Anne Arundel County’s cwist, Inc., and four other companies based in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County to receive loans totaling $1.05 million

Annapolis, Maryland – (October 22, 2013) – Today, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation announced that it has approved more than a million dollars in loans to five early stage technology companies in central Maryland.  The VOLT Fund, AAEDC’s loan program administered in conjunction with bwtech@UMBC and the Chesapeake Innovation Center,  aims to distribute a total of $3.36 million in loans to assist small, minority, veteran, and woman-owned businesses around the state.  Particular to the VOLT Fund is a set aside of loans for distribution to entrepreneurs of innovative technology.

“The VOLT Fund’s focus on assisting emerging technology start-ups is truly unique and will help put Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland in a stronger position to cultivate young technology companies,” said county executive Laura Neuman. “These loans are key to helping these companies reach that next stage of product development and leveraging additional investment.”

“Supporting our entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses is a top priority for Maryland as we grow our Innovation Economy,” said Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Dominick Murray. “The high-tech companies we invest in today will help to create the jobs of tomorrow. We are pleased to work with our partners in Anne Arundel County to fund the most promising companies and give them the support they need to grow.”

The goal of the VOLT Fund technology loans is to help promising early stage companies attract follow-on funding from venture capital firms, angel investors and other sources.  Loan recipients include the following:

•             cwist, Inc., of Annapolis: cwist is a free digital library of learning activities for kids K-5th crowd-sourced from parents and educators, designed to help kids make a healthy connection between the things they want and the effort it takes to get them

AWARD: $100,000

•             Light Point Security, LLC, a member of the bwtech@UMBC Cyber Incubator: Light Point Security protects businesses from malicious software spread through web browsers by moving the employee's web browser into the cloud so none of the websites they visit ever touch their computers.

AWARD: $250,000

•             Milestone US, Inc., a company based in Clarksville, Maryland: Milestone combines low cost sensors and big data tools to offer retailers a new method for targeted advertising.

AWARD: $200,000

•             SameGrain, Inc., a member of the Emerging Technology Center (ETC) in Baltimore City: SameGrain is a privacy-first social discovery platform that helps people locate, connect with and grow new friendships with others that share similar backgrounds, interests, beliefs, concerns, habits and more.

AWARD: $250,000

•             Biomedica Management Corporation, a member of the bwtech@UMBC Life Sciences Incubator: This research and development company is currently developing novel treatments in coagulopathy-related conditions with civilian and military applications.

AWARD: $250,000

Several factors were taken into consideration in the VOLT Fund technology loan application process.  Applicants must be high potential early stage technology companies with a clear path to follow-on funding.  Also, teams must be led by an experienced entrepreneur or demonstrate a willingness to acquire needed management talent.  Companies must also be at a stage in product development where the cash flow break-even point is expected within 24 months.

The announcement of these technology loan awards is just the latest by the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation after its designation in May as a loan fund manager by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.  AAEDC serves as one of three managers of the state’s $7.8 million small, minority and woman-owned business loan fund.  The state fund receives 1.5 percent of video lottery terminal revenue from Maryland casinos.

As mandated by the state, half of the fund’s investment is targeted to small businesses located within a ten mile radius of the three Maryland casinos open at the time fund managers were designated, Maryland Live in Anne Arundel County, Hollywood Park in Cecil County and Ocean Downs in Worcester County.  The other half is available to businesses located across the state.

To date, AAEDC has approved more than $2.5 million in loans to 18 conventional small businesses and technology companies in six counties around Maryland.  More information on the VOLT Fund is available on AAEDC’s website www.aaedc.org.

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The mission of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation is to support business and serve as a catalyst for business growth in Anne Arundel County thereby increasing job opportunities, expanding the tax base and improving quality of life.

MEDIA CONTACT

Rosa Cruz

Director of Communications and Marketing

Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation/

Chesapeake Innovation Center

2660 Riva Road, Suite 200

Annapolis, MD  21401

(p) 410-222-7410  (f) 410-222-7415  (c) 410-212-4150

The Operating Units of Textron Systems currently have 2014 Internship positions posted on the Textron college recruiting site (collegejobs.textron.com).  These internship roles cover different disciplines such as: Engineering, Finance, Integrated Supply Chain, Information Technology, and general Business roles.  Please make sure you are reviewing these opportunities and applying for those roles in which you are interested and qualified.  The Operating Units of Textron Systems focus on providing both products and services that support our military and

are have locations throughout the United States including the following sites:

Wilmington, MA (Textron Defense Systems)

Baltimore, MD (AAI Corporation)

Charleston, SC  (AAI Corporation)

Huntsville, AL  (AAI Corporation)

Slidell, LA  (Textron Marine & Land)

Austin, TX  (AAI and Overwatch)

Williamsport, PA  (Lycoming)

We have internships at various locations supporting a wide range of functions within our business to include: 

•Business Development 

•Contracts 

•Engineering - Aerospace, Electrical, Test, Software, Systems, and Mechanical 

•Environment, Safety & Health 

•Finance 

•General Business 

•Human Resources 

•Information Assurance/Cyber Security 

•IT 

•Legal 

•Marketing & Communications 

•Network Engineering 

•Procurement 

•Production Planning 

•Project Administration 

•Quality Assurance 

•Research & Development Engineering 

•Security 

•Supply Chain Management 

•Technical Writing 

•Welding Engineering 

Submit your resume in UMBCworks and apply online at http://www.textron.com/careers/undergrads-graduates/index.php today!

Please note students must have a 3.2 and be a US Citizen/National to be considered.

The Louis E. Burnham Award is granted each year to an individual whose
work reflects the interests and values of Louis Burnham's life. Those interests included:

·      racial justice in urban areas and the U.S. South

·      human rights

·      socially engaged journalism

·      African-American politics

·      youth leadership

Commemorating Burnham's lifelong engagement with progressive causes, the award recognizes the work of journalists, social justice activists and scholars who have amply demonstrated their commitment to racial justice and the advancement of the African-American community. The Award consists of a grant of $5,000 to be used to support the work of the recipient.

Interested applicants should send a resume, a two-page statement of interest and two letters of recommendation to:
louisburnhamaward@gmail.com

The statement of interest should address how the applicant's work manifests the interests and values noted above and how the award will be used to advance that work. Applications should be received by November 30, 2013.

At the end of the award year, the recipient will be expected to provide the Louis E. Burnham Award Fund Committee with a brief written summary of the purposes to which the grant was put.

Contributions to the Fund are deeply appreciated and may be mailed to:

Louis E. Burnham Award Fund

189 Maple Street

Brooklyn, New York 11225

Since the beta release, there have been countless complaints about the look and feel of iOS7.

The community at large has been perplexed as to how Jony Ive — Apple’s senior vice president of design, who was previously known for such sophistication and constraint when designing hardware — managed to produce such an ugly user interface.

Finally, it seems like Vaclav Krejci has found the answer: he designed it in Microsoft Word!

Take a look at Krejci’s stunning video below and watch him create a realistic version of the iPhone5, complete with iOS7 interface, using just Microsoft Word.

Of course, Ive probably didn’t use Word. His software budget must be almost unlimited, and iOS7 was almost certainly designed in Adobe CS6. But if Krejci’s video demonstrates one thing it’s that in the hands of a master, the worst tools can achieve a professional finish; conversely, no amount of flashy software can disguise a lack of ability.

Perhaps Apple should hire Krejci to design iOS8, they’ll get the same quality finish, at a fraction of the price.

How do you think iOS7 was really designed? Is Microsoft Word a good design tool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Verb: 72-Font Super Family (the complete series) – only $37!

Meet John. He is a Bioinformatics and Computational Biology major and a researcher in the Undergraduate Biology and Mathematics (UBM) training program. His research attempts to document cases of gene flow between closely-related species of birds, particularly the Baltimore Oriole and the Mexican black-backed Oriole.

What research experiences have you had? 
I have been a part of the Undergraduate Biology and Mathematics (UBM) training program since last December. For UBM, I work in Dr. Kevin Omland’s lab and focus on resolving phylogenetic trees using species tree algorithms and parallel computing. Also, within the Omland Lab, I assist other laboratory researchers by going out in the field to record and catch birds.

How did you find the research opportunity? 
I actually found out about UBM through an email that Dr. Omland sent out! He was looking for a computational biology researcher to join the UBM program, and I jumped at the opportunity.

Who did you work with on this project?
I work with Tylynn Pettrey, who is an undergraduate and my partner in the UBM program. I also work with Dr. Omland, Dr. Matthias Gobbert in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Dr. Frode Jacobsen in the Omland Lab.

Was this your first independent research project?
Yes it was!

Do you get course credit for this work? Paid? How much time do you put into it?
I do get course credit and I am paid. I put in between 8 and 12 hours a week during the semester.

What academic background did you have before you started?
I had a very diverse scientific background when I started in the lab. As a Bioinformatics major, I took courses in biology, computer science, chemistry, and mathematics - nearly all of the courses have paid off in some way or another.

How did you learn what you needed to know to be successful in this lab?
The biology and computer science courses I took were extraordinarily helpful in learning about my research topic and being able to implement the specific computer programs that I use. Also, the UBM program uses a mentor program in which older students “train” new members during their first semester on the project. My mentor, Leila Kazerooni, helped me learn more about the details of the project and taught me what I needed to know to become independent.

What was the hardest part about your research?
The hardest part is making everything work! I use many computer programs on a daily basis, and sometimes they do not all work the way I want. Solving the problems that subsequently arise is the most challenging part for me.

What was the most unexpected thing?
The most unexpected thing was the amount of traveling I have gotten to do. Within the last 5 months, I have gone to Puerto Rico, Chicago, and the Appalachian Mountains - all for research. When I first began work on my project, I had no idea that I would be able to go to all those places in the name of science. Being able to see and experience them has been the most unexpected reward my research has offered me.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Professors are always looking for students who are interested and engaged, but the only way they can tell if you are interested is for you to make the first move.

What are your career goals?
Right now, I am focused on getting into graduate school and pursuing a doctorate. As of right now, I am unsure of a full-time career path, but I know I do enjoy evolutionary biology in general. I can certainly see myself in a career relating to that field sometime in the future.

What are you doing next for research?
For the next semester, I will be continuing to work in the Omland lab on my UBM project.

What else are you involved in on campus?
I am involved all over the place! I am the Vice President of the Honors College Council (and a member of the Honors College), part of the orientation team as a Woolie, as well as a teaching assistant for Cell Biology and a computer science tutor. I also play the viola in the UMBC Community Symphony Orchestra and swim for the newly founded Swim Club.

Have you shared the results of your work with professionals in the field?
Yes I have! I traveled to the American Ornithological Union Meeting in Chicago, Illinois this August to present my research to professionals in the field of ornithology. I also recently presented at the South Eastern Population, Ecology and Evolutionary Genetic (SEPEEG) Conference in Mountain Lake, Virginia to an audience of evolutionary biologists.

Read his abstract here...

Remember the Alamo?

You know, the little battle where Davy Crockett and friends tried to stop Texas from becoming Mexico?

They lost that battle…but won the war. 

Now Texans have returned to the Alamo for another fight.

Gun-rights supporters gathered at the  historic spot for armed protest called “Come and Take It San Antonio,” 

In Texas, there is no law prohibiting the “open carry” of long guns, like rifles. That’s all fine and dandy, but things get iffy in the big cities like San Antonio. The police there see it differently. They cite the presence of weapons in public, including such long guns, as “disorderly conduct.” 

The “Come and Take It San Antonio” rally was created after several incidents, including the arrest of three men who sat outside a Starbucks with their rifles.

“We are here to show that an armed society is a polite society.” – one attendee noted.

The protest was peaceful, although police watched closely throughout the day… 

Texas already has some of the loosest gun-laws in the country. The demonstration at the Alamo suggests that guns might be too embedded in the state’s identity for stricter laws to gain momentum any time soon.

They don’t call it the Wild, Wild West for nothing, but let’s hope the demonstrations stay peaceful. We sure don’t need any more Wild West style shoot-outs.

"We hear it all the time: Meditation can improve our creative thinking, our energy, stress levels and even our success. Prominent artists, businessmen and politicians cop to the practice. Would it work for you?

"It did to my mind what going to the gym did to my body -- it made it both stronger and more flexible," said Dr. Hedy Kober, a neuroscientist who who studies the effects of mindfulness meditation, which she has practiced for 10 years, at her lab at Yale University. She admitted during a TED Talk that she started meditating to deal with a break up, but found that it helped her handle stress and unpleasant feelings in all areas of her life.

Studies show that meditation is associated with improvement in a variety of psychological areas, including stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, eating disorders and cognitive function, among others. There's also research to suggest that meditation can reduce blood pressure, pain response, stress hormone levels and even cellular health. But what does it actually do to the body?"

Read more...