gelya promoter: April 2013

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

AT&T launching LTE in Paris and Manhattan this summer (Texas and Kansas, that is) (updated)

AT&T has announced that it'll fire up LTE coverage in 16 77 new cities this this summer and that it has expanded or turned on the signal in ~~four~~ 12 other centers. Residents of Kalamazoo, MI and Wilson, NC and four others will now see the much sought-after 4G symbol, while previously neglected Bay Area centers like San Rafael and Brentwood, along with parts of Greensboro, NC will also get coverage, among others. Meanwhile, the famously-named centers mentioned earlier will get 4G later this summer, along with other notables like Rio Grande Valley, TX, Columbus, IN and yes, Athens TX. It makes us wonder if Ma Bell's getting a little playful with its rollout decisions -- check the PR after the break for more info.

Update: AT&T contacted us to say that they've now launched LTE in six new markets, expanded in another six regions and pre-announced 77 areas that'll receive 4G by the end of this summer. The PR has been updated with a comprehensive list.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, AT&T

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/AioPDoABgwo/

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The art of the political flip-flop: 'I now support same-sex marriage'

Since Joe Biden blurted out his support for same-sex marriage nearly a year ago, 23 U.S. Senators have formally endorsed it in statements or interviews.

These "I now support same-sex marriage" statements have a certain mechanical poetry. The speaker is admitting that at some previous point, he or she did not. I think the penal implications of flip-flopping have been sufficiently lamented, but let's at least acknowledge the point: These are politicians going out of their way to emphasize that they have changed their minds.

Some go further than others. Claire McCaskill wrote a four-paragraph blog post that meditated on the difficulties of the decision and called on Corinthians for an assist. When South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson issued his reversal on Monday, he did so in 37 words that begin: "After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation."

It's easy to find common themes running through these messages. McCaskill, Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Tom Carper, D-Del., all cite the influence of conversations with their families and friends. Hagan and a few others cite their religion.

I found six themes in reading through all the statements. They are as follows, with examples:

Love is all you need. See Tom Udall, D-N.M.:

"Two people, who are committed to one another, who love one another, should not be denied the fundamental right of marriage, or the legal rights that marriage includes."

Marriage is a civil right. See Biden:

"I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties."

I've evolved. See Mark Warner, D-Va.:

"Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone."

My faith supports it. See Hagan:

"But after much thought and prayer on my part, this is ??where I am today."

It's right for Democracy. Udall again:

"Our Constitution enshrines the principle of equality ? equal rights for all."

Some of my best friends? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.:

"In talking with my children and grandchildren, it has become clear to me they take marriage equality as a given."

What follows is a list of every statement made since Biden's, including President Barack Obama's and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's, coded by which of the six major themes I found. This list does not include the 34 current senators who had already confirmed their support by the time Biden did, since they typically did so with less fanfare.

The "I've evolved" category is interesting not only because of the flip-flop implications. Many people are changing their minds on this subject, as pollsters discover again and again. It is not only the handful of Democratic senators who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act who seem to feel the need to emphasize that this is a phase shift. The implication, I think, is that?unlike war, health care, abortion, deficit reduction, tax hikes, a chained-CPI model of social security, Gitmo, immigration reform, assault weapon bans and climate change?unlike virtually everything else, gay marriage is one topic on which it's politically acceptable to change your mind.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/six-ways-senators-say-i-now-support-gay-marriage-interactive-165410672.html

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Trading up?

1. Kansas City Chiefs -- LT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

I prefer Fisher, and think the team could also look at Dion Jordan and Star Lotulelei, but the buzz appears to be around Joeckel. The left tackle had issues against Florida during the season opener, but he has solid technique to mirror edge rushers.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars -- QB Geno Smith, WVU

I could easily see this being Dion Jordan or a trade down to land Ezekiel Ansah, but with Jason la Canfora?s adamant article that Geno Smith will not make it out of the top three, this pick makes sense. The Jaguars are seemingly the only team with QB issues who failed to address the position during free agency.

3. Arizona Cardinals -- LT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (trade with Raiders)

The Cardinals can?t afford to wait until pick No. 7, just in case the Eagles, Lions, or another team trade up to target the remaining two tackles. Fisher and Johnson are more proven commodities than many prospects in this class, so they should go off the board early.

4. Philadelphia Eagles -- NT Star Lotulelei, Utah

Because of their free agency spending, the Eagles do not have a critical need to fill, allowing them to go in a variety of directions with this pick. Lotulelei is an excellent nose tackle prospect but is not locked into that position and could help in a variety of ways along the front three.

5. NY Jets -- OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon (trade with Lions)

I could easily see Jordan being a top four pick, but if that is not the case he will not last much longer. The Jets would add more picks in the projected Darrelle Revis trade, and Jordan is worth trading up for. I prefer him at SLB behind a four man front, but the Jets use a variety of sets.

6. Miami Dolphins -- T Lane Johnson, Oklahoma (trade with Browns)

With their free agent additions (and loss of Jake Long in free agency), it makes too much sense for the Dolphins to solidify their left tackle spot. Fans of the team will argue about the multitude of needs, but Jonathan Martin is not the answer at one of the premier positions in the NFL.

7. Oakland Raiders -- DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida (trade with Cardinals)

If the Raiders stay at No. 3, Floyd is a very viable option. But a short trade down is a dream scenario. He can be a bit of a positional tweener at times, but Floyd has the tools to win by plowing through blockers or working around them due to athletic feet.

8. San Francisco 49ers -- WR Tavon Austin, WVU (trade with Bills)

The 49ers have the most picks of any team, with 13. Now, they could target a variety of prospects, but Austin is dynamite in the open field. Michael Crabtree frequently lined up in the slot, but Austin would create even more difficult matchups for any opposing defense.

9. Detroit Lions -- DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU (trade with Jets)

I really do think Ansah can succeed in a variety of different sets, but his most immediate impact could be as a rusher from the 9 or 7 alignment. His hands are strong on first contact, and blessed with outstanding closing speed, Ansah could be a pass rushing force on top of his dependable run defense.

10. Tennessee Titans -- G Chance Warmack, Alabama

Yes, the Titans signed Andy Levitre in free agency, but Warmack was the most consistently dominant draft-eligible player during the 2012 season. The positional value will be discussed, but teams might prioritize leaving this draft with a good player.

11. San Diego Chargers -- RT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

The Chargers need offensive line help, whether it is at left tackle, right tackle, or inside. True right tackles are rarely selected this early, but I think the NFL evaluates Fluker as a much better prospect than I do. I only hope they don?t try him on the left side.

12. Cleveland Browns -- CB Dee Milliner, Alabama (trade with Dolphins)

Another dream scenario. I?m not sure if the Browns would be able to recoup their missing second-round pick in this trade, but Milliner is an ideal fit.

13. NY Jets -- TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (Revis trade)

With their second first-round pick (after a projected trade for Darrelle Revis), the Jets grab the top tight end in this class. Some even go as far to call Eifert the top skill position player, but I won?t go that far.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers -- OLB Cornellius Carradine, FSU (trade with Panthers)

Carradine?s pro day on April 20 is vital, but if teams believe the Seminole pass rusher is on the path to full health, he should be a top 15 selection. There are still some raw elements to his game, but Carradine is strong and explosive on the edge.

15. New Orleans Saints -- OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

The Saints need pass rushers and Mingo?s tools warrant the selection. He isn?t a finished product, but if set loose with his pass rushing line, Mingo has the athleticism and length to wreak havoc in the backfield.

16. St. Louis Rams -- S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

Vaccaro is more than a typical safety, he matches up very well against a variety of offensive playmakers near the line of scrimmage. Turn on the tape against Tavon Austin or bigger receiving targets, and Vaccaro utilizes a nice blend of quickness and technique to mirror his opposition.

1. Kansas City Chiefs -- LT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

2. Jacksonville Jaguars -- QB Geno Smith, WVU

3. Arizona Cardinals -- LT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (trade with Raiders)

4. Philadelphia Eagles -- NT Star Lotulelei, Utah

5. NY Jets -- OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon (trade with Lions)

6. Miami Dolphins -- T Lane Johnson, Oklahoma (trade with Browns)

7. Oakland Raiders -- DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida (trade with Cardinals)

8. San Francisco 49ers -- WR Tavon Austin, WVU (trade with Bills)

9. Detroit Lions -- DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU (trade with Jets)

10. Tennessee Titans -- G Chance Warmack, Alabama

11. San Diego Chargers -- RT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

12. Cleveland Browns -- CB Dee Milliner, Alabama (trade with Dolphins)

Another dream scenario. I?m not sure if the Browns would be able to recoup their missing second-round pick in this trade, but Milliner is an ideal fit.

13. NY Jets -- TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (Revis trade)

14. Pittsburgh Steelers -- OLB Cornellius Carradine, FSU (trade with Panthers)

15. New Orleans Saints -- OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

16. St. Louis Rams -- S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

17. Carolina Panthers -- CB Xavier Rhodes, FSU (trade with Steelers)

The Panthers utilized a lot of off coverage in 2012. I think that can be blamed more on the lack of talent rather than scheme. Rhodes is a physical, in your face press corner who has a great frame to slow opposing receivers and ride in their hip downfield.

18. Dallas Cowboys -- G Jonathan Cooper, UNC

There has been some buzz noting that Cooper might be selected before Warmack. The UNC product failed during his attempt at center in college, but teams will love how agile he is in space. He lost weight in 2012, so I?m looking forward to seeing more strength when playing at a natural weight.

19. NY Giants -- DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

Richardson could instantly bring more interior pass rushing to the Giants. He could absolutely be picked before this, and if that is the case I think the Giants might target UCLA?s Datone Jones.

20. Chicago Bears -- CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State

Some will be surprised, but Taylor is an absolute stud. He?s going in the first-round, it is just a matter of how high. The Bronco has displayed positive play in a variety of coverages, but is at his best when disrupting at the catch point.

21. Cincinnati Bengals -- S Johnathan Cyprien, FIU

One of my favorite prospects in this class, Cyprien spent a large amount of time near the line of scrimmage but has enough range to be an interchangeable piece. Like Taylor, I truly think Cyprien will be selected in the first-round, and I wouldn't be shocked if it was earlier than this.

22. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins) -- WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

There have been reports of Patterson struggling on the whiteboard. He certainly didn?t struggle on the green field in 2012, however. There are areas of improvement, but Patterson is dynamic with the ball in his hands.

23. Minnesota Vikings -- WR Keenan Allen, Cal

Allen will work through his own pro day this week, and teams are likely anticipating those results. He shows nice burst in and out of his routes while competing at the catch point. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see Allen last until the second-round.

24. Indianapolis Colts -- OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

The Colts added young free agents to fill a lot of their immediate needs. However, I still think they need pass rushing help off the edge. Jones wins by anticipating the snap and using a great motor to chase. He might not have the length or athletic upside, but if Jones can maximize leverage he can improve his counter move.

25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seahawks) -- LB Manti Te?o, Notre Dame

The Vikings don?t shy away from Notre Dame prospects, but they must decide if Te?o is more than a two down linebacker, and if not, where does his value rest? He is a solid run defender and would be a good, not great, option in the middle.

26. Green Bay Packers -- DL Jesse Williams, Alabama

The Packers are one of the more difficult teams to predict. If they want more of a pass rusher along the front three, Datone Jones is possible. Williams offers good athleticism and brute strength. He might not penetrate the backfield on every play, but he can occupy blocks and allow others to run free.

27. Houston Texans -- WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Hopkins projects very similarly to Roddy White. He consistently high points passes and maneuvers his body in front of defenders with strong hands and underrated athleticism.

28. Denver Broncos -- LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

The Broncos could use a pass rusher after losing Elvis Dumervil, but Brown is an instant upgrade at the inside linebacker spot. He?s excellent in coverage and offers a very physical style when attacking forward. Don?t get caught up in his size... I think he?ll remind John Fox of Jon Beason.

29. New England Patriots -- DL Datone Jones, UCLA

Jones can be a force on the edge while moving inside in pass rushing situations. He was caught hand fighting at the line of scrimmage too often at UCLA, but when asked to aggressively get upfield at the Senior Bowl, Jones was very difficult to stop.

30. Atlanta Falcons -- DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

Werner is a tough player to slot. Even though he went through outside linebacker drills at the Combine, I don?t see him projecting to that position other than a role of designated pass rusher. The Falcons like to incorporate multiple fronts, but Werner would improve a thin position.

31. Buffalo Bills -- QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (trade with 49ers)

Even if the Bills do not trade back this far from pick No. 8, I do think they could trade back into the first-round to nab Nassib. The other possibility is E.J. Manuel. I don?t rank either at this spot among quarterbacks, but certainly understand NFL teams might.

32. Baltimore Ravens -- S Matt Elam, Florida

Ozzie Newsome values the middle section of his defense, so after losing both starting safeties from 2012, Elam could be targeted. He?s a bit shorter than ideal for an in the box defender, and Elam can be inconsistent on a play to play basis, but his highlight reel and 2011 tape are great.

Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/42987/344/april-9-mock-with-trades

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Asian shares up, China trade data helps sentiment

By Chikako Mogi

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares edged higher on Wednesday as Chinese trade data signalled a recovery in the world's second largest economy, adding to an improving sentiment after Wall Street closed at a record high overnight, while the yen remained under pressure.

U.S. stock futures were down 0.1 percent, suggesting a soft Wall Street open after the Dow Jones industrial average ended Tuesday at a lifetime high.

The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent, pulled higher by its materials sector with a 1.3 percent jump, as iron ore prices recovered.

China saw a mild trade deficit of $884 million in March as a forecast-busting 14.1 percent year-on-year surge in imports eclipsed export growth of 10 percent, signalling that domestic demand was gathering the steam needed to drive economic recovery.

Haibin Zhu, chief China economist at JP Morgan in Hong Kong said the surge in imports in March could help dispel a major concern over trends in domestic demand that had been prompted by weakness of import growth in previous months.

"The stronger than expected import growth for March suggests this cycle is probably coming to a turning point," Zhu said. "If domestic demand turns out to be stronger than expected, it's definitely positive for the economic outlook."

Australian shares lagged with a 0.1 percent drop, with a retreat in financials offsetting a rally in miners. But the Australian dollar hit a 2-1/2-month high of $1.0518 after the Chinese data. Recovery in China, Australia's largest trading partner, raises hopes for demand for Australian goods.

Seoul shares rose 0.6 percent, with investors focusing on the chance the country's central bank may cut interest rates when it meets on Thursday, rather than on concerns about North Korea.

South Korea said it has asked China, North Korea's only major ally, to rein in the hermit state and has raised its surveillance after the North moved at least one long-range missile in readiness for a possible launch.

London copper fell 0.5 percent to $7,595 a tonne as investors took profits from Tuesday' two-week highs, but Chinese data supported.

"We've probably seen the lows in many of the base metals for now," said economist Alexandra Knight of National Australia Bank in Melbourne. "We're still seeing a modest recovery in the U.S. and we expect economic growth in China to extend over the first half, so there's plenty of support for demand."

NIKKEI RIDING ON BOJ

In Japan, the Nikkei stock average climbed 0.6 percent to approach Tuesday's near five-year highs, as the Bank of Japan's aggressive monetary easing stimulus boosted prospects for better corporate earnings, particularly exporters as it has pushed the yen sharply lower against major currencies.

"The sharp advances of the Nikkei over the last 5 months should not necessarily be a warning sign of speculative bubble. The Nikkei may merely be playing catch up," said Ashraf Laidi, chief global strategist at City Index, in a note to clients.

He noted that the Nikkei was up 89 percent from its low of October 2008 while the Standard & Poor's Index has risen 133 percent from its low of March 2009.

The S&P hit an all-time high last month while the Nikkei at around 13,290 currently is still only about a third of its lifetime high hit in December 1989.

"As the long as the (Nikkei) index avoids a close below 11,820 this month or 12,550 next month, the road to 14,500, appears intact," Laidi said.

The yen remained near recent lows. The dollar was at 99.03 yen and the euro traded at 129.57 yen, while the Aussie was at 104 yen.

On Tusday, the dollar hit 99.67 yen, its highest since May 2009, the euro climbed as far as 130.09 yen, its highest since January 2010, and the Aussie dollar soared to 104.35 yen, the highest since July 2008.

"The BO's recent policy action will undoubtedly lead to the Japanese picking up their offshore search for yield. We are looking closely for signs of where the wall of Japanese money may be heading next," Westpac said in a research note.

Tokyo gold futures rose to 5,076 yen per gram, just below their record high of 5,081 yen hit in February, in a move seen as a reaction to the BOJ's unprecedented expansionary steps and the yen's weakness.

"The BOJ's steps may be waking up Japanese investors to the need to hedge against the risk of inflation," said Koichiro Kamei, managing director at financial research firm Market Strategy Institute, adding that gold could also act as a hedge against further falls in the yen.

U.S. crude futures eased 0.3 percent to $93.91 a barrel while Brent inched up 0.1 percent to $106.37.

Investors will closely watch the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's last monetary policy meeting due later in the day for any clues on whether the Fed would slow or halt its asset buying stimulus.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-china-trade-data-helps-sentiment-070004691--finance.html

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Gene May Double Risk of Alzheimer's in Blacks - Health News and ...

alzheimers Gene May Double Risk of Alzheimers in Blacks

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) ? A particular variant of a cholesterol-related gene may double the risk of Alzheimer?s disease in older blacks, a new study suggests.

The gene ? known as ABCA7 ? is also linked to Alzheimer?s among whites, but it appears much more important in blacks? risk of the memory-robbing disease, the researchers said.

Still, although a doubling in risk may sound large, the researchers stressed that it?s actually a modest increase. Older adults? risk of Alzheimer?s is thought to depend on many factors ? not only an array of different genes, but also environmental influences.

?How much does this increase your risk? It?s modest,? said Dr. Robert Nussbaum, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study.

But the findings are important because they add to the understanding of the complex underpinnings of Alzheimer?s, said Nussbaum, who wrote an editorial published with the study in the April 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The results come from what is believed to be the most extensive search yet for Alzheimer?s-linked genes in older blacks.

Most of what is known about Alzheimer?s genes has come from data on white adults, because until now there hadn?t been a study sample of blacks that was large enough for a gene study, said study lead researcher Dr. Christiane Reitz, an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

Researchers have known for years that whites with a particular variant in the ApoE gene ? called ApoE4 ? have a higher risk of Alzheimer?s than whites who carry other variants of the gene.

About 25 percent to 30 percent of the population is thought to carry the Alzheimer?s-linked E4 variant.

In the new study, ApoE4 also was linked to an increased Alzheimer?s risk among nearly 6,000 blacks aged 60 and older. But the ABCA7 gene was equally important. People with a particular variant of the gene had twice the risk of Alzheimer?s as those who carried other variants.

The higher-risk variant was seen in 7 percent of the study participants, Reitz said.

As for what it all means, she said, it?s too early to tell.

?This finding needs to be replicated, and we need to learn more about the biological mechanisms,? Reitz said.

Like ApoE, the ABCA7 gene is involved in cholesterol metabolism, Reitz said. High cholesterol, heart disease and stroke are considered risk factors for Alzheimer?s, and black Americans have higher rates of those cardiovascular problems than whites.

But it?s not clear if cardiovascular disease explains why the genes are linked to Alzheimer?s ? or why ABCA7 is more important in blacks? risk.

?It?s all up in the air,? editorial author Nussbaum said. ?Gene studies like this are good for finding connections between genes and [disease], but they can?t tell us what the mechanisms are.?

He said his ?gut feeling? is that ApoE and ABCA7 are linked to Alzheimer?s independent of their effects on cholesterol and heart disease.

Research has shown that ABCA7 also is involved in transporting amyloid precursor proteins, which help feed the ?plaques? that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer?s. That is another potential reason that the gene is linked to Alzheimer?s, Reitz said.

But, Nussbaum said, much more research is needed to understand the biology of Alzheimer?s. For example, he said, after years of study, researchers are still divided over whether the amyloid plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer?s actually cause the disease.

Reitz said it?s too early for people to seek testing for which ABCA7 variant they carry.

You would not be able to run to your doctors? office for such a test anyway ? although there are private companies that offer ApoE testing, Nussbaum said. But that testing is controversial, he said. Many people believe that since there is no known way to prevent Alzheimer?s, knowing you have a higher-risk gene will do little good, but potentially create a lot of distress.

On top of that, Reitz said, it is thought that there are probably many gene variants that each increase Alzheimer?s risk by a small amount. No single gene variant is the whole story.

Ultimately, Nussbaum said, the hope is that gene studies will help reveal the underlying biological causes of Alzheimer?s, and new treatments or preventive measures can be developed.

?The personal, emotional and financial cost of Alzheimer?s is huge,? Nussbaum said. ?It should be a national priority to gain a better understanding of the disease.?

It is estimated that about 5 million older Americans have Alzheimer?s, and a recent study projected that without any strides in prevention, that number will triple by 2050.

?If we could figure out ways to delay Alzheimer?s by even five years, that would have a big impact,? Nussbaum said.

The study was funded by grants from the U.S. government, the Alzheimer?s Association and drug maker GlaxoSmithKline. Nussbaum has financial ties to Complete Genomics, a company that does gene sequencing for researchers.

More information

Learn more about Alzheimer?s genes from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Source: http://news.health.com/2013/04/09/gene-may-double-risk-of-alzheimers-in-blacks/

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Exciting breakthrough in search for neurodegenerative disease treatments

Apr. 10, 2013 ? A significant breakthrough has been made by scientists at The University of Manchester towards developing an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology have detailed how an enzyme in the brain interacts with an exciting drug-like lead compound for Huntington's Disease to inhibit its activity. Their findings demonstrate that it can be developed as an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. The research is published in the journal Nature.

Working with colleagues at the University of Leicester and the University of Lisbon in Portugal, the researchers identified the molecular structure of the enzyme kynurenine 3-monooxygense (KMO), which is found in the human brain. It took five years for the team to establish the crystal structure of KMO -- the first time it's ever been done.

The scientists then studied how the compound UPF 648 binds incredibly tightly to the enzyme to act as an inhibitor. Previous studies with animal models of neurodegenerative disease have showed that switching off the enzyme activity through drug binding should be effective in the treatment of brain disorders.

Professor Nigel Scrutton who led the study said: "UPF 648 works very well as an inhibitor of enzyme activity. However, in its current form it does not pass into the brain from the blood. The search is now on for related compounds that can both inhibit the enzyme and pass into the brain."

He continues: "Our research detailing the molecular structure of the enzyme now enables a search for new KMO inhibitors that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. This provides real hope for developing drug therapies to target neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases."

Dr Flaviano Giorgini, the team's neurogeneticist from the University of Leicester, said: "This is a big move forward for the development of new KMO inhibiting drugs. It is hoped that such compounds may ultimately be tested in clinical trials and prove beneficial for patients."

The findings from this research will now be used in the search for more effective treatments for Huntington's Disease.

Professor Sarah Tabrizi is the head of the Huntington's disease research team at University College London's Institute for Neurology. Commenting on the research she says: "Unlocking the crystal structure of KMO is a real boost to our efforts to find treatments for this devastating disease. It provides a solid basis for the optimisation of inhibitor drugs like UPF 648 that are being developed by the global Huntington's disease research community. KMO is one of our top drug targets, and the crystal structure is a significant step along our roadmap to clinical trials of KMO inhibitors in patients."

Cath Stanley, Chief Executive of the Huntington's Disease Association also welcomed the findings: "This research is a really exciting piece of the jigsaw that enables us to understand a little more and takes us a step closer to being able to provide an effective treatment for Huntington's Disease."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Manchester, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

Marta Amaral, Colin Levy, Derren J. Heyes, Pierre Lafite, Tiago F. Outeiro, Flaviano Giorgini, David Leys, Nigel S. Scrutton. Structural basis of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase inhibition. Nature, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nature12039

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/A1EyDzxHw1M/130410131219.htm

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How Content Spreads On Social Media - Business Insider

Social Media Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider that collects and delivers the top social media news first thing every morning. You can sign up to receive Social Media Insights here or at the bottom of this post.

Gnip via Social Media Today

How Content Diffuses Through Different Social Networks (Scott Hendrickson via Social Media Today)
How does content evolve along the different paths it takes on different social networks? Let?s take a look at expected versus unexpected events, which each have very different pulses in the form and speed information travels around these events. Expected events drive significant volume on social media because people know they?re coming and plan to comment, observe, banter, trash talk and analyze. However, theses events are characterized by a gradual growth and decay around the event rather than abrupt changes. A hurricane is an example of an event that people are anticipating, so you?ll see a gradual growth and decay around the event rather than abrupt changes. On the other hand, unexpected events result in abrupt spikes in volume. These spikes have well-defined growth, peak and decay half-lives.? Read >>

Get Off Your Duff: Social Media Advertising Statistics And Trends (GO-Gulf via Mediabistro)
According to GO-Gulf, businesses are spending quite a bit to promote their products on popular social media sites. Global social network advertising revenues are projected to double 2012 figures by 2014 ? climbing from seven to 14 billion. This makes sense as 70 percent of advertisers are currently devoting at least a small portion of their budget to social networks now. Are you among the 64 percent who plan to increase your social media advertising budget this year? Or are okay with being left behind??You should really start thinking about this now so you don?t need to race to catch up later. Click here for the full infographic. Read >>

U.S. Mobile Ad Spending On Social Networks To Reach $4.5 Billion By 2018 (Forrester)
Forrester forecasts that U.S. mobile ad spending on social networks will reach $4.5 billion by 2018. Spending on mobile ads is predicted to grow nearly twice as fast as the spending on desktop ads on social networks. The future of social is mobile:

More users are accessing social networking sites through mobile.
The share of time spent on mobile social networking apps continues to increase.
Mobile ads provide a better return on investment (ROI) for marketers.
Mobile ads earn more money for social media vendors than desktop ads.
The overall mobile ad ecosystem will evolve.

Mobile will be a key driver for social media spending growth. Read >>

Four Reasons Why Facebook Is Overvalued (Forbes)
Facebook is dominating the news cycle. But just because Facebook stock is down 29 percent from where it traded when it went public, it does not mean it?s fairly valued by the market. Mobile ad revenue is still too small, and earnings growth lackluster. Management seems distracted by a flurry of strategic initiatives. Barring a huge upside surprise, investors should beware. Read >>

Facebook Offers Clarification On The Privacy Of Home (TechCrunch)
If you find yourself expressing concerns over Facebook?s invasion of Android, here?s the important things you need to know:

Facebook Home is like an app. You can install it and delete it as you choose.
If you install it, Home collects information on all Facebook activity (as usual), plus location, Facebook messages, and that you?ve launched certain apps. This information is identifiable for 90 days before it is detached from your identity.
Incoming SMS are automatically pulled through the Facebook Home interface, but it sounds like Facebook isn?t pushing the content of those messages back to the mothership.
If Home comes pre-installed (for the HTC First and beyond), Facebook has access to all of the above, plus third-party notifications.
Facebook Home can not see your activity within other, non-Facebook apps, like Google Maps.

With regards to location, things get a bit tricky. Read >>

Roger Ebert Found A New Voice On Twitter (CNN)
It was on the pages of newspapers and in the coveted aisle seat on television's "At the Movies" that the world met Roger Ebert. But in his final years, when cancer had robbed him of his jawbone and whittled away his once ample frame, it was social media, particularly Twitter, that let Ebert not only keep talking, but also interact with his fans, and foes, more freely and personally than ever. "Twitter for me performs the function of a running conversation," Ebert wrote in June 2010, about eight months after he signed up for the site and five years after losing his vocal chords and part of his lower jaw to thyroid and salivary gland cancer. "For someone who cannot speak, it allows a way to unload my zingers and one-liners." Read >>

Social Media Measurement: Thoughts And Ideas (Sixth Man Marketing)
Be on the social media platforms where your customers are. Sounds like good advice, but why?

Mitigate risk
Extend brand
Create dialog

You don?t necessarily hear a lot of talk about ?the why? so this is a good opportunity to throw out a few reasons for businesses to put forth a social media effort and how to measure effectiveness. Read >>

The Organizational Impact Of A Social Signal (Rignite via Social Media Today)
A meaningful social signal can deliver a whole lot more. Integrating social media into multiple functions of your organization can benefit operations and yield a distinct competitive advantage. Read >>

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-content-spreads-on-social-media-2013-4

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Tennessee Legal Genius Stacey Campfield Doing His Best To Avoid ...

Blogging sure is hard sometimes. Between waking up at 5:30 a.m. to dredge Twitter for things to be outraged about and avoiding an EPIC SMACKDOWN for stating a fact about a whiny Breitbart charity hire with a martyrdom complex, mistakes are just an inevitable part of web scribbling. However if one rule concerning writing shit on the internet for free reigns supreme over them all it is this: DO NOT GET SUED FOR WRITING ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT ABOUT SOMEONE. Sadly for Tennessee?s greatest elected weirdo (non-snake handling category) it appears as if his hobby of wasting tax-payer subsidized bandwidth on his hilarious Snookie-related foreign policy analysis might have bit him in the ass.

Campfield?s hometown paper reports that your Wonkette Legislative Shit Muffin MVP shoo-in is being sued by Democrat Roger Byrge to the tune of three-quarters of million dollars for blogging some half assed opposition research item about Byrge just before the 2008 election. At the time Byrge was in an extremely close race against Campfield ally Chad Faulkner for a seat in the Tennessee House. Byrge eventually lost that race by fewer than 400 votes, and apparently he believes that this incendiary accusation from Mr. Starve The Stupid Kids had something to do with it:

?[A] mail piece has gone out exposing Byrge?s multiple drug arrests?.I hear the mug shots are gold.?

Campfield also stated that Byrge had been arrested for drug and dealing, a profession that people in Tennessee don?t exactly take kindly to.

The problem with piece of election news is that it was sort of embarrassingly wrong on all levels. Byrge?s son was actually the golden mug-shot boy at the heart of these arrests which means that Campfield managed to do the impossible and commit libel against a public figure.

Proving the tort of libel is notoriously difficult as our country takes that whole ?First Amendment? thing pretty seriously. Furthermore, the recent case law has rendered the very definition of libel as a ?mess? (no seriously that is literally what it says in the casebook on the subject). On the other hand, Stacey?s magnificent dickitude might very well transcend the law if his responses to this deposition are any indication of how he plans to act as a defendant:

Campfield maintained in the deposition that he was just repeating information he had received from House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of Franklin. Casada and the state Republican Party were also sued by Byrge but settled the case to undisclosed terms.
?I did not say those things,? Campfield said in the deposition. ?Glen Casada said those things.?
Pressed by Byrge?s attorney, David Dunaway, about whether he was sorry he had published the comments on his blog, Campfield said: ?I?m sorry Glen Casada was mistaken in his report, yes?. If you want to say Glen was reckless, I guess you could say that.?
So Campfield?s defense is that this Glen Casada person is the real villain here as he should have known that telling anything to loose-lips Campfield was a bad fucking idea (even with a preemptive disclaimer regarding the item?s veracity). Somehow that line of logic doesn?t seem to contradict the idea that Campfield acted without actual malice. Also Glen needs to find better friends.

But Campfield wasn?t done making his lawyer?s life a living hell. Nope, Campfield felt it necessary to punish his defense attorney with the mastery of a lesbian bondage expert:

Campfield was asked in the deposition whether he has ?a right to disparage or demean, or to call someone a criminal when that statement?s not true.?
Campfield answered: ?I believe legally, probably, there is the right to do that because I?ve had it happen to me.?

Well, that?s ? wrong. Good law knowledge, Stacy Campfield! Very ?expert,? we are sure!

He was later challenged on whether there are limits to what he could publish.
?You can do anything,? Campfield responded. ?That?s freedom of speech. The newspaper reports on things that I do all the time.?

And with that the people of Tennessee can rest easily knowing that one of the people elected to make the state?s law conceptualizes the First Amendment with the same level of precision and depth as your average teenager on a Reddit Creepshots forum.

But despite essentially proving his opponent?s cases in this glorious deposition of derp, Campfield does manage to show that there is no fucking way he is paying Byrge $750,000. How? Well mostly because Stacey Campfield?s blog, while popular for attracting lawsuits and material for your Wonkette on slow news days, has failed to bring in the revenue that the lawmaker originally envisioned:

Campfield, in a deposition attached to a court filing last week, said he would be unlikely to pay any damages, noting that he earns about $30,000 a year.
?Like I?ve got any money to give it even if you win,? Campfield said in the deposition taken in April 2011.
?Go right ahead,? he said. ?I mean, I can show you my tax returns. If you think you?re going to get money out of me, it?s laughable.?

Campfield is judgment proof because he?s broke as shit. Legislators who blog: THEY?RE JUST LIKE US!

[Knoxnews.com]

Source: http://wonkette.com/510925/tennessee-legal-genius-stacey-campfield-doing-his-best-to-avoid-paying-heaps-of-money-to-guy-he-libeled

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Beloved Mouseketeer Annette Funicello dies

By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, TODAY

She moved from Mouseketeer ears to the "Beach Party" movies to fame with a new generation for selling peanut butter and gently poking fun at her own image. ?And in the end, Annette Funicello faced the biggest test of her life -- a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis -- with strength and courage, hoping her own experience could help others. The actress, singer and former Mouseketeer died Monday at age 70, The Walt Disney Company confirmed in a statement.

Getty Images

Funicello "died peacefully from complications due to multiple sclerosis, a disease she battled for over 25 years," the company said.?The actress passed away at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif.

"Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mouseketeer, and a true Disney legend," said Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger in a statement. "She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney's brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent.

"Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace," Iger went on to say. "All of us at Disney join with family, friends and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life."

Everett Collection

Annette Funicello in an undated photo from her "Mickey Mouse Club" days.

"We are so sorry to lose Mother," said Funicello's children, Gina, Jacky and Jason Gilardi in a statement. "She is no longer suffering anymore and is now dancing in heaven. We love and will miss her terribly."

"We have lost one of America's sweethearts for generations upon generations," Funicello's friend and frequent co-star, Frankie Avalon, who starred with her in a half-dozen "Beach Party" movies in the 1960s, said in a statement. "I am fortunate enough to have been friends with Annette as well as appear in many films, TV and appearances with her. She will live on forever, I will miss her and the world will miss her."

Singer Paul Anka once dated Funicello and wrote some of her hits. "She was a lovely lady," he told TMZ. "She was a great star. It's a very, very sad ending."

Britney Spears, who first gained fame in the 1990s revival of "The Mickey Mouse Club," tweeted that she was "devastated" by the news, adding, "she was a role model for me during my days as a Mouseketeer."

Born in Utica, N.Y., Funicello moved to California at age 4 and was discovered by Walt Disney himself when she was just 13. She was cast in "The Mickey Mouse Club," which debuted in 1955, and quickly became the most popular Mouseketeer.

She would move on to careers in both singing and acting, often combining the two, as when she sang and acted in the "Beach Party" movie series with teen idol Avalon. Her attire in those films was a topic of discussion, as it was widely reported that Disney asked Funicello to cover her navel even while in swimwear, and she wrote in her autobiography that she did so. But photos and websites point out that her navel was indeed exposed in three of the "Beach Party" films.

Annette Funicello starred with Frankie Avalon in a series of "Beach Party" movies in the 1960s.

Funicello had a series of pop hits in the 1950s and 1960s, including "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess." Liner notes on one of her albums fondly dubbed her "Queen of the Beach."

She became one of the most enduring pop-culture images of that decade, starring in comic books and a series of Disney-approved Nancy Drew-style mystery books.

In 1979, Funicello starred in a series of popular commercials for Skippy peanut butter. She poked fun at the commercials in the 1987 movie "Back to the Beach," which reunited her with Avalon and parodied their beach-party era.

It was while working on "Back to the Beach" that Funicello first noticed signs of multiple sclerosis. She was officially diagnosed in 1992, and?established the?Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Diseases?in 1993.

Funicello was always open about the disease, saying, "I think you only have two choices in this kind of situation. Either you give in to it or you fight it. I intend to fight."

Fight she did, but even the perkiest of Mouseketeers could not fight off the ravages of multiple sclerosis. In a 1992 People cover story, Funicello bluntly discussed the disease that made some people think she was drunk.

Funicello's later years saw her confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak, her hands and arms permanently curled. Her second husband, horse breeder Glen Holt, gave a lengthy interview to "W5,"?a Canadian news magazine television series, in which he discussed Funicello's condition.

In the program, Holt is seen caring for Funicello, whom he fondly calls "Annie," brushing her hair, moving her from bed to wheelchair and taking her to the doctor and for wheelchair rides in the sun.

"I talk to her," he said. "She understands me in her own type of way."?

Holt said that Funicello's fame made her prey to a "parade of charlatans" with false cures, but that the couple did find some hope in a procedure that opened up the actress' blocked jugular veins. After the procedure, Holt said he could perceive slight changes in his wife's condition -- she became able to swallow on her own, blink on command, and appeared to be trying to respond to his questions.

He noted that Funicello would have wanted her experience to help others, saying she told him that "if we did find something that would help me, maybe we could help many, many other people."

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Lohan tells Letterman rehab is a 'blessing'

In this Tuesday, April 9, 2013 photo released by CBS Entertainment, actress Lindsay Lohan talks to David Letterman about her upcoming trip to rehab, her guest star roles in the series "Anger Management" and film "Scary Movie 5" and more during the "Late Show with David Letterman," (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS Entertainment, Jeffrey R. Staab)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Lindsay Lohan is going into rehab next month, but first she had to face David Letterman.

In an appearance taped for Tuesday's "Late Show," Lohan was pressed by Letterman about her upcoming rehab stint. She faces a 90-day stay as part of a plea deal in a misdemeanor traffic accident case.

Letterman tried to draw Lohan out, asking how many times she'd been in rehab, how this time would differ, and what she's being treated for.

Lohan looked uncomfortable and said she didn't expect Letterman's line of questioning.

But she said that she wants to be healthy and focus on what she loves ? her work. She added that she looks at rehab as "a blessing and not a curse."

CBS released a partial clip of the interview before it aired.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-04-09-TV-Lohan-Letterman/id-420bdd44db1948e59371a2ae5a29da76

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Sony Xperia Z may be headed to T-Mobile USA

Sony flagship currently being tested, ac?cording to reports

It looks like the Xperia ZL might not be the only high-end Sony phone headed to the U.S. this spring, as fresh images and reports from TmoNews suggest its international counterpart, the Xperia Z, may be coming to T-Mobile USA. The site reports "via three separate sources" that the Xperia Z, codenamed 'Yuga,' is currently in testing on T-Mobile, and offers the image above as evidence.

That's no guarantee that it'll ever see the light of day -- carriers often test devices before deciding not to release them. But at least now there seems to be a non-zero chance of T-Mo finally getting a high-end Sony phone to call its own.

The Xperia Z packs a 5-inch, 1080p display, and is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, with 2GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel Sony Exmor RS rear camera. It's also water and dust-resistant, unlike the Xperia ZL. In our review of the device last month, we praised its performance and build quality, but raised some concerns over its less than ergonomic design and slightly buggy camera software.

T-Mo fans, hit the comments and let us know if you'd be interested in a magenta Xperia Z.

More: Sony Xperia Z review

Source: TmoNews

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/PqFo1LQ_Izg/story01.htm

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NASA selects Explorer investigations for formulation

Apr. 8, 2013 ? NASA's Astrophysics Explorer Program has selected two missions for launch in 2017: a planet-hunting satellite and an International Space Station instrument to observe X-rays from stars.

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) were among four concept studies submitted in September 2012. NASA determined these two offer the best scientific value and most feasible development plans.

TESS will use an array of telescopes to perform an all-sky survey to discover transiting exoplanets ranging from Earth-sized to gas giants, in orbit around the nearest and brightest stars in the sky. Its goal is to identify terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of nearby stars. Its principal investigator is George Ricker of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

NICER will be mounted on the space station and measure the variability of cosmic X-ray sources, a process called X-ray timing, to explore the exotic states of matter within neutron stars and reveal their interior and surface compositions. The principal investigator is Keith Gendreau of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

"The Explorer Program has a long and stellar history of deploying truly innovative missions to study some of the most exciting questions in space science," said John Grunsfeld, NASA's associate administrator for science in Washington. "With these missions we will learn about the most extreme states of matter by studying neutron stars and we will identify many nearby star systems with rocky planets in the habitable zone for further study by telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope."

NASA's Explorer program is the agency's oldest continuous program and is designed to provide frequent, low-cost access to space using principal investigator-led space science investigations relevant to the Science Mission Directorate's astrophysics and heliophysics programs. Satellite mission costs are capped at $200 million and space station mission costs are capped at $55 million.

The program has launched more than 90 missions. It began in 1958 with the Explorer 1, which discovered Earth's radiation belts. Another Explorer mission, the Cosmic Background Explorer, led to a Nobel prize. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center manages the program for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information about the Explorer program, visit: http://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/owk1rZ4Amd8/130408055223.htm

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Voters to choose Jackson Jr.'s House successor

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2013 file photo, Robin Kelly celebrates her special primary election win in Matteson, Ill., for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District seat, once held by Jesse Jackson Jr. She faces Republican challenger Paul McKinley in the April 9, 2013 special election. Kelly, will have quite a challenge ahead after Tuesday's election in the overwhelmingly Democratic district, if she wins as expected: She'll have to fill the shoes of Jackson, whose name and seniority allowed him to bring home lots of bacon, and she'll have to withstand the spotlight of having won with the help of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun money. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

This undated photo provided by the McKinley for Congress campaign shows Republican Paul McKinley. McKinley will face Democratic former state Rep. Robin Kelly in the April 9, 2013, special election to fill Illinois' 2nd Congressional District seat vacated by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (AP Photo/Courtesy the McKinley for Congress Campaign)

CHICAGO (AP) ? While Democrat Robin Kelly is widely expected to capture Tuesday's special election for former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat over Republican Paul McKinley, any winner will face big challenges.

Illinois' newest member of Congress will have big shoes to fill: Jackson was a 17-year incumbent who served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and brought home nearly $1 billion to the district. He also had strong relationships with mayors, activists and voters across the district that includes city neighborhoods, suburbs and some rural areas.

Jackson resigned in November. He pleaded guilty in February in federal court to lavishly misspending $750,000 in campaign funds.

Political experts, voters and mayors agree that Kelly, 56, has the edge. She's a former state representative, has received big name endorsements including from President Barack Obama and received a huge boost from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super PAC, which supported her gun control stance. Also, The district is solidly Democratic and has been for about six decades. McKinley is an ex-con-turned-community activist who barely won his primary.

Voter turnout is expected to be low Tuesday, the same day as many municipal elections statewide. Roughly 14 percent of voters turned out for the special primary in February, which Kelly easily captured.

The Matteson resident said whoever wins will face challenges, like being the last to get committee assignments and having to play catch up. But she believes she can be a voice on the national stage for gun control. Her primary victory speech, in which she issued a direct challenge to the National Rifle Association, earned praise from Bloomberg and Vice President Joe Biden. And Obama nodded to her anti-gun advocacy in his endorsement.

"I will have a voice in Congress as the debate is going on and as issues come to the floor," Kelly said. "I will attend everything I can attend."

But McKinley isn't so sure it's in the bag for Kelly. The Chicago man ? who doesn't advocate for gun control ? has focused his campaign on how his integration back into society after serving nearly 20 years in prison for robbery and other charges has made him ready to help others.

"I have a 50-50 chance like my opponent has," he said. "There is nothing written in stone that she's supposed to win."

Independent candidates Curtiss Llong Bey, Marcus Lewis and Elizabeth Pahlke are also running, as is Green Party candidate LeAllen M. Jones.

Whoever wins will face extra scrutiny on ethics.

The three previous congressmen in the Chicago-area district left office under an ethical cloud.

Until his resignation, Jackson remained under a House Ethics Committee investigation over ties to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. His predecessor, Mel Reynolds, left office in 1995 and was convicted of fraud and having sex with a minor. Before that, Gus Savage faced allegations of sexual misconduct with a Peace Corps worker while on a congressional visit overseas.

"There's a lot of hope (among voters) because she's had a pretty clean record so far," said Don Rose, a longtime political consultant in Chicago. "It'll be a while before she can become a leader but it's a matter of what she does."

Others are just skeptical of any new congressman's ability in Washington.

Ford Heights Mayor Charles Griffin, who also backed Jackson, said he's become frustrated with partisan politics and with the monthslong absence of a congressman in the Chicago-area district that has large pockets of unemployment and poverty.

"He had some influence," Griffin said. "When a freshman person goes in dealing with guys who are well-grounded and unwilling to negotiate, nothing's going to transfer. The fact is that she is almost facing an insurmountable task."

The district's last special election was 1995 when Jackson won office.

Representative, 2nd District (Unexpired Term)

2 Year Term, Vote For 1

Candidate Name Party Ballot (hash)

Robin Kelly Democratic 1

Paul McKinley Republican 2

LeAlan M. Jones Green 3

Curtiss Llong Bey Independent 4

Marcus Lewis Independent 5

Elizabeth "Liz" Pahlke Independent 6

Supervisor, Barrington Township

___

Contact Sophia Tareen at https://www.twitter.com/sophiatareen

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-04-09-Congress-Jackson%20Seat/id-da9270220d3c46cd9b047aec71910bae

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As Obama presses Congress on gun controls, McConnell says he'd join GOP filibuster

President Obama renewed his plea for gun control Monday on the heels of a "60 Minutes" interview featuring the families of Newtown. ?NBC's Chuck Todd reports.

By Kasie Hunt, Political Reporter, NBC News

With the families of children killed in last year?s Newtown school shooting looking on, President Barack Obama on Monday made an emotional plea for Americans to urge Congress to pass new gun control measures.

"We all have to stand up," Obama said in a speech in Hartford, Conn., where he flew to try and maintain faltering momentum for a package of new gun laws the Senate could take up this week.?"If you want the people you send to Washington to have just an iota of courage that the educators at Sandy Hook showed when danger arrived on their doorstep, then we'll all have to stand up."

As Obama was speaking -- and the crowd was chanting, "we want a vote" -- the Senate's top Republican announced he would join a GOP filibuster of gun control legislation and oppose allowing a Democratic gun control bill to come to the Senate floor for debate

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did leave the door open to allowing a gun control compromise bill to come to the floor, but his office said in a statement that he will oppose the version of the legislation that Reid outlined before the Senate's just-concluded two week recess.

Eleven parents and spouses of Newtown victims were set to board Air Force One to fly to Washington after the speech, where they'll spend three days lobbying Congress to pass the new gun safety laws.

The Senate is poised to start debating and voting on gun laws as early as this week.

But after weeks of negotiations, the gun bill is a much less ambitious proposal than what Obama and Vice President Joe Biden first pushed for in the days after Newtown, where 20 schoolchildren and 6 adults were killed.

Legislation proposed in the wake of the shooting included a renewal of a lapsed assault weapons ban and measures to limit high capacity magazines. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has pledged that the upper chamber will vote on those measures, but both are likely doomed to fail.

Now, lawmakers are fighting over expanding background checks to cover most gun sales. Under current law, Americans can buy firearms at a gun show or online without getting a background check.

"We have to tell Congress its time to require a background check for anyone who wants to buy a gun so people who are dangerous to themselves and others cannot get their hands on a gun," Obama said Monday.

Senators are still negotiating a compromise proposal on background checks, and Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania is in talks with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to try and find a bipartisan agreement.

But with the upper chamber set to begin debating gun control soon, they're running out of time.

This story was originally published on Mon Apr 8, 2013 5:57 PM EDT

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653381/s/2a7c2b9f/l/0Lfirstread0Bnbcnews0N0C0Inews0C20A130C0A40C0A80C176595560Eas0Eobama0Epresses0Econgress0Eon0Egun0Econtrols0Emcconnell0Esays0Ehed0Ejoin0Egop0Efilibuster0Dlite/story01.htm

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EU's Ashton seeks consensus in Egypt on economy and reform

By Paul Taylor

CAIRO (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief met Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Sunday to encourage the country's feuding political leaders to seek a national consensus in tackling mounting economic and political problems.

"This is a critical time for Egypt's transition. The country is facing huge economic and political challenges," Catherine Ashton said in a statement before the talks.

Her visit comes as Egypt is in the midst of long-delayed negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on a $4.8 billion loan needed to cope with a growing economic crisis.

Foreign currency reserves have dwindled to less than three months' imports, the Egyptian pound has lost nearly 10 percent against the dollar this year and there are warnings of power cuts and fuel shortages this summer.

"More than ever, Europe - as a partner and neighbor - has to support Egypt in its move towards deep and inclusive democracy. I will work hard in Cairo to engage with all parties to help build confidence and find common ground on both political and economic issues," Ashton said.

She was due to meet six main opposition leaders later but EU diplomats said the prospect of a dialogue between the Muslim Brotherhood-led government and its liberal and leftist opponents had dimmed after recent political violence.

The opposition accuses Mursi of seeking to monopolize power and muzzle independent media and civil society using the public prosecutor, the security forces and a controversial draft law to regulate non-government organizations.

Mursi's supporters say the opposition is trying to undermine his legitimacy and encouraging violence by refusing dialogue, threatening to boycott forthcoming parliamentary elections and broadcasting hostile propaganda.

The United States, which gives Egypt about $1.5 billion in annual aid, directed its sharpest criticism so far at the Islamist-led authorities last week, citing a "disturbing trend of growing restrictions on freedom of expression".

The European Parliament, in a non-binding resolution, urged the EU in March "not to grant any budgetary support to the Egyptian authorities if no major progress is made regarding respect for human rights and freedoms, democratic governance and the rule of law".

EU officials have said that if Egypt reaches a deal with the IMF, it can expect an additional $500 million in financial support from the EU and a similar amount from the United States.

(Writing by Paul Taylor; editing by Andrew Roche)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eus-ashton-seeks-consensus-egypt-economy-reform-122524614--sector.html

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