Category Archives: Life Extension

By Ethan Stoetzer

Preparing the annual Christmas lasagna with her grandfather was a staple Alyssa Rosenbaum came to look forward to every year. The annual tradition of learning the art of her familys cooking from scratch not only reinforced her close-knit family, but also was the inspiration for her lifes passion: food.

I dont really know how it started, but it is something my siblings and parents really value, said Rosenbaum, senior in culinary food science and horticulture. Its kind of the way we bond with each other.

This love of food not only inspired a rigorous academic journey, but also a riveting story of adventure and self-discovery.

This May, Rosenbaum will leave Iowa State with a resume that can only be described as ambitious. Her tenacity in her curiosity is one that has yielded four internships, a study abroad service-learning experience, two executive club member positions, membership in a sorority, and two bachelor of science degrees. In recognition of her many accomplishments, Rosenbaum will serve as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Marshal, leading her fellow classmates in the procession of CALS graduates during Iowa State Universitys commencement ceremony May 14.

Reflecting on her time at Iowa State, Rosenbaum said the outcomes have really exceeded her expectations of herself and her effort, considering when she first arrived on campus in fall 2017, she was in pursuit of not a career in food science, but in horticulture.

Following her passion for food through high school, Rosenbaum thought the only career she could have that involved food was as a chef. When a community garden opportunity opened in her neighborhood, she quickly got her hands dirty and became more invested in food at its source: the ground. While she doesnt come from a family with an agricultural background, a farm, or a relatively green-thumb, Rosenbaum soon found herself swept up in how fruits and vegetables are cultivated and harvested. She decided to pursue her passion for horticulture at Iowa State.

It wasnt until what she describes as a random opportunity on a golf course in Virginia that Rosenbaum considered wanting more. During a summer 2018 internship where she grew fruits and vegetables for the clubhouse kitchen, she realized she wanted to do something that would transcend just cooking and preparing food.

Before I came to Iowa State, I had only heard about food science, but didnt really know what that meant, Rosenbaum said. I felt like I was missing something. Food has always been stuck in my head, so I thought about how I could incorporate these two aspects. I knew from experience that I wanted to have a larger impact than just growing produce. That wasnt enough for me. I wanted to have something else where I was combining other aspects together.

In the fall of her sophomore year, Rosenbaum integrated culinary food science as her double major, satisfying her scientific curiosity in the overlap of concepts between the two. With a heavy background in cooking, she was now able to follow her ingredients from seed, to plant, to produce before they were processed into a cereal, a meal, a can, the freezer, or wherever else it was destined to become food.

From there, Rosenbaum went on to earn an internship at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as a Rising Star intern in northwest Iowa, educating youth about growing fresh produce. She then interned at an orchard in Nebraska City, Nebraska, working in retail and aiding in food safety rules and regulations. Finally, she landed a two-year stint with the culinary food science program in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, where she hosted and taught food workshops, demonstrations and other promotional activities. Thats not including her two-year executive stint in the Culinary Food Science Club the last two years as special events chair and then president of the club.

I remember in high school, people thought it wouldnt be feasible to do my double major, that itd be extremely difficult, Rosenbaum said. People told me to choose one or the other. I decided to not listen to those people. If you set your mind to something, you can make it happen. Although it took me more time and scheduling, it was worth it. Just go ahead and do those things that you want to do.

As she completes her final semester in the EARTH Program in U.S. Virgin Islands, Rosenbaum said she has achieved a level of balance in her passions. This fall she will continue her education at the Virginia Institute of Technology, studying food microbiology and agriculture in relation to food safety. Her desired final landing place is an educational position in a university, extension, or private setting, where she can embody the tenants of teaching her grandfather shared with her over lasagna every year.

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From farm to food science: CALS student marshal blooms both in the garden and in the lab - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Lincoln, Neb. Just four short years ago,Food in the Fieldwas a hypothetical program on Hannah Guenthers Nebraska Extension application aimed at reaching bachelor farmers to guide them in making quick, easy and portable meals.

Fast forward to 2022, and Guenther, a food nutrition and health extension educator in Cuming County, has managed to build a nutrition education with a goal to help on-the-go adults and their families make healthier eating choices during busy seasons.

Food in the Field is a series of tools to provide all the information you need to make small shifts in the diet and implement healthier eating practices into your daily routine, says Guenther.

Food is one of the most enjoyable parts of life, the highlight of everyones day and in no way is this program going to tell you to overhaul your diet. Im never going to tell someone they cant or any food is off limits.

Since starting her career with Extension, Guenther has transitioned to the country life, moving to her husbands operation, a farming and cattle feeding enterprise near West Point.

Knowing Nebraskas largest economic driver was the agricultural industry and transiting her new life on the farm, Guenther says the driving force behind Food in the Field was her first-hand experience with her husbands eating habits, and how they changed during especially busy times of harvest and planting.

Pictured above is Hannah's husband Adam, holding an on-the-go lunch in the cab of his tractor.

When I started in Extension, never in a million years did I think Id want my focus to be feeding farmers, but that is what Ive realized Im so passionate about, said Guenther.

I have never gone down this path without marrying my husband, and I dont think I would care as deeply had I not moved into a rural community and being surrounded by it on a day-to-day basis.

Her new role living and working in a rural community was a stark contrast to her upbringing in Texas, where agriculture was not at the forefront of her life. Guenther became particularly attuned to the 18+ hour workdays of her husband, the busy seasons of planting and harvest, as well as stressful weather patterns, markets and policies.

With limited healthy options in the rural community and plentiful convenience food options, Guenther says she experienced first-hand how easily healthy eating was put on the back burner for her husband and for others living a modern on-the-go lifestyle.

After the local hospital reached out to her for assistance with nutrition education, Guenther was off on a mission to provide valuable tools to help others make healthychoices for the busy seasons as well as in everyday life.

Living in a rural community, I see these people daily. My husband loves his job managing the feedlot, and it makes me happy to see how happy he is, Guenther says. How can I take care of these people? I want them to be able to do their job to the best of their ability every single day. How can I do that? Thats been my focus.

With the intention of taking care of producers and helping them to be healthier, Guenther was shocked to find scarce research on the diet of agricultural producers despite extensive studies of farm safety and mental health related to the field. Seeing a disconnect and underserved audience, Guenther launched Food in the Field in 2018 with a goal to place a greater focus on feeding those who feed us.

Guenther says she also wants to help others go through the transformation she went through as she adjusted to rural living, coming from the city with little exposure to agriculture.

I was really worried about moving to my husbands feedlot, and it was a really big learning curve for me at first. Every day I learn something and see the care farmers not only put into the land and livestock, Guenther says.

I want people to have a better connection with the ag industry and Ive tried to highlight the work of the industry with what I do on a daily basis.

Thats the genesis of Guenthers Instagram platform,feedlotsofpeople, which she started completely unrelated to work when she realized everyone was looking to their phones for nutrition information.

While she says it began purely as a recipe file, it has evolved into a place centered around nutrition education recipes from Food in the Field, as well as a look into where food comes from and her daily life raising her family in agriculture.

Her work with Nebraska Extension and social media platforms is a natural combination of her passion for cooking and providing palatable pieces of nutrition education information in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Taken from her Instagram page, Hannah shares a recipe of a nutritious, yet delicious smoothie recipe fit for anyone.

Food in the Field has reached over 280 people at in-person events and nearly 300 e-newslettersubscribers, and her Instagram profile is nearing 4,000 followers.

If you are interested in having Food in the Field be a part of your next meeting, program, or conference, contact Hannah and Tara by going to food.unl.edu/foodinthefield.To continue sharing relevant information withrural communities, they created an e-newsletteras an extension of Food in the Field. To receiveresearch-based resources, recipes & helpful tips directly in your e-mail inbox,subscribe by clickinghere!

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In a field of its own, Food in the Field provides healthier on-the-go eating choices - Nebraska Today

Lead program DNTH103 to be accelerated to the clinic this year as a highly differentiated and potent monoclonal antibody designed to selectively target the active form of complement C1s

Led by biotech veterans Marino Garcia as Chief Executive Officer and Lonnie Moulder as Chairman of the Board

Financing co-led by 5AM Ventures, Avidity Partners, and Fidelity Management & Research Company with strong investor syndicate

WALTHAM, Mass. and NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dianthus Therapeutics, a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics, today announced the completion of its $100 million Series A financing led by 5AM Ventures, Avidity Partners, and Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from additional investors including Wedbush Healthcare Partners and founding investors Fairmount, Tellus BioVentures, and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. The financing will be used to expand leadership and scientific teams, advance the company's lead program, DNTH103, to the clinic this year, and to accelerate additional discovery pipeline programs for people living with severe and rare autoimmune diseases. DNTH103 is a potent, next-generation monoclonal antibody that selectively targets the active form of complement C1s, potentially enabling a lower dosing volume and a less frequent subcutaneous administration that is further enhanced with half-life extension technology.

Dianthus Logo

Dianthus also announced the appointment of Marino Garcia as President and Chief Executive Officer, joining in November 2021, and Simrat Randhawa, M.D., M.B.A., as Chief Medical Officer. Mr. Garcia, a veteran dealmaker and strategist, brings more than 25 years of industry experience in business development and operational leadership roles at top biotech and pharma companies, most recently as Senior Vice President, Corporate and Business Development at Zealand Pharma. Dr. Randhawa brings over 20 years of clinical practice and pharmaceutical industry experience to Dianthus, including senior leadership roles focused in the autoimmune and rare disease spaces. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals.

"We are committed to improving the lives of people living with severe and rare autoimmune diseases and are confident that our selective antibodies have the potential to be best-in-class therapeutics," said Marino Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dianthus Therapeutics. "We are privileged to have a strong syndicate of leading biotech investors, experienced Board members, and accomplished leaders and scientists as we advance our lead candidate into the clinic later this year, further develop our discovery pipeline, and expand our team in the coming months. Dianthus is positioned to become a leading, next-generation complement company guided by a deep understanding of the needs of patients."

Story continues

Dianthus harnesses the power of selectivity in complement pathways to create potent monoclonal antibodies with the potential to overcome the limitations of current complement therapeutics. Unlike current antibody therapies that bind to both inactive and active complement proteins, DNTH103 selectively targets only the active form of the C1s complement protein, enabling a lower dosing volume and less frequent administration. Its half-life extension technology also further reduces dosing frequency. With these differentiated attributes and high potency inhibition of C1s, DNTH103 is designed to relieve the burden of high-volume, frequent administration with IV infusions or inconvenient, frequent subcutaneous dosing. Accelerating the development of a more convenient subcutaneous therapy could be transformative in expanding the potential patient populations that could benefit from complement therapies, while reducing the discomfort and disruptions that pervade the lives of patients today ultimately allowing more patients to live healthier lives to their fullest potential.

"We are proud to support Dianthus Therapeutics in advancing the discovery and development of next-generation, potent, and highly differentiated antibody complement therapeutics," said Paula Soteropoulos, Board Director of Dianthus and Strategic Advisor to 5AM Ventures. "With the leadership of the recently appointed President and CEO Marino Garcia, and a talented team of seasoned biotech executives and entrepreneurs who hold an extensive track record of success, we look forward to seeing Dianthus bring their novel therapies to patients living with severe and rare autoimmune diseases."

Dianthus is currently led by an accomplished team of veteran scientists and biotech entrepreneurs, including:

Marino Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer

Simrat Randhawa, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

Evan Thompson, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer

Edward Carr, Chief Accounting Officer

Rivka Gluck, Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Operations

Robert McGarr, Ph.D., Vice President, Program & Alliance Management

Kristina Maximenko, Head of Human Resources

Dianthus is also supported by an experienced Board of Directors, including:

Lonnie Moulder, Chairman of the Board at Dianthus, Founder and Managing Member of Tellus BioVentures

Paula Soteropoulos, Chairman of the Board at Ensoma and former CEO of Akcea Therapeutics

Lei Meng, Senior Therapeutics Analyst, Avidity Partners

Tomas Kiselak, Managing Member of Fairmount

Jonathan Violin, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Viridian Therapeutics

Marino Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dianthus Therapeutics

Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor to Dianthus.

About Dianthus Therapeutics

Dianthus Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering novel, best-in-class monoclonal antibodies with improved selectivity and potency over existing complement therapies. Based in Waltham, Mass. and New York City, Dianthus is comprised of an expert team of biotech and pharma executives who are leading the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics to deliver transformative medicines for patients with severe and rare autoimmune diseases. To learn more, please visit http://www.dianthustx.com.

Cision

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SOURCE Dianthus Therapeutics

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Dianthus Therapeutics Launches with $100M to Develop Selective Antibody Complement Therapeutics to Treat Severe and Rare Autoimmune Diseases - Yahoo...

03/05/2022 igus UK Ltd

Harmonised lead screws and lubrication-free lead screw nuts in trapezoidal threads extend service life by 30%.

Motion plastics specialist igus has refined the classic trapezoidal thread, achieving a 30% service life extension a huge increase for a well-established mechanical part. Thanks to a special geometric interaction between the lead screw nut, which requires no lubrication or maintenance, and the metal lead screw, dryspin technology promises a long service life, improved efficiencies, reduced wear and quieter operation. And now dryspin lead screw technology is available in eight new sizes.

Trapezoidal threads have been classical mechanical engineering designs for decades. The machine elements convert rotary motion into linear motion in applications such as window and door drives, format adjustments in production plants and laboratory technology. However, almost every classic design has the potential for improvement. "We have tackled a market standard and are able to say that we can do even better," says Robert Dumayne, drytech director at igus UK. The igus design relies on an optimised interaction between the metal lead screw and the plastic lead screw nut geometries.

30% longer service life, 82% efficiency

Both the nut's thread flanks and the width of the lead screw are larger than those of classic trapezoidal thread. This is a small change, but it has big consequences: enlarging the thread flank means that more high-performance plastic is used for power transmission. This means more material that is tribologically optimised, i.e., reducing friction and wear. "The asymmetry has enabled us to extend the service life so that it is about 30% longer than that of symmetrical trapezoidal threads", Dumayne says.

He adds Optimising the flank angle also increases the amount of energy supplied that is actually used. We have flattened the flank angles of the lead screw nut and lead screw, this gives us above average efficiency up to 82% at high pitches."

Lead screws work almost silently and without vibration

The new dryspin thread technology is not only durable and efficient, but also quieter than many conventional trapezoidal threads, because the tooth flanks are not angular but rounded, reducing the contact area between lead screw nut and lead screw. This leads to less vibration, which can take the form of rattling or squeaking. Dumayne says: "The rounded tooth flanks allow the lead screws to move without vibration and almost silently. The lead screw manufacturing tolerance is tighter than that specified in DIN1037e, ensuring more precise operating behaviour and allowing for much higher speeds in the application."

Eight more installation sizes added to the dryspin lead screw portfolio

igus began to establish its own lead screw technology on the market in 2013, initially as an alternative to high helix threads. Now there are eight new installation sizes both harmonised lead screws and lead screw nuts, including dimensions with low pitches that enable quick one-to-one replacement of installed trapezoidal threads.

The new lead screws are available with pitches of 6.35x6.35RH, 8x40RH, 10x3LH, 12x25LH, 14x4RH, 16x5RH, 18x4RH and 20x10RH. They are made of stainless steel or aluminium, and the lead screw nut material can be selected from seven high-performance plastics and several geometries from a cylindrical design with flange or spanner flats to a version with spring pre-load.

Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.

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Evolution of the trapezoidal thread: new igus standard achieves 82% efficiency - Process & Control Today

The attributable production from the Par state operation is expected to satisfy the companys internal bauxite requirements. In addition to South32s 33% stake in the MRN mine, it holds a 36% share of the Alumar alumina refinery and a 40% stake in the aluminum smelter.

MRNs open-cut strip mine produces 18 million tonnes of bauxite a year, supplying the Alumar refinery (capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per annum) and smelter (440,000 tonnes per year).

South32 CEO Graham Kerr said in a news release that the increased stake in the mine was an essential step as the company worked with its joint venture partners to complete a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the MRN life extension project. The redevelopment project could potentially extend the life of the 40-year-old mine by more than 20 years.

The PFS is slated for completion by the first half of 2023.

As a result of our investment in Brazil, including participation in the restart of the Alumar smelter using 100% renewable power, our planned increased shareholding in Mozal aluminum, which benefits from access to hydroelectric power, we expect to double our production of green aluminum by 2023, said Kerr.

In January South32 announced plans to participate in the restart of the Aluminar smelter along with joint venture partner Alcoa. The smelter is expected to reach full capacity from its three potlines of 447,000 tonnes per annum in the first quarter of 2023. The first production from this facility is expected by June.

South32s 40% stake in Brazil Aluminium will be powered by renewable energy. According to the CRU aluminum cost model for 2021, the smelter placed in the second quartile of the global aluminum site cost curve.

Aluminum is a critical future-facing metal made via a two-step process. It entails mining bauxite an aluminum ore and crushing and refining the ore into a white alumina powder before the white powder is smelted into aluminum metal.

In addition to operating the Mozal Aluminium plant in Brazil, South32 also operates the Hillside Aluminium smelter in South Africa the largest aluminum smelter in the southern hemisphere.

Despite coming off recent highs, South32 shares quoted in Sydney at A$4.77 at close on Monday have advanced nearly 66% over the past 12 months, giving it a market capitalization of A$22.16 billion ($15.64 billion).

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South32 boosts Brazil green aluminum supply with bauxite mine buy - MINING.COM - MINING.com

withania-somnifera-extract-market

Glob Market Reports offers an overarching research and analysis-based study on, Global Withania Somnifera Extract Market Report, History and Forecast 2016-2028, Breakdown Data by Companies, Key Regions, Types and Application. This report offers an insightful take on the drivers and restraints present in the market. Withania Somnifera Extract data reports also provide a 5 year pre-historic and forecast for the sector and include data on socio-economic data of global. Key stakeholders can consider statistics, tables & figures mentioned in this report for strategic planning which lead to success of the organization. It sheds light on strategic production, revenue, and consumption trends for players to improve sales and growth in the global Withania Somnifera Extract Market.

Some of the key manufacturers operating in this market include: Life Extension, Taos Herb Company, General Nutrition Centers, Jarrow Formulas, Huge Mountain, Organic India, The Vitamin Shoppe, NOW Foods, Solgar, Piping Rock, Swanson and More

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Here, it focuses on the recent developments, sales, market value, production, gross margin, and other significant factors of the business of the major players operating in the global Withania Somnifera Extract Market. Players can use the accurate market facts and figures and statistical studies provided in the report to understand the current and future growth of the global Withania Somnifera Extract market.

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Withania Somnifera Extract market competitive landscape offers data information and details by companies. Its provides a complete analysis and precise statistics on revenue by the major players participants for the period 2022-2028. The report also illustrates minute details in the Withania Somnifera Extract market governing micro and macroeconomic factors that seem to have a dominant and long-term impact, directing the course of popular trends in the global Withania Somnifera Extract market.

Market Segment By Type: Capsule LiquidMarket Segment By Application: Health Products Drug

Regions Covered in the Global Withania Somnifera Extract Market:1. South America Withania Somnifera Extract Market Covers Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.2. North America Withania Somnifera Extract Market Covers Canada, United States, and Mexico.3. Europe Withania Somnifera Extract Market Covers UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Russia.4. The Middle East and Africa Withania Somnifera Extract Market Covers UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.5. Asia Pacific Withania Somnifera Extract Market Covers Korea, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and India.Years Considered to Estimate the Market Size:History Year: 2015-2022Base Year: 2022Estimated Year: 2022Forecast Year: 2022-2028

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Some Major TOC Points:

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Key highlights of the Withania Somnifera Extract Market report: Growth rate Renumeration prediction Consumption graph Market concentration ratio Secondary industry competitors Competitive structure Major restraints Market drivers Regional bifurcation Competitive hierarchy Current market tendencies Market concentration analysisCustomization of the Report: Glob Market Reports provides customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.

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Withania Somnifera Extract Market 2022 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2028 |Life Extension, Taos Herb Company, General...

WALTHAM, Mass., May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. VRDN, a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases underserved by current therapies, today announced it will report its financial results from the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, after the financial markets close onThursday, May 12, 2022.

The Company's management team is scheduled to host a conference call at4:30 p.m. ETonThursday, May 12, 2022. To access the call, please dial 1-877-270-2148 in theU.S.or 1-412-902-6510 outside theU.S.and ask for the Viridian call. To access the live webcast, please visit the "Events" page in the Investors section of the Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. website. Following the live webcast, an archived version of the call will be available on the website.

Thursday,May 12@4:30 p.m. ET

About Viridian Therapeutics

Viridian Therapeuticsis a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases but underserved by today's therapies. Viridian's most advanced program, VRDN-001, is a differentiated monoclonal antibody targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), a clinically and commercially validated target for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). Viridian's second product candidate, VRDN-002, is a distinct anti-IGF-1R antibody that incorporates half-life extension technology and is designed to support administration as a convenient, low-volume, subcutaneous injection.TED is a debilitating autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and fibrosis within the orbit of the eye which can cause double vision, pain, and potential blindness. Patients with severe disease often require multiple remedial surgeries to the orbit, eye muscles and eyelids. Viridian is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Investor and Media Contact:John JordanViridian TherapeuticsVice President, Investor Relations& Corporate Communications617-272-4691IR@viridiantherapeutics.com

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Viridian Therapeutics to Report First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on May 12, - Benzinga

The Presidential Transition Committee said on April 20 that it would change the deadline of application for extended nuclear power plant operation to up to 10 years before service life expiration so that service life extension can be requested for up to 18 instead of 10 nuclear power plants under the new government.

This means most of the nuclear power plants currently in operation in South Korea can be given an extended service life. Companies in the nuclear power industry are welcoming the news and overseas nuclear power plant construction projects are expected to be boosted according to some industry sources.

Some of the others, however, point out that a complete recovery of the industry is still far away. Annual exports from the sector amounted to US$126 million in 2016 but dropped to US$33.7 million in 2020, one of them said, adding, The figure stood at US$21.4 million in 2019 and this is because of the Moon Jae-in administrations obsession with nuclear power phase-out.

The annual sales of the industry decreased from 27.45 trillion won to 22.2 trillion won from 2016 to 2020, when the sales of equipment manufacturers fell from 2.14 trillion won to 1.7 trillion won and those of nuclear power plant builders dropped from 1.61 trillion won to 0.74 trillion won. According to many experts, any restoration of the broken industrial ecosystem is likely to take at least three to four years.

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Nuclear Power Plant Service Life Extension Expected to be Expanded - BusinessKorea

Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has extended the production licences in the Greater Ekofisk Area located in the southern part of the North Sea which have been in operation for over five decades. The operator, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, has seen this as a green light to wrap up and submit its plans for another development project in this area.

ConocoPhillips Skandinavia is the operator for the Greater Ekofisk Area with an ownership interest of 35,11 per cent, while its license partners are TotalEnergies EP Norge with 39,90 per cent, Vr Energi with 12,39 per cent, Equinor Energy with 7,60 per cent and Petoro with the remaining 5 per cent interest.

ConocoPhillips informed on Tuesday that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has extended the production licenses in the Greater Ekofisk Area from 2028 to 2048. The company explained that a license extension provides long-term operations and resource management aligned with its long-term perspective on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Steinar Vge, President of ConocoPhillips Europe, Middle East and North Africa, remarked: We are proud of our long-standing history in Norway, and we are pleased with the decision. Extended licenses in the Greater Ekofisk Area will contribute to sustainable and long-term investments, which again provides continued value creation, jobs and ripple effects. In addition, it ensures future energy supply security from the oil and gas province in the southwestern part of the North Sea.

The existing production licenses 018, 018 B and 275 in the Greater Ekofisk Area will now remain operational through 2048 thanks to this extension. Therefore, this provides a potential for extending Ekofisks lifetime to nearly 80 years. Located 300 kilometres southwest of Stavanger in the southern part of the North Sea, the Greater Ekofisk Area consists of three producing fields: Ekofisk, Eldfisk and Embla. The production from these fields is transported via the Ekofisk Complex to the receiving terminals in Emden, Germany (gas) and Teesside, UK (oil).

The Ekofisk Complex comprises all installations which are connected with bridges on the central Ekofisk field and it serves as a hub for the production from the Ekofisk field itself, and from the other fields in the Greater Ekofisk Area.

According to ConocoPhillips, Ekofisk was Norways first producing field and is also one of the largest on the Norwegian continental shelf. It was discovered in 1969, and the initial plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1972. Based on the companys records, test production was initiated in 1971 and ordinary production started in 1972.

Jan-Arne Johansen, ConocoPhillips General Manager of Operated Assets Europe, commented: After more than 50 years of activities, we extend our thanks to the authorities and governments trust in our operations, including the sound collaboration with our license partners. This milestone is a recognition of our work and long-term plans for continued development, aligned with the companys vision first to come, last to leave.

ConocoPhillips further explained that the governments latest lifetime extension acknowledges the significant remaining potential for resource development and new projects in the Greater Ekofisk Area. In addition, the company describes the area as an important hub for processing and transport of resources from many other fields in the North Sea.

We continue to build on our HSE culture and ability to manage resources with new knowledge and technology, and we are finalizing the plan for development and operation of the Eldfisk North Project, expected to be submitted shortly. An extension of the production licenses is a premise for seeking approval for the project, added Johansen.

ConocoPhillips states that Eldfisk located in block 2/7, about 16 kilometres south of Ekofisk, not far from the UK and Danish shelves is the second largest ofthree producing fields in the Greater Ekofisk Area and one of the largest on the Norwegian continental shelf.

When it comes to ConocoPhillips recent activities elsewhere, it is worth noting that the firmcompleted the sale of its oil and gas assets in Indonesiafor $1.36 billion last month.

Following a review of its asset portfolio, the company made a decision to sell these assets to pursue energy transition opportunities in a bid to amass assets with lower GHG intensity, such as LNG.

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With 50 years of operations under its belt, Ekofisk gets another life extension - Offshore Energy

Pavement preservation is a long-term strategy that enhances pavement performance through a set of practices that extends the asphalt pavement life and improves safety. Pavement preservation treatments extend the life and serviceability of the pavement. Such nonstructural surface treatments include chip seal, slurry seal, micro-surfacing, thin overlays, fog seal and crack seal.

A good handle on the current pavement condition is critical, including information on the type and severity of existing distress.

Pavement distress can reduce performance and shorten service life of asphalt pavements. To keep the pavement at a high service level, agencies should have a pavement management system (PMS) to collect data, analyze and implement cost-effective preservation of the pavement. Also, agencies should consider particular distress types to understand the most effective treatment options.

Functional: This distress occurs when the pavement is unable to carry out its intended function without causing high stresses on vehicles. The cause of these failure conditions may be due to inadequate maintenance, excessive load weight or climate and environmental conditions. The functional distresses include fatigue cracks, block cracking, longitudinal and transverse cracking, reflection cracking.

Structural: This type of distress is an irregularity in the asphalt mix or weakness of the base and subgrade levels. The structural distresses may include shoving, rutting and depressions. In these instances, pavement preservation treatments are not an appropriate fix.

Its critical to understand what the distress is, because pavement preservation treatments may not be appropriate for that particular distress, said Jim Moulthrop, former executive director at Foundation for Pavement Preservation. Based on the condition, agencies can decide which would be the most appropriate treatment to use.

Alligator or Fatigue Cracking:

This is a series of interconnected cracks that form a series of small blocks resembling alligator skin. This cracking may be caused by fatigueConsider full depth reclamation for this alligator or fatigue cracking as it is poor condition.Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) failure of the surface after repeated heavy loads. The problem is roughness, indicating structural failure which the cracks allow moisture to infiltrate into base or subgrade, eventually leading to potholes if left untreated.

Bleeding:

This happens when there is a film of excess primer or tack on the surface which can become sticky when drive and slippery when wet, creating loss of skid resistance.

Block Cracking:

These are cracks that divide the pavement up into rectangular pieces. Larger blocks are sometimes classified as longitudinal and transverse cracking. Block cracking can be caused by the asphalt binder aging.

Raveling:

This type of failure is the wearing away of the aggregates from the asphalt causing a loss of bond between the particles and the binder. TheWhen the aggregate starts to show, this distress is known as raveling and can be addressed with a fog or slurry seal.Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) problem with raveling is loose debris, roughness, water collection resulting in loss of skid resistance.

There is a wealth of different preservation treatments that could be accomplished, said Moulthrop. It is primarily dependent on what the distress is.

Once the type of distress and cause of the distress to the pavement has been identified, next is to determine which treatment will perform efficiently.

Chip Seal:

According to the Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) treatment resource center, "a chip seal is a roadway surface treatment that consists of a layer(s) of asphalt binder with a layer(s) of embedded aggregate." This treatment provides a new skid resistant wearing surface and slows down further deterioration of the existing roadway. Issues such as minor cracking, raveling or oxidization can be addressed with a chip seal treatment. Also, it can be used to waterproof a pavement prior to an asphalt overlay.

Crack Seal:

This treatment can be a cost-effective way to treat all types of cracks greater than 1/8-inch. Issues such as block cracking, longitudinal cracking and edge cracking can decelerate the issues by applying a crack seal treatment.

Fog Seal:

This type of single application can renew weathered asphalt surfaces and improve the appearance, seal minor crack and voids which can inhibit raveling. Fog sealing can give two to four years of life extension depending on the current pavement condition.

Slurry Seal:

Slurry seal surface treatment provides skid resistance and restricting moisture infiltration by protecting the structure from further deterioration and raveling. Traffic can return to the pavement one to four hours after application and restores a uniform black appearance.

Each type of treatment serves a specific purpose in the service life cycle of pavements. There are many techniques to preserve and extend the longevity of asphalt surfaces along with associations to unite network members with education, forecasting and long-term planning.

These preservation treatments have been around for a long time however, technology and education about the treatments have progressed over the years. As a contractor, it is important to continually educate yourself and your crews to remain relevant in the field.

The Asphalt Institutehas educational webinars/seminars and technical developments surrounding this topic, including best practices, design and application.

The Treatment Tool box designed by Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) provides an interactive, easy to use guide to help identifyThis interactive tool can help contractors understand the solutions for each pavement defect.Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) potential treatment solutions by addressing deterioration before it starts.

Also, tradeshows and conferences like World of Asphalthas a specific conference track directly related to pavement preservation.

By utilizing educational programs, contractors can stay competitive in today's job market and gain knowledge to not only keep up with competition, instead increase your service offering and revenue.

Read this article:

Choosing the Right Pavement Preservation Treatment - For Construction Pros