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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Lindau 2013: Videos with a personality, flow and message

After learning about the Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau through an online science video collection, Edson Filho will now be behind the camera making films himself as a video blogger at this year?s meeting. His path to this point ? like his research in sport and exercise psychology ? can be summed up in a word: unconventional.

Edson Filho

Like his playmates in Belo Horizonte, a city teeming with skyscrapers in southeastern Brazil, Filho grew up practicing footwork on soccer fields. By age 17, after years of competitive sports, Filho knew he would not be the next Pel?, one of Brazil?s most famous players. He applied for and received a Fulbright doctoral fellowship to study socio-cognition and group dynamics in sports at Florida State University in Tallahassee. His final dissertation defense paid off handsomely: he won the American Psychological Association?s dissertation award in 2012 in exercise and sport psychology. ?I was bold and I am proud of that,? Edson told me in an emailed interview.

Filho pursued a coveted slot at the Lindau meeting with similar audacity. One day he stumbled upon GEOSET, a collection of video presentations made by top researchers, and sponsored in part by the Kroto Research Initiative. Edson boldly emailed Sir Harold Kroto asking for a recommendation letter to attend the 63rd Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau. (Kroto and colleagues won the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996.) Once again, Filho was rewarded for his courage.

Filho took time away from his busy schedule as a post-doctoral fellow in neuroscience and psychophysicology at the University of Chieti in Pescara, Italy, to discuss videos and science in an emailed interview.

Your video blog theme is ?Connect!? and builds upon the idea that a global network among researchers is important to modern science. Why is this network important now more than in the past?

Many people think that ?social capital? is the most valuable skill to possess. However, when I think of the topic ?Connect,? I don?t think in social terms only. I think about cognitive and applied implications as well. Connecting new ideas is especially important nowadays, and one also needs to learn about applied guidelines, such as ?how? and ?why? should I connect to new people and new domains?

What are three qualities a video must have to reach a wide audience?

1. ?Personality.? A video does not need to be the best in everything (sound, editing, resources) but a good video needs to have something special and unique. It is like a person ? some are pleasant, some are funny, and some are smart.

2. ?A take-home message.? A memorable movie typically has a good message. I always think of ?The Matrix.? While I liked the fancy effects, the symbolic message behind the movie was?? brilliant. I enjoy movies where I learn something. And when you learn something you remember it, the message sticks with you, and you create a lasting memory.

3. ?Flow.? Good books, friendships, music, etc., all have fluidity and a level of continuity. I do not mean to suggest that it has to be a linear relationship, but quality video needs to have connecting links, or at least a context. So you look at it and think ?Ok, I think that?s what is going to happen next? or ?Ok, there is no linear message but there is a context here?. Think of arts?the Greek people or Dali?there are connection links, context, or both.

What is your secret for getting researchers to talk with you on camera?

I think it is important to ask questions that the researchers are interested in, specifically questions they feel genuinely passionate about. I also think it is important to show interest and offer options?If they can?t speak with you now, that?s fair enough? but make yourself available for future conversations (?Can we do it tomorrow? I would really appreciate your input.?). Excellence involves passion and resilience.

When you are filming, what is mantra you have?

Embrace.

Describe a memory ? that has not yet happened, of course ? that you hope to take away from the Lindau meeting.

I would like to be inspired by the most humble Laureates.? These individuals changed the world. Thanks to their innovative research and ideas, we have nanotechnology, penicillin, and there is no more war in certain places (peace winners). Despite these great achievements, I anticipate that the Laureates will be way more humble than many academics. It is like that quote that says ?the more they know, the more they know that they don?t know?? I would like to keep this memory so I remain humble and down to earth despite any successes and failures along the way.

Note: Before you see Filho?s videos, see him in this 2011 on-camera interview on ?The Good News,? a show produced by the broadcast channel ABC 27 in Florida.

This blog post originates from the Lindau Nobel Online Community, the interactive forum of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. The 63rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, dedicated to chemistry, is held in Lindau, Germany, from 30 June to 5 July 2013. 35 Nobel Laureates will congregate to meet more than 600 young researchers from approximately 80 countries.

Kathleen Raven is part of the official blog team. Please find all of her postings on the Community blog.

Related posts on the Scientific American network:

Behind the Greatest Experiments: Basic Research
Lindau 2013: Chemistry and diversity
Lindau 2013: Unity and diversity
And see the 30 Under 30 series on the main site.

Source: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2013/06/21/lindau-2013-videos-with-a-personality-flow-and-message/

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Alzheimer's disease protein controls movement in mice

June 21, 2013 ? Researchers in Berlin and Munich, Germany and Oxford, United Kingdom, have revealed that a protein well known for its role in Alzheimer's disease controls spindle development in muscle and leads to impaired movement in mice when the protein is absent or treated with inhibitors. The results, which are published in The EMBO Journal, suggest that drugs under development to target the beta-secretase-1 protein, which may be potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, might produce unwanted side effects related to defective movement.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia found in older adults. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 18 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease. The number of people affected by the disease may increase to 34 million by 2025. Scientists know that the protein beta-secretase-1 or Bace1, a protease enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller molecules, is involved in Alzheimer's disease. Bace1 cleaves the amyloid precursor protein and generates the damaging Abeta peptides that accumulate as plaques in the brain leading to disease. Now scientists have revealed in more detail how Bace1 works.

"Our results show that mice that lack Bace1 proteins or are treated with inhibitors of the enzyme have difficulties in coordination and walking and also show reduced muscle strength," remarked Carmen Birchmeier, one of the authors of the paper, Professor at the Max-Delbr?ck-Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, Germany, and an EMBO Member. "In addition, we were able to show that the combined activities of Bace1 and another protein, neuregulin-1 or Nrg1, are needed to sustain the muscle spindles in mice and to maintain motor coordination."

Muscle spindles are sensory organs that are found throughout the muscles of vertebrates. They are able to detect how muscles stretch and convey the perception of body position to the brain. The researchers used genetic analyses, biochemical studies and interference with pharmacological inhibitors to investigate how Bace1 works in mice. "If the signal strength of a specific form of neuregulin-1 known as IgNrg1 is gradually reduced, increasingly severe defects in the formation and maturation of muscle spindles are observed in mice. Furthermore, it appears that Bace1 is required for full IgNrg1 activity. The graded loss of IgNrg1 activity results in the animals having increasing difficulties with movement and coordination," says Cyril Cheret, the first author of the work.

Drug developers are interested in stopping the Bace1 protein in its tracks because it represents a promising route to treat Alzheimer's disease. If the protein were inhibited, it would interfere with the generation of the smaller damaging proteins that accumulate in the brain as amyloid plaques and would therefore provide some level of protection from the effects of the disease. "Our data indicate that one unwanted side effect of the long-term inhibition of Bace1 might be the disruption of muscle spindle formation and impairment of movement. This finding is relevant to scientists looking for ways to develop drugs that target the Bace1 protein and should be considered," says Birchmeier. Several Bace1 inhibitors are currently being tested in phase II and phase III clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by European Molecular Biology Organization, 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:

Cyril Cheret, Michael Willem, Florence R Fricker, Hagen Wende, Annika Wulf-Goldenberg, Sabina Tahirovic, Klaus-Armin Nave, Paul Saftig, Christian Haass, Alistair N Garratt, David L Bennett, Carmen Birchmeier. Bace1 and Neuregulin-1 cooperate to control formation and maintenance of muscle spindles. The EMBO Journal, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.146

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sHLWL8aBr_0/130621132645.htm

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Friday, June 21, 2013

US blames Apple at NY trial for e-books price rise

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 file photo, an Apple logo is seen during an announcement at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. A Justice Department lawyer urged a judge Thursday, June 20, 2013, to find that Apple Inc. conspired with publishers in 2010 to raise electronic book prices, while an attorney for the computer giant warned that such a finding in the civil antitrust case would set a "dangerous precedent" for businesses. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A Justice Department lawyer urged a judge Thursday to find that Apple Inc. conspired with publishers in 2010 to raise electronic book prices, while an attorney for the computer giant warned that such a finding in the civil antitrust case would set a "dangerous precedent" for businesses.

Justice Department lawyer Mark Ryan said the government had proven overwhelmingly through testimony and evidence offered at a three-week trial in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that Apple conspired with publishers to boost e-book prices above the $9.99 bargain price that the Seattle-based Amazon.com had established for the most popular electronic books.

He said publishers were eager to force Amazon to raise prices when Apple approached them in December 2009, beginning talks to boost prices of many books to $12.99 and $14.99 over the next year.

"The publishers were unwilling to take Amazon on alone," Ryan told U.S. District Judge Denise Cote.

Ryan said the plan "succeeded quite well," with substantial price increases for e-books.

But Apple attorney Orin Snyder told Cote earlier that she would set a "dangerous precedent" if she concluded Apple manipulated e-book prices as it entered a market new to the company. He said Steve Jobs, the late founder of the Cupertino, Calif.-based corporation, had no interest in the e-books industry in mid-2009, when one of his top executives convinced him it would be worthwhile.

"Apple did not conspire with a single publisher to fix prices in the e-book industry," Snyder said. "Apple acted lawfully and did not violate the antitrust laws."

He asked Cote ? who had urged Apple before trial to settle ? to "take a fresh and open look" at the evidence, which included testimony from executives for Apple, publishers and Amazon.com.

"The government has overreached and now is asking this court to draw inferences and make factual findings that cannot be supported," Snyder said.

Snyder said e-book competitor Barnes & Noble was acting in 2010 in a similar fashion as Apple to compete with Amazon because competitive forces in the industry required it.

After Snyder and Ryan finished their closing arguments, the judge asked Ryan how he would react to Snyder's characterization of Barnes & Noble's dealings with publishers.

"I don't think Barnes & Noble made a deal with publishers to raise prices substantially," the government lawyer said. "I'm not here to say that Barnes & Noble acted appropriately at all times. It's not a concern of Apple to say: 'Why didn't you sue somebody else?'"

The trial stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit that the government brought last year against Apple and major publishers. The government has reached settlements with five publishers.

Cote is expected to rule this year.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-06-20-Electronic%20Books-Antitrust%20Lawsuit/id-7edf6cbc211c4c80be5bb7614a94478e

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New Jersey court clears the way for U.S. Senate special election

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New Jersey's special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Frank Lautenberg will go ahead this year as scheduled, after the state Supreme Court declined on Thursday to hear a legal challenge.

Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, ordered a special primary election on August 13 and a special general election to be held October 16 - three weeks before the regularly scheduled November election, when Christie himself is up for re-election.

Democrats accused Christie of making a political calculation, ensuring he would not appear on the same ballot as a race that might energize Democratic voters by authorizing a special election that will leave taxpayers with a $24 million tab.

In a one-page decision, Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner denied the application by Somerset Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer, who argued that Christie lacked the authority to set the October election.

Schaffer could not be reached immediately for comment.

Christie, a popular governor whose no-nonsense, in-your-face style has catapulted him to national prominence, is widely seen as a strong contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

The governor appointed Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa, also a Republican, to fill the seat in the interim. Chiesa promised not to compete in the special election.

Lautenberg, a Democrat who was first elected senator in 1982, died on June 3 at age 89 of complications from viral pneumonia.

Cory Booker, the Democratic mayor of Newark, leads early polls. His Democratic challengers include U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, U.S. Congressman Rush Holt, State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.

Steve Lonegan, a conservative activist who four years ago lost to Christie in the Republican primary for governor, is running for the Republican nomination against Dr. Alieta Eck, a physician in private practice.

(Reporting by Edith Honan; Editing by Daniel Trotta and Leslie Adler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/jersey-court-clears-way-u-senate-special-election-195300394.html

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Backlash grows against Brazilian protests after violence

By Brian Winter and Silvio Cascione

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A popular backlash against Brazil's nationwide protests took hold on Friday after widespread rioting overnight, as even the leftist group at the movement's core said it was done organizing marches for now because of growing discord and violence.

President Dilma Rousseff was meeting with top aides on Friday morning to figure out how to respond after more than 1 million Brazilians in over 100 cities took to the streets.

The protests blossomed over the past week, catching Rousseff and other politicians off guard as Brazilians vented anger over issues from corruption and poor public transport to billions of dollars being spent to host the soccer World Cup next year.

The marches have contributed to a selloff in Brazilian financial markets and deeply embarrassed the country as it hosts the Confederations Cup, a warm-up tournament for the World Cup taking place in several cities hit by the protests. TV images have shown terrified fans and tourists running past clashes between police and demonstrators to get to stadiums.

World soccer body FIFA said on Friday it condemned the violence, but had not considered cancelling the tournament.

Most of the demonstrators have been peaceful. But social media buzzed on Friday with condemnations of violence after widespread scenes of masked youths looting stores, setting fires and defacing buildings including the foreign ministry in Brasilia, which had its windows smashed.

The Free Fare Movement in Sao Paulo, an activist group that was instrumental in the rise of the protests, said it would stop organizing new demonstrations for now after street fights broke out among some protesters with different objectives and political views on Thursday.

Douglas Belome, a bank teller and member of the Free Fare group, said things turned ugly when some protesters sought to prevent left-wing political parties from waving their flags.

"At least for now, there are no new demonstrations scheduled," he told Reuters, expressing regret for the violence.

The group's decision will not totally halt the protests, since the movement has taken on a life of its own on social media and grown to include a wide range of grievances and groups. Other, smaller protests were still scheduled for Friday around Brazil.

Unlike previous demonstrations, much of the violence on Thursday was generated by the protesters themselves, rather than a heavy-handed police response.

Dozens were injured across the country on Thursday night, including 62 people in Rio de Janeiro, according to city officials. One person was killed in the interior of Sao Paulo state after someone drove a car into a group of protesters.

"I support these (protests), but I think it's out of control," said Nilson Chabat, a 31-year-old gas station attendant on his way to work on Friday in Sao Paulo. "Many of us are angry but you can't just go make a mess every day."

FRUSTRATION WITH STATUS QUO

The sudden unrest, which started on June 13 when police cracked down on a small demonstration over rising bus and subway fares in Sao Paulo organized by the Free Fare Movement, has shocked a country that until recently was considered a successful emerging-market power on the rise.

Polls show that most Brazilians remain happy with Rousseff and with an economy that has slowed recently but has still been able to keep unemployment at record lows. Unlike recent youth protesters in the Arab world, the demonstrators are not trying to bring down the government, and Brazil's robust democracy appears able to address some of their complaints.

Yet the protests have revealed clear frustration with the status quo. Brazil has some of Latin America's highest taxes but one of the lowest rates of public investment, leaving many Brazilians frustrated with subpar schools, hospitals, infrastructure and police forces.

It's unclear what Rousseff can do in the short term, apart from making a general appeal for calm. Mayors of several cities already tried to yield to one of the protesters' main demands this week by rolling back a recent hike in bus and subway fares, but the demonstrations only grew.

Rousseff, a leftist guerrilla in the 1970s, has expressed solidarity with the protesters' aims and has appeared hesitant to order a crackdown that could just make the crowds even angrier.

But she is also at risk of having her probable re-election bid next year complicated by both the growing unrest and the backlash against the scenes of violence.

Some think she is already tardy in her response.

Fernando Rodrigues, a columnist for Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, wrote that Rousseff's silence on Thursday night "sums up the lack of action by politicians."

"They seem, in essence, to be only rooting for the tsunami to pass," he said.

(Reporting by Brian Winter and Silvio Cascione; Editing by Todd Benson and Eric Beech)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/brazils-president-grasps-answer-protests-violence-115545564.html

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Rotoworld NFC Grades: Niners strike gold

The 2013 NFL draft concluded Saturday evening. Rotoworld blurbed every single selection, picks one (Eric Fisher) through 254 (Justice Cunningham).

After a grueling three days of ?work,? we'll put the finishing touches on our intensive draft coverage with post-draft grades.

But let's be clear: We don't believe in assessing draft hauls immediately after the three-day event. This is for your pleasure. If you're reading this intro, you're interested. And we want to appeal to you. Don't take these grades too seriously. We'll know a lot more about this draft around 2016.

I'll break down the AFC on Sunday. Here are the NFC Draft Grades:

Arizona Cardinals

7. Jonathan Cooper, guard, North Carolina.
45. Kevin Minter, inside linebacker, LSU.
69. Tyrann Mathieu, free safety, LSU.
103. Alex Okafor, outside linebacker, Texas.
116. Earl Watford, guard/center, James Madison.
140. Stepfan Taylor, running back, Stanford.
174. Ryan Swope, receiver, Texas A&M.
187. Andre Ellington, running back, Clemson.
219. D.C. Jefferson, tight end, Rutgers.

Overview: Rookie GM Steve Keim's first-ever draft looks solid on paper. In Cooper, Minter, Mathieu, and Okafor, Keim secured as many as four immediate starters for a roster that needed them. Sixth-rounder Ellington is a better back than fifth-rounder Taylor and will add juice to Bruce Arians' offense should injury-prone Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams break down again. I would like to have seen the Cardinals add a developmental quarterback like Tennessee's Tyler Bray, although Arians may believe he already has one in Ryan Lindley. A lingering concern in Arizona is offensive tackle play. The Cards attacked guard instead -- and in Cooper got an outstanding player -- but Levi Brown is still a worrisome proposition on Carson Palmer's blindside.

Grade: C+

Atlanta Falcons

22. Desmond Trufant, cornerback, Washington.
60. Robert Alford, cornerback, SE Louisiana.
127. Malliciah Goodman, defensive end, Clemson.
133. Levine Toilolo, tight end, Stanford.
153. Stansly Maponga, defensive end, TCU.
243. Kemal Ishmael, safety, Central Florida.
244. Zeke Motta, strong safety, Notre Dame.
249. Sean Renfree, quarterback, Duke.

Overview: The Falcons may receive universally mediocre draft "grades," but there is a method to GM Thomas Dimitroff's madness. Beyond day-one starter Trufant and 2014 hopeful Alford, Dimitroff targeted players for specific on-field roles. Goodman is a classic 4-3 strong-side end with vine-line arms and powerful performance on tape. He's an edge container. Toilolo isn't Tony Gonzalez's heir apparent; he's an in-line tight end who'll push for snaps as a rookie if he blocks well in practice. Maponga is an edge-rushing specialist. Ishmael and Motta should both be immediate core special teamers. Renfree could develop into Matt Ryan's long-term backup and a future trade chip if his arm gets stronger while riding the bench. Ultimately, Dimitroff wasn't trying to load up on stars in this draft. He added role players to upgrade the bottom third of his roster.

Grade: C+

Carolina Panthers

14. Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah.
44. Kawann Short, defensive tackle, Purdue.
108. Edmund Kugbila, guard, Valdosta State.
148. A.J. Klein, linebacker, Iowa State.
182. Kenjon Barner, running back, Oregon.

Overview: Rookie GM Dave Gettleman entered his first draft with five picks and emerged with five players. He clearly prioritized upgrading in the trenches and delivered by securing the draft's premier defensive tackle in Lotulelei. Short's motor ran alarmingly hot and cold in the Big Ten, but he can be an impact interior pass rusher working in waves with Lotulelei, Dwan Edwards, and Sione Fua. Klein is solid insurance should Jon Beason's numerous surgical recoveries experience a setback. I think it's fair to wonder if the Barner pick foreshadows a DeAngelo Williams transaction. At the very least, it's a confirmation 2013 will be Williams' final season in Carolina. While he continues to build one of the NFL's most underrated defensive front sevens, Gettleman displayed a surprising amount of faith in his shaky receiver and secondary corps.

Grade: C

Chicago Bears

20. Kyle Long, guard, Oregon.
50. Jon Bostic, inside linebacker, Florida.
117. Khaseem Greene, outside linebacker, Rutgers.
163. Jordan Mills, tackle/guard, Louisiana Tech.
188. Cornelius Washington, defensive end, Georgia.
236. Marquess Wilson, receiver, Washington State.

Overview: I expected GM Phil Emery to stay true to his board on the draft's first day. I'm not sure he did with the Long pick -- it seemed like need-based reach on an inexperienced, boom-or-bust lineman -- but Emery went value searching on days two and three. Bostic is an athletic thumper who'll give D.J. Williams a run for his money at inside 'backer, replacing Brian Urlacher. Greene's pre-draft measurables disappointed, but he is fast to the football and NFL-ready after earning back-to-back Big East Defensive POY awards in Rutgers' pro-style system. Washington is an explosive edge pass rusher with starting-caliber tools. He was robbery toward the back end of the third day. If Wilson's head is on straight, he's capable of earning an immediate spot in Chicago's three-receiver package with Brandon Marshall in the slot and Alshon Jeffery outside.

Grade: B-

Dallas Cowboys

31. Travis Frederick, guard/center, Wisconsin.
47. Gavin Escobar, tight end, San Diego State.
74. Terrance Williams, receiver, Baylor.
80. J.J. Wilcox, safety, Georgia Southern.
114. B.W. Webb, defensive back, William & Mary.
151. Joseph Randle, running back, Oklahoma State.
185. DeVonte Holloman, linebacker, South Carolina.

Overview: Owner/GM Jerry Jones' draft strategy seemed very needs- rather than value-based, spurning better players in favor of theoretical hole-fillers. The Cowboys were needy on the interior offensive line, but I'd be willing to wager they could've gotten Frederick with the 47th pick. Escobar can create passing-game mismatches, but offers zero as a blocker and isn't necessarily an upgrade on incumbent No. 2 tight end James Hanna. Williams and Holloman were probably the only two true value picks in this group. Randle is a stiff, straight-linish runner with an awfully long way to go in pass protection. I watched tape on him before the draft and found him to be a whiffer in blitz pickup and thoroughly lacking in elusiveness. It would be difficult to say with any confidence that Dallas' lineup improved with this draft. And they entered it with a mediocre roster.

Grade: D

Detroit Lions

5. Ezekiel Ansah, defensive end, BYU.
36. Darius Slay, cornerback, Mississippi State.
65. Larry Warford, guard, Kentucky.
132. Devin Taylor, defensive end, South Carolina.
165. Sam Martin, punter, Appalachian State.
171. Corey Fuller, receiver, Virginia Tech.
199. Theo Riddick, running back, Notre Dame.
211. Michael Williams, tight end, Alabama.
245. Brandon Hepburn, linebacker, Florida A&M.

Overview: Left tackle seemed to be GM Martin Mayhew's biggest need entering the draft, but his selections indicate he feels otherwise. Mayhew must have a lot of faith in 2012 first-rounder Riley Reiff. He bypassed Menelik Watson for Slay. Rather than Terron Armstead, Mayhew selected Warford to add a mauling presence at right guard. I still found this to be a value-heavy draft. Ansah, Slay, and Warford are Week 1 starters. Taylor, Fuller, Williams, and even versatile Riddick could make year-one impacts. Ansah has been knocked as a possible bust by some observers, but the Lions' coaching staff has special insight after coaching him in Mobile. I thought Mayhew stayed true to his board and -- aside from perhaps the punter -- drafted the best available at each pick.

Grade: B-

Green Bay Packers

26. Datone Jones, defensive end, UCLA.
61. Eddie Lacy, running back, Alabama.
109. David Bakhtiari, guard/tackle, Colorado.
122. J.C. Tretter, guard/center, Cornell.
125. Johnathan Franklin, running back, UCLA.
159. Micah Hyde, defensive back, Iowa.
167. Josh Boyd, defensive lineman, Mississippi State.
193. Nate Palmer, outside linebacker, Illinois State.
216. Charles Johnson, receiver, Grand Valley State.
224. Kevin Dorsey, receiver, Maryland.
232. Sam Barrington, linebacker, South Florida.

Overview: GM Ted Thompson annually dominates on draft day; it's where he butters his bread. The Packers are not a free-agency team. Jones is a relentless, potentially special inside rusher who finally gives Green Bay a legitimate replacement for Cullen Jenkins. Lacy and Franklin can form a Thunder & Lightning backfield with the former as a light-footed wrecking ball and latter in the big-play, change-up role. Both rookies can pick up the blitz and play on all three downs. Bakhtiari is a heady, athletic mover and fit for the Packers' zone scheme. Hyde, Palmer, and Barrington are core special teams guys. Johnson abused his competition at small-school Grand Valley State and has Julio Jones-like measurables. The value on Lacy, Franklin, and Johnson was sensational. Chalk up another draft-weekend "win" for arguably the top GM in the sport.

Grade: B+

Minnesota Vikings

23. Sharrif Floyd, defensive tackle, Florida.
25. Xavier Rhodes, cornerback, Florida State.
29. Cordarrelle Patterson, receiver, Tennessee.
120. Gerald Hodges, linebacker, Penn State.
155. Jeff Locke, punter, UCLA.
196. Jeff Baca, guard/center, UCLA.
213. Michael Mauti, linebacker, Penn State.
214. Travis Bond, guard, North Carolina.
229. Everett Dawkins, defensive tackle, Florida State.

Overview: Keep in mind GM Rick Spielman dumped game-changing slot receiver and return specialist Percy Harvin for the 25th and 214th picks, in addition to a 2014 third-rounder. That deal must be factored into Minnesota's grade. Spielman acknowledged the big loss and responded by targeting big-play ability from his hat trick of first-rounders. Floyd is a penetrating three-technique tackle ideally suited for Leslie Frazier's 4-3 scheme. The Vikings paired Rhodes (6-foot-2, 210) with Chris Cook (6-foot-2, 212) to form one of the NFL's biggest, longest corner duos as they attempt to slow Calvin Johnson, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brandon Marshall, and Alshon Jeffery in the NFC North. The Patterson pick at the very least offsets Harvin's special teams value because Cordarrelle offers similar game-breaking return skills and arguably just as much receiving upside. Patterson is a freak. I liked athletic mover Baca as a late-round value.

Grade: B-

The 2013 NFL draft concluded Saturday evening. Rotoworld blurbed every single selection, picks one (Eric Fisher) through 254 (Justice Cunningham).

After a grueling three days of ?work,? we'll put the finishing touches on our intensive draft coverage with post-draft grades.

I'll break down the AFC on Sunday. Here are the NFC Draft Grades:

Arizona Cardinals

Grade: C+

Atlanta Falcons

Grade: C+

Carolina Panthers

Grade: C

Chicago Bears

Grade: B-

Dallas Cowboys

Grade: D

Detroit Lions

Grade: B-

Green Bay Packers

Grade: B+

Minnesota Vikings

Grade: B-

New Orleans Saints

15. Kenny Vaccaro, free safety, Texas.
75. Terron Armstead, left tackle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
82. John Jenkins, nose tackle, Georgia.
144. Kenny Stills, receiver, Oklahoma.
183. Rufus Johnson, defensive end, Tarleton State.

Overview: GM Mickey Loomis was working without a second-round pick due to Bountygate, but still landed two day-two values in Armstead and Jenkins and arguably a third on day three in speedster Stills. Vaccaro can team with Malcolm Jenkins to give Rob Ryan two safeties with range and one-on-one matchup skills, likely pushing overpriced box SS Roman Harper out the door. Jenkins is a mammoth athlete with a Haynesworthian ceiling. Johnson is a dominant small schooler with plus measurables, and Loomis has hit on that kind of player before (Akiem Hicks, Jermon Bushrod, Jahri Evans, Marques Colston). The Saints only added five players, but they were all quality picks. The Saints are going to be much better than they were last year.

Grade: C+

New York Giants

19. Justin Pugh, guard/tackle, Syracuse.
49. Johnathan Hankins, defensive tackle, Ohio State.
81. Damontre Moore, defensive end, Texas A&M.
110. Ryan Nassib, quarterback, Syracuse.
152. Cooper Taylor, safety, Richmond.
224. Eric Herman, guard, Ohio.
253. Michael Cox, running back, UMass.

Overview: Much like Ted Thompson in Green Bay and Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore, Giants GM Jerry Reese is a best-available drafter. If he'd have selected his first three players in January and you didn't know the rounds, you would've figured he traded up for three first-round picks. Each player has a flaw -- short arms for Pugh, motor for Hankins, and translatable production for Moore -- but they're all great football players. Moore dominated in the SEC; 8.0 of his 12.5 sacks last year came versus conference opponents. Pugh permitted a half-sack of Nassib and otherwise didn't allow a single hurry. Hankins offers elite potential as a 4-3 nose guard. Nassib was a sheer value pick, while Taylor, Herman, and to a lesser extent Cox offer versatile, "multiple" skill sets and plus measurables. This draft gives the G-Men a needed infusion of young talent, even if only Pugh and perhaps Hankins are surefire first-season contributors.

Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles

4. Lane Johnson, right tackle, Oklahoma.
35. Zach Ertz, tight end, Stanford.
67. Bennie Logan, defensive tackle, LSU.
98. Matt Barkley, quarterback, USC.
136. Earl Wolff, free safety, North Carolina State.
212. Joe Kruger, defensive end, Utah.
218. Jordan Poyer, cornerback, Oregon State.
239. David King, defensive end, Oklahoma.

Overview: The draftnik community should love this group because aside from seventh-rounder King every member has a big name. They are all identifiable. The first two picks look like surefire hits; Johnson is an outstanding match for Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense as a well-oiled athlete with second- and even third-level blocking skills. Ertz can stretch the field vertically and creates downfield separation better than consensus top tight end Tyler Eifert. Logan and Barkley were odd picks because the former's fit is questionable in Philly's new three-man front and Barkley lacks athleticism in addition to starting-caliber arm strength. All of Philly's rookies look like good values -- particularly Kruger and Poyer -- but this haul included a lot of head scratchers. I still feel confident saying the Eagles' roster improved with this draft, and quite possibly significantly.

Grade: C+

San Francisco 49ers

18. Eric Reid, free safety, LSU.
40. Tank Carradine, outside linebacker, Florida State.
55. Vance McDonald, tight end, Rice.
88. Corey Lemonier, outside linebacker, Auburn.
128. Quinton Patton, receiver, Louisiana Tech.
131. Marcus Lattimore, running back, South Carolina.
157. Quinton Dial, defensive end, Alabama.
180. Nick Moody, linebacker, Florida State.
237. B.J. Daniels, quarterback, South Florida.
246. Carter Bykowski, tackle, Iowa State.
252. Marcus Cooper, cornerback, Rutgers.

Overview: The rich got richer. The 49ers entered Thursday with an NFL-most 13 picks. GM Trent Baalke turned them into very arguably the most impressive haul in the league, along the way picking up a 2014 third-rounder in Friday's trade with the Titans. Only Reid and McDonald may be definite first-year contributors, but that's far more a testament to Baalke's roster building than his individual selections. Carradine is a to-the-whistle edge rusher who along with Lattimore could be "redshirted" as a rookie due to knee woes, before emerging as plus 2014 starters. Patton is a silky smooth route runner with ball skills and insurance on contract-year No. 1 wideout Michael Crabtree. Lemonier might have been a first-rounder had he not played on such a bad Auburn team. San Francisco is filthy rich with pass rush. Baalke is constructing a dynasty.

Grade: A

Seattle Seahawks

62. Christine Michael, running back, Texas A&M.
87. Jordan Hill, defensive tackle, Penn State.
123. Chris Harper, receiver, Kansas State.
137. Jesse Williams, nose tackle, Alabama.
138. Tharold Simon, cornerback, LSU.
158. Luke Willson, tight end, Rice.
194. Spencer Ware, fullback, LSU.
220. Ryan Seymour, guard, Vanderbilt.
231. Ty Powell, defensive end, Harding.
241. Jared Smith, defensive tackle, New Hampshire.
242. Michael Bowie, tackle, NE Oklahoma State.

Overview: Per GM John Schneider, the Seahawks spent Thursday night watching Percy Harvin's YouTube highlight reel after sacrificing the Nos. 25 and 214 picks, and next year's third-rounder in exchange for the NFL's premier slot receiver. Understandable. The Harvin acquisition is factored into Seattle's grade. Schneider finally went on the clock Friday night and simply made picks straight off his board. Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin? Who cares. Michael is the best player. He's ours. Harvin, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin? We'll take Harper and his Boldinian skill set. Williams is an immovable beast who makes us better in the trenches. Pick him. Simon is a press-man corner. Perfect scheme fit. Draft him. Late picks were primarily reserved for small schoolers and test freaks. Upside players who don't hurt you if they bust. The Seahawks have drafted just like this every year under Schneider and Pete Carroll. Seems like it's working.

Grade: A-

St. Louis Rams

8. Tavon Austin, receiver, West Virginia.
30. Alec Ogletree, linebacker, Georgia.
71. T.J. McDonald, safety, USC.
92. Stedman Bailey, receiver, West Virginia.
113. Barrett Jones, center/guard, Alabama.
149. Brandon McGee, cornerback, Miami.
160. Zac Stacy, running back, Vanderbilt.

Overview: A year after unearthing small-schoolers Brian Quick, Greg Zuerlein, Trumaine Johnson, and Daryl Richardson, GM Les Snead took an all-big-school approach. This draft was dedicated to playmakers, and St. Louis accomplished its goal even if some members (McDonald, Jones, to a lesser extent Stacy) may struggle with the college-to-pro transition due to major flaws. Austin was the premier offensive-skill player in the 2013 draft, and Snead offset his losses in the trade up to No. 8 by trading down from the 22nd spot. He still came away with a day-one starter in Ogletree, whose character issues are concerning but not as much under coach Jeff Fisher. Bailey was a great value late in round three and fortifies St. Louis' receiver depth behind Austin, Quick, and Chris Givens. The McDonald pick lowers the Rams' grade because he is a tight-hipped, straight-line safety with inconsistent physicality. Jones projects as no more than an NFL reserve.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

43. Johnthan Banks, cornerback, Mississippi State.
73. Mike Glennon, quarterback, North Carolina State.
100. Akeem Spence, defensive tackle, Illinois.
126. William Gholston, defensive end, Michigan State.
147. Steven Means, defensive end, Buffalo.
189. Mike James, running back, Miami.

Overview: Not forgotten in the Bucs' grade is the acquisition of Darrelle Revis for the 13th pick, plus a 2014 third-rounder. He is a Hall of Fame talent capable of masking multiple defensive weaknesses and every bit worth the cost. GM Mark Dominik otherwise came away with a slightly questionable draft, noticeably failing to add a pass-catching tight end. Banks is a cornerback/safety 'tweener who was beaten deep too frequently as a senior. Three-technique prospect Spence has ability, but was not a finisher in the Big Ten and is ultimately an underachiever. Same goes for Gholston, who is Vernon's cousin. Means is probably a special teamer at best. James is a plodder on tape, and I wouldn't expect him to make the 53. Glennon is a schematic fit in Tampa's vertical offense. His selection puts Josh Freeman on notice.

Grade: B

Washington Redskins

51. David Amerson, cornerback, North Carolina State.
85. Jordan Reed, tight end, Florida.
119. Phillip Thomas, free safety, Fresno State.
154. Chris Thompson, running back, Florida State.
162. Brandon Jenkins, outside linebacker, Florida State.
191. Bacarri Rambo, free safety, Georgia.
228. Jawan Jamison, running back, Rutgers.

Overview: GM Bruce Allen and coach Mike Shanahan's draft focus was on ballhawks, and they came away with three in 2011 NCAA interceptions leader Amerson, 2012 NCAA picks leader Thomas, and Rambo -- who ranked second to Amerson in INTs two years ago. But Rambo and Thomas can't tackle and Amerson got beat deep more than any cornerback in college football last season. Both running back picks are potential throwaways; Thompson broke his back in 2011 and tore his ACL in 2012, and Jamison doesn't do anything well. Jenkins was a big-time sack specialist in 2010, but is coming off a Lisfranc fracture. Reed is a potential "Joker" tight end who could contribute on passing downs. Washington drafted a slew of big names and added productive collegiates, but I'm not sure they got more than one or two productive NFL starters.

Grade: C

Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/43159/174/draft-2013-nfc-draft-grades

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Sunday, March 24, 2013

N.J. fight on gay conversion therapy has Gov. Christie in a tight spot

Chris Christie, governor of a liberal state and a potential national GOP contender, has walked a fine line on gay marriage. But a proposed N.J. ban on gay conversion therapy threatens that balancing act.

By Husna Haq,?Correspondent / March 22, 2013

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to a large gathering in Manasquan, N.J., Thursday, during a town hall meeting.

Mel Evans/AP

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A proposal to ban gay conversion therapy in New Jersey has put Gov. Chris Christie, a possible 2016 GOP contender, in the spotlight at a time when many in the US, and in the Republican Party, appear to be reevaluating their stance on gays and gay marriage.

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Governor Christie ?does not believe in conversion therapy? for homosexuals, a spokeswoman said Thursday, but has not yet decided whether he will support a bill outlawing the practice that is currently under consideration by state lawmakers.

On Wednesday Christie sparked headlines for declining to take a stand on the controversial practice, which attempts to reduce homosexual tendencies in people and put them on a path to heterosexuality.

The debate may erode support for the perennially popular governor as he gears up for a gubernatorial race later this year ? and considers running on the GOP ticket in 2016. It also presses Christie, who opposes gay marriage but believes voters should ultimately decide whether same-sex couples should be allowed to wed, to take a more decisive stand on that issue.

As a Republican leader of a liberal state, the governor has long walked a tightrope on gay marriage, says Brigid Harrison, a political scientist at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.

?This is in my view a really complex issue for the governor,? says Professor Harrison. ?On the one hand you have his need to placate socially conservative Republicans nationally for whom this is a litmus test issue,? while at the same time, ?not cause a rise in the state.?

As a result, she says, ?He really has kind of played both sides, not advocating an anti-gay position but not being the champion on gay rights that many people in New Jersey think their leader should be.?

?In response to that, Democrats, including Senate president and likely [gubernatorial] opponent [State Senator Barbara] Buono, have tried to capitalize on this issue ? by painting him into a corner and making him clarify his position to voters,? she adds.?

The hullabaloo began earlier this week when the New Jersey State Senate, led by Buono, a Democrat, passed a bill banning gay conversion therapy.

When asked whether he supports such a ban, the typically straight-talking governor waffled.

?I?m of two minds just on this stuff in general. No. 1, I think there should be lots of deference given to parents on raising their children,? Christie said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. ?I don?t ? this is a general philosophy, not to his bill ? generally, philosophically, on bills that restrict parents? ability to make decisions on how to care for their children, I?m generally a skeptic of those bills. Now there can always be exceptions to those rules, and this bill may be one of them."

From there, the issue ballooned. Media reports on the governor?s comments mushroomed, the Democratic Governors Association began a fundraising campaign to stop the ?right-wing reactionary,? and sensing an opportunity, Buono called Christie?s unwillingness to reject the practice ?disgusting.?

?The governor said he doesn?t know much about gay conversion therapy. I don?t know how much more you need to know,? she said on a conference call, according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger. ?I couldn?t believe the stunning level of ignorance that that statement showed,? she said, adding, ?It?s an outrageous practice that has no place in New Jersey.?

The governor?s office issued a statement Thursday clarifying that Christie does not believe in gay conversion therapy. ?There is no mistaking his point of view on this when you look at his own prior statements where he makes clear that people?s sexual orientation is determined at birth.?

By then, says Harrison, the damage was already done.

?All of the kind of things that accentuate Governor Christie?s position as socially conservative hurt him with that segment of voters ? voters for whom this is a salient issue,? she says.

The gay conversion controversy comes as the national climate on gay rights is undergoing a leftward shift. Earlier this week former Secretary of State and possible 2016 Democratic contender Hillary Clinton publicly voiced her support of same-sex marriage in a YouTube video. Last week Sen. Rob Portman (R) of Ohio also embraced gay marriage after revealing his son?s homosexuality.

The Supreme Court is preparing to take up the issue next week when it hears arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act, as well as California?s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, as public support for gay marriage appears to rise. A new ABC News/Washington Post poll finds 58 percent of Americans support gay marriage, up from 32 percent a decade ago.

As such, it was only a matter of time before the issue landed on the doorstep of the outspoken New Jersey governor.

To date, says Harrison, ?he has waffled on his position so that he can simultaneously placate his national and his New Jersey constituency.?

Though he opposes gay marriage, Christie favors civil unions and has said he would like to see a gay marriage referendum on the ballot in November to allow New Jersey voters to decide ?what?s right for the state.?

In an appearance on CNN?s Piers Morgan in 2011, he said he did not think homosexuality was a sin and believed some people are born gay.

New Jersey Democrats including Buono have used the gay conversion controversy to pressure Christie to clarify his position on gay marriage. It?s one of a number of issues on which the governor has had to make a tough choice, says Harrison.

?This year has put enormous pressure on the governor,? she says, citing difficult decisions he?s confronted on Medicare, funding for Planned Parenthood, accepting federal funding for state infrastructure projects, and now the gay rights controversy. ?He recognizes, and the party elite recognize, that he has to make his deal with the devil.?

Nonetheless, challenging as this situation may be, the governor has mastered the delicate dance of mollifying allies and constituents on both sides of the aisle.

?He?s not one that often succumbs to external pressure for him to define himself politically,? says Harrison. ?He?s very good at changing the story, criticizing others to deflect criticism from himself. I anticipate that?s what we?ll see.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/K5IFWuEK7ZA/N.J.-fight-on-gay-conversion-therapy-has-Gov.-Christie-in-a-tight-spot

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