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Taiwanese teams given OK to allow fans into baseball games

As coronavirus cases dwindle in Taiwan, baseball fans will be allowed back into stadiums on Friday evening, though with a cap on numbers.Taiwan's Central Epidemic ...




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NBA teams starting to reopen practice facilities with restrictions

The NBA is taking small steps toward a return to normalcy




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Trust teachers: The idea at heart of this year's exams

In normal times such a decision - to require teachers to judge their own students for such a high stakes process as the Leaving Certificate exams - would have caused uproar, striking terror in the hearts of many teachers, and also students and parents. But these are not normal times.



  • Analysis and Comment

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Syrian man vandalizes Amsterdam kosher restaurant for second time


The attack was the fifth case of vandalism or intimidation in 2 ½ years.




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SUNY Empire State College launches student exchange programs with UNYP

UNYP

Last month a new partnership agreement was signed between the University of New York in Prague and SUNY Empire State College. Under the agreement, SUNY Empire students would have access to new extensive study abroad and exchange programs between New York and the Czech Republic, which would incorporate a wide range of educational options to experience Prague.

read more




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Coronavirus: Hong Kong exams body to develop alternative student grading system for crises, education chief reveals

Exam authorities will carry out citywide research to develop an alternative student grading system in the event university entrance tests are cancelled because of future pandemics, Hong Kong’s education minister told the Post on Thursday.In an exclusive interview, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung also said his bureau would review with schools how to better prepare for class suspensions, including teacher training and resources for non-traditional instruction methods.Hong Kong…




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Financial Scams Rise as Coronavirus Hits Developing Countries

David Medine is Senior Financial Sector Specialist at the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP). He is also CGAP’s lead on data protection and security and works to develop novel, consumer-oriented approaches to data protection and to encourage the creation of cyber security resource centers for developing countries.

The post Financial Scams Rise as Coronavirus Hits Developing Countries appeared first on Inter Press Service.




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News24.co.ke | Pupils begin KCSE exams, record number since 1989

One and half million students will be sitting their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations this year marking it as one of the highest since 1989.




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News24.co.ke | First day of KCSE exams marred by pupil death

The first day of the 2016 Kenya Certificate of Secondary education (KCSE) examination was marred by the death of a pupil just as exams begun.




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Sona Mohapatra slams Ram Gopal Varma for sexist remark on domestic violence

Sona Mohapatra recently called out controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma after he made a sexist remark




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Coronavirus: Amsterdam art centre uses greenhouses to offer outdoor eating amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Amnesty slams alleged police brutality in French lockdown enforcement

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Resettlement isn’t easy. Here are four ways to improve outcomes for all parties involved -- by Rebekah Beatrice Ramsay

Involuntary resettlement can improve the lives of the resettled while reducing poverty and delivering results for development projects




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How can we help the millions displaced each year by disasters? -- by Steven Goldfinch, Rebekah Beatrice Ramsay

Governments in the region need to invest more in prevention and response to the long-term impacts of disaster displacement.




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Samsung Chief Apologizes for Succession Fiddle

Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong apologized on Wednesday for a massive fiddle that allowed him to take over leadership of the publicly traded conglomerate from his ailing father.Without offering to surrender his own position, Lee promised to end the hereditary transfer of leadership at some point in the f...




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Samsung Chief's Legal Troubles Continue

Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong faces two major legal hurdles over his underhand takeover of management control from his incapacitated father, who fell into a coma after a heart attack in 2014.The first legal hurdle is an ongoing investigation into Samsung BioLogics, which is accused of intentionally inf...




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Comatose Samsung Chairman Still Korea's Richest Man

The nominal Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, who is in a vegetative state, remains Korea's richest man and one of only four Koreans on Bloomberg's list of top 500 billionaires in the world. The others are acting Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, Seo Jung-jin, CEO of biopharmaceutical company Celltrion, and K...




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Confusion about exams to be cleared on Monday

Islamabad: The cancellation of educational board exams over the coronavirus pandemic has caused confusion for candidates, Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood has promised to respond to questions early next week.In multiple tweets, the minister said Class 9 exam...




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Building Dreams in the Lao PDR

The ADF-assisted Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project, has spurred a sharp rise in homestay and other tourism-based businesses in the southern part of Champasak Province, Lao PDR.




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Limited Impact of Business Development Programs on Profitability in the Presence of Ambiguity Aversion

This paper presents an analysis of business development programs (BDPs) based on a theoretical framework aimed at understanding the mixed effect of business training on entrepreneurs.




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Limited Impact of Business Development Programs on Profitability in the Presence of Ambiguity Aversion

This paper presents an analysis of business development programs (BDPs) based on a theoretical framework aimed at understanding the mixed effect of business training on entrepreneurs.




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AN3401 - Using Microchip I2C EERAMs with MPLAB X and MPLAB Code Configurator

AN3401 - Using Microchip I2C EERAMs with MPLAB X and MPLAB Code Configurator




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Amplifying the Connected Lifestyle: Behind Samsung and HARMAN’s Digital Revolution

Since Samsung’s acquisition of HARMAN less than two years ago, the two companies have worked closely to create and implement connective technologies that align with what consumers want today – and in the future. As technology grows ever more capable,...




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SAMSUNG X AKG: Q&A with HARMAN’s Dr. Sean Olive

From hardware to software and services, HARMAN and Samsung have a long history of embedding innovation across everything they do. One of HARMAN and Samsung’s most recent joint project involved the development of Samsung Galaxy Buds. The savvy, IPX2 ...




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HARMAN and the 1,000 Dreams Fund Launch Third Annual New Face of Tech Scholarship Program

STAMFORD, CT – November 7, 2019 – HARMAN – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, together with the 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF), today announced the...




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Pandemic slams healthcare jobs

The steep plunge in U.S. payrolls caused by the pandemic also slammed the healthcare sector, as many workers in dentists' and doctors' offices lost their jobs. Fred Katayama reports.




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Dazzling damselflies and a SpaceX plume commended by photo awards

An aerial view of crabeater seals in Antarctica, mating damselflies and a twilight rocket launch were among the most lauded entries to the inaugural Nature TTL Photographer of the Year award




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Dead whale found with 40 kilograms of plastic in its stomach

A dead whale found in the Philippines with 40 kilograms of plastic inside its body is the latest example of the problem of plastic pollution




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Dazzling damselflies and a SpaceX plume commended by photo awards

An aerial view of crabeater seals in Antarctica, mating damselflies and a twilight rocket launch were among the most lauded entries to the inaugural Nature TTL Photographer of the Year award




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HARMAN Teams Up with Leading OEMs to Bring Exceptional In-Car Audio Experiences to IAA 2019

HARMAN is gearing up to present its best-in-class audio technologies and solutions for many of the world’s foremost automotive OEMs at IAA 2019 from September 12-22 in Frankfurt/Main. Now in its 68th edition, IAA is the world’s largest motor show as well...




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Dancing in the streets: Ballet stars perform in empty Amsterdam

Six dancers from the Dutch National Ballet headed out into the empty streets of Amsterdam this week to perform their parts in a piece of choreography inspired by the coronavirus lockdown.




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‘Making it Personal’ with Samsung Nexshop™

Competition in the retail space is continuing to intensify. With the internet profoundly changing consumer attitudes and shopping behavior, studies report that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with a brand who recognizes, remembers, and provides...




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Report: Teams getting OKs for asymptomatic testing

A handful of NBA teams are in the process of receiving permission from local government officials to test players and staff for coronavirus, even if they are asymptomatic, ESPN reported Friday.




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How coronavirus is affecting your dreams – and what to do about it

Lockdown measures and pandemic-related anxiety may be making you have more vivid dreams. Evidence suggests talking about them can help




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Pandemic slams healthcare jobs

The steep plunge in U.S. payrolls caused by the pandemic also slammed the healthcare sector, as many workers in dentists' and doctors' offices lost their jobs. Fred Katayama reports.




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Health Tip: Prevent a Pulled Hamstring

Title: Health Tip: Prevent a Pulled Hamstring
Category: Health News
Created: 4/28/2007 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/30/2007 12:00:00 AM




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Studies Point to Reasons for Mammograms in 40s

Title: Studies Point to Reasons for Mammograms in 40s
Category: Health News
Created: 5/1/2012 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2012 12:00:00 AM




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School Programs Do Keep Some Kids From Smoking

Title: School Programs Do Keep Some Kids From Smoking
Category: Health News
Created: 4/30/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/30/2013 12:00:00 AM




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Training Programs Protect Young Athletes From ACL Tears: Report

Title: Training Programs Protect Young Athletes From ACL Tears: Report
Category: Health News
Created: 4/28/2014 9:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2014 12:00:00 AM




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Earlier Mammograms May Mean Less Need for Aggressive Treatments

Title: Earlier Mammograms May Mean Less Need for Aggressive Treatments
Category: Health News
Created: 5/3/2018 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/4/2018 12:00:00 AM




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Prescription-Strength Steroid Creams Sold Over-the-Counter Can Be Dangerous

Title: Prescription-Strength Steroid Creams Sold Over-the-Counter Can Be Dangerous
Category: Health News
Created: 1/23/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/24/2020 12:00:00 AM




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Obamacare May Have Boosted Use of Mammograms

Title: Obamacare May Have Boosted Use of Mammograms
Category: Health News
Created: 5/1/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/4/2020 12:00:00 AM




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Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies against the Gn and the Gc of the Andes Virus Glycoprotein Spike Complex Protect from Virus Challenge in a Preclinical Hamster Model

ABSTRACT

Hantaviruses are the etiological agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). The latter is associated with case fatality rates ranging from 30% to 50%. HCPS cases are rare, with approximately 300 recorded annually in the Americas. Recently, an HCPS outbreak of unprecedented size has been occurring in and around Epuyén, in the southwestern Argentinian state of Chubut. Since November of 2018, at least 29 cases have been laboratory confirmed, and human-to-human transmission is suspected. Despite posing a significant threat to public health, no treatment or vaccine is available for hantaviral disease. Here, we describe an effort to identify, characterize, and develop neutralizing and protective antibodies against the glycoprotein complex (Gn and Gc) of Andes virus (ANDV), the causative agent of the Epuyén outbreak. Using murine hybridoma technology, we generated 19 distinct monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against ANDV GnGc. When tested for neutralization against a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the Andes glycoprotein (GP) (VSV-ANDV), 12 MAbs showed potent neutralization and 8 showed activity in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity reporter assay. Escape mutant analysis revealed that neutralizing MAbs targeted both the Gn and the Gc. Four MAbs that bound different epitopes were selected for preclinical studies and were found to be 100% protective against lethality in a Syrian hamster model of ANDV infection. These data suggest the existence of a wide array of neutralizing antibody epitopes on hantavirus GnGc with unique properties and mechanisms of action.

IMPORTANCE Infections with New World hantaviruses are associated with high case fatality rates, and no specific vaccine or treatment options exist. Furthermore, the biology of the hantaviral GnGc complex, its antigenicity, and its fusion machinery are poorly understood. Protective monoclonal antibodies against GnGc have the potential to be developed into therapeutics against hantaviral disease and are also great tools to elucidate the biology of the glycoprotein complex.




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US programs field 11,000 requests daily on domestic violence

On a single day in September, nearly 43,000 adults and children in the U.S. were living in emergency housing because of domestic violence.




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Cannabinoid exposure in rat adolescence reprograms the initial behavioral, molecular, and epigenetic response to cocaine [Neuroscience]

The initial response to an addictive substance can facilitate repeated use: That is, individuals experiencing more positive effects are more likely to use that drug again. Increasing evidence suggests that psychoactive cannabinoid use in adolescence enhances the behavioral effects of cocaine. However, despite the behavioral data, there is no neurobiological...




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Pharmacy-Based Infectious Disease Management Programs Incorporating CLIA-Waived Point-of-Care Tests [Minireviews]

There are roughly 48,000 deaths caused by influenza annually and an estimated 200,000 people who have undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These are examples of acute and chronic illnesses that can be identified by employing a CLIA-waived test. Pharmacies across the country have been incorporating CLIA-waived point-of-care tests (POCT) into disease screening and management programs offered in the pharmacy. The rationale behind these programs is discussed. Additionally, a summary of clinical data for some of these programs in the infectious disease arena is provided. Finally, we discuss the future potential for CLIA-waived POCT-based programs in community pharmacies.




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The rRNA m6A methyltransferase METTL5 is involved in pluripotency and developmental programs [Research Papers]

Covalent chemical modifications of cellular RNAs directly impact all biological processes. However, our mechanistic understanding of the enzymes catalyzing these modifications, their substrates and biological functions, remains vague. Amongst RNA modifications N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is widespread and found in messenger (mRNA), ribosomal (rRNA), and noncoding RNAs. Here, we undertook a systematic screen to uncover new RNA methyltransferases. We demonstrate that the methyltransferase-like 5 (METTL5) protein catalyzes m6A in 18S rRNA at position A1832. We report that absence of Mettl5 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) results in a decrease in global translation rate, spontaneous loss of pluripotency, and compromised differentiation potential. METTL5-deficient mice are born at non-Mendelian rates and develop morphological and behavioral abnormalities. Importantly, mice lacking METTL5 recapitulate symptoms of patients with DNA variants in METTL5, thereby providing a new mouse disease model. Overall, our biochemical, molecular, and in vivo characterization highlights the importance of m6A in rRNA in stemness, differentiation, development, and diseases.




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Advancing Biologics Development Programs with Legacy Cell Lines: Advantages and Limitations of Genetic Testing for Addressing Clonality Concerns Prior to Availability of Late Stage Process and Product Consistency Data

The bioprocessing industry uses recombinant mammalian cell lines to generate therapeutic biologic drugs. To ensure consistent product quality of the therapeutic proteins, it is imperative to have a controlled production process. Regulatory agencies and the biotechnology industry consider cell line "clonal origin" an important aspect of maintaining process control. Demonstration of clonal origin of the cell substrate, or production cell line, has received considerable attention in the past few years, and the industry has improved methods and devised standards to increase the probability and/or assurance of clonal derivation. However, older production cell lines developed before the implementation of these methods, herein referred to as "legacy cell lines," may not meet current regulatory expectations for demonstration of clonal derivation. In this article, the members of the IQ Consortium Working Group on Clonality present our position that the demonstration of process consistency and product comparability of critical quality attributes throughout the development life cycle should be sufficient to approve a license application without additional genetic analysis to support clonal origin, even for legacy cell lines that may not meet current day clonal derivation standards. With this commentary, we discuss advantages and limitations of genetic testing methods to support clonal derivation of legacy cell lines and wish to promote a mutual understanding with the regulatory authorities regarding their optional use during early drug development, subsequent to Investigational New Drug (IND) application and before demonstration of product and process consistency at Biologics License Applications (BLA) submission.




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Designing and Evaluating Scalable Child Marriage Prevention Programs in Burkina Faso and Tanzania: A Quasi-Experiment and Costing Study

ABSTRACTBackground:A significant number of girls are married as children, which negatively impacts their health, education, and development. Given the sheer numbers of girls at risk of child marriage globally, the challenge to eliminate the practice is daunting. Programs to prevent child marriage are typically small-scale and overlook the costs and scalability of the intervention.Implementation:This study tested and costed different approaches to preventing child marriage in rural Burkina Faso and Tanzania. The approaches tested were community dialogue, provision of school supplies, provision of a livestock asset, a model including all components, and a control arm. A quasi-experimental design was employed with surveys undertaken at baseline and after 2 years of intervention. We examined the prevalence of child marriage and school attendance controlling for background characteristics and stratified by age group. Programmatic costs were collected prospectively.Results:Among those in the community dialogue arm in Burkina Faso, girls aged 15 to 17 years had two-thirds less risk (risk ratio [RR]=0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.19, 0.60) of being married and girls aged 12 to 14 years had a greater chance of being in school (RR=1.18; 95% CI=1.07,1.29) compared to the control site. In Tanzania, girls aged 12 to 14 years residing in the multicomponent arm had two-thirds less risk of being married (RR=0.33; 95% CI=0.11, 0.99), and girls 15 to 17 in the conditional asset location had half the risk (RR=0.52; 95% CI=0.30, 0.91). All the interventions tested in Tanzania were associated with increased risk of girls 12 to 14 years old being in school, and the educational promotion arm was also associated with a 30% increased risk of girls aged 15 to 17 years attending school (RR=1.3; 95% CI=1.01, 1.67). Costs per beneficiary ranged from US$9 to US$117.Conclusion:The study demonstrates that minimal, low-cost approaches can be effective in delaying child marriage and increasing school attendance. However, community dialogues need to be designed to ensure sufficient quality and intensity of messaging. Program managers should pay attention to the cost, quality, and coverage of interventions, especially considering that child marriage persists in the most hard-to-reach rural areas of many countries.




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Perspectives of specialists and family physicians in interprofessional teams in caring for patients with multimorbidity: a qualitative study

Background:

Patients with multimorbidity often require services across different health care settings, yet team processes among settings are rarely implemented. We explored perceptions of specialists and family physicians collaborating in a telemedicine interprofessional consultation for patients with multimorbidity to better understand the value of bringing physicians together across the boundaries of health care settings.

Methods:

This was a descriptive qualitative, interview-based study. Physicians who had previously participated in the Telemedicine Interprofessional Model of Practice for Aging and Complex Treatments (Telemedicine IMPACT Plus [TIP] Program) were invited to participate and asked to describe their experience of being a member of the program. Interviews were conducted from March to May 2016. We conducted an iterative and interpretive process using both individual and team analysis to identify themes.

Results:

There were 15 participants, 9 specialists and 6 family physicians. Three themes emerged in the analysis: creating new perspectives on care for patients with multimorbidity by sharing knowledge, skills and attitudes; the shift from a consultant model to an interprofessional team model (allowing a window into the community, extending discussions beyond the medical model and focusing on the patient’s health in context); and opportunities for learners, including learning about interprofessional collaboration and gaining exposure to a real-world model for caring for people with multimorbidity in outpatient settings.

Interpretation:

Family physicians and specialists participating in a TIP Program believed the program improved their knowledge and skills, while also serving as an effective care delivery strategy. The findings also support that learners require more exposure to nontraditional consultant models in order to care for patients with multimorbidity effectively.