Best beaches ranked

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What - no Salisbury beach?

TripAdvisor has announced the winners of its Travelers Choice awards for Beaches. In its second year, the awards recognize more than 322 beaches globally, including top lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

Travelers Choice Beaches Award-winners were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

Here's are the lists:

Top 10 Beaches in the U.S.: 1. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii 2. Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 3. Siesta Key Public Beach, Siesta Key, Florida 4. Hanalei Beach, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 5. Wai'anapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, Hawaii 6. Wailea Beach, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii 7. Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort, South Carolina 8. Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay), Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii 9. Saint Pete Beach, Saint Pete Beach, Florida 10. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Top 10 Beaches in the World: 1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil 2. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 3. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico 4. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy 5. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia 6. Playa de ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain 7. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles 8. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Hawaii 9. Rhossili Bay, Swansea, Wales 10. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Go here for the complete list of winners from the 2014 Travelers' Choice Beaches, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos.

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Best beaches ranked

Astronomy from the Moon: ILOA Acquires Exclusive Images from ChangE-3 Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope

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(Kamuela, Hawai`i, USA; Wednesday, 19 March 2014) The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) is receiving exclusive images from key partners at NAOC in Beijing, comprising data from the Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope aboard Chang'e-3 operating on the surface of the Moon.

Professor Jianyan Wei, principal investigator of the LUT instrument, indicated that the testing and commissioning phase is complete and all the telescope systems are operating nominally. He reports that the LUT already has captured over 22,000 astronomical images. The 150-mm diameter, near ultraviolet telescope is the payload that has operated the longest and obtained the most data since the 14 December 2013 Moon landing of Chang'e-3.

ILOA has Memoranda of Understanding with National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) and China National Space Administration (CNSA) to exchange observation opportunities between China's Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope (LUT) aboard Chang'e-3 and the ILO-X Precursor and ILO-1 Moon South Pole mission currently in development for launch 2015-2016.

A team of ILOA scientists is currently collaborating with NAOC experts to formulate a plan for additional astronomical observations. ILOA will utilize the Chang'e-3 pioneering and historic data to enhance its Galaxy Forum 21st Century Education program. ILOA Founding Director Steve Durst says the dynamic Galaxy Forum architecture "should allow ILOA to advance human understanding of the Cosmos from the Moon and help identify support for the ILOA missions."

Distinguished members of the ILOA Board of Directors have offered some relevant analysis, explanation, interpretation and commentary:

- Astronomer and Explorer Dr. Yuki Takahashi:

"These UV observations of the XZ Cygni (RR Lyrae type) variable star cannot be done from the Earth's ground, and the lunar surface provides a stable platform that should make it easier to operate a long-lasting telescope. Studies of variable stars like this in the UV will help us measure distances in our Galaxy, providing humans with a more 3-dimensional visualization of our home Galaxy."

- Aerospace Engineer, Medical Doctor and co-author of The Moon Dr. David Schrunk:

"Similar measurements enabled Edwin Hubble to establish the fact that the Milky Way is not an "Island Universe" but merely one of billions of other galaxies in a vast universe (this settled the major 20th Century debate of the structure and size of the universe)... Also, the data from the Moon is highly accurate -- not distorted by an atmosphere. We need more telescopes on the Moon!!"

- ILOA Founding Director and Space Age Publishing Company Editor-in-chief Steve Durst:

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Astronomy from the Moon: ILOA Acquires Exclusive Images from ChangE-3 Lunar Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope

Dust aerosol, clouds, and the atmospheric optical depth record over 5 Mars years of the Mars Exploration Rover mission

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Mark T. Lemmon, Michael J. Wolff, James F. Bell III, Michael D. Smith, Bruce A. Cantor, Peter H. Smith

(Submitted on 17 Mar 2014)

Dust aerosol plays a fundamental role in the behavior and evolution of the Martian atmosphere. The first five Mars years of Mars Exploration Rover data provide an unprecedented record of the dust load at two sites. This record is useful for characterization of the atmosphere at the sites and as ground truth for orbital observations. Atmospheric extinction optical depths have been derived from solar images after calibration and correction for time-varying dust that has accumulated on the camera windows.

The record includes local, regional, and globally extensive dust storms. Comparison with contemporaneous thermal infrared data suggests significant variation in the size of the dust aerosols, with a 1 {mu}m effective radius during northern summer and a 2 {mu}m effective radius at the onset of a dust lifting event. The solar longitude (LS) 20-136{deg} period is also characterized by the presence of cirriform clouds at the Opportunity site, especially near LS=50 and 115{deg}.

In addition to water ice clouds, a water ice haze may also be present, and carbon dioxide clouds may be present early in the season. Variations in dust opacity are important to the energy balance of each site, and work with seasonal variations in insolation to control dust devil frequency at the Spirit site.

Comments: 60 pages, 12 figures, to be published in Icarus

Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics (physics.ao-ph)

Cite as: arXiv:1403.4234 [astro-ph.EP] (or arXiv:1403.4234v1 [astro-ph.EP] for this version)

Submission history From: Mark Lemmon [v1] Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:17:24 GMT (1724kb)

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Dust aerosol, clouds, and the atmospheric optical depth record over 5 Mars years of the Mars Exploration Rover mission

Intelligent Artefacts at Game Developers Conference 2014 I Scottish Development International – Video

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Intelligent Artefacts at Game Developers Conference 2014 I Scottish Development International
Intelligent Artefacts is building artificial intelligence tools for use in games, visualisation and simulation, across a range of platforms. Our first integr...

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Intelligent Artefacts at Game Developers Conference 2014 I Scottish Development International - Video

Golden Esports League 2014-03-13 Lucid Lunatics vs Artificial Intelligence – Video

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Golden Esports League 2014-03-13 Lucid Lunatics vs Artificial Intelligence
First game of Golden Esport league with Lucid Lunatics and Artificial Intelligence -- http://www.twitch.tv/goldenesports2/c/3880083 utm_campaign=archive_export utm_...

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Golden Esports League 2014-03-13 Lucid Lunatics vs Artificial Intelligence - Video

Akshaya Patra, Brahmos Aerospace – Infosys presents Innovating for a Better Tomorrow: Promo – Video

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Akshaya Patra, Brahmos Aerospace - Infosys presents Innovating for a Better Tomorrow: Promo
This episode of Innovating for a Better Tomorrow features Akshaya Patra Foundation, and Brahmos Aerospace. Meet the ingenious Indian innovators as they talk ...

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Akshaya Patra, Brahmos Aerospace - Infosys presents Innovating for a Better Tomorrow: Promo - Video

Aerospace Skills, Technology Crucial To Strengthen Malaysian Capability – Shafie Apdal

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Developing skills and acquiring knowledge in aerospace technology are crucial to strengthen the Malaysian Aerospace capability.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said modernising the aviation infrastructure requires a broad-based team, training, technology and structure.

He said the combination could produce solutions that integrate and address environmental, energy, business, labour and consumer needs to move forward in the aviation sector.

The Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast published the need for over 29,000 new passengers and freighter aircrafts, which also anticipated a more than double of the world's overall passenger aircraft inventory by 2032, he said.

"The industry forecast calls for 190,000 new commercial airline pilots and 220,000 new technicians in the Asia Pacific Region including Malaysia, through to 2032.

"This shows a significant strong demand for aviation personnel in the future," he said at the 1st Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) International Aerospace Symposium 2014 at a hotel here, Wednesday.

His speech text was read by his deputy, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Mohd Shafie said the launch of the first satellite in the year 2000 also witnessed early steps of Malaysia venture into the space technology sectors, in which the industry had developed significantly.

As such Mohd Shafie said the establishment of the Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL Miat), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mara had offered students with highly specialised skill-sets to meet the global aerospace industry's quality standards.

He added the Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) had also been working on the predominant role to enable consensus building and coordination for industry-government partnership in high technology.

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Aerospace Skills, Technology Crucial To Strengthen Malaysian Capability - Shafie Apdal

Eakins sale plan due by month’s end

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A preliminary plan for the sale of artworks in the collection of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary should be announced by the end of March, seminary officials say.

The seminary is home to about 200 paintings, including six portraits of clerics by Thomas Eakins and others by Alice Neel and Philip Pearlstein. The Inquirer reported Monday that the seminary was considering sales from its collection to help defray the costs of consolidation and renovation of its Wynnewood campus on City Avenue.

"Sometime by the end of March we'll have a better idea of how we will proceed," said Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of the seminary. "We need to do more work to determine what will be sold."

The seminary has said it is formulating a plan that could include sale of its Eakins paintings, plus the Neel portrait of Archbishop Jean Jadot, commissioned by the diocese in 1976. The fate of the Pearlstein portrait of Cardinal John Krol, paid for by Krol himself, is also in play. But it is the Eakins paintings that have captured the attention of scholars and critics.

The earliest portrait, of Archbishop James Frederick Wood, who oversaw completion of the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul and the seminary campus, and who became Philadelphia's first archbishop, dates from 1877.

Eakins, despite his agnosticism, was fascinated by Wood's intellect and achievements, asked him to pose, and gave him the finished work. Unfortunately, a botched 1930 restoration ruined much of the painting, which hangs in the seminary's Eakins Room.

By the turn of the century, Eakins and his studio mate, sculptor Samuel Murray, were biking through Fairmount Park on Sundays to the seminary, where Eakins loved chatting with seminarians, discussing complex theological and philosophical problems, and listening to the chants of vespers.

He developed several friendships at St. Charles and asked each friend to pose. When the painting was done, he would give it to the sitter.

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Eakins sale plan due by month's end

Stem cells from muscle can repair nerve damage after injury, Pitt researchers show

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

18-Mar-2014

Contact: Anita Srikameswaran 412-578-9193 University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences

PITTSBURGH, March 18, 2014 Stem cells derived from human muscle tissue were able to repair nerve damage and restore function in an animal model of sciatic nerve injury, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings, published online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggest that cell therapy of certain nerve diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, might one day be feasible.

To date, treatments for damage to peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, have not been very successful, often leaving patients with impaired muscle control and sensation, pain and decreased function, said senior author Johnny Huard, Ph.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery, and Henry J. Mankin Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery Research, Pitt School of Medicine, and deputy director for cellular therapy, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

"This study indicates that placing adult, human muscle-derived stem cells at the site of peripheral nerve injury can help heal the lesion," Dr. Huard said. "The stem cells were able to make non-neuronal support cells to promote regeneration of the damaged nerve fiber."

The researchers, led by Dr. Huard and Mitra Lavasani, Ph.D., first author and assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery, Pitt School of Medicine, cultured human muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells in a growth medium suitable for nerve cells. They found that, with prompting from specific nerve-growth factors, the stem cells could differentiate into neurons and glial support cells, including Schwann cells that form the myelin sheath around the axons of neurons to improve conduction of nerve impulses.

In mouse studies, the researchers injected human muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells into a quarter-inch defect they surgically created in the right sciatic nerve, which controls right leg movement. Six weeks later, the nerve had fully regenerated in stem-cell treated mice, while the untreated group had limited nerve regrowth and functionality. Twelve weeks later, treated mice were able to keep their treated and untreated legs balanced at the same level while being held vertically by their tails. When the treated mice ran through a special maze, analyses of their paw prints showed eventual restoration of gait. Treated and untreated mice experienced muscle atrophy, or loss, after nerve injury, but only the stem cell-treated animals had regained normal muscle mass by 72 weeks post-surgery.

"Even 12 weeks after the injury, the regenerated sciatic nerve looked and behaved like a normal nerve," Dr. Lavasani said. "This approach has great potential for not only acute nerve injury, but also conditions of chronic damage, such as diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis."

Drs. Huard and Lavasani and the team are now trying to understand how the human muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells triggered injury repair, as well as developing delivery systems, such as gels, that could hold the cells in place at larger injury sites.

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Stem cells from muscle can repair nerve damage after injury, Pitt researchers show

4th World Congress on Cell Science & Stem Cell Research to Exploit the Latest Advancements

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Henderson, Nevada (PRWEB) March 18, 2014

According to Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, the Managing Director of OMICS Publishing Group , the main aim of the Cell Science-2014 is to broadening the scope of the research in this field.

The OMICS Group Conferences 4th world congress on Cell Science & Stem Cell Research deliberates on the broader areas of Evolution of cancer, Tumorogenesis, Recombinant DNA technology, Cancer cell development and signaling pathway, Genetic engineering and Gene therapy, Tumor suppressor genes, Tissue Engineering, Stem cell treatment, Bioinformatics and Computational biology, Bio Ethics and Patent Rights.

Reputed speakers at the Cell Science-2014, an international medical conference 2014, including Stewart Sell of University of Albany, USA, Sudhakar Akul Yakkanti, SRI International, USA, Jimmy Thomas Efrid, Brody School of Medicine, USA and Diana Anderson, University of Bradford, UK are going to share their experiences in this field.

OMICS Group International, an open access publisher that publishes 300 online, peer reviewed science journals in the fields of Clinical, Medical, Engineering and technological, Pharmaceutical and Management fields also organizes more than 100 international science conferences and events across the globe. With the help of more than 150 scientific associations with the like-minded organization, OMICS Group is contributing for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and information.

Soraya L. Valles Professor of Phisiology ar tht University of Valencia, Spain organized pre-conference workshop for the Cell Sceince-2014 on Neuro Sceince on 25th February at Salon de Grados, Faculty of Medicine Valencia, Spain.

James L. Sharely, Director at The Adult Stem Cell Technology Centre, LLC, USA presents a symposium at this OMICS Group World Congress on the topic Stem Cell DNA Segregation and Genetic Fidelity. Ornella Parolini, President, International Placenta Stem Cell Research (IPLASS) also presents another symposium on Fetal-derived Stem cells: Characteristics and Applications

The Young Researchers Forum at Cell Sceince-2014 provides the Young Researchers/Investigators an opportunity to present their latest research projects with an in-depth analysis. Student fellowships and the best poster awards for an outstanding poster presentation benefit the student community.

The OMICS Group World Congress on Cell Science & Stem Cell Research is all set to provide a comprehensive view of this discipline in a nutshell.

For more information on the subject of this release: http://www.conferenceseries.net/cell-science-stem-cell-research-congress-2014/

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4th World Congress on Cell Science & Stem Cell Research to Exploit the Latest Advancements