Explosives in Louisiana prompt town evacuation, criminal probe

(Reuters) - A Louisiana company is being investigated after the discovery of about 6 million pounds of improperly stored explosive material raised safety concerns and prompted the evacuation of a nearby town, police said on Monday.

A Louisiana State Police trooper found the large amount of M6 propellant, a smokeless material used for large ammunitions, during an inspection of Explo Systems Inc last week, said Captain Doug Cain.

The state police spokesman said the material was supposed to be stored in certified explosives magazines but was instead scattered around the company's property located at Camp Minden, which is the site of a former U.S. Army ammunition plant in northwest Louisiana.

"It was in boxes sitting on pallets. It was in sheds. It was in warehouses," Cain said. "It was out in an open area. Hundreds and hundreds of boxes were lying in the woods."

"What we thought was a million pounds has turned out to be 6 million pounds of improperly stored propellant," he said.

The small town of Doyline was evacuated on Friday ahead of police efforts over the weekend to get the explosive material either safely stored or shipped to customers if it was commercial ready and properly packaged, Cain said.

Those efforts continued on Monday. Schools in Doyline were closed, and Cain said state police and the local sheriff would decide later in the day how long to keep the evacuation in place.

"It's possible it may be extended into tomorrow," he said.

Cain said police have launched administrative and criminal investigations.

A woman who answered the phone at Explo Systems on Monday said no one was available to speak about the investigation. A message left at the company was not immediately returned.

Explo Systems has operated for seven years and is veteran-owned, according to its website. The company recovers explosives and propellants from munitions, according to news reports.

State police were conducting the inspection last week as part of an investigation into an explosion of one of the company's magazines in October, Cain said.

(Reporting by Colleen Jenkins)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/explosives-louisiana-prompt-town-evacuation-criminal-probe-175826470.html

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Childhood trauma leaves mark on DNA of some victims: Gene-environment interaction causes lifelong dysregulation of stress hormones

ScienceDaily (Dec. 2, 2012) ? Abused children are at high risk of anxiety and mood disorders, as traumatic experience induces lasting changes to their gene regulation. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich have now documented for the first time that genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene can influence epigenetic alterations in this gene induced by early trauma.

In individuals with a genetic predisposition, trauma causes long-term changes in DNA methylation leading to a lasting dysregulation of the stress hormone system. As a result, those affected find themselves less able to cope with stressful situations throughout their lives, frequently leading to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders in adulthood. Doctors and scientists hope these discoveries will yield new treatment strategies tailored to individual patients, as well as increased public awareness of the importance of protecting children from trauma and its consequences.

Many human illnesses arise from the interaction of individual genes and environmental influences. Traumatic events, especially in childhood, constitute high risk factors for the emergence of psychiatric illnesses in later life. However, whether early stress actually leads to a psychiatric disorder depends largely on his or her genetic predisposition.

Research Group Leader Elisabeth Binder of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry examined the DNA of almost 2000 Afro-Americans who had been repeatedly and severely traumatised as adults or in childhood. One-third of trauma victims had become ill and was now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder rose with increasing severity of abuse only in the carriers of a specific genetic variant in the FKBP5 gene. FKPB5 determines how effectively the organism can react to stress, and by this regulates the entire stress hormone system. The scientists hoped to cast light on the mechanisms of this gene-environment interaction by comparing modifications of the DNA sequence of victims who had not become ill with that of those who had.

The Munich-based Max Planck scientists were then able to demonstrate that the genetic FKBP5 variant does make a physiological difference to those affected, also in nerve cells. Extreme stress and the associated high concentrations of stress hormones bring about what is called an epigenetic change. A methyl group is broken off the DNA at this point, causing a marked increase in FKBP5 activity. This lasting epigenetic change is generated primarily through childhood traumatisation. Consequently, no disease-related demethylation of the FKBP5 gene was detected in participants who were traumatised in adulthood only.

Torsten Klengel, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, explains the findings of the study as follows: "Depending on genetic predisposition, childhood trauma can leave permanent epigenetic marks on the DNA, further de-repressing FKBP5 transcription. The consequence is a permanent dysregulation of the victim's stress hormone system, which can ultimately lead to psychiatric illness. Decisive for victims of childhood abuse, however, is that the stress-induced epigenetic changes can only occur if their DNA has a specific sequence."

This recent study improves our understanding of psychiatric illnesses which arise from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The results will help tailor treatment particularly for patients who were exposed to trauma in early childhood, thereby greatly increasing their risk of illness.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft.

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Torsten Klengel, Divya Mehta, Christoph Anacker, Monika Rex-Haffner, Jens C Pruessner, Carmine M Pariante, Thaddeus W W Pace, Kristina B Mercer, Helen S Mayberg, Bekh Bradley, Charles B Nemeroff, Florian Holsboer, Christine M Heim, Kerry J Ressler, Theo Rein, Elisabeth B Binder. Allele-specific FKBP5 DNA demethylation mediates gene?childhood trauma interactions. Nature Neuroscience, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/nn.3275

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/A6x4bs8YQOQ/121202164057.htm

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Netgear's NeoTV Prime (GTV100) is the latest Google TV box outed by FCC filings

Just like the suddenly inescapable 4K, it appears Google TV will be a buzzword for multiple new devices at CES like this Netgear NeoTV Prime (model # GTV100) which GTV Hacker discovered via a pair of curious FCC testing documents. It actually snuck through the FCC before the just-leaked ASUS Qube (more on that in a moment), revealed via a documents for both its Bluetooth-connected remote control and a wireless component, although the box itself remains under wraps. The remote packs a QWERTY keyboard, while up front there's a touchpad plus the usual assortment of control buttons augmented with several app shortcuts for Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Vudu, HBO Go and Crackle. It may be wishful thinking, but here's hoping the inclusion of Amazon and HBO Go buttons mean dedicated apps are on the way, instead of the current website shortcuts. The wireless module is less revealing, only confirming the name, 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0 and a lack of ad-hoc wireless network support. Check after the break for a couple of more pics, and info on where Google TV may be headed.

Continue reading Netgear's NeoTV Prime (GTV100) is the latest Google TV box outed by FCC filings

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google

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Source: GTV Hacker, NeoTV Prime remote (FCC), NeoTV wireless (FCC)

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

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OU positioned for BCS; SEC plays for title spot

Before the Southeastern Conference sorted out who will play Notre Dame for the national championship, Oklahoma positioned itself be part of the BCS lineup ? one way or another.

No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia played in Atlanta for the SEC title and a trip to Miami to face the top-ranked Fighting Irish in the BCS title game Jan. 7.

Earlier, the 12th-ranked Sooners won 24-17 at TCU to finish the regular season 10-2, with at least a share of the Big 12 title.

On Friday, Stanford grabbed a spot in the Rose Bowl and the chances for a BCS buster dwindled.

Northern Illinois' 44-37 victory in double overtime against Kent State on Friday night gave the Huskies the Mid-American Conference title, and ended the Golden Flashes' BCS hopes.

Kent State needed to move up one spot in the BCS standings to No. 16 to earn an automatic bid. Northern Illinois came into the weekend 21st in the standings. The Huskies have a chance to get into the top 16 and get into the BCS, too ? but it will be tough.

Kent State's loss could be Oklahoma's gain. If neither of the MAC teams nor Boise State, which was playing Nevada, earns that so-called BCS buster bid, the Sooners (11-2) look like a logical choice to be selected, even if No. 7 Kansas State locks up the Big 12's BCS bid Saturday night.

The Wildcats need only to beat No. 23 Texas at home to earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. A loss would send Oklahoma to the Fiesta Bowl and have Kansas State hoping for an at-large bid only a few weeks after being No. 1 in the BCS standings.

No. 8 Stanford locked up the Rose Bowl bid by beating UCLA 27-24 on Friday night and will play the winner of Saturday night's Big Ten championship game between Wisconsin and No. 14 Nebraska.

No. 13 Florida State and Georgia Tech were playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game later for a bid to the Orange Bowl.

Louisville earned the Big East's BCS bid by beating Rutgers on Thursday night, 20-17.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ou-positioned-bcs-sec-plays-title-spot-223549999--spt.html

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Louisville To BCS Bowl: Teddy Bridgewater Leads Cardinals Past Rutgers, 20-17

PISCATAWAY, N.J. ? Teddy Bridgewater couldn't take a snap from center because of a broken wrist, and had a hitch in his step because of a sore ankle.

The Louisville quarterback was too banged-up to start, but more than well enough to finish off Rutgers and send the Cardinals to the Bowl Championship Series.

Bridgewater came off the bench to throw two-second half touchdown passes, and John Wallace kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:41 left to give Louisville a 20-17 victory against Rutgers on Thursday night in what was essentially the Big East championship game.

In a game between one team headed to the Big Ten and another bound for the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East handed out its second-to-last BCS bid to a school that entered the league during its last massive rebuild in 2005 and watched its athletic program blossom.

The Cardinals will be going to the BCS for the second time, first since 2006. Either the Orange or Sugar Bowl will be the destination.

Louisville (10-2, 5-2) will share this Big East title with Rutgers (9-3, 5-2), Syracuse and possibly even Cincinnati, but those guys only get a banner. The Cardinals get the ticket to the big game. The BCS standings will be used to break the tie and there is no doubt Louisville, with the best overall record in the conference, will be on top.

Bridgewater didn't start a week after getting roughed up in a loss to Connecticut. He broke his left wrist and sprained his right ankle. He entered for the first time against Rutgers in the second quarter and finished 20 for 28 for 263 yards and threw a pair of TD passes in the third quarter to wipe out a 14-3 deficit.

"They have a tremendous playmaker at the quarterback position," first-year Rutgers coach Kyle Flood said. "We just weren't able to match him in the end."

Cardinals linebacker James Burgess picked off a pass that bounced off Timmy Wright's hands with 3:53 left in the fourth quarter in Rutgers territory, and Bridgewater hit Andrell Smith on a slant for 30 yards to put Louisville in field goal range. Wallace booted through the short kick to give Louisville a three-point lead.

Rutgers' last chance ended when Gary Nova threw deep, but his receiver stopped short. Terrell Floyd made an over the shoulder interception with 1:06 left. Nova bent over and grabbed his helmet in disgust.

The Scarlet Knights, the only team that has played in the Big East since it started playing football in 1991, probably will have only one more shot to win the conference for the first time before moving to the Big Ten.

Louisville can add one of the biggest wins in school history to an already memorable week for the school, which was in Conference USA just eight years ago. On Wednesday, Louisville announced it was joining the ACC after at least one more season in the Big East.

Rutgers was up 14-3 at half after Nova hooked up with his big receivers for two long TD passes ? an 85-yarder to Brandon Coleman and a 68-yard play by Mark Harrison. Nova finished 13 for 28 for 284 yards.

The Scarlet Knights were poised for another big play in the third quarter when a fake field goal turned into a touchdown pass from holder J.T. Tartacoff to DC Jefferson. It would have made the score 21-3, but an illegal man down field penalty wiped out the play and Rutgers punted from the Louisville 31.

Everything changed from there.

Bridgewater and the Cardinals put together a 90-yard drive that took 14 plays and nearly eight minutes and cut the lead to 14-10 when the quarterback flipped a pass to Jeremy Wright, who scooted 14 yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals needed only 16 more seconds to take the lead.

Burgess stuck kick returner Jeremy Dearing in the chest, forcing a fumble recovered by Calvin Pryor. Bridgewater went right to work, floating a perfect deep ball to DeVante Parker for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

Just like that, it was 17-14 and Scarlet Knights fans fell silent.

"It ended up a 21-point swing in a very short amount of time," Flood said. "We were never able to swing the momentum back, and that's my job."

Bridgewater had the Cardinals on the move again in the fourth quarter when a high pass bounced off the hands of Eli Rogers and into the arms of Rutgers' Lorenzo Waters, who returned the interception to the Louisville 42.

The Scarlet Knights turned the turnover into Nick Borgese's tying 38-yard field goal with 7:48 left.

Fans waved white towels, and AC/DC blared from the loud speakers. But that was the last big play Rutgers could muster.

"I think we have a football team right now that's hurting," Flood said.

Louisville ended up tossing oranges in the air when it was over and exchanging high-fives with a small group of its fans in a corner of the stadium.

The Cardinals might end up in New Orleans instead of Miami, depending on how the rest of championship weekend plays out. Surely, they will be fine with either.

___

Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphdrussoap

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/bridgewater-leads-louisvi_0_n_2215712.html

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Stocks edge lower as investors wait on budget

NEW YORK (AP) ? Stocks are edging down in midday trading on Wall Street as lawmakers seek to thrash out a budget agreement.

The government also reported Friday that consumer spending fell in October.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 26 points to 12,995 shortly before noon Eastern. The Standard and Poor's 500 fell four points to 1,412. The Nasdaq composite was down nine points to 3,003.

Stocks are nearly flat for the week after being whipsawed by headlines from Washington about the budget negotiations.

Online game maker Zynga plunged after saying it was loosening its relationship with Facebook.

VeriSign fell sharply after the company said it won't be allowed under its new contract to raise prices for reserving Internet domain names without government approval.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-edge-lower-investors-wait-budget-165724943--business.html

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'Monsters University' Posters Promote Higher Learning, Scaring

Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan have got plenty of school spirit when it comes to the University of Fear. A new poster for "Monsters University" shows the two monsters wearing letter jackets and hanging out with big smiles on their faces. Just like old "Monsters, Inc." times, except we already know that this [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/11/30/monsters-university-posters/

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