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San Antonio was “alive” during the 2019 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting, with the Day of the Dead activities bringing the city to life! On Friday, October 25th, the San Antonio River Walk was filled with those in costumes trick-or-treating at the local businesses, while the waterway showcased a float parade adorned with ghoulish characters, spoofing television shows, celebrities and more. From tableside guacamole to jalapeno-infused margaritas, the local fare was fantastic. While storms made the entry into San Antonio memorable for some (too memorable at times!), the sun welcomed attendees at the start of the meeting.
The #ACG2019 Post-Graduate Course, co-directed by Dr. Renee Williams (@DrR_Williams) and Dr. Timothy Gardner, started off the conference and highlighted the many emerging advancements in gastroenterology and hepatology. The Presidential Address, delivered by Dr. Sunanda Kane (@SunandaKaneMD), with introduction by incoming President, Dr. Mark Pochapin (@MarkPochapin), provided updates regarding initiatives within ACG, policy and legislation, and the transition of the ABIM to a longitudinal program. The American Journal of Gastroenterology Lecture, delivered by Dr. Ciaran Kelly, highlighted the “Myths and Mysteries” of celiac disease, shedding light on its global prevalence and highlighting limitations of the gluten-free diet. The J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecture was delivered by Dr. Linda Rabeneck on “Post-Colonoscopy Colorectal Cancer,” emphasizing that such cancers may develop if they were not initially seen, not effectively removed, or had rapid growth. The Emily Couric Lecture, presented by Dr. Suresh Chari, highlighted the “Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: Problems, Promise and Prospects.” While Dr. Chari noted that pancreatic cancer was among the top cancer killers, it is the only one without an early detection strategy, and showcased how detection strategies on those with new-onset diabetes offer promise, with a goal to double the survival in those with pancreatic cancer by 2020.
The Presidential Plenary Sessions were filled with oral presentations on cutting edge research on oral budesonide suspension in eosinophilic esophagitis, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, results from the VISIBLE Program using vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis, use of telehealth prior to endoscopic procedures, predictors of recurrence in C. difficile infection, statin use in reducing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, nuances with traveler’s diarrhea management, over-the-scope clips for severe non-variceal upper GI bleeding, endoscope processing, as well as implications of advanced adenomas.
While the city is a draw and the science is invigorating, the best part of ACG is connecting with colleagues. What was my observation at #ACG2019? This was the year for women! Now that women make up more than 50% of medical school matriculants, this has and will alter the demographics of those attending ACG. We wrapped up a year with Dr. Sunanda Kane as President, with more women taking on ACG Governor roles and other leadership positions than ever before. The Women in GI reception was packed, with attendees ranging from medical students to advanced practice providers to emeritus staff. In fact, we had our youngest attendee there, with Dr. Naba Saeed (@NabaSaeedQ) bringing the newest member of her family! The support for new moms at the meeting was evident. At the Women in GI Committee, the energy was high, and the opportunities vast. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the incredible women from NYU, who are a force in numbers and accomplishment! The meet-and greets and networking by women who had been virtual acquaintances on social media alone was unprecedented. Seeing prior mentees giving plenary talks and breakfast sessions, setting up centers of excellence and clinical trial, and mentoring the next generation of gastroenterologists made for proud moments! A shout out to Dr. Shazia Ali (@ShaziaAliMD), my ACG mentee, assigned years ago, who is now the one overseeing the ACG Mentoring Program! While it will take some time for the change in medical school matriculation to more notably impact the demographics of gastroenterology, the change is already apparent. None of this would be possible if it were not for the incredible #HeForShe allies at this meeting. Thank you! What is next? I am hoping to see everyone at ACG’s Bridging the Leadership Gap in San Diego, in January, where we can continue to sponsor women in GI! I welcome the day when we have a line out the door of the women’s bathroom at our GI conferences!
Dr. Oxentenko tweets at @AmyOxentenkoMD.
Image by FoxyImage / Shutterstock

domain: medical


At the end of 2018, the Bertelsmann Foundation issued its Digital Health Index, confirming that the digitalization of the healthcare system in Germany is not reaching patients. In recent years, politicians have reacted to this with numerous new laws, but the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the behavior of those involved in the healthcare system is even greater. In order to determine the current status and acceptance of digitalization in the healthcare sector, Porsche Consulting conducted an exclusive representative survey of 1,000 statutorily insured persons in Germany.
Digital health applications (DiGA)
Even though the first digital applications were approved in October 2020, DiGA have still not reached the wider population about one year later. As the main reason, 39 percent of the respondents in the survey state that they have no information about DiGa, and 29 percent of respondents assume that the “digital apps” are not reimbursed by health insurers. Only 12 percent are aware or believe that their health insurers will pay for the use of a digital health application. "In order to increase the level of utilization for digital health applications, there must be a stronger communication initiative. This is a joint task for all players in the healthcare sector. Only then will patient acceptance gradually increase," says Dr. Roman Hipp, Senior Partner at Porsche Consulting.
The popularity of telemedicine applications is already much higher, not least as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This trend is also confirmed by the survey: for around 46 percent of those with statutory health insurance, the advantages of a telemedicine service outweigh those of a visit to a doctor’s office for minor health problems. However, 39 percent of respondents still prefer to visit their family doctor, and 15 percent are currently undecided. "Using telemedicine services has become the default for many during the pandemic. However, the barriers to uptake are perceived to still be too high by many people. More information, easier handling and, above all, the introduction of the electronic prescription on 1 January 2022 will shift the odds ever further in favor of telemedicine," says Dr. Roman Hipp.
Sharing Data with Pharma & Medtech
In terms of willingness to share health data with pharmaceutical or medical technology companies, the survey revealed an overall openness among participants: 62 percent are willing to do so in principle or under certain conditions, such as research into specific diseases. In contrast, 31 percent of respondents rejected this in principle. Dr. Roman Hipp explains: "With digital solutions, there are significantly more opportunities for manufacturers to collect data on user behavior and health status and use it to continuously develop their products and thus optimize healthcare. Here, trust in the company as well as clear and understandable rules for the protection and use of data play the decisive role. Pharmaceutical and medical technology companies that are pioneers here will be able to convince more patients and gain an important competitive advantage through access to more data."


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The quilt shop in town has been an endless source of inspiration for me. The bold, colorful prints just beg to be made into creative items. This particular piece inspired me to make it into a mei tai style baby carrier. This carrier is available for sale in my etsy shop.
The carrier is made of quilting weight cotton, which has a tighter weave as well as being a heavier weight. I've found that this cotton stands up better through multiple washings and the wear and tear that kids can put it through.
The shoulder straps are padded from just a couple inches above the top of the carrier to about mid- back.
This style of carrier has proven to be the most versitile carrier for me. Once my children have been able to hold their heads, I've carried them in the front carry.
And then, once they are old enough to not "fling" themselves backwards, I put them on my back.

domain: design


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What the U.S. Dollar Can Tell Investors About Oil Prices
Watch the Fed and U.S. dollar to figure out if and when oil may bottom and start to recover.
Won't $0.99 per gallon of gasoline be great? That is what some "experts" predict for the summer of 2016. Maybe it will happen; maybe it won't. What is for sure is that the price of oil has collapsed over the past year, and many U.S. oil companies have gone out of business.
So why did the price of oil drop so much? Was it overproduction from Saudi Arabia? Was it declining global consumption?
3 Myths About Why Oil Prices Dropped
1. Saudi Arabia's overproduction.
Yes, it is true that Saudi Arabian oil producers have been increasing output. But since the price of oil collapsed, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased its production by only 3.95%, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). World production was up 2.23% during the same period, according to the EIA. So yes, OPEC was producing oil at a faster rate than the rest of the world, but does a 3.95% increase really translate into a 75% decline in the price of oil? We don't think a 3.95% increase in supply justifies a 75% price decline. So it must be something else.
2. Consumption has dropped significantly.
Where? In the U.S.? China? Europe? EIA data shows that global consumption since the peak price in June 2014 has been up 0.89% (or about 0.50%, annualized). Yes, this growth in annual consumption is slower than the average since 2000, which has been 1.27% annually, according to data from oil giant BP. So since mid 2014, consumption did not decline. It actually increased, albeit at a rate about 0.77% slower than average. Does a 0.77% decline in the growth rate really justify a 75% drop in the price of oil? No, we don't think so either. So it must be something else.
3. U.S. oil companies' troubles.
Rig counts have collapsed over the past year or so. According to oil field services company Baker Hughes, the number of rigs dropped from 1,609 in October 2014 to 400 in February 2016, a decline of 75%. This crash in rig counts indicates that U.S. oil companies didn't start failing until October 2014 at the earliest. But the price of oil started crashing earlier, in June 2014. Rig counts dropped due to the price of oil, not the other way around. (Of course some went under for reasons other than the oil price drop.)
Why Oil Prices Really Collapsed
In reality, the most likely candidate for why oil prices collapsed is the rise of the U.S. dollar. Oil is priced in dollars. And since June 2014, according to the Federal Reserve, the dollar has rallied 21%. As the chart below shows, if you invert the dollar, it parallels the decline in the price of oil. This is most likely the catalyst for the price decline.
So why did the U.S. dollar rally? Wasn't it the Fed's mandate to maintain price stability? Besides hurting the price of oil, a rising dollar hurts U.S. exports. Since June 2014, exports have declined 10%, according to the Federal Reserve's own data. Since the rising dollar hurt the price of oil, it has also decimated the oil business in the U.S.
Why did the Fed drop the ball on the dollar? Did they not see how it would impact the price of oil? They intervened to keep interest rates low and to keep stock prices from collapsing. But what happened with the U.S. dollar? This oversight indicates a lack of leadership and control at the Fed.
The fallout from the U.S. dollar's rally has been the decline in the price of many commodities, not just oil, troubles in the emerging markets since much of their debt was priced in U.S. dollars and a decline in U.S. exports. In my opinion, the Fed is directly responsible for the U.S. dollar's rally and the resulting problems.
So what does this mean? Eventually the dollar should come back to where it belongs, at a level much lower than the current price. This should benefit exports, the U.S. economy in general, the price of oil and other commodities and the emerging markets. But in the meantime, the Fed may allow the dollar to rally further. So the key is to watch the U.S. dollar.
What does an investor do? Realize that the current situation with anything that is related to the price of the U.S. dollar is in a temporary, artificially manipulated state. However, oil may bottom, and maybe even recover, sooner than many think. This is due to the production curve of oil wells.
Many people think that once a well is drilled, oil comes out in a continuous flow. That isn't the case. The typical production curve for a well is a steep drop in the first few years until it flattens out, producing maybe only 10% to 20% of the first year's production each year for the next 20 years or more.
If you look at the chart earlier in this column that compares the number of rigs with the price of oil, you will see that the rig count peaked a little over a year ago. This means the production of the last rigs that came online may soon decline rapidly. After years of rising production, the U.S. could see declining production in the next few months. This could put a floor on the price of oil. If the production decline is steep enough, it may actually offset the U.S. dollar's rally. Even if it does continue to rally, the impact on the price of oil may not be as bad as it has been over the past 18 months.
The key is still the U.S. dollar, but if U.S. oil production starts to decline, it may signal that the worst for oil prices may be over.
John Riley, registered Research Analyst and the Chief Investment Strategist at CIS, has been defending his clients from the surprises Wall Street misses since 1999.
Disclosure: Third party posts do not reflect the views of Cantella & Co Inc. or Cornerstone Investment Services, LLC. Any links to third party sites are believed to be reliable but have not been independently reviewed by Cantella & Co. Inc or Cornerstone Investment Services, LLC. Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cornerstone Investment Services, LLC's RIA. Please refer to my website for states in which I am registered.
About the Author
Chief Strategist, Cornerstone Investment Services
In 1999, John Riley established Cornerstone Investment Services to offer investors an alternative to Wall Street. He is unique among financial advisers for having passed the Series 86 and 87 exams to become a registered Research Analyst. Since breaking free of the crowd, John has been able to manage clients' money in a way that prepares them for the trends he sees in the markets and the surprises Wall Street misses.

domain: finance


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Ace comedian Kapil Sharma never fails to make headlines and for some time now, he has been in news for all the negative or wrong reasons.
After mid-air brawl between Kapil and Sunil while returning to Mumbai from Australia, Sunil left The Kapil Sharma Show and along with him, some other colleagues like Sugandha Mishra and Ali Asgar also called it quits. This all had an adverse effect on his health and he started cancelling shoot frequently that resulted in constantly falling TRPs and eventually the show went off-air.
The only hope left for Kapil was his movie “Firangi” but that too couldn’t do well on the box-office and his new show on Sony TV Family Time With Kapil Sharma also failed to impress audiences. This all pushed him into a state of depression and he vanished from limelight. However, some pics of the comedian surfaced over web and social media often in which he appeared to have gained a lot of weight.
Nevertheless, he recollected himself for a better future and to get his professional life back on the track, he set out on a weight-loss journey with workout, meditation and Yoga.
He is quite busy nowadays with the promotion of his latest Punjabi movie entitled “Son Of Manjeet Singh” which is slated to hit theatres on October 12 this year.
For the same, he recently visited LPU (Lovely Professional University), Jalandhar, but fans were shocked to see his new appearance as he doesn’t look like this anymore and has once again put up weight.
Check out his latest photos:
Well, Kapil really needs to keep a check on his physique and be fitter if he wants to remain in the industry for long. What do you say?

domain: entertainment


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Pop open a can of creativity! With a handful of squishy, colourful Play-Doh compound, you'll never guess what kids might create next. Squish it, stamp it, roll it, shape it - the open-ended fun is all up to the imagination!
[PRODUCT INCLUDES LIST]
Includes 1 can of Play-Doh Brand Modeling Compound.
• Hands-on creative fun with classic Play-Doh compound
• Open-ended play is up to the imagination • Keep it fresh for next time in the reusable can
• Get more colors for your creations (other cans sold separately)
• Purchasers will randomly receive 1 of 6 colors

domain: artistic


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September 16, 2008
Hangers Have Plusses, Minuses
By Nadia Malik
T-hangars an attractive idea, but airport board worries about costs[email protected]@dailyherald.com
Chicago Executive Airport is stuck in the middle of an economics dilemma.
If more hangars are built for planes at the airport - owned jointly by Prospect Heights and Wheeling - it'll cost more money, meaning those garages will be more expensive to rent out.
That might mean customers will go elsewhere.
Meanwhile, if they don't build the hangars, they're giving up one of the main ways to bring income to the airport. And their customers would still have to go somewhere else.
Airport manager Dennis Rouleau brought up the debate the Chicago Executive board has been going through on T-hangars to the Wheeling village board Monday while updating trustees on the budget.
Interim Village President Patrick Horcher said that T-hangars give the airport character, but he doesn't want to subsidize them being built.
T-hangars house smaller planes, and the T-shaped compartments for planes are grouped together in a larger building.
Rouleau said the first phase of building, if the board decides it's lucrative, would consist of two buildings with eight units each. That would cost about $1.6 million.
The rent for those would be $623 on the low end and could be as high as $800. That's compared to $390 to $550 in rent that plane- owners are paying for the most recently built hangars. Older ones have an even lower rate of $252.
However, the airport also has a waiting list of 100 people for T- hangars.
"What is the price sensitivity of those people?" Rouleau said. "I suspect at $800, it's going to be pretty high."
Trustee Ken Brady questioned if people who spend money on planes would nit-pick about varying rents, but Village Manager Mark Rooney said the airport has already seen that happen.
He said many pilots choose to fly to other airports if the gas price is 10 cents lower.
Rouleau said he's also done surveys of those on the waiting list, and there's no clear consensus if they would rent at the higher price or not.
"You could build it and nobody will come except for a subsidy," Rooney said. "Do you want to take scarce land, (and) build something that you'll you have to underwrite?"
Rouleau said one potential solution to the quandary is to employ a consultant to lead a strategic planning session between Wheeling and Prospect Heights, to help them determine what kind of airport they want.
He said that could help determine what portion of land should be available for what.
Until then, the airport board will continue discussing T-hangars to try to come up with a solution.
(c) 2008 Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

domain: news


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Groundcovers and other low-growing landscaping plants form an indispensable part of landscape design, whether as backdrops for trees and shrubs or as specimens in their own right. This page serves as a handy index to resources that focus largely on low-growing landscaping plants, such as groundcovers, perennial flowers, annuals and vines.
Steep slopes are a beast to mow, assuming you've had any luck getting grass to grow on them at all! If these problems sound familiar, then let me tell you about the landscaping plants that may hold the answer for you: sun-loving juniper groundcovers.
You need landscaping plants for a problematic sunny area, but you don't like juniper groundcovers? This article describes several drought-tolerant perennials. A link is provided to a drawing of a sample landscape plan, suggesting how to arrange them. Photos of the perennial landscaping plants are also included.
All this talk of sunny areas may have you feeling gloomy. "My problem is finding landscaping plants for shady areas," you say? Fortunately, there's a shade-loving landscaping plant suitable for every landscape design need. In this article I offer a Top 10 list of shade-loving plants, six of which are low-growing.
Groundcovers offer landscape solutions for problem areas, including areas pounded by the sun or plagued by the shade. But overly sunny or shady areas aren't your only challenge. When deer pests come to snack on your groundcovers, you need to refine your landscape solution strategy. Discover which groundcovers are effective in deer control -- landscaping plants that deer pests won't eat. And these deer-resistant groundcovers have many other fine qualities that will give you plenty of reasons to grow them.
But maybe you don't have a "problem" to solve. Maybe you're looking for perennial landscaping plants that will attract butterflies and beneficial pollinating bees? Then this is the article for you. Both short and taller specimens are covered. The list is headed by butterfly weed. But other perennials are discussed, too, as well as shrubs and other classes of plants.
This article introduces several landscaping plants known to attract hummingbirds. Learn about bee balm, red columbine, delphinium, hollyhock and other plants (including two shrubs and a tree just for some variety!).
Gardening options with aromatic lavender perennial flowers include their use in rock gardens, border plantings and cottage gardens. If your landscape design needs call for a decorative border, lavenders height makes it suitable for inclusion in the middle row, with shorter annuals in front and taller shrubs in back. With lavender, you can harvest your perennial flowers for sachets and aromatherapy.
But perhaps you enjoy the easy, consistent color that only annual landscaping plants can bring to a yard? This story tells you how to have a knockout fall garden of annuals -- on the cheap!
No assessment of options for low-growing landscaping plants is complete without a look at vines. Not that our experience with all vines necessarily comes from looking down at them; indeed, we're used to seeing some vines (e.g., Virginia creeper) high up in the tree-tops. Still, even the most vigorous climbing vines can reach a significant height only if they have something else upon which to climb....
What would fall be without a bittersweet wreath hanging on your door? Then why not grow your own? It can be so satisfying when your landscaping projects and craft projects intersect! Problem is, you really need to get your hands on the right kind of bittersweet. If you live in North America, you will want to grow American bittersweet; the Oriental type is terribly invasive! My article begins by introducing the different kinds of bittersweet, as three different plants vie for the right to be called by that name.
Warning: The project described in this tutorial may be addictive. There's something about these plants that gets into the bloodstreams of some people and drives them "out of their gourds." How else can you account for the existence (I do not jest!) of "gourd societies?"
If you've ever pushed a mower around on a hot day, deafened by the engine's roar yet hoping it won't conk out, you've probably wondered, "Is there another way?" Well, Yes, there is. Who says that x amount of square yards on your property must be planted with grass, instead of with groundcovers and other landscaping plants that you don't have to mow every week?


A few weeks ago, when the Ukraine scandal initially broke, I almost wrote an article about President Trump being “impeachment proof.” With the US House of Representatives poised to hold its first official vote on the impeachment process, I’m glad I didn’t put that particular “hot take” out there at the time. The crux of that article would have been the old adage: “it’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up,” and my basic point was that Donald Trump tends to get away with his “crimes” (both figurative and also literal) largely because he doesn’t attempt to cover them up. Through shrewd strategy or simple narcissism (I’m going with more of the latter), he tends to flaunt his misdeeds publicly, or at the very least dismiss them in ways that attack his accusers – often directly and personally – while deflecting on the substance of their accusations. Even in light of the current impeachment process, I still think this point is generally valid, and actually helps to explain why the Ukrainian scandal may end up doing more damage than the Russian scandal did.
The charge that then-candidate Trump and multiple members of his campaign team colluded with Russian operatives in a concerted effort to influence the 2016 election in Trump’s favor – which, need I remind you, is blatantly illegal for several reasons – seemed on its face much more flagrant, widespread and criminal than the Ukraine situation. With Russia, we had multiple contacts between Russian operatives and people extremely close to Trump, including (among many others): Trump’s son, Don Jr.; his son-in-law Jared Kushner; his campaign manager, Paul Manafort; his foreign policy advisors Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos; and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen). Many of these people were proved to have committed crimes and punished accordingly, including Flynn and Manafort.
And this was all in the context of a very large and impactful criminal enterprise: the hacking of the Democratic Party and Clinton campaign aides by Russian forces, with the subsequent publication of emails from these hacks in an effort to damage and discredit Secretary Clinton’s campaign. This was combined with Russian hacking of the voter registration systems of most of the US and a larger effort to spread disinformation through spambots and social media, all of which may very well have had a decisive effect in a very narrow loss by Clinton to Donald Trump. Wait, how did this all not result in more criminal charges? Oh yeah: because the administration was allowed to successfully stonewall the investigation.
In contrast, the Ukraine case has, so far, involved a specific chain of events that is less overtly criminal (misuse or abuse of power is not necessarily a crime, although that does not mean that it isn’t an impeachable defense according to legal experts) involving a smaller cast of characters and having less of an impact (some embarrassment to the Biden family aside, Joe Biden has probably come out ahead in this story as the target of an attempted political hit-job; Hunter Biden has not been drawn into any legal trouble even if he admitted to using “poor judgment” when getting involved in Ukraine, and the military aid that Trump held up was ultimately released).
So, why did the Mueller investigation, after a number of high-profile convictions and nearly two years of evidence-gathering and interviews, go nowhere in the end, to the extreme disappointment of Trump’s detractors on Capitol Hill and elsewhere? And why, in contrast, is the impeachment process continuing full steam ahead despite attempts by Trump and his allies to alternatively dismiss, discredit, and disrupt the process?
The Russian collusion was, ironically, done so blatantly that it obscured the criminal nature of the enterprise. The Mueller investigation largely declined to implicate now President Trump or his son because it could not demonstrate that they intended to commit crimes, even if their actions violated both the letter and the spirit of laws against foreign influence in US elections. This question of intent also permeated enough of the public’s perception of these events to insulate the Trumps from widespread condemnation: Surely a presidential candidate wouldn’t publicly announce criminal collusion in the middle of news conference, so when Trump called for Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails, surely he was only joking and didn’t mean for them to do it (even if they actually did it almost immediately after his request, and even if he was likely tipped off concerning other hacks before they became public).
This strategy of publicly declaring his malfeasance has been a fairly consistent one for President Trump. It is, for lack of a better term, a form of political gaslighting, a strategy for not just deceiving his audience but making them question the very reality of what they clearly see and hear. He’s blatant and upfront about, say, wanting to hack Clinton’s emails or, I dunno, seize oil from independent countries like Iraq and Syria. During his campaign, Trump famously quipped that he could “stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters” (a point resurrected this month when his lawyers disturbingly and hilariously argued that as President, he could do just this without facing prosecution, to which the presiding judge essentially responded “yeaaah, no.”). The context stated in this scenario is important: “in the middle of 5th Avenue” i.e. in public. Trump has essentially been shooting in the middle of 5th Avenue for years now, with few legal or political repercussions.
In contrast, when it came to Ukraine, Trump (or, more likely, people on his staff) saw the misuse of power inherent in his quid pro quo demand to Ukrainian President Zelensky (and saw through the obvious flaws of merely insisting that a quid pro quo isn’t one by saying “this is not a quid pro quo”) and sought to bury the conversation behind high levels of security clearance. This is what fueled the idea that whistles needed to be blown and demonstrates that there was a knowledge of corruption within the administration concerning the action. If you (or your subordinates) are covering it up, then it must mean that there’s something to cover up. He would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling aides.
After the whistleblower accusation first hit the public, Trump and his aides tried to revert to the “everything out in the open” strategy that had worked so well before. He’s repeatedly called the conversation with Zelensky normal and “a perfect call.” Acting Chief of Staff Mike Mulvaney admitted to the quid pro quo but dismissed it as no big deal. The problem, however, is that these two strategies – cover up and hope no one finds out, or put it all out in the open and claim you did no wrong – are mutually exclusive. You can’t logically follow both strategies simultaneously, and doing them sequentially essentially causes the two approaches to negate one another.
So far, the prevailing narrative concerning impeachment has been the substance of the matter: abuse of power for personal gain, in this case harming political rivals. In the context of an administration that consistently uses its position for the personal gain of President Trump’s organization and family – to the extent of attempting to deny that the emoluments clause exists (more political gaslighting, although I wouldn’t dismiss the alternative explanation that Trump literally has not read the Constitution) – this narrative is a strong one. Seriously, Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, both of whom have nebulous and extremely far-reaching “advisory” roles in the White House solely based on their family connection, just had their freaking wedding anniversary celebration at Camp David. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if the President starts renting the White House to foreign dictators through Airbnb (might as well make money off of it during those many days when he’s not in town) while Eric Trump sells the Declaration of Independence on Ebay (though not, of course, on Amazon).
Trump and his allies, meanwhile, have attempted to shift the focus to the process, claiming that impeachment is being used as a secretive and unfair “witch hunt.” Pelosi’s move to conduct a formal vote undercuts that counter-narrative, but it was Trump’s own people who initially brought process into play when they classified the Ukraine call. Especially for an administration that has done so much out in the open – including actively courting Vladimir Putin, the Saudi royal family and a host of other dictators, to the point of deferring military decisions and ceding large amounts of American geopolitical influence to such actors – actually attempting to cover up something looks really bad. The cover up, in other words, is proof of the crime.


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encore connects musicians and supporters through regular newsletters and events. Sign up for our newsletter and you'll hear about what the ensembles are up to, concerts they are playing and how our work is supporting new players. If you become an encore member, you’ll also receive free invites to concerts throughout the year.
We like to keep in touch with our past players and host annual reunions to meet up and play together. We also love to hear what you get up to when you leave us (whether you continue as a musician or not!), so please do stay in touch, share your stories and photos, or write a blog for us.
We work with a wide range of professional musicians and composers to teach, inspire and perform with our young musicians. We are delighted that some great musicians who have experienced what we do have become ambassadors for encore. We also work with a group of music-loving local ambassadors to advocate for the work we do across the city.
This is what some of them have to say about us:
Philip Fowke with Brighton Youth Orchestra at Brighton College
“Brighton Youth Orchestra has been doing great work in the Brighton area for 65 years now. Generation after generation of young players have been enthused by their first experience of forming an orchestra and making great music together. Some members have gone on to become successful professional musicians, but for all these young people, the experience has been immensely invigorating and valuable. Valuable also for their families, communities, and for the whole City and its surrounding area of East Sussex. The benefits and joys of learning to play a musical instrument are many: from the personal expressiveness and creativity that is made possible, to the discipline and rigour necessary to master the technique involved; from the pleasure of making music with other players, to the deep joy of having intimate access to great music of the past and present. Music knows no boundaries of language or nation and is an immensely powerful and emotional medium that touches the heart directly. It is wholly beneficial to and expressive of the human experience.”
Sir John Tomlinson CBE
“I love playing with people my age - it's tons of fun and so inspiring! The fresh attitude and overflowing energy is very infectious. Working with Brighton Youth Orchestra and Andrew Sherwood is the perfect combination of laughter and hard work - that's how I like making music”
Laura van der Heijden
“Even after so many years have passed, and after spending all this time in the music business, my proudest boast is that I once led the cello section in the Brighton Youth Orchestra! Throughout the years my admiration, respect and affection for this collection of high achieving, young musicians have never ceased. David Gray was conductor when I was in BYO, and his effect on my musical and personal development was profound. David's supply of inspiration was seemingly endless and the trust that he showed us all, both musical and personal, was deeply affecting. When Andy Sherwood was appointed as David's successor some years ago, I was both delighted and relieved. I knew in my heart that this precious organisation was in safe, kind, imaginative and inspirational hands. As teachers and musicians throughout the UK abandon musical literacy in favour of more facile routes to creativity it is more important than ever to support high quality teaching and structured, individual instrumental and vocal study. The simple nuts and bolts of reading and writing music married with a good technical foundation on an instrument are where the imagination can be truly set free.”
“Once my children had reached a reasonable standard on their instruments I dragged them to their first Brighton Youth Orchestra rehearsal promising them that they could give up after a term if they really hated it. They were pretty sure they would… By the time they had played in their final concert many years later, they had performed some of the finest pieces in the symphonic repertoire, had been inspired by extraordinary soloists, developed a deep love of classical music and made a number of friends for life. They look back on their time in BYO as one of the most stimulating and rewarding parts of growing up in Sussex. As a parent, I count myself incredibly lucky to have had this amazing resource on the doorstep. An orchestra where young people can not only discover the glories of orchestral music but also meet other like-minded musicians. Crucially, BYO is also a place to have fun - surely the whole point of making music with others. That combination of real hard work and pure enjoyment is something to treasure and long may it continue.
“I am really proud on mine and John’s behalf to be an ambassador for encore. John would not have written for Brighton Youth Orchestra unless he was sure that it could be performed with real commitment, enthusiasm and ability – and Brighton Youth Orchestra delivered!”
Lady Maryanna Tavener
“In 1962, Brighton Youth Orchestra was my route to a wonderfully mixed society of musical friends from all over Brighton & Hove. Music became my life, and eventually my profession. I became Chair of the BYO Trust, programmed the orchestra into the Brighton Festival in my time as Director, and both my sons have been BYO members. It is an association that I cherish”
Professor Gavin Henderson CBE


When Search Engine Optimisation is mentioned, concepts such as keyword density, quality backlinks and user engagement are often at the forefront. However, a little known concept that is often overlooked is the actual placement of the content on a webpage.
What Is the Fold?
Broadly speaking, content placement can be split into two categories, namely above the fold, and below the fold. The term “above the fold” was first introduced in traditional newspaper advertising, whereby readers would immediately see the piece of content without needing to unfold the newspaper. In modern website terms, it refers to content that is visible on a webpage when it first loads, thus not requiring a user to scroll below the fold.
Traditionally, brands have consistently held the belief that the space above the fold is premium land, which should be filled up. Over time, they have come to realised that squeezing too much into that small space results in a messy user experience that might lead to a premature bounce. Nonetheless, many still have held on to the belief that the most important information should be retained above the fold.
How the Fold Affects SEO
On the surface, as far as SEO is concerned, it might make sense to put as much content above the fold as possible. Afterall, logically this ensures that your content would not be missed out on by users. However, further studies into mobile users’ behaviour have found this piece of logic to be tragically flawed.
A simple anecdote to illustrate the loophole here would be an individual’s behaviour when a webpage is loading on their phone. Instead of waiting for the page to load, they often immediately start to scroll down to content “below the fold”. This has been found to be largely habitual and a certain level of impatience that exist within all of us.
Placing Content To Meet User Behaviour
How then can web designers structure their website knowing that users are impatient and likely to take action in the midst of the loading of the page? Contextual cues and Call-To-Actions (CTAs) at intermittent points could be key here. Implementing arrows, animated buttons and lines help to guide a user’s scrolling. In this case, two way ques would inform the user of content that lies both above and below the section that the user has landed on when the page finally loads finish.
If this line of thought is upheld, multiple implications emerge. For instance, a longer scrolling website where more white space and neater design then becomes a possibility. However, designers should ensure that sticky navigation tools are created alongside long scrolling. This helps to prevent excess movement on a webpage and annoyance at the difficulty in navigating to other pages on the website.
Getting Experienced Help In Designing Your Website
Knowing the right amount of content to be above the fold, and the funnel to guide users on your website can be a highly tricky task. In this aspect, engage a professional website design service provider to assist you with developing your website. Beyond attaining their expertise in designing, their capabilities in user acceptance testing would help to optimise your website for conversions.


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VAT rates have risen to the forefront of the political agenda in recent weeks with the government continuing to resist a reduced 5% VAT rate for hospitality businesses despite cross-party support for the cut. The debate follows years of campaigning from the hospitality industry for the UK to mirror the sector specific VAT cuts implemented by other EU member states.
Cut Tourism VAT, an organisation supported by over 3,500 hospitality businesses, is leading the campaign for a reduced VAT rate.
In the Parliamentary debate, MPs supporting the proposal pointed out that the UK’s tourism sector, which produces more than 10% of GDP and supports over 2 million jobs, has been hit particularly hard by the rises in VAT introduced by the coalition government as part of their austerity package.
Cut Tourism VAT’s campaign focuses on the increase in competitiveness a VAT cut would have on the UK as a tourist destination, both for incoming tourists and for UK tourists. Cut Tourism VAT claim that the cut would stimulate the economy in rural and coastal areas that are not sharing the London-led UK economic recovery, supporting the vital SME sector into which so many leisure, tourism and hospitality businesses fall. To put the situation in context, the UK is now ranked 138th out of 140 countries for price competitiveness for tourism by the World Economic Forum.
It is estimated that the measure could boost GDP by £4 billion per annum, create and secure up to 80,000 jobs and deliver £2.6 billion additional net revenue back to the Treasury over ten years. Cut Tourism VAT claim that, according to HM Treasury’s own economic model, a cut in VAT rates would be one of the most efficient means of generating GDP gains at low cost to the Exchequer.
EU VAT Rates
Under EU laws, member states are permitted to reduce VAT rates for a limited number of services and industries, including tourism. Other EU countries have taken advantage of this, with only four countries (the UK, Denmark, Lithuania and Slovakia) not implementing reduced VAT rates for hotels and 13 member states, including Ireland, introducing lower rates for restaurants.
In 2010, Germany introduced a reduced VAT rate on accommodation which has been a significant stimulus for Germany as a tourism region. In a survey conducted by German Institute of Management Tourism (IMT) on 5,000 accommodation businesses, it was reported that between them the measure had seen an additional €939.6 million invested and had created over 11,000 new jobs and apprenticeships, and had also reduced average room rates by 1.6 per cent, during a period of rising demand.
Ireland has been a similar success story where the government has reduced VAT on hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants from 13.5% to 9%. The VAT cut has led to growth and new jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector.
No Plans for VAT Cut
Treasury Minister David Gauke, speaking at a recent debate in Westminster Hall, declared that the government has no plans to introduce the VAT cut following the debate on the basis that it could cost between £9bn and £10bn a year in lost revenue, a cost which, in his view, still remains disproportionate to the additional anticipated economic growth. He stated that such a cut was contrary to the government’s long term plan to reduce the deficit.
The government is also facing calls to extend any cut in VAT to other struggling sectors such as the retail sector and the Prime Minister is yet to be convinced that the hospitality industry deserves favourable VAT rates over these sectors. Rather than focusing attention on a cut in VAT, David Cameron has suggested that the hospitality industry should be focusing on opportunities for promoting Britain to overseas visitors and capitalising on the falling value of the pound.
Following David Gauke’s comments, the industry remains upbeat that the campaign is gathering momentum. Cut Tourism VAT stated that “The debate represents a huge step forward in pushing the cause of reduced Tourism VAT up the political agenda. There was strong support from MPs of all parties, representing many different areas of the UK….. The government is now coming under real pressure notably from many of their own MPs. A General Election coming up this year represents a great opportunity”.
The UK government has so far resisted the hospitality industry’s campaign for a VAT cut however, a desire to keep the UK competitive in the tourism market and to attract lucrative overseas tourists, may, in time, make this proposal harder to resist.


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The Best Running Team Names We've Seen: Cascade Relays | Relay on Us.
The color run was originally founded in 2012 to promote the health and happiness of runners everywhere. Currently in more than 30 countries, the average color run is 5k. You start off with wearing all white in the beginning and end plastered in color. If you are starting your own team, the following list of […]
100 Funny Team Names. A compilation list of the funniest names for sports/race teams on the internet. Free printable.
Team names for The Color Run
Running Team names
Funny Ragnar Relay Team Names for Team Jerseys
Funny Running Team Names for Your Running Club or Group

domain: hobby


Enjoy Celebrity Radio’s Jennifer Ellison Interview 2017…
Jennifer Ellison is an English actress, former glamour model, television personality, dancer and singer.
She is best known for playing Emily Shadwick in Brookside until 2003, and as Meg Giry in the 2004 film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.
Ellison also starred on the reality TV show Dance Mums the UK version of the American reality TV show, Dance Moms.
This Christmas Jennifer will Star in the Winter Garden’s production of PETER PAN along with Jake Quickenden & Maureen Nolan.
Ellison will take on the role of Captain Hook, with Quickenden in the title role. Both are joined by Radio Wave’s Breakfast Show fave Scott Gallagher as hapless sidekick Smee.
Enjoy an exclusive interview with Jennifer & Alex via YouTube:
Ellison studied dance from the age of three, first at a dance school in Liverpool, then later at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dancing in St. Helens.
She has achieved examination passes with the Royal Academy of Dance and appeared on instructional videos for the academy.
Jennifer has also taken examinations with the International Dance Teachers Association and won Ballet and Modern Dance titles at the IDTA Theatre Dance Championships in 1996 and 1997, and in addition was awarded the Carl Alan Award for ballet in 1998.
Choosing to pursue a professional career in dance, she successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet Lower School.
She left dance to pursue acting. In 2012, Ellison was a contestant on Dancing On Ice and made it to the semi-final stages
She currently hosts the UK version of Dance Moms on Lifetime, Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison.
Interview by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 17th September 2017.


Random Notes 2013Hottest Rock Pictures
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Katy Perry with her fans at the "Good Morning America" taping at the ABC Times Square Studios on September 6th, 2013 in New York City.
Fricke's Picks Radio: Working Man's Glam With the Kaiser Chiefs March 5, 4:30 PM ET
Thank You, Rolling Stone: Matt Taibbi Says Goodbye February 20, 10:35 AM ET


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Suddenly Single: 3 Steps to Take Now
Have you found yourself suddenly single? Here are 3 steps to take right now.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?
Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

domain: economics


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Having a flat stomach is everyone’s dream especially that summer and the vacation season is upon us. However, consuming some of our favorite foods all the time is the reason why our bellies don’t seem to let go of us, even if we are working out daily.
We found out that even with excessive exercises, the stubborn belly will never go away as long as we eat some specific foods, ten to be more exact.
So if you are ready to make some changes, be ready to cut down some of the most delicious foods and beverages because they are your belly’s worst enemies.
Yes, I know! Alcohol is not only our favorite beverage of all time but also what pushes us through the day in order to taste its greatness at night. But sadly, some of these drinks are rich in calories, which is the main reason why your belly is not flat.
Plus, consuming alcohol means a sudden increase in appetite because it confuses the part of your brain that is responsible for making you feel full. So even if you had all your meals, you will still end up having a snack or three after one bottle of beer.

domain: food


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Who is ready for some Great Tunes and Good Times at GearHouse? Come see Evan Misal at the Taproom!
If Rock and Acoustic had a love child, that would be Evan Misal! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the originals or discovering these gems for the first time, Misal promises a performance that transcends time.
Facebook Event Link: Evan Misal at GearHouse Brewing Co.! | Facebook
Nothing is better on a Friday night than FREE Live Music and Brews! Every week, the GearHouse Taproom transforms into a vibrant stage, welcoming musicians, bands, and solo artists. The Brewery Taproom isn’t just a place for concerts. It’s a space for fostering connections and building a sense of community. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, our events provide an opportunity to meet fellow beer and music enthusiasts, creating lasting memories.
The Brewery Taproom isn’t just a place for music. It’s a space for fostering connections and building a sense of community. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, our live music events provide an opportunity to meet fellow beer and music enthusiasts, creating lasting memories and friendships. With a spacious, cozy ambiance and a well-stocked bar, our Brewery Taproom is the ideal setting to unwind. Groove to the tunes of local artists. Come and sip on a pint of our craft beer, delicious bites from our food menu, and let the live music take you on a journey of sound and emotion.
To stay updated on the latest live music events at GearHouse, be sure to check our website or follow us on social media. We also host special themed nights, event space rentals, and special events, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting.


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Question 1. The African Union, through the Africa CDC, aspires to enhance local vaccine manufacturing, targeting 60% of the continent’s needs by 2040. What steps is Nigeria taking in alignment with this aspiration?
Consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria is deeply committed to bolstering its local vaccine manufacturing capabilities, in line with the African Union’s vision. To achieve this goal, the government has embarked on a multifaceted approach, starting with the establishment of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). NIPRD’s primary focus has been on cultivating the nation’s vaccine manufacturing capacity, notably encompassing the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Recognizing that collaboration forms the cornerstone of Nigeria’s strategy, the government has forged robust partnerships with esteemed international entities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). These collaborations are instrumental in fostering research initiatives and facilitating knowledge exchange, pivotal in advancing local vaccine manufacturing.
Within Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative, vaccine production plays a prominent role, embedded in both the ‘Unlocking Value Chains’ and ‘Health Security’ pillars. To concretize this commitment, we’ve laid out specific strategic steps: Firstly, there’s an ardent focus on building and upgrading vaccine manufacturing infrastructure within the country. This involves establishing state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology and expertise necessary for local vaccine production.
Secondly, Nigeria is fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) to encourage investments in vaccine manufacturing. Collaborations with pharmaceutical firms, research institutions, and international partners aim to pool expertise and resources towards vaccine development.
Investment in research and development initiatives is another core aspect. Nigeria is channeling resources to support local scientists and institutions engaged in groundbreaking research to enhance our understanding of diseases and develop effective vaccines.
To ensure a skilled workforce, Nigeria prioritizes capacity building and training programs, nurturing professionals in vaccine manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory compliance, aligning with global standards. Furthermore, the government is actively strengthening regulatory frameworks related to vaccine manufacturing, emphasizing safety, efficacy, and quality of locally produced vaccines. Financial support and incentives, including tax incentives and grants, are offered to attract both local and international investors into vaccine manufacturing.
Lastly, collaboration with regional and international bodies, such as the African Union and Africa CDC, remains a priority. Sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources through these collaborations is pivotal to the success of enhancing vaccine manufacturing capacity across the continent.
Question 2. Improving healthcare data and digitization is a crucial part of your plan. Could you share details on your strategy to modernize healthcare information systems and promote the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in Nigeria?
Certainly, our approach to modernizing healthcare information systems and promoting electronic health records (EHRs) in Nigeria is rooted in strategic planning aligned with several guiding principles and initiatives outlined in documents such as the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal document, and the Nigeria Agenda 2050.
One of the pivotal aspects of our strategy is the development of a comprehensive digital healthcare policy. Recognizing its crucial role in providing a roadmap for digital healthcare solutions, this policy aims to guide stakeholders such as healthcare providers, patients, investors, regulators, and other ecosystem participants.
We emphasize the significance of interoperability and standardization within our digital healthcare framework. To facilitate seamless information exchange among healthcare facilities, our plan includes the establishment of national standards for health information systems. This is pivotal to ensuring compatibility and interoperability among various EHR systems.
Acknowledging the prevalent digital divide and infrastructure challenges across Nigeria, we’re advocating for a hybrid healthcare architecture. By combining digital and non-digital solutions, we aim to extend essential healthcare services even to the most remote regions of the country.
Strengthening data management policies is paramount. We are actively working on fortifying these policies to enhance interoperability, privacy, and security in handling healthcare data. Our focus is to ensure secure and efficient collection, storage, and sharing of healthcare information.
Exploring the development of a national health information system is part of our agenda. This centralized repository for healthcare data will empower healthcare providers with real-time access to patient information, ultimately enhancing the quality of care.
We recognize the value of collaboration with the private sector to expedite the adoption of EHRs. Public-private partnerships will play a crucial role in leveraging private sector expertise and resources to develop and implement advanced health information systems.
To ensure the efficacy of our digitization efforts, we prioritize regular monitoring and evaluation. Establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will enable us to track progress, identify areas for enhancement, and make necessary adjustments, ensuring the success of our healthcare information systems modernization initiative.
Question 3: How has Africa CDC supported the Nigerian Ministry of Health in its initiatives to improve public health. Provide specific examples of collaborative projects?
The Africa CDC has been a worthy partner in our healthcare initiatives, collaborating extensively to fortify regional cooperation and enhance healthcare systems. Specific examples from our collaboration reflect its breadth and depth: Firstly, in Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, the Africa CDC’s support has been invaluable. Collaborative efforts have honed our disease surveillance systems, enabling prompt detection and response to outbreaks. Through joint training programs, healthcare professionals have enhanced their epidemiology and data management skills, bolstering our readiness to handle health crises effectively.
Secondly, our partnership has significantly impacted Vaccine Distribution and Immunization. The Africa CDC’s coordination has ensured equitable access to vaccines, including support in distributing COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunization programs. This joint endeavor aims to achieve higher vaccination coverage rates, safeguarding our populations against preventable diseases.
Another critical area of collaboration has been Laboratory Capacity Building. Together, we’ve focused on strengthening laboratory infrastructure and diagnostics, especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration has resulted in improved facilities, technician training, and procurement of essential diagnostic equipment, enhancing our testing capabilities.
Furthermore, the Africa CDC has played a pivotal role in Health System Strengthening. Their technical assistance has bolstered the resilience of our health systems, encompassing areas such as workforce development, supply chain management, and emergency response team establishment. This collaborative effort aims to fortify our health systems to address current and future health challenges effectively.
Additionally, several specific instances highlight the depth of our collaboration. These include funding various trainings, supporting IPC focal persons in multiple hospitals and states, contributing to the National IPC policy review, funding seroprevalence surveys, deploying epidemiologists and community health volunteers, and providing extensive training for the COVID-19 response.
Moreover, the Africa CDC’s involvement in deploying tools like the African Volunteer Health Corps Network (AVoHC Net) reflects their ongoing support. This web-based application aids in maintaining rapid response teams, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.
These collaborative initiatives, rooted in partnership with the Africa CDC, exemplify our commitment to fortifying our healthcare systems and addressing critical health challenges.
Question 4. Recognizing that outbreaks have local origins, what strategies is the Ministry undertaking to strengthen primary healthcare, reduce Maternal mortality rate (MMR) and institutionalize the Community Health Workforce?
I would like to highlight some of the strategies that the Ministry is undertaking to strengthen primary healthcare, reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), and institutionalize the Community Health Workforce.
Firstly, we are working towards improving access to quality healthcare services by increasing the number of primary healthcare facilities and ensuring that they are well-equipped with essential medical supplies and equipment. We are also investing in the training and development of healthcare workers to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care to patients.
Secondly, we are implementing various programs to reduce maternal mortality rates. These programs include increasing access to family planning services, improving antenatal care, and providing skilled birth attendants during delivery. We are also working to improve the quality of emergency obstetric care and postpartum care to ensure that women receive the care they need during and after childbirth.
Thirdly, we are institutionalizing the Community Health Workforce by training and deploying community health workers to provide basic healthcare services to people in rural and hard-to-reach areas. These community health workers are trained to provide preventive information as well as health education and promotion. They will also be engaged to provide support on community-based surveillance.
Finally, we are working to strengthen the health system by improving health information systems, increasing funding for healthcare, and promoting public-private partnerships to improve access to healthcare services.
Question 5. Healthcare workers migration out of Africa is a challenge in the health sector. What strategies is the Ministry developing to address human resource gaps, capacity building and retention of healthcare professionals in Nigeria?
Addressing the migration of healthcare professionals from Nigeria and across Africa is a critical challenge that weakens our healthcare systems and diminishes our ability to deliver quality care. In response, our Ministry is actively formulating a comprehensive strategy to tackle this issue.
Firstly, we’re working on strategies to bridge the gaps in our healthcare workforce. This includes expanding medical schools and residency programs to bolster the number of graduates, particularly focusing on critical areas such as midwifery, anesthesia, and public health security. We’re also implementing targeted recruitment drives to attract skilled professionals, both within the country and from the diaspora.
Secondly, our focus is on building and enhancing the capabilities of our healthcare workforce. Continuous professional development remains a priority to retain and motivate healthcare professionals. We’re establishing specialized training programs, workshops, and conferences to keep them abreast of the latest advancements. Encouraging a culture of research and innovation within our healthcare system is pivotal. We’re actively supporting research initiatives and providing platforms for knowledge dissemination.
Finally, our efforts include incentivizing the retention of healthcare professionals. This involves offering competitive salaries and benefits aligned with global standards. We’re exploring innovative financing mechanisms to improve access to health insurance and considering additional benefits such as housing allowances and educational opportunities.
Tackling issues like long working hours, equipment shortages, and workplace violence is fundamental in creating a supportive and safer work environment. Moreover, providing clear career paths with opportunities for advancement and specialization remains a priority.
Addressing the migration of healthcare workers’ demands a collective effort. We are committed to collaborating with various stakeholders – medical professionals, policymakers, communities, the private sector, and international partners. Together, we aim to develop sustainable solutions that ensure a robust healthcare system, guaranteeing access to quality healthcare for every Nigerian.
Question 6: What would you consider opportunities in working with Africa CDC? How can the Africa CDC better support the Nigerian Ministry of Health in achieving its health goals?
Working alongside Africa CDC presents numerous opportunities that could significantly benefit Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, particularly towards attaining the strategic vision for the Health Care sector 2023 – 2026, Firstly, Africa CDC’s expertise in rapid outbreak detection and response enhances Nigeria’s preparedness. Collaborative efforts in real-time data sharing, joint training programs, and deploying rapid response teams during emergencies fortify Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively.
Similarly, leveraging Africa CDC’s network of regional laboratories and training programs can uplift Nigeria’s diagnostic capacity, especially for emerging infectious diseases. This promises faster diagnoses, better treatment outcomes, and stronger disease control measures. Africa CDC’s centralized platform for procuring essential medical resources presents a cost-saving opportunity for Nigeria. Additionally, their proficiency in resource mobilization can help attract international funding crucial for Nigeria’s health programs.
Collaborating on research, particularly on diseases like malaria, Lassa fever, and HIV/AIDS, aligns with Nigeria’s goals. These joint efforts can yield innovative interventions tailored to the country’s specific health challenges. The partnership with Africa CDC also strengthens Nigeria’s stance on advocating for robust regional health security measures. Harmonizing cross-border disease control strategies and advocating for equitable access to health interventions across Africa are pivotal aspects. Exploring joint ventures in digital health solutions holds promise for enhancing healthcare delivery, efficient data management, and surveillance in Nigeria. Developing standards for digital transformation could significantly bolster the effectiveness of Nigeria’s health systems.
A key aspect is tailoring interventions to Nigeria’s specific needs. Close engagement with Nigerian health authorities can ensure targeted support, addressing the country’s priority health challenges effectively.
It begs to emphasize that Africa CDC’s support should focus on building sustainable local capacity in Nigeria. Initiatives like training programs for health workers and strengthening laboratory networks can empower the Nigerian healthcare system in the long term.
Also, the Africa CDC can play a vital role in fostering partnerships between Nigeria and international stakeholders. This collaboration could unlock additional resources and expertise crucial for addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. May I add that the platform for sharing best practices and data by Africa CDC is invaluable. Real-time sharing of disease outbreak data and successful intervention strategies could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare improvements.
Question 7: Africa CDC Regional Coordination Centre for Western Africa is in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria; kindly share some opportunities this presents for Nigeria and share progress by Nigeria’s to operationalize it.
This development marks a significant milestone not just for Nigeria but for the entire region, presenting numerous opportunities for collaboration and advancements in health security.
One of the crucial roles of the Centre is to serve as a robust platform for sharing best practices and innovations in disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and emergency response.
Nigeria, leveraging its well-established NCDC and robust public health infrastructure, actively contributes by hosting workshops, training programs, and knowledge-sharing sessions for health officials across the region.
Additionally, the Centre serves as a hub for driving innovation in health security. It fosters research and development in rapid diagnostics, vaccine development, and digital health solutions. Nigeria aims to take a lead role in this initiative by driving investment in research infrastructure, supporting innovative start-ups, and forging partnerships with international research institutions.
Collaboration through the Centre strengthens regional cooperation, enabling unified responses to health emergencies. Nigeria sees this as an opportunity to lead joint risk assessments, surveillance activities, and coordinated emergency response plans. A united front is crucial in effectively addressing health challenges across the region.
Furthermore, the establishment of a Regional Health Security Trust Fund through the Centre is pivotal. This fund will support preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during health crises. Nigeria advocates strongly for this sustainable fund, believing in its potential to accelerate pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response activities.
Looking ahead, Nigeria is positioned to host the inaugural Regional Health Security Summit in Abuja. This summit will facilitate high-level discussions on critical health security issues, fostering collaboration and commitment among African nations. Hosting the Africa CDC Regional Coordination Centre is not just an honour; it’s a strategic opportunity for the entire region to bolster health security and build a more resilient future. Nigeria remains dedicated to collaborating with partners across Africa to actualize this vision.
For media enquiries please contact:
Dorothy Njagi | Senior Communication Officer- Communication & Public Information directorate | Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention| African Union| email: email: firstname.lastname@example.org | Website: www.africacdc.org| Addis Ababa| Ethiopia| Facebook | Twitter


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American Handgunner Jan/Feb 2011 - Page 38
BETTERSHOOTING Dave Anderson Buck Mark reflex sight matches up nicely with the Hunter model, fitting on the integral sight rail. Buck Mark W riters are supposed to allow for the two or three month gap between writing a magazine article and seeing it in print. It’s the middle of summer as I write this. It should be about how to wear your CCW in cold weather, or handgun hunting, or something topical for the fall season. Not this time. Not this summer. Last winter hung on forever. Spring was cold and wet. Summer is finally here and I don’t want to even think about fall and winter. I don’t want to think about anything serious at all. I believe it was Robert Ruark whose Old Man said something like “The graveyards are full of people who do serious things in summer.” Any other time I’d dig through books and get the reference right but right now I can’t be bothered. Summer is for plinking with .22s. In summertime I don’t want to spend time at the loading bench cranking out rounds. I don’t want to have to pickup brass. I don’t even want to practice seriously. Jeff Cooper once wrote how he loved plinking but felt it was a vice, as it resulted in developing bad shooting habits. Maybe it does. If so I’ll work on fixing those bad habits later. And if it’s a vice, well, I don’t drink, smoke, sniff or chew. Allow me this one vice. What I like is a large supply of .22 ammo, a good friend or two, a couple of .22 pistols, and a cooler full of ice and soft drinks. We find a comfortable place where we can sit and yak, drink the sodas, and shoot at the empty cans (or sometimes at full ones if the bets get interesting enough). Double Duce I like the handsome Cocobolo wood stocks on the Hunter model. Thumb safety, slide stop and magazine release button are positioned similary to those of the 1911-style autopistol making for familiar handling. Red Dot Deal I n previous columns I mentioned some of my favorite .22 revolvers and autopistols. Recently I got another one. I’ve borrowed and shot various versions of the Browning Buck Mark but never owned one. The one I bought is called the Hunter model, and what a nice pistol it is, for around $459. The Buck Mark has been a tremendous success for Browning, with 21 variations currently available. There are models for competition shooting, for hiking and camping, compact models, even models with slimmer grip frames for shooters with smaller hands. They are very well made, accurate, reliable, durable and dependable. And they are made in the USA. The Hunter model has a 7¼" barrel, adjustable rear sight and a Truglo/Marbles fiber optic front sight. It also has a scope base to accept Weaver-style rings, and is fitted with handsome Cocobolo wood stocks. It does have a gold-colored trigger, a feature which generally sets my nerves on edge, but at least trigger quality is good with a consistent 3½ pound break. Since the pistol came with a sight base I also ordered the Buck Mark Reflex sight. It offers a multitude of choices with seven brightness levels and four reticle pattern choices (3 MOA dot, circle and dot, crosshairs and dot, and — you knew it was coming — crosshairs, circle and dot. What really got me was the suggested retail price of $49.99. I didn’t see how a red dot sight could be made to sell at such a price, and still don’t. You’d think it would be flimsy and unreliable. Yet it seems to be well made; it mounted easily and solidly on the pistol; sight adjustments worked as advertised and permitted easy sighting in; and it has held up and maintained zero while firing a couple of bricks of ammo. Maybe a shotgun or .340 Weatherby would kick it to pieces in five shots. I suppose it’s my duty to find out. Well, maybe come fall I’ll stick it on an AR or The Buck Mark a shotgun. Right now it makes a perfect Hunter handled and combination with the Buck Mark Hunter balanced much like a full-size steel frame and I’m having too much fun to separate 1911. With its crisp trigger and the team. The Buck Mark Hunter shot very well, keeping most of its shots inside of an inch at 25 yards. he Hunter model doesn’t look much like a 1911-style auto, but it feels much the same. The grip angle and trigger reach feel the same, the safety and magazine release button are in the same locations, and at 38 ounces, weight is the same as a full-size steel 1911. Since 1911-style pistols are the design I shoot most, I like the familiar feel of the Hunter. Maybe when it comes time to get back to serious shooting, an accurate pistol which handles like a 1911 and shoots inexpensive .22 ammo will be a handy item. At least I’ve convinced myself it is. Dave Likes It good accuracy it was a pleasure to shoot and should be a good training tool once the time comes to get back to serious shooting. T * For more info: www.americanhandgunner.com/productindex WWW.AMERICAnhAnDGUnnER.COM • JAnUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 38


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The importance and efficacy of epigallocatechin and epicatechin
Posted: 25 October 2017 | Adeyinka T Aina, Ogunleye Adewale Joseph (Adekunle Ajasin University), Olumide K Inyang, Osuntokun Oludare Temitope | No comments yet
Plant extracts have been used in African folk medicine to treat a wide array of infections, especially in Nigeria, for centuries. This article considers the potential medicinal uses and efficacy of the flavonoids epigallocatechin and epicatechin, which can be extracted from the Spondias mombin plant.
Compounds such as saponin, alkaloids, polyphenols, glycosides and terpenes are present in Spondias mombin extracts. Epigallocatechin and epicatechin are flavonoids that are part of the polyphenol group. They were found in the Spondias mombin medicinal plant for the first time through isolation of active components but are also major constituents of tea, fruits and chocolate. Epigallocatechin and epicatechin have been extensively researched for their diverse actions on human health and as therapeutic agents in the treatment of various human infections, especially resistant emerging and re-emerging infections. They are potent antioxidants, with antiviral, antimalarial and anticarcinogenetic properties, among others. Frequent consumption of epigallocatechin and epicatechin has been proven to have health benefits.
They exhibit a promising future as a drug formulation that is cost-effective, highly biocompatible, and with low toxicity. Spondias mombin is a fructiferous tree found in Nigeria, Brazil and several other tropical forests in the world. This plant is common in the south-west of Nigeria (Yoruba region) and is commonly used in folk medicine. Various cultures maintain it in their collection of traditional medicine substances. Spondias mombin belongs to the family Anacardiacae; it grows in rainforest and coastal areas and can reach a height of 15-22m. The trunk has deep incisions in the bark that often produce a brown resinous substance. The leaves and flowers are at the end of the branches. Before the tree starts to flower, it strips itself of most of its leaves. The fruit, a 4cm-long oval yellow plum, has a leathery skin and a thin layer of fruit pulp with an exotic taste. It hangs in numerous clusters of more than a dozen on the tree. Very rich in vitamins B1 and C, the fruit mostly exists as an oval seed.1
Diverse health benefits
Epicatechin is a type of flavonoid which is mainly found in Spondias mombin green tea (Camellia sinensis) and dark chocolate. Polyphenols constitute 30-40% of the extractable solids from the dried stem bark. The main catechins present are epicatechin, and epigallocatechin.2 Epicatechins have proven diverse benefits to human health, reducing the risks of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Their pharmacological effects are anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, and cytoprotective. These flavonoids can be used as therapeutic agents individually or in combination with other synthetic drugs and antibiotics to produce a new generation of phytopharmaceuticals.
Epigallocatechin (EGC) is the most abundant, potent polyphenol and is responsible for most of the therapeutic benefits (either clinical, animal or cell culture studies) of Spondias mombin. It has various medicinal potentialities which include antimicrobial properties against resistant microorganisms, where it acts by either disrupting the cell membrane, inhibiting the biosynthesis of the cell constituents, disrupting cell signalling, or damaging DNA. Its most important antioxidant property is crucial in treating chronic diseases related to oxidative stress, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Research on this property revealed information about its cardiovascular and antihypertensive activity, which enables EGC to prevent platelet aggregation, lower cholesterol and inhibit lipid peroxidation.3
In in-vitro studies using an albino rat model, EGC lowers the risk of cancer development by binding to various key proteins, thus affecting the signalling pathways, followed by growth inhibition due to apoptosis or suppression of angiogenesis and metastasis.4 EGC can also slow brain ageing and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as demonstrated in mouse model studies.5 It shows anti-hypercholesterolaemic (anti-obesity) activity and promotes weight loss through fat oxidation.6 Animal studies have demonstrated that EGC is an efficient agent in preventing the development of type 1 and 2 diabetes.7 EGC increases lysosomal acidification, and regulates autophagy and lipid clearance in the liver due to its anti-steatotic property.4 EGC, in a dose-dependent manner, shows an anti-inflammatory property by reducing the release of cytokines/chemokines responsible for inflammation.8 Its anti-allergic property strongly inhibits activation of mast cells and expression of high-affinity IgE receptor.9
Epicatechins are effective scavengers of free radicals such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and superoxide. In a study on the effect of Spondias mombin extract in intoxication of the liver, the extract scavenged free radicals and protected the liver from oxidative stress that would have brought about hepatic carcinogenesis.10 Epicatechin and other polyphenols decrease the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation, which prevents the initiation of artherosclerosis.11 HIV proteins Tat and gp 120 are known to cause neurotoxicity in humans via mechanisms that activate macrophages and glial cells and, finally, oxidative stress. Epicatechins are neuroprotective because they block the neurotoxic effects of the HIV proteins that cause oxidative stress.10 Pre-treatment with epicatechin prior to exposure of gamma radiation prevents hepatic and testicular damage. Damage would be due to oxidative stresses produced by the formation of free radicals as a result of radiation. Epicatechin is radioprotective, especially to patients undergoing radiotherapy.11
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus that chronically infects about 160 million individuals. It is a member of the Flaviviridae family and is associated with life-threatening diseases like cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma.12 HCV infection can be spread via cell-to-cell transmission. Entry of virus is a multistep process which involves endocytosis and fusion of the viral membrane with the host membrane. EGC can prevent this cell-to-cell transmission due to its unique ability to inhibit the attachment of HCV and its entry into the host cell by impairment of virus binding to the cell, thereby preventing its RNA replication. Moreover, a single-dose concentration of EGC ranging from 50-1,600mg is sufficient to inhibit HCV and is safe for human volunteers.13 It is responsible for increasing the lipid droplet formation and impairment of lipoprotein secretion in hepatocytes, both of which are crucial for the life cycle of HCV.14
EGC affects each step of the HIV life cycle, from cell attachment, virus entry, replication cycle, to the expression of mRNA. It also interferes with RIGHT: Epigallocatechin virus infectivity by binding to the surface of the viral envelope and deforming the phospholipids, followed by lysis of the virus particle.15 The attachment of the gp120 envelope protein to the CD4 receptor on T-helper cells initiates the entry of HIV-1 into the host. EGC blocks the interaction of gp120 and CD4 and prevents the attachment of HIV-1 virions.16 This catechin inhibits reverse transcriptase (RT), which catalyses the conversion of RNA into DNA and integrase enzyme, which splice synthesised DNA into the host cell genome.15 EGC also inhibits viral production from infected cells and the level of expression of viral mRNA; it was able to alter the physical integrity and agglutinate the virus, preventing them from adsorbing on Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells.17 It also ceased the growth of influenza virus by inhibiting the acidification of intracellular compartments like endosomes, lysosomes, etc, and inhibited entry by binding to haemagglutinin.18
Another virus against which EGC exerts activity is the adenovirus, a non-enveloped virus composed of a nucleocapsid and a double-stranded linear DNA genome. Approximately 5-10% of upper respiratory infections in children are caused by this organism. Weber and co-workers concluded that EGC inactivated adenoviruses and inhibited the viral protease activity.18 It was found to be most effective during the transition from early to late phase of the infection and also inhibited the late stages of viral infection followed by its intracellular growth.18
In conclusion, epigallocatechin and epicatechin are proven to be nature’s extraordinary therapeutic agents. More time and attention should be spent on developing them as a sustainable drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of complications and diseases.
- Brown J, Arthur, J. Selenium, selenoproteins and human health: a review. Public Health Nutrition. 2001. (2B): 593-9.
- Nakayam M, Suzuki K, Toda M, Okubo S, Hara Y, Shimamura T. Inhibition of the infectivity of influenza virus by tea polyphenols. Antivir Res. 1993;21:289-299.
- Imanishi N, Tuji Y, Katada Y, Maruhashi M, Konosu S, Mantani N, Terasawa K, Ochiai H. Additional inhibitory effect of tea extract on the growth of influenza A and B viruses in MDCK cells. Microbiol Immunol. 2002;46:491-494.
- El-Beshbishy HA. Hepatoprotective effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract against tamoxifen- induced liver injury in rats. J Biochem Mol Biol. 2005;38(5):563-570.
- Song JM, Lee KH, Seong BL. Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus. Antivir Res 2005;68:66-74.
- Springbob K, Springbob K, Toni M. Introduction to the different classes of natural products. In Lanzotti, Virginia. 2009. Plant-derived Natural Products: Synthesis, Function and Application. Springer. P.3. ISBN 9780387854977.
- Kähkönen MP, Hopia AI, Vuorela HJ, Rauha JP, Pihlaja K, Kujala TS, et al. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts containing phenolic compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 1999;47:3954-62.
- Osakabe N, Babab S, Yasuda A, Iwamoto T, Kamiyama M, Takahisa T, Kondo K. Dose-response study of daily cocoa intake on the oxidative susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein in healthy human volunteers. J Health Sci. 2004;50(6):679-684
- Nath S, Bachani M, Harshavardhana D, Steiner JP. Catechins protect neurons against mitochondrial toxins and HIV proteins via activation of the BDNF pathway. J Neurovirol .2012; DOI 10.1007/s13365-012-0122-1.
- Huang Q, Wu LJ, Tashiro SI, Onodera S, Ikejima T. Elevated levels of DNA repair enzymes and antioxidative enzymes by (1)-catechin in murine microglia cells after oxidative stress. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2006;8:61-71.
- Lavanchy D. Evolving epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011:17:107-115.
- Calland N, Albecka A, Belouzard S, Wychowski C, Duverlie G, Descamps V et al. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a new inhibitor of hepatitis C virus entry. Hepatology. 2012;55:720- 9.
- Li L, Stillemark-Billton P, Beck C, Bostrom P, Andersson L, Rutberg M et al. Epigallocatechin gallate increases the formation of cytosolic lipid droplets and decreases the secretion of apoB-100 VLDL. J Lipid Res. 2006;47:67-77.
- Yamaguchi K, Honda M, Ikigai H, Hara Y, Shimamura T. Inhibitory effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antiviral Res. 2002;53:19-34.
- Kawai K, Tsuno NH, Kitayama J, Okaji Y, Yazawa K, Asakage M et al. Epigallocatechin gallate, the main component of tea polyphenol, binds to CD4 and interferes with gp120 binding. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112:951-957.
- Nakayama M, Suzuki K, Toda M, Okubo S, Hara Y, Shimamura T. Inhibition of the infectivity of influenza virus by tea polyphenols. Antiviral Res. 1993;21:289-299.
- Imanishi N, Tuji Y, Katada Y, Maruhashi M, Konosu S, Mantani N et al. Additional inhibitory effect of tea extract on the growth of influenza A and B viruses in MDCK cells. Microbiol Immunol. 2002;46:491-494.
- Weber JM, Ruzindana-Umunyana A, Imbeault L, Sircar S. Inhibition of adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins. Antiviral Res. 2003;58:167-173.
ADEYINKA T AINA is Innovation Fellow at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre, University of Limerick. He has extensive research experience in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. He did his doctoral training at the Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis at the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham.
OLUMIDE K INYANG is a graduate research fellow at the Centre for Biocomputing and Drug Development in Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria, where he recently completed his BSc degree in Biochemistry. He is interested in cancer therapeutics by deploying molecular biology and biocomputational tools.
OGUNLEYE ADEWALE JOSEPH is a graduate research fellow at the Centre for Biocomputing and Drug Development in Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria, where he recently completed his BSc degree in Microbiology. He majors in addressing health challenges posed by infectious agents by deploying molecular biology and bio-computational tools.
OSUNTOKUN OLUDARE TEMITOPE is a lecturer/ researcher in the Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Phyto-medicine, Pharmaceutical/Medical Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Dr Temitope is an editor for various journals and Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Cytology & Pathology.

domain: biology


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The gw.exe is a Guild Wars Game Client.
This file is part of Guild Wars. Gw.exe is developed by ArenaNet. Gw.exe is usually located in the C: sub-folder and its usual size is 6,906,752 bytes.
Author: ArenaNetProcess: Guild Wars Game ClientPart Of: Guild WarsCommon path(s): subfolder in C:
subfolder in %PROGRAM_FILES%Filesize(s): 6,906,752 bytes, 4,427,776 bytes, 6,210,432 bytes, 4,165,632 bytes, 3,653,632 bytes
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“The F-22s in general require regular coating maintenance but there haven’t been any with coatings flying off in the AOR that would require Lockheed Martin to develop a new coating”
As we have reported on Feb. 1, 2017, Lockheed Martin recently completed the first F-22 Raptor at the company’s Inlet Coating Repair (ICR) Speedline facility, where periodic maintenance is performed to maintain the special exterior coatings that contribute to the Raptor’s Very Low Observable (VLO) radar cross-section.
We also claimed that during ICRs Lockheed Martin applies a new, self-developed, more resistant radar-absorbing coating to F-22s who (as we have explained in a Dec. 6, 2016 post) were thought to have started to lose their radar absorbing coating during military operation in Syria.
But the reason why Lockheed Martin is performing ICRs on the U.S. Air Force (USAF) 5th Generation fighter is not currently linked to the issue the aircraft experienced in Syria.
In fact a source close to the F-22 Raptor program, who wishes to remain anonymous, explains that “The ICR’s that are currently being performed are for the oldest of the jets which are used to train new F-22 pilots. If you notice in the LM press release there is a quote from the 325th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander. The 325th Fighter Wing is home to the 43rd Fighter Squadron who owns the oldest non-test jets in the fleet with the oldest coatings that are now almost 15 years old. This is planned and scheduled maintenance that has been in the works for a few years and the speedline is to help take some of the load off of the depot. The improved coatings are part of the evolution the LO coatings continually go through to improve the life and performance.”
Moreover our source adds that “This isn’t in response any deployed issues. There have been jets down range but those have not been the jets that require ICR’s. At least not yet. The jets in general require regular coating maintenance but there haven’t been any with coatings flying off in the AOR that would require LM to develop a new coating.”
Finally our source explains that “Even though deployed Raptors do require coating maintenance, I can say with confidence that there was no coating issue beyond what we see with normal LO Mx. Coating performance before, during and after the deployment have remained the same. As valued of an asset as the Raptor is we would have had to pause Raptor operations if an issue would cause a compromise to its capabilities. It would have been a very big deal if that was the case considering how often we are requested by not only U.S. but partners nations also.”
Stay tuned for additional updates if further details on this story had to come to light.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com