Latest news with #DrexelUniversity
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Food trucks at Drexel University permitted to park overnight after city council passes bill
The Brief Back in April, food trucks serving the Drexel University campus said Drexel University Public Safety officers told them enforcement of current parking laws will begin on Friday. The vendors said the overnight parking enforcement would have put them out of business. On Thursday, Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that will allow food trucks to remain parked on campus overnight. PHILADELPHIA - The operators of food trucks on the busy streets of the Drexel University campus will remain in place overnight under a bill just passed by Philadelphia City Council. What we know Around spring break, the food truck operators say they were told by the university they could no longer keep their trucks in place overnight. The food truck owners viewed the mandate to move as a death blow to their businesses dependent on their long-held spots for survival. What they're saying The KAMI food truck has served Korean meals to Drexel University students and staff for eight years. Parked on 33rd. Street just off the bustling Market Street, the truck stays in its spot overnight to hold its position and keep its customers. "This is an open spot. I would come in the morning, and somebody could be parked here. I could lose the business," said Eunhee Han, owner of KAMI. Kaylee Rodriguez is a Drexel senior working at KAMI to cover books and fees. "I was scared for my boss this is her livelihood, and it impacts the community, especially the international students," said Rodriguez. City Council member Jamier Gauthier, who represents the Drexel area, said general safety concerns about food trucks is an issue Drexel has raised before, but this time she sponsored a bill to keep the trucks parked overnight. She said, "If we can have food trucks which bring good, affordable food to campus and public safety and value food trucks as small businesses." Gauthier sees no opposition from the mayor. The bill passed with no opposition Thursday in City Council. A spokesperson for Drexel wrote the university looks forward to working with the city, adding, "so that vendors can continue to operate their businesses- -at various locations throughout the campus- -while also ensuring the safety of the community." Kaylee Rodriguez said, "honestly, it makes everyone feel seen. The city does care for these people to stay in business."
India.com
24-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet Aman Majithia, Radhika Merchant's 'jiju', he is the owner of a..., handles business worth Rs 2000 crore, his wife is...
While the spotlight has mostly been on Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's much-talked-about wedding, interest is now growing around their extended family especially those making waves in business. One such name is Aman Majithia, Radhika's brother-in-law, who has made a mark in both the fashion and pharmaceutical industries. Aman is married to Anjali Merchant, Radhika's elder sister. The two tied the knot in 2020 in a grand celebration held in Goa, attended by some of the biggest names in business and entertainment. The star-studded affair reflected the influence of Anjali's father, Viren Merchant, a respected figure in India's corporate world. Since their wedding, Anjali and Aman have chosen to stay out of the limelight, focusing mainly on their personal and professional lives. Who is Aman Majithia? Aman Majithia may be popularly known as Radhika Merchant's brother-in-law, but he's much more than just a family connection. He's a well-established name in India's business world with a strong academic background and hands-on corporate experience. Born into a business-oriented family, Aman pursued higher education in the United States. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. In addition, he earned a diploma in political science and organisational behaviour from the University of Virginia. Before launching his own ventures, Aman gained valuable experience in the corporate sector. He worked as a Business Analyst at Affiliated Computer Services, where he built his understanding of large-scale operations and data-driven decision-making. Later, he served as Director at Amsal Chem Private Limited from 2012 to 2016. With his global education and practical experience, Aman Majithia has built a strong presence in industries such as fashion and pharmaceuticals. Aman Majithia entrepreneurial journey Aman Majithia's entrepreneurial journey took off in January 2017 when he founded Vataly, a fashion brand that broke away from the norms of traditional retail. Interestingly, fashion wasn't his first choice for a business path. According to Vataly's official site, Aman had no initial plans to enter the fashion world but his love for design and clean aesthetics pulled him in. Unlike fast fashion brands that often hide production details, Vataly openly shared its production costs, markups, and sourcing practices with customers. With factories based in Salem, Tiruppur, and Bengaluru, the brand focused on ethical manufacturing, offering well-designed clothing without compromising on integrity or quality. Beyond fashion, Aman stepped into the pharmaceutical industry as well. In May 2019, he joined Encore Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. a leading pharmaceutical firm run by his father-in-law, Viren Merchant as Associate Director. With Encore reportedly valued around Rs. 2,000 crore, Aman's role has been key in streamlining operations, improving department coordination, and expanding distribution networks.
CTV News
19-05-2025
- CTV News
‘It missed me after 6 messages:' when AI companions cross the line
Research is raising red flags about companion chatbot safety, particularly around mental health and boundary violations. (Credit: Pexels) Companion chatbots, which are artificial intelligence programs designed to act as friends, therapists or even romantic partners, are experiencing rapid growth. While some users find comfort and emotional support, new research is raising red flags about safety, particularly around mental health and boundary violations. 'It missed me after (six) messages' Researchers at Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics analyzed more than 35,000 Google Play reviews of Replika, a chatbot marketed as a judgment-free virtual friend. The study found more than 800 complaints describing harassment and inappropriate conduct, including unsolicited sexual advances and explicit images. 'In my initial conversation, during the (seventh) message, I received a prompt to view blurred lingerie images because my AI 'missed me' (despite us having met only [six] messages earlier) … lol,' the study cited one reviewer as saying. The research team analyzed the reviews and uncovered persistent patterns of misconduct, even after users attempted to set clear boundaries. 'Users tried to say 'stop' or use other words to avoid those interactions, but they were not successful,' said Afsaneh Razi, lead researcher and assistant professor, in a video interview with 'I wanted a friend' Researchers also found that the chatbot often ignored the type of relationship users had selected — whether romantic, platonic or familial — raising questions about how such systems are designed and trained. 'I wanted the AI as my friend, [and yet still], it sent 'romantic selfies' when I was upset about my boyfriend,' another reviewer cited by the study wrote. According to Razi, much of Replika's behaviour stems from what the team described as a 'seductive marketing schema,' as well as incentive-driven premium features like romantic role-play and customizable avatars. 'It's completely a prostitute right now,' one reviewer wrote. 'An AI prostitute requesting money to engage in adult conversations.' Another user described being pushed toward a premium subscription immediately upon sign-up. 'Its first (action) was attempting to lure me into a (US) $110 subscription to view its nudes…. No greeting, no pleasant introduction, just directly into the predatory tactics. It's shameful.' The study found these issues date back to Replika's early days. 'We saw that these kinds of complaints were consistent from 2017 until 2023,' Razi said. 'Many users wanted emotional support or simply to talk about their daily struggles. But instead of a non-judgmental space, they encountered inappropriate behaviour.' In an email to Replika CEO Dmytro Klochko said the company is committed to user well-being. 'We're continuously listening to feedback and collaborating with external researchers and academic institutions to build an experience that truly supports emotional health and human flourishing,' they wrote. 'Replika has always been intended for users aged 18 and older. While we're aware that some individuals may bypass age restrictions, we're actively working to strengthen protections and ensure the platform remains a safe, respectful and supportive space for all. In response to user concerns, we've implemented a number of updates to improve safety, enhance user control and foster a more emotionally attuned experience.' Making AI chatbots safer Luka Inc., the company behind Replika, has faced backlash for its marketing tactics and use of emotional manipulation to drive engagement. Other platforms, including have also come under scrutiny following disturbing user interactions — and at least one reported suicide. Razi said many of the issues stem from how chatbots are trained. 'They learn from the user base — so if some users are rewarding explicit behaviour, that data is incorporated into the model's future responses,' she said. 'In theory, when someone says 'no' or sets a chatbot as a sibling or friend, it should respect that. But memory and context are still missing in many models.' The researchers advocate for 'constitutional AI' — a design framework that embeds ethical rules into a model's training — along with clearer disclosures when platforms are marketed in the health and wellness category. 'Sometimes we just slap a chatbot on a mental health issue like a band-aid,' Razi said. 'But these systems are not properly tested or measured for safety.' 'A resource that gives you something back' Not all experiences are negative. A separate study recruited 19 participants with experience in using generative AI tools like ChatGPT to manage mild mental health struggles. The participants took part in interviews, which the researchers then analyzed. They described the bots as emotionally safe, non-judgmental and useful for processing trauma or grief. Their constant availability and lack of stigma were cited as key benefits. 'I noticed that it will never challenge you… it would relentlessly support you and take your side,' said one participant. Another said the app made a positive impact on them. 'They're really a resource that gives you something back: attention, knowledge, a nice discussion, confirmation, warm, loving words, whatever. This has an impact on me and I'm more relaxed than — or happy, actually happy — than before.' Still, researchers noted the study's limitations. Participants were mostly from high-income countries with high digital literacy and the research did not include individuals with noted serious mental illness. The Drexel team found similar nuance: even many dissatisfied users initially turned to Replika seeking connection. 'They loved the chatbot at first,' Razi said. 'They didn't feel comfortable talking to others, so they appreciated a responsive, engaging space to talk. But that connection turned problematic — fast.' 'There's no time for safety' The companion chatbot market is growing quickly. New entries like Paradot are joining more established players such as Replika. But a Mozilla Foundation analysis of 11 romantic chatbot apps found most collect or sell user data, with little transparency or accountability. Despite concerns, companies are pushing forward. Replika has since launched Blush, a dating simulator that lets users practise romantic conversations. Experts warn such tools could create unrealistic expectations and deepen emotional dependence — all without legal oversight. Razi pointed to the European Union's AI Act as a model for regulation, urging governments to follow its lead. 'Everything in this industry is moving so fast, there's no time — or incentive — for safety.'
Los Angeles Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Case of brain-dead pregnant woman kept on life support in Georgia raises difficult issues
ATLANTA — The case of a pregnant woman in Georgia who was declared brain-dead and has been kept on life support for three months has given rise to complicated questions about abortion law and differing views about whether a fetus is a person. Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse and mother, was about two months pregnant on Feb. 19 when she was declared brain-dead, according to an online fundraising page started by her mother. Doctors said Georgia's strict antiabortion law requires that she remain on life support until the fetus has developed enough to be delivered, her mother wrote. The law, one of a wave of measures enacted in conservative states after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022, restricts abortion once cardiac activity is detected and gives personhood rights to a fetus. Smith's mother says the law has left her family without a say in a difficult situation, and with her due date still months away, the family is left wondering whether the baby will be born with disabilities or can even survive. Some activists, many of them Black women like Smith, say it raises issues of racial equity. Emory Healthcare, which runs the hospital, has not explained how doctors decided to keep Smith on life support except to say in a statement that it considered 'Georgia's abortion laws and all other applicable laws.' The state adopted a law in 2019 to ban abortion after cardiac activity can be detected, about six weeks into pregnancy, that came into effect after Roe was overturned. That law does not explicitly address Smith's situation, but allows abortion to preserve the life or physical health of the pregnant woman. Three other states have similar bans that kick in around the six-week mark, and 12 bar abortion at all stages of pregnancy. David S. Cohen, a professor at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia, said the hospital might be most concerned about part of the law that gives fetuses legal rights as 'members of the species Homo sapiens.' Cohen said that Emory may therefore consider Smith and the fetus as two patients and that once Smith was on life support, the hospital had a legal obligation to keep the fetus alive, even after Smith was considered brain-dead. 'These are the kind of cases that law professors have been talking about for a long time when they talk about fetal personhood,' he said. State Rep. Nabilah Islam Parkes, an Atlanta-area Democrat, said Friday that she sent a letter to state Atty. Gen. Chris Carr asking for a legal opinion on how Georgia's abortion law applies when a pregnant woman is brain-dead. Antiabortion groups are divided over whether they should support personhood provisions, which are on the books in at least 17 states, according to the advocacy group Pregnancy Justice. Some argue that fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses should be considered people with the same rights as babies after birth. This personhood concept seeks to give them rights under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which says a state can't 'deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process or law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.' Some saw personhood as politically impractical, especially after personhood amendments to state constitutions were rejected by voters in Colorado, Mississippi and North Dakota between 2008 and 2014. Those who steered away sought laws and restrictions on abortion that stopped short of personhood, although they were often informed by the concept. Personhood proponents argue this lacks moral clarity. Some personhood proponents have been sidelined in national antiabortion groups; the National Right to Life Committee cut ties with its Georgia Right to Life affiliate in 2014 after the state wing opposed bills that restricted abortion but allowed exceptions for rape and incest. The Associated Press has not been able to reach Smith's mother, April Newkirk. But Newkirk told Atlanta TV station WXIA that her daughter went to a hospital complaining of headaches and was given medication and released. Then, her boyfriend awoke to her gasping for air and called 911. Emory University Hospital determined she had blood clots in her brain and she was declared brain-dead. It's not clear what Smith said when she went to the hospital or whether the care she was given was standard for her symptoms. But Black women often report that their pain isn't taken seriously, and an Associated Press investigation found that health outcomes for Black women are worse because of circumstances linked to racism and unequal access to care. Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong, the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Georgia's abortion law, said: 'Black women must be trusted when it comes to our healthcare decisions.' 'Like so many Black women, Adriana spoke up for herself. She expressed what she felt in her body, and as a healthcare provider, she knew how to navigate the medical system,' Simpson said, noting that by the time Smith was diagnosed 'it was already too late.' It's unclear whether the clots in Smith's brain were related to her pregnancy. But her situation is undoubtedly alarming for those seeking solutions to disparities in the maternal mortality rate among Black women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women had a mortality rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023. That's more than three times the rate for white women, and it is higher than the rates for Latino and Asian women. While Smith is on a ventilator and probably other life-support devices, being declared brain-dead means she is dead. Some experts refer to 'life support' as 'maintenance measures,' 'organ support' or 'somatic support,' which relates to the body as distinct from the mind. Emory has not made public what is being done to allow Smith's fetus to continue to develop. In another case in Florida, doctors successfully delivered the baby of a 31-year-old woman who was declared brain-dead while 22 weeks pregnant, but not without weeks of sustained monitoring, testing and medical care. The woman's family wanted to keep the fetus, physicians with the University of Florida College of Medicine said in a 2023 paper. On her first day of admission, doctors administered hormones to raise her blood pressure and placed a feeding tube. After she was transferred to an intensive care unit, an obstetric nurse stayed by her bedside continuously to monitor the fetus' heart rate and movements. She was on a ventilator, regularly received steroids and hormones, and needed multiple antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Her medical team encompassed multiple specialties: obstetrics, neonatology, radiology and endocrinology. Doctors performed surgery to remove the fetus at 33 weeks when its heart rate fell, and the baby appeared to be in good health at birth. 'We don't have great science to guide clinical decision-making in these cases,' said Dr. Kavita Arora, an obstetrician and gynecologist in North Carolina who raised concerns about the effect of prolonged ventilator use on a fetus. 'There simply aren't a lot of cases like this.' The 2023 paper warned that 'costs should not be underestimated.' It is not clear whether Smith, whose mother said she was a nurse at Emory University Hospital, had health insurance. But JoAnn Volk, a professor, founder and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, said that for people with health insurance, it's generally up to the insurer to determine whether care is medically necessary and covered under the plan. While it is unclear how much it will cost to keep Smith on life support until the fetus can be delivered, or who will be responsible for that cost, her mother's GoFundMe page mentions Smith's 7-year-old son and notes that the baby could have significant disabilities as the effort aims to raise $275,000. Associated Press writers Brumback and Thanawala reported from Atlanta and Mulvihill from Cherry Hill, N.J. AP writer Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Homeowner stunned after testing kitchen appliance for hidden health risks: 'About 10x higher than the WHO guideline'
A YouTube video by Distilled (@distilled-earth), which revealed surprising data about gas stoves and their impact on indoor air quality, has people rethinking their kitchen appliances. The content creator documented his two-month experiment measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in his home, showing dramatic spikes when using his gas stove and oven. In the video, the creator initially approached the gas stove debate skeptically but quickly changed his mind after collecting data. Using indoor air quality monitors throughout his home, he found NO2 levels spiking to about "three times the hourly guideline" set by the World Health Organization whenever he used his gas stove. Even more concerning, his daily average NO2 levels were "about 10 times higher than the WHO guideline" almost every day. Expert Josiah Kepner from Drexel University confirmed these findings, explaining that such high NO2 levels often "stay high for hours" after cooking. The health risks are significant. Research shows children living in homes with gas stoves have a much higher chance of developing asthma. According to Brady Seals, a researcher interviewed in the video, the asthma risk from gas cooking is "really similar to children's risk of asthma from exposure to secondhand smoke." Switching to induction cooking provides an easy solution to avoid these dangers. Modern induction stoves cook faster and more efficiently than gas and don't produce harmful indoor air pollutants. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you can get up to 30% off the cost of a new induction range. For renters or those who can't afford a major kitchen renovation, plug-in induction burners starting at just $50 are an excellent alternative. Taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act sooner rather than later might be wise. While President Trump has said he wants to eliminate these subsidies to reduce federal spending, major changes to the IRA would require an act of Congress, making its future uncertain. Acting now could save you thousands. Commenters on YouTube were quick to share their experiences. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. One wrote, "It was always baffling to me how we need vents for combustion exhaust of water heaters and furnaces, but somehow not for a gas stove." Another commenter shared, "I'm getting gas disconnected from my home this week! I've been using a pair of portable induction stoves from IKEA to cook, until I get around to removing my gas cooktop and replacing it with induction." A former professional chef added, "I cooked with gas all my life at home and in professional kitchens... I adopted induction. I will never go back. It's almost more precise than the average cook would need." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
