Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen, implicated in various multi-state outbreaks. It encodes Shiga toxin on a prophage, and Shiga toxin production is linked to phage induction. An E. coli strain, designated 0.1229, was identified that amplified Stx2a production when co-cultured with E. coli O157:H7 strain PA2. Growth of PA2 in 0.1229 cell-free supernatants had a similar effect, even when supernatants were heated to 100°C for 10 min, but not after treatment with Proteinase K. The secreted molecule was shown to use TolC for export and the TonB system for import. The genes sufficient for production of this molecule…
Two Marinobacter sp. NP-4 and NP-6 were isolated from a deep oceanic basaltic crust at North Pond, located at the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These two strains are capable of using multiple carbon sources such as acetate, succinate, glucose and sucrose while take oxygen as a primary electron acceptor. The strain NP-4 is also able to grow anaerobically under 20?MPa, with nitrate as the electron acceptor, thus represents a piezotolerant. To explore the metabolic potentials of Marinobacter sp. NP-4 and NP-6, the complete genome of NP-4 and close-to-complete genome of NP-6 were sequenced. The genome of NP-4 contains…
Shewanella baltica 128 is a specific spoilage organism (SSO) isolated from the refrigerated shrimp that results in shrimp spoilage. This study reported the complete genome sequencing of this strain, with the primary annotations associated with amino acid transport and metabolism (8.66%), indicating that S. baltica 128 has good potential for degrading proteins. In vitro experiments revealed Shewanella baltica 128 could adapt to the stress conditions by regulating its growth and biofilm formation. Genes that related to the spoilage-related metabolic pathways, including trimethylamine metabolism (torT), sulfur metabolism (cysM), putrescine metabolism (speC), biofilm formation (rpoS) and serine protease production (degS), were identified.…
Chemical defense against predators is widespread in natural ecosystems. Occasionally, taxonomically distant organisms share the same defense chemical. Here, we describe an unusual tripartite marine symbiosis, in which an intracellular bacterial symbiont (“Candidatus Endobryopsis kahalalidefaciens”) uses a diverse array of biosynthetic enzymes to convert simple substrates into a library of complex molecules (the kahalalides) for chemical defense of the host, the alga Bryopsis sp., against predation. The kahalalides are subsequently hijacked by a third partner, the herbivorous mollusk Elysia rufescens, and employed similarly for defense. “Ca E. kahalalidefaciens” has lost many essential traits for free living and acts as a…
Microbacterium sp. strain SGAir0570 was isolated from air samples collected in Singapore. Its genome was assembled using single-molecule real-time sequencing and MiSeq short reads. It has one chromosome with a length of 3.38?Mb and one 59.2-kb plasmid. It contains 3,170 protein-coding genes, 48 tRNAs, and 6 rRNAs.Copyright © 2019 Kalsi et al.
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen and is responsible for outbreaks of human gastroenteritis. This report documents the draft genome sequences of nine O157:H7 cattle strains, which were identified to be PCR positive for a Shiga toxin gene but displayed different levels of functional toxin activity.
The bacteriophage exclusion (BREX) system is a novel prokaryotic defense system against bacteriophages. To our knowledge, no study has systematically characterized the function of the BREX system in lactic acid bacteria. Lactobacillus casei Zhang is a probiotic bacterium originating from koumiss. By using single-molecule real-time sequencing, we previously identified N6-methyladenine (m6A) signatures in the genome of L. casei Zhang and a putative methyltransferase (MTase), namely, pglX This work further analyzed the genomic locus near the pglX gene and identified it as a component of the BREX system. To decipher the biological role of pglX, an L. casei Zhang pglX mutant…
Here, we report the full-genome sequence of an NAD-hemin-independent Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar C-2 strain, FARPER-174, isolated from layer hens in Peru. This genome contained 12 potential genomic islands that include ribosomal protein-coding genes, a nadR gene, hemocin-coding genes, sequences of fagos, an rtx operon, and drug resistance genes. Copyright © 2019 Tataje-Lavanda et al.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a leading cause of moderate to severe diarrhea among young children in developing countries, and EPEC isolates can be subdivided into two groups. Typical EPEC (tEPEC) bacteria are characterized by the presence of both the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) and the plasmid-encoded bundle-forming pilus (BFP), which are involved in adherence and translocation of type III effectors into the host cells. Atypical EPEC (aEPEC) bacteria also contain the LEE but lack the BFP. In the current report, we describe the complete genome of outbreak-associated aEPEC isolate E110019, which carries four plasmids. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated…
The severity of environmental conditions at Earth’s frigid zones present attractive opportunities for microbial biomining due to their heightened potential as reservoirs for novel secondary metabolites. Arid soil microbiomes within the Antarctic and Arctic circles are remarkably rich in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, bacterial phyla known to be prolific producers of natural products. Yet the diversity of secondary metabolite genes within these cold, extreme environments remain largely unknown. Here, we employed amplicon sequencing using PacBio RS II, a third generation long-read platform, to survey over 200 soils spanning twelve east Antarctic and high Arctic sites for natural product-encoding genes, specifically targeting…
Using bacteria to transform reactive corrosion products into stable compounds represents an alternative to traditional methods employed in iron conservation. Two environmental Aeromonas strains (CA23 and CU5) were used to transform ferric iron corrosion products (goethite and lepidocrocite) into stable ferrous iron-bearing minerals (vivianite and siderite). A genomic and transcriptomic approach was used to analyze the metabolic traits of these strains and to evaluate their pathogenic potential. Although genes involved in solid-phase iron reduction were identified, key genes present in other environmental iron-reducing species are missing from the genome of CU5. Several pathogenicity factors were identified in the genomes of…
Variable region analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences is the most common tool in bacterial taxonomic studies. Although used for distinguishing bacterial species, its use remains limited due to the presence of variable copy numbers with sequence variation in the genomes. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequences, obtained from completely assembled whole genome and Sanger electrophoresis sequencing of cloned PCR products from Serratia fonticola GS2, were compared. Sanger sequencing produced a combination of sequences from multiple copies of 16S rRNA genes. To determine whether the variant copies of 16S rRNA genes affected Sanger sequencing, two ratios (5:5 and 8:2)…
Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are a common source of foodborne illness. STEC O111 is among the most prevalent non-O157 STEC serogroups. Few completed genomes of STEC O111 strains have been reported to date. We report here the complete genomic sequences of three O111:H8 strains that display a distinct aggregation phenotype.
We characterized 170 complete genome assemblies from clinical Bordetella pertussis isolates representing geographic and temporal diversity in the United States. These data capture genotypic shifts, including increased pertactin deficiency, occurring amid the current pertussis disease resurgence and provide a foundation for needed research to direct future public health control strategies.
Enterovirulent Escherichia coli infections cause significant losses in the pig industry. However, information about the structures of the virulence and multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids harboured by these strains is sparse. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing with PacBio and Illumina platforms to analyse the molecular features of the multidrug-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strain 14OD0056 and the multidrug-resistant hybrid Shiga toxin-producing/enterotoxigenic E. coli (STEC/ETEC) strain 15OD0495 isolated from diarrheic pigs in Switzerland. Strain 14OD0056 possessed three virulence plasmids similar to others previously found in ETEC strains, while 15OD0495 harboured a 119-kb multivirulence IncFII/IncX1 hybrid STEC/ETEC plasmid (p15ODTXV) that co-carried…


PHANTOM PAIN What is Phantom Pain?
If you have lost a limb or another part of your body, you may feel painful sensations that seem to be coming from the missing part. This phenomenon is called “phantom pain.” It is common among amputees. It could become a chronic problem for some people.
Phantom pain is believed to be linked to your brain and nervous system. When a piece of your body is removed, your brain no longer receives sensory signals from that area. Your confused brain may remap itself. It may begin to associate the missing part with another part of your body. This leads to painful sensations. Damaged nerves near the site of your amputation may also play a role in your pain.
Symptoms of phantom pain after begin shortly after your amputation. You may feel stabbing, burning sensations. You may feel as if the missing part is being squeezed. It may throb. You may feel like the missing part is being bent it to a painful position. These sensations may come and go, or you may feel them all the time.
Treatment options may include medications, nerve stimulation and other therapeutic techniques. Your healthcare providers at Pain MD Houston can create a care plan that is right for your needs.


At Living Holistic Health, we offer natural alternatives to improve your health and wellness. Our experienced and professional practitioners address the underlying drivers of your symptoms and use naturopathic and nutritional medicine to treat the causes.
Delving into both conventional and traditional medicine, we explore the best of both worlds and address issues the natural way. Always up to date with the latest scientific research, testing, natural medicines, and partaking in ongoing training and seminars, we bring our knowledge and tools to the table to enhance your lifestyle.
What sets us apart from other healthcare clinics is that we take the time to look at the person as a whole, including their history, diet and lifestyle. Our approach is thorough and shaped around a holistic framework that allows us to make educated decisions that will benefit the patient. We don't just focus on the symptom and prescribe a drug for it; we aim to understand the causes and provide a natural solution that'll benefit you for years to come.
OUR SERVICES – HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Fully qualified, registered and professional, our team of practitioners specialise in just some of the following services:
- Digestive issues including Food Allergies, Intolerances and IBS.
- Weight loss and dietary planning
- Mood and Stress Disorders including Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia.
- Autoimmune Diseases including Thyroid, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Coeliac Disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Women's Health including Fertility Issues, PMS, Menopause and PCOS.
- Children's Health including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and Allergies.
- Metabolic conditions including Diabetes management, Type 1 & 2 and Insulin resistance.
- Weight loss, weight management and high blood pressure.
- Fatigue states and insomnia.
- Sports nutrition.
- Healthy ageing.


The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"All Is Well. All Is Not Well"
Ultimately, all is well. God's eternal purpose in Christ will be fulfilled. His trusting children in Christ will be glorified. And His determination to exalt Christ proceeds to the inevitable culmination of His Son's exaltation and rule.
"Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all rule and authority and power. For He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet" (I Corinthians 15:24-25).
In temporal, earthly terms, however, all is not well. God is not satisfied with things as they are, nor should we be. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," clearly confirming our need to long for a coming day of righteousness that has not yet arrived (Matthew 6:10). The peace we have in Christ does not preclude a restless discontent with a "world which lieth in wickedness" (I John 5:19). Bible believing Christians are not "que sera, sera" fatalists who blithely and without compassion assign all things to God's determinate will. Scripture loses all meaning if we fail to see a Lord whose ultimate purposes will be fulfilled, but who grieves about the world as presently constituted.
Again, however, in the ultimate sense, all is well. Thus, we live in the spiritual dichotomy of assurance and disturbance. We rejoice in the Lord Jesus and His abundant provision for a heart maintained in peace and joy amid the turmoil of a fallen world. We also sorrow as we see the effects of sin and its horrific degradation. Reality demands that we journey upon these dual rails of awareness so plainly laid down by the revelation of Scripture. "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" testified the Apostle Paul who so well knew both tracks of "all is well" and "all is not well" (II Corinthians 6:10). We must join our brother of old in the challenging perception and response that requires both gratitude and grieving. "Serve the Lord with gladness… Blessed are they that mourn" (Psalm 100:2; Matthew 5:4). We look into the heart of Christ and find our own hearts filled with light. We also, however, look at the realities of this present fallen planet and find our hearts hurting and often even broken. It must presently be this way, and it will if we walk in the light of God's Truth. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15).
The mystery of God's way transcends our full understanding. An all powerful Being made angels and people with the freedom to reject Him and bring utter catastrophe upon His creation. He did so knowing that this would require His beloved Son to suffer and die by His own "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" (Acts 2:23). Moreover, God knew He would have to pour out His fury against sin upon the Lord Jesus so that He might save us from the "wrath to come" (I Thessalonians 1:10). He nevertheless created all things according to the perfection of His love and wisdom. He made a universe that would bring Him both joy and grief, a creation that would ultimately become all He intended it to be, but not before grave darkness and sorrow descended upon it. Yes, all is well when we look at the full picture. But all is not yet well when the scenes of a fallen and dying world disturb our hearts. These are the rails, the rails of Truth upon which we presently journey. All is well. All is not well. We must accept the blessed but difficult perspective, joining Paul in being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."
"Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness."
(Proverbs 14:13)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."
(Ephesians 1:3)
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Session Information Date: Monday, November 9, 2020 Session Type: Poster Session D Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM Background/Purpose: Among children diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there exists monogenic forms of SLE, where rare variants in a single gene lead to disease. The aim of this study was to calculate the burden of rare variants in monogenic SLE genes, in children suspected of monogenic SLE or lupus-like disease. Methods: From the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Lupus clinic, we identified patients suspected of monogenic SLE due to young-onset disease (< 11y), one or more affected first-degree relatives, and/or history of consanguinity. We completed paired end whole genome sequencing (WGS) using an Illumina HiSeq X platform (n=69) or paired end whole exome sequencing (WES) with an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform (n=3). Variant calling was performed with GATK and HAS, and functional annotation with ANNOVAR. We prioritized rare exonic variants (MAF< 1%) based on predicted functional impact (frameshift, nonsynonymous and stop-gain) and 36 monogenic lupus genes. Chi-squared tests identified a subset of variants with an increased burden in monogenic SLE cases compared to relevant ethnic controls (Bonferroni correction p< 8.9E-4). Polyphen, SIFT and CADD scores (≥30) predicted damaging and/or deleterious variants.
Participants also underwent genotyping on the Illumina multiethnic MEGA or GSA array. Ancestry was genetically inferred using principal component and ADMIXTURE, or by self-report (Canada census ethnicity categories). Additive non-HLA and HLA SLE genetic risk scores (GRSs) were calculated using common risk single nucleotide polymorphisms. We tested the relationship between GRSs and the number of rare monogenic SLE variants with functional impact using Spearman correlation (r
s) coefficients. Results: The cohort included 72 suspected monogenic SLE patients, 65 with SLE and 7 with lupus-like disease (79% females), with a median age of diagnosis of 8 years (IQR=7,10). The majority of patients were admixed (33%) or European (29%). WGS analysis showed 1032 rare variants in monogenic SLE genes, with a median of 17 variants/gene (IQR= 10,32) and 14 variants/person (IQR=11,17). We identified 56 exonic variants with predicted functional impact, of which 18 variants in 24 patients had a significantly higher frequency in monogenic SLE cases compared to referent populations. We found 7 variants predicted to be disease-causing in 9 SLE patients, in genes: C1QA, C1QC, C1R, C4B, DNASE1L3 and MAN2B1 (Table).
In 68 individuals with calculated GRSs, we did not observe a correlation between the burden of rare monogenic SLE variants with functional impact and SLE HLA GRS (r
s= 0.11, p=0.65) or non-HLA GRS (r s= 0.04, p=0.78) (Figure). Conclusion: In our cohort of suspected monogenic SLE patients, WES/WGS identified a likely causal genetic variant in 13% of patients. We did not detect a significant correlation between the number of rare monogenic SLE variants with functional impact and non-HLA or HLA GRS. Studies with larger cohort sizes are needed to validate our findings.
Table. Frequency of predicted deleterious monogenic SLE variants in monogenic SLE cases compared to referent populations. (1) MAF reported for relevant referent population in gnomAD v2.1.1. (2) Chi-squared tests used to compare cSLE and referent variant frequencies. (3) Variant found in more than one monogenic cSLE patient.
Disclosure: M. Misztal, None; F. Liao, None; S. Naumenko, None; A. Knight, None; D. Dominguez, None; J. Cao, None; D. Webber, None; B. Thiruvahindrapuram, None; D. Levy, None; A. Paterson, None; E. Silverman, None; L. Hiraki, None.
Misztal M, Liao F, Naumenko S, Knight A, Dominguez D, Cao J, Webber D, Thiruvahindrapuram B, Levy D, Paterson A, Silverman E, Hiraki L. Identifying Rare Genetic Variants in Childhood-onset Monogenic Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [abstract].
To cite this abstract in AMA style: Arthritis Rheumatol.2020; 72 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/identifying-rare-genetic-variants-in-childhood-onset-monogenic-systemic-lupus-erythematosus/. Accessed November 29, 2020.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/identifying-rare-genetic-variants-in-childhood-onset-monogenic-systemic-lupus-erythematosus/


NCASE Resource Library Featured Resources
This publication features some of the best resources, including webinars, briefs, and toolkits, available in the online NCASE Resource Library, developed for both practitioners and system builders.
These selected resources, curated by NCASE, offer ideas and information for OST system leaders to support recovery from COVID-19.
The NCASE Out-of-School Time Professional Development System-Building Toolkit was designed to assist states as they build professional development systems inclusive of school-age providers.
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This issue brief outlines steps that public and private sector leaders can guide a comeback effort and build back better following COVID-19.
This annotated bibliography provides a list of fifteen links to evidence-based practices, policy briefs, survey resources, and webinars to support Dual Language Learners (DLL). It is designed for policymakers, school administrators, and teachers in early child and primary education settings, and is helpful for Out-of-School Time (OST).
This online module is designed to train program and fiscal leaders to work together. It comes with printable resources like a budget form and a game to encourage teamwork.
This PowerPoint presentation explores key principles for effective business management. It describes the concept of shared services. Some slides demonstrate the extensive resources of the ECE Shared Resources tool used by more than 20 states. It provides examples of strengthening business practices in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
This article defines parent engagement and why it benefits children, families, and afterschool programs. It provides 15 examples of promising practices. Sample outreach materials and parent surveys are included. This resource supports resilience.
This resource is for program leaders to explore cost allocation. It discusses why assigning a shared cost to 2 or more programs is important. It defines key costs and provides a step-by-step guide to cost allocation.
This resource includes a powerpoint, video and handouts that define leadership. It provides a foundational exploration of difference between leadership and management. It can be useful for emerging leaders and training and TA professionals for school-age.
This webinar explores ways to create a framework for continuity, consistency, equity and developmentally appropriate practice between early childhood and schools. The focus is on birth to grade three and can be helpful for school-age to consider. The ideas and state examples suggest we need to align practices and polices through cross-sector relationships.


Written by Michele Rae, centerwithin.com – 2016 Fall Retreat Keynote Speaker
When you think about yourself, who do you know yourself to be?
There are specific characteristics you may identify with such as being a man or woman, American or Mexican, daughter or father. You may classify yourself by what you do such as a painter, entrepreneur, volunteer or inventor. I am a woman, teacher and writer, mother and mystic.
There are characteristics that are broader and reflect your tendencies and preferences such as being an introvert or extrovert or your political views. I value connection, new ideas, authenticity, being in nature, quiet, dark chocolate and red wine. (OK, maybe the wine and chocolate are more specific)
Where did these identifications come from? We are taught our story by external references from the time we are born. Our parents, educators, church, and society hold certain values to have higher meaning than others. They teach us to differentiate what is acceptable and to conform to their standards and customs. We often confuse our authentic story with the one we believe we “should” have or who we are “supposed” to be.
Who would you be if you examined each of these identifications and released the ones that do not fit anymore or feel constricting? Which ones feel the most real, ring true and make your heart sing? Are there parts of you that have been hidden and are longing to come out and play?
Lucky for us, in addition to being a character in our story we are also an author! If you could write in events, feelings, experiences and characters to enhance your story, what would they be? I recommend one theme that runs through the entire story is “I AM worthy and lovable.” Require every small choice, every moment of every day, to reflect that theme. If you come across a person or circumstance in your life that denies that you are loveable and worthy, consider removing them from your story, or at least relegating them to a minor character!
In fact, at the heart of all stories, all that has a beginning, middle and end, is an essence of pure light and love. The inner essence, some traditions call it the Holy Spirt aspect of God, others the Divine Spark and others a Reflection of Source, is identical in every living being. Take a few minutes every day, or set a couple hours apart once in a while, to really feel into this Center Within aspect of yourself. When you know it, and write your story from your true nature, magic happens! and you


Ending youth homelessness involves a number of critical elements and actions. These include the implementation of innovative programs and housing solutions tailored for the specific needs of young people as well as structural changes within the operations of homeless-serving systems. The transformation of public systems, including child welfare, education, mental health, income supports and criminal justice and their enhanced integration which can facilitate broad systems of care is essential. Each community also has unique dynamics that must be accounted for in local efforts and plans.
To support the enhanced capacity to respond to youth homelessness in unique local contexts across Canada, A Way Home has developed a toolkit to help communities create plans to prevent, reduce and end homelessness among young people. This webinar will introduce the new toolkit to those who are considering or already leading community efforts to develop strategic responses to youth homelessness.
The toolkit is available here: homelesshub.ca/youthplantoolkit
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
[Blog] Helping Communities Go Further Faster: Youth Homelessness Community Planning Toolkit by Melanie Redman
homelesshub.ca/blog/helping-communities-go-further-faster-youth-homelessness-community-planning-toolkit Living Library of resources - homelesshub.ca/toolkit/chapter/additional-resources Continue the conversation on the Community Workspace on Homelessness - homelesshub.ca/workspace


Variable Earnings and Nonlinear Taxation
We explore the interaction between two facts. The first is that income is variable; the second is that the tax and transfer system transforms before tax income into after tax income in highly non-linear ways. The effect is to penalize (and reward) income variability in a manner which is both substantial and capricious.


The Future Growth Loan Scheme currently makes up to €300 million of loans available with a term of 8-10 years and is operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) though participating lenders. Funding made available by the scheme facilitates long-term, strategic investment.
As at 8 May 2020, the scheme has received 3,502 eligibility applications, with 3,327 approved, 160 currently in process and 16 deemed ineligible. The scheme has seen significant uptake and the initial €300m funding has been almost fully subscribed, supporting a significant level of strategic investment by businesses. On 2 May, I announced an expansion to the Future Growth Loan Scheme of €200m. Officials of my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Finance, and the SBCI are working to ensure this is available as soon as possible.
The scheme is underpinned by a 64% counter-guarantee from the European Investment Fund. This counter-guarantee provides significant risk protection to the Exchequer against potential losses from the loan guarantee scheme. The FGLS was established using the European Investment Fund Agreement Act 2018. This Act allows for the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to enter into agreements with the European Investment Fund (EIF) to facilitate access to finance for qualifying enterprises.
There is a limit of €75 million set out in the Act on the total value of agreements (for First Loss payments) that the relevant Ministers can enter into with the EIF. Capacity currently remains within the aggregate limit set out in the Act to allow for an agreement with the EIF in relation to the planned €200m expansion of the FGLS.
However, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group recently announced, as part of the European Union response to COVID-19, that it would be providing €25 billion in guarantees to underpin €200 billion in funding for member States to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. For Ireland to be able to enter into additional agreements with the EIF, so as to leverage these EIB guarantees, will require an amendment to the aggregate limit set out in the European Investment Fund Agreement Act 2018.
Officials of my Department have been working urgently alongside the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of legislation to amend the aggregate limit for agreements within the European Investment Fund Agreement Act 2018. The intention is that it will be progressed through the Oireachtas as a matter of urgency once a new Government is formed.


A representative curve number (CN) of a catchment is often calculated from the area-weighted average of CN values of unique land use and soil combinations. While convenient for implementation, this method is known to underestimate direct runoff depth. This paper investigates the mathematical mechanism of the expected underestimation and proposes alternative CN averaging methods, the quadratic and exact averaging methods, to handle the underestimation problem. Results suggest that the quadratic method could reduce the level of underestimation in direct runoff depth, and further the exact method could provide the same direct runoff depth as that of the area-weighted direct runoff depth averaging method. A representative CN is found to be a function of rainfall size as well as catchment landscape, and the underestimation is relatively large for small and mid-sized storm events. The improvement in runoff estimation with the newly proposed averaging methods is particularly beneficial to stormwater management, flood controls, and erosion controls upon small return-period events.


This report furthers the STEM ecosystem research described in a Noyce Foundation 2014 working paper amd shares evidence of the impact of cross-sector partnerships in the effort to create a rich STEM learning environment for all students. This report outlines recommendations for further research and highlights lessons from the field, along with a toolkit that includes an adaptable logic model and recommended strategies.Read more


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation(CMMI) is introducing the Part D Enhanced Medication Therapy Management (Enhanced MTM) Model, which will aim to free up stand-alone Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) in specified regions of the United States. This model will commence January 1, 2017 with a five-year performance period, and it will serve as a unique enhanced medication therapy management (MTM) program, waive current requirements for enrollment and offer a reward for meeting certain cost-reduction parameters.
According to CMS, Enhanced MTM is intended to assess whether providing selected Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) with additional incentives and flexibilities to design and implement innovative programs will better achieve the overall goals for MTM programs. These goals include:
Improving compliance with medication protocols, including high-cost drugs, to ensure that beneficiaries receive the medications they need, and use them properly Reducing medication-related problems, such as duplicative or harmful prescription drugs, or suboptimal treatments Increasing patients’ knowledge of their medications to better achieve their or their prescribers’ goals of therapy Improving communication among prescribers, pharmacists, caregivers and patients
Comments, questions and responses regarding this model can be sent to [email protected]. The inquiry should identify the sender and the organization represented and be submitted by October 16, 2015 to receive full consideration.
CMS will be holding a webinar October 21, 2015 at 2pm (EDT) to provide further details. For more information about the webinar, visit http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/enhancedmtm/index.html.


[eng] MET alterations may provide a potential biomarker to evaluate patients who will benefit from treatment with MET inhibitors. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the utility of a liquid biopsy-based strategy to assess MET alterations in cancer patients. We analyzed MET amplification in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) from 174 patients with cancer and 49 healthy controls and demonstrated the accuracy of the analysis to detect its alteration in patients. Importantly, a significant correlation between cfDNA concentration and MET copy number (CN) in cancer patients (r = 0.57, p <10−10) was determined. Furthermore, we evaluated two approaches to detect the presence of MET on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), using the CellSearch® and Parsortix systems and monitored patients under anti-EGFR treatment (n = 30) combining both cfDNA and CTCs analyses. This follow-up provides evidence for the potential of MET CN assessment when patients develop resistance to anti-EGFR therapy and a significant association between the presence of CTCs MET+ and the Overall Survival (OS) in head and neck cancer patients (P = 0.05; HR = 6.66). In conclusion, we develop specific and noninvasive assays to monitor MET status in cfDNA/CTCs and demonstrate the utility of plasma MET CN determination as a biomarker for monitoring the appearance of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy.


dc.description.abstract This study investigated the relationship between participation in competitive sports and
academic performance of secondary school students in Kenya. It was hypothesized
that athletes will have better academic performance than non-athletes. Gender, type of
school, social economic status (SES), Kenya Certificate of Primary Education
(K.C.P.E.) marks and participation in competitive sports were used as independent
variables, while academic performance was regarded as the dependent variable. Data
were collected from 490 subjects randomly selected from 15 secondary schools within
Nairobi Province of Kenya. Questionnaires, interviews and school records were used
for data collection. Data were analysed through MANOVA and Tukey H.SD. tests.
Findings revealed that athletes consistently performed better than non-athletes. It was
also found that SES, K.C.P.E. and type of school correlated positively with academic
performance while sex did not. It was recommended that competitive sports be
emphasized in secondary schools because it is not detrimental to academic performance. en_US


Over the past few decades, research has shown how the gut can impact your overall health and wellbeing. Gut health plays a role in your mood, vibrant skin, heart health, and even your weight.[1]
Underlying gut health is trillions of bacteria, which reside within the gut. These bacteria play critical roles in many processes, including digestion and immunity.[2] A wall keeps the gut intact. This thin layer of cells forms the first physical barrier that separates the contents of the gut from the bloodstream.
This gut barrier allows nutrients to cross into the bloodstream while preventing potentially harmful small molecules and organisms from leaving the gut. Proteins called
tight junctions to form a “glue” that keeps these cells sealed.[3] What is Leaky Gut?
A healthy gut depends on the correct balance between favorable and unfavorable bacteria. When that balance becomes disrupted, a condition called
dysbiosis results.
This imbalance between favorable and unfavorable bacteria can loosen up the tight junctions that keep the gut wall intact. Harmful substances can then leak into the bloodstream, creating
increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut.[4]
These particles –– partially digested food but also things like toxic digestive metabolites and bacterial toxins –– can then travel throughout the body, even slipping into the brain.
Numerous things can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and make the gut wall “leaky,” including:
The standard American diet, which is low in fiber and high in sugar Alcohol Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen [5] Chronic stress [6] Over-using antibiotics [7] Infections such as Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that infects the stomach [8] Environmental toxins How the Body Responds to Leaky Gut
Leaky gut can create gut-related conditions including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. These repercussions go beyond the gut, impacting the entire body. Among those reactions include:
An immune response.The immune system doesn’t recognize these partially digested food particles and other things that slip through the gut wall, so it attacks them. Chronic inflammation.As the immune system stays fired up, inflammation simmers. Over time, chronic inflammation can impact your entire body and contributes to nearly every disease.[9] [10] Food sensitivities.Imbalances in gut bacteria can create food sensitivities, where specific foods can trigger a reaction with bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.[11] Autoimmune disease.Particles that slip into the bloodstream can lodge in specific areas, such as joints. The immune system can mistakenly attack these tissues, which can lead to autoimmune diseases.[12]
“All disease begins in the gut,” Hippocrates said about 2,500 years ago. What impacts the gut can go on to impact the entire body, including the brain. Scientists have connected leaky gut with conditions including autistic spectrum disorder, dementia, depression, schizophrenia, and other brain disorders.
Leaky gut can play a role in a wide range of diseases, including diabetes and obesity.[13] It can even impact sleep by inhibiting the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates circadian rhythm.[14]
5 Ways to Support Gut Health
What you eat and how you live can dramatically impact gut health. While leaky gut and other gut conditions sometimes require working with a healthcare practitioner, these five strategies can support the right balance of gut bacteria and keep the gut healthy.
Eat gut-supporting foods.Foods rich in probiotics support the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and unsweetened Greek yogurt are excellent probiotic-rich foods. Leafy and cruciferous vegetables, low-sugar fruits like berries and avocados, and nuts and seeds provide dietary fiber, including prebiotic fiber, which feeds probiotics.[15] Our Advanced Planeliminates gut-unfriendly foods and incorporates anti-inflammatory, gut-healing foods. Try an elimination diet.If you suspect food sensitivities could be contributing to leaky gut, consider a short-term elimination diet, where you remove a particular food or foods for two to four weeks and see if your symptoms improve. If you reintroduce that food and symptoms reappear, you know what could be creating these problems.[16] Manage stress levels.The wide-ranging impact of chronic stress impacts nearly every aspect of health, including the gut. Learn 16 ways to manage stress here. Minimize Toxins.A good place to begin minimizing the pesticides and other toxins that contribute to leaky gut is with your food. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Make more informed cosmetics choices with the EWG’s Skin Deep®guide. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals and save money with natural cleaning solutions. Get the right nutrient support.Probiotics reinforce the intestinal barrier by increasing tight junction proteins and supporting other intestinal cells. These living organisms maintain the balance of gut bacteria and suppress the growth of harmful bacteria. Probiotics also support the immune cells within the gut.[17]
A probiotic supplement makes a convenient, effective way to get beneficial amounts of the healthy gut flora that helps restore the balance of gut bacteria and supports overall gut health. That’s why we created
Probiotic 50B.
This broad-spectrum formula contains a diverse blend of the most highly-researched probiotics to support a healthy gut, immune system, and more in just one easy-to-swallow capsule daily.
When it comes to buying probiotic supplements, quality matters. These supplements are
living organisms that have many barriers to cross, including shelf life and surviving the acidic conditions of the stomach. Probiotic 50B delivers a powerful blend of healthy gut bacteria in a moisture-resistant capsule featuring delayed-release technology. This ensures the capsule delivers all of the healthy bacteria to support a healthy gut, immune system, and so much more. Our capsules are non-GMO, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Never modify or discontinue any medication without the consent of your healthcare practitioner. References


The lesson is that diversification does matter and to think otherwise is foolish. Even though the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 continue to blow through historical highs, establishing and maintaining a defensive barrier (i.e., fixed income) is still critical in a well-managed portfolio.
Yes, I understand it may sometimes be tempting to put all your eggs in one basket after this year’s performance in the equity markets, especially domestic. However, without a crystal ball it is impossible to guess which asset class will lead the race in 2014.


Abstract
Monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs), mononuclear phagocytes essential for immune responses, develop from hematopoietic stem cells via monocyte-DC progenitors (MDPs). The molecular basis of their development remains unclear. Because promoter-distal enhancers are key to cell fate decisions, we analyzed enhancer landscapes during mononuclear phagocyte development in vivo. Monocyte- and DC-specific enhancers were gradually established at progenitor stages before the expression of associated genes. Of the transcription factors predicted to bind to these enhancers, IRF8, essential for monocyte and DC development, was found to be required for the establishment of these enhancers, particularly those common to both monocyte and DC lineages. Although Irf8
–/– mononuclear phagocyte progenitors, including MDPs, displayed grossly normal gene expression patterns, their enhancer landscapes resembled that of an upstream progenitor population. Our results illustrate the dynamic process by which key transcription factors regulate enhancer formation and, therefore, direct future gene expression to achieve mononuclear phagocyte development. The regulation of enhancer dynamics during postnatal mononuclear phagocyte development remains unclear. Kurotaki et al. analyze the enhancer landscape during monocyte and dendritic cell development in vivo. Enhancers are gradually established by transcription factors such as IRF8 at progenitor stages before the expression of associated genes, defining the progenitors’ differentiation potential. Keywords ChIP-seq IRF8 dendritic cell development enhancer monocyte transcription factor ASJC Scopus subject areas Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)


Brand: NOW Features: Publisher: NOW Details: Cascara Sagrada Capsules from NOW® Foods is an egg-free product that may support your digestive tract. This soy-free supplement could cleanse your colon and regularize bowel movements. Cascara sagrada present in this supplement from NOW® Foods is an herb‚ rich in compounds called anthroquinones that could stimulate the smooth muscle in the large intestine and make them contract. They might increase bowel volume by preventing the absorption of water in the intestine. Bowel habits could vary from person to person and some people may experience difficulty in passing stool. Various factors could impair bowel activity and lead to infrequent movements‚ which could be uncomfortable or even painful. Cascara might possess anti-bacterial powers‚ thereby promoting the immune health of your intestine. It could also improve the tone of the intestine. Improve your digestive health and strengthen your intestine with Cascara Sagrada Capsules from NOW® Foods. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose� treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using these or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition. UPC: 733739046239 EAN: 0733739046239 Package Dimensions: 4.9 x 2.9 x 2.7 inches Binding: Health and Beauty Item Condition: New


Commerce The Commerce Department at Camberwell Girls is committed to implementing innovative teaching and learning strategies that focus on each student’s ability to understand how to navigate and make sense of our major financial, legal, economic and business institutions.
Commencing with a range of Middle School subjects that focus on developing financial literacy in students including Being a Global Economic Citizen, Going into Business, The Law and You and Financial Literacy for the Consumer, Commerce then moves to a full range of Senior School VCE offerings.
In these subjects, students are encouraged and empowered to develop the skills required to recognise and understand how key institutions integral to our society operate. By developing and maintaining direct contact with government and private businesses, students are equipped with the knowledge to assess and compare actual practices with contemporary theory, preparing them to become tomorrow’s decision makers.
Specialised curriculum areas in the VCE program include: Accounting Business Management Economics Legal Studies
In the IB Program, Economics and Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) are popular options.


Many individuals in Oregon and across the country consider their financial future to be of the utmost importance. When facing substantial monetary hardships, one who wishes to protect this area of life may subsequently wonder about the available options for relief. For those who consider Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there are several factors that may influence their decision, and seeking guidance could prove beneficial to navigating the process.
Perhaps one of the most intimidating aspects of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the liquidation of assets. While this type of bankruptcy does call for liquidation, this doesn’t necessarily include all of one’s belongings. Certain assets may be exempt from the process, and gaining an understanding of federal and Oregon state bankruptcy laws could help an individual make informed decisions regarding his or her financial future.
By liquidating assets through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, many of a person’s debts may be discharged in the process. However, not all debts are eligible for forgiveness, such as those pertaining to student loans and child or spousal support. Obtaining guidance on how filing for bankruptcy will impact one’s assets and debts could prove crucial to determining the correct path with which to seek relief.
With numerous crucial factors to consider regarding one’s financial future, an individual may find it beneficial to seek counsel in the initial stages of the process. By speaking with a bankruptcy attorney, a client in Oregon could obtain some much-needed advice on every available option for relief, as well as their potential outcomes. An attorney can thoroughly evaluate a client’s financial situation and provide advice on how to pursue the most favorable outcome through the necessary channels.
Source: mpnnow.com, “John Ninfo: The basics of a consumer bankruptcy“, John Ninfo, Aug. 29, 2017


Sweeping Tax Relief Provisions included in the CARES Act (Individual Provisions)
April 1, 2020
In an effort to help businesses and individuals weather the economic storm created by the coronavirus shutdowns, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed and the President signed on March 27, included many provisions easing restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Key changes relating to Individual taxpayers are highlighted below. Changes oriented toward businesses have been covered in a separate Alert. Recovery rebates for individuals. To help individuals meet financial needs during this time of crisis, the federal government will send up to $1,200 to eligible single taxpayers and $2,400 to married couples filing joint returns. An additional $500 payment will be sent to taxpayers for each qualifying dependent child under age 17. For individual taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) over $75,000, joint filers with AGI over $150,000 and head of household filers with AGI over $122,500, the payment amount is phased out, at a rate of 5% of the amount exceeding this threshold. Under these rules, the rebate is completely phased-out for a single filer with AGI exceeding $99,000, for a joint filer with no children with AGI exceeding $198,000, and for a head of household with one child, with AGI exceeding $146,500. Most individuals will not have to take any action to receive a rebate. IRS will compute the rebate based on a taxpayer’s 2019 tax return (or 2018, if the 2019 return has not yet been filed). Note that rebates are payable whether or not any tax was owed on the 2019 (or 2018) return. Waiver of 10% early distribution penalty. Recognizing that individuals may need to turn to their IRAs and other retirement plans for funds to help them through the crisis, the CARES Act waives the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from IRAs and defined contribution plans (such as 401(k) plans) for any person who (or whose family) is infected with the coronavirus or who is economically harmed by the pandemic. This relief applies to anyone (i) who is diagnosed with the coronavirus by a test approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (ii) whose spouse or dependent is diagnosed with coronavirus by such a test or (iii) who experiences adverse financial consequences as a result of being quarantined, furloughed or laid off or having work hours reduced due to the pandemic, being unable to work due to lack of child care due to the coronavirus, closing or reducing hours of a business owned or operated by the individual due to the coronavirus, or other factors as may be specified by the Secretary of the Treasury. Penalty-free distributions are limited to $100,000, and may be re-contributed to the plan or IRA at a later time. Income arising from the distributions is spread out over 3 years unless the taxpayer elects otherwise. Employers are permitted to amend defined contribution plans to provide for these distributions. Additionally, defined contribution plans are permitted more flexibility in the amount and repayment terms of loans to employees affected by the coronavirus and attendant economic distress. Waiver of required distribution rules. Required minimum distributions that otherwise would have to be made in 2020 from defined contribution plans (such as 401(k) plans) and IRAs are waived. This includes distributions that would have been required by April 1, 2020, due to the account owners reaching the age of 70 1/2 in 2019. Charitable deduction liberalization. The CARES Act allows an individual taxpayer to take a $300 above-the-line deduction for cash contributions made, generally, to public charities in 2020. This rule overrides the limitation imposed by the 2017 tax act barring charitable contribution deductions for taxpayers filing with the standard deduction. An individual taxpayer’s ability to claim itemized deductions for charitable deductions in any year has been subject to a ceiling equal to 60% of the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for the year. The CARES Act removes this limitation for cash contributions made, generally, to public charities in 2020. For both of these changes, no connection needs to be shown between the contributions and the impact of the coronavirus. High Deductible Plan Remote Care Services. The CARES Act allows high deductible health plans to pay for expenses in 2020 for tele-health and other remote health care services without regard to the deductible amount for the plan. Nonprescription Medical Products. For amounts paid after December 31, 2019, the CARES Act allows amounts paid from Health Savings Accounts and Archer Medical Savings Accounts to be treated as paid for medical care even if they are not paid under a prescription.
E
xclusion for employer payments of student loans. An employee currently may exclude $5,250 from income for benefits from an employer-sponsored educational assistance program. The CARES Act expands the definition of expenses qualifying for the exclusion to include employer payments of student loan debt made before January 1, 2021. MORE INFORMATION
The contents of this Alert are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about this Alert, please contact the Shulman Rogers attorney with whom you regularly work or a member of the Shulman Rogers Tax Law Group.


At first glance the question, "what do I want?" seems to be about having something. I want some cake, I want a holiday, I want a job, I want a partner and so on. Thinking along those lines isn't floating my boat, or making me excited about the possibilities.
Instead, if I focus on how do I want to feel, then it gets more interesting.
Way back, when I was in my early 30's and suffering with depression, I recall often saying "I just want to be happy". I didn't get any more specific than that. And, it seemed elusive. Happiness.
Today, as I ponder on how I want to feel I have already disappeared down a rabbit hole of investigating the difference between emotions and feelings. Seems emotions are physical and instinctive, whilst feelings are sparked by emotions and influenced by life experience, beliefs and thoughts. Maybe this is a distraction from the task in hand!
When I think about how I want to feel what emerges is wanting to know that I matter.
I want to feel excited about the day ahead when I wake up. I want to feel challenged and stretched, but not too much. I want to test out my edges, and discover what is possible.
But, the essential container for all of this is the feeling of being connected, of being a part of something bigger than myself, and knowing that my contribution matters (whatever it is). I want to feel included, to feel a part of something, to feel my contribution is significant (as in it matters, not that it's huge!).
This feels like work in progress. To be reflected, and slept on.
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Valuable lessons can be learned from smallholder farmers who have successfully protected and regenerated tree cover across agricultural landscapes in Senegal, with minimal reliance on tree nurseries, seedling distribution or tree planting. In the process, they have restored soil fertility to sustainably increase agricultural production. Analysing how and where this approach has occurred underscores the importance and feasibility of achieving restoration in ways that contribute to improved livelihoods, reduce vulnerability to climate change and other shocks, and restore ecosystem services. This article highlights a relatively low-cost intervention implemented by rural communities with support from development organizations.
This article was submitted for inclusion in the forthcoming edition of ETFRN News 60 - Restoring African drylands, due for release in December 2020, containing 25 articles plus interviews and boxes describing farmer-led, NGO, private sector, government and international initiatives. These highlight the roles of varied policies and stakeholder interests, and identify opportunities to encourage smallholder and community participation in scaling out successes and meeting national, regional and global commitments.


Future higher temperatures in the Norwegian Arctic, including the Barents Sea, will likely cause several pathogens (parasites, bacteria, viruses) to extend their distributions northward (Tryland et al., 2009). The prevalence and abundance of pathogens may also change. Such a change in distribution of pathogens may have several consequences for both wild and domesticated animals, which are difficult to predict due to a lack of data.


As a savvy eCommerce business, you’re fully aware that website performance matters in the digitized, instant-gratification world in which we live. Improved web performance impacts an increase in pages viewed, products viewed, cart conversions, and revenue.
Take a moment to consider this – 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load, according to a recent study from Google. Website performance is linked to the scalability of your commerce platform during periods of high traffic volumes, such as the holiday shopping season. (As a side note, retail websites saw record volumes of eCommerce sales during the 2016 holiday season.) It’s no wonder then that 74% of online retailers are concerned their existing platforms won’t scale for future growth, which brings up the question: How do you determine the scale and capacity to support your eCommerce business?
Simply stated – it’s a blend of art and science. You need a strategy that accounts for seasonality, special promotions or campaigns, and cyber holidays. These elements contribute to increased traffic and sales spikes compared to the daily ebb and flow of your online business.
Understanding the technical architecture of your current platform and key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive your online business will introduce a data-driven approach to calculate scalability requirements. As you consider commerce platforms and their supporting technical architecture, make sure you address these questions: What is the best hosting option for the platform and supporting platform integrations based on your current and future business needs? How will the platform’s performance be maintained as site traffic and order volumes increase? What disaster recovery and/or high availability options exist in the event of infrastructure failure?
When considering the hosting environment, the most common options include:
Cloud
The advantages of cloud include its massive scalability and pre-configured or customizable environments that reduce hardware and management burdens for IT. Based on your business needs and budget, you can opt for a lower-cost public cloud, or choose a private cloud that ensures your networks are secure and compliant.
On-Premises
The benefit of this option is that you have complete control of the hardware, security, performance, and scale. However, this places the operational and fiscal responsibility for the eCommerce infrastructure on the shoulders of your IT team.
Hybrid
This environment provides the advantages of cloud and on-premises hosting – dedicated hardware to remain secure and compliant with the performance efficiencies of cloud. You can control critical systems and data in your on-premises environment while moving certain workloads, such as email or content delivery, to the cloud.
If you’re considering a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-based commerce platform, the infrastructure is typically provided as part of the service. However, you should still ask the same questions to ensure that the platform will scale for your anticipated growth. To learn more, download our latest guide – Best Practices for Choosing a Commerce Platform, Part 2 – where we explore the top three considerations for evaluating digital commerce platforms and illustrate how we’ve helped clients successfully launch their eCommerce re-platforming projects.


BACKGROUND: Premedical students often elect advanced science courses whose content will reappear during preclinical courses. Are such “preludes” useful? METHOD: The study participants were the 176 first-year students entering the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1992. Their grades in medical school courses in biochemistry, gross anatomy, histology, physiology, and microbiology were compared with their grades in similar premedical courses. RESULTS: The students who had taken a premedical prelude in advanced science performed no better than their classmates except in biochemistry, where the 118 students (67%) with prior biochemistry exposure had a significantly higher mean score (96.3 vs 87.6, p < .0001 using Student's t-test). A biochemistry prelude appeared to benefit all students, especially those from minorities underrepresented in medicine. In addition, among the 13 students who failed biochemistry in medical school, a number of them had low grades in organic chemistry and had not taken a premedical course in biochemistry. To test the replicability of the findings, an analysis was undertaken of the biochemistry performances of the 162 students who had entered in 1991, and again a significant difference was found between the students who had and those who had not taken a biochemistry prelude. CONCLUSION: A premedical biochemistry course, required by only two schools in 1995-96, appears advantageous, especially for students with weak academic preparation. Lack of such benefit from other preludes suggests that premedical students might better choose electives in arts and humanities to enhance their educational breadth.
Created Date: 16 May 1997; Completed Date: 16 May 1997; Revised Date: 18 December 2000
© 1996 Association of American Medical Colleges


Introduction: Transmedia Practices: A Television Branding Revolution Abstract
The television world is changing, having been impacted by mutations of three different natures: technological, narrative and participatory. Productions now use technology to enhance their content as television series and movie franchises are, increasingly, basing their narratives on principles of narrative complexity since active audiences do not only consume, but also engage with the said texts. These efforts made by the industry to target involved audiences demonstrate how transmedia practices have impacted not only on storytelling processes, but the text – and
brand – itself, the latter no longer being a mere programme with a limited duration, but a whole, composed of numerous elements spread across media. The goal of the different players involved is, nevertheless, quite different. While fans’ activities represent a way to empower themselves and engage with this universe, the teams behind institutional transmedia strategies seek to secure more (faithful) customers and, incidentally, a higher financial return.
Rather than reducing transmedia storytelling to the augmenting effect it had on the concept of narrative resulting from its ability to create an immersive environment, this issue seeks to discuss the wide range of economic perspectives available to film and television brands due to this very immersive environment. The transmedia phenomenon has, so far, mostly been approached from an either textual or participatory standpoint, but rarely so from a multidisciplinary perspective encompassing the marketing aspect. Providing insight on this topic – so far not discussed in
Networking Knowledge – through contributions from researchers in media, communications, cultural studies and marketing, the issue seeks to enrich our collective understanding of transmedia practices, in the hope of offering a more holistic approach. In doing so, the various pieces presented in this edition clearly demonstrate that transmedia practices have revolutionised television branding.. and that it’s just getting started. Networking Knowledge: Journal of the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.31165/nk.2014.71.326


Habits are best made when we are young. It is essential to relate what children learn in school to their real-life activities. Each activity we do in school has an objective and is a ‘’teachable moment’’ for our students.
KG students had a unique activity for table manners and etiquette, as reinforcing these manners is a crucial part of the everyday meal for kids. Children had many activities on that day. They pretended that their classroom is a restaurant with a creative restaurant name. They baked pizza and cupcakes with their teachers and modeled good table manners!!!
Well done, KG students!!!


As more states implement specific Medicaid reimbursement practices for immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, researchers from the University of Michigan Health System have identified challenges for agencies and providers alike in a study published in
Contraception.
Michelle Moniz, MD, MSc, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School, and colleagues conducted semistructured phone interviews with Medicaid representatives in 39 states, 13 of which have specific payment practices for immediate postpartum LARC devices, on agency goals for immediate postpartum LARC method reimbursement and administrative- and provider-level experiences with policy implementation.
Major themes that emerged included difficulties by the agency in promoting beneficiaries’ well-being and improved access to LARC methods and provider mistrust of the agency regarding payment. Focusing on on ensuring that claims were paid and reimbursement rates sufficiently addressed clinical costs of LARC methods was also discussed in the interviews. Many expressed struggles with notifying providers effectively about inpatient method coverage and mixed reactions from providers on offering immediate postpartum LARC methods vs. concerns about potential patient harm and insufficient technical expertise. The representatives expressed concerns over limited or no resources for clinical implementation or evaluation for their primary roles as eliminating reimbursement barriers.
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“Many women’s first choice for birth control is an IUD or implant, which we know are the safest and most effective forms of reversible contraception. The problem is that many postpartum women can’t make it back to the office for an appointment to get one,” said Dr. Moniz. “Our findings suggest that more and more agencies recognize significant benefits to providing this service before women even leave the hospital.” The authors are optimistic that as more Medicaid programs cover immediate postpartum LARC methods for timely contraception, opportunities will emerge for discussing these and other barriers. Eight additional states are currently considering immediate postpartum LARC insertion reimbursement.
For more information visit med.UMICH.edu.


by Diana Guo (MLA I '21), Runke Luo (MLA I AP '21), and Yuning Zhang (MLA I '21) — Winner of a 2020 Applied Arts Award
“Snow Bank” is a multi-scalar, community-based response to reuse snow for district cooling in East Boston by extending the lifetime of winter snow to be used during the extreme heat of summer. On the regional scale, snowstorms are growing more unpredictable in intensity as the climate changes while hot summers are increasingly unbearable. On the local community level, neighborhoods must come up with a rapid snow management plan that clears roads efficiently to allow equitable access to public transportation and protect their hydrological systems from severe snow meltwater contamination.
We seek to redefine the public commons through shared responsibility and redistribution of snow from a state of urban waste to one of valuable resource. Our team proposes an acupunctural network of snow storage inserted into the landscape that collect snow during cold seasons and emit cool air in the summer. The insertions correspond with above-surface landscapes that offer alternative spaces of public gathering and recreation. While each move is acupunctural, the larger effect becomes visible as a new shared commons emerges from the city fabric.


The interconnected world provides us with untold opportunities and conveniences. From shopping online to e-banking to something as simple as ordering a pizza, all made possible by the internet. However, these conveniences do not come risk-free, the internet also has a darker side. It is predicted that cybercrime could cost the global community up to £5.4 trillion annually by 2021. However, not every part of the world is equally exposed to cyberattacks, which then poses the question: How exposed is the UK?
The UK government’s ongoing initiatives and measures to combat cybercrime plays a key role in its recent rank as the 13th least exposed country to cyberattacks globally, as well as making the top ten cut in Europe, placing 8th. Whilst those who reside in the UK can breathe a sigh of relief, this doesn’t mean the UK is immune.
The biggest threats faced by the UK
Hacking techniques that leverage either stolen credentials or known vulnerabilities dominate the types of attacks across EMEA.
According to Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report, 42 percent of web application data breaches are caused by stolen credentials, whereby the attacker gathers compromised login details either through phishing or malware to then gain access to an online account or platform. Unsurprisingly, 56 percent of the data exposed in data breaches falls into the credentials category, elevating the importance of protective software.
Most notably, 2020 saw cybercriminals target outward-facing email servers, as well as business-critical applications.
Incidentally, 27 percent of malware incidents were ransomware, which Cybersecurity Ventures predicts will cause damage costs of £16 billion by 2021, equating to 57X more than it was in 2015 – making it the fastest-growing type of cyberattack.
The second tactic used – exploiting vulnerabilities – accounts for 20 percent of breaches in EMEA, where an attacker gains access to data or a system or repurposes a server for malicious intent. Checking external-facing websites or software for vulnerabilities, as well as missing security protocols, such as multi-factor authentication, is key to minimise your exposure.
Surprisingly, it’s not just external threats you should be worried about but also internal. Internal actors account for 13 percent of all data breaches with 70 percent of all threat actors driven by financial gain, followed by espionage (22 percent).
Where do the cyberattacks originate From?
Since the very nature of cybercrime transcends international borders, cyber actors often mask their identity to remain completely anonymous which can make it difficult to identify those responsible for attacks. However, it has been reported by the National Cyber Security Centre that a significant number of incidents come from hostile nation-states.
One such example involved the infamous group Turla. Turla hijacked the systems of a rival Iranian APT (advanced persistent threat) allowing them to masquerade as Iranian hackers to cover their Russian origin while they executed malware attacks against UK entities.
More recently, the Lazarus Group, commonly believed to be run by the North Korean government, planned a large-scale campaign sending COVID-19-themed phishing emails to over 5 million businesses and individuals across six countries, including the UK.
The UK’s resilience to cyberattacks
The UK has the highest level of commitment to cybersecurity globally thanks to the three core objectives of the National Cybersecurity Strategy:
Defend – Protect networks, data, and systems by ensuring that the UK can defend against new waves of cyberthreats, respond effectively to incidents, and provide citizens, businesses, and the public sector with the knowledge needed to employ the necessary security protocols. Deter – Make the UK a hard target by meticulously detecting, understanding, investigating, and disrupting all hostile actions taken against us, whilst also rigorously pursuing and prosecuting offenders. Develop – A combination of continued innovation through world-leading scientific research and development and maintaining a pipeline of talent to fill the skills needed to meet both the public and private sector needs will enable the UK to adeptly overcome the threats of an ever-changing cyber environment.
The UK is a prosperous digital nation and it will continue to attract the attention of attackers but with the £1.9 billion invested to defend, deter, and develop against cybercrime, the UK’s level of commitment to cybersecurity is set to stay at the top of the pack globally. However, global cooperation is required to make the digital world a safer place.
Contributed by Joshua Frisby, Founder of PasswordManagers.co.


There is no feeling like seeing the face of a student reaching an "ahh haa" moment in math class. After teaching middle school mathematics for almost ten years, I was eager to begin a journey of supporting my fellow classroom math teachers as our district’s mathematics coach. In this role, I have been able to continue to engage in one of my passions-connecting research to classroom practices. I am excited to serve the members of NCSM as the associate journal editor.
Member Story
I was deep into my 3rd year as the elementary mathematics coach for my school district, when a colleague approached me with an interesting opportunity to attend a leadership institute in Atlanta, GA. Little did I know that this institute would change my life. After attending NCSM’s Winter Leadership Institute that December, I knew I had found the place with "my people". Being able to collaborate, problem-solve, and celebrate with the people who understood the struggles, and the joy behind the celebrations, re-energized my quest in supporting our district’s mathematics teachers. From the "Coaching Corner" to NCSM’s position papers, I have found the guidance I need to be an effective mathematics coach.


Despite weaknesses, the new sub-compact SUV has the potential to bring the Japanese car maker back into the ...
MCX-Natural Gas ( ₹127 )
The rally that the August futures contract of natural gas on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was witnessing hit a roadblock at the resistance level of ₹150 in early July. Unable to move beyond that level, the contract reversed the trend immediately and started to fall. The decline has been quick where the contract is now trading around ₹127. Visibly, there is no support until its previous low of ₹121.4, meaning there is more room on the downside.
Certain factors substantiate the bearish outlook. For instance, the price has slipped below the 21-day moving average (DMA) and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicators on the daily chart remains in their respective bearish territory. Considering these factors, the likelihood of further fall seems high.
While ₹121.4 can be the nearest support, a decisive breach of this level can invite more bears, possibly resulting in more intense downtrend. The price could even fall to ₹110. On the other hand, if the contract recovers and moves up, ₹130 can be a hindrance. Above that level, the resistance can be spotted at ₹135; the 21-DMA and the 50 per cent Fibonacci retracement level coincides at this level making it a significant resistance.
On the global front, the generic first contract of natural gas on New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) made a high of $1.92 in the first week of July. However, it was unable to advance further and started to moderate. Last week, it breached the support of $1.7 and the contract looks set to depreciate further.
Trade Strategy:
The contracts on MCX and NYMEX has been in a decline since early July after having rallied during the preceding two weeks. Notably, the major trend of the energy commodity remains bearish, increasing the possibility of further decline in price. Hence, traders can go short in MCX-Natural gas on rallies with stop-loss at ₹135.


The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance to hospitals and clinics reminding them that they must still comply with patient privacy rules during the COVID-19 crisis. In light of media focus, it is particularly important for providers to obtain a valid health privacy authorization from each patient whose protected health information would be accessible to the media. This requirement applies even if footage uses pixilation, blurring, or alteration for patients’ faces or voices.


The concept of “connectedness with nature” is increasingly used in environmental and sustainability discourse. However, this construct has also ...On March 24, 2019 / By eyes4earth
Soul is the price we have paid for our civilization.
eyes4earth.org is a portal into meaningful nature experience and connectedness with nature. It draws on scientific research and experiential insight to explore implications for sustainability education and consciousness.
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Far too often, youths are being prescribed powerful antipsychotics “off-label”, or for a different use than the drug was initially intended. Researchers report that for those under 18 of normal intelligence, there’s no indication that the drugs have any positive effect. As Sharon Kirkey reports for the Ottawa Citizen, presciption medication designed for schizophrenia, for…Read


Abstract
The Transmembrane BAX Inhibitor Motif containing (TMBIM) superfamily, divided into BAX Inhibitor (BI) and Lifeguard (LFG) families, comprises a group of cytoprotective cell death regulators conserved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. However, no research has focused on the evolution of this superfamily in plants. We identified 685 TMBIM proteins in 171 organisms from Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, and provided a phylogenetic overview of the whole TMBIM superfamily. Then, we used orthology and synteny network analyses to further investigate the evolution and expansion of the BI and LFG families in 48 plants from diverse taxa. Plant BI family forms a single monophyletic group; however, monocot BI sequences transposed to another genomic context during evolution. Plant LFG family, which expanded trough whole genome and tandem duplications, is subdivided in LFG I, LFG IIA, and LFG IIB major phylogenetic groups, and retains synteny in angiosperms. Moreover, two orthologous groups (OGs) are shared between bryophytes and seed plants. Other several lineage-specific OGs are present in plants. This work clarifies the phylogenetic classification of the TMBIM superfamily across the three domains of life. Furthermore, it sheds new light on the evolution of the BI and LFG families in plants providing a benchmark for future research.
Keywords Bax inhibitor 1 Gene family evolution Lifeguard Programmed cell death Synteny network TMBIM


n August 2020, the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) released survey findings examining assessment-related changes made in the Spring 2020 semester. As part of that report, we examined the intersections of those findings with other COVID-19 related reports on the shift to remote instruction and students’ experience of teaching and learning during that time, offering considerations for practice in the fall and beyond. While August was only a month ago, in pandemic time it feels like at least 8 months have passed since the report was released. Based on conversations with assessment professionals and questions raised about learning in the fall, the report remains relevant all this time later.


The Story of Meg Quinn
After 44 seasons, Theatre of Youth (TOY) continues to provide innovative and professional theatre for child audiences. Today, it resides in Buffalo's historic Allendale Theatre as a destination for the community's youth to engage with dramatic experiences crafted just for them. Artistic Director Meg Quinn discussed how the theatre's mission has successfully connected with schools and families in the community.
"Anyone can jump up and down to entertain kids and have fun," said Quinn. "We have always tried to take a bigger, greater responsibility for the children of our community."
This focus began in 1972, when Daemen College theatre professors Rosalind Cramer and Toni Smith Wilson attended an international conference of children theatres in Albany, NY. They were inspired by thought-provoking performances created specifically for child audiences, from theatres all over the world. Cramer and Smith Wilson brought this vision back to Buffalo and established Theatre of Youth with a group of several undergraduate students, including Quinn. TOY's programming today includes carefully selected plays that resonate across a range of age groups. Quinn notes that these plays share a common goal of having something important and authentic to say.
"Through these stories, we want to show children that some of life's difficult decisions take courage and can change the world," said Quinn. "It gives them a lot to think about. That's our purpose."
Quinn notes that selecting each season's performances is among her toughest and most important responsibilities. While TOY is committed to serving the development of Buffalo's youth, the selection process is highly collaborative across the country. Quinn communicates with artistic directors at professional children's theatres in Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and other cities to share scripts, discuss trending titles and share new information about research in creativity and child development.
TOY's intimate connection with their child audiences continues even after the final curtain. As a part of the end of every performance, they convene a "talk back" session moderated by Quinn that prompts young attendees with questions intended to stir up their natural curiosities to think, respond and reflect on the onstage narrative they just watched.
"As we prepare for plays, I always tell the actors to give this next performance your best, because you could be introducing people to something new," said Quinn. "Some children have never seen a play before, so these actors have the chance to create something memorable in their lives and make them feel like they belong."
Quinn notes that this dialogue can plant the seeds for lives full of critical thinking and creative problem solving. According to her, children may exhibit greater confidence than grown-ups to ask profound questions; they are also challenged to think about making thoughtful choices in serious situations. To illustrate this, Quinn talked about a past performance, Tuck Everlasting, where the main character must choose between drinking magic water to live forever – thus outliving close friends and loved ones – or abstaining and live a natural life. Theatre of Youth exists not only to enrich, educate and entertain young audiences, but also to challenge children to reflect on the greater themes of life.
"Kids constantly ask questions about their place in life and whether [they will succeed]," she said. "We embrace their desire to explore and get to the essence of the story. And we provide a forum for it. If you know how to explore it that way, then you've got them. That's a really powerful thing."
To learn more about Meg and Theatre of Youth, visit http://www.theatreofyouth.org.


Every practising solicitor must have professional indemnity insurance (PI), which protects against negligence claims made by clients. Like your law firm, solicitor's professional indemnity insurance policies are unique and it’s crucial that you select the right one to ensure your business is appropriately covered.
Unsure where to begin? That’s where this guide to solicitors PI will help. In it we explain what solicitor’s professional indemnity covers, how to optimise your proposal form, how the renewal process works and what to do if a claim is made against your law firm. We're here to help
If you have any questions or would just like to speak to one of our specialists, then you can email us directly.
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The European Labour Market Barometer rose again in October. The leading indicator for the European labour market generated by the European Network of Public Employment Services and the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) rose by 0.5 points. Reaching 99.2 points the indicator is still in the negatives but has now recovered a significant part of the sharp decline in April.
The labour market in Europe has recovered after the first lockdown in spring. However, the second Corona wave poses a major risk throughout Europe once again,
explains the IAB research department head Enzo Weber, who initiated the European Barometer.
It should be noted that the survey period ended before the strong increase in infections in the past two to three weeks. The sub-indicator of the European Labour Market Barometer for the development of seasonally adjusted unemployment rose by 0.8 to 100.3 points in October. It has thus left the negative area that signals rising unemployment in the next three months. The sub-indicator for employment also increased compared to the previous month. At a value of 98.2, it continues to reflect scepticism about the employment trends despite a plus of 0.3 points.
The uncertainty about further setbacks on the European labour market remains
says Weber.
The European Labour Market Barometer is a monthly leading indicator based on a survey among the local or regional employment agencies in 15 participating public employment services. The survey has been carried out jointly by the employment services and the IAB since June 2018. Participating countries include Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium-DG, Belgium-Flanders, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Belgium-Wallonia.
While component A of the barometer signals the development of the seasonally adjusted unemployment figures for the next three months, component B forecasts employment trends. The average of the components “unemployment” and “employment” constitutes the total value of the barometer. This indicator thus provides an outlook on the overall development of the labour market. The scale ranges from 90 (very poor development) to 110 (very good development). For each of the participating employment services, a barometer is determined, from which the European barometer is derived as a weighted average.
The time series of the European Labour Market Barometer including its components for all 15 participating employment services are available at www.iab.de/Presse/elmb-components.
Sie würden gerne Auszüge oder die gesamte Presseinformation in Ihr Redaktionssystem übernehmen?
Sie finden sie unter
www.iab.de/presse/elmb1020.
More information on the European Labour Market Barometer is available at https://www.iab-forum.de/en/launch-of-the-european-labour-market-barometer/.


New Reporting Process Allows Easier Return to Disability Assistance After Exceeding AEE Limit On September 1st the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) will introduce a new procedure which will make it easier for people receiving disability assistance who exceed their Annual Earnings Exemption (AEE) limit to return to assistance. Recipients who wish to do so can continue to submit a monthly report slip to MSDSI even after they reach their AEE limit and cease to be eligible for assistance. Once the AEE limit is renewed the following January or if a person's earned income falls below their disability assistance rate during the year then disability assistance can be automatically re-instated. Monthly reports are due by the 5th day of the following month that income is received (e.g. income received in May should be reported by June 5th). Monthly reports can be completed online using My Self Serve or submitted to a Ministry office using the Monthly Report form (HR0081). People who choose not to report income on a monthly basis after they exceed the AEE limit keep their disability designation and will not need to reapply for the designation using the 28 page PWD designation application. However, they will need to submit a re-application for assistance which assesses financial eligibility if they wish to return to disability assistance.
Annual Earnings Exemption Refresher
The AEE allows people on disability assistance to receive earned income (usually this means income received in exchange for work or the provision of a service) without a reduction to their disability assistance. A person's AEE limit is the amount of earned income they can receive during the year without a reduction of disability assistance. Any earned income received after a person exceeds their AEE limit is deducted dollar for dollar from their disability assistance. The maximum AEE limit for a single person is $9600 per year (pro-rated for the number of months a person is receiving disability assistance in the year).
The AEE limit is renewed every January which, due to the MSDSI reporting system, allows people who are otherwise eligible for disability assistance to begin receiving assistance again in February for the March benefit month. The AEE does not apply to other sources of income (e.g. Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security), which are generally deducted dollar for dollar from disability assistance unless there is a specific exemption.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact Advocacy Access Program Director Sam Turcott at 604-872-1278 or 1-800-663-1278.


Renter’s insurance is an often overlooked policy. Insured’s are aware of the need for home insurance if they own a property. However, they fail to realize the importance of protecting their possessions and personal liability when renting an apartment or home in Massachusetts.
MA apartment insurance is extremely affordable, with many insured’s getting the coverage nearly free when combining it with an auto insurance policy. We highly recommend taking advantage of this coverage to protect your clothes, furniture, electronics and personal liability in the event of a fire, theft, vandalism or other covered perils. Please remember to keep track of your possessions as well. This is critical in the event of a claim.
An associate at Zawada Insurance would be happy to walk you through the details of your renter’s policy to explain your coverage options. Contact Zawada Insurance today for comprehensive coverage at a competitive price at (508) 831-0133.


Connecting Standards, Instructional Materials, and Professional Learning for Equitable Outcomes
Teachers deserve high-quality instructional materials and ongoing support to implement those materials. Mounting evidence suggests that providing teachers with access to high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials and curriculum-based professional learning can result in improvement in student outcomes, making this a research-based continuous improvement strategy. Learn more about this research here.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction aims to improve support for all teachers by ensuring that districts have the information they need to select high-quality instructional materials and to provide professional learning that supports effective implementation of those materials in English language arts and mathematics.
Equity for Teachers, Equity for Students
Select rigorous academic standards.
Select high-quality, aligned instructional materials.
Provide ongoing professional learning opportunities on the selected materials. Are Your Instructional Materials Aligned?
As a local control state, districts and schools in Wisconsin make important decisions regarding instructional materials. There are growing efforts to support this decision-making process. EdReports is one tool to determine whether instructional materials are aligned to Wisconsin’s academic standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. View their rubrics and ratings of specific curricula. If your instructional materials are not included on EdReports, see the Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool from Achieve as another tool to use.


Abstract
This article studies whether the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) can lend itself usefully to the forecasting of future stock returns. Utilizing time-series regression analyses, we find a positive relationship between changes in PMI and stock returns. This suggests that optimism (pessimism) as indicated by changes in the PMI translate into higher (lower) subsequent stock returns. Additionally, after controlling for macroeconomic conditions such as the strength of the U.S. dollar, inflation, and the current state of the U.S. economy, these results persist. The results show PMI changes have a greater impact on the stocks of smaller market capitalization firms and industries such as precious metals, computer technology, textiles, and automobiles. The article examines how PMI’s forecasting role has evolved over time using rolling regressions and including changes in PMI as an additional factor in Fama and French’s popular three-factor model.
© 2011 Pageant Media Ltd


CK Kumaravel
CK Kumaravel, Co-founder and CEO, Naturals Salon, shares his investment preferences
Kripa Mahalingam - November 13, 2019
Sahil Gilani
Sahil Gilani, Director-Sales and Marketing, Gits Food, shares his investment preferences
Krishna Gopalan - November 13, 2019
Where The Rich Are Investing
Outside of their own business, equities and start-ups have emerged as the primary financial assets of the rich and the famous. Structured debt is no longer in vogue
Kripa Mahalingam - November 25, 2019
Fear factor
20/20 denotes perfect visual acuity but, as we head into the leap year, the outlook appears hazy and bleak
N Mahalakshmi - November 05, 2019
Where the rich are investing
Despite volatility, equity and debt are still the darlings of the ultra rich, but the flavour of the season is clearly alternative investments
Krishna Gopalan - November 14, 2018
Potent Cocktail
With uncertainty at its peak, 2019 promises to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller
N Mahalakshmi - November 09, 2018
Where The Rich Are Investing
Here’s how India’s ultra rich are redeploying their wealth amid falling return from two prominent asset classes — real estate and fixed income
V Keshavdev - November 07, 2017
Where the rich are investing
Here's a look at how India's ultra rich are deploying their wealth
Kripa Mahalingam - November 17, 2015
Where the rich are investing
How India’s affluent families are creating and growing their personal wealth
Krishna Gopalan - August 03, 2015
The midas touch
Our idea of tracking where the rich are investing — and the advice they are getting from their managers — is to simply get a sense of the investment climate
N Mahalakshmi - February 19, 2016


Floyd Medical Center has been named a Georgia Safe to Sleep Hospital by the Georgia Department of Public Health, highlighting the hospital's continued commitment to infant safety.
Georgia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. Every week, three infants in Georgia die due to sleep-related causes, many of which are preventable.
"By utilizing safe sleep practices, we have an incredible opportunity to help new parents learn how to protect and care for their baby when they return home," explained Director of the Family Birth Center Kellie Pearson. "It's been shown that observing hospital staff utilizing these safe techniques reinforces the same behavior in the parents."
In 2016, Floyd signed a pledge of intent to participate in the Georgia Department of Public Health's Safe to Sleep initiative.
"What's most troubling about statewide statistics related to infant mortality is that so many of these tragedies could have been prevented with proper education," Pearson added. "At Floyd, we are committed to becoming a leader in the effort to protect infants and reduce the number of preventable deaths."
The Safe to Sleep designation indicates that Floyd staff have educated co-workers and parents, implemented a safe infant sleep policy, modeled safe sleep while babies are in the hospital and distributed educational support materials. It also signifies Floyd has completed a crib audit to measure compliance with safe sleep recommendations:
Alone - Babies should sleep alone in their own space, close to, but separate from their caregiver.
Back - Babies should be placed on their back every time they go to sleep.
Crib - Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface with no extra things such as crib bumpers, blankets or toys.