Daily Archives: September 10, 2021

In today's economic climate there is an urgent need for economic tools and methodologies to adequately evaluate and demonstrate to national governments and investors the interconnectedness of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the broader development goals.

Tim Jesudason and Yael Velleman 10 Sep 2021

Makiese is a farmer and grandmother from Kongo-central, Democratic Republic of Congo. Here she is seen taking treatment to prevent the NTD, river blindness.Credit: Moses Sawasawa/Sightsavers

Recent progress towards the control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) provides inspiring examples of what can be achieved in global health through collaboration, coordination and partnership.

Recognising NTDs as a best buy in global health, the London Declaration on NTDs, adopted in 2012, cemented a diverse partnership between endemic countries, funders, pharmaceutical companies and non-government organisations to accelerate progress for 10 NTDs and the targets set in the first World Health Organization (WHO) road map for NTDs.

A child receives praziquantel, a drug used for the treatment of schistosomiasis, in Cte dIvoire as part of the UK Aid-funded Ascend programme. Credit: Yao Armel Kouassi/SCI Foundation

Progress since the London Declaration and the first WHO road map has indeed been significant. The number of cases of Guinea worm has reduced from an estimated 3.5 million in the 1980s to just 54 in 2019; lymphatic filariasis and trachoma have been eliminated as public health problems in 17 and 11 countries, respectively; onchocerciasis has been eliminated in four countries in the Americas; the annual number of cases of human African trypanosomiasis has fallen from more than 7,000 in 2012 to fewer than 1000 in 2019; and in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis have declined from more than 77,000 in 1992 to under 3,200 in 2019.

However, recent changes to the global funding landscape threaten to stall and potentially reverse this progress. In 2021, the United Kingdom, a leader in the fight against NTDs, announced a significant reduction in funding for NTDs alongside sweeping overall cuts to official development assistance, including its flagship NTD programme, Ascend (Accelerating Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases). This is estimated to impact over 100 million people in 24 countries.

The immediate health and quality of life impact on people affected by reduced funding for NTDs will be devastating. However, the true effects of reduced funding are likely to be more severe as future generations experience the long-term consequences of diminished mental health and wellbeing, poorer educational attainment, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and reduced productivity, all of which will disproportionately affect the most marginalised people in society, including girls, women, and people with disabilities. Additionally, the beneficial impact of NTD programmes on health systems, and particularly their resilience to future shocks such as pandemics and climate-driven crises, will be greatly reduced.

Going forward, it is important that analyses of NTD programmes (and NTD programme cuts) account for the true value of progress on NTDs and recognise the interconnectedness between NTDs and the achievement of broader Sustainable Development Goals, including on poverty, gender equality, education, and clean water and sanitation.

Common methodological approaches, such as economic evaluations that estimate disability adjusted life years (DALYs), likely underestimate the true value of progress for NTDs because the quality of life of people with disabilities in NTD-endemic settings is often lower than in more developed settings. Moreover, as Charles King and Anne-Marie Bertino note in Asymmetries of poverty: Why global burden of disease valuations underestimate the burden of NTDs, the application of the DALY in policy estimates does not account for the nonlinear effects of poverty in the cost-utility analysis of disease control, effectively discounting the utility of comprehensively treating NTDs. Consequently, it is likely that the reduction in quality of life caused by reduced funding will be greater than anticipated.

Investments in NTDs are widely acknowledged to be some of the most cost-effective investments in global health. However, the reduced funding for NTD programmes highlights the need for advancements in available economic tools and methodologies to demonstrate to donors and national governments the broad impact of their investments and the interconnectedness of NTDs and broader development goals.

The new WHO road map for NTDs 2021-2030 recognises the importance of working across sectors to achieve and sustain progress for NTDs. However, if we are to meet road map targets, action is needed now to secure stable funding (see The value of water in elimination of neglected tropical diseases: An economic perspective.). Doing so will not only accelerate progress for NTDs, but will economically empower entire communities and countries, while advancing progress towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Towards a broader definition of value: why we underestimate the benefits of progress on NTDs - BugBitten - BMC Blogs Network

I am very pleased to share that electric utility service was restored to the main campus last night. Withthis development, all campus buildings now have power. Additionally, utility repair crews continue tomake significant progress restoring power in the community.

With full restoration of power, campus facility repair and damage mitigation will accelerate. Given theextensive work being done, campus will remain closed at least through Sunday, September 12.Faculty/staff who are not involved in the campus recovery work are asked to not be on campus at thepresent time.

Yesterday, an electronic survey was launched to collect information about the status of our students; unfortunately, a programming error made it necessary to relaunch the survey today. Accordingly, allstudents are encouraged to log in to LEONet to complete the survey.

A phased re-opening of campus is anticipated next week with instruction beginning no earlier thanWednesday, September 15. Projections of the timing for reasonable completion of campus repairsalong with status information about campus constituents will help further inform the decisions forcampus reopening.

More details will be forthcoming tomorrow.

LION UP!

John L. CrainPresident

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Sept. 9, 2021: Southeastern re-opening progress update The Lion's Roar - The Lion's Roar Newspaper

(Photo Courtesy of Merrimack Athletics)

Following the 2019 season, which saw Merrimack win a second consecutive DII national title, the Warriors made a jump that hadnt been seen since Bryant made the same move in 2012. That move being the Warriors jump up from DII to DI.

Moving up to DI, where they joined the NEC, after winning two straight national titles at the DII level created a certain level of excitement and buzz around the Andover-based program and how competitive they could be in their new home, especially once they become a full member and able to compete in the postseason in 2024. However, the first two years of the DI era for Merrimack lacrosse havent been as kind as they would like.

First off, the Warriors saw their inaugural season as a DI program cut short six games in. They went 1-5 in those six contests, but only fell by an average of 1.8 goals. In 2021, competing in their first full season as a DI, Merrimack went 5-5 (4-4 NEC) and finished fifth in the conference standings. They took their losses by an average of 4.4 goals, which included a one-goal, 11-10, loss against eventual NEC Champion Bryant.

With two years to go until the Warriors can compete in the postseason, the DI adaptation continues for this program. Heading into 2022, Mike Morgan leads Merrimack into its third season as a DI program looking to build upon the successes found last season, and keep taking the necessary steps forward to be a consistent competitor within the NEC, especially once 2024 rolls around.

In 2021, the NEC featured some stellar offenses with LIU (14.09 goals per game) and Bryant (13.62) being top-15 nationally while St. Josephs (12.38) and Hobart (12.22) were each top-25 scoring offense at seasons end. Merrimack sat right behind that group as the fifth best offense in the conference and 30th-best in the nation, averaging 11.40 goals per game. The Warriors also averaged 6.33 assists per game and 17.10 points per game.

Those numbers are up from what the Warriors were producing in 2020 prior to the season being cut short. And being able to improve in the first year of the post Charlie Bertrand era is a good sign for this Merrimack offense going forward, as they should be able to improve further or, at least, hover around the same numbers during the upcoming 2022 season. That is especially true with how much production this Warriors offense will return this spring.

Merrimack will see each of their top five point-getters back from a year ago, including the Rooney brothers who took the reigns and led this offense last season. Jack Rooney, a junior attackman, transferred in from Furman and led the Warriors offense with 34 points off 25 goals and nine assists. Tommy Rooney, a senior midfielder, was Merrimacks second-leading scorer last season with 33 points off 25 goals and nine assists. The elder Rooney transferred in from Siena prior to last season.

In addition to the aforementioned sharp-shooting brothers, Merrimack returns attackmen Christian Thomas (21G/6A) and Sean Black (5G/19A) for an extra season, while senior midfielder Drew Hailey (14G/4A), who played in all 10 games but only started the first three, also returns after being the Warriors fifth-leading scorer last season. Black was the only first team All-NEC selection from Merrimack last season, and the teams only All-NEC pick on the offensive end.

Max Morrill (11G/2A), Grant Laman (5G/3A), and Aiden Glover (4G/1A) will also be returning after each saw multiple starts at the midfield spot last season. The trio will surely

With the core of this offense, which is filled with guys who have and can play and succeed at multiple positions on the field, returning, its not naive to think this unit can possibly take a big step up in 2022. That looks even more like a real possibility when you consider the sheer amount of talent back and the fact that this unit did progress a decent amount last season. The Warriors averaged 12 goals per game during their final five games after averaging 10.8 goals per game in their first five contests, which included two single-digit outputs.

Merrimack also saw its shooting percentage during the back half of the season, shooting approximately 33% per game during the final five games of the season after seeing that number be around 27% during the first half of the season.

Defensively, the Warriors deployed a fairly green unit last season with defenseman Nicholas Perez-Blanco (14GB/18CT), who led the team in caused turnovers and was a first team All-NEC selection, being the only one of two heavy contributors with any starting experience heading into the year. LSM Christian Glover (23GB/10CT) was the only other key player on the back end with much experience, having appeared in 20 games in his first two seasons in North Andover.

Perez-Blanco and Glover headlined a defense that saw two freshman get the starting nod the majority of the season, while a duo of sophomores also made a significant impact. NEC All-Rookie defenseman Joseph Jorgenson (11GB/8CT) started all 10 games as a freshman at close last season while Riley Reed (11GB/3CT) saw action in every game with seven starts as a sophomore. Sam Walsh (6GB/5CT) started half of the games (3) at close as a freshman during 2020 and saw similar time as a sophomore this past season, playing in seven games and starting the first three.

The youthfulness of this defense even extended into the cage with Furman transfer Andrew Jenet starting the first game of the season as a sophomore before freshman Henry Vogt took over the following game and started the rest of the season. Vogt made 103 saves with a .531% save percentage and earned All-Rookie honors in the NEC.

Additionally, Merrimack will also return their top two SSDMs in juniors Jack Barron (23GB/7CT) and Michael Ferrara (7GB/3CT). The pair look to be key options for this rope unit again in 2022 after putting together strong sophomore campaigns this past spring.

Merrimacks defense wasnt the best last season, allowing 11.8 goals per game, which includes allowing 20 goals against Bryant in early-March. However, with the experienced leaders, as well as the young talent, the Warriors bring back on the back end this coming season, there isnt much reason to doubt how much this unit can improve.

Another area of the field in which Merrimack deployed a good amount of youth last season was at the faceoff dot. Allyn French, who served as the primary option as a freshman in 2020, starter the year as the starter but was sidelined with a knee injury after just three games. Freshman Karl Sutter stepped into that primary role, going 70-for-132 (.530%). French went 23-for-47 (.489%) in the three games he appeared in.

Assuming French is able to comeback 100%, him and Sutter could create an exciting one-two-punch at the dot that posses a lot of potential. And if just one of them comes through with an uber strong season, this Merrimack offense could possibly progress and explode more than expected due to those extra possessions.

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Merrimack Continues to Progress as Year Three of Their DI Era of Approaches - Lacrosse Bucket

Fire

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. A brush fire that broke out Monday afternoon near Los Olivos prompted evacuations and a large response from fire personnel.

The fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Avenida Caballo and Caballo Lane.

Structures were threatened by the fire and multiple air units were called in to assist. Four air tankers and a helicopter were called in to respond, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Homes near the fire were put under immediate evacuation orders.

By 6:15 p.m. those evacuation orders were lifted but the area was restricted to local residents.

A Red Cross evacuation center was set up at Los Olivos Elementary School, county officials said.

Large animals can be taken to the Elks Rodeo grounds in Santa Maria, county officials said. Small animals can be taken to the county's animal shelter in Santa Maria at 548 W. Foster Road.

At the time the fire was first reported, temperatures in the valley were in the low 90s and wind was blowing at 15 mph, Santa Barbara County Fire said.

As of 4 p.m., the fire had burned between 50 and 60 acres and firefighters were getting closer to stopping forward progress.

By 5 p.m., forward progress of the fire had stopped.

Firefighters were expected to remain on scene for several hours to put out hot spots and secure lines around the fire.

Cameras from the ALERTWildfire network showed flames and large plumes of smoke from the fire.

California / Environment / Holidays / Santa Barbara - South County / Santa Maria - Lompoc - North County / Video

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Evacuations lifted after forward progress of Caballo Fire near Los Olivos stopped | NewsChannel 3-12 - KEYT

Indigo Ag announced it has dispersed initial payments to the inaugural group of Carbon by Indigo participants. The 267 paid growers are the first to implement on-farm practice changes and provide the data required to ensure the rigorous measurement and validation of resulting emissions reduction and removal according to registry protocols. The group has helped to pave a path for the scaled production of carbon credits as a new income stream for farmers.

Carbon by Indigo is the first carbon farming program to provide outcomes-based direct payments to growers at scale. Indigo also announced plans to expand eligibility for farmers in 28 states.

The company says 78 percent of U.S. cropland is now poised to respond to the mounting demand for high-quality credits, which has already resulted in a credit price increase of 35 percent in the first year of the program.

Starting in the 2022 crop year, farmers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Alabama, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are also eligible to begin farming carbon with the support of Indigos farmer-first program.

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Indigo Pays 267 Farmers for Progress in First-Ever Carbon Farming Program - 953mnc.com

FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alta Resources Corp., a global customer service outsourcing company supporting Fortune 500 companies, continues to make progress on its newest building being built in Fort Myers.

In June, three-story walls were erected to reinforce the 97,600-square-foot building. When completed in February 2022, the new building will include state-of-the-art work spaces, auditorium, concession/catered cafe, game room, beautifully landscaped half-mile walkway, and more. The building has been intentionally designed to promote employee engagement, provide innovative technologies to build customer loyalty and enable Alta's team to solve complex challenges for the world's largest brands.

"Through a close collaboration with our Facilities Team and our construction engineering partner, Burns & McDonnell, we have designed something that truly reflects our culture and will support the continued demand for service from our Florida site," said Heather Owen Nigl, Alta Resources CFO. "The project has been a wonderful experience."

Alta's Fort Myers site launched in 2013 and has continued to thrive due to the strong performance of over 600 steady-state employees.

"This site's success is a true testament to the talented and diverse workforce that the Lee County area has to offer," said Jim Ber, Alta Resources Chairman and CEO. "Over the years, Alta has grown to over 4,000 employees spread across 12 sites around the globe. We are thrilled to add another building in Fort Myers and create even more jobs with opportunities for career growth."

Interested candidates can learn more about career opportunities and apply online by visiting JoinAlta.comor emailing [emailprotected].

Alta Resources headquarters and fulfillment center is in Neenah, Wisconsin, with additional locations in Brea, California, Manila, Philippines, Belize City, Belize, and Mexico City, Mexico.

Formed in 1995, privately-held Alta Resources is a leading provider of customer-management business-process outsourcing for many of the world's best-known brands in a variety of industries, including retail, consumer-packaged goods, healthcare, entertainment, automotive and sports apparel. With its comprehensive service lines care, sales, e-commerce, back office and fulfillment clients can seamlessly integrate their core customer processes through a single partner. Alta Resources helps clients improve and better manage their customer experiences across every touch point, ultimately delivering results that provide sales growth and cost savings. To learn more, visit AltaResources.com.

SOURCE Alta Resources Corp.

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Alta Resources sees strong progress on its newest building in Fort Myers - PRNewswire

Henry County diners will soon have two more locations to enjoy Chick-fil-A in 2022. The company is making progress on plans to open two new stores in Locust Grove and Union Grove. Moving Henry Forward previously reported on the new stores in 2020.

The Locust Grove location will be off Bandy Parkway west of I-75. Bandy Parkway runs between Bill Gardner Parkway and Strong Rock. In addition, the new store will be adjacent to LaQuinta Inn and Waffle House. Medical office buildings are also on the road.

The city council approved architectural renderings for the project during their September 7 meeting. The site layout features a dual-lane drive-thru a standard feature at new Chick-fil-As. This facilitates more cars through the line.

The building design is similar to the new Eagles Landing Chick-fil-A. The location closed earlier this year for a complete tear-down and rebuild. It reopened in July.

Construction should begin soon on the project. The company typically builds new sites in six to eight months.

Elsewhere in Henry County, the company started construction on the Union Grove Chick-fil-A. The new store will be off highway 155 near East Lake Parkway. Specifically, the site is between Wendys and Advance Auto.

Chick-fil-A Lake Dow shared on Facebook that owner / operator Mark Fleming was selected to also operate the Union Grove location. A groundbreaking was recently held for the project.

The Union Grove location will feature a similar design to Locust Grove. It will also have the dual-lane drive-thru that wraps around the building. The restaurant plans to open in February 2022.

Featured image shows building renderings for Chick-fil-A in Locust Grove. Photo credit Chick-fil-A.

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Chick-fil-A making progress in Locust Grove and Union Grove - Moving Henry Forward

The UK's Samad Aerospace is making progress with half-scale prototypes of its E-Starling eVTOL aircraft, and has now started taking pre-orders for a smaller cargo drone using a similar design and semi-vectored thrust propulsion system.

Samad has come a fair way since we proclaimed the company a long shot about a year ago. For starters, it's built a 50-percent scale prototype of its proposed passenger aircraft, and has commenced flight testing.

Samad Aerospace's half scaled e-Starling CTOL test

Back in March, the half-scale E-Starling was shown in flight, albeit using conventional takeoff and landing with its forward two vertical lift fans blocked off.

A few days ago, a new video was released showing that the front lift fans are now operational. With the rear ones tilted to face downward, the aircraft has now demonstrated a stable multicopter-style takeoff, controlled hover and landing.

This prototype is big enough to seat a pilot, as shown in the video below, although it's unlikely that anyone was in it when it flew; tests are typically undertaken without the additional weight and risk of a pilot.

Samad Aerospace half scale e-Starling hover test

So far, so good the transitions from vertical hover to horizontal flight and back again will be more challenging, but enough companies have demonstrated transitioning flight now that it's starting to look like less of a mountain to climb. The E-Starling's coaxial props seem quite loud at the moment, too, but this can doubtless be ironed out as the company progresses toward its full-size test aircraft.

On the other end of the scale, the company is also looking to use a similar design in an unmanned cargo drone, capable of remote-controlled or auto-piloted flight.

The Starling Cargo will cruise at 95 mph (153 km/h), at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. It'll fly up to 135 miles (217 km) on a charge, and carry decent-sized payloads up to 50 kg (110 lb). Samad has "started the certification process" for this cargo drone, and is taking pre-orders now with deliveries slated to begin in 2022.

Samad Aerospace

The company says it's seen interest from a range of oil and gas companies, mining companies, medical logistics operations and emergency responders.

All in all, it's good to see some quick progress from this Milton Keynes company, and while they're not yet breathing down the necks of compatriots Vertical Aerospace, these guys have staked their own claim and have a good chance to make us eat our words.

Source: Samad Aerospace

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Samad makes progress with eVTOL flight tests and a new cargo drone - New Atlas