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POSTED: 6:00 pm EDT June 23, 2012
UPDATED: 6:59 pm EDT June 23, 2012
Copyright 2012 by TheIndyChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Linked by Eisel Mazard on 06/14/12 22:01 UTC
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Alan Turing is being honored with a Google doodle this weekend on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the pioneering British computer scientist and father of artificial intelligence.
Turing (June 23, 1912-June 7, 1954) worked as a code breaker during World War II, heading the team tasked with cracking German naval codes at Britain's Government Code and Cypher School (GCCS). Prior to the war while a student at Cambridge, he developed his famous "Turing machine," a variation of which is depicted in Google's animated Turing doodle below.
A Turing machine is not an actual computer but rather a hypothetical one that still serves as a fundamental tool for understanding how algorithms, computer programming, and computing itself works. Turing described his conceptual computer, which he referred to as a Logical Computing Machine, in his 1948 essay "Intelligent Machinery" as having:
"...an unlimited memory capacity obtained in the form of an infinite tape marked out into squares, on each of which a symbol could be printed. At any moment there is one symbol in the machine; it is called the scanned symbol. The machine can alter the scanned symbol and its behavior is in part determined by that symbol, but the symbols on the tape elsewhere do not affect the behavior of the machine. However, the tape can be moved back and forth through the machine, this being one of the elementary operations of the machine. Any symbol on the tape may therefore eventually have an innings."
Turing did help design and build functional computational machines in the 1940s and 50s, including groundbreaking experimental computers like the Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) while working at Britain's National Physical Laboratory and the Manchester machines at the Royal Society Computing Machine Laboratory run by the famous mathematician and code breaker Max Newman at Manchester University.
But he is most famous today for the "Turing test." This proposed method for determining if a machine can "think" is considered the basis of the science of artificial intelligence.
There is actually some controversy over how Turing proposed to test machines for intelligence in his 1950 essay "Computing Machinery and Intelligence." In the essay, Turing describes question-and-answer games that involve a "blind" player interrogating two other players, one a human and one a computer, to try to determine the gender of each. In different versions of the game, the players attempt to either trick or assist the interrogator in making his or her final determination of gender.
Turing proposes that if the interrogator is as often right (or wrong) about the computer's gender as the human's, then the computer can be described as "intelligent." However, Turing tests have evolved into a form used today known as the standard Turing test where the interrogator is attempting to simply determine which of the two players being questioned is a human and which is a computera formulation of the game that some argue Turing intended while others believe he did not.
The annual Loebner Prize competition, initiated in 1990 by the American inventor Hugh Loebner, uses a standard Turing test on computer programs entered in the contest to determine which is the most human-like.
Turing was gay during a time when homosexuality was persecuted under the law in the U.K. He was convicted of illegal homosexual acts in 1952 and forced to undergo chemical castration treatment to avoid a prison term.
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Aerospace Industry to Witness Growth Despite Recession: Lucintel Estimates Global Commercial Airliner and Regional Aircraft Market to Reach US $112 Billion In 2017Irving, TX (PRWEB) June 22, 2012 Despite economic difficulty, the aerospace industry is proliferating and the global commercial airliner and regional aircraft markets are expected to reach approximately US $112 billion in 2017 with a ...
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21-06-2012 20:45 - Round the World Travel Video Adventure Giving the Bird to improper chopstick use! Our delightful and delectable Seoul host Minji, teaches us how to use chopsticks. She believes the middle finger is the key to correct chopstick control. Willing and eager student Mark tests out Minji's methods with some interesting results. AROUND THE WORLD TRAVEL VIDEO ADVENTURE web: fb: twt: g+:
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22-06-2012 13:21 check this out: Italy - spain - cote d'ivoire - uruguay - I travel the world building squads from various nations then i score some goals and show you them at the end. Hope you like it, if you do please thumb it up xx Check me out on Yeousch: Please Like and Comment. Add me: twitter:
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The world's largest travel website has created a Facebook app that provides restaurant recommendations written and rated by locals and friends.
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TripAdvisor launches app providing local restaurant recommendations
High above the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City, a spotlight beckons the Caped Crusader. It's an irresistible symbol for a man who lives to vanquish evildoers, and the latest game bearing his name makes a similar siren call. Eye-catching visual design and clever jokes draw in those who idolize Batman, and the collect-'em-all nature of the levels serves to keep you invested for hours. But problems--both new to this adventure and series staples--bubble just below the surface, making Batman's latest attempt to thwart his masked villains feel sloppy. As endearing as Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes can be, this flawed sequel fails to live up to the Dark Knight's high standards.
And who said that Robin was useless?
When the Joker joins forces with Lex Luthor, only bad things can happen. Political aspirations serve as the driving force behind the mischievous duo's latest harebrained scheme, but it's not Luthor's attempt at rigging an election that stands out. Rather, it's the goofy storytelling that's so enjoyable. Cutscenes are littered with clever jokes that should make DC aficionados flash a knowing smile. The interplay between Batman and Superman is particularly funny. Bats tries to keep his jealousy bottled up, but his feelings surface as mean-spirited jabs and 4-year-old-caliber pouting that reveal Bruce Wayne's petty side. Robin's adoration of Superman plays wonderfully into this dynamic, creating hilarious moments whenever these three are onscreen together.
Once the story gets under way, you're set loose in Gotham City to roam and venture as you please. The transition from linear level progression to open-world freedom is the biggest change from previous Lego games. Needy citizens call for help, tantalizing collectibles dangle just out of reach, and distractions surface every few steps. In a game already bursting with content, having so many places to go and things to collect is almost overwhelming--in a good way--and could have propelled Lego Batman 2 to new heights, if only the execution were better. But the locomotion is severely flawed. Getting from one location to the next is a fumbler's quest because loose vehicle controls and a zoomed-in camera make turning a tricky task, and the lack of a minimap hinders your ability to navigate.
After you arrive in a stage, events play out just like in previous Lego adventures. Tightly structured levels place Batman, Robin, and any other superhero willing to lend a hand in treacherous locations. As you walk through recognizable locales such as the Batcave and Lex Luthor's office, your primary job is to solve puzzles. See that metal-plated wall over there? Don Robin's magnetic suit to walk right up to it. Staring at an indestructible computer? Jump into Batman's power suit to blow it sky-high. There's a pleasing rhythm to the problem solving because you seamlessly go from one puzzle to the next, using different abilities to interact with the environment in unique ways. Rarely are the puzzles tricky enough to seriously stump you, but seeing the different environments and dangers is reason enough to continue playing.
Outside of puzzle solving, you trade punches with miscreants who don't realize that attacking Batman is always a bad idea. Combat is mostly unchanged from previous adventures. One-button melee with context-sensitive counterattacks ensures you bash through baddies without breaking a sweat. It's tedious, and though you won't have to deal with as many respawning attackers as in the first LEGO Batman, combat still feels like pointless padding in an otherwise fun adventure. This feeling is magnified by sections in which you're invincible. Flying as Superman to destroy the Joker's airship is boring because there's no threat of failure. Just let the missiles slam into you while you slowly peck away at the ship's armor and try to stifle your yawns.
It's a shame the combat hasn't been improved from previous games, but that's to be expected in a franchise firmly stuck in the past. In no place is this more apparent than with the friendly artificial intelligence. Watch in horror as Batman gets beaten to a pulp by a street thug without so much as moving a muscle, or explosive barrels slam into an oblivious Superman. Robin might repeatedly jump in a pit or just stand stock-still while you wait for him to help you with a switch. It's infuriating. And not only do your AI pals fail to help, but they openly impede your progress at times. Batman might stand in front of a door you need to cut open with Superman, or Wonder Woman might stand in your way on a narrow beam. Yeah, it's funny to laugh at their ineptitude, but considering that the same flaw has existed since the Lego franchise began, it's becoming embarrassing. Luckily, you can always join up with a friend, though the lack of online play makes it tougher to get help in a pinch.
It's a shame there are so many obvious problems with Lego Batman 2, because the core experience is enjoyable. The visual design is particularly impressive. Swirling clouds and foreboding darkness give Gotham an eerie mood, and this meshes beautifully with the utter goofiness of the Lego characters. Sure, the city is in peril, but would it really hurt to laugh? And the amount of tomfoolery is staggering. Break into the zoo, and behold a menagerie of plastic animals. You might have thought you knew everything about Batman, but did you realize how much he enjoys riding polar bears in his free time? Plus, because most of the game is tangential to the story, you can spend hours discovering new things to do. Optional boss fights featuring lesser-known villains such as Hush and Captain Boomerang are fun endeavors, and once you win, you can control the baddie for some evil-themed mischief.
Lego Batman 2 contains the same strengths and weaknesses as the many games that came before it. Worthwhile additions such as the open world show the potential for where this series could go, but the core mechanics suffer from the same problems in every iteration. Although it's still as fun as ever to collect Lego bricks and watch the cutscenes, the lack of real change leads to the feeling that you've seen all this before. Batman is a meticulous self-improver; it would be nice if his Lego games had the same mentality.
Link:
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Review [PlayStation 3 Xbox 360]
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Water cooling is a great way to keep your computer super cool and super quiet, but it can cost a lot of money. Corsairs Hydro series makes water cooling easy with inexpensive, maintenance-free units that take just a few minutes to install.
Water cooling is great, but it takes a ton of upkeep, costs hundreds of dollars, and comes with a risk of drowning your computer if you make a mistake (yeesh!). Corsairs Hydro series made up of the H100, H80, H70, H60, and H40 makes water cooling simple. Just install the water block like you would any other cooler, and install the radiator on the top of your case (if you have the 120x140mm H100) or the back exhaust fan (if you have the 120x120mm smaller models). The fans will keep the radiator cool as the water pumps through it, giving you a quieter computer with lower CPU temperatures.
Youll still have to compromise a bit on noise, since you are still using fans, and Corsairs stock fans are quite loud. You can swap them out for something quieter, but the H100 and H80 also come with a handy feature that lets you run the fans on low, medium, or high speeds, which you can adjust depending on your needs.
If youre looking for a silent system, go with the lower, quieter setting; if youre overclocking and gaming, go with the higher, louder setting. Alternatively, you can do what I do and get an external fan controller and use that to control the coolers fans instead. That way, you can have it quiet when youre just browsing the web, and louder when you need the performance boost.
Ive been using the H100 for about a week now, and my experience has been very good. My temperatures are a bit lower, though probably not enough to overclock my system any further (obviously, your mileage may vary depending on the CPU youre using, your case, and the cooling system youre currently using). The main benefit Im seeing is in the realm of noise coupled with the H100s fan controller (or an external one), you can decrease the noise in your system quite a bit.
If youre sick of your computer sounding like a wind tunnel, or if you just want some extra overclocking headroom, check out the H100 or one of its smaller cousins. See the video above for a look at the hardware, or hit the link below to check out the specs on Corsairs website. The H100 runs for about $160 in Australia, while the other models cost less as you go down the chain.
Corsair Hydro Series CPU Coolers [Corsair]
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The Corsair Hydro Series Keeps Your PC Cool And Silent With Water Cooling
Sister Veronica Blake, left, and Sister Concepcion Gonzalez facilitate the Full Circle EcoHouse of Prayer in Port Huron. / BOB GROSS/TIMES HERALD A peony blooms, one of the many plants that help create a peaceful atmosphere at the Full Circle EcoHouse of Prayer in Port Huron.
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Washington, June 23 (IANS) Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams is all set to return to to the International Space Station, where she spent a record six months in 2006.
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New Delhi, June 23 (ANI): Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams will be returning to the International Space Station, where she spent a record six months in 2006, in July.
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London, June 23 (ANI): Tamara Ecclestone seemed to have had a very busy evening on Wednesday as she headed to three different parties in London.
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Tamara Ecclestone manages to change outfits as she heads to 3 parties
21-06-2012 14:34 On June 20, 2012, Dr. Charles Bennett and the WMAP team were awarded the Gruber Cosmology Prize. The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was built and launched by NASA to measure a remnant of the early universe - its oldest light. The conditions of the early times are imprinted on this light. It is the result of what happened earlier, and a backlight for the later development of the universe. This light lost energy as the universe expanded over 13.7 billion years, so WMAP now sees the light as microwaves. By making accurate measurements of microwave patterns, WMAP has answered many longstanding questions about the universe's age, composition and development. This video from Goddard's tape archive features Dr. Bennett after the first results were announced in 2003. This video is public domain and can be downloaded at: Like our videos? Subscribe to NASA's Goddard Shorts HD podcast: Or find NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on Facebook: Or find us on Twitter:
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21-06-2012 17:48 Visit for more. At the edge of the solar system, Voyager 1 is reporting a sharp increase in cosmic rays that could herald the spacecraft's long-awaited entry into interstellar space.
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NASA led the way for Americans in space, but now the U.S. space agency is actively encouraging companies to take over primary responsibility for getting in and out of Earth's orbit. Last month, a capsule built and operated by SpaceX completed a nine-day cargo-hauling mission to the International Space Station, becoming the first private-sector spacecraft to make such a journey.
But it won't be the last. Ed Mango, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, is charged with helping companies develop vehicles that could ferry astronauts and eventually, perhaps, civilians on routine trips to space. Mango visited The Times to discuss his efforts and how they could lead to a "spaceline" industry that resembles today's airlines.
What's the goal of the Commercial Crew Program?
We still have Americans in space. But we don't have a way to get there. So the motivation for this small team I have is that we are the next organization within NASA that's going to get American systems back into low Earth orbit.
Why is NASA relying on private companies instead of operating the flights itself?
It fits with what has happened in the past. Look at how the airlines got started: Air Mail was run by the government, totally. Then eventually, the government didn't want to be the ones to own airplanes, own airfields, employ the pilots all that kind of stuff. So they said, "We're going to contract this out."
That became cargo capability. And as time went on, companies said, "We can transport people, not just cargo." Thus, the birth of the airlines.
NASA has partnered with seven companies and funded four of them. Why so many?
There's more than one way to get to low Earth orbit. All seven companies have very different approaches.
We had four different capsule designs that can get to low Earth orbit. They all could work, ultimately. I think there are some that could work sooner, some that can work safer, and some that will work with less expense.
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22-06-2012 13:39 Without a true sense of inner Self and identity we remain glorified bio-robots and human laptops. this video is introducing a Podcast I'm uploading called: "Can you feel Justice", on my second/new channel
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Microsoft is working on technology that will spy on you in your own home, watching your body language and face and listening to your voice for cues about your mood and emotional state.
But would you want to install such a device in your home?
Maybe you already have.
Microsoft's technology works via Kinect for Xbox 360, the company's popular motion-detection gaming peripheral.
Microsoft this month filed a patent application for a method of " Targeting Advertisements Based on Emotion."
The idea is that users would install Kinect for the fun and games. But when they're not playing, Kinect will continue to watch everything they do. It will know when they're laughing and crying, slumping or beaming.
Microsoft wants to combine this data with information collected as people conduct searches with Bing and surf the Web with Internet Explorer. Using that data, the system will build an emotional profile of a user that will enable it to deliver ads "with the highest monetization values to the users that are emotionally compatible," according to the patent application.
Microsoft's plans are merely at the patent application stage. Other major companies are much closer to implementing emotion-sensing technology.
Feeling social?
Facebook has acquired the face-recognition startup Face.com, a company whose software can scan a photograph and identify who's in it, based on user tagging.
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What was not understood was that there was science behind these acts. Even the religious incorporated these practices as prayers and charms are offered without apology. The nave beliefs of many of those in medicine can be found in many of the texts that survive. Very knowledgeable and intelligent people believed in many of the folklore and herbal lore that existed at the time. In an attempt to understand the menstrual cycle or menses of a woman, the medicinal teaching said that on account of the excessive heating of the blood caused by bile pouring out from the gall bladder, which makes the blood boil to such an extent that it is not able to be contained in the veins. They also believed that a burning cupping glasses [should] be placed between the breasts so that they draw the blood upwards. Superstition was considered a science by many.
St. Hildegard was a renown German nun in the twelfth century. Throughout Europe and the church community, Hildegard was known for her wisdom and knowledge of herbs. She taught many how to use herbs and wrote a manuscript on herbs of such a size that had never been seen before. She reviewed the properties of grain, plants, and flowers as well as the many uses. She stated that certain herbs have the virtue of very strong aromas, others the harshness of the most pungent aromas. They can curb many evil, since evil spirits do not like them. But there are also certain herbs that hold the form of the elements. People who try to seek their own fortunes are deceived by these. The devil loves these herbs and mingles with them. Even one as wise as a saint looked at the superstitious and spiritual use of herbs. In describing Ginger, St. Hildegard described it as injurious and should be avoided as food by both a healthy person and a fat person because it makes the person unknowing, ignorant, lukewarm, and lustful. Folklore was not exactly forbidden in the Church. It was when folklore went deeper into the spiritual realm that the Church began to fear that aspect of medicine.
Many of these superstitions led to the use of witchcraft in medicine. Charms and incantations were used in the administration of medicine as well as a belief in demons and witches causing diseases. Numerous Medieval people saw diseases being caused by the entrance into the body of demons or evil spirits. Many accused witches of looking at individuals with the evil eye to cause diseases or to push the demons into the body. There had to be an explanation for the disease. If God can cure a disease, then the devil must be able to cause it.
During the Crusades, German knights saw God as giving power to herbs, objects in nature, and even in the words spoken by the knights. This allowed the knights to use incantations to help in the healing of wounds that occurred during battle. Much emphasis was placed on the magic of herbs. The belief that the herbs contained such power brought the tabooed form of magic into the field of medicine, but many like the knights saw the incantations as being Christian in origin which made them acceptable. God made nature which meant that power could be found in nature when the right words called forth the power.
The Church took this need of having the supernatural involved in healing and made a version of it acceptable within the church. The veneration of saints brought the focus of miracles back to the Church and God. Saints were thought to give victory in war, help in everyday life, miracles, and even to cure people. This was encouraged by the Church. The focus was taken off the medical professional and nature. As the practice of venerating saints increased, shrines were erected. Anyone who desired to ask the saint for a cure or a special favor would take a pilgrimage to the shrine no matter how far away it was. Upon arriving they gave gifts to the monasteries where most shrines were located. Obviously, the Church would not discourage such practices.
Sources:
American Medical Association. Anglo-Saxon Leechcraft. London: Burroughs Wellcome, 1912.
Barry, Jonathan and Colin Jones, ed. Medicine and Charity Before the Welfare State. New York: Routledge, 2001.
Collins, Minta. Medieval Herbals: The Illustrative Traditions. London: University of Toronto Press, 2000.
French, Roger. Medicine Before Science: The Business of Medicine from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
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by MARK WIGGINS / KVUE News and photojournalist JUSTIN TERRY
kvue.com
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:02 PM
AUSTIN -- The project to create a new medical school and teaching hospital at the University of Texas has been championed by State Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and UT president Bill Powers, both of whom sat down with KVUE Friday to explain their vision.
"The estimates indicate that it would be about 15,000 jobs and roughly $2 billion in economic activity," said State Sen. Watson, who has been spearheading the effort since 2011. "That's an enormous boom to our economy."
Both say the project would improve health care quality and access in Central Texas, and Powers believes such an improvement could provide added incentive for businesses and business leaders to move to Austin.
"They look at health care," said Powers. "They want to be in places that are on the cutting edge and have robust health care systems, and by improving the health of Central Texans, and really Texans, it will have an impact on the economy in that way too."
Proponents of the project say the need stems from a shortage of doctors and specialists in Austin, as well as an interest in expanding medical research already in place at UT.
"What we don't have are the clinical trials, the place to make that research translational, that can work with the medical community," explained Powers, who says the project will help tie together various research arms and university assets in a practical environment.
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