Category: SCIENCE/MEDICAL NEWS

Winter Holidays Arrived Early for Pediatric Patients at Virtua Health

Annual Toy Run Delivered Gifts and Smiles to Local Children

Young patients at Virtua Voorhees Hospital received a touch of holiday magic recently when the Joseph Lacroce Foundation hosted its ninth annual toy delivery. A caravan of classic and collector cars traveled to the hospital, where an assembly line of volunteers unloaded dozens of donated gifts.

Leading the line-up was Virtua’s Mobile Pediatric Unit, a specially equipped van that brings much-needed health services to children in underserved communities. Virtua launched the mobile program in spring 2018 thanks to a $1 million donation from the Lacroce Foundation. Services include developmental screenings, lead testing and education, and flu shots.

The Joseph Lacroce Foundation is a Cherry Hill-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the hospital experience for children throughout South Jersey. President Sam Lacroce established the foundation in 2011 in memory of his son Joseph, who passed away from leukemia in 1975 at age 12.

“Our supporters are always excited to participate in the toy run because it recalls the true spirit of the season,” said Sam Lacroce. “The toys and games do a lot to help make the hospital experience less stressful for the kids. We thank everyone for their generosity.”

“For me, this event marks the start of the holiday season,” said Virtua Health President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE. “Few things are as rewarding as watching a child’s face light up with joy; it’s something Sam Lacroce understands better than anyone.”

#1

– A caravan of classic cars brought donated gifts to pediatric patients at Virtua Voorhees for the 2019 Joseph Lacroce Foundation 9

th

Annual Toy Drive.

#2

– Volunteers form an assembly line to move the gifts into Virtua Voorhees.

#3

– Volunteers of all ages participated in the toy assembly line.

#4

– A special surprise for a pediatric patient is wheeled into the hospital.

#5

– Even the smallest patient enjoyed the gifts donated by the Joseph Lacroce Foundation.

About Virtua Health:

Virtua Health is committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 14,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including a renowned cardiology program, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, and more than 280 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program. Virtua has 2,850 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children\’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, from addiction and other behavioral issues to lack of nutritious food and stable housing. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Virtua has received many

awards

for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit

ThisIsVirtua.org

. To help Virtua make a difference, visit

GiveToVirtua.org

.

ASTRO Issues New Clinical Guideline on Radiation Therapy

for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers

Newswise — ARLINGTON, Va., December 10, 2019 — A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy to treat patients

diagnosed with the most common types of skin cancers. The guideline details when radiation treatments are appropriate as stand-alone therapy or following surgery for basal and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (BCC, cSCC), and it suggests dosing and fractionation for these treatments. The

executive summary

and

full-text version

of ASTRO\’s first guideline for skin cancer are published online in

Practical Radiation Oncology

.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million cases diagnosed each year. More than 95% of these diagnoses are BCC or cSCC, which, in contrast to melanomas, respond well to radiation therapy if treated promptly and properly. Although surgery to remove the lesion is considered the primary approach for definitive/curative treatment of these non-melanoma skin cancers, radiation therapy can play an integral role in both the curative and post-operative settings.

ASTRO developed the new guideline to provide clarity about treatment options. \”There is significant variation in practice about when and how radiation should be used for non-melanoma skin cancers, largely because few randomized studies have compared modern treatment options head-to-head,\” explained Phillip Devlin, MD, FASTRO, chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

\”For this guideline, we drew on the consensus of a multidisciplinary group of leading experts, as well as a systematic review of the evidence, to help physicians understand when radiation is most likely to benefit their patients and to encourage informed discussion about treatment options,\” added Anna Likhacheva, MD, MPH, vice chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist with Sutter Medical Group in Sacramento.

Recommendations for Radiation Therapy for BCC and cSCC

The guideline first defines appropriate indications for radiation therapy (1) as definitive/curative treatment for BCC and cSCC, (2) as adjuvant treatment following surgery and (3) as definitive or adjuvant treatment for disease that has spread to a patient\’s regional lymph nodes. Recommendations are as follows:

In the

definitive/curative setting

, radiation is strongly recommended for patients with BCC or cSCC who cannot undergo or decline surgical resection. It is conditionally recommended for patients with BCC or cSCC located in anatomically sensitive areas such as the nose or lips, where surgery could compromise function or cosmetic outcomes. Definitive radiation therapy is discouraged, however, for patients with genetic conditions that predispose them to be more sensitive to radiation.

In the

adjuvant/post-operative setting

, radiation following surgery is recommended for patients at high risk of cancer recurrence, including a strong recommendation when there is evidence that BCC or cSCC has spread to a patient\’s nerves. Post-operative radiation is also recommended for patients at high risk of recurrence following surgical resection, including strong recommendations for high-risk patients with cSCC and conditional recommendations for high-risk patients with the relatively less aggressive BCC. Recommendations also outline prognostic features that indicate which patients are at greater risk for recurrence and spread.

For patients with BCC or cSCC that has

spread to regional lymph nodes

, surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes followed by radiation is strongly recommended for both BCC and cSCC, although not for patients with one small involved lymph node without extracapsular spread. The guideline also strongly recommends definitive radiation for patients with regional cSCC spread who cannot undergo surgery.

Recommendations address technical aspects of radiation therapy, suggest dosing and fractionation schedules and include a brief discussion of the different types of radiation delivery methods. The task force concluded that the appropriate use of any of the major radiation modalities results in similar cancer control and cosmetic outcomes. The guideline also considers the use of drug therapies such as chemotherapy, biologic and immunotherapy agents in combination with radiation.

About the Guideline

The guideline was based on a systematic literature review which produced more than 1,500 articles, of which 143 (published from May 1988 through June 2018) were then carefully evaluated. The task force included a multidisciplinary team of radiation, medical and surgical oncologists, a radiation oncology resident, medical physicist, dermatologist and dermatopathologists. The guideline was developed in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), who provided representatives and peer reviewers.

ASTRO\’s clinical guidelines are intended as tools to promote appropriately individualized, shared decision-making between physicians and patients. None should be construed as strict or superseding the appropriately informed and considered judgments of individual physicians and patients.

“Definitive and Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Basal and Squamous Cell Cancers of the Skin: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline” is available as a free access article. To interview the task force chairs or outside experts in skin cancer, contact ASTRO’s media relations team at

press@astro.org

or 703-286-1600.

Can CBD Oil Help with Essential Tremor?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–If you’re not fully clued up with the condition, essential tremor is a nerve disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable shaking in different areas or sides of the body.

The most commonly affected areas include the hands, arms, head, larynx (voice box), tongue and chin and, although rare, the lower body can also be affected.

The condition is not life-threatening providing that the affected individual is not restricted in their ability to care for themselves.

Most of those suffering will be able to live normal lives, although difficulty in everyday tasks may be found (eating, dressing, writing etc.).

If the case in which tremors become severe, disability may be caused and full-time carers may be required.

What causes essential tremor?

Prevention and treatment of essential tremor are difficult without first knowing what causes the condition and, although mountains of research have been conducted, the true cause is not fully understood.

As of current, it is thought that

abnormal electrical brain activity

that causes tremor is processed through the thalamus, a structure deep in the brain responsible for coordination and muscle activity. Genetics is thought to be responsible for approximately half of all of those suffering from the condition with children born to a parent suffering essential tremor having a 50% chance of inheriting the gene responsible, although they may never experience any of the symptoms.

Essential tremor does become more pronounced with age, most notably between the ages of 40 and 50, although it can strike at any age, affecting up to 10 million people in the US alone.

What are the symptoms of essential tremor?

The symptoms of essential tremor are the most likely areas that

CBD will be able to improve

with consistent CBD dosages.

Some of the most noteworthy symptoms surrounding essential tremor include the following:

Uncontrollable shaking occurring for brief periods of time

Shaky voice

Nodding head

Tremors worsening during emotionally stressful periods

Tremors worsening with purposeful movement

Tremors lessening with rest

Balance problems (in some rare cases)

However, the characteristic uncontrollable shaking found with those suffering from ET is not unique to the condition and many others can also cause tremors. With Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain tumors, metabolic abnormalities, and drug withdrawal, just to name a few – it can be very difficult to pinpoint the condition.

Typical essential tremor treatments

As of current, for those looking for treatment for essential tremors, there are

three main options

to choose from with medication, surgery and MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound.

Medication

The first choice of treatment comes in the form of medication and, specifically oral drugs can significantly reduce the severity of essential tremor.

Some typical medications include:

Propranolol (Inderal)

Primidone (Mysoline)

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Topiramate (Topamax)

Benzodiazepines Lorazepam (Ativan)

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Diazepam (Valium)

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Botox injections – particularly effective for those suffering vocal and head tremors.

Surgery

If and when it comes to surgery, patients have the option to choose a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedure.

The surgery, a treatment option for those suffering from severe tremors involves the implantation of electrical leads into the thalamus. This area of the brain, responsible for coordination and muscle control, is the area thought to be responsible for the tremors felt.

MRI-guided focused high-intensity ultrasound

Finally, MRI can be used to focus ultrasound with the goal to destroy the tissue in the thalamus.

Patients will remain awake during the procedure, something that isn’t comfortable for many of those suffering who opt against.

CBD oil to treat essential tremor

This moves us on to the alternative treatment of

CBD

to treat essential tremor and with evidence surrounding the potential for the treatment of MS, Parkinson’s and substance withdrawal, it’s something that has perked the interest of health professionals around the world.

When it comes to the power of CBD, it’s the direct connection to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that comes with the most interest. The ECS and the endocannabinoid receptors are the main regulators of the majority of the body’s functions (pain, hunger, emotions etc.). That means that when there’s a problem with the body, it’s up to that system to begin the healing processing and, when consuming CBD, this

healing process is enhanced

with the increased production of endocannabinoids.

When the

CBD oil

is used for the purpose of treating essential tremor, the cannabinoids within the oil are able to both target and regulate the ESC receptors, located in both the brain and throughout the body, responsible for muscle movement. These receptors can be regulated by the CBD oil that enables relaxation, reduces inflammation and, as a result, eases the symptoms of tremors and confirming CBD can effectively act as a neuroprotectant – something that

studies have confirmed

.

The University of California in San Diego Research has officially begun an FDA approved trial to view the effects of CBD and THC on essential tremor. Although we’re still waiting on the outcome at this current moment in time, the lead investigator, Dr. Fatta Nahab, is one individual that’s very excited about the prospect of a symptom reliever:

“Essential tremor is 10 times more common than Parkinson’s and yet nobody really knows about essential tremor. That we’re finally getting to a potential therapeutic option in an area that is untapped is a big deal.”

image courtesy of unsplash.com

The Best CBD Gummies – Review and Buying Guide

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–We, here at

MarijuanaBreak

, will stop at nothing to find the

best CBD gummies

out there. We recognize that there are a lot of great brands with top-quality products to choose from. However, in our opinion, the CBD gummies in this article represent one of the best

CBD Products

available.

What makes these CBD gummies great? Well, for starters, they are made by some of the most successful brands in the CBD industry. Also, they tick a lot of boxes when it comes to quality and purity. These brands are big believers in transparency; that’s why they provide independent third-party lab-testing results for all of their products.

While transparency is hugely important, there are some other vital factors that potential buyers should consider before making a purchase. We recommend opting for brands whose products contain less than 0.3% THC. Ideally, you should look for CBD gummies made from CBD isolates, which are 100% THC-free.

We also recommend that you choose companies that use solventless extraction methods, such as supercritical CO2 extraction. This ensures that you won’t have to be concerned about any residual solvents in the CBD gummies you are eating.

All of the CBD gummies in this list are sourced from organically-grown, non-GMO hemp, which means they are free from herbicides and pesticides too.

When making your choice, you will also need to consider why you want to consume CBD gummies in the first place. Are you looking for the best CBD gummies for pain? Are you looking for CBD gummies to help you sleep? Or do you simply want to consume CBD gummies as a dietary supplement?

Whatever your needs might be, we hope that this list will help you to make up your mind. Check out these tasty CBD gummies from some of the top brands out there.

Green Roads – CBD Froggie 25mg ($4.95)

If you are looking for a reputable brand, then a great place to start is with Green Roads. They are an award-winning CBD company with over 10,000 retail locations. Not only that; according to the Brightfield Research Group, Green Roads is the largest privately-owned CBD company in America.

Green Roads offer a wide range of CBD gummies, which come in a variety of different shapes, flavors, and CBD concentrations. Many of these are formulated to help relieve specific conditions. For example, Green Roads CBD Sleepy Z’s contain 0.5mg melatonin per gummy and are intended for nighttime use as a sleep aid.

Green Roads describe its CBD Froggies as their “flagship edible product.” According to Green Roads, its 25mg On The Go! Froggies are pharmacist-formulated, supercritical

CO2-extracted

and triple

lab-tested

to ensure what’s on the label is what’s in the package.”

These On The Go! Froggies are a great place to start if you are trying out CBD gummies for the first time.

Pure Kana – CBD Vegan Gummies 500mg Bottle ($40)

As you can see from the price, these CBD gummies by Pure Kana are at the premium end of the market. So, what are you getting for your hard-earned money? Well, this bottle contains 20 gummies, and each one is packed with 25mg of CBD.

All of Pure Kana’s CBD gummies are sourced from a 99% pure CBD isolate, which is 100% THC-free. They are 100% vegan, and non-GMO, too.

Premium Jane – CBD Gummies 750mg ($55)

These premium-end CBD gummies are from the appropriately-named Premium Jane company.

The reason for the higher price is that Premium Jane’s bottle contains 750mg, whereas Pure Kana’s contains 500mg. In simple terms, Premium Jane’s bottle contains 30 CBD gummies, and Pure Kana’s contains 20 CBD gummies.

Premium Jane’s CBD gummies, just like Pure Kana’s, are made from a 99% CBD isolate, which is 100% THC-free. Also, like Pure Kana’s CBD gummies, each Premium Jane gummy contains 25mg CBD.

The similarities between these two brand’s CBD gummies do not stop there either. Premium Jane’s CBD gummies are also 100% vegan and non-GMO. They are organic and free from pesticides, solvents, and chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, Premium Jane’s CBD gummies are lab-tested for safety, purity, and potency.

Whether you opt for Premium Jane’s CBD gummies is largely a matter of personal taste. You may choose Premium Jane’s CBD gummies if you are looking for a slightly larger bottle with more gummies inside.

Hemp Bombs – High Potency CBD Gummies 750mg ($79.99)

As you may have noticed, Hemp Bombs High-Potency CBD gummies are more expensive than both Premium Jane’s and Pure Kana’s. Like Premium Jane’s CBD gummies, Hemp Bombs High-Potency CBD gummies come in a 750mg bottle containing 30 gummies.

Hemp Bombs High-Potency CBD gummies also contain 25mg of CBD per gummy. However, they do offer a less expensive variety, i.e., Original CBD gummies. These contain a lower amount of CBD, with 15mg per gummy. If price is an important deciding factor, then you can always opt for these instead.

Hemp Bombs CBD is extracted from industrial hemp that contains no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Similar to Green Roads, Hemp Bombs offers a wide variety of CBD gummy products. These include the aforementioned Original and High-Potency variety, as well as CBD Sleep Gummies. Each of these three varieties are sold in packs containing 5, 15, 30, or 60, CBD gummies.

CBDISTILLERY – CBD Gummies 750mg ($55)

Introducing the new and improved CBD Gummies by CBDistillery. CBDistillery’s 750mg bottle contains five fewer gummies (25 as opposed to 30) than Premium Jane’s and Hemp Bombs’ 750mg bottle. While there are only 25 gummies in CBDistillery’s 750mg bottle, each gummy is packed with an additional 5mg per gummy (30mg of CBD per gummy as opposed to 25mg of CBD per gummy).

As is the case with the other brands in this list, CBDistillery’s CBD Gummies are made from 99% pure CBD isolate, which is 100% THC-free. Not only that, they are gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan, and kosher. Each bottle of CBD gummies contains a variety of flavors, including raspberry-lemon, raspberry, and strawberry.

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Named a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Named a 2020 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital

Prestigious designation awarded by Watson Health national benchmark series

Camden City, NJ — Virtua Health is proud to announce the inclusion of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on Watson Health’s list of 2020 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals. The list is based on an annual study identifying hospitals that

demonstrate the highest performance in hospital cardiovascular services.

The 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals designation is part of Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals® program, which uses objective public data and proprietary analytics to evaluate hospital and health system performance. The ranking of cardiovascular programs is based on the measurement of hospital outcomes and the calculation of a composite score for certain cardiovascular admissions. The evaluation is respected for its independence and integrity in the industry.

According to Watson Health, “The 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study identifies U.S. hospitals that have achieved the highest performance on a balanced scorecard of performance measures. This year, based on comparisons between the study winners and a peer group of similar hospitals that were not winners, we found that our study winners delivered better outcomes while operating more efficiently and at a lower cost.”

“It is extremely gratifying to be recognized as a top cardiovascular hospital—and the only one in New Jersey,” said Hans Bauer, MD, Chief, Division of Cardiology; Chairman, Department of Medicine at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. “The excellence of our cardiovascular program is a direct result of our team’s outstanding medical expertise and exceptionally caring nature. We want to assure our patients that we are continuing to work toward even greater improvements in cardiovascular medicine and that we are always committed to their health and well-being.”

Virtua Health President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, agrees, “Recognition like this reinforces the patient-centric and accountable care we strive for each day at Virtua Health. I applaud the cardiovascular group for its teamwork, continuous learning, and ongoing pursuit of excellence.”

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has often been recognized for its programs and services. Previously, the hospital was designated as a Truven Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital (prior to Watson Health’s purchase of Truven). In November 2019, the hospital received the highest ranking, an A, in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report.

###

About Virtua Health:

Virtua Health is committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 14,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including a renowned cardiology program, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, and more than 280 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program. Virtua has 2,850 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children\’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, from addiction and other behavioral issues to lack of nutritious food and stable housing. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Virtua has received many

awards

for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit

ThisIsVirtua.org

. To help Virtua make a difference, visit

GiveToVirtua.org

.

Your Guide to the Rise and Evolution of the Pot Store

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(December 9, 2019)–To say that marijuana has been booming into the avenues of business, politics, and the cultural zeitgeist would be an understatement.

With the advent of more and more legalization across the United States and other countries, the humble pot store has gone from humble origins to big business interests.

Where did it all start? Where does it all lead? The cannabis industry is riding high and we\’re here to follow its evolution.

The Humble Beginnings

Marijuana has long since been a common medicine for calming nerves and healing inflammation and other cases. It wasn\’t until the 20th century that prohibition movements banned the drug and started a mistrustful campaign against it.

In the 21st century that is all overturning and with it comes a rise of many variants on the pot store. Back in the 60s and 70s, the pot business was a bit more wild and uncertain. Dealers sold it almost anywhere and in cheap bundles.

The biggest reason for the coming growth comes from the fast unfolding band of legalization.

Legalization on Multiple Levels

It started with a few states legalizing the use of medical marijuana. Then came the likes of Utah and Washington allowing recreational usage of the plant.

With more and more pressure on the government, the idea of nationally legalized marijuana may be soon around the corner.

With the bounds of government banning coming down, this only invites the potential markets of big business. With the potential of

big profits showcased in Nevada

and Washington, many entrepreneurs are eager to invest in the pot store.

Working Around the Restrictions

For now, there is still legislation from stopping full-on major investment. This hasn\’t stopped any companies so much as made them change tactics.

Figuring out ways to work within the law has been a common theme in many businesses.

1. Vertical Integration

Vertical integration

refers to a company that owns all levels of its production. This means they grow the plant, harvest the plant, process the plant, and sell the plant and its byproducts.

This allows companies to control their limited markets. Because federal law still prohibits marijuana from crossing state lines, this is a good foundation to have.

2. Mergers and Buyouts

Big companies are pushing and moving in preparation for something bigger. Some say that the legalization of marijuana at the federal level is inevitable and some businesses seem to think so.

While the Canadian pot industry is already booming due to its full legalization, American companies are not far behind. Major corporations are snatching up the small-time pot growers who have come from the initial legalizations.

Their ever-growing product and company base pushes them for massive pot franchises and huge superstores.

The Pinnacle of Pot Store Levels

All of this corporate moving and big investments lead to only one thing and that is massive pot store showcases. Things like the

Planet 13 Superstore

may be a common thing in the near future.

The humble pot store is now far from humble. There is a lot more change on the horizon as the potential of full legalization unleashes the floodtides of corporate interests.

History, Information, and the News at Your Fingertips

Your local pot store may become not only a more common site but bigger and more corporate. These changes look to be inevitable as a lot of investments and resources pour in. What this evolution will bring is anyone\’s guess.

For all things news in the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas, we have you covered. Check out our other articles for more items and keep yourself updated.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Expands CAPP+ Program

PHILADELPHIA PA–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce a partnership with

The Enterprise Center

, in conjunction with Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), to build the number of licensed contractors in Philadelphia and expand CHOP’s

Community Asthma Prevention Program Plus Home Repairs (CAPP+) initiative.

This effort will offer training and resources to local contractors interested in scaling up their business and create economic opportunity for minority contractors as the partners build a pipeline of PHDC-approved contractors for CAPP+.

CHOP, in partnership with PHDC, launched the CAPP+ Home Repairs Program in 2018. The program addresses the impact of unhealthy housing on pediatric asthma outcomes in West Philadelphia neighborhoods, where asthma affects approximately one out of four children. CAPP+ expands the focus of CHOP’s award-winning

CAPP program

to include home repairs aiming to further reduce asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations by removing asthma triggers in the home.

“To-date, CAPP+’s pilot program has successfully renovated 10 homes with plans underway to renovate another 29 homes within the first phase of our program. We are confident that by helping to build the supply of qualified contractors in Philadelphia, we will be able to complete even more renovations,” said Peter Grollman, Senior Vice President for External Affairs at CHOP. “In the pilot phase of the program, the average time from clinician referral to the program to final home inspection was 111 days. With our new Enterprise Center partnership and scaled up workforce, we anticipate reducing this time dramatically so that families can get into renovated homes faster, with less disruption to their daily lives.”

“The Enterprise Center is partnering with CHOP’s CAPP+  program to provide technical assistance to participating construction and construction-related businesses remediating and repairing homes to fight asthma,” said Seulky McInneshin, PhD, Executive Vice President, The Enterprise Center. “We will provide resources to help contractors achieve all of the requirements needed to make them eligible to compete for PHDC jobs, including support to obtain a contactors license, offering classes in lead containment during repairs and opportunities to boost insurance coverage.”

“The Enterprise Center will funnel contractors through to PHDC and track metrics for 5 years to watch how the businesses grow,” added McInneshin.

“With the CAPP+ Program, we’ve created the need for a construction market that didn’t exist a year ago, and we need more qualified contractors in the pipeline,” said David S. Thomas, President & CEO, PHDC. “This is the ideal opportunity for someone who wants to grow their business; we are looking for trade specialists, as well.”

After successfully meeting all of the requirements for a PHDC job, the companies can also become certified as a women/minority-owned business, and be eligible to bid on additional construction opportunities throughout the city.

CAPP+ is a component of

Healthier Together

, CHOP’s umbrella initiative that focuses on some of the most pressing health and economic needs in neighborhoods surrounding the hospital’s campus.

Interested contractors can apply here:

bit.ly/TECBusinessSupport

Are Cell Towers Dangerous to Humans and Pets?

Studies indicate that proximity to base stations correlates with headaches, dizziness, depression and other neurobehavioral symptoms, as well as increased cancer risk. Animal studies also

image of a cell tower

indicate that these effects may be cumulative.

Newswise — No one can over engineer like an engineer. So introducing a little more caution into an existing engineering process is nothing much to ruffle feathers. A new paper published in

Environmental Research

offers insight on how to include simple precautionary approaches to siting cell towers.

Joshua Pearce is the Richard Witte Endowed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He runs the Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology (MOST) Lab, which works on solar photovoltaics, 3D printing, and open source science hardware.

And there are many cell towers — and more coming — since almost everyone has a cell phone and the towers are being used for more data intensive applications. In the U.S., the Pew Research Center reports 96% of Americans own a cell phone of some kind, and smart phone ownership today has risen to 81% from 35% in 2011. Industry data reported by GSMA Intelligence estimates more than five billion people worldwide use mobile devices. All these devices work using electromagnetic waves, which expose people to low levels of radio-frequency radiation (RFR).

“The research on the health impacts of RFR is still inconclusive. But some of the preliminary data gives us reason to be concerned,” said Joshua Pearce, a professor in electrical and materials engineering from Michigan Technological University who led the study, which reviews current data on RFR and engineering solutions for placing towers. “I’m pro-tech and I’m pro-human, so I think there are ways for us to have our cell phones and minimize potential risk without waiting to find out that putting a cell tower on top of a school was a bad idea.”

Pearce and his team’s solutions focus on getting companies to rethink where to place cell towers when they do a standard “search ring” map that prioritizes potential sites based on maximizing coverage for the least cost. Assessing tower placement is not a new idea; Canada and many European countries are looking into siting guidelines that help keep particularly vulnerable populations safe, like kids and those with illnesses.

The handful of human studies reviewed in Pearce’s paper indicate that proximity to base stations correlates with headaches, dizziness, depression and other neurobehavioral symptoms, as well as increased cancer risk. Animal studies also indicate that these effects may be cumulative.

Given the current research, cell towers would be cautiously placed 500 meters, or about a third of a mile, away from schools, hospitals and lots of sleeping people in dense neighborhoods or high rises.

The challenge in the U.S., unlike in India where such setback laws are already in place, is the laws that govern cell tower siting plans in Section 704 of The Telecommunications Act of 1996 specifically eliminate “environmental effects” from consideration.

“This is a peculiar law, but saying that something is legal doesn’t make it right or cost-effective in the long run,” Pearce said. “It’s in companies’ best interests to be thoughtful about where to place cell towers; they don’t want to move towers or be held responsible down the line. These effects are inadvertent — but there are options to do it differently that can reduce potential health impacts and thus a company’s future bottom line.”

In addition to revamping search ring mapping to include a 500-meter buffer, which doesn’t impact the cost of the siting process but reduces future liability, Pearce says there are other more innovative options, like cell splitting and small cell deployment, that could also decrease RFR exposure. At the end of the day, it comes down to thinking before building.

Why Do You Need to Use Practice Tests to Explore Microsoft MS-200 Exam Topics?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 8, 2019)–MS-200 is one of the Microsoft recently introduced certification exams. It is designed for the messaging administrators who configure, troubleshoot, deploy, and monitor mail protection, recipients, permissions, public folders, and mail flow in both on-premises and Cloud environments. These professionals are responsible for managing messaging infrastructure, disaster recovery, hybrid configuration, hygiene, client access, migration, and high availability. The certified administrators work in partnership with the Microsoft 365 enterprise and security administrators to performa topology that will fulfill the requirements of an organization for its business.These specialists have knowledge of licensing, authentication types, and integration with the applications of Microsoft 365.

Microsoft MS-200 is part of the prerequisites for obtaining the Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate certificate. This test includes 40-60 questions with the allocated time of 120-150 minutes. It is available in English only. The exam fee is $165. If you are not in the United States, you should check the certification webpage to find out the specific fee that applies to you because it may vary from one country to another. After passing Microsoft MS-200, the candidates can proceed to take the second test to earn their certificate. The second one, Microsoft MS-201, is designed to validate the students’ skills in planning and implementing hybrid configuration & migration, managing organizational settings, and securing messaging environment. However, this certification guide will focus on the first exam, Microsoft MS-200. Let’s dive into it and its objectives.

http://www.exam-labs.com/dumps/MS-200

Microsoft MS-200 Exam: Skills Measured

The MS-200 test measures three different core skills that include management of the following areas:

Modern Messaging Infrastructure – 45-50%;

Mail Flow Topology – 35-40%;

Recipients &Devices – 15-20%.

It is crucial to mention that the associated percentage on each of the skills refers to the weight of questions that may be expected from each of the topics. This means that the objectives with higher percentages are likely to have more questions in the delivery of a particular exam. However, it is recommended that you gain mastery in all the topics to be able to achieve success in the Microsoft MS-200 certification test. To help you prepare for it, we will explore each of these objectives in detail.

Managing ModernMessagingInfrastructure

This topic takes up the bigger chunk of the skills that will be measured in the exam.Almost half of the whole test. It requires that the candidates understandthe management of databases. Therefore, they have to understand the process involved in mailbox database prerequisites planning; creating, troubleshooting, and configuring mailbox databases. The skills in managing DAG are also required. For this, the individuals must be able to create it; plan and manage DAG members and settings; manage and deploy site resilience; test datacenter and database fail-over scenario; measure Exchange services health; and troubleshoot DAG issues. The students should also understand the techniques required in client access management and implementation. This entails planning namespaces; configuring policies, URLs & virtual directories, global OWA policies, and auto-discover for Exchange. The test takers also need to know how to manage the lifecycle of the Exchange certificates and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/ms-200

Additionally, the applicants should know a thing or two about disaster recovery management. This entails planning a strategy of backup & recovery; implementing and performing backups; restoring databases, mailboxes, and servers. The skills in the management of messaging infrastructure lifecycle are also needed so you can attain the desired success in this Microsoft test. Therefore, the candidates should have competence in planning the installation of Exchange Server; installing and updating Exchange services; preparing AD for Exchange.

Managing Topology of Mail Flow

The skills you need here include planning transport pipeline, managing connectors, managing mail flow, and troubleshooting mail flow issues. Therefore,the individuals need to study up on designing mail flow with multiple sites; planning solutions for high availability mail flow. They also need to understand all about planning connectors, configuring them, as well asknow a thing or two aboutSend and Receive ones.The test takers should also know how to manage transport rules& domains. In addition to this, they need to know about the validation of outbound and inbound mail flow; monitoring of mail flow; investigation of transport logs; handling of NDRs; configuration of messaging tracking.

Managing Devices&Recipients

This topic has the least percentage, which means the questions from it are likely to be lower than the first two. However, you can’t afford to discard this subject in the course of your preparation because it might just be the deal-breaker for your success in the actual exam. Having said this, it is crucial that you prepare for it. You will be required to manage the recipient resources. This entails managing groups and mailboxes, including archive mailboxes, resource mailboxes, and mailbox permissions, as well as configuring mailbox policies. It also covers the skills in evaluating license options and managing shared mailboxes. Additionally, the candidates for Microsoft MS-200 must have competence in mobile devices management. This includes managing mobile device access and configuring mobile device mailboxes policies.

NOTE:

If you want to easily study all these topics in order to pass the exams and get your Microsoft certification, you need to find reliable sources and resources. Microsoft offers various prep tools that the students can use to prepare for the MS-200 test. You can also explore other platforms to get the necessary and relevant resources. Exam-Labs is one of the sites that offer extensive study materials to prepare for this Microsoft certification exam. They are study guides, video tutorials, practice tests, braindumps, blog articles, etc. Visit this website to know more.

Conclusion

Success in the Microsoft MS-200 exam can be ensuredif you take the time to study these topic areas in depth. The great news is that there are the relevant resources that will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand all these objectives. The Microsoft Learning platform has a wide array of study materials to prepare for the test, including training with the certified instructors who will lead you through the whole course; official practice tests;study groups where you can ask questions and get answers to them. There are many resources that you can explore on Exam-Labs to get ready for this certification exam. Use them wisely and obtain the credential that will change your personal and professional life.

Christmas Comes Early for Pediatric Patients at Virtua Health

Annual Toy Run to Deliver Gifts and Smiles to Local Children

Young patients at Virtua Voorhees Hospital will receive a touch of holiday magic

on Saturday,

Dec. 7

when the Joseph Lacroce Foundation hosts its ninth annual toy delivery. That morning, a caravan of classic and collector cars will travel to the

hospital, where an assembly line of volunteers will unload dozens of donated gifts.

Leading the line-up is Virtua’s Mobile Pediatric Unit, a specially equipped van that brings much-needed health services to children in underserved communities. Virtua launched the mobile program in spring 2018 thanks to a $1 million donation from the Lacroce Foundation. Services include developmental screenings, lead testing and education, and flu shots.

The Joseph Lacroce Foundation is a Cherry Hill-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the hospital experience for children throughout South Jersey. President Sam Lacroce established the foundation in 2011 in memory of his son Joseph, who passed away from leukemia in 1975 at age 12.

“Our supporters are always excited to participate in the toy run because it recalls the true spirit of the season,” said Sam Lacroce. “The toys and games do a lot to help make the hospital experience less stressful for the kids. We thank everyone for their generosity.”

“For me, this event marks the start of the holiday season,” said Virtua Health President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE. “Few things are as rewarding as watching a child’s face light up with joy; it’s something Sam Lacroce understands better than anyone.”