The global rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P), on Wednesday, affirmed its 'BBB-' rating with a stable outlook. The development comes within days of Moody's downgrading India to one notch above junk status.
The ratings agency affirmed its 'BBB-' long-term and 'A-3' short-term unsolicited foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on India. The outlook on the long-term rating is stable.
India's rating reflects its above-average real GDP growth, sound external profile, and evolving monetary settings. India's strong democratic institutions promote policy stability and compromise, and also underpin the ratings, S&P said, explaining the rationale for its action.
These strengths are balanced against vulnerabilities stemming from the country's low per capita income and consistently elevated fiscal deficits that contribute to high general government debt, net of liquid assets. India's economy will contract in the fiscal year 2021, largely owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it added.
'We forecast a 5.0% decline in real GDP growth, which would be the worst economic performance in recent history,' S&P said in a statement.
The global economic downturn resulting from the pandemic, along with strict domestic measures aimed at containing the spread of the local epidemic, are hitting the economy hard, and will likely result in a significant fall in activity in the first quarter of this fiscal year.
India's economy is likely to achieve a strong recovery following the deep contraction in this fiscal year; we forecast real GDP growth at 8.5% in fiscal 2022, the agency said.
Productive capacity has been severely disrupted during this period, and millions of workers have left their jobs to return home, sometimes crossing the country to do so. India's labor markets have therefore weakened dramatically, and may take some time to heal, it added.


Marking territory of their own is a crucial element of bear interaction. Bears take a lot of time and effort to place appropriate markings and stake their turf. They leave scratches and gouges, augmented by olfactory urine markings, on the trunks of large, stand-alone trees or big, unusually shaped stumps. Thus they proclaim loud and clear: ‘This is my territory! Do not trespass or you’ll have me to deal with!’ By doing so, they delineate their ‘home turf’ where they find food, shelter and mating partners. This sends a signal to weaker or less confident specimens to seek other habitats, thus reducing the risk of a direct clash between two bears.
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Abstract Scope Aluminothermic reduction of metal oxides commonly known as the thermite process has remained unchanged since its inception in 1893. This reduction process is highly exothermic and has an activation temperature above the melting point of Al at around 660⁰C, with the reactants reaching up to 2000⁰C. We present a variant of the thermite process capable of reducing metal oxides at low temperatures in the range 50⁰C to 600⁰C. Results will be presented for reduction of ZnO, CuO, SnO2, Sb2O5, Fe2O3, NiO, V2O3, Ta2O5 and WO3 with yields up to more than 99%. For most of those oxides, the by-products can be separated from the metal powder products by washing in water. This novel reaction route enables a new simple pathway for reducing metal oxides through solid-solid reactions, directly leading to metal and metal alloy powders and allowing to conserve morphological features from the starting precursors.


Tuesday, 13 August 2019
In a brand-new ranking dominated by US genetics, the Danish-bred Viking bull,
VH Balisto Brook, rises to the top, graduating from the young sire genomic ranking with early milking daughters.
Published today (13 August 2019) by AHDB Dairy, Brook’s Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) of £794 is the highest of the available proven bulls and reflects the high fat and protein percentages in his Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA), at +0.23% and +0.12% respectively. He combines this with breed-leading udder health figures (-40 SCC, -5 Mastitis), reflecting the significant emphasis placed on these traits over many years in the Nordic countries.
Also graduating from the genomic young sire ranking is the new entry in second place,
Bomaz AltaTopshot (PLI £766). This Cogent Supershot son transmits high production figures with 1,187kg milk and 71.2kg combined fat and protein.
The familiar name of
Co-op Robust Cabriolet features in third place, now with 684 UK daughters contributing to his production figures. He excels in calf survival (+4.2), Lameness Advantage (+4.2) and maintenance index (-21), earning him a PLI of £755 at a reliability of 95%, the highest in the top 10.
Former number one sire,
Larcrest Commend, now ranks fourth in this elite group of bulls, with a PLI of £752. With over 100 UK daughters, he transmits high milk solids at 0.20% fat and 0.18% protein.
New in fifth place is the Mr Mogul Delta son,
Siemers Bloomfield, a high daughter Fertility Index bull (+13.1) with good calf survival (+4.1) and long daughter lifespans (+0.7). His PLI is £749 and Type Merit of +2.6 is the second highest in the top 10.
Sixth ranking
View-Home Littlerock maintains a top-10 position with a PLI of £719, as his UK daughter numbers rise to 124.
German-bred
Mocon retains seventh position (PLI £715) while eighth ranking De-Su 12147 Allstar is propelled into the top 10 as 111 more UK milking daughters contribute to his PTAs. This son of Balisto (one of four in the top 10) features a massive 40.3kg protein, to help earn him a PLI of £714.
Ninth placed
Cookiecutter Harper (PLI £713) is a former top 10 sire, while the Mogul son, EDG Rubicon rounds off the top 10. A massive 52.6kg fat (78.4kg fat plus protein) helps to earn him a PLI of £709. With +3.26 points for type, he is also the highest Type Merit sire in the top 10.
Just outside the daughter-proven top 10, newcomer,
AOT Silver Helix may cause a stir, with a breed-leading 88.2kg fat plus protein, while some serious daughter fertility improvements can be expected from the highest FI bulls in the top 25. These bulls – Teemar Shamrock Alphabet (PLI £682) and S-S-I Mogul Multiply (PLI £676) – have Fertility Indexes of +19.6 and +19.1 respectively.
Commenting on the proven bulls, Marco Winters, head of animal genetics for AHDB Dairy, says: “Every one of these daughter-proven bulls has graduated at some point from the young sire genomic ranking, each bull helping to build confidence in the UK and international dairy sire proving systems.
“Producers who choose to keep a few, high-ranking, daughter-proven bulls amongst their service sires can do so in the knowledge that these sires have a reliable track record. But they also serve as a reminder that genomic evaluations are proving their value, as one tranche of young sires follows the next into the proven rankings.”


In this modern era of globalisation where geographical boundaries are no longer a limitation, with shrinking lead times and increasing speed of business, organisations have a greater need for efficient supply chains than ever before.
In this blog I will explore the collaboration features allowing organisations to plan their supply chains effectively and efficiently.Read Article


Number of households privately renting has doubled in 30 years
The number of households renting from private landlords has more than doubled in the past thirty years.
Some 22% of households now rent privately, according to a report from think tank ResPublica.
In 1985 the figure was just 9%.
Conversely, the number of households renting from public landlords has fallen dramatically during the same period.
In 1985, 30% of households rented from public landlords, a figure which has since fallen to 9%.
The report also reveals that owner-occupancy levels are the same now as they were thirty years ago.
In 1985, 61% of households owned their home, the same proportion as today, ResPublica reports.
This is despite a significant drop in the early 2000s.
Earlier this year, the annual English Housing Survey revealed that in 2013/2014 19% of households rented privately, while owner-occupiers accounted for 63% of all households.


Bernard Gauthier
01.06.1996
This article assesses the performance of small-scale manufacturing enterprises during the process of structural adjustment in Cameroon. It seeks to determine whether all segments of the industrial sector have been similarly affected by down-scaling, or whether some categories have adapted better to the liberalization of trade and regulatory parameters. Survey results show that a large segment of the manufacturing sector, mostly larger-scale units originally established within a highly subsidized and protected economic environment, is experiencing difficulty in adapting to liberalization measures. On the other hand, small-scale enterprises, which did not benefit from the same kind of protection as their larger counterparts, are experiencing growth. However, if current trends are maintained, the vitality of the small-scale sector will probably not be sufficient to prevent deindustrialization of the country.


The Federal House of Commons Standing Committee on Health has initiated a study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2) health in Canada. This includes a review of the challenges LGBTQ2 communities face in accessing health services (physical, mental and sexual) across the country. As part of this, the committee invited the public to make written submissions.
With contributions from two BLG lawyers, Daniel GirlandoandJohn McIntyre, and other lawyers across Canada, the Canadian Bar Association's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section and Health Law Section jointly made recommendations on five topics, briefly summarized below and available in full on the CBA website.
Conversion therapy— institute clear criminal and taxation sanctions for those individuals and organizations offering conversion therapy, as the current bans on public funding for conversion therapy in Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Vancouver are not enough to protect children and vulnerable adults; Access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatments— study the cross-Canada public coverage of PrEP (a prophylactic drug linked to a decline in new HIV infections) as part of the federal government's impending national pharmacare plan; Intersex surgery on infants and children — institute criminal prohibitions on genital normalizing surgeries on children with intersex variations until the child can meaningfully participate in the decision (except where there is an immediate risk to the child's health); Eligibility to donate blood— immediately implement the recommendation to reduce the restriction on donations from men who have sex with men to three months after their last sexual contact (instead of one year) and continue to review based on new research and recommendations [note: the Minister of Health announced this change on May 8, 2019]; and Trans health— increase sensitivity and competence training in trans health care issues for providers and fund training for gender confirming surgeries.


COVID-19 could affect CPE reporting deadlines.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) on Tuesday announced that it was recommending state boards of accountancy across the country extend their CPE-completion deadlines to accommodate accountants affected by COVID-19 disruptions. This development comes on the heels of federal, state, and local governments implementing a number of public safety measures designed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
NASBA recommended extending current CPE deadlines to October 31, 2020. “If a CPA’s reporting period ended on March 31, 2020, the licensee would have until October 31, 2020, to complete the CPE requirements for that reporting period,” NASBA explained. “Similarly, if a CPA’s reporting period ended on June 30, 2020, the licensee would have until October 31, 2020, to complete the required CPE.”
As an advocacy and advisory group for state boards of accountancy, NASBA notes in the press release that it does not hold regulatory authority over those bodies. While individual boards of accountancy will make their own determinations concerning CPE deadlines for current and pending licensees, NASBA committed to cataloguing which states extend their CPE deadlines.
In the announcement, NASBA noted that their office—located in Nashville, TN—has already transitioned to remote work, underscoring the challenges faced by businesses across the country.
Source: “CPE Reporting Grace Period Due to COVID-19 – NASBA Recommendations”


A legally mandated, multilateral, mutual assistance scheme for coping with natural disasters has long eluded the community of nations. Instead, ‘disasters without borders’ are managed through a non-binding international humanitarian network. Below, John Hannigan shows that this arrangement has become a victim of the changing geopolitics of security, international development and complex emergencies, and suggests that in its place we must expect a realigned global policy field of natural disasters.
On 15 October, 2013, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, the deadliest in 23 years, struck the central Philippine islands of Cebu and Bohal. The quake seriously damaged churches dating from Spanish colonial times, displaced 344,000 residents, and killed more than two hundred. Within ten days, a ‘“Bohol Earthquake Action Plan’” was up and circulating on ReliefWeb, an information portal for the global humanitarian community administered by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Among those seeking $US 46 million under the Plan are the International Labour Organization, Habitat for Humanity and World Vision. This underscores the widely shared notion of ‘disasters without borders’
1: what happens in one part of the globe resonates elsewhere, socially, economically and politically.
In this article, I will outline how a humanitarian aid model for dealing with disasters became widely accepted in international affairs during the 1970s and 1980s; faltered in the 1990s; and is currently being challenged by a new approach to disaster management wherein risk management and insurance logic replace humanitarian concern as guiding principles.


The world is facing increased levels of humanitarian need with many people being forced to leave their homes. This displacement may occur within their own country or across borders. For increasing numbers of displaced people the reasons for leaving include for their own safety due to war and violence or from environmental disasters. The vulnerabilities these people might face may be intensified by language barriers, social isolation and limited awareness of where to seek help. Understanding the underlying issues, conflicts and pressures which cause migrations may allow developed nations to help prevent them and ameliorate the consequences when they occur.


This paper brings together evidence from various data sources and the most recent studies to describe what we know so far about the impacts of the COVID‐19 crisis on inequalities across several key domains of life, including employment and ability to earn, family life and health. We show how these new fissures interact with existing inequalities along various key dimensions, including socio‐economic status, education, age, gender, ethnicity and geography. We find that the deep underlying inequalities and policy challenges that we already had are crucial in understanding the complex impacts of the pandemic itself and our response to it, and that the crisis does in itself have the potential to exacerbate some of these pre‐existing inequalities fairly directly. Moreover, it seems likely that the current crisis will leave legacies that will impact inequalities in the long term. These possibilities are not all disequalising, but many are.


Abstract
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are characterized by a desynchronization between the intrinsic circadian clock and the extrinsic light-dark cycle. As a result, symptoms of excessive sleepiness and insomnia can lead to significant impairment of daytime functioning. The six currently recognized circadian rhythm sleep disorders may involve either a primary abnormality of the patient's circadian clock or a normal functioning circadian clock with a newly changed external physical environment. Both light therapy and melatonin can be used strategically to realign the patient's endogenous sleep-wake cycle with the preferred sleep-wake schedule. Continued research of the underlying pathophysiology of circadian rhythm sleep disorders may lead to improved treatment strategies.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Psychiatry and Mental health


11. Gëzim Visoka (2016), ‘Peace is what we make of it? Peace-shaping events and ‘non-events”, Peacebuilding , 4(1): 54-70.
Attempts to build peace often fail to achieve the intended outcomes. Such endeavours often lead to unintended effects shaped by multiple factors, events, and actors. This raises the question: if the intentional actions that constitute peace processes do not succeed in bringing about their intended impact, what actually shapes peace? This article argues that peace is shaped by events and non-events within and beyond the liberal peace architecture, as well as being determined by local agents who are not directly or intentionally involved in peacebuilding endeavours. While the success of liberal peace is measured based on the generalised assemblage of selected events, the unintended, unanticipated, and unprevented events that emerge as consequences arising from liberal peace actions are reduced to non-events to minimise responsibility. However, the power of these ignored non-events that occur at local institutional, public, and everyday levels have been crucial to shaping the nature, process, duration, and politics of peacebuilding. Unpacking the politicisation of events and non-events reveals that peace is what we make of it rather than a true reflection of the complex reality in conflict-affected societies. To substantiate this conceptualisation of abstruse peace, this article draws on examples from numerous events and non-events as experienced in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Timor-Leste.


Infant Room Welcome to the Infant Room! Ages: 6 weeks through transition 14-16 months
JMLC understands and practices the importance of attachment. Research indicates that secure attachments and healthy parent child relationships are associated with psychosocial health.
Therefore, insecure attachments result in a wide range of difficulties for the child such as disassociation, unhealthy bonds, depression, fears, poor self regulation, and feelings of isolation.
Poor attachment can be caused by a variety of situations including changes in child care placement. JMLC is dedicated to bonding with infants to promote healthy childhood.
JMLC accepts infants at 6 weeks old and the infant only transitions to the transition classroom when the child is secure and ready for the next step of development. The child transitions into the next classroom based on developmental abilities rather than chronological age.


Uncoated fabrics provide the next level of heat insulation and light absorption. Uncoated fabrics constitute the vast majority of fabrics used in curtains, and are composed of a tightly woven fabric, most typically a cotton/polyester blend, which is mostly opaque when viewed in ambient light. Uncoated fabrics provide a reasonable level of heat insulation due to the tight weave of the fabric. However, the fabric itself is typically not thick enough to completely absorb strong light sources. As a result, when curtains made from uncoated fabrics are closed in an attempt to block out direct sunlight, light will still be visible through the curtain.


Rethinking Cancer UCL Cancer Domain Symposium Monday13 May 2019 UCL Institute of Education Registrationfor the inaugural UCL Cancer Domain Symposium is open
Cancer remains one of the major causes of morbidity and premature death worldwide; one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. UCL has a proud track record in addressing the societal, technical, and health challenges of cancer and in exploring its underling biology.
This symposium, organised by the UCL Cancer Domain, invites our broad community to assemble for the first time at scale to consider challenges and opportunities in cancer research, prevention and treatment, from biological, clinical, technical, economic and societal perspectives. The event showcases our distinctive multidisciplinary expertise and features interactive discussion sessions with our speakers and panels. Talks are scheduled on the following themes:
Cancer evolution: can we beat Nature? Cancer detection: the earlier the better? The cancer treatment revolution and how we afford it
We aredelighted to announce that
Professor Charles Swanton (UCL CancerInstitute and Francis Crick Institute) and Professor Mariana Mazzucato(UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose) will deliver the keynote lecturesat this event. Register your place here: https://ucl-cancer-domain-symposium-2019.eventbrite.com
Join the conversation by tweeting us @UCL_SLMS using the hashtag #UCLCancerDomain


In the aftermath of India’s COVID-19 lockdown, specific groups have emerged as particularly vulnerable to the economic and social consequences of this preventive action. One key group among these are the homeless, who are forced to occupy public spaces and utilise shared facilities, face hunger and are subject to reprisals for violating social distancing. This article outlines Mumbai’s action plan for protecting its 2 lakh homeless from being exposed to Covid-19, and addressing their needs in a time of crisis.
Image by Alvin Decena on Unsplash


[Researchers] have convincingly demonstrated that a subset of individuals in persistent vegetative states have meaningfully functioning minds — even as they remain completely unable to engage in other forms of volitional communication or behavior.
These discoveries have been largely heralded as good news by patients’ family members, neurologists, and advocacy groups. The logic runs like this: If individuals in pseudo-persistent vegetative states can communicate, even in this rudimentary manner, then there is justification for continued care and hope for further recovery.
As a bioethicist, I fear that this optimism may be blinding us to a genuine moral horror: being trapped in this way may be a form of unwitting medical torture.
…
So what we are actually asked to decide, in cases where a patient’s wishes are unknown, is how to balance the prospect of contact via fMRI, or even recovery, against the possibility that the patient is trapped incommunicado in a persistent vegetative state and suffering psychological torment for years. That is no easy choice. But it is also not clear that the default should be preserving life, since it comes with the risk of perpetuating torture.


Seriphos
$41.00
Research indicates that serine phosphate derivatives can reverse hypothalmic-pituitary resistance to cortisol feedback in cases of cortisol hypersecretion. It is also indicated in conditions of memory deficit. Indicated in cognitive decline, senile dementia and mild cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Seriphos is an Adaptogen and adrenal support formula that contains key nutrients for stress resiliency including phosphoserine, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. This formula assists in balancing cortisol when levels are elevated due to acute or chronic stress.*
******
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 capsule daily with water 15 minutes before meal, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. If pregnant, consult your physician before using this or any other product. - See Quantity: 100 Capsules Ingredients:
Other ingredients: Gelatin capsule Milk, Soy, Egg, WheatDoes Not Contain: Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, not to exceed 77 F. Keep out of reach of children.


Each Vegetarian Capsule contains: Citicoline 250 mg Choline (bitartrate) 14 mg Non-medicinal ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide. Capsule: Hypromellose. Contains no wheat, gluten, corn, nuts, dairy, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish or any animal byproducts. Dosage: Take 2 capsules daily with/without food, or as directed by a health care practitioner. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 3 months. AOR AOR, Citicoline 264mg 60 Vcaps
$47.99
AOR, Citicoline
Citicoline plays a crucial role in the Kennedy pathway, by which the body synthesizes phosphatidylcholine (PC) and, ultimately, other phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine (PS). By supporting the body’s synthesis of new phospholipids in youthful, physiological balance, Citicoline supports brain structure. Extensive research supports the role of Citicoline in supporting optimal cognitive function.


It is easy to neglect your property, however one of the best ways to retain its value is to take care of it. That does mean fixing repairs when they are needed and carrying out regular maintenance checks.
Here are our top tips on how to take care of your property all year round, from spring to winter. Spring External; - Clear gutters of leaves and debris to prevent issues caused by rainfall. - Check the roof for moss growth and loose or missing tiles. - Monitor the condition of exterior paintwork. - Make sure windows are cleaned regularly and check the condition of the glass and frames. - Maintain any decking, cleaning it annually to prevent a build-up of moss. - Clean any external decoration such as pots or stone work. Internal; - Pull furniture away from walls to air your living spaces, also check for damp and mould patches. - Open your windows to ventilate your home, preventing stale air and increased moisture. - Take down any curtains and blinds for a deep clean. - Check internal pipes for signs of leaks. - Check your loft for any signs of damage such as misaligned roof tiles and water ingress. Summer External; - Carry out exterior decorating jobs, the warmer weather will allow things to dry quicker. - Maintain your garden- trim ivy and other climbing plants to reduce the likelihood of damage and cut back any large trees and shrubs near the house. - Tackle any roof issues before the winter months draw in. Internal; - Get your boiler serviced and bleed your radiators in time for the cooler months. - Ensure your curtains and window are open to circulate fresh air into your home. - Monitor your loft for signs of pests, wasp nests are very common during this season. - If you have an open fire or wood burner, ensure your chimney is swept and prepared to be used during the winter months. Autumn External; - Clear your gutter during the end of autumn as trees will have dropped their leaves. - Insulate any outside pipes or taps ready for those frosty mornings. - Inspect your drains and be clear of any issues. Internal; - Check draught proofing around doors and windows. - Check that you have the correct about of insulation in your loft- aim for a minimum depth of 270mm. Winter External; - Check for any cracks in exterior walls that could be made worse by ice. - Check for any storm damage i.e. trees and fences, ensure these are not damaging your property. - Check your roof tiles after any high winds, they may have come loose or even fallen off. Internal; - Wipe away any signs of condensation, as this could lead to damp and rot. - Use extractor fans or leave windows on the latch to prevent moisture building up in your bathroom or kitchen. - Check your pipes regularly after a cold snap. These checks and fixes will keep your home in the condition that it deserves, a little TLC goes a long way- give these tips a try!


TY - BOOK ID - 46843 TI - Historical and Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Hope AU - van den Heuvel, Steven C. PY - 2020 SN - 9783030464899 DB - DOAB KW - Positive Psychology KW - Moral Philosophy KW - Sociology of Religion KW - Christian Theology KW - Heterodox Economics KW - Moral Philosophy and Applied Ethics KW - Hope Theory KW - Hope Theory and Positive Psychology KW - Hope and Human Economic Behaviour KW - Cognitive Psychology KW - Philosophy and Theology of Hope KW - Hope Development in Western Countries KW - Hope Research KW - Hope and Health Studies KW - Open Access KW - Positive psychology KW - Ethics & moral philosophy KW - Religion & beliefs KW - Sociology & anthropology KW - Christianity KW - Theology KW - Economic theory & philosophy UR - https://www.doabooks.org/doab?func=search&query=rid:46843 AB - This open access volume makes an important contribution to the ongoing research on hope theory by combining insights from both its long history and its increasing multi-disciplinarity. In the first part, it recognizes the importance of the centuries-old reflection on hope by offering historical perspectives and tracing it back to ancient Greek philosophy. At the same time, it provides novel perspectives on often-overlooked historical theories and developments and challenges established views. The second part of the volume documents the state of the art of current research in hope across eight disciplines, which are philosophy, theology, psychology, economy, sociology, health studies, ecology, and development studies. Taken together, this volume provides an integrated view on hope as a multi-faced phenomenon. It contributes to the further understanding of hope as an essential human capacity, with the possibility of transforming our human societies. ER -


OUR APPROACH
One Size Does Not Fit All.
We approach inclusion and diversity management through a multidisciplinary lens that includes research and methods from sociology, psychology, neuroscience, political science, organizational behavior, education, economics, and other disciplines.
By embedding inclusion into processes, policies, and culture, we help build a workspace that leverages human differences, works to increase organizational efficiencies and effectiveness and ensures employees feel valued, respected, and connected to your organization and its business objectives. DIAGNOSTIC & BENCHMARKING
The journey starts with diagnostic and benchmark assessments designed to identify unique strengths and opportunities. We use quantitative data to pinpoint where barriers exist, conduct qualitative research to understand why they exist, and then create a tailored strategy to nurture a culture of inclusion that promotes and sustains diversity and equity
REFRAME BIAS
Unconscious bias is a significant barrier not only to diversity and inclusion, but to effective decision-making, team collaboration, and management. Our customized program facilitates awareness and fosters an organizational culture that assumes and accepts bias is inherent in human decision-making. We create effective team-based practices to identify biases as they emerge, and counteract them on the fly, thus mitigating their impact.
CULTURE OF INCLUSION
True inclusivity demands an ongoing focus on the intrinsic value of a human-centric workplace and an action plan for creating a culture of belonging. Shaped by the feedback and data we retrieve during diagnostics, our inclusion prescription will provide specific strategies employees can use to cultivate a sense of belonging and equip managers and leaders with the knowledge and skills to build inclusive high-performing teams.


High-resolution IMS-MS under low-field conditions in a pressure- and temperature-controlled IMS drift cell allows separation of multiple protein conformers.
Over the last decade, numerous papers have reported IMS-MS investigations of biomolecules, especially proteins. In these studies, IMS-MS is used to probe the three-dimensional shape of biomolecules as well as the composition, stoichiometry, and arrangement of units in biomolecular complexes. Yet, the majority of these studies were conducted either on drift-tube IMS instruments that do not operate under low-field conditions or on travelling wave IMS (TWAVE or TWIMS) instruments. Use of such instruments can lead to artifacts due to collisionally-induced heating and imprecise measurements of collision cross sections.
The TOFWERK IMS-TOF is a drift-tube based IMS-MS instrument that operates under low-field conditions with a high pressure- and temperature-controlled IMS cell. This ensures that native conditions are preserved during the ion mobility separation. Additionally, the IMS-TOF exhibits superior ion mobility resolution, thus allowing deeper insight into the conformational diversity of biomolecules. This is demonstrated here for the calcium-binding protein calmodulin, an essential and ubiquitous messenger protein. Calmodulin is activated by binding Ca
2+ ions which substantially changes the structure of the protein and therefore its interactions within signalling pathways.
Analysis with the IMS-TOF reveals the conformational complexity of calmodulin. The data below were obtained either under denaturating conditions (apo; “no Calcium”) or under native ESI conditions (halo; “Calcium-bound”). Nitrogen was used as the buffer gas and the drift-tube was operated at 1000 mbar, 30°C and a reduced field- strength of 2 Td.


Extreme climate events such as droughts and heat waves exert strong impacts on ecosystems and human well-being. Estimations of the risks of climate extremes typically focus on one variable in isolation. In this study, we present a method to examine the likelihood of concurrent extreme temperature and precipitation modes at the interannual scale, including compound cool/dry and cool/wet events during the cold season as well as compound hot/dry and hot/wet events during the warm season.


How To Handle Coronavirus As A Small Business Owner thenshow symptoms, which poses a few problems. Despite what you hear on the news, you don't need to clean out the grocery store of their toilet paper, water, and canned goods and prepare for the end of times. However, you do need to take a couple precautions like washing your hands, covering your coughs and staying out of crowded spaces.
As a business owner, you're in a unique situation as you're not only responsible for your own safety around the virus, but your employees as well. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about what to do.
Decide if you are keeping your doors open Have enough resources to support a remote-centric environment Make sure all cleaning supplies are stocked up Have a business continuity plan in place


ABOUT
Brad Upham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. His research program focuses on how carcinogens alter cell signaling.
Dr. Upham received his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. He completed his postdoctoral training at the USDA and Louisiana State University. Additionally, he holds two Master’s degrees – one in Botany and the other in Environmental Toxicology and Engineering. He joined MSU as an Assistant Professor and leads the Research Translation Core at the MSU Superfund Research Program Center (MSU-SRP). This center focuses on the toxicology of dioxin and similar compounds identified as environmental contaminants in Michigan’s Tri-Cities.
RESEARCH
Dr. Upham’s research investigates how environmental contaminants alter cell signaling pathways at the molecular level to produce adverse health outcomes, with particular emphasis on carcinogens. He also studies how natural products interact with these cell signaling pathways to prevent the toxic effects of environmental contaminants.


The Department of Education (DOE) has provided clarity on the reporting requirements for foreign gifts to and contracts with American universities after stepping up its scrutiny of such funding. DOE’s increased concern with foreign funding for universities has led to the arrest of a Harvard professor, who is charged with concealing payments he received from the Chinese government for research.
Section 117 of the Higher Education Act requires that institutions report to the federal government any gift or contract with a foreign source valued at $250,000 or more “considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign source within a calendar year.” In December, DOE issued a statement reminding universities of their obligations under the Act and announcing a new reporting system. DOE also requested a budgetary review of its new system from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and called for public comment.
After receiving 41 comments, DOE responded with explanations about several issues on which higher education associations had previously sought clarification. For example, it confirmed that there is a rebuttable presumption that foreign gifts and contracts received through legal entities, such as foundations that operate substantially for the benefit for or under the auspices of a university, must be disclosed. DOE further explained that universities must disclose the name and address of the specific foreign source and unredacted copies of any contract with a foreign source, but it will not make this information publicly available. For donors who wish to remain anonymous, DOE explained that “their names and addresses must be shared with the Department to the extent that the institution has or could reasonably obtain the donor’s identity” but such information will also not become public.
While contracts that involve payment from a foreign source to an institution are reportable, contracts that involve the transfer of funds from an institution to a foreign source are not reportable, according to DOE. Additionally, reportable contracts include intellectual property license fees from a foreign source of a university patent. DOE also noted that if a foreign source pays tuition for students and the payment meets the $250,000 threshold, such payment is considered a “contract” and is reportable.
DOE previously sent letters to several American universities requesting information about gifts from and contracts with foreign sources such as China, Qatar, and Russia. Foreign funding for U.S. universities has come under increasing scrutiny amid concerns of foreign influence in the U.S., including reports of Russian meddling in U.S. elections and censorship by the Chinese government. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also addressed foreign influence in the U.S. through aggressive enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Image by Harvard University


Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
James DeGregori, Paul Pharoah, Peter Sasieni, Charles Swanton
Screening leads to meaningful reductions in deaths from cancers. However, reductions in all-cause mortality (ACM) are harder to demonstrate. Failure to demonstrate ACM benefit should not diminish advances in cancer screening. We consider how co-morbidities related to an aging and damaged soma can hinder achievement of ACM benefit.


Link to Pubmed [PMID] – 33022088 Link to DOI [DOI] – 10.1111/1462-2920.15271
Environ Microbiol 2020 Oct; ():
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are inhabited by complex communities of microbes and their viruses. Despite the importance of viruses in controlling the diversity, adaptation and evolution of their microbial hosts, to date, only eight bacterial and two archaeal viruses isolated from abyssal ecosystems have been described. Thus, our efforts focused on gaining new insights into viruses associated with deep-sea autotrophic archaea. Here, we provide the first evidence of an infection of a hyperthermophilic methanogenic archaea by a head-tailed virus, Methanocaldococcus fervens tailed virus 1 (MFTV1). MFTV1 has an isometric head of 50 nm in diameter and a 150 nm-long non-contractile tail. Virions are released continuously without causing a sudden drop in host growth. MFTV1 infects Methanocaldococcus species and is the first hyperthermophilic head-tailed virus described thus far. The viral genome is a double-stranded linear DNA of 31 kb. Interestingly, our results suggest potential strategies adopted by the plasmid pMEFER01, carried by M. fervens, to spread horizontally in hyperthermophilic methanogens. The data presented here opens a new window of understanding on how the abyssal mobilome interacts with hyperthermophilic marine archaea. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33022088


Languages are a key part of our European identity and culture. Linguistic diversity is supported and celebrated as part of the EU’s motto “United in Diversity”. However, the EU alone has 24 official languages, which can lead to language barriers, hampering the free flow of ideas, information, commerce and culture. The German EU Council Presidency Translator will address this challenge during the upcoming German EU Council Presidency.
The free online machine translation service can be used to translate websites, documents or text directly entered on the translator page from and into all EU languages, allowing EU citizens to communicate across languages and borders.
The Translator is developed using German and European high-tech AI. It uses systems from leading Centers of Excellence and companies like the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), DeepL and
Tilde as well as with eTranslation, the European Commission's machine translation system. It is funded by the Federal Foreign Office.
The German EU Council Presidency Translator was released on July 1st, 2020 and will remain available online for the whole duration of the German EU Council Presidency. For further information, please visit presidencymt.eu/page/about. If you have any questions about the German EU Council Presidency Translator or if you require technical assistance, please contact info@presidencymt.eu.
Link to translation service: https://www.presidencymt.eu Link to the website of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union: https://www.eu2020.de/eu2020-en


The International Finance Corporation – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has announced an investment up to $100 million in Nigeria’s Zenith Bank Plc. To help it increase support to clients and companies whose cash flows have been disrupted by challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
IFC’s loan to Zenith Bank is its first investment in Africa through its COVID-19 fast-track financing support package. The funding will help Zenith, an existing IFC client, overcome challenges resulting from ongoing, limited access to foreign currency, working capital, and trade funding.
Zenith will support dozens of businesses in Nigeria’s health, pharmaceuticals, food, and trading sectors, allowing them to strengthen operations, maintain employment, and critical access imports of goods, commodities, and raw materials during these challenging economic times.
Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, said, “IFC’s support is essential and will help us respond to challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will allow us to support compelling export initiatives and trade financing for critical goods and materials, especially for the medical and pharmaceuticals sectors. Our partnership with IFC is strong, and we are committed to its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements.”
The closure of borders, shutting of businesses, and reduced global trade-related to COVID-19 are affecting Nigeria’s economy and others across Africa, with the World Bank predicting Africa’s first recession in 25 years.
IFC’s loan to Zenith is part of its $8 billion global fast-track financing package, announced in March to support business activity and preserve jobs in the face of COVID-19. Close to 300 clients have requested support globally.
Eme Essien Lore, IFC Country Manager in Nigeria, said, “IFC’s support for Nigeria’s banking sector will help keep the wheels of Nigeria’s economy turning at a time when it is facing a major challenge from COVID-19. Our experience from past shocks, including the global financial crisis in 2008, has taught us that keeping companies solvent is key to saving jobs and limiting economic damage.”
Zenith has more than 400 branches in Nigeria and serves over 9 million corporate and individual clients within its global footprint. IFC’s overall portfolio in Nigeria stands at $1.3 billion, in sectors including manufacturing, financial services, infrastructure, and technology.


Abstract reb genes code for R-bodies: large, extendable polymers that are known for their roles in obligate endosymbioses. In the non-endosymbiotic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, reb homologues are part of a cluster found in virulent strains. Here, we demonstrate that R-bodies are produced in abundance by P. aeruginosa PA14 subpopulations during biofilm growth, identify regulators of reb gene expression, and show that reb genes are required for full colonization and virulence in host models. Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.


Thyroid over-replacement may increase atrial fibrillation, stroke risks
CHICAGO— Among a large cohort of adults prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy, those with low thyroid-stimulating hormone levels had more atrial fibrillation and strokes, according to study data presented at the American Thyroid Association annual meeting.
Maria Papaleontiou
“Our study provides new insights on the risks of atrial fibrillation and stroke in patients being treated with exogenous thyroid hormone,”
Maria Papaleontiou, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes at the University of Michigan, told Endocrine Today. “We found that despite controlling for known cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, etc, low serum TSH was associated with both incident atrial fibrillation and stroke.”
Papaleontiou and colleagues analyzed data from the Corporate Data Warehouse of the Veterans Health Administration collected between 2004 and 2017 on 756,555 adults who were prescribed thyroxine alone or T
4 plus liothyronine. Patients with thyroid cancer and those with medications that alter thyroid function tests, such as amiodarone, were excluded
All patients had at least two available TSH measurements, and 29% of them had at least one measurement less than 0.5 mIU/L, indicating over-replacement, according to Papaleontiou. Among the entire cohort, 10.5% had atrial fibrillation and 2.4% experienced a stroke.
Using multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects models, the researchers found that incident atrial fibrillation was statistically significantly associated with lower vs. higher TSH level (OR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.97), older vs. younger age (e.g. age ≥85 years: OR = 9.46; 95% CI, 8.98-9.96 compared to age 18-49) and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.69-1.78). Similarly, stroke was significantly associated with lower TSH (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99) even when adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors including history of prior atrial fibrillation.
“Low TSH was independently associated with incident stroke in thyroid hormone users, even when controlling for prior history of atrial fibrillation, the most common mechanism thought to lead to stroke in hyperthyroidism,” Papaleontiou said. “This suggests that there may be additional mechanisms leading to increased risk of stroke in patients who are over-replaced with thyroid hormone.” –
by Jill Rollet Reference:
Papaleontiou, M. Oral Abstract 12. Presented at: 89th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association; Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2019; Chicago.
Disclosure: Papaleontiou reports no relevant financial disclosures.


Advice for dating an older man
They explain that a change in mindset is essential for women over 60 who want to find romance.In my recent interview with dating coach, David Wygant, he suggested that men are often the ones who lack confidence and suffer from fear of rejection.A healthy sex life can include giving pleasure in many ways: using words, kissing, erotic touch, oral sex, even sex toys.
These days, women expect to get as much pleasure as men do from sex and the older man might need a while to adjust to that idea.
In fact, older men and women are often more comfortable with their bodies and more knowledgeable about what a partner might enjoy. ED is often caused by clogging or tightening of the blood vessels leading to the penis, which in turn leads to poor functioning of the erectile tissue. As many as half of American men aged 40 to 70 have had some degree of erectile difficulty. These men cannot get or maintain an erection at all.
And the confidence that comes with aging can be very sexy. The likelihood of developing ED increases with age. Certain medications, including some blood pressure medicines, can also contribute to ED.
He says that older women have the power to make a connection that turns into a dating opportunity.
For example, three simple ideas for creating dating opportunities include smiling genuinely, approaching men first and learning the art of flirting.
Well, many women would argue that the same comment applies to dating after 60.


In this session, you’ll hear about topics such as how Americans plan for financial security and retirement and whether they feel it needs improvement, where young professionals are on the road to financial security and if they’re moving in the right direction, attitudes toward student loan debt, money and financial decision making, and how people prioritize where their money is spent, the financial state of individuals and the country as a whole, and how long people plan to work, whether this is by necessity or choice, and their preparedness to live long lives. The session will be interactive and engaging.
Ihssane is the President and Co-Founder of Connecticut Young Professionals. He formulates and implements the strategic plan that guides the direction of CTYP. With a tremendous commitment to the community, he connects groups and individuals to CTYP for mutual benefit.
As a Financial Adviser, Ihssane cultivates relationships with responsible and successful individuals and business owners who are seeking guidance on how to achieve current financial success and how to grow to protect and preserve their assets over the long term. Whether the focus is family or business, Ihssane works with individuals to identify financial goals, provide solutions to help them reach those goals, and how to implement these suggestions.


We are in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night Jesus is arrested. He has been praying, speaking with His Father about what is to come. That's something we should consider: Jesus has no sin to interfere with His relationship and His understanding of God's will. He knows.
He still takes time to pray. And do we?
His prayer is first for the current disciples. They are going to face difficulties and Jesus is well aware of those challenges. He knows that they will be persecuted and executed for obeying Him. And this is not "you can't have a discount on your airline tickets" inconvenience but true persecution: prisons, pain, death.
A key component is John 17:19 where Jesus speaks of sanctification coming through truth. We tend to think in other terms, more subjective terms than "truth." Or, these days, people speak of "their truth" as if truth is something that can shift from person to person. That's not truth. Truth is static, fixed--understandings can change, what people perceive to be truth can change--but truth does not shift. If Jesus is the truth (see John 14:6), then becoming like Christ is connected to seeking the unchangeable truth.
The pursuit of truth, then, is part of the Christian life. There is nothing inherently Christian about remaining in ignorance nor of neglecting the knowledge that God has made available. Neither is there a virtue to pursuing knowledge exclusive of the Creator---if Jesus is the truth then ultimate understanding must, by nature, include Him.
This is why our worship-filled lives as Christians must involve a great deal of wonder at so much. The specific, special revelation that is the Word of God must not be neglected and indeed must reach first place. But the remainder of the general revelation in Creation must be studied, the amazing things at human creativity can achieve, all belong within the bounds of what we study and appreciate.
From there, Jesus goes on to pray for all those who will believe from the preaching of the disciples. I would recommend that you pick up from this that Jesus knew there would be a length of time between His ascension and return. And that the disciples should have known that as well--be careful with the view that suggests the disciples expected an immediate return. It is likely that they did, at times, become frustrated that Jesus did not come back as soon as they wanted. My word--that hits many a preacher when the Lord does not return on Saturday night! However, I don't think we give the disciples enough credit for the Holy Spirit working in them after the Resurrection.
Still, we are in the line of those who believed because of the preaching of the disciples. That puts us in those Jesus prays for. Perhaps, then, we should examine what He prayed for and see what it would look like to obey His words. He prays for unity and love--these are not mystical moments that will just happen. We can choose to obey, choose to seek unity in His truth. Or we can not.
Then comes my favorite part of this reading: the arrest of Jesus. Why? Look at John 18:5-6. The arresting posse shows up to take Jesus, He asks who they seek--and they say "Jesus of Nazareth." His answer is two words in Greek:
"I am."
Seriously. That's His answer. The same name that God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3. Jesus demonstrates His unity with God with this. And then take a look at what happens to the crowd:
They fall down. Some interpreters take this to mean they deliberately fell at His "blasphemy." I take it the other way: at the Word of Jesus, they are struck down. They cannot stand in His presence. It's not their choice. It is His power.
And Peter thinks that his sword will help...
We do the same thing. Our swords, our scheming, our plans--all of these are useless compared to the Word of God. There comes a time to lay down our titles, our labels, our methods, and our personal views aside for the sake of the Word of God.


Growth Trends for Related Jobs
A real estate transaction coordinator functions as a liaison between real estate agents, clients, escrow companies and mortgage brokers during the process of a real estate sale. Many real estate brokerages hire transaction coordinators to effectively manage the administrative tasks involved in closing a sale, according to Clareity Consulting.
Education and Job Prerequisites
Real estate transaction coordinators can be either licensed or unlicensed real estate agents. Benefits of having a real estate license include a potential for increased pay and the ability to communicate more effectively with agents and clients. Unlicensed real estate transaction coordinators cannot negotiate or disclose pricing terms to clients. Regardless of licensing, a real estate transaction coordinator needs a solid clerical or administrative background and some knowledge of real estate as a job prerequisite. Formal training is not necessarily required, nor is any specific college degree.
Escrow Duties
A real estate transaction coordinator receives a ratified purchase contract from an agent, opens the escrow and supplies the escrow or title officer with the necessary information to begin the process of managing the file. The real estate transaction coordinator arranges for pickup of the initial deposit money. Additionally, the real estate transaction coordinator sends the cooperating agent any necessary disclosures required by law.
Time Frames and Deadlines
Transaction coordinators are in charge of creating timelines for important dates such as deadlines for loan and inspection contingency removals. A few days before a deadline, the real estate transaction coordinator calls or emails a reminder to the real estate agent, so that all responsibilities are met. Sometimes a real estate transaction coordinator orders a natural hazard disclosure statement on behalf of the seller or schedules a home inspection for a buyer.
Administrative Tasks
Administrative work is a big part of the real estate transaction coordinator's work. Duties include maintaining the file to ensure all the mandatory disclosures are completed and sent to the cooperating agent or broker for the client’s review and approval. As each document returns by mail, fax or email, the real estate transaction coordinator checks for all initials, signatures and dates before marking the disclosures as complete and filing them. Additionally, a real estate transaction coordinator calls the agents and other parties to remind them of missing documents.
Quality Control
Transaction coordinators ensure the smooth and efficient management of the steps necessary to close a sale. A client or agent often relies on a real estate transaction coordinator to monitor and assess the progress of the sale so that important deadlines are met and contingencies are released. Furthermore, a real estate transaction coordinator provides a preliminary audit of the file for the managing broker to review.
Additional Duties
Some real estate transaction coordinators produce marketing for agents, such as ''Just Sold'' postcards or monthly newsletters. Other real estate transaction coordinators are licensed agents who can assist the agent with renegotiating terms after a pest inspection reveals wood rot damage that needs to be fixed before a loan funds.
References
Writer Bio
Angela Lam Turpin has been a writer for 20 years. Her articles and essays have appeared in "San Jose Mercury News," "The Sun," and in the book, "Wild Child: Girlhoods in the Counterculture" (Seal Press). She is a licensed Realtor (CA Dept of Real Estate License #01201734) experienced with residential sales, mortgage loans, and foreclosures.
Photo Credits
michaeljung/iStock/Getty Images


Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of olanzapine versus aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia. Method: Patients aged 18 to 65 years with schizophrenia (diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria) were randomly assigned to either olanzapine (n = 281) or aripiprazole (n = 285) for 28 weeks of double-blind treatment. The primary outcome was time to all-cause discontinuation. Efficacy was measured by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total change from baseline. Time-to-event data were analyzed via the Kaplan-Meier method. The study was conducted from October 2003 to July 2007. Results: Treatment groups did not differ significantly in time to all-cause discontinuation (p = .067) or all-cause discontinuation rate (olanzapine, 42.7% vs. aripiprazole, 50.2%; p = .053). Olanzapine-treated patients had significantly longer time to efficacy-related discontinuation (p < .001) and a significantly lower efficacy-related discontinuation rate (olanzapine, 8.9% vs. aripiprazole, 16.8%; p = .006). Olanzapine-treated patients had a significantly greater mean decrease (last observation carried forward) in PANSS total score (-30.2) than did aripiprazole-treated patients (-25.9, p = .014). Olanzapine-treated patients had a mean weight change of +3.4 kg (vs. +0.3 kg for aripiprazole-treated patients; p < .001) and a significantly greater incidence of ≥ 7% body weight gain at any time (40.3% vs. 16.4%; p < .001). Fasting mean glucose change was +4.87 mg/dL for olanzapine and +0.90 mg/dL for aripiprazole (p = .045). Incidence of baseline glucose < 100 mg/dL and ≥ 126 mg/dL at any time was 1.7% for olanzapine and 0.6% for aripiprazole (p = .623). Fasting mean total cholesterol change was +4.09 mg/dL for olanzapine and -9.85 mg/dL for aripiprazole (p < .001). Incidence of baseline total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL and ≥ 240 mg/dL at any time was 9.2% for olanzapine and 1.5% for aripiprazole (p = .008). Fasting mean triglycerides change was +25.66 mg/dL for olanzapine and -17.52 mg/dL for aripiprazole (p < .001). Treatment groups did not significantly differ on measures of extrapyramidal symptoms. Conclusion: Treatment groups did not differ significantly on the primary outcome. Olanzapine-treated patients had significantly greater improvement in symptom efficacy at 28 weeks as well as significantly greater mean increases in weight and glucose and significantly greater worsening on lipids parameters. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00088049.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Psychiatry and Mental health


Monday, October 7, 2019
The GAO recently released a new report, Social Security Benefits: SSA Needs to Improve Oversight of Organizations that Manage Money for Vulnerable Beneficiaries. Here are the highlights:
What GAO Found
The Social Security Administration (SSA) approves organizational payees—such as nursing homes or non-profits that manage the Social Security benefits of individuals unable to do so on their own—by assessing a range of suitability factors, such as whether the organizations have adequate staff to manage benefits for multiple individuals. However, GAO found that SSA's policy does not specify how to assess more complex suitability factors, such as whether an organization demonstrates sound financial management. Without clearer guidance, unqualified or ill-prepared organizational payees could be approved to manage benefits. Also, SSA does not currently require background checks for key employees of an organizational payee. In contrast, SSA requires background checks for individual payees—such as a relative or friend of the beneficiary. A comprehensive evaluation could help SSA determine whether and how to expand their use of background checks to organizational payees.
To ensure organizational payees are managing funds appropriately, SSA uses several monitoring tools, including resource-intensive onsite reviews. Certain organizational payees, such as those that charge fees for their services or have 50 or more beneficiaries (high-volume), receive onsite reviews every 3 to 4-years. In contrast, payees that serve fewer than 50 beneficiaries (low-volume)—the vast majority—are selected for review based on their estimated likelihood of misusing beneficiary funds, and a relatively low percent of them receive onsite reviews (see figure). SSA uses a predictive statistical model to identify higher risk low-volume payees, but the model's effectiveness cannot be fully assessed by GAO or others due to missing documentation on how it was designed. SSA officials said they will update the model in the future, but do not have a time frame for doing so. Establishing such a time frame and documenting design decisions are key steps toward assessing the model's effectiveness.
. . .
What GAO Recommends
GAO is making nine recommendations in this report, including that SSA: clarify how to assess complex suitability factors; assess requiring background checks for organizational payees; establish a timeframe for reviewing the predictive model and document design decisions resulting from that review; and establish timeframes for, and conduct revisions of the accounting form. SSA agreed with all nine recommendations and provided technical comments that GAO incorporated as appropriate.
The full report is available here.
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/elder_law/2019/10/new-report-ssa-needs-more-oversight-of-those-who-handle-vulnerable-beneficiaries-.html


This study , published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, analyses clinical data for 87 patients with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis of MWS, including 62 previously reported patients and 25 unpublished cases, and compared them with patients previously reported by other authors. The data was obtained through collaborations involving clinicians from various countries. Such primary data have never been collated from a large cohort of affected individuals. In this article we present a comprehensive study of MWS features underlining a highly consistent phenotype for the disease, its genotype–phenotype correlations, and the phenotypic and clinical evolution taking place with age. The purpose of the article is to assist clinicians to identify the disease and to provide them with updated care recommendations for patient management.


The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved a renewable natural gas (RNG) program for Peoples Gas System, marking the first time a Florida natural gas utility will offer biogas producers the option of delivering RNG into its distribution system.
As the PSC explains, RNG – biogas that has been processed to meet pipeline quality standards – is produced from materials such as wastewater treatment plants, landfills, municipal solid waste, livestock manure, and agricultural waste. Peoples Gas has been approached by landfill operators and wastewater treatment plant owners who want to deliver RNG into the utility’s distribution system.
According to the PSC, the biogas producer could use the RNG onsite or contract with a customer who will purchase the RNG from the biogas producer. Potential customers may include compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations and industrial customers, or Peoples could purchase the RNG, thus displacing a portion of traditional (geologic) natural gas with RNG.
Potential RNG projects include waste-to-energy requests for proposals issued by local governments, including Hillsborough, Polk, and Volusia Counties, and the City of St. Petersburg to reuse gas that now escapes into the atmosphere or is flared (burned off).
“We are excited to be the first utility in Florida – and among the first in the country – to offer this innovative new service,” says T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas, in a press release. “This is a win for the environment, a win for our customers, and a win for the communities we serve.”
The PSC unanimously approved the new utility service, which will offer the opportunity for Peoples Gas to clean, condition and transport a customer’s biogas. According to the utility, the new conditioning service is expected to be available to customers in 2018.


Providing monetary and non-monetary goods to research participants in Zambia
Factors considered when offering monetary goods
- compensation for time, transport, parking etc.
- required by Research Ethics Committee
- difficulty in recruiting
- wage rate
Factors considered when offering non-monetary goods
- advised by the community
- used previously by self or colleague
- required by Research Ethics Committee
- reward participants for their time
- food offered as lunch
- non-monetary goods deemed more appropriate
- difficulty in recruiting
All participating Research Ethics Committees confirmed that they review health research involving human participants and most of them were unable to provide the policy for review.
# Global Bioethics


►▼Show Figures
Hydrogel-based bio-inks have recently attracted more attention for 3D printing applications in tissue engineering due to their remarkable intrinsic properties, such as a cell supporting environment. However, their usually weak mechanical properties lead to poor printability and low stability of the obtained structures. To obtain good shape fidelity, current approaches based on extrusion printing use high viscosity solutions, which can compromise cell viability. This paper presents a novel bio-printing methodology based on a dual-syringe system with a static mixing tool that allows in situ crosslinking of a two-component hydrogel-based ink in the presence of living cells. The reactive hydrogel system consists of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and partially oxidized hyaluronic acid (HAox) that undergo fast self-covalent crosslinking via Schiff base formation. This new approach allows us to use low viscosity solutions since in situ gelation provides the appropriate structural integrity to maintain the printed shape. The proposed bio-ink formulation was optimized to match crosslinking kinetics with the printing process and multi-layered 3D bio-printed scaffolds were successfully obtained. Printed scaffolds showed moderate swelling, good biocompatibility with embedded cells, and were mechanically stable after 14 days of the cell culture. We envision that this straightforward, powerful, and generalizable printing approach can be used for a wide range of materials, growth factors, or cell types, to be employed for soft tissue regeneration.View Full-Text
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited


Focal muscular atrophy (FMA) has various causes and, hence, various signs and symptoms.
Muscle wasting is probably the presenting symptom when the onset is insidious (see images below). Weakness may not be a primary symptom in these patients.A man with neuralgic amyotrophy presenting with wasting of deltoids involving the right side more than the left.A middle-aged man with (atypical) anterior horn cell disease presenting with wasting of the right quadriceps.
Muscle weakness occurs when the onset is more abrupt.
Distal weakness in the upper limbs may manifest with the following difficulties: opening jars, holding tightly to a pencil, typing, fingering a musical instrument, buttoning a shirt, or tying shoelaces.
Proximal weakness in upper limbs may manifest with difficulty in raising the arms or reaching for high objects.
Weakness of lower limb muscles may result in the following difficulties: walking, climbing stairs, walking on uneven surfaces, and stumbling over small objects.
Muscle twitching (fasciculations) occurs when anterior horn cells or proximal roots are involved.
Muscle cramps, commonly experienced in the gastrocnemius muscles, are characterized by sudden, brief, intense muscle pain; a strong, hard, palpable muscular contraction; and immediate relief by stretching the muscle.
Sensory symptoms (eg, pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensation) suggest involvement of roots, plexi, or peripheral nerves.
Trophic changes may be seen when small fibers of the peripheral nerve are involved or a defect in pain, temperature, or joint-position sensation is noted.
Systemic symptoms suggest diabetes, arthritis, articular injury, collagenosis, malignancy, abuse of prescription or nonprescription drugs, or intravenous (IV) drug abuse.
Geographic preponderances of monomelic amyotrophy, polio, and leprous neuropathy have been recognized. Consider such diseases in immigrants from the appropriate geographic regions.
A history of affected family members may suggest genetic disorders such as spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) or a familial clustering due to infectious disease or environmental mechanisms.
Past history of polio, trauma, radiation, electrical injury, malignancy, or lymphoma should suggest an etiology for FMA.
Occupational exposure to toxins may lead to FMA.


8 (sorry, 10) Habits of Highly Effective Google Managers.
Are managers really necessary? Google wanted to know for sure, so in 2002, it experimented by removing bosses from its hierarchy.
The answer was a resounding yes. Managers were critical not only for structure and clarity, but also for team performance.
After Google discovered that its teams needed great managers, it wanted to know the characteristics that made some bosses more effective than others.
In 2008, Project Oxygen (an initiative to uncover the traits of Google's best managers)gathered 10,000 manager observations including performance reviews, surveys, and nominations for top-manager awards and recognition. After analyzing the data, Google stumbled upon a realization that surprised many--even its former senior vice president of people operations, Laszlo Bock.
In a New York Times article that revealed the findings, Bock acknowledged that the company had historically hired managers or promoted people who exhibited a higher level of technical expertise than others.
"It turns out that that's absolutely the least important thing," Bock says. "It's important but pales in comparison. Much more important is just making that connection and being accessible."
Bock's team of people experts didn't stop there.
Upon further analysis of the findings, they narrowed in on "Eight Habits of Highly Effective Google Managers." Be a good coach. Empower your team and don't micromanage. Express interest in an employee's success and well-being. Be productive and results-oriented. Be a good communicator and listen to your team. Help your employees with career development. Have a clear vision and strategy for the team. Have key technical skills, so you can help advise the team.
However, 2008 was a long time ago. Since, Google has increased in size and complexity, and so has the demands on its managers. To ensure the Eight Habits were still relevant, Google gathered additional employee feedback and revisited the research. Two major themes arose. Googlers wanted to see:
more effective cross-organization collaboration and
stronger decision-making practices from leaders.
What Google discovered was that the traits of its effective bosses had evolved with the company. As a result, it updated habits Nos. 3 and 6 from above and added two more. I've provided my personal thoughts on the significance of each.
No. 3 (updated). Creates an inclusive team environment, showing concern for success and well-being.
Creating an environment in which everyone feels included and a sense of belonging is the first step toward showing genuine concern for employees' well-being. An inclusive team environment ensures that everyone's voice is heard and that all team members feel like they can bring their full selves with them to work.
It doesn't matter how much you care if, at the end of the day, employees don't feel part of the team. Instead, create an environment that universally empathizes with and celebrates everyone's differences.
No. 6 (updated). Supports career development and discusses performance
The two go hand-in-hand. Development opportunities that are not driven by performance feedback are a poor use of time and resources.
When managers provide feedback and then follow it up with a customized development plan, employees walk away from performance reviews feeling encouraged and supported rather than frustrated and confused.
It's a responsibility of managers to not only serve as a sounding board as individuals consider development opportunities, but also to ensure their efforts lead to improved performance.
No. 9 (new). Collaborates across Google
It's hard for teams to gain traction and earn support from others when their managers operate with a compartmentalized mentality. Now, more than ever, a team's effectiveness relies on its ability to collaborate with others and create comprehensive solutions.
It's critical that managers remove silos across the organization and create stronger, more deliberate connections between people, teams, functions, and locations.
No. 10 (new). Makes strong decisions
No one likes spinning their wheels or seeing work stalled due to ineffective decision making. It's important that managers provide guidance and act swiftly to ensure their team's work stays on track, and the impact is maximized.
To ensure informed decisions are made, Google encourages managers to test their ideas out loud and collect feedback by explicitly advocating for their opinions (voicing individual views, reasoning, and providing data), testing their understanding by inquiring about others' perspectives (soliciting ideas and feedback), and then synthesizing the responses to ensure a comprehensive understanding before making a decision.
As our respective markets change and our companies evolve, it's important that our people grow at the same rate as the business. Hats off to Google for revisiting old research and ensuring its managers change with the times.


Abstract
Purpose of review Corneal astigmatism is a common refractive error observed in a significant percentage of cataract patients. Accurate measurements of the preexisting corneal astigmatism are essential in order to achieve the desired refractive outcome after toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent published literatures on methods for measuring preoperative corneal astigmatism for toric IOL implantation.
Recent findings A variety of instruments has been introduced and used to measure the magnitude and meridian of corneal astigmatism during preoperative assessments of cataract patients. Instruments that consider both the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces as critical factors for measuring total corneal astigmatism are expected to provide better accuracy. Although these instruments facilitate improved evaluations of corneal astigmatism and have helped minimize postoperative residual astigmatism, a perfect method to analyze preoperative corneal astigmatism has not yet been established.
Summary Perfect correction of astigmatism after toric IOL implantation by using accurate corneal astigmatism values is the goal of this surgical procedure. To achieve this, correct and precise measurements of corneal astigmatism to determine the magnitude and meridian should be obtained.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes Ophthalmology


Wednesday, August 28, 2019 DTI Remains Steadfast in Extending “Malasakit” to Marawi IDPs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with other members of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood continue to foster livelihood growth for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Marawi siege through the Kawiyagan program.
Dubbed as “Siyap sa Marawi, Gagaw ko Pagtao” (Pag-aalaga sa Marawi, Pagmamahal sa Kapwa), Kawiyagan is a series of distribution of livelihood assistance to the IDPs affected by the Marawi siege. The program is one of the TFBM’s initiatives in refreshing Marawi City’s illustrious business environment. Last August 22 marked the first anniversary of the Kawiyagan program since its launching on August 24, 2018.
During the program’s launching anniversary, DTI-10 Regional Director Linda Boniao emphasized its essence being an avenue not limited to the distribution of livelihood starter kits, but also a way to showcase the beneficiaries’ outputs, and how different agencies complement each other’s livelihood interventions.
Kawiyagan also ensures that livelihood programs will be immediately provided directly to the IDPs and it encourages other stakeholders to provide livelihood assistance to the IDPs. This ongoing initiative of the TFBM serves as an inspiration for the IDPs’ fellow residents of Marawi.
The Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood is chaired by DTI with member agencies the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), local government units (LGUs) of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur and humanitarian organizations.
As of August 23, 2019, 17,680 beneficiaries or 36% of the target 49,000 IDPs by the end of 2019, have already received starter kits from the DTI-TFBM livelihood interventions. The Department has released more than P200M worth of the starter kits including sari-sari store, bigasan, sewing, school supplies, carinderia, carpentry, electronic tools, and e-loading.
TFBM, through its Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood led by DTI, ensures the unceasing assistance for the revival of businesses and livelihood projects in the affected city.


Protocols for Encounter with Extraterrestrials: Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic J. W. Traphagan et al. (2020), JBIS, 73, pp.234-238 Refcode
: 2020.73.234
Keywords
: SETI, Covid-19, Pandemic, Risk, Cultural diversity
Abstract:
This paper explores lessons evident from the Covid-19 pandemic as a framework for thinking about contact withextraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). The Covid-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to think through challenges that mayarise in response to contact with ETI in part because it represents a potential threat to the entire population of Earth,thus forcing nations to implement similar measures, even if the specifics of those measures and levels of restrictionsvary from one country to another. We argue that contact with ETI will not occur in a political and ideational vacuum. Itwill occur within an historical context and diverse cultural contexts from which people will interpret the import and risksassociated with a contact event. Just as local conditions are influencing the response to Covid-19, governments andpolitical leaders will draw on localized cultural and social conditions as they conduct risk assessments related to ETIcontact and consider the value associated with managing or controlling the context and potential outcomes of a contactevent. Thinking about how governments, in particular, respond to events like the Coronavirus pandemic represents anopportunity to explore how other potential existential threats to global society like contact with ETI might pan out.
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Transferring schools can be one of the biggest decisions a college student makes. Changing schools can be a challenge both academically and athletically. Being informed is important.
NCAA transfer rules are a tricky subject – schools must consider the academic impact a transfer student may experience along with the competitive impact a team left behind might feel when a student-athlete leaves for another school. Member schools are regularly evaluating rules to strike the best balance between supporting the student-athletes who wish to transfer and those who remain at their original school.


Experimentation plays an essential role in engineering education, allowing to balance theoretical proofs and emphasis on physical intuition. Laboratories can fulfil several goals at once, but they also involve high costs, mostly due to equipment, space, and human resources for operating and maintaining them. Remote-access labs have been proposed as a feasible alternative: developed since the early 2000s by an ever-increasing research community, they are real or virtual labs accessible at distance through a computer network. Recently, alternative bibliometric taxonomies and classifications of current networked remote-access labs have been proposed. Yet, none of these works proposes a comprehensive structure to collect and organize the information, especially from a technical perspective, aiming at the definition of the state of the art and future outlooks of provided solutions. In the present work, we fill this gap extending previous works by enlarging their set of criteria towards a general multi-layer model for networked remote-access labs. We performed a systematic review of relevant literature to retrieve useful information and to design the data collection and classification structure, which is finally validated performing a mini-Delphi method.
Appare nelle tipologie: 1.1 Articolo su rivista


It doesn’t happen often, but on occasion, someone defending against legal action can pass away unexpectedly. In many cases, this ends the legal action. For example, you can’t press criminal charges against someone that is no longer alive. However, it is a bit different with personal injury cases.
Often if the estate of the deceased is particularly small, the claim will be dropped. However, if the deceased had significant assets in his estate, it is possible for the injured party to continue their personal injury claim, but this time do so against the decedent’s – the deceased party’s – estate.
What this does is grind distributions to heirs to a grinding halt. The estate will need to remain intact until the case has been settled. Once done, the amount from the personal injury case, if successful, will be taken out of the estate. The remainder will then be distributed to the heirs.
Commonly, this occurs in the event of fatal accidents. For example, if the deceased was negligent for a car accident that killed them, the other injury party could file a personal injury claim against the deceased’s estate. It is a difficult situation for everyone involved. The other injured party may be able to have much of their damages covered by filing a claim with the decedent’s insurance, which is still valid if they passed away. However, they still have the right to file a further claim against the estate of the deceased as insurance may not cover everything.
Are you in a difficult situation where a loved one has passed away and legal action threatens their estate? We can help. Contact us today to see what Ford + Bergner LLP can do to help you get through this complicated and difficult time with minimal stress over the legal issues.


Lani Shiota completed her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology at University of California, Berkeley, in 2003, and then received post-doctoral training in the Berkeley Psychophysiology Lab. She established the Shiota Psychophysiology Laboratory for Affective Testing (a.k.a. SPLAT Lab), which studies human emotions, relationships, and awe. Awe has been defined as the positive emotion one may experience when confronting a vast stimulus that is not accounted for by one's current understanding, and/or challenges one’s day-to-day scope of experience.
What you'll learn in this podcast:


Explanations of how organisms might adapt to urban environments have mostly focused on divergent natural selection and adaptive plasticity. However, differential habitat choice has been suggested as an alternative. Here, we test for habitat choice in enhancing crypsis in ground-perching grasshoppers colonizing an urbanized environment, composed of a mosaic of four distinctly coloured substrates (asphalt roads and adjacent pavements). Additionally, we determine its relative importance compared to present-day natural selection and phenotypic plasticity. We found that grasshoppers are very mobile, but nevertheless approximately match the colour of their local substrate. By manipulating grasshopper colour, we confirm that grasshoppers increase the usage of those urban substrates that resemble their own colours. This selective movement actively improves crypsis. Colour divergence between grasshoppers on different substrates is not or hardly owing to present-day natural selection, because observed mortality rates are too low to counteract random substrate use. Additional experiments also show negligible contributions from plasticity in colour. Our results confirm that matching habitat choice can be an important driver of adaptation to urban environments. In general, studies should more fully incorporate that individuals are not only selective targets (i.e. selected on by the environment), but also selective agents (i.e. selecting their own environments).


This course aims to bring together Western and Eastern views of Body Movement for Health while offering a pragmatic approach, allowing you to learn and practice your learning at the same time.How to move in harmony
The Universe abides by the rule of dynamic adaptability, millions of atoms in constant movement.
The human body is no different. We are designed to move, and movement is energy. The way you move has a knock-on effect on your overall health, your physical sensations and more specifically, your emotions. Moving in harmony with these sensations and emotions also helps to safeguard your overall wellbeing.
Hence developing body movement awareness gives you an opportunity to understand your natural capabilities and move accordingly to maximise your health.
The reward of experiencing these changes is a more harmonious connection between your body, your mind and your environment, feeling more energised and happier, while enhancing your overall quality of life!
– Learn and practise your learning with videos, practical exercises, quizzes, observation and reflection times –


Kiel,
Reynolds, Jesse (2011): The Regulation of Climate Engineering Reynolds, Jesse (2011): The Regulation of Climate Engineering. In: Law, Inn Tech 3 (1), S. 113–136.
Essay on (legal) regulation of CE and problems with specific CE methods.
"Intentional interventions in global physical, chemical, and biological systems on a massive scale are receiving increasing attention in hopes of reducing the threat of anthropogenic climate change. Known as climate engineering, or geoengineering, research is moving forward, but regulation remains inadequate, due in part to significant regulatory challenges. This essay asserts that key to overcoming these regulatory challenges is distinguishing between the two primary forms of climate engineering, and between deployment and research. One of climate engineering's two primary forms, carbon dioxide removal, can largely be addressed through existing legal instruments. In the case of solar radiation management, the other primary form, focusing initially on research can bypass the geopolitical quagmire of deployment. Two other major challenges to developing regulation for solar radiation management research remain: establishing regulatory legitimacy, and developing an appropriate definition of research. Potential regulatory forms include centralized international legal instruments, fully or partially private transnational networks, and norms developed from the bottom up."


Towards Positive Change, A Case of the Textile and Garment Industry Bangladesh
Abstract: In 2013, the Rana Plaza Complex in Bangladesh collapsed claiming the lives of 1134 RMGworkers. This event ignited foreign stakeholders applying pressure on factories within the sectorto uphold adequete safety measures and address concerns over labour rights. The ILO and EUhave since conducted surveys and forwarded recommendations toward what they considerpositive change, in a comittment to improve labour rights and factory safety. (Ashraf & Prentice2019) Prior to this devasting event, women’s rights organisations/movements have and continueto actively challenge cultural and traditional norms in an effort to address issues of social injusticewithin the sector and in society in general. These grievances range from harassment, long hours,fairer wage distribution and equal rights. Currently, 86% of the workforce in Bangladesh workswithin the industry, comprising mostly of women and (children) and is its largest exporter toforeign cloths brands in the West. An estimated 4 million people contribute to this labour forceand since the emergence of the industry in the 1980’s, women have faced various disparities.Women workers have faced conditions which have subjected her to unequal premises and beingless privilaged. An essential part of this inquiry is discussing conceptions of womanhood,empowerment and of gender and class.This DP examines how the Accord, OWDEB and NGWF engage, address and advocate change,together with their representatives. All three stakeholders are striving for positive change withinthe sector, each with a specific focus on areas of concern. This inquiry foremost examines thepush for change.
AT THIS PAGE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ESSAY. (follow the link to the next page)


In today’s ever-changing economic, political, and global business environments, diversity and inclusion are important considerations for all organizations. The vision of Diversity in Fund Finance is a Fund Finance (“FF”) community that: (i) recognizes that diverse perspectives strengthen the FF industry and organizations within it, and enhance the ability of those in the FF industry to better serve their clients and colleagues by working together, (ii) is inclusive of diverse individuals across each organization within the FF industry, including at the highest levels of each organization, and (iii) respects the viewpoints and contributions of diverse individuals in their organizations and the FF industry as a whole.
The Diversity in Fund Finance initiative is focused in the areas of education, opportunity, action, and affinity, as further detailed below.
Education – Part of our mission with respect to education is to educate students about the FF industry, provide opportunities for students to network with industry professionals and facilitate recruitment and retention of students in positions in FF industry organizations. Diversity in Fund Finance recognizes that engagement and relationships need to be built with students early in their careers to create more opportunities to recruit and retain talent to address the current generalized lack of diversity within the FF industry. Opportunity – Part of our mission is also to provide opportunities for would-be and current FF professionals to network, build connections, secure positions and obtain support to progress their careers and advance within their organizations as leaders in the FF industry. Action – We understand that effecting change requires time, shared efforts and new thinking to drive progress. We aim to bring together FF professionals who want to take action to contribute to positive changes, particularly with respect to diversity and inclusion, within the FF industry. Affinity – We provide an open, inclusive, supportive, welcoming, and respectful space for diverse FF industry professionals, students and other would-be professionals in the FF industry to connect based on their shared diverse perspectives and professional experiences. We strive to be inclusive of all diverse individuals, regardless of their culture, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or beliefs.
For more information, please contact any of the Co-Chairs of Diversity in Fund Finance, Natasha Puri at Natasha.Puri@lbusa.com or +1 212 895 9538, Anastasia Kaup at ankaup@duanemorris.com or +1 312 499 6767, or Nicki Macgregor at nicki.macgregor@cba.com.au or +1 646 591 8111


Keeping Kentucky's Education System Strong
How Kentucky’s education standards and aligned assessments are crucial for national security
While you do not often hear the words “national security” and “the Kentucky Academic Standards” in the same sentence, there are a couple of key reasons why they are linked. First, retired military leaders know the standards and aligned assessments are vital for ensuring America has well-educated individuals who are prepared to defend our nation.
Second, military families depend on consistent standards for their children, who typically attend schools in many different districts during their K-12 years. Kentucky is home to the 11th largest active military population in the U.S. and has an estimated 25,000 school-aged children whose active duty military parents are temporarily assigned to facilities in the state.
Differences in standards and assessments can negatively impact the academic experiences of students who move frequently. Therefore, after careful consideration, the Department of Defense decided to adopt the Common Core for schools they run on military installations beginning in the 2015-16 school year, to “make it easier for students when they relocate to other military or public schools.”
Maintaining rigorous and consistent academic standards will ensure that students will be better prepared for postsecondary education, the civilian workforce, or the military, if they choose to serve.
Major general (Ret.) Michael Davidson, U.S. Army
For these reasons and more, the Kentucky Academic Standards and aligned assessments are critical components of an educational experience that prepares young people to meet the demands of the 21st century economy and military.
Kentucky’s Academic Standards (KAS) establish the skills that children must achieve at each grade level. In addition to essential academic content, Kentucky’s Academic Standards focus on critical thinking, complex problem solving, and effective communication—key skills needed in today’s military and many other careers.
This report outlines why KAS, along with aligned assessments, are the clearest way to demonstrate Kentucky’s commitment to a world-class education and show measurable results.
States


A beekeeper captured a heartwarming moment of compassion between insects when he observed an incapacitated bee falling into a honey extractor. The poor bee became covered in honey, so the keeper moved it to the front of his beehive.
As soon as the bees realized that one of their own was in danger, they started to help right away, cleaning the honey off of their mate. It took many bees half an hour to clean their friend off, but when they did, its wings were as good as new.
The human perception of insects and animals is that they're emotionless creatures with no unique or distinct personalities within their species. However, new studies have demonstrated that even cockroaches have their own unique characters.
Back, on July 7, 2012, a prominent international team of cognitive neuroscientists, neurophysiologists, neuroanatomists, neuropharmacologists, and computational neuroscientists gathered at the University of Cambridge in order to assess the conscious experience and related behaviors in human and non-human animals. The statement they wrote is known as The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness.
This international team of scientists said that: “Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors. The evidence consequently indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Non- human animals, including mammals, birds, and many marine creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates.”
If animals can feel pain, use tools, make choices, and communicate with each other, is it that hard to imagine them as aware, complex beings with feelings and thought processes?
Animals and Humans aren't the only conscious beings on this planet, though. Recent studies have discovered that plants have their own form of communication. Researchers with the University of Western Australia discovered that corn plants emit and respond to particular sounds. In their study “Towards Understanding Plant Bioacoustics,” the team discovered that when plants are played a continuous sound at 220 Hz, they grow toward the sound. This frequency range is similar to the clicking sound made by the plants themselves.


Abstract
During the past 20 years, the thermoelectric properties of nanostructures such as one-dimensional bismuth (Bi) platforms have prompted the development of a wide variety of nanowire growth methods, aiming to achieve higher energy-conversion efficiency. Most of these methods have demonstrated single-crystal nanowire growth of a quality unmatched in bulk Bi. However, in contrast to the theoretical expectation that Bi nanowires should exhibit high thermoelectric performance, their observed thermoelectric properties have prevented their technological exploitation. Here, we review the current progress in the thermoelectrics of bismuth nanowires, the fundamentals of their advantage and limitation over bulk Bi, and their potential use for enhancing the thermoelectric performance.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes Chemistry(all) Materials Chemistry