DEP Awards Energy-Efficiency, Pollution-Prevention Grants to 32 Small Businesses

The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $239,809 in grants to help 32 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

?Becoming energy-efficient can involve an initial up-front investment that will be proportionally higher for small businesses,? DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. ?The investment will pay for itself and more over time, but this program makes that transition more doable for Pennsylvania?s small business owners.?

Pennsylvania?s Small Business Advantage Grant program, funded through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, helps businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It provides 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25 percent annually in pollution-prevention or energy-related costs. Since 2004, the program has invested $7.25 million in 1,720 small businesses statewide.

Of the $1 million in grants budgeted for the current fiscal year, this is the second of three announcements of selected grantees. The 32 new grants will create $812,987 of private-sector investment in small businesses.

Examples of eligible projects include high-efficiency HVAC and insulation upgrades, high-efficiency lighting to save energy, installation of energy-efficient heat pumps and new auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines.

For more information about the Small Business Advantage Grant program, contact DEP?s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman at 717-772-8909 or via email at epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.

The information above provided by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fox43/jndg/~3/F0EBMga7gQQ/

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Fla. governor wants $1.2 billion more for schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott will ask for a $1.2 billion boost in spending on public schools in the coming year, a move that could set up a clash with the Republican-controlled Legislature but could boost his bid for re-election.

Scott revealed the figure when he outlined his top spending priorities during The Associated Press' 19th annual planning meeting on Wednesday.

His announcement comes a day before the Republican governor is expected to make his 2013 budget recommendations to state legislators. Scott will give additional details on his budget proposal, although it is unlikely that Scott will provide a definitive answer on whether he supports accepting federal aid to expand Medicaid.

The total amount of money that Scott plans to seek for public schools includes his previously announced pitch to give every teacher in the state a $2,500 pay raise.

Scott ? who just two years ago had recommended a cut in education ? said that his proposal would boost per-student spending by roughly 6.5 percent.

"Investing in our teachers and in our education system is the key to our state's continued economic growth," Scott said. "We made the hard choices to recover and get back on track ? now we must make the smart choices to invest in Florida's future."

Some Democrats called Scott's recommendation an "epiphany" that may be more about his 2014 re-election bid. Scott has battled low poll numbers for most of his time in office.

"He's finally admitting that I was wrong to try to starve education," said Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale.

A breakdown of Scott's schools proposal shows that some of the $1.2 billion won't necessarily make an impact in the classroom. His recommendations include a nearly $300 million payment into the state pension plan on behalf of teachers. Scott's recommendation also includes a $100 million "technology initiative" as well as the money needed to cover increased school enrollment.

It's unclear, however, whether Scott's fellow Republicans will approve a budget that includes his spending priorities. Legislative leaders have already said they are uneasy with an across-the-board pay raise for teacher salaries. But they also said that while the economy is improving the state does not have an unlimited budget surplus.

"We do have more revenue, our budget surplus is breathing room," House Speaker Will Weatherford said. "It's not enough to put your feet up on the couch."

Scott is expected to announce on Thursday spending reductions in some areas of state spending, including nearly $100 million in savings realized from changes in state contracts, the elimination of nearly 932 positions by closing offices, shedding vacant state jobs and reorganizing parts of state government.

But the governor refused to say much on what may be the biggest budget question of the 2013 session: Will the state of Florida accept billions in federal aid to expand Medicaid coverage?

Under President Barack Obama's health care law, Washington would pay 100 percent of the costs of expanding Medicaid from 2014 to 2016. Between 2017 and 2020, the federal share would decrease to 90 percent and the states' contribution would rise in stages to 10 percent, and that's where it would stay.

The law calls for states in 2014 to expand eligibility of Medicaid to those making up to 133 percent of the poverty level, or $29,326 for a family of four in Florida. The changes would also require adding people who are below the poverty level but not eligible for Medicaid, such as childless adults.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last summer that expansion of Medicaid is not mandatory and that states can opt out if they choose.

Scott said that there are still questions that need to be answered by federal authorities before he can render a verdict on Medicaid expansion ? hinting that he is unlikely to address it in the budget recommendations he will roll out.

The two Republican leaders of the Legislature said they are still undecided about the expansion.

But Weatherford told reporters and editors, however, that state lawmakers are ready to render a final verdict on expansion with or without the governor's input by sometime in March.

"We certainly care what the governor thinks," Weatherford said. "It would have an impact. But we're not waiting on him to tell us what to do in this regard."

Follow Gary Fineout on Twitter: http://twitter.com/fineout

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fla-governor-wants-1-2-214619429.html

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WTCC: STR tendr? dos coches en el campeonato 2013.

El equipo brit?nico Special Tuning Racing (STR) est? trabajando para estar en la parrilla de este a?o con dos SEAT Le?n WTCC, con las ?ltimas mejoras de SEAT Sport para la temporada 2013 del WTCC.

El equipo tom? parte en su primera temporada completa como independiente en 2012 despu?s de abandonar el Campeonato Brit?nico de Turismos. El equipo comenz? el a?o con Darryl O'Young y el brit?nico Tom Boardman en sus dos SEAT.?

El equipo ten?a un coche actualizado a las ?ltimas especificaciones para la primera ronda en Monza para O'Young, con el segundo coche a la espera de recibir el motor de SEAT Sport ORECA desarrollada y otras actualizaciones en Portugal.?

El plan del equipo es volver a la parrilla de este a?o, con las ?ltimas actualizaciones de SEAT en sus dos Le?n, con el apoyo t?cnico y de ingenier?a de SEAT Sport.?

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Source: http://www.seatfansclub.com/2013/01/special-tuning-racing-tendra-dos-coches.html

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CSN: Peavy says pressure got to White Sox in '12

Despite all the days they were in first place in 2012, what everyone will remember most about the Chicago White Sox last season was their September collapse, when they went 4-11 in the final 15 games.
?
Their self-destruction earned them a seat on the couch for the playoffs--as well as a thank you card from the Detroit Tigers, who ended up winning the Central Division by three games.

What happened down the stretch?

Jake Peavy knows. It was the pressure.

Did it get to them?

?There's no doubt,? Peavy said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. ?I think you could sense over the last few months that we weren't playing the best in the world, and you expected at that point in time that when you're in first place going into September you can't play with this, ?We've got nothing to lose attitude.? We do. We've got everything to lose, and that pressure takes that freeness away from you when you're expected to perform. I think us as a whole, I think we all have to take responsibility. It just didn't work out.?

You can point to the White Sox 6-12 record against the Tigers and Royals as a main reason for their demise. Both opponents consistently put the heat on the White Sox, and Robin Ventura?s team kept flaming out.

They had a roster filled with post-season veterans like Peavy, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski and Kevin Youkilis, but also many rookies and pennant race novices who were sniffing the playoffs for the very first time -- and it showed in the results.

?I think you saw the inexperience. I thought you saw a team that had been there in Detroit catching us, and a team trying to get there with a lot of new faces and a lot of meshing to do,? Peavy said. ?I think you saw that when things got on the line and we were the team to beat there, being in first place down the stretch and that pressure, you feel the immaturity as a club as a whole. I?m not just saying the young guys. I?m talking about myself, the Adam Dunn?s, the Paul Konerko?s. That?s our job to keep everyone calm and keep us holding on.?

Nothing can prepare you for those pressure-packed games but actually playing in them; to feel the emotions, to celebrate the wins, or in the White Sox case -- to stomach the losses.

?People talk about how you learn more in defeat than you do in winning. That's never more true than our case. That learning experience for every one one of us personally is invaluable,? Peavy said. ?There will be a bigger hunger, a bigger desire going into this year and getting into that situation again. There will be more of a peace and more of a ?I've been there and I know what it takes to get this thing done.??

When Jake takes the field for his first start in 2013, someone familiar with his thinking truly won?t believe it.

He was convinced this wouldn?t happen. He was sure he?d be in retirement by then.

Who had these thoughts?

Peavy did.

?I really felt like last year was going to be it for me,? Peavy revealed.

Going into the 2012 season, Peavy was almost two years removed from experimental surgery that reattached a tendon to his pitching shoulder. There was progress, but he was nowhere close to the same pitcher he was in 2007 when he won the Cy Young Award. ?

In 2010, he went 7-6 with a 4.63 ERA. In 2011, the results were a tick worse: 7-7 with a 4.92 ERA.

So when Peavy arrived in Arizona for spring training last year, he was prepared for it to be his final season. He questioned whether he?d ever be able to dominate again, and he certainly never thought he?d be in a position to receive the 2-year, $29 million contract he signed with the White Sox last October.

?No, I didn't. I can honestly tell you that I didn't,? Peavy said. ?I'm so thankful and so blessed to be sitting here today, but I swear to you that when I had that first surgery of that kind -- experimental, ground-breaking stuff -- no one really knew what to expect. Then trying to come back in the latter part of 2011 and just not feeling anywhere close to how I felt in previous years, I really felt like last year was going to be it.?

But to Peavy?s surprise, he was on the verge of a major breakthrough. His shoulder was fully healed. His body was finally in sync. He ranked in the top 10 in the American League in strikeouts and ERA. Even more impressive: he pitched 219 innings, fifth most in the A-L and his highest total since winning the Cy Young Award.

?I was going to grind it out and make sure there was no leaf left unturned. That I can do all that I could do,? Peavy said. ?Fortunately, things turned last winter and I was able to have that kind of year. I feel so blessed because I do love the game of baseball, and I do love getting to play, and I hope to play as long as I can.?

A free agent after last season, Peavy could have tested the open market, and probably would have collected a whole lot more than the 2-year, $29 million deal he received from the White Sox. Zack Greinke signed a 6-year, $147 million contract, Anibal Sanchez got 5 years, $80 million, Edwin Jackson 4 years, $52 million.

Peavy has no regrets.

?I was excited we could do something that worked for both sides. [$29 million] was a fair number. When both sides give a little bit, I think it works out well. You saw all the free agent contracts this winter. We knew that going in. Baseball is in a very good state financially and we?re excited. But I wasn?t after that.?

What Peavy wanted was another chance with the White Sox, a team he feels is ready to take the next step.

?I found a home here and it?s a place I?m comfortable. It?s something where I feel I still have more to give to the franchise and to my teammates. I don?t feel like I owed the White Sox anything, but I do feel like for me personally and team-wise there's unfinished business here.?

Watch Chuck Garfien's interview with Jake Peavy on SportsNet Central tonight at 6:30pm, 10:00pm and 12:00am.

Source: http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/white-sox-talk/peavy-says-pressure-got-white-sox

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Total Recall: Anthology Movies

86%

The Directors: Olivier Assayas, Fr?d?ric Auburtin, Emmanuel Benbihy, Gurinder Chadha, Sylvain Chomet, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Isabel Coixet, Wes Craven, Alfonso Cuar?n, G?rard Depardieu, Christopher Doyle, Richard LaGravenese, Vincenzo Natali, Alexander Payne, Bruno Podalyd?s, Walter Salles, Oliver Schmitz, Nobuhiro Suwa, Daniela Thomas, Tom Tykwer, Gus Van Sant

The Big Idea: As you've probably already inferred from its title, Paris, je t'aime is all about the City of Light -- and whatever you think about the movie itself, let's say this much for it: With 18 segments and more than 20 directors wrapped into its two-hour running time, this is one anthology that takes the "short films" part of "collection of short films" seriously. With so many disparate talents jostling for attention, Paris probably should have been a disjointed mess, but according to most critics, it was quite the opposite -- as Owen Gleiberman put it for Entertainment Weekly, "Anthology films usually work better in theory than execution, but this feature parade of shorts is a blithe, worldly, and enchanting exception."

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1926709/news/1926709/

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Video: Was Obama?s address an olive branch to Iran?

'Getting worse': Egypt's gays fear crackdown

??CAIRO, Egypt -- The 2011 revolution which ousted Hosni Mubarak left many of Egypt's gays and lesbians hoping sexual freedom was on the horizon. But today, many fear a government crackdown is only a matter of time.

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/hardball/50553865/

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Novel gene-searching software improves accuracy in disease studies

Jan. 22, 2013 ? A novel software tool, developed at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, streamlines the detection of disease-causing genetic changes through more sensitive detection methods and by automatically correcting for variations that reduce the accuracy of results in conventional software. The software, called ParseCNV, is freely available to the scientific-academic community, and significantly advances the identification of gene variants associated with genetic diseases.

"The algorithm we developed detects copy number variation associations with a higher level of accuracy than that available in existing software," said the lead inventor of ParseCNV, Joseph T. Glessner, of the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "By automatically correcting for variations in the length of deleted or duplicated DNA sequences from one individual to another, ParseCNV produces high-quality, highly replicable results for researchers studying genetic contributions to disease."

Glessner is the lead author of a study describing ParseCNV, published Jan. 4 in Nucleic Acids Research.

Copy number variations (CNVs) are particular sequences of DNA, ranging in length from 1000 to millions of nucleotide bases, which may be deleted or duplicated. While in any given region of a person's DNA, CNVs are very rare, everyone's genome has CNVs, many of which play important roles in causing or influencing disease.

In searching for associations between CNVs and diseases, researchers typically perform case-control studies, comparing DNA samples from patients to DNA from healthy individuals, looking for telltale differences in how CNVs are overrepresented or underrepresented.

CNVs, however, occur in multiple types among individuals, said senior author Hakon Hakonarson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "One person may have a 60-kilobase deletion, while another may have a 100-kilobase deletion; that may determine the difference between a healthy state versus disease. Many CNV detection softwares may misread the boundary of a CNV region, which could lead to a misclassification and result in false-positive or false-negative associations."

ParseCNV is designed with built-in corrections to adjust for these size variations and other red flags that confound results. Using polymerase chain reaction testing to validate the initial findings, the study team determined that the software had called 90 percent of the CNVs accurately -- a better rate than conventional CNV association softwares, which typically produce validation rates that are notably lower.

The authors say the program's comprehensive design, statistical capabilities, and quality-control features lend it versatility, applicable not just to case-control studies, but also to family studies, and quantitative analyses of continuous traits, such as obesity or height.

Glessner says the Center for Applied Genomics team will continue to refine ParseCNV's features as CNV research progresses. Hakonarson adds that the ParseCNV algorithm will advance genomic diagnostics: "It is likely to play a future key role as a research tool in improving detection of CNV association in individual patients enrolled in disease studies -- perhaps through an initial diagnostic screen, to be followed up with a CLIA-certified laboratory test."

An Institutional Development Award from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia supported this research, along with the Cotswold Foundation and a donation from Adele and Daniel Kubert. The third co-author, also from the Children's Hospital genome center, was Jin Li.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. J. T. Glessner, J. Li, H. Hakonarson. ParseCNV integrative copy number variation association software with quality tracking. Nucleic Acids Research, 2013; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks1346

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/health_medicine/genes/~3/q0NoOFgZkiE/130122162130.htm

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