Category Archives: Life Extension

Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday approved an executive decision by Chancellor Olaf Scholzto keep the country's three remainingnuclear plants operating beyond an end date set by the government of former Chancellor Angela Merkel and originally confirmed by the current ruling coalition.

The Cabinet approval of the decision to keep the plants in operation until mid-April 2023 instead of closing them down at the end of the year comes as many fear energy shortfalls amid fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a cut in Russian gas supplies.

Scholz, a Social Democrat (SPD), made the executive decision to allow the nuclear plants to stayrunning until April 15 next year on Monday after coalition partners the Green Party and the Free Democrats (FDP) failed to reach agreement on the issue.

The Green Party, which is traditionally opposed to nuclear power, had wanted two southern German nuclear plants to be kept ready only in reserve. The business-friendly FDP, the smallest party in the coalition,is in favor of keeping all three nuclear facilities running for a considerablylonger period of time.

On Wednesday, Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens said that Scholz' decision had "created clarity after a somewhat difficult path," while stressing, in a warning to the FDP, that the chancellor's plan meant that the use of nuclear power in Germany would cease in mid-April.

"I trust that the FDP will stick to the [coalition] agreement and not damagethe authority of the chancellor" by calling for further extensions, said Habeck, who is also vice chancellor.

Habeck said the continued operations of the three plants would "help in this fraught time," especially with regard to grid stability in southern Germany.

Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, also of the Greens, said that the proposal made it clear "that no new fuel elements are allowed to be procured" and echoed Habeck's contention that the nuclear phaseout would now be completed in April.

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So far, all coalition members have said they will abide by the decision.

But the opposition has used the dispute to highlight alleged disunity in the coalition government. The leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, Friedrich Merz, told broadcaster Deutschlandfunk on Wednesday that the chancellor's use of hisexecutive powers underlined the coalition's inability to take necessary decisions.

The nuclear plants in question are Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland.

The extension of the operating period for the plants must still receive parliamentary approval, with votes to be held on the issue next month.

tj/wmr(AFP, dpa)

While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society.You can sign up herefor the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.

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Germany nuclear plants life extension approved by Cabinet - DW (English)

Biohacking is a term used to describe do-it-yourself biology. It involves people making incremental changes to their bodies, diet, and lifestyle to improve their health and well-being.

Also known as human enhancement, biohacking ranges from efforts to improve brain function to faster weight loss. Some types of biohacks are relatively safe to try at home, while others may pose health risks and produce varying results.

This article explores biohacking, its types, current research, and risks. We also examine blood testing and biohacking, biotechnology, whether biohacking is legal, and whether life extension through biohacking is possible.

Biohacking is a do-it-yourself (DIY) form of human enhancement or augmentation, in which people attempt to change aspects of their biology to improve their health, performance, or well-being. Some types of biohacking have been around for many years, such as intermittent fasting.

Technology-based biohacking, such as smartwatches and Fitbits, provide people with a wealth of data about their bodies, allowing them to tweak their health and improve athletic performance.

People may want to hack their biology for various reasons, such as to:

Some current examples of biohacking are common, and people may consider them just a part of everyday life. Others may seem more unusual and seem like futuristic trends.

One popular form of biohacking is a group of substances called nootropics, or smart drugs.

Nonprescription nootropics include tablets, supplements, drinks, and foods. They contain substances that may help boost brain performance. Examples include creatine and caffeine.

Prescription nootropics are medications that have stimulant effects, which doctors may prescribe for medical conditions such as Alzheimers disease or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Examples include:

A person should only ever take prescription medications as directed by their doctor. Prescription stimulants have several potential side effects and may be dangerous if people misuse them.

Research shows that people who take prescription stimulants for non-medical reasons are at higher risk of various health associations, including:

Wearable tech, such as smartwatches, head-mounted displays, and fitness-tracking bands, are common pieces of modern technology. People may use them to:

Many technology companies are designing and developing what some consider to be the next step in wearable tech biohacking: embedded implants. These are devices implanted into the body.

They may have various functions, including storing passwords and data, acting as keys to allow access through electronic locks, and collecting even more detailed data about a persons biological functioning, health, and fitness.

Examples of embedded implants that are either in development or on the market currently include:

There are various forms of biohacking. The three most popular types are DIY biology, nutrigenomics, and grinders.

DIY biohacking, which some people also call garage biology, involves experts in scientific fields sharing biohacking techniques and information with people who are not experts. This allows more people to conduct experiments on themselves outside of a constrained environment.

Some people consider DIY biology to be an open revolution against the academic institutionalization of science and aim to spread an attitude of citizen science and action research without rigid gatekeeping.

They believe DIY biology generates more ideas, freedom, inclusivity, and improvisation. DIY biology includes various fields of biohacking, including:

Nutrigenomics is another biohacking type that focuses on how food interacts with peoples genes. Likewise, it explores how a persons genes affect their bodys response to food.

Researchers are using nutrigenomics to learn more about diet and genes, how they may affect a persons health risks, and to help find new ways to prevent and treat disease.

A person can send a DNA sample to a specialized laboratory, where their genetic makeup is analyzed. Then their healthcare team can use the results to create an optimized nutrition plan. This may involve avoiding certain foods linked to conditions they are genetically predisposed to.

Learn more about how your DNA may dictate which diet works best for you.

Grinders are biohackers who consider themselves pioneers of human augmentation.

This type of biohacking typically involves devices implanted under the skin, and the use of technology to perform body modifications.

Because there is little regulation of biohacking and many people do not report their findings, it is difficult to say what percentage of biohacking is successful. While there are large online communities of people sharing their findings, there is no way to determine the accuracy of many of their DIY experiments.

However, some current research has found types of biohacking to be effective.

An animal study using nutrigenomics found that fructose remodeled vital aspects of gene regulation, which could impact how infection leads to disease. They also found that fructose affected:

Another popular biohack that some people have found helpful is bulletproof coffee, a drink that combines organic coffee, MCT oil, and butter. In moderate amounts, bulletproof coffee may help people feel more satiated, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and may help prevent certain cancers.

People can try to improve their health, productivity, and cognitive function through the following biohacks.

Intermittent fasting is a method of dieting in which a person only eats between certain times and fasts in the periods in between. For example, a person can fast from 8 p.m. until 12 p.m the following day, and eat between 12 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Fasting may help with:

Cold water therapy is an increasingly popular health and exercise trend that may have various benefits for peoples health. It involves people immersing themselves in water at a temperature typically below 59F (15C). This can be through swimming in open water or using ice baths.

A 2020 review suggests that cold water swimming seems to have positive effects on a persons:

However, there are serious risks involved with cold water swimming, including:

People interested in cold water swimming or immersion can try an acclimatization program under the supervision of a trained professional. This involves exposure to cold water for short periods and slowly increasing the time a person spends in the water to build up their tolerance.

Learn more about the benefits of a cold shower.

Caffeine can help increase alertness and productivity and help a person feel more focused.

However, people should use caffeine in moderation, as it can also produce side effects such as increased blood pressure, heartburn, and headaches.

Researchers traditionally conduct research in teams with institutions to oversee and ethically review their studies. But biohackers often do not obtain ethical reviews and may work in private and unsafe settings.

Ethicists and scholars have voiced concerns about biohackers lack of regulation and accountability, which could lead to unsafe work.

Biohackers may inconsistently apply safety measures while working with hazardous chemicals and biological materials, and may not use safety equipment such as gloves, lab coats, or chemical spill kits. A lack of regulation and consistency may lead to contamination, illness, or injury.

There are also risks associated with following unofficial health advice from unaccredited sources, such as blogs, social media, or word of mouth. People interested in nutrition, sleep, or fitness hacks should speak with a medical professional or nutritionist before trying a new regimen to assess if it is safe and suitable for a persons specific health needs.

For example, experts suggest intermittent fasting is unsuitable for underweight people, those with a history of eating disorders, or with certain health conditions (such as type 1 diabetes).

Blood tests can reveal relevant information to help people biohack effectively. A person can determine levels of various substances in the blood, such as nutrient levels and cell counts.

People can use the results of blood tests to determine if their diets or supplements affect their biological processes and vitamin levels.

For example, a person may measure their cognitive function before and after taking supplements or changing their diet. In-depth blood work is also available to analyze vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and cellular function, so health can be addressed and modified before irreversible disease develops.

Biotechnology combines engineering and biological science and involves scientists using living cells or organisms to produce products or services. Baking bread is an example of biotechnology, as people use live yeast to create a product.

Biohackers may use biotechnology to inform their experiments, but the two are not mutually exclusive.

There are no legal issues in terms of people trying health and nutrition biohacks. However, as previously mentioned, people should be cautious about following unofficial health advice from unaccredited sources, as it may not be safe or suitable for their health needs.

Most regulatory agents in the United States have unclear legal barriers for DIY biohacking and at-home experiments and do not enforce them.

Countries such as Germany have specific licensing requirements for performing biohacks. But in the U.S., there are no such regulations for conducting genetic or human germline engineering outside of a clinical setting. Most academic institutions comply with self-regulating agencies which restrict controversial projects.

In some specific cases, biohacking is illegal. These include:

There are several areas of biohacking that relate to the field of slowing or countering the effects of aging.

People interested in nutrigenomics may focus on eating a healthy diet, taking supplements, exercising, and meditation to extend their natural biological life.

Biohacking may also refer to more experimental and less common practices, such as blood transfusions, egg rejuvenation, cryogenics, and gene editing.

As these practices become more commonplace, ethical questions may arise about getting older without aging, gendered aging, and barriers between people who have access to life-extension technology and those who do not.

Learn more about whether the effects of aging can be reversed.

Biohacking refers to a wide range of incremental changes a person can make to their bodies and lifestyles, from taking supplements and using wearable technology to monitor health, to using implanted devices.

Some types of biohacking have produced effective results, such as certain applications of nutrigenomics, while other experimentations have failed. There are safety risks associated with biohacking, as institutions do not regulate biohacking, and biohackers may not always adhere to safety protocols.

People can try various types of easily adoptable biohacks, such as moderately using caffeine, intermittent fasting, and blue light therapy.

Read more from the original source:

Biohacking: What is it, types and hacks to try for beginners - Medical News Today

With his uniquely structured contract extension official, fourth-year Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. didnt hold back when asked about its personal significance.

This is the biggest day of my life, Porter told reporters after Thursdays practice at Toyota Center. This ranks No. 1, for sure.

Ive always seen my potential, but thats what its been these past few years, just potential, added Porter, now 22 years old. Im starting to put everything together. Its dope.

Porter reflected on what he calls mishaps earlier in his career, and he said it was part of what made Monday so special. His comments:

It makes everything feel a lot more, wow, just worth it. Everything up to this point, the offseason last season, the year with John (Wall), just learning picking his brain, turning into a point guard, all of that. It was a journey, and the journey is not going to stop here.

It means a lot. This is a milestone in my life that Ive reached. Its more motivation to keep going. A lot of things that have happened in my first few years in the league, my career has definitely been a roller coaster, and this is a blessing.

At one point in September 2021, Porter said the Rockets organization potentially saved my life. When asked by RocketsWires Brian Barefield about those comments and Porters growth over the months since, Silas paused for many seconds and teared up.

It means a lot, Silas finally uttered.

Earlier in the interview session, Silas said of Porter:

Thinking about where he came from, how we got him him in the G League bubble, him coming up here and having ups and downs, suspension, everything weve gone through together, Im proud of him. Im so, so happy for him. This is just the beginning.

When you put a lot of time into something and a lot of effort and a lot of conversations, a lot of thought, then for it to come to fruition, it feels good. Theres no more proud feeling for me than how I feel about him right now. Its not about me or the organization. But, yeah, we spent a lot of time, gone through some ups and downs, some moments he grew from.

Hes been growing since we got him.

Complete interviews with Silas, Porter and KJ Martin can be viewed below, courtesy of Jackson Gatlins exclusive YouTube channel. As for Porter, he ended his session with a perfect summation.

Im here for a long time, Porter said. Lets rock and roll!

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'Biggest day of my life': Kevin Porter Jr., Rockets react to extension - Rockets Wire

Windset Farms and Verdant Technologies announce a partnership for the use of Verdants postharvest shelf-life extension solution, HarvestHold Fresh. The companies will partner on a retail pilot for tomatoes-on-the-vine supplied from Mexico into select retailers in the U.S. with the intent to expand into additional locations. "Windset Farms uses technology and sustainable growing practices to supply consistent, high-quality produce to the marketplace," a company release states.

Growers worldwide have experienced pressure to meet demand while combating increasing consumer expectations, higher input costs, and supply chain troubles. HarvestHold Fresh is another avenue to explore that and addresses the shelf life of fresh produce, said Jeff Madu, Windset Farms vice president of sales. The decision to move forward with this initiative aligns with our commitment to continuously look for ways to improve the customer experience through innovation and sustainability practices. We are very pleased to partner with Verdant for this retail pilot. Left: HarvestHold Fresh-treated box of tomatoes; right: untreated box of tomatoes.

In a previous trial with HarvestHold Fresh, Windset Farms, tomatoes were treated and shipped from Central Mexico to British Columbia, Canada. At the end of the 22-day trial, results showed significant benefits in firmness, reduction in decay, improved visual appearance, and longer shelf life.

For consumers, this means less money wasted on produce gone bad, and for the supply chain, it means enhanced value, less food waste, and end-to-end quality improvement. These results also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food supply chain.

Were very excited about what weve seen in previous trials with Windset Farms, and were happy to move forward to bring the benefits of HarvestHold Fresh to Windsets customers and end consumers, said Paul Oklesh, sales director at Verdant Technologies. Windset Farms is an ideal partner for us because they see demand is changing, theyre on the forefront of embracing technology, and theyre proactive about addressing the challenges of tomorrow.

Windset Farms plans to launch the retail pilot with HarvestHold Fresh this month.

For more information:Peyton MerriamVerdant TechnologiesTel: +1 (720) 369-2972Peyton.Merriam@verdant-tech.comhttps://verdant-tech.com/

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Postharvest quality solution for tomatoes-on-the-vine - hortidaily.com

Anderson, South Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - October 18, 2022) - JZZ Technologies Inc., (OTC Pink: JZZI) ("JZZ" or the "Company"), a diversified company focused on digital media, biotechnology acquisitions related to human life extension longevity and active lifestyle real estate development, and its subsidiary LION Development Group, have entered a non-exclusive Joint Venture agreement with AJ Developments Group, LLC an affiliate of Hospitality Development Group, Inc. ("HDG"), a Ft. Lauderdale, Florida-based real estate development company.

The JV has been formed to develop multiple residential and commercial real estate projects, initially in South Carolina and Florida, and then expanding to surrounding regions in the south eastern United States.

Hospitality Development Group is a development company specializing in hotel, resort, and residential developments. HDG also provides advisory and consulting services for all various real estate development needs. In addition, HDG may also assist securing commercial debt and equity financing for projects it pursues.

The driving force behind HDG is developer Jerrold R. Krystoff whose development experience includes hospitality, high-rise residential, commercial, and retail and healthcare, with over $2 billion dollars in various development projects. Mr. Krystoff is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur and developer in Florida and has been participating in various real estate investments and developments since 1979. He is the Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder and Principal of Hospitality Development Group, Inc., established in 1998. Mr. Krystoff was also a co-founder and Principal of Colonial Development Group LLC, the developer of various prestigious projects including the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences, Infinity at Brickell, and Europa by The Sea.

Commenting on the JV, Charles Cardona, CEO of JZZ Technologies, Inc., stated, "Joining with Hospitality Development Group and Jerry Krystoff is a major step forward for our Company's young real estate development division. It immediately elevates us to a whole new level of capacity and brings impressive credentials to our projects that can only be gained from decades of successful development projects, in many cases on a massive scale."

Story continues

"We look forward to launching new projects as we consummate our plans with HDG. We expect to begin the rollout of several premiere projects over the next four quarters. Ultimately, this Joint Venture is expected to add significant revenues from small-to-large scale projects that will offer solid profits aimed at delivering excellent shareholder value," Cardona adds.

About Hospitality Development Group, Inc.Hospitality Development Group is a Florida development company with a successful history of hotel, resort, and residential projects. HDG's principals' involvement spans a wide range of prestigious projects including the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences, Infinity at Brickell, Palazzo Del Lago Resort, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, and Europa by The Sea. HDG also provides advisory and consulting services and assists in securing commercial debt and equity financing for select projects.

About JZZ Technologies, Inc.JZZ Technologies, Inc. is a diversified company engaged in several business sectors. Its Active Lifestyle Digital media business includes online media and apps (www.activelifestylemedia.com), content creation, and digital marketing, targeted to active adults 55+. Its strategic biotechnology and bioscience related to Human Life Extension seeks opportunities in quality of life businesses that support the aging population, and its Active Lifestyle Real Estate Development division is engaged in acquiring, managing, and operating commercial and residential real estate and housing development projects. For more information, please visit http://www.jzztechnologies.com.

Press Contacts:JZZ Technologies, Inc.Charles Cardona, CEOceo@jzztechnologies.com

DISCLAIMER and FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such Forward-Looking Statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the viability of the Company's business plans, the effect of acquisitions on our profitability, the effectiveness, profitability, and the marketability of the Company's products; the Company's ability to protect its proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; and the volatility of the Company's operating results and financial condition. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections about the Company and the industry. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, management cannot assure the public that their expectations will turn out to be correct. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140916

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JZZ Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiary LION Development Group, Enter into JV Agreement with affiliate of Hospitality Development Group, Inc. of Florida...

The Winnipeg Blue Bombershave signed all-star quarterback Zach Collarostoa three-year contract extension to keep him in blue and gold through the 2025 season.

The CFL's reigning most outstanding player, Collaroswas scheduled to become a free agent in February.

"I don't think it was a hard negotiation by any means," Collaros said Tuesday, telling reportersthe contract had been in talksfor about a month.

Bombers general managerKyle Walters had reached out to Collaros's agent "to see if we wanted to start talking the future and I said yeah, for sure. That's pretty much it," the quarterback said.

"I love the environment.I love the city, the community."

Collaros,34, joined first the Bombers late in the2019 season and had an immediate impact after then-starting QB Matt Nichols as well as backup QB Chris Streveler went down with injuries.

Collaros won four straight games to help the team capture its first Grey Cup championship in 29 years witha 33-12 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He led the Bombers to a second consecutive Grey Cup in 2021 the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic also against theTiger-Cats.

Collaros was namedMVP of the championship game andbecame the first Bombers quarterback to lead the club to consecutive Grey Cup wins since Ken Ploen in 1961-62.

His win-loss record as a starterfor the Bombers is now 31-4.

Theleading candidate for the most outstanding player award again in 2022, hehas posted career-high passing totals this season, with 4,115 yards, and launchedthe Bombers to top spot in the CFL with a 14-3 record.

That performance has propelled himup 15 places on the CFL's all-time passing yardage to 23rdoverall at 24,279.

Collaros has also thrown 35 touchdowns this season to lead the league and tiehim with Tom Clements for third most in a single season in Bombers history.

It's the second straight year he has led the league inTD tosses after throwing20 last season.

Collaros first signed in the CFL with the Toronto Argonautsin 2012 and has since appeared in 122 regular season games with Toronto, Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.

The Bombers acquired him in a trade with the Argos on Oct. 9, 2019.

At the time, Collaros was seen as a risky venture and there were concerns for his long-term health because of a history of concussions.

He had started the 2019 season with Saskatchewan but suffered a concussion during the first drive of the first game and was later traded to the Argos in late July butnever got into a game.

Three years and zero concussions later, Collaros was asked Tuesdayto describe how he feels.

"Blessed. Lucky. Very fortunateto be part of the organization, to be part of the community, the city, the province and the locker room, most importantly," he said.

"Every time I see Wade [Miller, Bomberspresident and CEO], I shake his hand and give him a hug and thank him for bringing me in and allowing me to be a part of this. I say the same to Osh[coach Michael O'Shea] and Kyle quite often as well."

A three-year dealadds a lot of stability and certainty, knowing he can settle in and not worry about renewing a contract yearly, Collaros said.

"There's a lot of volatility in our profession. Being able to plan out a year, two years, three years in advance is cool something I don't think I've ever hadthe opportunity to do."

A recent changeto the collective bargaining agreement, which guarantees a certain amount of money in the final year of his contract, was also a bonus in signing the contract extension, Collaros said.

But ultimately, he needed to get the OK from his wife.

"That was really the only approval I needed," he said.

"I wanted to be here, she knew that. But she's from Toronto, so it's tough for both of us to be gone for six months not to say that potentially this will never be home to us."

For now, he and his wife pack up their lives and two kids every year for the football season, leaving extended family behind in Ontario.

"I've lived this crazy life of travelling aroundpretty much my entire adult life, and it's still a little new for her. It isn't easy but she loves the community, she loves the team, she loves the [wives of other players] and everybody here."

Collaros said he intends to celebrate the contract by taking his offensive linemen out for a treat.

View original post here:

'I love the city': QB Zach Collaros inks 3-year contract extension to stay with Blue Bombers through 2025 - CBC.ca

A new $3.4M USDA grant is supporting research and outreach.

EAST LANSING, Mich. A Michigan State University-led team has received a $3.4 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to evaluate the profitability and environmental sustainability of fresh-cut and potted culinary herbs produced in controlled environments. The funding is part of the Specialty Crop Research Initiative of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The U.S. market for fresh culinary herbs leafy plants such as basil, cilantro and parsley that add flavor, aroma or garnish is a burgeoning one. According to the U.S. Agency for International Development, popularity of the specialty crop increased 10% to 12% annually from 2004 to 2014 and has continued to climb. At this point, domestic field production and imports have been used to keep pace with demand.

Culinary herbs are divided into two market segments: fresh cut for the leaves and stems, and potted plants. Roughly 69% of domestic fresh-cut herbs are field grown in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas, and nearly $300 million worth are imported each year. But both field production and imports face mounting challenges, such as diseases, droughts and floods, foodborne illnesses, environmental impact and supply chain disruptions.

Researchers will work to demonstrate how controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) can create a more sustainable and economically fruitful future for the industry. The multi-institutional research and outreach collaboration, called CEA HERB, includes investigators from MSU, Iowa State University, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Tennessee, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

The project is led by Roberto Lopez, an associate professor and controlled environment extension specialist in the MSU Department of Horticulture. Other participating MSU researchers are Bridget Behe and Erik Runkle, professors in the Department of Horticulture, and Mary Hausbeck, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Like Lopez, each have AgBioResearch and MSU Extension appointments.

Michigan is home to the nations third-largest greenhouse industry, making it a natural location for growers to expand into culinary herb production.

Growing fresh culinary herbs in controlled environments offers a multitude of benefits, including less environmental impact by reducing inputs, the ability for year-round production, and offering high-quality, flavorful and nutritious foods, Lopez said. But there are still impediments to the industry reaching its full potential, which heightens the need to educate growers on cost-effective production techniques, boosting yields, improving flavor and post-harvest shelf life, increasing food safety and much more.

Consumer demand for locally grown, pesticide-free, safe produce drives our team to provide growers and distributors with information to fuel their growth and profitability.

Commercialization and use of high-intensity, energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) gives growers control over plant architecture, height, flavor and aroma by simply adjusting light colors and intensities.

Lopez said that a lack of dedicated research and uncertainties of the return on investment have prevented many potential growers from taking the plunge to controlled-environment agriculture. The goal of the 4-year project is to show current and prospective growers that there are production and sustainability benefits that cannot be replicated in the field.

Fresh culinary herbs are a small specialty crop with little financial backing for research, he said. That makes projects such as this even more essential.

Project GREEEN, Michigans plant agriculture initiative hosted at MSU, provided the initial funding, and findings from this work were leveraged to obtain USDA support and scale up the project.

Right now, production is localized to a relatively small geographic area domestically, and theres a reliance on imported herbs, Lopez said. Controlled-environment agriculture provides a unique opportunity to distribute production across the U.S. by taking seasonal climate variability largely out of the equation.

The team will first conduct a survey that touches on varying production methods, sensory experiences and marketing strategies. The questionnaire will capture feedback from participants around the country, assessing their perceptions of the product and their willingness to buy fresh culinary herbs at premium prices if the product is of high quality.

Participants will taste test an assortment of culinary herbs and provide input on which sensory characteristics they value. A product choice experiment using eye-tracking technology will also provide insight into the traits gravitated to by customers.

Secondly, researchers will perform controlled-environment studies to identify practices that increase growth, quality, shelf-life, disease management and food safety.

Finally, the group will use the results from the survey and lab to create effective marketing, production, plant protection, technology adoption, post-harvest and food safety resources for growers. Print and electronic publications will be developed, in addition to webinars, videos and in-person presentations with growers and industry stakeholders.

We need to perform research trials to test and validate, of course, but to truly understand what may help grow the industry, we also need to better understand consumers, Lopez said. Consumer profile development will allow for the identification of new markets and aid in increasing demand for U.S. controlled environment-grown, fresh culinary herbs. Its important that this project is a holistic research and outreach effort.

Read the rest here:

MSU-led team studying expansion of controlled environment culinary herb production across US - Michigan State University

Nuclear Lifting 2022

As part of Babcock's presentations covering lessons learned from their Devonport site, Wayne Dunn explains what he's looking forward to discussing at this year's Nuclear Lifting seminar.

Please can you briefly explain your current role and involvement in Nuclear Lifting?

Wayne Dunn (WD): As part of the Facilities Design Authority at Devonport Royal Dockyard, I manage the Mechanical Handling Technical Authority. Our growing team of approximately 30 engineers provide support to mechanical handling assets across the entire dockyard, both within the Licenced Site and the general dockyard. The team includes engineers with mechanical engineering and electrical, control and instrumentation backgrounds.

Our role is to ensure that the design intent of the mechanical handling assets within the operational facilities are maintained through life. As part of this our team provide the engineering support for new or upgraded assets ranging from design, prescribing the maintenance regime, and reporting on asset condition.

What is the number one challenge facing lifting engineers working in nuclear environments at the moment?

WD: I see multiple challenges facing the industry. However, if I were to focus on a single item then it would be ageing infrastructure. While there is significant new investment in the development of new facilities within Devonport, there remains a large number of strategic assets that will be coming to the end of their operational life in the next ten years. Replacement and/or life extension of some of these high integrity cranes will be a significant challenge in the coming years.

Where do you see there being significant developments in lifting technologies over the next 5 years?

WD: The use of technologies with embedded software or programmable elements will become more common in systems that have a claim made on them in the Safety Cases. At Devonport we are formalising our arrangements for the substantiation of computer-based safety systems in-line with guidance contained in the Office for Nuclear Regulation Technical Assessment Guide (NS-TAST-GD-046).

What can engineers expect from your presentation at the event?

WD: I hope that my presentation will give an overview of nuclear lifting at the Devonport site, the complexities and variety of the lifting operations that are undertaken and some of the challenges that we face.

What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Nuclear Lifting 2022?

WD: Being located in the Southwest of the country, Devonport can both appear and feel isolated (the M5 stops at Exeter!). With this in mind, I am looking forward to giving an overview of what is an interesting and complex site with some unique operating challenges.Additionally, I enjoy both meeting and listening to the presentations from engineers working at other sites.

Why is it important for engineers to join this event?

WD: Events such as this give us an opportunity to share knowledge and experience. There are various challenges across the industry, and it is events such as this that provide a conduit for the sharing of knowledge and good practice.

Read more from the original source:

60 seconds with...Wayne Dunn, Babcock International - Professional Engineering

By Evgenia Golysheva, VP of strategy and operations, ONYX Insight

Most operators in the wind industry rely on some form of condition monitoring system (CMS) to preserve the operational longevity and high performance of their assets. And it seems to be doing the trick the implementation of such systems in wind energy has been transformative. Where installed, it has virtually eradicated catastrophic failures and made viable the remoteness inherent to offshore wind.

Credit: Rich Crowder/GE

Alongside the adoption of predictive maintenance, this trend has already saved the global wind industry more than $550 million annually in potential lost revenue and lowered the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) by 1.5%, retaining its pull on investors despite rising costs elsewhere along the value chain.

But this is not enough if operators are to maximize the potential of the turbines in their portfolio and drive the energy transition in the most profitable way possible. A surface-level, tick-box style of condition monitoring, as well as a continued adherence to decisions made years ago about the monitoring strategies and technologies deployed on wind farms today, are slowing the large-scale adoption of sophisticated digitalization. This slowdown risks exposing wind farm owners and operators to greater inflationary pressures.

Wind asset operation is a fast-moving space encompassing a variety of ever more complex financial, mechanical and data-analytical needs, and static long-term approaches do not gel with rapidly evolving business priorities and market conditions. To ensure that condition monitoring continues to deliver optimal value in such a dynamic environment, operators must act now to scrutinize their monitoring strategies during these five key project lifecycle events:

The end of warranty (EoW) period typically comes at two to five years into a projects life. At this point, operators must make critical decisions about how to service their turbines post-warranty. Full scope service agreements, which are comprehensive packages arranged with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of the turbines in question, have traditionally been viewed as a safe option by operators, due to the formers assumed understanding of best practices to maintain their own technology.

However, EoW inspections conducted in-house by operators typically do not provide the deep understanding of asset health necessary to negotiate the terms of these servicing packages successfully with OEMs. Inspections have a limited coverage of turbine components, and collecting two years of prior data to prove an assets level of performance and estimate its remaining useful life is difficult in the best of cases. OEMs will also tend to dismiss EoW claims as normal wear and tear, further obfuscating negotiations.

However, squeezed project margins and growing confidence in turbine technology have led more asset owners to consider alternatives, such as independent vibration-based CMS technologies, and implement them from Day 1. This enables operators to conduct more targeted EoW inspections, bring the most thorough data possible to the negotiating table and catch any looming maintenance issues along the way.

Photo by Werner Slocum/NREL

OEM service agreements might seem attractive due to short-term cost savings, but they can prove a false economy. OEMs and operations and maintenance (O&M) service providers may not be adequately incentivized to inform customers about impending failures in a timely manner, leading to much higher maintenance fees at the point of eventual breakdown.

Contrast this with third-party independent service providers (ISPs), who must consistently demonstrate value via digital oversight of faults to enable predictive maintenance. During the main operational stage, independent condition monitoring is key for managing asset health. While some owners build in-house monitoring teams, others are increasingly looking to third-party providers with extensive track records and broader data pools. In either case, vibration-based condition monitoring is a proven tool for reducing major component failures.

The wind sector is growing fast, which means larger, more complex portfolios for most operators. Companies with portfolios over 1.5 GW are set to increase the capacity they own from 45% to 60% by 2030, with 60% of operators set to manage mixed portfolios of wind and solar assets by 2025.

However, larger global portfolios can overwhelm in-house data analysis teams, to the extent that in-house strategies cease to be cost-effective for large multi-brand portfolios. Partnering with established third-party providers can overcome this bottleneck while enabling in-house teams to focus on delivering high-end value instead of routine daily monitoring.

Larger portfolios also mean operators are more likely to have multiple turbine technologies and CMS within a single fleet. Digital platforms that combine analytics from these varied sources and convert them into unified data sets and actionable maintenance plans unlock untold efficiencies: from the simple IT burden of integrating different technologies, to training staff on different software, to coordinating servicing trips to maximize their effectiveness. The last point is especially true in offshore wind, where turbines are larger and maintenance is more expensive due to marine logistics.

With full scope service agreements beginning to seem less attractive for increasing numbers of asset owners and operators, many are looking to manage costly major component replacements in-house. Condition monitoring is critical to de-risk this transition with O&M costs cut by up to 30% in the meantime.

Another consideration is mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. From 2020 to 2021, the total value of M&A deals almost doubled, showing the volume of assets changing hands. A wind fleet with an established CMS, and all the data to show for it, is like a car with a full-service history it enables owners to justify valuations and gives buyers confidence. Crucially, it can shorten lengthy due diligence processes. Retaining flexibility when contracts change is paramount and frees up capital for the seller.

As assets start to age, reliability issues increase, and the business case for monitoring changes again. Owners and operators must not only have a thorough understanding of the condition of towers, foundations and blades but also the remaining useful life of the drivetrain and other replaceable components.

As the wind industry begins to look inward, evaluating its own carbon contribution, there is a clear need to use data to support the recycling of parts, which can save up to 90% of energy during manufacturing compared to using a new part. Monitoring is key to understanding when to take components out of an asset for refurbishment to enable re-use.

Finally, condition monitoring can inform repowering decisions. For example, partial repowering adding larger generators and blades without replacing structures and other parts such as yaw gears is popular with operators in the U.S. market, but this can lead to uneven part lives throughout the turbine. Monitoring shows operators the bigger picture to make informed life extension decisions: which parts of the turbine need replacing, and which can run for longer.

Failures to exploit the advantages monitoring brings in these five areas are leaving many owners and operators on the back foot, unable to leverage advances in sensing and analytics that promise huge strides. Condition monitoring is one of the most powerful technologies operators have for transforming asset profitability, removing uncertainty and improving confidence and control over budgeting decisions from beginning to end of the project lifecycle.

Coupled with multiple data streams and an engineering approach, they will be given overarching visibility to make better servicing decisions, contractual negotiations, and scale with greater confidence. There is also technological innovation happening now that will continue over the next ten years, bringing in additional data sources, including blades, pitch bearings, towers and foundations, enabling a more complete picture of asset health.

The key to a successful monitoring strategy is thinking long-term and continuing to invest in comprehensive, proven solutions which deal not just with the challenges wind operators face today, but also those of tomorrow. Future-proofing assets is key to driving profitability and enabling wind to play its critical role in a low-carbon future.

Evgenia has been supporting wind farm owners for over 10 years, focusing on using data to increase the efficiency of wind farm operation, improve asset reliability, and de-risk major maintenance activities. As VP of Strategy and Operations at ONYX Insight, Evgenia looks at changes in the renewables sector driven by global energy transformation, analyses challenges faced by industry players, and supports ONYX in defining future-proof technology solutions for renewables owner-operators worldwide.

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Wind energy operators must address these 5 areas to exploit the full value of monitoring - Windpower Engineering

By Cole Sikes

Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

Fall is a popular season for bonfires, campfires and prescribed burning in Alabama. To spread the word on practicing fire safety, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System regional agent informs everyone about responsibly enjoying autumns beautiful weather.

Ryan Mitchell said a thoughtful planning and careful execution are key to safe burning.

The Fire Triangle

Fire needs three components to thrive: oxygen, fuel and heat. This trio is referred to as the fire triangle. Without the existence of all three elements, fire will not thrive. Removing only one of these items will cause any flame to slowly burn out or disappear completely.

The term fuel refers to any materialliving or notthat fire can use to spread. This can include anything from light, flashy fuels such as grasses or shrubs, to larger materials like stumps and piled storm debris that take longer to extinguish. Of course, in dry conditions, the ignition rate for these fuels is exacerbated by the lack of moisture in the air and the material itself.

Prescribed Burning

When driving through Alabama in the fall and winter months, large clouds of smoke rising into the blue sky may be alarming. However, these clouds are likely prescribed burns the intentional burning of forest or agricultural land.

The use of prescribed fire has proven to be a very beneficial tool in agriculture and forest management. In crop fields it removes debris prior to the next planting, controls weeds and reduces pests/diseases. In forestry, running a low-intensity fire through a forest floor reduces hazardous fuel loads, decreases natural competition for timber, allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, improves wildlife habitat and nourishes the soil.

Before intentionally setting a fire, experienced practitioners conduct hours of planning to create a prescription of conditions needed to meet specific objectives. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensuring ecosystem health and reducing future wildfire risk.

If you choose to conduct a prescribed burn, safety is of the utmost importance, Mitchell said. Under the wrong conditions, fire can easily get out of hand and affect property and life.

Mitchell said everyone should contact the Alabama Forestry Commission for a free burn permit before initiating a burn more than one quarter of an acre in size. Also, check the agencys website for any potential burn restrictions in the area.

There is also a training course for those who aspire to become a certified prescribed burn manager. The Certified Prescribed Burn Manager course covers 32 hours of discussion, planning and study of Alabama fire laws. Any individual who is interested in the use of prescribed fire as a management tool is encouraged to participate in the program.

Bonfires, Campfires and Burn Piles

Most Alabamians enjoy sitting around a good campfire or bonfire. These events are a popular way to bring people together during this time of the year. However, they can become dangerous if not executed responsibly.

Before grabbing those marshmallows, ensure the proper handling of fire especially when starting it. Remove all flammable materials around a fire site including loose debris, brush, fuel cans, etc. before lighting a flame. This will mitigate the opportunity for fire to spread to undesirable places, such as vehicles or structures.

Never walk on top of a large pile to ignite it, Mitchell said. This action can potentially lead to falling or becoming stuck while fuel is rapidly burning.

Mitchell adds that it is not a good idea to use gasoline or other accelerants that may give off explosive vapors. Using this method has the potential to cause severe injuries.

Feeling the Burn

Now that fall has come to stay, continue to practice responsibility when managing property or huddling around the fire.

For more information on burning techniques and safety tips, visit the Alabama Extension website, http://www.aces.edu.

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Extension shares tips for practicing fire safety in the fall - The Hartselle Enquirer - Hartselle Enquirer