Global Head Research Articles

Hansen's natural food colorants business has new global head & new US office

Hansen's natural food colorants business has new global head & new US office

Treating MS without continuous immunosuppression: an interview with Luciano Rossetti.

Luciano Rossetti, MD, Executive Vice President, Global Head of R&D at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany speaks to Laura Dormer, Commissioning Editor Luciano Rossetti, MD, is Executive Vice President, Global Head of R&D at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and a member of the Healthcare Executive Committee. As Global Head of R&D, Rossetti leads the strategy for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's discovery and development efforts in healthcare. He joined Merck KGaA in July 2014, and has since led the acceleration of several key programs through the pipeline and advanced the innovation of Merck KGaA's discovery teams into development. Under his leadership, R&D has been transformed, with significant potential to deliver the scientific, clinical, regulatory and medical excellence of its teams to patients in need. Before joining Merck KGaA, he served as Senior Vice President, responsible for Global Scientific Strategy and Late Stage Development at Merck Sharp & Dohme, or MSD. In the latter position, he was responsible for clinical development from Phase II to V across all therapeutic areas. Prior to joining MSD in 2006, he spent 18years in academia during which he had considerable involvement with the pharmaceutical industry in both discovery and development. In his latest assignment, he was Professor of Medicine and led the Diabetes Research & Training Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. He is a Post-Doctoral Fellow of Rome University Medical School and of Yale University Medical School. He holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the Trieste University Medical School, Italy.

Designing safer composite helmets to reduce rotational accelerations during oblique impacts.

Oblique impact is the most common accident situation that occupants in traffic accidents or athletes in professional sports experience. During oblique impact, the human head is subjected to a combination of linear and rotational accelerations. Rotational movement is known to be responsible for traumatic brain injuries. In this article, composite foam with a column/matrix composite configuration is proposed for head protection applications to replace single-layer uniform foam, to better attenuate rotational movement of the head during oblique impacts. The ability of composite foam in the mitigation of rotational head movement is studied by performing finite element (FE) simulations of oblique impact on flat and helmet shape specimens. The performance of composite foam with respect to parameters such as compliance of the matrix foam and the number, size and cross-sectional shape of the foam columns is explored in detail, and subsequently an optimized structure is proposed. The simulation results show that using composite foam instead of single-layer foam, the rotational acceleration and velocity of the headform can be significantly reduced. The parametric study indicates that using a more compliant matrix foam and by increasing the number of columns in the composite foam configuration, the rotation can be further mitigated. This was confirmed by experimental results. The simulation results were also analyzed based on global head injury criteria such as head injury criterion, rotational injury criterion, brain injury criterion and generalized acceleration model for brain injury threshold which further confirmed the superior performance of composite foam versus single-layer homogeneous expanded polystyrene foam. The findings of simulations give invaluable information for design of protective helmets or, for instance, headliners for the automotive industry.

Functional analysis of amino acids at stalk/head interface of human parainfluenza virus type 3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein in the membrane fusion process.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3) is an important respiratory pathogen that causes the majority of viral pneumonia of infants and young children. hPIV3 can infect host cells through the synergistic action of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein and the homotypic fusion (F) protein on the viral surface. HN protein plays a variety of roles during the virus invasion process, such as promoting viral particles to bind to receptors, cleaving sialic acid, and activating the F protein. Crystal structure research shows that HN tetramer adopted a "heads-down" conformation, at least two heads dimmer on flank of the four-helix bundle stalk, which forms a symmetrical interaction interface. The stalk region determines interactions and activation of F protein in specificity, and the heads in down position statically shield these residues. In order to make further research on the function of these amino acids at the hPIV3 HN stalk/head interface, fifteen mutations (8 sites from stalk and 7 sites from head) were engineered into this interface by site-directed mutagenesis in this study. Alanine substitution in this region of hPIV3 HN had various effects on cell fusion promotion, receptor binding, and neuraminidase activity. Besides, L151A also affected surface protein expression efficiency. Moreover, I112A, D120A, and R122A mutations of the stalk region that were masked by global head in down position had influence on the interaction between F and HN proteins.

Strengthening standards, transparency, and collaboration to support medicine evaluation: Ten years of the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP).

Strengthening standards, transparency, and collaboration to support medicine evaluation: Ten years of the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP).

Diagnostic algorithm of Down syndrome by minor physical anomaly.

Background:Down syndrome, most common chromosomal abnormality leading to intellectual disability is being diagnosed by Karyotyping. Due to cost constraints, parents couldn’t afford to do Karyotyping which causes delay in individual and family interventions.Introduction:Down syndrome has characteristic morphological features. The minor physical anomaly (MPA) are insults which occur in utero during embryonic development mostly in first and early second trimester and persists throughout life.Material and Methods:70 karyotyping confirmed cases of Down syndrome (DS), 70 other causes of intellectual disabilities (Other ID) and 70 age matched normal children and adolescents (Average) have been incorporated in the study. The Modified Waldrop's scale (Ismail's 41 item scale) have been applied. Demographic comparison and Decision tree algorithm approach have been analysed by SPSS 25 version.Results and Discussion:The paternal age of childbirth, maternal age of childbirth, maternal age of marriage (P < 0.001), income (P = 0.026) variables are statistically significant in Down's syndrome group in comparison to other two groups whereas age and birth order are not statistically significant. DS group has more MPA (m = 17.04, SD = 5.462), than other ID (m = 5.93, SD = 2.628) and Average group (m = 1.59, SD = 1.378). Big sandal gap, high arched palate and epicanthus are most common three minor anomalies found in Down syndrome. Region wise scoring shows high significance (P < 0.001) in Global head, eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet in Down syndrome group. The four anomalies; epicanthus, telecanthus, high-arched palate, and curved fifth finger) thus can be grouped as differentiating anomalies. When clinodactyly (item 27) and high arched palate (item 21) are present together or epicanthus (item 08) and telecanthus (item 09) present together sensitivity of diagnosing the case as Down syndrome is 0.945 with negative predictive value 0.979.Conclusion:The simian crease which is being considered as common physical anomaly is not specific for Down syndrome. The large scale study is required to extrapolate the above findings but surely it opens new avenue of research.

Resilient Design: ‘Systems Thinking’ as a Response to Climate Change

Design thinking is not enough. For resilient architecture and urbanism to meet the challenges of global warming head on, what is needed is systems thinking: an in‐depth, interdisciplinary approach which recognises that change is constant. Claire Weisz – founding partner of New York urban design, planning and architecture practice WXY – highlights a number of small, innovative US firms that are leading the way, and describes some of their ventures to date.

Pharma Leaders Conference focuses on industrial collaboration

In October, the American Chemical Society convened the 15th consecutive ACS Pharma Leaders Conference to provide a forum for some of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries’ top chemistry research executives to discuss issues of common concern. Leaders representing about two dozen companies attended the invitation-only meeting at Janssen Research & Development’s Spring House, Pa., campus. Co-organized by ACS Industry Member Programs and Janssen, this year’s meeting explored areas of mutual interest with the goal of accelerating drug development. The program, “Opportunities for Cross-Pharma Collaboration: Methods for Generating & Optimizing Chemical Matter,” was created by Jim Edwards, global head of Discovery Sciences Chemistry at Janssen Research & Development. In his keynote address, Mark Rigby, director of immunology translational medicine at Janssen, spoke about Janssen’s efforts to eliminate all disease by 2030. Other presentations covered computational approaches to improving drug discovery,...

Cyberattacks Pose Increasing Industry Threat

Cyberattacks are an increasing threat to businesses and organizations globally, and the oil and gas industry is and will remain a prominent target. At the American Petroleum Institute (API) annual Cybersecurity Conference held recently in Houston, James Morrison, a technical expert on information technology (IT) with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, told an industry audience, “Every single one of you will be attacked, if you have not already been attacked.” During 2016, 75% of oil and gas companies had at least one cyberattack, he said, stressing that companies must do more to protect their data and “the industrial control systems behind that data.” All facets of industry business, very much including operating activity of any kind, are exposed and will only be more so as the Internet of Things proliferates. More Than a Digital Issue Thus, cyberdefense is much more than a digital or IT issue. It carries implications for every dimension of business, including health, safety, environmental, and financial activity. Cybersecurity experts are adamant that operations technology (OT) systems cannot be viewed as safe simply because they are not IT systems. While they have differing characteristics, IT and OT systems must be viewed as a continuum. More than 200 groups globally, including some linked to national governments, are believed to be involved in cyberattacks on US installations, and the number appears to be growing with the rise of criminal activity on the dark web, Morrison said. However, the number of attack groups is surely larger than those known to have targeted US installations. If there was a consensus coming out of the API conference, it was that the industry is not doing enough to protect itself. While companies may have protective programs and processes in place, the companies generally approach the problem reactively. “We’re actually getting a little numb about too many attacks,” Morrison said. Disrupt the Attackers What companies mainly are failing to do is embrace measures that can disrupt the by now established business models of many cyberattackers. Ransomware attacks, for example, are affecting businesses of all sizes and types and have been growing phenomenally, according to Michael Leigh, the global head of incident response at NCC Group, a cybersecurity and risk mitigation consultant. These attacks use a type of malware that prevents or limits users of a computer system from accessing it until a ransom is paid.

Practical Applications of Factors Timing FactorsFactors Timing Factors Wai Lee

With the popularity of factor investing and smart beta continuing to rise, many investors have developed an interest in factor timing to make strategic and tactical allocations to factors in order to enhance returns. One measure often used to assess the attractiveness of a factor is its current valuation—using a single-value-factor model to measure whether a particular factor, like low volatility, quality, or size, for example, is overvalued, fairly valued, or undervalued. In his article Factors Timing Factors, published in the 2017 special issue of The Journal of Portfolio Management, Wai Lee, managing director and global head of quantitative investments at Neuberger Berman, questions the utility of employing factors to time factors. He argues that attempting to time factors by using other factors has limited value, and that factor timers would be better served by focusing on the underlying rationale that give rise to a risk premium in the first place.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) Dynamic Data Estimation Based on Discrete Kalman Filter (KF) Algorithm

Abstract Due to the safety reason, the ship movement on the littoral area should be monitored, tracked, recorded and stored. Automatic Identification System (AIS) is the perfect tool to ensure this requirement. The limit probability for the AIS dynamic data availability can be limited by the lack of Global Position System (GPS) signal, heading (HDG) and rate of turn (ROT) data in position report. Availability of data link is an additional limitation. For this purpose, it is possible to attach the Discrete Kalman filter (KF) for the position, and course estimation. Coordinate estimation in the absence of a transmission link can improve the quality of AIS service at Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) stations. This article presents Kalman filtering algorithm to improve the possibilities of ship motion tracking and monitoring in the TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme) and fairways area. Only 39 iterations were presented to familiarize how the Kalman filter algorithm works. The archival data from 2006 were used deliberately. During that time, there were problems with the AIS availability service. With the use of measurements series from those years, it is easier to observe the effectiveness of Kalman filter in absence of AIS data.

Practical Applications of Factors Timing Factors

<h3>Practical Applications Summary</h3> With the popularity of factor investing and smart beta continuing to rise, many investors have developed an interest in factor timing to make strategic and tactical allocations to factors in order to enhance returns. One measure often used to assess the attractiveness of a factor is its current valuation—using a single-value-factor model to measure whether a particular factor, like low volatility, quality, or size, for example, is overvalued, fairly valued, or undervalued. In his article Factors Timing Factors, published in the 2017 special issue of <b><i>The Journal of Portfolio Management, Wai Lee</i></b>, managing director and global head of quantitative investments at Neuberger Berman, questions the utility of employing factors to time factors. He argues that attempting to time factors by using other factors has limited value, and that factor timers would be better served by focusing on the underlying rationale that give rise to a risk premium in the first place.

What are the strategies for maintaining horizontal gaze in asymptomatic subjects?

Introduction Maintaining horizontal gaze is essential for activities of daily living. In subjects with postural malalignment, compensatory mechanisms are recruited to maintain horizontal gaze, especially at the cervical level [1] . While the cervical curvature had been typically considered to be lordotic, recent studies have shown that different forms of curvatures can occur even in asymptomatic subjects [2] . It is still not known how asymptomatic subjects achieve horizontal gaze. The aim was to investigate the different cervical strategies for maintaining horizontal gaze. Materiel et methodes Overall, 144 asymptomatic subjects (age: 29 ± 11 years, 71F) filled the SF36 quality of life (QoL) questionnaire and underwent full body biplanar X-rays in free standing position. Typical global postural and spino-pelvic alignment parameters were assessed. Head and cervical parameters were measured: radiographic chin brow vertical angle (CBVA), C0C2, C1C2, C2C7, C2 slope, C2C7 SVA, T1 slope, neck tilt, thoracic inlet angle (TIA). Subjects were divided into 3 groups of cervical curvature forms per C2C7 angle: kyphotic (K: 5°). Demographics, SF36 parameters and CBVA were compared between groups (Kruskal–Wallis test). Global postural, spino-pelvic, head and cervical parameters were compared between groups, while controlling for confounding factors (ANCOVA). Resultats Forty-six (32%) subjects had kyphotic (−12 ± 7°), 39 (27%) straight (0 ± 3°) and 59 (41%) lordotic (12 ± 7°) cervical spines. While demographic and SF36 parameters did not differ between groups, CBVA was found to be significantly different between lordotic and kyphotic groups (2° vs. 6.5° resp., P = 0.002), Subjects in the 3 groups had similar PI, PT, SS, LL and knee flexion ( P > 0.05). However, SVA (L: −2, S: −11, K: −26 mm, P P P Discussion Kyphotic cervical spine subjects presented more posterior global alignment, with smaller TK and decreased T1 slope. These subjects compensated at the lower cervical level with a kyphotic C2C7 and a hyperlordotic upper cervical spine (increased C0C2 and C1C2) in order to maintain horizontal gaze. In contrast, lordotic cervical spine subjects had more anterior global alignment, with larger TK and increased T1 slope. These subjects compensated at the lower cervical level with a lordotic C2C7 and a hypolordotic upper cervical spine (decreased C0C2 and C1C2). Straight cervical spine subjects had an intermediate profile. Asymptomatic subjects can employ different cervical strategies in order to compensate for differences in global alignment in order to maintain horizontal gaze, without alteration of QoL.

The measurement of intracranial pressure and brain displacement due to short-duration dynamic overpressure loading

The experimental measurement of biomechanical responses that correlate with blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) has proven challenging. These data are critical for both the development and validation of computational and physical head models, which are used to quantify the biomechanical response to blast as well as to assess fidelity of injury mitigation strategies, such as personal protective equipment. Therefore, foundational postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) experimental data capturing the biomechanical response are necessary for human model development. Prior studies have measured short-duration pressure transmission to the brain (Kinetic phase), but have failed to reproduce and measure the longer-duration inertial loading that can occur (Kinematic phase). Four fully instrumented PMHS were subjected to short-duration dynamic overpressure in front-facing and rear-facing orientations, where intracranial pressure (ICP), global head kinematics, and brain motion (as measured by high-speed X-ray) with respect to the skull were recorded. Peak ICP results generally increased with increased dose, and a mirrored pressure response was seen when comparing the polarity of frontal bone versus occipital bone ICP sensors. The head kinematics were delayed when compared to the pressure response and showed higher peak angles for front-facing tests as compared to rear-facing. Brain displacements were approximately 2–6 mm, and magnitudes did not change appreciably between front- and rear-facing tests. These data will be used to inform and validate models used to assess bTBI.

Investigations of primary blast-induced traumatic brain injury

The development of an advanced blast simulator (ABS) has enabled the reproducible generation of single-pulse shock waves that simulate free-field blast with high fidelity. Studies with rodents in the ABS demonstrated the necessity of head restraint during head-only exposures. When the head was not restrained, violent global head motion was induced by pressures that would not produce similar movement of a target the size and mass of a human head. This scaling artefact produced changes in brain function that were reminiscent of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to impact-acceleration effects. Restraint of the rodent head eliminated these, but still produced subtle changes in brain biochemistry, showing that blast-induced pressure waves do cause brain deficits. Further experiments were carried out with rat brain cell aggregate cultures that enabled the conduct of studies without the gross movement encountered when using rodents. The suspension nature of this model was also exploited to minimize the boundary effects that complicate the interpretation of primary blast studies using surface cultures. Using this system, brain tissue was found not only to be sensitive to pressure changes, but also able to discriminate between the highly defined single-pulse shock waves produced by underwater blast and the complex pressure history exposures experienced by aggregates encased within a sphere and subjected to simulated air blast. The nature of blast-induced primary TBI requires a multidisciplinary research approach that addresses the fidelity of the blast insult, its accurate measurement and characterization, as well as the limitations of the biological models used.

Nonprofit scientists head to industry

Several top researchers are leaving academic and government posts for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. The moves are a sign that the once sharp line between the for-profit and nonprofit scientific realms is becoming increasingly blurred. The Swiss drug giant Novartis is a pioneer in recruiting scientists from academia. When it set up the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) in Cambridge, Mass., in 2003 the company hired Mark C. Fishman, a Harvard Medical School professor, as its president. In 2015 Jay Bradner, also of Harvard Medical School, took over the top job when Fishman retired. Last year, two more Harvard researchers—Peter Hammerman and Jeff Engelman—joined Novartis in its oncology unit. Now, Shaun Coughlin, director of the University of California, San Francisco’s Cardiovascular Research Institute, has agreed to move East to become NIBR’s global head of cardiovascular and metabolism. He is scheduled to start work Nov. 1. AstraZeneca, meanwhile, is

A Hard Look Back Ensures Better Ratings Moving Forward

1. J. Douglas Murray 1. is managing director and global head of structured finance business at Fitch Ratings in New York, NY. (douglas.murray{at}fitchratings.com) <!-- --> 1. To order reprints of this article, please contact Dewey Palmieri at dpalmieri{at}iijournals.com or 212-224-3675.

Dynamic in vivo 3D atlantoaxial spine kinematics during upright rotation

Diagnosing dysfunctional atlantoaxial motion is challenging given limitations of current diagnostic imaging techniques. Three-dimensional imaging during upright functional motion may be useful in identifying dynamic instability not apparent on static imaging. Abnormal atlantoaxial motion has been linked to numerous pathologies including whiplash, cervicogenic headaches, C2 fractures, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, normal C1/C2 rotational kinematics under dynamic physiologic loading have not been previously reported owing to imaging difficulties. The objective of this study was to determine dynamic three-dimensional in vivo C1/C2 kinematics during upright axial rotation. Twenty young healthy adults performed full head rotation while seated within a biplane X-ray system while radiographs were collected at 30 images per second. Six degree-of-freedom kinematics were determined for C1 and C2 via a validated volumetric model-based tracking process. The maximum global head rotation (to one side) was 73.6±8.3°, whereas maximum C1 rotation relative to C2 was 36.8±6.7°. The relationship between C1/C2 rotation and head rotation was linear through midrange motion (±20° head rotation from neutral) in a nearly 1:1 ratio. Coupled rotation between C1 and C2 included 4.5±3.1° of flexion and 6.4±8.2° of extension, and 9.8±3.8° of contralateral bending. Translational motion of C1 relative to C2 was 7.8±1.5mm ipsilaterally, 2.2±1.2mm inferiorly, and 3.3±1.0mm posteriorly. We believe this is the first study describing 3D dynamic atlantoaxial kinematics under true physiologic conditions in healthy subjects. C1/C2 rotation accounts for approximately half of total head axial rotation. Additionally, C1 undergoes coupled flexion/extension and contralateral bending, in addition to inferior, lateral and posterior translation.

A boost for biosimilar drugs

Makers of generic versions of biological drugs will be able to get their products on the market sooner because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week. The high court ruled that generic makers do not need to wait for U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval before providing six months’ notice to brand-name rivals of their intention to launch a competing product. The 9-0 decision in favor of generic drug maker Sandoz in a dispute with biotech giant Amgen means that biosimilars—lower-cost, near-copies of pricey biologic medicines—will be able to reach the market sooner. This could potentially save consumers billions of dollars. “The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling on the notice of commercial marketing will help expedite patient access to life-enhancing treatments,” says Carol Lynch, global head of biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz. The dispute involves Zarxio, a drug that Novartis’s Sandoz developed that competes with and sells for about 15% less than

E&amp;P Notes (June 2017)

E&amp;P Notes With New Advance, Natural Gas Filtering Technology Moves Closer to Commercial Reality Trent Jacobs, JPT Digital Editor Researchers at Rice University in Houston have advanced their efforts to develop a low-cost and relatively simple-to-make filtering material for carbon dioxide separation and capture. Their aim is for this new material to be used at natural gas gathering facilities where it will absorb carbon dioxide from natural gas streams while allowing the methane product to pass through. JPT featured the work in 2014 and, since then, the researchers say they have figured out how to optimize their process to make the material, described as a porous-carbon sorbent, to address the different chemical makeups of natural gas sources. The project has received funding from US independent operator Apache Corporation. The latest details were published last month in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s journal, Sustainable Energy &amp; Fuels. US Gulf of Mexico Hits Record Production Trent Jacobs, JPT Digital Editor Average oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico reached a new benchmark of 1.6 million B/D in 2016, topping the previous record set in 2009 by 44,000 B/D. January’s average production reached 1.7 million B/D, marking a fourth straight month of increases for the offshore region. These figures were published by the US Energy Information Agency (EIA), which predicts that crude output from the US Gulf will continue to rise into 2018. Last year, there were eight offshore projects commissioned in the offshore basin, including Shell’s 50,000 B/D Stones floating production facility that started up in September and Anadarko’s 80,000 B/D Heidelberg spar platform which achieved first oil in January. Seven more projects are slated to start up this year. Foamer Developed To Help Corrosion, Scale Inhibition Stephen Whitfield, Senior Staff Writer Wet-gas production in east and central Texas can often be a complicated process, as corrosive fluids in gas wells often lead to significant deposition of iron sulfide scale in production tubing. Speaking at the SPE Oil-field Chemistry Conference, Jonathan Wylde discussed the challenges in creating a chemical component to deliquefy gas wells while reducing corrosion and preventing iron sulfide scale. Wylde is the global head of application development at Clariant Oil Services. The gas wells are located in the Teague field in east central Texas. There are several producing reservoirs in the field, but the Upper Jurassic Bossier and Cotton Valley Lime reservoirs are the most prolific. Wylde said the gas produced by the two reservoirs has different characteristics, which indicates that they come from different source rock despite being in the same field. The Bossier Sands are a blend of centered gas accumulations and prograding deltaic channel systems with minimal formation water, and the Cotton Valley Lime is an oolitic shoal trend with higher porosity zones that can produce significant amounts of water and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). University Consortium Prepares for Spike in Decommissioning Eric van Oort, Director, Consortium for Decommissioning and Abandonment In the music world, a coda is the final section of a movement or composition. Appropriately, it is also the acronym for the Consortium for Decommissioning and Abandonment (CODA), a University of Texas at Austin (UT)-led initiative that is designed to bring together members of industry and academia to help operators efficiently orchestrate the final days of deepwater developments. The CODA is a response to the growing number of onshore and offshore wells, platforms, and infrastructure that are approaching the end of economic viability and soon must be plugged and removed. In the Gulf of Mexico deep water alone, for example, 2015 abandonment costs were estimated by IHS Markit to be about USD 2.5 billion. That number is expected to rise by more than 500% to USD 13.2 billion by 2040. Abandonment expenses are particularly onerous to operators because unlike other operating costs, plug and abandonment (P&amp;A) operations offer no prospect for return on investment. The consortium is working to minimize the economic impact on operators and to ensure effective P&amp;A operations through the development of innovative technologies. The approach replicates industry efforts over past decades to develop new technologies with which to drill and complete wells in various challenging environments around the world.