuned Gyroscope (DTG) with silicon micromachined technology is investigated. The HG not only has the potentiality of achieving the same high precision as the traditional DTG, but also features a small size and low cost. The theoretical mechanism of the HG with a capacitance transducer and an electrostatic torquer is derived and the influence of the installation errors from the capacitance plate and the disc rotor module is investigated. A new tuning mechanism based on negative stiffness rather than the traditional dynamic tuning is proposed. The experimental results prove that the negative stiffness tuning is practicable and a tuning voltage of as high as 63 V is demonstrated. Due to the decreased installation error, the non-linearity of the scale factor is reduced significantly from 11.78% to 0.64%, as well as the asymmetry from 93.3% to 1.56% in the open loop condition. The rebalancing close-loop control is simulated and achieved experimentally, which proves that the fundamental principle of the HG is feasible.

Sensors, Vol. 13, Pages 7104-7120: A New Self-Calibrated Procedure for Impact Detection and Location on Flat Surfaces

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Many analyses of acoustic signals processing have been proposed for different applications over the last few years. When considering a bar-based structure, if the material through which the sound waves propagate is considered to be acoustically homogeneous and the sound speed is well known, then it is possible to determine the position and time of impact by a simple observation of the arrival times of the signals of all the transducers that are strategically disposed on the structure. This paper presents a generalized method for impact detection and location on a flat plate, together with a calibration procedure with which to obtain the sound speed from only one set of measurements. This propagation speed is not well known as a result of either imprecise material properties or the overlapping of longitudinal and transversal waves with different propagation velocities. The use of only three piezoelectric sensors allows the position and time of impact on the flat plate to be obtained when the sound speed is well known, while the use of additional sensors permits a larger detection area to be covered, helps to estimate the sound speed and/or avoids the wrong timing of difference measurements. Experimental results are presented using a robot with a specially designed knocking tool that produces impacts on a metallic flat plate.

Molecules, Vol. 18, Pages 6425-6438: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Dual-Modality Glyco-Nanoparticles for Tumor Imaging

Posted: 30 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

d-Glucosamine (DG) was conjugated to a core-cross linked polymeric micelle (CCPM) system equipped with both a near-infrared fluorophore (NIRF) and a gamma emitter (111In). The resultant nano-scale tumor-targeting imaging tracer, 111In-DG-NIRF-CCPM, selectively accumulated in a human epithelial carcinoma A-431 xenograft model in mice. At 24 hrs post injection, the tumor uptake was 2.62 ± 0.80 % of the injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). Tumors were clearly delineated in both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and optical imaging. The results suggest that the prepared imaging tracer is a promising agent for tumor diagnosis.
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среда, 29 мая 2013 г.

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Visalia police bust illegal gambling operation

Posted: 29 May 2013 02:05 AM PDT

An undercover investigation has led to the shutdown of two South Valley businesses.

Molecules, Vol. 18, Pages 6298-6310: Fucoxanthin from Undaria pinnatifida: Photostability and Coextractive Effects

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Fucoxanthin is one of the most abundant carotenoids and possesses a number of beneficial medicinal qualities which include its anti-oxidant, anti-obesity and anti-cancer properties. In this study, the photostability of fucoxanthin in extracts with different chemical profiles was studied. The extracts were obtained from Undaria pinnatifida, a seaweed rich in this carotenoid, using conventional liquid solvent extraction procedures and the QuEChERS method. All the extracts contained all-trans-fucoxanthin as the major compound. Conventional procedures produced a fucoxanthin purity of lower than 50%, whereas after liquid-liquid partition, PSA cleanup, and PSA and GCB cleanup (QuEChERS method) fucoxanthin purity increased to 70%, 86%, and 94%, respectively. Although in the acetone extract the initial content of fucoxanthin was the highest, results demonstrate that coextractives play an important role in enhancing the rate of photodegradation. After light exposure, the conventional extracts lost around 90% of the initial fucoxanthin content. On the other hand, the extracts obtained by the QuEChERS method showed significantly higher light stability than the conventional extracts. These results suggest that the QuEChERS method could be used and further improved to obtain more purified and stable extracts for fucoxanthin from U. pinnatifida.

Molecules, Vol. 18, Pages 6281-6297: Chemical Composition of Aspidosperma ulei Markgr. and Antiplasmodial Activity of Selected Indole Alkaloids

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

A new indole alkaloid, 12-hydroxy-N-acetyl-21(N)-dehydroplumeran-18-oic acid (13), and 11 known indole alkaloids: 3,4,5,6-tetradehydro-β-yohimbine (3), 19(E)-hunteracine (4), b-yohimbine (5), yohimbine (6), 19,20-dehydro-17-a-yohimbine (7), uleine (10), 20-epi-dasycarpidone (11), olivacine (8), 20-epi-N-nor-dasycarpidone (14), N-demethyluleine (15) and 20(E)-nor-subincanadine E (12) and a boonein d-lactone 9, ursolic acid (1) and 1D,1O-methyl-chiro-inositol (2) were isolated from the EtOH extracts of different parts of Aspidosperma ulei Markgr. (Apocynaceae). Identification and structural elucidation were based on IR, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data and comparison to literature data. The antiplasmodial and antimalarial activity of 1, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 15 has been previously evaluated and 1 and 10 have important in vitro and in vivo antimalarial properties according to patent and/or scientific literature. With the aim of discovering new antiplasmodial indole alkaloids, 3, 4, 11, 12 and 13 were evaluated for in vitro inhibition against the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 values of 14.0 (39.9), 4.5 (16.7) and 14.5 (54.3) mg/mL (mM) were determined for 3, 11 and 12, respectively. Inhibitory activity of 3, 4, 11, 12 and 13 was evaluated against NIH3T3 murine fibroblasts. None of these compounds exhibited toxicity to fibroblasts (IC50 > 50 mg/mL). Of the five compounds screened for in vitro antiplasmodial activity, only 11 was active.

All-in-One Bundle 1.0 - Mix of templates and images; proceeds go to charity. ()

Posted: 29 May 2013 02:21 AM PDT



All-in-One Bundle is an excellent potpourri of 80 original designs for Pages documents, 15 presentation themes for Keynote, 120 stationery templates for Apple's Mail, and 750 symbol images. Save time and achieve more with All-in-One Bundle!

The set contains selections from Mix for Pages, Mix for Keynote, Mix Mail, and Symbol Mix.

All proceeds will go to charity. Find out more at skveras.com.





  • OS X 10.6.6 or later
  • iWork '08 or later
  • Apple Mail



More information

Macs Fan Control 1.0.1 - Monitor and control your computer's fans. (Free)

Posted: 29 May 2013 02:02 AM PDT



Macs Fan Control allows you to monitor and control almost any aspect of your computer's fans, with support for controlling fan speed, temperature sensors pane, menu-bar icon, and autostart with system option.
  • Software solution to noise problems such as those caused by iMac HDD replacement, or overheating problems like those found on a MacBook Pro
  • Set any constant value to any fan (e.g., minimum)
  • Control fan speed in relation to a temperature sensor (e.g., 3rd party HDD)
  • Real-time monitoring of Mac's fans speed and temperature sensors including 3rd party HDD/SSD (using S.M.A.R.T.)
  • Display menu bar icon
  • Compatible with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or later


Version 1.0.1:
  • Improved appearance on MacBook Pro with Retina display
  • Fixed warning message of non-supported file system
  • Fixed important memory leak in sensor-based controlling mode
  • Minor stability fixes
  • French, German, and Polish translations


OS X 10.6 or later


More information

Nutrients, Vol. 5, Pages 1962-1969: Macular Pigment and Its Contribution to Vision

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Three dietary carotenoids, lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z) and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) accumulate at the central retina (macula), where they are collectively referred to as macular pigment (MP). MP's pre-receptoral absorption of blue light and consequential attenuation of the effects of chromatic aberration and light scatter are important for optimal visual function. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of MP's constituent carotenoids and the same blue light-filtering properties underlie the rationale for its putative protective role for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Supplementation with L, Z and MZ augments MP and enhances visual performance in diseased and non-diseased eyes, and may reduce risk of AMD development and/or progression.

Nutrients, Vol. 5, Pages 1949-1961: Effects of Long-Term Oral Administration of Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid on the Immune Functions of Young Rats

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Natural killer (NK) cells have many functional activities, including cytotoxicity and the capacity to produce cytokines and chemokines. NK cell activity is regulated partly by eicosanoids, which are produced from arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term therapy with ARA or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the cytotoxic effects of the NK cells of young rats, which were fed on a nonfish oil diet for two generations. Control oil, ARA (240 mg/kg BW/day) or DHA (240 mg/kg BW/day) were orally administrated to the rats for 13 weeks before determining the cytotoxic activity of NK cells from the spleen against YAC-1 mouse lymphoma cell line, as well as the plasma levels of docosanoids or eicosanoids and inflammatory cytokines. Long-term ARA administration significantly suppressed the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Moreover, ARA administration significantly increased the plasma levels of ARA, prostaglandin (PG) E2, and PGD2. However, DHA administration did not produce any different effects compared with those in the control rats. Furthermore, the inflammatory cytokine levels were not affected by the administration of ARA or DHA. These results suggest that long-term ARA administration has an inhibitory effect on the tumor cytotoxicity of NK cells in rat spleen lymphocytes owing to the enhanced synthesis of PGE2 and PGD2 from ARA because of the elevated plasma ARA levels in young rats.

Nutrients, Vol. 5, Pages 1937-1948: The Relationship between Selenoprotein P and Glucose Metabolism in Experimental Studies

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Selenium is an essential trace element in the diet of mammals which is important for many physiological functions. However, a number of epidemiological studies have suggested that high selenium status is a possible risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, although they cannot distinguish between cause and effect. Selenoprotein P (Sepp1) is central to selenium homeostasis and widely expressed in the organism. Here we review the interaction between Sepp1 and glucose metabolism with an emphasis on experimental evidence. In models with or without gene modification, glucose and insulin can regulate Sepp1 expression in the pancreas and liver, and vice versa. Especially in the liver, Sepp1 is regulated virtually like a gluconeogenic enzyme. Combining these data suggests that there could be a feedback regulation between hepatic Sepp1 and pancreatic insulin and that increasing circulating Sepp1 might be the result rather than the cause of abnormal glucose metabolism. Future studies specifically designed to overexpress Sepp1 are needed in order to provide a more robust link between Sepp1 and type 2 diabetes.

Nutrients, Vol. 5, Pages 1913-1936: Calcium Regulation and Bone Mineral Metabolism in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) population is growing. Both aging and CKD can disrupt calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and cause alterations of multiple Ca2+-regulatory mechanisms, including parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, fibroblast growth factor-23/Klotho, calcium-sensing receptor and Ca2+-phosphate product. These alterations can be deleterious to bone mineral metabolism and soft tissue health, leading to metabolic bone disease and vascular calcification and aging, termed CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD). CKD-MBD is associated with morbid clinical outcomes, including fracture, cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. In this paper, we comprehensively review Ca2+ regulation and bone mineral metabolism, with a special emphasis on elderly CKD patients. We also present the current treatment-guidelines and management options for CKD-MBD.

Nutrients, Vol. 5, Pages 1869-1912: Probiotics, Prebiotics and Immunomodulation of Gut Mucosal Defences: Homeostasis and Immunopathology

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Probiotics are beneficial microbes that confer a realistic health benefit on the host, which in combination with prebiotics, (indigestible dietary fibre/carbohydrate), also confer a health benefit on the host via products resulting from anaerobic fermentation. There is a growing body of evidence documenting the immune-modulatory ability of probiotic bacteria, it is therefore reasonable to suggest that this is potentiated via a combination of prebiotics and probiotics as a symbiotic mix. The need for probiotic formulations has been appreciated for the health benefits in "topping up your good bacteria" or indeed in an attempt to normalise the dysbiotic microbiota associated with immunopathology. This review will focus on the immunomodulatory role of probiotics and prebiotics on the cells, molecules and immune responses in the gut mucosae, from epithelial barrier to priming of adaptive responses by antigen presenting cells: immune fate decision—tolerance or activation? Modulation of normal homeostatic mechanisms, coupled with findings from probiotic and prebiotic delivery in pathological studies, will highlight the role for these xenobiotics in dysbiosis associated with immunopathology in the context of inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and hypersensitivity.

IJERPH, Vol. 10, Pages 2185-2197: Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence among Conflict-Affected Men in the Republic of Georgia

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Background: There is very little evidence globally on tobacco use and nicotine dependence among civilian populations affected by armed conflict, despite key vulnerability factors related to elevated mental disorders and socio-economic stressors. The study aim was to describe patterns of smoking and nicotine dependence among conflict-affected civilian men in the Republic of Georgia and associations with mental disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey using multistage random sampling was conducted in late 2011 among conflict-affected populations in Georgia. Respondents included in this paper were 1,248 men aged ≥18 years who were internally displaced persons (IDPs) and former IDPs who had returned in their home areas. Outcomes of current tobacco use, heavy use (≥20 cigarettes per day), and nicotine dependence (using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence) were used. PTSD, depression, anxiety and hazardous alcohol use were also measured, along with exposure to traumatic events and a range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Results: Of 1,248 men, 592 (47.4%) smoked and 70.9% of current smokers were heavy smokers. The mean nicotine dependence score was 5.0 and the proportion with high nicotine dependence (≥6) was 41.4%. In multivariate regression analyses, nicotine dependence was significantly associated with PTSD (β 0.74) and depression (β 0.85), along with older age (except 65+ years), and being a returnee (compared to IDPs). Conclusions: The study reveals very high levels of heavy smoking and nicotine dependence among conflict-affected persons in Georgia. The associations between nicotine dependence, PTSD and depression suggest interventions could yield synergistic benefits.

IJERPH, Vol. 10, Pages 2164-2184: Heat Waves and Climate Change: Applying the Health Belief Model to Identify Predictors of Risk Perception and Adaptive Behaviours in Adelaide, Australia

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Heat waves are considered a health risk and they are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and duration as a consequence of climate change. The effects of heat waves on human health could be reduced if individuals recognise the risks and adopt healthy behaviours during a heat wave. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of risk perception using a heat wave scenario and identify the constructs of the health belief model that could predict adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the summer of 2012 among a sample of persons aged between 30 to 69 years in Adelaide. Participants' perceptions were assessed using the health belief model as a conceptual frame. Their knowledge about heat waves and adaptive behaviours during heat waves was also assessed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of risk perception to a heat wave scenario and adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Of the 267 participants, about half (50.9%) had a high risk perception to heat waves while 82.8% had good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Multivariate models found that age was a significant predictor of risk perception. In addition, participants who were married (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.62), who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17–0.94) and without a fan (OR = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11–0.79) were less likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. Those who were living with others (OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 1.19–6.90) were more likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. On the other hand, participants with a high perceived benefit (OR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.00–4.58), a high "cues to action" (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 1.63–8.43), who had additional training or education after high school (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.25–5.58) and who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07–6.56) were more likely to have good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. The health belief model could be useful to guide the design and implementation of interventions to promote adaptive behaviours during heat waves.

Machines, Vol. 1, Pages 33-49: Multiple Estimation Architecture in Discrete-Time Adaptive Mixing Control

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Adaptive mixing control (AMC) is a recently developed control scheme for uncertain plants, where the control action coming from a bank of precomputed controller is mixed based on the parameter estimates generated by an on-line parameter estimator. Even if the stability of the control scheme, also in the presence of modeling errors and disturbances, has been shown analytically, its transient performance might be sensitive to the initial conditions of the parameter estimator. In particular, for some initial conditions, transient oscillations may not be acceptable in practical applications. In order to account for such a possible phenomenon and to improve the learning capability of the adaptive scheme, in this paper a new mixing architecture is developed, involving the use of parallel parameter estimators, or multi-estimators, each one working on a small subset of the uncertainty set. A supervisory logic, using performance signals based on the past and present estimation error, selects the parameter estimate to determine the mixing of the controllers. The stability and robustness properties of the resulting approach, referred to as multi-estimator adaptive mixing control (Multi-AMC), are analytically established. Besides, extensive simulations demonstrate that the scheme improves the transient performance of the original AMC with a single estimator. The control scheme and the analysis are carried out in a discrete-time framework, for easier implementation of the method in digital control.

Societies, Vol. 3, Pages 224-242: “Not Really a Musical Instrument?” Locating the Gumleaf as Acoustic Actant and Environmental Icon

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Leaf instruments have occupied a post-European contact role in constituting Australian societal networks, and their epistemologies reflect native/exotic binaries in the species selected by Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians respectively. Accordingly, this essay examines some musical applications of native plant populations in the construction of arboreally-based cultural heritages and social traditions in the southeastern Aboriginal societies. In a broad characterisation of the practices of Indigenous leaf players ("leafists"), it extends the actor-network framework of "reaching out to a plant" established by John C. Ryan in 2012. When leafists play tunes on plants—either at their own source, or on leaves intentionally plucked for performance—music furnishes an intimate and vital part of their reflection to and from the nonhuman world. The author conceptualises eucalypt leaf instruments ("gumleaves") as actants and iconic sensors of place, providing further evidence for their role as conduits between land and people in some cultural blendings and positionings with art, drama, and poetry. This interrogation of confluences between musicians and Australian land and plants works towards more nuanced understandings of the complex interlinked systems of music, ecology, nature, and societies.

Remote Sensing, Vol. 5, Pages 2720-2745: Landslide Displacement Monitoring Using 3D Range Flow on Airborne and Terrestrial LiDAR Data

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

An active landslide in Doren, Austria, has been studied by multitemporal airborne and terrestrial laser scanning from 2003 to 2012. To evaluate the changes, we have determined the 3D motion using the range flow algorithm, an established method in computer vision, but not yet used for studying landslides. The generated digital terrain models are the input for motion estimation; the range flow algorithm has been combined with the coarse-to-fine resolution concept and robust adjustment to be able to determine the various motions over the landslide. The algorithm yields fully automatic dense 3D motion vectors for the whole time series of the available data. We present reliability measures for determining the accuracy of the estimated motion vectors, based on the standard deviation of components. The differential motion pattern is mapped by the algorithm: parts of the landslide show displacements up to 10 m, whereas some parts do not change for several years. The results have also been compared to pointwise reference data acquired by independent geodetic measurements; reference data are in good agreement in most of the cases with the results of range flow algorithm; only some special points (e.g., reflectors fixed on trees) show considerably differing motions.

Pharmacy, Vol. 1, Pages 3-7: A Description of the European Pharmacy Education and Training Quality Assurance Project

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

The European Union directive on sectoral professions emphasizes the fact that pharmacists working in member states should possess the competences required for their professional practice; the directive does not, however, describe such competences in detail. The "Quality Assurance in European Pharmacy Education and Training—PHAR-QA" consortium, funded by the European Union, will define such competences and establish a quality assurance system based on them. This will facilitate the tuning of the pharmacy education and training required to produce competent pharmacists in the different member states. PHAR-QA will (1) establish a network of participating pharmacy departments, (2) survey existing quality assurance systems used, and (3) develop competences through iterative interaction with partners. The European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy will use the harmonized competences produced as a basis for the creation of a quality assurance agency for European pharmacy education and training. PHAR-QA will impact on staff and students of European departments; the final stake-holder will be the European patient who will benefit from better pharmaceutical services and better medications.

The Last of Us DLC and season pass detailed

Posted: 29 May 2013 01:14 AM PDT

Demo of Naughty Dog's survival-horror game launches this

Geosciences, Vol. 3, Pages 240-261: Preservation and Recycling of Crust during Accretionary and Collisional Phases of Proterozoic Orogens: A Bumpy Road from Nuna to Rodinia

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Zircon age peaks at 2100–1650 and 1200–1000 Ma correlate with craton collisions in the growth of supercontinents Nuna and Rodinia, respectively, with a time interval between collisions mostly <50 Myr (range 0–250 Myr). Collisional orogens are two types: those with subduction durations <500 Myr and those ≥500 Myr. The latter group comprises orogens with long-lived accretionary stages between Nuna and Rodinia assemblies. Neither orogen age nor duration of either subduction or collision correlates with the volume of orogen preserved. Most rocks preserved date to the pre-collisional, subduction (ocean-basin closing) stage and not to the collisional stage. The most widely preserved tectonic setting in Proterozoic orogens is the continental arc (10%–90%, mean 60%), with oceanic tectonic settings (oceanic crust, arcs, islands and plateaus, serpentinites, pelagic sediments) comprising <20% and mostly <10%. Reworked components comprise 20%–80% (mean 32%) and microcratons comprise a minor but poorly known fraction. Nd and Hf isotopic data indicate that Proterozoic orogens contain from 10% to 60% of juvenile crust (mean 36%) and 40%–75% reworked crust (mean 64%). Neither the fraction nor the rate of preservation of juvenile crust is related to the collision age nor to the duration of subduction. Regardless of the duration of subduction, the amount of juvenile crust preserved reaches a maximum of about 60%, and 37% of the volume of juvenile continental crust preserved between 2000 and 1000 Ma was produced in the Great Proterozoic Accretionary Orogen (GPAO). Pronounced minima occur in frequency of zircon ages of rocks preserved in the GPAO; with minima at 1600–1500 Ma in Laurentia; 1700–1600 Ma in Amazonia; and 1750–1700 Ma in Baltica. If these minima are due to subduction erosion and delamination as in the Andes in the last 250 Myr; approximately one third of the volume of the Laurentian part of the GPAO could have been recycled into the mantle between 1500 and 1250 Ma. This may have enriched the mantle wedge in incompatible elements and water leading to the production of felsic magmas responsible for the widespread granite-rhyolite province of this age. A rapid decrease in global Nd and in detrital zircon Hf model ages between about 1600 and 1250 Ma could reflect an increase in recycling rate of juvenile crust into the mantle; possibly in response to partial fragmentation of Nuna.

Entropy, Vol. 15, Pages 2100-2128: Quantum Thermodynamics: A Dynamical Viewpoint

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

Quantum thermodynamics addresses the emergence of thermodynamic laws from quantum mechanics. The viewpoint advocated is based on the intimate connection of quantum thermodynamics with the theory of open quantum systems. Quantum mechanics inserts dynamics into thermodynamics, giving a sound foundation to finite-time-thermodynamics. The emergence of the 0-law, I-law, II-law and III-law of thermodynamics from quantum considerations is presented. The emphasis is on consistency between the two theories, which address the same subject from different foundations. We claim that inconsistency is the result of faulty analysis, pointing to flaws in approximations.

Agronomy, Vol. 3, Pages 474-487: Glyphosate-Resistant Goosegrass from Mississippi

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:00 AM PDT

A suspected glyphosate-resistant goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] population, found in Washington County, Mississippi, was studied to determine the level of resistance and whether the resistance was due to a point mutation, as was previously identified in a Malaysian population. Whole plant dose response assays indicated a two- to four-fold increase in resistance to glyphosate. Leaf disc bioassays based on a glyphosate-dependent increase in shikimate levels indicated a five- to eight-fold increase in resistance. Sequence comparisons of messenger RNA for epsps, the gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, from resistant and sensitive goosegrass, revealed a cytosine to thymine nucleotide change at position 319 in the resistant accessions. This single nucleotide polymorphism causes a proline to serine amino acid substitution at position 106 in 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay using DNA probes specific for the nucleotide change at position 319 was developed to detect this polymorphism. Goosegrass from 42 locations were screened, and the results indicated that glyphosate-resistant goosegrass remained localized to where it was discovered. Pendimethalin, s-metolachlor, clethodim, paraquat and fluazifop controlled resistant goosegrass 93% to 100%, indicating that several control options for glyphosate-resistant goosegrass are available.
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