Following the World Cities Chess Team Championship By Amichai Vardi

When most people think of international competitions, the first thing that comes to mind is the Olympic Games, or perhaps the World Cup. There are, however, other less-known competitions of equal excitement, though admittedly of a different style. As an avid chess player, I will be curious to follow the results of this year’s World Cities Team Championship, which will be held in late December in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

At the invitation of the World Chess Federation, or FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), thirty-two city teams from nearly every continent will compete for the Sheikh Zayed Cup and a total of $150,000 in cash prizes. In addition to the Unites States and a number of traditionally strong teams from Eastern Europe, a number of up-and-coming teams from Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa will be attending. Fellow chess fans won’t want to miss the action.

About the author

Amichai Vardi works as an engineering director for Medtronic in Northridge, California. He plays chess in his spare time.

Products Offered by Medtronic, Inc.

by Amichai Vardi

A medical technology company based in Northridge, California, Medtronic, Inc. dedicates itself to helping people with diabetes by developing breakthrough technology and providing unrivaled service. Medtronic, Inc. works with physicians and health care providers across the world to address the problems of chronic disease and implement new therapies to improve treatment. Here is a brief overview of some of the products offered by Medtronic, Inc..

MiniMed Paradigm Revel Insulin Pump: One of the most innovative products available at Medtronic, Inc., the MiniMed Paradigm Revel Insulin Pump allows people with diabetes to customize their insulin delivery. Not only does the Revel Insulin Pump eliminate the need for regular injections of insulin, but it also provides superior control of glucose levels compared to the manual approach. Thanks to its built-in glucose monitoring system, the Revel Insulin Pump allows users to receive early notice of blood sugar fluctuations and regular updates on glucose levels in the blood. Other benefits of the Revel Insulin Pump include protection from over-correcting, an insulin capacity of 300 units, bolus and basal insulin delivery in increments of 0.025 units, and an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio of 1:1.

Carelink Personal Software: An online tool that compiles vital information from a Medtronic insulin pump or glucose monitoring system, Carelink Personal Software helps people with diabetes gain valuable insight into their glucose patterns. After collecting data from the appropriate device, Carelink Personal Software uses the information to create a comprehensive series of charts, graphs, and reports. People with diabetes can quickly analyze the data and make precise therapy adjustments. In addition to revealing the effects of certain foods on glucose levels, Carelink Personal Software monitors overnight glucose patterns and helps users better control their diabetes. Carelink Personal Software also represents a useful tool for health care providers, who can analyze blood glucose information between visits and prescribe the necessary adjustments in therapy.

Guardian Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: To help people with diabetes keep track of their blood glucose levels, Medtronic, Inc. offers its Guardian Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, which provides around-the-clock protection from swings in glucose levels. In addition to enjoying easy access to a blood glucose reading at any time, CGM System users can anticipate changes in their blood glucose levels and avoid imminent highs and lows.

To learn more about the products offered by Medtronic, Inc., visit the company’s website at www.minimed.com.

About the Author

A longtime employee of Medtronic, Inc., Amichai Vardi currently serves as the Engineering Director and Sensor Value Stream Leader. In this capacity, Vardi leads operations for the company’s $150 million revenue stream and oversees a multi-disciplinary staff of more than 200 employees. Vardi holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Open University in Tel Aviv and a Master of Science in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.