OptiTrack debuts $3,700 PRIME 17W mocap cam for small spaces

Independent creators keen on motion capture have had affordable solutions like cheaper sensors and Kinect-based implementations for awhile now, but a large space for moving around has usually been required. OptiTrack has come up with an answer to that problem, however, in the form of the PRIME 17W mocap camera that it introduced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. The 1.7-megapixel lens has a 70-degree by 51-degree field of view that promises to capture motion in a relatively small space, which also means you need fewer cameras to get a full 360-degree shot. Other features include a global shutter, high-speed 360 FPS capture and low distortion, enabling UAV and sports tracking. At $3,700, it's still not exactly cheap, but it's certainly affordable enough for indie engineers and animators with space constraints to get started in the mocap biz.

Gallery: OptiTrack PRIME 17W

Filed under: Cameras, Gaming

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Source: OptiTrack

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

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New system to restore wetlands could reduce massive floods, aid crops

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new interactive system to create networks of small wetlands in Midwest farmlands, which could help the region prevent massive spring floods and also retain water and mitigate droughts in a warming climate.

The planning tool, which is being developed and tested in a crop-dominated watershed near Indianapolis, is designed to identify the small areas best suited to wetland development, optimize their location and size, and restore a significant portion of the region's historic water storage ability by using only a small fraction of its land.

Using this approach, the researchers found they could capture the runoff from 29 percent of a watershed using only 1.5 percent of the entire area.

The findings were published in Ecological Engineering, a professional journal, and a website is now available at http://wrestore.iupui.edu/ that allows users to apply the principles to their own land.

The need for new approaches to assist farmers and agencies to work together and use science-based methods is becoming critical, experts say. Massive floods and summer droughts have become more common and intense in the Midwest because of climate change and decades of land management that drains water rapidly into rivers via tile drains.

"The lands of the Midwest, which is one of the great food producing areas of the world, now bear little resemblance to their historic form, which included millions of acres of small lakes and wetlands that have now been drained," said Meghna Babbar-Sebens, an assistant professor of civil and construction engineering at Oregon State. "Agriculture, deforestation, urbanization and residential development have all played a role.

"We have to find some way to retain and slowly release water, both to use it for crops and to prevent flooding," Babbar-Sebens said. "There's a place for dams and reservoirs but they won't solve everything. With increases in runoff, what was once thought to be a 100-year flood event is now happening more often.

"Historically, wetlands in Indiana and other Midwestern states were great at intercepting large runoff events and slowing down the flows," she said. "But Indiana has lost more than 85 percent of the wetlands it had prior to European settlement."

An equally critical problem is what appears to be increasing frequency of summer drought, she said, which may offer a solid motivation for the region's farmers to become involved. The problem is not just catastrophic downstream flooding in the spring, but also the loss of water and soil moisture in the summer that can be desperately needed in dry years.

The solution to both issues, scientists say, is to "re-naturalize" the hydrology of a large section of the United States. Working toward this goal was a research team from Oregon State University, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, the Wetlands Institute in New Jersey, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They used engineering principles, historic analysis and computer simulations to optimize the effectiveness of any land use changes, so that minimal land use alteration would offer farmers and landowners a maximum of benefits.

In the Midwest, many farmers growing corn, soybeans and other crops have placed "tiles" under their fields to rapidly drain water into streams, which dries the soil and allows for earlier planting. Unfortunately, it also concentrates pollutants, increases flooding and leaves the land drier during the summer. Without adequate rain, complete crop losses can occur.

Experts have also identified alternate ways to help, including the use of winter cover crops and grass waterways that help retain and more slowly release water. And the new computer systems can identify the best places for all of these approaches to be used.

###

Oregon State University: http://www.orst.edu

Thanks to Oregon State University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127505/New_system_to_restore_wetlands_could_reduce_massive_floods__aid_crops

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10 Anti-Aging Secrets - Health Guide to Beauty and Skincare ...

It is a dream for sore eyes if the aging process can be delayed. Is it possible to dawdle the aging process? The key to this lies in the foods we devour. There are various foods for consumption that can supplement the diet with nutrients that are loaded with anti aging properties.

Recognizing the foodstuffs that should be eaten is a way of combating the ageing process. Eating a diet splashed with sufficient anti-ageing nutrients can help in holding up the negative effects of the aging process.

Let us list a few secrets have a supple, wrinkle-free and glowing complexion even as you advance into the years.

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Healthy eating

Our skin is a reflection of our diet. Whatever we eat shows up on our faces. Diet has a very important role to play in the anti-aging process. The food taken in by the mouth provides the body with all the various nutrients needed to stay fit and healthy.

The largest organ in our human body, the skin shows off whatever we have put inside the body. Each meal makes a difference so eat right every time. The body relies on nutrients all the time. To keep this up one needs to eat two portions of a fruity diet daily. Fruits are enriched with antioxidants, large amounts of water content and fiber. These three ingredients of the fruits are a blessing for the human body.

Seeds and nuts contain essential fatty acids and are recognized as grand anti-ageing foods. The human beings are incapable of producing EFA?s (essential fatty acids) in the body and have to depend on the nuts for them. EFA?s assist the human body in producing cell membranes that is essential for shielding the cell from harmful substances.

Damaged cell membranes lead to poor cell growth, reduced cell renewal and a speedy ageing as the cells can be attacked by harmful free radicals. EFA?s are also found in abundant quantities in oily fishes like the salmon, cod, and the mackerel. Avocados also are full of EFA?s.

A high protein diet of good quality like eggs, meat and fishes can help ward off ageing temporarily. Proteins are the building blocks and help the body to manufacture new cells and repair itself. Lack of protein leads to weathering of the body as the repair mechanism is not proper.

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Lists of anti-aging foods

Anti-aging foods consist of Seeds of pumpkins, sesame etc, Raw walnuts, cashew nuts, almonds, Green tea, Avocado, Green vegetables, melons, and fish. Berries are a rich of antioxidants and remember Water is the elixir of life.

Last and not the least don?t forget to exercise. Exercise promotes longevity, slows down ageing, and helps you stay fit.

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Effect of exercise on DNA and aging

Exercise positively affects the DNA as it retards the aging. People who exercised energetically for at least 3 hours every week had more elongated telomeres showing an age 9 years younger than people who led a stagnant and sedentary life style.

Telomeres are the guarding ends of the chromosomes that condense with age. As the length of the telomeres shorten it leads to various age related ailments. The stress on the body tissues increase as the telomeres need to perform properly.

The body is then affected by illnesses like cancer, blood pressure, mental problems and a lot more. Damage to the body due to free radicals is reduces greatly by exercising the body. This way the body can maintain health instead of focusing on the repairing process.

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Free Radicals/Antioxidants

A lot of damage and distortion takes place on a cellular level due to the free radicals. The protein that maintains the body?s elasticity is called collagen. The free radicals cause the supple collagen to become firm and hard.

This shows in the form hard skin. Free radicals are found in a diet high in fats, refined carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and additives. These destructing radicals have to bring under control and this is possible only by antioxidants.

Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals. Vegetables and fruits are a treasure of antioxidants specially if consumed in the raw form. Berries and pomegranate have a lot of antioxidants.

Smoking and drinking, a large amount of alcohol, leads to the buildup of free radicals. Overexposure of the human body to direct sunlight leads to the production of free radicals.

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Vitamin Supplements

The diet should be rich in Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which can work miracles in the fight against the aging process.

There are various nutritional supplements that fulfill all the antioxidant requirements in one glass. These are available in juice powder form that provides the body with nutrients that are necessary for the body to function to full capacity.

They take care of the overall cellular health providing the optimum dosage of essential dosages of beta carotene and pro-vitamin A. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids are imperative for the development and mending of collagen so it is necessary to take its dose daily. A Vitamin C pill can restore the glow to the skin within days.

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Water is the elixir of life

Drink plenty water to restock lost liquids in the body .This leads to hydration of Skin.? Drinking water eliminates toxins from the human body .The toxins have a negative consequence on general health and long life.

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Hormones

Hormone imbalance can bring about destruction to the skin. Hormone imbalance can cause severe skin conditions like acne, dry skin, dull, grey looking skin, eczema, pigmentation and oily skin. The hormone levels of estrogen, testosterone, HGH and CoQ10 need to be assessed by a doctor.

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Detoxification of skin

Detox the skin after a few months in order to maintain the youth and elasticity of the skin. For this eat raw vegetables and fruits for two days. Drink lots of water. The stomach gets a rest and this detox diet reduces stress on the body getting rid of the toxins at the same time. The energy levels are maintained as normal.

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Stress should be reduced

Stress leads to aging are a well documented fact. It dwindles blood flow and food to the Skin leading to a sickly look, hair loss, and brittle nails. Stress leads to free radicals that can injure the human body on a cellular stage. Stress puts off our bodies and it can?t operate optimally. Stress robs the body of the essential nutrients.

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Allergies, Food Sensitivities and Intolerances

Food allergies can mess with eating habits and Thwart one from attaining a nutritionally best diet. Wheat and gluten intolerance can give a feeling of bloatedness and lead to irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Diary sensitivities can be the ground for eczema and asthma.

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Scientific advances

Medical researchers are continuously finding new theories and treatments to reduce the speed of aging.

Laser resurfacing, Wrinkle Injections and creams lead to an upliftment in the skin.

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Antioxidants:

Antioxidants are skin-care nutrients that can combat aging by getting rid of free radicals capable of gobbling up the collagen in the skin.

Source: http://www.healthburp.com/anti-aging-secrets.html

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Compelled To Forever Wander, The Nomad Is An Espresso Machine That Gathers No Moss

It's not as compact as an Aeropress, but the Nomad looks like a solid way to get an espresso shot from a small device. The tiny machine, which is currently on Kickstarter, boasts the same principles used in full-sized espresso machines. The Nomad is just a lot smaller, more efficient, and doesn't require any power making it a portable machine -- hence the name. The company is looking for $100,000 on Kickstarter. Pledge $165 to pre-order a Nomad. It's available in black and green. I'm in for one.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/DDYl0e1WByk/

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Microsoft showcases Windows Phone middleware partnerships at GDC, we go hands-on (video)

Building on yesterday's announcement that Temple Run and several other games are coming to Windows Phone, Microsoft's been actively courting developers at GDC 2013. To that end, the company's booth showcases several games that highlight cross-platform development and middleware. Now that WP8 and Windows 8 share the same NT kernel, DirectX APIs and tools, it's easier than ever to write games that use the same code base for both platforms. Microsoft is sweetening the deal with a few significant middleware partnerships -- Unity, Marmalade and Havok, to be specific. We talked with Larry Lieberman, Senior Product Manager for Windows Phone development, who was kind enough to explain what these partnerships mean for developers and to give us a tour of the games. Hit the break for our hands-on video.

Gallery: Windows Phone middleware demo at GDC 2013

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Gaming, Laptops, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Microsoft

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/RMoP53fp7Sk/

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Climates Where Geothermal Heating and Cooling Make Sense

Alright everyone, our topic of conversation today is geothermal heating and cooling (as you can infer from the title).? But let?s assume that most of us have a pretty solid understanding of how it works and move onto a conversation focused on where it works best, and if there is such a place.

Just joining in and need a reminder of how it works?? We?ll catch you up before moving on.? Geothermal heating and cooling consists of capturing heat found in the earth to heat or cool a home.? Note that this process also works with water, whether it?s for home use or for a pool.? More or less these systems just collect heat from the ground and redirect it into a home.? The reverse process entails harvesting heat from the air and redirecting it to the ground to cool a home.

Trust us that this is a very efficient system endorsed by many.? Now onto the issue at hand:? where to use geothermal heating and cooling?

The Best Option

It?s an intuitive concept that geothermal heating works best in particularly hot areas.? In fact, I?d imagine that the whole idea was conceived in such a climate.? Then let?s agree that it operates with the most ease in the following areas:? anywhere near tectonic plate boundaries where there?s an elevated level of volcanic activity and resulting hot ground water.

Everywhere Else

With that said, studies have shown that geothermal is the most efficient heating and cooling system across climate zones.? Keep in mind that heat can be extracted from nearly anything but works most efficiently when the object is hot.? This means that even those areas susceptible to extreme seasonal weather, think scorching, blazing summers or harsh, frigid winters, are candidates for geothermal heating.

Why is that?? Because warm water is accessible several feet below the surface across the globe.? Much of Western United States, Iceland, and Japan all have notable geothermal resources found fairly shallow underground.? This warm water can then be extracted with a pump and transferred to a building.? Experts say that in most locations the ground maintains a consistent temperature of 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit.? It does this by absorbing the sun?s heat as it strikes the ground.

Here?s an interesting anecdote:? geothermal heating has even been employed in the exceptionally chilly conditions found in Iceland.? Several cities there use pumps to melt snow and ice on roads and walkways.

So if you?re looking for a more natural method of air conditioning, listen up!? Some areas capture water or steam from nearby hot springs to fuel their geothermal systems.? And in especially hot, dry areas the ground itself can be a heat exchanger.? The system will work better in such hot areas if the rooms are well sealed and insulated so as not to lose the cool air easily.

Selecting the Best System

There is another point to address:? you can further improve the efficiency of geothermal heating regardless of your local climate by choosing the most compatible system.? To do so, consult a professional?s opinion.? Factors such as climate, available space, and soil condition will be considered.? But before that meeting let?s go over the basic options.

You can adopt either an open-looped system or a closed-looped system.? Our first option, open-looped systems, uses water as a heat exchanger; it simply flows through the system then returns to the ground.? The other choice, closed-looped, circulates a substance containing antifreeze through underground tubing, making it a natural match for colder climates.? It can be configured in several ways each of which has particular advantages; for instance, a vertical set-up is ideal for small sites.

Now that we all have a better grasp on the logistics of implementation, we can feel confident that regardless of our location geothermal heating is a viable and wise decision.

By Jessica Christensen

As a prolific writer, Jessica embraces opportunities to increase her beloved readership?s understanding of environmentally friendly practices.? Her hope is that her audience will see that practices such as natural air conditioning are not limited to just air conditioning Utah, but residents everywhere.? If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint and abandoning traditional appliances which waste too much energy, check out some more of her articles by following her on Google +.

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Source: http://www.ebestproducts.com/2013/03/climates-geothermal-heating-cooling-sense/

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Obesity may be linked to microorganisms living in the gut

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

How much a person eats may be only one of many factors that determines weight gain. A recent Cedars-Sinai study suggests that a breath test profile of microorganisms inhabiting the gut may be able to tell doctors how susceptible a person is to developing obesity.

The study, published online Thursday by The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, shows that people whose breath has high concentrations of both hydrogen and methane gasses are more likely to have a higher body mass index and higher percentage of body fat.

"This is the first large-scale human study to show an association between gas production and body weight ? and this could prove to be another important factor in understanding one of the many causes of obesity", said lead author Ruchi Mathur, MD, director of the Diabetes Outpatient Treatment and Education Center in the Division of Endocrinology at Cedars-Sinai.

The study, which will also appear in JCEM's April 2013 issue, analyzed the breath content of 792 people. Based on the breath tests, four patterns emerged. The subjects either had normal breath content, higher concentrations of methane, higher levels of hydrogen, or higher levels of both gases. Those who tested positive for high concentrations of both gases had significantly higher body mass indexes and higher percentages of body fat.

The presence of methane is associated with a microorganism called Methanobrevibacter smithii. This organism is responsible for the majority of methane production in the human host.

"Usually, the microorganisms living in the digestive tract benefit us by helping convert food into energy. However, when this particular organism? M. smithii ? becomes overabundant, it may alter this balance in a way that causes someone to be more likely to gain weight," Mathur said.

These organisms scavenge hydrogen from other microbes and use it to produce methane ? which is eventually exhaled by the host. Researchers theorize this interaction helps neighboring hydrogen-producing bacteria thrive and extract nutrients from food more efficiently. Over time, this may contribute to weight gain.

"Essentially, it could allow a person to harvest more calories from their food," Mathur said.

In an ongoing study funded by the American Diabetes Association, Mathur is working to confirm the link between M. smithii, obesity and pre-diabetic conditions by determining how efficiently people digest food before and after eliminating the microorganism with a targeted dose of antibiotic. Participants who have evidence of methane on their breath are given a standard diet over three days, undergo an oral glucose challenge, and swallow a "smart pill" to track how fast the food moves through their bodies. In addition, their stool is collected and sent for calorie analysis allowing researchers to determine how many calories are being harvested during digestion. Participants then repeat the same tests after taking the antibiotic regimen to see if elimination of the organism results in measureable changes.

"This should let us know just how energy balance is affected by M. smthii," Mathur said, "We're only beginning to understand the incredibly complex communities that live inside of us. If we can understand how they affect our metabolism, we may be able to work with these microscopic communities to positively impact our health."

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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: http://www.csmc.edu

Thanks to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 84 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127481/Obesity_may_be_linked_to_microorganisms_living_in_the_gut

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