Aerospace Leading Edge CNC Machining Video of a 5 Axis Gantry CNC Router – Video

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Aerospace Leading Edge CNC Machining Video of a 5 Axis Gantry CNC Router
5 Axis CNC Machine video showing a leading aerospace engineering using their DMS 5 Axis Gantry CNC Router to cut an aerostructures aluminum leading edge. Learn more about Diversified Machine...

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Aerospace Leading Edge CNC Machining Video of a 5 Axis Gantry CNC Router - Video

A skinful of nanoparticles starts to show

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Nanomedicine could one day provide a wide range of treatments, but possible toxicological effects from nanoparticles are still a cause of considerable concern. Studies have shown that nanoparticles tend to accumulate in the liver and spleen, but until now there have been limited ways to monitor the exposure of these organs without taking a sample from the tissue itself which could be fatal. Now, researchers at the University of Toronto have demonstrated that a glance at the skin can reveal the level of nanoparticle exposure and that measuring nanoparticle content in a skin sample can quantitatively indicate the concentration within internal organs.

"The skin of mice injected with high doses of gold nanoparticles turned blue," explains Warren Chan from the University of Toronto and team leader in the research project. "We've been working on nanoparticles for 15 years and never seen skin colour changing, but then before we never injected at such high doses." He tells nanotechweb.org that these higher dosage studies were prompted by the suggestion that nanoparticle toxicity is probably linked to dosage.

"Now we've proved that the concentration of nanoparticles in the skin is linked to concentrations in other organs and that there is a direct correlation," says Chan. "This means you can see nanoparticle accumulation through colour change in the skin or fluorescence under a UV lamp and then you can have a small skin biopsy to assess how much you've been exposed."

Spectroscopic studies of skin samples confirmed that the nanoparticle accumulation in the skin increased linearly with dosage. The researchers then microscopically analysed skin samples taken from mice at times ranging from 4 to 504 hours after injection. They found that at low dosages, nanoparticles accumulated in macrophage cells, but at higher dosages the particles were found in the space between cells.

"Macrophages gobble up foreign materials and break them down for removal from the body," explains Chan. "But when the dosage is too high, the macrophages in the skin cannot handle them all so theres what we call a 'spill-over effect', where the nanoparticles reside in the space between cells."

Comparing samples from the skin, liver and spleen demonstrated a linear relation between the accumulation levels in these organs. This finding implies that the concentration accumulated in the liver or spleen could be quantitatively determined simply by multiplying the measured skin content by a constant.

The research team also investigated whether skin accumulation occurred for other types of nanoparticle. Although the skin did not seem to change colour when quantum dots were used instead of gold nanoparticles, under a UV lamp the mice began to glow. Different alloys of quantum dots fluoresced green, yellow and red when exposed to UV light, which is in line with the known spectral properties of the quantum dots, confirming that the quantum dots and not the associated ions were residing in the skin. As for the gold nanoparticles, the quantity of quantum dots in the skin was linearly correlated with the injection dose.

At low dosages, the fluorescence itself was patchy, but the studies of skin samples indicated that quantum dots were in fact still present. A probable explanation for this finding is that the quantum dots had accumulated at different depths in the skin.

"UV light doesnt penetrate deep into the body," explains Chan, "So now, because we know a large concentration of nanoparticles accumulate in the skin, we may be able to use UV light to manipulate the nanoparticles' function." The researchers are now investigating the potential of using UV light to trigger drug release.

The results imply that fewer animals may be needed for future toxicology studies. Perhaps more significantly, this method of visualizing and quantifying nanoparticles may enable human exposure to be monitored. "At the moment theres no way of measuring this," adds Chan.

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A skinful of nanoparticles starts to show

NATO chief urges Europeans to spend more on defense amid Ukraine crisis

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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen delivers a statement to media after meeting with Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)The Associated Press

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, left, shake hands with Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico as they meet in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)The Associated Press

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia NATO's secretary general is pushing European countries to invest more in defense to better cope with crises such as the Ukraine conflict, but some governments remain resistant.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen told participants in a security conference in Slovakia on Thursday that NATO members that don't spend enough on defense risk being "free-loaders."

He told reporters later that "every ally is expected to play its part toward contributing to our shared security." He says the Ukraine crisis shows "we have to invest more in defense."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would try to increase military spending toward the 2 percent of gross domestic product that NATO wants, but said it's a "very sensitive issue" as his country tries to keep the deficit down.

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NATO chief urges Europeans to spend more on defense amid Ukraine crisis

NATO Benefit to Ukraine in Question

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WASHINGTON The crisis in eastern Ukraine has forced NATO for the first time since the collapse of the Berlin Wall to increase its ability to defend the territorial integrity of its 28-member states. The measures taken include sending 600 American troops for military exercises in the Baltic States and Poland. In addition, the United States has dispatched 12 F-16 fighter jets to Poland. Washington has also approved an aid package for Ukraine which includes $8 million dollars in non-lethal supplies such as bomb detection equipment and hand-held radios. It comes as part of reaction from the West to Russian backing of the annexation of Crimea and its support of separatists spreading mayhem in eastern Ukraine. NATO measures not enough But Stephen Blank, Russia expert with the American Foreign Policy Council, said the NATO measures are not enough. I dont think it sends much of a message at all. Its a reassurance message for the Poles and the Baltic States. It does not deter [Russian President Vladimir] Putin at all, Blank said. What would deter Putin is if NATO sent ground and air forces and air defenses to Ukraine at the request of the Ukrainian government. That would register in Moscow, but they are not going to do that. Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, said there are several other steps NATO can take to help Ukraine. These would include first and foremost providing military assistance to the Ukrainians that goes beyond non-lethal assistance, he said. I would include anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles, things that would really complicate Russian military operations in Ukraine. Second, I would encourage the West, ideally NATO, but perhaps a coalition of European and North American countries, to deploy intelligence assets - platforms, ISR platforms - intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance platforms in Ukraine and trainers, Brzezinski said. NATO's collective defense policy NATOs 28-members are committed to the notion of collective defense, contained in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. But Ohio Wesleyan University Russia expert Sean Kay, said Article 5 is not an automatic security guarantee. If you look carefully at Article 5, it says that an attack on one will be considered as if its an attack on all and that the allies will meet and consult on the appropriate response, including military, he said. The way that was made automatic during the Cold War, was through the forward deployment of major U.S. troops at the inner-German border. Today, our policy is one of reinforcement and symbolic forward presence, now with those rotational exercises [in the Baltic States and Poland]. Kay said he does not believe the Western alliance will deploy a huge number of troops in NATO-member east European countries, even if the crisis between Ukraine and Russia intensifies. We would have to be very careful about that, because we might think even if the United States wants to do that, we would not get consensus among the NATO allies for something like that, Kay said. And we have to do that in a way that keeps that consensus going too, because NATO could break apart politically if pushed too hard on that question." Ukraine crisis not yet Cold War Charles Kupchan, with Georgetown University, said by annexing Crimea and attempting to destabilize eastern Ukraine, Russia has bared its teeth in a way that it has not done since the Cold War era. Many people are now saying we now need to deal with Russia with both eyes wide open. We need now to take out of the closet NATOs plans for defense of its eastern frontier, he said. We need to contemplate a set of political and economic steps for response should Putin go into eastern Ukraine and continue to stir up trouble. Kupchan said the current crisis falls short of a new Cold War, but he said it does have the potential to go in a worrisome direction, depending on the Kremlins next moves.

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NATO Benefit to Ukraine in Question

"Right Out of a Spy Movie": Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden – Video

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"Right Out of a Spy Movie": Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden
http://www.democracynow.org - In part two of our extended interview, journalist Glenn Greenwald tells the inside story of meeting National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. Greenwald...

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"Right Out of a Spy Movie": Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden - Video

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Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden – Video

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Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden
Glenn Greenwald tells the inside story of meeting National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras were the journalists who first met Snowden in...

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Glenn Greenwald on First Secret Meeting with NSA Leaker Edward Snowden - Video

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Bill to curb NSA spying looks like change, but isnt really

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WASHINGTON The bipartisan bill that aims to put serious curbs on the National Security Agencys mass collection of Americans communications is being hailed by Republicans and Democrats as a big breakthrough.

Its not.

The bottom line: This is largely faux reform and a surveillance salve, said Thomas Drake, a former NSA senior official turned whistle-blower whos critical of the agencys collection programs. To date, neither the House nor Senate attempts go far enough.

Thats not easy to discern, thanks to an outpouring of raves for the legislation. Democrats, Republicans and traditionally skeptical watchdog groups have put their muscle behind the USA Freedom Act.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on its version of the bill next week, the first time since news about the surveillance broke last year that major legislation supported by top congressional leaders like this has come to the floor. The Senate might take up its own version as early as this summer.

The top Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee even issued a joint statement praising the bipartisan cooperation, a rarely seen trait around Congress these days.

But peek just past all the good will and theres serious concern that Congress has much more to do. Not only are loopholes easy to find but also the government has other ways of collecting the data.

The House bill would bar the NSA from relying on one part _ Section 215 _ of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to conduct bulk data collection.

Under the bill, the NSA would no longer be allowed to collect records of data such as phone numbers or the duration of all Americans calls. Phone companies would retain that data, but only for the same length of time they usually keep the material.

The Justice Department, though, could get such material in an emergency _ an important political concession, since many lawmakers were concerned that the government wouldnt be able to react quickly if needed.

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Bill to curb NSA spying looks like change, but isnt really

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Attorney: Defense told Corso will take Fifth

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. A lawyer for former House Speaker Gordon Fox told a judge Thursday more than 100 grand jury subpoenas have been issued in what he said he believes is a wide-ranging investigation by federal and state authorities that includes looking at the failed 38 Studios deal.

The attorney made the comments before Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein as he sought to quash a subpoena issued to Fox for a range of documents related to ex-Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's now-bankrupt company. Silverstein is overseeing a lawsuit brought by the state's economic development agency over the $75 million loan guarantee it gave 38 Studios.

"We believe it's a wide-ranging investigation," attorney Albin Moser told the judge, adding that they don't know exactly what authorities are looking for.

The Providence Democrat resigned as speaker in March, a day after his Statehouse office and home were raided by investigators. Authorities have not said what they're investigating.

In his arguments, Moser cited Fox's constitutional protection against self-incrimination. Moser said he doesn't believe that a charge against Fox is merited with regard to 38 Studios, but that "we do believe that federal and state authorities are interested" in the company. He called their interest "a link in the chain of a possible prosecution" that triggers the ex-speaker's right to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege.

Moser wouldn't say after the proceeding whether the subpoenas are from a state or federal grand jury and declined further comment.

A federal grand jury has been meeting relating to the raid on Fox's Statehouse office, and a federal grand jury has issued at least one subpoena to Providence City Hall, which was asked for records relating to Fox. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office would not comment.

While state police say their probe into 38 Studios is ongoing, it's not clear whether a state grand jury is investigating. A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office said she could not comment.

The judge is giving Moser more time to make his case to have the subpoena thrown out. Attorneys for Wells Fargo, which issued it, object. The company is among 14 defendants named in the state agency's suit, along with Schilling.

Also in court Thursday, an attorney for one defendant told the judge a potential witness who had a consulting agreement with 38 Studios told his attorney he intended to invoke the Fifth Amendment in response to a subpoena for deposition testimony. However, Michael Corso's attorney told The Associated Press that was false. The deposition is scheduled for May 22.

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Attorney: Defense told Corso will take Fifth

Gun rights advocates hope for convention impact

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Second Amendment rights advocates in Connecticut are mobilizing to influence this weekends state Republican convention, as they seek changes to Connecticuts sweeping gun-control law passed last year in the wake of the Newtown school massacre.

In recent months, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, a statewide gun rights organization, has instructed its members on how to become one of the 1,255 delegates to the two-day GOP convention. The group hopes to have a strong delegate presence and ultimately a say in who the party endorses to challenge Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, an outspoken supporter of the gun law.

While some gun rights advocates would like to see the next governor push to repeal the law, others realize that would be a challenge given the strong support for the legislation in the General Assembly. Theyre banking instead on the law being overturned someday by the courts, but hoping in the meantime to help elect a new governor they believe will be more sympathetic their concerns.

Greenwich businessman and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley, the front-runner for the partys endorsement Saturday, is a favorite among many of gun rights advocates, even though he doesnt talk publicly about the issue as much as other lesser-known candidates, such as West Hartford contractor Joe Visconti and Avon attorney Martha Dean, who recently dropped out of the race. Instead, Foley has concentrated on criticizing Malloys economic record.

I am comfortable with the conversations I have had with Tom Foley. I believe he is pro-2nd Amendment, said Scott Wilson, president of the CCDL, adding how Visconti also a strong supporter. I think he is probably doing the right thing keeping things focused on the economy at this point.

Besides Foley and Visconti, three others are seeking the Republican endorsement: Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti. But Wilson doesnt expect they will receive much support from gun rights delegates this weekend. McKinney, whose district includes Newtown, faces opposition for helping to craft the gun control legislation. Lauretti has little name recognition and Boughton has been criticized for his affiliation with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergs Mayors Against Illegal Guns group, even though he recently ended his involvement.

Foley has had a nuanced approach to the gun issue. While saying he supports the 2nd Amendment, Foley said he also understands a legislative response was necessary following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Yet he criticizes the final bill for not doing enough to address mental health issues and for including gun control measures that wouldnt have made a difference in what happened in Newtown.

For Joe (Visconti), this is his priority issue, Foley said. For me, I think its an important issue, but there are a lot of other issues that are important in getting Connecticut turned around.

Foley needs to tread lightly on the gun issue if he hopes to eventually win over the broader electorate in Novembers general election. A Quinnipiac University poll released this week shows a total of 56 percent of registered voters in Connecticut either strongly or somewhat support the gun law.

Public opinion is on the side of the new gun control laws, said Quinnipiac Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. And when you break it down further, and you look at the strong support, the intensity level, it would appear that again the pro-gun control folks have the advantage on intensity. In that sense, it does appear to be an issue that would favor Governor Malloy.

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Gun rights advocates hope for convention impact

Reid backs campaign spending limit

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wholeheartedly endorsed a constitutional amendment to limit campaign spending on Thursday, putting the Senate on course to vote on the matter as early as July.

Reid said that the Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the amendment on June 3, which allows Congress and the states to limit fundraising and spending on federal campaigns and gives lawmakers the ability to regulate outside groups. From there, the amendment will go to the Senate floor, where it has little chance of passing due to broad GOP opposition to meddling with campaign finance laws.

But Democrats believe the failed vote on the amendment, which needs the backing of 67 senators, will still pay dividends in the run-up to the midterm elections, painting Republicans as supporters of big money in politics and Democrats as on the side of ordinary voters.

(On POLITICO Magazine: Democrats have a Koch problem)

Let me pose a question to everyone, including my friend the Republican Leader [Mitch McConnell]. If this unprecedented spending is free speech, where does that leave our middle-class constituents? The poor? Reid said Thursday morning. It leaves them out in the cold. How could everyday working families afford to make their voices heard if money equals free speech?

Republicans quickly rebutted Reid, accusing him of moving to limit Americans First Amendment rights.

Todays proposal by the Senate Majority Leader represents an all-out assault on the right to free speech, a right which undergirds all others in our democracy. Its also a clear sign of just how desperate elected Washington Democrats have become in their quest to hold onto power, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Washington Democrats have shown again and again how determined they are to shut down the voices of anyone who disagrees with them, whether its targeting groups through the IRS or looking over the shoulders of reporters at local newspapers and on news radio. But this latest proposal goes beyond everything theyve attempted previously.

(Also on POLITICO: American Bridge starts Koch project)

Even John McCain, a previous supporter of campaign finance reform, said in an interview that he will vote against the amendment, calling it as exercise in hypocrisy for Democrats.

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Reid backs campaign spending limit