Archive for the ‘Life Extension’ Category

Goldstar Insurance and Prudential Uganda have partnered to offer a new insurance cover to offer life insurance cover to Goldstars Workmans Compensation and Group Personal Accident Policyholders.

The new insurance product called COVID19 Group Life Extension Insurance Cover covers groups of individuals of companies and organizations against devastating COViD19 pandemic. It is underwritten by Prudential.

In the new partnership, Prudential shall offer cover against Natural Death to all Goldstar Workmans Compensation and Group Personal Accident Policyholders against death due to natural causes.

Goldstar Insurance said this cover is an extension of your existing Workmans Compensation & Group Personal Accident policy with Goldstar to bridge the gap left out by this class of insurance.

The death benefit enshrined under the traditional workers compensation and group personal accident is only payable if death is due to accidental causes and does not include death due to natural causes including Covid19,

Because of the above shortcoming, Goldstar Insurance has partnered with Prudential Life to offer cover against natural death to all Goldstar and GPA Policy Holders and death due to Covod19 is hereby covered, Goldstar has said.

Meanwhile, Very early on in the COVID 19 crisis, Prudential took the decision to ensure that all their clients, staff, agents and indeed as many Ugandans that might, unfortunately, get diagnosed with Covid-19, are given a cash payout to help their families manage expenses.

This according to Arjun Mallik the Managing Director Prudential East Africa, was to cushion the families with financial assistance as their loved ones get healed from COVID- 19.

BY EABW REPORTER

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Goldstar Insurance and Prudential partner to offer COVID -19 cover - Uganda

Energy companies have been slashing exploration and production budgets since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold and sent oil prices tumbling, but, with few profitable investment alternatives, operators are now likely to increase spending in decommissioning work. Rystad Energy estimates the total value of the global pool of decommissioning projects that will accumulate through 2024 could reach $42 billion. With an average asset age of 25 years, the Northwest European decommissioning market could grow 20% in annual commitments through 2022 if the current low oil prices dont show signs of substantial recovery soon. In addition to a rapidly maturing asset base and low oil prices that erode commercial viability and potential life extensions, the North Sea decommissioning market will also be helped by favorable service contract prices.

Only about 15% of North Sea assets have been decommissioned to date, but in the coming five years we expect an average of 23 assets to cease production annually. The UK is poised to lead the way with nearly 80% of total estimated expenditure on Northwest European decommissioning in the next five years, followed by Norway with 14% and Denmark with 4%. The pool of removal projects in the region for that period is estimated at about $17 billion. By comparison, decommissioning costs in the US for the same period are estimated at $5.7 billion.

A protracted low price environment can potentially motivate operators to leverage low contract prices and commit to their asset retirement obligations, thus spurring decommissioning activity in the Northwest Europe region. This will also provide welcome opportunities for contractors in an otherwise gloomy oilfield services market, says Sumit Yadev, energy service analyst at Rystad Energy.

(Click to enlarge)

The high market share of the UK can be largely attributed to its rapidly maturing production levels, as almost 80% of the countrys oil and gas assets have produced more than 75% of their available resources. Additionally, lackluster exploration results, growing regulatory stringency and a prolonged low oil price environment may lead operators to fulfill their asset retirement obligations in the absence of any lucrative competing investments.

Related: Europe Set To Unveil Its $500 Billion 'Green Deal'

Some of the leading assets that will drive the decommissioning market in the region include the Brent, Ninian and Thistle fields in the UK and Gyda in Norway. Shells Brent project would emerge as the single largest asset ever decommissioned globally, representing an outlay of nearly $3 billion alone over the coming decade. Ninian and Gyda would collectively present contracting opportunities worth nearly $2 billion.

The increased spending on decommissioning may limit the room for operators to invest in other segments such as exploration, development and enhanced oil recovery projects. Leading players such as Shell, Total, Repsol and Premier Oil are expected to assign 10% or more of their North Sea spending in the next five years to decommissioning activities.

Plugging and abandonment (P&A) of wells is expected to make up about 45% of decommissioning costs for the period, followed by platform removals, which account for nearly 20% of the total costs. Platform wells are set to be the dominant segment for well P&A activity, making up about 65% of the total wells to be abandoned, while the rest are subsea wells. However, in terms of costs, subsea wells will take the lead as they cost on average $11 million each to abandon, compared with $5 million for an average platform well.

The low oil prices could play a pivotal role in boosting decommissioning spending in the UK if they persist beyond the end of this year. Nearly 10% of all UK offshore assets have lifting costs above $25 per barrel, which will hamper their life extension prospects and make decommissioning a better financial option if low prices persist.

Operators implemented strong cost optimization measures after the oil price crash of 2014 and therefore have little room for further cost and efficiency gains now, which may also expedite decommissioning spending.

Overall, more than 2,500 oil and gas wells are expected to be decommissioned across the North Sea in the coming decade, of which 1,500 are in the UK. The UKCS will also witness the removal of nearly 300,000 tonnes of topsides in the next five years, with nearly 50 topsides set to be decommissioned, representing an average topside removal cost of $5,300 per tonne. Additionally, almost 100,000 tonnes of substructures are expected to be removed in UK waters. In line with the broader North Sea trends, platform wells are expected to account for the bulk of the well P&A activity with nearly 70%.

While decommissioning is becoming a pressing concern for North Sea operators, the prevailing low-price environment presents an opportunity for driving down costs. For instance, after the oil price slump of 2014, rig and vessel rates declined by 30% to 40%. We expect rig and vessel rates to exhibit a downward trend this time as well, with declines likely lasting until 2022, Yadev concludes.

By Rystad Energy

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

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Oil & Gas Decommissioning To Total $42 Billion Through 2024 - OilPrice.com

Transhumanists believe humans can and should use technology to artificially augment their capabilities.Natasha Vita-More is Executive Director of Humanity+, formerly the World Transhumanist Association, and is one of the co-authors of the 1998 Transhumanist Declaration.

Speaking toExpress.co.ukshe said: We certainly do need to upgrade our biology and Ive been speaking about this for 30-something years.

The fact that our biology is vulnerable. We exist on a daily basis with an incredible vulnerable vehicle, our bodies, that anything could go wrong at any time.

As far as genetic engineering goes weve seen great work done with certain diseases like Tay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemia, certain cancers, certain diseases that handicap us.

Other gene therapies are in the works and there still needs to be far more work in this area and I think most of us will be undergoing gene therapy as soon as it comes online as needed.

Say 50 years from now I think well be looking at alternative bodies and we can see that really growing in the field of prosthetics.

Transhumanists think human lifespans can be radically extended, with many believing ageing can be reversed and death from disease abolished.

Ms Vita-More argued future humans will look to backup the content of their brains as an insurance policy against death or injury.

She asserted: It is essential our memories be stored some place.

Currently our memories are stored in our brain but thats vulnerable. We have hackers all the time in our brains and those are called viruses and disease.

Disease is constantly hacking our neurons so in order to protect that we need to have copies of it, we need to back it up and you see certain industry leaders like Google looking at how to back up the brain.

I see uploading as a necessary technology for not only backing up the brain but as a means for us to go into different environments.

Were currently in this physical/material world, this biosphere, there are other worlds yet to be explored just as were looking at space exploration.

READ MORE:Oxford academic claims future humans could live for thousands of years

Another area is virtual reality, augmented reality, all these other systems even in games to go into games and participate as yourself taking on an avatar or maybe something else.

Asked about those who might object, on religious or moral grounds, to radical life extension Ms Vita-More expressed confidence their arguments would be overcome.

She commented: I think its largely religious but I think it is also innate.

I think the narrative is engrained in culturalization, it seems to be endemic across cultures.

Given that plus the largest percentage of people on our planet are religious that puts a damper on it too. However it doesnt prevent it.

It could be interesting if we see religious doctrines changing a little bit to include life extension and changing as weve seen with divorce.

If you believe an afterlife it doesnt have to happen at exactly a certain time. Maybe instead of 90 as a lifespan maybe 300 if you want to go that route.

So well see a realisation that religions have to keep up with the state of society and their members within that.

Ms Vita-More is also an advisor to the Singularity University and co-editor and contributing author to The Transhumanist Reader: Classical and Contemporary Essays on the Science, Technology, and Philosophy of the Human Future.

Asked what most excites her about the future she replied: I would like to totally reengineer my body, its not available yet but Id like to have a whole new body thats smoothly integrated not only with narrow artificial intelligence (AI) but with artificial general intelligence and Id like to have a metabrain where Id have AI working with me like a best friend or cohort.

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Humans will be able to replace their bodies within 50 years claims transhumanist writer - Express.co.uk

The study on Global Cryonics Technology Market , offers deep insights about the Cryonics Technology market covering all the crucial aspects of the market. Moreover, the report provides historical information with future forecast over the forecast period. Some of the important aspects analyzed in the report includes market share, production, key regions, revenue rate as well as key players. This Cryonics Technology report also provides the readers with detailed figures at which the Cryonics Technology market was valued in the historical year and its expected growth in upcoming years. Besides, analysis also forecasts the CAGR at which the Cryonics Technology is expected to mount and major factors driving markets growth. This Cryonics Technology market was accounted for USD xxx million in the historical year and is estimated to reach at USD xxx million by the end of the year 2025..

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Instead of producing oil offshore Newfoundland, the Terra Nova FPSO may soon become a longer-term fixture in Conception Bay, or dockside at a port like Bay Bulls.

That's not a good scenario for Newfoundland and Labrador's oil industry, the hundreds of workers linked to the aging oil production vessel, or a provincial treasury that can ill afford to lose the couple-hundred-million in oil royalties that typically flow from the Terra Nova each year.

The Terra Nova oil field was the second of four in the offshore to begin production, with first-oil from the Terra Nova FPSOreported in January 2002.

Since then, Suncor Energy and its partners have pumped more than 420 million barrels of oil from the field, nearly twice as much as the White Rose field, though well short of the more than 1.1 billion barrels at Hibernia.

Terra Nova averaged nearly 30,000 barrels of production each day in 2018 and 2019.

The oil companies long ago recovered their initial investment in the project, and as a result, oil royalties from the Terra Nova are the most lucrative for the province on a per capita basis.

But the vessel is near the end of its life, and it has been anything but smooth sailing for the past six months.

Now a deluge of ill winds have combined to cripple the operation, and derail a costly plan to overhaul the vessel to add adecade to its life and produce up to 80 million more barrels of oil.

There's a very real possibility that, once it leaves this summer, the Terra Nova FPSO might not return to the Grand Banks for up to two years. That's left workers on edge, with their futures very much in limbo.

So how did we get here?

The Terra Nova is showing its age. That's one factor. A global pandemic has also dealt a devastating blow to the world oil industry, with nearly every form of transportation practically seized up. And a production war between Saudi Arabia and Russia earlier this year drove stockpiles to the brim.

Newfoundland and Labrador is not exempt from these world events despite the coveted light, sweet crude that is produced in our offshore and the industry is now in crisis mode.

The challenges for the Terra Nova began in December, when theboard that regulates the offshore industry ordered a stop to production because of a safety deficiency related to fire suppression. Further inspections found more problems.

Suncor and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Boardhave been in talks for months, trying to reach an agreement that would allow the vessel to resume production.

Those talks recently broke down, with the partners unwilling to invest the estimated $150 million to $200 million required to get approval to operate from the board, according to sources.

And a six-month, $600-million plan to sail the Terra Nova to a dockyard in Spain last month for life-extension overhaul is in limbo because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's work that cannot be done in this province or Canada, for that matter sayinsiders, and missing the window of opportunity in Spain is a setback.

"We do not have an approved alternative for the asset life extension project," confirmed Suncor in a statement Friday.

What's more, the vessel's all-important certificate of fitness expires next summer, and certifying authorities likeLloyd's Register North Americawill demand a major refit before the Terra Nova resumes production.

So while plenty is still unknown, this is certain: the Terra Nova will soon be disconnected from its subsea production systemsand will sail into an uncertain future.

That's a blow for the province, on many levels.

According to a benefits report released by Suncor for the fourth quarter of 2019, atotal of 853 people were working with the Terra Nova project at the end of last year, and more than 90 per cent of them were residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

What will become of those workers?

"Our people are very important to us.When a final decision is made on the path forward, we will work to understand the staffing requirements to support the plan and keep our team informed as decisions are made," Suncor stated in an email Friday.

The removal of the Terra Nova will also be felt by the supply and service sector,from helicopter and supply ship services to catering and personal protective equipment sales.

For the fourth quarter of 2019, there were more than 1,500 purchase orders related to the project, valued at $24 million. Nearly $16 million of those purchases were made from companies with locations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It's little wonder the N.L. oil and gas industries association and its 600 members arein panic mode. Many of Noia's members have slashed jobs, and some have closed up shop, according to CEO Charlene Johnson.

But the union says it will continue to press for a solution, including a quicker return to production.

"We're trying to get this reversed. There is still some fight left in us yet," said Dave Mercer, president of Unifor Local 2121, which represents 400 workers involved with the Terra Nova.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador

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How a pandemic and production war thrashed one of N.L.'s 4 producing oil fields - CBC.ca

NOTE FOR 2020 READERS: This is the eleventh in a series of open letters to the next century, now just 80 years away. The series asks: What will the world look like at the other end of our kids' lives?

Dear 22nd Century,

For all the pain, grief and economic hardship the 2020 coronavirus pandemic has sown, a handful of green shoots seem to have taken root in its blighted soil.

Green being the operative word, because many of these developments could be a net positive for the planet. In lockdown, many of us are seeing what our cities look like without smog. Office workers are experiencing office life without the office; just last week, Twitter announced that most of its employees could work from home forever, while much of Manhattan is reportedly freaking out about what could happen to commercial real estate. Thousands of companies just discovered they can still function, and maybe even function better, when they dont chain employees to desks or force them to make a soul-crushing, carbon-spewing commute 10 times a week.

And what do more people do when theyre spending more time at home? Well, if youre like my wife, you start literally planting green shoots. Our house is filling up with them as I write this: lettuce, chard, tomatoes, basil, strawberries, to name the first five shoots poking out of dozens of mason jars now taking up residence on every windowsill. Shes hardly alone; garden centers and seed delivery services are reporting as much as 10 times more sales since the pandemic began. Even the mighty Wal-Mart has sold out of seeds. Ifviral Facebook postsand Instagram hashtags are any guide, pandemic hipsters have moved on from once-fashionable sourdough starters to growing fresh fruit and veg.

Another one of our cyclical back to the land movements seems to be underway, just like during the 1960s and the Great Depression before that. Only this time, we dont need land. We dont need soil. We dont need pesticide of any kind. We dont even need natural light. Thanks to giant leaps forward in the science of hydroponics and LED lighting, even people in windowless, gardenless apartments can participate in the revolution. With a number of high-tech consumer products on the way, the process can be automated for those of us without green thumbs.

In previous letters Ive discussed the inevitable rise of alternative meat, a process that has been acceleratedby the pandemic. I talked about the smaller, more nutritious plant-based meals we're going to need for life extension; I assumed such meals would be delivered by drone. But now I see a future with no food deserts, in which every home is filled with rotating space-station-like hydroponics run by artificial intelligence a cornucopia of push-button farming providing the side salad to your plant-based meat.

Even if you dont grow your own, robot-run vertical farms and community agrihoods, now springing up everywhere, will make amazing-tasting produce abundant and cheap. The locavores of our era like to boast about their 100-mile diet. Yours will look more like a 100-yard diet.

Its worth remembering that it wasnt supposed to be this way. The 2020s, in fact, is when we were slated for starvation, food riots, and big business quietly processing our corpses into food.

Thats the plot of the 1973 movie Soylent Green, set in the year 2022. Fruit and veg have all but vanished. In one scene, Charlton Heston's detective hero smuggles home a single tomato and a wilted stick of celery, enough to reduce his roommate Sol (Edward G. Robinson) to tears. On the other end of the future, in a lighter but equally depressing vein, the 2006 comedy Idiocracy showed the Americans of 2500 running out of crops because they couldnt figure out that water, not "Brawndo" (a spoof on colorful sports drinks), is what plants crave.

But these dismal future visions are receding thanks to the science of hydroponics which dates back to the 19th century, no matter its present-day association with growing marijuana. By the 1930s, wed figured out that what plants crave is surprisingly minimal: nitrogen, a handful of minerals, something to anchor the roots like rock wool or coconut husks, and H2O. Early hydroponic farms helped feed U.S. soldiers as they hopped through the Pacific during World War II.

Minimalist methods multiplied, and are still multiplying. Were tweaking the spectrum of LED lights for maximum growth, and figuring out ways to use progressively less water and nutrients. My wifes mason jar seedlings use something called the Kratky method, where you don't even need to change the water. It turns out this method wasinvented by a Hawaiian scientist as recently as 2009. And its the closest science has yet given us to a free lunch.

Im nowhere near as excited by hydroponics as my wife is. But during our quarantine time, even my head has been turned by the Rotofarm, which Ive come to think of as the iPhone of gardening. Its a beautiful device inspired by NASA research on growing plants in space. It uses anti-gravity literally, when the wheel rotates around its LED light source and the plants are hanging upside down to grow plants faster. A magnetic cover reduces the glare and increases the internal humidity. You manage it via an app.

Humankinds oldest technology turns out to be the most efficient use of space for growing plants; even in this 15-inch-wide wheel, you can really pack them in. At the bottom of the wheel, plants dip their roots into the water and nutrient tanks. An owners only job is to refill the tanks every week or so, and to snip off their dinner with scissors a few weeks after germination. Some leafy greens, like my favorite salad base arugula, can be regrown without replanting.

Still, to be fully self-sufficient, a future apartment is going to need to have multiple Rotofarm-style devices on the go at once but theyre designed to live anywhere you can plug in, on coffee tables, on desks, on walls, as eye-catching as artwork.

The main problem with the Rotofarm: It isnt actually on sale yet. It feels like weve done everything in reverse, Rotofarm creator Toby Farmer said when I reached him via video chat from his home in Melbourne. Weve got the patents, weve got the design awards, weve got the customers. Now we need to finish the prototypes. (One key tweak: reducing Rotofarms energy requirements, which as it stands could double many users household electricity bills.)

Still, orders have come from as far afield as Japan and the Netherlands, from retailers and regular users alike. Farmers biggest regret: When Ron Howards production company called, hoping to use eight Rotofarms in an upcoming Nickelodeon show set in space, Farmer didnt have enough to spare.

Rotofarm has been in the works for a few years, but acrowdfunded Indiegogocampaign that closed last month exceeded its $15,000 goal by a third of a million dollars. Farmer, despite his name, had no experience in this area; just 23 years old, he had been a web designer since the age of 12. But hes scaling up fast, hiring teams in LA and Singapore, soaking up their knowledge (he was keen to assure me hed hired a lot of 40-somethings for this very reason).

After a projected 2021 release date, Rotofarms business model involves making money on proprietary seed pods though Farmer admits that theres a DIY aspect where customers can make their own. His hope is that official Rotofarm pods will be competitive because theyll have fewer germination failures, but he'd rather see a world where more people own the device itself. In that spirit, hes making it modular the LED light bar can be upgraded separately, for example, rather than making customers buy a whole new device. (As for cost, Farmer says he can't comment yet though Indiegogo backers were able to secure one for $900 a pop.)

Might the Rotofarm fail? Of course, just like any other crowdfunded project. Much depends on its price point, as yet unannounced. But its far from the only next-level, set-it-and-forget-it hydroponic station taking aim at your kitchen. Theres a Canadian Kickstarter called OGarden that also grows food on a wheel, albeit a much larger wheel. The OGarden was funded in its first six minutes online and is set to cost around $1,000 per unit. Theres Farmshelf, a $4,900 pre-order hydroponic device that looks like a see-through refrigerator, backed by celebrity chef Jose Andres. Users will pay a $35 monthly subscription to get all the seeds they need.

One of these models is the future; maybe all of them are. Right now, these are high-end devices aimed at early adopters (and restaurants, which get a lot of benefit out of showing off how fresh their produce is as customers walk in). But with scale, with time, and with the growing desire for grow-your-own food that Rotofarm and its brethren have revealed, they will get cheaper and more widespread.

After all, the first Motorola cellphone, in 1983, cost $4,000. It looked like a brick and had 30 minutes of talk time. Now sleek, supercomputer-driven smartphones are accessible to pretty much everyone. The same process will happen in home hydroponics.

Give it 80 years, and I can see apartments with built in hydroponic farms provided as a standard utility, much as a fridge is seen as a standard feature today. As more humans move to urban environments two out of every three people will be in cities by 2050, according to the latest UN estimate the need for such devices will only grow.

We strongly believe the future of gardening is indoor gardening and more individual gardens, OGarden CEO Pierre Nibart told us last year. Stopping mass agriculture and starting to produce their own little stuff at home. He said this while demonstrating his family's daily OGarden routine: His kids harvest most of what they need for dinner from the spinning wheel.

Mass agriculture hasnt exactly covered itself in glory where produce is concerned. And in the post-coronavirus age, we are surely going to become less tolerant of the disease its intensive farming methods have caused.

Food poisoning caused by romaine lettuce, which makes up a quarter of all leafy greens sold in the U.S., has become depressingly familiar. The 2018 E coli outbreak was the worst it sickened 240 people in 37 states, hospitalized almost half of them, and killed five. But the CDC has logged 46 E coli outbreaks since 2006, and says that every reported case of infection is likely matched by 26 unreported ones. And theyre only just starting to figure out the most likely cause: groundwater contaminated by nearby cattle manure. There could also be infection from passing birds, another major vector of bacteria.

Never mind the wet markets of Wuhan that likely caused the coronavirus pandemic. Were already sickening ourselves on the regular with a problem that is baked directly into our food system and its affecting vegans as much as meat eaters.

I have no doubt youll look at our barbaric farming methods and shake your heads. Why did they use so much water? Why did they transport produce an average of 1,500 miles? Why did they grow it outdoors, where its vulnerable to pests, and then use pesticides that had to be washed off? Why did they think triple washing did anything to remove bacteria (it doesnt)? Why did they bother using soil, for goodness sake? Didnt they know what plants crave?

The force of legacy agriculture is strong, but an increasing number of companies are figuring out a better way: the vertical farm, so named because they can stack hydroponic produce in shelves or towers. As I write this, there are more than 20 vertical farm operations being constructed and tested around the country. They use around 90 percent less water than regular soil farms, can grow roughly 10 times more food per acre than regular soil farms, and using precision software they can harvest their produce 30 percent faster than regular soil farms.

Sure, theyre spending more on electricity, but theyre also spending nothing on pesticide. The economics seem irresistible.

Last year, less than 20 miles from where I write this, in highly urbanized South San Francisco, a company called Plenty unveiled its flagship operation, a vast vertical farm named Tigris. Its sheer scale invites the correct usage of Californias favorite word, awesome. Tigris can grow a million plants at once, harvesting 200 of them every minute. With $226 million in funding, Plenty says it has already farmed 700 varieties of produce. Right now, the cost to consumers is comparable to non-hydroponic products (I can get their baby arugula at my nearest Safeway for a dollar an ounce); in the long run, it should be cheaper.

And they are far from the only success story. A Chinese startup, Alesca Life, is turning disused parking lots into vertical farms as well as selling plug-and-play shipping container farms. Back in Silicon Valley, a company called Iron Ox is developing robot arms for indoor farmwork. The future looks green, and bountiful, and mostly automated (which is yet another reason youre going to need Universal Basic Income).

Which is not to say that outdoor agriculture is going away completely; its just going to shrink to the size of a community garden. Thats the basis of new urban developments called agrihoods, or multihome communities centered around a professionally managed farm; a just-published book called Welcome to the Agrihoodrepresents their first directory.

Rooftop organic farms, urban allotments: These are places where city dwellers can connect to the land and feel the satisfaction of nurturing their seeds from scratch. Soil may not be necessary to feed us, but sometimes its good to feel the dirt in your fingers. Similarly, farmer's markets are unlikely to go away. In a world where grocery stores are increasingly becoming delivery centers for services like Instacart, there will still be value in meeting and buying direct from the growers of high-end produce.

With big agribusiness heading indoors, with our apartments growing much of what we need and vertical farms providing backup in every city, well also be able to let most of our present-day farmland go fallow. That in itself should take care of a chunk of climate change, considering the amount of carbon-soaking vegetation that springs up on fallow land. Lab-grown and plant-made meat will remove the need for those disease-ridden feedlots. Aquaponics, another discipline where the science is expanding by leaps and bounds, may even let us grow our own fish for food, reducing the strain on our overfished oceans.

No doubt it wont be all smooth sailing. No doubt we, as humans, will stumble upon fresh ways to mess up the planet and make life worse. But from where Im sitting, surrounded by soilless germinating jars, the future looks very green and nutritious indeed.

Yours in leafy goodness,

2020

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The indoor farm revolution - Mashable SE Asia

A dual-Ovenable tray is useful for the purpose of supporting a food product. The tray comprises of a sheet having first & second layers comprising one or more polyamides. The first layer of the sheet forms tray inside surface. Where the first layer has got a melting point, the second layer has the melting point of at max about 210 C. & at least 20 C. greater than melting point of the first layer. Where the first layer has a glass transition temperature of less than about 120 C. measured at a 50% relative humidity, the second layer has a melting point of at least about 210 C.

Request For Report Sample:https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3025

Most plastics deform at the high temperatures but the dual ovenable trays and containers can resist when the heat applications are very high and are bakeable in any conventional or microwave oven without getting melted or without de-forming. They keep the oven clean & preserve the food contained within it. Material used for the dual ovenable trays and containers provides outstanding shelf life extension & appearance appeal.

In terms of material type, thedual-ovenable trays & containers marketis bifurcated into paperboard, C-PET, A-PET, PP, PE, and others. The C-PET segment is estimated to dominate the market throughout forecast period having an estimated market share of around 88.7% in 2018. The PP segment is estimated to register the CAGR of around 3.3% during forecast period. Paperboard segment is estimated to create an incremental dollar opportunity of US$ 29 Mn during forecast period. Based on material, the CPET segment accounted for the considerable market share during forecast period.

CPET is the most adaptable option for the ready meals attributed to easily seal & most affordable. CPET trays withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to +220 C. In terms of geography, North America is expected to have largest market share during forecast period in the region due to increase in the consumption of ready-to-eat meals. Elisabeth Skoda explores recent innovations in the area of ovenable and microwavable packaging.

Terinex has introduced the new Q-Tex film, a heat sealable PET mono layer HD printed food grade ovenable film, which is suitable for freezer, microwave and oven usage. The Q-Tex film has one layer instead of the two found in laminate alternatives, therefore offering material reduction and easier recyclability.

Some of the key players profiled in this market include Bemis Company, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Dupont Teijin Films, Genpak, LLC, Evergreen Packaging, Inc., Sonoco Products Company, Oliver Packaging & Equipment Co., MCP Performance Plastic Ltd, CiMa-Pak Corporation, PinnPACK Packaging LLC, PAC Food Pty Ltd., Sanplast Ltd, Pactiv LLC, Plastic Package, Inc.

More Info of Impact Covid19 @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/dual-ovenable-trays-and-containers-market

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Dual-Ovenable Trays & Containers Market Increasing Demand with Key Players COVID-19 Impact Analysis - Cole of Duty

It's not clear from the contracting notice if the land-based design would actually be the only replacement for the T-45, as NAVAIR itself has made clear that it will only be able to meet "certain requirements" for the UJTS program. The War Zone has already reached out for additional information and clarification.

It's certainly true that the T-45s, of which the Navy and the Marine Corps have around 194 in service in total, the oldest of which are now more than three decades old, are increasingly in need of a replacement. The Navy had originally planned to phase them all out in 2018, but, five years before, made to decision to instead extend their service life through 2042. The Goshawks fleet's readiness rates have slipped in recent years, raising concerns about the service's ability to train an adequate number of pilots each year. In 2019, the Government Accountability Office also warned about potential shortfalls in available aircraft as jets went through the planned Service Life Extension Program.

The T-45 fleet also suffered a worrying and deadly spate of hypoxia incidents between 2016 and 2017. Various fixes to the aircraft themselves, as well as the Navy's operating procedures, have reduced the number of subsequent physiological events in the past three years, but identifying the underlying root causes has proven difficult.

Buying an existing land-based design made to Navy specifications, but without having to modify it to withstand the stresses of catapult launches and arrested landings, could offer a low-cost, low-risk path for the Navy to acquire new jet trainers. One obvious option would be to acquire a version of the U.S. Air Force's new T-7A Red Hawk, the production of which started in January. The War Zone has already detailed the many possible future roles for the T-7A, or derivatives thereof, in the past.

There are also a number of other proven and in-production land-based jet trainer designs available, including the losing entrants for the Air Force's T-X competition, which the T-7A won. The Air Force itself recently exploring buying a small number of South Korean-made KAI T-50 Golden Eagles to support its own transformational fighter jet pilot training plans. That service canceled its proposed sole-source purchase of the T-50s in March and now says it will hold an open competition.

At the same time, whatever cost-savings the Navy might find by pursuing this course of action might be offset, at least in part, by changes that would then be necessary to its fighter pilot training pipeline. Those aviators will still need to conduct carrier qualifications and will need suitable aircraft in which to perform them. Even simply using existing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to meet these requirements would increase the number of flight hours those jets have to dedicate to training missions, potentially pulling them away from other activities. These full-up fighters are also costly to operate.

It is worth noting that the Navy is making substantial investments in developing and fielding various technologies to help automate carrier landings. It is possible that this could eventually reduce the amount of required carrier qualification training the service feels is required, but it wouldn't eliminate it entirely. At the same time, carrier qualifications have been getting steadily pushed farther and farther down the pipeline.

The Navy has already done something broadly similar with regards to its C-2 Greyhound andE-2 Hawkeye aircraft. Prospective pilots destined to fly those aircraft conduct much of their training in the T-44, a variant of the Beechcraft King Air, which is also not carrier-capable. It's not clear how that training pipeline may also now change as the C-2s get replaced by the CMV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor. Still, as long as manned fighter jets operate from its carriers, there will be a need to have those pilots practice the uniquely complicated process of landing on, as well as taking off from, those flattops.

Regardless, the Navy's plans to buy non-carrier-capable jet trainers to replace its T-45s, even in part, points to major changes coming in how the service prepares prospective fighter pilots for the challenges involved in joining its carrier air wings.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com

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The Navy's Next Jet Trainer Won't Be Able To Land Or Take Off From An Aircraft Carrier - The Drive

The Department of Defense has begun to ratchet up spending to recapitalize the U.S. strategic nuclear triad and its supporting infrastructure, as several programs move from research and development into the procurement phase. The projected Pentagon expenditures are at least $167 billion from 2021-2025. This amount does not include the large nuclear warhead sustainment and modernization costs funded by the Department of Energy, projected to cost $81 billion over the next five years.

Nuclear forces require modernization, but that will entail opportunity costs.In a budget environment that offers little prospect of greater defense spending, especially in the COVID19 era, more money for nuclear forces will mean less funding for conventional capabilities.

That has potentially negative consequences for the security of the United States and its allies. While nuclear forces provide day-to-day deterrence, the Pentagon leadership spends most of its time thinking about how to employ conventional forces to manage security challenges around the world. The renewed focus on great power competition further elevates the importance of conventional forces. It is important to get the balance between nuclear and conventional forces right, particularly as the most likely path to use of nuclear arms would be an escalation of a conventional conflict. Having robust conventional forces to prevail in or deter a conventional conflict in the first place could avert a nuclear crisis or worse.

For the foreseeable future, the United States will continue to rely on nuclear deterrence for its security and that of its allies (whether we should be comfortable with that prospect is another question).Many U.S. nuclear weapons systems are aging, and replacing them will cost money, lots of money.The Pentagons five-year plan for its nuclear weapons programs proposes $29 billion in fiscal year 2021, rising to $38 billion in fiscal year 2025, as programs move from research and development to procurement.The plan envisages a total of $167 billion over five years.And that total may be understated; weapons costs increase not just as they move to the procurement phase, but as cost overruns and other issues drive the costs up compared to earlier projections.

The Pentagon knew that the procurement bow wave of nuclear weapons spending would hit in the 2020s and that funding it would pose a challenge.In October 2015, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense said Were looking at that big bow wave and wondering how the heck were going to pay for it and probably thanking our stars that we wont be here to have to answer the question.

The Pentagons funding request for fiscal year 2021 includes $4.4 billion for the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine that will replace Ohio-class submarines, which will begin to be retired at the end of the decade; $1.2 billion for the life extension program for the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM); $1.5 billion for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to replace the Minuteman III ICBM; $2.8 billion for the B-21 stealth bomber that will replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers; $500 million for the Long-Range Standoff Missile that will arm B-52 and B-21 bombers; and $7 billion for nuclear command, control and communications systems.

The Pentagon funds primarily go to delivery and command and control systems for nuclear weapons.The National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy bears the costs of the warheads themselves. It seeks $15.6 billion for five nuclear warhead life-extension and other infrastructure programs in fiscal year 2021, the first year of a five-year plan totaling $81 billion.The fiscal year 2021 request is nearly $3 billion more than the agency had earlier planned to ask, which suggests these programs are encountering significant cost growth.

Some look at these figures and the overall defense budget (the Pentagon wants a total of $740 billion for fiscal year 2021) and calculate that the cost of building and operating U.S. nuclear forces will amount to only 6-7 percent of the defense budget.That may be true, but how relevant is that figure?

By one estimate, the cost of building and operating the F-35 fighter program for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines over the programs lifetime will be $1 trillion.Amortized over 50 years, that amounts to $20 billion per year or only 2.7 percent of the Defense Departments fiscal year 2021 budget request.The problem is that these percentages and lots of other small percentages add up.When one includes all of the programs, plus personnel and readiness costs as well as everything else that the Pentagon wants, the percentages will total to more than 100 percent of the figure that Congress is prepared to appropriate for defense.

The defense budget is unlikely to grow.Opportunity costs represent the things the Pentagon has to give up or forgo in order to fund its nuclear weapons programs.The military services gave an indication of these costs with their unfunded priorities lists, which this year total $18 billion.These show what the services would like to buy if they had additional funds, and that includes a lot of conventional weapons.

The Air Force, for example, would like to procure an additional twelve F-35 fighters as well as fund advance procurement for an additional twelve F-35s in fiscal year 2022. It would also like to buy three more tanker aircraft than budgeted.

The Army is reorienting from counter-insurgency operations in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq to facing off against major peer competitors, that is, Russia and China.Its wish list includes more long-range precision fires (artillery and short-range surface-to-surface missiles), a new combat vehicle, helicopters and more air and missile defense systems.

The Navy would like to add five F-35s to its aircraft buy, but its bigger desire is more attack submarines and warships, given its target of building up to a fleet of 355 ships. The Navy termed a second Virginia-class attack submarine its top unfunded priority in fiscal year 2021.It has set a requirement for 66 attack submarines and currently has about 50.However, as older Los Angeles-class submarines retire, that number could fall to 42. Forgoing construction of a Virginia-class submarine does not help to close that gap.

Moreover, the total number of Navy ships, now 293, will decline in the near term, widening the gap to get to 355.The Navys five-year shipbuilding program cut five of twelve planned Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and cost considerations have led the Navy to decide to retire ten older Burke-class destroyers rather than extend their service life for an additional ten years.This comes when China is rapidly expanding its navy, and Russian attack submarines are returning on a more regular cycle to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Navy has said that funding the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine forced a cut-back in the number of other ships in its fiscal 2021 shipbuilding request.The decision not to fund a second Virginia-class attack submarine appears to stem directly from the unexpected $3 billion plus-up in funding for the National Nuclear Security Administrations fiscal year 2021 programs.

These are the opportunity costs of more nuclear weapons:fewer dollars for aircraft, ships, attack submarines and ground combat equipment for conventional deterrence and defense.

The principal driving factor behind the size of U.S. nuclear forces comes from Russian nuclear forces and doctrine.Diverse and effective U.S. nuclear forces that can deter a Russian nuclear attack should suffice to deter a nuclear attack by any third country.In contrast to the Cold War, the U.S. military no longer seems to worry much about a bolt from the bluea sudden Soviet or Russian first strike involving a massive number of nuclear weapons designed to destroy the bulk of U.S. strategic forces before they could launch.That is because, under any conceivable scenario, sufficient U.S. strategic forcesprincipally on ballistic missile submarines at seawould survive to inflict a devastating retaliatory response.

The most likely scenario for nuclear use between the United States and Russia is a regional conflict fought at the conventional level in which one side begins to lose and decides to escalate by employing a small number of low-yield nuclear weapons, seeking to reverse battlefield losses and signal the strength of its resolve.Questions thus have arisen about whether Russia has an escalate-to-deescalate doctrine and whether the 2018 U.S. nuclear posture review lowers the threshold for use of nuclear weapons.

If the United States and its allies have sufficiently robust conventional forces, they can prevail in a regional conflict at the conventional level and push any decision about first use of nuclear weapons onto the other side (Russia, or perhaps China or North Korea depending on the scenario).The other side would have to weigh carefully the likelihood that its first use of nuclear weapons would trigger a nuclear response, opening the decidedly grim prospect of further nuclear escalation and of things spinning out of control.The other sides leader might calculate that he/she could control the escalation, but that gamble would come with no guarantee. It would appear a poor bet given the enormous consequences if things go wrong.Happily, the test has never been run.

This is why the opportunity costs of nuclear weapons programs matter. If those programs strip too much funding from conventional forces, they weaken the ability of the United States and its allies to prevail in a conventional conflictor to deter that conflict in the first placeand increase the possibility that the United States might have to employ nuclear weapons to avert defeat.

For the United States and NATO members, that could mean reemphasis on an aspect of NATOs Cold War defense policy. In the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, NATO allies faced Soviet and Warsaw Pact conventional forces that had large numerical advantages, and NATO leaders had doubts about their ability to defeat a Soviet/Warsaw Pact attack at the conventional level.NATO policy thus explicitly envisaged that, if direct defense with conventional means failed, the Alliance could deliberately escalate to nuclear weapons.That left many senior NATO political and military officials uneasy.Among other things, it raised uncomfortable questions about the willingness of an American president to risk Chicago for Bonn.

Russia found itself in a similar situation at the end of the 1990s.With a collapsing economy following the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Russian government had to cut defense spending dramatically.As its conventional capabilities atrophied, Moscow adopted a doctrine envisaging first use of nuclear weapons to compensate.(In the past fifteen years, as Russias defense spending has increased, a significant amount has gone to modernizing conventional forces.)

The United States and NATO still retain the option of first use of nuclear weapons.If the U.S. president and NATO leaders were to consider resorting to that option, they then would be the ones to have to consider the dicey bet that the other side would not respond with nuclear arms or that, if it did, nuclear escalation somehow could be controlled.

Assuring NATO allies that the United States was prepared to risk Chicago for Bonn consumed a huge amount of time and fair amount of resources during the Cold War.At one point, the U.S. military deployed more than 7000 nuclear weapons in Europe to back up that assurance.Had NATO had sufficiently strong conventional forces, the Alliance would have been able to push that risky decision regarding nuclear first use onto Moscowor even have been able to take comfort that the allies conventional power would suffice to deter a Soviet/Warsaw Pact attack.

In modernizing, maintaining and operating a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent, the United States should avoid underfunding conventional forces in ways that increase the prospect of conventional defeat and/or that might tempt an adversary to launch a conventional attack.If Washington gets the balance wildly out of sync, it increases the possibility that the president might face the decision of whether to use nuclear weapons firstknowing that first use would open a Pandoras box of incalculable and potentially catastrophic consequences.

This means that the Department of Defense and Congress should take a hard look at the balance.The Pentagon presumably has weighed the trade-offs, though it is not a unitary actor. Nuclear weapons are our top priority has been the view of the leadership.The trade-offs have been easier to manage in the past several years, when nuclear programs were in the research and development phase, and defense budgets in the first three years of the Trump administration grew.As nuclear programs move into the more expensive procurement phase and the fiscal year 2021 budget shows little increase, the challenge of getting the balance right between nuclear and conventional spending has become more acute.It is not apparent that the Pentagon has weighed the opportunity costs over the next ten-fifteen years under less optimistic budget scenarios.

As for Congress, which ultimately sets and approves the budget, no evidence suggests that the legislative branch has closely considered the nuclear vs. conventional trade-offs.

All that was before COVID19.The response to the virus and dealing with the economic disruption it has caused have generated a multi-trillion-dollar budget deficit in 2020 and likely will push up deficits in at least 2021.It would be wise now to consider the impact of COVID19.

Having added trillions of dollars to the federal deficit, and facing an array of pressing health and social needs, will Congress be prepared to continue to devote some 50 percent of discretionary funding to the Department of Defenses requirements?Quite possibly not.If defense budgets get cut, the Pentagon will face a choice: shift funds from nuclear to conventional force programs, or accept shrinkage of U.S. conventional force capabilities andas the United States did in the 1950s and early 1960srely on nuclear deterrence to address a broader range of contingencies. In the latter case, that would mean accepting, at least implicitly, a greater prospect that the president would have to face the question of first use of nuclear weapons, i.e., a conventional conflict in which the United States was losing.

This is not to suggest that the U.S. military should forgo the strategic triad.Trident II SLBMs onboard ballistic missile submarines at sea remain the most survivable leg of the strategic deterrent.The bomber/air-breathing leg offers flexibility and can carry out conventional missions.The ICBM leg provides a hedge against a breakthrough in anti-submarine warfare.Moreover, if in a crisis or a conventional conflict, the Russian military were to develop the capability to attack U.S. ballistic missile submarines at sea, the Kremlin leadership might well calculate that it could do so without risking a nuclear response.Attacking U.S. ICBMs, on the other hand, would necessitate pouring hundreds of nuclear warheads into the center of America.A Russian leader presumably would not be so foolish as to think there would be no nuclear retaliation.

While sustaining the ICBM leg, one can question whether maintaining 400 deployed ICBMs, as the current plan envisages, is necessary.Reducing that number for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) would achieve budget savings, albeit later in the production run. Another question is whether some way might be found to extend the service life of some portion of the current Minuteman III force that would allow delaying the GBSD program, which is projected to cost $100 billion, by ten-fifteen years and postponing those costsfreeing up funds in the near term for conventional force requirements.

Another issue concerns the Long-Range Standoff Missile (LRSO) and its cost, estimated at some $20 billion when including the nuclear warheads.The B-21 bomber will incorporate stealth and advanced electronic warfare capabilities allowing it to operate against and penetrate sophisticated air defenses.The LRSO, to be deployed beginning in 2030, is intended to replace older air-launched cruise missiles carried by the B-52 bomber and could later equip the B-21 if it loses its ability to penetrate.

An alternative plan would convert B-52s in 2030 to conventional-only missions and delay the LRSO to a future point if/when it appeared that the B-21s ability to penetrate could come into question.By 2030, the Air Force should have a significant number of B-21s (the B-21 is scheduled to make its first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2025).With at least 100 planned, the Air Force should have a sufficient number of B-21s for the 300 nuclear weapons it appears to maintain at airfields where nuclear-capable bombers are currently based.

These kinds of ideas would free up billions of dollars in the 2020s that could be reallocated to conventional weapons systems.Delaying the GBSD and LRSO and their associated warhead programs by just one year (fiscal year 2021) would make available some $3 billionenough money for a Virginia-class attack submarine. Delaying those programs for ten-fifteen years would make tens of billions of dollars available for the militarys conventional force needs.

All things being equal, it is smarter and more efficient to choose to make decisions to curtail or delay major programs rather than to continue them until the money runs out and forces program termination. As it examines the administrations proposed fiscal year 2021 defense budget, Congress should carefully consider the trade-offs and press the Pentagon to articulate how it weighed the trade-offs between nuclear and conventional forces. In the end, Congress should understand whether it is funding the force that is most likely to deter not just a nuclear attack, but to deter a conventional conflict that could entail the most likely path to nuclear war.

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How COVID-19 might affect US nuclear weapons and planning - Brookings Institution

Good nutrition is vital for building up mental resilience in trying times. These are the mood-boosting vitamins and minerals to have in your mental first aid kit, says nutritionist Rob Hobson

Our minds have a lot to deal with; be it overscheduled lives, the need to succeed running us into the ground both, or the rise of burnout in the workplace. That's even before we get into the uncertainty of the current Covid-19 health crisis. According to research by the Health Survey for England approximately one in four of us in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year and experts are predicting numbers will rise in response to lockdown and the effects of Covid-19 on the workforce and the economy.

In Mental Health Awareness Week this week, Archbishop Justin Welby, who has talked openly about his own mental health issues, summed up the national mood when he told the BBC that there was "an overwhelming sense the world is getting more and more difficult and gloomy".

There's a lot we can do to look after our mental health and nutrition is one of the frontline ways we can support ourselves, to help build-up not just physical immunity but what psychologist Dr Meg Arrol calls 'psychological immunity'.

A strong mind is just the same as a strong immune system in that it means being able to cope well with lifes demands and with the current landscape shifting so greatly and quickly its beneficial to build up what I call psychological immunity," says Dr Arroll, a chartered psychologist working with supplement brand Healthspan.

"There are many strategies we can use to help build psychological immunity," she says, "including only checking reputable sourcing of information and talking about our feelings and taking good care of our physical health. Taking supplements that have been shown to support the mind is also a good way to help boost psychological immunity as chronic stress and traumatic experiences can deplete important vitamins and minerals."

The links between diet and mood are well documented and there are many key nutrients that play a role in maintaining energy levels and reducing the risk of depression, but it's not always easy to eat well. Low mood and poor mental health can take their toll on the food choices you make, and this can leave gaps in the diet. This is where the sensible use of supplements can be really helpful

B vitamins support the nervous system and are a key 'strong mind' ally. They can help you feel less tired, help memory and altogether make you feel like you have more clarity. They are essential for energy production in cells, including brain cells, where they help make neurotransmitters (the brains communication chemicals). They also help with nerve conduction - meaning that they help make sure messages are passed on.

When you're stressed and anxious, your B vitamins can become rapidly depleted, which can even make your stress symptoms worse. Lack of B vitamins can lead to anxiety and irritability. All the more reason to keep your levels healthy.

What the research says: Women with low levels of vitamin B1 (thiamin) are less likely to feel composed and confident and more likely to be depressed than those with higher levels, according to researchers. When they increased their intake of vitamin B1, however, they reported a marked improvement in mood and self-confidence as their thiamin levels increased. Other studies show that correcting low levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12 has beneficial effects on well-being, self-confidence and mood.

Try: Healthspan High Strength Vitamin B Complex, 8.95 for 120 tablets, Solgar Megasorb B Complex high potency, 13.99 for 50

A good nights sleep goes a long way to promoting good mental health and mood during the day. Magnesium is involved in the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls our sleep cycle. It's a mineral that's essential for energy metabolism, reducing tiredness and fatigue and is also vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system and psychological health.

Like B vitamins, magnesium is more rapidly depleted during times of stress and anxiety creating a vicious cycle - low levels of magnesium also exacerbate these feelings. During times of stress and anxiety, a magnesium supplement may be useful to balance mood and mental wellbeing.

If you suffer from PMS, magnesium is your friend. Magnesium levels appear to be significantly lower. Taking magnesium supplements every day for two months significantly improved symptoms associated with pain and bloating, one study found. Other research has shown how supplementing with magnesium may also help to relieve premenstrual mood changes.

MORE GLOSS: Why you need magnesium in midlife more than ever

Try: Healthspan Opti-Magnesium, 10.95 for 90 tablets or Magnesium Flakes Bath Soak, 9.95, 1kg pouch. NeuroMag for brain health by Life Extension 32 for 50.

You probably know that probiotics are live bacteria that have beneficial effects on digestive health and general immunity. More recent research suggests they may also influence our psychological health, the gut-brain axis.

Although research is in its early stages, probiotic bacteria are now believed to have indirect effects on our brain by regulating the production of serotonin within the gut wall. Serotonin helps to lift mood and improve anxiety and depression. As much as 95 per cent of our serotonin is made within the lining of our digestive tract.

Try: Symprove Liquid probiotic, from 21.95

MORE GLOSS: Which probiotics to eat, drink and buy - and why

5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is an amino acid that is found naturally in the body and which can be converted into serotonin that regulates mood as well as melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep cycle.

5-HTP appears to improve the structure of your sleep by extending the amount of time you spend in REM sleep in which your brain processes memories. Getting sufficient REM sleep is essential for feeling rejuvenated during the day which will inevitably impact on your mental state and ability to perform your daily tasks.

Several studies show that 5-HTP supplements have a positive effect on low mood and are better than placebo in treating depression, with benefits usually occurring within two weeks

One study, involving 60 people with a first episode of depression, showed that is was almost as good as prescription antidepressants. It compared the effects of 5-HTP with the prescribed antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, for eight weeks. Both groups showed a significant and nearly equal improvement in depression, starting from the second week of treatment and increasing over the eight weeks. By the end of the study, 73 per cent of those taking 5-HTP and 80 per cent taking fluoxetine felt significantly better.

Try: 5-HTP, 13.95 for 60 tablets or Serotone 5-HTP by Higher Nature 32.70 for 90 capsules

I've tackled these together because omega-3 fish oils and vitamin D work hand in hand to optimise serotonin (good mood hormone) levels in the brain. You don't need to know the science but if you're interested...

Serotonin needs an amino acid, called tryptophan (see 5HTP above) to convert it to a usable form in the brain. That conversion is activated by vitamin D.

Once serotonin is made, EPA (one of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils) helps brain cells release it into their communication gaps (synapses) to stimulate surrounding brain cells. Once serotonin arrives at a new brain cell, the presence of another long-chain omega-3 fish oil, DHA, helps the serotonin message to be received by increasing the fluidity of the cell membrane fluidity. Good levels of vitamin D and both omega-3s are therefore needed for optimum brain function.

Researchers have suggested that lack of vitamin D, EPA or DHA contributes to a number of psychiatric disorders and depression. Clinical trials suggest that omega-3 fish oils can improve depression, prolong periods of remission from depressive episodes and improve the short-term course of the illness in those affected.

How much omega 3 do you need to take to get a beneficial anti-depressive effect? Look for 650mg total DHA and EPA per day. Adding fish oils (2g per day) to usual drug treatment for depression has also been shown to significantly improve symptoms within two weeks, compared with placebo.

Try: Healthspan High Strength Omega 3, 11.95 for 360 capsules, Bare Biology Lion Heart Pure Omega 3, 28.50 and Healthspan Super Strength Vitamin D3, 8.95 for 120 capsules, D-Lux 3000 Vitamin D Spray 7.99

MORE GLOSS: The best vitamin D supplements to support your immune system right now

NB: Supplements do have a role to play in maintaining overall health and especially people who do not manage to eat a well-balanced diet. Exploring the use of supplements to complement your mood and overall health regime may be a good option but do check if you are on any SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI are antidepressants) or medication and look for supplements that are made to GMP (good manufacturing practice) such as those made by Healthspan which means they are made to high pharmaceutical standards so simply put, what it says is on the packet is actually in the product you are taking. Rob Hobson is a Registered Nutritionist and Head of Nutrition for Healthspan.

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The best supplements to look after your mind and mental health - Get The Gloss

The Global Packaging Coatings Market Analysis to 2027 is a specialized and in-depth study of the chemicals and materials industry with a special focus on the global market trend analysis. The report aims to provide an overview of packaging coatings market with detailed market segmentation by type, substrate, application, end user and geography. The global packaging coatings market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading packaging coatings market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.

Download PDF Sample Copy Here https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00004238/

The Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is impacting society and the overall economy across the world. The impact of this pandemic is growing day by day as well as affecting the supply chain. The COVID-19 crisis is creating uncertainty in the stock market, massive slowing of supply chain, falling business confidence, and increasing panic among the customer segments. The overall effect of the pandemic is impacting the production process of several industries including Chemicals and Materials, and many more. Trade barriers are further restraining the demand- supply outlook. As government of different regions have already announced total lockdown and temporarily shutdown of industries, the overall production process being adversely affected; thus, hinder the overall Packaging Coatings market globally. This report on Packaging Coatings market provides the analysis on impact on Covid-19 on various business segments and country markets. The report also showcase market trends and forecast to 2027, factoring the impact of Covid -19 Situation.

Major vendors covered in this report:

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Packaging coatings are coatings having good adhesion to metal and plastic substrates along with high chemical resistance. Such coatings effectively serve protection, performance as well as decoration purposes for metal cans, plastic tubes, or any other substrate used in packaging. Coating technology in the food packaging sector allows more rational use of the materials used within this sector. Replacement of multi-layer, heavy structures with multi-functional thin layer will not only help to reduce the upstream amount of packaging material but also improve the functionality of the final packaging, thereby, ensuring shelf life extension. The packaging coatings market is coming up with highly sophisticated and engineered coatings to meet consumer convenience.

The packaging coatings market is anticipated to grow in the forecast period owing to driving factors such as rapid growth of the e-commerce industry and high demands of flexible packaging for consumer goods. Moreover, the growing demands for canned food and beverages coupled with aerosol cans for personal and healthcare industry further fuel the packaging coatings market growth. However, rising concerns on amount of Bisphenol-A in packaging coatings may limit market growth. The growth opportunity for key players in the packaging coatings market lies in the production of environment-friendly packaging coatings.

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The study conducts SWOT analysis to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the key players in the Packaging Coatings market. Further, the report conducts an intricate examination of drivers and restraints operating in the market. The report also evaluates the trends observed in the parent market, along with the macro-economic indicators, prevailing factors, and market appeal according to different segments. The report also predicts the influence of different industry aspects on the Packaging Coatings market segments and regions.

The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides an overview and forecast of the global packaging coatings market based on various segments. It also provides market size and forecast estimates from the year 2017 to 2027 with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The packaging coatings market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers the analysis and forecast of 18 countries globally along with the current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.

Our reports will help clients solve the following issues:

Insecurity about the future:

Our research and insights help our clients anticipate upcoming revenue compartments and growth ranges. This will help our clients invest or divest their assets.

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It is extremely vital to have an impartial understanding of market opinions for a strategy. Our insights provide a keen view on the market sentiment. We keep this reconnaissance by engaging with Key Opinion Leaders of a value chain of each industry we track.

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Our research ranks investment centers of market by considering their future demands, returns, and profit margins. Our clients can focus on most prominent investment centers by procuring our market research.

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Packaging Coatings Market by Top Key Players, Applications and Forecast Report 2020-2027 - Cole of Duty

During these unprecedented times we are faced with the unique challenge of finding new ways to deliver educational material to our constituents to achieve Texas A&M Agri- Life Extensions vision to Help Texans Better Their Lives. With that we are offering some distance learning opportunities so you can learn more, but in the safety and comfort of your own home.

May 15 Online Beef Cattle and Forage Management Program will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on May 15. The program, presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Atascosa, Bexar, Guadalupe and Wilson counties, will offer one general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit for attendees.

The cost is $10. Attendees will need a laptop or desktop computer and internet access. To register, email Chris Lambert at christopher.lambert@ ag.tamu.edu. Once registered, attendees will be provided the link for participation. Make checks payable to Bexar County Ag and Natural Resources Committee and mail to:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230.

Program Topics and presenters will be:

COVID-19 and Its Potential Impact on the Cattle Market, David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist.

Purchasing Replacement Females How to Invest My Dollars, Joe Paschal, Ph.D. AgriLife Extension livestock specialist.

Tips for Getting the Most Return out of Pastures, Josh McGinty, Ph.D., Agri- Life Extension agronomist.

Cost-Saving Tips for Managing Brush, Bob Lyons, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension range specialist.

Biosecurity with Animal Issues During and After a Disaster, Bryan Davis, AgriLife Extension disaster assessment and recovery agent.

May 19 Wildlife Damage Management Series This session will cover Skunks, Coons, Opossumsand More. Presenters are Dr. Maureen Frank and Dr. John Tomecek, Extension Wildlife Specialists. The series will be conducted online from 12-1 p.m. Cost is $10 per session. Checks should be made payable and mailed to Atascosa Wildlife and Fisheries Committee, P.O. Box 379, Leming, Texas 78050. Each session will offer one (1.0) I.P.M. continuing education credit for Private, Commercial and Non-Commercial Applicators. Certificates of completion will be mailed after participant attendance is verified and payment is processed. Please RSVP by the Friday prior to each event by calling 830-569-0034.

Reproduction Management Workshop previously scheduled for May 20 is postponed to October 2020.

Contact the office if you need CEU hours for pesticide applicator license holders.

Continued here:
Atascosa County upcoming events and educational opportunities - Pleasanton Express

Global Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2026

This report studies the Milk Thistle Health Tonic market with many aspects of the industry like the market size, market status, market trends and forecast, the report also provides brief information of the competitors and the specific growth opportunities with key market drivers. Find the complete Milk Thistle Health Tonic market analysis segmented by companies, region, type and applications in the report.

New vendors in the market are facing tough competition from established international vendors as they struggle with technological innovations, reliability and quality issues. The report will answer questions about the current market developments and the scope of competition, opportunity cost and more.

The major players covered in Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market: Health Genesis, Pure Encapsulations, Regis, Solgar, Aksuvital, BEC, NC, Life Extension, Swisse, HerbsofGold

The final report will add the analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 in this report Milk Thistle Health Tonic industry.

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Global Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market: Competitive Landscape

This section of the report identifies various key manufacturers of the market. It helps the reader understand the strategies and collaborations that players are focusing on combat competition in the market. The comprehensive report provides a significant microscopic look at the market. The reader can identify the footprints of the manufacturers by knowing about the global revenue of manufacturers, the global price of manufacturers, and production by manufacturers during the forecast period of 2020 to 2026.

This report focuses on the global Milk Thistle Health Tonic status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Milk Thistle Health Tonic development in United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and Central & South America.

The Milk Thistle Health Tonic market is a comprehensive report which offers a meticulous overview of the market share, size, trends, demand, product analysis, application analysis, regional outlook, competitive strategies, forecasts, and strategies impacting the Milk Thistle Health Tonic Industry. The report includes a detailed analysis of the market competitive landscape, with the help of detailed business profiles, SWOT analysis, project feasibility analysis, and several other details about the key companies operating in the market.

Segment by Type

Segment by Application

The study objectives of this report are:

Inquire More about This Report @ https://www.reportsandmarkets.com/enquiry/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak-on-milk-thistle-health-tonic-global-market-research-report-2020

The Milk Thistle Health Tonic market research report completely covers the vital statistics of the capacity, production, value, cost/profit, supply/demand import/export, further divided by company and country, and by application/type for best possible updated data representation in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs. These data representations provide predictive data regarding the future estimations for convincing market growth. The detailed and comprehensive knowledge about our publishers makes us out of the box in case of market analysis.

Key questions answered in this report

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Global Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market Overview

Chapter 2: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market Data Analysis

Chapter 3: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Technical Data Analysis

Chapter 4: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Government Policy and News

Chapter 5: Global Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure

Chapter 6: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast

Chapter 7: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Key Manufacturers

Chapter 8: Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis

Chapter 9: Marketing Strategy -Milk Thistle Health Tonic Analysis

Chapter 10: Milk Thistle Health Tonic Development Trend Analysis

Chapter 11: Global Milk Thistle Health Tonic Market New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis

About Us:

Reports and Markets is not just another company in this domain but is a part of a veteran group called Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. It offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for a wide range of sectors both for the government and private agencies all across the world. The database of the company is updated on a daily basis. Our database contains a variety of industry verticals that include: Food Beverage, Automotive, Chemicals and Energy, IT & Telecom, Consumer, Healthcare, and many more. Each and every report goes through the appropriate research methodology, Checked from the professionals and analysts.

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Milk Thistle Health Tonic (Impact of COVID-19) Market Growth, Overview with Detailed Analysis 2020-2026| Health Genesis, Pure Encapsulations, Regis,...

The union representing some 400 workers on the Terra Nova FPSOoil platform is sounding the alarm about a scenario that could see the vessel not produce any oil for the next two years.

"The members are very worried about their future, and the future of Newfoundland (and Labrador)," said Unifor Local 2121 president Dave Mercer.

Companies that supply the offshore are also feeling the pinch from an oil industry that has been thrown into crisis by a global pandemic.

"The impact directly is the loss of some supply ships that we supply. They're tied up or moved on somewhere else. We don't have that business or as much," said Gary Squires, manager at St. John's-based Campbell's Ship Supplies, which providessupplies to supply ships and drill rigs in the offshore.

Campbell's has a workforce of 25, and so far has been able to avoid any layoffs, said Squires.

His comments reflecta moodnow permeating an industry that represents some 30 per cent of the value of the province's gross domestic product, and uncertainty about the future of the Terra Nova FPSO is the latest dark cloud to cast a shadow over the offshore sector.

"Now it's time for the government to step up," said Mercer, whose union represents nearly 800 workers on the Terra Nova and Hibernia oil platform.

Workers on the Hebron and SeaRose FPSO platforms are not unionized.

Suncor, the majority owner and operator of Terra Nova, confirmed this week that it was unable to formalize a Plan B for a life extension overhaulof the aging floating, production, storage and offloading vessel, which has been producing oil on the Grand Banks since 2002.

As a result,the partnership that owns the vessel has decided to remove the Terra Nova from the offshore by this summer,and sail it to port at a location yet to be named, for an unknown duration.

"Obviously we're very concerned about the impacts to industry, the impacts to employment, the impacts to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of the challenges that the industry is facing," said provincial Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady.

Coadyhas been in discussions with the operator, but said there's no indication yet how many jobs will be lost, or when the Terra Nova might return to the offshore and resume production, but she acknowledged it could very well be 2022.

Mercer said the union is also scrambling for information.

"It's all so fluid," he said.

Suncor released a statement Tuesday that said, "No decisions have been made to shut down production operations on Terra Nova until 2022."

But with so much uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, oil markets that are extremely volatile, and the immense planning that goes into a refit like the one proposed for the Terra Nova, insiders predict a lengthy shutdown for the vessel.

The Terra Nova was supposed to be at a dockyard in Spain by now, undergoing a half-billion-dollar life extension refit that would extend the oil field for 10 years, and allow the vessel to produce an additional 80 million barrels of oil.

But with Spain hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, those plans have been scuttled, and when Suncor was unable to come up an with an alternative plan, the decision was made to mothball the vessel.

That means the number of producing fields in the offshore will fall from four to three, and the hundreds of workers whose livelihoods are connected to the Terra Nova are now in doubt.

"There's only so much we can say. It's becoming very difficult to take care of our members," said Mercer.

The Terra Nova hasn't produced oil since it was ordered late last year to suspend operations by the board that regulates the offshore for a safety infraction.

There were hopesthat Suncor could resume production and carry out the refit at a later date, but sources say some partners were unwilling to spend the money required to recertify the Terra Nova, at a time when companies are slashing spending in order to manage through a collapse in the market.

Suncor was engaged in ongoing talks with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board about a plan to restart production, but a resolution was never reached.

"As of yesterday we were still in very active discussions with Suncor on their recent proposal to resume production and thought those discussions were continuing," the C-NLOPB wrote in a statement to CBC.

"While we sympathize with the workforce affected by yesterday's announcement, we are not privy to the commercial considerations faced by Suncor and its partners."

Meanwhile, calls for the federal government to offer a lifeline to the oil sector continue.

"Wereally need is an investment in accelerating exploration in offshore Newfoundland and Labrador," said Coady.

The province and industry groups want Ottawa to offer tax breaks and other incentives to encourage oil companies to keep looking for new discoveries, similar to those offered in Norway and the United Kingdom.

Federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regansaid Wednesday he is in talks with the province and those in the industry.

"We are looking for options," said O'Regan, who specifically referenced "incentive-based exploration."

But O'Regan would not put a timeline on when those measures might be announced.

"We want to make sure we get it right," he said

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador

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As Suncor ponders Terra Nova's future, N.L. offshore workers worry about their own - CBC.ca

The Global Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) Film Market is expected to record a value of US$24.84 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 6.83%, during 2020-2024. The factors such as rising demand for plastic packaging, accelerating manufacturing of electronic products, growth in digital printing, increasing retail sales of food and grocery, expansion of pharmaceutical industry and rapid urbanization are expected to drive the market growth. However, the growth of the market would be challenged by the heavy production cost of BOPET film and high prices of BOPET film. A few notable trends may include rising production capacity of flat panel display, rising growth of cosmetic products, development of biodegradable and water soluble films and rising awareness about the BOPET films.

The global BOPET film market is evolving rapidly over vast rates every year, owing to the continuous increase in its market demand. BOPET film has become a crucial component of every end-use sector due to the presence of versatile qualities. The BOPET striking features such as product quality, shelf life extension, high tensile strength and high durability make it an ideal product for packaging. The enormous application in packaging industry is the major reason for the BOPET film industry growth.

The fastest growing regional market was Asia-Pacific, due to the rapid urbanization, particularly in China and India. Rapid urbanization has led to the continuous changes in peoples lifestyles. Urban people have adopted a modern way of living, which contributed to the increase in BOPET film consumption as a premium product for various household purposes, including packaging. Therefore, Asia-Pacific has witnessed a modest growth in BOPET film market, which is further expected to contribute considerably to the global BOPET film market in coming years.

Scope of the report:

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) film market.

The major regional and country markets (Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe and ROW), along with the country coverage of China, India and North America have been analyzed.

The market dynamics such as growth drivers, market trends and challenges are analyzed in-depth.

The competitive landscape of the market, along with the company profiles of leading players (Toray Industries, Kolon Industries, Polyplex Corporation, Uflex Ltd., Jindal Poly Film Ltd. and Essel Propack) are also presented in detail.

Key Target Audience:

Plastic and Polyester manufacturers

Raw Material suppliers and distributors

End Users (food & beverage, pharmaceutical, E&E, imaging & graphics, etc.)

Investment Banks

Government Bodies & Regulating Authorities

Table of Contents

1. Overview

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Manufacturing Process of BOPET Films

1.3 Advantages of BOPET Film

1.4 Applications of BOPET Film

1.5 Importance of BOPET Film In Packaging

2. Global Market Analysis

2.1 Global BOPET Film Market by Value

2.2 Global BOPET Film Market Forecast by Value

2.3 Global BOPET Film Installed Capacity

2.4 Global BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

2.5 Global BOPET Film Installed Capacity by Regions

2.6 Global BOPET Film Production Volume

2.7 Global BOPET Film Production Volume Forecast

2.8 Global BOPET Film Market Demand

2.9 Global BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

2.10 Global BOPET Film Market Demand by Regions

3. Regional Market Analysis

3.1 Asia-Pacific

3.1.1 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Installed Capacity

3.1.2 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

3.1.3 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Installed Capacity by Regions

3.1.4 China BOPET Film Installed Capacity

3.1.5 China BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

3.1.6 India BOPET Film installed Capacity

3.1.7 India BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

3.1.8 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Market Demand

3.1.9 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.1.10 Asia-Pacific BOPET Film Market Demand by Regions

3.1.11 China BOPET Film Market Demand

3.1.12 China BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.1.13 India BOPET Film Market Demand

3.1.14 India BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2 Americas

3.2.1 Americas BOPET Film Installed Capacity

3.2.2 Americas BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

3.2.3 Americas BOPET Film Installed Capacity by Regions

3.2.4 North America BOPET Film Installed Capacity

3.2.5 North America BOPET Film Installed Capacity Forecast

3.2.6 North America BOPET Film Production Volume

3.2.7 North America BOPET Film Production Volume Forecast

3.2.8 Americas BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.9 Americas BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2.10 Americas BOPET Film Market Demand by Regions

3.2.11 North America BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.12 North America BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2.13 North America BOPET Film Market Demand by Applications

3.2.14 North America Packaging & Metalizing BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.15 North America Packaging & Metalizing BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2.16 North America Industrial BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.17 North America Industrial BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2.18 North America Electrical & Electronic BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.19 North America Electrical & Electronic BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.2.20 North America Imaging & Graphics BOPET Film Market Demand

3.2.21 North America Imaging & Graphics BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.3 Europe

3.3.1 Europe BOPET Film Market Demand

3.3.2 Europe BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

3.4 ROW

3.4.1 ROW BOPET Film Market Demand

3.4.2 ROW BOPET Film Market Demand Forecast

4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.1.1 Rising Demand for Plastic Packaging

4.1.2 Accelerating Manufacturing of Electrical and Electronic Products

4.1.3 Growth in Digital Printing

4.1.4 Increasing Retail Sales of Food and Grocery

4.1.5 Expansion of Pharmaceutical Industry

4.1.6 Rapid Urbanization

4.1.7 Environmental-Friendly

4.2 Key Trends and Developments

4.2.1 Rising Production Capacity of Flat Panel Display

4.2.2 Increasing Growth of Cosmetics Products

4.2.3 Development of Bio-Degradable and Water-Soluble Films

4.2.4 Rising Awareness about BOPET Packaging Films

4.3 Challenges

4.3.1 Heavy Manufacturing Cost of BOPET Films

4.3.2 High Prices of BOPET Films

5. Competitive Landscape

5.1 Global Market

5.1.1 Major BOPET Producers by Installed Capacity

5.1.2 Key Players Revenue Comparison

5.1.3 Key Players Market Capitalization Comparison

5.2 Indian Market

5.2.1 Key Players Business Model Competency Framework

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Global Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) Film Market (By Installed Capacity, Production, Demand and Region) : Insights, Trends and...

13 May 2020 --- Salt reduction remains high on the agenda for food manufacturers and brands tapping into increased demand for healthy products with a clean label. Under pressure following official recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to drive down salt intake in the global population by 30 percent by 2025, food innovators face the ongoing challenges on lessening their reliance on sodium. This must be achieved, of course, without compromising on taste and delivering on health and wellness characteristics demanded by consumers who still expect the enrichment, complexity and premiumization in their savory choices with a low salt label.

Low sodium-based launches have grown considerably over the past five years, notes Innova Market Research, with a 7 percent average annual growth of food & beverage launches tracked with low/reduced sodium claims (Global, 2015-2019). Baby & Toddler foods have the highest percentage of launches with low/reduced sodium claims, citing the importance of salt reduction from an early age while Sauces & Seasonings and Soft Drinks are second and third, respectively. This is followed by Snacks (9 percent), Bakery (7 percent) and Cereals (6 percent).

While salt reducing focused NPD is obviously popular across various categories, taking away some of the standards from a manufacturers toolbox, such as salt, MSG and yeast extract, can create taste challenges.

Food manufacturers are now looking for solutions that allow them to reduce the sodium levels of their products, while also achieving the great taste and texture that consumers expect. It is, however, not only food producers who are increasingly aware of the importance of salt reduction in food public consciousness and awareness of the health impact of excess sodium has risen just as much, Mark Austin, Global Business Development Manager, DSM Food Specialties tellsFoodIngredientsFirst.

A recent DSM survey, which interviewed 5,000 people across 10 countries, found that 65 percent of respondents seek foods that contain less salt, while 71 percent and 66 percent of people questioned also reported looking for products that have lower levels of sugar and fat respectively.

This means that to really meet consumer needs for better-for-you products, producers must take a holistic approach to develop healthier options, considering not just salt reduction, but sugar and fat, too. The clean label movement has seen more consumers seeking products with shorter and more recognizable ingredient lists, with 71 percent of people in DSMs survey checking product labels and 66 percent buying goods made with ingredients they are familiar with, he continues.

When it comes to salt reduction, this means that producers must continue to look towards creating clean label solutions with reduced sodium content that appeal to consumers, Austin adds.

DSMs portfolio of yeast extract solutions for salt reduction can support food manufacturers in delivering healthy, tasty and appealing products. Yeast extracts are widely known for their rich savory taste profile, which can help producers create an authentic taste in low-sodium products. Part of DSMs sodium reduction toolbox, the Maxarome portfolio including Maxarome Select is ideally suited for a broad range of savory applications and can reduce salt levels in food, without compromising on taste or texture.

Suitable for both plant-based and meat dishes, these solutions have the ability to enhance the salty perception of goods, while delivering on umami, meaty or vegetable flavors, and masking off-notes and bitterness, notes Austin.

Processed food remains the leading contributor to salt intake in peoples diets. In industrial countries, approximately 75-80 percent of dietary salt is obtained through processed food, while 5-10 percent occurs naturally and the remaining 10-15 percent stems from salt that is added during cooking or at the table, continues Austin.

With the pressure from public health associations to reduce sodium intake continuing to grow, however, the need for manufacturers to adapt to ensure their product offering meets these demands is increasingly important, he says.

Click to Enlarge

Salt in the plant-based spaceSalt levels in plant-based products have recently come under scrutiny by UK organization, Action on Salt (AoS). It has recently published studies linking cutting salt helps support lower blood pressure which, it says, provide strong evidence for salt reduction as a major public health strategy for the UK which currently has voluntary salt reduction targets.

In the plant-based space specifically, AoS calls on the government to get tough on the eating out sector which lags far behind the food sold in retailers. This follows AoSs recent survey findings that show many healthy sounding plant-based and vegan meals served at UK restaurants, fast food and coffee chains, contain more salt than eight McDonalds hamburgers. Nearly half (45 percent) of meals eaten out of the home contain 3 g or more salt in just a single meal thats half the maximum daily limit for an adult. Additionally, over one in five dishes provide more than half an adults maximum daily recommendation for saturated fat.

Recognizing the demand for reduced salt in plant-based formulations, Roquette recently expanded its plant-based protein ingredient range that taps into the salt reduction trend. NUTRALYS L85M is a new specialty ingredient that further expands the existing range of NUTRALYS pea protein from Roquette. Beyond new tastes and new textures, Roquette will now offer its customers the ability to create plant-based meats with less salt to meet consumers demands and expectations when managing their daily sodium intake.

For Laura Queiroz Simon, Biorigin Global Product Manager, sodium reduction is no longer a trend, it is a confirmation of conscious consumption. She flags several categories that tap into convenience trends such as snacks and ready meals, as having a lot of opportunities to reduce the sodium content and to be more pressured by consumers and regulatory bodies.

Plant-based recipes tend to have a neutral taste profile and to compensate by giving more savory to these recipes the food companies are using salt. We know that consumers are aware and are pressuring the plant-based food industries to reformulate their recipes to reduce the salt and use clean label ingredients, she tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

The consumption is pushed by health concerns and consumers know that there is no point in consuming less meat in favor of plant alternatives if these recipes have a long list of ingredients with artificial additives and colors. Its well known that consumers avoid buying products with ingredients that are difficult to understand and are focusing on looking for products that contain ingredients perceived as natural, she says.

Meanwhile, Biorigin brings ingredients that help to reduce up to 50 percent sodium. Naturally rich in amino acids and nucleotides, there is a line of specific ingredients to promote the umami flavor the fifth basic flavor that brings a subtle and market sensation, increasing salivation and it is often perceived as a combination of sweet and salty flavors, allowing to compensate the salty taste loss and provide the overall recipe taste balance.

Bioenhance SFE 201 is designed to deliver a clean savory and umami notes, working in synergy with the recipe and compensating the sodium reduction. It is also able to mask off flavors when using different salts than Sodium Chloride (NaCl).

Biorigin offers a range of yeast extracts from standard savory to umami and roasted profiles to fulfill several applications and sodium reduction challenges and natural flavors that improve the salt perception with no sodium addition, maintaining the recipe taste profile, the company flags.

No need to compromiseFor Eelco Heintz, Product & Innovation Manager atNiacet, increasing consumer awareness of the harmful effects of excessive sodium consumption on health is driving demand for sodium reducing ingredients. At the same time, several countries have introduced legislation trying to tackle the issue. As a result, consumers are making a conscious effort to reduce sodium consumption and proactively checking sodium content on labels, he tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

As alternatives to the commonly used sodium-based preservatives gain ground, antimicrobials have an important role to play. There is no need to compromise between food safety and a healthy sodium content, he notes.

Next to sodium reduction there is an increased demand for shelf life extension and improved safety in a variety of food types, adds Heintz. Sodium-based preservatives are common, but there are preservation ingredients available that do not contain any sodium. Provian K, made with potassium salts, is one such example of a preservative that is proven to keep food safe and extend shelf life while reducing salt. Similarly, clean label solutions, such as Provian NDV, are made from naturally fermented vinegar and also contain no sodium, he explains.

Provian products are powdered organic acid-based preservatives, which makes it possible to simultaneously address both trends of salt reduction and increased shelf life.Originally, we focused on processed meat and poultry products, but this quickly expanded to other processed foods like fish, salads, spreads and a variety of ready-to-eat (RTE) products, Heintz notes.

Processed foods often contain a lot of salt, partly due to the high quantities of sodium-based preservatives used in them. However, by using high quality preservatives, manufacturers can create healthier products with lower levels of sodium. Preservatives such as Provian are highly effective at lower dosages, which will increase safety and extend shelf-life while reducing the amount of sodium in the final product, he says.

Not everyone is aware of the consequences of high salt intake. There are often cases of the public media warning against high salt intake, usually related to kidney or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, there is a clear trend visible of healthy and conscious living in the wider population. However, more can still be done, and it is obvious that awareness of sodium intake and a healthy sodium/potassium balance needs to be part of this trend, Heintz says.

Another category where salt reduction is an emerging trend is bakery. Baked goods substantially contribute to the daily sodium intake and a reduction is necessary to reach the goals set by governments and WHO. The industry has seen a voluntary reduction of sodium chloride content, but more still needs to be done. ProBake, from Niacet, offers world-leading standards in mold control with preservative options that contain no sodium, he adds.

Whats next?Rising demand for healthier, low-sodium food with a great taste and texture will continue to fuel product innovation and reformulation. Broader health trends will continue to drive thegrowing consumer trend for low-sodium clean label ingredients in their food. Consumers like the idea of products with easily identifiable ingredients, which can be difficult with preservatives as they often need to be labeled with a chemical name. However, preservatives made from natural ingredients can be used in products with natural claims and clean label ingredients. Niacets Provian NDV, for instance, is an effective clean label preservative, made from naturally fermented vinegar.

Manufacturers are searching for effective nutritional solutions for salt reduction that help them meet the trend for better-for-you food and stay ahead of the curve. Meanwhile, the continuing boom for plant-based products, innovation and R&D, will drive the need for more salt reducing solutions globally while more regulation is expected to be introduced around the world, forcing formulators who havent already done so to act.

By Gaynor Selby

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com

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Salt reduction: Preservation without sodium and delivering on taste - FoodIngredientsFirst

DALLAS, May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Jacobs (NYSE:J) was selected by Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM), a subsidiary of the U.K. Government's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, to study the release of radioactivity from irradiated graphite sampled from reactor cores at the U.K.'s nuclear power stations. This research will support RWM in their analysis of graphite behavior and the options for graphite waste management in the future.

"We're combining our leading graphite knowledge from our Integrated Waste Management team at Harwell, our role as designer and architect engineer of the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) and Magnox reactors, and our work on operational support and life extension," said Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions Senior Vice President Clive White. "Our Technology and Innovation Centre at Birchwood Park, Warrington, is applying this graphite knowledge to work through options for safe and timely characterization, retrieval, treatment and storage solutions to meet the growing global decommissioning market."

RWM has commissioned Jacobs to measure and characterize releases of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 and compare it with releases from irradiated graphite in earlier reactor types, including the U.K.'s first generation of Magnox civil nuclear power stations.

This research will have a significant bearing on the safe management and disposal of graphite wastes arising from the decommissioning of 14 advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGR), which generate nearly 20% of the country's electricity but are due to be phased out over the next 10 years.

The contract has an initial duration of two years. Subject to experimental program results, it may be extended by an additional two years.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $13 billion in revenue and a talent force of more than 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visitjacobs.comand connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram,LinkedInand Twitter.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2019, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:Kerrie Sparks214.583.8433

See the rest here:
Jacobs Selected by Radioactive Waste Management Ltd to Study Radioactivity in Graphite Nuclear Reactor Cores - Tyler Morning Telegraph

Back in the pre-pandemic era, I was really looking forward to April 8. On that date,Carl Zimmerwas going to give a talk at my school, Stevens Institute of Technology, about his latest book,She Has Her Mothers Laugh. For decades, Zimmer has reported on biology in The New York Times and other publications and in books,13 so far.Mothers Laughtells the epic tale of our attempts to plumb the mysteries of heredity and to improve ourselves with that knowledge. The book is a marvelous work of historyZimmers account of the early days of eugenics in the U.S. is especially grippingas well as a detailed, up-to-date report on CRISPR and other advances that add urgency to old debates about human enhancement. Zimmer is an engaging story-teller and insatiable reporter, who visits scientists in their labs and even volunteers to be a subject. As a result, while discussing the remarkable diversity of creatures dwelling on and in our bodies, he can tell you that his own bellybutton harbors a bacterium,Marimonas, also found in the Mariana Trench. In lieu of Carls April 8 talk, here he answers questions about genetics and related topics. John Horgan

Horgan:How did you end up in the science-writing racket, anyway? Any regrets?

Zimmer:I feel incredibly lucky to have this job. It wasn't anything I thought about with any foresight. I loved to write, and I loved science. A couple years out of college, I got a job as an assistant copy editor at the science magazineDiscover. There, I got a great training in how to fact-check and report on science. I stayed there for ten years before heading out on my own.

Horgan:Why the focus on biology? When you started out, wasnt physics going to solve everything?

Zimmer:As a junior reporter atDiscover, I had to write about all sorts of stuff--astronomy, geoscience, physics, technology, and so on. But I found that biology was always the field that managed to surprise me the most. Evolution has gone off in such crazy directions in the past four billion years, and the tools biologists have to study life have grown incredibly powerful over the past few decades.

Horgan:I sometimes worry Im too mean to scientists. Do you ever worry youre too nice?

Zimmer:As a fact-checker, you learn that no one should be given a pass. When I report on a story, I talk with outside experts to see if researchers I'm writing about are really delivering on what they claim. And it's also important to keep up with what social scientists and philosophers have to say--because science doesn't happen in a vacuum and can have dangerous consequences.

Horgan:Whats the biggest thing thats happened in science since you started writing about it?

Zimmer:DNA sequencing. It changed everything, from the study of Neanderthals to tracking the covid-19 pandemic.

Horgan:In 2009you quit the online chat show Bloggingheads.tv, on whichwe once spoke, because it gave a platform to creationists. Have your feelings about creationism evolved over the past decade?

Zimmer:No. Creationists have not done any good science since then, while evolutionary biology has leapt forward in dramatic fashion.

Horgan:Whenever I criticize scientificracism, orsexism, people call me an unscientific social justice warrior. I knowthis happens to you, too. How do you deal with these people?

Zimmer:People try to deflect from weak arguments by accusing their opponents of being contemptible.

Horgan:Is CRISPR living up to its hype? If so, will it help gene therapy, finally, take off?

Zimmer:CRISPR is already a mainstay of scientific research, for testing how genes work and how mutations affect health. It's already into clinical trials for diseases like sickle cell anemia just few years after its invention. We have yet to see how well it will work in those applications. But it's unquestionably one of the most important advances in the history of biology.

Horgan:By the time I reached the end ofShe Has Her Mothers Laugh, I wasnt sure whether you think genetic enhancement of humans is feasible, or desirable. Could you clarify?

Zimmer:I think anyone who pretends to have a simple answer is wrong. The answer depends not only on the complexity of biology, but also on what we really want from genetic enhancement. We are already carrying out genetic enhancement when parents with Huntington's disease pick embryos for IVF without the mutation. But I'm skeptical that any manipulation will affect, say, intelligence--certainly not more than what a decent education and a healthy childhood can offer.

Horgan:Will there be any more revolutions in our understanding of heredity?

Zimmer:It's not possible to predict revolutions that haven't happened. But I think that scientists will learn a lot about how epigenetic changes can be carried down through generations--if not in humans, then in other animals and plants.

Horgan:Will our knowledge ever be so complete that the nature/debate finally ends?

Zimmer:I can't rule it out, but it won't be easy. It's relatively easy to study how genes influence variation, but the environment is so vast and complex it may not submit to simple experiments with clear results. Still, there are some very impressive experiments that are grappling with these challenges.

Horgan:Are radical life extension, and possibly immortality, feasible?

Zimmer:I'm not holding my breath. Aging is the result of so many factors that it's hard to see how any simple intervention can change it much. Immortality just seems biologically silly to me.

Horgan:I cant resist asking: what do you think of the U.S. response to the coronavirus?

Zimmer:A disaster.

Further Reading:

Was Darwin Wrong?

How Can We Curb the Spread of Scientific Racism?

Should Research on Race and IQ Be Banned?

My Problem with Taboo Behavioral Genetics? The Science Stinks!

Quest for Intelligence Genes Turns Out More Dubious Results

Have Researchers Really Discovered Any Genes for Behavior?

Defending Stephen Jay Goulds Crusade Against Biological Determinism

Darwin Was Sexist, and So Are Many Modern Scientists

Do Women Want to be Oppressed?

Google Engineer Fired for Sexist Memo Isnt a Hero

See also my free, online bookMind-Body Problems: Science, Subjectivity & Who We Really Are, also available as a Kindle e-book and paperback.

Go here to read the rest:
Will the Nature/Nurture Debate Ever End? - Scientific American

Global Cryonics Technology Market 2020 to 2026, is a comprehensive report which provides a detailed overview of the major driver, opportunities, challenges, current market trends and strategies impacting the global Cryonics Technology market in conjunction with calculation and forecast of size, share, and growth rate analysis. Combining the analysis capabilities and knowledge integration with the relevant findings, the report has foretold the robust future growth of the Cryonics Technology market all told its geographical and merchandise segments.

Get free PDF Sample Copy of this Report at:

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Key Players of the Global Cryonics Technology Market

Praxair, Cellulis, Cryologics, Cryotherm, KrioRus, VWR, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Custom Biogenic Systems, Oregon Cryonics, Alcor Life Extension Foundation, Osiris Cryonics, Sigma-Aldrich, Southern Cryonics.

Segmentation by product type

Slow freezingVitrificationUltra-rapid

Segmentation by application

Animal husbandryFishery scienceMedical sciencePreservation of microbiology cultureConserving plant biodiversity

Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers 2019-2025:

North America(United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe(Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific(China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America(Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

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Market Overview:The report begins with this section where product overview and highlights of product and application segments of the global Cryonics Technology Market are provided. Highlights of the segmentation study include price, revenue, sales, sales growth rate, and market share by product.

Competition by Company:Here, the competition in the global Cryonics Technology Market is analyzed, taking into consideration price, revenue, sales, and market share by company, market concentration rate, competitive situations and trends, expansion, merger and acquisition, and market shares of top 5 and 10 companies.

Company Profiles and Sales Data:As the name suggests, this section gives the sales data of key players of the global Cryonics Technology Market as well as some useful information on their business. It talks about the gross margin, price, revenue, products and their specifications, applications, competitors, Manufacturing base, and the main business of players operating in the global Cryonics Technology Market.

Market Status and Outlook by Region:In this section, the report discusses about gross margin, sales, revenue, production, market share, CAGR, and market size by region. Here, the global Cryonics Technology Market is deeply analyzed on the basis of regions and countries such as North America, Europe, China, India, Japan, and the MEA.

Application or End User:This part of the research study shows how different application segments contribute to the global Cryonics Technology Market.

Market Forecast:Here, the report offers complete forecast of the global Cryonics Technology Market by product, application, and region. It also offers global sales and revenue forecast for all years of the forecast period.

Research Findings and Conclusion:This is one of the last sections of the report where the findings of the analysts and the conclusion of the research study are provided.

Appendix:Here, we have provided a disclaimer, our data sources, data triangulation, market breakdown, research programs and design, and our research approach.

The research includes historic data from 2015 to 2020 and forecasts until 2026 which makes the reports an invaluable resource for industry executives, marketing, sales and product managers, consultants, analysts, and other people looking for key industry data in readily accessible documents with clearly presented tables and graphs.

We also offer customization on reports based on specific client requirement

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Research Report, Growth Trends and Competitive Analysis 2020-2026 Cole Reports - Cole of Duty

The Department of Defense has begun to ratchet up spending to recapitalize the U.S. strategic nuclear triad and its supporting infrastructure, as several programs move from research and development into the procurement phase. The projected Pentagon expenditures are at least $167 billion from 2021-2025. This amount does not include the large nuclear warhead sustainment and modernization costs funded by the Department of Energy, projected to cost $81 billion over the next five years.

Nuclear forces require modernization, but that will entail opportunity costs.In a budget environment that offers little prospect of greater defense spending, especially in the COVID19 era, more money for nuclear forces will mean less funding for conventional capabilities.

That has potentially negative consequences for the security of the United States and its allies.While nuclear forces provide day-to-day deterrence, the Pentagon leadership spends most of its time thinking about how to employ conventional forces to manage security challenges around the world.The renewed focus on great power competition further elevates the importance of conventional forces.It is important to get the balance between nuclear and conventional forces right, particularly as the most likely path to use of nuclear arms would be an escalation of a conventional conflict.Having robust conventional forces to prevail in or deter a conventional conflict in the first place could avert a nuclear crisis or worse.

Nuclear Weapons and Budgets

For the foreseeable future, the United States will continue to rely on nuclear deterrence for its security and that of its allies (whether we should be comfortable with that prospect is another question).Many U.S. nuclear weapons systems are aging, and replacing them will cost money, lots of money.The Pentagons five-year plan for its nuclear weapons programs proposes $29 billion in fiscal year 2021, rising to $38 billion in fiscal year 2025, as programs move from research and development to procurement.The plan envisages a total of $167 billion over five years.And that total may be understated; weapons costs increase not just as they move to the procurement phase, but as cost overruns and other issues drive the costs up compared to earlier projections.

The Pentagon knew that the procurement bow wave of nuclear weapons spending would hit in the 2020s and that funding it would pose a challenge.In October 2015, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense said Were looking at that big bow wave and wondering how the heck were going to pay for it and probably thanking our stars that we wont be here to have to answer the question.

The Pentagons funding request for fiscal year 2021 includes $4.4 billion for the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine that will replace Ohio-class submarines, which will begin to be retired at the end of the decade; $1.2 billion for the life extension program for the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM); $1.5 billion for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to replace the Minuteman III ICBM; $2.8 billion for the B-21 stealth bomber that will replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers; $500 million for the Long-Range Standoff Missile that will arm B-52 and B-21 bombers; and $7 billion for nuclear command, control and communications systems.

The Pentagon funds primarily go to delivery and command and control systems for nuclear weapons.The National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy bears the costs of the warheads themselves. It seeks $15.6 billion for five nuclear warhead life-extension and other infrastructure programs in fiscal year 2021, the first year of a five-year plan totaling $81 billion.The fiscal year 2021 request is nearly $3 billion more than the agency had earlier planned to ask, which suggests these programs are encountering significant cost growth.

Some look at these figures and the overall defense budget (the Pentagon wants a total of $740 billion for fiscal year 2021) and calculate that the cost of building and operating U.S. nuclear forces will amount to only 6-7 percent of the defense budget.That may be true, but how relevant is that figure?

By one estimate, the cost of building and operating the F-35 fighter program for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines over the programs lifetime will be $1 trillion.Amortized over 50 years, that amounts to $20 billion per year or only 2.7 percent of the Defense Departments fiscal year 2021 budget request.The problem is that these percentages and lots of other small percentages add up.When one includes all of the programs, plus personnel and readiness costs as well as everything else that the Pentagon wants, the percentages will total to more than 100 percent of the figure that Congress is prepared to appropriate for defense.

Opportunity Costs

The defense budget is unlikely to grow.Opportunity costs represent the things the Pentagon has to give up or forgo in order to fund its nuclear weapons programs.The military services gave an indication of these costs with their unfunded priorities lists, which this year total $18 billion.These show what the services would like to buy if they had additional funds, and that includes a lot of conventional weapons.

The Air Force, for example, would like to procure an additional twelve F-35 fighters as well as fund advance procurement for an additional twelve F-35s in fiscal year 2022.It would also like to buy three more tanker aircraft than budgeted.

The Army is reorienting from counter-insurgency operations in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq to facing off against major peer competitors, that is, Russia and China.Its wish list includes more long-range precision fires (artillery and short-range surface-to-surface missiles), a new combat vehicle, helicopters and more air and missile defense systems.

The Navy would like to add five F-35s to its aircraft buy, but its bigger desire is more attack submarines and warships, given its target of building up to a fleet of 355 ships. The Navy termed a second Virginia-class attack submarine its top unfunded priority in fiscal year 2021.It has set a requirement for 66 attack submarines and currently has about 50.However, as older Los Angeles-class submarines retire, that number could fall to 42. Forgoing construction of a Virginia-class submarine does not help to close that gap.

Moreover, the total number of Navy ships, now 293, will decline in the near term, widening the gap to get to 355.The Navys five-year shipbuilding program cut five of twelve planned Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and cost considerations have led the Navy to decide to retire ten older Burke-class destroyers rather than extend their service life for an additional ten years.This comes when China is rapidly expanding its navy, and Russian attack submarines are returning on a more regular cycle to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Navy has said that funding the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine forced a cut-back in the number of other ships in its fiscal 2021 shipbuilding request.The decision not to fund a second Virginia-class attack submarine appears to stem directly from the unexpected $3 billion plus-up in funding for the National Nuclear Security Administrations fiscal year 2021 programs.

These are the opportunity costs of more nuclear weapons:fewer dollars for aircraft, ships, attack submarines and ground combat equipment for conventional deterrence and defense.

Nuclear War and Deterring Conventional Conflict

The principal driving factor behind the size of U.S. nuclear forces comes from Russian nuclear forces and doctrine.Diverse and effective U.S. nuclear forces that can deter a Russian nuclear attack should suffice to deter a nuclear attack by any third country.In contrast to the Cold War, the U.S. military no longer seems to worry much about a bolt from the bluea sudden Soviet or Russian first strike involving a massive number of nuclear weapons designed to destroy the bulk of U.S. strategic forces before they could launch.That is because, under any conceivable scenario, sufficient U.S. strategic forcesprincipally on ballistic missile submarines at seawould survive to inflict a devastating retaliatory response.

The most likely scenario for nuclear use between the United States and Russia is a regional conflict fought at the conventional level in which one side begins to lose and decides to escalate by employing a small number of low-yield nuclear weapons, seeking to reverse battlefield losses and signal the strength of its resolve.Questions thus have arisen about whether Russia has an escalate-to-deescalate doctrine and whether the 2018 U.S. nuclear posture review lowers the threshold for use of nuclear weapons.

If the United States and its allies have sufficiently robust conventional forces, they can prevail in a regional conflict at the conventional level and push any decision about first use of nuclear weapons onto the other side (Russia, or perhaps China or North Korea depending on the scenario).The other side would have to weigh carefully the likelihood that its first use of nuclear weapons would trigger a nuclear response, opening the decidedly grim prospect of further nuclear escalation and of things spinning out of control.The other sides leader might calculate that he/she could control the escalation, but that gamble would come with no guarantee. It would appear a poor bet given the enormous consequences if things go wrong.Happily, the test has never been run.

This is why the opportunity costs of nuclear weapons programs matter.If those programs strip too much funding from conventional forces, they weaken the ability of the United States and its allies to prevail in a conventional conflictor to deter that conflict in the first placeand increase the possibility that the United States might have to employ nuclear weapons to avert defeat.

Read the original:
Weapons, Opportunity Costs, COVID19 and Avoiding Nuclear War - The National Interest

Adeles significant slim down has been credited to a combination of exercise and eating sirtfoods. So what is the sirt diet and could it work for you?

COVID-19 may still be daily overwhelming the internet, but for a few hours last week all the talk on social mediturned to just how singer Adele could havelost so much weight.

And the answer? Apparently (allegedly) shes been following the sirtfood diet, detailed in a book of the same name written by Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten.

The sirt in sirtfood stands for sirtuins a group of genes and the proteins they encode that play a key role in cellular homeostasis. Sirtuins have been implicated in the stress response, DNA repair and energy metabolism, but the area where they've whipped up more scientific interest (and hype) than any other isin relation to extending lifespan.

The finding that sirtuins were linked to longevity in yeast led to an explosion of research that has yielded ambiguous results. There have been some signs of life extension and improved long-term health, including an anti-diabetic potential in laboratory animals, but nothing thats been reliably shown to extend life in mammals.

The central tenet of the sirtfood diet is that eating certain polyphenol-rich foods red wine and dark chocolate are frequently citedas examples to make the diet seem sexier can stimulate sirtuins (coined your skinny genes by the authors) and create weight loss.

Activating sirtuins through diet is an intriguing theory, but theres little evidence to support it, and even less evidence that doing so would lead to significant weight loss in practice.

The diet promises a weight loss of 7 pounds in 7 days and that longer-term you will improve your resistance to disease while gaining incredible energy and glowing health.

If you dont gnaw off your arm in hunger before you get slim that is.

Phase one of the diet is three miserable days of consuming just 1000 calories including three green juices, followed by four more days when youre permitted 1500 calories but still have to gag on drink green juice.

Phase two lasts for two weeks and isn't a whole lot more appealing, while longer-term you have to continue consuming the same list of foods repeatedly.

Polyphenol-rich food such as apples and citrus, green leafy vegetables, berries and olive oil are all perfectly healthy but having to focus on them at every meal is faddish and restrictive.

And thats the real reason the sirt diet works for those that do stick to it despite sounding seductively sciencey the restraints mean its just another not-particularly-well-disguised route to cutting calories.

If it works for you and it worked for Adele, then great. But lets not pretend sirt diet success stories are down to anything other than eating less.

Excerpt from:
Eat Like a Bird and Weight Loss Will Be a Dead Sirt - American Council on Science and Health

The exploration drive approval allows for development within a nominated corridor as it is recognised that the exact location will vary as the mineralisation is further identified.

Alkane Resources Limited () has received approval from the NSW Government Resources Regulator to develop an exploration drive from theexisting Wyoming One underground operations at Tomingley Gold Project to Roswell and San Antonio deposits, around four kilometres to the south.

The company believes this is an important milestone towards a future potential underground mine at Roswell and San Antonio that could be developed independently of an open cut operation.

While being an exploration drive, itwill be sized such that it could also accommodate production in the future.

Alkane managing director Nic Earner said: Alkane has the equipment purchased, personnel recruited and land acquired to allow this development to proceed and we will now incorporate the timing of the drive development into the Tomingley Gold Operations budget schedules, as well as our regional exploration plans.

Given the prospectivity of the region around our existing operations, this approval provides Alkane with all the exploration and, in time, production options, to extend the life of mine at Tomingley well into the future.

The Tomingley Gold Project (TGP) in Central West NSW contains Alkanes Tomingley Gold Operations (TGO), an open pit mine with a 1 million tonnes per annum processing facility that is transitioning to underground.

Over the past two years, Alkane has conducted an extensive regional exploration program around the TGP with the objective of defining additional resources that have the potential to be mined either via open pit or underground operations and fed to the TGO processing facility.

Thisprogram has yielded broad, shallow, high-grade intercepts that demonstrate potential for material project life extension in excess of 10 years, and show that a return to open pit mining and/or underground extension is possible with appropriate resource confirmation, landholder agreement and regulatory approvals.

The drive is conceptual in nature to allow visualisation of the potential development.

At both the Roswell and San Antonio prospects, inferred resources have been defined of 7.02 million tonnes at 1.97 g/t gold for 445,000 ounces and 7.92 million tonnes at 1.78 g/t for 453,000 ounces respectively.

The resources are now being prepared into conceptual mine plans that can be used to progress NSW Government mining approvals.

Development of the underground exploration drive will allowdrilling positions, bulk-samplingand assessment of the corridor between the existing operations, as the Roswell and San Antonio deposits are not as readily accessible from surface.

Visit link:
Alkane Resources gets green light for underground exploration drive to reach new gold deposits - Proactive Investors Australia

Complete study of the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements market is carried out by the analysts in this report, taking into consideration key factors like drivers, challenges, recent trends, opportunities, advancements, and competitive landscape. This report offers a clear understanding of the present as well as future scenario of the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements industry. Research techniques like PESTLE and Porters Five Forces analysis have been deployed by the researchers. They have also provided accurate data on Reishi Mushroom Supplements production, capacity, price, cost, margin, and revenue to help the players gain a clear understanding into the overall existing and future market situation.

Key companies operating in the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements market include ,Natures Way Reishi,Solaray Reishi Mushroom,Life Extension Reishi Extract,Host Defense Reishi,Terrasoul Superfoods,Swanson Reishi Mushroom,Aloha Medicinals,Mushroom Science,Planetary Herbals

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Segmental Analysis

The report has classified the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements industry into segments including product type and application. Every segment is evaluated based on growth rate and share. Besides, the analysts have studied the potential regions that may prove rewarding for the Reishi Mushroom Supplements manufcaturers in the coming years. The regional analysis includes reliable predictions on value and volume, thereby helping market players to gain deep insights into the overall Reishi Mushroom Supplements industry.

Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Segment By Type:

,Organic Reishi Mushroom Supplements,Inorganic Reishi Mushroom Supplements Reishi Mushroom Supplements

Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Segment By Application:

,Online Sales,Offline Sales

Competitive Landscape

It is important for every market participant to be familiar with the competitive scenario in the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements industry. In order to fulfil the requirements, the industry analysts have evaluated the strategic activities of the competitors to help the key players strengthen their foothold in the market and increase their competitiveness.

Key companies operating in the global Reishi Mushroom Supplements market include ,Natures Way Reishi,Solaray Reishi Mushroom,Life Extension Reishi Extract,Host Defense Reishi,Terrasoul Superfoods,Swanson Reishi Mushroom,Aloha Medicinals,Mushroom Science,Planetary Herbals

Key questions answered in the report:

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TOC

1 Study Coverage1.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Product Introduction1.2 Market Segments1.3 Key Reishi Mushroom Supplements Manufacturers Covered: Ranking by Revenue1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Growth Rate by Type1.4.2 Organic Reishi Mushroom Supplements1.4.3 Inorganic Reishi Mushroom Supplements1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Growth Rate by Application1.5.2 Online Sales1.5.3 Offline Sales1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19): Reishi Mushroom Supplements Industry Impact1.6.1 How the Covid-19 is Affecting the Reishi Mushroom Supplements Industry

1.6.1.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Business Impact Assessment Covid-19

1.6.1.2 Supply Chain Challenges

1.6.1.3 COVID-19s Impact On Crude Oil and Refined Products1.6.2 Market Trends and Reishi Mushroom Supplements Potential Opportunities in the COVID-19 Landscape1.6.3 Measures / Proposal against Covid-19

1.6.3.1 Government Measures to Combat Covid-19 Impact

1.6.3.2 Proposal for Reishi Mushroom Supplements Players to Combat Covid-19 Impact1.7 Study Objectives1.8 Years Considered 2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Estimates and Forecasts2.1.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue 2015-20262.1.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales 2015-20262.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size by Region: 2020 Versus 20262.2.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Retrospective Market Scenario in Sales by Region: 2015-20202.2.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Retrospective Market Scenario in Revenue by Region: 2015-2020 3 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Competitor Landscape by Players3.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Manufacturers3.1.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Manufacturers (2015-2020)3.1.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Market Share by Manufacturers (2015-2020)3.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Manufacturers3.2.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Manufacturers (2015-2020)3.2.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2015-2020)3.2.3 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI) (2015-2020)3.2.4 Global Top 10 and Top 5 Companies by Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue in 20193.2.5 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3)3.3 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Price by Manufacturers3.4 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Types3.4.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Manufacturers Manufacturing Base Distribution, Headquarters3.4.2 Manufacturers Reishi Mushroom Supplements Product Type3.4.3 Date of International Manufacturers Enter into Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market3.5 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans 4 Breakdown Data by Type (2015-2026)4.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size by Type (2015-2020)4.1.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Type (2015-2020)4.1.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Type (2015-2020)4.1.3 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Average Selling Price (ASP) by Type (2015-2026)4.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.3 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Average Selling Price (ASP) Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.3 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Share by Price Tier (2015-2020): Low-End, Mid-Range and High-End 5 Breakdown Data by Application (2015-2026)5.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size by Application (2015-2020)5.1.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Application (2015-2020)5.1.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Application (2015-2020)5.1.3 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Price by Application (2015-2020)5.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.3 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Price Forecast by Application (2021-2026) 6 North America6.1 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements by Country6.1.1 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Country6.1.2 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Country6.1.3 U.S.6.1.4 Canada6.2 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Type6.3 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Application 7 Europe7.1 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements by Country7.1.1 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Country7.1.2 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Country7.1.3 Germany7.1.4 France7.1.5 U.K.7.1.6 Italy7.1.7 Russia7.2 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Type7.3 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Application 8 Asia Pacific8.1 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements by Region8.1.1 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Region8.1.2 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Region8.1.3 China8.1.4 Japan8.1.5 South Korea8.1.6 India8.1.7 Australia8.1.8 Taiwan8.1.9 Indonesia8.1.10 Thailand8.1.11 Malaysia8.1.12 Philippines8.1.13 Vietnam8.2 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Type8.3 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Application 9 Latin America9.1 Latin America Reishi Mushroom Supplements by Country9.1.1 Latin America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Country9.1.2 Latin America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Country9.1.3 Mexico9.1.4 Brazil9.1.5 Argentina9.2 Central & South America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Type9.3 Central & South America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Application 10 Middle East and Africa10.1 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements by Country10.1.1 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales by Country10.1.2 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue by Country10.1.3 Turkey10.1.4 Saudi Arabia10.1.5 U.A.E10.2 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Type10.3 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Facts & Figures by Application 11 Company Profiles11.1 Natures Way Reishi11.1.1 Natures Way Reishi Corporation Information11.1.2 Natures Way Reishi Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.1.3 Natures Way Reishi Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.1.4 Natures Way Reishi Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.1.5 Natures Way Reishi Recent Development11.2 Solaray Reishi Mushroom11.2.1 Solaray Reishi Mushroom Corporation Information11.2.2 Solaray Reishi Mushroom Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.2.3 Solaray Reishi Mushroom Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.2.4 Solaray Reishi Mushroom Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.2.5 Solaray Reishi Mushroom Recent Development11.3 Life Extension Reishi Extract11.3.1 Life Extension Reishi Extract Corporation Information11.3.2 Life Extension Reishi Extract Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.3.3 Life Extension Reishi Extract Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.3.4 Life Extension Reishi Extract Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.3.5 Life Extension Reishi Extract Recent Development11.4 Host Defense Reishi11.4.1 Host Defense Reishi Corporation Information11.4.2 Host Defense Reishi Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.4.3 Host Defense Reishi Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.4.4 Host Defense Reishi Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.4.5 Host Defense Reishi Recent Development11.5 Terrasoul Superfoods11.5.1 Terrasoul Superfoods Corporation Information11.5.2 Terrasoul Superfoods Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.5.3 Terrasoul Superfoods Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.5.4 Terrasoul Superfoods Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.5.5 Terrasoul Superfoods Recent Development11.6 Swanson Reishi Mushroom11.6.1 Swanson Reishi Mushroom Corporation Information11.6.2 Swanson Reishi Mushroom Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.6.3 Swanson Reishi Mushroom Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.6.4 Swanson Reishi Mushroom Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.6.5 Swanson Reishi Mushroom Recent Development11.7 Aloha Medicinals11.7.1 Aloha Medicinals Corporation Information11.7.2 Aloha Medicinals Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.7.3 Aloha Medicinals Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.7.4 Aloha Medicinals Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.7.5 Aloha Medicinals Recent Development11.8 Mushroom Science11.8.1 Mushroom Science Corporation Information11.8.2 Mushroom Science Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.8.3 Mushroom Science Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.8.4 Mushroom Science Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.8.5 Mushroom Science Recent Development11.9 Planetary Herbals11.9.1 Planetary Herbals Corporation Information11.9.2 Planetary Herbals Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.9.3 Planetary Herbals Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.9.4 Planetary Herbals Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.9.5 Planetary Herbals Recent Development11.1 Natures Way Reishi11.1.1 Natures Way Reishi Corporation Information11.1.2 Natures Way Reishi Description, Business Overview and Total Revenue11.1.3 Natures Way Reishi Sales, Revenue and Gross Margin (2015-2020)11.1.4 Natures Way Reishi Reishi Mushroom Supplements Products Offered11.1.5 Natures Way Reishi Recent Development 12 Future Forecast by Regions (Countries) (2021-2026)12.1 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Estimates and Projections by Region12.1.1 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast by Regions 2021-202612.1.2 Global Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast by Regions 2021-202612.2 North America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)12.2.1 North America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast (2021-2026)12.2.2 North America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)12.2.3 North America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Country (2021-2026)12.3 Europe Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)12.3.1 Europe: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast (2021-2026)12.3.2 Europe: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)12.3.3 Europe: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Country (2021-2026)12.4 Asia Pacific Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)12.4.1 Asia Pacific: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast (2021-2026)12.4.2 Asia Pacific: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)12.4.3 Asia Pacific: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Region (2021-2026)12.5 Latin America Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)12.5.1 Latin America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast (2021-2026)12.5.2 Latin America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)12.5.3 Latin America: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Country (2021-2026)12.6 Middle East and Africa Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)12.6.1 Middle East and Africa: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Sales Forecast (2021-2026)12.6.2 Middle East and Africa: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)12.6.3 Middle East and Africa: Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Size Forecast by Country (2021-2026) 13 Market Opportunities, Challenges, Risks and Influences Factors Analysis13.1 Market Opportunities and Drivers13.2 Market Challenges13.3 Market Risks/Restraints13.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis13.5 Primary Interviews with Key Reishi Mushroom Supplements Players (Opinion Leaders) 14 Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis14.1 Value Chain Analysis14.2 Reishi Mushroom Supplements Customers14.3 Sales Channels Analysis14.3.1 Sales Channels14.3.2 Distributors 15 Research Findings and Conclusion 16 Appendix16.1 Research Methodology16.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach16.1.2 Data Source16.2 Author Details

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Originally posted here:
Reishi Mushroom Supplements Market Research Report: Probable Key Development To Be Observed Market States And Outlook Across By 2026 - Weekly Wall

Several accidents at the power station reveal serious issues in maintenance, safety systems

In the past five years, two major accidents and a minor accident occurred at the Neyveli Lignite Thermal Power Station (NLTPS) a lignite-based thermal power station located near the lignite mines of Neyveli in Tamil Nadus Cuddalore district.

Another accident at the plant owned by Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), an undertaking of the Union government revealed serious issues in maintenance and safety systems in the old units running at NLTPS, for which the senior management should be held responsible.

NLC has a history of management issues. There have been frequent strikes by workers over several issues over the years. These strikes may be one of the reasons for poor operational practices at NLTPS.

Continuous delays in the commissioning of new units forced NLTPS to run its old units, scheduled to retire between 2011-15. Efficient and safe operating life of thermal power plant is considered to be around 25 years. At NLTPS, however, a large number of units are 25-57 years old.

Unit 6, where the incident occurred, is more than 26 years old and is to be retired due to unavailability of space for pollution control technologies, according to the National Electricity Plan, 2018.

NLTPS has distinct phases, where new units are usually commissioned, with auxillary utilities (like coal handling, water treatment etc) being common for different units in each phase.Phase one consists of units 1-6 (50 x 6 megawatts or MW) and 7-9 (100 x 3 MW), commissioned during 1962-70. All these units were scheduled to be retired between 2011-15.

This plan, however, could not be executed due to a continuous delay in commissioning of the new capacity.

The present total capacity of the first stage is 500 MW (unit 7, with a capacity of 100 MW, was retired in 2019). The expansion of phase one included two units of 210 MW capacity each.

NLTPS phase two has units 1-7 (210 x 7 MW) commissioned during 1988-93. Stage two expansion has two units of 250 MW capacity, each commissioned in 2014-15.

Two new units of 500 MW each, that were scheduled to arrive in 2014-15, were continuously delayed. One of them was added in 2019 and the other is yet to come.

These two units were critical as retirement of the old plant was based on the commissioning of these units. The retirement of old units (40-50-years-old) was continuously delayed due to delay in the commissioning of new units.

Source: CSE

History of disorder

2011:It was planned for NLTPS phase one to be decommissioned between 2011 and 2014. In 2011, however, the period of operations was extended for five years and still has not been retired.

2013-17: Frequent strikes in NLC on dilution of stakes and wages issues, with the matter in court till February, 2020.

May 20, 2014: Blast at a pipeline of a boiler in NLTPS phase one unit seven (100 MW) killed two people and injured four others. An NLC probe committee blamed an engineer for the incident and said it was satisfied with the built-in safety protection available in the scheme. It was claimed that a life extension programme and periodical residual life assessment studies were conducted to ensure safe operation of the plant.

June 2019:One person was killed and two others seriously injured in an explosion of the safety valve at one of the units in NLTPS phase two.

May 5, 2020: Minor fire incident at the conveyor belt in NLTPS phase two.

May 7, 2020: The incident occurred in the NLTPS phase two, unit 6 boiler of NLC India's second thermal power station. The pressure build-up inside the boiler caused the blast. Eight people, who were working in the area, were injured and taken to NLC's hospital.

There may be many technical reasons including excessive accumulation of ash and improper fuel combustion for a blast in a boiler, caused by uneven heat transfer at certain locations, said Ashu Gupta, a former general manager at National Thermal Power Corporation Limited.

All these issues are handled by power plants in day-to-day operations andmaintenance, he said. This blast is clearly a result of a failure of built-in checks and safety systems that are in place in all the power plants, Gupta added.

Such incidents are the blatant failure of maintenance and operational safety interlocks and should not be linked to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, according to Amit Kumar Singh, a power sector consultant.

There might be various technical reasons for the blast, but the real reasons will be revealed after the investigation report comes out, according to several experts.

Over the years, Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has been pushing hard to expedite the retirement of old units.

The execution of government plans for the retirement of old plants are continuously delayed. These old plants require significant investment for operation and safety, with poor management at the plant level making these units prone to such serious incidents.

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Original post:
All is not well at the Neyveli thermal power station in Cuddalore - Down To Earth Magazine