Monthly Archives: August 2017

Indiana aerospace takes off – The Herald Bulletin

Posted on by

Indiana is perhaps best known for its Hoosier hospitality and endless fields of corn. Few know the state is also home to a thriving aerospace industry. Thats right rockets.

In 2016, Indiana was ranked sixth in the nation as one of the most attractive states for aerospace manufacturing, according to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Just one year before, it was ranked 18th.

It is an under-recognized, maybe underappreciated, sector of Indianas economy, said Ryan Metzing, executive director of the Indiana Aerospace & Defense Council.

Aerospace, as defined by Metzing, is a broad industry comprised of companies that design, manufacture or service various types of aircraft. Aerospace technologies range from military to commercial use, developing drones, aircraft and satellites.

Statewide, were seeing growth, he said. I think the commercial aerospace aviation sector is doing really well. That sector is projecting huge growth over the next 10 years or so.

With aircraft orders lined up for the next decade, Metzing believes Indianas aerospace industry is poised for success.

I think a lot of it has to do with some of the investment that had been going on here, he added. All of the deals over the past three or four years brought in more than $1 billion of investment in Indiana.

Rolls-Royce and Alcoa, two of the states largest aerospace companies, made significant investments in 2015. Rolls-Royce dedicated $600 million for redevelopment at its Indianapolis location, while Alcoa doubled its capacity after starting construction on a new jet engine parts facility in La Porte.

Collectively, the companies employ almost 9,000 Hoosiers. Many of those, Metzing noted, are experienced manufacturers.

Indiana has the strongest manufacturing workforce per capita in the nation more than 17 percent, he said. When you take how strong we are in manufacturing in general, and then marry that with some of these major aerospace investments that helped to boost our ranking.

New frontiers

Anderson inventor Pete Bitar isnt surprised Indiana is ranked so high on the list. Bitar created AirBuoyant, an aerospace company that specializes in personal flight. In his 11 years of experience, hes watched Indianas aerospace industry transform.

Were starting to see things like Amazon delivering packages with drones, electric vehicles that you fly in an urban environment, Bitar said. Youre seeing these new frontiers develop based on the new technologies and capabilities from the market today that werent there five to seven years ago.

But Bitar isnt completely satisfied with Indianas recent success.

We dont have a lot of headquartered aerospace companies in Indiana, he pointed out. Thats the challenge looking forward. And Im hoping in some small way I can contribute to that.

Though his local business is small, Bitar hopes he can be an example to prove its possible to come up with innovative ideas and keep them close to home.

Were developing an electric jet pack for personal flight that you can wear and fly around in, with no fuel, he said. If we can develop what Im developing and manufacturing here in Madison County, that can then be applied to other companies and other ideas coming through in the aerospace field.

Metzing agreed having a diverse aerospace industry across the state will be beneficial in the long run, no matter the company's size.

It provides a nice opportunity to grow some of those smaller communities, Metzing said, if we can get the aerospace companies to continue their growth.

Contact Katie Stancombe at 765-648-4258 or katie.stancombe@indianamediagroup.com.

Read this article:

Indiana aerospace takes off - The Herald Bulletin

Automotive, Aerospace Materials on AutoVision Conference Agenda – WEKU

Posted on by

Automobile executives fromacross Kentuckyand beyondhave been briefedthis weekon many facets affecting their industryduring the annual Autovision conference in Lexington.

Among the topics has been materials used in building todaysvehicles.

Larry Brown is director of Detroit-based Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow or LIFT, a public-private non-profit partnership.

Brown says, in vehicle construction, its all about finding the right material for the right place.

We can selectively put the right materials where we see the highest loads, whether its crash or what have you in the right place, said Brown. So, at the end of the day we do result in lightweight solutions and we do not compromise the safety of the vehicle.

In his presentation, Brown spoke of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium as well as steel and hybrid materials.

Presentations did not focus exclusively on four-wheeled vehiclesonthe ground. Brown touched on aerospace applications in addressing auto executives.

He says moving to lighter construction materials for aircraft can affect both commercial and military operations.

Brown says the aerospace industry may be a little more aggressive than the automotive business in going after newer materials and paying a little more. Kentuckyrankssecond place nationallyinaerospace exports.

The LIFT executive says a program initiated this past spring aims to help military personnel move from the armed services to manufacturing jobs.

We launched that with the idea to reach out to military that we know are going to be separating in the next six months and start a training program that they could start to get into now, noted Brown. So, that once they leave the gates of Fort Campbell, theres a job, theres an opportunity lined up for them.

Brown concluded his remarks noting that the perception of manufacturing jobs being dirty and dangerous remains alive and well today. But the LIFT executive says manufacturing is moving every day into a more high tech profession.

Here is the original post:

Automotive, Aerospace Materials on AutoVision Conference Agenda - WEKU

Aerospace Combat Command Instead of Space Force? – Breaking Defense

Posted on by

Over the past two years, Americas near-peer competitors have reorganized and integrated their air, deterrent, missile defense, cyber and space forces to make them more effective.

But U.S. competitors arent just reorganizing; they are building and fielding capabilities that create new vulnerabilities for the U.S. in space. As Gen. Jay Raymond, head of Air Force Space Command said in recent testimony:In the not too distant future, near-peer competitors will have the ability to hold every U.S. space asset in every orbital regime at risk.

Dissatisfied with the speed of the Air Forces response to these challenges, House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee Chair Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Jim Cooper have proposed (and the full House has adopted) a semi-independent Space Force within the Air Force Department in the House version of the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

In a joint statement, Chairman Rogers and Rep. Cooper say:There is bipartisan acknowledgement that the strategic advantages we derive from our national security space systems are eroding We are convinced that the Department of Defense is unable to take the measures necessary to address these challenges effectively and decisively, or even recognize the nature and scale of its problems.

Congressional frustration with the Air Force is understandable. After years of Air Force underinvestment in the basics of access to space, the United States depends on Russian engines to get national security satellites into space. To make matters worse, U.S. satellites often run into technical challenges and cost overruns that delay them for years. And when they finally arrive in orbit, they are increasingly vulnerable.

Russian-made RD-180 engines propel an Atlas V rocket heavenward.

In addition, after years of failed investment in reusable launch systems designed to lower the cost of access to space, the Air Force left it to the private sector to solve the challenges of inventing a practical, reusable first stage.

But the best response to todays challenges may not be the creation of a separate and weaker Space Corps, one carved out of a diminished Air Force and authorized by statute to focus mainly on making space safe for satellites.

History suggests that integrated operations and unity of command are much better than stovepiping in successful military operations.

Instead of a separate Space Corps, Congress and the Trump Administration should consider an integrated United States Aerospace Force with new capabilities derived from American industry allowing it to affordably and routinely cross the boundary between air and space.

Industrys recent success with the launch, landing and reuse of Mach 3 to Mach 10 rocket vehicles indicates it can provide this capability, given the right focus from national leadership.

With reusable launch vehicles and higher flight rates driving the cost of access to space down, an Aerospace Force would have far less incentive to raid space accounts to buy air platforms, addressing Chairman Rogers concern that the Air Forces current organization force[s] space to compete with F-35s.

This would not be the first time the US military has needed help from the private sector. In the early 1930s, Boeing leapfrogged the capabilities of contemporary Army Air Corps aircraft when it introduced new aerodynamic and technical features into commercial airliners for the first time in the Boeing 247 with its all-metal flush-rivet semi-monocoque construction, fully cantilevered wing, and retractable landing gear.

These technologies were developed for commercial reasons not in answer to military requirements but after the Air Corps poor performance in the Air Mail crisis and the Baker Boards recommendations to the Corps in 1934, the War Department leveraged these commercial advances directly into warfighting capability through the acquisition of aircraft such as the Boeing 299 (B-17 bomber), the DC-2 (B-18 bomber) and the DC-3 (C-47 military transport).

These aircraft, whose basic technologies were developed by industry for the purpose of transporting civilians safely and profitably, became the backbone of military and civilian aviation through World War II and beyond.

This can be done again today, by

A revitalized United States Aerospace Force could:

This would require bold vision and leadership from the Air Force, comparable to the leadership shown by its leaders at the services birth. The Air Force has shown that it can rise to any challenge from the Berlin Airlift forward to the Persian Gulf especially with the right encouragement and leadership from the Congress and the White House.

Bill Bruner, a former NASA assistant administrator and fellow in the Speakers Office under Newt Gingrich, is CEO of New Frontier Aerospace, a space technology development and consulting company.He is a retired Air Force colonel.

See the original post:

Aerospace Combat Command Instead of Space Force? - Breaking Defense

Police grill Likud minister for 3rd time in aerospace graft probe – The Times of Israel

Posted on by

Police on Thursday questioned Welfare Minister Haim Katz (Likud) for a third time as a criminal suspect in an investigation into alleged corruption at Israel Aerospace Industries.

Katz served as head of the IAI workers union for over two decades before becoming a minister two years ago.

The interrogation at the headquarters of the Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit in the central city of Lod was the third time Katz was questioned under caution by police in connection to the affair.

Suspicions of corruption, fraud and breach of trust at IAI became public in March when police raided the defense contractor, arresting 14 people among them Katzs son Yair.

The younger Katz, 36, who serves in the senior management of IAI and has been a member of its powerful workers union for four years, was arrested at the time on suspicion of coercing employees into joining his fathers Likud party.

He was held along with fellow union member David Peretz and their homes were raided and searched.

Yair Katz (L), son of Welfare Minister Haim Katz (Likud), at a remand hearing at the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court, March 22, 2017. (Flash90)

The labor union at IAI, which employs some 16,000 people and is Israels largest state-owned company, is seen as closely tied to the senior Katz.

Responding to the attorney generals decision in March to allow police to question Katz, the minister said that he and others and the IAI were the targets of an unjustified smear campaign.

I will cooperate fully with the investigation and I am sure that everything will return calmly to the way it was before, he said in a statement.

In a separate case, the Israel Securities Authority is investigating suspicions that Haim Katz after being appointed a minister bought shares in a real estate company shortly before the company announced it was merging with the Airport City business park in summer 2015. Together with another suspected insider dealer, he is thought to have illegally reaped a NIS 290,000 ($75,000) profit.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

The rest is here:

Police grill Likud minister for 3rd time in aerospace graft probe - The Times of Israel

Union takes over Northstar Aerospace facility in Milton – 680 News

Posted on by

The union representing the employees of Northstar Aerospace has taken over the facility in Milton.

According to Unifor, Northstar Aerospace is relocating the equipment from its Milton facility to Chicago and Windsor and closing the Milton plant. They allege the company is refusing to meet a 25 per cent pension shortfall for current and future retirees.

The union says that based on the type of pension plan in place, Northstar is not legislatively required to compensate for the shortfall. But Unifor National President Jerry Dias says given the companys considerable resources, they should.

This plant is owned by Wynnchurch Capital, a major private equity company (they) certainly have the financial resources to treat our members with respect.

Dias says Unifor and Local 112 have attempted negotiations with Northstar since January to ensure that current pension provisions and benefits are protected. The company has allegedly refused to discuss the matter.

The union took over the facility at around 4 a.m. on Thursday morning. More than 250 people have set up picket lines outside the plant and more are expected to join the protest.

Dias says that for employees who have been retired for several years, a sudden steep reduction in pension is completely unacceptable.

The fact that they are nonchalant about our current retirees taking a 25 per cent reduction is outrageous, said Dias. These are some of the wealthiest private equity companies in the world for them the pension shortfall is nickels and dimes, but its not nickels and dimes to the people that depend on it for basic survival.

CityNews has reached out to Northstar Aerospace for a statement but has not yet heard back.

See the original post here:

Union takes over Northstar Aerospace facility in Milton - 680 News

Aerospace Employee Tried To Sell Intel To Car | The Daily Caller – The Daily Caller

Posted on by

Newly released documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation reveal that a disgruntled satellite expert allegedly stole highly sensitive tracking information for planes, helicopters, and boats used by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that he attempted to sell to Mexican drug cartels, The Daily Mail reported on Monday.

Senior project management specialist Robert Miller, 45, was fired from Honeywell Aerospace in February this year and supposedly wanted to screw over the company because he was pissed that he didnt get a raise. The company deactivated Millers access to their systems at the time of his termination but were unaware that he created a secret login into its system in case such an event took place. Millers plan was to sell secret access codes for the companys high-tech location-tracking system the Satellite Tracking System (STS) on the black market for $2 million, court documents show.

Millers alleged plan took an unexpected turn when the FBI launched an investigation after a man calling himself John Patriot tipped off the company in late July that he discovered Miller was planning to sell the STS logins on the black market.

Posing as members of a well-funded Mexican drug cartel, FBI agents met with Miller at a resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he demonstrated his ability to login into the companys STS system and showed agents how to locate vehicles and aircraft used by the DEA. The undercover agents arrested Miller after the meeting without incident.

FBI Special Agent Steven Garbett said in court documents that Miller then claimed in an interview with investigators that his intentions were innocent.

Miller claimed that his intention in meeting with the individuals whom he thought represented the Mexican cartel was to gather and share information with law enforcement, Garbett wrote. Miller stated that he had researched how to become a DEA informant and was planned to talk to a DEA agent friend of Millers brother.

Miller now faces two counts of computer fraud.

Follow this link:

Aerospace Employee Tried To Sell Intel To Car | The Daily Caller - The Daily Caller

Ripple Price Forecast: Factors Suggest XRP Cryptocurrency Could Hit $1

Posted on by

What’s Behind Ripple Cryptocurrency Price?
While most headlines in the cryptocurrency space involve Bitcoin or Ethereum, an increasing number of investors are thinking about investing in Ripple, the bank-focused blockchain company that is taking the crypto world by storm. With that in mind, I’ve put together this report with a complete Ripple price prediction in 2018.

I know the names, tokens, and details can become overwhelming. Blockchain technology is widely misunderstood in part because the industry is so young; so the articles.

The post Ripple Price Forecast: Factors Suggest XRP Cryptocurrency Could Hit $1 appeared first on Profit Confidential.

Read this article:
Ripple Price Forecast: Factors Suggest XRP Cryptocurrency Could Hit $1

Medication for the unborn baby – Medical Xpress

Posted on by

Empas multicellular model, which is mimicking the placental barrier: a core of connective tissue cells, surrounded by trophoblast cells. Credit: Empa

An Empa team has succeeded in developing a new three-dimensional cell model of the human placental barrier. The "model organ" can quickly and reliably deliver new information on the intake of substances, such as nano-particles, by the placental barrier and on any possible toxic effects for the unborn child. This knowledge can also be used in the future for the development of new approaches to therapy during pregnancy.

During its development, the foetus is extremely susceptible to toxic substances. Even the tiniest doses can cause serious damage. In order to protect the unborn child,one of the tasks of the placenta is to act as a barrier to "filter out" harmful substances, while at the same time providing the foetus with the nutrients it needs. In recent years, however, evidence has increasingly suggested that the placental barrier is not 100 percent effective and that nano-particles are actually able to penetrate it.

Nano-particles are being used in ever more varied areas of our lives. They are used, for example, in sun creams to protect against sunburn; they are used in condiments to stop them getting lumpy; they are used to make outdoor clothing waterproof and they are likely to be used in the future to transport medicines to their rightful destinations in the body . "At the moment, pregnant women are not being exposed to problematic amounts of nano-particles, but in the future that could well happen due to the ever increasing use of these tiny particles," suggests Tina Buerki of the "Department of Particles-Biology Interactions."

In order to ensure the safe development of nano-particles in the most diverse areas of application, their absorption mechanism at the placental barrier and their effect on the mother, foetus and placenta itself must be looked at more closely. It is the size, charge, chemical composition and shape of the nano-particles that could have an influence on whether they actually penetrate the placental barrier and, if so, in what way they are able to do so. At the moment, however, this research is only in its infancy. Since the function and structure of the human placenta is unique, studies undertaken on pregnant mammals are problematic and often inconclusive. Traditional models of the human placental barrier are either very time consuming to construct, or are extremely simplified.

A 3-D model of the human placental barrier

Tests of this nature are best carried out on donated placentas that become available after childbirth by Caesarean section. The organs are connected as quickly as possible to a perfusion system and this ensures the tissue is provided with nutrients and oxygen. This model is, indeed, the most accurate, i.e. the most clinically relevant. It is, however, very technically demanding and, moreover,restricted to a perfusion time window of six to eight hours. Against that, such placentas can be used to reliably test the ability of any given nano-particle to penetrate the placental barrier. The model does not, however, yield any information on the mechanism used by the particle to penetrate this complex organ.

Researchers are therefore tending to fall back on the use of simple cell cultures and other modelling systems. An individual cell, possibly taken from the epithelium and subsequently cultivated and propagated in a petri dish, is perfectly suited to a whole range of different experiments. However, researchers cannot be certain that the cells in the petri dish will ultimately behave like those in the human body. The new model that the Empa team under Tina Buerki described in the scientific journal Nanoscale at the end of last year is, by contrast, three-dimensional and consists of more than one cell type. The cells exist in a tissue-like environment analogous to the placenta and can be experimented on for a longer period of time.

Golden test candidate

In order to create the model, the research team used the "hanging drop" technology developed by Insphero AG. This technology allows models to be created without "scaffolding," which can hinder free access of the nano-particles to the cells in the subsequent transport tests. Rather than introducing the cells in a flat petri dish, a special device, in which the cells in the hanging drops combine to form spherical micro-tissue, is used. The resulting micro-tissue mimics the human placenta much more closely than cells cultivated on a "rigid" culture dish. Experiments can be carried out much more quickly using the 3-D model than with the real placenta and, significantly, on the most widely differing types of nano-particle. In this way, those nano-particles that show potentially toxic effects or demonstrate desirable transport behaviour can be efficiently pre-selected and the results verified using a real placenta.

The model has already proved itself in a second study, which the team has just published in the scientific journal Nanomedicine. Buerki's team has come up with an absorption mechanism for gold particles that could be used in a range of medicinal applications. The Empa team looked at gold particles of various sizes and different surface modifications. In accordance with the results of other studies, the researchers discovered that small gold particles were able to penetrate the placental barrier more easily. In addition, fewer particles passed through the barrier if they were carrying polyethylene glycol (PEG) on their surfaces. These are chain-forming molecules that almost completely envelope the particles. PEG is often used in medicine to allow particles and other small structures to travel "incognito" in the body, thus preventing them being identified and removed by the immune system. "It therefore appears possible to control the movement of nano-particles through the placenta by means of their properties," Buerki explains.

Medicines for pregnant women that do not harm the child

Empa's research team is keen to further develop this 3-D model in the future. The team is hoping to augment the model using a dynamic component. This would, for example, mean introducing the micro-tissue in a micro-fluid system able to simulate blood circulation in the mother and child. Another approach would be to combine the model of the placenta with other models. "With the model of a foetus, for example," Buerki suggests. In this way, complex organ interactions could also be incorporated and it would be possible, for example, to discover whether the placenta releases foetus-damaging substances as a reaction to certain nano-particles.

"With these studies, we are hoping to lay the foundations for the safe but nevertheless effective use of nano-medicines during pregnancy," Buerki continued. If we understand the transport mechanisms of nano-materials through the placental barrier well enough, we believe we can develop new carrier systems for therapeutic agents that can be safely given to pregnant women. This is because many women are forced to take medicines even during pregnancy patients suffering from epilepsy or diabetes, for example, or patients that have contracted life-threatening infections. Nano-carriers must be chosen which are unable to penetrate the placental barrier. It is also possible, for example, to provide such carriers with "address labels," which ensure that the medicine shuttle is transported to the correct organ i.e. to the diseased organ and is unable to penetrate the placenta. This would allow the medicine to be released first and foremost into the mother. Consequently, the amounts absorbed by the foetus or embryoand therefore the risk to the unborn child are significantly reduced.

Explore further: New placenta model could reveal how birth defect-causing infections cross from mom to baby

Go here to see the original:
Medication for the unborn baby - Medical Xpress

Targeting tumours: IBBME researchers investigate biological barriers to nanomedicine delivery – U of T Engineering News

Posted on by

For cancer patients, understanding the odds of a treatments success can be bewildering. The same drug, applied to the same type of cancer, might be fully successful on one persons tumour and do nothing for another one. Physicians are often unable to explain why.

Now, U of T Engineering researchers are beginning to understand one of the reasons.Abdullah Syed and Shrey Sindhwani, both PhD candidates,and their colleagues at the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) have created a technology to watch nanoparticles traveling into tumours revealing barriers that prevent their delivery to targets and the variability between cancers.

The biggest thing weve noticed is that nanoparticles face multiple challenges posed by the tumour itself on their way to cancer cells, says Sindhwani, an MD-PhD student in the Integrated Nanotechnology & Biomedical Sciences Laboratory of Professor Warren Chan (IBBME). Syed and Sindhwani co-published their findings online June 22, and on the cover of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. So the treatment might work for a while or worse, theres just enough of the drug for the cancer to develop resistance. This could be prevented if we can figure out the ways in which these barriers stop delivery and distribution of the drug throughout the cancer.

Tiny nanoparticles offer great hope for the treatment of cancer and other disease because of their potential to deliver drugs to targeted areas in the body, allowing more precise treatments with fewer side effects. But so far the technology hasnt lived up to its promise, due to delivery and penetration problems.

To dismantle this roadblock, the two graduate students searched for a way to better view the particles journey inside tumours. They discovered that the tough-to-see particles could be illuminated by scattering light off their surfaces.

The sensitivity of our imaging is about 1.4 millionfold higher, says Syed. First, we make the tissue transparent, then we use the signal coming from the particles to locate them. We shine a light on the particles and it scatters the light. We capture this scattering light to learn the precise location of the nanoparticles.

It was already understood that nanoparticles were failing to accumulate in tumours, thanks to a meta-analysis of the field done by Chans group. But the researchers have developed technologies to look at nanoparticle distribution in 3D, which provides a much fuller picture of how the particles are interacting with the rest of the tumour biology. The goal is to use this technology to gather knowledge for developing mathematical principles of nanoparticle distribution in cancer, similar to the way principles exist for understanding the function of the heart, says Syed.

And because each tumour is unique, this technology and knowledge base should help future scientists to understand the barriers to drug delivery on a personalized basis, and to develop custom treatments.

The next step is to understand what in cancers biology stops particles from fully penetrating tumours and then to develop ways to bypass cancers defences.

But the technology is also useful for diseases other than cancer. With the help of Professor Jennifer Gommerman, an researcher in the Department of Immunology who studies multiple sclerosis (MS), Syed and Sindhwani captured 3D images of lesions in a mouse model mimicking MS using nanoparticles.

This is going to be very valuable to anyone trying to understand disease or the organ system more deeply, says Sindhwani. And once we understand barriers that dont allow drugs to reach their disease site, we can start knocking them down and improving patient health adds Syed.

Read the original:
Targeting tumours: IBBME researchers investigate biological barriers to nanomedicine delivery - U of T Engineering News

Alarming drop in sperm counts needs more study – Gant Daily

Posted on by

Research into reproductive biology is one of the most fascinating corners of medicine and science; my interest in this field was one of the driving forces behind my decision to go to medical school. Work in this field has resulted in life-changing treatments for infertile patients. More than one million babies have been born in the US to otherwise infertile couples, thanks to lab-assisted techniques like in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

At the same time; there remains a massive amount of research to do. Treatments for women whose number of eggs are prematurely low (diminished ovarian reserve), understanding of the causes and treatments of low or zero sperm counts (azoospermia) in male patients, non-surgical male contraception all of these topics are incompletely understood at present. As a result, infertile patients continue to suffer.

A recent study (Levine et al., Human Reproduction, 2017) draws attention to this knowledge deficit; the study authors reviewed the entire body of existing research on male sperm counts published between 1973 and 2011. Their analysis reveals a startling trend: throughout the Western world, in both fertile men and infertile men seeking treatment, sperm counts dropped by almost 50% across these four decades.

This new study raises obvious questions: why might this decrease be occurring? Is this trend indicative of other ongoing changes in mens health? Are there obvious causes of this trend and can they be acted upon? As a researcher in this field, I know the importance of answering that last question what might be the causes and what do we do about them and I know that there is already ongoing research on this front. But certainly more is needed.

Possible explanations include lifestyle factors (increasing obesity, tobacco use and its lingering effects), aging demographics of people pursing family building, environmental exposures to substances including plastics, hormones, radiation and radio frequency networks, and biological changes the results of what we call epigenetic change from fertility or hormonal treatments. Several factors could potentially be at play at the same time.

Unfortunately, obtaining an answer to this conundrum is challenging at best. There are unique barriers to answering these questions through experiments (including the obvious fact that experiments to prove these theories cannot be performed in humans). Even if we had an answer as to a single culprit, the further question of What can we do about it? seems even more daunting.

That being said, I remind people whenever I can that no field of research is more important than understanding the biology of conception. Cancer research, cardiovascular health research these fields will enable us to live longer. But, of course, that ceases to be important if a hypothetical fertility crisis results in fewer or even no babies being born. Understanding human fertility is a vital part of understanding the cycle of human life and death.

Interestingly, our fertility research is governed by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, whose first national meeting was held almost 75 years ago. I often point out that the meeting topics on male fertility at that first meeting are still being discussed at our current meetings. The need for further research in our field was already urgent. Dr. Levines study makes that need even more vital.

I am asked repeatedly what I tell my patients about this study. I remind people that healthy behavior is the easiest intervention patients can opt into. Studies have found that smoking cessation, sleep hygiene, and diet promote healthy sperm count. That being said, we will continue to test for potential causes of male fertility and we will act upon the causes that are correctable.

I know that this recommendation constitutes basic common sense, and it is the advice that I would give to a friend or a family member. But in the back of my mind, every time I am saying this to someone, I am asking myself the question of how we can do more or be better. What further research study will help us to better understand both the worldwide trends in fertility and problems each of my individual patients face? Hopefully the conversation this study has started will enable that research to become a reality.

The rest is here:
Alarming drop in sperm counts needs more study - Gant Daily

Golf: Spieth chasing golf immortality at PGA – Duluth News Tribune

Posted on by

During nine practice holes with Kevin Kisner at Quail Hollow Club, amid kids and adults alike shouting "Jordan, Jordan!" the 24-year-old Spieth seemed to barely perspire.

He did, however, offer this early assessment of Quail Hollow: "Extremely tough."

It helped Monday that, for the first time, PGA Championship players were allowed to wear shorts during practice rounds. Spieth said it was nice because it reminded him of playing casual rounds back home in hot Dallas.

Spieth's blue-green shirt and gray shorts did not, however, explain why he seemed more immune to the humidity than others. Perhaps it's because he's won the British Open and two other PGA Tour events in 2017. Really, can this week's 99th PGA Championship be much of a sweat?

Yes, a victory on Sunday would make Spieth the youngest male golfer to complete the career Grand Slam, eclipsing Tiger Woods, who completed the Slam at 24 years, six months old.

Spieth, however, said during last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: "My focus isn't on completing the career Grand Slam. My focus is on the PGA Championship."

On Monday, his focus was seeing Quail Hollow, a course on which he hasn't played a competitive round since he competed in his only Wells Fargo Championship in 2013, tying for 32nd.

Last year, three of Quail Hollow's first five holes were significantly altered, with the first two holes being combined into a new No. 1 and a par 3 added, as the new No. 2.

"They didn't change that much," he said. "Really, (holes) one, two and four and five. They made one essentially an extremely long par 4 by combining the old one-two, and then they split up No. 5 into two holes, that par 5, into a 3 and 4. Other than that, it stayed the same.

"The greens are firm and the fairways are soft, so it's long and then tough to hold the greens. With the way the greens are, if they don't soften up, it's going to be 'Par is an awesome score.' "

Last week, Spieth described winning the Grand Slam as a life goal, adding that he believes his odds of completing it at some point are strong. Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen are the only players to complete the Slam.

"If it happens (this week), then fantastic," Spieth said. "And if it doesn't, then it's not going to be a big-time bummer whatsoever because I know I have plenty of opportunities.

"Getting three legs of it is much harder than getting the last leg, I think although I've never tried to get the last leg, so it's easy for me to say."

Unlike his British Open victory three weeks ago at Royal Birkdale, where Spieth only had caddie Michael Greller accompanying him, he'll have a sizeable family and friends gallery at Quail Hollow.

On the night of his British Open win, Spieth's longtime girlfriend, Annie Verret, sent a group text to about 20 Spieth family members and friends, ultimately resulting in the group surprising Jordan and Greller with a champagne-toast greeting upon landing in Dallas.

That group will expand at Quail Hollow. On Monday, Spieth's mother, Chris, and sister, Ellie, walked five holes of Jordan's practice round, with Ellie at times walking alongside Jordan in the fairway.

Some Spieth family members already were in North Carolina, visiting relatives, when Jordan arrived Sunday night from playing the Bridgestone in Akron, Ohio. One of Jordan's grandfathers, Bob Julius, lives in Wilmington, about 200 miles southeast of Charlotte.

After his British Open victory, Spieth received congratulatory notes and texts from the likes of President George W. Bush, Nicklaus, Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy.

Like Spieth, Mickelson and McIlroy are one victory from completing the career Slam, though neither can do so this week. Mickelson lacks a U.S. Open title and McIlroy has yet to win the Masters.

Spieth said he sees more pros than cons about playing the PGA relatively soon after the British.

"(A pro) is you believe you're in form," he said. "I think I'm in form, and form is a huge part of being in contention, obviously. But when you feel that way going in, it feels that much easier to get into contention.

"So that's a huge pro. I'm not really finding any negatives in this."

After a session on the Quail Hollow practice range before his practice round, Spieth spent 20 minutes signing autographs, with one exhorting Spieth: "Grand Slam, baby!"

Spieth said little, but smiled and kept signing. The August sun grew hotter, but, still, it was no sweat for Spieth.

99th PGA Championship

When: Thursday-Sunday

Where: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.

Defending champion: Jimmy Walker

Fast fact: Jordan Spieth can become the sixth player with the career Grand Slam

Read more here:
Golf: Spieth chasing golf immortality at PGA - Duluth News Tribune

Digital Immortality, The Future of Memory, and Sci-Fi Utopias: An Interview With Dr. Phil Frana – Outer Places

Posted on by

When you sit down with Phil Frana, you better buckle up for a conversation that ranges from the history of artificial intelligence (he's literally writing the book on it) to visions of the future, including uploading our minds to the singularity and 3-D printing our way to a utopian society. Phil is one of the speakersat the upcoming Escape Velocity 2017, the Museum of Science Fiction's annual sci-fi and science event, where he'll be leading a talk on matter duplicators. Ahead of Escape Velocity, we sat down with Phil to talk about sci-fi, tech, and the future.

Outer Places: Tell me a bit about yourself: your background, your interests, and what got you interested in sci-fi.

OP: You've taught courses on transhumanism, virtual worlds, and futuristics. What major changes do you see affecting humanity in the next thirty years?

Phil: I really think we're going to make tremendous progress on what I call the "totalization of memory" (You might call it "total recall"). We are so fearful of forgetting the most minute detail of our personal lives. We fear forgetting. But we also fear corporations, the government, and other nefarious types using our memories and data against us. We may see a form of digital immortality through mind-uploading (whole brain emulation) in our lifetimes. Reverse engineering the brain to achieve substrate independencethat is, transcribing the substance of the mind and emulating it on a variety of forms of physical or virtual mediais a recognized Grand Challenge of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering...

OP:Perfect segue into the next questionwhat are some of yourfavorite sci-fi books, movies, or shows?

Phil: What's the saying? "The golden age of science fiction is 12." I think that's the phrase. Meaning, you never care more about science fiction than when you were that age...I love the sense of wonder and attention to conceptual breakthroughs in 1920s-1960s science fiction. I love our grandparent's science fiction because the authors actually wanted to solve problems and, in the process, make the world a place of bliss. A.E. van Vogt's Weapon Shops time operas and R.A. Lafferty's short story All Pieces of a River Shore are some of my favorites. Somewhere in the late 1960s we began to lose our wayscience and technology became as much the problem as the solution. And today, despite all our encouragement of STEM disciplines, we are so very sure the tech is going to kill us all. SF, particularly in film, hectors us into believing that high technologies are the problem. Not the solution.

OP: What are your thoughts on recent sci-fi movies, like Arrival and Ghost in the Shell? Anything you wanted to direct attention to as a scholar or sci-fi fan?

Phil:Harrison Ford needs to stop with the science fiction-fantasy film series comeback routine...I've reached peak Harrison Ford.

I saw Valerian last week...The dialogue is pretty wooden (like the hardest wood possible, quebracho maybe?) but the visuals are stunning. The scene where the commando jacks into the guard at the augmented reality bazaar is fantastic. Remote control animals is real science. They've done it with cockroaches, beetles, sharks, turtles, mice and rats. That sort of thing. They slip a subcortical electrode implant under the skin and drive the things by push button.

OP: You've got an event at Escape Velocity this year where you talk about matter replication. Can you give me a teaser about what that'll be like?

Phil:Sure. I'll mostly be talking about the past and present of an idea we now call "post-scarcity." We are so hungry for a world where automation and radical abundance replace traditional human labor for wages. Even people who think they are against this are probably really in favor of it. We don't need to be defined by the drudgery of our lives anymore; we've actually never wanted to be. A number of commentators have suggested that a Minecraft mindset combined with additive manufacturing tools are harbingers of the post-scarcity economy. I would say that science fiction has been prepping us for a very long time before Minecraft and 3D-printing.

I'll be talking about visions of worlds where machines churn out most material goods, at negligible cost, starting with a 1935 short story by Murray Leinster called "The Fourth Dimensional Demonstrator." In the story, Leinster conjures up a duplicator-unduplicator that exploits the notion that the four-dimensional universe (which includes time) has a bit of thickness. The device grabs chunks from the past and propels them into the present. The protagonist (Pete Davidson) uses the devicewhich he inherits from his inventor uncleto copy a banknote placed on the machine's platform. When the button is pushed the note remains, but it is joined by a copy of the note that existed seconds before, exactly when the button was pushed...The machine is used to hilarious effect as Davidson duplicates gold, and then (accidentally) pet kangaroos, girlfriends, and police officers plucked from the fourth dimension.

OP: Anything you're looking forward to seeing at Escape Velocity, apart from your panel?

Phil:My favorite part of EV is the cosplay. As I said on the phone, last year I was moderating a couple of sessions on the social lives of robots and had a cosplay Daft Punk robot sit down next to me and strike up conversations before and after sessions. The girl under the helmet was college-aged and super smart. She asked all sorts of interesting and important questions about why she liked to dress up like a robot. I was flummoxed by her brilliance.

Want tocheck out Phil Frana's talk at Escape Velocity this year (September 1st-3rd)? You can win a pair of weekend tickets to the event, courtesy of the Museum of Science Fiction and Outer Places! Click here to access the giveaway, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.letting us know!

Read more here:
Digital Immortality, The Future of Memory, and Sci-Fi Utopias: An Interview With Dr. Phil Frana - Outer Places

Missoula educators on ice: A trip to the Arctic for chemistry professor, teacher – The Missoulian

Posted on by

When the Canadian icebreaker CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent pushes off from the Nunavut coast in September, it will have two Missoula educators on board.

University of Montana professor Michael DeGrandpre and Big Sky High School chemistry teacher Dave Jones will be working in tandem on the complex issues of climate change and ocean acidification.

Jones was awarded a research fellowship from PolarTREC, a teacher research and exploration program that, according to its website, is designed to invigorate polar science education and understanding by bringing educators and polar researchers together.

PolarTREC links high school teachers to active researchers and, as Jones notes, brings real world research back to the classroom, and shows them why pH and solution chemistry matters.

DeGrandpres work revolves around ocean acidification. When carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean, it makes seawater more acidic, which can dissolve the shells of oysters, crabs and other creatures and can kill coral reefs. Working on the Louis S. St. Laurent is important to gather data points about the rapidly changing ocean chemistry.

Scientists are really motivated, and its a crucial place to be, DeGrandpre said.

Changes in the Arctic can drastically shift the weather dynamics in the entire northern hemisphere.

The weird weather were having is probably driven by ice loss, DeGrandpre said. The change in the northern oceans can shift where the jet stream flows over Montana, causing massive, strange changes thousands of miles from the source.

For anyone who has sat through a chemistry lecture, these kinds of world-changing discoveries can feel very far away. But for Jones, the experience will be invaluable in his teaching.

The ability to have an experience like this, he said, is the essence of'' learning. Being "engaged with and meeting other researchers can provide vibrancy to the classes he teaches.

And maybe that vibrancy will challenge someone to change the world.

See the rest here:
Missoula educators on ice: A trip to the Arctic for chemistry professor, teacher - The Missoulian

NEWTON VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Chemistry key for Eastside, Johnston – Rockdale Newton Citizen (press release) (registration)

Posted on by

In her first year as coach at Eastside after two years at Alcovy, Maggie Johnston led the Eagles volleyball team to their best season in recent memory.

Eastside was far and above the best team in the east metro area in 2016, going 23-16 overall with a 6-3 mark in Region 4-AAAA and a berth in the Class AAAA state playoffs. Although the Eagles lost three productive seniors to graduation, their 17-member roster has some nine players with game experience.

Johnston, an Iowa native who played collegiately at Charleston Southern, expressed confidence in her team entering the 2017 campaign, but said team chemistry will be an important factor in the Eagles success.

Every year, no matter how many kids you have on the team, it all depends on chemistry, said Johnston. The girls dont necessarily have to like each other, but if we can control the chemistry, we should be in good shape. Theyre already comfortable with our defensive and offensive sets, so we wont have to spend a lot of time teaching that, so that helps a lot.

The returning player Eastside will most depend upon is senior middle hitter Chasity Smith, who was named first-team all-region and was a selection on the All-Citizens volleyball team. At 5-foot-10, Smith who also plays on the Gwinnett County-based Aftershock club team didnt start playing volleyball until her freshman year but Johnston says shes seen a lot of improvement in just a short time.

Shes very athletic, with a great vertical leap, said Johnston of Smith. And shes athletically built and very explosive. Shes also got a great technique. Shes grown tremendously and is now playing club. Shes already shown me that shes gotten better over the summer. Chasity is even more powerful and explosive. Shes gotten a lot better and Im expecting her to get even better and close out strong this year.

Johnston adds that she also appreciates Smiths leadership style.

Her biggest quality in the leadership department is leading by example, said Johnston. She goes out every day and works hard and practices hard.

As she tinkers with positions in the preseason, Johnston said shes still mulling personnel moves that will involve senior defender Sierra Springston and junior setter Taylor Costley.

And like many other competitive volleyball teams, Johnston has put together a rigorous pre-region schedule and in the lag between the regular season and postseason has scheduled some best-three-out-of-five exhibitions.

Were trying to schedule teams that are obviously better than us, traditionally, because I think that will be a big help in region play, she said. And weve also got a few best-of-five matches because we were used to playing best-of-three during the season and we ran out of gas when it was best-of-five at state.

New coach Khelsea Willis promises a fresh start from Alcovys 2-20 season from a year ago. The Tigers spent time this summer working with Atlanta Elite Volleyball, building and perfecting their fundamental skills, and Willis was pleased with the teams performance in summer volleyball scrimmages against the likes of Salem and Jackson County.

Alcovys 13-member varsity roster includes a half-dozen returning veterans and Willis is encouraged by the play of sophomore outside hitter Jaelyn Tillman, who transferred from Texas.

Willis also says that as the season begins, the Tigers offense is slightly ahead of its defense.

They were not used to hitting but theyve really taken off with it, she said. Weve got some very powerful hitters and were very confident in our offense. Were still working on our blocking, but I have no doubts about our offense and ability to hit the ball.

Head coach: Maggie Johnston

2016 record: 23-16 (6-3 in Region 4-AAAA), first round of Class AAAA state tournament

Players of note: MH Chasity Smith, Sr.; OH Lillian Fowler, Jr.; MH Taylor Haff, Sr.; S Taylor Costley, Jr.; MB Sierra Springston, Sr.

Head coach: Khelsea Willis

2016 record: 2-20 (0-6 in Region 3-AAAAAA)

Players of note: OH Katherine Hopson, Jr.; S/OH Rachel Culberson, Sr.; S/MH Morgan Hathorne, Fr.; OH Jaelyn Tillman, So.

2016 record: 6-17 (1-2 in Region 8-AAAAAAA)

Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Get Breaking News alerts from the Rockdale Citizen and Newton Citizen delivered to your email.

Daily local news headlines from the Newton Citizen.

Daily sports headlines from Newton Citizen.

Daily local news headlines from the Rockdale Citizen.

Daily sports headlines from Rockdale Citizen.

See original here:
NEWTON VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Chemistry key for Eastside, Johnston - Rockdale Newton Citizen (press release) (registration)

Vikings WR Jarius Wright working to develop chemistry with QB Sam Bradford – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Posted on by

MANKATO Jarius Wrights two best NFL seasons came with Teddy Bridgewater throwing him the ball. After Sam Bradford joined the team last year, the Vikings wide receiver barely played.

That wasnt necessarily because of the change in quarterbacks. Stefon Diggs played more in the slot last season, taking time from Wright. And the emergence of Adam Thielen as a high-usage receiver played a role.

Wright and Bradford, though, seem to be making up for lost time. Bradford hit Wright on some nice balls in training camp at Minnesota State Mankato, including a long one down the right side and one down the left side in Saturdays night practice.

I think me and Sam are starting to become, I dont want to say one, but were starting to think alike, Wright said this week. Were starting to be on the same page. Were starting to talk about more routes together and things like that.

With Bridgewater as the starting quarterback, Wright had seasons of catching 42 passes in 2014 and 34 in 2015.

He likes feeding me on third down, Wright, a six-year veteran, said Friday. Thats my guy.

Bridgewater, though, was lost for the year with a knee injury suffered in the final preseason practice last August, and it remains to be seen when he will play again.

With Bradford as the quarterback last season, Wright caught a career-low 11 passes for 67 yards. Because he didnt play much, chemistry never developed between Bradford and Wright.

Sometimes I think that can affect the relationship between a player and a receiver, Wright said. Im not going to say he didnt know me well because he throws to me some in practice, but not getting the chance to go with (the first team) a lot, I think it does mess up timing.

Wright, though, could snag some balls from Bradford in Thursdays preseason opener at Buffalo. Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, who has missed the past week of practice with a left thigh injury, might not play. In Treadwells absence, Wright has been working with the first team.

Bradford is looking forward to developing a good relationship with Wright.

I think Jarius Wright can be extremely valuable to us, Bradford said. His quickness and his speed in the slot, its just nice having a guy like that in the slot out there. He beats one-on-one coverage consistently, whether it be on some quick option type routes or even on the deeper stuff with his vertical speed.

The last time the Vikings played a game, Wright got in some work with Bradford. In the 2016 finale against Chicago, with Minnesota out of the playoff race, Wright was inserted and caught a season-high five passes for 24 yards and his only touchdown of the season.

Continue reading here:
Vikings WR Jarius Wright working to develop chemistry with QB Sam Bradford - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

‘Not tough at all’ for Auburn football receivers to develop chemistry with QBs – SECcountry.com

Posted on by

AUBURN, Ala. Even as the competition rages between Jarrett Stidham and Sean White, Auburns wide receivers are having no problem connecting with a potential starter this preseason.

Its not tough at all, Ryan Davis said. We get the same amount of reps with all of the quarterbacks so its not tough. Weve been with those guys since the spring so we know those guys well. They know us well. We all have chemistry with the quarterbacks.

Mixed reports followed the first scrimmage on Monday morning. Linebacker Darrell Williams said Stidham threw at least one touchdown, giving the impression that White may have had the better start to the week.

RELATED: Auburn quarterbacks have numerous things to work on following first fall scrimmage

Regardless of the plays made in Jordan-Hare Stadium, however, the quarterbacks abilities to develop a bond with a largely unproven group of receivers has been a concern this summer at least to those outside the confines of the Auburn Athletic Complex.

For those inside the practice facility the process, even under a new offensive coordinator, has been simple. In the days leading up to the first fall scrimmage, Chip Lindsey had been impressed with both White and Stidham.

Though both have an obvious advantages White started 10 games last season and should be more familiar with his offensive weapons, while Stidham arrived on the Plains and seems to have the talent and charisma to develop chemistry quickly both have been under pressure to progress as Auburn looks to name a starter.

MORE: Versatile Sal Cannella brings attitude and edge to Auburn footballs offense

Sean is really smart, Lindsey said early in camp. Hes been around and played a lot for sure. I think what Ive seen from Sean, Sean is a guy who I lean on some because hes played here I think where Seans mindset is. Hes here to work and compete and so far its been really good.

And then theres the highly anticipated Stidham, who despite not having taken a snap in the SEC has already been mentioned in Heisman conversations. He also seems to be fitting in well with his new squad. Ahead of each fall practice Stidham makes the rounds amongst his teammates, tapping the tops of helmets. Respect seems to have been earned quickly.

Hes doing everything hes supposed to do, (that) Coach Lindsey has asked him, Davis said. Hes just trying to improve every day and get better. Thats all hes focused on right now just trying to help his team anyway he can.

Lindsey has said he wants his starter to be the person who affects the 10 other guys the most. Chemistry may be the deciding factor when Gus Malzahn announces the winner of the battle publicly.

The OC has seen improvement from Stidham in several areas. For the frontrunner to lock up the job, a deciding factor will be getting comfortable with the Tigers wideouts. Its a process thats taken time, but one Stidham might be closing in on.

Thats continuing to improve with the timing of every play and the timing against every look, Lindsey said. For Jarrett the more he sees and the more looks he gets, the better hell get.

Read more:
'Not tough at all' for Auburn football receivers to develop chemistry with QBs - SECcountry.com

Sabetti: Orlando strikers Cyle Larin, Dom Dwyer still seeking out … – MLSsoccer.com

Posted on by

MONTREAL It's only been a couple ofweeks thatDom DwyerandCyle Larinhave trained and played alongside one another inOrlando, but their first two matches already have some questioning whether their partnership up top for the Lions can work.

Even Orlando City SC head coach Jason Kreis was left asking questions after their2-1 road lossto theMontreal Impacton Saturday.

The question would be: Are they too similar? Kreis said. Are they two strikers that are too similar? And ultimately can they figure it out, the spaces that need to be taken? Can they do a little something different than theyre both accustomed to? I feel like Cyle probably a little bit more than Dom right now because Cyles at least been playing with two strikers all year whereas Doms been playing in a one-striker system. So, its a question of whether or not he can figure out the spaces he needs to take and the runs he needs to make.

Its clear that the understanding between the players and the movements they need to make in different situations, is still a work in progress. Against Montreal, much like against Atlanta United last week, Dwyer and Larin often made the same run, or didnt capitalize on opportunities to combine with one another.

I think that they both enjoy each other, Kreis said. I think theyre both hard-working players. I think theyre both similar in that they want to get themselves in front of the goal often. But its still a little bit of a question in my mind about the balance of that. So we continue to judge that and make decisions as we go forward.

Larin did score in the game(watch below), giving Orlando a short-lived lead in the first half, but it was mostly a solo effort in which he capitalized onan individual error from Montreal midfielder Marco Donadel.

Later, midway through the second half, Larin nearly scored a second goal, which could have proved to be the potential game-winner.It was one of Orlandos few other scoring opportunities, and a rare occasion where Dwyer was involved in the development of a noteworthy attacking sequence.

Inside his own half, Larin fed Dwyer, who was in a pocket of space in front of the Impact backline. Larin continued to make an aggressive run in behind and Dwyer, showing some of his quality attacking instincts that made hisrecent trade to Orlando such a big deal, immediately placed a ball into his path. But Larin, with the ball on his left foot and aiming for the top corner, missed the net.

Compared with their first game together away to Atlanta last weekend, a match which ended in a 1-1 draw, there arguably wasnt any noticeable improvement in the Larin-Dwyer partnership. And with Orlando below the playoff linein the East, theres definitely pressure on them to figure things out quickly.

However, Dwyer says he doesnt have the same concerns as Kreis about whether or not the duo can coexist.

I would disagree with that, Dwyer said. I wouldnt say were too similar. Obviously, were still learning. Its been a week, so maybe its too soon to call, but hes the coach. Thats his call.

While the strike pair may not be completely in sync yet, Orlandos attacking issues do not restsolely withthe forwards.

Their 4-3-1-2 formation has its strengths, but it also presents challenges: It doesnt readily offer any wide players in either the attack or midfield, and in order for it to be truly effective, it requires a great deal of movement and fluidity. The fullbacks are required to push forward and the wider center midsneed to be adept at making penetrating runs, while the attacking midfielder (in this case Kaka) is depended upon to makewide supporting runs in a flash.

None of this seems to be happeningoften enough for Orlando, resulting in attacks that quickly become very narrow and predictable. Balls are played directly to eitherLarin or Dwyer, but they rarely have enough available players to pass to, and as good as they are on the ball, they only have so much time to hold it up and wait for other players to finally get themselves into helpful, supporting positions.

In their current setup, the Lions are clearly struggling. Tactical and personnel changes may not be far behind.

Im making decisions game by game now and its about to get more crowded everywhere on the field, Kreis said. Weve got some guys in the locker room that have been left out that arent happy and its going to continue to be that way the rest of the season.

"We need to find a team thats going to win for us. Once we do, that team will stay, but otherwise were going to be looking to make changes and make difficult decisions every week.

Here is the original post:
Sabetti: Orlando strikers Cyle Larin, Dom Dwyer still seeking out ... - MLSsoccer.com

De Soto cross country continues to build chemistry as season quickly approaches – The Dispatch

Posted on by

In Katie Wilber's first year as De Soto's head cross country coach, one of her primary goals was to build the chemistry of the young Wildcats team.

Wilber enjoyed watching the Wildcats drop time throughout last season while continuing to become closer on and off the course. While the Wildcats are eager to kick off their season, they already have a much stronger bond than at this time last year.

Along with logging a multitude of miles this summer, the Wildcats took their first ever team trip to Onekama, Mich.

"We did have a couple of twisted ankles, but overall it was a real good eye-opening experience for the kiddos. The had different terrains to run on and whatnot that they had never seen with being on very flat land here in Kansas," Wilber said. "It was a good team-building time for the kids to just spend some quality time together. We have a very good group of kiddos."

Between the runners on De Soto's boys and girls regional teams last year, the Wildcats only had one senior in Taylor Ramseyer. The Wildcats will have a balance of veterans and underclassmen on both teams this fall.

On the girls side, senior Gabby Collins returns as the Wildcats' lone state qualifier. Wilber is also excited to see the profession of juniors Alyssa Perry and Rylie McDaniel and sophomores Lamyah Ricks, Lane Heilman, Erin Pickert and Justine Wheeler.

"I've seen a lot of people who are now sophomores and juniors really stepping up to the plate and taking leaderships roles even if they've only done it for a year," Wilber said. "They take those freshmen under their wing just as if they were seniors and kind of leading the team. It's really fun to see a young squad because it's a chance for them to work together for a couple of years, not just one year."

The De Soto boys team also has an individual state qualifier returning in junior Sam Hubert. Seniors Andre VanMeerhaeghe and Kason Jackson, juniors Graham Hudelson and Aydan VanMeerhaeghe and sophomore Chase Culver are also expected to contribute after competing on last year's regional team. Wilber has also been encouraged by how the incoming freshmen have blended right in during summer conditioning.

"We've had a good amount of to-be freshmen coming up from middle school that we're really excited about. Some of the boys are keeping up with our varsity guys," Wilber said. "Everyone has been really good about showing up. They go to weights four times a week, so they've been really putting in the time."

With some talented freshmen challenging the returners for some varsity spots, Wilber has been impressed with how all of the runners have set that aside and pushed each other to become the best that they can be.

"Just complete encouragement rather than, 'I want to beat you.' It's very much, 'Hey, keep going," Wilber said. "You can do this,' and just leading by example and walking them through why it is that we're always doing some of these things. Just even telling them what little traditions that we have that are just goofy team traditions like running certain places or what we call them (the routes) and things like that that have just included them as if they've been friends for a long time."

Read the original post:
De Soto cross country continues to build chemistry as season quickly approaches - The Dispatch

Two Ascension schools back on campus one year after flood – WBRZ

Posted on by

ST. AMANT - Teachers and students in Ascension Parish got a head start on the school year Monday night.

Even though school doesn't start for a few more days, they got the chance to check out the restored buildings at St. Amant Primary and Middle schools.

The school celebrated the much-anticipated reunion almost a year after the flood forced them out of their classrooms.

While touring the new school, Kevin Mitchell, a third grade parent, was impressed with the progress made over the past year.

"It's good to have it back, it's good to have her back at her home campus for school back with all her friends and everybody else," Mitchell said.

The Ascension Parish School Board officially presented the newly renovated primary and middle school at a ribbon cutting Monday night. Parents and students reflected on the past school year and watched viewed a documentary about the flood.

The principals of both schools shared the obstacles they've had to overcome during the past 12 months.

"Last August our school community and communities abroad stopped at nothing to make sure our students could continue their learning in spite of our circumstances," St. Amant Primary school Principal Paisley Morgan said.

"It was difficult, it was a very difficult year for us, but we're moving forward," St. Amant Middle school Principal Christy Bourgeois said.

St. Amant Middle school cheerleaders like Abigail Clifton say they're excited to be back on their campus for things like practice.

"It's better to have our cafeteria and our gym back because we were struggling with practice and stuff like that," Clifton said.

Original post:

Two Ascension schools back on campus one year after flood - WBRZ

Ascension Parish population expected to grow – www.brproud.com

Posted on by

ASCENSION PARISH, La (LOCAL 33) (FOX 44) - Ascension Parish is one of the fastest growing parishes in Louisiana. In fact, families have been sending their children to Ascension Parish public school since the 1980s, continuing the population growth.

The population has increased even more due to Hurricane Katrina.

Monday, Baton Rouge General officials said they are expecting a 40 percent population increase. CEO and President Edgardo Tenrerio said 22,000 Ascension Parish residents traveled to Baton Rouge for emergency care in 2016. With these numbers, they plan to build a new hospital in Prairieville.

What a better gift to this community than to bring that trusted brand here to Ascension Parish,"Tenrerio said.

The 60,000 square foot hospital includes a 10-bed inpatient hospital, a lab, a 14-bed emergency room, as well as physician practices and office space.

Fire Chief Mark Stewart said Ascension Parish will have a fifth fire station August 8.

"This is an area kind of isolated, Stewart said. We had the need to put one out here so this will better serve the people in this area."

There will be a ribbon cutting to open the newest fire station in Ascension Parish August 8 at 10:30 a.m.

More:

Ascension Parish population expected to grow - http://www.brproud.com