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Strategies unlikely to change in N.C.
Michael L. Vasu, political scienceHe's with the banned
John Kessel, English
Take
action if you're at risk for diabetes
Jackie McClelland, family and consumer sciences
Economic
study funds OK'd by TDA
Larry Gustke, parks, recreation and tourism management
Heery’s
purchase of HLM raises questions
Marvin Malecha, College of Design
Helms
Influence May Have Effect On Election
Abraham Holtzman, political science
Breast
Cancer Victim Shares Story With N.C. State Students
alum and students
‘Radical
geriatrician’ promises to revolutionize growing old
Thomas
Hess, psychology
Thinking
positive has health benefits for the elderly, negative emotions cause
decline
Thomas Hess, psychology
Livermore
Scientists Join DOE Consortium In Partnering With Private Company To
Develop Artificial Retina
Gianluca Lazzi, electrical and computer engineering
Obituary:
DR. MARJORIE BOYD DEBNAM
She served from 2000-2001 on the chancellor's African-American Leaders Advisory
Committee.
Obituary: DAVID
W. TURNER
He worked as a Senior Statistician for the Institute of Statistics at NCSU.
Strategies unlikely to change in N.C.
Oct. 21, 2004
News & Observer
By LYNN BONNER
© Copyright 2004
The Kerry-Edwards campaign is thrilled by a recent poll that has their team close to President Bush in North Carolina.
But don't turn on your televisions today looking for a new wave of Kerry campaign ads.
A Survey USA poll of 627 likely voters within the past week has Bush at 50 percent and John Kerry at 47 percent, with a margin of error of four percentage points. Bush led by six points, 50-44, in a Research 2000 poll taken for The News & Observer late last month.
Campaign spokeswoman Ashley W. Turton said the Kerry forces are in a strong position but will not introduce any special strategy for the last days of the campaign.
"We've been working every day like we're going to win this state," she said. "We never looked back."
On the other hand, the Bush campaign has expressed unwavering confidence that their candidate will carry the state.
Bush beat Democrat Al Gore in North Carolina by 13 percentage points in 2000. In a poll taken for The N&O three weeks before that election, Bush led by 12 points.
Michael L. Vasu, an assistant dean and political scientist at N.C. State University, said Edwards, the senior U.S. senator from North Carolina, is helping Kerry here.
But the race for the White House has come down to eight other states, Vasu said, with Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania the biggest. Those are the states where the candidates are spending the bulk of their time now. It's probably not worth it for the Kerry campaign to pour more resources into North Carolina in hopes of winning its 15 electoral votes, he said.
"If they were talking truthfully, they would say they've written the state off anyway," he said.
Oct. 21, 2004
Charlotte Observer
By PAM OUTEN
© Copyright 2004
While an estimated 18 million Americans are battling Type II diabetes, even more have pre-diabetes elevated blood sugar levels, which increase the likelihood that they will develop the disease.
Know the warning signs, and you may be able to stave off diabetes.
It takes one office visit for a physician to diagnose diabetes. But for months, even years, beforehand, that person's body was slowly developing the disease.
Health experts estimate that some 20 million Americans now have pre-diabetes, which means the next stop is a diagnosis of full-fledged diabetes.
"It's important that people know the risk factors and warning signs of pre-diabetes," says Jackie McClelland, a professor at N.C. State University and an Extension Service specialist in nutrition.
"If you are overweight and have diabetes in your family, you ought to consider getting your blood glucose checked."
Diagnosing the disease
When people have diabetes, their bodies don't produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other food to energy.Patients are officially diagnosed with diabetes when the level of sugar in their blood reaches 126 milligrams per deciliter while fasting (i.e., not influenced by what they had to eat recently).
People are diagnosed with pre-diabetes when they have a fasting blood sugar level between 110 and 125 milligrams per deciliter. The condition is one step away from Type II diabetes and, eventually, heart disease.
Studies show that people with pre-diabetes will more than likely develop Type II diabetes within 10 years unless they take action.
The problem, McClelland said, is that people think that if they don't have diabetes yet, they're in the clear. What they don't understand, she said, is that if they adopt a healthier lifestyle, they can postpone developing the disease or maybe miss it all together.
Know the risk factors
According to the American Diabetes Association, here are the main risk factors for pre-diabetes:
• You have excess weight.
• You have a close relative with diabetes.
• You have had gestational diabetes or a baby weighing more than nine pounds.
• You have a sedentary lifestyle.
• You have high blood pressure.
• You have unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Changing the course
If you think you might be at risk for developing pre-diabetes or diabetes, contact your health professional.Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk for developing diabetes.
• Follow a lower-fat diet. Researchers say reducing your weight by just 5 percent to 7 percent can reduce your risk.
• Get moving. Exercise is critical for reducing your risk of diabetes.
• Hold the fries. Cut back on fatty and fried foods. Replace the high-fat and high-sugar foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts.
We all can benefit from these lifestyle changes.
If you have any questions or comments on this or other family, nutrition or consumer topics, please call me at (704) 920-3310 or come by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord.
Economic study funds OK'd by TDA
Oct. 21, 2004
Asheboro Courier-Tribune
By J.D. Walker
© Copyright 2004
ASHEBORO - Just how much money does the Seagrove pottery industry pour into Randolph County's economy?
That's what a newly approved study will find out.
On Wednesday, members of the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) voted to approve funding for a $14,950 economic impact study of the Seagrove pottery industry.
The impact study will be compiled by Dr. Larry Gustke and select graduate students at N.C. State University.
Gustke told board members the study will look at the amount of direct and indirect money that tourists bring to the county when they visit Seagrove area potters.
Direct spending is the money paid for hotel room stays, admission fees, food and gas, said Gustke.
Indirect spending is money paid by the local business owner to provide a service or product. An example of indirect spending, according to Gustke, is the money spent by a restaurant owner to buy food and paper products to prepare a meal to sell to a visitor.
The study will also look at the impact of induced spending. Gustke said induced spending is money paid by businesses to expand, such as the construction dollars spent to build a new wing onto a hotel to accommodate visitor traffic.
The study will take place from November through April. Gustke and his graduate students will poll visitors and business owners over the period to try to determine business patterns.
As an added bonus, Gustke said his office will maintain a business model created from the study for future use by Randolph County officials. He said his office will be available to plug new information into the model to study the impact of any proposed construction or business development.
In other business, TDA members officially said good-bye to Linda Brown, current TDA executive director. Brown's last day will be Nov. 2. She is moving with her husband, Pat, to Yuma, Ariz., where Pat has accepted a job as the general manager of a new baseball team.
Members also said good-bye to two founding members, Don Allred and Jim Johnson. Allred and Johnson are retiring from the board. They will be replaced by George Gusler, executive vice president of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, and Larry Warlick of the Archdale/Trinity Chamber of Commerce.
Breast Cancer Victim Shares Story With N.C. State Students
Oct. 21, 2004
NBC 17
By Frank Graff
© Copyright 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State University students heard a heart-wrenching, but uplifting story Tuesday night from a woman fighting an illness many believe they are too young to get.
Jenny Chang walked the halls of N.C. State four years ago as a student body president and Park Scholar. She graduated, got a job on Capitol Hill and set her sights on law school.
Then, one night, the world changed.
"I woke up in the middle of the night and pushed the blanket off (of me) and there was a lump," Change told NBC 17. "I said 'Is that a mosquito bite?"
Chang went in for a checkup.
"They went in and took a sample and then called me and told me I had invasive introductal carcinoma," Chang recalled. "I said, "Can you spell that?' ... (it was) breast cancer."
Now, Chang wants to make it clear that cancer doesn't only strike the smokers and the coach potatoes; it strikes young and healthy people as well.
Chang was treated, but the cancer returned. Doctors had to remove both of her breasts, and still the treatment continued.
"(The doctor) said 'You have tumors in your lungs,'" said Chang. "There is no cure for what I have. It's stage four cancer and has a slim survival rate."
So, in a battle to simply stay alive, Chang tells her story hoping young women will get exams before it's too late.
Dr. Carey Anders of Duke University Hospitals calls it a life-saving lesson.
"It's important to sit down with your doctor and give your risk factors, your family history and decide on an appropriate screening for you personally," Anders told NBC 17.
Chang said she keeps trying new treatments, praying one will work in time, because she doesn't know how much time she has.
"You have to (keep trying). In my case, hope springs eternal," Chang said. "I am a person of faith and I believe you can be cured."
Chang's last checkup showed the cancer tumors are not growing; but, they aren't shrinking either. She's talking with doctors at Duke University Cancer Center to discuss new treatment options.
Engaged to be married in May, Chang told NBC 17 she doesn't want sympathy. She wants encouragement and for people to learn from her experience.
Heery’s purchase of HLM raises questions
Oct. 21, 2004
Waynesville Smoky Mountain News
By Becky Johnson
© Copyright 2004
The construction company in charge of building Haywood County’s $18 million justice center recently purchased the architectural firm charged with inspecting the job, thrusting the county into legal quagmire on several fronts.
Heery, the construction manager for the project, purchased the architectural firm HLM Designs this month for a price of $5.2 million. According to state statutes governing architect’s conduct, the sale could jeopardize HLM’s ability to provide “unprejudiced” oversight of a construction project. HLM is bound by law to render independent oversight of the construction project, which could be compromised now that the construction company owns HLM.
“There’s no doubt in my mind this is a conflict of interest,” said Commissioner Kevin Ensley. “To me, there is a huge red flag waving back and forth on this.”
Commissioner Mark Swanger questioned whether HLM can be loyal to the county when they are employees of the very company they are supposed to be inspecting.
“If you’re checking on yourself, there is a certain conflict of interest,” Swanger said. “The ordinary person looks at this and it causes some concern.”
County Manager Jack Horton attempted to reassure commissioners that there would be no problem with HLM finishing the job while on Heery’s payroll.
“I personally can’t see any major conflict. Both HLM and Heery have done a professional job,” Horton told commissioners at a meeting Monday (Oct. 18).
“I don’t see how the building is going to be cheapened. I think we are going to get what we paid for,” said Horton.
Emory Lynn Redden, a vice president with Heery in the company’s Atlanta headquarters, appealed to the commissioners to let HLM continue the job.
“It is our intent this would have zero impact on you,” said Redden. He said the contractors and architects would “continue in the same professional manner” as they have thus far.
Redden told the commissioners that Heery often does jobs where its employees are both the architect and the construction manager. Redden cited the justice center recently built in Dare County where Heery served as both.
Swanger countered Redden’s assurances.
“Those counties chose that scenario up-front. We didn’t make that decision. It’s been thrust upon us by virtue of your decision to buy HLM,” Swanger told Redden. Swanger said if the county had known up-front they weren’t going to have independent oversight from their architect, they would have arranged for an outside architect or contractor to be the “eyes and ears” for the county.
“Haywood County didn’t create this scenario. You folks did,” Swanger said.
Redden failed to tell commissioners that this arrangement, while legal in some states, is a gray area in North Carolina law. The project in Dare County required special state legislation to allow the arrangement.
“Here in North Carolina, we do have a law that the architect and the contractor must be separate entities. The architect cannot be an employee of the contractor,” said David Crawford, director of the N.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architecture. “The state still believes it is necessary to have that separation.”
Throughout the commissioners’ discussion this week, Horton defended Heery and HLM.
“They worked together very well all throughout the project,” Horton said.
Horton said the justice center is only five months from completion and there is not that much left to do on HLM’s part. Horton said the relationship between Heery and HLM wouldn’t be an issue unless a conflict arises over some portion of the construction.
“How would you know if a conflict did arise?” Swanger asked. “The perception is you would never learn of a conflict. Before, at least in theory and I suppose in reality, if it wasn’t being built to HLM’s specifications, they would bring it up.”
Swanger and Ensley said they wanted to hire a new architect who would be loyal to Haywood County, not Heery, to finish the job.
“You would lose the knowledge and experience of the architect on the job,” Redden said. “It’s running pretty smooth. Our folks get just as upset as the architects when something isn’t built according to specifications.”
Unable to resolve the issue Monday, the commissioners decided to have a special work session on the issue Friday, Oct. 22, in the commissioners meeting room.
According to county financial records, HLM is still due between $40,000 and $50,000 for its work between now and the project’s target completion in March 2005 that could apply toward hiring a new architect. Commissioners were not informed of this at the meeting, however. HLM has been budgeted $255,000 for construction oversight of the justice center and has been billing the county monthly for service and travel expenses between here and the company’s Florida office.
According to North Carolina statutes governing architect contracts, Heery’s ownership of HLM jeopardizes the architects’ legal and ethical professional standards.
Several architects interviewed shied away from the question, including local architects, architects who sit on the N.C. Board of Architecture, staff of the N.C. Board of Architecture, the dean of the North Carolina State University School of Design and staff with the national American Institute of Architecture.
Several state statutes address architect conduct and conflict of interest. Commissioners were not made aware of these laws during their deliberations by either County Manager Jack Horton or County Attorney Chip Killian
According to state statue 83A-15, “unprofessional conduct” by an architect includes “Knowingly undertaking any activity or having any significant financial or other interest ... which would reasonably appear to compromise professional judgment in serving the best interest of clients or public.”
Also according to state statutes, HLM should have informed the county in writing of its relationship with Heery.
“If an architect has any business association or direct or indirect financial interest which is substantial enough to influence his judgment in connection with the performance of professional services, the architect shall fully disclose in writing to his client or employer the nature of the business association or financial interest, and if the client or employer objects to such association or financial interest, the architect will either terminate such association or interest or offer to give up the commission or employment,” according to (21 NCAC 02.0212(c)).
HLM has not written a letter to the county. HLM verbally informed Horton of the pending sale to Heery on Sept. 1 during a visit to Horton’s office. Negotiations between the two companies regarding the sale had been ongoing prior to the bankruptcy filing at the end of August.
By filing for bankruptcy prior to the purchase, HLM was able to shed some of its debt. Heery’s purchase of $5.2 million fell several million short of covering HLM’s outstanding liabilities. By working through the bankruptcy court, Heery was able to avoid full responsibility for HLM’s debt as would be the case through an outright purchase.
It is unknown how long HLM Designs was negotiating the sale of their company to Heery. Heery acted as a “Stalking horse bidder,” an arrangement that indicates there was significant due diligence performed on Heery’s part leading up to the bankruptcy filing.
Horton said HLM architects told him the first week in September that a bankruptcy filing and potential sale were in the works.
“They told me they were in the process of trying to sell the company and it looked like they were going to have to go ahead and file for bankruptcy and then go through with the sale. They anticipated Heery buying it after the bankruptcy,” Horton said.
It is unknown for how long the two companies may have been acting in concert with mutual financial interests pending the sale.
Killian said that HLM and Heery should have formally notified the county of their pending business relationships as soon as they began engaging in discussions over the purchase. Horton said he did not know of the sale during commissioner deliberations in August on whether to fire HLM from their contract to renovate the historic courthouse.
Looking into the issue
Neither Horton nor Killian informed the county commissioners of state statutes governing architecture conduct. They also did not seek advice or legal and ethical opinions from the N.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architecture nor contacted the North Carolina Board of Architecture.
During a phone interview after the meeting, Horton said he has not researched the potential conflict because he did not see it as a conflict.
“I am trying to figure out where a conflict of interest comes in here,” Horton said.
Killian said he was doing the best he could to “cover a broad range of issues he wasn’t very familiar with.”
“I talked to a lawyer that is very active in construction law. He felt like as long as we were diligent and truly mindful of the fact that we no longer had an independent architect, that this close to the end of the project, it would probably be OK,” Killian said. “It’s all according to what the commissioners want to do.”
Killian said the county has a right to terminate the contract with HLM. Horton said he and Honeycutt were capable of tracking the project.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to read blue prints,” Horton said.
Horton emphasized the building was 88 percent completed.
“I can’t imagine what kind of major mistake there could be at this stage in the game,” Horton said, adding the county has a year’s warranty on the building.
Horton said the county, architects and contractor operate as a team effort.
“It’s not us against them,” Horton said.
Helms Influence May Have Effect On Election
Oct. 20, 2004
WRAL
By Gloria Lopez
© Copyright 2004
Sen. Jesse Helms may no longer hold office, but he is still affecting the upcoming election.
Helms attended a Republican rally Tuesday, a day after his 83rd birthday. Republicans, young and old, say Helms' endorsement gives a candidate added credibility. Some analysts agree it can make a difference, especially in a close election.
"The feeling that this guy was a great leader of the party and helped it and shaped it -- that's powerful as I see it," said former North Carolina State University professor Abraham Holtzman.
Helms served in the U.S. Senate from the early 1970s until 2003.
Oct. 21, 2004
News & Observer
By G.D. GEARINO
© Copyright 2004
John Kessel, the well-regarded science fiction writer who's also a professor at N.C. State University, recently joined some esteemed literary company: His work has been banned.
Kessel's short story, "Stories for Men," was assigned to English students at a high school in Seaside, Ore. (which truly is beside the sea; I checked). The tale, published in 2002, describes a female-dominated society of the future, in which men struggle to find roles for themselves. There's some sexual content, Kessel says, but nothing graphic: "Basically, some penis jokes."
That's all it took for a parent to complain to the principal. The story was subsequently declared "inappropriate" for the class.
Kessel now qualifies for literature's A-list. Authors who have had their works banned include Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, J.K. ("Harry Potter") Rowling, J.D. Salinger and Judy Blume -- all of whom, not coincidentally, have sold tons of books. In that light, Kessel has one regret: "I wish it had been one of my novels," he says.
Well, that's a simple fix. He can throw in some more of those jokes in the next book.
All the news that isn't
Raleigh TV station WLFL (also called WB22) must be hoping to dislodge Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" as America's most reliable source of fake news. The station was cited last week for having passed off some government flackery as news.
The Associated Press reported that a "news report" broadcast by a handful of TV stations last year was actually a videotape produced by the Bush administration to tout its No Child Left Behind Act. WB22 was among the TV stations identified by Campaign Desk, a Web site operated by Columbia Journalism Review, as having been "suckered" into running the videotape (which ended with the words, "I'm Karen Ryan, reporting from Washington"). It turns out that Ryan isn't a reporter. She's a public relations executive.
A WB22 spokesman declined to comment on the suckerization. Meanwhile, CBS News, impressed with the quality of Ryan's reporting, is trying to hire her.
Behind the times
Visitors to the post office in downtown Raleigh may have the sensation of walking into a time warp. It's still 1999 there, and mailing a letter costs only 33 cents -- at least according to the rate information posted on the wall.
The long-expired postal rates are displayed in a glass case in the post office lobby. On a regular basis, people point out that the information is wrong, whereupon they learn the explanation:
Nobody knows how to open the display case.
The General Services Administration -- which is, basically, the federal government's building super -- reportedly can't find the key. (Or the phone. I called several times, but nobody ever answered.) Also left unaddressed is this question: Why does a poster with rate information need to be in a locked case? We're not exactly talking the Mona Lisa here.
For the record, it's been almost four years since you could mail a letter for 33 cents. The price went up to 34 cents on Jan. 7, 2001.
Cuddle duds
Because every single aspect of Clay Aiken's life is profoundly important to his fans, it is my duty to report that witnesses say the American almost-an-Idol was wearing what looked like pajamas as he made his way to his bus after Monday night's State Fair concert.
Fans, discuss this among yourselves. The rest of us will continue with normal life.
‘Radical geriatrician’ promises to revolutionize growing old
Oct. 21, 2004
Hartford Courant; Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN
By Korky Vann
© Copyright 2004
Members of the baby-boom generation, who benefited from Dr. Spock in their childhood and Dr. Lamaze in their childbearing years, have a new physician activist to help transform their old age. Dr. William Thomas, a self-described “radical geriatrician,” says boomers soon will be gearing up for a revolution to change society one more time.
“Creating a new old age will be the boomers’ last act on the public stage,” says Thomas, who has outlined his pro-aging manifesto in a provocative new book, “What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World,” published this month by VanderWyk & Burnham. “We’re preparing for a revolution that will transform old age and the lives of elders the world over.”
The first step, according to Thomas, is to end the American tendency of equating being old with being sick. Seeing old age solely in terms of disease and disability and condoning ageism damages all of society, especially the elderly. Instead, old age should be seen as a natural, developmental stage of life, rather than a difficult decline.
Research supports his claims. Two recent studies show people age better when they are happy and free of negative images of aging. In the first study, researchers at the University of Texas found a link between positive emotions and the delay of the onset of frailty.
In the second study, researchers from North Carolina State University investigated how negative stereotypes about aging influences older adults’ memory. Results showed memory performance in older adults was lower when they were presented with negative stereotypes than when they were given positive images of aging.
“The anti-aging business wants the public to think of wrinkles and other natural signs of aging as a disease,” Thomas says. “They spend hundreds of millions of dollars to sow fear and reap a rich financial harvest. Currently, older adults only have value as long as they appear or act ‘young.’ It’s time to change that.”
In 1992, Thomas and his wife, Judith, introduced The Eden Alternative, a philosophy known for en-couraging the presence of nature, pets and children in nursing homes and adapted by a number of long term-care facilities across the country. In 2000, they started developing a plan for a new model of long-term care called, “intentional communities,” housing as many as 10 elders who choose to live together with the help of several younger adults and strive to become a new community with a shared goal. Prototypes of these communities, called Green Houses, exist in a number of locations, including Tupelo, where United Senior Services of Mississippi built the first four Green Houses and relocated 40 residents from a traditional nursing home facility.
Oct. 21, 2004
Chronicle of Higher Education
By KATHERINE S. MANGAN and SHARON WALSH
© Copyright 2004
James L. Oblinger has been named chancellor of North Carolina State University. Previously provost, Mr. Oblinger, 58, replaces Marye Anne Fox, 56, who stepped down in July to become chancellor of the University of California at San Diego. North Carolina appears to be partial to scientists. Ms. Fox was a well-known organic chemist, and Mr. Oblinger, whose field is food science, had been dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His salary for the new job, which he will begin in January, will be $275,000. ... Washington and Jefferson College, which did not admit women until the 1970s, has named its first female president. Tori Haring-Smith, 51, currently vice president for educational affairs at Willamette University, will make the move in January. She replaces Brian C. Mitchell, 51, who became president of Bucknell University in July.
Research depends on crossing boundaries
Oct. 21, 2004
New River Valley Current
By Kevin Miller
© Copyright 2004
Virginia Tech scientists are increasingly turning to their colleagues in other departments or different universities to win large, federal research grants - with considerable success.
The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency recently awarded $2.1 million to a project led by Virginia Tech mechanical engineering professor Don Leo to develop a new line of synthetic materials that mimic the natural world's shape-changing abilities.
For instance, Leo's team plans to explore the possibilities of materials that will allow an aircraft wing to change shape mid-air, similar to the way a bird can change the shape or position of its wing to affect its flight speed and trajectory. Other "smart" materials could have medical applications.
It's lofty science with high risk of failure. But Leo's team won the contract because of its diversity. The team includes mechanical engineers, chemists, a molecular biologist and aeronautic experts representing three universities and two private companies. Leo said it can be challenging to bring together minds whose academic backgrounds are so diverse they seem to speak different languages. But if successful during their 17-month project, the group could receive millions more from the Defense Department to continue their work.
"This is really an opportunity," Leo said. "This is sort of a far-out idea and they're really giving us enough money and time to [test] out the concept."
A group of researchers from six departments in Tech's engineering and architecture college recently received $3.4 million from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to investigate ways to reduce accidental injuries and deaths in the construction industry.
Tech recently created the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science to facilitate such interdisciplinary research.
Brian Kleiner, the construction safety project's leader and a professor of industrial systems engineering, said he hopes to expand the project with additional funding to include researchers at North Carolina State University, Wake Forest, the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and other schools.
"Because of our collaboration, we put together a winning proposal," Kleiner said. "You just can't win a proposal these days without that type of collaboration."
Thinking positive has health benefits for the elderly, negative emotions cause decline
Oct. 20, 2004
News Target, Taiwan
By staff report
© Copyright 2004
Overview:
Livermore Scientists Join DOE Consortium In Partnering With Private Company To Develop Artificial Retina
Oct. 20, 2004
Science Daily
By staff report
© Copyright 2004
CHICAGO, Ill. - A Department of Energy consortium of national laboratories including Livermore and universities today signed an agreement with Second Sight Medical Products Inc. to jointly develop technology that could restore sight to those who have lost vision later in life.
The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) allows Second Sight Medical Products Inc. of Sylmar, Calif. to obtain a limited exclusive license for inventions developed during the DOE Retinal Prosthesis Project.
"The Department of Energy has led the way to many scientific breakthroughs, especially when several scientific disciplines combined to make a whole greater than the sum of the parts," Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said. "This project is one such example where biology, physics and engineering have joined forces to deliver a capability that will enable blind people to see. This agreement between the DOE laboratories and the private sector will facilitate transfer of many aspects of DOE technology to a clinical device that has the potential of restoring sight to millions of blind individuals.
An artificial retina could restore vision to millions of people suffering from eye diseases such as macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people over 60), retinitis pigmentosa (the leading cause of blindness in people under 50), or those who are legally blind due to the loss of photoreceptor function.
Lawrence Livermore partnered with four other national laboratories, three universities and Second Sight on the project.
Engineers from LLNL's Center for Micro- and Nanotechnology specifically are developing a flexible silicone implant (microelectrode array) that sits on the surface of the retina. The electrode array can contact delicate retinal tissue without damaging it.
The implantable retinal prosthesis is based on a system that converts a video camera signal into a stimulation pattern that is applied directly to the intra-ocular retinal surface. This is referred to as an epiretinal implant - the device is in contact with the surface of the retina. Visual signals are captured by a small video camera in the eyeglasses of the blind person and processed through a microcomputer worn on a belt.
Although the device will not restore full vision, it is expected to provide enough optical resolution for patients to read and recognize fine shapes.
LLNL's pioneering use of polydimethlsiloxane, or PDMS, allowed the microelectrode array to conform to the curved shape of the retina.
"PDMS has the look and feel of thin plastic food wrap," said Livermore's principal investigator, Courtney Davidson. "Yet it's biocompatible, making it a good candidate material for long-term implants."
Partners in the project include Oak Ridge, Argonne, Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, the University of California, Santa Cruz, the University of Southern California Doheny Eye Institute and North Carolina State University.
Project leader Dr. Mark Humayun of USC has shown that electrical stimulation of the viable retinal cells can result in visual perception. These findings helped spark the worldwide effort to develop a retinal prosthesis device.
The first patient to receive a prototype implant in 2002 was able to see large letters and to differentiate between a cup, a plate and a knife after being blind for more than 50 years. To date, six volunteers have received implants of a micro-electronic device that rests on the surface of the retina to perform the function of normal photoreceptive cells.
The artificial retina technology was featured today at the department's "What's Next Expo," an event designed to showcase the newest, most innovative, cutting-edge scientific and technological advances to interest young people in pursuing careers in math and science.
Second Sight was founded in 1998 to create a retinal prosthesis to provide sight to patients blinded from outer retinal degenerations.
###
Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national security
laboratory, with a mission to ensure national security and apply science
and technology to the important issues of our time. Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department
of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Liberal Bias Against Campus Conservatives Confronted: Freedom and the American Campus
Oct. 20, 2004
TruthNews.com
By John T. Plecnik
© Copyright 2004
The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy hosted its annual policy conference at North Carolina State University last Saturday on October 16, 2004. The topic: “Freedom and the American Campus.” All-star panels articulated the reality of liberal bias on college campuses, and debated possible solutions. Notables included David Horowitz of FrontPageMag.com, former U.S. House Historian Dr. Christina Jeffrey, and David French of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).
During the conference, it was reported that a memo was circulating among the faculty and administration of N.C. State warning against the nefarious nature of Horowitz and the Pope Center. Consequently, no one could be found to debate Horowitz on his nationally acclaimed Academic Bill of Rights. The former leftist became famous by arguing against ‘reparations’ for slavery. More recently, Horowitz has attracted national attention from his work with state Sen. John Andrews (R-C.O.) in persuading the University of Colorado system to adopt the Academic Bill of Rights. Ever controversial, Horowitz referred to Professor Noam Chomsky of MIT as “the academic Michael Moore,” and called the American Association of University Professors, “a Stalinist organization.” He advocated breaking the Left’s “monopoly control” over academia by forcing them to accept his anti-discrimination policies and suing violators. Horowitz jokingly added that we ought to “include Christian white males in the Endangered Species Act.”
Like Horowitz, Dr. Christina Jeffrey argued that the “stewardship and oversight of the state legislature is not inconsistent with academic freedom.” She also gave a ‘shout out’ to her friend in the crowd, Rachel Lea Hunter, Republican candidate for North Carolina Supreme Court. An experienced appellate attorney, Hunter has promised to defend any college student in North Carolina who is discriminated against for airing their political views on campus. Another famous Republican woman, state Sen. Fern Shubert (R-N.C.), was also in attendance. Earlier in the year, Shubert lost a six-way gubernatorial primary for the Republican nomination.
David French moderated a panel discussion between Carol Sobel, a First Amendment attorney, and Dr. Norman Hurley of the University of North Carolina. Sobel retold the story of how she came to represent Steve Hinkle, a young Cal Poly student that was disciplined for posting a flyer on campus that advertised a conservative speaker. According to Sobel, “Steve went through a kangaroo court” at the university level. Ironically, Sobel has handled high level cases for both the ACLU and FIRE, representing everyone from Jesse Jackson to Sean Hannity. Calling herself “a member of the hard Left,” Sobel explained how a devout belief in the freedom of speech can override partisan leanings.
Hurley referred to academia’s chronic liberal bias as the “politics of scholarship.” He explained how professors are evaluated based on publication rates, and how most prestigious journals will only accept Left-leaning articles. Thus, conservative professors, effectively edited out of the top journals, appear less qualified than their liberal counterparts. Furthermore, graduate students are educated from the same liberal journals. According to Hurley, this also serves to bias the future of his profession. The UNC professor tried to emphasize the heated conflict between the liberal establishment and conservative scholars. “This is a war,” exclaimed Hurley. “[Liberals] see it as a war.” To further dramatize his point, Hurley continued, “I was actually physically assaulted at a cocktail party for my political views.”
Dr. Michael Gillespie of Duke University joined Dr. James Miller of Smith College for a discussion on liberal bias. Gillespie provided a more moderate perspective, arguing that liberal bias on campus is less dangerous than what he perceives as a “creeping paternalism.” He posited that most university restrictions on debate and free speech are imposed by our own misguided desire to “spare our children the pains of growing up.” Asserting that responsibility must be learned, not legislated, the Duke professor cautioned against the creation of a “soft America.”
Miller told the story of how Smith College denied him tenure for his conservative views. Despite publishing 6 scholarly articles and a book, the young professor also contributed to National Review Online and the Weekly Standard…mortal sins in academia. The discrimination was so blatant, however, that Smith little choice but to reverse its decision and grant tenure. One liberal colleague actually wrote a letter explaining how she voted against Miller’s tenure because she was disturbed by his views.
I asked Miller and Gillespie how society could encourage more conservatives to pursue doctorates and become professors, and what they might say to young conservatives who were considering a career in academia. Both replied that they could not recommend such a decision. Miller said wannabe conservative professors need a backup career plan. Gillespie argued that even though the odds of good employment are against you, six or so years of doctoral study are a wonderful experience anyway. By my estimation, their responses were discouraging, yet accurate.
Campus conservatives clearly have much to overcome, but in the words of yet another speaker, Dr. Jerry L. Martin, Chairman of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, “Don’t ever think we can’t win!”
John T. Plecnik is a twenty-year-old law student at Duke University and Executive Editor of The Devil’s Advocate. As Policy Advisor for the Duke Chapter, John authored the first-ever statewide platform for the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans.
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John T. Plecnik is a twenty-year-old law student at Duke University and Executive Editor of The Devil’s Advocate. As Policy Advisor for the Duke chapter, John authored the first-ever statewide platform for the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans. Nationally recognized, his work has appeared on NewsMax.com, Townhall.com, JD2B.com, SueMyrick.com, Washington Dispatch, Carolina Journal, NCRumors.com, NCGOP Newsletter, PachyDurham, Gaston Gazette, Raging Lady, ChronWatch, TheRant.us, New Sense, Abbey Crusader, IntellectualConservative.com, Young Conservatives, LibFibs, VoteRepublican.net, American Daily, Canada Free Press, Out2.com, Men’s News Daily, Opinion Editorials, Students for Academic Freedom, American Conservative Union, and countless other publications. Visit JohnPlecnik.com, home of ‘The Duke Law Conservative.’
Oct. 21, 2004
News & Observer
DR. MARJORIE BOYD DEBNAM ENTERED INTO ETERNAL REST ON TUESDAY, October 19, 2004, at her home. Dr. Debnam was the daughter of the late Dr. Miller W. Boyd, Sr. and the late Mary Georgia Whitten Boyd, both of whom served as President and Interim President respectively, of Morristown College, Morristown, Tennessee.
She was the wife of George C. Debnam, M.D. (physician) and the the mother of three daughters, Mrs. Gwendolyn Debnam-Morgan, a tenured Professor in the Department of English at Clark-Atlanta University, and identical twins, Marie Georgette Debnam, M.D. and Marjorie Lynette Debnam, M.D., who are internal medicine physicians at the Debnam Clinic on Blount Street in Raleigh, NC.
Dr. Debnam was an honor graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and received her secondary education from St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, NC. She was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, also from St. Augustine's College. She and Dr. George C. Debnam were married in the Swift Memorial Chapel at Morristown College on December 31, 1951. She began her residence in Raleigh, NC on January 1, 1952. Dr. Debnam was always deeply committed to God, church and family. She was a member of Wilson Temple United Methodist Chur ch, 1952-1960, Martin Street Baptist Church, 1960-1990, a Charter Founder and member of Christian Faith Baptist Church, 1990 - until her passing.
She was the "Second Mother" to more than 700 young black males through the club, "The Friends of Distinction, " which she and her husband founded in 1969 with six students from Enloe High School. She has provided 53 years of active community service. She was especially proud to be a member of the Alpha Theta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, being originally inducted into Pi Chapter on the campus of historic Fisk University. She was a Golden soror of A.K.A., with over 50 years of service.
Dr. Debnam served on the Board of Trustees of Morristown College from 1983-1989. She served on the Trustee Board of Knoxville College from 1989 to 1997 after the merger of Morristown College and Knoxville College.
Dr. Debnam was employed as a social worker by the Welfare Department of ake County from 1952 to 1958. She always assisted her husband, and later her daughters, Drs. Marjorie and Marie, in their busy medical practice by her work in bookkeeping and office management. She also served as President of Debnam's Educational Ideas, which specialized in the recruitment of minority students for HBCUs.
In 1994, Dr. Debnam was recognized by the Raleigh, NC News & Observer as the "Tar Heel of the Week." Among her many citations were: The Raleigh Housing Authority for 10-year Board Service; Wake County Education Foundation - Board Service; United Negro College Fund - Board Service; Auxiliary to the Old North State Medical Society - President, twice; Holly Hill Hospital Community Service Committee; O.A. Dupree Legacy - Community Service Award; St. Augustine's College - Community Service Award; Martin Street Baptist Church - President; Ladies' Auxiliary of Morristown College - Citizen's Award; Morristown College Alumni Service Award; Morristown College Board of Trustees; Friends of Distinction Service Awards annually from 1969 to 2001; RWCA - Citizen's Award; National Medical Association Auxiliary Award; Region III Award and ANMA-FDA Service Award. REWCA honored Dr. Marjorie Debnam and her husband by naming their "Service to Youth Award" in their honor for their services to young black males from 1969 to 1998; Board of Trustees of Christian Faith Baptist Church 1990 to 1998. Dr. Debnam was listed in "Who's Who in Black America" 1998 to 2002, Member of Triangle "J" Health Planning Council. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of Wake Medical Center and was the first black as well as the first woman to serve on that august body for a period of ten years. She was Chairperson of the ANMA-FDA Committee, spearheading 35 programs nationally regarding improved nutrition and the prevention of AIDs, diabetes, hypertension and teen pregnancy and the completion and national distribution of a video, "African-American Males at Risk: Prostate Cancer." On April 2, 1998, she and her husband were honored by the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America with Whitney M. Young Awards in Durham, NC.
Dr. Debnam was Vice-Chair of the ATO (non-profit) Corporation which was involved in providing affordable housing in Raleigh. She was a member of the Board of "Strengthening the Black Family, Inc." and served from 2000 to 2001 on the Chancellor's North Carolina State University African-American Leaders Advisory Committee. Dr. Debnam was a member of the NAACP, the Raleigh Chapters of: The Links, The Chums, The Holidays and an Arcousai of the Gamma Sigma Boule' of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Debnam's service as a community volunteer spanned over 50 years. Despite two major operations in 1995, she remained as actively involved as possible in the giving of her time and talents in the fields of education, health-related projects and particularly those involving youth. She held important offices in Wilson Temple United Methodist Church, Martin Street Missionary Baptist Church and Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church. She remained dedicated to God, the work of God's Church, her family, the office practice, doctors and staff and to her extended family and friends. She and her husband facilitated the admission and retention of 15 nieces and nephews into college. She gave thanks, honor and credit to Almighty God for whatever successes she achieved in life. She was especially thankful for a great father and a great mother and for her Pastors, Dr. Paul H. Johnson and Dr. David C. Forbes, Sr. and many other of God's people that she met on the highway of life.
Dr. Debnam is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Dr. George C. Debnam; her three daughters, Mrs. Gwendolyn Debnam-Morgan of Atlanta, Georgia, Marie Georgette Debnam, M.D. and Marjorie Lynette Debnam, M.D. of Raleigh, NC; one brother, Dr. Miller W. Boyd, Jr. and his wife, Mrs. Edna Boyd of St. Louis, Missouri, his four children, Kevin Boyd of St. Louis, Missouri, Ms. Kristin Boyd, Miller W. Boyd, III of Boston, Massachusetts and Jared Boyd of St. Louis, Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Gladys Debnam-Perry, Mrs. Lucille Debnam-Black of Raleigh, NC and Mrs. Bernice Debnam-Flack of Rutherfordton, NC; two cousins, Mrs. Virginia Boston and Ms. Terah Ann Whitten of Baltimore, Maryland and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 21st, at Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 511 Hilltop Street, Raleigh.
Funeral services 12:00 noon on Friday at the church.
Arrangements by Haywood Funeral Home Inc., (919) 832-2835.
Oct. 21, 2004
News & Observer
For a copy of this obituary, contact News Services at 5-3470.