"Shark Tank" preview: LOLIWARE, O"Dang Hummus, Splikity, Mikki Bey Eyelash ...

KFC Has Edible Coffee Cups Because Why Not

Shark Tank is coming back with another new episode on Thursday, and one that apparently wanted to rum the gamut from food products to eyelash extensions. Also, it runs the gamut from products wed consider buying to ones that are just not for us in any way. This preview article, as is the case every week, is your introduction to all you are going to see.

For those wondering, the panel of Sharks is relatively back to normal this time around, with Kevin OLeary, Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and Lori Greiner aboard. No guests here! Lets start by giving you the synopsis:

A recent college graduate from Orlando, FLA takes the Sharks taste buds on a joy ride to flavor town with his twist on the traditional hummus; a passionate aesthetician from Los Angeles wants to convince the sharks they are just one wink away from investing in her eyelash extensions business; two friends from New York believe their edible cups are a delicious alternative to the disposable version while helping the environment; and two brothers from Paradise Valley, AZ donned tuxedos to show the Sharks how formally serious they are when it comes to pitching their solution to the dreaded, forgotten computer password.

Also, this episode is going to contain an update on Red Dress Boutique, which has remained super-successful since the show and was recently featured on Beyond the Tank. In other words, its kind of a big deal in this universe.

Without further ado, lets get to our pre-show take on the products.

LOLIWARE Apparently, they are edible cups. Certainly keeps you from having to find a trash can at a party. Its a fun idea! We suppose that the taste of these said cups will determine in part its success, along with the marketability of them. Wed go for a young, festive crowd similar to that of another show product in Beatbox Beverages. Hey, get Mark Cuban aboard here! On the surface, he seems like the perfect partner.

Splikity There is really not a whole lot of information out there about this brand, which seems to be a resource for password-related problems. Tech innovations do have a decent history of performing well both on the show and after it airs, but we are at the moment in a position where its too early to judge in this instance. We have to see the presentation.

ODang Hummus Love the name. Right now theyre selling hummus sauce in different flavors. In all honesty, were not a big hummus person; no offense to the stuff, but we just dont find it particularly appealing. Still, everything seems right here on the surface for it to turn into a success, other than the warning sign that comes witheverygrocery product on this show. How do you convince a grocery chain to give you shelf space, and if you do, how do you stand out? Its a challenge, and it can require a ton of inventory and a ton of cash. Were not sure the Sharks will take that jump.

Mikki Bey Eyelash Extensions We now nothing about eyelash extensions. Nothing. We have no idea what they cost, how they look, or if theres a good investment to be made here. What we can say is that Mikki has created a brand here and has an effective sales platform online. If we were investing, though, we are still not sure we want to be in the business of beauty brands, given just how competitive it is since there are very few things that qualify as proprietary.

If you missed it, you can check out our most-recent Shark Tank episode review over at the link here! Meanwhile, sign up now for some further TV updates on everything we cover, sent right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)

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Source: http://cartermatt.com/181372/shark-tank-preview-loliware-odang-hummus-splikity-mikki-bey-eyelash-extensions-red-dress-boutique/

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Good News For Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Skipping Chemo And A Pre-Tumor Test

Ellen on Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it comes with encouraging news. Research has revealed a new test to avoid chemotherapy, another that may predict tumors, and optimistic numbers about survival rates.

The Associated Press reported new research that reveals certain women with early-stage breast cancer may be able to avoid chemotherapy based on a gene test, which can identify patients whose illness could be treated solely with hormone-blocking drugs by measuring the activity of genes that control cell growth and other markers that indicate a positive response to hormone therapy.

And these drugs would do such a great job, chemo wouldnt even be needed. Doctors can instead focus the treatment, which comes with unpleasant side effects and risks, on patients who most need it.

This should provide a lot of reassurance to women and their physicians, said Dr. Kathy Albain of Loyola University Medical Center, who was part of the study.

Essentially, people with the most common type early stage, localized, and fueled by estrogen and progesterone can avoid chemotherapy. About 10,000 women participated in the study; the gene test showed 16 percent of them were low-risk and didnt need chemo. After five years, 99 percent of them hadnt relapsed and were still alive. A slightly less percentage didnt have any invasive cancer at all.

A pink 25-foot ribbon scupture made up of Aerie bras is on display outside of Heinz Field as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Also in time for awareness month, scientists in Sweden think they could someday develop a way to predict, decades ahead of time, whether a tumor will form, the Daily Mail added. At Uppsala University, researchers compared samples of cancerous breast tissue from 300 patients with apparently healthy tissue. Roughly half the time, the normal tissue showed genetic changes that are usually seen in advanced cases.

This sign may show up years, or even decades, before breast cancer develops. Researcher Jan Dumanski thinks someday, they can develop a test that will spot these early signs. If that happens perhaps in five years, depending on funding patients could get a jump start on treatment or closely monitor any possible changes.

This opens up possibilities to develop diagnostic methods that could identify women at risk, before the tumour is formed and much earlier than it can be detected by mammography.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month also opens with good news about surviving the disease, the Pittsburgh Morning Sun reported. Of the 234,190 cases of breast cancer expected this year, 40,730 will result in death.

Dr. Boban Mathew at the Via Christi Cancer Center said surviving all types have improved in 40 years. As for breast cancer, about 61 percent of cases are localized and most who face this diagnosis will survive. Medical cooperation among doctors involved in treatment and drug improvements are credited with the positive numbers.

Meanwhile, awareness month isnt opening only with good news. According to Slate, a study has shown that computer-assisted detection for mammography doesnt help radiologists spot tumors in fact, it may make them more likely to miss cancers. In other words, they did much better without technology.

Unfortunately, most mammograms in the U.S. are computer assisted, and this adds $400 million in health care costs every year.

The bad-news story from societys perspective is were spending a lot of money on something that sounded like a great ideaand just isnt, said Diana S.M. Buist, who was involved in the study.

Given that the idea behind this awareness month is to be more aware of the disease, how you can spot it, and what to do if you are diagnosed, scientists have created a new online calculator that asks your age, ethnicity and race, family history, whether youve had a biopsy, and your breast density to determine your risk, according to Yahoo Health. The tool is for ladies aged 35 to 74. Check it out here.

[Photos Courtesy Jared Wickerham / Photo Courtesy, Julie Keen, Guschenkova / Shutterstock]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/2464844/good-news-for-breast-cancer-awareness-month-skipping-chemo-and-a-pre-tumor-test/

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Dense fog may slow morning commute; Kelly Gissendaner executed

Kelly Gissendaner
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

There are several stories to cover in the day ahead.Here are just some of the stories we are working on or following for you throughout the day:

WEATHER:

Watch out for some fog this morning. Dense fog advisories have been issuedfor much of the WSFA 12 News viewing area. Be safe and leave early if you can.

KELLY GISSENDANER EXECUTED:

The only female on Georgia"s Death Row filed a third appeal for a stay of execution on the day has been executed.KellyGissendaner was executed early Wednesday morning after a five hour delay.

FIAT CHRYSLER:

Fiat Chrysler and the nation"s auto safety regulator say the automaker failed to properly report problems with its vehicles as required by law. The regulator called the company"s failures "significant."Gaps in reporting raise the possibility that Fiat Chrysler failed to recall cars that it should have.

EMPLOYMENT:

If you"re looking for employment, pay attention:Labor experts estimate that holiday sales will rise and with more people shopping and spending, retailers are hiring seasonal workers to the tune of over 750,000 new hires nationwide.

MURAL UNVEILED:

Today, department head representatives and members of Montgomery Fire/Rescue will join with Alabama artist and illustrator Jared Kelley to unveil his original work honoring first responders. The unveiling of The Bravest, a 9/11 commemorative painting is being held at 10 a.m.

Copyright 2015WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.wsfa.com/story/30149123/dense-fog-may-slow-morning-commute-kelly-gissendaner-executed

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Autoblog Minute: Tesla Model X, focus on safety and convenience

What"s It Like Driving the New Tesla Model X SUV?
[00:00:00] Our first look at the production version of Tesla"s much anticipated Model X comes via live web stream. I"m Adam Morath and this is your Autoblog Minute.

[00:00:30] [Tesla Footage]

Tesla first revealed the Model X concept in early 2012 and three rumor filled years later

[00:01:00] the company is finally showing us the road going production model, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in late September. For more on Tesla"s electric crossover we go to Autoblog Green"s Sebastian Blanco:

[00:01:30] [Sebastian Blanco Interview]

With its unique Falcon wing doors and AWD system Tesla is now poised to disrupt the luxury Crossover market, with the only all-electric offering in the segment. For Autoblog, I"m Adam Morath.

[00:02:00] Autoblog Minute Logo

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/30/tesla-model-x-focus-on-safety-and-convenience-autoblog-minute/

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Larry Brown lucky to keep job after NCAA comes down hard on SMU

Jalen and Jacoby on Derrick Rose, Larry Brown, "Story Time," and More

The NCAAs decision to lay the hammer on SMU basketball and its Hall of Fame coach, Larry Brown, was seismic but hardly surprising. The case of the player, the assistant, the secretary and the online course has been percolating since 2012, when a Dallas television station first reported possible irregularities regarding a local high school forward named Keith Frazier. More than three years later, the results are in: Frazier was declared ineligible last season, the assistant and the secretary were fired, SMUs mens basketball team has been banned from the 2016 postseason, and Larry Brown has added yet another marhis third, if youre scoring at hometo a lifetime spent running afoul of NCAA rules.

There is much to sift through here, both in terms of what this means for Brown and what it means for the rest of college basketball moving forward. Here are four primary takeaways from the case:

1. Larry Brown is very fortunate to keep his job.

The NCAA does not have the authority to hire and fire coaches. Only the schools can do that. But most of the time, when a coach is hit with a show-cause penalty, he is out of a job ... for a while. It is especially difficult for a coach who is unemployed to get another gig in college if he is serving a show-cause, but Brown has been spared. The NCAA also has considerable latitude as to what penalties it affixes to a show-cause. In Browns case, the main penalty was a nine-game suspension this coming season. If anything, that seems light.

Given that the NCAAs Committee on Infractions (COI) found Brown to be in noncompliance about a serious issue like academic fraud, and that he initially misled investigators about what he had heard, it is stunning that SMU did not cut him loose. I cannot think of another example where a coach conducted himself in this fashion and continued to draw a paycheck.

As harsh as these penalties were, SMU and Brown did dodge a couple of bullets. The school was not found to lack institutional control, and Brown was not slapped with an unethical conduct conviction. Either finding would have led the COI to be even harsher.

Brown may still have a job, but he does not have much of a reputation. Though the NCAA did not technically have the ability to consider his past transgressions at UCLA and Kansas, the public is under no such restrictions. Brown can give you chapter and verse about what went down at UCLA and Kansas, and how it wasnt really all his fault, but the bottom line is, the man has coached at three different universities, and all three have felt the impact of the NCAAs wrath. That will forever be entwined in his legacy.

2. We are firmly in the era of coach responsibility. Get used to it.

Youre going to be hearing a lot about NCAA Bylaw 11.1.1.1 from now on. It was referenced numerous times in the infractions report. The rule went into effect on Oct. 30, 2012, and this is the first major case where we can see its full ramifications. Though it was frequently referenced during coverage of the penalties imposed on Jim Boeheim last winter, most of the violations in that case occurred before the rule went into effect.

This is a critical distinction because the COI never found that Brown had any direct, advance knowledge that his administrative assistant had completed an online course (with the possible help of assistant coach Ulric Maligi) that Frazier needed to be eligible to play as a freshman. It only found that Brown failed to report that information in a timely manner, and that he lied to investigators when he was initially asked about it. In the past, that might have enabled Brown to absolve himself of responsibility the way former UConn coach Jim Calhoun did in 2011 when his assistants were found to have had improper contact with a former student manager turned agent. In that case, Calhoun claimed no knowledge and fired two of his assistants. While Calhoun was found generally to have failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance (and thus served a three-game suspension), he was not held directly accountable for those improper activities. Brown was, and so too will any future coach who finds himself in similar circumstances.

No one should be surprised by NCAA"s latest penalties against Larry Brown

The NCAA has banned the SMU mens basketball team from the 2016 postseason and suspended head coach Larry Brown for 30 percent of the teams 20152016 games due to multiple rules violations.

3. Academic fraud is the hottest issue in enforcement.

Most of the time, the infractions cases which draw the most attention center around agents, improper benefits, or both. Those will always be areas of concern, but there is no doubt that academic fraud has ascended to the top tier.

This is a direct result of the advent of online classes. These courses might seem like they are easy places to cheat, but they are also easy places to get caught. If an investigator knows where to look, he or she can access IP addresses and other computerized data to trace the origin of the work. Its a lot easier than nailing someone for turning in a falsified term paper or having someone take a written test in his place.

With rising academic standards continuing to go into effect, the incentive for cheating is on the rise, so the NCAA is trying to meet that head on. The NCAAs enforcement chief, John Duncan, has established a separate academic fraud unit inside the enforcement division. In February, Duncan told me that his unit was investigating upwards of two dozen cases and anticipating many more to come.

And yes, that includes the case at North Carolina, which has yet to reach the stage of an infractions committee hearing. The decision handed down against SMU on Tuesday should send shivers down the spines of North Carolina fans, as well as the fans of any other programs who find themselves in these particular crosshairs. The NCAAs enforcement division was low on effectiveness and morale a few years ago in the wake of the Miami football debacle, but there is no doubt that these folks are back in business.

MORE: UNC academic scandal highlights issue with NCAA model

4. The NCAA needs to revisit how it implements postseason bans.

When a judgement like this gets handed down, there is bound to be some unfortunate collateral damage. By definition, a penalty is meant to hurt an entire program, and in most cases the people who perpetrated the crimes are no longer there. That means that folks who bear no responsibility feel the worst effects. That is unfair, but there is also no way around it. The only way to deter schools from cheating is for them to fear getting caught, and that means stiff penalties.

Still, there is nothing that says a postseason ban has to go into effect right away. In this case, as in the Syracuse case last winter, the fair thing to do would have been issuing a ban for the following season. Not only would that allow players the opportunity to transfer if they want to, but it would hit a program where it hurts the most: recruiting. Larry Brown might be a great recruiter, but even he would have a hard time convincing elite high school seniors to sign with SMU if they knew they would not be able to play in the postseason as freshmen. Heres hoping the powers that be inside college sports push its enforcement committees to move in this direction.

Source: http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/09/29/larry-brown-smu-keith-frazier-ncaa-sanctions

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#Facebookdown Today, but What"s Threatening Facebook Tomorrow?

Breaking: "Facebook Is Down" Dow Is Down -315 Points

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Facebook (FB - Get Report) is skating on thin ice after experiencing its third site wide outage in three weeks yesterday. Momentsafter Facebook went dark, Twitter (TWTR - Get Report) exploded with angry users using the hashtag #facebookdown to track the service glitch. No surprise,Facebook ended Monday down 3.84% to $89.21 and is still down in trading today.

In the past two weeks, Facebook experienced two other service hiccups, one on September 17and the second on September 24. This isn"t a good time for people to be questioning Facebook"s ability to provide reliable connectivity asthe company faces continued controversy around its new initiative, Internet.orgwhich offers free, but limited, Internet to emerging markets.

Since April, Facebook has been taking a more visible stand onproviding Internet to users in developing countries. Partnered with various wireless carriers and organizations, Facebook launched Internet.org to offer free access to a collection of Internet services (including Facebook) in developing countries. But the project has been off to a rocky start, adding more volatility to Facebook share price over the past few months.In May, advocacy organizations in 31 countries released an open lettertaking stabs atFacebook"s new initiative. They wrote that it "violates the principals of net neutrality, threatening freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, security, privacy, and innovation." The petitioners argued that Internet.org misrepresented itself by only offering limited Internet to developing countries.

In response, Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg posted on Facebook, "If someone can"t afford to pay for connectivity, it is always better to have some access than none at all." Yet protestors are continuingto argue against Facebook"s new platform. To gaincomplete access, users must pay for a specific data plan that the majority can"t afford.People are skeptical of how this creates anatural divide of information -- casting the initiative as a capitalist ploy to further control what information is available to the public.

Also at play is a natural debate about net neutrality. Facebook has been facing complaints that by siding with its partner carriers, it isviolating net neutrality principles. In light of the challenged state of Internet.org, Facebook rebranded to "Free Basics" last week after itopened up the site to developers to help its case inthe net neutrality debate. The new face of Internet.org launched only a few days ago and now includes 60 new service apps available via the mobile Internet portal. Despite Facebook"s rebranded platform last week, the company"s stock was still trading down on Friday.

Facebook urgently needs to show its users that the company is well positioned, secure and reliable. Atthe same time Facebookalso has to show its global community that connectivity for all is a realistic long-term vision that can gain wide adoption.As yesterday"s service outage demonstrated, technology is risky enough. Facebook is now assuming additional risk by entering into larger debates like net neutrality. While Facebook is clearly well intentioned, recent volatility working alongside periodic platform outage is threatening Facebook share price in the near term.

Source: http://www.thestreet.com/story/13305463/1/facebookdown-today-but-what-s-threatening-facebook-tomorrow.html

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How A Potential Government Shutdown Could Affect Financial Markets

[434] Another government shutdown?

Once again the congressional merry-go-round hasswung around to face a potential U.S. government shutdown. And although federal employees and state programs dependent on federal funding are nervous, most investors arent expecting panic in themarkets -- at least not yet.

I would expect that there would be some immediate reaction, but we have been through this before, said Cheryl Smith, a managing partner at Trillium Asset Management. Investors are tired of this game.

The potential of a shutdown comes as congressional Republicans have tried to defund Planned Parenthood through a routine funding bill. But the announced resignation of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio,and progress on funding bills in the House and Senate have raised hopes that a shutdown could be averted. The threat of a government shutdown, however, would rise again in December.

But nothing is certain in Washington.

If Congress falls short of a deal, so-called nonessential government functions like managingnational parks and providing food assistance for 45 million people could be suspended. Military spending would also take a substantial hit, whileSocial Security and Medicaid payments would continue to flow.

Wall Street analysts have largelydismissed the potential for a market rout, citing the mild effect of past shutdowns. The most recent,in 2013, coincided with a 2.4 percent bump in the S&P 500. Even as the economy lost 0.25 percent in GDP growth and missed out on 120,000 private sector job gains, according to White House estimates, Wall Street hummed along.

But Dan White, senior economist at Moody"s Analytics,warned that this time might not be like the last. Given the market volatility, the stock market could take a greater hit this year, White said.It all depends on the timing.

Global economic worries stemming from China and other emerging markets have roiled stocks in the past month, while the biotech and commodities sectors have both taken major hits. Its hardly the galloping bull market of 2013, which finished the year up nearly 30 percent.

Stocks look to be a little overvalued. Investors are looking for a reason to sell, White cautioned.

But if a government shutdown this week or in December touches off a bull run, it would be something of an anomaly. Of the 17 government shutdowns in the past 40 years, ninehave left the S&P 500 basket of stocks negative. And only three of those declines, all in the late 1970s, depressed the market by more than 3 percent.

Government shutdowns have been uneven in their effects on the stock market. Charles Schwab

Smith, for her part, wasnt concerned: I think weve done quite enough selling off in the last month.

The economic impacts of shutdowns dont land evenly. Walmart, for instance, said sales fell short during the 2013 shutdownin areas populous with federal employees. And defense contractors like FLIR Systems, which manufactures infrared devices, reported disappointing revenues after weeks without new federal contracts.

White noted that a shutdown during the holiday buying season would carry further potential to inflict economic pain. Having a shutdown in December could be more damaging because theres a lot of discretionary spending, White said.

The federal government is currently funded through Sept.30. Congress must pass a bill by midnight Wednesday to keep things running -- at least until December rolls around.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/how-potential-government-shutdown-could-affect-financial-markets-2119069

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