Renewable Revolution

Senator Elizabeth Warren gives 'em "what fer!".

Elizabeth Warren - Senate HELP Committee - Minimum Wage

https://youtu.be/ABM0_L_5vLw

[b]Elizabeth Warren Debunks GOP Talking Points on Minimum Wage[/b]
Posted on Mar 18, 2013[/i]

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., continues her crusade against big financial institutions and businesses, this time tearing apart an argument by a restaurant owner who testified before a Senate panel Thursday that raising the minimum wage would force businesses like his to fire employees. Much like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich did in this video, Warren dismantled that popular right-wing talking point on why the minimum wage should not be increased.

When Warren pointed out during the hearing that McDonald’s could raise its wages to $10.10 an hour simply by increasing the cost of its meals 4 cents, David Rutigliano tried to argue that his full service restaurant doesn’t run the same way.

“McDonald’s has efficiencies and they operate completely differently than I do. I have many jobs, many jobs that pay well above minimum wage,” Rutigliano said. “We have a retirement plan. We offer health insurance to our salaried employees. So my business is a little different. I can’t raise a 4 cent price. I mean I don’t have, I don’t operate like a fast food restaurant. I would hope you appreciate the distinction.”

But Warren wasn’t having any of that. “I do appreciate the distinction and I’m not going to be in the business of being a McDonald’s representative but they would talk about having some higher paid jobs and some opportunities for management and advancement as well,” she responded. “But I get your point, maybe it’s only 4 cents on $7.19. But if your entrees are $14.40 we’ll see how fast I can do the math—are you telling me you can’t raise your prices by 8 cents?”

Warren also noted that wages have not been keeping up with productivity, and if they had, the minimum wage would be about $22 today. That’s $14.75 higher than the actual federal minimum wage.

(h/t BoldProgressives)

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/elizabeth_warren_debunks_gop_talking_points_on_minimum_wage_20130318/

Martian Badlands

Mars rover Curiosity sends images of Mount Sharp

by phenomenica on March 18, 2013

in Mars, Solar System, Space, Videos

Curiosity Rover Beams Back Hi-Res Mt. Sharp Images And A Human Voice

https://youtu.be/1e8W1o6M-_8

NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity has sent new images of Mount Sharp from the red planet, which is said to be higher than any mountain in the 48 contiguous states of the United States.

A pair of mosaics assembled from dozens of telephoto images shows Mount Sharp in dramatic detail.

The layered mound, also called Aeolis Mons, in the center of Gale Crater rises more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) above the crater floor location of Curiosity.

Lower slopes of Mount Sharp remain a destination for the mission, though the rover will first spend many more weeks around a location called “Yellowknife Bay,” where it has found evidence of a past environment favorable for microbial life.

A version of the mosaic has been white-balanced to show the terrain as if under Earthlike lighting, which makes the sky look overly blue.

White-balanced versions help scientists recognize rock materials based on their terrestrial experience.

The Martian sky would look like more of a butterscotch color to the human eye.
ANI
http://www.phenomenica.com/

Gevo: An Undervalued Spec Play With Large Short Interest And Trading Below Cash Value
Feb 27 2013, 13:24  | 2 commentsby: bsiflingtrades  |  about: GEVO, includes: TOT Disclosure: I am long GEVO. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

The S&P 500 Index ETF (SPY) has had a little pull back over the last week, and when the macro market starts to sell off, money usually tends to flood into spec plays. We are now down trending under the 9 EMA on the daily chart, and will soon be confirming the move this week in my opinion.

The Background:

Now, as I was looking for new opportunities, I came across a speculative small cap company called Gevo Inc (GEVO). The business summary of the company is found below..

"Gevo, Inc., a development stage renewable chemicals and biofuels company, focuses on the development and commercialization of alternatives to petroleum-based products based on isobutanol produced from renewable feedstocks. The company develops Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology, an integrated technology platform for the production and separation of isobutanol. Isobutanol is a four carbon alcohol for use as a specialty chemical or a value-added fuel blendstock, as well as could be converted into butenes, which are primary hydrocarbon building blocks used in the production of lubricants, rubber, plastics, fibers, other polymers, and hydrocarbon fuels. It also produces and sells ethanol and related products. Gevo, Inc. has a development agreement with BioFuel Energy Corp for production of isobutanol. The company was formerly known as Methanotech, Inc. and changed its name to Gevo, Inc. in March 2006. Gevo, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado."

There are many spec plays going around, but this is one that I think could eventually be bought out. However, on their own they can license production technique as well as sell a product directly to the market. The current administration in Washington has emphasized the importance of renewable energies and are creating a climate for companies like this to thrive. I detail many reasons below on why I think this could be the next big runner.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1229831-gevo-an-undervalued-spec-play-with-large-short-interest-and-trading-below-cash-value?source=email_rt_mc_focus_1

ONVO 3D tissue printing has potential to do away with "animal model" testing by scientists. 👍👍 👍 

Checking In On Organovo

Mar 20 2013, 07:38  | 5 commentsby: Jason Napodano  |  about: ONVO.PK, includes: PFE, UTHR Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

By Jason Napodano, CFA

On March 15, 2013, Organovo Holdings (ONVO.PK) reported financial results for 2012 and provided insight into the business plan for 2013. By all measure, 2012 was a banner year for the company, kicking off with the reverse merger late 2011 and financings to fund operations that took place in February and March 2012 and culminating with the highly successful warrant tender started late December 2012 and just recently completed earlier this month. In between, the company continues to operate on its business plan, which includes delivering on, expanding, and signing new business collaborations. Total revenues in 2012 were $1.197 million, consisting of recognition under agreements with United Therapeutics, Pfizer, and the NIH.

…Existing Collaborations…

In December 2010, Organovo entered into a $600,000 collaborative research agreement with Pfizer (PFE) to develop specific three-dimensional tissue based drug discovery assays in two therapeutic areas utilizing the NovoGen MMX Bioprinter technology. Pfizer has paid the company all $600,000 under the agreement, as Organovo delivered the constructs to Pfizer during the fourth quarter 2012. Constructs delivered by Organovo are currently being evaluated in Pfizer's laboratory. No specific timeframe has been given, but we suspect that Pfizer will come back to Organovo in the next six to twelve months. Ideally, Pfizer and Organovo will sign an additional agreement that expands the relationship at that time. We anticipate any new deal signed will provide an upfront payment, as well as the potential to earn development, regulatory, and sales-related milestones, as well as royalties on commercialized products.

In October 2011, Organovo entered into a $1,365,000 research agreement with United Therapeutics (UTHR) to establish and conduct a research program to discover treatments for pulmonary hypertension using the NovoGen MMX Bioprinter technology. The initial term of the collaboration was for 30 months. However, in November 2012, Organovo and United Therapeutics executed an amendment to the agreement adding additional research scope and providing for additional collaborative research funding. This new expansion of the agreement added $150,000 to the contract. To date, Organovo has recognized a total of $1,100,000 in payments from United Therapeutics. Based on the existing contract, $400,000 remains to be recognized in 2013.

…New Collaborations…

In December 2012, Organovo announced it started working together with Autodesk, Inc (ADSK) to create the first 3D design software for bioprinting. The software, which will be used to control the company's NovoGen MMX bioprinter, aims to represent a major step forward in usability and functionality for designing three-dimensional human tissues, and has the potential to open up bioprinting to a broader group of users.

Full article here:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1288701-checking-in-on-organovo?source=email_rt_article_readmore