Man becomes human Bitcoin wallet with chip implanted in hand

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"Mr. Bitcoin" will never forget where he left his wallet. It's implanted under his skin.

The Amsterdam-based Bitcoin entrepreneur, whose real name Martijn Wismeijer, turned himself into a real-life cyborg by having a miniature digital communications chip implanted in his hand.

He posted a video of the procedure on YouTube:

Wismeijer and his compatriots got tiny NFC chips injected into their hands. NFC, which stands for near-field communications, is the same type of technology built into the Apple Pay digital payment system and numerous Android devices.

NFC is a short-range wireless system that allows devices to send data back and forth, enabling the user to make mobile payments or send commands to other smart devices.

The chip that "Mr. Bitcoin" used was developed by a company called Dangerous Things. According to the company's Indiegogo campaign, its inventor, Amal Graafstra, had the first model implanted into his own hand by a surgeon in 2005, and got a second upgraded model injected a couple of months later using a pet chip injector assembly. Wismeijer used the same type of injector to have the miniature device slipped under his skin.

Dangerous Things' implantable NFC chip in bioglass capsule.

Dangerous Things

"The xNT [chip] is a 2mm x 12mm, fully NFC Type 2 compliant RFID tag encased in a cylindrical Schott 8625 bioglass ampule and sterilized in ethylene oxide gas," according to the Dangerous Things Indiegogo page.

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Man becomes human Bitcoin wallet with chip implanted in hand

Bitcoin Firm Coinbase Raising Between $40-$60m at $400m Valuation

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A Bitcoin (virtual currency) paper wallet with QR codes and coins are seen in an illustration picture taken at La Maison du Bitcoin in Paris.REUTERS

Bitcoin payment processor Coinbase is conducting another big funding round that would make the company one of the biggest firms in the cryptocurrency sector.

Tech blog Re/Code reported that Coinbase, which helps businesses to accept bitcoin payments, is raising between $40m (25.5m, 32m) to $60m in its latest attempt, valuing the company at around $400m.

Venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson is expected to contribute most of the funds in the latest round, sources told the blog.

Since its inception in 2012, the company raised $31m in two funding rounds. In May 2013, the company secured $5m, the largest fundraise for a bitcoin start-up at that time.

In April, the company raised $25m in funding led by venture capital fund Andreessen Horowitz. Other investors in the San Francisco-based firm include Union Square Ventures, Ribbit Capital and SV Angel.

Coinbase claims that it has 1.8 million users, and two million wallet accounts registered. It provides services to 37,000 merchants those include prominent firms such as Expedia, Dell, Overstock.com and Stripe.

It generates revenue by charging a small fee to buy or sell bitcoins. It also charges merchants 1% after their first $1m in bitcoin payments.

Total venture capital investment in bitcoin since 2012 totalled $317m at the end of the third quarter, up 41% from the end of the second quarter, according to the latest CoinDesk State of Bitcoin report.

However, venture capital investments in the cryptocurrency were $60m in the third quarter, compared to $73m in the second quarter. The popular digital currency suffered an almost 40% decline in value during the third quarter.

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Bitcoin Firm Coinbase Raising Between $40-$60m at $400m Valuation

Winning legacy links Comets

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WRIGHT TWP. A day after booking their third straight trip to the finals of the PIAA Class 2A Field Hockey Championship, the Comets were at practice.

The fairly warm Wednesday afternoon had quite a few players in shorts and T-shirts. An unusual sight for the second week of November, not that it would have mattered anyway.

If theres one thread that connects every Crestwood field hockey player over generations, its this simple statement were here.

Clear conditions, wet conditions, windy conditions, the Comets will be at practice. Just like Casey Coles mom, Danielle. Like Hannah Ackers mom Doreen and older sister, Chandler. Like Elizabeth Dessoyes older sister, Anna, and just like head coach Patsy Moratori and her coaching staff of Justine Yeager and Amy Daniel.

Its a philosophy started by long-time head coach Elvetta Gemski and continued by Moratori in her first year at the helm.

We told them at the beginning of the season, Girls, were good because were here every day. So if its raining were here, Moratori said. Dont think because its raining youre going home. Were here.

In an area rich with field hockey talent, Crestwood has made its case as one of the top programs in the state with five PIAA titles.

That success has been whispered in the ears of young girls growing up in the area for years. Whether they play field hockey or not, everyone knows Crestwood equals field hockey.

We all heard of Crestwood field hockey, but I never really played (until seventh grade), senior goalkeeper Dallas Kendra said. I thought Id continue the legacy after joining the team.

For some, the red and white is passed down from mother to daughter or sister to sister. For others, its a chance to uphold tradition.

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Winning legacy links Comets

Football: Comets turned tough loss into state title in 1994

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By Ty Reynolds & Patrick Mason sports@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5555

The tale of the 1994 Newman Comets football team is one of redemption. Its also a tale of two senior classes achieving a goal that had slipped through their fingers a year before.

To understand the journey to the Comets 14-0 season and second state championship in program history, you must first understand where that group of seniors was coming from. And to do that, we must delve into November 1993, when Newman fell just short of the pinnacle.

The 1993 1A state title game in Normal has gone down in infamy as the Ice Bowl, a game so cold the astroturf froze over and the Comets, wearing their basketball-style turf shoes, slipped and slid all day in a 49-9 loss at the hands of Calhoun, which was wearing cleats.

It was kind of Shoe Gate, said Matt Selmi, an offensive and defensive tackle on the 1994 team.

We were pretty tight with the seniors in 1993, and seeing how they had to go out losing that game we made a vow to each other that we were going to get back there the next year and win it for them, and for us.

Everyone took it hard that year, and we could only think about getting back there the next year, running back Ryan Fowler added. I didnt like the what-if factor of that game, and I remember telling the seniors ahead of us that wed do anything and everything to get back there and redeem what happened.

Almost as one, the Comets coming back for the next season adopted that unspoken chip on their shoulder, and the journey back to Normal the next November began almost immediately after they left Hancock Stadium that cold day in 1993.

There are many stories surrounding that 1994 dream season. Most revolve around center/linebacker Matt Hoffmiller, who teammates call the glue that held things together.

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Football: Comets turned tough loss into state title in 1994

Rosetta probe may hold clues to life on Earth…but scientists cannot get to them

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We have activated the drill. Its started to drill. Then we lost contact again because the orbiter is below the horizon again, said Dr Stephan Ulamec, Philae Lander Manager.

We are not sure whether the batteries will still have enough energy to transmit the data when we get in contact later this evening. Around midnight we should know.

Philae appears to be stuck under a cliff

The comet is a remnant from the early solar system and may hold clues about how life on Earth began.

Many scientists believe that comets were the driving force behind life on Earth, bringing water and amino acids to the planet during the bombardment phase around four billion years ago.

If the scientists do not manage to re-establish the link with the probe, there is a faint possibility that the solar panels will begin working again when the comets orbit brings it closer to the Sun.

We can only hope that as we approach the Sun, maybe in August, if we dont have dust or a huge coma blocking the Sun, then perhaps there would be a chance we could come back and at least see how the lander is doing, said Valentina Lommats of the German Space Agency.

So cross your fingers but perhaps we will hear something from the lander again. It looks a bit bad. But we can always hope.

Crucially, the team has still not located the lander. On Thursday the team said they believed Philae had bounced twice before settling in a crater to the East of the original landing site. However scans of the area by the OSIRIS camera on board Rosetta failed to locate the probe. Rosetta has now began scanning areas to the East of the landing site.

The original landing site. Scientists now think the probe is somewhere to the west of the mark

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Rosetta probe may hold clues to life on Earth...but scientists cannot get to them

Shinkaruk's Two-Goals Power Comets past Wolves

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November 14, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets slipped passed the Chicago Wolves Friday night with a 4-3 win, for their eleventh on the season, in front of a sold-out crowd at The Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Hunter Shinkaruk (2-0-1), Brandon DeFazio (1-1-0), and Cal O'Reilly (0-2-2) all led the way with two points apiece for the Comets. Jacob Markstrom saved 29 shots out of the 32 taken by the Wolves, and now has collected a win in seven of his eight starts.

After returning from his two-game stint with the Vancouver Canucks, DeFazio quickly reminded Utica what he could offer.

Just 32 seconds into the first period, the right-winger found the Comets first goal of the night on a penalty shot that was awarded to him just after getting hooked down on a breakaway by a Chicago defensemen.

DeFazio picked up speed as he headed towards the blue-line for his one-on-one with Matt Climie. As he approached the hashmarks, DeFazio reached into his bag of tricks. He put on the brakes, skated to Climie's right, and reached back one-handed to tuck the puck under Climie's left pad to give the Comets an early 1-0 lead and his fifth goal on the season.

Chicago returned the favor in the opening of the second period. At 1:36 Chris Butler received a pass along the boards to the left point from Colin Fraser. Pat Cannone tipped a Butler slapshot over the glove of Markstrom for the 1-1 equalizer.

Not too long after Chicago's goal, Shinkaruk found the back of the net during some confusion in front of Climie's crease. With a couple of chop's Shinkaruk tipped it up over the left shoulder of the veteran goaltender at 9:29 to make it a 2-1 lead for the Comets. O'Reilly and DeFazio both received assists on the play.

It only took two minutes and 26 seconds for the Comets to extend their lead. Brendan Gaunce raced down the left wing to take a quick shot on Climie's right side. What resulted was a flying re-bound and a swat out of the air by O'Reilly. After a swing and a miss for O'Reilly, Alexandre Grenier snuck it past Climie on his glove side. O'Reilly was credited with the secondary assist.

From there the Wolves mounted a comeback and tied the game at 3.

Chicago's first goal came just 5:05 into the third period. Brent Sopel fed the puck to Rob Bordson who gave it to Petteri Lindbohm for the shot on Markstrom. The puck beat Markstrom glove side to close the gap and make it a 3-2 game.

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Shinkaruk's Two-Goals Power Comets past Wolves

Dumaguing: Know More about Psoriasis

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FIRST and foremost, psoriasis is NOT a contagious disease. This strong statement hopefully, will remove, once and for all, the prevailing notion that psoriasis is a communicable and contagious disease, a misconception which has directly and indirectly put patients or if you may, sufferers of the disease, into pitiful situations like not being allowed to board a plane or eat in a high-end restaurant or even just being a seatmate in a classroom.

Second fact is that psoriasis is an inherited ailment. There is a trait handed down from parents to children, although not necessarily affecting all siblings. Genetic mutation has also been found to be a cause of the illness. The characteristic triad of psoriasis is thickening, redness and scaling. The extreme redness of the skin gives the impression to onlookers that there might be an infection, thus, their worry and eventual avoidance of close contact with the person.

The skin is now considered as the biggest organ in the human body, in terms of surface area. It has three layers; the epidermis being the outermost, serving as an effective protective barrier not only against microbes but also to harmful solar rays from the sun. The dermis is the middle, thickest and so-called vascular layer, whose blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to the overlying epidermis. The subcutaneous layer or tela subcutanea is made of fatty tissue, oleic acid being most abundant fat in it, colored bright orange-yellow because of the pigments carotene and xanthophyll. In normal, healthy individuals, it takes 28-30 days for the process of epidermidization - the replacement of the dead topmost layer of skin cells by new, young skin cells. In the case of persons with psoriasis, this process is much shorter that the skin cell turnover takes place within 3-5 days, thus resulting to an excessive accumulation of dead surface cells which later develop into scales and even bigger plaques. Dry and dead skins cells eventually slough off and shed leaving a fresh, reddish raw skin underneath the scales or plaques. Of course, itchiness or pruritus is a disturbing symptom which would make a person scratch the lesion and this invites infections especially with streptococcus and staphylococcus.

The author has been fortunate to watch the interview of Mr. Joseph de Guzman, President of Philippine Psoriasis Association and the doyenne of the VMV Skin Research Center, Dr. Vermen. M. Verallo-Rowell. The lady dermatologists, known both locally and internationally emphasized the two spikes of the occurrence of psoriasis in the lifetime of humans; the first being 18-25 years and the second spike when the person is 40-50 years old. There are sites of predilection; usually the scaling starts in the scalp, so much that dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis could be mistaken as psoriasis, although the amiable doctor said that the scalp scaling could be part and parcel of the disease. Skin folds particularly the knees and the elbows are also favored sites of psoriasis.

A whole body physical exam under natural light is imperative in the diagnosis of psoriasis, which could be mistaken as eczema, atopic dermatitis, or skin asthma. Contact dermatitis is the redness and inflammation of skin like earlobes wrist or fingers allergic to costume jewelries especially those containing nickel and alloy of metals. The treatment, although both Mr. de Guzman and Dr. Rowell were quite careful about declaring an absolute cure - depends on the extent of body surface involvement; less than 5 percent of the body would be mild, moderate if from 5-10 percent and severe if more than 15 percent of the body is involved in which, on top of the topical creams and lotions, the patient must take capsules or even receive injections to manage the signs and symptoms of psoriasis.

A very endearing and shall we say, nationalistic statement from Dr. Verallo-Rowell, who had extensive training abroad, extolled the virtues of our own coconut oil, especially if freshly-obtained. Zinc oxide applied properly serves as a skin barrier repair. While topical steroid creams significantly reduce the inflammatory skin reactions, Mr. de Guzman was quick to share experiences of his colleagues that more than two-weeks use could lead to thinning of the skin, making it susceptible to bacterial infection. Dr. Rowell encourages patients to get early morning sunshine, and swim in the sea preferably before 9 am and after 4 pm. Swimming pool has chlorine and hydrochloric acid in it so it may not be good for the psoriatic patient. Of course, for the real problematic cases, the cancer medicine Methotrexate or MTX is an effective last resort.

Dr. Verallo-Rowell clarified that a diagnosis of psoriasis is not as morbid as a death toll, sharing experiences with patients who, monitored regularly and obediently took their medicines, have had no flare-ups and in fact, brave and confident enough to walk down the ramp amidst glaring light of fashion shows or the scrutinizing close up on television interviews. More than that, she implored the public not to cast a disdainful look at persons with psoriasis but rather give them a compassionate, accepting and friendly smile.

Let's shake hands to that. Or better yet, why not a beso beso? Cheers!

Next Week: Let's hear it for deafness

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on November 15, 2014.

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Dumaguing: Know More about Psoriasis

Penn Medicine Study Finds Increased Risk of Cardiac Events in Those with Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, and …

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PHILADELPHIA Those experiencing psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular death, according to a multi-institutional study led by Penn Medicine researchers published online last month in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The researchers used primary care records from The Health Improvement Network (UK) between from 1994 to 2010 of adults 18 to 89 years old, including 8,700 with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 138,000 with psoriasis, nearly 42,000 experiencing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 82,000 controls experiencing none of the conditions.

Slightly more than half the studys psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients were prescribed a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. At least 65 percent of patients with PsA and RA were prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs compared with 24 percent of those with psoriasis and 47 percent of controls.

The researchers looked at the rate of MACE in psoriatic arthritis patients, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis after adjusting for CV risk factors. Psoriatic arthritis patients were 36 percent more likely than the control group to experience a heart attack, whether or not they were prescribed a DMARD.

Psoriasis, a chronic immune disease, affects 7.5 million people in the U.S., according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 10 to 20 percent of those with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis afflicts more than 1 million U.S. adults, the American College of Rheumatology reports.

We expected the increased risk of heart disease in these patients, said Alexis Ogdie, MD, MSCE, assistant professor of rheumatology and lead author of the study. Previous studies link whole-body inflammation with premature plaque buildup in the arteries.

Senior author Joel M. Gelfand, MD MSCE noted that a surprising finding was that the increased risk of MACE and CV mortality in patients with more severe psoriasis was similar in magnitude to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This finding, Gelfand said, emphasizes the clinical significance of cardiovascular risk associated with more severe psoriasis.

Earlier studies linked psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis to heart disease, but little was known about a link between psoriatic arthritis cases and heart disease. Gelfand and Ogdie are currently conducting clinical trials to determine if treatments used for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis improve aortic vascular inflammation associated with these conditions (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01553058).

Other Penn co-authors of thestudy include Kevin Haynes, Samantha Maliha, Yihui Jiang, Steven Kimmel, Sean Hennessy, David J Margolis, and Joel M. Gelfand.

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Penn Medicine Study Finds Increased Risk of Cardiac Events in Those with Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, and ...

VL Interviews Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Minister for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Ghana – Video

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VL Interviews Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Minister for Tourism, Culture Creative Arts, Ghana
Voices of Leaders sits down with Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Ghana Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts at the 2014 World Travel Market in London. Ofosu-Agyare tells VL about the number...

By: Voices of Leaders

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VL Interviews Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Minister for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Ghana - Video

Rugby World Cup 2015 – The Potential for Sports Tourisum @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov – Video

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Rugby World Cup 2015 - The Potential for Sports Tourisum @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov
This event took place at #WTM14, ExCeL London on Tuesday 4 November. This session looks closely into #39;The Rugby World Cup 2015 #39; that is planned to be hosted in England in 2015. The event over.

By: World Travel Market

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Rugby World Cup 2015 - The Potential for Sports Tourisum @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov - Video

CEO one to one: Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov – Video

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CEO one to one: Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov
This event took place at #WTM14, London ExCeL on Tues 4 Nov. The session is a one to one discussion with Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air. Wizzair is the leading Low Cost Carrier in the Eastern...

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CEO one to one: Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air @ #WTM14 | Tues 4 Nov - Video

Transcorp Hilton Abuja bags awards

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Transcorp Hilton Abuja, for the second consecutive year, has been honoured with the prestigious award of Nigerias Leading Hotel 2014 and Nigerias Leading MICE Hotel 2014 awarded by the World Travel Awards. In hospitality parlance, MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions.

Transcorp Hilton Hotel is owned by Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc.

To receive these two prestigious awards in key categories from World Travel Awards is a great honour and an achievement for our hotel and indeed for team members who have continued to work tirelessly to make ours the leading world- class hotel in Abuja, said Etienne Gailliez, General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

He added,I am delighted that our commitment to the consistent delivery of world -class experience to all our guests has been recognised once again by a reputable industry watchdog. I have no doubts that the awards will spur us to work even harder and attain greater heights

The recognition from the World Travel Awards arrived on the heels of the successful hosting of the 21st World Economic Forum by Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and the launch of an IPO by the owning company, Transcorp Hotels Plc, to part-finance the development of two new five-star hotels in two of Nigerias major cities- Lagos and Port-Harcourt.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the hotel at the Nigerian Pavilion at the World Travel Market in London, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Transcorp Hotels Plc, said, I am pleased that the outstanding work and dedication of the team at Transcorp Hilton Abuja continue to be recognised internationally.

These awards to the hotel further confirm that our efforts at meeting and exceeding the expectations of our guests and stakeholders are appreciated by industry watchers.

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Transcorp Hilton Abuja bags awards