Dateline Rice for Oct. 21, 2014

FEATURED ITEM

French oil giant boss dies in Moscow executive-jet crash
Total SA CEO Christophe de Margerie died in a jet crash in Moscow. Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel, reflects on de Margerie’s passion for policy issues and his influence in the global energy sector.
Bloomberg (This article also appeared in Financial Post, Business World and Reading Eagle.)
http://bloom.bg/1zjaz5u
Total chief dies after plane collides with snowplow
The Irish Times
http://bit.ly/1DwJZEy
Total to hold emergency meeting after death of CEO
Energy Voice
http://bit.ly/1yVa7cw

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Free online AP courses debut on edX Web site
Rice launched a free Advanced Placement biology course for high school students on edX. Reid Whitaker, professor in the practice of digital learning, executive director of Rice’s Center for Digital Learning and Scholarship, is quoted.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1DwgGSG

Ebola fears: Blame Hollywood?
Scholars are arguing that the popularity of TV shows and movies such as “Contagion” and “The Walking Dead” contribute to the public’s fear of Ebola. Kirsten Ostherr, professor of English, is quoted.
The Hill
http://bit.ly/1t8q90h

Deputy Minister Dilek Ayhan visits Texas
Norwegian Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Dilek Ayhan gave the opening address at the recent NorTex Nano Summit, organized by Rice.
Norway.org
http://bit.ly/1CQFKS5

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Early voting numbers up in Harris County
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, comments on the race for Harris County district attorney. Stein is also quoted about his Houston Public Media/KHOU election poll, where 55 percent of Texans say the legislature needs to spend more on roads.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front of the City & State section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1rpKuHW
Harris Co. DA’s race a dead heat in new poll
KHOU.com (This article also appeared in 12 News Now.)
http://bit.ly/1nxTWO8
Election poll results, pet care and sports Monday: Houston Matters for Monday, Oct. 20, 2014
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/1t8DLso
Poll: Texans want more transportation spending without higher taxes
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/1Fxf1y0

Texas on lonely side of battle over ozone pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking White House approval to update the nation’s ozone standards. Daniel Cohan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
The Texas Tribune
http://bit.ly/1wssaUM

Houston universities among top beneficiaries of nation’s giving
Rice improved its ranking on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s 2014 Philanthropy 400 report, moving from No. 190 to 175.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1rpFJhF

Houston school named to Worst Colleges in America list
The Art Institute of Houston is No. 11 on Washington Monthly’s ranking of the worst colleges for graduation rate. Rice’s No. 7 ranking on Forbes’ list of the top 25 universities to work for in 2014 is mentioned.
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1uzXpZK

BROADCAST

Early voting begins today in Texas
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about early voting in Texas, the effect of political party affiliations on couples and Sen. Wendy Davis’ diminishing odds of becoming governor.
KTRK-TV
http://abc13.co/1r8Ai7s
Party lines may bring an end to the party
News Fix
http://bit.ly/1yV7KGF
Politics more divisive than race, gender
WOAI-AM
http://bit.ly/1t3Z7X4
Wendy Davis facing long odds in Texas governor’s race without an ‘October surprise’
The Bellingham Herald
http://bit.ly/1zjiAXV

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Platinum catalysts are outshined by graphene quantum dots
James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, and his lab combined the graphene quantum dots he created last year with microscopic sheets of graphene to create a hybrid that could cut the cost of generating energy with fuel cells.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/1t9mrlK

High blood-sugar levels may harden heart valves
Rice bioengineers, in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, found a possible link between diabetes and the hardening of heart valves. Jane Grande-Allen, professor of bioengineering, and alumnus Peter Kamel ’12 are quoted. Co-authors and alumnus Xin Qu ’13, graduate student Andrew Geiszler and Deepak Nagrath, assistant professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, are mentioned.
Medical Xpress (This article also appeared in Fort Bend Sun.)
http://bit.ly/1oqmZns

Retrofitting old buildings to make them earthquake safe
Rice is working with researchers at Georgia Institute for Technology to test retrofits that can make concrete buildings in the United States safer and more secure.
Phys.org (This article also appeared in AZoBuild.)
http://bit.ly/1x4Uhrb

Texas roundup: DNAtrix, Nanolinea, Wireless Seismic, Illumitex and TMCx
Rice is mentioned for its three award-winning startups, Nanolinea, Big Delta Systems and A-76.
Xconomy
http://bit.ly/1yfAias

Natcore claims low-temperature solar advance
Natcore Technology engineers demonstrated a way to cut the cost of generating electricity through photovoltaics. Rice’s technology license with Natcore is mentioned.
Optics.org
http://optics.org/news/5/10/33

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong shares his vision for the future of bitcoin
Alumnus and CEO of Coinbase Brian Armstrong ’05 shared his vision for the future of his company at TechCrunch Disrupt Europe.
TechCrunch
http://tcrn.ch/ZEJKYQ

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Artista inova e cria mural impressionante com 27 tons de terra
Japanese artist Yusuke Asai’s “yamatane” installation, which will be on display at Rice Gallery through Nov. 23, is featured.
Hypeness (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1zdKCE8

New GC in tune at Pandora legal department
Steve Bené ’86 has been named Pandora Internet Radio’s general counsel and member of its executive leadership team.
Corporate Counsel
http://bit.ly/1CQdVt4

SPORTS

Old offenses not entirely a thing of high school football’s past
An article about the evolution of football quotes head football coach David Bailiff.
Houston Chronicle (This is featured on the front of the Sports section. Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1sKP9Ig

Rice eager to avenge last season’s loss to North Texas
Rice football will play against North Texas University Oct. 25 at Rice Stadium. Head football coach David Bailiff and players Christian Covington and Driphus Jackson are quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1nxZng7

Owls lose tight end for remainder of season
Head football coach David Bailiff announced that Rice football player Connor Cella will miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery. Players Cole Hunt and Robby Wells will handle his position.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1t8Aw4e

NEWS RELEASE

Rice to host Mediterranean Film Festival Oct. 31-Nov. 2
The Rice University Media Center is presenting seven movies as part of its third Mediterranean Film Festival Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The weekend festival is free and open to the public.
http://bit.ly/1sL6H7f