Impact of Acid Rain on Human Health Corrosive downpour looks, feels, and tastes simply like clean downpour. The mischief to individuals from corrosive downpour isn't immediate. Strolling in corrosive downpour, or notwithstanding swimming in a corrosive lake, is not any more perilous than strolling or swimming in clean water. The air contamination that causes corrosive downpour is all the more harming to human wellbeing. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the real wellsprings of corrosive downpour, can bother or even harm our lungs. The toxins that reason corrosive downpour can likewise decrease perceivability, constraining how far into the separation we can see. The essential contaminations related with corrosive downpour and poor perceivability are human-made sulfur dioxide outflows. These discharges structure little sulfate particles, or mist concentrates, in the air. These mist concentrates diminish perceivability by dispersing light. Sulfate pressurized canned products are the primary driver of poor perceivability in the eastern United States.
Nitrogen oxide discharges are additionally connected with the corrosive downpour issue Air contamination like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory sicknesses, or can exacerbate these illnesses. Respiratory maladies like asthma or ceaseless bronchitis make it difficult for individuals to relax. The contamination that causes corrosive downpour can likewise make little particles. At the point when these particles get into individuals' lungs, they can cause medical issues, or can aggravate existing medical issues. Likewise, nitrogen oxides cause ground-level ozone. This ground-level ozone causes respiratory issues, similar to pneumonia and bronchitis, and can even reason perpetual lung harm.
The wellbeing impacts that individuals need to stress over are not brought about by the corrosive downpour, yet are caused when individuals take in these modest particles or ozone. Swimming in an acidic lake or strolling in an acidic puddle is not any more hurtful to individuals than swimming or strolling in clean water.The last convergence of acids (for the most part sulfuric corrosive, H2SO4 and nitric/nitrous corrosive, HNO3/HNO2) in precipition (causticity) is reliant on emanations of SO2 and NOx from sources, climate conditions andother synthetic substances present in the atmoshpere. The development of sulfuric and nitric/nitrous corrosive in the environment is a mind boggling procedure including a few concoction responses including both arrangement and gas stage responses.
Strolling in corrosive downpour, or notwithstanding swimming in a lake influenced by corrosive downpour, is not any more perilous to people than strolling in ordinary downpour or swimming in non-acidic lakes.
Notwithstanding, when the poisons that reason corrosive downpour — SO2 and NOX, just as sulfate and nitrate particles—are noticeable all around, they can be destructive to people. SO2 and NOX respond in the climate to shape fine sulfate and nitrate particles that individuals can breathe in into their lungs. Numerous logical examinations have demonstrated a connection between these particles and consequences for heart work, for example, heart assaults bringing about death for individuals with expanded coronary illness hazard, and impacts on lung work, for example, breathing troubles for individuals with asthma.
By bringing down SO2 and NOx outflows from power age, the Acid Rain Program will lessen the degrees of fine sulfate and nitrate particles thus decrease the frequency and the seriousness of these medical issues.
At the point when completely actualized continuously 2010, the general medical advantages of the Acid Rain Program are assessed to be esteemed at $50 billion yearly, because of diminished mortality, clinic affirmations, and crisis room visits. Diminishes in nitrous oxide outflows are additionally expected to beneficially affect human wellbeing by lessening the nitrogen oxides accessible to respond with unstable natural mixes and structure ozone. Ozone impacts on human wellbeing incorporate various dismalness and mortality dangers related with lung aggravation, including asthma and emphysema.


As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we have seen many changes to daily life and work. The past few months brought school and business closures along with a record number of unemployment claims. With the unemployment rate continuing upward, states may need to re-assess the needs of individuals without employment and determine how to help them reenter the workforce into good jobs as part of economic recovery.
A recent Strada Education Network survey found that 35% of respondents who lost hours or employment identified needing more skills in their current field to get a similar job, while another 34% mentioned needing more skills to transition to a new career field. As these statistics continue to fluctuate, states can begin evaluating their economic needs and how best to connect individuals to the education and training needed for upskilling and reskilling.
One specific data point from the April 15 survey highlights a mismatch between what people want and what institutions are offering: 59% of respondents prefer non-degree programs to increase their skills base. (Specifically, 26% of those who indicated they would pursue a non-degree program stated they would pursue a certificate or license.) Further, the May 6 update found that 36% of respondents indicated they would seek out a different field of work if they lost their job, which could speak to the increased interest in non-degree credentials. Typically, these programs can be quicker to complete and may have direct pathways into the workforce. Ensuring quality and providing clear pathways into careers are important aspects to consider in non-degree credentials.
Generally speaking, quality non-degree credentials are certificates, industry certifications, occupational licenses or apprenticeship certificates that provide value to an individual and business. For a worker, quality can be indicated by their ability, with the credential, to access a good job with sustaining wages and growth potential. Whereas for businesses, quality could mean that a credential is a clear indication of specific skills and training. The two perceptions of quality are not mutually exclusive and capturing them both are key considerations within a state’s process to identify and evaluate non-degree credentials.
Creating Quality and Aligned Non-Degree Credential Pathways
State policymakers can take steps to ensure the quality of non-degree credentials by establishing processes and criteria to evaluate the credentials and ensure they are connected to career paths in high-demand fields, as highlighted in the work from Education Strategy Group. To inform and create quality, non-degree pathways, states have resources to inform and guide the process, specifically data and established groups of workforce stakeholders.
For example,
Alabama established a committee within its workforce development council to bring industry and other experts together to examine and evaluate specific credentials. The state uses a set of data and criteria to determine if a credential should be included on the state’s Compendium of Valuable Credentials.
Similarly,
New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development has established a list of industry-valued credentials. The list was first established with employer input in 2018 and is reevaluated quarterly. The reevaluation of the credential list is done by senior staff from the department, plus New Jersey’s local One-Stop Career Centers and Workforce Development Boards, the state employment and training commission, department of education and secretary of higher education. As an indicator of quality to individuals seeking credentials, the department has an up-to-date public resource that details the credentials of value and the issuing agency.
While employment and economic conditions will continue to shift, states have an opportunity to support individuals in upskilling and reskilling as part of their economic recovery. By providing individuals with clear indications of what credentials are valued and of quality, those looking to reskill or upskill can select paths that support them in their future jobs. Creating quality, non-degree credential pathways is one approach to meeting both individuals’ and businesses’ needs in an evolving economy.


SUMMARY
The census is a once-in-a-decade event that affects the distribution of billions of federal funding each year on infrastructure and services like hospitals, schools, senior centers and public works projects based on national responses. With so much at stake, the federal government allocated funding for a national advertising campaign to educate residents about the impact of the 2010 census.
The team analyzed the situational factors surrounding the last two censuses in 1990 and 2000, as well as the response rates (61 and 69 percent, respectively). They also conducted a landscape analysis and retrieved data from the Nevada State Demographer’s Office and the American Community Survey from 2007 and 2008. What the team realized immediately was that Nevadans faced many different factors that previously did not exist, such as economic hardship and the highest foreclosure rate in that nation.
PLANNING
The Ferraro Group met with the client, Nevada Secretary of State (SoS) Ross Miller; team members national PR firm Weber Shandwick, advertising firm Sawyer Miller and Hispanic marketing firm The Axis Agency; and other census partners including Strategic Solutions, contracted by the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, Nevada Demographer Jeff Hardcastle and U.S. Census Bureau Liaison David Byerman for a six-hour strategic planning session to identify objectives, audiences and challenges. The team identified a timeline of major census events and organized our PR & ad campaign to support these scheduled events and ensure the widest amount of media coverage for maximum impact.
A key strategy toward achieving these goals was to communicate Nevada-specific reasons for participating – what it means to residents of
our state to mail back their census forms. The campaign included working with local trusted partners to reach residents with messages that are relevant locally and culturally. It aimed to promote all Nevadans 18+ statewide to participate in the 2010 Census, with particular focus on hard-to-count populations including: minority groups, people who are temporarily displaced due to the foreclosure market and rural communities. IMPLEMENTATION Earned Media – Much of the support during the campaign came in the form of proactive and reactive media relations. This included developing and distributing press releases and advisories, coordinating media interviews for the SoS, drafting press kits and providing on-site support at major campaign events. -Campaign Kick-off – Beginning with a coordinated northern/southern Nevada campaign rollout on January 21 at the Boys and Girls Club in Reno and Three-Square in Las Vegas, TFG worked closely with the SoS office and local Complete Count Committees to organize press events focused on the importance of census participation to local community service groups and families they serve. -Ad Campaign Launch Press Conference – TFG organized a press conference unveiling the campaign’s creative component, including outdoor advertisements, on March 3, 2010. For this event, TFG developed electronic press kits that included a detailed press release and copies of all creative elements of the campaign. – National Census Day Event – TFG organized a two-day press event from March 31-April 1, 2010 in recognition of National Census Day. The two main goals of the event were to 1) continue encouraging people to fill out and send in their census forms, and 2) focus the statewide census participation message in hard to count communities in Washoe and Clark Counties. Social Media and Digital Outreach – TFG worked with the SoS office to develop an official microsite that served as a one-stop information hub for the 2010 Census in Nevada. Through TFG’s assistance, the microsite provided timely information on the campaign, including the distribution of press releases, resource toolkits for media and our Trusted Voices partners, videos produced by local CCCs and the statewide campaign, and key information from the U.S. Census Bureau. TFG also engaged Nevadans through a Nevada Census 2010 fan page on Facebook and a Nevada Census 2010 YouTube page. Hispanic Outreach – Each of the campaign’s Hispanic media partners [Telemundo (TV – Las Vegas), Entravision (Univision TV – Las Vegas), Entravision Radio (Reno) and Univision Radio (Las Vegas)] recorded and distributed co-branded Spanish-language PSAs that used our messaging and their most recognized talent to promote awareness of the census. RESULTS
Reports from local census officials noted that residents returned the 2010 census forms faster than they did in 2000. Nevada was one of the 11 states that matched the 2000 mail-in response rate. Nevada’s response to the 2010 census also qualified the state to have a fourth Congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Southern Nevada chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized the Nevada Census 2010 campaign in multiple categories during its annual Pinnacle Awards, which recognizes the best public relations programs, tools and professionals in southern Nevada, northern Arizona and southern Utah. An out-of-market judge commented that the Nevada Census 2010 campaign was “outstanding.”


Dwelling approvals on the rise
THE total number of dwellings approved in Australia rose 7.4% in seasonally adjusted terms in March.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Monday revealed the rise, which came after an 8.85% fall in February.
New South Wales led all states with a 49.3% rise in dwelling approvals in March, followed by Western Australia (11.1%) and South Australia (4.2%). Queensland suffered a sharp decline in dwelling approvals (-8.7%), along with Tasmania (-6.7%), and Victoria (-5.0%).
Approvals for private sector houses rose 3.9% in seasonally adjusted terms in March, with rises in South Australia (16.3%), Western Australia (14.5%), New South Wales (3.5%) and Queensland (1.8%). Victoria fell (-1.0%).
The value of total building approved decreased 8.9% in March, following a decrease of 31.7% in February.
The value of residential building rose 1.3% while non-residential building fell 23.4%.


Avoid the Goose! Paramedic Identification of Esophageal Intubation by Ultrasound.Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018 Aug; 33(4):406-410.PD OBJECTIVES
Rapid identification of esophageal intubations is critical to avoid patient morbidity and mortality. Continuous waveform capnography remains the gold standard for endotracheal tube (ETT) confirmation, but it has limitations. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may be a useful alternative for confirming ETT placement. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of paramedic-performed POCUS identification of esophageal intubations with and without ETT manipulation.
METHODS
A prospective, observational study using a cadaver model was conducted. Local paramedics were recruited as subjects and each completed a survey of their demographics, employment history, intubation experience, and prior POCUS training. Subjects participated in a didactic session in which they learned POCUS identification of ETT location. During each study session, investigators randomly placed an ETT in either the trachea or esophagus of four cadavers, confirmed with direct laryngoscopy. Subjects then attempted to determine position using POCUS both without and with manipulation of the ETT. Manipulation of the tube was performed by twisting the tube. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to assess the results and the effects of previous paramedic experience.
RESULTS
During 12 study sessions, from March 2014 through December 2015, 57 subjects participated, evaluating a total of 228 intubations: 113 tracheal and 115 esophageal. Subjects were 84.0% male, mean age of 39 years (range: 22 - 62 years), with median experience of seven years (range: 0.6 - 39 years). Paramedics correctly identified ETT location in 158 (69.3%) cases without and 194 (85.1%) with ETT manipulation. The sensitivity and specificity of identifying esophageal location without ETT manipulation increased from 52.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.0-61.0) and 86.7% (95% CI, 81.0-93.0) to 87.0% (95% CI, 81.0-93.0) and 83.2% (95% CI, 0.76-0.90) after manipulation (P<.0001), without affecting specificity (P=.45). Subjects correctly identified 41 previously incorrectly identified esophageal intubations. Paramedic experience, previous intubations, and POCUS experience did not correlate with ability to identify tube location.
CONCLUSION
Paramedics can accurately identify esophageal intubations with POCUS, and manipulation improves identification. Further studies of paramedic use of dynamic POCUS to identify inadvertent esophageal intubations are needed. LemaPC, O'BrienM, WilsonJ, St. JamesE, LindstromH, DeAngelisJ, CaldwellJ, MayP, ClemencyB. Avoid the goose! Paramedic identification of esophageal intubation by ultrasound. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):406-410.
MeSH Pub Type(s) Language PubMed ID Citation Prehospital and Disaster Medicine,vol. 33, no. 4, 2018, pp. 406-410. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):406-410. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 33(4), 406-410. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X18000651 Prehosp Disaster Med.2018;33(4):406-410. PubMed PMID: 30129915.


In temporarily replacing regular Employment Insurance benefits, the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit has provided needed support to millions, in a short amount of time.
However, the CERB has a glaring loophole that is short-changing workers from receiving additional income assistance from their employers.
Hundreds of thousands of workers in Canada have access to Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) payments when they are on layoff. These special, employer-paid benefit “top-ups” can provide hundreds of dollars, per week, to offset a worker’s loss of income.
Unlike regular EI, the CERB rules deny workers these SUB payments that many have won at the bargaining table.


California’s public employee unions were handed a serious blow in a Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that forbids them from collecting fees from workers who benefit from their representation but do not want to join them.
In a 5 to 4 ruling, the court determined that public sector unions’ so-called “fair share” fees violate “the free speech rights of nonmembers by compelling them to subsidize private speech on matters of substantial public concern.”
The decision in Janus vs. AFSCME effectively makes California a “right to work” state, ending a 41-year precedent that allowed public sector unions to levy these fees on workers who don’t belong to labor organizations.
To unions, the fees ensured that employees don’t get a “free ride” by gaining raises and representation in workplace disputes without paying for those services.
But to critics inside and outside labor groups, the fees trampled the First Amendment rights of workers who believed the charges subsidized inherently political organizations that they opposed.


Which is more likely to catch a reader’s attention: a pop science article referring to “human cortical spheroids” or “brain balls”? Each has its advantages, but also its drawbacks. Communication of science requires reader-friendly translation of jargon-filled, complex ideas, but it’s crucial that this is done accurately and without misinformed hype. For Stanford researcher Dr. Sergiu Pasca, this challenge isRead more


This person feels good about themselves when they are able to work with autonomy. This person puts a lot of faith in their own conclusions…they trust their own answer. This person is the most successful when they can work with a lot of autonomy. This person is able to draw from their past and what they know to make their decisions for the present. This person exudes confidence in what they know and will act on what they believe is right. This person is willing to make decisions and confident that they are the right ones. People will rely on this person’s authenticity and straight forward manner. This person loves working with autonomy and enjoys a role where they feel in control. People will appreciate their confidence because experience has shown that over time, their instincts and decisions can be trusted. Collaboration Alert:
This person may not be as easily influenced by others input or ideas, instead they will push forward or go their own way in what they believe is the right thing to do. This person can be a challenge to manage if they are on the wrong track. This person will clash with a micro-manager. When things do go wrong, they do take ownership of it, and may take that attitude with others. People with this talent can loan it, they provide the confidence for others to take action. Their Confidence is intense around things they believe they can make a judgment decision. They are very independent and their own best advisor.
To download the Confidence Theme Talent Guide as a PDF, please login.
If you don’t have a login, please register.


An operational RNA code relates specific amino acids to sequences/structures in RNA hairpin helices which reconstruct the seven-base-pair acceptor stems of transfer RNAs. These RNA oligonucleotides are aminoacylated by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The specificity and efficiency of aminoacylation are generally determined by three or four nucleotides which are near the site of amino acid attachment. These specificity-determining nucleotides include the so-called "discriminator base" and one or two base pairs within the first four base pairs of the helix. With three examples considered here, nucleotide sequence variations between the eubacterial E. coli tRNA acceptor stems and their human cytoplasmic and mitochondrial counterparts are shown to include changes of some of the nucleotides known to be essential for aminoacylation by the cognate E. coli enzymes. If the general locations of the specificity-determining nucleotides are the same in E. coli and human RNAs, these RNA sequence variations imply a similar covariation in sequences/structures of the E. coli and human tRNA synthetases. These covariations would reflect the integral relationship between the operational RNA code and the design and evolution of tRNA synthetases.


(625ap) Comparison of Predicted and Measured Conversion Performance of Corn Stover, Switchgrass, Miscanthus, and Paper Blends Following Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis
A blended feedstock strategy has been proposed to address the high cost of feedstock access and enable biomass supply systems for biofuel production. Here, measured composition and conversion performance for blends were compared to performance predicted from the weighted average of constituent feedstocks. Corn stover (CS), switchgrass (SWG), paper (MSW), and
Miscanthus (MIS) were selected for blending. Compositional analysis, dilute-acid or dilute-alkali pretreatment, and enzymatic hydrolysis were performed on feedstocks and blends; sugar yields and feedstock reactivity were measured to assess conversion performance. Predicted glucose yields from combined pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis corresponded to measured yields for blends of CS/SWG/MSW and CS/SWG/MIS. There were no significant differences in glucose yield for blends of CS/SWG 80/20 and CS/SWG 50/50 relative to corn stover (p > 0.05). Reactivity results suggest that blending CS and SWG at ratios of 50/50 and 80/20 did not lead to an increase in recalcitrance relative to corn stover. Ternary blends of 65/25/10 and 75/15/10 CS/SWG/MSW had glucose yields from combined pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis (0.68 ± 0.03 and 0.72 ± 0.02 g/g, respectively) that were equivalent to corn stover (0.72 g/g ± 0.02). Results suggest that it is possible to formulate blends capable of meeting quality targets and conversion metrics and perform similarly to corn stover in laboratory-scale studies.


Ukraine: Industrial output contracts again September
October 22, 2018
According to data released by the Statistical Institute, industrial production dropped 1.3% year-on-year in September, deteriorating further from the previous month’s 0.5% fall. The print marked the weakest reading in 14 months and reflected a marked contraction in manufacturing production as well as a significant drop in output in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector.
Annual average growth in industrial output ticked down from 1.6% in August to 1.5% in September. Looking at sequential data, industrial production rose 1.7% month-on-month in September, swinging from the previous month’s 0.5% drop and marking the strongest reading in four months. Ukraine Industrial Production Forecast
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast participants project that industrial output will grow 2.9% in 2018, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2019, panelists expect industrial production to rise 3.2%, which is also down 0.1 percentage points from previous month’s forecast.
Author: Almanas Stanapedis, Economist


Public officials who control access to scarce resources may profit by extracting extraordinary rents during the economic disruptions that follow epidemics. This can increase the value of holding office during these crises. Using data on the sales of public offices in colonial Mexico, we show that while the negative effects of epidemics limited the value of office in most areas, in districts with a public granary — an institution that regulated grain markets in times of food scarcity — aspiring officeholders were willing to pay more for positions following disease outbreaks. Historical evidence suggests that the differential increase in office prices in areas with a granary can be traced to officials' ability to manipulate food prices and supply for personal gain during crises. This highlights the important roles of economic monopoly and political corruption in determining the consequences of epidemics.
Companion
Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy, Volume 1, Issue 4 Special issue - The Political Economy of Pandemics, Part I
See the other articles that are part of this special issue.


GHSE LLC, a Green Cove Springs, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,682 pounds of salad products containing chicken due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. The product contains wheat, a known allergen not declared on the product label.
The ready-to-eat salads with chili-seasoned chicken items were produced on various dates between May 11, 2016 and June 29, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: 11-oz. plastic clam shell containers with “TRADER JOSE’S MEXICALI INSPIRED SALAD WITH CHILI SEASONED CHICKEN” with “BEST BY” dates 05/18/16 – 07/03/16.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. P-45781” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Southern Virginia.
The problem was discovered by a plant quality assurance technician during a routine check of ingredients. The salads have the correct label on the top of the package, but exhibit an incorrect back label that does not include soy sauce as an ingredient; the source of the wheat. As a result, wheat is not sub-listed in the ingredients statement or in the “Contains” allergen declaration.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Source: FSIS


As humans, we were not meant to be socially isolated. Social isolation is believed to elevate our stress levels and it can lead us to have feelings of loneliness, fear of others, or even negative self-esteem. Currently, in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, considering the mass closures of schools and businesses, instability of employment or employment at home and the tension of the unknown can cause stress to build and lead to increased incidences of domestic violence. Hence, during this time of social distancing and shelter-in-place, domestic violence experts and shelters have expressed deep concerns as to the safety of domestic violence victims, as abusers can use social isolation to gain greater control over their victim, thus increasing the risk of a survivor’s personal safety.
Per the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (750 ILCS 60), domestic violence is defined as any of the following: physical abuse, harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or willful deprivation (but does not include reasonable direction of a minor child by a parent). In a nutshell, harassment includes behavior that is not reasonable and it causes another emotional distress. Examples of emotional distress include creating a disturbance at a place of employment or school; repeatedly telephoning a place of employment, home or residence; repeatedly following someone to a public place or places; stalking (keeping someone under surveillance by remaining present outside their home, school, place of employment, vehicle or by peering into someone’s windows); improperly concealing a minor child; repeatedly threatening to improperly remove a minor child from the physical care of a parent; repeatedly threatening to conceal a minor child or threatening physical force, confinement or restraint on one or more occasions.
...


For most, being quarantined means significantly more screen-time.
Whether you're using it productively or unproductively, you're likely consuming much more media than before.
That can be a double-edged sword. It has the potential to increase your understanding of events – but also increases the likelihood of echo chambers and the intake of misinformation (aka
fake news).
So, in this quarantine, what exactly are people looking at, and how are they staying informed?
VisualCapitalist put together various infographics on how different generations are consuming content.
via visualcapitalist
Unsurprisingly, younger generations are playing games, and millennials are focusing on food (cooking recipes and staying healthy while quarantined). Meanwhile, the older generations are still sticking primarily to broadcast TV.
Regardless of where you're consuming, it's important to manage what you're consuming, and how much you're consuming. You need to make sure you're using reliable resources and managing your time and energy. Too much can leave you worse off.
Sometimes, less is more.


Abstract
What role does convection play in cloud feedbacks? What role does convective aggregation play in climate? A flurry of recent studies explores “self-aggregation” of moist convection in diverse simulations using explicit convection and interactive radiation. The implications involve upper level dry areas acting as infrared windows—the climate system's “radiator fins.” A positive feedback maintains these: dry columns undergo radiative cooling which drives descent and further drying. If the resulting clumpiness of vapor and cloud fields depends systematically on global temperature, then convective organization could be a climate system feedback. How reconcilable and how relevant are these interesting but idealized studies?.
Keywords convective aggregation moist convection moist static energy radiative cooling radiative-convective water vapor ASJC Scopus subject areas Global and Planetary Change Environmental Chemistry Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)


The global pandemic has driven a significant increase in the utilization of digital health interventions, including a 50%+ rise in the use of telemedicine. While ease in access can remove critical barriers to getting care, by itself, it doesn’t address other factors that determine care decisions, such as consumer behavior and reactive care. This session will explore specific strategies for how to virtualize care in a way that genuinely improves the member experience and health outcomes.


British bioenergy fund manager Iona Capital is in the midst of raising its fourth vehicle which could reach up to £250 million ($323.2 million; €296.4 million), Infrastructure Investor understands.
Iona Environmental Infrastructure IV’s hard-cap is significantly higher than the firm’s previous three funds of £70.5 million, £60 million and £45 million. The first two vehicles are now fully invested, while the third is approximately 50 percent deployed.
The firm has secured an £80 million cornerstone investment from GLIL, a partnership established by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and London Pensions Fund Authority which the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund and Lancashire County Pension Fund joined late last year. A further £20 million has also been contributed by the Strathclyde Pension Fund.
However, with the pooling of the UK pension schemes slightly diluting its potential UK investor base, Iona is believed to be in negotiations with institutions from the Middle East and Far East, including sovereign wealth funds, to take the fund to its £250 million hard-cap by the end of the year.
The new vehicle is expected to target an IRR of about 13 percent, according to the Strathclyde pension scheme. Continuing Iona’s previous strategy of investing in anaerobic digestion plants, biomass combined heat and power and energy-from-waste technologies, it is thought to have a pipeline of over £350 million, with approximately 20 projects in an advance stage of diligence with tickets sizes ranging from £10 million to £40 million. Documents from Strathclyde suggest an initial target for the fund of £150 million.
Potential investments from the fourth fund are understood to be less dependent on a feed-in tariff from the UK government which was cut last year and could face further decreases. They could also target more complex waste projects than Iona has tackled in the past.
Strathclyde also noted that compared to elsewhere in Europe, “there is still significant potential for expansion” of bioenergy projects in the UK. Bioenergy generation reached record levels of 29.6TWh last year, according to UK government figures.
Iona Capital declined to comment.


As the pandemic continues and more individuals lose jobs and health insurance, the demand for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage is rising. Kentucky and Virginia – stripped of their traditional, in-person enrollment strategies – have adapted their outreach efforts to help make enrollment as easy as possible for adults and children to ensure access to critical coverage and care.
Background
A recent survey of Medicaid programs shows that between February and May 2020 all but three states experienced notable increases in enrollment.Through waivers and state plan amendments, states have the opportunity to adopt a wide range of flexibile strategies to facilitate and maintain enrollment.
However, social-distancing, tele-work, and strained state budgets have introduced new challenges for state Medicaid and CHIP agencies. A number of state Medicaid agencies have implemented furloughs or reassigned staff to contract tracing and other essential tasks related to the pandemic. Without the ability to conduct traditional outreach campaigns, which are often linked with large community gatherings and one-on-one enrollment support, state Medicaid agencies have needed to quickly pivot their outreach strategies to connect with individuals who are newly eligible for coverage.
Streamlining Enrollment and Enhancing Partnerships
Kentucky has experienced one of the most significant increases in Medicaid enrollment. Between February and May, 2020, Kentucky’s Medicaid and CHIP enrollment increased by nearly 7 percent. While some of the growth can be credited to the maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions required to secure enhanced federal Medicaid funding through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Kentucky has taken significant steps to enroll eligible individuals and families. State officials report that a key aspect of their successful enrollment strategy has been adopting presumptive eligibility (PE) policy flexibilities allowed by the public health emergency. By designating the state Medicaid agency as a qualifying entity to determine presumptive eligibility based on individuals’ modified adjusted gross income, and condensing its 20-page application into a one-page online form, Kentucky has enrolled over 137,000 individuals under presumptive coverage. To keep these individuals covered once their eligibility period ends, Kentucky Medicaid agents track these applications to identify when individuals’ PE periods are drawing to a close. They then make direct outreach calls to these enrollees to assist them in completing a full Medicaid application.
States have also leveraged interagency partnerships to target their outreach strategies to individuals who may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. To connect with individuals who may have lost employer coverage due to the pandemic, both Kentucky and Virginia have contacted thousands of individuals who have applied for state unemployment insurance. The states also added easily accessible links to their unemployment agency websites to help individuals to apply for health coverage.
In Virginia, partnership efforts have been bolstered through a renewed connection with the Virginia Health Care Foundation’s (VHCF) Project Connect, which funds local outreach efforts to enroll individuals in Medicaid and CHIP. Through this partnership, representatives from Virginia Medicaid and VHCF have provided support at virtual job fairs and rapid response online events, and they plan to continue to collaborate to serve those who have been affected by COVID-19’s economic consequences.
Like Kentucky, Virginia has also experienced a significant increase in Medicaid enrollment in recent months, and state officials credit the persistence and creativity of their community outreach coordinators as critical to their enrollment success. They have redesigned their approach to safely conduct outreach and enrollment support by leveraging existing community contacts to distribute informational materials electronically and organizing online meetings with community groups. The outreach coordinators have also sought to develop new partnerships with charity, community, and faith-based organizations, retailers, and hospitality groups, as well as schools and colleges. In some rural areas with lower COVID-19 infection rates, the coordinators are beginning to conduct some outreach efforts at churches, fast food chains, and other retailers.
A crucial focus of this work in both states has been developing targeted outreach strategies and building relationships with communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. Virginia has developed ad campaigns designed specifically to reach Latinx families. Kentucky relies on its data analytics team to guide the state’s outreach efforts and recently launched a marketing campaign targeting seven counties with the highest Black, uninsured population.
Modifying Back-to-School Outreach Efforts
For children, who represent 51 percent of total Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, access to health coverage is of paramount importance to ensure that developmental milestones are met and vaccines are administered. Traditionally, school partnerships have provided Medicaid and CHIP agencies with the ability to identify eligible children and families and to distribute resources from a trusted source. A report conducted by the Urban Institute at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2016 found that almost half of individuals who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP live in families with at least one school-aged child, making schools a valuable venue to conduct outreach for both children and adults.
Historically, the back-to-school season provided an opportunity for Medicaid and CHIP programs to convene large enrollment events where promotional flyers and branded materials are distributed to children and parents. However, this year, without traditional events such as summer camps or sports registration, there are fewer chances to connect with families to provide coverage options and underscore the importance of care.
In addition to hosting events, Medicaid and CHIP agencies often provide schools with informational packets to slip into student’s backpacks or include with school registration materials. But with fewer students returning to traditional classroom settings and tighter restrictions on the number of individuals allowed into schools, these tested outreach methods have needed to be re-examined and reformulated.
To minimize physical contact, Kentucky has limited school outreach to a group of professionals from the Division of Family Resource and Youth Service Coalition (FRYSC) within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Representatives from FRYSC have established relationships with schools and are able to distribute outreach materials without prolonged contact at socially distanced drive-through school events. In recent weeks, FRYSC representatives have begun distributing materials, which include more than 200,000 protective face masks displaying KCHIP marketing for children.
In Virginia, the Medicaid agency has revamped its back-to-school campaign by investing in digital resources for students and families. Working with schools, VA Medicaid has created widgets that will send parents from school webpages to the Medicaid and CHIP back-to-school pages. Their reformulated back-to-school websites acknowledge the constraints caused by the pandemic and include information for parents about how to enroll their children in health coverage in both English and Spanish as well as outreach resources for schools, such as social media messaging. When the back-to-school campaign formally ends in December, these dedicated back-to-school pages will be built into their website and remain active throughout the year.
The state is also coordinating with a digital engagement contractor to send text messages aimed at parents and advocates to encourage enrollment in CHIP and Medicaid. In addition to outreach efforts through school’s web pages, Virginia Medicaid printed 1.3 million copies of its enrollment materials to cover every school-age child in every public school in the state. Prior to the pandemic, Virginia Medicaid requested that the materials be distributed in back-to-school informational packets, but this year, due to the variability in which districts are electing to return to school, it asked teachers and administrators to distribute the material in any way they saw fit.
In response to the limitations of the pandemic, states have demonstrated flexibility in their approaches to outreach and enrollment. Kentucky’s efforts highlight the importance of making enrollment as easy as possible for individuals. Virginia state officials noted that despite the challenges and constraints, COVID-19 has provided the state with an opportunity to reassess and improve its outreach strategies. As Medicaid programs continue to serve as one of the primary safety nets for millions of Americans whose livelihoods have been uprooted by the economic consequences of the pandemic, states are creatively adapting their outreach and enrollment efforts to help ensure access to coverage and care.


While everyone and their mom has an ab wheel lying around, rollouts are actually an advanced exercise.
But if you have the shoulder mobility for it and you've mastered plank variations already, then ab wheel rollouts might be the most comprehensive exercise you can do to strengthen your midsection.
When done correctly, they'll strengthen your entire anterior core musculature as well as your lower back, lats, and even your shoulder complex. This is crucial if you want a big squat and deadlift since your core is designed to create stiffness to efficiently transfer force from your lower body to your upper body, and vice versa, as well as resist movement at the spine.
But the key word is "correctly." Rollouts often get butchered. The usual mistakes? Either initiating the concentric portion of the exercise by pulling the hips back or hyperextending at the bottom. Both take tension off the intended musculature.
This variation removes those potential issues to keep continuous tension on the abdominals.
Ab Wheel Rollout with Hamstring Activation
If standard rollouts don't place the tension on the abs, try these instead:
Place a medicine ball between your lower legs and glutes. Start with your hands on the ab wheel, directly under your shoulders. Keep a straight line between your ears, hips, and knees. This is your start and end position for each rep. Squeeze your heels toward your glutes – crush the ball – and brace your abs. By flexing the knee, your hamstrings will pull your pelvis into a posterior tilt as the ab-brace pulls your ribs down. Keeping your pelvis and ribs in this stacked alignment, think about "reaching" over your head as you roll out. Once you get out as far as you can without losing your stacked position, reverse the motion by pushing your hands straight down into the floor, as if you were doing a straight-arm pulldown. Only return to the starting position outlined above. Repeat for 2-4 sets of 5-10 reps.


The seventh annual G20 Interfaith Forum concluded its meetings on Saturday after five days of sessions that addressed the COVID-19 emergencies, climate change, social, racial, and economic disparities, environmental challenges, the preservation and safeguarding of sacred sites, and other pressing issues. Originally intended to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, host of the 2020 G20 Summit, the conference was conducted virtually in response to the global pandemic. Attendance exceeded 2,000 participants from more than 90 countries. The crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic played a central role in the discussions at the Forum. The discussions offered vivid testimony to the need for the world's political leaders to include religious actors in policymaking processes including notably the November 2020 G20 Leaders' Summit in Riyadh. Formal recommendations resulting from the Forum will be shared with G20 leadership in the coming weeks.


SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CROmarket–According to Coherent Market Insights, the U.S. contract research organization (CROs) market is estimated to be valued at US$ 12,174.4 million in 2019, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period (2019-2027).
Key Trends and Analysis of the U.S. Contract Research Organization (CROs) Market:
In order to increase success rate of drug discovery programs and decrease R&D costs, pharmaceutical companies seek to accelerate every stage of drug discovery process, starting from target identification to preclinical drug candidate. Increasing research and development expenditure has led to an increase in number of drug approvals in the recent past. For instance, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), 2018, the overall research and development spending of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies was around US$ 62.2 billion in 2018 compared to US$ 55.8 billion in 2017, which was majority of all biopharmaceutical R&D spending in the U.S.
Request for Sample PDF copy @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3179
Increasing adoption of inorganic growth strategies such as acquisition to strengthen service portfolio by major players operating in the market is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in August 2018, Syneos Health, Inc. acquired Kinapse, a leading advisory and operational solutions provider. This acquisition would help Syneos Health to expand regulatory, safety, and pharmacovigilance consulting and operations. Moreover, In May 2018, Ritter Pharmaceuticals, Inc. collaborated with Medpace: a clinical research organization (CRO), to conduct the first of two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for RP-G28 in patients with lactose intolerance (LI).
Furthermore, increase in strategic collaboration for development of innovative therapies for treatment of various health conditions such as immunological disorder is expected to drive the growth during the forecast period. For instance, in August 2019, Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC entered into a collaborative agreement with Harbour BioMed (HBM), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, to conduct clinical studies for its research pipeline on anti-cancer immunotherapy
Key Market Takeaways: The U.S. contract research organization (CROs) market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period (2019-2027), increasing initiatives by key players to innovative services and products for managing the processes ranging from drug development to commercialization. For instance, in March, Parexel International Corporation launched PAREXEL’s Medical Writing Solutions for offering communication services throughout the process of drug development and commercialization. Among size of CRO, large size segment is expected to hold significant share in the U.S. contract research organization (CROs) market over the forecast period, owing to increasing mergers & acquisitions by key players. These large-sized players have acquired numerous small and mid-sized CROs, in order to expand their service offering in different therapeutic areas and service modules such as full service, hybrid, and functional service along with expansion into newer markets. For instance, in May 2017, inVentiv Health and INC Research announced US$ 7.0 billion merger to form Syneos Health, one of the largest outsourcing providers. The merger has led to increase client base for Syneos Health. Major players operating in the U.S. contract research organization (CROs) market include Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Covance), IQVIA, Paraxel International Corporation, Syneos Health, PRA Health Sciences, Charles River Laboratoires International Inc. (CRL), Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD), ICON Public Limited Corporation, Wuxi Apptec, Medpace Holdings, Inc, Medidata Solutions, Inc., Theorem Clinical Research, Pharmaron, Envigo, Clinipace, CMIC Holdings Co., Ltd, EPS International, Synteract, CROMSOURCE, Pharm-Olam, Linical Accelovance, Accumedix, Inc., AlcheraBio LLC, Amarex Clinical Research LLC, Arianne Corporation, Absolute Research Solutions, BioClinica Inc., BioPharma Services Inc., Neurovasc Preclinical Services, Inc., PSI, WCCT Global Inc., RHO, Inc., CATO Research LLC, Spaulding Clinical Research, Celerion, Clindatrix, Inc., Comparative Biosciences, Inc., Axiom Real-Time Metrics, CPC Clinical Research, Axis Clinicals LLC, DP Clinical, Egeen Inc., Grayline, Cmed, Integrium, LLC, MedTrials, Novum, Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd., KPS Life, Pinnacle Research Group, LLC Promedica International., Alta Science, Prometrika, LLC, 4clinics, and Premier Research. Buy this Report (Single User License) @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/3179 Market Segmentations: U.S. Contract Research Organization (CROs) Market, By Service Type: Drug Discovery Preclinical studies Early Phase I – IIa Phase IIa – III Phase IIIb – IV Drug Development Medical Coding and Writing Monitoring Clinical Data Management Bio-statistics Site Management Protocol Development Biomarker Discovery U.S. Contract Research Organization (CROs) Market, By Therapeutic Application: Oncology Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Infectious Diseases Metabolic Disorders Immunological Disorders Respiratory Disorders Others U.S. Contract Research Organization (CROs) Market, By Size of CRO: Small Size Medium Size Large Size Company Profiles
Contacts
Mr. Raj Shah
Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave. #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com


This October for Texas Archeology Month, TARL is offering a series of online lectures, free and open to all. Our first lecture took place on October 15 and is available for viewing below.
Dr. Andrew Somerville, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Iowa State University, presented on his recent research.
Peopling of the Americas and the Origins of Agriculture: New Insights on Old Questions from the Tehuacan Valley, Mexico
The Tehuacan Valley of Central Mexico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its high biodiversity and rich archaeological record. During the 1960s, excavations led by Richard S. MacNeish registered over 10,000 years of human occupation within the valley and discovered thousands preserved botanical remains, including early examples of domesticated plants such as maize, beans, and chili peppers. Recent studies have returned to the collections recovered by MacNeish and apply new analytical techniques to further our understanding of the ancient history of this region. In particular, stable isotope analysis of animal bones documents significant environmental and dietary changes over time. Additionally, new radiocarbon analyses reveal surprisingly early dates and cause us to reevaluate the timing of the arrival of humans to the region and to North American more broadly. This presentation summarizes these recent findings and discusses their implications to questions about the peopling of the Americas and the origins of agriculture.
We have three more talks scheduled for this month. The first two will be streamed live over Zoom and all three will be posted here for future viewing.
October 22: Dr. Adam Schneider of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado at Boulder, will present “
A Trade-Friendly Environment: Climatic Influences on Early Bronze Age Maritime Trade Between the Near East and Indus Valley”
October 27: Dr. Casey Wayne Riggs, Steward with the Texas Archeological Stewards Network, will present “
Careless, Spiny, and Succulent: Terminal Late Prehistoric (A.D. 1250-1535) Plant Foods of the Eastern Trans-Pecos” Clovis Points in Texas: A Further Update to the TCPPS, 4th Edition“


Once leaving a detox center, many women must return to the very environment that contributed to their substance use disorder. This is the most vulnerable time for relapse.
ITM transitional housing removes the real and perceived stressors and fears associated with securing safe housing that recovering women encounter, by providing shelter away from toxic environments that hinder their recovery.
ITM was established to provide women released from detox centers with safe transitional housing and support while enrolled in an outpatient program.


Cancer patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy followed by mastectomy may not need radiation
Early-stage breast cancer patients who exhibit limited lymph node involvement may not require post-surgery radiation therapy (RT) when they receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy before a mastectomy, according to researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The findings were reported today at the 50th Annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
"Radiation after surgery has been shown to benefit the survival of patients who have more advanced tumors," said Tse-Kuan Yu, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Radiation Oncology. "However, administering neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery has changed how radiation oncologists need to approach treating patients with stage one and two breast cancers."
The retrospective study led by Yu reviewed the cases of 427 women who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy from 1985-2004 to observe the value of treating early-stage breast cancer with RT. Of the 427 women, radiation was administered to 253 due to more aggressive tumor features. Those who received radiation more commonly had four or more pathologically involved lymph nodes or lymphovascular invasion.
Specifically focusing on those who did not receive RT, researchers looked at whether each patient's breast cancer relapsed over the course of five years to determine if radiation contributed to preventing its return. Of the group of patients who were not treated with radiation, 20 percent of those with four or more pathologically involved lymph nodes after pre-surgery chemotherapy relapsed compared to 4.2 percent of those with one to three involved lymph nodes.
Interestingly, researchers noted that patients with zero involved lymph nodes after receiving chemotherapy prior to surgery exhibited a zero percent recurrence rate.
"Our findings indicate neoadjuvant chemotherapy controlled the cancer and radiation would have been unnecessary for patients with early-stage breast cancer and negative lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy," said Thomas Buchholz, M.D., Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology at M. D. Anderson, the study's senior author. "Though additional research is warranted, we can begin to surmise that patients can be spared from radiation therapy if they have been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and have less than three involved lymph nodes."
By analyzing initial tumor characteristics in each patient, researchers can begin to classify which patients require post-mastectomy radiation to prevent recurrence. To expand on these findings, researchers at M. D. Anderson are planning future prospective clinical trials that would confirm whether radiation can be avoided in selected patients with early-stage breast cancer who are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Source: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Explore further
Citation: Cancer patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy followed by mastectomy may not need radiation (2008, September 24) retrieved 27 November 2020 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2008-09-cancer-patients-neoadjuvant-therapy-mastectomy.html


By Father Hao Dinh, Vicar General& Joshua Bennett, General Counsel
On December 9, the Diocese of San José, along with five other dioceses in California, received administrative subpoenas from the California Attorney General’s office requesting documents related to the mandatory reporting of allegations of sexual misconduct with minors by clergy and laypersons within the Diocese from 1996 to the present.
At first glance, the word “subpoena” might be startling to some people. However, the Diocese of San José views it as another opportunity for us to review our protocols to safeguard all God’s children, bring about justice, and foster healing for those who have suffered from abuse.
Before receiving the subpoena, the Diocese provided the Attorney General with more than a thousand documents that did not affect the privacy rights of victims/survivors or disregard state and federal labor laws regarding personnel files and volunteer records. These documents were provided in response to the statewide administrative review initiated by the Attorney General in May 2019.
We, the Diocese of San José, believe that protecting all children, youth, and vulnerable adults and bringing about justice, reconciliation, and healing to all victims/survivors is our sacred duty. When victims/survivors reach out to us, we are committed to accompanying them on a lifetime of healing. We maintain confidentiality for all who report past misconduct while also strongly encouraging them to share their stories with law enforcement.
We have a responsibility to protect the privacy and legal rights of victims/survivors, lay employees, lay volunteers, and clergy. In this sense, a subpoena may be good and preferable to an informal request for documents without legal protection. It supports our shared goal of ensuring that the safeguards in place for our children are working as they should while protecting the privacy rights of victims/survivors and complying with state and federal labor laws.
We believe that by learning from the past, we can bring about true healing for victims/survivors and our Church. We published our credibly accused clergy list last year and updated and expanded it six months ago after a thorough independent review of diocesan records.
We provide ongoing comprehensive services and care to victims/survivors of sexual abuse and encourage anyone who has not previously come forward to do so, first, by contacting the local authorities: police department or sheriff’s office; and second, by making a report to our Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, toll-free at (844) 372-1691 or online via a third-party site,
opcva.ethicspoint.com.
We work tirelessly to ensure a safe environment for all God’s children. We are vigorous in our efforts to prevent the devastating sin of sexual abuse by promoting awareness, requiring accountability, and demonstrating transparency.
Every bishop, priest, deacon, employee, and volunteer, who works with children or vulnerable adults, must undergo a criminal background check, complete safe environment training every three years, and adhere to an established code of conduct.
All Catholic schools and parish faith formation programs offer annual age-appropriate training for students on interpersonal safety and sexual abuse prevention.
We undergo an annual independent audit to ensure full compliance with the articles of protection outlined in the national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms and Statement of Commitment. We have passed this audit every year since its inception in 2002.
We believe in doing the right thing. We strictly adhere to a zero-tolerance policy and promptly notify law enforcement and child protective services when abuse is reported, following mandated reporter laws. We cooperate with law enforcement during any necessary investigation.
We will not be complacent. We pledge to continue working tirelessly to provide safe and nurturing environments for all and fostering a path of healing and reconciliation for those who have suffered abuse.
Learn more about what the Diocese of San José has done and is doing in the wake of the clergy abuse scandal by visiting
www.dsj.org/safe-environment/promise-to-protect-pledge-to-heal.


Description
Product innovation, customization and adoption of multi-functional products are driving the mature Western European above-the-neck. With nearly 95% of PPEs being sold through distributors, customer service is a key contributor to the growth of the above-the-neck PPE market in the region.
Amongst countries, Germany, the United Kingdom & Ireland, and France account for nearly a 56.5% share of the total market, with revenue contributions of €141.8 million, €124.3 million, and €106.5% million, respectively, in 2019. The top 3 manufacturers hold a 48.5% market share by revenue. 3M leads the market with a share of 21-23%, followed by Honeywell with a 14-17% share and Uvex with and 9-11% revenue share. Investments into R&D to develop innovative products, coupled with strategic acquisitions, remain a key driver for market growth in the forecast period. Partnerships are the way forward in the competitive market. For example, Schuberth entered into a partnership with 3M in 2016 to develop head protection PPE. Similarly, Hex Armour entered into partnership with Uvex in 2017. Few notable M&As include 3M’s acquisition of Scott Safety in 2017, and Globus Group’s acquisition of ENHA Gmbh in 2017 and Alpha Solway in 2015. Similarly, with the aim to focus on its core businesses Kimberly Clark sold its welding PPE business to Surewerk in 2017 while 3M sold off its prescription eyewear business to Hoya Vision Care in 2017.


Mini-strokes, medically known as transient ischemic attack (TIA), could do more harm to patients than previously thought. Currently, TIA isn't treated with clot-busting drugs as larger strokes are, as it is considered as too mild. However, a new study suggests this may be a mistake and the way TIA is approached must be changed. It was observed by researchers that 15 per cent of patients developed some form of disability 90 days after a mini stroke. Shelagh Coutts, lead author of the study, commented: "Our study shows that TIA and minor stroke patients are at significant risk of disability and need early assessment and treatment. "We should be imaging patients earlier and be more aggressive in treating patients with thrombolysis if we can see a blockage no matter how minor the symptoms are." It was also observed that those with diabetes were at a greater risk of developing disabilities after TIA. Find the nearest Barchester care home.


With this recurring column, Elite Healthcare provides readers with insight related to the legal implications of healthcare – offering practical guidance on scenarios that should be avoidable and providing suggested courses of action when appropriate. The examples provided here are those that all providers should be aware of, but many aren’t or are negligent despite their awareness. Don’t let your practice be compromised.
Telemedicine Reciprocity: Beware of State-by-State Legislation
The practice of telemedicine that crosses over state lines is not permitted everywhere throughout the United States. State law is always the standard. For instance, in New York, the patient on the receiving end of treatment cannot be located in a state that the medical provider is not licensed to practice in. Remember that this standard is not calculated by where the healthcare practitioner in question is located when he or she is providing care and is instead focused on where the patient is located when he or she is receiving medical care.
In 29 states, cross-state limited practice is allowed, effectively bypassing state licensing. All healthcare providers involved in telemedicine must know state licensure laws. Consultation with a qualified healthcare attorney is strongly advised before any clinician renders care to a patient through telemedicine means.


This blog was written by Bart Lenaerts-Bergman.
As cyber criminals move faster and stealthier, taking advantage of new tools provided through an adversarial community, security teams need to be able to respond with equal or greater speed. Every second counts after a cyber attack. Therefore, it is imperative to have a solid plan in place for actions that take place during the moments immediately following an incident or what we call the “Security Golden Hour.”
In a recent ESG survey “Tackling Attack Detection and Incident Response” commissioned by McAfee, responders indicated they spend their time on five key tasks. Top of the list included:
1. Determining the impact of the incident 2. Tacking action to minimize the attack 3. Analyzing security intelligence 4. Determining which assets remain vulnerable 5. Performing forensic analysis
When asked which initiatives would help boost staff efficiency, three SIEM key capabilities came to surface: first of all “better detection tools” to find potential malware accurately, followed by “better analysis tools” and “process automation to free up staff”. These last findings also form the foundation of the seven key actions McAfee’s Enterprise Security Manager (ESM) provides during the golden hour.
The first group of SIEM actions is related to the identification of the threat. Importance here is to reduce false positives and bring quickly and accurately potential adversarial activity in front of the security analyst. McAfee ESM advanced analytics (action #1) provides an overview who, when and where valuable infrastructure is used. During this analysis, ESM will calculate baselines, bring known and unknown threats to surface via rule and risk-based correlation, and leverage enterprise contextual information for better insights. A second action (#2) that ESM supports includes the collection and harvesting of threat intelligence. This step helps users to identify threats based on the misfortune of others and confirms the security analyst if the threat has already been seen somewhere else. A unique third action (#3) from McAfee ESM is both real time and historical correlation. Where most SIEM’s will only leverage threat intelligence going forward, McAfee ESM verifies if the organization has already been impacted by a known IOC (Indication of Compromise) via the BackTrace feature.
After the identification, users need to review, prioritize and decide on what to do next. During this second phase, visualization (#4) and isolation (#5) of threat activities are the next key actions SIEM should provide. Pre-built or custom dashboards, with fast and easy access to data, allow the user to run investigations quickly and reduce the time to prioritize the threat. Additionally, Asset Threat Risk dashboards aggregate known external threats, assets vulnerabilities and available countermeasures to help the security analyst pinpoint which enterprise assets are truly at risk.
In the last step, the incident responder acts by eradicating (#6) the adversary and communicating (#7) the required actions within the IT operations teams. These 2 actions can be taken directly from the console or can be fully automated to optimize security resources. Via built-in case management tool, the security operations manager can review open and closed Incident response tasks as well as spot recurring incident types for improved automation.
Review examples of known threats, SIEM best practices and the 7 key SIEM actions in a recent Secure World Webinar: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1056214
Read the ESG study: https://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/rp-esg-tackling-attack-detection-incident-response.pdf


Providing resources and trainings for applicants and operators is a key authorizer responsibility. By offering guidance and direction to existing and future schools, authorizers can articulate expectations, anticipate and answer questions, assist the creation of EL programs and staffing models, and establish evaluation criteria.
Denver Public Schools
Denver Public Schools (DPS), for example, offers a thorough, thoughtful “English Language Acquisition Guidebook for Charter Schools” that walks readers through the applicable legal requirements, the role of the district, federal, and state funding streams, teacher certification requirements, English language development requirements, assessments for EL students, parent engagement strategies, translation/interpretation service requirements, and service provider recommendations. This guidebook is written exclusively for charter schools; it serves as a comprehensive resource for applicants, existing schools, students, and families, and it clearly explains what is expected of schools as they develop English language programs for their students.
Los Angeles Unified School District
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) also offers a very rich, comprehensive resource for designing and delivering an EL program, though it is not written exclusively for charter schools. Rather, LAUSD has created an “English Learner Master Plan” for its traditional district schools; this Master Plan includes a section on charter schools which explains that charter schools may adopt LAUSD’s Master Plan or must provide LAUSD, as the authorizer, an alternative, proposed, EL services program that effectively meets the language needs of EL students. The LAUSD Master Plan sets forth the requirements a charter school’s EL program must satisfy–both during the application phase and annually thereafter. Notably, even though the LAUSD Master Plan expressly exempts from its requirements charter schools that seek to develop independent EL programs, the detail and rigor of the Master Plan may serve as a tool and idea hub for charter applicants and operators as they design and implement their own EL programs.
Massachusetts Department of Education
The Massachusetts Department of Education (MDE) takes a different and equally effective approach in supporting its charter schools. Instead of publishing a comprehensive guidebook, the MDE assembles and updates a webpage with EL resources; this compendium of material includes self-evaluation templates as well as information on legal requirements, assessments, funding, and curriculum models. These resources provide practical guidance to charter applicants and operators, outlining broad strokes of what is expected and allowing operators to design their own EL programs adhering to the broad parameters set up by the MDE.
District of Columbia Public Charter School Board
The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) has provided regular trainings for schools as part of its efforts to ensure that charter schools in the District of Columbia are effectively serving EL students. DCPCSB has also offered “office hours” during which schools can consult with the general counsel and other knowledgeable staff about EL program requirements. While the general counsel/staff do not provide legal advice, they are able to point schools in the right direction or give them guidance on where they may need to do more work.


A key issue is whether the contract to deliver a non-financial item (a commodity) falls within the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments. Though IAS 39 would appear to apply only to financial assets and financial liabilities, certain contracts for non-financial items are also within its scope.The same issue applies to those entities that have adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments early, as its scope is the same as that of IAS 39. In determining whether the contract falls within the scope of IAS 39, it is necessary first to determine whether the contract permits:
– Net settlement in cash or in another financial instrument; or – Can be settled by exchanging financial instruments, as if the contract itself is a financial instrument. Given the facts in this case it is unlikely that you should recognize this as a financial asset. Check this link for more info: http://bit.ly/18ghpM3


In view of the developing coronavirus (nCoV) situation, CapitaLand has closed all four of its malls in Wuhan and both of its malls in Xi'an. These six CapitaLand malls in Wuhan and Xi’an will reopen depending on the condition and directives from local government.
The Chinese government had also issued a directive that CapitaLand’s office properties in places such as Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Chongqing will be closed until 9 February 2020. However, the supermarkets in CapitaMall Westgate, Wuhan and CapitaMall Xindicheng, Xi’an will remain open to ensure the supply of food and daily essentials to the local communities. Meanwhile, the remaining 45 malls in CapitaLand’s retail network across China, which are located in cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai, will continue to operate with shorter hours.
According to CapitaLand, it has adopted the necessary precautionary measures in accordance with guidelines from the health authorities, and will continually review its properties’ operating hours in line with local conditions and regulations. All of CapitaLand's properties in China will also undergo temperature checks, as well as cleaning and disinfecting of common areas. CapitaLand will also conduct contact tracing and have designated premises at its properties for the isolation of persons suspected to be infected with the virus.
Meanwhile in Singapore, CapitaLand has implemented precautionary measures in accordance with guidelines from the authorities and has placed hand sanitisers for tenants, shoppers and guests in the properties. The real estate company has also created designated premises with predetermined routes within its properties for the isolation of persons suspected to be infected with nCoV. CapitaLand will also be stepping up cleaning efforts and aims to take precautionary measures further where necessary. The company has also put in place business continuity plans (BCP) to enable the group to continue its critical activities and minimise impact to operations.
Lee Chee Koon, group chief executive officer, CapitaLand Group said that the company has set up a special task force to coordinate its response across its operations in China and in the various markets it operates in. He added that to date, CapitaLand's business operations, including in China and Singapore, remain largely stable.
"Our priority is to focus on ensuring the well-being of our tenants, shoppers, guests and employees. We are all in this together during these trying times. CapitaLand will continue to work closely with the different local authorities in our markets to offer our support,” he said.
Manohar Khiatani, senior executive director of CapitaLand Group, who has been appointed as the group BCP commander, said CapitaLand’s business continuity plans guide its operations which includes how and when to limit the interaction of business-critical staff. This includes working from alternate sites, working from home and the use of teleconferencing. "Where necessary, operational personnel will be divided into primary and alternate teams. We will continue to monitor developments and the authorities’ directives, take the necessary steps to minimise impact to our operations and update our stakeholders in a timely manner,” he added.
Similarly, Singapore-listed tourism firm Straco Corporation has temporarily closed three of its attractions in China, namely Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Underwater World Xiamen and Lixing Cable Car. This move comes as the company looks to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the People’s Republic of China. According to Straco, the company will continue to monitor on updates and advisories from the local authorities. Straco has also instituted precautionary health and hygiene measures, including cleaning and disinfection of facilities and necessary screening of its employees. On a separate note, Straco also temporarily suspended Singapore Flyer's flight operations in August 2019 due to a minor technical issue and has yet to resume operations.
Singapore-listed real estate investment company Dasin Retail Trust has shortened the business hours of its shopping malls. These include Shiqi Metro Mall, Xiaolan Metro Mall, Ocean Metro Mall, Doumen Metro Mall and Dasin EColour. The respective malls’ business hours were shortened with the exception of the provision of basic public services such as supermarkets and certain F&B outlets. In addition, cinemas, KTVs, ice skating rings, bookstores and other crowded places will be temporarily closed. Currently, Dasin Retail Trust's shopping malls have issued guidelines to prevent coronavirus that includes requiring staffs, tenants and all personnel entering and leaving the malls to wear face masks. The company will also cooperate with government departments to carry out epidemic inspection and conduct temperature tests on people entering the malls.


The global
bubble tea market size is expected to reach USD 4.2 billion by 2027 registering a CAGR of 8.9%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Shifting consumer preference from carbonated drinks to zero-fat hot beverages, such as bubble tea, is expected to be the key factor for the market growth.
Asia was the largest regional market in 2019 and accounted for 35% of the global share. The region will retain its dominant position throughout the forecast years on account of high consumption of bubble tea in countries including Taiwan, China, and Thailand. In addition, according to the ASEAN Post, which was published in December 2019, the average consumption of bubble drinks in Thailand was six cups per person per month.
Major companies in this market are expanding their global presence through various business strategies. For instance, in September 2019, The Alley, a renowned Taiwanese restaurant chain, inaugurated its first restaurant in New York City. Thus, increasing number of restaurant chains specialized in bubble hot beverages is anticipated to boost market growth over the forecast period.
Click the link below: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bubble-tea-market Further key findings from the report suggest: Black tea segment held the major share of more than 45% in 2019 and is estimated to expand further at a steady CAGR over the forecast period Green tea product segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR from 2020 to 2027 owing to various health benefits of this beverage Fruit flavor led the flavor segment in 2019 accounting for the largest market share. It is projected to maintain its leading position throughout the forecast period Asia Pacific was the largest regional market in 2019 and will grow further at a significant CAGR from 2020 to 2027


The global
multi-mode receiver market size is expected to reach USD 1.3 billion by 2025, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc., recording a 4.4% CAGR during the forecast period. Multi-mode receiver (MMR) plays a crucial role in augmenting navigation and landing capabilities of an aircraft. As a result, the number of aircraft deliveries emerges as a crucial factor for the MMR market. Although worldwide aircraft shipments have dropped from 2,331 in 2015 to 2,262 in 2016 as stated by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), air passenger traffic has increased significantly over the past 10 years, particularly in developing economies such as India and China. This is expected to propel market growth.
An MMR integrates multiple functionalities into a compact unit, thereby reducing the weight and space factor of an aircraft. It also assists the pilot in positioning, navigating, and landing the aircraft, even in unfavorable conditions. These factors are likely to work in favor of the MMR market.
Another important factor contributing to market growth is initiatives undertaken by airlines across the world to modernize their fleets. Stringent mandates have been laid down for the aviation sector worldwide. At the same time, new technologies such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out are also emerging. While airlines are undertaking various aircraft modernization programs and upgrading their fleets, they also have to make sure their aircraft support the latest technologies and evolving Required Navigation Performance (RNP) navigation approaches. As a result, airlines are spending aggressively on advanced navigation systems. However, safeguarding aircraft avionics systems/technologies from cyber-attacks is one of the crucial challenges faced by the aviation industry.
At present, a handful of market players holding expertise in manufacturing MMR systems are dominating the market. The strong geographical presence of these incumbents, coupled with existing long-term supply contracts, will ensure steady growth of the MMR market over the forecast period. Market players are also adhering to strategies aimed at new product development and expansion in order to strengthen their foothold in the market. For instance, in 2017, Honeywell International Inc. developed a new integrated MMR that complies with GLS CAT-III navigation standards.
Click the link below: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/multi-mode-receiver-mmr-market Further key findings from the study suggest: The retrofit segment is expected to exhibit a CAGR higher than that of the line-fit segment, as airlines remain keen on retrofitting their aircraft with the latest avionics The fixed-wing segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period in line with the increasing number of aircraft being delivered in developing economies of Asia Pacific The North American region held a market share of 43.0% in 2016 as a result of strong demand from major aircraft manufacturers such as Bombardier and Boeing While MMR helps reduce power consumption, it also happens to be lighter and smaller as compared to receiver solutions available in the market at present. Such favorable factors would ensure steady growth of the MMR market over the forecast period Players such as BAE Systems; Honeywell International Inc.; Leonardo S.p.A.; Rockwell Collins; and Thales Group are dominating the market leveraging their technical expertise.


Capgemini’s World InsurTech Report 2019 established that the insurance industry is gradually shifting to a marketplace model in which firms collaborate with ecosystem players to create a bundled set of offerings. In my opinion, the principal objective of a marketplace model is to give policyholders a holistic experience – to engage them with meaningful encounters at multiple touchpoints. A marketplace model also enables insurers to recommend products during life events when customers might need coverage most.
I believe the marketplace model offers numerous benefits, including exposure to potential partners. Traditional insurers and InsurTechs are interested in collaborative partnerships with companies around the globe from both financial services and non-financial services sectors.
Insurance industry partnerships – interest from incumbents vs InsurTechs (%), 2019
Among others, partnerships between established insurers and InsurTechs allow both parties to gain by leveraging the strengths of the other. We know that through collaboration InsurTechs can leverage incumbents’ industry expertise, brand value, and vast customer data while incumbents can acquire new capabilities based on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics by partnering with InsurTechs. The upcoming World InusrTech Report highlights that collaboration also allows industry players to acquire capabilities in the fastest and cost-effective manner, with the trade-offs being lack of control over the solution and no differentiation.
The road to a flourishing partnership, however, is not without challenges.
Expectation gaps
The World InsurTech Report 2019 identified disconnects in expectations between traditional insurers and InsurTechs when defining the critical building blocks for the new insurance marketplace. Perceptions around the value of collaboration were particularly disparate.
More than 60% of InsurTech firms said they could help incumbents develop a holistic technology infrastructure through collaboration, while less than 40% of incumbents shared the opinion. When asked about data security, only 25% of InsurTechs and 10% of insurers said the issue had collaboration potential, even though data breaches are a hot topic in the industry.
Therefore, with substantial gaps in expectations and capabilities, fruitful collaboration that drives marketable industrialized products can be challenging to establish.
Third parties can facilitate collaboration
An external partner can help bring established insurers and InsurTechs to the collaboration table. Capgemini’s ScaleUp Qualification Program facilitates collaboration between established financial services firms and mature startups. It offers a 360-degree assessment of a mature startup’s readiness to collaborate incumbents effectively.
The process identifies four pillars for effective collaboration between incumbents and newcomers. Each startup’s maturity to partner with a large insurer is evaluated based on its ability to:
Put the right people in the right position Financially support the business to stay in the market for the long run Gain market traction that delivers measurable success Provide technology tools that are secure and enable frictionless collaboration, as well as scalability.
ScaleUp Qualification outlines an innovation-as-a-service solution to accelerate cooperation from the initial partnership agreement to successful product industrialization. For large insurers seeking to restructure and begin a joint business venture, the plan offers a step-by-step Diagnose, Scout & Design, Orchestrate, and Industrialize process.
A four-step process to launch a joint insurance business solution
With a comprehensive solution for both insurers and InsurTechs, third-party facilitators create an environment where these firms can collaborate to create an integrated set of offerings.
For more insights on insurer-InsurTech collaboration and how other external partners can facilitate this collaboration, download Capgemini’s World InsurTech Report 2019.
Additionally, keep an eye out for the 2020 report to be published in September – it explores various approaches to acquiring solutions and offers an insight into the key trade-off factors that industry players must weigh in while choosing to collaborate. Register for your free copy of the report, and feel free to connect with me on social media to exchange ideas about this topic.


Abstract
Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging technology with great potential to be energy efficient and allow cost-effective operation for the removal of salt ions from saline water. The introduction of flow electrode to CDI greatly enhanced the salt removal performance at much higher salt concentration, even at seawater level, due to not needing a discharging process, which is required for conventional CDI desalination. Since the oxidation of carbon electrodes and water electrolysis leads to the decrease in desalination performance and long-term stability of the CDI cell, it has typically been operated at the potential difference < 1.2 V. However, due to the various resistances of CDI components, it is known that the electrode potential is lower than the applied cell potential difference. Based on such knowledge, in this study, we operated FCDI desalination at various operational potential differences from 1.2 to 4.5 V, and studied the carbon oxidation and electrochemical characteristics by FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and EIS measurements. Desalination efficiency and salt removal rate increase with higher operational potential difference. Our results confirmed that up to 2.5 V, no noticeable carbon oxidation and gas generation resulting from water electrolysis occurred.
Bibliographical noteFunding Information:
This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20184030202130 ). This work was also supported by the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund .
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes Analytical Chemistry Filtration and Separation


Tag: voluntary environmental programs
This semester, I had to do a literature review for my Foundations of Public Policy class, so I chose a topic that I’m particularly interested in after working on Berklee’s STARS report: voluntary environmental standards. I wondered if they actually worked. My conclusion, after much research, was: kinda. Voluntary environmental programs are indeed more flexible […]


The ability to retrieve molecules based on structural similarity has use in many applications, from disease diagnosis and treatment to drug discovery and design. In this paper, we present a method to represent protein molecules that allows for the fast, flexible and efficient retrieval of similar structures, based on either global or local attributes. We begin by computing the pair-wise distance between amino acids, transforming each 3D structure into a 2D distance matrix. We normalize this matrix to a specific size and apply a 2D wavelet decomposition to generate a set of approximation coefficients, which serves as our global feature vector. This transformation reduces the overall dimensionality of the data while still preserving spatial features and correlations. We test our method by running queries on three different protein datasets that have been used previously in the literature, basing our comparisons on labels taken from the SCOP database. We find that our method significantl...


Abstract
As we enter an era of precision medicine and targeted therapies in the treatment of metastatic cancer, we face new challenges for patients and providers alike as we establish clear guidelines, regulations, and strategies for implementation. At the crux of this challenge is the fact that patients with advanced cancer may have disproportionate expectations of personal benefit when participating in clinical trials designed to generate generalizable knowledge. Patient and physician goals of treatment may not align, and reconciliation of their disparate perceptions must be addressed. However, it is particularly challenging to manage a patient's expectations when the goal of precision medicine—personalized response—exacerbates our inability to predict outcomes for any individual patient. The precision medicine informed consent process must therefore directly address this issue. We are challenged to honestly, clearly, and compassionately engage a patient population in an informed consent process that is responsive to their vulnerability, as well as ever-evolving indications and evidence. This era requires a continual reassessment of expectations and goals from both sides of the bed.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Oncology Cancer Research


VOLUME CONFORMANCE
Managing the SEPA Cards Standardisation Volume (including Functional and Security requirements) is an intensive self-regulatory project based on market consensus. Whilst favouring technical interoperability and convergence, all contributors must work in accordance with applicable rules and regulations governing competition matters.
A check of SEPA conformance is currently not performed by EU regulatory authorities. The Volume requirements are thus not formally imposed on market stakeholders. However, its rules are defined by market experts, and the ECB and the European Commission provide guidance and actively contributed to this work.
Via a Process known as ‘Labelling’, organisations (Specification Providers such as, but not only, Schemes) have the opportunity to declare the conformance of their requirements to the latest release of the Volume. This is managed by the ECSG body known as the ‘Volume Conformance Management Committee’ (VCMC). By undertaking this process, an organisation has the opportunity to make public its effective integration of all the requirements found within the Volume. This offers several advantages as it is a healthy check to assess the extent of alignment with the industry requirements contained in the “Volume”. It also shows commitment to the SEPA vision and can be leveraged in external communications. While conformance of the specification to the “Volume” is managed through the labelling process, the compliance of a solution with the specifications o is controlled through a separate Certification process outside of the scope of the ECSG activities. Equally, existing “type-approval” processes lie outside of the ECSG boundaries and are not impacted by the “Labelling” process.
Whilst the Labelling process is optional, any Specification Provider which wishes to have a Volume Label for a given Implementation Specification must follow the "Labelling" process defined in the Volume.
This Labelling process is based on the principles of a self-declaration procedure by the Specification Provider.


This Special Collection includes Cochrane Reviews on the following topics: medication; behavioural support; and gradual quitting. Interventions that mimic the act of smoking, notably e-cigarettes, have been excluded from this collection as the risks associated with their use in relation to the current pandemic are not clear. Cochrane Tobacco Addiction are working to remain up to date on all the relevant information, to provide support to people attempting to stop smoking during this difficult time.
SARS-CoV-2, corona virus, COVID-19, smoking, smoke exposure, tabaco, Prevention, community health, addiction,


Research conducted by the London School of Business and Finance revealed that two-thirds of millennials would change careers if they could, underpinning this generation’s “job-hopping” reputation. Interestingly, the same figure stood at 47% for the workforce as a whole, suggesting that many of us, not just millennials, are looking for more meaning from our life at work.


It also makes the business a subject matter expert in a specific niche.
This piece suggests how prospects can be converted to buyers using content marketing. Content must be kept concise to avoid rambling and redundancy. Content marketers should know how to tell a complete story in the fewest words possible.
The aim must be to keep content easily readable, interesting, engaging and informative. However, many marketers end up creating content that interests them rather than what would interest a prospect. They must be mindful that a product could interest consumers only if it solves a core concern or desire.
Brands must become active publishers of content in their niche. They must deliver key messages through documents published in editorial format like webcasts and white papers. This lends credibility to the messages.
[6 minute read]


Freedom isn’t free. It requires blood, sweat and tears. However, freedom is the ultimate prize for rising to meet the rigorous demands of a challenge.
In my many years of coaching and consulting, I’ve found that, in virtually every case, the decision to rise to meet a challenge boils down to the desire for greater freedom in one’s life.
This includes freedoms from and freedoms to. …FREEDOM FROM the monkey on your back. …freedom from self-imposed limitations. …freedom from the opinion of others. …freedom from the shackles of debt. …freedom from self-limiting beliefs. …freedom from the comfort zone. …freedom from settling for less. …freedom from the masses. …freedom from fear. …FREEDOM TO focus on projects you find important. …freedom to succeed or fail on your own terms. …freedom to doodle, wander and experiment. …freedom to think and dream without limits. …freedom to set and control the agenda. …freedom to showcase your talents. …freedom to set your own schedule. …freedom to say no without guilt. …freedom to love passionately. …freedom to be authentic.
To enjoy these freedoms requires that you
rise to the challenges life presents and pay the required price, in full, in advance, and without complaint.