Consumer watchdog expands probe into auto lender industry: WSJ

May 1 (Reuters) - Post position for Saturday's 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs after Wednesday's draw (listed as barrier, HORSE, jockey, trainer) 1. BLACK ONYX, Joe Bravo, Kelly Breen 2. OXBOW, Gary Stevens, D. Wayne Lukas 3. REVOLUTIONARY, Calvin Borel, Todd Pletcher 4. GOLDEN SOUL, Robby Albarado, Dallas Stewart 5. NORMANDY INVASION, Javier Castellano, Chad Brown 6. MYLUTE, Rosie Napravnik, Tom Amoss 7. GIANT FINISH, Jose Espinoza, Tony Dutrow 8. GOLDENCENTS, Kevin Krigger, Doug O'Neill 9. OVERANALYZE, Rafael Bejarano, Todd Pletcher 10. PALACE MALICE, Mike Smith, Todd Pletcher 11. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/consumer-watchdog-expands-probe-auto-lender-industry-wsj-055053190.html

platypus platypus overboard east of eden weather radio indiana autoimmune disease

Researchers look to mathematics, nature, to understand the immune system and its role in cancer

May 1, 2013 ? Can the patterns in tree branches or the meandering bends in a river provide clues that could lead to better cancer therapies? According to a new study from Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, these self-similar, repeating patterns in nature known as fractals help scientists better understand how the immune system is organized and may one day be used to help improve stem cell transplant outcomes in leukemia patients by predicting the probability of transplant complications.

Recently published in the journal Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the study led by Amir Toor, M.D., found a fractal pattern in the T cell repertoire of 10 unrelated stem cell transplant donors and recipients. T cells are a family of immune system cells that keep the body healthy by identifying and launching attacks against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or cancer. T cells have small receptors that recognize antigens, which are proteins on the surface of foreign cells. Once T cells encounter a foreign cell, the antigen fits into the T cell's receptor like a key in a lock and the T cell's deadly arsenal is unleashed on the threat. Once activated, T cells divide into many clones with receptors designed to recognize and guard against that specific pathogen. Over the course of a person's life, he will develop millions of these clonal families, which make up his T cell repertoire and protect him against the many threats that exist in his unique environment.

"The technological advancements of high throughput sequencing have only recently allowed scientists to sequence the genetic material responsible for T cell repertoire. At first glance, the data looks like a chaotic jumble of information," says Toor, a hematologist in the Bone Marrow Transplant Program and researcher in the Developmental Therapeutics program at VCU Massey Cancer Center. "However, if you study a person's T cell repertoire by analyzing the DNA segments responsible for the various types of T cell receptors, you begin to notice a fractal pattern based on segment usage." Toor and his team are hopeful that this information will give them clues that will help them better understand the recovery of immune function following stem cell transplantation and possibly predict complications such as graft-versus-host disease in transplant recipients.

Much like a child can assemble Lego blocks to create a range of different models, humans have evolved a highly efficient process by which a short span of the genome called the T cell receptor locus rearranges gene fragments to create a multitude of different T cell receptor families. In this process, DNA segments known as variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) segments are rearranged to create the millions of T cell receptor families, or clones, that the body uses to combat disease. Similar to how the branching pattern of a tree is faithfully replicated from the trunk all the way to its farthest branches, T cells have families that are created from DNA segments branching out from one another to form a shield that provides protection from diseases.

Toor's team looked at the frequency of T cell clones bearing different V, D and J segments in stem cell transplant donors and recipients following stem cell transplantation. Using a circular diagram designed by researcher Jeremy Meier, B.S., to better visualize the arrangement of the different DNA segments, the team observed a similar fractal order in the T cell receptor families of the donors. This order was even apparent in donors of different ethnicities living on different continents. In patients who had received a stem cell transplant, Toor found that this pattern was disrupted and the patients displayed a lower level of complexity in their T cell receptor repertoire at three months after transplant, followed by a modest improvement when a full year had elapsed after transplantation.

"Attempting to restore the fractal order of a patient's T cell receptor repertoire by optimizing the stem cell transplant process could serve as a valuable therapeutic target," says Toor. "Additionally, our findings lend an insight into nature, such that even in complex biological systems bereft of physical form, mathematically determined organization is observed."

Toor and his colleagues plan to continue using high throughput sequencing of patients' T cell receptors to learn more about how the immune system recovers following stem cell transplantation. The team hopes this will give them valuable information about the effectiveness of future stem cell transplant and immunotherapy clinical trials developed in their clinic.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Virginia Commonwealth University, 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:

1. Jeremy Meier, Catherine Roberts, Kassi Avent, Allison Hazlett, Jennifer Berrie, Kyle Payne, David Hamm, Cindy Desmarais, Catherine Sanders, Kevin T. Hogan, Kellie J. Archer, Masoud H. Manjili, Amir A. Toor. Fractal Organization of the Human T Cell Repertoire in Health and after Stem Cell Transplantation. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2013; 19 (3): 366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2012.12.004

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/most_popular/~3/sfhajT0buVY/130501091849.htm

nfl playoff picture Larry King Suzy Favor Hamilton mayan calendar end of the world end of the world december 21 2012

Chris Kelly, of rap duo Kris Kross, dies in Ga.

In this Feb. 23, 2013 photo, Chris Kelly of Kris Kross performs on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert. Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic "Jump," died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, according to authorities. He was 34. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jonathan Phillips) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT

In this Feb. 23, 2013 photo, Chris Kelly of Kris Kross performs on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert. Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic "Jump," died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, according to authorities. He was 34. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jonathan Phillips) MARIETTA DAILY OUT; GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; WXIA-TV OUT; WGCL-TV OUT

ATLANTA (AP) ? Chris Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most memorable songs with the frenetic "Jump," died at an Atlanta hospital on Wednesday of an apparent drug overdose at his home, authorities said. He was 34.

"It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose," said Cpl. Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police.

This, Lester said, is based on statements received at the scene as well as evidence turned up at Kelly's home in south Atlanta.

According to Lester, police were called to Kelly's home at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was transported to the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said Kelly was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

No official cause of death has been determined, pending an autopsy.

Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and Chris Smith, known as "Daddy Mac," were introduced to the music world in 1992 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri after he discovered the pair in an Atlanta mall. The duo wore their clothes backwards as a gimmick, but they won over fans with their raps.

Their first, and by far most successful song, was "Jump." The hit, off their multiplatinum 1992 debut album "Totally Krossed Out," featured the two trading versus and rapping the refrain, the song's title. The duo had surprising maturity in their rap delivery, though the song was written by Dupri. It would become a No. 1 smash in the United States and globally, and one of the most popular of that year.

Their success led to instant fame: They toured with Michael Jackson, appeared on TV shows, and even had their own video game.

The group was never able to match the tremendous success of their first song, though they had other hits like "Warm It Up," and "Tonite's tha Night."

In 2009, after photos surfaced that showed him with bald spots on his head, there were rumors that he had cancer. But in an interview posted on YouTube by Straight from the A TV, he said he suffered from alopecia, a condition in which people lose their hair.

"My health is good, I just got alopecia, I don't have cancer, not other sort of diseases," he said.

Earlier this year, the group performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri's label, So So Def.

___

Lucas in Atlanta, Entertainment Correspondent Oscar Wells Gabriel II in Washington and AP Entertainment Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-05-02-Obit-Chris%20Kelly/id-d7e08e528c8a4075b760c3f700fdc4dd

Karlie Redd guild wars 2 adrian gonzalez Jerry Nelson Foo Canoodle Isaac path

Division Of Banks, Consumer Affairs Shut Down Predatory Debt Collectors

Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 1:07pm

The state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the Division of Banks this week issued a series of cease orders against five unlicensed lenders and one licensed debt collector who were not adhering to consumer loan protections.

?The Division of Banks ordered Nevada-based Delbert Services Corporation, a licensed debt collector, and its owner, John P. Reddam, to immediately cease collecting payments on more than 100 illegal loans made to Massachusetts consumers. The division also issued orders to five unlicensed, Internet-based lenders who sold loans to Massachusetts consumers. The payments on those loans were collected by Delbert Services.

?Massachusetts small-loan statute prohibits excessively high interest rates and fees. Any business that makes loans of $6,000 or less at an interest rate greater than 12 percent in Massachusetts must be licensed as a small-loan company by the Division of Banks. The maximum annual rate of interest for these loans is 23 percent. Third-party debt collectors must also be licensed and supervised by the division.

?According to the division, Delbert Services was collecting on illegal loans, ranging in amount from $850 to $5,075, and collaborating with a network of predatory lenders that were making loans with annual interest rates ranging from 59 percent to 169 percent, with origination fees as high as $500.

Delbert Services was ordered to cease all collections on loans which violate state law and refund all collection fees received to Massachusetts consumers.

?The division issued related orders to the unlicensed lenders, all Internet-based companies, requiring them to immediately cease making, offering or purchasing illegal small loans in Massachusetts. These companies are required to refund all interest, finance charges, and fees collected from Massachusetts consumers on the illegal loans. Those companies are as follows: Cash Call and its wholly-owned subsidiary WS Funding, LLC, based in Anaheim, Calif.; GP Investors, LLC, located in Sicklerville, N.J.; Novea Resource Management, LLC, located in Surfside, Fla.; and Western Sky Financial, LLC, a/k/a Western Sky funding, LLC, a/k/a Western Sky, a/k/a westernsky.com, located in Timber Lake, S.D.

Source: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news154816.html

Chicago teachers strike september 11 2001 september 11 2001 blake lively serena williams Espn Fantasy Football Grandparents Day 2012

PHOTOS: Given to Texas, but will Texans ever explore new parkland?

Credit: Martha Cerna / KENS 5

Kronkosky State Natural Area

Just a short shot from San Antonio and an even shorter skip from Boerne 3,800 acres of Texas wilderness sits waiting to be explored. Will the new park ever be born?

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department received the property in 2011 - a gift from the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky Foundation of San Antonio.

Now TPWD staff is evaluating the Kronkosky State Natural Area to see what's out there.

And there's a lot to see, according to James Rice, the newly-appointed superintendent of the new parkland.

A Peek Inside: Rare and Endangered

Preliminary baseline surveys have turned up habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler, stands of big tooth Maples, and the rare Madrone tree.

But, Rice was most excited about the endangered Sycamore-leaf snowbell. He says the white-tail deer crave the shrub, that sprouts small clusters of delicate white flowers.

What makes this spot choice has a lot to do with the fact that Red Bluff Creek and Pipe Creek both run through it, sometimes underground, other times slipping through the rocky soil to amble along shady creek beds, pooling up from time to time, much to the delight of ring-tailed cats, raccoons, screech owls, coyotes, opossums, and the nefarious feral hog.

Rice also said they are counting up the milkweed plant. Apparently, migrating monarch butterflies have a singular taste for milkweed.

The Kronkosky SNA was originally delivered as ranch land, fronted by a main residence, ranch manager's residence, three garages and two barns, and is located on Hwy. 46, 8 miles southwest of Boerne.

TPWD is about 18 months or so away from completing the master plans that include possible development of campsites, roads, trails, etc. Then come the cost estimates. That's also where the biggest hurdle comes: the money.

If parkland is given to the people and no one ever sees it, is it still a park?

The Texas legislature is considering two bills that would fund the 84 parks currently in operation. And TPWD says there currently are no plans to close parks.

But, there are parks that have not seen the light of day, so to speak. They are undeveloped, like the Kronkosky SNA, and are not open to the public. The list includes: The Davis Hill Natural Area near Houston; Chinati Mountains State Park, between Presidio and Marfa; and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park near Fort Worth. Will Texans ever be able to explore these parks? Some speculate there aren't enough funds to develop and open these properties for use.

State Representative Lyle Larson of San Antonio says the Sporting Goods Sales Tax was supposed to go to Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Historical Commission, but since it was created in 1993 only a small percentage of the revenue has actually been used for parks. The rest, Larson says, went to pay for unrelated budget items.

Larson is proposing legislation to restrict the use of those revenues, and restore funding to Texas parks.

What a great gift that would be for Texans?and a great birthday gift for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, turning 50 on August 23, 2013!

Speaking of which: If you love parks and love sharing the adventure, log onto www.lifesbetteroutside.org - TPWD?s 50th anniversary site. There you can share photos, videos and your story about "what's made life better outside in Texas."
?

?

Source: http://www.kens5.com/community/blogs/i-dig-s_a/KRONKOSKY-SNA-199205351.html

march madness scores doonesbury padma lakshmi daughtry lakers trade ann arbor news

YouTube is the new CSPAN.

YouTube is the new CSPAN. Well not really, but they just announced they're giving members of the U.S. Congress access to enhanced features like live streaming. Whether congress members choose to reach out to constituents is their prerogative, but at least they've got another tool now.

Read more...

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/cd2K8sNWH2g/youtube-is-the-new-cspan-well-not-really-but-they-jus-486117624

Manchester United Alvin Lee mila kunis hugo chavez nicki minaj jamie lynn spears Chavez Dead

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5 design direction videos

Apple typically accompanies the announcement of a new iPhone 5 with a video showcasing their design and manufacturing processes. Samsung has now done something similar for their just-released Galaxy S4. So how do the two videos compare, and what, if anything, do they tell us about the respective companies and phones?

Before we get to the videos, it's worthwhile taking a quick look at how Apple and Samsung handle the devices in general. Here's Apple's phone product logo, which uses a single typeface, compared to Samsung's, which uses different typefaces for both Galaxy and 4, and a highly stylized S in between:

In Samsung's video, which includes the now oft-repeated "Life Companion" tag line, they start off with a quick series of initially unidentified people (we later find out they're UX -- user experience -- designers), who set the stage for a) wanting to go deeper into people's lives, b) be more evolutionary than radically different, c) be like nothing anyone has ever seen before, and d) change people's lives for the better. (Note: the video is in Korean with English subtitles, so there could be cultural differences and contexts that are lost in translation.)

Apple's video, which is actually more of a general product video that also touches on design, begins with Jony Ive, senior vice president of industrial design, who sets up a) the phone as the most-used object in people's lives, b) how seriously Apple takes that relationship, and c) how Apple's goal is not to make something new but something much better.

Samsung's video includes people set in more realistic environments, and a ton of b-roll showing stars, cityscapes, and other dramatic visuals. Apple's video sets everyone on backgrounds of pure white, and b-roll consists exclusively of shots of the iPhone itself, the technology inside it, and the equipment used to manufacture it.

Samsung's UX designers go on to describe how the phone has evolved from information system to life companion, and how they began to think about how they could use it to offer more meaningful value. They showcase features like the eye-tracking page scrolling and video pausing, and the on-hover contextual popups. And they call out the automatic photo album generation.

Apple's Jony Ive explains their decision to increase the screen size to 4-inches by making it taller but not wider (the old one-handed-ease-of-use argument). Bob Mansfield, senior vice-president (of technology) explains some of the new hardware features like LTE and the Apple A6, and Lightning connector. Scott Forstall, former vice president of iOS, then goes over iOS 6 software features like Maps, Panorama photos, Siri enhancements like sports and restaurant reservations, Facebook integration, and FaceTime over celular.

Samsung's Hyoungshin Park, product designer, explains that while the Galaxy S3 had more nature-centric design cues, the Galaxy S4 was meant to be more "rationale" in approach (that has to be a translation glitch, right?) and with more emotional CMF (?). Jongbo Jung, product designer, then describes the GS4 as a precious gem glittering in the dark or stars sparkling in the night sky. They paid attention to the smallest detail and refined it to perfection. They wanted to find the perfect line.

Apple returns to Jonny Ive, who talks not only about the very nearly insane precision of the manufacturing process, but about how the iPhone feels in your hand, and the importance of the materials they use -- glass and aluminum.

Samsung says nothing about the feeling or importance of their plastics. They do repeat the importance of making people's lives better. Mihnyouk Lee, vice president of product design, says Samsung believes they can create something new and valuable.

Apple's Jony Ive says they began the iPhone 5 with a design they loved, but to implement it, it took everything they'd learned to date. Simple, clear, truly extraordinary.

Samsung ends with: Life Companion, for a richer, simpler, fuller life.

Apple ends with: Apple logo.

Samsung's video does make Apple's look clinical, almost sterile at times, but the simplicity Apple brings to every element makes Samsung look undisciplined, almost unrefined.

What's most interesting is that two companies with such different styles and products are both sitting atop the smartphone space right now.

Via: Android Central

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/2j5iV1Z_1Jk/story01.htm

friends tracy mcgrady tracy mcgrady awkward awkward Girls Love Beyonce gun control