Ten Startups Selected for DreamIt Health , Philadelphia’s First Health Care Accelerator

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PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwired - April 03, 2013) - Independence Blue Cross (IBC), Penn Medicine and DreamIt Ventures today announced the 10 health care startup companies selected to participate in DreamIt Health, the first-ever Philadelphia-based health care accelerator. The 2013 DreamIt Health inaugural class will enter a four-month boot camp, beginning this Monday, April 8, to help rapidly advance the development of their innovative health care solutions and business models.DreamIt Health will be hosting a Kickoff Weekend Reception for the Philadelphia entrepreneurial community at Venturef0rth on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 6 p.m. to welcome the 10 companies and celebrate the program launch.

Sponsored by IBC and Penn Medicine, DreamIt Healthlaunched in December 2012 with a nationwide search for unique health care startups who apply technology to the challenges of keeping people healthy and providing more effective and affordable interventions at the point of care.

IBC, Penn Medicine, and DreamIt Ventures selected the 10 participating companies based on the strength of their founders and their entrepreneurial passion, and the level of innovation in their products or services. Each startup will receive a stipend of up to $50,000. During the four-month boot camp, they will receive in-depth mentoring and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs and health care executives, and access to information and guidance from IBC, Penn Medicine, and others to help develop their products. Additionally, the companies will be provided workspace at Venturef0rth in Philadelphia and have an opportunity to test their business models with potential customers.

"At IBC, we believe that innovation is the key to bringing fresh ideas into health care, and are working to transform the Philadelphia region into a national magnet for health care innovation, investment, and employment. We must continue pushing the envelope and providing opportunities for the brightest minds to create solutions for unmet health care needs," said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of IBC.

"Both IBC and DreamIt Ventures share our passion for health care innovation, which is why it was such a great match for us to work together to launch Philadelphia's first health care accelerator," noted Ralph Muller, CEO of University of Pennsylvania Health System. "Through this program, these 10 entrepreneurs have access to unique resources to develop and execute innovative business models that will advance and benefit the health care industry as a whole. I am excited to see what the future holds for these companies."

The 10 selected companies are:

"DreamIt Health has found the working relationship with Penn Medicine and IBC to be highly collaborative and engaging.We are looking forward to working with the selected teams and know that the DreamIt framework and collaborative partners will be effective in developing these selected companies," said Karen Griffith Gryga, Managing Partner of DreamIt Ventures.

Supporting sponsors of DreamIt Health include Towers Watson, a leading global professional services company, as well as law firms, Morgan Lewis and Pepper Hamilton. More information about the Towers Watson partnership can be found here.

About Independence Blue Cross

Proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2013, Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than seven million people nationwide. We are enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit http://www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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Ten Startups Selected for DreamIt Health , Philadelphia's First Health Care Accelerator

Take Care Clinics Expand Scope of Health Care Services to Include Chronic Condition Management and Additional …

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DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Access to health care services is an ongoing challenge to the U.S. health care system. With a physician shortage, aging population, a growing prevalence of chronic diseases and up to 30 million people projected to gain insurance coverage in 2014 through the Affordable Care Act, the issue will become even more critical and may further impact both patients and the health care system at large.

To help meet the need for greater access to affordable health services and bridge gaps in patient care, while also improving care coordination, Walgreens (WAG) (WAG) today announced its Take Care Clinics are expanding the scope of health care services offered. The new services, now available at the more than 330 Take Care Clinics located at select Walgreens (excludes clinics in Missouri), include assessment, treatment and management for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and others, as well as additional preventive health services.

With this service expansion, Take Care Clinics now provide the most comprehensive service offering within the retail clinic industry, and can play an even more valuable role in helping patients get, stay and live well, said Dr. Jeffrey Kang, senior vice president of health and wellness services and solutions, Walgreens. Through greater access to services and a broader focus on disease prevention and chronic condition management, our clinics can connect and work with physicians and other providers to better help support the increasing demands on our health care system today.

Service Expansion

Under the new service expansion,in addition to chronic condition management, Take Care Clinic providers can evaluate, recommend and order preventive health services, such as screenings or lab tests, based on a patients age, gender and family history.

Retail clinics have continued to gain greater consumer acceptance, popularity and recognition for delivering quality care. A recent Rand Corporation study showed the use of walk-in retail clinics is on the rise increasing 10-fold over the past two years.1 Studies have also found that retail clinics provide care for routine illnesses at a lower cost and similar quality as physician offices, urgent care centers or emergency rooms.2

Retail clinic industry estimates show that more than one in three patients do not have a regular physician.3 Walgreens and Take Care Health strongly encourage all patients to have a designated primary care physician and medical home for ongoing medical needs and routine exams, and under this new service expansion will continue to work collaboratively with providers to support and complement a patients physician care plan.

The existing gaps in patient care and demands on an already overburdened health care system are all projected to worsen with an influx of new patients under health care reform, said Heather Helle, divisional vice president, consumer solutions group, Walgreens. Walgreens is stepping up to be part of the solution. As innovative care delivery models emerge, we are uniquely positioned to play an integral role in addressing the needs of patients, payers, and providers and to help shape the future of health care delivery in the U.S.

Take Care Clinics are open seven days a week, with extended evening and weekend hours, and offer walk-in availability as well as same-day online appointment scheduling. Take Care Clinics accept most major insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable, transparent pricing for those without insurance coverage. Take Cares board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants deliver patient-centric care, driving patient satisfaction rates that are consistently greater than 90 percent. Take Care providers use nationally accepted, evidence-based clinical guidelines to ensure quality care delivery.

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Take Care Clinics Expand Scope of Health Care Services to Include Chronic Condition Management and Additional ...

New gene therapy births ‘designer baby’ fears

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London, UK - Fertility regulators in the UK have paved the way for the introduction of a radical form of gene therapy in which babies are created using cellular material from three people.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) advised the government recently that there is no evidence "mitochondrial replacement" - an advanced form of in-vitro fertilisation - is unsafe, and ministers will now decide whether to proceed with the technique.

Critics say the move is the first step on a slippery slope towards the creation of "designer babies" built to order that heralds a new era of "consumer eugenics" - with potentially disastrous implications for humankind.

"There has been a consensus for some time in about 50 or 60 countries that we should not manipulate the human 'germline' - that is, the cells that give rise to a new individual," saidDr David King, director of the group Human Genetics Alert.

"This is the first time that there has been official approval for crossing that line and, once you cross the Rubicon, it becomes difficult not to move to the next stage - full-fledged enhancement, genetic engineering."

Mitochondria are cigar-shaped components of body cells that provide them with energy. If they are defective, it can starve the body of energy, leading to muscle weakness, blindness, deafness, epilepsy, heart failure, early dementia and even death.

Some form of mitochondrial disease affects about one in 200 children born each year - or a few dozen babies in Britain.

The proposed therapy targets women who harbour harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations, but who want to have their own genetic offspring instead of relying on a donated egg.

The treatment would take a donated egg cell then remove its nucleus and chromosomes containing the genetic information, but retain its healthy mitochondria. The nucleus from the egg of an affected mother would be inserted into it - either before or after fertilisation - and the fertilised egg would then be implanted in the mother's womb.

A baby born as a result should be free of the mother's mitochondrial defects - and that child's own eventual offspring should also be free of these, changing the genetic line for ever.

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New gene therapy births 'designer baby' fears

Louis Taylor savors freedom after 40 years in prison

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(CBS News) A "60 Minutes" investigation raised questions about the evidence that sent Louis Taylor to prison at age 16 for allegedly setting a Tucson hotel fire that killed 29 people. After four decades behind bars, Taylor was released Tuesday night in a deal that required him to plead no contest to the charges to avoid a retrial. One of the first things he did next was talk to CBS News.

Man convicted in Pioneer Hotel fire deaths, Louis Taylor, now a free man after 40 years Freed prisoner Louis Taylor on Pioneer Hotel plea: "I had no choice" "60 Minutes": Arizona's Pioneer Hotel fire re-examined

"It's precious," said Louis Taylor. "Freedom is precious."

Watch Louis Taylor speak to reporters following his plea deal:

Taylor is savoring his first 24 hours of freedom. We sat down for a face-to-face interview with Taylor and his attorney Ed Novak. His freedom is new, his emotions are raw.

"I did 41 years of my life for something I didn't do," he said. "It was shameful, shameful what they did to me."

Of the life he missed while he was in prison, Taylor said: "Yeah, I don't even know how to drive a car. It ain't supposed to happen in America. We're supposed to have the best justice system in the world. How did I fall in the cracks for 42 years?"

He's free, he said, because the Arizona Justice Project and "60 Minutes" uncovered evidence of a shoddy investigation, suppression of evidence and racial bias.

"The world knows I'm innocent," Taylor said. "They should know I'm innocent. I am innocent."

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Louis Taylor savors freedom after 40 years in prison

Incapital to Sponsor the Freedom Climb

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BOCA RATON, Fla.and CHICAGO, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Incapital, a leading underwriter and distributor of fixed income and other financial products, today announced that it will be an official sponsor of the Freedom Climb for the second consecutive year.

A project of the faith-based organization Operation Mobilization, the Freedom Climb gives women around the world the opportunity to be an advocate and voice for women and children who are trafficked, enslaved, oppressed and exploited, according to the organization.

"We are inspired by and supportive of the group of women who will be making the climb this year as well as the Freedom Climb's mission," said John Radtke, CEO of Incapital. "Incapital is honored to collaborate with the organization in an effort to build awareness of their important causes on both a local and global level."

For this year's Freedom Climb, a total of 44 women will climb to Everest Base Camp and then summit Kalaphatar, their efforts symbolizing the 'climb' that women and children around the world are making to gain freedom. According to the organization, last year 48 women hailing from seven different countries met in Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

"Incapital has been a generous and continuous supporter in the fight against modern-day slavery and human trafficking," said Lori Degler, southeast regional director of partner relations for Operation Mobilization USA, the founding organization for the Freedom Climb. "Incapital's tangible involvement in this fight has helped free literally hundreds and perhaps thousands of women and children from these atrocities through The Freedom Climb. Incapital's caring investment has given dignity and hope to women and children today, and a brighter tomorrow for generations to come."

The 2013 Freedom Climb will span April 9 through April 25th. For more information about the Freedom Climb, visit http://www.thefreedomclimb.net.

About Incapital

Incapital was founded in 1999 with the mission of providing securities firms and individual investors more efficient access to corporate bonds. While Incapital's expertise in underwriting and distributing investment-grade corporate bonds remains a core competency, the firm now originates and distributes offerings across multiple asset classes. In addition to its broker-dealer and bank partners, Incapital now serves institutional investors and wealth managers. With approximately 150 employees in multiple offices in North America, the firm represents over 300 issuing entities and serves 800+ distribution partners.Incapital continues to provide market leadership with a growing range of product offerings, strong strategic partnerships and innovative technology.

More information about Incapital is available atincapital.com

Incapital, 200 South Wacker Dr. Suite 3700 Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: 312.379.3700. 1800 North Military Trail Suite 400 Boca Raton, FL 33431 Phone: 561.361.1100

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Incapital to Sponsor the Freedom Climb

Fuel Freedom Foundation to Host Webinar Featuring Co-Directors of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security …

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IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 4, 2013) - Fuel Freedom Foundation:

WHAT:Book Club & Webinar Series: Fueling the Future

Fuel Freedom Foundation hosts a series of webinars that give audiences the opportunity to engage in lively conversations about America's oil addiction with like-minded individuals, leading industry experts and policy-makers.

WHO:Energy experts and co-directors of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) will discuss their book, Petropoly: The Collapse of America's Energy Security Paradigm via an online webinar.

WHEN:Monday, April 8, 2013 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

WHERE:Online Webinar, USA fuelfreedom.webex.com

RSVP:Please RSVP to:

bookclub@fuelfreedom.org

BACKGROUND: Fuel Freedom Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking America's oil addiction by opening the fuel market to allow replacement fuels like ethanol, methanol, natural gas and electric vehicles to fairly compete with gasoline at the pump.

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Fuel Freedom Foundation to Host Webinar Featuring Co-Directors of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security ...

Commercial Banker James J. Curry Joins Freedom Bank

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FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Bank of Virginia (Bank) (Bulletin Board:FDVA.OB) announced the addition of James J. Curry as Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking Division. Mr. Curry will be based in the Fairfax office and assist in providing quality service to our existing clientele while fostering new relationships throughout the region. We are very pleased to bring Jim on board, stated Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer Kevin Curtis. He brings a wealth of knowledge and will be a great asset to our team. Mr. Curry joins Freedom Bank from Key Bank in Denver, Colorado, where he was Vice President and Senior Business Banker. Prior to his time with Key Bank, Mr. Curry spent six years with WashingtonFirst Bank as a Senior Vice President and Commercial Lender in the Banks Reston and Great Falls offices.

About Freedom Bank

Freedom Bank is a local community bank providing a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking services for consumers and businesses. The Bank operates from its headquarters office at 10555 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. For more information visit http://www.freedombankva.com.

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Commercial Banker James J. Curry Joins Freedom Bank

Waste water polluting beaches – NSW oppn

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Waste water has bypassed treatment plants and flowed into Sydney beaches eight times in as many weeks, the NSW opposition says, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent upgrades.

Swimmers at pollution hotspots north and south of Sydney have been urged to keep out of the water after recent heavy rainfall.

Opposition water spokesman Walt Secord says hundreds of thousands of litres of untreated water, including sewage overflows, have been allowed to flow into Sydney and Illawarra beaches.

'I acknowledge that we had rains, but these plants were supposed to have been upgraded to respond to such incidents,' he said.

The opposition says eight treatment plants were placed on bypass between February and April, meaning waste water went straight into waterways.

'These waste water treatment plants are coastal ones rather than deep ocean outfalls,' Mr Secord said.

But Sydney Water general manager of service delivery Eric de Rooy says claims that raw sewage was released into beaches are completely untrue.

'These waste water flows received screening, primary treatment and disinfection before being released,' he said in a statement.

'The waste water treatment plant is working as it is designed to do, and operating within the regulations set by the EPA.'

Sydney Water said on Thursday that a partial bypass had been put in place at Warriewood and Cronulla waste water treatment plants following heavy downpours across the city on Wednesday night.

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Waste water polluting beaches - NSW oppn

Astronomy Apps, Ranked By Mobilewalla

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Apps for Star Gazing, ranked by Mobilewalla

April is Global Astronomy Month. The following apps offer fun and educational ways to learn more about the stars.

Astronomy Apps-Apple

Star Walk - 5 Stars Astronomy Guide ($2.99) - Point the Star Walk app toward the sky, and it will identify the stars, planets and constellations in your line of sight. (Mobilewalla Score: 97/100)

Redshift - Astronomy ($11.99) - An extraordinary 3-D encyclopedia of the vast majority of explored space objects, including 500 galaxies. (Score: 88/100)

Solar Telescope HD ($1.99) - Provides a safe means to observe the sun's changes in real time. (Score: 77/100)

Astronomy 101 By WAGmob ($1.99)* - A learning tool designed to help students of astronomy learn the basics and test their knowledge. (Score: 69/100)

Astronomy Challenge (Free) - Test your knowledge of astronomy with this fun quiz. (Score: 66/100)

Astronomy Apps-Android

Sky Map (Free) - Identify objects in the sky instantly with Sky Map. Simply point your device at the sky, and it will give information about what's above you. (Mobilewalla Score: 98/100)

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Astronomy Apps, Ranked By Mobilewalla

A New Service Based on Artificial Intelligence Will Change the Way You Learn Languages

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Lingualia presents Lingu, a virtual language teacher with the power to learn from each and every student and adapt the course to perfectly fit their needs. This state-of-the-art learning system achieves a noticeable increase in motivation, and much faster progress with very little effort.

Valencia, Spain (PRWEB) April 04, 2013

Lingu learns from the user; he studies their behaviour, their progress, the time they have available to learn, and their motivation, and applies that information to the design of completely unique learning experiences.

Sergio Blanco, CEO of Lingualia, points out, At Lingualia, the student isnt forced to adapt to the course; the course adapts to the student. This way, students motivation increases and they achieve a much faster progress with a lot less effort.

Student-focused Learning

The motivation and requirements of every language learner vary dramatically, as does the rate of progression and understanding.

Thats why Lingualia has developed Lingu, a virtual teacher, programmed with artificial intelligence, tailored to each student, with the ability to analyse all aspects of their learning capacities to create a personalised course for each user.

The student learns from their mistakes thanks to the explanations that Lingu provides. This method eliminates the need to follow a strict course which is always the same from student to student and not at all tailored to each persons requirements.

Lingus algorithm, based on artificial intelligence, learns from each student and has the capacity to take decisions in order to personalise the learning process.

How Does Lingu Work?

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A New Service Based on Artificial Intelligence Will Change the Way You Learn Languages

Aerospace Industries are Closer to Standardizing Materials Reporting

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The International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG) is moving forward with the first voluntary, global declarable-substance list for the aerospace industry.

WARRENDALE, Pa. (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Around the world, regulation is increasing on the use of certain materials in aerospace products, said Christer Hellstrand, IAEG chairman and Boeing director of Environment, Health and Safety. Working at a global, industry-wide level, weve identified the various materials and substances that are relevant for reporting throughout the supply chain and weve created a voluntary standardized approach for this purpose.

These standards are significant because they will enable the supply chain to share information about the chemicals and materials used to manufacture parts for aerospace products. Many suppliers support several companies. Sharing this knowledge can enhance efficiency, thereby lowering costs, and ultimately improve health and the environment.

Other concerns the group is working on include:

This years IAEG conference opened with more than double the number of companies since the group was formally established in June 2011. IAEG now represents more than 50 percent of the total worlds aerospace market.

During the three-day meeting, two new board members were elected: Sally Gestautas of Raytheon and Sandrine Bouttier Stref of Thales. The founding members are: Airbus and EADS, Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, GE Aviation, Northrop Grumman, Rolls-Royce, SAFRAN, United Technologies Corp., and Zodiac Aerospace.

IAEG is a non-profit forum for aerospace companies and their suppliers to develop consensus standards for emerging health and environmental issues. IAEG membership is open to all aerospace companies who are interested in helping continue the development of industry-wide, voluntary consensus standards. For more information visit http://www.iaeg.com or contact Christer Hellstrand at christer.hellstrand(at)boeing(dot)com or Bruno Costes at bruno.costes(at)airbus(dot)com.

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Shawn Andreassi SAE International 724-772-8522 Email Information

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Aerospace Industries are Closer to Standardizing Materials Reporting