FDA approves third gene therapy for large B-cell lymphoma – European Pharmaceutical Review

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Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) was approved on the 54 percent complete remission rate achieved in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma trials.

Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-based gene therapy to treat adult patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have not responded to, or relapsed, after at least two other types of systemic treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the agency, Breyanzi is the third gene therapy approved in the US for certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Breyanzi is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Todays approval represents another milestone in the rapidly progressing field of gene therapy by providing an additional treatment option for adults with certain types of cancer affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, commented Dr Peter Marks, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Gene and cell therapies have evolved from promising concepts to practical cancer treatment regimens.

DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults. Approximately 77,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are diagnosed in the US each year, with DLBCL accounting for around a third of newly diagnosed cases.

Breyanzi is customised for each patient; their T cells, a type of white blood cell, are collected and genetically modified to include a new gene that facilitates targeting and killing of the lymphoma cells. Once the cells are modified, they are infused back into the patient.

The safety and efficacy of the treatment were established in a multi-centre clinical trial of more than 250 adults with refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphoma. The complete remission rate after treatment with Breyanzi was 54 percent.

The treatment can cause severe side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which is a systemic response to the activation and proliferation of CAR T cells, causing high fever and flu-like symptoms and neurologic toxicities. Both CRS and neurological events can be life-threatening, so the therapy is being approved with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) which includes elements to assure safe use (ETASU).

The requirements include, among other things, that healthcare facilities that dispense Breyanzi be specially certified, with staff involved in the prescribing, dispensing or administering of the treatment being trained to recognise and manage the risks of CRS and neurologic toxicities.

Other side effects include hypersensitivity reactions, serious infections, low blood cell counts and a weakened immune system. According to the FDA, side effects generally appear within the first one to two weeks following treatment, but some side effects may occur later.

To further evaluate the long-term safety, the FDA is also requiring the manufacturer to conduct a post-marketing observational study involving patients treated with Breyanzi.

The approval was granted to Juno Therapeutics Inc., a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

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Darwin’s theory of evolution got us thinking about our understanding of God, says Bharat Jhunjhunwala – Free Press Journal

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The English naturalist Charles Darwin was born on this day in 1809. He studied the evolution of turtles in the Galapagos Islands of South America. He came up with the theory that the present man had evolved from apes. At that time, the western world believed that god had made man in his likeness, just as a sculptor sculpts a statue with hammer and chisel. Thus, the Bible says, God created humankind in his own image male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

Instead, Darwin suggested that there was no intervention by an external entity in the process. Humankind evolved by the process of natural selection. There is a variation in all living species. Some monkeys are supple, others are strong. Those among them that adjusted to the existing environment proliferated, while those that failed to adapt, died. His theory challenged the Biblical concept of God creating mankind.

Darwinism vs the Bible

The opposition to Darwins theory of evolution can be gauged from a discussion held in 1860 between Bishop Samuel Wilberforce and the naturalist Thomas Henry Huxley, a Darwinist, at the University of Oxford. Wilberforce asked Huxley whether he claimed descent from an ape on his grandmothers or grandfathers side? Huxley responded that he would rather be descended from an ape than a man who used his talents to bring ridicule into a serious scientific discussion. The question posed by the Bishop shows that Darwins theory was pitted against the narrative of the Bible.

The issue is equally important for the Hindu religions, although it was apparently not debated at that timeor now. The Vayu Purana says that Brahma created four sets of 1,000 pairs of men and women (8:37-40), just as the Bible says God created humankind. Next, the Bible says, And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). In parallel, the Vayu Purana tells of Brahmas five efforts at creation: of demons, gods, man, ancestors, and birds and animals from darkness (9:6).

Hindu parallels

Next, the Bible tells of the creation of Eve from Adams rib. (Genesis 2:21-22). In parallel, the Purana says that Swayambhu and his wife Shatarupa were created by splitting of the body of Brahma (10:7-8). Next, the Bible say that after being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Adam started to till the ground (Genesis 3:23). In parallel, the Vayu Purana says that the trees began to die at one time. People meditated on the matter. Then trees began to grow again in their homes (8:83-90). Therefore, Darwins refuting the Biblical creation of man by God equally refutes the Hindu creation of man by Brahma.

However, this writer would like to believe that Darwin did not actually refute the Bible or the Vayu Purana. The issue hinges on how we understand God or Brahma. Scientists tell us that at one time, the entire universe was contained in a black hole. Then there was a big bang and elements like hydrogen, oxygen, earth, plants, animals and man were created sequentially.

The question arises, where was God or Brahma when the entire universe was contained in the black hole? If we consider that God was in the black hole at that time, then it would follow that God and the universe were the same entity and that God-Universe itself exploded or divided and the world as we know it, came into existence.

'Monist' & 'Monotheist'

In this formula, God is the name of the consciousness of the Universe as contained in the black hole. God is universal consciousness. This possibility matches with the statement in the Upanishads that Brahman thought, I am one, let me be many. This description of God is known as Monist philosophy.

If, on the other hand, God was outside the black hole and he caused the explosion in the black hole, then the question arises: where was God when there was nothing in the universe except the black hole? This description of God is known as Monotheist philosophy.

Be that as it may, if we accept the Monist approach, then the ideas of Darwin, the Bible and the Hindu ideas of the creation of man become consistent with each other. In that case, we may understand that the inner consciousness of the ape caused the ape to evolve and it became man.

Male & female consciousness

In continuation of the above, when the Bible says that God created Eve from Adams rib (Genesis 2:21-22), or the Vayu Purana says that Brahma divided his body of darkness into Swayambhu Manu and his wife Shatarupa; we may understand this as the evolution of the human consciousness into male and female consciousnesses.

Mankind had already been created, according to the Bible and the Vayu Purana. Biblical scholars, such as Nahum M Sarna, author of the JPS Biblical Commentary and David Wenham, author of the Word Biblical Commentary, say that the creation of Eve from Adams rib actually describes the beginning of the institution of marriage. The same idea is encapsulated in the Vayu Purana saying that Shatarupa accepted Swayambhu Manu as her husband.

Darwin represents a fundamental break in the understanding of God. He has caused us to think whether God was an external entity that created man, so to say, with a hammer and a chisel; or whether God was an all-pervasive internal entity that evolved. The road opened by Darwin still needs to be walked on. One key difference in the Abrahamic- and Hindu religions is that the Abrahamic religions think of God as an external entity, while Hindu religions think of Brahman as an internal and all-pervasive entity. The time is at hand to resolve this debate, thanks to Darwin.

The writer is former Professor of Economics, IIM Bengaluru.

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Darwin's theory of evolution got us thinking about our understanding of God, says Bharat Jhunjhunwala - Free Press Journal

Jonathan Wells: Scientific Revolutions and Counter-Revolutions – Discovery Institute

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Image: Liberty Leading the People, by Eugne Delacroix, via Wikimedia Commons.

On a classicID the Futureepisode, Casey Luskin interviewsbiologist Jonathan Wellsabout evolution, intelligent design, scientific revolutions, and historian of science Thomas Kuhn. Kuhn argued from the history of science that reigning scientific paradigms do not give way gently and rationally before new and conflicting evidence; instead, the proponents of the old paradigm tend to dig in their heels and resist till the bitter end. Wells sees this dynamic at work with the reigning paradigm in origins biology, the modern theory of evolution, now challenged by the theory of intelligent design. Download the podcast or listen to it here.

Wells describes examples of how the current conversation among scientists about evolution and intelligent design matches many of the key characteristics of earlier paradigm shifts outlined in Kuhns seminal workThe Structure of Scientific Revolutions. As part of the conversation Luskin and Wells also highlight Wellss incisive and sometimes irreverentThe Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design.

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DigiPlus Conclave: Optimism and imagination are key approaches for dealing with technology – ETBrandEquity.com

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In conversation with Prasad Sangameshwaran, editor of ETBrandEquity.com, Tom Goodwin, founder of All We Have Is Now and the author of Digital Darwinism, touched upon various aspects of the interim period we are in today - between the pre and post digital world.

The dialogue began with the question if we have crossed even the first stage of digital darwinism yet. The author revealed that the theory behind the term was that there would be a post-digital age where we rethink the world around us in the new context with technology, admitting that we are not as close to it as we might think. While the pandemic has accelerated the change in consumer behaviour to become more technology-focused, we are only perhaps 10 per cent in.

(This is an executive summary of the session, and the longer version will be uploaded in the coming days)Read all insightful sessions here

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Past and prologue: Engaging with our history | Columnists | eastoregonian.com – East Oregonian

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The year 2020 proved to be a contentious year on many fronts political, social, medical but nothing surprised me more than the nationwide controversies over statues and monuments associated with dark moments in our past. We here in Pendleton recently sorted out a disagreement over streets named for figures in the Confederacy, so I thought it might be worth exploring some of the issues and questions these events bring to the surface.

You often hear people opposed to the removal of controversial monuments declare, You cant rewrite history. Actually, historians rewrite history all the time. In many cases, journalists are the first on the scene of a big event, and they write what they and others observed as it happened. In Stalins Soviet Union, for example, foreign correspondents witnessed a sad parade of cringing, broken defendants in the infamous 1930s show trials.

Based on the courtroom proceedings, correspondents could only concur with the verdict that the defendants were wreckers and enemies of the state that deserved execution. When it emerged later that these people were arrested and tortured solely for their alleged opposition to Stalins brutal regime, historians corrected the record.

Sometimes, an existing narrative is broadened to reflect the emergence of individuals once obscured. American women had few books written about them prior to their debut as the home-front workers who made the nation go in World War II.

The American woman soon will have her own dedicated Smithsonian museum, the ultimate historical accolade. Gay Americans became a popular topic of inquiry after the riots at New York Citys Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. Who are these men, people asked, and what are they protesting? These inclusions enlivened and enriched the study of U.S. history, which has too often proved to be a boring names and dates recitation of political milestones.

Reevaluation of established narratives also figures prominently in the rewriting of history.

I vividly recall my fourth grade visit to the Whitman Mission, where we heard how violent Indians brutally murdered well-meaning whites who were only trying to treat a measles epidemic. Thanks to individuals like Pendletons Bobbie Conner and other scholars of Indian history, visitors are now invited to consider the massacre as part of a clash of civilizations between colonizing whites and Indians pushing back.

How would you react, the exhibits ask, if strangers came bringing deadly diseases and planning to take your land and livelihood? Similarly, novelists like Margaret Mitchell painted a distorted picture of the Civil War-era south, where plantation owners were chivalrous and slaves either honorary family members or scheming, murderous criminals.

Gone with the Wind became the standard-bearing novel and film representing this view. But as a fuller picture of African Americans emerged during both world wars and the fledgling Civil Rights movement, historians began to examine the institution of slavery with fresh eyes. They uncovered a catalog of horrors that dramatized the moral darkness of slavery slave ships from Africa, harsh working conditions, brutal beatings and family separations. In cinematic terms, these discoveries suggest that 12 Years a Slave represents the African American experience under slavery with greater accuracy than Gone with the Wind.

These revisions have naturally inspired a reckoning with individuals who supported slavery, segregation and/or ethnic cleansing. Commemorations in public spaces proclaim that the honoree is someone to be admired. The question then becomes, do people who enslaved and/or abused fellow humans deserve to be honored? Confederates like General Robert E. Lee certainly fought for a cause, but that cause was a defense of slavery.

The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs decided long ago to name their institution for President Woodrow Wilson. In recent years, a close examination of his presidency reveals that he had actively worked to block the employment of African Americans in the federal government. Is a segregationist like Wilson someone we want future public servants to emulate?

That icon of conservation and progressivism, Theodore Roosevelt, believed strongly in Social Darwinism, which holds that whites are stronger than and intellectually superior to nonwhites, and therefore justified in the ethnic cleansing of Indian lands. Should he continue to be revered as an exemplary citizen? Thomas Jefferson allegedly fathered a child with a slave on his estate, and Abraham Lincoln assisted slave-owning clients as an Illinois lawyer. What is to be done with their public tributes?

I have often thought that Europe has too much history ancient rivalries, disputed territories, numerous wars while the United States has too little. As this is fundamentally a forward-looking country, it is gratifying to see people engaging with their history, even as disagreements sharpen.

Next month, I will offer some further thoughts on these commemoration conundrums and other issues pertinent to how we remember controversial events and individuals.

Brigit Farley is a Washington State University professor, student of history, adventurer and Irish heritage girl living in Pendleton.

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Darwin and Race: Three Strikes, He’s Out – Discovery Institute

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Photo: African pygmy Ota Benga was displayed at the Bronx Zoo in 1906, in support of Darwinian theory, via Wikimedia Commons.

February is Black History Month, and this week, Friday, February 12, is Darwin Day the birthday of Charles Darwin. It is, therefore, quite appropriate to probe and ask, What exactly did Charles Darwin evolutions leading light believe about race? Was he a racist? Most of Darwins apologists say emphatically, No! Adrian Desmond and James Moore, for example, suggest that opposition to slavery was indeed Darwins sacred cause, and that his conviction that all humankind was linked together through common descent led to that fervent belief. Adam Gopnik inAngels and Ages(2009) states emphatically, Racism, in any form that would have been familiar in his time or would be familiar in ours, had no place either in Darwins life or in Darwins logic. But is this true? A careful examination of the facts suggests that when it comes to Darwin and race its, Three strikes, youre out!

First, although Darwin may indeed have opposed slavery, he did not believe in racial equality. In theDescent of Man(1871) he cited the work of his generations leading ethnologists J. Barnard Davis and Paul Broca in linking cranial capacity with racial and ethnic hierarchies. Darwin was quite clear on the matter; science demonstrated that craniometrics allowed for the ranking of intellect accordingly:

The belief that there exists in man some close relationship between the size of the brain and the development of the intellectual faculties is supported by the comparison of skulls of savage and civilized races, of ancient and modern people, and by the analogy of the whole vertebrate series. Dr. J. Barnard Davis hasproved[emphasis added], by many careful measurements, that the mean internal capacity of the skull in Europeans is 92.3 cubic inches; in Americans 87.5; in Asians 87.1; and in Australians only 81.9 cubic inches.

Should there be any surprise, then, that Darwin would tell the Reverend Charles Kingsley in aletterdated February 6, 1862, It is very true what you say about the higher races of men, when high enough, replacing & clearing off the lower races. In 500 years how the Anglo-saxon race will have spread & exterminated whole nations; & in consequence how much the Human race, viewed as a unit, will have risen in rank. Or that he wouldwriteto William Graham on July 3, 1881, Remember what risks the nations of Europe ran, not so many centuries ago of being overwhelmed by the Turks, and how ridiculous such an idea now is. The more civilised so-called Caucasian races have beaten the Turkish hollow in the struggle for existence. Looking to the world at no very distant date, what an endless number of the lower races will have been eliminated by the higher civilised races throughout the world. For Darwin, humans could be placed into definite racial categories with an Anglo-centric eye. Did Darwin really believe in the equality of all humankind: no. Strike one.

Did common descent translate for Darwin into racial equality the so-called brotherhood of man? Quite the contrary. For him, common descent also meant struggle for existence and so survival of the fittest could easily translate into racial superiority, national expansion, extermination of inferior peoples, and a view of human progress that was unmistakably racialized. Even his apologists, Desmond and Moore, are forced to admit inDarwins Sacred Cause(2009), Darwin ended up calibrating human rank no differently than the rest of his generation. After shunning talk of high and low in his youthful evolution notebooks, he had ceased to be unique or interesting on the subject. For Darwin common descent meant the evolutionary ascent of superior ethnic and racial groups over inferior ones. Strike two.

Finally, there is Darwins contribution to eugenics, a horrific abuse in the name of science that sought to improve humanity by selective breeding of societys best and the forced sterilization of societys worst people. One of Darwins most persistent defenders, historian Peter Bowler, insists inDarwin Deleted(2013), that eugenics was spawned by middle class fears of a rising tide of the unfit in later 19th- and early 20th-century society. Furthermore, he argues, It was eugenics that encouraged scientists to focus on heredity and recognize the potential of artificial selection, and they could have done this without the inspiration of Darwinism. It is true that eugenics certainly had a class-based element to it, but it is also true that eugenics was also seen as a form of racial hygiene leading toward a better society. Bowlers claim that eugenics could have been pursued without Darwin is doubtful. After all, it was Darwins own fascination with the domestic breeding of pigeons and livestock that formed the first chapter of hisOrigin of Species(1859) and this domestic breeding analogy he took to be the essence of natural selections creative power. Jean Gayon has argued convincingly inDarwins Struggle for Survival(1998)that his domestic breeding analogy was not merely a pedagogical tool or heuristic device but essential to the theory itself. But despite what Bowler argues, the link between Darwin and eugenics was made by leading eugenicists themselves, as when Paul Popenoe and Roswell Hill Johnson write inApplied Eugenics(1918):

The science of eugenics is the natural result of the spread and acceptance of organic evolution, following the publication of Darwins workThe Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, in 1859. It took a generation for his ideas to win the day; but then they revolutionized the intellectual life of the civilized world. Man came to realize that the course of nature is regular; that the observed sequence of events can be described in formulas which are called natural laws; he learned that he could achieve great results in plant and animal breeding by working in harmony with these laws. Then the question logically arose, Is not man himself subject to those same laws? Can he not use his knowledge of them to improve his own species, as he has been more or less consciously improving the plants and animals that were of most value to him, for many centuries?

So it would appear that efforts to distance Darwin from the odious designs of eugenics are contradicted by the statements of eugenicists themselves. Whatever Bowler may think of the matter, it is clear that Darwins theory was uppermost in these social manipulators minds when they contemplated the wonders to which eugenic principles could be applied. Strike three.

By any measure, when racial equality is being discussed, Darwin is clearlyoutof the running.

Editors note: Darwinism and its legacy for racial thinking are examined in John Wests multiple award-winning documentary Human Zoos:

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Darwin and Race: Three Strikes, He's Out - Discovery Institute

Bitcoin Cash, Ripple Price Prediction: What Next for BCH and XRP? – InvestingCube

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The Bitcoin Cash and Ripple prices are flying high today as part of the massive cryptocurrency rally. The BCH and XRP prices have risen by more than 10% in the past 24 hours, bringing their total market cap to more than $14.3 billion and $21 billion, respectively.

News: The Ripple and Bitcoin Cash prices are not the only ones rallying. Indeed, the price of Bitcoin, Polkadot, and other digital currencies has rallied in the past 12 hours. That has brought the total market cap of digital currencies tracked by CoinMarketCap to more than $1.3 trillion. Bitcoin itself is now valued at more than $880 billion.

The BTC has jumped after Tesla announced that it was acquiring Bitcoin worth more than $1.5 billion. As such, investors believe that acceptance has come to the crypto market, which will also push other currencies higher.

The XRP price has been relatively resilient recently. In December, it dropped to a multi-year low of $0.1740 after the SEC launched a major investigation. Many exchanges suspended it.

It then rebounded in January as part of the Wall Street Bets euphoria and reached a high of $0.7556. As this euphoria waned, the Ripple price tumbled to $0.34, a 54% decline. Since then, it has been attempting to rebound and is now trading at $0.47.

Unfortunately, the current rebound of XRP will likely not last based on technical patterns. The daily chart shows that it has formed a bearish flag pattern that is shown in blue. Therefore, in the near term, the price will likely resume falling, as shown below.

On the four-hour chart, we see that the BCH price has been on an uptrend. It has formed an ascending channel that is shown in blue. And today, it managed to move above this channel. Also, the price is being supported by the 25-day and 15-day smoothed moving averages. Therefore, I suspect that the BCH will continue rebounding as bulls target the resistance at $550.

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The Impact of Bitcoin on Online Poker – TechRound

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Over the past couple of years, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have crept up from the shadowy basements of computer geeks and nerds and is slowly finding its way into mainstream acceptance. Nowadays, its hard to engage in online financial transactions without the likes of Bitcoin, Ripple, Ehtereum, and Lite coin coming up. And Online Poker is no exception. Many poker and sports gambling sites are now, in fact, accepting cryptocurrency payments as deposits. According to Beastsofpoker.com, over $2 million worth of Bitcoin is wagered each our at online poker sites and casinos.

But despite this, most people still have no clue about what goes on behind the working of cryptocurrencies. Questions are often asked on what they are exactly. What makes Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies special? And most importantly, what kind of impact does Bitcoin have on online poker?

To break it down, cryptocurrencies are digital currencies secured by cryptography that you can use to buy services and goods online. However, unlike other online transactions, these currencies use a more secure online ledger, thus limiting fraud and identity theft as much as possible. In fact, each transaction is recorded and globally recognized, which makes it almost impossible to hack or forge.

People also argue that because the decentralized computer networks built on blockchain are behind the transfers, governments cant seize or freeze your deposits. On top of that, unlike the traditional banks, most of these cryptocurrency exchanges dont charge transaction fees.

With all these benefits, you might be wondering why there isnt a surge of more cryptocurrencies out there. Well, on the contrary, there are presently as many as 1,000 virtual currencies operating all over the world. However, being the industry leader, Bitcoin is the most popular. In the last two years alone, its value has grown by over 1,000%. It is also the most readily accepted in online poker among various websites. In fact, the majority of millionaires are already investing in crypto.

The acceptance of Bitcoin to the online poker community can be traced back to the Black Friday in Poker, an event that occurred in 2011 when the United States Department of Justice indicted the three major figureheads in online poker in the country. Big sites were closed up, and soon after, major payment processors like Netteler started leaving the online gambling realm. Likewise, banks started rejecting deposits, making it impossible for players to place deposits and receive payments.

It was then that a group of poker professionals came up with the idea to look for an alternative a fluid financial tool that would allow direct connection between poker sites and players. Bitcoin was the most viable option. And so, the SealsWithClubs (SWC) poker site was formed an Us-friendly Online Poker room that cut out the middlemen like banks and accepted Bitcoin only.

Up until then, Bitcoin was still largely a foreign concept and was notoriously difficult to acquire. People would either mine it or perform cash for Bitcoin swaps. Despite its relatively small size, SWC still made its mark in the online poker playfield, even emerging top ten best US-friendly poker sites at the time.

Its existence alone showcased the possibilities of Bitcoin peer to peer transactions and set the avenue for other online gambling sites. Eventually, other online poker sites, including sportsbooks and online casinos, jumped into the mix, taking advantage ofBitcoins smooth mode of payments.

As weve seen, Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency in the game out there. Others like Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash are equally as legitimate and accepted in online gambling sites. However, Bitcoin still has a significant lead over the others in terms of popularity.

So why do online poker sites and casinos love Bitcoin so much? Well, other than the decentralization and security factor, there are a few other reasons.

Perhaps the main reason why online gambling sites gravitate towards Bitcoin is that there are almost no restrictions made on transactions. You see, following the events of Black Friday, the government banned any gambling businesses from operating in states where online gambling was illegal. As a result, banks complied with this law, rejecting several transactions relating to offshore gambling. However, while the government might influence banks and other financial institutions, they cannot exert the same on Bitcoin. Overall, with Bitcoin, customers get to make their deposits and withdrawals without interference.

The other good thing about Bitcoin is that it doesnt come with any charges on deposits and withdrawals like banks. This saves money for both the players and the poker site, which was originally responsible for the withdrawal charges. With Bitcoin, gamblers instead only pay a significantly smaller fee to the miners when making withdrawals or deposits.

Theres no denying now that cryptocurrencies are trending these days. They have sparked people worldwide, and now everybody wants to try this new currency in town. In a bid to attract these curious crowds, any newly developed online poker site or casino tries to capitalize on the trend, launching with a cryptocurrency provision.

From the look of things, Bitcoin is clearly not going anywhere. For as long as the unregulated markets are present, there will be a place for decentralized currency in the online poker gambling realm. However, it is still less popular in the states where online gambling is legalized. Theres simply no need for it since most people in these countries can gamble already freely through other financial instruments.

It is also noteworthy that it is important to take care when gambling with unlicensed sites in states that have legalized gambling. Although Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may create an avenue for it, such states have regulations to protect their legal poker market and are quite vigilant in taking action against illegal gambling activities.

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Ray Dalio on why Bitcoin is zooming and why it faces hurdles as an alternative asset – Moneycontrol

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Bitcoin is the talk of the global financial markets as the digital currency is seeing a huge trading frenzy. With Tesla acquiring $1.5 billion of the cryptocurrency, Bitcoins price has zoomed into the stratosphere. One Bitcoin is now worth about $45,500, higher by 57% in 2021; even more than 25 ounces of gold. Just before the pandemic struck in March last year, the digital currency was trading even below $5,000.

Now an important debate raging globally is what is in store for Bitcoin, and where lie the risks?For instance, is the demand for a digital currency as an alternative asset class here to stay? Are digital currencies substitutes for traditional asset classes like gold, and can one easily and quickly shift between assets? Or is this just a speculative bubble gripping global investors?

No doubt, the digital currency has come a long way, and it is being seen more than just an alternative investment fad. Ray Dalio, the billionaire hedge fund manager of Bridgewater Associates, puts it succinctly in a recent client note: It seems to me that Bitcoin has succeeded in crossing the line from being a highly speculative idea that could well not be around in short order to probably being around and having some value in the future.

Folks at Bridgewater Associates note that Bitcoin offers stable and limited issuance that cannot be devalued by central bank printing.

While about 90 percent of the Bitcoin supply is already mined, new issuance will slow even every few years. In fact, the currency will never be fully mined. Thats one feature that seems to be encouraging digital cryptocurrency collectors and speculators. While there is a limited supply of Bitcoins, digital currencies are mushrooming at a rapid pace. There are more than 4,000 cryptocurrencies, which means that there is unlimited supply of these currencies.

Bitcoins advantage is that it has a more widespread acceptance over other digital currencies. Bitcoin commands a lions share of more than 75 percent of the total cryptocurrency market-cap. Even with other cryptocurrencies such Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin which have features similarly to Bitcoin such as limited supply, the latter has been more in demand. In fact, many Bitcoin enthusiasts are seeing Bitcoin as a form of digital gold.

On the other hand, government bonds hardly offer high returns in this zero-to-low interest rate environment even as currencies across the globe are depreciating. Although, Bitcoins dont offer any yield as such much like gold, that has not been a disadvantage in this low rate environment.

Nevertheless, Bitcoins price movements have been sharp and volatile compared to assets like gold, real-estate or other safe-haven currencies, diminishing its appeal as an alternative asset class.

Other Disadvantages

There are some other evident drawbacks. Dalio notes that it is unclear whether Bitcoin can provide diversification when portfolios need it most, or act as an adequate hedge against inflation. Bitcoin is also a relative newcomer among assets, and so it does not have a history to determine whether the asset class can indeed protect and enhance returns on a portfolio.

Bitcoin has generally appreciated alongside rising inflation expectations, but its longer-term historical relationships with inflation and gold have been relatively weak, said the Bridgewater note.The vast majority of people and governments are not still using it as a reserve asset like gold in their balance sheets, which also include large global institutional fund allocators.

Bitcoins large trading frenzy and high turnover is due to the rise in high-frequency traders, and the rise of derivatives on them. High-profile buyers such as Tesla are further fuelling investor interest. Its also driving Bitcoins higher turnover with trading volumes increasing more than gold. But this is due to asset-churning and speculation over long-term risk-raking, points Bridgewater.

This could also be a classic bubble-like behaviour. Leverages on Bitcoins have increased phenomenally which has pushed prices higher, further heightening risks.

The digital asset also faces major regulatory risk. While institutional investors may increase allocation if it is regulated, governments could also stymie its growth if the alternative proves to be more successful, or emerge as a big threat to fiat currency. Authorities have already been hollering that Bitcoin is also a conduit for money laundering.

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Ray Dalio on why Bitcoin is zooming and why it faces hurdles as an alternative asset - Moneycontrol

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust: What It Is and How It Works – CoinDesk – Coindesk

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The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) is the worlds largest bitcoin fund and the first investment vehicle of its kind to report financials regularly to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

GBTC shares are part of a range of traditional financial products that track cryptocurrency prices offered by Grayscale Investments; the worlds biggest digital asset management firm and part of the Digital Currency Group (DCG) led by founder and CEO, Barry Silbert. DCG is also the parent company of Coindesk.

Originally launched in 2013 as the Bitcoin Investment Trust (BIT), the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust offers accredited investors the opportunity to gain exposure to the leading cryptocurrency by purchasing shares of an open-ended private trust that holds in excess of 649,130 BTC to date equating to almost 3.1% of bitcoins current circulating supply.

The fund tracks the price of bitcoin using the XBX index published by TradeBlock a company recently acquired by CoinDesk. During periods of high bitcoin market volatility, GBTC shares trade at a discount or premium depending on investor demand. For example, when bitcoin experiences a sharp increase in price, theres generally a higher demand for GBTC shares from institutional investors which in turn drives their price up.

On May 31, 2017, the shares traded at 137% premium as bitcoin began its ascent to $19,783 before sharply correcting. Since 2019, GBTC premiums have oscillated in a much narrower range between 6% and 38%.

The minimum buy-in is $50,000 and Grayscale charges a 2.0% annual account fee which is accrued daily, according to the official website. Each GBTC share, as of Feb. 5, 2021, entitles the holder to 0.00094825 BTC (approximately $40).

What are the benefits of purchasing GBTC shares over bitcoin?

Simply put, the main selling point is: bitcoin without the hassle and stress.

The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust allows investors to speculate on bitcoin without having to buy it directly. This eliminates the need to organize the safe storage and custody of the digital asset, and saves a number of associated costs. It also allows institutional investors to complete large buy orders with minimal slippage compared to centralized crypto exchanges which often lack sufficient liquidity. Slippage is when a trade is executed at a different price than expected, for example when placing a large buy order drives up an assets price.

Because GBTC shares are a form of traditional security, there is also much clearer tax guidance and the opportunity to hold shares in a number of tax-advantaged accounts, such as Roth IRAs or 401(k)s.

Who can invest in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust?

Only accredited investors can invest in Grayscale financial products.

An accredited investor, according to the United States Securities Act 1933 Rule 1 Regulation D definition, is someone who can show an annual income of at least $200,000 or a combined spousal income of $300,000 for the past 2 years with the expectation of receiving the same or more during the current year. In August 2020, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission expanded the definition to include people with defined measures of professional knowledge, experience or certifications in addition to the existing tests for income or net worth. This means that individuals who are able to demonstrate a level of sophistication can also qualify as accredited investors without needing to earn a six figure salary.

When the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust first went live almost 8 years ago, it was initially a private fund for a select number of investors. In 2015, however, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust received approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to sell GBTC shares publicly. These are available on OTCQX, an over-the-counter market for financial securities.

Who are the main investors in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust?

According to the latest company reports, the top 5 largest holders of GBTC shares are:

What other products does Grayscale Investment offer?

Grayscale provides investors with a range of similar trusts that track a variety of different cryptocurrencies, including;

Grayscale also allows accredited investors to gain exposure to a basket of cryptocurrencies through the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund. This allows investors to diversify across multiple crypto-assets and reduce risk. The fund contains bitcoin (BTC), bitcoin cash (BCH), litecoin (LTC), and ether (ETH). For a time, the basket of assets also contained XRP. However, following the SEC lawsuit against Ripple over the asset, it was decidedly removed. Shortly after, the single-asset Grayscale XRP Trust was liquidated.

Each share of the Digital Large Cap Fund entitles the holder to: 0.00047385 BTC, 0.00047433 BCH, 0.00166948 LTC and 0.00286382 ETH (respectively). On Dec. 21, 2020, Grayscale reduced the annual fee attached to this product from 3.0% to 2.5%.

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The Grayscale Bitcoin Trust: What It Is and How It Works - CoinDesk - Coindesk

Bitcoin Cash USD On Bullish Momentum: 9.14% Up In The Last 24 Hours – Via News Agency

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Bitcoin Cash USD is currently on bullish momentum. At 12:04 EST on Saturday, 6 February, Bitcoin Cash USD is at $474.20 and up by 9.14% in the last 24 hours.

Over the last six hours, Bitcoin Cash USDs higher value was $480.17 and the lower value was $474.20.

Over the last twelve hours, Bitcoin Cash USDs higher value was $488.40 and the lower value was $468.87.

In relation to Bitcoin Cash USDs daily highs and lows, its 9.761% up from its trailing 24-hour low of $432.03 and 2.907% down from its trailing 24-hour high of $488.40.

About Bitcoin Cash USDs yearly highs and lows, its 240.612% up from its 52-week low and 24.706% down from its 52-week high.

Bitcoin Cash USDs last day, last week, and last months average volatility was 6.09%, 4.04%, and 5.64%, respectively.

Bitcoin Cash USDs last day, last week, and last months high and low average amplitude percentage was 6.80%, 7.42%, and 12.19%, respectively.

Accelerate files preliminary prospectus for accelerate Bitcoin ETF. According to Business Insider on Wednesday, 3 February, "CALGARY, AB, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ -Accelerate Financial Technologies Inc., ("Accelerate") is pleased to announce that it has filed and obtained a receipt for a preliminary prospectus with the Canadian securities regulators for Accelerate Bitcoin ETF ("ABTC")."

Goldman Sachss rahmani strikes warning over Bitcoin value. According to Bloomberg Quint on Wednesday, 3 February, "The wild swings in the price of Bitcoin prove its not a real unit of value, though blockchain technology "is here to stay," according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.s Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani.", "Rahmanis skepticism about Bitcoins intrinsic value echoes that of European Central Bank governing council member Gabriel Makhlouf, who said last month Bitcoin investors should be prepared to "lose all their money." Still, the cryptocurrency has plenty of high-profile proponents."

Bitcoin proselytizer saylor says over 1,000 firms join webinar. According to Bloomberg Quint on Wednesday, 3 February, "The chief executive officer of MicroStrategy Inc. and Bitcoin proselytizer made the projection at his companys World Now global conference that featured breakout sessions on the future of Bitcoin and how corporations can best position themselves to capitalize on the digital token. ", "Michael Saylor says he sees an "avalanche" of companies moving their cash into Bitcoin over the next 12 months."

Klarna CEO cautions executives promoting Bitcoin investments. According to Bloomberg Quint on Thursday, 4 February, "Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy Inc. and a Bitcoin proselytizer, said this week at his companys World Now global conference that he sees an "avalanche" of companies moving their cash into Bitcoin over the next 12 months."

Bitcoin declines after bouncing off top of recent price range. According to Bloomberg Quint on Thursday, 4 February, "A strengthening dollar since the start of the year has kept Bitcoin stuck in a consolidation phase, but that could be ending soon, according to Ed Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda Corp."

Only 15% of Bitcoin traders are women, broker study shows. According to Bloomberg Quint on Friday, 5 February, "said the percentage of women holding Bitcoin on its platform increased from just 10% a year ago.", "As Bitcoin prices boomed over the past year, with millions of people around the world signing up for day-trading accounts during the pandemic, it remains largely a hobby of young men. "

According to Business Insider on Friday, 5 February, "The price of Bitcoin skyrocketed in 2020, prompting a wave of new investors to sign up to various trading platforms. "

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Bitcoin Cash USD On Bullish Momentum: 9.14% Up In The Last 24 Hours - Via News Agency

Central Bank of Kenya to Reportedly Use Bitcoin as Reserve Currency – Coingape

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The Central Bank of Kenya in a historical decision has decided to switch to use Bitcoin as a Reserve currency in order to resolve growing financial problems in the country as per a report from Daily News Arena.

Patrick Njoroge, Central Bank Governor said that the decision was taken after considering numerous factors including a shortage of foreign currency reserves, increase velocity of money, and shield Kenya from exploitative loans that threaten the sovereignty of Kenya. He explained,

Our decision to shift to Bitcoin is both tactical and logical. Our currency has always been the punching bag for the International Monetary Fund which always claims that the Kenya shilling is overvalued. This has led to too much pressure on the Kenyan Shilling and this has a negative effect on the economy. We are losing too much simply because someone at IMF woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Bitcoin will put an end to this.

The Central Bank Governor reportedly said that they intend to use Bitcoin to reduce their growing foreign exchange losses and help them reduce their national debt. The decision should not come as a surprise to many as Kenya has emerged as the leader in mobile money and have also used bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as the bridge currency.

The decision by the Kenyan central bank is in quite a contrast to the Nigerian Central Banks recent decision to impose a banking ban on crypto traders and exchanges in the country. The decision by the Kenyan central bank also comes on a day when the US Treasury Secretary claimed that Bitcoin would never find its way into the central banks.

The institutions have already started using Bitcoin as a Treasury Reserve asset by converting a portion of their treasury cash into Bitcoin. Now the governments especially the developing nations financially crippled by trade sanctions and a declining national economy.

The article was reportedly published by a Satire Website

To keep track of DeFi updates in real time, check out our DeFi news feed Here.

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Allbirds and Icebreaker back regenerative wool platform | Apparel Industry News | just-style – just-style.com

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Commitments from 167 farms represents more than 2m acres of regenerative farming

The ZQRX index, which is based on NZM's ethical wool platform, ZQ, aims to help tackle the environmental impact of the global fashion industry, which is responsible for 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

The frameworkaddressesclimate change and greenhouse gas emissions and makes the case for regenerative farming practices which representa considerable opportunity to sequester (store) carbon, and slow climate change. Theindex also includes the foundational tenants of ZQ such as animal welfare and social responsibility, as well as an increased focus on environmental issues that directly reduce carbon emission and improve biodiversity, like waste, water quality and soil health.

The ZQRXindex is currently being applied to 167 farms in New Zealand, representing over 2m acres of land and resulting in carbon being retained and stored in soil, and in vegetation, with many additional animal welfare and social responsibility benefits also being seen.

The three brands, which combined represent about 2mkgs of wool,have committed to sourcing their New Zealand Merino through the ZQRXplatform.

"Through our industry-leading carbon footprint work with our leading brand partners, andwith support from the Ministry forPrimary Industries, we know on-farm emissions represent approximately 60% of the emissions associated with woollen products and are our biggest opportunity to lower our impacts," says John Brakenridge, New Zealand Merino CEO. "Through the adoption of regenerative practices that both store more carbon and emit less, we could reduce our on-farm emissions down to zero.

"The ZQRXindex addresses the health of the eco-system and farming communities, rewarding the value of growers who are committed to regenerative agricultural practises. ZQRXis the start of a global movement toward brands, businesses and growers working together to address critical global issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. We dream of a day when all wool is farmed with regenerative practices."

IcebreakerandSmartwoolhelped found the original ZQ platform 13 years ago, whileAllbirds, which also sources ZQ ethical wool, will be the first fashion brand to label every item produced with its carbon footprint.

"As we've seen through 2020, swift sea-change can only be achieved through collective action; together, competitors have enough influence to right the ship when it comes to the universal threat of climate change. With ZQRX, we are backing a movement towards a truly regenerative future, one that prioritises the planet and supports our unwavering pursuit to make better things in a better way," says Allbirds' co-founder Tim Brown.

Greg Smith, Icebreaker brand president, adds:"We've always believed nature has the answers and our decisions need to have respect for the greater ecosystem. We are constantly impressed by the way farmers care for their land, care for their animals and care for their people. They are all interlinked. Our growers have already made strides, over generations, to farm regeneratively. ZQRXboth honours these steps and provides us a platform to measure, track improvements and push beyond.

"While there is no one solution to the climate challenges we face, the ZQRXplatform empowers farmers to work with nature to improve continuously. It is one step we, collectively, as the world's leading Merino wool brands, can take to change the world and leave the planet better off than we found it."

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Allbirds and Icebreaker back regenerative wool platform | Apparel Industry News | just-style - just-style.com

Let caterpillars nibble your leaves to create a healthier garden, advise the RHS – HouseBeautiful.com

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Letting caterpillars feast on leaves can help to create a healthier ecosystem in your garden, says the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS).

Despite being considered as minor pests who nibble prized plants and veg, the gardening charity explained in their latest Gardening With The RHS podcast that 'tolerating a few nibbled leaves' can help attract wildlife in your garden and 'reduce the need for human intervention'.

Andrew Salisbury, the RHS' chief entomologist, said: 'Moths and butterflies do have caterpillars that feed on garden plants so you need to tolerate a few nibbled plants to have a healthy ecosystem in your garden.'

While many of us have spent years searching for ways to deter the eating machines from our favourite flowers, they may actually be good for our garden after all.

In the podcast, Andrew explained that he had been watching the caterpillars enjoy his nasturtiums before the bees came to take them away. 'In the course of three hours I watched wasps come in, search, find a caterpillar, fly off, and feed their babies in their nest,' he said.

Katharine VogellGetty Images

'I watched every caterpillar get taken, so if you encourage the grubs you encourage the predators that eat them. It's important to put up with some nibbled cabbages to have a healthy ecosystem in your garden.'

Also in the podcast, Andrew said we should avoid having a garden that's too tidy, and to accept a bit of damage to get a healthy, balanced eco-system. Time to let caterpillars enjoy your garden...

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5G experimentation and security grows in govt, military sectors – Help Net Security

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Spirent Communications released its 5G outlook report, based on analysis and takeaways from over 600 global 5G engagements in 2020.

The report provides insights from across the 5G eco-system on the current status of 5G, illustrating the accelerated timetables from service providers in upgrading to 5G standalone (SA) with the new 5G Core, and revealing how 5G is driving new initiatives and sector engagements.

2020 was certainly a year to remember, not just because of the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19, but also because of the rapid development for the telecom industry, said Spirent Head of 5G Strategy, Steve Douglas.

Telecom is keeping its sights firmly focused on 5Gs future, not in spite of the challenges of the pandemic, but because of them, and our latest report gives an unparalleled view of the current status of 5G and the trends were seeing for the year ahead, based on the investments, research, testing and innovation by the leading 5G players.

5G activity surged in 2020 with accelerated timetables from service providers to deliver 5G SA core deployments, following non-standalones (NSAs) inability to really wow customers and deliver a solid new revenue proposition.

Service provider engagement increased nearly 50% as service assurance integration ramped up, and leading operators accelerated 5G standalone network strategies and new 5G core deployments.

Through service contracts, elements that would previously have been delivered inhouse are now being delivered by trusted partners, as operators need to be able to move quickly to keep up with the complexity of 5G and the accelerated timetables.

The year saw notable growth in engagements with government, military and academia around 5G experimentation and security initiatives, as governments explore new use cases.

Other notable initiatives include cloud hyperscalers exploring operator edge partnerships, Open RAN being explored in support of supply chain diversity initiatives, and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) accelerating their plans for 5G.

Whether it was a core network buildout, lab certification, or new service delivered, 5G plus automated assurance were the dynamic duo that customers turned to as they sought to continue pushing forward with their 5G plans, with 80% of Spirents assurance business focused on 5G work.

While the pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated 5G timetables, it seems likely this accelerated trend is here to stay.

In many ways, the pandemic has accelerated trends that we hadnt anticipated gaining steam for at least another couple of years, said Douglas, whether fixed wireless access driven by working from home, or automation required to safely conduct field testing with limited personnel. While there were delays, by and large 5G powered ahead and remained in control of its destiny.

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5G experimentation and security grows in govt, military sectors - Help Net Security

New Technology to Kill SARS Associated Human Coronavirus in the Air and on Surfaces – PRNewswire

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CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eco Smart Health today announced that their Sonic Smart Antimicrobial System can effectively reduce virus transmission within schools, gyms, spas, salons, hotels, and dental/medical offices.

The company's patented all-natural EPA exempt (FIRFA) and FDA (GRAS) recognized formulation Pure Sonic is suspended into the air and on all surfaces by way of the company's patent pending Sonic SmartAero Cleaner device. With the union of both innovative products, 99.9% of pathogens such as SARS Associated Human Coronavirus, Norovirus; Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes Simplex, HIV-1, Streptococcus, E Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, Legionella- Influenza Virus Type A, Viral Diarrhea Virus are killed within commercial spaces as large as 3,000 square feet.

The Pure Sonic formulation has been tested by a world-renowned level 3 laboratory and has proven to kill the above pathogens quickly and effectively. Since September 2020, field testing of the Sonic SmartAero Cleaner device used to suspend the Pure Sonic formulation into the air has validated all company claims.

Vice President and co-founder Mark Hearsh says, "Being a supplier to the hospitality industry for the past 15 years, the impetus to develop the Sonic Smart Antimicrobial System originated from my interest to come up with a solution for hotel housekeeping and maintenance departments to make both the air and surfaces in guest rooms safe to get people back into Hotels."

Benefits of the Sonic Smart System are:

Eric Rawet, the Director of Technology explains that "Once turned on, the Sonic Smart Aero Cleaner launches the Pure Sonic into the space's atmosphere activating the formulation to attach itself to airborne viruses and dissolving it's protein envelope causing it to expire" Rawet also states, "Through molecular diffusion all surfaces within the entire room are protected using the same process. Our website explains all the science behind our system"

Systems range in price between $199.00 to $299.00 depending on size of space to be treated and the cost per treatment is $1.50 to $2.00 depending on size of area. The products will go on sale on the company's site ecosmarthealth.com in mid-February 2021.

Hearsh and Rawet in 2019 were awarded a patent for a device called the "Med-Wand" that reduces cross contamination within the operating room and emergency rooms and a floor mopping system under the trade name "Spill Master" which is used in businesses and public facilities today to prevent slip and falls.

The Company's Mission Statement is: Made in America solutions to provide safer and healthier environments. Our team is made of leading engineers, product specialist, marketers and other professionals who have years of experience in their respective specialty and are united with the company's mission - To Help Solve Modern Day Problems.

For additional information please email [emailprotected]or visit ecosmarthealth.com

Media Contact: Eric Rawet Eco Smart Health Corp. 1-888-344-1150 [emailprotected]

SOURCE Eco Smart Health

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New Technology to Kill SARS Associated Human Coronavirus in the Air and on Surfaces - PRNewswire

Warning system, environment study may have prevented Uttarakhand tragedy – The Federal

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Warning system, environment study may have prevented Uttarakhand tragedy - The Federal '; jQuery('.disableanchortag').append(shareButs);});//Trending LimitjQuery(document).ready(function(){ var wp_lm_chk = 0; var wp_lmt_val = 4; jQuery('.wp-lmt-slider .td-ajax-next-page').click(function(){ if(wp_lm_chk > (wp_lmt_val-1)) { jQuery('.wp-lmt-slider .td-ajax-next-page').addClass('ajax-page-disabled'); } else { wp_lm_chk++; } }); jQuery('.wp-lmt-slider .td-ajax-prev-page').click(function(){ if(wp_lm_chk 0) { wp_lm_chk--; } });});//iframe ResizejQuery(document).ready(function(){ var noOfEl = 0; jQuery(".embed_iframe").each(function() { jQuery(this).addClass("iframeno_"+noOfEl); var mobile_width = jQuery(this).attr('mobile-width'); var mobile_height = jQuery(this).attr('mobile-height'); var s_width = jQuery(this).attr('width'); var s_height = jQuery(this).attr('height'); var mStyles = ''; var nStyles = ''; if (typeof mobile_width !== typeof undefined && mobile_width !== false) { mStyles += ' width : ' + mobile_width + ' !important; '; } if (typeof mobile_height !== typeof undefined && mobile_height !== false) { mStyles += ' height : ' + mobile_height + ' !important; '; } if (typeof s_width !== typeof undefined && s_width !== false) { nStyles += ' width : ' + s_width + '; '; } if (typeof s_height !== typeof undefined && s_height !== false) { nStyles += ' height : ' + s_height + '; '; } document.querySelector('style').textContent += "@media screen and (max-width:760px) { .embed_iframe.iframeno_"+noOfEl+" { " + mStyles + " } }"; document.querySelector('style').textContent += ".embed_iframe.iframeno_"+noOfEl+" { " + nStyles + " } "; noOfEl = noOfEl + 1; }); var bbody = document.body, bhtml = document.documentElement;var bheight = Math.max( bbody.scrollHeight, bbody.offsetHeight, bhtml.clientHeight, bhtml.scrollHeight, bhtml.offsetHeight );document.querySelector('style').textContent += ".embed_iframe.kohli { height: " + bheight + "px !important } ";function resizeEmbed(obj) { var mobile_width = jQuery(obj).attr('mobile-width'); var mobile_height = jQuery(obj).attr('mobile-height'); var s_width = jQuery(obj).attr('width'); var s_height = jQuery(obj).attr('height'); var mStyles = ''; var nStyles = ''; if (typeof mobile_width !== typeof undefined && mobile_width !== false) { mStyles += ' width : ' + mobile_width + ' !important; '; } if (typeof mobile_height !== typeof undefined && mobile_height !== false) { mStyles += ' height : ' + mobile_height + ' !important; '; } if (typeof s_width !== typeof undefined && s_width !== false) { nStyles += ' width : ' + s_width + '; '; } if (typeof s_height !== typeof undefined && s_height !== false) { nStyles += ' height : ' + s_height + '; '; } document.querySelector('style').textContent += "@media screen and (max-width:760px) { .embed_iframe { " + mStyles + " } }"; document.querySelector('style').textContent += ".embed_iframe { " + nStyles + " } ";}});if(jQuery('.td-post-category').length > 0) { var catsHLink; jQuery('.td-post-category').each(function() { catsHLink = jQuery(this,'.td-post-category').attr('href'); catsHLink = catsHLink.replace('/category/','/').replace('/states/','/state/').replace('/south/','/').replace('/north/','/').replace('/east/','/').replace('/west/','/'); jQuery(this,'.td-post-category').attr('href',catsHLink); });}var faultlineBread = jQuery('.faultlines-template-default .entry-crumb:eq(1)').attr('href');if(jQuery('.faultlines-template-default .entry-crumb').length > 0) {jQuery('.faultlines-template-default .entry-crumb').attr('href',faultlineBread.replace('faultlines/faultlines','faultlines'));}/* font size increase decrease script */jQuery(function () { jQuery(".font-button").bind("click", function () { var size = parseInt(jQuery('.td-post-content p').css("font-size")); if (jQuery(this).hasClass("plus")) { size = size + 2; } else { size = size - 2; if (size

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Diversifying Nevada’s Economy Might Take The Work Of Angels – KNPR

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Do you have money to invest and a desire to help diversify Nevadas economy? Startup NV wants to hear from you.

The nonprofit organization is holding an angel investor boot camp to introduce investors especially those from minority communities to opportunities in Nevada.

Organizers say the fragility shown by Nevadas economy during the pandemic demonstrates the need to create jobs outside of the hospitality industry.

Angel investing is a type of investment that puts dollars towards startup businesses as another way to diversify the economy, said Myisha Williams, asmall businesswoman and member of the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs.

Williams said business owners around the state have realized that relying on one industrycan be their downfall if that industrygoes through a major downturn, as gaming and tourism did in 2020.

She said that everyone knows diversification is vitalto the state,creating a new and inclusive eco-system is one way to begin this journey and there is definitely need and opportunity.

Startup NV is part of creating that new eco-system, she said. The program guides startup businesses from concept until they start producing revenue. Williams said the nonprofit provides mentorship, pitch preparation, and, eventually, an introduction to a network of potential capital partners.

It builds a win-win venture capital network, she said.

So far, Startup NV has worked with 18 startups and raised more than $68 million in three years. Williams said the nonprofit hopes to build on its early success, and it is getting support from other businesses, nonprofits and public agencies.

Williams said Startup NV is, at this point, an educational opportunity for people.

This may not be the typical investment platform that you see," she said,"This is one that is recognizing that theres not something available now, and its creating that. And its creating it at an entry point where folks can come in learn how to do this and build from it.

Those in the investor boot camp will be asked to bring $5,000 to the table that will be pooled with other investors and then distributed to a startup of the investors' choice in late spring.

The idea, Williams said, is to bring startup businesses that have gone through Startup NV's education programs, and investors, who have done the same, together to jumpstart a new venture in Nevada.

Those interested in being part of the boot camp have to meet the Securities and Exchange Commission's angel investor requirements, which are having a net worth of$1 million or making $200,000 a year or $300,000 if someone is married.

If you meet those requirements, and you have a cool $5,000, this is a great place to put it not only are you getting to put that money into an investment but youre growing your investment network, which is new to the region and highly valuable, and two, youre getting the education you can take that with you forever, she said.

Williams is especially interested in getting people of color involved in investing. She said while many communities of color are behind in earnings, savings and liquidity that doesn't apply to everyone in those communities.

Not taking this subset of ideal investors into consideration when building a new investment eco-system would be a sorely missed opportunity, she said.

In addition, Williams said that while investors are focused on making a profit mosttend to pick products, people and innovations based a personal connectionor familiar feeling.

I would make the case that if recruitment is homogenous then investments will be as well, she said.

A growing bio-medical company that has already benefitted from the help of Startup NV is Heligenics. Its CEO Martin Schiller said the nonprofit was a big help.

Startup NV was invaluable because they kind of did some pretty good coaching, he said.

Schiller's company grew out of the Institute for Personalized Medicine at UNLV, which got some of its seed money from the Governor's Office of Economic Development or GOED.

The company isolates gene mutations that impact diseases and medical treatments. Then sells that information to companies studying specific drugs and diseases.

While much of the initial research was done at the institute, creating a business out of that research required investors, Schiller said.

About a year ago, we got our first investment and then completed our round [of funding]a little later in the year," he said,"Now, were fully funded and have been going forward with our business and are already making money.

While Schiller had taught science classes in an academic setting, pitching investors on a new biomedical company in a way they understood was a different task entirely.

After pitching 75 investors on the plan, he finally got one person excited about the project, and that person brought in other investors.

Once we got the initial round of money, we knew that we were going to be able to do this pretty quickly and then all of our investors, from the initial investment, came back with more money and more friends and completed the round, he said.

Now, the company has about 10 to 12 employees, a laboratory space that the city of Las Vegas helped it secure and several agreements with drug and medical research companies.

I think our investors are going to be pretty happy within a year, he said.

While almost everyone agrees that diversification is important for Nevada's economy, former Nevada Treasurer and current angel investor Dan Schwartz doesn't believe Nevada is going about it the right way.

One of the reasons Nevada is kind of behind is, and as state treasurer, I opposed the $750 million that the state invested in the football stadium. Thats one reason why were not getting angel investing here is because the state is supporting football stadiums, he said.

The former treasurer believes one of the biggest stumbling blocks forthe state in drawing in venture capitalists is the "cultural climate" that favors gaming and not technology startups.

I think its a cultural question of whether Nevada gets off of its addiction to gaming and entertainment and starts saying, Hey, we need to diversify, he said.

He said the state has a great climate for business, including low taxes and nopersonal income tax, but it lacks the expertise and knowledge to build companies.

In addition to where the state decides to spend its money, Schwartz points to Nevada's education system as an obstacleto investing.

Schwartz has invested in a gold mine in Nevada but most of his other investments have been in national companies headquartered in California.

Continued here:

Diversifying Nevada's Economy Might Take The Work Of Angels - KNPR

In the battle for the edge, 5G software is the Excalibur – Ericsson

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In the first of our new three-part Ericsson Spotlight Series on 5G software, we deep dive into three distinct perspectives on this topic and examine how Communication Service Providers (CSPs) can realize the full potential of 5G Core.

In the first episode, Prof. Sally Eaves Senior Policy Advisor, Global Foundation Cyber Studies spoke with Farjola Peco, the Head of Strategy at Ericsson Digital Services. Farjola has been tracking market trends and shares with us how she has seen greater ecosystem collaboration due to these seismic industry shifts. She explains how this new reality has driven a confluence of technologies and is currently bringing industries closer together.

5G software has the potential to revolutionize how and when entire mobile networks will be upgraded, potentially in just minutes. In looking at the future for 5G software, Farjola says she sees the Disaggregation of the value chains to create new value proposition. If we unpack that sentence around disaggregation, what we are speaking about is not just network revolution but that 5G software is enabling also a revolution in innovation via new 5G services dependent on a new level of agility, speed, latency and eco-system inter-connectivity. This will, no doubt, kickstart new revenue streams for different ecosystem players competing for various slices of the infamous pie.

Dr. Eaves pointed out in the interview that she is aware of a current rise in cyber-attacks, therefore she asserts: zero trust can be a real key imperative. However, this needs to be balanced with a continued focus on quality of experience. Dr. Eaves in addition, made the point that in order for networks to be as agile and protected as required, this will be heavily dependent on AI-led insights and automation.

Farjola in reply, commented that CSPs are indeed relentlessly focusing on efficiency and identified that they're also looking for trusted partners with whom to collaborate, in order to drive growth in the digitalization of the enterprises. And here, she highlighted two factors which are really important to be part of this growing ecosystem:

In 2017, Ericsson Digital Services took a bold decision to fully invest in cloud-native technology and this long-sighted vision means that today we are in a leadership position in Cloud-Native, 5G Core and in integrating CI/CD (Continuous Integration/ Continuous Delivery) across the full portfolio. Now we are in a pole position to deliver the future of automation and in leveraging the power of CI/CD to benefit our customers.

Farjola outlined that in order to be competitive in this changing business landscape accelerated by technologies, CSPs will really need to adopt and rely more on AI, Analytics and Cloud Computing in order to reach a zero-touch vision.

In looking ahead to 2021, Farjola also made the point that she sees a clear trend towards an increased need for life cycle management where CI/CD and DevOps practices are going to be fundamental in order to seize the first mover advantage.

The full CSP automation journey she pointed out, will take many years, and its critical to start now as change takes time, as she said: its not just about technology its also about people and the processes.

One customer highlighted in utilizing 5G software to its full potential is Telstra. Farjola highlights that Telstra are really personifying what we envisage as the future for the Telco industry. This zero-touch network that runs on the code that never sleeps. See also our joint announcement on the edge cloud for enterprises.

Its a fascinating discussion by two senior leaders in technology, the full interview which runs about 12 mins is available to watch here:

Stay tuned for the next two episodes of Spotlight series on 5G software where our subject matter experts to take a deep dive into the technology and use-cases from North America: Peo Lehto and Arvinder Anand are the guests for episode 2 and 3.

CICD (Continous Integration / Continuous Delivery)

5G Core

Zero Trust explained

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In the battle for the edge, 5G software is the Excalibur - Ericsson

Dow and Lucro to Launch PCR Plastics Solution in India – waste360

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Mumbai, India Dow (NYSE: DOW) and Lucro Plastecycle, a homegrownIndian recycling company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop andlaunch polyethylene (PE) film solutions using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in India.This agreement introduces a close-the-loop packaging solution to help enable a circular economyin India and expands Dows plastics circularity portfolio in the Asia Pacific region.

This collaboration is aligned with Dows new sustainability target of stopping the waste bycollecting 1 MMT of plastics to be collected, reused or recycled by 2030. Under the MoU, Dowwill provide its material science and application development expertise to Lucro, a specialist inrecycling flexible plastic film waste, who will develop and manufacture the film structures. Thesefilm structures are made by processing plastic waste collected through various recycled streamsin combination with Dows virgin resins. This approach could also reduce carbon emissions whencompared to virgin PE resins and as a result could contribute to helping converters and brands tomeet their sustainability goals. The first application of the product is in collation shrink films, aform of secondary packaging commonly used for bottles, cans, and liquid cartons, and is expectedto be available in the India market later this year.

We are delighted to work with sustainability-focused partners like Lucro, who is at the forefrontof plastic recycling in India. Scrap packaging is one of the countrys highest contributors of plasticwaste and we look forward to this collaboration helping to promote the adoption of sustainablesolutions amongst brand owners and manufacturers, and contribute to a reduction in plasticsentering the environment as waste, said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vicepresident, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. Finding value in flexible waste is key for thecircular economy to set new standards for the flexible packaging industry and create a viablecircular system for flexible plastics.

Lucros trademark Plast-E-Cycle process, which converts plastic waste into granules forrecyclable and compostable products, helps to solve a fundamental challenge in India thecomplexity of recycling flexible plastic waste. This specialty made the company the first in Indiato be backed by Circulate Capitals Ocean Fund (CCOF), a Singapore-based investment funddedicated to preventing plastic waste entering the ocean and advancing the circular economy inSouth and Southeast Asia. With Circulate Capitals support, Lucro will further grow and scale itsbusiness and step up post-consumer plastic sourcing with new collection centres.

Circulate Capital invests in and supports pioneering companies across the waste managementand recycling industry. Lucros work is integral to closing the loop on difficult to recycle plasticwaste in India, giving a second life to post-consumer flexible plastic waste. We believe the Dow-Lucro partnership is a great example of how, with catalytic financing, the plastic eco-system canconnect and collaborate on market solutions for the benefit of the environment, said Rob Kaplan,founder and CEO, Circulate Capital.

Lucro was founded on the belief that there is value to be found in mismanaged plastic wastethrough recycling. With intent, effort and collaboration across the entire value chain, we can defineand build a new plastic value chain that ensures the material is reused and does not end up inthe environment, said Ujwal Desai, co-founder and managing director of Lucro. Our partnershipwith Dow provides us additional expertise to develop high quality, innovative and recycled-contentflexible film for businesses.

Under the MoU, Dow will utilize its industry leading team of packaging experts, material scientists,recycling equipment, blown film manufacturing and testing capabilities at Pack Studios Shanghaiand Mumbai to help Lucro develop recycled film. Following the initial application in collation shrinkfilms, the partners will explore additional applications including shipping sacks, e-commerce bagsand non-food packaging.

About DowDow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading businesspositions to achieve profitable growth. The Companys ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric,inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the worldthrough our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dows portfolio of plastics, industrialintermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products andsolutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumercare. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dowdelivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and itssubsidiaries. For more information, please visit http://www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

About LucroLucro Plastecycle Private Limited (Lucro) is a homegrown Indian recycling company that harnesses the possibilities ofplastic to produce high quality and innovative recycled-content products. Established in 2012, the company is an expertin recycling locally-sourced flexible plastic waste to manufacture flexible packaging products, such as shrink wrap andfilms, and supplies recycled plastic granules to manufacturers for their own production. By developing a uniqueintegrated process that covers the collection, sorting and upcycling of used flexible plastic, Lucro is committed to closingthe loop in plastic usage by transforming it from a linear to a circular economy and stopping it from reaching landfill.Today, the company is the largest supplier of recycled packaging and protective covers to leading national andinternational manufacturers in India across a range of industries such as automotive, home and retail, to help themachieve their sustainability goals. For more information, please visit http://www.lucro.in.

About Circulate CapitalCirculate Capital is an investment management firm dedicated to incubating and financing companies that preventocean plastic. We focus on the prevention of mismanaged plastic waste in countries located in South Asia andSoutheast Asia, regions that contribute disproportionately to ocean plastic pollution primarily because they often lackinvestment in critical waste and recycling infrastructure to manage the problem. We were created in collaboration withOcean Conservancy, and our founding investors include PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Dow, Danone, Chanel, Unilever,The Coca-Cola Company and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.

Circulate Capital invests in and supports start-ups, organizations and SMEs across the entire plastic value chain, frominnovations in material to advanced recycling technologies. It seeks to mobilize catalytic capital into the wastemanagement and recycling industry to prove that investing in this sector is scalable in South and Southeast Asia andcan generate competitive returns, while moving to solve the ocean plastic crisis.

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Dow and Lucro to Launch PCR Plastics Solution in India - waste360