new An important aspect of RAD's initiative is supporting equitable digital access. The project considers how it can help reduce digital barriers and uplift Aotearoa’s standard of excellence. Investing in digital access and establishing trusted partnerships with stakeholders like businesses, government, schools, social service providers, libraries, marae, youth groups, and non-profits, RAD seeks to create a digitally skilled workforce. Encouraging others to support RAD’s mission, Scott commented, "We need funding. We need used laptops. We need repair clubs established in more schools and communities."... — IT Brief New Zealand, 10h ago

new Request a free sample copy in PDF or view the report summary: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/telemedicine-market/requestsampleTelemedicine Market OverviewUnderstanding Telemedicine This encompasses a wide range of services, from virtual doctor consultations to remote patient monitoring and telepharmacy. Telemedicine eliminates the need for physical presence, making healthcare services accessible to individuals globally.Market Size and Growth The telemedicine market achieved a substantial market size of USD 73.1 billion in 2023 and is poised to continue its growth journey with a CAGR of 19.3% from 2024 to 2032, ultimately reaching a staggering USD 377.0 billion by 2032. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several key factors, which we will explore in detail.Telemedicine Market DynamicsTechnological Advancements The rapid evolution of technology is a driving force behind the telemedicine boom. High-speed internet, smartphones, wearable devices, and improved telecommunication infrastructure have all played pivotal roles in making remote healthcare services accessible. Telemedicine platforms now boast high-quality video and audio capabilities, ensuring seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.Increased Adoption of Teleconsultation The widespread acceptance of teleconsultation has been steadily increasing. Patients have come to appreciate the convenience and accessibility of virtual appointments, particularly for non-emergency consultations. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, highlighting the importance of remote healthcare services.External Telemedicine Market TrendsChanging Regulatory Landscape Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are adapting to accommodate telemedicine. They are implementing policies and regulations to ensure patient safety, data privacy, and the growth of telehealth services. Staying informed about these evolving regulations is crucial for telemedicine providers.Remote Monitoring and IoT Integration The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into telemedicine has opened up new possibilities. Remote monitoring of vital signs and health parameters enables proactive healthcare management. Patients can transmit real-time data to healthcare professionals, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatment adjustments.Explore the full report with the table of contents: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/telemedicine-marketTelemedicine Market SegmentationPatient Demographics Telemedicine serves a diverse range of patients, from tech-savvy individuals to the elderly and those residing in remote areas with limited healthcare access. Understanding these demographics is vital for tailoring services effectively.Specialty Areas Telemedicine extends beyond general consultations to various specialty areas, including telepsychiatry, teledermatology, teleoncology, and more. Each specialty has unique requirements and considerations, necessitating market segmentation.Telemedicine Market GrowthGlobal Expansion Telemedicine knows no geographical boundaries. Its reach is expanding worldwide, with healthcare providers, tech companies, and startups entering the market from different corners of the globe. This global expansion is contributing significantly to the industry's rapid growth.Improved Patient Outcomes Research indicates that telemedicine can lead to improved patient outcomes. Timely consultations, continuous monitoring, and better access to healthcare professionals contribute to early diagnosis and effective management of various medical conditions.Recent Developments in the Telemedicine MarketTelemedicine Platforms Telemedicine platforms are continually evolving to offer more features and capabilities. Many now integrate electronic health records (EHRs), prescription management, and secure patient messaging, enhancing the overall patient experience.AI and Telemedicine Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its presence felt in telemedicine. Machine learning algorithms are being employed to analyze medical data, predict patient outcomes, and enhance diagnostic accuracy. The integration of AI promises to revolutionize telemedicine further.Telemedicine Market ScopePatient Convenience Telemedicine offers unparalleled convenience to patients. They can schedule appointments at their convenience, eliminating the need for lengthy commutes and extended wait times in crowded waiting rooms.Cost Savings Telemedicine presents cost savings for both patients and healthcare providers. Patients save on travel expenses and time, while healthcare providers can optimize their resources more efficiently.Telemedicine Market AnalysisKey Players The telemedicine market boasts a diverse array of key players, including established healthcare institutions, technology firms, and startups. Prominent players include Teladoc Health, Amwell, Doctor on Demand, and numerous others. These companies offer a wide array of telehealth services and continue to innovate in the field.Patent Analysis Analyzing patents is crucial to understanding the technological innovations propelling the telemedicine market. It offers insights into the key players' areas of focus and hints at potential future developments.Grants and Funding Monitoring grants and funding within the telemedicine sector provide valuable insights into market trends and growth areas. Government support and private investment often signify confidence in the market's potential.Clinical Trials Clinical trials within the telemedicine realm are essential for validating the efficacy and safety of remote healthcare solutions. Keeping abreast of ongoing trials can provide valuable information about emerging telemedicine treatments and technologies.Partnerships and Collaborations Partnerships and collaborations among telemedicine providers, healthcare organizations, and technology companies are commonplace. These alliances often result in innovative solutions and expanded service offerings.FAQ: Addressing Common Questions1. Is telemedicine as effective as in-person visits? Telemedicine has proven highly effective for many types of consultations and follow-ups. However, certain cases necessitate physical examinations or procedures, mandating in-person visits.2. Is telemedicine secure and private? Telemedicine platforms prioritize security and privacy, employing encryption and adhering to stringent data protection regulations to safeguard patient information.3. How can I access telemedicine services? Accessing telemedicine services is straightforward. Many healthcare providers have their telemedicine platforms or collaborate with established telehealth companies. Patients can typically schedule appointments through websites or mobile apps.4. Will insurance cover telemedicine consultations? Insurance coverage for telemedicine varies by provider and policy. Many insurance companies now offer coverage for telehealth services, but it's essential to verify specific plan details.Related Report:Surgical Robots Market... — openPR.com, 14h ago

new The energy transition towards a more sustainable and renewable future is a pivotal global endeavor. Central to this shift for the United States is the critical role of domestically sourced lithium, a key mineral in the production of high-performance batteries essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. This has driven the United States to invest heavily in a domestic supply chain for battery-grade lithium to enhance energy security, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and foster economic growth by tapping into local resources. A notable example is the Biden Administration’s “American Battery Materials Initiative,” which was included in the $2.8-billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (The White House, 2022). The “Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area” in Imperial County, California has been identified as a potential domestic U.S. resource of lithium due to the brine-hosted lithium in the deep subsurface geothermal reservoir. An analysis funded by the U.S. Department of Energy provides an overview of opportunities and challenges associated with developing the lithium resource in the Salton Sea geothermal reservoir, as well as potential environmental and societal impacts to the county and surrounding region. The geologic history of the region suggests that lithium in the subsurface brines could have come from multiple sources, including water and sediments from the Colorado River, which have been periodically deposited over the past several million years; rocks from the mountain ranges surrounding the Imperial Valley; and lithium-bearing volcanic rocks and igneous intrusions from past geologic events. Further, several processes may have concentrated lithium in the brine over time, including evaporative concentration of lithium-bearing water that flowed into the basin and leaching of lithium from the sediments and rocks by the circulating geothermal brines. Geothermal brine production at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, the area with existing geothermal power plants, has averaged just over 120 million metric tons per year since 2004. Using an approximate lithium brine concentration of 198 parts per million (ppm), the amount of dissolved lithium contained in these produced brines is estimated to be 127,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year. The total dissolved lithium content in the well-characterized portion of the Salton Sea Geothermal Reservoir is estimated at 4.1 million metric tons of LCE, and the estimated total resource increases to 18 million metric tons of LCE if assumptions for porosity and total reservoir size are increased to reflect the probable resource extent. Analysts measured lithium concentrations in the reservoir rocks, which were shown to vary with depth and mineralogy. These data were used to help refine conceptual and computer models of the reservoir; specifically, two complementary computer models of the reservoir were developed. Analysts used the first model to simulate the approximate 30-year history of geothermal power production in the area using historical production and reinjection data, then used that model to simulate a 30-year forecasting period. This forecast assumed continued production and reinjection rates at current levels but removes 95% of the lithium from the produced geothermal brine starting January 1, 2024. The model found that lithium recovery declines by more than half, from 0.8 to 0.3 kilograms per second (kg/s). Forecast scenarios that are optimized to both recover lithium and harness geothermal energy are expected to sustain lithium production rates much more effectively. The second model included more detailed simulations of the movement of brine and chemical reactivity of lithium within the reservoir. It showed that the reactions of relatively stable lithium-bearing minerals are slow, and that the primary replenishment mechanism for lithium in the brines is the upward flux of convecting lithium-rich brine from below the producing reservoir. However, these replenishment rates are not fast enough to produce significant increases in lithium, which could limit the long-term sustainability of the lithium resource. It is important to note that these models are preliminary and are based on current understanding of fluid replenishment rates, the minerals present in the geothermal system, and their chemical properties and reactivity. Further work should be undertaken to improve them and the associated predictions. The report also considered potential impacts on regional water resources, air quality, chemical use, and solid waste disposal needs, as well as the seismic risk associated with geothermal power production and lithium extraction activity. These investigations highlighted the need to proceed with good monitoring and verification systems and with appropriate mitigation technologies. However, the analysis illustrates that if these things are done properly, lithium development is not likely to create significant negative environmental impacts. Specifically, expanding geothermal energy production and lithium extraction will have a modest impact on water availability in the region. Initial estimates suggested that ~3% of historically available water supply for the region would be needed for currently proposed geothermal energy and lithium recovery operations; the majority of current water usage is for agriculture. It is not anticipated that expanding geothermal capacity or lithium production would impact the availability or quality of water used for human consumption and will not directly affect the water quality of the Salton Sea. However, the long-term drought conditions in the western United States may restrict future availability of water to the region, which is sourced from the Colorado River. In terms of regional air emissions of all pollutants identified in the analysis (particulate matter, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and benzene, expanding geothermal energy and adding lithium extraction overall have a small impact. Chemical use involved in geothermal power production and lithium extraction is consistent with chemical use in industrial settings, and the analysis did not identify any persistent organic pollutants or acutely toxic chemicals among those currently being used. Moving fluids within the subsurface can impact subsurface pressures and stresses, potentially triggering seismic activity. Early in geothermal energy production, increasing seismicity rates in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field correlated strongly with energy production activity; however, that correlation weakened after 1996. Even following the onset of geothermal energy production, seismic hazard in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field has not increased beyond that of the surrounding region. In addition to technical outcomes from the analysis, the report describes an initial effort to incorporate community engagement into lithium research by understanding the local context and priorities and identifying how to effectively communicate to share information and gather feedback. The report includes information about the social and historical context of the region to enable a more holistic understanding of the resource and its potential impact, and identifies key community questions by observing public meetings, visiting the region, and consulting with local organizations. The report provides recommendations about how future research efforts can address community concerns and implement more community-engaged practices. These include developing formal partnerships with local organizations and establishing a community advisory board to facilitate ongoing dialogue and opportunities for feedback. The future work will build on and further refine the models and scenarios presented in the report and strive to deepen engagement with local communities. — interestingengineering.com, 18h ago

new This pay-what-you can community cafe, whose intent is “to build a culture of belonging,” has grown since its opening in 2010 from serving 25 meals to 600 meals each week. Their Community Free Store, an emergency curbside food pantry, was created at the prompting of their guests during the onset of the pandemic. It provides between 80-110 households with groceries, produce and personal care items at no charge to them. In 2022 Stone Soup created a tuition-free 12-week Culinary Institute program career training to people seeking a new career path, especially those who are seeking employment after a period of incarceration or recovery from addiction. Those accepted into the program leave with a Food Handlers License, a ServSafe Certificate in Kitchen Management, job skills, practicum experience, and references for securing work in the food sector of Franklin County. — LA Progressive, 20h ago

new Ipso facto, the federal government cannot distant itself from the ‘cry’ for access to quality education at all levels, because it is a constitutional responsibility. It is imperative that the country gives her population access to quality education in order to harvest them as demographic ‘dividend’ in the future. Thus, there should be renewed commitment of government across all levels, and the private sector, to address funding the education sector, and providing the less privileged Nigerians with access to education for a brighter future. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 22h ago

new Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most crucial oil and protein crops, and contribute to more than a quarter of the protein utilized in both food and animal feed. It is widely acknowledged that cultivated soybean emerged through the domestication of its annual ancestor in the Yellow River basin. Therefore, the exploration of genetic resources within the origin region bears immense significance in advancing the global frontiers of soybean breeding.In comparison to the cultivar of Williams 82, ZH13 boasts higher genetic diversity and ecological type of origin reign. Furthermore, ZH13 is an ideal variety in the breeding strategy called “Potalaization”, which allows breeding of novel widely adapted soybean varieties through the use of multiple molecular tools in existing elite widely adapted varieties. To date, however, soybean genome analyses are incomplete and contain many gaps, which have so far limited in-depth investigations into its properties.To address this, a joint team of researchers from China, including senior author and co-corresponding author Dr. Yadong Wang from the Center for Bioinformatics, School of Computer Science and Technology at the Harbin Institute of Technology, and co-corresponding author Dr. Tianfu Han from the Institute of Crop Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, conducted a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assembly of the Chinese soybean cultivar Zhonghuang 13 (ZH13), termed ZH13-T2T. The study was published in The Crop Journal.“Imagine you have a giant jigsaw puzzle, but it’s missing some pieces. This puzzle is like the genetic code, or the “recipe,” of ZH13. The missing pieces are like gaps in our understanding of this recipe,” explained by Dr. Yang Hu, co-corresponding author of the study. “In this effort, we used a super-advanced and precise method to find and fit in all those missing pieces. With this powerful tool, we could see everything—even the tricky parts that were hidden before”.The researchers used a multi-assembler approach to minimize biases and enhance assembly accuracy. Their assembly spanned 1,015,024,879 base pairs (bp), effectively filling in all the gaps from the previous analyses. In the process, they identified over 50,000 protein-coding genes, of which 707 are novel. ZH13-T2T was found to have longer chromosomes, 421 not-aligned regions (NARs), 112 structure variations (SVs), and a significant expansion of repetitive elements compared to earlier analyses.“We’ve delivered the first complete Chinese soybean cultivar T2T genome,” said Dr. Bo Liu, the other co-corresponding author. The complete, accurate genome sequence of the ZH13 cultivar can now be used to identify crucial genes, and genetic variants linked to desirable traits.”This information would also contribute to accelerating soybean breeding programs to develop new cultivars with specific enhanced traits, crop yields, improved resistance to pests and diseases, and adaptability to different regions and climates.“For instance, researchers can use the genomic information to manipulate specific genes that encode improvements in soybean traits, such as photothermal adaptability, oil content, protein quality, or tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors," concluded by Baiquan Sun, an author of the study. — newswise.com, 1d ago

new As the high-speed railway network in China extends beyond 40,000 kilometers, maintaining seamless internet connectivity for passengers is becoming increasingly challenging. The demand for consistent and reliable online access is particularly crucial for travelers who spend extended hours on trains, relying on the expectation of undisturbed work, study, or entertainment. Addressing this need, a team of researchers from the School of Computer Science at Peking University developed ‘HiMoDiag’—an innovative tool designed to enhance the understanding and management of network performance in extremely high-mobility scenarios.“HiMoDiag stands out as a TCP-LTE/5G cross-layer performance analysis tool that enables full stack real-time comprehensive analysis and visualization of network performance from the application layer down to the physical layer,” explains Chenren Xu, corresponding author of the study. “It not only captures performance data across all layers of the network between user application and service provider but also visualizes it in a way that's actionable for network operators.”The team published their results in the KeAi journal High-speed Railway.Notably, HiMoDiag is particularly useful in scenarios whereby passengers expect stable internet connectivity to support their work and leisure activities during travel. The tool’s real-time analysis and visualization capabilities allow for immediate network performance diagnosis and performance optimization—an aspect that traditional diagnostic tools tend to fall short."By integrating cross-layer data analysis, we can now pinpoint and address issues much faster than before," Xu added. "This means less downtime for passengers and a more reliable service overall."The design of HiMoDiag addresses several challenges, including clock synchronization across network layers and endpoints, managing the substantial data volume resulting from 5G's high bandwidth, and mitigating interference arising from performance indicator transmission.Through its implementation and evaluation across an extensive dataset collected on trains with a maximum speed of 350 km/h, it has the potential to elevate network performance, thereby ensuring an enhanced user experience for passengers as well as quality of mission-critical service provided by LTE-R or 5G-R. HiMoDiag’s experiment platform also allows for flexible control over mobile devices, facilitating various types of network experiments. — newswise.com, 1d ago

new Incorporating bioethics principles into medical AI algorithms is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of creating trustworthy technology that serves to advance society. While the paper highlights multiple critical topics that should be considered and offers robust solutions, gaps and questions remain. More research needs to be done regarding when these AI tools are considered to be conscious of their own actions and, by extension when liability is placed on humans or the machines. Additionally, while the authors’ proposed solution of instituting liability fees and other systems between public and private parties is an interesting point to consider, it may be difficult to establish in countries such as the United States, where the healthcare system is incredibly disjointed. Additionally, in places with many competing private healthcare companies, it should be considered that these parties do not necessarily have patients’ best interests at heart. Instead, they tend to prioritize profits over patient well-being—thus adding another obstacle to ensuring ethical medical AI is instituted. — Montreal AI Ethics Institute, 1d ago

new ...“In a world where organizations must constantly evolve, it’s imperative to stay relevant, motivating employees to achieve extraordinary results. Organizations can tune into this new frequency by enabling a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is time that inclusivity went beyond a mere lip service. Today, human-centred technology enables people to engage, connect, and stay productive in many ways. Whether it’s self-service tools for auto resolution, real-time feedback and course correction, or simply elevating productivity through online courseware for remote employees, we cannot ignore the impact of technology. Assistive technologies like OCR, Adaptive Keyboards, and Braille displays are proving to be of great help for employees who may be differently abled. While in the past, rampways, accessible washrooms, and handrails enabled employees to access the facility, assistive technologies today ensure employees remain productive and engaged. It’s not only strategic but also vital to build an integrated diversity and inclusivity charter and to make technology a catalyst in building and sustaining a motivated workforce. — CXOToday.com, 1d ago

new EDUCATION barriers broke down into categories ranging from a very basic lack of understanding of what compost is to how to use compost to a lack of awareness of or access to programs . Surprisingly there were few comments about how to compost although there may be a “disconnect between [the] desire to compost and [an] understanding of [how composting] work[s ]." One participant summed all this up as a “lack of generational knowledge around composting. Long time city dwellers don't know how to compost and thus don't pass down to their kids.” A lack of understanding about why we should compost was also seen as a barrier because if people don’t understand "What's in it for me? Why should I bother?" they won’t be receptive to participating in composting programs nor in using compost. Other categories include lack of awareness about the value of compost, misperceptions, and fear by non- composters that composting is smelly and gross, mistrust that composting initiatives collecting food scraps are actually being composted, and confusion about what to compost. The fact that some specific target audiences such as kids, legislators, landscape companies, and under-served communities were not being reached was identified as a barrier to adoption. Funding and a lack of resources are persistent barriers to classroom education while in terms of practical experience “individual schools have no incentives to divert waste." A list of comments on Barriers to Education are displayed in Table 1 in Appendix 1. INFRASTRUCTURE barriers focused heavily on the economics of composting. Using compost was noted as costly for homeowners and gardeners as there are "hauling costs for home gardener." Additional costs are incurred when participating in composting by individuals and business owners as “ pickup programs [are] not affordable to all" and there is an “additional cost to business owners to add to compost to [their] waste contract and incorporate into operations." Compost processors also face cost issues as "compost facilities are expensive to run and are so full w/ product in IL" indicating a market imbalance between supply and demand and the likelihood that there is a "lack of end markets for finished compost (economic viability-closing the loop)" and a lack of understanding about the value of compost and composting. Supply quality issues impact demand for compost. For example, if the "quality of finished product (is) unknown or inconsistent", is contaminated, or even just perceived as contaminated, then consumers will be reluctant to purchase or use compost because they believe there is a " lack of high-quality compost from food scraps; [due to] too much contamination from post-consumer [waste].” Larger supply chain issues that need solutions include... — extension.org, 2d ago

new Most importantly, the RISE grant helped Northeastern purchase its simulators, which include a birth simulator, a pediatric simulator and two adult simulators. Using the simulators students can do everything from listen to heartbeats and breathing sounds to insert a catheter and their patients are even able to talk to them and answer questions.Instructors shared that the simulators are invaluable because they help students grow their confidence and figure out what they still need to learn while realizing just how much they already know. Plus, it's a great place for students to apply what they've learned in the classroom.Nursing students commented that the simulators help make them more comfortable, teach them time management, provide valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom and allow them to work on their critical thinking skills."I like simulation because it is a place for me to make errors and not have to worry about killing the patients," Brandon Williams said.Before watching a demonstration of the birth simulator, the group heard from Jennifer Garcia, a student who benefited from the RISE grant and in May will be graduating with an RN (Registered Nursing) degree. From California, she was working a dead-end job when her sister was accepted into NJC's program and encouraged her to enroll. After taking a job at Sterling Regional MedCenter as an inventory associate to make sure that healthcare was right for her, she fell in love almost immediately and went to work earning her CNA degree."Being from out of state it's been very difficult for me," Garcia said, explaining that the cost for her to attend Northeastern is much higher than a student who has lived here all of their life. "I wasn't sure I would be able to afford it and then came the RISE grant. It just lifted this great burden off me and I was able to focus all of my time and attention into preparing my skills.""I am very grateful to the RISE grant for everything it has given me because I feel that I have a purpose," Garcia added, sharing that she plans to work in the community when she graduates.Next, Giacomini shared how for years, she and Brower discussed how they could partner with students coming in, who often come from a country where they were a veterinarian or a doctor but now they need to get the skills and credentials to be able to work in the United States. Through the RISE grant, they were able to remove the financial barrier for some of the students and it also helped them create an integrated education and training program.Northeastern found a cohort of students whose language proficiency was just enough that they could have a basic conversation but they needed language skills specific to a CNA, which they got through a customized English training that was developed. The college also worked with them on workforce preparation skills like communication, time management, learning cultural differences, etc."It was great to finally pilot this program that we'd been trying for so long to get together," Giacomini said, adding that now those students are recruiting others to the CNA program.Next, was the simulation, which involved a pregnant woman who came in stable but started deteriorating with her heart rate and blood pressure showing signs of distress and her oxygen level dropping. She then experienced an eclamptic seizure due to high blood pressure and when the mother awakened it was determined she was in labor. The mother went on to deliver a healthy baby girl, who was examined for any problems and vaccinated.After the simulation, the group heard from Shelly Griffith, CEO of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, one of Northeastern's main clinical sites for both nursing and CNA students."We rely heavily on (NJC) to help train CNAs, individuals who are looking to pursue an entry point into the medical field," she said. "The beauty of NJC is they have been able to flex some schedules and be able to accommodate those who may need to be working full-time while they are looking to grow their career options."NJC's program is especially critical given the shortage of healthcare workers. Griffith shared Eben Ezer has a need for 20 CNAs right now,"What's happening is the demand for our service is significant and so people are having to go on a wait list, which means that many people, their needs are not being met because nursing homes throughout the rural communities are not able to meet that need because of limited staffing levels," she explained.Following her remarks, guests had a chance to try out the simulators themselves.The day ended with a panel discussion that included Tamara Durbin, executive director of Northeast Colorado BOCES; Kyle Stumpf, Superintendent of Holyoke School District; Danielle Ongart, Executive Director of Colorado Department of Education's Student Pathways; and Misti Ruthven, Director of Education and Training Innovation for the Office of Governor Polis.They talked about the importance of career connected learning as it benefits both students and the economy by opening students' eyes to career opportunities they might want to consider. Stumpf mentioned the success of his district's internship program.The group also talked about some of the barriers that exist to providing this, the biggest being cost, especially in northeast Colorado where it costs a lot to transport students from their school to another school that offers the program they're interested in. There is also the challenge of trying to ensure all students have equitable access. Durbin pointed out that students who live in northeast Colorado need to have the same opportunities available to them as those on the Front Range.During a question and answer session with the audience, Trae Miller, executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, pointed out that internships and apprenticeships sound great but the state requirements that go into those and the reporting aspects create a barrier for businesses to participate in those programs. He also shared that students need help with basic skills such as showing up on time and learning how to take instruction.Ongart suggested there needs to be a regional entity in place to help students and businesses navigate this, so it doesn't all fall on the district or the business, and Stumpf mentioned his district teaches a class an hour a day with all of those skills and they also provide businesses with funding to help offset the costs of doing an internship.State Sen. Byron Pelton asked why the state is reinventing the wheels with apprenticeships, instead of learning from what's in place now. He said his frustration with recent legislation regarding apprenticeships is "you're going to have a lot of outside forces that are going to try to do their best to send it one way or the other when we need to just worry about the entire workforce, not just a little part of it; we need to worry about the entire workforce." Pelton pointed out in two years, half of Colorado's electrical trade will be retiring, "so we've got to get more people in there," he commented.He also said would like for time in college courses to count toward credit for both college and high school, which he plans to introduce a bill to require."We realize the importance of apprenticeships and we have challenges in trying to determine those opportunities for youth in high schools and have that be seamless for them," Durbin said, adding that it's something they are working on.©2023 Journal-Advocate, Sterling, Colo. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. — GovTech, 2d ago

new ...deTour 2023 is presented by PMQ and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This 10-day grand design festival will present various programmes for the art and design communities both in and outside Hong Kong. These programmes include creative installations and exhibitions, workshops, design dialogues, movie screenings, guided tours, and many more. 10 years of deTour at PMQ Started in 2014, PMQ's deTour celebrates the 10th anniversary this year. A unique theme has been assigned to each edition of deTour to explore how design could solve social problems and improve our lives. To commemorate this journey, a 10-year retrospect exhibition will be featured in this year's deign festival to look back on the highlighted exhibits and behind-the-scenes of the past decade of PMQ's deTour. This part of the exhibition will be held during the same period as deTour 2023 Design Festival at PMQ and admission is free, as everyone is invited to witness the road to success of deTour, as the contribution of PMQ and deTour in pushing forward the development of the local design industry. The theme of deTour 2023 – "New Know How" – the Interweaving of "Craft", "Design" and "Technology" Working around "New Know How" as the theme, deTour 2023 aims to pave the road to craft design future which takes off with appreciation of traditional craftsmanship. When working, craftsmen are laser focused, highly precise and people oriented, and these qualities are collectively deemed as the "spirit of craftsmanship", which are also regarded as "Know How". Curators of deTour 2023 stated that "this valuable artisanship ought to be applied to different industries. It, together with design thinking and advanced technology, will help take each industry to a new level. By achieving this, problems can be solved more effectively, and through analysing obstacles from a new angle and perhaps trying solutions with new materials and techniques, new creations that are more thoughtful might be possible – this is what we meant by 'New Know How'." Through this design festival, curators hope to bring the industries to re-appreciate traditional crafts from a new angle and make good use of "New Know How" in different sectors. Three Exhibition Areas with 20 International and Local Works The exhibition of deTour 2023 Design Festival is divided into three parts: International Collaboration, Feature Exhibitions and Selected Entries, which are curated under the five specific directions of New Value, Storytelling, Craft Enhancement, Innovation and Heritage. Scattered all over the PMQ premises, 20 design works from the Nethelands, Japan and local designers are open to the public for free appreciation. . In addition, over the 10 days of the design festival, there will be a fruitful programme of a total of 40 workshops, 12 design dialogues and sessions of documentary screening of "Food and Design". International Collaboration: Craft by Nature by Biobased Creations (The Netherlands) deTour 2023's International Collaboration has invited Biobased Creations from the Netherlands, which is a creative studio formed by a group of designers, researchers and artists who aim to encourage the use of biomaterials - also known as renewable eco resources - in daily lives, so as to evolve our world into a regenerative and circular one. Biobased Creations presents Craft by Nature which is an exhibit specially designed for deTour 2023. Shaped like a house, the exhibit allows visitors to find multiple designs made from biobased materials such as furniture, clothes, shoes and socks, and household items. All of these designs are eco-friendly, light in weight and with a minimalistic design, created by designers from Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Outside the house in the garden, visitors can see the "originals" of the materials used in the designs, including common reed, silvergrass and shells, something that we are familiar with. Other than that, Biobased Creations will also display 40 biomaterials that can be applied in architecture and heat insulation, and visitors are welcome to hold and feel these materials and scan the QR code to instantly learn how these biomaterials are made. Craft by Nature is an innovative installation demonstrating how materials that are ignored or abandoned can be transformed into chic designs, and this allows us to rethink our relationship with the nature and invites us to take one more step forward to make our world better. Feature Exhibitions: Exploring traditional crafts with a fresh eye... — SME Business Daily Media, 1d ago

new Education and health are the fundamental right and key drivers for empowerment. The United Nations, working with partners and communities, strives to create an inclusive educational environment, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to quality education. In conflict situations, special attention is given to providing adapted learning environments that cater to diverse learning needs. — ReliefWeb, 1d ago

new The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, in his remarks stressed that sustained efforts in digital literacy in partnership with key agencies, such as NITDA, as well as the private sector, will be critical in ensuring greater technology adoption by smallholder farmers, which can translate to improved productivity, extensive technical up-skilling, promoting best practices, increased trade competitiveness and market access. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new From my perspective, a highly competitive city, whether component or highly urbanized, showcases economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public services. As a result, potential benefits for city constituents, particularly the economically disadvantaged, must encompass “increased job opportunities leading to more stable sources of income; enhanced access to quality education facilitated by improved educational institutions and facilities; improved health outcomes through better access to medical services; enhanced mobility and connectivity, making it easier to reach jobs, schools, and essential services; a safety net for poor families through improved social services; improved access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity; more opportunities for constituents to start their own businesses; implementation of community development programs targeting poverty reduction; improved access to free cultural and recreational opportunities, and a reduced crime rate resulting in a safer environment for all constituents.”Nonetheless, the actual benefits to poor families depend on the effectiveness of local governance, social policies, and the inclusivity of development strategies. The city government must prioritize pro-poor initiatives addressing the specific needs of indigent constituents, while ensuring inclusive growth to maximize the positive impact of competitiveness on their lives. — INQUIRER.net, 2d ago

new The United Nations is not deaf to examples such as those above and has worked towards improving life for women across the world – and this is the point where the mixed picture becomes clearer. Feminists often harness the platforms available through the United Nations and secure progress that would not be possible without the playing field made available by international organisations. Perhaps the best example of this came in October 2000, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 – a landmark in emphasising the value of equal participation of women, as well as their increasing involvement in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security. Furthermore, it recognised the disproportionate impact of conflict on women. The United Nations subsequently created several specialised groups, such as the Task Force on Women Peace and Security, as well as the Task Force on Violence Against Women, to uphold its commitment to the protection of women’s rights. Additionally, the United Nations has also provided women in impoverished countries with more access to resources and opportunities they would otherwise not have, for example through initiatives such as the UN Girls’ Education Initiative. Further, a large number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (explored further in chapters 17 and 18) target issues pivotal to women in ways that are designed to be more nuanced in order to overcome some of the ineffective applications of prior efforts which tended to help some women more than others. — E-International Relations, 2d ago

new I currently am guiding several dissertation research studies as major advisor, including (a) a content analysis of the methodological quality of articles published in refereed subscription and open access aviation journals, (b) a secondary analysis of a previous doctoral student's study on aviation professionalism, (c) a risk analysis of general aviation pilots, (d) an examination of the relationship between factors that contribute to a country's international competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry and that country's per capita airline passenger capacity of domestic and international flights originating within that country, and (e) an examination of the influence electronic Word-of-Mouth activities have on airline passengers' purchasing involvement relative to a particular airline. — fit.edu, 2d ago

new While children share many of the same rights as adults, their violations due to climate change are experienced with greater severity due to their physiological and psychological vulnerabilities. In addition, children have a number of specific rights, such as the right to childhood, to primary education and to protection –all of which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.”... — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new ...“Research shows that access to high-quality entrepreneurship education leads to better career and economic outcomes. ASA is honored to enter into a new strategic alliance with NFTE, as part of our mission to engage many more young people with their future planning through impactful entrepreneurial experiences,” said ASA CEO and President Jean Eddy. “As a leader in providing unique and engaging digital-first career readiness experiences to more than 15 million kids annually, this union underscores our commitment and intentional focus on the learners in historically underrepresented communities. — eSchool News, 2d ago

new The world changing will not be a revelation to your readers. I read about some data which said that people are no longer making a choice on where they work over a year or even months. If they perceive they are in a bad job, they’re giving notice that day. We have talked about the perception of hospitality being a bad job – long and unsociable hours and difficult customers – so for businesses in this sector, it is in our control to add as much good into the experience as we possibly can. Flexibility is key and the mutual balance has to be right for both colleagues and the wider business. If people genuinely feel that they are being treated fairly, they will stay longer and feel compelled to do their best. We are working with our franchise partners to add more good into the team member experience, such as offering benefits including access to sick pay and various insurances – should the worst happen – and discounted shopping. These are benefits that aren’t actually very common within restaurants or within hospitality, but we are determined to be the business that thinks and works outside the expected parameters. A great example is Heartstyles – as I mentioned earlier – which is being rolled out across all our outlets, to genuinely give people life skills to be successful. This is backed up by more education opportunities, including apprenticeships and degrees and supporting people with career planning. This was all founded on a culture of recognition, which is a real core foundation of Yum!. It’s a very simple equation and a fine balance, that if you are complacent and don’t put enough good into the experience, it tips towards greater attrition, as people have choice and will look elsewhere if they feel neglected. It is definitely a work-in-progress and increasingly, you have to be creative, flexible and have an open ear to what people are telling you. — theHRDIRECTOR, 2d ago

new Sameer Hajarnis of OneSpan asks the tough questions you need to be asking of your e-signature provider, and examines why they matter. Up until recently, the government didn’t operate the same way banks or hospitals do. In fact, they have been a little slower than commercial entities to adopt new technologies; however, budget pressure is changing that. When you think about any type of government process – storing important records, rural development, food services, public services, etc. – they all, at one point or another, used to require paper documents and some form of handwritten signatures. The adoption of digitized workflows accelerated when in-person work halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, most traditional, paper-based signing processes were replaced with modernized e-signatures. Today, the government goes as far as turning to digital identity verification (ID) and remote online notarization (RON) to optimize higher-risk digital processes in the context of remote operations. For example, in March 2020, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget’s (DTMB) Records Management Services deployed OneSpan Sign’s e-signature solution as an interdepartmental shared service to route documents for signature. To date, over 1,000 users have been trained to use OneSpan Sign, with roughly 90 percent of basic use cases taking less than 30 minutes of training. With this shift to digitized processes and increased use of e-signatures between agencies, security, and compliance must be top of mind. The government is set apart from other industries– their processes have a lot more oversight from numerous regulatory bodies. Government agencies also deal with the most sensitive and significant types of transactions, so it’s important that they remain secure throughout their entire lifecycle. — Best Identity Access Management (IAM) Software, Tools, Vendors, Solutions, & Services, 2d ago

new Oakland’s flatlands southeast of downtown are the backdrop of most of the city’s shootings and murders.The area stands in stark contrast to the extreme wealth of the millionaire homes that dot the Oakland Hills and the immaculate, flower-lined streets of downtown. The city’s revived waterfront, named after famed author and local hero Jack London, draws tourists to trendy restaurants.On a Saturday night in August, Shawn Upshaw drove through the flatlands along International Boulevard, past the prostitutes who gather on nearly every corner for at least a mile, and into “hot spots,” where someone is shot nearly every weekend, he said.“When I grew up, women and kids would get a pass. They wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire,” said Upshaw, 52, who was born and raised in Oakland. “But now women and kids get it, too.”Upshaw works as a violence interrupter for the city’s Department of Violence Prevention, which coordinates with the police department and community organizations in a program called Ceasefire.When there’s a shooting, the police department alerts Upshaw on his phone and he heads to the scene. He doesn’t wear a police uniform. He’s a civilian in street clothes: jeans and a black zip-up jacket. It makes him more approachable, he said, and he’s not there to place blame, but rather to offer help and services to survivors and bystanders.The goal, he said, is to stop a retaliatory shooting by a rival gang or grieving family member.Police also use crime data to approach people with gang affiliations or long criminal records who are likely to use a gun in a crime — or be shot. Community groups follow up with offers of job training, education, meals, and more.“We tell them they’re on our radar and try to get them to recognize there are alternatives to street violence,” said Oakland Police Department Capt. Trevelyon Jones, head of Ceasefire. “We give them a safe way of backing out of a conflict while maintaining their street honor.”Every Thursday at police headquarters, officers convene a “shooting review.” They team up with representatives from community groups to make house calls to victims and their relatives.After the program launched in 2012, Oakland’s homicides plummeted and were down 39 percent in 2019, according to a report commissioned by the Oakland Police Department.Then COVID hit.“You had primary care that became an issue. You had housing that became an issue. You had employment that became an issue,” said Maury Nation, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University. “It created a surplus of the people who fit that highest risk group, and that overwhelms something like Ceasefire.”With ever-rising housing prices in Oakland and across California, homeless encampments have multiplied on sidewalks and under freeway bypasses. The city is also bracing for the loss of jobs and civic pride if the Oakland Athletics baseball team relocates after April 2024, following departures by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors in 2019 and the NFL’s Raiders in 2020.“Housing, food insecurity, not having jobs that pay wages for folks, all can lead to violence and mental health issues,” said Sabrina Valadez-Rios, who works at the Freedom Community Clinic in Oakland and teaches a high school class for students who have experienced gun violence. Her father was fatally shot outside their Oakland home when she was a child. “We need to teach kids how to deal with trauma. Violence is not going to stop in Oakland.”Homicides in Oakland climbed to 123 people in 2021, police reports show, dipping slightly to 120 last year. Police have tallied 108 homicides as of Nov. 12 this year. Neither the police department nor the city provided statistics on how many of those killings involved firearms, despite repeated requests from KFF Health News.Experts also blame the rise in killings in Oakland and other American cities on the prevalence of gun ownership in the U.S., which has more guns than people. For all the pandemic disruption worldwide, homicide rates didn’t go up in countries with strict gun laws, said Thomas Abt, director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction at the University of Maryland.“We saw gun violence, homicides, shootings spike up all around the country. And interestingly, it did not happen internationally,” Abt said. “The pandemic did not lead to more violence in other nations.”... — Governing, 2d ago

new ...“As a family with a disabled kid, the only people who know what we’re going through are other families with disabled kids,” she said.Experts say children with severe disabilities born in the United States are already at a disadvantage in accessing a quality education, but migrant families with disabled children face especially daunting hurdles.“As (migrant) families come to Chicago, we know they are struggling to find housing, employment and health care. This process becomes especially hard for families with children with disabilities,” said Michelle Garcia, manager of organizing and community development at the nonprofit Access Living.CPS reports that 16 percent of its 323,000-student population has an individualized education plan, which lays out the special education services and instruction a student may need to attend school. CPS has a specific office to identify and serve diverse learners, making sure all schools have appropriate accommodations and all students have safe transportation options. Different schools around the city offer varying degrees of accommodations.On the 20th day of school this year, CPS had 51,910 diverse learners, 2,563 more than last year. The district has over 5,000 special education teachers — the most of any point in recent years, according to a district spokesperson. But Otts-Rubenstein, who went through the process of enrolling her own daughter in Chicago Public Schools, said the system is overwhelmed.On a recent Saturday morning, she opened her Lakeview neighborhood apartment to several migrant families staying at the Inn of Chicago so they could have a safe place to conduct individual assessment meetings with staff members from Chicago Public Schools. Migrants spent hours on borrowed iPads and computers, and were asked questions about their children’s needs they had never been asked by medical professionals.Without Otts-Rubenstein’s help, the assessment — a long and exhausting bureaucratic hurdle — would have likely taken months.The migrant families took public transportation to get to her home and lifted their children — many in wheelchairs procured by Otts-Rubenstein — up over the steps and through the double doors inside.Keinymar, who Otts-Rubenstein met at a police station over a month ago, was the first child brought in. — Governing, 2d ago

new In his assessment of ICT deployment in Nigeria, he explained that the deployment of ICT in both public and private enterprises has made significant strides, but challenges persist. “Public institutions have made efforts to embrace technology for improved service delivery, but there is still a need for further integration and digital transformation. In the private sector, larger enterprises tend to have more advanced ICT systems, while smaller businesses may face barriers to adoption due to factors such as cost and awareness. Collaborative efforts between the government and private sector, along with initiatives to bridge the digital divide, will be essential for maximizing the benefits of ICT across the board”, he added. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new Other critical steps include the development of the Agriculture Sector, provision of Medical Insurance to our teeming population. The cost of providing medical Administration on a daily basis particularly with the advent of new medical solutions and medical treatment, have become out of reach to the generality of the common people. This cost is so high that an average family in Nigeria cannot afford and therefore there is need to find a strategy and or solutions to address the important issue. I share a very strong belief that if the insurance industry as a whole in Nigeria can come together and have a form of partnership arrangement with the government both federal and state governments a simple and straightforward solution can be found to address the important issue. The modalities for implementation can be made by making the government pass legislation making it compulsory that any employer of labour having more than five employees must provide a basic Medical cover for her employee and for those not in paid employment, there must be legislation whereby it is made compulsory that a fixed amount will be paid as premium in consideration of insurance cover being provided by the insurance companies. This model is what some of the Advance third world countries like South Africa, and some Asian countries including but not limited to UAE are running in their countries. This model can be studied and adopted to improve the Nigeria insurance penetration. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago