agosto 2020 – Página 100

Smoker Farms of Beaverdell BC Receives Micro Cultivation Licence for Cannabis

BEAVERDELL, British Columbia, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Smoker Farms, a small-batch craft cannabis cultivator, has received a Micro-Cultivation License from Health Canada. The licence gives Smokers farms the ability to start cultivating cannabis at its proprietary location in Beaverdell,…

With the issuance of this license, Smoker Farms is extremely excited and proud to bring into the Canadian cannabis sector a cultivar of MK Ultra that CEO Jeff Aubin has spent years perfecting. Jeff began working with this particular cultivar with the first seed sown over 10 years ago. This cultivar has tested at a THC percentage of over 20% (testing at 23% during its latest run), packing a powerful punch that is sure to resonate with a number of new and old consumers alike. In addition, this particular cultivar boasts a unique flavor and terpene profile that is sure to leave consumers wanting to enjoy this cultivar of flower regardless of the occasion.

«We’re thrilled to have achieved an issuance of this micro cultivation licence,» states Jeff Aubin, CEO Smoker Farms. «It has been our dream to be able to produce quality cultivars like MK Ultra and now we can begin to make those dreams a reality.»

About Smoker Farms

Smoker Farms is a small batch craft cannabis micro-cultivator based out of Beaverdell BC. Their goal as a licenced cultivator is to produce a quality product that is desirable to the craft cannabis market.

SOURCE Smoker Farms

Mary J’s Cannabis Store Opens on Historic Division Street in Kingston

KINGSTON, Ontario, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Mary J’s Cannabis, Kingston’s premium recreational cannabis shop, achieves retail store authorization from the AGCO with the assistance of <a target="_blank"…

The store, which operates out of a 100-year-old house in downtown Kingston, opened its doors on May 31st. It is the first of many locations as the company plans to expand across Canada.

«At Mary J’s Cannabis, our mission is to inspire deeper connections between people, the planet, and our products,» said Harman Litt, Co-Owner at Mary J’s Cannabis. «Achieving that end means actively reducing stigma around cannabis use through exceptional customer service and unshakable brand values as we expand our stores across Canada.»

The store offers a wide range of premium cannabis products including pre-roll, dried flowers, drinks, topicals, edibles, soft gels, and oils. Their products are also available for purchase in their online store.

About Mary J’s Cannabis

Mary J’s Cannabis is a premium recreational cannabis shop based in the heart of downtown Kingston, Ontario. Our aim is to reduce the stigma around cannabis and make the buying experience more inclusive and human. We accomplish this through exceptional customer service and our unshakable brand values.

SOURCE Mary J’s Cannabis

United States Solar Energy Industry Report 2020-2025 with Detailed Profiles of M. A. Mortenson Company, First Solar, NextEra Energy, and SunPower Corporation Among Others

DUBLIN, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The «United States Solar Energy Market -…

DUBLIN, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The «United States Solar Energy Market – Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2020-2025)» report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The United States solar energy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 15% during the forecast period of 2020-2025. In terms of competition, the market is fragmented.

Factor such as supportive government policies to meet more energy demand through renewable energy is likely to drive the United States solar energy market. However, the United States is the one of the largest and cheapest producer of natural gas in the world, about 38% of the electricity generated in the country is from natural gas, which is expected to restrain the United States solar energy market.

Key Highlights

The solar photovoltaic (PV) due to a significant decline in the cost of installation held a considerable market share in 2018 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
United States government has planned to cut down the cost of electricity generation by 50% by 2030. Many states in the country such as California, New Jersey, and others have their solar energy targets for 2030, which are expected to create several opportunities for the United States solar energy market in the future.
Upcoming and ongoing projects focused on increasing share of solar in renewable energy in the country are likely to drive the United States solar energy market during the forecast period.

Market Trends

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Expected to Dominate the Market

In 2019, more than 1.7% of the total electricity generation in the United States was from solar photovoltaic (PV), producing 69 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, on the other hand, electricity generated from solar thermal was 3 terawatt-hours (TWh) thus contributing 0.1% of total power in the country. This makes solar photovoltaic (PV) source the dominating segment in Israel solar energy market.
In May 2019, the First solar announced the completion and commercial operation of its California Flats Solar Project. The project uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and has a total installed capacity of 280 megawatts (MW).
In 2019, NextEra Energy Resources completed the construction of its Shaw Creek Solar energy center in Aiken, South Carolina. The project has a total installed capacity of 74.9 megawatts (MW), which features more than 270,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Therefore, owing to the above projects, the solar photovoltaic (PV) segment is likely to dominate the United States solar energy market during the forecast period.

Upcoming and Ongoing Projects Expected to Drive the Market

In 2019, the United States added 9114 megawatts (MW) of solar installation in the country. The 50 states in the country contribute to the solar energy generation. Many counties in the United States has planned to go 100% on renewable energy resources.
In 2019, the solar energy plant installation capacity in the United States was 62298 megawatts (MW), which was higher than the installation capacity of 2018, 53184 megawatts (MW).
In 2020, Ecoplexus Inc, a leading developer and owner of the renewable projects, announced the commencement of the Peak Durrance Solar Center in Florida. The project is owned by Owned Utilities and is expected a total installed capacity of 35 megawatts (MW), which is likely to 125 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. The project is expected to be complete by 2022.
In November 2019, Cypress Creek Renewables got approval from St. Johnsville (NY) planning board to start the construction of the Tayandenega Solar project in New York. The is expected to have an install capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) and is expected to start by the end of 2020.
Hence, owing to the above points, upcoming and ongoing projects in the country are expected to drive the United States solar energy market during the forecast period.

Key Topics Covered

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scope of the Study
1.2 Market Definition
1.3 Study Assumptions

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

4. MARKET OVERVIEW
4.1 Introduction
4.2 United States Solar Energy Installation Capacity and Forecast in Megawatt (MW), till 2025
4.3 Recent Trends and Developments
4.4 Government Policies and Regulations
4.5 Market Dynamics
4.5.1 Drivers
4.5.2 Restraints
4.6 Supply Chain Analysis
4.7 PESTLE Analysis

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Type
5.1.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
5.1.2 Concentrated Solar Power

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Mergers, Acquisitions, Collaboration, and Joint Ventures
6.2 Strategies Adopted by Key Players
6.3 Company Profiles (Overview, Products and Services/Projects, Financials, and Recent Developments)
6.3.1 M. A. Mortenson Company
6.3.2 First Solar Inc.
6.3.3 NextEra Energy Inc.
6.3.4 SunPower Corporation
6.3.5 Renewable Energy Systems Ltd.
6.3.6 Rosendin Electric Inc.
6.3.7 Hanwha Corporation
6.3.8 LG Electronics Inc.
6.3.9 JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd.
6.3.10 Swinerton Renewable Energy
6.3.11 8minute Solar Energy

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/57nmoi

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com

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SOURCE Research and Markets

PubWise Among Top 20 Fastest Growing Companies in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Each year, Atlanta Business Chronicle publishes their Pacesetter Award Winners which is a list of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in the metro Atlanta area. Companies span across several categories: health care; marketing/marketing automation; manufacturing/supply and distribution; technology; staffing/hiring; commercial real estate; transportation/logistics; and restaurants/retail/hospitality. To qualify, a business must be based in the 20-county metro area. It also must have been established in the first quarter of 2017 or earlier, experienced a two-year growth in sales of more than 50%, and garnered revenue between $1 million and $300 million in 2019.

PubWise ranked 18th due in part to its 4,166% increase in revenue for the past 3 years. Companies are ranked by a growth index formula to level the playing field among businesses of various sizes. The revenue and employee growth indexes are the percentage change from 2017 to 2019, multiplied by the absolute change for the same years.

PubWise has seen great success in leveraging their original position as a publisher to build products that genuinely help other publishers. According to Chairman/CEO Stephen Johnston Sr, «Our team is committed to our client’s success with superior customer service, technical support and a user-friendly platform. As a result, our clients have shown their appreciation of our partnership which has translated into growth and a strong client referral base.» Technology Association Group (TAG) gave PubWise a similar recognition as Georgia Top 40 Innovative Companies of 2020.

ABOUT PUBWISE

Established in 2016 in the «Silicon Valley of the South», PubWise is a revolutionary, SaaS-based Prebid.js management service for web publishers that is virtually guaranteed to increase advertising revenue.

PubWise is the only Prebid.js management service offering Smart Path Optimization Technology (SPOT™) which uses AI to deliver an optimized ad configuration matched to user segments, with tailored demand inclusion that improves net revenue while improving latency. PubWise provides a turnkey platform to deploy, manage, monitor and optimize Prebid.js. PubWise is committed to protecting publisher value and data with clear auction dynamics, no arbitrage and transparent fees. Contact us for a live demonstration or try PubWise Analytics at no cost.

MEDIA CONTACT
Nikki Porter, Head of Marketing
PubWise
nikki@pubwise.io

SOURCE PubWise

nTIDE July 2020 Jobs Report: July Numbers Raise Red Flag for Americans with Disabilities

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire nTIDE Report—featuring the Just in Time Employment Supports Project, a multi-state project of the University of Iowa Midwest Disability Employment Consortium that implements virtual networks to support job coaches, workers, and employers

July job numbers raise concerns about long-term employment prospects for Americans with…

July job numbers raise concerns about long-term employment prospects for Americans with disabilities, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). Prolonged unemployment may discourage workers, causing them to stop looking for work.

nTIDE COVID Update (month-to-month comparison)
In the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Report released Friday, the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 28.4 percent in June 2020 to 28.1 percent in July 2020 (down 1.1 percent or 0.3 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio increased from 67.7 percent in June 2020 to 68.4 percent in July 2020 (up 1 percent or 0.7 percentage points). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the number of people in the total population multiplied by 100).

«Comparing month-to-month numbers (June 2020 to July 2020), we see a leveling off of the employment-to-population ratio for people with and without disabilities, which may reflect regional resurgences of COVID-19 infections and restrictions of economic activity,» said John O’Neill, PhD, director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation. «This is in contrast to the last several months, where we saw month-to-month improvements,» he added.

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 34.4 percent in June 2020 to 33.0 percent in July 2020 (down 4.1 percent or 1.4 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also increased from 76.2 percent in June 2020 to 76.4 percent in July 2020 (up 0.3 percent or 0.2 percentage points). The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the population that is working, not working and on temporary layoff, or not working and actively looking for work.

«A decrease in the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities raises a red flag,» cautioned economist Andrew Houtenville, PhD, research director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. «It suggests that workers are losing their jobs permanently after being on furlough, and have stopped looking for work and thus, exited the labor force,» «With the potential impact of the recent surges in COVID-19 cases, we should be concerned about long-term employment stress for people with disabilities.»

nTIDE August COVID Update – Friday, August 21 at 12:00 pm Eastern
Stay tuned for more about the employment of people with disabilities as we follow the impact of COVID-19 and look at the numbers in more detail.

Traditional nTIDE Numbers (comparison to the same time last year)
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 31.2 percent in July 2019 to 28.1 percent in July 2020 (down 9.9 percent or 3.1 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio also decreased from 74.9 percent in July 2019 to 68.4 percent in July 2020 (down 8.7 percent or 6.5 percentage points).

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 34.1 percent in July 2019 to 33 percent in July 2020 (down 3.2 percent or 1.1 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 77.9 percent in July 2019 to 76.4 percent in July 2020 (down 1.9 percent or 1.5 percentage points).

For reference, July 2020, among workers ages 16-64, the 4,063,000 workers with disabilities represented 3.0 percent of the total 134,977,000 workers in the U.S.

Beyond the Numbers
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. labor market is profound and ongoing. Millions of workers are affected across all sectors, with recovery hindered by resurgent outbreaks in the majority of states. Most severely affected are populations characterized by the intersections of race, poverty, and disability, and the organizations and agencies that support their transition to competitive employment and maximal independence. Technology has emerged as fundamental to the viability of businesses and nonprofit organizations, and to the ability of individuals to stay engaged in the labor force.

As the pandemic triggered lockdowns and closures, the advantages for individuals and organizations with technology-based work flows were immediately apparent, according to Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president of the Center for Grants and Communications at Kessler Foundation. The majority of the Foundation’s recent COVID-19 emergency grants went to grantees with acute needs for computers, mobile technology, and internet connectivity.

Well in advance of the pandemic, the Foundation was aware of the potential for technology to improve the outcomes of disability employment initiatives. In 2017, a Kessler Foundation Signature Employment Grant funded the Just in Time Employment Supports Project, a multi-state project of the University of Iowa Midwest Disability Employment Consortium, funded through the State University of Iowa. The Consortium partnered with the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, to pilot the use of mobile technology, such as cell phones and tablets, as well apps for facilitating direct communication, to create virtual networks of support for job coaches, workers, and other stakeholders.

The two-year Just in Time Project yielded valuable information about the many ways that utilization of mobile technology in supported employment can encourage open communication, enable timely interventions, and foster greater independence for people with disabilities.

«We recognized that the integration of virtual platforms offered through Just in Time Supports was a way to improve employment outcomes. Incorporating communications technology means job coaches can maintain close contact with colleagues and clients, providing timely support that benefits workers and employers,» Katz said. «The ability to connect remotely means coaches can serve more clients, including those in rural areas, and provide more efficient services.»

The COVID-19 pandemic casts a new light on the findings of the Just in Time Support Project. «The use of technology in disability employment initiatives is no longer optional,» Katz asserted, «it’s essential.»

The Project’s structure and scale yielded another important asset − the Consortium has established a large and functional network throughout the Midwest. ‘The ability to act collectively will be of critical importance,» Katz added, «as the stakeholders in disability employment deal with the challenges and opportunities of the COVID economy.»

Ask Questions about Disability and Employment
Join our nTIDE Lunch & Learn series today, August 7, at 12:00 pm Eastern. This live broadcast, hosted via Zoom Webinar, offers attendees Q&A on the latest nTIDE findings, provides news and updates from the field, as well as invited panelists to discuss current disability-related findings and events. Wendy Parent-Johnson, PhD, director of the Sonoran University Center Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Arizona, and Julie J. Christensen, LMSW, PhD, director of Policy and advocacy at APSE, join Dr. Houtenville, Dr. O’Neill, and Denise Rozell, Policy Strategist at AUCD. Join live or watch the recordings at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE.

NOTE: The statistics in the nTIDE are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers but are not identical. They are customized by UNH to combine the statistics for men and women of working age (16 to 64). nTIDE is funded, in part, by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (90RT5037) and Kessler Foundation.

About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes — including employment — for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

About the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire
The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. For information on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, visit ResearchonDisability.org.

For more information, or to interview an expert, contact:
Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org.

SOURCE Kessler Foundation

Nueva herramienta compara las tasas de complicaciones graves en el embarazo en los hospitales de los EE. UU.

BETHESDA, Maryland, 7 de agosto de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

QUÉ:
Investigadores financiados por los NIH han desarrollado un nuevo sistema para clasificar la morbilidad materna extrema, es decir, complicaciones potencialmente mortales asociadas con el parto, en los hospitales de los EE. UU. El sistema se basa en los datos de alta de las pacientes para comparar las tasas de morbilidad materna extrema entre diferentes hospitales y diferentes grupos de pacientes. El estudio fue dirigido por Stephanie A. Leonard, Ph.D., de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Stanford y aparece en la revista Obstetrics and Gynecology. El financiamiento provino en parte del Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano (NICHD) Eunice Kennedy Shriver y del Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Enfermería de los NIH.

En los Estados Unidos, las tasas de morbilidad materna extrema están aumentando para todas las mujeres y son peores entre las minorías raciales y étnicas. Los investigadores que estudian la morbilidad materna extrema carecen de formas confiables para comparar las tasas entre grupos con diferentes estados de salud subyacentes. Según los autores del estudio, el nuevo sistema de puntuación ofrece una ventaja con respecto a los enfoques actuales. Además, se basa en los datos de alta de las pacientes de los EE. UU., que están disponibles con mayor rapidez que los registros electrónicos de salud.

El equipo del estudio desarrolló y validó la herramienta utilizando datos de alta de pacientes de todos los 919,546 nacimientos vivos en los hospitales con licencia en California de 2016 a 2017. El nuevo sistema también evalúa el riesgo que tiene una mujer de sufrir complicaciones graves durante el parto, independientemente del riesgo que tiene solo a partir de la recepción de transfusiones de sangre, las cuales tienden a ser menos graves que otras complicaciones. Estas dos categorías coinciden con la forma en la que los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, así como otros profesionales de la salud pública, realizan un seguimiento de la morbilidad materna. Con la nueva herramienta, los puntajes varían de 1 a 59 para la morbilidad materna extrema y de 1 a 36 para la morbilidad materna extrema sin transfusión. El equipo del estudio espera que el nuevo sistema ayude a la investigación y a los esfuerzos en salud materna para mejorarla en todo el país.

ARTÍCULO:
Leonard, SA, et al. An expanded obstetric comorbidity scoring system for predicting severe maternal morbidity. Obstetrics and Gynecology DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004022 (2020)

Acerca del Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano Eunice Kennedy Shriver (NICHD): El NICHD lidera la investigación y la capacitación para comprender el desarrollo humano, mejorar la salud reproductiva, mejorar la vida de niños y adolescentes, y optimizar las habilidades para todos. Si desea más información, visite https://espanol.nichd.nih.gov.

Acerca de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (NIH): NIH, la agencia de investigación médica de los EE. UU., incluye 27 institutos y centros, y es un componente del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU. NIH es la principal agencia federal que realiza y apoya investigaciones médicas básicas, clínicas y traslacionales, y que investiga las causas, los tratamientos y las curas para enfermedades comunes y raras. Para obtener más información sobre los NIH y sus programas, visite https://salud.nih.gov.

FUENTE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Splenda® Brand Sweeteners Supports 10-Year-Old Philadelphia Entrepreneur’s Lemonade Stand Business

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Splenda^®, the leader in low-calorie sweetener products, recently presented local Philadelphia 10-year-old Micah Harrigan with a $1,000 college scholarship check, a custom bike and a year’s supply of Splenda product to help his lemonade stand business, Micah’s Mixx, reach more customers throughout the city.

Micah and his lemonade stand business, currently operating outside of OCF Coffee House on the corner of 20^th and Federal Streets in South Philadelphia, caught the attention of Splenda when he posted on his Instagram account, @micahsmixx, about his line of sugar-free flavors, including strawberry, peach, watermelon and traditional lemon, all made with Splenda. «Some people in my family have diabetes so I decided I should make some sugar-free flavors so everyone can enjoy my Micah’s Mixx lemonade,» explained Micah Harrigan.

«When we first heard about Micah’s business, we were so inspired. It’s not every day that you see such a young entrepreneur building a business with such enthusiasm and drive,» said Tiffany Jennings, Sales Director at Splenda. «We admire how he’s expanded his line of delicious lemonade offerings to be sugar-free using Splenda, offering something for all diet types. We heard that one of his goals was to save up for college, so we’re thrilled to be offering him $1,000 towards a college scholarship and a custom bike to reach more Philadelphia residents.»

About the Splenda® Brand
Based outside of Indianapolis, Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the production of low-calorie sweetener products, creamers, beverage concentrates, coffee, and nutritional drinks. Visit Heartland at www.heartlandfpg.com. The SPLENDA® Brand is the most recognizable and iconic low-calorie sweetener brand in the world, having sold more than 100 billion yellow packets since its launch in 1991. Today, the SPLENDA® Brand is the clear #1 low calorie sweetener brand in the USA.

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SOURCE Splenda

New tool compares rates of severe pregnancy complications across U.S. hospitals

BETHESDA, Maryland, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

WHAT:
NIH-funded researchers have developed a new system for classifying severe maternal morbidity—life-threatening complications associated with childbirth—across U.S. hospitals. The system relies on patient discharge data to compare rates of severe maternal morbidity between different hospitals and different groups of patients. The study was led by Stephanie A. Leonard, Ph.D., of the Stanford University School of Medicine and appears in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Funding was provided in part by NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and National Institute of Nursing Research.

In the United States, rates of severe maternal morbidity are rising for all women and are worse among racial and ethnic minorities. Researchers studying severe maternal morbidity lack reliable ways to compare rates between groups with different underlying health statuses. According to the study authors, the new scoring system offers an advantage over current approaches. It also relies on U.S. patient discharge data, which is more readily available than electronic health records.

The study team developed and validated their tool using patient discharge data for all 919,546 live births in licensed hospitals in California from 2016 to 2017. The new system also evaluates a woman’s risk for severe birth complications independent of her risk from blood transfusions alone, which tend to be less severe than other complications. These two categories match how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health professionals track maternal morbidity. With the new tool, scores range from 1 to 59 for severe maternal morbidity and 1 to 36 for non-transfusion severe maternal morbidity. The study team hopes that the new system will aid maternal health research and efforts to improve maternal health across the country.

ARTICLE:
Leonard, SA, et al. An expanded obstetric comorbidity scoring system for predicting severe maternal morbidity. Obstetrics & Gynecology DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004022 (2020)

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov.

SOURCE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

FDA Approves First Liquid Biopsy Next-Generation Sequencing Companion Diagnostic Test

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first liquid biopsy companion diagnostic that also uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to identify patients with specific types of mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in a deadly form of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the first approval to combine two technologies — NGS and liquid biopsy — in one diagnostic test in order to guide…

«Approval of a companion diagnostic that uses a liquid biopsy and leverages next-generation sequencing marks a new era for mutation testing,» said Tim Stenzel, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. «In addition to benefitting from less invasive testing, patients are provided with a simultaneous mapping of multiple biomarkers of genomic alterations, rather than one biomarker at a time, which can translate to decreased wait times for starting treatment and provide insight into possible resistance mechanisms.»

The Guardant360 CDx assay utilizes two technologies. The first is called liquid biopsy, which uses a blood sample to provide health care professionals with genetic information about the patient’s tumor. It is less invasive and more easily repeatable in comparison to standard tissue biopsies. Furthermore, liquid biopsy tests can be used in cases in which standard tissue biopsies are not feasible, for instance, due to the location of the tumor.

The second technology is NGS, which uses large-panel genetic sequencing, known as high-throughput tumor profiling. Compared to older technologies that required multiple tests, NGS requires only one test and allows clinicians to better assess tumor composition, giving providers an advantage in evaluating which mutations are problematic. The Guardant360 CDx assay uses NGS technology to simultaneously detect mutations in 55 tumor genes, rather than one gene at a time.

While the Guardant360CDx can provide information on multiple solid tumor biomarkers, today’s approval is specific to its use in identifying EGFR mutations in patients who will benefit from treatment with TAGRISSO (osimertinib), an FDA-approved therapy for a form of metastatic NSCLC. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, and NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. Genomic findings for other biomarkers evaluated are not validated for choosing a particular corresponding treatment with this approval. If the specific NSCLC mutations associated with today’s approval are not detected in the blood, then a tumor biopsy should be performed to determine if the NSCLC mutations are present.

The Guardant360 CDx assay was granted a Breakthrough Device designation, in which the FDA provides intensive interaction and guidance to the company on efficient device development.

The FDA granted approval for the Guardant360 CDx test to Guardant Health.

Media Contact: Kristin Jarrell, 301-796-0137
Consumer Inquiries: Email or 888-INFO-FDA

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Karma Grows North American Retail Network With Addition Of Karma DFW

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Karma Automotive, the Southern California-based creator of luxury electric vehicles and the developer of advanced technologies, announced today the addition of a new North American retail partner in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

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Karma DFW, operated by Principle Luxury Collection, LLC, is the second retailer to be added to Karma’s Texas retail network, with an additional retailer located in Houston. The new dealer will further the brand’s growth plans as it continues to expand across five continents in 2020. The retailer will offer Karma’s new luxury electric Revero GT, named Green Car Journal’s 2020 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ for blending its environmental performance with high levels of luxury and an exceptional driving experience. The new Revero GT Sports further elevates performance levels by eclipsing 60mph in under 4 seconds and adds electronic torque vectoring for an even more exhilarating drive.

«We look forward to offering Karma’s sustainable luxury driving experience, customization opportunities and artful design to customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth market,» says Joost de Vries, VP of Global Sales and Customer Experience, Karma Automotive. «In Karma DFW we have the right partner to support us in growing our business.»

«Principle Luxury Collection was founded with the desire to change the automotive industry through exceptional customer care, community involvement and sustainability,» says Tyler Mitchell, General Manager, Principle Luxury Collection. «We are excited to offer Karma’s luxury electric vehicles to our customers, providing our them with a truly unique driving experience.» Also, it’s important to note that although the store will be initially located in Irving, TX, but will be relocating into a new facility in Grapevine, TX as they continue to elevate their already exemplary customer experience.

The 2020 Karma Revero GT, currently available through all of Karma’s North American retailers, offers soul-stirring design and performance, with an elegant interior, reimagined infotainment and technology, and an enhanced electric architecture. Dual electric motors powering the vehicle’s on-board generator offer the best of both worlds; exceptional performance and handling, with the ability to drive up to 80 zero-emission miles on battery power alone and 360 miles overall range.

All Revero vehicles are assembled largely by hand at Karma’s Innovation and Customization Center (KICC), the company’s manufacturing facility in Moreno Valley, Calif. This dedication to craftsmanship furthers Karma’s philosophy that ownership should be personal and special, connecting owners to the pioneering technology and inspiration behind their vehicles.

Beyond its rapidly growing global retail network, Karma’s momentum is partly driven by its position as a technology-focused brand. The company is currently building a global organization of both retailers and strategic partners exhibiting its goals of offering leading automotive design, cutting-edge technology and personalized customization resources to other OEMs, startups and like-minded partners who wish to leverage Karma’s services to develop future sustainable, high-tech mobility solutions.

About Karma

Southern California-based Karma is more than just a car company. Although we are best known as a creator of soul-stirring luxury electric vehicles, Karma has emerged as a high-tech incubator offering innovators a perfect platform to prove their emerging technologies. Founded in 2014, Karma is reinventing the traditional retail-based automotive business model by opening its engineering, design, customization and manufacturing resources to other companies looking to speed product development, access new technology, or make their products more luxurious. The Revero GT, Green Car Journal’s 2020 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ is a luxury electric vehicle powered by dual electric motors that embodies Karma’s goals of offering leading automotive design, technology, customization and an outstanding customer experience. Our retail partners in North America are now delivering the Revero GT and a performance version, the Revero GT Sports to retail customers. Every Revero is created with great individual care and world-class craftsmanship at the Karma Innovation and Customization Center in Moreno Valley, Calif. For more information, visit www.karmaautomotive.com, or www.karmanewsroom.com.

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SOURCE Karma Automotive