The Architect of Data Visualization

Visiual i|o makes decision-making a question for the eye.

So what is a nice architectural graduate like Angela Shen-Hsieh doing running a data visualization software company targeting big pharma? We'll let her explain that shortly. Shen-Hsieh founded Visual i|o (the i|o originally stood for input/output) back in 2002 with CTO Mark Schindler as a spin-off from consulting firm Schindler and Associates, in order to focus specifically on data visualization for decision support. She's been working with pharma since 1998, mostly on the drug development pipeline (though with some sales and marketing, and manufacturing). Visual i|o is based in Newton, Mass. Here, Shen-Hsieh tells Kevin …

Explosions kill 12 in eastern Pakistani city of Lahore

Explosions hit a federal police building and a residential area of the eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and wounding several more, police said.

One blast devastated the downtown office of the Federal Investigation Agency, killing at least a dozen people, said Mohammed Afzal, a city police official. A second blast wounded several people in an upscale residential district, said Mohammed Abbas, another police official.

Mirza Mohammed Yasin, an official at the FIA's headquarters in the capital, Islamabad, said the first blast was caused by a bomb planted near a lift inside the building.

The cause of the second explosion …

Kirk aims to buy motorbike

Church-goers are hoping to raise enough funds to buy a motorbikefor a minister in Malawi.

Members of the congregation at the Cathedral Church of St Macharin Old Aberdeen are aiming to buy a bike for the Rev William Mumba.

A Presbyterian minister in the Synod of Livingstonia in Malawi, MrMumba has been studying for a Masters degree in Practical Theologyand Christian Ethics at the University of Aberdeen.

During this time he has been attending services at St Machar.

Sunday, July 22, is being …

Fruits of the Spirit in Iran

We recently completed our second year in an exchange program coordinated by Mennonite Central Committee and the Imam Khomeini Institute in Iran. This program was designed to build bridges of friendship and understanding between Muslims and Christians.

Here in Iran, we have studied Islam, the Persian language, and the history and culture of Iran. We have pondered the words of our teachers. We have observed the lifestyles of our teachers, friends and neighbours. We have prayed daily for God's guidance as we open our hearts to learning about another faith.

In doing so, we have been amazed at the fruits of the Spirit lived out by people here.

During summertime in Iran, …

Browns' WR Edwards gets speeding ticket

A star-struck police officer who made a traffic stop on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards let the player go without a speeding ticket, a suburban police chief said Friday.

Edwards was stopped on Aug. 29 in Avon, Ohio, after police said he was driving 120 mph in his Bentley along Interstate 90.

The officer apparently was star-struck over meeting the Pro Bowler, said Avon Police Chief Paul Romond.

Edwards has since been served with the ticket, and the officer, whose named wasn't released, has been counseled about handling traffic stops, said Candace Johnson, Romond's administrative assistant.

The Browns' receiver was …

Deal to Give Children HIV/AIDS Treatment

NEW DELHI - Former President Clinton announced Thursday that two Indian pharmaceutical companies had agreed to cut the prices of HIV and AIDS treatment for children, making the lifesaving drugs far more accessible worldwide.

The companies will supply drugs for HIV-positive children at prices as low as 16 cents a day, or less than $60 a year, alllowing an additional 100,000 HIV-positive children in 62 countries to receive treatment in 2007, the foundation said.

"This is a great day, but we have a long way to go. We have to make a new commitment that every child and adult would needs treatment should have access" to the drugs, Clinton said. "Though the world has made progress in expanding HIV/AIDS treatment to adults, children have been left behind. Only one in 10 children who needs treatment is getting it."

Clinton announced the deal in a speech at a New Delhi children's hospital at the launch of a new Indian government program to treat HIV-positive children. World AIDS Day is Friday.

Under the drug agreement, the two companies - Cipla Ltd. and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. - will supply 19 different antiretroviral formulations for prices about 45 percent less than the lowest current rates for these drugs in developing countries.

Countries including France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and Britain will provide $35 million and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative will contribute $15 million.

The drugs will be supplied to the governments of the countries where the children live, for distribution through public health and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Clinton spoke at the Kalawati Saran Hospital, one of New Delhi's busiest hospitals for children. India, with 5.7 million HIV-positive people, has the highest number of cases in the world.

Clinton, whose two-year appointment as U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special tsunami envoy ends Dec. 31, is also visiting Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia - among the countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 216,000 people in 12 countries in December 2004.

In January, Clinton negotiated the reduction of prices of rapid HIV tests and anti-AIDS drugs for adults.

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On the Net:

Clinton Foundation: http://www.clintonfoundation.org

Patterson on Baylor's mind

MONTREAL Highly regarded center-field prospect Corey Pattersonnever is far from Cubs manager Don Baylor's thoughts. Baylor saidThursday that some Cubs should not forget Patterson isn't far fromtaking their jobs.

"He is going to put some pressure on some guys here," Baylor said."When you are hitting .140 (as Patterson was early this season withClass AA West Tenn), it's difficult. But I imagine the more he hits,the more we are going to start talking about him."

Patterson drove in seven runs Wednesday in a Southern Leaguedoubleheader against Carolina. He went 4-for-7 in West Tenn's sweepand hit his first two home runs this season. He has raised hisaverage to .191 in 13 games.

"He is going to come around," Baylor said.

IT'S OFFICIAL: General manager Ed Lynch has decided Kerry Woodwill start Sunday in Des Moines for Class AAA Iowa against ColoradoSprings. It could be the final start of Wood's minor-leaguerehabilitation stint before the Cubs bring him back to the majors.Lynch made up his mind after hearing the weather forecast: 75 degreesand sunny.

SQUEEZE PLAY: Damon Buford was replaced in center field Tuesday byTarrik Brock and Thursday by Sammy Sosa. He is likely the playerBaylor had in mind when he spoke of Patterson putting pressure onsomeone.

Buford won't get specific about what he is working on to get hisoffense straightened out. But he knows the bottom line with a .186batting average through Wednesday.

"Hits are the only solution," he said. "It's not the first time inmy life and it probably won't be the last. I hope I don't go the restof my life without getting another hit. I'm a career proven .240hitter. So at least I have to get up to .240 sometime soon."

COME BACK, SHANE: Baylor thinks Shane Andrews hurt himself bytrying too hard to strike back at the Expos, who released him lastSeptember. That's why Baylor benched Andrews on Thursday and startedJeff Huson at third base.

"Shane comes here and he's so uptight because he wants to dowell," Baylor said. "He's struggling right now at the plate."