Bioliq pilot plant: Successful operation of high-pressure entrained flow gasification

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
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Contact: Monika Landgraf
presse@kit.edu
49-721-608-47414
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Complex process stage II realized Customized motor fuels from biomass residue

This release is available in German.

On the way to the production of environment-friendly fuels from biomass residue, the Karlsruher Institut fr Technologie, or KIT for short, in cooperation with the technology partner Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions has realized another important milestone: the second process stage of the bioliq pilot plant is ready today, the complex high-pressure entrained flow gasifier bioliq II was handed over for operation. The four-step process designed at the KIT allows producing valuable and engine-compatible design fuels fr diesel and Otto engines.

The entrained flow gasifier in step II converts the liquid intermediate product bioliqSyncrude obtained in the first process step into a tar-free synthesis gas. In pilot mode, it may optionally be operated at two pressure levels (40 bar and 80 bar) which provides maximal flexibility, depending on the requirements of the downstream process steps. With the completion of bioliq II, an important milestone on the way to the operation of the complete process chain from biomass to motor fuels has been reached.

The entrained flow gasifier was provided with a special plant design. It offers the advantage that a variety of biomass containing even high ash concentrations can be processed. The applied materials of constructionare able to withstand the corrosive effects caused by biomass components and allow for operation at high pressures. This ensures operation of the entrained flow gasifier at conditions that are close to commercial-scale operation consequently, the pilot plant functions as an important research platform at the KIT.

"The entire bioliq process is exemplary for the sustainable utilization of biomass and is making a vital contribution to the substitution of fossil energy resources and to curbing CO2 emissions in the transport sector", stressed the KIT Vice President Research and Innovation, Dr. Peter Fritz.

"With the high-pressure entrained flow gasifier the KIT Energy Center now utlilizes an excellent tool that is more than just proof of the commercial-scale capability of the bioliq process", asserted the Project Manager of bioliq II, Professor Thomas Kolb. "It is bound to also generate important research results in the area of high-temperature processes and thus to contribute to the development of new technologies." Kolb referred in this context to the research cooperation initiatives already launched during the construction period, such as the virtual Helmholtz-Institut HVIGasTech (http://www.hvigastech.org) which bundles the scientific and technical competencies of the partners and transforms them into new know-how relating to thermo-chemical processes operated under high pressures.

"As the bioliq process relies on straw and other biogenic residues which do not compete with food or feed production, we are thus in a position to make a substantial contribution to the development of alternative energy solutions", said Franois Venet, Vice President Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions. "We are proud to have successfully implemented this challenging and strategically significant new technology of converting biomass into syngas jointly with our cooperation partner KIT and are highly satisfied to have been able to strengthen further our portfolio in the field of "Renewable Resources".

The multi-stage process takes account of the fact that, on the one hand, biomass residues occur highly fragmented regionally and, on the other, it is imperative to establish an economically viable, commercial production scale. The construction of the pilot plant at KIT Campus Nord is subsidized by the Federal Government and the Land Baden-Wuerttenberg. Besides numerous institutes and service units of the KIT, several industrial partners partake in bioliq. The construction of bioliq process stage II has an investment volume of around EUR 28 million. 50 percent of this amount is contributed by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). These funds are made available via the Fachagentur fr Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).

The balance of the capital expenditure is borne by the KIT and the industrial partner Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions at half each. Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions not only planned, designed, supplied, constructed and commissioned the plant for the bioliq-process stage II, but will also participate in the further research and development work.

The bioliq Process

The complete bioliq Process (Biomass to Liquid Karlsruhe) comprises four stages. In Stage I, the dry residual biomass which occurs widespread regionally and possesses low energy content is converted decentralized into a substance similar to crude oil of high energy density by fast pyrolysis. The so-called bioliqSyncrude can be transported cost-effectively over long distances and is processed further centrally. In the second process stage, a high-pressure entrained flow gasifier converts the bioliqSyncrude to a tar-free syngas at temperatures above 1,200 degrees centigrade and pressures of up to 80 bar. The synthesis gas is mainly composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In this Stage II, the high temperatures, high pressure and the reactive products make exacting demands on the process, the instrumentation and the safety technology of the plant. The downstream hot-gas cleaning unit Stage III has the function to separate impurities like particulate matter, chlorine and nitrogen compounds from the syngas. In the fourth and last process step, the gas molecules are selectively composed to obtain customized motor fuels.

###

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Europe's leading energy research establishments. Research, education, and innovation at KIT foster the energy turnaround and reorganization of the energy system in Germany. KIT links excellent competences in engineering and science with know-how in economics, the humanities, and social sciences as well as law. The activities of the KIT Energy Center are organized in seven topics: Energy conversion, renewable energies, energy storage and distribution, efficient energy use, fusion technology, nuclear power and safety, and energy systems analysis. Clear priorities lie in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energies, energy storage systems and grids, electric mobility, and enhanced international cooperation in research.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Wrttemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. KIT focuses on a knowledge triangle that links the tasks of research, teaching, and innovation.

This press release is available on the Internet at: www.kit.edu

The photo is available for download in a printable format at www.kit.edu and may be requested at: presse@kit.edu or on +49 721 608-47414. The use of the photo is only and exclusively permitted in the above context. .

---

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

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Monika Landgraf
presse@kit.edu
49-721-608-47414
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Complex process stage II realized Customized motor fuels from biomass residue

This release is available in German.

On the way to the production of environment-friendly fuels from biomass residue, the Karlsruher Institut fr Technologie, or KIT for short, in cooperation with the technology partner Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions has realized another important milestone: the second process stage of the bioliq pilot plant is ready today, the complex high-pressure entrained flow gasifier bioliq II was handed over for operation. The four-step process designed at the KIT allows producing valuable and engine-compatible design fuels fr diesel and Otto engines.

The entrained flow gasifier in step II converts the liquid intermediate product bioliqSyncrude obtained in the first process step into a tar-free synthesis gas. In pilot mode, it may optionally be operated at two pressure levels (40 bar and 80 bar) which provides maximal flexibility, depending on the requirements of the downstream process steps. With the completion of bioliq II, an important milestone on the way to the operation of the complete process chain from biomass to motor fuels has been reached.

The entrained flow gasifier was provided with a special plant design. It offers the advantage that a variety of biomass containing even high ash concentrations can be processed. The applied materials of constructionare able to withstand the corrosive effects caused by biomass components and allow for operation at high pressures. This ensures operation of the entrained flow gasifier at conditions that are close to commercial-scale operation consequently, the pilot plant functions as an important research platform at the KIT.

"The entire bioliq process is exemplary for the sustainable utilization of biomass and is making a vital contribution to the substitution of fossil energy resources and to curbing CO2 emissions in the transport sector", stressed the KIT Vice President Research and Innovation, Dr. Peter Fritz.

"With the high-pressure entrained flow gasifier the KIT Energy Center now utlilizes an excellent tool that is more than just proof of the commercial-scale capability of the bioliq process", asserted the Project Manager of bioliq II, Professor Thomas Kolb. "It is bound to also generate important research results in the area of high-temperature processes and thus to contribute to the development of new technologies." Kolb referred in this context to the research cooperation initiatives already launched during the construction period, such as the virtual Helmholtz-Institut HVIGasTech (http://www.hvigastech.org) which bundles the scientific and technical competencies of the partners and transforms them into new know-how relating to thermo-chemical processes operated under high pressures.

"As the bioliq process relies on straw and other biogenic residues which do not compete with food or feed production, we are thus in a position to make a substantial contribution to the development of alternative energy solutions", said Franois Venet, Vice President Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions. "We are proud to have successfully implemented this challenging and strategically significant new technology of converting biomass into syngas jointly with our cooperation partner KIT and are highly satisfied to have been able to strengthen further our portfolio in the field of "Renewable Resources".

The multi-stage process takes account of the fact that, on the one hand, biomass residues occur highly fragmented regionally and, on the other, it is imperative to establish an economically viable, commercial production scale. The construction of the pilot plant at KIT Campus Nord is subsidized by the Federal Government and the Land Baden-Wuerttenberg. Besides numerous institutes and service units of the KIT, several industrial partners partake in bioliq. The construction of bioliq process stage II has an investment volume of around EUR 28 million. 50 percent of this amount is contributed by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). These funds are made available via the Fachagentur fr Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).

The balance of the capital expenditure is borne by the KIT and the industrial partner Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions at half each. Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions not only planned, designed, supplied, constructed and commissioned the plant for the bioliq-process stage II, but will also participate in the further research and development work.

The bioliq Process

The complete bioliq Process (Biomass to Liquid Karlsruhe) comprises four stages. In Stage I, the dry residual biomass which occurs widespread regionally and possesses low energy content is converted decentralized into a substance similar to crude oil of high energy density by fast pyrolysis. The so-called bioliqSyncrude can be transported cost-effectively over long distances and is processed further centrally. In the second process stage, a high-pressure entrained flow gasifier converts the bioliqSyncrude to a tar-free syngas at temperatures above 1,200 degrees centigrade and pressures of up to 80 bar. The synthesis gas is mainly composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In this Stage II, the high temperatures, high pressure and the reactive products make exacting demands on the process, the instrumentation and the safety technology of the plant. The downstream hot-gas cleaning unit Stage III has the function to separate impurities like particulate matter, chlorine and nitrogen compounds from the syngas. In the fourth and last process step, the gas molecules are selectively composed to obtain customized motor fuels.

###

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Europe's leading energy research establishments. Research, education, and innovation at KIT foster the energy turnaround and reorganization of the energy system in Germany. KIT links excellent competences in engineering and science with know-how in economics, the humanities, and social sciences as well as law. The activities of the KIT Energy Center are organized in seven topics: Energy conversion, renewable energies, energy storage and distribution, efficient energy use, fusion technology, nuclear power and safety, and energy systems analysis. Clear priorities lie in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energies, energy storage systems and grids, electric mobility, and enhanced international cooperation in research.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Wrttemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. KIT focuses on a knowledge triangle that links the tasks of research, teaching, and innovation.

This press release is available on the Internet at: www.kit.edu

The photo is available for download in a printable format at www.kit.edu and may be requested at: presse@kit.edu or on +49 721 608-47414. The use of the photo is only and exclusively permitted in the above context. .

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

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

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/haog-bpp022813.php

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WePay Launches Mobile Payments App on iOS For ... - The Next Web

Online and mobile payments service WePay?has launched an iOS app today to help small and growing businesses in the United States accept credit card transactions with minimal fuss.

The app means that firms can use an iPhone as a virtual terminal, charging credit cards at any time and at any location without using dedicated hardware.?It also includes a number of invoicing features, allowing the user to send and manage custom-made, professional itemized bills.

Processing credit cards and sending out invoices will cost 2.9 percent of the total amount paid, in addition to a 30 cent charge per transaction taken by WePay.

If the client is having any problems with the service, it?s also possible to call or email customer support directly from within the WePay app.

Bill Clerico, CEO of WePay says the needs of small business service providers aren?t being met by the existing mobile payment apps on the market.??Our solution offers these businesses everything they need to get paid,? he said. ?Now whether they?re on the road or in the office they have access to everything people love about WePay [...] all without requiring any extra hardware or a dongle.?

WePay has a number of other firms to compete with though. Digital payments company Square is one of its biggest competitors in the United States, having recently announced that it is now offering a complete hardware package to help businesses run its Square Register solution.

Mobile payments platform LevelUp, known for its use of QR codes, is also actively targeting small businesses in the United States by offering custom-made apps. Earlier this month restaurant chain Sweetgreen became the first firm to take advantage of the service, and it?s been confirmed that an app for First Trade Union Bank is also in development.

iZettle, meanwhile, has just introduced a new device in Europe based on chip and pin technology, which accepts all major credit cards including Visa. It?s only available in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the UK, Germany and Spain for now, and works in conjunction the free iZettle app.

They?re already competing with a number of other up-and-coming startups such as SumUp?(we took a sneak peak at its upcoming?SumUp Pay solution at Finovate Europe) and Rocket Internet-incubated Payleven, the latter of which has also opted for an app plus chip and pin reader combination. Meanwhile, eBay-owned PayPal is looking to launch its mobile payments service, PayPal Here, in the UK before the end of the summer.

The caveat here is that most of these services are still operating in select regions, restricting growth not only in transactions but also the number of businesses adopting it.

All of these mobile payments companies are looking to expand though, so if WePay wants any chance of keeping up with the rest of the pack, it?ll need to keep developing its mobile app offerings in the United States ? and quickly.

? WePay | iOS

Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our site, The Next Web may earn a small commission if you click through and buy the product in question. For more information, please see our Terms of Service.

Image Credit:?Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Source: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/28/wepay-launches-an-ios-app-for-small-businesses-upping-its-game-in-the-mobile-payments-race/

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Detect Fake Email Addresses (and Four Other Tricks) to Avoid Craigslist Scams

We all know Craigslist, while handy, is home to more than a few scammers?even if you're searching for an apartment. Chris Morran over at the Consumerist goes through five warning signs that a rental listing is a scam.

Most of them are things that would throw up at least a yellow flag, but Morran discusses why scammers use these techniques, and how to watch our for similar ones. For example, if they have gibberish for an email address, it's probably to stay under cover:

Since the listing doesn't give a phone number, the only way to find out more is to contact the poster by e-mail. You can't necessarily tell by e-mail posted on the listing page, but when the other person writes back and he's using an e-mail that looks like it's been through the consonant grinder?"kydixororaqep" is a name that was actually attached to one e-mail we saw?you're likely dealing with someone using auto-generated e-mail accounts so as to make things harder to trace.

The other signs generally fall under the "too good to be true" banner we've talked about before?like absurdly low rent or a credit check where it's "okay if you have bad credit"?but they're handy to know. Check out the full article over at the Consumerist for more.

5 Warning Signs That a Craigslist Rental Listing Is Probably a Scam | The Consumerist

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/SLkfjpKc0Aw/watch-for-auto+generated-email-addresses-and-four-other-signs-to-avoid-craigslist-scams

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Asia stocks rise on growth hopes, BOJ pick

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) ? Asian stock markets rose Thursday as positive economic indicators and the nomination of a pro-stimulus Bank of Japan chief bolstered hopes for faster growth.

Tokyo's benchmark led gains in regional stocks after the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated Haruhiko Kuroda, currently president of the Asian Development Bank, to head Japan's central bank. The Nikkei 225 stock average was up 2.1 percent to 11,490.36.

Kuroda is seen as a supporter of Abe's efforts to overcome Japan's 20 years of economic stagnation with bolder monetary easing, a weaker yen and bigger government spending.

Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kospi was up 1 percent at 2,024.14 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.2 percent to 22,850.85. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.2 percent to 5,097.10. Stocks in mainland China, Singapore and Thailand also rose.

Kuroda's nomination and expectations for a weaker yen whetted investor appetite for exporters in Tokyo stock markets. Shares of Sony Corp. jumped 2.9 percent and Toyota Motor Corp. soared 2.4 percent.

Investors also welcomed a string of improved economic figures from Asia, Europe and the United States that helped to offset concern about Italy's hung parliament and government spending cuts in the U.S.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said industrial production rose 1 percent from the month before in January, the second straight monthly increase. The ministry suggested a slump in output had bottomed.

On Wednesday, new figures from the U.S. National Association of Realtors showed pending sales rose 4.5 percent in January, the biggest increase since April 2010.

The Commerce Department said orders of U.S. long-lasting factory goods, or so-called core capital goods, rose 6.3 percent in January from December, indicating companies are willing to expand their production capacities.

"Solid U.S. data helped investors shrug off worries as the private sector continues spending," said Lee Sun-yup, a market analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp. in Seoul. "Private sector spending can cushion the impact from the automatic government spending cuts that will slow the economy."

And in Europe, a survey showed economic sentiment in the 17 euro countries rising by more than anticipated in February.

On Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 175.24 points, or 1.2 percent, to 14,075.37. The Standard and Poor's 500 index gained 19.05 points, or 1.3 percent, to 1,515.99. The Nasdaq composite rose 32.61 points, or 1.3 percent, to 3,162.26.

In currency markets, the euro was almost flat at $1.3141. The dollar was steady at 92.262 yen.

Benchmark crude for April delivery was up 28 cents to $93.04 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-02-28-World%20Markets/id-48e40e04b5934f0896c024b1a932c174

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Kelly wins Dem. nod for ex-Rep. Jackson Jr.'s seat (cbsnews)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/287695030?client_source=feed&format=rss

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1 wounded in shooting near South Carolina college campus

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) ? A South Carolina college spokeswoman says one person has been wounded in a shooting at a school apartment complex near campus, and a lockdown of campus buildings has been ordered.

Coastal Carolina University spokeswoman Martha Hunn said the gunman was still at large Tuesday night.

She said dispatchers received a call around 7:20 p.m. regarding a shooting at University Place, which is adjacent to S.C. Highway 544.

Hunn said the victim was transported to Grand Strand Regional Hospital.

Students were allowed to leave classroom buildings late Tuesday, but residence halls remained on lockdown.

According to the school's website, University Place houses almost 2,000 students.

Coastal Carolina University has an enrollment of slightly more than 9,000 students. The school, founded in 1954, is in Conway, 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sc-college-1-wounded-shooting-near-campus-041139856.html

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BBC: World service frequencies jammed in China

LONDON (AP) ? The BBC says it has received reports that its world service English shortwave radio frequencies are being jammed in China and condemns what it called efforts to disrupt free access to news and information.

The broadcaster said while it can't attribute the source of the jamming definitively, "the extensive and coordinated efforts are indicative of a well-resourced country such as China."

The jamming of broadcasts in China is being timed to cause "maximum disruption," the BBC's director of global news, Peter Horrocks, said in a statement Monday.

In the past, BBC Persian transmissions in Iran have been affected by jamming. Jamming frequencies was also a tactic used by communist nations to block BBC broadcasts during the Cold War.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bbc-world-frequencies-jammed-china-131842614--finance.html

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Sony promising two new PlayStation Vita apps for spring in Friend Network and Imaginstruments

Two PlayStation Vita apps from international waters are making their way to North American Vitas this Spring, Sony announced today. Both Friend Network and Imaginstruments are headed to the PlayStation Network on Vita, and neither was given a price -- each is free in its given country of origin (Japan and Europe, respectively). The former is a social networking app that encourages new relationships (with strangers! gross!) through a variety of minigames, and it stars little known PlayStation mascot Toro. You can also integrate Twitter and Facebook to find real life friends, with the ultimate goal for reaching 100. The latter is a music app that enables some light music composition; think of Imaginstruments as a pared down Korg synth. Take a look at each app in action, just beyond the jump.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Software, Sony

Comments

Source: US PlayStation Blog

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/25/playstation-vita-friend-network-imaginstruments/

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Kerry Washington Oscars Dress: Marvelous in Miu Miu

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/kerry-washington-oscars-dress-marvelous-in-miu-miu/

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McCain: Obama should have Camp David budget summit

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Sen. John McCain says President Barack Obama should invite lawmakers to Camp David or the White House to hammer out a last-minute deal to avert deep budget cuts set to start taking effect at week's end.

The Arizona Republican says Obama should be talking with lawmakers instead of demonizing them over the looming across-the-board cuts in domestic and defense spending.

McCain calls the Pentagon cuts "unconscionable" and says military leaders are already warning they would be devastating.

McCain, the 2008 GOP president nominee, says it's time for Obama to show leadership and call lawmakers either to Camp David or to the White House for a budget summit.

McCain appeared on CNN's "State of the Union."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-02-24-US-Budget-Battle-McCain/id-6fefe922ab8f4d4da2b2c87a0896e01a

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Japan likely to nominate ADB's Kuroda for BOJ: Nikkei

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government is likely to nominate Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda, an advocate of aggressive monetary easing, as its next central bank governor, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

The yen plunged 1.4 percent in early trade to 94.67 per dollar by 4.56 a.m. on Monday after the report Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will submit the nominations for Kuroda and two deputy governor posts to parliament this week. The incumbents leave on March 19.

The choice of Kuroda, who has long criticized the BOJ as too slow in expanding stimulus, will likely nudge the central bank into more aggressive, unorthodox measures to achieve its new 2 percent inflation target set in January.

As Japan's top financial diplomat from 1999 to 2003, Kuroda aggressively intervened in the exchange-rate market to weaken the yen to support the country's export-reliant economy.

Kikuo Iwata, an academic known as one of the most vocal advocates of aggressive monetary expansion, is likely to be nominated as deputy BOJ governor, the Nikkei said on Monday without citing sources.

The other deputy governor post will probably be filled by a central banker, most likely BOJ Executive Director Hiroshi Nakaso, who now oversees the central bank's international operations, the paper said.

Kuroda, 68, has been considered a strong candidate to replace current BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa because of his extensive experience in international policy and his calls for more aggressive monetary easing that matched the views of Abe.

POLITICAL MANOEUVRING

Still, it remains uncertain whether Kuroda will get the job.

Abe must go through delicate political maneuvering to close the deal, as the nomination must be approved by both houses of parliament including the upper house, where his ruling coalition lacks a majority.

The government hopes to garner support from either the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) or a group of smaller parties to pass through the nomination.

Kuroda has also called on the central bank to achieve 2 percent inflation in two years by pumping money into the economy through unorthodox steps, such as expanding government bond purchases and buying shares.

If Kuroda were to be chosen as next BOJ governor, he would be cutting short his term as head of the ADB, which could weaken Japan's standing as the country that traditionally provides the head of the organization established in 1966.

Abe, who won a resounding election victory in December promising to finally rid Japan of nearly 20 years of deflation, has said he wants to choose a new BOJ governor keener to experiment with radical steps to revive the economy than the conventional-minded Shirakawa.

He has also stressed the need for the new governor to have international contacts, suggesting he prefers someone with experience in financial diplomacy like Kuroda who, as president of the 67-member ADB rubs shoulders with policymakers around the world.

The finance ministry, which wields a great deal of influence over monetary policy, lobbied for former financial bureaucrat Toshiro Muto, but was likely turned down by Abe and his aides who saw him as lacking international contacts and less willing to experiment with untried monetary easing steps.

Abe has the power to choose the government's nominee for BOJ governor, although the premier usually respects the views of the finance minister and the ministry's bureaucrats because they work closely with the central bank in economic policymaking.

(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Jason Webb)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/japan-likely-nominate-adbs-kuroda-boj-nikkei-183009393--business.html

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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis To Perform At 2013 mtvU Woodie Awards

Joey Bada$$ and English indie rockers Alt-J will also be on hand to perform at the Woodies Festival on March 14 in Austin, Texas.
By Rob Markman

Macklemore
Photo: Anthony Pidgeon/ Redferns

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1702557/macklemore-ryan-lewis-mtvu-woodie-awards-2013.jhtml

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House Intel chair: Chinese cyber attacks 'unprecedented'

House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Mich., said it was "beyond a shadow of a doubt" that the Chinese government and military is behind growing cyber attacks against the United States, saying "we are losing" the war to prevent the attacks.

"They use their military and intelligence structure to steal intellectual property from American businesses, and European businesses, and Asian businesses, re-purpose it and then compete in the international market against the United States," Rogers said this morning on "This Week."

"It is unprecedented," Rogers added. "This has never happened in the history of the world, where one nation steals the intellectual property to re-purpose it - to illegally compete against the country?and I'll tell you, It is as bad as I've ever seen it and exponentially getting worse. Why? There's no consequence for it."

American businesses have been hesitant to complain about Chinese cyber espionage due to fears of losing opportunities in the growing economic power, according to ABC News' George Will.

"They're dealing with a very difficult, frankly a gangster regime in China right now," Will said. "And no one wants to make them unhappy."

While Will noted that the U.S. also engages in cyber espionage, citing attacks against the computer systems running Iran's nuclear facilities, Rogers said that the difference is the U.S. does not seek economic gain as the Chinese have.

"This is an important difference. The United States does not participate, use its military intelligence services for economic espionage," Rogers said. "We do not do it. It's prohibited."

Rep. Eliot Engel, D-NY, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that there have to be greater consequences for Chinese cyber espionage, calling for sanctions and indictments against those responsible, as well as limiting access to visas.

"I think we have to make it very clear to them that they - this cannot be business as usual," Engel said. "If they're going to continue to do this to the extent that they're doing it, there's a price to pay."

Rogers agreed that the U.S. should pursue criminal action against cyber espionage to send a message to China that "if you want to be an international player, you can't act like a thief in the night."

"If someone comes into your office and steals your sensitive intellectual property and walks out the door with it, that's a crime," Rogers said. "What difference does it make if I do it in person or I do it through my computer?"

Beyond economic concerns, the cyber attacks have increasingly focused on areas that may become a national security threat.

A report in The New York Times last week outlined links between the Chinese military and cyber attacks against the U.S. focused on companies tied to American infrastructure, including the power grid and oil and gas lines.

"Here's the scary part of this. It's already part of military planning for the Russians, for the Chinese, and here's where it gets interesting. Now, the Iranians," Rogers said, citing a sophisticated attack on a Saudi company by Iran.

Will said that such attacks may be seen as a way for China and other nations to compete with the U.S. militarily.

"What if China is thinking, look, we can try and compete with the United States. Build a big blue water Navy and aircraft carriers and all the rest, or maybe we can just learn how to disable the massive infrastructure of our potential? adversary," Will said. "There's an intellectual blank slate right now on which the international community needs to write rules and laws about a new form of weapons."

But Rogers warned that the U.S. is not yet prepared to deter such cyber attacks from continuing.

"If you're going to punch your neighbor in the nose, best to hit the weight room for a couple of months," Rogers said. "We're not ready yet, we are completely vulnerable to this."

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/house-intel-chair-mike-rogers-calls-chinese-cyber-180030656--abc-news-politics.html

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Signal Snowboards carves a glass board

It's been a while since we've checked in with the mad snowboard scientists at Signal Snowboards. In their ongoing efforts to experiment with the techiest, wildest, most multi-functional snowboard builds, they've come out with one of the most aesthetically pleasing board designs we've ever seen ? an all-glass board. You go to the resort to see snow and mountains, why not get a clear view from beneath your feet.

Our first instinct when presented with the idea of a glass board was that the thing is going to shatter like fine China in the middle of a demolition derby. But, for the latest episode of Every Third Thursday, the guys at Signal ignored that type of conventional wisdom. They traveled to Italy and tapped into the glassmaking expertise of the locals. What followed was a one-of-a-kind process that created a glass board that was actually rideable ... if only for a day.

The five-day process started at the factory of Vetreria Aurora, a company that specializes in crafting glass into functional things like doors and shower cubicles. The experts there machine-carved two rectangular pieces of glass into matching snowboard shapes. The glass was then baked in the oven atop a one-of-a-kind insert built specifically to give the board its tip and tail lift. Then, the inserts for binding mounting were carefully drilled into the glass.

Had they ridden it at that point, it would have surely shattered like a wine glass on concrete. Instead, they took it to a Viraver Technologies, where it was tempered with a process more commonly used for windshields. The two tempered pieces were bonded together with a graphics insert, baked in a vacuum bag and popped out looking like a piece of fine crystal, ready to shred some snow crystal.

Not being ones to just hang their creations on the wall, however wise that might be, the Signal crew put the riding characteristics of glass to the test at Abetone ski resort. From the video, the board looks a little slippery, given its lack of metal edges, and doesn't exactly glide as reliably as freshly waxed P-tex. It also doesn't take long to start spidering like a windshield hit with a falling rock.

Given that the board couldn't survive a single day on the slopes, we don't think Signal will be broadening its retail line-up to include an all-glass board anytime soon. Still, it made for an interesting experiment. Check out the experiment in the video below.

Source: Signal Snowboards

Source: http://www.gizmag.com/a-snowboard-made-from-glass/26370/

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MC Hammer Arrested For Obstructing Officer, Alleges Profiling

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/mc-hammer-arrested-for-obstructing-officer-alleges-profiling/

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It's the QBs, not the scout

AP

Last year?s draft class of quarterbacks was a unique one, with eight rookies starting at some point in the season, and more than half of them playing well.

But according to Broncos executive John Elway, the rising tide of young quarterbacks is a function of improved play, rather than improved scouting.

Asked if the improved batting average on picking quarterbacks was because the league had learned something, Elway replied simply: ?I think quarterbacks are getting better. . . . We?re getting guys that are much better prepared.?

With the proliferation of 7-on-7 leagues at the high school level (and younger), to the individual instruction most draftable quarterbacks are getting now, there?s a higher level of training that passers are getting, which is raising the bar.

That doesn?t mean teams aren?t going to miss with this year?s crop, especially in a class where many personnel types are talking about the holes in their games, but the floor has been raised.

Of course, Elway still wants to see the intangibles in any passer he?s considering. He offered input to the league on the new personality test that was created to supplement the Wonderlic.

He said he was asked what he wanted to see measured, and he told the test-makers he?d wanted to see if they could gauge competitiveness.

Granted, he hasn?t seen the test to see how that manifested itself, and it seems no one has.

But as years pass, that too will be taught to the quarterbacks coming in, extending the cycle of preparedness.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/22/john-elway-nfls-not-better-at-finding-qbs-qbs-are-better/related/

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Facebook's plan for West Campus to be reviewed Monday by Menlo Park planners

Facebook's plan to build a second campus on the west side of Bayfront Expressway moves to the Menlo Park Planning Commission on Monday.

The social network company has asked the city to rezone its 22-acre West Campus site because the building height there is now limited to 35 feet.

The 43,555-square-foot office and rooftop park that Facebook wants to build above a surface-level parking lot would reach a height of 73 feet, according to city documents. The building has been designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry.

The commission also will consider approving an official statement that the development's benefits would outweigh its negative environmental impacts. According to a city memo, one significant and unavoidable impact could be additional traffic at the intersections of Marsh and Middlefield roads and University Avenue and Donohoe Street. Construction noise is another potential impact.

In addition, the commission is to consider allowing removal of 175 heritage trees and approving Facebook's agreement to provide either $4.5 million in fees to the city for affordable housing or put up 15 affordable housing units elsewhere, or a combination of both.

In January, the city council approved a development agreement for the West Campus project that calls for Facebook to pay Menlo Park $1.5 million over 10 years and $100,000 for local improvements, and to restrict the number of vehicles entering and leaving the new campus. Facebook

also has committed to pay the city at least $194,000 a year in property taxes.

The West Campus, previously occupied by Tyco Electronics at 312 and 313 Constitution Drive, would be given the new address of 1 Facebook Way. About 2,900 employees will work there, according to project documents.

The new building will be linked to the main campus -- the former headquarters of Sun Microsystems -- via a tunnel underneath Bayfront Expressway. The main campus has been permitted to accommodate as many as 6,600 employees.

The planning commission will meet in the council chambers, 701 Laurel St., at 7 p.m.

Email Bonnie Eslinger at beslinger@dailynewsgroup.com; follow her at twitter.com/bonnieeslinger.

This is a layout sketch of Facebook's West Campus in Menlo Park, which will be designed by famous architect Frank Gehry. Facebook announced on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, that Gehry would design the social networking giant?s new building. The quarter-mile long building will be about 10 acres in size, a have a rooftop garden, one large room with parking underneath, and hold about 3,400 engineers. Photo courtesy of Facebook. (Photo courtesy of Facebook.)

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_22651629/facebooks-plan-west-campus-be-reviewed-monday-by?source=rss

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Ashley Benson at the Rome Premiere of "Spring Breakers"

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Source: http://celebrityfashion.onsugar.com/Ashley-Benson-Rome-Premiere-Spring-Breakers-28266789

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Military's newest combat jet, F-35, grounded

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.ktvz.com/Military-s-newest-combat-jet-F-35-grounded/-/413314/19047800/-/i54awa/-/index.html

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Countering Urban Terrorism in India

Yesterday?s twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad has reiterated that the phenomenon of urban terrorism has taken firm root in India. In less than a decade, there have been about 20 major attacks in urban areas, averaging two a year. The targeted cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Varanasi, Pune, Kanpur, Coimbatore, Srinagar, Jammu and Ahmedabad. All of these attacks have led to large-scale casualties, material damage and disruption of life and economic activity.

While urban terrorism is relatively new to India, it has a long history in the international arena. The Irish Republican Army had fought British forces in Northern Ireland for several decades before a political settlement was finally negotiated. The Baader-Meinhof gang, a communist urban guerrilla group, was responsible for several acts of terrorism in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. Most of the terror groups in Latin America are urban-based. Palestinian militants have managed to launch numerous urban terror attacks on Israeli civilians despite Israel?s vigorous pre-emptive measures and a pro-active response strategy. Members of Aum Shinrikyo, a cult group, carried out five co-ordinated sarin gas attacks on several lines of the Tokyo Metro in March 1995. Chechen rebels have been fighting Russia since the 1990s mostly in urban areas. Read more

Source :?www.idsa.in

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThinkIndiaFoundation/~3/zypfaZdtzso/countering-urban-terrorism-in-india.html

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Egypt's Morsi calls parliament elections in April

CAIRO (AP) ? Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has issued a presidential decree calling for staggered parliamentary elections, starting April 27 and ending in June.

The decree, announced late Thursday, says the vote will take place in four stages and the new parliament will convene on July 6.

Since the ouster of longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising in 2011, Egyptians have gone through a series of referendums, presidential and parliamentary elections. The first elected parliament was disbanded by a court order last June.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as the country's dominant political group.

The call for the balloting comes as Egypt is in deep turmoil, bitterly divided between the fundamentalist Brotherhood and their backers on one side, and secular liberal political parties and youth groups on the other.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-morsi-calls-parliament-elections-april-064321594.html

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Sabres fall to Leafs in Rolston's debut as coach

TORONTO -- Ron Rolston had no more success than Lindy Ruff behind the Buffalo Sabres' bench.

In his first game as an NHL head coach, Rolston took a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

Rolston, who took over on Wednesday after the Sabres fired long-time coach Lindy Ruff, tried to put a positive spin on Buffalo's performance in his debut.

"I liked a lot of things we did," said Rolston, who was coaching Buffalo's American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester when Ruff was dismissed. "We improved in some areas that we talked about. We just need to go back at it and get better."

Rolston said he took a few moments to soak up the scene before his first NHL game.

"It was a great feeling, walking down the hallway and out behind the bench for the first time," he said. "This is a spectacular building, there was great atmosphere, and being out there for the anthems was a special feeling. It was a thrill."

That feeling of excitement will quickly fade if Buffalo continues its tailspin. The Sabres (6-11-1) have lost three straight and five of six. That skid cost Ruff -- the NHL's longest-tenured coach -- his job after nearly 16 years with the franchise.

On Thursday, James van Riemsdyk scored two goals to lead the Maple Leafs past the Sabres.

Van Riemsdyk's power-play goal at 14 minutes, 28 seconds of the third -- his team-leading 11th -- gave Toronto breathing room after Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller stopped Van Riemsdyk with a fabulous glove save earlier on the power play.

Dion Phaneuf also scored Toronto, which won its third straight home game. Ben Scrivens stopped 31 shots for his third win in five starts since James Reimer's knee injury Feb. 11.

Tyler Ennis scored for Buffalo.

Buffalo has fallen to 14th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference and needs to turn things around quickly.

"Most importantly, we need to generate more shots, more scoring chances," Rolston said. "We've got to shoot and get more traffic in front. We've got the guys back there (on defense) who can really shoot it. If we can establish that, it should really open things up for us."

The Sabres ranked 17th in the NHL in goals per game (2.6) and 26th in goals against (3.3). Special teams have also been a problem for Buffalo, which ranks second to last in the league on the power play (12.3-percent efficiency) and 20th on the penalty kill (79.4 percent).

There is work to do, but the Sabres appear ready to listen to a new coach for the first time since 1997.

"It was a different voice, obviously," said Thomas Vanek, who is tied for the NHL lead in goals (12) and points (25) and has been one of Buffalo's few bright spots this season. "He talked a lot behind the bench. It was fine. He tried to teach us a few things during the game."

While they are ready to respond to Rolston, some Sabres acknowledged the situation felt a little strange at first.

"It was weird," Buffalo captain Jason Pominville said. "Lindy's been the leader of this organization for 16 years. It's definitely something we have to get used to. Nothing against Ron, it's just a little weird to have a new voice back there."

Source: http://www.goerie.com/article/20130222/HOCKEY04/302229902/Sabres-fall-to-Leafs-in-Rolston's-debut-as-coach

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New study indicates avocado consumption may be associated with better diet quality

Public release date: 21-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Alyson Campbell
acampbell@crt-tanaka.com
646-218-6037
CRT/tanaka

Positive health indicators also associated with avocado consumption

IRVINE, Calif. (February 20, 2013) New analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) , a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates that consuming avocados may be associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake level, lower intake of added sugars, lower body weight, BMI and waist circumferences, higher "good cholesterol" levels and lower metabolic syndrome risk. These results were published in the January 2013 issue of Nutrition Journal.

Specifically, the survey data (NHANES 2001-2008, 17,567 U.S. adults ages 19 years and older) revealed that the 347 adults (50% female) who consumed avocados in any amount during a 24-hour dietary recording period had several significantly better nutrient intake levels and more positive health indicators than those who did not consume avocados. Among the avocado consumers, average daily consumption was about one half (70.1 +/- 5.4 g/day) of a medium sized avocado, somewhat higher in male avocado consumers (75.3 +/-6.3 g/day) than females (66.7 +/- 7.3 g/day).

Overall Diet Quality, Energy and Nutrient Intakes

• According to the study, Avocado consumers more closely adhered to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans than those who did not eat avocados, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI).
• Avocado consumers had significantly higher intakes of certain important nutrients including 36% more dietary fiber, 23% more vitamin E, 13% more magnesium, 16% more potassium and 48% more vitamin K than non-consumers.
• Avocado consumers also had significantly higher intakes of "good" fats (18% more monounsaturated and 12% more polyunsaturated) and total fats (11% more) than non-consumers, although average caloric intake of both groups was the same.
• Avocado consumers and non-consumers had similar intakes of sodium.

Physiological Health Measures

• Avocado consumers had significantly lower BMI values than non-consumers.
• Avocado consumers had significantly smaller waist circumference measures than non-consumers (an average of 4 cm smaller).
• Avocado consumers weighed significantly less than non-consumers (an average of 7.5 pounds less).
• Avocado consumers had significantly higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.

Metabolic Syndrome Risk

The study found that Avocado consumers had a 50% lower odds ratio for metabolic syndrome compared to non-consumers. Metabolic syndrome is a name given to a group of risk factors which, when they occur together, increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes.

As with most analyses of NHANES data, research findings were based on cross-sectional data from a single 24-hour dietary recall (which may be inaccurate and biased due to misreporting and memory lapses) and cannot provide cause and effect evidence between avocado consumption and improvements in diet quality. "These findings suggest an interesting association between the consumption of avocados and better nutrient intakes and other positive outcomes," said study primary investigator Victor Fulgoni, PhD. "These observations were derived from population survey data, they provide important clues to better understanding the relationships between diet and health, and give direction to future research endeavors."

"To this end, the Hass Avocado Board is funding additional clinical studies to investigate the relationship between fresh avocado consumption and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, avocados' potential positive role in weight management and diabetes, and avocados' ability to enhance nutrient absorption," said Hass Avocado Board Executive Director Emiliano Escobedo.

###

For a free copy of the abstract or the full study visit: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/12/1/1

For additional information or free resources on avocado research, recipes, tips and photos visit the Hass Avocado Board web site at AvocadoCentral.com.

About the Hass Avocado Board

The Hass Avocado Board was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados directs HAB's promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass avocados are grown in California and imported into the US from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm. Accessed on January 31, 2013.

Fulgoni VL, Dreher M and Davenport A. Avocado Consumption is Associated with Better Diet Quality and Nutrient Intake, and Lower Metabolic Syndrome Risk in US Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008. Nutrition Journal. 2013; 12:1 (2 January 2013)

United States Department of Agriculture. Healthy Eating Index. Available at: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/healthyeatingindex.htm. Accessed on January 30, 2013.

National Heart Blood and Lung Institute. What is Metabolic Syndrome? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms/. Accessed on January 30, 2013.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

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

Public release date: 21-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Alyson Campbell
acampbell@crt-tanaka.com
646-218-6037
CRT/tanaka

Positive health indicators also associated with avocado consumption

IRVINE, Calif. (February 20, 2013) New analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) , a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates that consuming avocados may be associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake level, lower intake of added sugars, lower body weight, BMI and waist circumferences, higher "good cholesterol" levels and lower metabolic syndrome risk. These results were published in the January 2013 issue of Nutrition Journal.

Specifically, the survey data (NHANES 2001-2008, 17,567 U.S. adults ages 19 years and older) revealed that the 347 adults (50% female) who consumed avocados in any amount during a 24-hour dietary recording period had several significantly better nutrient intake levels and more positive health indicators than those who did not consume avocados. Among the avocado consumers, average daily consumption was about one half (70.1 +/- 5.4 g/day) of a medium sized avocado, somewhat higher in male avocado consumers (75.3 +/-6.3 g/day) than females (66.7 +/- 7.3 g/day).

Overall Diet Quality, Energy and Nutrient Intakes

• According to the study, Avocado consumers more closely adhered to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans than those who did not eat avocados, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI).
• Avocado consumers had significantly higher intakes of certain important nutrients including 36% more dietary fiber, 23% more vitamin E, 13% more magnesium, 16% more potassium and 48% more vitamin K than non-consumers.
• Avocado consumers also had significantly higher intakes of "good" fats (18% more monounsaturated and 12% more polyunsaturated) and total fats (11% more) than non-consumers, although average caloric intake of both groups was the same.
• Avocado consumers and non-consumers had similar intakes of sodium.

Physiological Health Measures

• Avocado consumers had significantly lower BMI values than non-consumers.
• Avocado consumers had significantly smaller waist circumference measures than non-consumers (an average of 4 cm smaller).
• Avocado consumers weighed significantly less than non-consumers (an average of 7.5 pounds less).
• Avocado consumers had significantly higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels.

Metabolic Syndrome Risk

The study found that Avocado consumers had a 50% lower odds ratio for metabolic syndrome compared to non-consumers. Metabolic syndrome is a name given to a group of risk factors which, when they occur together, increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes.

As with most analyses of NHANES data, research findings were based on cross-sectional data from a single 24-hour dietary recall (which may be inaccurate and biased due to misreporting and memory lapses) and cannot provide cause and effect evidence between avocado consumption and improvements in diet quality. "These findings suggest an interesting association between the consumption of avocados and better nutrient intakes and other positive outcomes," said study primary investigator Victor Fulgoni, PhD. "These observations were derived from population survey data, they provide important clues to better understanding the relationships between diet and health, and give direction to future research endeavors."

"To this end, the Hass Avocado Board is funding additional clinical studies to investigate the relationship between fresh avocado consumption and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, avocados' potential positive role in weight management and diabetes, and avocados' ability to enhance nutrient absorption," said Hass Avocado Board Executive Director Emiliano Escobedo.

###

For a free copy of the abstract or the full study visit: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/12/1/1

For additional information or free resources on avocado research, recipes, tips and photos visit the Hass Avocado Board web site at AvocadoCentral.com.

About the Hass Avocado Board

The Hass Avocado Board was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados directs HAB's promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass avocados are grown in California and imported into the US from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm. Accessed on January 31, 2013.

Fulgoni VL, Dreher M and Davenport A. Avocado Consumption is Associated with Better Diet Quality and Nutrient Intake, and Lower Metabolic Syndrome Risk in US Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008. Nutrition Journal. 2013; 12:1 (2 January 2013)

United States Department of Agriculture. Healthy Eating Index. Available at: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/healthyeatingindex.htm. Accessed on January 30, 2013.

National Heart Blood and Lung Institute. What is Metabolic Syndrome? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms/. Accessed on January 30, 2013.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

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

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/c-nsi022013.php

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India says it's going to Mars in 2013

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will launch its first mission to Mars this year, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday, as the emerging Asian nation looks to play catch up in the global space race alongside the United States, Russia and its giant neighbor China.

"Several space missions are planned for 2013, including India's first mission to Mars and the launch of our first navigational satellite," Mukherjee told parliament.

India will send a satellite in October via an unmanned spacecraft to orbit the red planet, blasting off from the southeastern coast in a mission expected to cost about $83 million, scientists who are part of the mission say.

The spacecraft, which will be made in India, will take nine months to reach Mars and then launch itself in an elliptical orbit about 500 km (310 miles) from the planet.

"The mission is ready to roll," Deviprasad Karnik, a scientist from the India Space Research Organization (ISRO), said by phone from the city of Bangalore.

India's mission to Mars has drawn criticism in a country suffering from high levels of malnutrition and power shortages, and currently experiencing its worst slowdown in growth in ten years. But India has long argued that technology developed in its space program has practical applications to everyday life.

India's space exploration program began in 1962. Five years ago, its Chandrayaan satellite found evidence of water on the moon. India is now looking at landing a wheeled rover on the moon in 2014.

(Reporting by Satarupa Bhattacharjya; writing by Matthias Williams)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/india-launch-mission-mars-says-president-132024817--business.html

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