Stopping Lung Cancer One Breath at a Time

Stopping Lung Cancer One Breath at a Time Stopping Lung Cancer One Breath at a Time Lung cancer may not be at the top of the news cycle the way it once was, but its leise killing at an alarming rate. Rick Rummel, CEO of Louisville, KY-based Breath Diagnostics, Inc., says the real problem is that most of the time its not caught until its too late. So many times its Stage 3 and Stage 4. But if you catch it early then many times the outcome can be very different, Rummel says. Its sad it doesnt happen more often. Were out to change that.Capturing the CompoundsThe companys creation is all about getting close. Enough to capture breath. There are over a thousand compounds in breath, he says. What happened was several doctors got together and figured out some of these compounds were elevated in some patients and they had to be able to measure it. Dr. Xiaon-An Fu was working on something for tuberculosis and adapted it to lung cancer. A patient breathes into a bag and we take that bag and run it across a microchip and then it covalently bonds with the chemical and then it involves a spectrometer. You have very specific masses so you can landsee if theyre elevated. When its elevated, its very elevated.A silicon microchip is used to collect carbonyl compounds found in the breath. Image Breath DiagnosticsFu, an associate professor in chemical engineering at the University of Louisville and a co-founder for the company, says just capturing compounds was among the leading challenges. You have to understand that these compounds are in low concentrations in the breath, he says. We needed to capture them from breath and then concentrate them into roughly ten microliters. Ultimately the idea is to be able to use ordinary instruments such as FDMS (filter dynamics measurement system) to analyze those compounds, he says.Fu says the microfluidic device uses 100 microliters of methanol and it flows through the chip for the washing process. He estimates the cost of the device to a pat ient might be in the low three-figures. And the key is identifying the combination of compounds, says Fu, who received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. One compound can be another disease.A Positive OutlookThe company has studied 800 patients so far and is very encouraged by the results, according to Rummel. We start with lung cancer and have a chance to take this to many other diseases, Rummel says. We want to get this to be very accessible to as many patients as possible. What we hope to do is have a low-cost test that a patient could take every year and monitor the markers. It can be a regular part of their prevention. Our cost should be well below the standard cost of a CT scan for lungs. And, remember, CT scans are radiation themselves so this can possibly change exposure there as well. Its looking at other ways to fight this terrible disease.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.Learn how to leverage emerging technologies that create su stainable solutions at ASMEs COMS 2016 For Further Discussion What we hope to do is have a low-cost test that a patient could take every year and monitor the markers. It can be a regular part of their prevention.Rick Rummel, CEO, Breath Diagnostics, Inc.

Job Interview Body Language Tips

Job Interview Body Language TipsJob Interview Body Language TipsIf youve ever spent an awkward blind date across from a slouching, shrugging, uninterested pasta dinner companion, you probably know the importance of body language for communication. Sure, the human species may have developed a pretty sophisticated system of language over the years, but that limp handshake, failure to make eye contact or otherwise out of the norm body positioning can tell you just as much, or mora, than what comes out of a persons mouth.With that in mind, candidates preparing for job interviews would be remiss if they overlooked the importance of nonverbal communication during their one on ones with hiring managers. Just like researching prospective employers or sprucing up a resume, practicing good posture and control of body language is essential for those looking for interview success. On board with our advice but elend sure where to get started? Weve got a few tips and tricks to help nail that job i nterview body language.PostureFor every person who ever listened to their mother say dont slouch, this ones for you. Poor posture isnt just bad for your back health, it also can convey a lot more than youre intending to prospective employers. Whether sitting or standing, you should aim for your shoulders to be back and straight and avoid humping over or slouching. When sitting at the interview table, plant two feet on the floor and ensure your back remains in contact with the chair or that youre sitting up straight in your seat. When in doubt, roll your shoulders back a few times to limber up those muscles and get your body used to that foreign, but correct, posture position.SmileUnless youre one of those permanently grumpy types, this body posture tip should come easily and naturally and will go a long ways towards making you appear professional, relaxed and confident. A sincere smile upon greeting your interviewer and throughout your meeting will help keep the conversation flowing and can also put the hiring manager at ease, building their opinion of your soft skills and approachability. Practice smiling in the mirror to ensure youre not throwing up a cartoon-esque grin and youll be well on your way to a job offer that has you humming along to dont worry, be happy.HandshakeWith as many advances in technology and communication verkommen interviewers face, its important to know that some things just dont go out of style when it comes to human interaction. A firm, well-practiced handshake is still an essential part of greetings and deal-making, worldwide. Practice proper handshake technique and ensure you have a firm yet polite grip. And as far as that power handshake goesjust dont. Regardless of the job field, no one wants to start off introductions with their hand being crushed.Eye ContactAn often overlooked form of non-verbal communication, eye contact is essential for candidates looking to practice good body language habits during their interview. Rather th an engaging in an all-out stare down with the interviewer, candidates should practice making eye contact during appropriate times in the communication. This is especially important when interviewing with multiple people at once. Solid eye contact will help you appear attentive and engaging, big plusses for those doing the hiring on the other side of the table.Hand GesturesIf youve ever spent time along the eastern seaboard, you have probably witnessed the art of talking with your hands. While natives of New York and New Jersey may work this into their conversations smoothly, for most of us its a habit thats more distracting. When in the interview room, keep hand gestures to a minimum. Avoid pointing, clapping, or throwing your arms up in the air as these can all come across as agressive or sudden when conversing with a relative stranger. In need of a crutch? Try clasping your hands lightly in your lap to avoid giving the appearance of a Mozart impersonating conductor at a high schoo l band rehearsal. Our final word when it comes to body language during your interview is relax. Take a deep breath, show up early and prepare for your interview for greater confidence and more focus on both body and mind. Prepping for your interview in all aspects, including body language, will help you appear professional and calm, increasing your chances of landing that all-important offer.

Financial Advisor Career Path

Financial Advisor Career PathFinancial Advisor Career PathBecause financial advisors play an important role in helping people make decisions with their money, the path to becoming one is not necessarily easy. Becoming a financial advisor requires a hefty amount of education, testing, and experience. However, if you stick to that path then you may open up opportunities for advancement and other career moves in the future. Education for Financial Advisors Education is a critical step on the path to becoming a financial advisor. To start, you usually need to get a bachelors degree in a finance, economics, statistics, or another finance-related field. Earning a graduate degree can not only give you a competitive advantage when looking for work, but some firms require their advisors to have a masters in business administration (MBA). In some cases, you can work on your MBA while pursuing work in the field at a lower level. People who want to become financial advisors can also obtain o ne or all of ansicht certifications Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). Although the certifications arent necessarily required to become a financial advisor, having one can help you get mora work and higher-paying jobs. The CFA certification is considered the most prestigious since its harder to get. It takes about four years to earn the CFA credential, which involves passing three exams that require more than 300 hours of study each. Other requirements include a bachelors degree, four or more years of professional work experience (it doesnt have to be related to finance), and two or three letters of reference. To get a CFP certification, you must have a bachelors degree, complete courses outlined by the CFP Board, and then pass the CFP Exam. You must also complete 6,000 hours (about two years) of related experience before you can apply for certification, or 4,000 if you meet certain criteria. Earning a ChFC is a bit different. To get the certification, you can complete eight self-study courses at your own pace and pass a final exam within four months of course completion. You must have three years of full-time business experience as well, or two years if you also have a bachelors or masters degree. No matter which certification you choose, they all have continuing education and ongoing recertification requirements that you must complete if you want to keep your credentials. Starting Out as a Financial Advisor Since the certification programs all require some work experience, many people pursuing a career as a financial advisor with no previous experience start by working in a more junior type of position at a financial firm while they finish their education or obtain their credentials. Many firms offer internships as well, and if youre still in school or a recent graduate, check with your institution to see if it partners with any firms. There are many places you can work as a fin ancial advisor, and the type of firm you join depends on whats most important to you. Big-name firms like Charles Schwab or Fidelity Investments generally offer more robust training programs and support, but climbing the ranks in such large companies can be harder. Often, advisors at big firms must meet tough production quotas as well. Smaller, more boutique firms may not offer the same level of training or brand-name recognition you might get with a larger firm, but compensation can sometimes be better. You may also have the opportunity to do more types of work and gain a wider range of experience in a smaller firm, and a better chance of advancing in your career. Many financial advisors choose to start their own companies and work for themselves. This route is usually better suited for people who already have some experience in the industry. Other Career Opportunities for Financial Advisors Being a financial advisor can open up other possible career paths and options for advan cement. For financial advisors who have developed expertise in a specific area of investing or client service, becoming a specialist at either a regional or national level within a firm is possible. In some firms, some financial advisors technically remain within the function but reduce or eliminate their own interactions with clients, and instead turn to actively managing client accounts on behalf of the firms other financial advisors. Those interested in pursuing a management track can move on to become a branch ausverkauf manager or branch manager for a financial institution. Depending on the firms policies and the size of the office, a financial advisor who moves into a branch management position may or may not have the opportunity to retain a book of business. Financial advisors who move into branch sales manager or branch manager positions may use these posts as stepping-stones to regional or national sales force management positions, or into a variety of management positions in other areas, such as marketing or product management.