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A Nano for Everyone – PetProductNews.com

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Both novices and pros are embracing the nano tank trend, thanks to improved technology and emerging consumer trends.

By LaRue Palmer

Published: 2017.07.12 09:22 AM

Although theyve been around for years, nano tanks are growing in popularity these days, as manufacturers in the segment seek to grab the attention of both seasoned and entry-level aquarists with equipment that is easier to use and more efficient than ever.

Definitely, the nano tanks are driving the business on both ends of the spectrum, said Frank Kudla, vice president of sales and marketing for Aquatop, based in Brea, Calif. Were seeing more people getting into the hobby for the first time because the threshold to entry has gotten dramatically lower from a price standpoint, and theyre successful in the hobby.

Among the most notable developments to occur in the segment in recent years is the fact that manufacturers are making better-quality equipment at more affordable prices.

There have always been cheap kits out there through big-box stores, but they really had very poor equipment, so your chances for success in the hobby were pretty limited, Kudla said. Nowadays, you go into an independent retailer or even a national retailer to buy a nano kit and the equipment it comes with is pretty good. The filtration is pretty good and the lighting is pretty good, so your chances for success now at the entry level are much greater than 10 or 15 years ago.

The nano tank trend is also being driven by the increasing number of consumers who want the beauty of an aquarium in their homes without the hassles often associated with keeping one.

Nano tanks are becoming a lifestyle, said Bill Wymard, a marine biologist and the owner of Aquarium Adventure in Hilliard, Ohio. A nano tank makes a lot nicer statement from an aesthetic standpoint, because when you look at an aquarium as part of your lifestyle in the home, you see a self-contained unit with a neater, cleaner look.

Still, consumers should know that maintenance is necessary for the upkeep of all tanks.

You have two maintenance chores with any aquarium; one is partial water exchanges, and the other is cleaning algae, Wymard said. Those chores become a little bit easier with a self-contained, all-in-one aquarium, but theyre all the same job. Youre going to have to do it no matter what size aquarium [you have].

Manufacturers are focusing on the functionality of nano aquariums while at the same time creating beautiful pieces of living furniture that fit into the consumers lifestyle. However, new aquarists often require some guidance from the experts in order to have a successful entry into the hobby.

The initial step of choosing an aquarium can be daunting. Sean Raines, market specialist for Spectrum Brands in Blacksburg, Va., understands this very well.

Not knowing what to buy when first starting in this hobby can be a barrier to entry, Raines said. Some newcomers find themselves overwhelmed by the number of choices, while others may make choices that lead to problems; both can be formulas for early dropout. Thats why we offer kits that supply the basics theyll need for a successful start. Its important to include the essentialsso that they can concentrate on the fun part of decorating and choosing their favorite fish.

Jesse Stach, aquatic manager for Dennys Pet World in Kirkland, Wash., said he focuses on educating customers according to the type of aquarium they want, and what type of fish theyve already decided they want.

However, getting shoppers who are new to the hobby to understand the nuances of fishkeeping is not always easy.

The challenge is being sure to give them enough information so that they can make that aquarium work, because most people come at me and say, Its just a fish!

I physically show them how to maintain their new tank, and I try to teach them that its not just furniture, that fish have personalities and a hierarchy, and that theyre dealing with a miniature ecosystem, Stach said.

Functioning displays are another way to show customers exactly what is involved in maintaining an aquarium.

We actually developed a special rack for our stores just to hold and display all three sizes of our smaller tanks so that their customers could see all the equipment thats being used in the setup, said Kyle Thaman, customer service manager for Cobalt Aquatics, based in Rockhill, S.C. The tanks were stocked with plants and fish, and theres also a spot on the rack for fish food and heaters and so on, so that in one spot they could see everything they would need to set themselves up at home.

Freshwater planted tanks are trending strongly, and manufacturers are providing the equipment and technology necessary for their continued success. JBJs Dennerle brand recently introduced the Scapers Tank, marketed specifically to aquascapers. It is designed to provide enhanced LED lighting and optimal panoramic viewing ideal for enjoying aquascapes.

Another JBJ offering is a line of nano tanks called Cubey.

This line of nano kits has a great price point, and they meet all the requirements to support a wide variety of livestock, said Dan Gilboa, president of Age of Aquariums in Signal Hill, Calif. Available in 10-gallon, 15-gallon and 20-gallon sizes, theyve been a really nice addition to the products we carry in our store. They have a sleek, modern look that people seem to like. The low-profile LED lighting provides for a form-fitting hood thats not too obtrusive, and they come in white, which seems to be the most popular color at the moment.

Cobalt Aquatics, based in Rockhill, S.C., recently released its Microvue series of aquariums, and Kyle Thaman, customer service manager, said the line has been a hit.

Its been pretty big to the point where we actually ran out of one of the sizes because we didnt anticipate this great a demand, Thaman said. The Microvue series was engineered specifically for that freshwater aquasacaping category, with the high clarity and nearly invisible silicone seals that provide an unobstructed view, along with a compact filter chamber thats not obtrusive.

One of the latest nano tank offerings from The Hagen Group is the Flex, which features a distinctive top-to-bottom, curved-front design, and comes in 9-gallon and 15-gallon versions.

We unveiled a white version of the Flex this year at Global Pet Expo, said Damian Hall, senior marketing manager for the Mansfield, Mass.-based manufacturer.

One attractive feature is the printed honeycomb application around the top of the aquarium that camouflages the water line as well as the side filtration compartment, he added. The fully integrated tank with multistage filtration chamber in the back makes for a very impressive design. But the most unique features are the vertically oriented bow front that was an engineering challenge for our manufacturing team to ensure a tight seal with no viewing distortion, and the built-in full spectrum 7500 K LED lamp that supports plant growth and enhances fish color.

BioBubble Pets released the WonderBubble some time ago, but the company has since added features to the line.

Weve added The Bubble Tunnel Kit to the WonderBubble, said Philip Root, vice president of sales and marketing for the Boca Raton, Fla.-based company. This innovative design of a transparent tunnel filled with water allows your freshwater fish to swim through it, often doing very fast loops. Its pretty amazing to see.

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A Nano for Everyone - PetProductNews.com

IISc to get Rs 3000-crore foundry to produce ‘wonder’ nano material – The Indian Express

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Written by Johnson T A | Bengaluru | Published:July 8, 2017 4:49 am To come up at IIScs Centre for Nano Science and Engineering

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has received initial approvals from the government to set up a Rs 3,000-crore foundry to produce a wonder nano material, gallium nitride, that is emerging as one of the most efficient semiconductors for next-generation strategic technologies, including radars and communication systems.

The foundry is proposed to be developed around an existing facility for producing gallium nitride transistors on silicon wafers, at the IIScs Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), under the leadership of associate professor Srinivasan Raghavan.

The proposal is currently at the highest level of the government. It needs about Rs 3,000 crore and is seen as a strategic-sector investment, Prof S A Shivashankar of the CeNSE said.

The nano material Gallium Nitride, or GaN, is a superior alternative to silica-based semiconductors and is expected to generate revenues in the range of $700 million by 2020, from the current range of $300 million, according to experts in the field.

The proposal to set up a foundry at the IISc for producing GaN is a good development. Gallium nitride technology will substantially help in the development of next-generation radars, seekers and communication systems, and will be useful in systems like Light Combat Aircraft, said R K Sharma, the director of the DRDOs (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Solid State Physics Lab.

The CeNSE facility at the IISc, which was inaugurated in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is attempting to create an ecosystem of GaN electronics, including materials, devices and systems. GaN-based transistors from the CeNSE are already being sold to researchers in the country. The creation of a commercial GaN foundry would service industry demand for the emerging technology.

What we need for strategic purposes is efficient energy consumption systems, and gallium nitride conductors are the answer. Unmanned vehicles, for example, which are the future of security systems, are dependent on energy efficiency, Director Sharma said, adding that with countries like China investing in a very strategic manner in semi-conductor systems, India also needs to do so.

Among the areas where GaN semi-conductors can be used are phased array radars for electronic warfare, like AESA radars that are fitted on ultra-modern fighter jets.

The foundation for the development of GaN technologies was laid by the 2014 Nobel Physics Prize-winning work on blue Lighting Emitting Diodes using GaN, by Japanese-origin scientists Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura. The techonologies have also been used in blue ray information storage systems and are being utilised increasingly now in high-power and high-speed electronics.

GaN is described as a wide-gap semiconductor with unique electronic properties. It is tough and can operate at high temperatures at high switching speeds with power flows much superior to silica.

In every device, be it a laptop, an AC, or an automobile, there are electronic circuits that have to handle very high power and voltages. It is these circuits that constitute the field of power electronics, Prof Srinivasan Raghavan says in a section on GaN at the CeNSE website.

The worldwide power electronics device market is $36 billion. As power consumption goes up, the requirement for power electronics will go up. So when you start working on GaN-based materials, you are looking at potential impact on a much larger power electronics market. What we have set up here in the IISc is a GaN platform where many of these things can mushroom, he states.

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IISc to get Rs 3000-crore foundry to produce 'wonder' nano material - The Indian Express

Pitt Chemical Engineering Researchers Explain the Formation of … – AZoNano

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Written by AZoNanoJul 11 2017

The process of synthesizing nanoparticles is mostly trial and error, even though Scientists have been able to synthesize nanoparticles in the lab for decades, and it is still difficult to understand how the formation actually takes place.

However, an explanation on how metal nanoparticles form has been presented by Chemical Engineers at the University of Pittsburghs Swanson School of Engineering through a study published in Nature Communications.

This is a structure of a ligand-protected Au25 nanocluster. CREDIT Computer-Aided Nano and Energy Lab (C.A.N.E.LA.)

Giannis Mpourmpakis, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, and PhD Candidate Michael G. Taylor Co-Authored Thermodynamic Stability of Ligand-Protected Metal Nanoclusters (DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15988). The research, completed in Mpourmpakis Computer-Aided Nano and Energy Lab (C.A.N.E.LA.), is funded through a National Science Foundation CAREER award and bridges previous research focused on designing nanoparticles for catalytic applications.

Even though there is extensive research into metal nanoparticle synthesis, there really isnt a rational explanation why a nanoparticle is formed. We wanted to investigate not just the catalytic applications of nanoparticles, but to make a step further and understand nanoparticle stability and formation. This new thermodynamic stability theory explains why ligand-protected metal nanoclusters are stabilized at specific sizes.

Dr. Giannis Mpourmpakis, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

A ligand refers to a molecule that attaches itself to metal atoms in order to develop metal cores that are stabilized by a shell of ligands, and so understanding how the ligands contribute to nanoparticle stabilization is vital for all processes using nanoparticles. Dr. Mpourmpakis explained that earlier theories explaining why nanoclusters stabilized at particular sizes were based on empirical electron counting rules the number of electrons that form a closed shell electronic structure, but show restrictions as there have been metal nanoclusters experimentally synthesized that do not essentially follow these rules.

The novelty of our contribution is that we revealed that for experimentally synthesizable nanoclusters there has to be a fine balance between the average bond strength of the nanoclusters metal core, and the binding strength of the ligands to the metal core. We could then relate this to the structural and compositional characteristic of the nanoclusters, like size, number of metal atoms, and number of ligands. Now that we have a more complete understanding of this stability, we can better tailor the nanoparticle morphologies and in turn properties, to applications from biolabeling of individual cells and targeted drug delivery to catalytic reactions, thereby creating more efficient and sustainable production processes.

Dr. Giannis Mpourmpakis, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

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Pitt Chemical Engineering Researchers Explain the Formation of ... - AZoNano

Look at the phone in your hand you can thank the state for that – The Guardian

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Who are the visionaries who drive human progress? The answer, as we all know, is the geeks, the free spirits and the crazy dreamers, who thumb their noses at authority: the Peter Thiels and the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world; the likes of Steve Jobs and the Travis Kalanick; the giants with an uncompromising vision and an iron will, as though they have stepped fresh from the pages of one of Ayn Rands novels.

Innovation, Steve Jobs once said, distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Now, if ever there were a prototypical follower, it would have to be the government. After all, why else would nearly all the innovative companies of our times hail from the United States, where the state is much smaller than in Europe?

Media outlets including the Economist and the Financial Times never tire of telling us that governments role is to create the right preconditions: good education, solid infrastructure, attractive tax incentives for innovative businesses. But no more than that. The idea that the cogs in the government machine could divine the next big thing is, they insist, an illusion.

Take the driving force behind the digital revolution, also known as Moores law. Back in 1965, the chip designer Gordon Moore was already predicting that processor speeds would accelerate exponentially. He foresaw such wonders as home computers, as well as portable communications equipment and perhaps even automatic controls for automobiles.

And just look at us now! Moores law clearly is the golden rule of private innovation, unbridled capitalism, and the invisible hand driving us to ever lofty heights. Theres no other explanation right? Not quite.

For years, Moores law has been almost single-handedly upheld by a Dutch company one that made it big thanks to massive subsidisation by the Dutch government. No, this is not a joke: the fundamental force behind the internet, the modern computer and the driverless car is a government beneficiary from socialist Holland.

Our story begins on 1 April 1984 in a shed knocked together on an isolated lot in Veldhoven, a town in the south of the Netherlands. This is where a small startup called ASML first saw the light of day. Employing a couple of dozen techies, it was a collaborative venture between Philips and ASM International set up to produce hi-tech lithography systems: in plain English, machines that draw minuscule lines on chips.

Fast-forward 25 years, and ASML is a major corporation employing more than 13,000 engineers at 70 locations in 16 countries. With a turnover of over 5.9 billion (5.2bn) and earnings of 1.2bn, it is one of the most successful Dutch companies, ever. It controls over 80% of the chip machine market the global market, mind you.

In point of fact, the company is the most powerful force upholding Moores law. For them, this law is not a prediction: its a target. The iPhone, Googles search engine, the kitty clips it would all be unthinkable without those crazy Dutch dreamers from Veldhoven.

Naturally, youll be wondering who was behind this paragon of innovation. The story told by the company itself fits the familiar mould, of a handful of revolutionaries who got together and turned the world upside down. It was a matter of hard work, sweat and pure determination against almost insurmountable odds, explains ASML in its corporate history. It is a story of individuals who together achieved greatness.

Government isnt just there to administer life-support to failing markets. Without it, many would not even exist

Theres one protagonist you never find mentioned in these sort of stories: government. But dive deep into the archives of newspapers and annual reports back to the early 90s and another side to this story emerges.

From the get-go, ASML was receiving government handouts. By the fistful. When in 1986 a crisis in the worldwide chip industry brought ASML to its knees, and while several big competitors toppled, the chip machine-maker from the south of Holland got a leg-up from its national government. Competitors who had survived the crisis no longer had enough funds to develop the next big thing, explains the companys site. So while its rivals licked their wounds, ASML shot into the lead. Is ASML an anomaly in the history of innovation? Not quite.

A few years ago the economist Mariana Mazzucato published a fascinating book debunking a whole series of myths about innovation. Her thesis is summed up in the title The Entrepreneurial State.

Radical innovation, Mazzucato reveals, almost always starts with the government. Take the iPhone, the epitome of modern technological progress. Literally every single sliver of technology that makes the iPhone a smartphone instead of a stupidphone internet, GPS, touchscreen, battery, hard drive, voice recognition was developed by researchers on the government payroll.

Why, then, do nearly all the innovative companies of our times come from the US? The answer is simple. Because it is home to the biggest venture capitalist in the world: the government of the United States of America.

These days there is a widespread political belief that governments should only step in when markets fail. Yet, as Mazzucato convincingly demonstrates, government can actually generate whole new markets. Silicon Valley, if you look back, started out as subsidy central. The true secret of the success of Silicon Valley, or of the bio- and nanotechnology sectors, Mazzucato points out, is that venture investors surfed on a big wave of government investments.

True innovation takes at least 10 to 15 years, whereas the longest that private venture capitalists are routinely willing to wait is five years. They dont join the game until all the riskiest plays have already been made by governments. In the case of biotechnology, nanotechnology and the internet, venture investors didnt jump on the bandwagon until after 15 to 20 years. Venture capitalists are not willing to venture enough.

The relationship between government and the market is mutual and necessary. Apple may not have invented the internet, GPS, touchscreens, batteries, hard drives and voice recognition; but then again, Washington was never very likely to make iPhones. Theres not much point to radical innovations if no one turns them into products.

To dismiss the government as a bumbling slowpoke, however, wont get us anywhere. Because its not the invisible hand of the market but the conspicuous hand of the state that first points the way. Government isnt there just to administer life support to failing markets. Without the government, many of those markets would not even exist.

The most daunting challenges of our times, from climate change to the ageing population, demand an entrepreneurial state unafraid to take a gamble. Rather than wait around for the market, government needs to have vision, be decisive to take to heart Steve Jobs motto: stay hungry, stay foolish.

Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There is available from the Guardian bookshop

This article was translated from Dutch by Elizabeth Manton

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Look at the phone in your hand you can thank the state for that - The Guardian

Foundation Medicine Announces Timing for Second Quarter 2017 … – Business Wire (press release)

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMI) today announced that financial results for the company's second quarter ended June 30, 2017 will be released on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. The management team will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the company's financial results and recent developments. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-270-2148 (domestic) or 1-412-902-6510 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call. A passcode is not required to access the live call from either number. A replay of the conference call will be available until August 15, 2017 and can be accessed by dialing 1-412-317-0088 and providing the passcode 10110537.

The live, listen-only webcast of the conference call may be accessed by visiting the investors section of the company's website at investors.foundationmedicine.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and will be archived on the company's website for two weeks following the call.

About Foundation Medicine Foundation Medicine (NASDAQ:FMI) is a molecular information company dedicated to a transformation in cancer care in which treatment is informed by a deep understanding of the genomic changes that contribute to each patients unique cancer. The company offers a full suite of comprehensive genomic profiling assays to identify the molecular alterations in a patients cancer and match them with relevant targeted therapies, immunotherapies and clinical trials. Foundation Medicine's molecular information platform aims to improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers to help advance the science of molecular medicine in cancer. For more information, please visit http://www.FoundationMedicine.com or follow Foundation Medicine on Twitter (@FoundationATCG).

Foundation Medicineis a registered trademark of Foundation Medicine, Inc.

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Foundation Medicine Announces Timing for Second Quarter 2017 ... - Business Wire (press release)

Swollen colon: Causes and symptoms – Bel Marra Health

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Home Colon And Digestive Colon Health Swollen colon: Causes and symptoms

A swollen colon is a manifestation of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the intestines and is thought to be caused by the bodys own immune system. Normally, the immune system is supposed to act as the first line of defense against bacteria and other foreign invaders to protect the body, but in an unknown twist, it instead attacks itself. In the case of inflammatory bowel conditions, it leads to swelling of intestinal tissue.

Disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease are the most common examples of an inflammatory bowel condition and are thought to be attributed to an autoimmune reaction. Those affected often suffer from episodic symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, with researchers still attempting to find the precise cause of their occurrence.

Recent studies have uncovered some of the mystery behind these inflammatory conditions, with the involvement of a particular protein linked to their development called Bcl-3.

With the help of our cooperation partners, we were able to demonstrate that the level of the Bcl-3 protein, which also plays a role in the development of various cancerous diseases, is elevated in the intestinal tract of colitis patients and is indeed a trigger of the disease, said Dr. Nadine Hvelmeyer, head of the work group at the Mainz-based Institute for Molecular Medicine.

This protein was found to suppress the actions of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which are responsible for preventing the over-reaction of the immune system. This results in the immune system to no longer be regulated, leading to the development of inflammatory bowel disorders, according to the researchers.

Further research is being conducted to search for new active agents that will prevent this process from occurring.

A swollen colon can have a variety of causes with your doctor having to do a multitude of different tests to help pinpoint the reasons for its development. Infections, blood flow problems, and immune system problems are all potential causes for a swollen colon. Direct contact with chemicals, such as during an enema, may also cause the condition.

The primary process for symptom development is due to inflammation. When the tissue layers of the colon become inflamed, it produces the symptoms commonly attributed to inflammatory bowel conditions.

The side that the inflammatory reactions occur can determine the diagnosis and potential treatments for that particular condition.

A swollen colon on the left side, also called the descending colon, may be caused by the following:

Also known as the ascending colon, pathology on the right side can be caused by the following:

Bothersome symptoms are often what prompt patients to seek the advice of a medical professional. Since a swollen colon has a variety of causes, your symptoms and how they present are important clues your doctor needs in order provide an accurate diagnosis. Knowing what is causing your symptoms will help you prevent them from becoming worse and prevent possible complications.

The following are symptoms commonly attributed to a swollen colon:

o Bloating: a common occurrence due to increased volume of stool in the colon

o Bleeding: often seen mixed with stool and a result of tissue damage to the lining of the colon.

o Anemia: a possible result of excess bleeding

o Mucus in stool: a feature of ulcerative colitis

o Tenesmus: the urge to have a bowel movement

o High fever

o Weight loss

o Fatigue

Related: Colon cleansing at home: Natural ways to detox your colon

Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, FETCS, FACS will be Honorably Mentioned in The … – PR NewsChannel (press release)

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

The International Association of HealthCare Professionals is pleased to welcome Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, FETCS, FACS, a prominent Cardiothoracic Surgeon to their prestigious organization with his upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World. Dr. Khalpey is a highly trained and qualified surgeon with a vast expertise in all facets of his work and an international reputation for his work with Artificial Hearts remodeling scars in hearts with laser therapy, stem cells and liquid matrices to build a program for heart recovery and regenerative medicine, using precision medicine, but more specifically metabolomics with new artificial intelligence platforms in cardiac surgery to change outcomes for the better. Dr. Khalpey is currently serving as an Associate Professor of surgery, medical imaging, physiological sciences, biomedical engineering, cell & molecular medicine, regenerative & translational medicine, and pharmacology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona. He also serves as Co-Director of the Heart Transplant and Perfusion Science Programs, Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support and Artificial Heart Programs, and Director of Robotic Mitral Valve Program in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Banner University Medical Center. Furthermore, Dr. Khalpey is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

Dr. Khalpey was educated at the University of London, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Medical Degree in 1998. He then gained his PhD in cardiothoracic surgery, bioenergetics, and cardiac transplantation from Imperial College London. Dr. Khalpey completed extensive postgraduate training in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United Kingdom, Dr. Khalpey was awarded a very prestigious Winston Churchill Medal for his research as well as a highly prestigious lifetime Hunterian Professorship from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, where he remains a member. His research training to end his PhD was completed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard in Boston. He then went on to finish his clinical general surgery residency and cardiothoracic heart surgery fellowship at the Brigham and Womens Hospital, also at Harvard in Boston. He went on to New York where he completed a Super-Fellowship in Heart Transplants and Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapies for Advanced Heart Failure, at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University. He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and has earned the coveted title of Fellow of the European Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Khalpey is a distinguished member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Academy of Regenerative Medicine and the Board of Regenerative Medicine. For his extensive expertise and important work, he has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Medical Sciences in Europe Award. Awards in the Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program in Europe are viewed as among the most prestigious accolades in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Dr Khalpey holds the coveted Endowed Tony S. Marnell Sr. Chair in Cardiovascular Research at the University of Arizona for his metabolic and stem cell research within the surgical tissue and stem cell biobank he created. Furthermore, Dr. Khalpey is the surgical director of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator Program, which is the only mobile ECMO service in the state of Arizona. Alongside his exceptional operative team of perfusionists and clinical fellows, Dr. Khalpey helped save NHL hockey player, Tucson Roadrunners Captain, Craig Cunninghams life after sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Khalpey is the only person on the west coast who is routinely placing left ventricular assist devices (LVADS) through minimally invasive incisions, without the use of a bypass machine, and also strives to revolutionize organ transplantation. Dr. Khalpeys passion for what he does is unparalleled. He is renowned for his innovative and groundbreaking work, and has dedicated his life to providing the best solutions for his patients and community.

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https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/8137416-Zain-Khalpey-Cardiac-Surgeon-85755

Learn more about Dr. Khalpey here:

https://profiles.arizona.edu/person/zkhalpey and be sure to read his upcoming publication in The Leading Physicians of the World.

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Baylor to offer new genetic counseling degree program – Baylor College of Medicine News (press release)

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

The Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, Academic Council and Faculty Senate have approved a new Genetic Counseling Program, which will award a Master of Science degree through the School of Allied Health Sciences.

The two-year program prepares graduates to engage individuals and families who are at risk for, or affected by, conditions that may have a genetic cause. Genetic counselors provide information, facilitate understanding, identify support resources and explain genetic testing options for individuals in whom a genetic condition may be present. Genetic counselors educate families about the pros and cons of genetic testing, the possible outcomes, and when testing is desired, arrange testing and help interpret results.

In many stressful, complex and scary situations involving an individuals health and well-being, there is a discomfort in knowing what healthcare decisions to make, said Daniel Riconda, program director and associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. Genetic counselors often engage with families under moments of stress, duress and uncertainty. They respond to the patients needs in a sensitive and empathic manner. Genetic counselors foster families adjustment to the circumstances and allow them to adapt in the best way they can.

The Masters degree program is well positioned to leverage Baylors extraordinary strengths in genetics to train students in a dynamic clinical and research intensive environment. Baylor College of Medicines Department of Molecular and Human Genetics is ranked No. 1 in the country in National Institutes of Health funding.

As a health sciences university, Baylor College of Medicine values the role that each member of a patients healthcare team plays in providing care. It is an opportune time to add this important program to our portfolio of excellent training opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals, said Dr. Alicia Monroe, provost and senior vice president of academic and faculty affairs at Baylor College of Medicine.

The program will include foundational courses as well as clinical rotations throughout the Texas Medical Center and will allow students to sit for the American Board of Genetic Counseling Certification Exam upon completion of the program. The inaugural cohort for the program will consist of eight students.

Genetic Counseling is natural fit to our growing School of Allied Health Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, which also includes a Physician Assistant Program, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in Nurse Anesthesia and an Orthotics and Prosthetics Program, said Dr. Robert McLaughlin, dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at Baylor. The new program builds on the national reputation our programs have earned for excellence and innovation.

Graduate programs in genetic counseling must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) before students enroll so that their graduates are eligible to take the American Board of Genetic Counseling certification exam. The Baylor College of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program is not yet accredited, but the required letter of intent to apply for accreditation to the ACGC was submitted in June 2017. An accreditation decision must be obtained before the March 15, 2018, deadline for programs to be eligible to enroll in the 2018 match that pairs each applicant to a program that student wishes to attend.

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Baylor to offer new genetic counseling degree program - Baylor College of Medicine News (press release)

Data-Driven Medicine: The Role of AI in Cancer Diagnostics – Technology Networks (blog)

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Dr. Jurgi Camblong, CEO and Co-founder, SOPHiA GENETICS

Liquid biopsies are a growing area of interest for cancer diagnostics, offering a number of advantages over traditional methods. However, before more widespread adoption of these tools is seen in hospitals, there is a need for a more standardized approach to testing. One possible solution to help overcome this challenge, is SOPHiA, a recently introduced artificial intelligence platform.

To find out more about SOPHiA, the benefits it offers, and the role that AI could play in the future of healthcare, we spoke to Dr. Jurgi Camblong, CEO and co-founder of SOPHiA GENETICS.

Can you tell us about some of the advantages liquid biopsies offer over more traditional tissue biopsies?

Liquid biopsy is a new paradigm. Compared to tissue biopsies, liquid biopsies allow clinicians to perform analysis of solid tumors and hematological malignancies at various time points to detect tumor progression and monitor treatments effectiveness. Also, a liquid biopsy tends to be more accurate than a tissue biopsy as they offer a more comprehensive picture of the spread or remission of a cancer. To sum-up, liquid biopsies allow clinicians to have several different analyses run over time in one blood sample and adapt treatments accordingly. For patients, this new approach represents a faster and less invasive alternative to existing solutions.

What has been responsible for the lack of widespread adoption of liquid biopsies in the clinic so far?

The lack of a standardized accurate and unbiased analytical solution able to take into account low ctDNA levels has for a long time been the main significant barrier to the widespread adoption of liquid biopsies in hospitals.

Can you tell us a little about SOPHiAand how it can help overcome some of these limitations?

Our new application for liquid biopsy taps the analytical power of our artificial intelligence SOPHiA to help clinicians diagnose, treat, and monitor cancer earlier and more effectively by looking at circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) contained in patients liquid samples such as blood, urine, and cerebral spinal fluid. SOPHiA solves the existing challenges in liquid biopsy by offering a standardized DNA analysis approach to liquid biopsy testing, built upon the network of over 300 hospitals from 51 countries already using SOPHiA for genomic data analysis.

Even with low ctDNA levels, SOPHiA provides indispensable insights into tumors profiles, straight from liquid samples. Rather than waiting for months to detect changes on an imaging scan, SOPHiA allows clinicians to monitor a tumors progression with remarkable precision from a simple blood test. Faster and more accurate analysis eliminates undue anxiety resulting from biased answers and unclear response to heavy treatments, making regular status-checks less stressful and painful for patients. To facilitate the interpretation of all the genetic variants detected by SOPHiA in ctDNA, the analysis results are presented in the companys OncoPortal, an interface dedicated to solid tumors and hematological malignancies, which experts can access on the companys online analytical platform, SOPHiA DDM. OncoPortal flags associations between human gene variants, disease causality, progression, drug efficacy, and toxicity to help the clinicians better leverage the data analyzed by SOPHiA in order to provide personalized care to patients.

SOPHiA's application for liquid biopsies is also available for clinical trials, making it possible to identify the patients most likely to benefit from new treatments.

How important do you think Data-Driven Medicinewill be in the future of healthcare?

Thanks to AI, Data-Driven Medicine will play a key role to ensure treatments are targeted and personalized for each patient, building on the thousands of previous patient cases we will have analyzed. By 2020, our goal for SOPHiAis to have participated in diagnosing 1 million patients. By then, we should have succeeded in ensuring that patients get access to the best treatments, not based on clinical trials but rather building on evidence-based medicine.

Moving forward, SOPHiA will ultimately be used to target treatments, based on the value and benefits they have previously proven to bring to patients. In healthcare, SOPHiAalready participated in delivering on several milestones highlighted in President Obama Precision Medicine Initiative, i.e. connect hospitals, pool molecular data and share knowledge. To date, we have helped diagnose over 115,000 patients. The next step is now to expand our knowledge base and head towards a future of real time epidemiology. An era when we can monitor treatments almost real time within patients cohorts and where we will be able to say that one particular patients cancer is identical to 10,000 other patients, who had received treatment plan A and survived. SOPHiAGENETICS already put the infrastructure in place and democratized the approach. The next step is to have access to more and different types of data and metadata to expand our knowledge base and fully leverage SOPHiAAI technology for Data-Driven Medicine.

Next we spoke to Professor La Payen-Gay, co-investigator of the CIRCAN program at the Hospices Civils de Lyon Laboratory, to learn more about CIRCAN and the benefits that SOPHiAhas brought to the program.

Can you tell us about the CIRCAN program?

The CIRCAN (CIRculating CANcer) program is a comprehensive research program on liquid biopsy developed at the Hospices Civils of Lyon, with the support of the Cancer institute of the Hospices Civils of Lyon. Samples are collected within the framework of the CIRCAN study, which is a prospective and retrospective programs established to setup the analysis of circulating biomarkers. Primary and metastatic patients are included at diagnosis and during progression for NSCLC, colon cancer, etc. The program hosts Next Generation Sequencing, BEAMing and Digital PCR (BioRad) optimized for cfDNA analysis and circulating tumoral cells (CTCs).

How is SOPHiAbeing used in the program, and what benefits has it brought?

The Hospices Civils de Lyon, which is the second-oldest teaching hospital in France, is an early adopter of SOPHiAfor liquid biopsies. We use this cutting edge technology to analyze samples directly within the hospital after ctDNA has been sequenced. For us, SOPHiAmakes it easy to carry out a molecular profile for patients. It helps us find relevant models in certain cancers so that we locate mutations that can serve as predictive biomarkers to help us choose therapies. SOPHiAmakes it easier for us to detect multiple mutations from small fragments of ctDNA. We can run different analyses from one blood sample and personalize the treatment. This approach tends to be more accurate than a tissue biopsy, since the latter is just a sample from one area and not a full representation of a disease. It also reduces stress on patients and can lower costs by avoiding invasive biopsies and inappropriate drug choices.

How much of a role do you think artificial intelligence will play in the future of cancer diagnosis?

I think AI will play a key role to ensure treatments are targeted and personalized for each patient and oncology should be the first disease area to benefit from this technological advance.

Dr. Camblong and Professor Payen-Gay were speaking to Anna MacDonald, Editor for Technology Networks.

You can find out more from @JurgiCamblong and @SOPHiAGENETICS

Excerpt from:

Data-Driven Medicine: The Role of AI in Cancer Diagnostics - Technology Networks (blog)

Kamya Punjabi Gives Back To The Hacker Who Deleted Her Backless Picture! – FilmiBeat

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Many Bollywood and Television celebrities are taking to the social media to support Ekta Kapoor's upcoming film Lipstick Under My Burkha. Shakti actress Kamya Punjabi too, joined the 'Lipstick Rebellion'.

Kamya shared a topless picture showing off her back and holding a lipstick. The caption read, "They Said that don't be that woman ...The that other woman..the divorced woman .. the single mother woman .. But I am that woman .."

"Every time I put in my lipstick on, I smile. because I am being true to myself . Whether the world agrees or not I have made my own don't.. Don't you."

Shockingly, a day later, the photo was deleted. Kamya claimed that her account was hacked. She took to Twitter, "I did not take off a bare piece of clothing off my back. I bared the innermost corners of my soul...!!! #iknowUknowmypassword #instagram." Her post read, "Posted a certain backless pic of mine, promoting a film about brave cinema. And left for shoot."

"Open app. Picture has been removed.News articles claiming my unsure mind led to impulsive upload of nudity and hence took it off. Hahah."

"Still laughing my guts off. Never posted something I never believed in. Never took off something I once posted. Wore my heart, and scares on my sleeves with pride Happy hacking! happy hating! ."

The actress was quoted by BT as saying, "I don't understand the motive behind deleting one particular post. Is it jealousy or insecurity? I don't know. Mere photo se, caption se, kis cheez se dar gaye, I don't know. No one can dominate me. In fact, jitna rokoge, utna main aage badhungi."

Kamya has always been surrounded by controversies and she knows how to deal with them! Recently, she was linked to Bigg Boss 10 winner Manveer Gujjar. But, she clarified that 'they are great friends'.

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Transcoding in the Cloud – TV Technology

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

I watched some amazing fireworks this past Fourth of July weekend, with powerful rockets screaming skyward to burst among the clouds and fantastic fountains erupting brilliantly at ground level. After the excitement, I found myself musing on the shows parallel to the question of whether it is better to transcode in the cloud or to use on-premise servers. People want to understand how cloud-based transcoding might benefit their business. Do we even need on-premise transcoding anymore?

The truth is that you cant discuss transcoding without considering the workflow around it. Lets start with two basic definitions:

1. Transcoding is the adaption of a media file from one format to another: converting a 1080i file to 720p or Avid DNxHD to H.264 web-compatible format, changing the bit rate, or making numerous other changes needed to deliver content to a particular platform.

2. Workflow is the path content takes between creation and delivery. A workflow can include manual processes such as Standards & Practices, machine-automated processes such as quality control, and, yes, transcoding.

In other words, transcoding is just one activity within the overall journey we call a workflow. What happens upstream and downstream of transcoding matters. We are really asking about content operations, which come in two flavors: Production Content that is in the process of being created and Distribution Content that is relatively complete but needs to be adapted for one or more distribution platforms.

Production content is the raw material of the production factory, from a YouTube producer creating a workout video to a broadcast newsroom creating this evenings newscast. Transcoding may be needed to bring in external content (such as from a news-wire service, archive or external library) or to share content between departments running different systems (such as production and promotions departments). Production content workflows tend to be heavily time-dependent, frequently operate on smaller files and typically require very few destination formats and variations.

Distribution content is the finished goods that need to be packaged for delivery. The destination could be a networks master control, iTunes, Roku, SVOD or any other distribution path. It tends to be longer in duration, although it may also include commercials and promos, and generally requires conversion into significantly more formats and varieties.

With all that in mind, lets re-ask the question: cloud-based or on-premise transcoding? The answer often comes down to three simple factors:

TIME

Transcoding large files can take significant time; uploading large files to the cloud, potentially even longer. If the delivery need is measured in minutes, as is frequently required with production operations, its unlikely cloud services will reliably meet that demand. If the need is measured in days, which is normal in distribution operations, the cloud becomes a more realistic option.

Internet connection speed also greatly affects time. Just comparing one recent Positive Flux client with a 100Gig internet backbone and another with only 200Mb, the client with the faster pipe was far better positioned to utilize cloud services for a wider variety of services.

DISTANCE

A widely-dispersed team whose members need to operate on the content at the same time could benefit from a cloud-based solution, if it has the workflow tools they need. For them, the time cost of bringing content to the cloud is offset by the benefits in freedom of location.

If the content is destined for multiple off-site locations, then time spent to upload it into the cloud is not wasted. In fact, it has the effect of moving the content closer to all its destinations and potentially reducing the number of uploads to just one. We can then leverage cloud-based workflows and transcoding to deliver the many variations to the different destinations.

If the content is only destined for an in-house master control facility, then cloud-based operations make less sense. Why go to the cloud only to return to the same starting point?

MONEY

Moving transcoding and workflow operations to the cloud trades capital investment for operational cost. Cloud-based operations could help avoid buying some servers and software licenses, or building a data room or complex networks, but careful financial modeling and good estimates of content volumes are critical. The pay-as-you-go model might help with cash-flow, but those with higher volumes may find themselves penalized. Cost calculations need to include upload, storage, transcode operations, and other processing and delivery charges from the cloud service provider. It is also important to amortize the incremental internet service used to and manage content operations.

On-premise solutions provide an all-you-can-eat solution with fixed pricing that should be easier to budget. Licenses can be used for years, although they incur annual support fees. Right-sizing is critical here: buy too many licenses and engines sit idle; buy too few and content piles up like flights into OHare. In our practice, 4,000 one-hour transcodes per year is the rule-of-thumb for the economic break-even point for one server.

People ask if there are maintenance or IT cost savings associated with using cloud services. It seems like this should be the case, but the reality is that web services need to be managed and monitored just like local servers. Companies find themselves needing the same size team either way.

WHY NOT HAVE IT ALL?

For many workflows, the decision of where to perform transcoding is not an A/B choice. One of the clouds many advantages is its elasticity. Its easy to spin up additional transcode engines in the cloud when a big job comes through or when many projects need to be accomplished at the same time. Although on-premises solutions do not offer this capability today, its conceivable that on-premise technology providers could soon provide the same elasticity, providing a hybrid on-site licensing/virtualization model or hybrid onsite/cloud service, which would manage the flow of content and scale on demand.

Like the fireworks, perhaps the best show of all ties together earth-bound launch platforms and cloud-based firepower.

Share your experiences in deciding to cloud or not to cloud media workflow operations in the comments.

Larry Thaler is the President of Positive Flux, a consulting firm that specializes in helping media companies take advantage of the rapid changes occurring in the industry. He can be reached viaTV Technology.

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Transcoding in the Cloud - TV Technology

Hancock Family Medicine opens in Wellmont Hospital – Citizentribune

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

Dr. John Short and Casey Johnson have returned to the Hancock County medical community with the opening of Hancock County Family Medicine.

The hospital and community hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 11 and the practice has been open since June 26. Officials from the community and Wellmont Health Systems attended the ribbon cutting to welcome the two medical professionals.

The practice is located inside Wellmont Hospital, which has been a fixture in Hancock County for more than a decade. Hancock County Family Medicine will be a fixture of the hospital itself but will be managed by Wellmont Medical Associates.

Short has had a 21-year medical career, during which he served as the hospitals medical director and most recently practiced medicine at Lakeway Family Medicine in Morristown. He graduated from the University Of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis and completed his internship and residency in family medicine at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Johnson was a paramedic at Hancock County Hospital and Hancock County Ambulance Service. He has also volunteered for Hancock County Rescue Squad. He has an associates degree in public safety as a paramedic from Walters State Community College, a bachelors degree in biology from Lincoln Memorial University and a masters degree from LMUs Debusk College of Medicine.

It is such an important day in the expansion of our continuum care and delivery of services provided by Hancock County Hospital, Rebecca Beck, president of Hancock County Hospital, said. Our hospital currently provides 24/7 emergency care, in-patient hospitalization, radiology, respiratory and cardiac services. The addition of primary care today now helps us to ensure the patients of our community receive care in the most appropriate of settings.

The patients of Hancock County Family Medicine will have access to tests and treatments typically found in a family medical setting, but they will also have the option of accessing outpatient services in the hospital. The patients will have the option to obtain X-rays and laboratory testing on site.

This is a great day for Hancock County and Hancock County Hospital. It is something that is an addition to what we already have, Ken Smith, chairman of the hospitals board of directors, said. Quality care has been a key component of this hospital since its beginnings. We have one of the best rural hospitals in the state of Tennessee and it is recognized nationally along with the state. You can have a beautiful facility, but without caring people, you do not have quality healthcare. We have that here.

In establishing this family practice, we are going to see a broad spectrum of patients from pediatrics to geriatrics, he continued. They dont have to go across the mountain and they dont have to go somewhere else to get their laboratory tests or X-rays. This is so important because all too often, we would hear of people having to go across the mountain to get tests or X-rays done. We love the convenience that this is going to give everyone.

Hancock County Hospital has been nationally recognized for its quality of rural care. In 2015, the National Rural Health Association selected the hospital as one of the 20 critical access hospitals in the country. Beckers Hospital Review, a national publication, has chosen the family for the past two years as one of the Critical Access Hospitals to Know. The hospital also scored 94 out of 100 points in the national Pediatric Readiness Assessment.

This community has been blessed to have access to such a wonderful facility, Mike Gibson, chairman of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, said. We all remember years ago when our hospital closed. Standing here today, this is such a contrast. We are certainly blessed.

Jim Wozniak, media relations director for Wellmont Health System, said when the hospital reopened, it was the result of a partnership within the community and county.

Thomas Harrison, Hancock County Mayor, recognized the value the hospital brings to the community, especially with the current call center building project, which will add 150 new jobs to Hancock County.

Hancock County Hospital has been a key player in our delivery of superior care with compassion in our rural communities, Eric Deaton, Wellmont Health Systems chief operating officer, said. The physicians and other medical professionals have repeatedly demonstrated to the community how patients can receive tremendous care for a broad range of medical conditions. Were now grateful for the opportunity to expand our scope with the addition of our family medicine practice.

The hospital is located at 1519 Main Street in Sneedville. For more information about Hancock County Family Medicine, visit http://www.welmontphysicians.org. Appointments are available by calling 423-733-5070.

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Hancock Family Medicine opens in Wellmont Hospital - Citizentribune

AVMA’s champion for global veterinary medicine – American Veterinary Medical Association

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

American Veterinary Medical Association

AVMA's champion for global veterinary medicine
American Veterinary Medical Association
For the past three years, Dr. Ren Carlson has been president of the World Veterinary Association, the internationally recognized voice of global veterinary medicine. A federation of roughly 90 veterinary organizations representing 500,000 ...

AVMA's champion for global veterinary medicine - American Veterinary Medical Association

LETTER: Walmart wants to remove barriers between medicine, retail sales – Edmond Sun

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

To the Editor:

I have worked as an optometric physician in Oklahoma for 15 years and have seen more than 10,000 patients. In addition to fitting patients with contacts and prescription eye glasses, I diagnose and treat debilitating conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and ocular surface disease; I perform both traditional and laser surgeries; and I advise patients whose eyes show signs that they are at risk of a stroke or a heart attack. I have diagnosed patients and saved lives with vision and life threatening conditions like brain tumors, brain aneurysms, and different types of cancers.

Today, my profession and most importantly, the health of my patients, is being directly attacked by Walmart.

Under the guise of market competition, Walmart wants to change Oklahomas constitution to eliminate the legal barriers between medicine and retail sales. In other words, they want optometric physicians like me to work in a Walmart store and practice medicine somewhere between the frozen food section and their auto-parts shop.

Our state Constitution currently prohibits such a set-up, a choice that Oklahoma lawmakers consciously and wisely made (and have since reaffirmed) to treat medical care as something other than a normal mass market retail product.

There are two important reasons for that degree of separation. The first is quality.

I work in a private practice and my only business is optometry. My clinic is a sterile environment. I have the tools and the equipment I need to provide my patients with the best service and care available; I am not assigned a budget by a Walmart manager or asked to cut corners. I know my patients by name, and I know their families. I have every incentive to offer the highest quality of care.

Walmart, I think it is fair to say, does not specialize in providing high quality goods and services. They are known for bulk sales and cheap products. That is fine if you are buying a garden hose; it is not fine if you are getting laser eye surgery.

Other than guaranteeing quality of care, another reason for separating medicine from big box store environments is trust.

If a doctor tells a patient they need a procedure or a new prescription, the patient needs to trust he or she is receiving advice based on sound medicine and nothing else. I took an oath when I graduated from optometry school to First, Do No Harm. In other words, the patient needs to know he or she is dealing with a doctor who is committed to taking care of them for life and not a salesperson looking to meet a quarterly quota.

Big box stores rely on bulk sales the fast and dirty work of selling as much stuff as possible to as many people as possible. In states where Walmart contractors can practice optometry that approach has trickled down to eye doctors: there are numerous examples of optometrists who are pressured to change how they practice medicine to increase sales. That may be good business for Walmart; it is most certainly bad medicine.

Quality care and trust are the bedrock principles that all doctors operate on and all patients demand. Sadly, both are being torn down and commoditized by Walmart and being replaced with just one: profit.

Dr. Selina McGee

Oklahoma City

Editors Note: Selina McGee is a doctor of optometry who lives and practices in Oklahoma. She is the vice president of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians, a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

LETTER: Walmart wants to remove barriers between medicine, retail sales - Edmond Sun

Why Kaiser added tech execs to its med school board – San Francisco Business Times

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

San Francisco Business Times

Why Kaiser added tech execs to its med school board
San Francisco Business Times
The roster includes Kaiser medical executives and Silicon Valley technology leaders, including Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, and Mary Hentges, former chief financial officer of PayPal and CBS Interactive. Dr. Holly J. Humphrey, dean for medical ...

UW medical school in Spokane won’t get bigger classes – The Spokesman-Review

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

University of Washington President Ana Marie Cauce, left, shows off her Gonzaga pen while she and Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh, right, sign the formal agreement after the announcement that Gonzaga University would host UW medical students on campus, starting in the fall of 2016. The announcement was Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at Gonzaga University. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

For now, at least, the University of Washingtons medical school in Spokane will have classes of just 60 students.

Through a partnership with Gonzaga University, UW welcomed 60 first-year and 40 second-year medical students in Spokane last fall. Earlier this year it asked the Legislature for $9.3 million to add 20 students per graduating class.

But lawmakers were juggling other expensive obligations, including a court order to invest more in K-12 education, so UW received just $5 million for the biennium, enough to support two more classes of 60 medical students.

Our long-term goal is to get to 80 students, said Ian Goodhew, UWs government affairs director. Thats what weve been working on for several years.

Washington State University, which received $10 million for its fledgling medical school in Spokane, also is authorized to serve classes of 60. UWs medical school served significantly fewer students at WSU Spokane before that partnership splintered several years ago.

Goodhew said UW is satisfied with the amount it received. He said lawmakers recognized that the partnership with Gonzaga is off to a pretty great start.

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UW medical school in Spokane won't get bigger classes - The Spokesman-Review

Lilly Endowment giving IU medical school $25M to fund life sciences … – Indianapolis Business Journal

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

In a move intended to boost Indianas position as a life sciences research hub, Lilly Endowment Inc. isgiving $25 million to the Indiana University School of Medicine to create a biomedical research center, establish a doctoral program in bioinformatics and hire at least 10biomedical scientists.

The two institutions announced the grant Tuesday afternoon, saying it is designed to attract top scientists to Indiana.

The money will allow the medical school to set up a new collaboration with non-academic research partners around the state, including Eli Lilly and Co., Roche Diagnostics, Dow AgroSciences, Cook Group, Indiana University Health, Eskenazi Health and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

The collaboration will be called the Indiana Collaborative Initiative for Talent Enrichment, or INCITE for short.

The IU School of Medicine said it expects the collaborations will focus on key research areas, including new treatments for cancer, Alzheimers disease, diabetes and childhood diseases.

For Indiana to continue to grow as one of our nations leading centers for life science research and innovation, it is critical that we continue to attract the top research talent to our state, IU President Michael McRobbie said in a statement.

Indianapolis has struggled to attract and retain top talent, compared with many other cities, such as Pittsburgh, Denver, Nashville and Baltimore, according to research from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis is trying to make the city more exciting for scientists and other professionals, through such efforts as creating the 16 Tech innovation district, just north of the medical school.

The goal of that project is to transform an aging business district into a vibrant research area, by creating an active work-live-play urban environment. The anchor tenant of the district will be the fledgling Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

IBRI officials said they are excited by the $25 million grant.

The ability to attract top talent is vital to the continued growth of life sciences in Indiana, IBRI CEO David Broecker said in a statement. This initiative will help us recruit world-class researchers from around the country and across the globe and keep our homegrown talent here, too. We are excited to be a part of it.

Other large Indiana players in life sciences were similarly upbeat.

"With this new grant, we look forward to the potential to enhance the ecosystem for scientists in Indiana and further the work that has been done to create a life science hub in our state, Andrew Dahlem, vice president for Lilly Research Laboratories, said in a statement.

Its the latest major gift from the Lilly Endowment, one of the countrys largest private philanthropic organizations, to the IU medical school. The endowment awarded grants in 2000 and 2002 totaling $155 million to help the school build research infrastructure. It gave another $60 million in 2009 to help the school recruit scientists trained as both physicians and researchers.

Lilly Endowment is pleased to help build on the schools impressive strengths through this innovative and collaborative new initiative, which will not only enhance the life sciences sector but also result in advances in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health concerns, Sara B. Cobb, the endowments vice president for education, said in a statement.

Part of the money will be used to help create a biomedical research center with cryo-electron microscopy technology to study the structure of molecules. The center will be available to researchers at the medical school and other life sciences organizations in Indiana.

Other institutions involved in the collaboration will include Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame, through the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, a statewide partnership funded by the National Institutes of Health that aims to improve public health.

The money from Lilly Endowmentalso will fund the establishment of a doctoral program in bioinformatics to help train the next generation of scientists in genomic medicine. The university currently offers a PhD in informatics with a specialization in bioinformatics, a spokeswoman said. The new program will be in "biomedical informatics" with a focus on medicine and health, she said.

The grant marks just the latest major gift to the medical school. In December, Indianapolis millionaire and tech entrepreneur Don Brown said he would donate $30 million to speed up research into how to use the immune system to fight cancer and other ravaging diseases.

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Lilly Endowment giving IU medical school $25M to fund life sciences ... - Indianapolis Business Journal

Workers at Newark Liberty Airport strike in dispute – NorthJersey.com

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

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Workers at Newark Airport went on strike Tuesday night due to an alleged labor dispute that will also affect the New York airports.

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This week promises to be a bumpy ride with the start of a tough NYC commute, a sports talk radio audition for Governor Chris Christie and a sentencing of one of his former allies. John C. Ensslin

File photo of United Airlines planes at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark on Dec. 22, 2016.(Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/NorthJersey.com)

Workers at Newark Liberty International Airport went on strike Tuesday night due to an alleged labor dispute that will also affect the major New York airports.

PrimeFlight workers hit the curbside pavements of Newark Airport just after 9 p.m. "Refusal to bargain in good faith" was the common phrase on fliers.

"Airport workers deserve access to their legal rights!" said labor union group 32BJ Service Employees International Union in a tweet.

Organizers have said they will also picket Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Newark, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports.

The 700 workers consist of baggage claim handlers, cleaners,customer service agents and offer assistance to those who seek wheelchair assistanceat the airport.

PrimeFlight is a subcontractor for several airlines.The strike would continue for at least three days.

It's not known what, if any, disruption may come atthe airport due to those who decided to strike.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Workers at Newark Liberty Airport strike in dispute - NorthJersey.com

Bull shark remains reportedly found in lake off Trinity River in Liberty County – Chron.com

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

By Vanesa Brashier, vbrashier@hcnonline.com

The decomposing remains of a bull shark reportedly were found in a lake near Kenefick in Liberty County Tuesday. Bull sharks are known for swimming many miles into freshwater rivers and streams but authorities aren't certain at this time if this shark was dumped in the lake or became stranded.

The chances of being bitten by a shark are very small particularly if you're just sitting on your couch watching 'Shark Week.' But these victims weren't so lucky.

Bellaire teenager Mikaela Amezaga displays bite marks she believes were caused by a shark while she was swimming in Galveston.

Aaron Perez, then 11, survived a shark attack that nearly cost him his right arm in 2004 in Freeport. He had been surf fishing with his dad and a family friend.

Surfer Bethany Hamilton competes at the Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River in Australia in 2008. Hamilton is known for surviving a shark attack, losing her left arm and overcoming the injury to return to surfing.

A general warning sign is seen Thursday at an empty Bondi Beach, which closed temporarily after a shark attack the previous day.

Greg LeNoir checks on his dog Jake, on Sept. 28, 2008, in Isalmorada, Fla. Jake was attacked by a shark while swimming days earlier. LeNoir punched the shark, which then let go of Jake.

The brother Gustav Lillienfeld, right, of a shark attack victim David Lillienfeld, is supported by a friend near the coastal town of Gordon's Bay, South Africa, Thursday, April 19, 2012.

A lifeguard on a jetski inspects the surf for sharks at Bondi Beach on Feb. 13 in Sydney, Australia.

Debbie Salamone's ankle still bears the scars of her August 2004 shark attack.

A shark swims above a diver during a feeding demonstration at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2006.

A memorial dedicated to Jamie Marie Daigle is set at the spot where she was brought after being attacked by a bull shark near Destin, Fla., in 2005. The 14-year-old Gonzales, La., girl died from the attack.

An unidentified woman applies pressure to the ankle of Austrian tourist Armin Trojer, 19, after a shark bit him Friday near Boca Grande, Fla., in 2005.

Rescuers believe this loggerhead sea turtle, which is suffering from severed limbs, was attacked by a shark near Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, in western Japan this week.

Bull shark remains reportedly found in lake off Trinity River in Liberty County

A Liberty County man claims he found the decomposing remains of a bull shark in Twin Lakes in Kenefick Tuesday.

Jared Moser, 25, says he came across the nearly 5-foot-long shark while riding his four-wheeler along the riverbank.

"I just rode up on it and couldn't believe what I was seeing," Moser said. "My whole life I've heard that sharks can be found in the Trinity River. I am a true believer now."

Moser suspects the shark swam up the Trinity River and became stranded in Twin Lakes when river levels dropped.

After he found the shark, Moser took a few photos and posted them on Snapchat "for all the people who don't believe me that there are sharks in the water," he said. "That's why I don't swim in the Trinity."

Late Tuesday afternoon, Moser said he returned with a friend to look at the shark again.

"My friend likes to swim in the river. I've been telling him it's not safe and I wanted him to see this for himself," he said.

Texas Game Warden Randy Button, who learned about the shark late Tuesday, said he is skeptical that the shark swam up the river and became stranded in the lake. He believes it is more likely that the shark was dumped by a fisherman.

"The only time the river has been high enough to flood that area was last year. That is a long, long time for a shark to survive in freshwater," Button said. "Bull sharks will go upriver but I personally haven't seen a shark up that far. It's really weird."

Moser had the same suspicions as Button initially but says there is no sign of trauma to the shark and says the area is remote and hard to access by vehicle or boat.

"There were no gunshot wounds and no fins cut off. I couldn't find any tire marks or footprints in the area either," Moser said. "It looks like it just swam up there and died."

In 2006, two fishermen caught a 5-foot-long bull shark below the Lake Livingston Dam, some 40 miles further north up the Trinity River. In that case, game wardens also suspected that the shark was dumped by a fisherman but it was never proven.

Button and Moser plan to go to the site early Wednesday morning for a closer inspection of the shark. The Dayton News will follow up if information warrants an update.

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Bull shark remains reportedly found in lake off Trinity River in Liberty County - Chron.com

Defining Religious Liberty And How Far It Should Stretch – Houston Public Media

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Danzig

What exactly does religious liberty mean from a legal standpoint, and how has it been interpreted by courts? To discuss that we are joined by Josh Blackman, associate professor of law at South Texas College of Law, Reverend Laura Mayo of Covenant Church and Mustafaa Carroll of the Council of American-Islamic Relations.

Religious liberty is one of many rights enumerated in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, though it never seems quite so simple as make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or [prohibit] the free exercise thereof.

What exactly does religious liberty mean from a legal standpoint and how has it been interpreted by courts?

To discuss that, we talk withJosh Blackmanfrom South Texas College of Law Houston. Then, to get some perspectives from religious leaders on what religious liberty means to them, we talk with Rev. Laura Mayo of Covenant Church, and Mustafaa Carroll with theCouncil of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

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Defining Religious Liberty And How Far It Should Stretch - Houston Public Media

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