Category Archives: Progress

Dragon Fli Empire's new single "Overtime" is a smooth, boom-bap, drum-driven record that cements the duo's longstanding contributions to Canadian hip-hop. With 20 years worth of material behind them, the duo of emcee Teekay andDJ Cosmstill feel they have a lot to accomplish and definitely not trying to live off past glories.

Deeply entrenched in the essence of the vintage 90s sound, "Overtime" explores how they bridge the past with the present while looking towards the future. DJ Cosm cooks up a nice nostalgia-inducing beat rife with lush strings, head-nodding drums and ethereal horns reminiscent of Pete Rock while Teekay takes the listener down memory lane and back with his laid back flow and witty lyrics. He sums the tandem affair with his producer with lines like, "...Same chemistry, DJ to Emcee / Another level, Johnny Mnemonic type telepathy..." which helps frame the duo's stance in the mind of the listener. The title does have a couple of meanings with the obvious one showcasing their workhorse nature as they push beyond overtime. The other deals with self-awareness in the duo's mindset as they embrace being classified as old school, but to them, that boom-bap sound is timeless. "Overtime" is the lead track taken from Dragon Fli Empire's comeback project since its first album since 2013.

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Dragon Fli Empire look beyond their continued progress of existence on the reflective "Overtime" - EARMILK

In a recent turn of events, twocoronavirus (COVID-19)patients located inNew York Cityhave just been treated with a new drug that was 'fast-tracked' for HIV as well as breast cancer.

(Photo : REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)A nasal ventilator is pictured as a patient suffering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is treated in a pulmonology unit at the hospital in Vannes, France, March 20, 2020.

The results have been based on a small initial trial, but a biotech firm called CytoDyn strongly believes in the potential of their drug calledleronlimabto be used in potential treatment.

Due to the recent results, biotech firm CytoDyn believed that its drugleronlimabhas an ability to cure patients with coronavirus. The said drug has been tested to only seven critically patients. Fortunately, and two of them are now ventilator-free while two others are showing progress from the inflammation sending their lungs into potential organ failure. With that, the biotech firm is optimistic about the ability of its drug that it can defeat the 'cytokine storm,' a deluge of immune cells that can even be as harmful as the infection itself

Currently, there are no approved treatments for the pandemic, but CytoDyn's very own drug has been considered one of the latest potential solutions. The growing number of infected in America has reached the six-digit mark with 100,000 victims, and if the drug is able to show data successfully, an FDA approval could be on its way in only a matter of at least six weeks.

Read Also:COVID-19 Victims Could Be Positive Even Without Experiencing Fever-Study

Being able to develop a drug that specifically targets the coronavirus itself involves time and money, which are both on the short end of the supply when it comes to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Scientists among universities, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), are all racing towards testing existing drugs as well as developing new drugs that could successfully counter the coronavirus, which has already killed even more than 1,500 Americans.

Recent trials have shownleronlimab's success in treating HIV, but scientists from CytoDyn believe that the drug could be beneficial for coronavirus patients aside from an antiviral one.

In anarticle by Dailymail,it was stated that "What's killing coronavirus patients is a complication of the virus: pneumonia." It only shows a deeper look into the cause of death instead of just the virus as a whole.

Scientists have narrowed down that the virus finds its way to lung cells resulting in the immune system putting up a fight even though the necessary antibodies specific for this coronavirus have not yet been ready.

Read Also:Coronavirus Cure Update: 4,000 Health Care Workers Volunteers to Receive Tuberculosis Vaccine Shots to See Its Effects

The effects of the Cytokines are to tell the body's immune system to send a swarm of chemicals from the white blood cells to fight the infection, which causes inflammation.

Once the inflammation starts to get out of control, and the body fluids start to fill the alveoli inside the lungs, the patient then starts to develop pneumonia.

When inflammation gets out of control, and fluid starts to fill the alveoli in the lungs, a patient develops pneumonia.

2018 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

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COVID-19 Patients Show Sign of Progress After Taking In Development HIV and Breast Cancer Drug, Now Free From - Tech Times

The market is eagerly waiting for a deal from Congress.

Topline: The stock market rallied on Tuesday morning, opening higher amid renewed optimism that Congress can finally reach an agreement on a $2 trillion fiscal stimulus bill to cushion the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Key background: The market is having its worst month since 1931, falling up to 35% over the last four weeks. That decline, in such a short period of time, is the steepest drop since the Great Depression, according to Bespoke Investment Group. During trading on Monday, stocks slumped after Congress again failed to pass the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. Both the Dow and S&P 500 hit their lowest levels since December 2016.

What to watch for: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday introduced a separate, $2.5 trillion economic response bill to deal with the coronavirussince the one currently being negotiated initially excluded Democrats. This version of the stimulus bill aims to send $1,500 to individual Americans and provides additional funds for measures like unemployment insurance. Pelosi said it takes responsibility for the health, wages and well-being of Americas workers.

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Stocks Rally 9% As Wall Street Hopes For Progress On Coronavirus Stimulus Bill - Forbes

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From the first day he arrived at Jets headquarters, Joe Douglas made it clear his priority was fixing the Jets' offensive line. He inherited a mess, he could obviously see it, and he knew cleaning it up it was his most important job.

"You guys know how I feel about the offensive line," the Jets GM said at the scouting combine in February. "It's hard to have a good team without one."

The Jets' line isn't yet good enough to power their team, but as promised, Douglas certainly took steps in that direction during the opening days of free agency. He took a flier on tackle George Fant, re-signed the Jets' best lineman in guard Alex Lewis, and landed the best center on the market in ex-Bronco Connor McGovern.

And more is on the way. The Jets have been talking with free-agent guard Greg Van Roten, who could replace Brian Winters. And their right tackle spot is certainly in flux, especially with multiple NFL sources convinced that Douglas is going to take a tackle with the 11th pick in the NFL draft next month.

Yes, the Jets still need cornerbacks, receivers and help for their pass rush, so there's a lot of work to be done overall. But the Jets are well on their way to having a completely revamped offensive line by the time training camp opens this summer.

And that was always Job 1.

"Obviously we need to have a strong offensive line," he said. "We have to do a good job of taking care of Sam (Darnold) moving forward."

It's clear that the Jets' line did not do a good job of that last season. They gave up a ridiculous 52 sacks, and that doesn't even fully tell the story about how much pressure there was on the Jets' three quarterbacks. Darnold was constantly on the run, making plays outside of the pocket and escaping trouble caused by his crumbling line.

So how much better is the Jets' line now? While the grade is "incomplete" for now, the upgrades do seem significant. The 6-4, 306-pound McGovern is a big improvement over Jonotthan Harrison at center. He's durable, having missed just one game in the last three seasons. And last year, in his first season as a full-time starting center, he committed no penalties and gave up just one sack, according to Pro Football Focus, in 1,013 snaps.

McGovern got a three-year, $27 million deal from the Jets, slightly more than the three years, $18.6 million it cost them to re-sign the 6-6, 305-pound Lewis. Douglas got Lewis from Baltimore in August for a seventh-round draft pick, and he became the Jets' best lineman once he took over for the injured Kelechi Osemele. According to a team source, Douglas felt he was the only one of the Jets' linemen from last season that he absolutely had to re-sign.

Douglas' big gamble is the 6-5, 322-pound Fant, who got an eye-popping three-year, $27.3 million deal after three years as a part-time starter in Seattle. But the contract really is a one-year, $9.25 million bet on a promising, sizeable player. Fant will likely be the left tackle to start this season, but could move to the right side in the future depending on which tackle the Jets draft in the first round.

There are other variables, too. The 6-4, 300-pound Harrison is likely coming back and will provide some much-needed depth. He also could fill in at center or play guard, if necessary. The Jets haven't given up on tackle Chuma Edoga, last year's third-round pick, after an up-and-down rookie season. And there seems to be a chance they'll bring back Winters, whom Douglas praised during his press conference at the combine, but only if Winters agrees to a significant cut of his $7 million salary first.

So the rebuilding isn't over, but Douglas got off to a good start. There's a reason he started addressing this before he began adding at other positions. A good defense and dangerous weapons are minimized if a team can't protect their quarterback. Having a strong offensive line is an absolute necessity.

Or as Douglas said, it's hard to have a good team without it. The Jets may not have one yet, but at least they're finally on their way.

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Grading Jets GM Joe Douglas' still-in-progress offensive line rebuild - SNY.tv

Updated: May 25, 2018:

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FDAs Congressional Report Confirms Slow But Steady Progress on CBD Regulation - JD Supra

GUEST COMMENTARY:

La Jollas Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) vendors continue the cycle of regular maintenance. Sidewalk power washing will be performed quarterly in Zone 1 of The Village. Landscape maintenance will cycle through the entire Village every three weeks. And, litter control occurs daily.

During February 2020, MADs sidewalk power washing vendor completed a second power washing of sidewalks on Prospect Street, Girard Avenue and Wall Street in La Jolla.

MADs landscape services vendor provided tree and bush trimming throughout The Village. One specific focus for this vendor is cleanup of leaves, palm fronds and other organics that drop from trees and collect on sidewalks and in gutters. MAD is also working with this vendor to enhance tree wells on Prospect and Girard. That work should start before the end of March.

MADs litter control vendor continued its daily patrol of The Village to locate and remove loose litter and trash to ensure no overflowing trash receptacles. That same vendor provided the repainting of concrete trash receptacles (36 have been repainted and painting the remainder is scheduled soon.)

MAD has made progress on the trash dumpster front. We have communicated with merchants about more frequent trash pickup and better maintenance of the dumpster locations. So far, the improvements are noticeable.

MAD has contacted SDG&E and will coordinate with them to provide paint and direction for a MAD vendor to paint 12 transformer boxes and protective steel bollards. This work will start March 18.

At Enhance La Jollas board meeting, Feb. 13, the board approved MAD to consider plans for refinishing wood benches and increasing the frequency of sidewalk power washing.

MAD has developed a pilot plan for refinishing wood benches. Initially, 25-30 benches will be refinished on Prospect, Girard and Wall. Look for this work to start by April 1.

MAD will implement a plan to increase the frequency of sidewalk power washing by adding one weekly work shift to coincide with the start of the summer tourist season, sometime in May.

Finally, MAD is coordinating with the Streetscape Plan architects to place some sidewalk planters along Girard where damaged planters have been removed. MAD will ensure that these replacement planters will be consistent with existing planters and the ultimate Village Streetscape Plan.

ALERT: We have a graffiti tagger in The Village. Please notify MAD of any graffiti sightings; MAD will try and remove or repaint these locations as quickly as possible.

As always, your input, comments and concerns are welcome. You can contact La Jollas Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) by e-mail: manager@enhancelajolla.org or (858) 444-5892 and visit enhancelajolla.org

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La Jolla MAD Progress Report: More improvements coming to The Village - La Jolla Light

When an old Hokie friend of mine asked to meet up during the winter break to catch up over dinner, I was overjoyed both to share our first-semester stories and to satisfy my intense Thai cravings. Little did I know that she had an ulterior motive. The moment she asked me to run a half-marathon with her, hesitation and doubt rushed in. In high school, we ran cross country together, but I ran for fun, not for the competition not to mention that my exercise regime had consisted of crawling up the Gooch/Dillard stairs and eating Runk ice cream every day that semester. But for some reason, I instinctively agreed because I knew that I needed a change from my first semester lifestyle. And why not cross it off my bucket list while Im still young and healthy?

After our dinner date, my friend and I scoured the Internet for half-marathon training plans and races. Our promise to keep each other accountable by texting updates and sending daily words of encouragement officially sealed the deal. A lot of changes were made, which involved sleeping way earlier than my usual 2 a.m. bedtime during fall semester and a lot more physical movement, but these small steps became the foundation for the longer strides that will be crucial on race day.

My eight weeks of half-marathon training thus far have taught me a lot about myself the physical struggles my body could endure and the self-discipline I could acquire. Here are some of the reflections I have learned so far.

Learning to start small

Similar to a New Years resolution, the first week was somewhat easy, but as my weekly mileage and AFC visits increased, so did the amount of schoolwork and stress I had. There have been obvious benefits improved time management and feeling more productive throughout the day.

However, it has changed my perspective of work as a whole as well. These running plans required me to start off at a small mileage and gradually add more miles each week to build my stamina, endurance and speed at a steady pace. I was able to apply this same approach to my school work. Rather than choosing to do work all at once, I began to see my schoolwork as a drawn-out process rather than a rapidly put-together product done in one sitting. I saw these final results to be rewarding in terms of both quality and grades.

Motivation

Intentions are important. As a penny-pincher, I struggled to pay the heavy race registration fee. The idea that I had to run to make the money worth it was one of my earlier sources of motivation. As I began to add training into my schedule, rather than thinking of it as a chore to accomplish, I visualized it as a daily challenge to the start of my day. Will I be able to claim victory by pushing through? Will I be able to run my split time faster? Or will I not finish in the end?

Once midterms hit, my inner laziness and sweet-tooth demons were unleashed, and I had to constantly compromise with and rearrange my training I definitely felt its painful repercussions during the long runs, especially when I didnt hydrate or eat enough the night before. Acutely understanding how these mistakes correlated with my performance helped me gain a larger understanding of how and why self-discipline is the overarching idea that factors into good nutrition, hydration and sleep.

Finding peace in a big world

Training has become progressively easier as my body has adjusted to the regular freezing morning runs, bland pre-workout bananas and the creeping fatigue I feel in the late afternoon. My overall mood has improved as the negative energy that comes with morning exhaustion is flushed out. There is also something quite mystical about running on Grounds on early Saturday mornings with so few people in sight. Im so used to being drowned by the flood of students walking about that I regard the empty sidewalks as a sight for sore eyes and something I finally have the chance to fully own.

Living as a student in the University bubble of roughly 24,000 students and as human in a world of 7.7 billion people, the lonely aspect of runs helps remind me of how small of a person I am. But it also reassures me that I am never alone no matter how early I am awake, there will always be someone else in the world who is going through their daily routine trying to make a name for themselves as well. It is easy to think that the world is so full of conflict and anger that we forget that we are just humans trying to live together. Taking 40 minutes to remind myself of this little thought and witnessing natural beauty in morning fog and barren trees have changed my views on the dreary winter months of January and February.

The race is only two weeks away, and Im both anxious and relieved to accomplish this feat. Will I be training for a full marathon race after? The answer is most likely no, but one thing is for sure theres nothing that gets me more pumped up than hitting the pavement while listening to a Bon Appetit podcast episode and dreaming of the Coco Verde acai bowl waiting for me at the Juice Laundry.

Sarah Kim is a Life Columnist at The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at life@cavalierdaily.com.

Original post:

'In-progress' reflections of an aspiring marathon runner - University of Virginia The Cavalier Daily

BRADFORD'S Safestyle UK cut its pre-tax losses by almost 80 per cent in 2019 as the second phase of its turnaround plan took hold.

But the PVCu windows and doors firm has warned that despite a strong start for 2020, the coronavirus outbreak is creating uncertainty in the industry and analysts believe this could delay the company's final phase of accelerated growth.

A three-phase turnaround plan was implemented after the company made a 16.3m loss before tax in 2018, as revenue fell by more than 40m.

The latest full year results show a 3.8m loss before tax, a change of 12.5m, and an increase in revenue of 8.4 per cent, taking the Manningham headquartered company's revenue to 126.2m.

The firm said it had "restored to profitability in the middle of the year with strong progress made on phase two of the turnaround plan", resulting in improvements in revenues and gross margin alongside reduced overheads.

It added that the year end order book had increased by 24 per cent above 2018's position, down to an "accelerated order intake" in November and December.

In addition the volume of frames installed in 2019 increased by 3.3 per cent to 190,252 and the average unit sales price was up by 5.0 per cent.

Furthermore the company's market share increased to 8.5 per cent, up from 7.8 per cent in 2018.

CEO Mike Gallacher said: The results for 2019 announced today show good progress in our turnaround plan. The business has started strongly in 2020 but is now facing into the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are responding rapidly with the twin aims of protecting our people and customers, while providing the best service possible through the crisis. Our contingency planning was conducted early and our responses are being executed with huge support from our staff and agents.

"Our results show that during 2019 the business restored profitability and closed the year with a healthy order book and having laid strong foundations for continued performance improvement and sustainable growth. Our intent remains to build the business for the long-term benefit of shareholders with our trusted value brand whilst consolidating our position as the UKs No 1 choice for Windows and Doors.

In terms of outlook, the firm said while it has had a strong start to 2020, the coronavirus pandemic is "creating significant uncertainty" in the economy.

The businesses has responded to the situation rapidly, it said, and is able to deal with any short-term adverse impact. But in order to preserve cash, a 3m marketing investment has now been deferred.

"The Board is now focused on the wellbeing of staff, protecting the business and providing the best service possible in the current context," it added.

"Notwithstanding these concerns, the directors confirm that, after due consideration, they have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements."

Read the rest here:

Good progress on turnaround for Safestyle, as losses reduce by 12.5m - Bradford Telegraph and Argus

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is planning to contest at least seven SMCs and eight GRCs in the next election after a party meeting was held last night (18 March)

An earlier report by the Straits Times quoted Mr Leong Mun Wai, PSPs assistant secretary-general, saying that the party has identified 44 candidates, with another 13 in reserve, and is seeking to make its presence felt on its first electoral outing.

We intend to field a sizeable contingent, but of course, the final outcome will depend on discussions with all the other parties. We are mindful that we are the newest party, so we seek the cooperation of all the other parties to come to an amicable arrangement, said Mr Leong.

PSPs planned 15 constituencies:

Mr Leong confirms with TOC on what was reported by Straits Times but noted that it is not 100% confirmed if Dr Tan Cheng Bock, the partys founding Secretary-General, will be contesting in the West Coast GRC in the upcoming election as Dr Tan will still have to make his decision based on the residents support and reaction.

Dr Tan, who was a former Peoples Action Party, Member of Parliament and Central Executive Committee (CEC) member, had won and defended the former Ayer Rajah SMC for 26 years before it was absorbed into West Coast GRC.

Back in GE2015, all wards were contested by political parties with no walkovers.

The only party that is not affected by PSPs plan is the Singapore Democratic Alliance headed by Mr Desmond Lim which contested Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

This means that PSP will have to convince the parties which had contested in the GE2015 to give way or risk a three-corner fight with the incumbent party and the other opposition party.

Mr Leong said to TOC that the party will try its best to avoid any three-corner fights with other opposition parties and will speak with the parties and work with them to achieve the common objective.

On 13 March, the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on the revised electoral map. This led to speculation on the ground that the next general election (GE) will be called very soon. At the latest, it has to be held by 15 April 2021.

Historically, the GE is usually held about two months after the EBRC report is released. Thats what happened in the last three elections in 2015, 2011, and 2006. In 2001, the report was released on 17 October 2001 and elections were held less than a month later on 2 November 2001.

Another indication that the GE might be held in May is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs Facebook post on Saturday (14 March) in which he said that the GE can only be called after the electoral registers have been updated, which can take up to a month. Only after that can parliament be dissolved followed by the issuance of the writ of election.

PM Lee also wrote:

We have two choices. Either hope and pray that things will stabilise before the end of the term so that we can hold elections under more normal circumstances but we have no certainty of that.

Or else call elections early, knowing that we are going into a hurricane, to elect a new government with a fresh mandate and a full term ahead of it, which can work with Singaporeans on the critical tasks at hand

Given the COVID-19 situation, concerns have been raised about holding elections at this time given that the campaign period usually involved large rallies and group activities.

When asked about this, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said at a Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) press conference on Sunday (15 March) that in terms of organising events, such as election rallies, organisers must take guidance from the advisories we have put out, or adjust their event formats in line with the advisories, in order to ensure that they are safe.

If the prime minister decides (to hold an election), given the prevailing guidance on events, advisories and social distancing, then Im sure (Event) organisers will have to make adjustments accordingly, he explained.

Mr Wong also said that some flexibility will be given to the crowd limit for events. For example, if the event is held at large venues where people are given enough space to keep a distance with each other, then that event can have a bigger audience.

Later on Wednesday (18 March), Mr Wong said in an interview with CNBCs Squawk Box Asia that the elections will very likely happen while in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. He explained that a number of medical experts have revealed that the virus may not go away any time soon, meaning that the worlds fight against the deadly novel coronavirus could drag on for a year and beyond a year.

So, whatever the timing of the election, because it has to be held by April 2021, it is very likely that it will have to be held when COVID-19 is still circulating in our midstthats the reality, said the Minister, who is also Singapores second finance minister and co-chairs a multi-ministry task force to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus in Singapore.

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Progress Singapore Party sets its eyes on 15 constituency wards in upcoming General Election - The Online Citizen

The GSA is the agency that is setting the pace for other federal agencies and departments when it comes to application rationalization, and IT leaders there have some advice for their peers to follow.

One of the main things I get people to concentrate on is not doing low-hanging fruit, Stephen Naumann, senior adviser and data center practitioner with the GSAs Office of Government-Wide Policy, said during a panel in December hosted by ACT-IAC and the IBM Center for the Business of Government, according to Nextgov. Thats too easy. Youre just moving something from one place to another. And really annoying the technicians when you do that if youre not getting the bang for the buck.

When agency IT teams are deploying new technologies, they are often advised to go for quick wins to demonstrate to agency leaders the value of the transition. However, Naumann advised against agencies doing so when it comes to application rationalization. Instead, as Nextgov notes, he said that IT teams should focus on pain points and the apps that everyone has a problem with.

MORE FROM FEDTECH: Follow the 5 Rs of rationalization for an effective cloud migration.

Every organization has something in their enterprise thats a problem child. Every Monday morning after a change weekend, somethings gone wrong or youve had a major outage, he said. Look at a problem child and then concentrate on that. If you go through the application rationalization process and you make their lives significantly better whoever the users are for whatever that problem is youve changed the culture, youve gotten buy-in on that.

GSA is rationalizing its apps at a 9:1 ratio, CIO David Shive said in January at Clouderas 2020 Data Cloud Summit, and the agency will continue to invest in IT. For example, Shive said, GSA consolidated its customer relationship management system apps from about 1,800 down to 200, according to FedScoop.

GSA can use the money it saves to focus on other higher-value digitization efforts, Shive said. The agency cut costs by 17.8 percent in 2019, with 53 percent of workloads and spend in the cloud managed by just 30 percent of its infrastructure stack, FedScoop reports.

Meanwhile, the other 70 percent of agency infrastructure has been repurposed for work like cybersecurity and enterprise planning, Shive said, according to FedScoop.

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Are Agencies Making Progress on Application Rationalization? - FedTech Magazine