Summary
The Grazing Land Management (GLM) education package aimed to contribute to increased awareness, understanding and uptake of grazing management strategies and practices that are both profitable and sustain the natural resource base of the grazing enterprises. The initial development of the package highlighted the need for regionally specific information on which graziers based their decisions. Accordingly, this project supported the customisation of the GLM package in the Southern Gulf, Desert Uplands and Channel Country regions.
Customisation of the regionally specific GLM packages involved the following steps: 1. Collation of locally relevant publications, information, photos and data sets. 2. Development of a land type framework derived from producer surveys, reference material and discussions with agency staff. 3. Develop a local case study property which is used to demonstrate the financial and natural resource management implications of changed grazing management practices on land condition. 4. Review of materials at a technical review and pilot workshop which includes local producers who provided critical feedback to the regional developers. 5. Publication which includes formatting by desktop publishers and editing to ensure consistency of style and appropriate language in accordance with the MLA EDGEnetwork style guide. All materials were tested in a technical review pilot within the region, with the outcomes used to adjust the materials prior to finalisation. All materials were finalised, formatted by desktop publishers and edited for style and consistency in accordance with the publishing standards of MLA EDGEnetwork. As the workshop is delivered in these regions, locally relevant case studies, photo standards and pasture growth measurements will be accumulated and integrated into the workshop materials.


Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), a newcomer to psychiatric nosology, addresses the need for improved classification and treatment of children exhibiting chronic nonepisodic irritability and severe temper outbursts. In recent years, many of these children have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, despite the lack of distinct mood episodes. This diagnostic practice has raised concerns, in part because of the escalating prescription of atypical antipsychotics. This article provides an overview of the limited literature on DMDD, including its history and relevant studies of assessment and treatment. A case study is included to illustrate key points, including diagnostic issues that clinicians may encounter when considering a diagnosis of DMDD.
READ FULL ARTICLE From ajp.psychiatryonline.org


Clinical Oncology deals with the nonsurgical aspects of cancer, including therapeutic administration of ionising radiation (radiotherapy) and chemotherapy. Clinical oncologists determine which treatment to use by considering a range of factors including tumour type, the site of the tumour, the stage of the disease and the patient’s general health. *2019 Journal Impact Factor was established by dividing the number of articles published in 2017 and 2018 with the number of times they are cited in 2019 based on Google Scholar Citation Index database. If 'X' is the total number of articles published in 2017 and 2018, and 'Y' is the number of times these articles were cited in indexed journals during 2019 then, impact factor = Y/X


Middle School Basketball Rules
For boys and girls in middle school, basketball promotes teamwork and sportsmanship in addition to athletic competition. Although rules vary slightly by league, middle school players all follow the basics of the game. The general rules governing middle school basketball create a fast-moving game for spectators and an energetic sport for participants.
Basic Basketball Rules
In basketball, players on teams of five compete to achieve the most points at the end of the designated time. Teams score points by throwing the basketball into the team's respective metal hoop, located at each end of the court. To achieve this, players move the ball to their team's end of the court by dribbling or passing the ball to other players. The ball can be passed with one or both hands, but once both hands touch the ball, the same player cannot dribble it again. Players cannot walk with the ball and cannot kick it.
Players score two points for baskets made inside the designated three-point line, and three points for shots made when the player is standing outside that line. Free throws score one point. A player takes a free throw shot when she has the ball as an offensive player and then is the victim of a foul, such as an elbowing from a defensive player.
To properly play defense when players from the other team possess the ball, a player stays near a corresponding offensive player, but does not impede her movement or physically push or harm her in any way. When a player takes a shot, players may not block the ball if it has already started to descend into the goal.
If the ball rolls out of boundary lines marked around the perimeter of the court after a player has touched it or had possession of it, or if a player steps out of bounds, the opposing team chooses a player to throw the ball in to another player on that team, and gains possession of the ball.
Middle School Rule Differences
In middle school basketball, students usually play a shortened game. For instance, in the National Basketball Association, players challenge each other over the course of four 12-minute quarters, with a 15-minute halftime. Middle school players, in contrast, play quarters that last seven or eight minutes long.
Each basketball league or association governs its own league's play. In some districts, middle school players follow high school rules and others follow rules for youth play. In youth play, according to the International Basketball Federation, goals are lowered for youth teams, the courts are smaller and the balls themselves are smaller than professional regulation balls.
In general, the rules of middle school basketball work to make the game less frustrating to the players. For instance, some middle school leagues ban zone defense. Zone defense is a technique of having multiple defensive players guarding multiple offensive players at the same time. In middle school basketball where zone defense is banned, each player guards only one other player, which is called man-to-man defense.
References
Writer Bio
Andrea Lott Haney writes articles and training materials for food industry publications. Having studied foodservice sanitation, nutrition and menu planning at Purdue University, Lott Haney has more than 10 years of experience as a catering and event planner for luxury hotels and currently tours the Midwest as a corporate customer service trainer and consultant.


The Compliance Life details the journey to and in the role of a Chief Compliance Officer. How does one come to sit in the CCO chair? What are some of the skills a CCO needs to success navigate the compliance waters in any company? What are some of the top challenges CCOs have faced and how did they meet them? These questions and many others will be explored in this new podcast series. Over four episodes each month on The Compliance Life, I visit with one current or former CCO to explore their journey to the CCO chair. This month, my guest is Katie Smith who is the Vice President for Ethics at Assurance. She previously served as Assistant Vice President and Chief Ethics Officer for USAA and Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer at Convercent.
Katie is passionate about compliance, having worked in the field for 20 years, building high-performing teams and increasing employee engagement by up to 300%. She has proven expertise in building and promoting talent, creating a trust-based culture, anti-corruption, code of conduct, conflict of interest, marketing internal programs, training and awareness, investigation excellence, data privacy and process efficiency. She is a much sought after public speaker and contributor featured in Wall Street Journal, Time, Fortune, NBC and Compliance Week. Katie’s commitment to the compliance profession is well as she currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Ethics and Compliance Initiative (ECI).
In this third episode, we take up a topic not often discussed by compliance professionals: when is it time to move on? Katie gives six pivots points, including the following: (1) Incredible opportunity – lateral, upward, or balance; (2) Jaded. Objectivity is dying a slow death; (3) Bored as you have stood up a program, survived a crisis, now what do you do? (4) Retire and stay on Autopilot; (5) The support for you program is simply not there; and (6) Died on a compliance hill. Katie provides guidance on what compliance professionals should do if they find themselves in any of these situations.


A team of researchers from McMaster University in Canada made a big discovery with the help of a 16
th century mummy. This belonged to a two-year-old child who was initially believed to have been suffering from smallpox. However, they decided to perform a genetic analysis and discovered the actual cause of death was hepatitis B. This proves the disease has been around for more centuries than we thought. The mummy had actually died of hepatitis B
The child must have died sometime around 1569, and was found buried in Naples, Italy, in the Basilica of Saint Domenico Maggiore. Researchers discovered the mummy between 1983 and 1983, and saw it was covered in some strange marks which resembled smallpox. After studying the marks, they discovered traces of smallpox particles in them, so they assumed this was the cause of death.
These findings were important for establishing the evolution of smallpox throughout time. Researchers couldn’t tell how early the disease appeared, and this would have been the oldest evidence of its presence in the Medieval world. However, it turned out it wasn’t actually smallpox that killed the boy.
Hepatitis B left marks on the body similar to those of smallpox
This wasn’t the only disease which could leave blister marks on a person. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver but, if small children contract it, they are left with similar marks on the face, legs, arms, and bottom. On all these areas, the mummy showed blisters.
To solve the mystery, researchers collected samples from the skin and bones of the mummy and performed a genetic analysis on them. This way, they reconstructed the genome of the disease which killed the boy. The result wasn’t smallpox, but hepatitis B.
They also performed an advanced type of electron microscopy, and what they found didn’t resemble none of the viruses they were looking for. This way, they concluded that, during mummification, the virus might have been altered and took an unrecognizable form. Also, this explains why they mistook the virus for Variola at first (the virus that causes smallpox).


Reef structures and stabilisation to facilitate reef recovery
Bioballs
TM or Subcon Mushrooms
Small (a few hectares, a single reef)
Novel, human-made structures for coral settlement (new shapes, sizes and surfaces) can enhance reef structural complexity and provide surfaces to promote coral resettlement and growth. They can range from micro-scale engineering to artificial reefs.
Placing large, manufactured structures such as Bioballs
TM or Subcon Mushrooms onto degraded reefs could facilitate coral resettlement, improve survival rates, enhance herbivory, fish diversity and growth of immobile organisms.
They would be deployed from large barges.


The Tier 2 Visa is granted to international skilled workers who have been offered a job in the UK. Once you get your sponsorship through your UK-based employer, you can apply for your permit. This status allows you to remain in the country until the date mentioned on your certificate, or for a maximum period of 5 years.
However, it is not uncommon for workers to have their employment terminated early. Whether this is due to resignation, dismissal, or any other reason, it affects your immigration status. Consequently, your Tier 2 Visa will be curtailed. At this point, you must find a new sponsor or leave the UK within 60 days (or until the end of your visa, if this is shorter).
Dealing with a termination of employment and a Tier 2 Visa curtailment is inevitably a stressful experience. However, it is crucial to follow the Home Office’s guidelines and strategically plan how to proceed. Whether you wish to lawfully remain in the UK or to go back to your home country, there are different paths that you can follow.
What are the responsibilities of a Tier 2 Sponsor?
Whatever the reasons for your termination of employment, your sponsor must report this change of status to the Home Office within 10 days of your contract ending. The UKVI must also be informed of your last known address so that you and your employer can receive a copy of your Tier 2 Visa curtailment letter.
If you are submitting your notice of resignation, it is recommended to send a copy to the UKVI along with your planned leaving date.
After the date reported in your curtailment letter, you have 60 days to either get a new sponsor, apply for a new visa, or leave the country.
Termination of employment on a Tier 2 Visa: moving to a new job
The termination of your current employment in the UK does not necessarily mean that you must leave the country. You still have an adequate timeframe within which you find another sponsor and apply for a new job.
Once you receive a new job offer, your employer needs to provide you with a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You will then be able to apply for a new Tier 2 Visa and to remain in the UK until a decision is made.
Do not forget that you can only accept job offers that meet the Resident Labour Market Test requirements. In addition, you are not allowed to start your new job until your Tier 2 Visa is issued.
Switching to a new visa after your Tier 2 curtailment
Depending on your circumstances, you may have different options to remain in the UK. In other words, you may be eligible for a different visa.
For example, if one of your relatives is a British citizen or settled person, you can apply for a Family Visa. Otherwise, if you have a genuine idea for a new business, you can file a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa application.
If you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years on any lawful immigration status, you may also be eligible for ILR. The Indefinite Leave to Remain will grant you the right to live, work, and settle in the UK without being subject to immigration control.
The Tier 2 Visa “cooling off period”
If you are unable to apply for a new permit after your Tier 2 Visa curtailment, you have to leave the UK. Otherwise, you will face severe consequences and jeopardise your chances to be granted re-admission in the country.
Once outside the UK, you can still apply for a new Tier 2 Visa. However, you will be allowed to submit your application only after twelve months or more have passed since you left the country. This is known as the Tier 2 Visa “cooling off period”.
If you plan to apply for a new Work Visa, you must keep any evidence of leaving the UK, such as your airline tickets, to show when this period started. Nevertheless, if you wish to apply for a different visa category, you are free to do that without having to wait for the cooling off period.
Can I appeal against a Tier 2 Visa curtailment letter?
After the Home Office has been informed of your employment termination, you will receive a Tier 2 Visa curtailment letter. This document discloses your rights and duties, including details about your entitlement to challenge this decision. However, the Home Office hardly grants the right to appeal against a Tier 2 Visa curtailment. By losing your employment status, you do not satisfy the minimum requirements for this permit anymore.
As there is rarely a different option, you will need to either seek new employment or leave the country.
On the other hand, it is unlikely for the Home Office to impose an immediate termination of your leave to remain. It is worth noting that your employment contract is binding on both parties, and you are entitled to a minimum notice period. In other words, you still have time to apply for a new visa or to adequately arrange for your return to your home country.
What happens if my Tier 2 Sponsorship is cancelled?
If your company loses its licence, your Tier 2 Visa can no longer be sponsored. As a consequence, your immigration status will be automatically cancelled.
It must be noted that there is no appeal option in this instance. Without a proper Sponsor Licence, your Tier 2 Visa cannot be considered valid anymore. However, you will still be given 60 days to either leave the country or get a new visa.
If you received a Tier 2 Visa curtailment letter, you must ensure to follow the right steps. By doing this, you can maintain a lawful immigration status and get a better chance of having another UK Visa granted in the future.


Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a plasma lipoprotein of high atherogenicity and competes with plasminogen at the site of plasminogen receptors. It is known that diabetic patients show a hypercoagulable state which might contribute to diabetic vascular complications. In the present study, mean levels of plasma Lp(a) and parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis such as thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex (alpha 2PIC) were elevated in diabetic patients with nephropathy compared to healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma levels of Lp(a) and alpha 2PIC (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of alpha 2PIC showed a significant positive correlation with those of TAT in the diabetic group, while there was no significant correlation observed in the non-diabetic group. The present results suggest that factors of Lp(a) and coagulation-fibrinolytic systems interacted, contributing to vascular complications in diabetic patients with nephropathy.


Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fear of death (FoD) is an exceptionally stressful symptom of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which received little scientific attention in recent years. We aimed to describe the prevalence and factors contributing to FoD among STEMI patients and assess the impact of FoD on prehospital delay.
METHODS: This investigation was based on 592 STEMI patients who participated in the Munich Examination of Delay in Patients Experiencing Acute Myocardial Infarction (MEDEA) study. Data on sociodemographic, clinical and psycho-behavioral characteristics were collected at bedside. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with FoD.
RESULTS: A total of 15% of STEMI patients reported FoD (n = 88), no significant gender difference was found. STEMI pain strength [OR = 2.3 (1.4-3.9)], STEMI symptom severity [OR = 3.7 (2-6.8)], risk perception pre-STEMI [OR = 1.9 (1.2-3.2)] and negative affectivity [OR = 1.9 (1.2-3.1)] were independently associated with FoD. The median delay for those who experienced FoD was 139 min compared to 218 min for those who did not (p = 0.005). Male patients with FoD were significantly more likely to delay less than 120 min [OR = 2.11(1.25-3.57); p = 0.005], whereas in women, this association was not significant. Additionally, a clear dose-response relationship between fear severity and delay was observed. Male FoD patients significantly more often used emergency services to reach the hospital (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS: FoD is experienced by a clinically meaningful minority of vulnerable STEMI patients and is strongly associated with shorter delay times in men but not in women. Patients' uses of emergency services play an important role in reducing the delay in male FoD patients.


Common Sense Parenting (CSP) is a parenting program that can be applied to every family.
The program's easy-to-learn techniques address issues of communication, discipline, decision making, relationships, self-control and school success.
Common Sense Parenting classes help parents:
Build strong, healthy relationships Correct and change problem behavior Minimize problems that disrupt family life Raise responsible, caring children Communicate effectively Avoid power struggles Control your emotions Balance discipline with affection Praise a childu2019s good behavior
Professionally trained parent trainers teach the course band provide instruction, consultation band support.
Early studies examined CSP results based on parent and family characteristics. Results indicated improvement in child behavior, parent attitudes, family satisfaction and parent problem-solving ability. Additionally, CSP participants reported statistically and clinically significant reductions in child behavior problems that were maintained at a three-month follow-up.
A recent evaluation of CSP was completed as part of a research project and in collaboration with the Center for At-Risk Childrenu2019s Services at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Participants, many with significant risk factors, were referred to the CSP program through various sources. Results revealed statistically significant increases in positive parenting beliefs and practices, and reductions in parenting stress and parent-reported child behavior problems.


March 27, 2020
Mayo Clinic is investigating infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuroma as a source of pain after total knee arthroplasty. About 20% of patients who have a total knee arthroplasty are dissatisfied with the result, often due to residual pain. Mayo Clinic's work seeks to address persistent medial knee pain that lacks a clear etiology, such as infection, misalignment or loosening of the prosthesis.
"This type of medial pain can be misdiagnosed as tendonitis or pes anserine bursitis. But it often turns out to be an infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuroma that is causing pain," says Glenn G. Shi, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. "Patients who have a misdiagnosis might be sent to pain clinics or physical therapy with no reasonable outcomes. That leads to a lot of frustration for patients and orthopedic surgeons alike."
The incidence of infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuroma after total knee replacement is unknown. "But we think this problem is underrecognized," Dr. Shi says.
Rama infrarrotuliana del nervio safeno
La ilustración muestra la rama infrarrotuliana del nervio safeno, que suele cortarse durante una artroplastia total de rodilla.
In cadaveric studies, Mayo Clinic has found that the standard surgical incision used in total knee arthroplasty almost always severs the infrapatellar saphenous nerve. The severed nerve generally doesn't affect the knee's function. But the nerve ending can become trapped in the incision's closure or in subsequent scar tissue, leading to a neuroma.
"Why some people get a neuroma and others don't is part of our investigation," Dr. Shi says. "We are also trying to determine if we can somehow tuck the nerve end into the knee during surgery, to protect it from entrapment and prevent problems down the road."
Seeking a modified surgical technique
Mayo Clinic's investigation of saphenous nerve neuroma after total knee arthroplasty encompasses several studies. The cadaveric project aims not only to understand the anatomical pattern of the nerve's intersection with a standard knee-replacement incision but also to investigate suturing techniques that avoid trapping the nerve in the incision closure. Clinical studies assess how frequently orthopedic surgeons see the saphenous nerve during standard total knee arthroplasty. "If we can teach our orthopedic surgeons to see the nerve, we can potentially avoid injury that might require another surgery," Dr. Shi says.
In addition, Mayo Clinic is investigating strategies to treat infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuroma. One approach involves ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the nerve from the adjacent interfascial planes, followed by a corticosteroid injection. A preliminary Mayo Clinic study found that this minimally invasive procedure significantly reduced medial knee pain for nine of 16 patients studied.
For patients whose pain persists after hydrodissection, Mayo Clinic is exploring options for surgical repair. "We are trying to use a less invasive incision to find the nerve end and place it in an area where it is protected from scar tissue," Dr. Shi says. A prospective study is using a similar approach during total knee arthroplasty to prevent infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuroma from developing.
"This problem isn't widely discussed among orthopedic surgeons, but it's very impactful. Up to 3 million people are expected to have total knee arthroplasty by 2035," Dr. Shi says. "Our goal is to bring attention to this problem, which we think contributes to patients' dissatisfaction after total knee arthroplasty. A modified technique for the procedure can potentially avoid the development of neuroma and reduce pain."


The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released an outline of proposed regulations aimed at strengthening debt collection rules. The first effort to significantly govern debt collection in 40 years, the outlined proposal provides the first public glimpse of how the CFPB is planning to move forward in the debt collection rulemaking process. According to
The New York Times, under the proposed regulations, debt collection companies will have to more fully document the debt they are trying to collect, make it clear how a consumer can dispute the debt, and adhere to state statutes of limitations that bar them from pursuing older debts. Additionally, collectors would be barred from trying to contact individuals who owe money more than 6 times per week, and after a debtor dies, collectors would have to wait 30 days before contacting family members about paying up. Although the proposals only cover third-party debt collection issues, the CFPB also indicated that it plans to address outstanding issues such as first-party debt collectors and creditors at a later date.
The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week. Initial claims for unemployment benefits, a proxy for layoffs across the U.S., rose by 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 266,000 in the week ended July 23, according to the Labor Department. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, economists believe the underlying trend continues to point to sustained labor market strength.
China’s Cabinet issued its first rules for ride-sharing apps, encouraging local officials to promote the burgeoning industry, and affirming the legal status of Uber and local competitors. After years of tension with regulators, including office raids by Chinese police and legal challenges to their business model, Uber and its Chinese competitors welcomed the official endorsement. The Cabinet set guidelines for registration, fares, employment of drivers and payments, but is giving cities and local authorities leeway to work with the industry across the country.


It’s no secret it costs a premium to live within a specific school zone. But how much?
New Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) data shows that homes located within the catchment area for some of Melbourne’s best public secondary schools are attracting close to a $600,000 premium compared to those outside the zone.
In 2016, the median house price of properties with more than two bedrooms in desirable public school zones is significantly higher than the median price of nearby similar homes bordering the zone.
Top of the class? The analysis, undertaken in the 12 months to March, shows the largest price difference was recorded for homes zoned for University High in inner northern Parkville.
Homes within the school zone had a median house price of $1,395,000 while homes within a one-kilometre radius of the school zone had a median of $799,000 – a difference of $596,000.
Homes zoned for McKinnon Secondary College also achieved sale prices significantly higher than those located outside the catchment area. The median house price for homes within the zone was $1,500,000 compared to a median of $1,195,000 for homes in the same suburb but outside the school zone.
Vendors of homes within the school zone for Cheltenham Secondary College could also expect higher sale prices than those located outside the zone. A difference of $150,000 was recorded for homes that sold within the school zone.
REIV CEO Geoff White says access to high-quality amenities and services – particularly schooling and education – is a key driver of price growth across Melbourne.
“Rather than paying private school fees, parents of school-aged children are increasingly investing that money in the family home and buying into areas zoned for top performing public schools,” he says.
“These areas also experience a high number of sales indicating the level of buyer demand within these zones.”
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/API_Property_News/~3/VbmROcyekOY/


Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the USA, affecting 40 million adults. Now, during the pandemic, anxiety levels have only increased: fear of going out, grocery shopping, taking…
Tag:
positive psychology
All managers would like their teams to be more productive. Yet most companies are using the same old methods: strategic plans, goal-setting, streamlining operations, reducing inefficiency. Others are offering employee…


From this compact book, learn from a certified financial planner certificant CFP® who has helped hundreds of clients over more than thirty-five years practical estate planning steps you can take to protect yourself and those you love. This book, written in layperson’s words for easy understanding, explains aspects of wills, financial and medical powers of attorney, revocable living trusts, “living wills,” and much more. Learn how to use free tools such as beneficiary designations, POD, and TOD forms (and when not to use them) to avoid the expense, delay, and publicity of probate. Making distinctions among single ownership, joint ownership with rights of survivorship, and trust ownership are essential.
This work explains personal retirement plans such as traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k), and 403(b) employer retirement plans, along with concepts such as tax deferral, pretax, and after-tax contributions, transfers, and retirement plan distribution strategies. Income taxes, capital gain taxes, and estate taxes are also made simple. Michael shows you how to maintain control over your team of advisors while getting the most out of professionals who serve you. Having been a caregiver himself, learn from Michael how you can successfully navigate emotional concerns, preventing and reducing family arguments. Challenges faced by spouses, parents, adult children, caregivers, executors and administrators, heirs, and beneficiaries are highlighted to lighten your burden. Michael’s experience and education provide valuable insights for widows, widowers, and adult children suffering from the pain and fog of bereavement. This unique book combines both helpful tips to solve thorny obstacles you face, without confusing legalese, with an understanding of the feelings individuals and families face on the path from wellness, to illness, death, and while tackling postdeath estate settlement. This book fills a crucial unmet need enabling spouses, parents, and adult children to make wiser decisions while protecting those they love.


Neodrill, known for its industry-leading CAN technology, has launched its new Wellhead Saver System. Designed to directly address the industry challenge of drift-off, it is estimated that the new solution will deliver savings in the order of 6 to 12 rig days on a typical well. Enhanced health and safety benefits are also a key part of the technology.
When deepwater rigs are used under shallow water conditions, the forces and bending moments from the BOP and riser are placed on the wellhead. The new WSS adapts the established CAN well foundation to redirect the bending forces away from the wellhead directly into the well foundation. By protecting the wellhead, conductor and casing from over-bending and over-stressing, it is possible to increase the drift-off distance before disconnect occurs. This allows the rig to stay on location and remain connected to the well in more severe weather conditions, saving idle rig time costs.
Compared to the traditional approach of tethering the BOP and wellhead system down, the WSS is connected to both the wellhead and the CAN, which allows it to act as a wellhead saver sub. This process enables drilling operations to take place without loading the original wellhead. It also facilitates installation of the production tree on a virgin wellhead. Compared to the BOP tethering system, a unique aspect is that it avoids long steel and fibre wires that may require re-tensioning during operations.
It is anticipated that the WSS will deliver cost savings and HSE benefits. The use of the CAN technology, as well as the reduced weight of the system in comparison to the BOP tethering system, also reduces the CO
2 footprint.
Neodrill’s Chief Executive Officer, Jostein Aleksandersen says, “With the increased use of deepwater drilling rigs in shallow water operations, the underlying threat of ‘drift-off’ will increase substantially. Our Wellhead Saver System has been designed to overcome the challenges typically associated with the use of heavy BOPs on deepwater rigs in shallow water.”
“Sitting as part of our new solutions offering, the WSS looks to bring a smart solution to the market to effect real positive change,” Aleksandersen continues.


He stated: “Pubs are just starting to get back on their feet after lockdown and these new restrictions are a significant setback.”
“We urgently need the Government to extend the furlough scheme for hospitality venues and confirm what additional support it will provide to protect jobs and the future of pubs.
“We made safety our priority when reopening and fewer than one per cent of our 1,700 managed pubs have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace since reopening in July, which demonstrates pubs are not disproportionately spreading cases and our measures are working.
“Removing a key trading period and further damaging customer confidence looks set to cost us several million pounds per week, on top of already reduced customer numbers in our pubs to maintain social distancing.


Maintaining the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in this unprecedented time would not be possible without the incredible efforts of distribution industry employees, who are working around-the-clock to move critical medicines and healthcare supplies.
Supporting and protecting valued employees is a core mission for HDA distributor members. This crisis has forced the industry to be nimble and think creatively about how best to protect the health and wellness of employees while ensuring they have the flexibility and resources they need to work effectively.
Planning and Preparation
Maintaining a robust employee support system during a once-in-a-lifetime public health challenge begins with preparation. As news of the virus began to spread earlier this year, distributors sprang into action, proactively launching contingency plans to stay ahead of the curve. Many HDA members convened company-wide task forces and initiatives to coordinate their individual responses, ensure the continued operations of critical business functions and put procedures in place to keep employees safe.
As part of ongoing efforts to provide additional resources for members and augment their individual response efforts, HDA organized and distributed recommended protocols on maintaining a safe working environment during COVID-19, including key recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The protocols were recently updated as individuals and businesses adapt to the “new normal” of operating under a pandemic.
Additionally, each distributor member has their own plan in place for how operations will adjust if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. This may include shutting down a facility for 24 hours for a deep cleaning before reopening for business or activating contingency protocols that rely on nearby distribution centers to continue processing orders if one facility is closed.
Protocols for a Safe Work Environment
While HDA members quickly transitioned staff that could work remotely, sustaining pharmaceutical supply chain operations requires that many pharmaceutical distribution center staff remain on site to organize and ship products.
Following the outbreak, distributors instituted a variety of preventive measures in accordance with CDC guidelines and implemented new programs designed to protect and recognize employees’ contributions during this unprecedented time. Each HDA member company has individual procedures in place that reflect their unique workforce. Some examples of programs and policies include:
Mandating daily deep cleanings at all distribution centers and hiring additional cleaning staff to more frequently sterilize public surfaces to further minimize risk. Changing guidelines to allow employees to avoid high-traffic areas, including encouraging employees to “punch in” using a time clock app on their phones and staggering lunch breaks. Dividing staff into shifts and paying one shift to stay at home and remain on call in case someone on the main shift tests positive for COVID-19. Distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees and couriers. Supporting employees through incentive pay, back-up dependent care programs and enhanced paid time off policies for those who need to quarantine or care for family members. Providing lunches for employees to support nearby restaurants and minimize trips away from facilities during shifts.
Throughout this crisis, HDA distributor members have gone the extra mile to direct lifesaving medicines to the frontlines while meeting the daily healthcare needs of all Americans. This has only been possible by protecting the health and well-being of their people.
To learn more about the industry’s commitment to ensuring the health and wellness of distributor employees and their families, check out our new video.
For additional HDA materials and pandemic response resources, visit: www.hda.org/covid19.


Dayton Ohio is a smaller, lower-density, and slow-growing metropolitan area, not a prime expansion candidate for venture-capital backed private mobility providers. The local transit agency took a need for bikeshare into its own hands, partnering with a local nonprofit, Bike Miami Valley, to bring Link Dayton Bikeshare to the region. This arrangement is unique in that the transit agency is the owner and operator of the service. When dockless scooters swept the country in 2019, the Regional Transit Agency (RTA) applied the same agency-operated and -maintained model to a partnership with the scooter provider Spin — a model that’s unique among transit agencies in the U.S. This gave the agency facility over managing multiple modes, partnering with providers, and understanding major data issues at play. APTA describes the experience in a feature on Transit as a Micromobility Manager.
When the City of Dayton was working on authorizing legislation for scooters, the RTA worked closely with them to require that any provider permitted to operate in the city must provide a public API and integrate with the City’s chosen mobility app provider. Now, Dayton is working with the Transit app on trip planning integration, and RTA and Bike Miami Valley have included similar language in their transportation and bikeshare contracts, requiring all private transportation providers (ridehailing, scooters, micromobility, and whatever comes next) to aggregate their service information alongside RTA’s schedule in a single trip planner as a condition of operating in the city. Working with a private provider provides the city and transit agency with a system that’s agnostic both to the services and the platform providers and lets the public agencies maintain continuity even if they choose to change vendors in future.
In 2019 Uber began offering transit trip planning on its app, and by May it launched a partnership with Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) and its mobile ticketing partner Masabi. Now, Uber riders in Denver can both see real-time transit information in the app, and have the ability to purchase tickets and use their phones to access ridehail and bus services. Denver was the first city globally to have such an option through the Uber app. Uber is not the only option for mobile ticketing, and by working with a flexible vendor, Denver has multiple channels available for users to purchase and use tickets online. In Las Vegas, where an entrepreneur had previously tried and failed to develop a subscription-based MaaS platform with Tesla vehicles, a similar partnership enables ticketing on the Uber app. Each of these examples demonstrates advancement towards Level 2 of MaaS.


Litigation Lawyers in Lancaster
Residents of Lancaster, Wisconsin who suffer legal wrongs are typically legally entitled to compensation for harm they incurred as a result. This compensation is typically obtained by filing a lawsuit.
If you're contemplating filing a lawsuit, there are various things you need to consider, and it is not a decision to be made lightly. You should not file a lawsuit without seeking the advice of a Lancaster, Wisconsin civil litigation attorney first.
Your Lancaster, Wisconsin civil litigation attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a legitimate case, and, if so, your best avenues on how to proceed. The attorney will also discuss with you the fees for their services, and whether he or she can represent you on a contingency basis.
Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Lancaster, Wisconsin
Consultation with your attorney: Before you proceed with any legal action in Lancaster, Wisconsin, you should seek the advice and counsel of a reliable Lancaster, Wisconsin attorney. He or she will be indispensable in helping you succeed in your lawsuit.
Drafting The Complaint: In Lancaster, Wisconsin, the initial step to filing a lawsuit, once you've actually decided to do so (in consultation with your attorney), is writing a complaint. A complaint is simply a list of facts that you allege against the defendant. A court must look at these allegations and decide if they add up to a legitimate cause of action, assuming they're true. If they do not add up to a cause of action, the case may be dismissed. The complaint also typically ask the court to provide specific relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.
Serving The Defendant: Once you and your attorney have written a good complaint, and filed it with the court, it needs to be served on the defendant within a specific period of time. This is necessary under the law of Lancaster, Wisconsin to ensure that the defendant actually knows that he's being sued, and has time to find a lawyer and prepare a defense. Generally, the defendant should be served in person. However, when this isn't possible, service by mail is also acceptable in a few instances.
Awaiting the Defendant's Response: Once a lawsuit has been filed, and the defendant has been served in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the defendant has time to respond. They typically do so by drafting an answer to the complaint, in which they deny the plaintiff's allegations, or assert a legal defense. If the defendant fails to respond within a set period of time, they will be in default, and you may be able to get a "default judgment" against them, in which all of your allegations against the defendant are viewed as if the defendant admitted them, and you only need to establish that you've suffered losses that warrant the damages you're asking for.
How Can A Lancaster, Wisconsin Tort Lawyer Help?
The basic outline above does not come close to covering all the specifics involved in filing a lawsuit in Lancaster, Wisconsin.
If you have suffered a legal wrong in and decide to sue the person who you believed wronged you, you should speak with a qualified Lancaster, Wisconsin attorney.


FDA Issues Guidelines on Safe Development of Nanotechnology Products
The agency issued three final guidances and one draft guidance to provide regulatory clarity for industry on the use of nanotechnology.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued three final guidances and one draft guidance on the use of nanotechnology in manufacturing in order to provide greater "regulatory clarity" for the industry, according to a press release from the agency. One final guidance covers the agency's overall approach for the products being regulated and the other two final guidances and the draft guidance provide recommendations for food, cosmetics, and food for animals.
"Our goal remains to ensure transparent and predictable regulatory pathways, grounded in the best available science, in support of the responsible development of nanotechnology products," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg. "We are taking a prudent scientific approach to assess each product on its own merits and are not making broad, general assumptions about the safety of nanotechnology products."
FDA points out it does not "make a categorical judgment that nanotechnology is inherently safe or harmful, and will continue to consider the specific characteristics of individual products." Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that allows scientists to create and manipulate materials on an incredibly small scale measured in nanometers.
According to the FDA, the guidances are:
Final Guidance for Industry: Considering Whether an FDA-Regulated Product Involves the Application of Nanotechnology
The guidance outlines overarching considerations for all FDA-regulated products, identifying points to consider when determining whether a product involves the use of nanotechnology. It is intended to help industry and others identify when they should consider potential implications for regulatory status, safety, effectiveness or public health impact that may arise with the application of nanotechnology in FDA-regulated products.Final Guidance for Industry: Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics
The guidance describes FDA's current thinking on the safety assessment of nanomaterials when used in cosmetic products and encourages manufacturers to consult with the FDA on test methods and data needed to support the substantiation of a product’s safety.
Final Guidance for Industry: Assessing the Effects of Significant Manufacturing Process Changes, Including Emerging Technologies, on the Safety and Regulatory Status of Food Ingredients and Food Contact Substances, Including Food Ingredients that are Color Additives
The guidance alerts manufacturers to the potential impact of any significant manufacturing process change, including changes involving nanotechnology, on the safety and regulatory status of food substances. This guidance also describes considerations for determining whether a significant manufacturing process change for a food substance already in the market affects the identity, safety, or regulatory status of the food substance, potentially warranting a regulatory submission to the FDA.
Draft Guidance for Industry: Use of Nanomaterials in Food for Animals
This draft guidance addresses issues related to the use of nanotechnology in food ingredients intended for use in food for animals. Public comments on this draft guidance are requested by Sept. 10, 2014.
FDA will continue to pursue ongoing scientific research and regulatory efforts and will consider new studies and data, as they become available, to determine future actions. Science is a critical component of the agency’s ongoing review of products. FDA has invested in a nanotechnology regulatory science program that will enhance the agency's scientific capabilities. Additional guidance for industry will be developed as needed.
FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, and other biological products for human use, and medical devices.


Abstract:
Protracted volcanic eruptions may exhibit unanticipated intensifications in explosive behaviour and attendant hazards. Santiaguito dome complex, Guatemala, has been characterised by century-long effusion interspersed with frequent, small-to-moderate (<2 km high plumes) gas-and-ash explosions. During 2015–2016, explosions intensified generating hazardous ash-rich plumes (up to 7 km high) and pyroclastic flows. Here, we integrate petrological, geochemical and geophysical evidence to evaluate the causes of explosion intensification. Seismic and infrasound signals reveal progressively longer repose intervals between explosions and deeper fragmentation levels as the seismic energy of these events increased by up to four orders of magnitude. Evidence from geothermobarometry, bulk geochemistry and groundmass microlite textures reveal that the onset of large explosions was concordant with a relatively fast ascent of a deeper-sourced (∼17–24 km), higher temperature (∼960–1020◦C) and relatively volatile-rich magma compared to the previous erupted lavas, which stalled at ∼2 km depth and mingled with the left-over mush that resided beneath the pre-2015 lava dome. ... mehrWe interpret that purging driven by the injection of this deep-sourced magma disrupted the long-term activity, driving a transition from low energy shallow shear-driven fragmentation, to high energy deeper overpressure-driven fragmentation that excavated significant portions of the conduit and intensified local volcanic hazards. Our findings demonstrate the value of multi-parametric approaches for understanding volcanic processes and the triggers for enigmatic shifts in eruption style, with the detection of vicissitudes in both monitoring signals and petrological signatures of the eruptive products proving paramount.


Object: The predominant mechanism of early graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with antiplatelet treatment using drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Impaired hemostasis of multiple etiologies is often present in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. We investigated the impact of intravenous ASA administration on platelet function in this setting. Methods: Forty-two patients were enrolled in the study. Patients received 100 mg oral ASA once daily, beginning in the early postoperative period. Noncompliance was eliminated by the administration of 300 mg ASA intravenously at 6-8 days post-operation. Blood was drawn immediately before, 1 h and 24 h after ASA administration. Results: A platelet function analyzer (PFA-100™) was used to evaluate closure time (CT), turbidimetric platelet aggregation (TPA) and impedance platelet aggregation (IPA) induced by arachidonic acid (AA), collagen and ADP and results were compared with the respective values from 120 healthy individuals. At 1 h and 24 h after administration, we found that intravenous ASA caused CEPI-CT to be significantly prolonged with a reduction of AA and collagen-induced IPA. Despite postoperative oral ASA administration for 6-8 days, PFA-100™ CEPI and CADP-CT were significantly shorter and ADP-TPA and IPA values induced by any agonist were significantly greater in patients than in controls. Intravenous ASA had no significant influence on CADP-CT or ADP-induced IPA (ADP-IPA). Conclusion: Platelet tests for diagnosing patients as aspirin responders (ASA-R) or aspirin non-responders (ASA-NR) were found to be not comparable. Patients after CABG show augmented platelet dysfunction. Intravenous ASA administration may indicate a promising approach to reduce laboratory resistance after CABG procedure. The reason for this is not clear and requires additional clinical studies.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.


Abstract Motivation Phylogenetic networks represent reticulate evolutionary histories. Statistical methods for their inference under the multispecies coalescent have recently been developed. A particularly powerful approach uses data that consist of bi-allelic markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphism data) and allows for exact likelihood computations of phylogenetic networks while numerically integrating over all possible gene trees per marker. While the approach has good accuracy in terms of estimating the network and its parameters, likelihood computations remain a major computational bottleneck and limit the method’s applicability. Results In this paper, we first demonstrate why likelihood computations of networks take orders of magnitude more time when compared to trees. We then propose an approach for inference of phylo-genetic networks based on pseudo-likelihood using bi-allelic markers. We demonstrate the scalability and accuracy of phylogenetic network inference via pseudo-likelihood computations on simulated data. Furthermore, we demonstrate aspects of robustness of the method to violations in the underlying assumptions of the employed statistical model. Finally, we demonstrate the application of the method to biological data. The proposed method allows for analyzing larger data sets in terms of the numbers of taxa and reticulation events. While pseudo-likelihood had been proposed before for data consisting of gene trees, the work here uses sequence data directly, offering several advantages as we discuss. Availability The methods have been implemented in PhyloNet (http://bioinfocs.rice.edu/phylonet). Contact ,


Many large companies work in both the commercial and government sectors. However, when large companies do business with the government, they often unintentionally overlook whether the focus of their brand’s message resonates with the government sector. While marketing campaigns and branding may be working very successfully with target commercial markets, the same messaging and campaigns may fall short of achieving the goal of raising awareness and perceptions of the company within the target government market, because government decision-makers’ needs, priorities and expectations can vary widely from what motivates commercial buyers.
Brand and perception studies, or
Attitude, Awareness and Usage (AAU) research, can provide government contractors invaluable insights into how they are perceived in the government marketplace, revealing gaps in market understanding and acceptance of your brand. This can make a significant difference in everything from general market positioning to win themes in specific bids and proposals. Conducting this type of research specifically for the government market. Be sure to read the full article on how contractors can better leverage brand studies to remain competitive in today’s austere budget climate here.


First Nations are being asked to develop tendering policies as a condition of funding related to federal funded capital projects over $100,000, excluding housing. This requirement for a competitive tendering process is intended to support public confidence in the transfer of federal funds to First Nations and in their accountability.
First Nation tendering policies should address the local situation and aspirations of their communities, but they must encompass the key principles and mechanisms applied by the public and private sectors. This document is intended to assist First Nations in developing their own tendering policies.


I remember vividly the first time I taught a class. It was the summer of 1992 at the Universidad Laboral in Gijón, Asturias, as part of the Spanish Language and Cultural Studies Program hosted for European students by Universidad de Oviedo. The anticipation and anxiety I felt then still reverberate in my practices today. First day of school will always be an exhilarating event for me!
As I was preparing to meet my students at Saint Petersburg Polytechnical University (SPbPU), my mind was racing to the speed of sound and my heart was pounding: would I be able to connect with their hearts? would the material I curated for them with such care be appealing? how would I manage to engage every learner in our conversations?
matices, it felt familiar. It was time. I timidly entered the room and felt observed with curiosity, certainly did not perceive a sign of reservation, and I went on: ‘hello, my name is Nuria, we will be working together this semester exploring matters of intercultural literacy, language identity and storytelling. It is an honor to be here with you, and look forward to learning from your perspectives and creating together a space where all views and opinions are welcome and respected. I want to heartily thank you for this opportunity. Now, please, tell me about yourselves…”
and with this prelude, SPbPU students began to share insights about their lives and their dreams, some with more confidence than others, but all with an elegant cadence in the way they uttered the English sentences. I was captivated. They are linguists and study several languages, they have a deep appreciation for language diversity and understand that the world does not end at the Russian borders. They are willing to examine their own cultural beliefs in light of new perspectives, they are courageous. I feel fortunate to have such inspiring teachers!


Sanctions have long been a serious concern for banks. However, they are now being applied more regularly across a variety of industries. Breaking them can quickly lead to heavy fines, export bans, denial of access to the US banking system, reputational damage, and severe supply chain disruption. Individuals involved risk criminal charges.
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UC Merced A histone deacetylase adjusts transcription kinetics at coding sequences during Candida albicans morphogenesis. Author(s): Hnisz, Denes Bardet, Anaïs F Nobile, Clarissa J Petryshyn, Andriy Glaser, Walter Schöck, Ulrike Stark, Alexander Kuchler, Karl et al. Published Web Locationhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1003118 Abstract
Despite their classical role as transcriptional repressors, several histone deacetylases, including the baker's yeast Set3/Hos2 complex (Set3C), facilitate gene expression. In the dimorphic human pathogen Candida albicans, the homologue of the Set3C inhibits the yeast-to-filament transition, but the precise molecular details of this function have remained elusive. Here, we use a combination of ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq to show that the Set3C acts as a transcriptional co-factor of metabolic and morphogenesis-related genes in C. albicans. Binding of the Set3C correlates with gene expression during fungal morphogenesis; yet, surprisingly, deletion of SET3 leaves the steady-state expression level of most genes unchanged, both during exponential yeast-phase growth and during the yeast-filament transition. Fine temporal resolution of transcription in cells undergoing this transition revealed that the Set3C modulates transient expression changes of key morphogenesis-related genes. These include a transcription factor cluster comprising of NRG1, EFG1, BRG1, and TEC1, which form a regulatory circuit controlling hyphal differentiation. Set3C appears to restrict the factors by modulating their transcription kinetics, and the hyperfilamentous phenotype of SET3-deficient cells can be reverted by mutating the circuit factors. These results indicate that the chromatin status at coding regions represents a dynamic platform influencing transcription kinetics. Moreover, we suggest that transcription at the coding sequence can be transiently decoupled from potentially conflicting promoter information in dynamic environments.


Covid-19 Impacts on Immigration Detention: Global Responses
Over the past few months, immigration detention practices around the world have been changing rapidly as state and civil society actors respond to manage the multiple impacts of COVID-19. In some cases, these changes have been positive, leading to stronger protection of the rights of non-citizens. In others, they have led to the increased marginalisation of and discrimination against non-citizens.
In collaborating with the Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative to produce this joint edited collection, IDC sought to provide a platform for our members and partners to discuss their experiences, actions and perspectives as the pandemic unfolded across the globe. The contributions are rich and diverse, showing the impact that COVID-19 has had on refugee, undocumented migrant and stateless communities around the world.


This article explores the Spanish crown's efforts to study, cultivate, and transplant spices from the East Indies to the West Indies and then to Spain in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Beginning with Christopher Columbus's first observations of New World flora, the Spanish crown sought out spices to cultivate for economic gain. Although they were ultimately unsuccessful in efforts to generate a large-scale spice trade, colonial officials and local entrepreneurs participated in a coordinated program of empirical information gathering and botanical experimentation that is itself of historical significance. For the empirical and experimental—"scientific"—methods they represented serve to challenge and enhance current understanding of several historiographical themes: the origins of economic botany and the Scientific Revolution more generally, the role of human agency in the Columbian exchange, and the dissemination of knowledge from imperial centers to colonial peripheries.


To ensure the most economically vulnerable residents in the state are supported during a state of emergency, the Senate advanced legislation on Thursday and it now heads to the Governor’s desk.
The bill (A-3858) would require the Commissioner of Human Services to issue supplemental cash assistance payments, under certain circumstances, to those within the Work First New Jersey program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the special supplemental food program for women, infants and children.
The bill sponsors, Assembly Democrats Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), William Spearman (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon), issued the following statement:
“Food shortages caused by COVID-19 could have a devastating impact on families who rely on public assistance programs to put food on the table. Too many living paycheck to paycheck are grappling with what do if they are unable to afford extra stocks of food and basic supplies at home. Making sure these families, in times of special vulnerability like a pandemic, have the extra financial support they need is both critical and just.”
The bill was approved by the full Assembly 53-0-12 on Monday March 16, 2020.


Livestock producers can now access a wealth of industry information collected from the 2016 beef and sheep industry in a new pocket-sized yearbook produced by AHDB Beef & Lamb.
Facts and figures have been compiled and updated to deliver key insights for industry from farm-to-fork.
Beef and veal exports were up ten per cent on 2015 at more than 110,000 tonnes, giving a return of £370 million to the beef sector. However, issues around supplies, competitiveness and consumer demand have played a significant part in driving up prices.
For the sheep sector, prices remained below average until May. June’s referendum led to a sharp decline in the value of the pound and consumer demand came under pressure due to rising retail prices and competitively priced alternatives such as chicken.
Duncan Wyatt, lead red meat analyst at AHDB, said: “The pocketbook provides essential information to our levy payers and stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions about their businesses.
“Having an insight into recent market trends ensures the industry is better prepared for what is to come. This is even more important with Brexit on the horizon, as levy payer businesses need to ensure they are equipped to deal with the potential impact this may have.”
The yearbook can be downloaded from the AHDB Beef & Lamb website or a hard copy requested by emailing beeflamb.comms@ahdb.org.uk


With many students across the country participating in virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, at-school vision screenings have been limited. These annual school-provided screenings play a crucial role in identifying and treating vision problems early on. While this adversely affects all students, those from low-income families are particularly disadvantaged. Dr. Joel Leffler, Pediatrix-affiliated pediatric ophthalmologist at Children’s Eye Care of North Texas in Plano, says parents who struggle more with economic hardship often lack access to these basic health examinations, even in pre-COVID times. “It is safe to assume that these at-risk children have even less access to essential services like vision screenings and assessments during the pandemic, as availability of health and community services are even more limited,” Leffler said.
View the full story at Healthline


Signs of Child Abuse
Child abuse does not discriminate. It happens in every culture, class, and community. It might be happening to your child or affecting your child’s best friend or teammate. When you notice one or more of these signs, you may be unsure if abuse is occurring. Children may exhibit these signs but not be victims, or they may be victims without clearly identifiable signs. If you suspect abuse, you should think critically about what else you know or have observed about the family.
If you have a concern about a child from a different culture than your own or who belongs to a community that you don’t understand well, consider whether the concern relates to parenting practices and personal beliefs that may be different from your own, but are not necessarily abuse. Remember, families struggling with poverty are often safe and loving. Thank you for your care in understanding how to detect abuse. Your actions today are part of the solution.


Many people in the United States spend a significant portion of their income on housing, which leaves less for other essentials such as food and transportation. What options are available for those who are seeking more affordable housing? How can the church support them?
Whether you avail yourself of a single session on a topic that interests you, or engage in an ongoing basis, linking your faith with your approach to contemporary issues should prove rewarding.


CREATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
Community revitalization is about holistically creating healthier communities. Research consistently shows that access to affordable housing is crucial for vital communities and there are positive impacts between housing and the social well being of residents.
This section provides resources that address varying aspects of community revitalization, including tools to engage residents in housing and community-led regeneration initiatives.
Resources can be found under the following key themes:


The journey for foster and adopted children, their caregivers, and the supportive professionals can seem like a runaway train at times. This journey is often filled with heart-warming connection and heart-wrenching pain (often at the same time) and this ambiguity and volatily can often create crisis for all parties involved. How each party understands and relates to moments of crisis is the number one factor in how well we get through it gracefully with the least amount of “collateral damage.” This 2-part webinar series will take a closer look at crisis so we can perhaps not only better navigate it but also prevent unnecessary crisis.
You are here: / / Crisis Intervention Part I: Managing Aggression and Other Difficult Behaviors


As a renter, you don't want anything that brings harm to you or your possessions. However, sometimes, things happen that are beyond your control. For example, a fire might break out and destroy your property. Even if you took steps to reduce fire risks, they clearly didn't completely eliminate the risk of one occurring.
It's certainly important to take fire safety precautions as a renter. However, you also need protection in the event that a blaze breaks out anyway. This is where a comprehensive renters insurance policy can help.
Renters Insurance and Fire Coverage
Renters insurance often comes with two standard types of coverage — liability and personal property coverage. Liability coverage can help protect renters if their actions lead to unintentional injuries or property damage. For example, let's say you accidentally knock over a candle that causes a fire and substantial property damage. Liability coverage may help you compensate the property owners for the damages to their owned property. The owner or landlord's insurance may also cover fire damage.
Personal Property coverage can help renters protect damage to their own personal property. As a renter, you likely own most or all the possessions inside of the rental home. By placing a value on your possessions in your policy, you can help replace these items should a fire destroy them.
Most renters don't have to worry about how to repair property damage or replace personal items after a fire. Their renters insurance policy should help. Nonetheless, every policy differs, and some might exclude certain fire damage scenarios. Renters should ensure that they have the right fire coverage for their specific property.
Proper Fire Prevention Steps in Rental Properties
When you rent a home, you should often consider yourself a guardian of another person's property. You should do everything you can to reduce fire risks. This can protect both you and the property owner.
Before moving in, make sure the homeowner has had the home inspected by a third party to ensure it meets fire code.
If you notice frayed wiring, damaged electrical systems, clogged chimneys or other fire risks, tell the homeowner. They will need to have someone repair the damage.
Use all electrical appliances in the home appropriately. These are flammable systems, and should be treated with care. Only operate them according to manufacturer recommendations.
Monitor your own usage of flammable materials, such as candles or heating irons. Never leave these items unattended.
Remember, renters insurance will likely cover you for in the event of an accidental or uncontrollable fire. But you won't be covered if the fire was a result of negligence. Also, never set a fire on purpose. This act is considered arson. And arson is felony crime in most states,
including Minnesota.
We can help you find coverage. Call
Lancette Agency, LLC at (651) 264-1230 for a free Minnesota renters insurance quote.


SMEs don't understand security risks, ACSC survey finds
Each year cyber incidents cost this cohort a combined $29 billion, yet nearly half of them cannot or will not invest more than $500 per annum on cybersecurity.
A general lack of awareness and understanding of IT is largely to blame.
Of more than 1700 people surveyed, nearly one in 10 were unable to explain cyber threat terminology such as malware, phishing, ransomware or insider threats. One in five Mac users were unaware of which operating system their business was using, while the same proportion of Windows users have an operating system that stopped receiving security updates in January 2020.
Additionally, there was an apparent reluctance to invest in cybersecurity, with the majority of respondents underestimating the damage a cyber attack could cause. Around 87% believed they could regain normal operations immediately or within a few days following an attack.
Sole traders were the least prepared with just 3% outsourcing their own cybersecurity, compared with 35% of higher-staffed SMEs. Those who were outsourcing their IT overestimated the level of protection it provided.
Despite underestimating the risk, 90% of respondents are seeking to further their understanding and better manage cybersecurity threats.
Many blame complexity and a lack of dedicated IT staff for their current practice.
Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/MIND AND I
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Taxing Caloric Sweetened Beverages: Potential Effects on Beverage Consumption, Calorie Intake, and Obesity The link between high U.S. obesity rates and the overconsumption of added sugars, largely from sodas and fruit drinks, has prompted public calls for a tax on caloric sweetened beverages. Faced with such a tax, consumers may reduce consumption of these sweetened beverages and substitute nontaxed beverages, such as bottled water, juice, and milk. This study estimated that a tax-induced 20-percent price increase on caloric sweetened beverages could cause an average reduction of 37 calories per day, or 3.8 pounds of body weight over a year, for adults and an average of 43 calories per day, or 4.5 pounds over a year, for children. Given these reductions in calorie consumption, results show an estimated decline in adult overweight prevalence (66.9 to 62.4 percent) and obesity prevalence (33.4 to 30.4 percent), as well as the child at-risk-for-overweight prevalence (32.3 to 27.0 percent) and the overweight prevalence (16.6 to 13.7 percent).
Actual impacts would depend on many factors, including how the tax is reflected in consumer prices and the competitive strategies of beverage manufacturers and food retailers.
Released Friday, July 2, 2010
See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR100/


Nutrition
In early 2016, Mondelez introduced its updated ‘Strategy Globe’ and formulated a vision, ‘to be the best snacking company in the world.’ To achieve its vision and strategic focus, Mondelez has identified three growth ambitions: Grow our people, grow our business and grow our impact. In this context, it has developed a new platform, ‘Impact for Growth’ which the company sees as a focused approach to driving growth and delivering positive change.
Mondelez factors nutrition into its decisions about acquisitions. The company also conducts extensive nutrition-related risk assessment to mitigate risks to support its ‘Well-being Strategy.’ This type of risk assessment is one of the most comprehensive from the companies assessed.
Despite some strong elements described above, the company could strengthen its commitment to grow by making nutrition and health more central in its ‘Strategy Globe’ and by having it play a more integral and central role in its ‘growth ambitions.’ This should be built upon a clear commitment to deliver more, healthy foods with specific reference to low-income populations in both developed and developing markets.
‘Impact for Growth’ covers Mondelez’ global ‘Well-being Strategy’ which has three pillars: 1. Expanding ten existing well-being brands in Mondelez portfolio, with the goal of growing them at twice the rate of its base portfolio; 2. Renovating and improving the nutrition and ingredient profile of its best-selling brand; 3. Continuing to inspire consumers to snack mindfully and planning to deliver 15% of its revenue from portion-controlled snacks that are individually wrapped and have 200 calories or fewer.
Within these three pillars, Mondelez has formulated additional 2020 goals covering a broad range of nutrition-related topics such as product reformulation, developing its healthy product portfolio, labeling, marketing to children, consumer education and stakeholder engagement.
Mondelez’s CEO, in conjunction with a Board Committee, is engaged in the review and progress of its ‘Well-being Strategy.’ The company has established a ‘Well-being Leadership Team’ that is overseen by three senior executives who report directly to the Board and the CEO. The ‘Well-being Leadership Team’ sets the direction of Mondelez global ‘Well-being Strategy.’ Even though the CEO’s accountability for the overall business strategy of which the ‘Well-being Strategy’ is an important component, Mondelez could strengthen this commitment by linking directly the remuneration of its CEO to its well-being objectives.
To strengthen its ‘Well-being Strategy’, the company is encouraged to conduct annual internal audits of its delivery. It could also expand the formal panel that advises the Board with specialists from a broader range of expertise, such as marketing, labeling and promoting active lifestyles.
The company annually publishes a progress report entitled, The Impact for Growth, and provides global updates on nutrition. Despite its global presence, the company does not publish separate reports for its major markets. Mondelez also does not yet follow the industry-leading practice of commissioning external verification of the nutrition information and data in its reports.


Abstract
Objective: To investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels prior to liver transplantation (LT) and the development of acute cellular rejection (ACR) within the first year post LT.Methods: This retrospective study included 275 consecutive LTs performed in 262 patients at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida over 13 months. A total of 149 patients met the inclusion criteria. The correlations between 25(OH)D levels and the development, severity, and number of biopsy-proven ACR episodes were assessed.Results: The prevalence of 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL was 92%. No association was found between pre LT 25(OH)D levels and the diagnosis of ACR (P = .61). Mean ± SD pre LT 25(OH)D levels were 16.1 ± 6.8 ng/mL for 48 subjects with no rejection, 16.1 ± 8.2 ng/mL for those with a mild first episode of ACR (n = 58), and 18.4 ± 12.4 ng/mL for those who experienced a moderate/severe first ACR (n = 39). However, in a subgroup analysis of patients with 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL, there was a statistically significant negative correlation (P = .0252) between 25(OH) D level and the ACR rate.Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency prior to LT was prevalent in our cohort. There was no statistically significant association between low 25(OH)D levels and the diagnosis or severity of ACR or the number of rejection episodes within the first year post LT. However, there was a negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels below 30 ng/mL and the rate of ACR within 1 year post LT.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Endocrinology


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Engagement of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) receptor complex triggers activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). A wide array of signaling molecules can contribute to the activation of NF-κB, but a number of common themes link the receptors engaged to activate it with the translocation of the active complex to the nucleus; among these is a clear role for ubiquitination. Ubiquitination is essential to the degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) subunits, which otherwise retain the inactive NF-κB complex in the cytosol. However, additional roles for ubiquitination in the assembly of signaling complexes and in enzyme activation are underappreciated aspects of NF-κB induction pathways. These roles require a form of ubiquitination biochemically distinct from that which targets proteins for degradation. The identification of Act1, an adaptor protein of the IL-17 receptor, as an E3 ubiquitin ligase capable of initiating this modification provides an impressive connection between the IL-17 receptor complex and pathways that activate NF-κB.


Announcement
The teams from ECMC North successfullly delivered their first online educational event on 19 October 2020. We have now moved to developing the content for the ECMC COVID-19 Community Hub, a curated online platform to build on the learnings from the workshops held in October.
Wondering what other centres do to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 for early phase trials? Interested in contributing to sharing best practice? Don’t know who to ask about COVID-19 implications when planning future trials? Then join ECMC North in the educational event to help develop a framework for delivery during the pandemic.
Below are two examples of work being done in Manchester to support the COVID effort.
By David Pinato et al. published in Cancer Discovery.
A large Imperial-led study has revealed valuable insights into the impact and risk factors for cancer patients with COVID-19. The findings, from almost 900 cancer patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany, highlight a number of key clinical insights, including:
The CATALYST trial is seeking signals of efficacy of drugs targeting the most serious symptoms of the COVID virus. The aim is to reduce the severity of the disease, leading to a reduction in the number of patients needing to be admitted to intensive care, and ultimately in deaths. The drugs being tested include those already in use for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Cancer Research UK has collated some of the guidelines from official sources on the collection and processing of human specimens for clinical and translational research during and after the COVID-19 pandemic into a single document.
UCLH is part of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial and expected to recruit 500 participants in June.
Staff at Cardiff's ECMC have been transferring their talents to help tackle the pandemic, engaging in the rapid set-up and recruitment to COVID-related studies.


When hitting the roads this fall you should always drive with confidence especially when the temperatures and weather conditions drastically change. In a year filled with so much uncertainty, the last problem you need is a broken-down car. We can't say it enough but proper tune-ups will ensure your vehicle lasts longer while preventing costly repairs that may result from neglect. Forgetting to tune up your car or truck after your summer travel can be a costly one. At Naugatuck River Motors we prioritize your needs while keeping your pocket in mind. Our goal has always been to keep Connecticut drivers on the road longer while ensuring their vehicle is safe and reliable. No matter the issue, our skilled mechanics and technicians will take care of you; rest assured you're in the right hands. With nearly four decades of experience, our mechanics will diagnose and repair any issues before they progress. Proper tune-ups are essential, and we’re ready to keep your car or truck top of mind! Should I Take My Car or Truck in For a Tune-Up? Of course, no matter the age or type of vehicle you should always prioritize regular maintenance for your weekend cruiser or everyday car. Not only does a proper tune-up ensure your vehicle is safe, but it reduces associated costs that could arise down the road. This is especially the case for basic fluid changes that are the vital components to a fully functional car. Neglect them, and face the consequences of a damaged engine, transmission, or faulty brakes. Contact our mechanics to see if you're due for a tune-up and save! What do Mechanics Check During Tune-Ups? A qualified mechanic will take a diverse approach to vehicle inspection. When having regular maintenance checks in fixed intervals, your car or truck will receive first-class treatment at Naugatuck River Motors. We know that your vehicle is a large investment and we want to ensure the value of your vehicle performs better than the industry average for your model. What are some of the routine tune-ups performed? Fluid Changes Air condition fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and brake fluid are essential to the longevity of your vehicle. When replacing these fluids in a timely manner you can rest knowing your car is safe to drive. Air Filters Not only do air filters pass the necessary airflow to your vehicle but they prevent your vehicle from using more gas. In a time of economic uncertainty, your dollars shouldn't be spent on fill-ups. During each tune-up, our Waterbury mechanics will inspect each air filter for excessive debris, while ensuring your car's air filters run properly. Don't let your car stall from lack of oxygen. Whenever recommended, replace your air filters to avoid unfavorable outcomes. Windshield Wipers As temperatures begin to change and the weather begins to be even more unpredictable, all Connecticut vehicle owners should have their windshield wipers inspected and replaced. Worn-out windshield wipers just won't do the job and can result in an accident when driving in inclement weather. Car Battery Although car batteries are made to last a significant amount of time, you should always have a mechanic inspect your battery to ensure it is properly connected and all looks well. Oil Changes Vehicles typically need a regular oil change every three to six months. but this may vary due to driving habits. Oil is highly important in the functions of your vehicle as it carries away heat from your engine. Running on old oil and failing to properly drain it could result in engine issues and in severe cases, permanent damage. Contact our team for a low-cost oil change in Connecticut. Belts During a tune-up, a skilled auto mechanic will inspect and diagnose all your vehicle's hoses and belts. This is especially vital for older vehicles that tend to wear out hoses and belts far quicker. If you hear any unusual noises coming from your vehicle you should inform us immediately. This may be due to a faulty or worn-out belt that needs to be replaced. For classic car owners, hoses can frequently get clogged resulting in costly repairs. Our mechanics will inspect each hose properly to ensure there is no splitting or cracked hoses. If needed, we will replace any worn-out hoses. Does Regular Maintenance Improve the Value of my Vehicle? Neglect is the biggest deterrent to any prospective buyer. Forgetting to have regular maintenance and inspections will result in a vehicle that depreciates rapidly. Not only will your vehicle be susceptible to breakdowns but the value of your vehicle will go with it. No one wants another person's problems, especially when it comes to vehicles. Leading Auto Facility in Waterbury, Connecticut As a top-rated auto facility in Waterbury, Connecticut we understand the importance of traditional tune-ups for your vehicle. When you arrive at Naugatuck River Motors we want you to understand that we have built a history of quality service at affordable rates. We know what our competitors offer, and to them, you're just another dollar sign. This is not the case with Naugatuck River Motors, we take pride in exceptional customer service and offer a clear and concise diagnosis of any vehicle issue. Contact our team today to see how you can save on your first maintenance check-up. Naugatuckrivermotors.com | 203-527-6494


Third-Party Advocates Will Play a Key Role in a New Political Dynamic
By: Jared Parks, Vice President
To put it mildly, 2020 has not been a year that has been short on surprises and challenges. The first global pandemic in a century which demanded robust policy responses, coupled with a highly-charged and often unpredictable political environment – and a looming election – presented enormous challenges for businesses of every shape and size and across diverse industries. Those businesses and industries also faced unprecedented challenges in advocating for their principals and interests in a virtual environment where constituents and advocates could no longer engage as easily with policymakers and their staffs through shoe-leather lobbying or traditional constituent meetings.
In this context, 2020 has underscored the importance of partnering with like-minded third-party advocacy organizations to ensure that policymakers and staff hear stakeholders’ key messages and fully understand the impacts of a given policy consideration upon them. Third-party groups can be a voice for the often large numbers of grassroots activists among their memberships, offering lawmakers a finger on the pulse of their constituents when direct engagement is more difficult. They also often have a deep well of policy expertise which they can offer to policymakers on the basis of trusted, well-established relationships. Finally, many third-party groups have well-developed relationships with the media and can be valuable allies in getting a message out and shaping a narrative.
Looking ahead to 2021, and with the election now behind us, there are still many unknowns ahead, but it is clear that we will have a new presidential administration and a divided government should the current Senate majority remain in-tact. It is equally clear that third parties will have a critical role to play across the board in the new dynamic awaiting us in 2021.
The incoming administration will confront the immediate task of staffing up at every agency across government. Many third-party policy experts and advocates bring their expertise to bear in government service when ideologically aligned with the administration in power. If past is precedent, the new administration will draw heavily upon the deep bench of policy experts and advocates at like-minded think tanks and third-party groups as they look to fill key roles. This makes aligned third-party groups a valuable resource to a new administration, effective influencers with key personnel, and powerful advocacy partners.
Additionally, third-party groups often serve not just as advocates, but as incubators for policy proposals ranging from taxes to infrastructure to energy. As any new administration seeks to hit the ground running in implementing its agenda, it can draw upon the expertise, research, and recommendations of aligned third parties that have often spent years studying a given issue, making such organizations valuable partners in engaging and educating a new crop of policymakers.
For the outgoing administration and presumed Republican majority in the Senate, third parties are more important than ever. Many from the outgoing administration will likely apply their expertise, experience, and relationships as outside advocates at aligned third-party groups. And for Republican lawmakers seeking to restore and expand their party’s position in government, support from allied third parties and the vast numbers of conservative activists they represent is critical to their success.
At The Herald Group, our Alliance Development team focuses solely on building and maintaining extensive relationships with national, state, and local third-party groups and key opinion leaders and works to mobilize these organizations and influencers on behalf of our clients. THG’s strategic partnership building capabilities include:
Third-Party Audits and Platform Development Coalition Strategy and Development Identification, Recruitment, and Mobilization of Key Third-Party Advocates Key Influencer Communications
In a year that has brought many changes to the advocacy space, the importance of leveraging third-party partnerships has been a constant, and at The Herald Group, we only see its value increasing in the months ahead.


We are excited to be participating in AWS re:Invent 2017, the largest global conference focused on cloud computing. As a company, if you’re thinking of, or already have embarked on a cloud initiative, this is a must attend event.
From Backup to Analytics – Hybrid Cloud Redefined
Companies of all sizes are being faced with the explosion of data and are struggling on how to effectively manage it and extract value from it. This has been one of the key drivers of the great migration to the cloud. As traditional File, Block, SAN and NAS environments cannot cost effectively scale with this rapid data growth, nor are they architected to support unstructured data, companies are looking at object storage and cloud to provide a viable solution.
Object storage is the backbone of all major cloud providers and allows scalability, data durability and resiliency not achievable with traditional RAID architectures. Object is the language of the Cloud and S3 / Object APIs are becoming the norm. Customizable metadata and search capabilities enhance data value.
New hybrid workflows, leveraging object storage on premises with public cloud resources, are changing the economics of data for analytics and backup workloads. At re:Invent we’ll be showcasing how our HGST ActiveScale™ object storage system enables hybrid workflows that can greatly simplify backup environments while increasing storage efficiency to deliver dramatic savings.
An Ecosystem to Power Your Hybrid Cloud Strategy – Booth #127
We have a built a deep ecosystem of vertically integrated Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) that can help companies determine their appropriate cloud strategy and improve hybrid workflow data management. At AWS re:Invent 2017 several key ISVs will join us in our
booth #127, including: StorReduce– Rethink Your Backup Strategy: StorReduce is the only deduplication engine built for cloud object storage. StorReduce is designed to meet the unique requirements of companies using public, private or hybrid cloud storage for large volumes of data. StorReduce sits between your applications and cloud storage, transparently deduplicating data inline at speeds of up to 1400 MB/s per server, reducing storage costs, speeding up the time for transfer between clouds and freeing your data for use in the cloud via standard cloud APIs. Learn how StorReduce + HGST’s ActiveScale + AWS™ can replace traditional backup appliances, saving you 70%+. Primary Data – Intelligently Automate Data Management:Primary Data’s DataSphere gives petabyte-scale enterprises the ability to respond automatically to the demands of their applications and data. Whether IT needs to optimize performance, simplify data migrations, save budget, or simplify adoption of new technologies like the cloud, DataSphere makes it simple to set objectives and automate data management across existing and new storage resources. Elastifile™– enjoy a data anywhere strategy:As a cloud-scale distributed file system, on-premises and in-cloud, Elastifile’s data fabric is seamlessly accessible from anywhere in the world, allowing users to integrate and collaborate with the data as if it’s stored locally. With flash-native, scale-out performance, every workload’s data is now available to use without needing to ask for it, wait for it, or copy it across the network. Join Us at AWS re:Invent 2017
Our expertise in manufacturing up the stack, starting at the hard disk drive components, delivers you with industry leading reliability, significant cost efficiencies to help enable a data forever architecture.
Be sure to stop by the
Venetian/Sands Expo Hall, Booth #127 to learn more about how HGST ActiveScale system, paired with AWS and our ISV partners, can help your data thrive while saving you and your company money.
I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!