A gripping fast-paced mystery where our hero is seeking one of her students that disappeared in China, and quickly becomes involved with the theft of ancient Chinese jade sculptures

Book jacket by Point Blank.

This gripping novel, The Chemical Reaction (Point Blank, 2020: Amazon US / Amazon UK) by Fiona Erskine is the second instalment in the Jaqueline Jaq Silver series and it starts, literally, with a BOOM. It picks up where the first novel, The Chemical Detective (my review), ended with our fearless hero, globe-trotting chemical engineer, Dr Jaqueline Silver, sailing the yacht, Good Ship Frankium, on the Black Sea with her lover, Giovanni. That yacht, which promptly sinks, was owned by her former boss, Frank Good, a ruthless corporate player who has trapped Jaq in a watertight contract that demands repayment for the cost of the boat, regardless of the fact a minor detail? that it was not seaworthy. At the same time, Jaq is already strapped for cash because she is paying hospice bills for her aging mother who is suffering from dementia.

Predictably, events escalate from there. Jaq, who is unemployed, is suddenly offered a high-paying contract that will solve her financial woes. Her potential benefactor, Sophie Clark, is the managing director of the joint venture company, Krixo. This company, which uses rare earth elements to develop superstrong magnets for wind turbines, batteries and other green energy technologies, is located in Shingbo, a mythical coastal town that lies south of Shanghai in Zhejiang province,China. Because tensions have recently arisen between Krixos joint venture partners, Sophie wants an expert to secretly investigate. Despite her money problems, Jaq is very reluctant to get involved with what appears to be corporate espionage.

Ive had enough of investigating dodgy companies. Ive put my friends in danger, and Im not doing it again. Give me a technical problem and Ill solve it, give me a project and Ill manage it, give me a team and Ill lead it, but no more mysteries, Jaq later complains privately (p. 89).

But someone has already been put in danger, as Jaq discovers, after one of her former students, who is Chinese, disappears shortly after she sent him a brief email query about Krixo.

So of course, Jaq accepts Sophies contract and goes to China. But things do not go well: not only can she not find her former student, but her translator and driver also disappear as does the entire Krixo factory. Whoa, whaaa..? How can an entire factory and all of its large and expensive equipment just ... disappear? In just a few days?

Meanwhile, at roughly the same time in London, the rare jade Lovers Cup, once the possession of Quinlong, the 18th century Qing dynasty emperor who was infamous for executing his enemies by slicing them to death with a thousand cuts, is sold for 10 million. When both the art auctioneer and a retired professor are murdered and their pets dismembered, these two eerily similar crimes raise troubling questions about potential connections. Further, is all this connected to the recent heists of Chinese treasures from museums in Durham, Stockholm and Lisbon? And what is the connection between ancient Chinese works of art and a joint venture green tech company located in China?

These questions and more are addressed by an intricate but plausible plot that skilfully weaves together fact and fiction along with plenty of high-octane action and mystery. I was especially impressed by the authors use of a character to provide a personal view of the 1975 Banqiao dam disaster as well as a glimpse into the tragically misguided Smash Sparrows campaign, which lasted from 1958 to 1962 both of which devastated farming communities and led to catastrophic famines in China. (You can even read a little more about the Chinese history mentioned in this novel in the 6-page Authors Note at the end.)

In addition to having a healthy imagination and a love of history, the author also relies on her real-life expertise as a chemical engineer to share some science with her readers, including some information about the 17 rare Earth elements (which really arent very rare) used by green energy technologies, and even venturing into describing a little human endocrinology.

As I read the book, I became intrigued by the chapter pages because each featured a different rare earth element. What could this possibly mean? After puzzling over this for a few hours, I tweeted my question to the author, and she replied:

Fiona Erskine via Twitter

Mystery solved. Both I and my many tiny color-coded post-it tabs peeking out from pages throughout the book were satisfied.

Overall, this unique and entertaining novel is a lot of fun. The plot is complex, intelligent and carefully developed and features just the right blend of suspense and mystery, explosions and gorgeous male strippers, theft of multi-million dollar artworks and five-star dining in interesting locations that will especially satisfy those suffering from cabin-fever. But be careful if you have a meeting in the morning: you may not be able to put this book down once youve started reading it!

Read the original:
The Chemical Reaction By Fiona Erskine Review - Forbes

I wish that I had known Roger Schmitz, the former dean of the Notre Dame chemistry department and later a vice-president and associate provost at the university.

He loved to run and was still winning his age group into his 70s even though he laughingly admitted he sometimes didnt have any opponents.

He threw snowballs at his three girls, the three Js Jan, Joy and Joni even when they were adults and coached them in softball, sometimes having to nudge them off the bench for their two-inning minimum in the field. He loved giving them nicknames.

He enjoyed a wide variety of music from Bobby Darins Mack the Knife to the English folk song Greensleeves, from Roger Millers King of the Road to the Notre Dame Fight Song, of course.

He collected 200 autographs of major league ballplayers when he was growing up in Carlyle, Ill. His collection included 22 Hall of Famers with names like Musial, DiMaggio and Robinson.

He died of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in October of 2013 while the World Series played soothingly by his bedside.

During his 78 years, Roger Schmitz knew how to live and love and then leave this world in both a courageous and dignified way.

I dont think I ever met anyone who didnt enjoy being around my father, says Jan Schmitz Mathew, Rogers oldest daughter. And he demonstrated the same incredible grace and presence when he was dying that he had shown throughout his life.

To honor her dad, Jan has written a book, Surrounded by Love: My Familys Journey Through ALS. It is available at corbybooks.com, Amazon and the Hammes Notre Dame Book Store.

It is about Rogers life with his wife, Ruth, and their three daughters and the battle they faced together against Lou Gehrigs disease that took him in just seven months.

When his diagnosis was confirmed, he wrote his daughters. Everything else has been ruled out. Thats a bummer but it doesnt surprise me There will be bumps ahead, but we can handle them as you know.

Yes, they knew. Their dad had never been about self-pity or bitterness. He accepted what he couldnt change and moved on just as he had during an earlier bout with bladder cancer.

But in not much more than a years time, Roger went from still being able to jog around the block to needing a walker and then a motorized wheelchair and finally a scooter he bonded with.

And he kept his quirky sense of humor, Jan says.

When he once banged his scooter into a doorway, Jan remembers him saying, Well &$$%, Roger. Do you think you could clobber the wall just one more time today?

He never built walls around himself, though. He never tried to push his family away and go it alone.

Love is costly, the Rev. Paul Doyle wrote in the foreword of Jans book. And when we love, we carry crosses with each other. On the day Roger died, his last words to his daughters Jan, Joy and Joni were I love my Js. They and his wife Ruth had carried this cross with him.

Surrounded by Love is the story of that sad yet sometimes sweet journey of this uncommon man.

Heres another story about the late great Chicago Bear star and Wakarusa resident Gale Sayers from reader Michael Myers:

Its 1995 or so, and my son Matthew and I are walking down the midway at the Elkhart County Fair and I see Gale Sayers, Michael recalls. He was by himself, nobody bothering him, so I decided to change that. We approached him and I apologized for bothering him.

He was very friendly and I told him I wanted my son, who played football, to meet the greatest Bears running back ever. He then said as he was shaking Matthews hand, Is Walter Payton here?

You gotta love a humble man like that.

Congrats to the whole town of Buchanan for garnering the top honor on Reader Digests list of The Nicest Places in America.

Yeah, Ive always thought Buchanan was pretty cool. A couple of my friends come from there even though they probably should have been kicked out of town.

The Redbud City earned the accolades because of its 150-year-old tradition of honoring our fallen veterans on Memorial Day a summer march for racial justice with police chief Tim Ganus joining in Red Bud Area Ministries, which helps so many of the less fortunate the Scarecrow Factory and the Buchanan Promise scholarship fund to name a few reasons.

Life is better here, is Buchanans motto, and its citizens seem to believe that. Buchanan is a very supportive community, says 27-year-old Megan Goodrich, who sets up donation boxes for the homeless, according to the article. If you have an idea and want to do something, theres bound to be people here who will try to help you figure out how to make it happen.

Buchanan obviously is a happening place and now Readers Digests nicest of nicest places, too.

I was trying to out-drive my wife on Studebaker Golf Courses seventh hole when a ball plunked down on the No. 9 green and rolled into the hole not 30 yards from us.

Then Tribune sports editor Mike Wanbaugh came whooping down the hill like a banshee. Our buddy Kirby Sprouls had just made a double eagle/hole-in- one on the 265-yard hole.

In the last year, Ive been in the vicinity of two of my buddies making aces at Studebaker. If you pay my way ha, ha (it costs only $6 for a senior to walk), Ill serve as your lucky charm.

But then Kirby had to come clean: OK, before anyone calls Sports Illustrated because it was a heckuva shot, if I say so myself it was a mulligan. My first tee shot was a little left and a little short. With no one behind us, I decided to hit a second tee shot. The rest is history. But if I dont come clean on the mulligan, I would owe Wanbaugh drinks from Hammer & Quill for the rest of my life.

Sadly, Wanbaugh is like that ha, ha. But as groundskeeper Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) said in Caddyshack, Its in the hole!

More here:
Notre Dame chemistry professor had the right formula for how to live and die - South Bend Tribune

In this second part of a two-episode series on the Nobel Prizes, we go into the Chemistry and Physics 2020 awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, for discovering one of gene technologys sharpest tools: the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors.

Also read our explainer on the Chemistry Nobel 2020:

And for physics, British mathematician-physicist Roger Penrose received half of this years prize for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity, as the the Nobel Committee put it. German Reinhard Genzel and American Andrea Ghez received the second half of the prize for the discovery of a supermassive compact object at the center of our galaxy. We explain the science behind both awards.

Also read our explainer on the Physics Nobel 2020:

Guest: T.V. Venkateshwaran, Science Communicator, Senior Scientist at Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.

Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu.

Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@thehindu.co.in

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Originally posted here:
Explaining the science behind the 2020 Nobel Prizes for Chemistry and Physics - The Hindu

Giovanni Reyna, left, and Erling Haaland have developed a special relationship on and off the pitch ... [+] (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

There might be just one American among thetop 5 most valuable players in Concacaf. But in terms of depth, the US men's national team is the deepest in the region with ten players in the UEFA Champions League this season. One of them is Borussia Dortmund star, Giovanni Reyna.

I think its so exciting for all of us to have so many Americans, even if were not all playing, in a good environment day in and day out," Reyna said in an interview with Bundesliga.com. "There are guys at Barca, guys at Juventus, guys here in Germany and of course Christian [Pulisic] in London. There are so many guys with the best players in the world, learning every day, and its still a young core group."

Reyna was signed by Borussia Dortmund in Jul. 2019. The 17-year-old had his first experience in the Bundesliga under Lucien Favre last season. This year he has been a crucial player for the Black and Yellows scoring one goal and four assists in the first three Bundesliga games.

Im growing up fast at the moment; there is a lot coming my way," Reyna said. "My mom is luckily here now, so she is able to help me with everything I need, but in terms of on the pitch and off the pitch, also there is a lot of stuff happening."

Reyna's biggest milestone was scoring his first Bundesliga goal. At the time, he was the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga historyJamal Musiala has since broken his record. His initial record almost escaped the young American. "No, I never really thought about it, but now that I think about it, two 17- year-olds that should be the youngest goal ever, so yeah, thats cool," Reyna said when asked about his record.

Giovanni Reyna scoring his first ever Bundesliga goal on matchday 1 of the season. (Photo by Alex ... [+] Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Being part of one of the most potent and young attacks in Europe helped Reyna to become quickly integrated in Germany. In fact, the American seems to have developed a special relationship with Norwegian star Erling Haaland, who regularly calls Reyna "the American dream" in post-game interviews.

I just think we came into the first team at the same time, obviously him getting bought from Salzburg and me getting promoted," Reyna said when asked about his relationship with Haaland. "Ever since then, we kind of looked at each other, saying we dont have as many friends as the other guys do, so we talked to each other right away and got along. On the pitch also, he kind of just told me what he likes, and I can play into his strengths, so he told me just to play the ball in behind, and I really saw his speed right away, and you can see its paying off. That chemistry is working, and I am just trying to make the whole teams life easy and especially his.

There were many teams interested in both Haaland and Reyna ahead of them, choosing Borussia Dortmund. Reyna stressed that joining Dortmund came down to various factors, including Christian Pulisic's previous presence at the club. More importantly, Dortmund's preference to play young players and their presence in the Champions League made were big factors.

As for the future, Real Madrid has been strongly linked to both Haaland and Reyna. But Borussia Dortmund is expected to sign Reyna to a new long-term contract soon. More medium-term expectations are that the 17-year-old will replace Sancho. As for the long-term, given his skill set, the sky appears to be the limit.

Manuel Veth is the editor-in-chief of theFutbolgrad Networkand the Area Manager USA atTransfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler,Pro Soccer USA,and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter:@ManuelVeth

See the rest here:
Reyna On Playing With Haaland: The Chemistry Is Working - Forbes

OXFORD, OHIO SEPTEMBER 28: The Buffalo Bulls huddle up during a timeout in the game against Miami of Ohio RedHawks at Yager Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) In the most unprecedented college football season to date, almost nothing is typical or normal about the way teams go about their everyday preparation.

UB Football knows that all too well. After an COVID-19 outbreak hit 25 student-athletes in the athletics program, the team had to postpone practice for a few days before being able to start fall practice. Now, with almost two full weeks of practice under their belts, the Bulls are rolling with the punches of this abnormal season already.

Right now, weve had our fair share of things that have happened here, and our players have done a great job. When you look at some of the things that have transpired nationally with higher profile programs and players and coaches, its possible. Thats the reality that you have to deal with, UB Football Head Coach Lance Leipold said. I think you just have to be honest with yourself and do the best you can to find a way to get these guys to play football, but youve got to be ready.

Theres a lot of erasing or deleting of plans or you better have multiple plans ready to go to try and find a way to make it happen. I think from the early things is that our conference is on a good path to get this thing kicked off.

With daily COVID testing and working on opposite sides of the field throughout practice, head coach Lance Leipold says so far, the toughest obstacle the Bulls have had to face is a lack of team chemistry.

Right now the only time were able to have position meetings within our field house is on our non-testing days. Our schedule is between people coming into be tested and going through results and all those things, its been difficult, Leipold said.

Our coaches use things like Zoom to record notes and send it, and its all virtual. But when you do things virtually or sending information out, its harder to know if its being absorbed, if its being read, all of those things.

You have to have blind trust that our young men are doing everything, but were also trying to be as thorough as we can. Were working through it pretty well, our seniors have been outstanding, Leipold said. The routine is getting better for us to understand.

Knowing that this could be an issue, Leipold and the other Bulls coaches tried to integrate the entire team during Zoom meetings all the way back at the beginning of quarantine to try and get a head start on team cohesion for the 2020 season.

We do some things differently to try to break us out of just our position group, but youre looking at different boxes and youre able to interact differently, and we hope that has helped some, Leipold said. Weve tried to do some things differently, even in the locker room how weve organized the locker room to try to get players to interact more with other players in other positions. Were hoping were taking that. Were all playing with the same rules that started when we got going, you dont want a bunch of excuses or reasons why things didnt go right, and I dont want team cohesion to be one of those. Well be sure were where we wanted to be when we head to DeKalb, Illinois.

More here:
Bulls tackling tough task of creating team chemistry with COVID restrictions - WIVB.com - News 4

Through a simple process of heating and cooling, New York University researchers have created a new crystal form of deltamethrina common insecticide used to control malariaresulting in an insecticide that is up to 12 times more effective against mosquitoes than the existing form.

The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), may provide a much-needed and affordable insecticide alternative in the face of growing resistance among mosquitoes.

The use of more active crystal forms of insecticides is a simple and powerful strategy for improving commercially available compounds for malaria control, circumventing the need for developing new products in the ongoing fight against mosquito-borne diseases, said Bart Kahr, professor of chemistry at NYU and one of the studys senior authors.

Improvements in malaria control are needed as urgently as ever during the global COVID-19 crisis, added Kahr. The number of deaths from malaria in Africa this year is projected to double as a result of coronavirus-related disruptions to supply chains. We need public health measures to curtail both infectious diseases, and for malaria, this includes more effective insecticides.

Malaria is a major public health challenge worldwide, with more than 200 million cases and 400,000 deaths reported each year. Insecticides such as deltamethrin can prevent the spread of diseases carried by mosquitoes and are often sprayed indoors and on bed nets. However, mosquitoes are increasingly becoming resistant to insecticides, leaving researchers and public health officials searching for alternatives with new modes of action.

Many insecticides, including deltamethrin, are in the form of crystalsthe research focus for Kahr and fellow NYU chemistry professor Michael Ward. When mosquitoes step on insecticide crystals, the insecticide is absorbed through their feet and, if effective, kills the mosquitoes.

As part of their research on crystal formation and growth, Kahr and Ward study and manipulate insecticide crystals, exploring their alternative forms. In their PNAS study, the researchers heated the commercially available form of deltamethrin to 110C/230F for a few minutes and let it cool to room temperature; this resulted in a new crystallized form of deltamethrin, composed of long, tiny fibers radiating from a single point.

Link:
Chemists Create New Crystal Form of Insecticide, Boosting Its Ability to Fight Mosquitoes and Malaria - NYU News

EWG Petitions EPA To Fine Chemical Maker More Than $400M for Failure To Report Tests

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

WASHINGTON Solvay Specialty Chemicals failed for up to eight years to report animal and humantests showing the health hazards of one or more of the fluorinated forever chemicals known as PFAS, the Environmental Working Group charged today in a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency. For multiple violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act, EWG asked the EPA to levy civil and criminal fines totaling $434 million.

EWGs petition alleges that in 2005, Solvay obtained test results showing that its new PFAS chemical was just as toxic as a fluorinated compound it was meant to replace DuPonts PFOA, used to make Teflon. That year, acting on a petition from EWG, DuPont was fined a then-record $10.25 million for failing to disclose PFOA toxicity studies. DuPont and other companies, including Solvay, subsequently agreed to phase it and similar compounds out by 2015 through the PFOA Stewardship Program.

Yet EPA documents show that Solvay failed until 2011 to report results of tests on two variants of the replacement chemical, chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylate. Solvays tests, which found no level of the compound that did not harm rats, were made public only two months ago, when Solvay said it was phasing out the chemical and therefore the toxicity information was no longer proprietary.

In 2019, Solvay submitted a document to the EPA that showed it had been testing its workers blood since at least 2011, and knew that the chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylate compounds were building up in their bodies. The lengthy gaps between when the two rounds of tests were conducted and when they were reported more than five years for the rat study and eight years for the worker study violate the TSCA rule that requires immediate filing when a company becomes aware of a substantial risk.

Solvay may have hindered the EPAs ongoing PFAS assessments and put public health at great risk, said EWG President Ken Cook. We suspect that Solvay deliberately kept these damning toxicity studies from the EPA a serious violation of federal law that requires companies to immediately report any evidence they uncover that a chemical may pose a substantial health hazard.

The gaps between the tests and Solvays reporting of them was first noticed by EWG Senior Scientist David Andrews, Ph.D., in his examination of EPA documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

Were asking the EPA to investigate Solvay for apparently hiding test results that show their replacement PFAS chemical is as toxic and bioaccumulative as PFOA or PFNA, Andrews said, referring to a similar compound included in the 2005 phaseout agreement. Solvay kept its lab reports secret while at the same time publicly participating in the EPAs PFOA Stewardship Program, which was intended to end the use of toxic and bioaccumulative PFAS. Hiding this data likely enabled and prolonged the use of PFAS, significantly endangering human health and the environment.

PFOA, PFNA and other long chain PFAS are calledforever chemicalsbecause they do not break down in the environment. Some have been linked to cancer,reproductive and developmental harms, andreduced effectiveness of vaccines.Solvays chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylate compounds are among the short chain chemicals the chemical industry claims are less harmful, although some studies show they may be just as bad.

Although the severity of the hazards caused by newer PFAS replacements, such as the chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates, is unknown, the EPA must have all the relevant toxicity data in order to accurately assess the health risks posed by these chemicals, said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president for science investigations at EWG. The health studies for every PFAS compound should be made public. Confidentiality claims that hide a chemicals identity are a public health threat. Each time we look for these forever chemicals, we find them.

A peer-reviewed study by EWG researchers estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic PFAS in their drinking water at a concentration of 1 part per trillion, or ppt, or higher. Independent scientific studies have recommended a safe level for PFAS in drinking water of 1 ppt, a standard endorsed by EWG.

There is no national requirement for ongoing testing and no national drinking water standard for any PFAS in drinking water. The EPA has issued an inadequate lifetime health advisory level of 70 ppt for the two most notorious fluorinated chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, and although the EPA has made a final determination to set drinking water standards, that effort will take many years.

EWGs petition asks the EPA to enforce the provisions in TSCA that call for mandatory and timely reporting of health studies. Reflecting the severity of Solvays failure for more than five years to submit the results from the 2005 rat study showing that its replacement is more toxic than PFOA and PFNA, EWG recommends that the manufacturer pay the maximum penalties called for under TSCA a criminal fine of $102.5 million and a civil fine of $76.875 million. For Solvays eight-year delay in reporting the worker studies, EWG also recommends the maximum penalties of a $146 million criminal fine and a $109.5 million civil fine.

###

The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.

Read more:
For Years, Solvay Kept Tests Secret Showing Health Hazards of 'Forever Chemical' - Environmental Working Group

Posted: Feb 11, 2021 / 12:36 PM HST / Updated: Feb 11, 2021 / 02:27 PM HST

HONOLULU (KHON2) Par Hawaii Refining has been fined $219,638 over chemical safety and hazardous waste violations at its oil refining facilities in Kapolei.

[Hawaii news on the goLISTEN to KHON 2GO weekday mornings at 7:30 a.m.]

On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements with the company for violating the federal Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act at its oil refining facilities on Malakole and Komohana Streets.

We are acting to ensure that oil refining facilities reduce the risk of releases of toxic substances, and properly store, manage and dispose of hazardous wastes to protect local communities and the environment,Amy Miller, EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Director of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said in a news release.

As part of the settlement, Par Hawaii must carry out changes to reduce the risk of chemical accidents at its Malakole Street facility where EPA inspectors found violations of prevention requirements in 2019. These included process safety errors and operating procedures that were unclear and not current, such as an outdated emergency shutdown operating procedure in the control room.

The company must also conduct sampling at its Komohana Street facility to determine whether improper management of hazardous wastes contaminated local soil. In 2018, EPA inspectors found that the facility improperly managed hazardous waste from its refinery processes. They also documented an oily residue being released onto an unlined asphalt pad and into nearby soil.

As an energy company and critical part of Hawaiis energy infrastructure, we strive to conduct business in a safe and environmentally protective manner, Peter Boylan, Par Hawaiis Director of Government & Public Affairs for Par Hawaii, said in response to EPAs news release. We are pleased to have resolved the EPAs concerns regarding certain alleged documentation deficiencies at our Par West Refinery, as well as the alleged release at our Par East Refinery, and refer you to the respective Consent Agreements for further details. While we disagree with the EPAs assertions, these two settlements resolve this matter for the benefit of all parties, and we look forward to continuing our support of the states transition to its clean energy goals.

This settlement is part of EPAs National Compliance Initiative: Reducing Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities. Click here to learn more.

See original here:
Kapolei oil refining facilities fined over chemical safety, hazardous waste violations - KHON2

Katie MackAllen Lane2020 | 240pp | 20ISBN 9780241372333

Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

It can be difficult impossible even to truly comprehend the sheer scale of the cosmos. It is so vast and ancient that trying to imagine the science holding it all together can be overwhelming to our tiny human minds, and contemplating its eventual conclusion is yet more mind-boggling still.

Such is the task faced by Katie Macks The End of Everything. The book sets out to explain how the universe became, and the various ideas we currently have of how it might one day, someday, come to its end. For each of the five universe-ending scenarios, Mack explains what it would entail, why we think its a possibility and how we obtained the data that led us to that conclusion. All of this is simplified down to a level that is at least somewhat more accessible to the average reader than the quantum mechanics and general relativity that are actually going on in the background.

As dark and depressing as the subject matter might seem, Mack sells it brilliantly. Its always enjoyable to hear someone talk about something theyre passionate about, and its obvious on every page that Mack adores the field she works in. Even in places where her explanations become bogged down in dense calculations and theories, her enthusiasm for the science shes discussing is front and centre, and it can be infectious regardless of your actual interest in the particular topic. Combined with Macks humour and the way the book talks directly to the reader, the overall impression is a very friendly, engaging experience that carries any sections that may be too in-depth for the casual reader.

Mack has also taken care to be extremely honest in her summary of the current science. In areas where our collective human understanding of the universe is insufficient, she takes the time to explain our best guesses, how we came to make them and why we cant currently be sure what the actual solution is. For other topics where we have a better understanding of things, the book not only explains current theories, but also how we were able to figure them out. As a result, readers end up with a much clearer idea of the principles being discussed and how they can start to fit into the wider picture.

That being said, this isnt a book I would recommend to anyone who doesnt already have a grasp of general scientific principles. Mack does a fantastic job of explaining some very complex science in a way that is understandable to a non-cosmologist, but to do so she largely skips past explaining more basic concepts like atomic structure, excited states and the four fundamental forces of nature.

Beyond that, if you enjoy contemplating your own insignificance in the face of an uncaring universe or, perhaps, marvelling at the sheer power of the cosmos, this is definitely worth a read.

This book features in our book club podcast, which you can listen tohere.

More here:
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) | Review - Chemistry World

Following years of negotiations and missed deadlines, the United Kingdom reached agreement with the European Union on post-Brexit trade on December 24 2020. A sigh of relief for industry as we move into 2021 as there will be no new tariffs with respect to chemicals traded between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom will carry on with the independent chemicals regulatory regime, doubling compliance efforts and cost for industry. This alert provides a brief overview of the deals provisions in relation to chemicals (sold on their own or present in mixtures and articles) and answers some outstanding questions on UK REACH which comes into force on January 1 2021.

Technical Barriers to Trade for Chemicals

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom (TCA) agreed on Christmas Eve will provisionally apply from January 1 2021. Though now ratified by the UK parliament, the agreement must still be ratified by all EU Member States. The information in this alert is based on the draft TCA published on December 26 2020 (here). Despite its length, in many areas the TCA does not provide full details of the new relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom, but rather establishes the basis for new rules and regulations.

The level of cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom varies between industries. Part 2 of the TCA covers trade in goods and addresses product regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, referred to as technical barriers to trade (TBTs), including regulation of chemicals (Annex TBT-3). In relation to chemicals, the TCA falls short of the level of cooperation seen in other areas (for example for medicinal products, where the TCA provides for mutual recognition of Good Manufacturing Practice, inspections and certificates).

From January 1 2021, the United Kingdom and the European Union will operate independent TBTs and will have two separate and independent chemical regulatory systems, which will give rise to additional barriers to trade. The provisions in Chapters 4 contain commitments from each party that aim to minimise disruption caused by TBTs on trade through various measures, for example by providing for TBTs to be based on international standards. In the case of chemicals, both the European Union and the United Kingdom agree to recognise that international organisations and bodies (such as the OECD) are relevant for developing scientific and technical guidelines with respect to chemicals.

The Old New UK REACH

As already discussed in detail in our previous alert, the domestic chemicals regime that will operate in the United Kingdom from January 1 2021 will be known as UK REACH (although it only applies in Great Britain as Northern Ireland will remain within the scope of EU REACH. References to UK and UK-based entities should therefore be read as excluding Northern Ireland) and HSE will take over the role of ECHA as the UK chemicals regulator. Companies wishing to supply chemicals to both the European Union and the United Kingdom will need to comply with both sets of regulations.

Guidance on UK REACH from HSE has been lacking in practical details. The IT system replacing REACH-IT in the UK (Comply with UK REACH) has been tested by a limited number of industry members but will go live on January 1 2021, leaving no time for companies to familiarise themselves with the platform before they need to use it. HSE also held a few webinars and prepared a draft Q&A document on UK REACH, however it has only been circulated amongst select industry members, not the wider public.

Fortunately, UK regulators recognise that there is a high level of uncertainty due to information not being made available to industry in advance and intend to take pragmatic and proportionate enforcement as the new rules take effect (as noted by HSE in their webinar address to chemicals industry on 16 December).

Below we explore some issues which caused the greatest amount of confusion to industry members and that have been clarified by UK regulatory authorities since our previous alert.

Who can Appoint an Only Representative?

HSEs draft Q&A states that non-UK suppliers of chemicals to UK-based entities can appoint an Only Representative (OR) in the United Kingdom to fulfil their UK REACH importer responsibilities.

Whilst industry members understand the term suppliers includes chemicals manufacturers as well as traders and distributors, Article 8 UK REACH specifies that only manufacturers and formulators of substances (on their own or in mixtures) or producers of articles can appoint an OR. We have also received confirmation from HSE that the term supplier does not include traders and distributors.

Therefore, OR appointment will not be an option for any non-UK traders and distributors (such as EU REACH registered importers) wishing to supply products to UK-based customers. These suppliers will need to either rely on their customers fulfilling the role of UK REACH importers, or set up a UK subsidiary to act as the UK REACH importer and take responsibility for import.

Who can Carry Out Downstream Users Notifications (DUINs)?

UK REACH contains transitional provisions for existing UK-based downstream users of EU REACH registered substances. UK-based downstream users can notify HSE by submitting a downstream user notification (DUIN) through the Comply with UK REACH IT system.

A non-UK manufacturer, formulator or article producer can also appoint an OR to submit the DUINs on behalf of the relevant UK downstream users who become importers under UK REACH. This absolves the actual downstream users of the need to notify when an OR has done so on their behalf. However, it is not possible for an EU REACH registered importer (or any other third country exporter of substances to the United Kingdom that is not a manufacturer) to submit a DUIN on behalf of their UK-based customers to HSE directly.

Therefore, non-UK traders and distributors who cannot appoint an OR will need to rely on their UK-based customers notifying HSE or, if they wish to retain control over UK REACH compliance, will need to set up a UK subsidiary to act as the UK REACH importer.

What is the Process for New UK REACH Registrants?

HSEs publicly available guidance is most lacking in relation to the process for the new UK REACH registrants (i.e. either first time UK REACH importers/manufacturers or UK-based importers established specifically for complying with UK REACH). UK REACH transitional provisions only cover existing supply chains from the European Union into the United Kingdom and there are no transitional provisions available for new UK REACH importers or manufacturers.

If a UK-based company manufactures or imports a substance for the first time after the end of the transition period (i.e. from January 1 2021) and they establish that they have a registration obligation, then a registration under UK REACH will be required prior to manufacture/import reaching 1 tonne per year. There are no staggered registration deadlines similar to those provided by EU REACH when it first came into force.

As explained in our previous alert, in principle the UK REACH registration process will be very similar to the one under EU REACH. The first step in registering a new substance under UK REACH will be submitting an Article 26 inquiry to HSE. This will be done using the Comply with UK REACH IT system which will go live on January 1 2021.

Following a successful inquiry, new UK REACH registrants will be put in contact with any other registrants of the substance, including those who have grandfathered their existing EU registration into UK REACH, with a view to sharing data and making a joint submission. However, there is no legal requirement to form a substance information exchange forum (SIEF) under UK REACH.

If the substance has not been grandfathered, then legally the inquirer will need to prepare a dossier of information on the
substance depending on the tonnage band before manufacture/import of 1 tonne or more per annum can commence. This is the case even where there is a new registrant of an existing substance (i.e. there are grandfathered registrants) but the group has not fully formed with respect to data-sharing/joint submission.

Before the UK Government announced its plans to extend the full registration deadlines to October 27 2023, 2025 and 2027 (depending on tonnage band and hazard properties), we understand HSEs intention was to use the Technical Completeness Check (TCC) process provided in Articles 20(2) and 21 of UK REACH to formally flag potential dossiers as incomplete and set a deadline for completion to coincide with the deadlines for grandfathering registrants and former downstream users. Placing on the market of substances with incomplete UK REACH registrations would have been allowed during this period (unless HSE specified otherwise) and the new UK REACH registrants could have joined any joint submission in a similar way to those that are grandfathering EU REACH registrations or utilising the DUIN process. However, the extension to the transitional deadlines meant that such an option would leave the new registrants being unable to provide their customers with UK REACH registrations for a significant length of time, as no pre-registration phase is foreseen under UK REACH.

HSE is currently looking at the policy implications of such an option (i.e. utilising TCC), but this issue is certainly not getting resolved before the end of the transition period, leaving new UK REACH importers or manufacturers in uncertainty with respect to how quickly they will need to UK REACH register.

In Conclusion

Whilst the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement prevents the extreme disruption that could have been caused by a no-deal Brexit, it does not substantially reduce the compliance costs and efforts that will be required from the chemicals industry. Any companies supplying chemicals to the United Kingdom will be required to familiarise themselves and comply with the new UK regulatory regime. HSE is aware of the issues and uncertainty surrounding the practical implementation of UK REACH and it is expected that the UK regulator will be receptive to industry feedback as companies venture into the New REACH Year.

[View source.]

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Pragmatic and Proportionate Enforcement Expected for Future Chemical Regulation in the United Kingdom Post-Brexit - JD Supra

What GAO Found

Eight federal programs addressing chemical safety or security from four departments or agencies that GAO reviewed contain requirements or guidance that generally align with at least half of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 18 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program standards. At least 550 of 3,300 (16 percent) facilities subject to the CFATS program are also subject to other federal programs. Analyses of CFATS and these eight programs indicate that some overlap, duplication, and fragmentation exists, depending on the program or programs to which a facility is subject. For example,

The departments and agencies responsible for all nine of these chemical safety and security programsfour of which are managed by DHS, three by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and one each managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Transportation (DOT)have previously worked together to enhance information collection and sharing in response to Executive Order 13650, issued in 2013. This Executive Order directed these programs to take actions related to improving federal agency coordination and information sharing.

However, these programs have not identified which facilities are subject to multiple programs, such that facilities may be unnecessarily developing duplicative information to comply with multiple programs. Although CFATS allows facilities to use information they prepared for other programs, CFATS program guidance does not specify what information facilities can reuse. Finally, DHS and EPA leaders acknowledged that there are differences between CFATS requirements and the security requirements for public water systems and wastewater treatment facilities, but they have not assessed the extent to which potential security gaps may exist. By leveraging collaboration established through the existing Executive Order working group, the CFATS program and chemical safety and security partners would be better positioned to minimize unnecessary duplication between CFATS and other programs and better ensure the security of facilities currently subject to fragmented requirements.

Facilities with hazardous chemicals could be targeted by terrorists to inflict mass casualties or damage. Federal regulations applicable to chemical safety and security have evolved over time as authorizing statutes and regulations established programs for different purposes, such as safety versus security, and with different enforcement authorities. GAO has reported that such programs may be able to achieve greater efficiency where overlap exists by reducing duplication and better managing fragmentation.

GAO was asked to review issues related to the effects that overlap, duplication, and fragmentation among the multiple federal programs may have on the security of the chemical sector. This report addresses the extent to which (1) such issues may exist between CFATS and other federal programs, and (2) the CFATS program collaborates with other federal programs. GAO analyzed the most recent available data on facilities subject to nine programs from DHS, EPA, ATF, and DOT; reviewed and analyzed statutes, regulations, and program guidance; and interviewed agency officials.

GAO is making seven recommendations, including that DHS, EPA, ATF, and DOT identify facilities subject to multiple programs; DHS clarify guidance; and DHS and EPA assess security gaps. Agencies generally agreed with six; EPA did not agree with the recommendation on gaps. GAO continues to believe it is valid, as discussed in the report.

For more information, contact Nathan Andersonat (206) 287-4804 or AndersonN@gao.gov.

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Chemical Security: Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security Gaps - Government Accountability...

New York, NY, Dec. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) honored DuPont and Thermo Fisher Scientific, along with those companies leaders, for exemplifying the good works of chemical engineering at its 2020 Virtual Gala, held December 10. For the first time, the annual fundraiser was presented online, as a measure against COVID-19. The online platform enabled the gala presentation to reach and include a broader audience.

DuPont was recognizedfor leadership in the developing ofinnovative sustainable products, and for the companys 2030 Sustainability Goals, which align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.The honor for DuPont was accepted by Edward D. Breen, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Thermo Fisher Scientific was honored for leadership in addressing global health care challenges, in particular for the companys leadership in bringing government and industry groups together to accelerate access to COVID-19 testing and vaccine development. Thermo Fisher Scientifics Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Marc N. Casper,accepted the award on behalf of the company.

In accepting the award, Breen saidthe need for chemical engineers, and the value of the AIChE organization, is more evident than ever as we face the threats to our health and economy from COVID-19. At DuPont, we believe in the power of science and engineering to solve and scale solutions for the pandemic and many other challenges that face our world and Im honored to accept this award on behalf of all our employees.

Casper thanked AIChE for recognizing Thermo Fisher Scientific, and lauded the scientific community for its extraordinary response in advancing solutions for the current health crisis. Weve made great strides thanks to the innovation and tenacity of scientists and chemical engineers, said Casper, and we at Thermo Fisher are proud to support this work. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. And our response to the pandemic is the most profound example of how we fulfill it each and every day.

The gala also honored S. Shariq Yosufzai,retired Vice President of Global Diversity at Chevron Corporation,who received the AIChE Foundations Doing a World of Good Medal, a prize that recognizes the achievements of an individual who has advanced the societal contributions of engineers.Yosufzai was cited for his leadership in creating a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce within Chevron and across the chemical engineering community.

Yosufzai expressed his appreciation to others who had influenced him as an advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in industry and across institutions. I am deeply honored and also humbled to accept this award not only on my behalf but on behalf of many people and many organizations that have inspired me in this journey, Yosufzai said.

Another highlight was the announcement of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) by Mark Vergnano, Chief Executive Officer at Chemours and founding chair of FOSSI. A collaboration of AIChE, the American Chemistry Council, Chemours Company, and HBCU Week Foundation, the initiative will provide scholarships, create internships, and facilitate mentorship and leadership training for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).FOSSIs first year goal is to underwrite 150 STEM scholars at an investment of $7.2 million.

In announcing FOSSI,AIChE Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer June Wispelwey stated It is a privilege to partner with the Chemours Company, the American Chemistry Council and theHBCU WeekFoundationin the launch of FOSSI. Together, we are working towards the goal to support countless underrepresented students in pursuing careers in STEM. We look forward to having additional industry partners join us.

The 2020 AIChE Virtual Gala raised approximately $550,000 to underwrite programs to attract and retain students from underrepresented segments of the population to the STEM professions.

The annual gala supports transformative priorities of the AIChE Foundation and its Doing a World of Good campaign, which focus on advancing chemical engineering and bringing that expertise to bear for the good of society. To date, the campaign has raised more than $26 million toward those objectives.

The 2020 Virtual Galas dinner chairs were Erin Kane, President and Chief Executive Officer, AdvanSix Inc; Paul G. Parker, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Daryl Roberts, Chief Operations and Engineering Officer, DuPont; John Televantos, Senior Partner, Arsenal Capital Partners; and Michael P. Thien,Senior Vice President, Merck & Company. Inc.

For more information about AIChEs 2020 Virtual Gala, its honorees and supporters, visit http://www.aiche.org/gala.

# # #

About AIChE:

AIChE is a professional society of more than 60,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available atwww.aiche.org.

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American Institute of Chemical Engineers Celebrates Organizations and Leaders for Doing a World of Good - GlobeNewswire

Scientists have broken the rules of enzyme engineering to unlock a new method for creating chemical reactions that could unlock a wide range of new applications from creating new drugs to food production.

In their paper published recently in Nature Catalysis, Professor Francesca Paradisi and Dr. Martina Contente of the University of Nottingham and the University of Bern show a new method to produce chemical molecules more efficiently through a new one step reaction in the enzyme.

We have demonstrated how a very simple mutation in one of the key residues of a useful enzyme has dramatically expanded its synthetic scope, enabling the use of the mutant variant in the preparation of challenging chemical molecules, as well as natural metabolites that are vital in many biological processes in the body.

Professor Paradis, Professor of Biocatalysis in the School of Chemistry in Nottingham

Any textbook on enzymes will report on how the catalytic amino acids in any given enzyme family are highly conserved, they are in fact a signature of the type of chemistry an enzyme can do. Variations do occur and in some cases, if the replacing amino acid is similar, both can be found in significant proportion in Nature, but others can be much less common and are found only in a limited number of species.

In this study we have explored an untouched area of enzyme engineering and modified the a key catalytic residue in the active site of an enzyme adds Professor Paradisi, Previously it was thought that doing this would cause a loss of activity of the enzyme but we have found this is not the case when this biocatalyst is used in a synthetic direction and in fact challenging but very useful molecules can now be made under mild conditions which could be easily scaled up and replicated commercially for use in a wide range of products.

To change the substrate scope of an enzyme the approach has generally been to mutate the residues involved in substrate recognition, whether through rational design or directed evolution, leaving always untouched the catalytic ones.

The mutant variant of an acyl transferase enzyme was rapidly created and while the native biocatalyst would work with alcohols and linear amines, the mutant work with thiols and much more complex amines too. The research demonstrated that indeed the new variant has lost the ability to hydrolyse esters, but for synthetic applications, where an ester or other functional groups need to be made (thioesters and amides) and not cleaved, this is in fact a major advantage.

We have had fantastic feedback on this study from the scientific community as it is providing a new tool for chemistry that can be applied to a wide range of molecular reactions. The fact that it is a very stable reaction created without the need for specific conditions mean it has the potential for a low cost commercial application in the production of new pharmaceuticals. We believe we have unlocked a new combination in the catalytic triads which nature seem to have disfavoured, possibly to tighten the control on reactivity, but that for a chemist could be a real goldmine.

Dr. Martina Contente

Reference: A strategic Ser/Cys exchange in the catalytic triad unlocks an acyltransferase-mediated synthesis of thioesters and tertiary amides by Martina L. Contente, David Roura Padrosa, Francesco Molinari and Francesca Paradisi, 30 November 2020, Nature Catalysis.DOI: 10.1038/s41929-020-00539-0

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Breaking the Rules of Chemistry Unlocks New Reaction With Applications From Creating New Drugs to Food Production - SciTechDaily

However, the headlines were few and far between. Their individual dispositions were exemplified by the lack of chemistry between the two of them during the last session of Facebook's Fuel for India 2020 conference. In fact, it seemed like the two of them didnt know each other as well as business partners should, considering the massive amount of money Facebook has invested in Jio.

Both Ambani and Zuckerberg praised each other and asked questions that, one would suppose, would have been addressed before the investment was made. The chat between Microsoft chief Satya Nadella and Ambani was a bit more free-flowing than this one. But that was also before the pandemic and they were sitting next to each other.

The entire transcript of their conversation, which lasted over 40 minutes, was around 11 pages long. We, at Business Insider India, have shrunk the tete-a-tete down to the most important things that you need to know.

Here are some of the highlights from the conversation between Ambani and Zuckerberg on December 15:

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I'm curious to hear how your company adapted to help you move forward in the midst of this pandemic.

Ambani: [Ambani spoke a lot about what the government, the Reliance Foundation and his teams had contributed to the COVID relief efforts before answering how he sees the current situation in India.] Mark, sometimes I wonder that if the pandemic had struck India just four or five years earlier, we would have not been in as good a shape as what we are today. With all the connectivity we have, and the credit for that must go to our Prime Minister's Digital India vision, where he motivated the entire industry to roll out broadband in the first five years of his first term.

[..]And, I believe, Mark, that our actions will speak louder than our words in the coming months and years time here.

So, I'm curious what role do you see technology, playing in this post COVID world? Especially as it relates to all of these small businesses that I know you share a passion with me that is just critical that we serve them.

Ambani: Absolutely, Mark. And, let me point out a very unique feature about our partnership. Perhaps, not many people have understood this, but before this partnership I believe that each one of us was mainly a communication platform.

And, let me explain this very simply, Whatsapp has hundreds of millions of subscribers in India Jio has hundreds of millions of subscribers in India. Jio Mart, which is our retail service, actually has the aspiration of serving tens of millions of small shopkeepers in India, who are the bedrock of employment.

So, what does this mean? This means Jio brings digital connectivity. WhatsApp, now with WhatsApp brings digital interactivity and the ability to move to close transactions and create value. And, Jio Mart brings the unmatched online and offline retail opportunity that gives our small shops, which exist in villages and small towns in India, a chance to digitize and be at par with anybody else in the world.

Ambani: Well, as I mentioned to you, Mark. I really see India accelerating as a premier digital society. I see us integrating 5G.

[...]And, I think that in a span of 10 years, we can set for ourselves an objective to really reskill India and the talent that you talked about can improve 10x. Today, you're just seeing the creamy layer. But, that's what technology can do to really make a better India in a better world.

[..]And, that is why I think that the next two decades are going to be historic in terms of the social and economic transformation.

As you said, now, I cant imagine going through the pandemic 10 years ago or even two decades ago when the internet was still nascent. It would have been a completely different experience. And, technology, of course, is allowing us to make sure that we can get accurate information out to people that has implications on health, education and helping serve people better.

I think it shows a lot of the promise for what's ahead and I think we've certainly fared better now than we would have if the pandemic hit us before.

Zuckerberg: [...]

I think we're working with 140 banks, or it's supported by 140 banks out of the gate. And, India's the first country in the world to do anything like this now.

So we're grateful to be able to support this kind of innovation to help to work to create more prosperity and help achieve a more Digital India. In fact, I think that a lot of other places around the world are going to be better off when they follow some of this lead that India has set in creating public goods like this.

Mark, all of us would love to know your views on how the world is changing. And, what you and Facebook are thinking about. And what you see the future as. Just give us your perspective, Mark.

Video is just a lot richer of a medium than photos. Even when my daughters took their first steps, I wanted to capture a video of that and share it, not just a photo. But I don't think video is the end of the line.

You can have holograms of digital objects that can kind of be as realistic as the physical objects that are there. Meaning in five or 10 years when we're having this conversation, it will just be a hologram version of me sitting on the couch next to you instead of having to do this over a screen. It'll feel a lot more realistic.

A big part of why I was excited to partner with you is because there are not many people around the world, who've just gone industry after industry revolutionized them and improve them, and continue to do it and have that hunger to improve the lives of so many people so I just have a deep admiration for that. SEE ALSO:Two in every three Pornhub videos are gone after a purge to remove child porn

"Banks must change every 3-4 years," says Aditya Puri, the recently retired chairman of HDFC Bank, dubbed as 'the world's best banker'

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Zuckerberg spoke to Ambani but there was no chemistry even with a multi-million dollar partnership between t - Business Insider India

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MUNCIE, Ind. Sitting on the south endof the court inside Muncie Central's gym, Chandler Thompson looks as the Bearcats runfull-court drills starting from the other end.

This team looks different than any that Thompsona former Central and Ball State star now in his fourth season as the head coach has had since he's been here.There's no "superstar" like Victor Young, Dylan Stafford, Reggie Bass or Christian Wells that have been there the past few seasons.

Young, Stafford, KJ Jackson and Jayden Long, among others, guys that accounted for 89 percentof the scoring from last year'ssectional runner-up team, have graduated. The Bearcats return three players seniors De'Mar Woods-Haskins (4.9 points), Benjamin Watkins (3.8 points, 3 rebounds) and Michael Lowe (1.4 points, 2.2 rebounds) who logged significant varsity minutes last season.

GAMES TO WATCH: 10 ECI boys basketball games to watch in the 2020-21 season

But among the inexperience and "raw" nature of this team, as Watkins puts it, Thompson and his players see strong chemistry and a group of guys willing to put in the work to get better each day.

"They're quick learners, they gel together and they really are a good unit," Thompson said. "I think last year's group was really a good group but this year's group is kind of like they don't have a superstar, so they all go out there to make sure that everyone is held accountable for their mistakes."

Thompson added: "They're helping the coaches coach the kids and that's a good thing because we have a new kid on the team andthey're trying to help out and they all try to make sure he's in the right place every time."

FILE -- Muncie Central's De'Mar Woods-Haskins shoots a ball during a game against Logansport at the Muncie Fieldhouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.(Photo: Jordan Kartholl)

To go alongwith thatstrong chemistry, Lowe, Watkins and Woods-Haskins all unprompted pointed out how unselfish this team is.

"As soon as we see somebody open, we're giving it to him," Lowe said. "Like, that's not even a question with us."

Lowe added: "We've all been playing with each other since before middle school, so we all know each other very well on and off the court. I just think we should have a lot of fun going into the season."

That unselfish nature could benefit Central this season, making opposingdefenses focus on the whole team rather than one or two guys. It's not going to be easy replacing the production from last year, but the Bearcats seemup to the challenge. While Thompson said you want "one of those guys" who can take over games, Central will likely rely on a committee approach early in the season. Instead of one guy scoring 20 points a game, maybe it's two players dropping 10.

Standing off to the side at Tuesday's practice, a week before Central opens up its season at home against a Hamilton Southeastern team that went 17-6 last season, Watkins smiled when asked how this team will replace last year's production.

"Well, we have the talent to do that actually," Watkins said. "So we've just been trying to work so we can get those pieces filled. I think our chemistry is going to take us a long way."

When they werefreshmen, Watkins said this group of seniors lost just two games. And thechemistry that ledto that success, well, it hasn't gone anywhere.

Central's Ben Watkins shoots past Delta's defense during their game at Delta High School Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (Photo: Jordan Kartholl / The Star Press)

But in order for that totranslate to success at the varsity level, Watkins, Lowe and Woods-Haskinsare going to have to leadas other players such as sophomore Malik Hassani, who averaged 5.3 points playing inthree late-season varsity gameslast season stepinto bigger roles this season.

"It's going to be hard filling those shoes because they were all good," Woods-Haskins said of last year's senior class. "Like, I was just ready to come off the bench and play, now I got to be that person that everybody looks up to and I've got to be one of those seniors."

Thompson has already seen that leadership in practice from Lowe and Woods-Haskins. He's excited to see how this Central team will compete inanother tough schedule that includes games againsttalented North Central Conference opponentsalong with anon-conference slatethat features tHSE (Nov. 24), Fishers (Dec. 1), Brownsburg (Dec. 29), Noblesville (Jan. 9), North Central (Jan. 23), Westfield (Jan. 30), and more.

Knowing the challenges that some of those contests will present,Central's players said they were ready to keep improving and bringing some of the moreinexperiencedplayers up to speed. Last season ended in a one-point loss to New Palestine in the sectional championship game.

And while constant improvement is the focus now, don't think that the Bearcats have forgotten about that game or the fact that Central hasn't won a sectional championship since 2014.

"Thats really the only thing on my mind because I really want to get to the sectional and win the championship because its been too long since weve been past sectionals," Woods-Haskins said.

Robby General covers East Central Indiana high school sportsfor The Star Press. Contact him via email atrgeneral@gannett.com,on Twitter @rgeneraljrorphone at 765-283-8864.

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Inexperienced Muncie Central boys basketball team eager to fill roles, improve throughout season - The Star Press

GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Medica EasyRA benchtop clinical chemistry analyzer, distributed and serviced by Greensboro-based company, Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp. (CLC), allows healthcare providers to test routine blood chemistries to include metabolic panels, liver enzymes, kidney function tests, glucose and cardiovascular tests. These tests are especially useful at a time when it is critical to check the overall health of COVID-19 patients.

Medica EasyRA's tests are very useful at a time when it is critical to check the overall health of COVID-19 patients.

The analyzer can also be used to screen for drugs of abuse or pain management medication. Its extensive menu is excellent for a family practice, urgent care, oncology, and other specialty practices with laboratories.

TheEasyRAclinicalchemistryanalyzerfitsintomultiplesettingswherefast,actionableoutcomesare requiredtodiagnose and tracktheprogressionof a varietyof diseasesandinterventions. The EasyRA's small size and ease of operation make it well equipped for space-restricted locations such as mobile test centers, urgent care centers, COVID-19 hospital floors, physician office laboratories, or reference laboratories and hospitals with satellite locations.

The EasyRA clinical chemistry analyzer also offers photometric throughput of up to 240 tests per hour or up to 480 tests per hour with electrolytes. Technicians can analyze STAT samples in less than 8 minutes.

About Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp.

Headquartered in Greensboro, NC, Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp. (CLC) is an authorized manufacturer, re-packager, re-labeler and value-added distributor of chemistry systems and reagents, as well as COVID-19 testing supplies. CLC helps clinical laboratories of all sizes reduce chemistry analyzer and reagent costs, while also receiving accurate and timely results. The company has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing several PCR and antibody tests to market under the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization. For more information, visitcarolinachemistries.comor emailcontactsales@carolinachemistries.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clinical-chemistry-analyzer-has-utility-in-multiple-laboratory-settings-and-during-covid-19-crisis-with-its-small-size-and-vast-menu-301176369.html

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Clinical Chemistry Analyzer Has Utility in Multiple Laboratory Settings and During COVID-19 Crisis with its Small Size and Vast Menu - BioSpace

Agilent to Host Virtual Energy and Chemical Summit, November 10, 2020.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (PRWEB) November 04, 2020

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in life science, diagnostics, and analytical laboratory technologies, will address the challenges in the analytical requirements of the oil, gas and chemical industries at the Virtual Energy and Chemical Summit being held November 10, 2020. To keep abreast of analytical developments and enhance the productivity of your lab, tap into the know-how of Agilents product experts and application scientists.

Produced on LabRoots robust platform, connecting across all desktop and mobile devices, the summit will present attendees with Agilents custom products and services designed to provide user-friendly solutions with expert consultation.

Specific learning points at the Virtual Energy and Chemical Summit conference include:

To view the complete speaker list, agenda, and to register, click here.

About AgilentAnalytical scientists and clinical researchers worldwide rely on Agilent to help fulfil their most complex laboratory demands. Our instruments, software, services and consumables address the full range of scientific and laboratory management needsso our customers can do what they do best: improve the world around us. Whether a laboratory is engaged in environmental testing, academic research, medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals or food testing, Agilent provides laboratory solutions to meet their full spectrum of needs. We work closely with customers to help address global trends that impact human health and the environment, and to anticipate future scientific needs. Our solutions improve the efficiency of the entire laboratory, from sample prep to data interpretation and management.

About LabRootsLabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, and primary source for scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars and more. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning. Offering more than articles and webcasts that go beyond the mundane and explore the latest discoveries in the world of science, LabRoots users can stay atop their field by gaining continuing education credits from a wide range of topics through their participation in the webinars and virtual events.

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Agilent to Host Virtual Energy and Chemical Summit, November 10, 2020 - PR Web

A perfect match! Halle Berry is feeling better than ever about her love life after confirming her relationship with singer Van Hunt, a source exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly.

Shes had some negative experiences [with men] but Van has taught her to love again and love herself, the insider adds. Hes a wonderful, caring man. Their chemistry is through the roof.

The Oscar winner, 50, revealed via Instagram in September that she was dating the Ohio native, also 50, after weeks of hinting at a new mystery man in her life. Though theyve only been dating a few months, the source says the Kingsman: The Golden Circle actress thinks sometimes you just know when youve found The One.

A month before announcing the identity of her new flame, Berry shared a snapshot from her birthday getaway to Las Vegas, posting a photo of her feet intertwined with someone elses in bed.

Thank you for all the beautiful birthday wishes from my friends and my very supportive and loyal fans! You ALL helped to make my birthday extra special , she captioned the romantic Instagram post.

The X-Men actress was previously married to David Justice from 1993 to 1997, to Eric Bent from 2001 to 2005, and to Olivier Martinez from 2013 to 2016. She shares son Maceo, 7, with Martinez, 54, and daughter Nahla, 12, with ex Gabriel Aubry. During a February 2017 Q&A at the City Summit & Gala, Berry opened up about her search for a soulmate.

I have learned to deal with three failed marriages, which has not been easy, especially when theres children involved, she said at the time. [As] women, we go into marriage thinking its going to last forever and that this is our prince on a shiny horse. Thats what fairy-tales taught me as a kid and Im kind of anti-fairy-tales today.

Despite her rocky road to finding love, the Emmy winner credited her ups and downs with making her the strong woman she is today.

All of those relationships were necessary for me, she explained during the Q&A. We all come here with lessons that we have to learn, and those relationships provided me with lessons that got me to where I am right now. For that, Im grateful. But it has been hard. Its been a difficult part of my life.

For more on Berrys love life, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.

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Halle Berry's Chemistry With Van Hunt Is 'Through the Roof' - Us Weekly

Reductive elimination reactions, in which a transition metal catalyzes new bond formation between two molecules, are one of organic chemists most powerful tools. For example, one flavor of these reactions, palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations can make new CC bonds while tolerating many functional groups. In addition, these mild reactions are one of the few ways chemists can generate compounds containing hindered quaternary carbons.

Through a detailed computational study, Brian Stoltz and coworkers have figured out that some Pd-catalyzed reductive eliminations go through a different mechanism than previously thought, providing a new understanding of how reductive eliminations work (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2020, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c09575).

Traditionally, chemists thought the mechanism involved transition states featuring bond breaking and forming between three key atoms. Stoltz and coworkers studied a specific Pd-catalyzed reductive elimination reaction in which the desired C-C bond forms within the same molecule (shown). The chemists determined that the transition state for this reaction involves bond forming and breaking between seven atoms. Describing this seven-centered reductive elimination process allows chemists to expand the way they think about this fundamental reaction, Stoltz says. This mechanism is not the way chemists learn how reductive eliminations work in graduate school, he says, but it suggests that there are other ways that reductive elimination can happen. It could change the way people think about whats possible.

For this computational study, the researchers focused solely on the Pd-centered transition state. Generally, this transition state is difficult for chemists to study experimentally because its not the rate-limiting step of the reaction, so it exists briefly. Chemists have suspected that this transition state involves 7 key atoms, similar to well-known pericyclic reactions such as the Diels-Alder or Cope reactions. Not only did Stoltz and coworkers confirm this suspicion, but also they showed that the Pds d-orbitals allow the transition state to be aromatic, which means its stabilized through extended conjugation of orbitals across the seven atoms. This stabilization allows the transition-state energy to be low enough for the reaction to proceed. In addition, they found that because of the geometry of Pds d orbitals this aromaticity doesnt fit the traditional structure, instead it is shaped like a Mbius strip, which is a connected loop with one surface and a half turn.

The researchers also used a type of chemical bonding theory to explain the mechanism of the reaction in terms of arrow pushing. This drawing method in which arrows depict where electrons move in a chemical reaction is the way that many organic chemists are taught to understand these transformations.

Through detailed analysis, the researchers showed the inner workings of an important organometallic reaction, says Dean Tantillo, a computational organic chemist at the University of California, Davis. They used hardcore quantum chemistry to build a model using familiar, intuitive concepts, he says.

This study allows us to think about some of the things we can improve on, in the current reaction, and gives a high-level theoretical backing for the feasibility of new kinds of reaction, Stoltz says.

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Chemists shine light on new way to think about reductive elimination - Chemical & Engineering News

Bright football minds grace the Broncos coaching staff. Ed Donatell, Pat Shurmur and Vic Fangio have 83 years of NFL coaching experience among them. But football acumen is only half the battle.

Football coaches can drill you with Xs and Os and prepare you for any football scenario you encounter, but they cant teach you how to be a family. That you have to learn on your own. And thats exactly what the Broncos appear to be lacking.

Battling on the field together is one part. The other key is getting to know each other as people off the field. Eating together. Sitting around the locker room. Enduring endless meetings. Weight room sessions. Hot tub. Bus rides. Airplanes. Opposing locker rooms. Hotels. Restaurants. Parties. Charity events. Trips to Vegas. Afterparties. Gentlemens clubs. Shared experiences align the spirit, and spirit helps win football games.

The Broncos need to find some of that, and fast.

Tensions boiled over between the Broncos defense and offense last week in the loss to the Chiefs, revealing a fissure in the team that was bound to crack open eventually. The Broncos have a top-tier defense, while the offense is at the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category.

Its the highest paid defense in the NFL and one of the youngest, most inexperienced offenses. Fangios expertise is on defense and the team was built in his image set up to dominate the offense every day at practice. This might appease the defensive ethos of the coaching staff during the week, but on game day, it results in lopsided performances.

Competitive football teams have balance. They are good in all phases because the standard is the same throughout the team. Every practice is competitive. Anyone can win depending on the day. They cut their teeth on one another with equal ferocity.

So if the defense is markedly better, which appears to be the case for the Broncos at the moment, then its on them to bring the offense up to their standard of play. Not by yelling at them, but by demanding more at practice, in meetings, and amid the daily grind.

So, how do you recalibrate a lopsided team? Only those in that building know how to address that, because only they know the intricacies of their work week. I have no idea where Coach Fangio spends his time during the day. In his office? In the defensive meeting room? I do know that the offense needs some love.

Maybe Vic could lend some of his valuable expertise to the wing that needs it most Pat Shurmur and the struggling Broncos offense. And while hes at it, maybe spend some time in special teams meetings, too. Ed, youve got the fellas this week, Im going to sit with Pat and Drew.

It is already a tall task for a new coach to unify a young team. Add COVID-19 restrictions to the landscape, and you get what you had last week an uneven team in search of an identity.

League protocol kept players away from each other during the offseason. And although they are on the field together now, off the field, theyre still separated. Meetings at home on Zoom, socially distanced at the facility, eating lunch in their cars. No parties. No dinners. No nothing. Just show up wearing a mask, keep your distance from each other and go play football.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, its not that easy.

Nate Jackson is a former wide receiver/tight end for the Broncos who lives in Denver. He works part-time for 104.3 FM The Fan.

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Jackson: Broncos defense-vs.-offense sideline tiff shows team lacks chemistry needed to win in NFL - The Denver Post