Monday, November 12, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 12, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 12, 2012 [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 12-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Jillian Hurst
press_releases@the-jci.org
Journal of Clinical Investigation

Home field advantage: Intravaginal immunization may help protect against infection

Sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) enter the body through the mucosal epithelial cells and the ability to direct pathogen-clearing T-cells to points of infection may be the critical element in developing successful vaccines against these infections. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by John Schiller at the National Cancer Institute investigated the immune response to intravaginal immunization in mice infected with a form of the HPV virus carrying a model antigen. They found that intravaginal immunization significantly increased the number of immune cells present in the vaginal mucosa compared with a general immune system booster. These results indicate that site-specific vaccination enhances the local immune system response and may be useful in developing STD vaccines.

TITLE:
Intravaginal immunization with HPV vectors induces tissue-resident CD8+ T cells

AUTHOR CONTACT:
John Schiller
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: 301-594-2715; Fax: 301-480-5322; E-mail: schillej@dc37a.nci.nih.gov

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/63287?key=95b0c2a37738d68fcd61


HIV-1 vaccine development: pinning down a moving target

HIV-1 is a genetically diverse collection of viruses, making it a moving target in vaccine development. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Brad Jones at the University of Toronto in investigated the feasibility of eliminating HIV-infected cells by targeting cellular immune responses against a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV). HERVs are the DNA remnants of ancient infectious retroviruses that became part of the germ line cells of our ancestors. Jones and colleagues found that HIV infection stimulated the expression of HERV proteins, effectively tagging HIV-infected cells. Immune cells targeted to these proteins specifically eliminated cells infected with several different strains of HIV in vitro. This study suggests that HERV-targeted immune responses should be considered in the development of HIV vaccines.

TITLE:
HERV-K-targeted T-cells eliminate diverse HIV-1/2 and SIV primary isolates

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Brad Jones
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CAN
Phone: 617-777-9151; E-mail: bjones.ut@gmail.com

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64560?key=6bb3867c449f3c243fb1


Researchers find abnormal dopamine signaling in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, sleep disturbances, hand flapping, and a happy demeanor. It is caused by deletion or mutation of a gene on a maternal chromosome in the UBE3A gene. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AS, but several studies have suggested that abnormal dopamine signaling might be an underlying cause of the disorder. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by C.J. Malanga at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill engineered mice lacking maternal Ube3a and found that they exhibit behavior that correlates with abnormal dopamine signaling characterized by increased dopamine release. This study elucidates AS-associated changes in dopamine signaling that should inform clinical trials utilizing dopamine replacement therapy in AS patients.

TITLE:
Pathway-specific dopaminergic deficits in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

AUTHOR CONTACT:
C.J. Malanga
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Phone: 919.966.1683; Fax: 919.843.4576; E-mail: malangacj@neurology.unc.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/61888?key=1a28adee2b0b4c806d9d


A new view of the immune system

Immune responses take place throughout the body and require the correct migration of particular subsets of immune cells to precise locations. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Andreas Beilhack at Wrzburg University in Germany report the development of a microscopy technique that allows for the visualization of individual immune cells in intact tissues and organs. The technique, called Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM), was used to monitor T-cell responses in the intestines and in mice after a bone marrow transplant. This new technology will provide insight into complex immune processes.

TITLE:
Mapping immune processes in intact tissues at cellular resolution

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Christian Brede
Wrzburg University Clinics, Wrzburg, , DEU
Phone: +49-931-201-27638; E-mail: Brede_C@medizin.uni-wuerzburg.de

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/65100?key=c11733018bb267aa0cf3


Unraveling the role of the unfolded protein response in cancer

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers a cellular stress response known as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), which supports cell survival. UPR is activated at a higher frequency in mouse and human lymphomas, suggesting that it might contribute to the survival of cancer cells. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Constantinos Koumenis at the University of Pennsylvania found that the oncogene c-Myc activated the UPR to increase cell survival and reduce a cell recycling process known as autophagy. By blocking c-Myc activation of the UPR in mice, Koumenis and colleagues were able to prevent the development of lymphoma. These findings suggest that inhibition of UPR may be effective in cancers characterized by enhanced c-Myc expression, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

TITLE:
ER stress-mediated autophagy promotes Myc-dependent transformation and tumor growth

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Constantinos Koumenis
Univ. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Phone: 215-898-0076; E-mail: koumenis@xrt.upenn.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/62973?key=46032c58d4d36f3b1fbc


Immune cells have differential effects on recovery after acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decrease in kidney function. The renal tubule cells are the primary targets for injury. During AKI, these cells either temporarily quit functioning or die altogether. There is increasing evidence that immune cells are the source of renal tubule damage; treatments that prevent these cells from reaching the renal tubule can reduce kidney injury. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Raymond Harris at Vanderbilt University used a mouse model of AKI to study the activity of macrophages, a specific type of immune cell, in the renal tubule. They found that two different types of macrophages accumulated in the kidney. M1 macrophages enhanced inflammation and injury, while M2 macrophages promoted healing. Blocking the activity of CSF1, a growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of M2 macrophages, increased injury and delayed recovery. This study demonstrates that CSF1 plays a critical role in the recovery of the renal tubules following AKI.

TITLE:
CSF-1 signaling mediates recovery from acute kidney injury

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Raymond C. Harris
Vanderbilt University Med Center, Nashville, TN, USA
Phone: 615 322-2150; E-mail: ray.harris@vanderbilt.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/60363?key=00e3d82b49b94040100b


Neurodegeneration is triggered by DNA repair

Oxidative metabolism produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), highly toxic molecules that cause DNA and tissue damage. The brain is particularly susceptible to ROS damage and excessive ROS, a condition known as oxidative stress, can lead to neurodegeneration. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Yusaku Nakabeppu at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan investigated the role of a ROS-induced DNA lesion, 8-oxoguanine, in neurodegeneration. Nakabeppu and colleagues engineered mice that lacked different DNA repair enzymes to determine if the DNA lesion could activate cell death pathways in neurons. They found that the accumulation of 8-oxoguanine activated cell death pathways in neurons and the neuron-supporting glial cells upon repair of the DNA lesion. These findings indicate that suppression of specific DNA repair enzymes may protect the brain under conditions of oxidative stress.

TITLE:
8-Oxoguanine causes neurodegeneration during MUTYH-mediated DNA base excision repair

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Yusaku Nakabeppu
Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, , JPN
Phone: +81-92-642-6800; Fax: +81-92-642-6791; E-mail: yusaku@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/65053?key=c5b0174a10a6a76d0f4e


Mob mentality: loss of the protein MOB1 causes uncontrolled cell growth

Cancer is caused by an imbalance in the signals that tell cells to grow or differentiate into a specialized cell type. The Hippo signaling pathway, which regulates growth signals, is frequently mutated or inactivated in many human cancers, including trichilemmal carcinoma, a cancer that originates in hair follicles. The protein MOB1 is also frequently mutated in trichilemmal carcinoma; however its role in carcinogenesis is unclear. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation researchers led by Akira Suzuki at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan investigated the role of MOB1 in Hippo signaling. Using mice with deletions or mutations in the Mob1 gene, Suzuki and colleagues found that loss of Mob1 in skin cells caused uncontrolled cell growth through dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway. This study establishes MOB1 as a tumor suppressor and suggests that therapeutics targeting the Hippo pathway or MOB1 might be useful in the treatment of Hippo-driven cancers, including trichilemmal carcinoma.

TITLE:
Cancer susceptibility and embryonic lethality in Mob1a/1b double-mutant mice

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Akira Suzuki
Div.Cancer Genetics,Medical Institute of Bioregulation,Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka, UNK, JPN
Phone: +81-92-642-6835; Fax: +81-92-632-1499; E-mail: suzuki@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/63735?key=f60115dbaf1d103d8a48


A context dependent role for Nkx2-1 in lung cancer

Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a highly invasive form of lung cancer that is associated with a decrease in a gene regulatory protein known as NKX2-1. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Jeffrey Whitsett at Cincinnati Children's Hospital demonstrated that loss of one copy of the Nkx2-1 gene and the expression of an activated form of the oncogene Kras caused mucinous adenocarcinoma in mice. Interestingly, loss of one copy of Nkx2-1 in combination with the expression of another common lung-cancer associated gene, Egfr, did not cause carcinogenesis. These results suggest that the function of Nkx2-1 is context dependent and indicate that the genotype of mucinous adenocarcinomas should influence the choice of treatment.

TITLE:
KRAS.G12D and NKX2-1 haploinsufficiency induce mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Jeffrey Whitsett
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Phone: 513-803-2790; E-mail: jeff.whitsett@cchmc.org

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64048?key=45dd78d39619f78e0fd9

###


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JCI early table of contents for Nov. 12, 2012 [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 12-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Jillian Hurst
press_releases@the-jci.org
Journal of Clinical Investigation

Home field advantage: Intravaginal immunization may help protect against infection

Sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) enter the body through the mucosal epithelial cells and the ability to direct pathogen-clearing T-cells to points of infection may be the critical element in developing successful vaccines against these infections. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by John Schiller at the National Cancer Institute investigated the immune response to intravaginal immunization in mice infected with a form of the HPV virus carrying a model antigen. They found that intravaginal immunization significantly increased the number of immune cells present in the vaginal mucosa compared with a general immune system booster. These results indicate that site-specific vaccination enhances the local immune system response and may be useful in developing STD vaccines.

TITLE:
Intravaginal immunization with HPV vectors induces tissue-resident CD8+ T cells

AUTHOR CONTACT:
John Schiller
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
Phone: 301-594-2715; Fax: 301-480-5322; E-mail: schillej@dc37a.nci.nih.gov

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/63287?key=95b0c2a37738d68fcd61


HIV-1 vaccine development: pinning down a moving target

HIV-1 is a genetically diverse collection of viruses, making it a moving target in vaccine development. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Brad Jones at the University of Toronto in investigated the feasibility of eliminating HIV-infected cells by targeting cellular immune responses against a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV). HERVs are the DNA remnants of ancient infectious retroviruses that became part of the germ line cells of our ancestors. Jones and colleagues found that HIV infection stimulated the expression of HERV proteins, effectively tagging HIV-infected cells. Immune cells targeted to these proteins specifically eliminated cells infected with several different strains of HIV in vitro. This study suggests that HERV-targeted immune responses should be considered in the development of HIV vaccines.

TITLE:
HERV-K-targeted T-cells eliminate diverse HIV-1/2 and SIV primary isolates

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Brad Jones
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CAN
Phone: 617-777-9151; E-mail: bjones.ut@gmail.com

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64560?key=6bb3867c449f3c243fb1


Researchers find abnormal dopamine signaling in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, sleep disturbances, hand flapping, and a happy demeanor. It is caused by deletion or mutation of a gene on a maternal chromosome in the UBE3A gene. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AS, but several studies have suggested that abnormal dopamine signaling might be an underlying cause of the disorder. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by C.J. Malanga at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill engineered mice lacking maternal Ube3a and found that they exhibit behavior that correlates with abnormal dopamine signaling characterized by increased dopamine release. This study elucidates AS-associated changes in dopamine signaling that should inform clinical trials utilizing dopamine replacement therapy in AS patients.

TITLE:
Pathway-specific dopaminergic deficits in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

AUTHOR CONTACT:
C.J. Malanga
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Phone: 919.966.1683; Fax: 919.843.4576; E-mail: malangacj@neurology.unc.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/61888?key=1a28adee2b0b4c806d9d


A new view of the immune system

Immune responses take place throughout the body and require the correct migration of particular subsets of immune cells to precise locations. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Andreas Beilhack at Wrzburg University in Germany report the development of a microscopy technique that allows for the visualization of individual immune cells in intact tissues and organs. The technique, called Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM), was used to monitor T-cell responses in the intestines and in mice after a bone marrow transplant. This new technology will provide insight into complex immune processes.

TITLE:
Mapping immune processes in intact tissues at cellular resolution

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Christian Brede
Wrzburg University Clinics, Wrzburg, , DEU
Phone: +49-931-201-27638; E-mail: Brede_C@medizin.uni-wuerzburg.de

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/65100?key=c11733018bb267aa0cf3


Unraveling the role of the unfolded protein response in cancer

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers a cellular stress response known as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), which supports cell survival. UPR is activated at a higher frequency in mouse and human lymphomas, suggesting that it might contribute to the survival of cancer cells. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Constantinos Koumenis at the University of Pennsylvania found that the oncogene c-Myc activated the UPR to increase cell survival and reduce a cell recycling process known as autophagy. By blocking c-Myc activation of the UPR in mice, Koumenis and colleagues were able to prevent the development of lymphoma. These findings suggest that inhibition of UPR may be effective in cancers characterized by enhanced c-Myc expression, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

TITLE:
ER stress-mediated autophagy promotes Myc-dependent transformation and tumor growth

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Constantinos Koumenis
Univ. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Phone: 215-898-0076; E-mail: koumenis@xrt.upenn.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/62973?key=46032c58d4d36f3b1fbc


Immune cells have differential effects on recovery after acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decrease in kidney function. The renal tubule cells are the primary targets for injury. During AKI, these cells either temporarily quit functioning or die altogether. There is increasing evidence that immune cells are the source of renal tubule damage; treatments that prevent these cells from reaching the renal tubule can reduce kidney injury. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Raymond Harris at Vanderbilt University used a mouse model of AKI to study the activity of macrophages, a specific type of immune cell, in the renal tubule. They found that two different types of macrophages accumulated in the kidney. M1 macrophages enhanced inflammation and injury, while M2 macrophages promoted healing. Blocking the activity of CSF1, a growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of M2 macrophages, increased injury and delayed recovery. This study demonstrates that CSF1 plays a critical role in the recovery of the renal tubules following AKI.

TITLE:
CSF-1 signaling mediates recovery from acute kidney injury

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Raymond C. Harris
Vanderbilt University Med Center, Nashville, TN, USA
Phone: 615 322-2150; E-mail: ray.harris@vanderbilt.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/60363?key=00e3d82b49b94040100b


Neurodegeneration is triggered by DNA repair

Oxidative metabolism produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), highly toxic molecules that cause DNA and tissue damage. The brain is particularly susceptible to ROS damage and excessive ROS, a condition known as oxidative stress, can lead to neurodegeneration. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Yusaku Nakabeppu at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan investigated the role of a ROS-induced DNA lesion, 8-oxoguanine, in neurodegeneration. Nakabeppu and colleagues engineered mice that lacked different DNA repair enzymes to determine if the DNA lesion could activate cell death pathways in neurons. They found that the accumulation of 8-oxoguanine activated cell death pathways in neurons and the neuron-supporting glial cells upon repair of the DNA lesion. These findings indicate that suppression of specific DNA repair enzymes may protect the brain under conditions of oxidative stress.

TITLE:
8-Oxoguanine causes neurodegeneration during MUTYH-mediated DNA base excision repair

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Yusaku Nakabeppu
Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, , JPN
Phone: +81-92-642-6800; Fax: +81-92-642-6791; E-mail: yusaku@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/65053?key=c5b0174a10a6a76d0f4e


Mob mentality: loss of the protein MOB1 causes uncontrolled cell growth

Cancer is caused by an imbalance in the signals that tell cells to grow or differentiate into a specialized cell type. The Hippo signaling pathway, which regulates growth signals, is frequently mutated or inactivated in many human cancers, including trichilemmal carcinoma, a cancer that originates in hair follicles. The protein MOB1 is also frequently mutated in trichilemmal carcinoma; however its role in carcinogenesis is unclear. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation researchers led by Akira Suzuki at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan investigated the role of MOB1 in Hippo signaling. Using mice with deletions or mutations in the Mob1 gene, Suzuki and colleagues found that loss of Mob1 in skin cells caused uncontrolled cell growth through dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway. This study establishes MOB1 as a tumor suppressor and suggests that therapeutics targeting the Hippo pathway or MOB1 might be useful in the treatment of Hippo-driven cancers, including trichilemmal carcinoma.

TITLE:
Cancer susceptibility and embryonic lethality in Mob1a/1b double-mutant mice

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Akira Suzuki
Div.Cancer Genetics,Medical Institute of Bioregulation,Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka, UNK, JPN
Phone: +81-92-642-6835; Fax: +81-92-632-1499; E-mail: suzuki@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/63735?key=f60115dbaf1d103d8a48


A context dependent role for Nkx2-1 in lung cancer

Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a highly invasive form of lung cancer that is associated with a decrease in a gene regulatory protein known as NKX2-1. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers led by Jeffrey Whitsett at Cincinnati Children's Hospital demonstrated that loss of one copy of the Nkx2-1 gene and the expression of an activated form of the oncogene Kras caused mucinous adenocarcinoma in mice. Interestingly, loss of one copy of Nkx2-1 in combination with the expression of another common lung-cancer associated gene, Egfr, did not cause carcinogenesis. These results suggest that the function of Nkx2-1 is context dependent and indicate that the genotype of mucinous adenocarcinomas should influence the choice of treatment.

TITLE:
KRAS.G12D and NKX2-1 haploinsufficiency induce mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Jeffrey Whitsett
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Phone: 513-803-2790; E-mail: jeff.whitsett@cchmc.org

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64048?key=45dd78d39619f78e0fd9

###


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/joci-jet110712.php

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Van Allen Probes: NASA renames radiation belt mission to honor pioneering scientist

ScienceDaily (Nov. 11, 2012) ? NASA has renamed a recently launched mission that studies Earth's radiation belts as the Van Allen Probes in honor of the late James Van Allen. Van Allen was the head of the physics department at the University of Iowa who discovered the radiation belts encircling Earth in 1958.

The new name of the mission, previously called the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), was announced Friday during a ceremony at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md.

"James Van Allen was a true pioneer in astrophysics," said John Grunsfeld, astronaut and associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "His ground breaking research paved the way for current and future space exploration. These spacecraft now not only honor his iconic name but his mark on science."

During his career, Van Allen was the principal investigator for scientific investigations on 24 Earth satellites and planetary missions, beginning with the first successful American satellite, Explorer I, and continuing with Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11. He also helped develop the first plans for an International Geophysical Year was held in 1957. Van Allen, who worked at APL during and after World War II, also is credited with discovery of a new moon of Saturn in 1979, as well as radiation belts around that planet.

Launched Aug. 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the Van Allen Probes comprise the first dual-spacecraft mission specifically created to investigate the radiation belts that surround Earth. These two belts encircle the planet and are filled with highly charged particles.

The belts are affected by solar storms and coronal mass ejections and sometimes swell dramatically. When this occurs, they can pose dangers to communications, GPS satellites and human spaceflight activities.

"After only two months in orbit, the Van Allen Probes have made significant contributions to our understanding of the radiation belts," says APL Director Ralph Semmel. "The science and data from these amazing twin spacecraft will allow for more effective and safe space technologies in the decades to come. APL is proud to have built and to operate this new resource for NASA and our nation, and we are proud to have the mission named for one of APL's original staff."

Operators have powered up all flight systems and science instruments on the probes. Data about the particles that swirl through the belts, and the fields and waves that transport them, are being gathered by five instrument groups designed and operated by teams at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark; University of Iowa in Iowa City; University of Minnesota in Minneapolis; University of New Hampshire in Durham; and the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Va.

The probes will spend two years looping through every part of both Van Allen belts. By having two spacecraft in different regions of the belts at the same time, scientists finally will be able to gather data from within the belts themselves, learning how they change over space and time. In addition, a space weather broadcast will transmit selected data from those instruments around the clock, giving researchers a check on current conditions near Earth.

The Van Allen Probes comprise the second mission in NASA's Living With a Star program to explore aspects of the connected sun-Earth system that directly affect life and society. The program is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

For more information about NASA's Van Allen Probes mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/vanallenprobes

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/space_time/nasa/~3/rfJ9Eyu7QXk/121111101748.htm

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Saturday, October 20, 2012

A Girl's Guide To Brand Advocacy | Business 2 Community

There are lots of buzz words and phrases being thrown around these days within the inbound marketing industry, but the one that makes my heart skip a beat is (drumroll, please) ?
brand advocacy! You might think that an advocate is someone who RTs a brand or consistently uses a company?s coupons or loyalty cards, or even supports a sponsored giveaway on a brand?s blog.

But let?s break it down, folks: These factors alone do not a brand advocate make. If a year ago you asked me, ?Hey girl, who are you a brand advocate for?? I would have responded, ?Aldo, Qdoba, and Beyonce. Always Beyonce.? But after further R&D, does that statement still hold true? Let?s explore.

Aldo1. Aldo

Why I love you: Aldo is my go-to when it comes to the flyest kicks, heels and sandals. They also carry bomb handbags and accessories. But products alone aren?t enough?their customer service is out of this world! If the store is out of my size, I can have a pair of shoes in my size shipped to my doorstep within days at no additional cost.

Is this advocacy? Survey says, ?No.? While I do appreciate a studded wedge ankle boot waiting on my doorstep as much as the next girl, I don?t shout Aldo from the rooftops. Do I ?Like? them on Facebook and ?Follow? on Twitter? Yes. Do I seek out Aldo?s updates and tweets to engage with the brand or share their message? No.

2. Qdoba

Why I love you: Two words ? queso and coupons.

Is this advocacy? Nope. I have to admit that I do frequent my local Qdoba maybe a little too often, but this is solely because I receive email or text coupons. I wouldn?t go nearly as often if I didn?t earn 85 points per entr?e on my Qdoba Card or receive BOGO offers on my smartphone.

3. Beyonce

Why I love you: Where do I begin?! Beyonce is a Survivor, an Independent Woman, and a Run the World Girl. (See what I did there?) She is everything I strive to be. I believe in the message she delivers through catchy hooks, the most entertaining concerts the world has ever seen, and philanthropic efforts such as her involvement in World Humanitarian Day. The main thing here: I believe in why she does what she does.

Is this advocacy? Absolutely, it is. Because I believe in Beyonce?s message, I don?t need coupons or incentives. I?ll gladly drive 3.5+ hours to sit in nose bleed seats at United Center in Chicago to catch even the tiniest glimpse of her live performance, and then tell the world how amazing it is via every social channel I can think of.

While Internet and social marketing are becoming essential to a brand?s success in developing and motivating advocates, the buck doesn?t stop there. It?s not enough to talk the talk?brands must walk the walk in real life. For example, I had a terrible experience with a specific company (that shall not be named) regarding a warranty on a router. Via emails, live chats and many a phone convo, my issue was dragged on for days, all while I was sans wireless Internet ?a first-world problem, but a problem nonetheless.

Fed up with all of the frustration, I marched into the Best Buy location where I purchased the router (six months ago ? clearly outside of the store?s return time frame) and explained my issue. Within minutes I was walking to my car, new router in hand and tweeting about my experience. I took every store survey they gave me and told everyone I know about my awesome experience. Best Buy accepted the challenge and made me a brand advocate for life.

To quote Simon Sinek, ?People don?t buy what you do. They buy why you do it.? When you look at brand advocates this way, it makes sense?but the process is not easy. How do you get potential advocates to identify with your brand and believe in your message online and IRL? On the flip side, who are you a brand advocate for? Why? Tell me in the comments.

Source: http://www.business2community.com/branding/a-girls-guide-to-brand-advocacy-0311314

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Video: First Read Minute

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/49477428/

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Redeem&Get Offers Daily Deals Sites A New Way Out Of The Offers Mess

160127v1-max-250x250Last year Groupon bought OpenCal. It's since launched Groupon Scheduler, management tool for merchants using Groupon. However, there remains a problem in the Daily Deals market. A lot of deal sites use other kinds of platforms for deals, and the market is becoming increasingly confusing. So there remains a gaping hole for an enterprise solution allowing Daily Deal sites to be competitive against groupon and offer better merchant services. Irish startup Redeem&Get set out to address this issue with a Deal Manager Pro, aimed at helping online marketeers leverage daily deals by managing special offers for local merchants. A sort of ?Google AdWords certification for daily deals?. Now it's launched an enterprise service.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/4PH_0nLVMPo/

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Friday, October 19, 2012

'FarmVille' Gateway to Serious Gaming for Women

Game Controllers with Male and Female Symbols

FarmVille and other social, browser-based games are more commonly associated with female players, but they may actually be opening a wider world of gaming up to women.

That?s according to Jeannette Weinstein, the CEO of iQU, an advertising platform that specializes in tracking gamer?s behavior. Her passion is also focusing on how women are changing the gaming industry, both as executives and consumers.

Weinstein says female gamers in their 30s to 50s, especially those who haven?t been playing very long, are often drawn into gaming through two factors: social games on platforms like Facebook, and advertising campaigns with gamification elements. Particularly appealing are ways for women to track their behavior and then be rewarded for it, such as campaigns offering check-in bonuses or leaderboards against their friends.

Weinsein says browser-based games are responsible for opening the door to more older female gamers. ?We really have Zynga to thank for this,? she says.

SEE ALSO: Zynga Takes Facebook Farming To The Next Level With FarmVille 2

?I think for women who aren?t currently gamers, they get their feet wet a little in the social market. FarmVille is a little more complicated, and once they get involved and pair their game with someone else?s, they want a new challenge. They start dabbling in less-hardcore MMOs or console games,? Weinstein says.

The most common of those MMOs is World of Warcraft, the gargantuan massively multiplayer online game that has more than 10 million monthly subscribers and has been putting out new content since the game?s release in 2004. Weinstein says WoW serves some of this group of women?s gaming needs.

?They are attracted to something that isn?t all shooting or battle. Women generally tend to react better to a skill-based level up. They ask, ?Instead of killing, can we earn skill points in other ways?? They are also attracted to games featuring community building,? Weinstein explains. She also mentioned Final Fantasy is another series of games that appeals to this audience.

If game makers want to capture this growing marketplace, Weinstein advises them not to underestimate their players.

?The biggest mistake people are making is putting pink shiny characters in something. It?s just kind of inappropriate,? she says. ?Women are more value driven than men as well, and aren?t going to deal with technical flaws in a product for as long as other players might.?

Most importantly, she says don?t assume any audience, male or female, is the same, and there isn?t a ?silver bullet? to reach any of them.

To female consumers, Weinstein says to be proactive with their purchasing decisions so they can see more games that cater to them. ?If you aren?t getting something you like, go somewhere else.?

Do you think that social and browser-based games get more women involved in gaming? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: http://mashable.com/2012/10/18/farmville-gateway-to-female-gaming/

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