Join Vickie Leff, a palliative social worker. We’ll dive into a thought-provoking conversation about shifting the health care paradigm, where we explore the emotional toll on health care professionals, the need for sustainability, and how institutions can take more responsibility in supporting their staff.
Do you spend more time on administrative tasks like clinical documentation than you do with patients? You’re not alone. Clinicians report spending up to two hours on administrative tasks for each hour of care provided. Nuance, a Microsoft company, is committed to helping clinicians restore the balance with Dragon Ambient eXperience – or DAX for short. DAX is an AI-powered, voice-enabled solution that helps physicians cut documentation time in half. DAX Copilot combines proven conversational and ambient AI with the most advanced generative AI in a mobile application that integrates directly with your existing workflows. DAX Copilot can be easily enabled within the workflow of the Dragon Medical application to bring the power of ambient technology to more clinicians faster while leveraging the proven and powerful capabilities used by over 550,000 physicians.
Explore DAX Copilot today. Visit https://nuance.com/daxinaction to see a 12-minute DAX Copilot demo. Discover clinical documentation that writes itself and reclaim your work-life balance.
Houston Community College – Coleman College for Health Sciences (HCC Coleman College) is set to introduce on-campus prerequisite courses starting in February. This initiative aims to provide health care students the convenience of completing all required courses at the same campus, eliminating the need for transfers when entering specialized programs.
Dr. Phillip Nicotera, President of HCC Coleman College, emphasizes the positive impact of these additional course offerings on students.
“Until now, our students navigated health science courses at HCC Coleman College while pursuing prerequisite courses like English and Biology at another HCC campus or college,” said Nicotera. “With this new development, students can embark on and conclude their educational journey in the same location. The advantage of starting and ending at Coleman lies in the continuity of having the same advisors throughout, fostering stronger relationships with the staff and faculty committed to their success.”
Dr. Jeff Gricar, Dean of Health Sciences at HCC Coleman College, shares Nicotera’s excitement for the expanded opportunities.
“We’re thrilled to provide students the chance to complete prerequisite courses at Coleman,” said Gricar. “These courses establish the foundational knowledge crucial for success in their chosen healthcare field.”
For the Late Start semester beginning on Feb. 12, the following courses will be available:
ENGL 1301 – Composition I
ENGL 1302 – Composition II
HUMA 1301 – Introduction to Humanities
MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistical Methods
PHIL 2306 – Introduction to Ethics
PSYC 2301 – General Psychology
Gricar also mentions plans to introduce additional prerequisite courses in the upcoming summer semester, providing students with a broader range of options for their educational journey at HCC Coleman College.
Disney research fellow and imagineer Lanny Smoot was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The esteemed honor spotlights his important contributions to the global brand’s most beloved attractions.
The Disney Parks Blog mentions that Smoot is the first Disney Imagineer to receive the prestigious honor and the second person at the Walt Disney Company inducted into the institution. The first was Walt Disney, honored posthumously in 2000 for inventing the multi-plane camera to produce modern animation.
Smoot has been with Disney Experiences for an impressive 45-year stint. During his tenure, he has held several positions such as a theatrical technology creator, inventor, electrical engineer, scientist and researcher. His journey led him to create over 100 patents, with 74 of them invented during his impactful 25-year career at the Walt Disney Company.
According to the Parks statement, Smoot has been instrumental in pioneering special effects and technical marvels at Disney theme parks globally. His contributions include Madame Leota’s ability to float in the Séance Room at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, the cutting-edge extendable lightsaber featured in Disney Live Entertainment and the Magic Playfloor interactive game experience on Disney’s Cruise Line.
This isn’t Smoot’s first honor. He has received with countless awards with the Walt Disney Company and Disney Experiences. His passion for innovation and technology began after earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at Columbia University. He later worked for Bells Lab and Bells Communication Research, where he specialized in the early development of video-on-demand technology, video conferencing and specialized television systems.
Smoot was excited to be recognized by the Walt Disney Company alongside a few of his “childhood heroes.”
“As a life-long inventor, I am excited, delighted, and humbled to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame,” Smoot said in a statement. “To be included alongside my childhood hero, Thomas Edison, and my lifelong role model, Jim West — the inventor of the electret microphone, is both exciting and humbling. And as someone who’s had the privilege of working at The Walt Disney Company, it’s especially meaningful to know that Walt Disney himself is also an inductee.”
The National Inventors Hall of Fame was held on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Walt Disney Imagineering’s campus in Glendale, California.
Amanda Nizam, MD, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, discusses findings from the retrospective UNITE study of enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev) following switch maintenance avelumab (Bavencio) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who were responsive to initial platinum-based chemotherapy.
Among evaluable patients (n = 41), the overall response rate (ORR) was 54%. In the intention-to-treat population (n = 49), the ORR was 45%. Direct comparisons between these findings and those from the phase 3 EV-301 trial (NCT03474107) are not possible because EV-301 included patients who were not responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy, Nizam says. However, in EV-301, which evaluated enfortumab vedotin vs chemotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced urothelial carcinoma, the ORR with enfortumab vedotin was 41.32% (95% CI, 35.57%-47.25%).
In UNITE, the median progression-free survival (PFS) from the start of enfortumab vedotin therapy was 7.0 months (95% CI, 5.8-13.3), which is similar to the median PFS with enfortumab vedotin in EV-301 of 5.55 months (95% CI, 5.32-6.28), Nizam notes. Furthermore, the median overall survival (OS) from the start of enfortumab vedotin therapy was 13.3 months (95% CI, 10.8-not reached), which was also similar to the median OS with enfortumab vedotin in EV-301, which was 12.91 months (95% CI, 11.01-14.92), Nizam explains.
In UNITE, the median OS from the start of platinum-based chemotherapy was 22.5 months, Nizam says, noting that this finding was observed as an exploratory end point because it was not reported in EV-301. Although this median OS seems relatively short, the UNITE registry included many patients who were eligible to receive enfortumab vedotin because they experienced short times to progression on maintenance avelumab, according to Nizam. Thus, patients in this registry are likely to have a lower median time on maintenance avelumab than what may be observed in the real world, Nizam says.
For instance, in the phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432) of maintenance avelumab in patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, the median time on avelumab was 24.9 weeks (range, 2.0-159.9). In UNITE, the median time on maintenance avelumab was 3.5 months (range, 0.2-22.3), which contributed to the shorter median OS from the start of platinum-based chemotherapy, Nizam explains.
Overall, the findings from UNITE were consistent with those from EV-301, although the designs of these trials prevent direct comparisons, Nizam emphasizes. However, these findings support the use of enfortumab vedotin following platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors in patients with platinum-responsive disease, Nizam concludes.
Want to know more about the power of AI? Interested in coding, machine learning and neural networks? while True: learn () releases on Xbox to teach you that and more.
AI and machine learning
Available to purchase and download right now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is while True: learn (). Funky name aside, this is a puzzler that builds in a whole ton of simulation for good measure, as you play the life of a coder attempting to solve a host of tricky puzzles. Do so and fortunes will be yours. Fail – and it’ll prove once and for all that your cat is cleverer than you.
Priced at £12.49, while True: learn () promises to teach you everything you could ever want to know about AI and machine learning. A game that should suit many, if numbers and sequences are your bag, you’ll probably want to get involved.
But the team behind it – Luden.io – hope that it’ll find a place in the heart of many a gamer. In fact, the Xbox Store page specifically points to while True: learn () being suitable for those who want to learn about new technologies. Or parents and teachers looking to infuse some knowledge into a child. Or programmers hunting new concepts. Or even just folk who are looking to keep their brain engaged, hoping to prove themselves better than their kitty.
Key features
while True: learn () on Xbox plays host to a ton of key features too. Getting eyes on those certainly helps to sell a purchase of the game a little more…
Create a cat-to-human translator
Enjoy visual programming puzzles
Playthrough the real tech history
Earn a fortune as a startup CTO
From puzzles to learning
Improve logical thinking skills
Warm up your brain
Fun intro to Machine learning
Buy cat outfits and gadgets
Buy now and enjoy while True: learn () on Xbox
Want to get involved in while True: learn ()? You’ll find it on the Xbox Store right now, playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. You’ll also find the game on Steam where it’s been since 2019, picking up some decent reviews in the process.
Let us know what while True: learn () teaches you. The comments are below.
while True: learn () Game Description
You’re a machine learning specialist who makes neural networks but your cat seems to be better at it. Now you must solve puzzles to build a cat-to-human translation system (who knows what else this cat is capable of!). Earn a fortune, buy kickass cat outfits, learn how machine learning really works!
Supply chain transformation has become a key strategy enabler in recent years. According to the survey, 40% of retail and CPG leaders say creating a more efficient supply chain is a core part of their business strategy, second only to direct-to consumer/omnichannel (42%).
Another 35% say supply chain resilience in their top three areas to invest most in the next year. When it comes to technology, 21% say digital supply chain is where they plan to increase investment, ranking only behind AI/ML (31%)
Tyson Foods is just one many CPGs and retailers looking to foster a more connected, end-to-end supply chain ecosystem. In a recent conversation with CGT, Adam Clark, Tyson’s VP of IT business shared services, outlined how it is using control tower capabilities for supply chain logistics and inventory management to generate automated, near-real-time insights that are easy to consume, actionable, and used to fuel decision-making.
P&G has also worked to expand its collaborative abilities, launching a supply chain services platform for retailers to increase collaboration, sustainability, and competitiveness
GenAI-Driven Growth
In news that won’t come as much of a surprise, the vast majority (99.6%) of executives say they are experimenting with AI.
Breaking it down to the use case level, more than 2 in 5 leaders (41%) say their company is implementing AI in the consumer experience through employee virtual assistants.
Kraft Heinz is one of the most recent adopters of gen AI for this purpose, detailing at NRF 2024 that it is building an internal generative AI app, KraftGPT, for employees to obtain quick insights into product sales.
CPGs such as Colgate-Palmolive and Johnsonville have also taken strides in developing genAI copilots for their organization.
In addition, almost a third (32%) of respondents say they are implementing the technology for product purchase reminders.
Unilever is just one CPG giant tapping into similar tools, rolling out a frictionless, digital app that allows retailers to easily stock up on ice cream whenever needed, based on out-of-stock detection, location data-optimized delivery, and real-time inventory insights.
Of the companies experimenting with GenAI, 29% say they are doing so to remain on the cutting edge of innovation.
Subaru’s first electric vehicle (EV) got off to a slow sales start in 2023, but the company has improvements in store for 2024 that may make the car attractive to more buyers. These updates include faster charging times and Subaru’s first-ever hands-off driver assistance system.
Best of all, the price stays flat despite the changes.
The Subaru Solterra is a compact all-electric SUV built in partnership with Toyota, sharing most of its parts and engineering with the Toyota bZ4X. Our expert test driver liked its standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and long list of safety features but found its range (a maximum of 228 miles) and slow charging times to be significant limitations.
Subaru hasn’t boosted the range for 2024 but has addressed the charging time problem. Automakers are learning how to pre-condition EV batteries to help them charge faster. Thanks to new conditioning routines, Subaru says, the Solterra can now “replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 35 minutes” at a suitable DC fast charger. Charging performance improves in below-freezing conditions, the company says.
The Solterra also debuts a more advanced version of Subaru’s EyeSight safety system. This one can “travel in its lane at speeds up to 25 mph with only driver supervision, including stop-and-go traffic,” Subaru says. Drivers can tap the turn signal and rely on the car to change lanes when it’s safe.
Other changes include a new steering wheel with paddles that adjust regenerative braking and standard roof rails that support up to 700 pounds of gear.
2024 Subaru Solterra Pricing:
Subaru also charges a mandatory $1,395 delivery fee on all Solterra models.
The 2024 Kia Soul and 2024 Hyundai Venue are boxy subcompact SUVs with fuel-sipping engines, outstanding warranties, and excellent outward views. Despite having starting prices right around $20,000, each comes standard with smartphone connectivity and active safety systems like lane-keeping assist and a driver attention monitor.
These two small SUVs are great for car shoppers who want to keep their monthly finance or lease payments as low as possible. Their small turning circles mean the Soul and Venue are great for city driving. Because of their square-shaped designs, headroom is abundant in both rows of seats, although one has a sizable advantage in legroom and cargo space.
Let’s explore key highlights of the Soul and Venue.
2024 Kia Soul
The 2024 Soul starts at $20,190 and is available in four trims: LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. With Kia dropping an optional turbocharged engine from the Soul lineup last year, the sole (pun not intended) powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that sends 147 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Acceleration is modest, though perfectly fine for routine driving in city and highway traffic. EPA fuel economy of 30 mpg combined on most trims is average for a small SUV. The EX model scores one better at 31 mpg combined.
Kia Soul Highlights
Warranty coverage: The Soul comes with an excellent 5-year/60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This alone might give the Soul the win, except for the fact the Hyundai Venue has the exact same level of coverage.
Larger infotainment screen: Upgrading one trim above the base LX model nets a Soul buyer a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, smartphone connectivity, wireless device charging, and multiple USB ports. The Soul S also brings with it handy add-ons like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Passenger space, cargo volume: Compared to the Venue, the Kia Soul has about 4 inches more rear legroom and 5 extra cubic feet of cargo space behind its split-folding second row.
Sporty (looking) GT-Line: It’s not any quicker than the regular-brew Soul, but the GT-Line looks racier thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels, trim-specific front and rear bumpers, flat-bottom steering wheel, and center-exit exhaust.
The Hyundai Venue starts at $19,800, excluding destination fee. Trims consist of the SE, SEL, and Limited. Similar to the Kia Soul, the Venue is strictly front-wheel drive. There is no option to add all-wheel drive. Getting the Venue down the road is a 121-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder paired to a CVT. This powertrain is tuned for maximum fuel economy, not 0-60 mph bragging rights.
Hyundai Venue Highlights
Wireless smartphone connectivity: A Venue buyer gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Venue SE and SEL trims. This convenient feature is not to be found on the Kia Soul.
Low ownership costs: Opting for the Hyundai Venue won’t just save you money at the dealership; it will save you cash in the long run. Among subcompact SUVs, the Venue takes the top slot in our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own rankings.
Hyundai SmartSense: Paying less for a new car or SUV doesn’t mean sacrificing safety. Every Venue comes with a Hyundai SmartSense, a bundle of driver aids consisting of automatic emergency braking, rear occupant alert, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more.
Limited amount of cash needed for the Limited trim: Venue buyers who throw caution to the wind and choose the range-topping Limited will only be spending $23,050, or about $4 grand more than a no-option base model. The Limited brings along LED headlights and taillights, navigation, heated front seats, and wireless device charging.
These two boxy subcompact SUVs have identical warranties, and they won’t cost a bundle when you start adding options. Both of these small SUVs are targeted at car shoppers who want a lot of value but also like to have a bit of fun.
Conclusion
These subcompact SUVs are very evenly matched, though the Soul has key advantages when you compare them side by side. It has a more powerful engine, a roomier rear seat, and a larger cargo area. The Soul also has near-identical fuel economy figures compared to the Venue, despite the fact it has 26 extra horsepower.
We like the Venue’s blend of budget-mindedness and versatility. You can get a couple of adults in the second row, though you might want to keep the journey short to maintain friendships. Seeing as how it’s 6 inches shorter than the Soul and has a tighter turning circle, the Venue is that little bit easier to navigate through the urban jungle.
As the Kia Soul offers slightly more vehicle for your money, we give it the edge in this comparison.
Atlas Ocean Voyages recently unveiled a new collaboration with ORCA, a pioneering marine conservation charity dedicated to the study and protection of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, along with their ocean habitats globally. ORCA’s mission is to give everyone who cares about whales and dolphins an active role in safeguarding their future so that we can once again see oceans alive with whales and dolphins.
Atlas Ocean Voyages Orca Partnership
Onboard the World Navigator, Atlas Ocean Voyages introduces dedicated Ocean Conservationists to Antarctica on 2023/2024 expeditions. These specialists will focus on raising awareness, collecting vital scientific data, and actively contributing to safeguarding whales and dolphins. The initiative aims to involve Atlas Ocean Voyages guests in citizen science projects, allowing them to play an integral role in conservation efforts.
The partnership will empower Atlas Ocean Voyages guests to become Citizen Scientists, participating in hands-on workshops and utilizing ORCA’s OceanWatchers app. By recording environmental and sighting information, guests will contribute valuable data to understand the behavior and movements of these magnificent marine mammals.
Over the last three decades, ORCA’s survey data has been instrumental in enhancing protection measures for whales and dolphins in crucial ocean hotspots. “This collaboration represents a significant stride in fostering a profound connection between travelers and marine conservation, benefiting the world’s oceans and their unique inhabitants,” stated James A. Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO. “Together with ORCA, we look forward to fostering a deeper connection between our travelers and the incredible marine life they will encounter, ensuring a meaningful and enriching experience for all.”
Become An ORCA Citizen Scientist
Join us in partnership with ORCA as a Citizen Scientist aboard our 2023/2024 Antarctica expeditions on World Navigator. Engage in hands-on workshops and contribute to conservation and marine life protection efforts. Participants will use the OceanWatchers app, learn to photograph marine life, and enjoy enriching lectures and workshops with knowledgeable Ocean Conservationists.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is redefining luxury adventure cruising by delivering awe-inspiring experiences in the world’s most sought-after and remote destinations. Combining an intimate and luxurious environment with genuine hospitality, Atlas Ocean Voyages ensures that each journey is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
Get To Know ORCA
Founded in 2001, ORCA is a respected and growing marine conservation charity dedicated to the long-term study and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises and their habitats in oceans worldwide. ORCA’s dedicated Ocean Conservationists enable so many people every day, to experience and appreciate the diverse wildlife found in the world’s oceans. There’s no better way to inspire someone about the amazing world of whales and dolphins than to show them these wonderful animals in the wild.
For information and reservations, call a travel advisor or 1.844.44.ATLAS or visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.
![Health care’s hidden struggles: a paradigm shift [PODCAST]](https://wp.fifu.app/theconverser.com/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLnl0aW1nLmNvbS92aS9PVVBHcC1sWGh4SS9ocWRlZmF1bHQuanBn/62d2def69e95/health-cares-hidden-struggles-a-paradigm-shift-podcast.webp?w=768&h=0&c=0&p=6081 "Health care’s hidden struggles: a paradigm shift [PODCAST]")
![Health care’s hidden struggles: a paradigm shift [PODCAST]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OUPGp-lXhxI/hqdefault.jpg "Health care’s hidden struggles: a paradigm shift [PODCAST]")
