Baking up a winning co. recipe

Cake will come in a can, allergy-sufferers will be able to taste-test their food and legislation will be tracked big-data style if the newest winners of Harvard's i3 entrepreneurship challenge have their way.

"This is a launchpad," said Brooke Nowakowski, whose company Spray Cake won the top prize in the Technology and Entrepreneurship category.

Spray Cake, which has filed a patent on its batter in a whipped cream can concept, will use the $10,000 to move closer to production.

"It definitely feels like a shift from something that was a dream of ours to something more attainable," said John McCallum, who said he has been working on Spray Cake long before i3.

McCallum's "dream" ­— cake batter in a whipped cream canister — is targeted toward working families. Spray Cake will let busy families make chocolate and vanilla cakes and cupcakes without the preparation and mess that comes with baking, McCallum said.

Harvard's i3 competition wrapped up on Thursday, awarding $10,000 to winners in four categories.

"i3 was at its most competitive this year, with overall applications up 20 percent," said Paul Bottino, who runs the Harvard Innovation Lab. "This year's winners really had to shine to be recognized."

Another winner, HuePick, will use the prize to turn its detection system for food allergies from a concept into a product.

"It's very difficult to bootstrap a medical device company," said Sam Peinado, referring to running a company without investors and funding.

HuePick, a device that will let people who have food allergies test food before eating, needs seed money to get off the ground, Peinado said.

"This is more of a moment to pat on the back and say good luck, because now the work begins," Peinado said.

Other winners included a data-driven product for tracking legislators and an improved 911 system. A year-long program, i3 is now in its seventh year, and has given out more than $650,000.

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BMW’s SUV runs like a hot rod

Some cars you just know are fast, others have a flashy appearance to compensate for a lack of performance and then there's the 2014 BMW X5, a hot rod disguised as a sport utility vehicle.

Our $73,000 X5 tester was the top-shelf 50i model with a twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V8 engine. BMW seamlessly blends luxury and cargo capacity in its flagship all-wheel-drive SUV and leaves it up to the driver to discover the X5's astonishing power and coupe-like handling.

BMW actually calls the X5 a "sport activity vehicle" rather than an SUV, which I agree better suits our tester, considering the X5's low ground clearance and 20-inch, low-profile tires. While the X5's sophisticated all-wheel-drive provided peace of mind when I got caught in sleet and then snow on an early spring commute, this BMW, with its robust exhaust note, seemed better suited for the drag strip than picking its way along a rocky dirt road.

When I took the wheel of the X5, I had only a vague notion of the beast under the hood. The first few days, I soaked up the interior's distinctive European leather aroma and dialed in the seemingly infinitely adjustable driver's seat that provided firm support with just enough comfort. I focused on the superb handling that kept the X5 flat through the corners with a decent amount of steering feedback.

Initially, I drove the compact SUV the same way I drive my own car, using the cruise control to conserve fuel. One day on my way to work, I thought I forgot my laptop. I pulled off the highway to check, and sure enough it was in the back. Now I had to find a gap in traffic and get the X5 up to highway speed. I toggled through the X5's drive modes from "Eco Pro," which boosts fuel economy, and the road- dulling "Comfort" mode to the "Sport Plus" mode, which ramps up throttle response, adjusts the shift points of the 8-speed transmission and stiffens the suspension.

After waiting for traffic to clear, I stomped the accelerator. The BMW's 445 horses came to life and I was thrust into my seat. The sides of the road blurred and the 
tachometer jumped far to the right with each precision shift. Cars in the rearview mirror vanished and glancing at the speedometer, I was suddenly well beyond the 5-10 miles per hour of speed limit grace that most state troopers grant motorists. I laid off the accelerator and set the cruise control to an appropriate speed. I couldn't wait for the toll booth up ahead to do it all over again.

City fuel economy at 14 miles per gallon is certainly a downside to the X5's powerful V8 engine. BMW does offer the X5 with a turbo-charged inline 6-cylinder and a diesel option as well, both of which greatly improve the SUV's fuel economy. On top of the $68,000 base price, the X5 has several trim packages. We had the $3,600 M Sport line, which includes upgraded seats and transmission along with "M" badging on the steering wheel, foot rest, and door sills. The X5 50i is a bit overpriced considering the absence of safety technology such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and lane departure warning, some of which are available at an extra cost.

Even with a large rear cargo area that expands with fold-down rear seats, the X5 was a thrill to drive, and it lives up to BMW's reputation, a well-built luxury car with an emphasis on performance.

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Boston trumps gaming panel

The state gaming commission yesterday scheduled a meeting next month to decide how much sway Boston will have over proposed casinos in Everett and Revere — a move that will delay the awarding of the area's sole license by at least two months.

The Gaming Commission had hoped to award a license by June to either Wynn Resorts, which wants to build a resort casino in Everett, or Mohegan Sun, which has proposed a casino at Suffolk Downs in Revere, but now that decision likely won't come until August. On the advice of its lawyers, the commission decided to solicit public comment before a May 1 meeting, after which it will decide whether Boston is a "host community," a status that would give Hub voters veto-power over the projects.

"We're bending over backwards to give the city a fair opportunity — a very fair opportunity — to make its case," Chairman Stephen Crosby said. "I think it's the right thing to do. But a big price is being paid by a lot of people to try and accommodate the city."

Mayor Martin J. Walsh has argued that the commission has no power under state law to determine whether Boston is a host community. East Boston residents, who rejected a previous casino proposal, should have the opportunity to vote on the Mohegan Sun project, Walsh has argued, and Charlestown residents should have the chance to vote on Wynn's.

In an email last night, Kate Norton, a spokeswoman for Walsh, said: "The city is now evaluating today's response from the gaming commission and exploring the possible next steps in this process."

Richard McGowan, a Boston College professor and gaming expert, said the commission's decision to schedule the May 1 meeting and put off awarding a license for at least two months is a coup for the mayor.

"They could easily have said, 'You're just a surrounding community,' " McGowan said.

It's also a blow, he said, to Revere and Everett.

"Voters in those two communities said yes (to the projects)," McGowan said, "and right now, the mayor of Boston is calling the shots."

In a statement yesterday, Mohegan Sun said: "Our discussions with Mayor Walsh and the city of Boston have been positive, ... and we will continue to work with the gaming commission on the time line they have established."

A spokesman for Wynn had no comment.

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Asian stocks muted ahead of US jobs report

SEOUL, South Korea — Asian stock markets were little changed Friday after the European Central Bank refrained from further easing of monetary policy and investors looked to the upcoming U.S. jobs report for a new trading cue.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 edged up 0.1 percent to 15,091.33 while Seoul's Kospi drifted down 0.1 percent to 1,991.01. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was nearly unchanged at 22,549.74.

Mainland China's Shanghai Composite was up 0.3 percent to 2,049.36 while Australia's S&P ASX/200 was flat at 5,408.70. Stocks in Indonesia were the biggest losers, down 0.6 percent. Other Asian markets were mostly flat.

The U.S. March jobs report will be released early Friday morning in Washington. Many economists think it will show a bounce-back in hiring by employers who held off adding staff during winter.

A strong jobs report would boost confidence that that U.S. economic recovery is on track while also reinforcing expectations that interest rate hikes are in the pipeline after the Federal Reserve ends its bond purchasing program that has provided extraordinary monetary stimulus.

Asia is "a market that is really keen to see a genuine improvement in U.S. data again," IG's Chief Strategist Chris Weston said in a market commentary.

Earlier in Europe, sentiment was mixed after the ECB did not cut interest rates or announce any new stimulus measures, as some had been hoping.

The ECB decided to leave its main interest rate at a record-low 0.25 percent. ECB President Mario Draghi dismissed fears that consumer prices might fall in countries that use the euro common currency, but stressed that the bank was ready to act if inflation remained low.

Germany's DAX closed almost 0.1 percent higher at 9,628.82 while France's CAC 40 rose 0.4 percent to 4,449.33. Britain's FTSE 100 shed 0.2 percent to 6,649.14.

On Wall Street, the Standard & Poor's 500 fell 2.13 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,888.77. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.45 point, or less than 0.1 percent, to 16,572.55. The Nasdaq composite fell 38.72 points, or 0.9 percent, to 4,237.74.

In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude for May delivery was up 4 cents to $100.32 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 67 cents Thursday to close at $100.29.

The euro fell to $1.3714 from $1.3720 late Thursday. The dollar was steady at 103.91 yen.

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Boston eyes all-star games, Final Four

In a city that celebrates sports, Mayor Martin J. Walsh is creating an office to lobby for high-profile events such as the X Games, professional all-star games and even the Final Four to come to Boston, a move that could bring in big tourism dollars.

"Boston is such a sports town, and (sports) is such a way of attracting tourists," Walsh told the Herald. "I want to use these opportunities for us to capitalize on these tourism dollars."

The Office of Sports, Entertainment and Special Events will operate under John Barros and the city's economic development department. Walsh said he is eyeing events such as the X Games and professional sports all-star games, as well as bringing hockey's Winter Classic back to Boston. Tony Nunziante, acting director of the former Arts, Tourism and Special Events office, will run the new office.

Patrick Moscaritolo, president of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said sports events can have a significant impact on the economy.

"The major league events, or these huge events like the NCAA Final Four, these are the kinds of things that could really propel the city's industry forward," Moscaritolo said. "That's where you get a lot of spending impact, you get a lot of bang for your buck."

Still, landing the Final Four may be a reach. It's been held in domed football stadiums for at least 10 years, something Boston — or even New England — doesn't have. Boston hosted the Sweet Sixteen in 2012. Moscaritolo said playing host to earlier rounds of the tournament is more likely.

Walsh said a marquee event would not put a strain on the city's amenities.

"We have the hotels, we have the restaurants," Walsh said. "That's the beautiful thing, we have all the infrastructure."

The U.S. Figure Skating Championship was held in Boston in January, and Walsh said attending that event sparked the idea for the sports-focused office.

Next year, the Frozen Four — the NCAA men's hockey tournament — will be held at TD Garden.

Moscaritolo, who has led bids for the Frozen Four and the Women's Final Four, said a focused city office will give the Hub an edge with the leagues and organizations evaluating cities for their high-profile events.

"You rise to the top," Moscaritolo said. "This is a broad, citywide effort that has the mayor's stamp of approval.

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Gaming panel to play hand on host status for Boston

The state Gaming Commission is forging ahead with its plan to rule on whether Boston is a host community to casinos in Revere and Everett after Hub lawyers argued the gaming panel does not have legal standing to make the determination.

"We will proceed with the hearing," commission spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll told the Herald yesterday. "As we have stated previously, the commission has statutory authority to make this decision, and we look forward to resolving this matter quickly."

The commission will discuss a date for the adjudicatory hearing tomorrow, and is sticking with a goal of awarding a casino license in June to either Mohegan Sun's Revere proposal or Wynn Resorts' Everett plan.

Driscoll said the commission has been facilitating information-sharing between the applicants and Boston and hopes to hold a hearing "where everybody will feel like they're prepared with the information that's necessary to support their position."

In a March 25 letter to the commission, city attorney Thomas Frongillo questioned whether the commission had jurisdiction to decide if Boston is a host community. The city is still not entirely on the same page with the commission, asking in a letter Monday for details on tomorrow's discussion, which the commission had said in another letter would include discussion of Boston's status.

"The city requests that the commission provide a more detailed explanation of these statements, which will enable the city to move forward in a thoughtful and productive manner on behalf of its residents including protecting their right to vote," reads the letter by city lawyer Elizabeth Dello Russo.

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Doctors prescribe scribes

Brigham and Women's Hospital is looking to hire medical 
data-entry clerks known as scribes to help doctors spend less time navigating clunky software systems and more time talking to patients.

Brigham already uses a handful of scribes at its Urgent Care Center in Foxboro, which has been welcomed by doctors and patients, according to Dr. Adam Landman, an emergency physician and chief medical information officer at Brigham.

"It lets me sit next to the patient and focus 100 percent of my attention on the patient," Landman said. "There are a few patients who don't want the scribe involved in their care, and then I ask the scribe to leave."

A scribe follows a doctor into a patient visit and takes real-time electronic notes while the doctor and patient talk. A scribe can be particularly helpful in hectic clinics, where health care providers have to move quickly to see lots of patients.

"Scribes allow us, as caregivers, to see and treat patients more efficiently by assisting in the documentation and allowing us to focus on … history-taking, performing exams and medical decision-making," said Dr. Christopher Baugh, who was medical director of Brigham's Urgent Care Center when the scribes were hired.

The growth of modern-day scribes is one way some hospitals and clinics are responding to an environment where doctors by some estimates spend 80 percent of their time clicking and tapping devices and just 20 percent seeing patients. That technology burden is the cause of much dissatisfaction among doctors, according to a recent American Medical Association survey.

Modern-day scribes started becoming popular as electronic health records started replacing paper records.

"The data-entry piece is so time-consuming," said Dr. Michael Murphy, CEO of ScribeAmerica, a Florida-based company that supplies scribes to Brigham and hundreds of other hospitals.

"The physician is basically becoming a data-entry clerk, which is decreasing their productivity. (Scribes) are really a business tool to allow physicians to increase their productivity."

There are about 12,000 scribes across the country, including 3,800 employed by ScribeAmerica, Murphy said. Scribes are rare in Boston's academic medical centers because residents, training to become doctors, often do the work of scribes, he said.

Brigham is working to expand its use of scribes beyond the Urgent Care Center. But that may be a short-term fix, Landman said. The hope is to have an electronic health record system that is so seamless and user-friendly that doctors can use it without sacrificing patient time.

"Do we need to change the way our systems work so that we don't need scribes?" Landman said. "That's the question."

Dr. Keith Dreyer, radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, indicated at a recent forum on medical technology that it could be many years before that happens.

"It's probably going to take a couple decades before this technology is optimized for user experience," he said. "We're in a frustrated user mode today."

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Travel startup specializes in complex trips

If you're tired of the cold and want to get away to someplace — maybe several places, all on the same trip — a new website offers the kind of one-stop shopping that many travel sites aren't designed to handle.

TripzonTravel.com helps you customize a trip with as many destinations as you like, allowing you to both plan and book multiple flights, hotels, car rentals and activities all on the same site.

"We're like an electronic travel professional for people who prefer to do it on their own," said Tripzon founder Christopher Bensley.

After 20 years of working in the travel industry, Bensley never imagined planning a vacation to Costa Rica for his own family would take him weeks of research.

He had to make transactions on six different websites, and when travel dates had to shift by two days, he found the hotels rooms he'd wanted weren't available, so his search started over.

"I thought, there's got to be a better way," said the 53-year-old Boston native.

So he raised $800,000 from family, friends and angel investors — many of them fellow Dartmouth College alumni. And, with a handful of programmers led by one engineer, he developed three different websites: TripzonTravel for travelers, TripzonPro for travel agents and TahitiJourneys for boutique travel to the South Pacific.

What they all have in common is a web application that puts all the information in one place, allowing for customization and multiple transactions.

What makes them different from the big travel search engines is that they use multiple suppliers and have a trip-building tool that allows you to specify your destinations and then add flights, hotels, car rentals, activities and transfers, Bensley said, or you can modify one of Tripzon's pre-designed trips to suit your preferences.

You also can pay for different parts of a trip at different times. To guarantee availability, for example, you can pay for your hotel rooms far in advance, and then add activities and transfers later.

Last fall, Tripzon was one of the top 26 startups in the MassChallenge accelerator and competition, winning free mentoring and office space in Boston's Innovation District.

To date, the company has booked more than 50 trips and made more than $100,000 in revenue and plans to grow its base of users by partnering with tour operators, cruise lines and event planners, Bensley said.

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