Category Archives: Life Extension

THE relentless pursuit of the elixir of youth has spurred anti-ageing research in attempts to achieve the triple goals of life extension, namely, the triumvirate of healthy lifespan, rejuvenation and longevity.

Sirtuins are a family of cellular enzymes that are powered by a chemical compound called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). They play an important role in preventing diseases and even reversing some aspects of ageing.

Studies have shown that increased sirtuin activity in mammals has been associated with a delayed onset of age-related diseases and increased longevity.

Increased sirtuin activity appears to inhibit nerve degeneration and reduces the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes mellitus and abnormal lipid levels).

Hence, if sirtuin activity can be increased using compounds that can boost its activity (STACs or Sirtuin Activating Compounds), the use of STACs can potentially help a person stay healthy longer, even if longevity is not affected.

Stay updated with BT newsletters

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a natural plant phenol STAC found in the skin of red grapes and other fruits such as blueberries and cranberries. Contrary to common belief, red wine contains very little of it. Resveratrol has been shown to have life-extending properties in studies on lower-order species such as yeast and nematodes, but this effect has marginal reliability in higher-order species. Nevertheless, it has been shown to have potentially beneficial effects.

Before you start taking large doses of resveratrol, you may be surprised to know that it is a Janus-faced compound. Low dietary doses may suffice to elicit the biological responses required to optimise the body's defence mechanisms against incipient disease. But at high doses, it behaves in a contrarian manner.

At low doses, resveratrol induces responses that overlap with the female hormone oestradiol. Low-dose effects seen in animal and human studies include beneficial metabolic effects such as more efficient glucose reduction in diabetics, reducing the development of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, protecting against arterial degeneration, delaying development of neurodegeneration, and improving motor and cognitive functions.

At high doses, resveratrol has an anti-oestrogen effect which suggests that it may reduce the risk of oestrogen-dependent cancers. This Janus-faced hormetic effects of resveratrol may partly explain the French paradox, where there is a reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer in some populations despite their consumption of high-fat diets.

NAD

NAD is an important molecule that is essential for over 500 enzyme reactions in the body which impact metabolism, ageing, cell death, DNA repair, and gene expression. Hence, NAD plays a pivotal role in human health span and longevity and is a necessary substrate for sirtuin enzymatic activity.

In mammalian cells, NAD is mainly generated by the conversion of nicotinamide (a soluble form of Vitamin B3) into nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) followed by its combination with another molecule to form NAD. There is also another precursor, nicotinamide riboside (NR), that is converted by enzymes to NMN in the cells. As this pathway is safe and also the most efficient route for production of NAD, NMN or NR supplementation has been used to increase NAD levels.

Animal studies have shown that NMN supplementation can ameliorate the age-related reduction in NAD production in cells and improve the body's cardiovascular response to ageing. Age-related decrease in arterial elasticity means that the aorta is less able to expand and buffer the increased blood pressure generated each time the heart pumps. With ageing, the production of a pressure-bearing protein, type 1 collagen, in the arterial wall increases, whereas the main protein responsible for the structural integrity and elastic properties of the arterial wall, elastin, decreases. Studies in mice have shown that NMN supplementation was able to reduce stiffness in large arteries by reversing the accumulation of type 1 collagen in arterial walls and improving elastin content.

From the age of 40 years onwards, there is a gradual decline in perfusion of the body tissues resulting in gradual deterioration in body function towards the last decades of life. A consequence of this is cognitive decline.

Optimal brain function is dependent on adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery via minute brain blood vessels (cerebral microvascular circulation). This modulation of brain blood flow in response to increased brain activity is impaired with age, contributing to age-related cognitive impairment. Studies in aged mice given NMN have demonstrated an improvement in the modulation of cerebral microvascular circulation. Animal studies have also shown that NMN can prevent age-related cognitive decline by reducing cell death in areas of the brain that control short- and long-term memory.

Use of NMN was also associated with decrease in the neurodegenerative changes seen in Alzheimer's disease and age-related retinal changes. This age-related decrease in the production of new vessels and a gradual decrease of blood vessels in the microcirculation also result in reduction in muscle mass and diminishing exercise capacity with age. Mice given NMN were able to demonstrate an increase in the production of new vessels in the muscle and an increase in density of small vessels, thereby improving exercise capacity.

Caloric restriction

Caloric restriction (CR) which involves calorie reduction without causing malnutrition, has been associated with an increase in lifespan in some animal studies. In these studies, dietary CR was associated with increased lifespan and reduced disease incidence, especially cancers. However, some studies did not show benefit and, in some mouse strains, CR was associated with shortened lifespan.

Observational studies on humans who have practised extreme CR over many years showed low levels of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Similarly, a human study on CR, the CALERIE study, found that CR participants had lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

The study was too short to examine the impact of CR on lifespan. The current conclusion from the National Institute of Aging in the United States is that there is not enough evidence to recommend CR as a therapeutic measure for life extension. Although CR was associated with lower risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, caution is urged as in a study using mouse lemurs on prolonged CR, MRI studies showed that there was more widespread age-related grey matter atrophy in CR animals while only a few regions in the brain showed atrophy in those not on CR.

Life extension

Globally, heart disease and stroke are the two main causes of death in most high-middle and high-income countries. Hence, the first cardinal principle in life extension is to control the risk factors such as blood pressure elevation, cholesterol elevation, sugar elevation and smoking.

The second principle is to have a healthy lifestyle such as keeping the weight within the healthy range and exercising regularly. Both physical exercise and dietary CR result in a significant increase in NAD production and increase sirtuin activity. CR may be an option as part of a weight-reduction regime to keep the weight optimal.

The third principle is to see your doctor regularly to control risk factors.

Finally, among the supplement options, scientific studies favour the use of low-dose resveratrol or NMN as they may potentially provide many health benefits via increased sirtuin activity, although more studies will be required to understand their efficacy in human life extension.

Continued here:

Life extension health, rejuvenation and longevity - The Business Times

TEFEN, Israel, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh produce packaging innovators, StePac Ltd. are gaining growing interest in the retail sector for their functional standing pouches. The attractive, high-performance resealable bags are crafted with the company's proprietary Xgoadvanced modified atmosphere/modified humidity (MA/MH) technology. They're designed to significantly lengthen the shelf life of fresh produce and reduce waste in the supply chain as well as in the consumer's homes. The pouch enhances consumer experience and concurrently helps raise the fresh food packaging sector to greater ethical standards by contributing its part to the global waste reduction effort.

Divine Flavor, LLC, a San Diego, Calif.-based, grower-owned distributor of fruits and vegetables and part of agro giant Grupo Alta, have already adopted StePac's new standing pouches. The attractively designed Xgo standing pouch is cleverly engineered to combine shelf-life extension capabilities by actively slowing the aging and ripening process, with convenience in an attractive "grab-n-go" retail packaging format.

Since 2010, Divine Flavor took advantage of StePac's Xtendline ofbulk packaging for transporting its squash, cucumbers and bell peppers from growing regions in Mexico to USA. The company began testing the new Xgo standing pouches just over two years ago in a move to expand their line of high value products and bring differentiation of their brand by offering supermarkets a means of bringing the purposeful packaging benefits all the way from the farm to the consumer.

Xgo standing pouches allowed the company to shift to packing fresh produce in the final retail format at source. Impressed by the consistent performance, the Divine Flavor technical team fully adopted the protocol in 2020 for direct field-to-home refrigerator packaging of its Persian cucumbers for the US market. It is now arousing the interest of fresh produce distributers around the globe.

"The Xgo standing pouch is a remarkably high performing product, with an unrivalled ability to retain freshness and meaningfully extend product shelf life," attests Michael DuPuis, Quality Assurance and Public Relations Coordinator for Divine Flavors. "The Feedback from our customers has been excellent; they're really happy with the quality and attractive appearance and the fact that it has that sustainability edge consumers are seeking."

The Xgostanding pouchlife extension capabilities are due to unique properties inbuilt into the packaging matrix that functions to lower oxygen (O2) and increase carbon dioxide (CO2). This creates optimal conditions for slowing respiration and senescence (aging) in plant tissues, inhibiting the growth of mold and other microorganisms, thereby preserving freshness and valuable nutrients. The StePac technology limits dehydration and product weight loss during storage, shipment, and home use and has inbuilt condensation control, that ensures high visibility of the packed products even under challenging supply chain conditions.

StePac's breakthrough pouches are resealable and are also available in fully recyclable formats, contributing to a circular economy. They can be decoratively printed for personal brands to evoke instant product recognition while on the shelves and come with a convenient grab handle.

"Our packaging designs have traditionally focused on the wholesale sector, offering a lean functional solution to bulk packaging of high-value fresh produce that can support long haul shipments as well as storage," says Gary Ward, Ph.D., Business Development Manager for StePac. "It already demonstrated abilities to extend shelf life by 50-100%, bringing promising support to food-waste reduction. In the midst of current Covid19 climate, concerns for food safety are driving demand for more retail packaging. We have purpose designed our packaging to preserve quality and reduce waste in the most sustainable way possible. We are increasingly venturing into the retail sector to bring this sustainable resource saving solution into consumers' homes."

About StePac:

StePac specializes in functional packaging for fresh produce. Its globally recognized brands include Xtend, Xgo, Xflow and Xbloom modified-atmosphere/modified-humidity packaging solutions. These solutions reduce weight loss, slow respiration and aging, and inhibit microbial decay, while prolonging storability and shelf life. They are supported by a wealth of post-harvest expertise for enhanced performance and sustainability.

SOURCE StePac

See original here:

Divine Flavor adopts StePac' modified atmosphere standing pouches for extending produce shelf life in the retail sector - PRNewswire

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGEN), a development-stage biotechnology company, today announced its name change to Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. (Viridian). Beginning tomorrow, Viridian will trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "VRDN" and its common stock will trade under a new CUSIP number, 92790C104.

The Company also announced today the appointment of Jonathan Violin, Ph.D., M.B.A. as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Violin, who previously served as Viridians President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeds Lee Rauch as CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Rauch will remain as strategic advisor for the Company.

In addition, Viridian appointed internationally recognized neuro-ophthalmologist, Barrett Katz M.D., M.B.A., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Katz comes to Viridian from BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. where he developed therapeutics to treat orphan eye diseases.

The leadership team changes and Viridian Therapeutics name reflect the continuing evolution of the company and our patient-centric model of innovation, said Dr. Violin. Were leveraging proven biology and technology to efficiently allocate research and development resources, while addressing strategic gaps related to access, delivery, quality of life, and efficacy. We are thrilled to attract someone with Dr. Katzs depth of expertise in serving patients and leading scientific and clinical programs.

During his tenure at BridgeBio, Dr. Katz held leadership positions in two subsidiaries, as President and CMO of Retinagenix and CEO of Fortify Therapeutics. Prior to BridgeBio, he was CMO at GenSight Biologics where he oversaw early- and late-stage clinical programs. He held the Francis DeJur Chair of Ophthalmology at the Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where he also served as Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, as well as the Executive Director of the Office of Clinical Trials. He previously served as CEO of Danube Pharmaceuticals, CMO of Fovea Pharmaceuticals and VP for Medical Affairs and Strategy at Eyetech. Dr. Katz received an M.D. from Case-Western Reserve University School of Medicine, an M.B.A. from the University of Rochesters Simon School of Business, and an A.B. from Colgate University.

Prior to co-founding privately held Viridian Therapeutics, Dr. Violin had founded and served as CEO of two virtual drug discovery companies, Quellis Biosciences and Dianthus Therapeutics, and co-founded and held several executive positions at Trevena, Inc. He holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and a B.S. from Duke University.

Viridian is developing multiple product candidates to treat patients who suffer from thyroid eye disease (TED), a debilitating orphan disease that can cause bulging eyes, or proptosis, as well as double vision and potential blindness. TED significantly impacts quality of life, imposing a high physical and mental burden on patients. There is currently one Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for TED, an intravenously administered monoclonal antibody that targets the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R).

Patients with TED have limited treatment options, said Dr. Katz. Viridian has a clear and compelling strategy to better serve these patients. I am delighted to help build upon the Companys recent momentum and eager to design and implement robust clinical programs for our lead product candidates.

Viridians most advanced product candidate is VRDN-001, an intravenously administered anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody which, the Company expects to proceed directly to a phase 2 trial, pending feedback from the FDA. In October, the Company obtained exclusive worldwide rights from ImmunoGen, Inc. to develop and commercialize VRDN-001 for all non-oncology indications that do not use radiopharmaceuticals, including the treatment of TED.

VRDN-002 is the Companys second-generation product candidate, incorporating half-life extension technology, and is intended for subcutaneous administration. Viridian holds exclusive rights to develop and commercialize antibody therapeutics targeting IGF-1R using the XtendTM half-life extension technology developed and owned by Xencor, Inc.

In the second half of 2021, Viridian expects to file Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for both VRDN-001 and VRDN-002.

AboutViridian Therapeutics

Viridian Therapeuticsis a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases but underserved by todays therapies. Viridians most advanced program, VRDN-001, is a clinical-stage anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody in development for thyroid eye disease (TED). Viridian is headquartered inBoulder, Colorado, with research and development operations in Waltham, Massachusetts. Learn more about Viridian and our programs at viridiantherapeutics.com. Follow us on Twitter @ViridianThera and on LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," or "would" or other similar terms or expressions that concern Viridians expectation, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Companys future research and clinical development plans and the potential commencement of the Companys Phase 2 clinical trial and the timing for any of these events. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, our clinical results and other future conditions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the forecasts disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those set forth under the caption Risk Factors in Viridians Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 12, 2020 and in other filings Viridian makes with the SEC from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither we, nor our affiliates, advisors or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

Viridian Contacts:

Investors:Dan FerryLifeSci Advisors617-430-7576IR@viridiantherapeutics.com

Media:Darby PearsonVerge Scientific Communications703-587-0831PR@viridiantherapeutics.com

See the original post:

miRagen Therapeutics Announces Company Name Change to Viridian Therapeutics and New Executive Appointments, Including Expansion of Leadership Team -...

Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A recent review article describes how compounds called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) may be a viable treatment for inflammatory lung conditions, acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as shown in preclinical settings.

The article, Specialized Proresolving Mediators in Infection and Lung Injury, by Dr. Shayna Sandhaus and Dr. Andrew G. Swick, was published in November in Biofactors, a journal of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It looked at SPMs effectiveness across a wide range of animal models.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators, or SPMs, control the inflammation resolution process, explained study co-author Dr. Andrew G. Swick, Chief Scientific Officer at Life Extension. Basically, these compounds help tissue return to a healthy state. This is important because chronic inflammation is best managed by both limiting inflammation in the first place and promoting the resolution of that inflammation after it occurs.

Your body makes SPMs out of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, like youd find in fish oil. But SPMs work differently than traditional omega-3s in that they help to resolve inflammation (instead of preventing it, the way anti-inflammatory drugs do, or, to a lesser extent, EPA and DHA fatty acids from fish oil). Inflammation is an issue with all diseases, including lung disease and respiratory infections, so learning how to resolve inflammation is a discovery that could not have come at a more opportune moment.

SPMs have shown tremendous potential for treating infectious diseases and lung conditions, Dr. Shayna Sandhaus, co-author of the article, explained. Administering SPMs in preclinical studies has led to infection clearance, resolution of lung inflammation, and improved survival rates.

SPMs have additional benefits as well; these specialized pro-resolving mediators can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments associated with chronic inflammation, the study confirmed, such as periodontitis (gum disease), sepsis, tuberculosis and even bacterial pneumonia. We believe SPMs could prove to be a useful tool for managing many inflammatory conditions, Dr. Sandhaus said.

For more information on SPMs, please read our recent Life Extension Magazine article.

About Life Extension

For 40 years, Life Extension has pursued innovative advances in health, conducting rigorous clinical trials and setting some of the most demanding standards in the industry to offer a full range of wellness information and services. Life Extensions Wellness Specialists provide personalized counsel to help customers choose the right products for optimal health, nutrition and personal care. To learn more, visit LifeExtension.com.

Read more here:

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) Shown to Resolve Inflammation and Improve Infection Clearance - GlobeNewswire

Sourced from the Living Architecture Monitor

A leader in regenerative and netpositive design, Kirstin works with owners, cities and integrated teams to create living, resilient built environments where people and ecosystems thrive together. She has led some of the most cited studies on green roof performance and cost-effectiveness for clients such as the US GSA, Walmart and City and County of San Francisco.

After over a decade at Arup delivering sustainable office, mixed-use, civic and education projects, Kirstin launched Bio Studio, an ecological design consultancy based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kirstin knows more about the economics of green roofs than just about anyone, and I was fortunate to catch her at her home office for this edition of On The Roof With.

Steven W. Peck (SWP): Kirstin, you've been involved in a number of very important economic studies about green roofs for both public and private sector clients over the past decade? Many of the benefits of green roofs are context specific, both in terms of the objectives for the green roof on the building and the policy context of the jurisdiction. Generally speaking from a private sector perspective, where does the business case for green roof investment principally lie - in savings, revenue generation or both?

Kirstin Weeks (KW): I would say that the business case depends heavily on context. All green roofs will tend to produce returns like building energy savings and protection and life extension of the roof membrane, saving money on reroofing over time. But some of the biggest potential returns come from human experience. In an average office, for example, the investment made in peoples salaries and benefits might be 100x the cost of utility bills. Studies have repeatedly shown increased satisfaction and productivity when people have views of nature. Taking a short break in a natural setting can reduce stress levels for hours afterward. So if a green roof is visible or accessible, weve seen that the small uptick in productivity has the potential to pay back the entire investment in the green roof in a year or less, whereas the utility savings would tend to take decades. Another scenario where green roofs can pay back quickly is in new buildings that are subject to stormwater management or open space regulations. In some policy environments and on certain sites, it is actually cheaper to build a building with a green roof than to meet the regulations without one.

Read the full article

Follow this link:

On The Roof With...Green Roof Performance Expert Kirstin Weeks - Living Architecture Monitor magazine

SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a $30 million contract by Coeur Rochester, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur Mining, to provide construction management services for the Plan of Operations, Amendment Number 11 expansion project at Coeurs Rochester mine near Lovelock, Nevada.

In a statement, SNC-Lavalin said the contract, which started in Q4 2020, aims to be completed by the end of 2022. The POA 11 expansion project includes the construction of a new crushing plant, including a primary, secondary, and tertiary crushing circuit (high pressure grinding rolls).

Included in the contract is a new heap leach pad (300,000,000 tons), new Merrill Crowe process plant (13,750 gallons per minute), and upgrades to existing electrical utility system infrastructure, including a substation and power distribution lines. The deal is aligned with the companys new strategy to target the Services segment.

SNC-Lavalins Mining & Metallurgy strategic plan is gaining traction with this mandate. It is an example of the mining services work that our team is winning across our core geographies, including the United States of America. SNC-Lavalin and Coeur continue to foster a strong relationship that finds and executes services solutions to create world-class operations, said Csar Inostroza, Senior Vice-President, Mining & Metallurgy, SNC-Lavalin.

This award is a testament to the continued partnership between SNC-Lavalin and Coeur. It leverages our knowledge of the Rochester mine and engineering expertise from the previous phase of this project and expands our work in the US.

The project mandate is well aligned with SNC-Lavalins expertise in silver, gold and base metal project delivery, as well as its commitment to delivering real value to its clients, Inostroza asserts.

SNC-Lavalins offices in Reno, Nevada and Toronto, Ontario will continue to support the construction management phase of the project. In addition, a team based locally at the site will manage construction-related activities, he adds.

The strong business partnership between Coeur and SNC-Lavalin will help ensure a robust project delivery for Rochester, paving the way for improved performance in the future. states Terrence F.D. Smith, Coeurs Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. All of us at Coeur look forward to continue working with SNC-Lavalin as we advance this pivotal project.

Since approval of the initial Plan of Operation in 1986, the Rochester mine has undergone periodic mine plan amendments to support development projects and continued operations. The Plan of Operations, Amendment Number 11 (POA 11) proposes another mine life extension, which is expected to maintain the current workforce and support full production activities at Rochester until 2033.

Coeurs Rochester mine is located 100 miles northeast of Reno near Lovelock, Nevada. It is an open-pit mining operation that produces silver and gold. Mining methods include typical open-pit techniques where ore and waste rock are drilled, blasted, crushed, loaded and hauled to either leach pads (ore) or rock disposal sites, the statement explains.

See more here:

Couer Mining subsidiary awards $30m contract to SNC-Lavalin | Supply Chain & Operations - Mining Global - Mining News, Magazine and Website

Playing a robot is no mean feat. Imagine wearing a rigid suit that covers everything other than your eyes and nostrils, affecting your breathing and leaving you with very narrow vision and unable to hear very well.

hen there's the four-and-a-half hours spent in make-up every morning.

That was English-French actress Stacy Martin's experience on the set of new sci-fi thriller Archive, written and directed by Gavin Rothery - and she confides she "had moments where I was definitely quite moody".

But the costume was also helpful for the 30-year-old, whose breakthrough role was in 2013 film drama Nymphomaniac.

"Having this sort of armour, that was also quite restricting, was something that was actually really helpful for the character, because she struggles with her identity and who she is, and learning how to move in a different way - or learning how to breathe - was part of that character's journey, for me," she says.

Archive, which is set in the future (the year 2049) also stars Theo James - known for the Divergent film series and ITV drama Sanditon - as a roboticist named George Almore.

He has been working on a model that is a true, human equivalent android, and his latest prototype, J3 (Martin) - which has been achieved through two earlier prototypes, J1 and J2 - is almost complete.

What soon becomes clear is that George has secretly skewed the focus of his work: developing the robots towards the goal of creating a simulacra of Jules, his wife who died in a car crash (also played by Martin).

Jules is still present in George's life via a new form of life-extension technology - the Archive. But the Archive unit is under threat, and if George isn't to lose his wife completely, he urgently needs to complete the construction of J3.

The detail that Rothery has put into the world he has built within the film is seriously impressive; it really immerses you.

What also struck James (36) about the script was that it was a "really interesting conceptual piece of work".

"It had something interesting to say about the quality of human life- and what it means to be human," muses the actor.

"Beyond that, the idea of trying to recreate love - or a piece of someone's soul, however you want to define it -in something that was mechanical, essentially, and how far you can go to create that."

So, how did James try to understand his character's motives?

"You have to bring a piece of yourself to every character you play, so you try and see parallels in your own life and imagine how far you would go if you had lost the most important person to you, so you find some mutual ground there," he suggests.

"Also, I think I was drawn, personally, to the idea of the existential question of, 'If you imbue something with enough quality and characteristics of humanity, at what point does it become human?'"

Martin joined the cast quite late - just three weeks before shooting. But she was drawn to the role because she "needed something a bit different" at the time - and she also liked "how much love there was in the project".

"I don't know much about sci-fi and I was just very naive about that genre and, just by talking with Gavin, you really felt his passion for that genre, for film-making, and for this story," she says.

Rothery, who originally worked as an illustrator and comic artist, came up with the idea for Archive after he "had a really bad weekend".

"As a freelancer, both my computers died," recalls the film-maker, who also worked on sci-fi drama Moon. "It was a Sunday afternoon and I couldn't do anything to fix them. I lost a load of data - some kind of power surge, I never really found what happened.

"It cost me a couple of thousand pounds getting data recovered from hard drives, it was awful.

"I felt like my computers had killed themselves, basically, to spite me. It felt like a personal attack. So that kind of idea of a computer killing itself to spite somebody really lodged in my brain.

"That then led me into the story arc of what if there was somebody creating a human equivalent machine intelligence, and as soon as he turned it on, it just killed itself? So, it was kinda dark. I was in a bit of a funk - losing all my data was bad."

And so out of one "really bad weekend", the idea was born for one really good movie plot.

Archive will be released on digital download on 18 January

Belfast Telegraph

More here:

True love, untimely death and robotics - Belfast Telegraph

Written by Julian Savulescu and Jonathan Pugh

The current UK approach to allocating limited life-saving resources is on the basis of need. Guidance issued by The General Medical Council states that all doctors must Make sure that decisions about setting priorities that affect patients are fair and based on clinical need and the likely effectiveness of treatments

This is most vividly illustrated in the JCVIs strategy for vaccination: the prioritization order recommended by JVIC and that the UK Government is intentioned to follow is:

1. older adults resident in a care home and care home workers

and then younger age groups in descending order.

The aim of this scheme is to address the greatest need and possibly also to save the greatest number of lives. Indeed, the JCVI state that their priority groups represent 99% of preventable mortality from COVID-19.[1] The downside of this strategy is that people in each lower tier will predictably and avoidably die as they wait for the tier above to be vaccinated.

To take an example. A systematic review and meta-analysis of infection fatality rates in Covid-19 suggests that the chance of an infected 80 year old dying from COVID-19 is 15%. The chance of a infected 65 yr old dying is 1.4%. For a 25 year old, it is 0.01%. While the strategy focuses on over 80 year olds, some 65 year olds will die. They can legitimately complain that they were at an increased risk and should have had a chance to access the vaccine.

The procedure will save the most lives, but with no regard to length or quality of life (utilitarianism). But it also has no regard to fairness in the following way.

If A has a 15% chance of dying without vaccine, B has a 10%, need says give it to A. But for B, it is the only way to remove a chance of dying. If you have organ failure and your chance of surviving with a transplant is 30%, and mine is 25%, it makes no difference to me that yours is higher. I want my chance.

Studies of the lay publics attitudes to allocation of limited life-saving resources have shown people have commitment to lottery and fairness where outcomes are relatively similar.

One competitor to need is utilitarianism: maximise the outcome in terms of QALYs. This would not favour the current distribution, eg giving vaccine to centenarians. Although QALYs are used to determine resource allocation in healthcare, some have argued that it is unfair to incorporate considerations of quality and length of life into prioritisation.

Another approach gives weight to fairness as well as need and outcome. One of us has called it, after John Mackie, a right to a fair go. It has also been called sufficientarianism. It requires drawing a line a fair go. This could be a minimum reduction in the chance of dying, or raising people to a minimum quality of life, or providing a minimum level of life extension. Distribution of limited resources should then get as many people as possible above the line. It should give as many as possible a fair go.

Consider an example with ventilators. There is only one ventilator and three patients who could have their lives extended.

A would require a ventilator for two weeks and his life would be extended by one year.

A* would have her life extended by 10 years and require it for one week

If A* is treated for one week, either B or B* could be treated in Week 2.

B*s life would be extended by 10 years.

Bs life would be extended by one month

The following combinations are possible. Treat:

A

A* B*

A* B

Utilitarianism would obviously favour the second combination. However, that combination can also be justified by considerations of fairness. If we set the minimum threshold for benefit at more than a year of life extension, then he second combination A* B* gets the most patients across that line. Fairness speaks in favour of A*B.*

The current UK system of vaccine distribution is not fair in the following way. Everyone over the age of 50 is at a significantly increased risk of dying of COVID. Fairness could require everyone over the age of 50, or 60 (depending on where you draw the line of a fair go) having an equal chance of getting the vaccine.

In fact, in Europe, the UK is an outlier is stratifying priority groups by age to the degree that it does. A survey of vaccine priority guidance performed by the European Centre for Disease Control and Protection suggests that the published guidance in many EU countries incorporates a far simpler form of age prioritisation, in which all people over a certain age are prioritised equally. For example, the Netherlands simply prioritises those aged over 60. In this system, an 85 year old has equal priority to a 60 year old. In the UK, these two individuals will receive the vaccine months apart.

Two of us have previously argued that we should give weight to both equality (fairness) and outcome (utility). A right to a fair go strikes this balance.

Giving some weight to fairness will reduce the numbers of lives saved. But it will give more people a chance to benefit from the limited resources.

A plausible alternative to the current need-based distribution is a right to a fair go. One might also call this a Partial Fairness-Based allocation.

This could also be applied to the allocation of ventilators: provided people have a chance of surviving, to gain a life of minimum length and quality, they should have an equal chance. But those who are very old or who have advanced dementia, would not be candidates for ventilators, when these are limited in supply.

How much weight we give to fairness vs utility is value judgement that might not allow a precise answer. And it is a judgment that will be affected by contextual factors, such as the current strain the healthcare system is under. But it is plausible some weight should be given to both utility and fairness. Perhaps we should give everyone over the age of 65 an equal chance of getting the vaccine.

[1] Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

More here:

Vaccines and Ventilators: Need, Outcome or a Right to a Fair Go? - Practical Ethics

Photo Services

Isabel Whitehead is a Bumpers College alumna, earning her master's degree in agricultural and extension education in 2018.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Isabel Whitehead, a member of the Dean's Office staff as a graduate assistant and in other roles, has been named international and honors programs coordinator for U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Reporting to Lisa Wood, assistant dean for international and honors programs, Whitehead's responsibilities include teaching and advising, honors student programming and recruiting, advising honors student leadership groups, researching, and honors administrative and service duties. Whitehead is also coordinating international program promotion and recruitment.

From Houston, Whitehead earned her master's degree in agricultural and extension education from the U of A in 2018 after earning her bachelor's degree in animal science with an emphasis in agricultural education from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, in 2016. She has been an adjunct instructor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology since 2018.

"I am so delighted to have Isabel join the Dean's Office staff in this role of coordinator," said Wood. "Isabel embraces the mission of Bumpers College to prepare students for successful careers through impactful experiences, such as those provided through our honors and international programs. I have had the pleasure of working with Isabel for nearly three years, and I know the talents and experience she brings to this position. The Bumpers honors and international programs will expand in quality and scope under her guidance."

"I am thrilled to move into the position coordinating honors and international programs," Whitehead said. "I attended a small university with a close-knit agricultural college, so I value the family atmosphere that Bumpers provides. It is an honor that I was able to transition into an instructor role after graduating from the University of Arkansas with my master's degree and to now become a full-time staff member in the Dean's Office. It means a lot to me that I can continue contributing to Bumpers College because the faculty within AECT truly shaped me as a young professional and educator."

Whitehead is identifying weekly, monthly and annual goals and objectives for honors and international programs, serving on the International Program Committee, coordinating email and social media communications, representing Bumpers College at the annual Study Abroad Fair and other events, managing and tracking the faculty-led grant and returning program applications, assisting in selecting the college's international program student mentors, coordinating international program efforts with U of A's Office of Study Abroad and conducting research.

"I am passionate about increasing the accessibility of undergraduate research and study abroad opportunities - these experiences add value to students' educations and truly make a lasting impression on one's future," Whitehead said. "My goal within the international programs office is to highlight existing faculty-led study abroad programs, international internship and research opportunities, and work directly with Dr. Lisa Wood to increase funding opportunities to make studying abroad a reality for as many students as we can once international travel is safe to resume. In the meantime we are piloting virtual program options.

"Within honors, I am focused on demystifying the process of research and creative work, and refining our honors curriculum for first-year students to instill a sense of community and shared pursuit of excellence right from the start," she said.

In addition to her adjunct instructor duties, Whitehead also served as the college's interim diversity and inclusion coordinator in 2019-20.

"My own experiences being mentored through undergraduate research projects directly influenced and empowered me to continue my education and ignited what is now a lifelong interest in research, so I love being able to guide students through those same stages now in my role as an instructor, and as an honors faculty mentor and committee member to multiple students," she said.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.

Go here to see the original:

Whitehead Named Coordinator for International and Honors Programs in Bumpers College - University of Arkansas Newswire

Jan. 18, 2021 09:00 UTC

CAMBRIDGE, England & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Metrion Biosciences Limited (Metrion), the specialist ion channel CRO and drug discovery company, and LifeArc, a leading UK independent medical research charity, today announced a 12-month extension of their neuroscience drug discovery collaboration, as a result of the continued success of their ongoing agreement.

The collaboration is focused on the discovery of novel selective small molecular modulators of a specific two-pore domain potassium ion channel target, identified as likely to be involved in neurological pathogenesis, and has now progressed into the hit-to-lead optimisation phase. Initially signed in January 2019, the collaboration agreement was extended for the first time in December 2019. Following the achievement of mutually agreed criteria LifeArc has now exercised the option to extend the programme for a further 12 months.

Under the terms of the agreement, Metrion provides validated ion channel and electrophysiology-based assays and safety profiling services. LifeArc uses its expertise to identify novel modulators of CNS ion channel targets and all new chemical syntheses, with Metrion evaluating the pharmacological activities of LifeArc compounds using both automated electrophysiology and manual patch clamp technologies

Dr Edward Stevens, Head of Drug Discovery, Metrion Biosciences, said: The continued success of our collaboration with LifeArc is testament to the strength of both teams and the long standing and successful research relationship between our companies. The transition to lead optimisation for key chemical series, along with continuation of selected hit-to-lead activities, is very exciting, and I look forward to working together through 2021.

Dr Justin Bryans, Executive Director, Drug Discovery, LifeArc, commented: We are delighted to continue our work with Metrion in the field of neuroscience, capitalising on our combined expertise and capabilities to develop potentially life-changing drugs.

ENDS

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210118005028/en/

Originally posted here:

Metrion Biosciences and LifeArc Further Extend Neuroscience-focused Ion Channel Drug Discovery Collaboration - BioSpace