TB vaccine provides ‘double hit’

X-ray of the chest of a patient with TBTB causes symptoms such as coughing, chest pains and weight loss
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A new vaccine that can fight tuberculosis (TB) before and after infection has been developed by Danish scientists.

It could offer protection for many years more than is now possible.

TB is a huge global problem, particularly in developing countries, where access to antibiotics to treat the disease is limited.

The latest vaccine, so far tested in animals, is featured in the journal Nature Medicine.

TB is a disease of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, chest pains and weight loss. Untreated, it can be deadly.

However, only in a small number of cases – fewer than 5% – do the symptoms develop immediately after infection.

In more than 90% of cases, once Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium which causes the disease, has invaded the body it changes its chemical signature, and lives in a dormant – or “latent” – state.

Usually the bacterium never emerges from this latent state, but in around 10% of cases it reactivates – often years or even decades later – to trigger severe symptoms.

TuberculosisTuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungsIt is transmitted via droplets from the lungs of people with the active form of the diseaseSymptoms of TB include coughing, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweatsTuberculosis is treatable with a course of antibiotics

Current vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine, work only if given before exposure to the bacterium.

They do not prevent infection, but do prevent acute symptoms and disease from emerging.

But once the bacterium has changed into its latent form it is effectively immune to the vaccine, and can bide its time, reactivating after the vaccine has ceased to have a preventative effect.

If successful in human trials, the new vaccine would be able to tackle that problem.

‘Major breakthrough’

Developed by a team at the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, it combines proteins that trigger an immune response to both the active and latent forms of Mycobacterium.

Researcher Professor Peter Lawætz Andersen said: “It might be possible to give a booster jab post-exposure to older children or even young adults which would protect them well into adulthood.”

Although TB can be treated with antibiotics, those drugs are often not easily accessible in the developing world, where the new vaccine could have the greatest benefit.

Professor Andersen said: “In these areas you cannot go in and treat more than half the local population. For instance, in Capetown 60% of people are thought to be infected.”

Professor Peter Davies, secretary of the group TB Alert, said: “A vaccine which can both protect against initial infection and protect from a breakdown of infection into disease is a major breakthrough.

“One of the main disadvantages of BCG was that it could only prevent infection going on to disease in the initially uninfected individual. It was therefore of no use in protecting infected adults who would become an infectious source of disease. Protecting children, though of value, does not protect against transmission, as children with active disease do not usually transmit disease.

“So far so good but we must remember that mice are not men (or women).”

Professor Francis Drobniewski, Director of the Health Protection Agency’s National Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory said: “This is an exciting and thoughtful piece of research. The existing BCG vaccine is cheap, safe, widely used but of limited efficacy.

“With over nine million new TB cases globally each year and increasing levels of drug resistance new diagnostics, drugs and especially effective vaccines are desperately needed.”

UK situation

The number of tuberculosis cases in the UK topped 9,000 in 2009 – the highest for nearly 30 years.

Diagnoses have been rising almost continuously since the 1980s, with many of the new cases thought to be among people who caught the disease abroad.

There has also been a sharp rise in drug-resistant TB cases.

The Health Protection Agency has warned more efforts must be made to curb the problem.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Some Backgrounds in After Effects

Almost anything can serve as a background in After Effects and there’s a bunch of background presets built in. Motionworks has some tutorials and free projects, and AE Help discusses how to create a seamless loop using Fractal Noise, as does Adobe’s Bob Donlon (but with pictures) in Some Background Information.

One resource though seems to specialize in creating backgrounds in After Effects, Church Media Design. CMD offers related free video backgrounds, expressions, AE projects, and other resources along with their tutorials. Here’s a selection of their shows that offer tutorials on backgrounds (newest first):

Here’s some example shows:


Read More

7 Sets of Lyrics Resources for Songwriters

Writing lyrics is a very personal thing, and it is that sense of individualism that can really help people relate to a song. There are no strict rules that must be followed, but having a helpful collection of songwriting resources can really help. Here are 7 sets of lyric writing resources with a bunch of helpful links.

Feel free to add more resources in the comments. It will make this list more useful.

1. Life Experience

But before you go elsewhere for help, first look to yourself. Your own life experience is your greatest resource. Countless songs have been written on just about every topic – love being the greatest cliche – but your own unique perspective makes it worth writing another one.

As you live your life, you’ll come across:

  • Interesting, unusual and memorable phrases and sayings. Often the catchiest part of a song is a single phrase. Keep your ears open for them.
  • Stories. Whether it is the experiences of your own life, or stories from the lives of others you know and speak to, a story can be a great foundation for a song.
  • Perspective. Your take or angle on a situation can be very unique. It’s valuable. Make use of it in your lyrics.

But just hearing, noticing and experiencing life won’t write a song. You need to be able to collect, manage and effectively use your experiences. And that brings us to our next resource.

2. An Organizational System

West Latta starts his tutorial “The Good Librarian” with these words:

A good musician is a good librarian. A good composer is a good librarian. A good engineer, producer, DJ, or (fill in the blank) is a good librarian. This statement can be applied to nearly any creative endeavor, but most certainly is applicable to modern musicians, composers and engineers who are constantly switching between projects, applications, presets, and even platforms. This tutorial will give you an overview of what it means to be a good librarian – one who has a functional system for keeping track of everything from performance notes, to song lyrics, to presets and samples.

If you lose track of your inspiration, some great songs will go unwritten. West has some great ideas about managing your songs – read the full tutorial for all the details. Here are some highlights:

  • Carry a voice recorder with you to capture song ideas. Many smart phones have that capability.
  • Collect your lyric ideas in a database or word processor so you can search for them when you need them.
  • Or if you prefer, write your lyrics with pencil and paper. Carry a notebook with you, and once they are full keep them somewhere handy at home. Consider typing them onto your computer at some stage.

Whatever your system, it is important to have a system – even a simple one. Even if you write your lyrics on the back of an envelope, make sure you have somewhere to put that envelope so it doesn’t find its way into the trash.

3. Rhyming Dictionaries and Writing Tools

Not all songs rhyme, but if yours do a rhyming dictionary is a great resource. There are also complete writing resources designed for poets and songwriters. Here are some excellent resources mentioned in Joel Falconer’s tutorial 50+ Great Lyric Writing Resources (including comments to the tut):

  • Rhymezone is a rhyming dictionary and thesaurus that sorts its search results by the number of syllables.
  • If you’re not interested in using Word to write lyrics, there are dedicated apps like MasterWriter out there that integrate rhyming dictionaries and the like.
  • Lilac Writer is an online songwriting tool with built-in references, organization and collaboration tools.

If you use a rhyming dictionary or other songwriting tool that isn’t listed, please let us know about it in the comments.

4. Tutorials and How Tos

As with any skill, it never hurts to learn more about songwriting. There are plenty of tutorials and learning resources available.

Here are some great tuts on Audiotuts+:

And some how tos from around the Web:

5. Books

If you’re after something more in-depth than an article, there are plenty of useful books on writing lyrics. The information you read might just take you to the next level.

6. Communities

It is also helpful to be able to trade thoughts, problems and solutions with other songwriters. Here are some online communities.

Read More

Mechanic Search Site Needed

I need a site done and I have done an example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Q2aLuWcdc

Also I have included a PDF that shows what the site functions need to be done.

Please review both before bidding. If you have any questions, please ask.

I will be having 3 more of similar sites done like this, so whoever has the best price in MY BUDGET and quality work will get the others at a later date.

Excel Macro/script Needed – Apple

I have a small project that should be easy for anyone who knows how to make excel scripts/macro

I have a long string:

000002900001230700000020030000152001000039900

I am interested in the 31st-33rd numbers.

I need the file parsed out to that number.

Possibly the best solution would be to make a macro so a single file saved for each of the combination at 31st-33rd.

This would however, create possibly 200+ different txt files, each containing just the strings that contain that specific number.

So these:

000002900002991400000120030000389003000039800
000002900002991500000120030000389001000039300
000002900002991500000120030000389002000039700
000002900002991500000120030000389003000040200

Would be placed in a file entitled 389 along with any others that have 389 at the 31st-33rd location.

And these:
000002900002991400000120030000116003000039800
000002900002991500000120030000116001000039300
000002900002991500000120030000116002000039700

Would be placed in a file entitled 116 along with any others that have 389 at the 31st-33rd location.

The files should have the ability to have it automatically name the text file “my choice”-116.txt

In the macro, it may ask what the name should be. So if I Oakland the files should be created as Oakland-116.txt, Oakland-389.txt, etc.

The macro must work on MS excel Mac 2004 on a Apple iMac

Attached is a sample file to work with.

Needs to be completed by Tuesday Morning. Quick project for anyone who knows what they are doing. Budget $40

Future jobs if result is very good.

Color Graphic Of A Woman Typing On A Laptop

I need a color drawing or /clip art/ image of a womans hand on a laptop keyboard as though she is typing. I don’t want to show a complete woman, just her hands with red color finger nail polish on the nails to show that it is a woman. Please look at the attached picture and you will see that the screen looks like she is sending some email. I need the keyboard and the computer screen in the picture and I will provide the text for the email on the screen but I need the screen to look like she is sending some email. I would also like a pot of flowers one side of the laptop. The backdrop will be a blue colored sky scene but I need it to look somewhat magical or mystical as though a ray of sunlight is shining towards the laptop looking as though what she is typing is divinely inspired. I am looking for quick work on this and bidders must provide see some samples of their work.

Expert Php Developer For Script Project

I am looking for someone to design something from scratch that I will have the copywrite too. No pre-existing scripts can be used.

I prefer personal responses than copied and pasted messages.

In your bid and PMB please demonstrate that you have the skills to perform this; highlight the time it would take to perform this; also demonstrate that you are excellent at communication (preference to be available over Skype 24/7); the working hours; and to be available most hours of the day.

Do not copy and paste messages or list a long list of past jobs.

You are only bidding for the coding element of the website not the designing. We will provide .psds!

Thank you.

==========

Groupon Clone Brief

100% PHP Source Codes
Instant Download For Clients
Revenue Generating.
Copywrite removal for additional cost
Easy to Use and Install.
Email/Ticket support as well as phone support.
Affiliation Scheme
Self Installer Requiring License Code
License Code Software

Facebook Connect Plugin
————-
Allowing users to signin/register on your Groupon clone site with an existing facebook account

Mobile Plugin
————-
This plugin supports all mobile web browsers for your users including iphone, blackberry, windows mobile and many more. With this plugin they can access your Groupon clone site via any internet enabled phone and it has a mobile detector which will direct your users to the mobile version if they are surfing using their phones.

Facebook Connect Plugin
————-
Allowing users to signin/register on your Groupon clone site with an existing facebook account

Mobile Plugin
————-
This plugin supports all mobile web browsers for your users including iphone, blackberry, windows mobile and many more. With this plugin they can access your Groupon clone site via any internet enabled phone and it has a mobile detector which will direct your users to the mobile version if they are surfing using their phones.

Themes
————-
Site is themeable: Client will be able to select from a choice of themes and one of them will be installed upon site installation. Needs to be future themeproof.

Supports MemCache technology for enhance performance of your website

Social media support:
————-
Anyone can share deal information on Facebook, Twitter, MSN or Email
Display deal of the day with info on the number of deals bought, interactive timer on time left to buy and details of the deal
Supports Side Deals (Offer more than 1 deal for your customers)
Ability to check previous deals
Ability to choose cities to view city specific deals

3 Account Types
————-
User account: This account is for website users to manage their account, purchase deals, check their online orders and many more.

Partner account: This account is issued to companies where the deals are used. A partner account enables the company staff to monitor sales status in real-time, update account information as well as validating coupon codes when a user claim a deal

Admin account: Control the backend administration of the Groupon clone site

Integrated with secure payment gateway such as Paypal and user also have the option to pay via offline methods such as bank transfer

User Features
————-
• Ability to subscribe to daily deal information from the user’s own city
• Users can get a rebate if they successfully invite their friends to purchase a deal
• Users can post questions for each deal in the Q&A section
• Integrated forum for each city/country for user discussion
• Ability to upload display photo, edit username, password and user delivery info
• Ability to verify and claim coupon online
• Finance Manager
o Display financial records for fund deposit by members for Offline/Online payment
o Display financial records for deals by cash payment
o Ability to top up
• Deal Manager
o Display deals the user has purchased by paid, unpaid and all orders
o Display details of deals that user has purchased including the amount, status, quantity, purchase time and deal info
• Coupon Manager
o Display coupons by used, unused and expired
o Display details of coupon including the coupon number, password, validity date, deal info and status

Partner Features
————-
• Ability to view list of deals and the details including deal status, total payment, quantity balance and date
• Partner can edit his profile including username, password, company details and bank account info
• Ability to view the list of coupon codes issued for the deals and its status, coupon password, validity info as well as buyer details so that partner companies can use this info for coupon tracking
• Search for coupon codes

Admin Features
————-

• General Features
o Ability to control your Groupon site through an interface, with a secure login, so that an administrator can login remotely
o Ability to create multiple administration accounts
o Ability to define multiple cities so users can switch between cities
o Ability to schedule a deal in advance
o Built-in WYSIWYG editor
• Quick Stats – Display your Groupon site statistics including total deals, members, subscribers, orders and Daily stats
• Q&A Manager – View/reply questions posted by users for each deal
• Feedback Manager – View/Manage feedbacks and suggestions sent by users on your Groupon site
• Subscription Manager – View/Manage subscribers. Admin also have the ability to filter the subscriber list by City or Email address
• Finance Manager
o Display financial records for fund deposit by members for Offline/Online payment
o Display financial records for deals by cash payment
o Display refund records for deals
o Display records for user withdrawals
• Rebate Manager
o This section allows the admin to view/manage the rebates issued to members when they invite a friend for a deal on your Groupon site
• Deal Manager
o Admin has the ability to create deal by City and Category
o Ability to specify a start date/time, ending date/time, price, minimum purchase requirements, maximum purchase requirements, upload photos and video links, set terms and conditions, order details, coupon delivery option
o Ability to view current/good/failed deals and admin can edit/delete existing deals
• Order Manager
o Orders for your Groupon site are organized by Current, Paid and Unpaid for easy administration
o Search orders for your by email, order number
o Display orders with info such as item, user, quantity, total amount, delivery and ability to delete orders that are unpaid
• Coupon Manager
o Ability to create new coupons and able to set the validity date, value and quantity
o Display coupons which are sorted by unused, used and expired
o Ability to search for coupon by Deal, Partner and Status
o Export coupons to excel
• User Manager
o Ability to search for users via email
o View/manage list of users and administrator
o Ability to create admin accounts for your Groupon site
o Ability to manual top up credits for users
• Partner Manager
o View/edit/delete partners
o Ability to create new partner account
• Marketing Tools
o Ability to mass mail members
o Download customer data including mobile phone number, email, orders, coupons, customer details to CSV format for offline marketing
• Category Manager
o Create/edit/delete new cities
o Create/edit/delete new deal categories
• Site Configuration
o Setup basic settings for your Groupon clone site such as website name, title, currency, enable email verification, allow rebate, allow discussion in deals, enable partner to download coupon, enable side deals and business contact info
o Create/edit bulletin announcements on site-wide or specific cities
o Supported Payment options: Paypal, Alipay, Bank Transfer
o Configure email settings: SMTP/PHP Mail
o Enable/disable cities
o Page editor: Edit website pages
o Setup cache to enable site to load faster
o Skin manager: customize the look and feel of your Groupon clone site by selecting pre-loaded website themes
o Template Manager: Allow easy editing of the Groupon website templates

Clone My Own Website Plus Script Modifications

Hello,

I would like to make an exact clone of my own website, as well as modify a few scripts that are existing. The main script is an old custom version of AutoResponsePlus.

You must know perl, cgi, php and MySQL very well.

I can handle the installation of the scripts to the website, but you must provide the script modification and then debugging.

I’m assuming there will be about 5 to 10 hours of work to get this done.

Write Ten Articles About Party Goods

I am looking for 5 unique articles about paper goods.

the topics for the articles are the following:

how to pick party goods for a picnic
why disposable party goods are a hostess dream come true
how to pick appropriate party goods for an an event
why striped party goods are the best choice for your party
why event planners are choosing strips party goods

Each article should be unique and 500 words in length. I will not tolerate low quality or plagiarized articles, so please only bid on this project if you speak English well.