Michael McEwan speaks to Steven Thomson, Creative Director and CEO of Outspoken Arts, a professional and creative organisation interested in work which references cutting edge social issues such as creative learning for young and vulnerable people, stories of migration and asylum, issues affecting LGBT people, disability, ethnicity, creative ageing and social health and well-being.

The organisation represents diverse communities and recognises that equality, equal and human rights are now very much the focus of mainstream society, civic and organisational culture and its shifting sense of identity plays an increasingly influential role in this.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

The Austrian winter-sports mecca of Ischgl is well known for its parties. But after helping spread the virus across Europe, the town's reputation is changing to one of incompetence and greed.

Sports Illustrated named Serena Williams its Sportsperson of the Year on Monday.

BRITAIN'S summer holiday destinations will face some of the biggest economic hits of the coronavirus pandemic with fears of massive job losses in coastal communities, a study has claimed.

How poverty and economic inequality are threatening an entire generation of African Americans.

(University of Michigan) The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted just how reliant the United States and other countries are on Chinese manufacturing, with widespread shortages of protective medical gear produced there.

(American Association for the Advancement of Science) Microplastic particles entering the sea surface were thought to settle to the seafloor directly below them, but now, a new study reveals that slow-moving currents near the bottom of the ocean direct the flow of plastics, creating microplastic hotpots in sediments of the deep sea.

Rationale: Neuroinflammation has been implicated in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and can be visualized using translocator protein (TSPO) radioligands. To become a reliable pharmacodynamic biomarker for ALS multicenter trials, some challenges have to be overcome. We aimed to investigate whether multicenter data pooling of different TSPO tracers (¹¹C-PBR28 and ¹⁸F-DPA714) is feasible, after validation of an established ¹¹C-PBR28 PET pseudoreference analysis technique for ¹⁸F-DPA714. Methods: 7 ALS-Belgium (58.9±6.7 years,5M) and 8 HV-Belgium (52.1±15.2 years,3M); and 7 ALS-US (53.4±9.8 years,5M) and 7 HV-US (54.6±9.6 years,4M) from a previously published study (1) underwent dynamic ¹⁸F-DPA714 (Leuven, Belgium) or ¹¹C-PBR28 (Boston, US) PET-MR scans. For ¹⁸F-DPA714, volume of distribution (VT) maps were compared to standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR)40-60 calculated using the pseudoreference regions (1)cerebellum, (2)occipital cortex, and (3)whole brain without ventricles (WB-ventricles). Also for ¹¹C-PBR28, SUVR60-90 using WB-ventricles were calculated. Results: In line with previous studies, increased ¹⁸F-DPA714 uptake (17.0±5.6%) in primary motor cortices was observed in ALS, as measured by both VT and SUVR40-60 approaches. Highest sensitivity was found for SUVRWB-ventricles (average cluster 21.6±0.1%). ¹⁸F-DPA714 VT ratio and SUVR40-60 results were highly correlated (r>0.8, p<0.001). A similar pattern of increased uptake (average cluster 20.5±0.5%) in primary motor cortices was observed in ALS with ¹¹C-PBR28 using the SUVRWB-ventricles. Analysis of the ¹⁸F-DPA714 and ¹¹C-PBR28 data together, resulted in a more extensive pattern of significant increased glial activation in the bilateral primary motor cortices. Conclusion: The same pseudoreference region analysis technique for ¹¹C-PBR28 PET imaging can be extended towards ¹⁸F-DPA714 PET. Therefore, in ALS, standardized analysis across these two tracers enables pooling of TSPO PET data across multiple centers and increase power of TSPO as biomarker for future therapeutic trials.

Neuroinflammation is important in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a promising target for neuroinflammation. The objective of this study was to compare ¹⁸F-DPA714, a second-generation translocator protein tracer, with ¹¹C-JNJ717, a novel P2X7R tracer, in vitro and in vivo in ALS. Methods: For the in vitro portion of the study, autoradiography with ¹⁸F-DPA714 and ¹¹C-JNJ717 was performed on human ALS brain sections in comparison to immunofluorescence with Iba1 and GFAP. For the in vivo portion, 3 male patients with early-stage ALS (59.3 ± 7.2 y old) and 6 healthy volunteers (48.2 ± 16.5 y old, 2 men and 4 women) underwent dynamic PET/MR scanning with ¹⁸F-DPA714 and ¹¹C-JNJ717. Volume-of-distribution images were calculated using Logan plots and analyzed on a volume-of-interest basis. Results: Autoradiography showed no difference in ¹¹C-JNJ717 binding but did show increased ¹⁸F-DPA714 binding in the motor cortex correlating with Iba1 expression (glial cells). Similar findings were observed in vivo, with a 13% increase in ¹⁸F-DPA714 binding in the motor cortex. Conclusion: In symptomatic ALS patients, ¹⁸F-DPA714 showed increased signal whereas ¹¹C-JNJ717 was not elevated.

Dougherty County, a largely black school district in an region heavily affected by coronavirus, is no longer subject to desegregation orders first imposed in 1963.

Stuttgart : F. Enke, 1883.

Leipzig : G. Thieme, 1892.

Berlin : Hirschwald, 1905.

Leipzig : G. Thieme, 1891.

Munchen : R. Oldenbourg, 1877.

Leipzig : Otto Wigand, 1837.

Indian authorities used drones and fire engines to disinfect the pandemic-hit city of Ahmedabad on Saturday, as virus cases surged and police clashed with migrant workers protesting against a reinforced lockdown. The western city of 5.5 million people in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state has become a major concern for authorities as they battle an uptick in coronavirus deaths and cases across India.

As 'Fitspo' turns off many women, it's Bollywood dance to the rescue  The Age

After several years of back-and-forth litigation, Apple has withdrawn what was likely its final appeal in a Wi-Fi hotspot patent infringement case due to a Supreme Court decision.

Dougherty County, a largely black school district in an region heavily affected by coronavirus, is no longer subject to desegregation orders first imposed in 1963.

The Netgear M5 is the 5G hotspot we've been waiting for, but it isn't coming out until the second half of the year. A separate Netgear CES announcement, meanwhile, showed another weakness of 5G in the US right now.

Somerset West stands out as one of the fastest growing property areas – commercial, residential and industrial - in the Western Cape, according to a new report on the state of the property sector in the Western Cape.

Authorities have cracked down on Seoul’s night life after reports of a young clubber infecting people with Covid-19 in South Korea’s capital. The nation now fears a new wave of infections after easing social distancing rules.
Read Full Article at RT.com

Coronavirus in India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the COVID-19 situation with elite sportspersons of the country.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched an online GIS based database depicting the proximity of fish landing centres to Covid-19 hotspots in Kerala.

Renewables energy investment in Asia excluding China will overtake spending on upstream oil and gas projects in the region as soon as next year, according to Rystad Energy.

Renewables energy investment in Asia excluding China will overtake spending on upstream oil and gas projects in the region as soon as next year, according to Rystad Energy.

Renewables energy investment in Asia excluding China will overtake spending on upstream oil and gas projects in the region as soon as next year, according to Rystad Energy.

Hundreds of paramilitaries kept people off the streets and virtually all stores have been closed for at least a week. On Friday night, security forces fired tear gas at stone-throwing residents who ventured...

In early March, throngs of skiers flocked to Austria’s famed alpine resorts in Tyrol, completely unaware the new coronavirus was quietly working its way through the region.Thousands would become infected, bringing the virus home in Austria and beyond – to Germany, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong.Many have now filed legal complaints blaming local authorities in Tyrol for not acting quickly enough to protect travellers.“One of the key questions will be to find out when the authorities knew enough…

President Vladimir Putin told Russians they are “invincible” when they stand together as the country on Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of the end of second world war on lockdown from the coronavirus.With the number of virus cases surging and authorities urging Russians to stay in their homes, celebrations of this year’s Victory Day were muted after the Kremlin grudgingly agreed to postpone plans for a grand parade with world leaders.Instead of columns of military hardware and thousands of…

Ahmedabad, a city of 5.5 million, has become a major concern for authorities.

Outspoken Libyan princess Alia Al Senussi supports ‘New Saudi’ art scene

HARMAN International, eine hundertprozentige Tochtergesellschaft von Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., die sich auf vernetzte Technologien für Automobil-, Konsum- und Unternehmensmärkte konzentriert, freut sich, dass seine Marke JBL den enormen Meilenstein von 100 Millionen weltweit ausgelieferten tragbaren Lautsprechern erreicht hat. JBL festigt damit seine Position als Marktführer für tragbare Audiogeräte und als prägende Kraft der Branche. JBL verschiebt die Grenzen des Möglichen immer weiter und erweckt Musik so zum Leben, dass sie für Zuhörer an jedem Ort fühlbar wird. Heute ist JBL nicht nur auf der ganzen Welt die treibende Kraft hinter der Leistung von Musikern und Sportlern, sondern sorgt auch für den perfekten Klang bei Veranstaltungen und in Automobilen. Außerdem ist JBL mit einem aktuellen Anteil von 34,2 Prozent auch Marktführer bei tragbaren Lautsprechern.

BRITAIN'S summer holiday destinations will face some of the biggest economic hits of the coronavirus pandemic with fears of massive job losses in coastal communities, a study has claimed.

"Comcast's excuse simply does not add up," three US senators say.

Since its launch on April 2 this year, over 96 million people have registered with the Aarogya Setu health care application, which has become the fastest mobile app to reach 50 million users globally . The Aarogya Setu has helped the government with its twin objective -- "whom to test" and "where to test more" in its battle against COVID-19.

Tourist numbers have dwindled across Asia as coronavirus grounds travellers

Tottenham have installed a drive-through Covid-19 testing centre at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to help the NHS.

Tottenham have on Tuesday returned to training during the coronavirus lockdown as clubs look to conclude the Premier League season.

The data management solution is designed to help sponsors and CROs manage data more effectively, increasing cost efficiency and effectiveness.

Since at least Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations in 1776, economists have asked why certain places grow, prosper, and achieve a higher standard of living compared to other places. Ever since growth started to accelerate following the industrial revolution, it has been characterized by, above all, unevenness across places within countries. Appalachia, the Italian “Mezzogiorno,”…

Since at least Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations in 1776, economists have asked why certain places grow, prosper, and achieve a higher standard of living compared to other places. Ever since growth started to accelerate following the industrial revolution, it has been characterized by, above all, unevenness across places within countries. Appalachia, the Italian “Mezzogiorno,”…

Helsinki's old abattoir has become the heart of the city's culinary revival, a movement blending innovation and tradition that integrates local foods, pop-up eateries, and urban gardens.

This is how the internet is supposed to work.

For the first time, developing countries outpaced wealthier nations in green energy development.

France confirms lockdown-easing from Monday as WHO warns on domestic violence

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Another record rise in coronavirus infections has propelled Russia past Germany and France to the fifth highest tally in the world, as the French government confirmed the country would start gradually lifting its strict eight-week lockdown from Monday.

With much of Europe now easing itself out of confinement, Russia has become the continent’s new Covid-19 hotspot. More than half of the country’s 177,160 cases are in Moscow and the capital’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said research suggested the actual number was nearer 300,000, more than triple the official figure.

Related: Covid-19 puts Putin's power plans on hold and economy in peril

Coronavirus cases in India have risen past 50,000, according to the country’s health ministry, with the pace of infection showing no sign of abating.

A new report suggested January’s Sundance film festival, the annual gathering of cinephiles in Park City, Utah, may have been a key early coronavirus hub in the US.

Iran said on Thursday its coronavirus outbreak was “relatively stable” as it announced more than 1,000 infections for a fourth straight day.

Poland has postponed Sunday’s presidential election. The postal-only ballot will now take place as soon as possible, but probably not before June.

Mayors in many of the world’s leading cities have said there can be no return to business as usual in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis if humanity is to escape catastrophic climate breakdown.

Italy’s government and Roman Catholic bishops signed an agreement to allow the faithful to attend mass again from later this month.