The UC/CSU/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership is a statewide program that includes the 33 UC and CSU campuses served by the four California investor-owned utilities. The partnership aims to achieve cost-effective immediate and persistent peak energy and demand savings support for campuses in completing energy efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The utilities work hand-in-hand wth campuses to achive goals of the UC Sustainability Policy and UC San Diego’s Climate Action Plan.

James Newcomb pleaded guilty Feb. 21 to selling prescription drugs that were not approved for use in the U.S.and were not the versions that had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

He also marketed the drugs to doctors at 14 to 60 percent off their average wholesale prices.

Newcomb admitted to sending a shipment of drugs marketed in the United States as Neupogen® and Rituxan® a Missouri doctor in January 2011.

U.S. labeling for the drugs requires storage in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). If left at room temperature for longer than 24 hours, these so-called “cold chain” drugs should be discarded and not used with patients.

Newcomb admitted that the storage and shipment were not as required by U.S. law.

As part of his plea, Newcomb agreed to forfeit $1.4 million in profits as well as a Land Rover.

On Thursday, Abid Nisar, M.D. of St. Louis County, Missori pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor for using drugs provided to him by Newcomb and another person.

Newcomb faces sentencing on May 25. The conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Parents at three separate schools were told to watch their children for symptoms of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, after three students were diagnosed with the highly contagious respiratory illness, County Health and Human Services Agency officials said today.

This week’s pertussis cases where there is a potential for public exposure are:

• ·         A 15-year-old who was not up-to-date on immunizations and attends Mira Mesa High School in the San Diego Unified School District. Contact: Linda Zintz (619) 725-5568.
• ·         A 14-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Rancho del Rey Middle School in the Sweetwater School District. Contact: Lillian Leopold (619) 691-5578.
• ·         A 7-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Fletcher Hills Elementary School in the La Mesa Spring Valley School District. Contact: David Kinzel (619) 668-5820 ext. 6207.

To date, County public health is reporting 11 cases of pertussis for 2012 with the 2011 case total remaining at 436.

“The single most important way to prevent the illness or minimize the severity of it is to get vaccinated,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Students who become sick can infect others in their household including infants, who may develop fatal complications.”

No pertussis deaths were reported in California in 2011, but a record 1,144 cases, which included two infant deaths, were reported in San Diego County during the 2010 epidemic.

Parents can obtain the vaccine series and the Tdap booster shot for their children through their primary care physician. Students who are not covered by a medical insurance plan can get the shot from a local retail pharmacy for a fee, or from a County Public Health Center at no cost.

A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever, if present, is usually mild. The disease is treatable with antibiotics.

For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966, or visit www.sdiz.org.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will present the West Coast debut of Isaac Julien’s immersive nine-screen video installation, “Ten Thousand Waves,”

Feb. 25-Dec. 1 in the Farrell Gallery downtown.

‘Mazu, Silence (Ten Thousand Waves)’ by Isaac Julien Courtesy of Isaac Julien, Metro Pictures and Victoria Miro Gallery

The work poetically weaves together three stories linking China’s ancient past and present, and explores the movement of people across countries and continents, meditating on unfinished journeys.

Through formal experimentation and a series of unique collaborations, Julien, who is known for his arresting films, as well as his

dynamic gallery installations, seeks to engage with Chinese culture through contemporary events, ancient myths, and artistic practice.

Following ideas surrounding death, spiritual displacement, and the uniquely Chinese connection with “ghosts,” the film links the Shanghai of the past and present, symbolizing the Chinese transition towards modernity and affluence.

Julien, who lives and works in London, will also be the featured speaker at MCASD’s annual Russell Lecture, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 in Sherwood Auditorium at the museum’s La Jolla galleries at 700 Prospect St. Tickets are free for MCASD members and UCSD faculty and students on a first-come, first-served basis. General admission tickets are $15 at mcasd.org

Conceived and made over four years, “Ten Thousand Waves” was filmed on location in the ravishing and remote Guangxi province and at the famous Shanghai Film Studios and various sites around Shanghai.

Julien said he engaged many of China’s leading artistic voices, including: the legendary siren of Chinese cinema Maggie Cheung;

rising star of Chinese film Zhao Tao; poet Wang Ping; master calligrapher Gong Fagen; artist Yang Fudong; acclaimed cinematographer Zhao Xiaoshi; and a 100-

strong Chinese cast and crew.

The film’s original musical score is by fellow East Londoner Jah Wobble and the Chinese Dub Orchestra and Maria de Alvear.

In addition to Ten Thousand Waves, MCASD will

also present Julien’s single-screen projection “True North” (2004), as well as several photographic stills including two that have never been seen before.

“True North” is loosely inspired by the story of the black American explorer Matthew Henson who was one of the first people to reach the North Pole. This meditative installation offers a fascinating new visual reading of space and time and its relation to counter histories.

MCASD is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday (closed Wednesday) at 1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd. between Broadway and B Streets. Admission is $5-$10. (858) 454-3541.

“Dr. Yvette LaCoursiere demonstrates how to use Text4baby.” Photo by Maura Leonard

The Text4baby San Diego Coalition is celebrating the second anniversary of the national Text4baby program with a health fair and baby clothing and accessory swap meet, Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Thornton Hospital Pavilion on the UCSD Medical Campus, 9300 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla.

The event is free, though UCSD parking is $4. Bring gently used baby items to exchange or donate.

Text4baby is a free mobile health information service that provides pregnant women and new moms with information via text message on their health and their baby’s health, connecting them with valuable resources. Expectant and new parents can enroll in the free text service by simply texting ‘Baby’ (English) or ‘Bebe’ (Spanish) to 511411.

Families and expectant mothers are encouraged to participate in the festivities, which will include presentations by leading physicians and pediatric authorities on the topics of caring for a baby before, during and after birth, as well as raffles and an array of baby swap meet items such as baby clothing, toys and equipment.

Participants will learn about the free, bi-lingual text messaging service provided by Text4baby, while either swapping or dropping off gently used baby items to be donated to a local charitable organization.

In a recent study conducted by the National Latino Research Center at California State University San Marcos and the UC San Diego Department of Reproductive Medicine with support from the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, program participants reported significant benefits from the free text messaging program: 63 percent of participants reported that Text4baby helped them remember an appointment or immunization that they or their child needed, while more than 75 percent of participants reported that text4baby messages informed them of medical warning signs that they did not know. Another 71 percent reported talking to their doctor about a topic that they read on a Text4baby message.

For additional information on the Text4baby project, visit, www.sdcmsf.org or call (858) 300-2777.