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Category Archives: Life Extension

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

Posted: May 3, 2022 at 10:13 pm

03/05/2022 igus UK Ltd

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

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

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

30% longer service life, 82% efficiency

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

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

Lead screws work almost silently and without vibration

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

Eight more installation sizes added to the dryspin lead screw portfolio

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

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

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

Posted: at 10:13 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted: at 10:13 pm

withania-somnifera-extract-market

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

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

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

Our Research Analyst implemented a Free PDF Sample Report copy as per your Research Requirement, also including impact analysisofCOVID-19 on Withania Somnifera Extract Market Size

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

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

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

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

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

Posted: at 10:13 pm

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

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

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

About Viridian Therapeutics

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

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

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

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

Posted: April 25, 2022 at 5:07 pm

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

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

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

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

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

Posted: at 5:07 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Choosing the Right Pavement Preservation Treatment – For Construction Pros

Posted: at 5:07 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alligator or Fatigue Cracking:

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

Bleeding:

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

Block Cracking:

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

Raveling:

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

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

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

Chip Seal:

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

Crack Seal:

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

Fog Seal:

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

Slurry Seal:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Do I Really Need to Back Up All My Data? – WIRED

Posted: at 5:07 pm

Recently my laptop started glitching. I backed up 90 gigs of photos, videos, and ideas for a novel, fixed the issue, and moved everything back again. It took three weeks. Managing my digital life is becoming my life. But I dont want to lose the memories attached to these bits and bytes. What can I do?

Curating My life

Dear Curating,

The glitching laptop is a rude awakening, not unlike a brush with death. One day youre blithely opening and saving files as though the device and everything it contained were immortal; the next, the contents of your hard drive are flashing before your eyeswedding photos, videos of your kids, novels or dissertations in various stages of completionand you see, with sudden clarity, the headlong folly of storing so many invaluable items in one place. Im not being facetious. Not entirely. To watch all that information disappear, in one fell swoop, would be devastating, similar to losing all your possessions in a fire or flood, acts of God that have, at least, the compensatory benefit of endowing the victim with an aura of cosmic tragedy. The saga of a dead hard drive, on the other hand, is so commonplace, so lacking in tragic vision, that its unlikely to garner more than a few performative murmurs of condolence, along with the inevitable question: You didnt have backups?

All worldly possessions are prone to attrition and decline. The more you have, the more your life becomes devoted to the vigilant, custodial work of maintenance and repair. This is why so many spiritual traditions advise against becoming attached to material things. When Christ recommended storing up ones treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal, he was drawing on a Jewish tradition that envisioned heaven as an eternal storehouse for spiritual rewards. The teaching also reflects a much deeper strain of Western philosophy, one that goes back to Plato and persists today: the notion that the physical world is inferior to the unchanging realm of the immaterial, that we should not become entranced by the elusive objects here on earth but look instead to the higher, intangible things (virtue, relationships, intellectual pursuits) that are immune to the inexorable wear and tear of time.

If it seems odd to think of files and personal data as possessions, its because they appear to already belong to the spiritual realm. Information has no visible substance. Its not composed of matter or energy, at least not in the same sense as a table or a lump of gold. Our files, photos, and music appear magically across multiple devices, much like the Greek psyche, which could, through the mysterious work of transmigration, manifest in different physical bodies after its host had died. Its easy to believe that data will exist foreveror, at the very least, survive us, carrying our spirit (our voice, our words, our image) into the eternal ether.

This is not a particularly new delusion. Long before the advent of the digital age, information was a vehicle for immortality, the means by which artists and intellectuals attempted to live on after death. Nietzsche pointed out that the thinker who has put the best of himself into his work can rest easy as he watches the erosion of his own body: It is as if he were in a corner watching a thief at his safe, while knowing that it is empty, his treasure being elsewhere. We too sleep soundly knowing that our most valued thoughts and memories reside in the cloud, our own celestial storehouse, where neither flood nor fire, moths nor malware can harm them.

I suppose what Im trying to say, Curating, is that there appears to be a deeper, existential angst lurking within your question, one that extends beyond simple concerns about file management. Your acknowledgment that your memories are attached to these bits and bytes signals an awareness that your identity is mysteriously bound up with those files, that to lose them would be to lose, in a very real sense, an extension of your own mind. Would you be able to remember that trip to Europe without the photos you took? If you can never again read through the folder of journal entries you wrote in college, will you have lost that period of your life?

We are constantly offloading parts of our minds to our tools, blurring the boundaries between ourselves and our devices. The fragility of those externalized memories dawns on you slowly with age, as portions of your former selves get buried with defunct hardware or fade into the digital void from whence they came, casualties of content drift and link rot. The sudden nostalgic impulse that spurs you to Google your undergraduate blog ends at the impasse of a Page not found. Or you sign in to a long-abandoned Yahoo account only to discover that an entire decade of email correspondence has disappeared. Even cloud storage is not immune to the indomitable forces of nature, as Google discovered when one of its data centers in Belgium was hit by a series of lightning strikes.

But Id argue that your angst is even more complex. Its difficult to witness a device on the fritz without thinking about the fragility of your own personal OS (so to speak). Our cultures long-standing dualism endures in the popular notion that the mind is a software program running on the hardware of our physical forms. If the glitching laptop awakens you to the obvious fact that your data is entirely dependent on material processesforcing you to recall the silicon and copper embedded in your SSD, the ghostly blue light of server farms housed in the bowels of corporate facilitiesit also drives home the larger truth that all things, no matter how lofty or transcendent, depend on some kind of material substrate. Just as your data is tethered to so much ungainly hardware, so your own mindperhaps, even, what you think of as your spiritis fastened, as Yeats memorably put it, to a dying animal.

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The positive effects of gardening on mental health – AgriLife Today

Posted: at 5:07 pm

Getting outdoors and gardening can do more than just provide some physical activity and produce food for the table; it can be beneficial to the mind as well.

Although there are many functional benefits of gardening and the inherent ways in which plants improve the quality of life, Texas A&M AgriLife experts say a particularly important aspect is how plants enhance mental health and a persons overall outlook.

As many people already knew and others discovered during the pandemic, plant-related hobbies like gardening offer an opportunity to enjoy nature and give a person a more positive outlook on life, said Charles Hall, Ph.D., professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture in the Department of Horticultural Sciences of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station.

Hall has done extensive research on how plants and gardening can improve both physical and mental health.

Research by Hall, presented in an article published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, outlines the numerous psychological benefits of plants and the activity of gardening in a variety of categories. These benefits include:

Hall said the pandemic was partly responsible for an increased interest in gardening as more people were becoming involved in at-home activities.

He said being in naturalized settings and engaging in activities like gardening have a positive impact on peoples feelings of vitality and energy.

Consequently, this has a significant positive effect on a persons overall mental health, Hall said.

He also noted the activities of gardening and plant care help distract the mind and put it into a quieter and more relaxed state.

When young gardeners have the experience of planting and caring for something from seed to harvest, they get a sense of accomplishment, pride and ownership. Its a real esteem-builder for them.

Jayla Fry, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program coordinator for the agencys Texas Master Gardener volunteer effort, said almost every day she sees gardenings calming effect and ability to improve a persons outlook.

Through the Department of Horticultural Sciences, AgriLife Extension oversees thousands of adult Master Gardener volunteers throughout the state, she said. These Master Gardeners support agency horticultural programs and reach tens of thousands of people annually through their educational and community beautification efforts. These volunteers can attest to the positive psychological benefits gardening provides for them and for those they work with in the community.

Further commenting on the intersection of plants, gardens and mental health was Joseph Johnson, manager of The Gardens at Texas A&M University, Bryan-College Station.

We think of The Gardens area as the Central Park for the Texas A&M University campus, he said.

The Gardens is a 27-acre public teaching garden on campus that serves as a living classroom for educational, inspirational and recreational experiences. Primarily a peaceful retreat away from the activity of campus and the surrounding community, students and visitors alike visit to enjoy and learn from the nature that surrounds them.

The Gardens helps enrich their lives by connecting them with the living world of horticulture, Johnson said. Students and community members can more easily relax being in such a beautiful and tranquil place. It makes them feel more peaceful in their minds and souls.

Hall said when young people, particularly students, have a view of green spaces during school, they exhibit significantly better performance on attention tests and stress recovery.

They get even greater psychological benefits if theres a classroom or teaching garden on their campus, he said. These gardens provide opportunities for young people to improve their social, physical, psychological, cognitive, environmental and spiritual well-being.

Randy Seagraves, AgriLife Extension specialist and curriculum coordinator for its Junior Master Gardener program in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, said it is common to see a childs demeanor and attitude improve as soon as he or she steps into a garden.

We see them slow down, pause and smile, he said. For many of these kids, being a part of a school garden project will be their very first garden connection. When young gardeners have the experience of planting and caring for something from seed to harvest, they get a sense of accomplishment, pride and ownership. Its a real esteem-builder for them.

Hall said in addition to improved concentration and attention, children in schools with classroom gardens have been shown to have fewer instances of interpersonal conflict and bullying.

Gardening is conducive to generating a positive learning environment, reducing childrens tendency towards distraction and helping them better concentrate on schoolwork, he said. Children engaged in classroom gardens get to be outside, be physically active and work together toward a common goal. Maybe most importantly, they also get to understand how patience and persistence are needed for them to literally see the fruits of their labor.

Hall said another psychological benefit of gardening is its ability to bring people together socially, especially in the case of a community garden.

Neighborhoods with a community garden are often more friendly and inviting, he said. And a community garden helps break down certain social barriers in that you will often see people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and economic levels collaborating on them. This sense of community is really the glue that makes a neighborhood special and allows people a chance to really get to know and understand one another.

Miquela Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist-health, Lubbock, with AgriLife Extensions Family and Community Health unit, said studies show people at lower economic levels experience greater average net benefits from home gardening compared to medium- and high-income respondents.

One reason is likely that low-income families often live in food deserts and experience greater food insecurity from limited access to fresh produce, she said. Home or community gardening allows them to grow their own nutritious food, which provides some measure of control over their food security and has a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.

Smith also noted gardening is one of the ways people can improve their mindfulness as a means of supporting their mental health.

Gardening is an excellent activity for practicing mindfulness, which is beneficial to overall well-being, she said. The ability to use our hands, coupled with being outside, makes it less likely to be distracted by phones or other technology. This helps you focus and distract your mind from those things that would worry you.

She also reiterated Halls point that gardening can also be a family or community activity that promotes togetherness and provides the opportunity for making personal connections.

This ability to make and sustain personal connections is something that is beneficial to all people, regardless of demographics, she said.

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Pronovias Unveils 2023 Bridal Collection With First Runway Show In 2 Years – Forbes

Posted: at 5:07 pm

Pronovias Atelier Unveils 2023 Bridal Collection In First Runway Show In 2 Years

After a long pause of 2 years, Pronovias makes its return to physical runway on April 22, marking the official start of a booming season for the bridal giant.

The new 2023 Versailles Collection by Pronovias Atelier, the high end couture brand of Pronovias Group, showcased a series of stunning bridal gowns in front of 1,800 guests on the final day of Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. The event was broadcasted on a number of social media channels including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. Each and every dress that carries the Pronovias Atelier label is handmade by expert seamstresses in Barcelona using the finest fabrics and laces imported from France and Italy.

Alessandra Rinaudo, Artistic Director of Pronovias, says: Versailles has come to define luxury and beauty, which to me fits perfectly with Haute Couture bridal. This collection stands out for attention to detail and head-to-to exquisiteness. Its a modern, innovative interpretation of one of the most lavish periods in fashion history.

Rosa Crespo (left) and Sarah Mikaela (right), attending as UK VIPs wearing Vera Wang Bride ... [+] collection for Pronovias

Comprising 44 exquisite and opulent designs, the new Versailles Collection emanates a sense of royal luxury whilst staying true to the feminine beauty the brand is known for. Inspired by the glittering character of Versailles, the collections intricate embellishments and plush fabrics are complimented by extravagant veils, elegant elbow-length gloves, bustle-up capes and detachable, oversized sleeves. The casting is decidedly inclusive, with models of all age, body shape, ethnicity and gender diversity walking the runway and iconic supermodel Esther Canadas closing the show.

Marking Pronovias Groups commitment to cutting edge digital innovation in product design and technology and the first of its kind in the bridal industry Rinaudo has also helped create three NFTs, each reproducing the patterns, textures, beading of three dresses from the Versailles Collection. The three NFTs are uploaded to the OpenSea platform and can be viewed on the Pronovias website.

Pronovias Atelier debuts "Versailles Collection" at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week

Speaking to Amandine Ohayon, the CEO of Pronovias Group, it is clear that the international bridal maison is looking into the future with Metaverse, sustainability as well as social responsibility on its mind.

My aim hasnt changed, says Ohayon in Barcelona a few days ahead of the show, referring to her goal of significantly accelerating the Groups international development when she first joined in 2018. And with the opening of the our Shanghai and New York flagship stores, we will continue with the expansion. The focus for the next 2-3 years will also be servicing the rising demand due to cancelled weddings over the pandemic.

Pronovias Atelier debuts "Versailles Collection" at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week

Despite the difficulties posed by the closed shop floors and restrictions in personal contact during the past two years, Ohayon made sure each clients wishes were catered to, even if it meant shipping a gown across from Malaga to Houston for final alteration before sending it to the happy bride.

People want to party like they never partied before, Ohayon says with a smile as we discuss the trends for weddings. I see two major trends one being people wanting to have two or more dresses, as an increasing number of weddings consist of not just the big day itself, but also an event for the day before and another for the day after.

Pronovias Atelier debuts "Versailles Collection" at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week

The second trend is the increasing appetite for more couture dresses. Ohayon tells me, Brides want things that are more dramatic and special, and we are seeing double digit growth in sales of the bridal accessories veil, cape, gloves, with lots of styling.

Coming from a background of beauty where the focus on sustainability is a lot more advanced than other areas of fashion and retail, especially the bridal industry, Ohayon was keen to identify and incorporate eco-friendly fabrics in the brands designs, as well as establish a sustainable practice within the Group. She and Rinaudo has since launched the EDEN collection, featuring a selection of sustainable #WeDoEco gowns.

Pronovias after party guests

In January this year, Ohayon furthered her sustainability initiative by launching Second Life at Pronovias, the wardrobe life extension initiative, releasing dresses designed specifically to be altered after the wedding and thus encouraging more wears and the longevity of wardrobe items. Rinaudo has designed a collection which can be transformed free of charge into a new style after the wedding, with the first launch consists of over 50 carefully selected bridal gowns that can be converted by altering the length, eliminating sleeves, or by adding belts, straps, sashes and other details to create a totally new look. The number of dresses that can be given a Second Life will increase with each new bridal collection launched by the brand.

The pandemic was the reason we did all these, Ohayon says, stating that the uncertain and at times dark experience in fact brought some great things and taught her, and the brand, to be agile and adaptive. We signed the deal with Vera Wang in 2020 over Zoom calls we now do business and develop relationships in a whole new way.

The Pronovias Atelier Versailles Collection will be available in store in September 2022.

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