# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Log (November 15, 2012)

• The Blue Brain Project was discussed critically, with questions raised about the lack of published papers following their 2010 claim of successfully simulating a mouse neocortical column.

• Technical comparisons were made between a 64-core AMD Opteron cluster with 192GB RAM and Amazon EC2 instances for finite element simulations, with mention of AWS research grants up to $15k for academic projects.

• Saurik (Jay Freeman, Cydia creator) provided detailed technical advice on iOS app decryption methods, recommending Apple TV 2 as a server due to its wall power, ethernet connectivity, and jailbreaking capabilities via limera1n.

• A DIY refractometer project for urinalysis was proposed, suggesting the use of a webcam, prism, lens, filter and LED, with potential for adding spectral analysis using higher-end cameras and concave gratings.

• A "certificate program in transhumanism" was heavily criticized for its low standards (requiring only creation of a short video or 10 "memes"), reflecting the community's emphasis on scientific rigor.

• Several scientific papers on FOXO3A transcription factors were shared, highlighting their association with human longevity and cellular homeostasis during aging.

• DNA synthesis techniques involving nicking enzymes were discussed, with technical diagrams shared to illustrate the process.