Litigation Strategies for Developing the Issue of Accurate PD: Theory, Evidence, Negotiation and Trial. Understand how to Litigate a Workers’ Comp Case, when the primary issue is Permanent Disability. This…
The North Carolina Industrial Commission opened registration for its annual conference being held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The 29th annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference will…
The Arizona Industrial Commission announced that it's Medical Resource Office has added training opportunities for providers, payers and third-party administrators. The training course for providers is comprised of four, 30-minute webinars…
The Kansas Court of Appeals rejected a widower’s constitutional challenges to the lack of a jury trial in workers’ compensation matters and the statutory cap on the benefits payable for…
Statement Highlights: Previous studies have found that 14-81% of patients with heart failure experience some degree of cognitive impairment affecting language, memory or executive function. Evidence also indicates that people with atrial fibrillation...
Genetic tests showed that certain patients were predisposed to brain injuries if they took the drugs. That information remained secret.
Are we alone in the universe, and could we find intelligent life beyond the confines of our Milky Way Galaxy? This is what a first-of-its-kind study conduc
Are we alone in the universe, and could we find intelligent life beyond the confines of our Milky Way Galaxy? This is what a first-of-its-kind study conduc
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On February 26, 2024, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in Tricoast Builders, Inc. v. Fonnegra, No. S273368 (Cal. Feb. 26, 2024). For employers, the most important takeaway from this case is that the court held a litigant’s waiver of the right to a jury trial can be conclusive if a party seeking reversal of the waiver cannot demonstrate it caused prejudice to the party. The decision makes it more difficult for a party to convince a court to let it back out of a jury trial waiver in a civil case.
Background
Sophia Antipolis, 27 March 2019
Spectrum usage in the mid-term will tend to focus more on spectrum sharing among the various radiocommunications systems, as a principle rather than as an exception and technological and regulatory solutions need to be found that allow for this implementation. With 5G coming soon, Licensed Shared Access (LSA) gives carriers new spectrum capabilities in the absence of incumbent.
Sophia Antipolis, 27 September 2019
The successful second edition of the MEC Hackathons endorsed by ETSI recently ended in two different parts of the world simultaneously on 17-18 September in London (UK) and Shenzhen (China).
Sophia Antipolis, 10 December 2020
The successful last edition of MEC Hackathons endorsed by ETSI took place on 25 to 26 November and was hosted by Droidcon Italy 2020 as a fully virtual event. The competition was open for developers to test their applications with ETSI MEC APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) in a variety of use cases. The organizing committee received a total of 14 submissions, including several topics, from Augmented Reality for Construction Sector, to consumer, media and entertainment application, to automotive services. Admitted teams were offered remote access to MEC servers and software platforms to develop mobile applications for advanced services in MEC-enabled 5G networks, using ETSI MEC technologies. They were also required to onboard their applications in real-life MEC systems and connect with the MEC APIs to receive simulated in-network data.
Sophia Antipolis, 25 June 2021
The ETSI committee on Methods for Testing and Specifications (TC MTS) has recently completed a first set of seven standards addressing the testing of the IoT MQTT and CoAP protocols, and the foundational security IoT-Profile.
Sophia Antipolis, 29 September 2021
Industrial data has become one of the top strategic priorities for European and international industry in the recent years. Well managed and duly exploited, industrial data bring a significant competitive edge to businesses and can greatly improve overall efficiency, be it by supporting core processes or by providing a new source of insights.
In this data-driven era, industrial data play an essential role in building the foundation of the next wave of digitization in Europe. For this reason, it is key to the success of a harmonized Single Market and European competitiveness in the global market, but also for the success of the twin transition (green and digital) at the heart of the EU policy agenda.
This year’s first ETSI Conference on Non-Terrestrial Networks has stressed the importance of technical standardization in delivering a fully connected planet via NTN, a key element of tomorrow’s global 6G networks.
Held from 3-4 April 2024 at ETSI’s Sophia Antipolis headquarters, the event was co-organized with the European Space Agency (ESA), the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) and the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).
Titled ‘Non-Terrestrial Networks, a Native Component of 6G’, the 2-day conference attracted over 200 participants from 25 countries, including experts in standardization and research as well as industrial representation from the mobile, satellite and wider space industries. Delegates shared perspectives on NTN use cases, candidate technology solutions, current research status and standardization roadmaps. Day one sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks within tomorrow’s global communications landscape. The second day afforded a deep dive into numerous cutting-edge NTN and 6G research & development initiatives in Europe and around the world.
Where do holidays like National Potato Chip Day and Argyle Day come from? We trace the roots of one made-up holiday until we find out who is running the global holiday machine. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
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In 2019, Mike Ketchmark got a call. Mike is a lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri, and his friend, Brandon Boulware, another lawyer, was calling about a case he wanted Mike to get involved with. Mike was an unusual choice - he's a personal injury lawyer, and this was going to be an antitrust case.
But Brandon knew Mike was great in front of a jury. And that he'd won huge settlements for his clients in the past.
So the lawyer friend drops by Mike's office, and pitches him the case. Rhonda and Scott Burnett had just sold their home for $250,000, and out of that amount, they had paid $15,000 in commission (plus a small fee), which was split between two real estate agents - even though they had hired only one. And the commission was high - 6%. Mike's friend said the whole thing seemed... suspicious. Maybe even illegal.
Mike agreed to take the case, a case that would soon become bigger than one about just what had happened to the Burnetts. It would become a fight about the way homes are bought and sold in the U.S. and challenge the way real estate agents have done business for more than 100 years.
This episode was hosted by Amanda Aronczyk and Keith Romer. It was produced by Willa Rubin, edited by Keith Romer, engineered by Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez, and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
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Hybrid industrial cloud adoption will more than double over the next five years at 21.1% CAGR.
Machine vision has evolved significantly over the past forty years, and the demand for specialized solutions has increased in recent years. This article will explore current and future imaging requirements.
Finding new talent can be an extremely difficult process for any organization, in any industry.
Are you a manufacturer researching ways to improve and increase productivity, as your cast parts become more complex?
Today’s manufactured components are more complex than ever, with more parts diversity, more model year changes and tighter tolerances than ever before.
Where rule-based machine vision has not been attempted or has reached its limits, there is a high potential for deep learning algorithms to support employees and drive forward automation.
SMAC electric gage actuators provide gaging solutions with consistent, fast and precise control of the process.
The GBX 10 Gigabit Ethernet Module provides safe and reliable data transmission for advanced automation.
The push for smaller, more complex device components has spiked the need for precise, non-damaging metrology, with 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM) leading the way. This technology offers high-resolution measurements critical for quality control in the electronics and manufacturing industries.
As the Principal Investigator for the SexMatters trial described in this blog, Dr. Mickey Zeller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University. She is also a Medical Officer at Canadian Blood Services.
Around 2018, Dr. Mickey Zeller's grandmother asked her a question that she couldn’t fully answer at the time. It’s a question that Dr. Zeller continues to keep top-of-mind in her roles as an Associate Professor at McMaster University and a Medical Officer at Canadian Blood Services. Having sustained a pelvic fracture at the age of 94, she asked her granddaughter, “If I need a blood transfusion, could it come from a man... and if it does, would that be safe?”. As Dr. Zeller describes, “I looked at her and, in that moment, I said, ‘Grandma, no one knows! But it’s on my list to find out!’.”
In fact, questions about whether selecting products based on the sex of donor and recipient could improve outcomes following blood transfusions have been around for years. However, there is not yet been enough evidence to definitively answer whether this strategy would help optimize hospital and blood operator practices.
After much perseverance, collaboration with researchers across Canadian Blood Services’ extended research network, and a successful bid for CIHR funding, a research team led by Dr. Zeller is embarking on a new research journey they hope will finally provide the evidence to answer questions about whether sex matters in red blood cell transfusion.
When a patient requires a transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), the matching of product to patient is based on compatibility testing that looks at whether the blood is group A, B, AB or O, whether it is Rh positive or negative, and what other antibodies are present. Canadian Blood Services’ Rare Blood Program also helps ensure patients with specific combinations of antigens – proteins that appear on the surface of red blood cells – can be matched with appropriate blood components. Laboratory studies on donor factors such as age and sex have looked at their impact on characteristics of RBCs in terms of hematocrit, cell volume, hemoglobin content, and deformability – that is, the flexibility or “squeeze-ability” of the cells. However, currently available evidence has not demonstrated a need for red blood cells for transfusion to be matched based on the sex of either donor or recipient.
The principal research question being posed by this study is: In adults admitted to the ICU who require RBC transfusions, do donor-recipient sex-matched RBC transfusions result in improved 30-day mortality compared with sex-mismatched RBC transfusions? Answering this question has a large potential for impact because of the substantial number of blood transfusions that occur throughout Canada every year.
“If there was a risk identified [from the sex of the donor and recipient], even moving the needle a little bit to improve the matching of blood product to recipient could add another layer of safety to current practices,” Dr. Zeller explains.
While it seems like a basic question to remain unanswered, Dr. Zeller acknowledges the investments of energy, expertise, and funding to get the study to this point.
“Sometimes these basic questions remain for a long time because it is challenging to get the funding and infrastructure in place to be able to answer them in a scientifically rigorous way; even if they’re basic-level questions, it’s only by investing that you are able to gather the evidence to answer the question.” Dr. Zeller says.
That’s part of the reason why Canadian Blood Services’ investments in networks like CTTG are important. The Canadian Transfusion Trials Group (CTTG) is funded by Canadian Blood Services with the aim of supporting and accelerating clinical trials that can inform best practices in transfusion medicine in Canada. CTTG reviewed and endorsed this SexMatters study and provided support through its development, making it the second RCT since CTTG’s inception to earn CIHR funding following participation in their review process.
"I had the opportunity to present to CTTG twice and receive feedback that improved this study design and my application to CIHR for its funding. Having it reviewed by people like Dr. Donald Arnold, Dr. Jeannie Callum, Dr. Nadine Shehata – people with world-recognized expertise in this area – really led to the success of this application,” Dr. Zeller says. “We were able to have really rich discussions on tough questions about study design and impact, including details like how we would account for patients that are pre-transfused entering the study.”
Says Dr. Zeller, “Each time the application went through reviews, I could present to these colleagues to essentially say, 'Here are the criticisms it has received and here’s how I’ve handled them.' And they would provide me advice and encouragement to resubmit. It is really valuable having people across the country who are cheering for you, and who are hand-in-hand with you to celebrate your success!”
“It’s an absolute privilege to do high quality research because you have to be surrounded by an incredible group of humans. Academic curiosity and commitment by those that have mentored me have enabled me to do this work. It’s out of a generosity of spirit that people have shared their expertise with me for this work, and it takes a lot of time and effort.”
Dr. Mickey Zeller, Principal Investigator for the SexMatters trial
Before this study received CIHR support, the research team undertook an exploratory analysis, a systematic review and meta-analysis, and a pilot trial which took place in 2022 across five Ontario-based hospitals to establish feasibility of the randomized controlled trial. Findings of retrospective observational studies indicated potential association between sex-mismatched transfusions and mortality, but some aspects remained unclear due to low certainty of evidence, inconsistencies or contradictory subgroup analyses in the available literature.
Much previous research involving Canadian Blood Services researchers has also supported the need for this randomized controlled trial. This includes:
| Read the Research Unit summarizing some of MCTR’s research on blood.ca (2019): Sex-mismatched red blood cell transfusions and mortality | Canadian Blood Services |
Earlier publications involving these and other researchers have also investigated the impact that blood donor age and sex have on outcomes for transfusion recipients, summarized evidence related to sex-matched versus mismatched transfusions and mortality, and the biological mechanisms implicated in adverse outcomes of sex-mismatched transfusions. There is still room for more investigation to build on this previously completed research, and that aligns with Canadian Blood Services' emphasis on the importance of research that spans the continuum from bench-to-bedside to continuously improve our processes, products and services. As Dr. Zeller describes: “There are biological studies and retrospective data, but we only have one existing RCT. There’s a real importance to pursue a prospective, RCT so we can look forward as opposed to looking back.”
“As every blood donor is unique, the challenge we have is to understand which donor-specific factors can be better matched to improve patient outcomes. Differences in the biology of blood cells from male and female blood donors are well defined, but what we do not understand is if these differences affect health outcomes in transfused patients. This is very important question that the SexMatters clinical trial is proposing to address.”
Dr. Jason Acker, Co-Investigator in the SexMatters trial
Focusing on transfusions in the ICU is a significant distinguishing feature of this study. The iTADS trial was completed as a multicentre, double-blind trial, but it looked at mortality rates across the whole hospital. This new trial will look at transfusions received by patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) specifically.
“In the hospital, we know that mortality rate is much higher in a transfused ICU patient compared to a patient in another part of the hospital,” Dr. Zeller says. “We’ve chosen to focus this study on the sickest population of patients – those in the ICU – with the idea that any impact will be seen most prominently in this group. The analysis will include consideration to dosage so we can adjust for the specific number of units transfused to each patient.”
The study is also designed so that participants will not know whether a blood transfusion is matched or mismatched based on the sex of donor or recipient – a method used to prevent potential bias in the trial.
“At the hospital, you always get a list with each shipment of blood product that says what units you have received from the blood operator”, Dr. Zeller explains. “As part of this study’s protocol, participating hospitals will see an additional colour-coding noted on this inventory, and this is what will be used when it comes time for us to do our analysis.”
Dr. Zeller is glad to have Canadian Blood Services involved in this research, acknowledging that changing policy related to matching of blood products would be a significant change for hospitals and blood suppliers, requiring strong evidence from RCTs like this one.
“This study will help to inform health-care professionals who prescribe and administer blood products, along with patients, donors, and the blood operator, too. One of the important questions if it does turn out to have a significant difference is ‘Then what?’ We already divide our inventory by group (ABO) and by Rh status (+/-). Would the need to be matching by sex further impact inventory? We don’t know yet, but that’s why it’s important to have the blood supplier involved,” Dr. Zeller says.
The study will require a total sample size of approximately 11,000 patients across an expected nine hospital sites in Ontario.
“We’ve designed this study to be very efficient; it’s got components of what would be considered a pragmatic study design,” Dr. Zeller says. “In terms of the products, Canadian Blood Services does not have to provide anything different than they already do for this study (other than the colour-coded markers) and we will use electronic capture to pull data, so we don’t need to collect study information at bedside. These were processes leveraged from the earlier iTADS study as the iTADS research team was very supportive of us learning from what they did.”
“Whether transfusions should be matched for donor sex is a question that has been percolating in people’s minds for many years. Dr. Zeller has had the courage and perseverance to tackle this important question, which could have important policy implications. I’m excited for Dr. Zeller to embark on this journey and advance knowledge on best transfusion practices.”
Dr. Donald Arnold, Co-Director of CTTG and Co-Investigator in the SexMatters trial
Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation
Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.
The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.
When doctors select compatible red blood cell units for transfusion into a patient, they don’t consider the sex of the patient and whether the donor is the same (sex-matched) or opposite sex (sex-mismatched). But a study led by Dr. Michelle Zeller, Canadian Blood Services medical officer and assistant professor in the department of medicine at McMaster University, suggests that the role of donor sex in red blood cell compatibility may be worth a closer look.
In this six-part series, Dr. Jeannie Callum, a hospital-based transfusion specialist, shares her real-life experience witnessing the impact of blood donation on patient lives. She provides some fascinating insight into blood transfusion, past and present, and emphasizes the need for male donors and why some donors may be safer for patients. Read the complete series here.
Recent research involving Canadian Blood Services researchers highlights the relationship between donor age and the quality of blood products like red blood cells, while considering the complex interplay between storage conditions, oxidative stress, and genetic factors. Though the clinical implications remain uncertain, these findings underscore the importance of ongoing research in optimizing blood storage practices and continuing to improve the efficacy of blood transfusions for patients in need.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hunter Industrial Fans, the industrial division of Hunter Fan Company, has launched a new website designed to enhance the online consumer experience. Hunter’s revamped website includes new features designed to make all product information readily available to both consumers and distributors.
Thermogenics’ acquisition of Industrial Engineering Boiler further expands its
service capabilities within the US Southeast.
This product forces heated or cooled air down to floor level, eliminating temperature layers in the ceiling space.
Hunter Industrial, a division of the Hunter Fan Company, has donated and installed two HVLS fans to DCI Logistics.
Posted by CISA on Mar 21
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Defend Today, Secure TomorrowPosted by CISA on Mar 23
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - Defend Today, Secure TomorrowFirst, let’s say a word or two about the essentials of power distribution systems for our young electrical engineers. An electric distribution system, or distribution plant as it is sometimes called, is all of that part of an electric power... Read more
The post The loop electrical distribution system used to supply bulk loads (industrial plants and buildings) appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.
The innovative QR codes, powered by Zappar technology, allow blind and partially sighted shoppers to easily retrieve essential product information.
Company’s innovative solution simultaneously prints on both sides of a label without using a liner or backing material.
Shoppers at selected Tesco Express stores in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, London and Manchester will see the “naked” bottles on shelves from January through March.
Created in partnership with PA Consulting, as part of the Bottle Collective with PA and PulPac, this is Diageo’s first paper-based 70cl bottle trial in the on-trade.
Assets will add approximately 420,000 metric tons of integrated paperboard to Suzano’s annual production capacity.
In a period where budgets are extremely tight and layoffs are being made, many companies find it difficult to justify assigning resources to innovation.
Manufactured through a process of Structural Foam Injection, the pallet boasts exceptional durability and reliability, making it an optimal choice for use within the industrial and automotive sectors.
Torus Group, known for its strong portfolio in measurement for metal and rigid packaging in the food and beverage industries, has recently expanded into plastic packaging and medical devices.
The interdisciplinary expert jury of the German Design Council awarded IQJET in the category "Excellence in Business to Business: Machines & Engineering" with the Gold German Innovation Award.
From 16 to 20 May 2016 in Budva, Montenegro, the OSCE Mission organized a training course for 45 legal professionals from northern Kosovo on international human rights standards during trial proceedings.
Participants, who are candidates to join the reintegrated justice system in northern Kosovo, were briefed and engaged in in-depth discussions on the human rights requirements, international standards and best practices in ensuring a fair trial.
The training consisted of presentations and lectures on international human rights standards, search tools for the European Court of Human Rights database, rights of access to justice and equality in the administration of justice, right to a public hearing, right to be presumed innocent and privilege against self-incrimination, protection of victims and witnesses, the equality of arms principle and the right to a hearing before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law.
“The justice system in the northern Kosovo has been dysfunctional for years now. Such a situation negatively impacted both the rule of law, proper delivery of justice and the observance of fundamental human rights, including the right of access to justice and the right to trial within a reasonable time,” said Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “The aim of this training was two-fold: enhance participants’ awareness of the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the courtroom but also encourage them to use pertinent international mechanisms in their daily work.”
Nikola Kabašić, a leading representative of the judicial community in northern Kosovo, said: “Continuous and systematic education of professionals whose main responsibility is to promote, implement and protect human rights is an obligation of all local and international institutions and organizations. That is why this training is important because the level of democracy of one society is measured by the extent of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Kosovo Deputy Minister of Justice, Nusret Hoxha, who was a guest at the training course noted the Ministry’s support as well as the need for local judges and prosecutors to be given additional opportunities to become familiar with best international practices in the justice sector.
The course was held following a needs assessment conducted by the OSCE Mission, which highlighted the need to engage in educational programs as a priority in building the capacities of judicial professionals in the north.
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights and communities rights protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development. The Mission supports the justice system in Kosovo and runs programmatic activities aiming to improve its performance in line with human rights and fair trial standards.