Fluor wins contract to repair Ascension Island Auxiliary Airfield runway – Airforce Technology

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The US Air Force Installation Contracting Agency has awarded a contract to Fluor to repair the Ascension Island Auxiliary Airfield runway.

The task order contract is worth about $170m and was awarded to the companys Fluor AMEC II entity under the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program IV (AFCAP IV).

Fluor said that the cost-plus, fixed-fee task order will run for up to 28 months.

Fluor Government Group president Tom DAgostino said: We are honoured to be selected to support the airforce and to be a part of its global mission.

Ascension Auxiliary Airfield is in a strategic location and the runway is the lifeline to the island. Fluor excels at projects like this where it delivers timely and cost-effective solutions in some of the most remote and difficult locations in the world.

Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island and is located south of the equator in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The island is part of the British Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha under the sovereignty of the British Crown.

The US Air Force established AFCAP to fulfil the Department of Defenses global mission during contingency events.

It provides additional capabilities to the airforce and other government agencies to offer support to the logistic requirements of its deployed forces through the use of civilian contractors.

In July 2015, Fluor and its joint venture partner AMEC Foster Wheeler were awarded a position by the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency on the AFCAP IV for six years.

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Fluor wins contract to repair Ascension Island Auxiliary Airfield runway - Airforce Technology

Professionals share a roundup of what they expect to be 2020’s top health trends – The Oakland Press

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Trends come and trends go and the medical field is no exception. As we start a new year, many health providers expect technology will play a larger role in healthcare throughout 2020 and the next decade.

A big reason for this is the amount of technology-driven tools that put patient care in their own hands. Devices like Fitbit, Apple Watch and Garmin watches can help with numerous health tasks from tracking your blood pressure and monitoring your heart rate to measuring your sleep quality and counting the number of calories in your meals.

Jason Whateley, D.O., physician, Ascension Medical Group has noticed how more patients are wearing technology gadgets as they engage in healthy activities. This allows them to see their progress and track results, making it easier for them to stay focused on achieving their goals, he said.

Wearable technology was number one under the American College of Sports Medicine Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2020, he said in an email. The convenience and ease of these devices is what attracts patients.

However, while these devices have made great strides in patients health, Whateley explained that they still have their limitations.

Patients need to realize results they are obtaining from these devices are much more limited compared to what a complete diagnostic test can provide. Working with a health care provider fills in the gaps that these home gadgets and applications are lacking, he said.

Beyond exercise-specific technology, people need to be aware of the role technology plays in their everyday lives, said Dr. Kurtis Kieleszewski, family medicine physicians, McLaren Macomb.

Technology in general has a detrimental impact on many of American's health because by being plugged in and staring at a screen, we're likely less active and engaging with one another less and less, he said.

Technology can also change the way patients interact with medical providers. Ascension Online Care is designed for patients in need of after-hours care. This service is much like a virtual urgent care clinic where patients receive one-on-one care using their smartphone, tablet or laptop to video chat with a physician who reviews their symptoms and provides the care they need in real time. A summary of their visit is also sent to their Ascension primary care doctor.

So as they track their progress, what activities are people choosing to participate in? There is definitely a trend toward High intensity interval training (HIIT), which is now listed second under the American College of Sports Medicine Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2020, said Whateley.

These programs focus on short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by a short rest period. The big appeal of these exercises is that they can be done at home with little or no equipment, he said.

Kieleszewski said he encourages his patients to move most days of the week.

However they can fit that in their busy schedules and whichever method(s) fit their budget, he said in an email. A blend of cardiovascular and resistance training is usually ideal for everyone to optimize their physical and mental health.

Despite the popularity of home gyms, dont expect joining a gym to fall out of favor. Whateley said those looking for access to more equipment, group sessions and strength training will continue their gym memberships.

For years, those struggling with mental health issues have faced an unwelcome stigma and an uphill road. New trends show that attitudes toward mental health continue to evolve, making it easier for people to seek out care if they need it.

Hopefully all matters relating to mental health will be valued and emphasized as they rightfully should be, said Kieleszewski.

He said the delay in patients seeking assistance and the sometimes limited resources for mental health patients to be evaluated and treated by specialists are challenges for many.

Mental health affects every facet of our daily lives and we as a society need to be more compassionate to those it affects, said Whateley. I believe this trend will continue to be a major focus in 2020 along with aiding those with addiction.

Failing to get a good nights rest may be depriving you of more than you think.

Not getting enough sleep has been attributed not only to our mood and focus but also to many chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease, said Whateley. As physicians we place a lot of focus on preventive medicine. Improving your sleep quality can aid in avoiding these diseases.

He shared these strategies from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that can help you improve the quality of your sleep starting tonight:

Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on weekends

Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing and at a comfortable temperature

Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers and smartphones, from the bedroom

Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime

Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night

Consult your health care provider to rule out other underlying diseases that may be affecting your sleep

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Professionals share a roundup of what they expect to be 2020's top health trends - The Oakland Press

Tapeworm removed from Texas mans brain after months of headaches – Q13 News Seattle

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AUSTIN (KXAN) An Austin man knew something was wrong when he fainted in the middle of a soccer game last year.

Hed been dealing with awful headaches and feeling off, but his tumble during soccer prompted him to check it out.

An MRI revealed the surprise culprit a tapeworm in his brain.

The man whose name hasnt been released was shocked.

Dr. Jordan Amadio, neurosurgeon at Ascension Seton, said the mans case was rare and truly extraordinary.

After a complex surgery, the man no longer has headaches and is back at work and feeling normal.

While he doesnt know where the tapeworm may have been contracted, he says he thinks it may have been the result of eating pork in Mexico.

Interestingly, a tapeworm had also been found in his sisters brain years earlier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,the official term for a tapeworm infection is Taeniasis. The CDC says,Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef or pork. People with taeniasis may not know they have a tapeworm infection because symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent.

If you believe you may have a tapeworm infection,the Mayo Clinic recommendsvisiting your doctor for various testing.

The Mayo Clinic says some infected people never even need treatment, and the tapeworm leaves the body on its own. Common treatments for ordinary cases include oral medication. Treatment for more invasive infections includes corticosteroid treatment and surgery.

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Experimental health technology is going too far – The Volante

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When it comes to technological advancements, people tend to fall into two categories: those who are excited about the next big thing and those who are extremely concerned about the dangers of these new technologies.

Technological advances have provided immense convenience to our lives. Along with that, though, technological advances have been the cause many issues most of us face in the modern world. For example, total loss of privacy, the dwindling of simple human interaction and the over-reliance on technology. Even though most of us recognize these things as issues, our relationship with technology stays the same.

But technology continues to advance, and as it does, it pushes boundaries further and further. On the west coast, technology is being developed to help people live longer, healthier, higher-performing and more closely monitored lives than ever before. This new technology, which includes implants and microchips, is intended to help improve cognitive ability and health.

Self-described transhumanist Zoltan Istvan is interested in technology that can be transplanted and believes that science can conquer death.

As a transhumanist, Im someone who wants to merge my body with machine parts, Istvan said. I want to becomea more complete, stronger and perfect living entity.

Istvan has a chip implanted in his hand already, which he uses to open his front door, send out text messages and carry other information. Ultimately, he plans to receive an implant in his brain that will connect his brain to the internet.

While a healthier lifestyle sounds promising, we should be focusing on ways to be better versions of ourselves without technological implants. Personally, using technology to make ourselves physically better seems like a cop-out excuse to avoid doing the work required for self-improvement.

Not only that, but technology like this seems extremely dangerous. There are so many things that could go wrong with something like this and I dont think the benefits of this technology can outweigh the risks. Subjecting yourself to operations that have barely been tested is a disaster waiting to happen.

There has been little research so far on the effects of microchips. With that said, its important were careful with the things we put into our bodies. While the intention of these things are to make us better overall, because theres no research to back it up, we dont know what the consequences of this technology will be.

If we really want to start living a stronger, healthier lifestyle, then we need to start making better, healthier choices. There are so many ways you can improve your cognitive ability without having to chip yourself. According to Psychology Today, some of these things include physical activity, openness to experience, social connections and getting an adequate amount of sleep.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is not as hard as we all make it out to be; weve done it without brain implants and microchips before and well be fine without them going forward.

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Experimental health technology is going too far - The Volante

Q&A: AI and the Future of Your Mind – UConn Today

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Susan Schneider, associate professor of philosophy and cognitive science and director of the AI, Mind and Society (AIMS) Group at UConn, has gained a national and international reputation for her writing on the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence (AI). She writes about the nature of the self and mind, AI, cognitive science, and astrobiology in publications including the New York Times, Scientific American, and The Financial Times and her work has been widely discussed in the media, such as Science, Big Think, Nautilus, Discover, and Smithsonian. She was named NASA-Baruch Blumberg Chair for the Library of Congress and NASA and also holds the Distinguished Scholar Chair at the Library of Congress. In her new book, Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind (Princeton University Press, 2019), she examines the implications of advances in artificial intelligence technology for the future of the human mind.

Q: What is the focus of your newest book?

A: This book is about the future of the mind. It explores the nature of the self and consciousness in a not so distant future, using todays work in artificial intelligence and brain enhancement technologies. Consciousness is the felt quality to experiencewhat it feels like to be you. When you smell the aroma of your morning coffee, hear the sound of a Bach concerto, or feel pain, you are having conscious experience. Indeed, every moment of your waking life, and even when you dream, it feels like something from the inside to be you. This book asks: assuming we build highly sophisticated artificial intelligences at some point in the future, would they be conscious beings? Further, how would we detect consciousness in machines? These questions are addressed in the first half the book. The second half of the book is on the nature of the self. I illustrate that AI isnt just going to change the world around us. Its going to go inside the head, changing the human mind itself, but Im concerned about the potential uses of invasive AI components inside of our heads. I urge that we need to understand deep philosophical questions about the self, consciousness, and the mind before we start playing with fire and start replacing parts of our brains with artificial components. When it comes to the self and mind, we are faced with vexing philosophical questions that have no easy solution.

Q: You report about such experimentation with neural implants for things like Alzheimers disease but return to the question of, if theres an artificial intelligence when does it become aware of itself?

A: There are all kinds of impressive medical technologies underway, and Im very supportive of the use of invasive brain chips to help individuals with radical memory loss or locked in syndrome, in which individuals entirely lose their ability to move. I think innovations to help these people are important and exciting. What I get worried about, though, is the idea that humans should engage in widespread and invasive AI-based enhancement of their brains. For instance, Elon Musk has recently declared that we will eventually need to keep up with super-intelligent AI a hypothetical form of AI that vastly outsmarts us and we need to do that by enhancing our brains. He also thinks doing so will help us keep up with technological unemployment that many economists claim will happen because AI will outmode us in the workforce. Musk and others talk about merging with AI and I through gradually augmenting intelligence with AI technology until, in the end of the day, we are essentially AIs ourselves. Musk has recently founded a company to do this, and Facebook and Kernal are also working on this. But I argue in the book and in op-eds for the New York Times and the Financial Times that the idea we could truly merge with artificial intelligence in the ways that a lot of tech gurus and transhumanists advocate is actually not philosophically well-founded. We have to think things through more carefully

Q: You use examples of AI from science fiction, including one with the Star Trek: Next Generation character Lt. Commander Data, who is under attack on a planet and he uploads his brains memories to a computer on the Enterprise. You ask: Will he still be the same Data that he was before being destroyed? Will he really survive?

A: I think people assume that AIs will have the capacity to be immortal because they can just keep uploading and downloading copies of themselves whenever they are in a jam. By this they mean the android be practically immortal, living until the end of the universe. This makes them almost God-like. I am skeptical. In the book I use the Data example to illustrate that if Data found out that he was on a planet that was about to be destroyed, he couldnt upload and genuinely survive. I think the idea that you could transfer your thoughts to a different format and still be you, surviving impending death, is conceptually flawed. It is flawed in both the human case and the case of androids. Believe it or not, there are advocates of uploading the human brain to survive death at places like the Oxford Future of Humanity Institute. I am skeptical.

Q: One of the points that you make in the book is that we have come far technologically but havent heard anything yet from an alien culture. You suggest we should prepare for alien contact by including the involvement of sociologists and anthropologists and philosophers.

As the NASA chair at NASA and the Library of Congress, I love to think about the Fermi paradox, which is the question: Given the vast size of the universe, where is all the intelligent life? Where is everybody? Nowadays, the question can be framed in terms of all of the intriguing exoplanet research that identifies habitable planets throughout the universe, but are these exoplanets actually inhabited (not just inhabitable), and if they are inhabited, does life survive into technological majority? Or are we alone? Why havent we heard anything? To the extent that we even do find life out there, my guess is that we will first find microbial life. Theres dozens of gloriously fun answers to the Fermi paradox.

Q: In the work that youre doing with Congress, what kinds of questions are you being asked and what we should be thinking about going forward with all this technology?

Theres been a lot of concern over the last few years about deep fake videos. Nobody likes it; your career could be ruined by a deep fake video that has you saying something really rotten that you never said. Algorithmic discrimination is a big issue, the fact that algorithms that are based on deep learning technologies will be data-driven, so if the data itself has implicit bias, hidden biases in it, it can actually lead to a bad result which discriminates against certain groups. There are many members of Congress whove been concerned about that. Thats why we really need AI regulations. AI regulation could do tremendous work. And so I do hope we move forward on all of these issues.

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Q&A: AI and the Future of Your Mind - UConn Today

Is Article Spinning Just the Same as Article Rewriting – Techiexpert.com – TechiExpert.com

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There is a lot of debate on whether there is any difference between article spinning and article rewriting. The answer to this is Yes; there is a thin line difference. When you spin an article ten-twenty times, it generates the required number of copies of the same content. Okay, it uses synonyms to change words, and some of the spun articles make absolutely no sense. Article spinner sites boast that it spins unique articles that wont contain plagiarized content. Obviously, a plagiarism checker would not red flag any sentence as plagiarized. No writer in his right mind would write the garbage that is churned out by an article spinner.

What the bad guys do is that they take content from a top-notch site and spin it. They take these copies and without bothering to check them post them on various websites. Thanks to the hordes of dodgy internet marketers, article spinning has been trashed. Its only when Google blacklists the sites for spinning spam content that they get caught.

A good website SEO still prefers getting a human to rewrite web content. The reason for this is that a person assigned to rewrite an article will read it, understand it, conduct research, and then decide how to rewrite it. What the rewriter does is that he rewrites the articles in his own words. A sentence or more may be added to the content. The rewriter might add some unique content thats related to the theme of the actual content. Like an article on a product might have missed out on describing an essential ingredient. The rewriter will add this. The final result is that the rewritten article essentially has the same meaning; only it reads completely differently. It might have some traces of the original content.

In the grand scheme of things, most of the content that you read on the World Wide Web consists of rewritten content.

Today, Article Rewriter tools are available online on duplichecker.com. Some of these automated article rewriter applications available on the internet are good. But you have to choose carefully. When you have a well-written article that you have posted on your website, and you want to rewrite it and post it on a blog site, you might opt to use an article rewriter.

To go about this, you must not get tempted into rushing into using the first one that you find on the internet. Never ever upload a rewritten article without reading it first. Remember, artificial intelligence and bots cannot replace the human mind. Therefore human intervention is required. Do read the rewritten article, and if you find that it has just used synonyms and has done sentence rephrasing, explore other article rewriter applications.

Some sites that offer SEO services have a good article rewriter application among the tools that they provide. This facility has been provided as SEOs use this application to rewrite the content of their website and post it on a blog site. Or they find excellent content on a high profile website and want to present a rewritten version on their own website.

There are a number of quality article rewriter applications available on websites. You should try them and select the one to use that does an excellent job. Just make sure that you check the rewritten article and check it for plagiarism before you post it.

Article rewriting is like writing an outstanding essay and handing it in proudly to your teacher. The art of good article rewriting is to do:

Follow these three easy steps before you submit it. By following this simple strategy, you will have all the content that you require. It will be relevant to the original content and yet be unique in the way it has been rewritten. As an example, it should look like two car experts have given their own opinions on the same car. The car is the same, but two different people have examined and written on it in their own style. This is exactly what you should expect from an excellent article rewriter.

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Is Article Spinning Just the Same as Article Rewriting - Techiexpert.com - TechiExpert.com

Checklist: Things to do before the end of the tax year – Moneyweb.co.za

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Use your capital gains tax exemption

As an investor, you are granted a R40 000 capital gains tax (CGT) exemption per year in respect of events that trigger a disposal of assets, which includes the sale of unit trusts.

Although it is never ideal to be disinvested if your intention is to invest for the long term, investors may find merit in switching from an invested fund to cash, and then back into an invested fund without attracting CGT provided that the gain is no greater than R40 000. In doing so, you will be able to rebase your investment at a higher base cost, effectively enabling you to earn thistax-free.

Keep in mind, if you have a poor-performing investment that has experienced a capital loss and you wish to take it in another direction, this capital loss is added to the R40 000 annual exemption. This effectively raises the amount of tax-exempt gain you can yield and rebase for strong performing investments while changing strategy on the poor performers.

As a word of warning, investment markets are highly unpredictable and attempting to time the markets is not a good investment strategy. Exiting and re-entering the markets is a risky strategy but can be highly tax-efficient if done consistently over the long term.

Use your tax-free savings account allowance

Although your contributions to a tax-free savings account(TFSA)are not tax deductible, all interest income, capital gains and dividends earned from a TFSA are exempt from tax. Not being taxed on the growth in your TFSA is still a benefit not to be ignored, and now is the perfect time to determine whether a TFSA is appropriate for your personal circumstances.

As a TFSA investor you are currently permitted to contribute up to R33000 per year towards this investment, with a maximum lifetime contribution of R500000.

However, before setting up a TFSA, chat with your financial advisor about how to use it optimally in your portfolio bearing in mind that it is best viewed as a long-term investment. Your income, debt, investment horizon, together with your specific goals, will all play a role in determining the suitability of incorporating a TFSA into your financial plan.

Get certification of your donations

Tax legislation allows you to donate up to 10% of your taxable income to charity on a tax-deductible basis, although it is important to know that this tax deduction is not automatic.

In order to claim a tax deduction, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) requires that a number of strict requirements are met including that the taxpayer be in possession of a Section 18A certificate. Only organisations that have been approved by Sars as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) are able to issue Section 18A certificates to donors in respect of bona fide donations made to the organisation.

A bona fide donation is one that is made with no strings attached and therefore cannot be for the benefit of the donor or a person connected to the donor. When doing your eFiling you will need to upload your Section 18A certificate, which needs to include the PBOs reference number, date of receipt of the donation, the name and address of the donor, and the amount or nature of the donation.

To make it easier for taxpayers, Sars has published an up-to-date list of all Section 18A-approved PBOs on its website at http://www.sars.gov.za.

Top up your retirement fund

As an investor in a retirement fund, which includes pension funds, provident funds and retirement annuities (RAs), you are permitted to invest up to 27.5% of your taxable income per year (subject to a maximum of R350000 per year) on a tax-deductible basis.

This is a significant benefit because it effectively allows you to invest with pre-tax money and reduce the amount of tax payable to Sars. If you are currently contributing towards a registered retirement fund but are not making full use of your 27.5% per year tax-deductible allowance, now is the time to consider topping up your retirement funds so as to reduce your overall tax burden.

If you are unsure as to your taxable income, ask your accountant or financial advisor to assist with the calculation bearing in mind that rental income, dividends from real estate investment trusts (Reits), gains derived from realising assets, and interest earned on investments are included in calculating your taxable income.

With new-generation RAs offering complete contribution flexibility, you can choose the most convenient way of making payments into your RA before the end of the tax-year. Bear in mind, however, that Sars requires the application forms to be processed and for the money to reflect in your investment before February 29, 2020, in order to qualify for the tax deduction so be sure to check the administrative deadlines with your financial advisor.

Claim for your Section 12 J investments

Sars provides a tax incentive for individuals to invest in approved venture capital companies (VCCs) under Section 12J of the Income Tax Act.

Current legislation permits you to invest up to R2.5 million towards a Section 12J investment scheme and receive a 100% tax deduction on the contribution, bearing in mind that the investment must be held for a minimum period of five years in order to retain the tax deduction. Disinvestments or withdrawals are, however, subject to capital gains tax from the first rand.

While Section 12J is a great way to reduce your tax liability, it is advisable to do your research before investing in a VCC. Rather than rushing into a Section 12J investment scheme, consider taking advice and/or doing your due diligence to ensure that you select a scheme that meets your needs. Specifically, do your homework in respect of fees, what percentage of capital is being invested, the internal rate of return, fund manager experience and market comparisons.

It is best to approach a Section 12J investment scheme cautiously and not merely to obtain a tax deduction.

Businesses with VCC status are private companies and there is always a risk that you could lose your full investment should the underlying business fail, so dont rush your decision-making.

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Checklist: Things to do before the end of the tax year - Moneyweb.co.za

Ohio Loses Its Mind Over The Death of Mr. Peanut – wkfr.com

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Mourners in Columbus, Ohio have created a makeshift memorial.

In a brilliant and unexpected marketing ploy, Planters decided to kill off Mr. Peanut. They made the announcement via Twitter Wednesday,

People are taking the news of thefictitious character hard in Columbus, Ohio according to NBC4i.com,

The Peanut Shoppe on State Street in downtown Columbus is known for the large neon Mr. Peanut sign hanging above its door. People mourning the loss of the advertising icon are leaving flowers, candles and spilled peanuts outside the shop.

You maybe asking yourself, "Self...how can a fictitious character die?" That's a great question. Planters has a new commercial staring Matt Walsh, Wesley Snipes and Mr. Peanut. In this commercial they are in a horrific accident in the nutmobile. Yeah, I said nutmobile. Apparently, the funeral for Mr. Peanut will be held during a expensive Superbowl commercial in the 3rd quarter of the game.

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From Meme Tablet to Everyday Computer, the iPad Changed the Way I Work Completely – Wccftech

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I had the most cliched reaction to the original iPad. Oh hey, it's a giant iPod touch. Slowly and gradually everything changed for me.

Disclaimer: This op-ed screams fanboyism. If you're not ready for it, I suggest walking out right now.

2020 iPads to be Accompanied by Smart Keyboard with Scissor Switches? Vague Report Suggests so [Update: Full Report Now Live]

I bought the first-generation iPad after the second-generation model was release back in 2011. I was offered one for a cheap price and I wanted to see how the giant iPod touch-resembling device was like to use on a daily basis. It blew me away at the time, not because I found utility in it, but because of the party tricks Apple packed in a large chunk of metal and glass. A large display, super smooth scrolling, a web browser which you can hold in your hand and a full day's worth of battery life, it had everything a nerd could ask for.

I always thought of the iPad as a fun, pastime device. When it came to real work, I always whipped out my laptop no matter what. Every single time. But fast forward to the 2020, I type this opinion piece on my iPad Pro, something which I wouldn't even think about doing back in 2011. Because with time, carrying a laptop around for work was turning into a brutal task for me, and with every single software improvement Apple tossed into macOS and iOS, subsequently iPadOS for iPad, the jump to a tablet as an everyday computing device seemed inevitable.

Right off the bat, the iPad is not a perfect laptop replacement, it's more like a laptop with 'extra steps.' There's no real desktop, you have to get used to a lot of things before you achieve your task. For example, if you are editing a photo, first you open it up in the app you want to edit in, Pixelmator in my case, then you have to decide whether you want to save the image in Files or Photos, then you drag and drop into WordPress or upload it straight from the browser. Again, laptop with 'extra steps.'

In fact, I'll make one thing clear right here - there is no computer out there which will mold to your needs. You have to mold to it instead, and iPad needs a lot of molding from the user's end whether you are coming from a Mac or a Windows PC. You have to use it, understand it, learn it, integrate it into your life and even change your habits a little to get the perfect experience out of it. Did I do it? Of course I did, otherwise I would be typing this on a laptop.

PSA: Yes, You Can Charge the iPad Using the Smart Connector

The lack of ports might put some people off, but with time, I've embraced that as well. I simply started buying accessories and gadgets that compliment my workflow, rather than giving sh*t to Apple for not catering to my needs (remember, molding?). Let me give you just one example - I shoot cover photos for the site on a regular basis, so I subsequently bought a camera that had built-in Wi-Fi so I can copy photos straight to iPad using Wi-Fi Direct. So, rather than ending up with an extra cable to connect my camera, I actually ditched one because the camera software on the Mac is absolutely terrible and method two and three for copying photos involves a USB cable or a SD card adapter, respectively. With iPad, it's a wireless affair. So I can just snap a photo, not worry about cables, copy it and get over with it. Simple.

iPadOS made things slightly better with time thanks to a desktop-like experience in Safari. The new home screen lets you cram in more icons on a page so you can spend less time hunting for apps and more time getting actual work done. Not perfect, but you start to embrace those extra steps for the convenience and portability you get with iPad. Toss it in a bag, carry it like a notebook, leave it in the living room at all times, it's just ready for everything.

The one thing that sets the iPad apart from a laptop for me at least is the fact that it's an always-on, always-ready computer. Always-on, because it keeps me connected no matter where I am thanks to LTE. Always-ready, because it's just a tap away from being alive and I can jump into whatever task instantly, even if it's just watching Netflix or going to messages which the boss man has sent in. Sure, you can argue that laptops are always always-on and always-ready these days and that waking-up-from-sleep times have improved, but trust me when I say this, it's not the same thing when you put the iPad into the equation. Compared to my MacBook Pro which I use on and off to get work done, the iPad is instant when it comes to waking up. Using a laptop after iPad after all this time feels like starting a car in January. First you have to warm up the engine, let everything settle a bit then you can drive off. It's not the perfect analogy, but you get the gist of it.

Once you look past the extra steps bit, the iPad for me is a minimal piece of technology which I treat as an all-around device rather than a workhorse alone. Never once I've had a moment while carrying an iPad I thought to myself 'I wish I had my laptop with me instead.' I am convinced that this is the one computer which you can take with you wherever you want to go and not worry about a laptop. I have had moments where I was even thankful I had an iPad with me instead of a laptop. Because scanning a document, signing it with an Apple Pencil and emailing it seems comical in an ad, but once you do it in real life, you start to become a believer.

While I do make it sound like that the iPad is perfect in a lot of ways, it's not. The recent iPadOS update has been a pain in certain areas and it makes me want to crush the iPad at times. For example, the screenshot-taking interface is absolutely broken to this day. Take a screenshot, make edits, save it, and the edits are gone. Same sort of thing happens in multitasking at times, with apps just disappearing when you are cycling through the floating window option. It can get frustrating if you are not willing to give it a chance at all.

Remember that Wi-Fi Direct wireless transfer from a camera I talked about? It works, but it works painfully slow. So batch copying of images can turn into a nightmare if you have 10+ images to work with at a time. The best way to remedy this is by carrying a USB-C dongle with you if you have an iPad Pro or Apple's Lightning adapter for connecting cameras if you have anything else other than the latest iPad Pro.

Will I actually ditch my laptop for work completely? To some extent, I already have. My mind gravitates more towards the iPad as a computer which I should take with me whenever I decide to do a coffee run. And now the big question: should you ditch your laptop for iPad?Just give it a chance. Best case scenario, you'll switch. But even if you don't, you'll still be left with a tablet which you can always use for other tasks.So, will you make the jump?

And oh, happy 10 years, iPad.

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From Meme Tablet to Everyday Computer, the iPad Changed the Way I Work Completely - Wccftech

Clearview app is able to know everything about you with a single photo – Inceptive Mind

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Take a photo of a stranger on the street and upload it to software to obtain his identity within a second. This is the facial recognition service offered by Clearview AI, a little-known start-up that has devised a facial recognition app.

The technology behind ClearView is not new or particularly groundbreaking. ClearView has put existing technologies together in such a way that they become an extremely effective investigative tool. The system consists of a backbone with a database of more than three billion images that Clearview claims to have obtained from millions of websites, including the social networks Facebook and Twitter, YouTube, or even the mobile payment service Venmo, according to the report by The New York Times.

Used since last year by more than 600 customers, the software, which is not accessible to the general public, is supposed to find a match of faces in 75% of cases. It also provides links to the sites from which the images originate, which makes it possible to retrieve other information on the person sought. The name, address, or profession of any person are thus just a few clicks away regardless of whether it is a passerby, a wanted criminal, or a demo participant.

So far, ClearView has only licensed its services to government agencies police, FBI, and private security companies especially in the United States and Canada.

ClearView is said to have even developed suitable augmented reality glasses; users would potentially be able to identify every person they saw. The search for a face would be as easy as quickly googling a name!

Clearview AI is already claiming the identification of hundreds of criminals, including pedophiles, terrorists, and sex traffickers. But experts worry about the possible abuses of the use of its app and the risks of misidentification of this controversial service.

It was founded by Hoan Ton-That, a 31-year-old Australian, and Richard Schwartz, a former collaborator of the former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani. In 2017, the firm also received funding of $200,000 from the American billionaire Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal.

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Clearview app is able to know everything about you with a single photo - Inceptive Mind

26-million Americans expected to bet on SuperBowl. Don’t go overboard – wobm.com

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It's the most wonderful Sunday of the year, the creme de la creme of football Sunday's where we eat and drink all night and watchclosely to see who will be SuperBowl champions.

While many watch the NFL's championship game, whether or not their team is playing on Sunday, many will be rolling the dice and placing some bets.

The American Gaming Association estimates that 26-million Americans will place some wagers on SuperBowl LIV which is 3-million more than last year and a 15-percent increase overall.

The AGA also estimates that Americans will wager approximately $6.8 billion on the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

Here are some findings fromthe AGA survey, which was conducted by Morning Consult:

With 14 operational markets and another seven close behind, Americans have never before had so many opportunities to wager on the Super Bowl in a safe and legal manner, and clearly, they are getting in on the action, Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association said in a statement. With increased visitation to legal sportsbooks, we are successfully drawing bettors away from the predatory illegal market.

Miller said that viewership for NFL games rosefive percentin 2019, up another five points from2018.

He points to other AGA research which found that75 percent of NFL bettorssay they are more likely to watch a game they have bet on, and sports bettors aremore interested in the NFLthan any other professional sports league.

I have absolute confidence that Americans didnt start betting on sports when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned, continued Miller. What makes this years Super Bowl remarkable is that more fans than ever before will have the reassurance that the integrity of their bets on the big game will be preserved. The continued expansion of legal sports bettingto the detriment of the illegal markettruly benefits all stakeholders, from enhanced fan engagement for teams to added tax revenue for state and local economies.

While betting and winning can bring you joy and lots of money, you should know your financial limits and keep yourself and family in mind when making these gambling decisions.

Meanwhile Neva Pryor, the Executive Director of theCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, is cautioning football fanatics to not go overboard when placing bets before or on game-day.

"The media frenzy can entice problem gamblers to place bets on point spreads, coin tosses, quarter and halftime scores, and even the length of the song that will be sung during the halftime show," Pryor said in a statement. "Enormous amounts of legal betting will occur, along with office-box pools, offshore sports books operating internet gambling sites, and of course, street-corner bookies eager for some action."

Pryor says that problem gamblers often see SuperBowl Sundayas a chance to win back the losses they have suffered during the NFL's regular season.

"New gamblers often get caught up in wagering on the game as well. Often, family members will experience emotional and/or physical abuse during or after the game, as so much is riding on the outcome of wagers," Pryor said.

In addition, she said that alcohol consumption can be a recipe for trouble as it can fuel the emotions and behavior of the problem gambler while they're watching the game.

"The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey will receive an enormous amount of 800-GAMBLER hotline calls from problem and disordered gamblers and loved ones of those who struggle," Pryor said. "Serious financial losses are often the norm for the problem gambler; the problem gamblers family is often left with financial devastation, much anger, and feelings of helplessness and despair."

Here are some helpful tips from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey for Problem Gamblers and Families on the day of the Big Game:

"At 800-GAMBLER, we help problem gamblers and their families in three very profound ways by offering Support, Treatment, and Hope," Pryor said. "Weve helped to change the lives of many and are always a phone call or click away."

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26-million Americans expected to bet on SuperBowl. Don't go overboard - wobm.com

Super Bowl LIV Predictions from Experts and Comedians – Football Absurdity

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We made our Super Bowl LIV picks back in December, and now its time to revise our opinions for the two teams that made it.

Jeff Krisko, Football Absurditys Editor-in-Chief, and 49ers Season Ticket Holder:

San Francisco 37, Chiefs 34. Go Niners.

Firstly, Patrick Mahomes is only 24 years old and taking the NFL by storm. Hes already been to the AFC Championship game two years in a row and will appear in his first Super Bowl this Sunday. Mahomes is leading, without a doubt, the most exciting offense in football. By contrast, San Francisco fields arguably the best defense in football. Nick Bosas rookie campaign and Richard Shermans reemergence created a defense that burned through its NFC competition like a brush fire. So, what happens when an all-world offense matches up against a punishing defense? The answer is the oldest adage in football: defense wins championships. San Francisco 37 Kansas City 24

Man, I picked the Chiefs over the Niners in Super Bowl LIV last December, but now I really think the 49ers are going to pull off the big win. They look complete on both offense and defense. Kansas Citys defense is not good: Despite mostly playing from behind, Chiefs opponents averaged the eighth-most rushing yards per game. When these teams come together, San Francisco should control the clock enough to keep KCs offense from scoring too much (and the 49ers defense will help, too). San Francisco 24, Kansas City 13.

This game should end up in a blow-out one way or another. San Francisco 49ers control the clock with their running game and be 90% of what they were against Green Bay, then its lights out for KC. However, if KC can bottle up the 49ers run-first offense as they have against both Houston and Tennessee, then Mahomes and crew will off the Gold Rushers. Im hoping for high-flying back and forth action, but the halftime show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will be more exciting than the game itself. Chiefs win this 38-17.

So we have San Francisco versus Kansas City for the right to be the default game on Madden 2021?! This is an exciting time for the NFL and fans. Lets talk about two struggling franchises and how much this means to their fans. The 49ers are having the perfect year to help anyone who cant deal with the pain of the Warriors demise, or who cant afford rent in the Bay Area. Kansas City has taken a modest 50 years away from the Super Bowl largely because of its proper Midwest upbringing and wanting to be sure everyone else in the league wins twice before they win again.

Can Garoppolo spend as much time studying film as he does in the tanning bed? Can the Chiefs survive their charitable first-half game plan of letting their opponent go up three scores? One thing is for sure, we have a QB from the Big 12 and one from Tony Romo U. So start drafting from tier-three QB programs and build an O-line. And good news Chicagoans, the Bears are halfway there already!

The world deserves to see Andy Reid blink glares of utter joy this time around. Chiefs 45, 49ers 35.

Michael Nitzani, Football Absurdity Writer:The 49ers had a lot of swagger dismantling a very good Green Bay team. While, on paper, the 49ers appear supreme, the Chiefs team seems more aptly suited for the emotional up and down of a big game given their monster comeback against the Texans, and come from behind victory over the Titans. Both of those comebacks were revenge killings, as the Chiefs lost to Tennessee and Houston in the regular season. The Chiefs will prepare for the 49ers strong running game, forcing Shanahanss team to pass more with Jimmy Garoppolo. This would normally be okay, in a regular-season contest.

BUT theres a reason people buy Pat Mahomes jerseys. After all, the reigning MVP is part Bruno Mars with his slick moves and part Peyton Manning with his 4th quarter prowess. This will neutralize Richard Shermans defensively, keeping the 49ers swagger in check, as the teams mojo evaporates with every magical third-down conversion Mahomes orchestrates. Chiefs 28, 49ers 24.

What is Kansas City known for? World-class BBQ. Whats San Francisco known for? Rice-A-Roni.While BBQ is an American delicacy enjoyed by billions around the world, Rice-A-Roniis a heavily processed, high sodium side dish. While I do enjoy me some Rice-A-Roni, youd have to be nuts to choose that over a heaping helping of some good, old fashioned Kansas City BBQ.Give me the Chiefs in an instant classic: Kansas City 42, San Francisco 36.

Did this article make you want to get some skin in the game? Well, then go ahead and sign up at Fan Duel. That link tells them we sent you and helps us out a bunch. Thank you for reading!

(Header Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Hard_Rock_Stadium.png under CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Conversations With a Mass Murderer – The New York Times

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MY WAR CRIMINAL

Personal Encounters With an Architect of Genocide

By Jessica Stern

Where do malevolent leaders come from? What drives them, and why do people follow them? The rise of populist demagogues around the world, from Hungarys Viktor Orban, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russias Vladimir Putin to our own Donald Trump, has given these perennial questions new salience. In My War Criminal: Personal Encounters With an Architect of Genocide, the counterterrorism expert Jessica Stern seeks an answer from one of those leaders himself: Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb strongman implicated in atrocities committed during the ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Croats and Muslims between 1992 and 1995, including the deadly four-year siege of Sarajevo and the murder of thousands of Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica. Indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in 1995, Karadzic, a trained physician, changed his name and, disguised as a practitioner of alternative medicine, managed to evade capture for over a decade. In 2008, he was finally arrested in Belgrade, Serbia, and sent to The Hague to stand trial before the ICTY, which in 2016 convicted him of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide (his conviction was recently confirmed on appeal).

Stern, who has made a practice of speaking with terrorists of various stripes in order to understand their motivations, sought and exceptionally, as such requests are usually denied received permission to visit Karadzic from 2014 to 2016 in his jail in The Hague. In My War Criminal, she interweaves excerpts from their conversations with explanations of the history of the Bosnian war and reflections on the influences that shaped Karadzic. As the title of the book suggests, Stern also sees herself as part of the narrative, frequently calling attention to her own responses to her war criminals statements and behavior.

Understandably skeptical of Karadzics self-serving answers to probing questions, but determined to make a fair attempt to understand him, Stern goes in search of his family members, friends and former colleagues. From her interviews, and from her investigations into Serbian history and culture, she is surprised to find some truth in Karadzics claims. His insistence that Serbs were merely defending themselves against external threats, she observes, is rooted in memories of actual historical wounds that continue to exert a powerful influence. Karadzic writes poetry, and Stern explores the Serbian tradition of epic poetry and music that glorifies historical victimhood and martyrdom, and formed a backdrop to his youth.

Stern quotes extensively from the large body of literature on the former Yugoslavia, and also explores such related topics as the legal definition of genocide, the international law on secession, the complexities of globalization and the new man that Communism hoped to create. These citations and digressions, often in lengthy footnotes, can lend the book the feel of a graduate school thesis, and some errors and false impressions creep in: a misleading suggestion that the ICTY one-sidedly prosecuted only Serbs (it did not); the mistaken characterization of a Serbian case against Croatia at the International Court of Justice as involving World War II rather than the more recent conflicts; the incorrect claim that the indictments of Karadzic and his notorious general Ratko Mladic were the first to be handed down by the ICTY. In an effort to be evenhanded and to consider all sides in the conflict (and perhaps because of her own expertise), Stern devotes more space than may be warranted to the question of the influence of fundamentalist jihadis on the (traditionally quite secular) Bosnian Muslim population. Despite interventions during the war by several Muslim countries, she rightly concludes, the fears raised by Serbian propaganda regarding an Islamic fundamentalist takeover were considerably overblown.

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Conversations With a Mass Murderer - The New York Times

AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Global Insights, Trends and Huge Business Opportunities 2019 to 2025 – NY Telecast 99

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The AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market report is a collection of pragmatic information, quantitative and qualitative estimation by industry experts, the contribution from industry connoisseurs and industry accomplices across the value chain. Furthermore, the report also provides the qualitative results of diverse market factors on its geographies and segments.

Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is a system of alternative medicines in India. Growing population, rising awareness about AYUSH medicines, increasing side-effects of mainstream medicines, escalating costs of conventional health care and government support is driving the industry. Today India is one of the top exporters of alternative medicines in the world. Major export destination includes US and European countries like Germany and France.

Click the link to get a Sample Copy of the Report:

https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/07111356735/global-ayush-and-alternative-medicine-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025/inquiry?source=nytelecast99&Mode=12

The report presents the market competitive landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/key players in the market. Top Companies in the Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market: Baidyanath, Himalya Herbals, Ganga Pharmaceuticals, Patanjali, Hamdard and other.

This report segments the global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine market on the basis of Types are:

Ayurvedic Medicines

Herbal Medicines

Aroma Therapy

Homeopathy

Reflexology

Others

On the basis of Application, the Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine market is segmented into:

Women

Men

Kids

For comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, the global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine market is analyzed across key geographies namely: United States, China, Europe, Japan, South-east Asia, India and others. Each of these regions is analyzed on basis of market findings across major countries in these regions for a macro-level understanding of the market.

AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger and acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 20192025.

For More Information On This Report, Please Visit: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/07111356735/global-ayush-and-alternative-medicine-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025?source=nytelecast99&Mode=12

Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Overview, Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities, Segmentation overview

Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market competition by Manufacturers

Production by Regions

Consumption by Regions

Production, By Types, Revenue and Market share by Types

Consumption, By Applications, Market share (%) and Growth Rate by Applications

Complete profiling and analysis of Manufacturers

Manufacturing cost analysis, Raw materials analysis, Region-wise manufacturing expenses

Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Effect Factors Analysis

Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Forecast

Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source

Finally, all aspects of the Global AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market are quantitatively as well qualitatively assessed to study the Global as well as regional market comparatively. This market study presents critical information and factual data about the market providing an overall statistical study of this market on the basis of market drivers, limitations and its future prospects. The report supplies the international economic competition with the assistance of Porters Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis.

Free country Level analysis for any 5 countries of your choice.

Free Competitive analysis of any 5 key market players.

Free 40 analyst hours to cover any other data point.

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MarketInsightsReports provides syndicated market research on industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. MarketInsightsReports provides global and regional market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.

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AYUSH and Alternative Medicine Market Global Insights, Trends and Huge Business Opportunities 2019 to 2025 - NY Telecast 99

A milestone in the treatment of men’s disease with regenerative medicine – Health Europa

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Tissue engineering combines the field of cell biology with material science in order to generate tissues and organs that may be used for regeneration, replacement or reconstruction of human bodies. In the past 10 years, there has been an exponential growth in these therapies, with great optimism and excitement about the potential effects or implications.

Since the end of the 20th century, cultured urethral mucosa cells have been used for repair of hypospadias, a congenital malformation of the urinary tract. In a survey published in 2019, tissue-engineered grafts showed even better results when used in children for primary hypospadias repair than in adults for urethral stricture repair.

Recently, a breakthrough in the surgical treatment of male urethral stricture was reported when a total of 65 patients with urethral strictures successfully were treated with MukoCell, a tissue-engineered oral mucosa transplant. With a mean follow-up of 12.1 months, recurrence was observed in only 12 patients. This corresponds to a success rate of 81.5%.About 1% of the male population suffers from strictures of the urethra.

Patients are chronically ill, with severely diminished quality of life, suffering from low urinary flow, pain, chronic urinary infections, urinary stones, urinary reflux, and damage to and failure of the urinary system. If left untreated, life-threatening urinary retention can occur.

The gold standard for urethral reconstruction is represented by the use of oral mucosa graft, with success rates reported in literature of around 80%. However, due to the complication rate at the mucosa harvest site, only a minority of operative urologists carry out this procedure.

It requires the excision of large segments of mucosa from the mouth of the patients. This severe damage to healthy tissue frequently is accompanied by multiple injuries with a significant impact on patients quality of life intraoral pain, bleeding, swelling, sensory loss and oral numbness which in many cases are persistent.

Other long term consequences include compromised oral health, scarring, chronic ulcers due to repeated bites on scar bulges, impaired lip mobility, permanent salivation, oral stenosis, facial deformities, diminished facial expressions, impaired mouth opening and impaired drinking, eating and speaking, periodontal disease; and loss of teeth and implants. One of the late consequences resulting from chronic irritation and inflammation is the increased risk of oral cancer.

Because of these risks and complications, many doctors and patients refuse this operation. Moreover, in certain situations this operation cannot be performed, such as where the patient only has a small oral cavity or limited mouth opening capacity, meaning access to the oral cavity is limited and excision of larger pieces of oral mucosa is not possible.

A significant proportion of patients are not willing to undergo the excision of oral grafts, including patients with tendency to increased scar formation, where the excision of oral mucosa is associated with risks of parafunctional bites, chronic irritation and inflammation; or patients with dentures, where the excision may lead to poorly fitting dentures or loss of dental implants. This counts even more if there is pre-existing oral mucosal damage, for example after previous removal of oral mucosa.

For other patients, the oral complications cannot be tolerated because impairment of physiognomy, oral anatomy or gustatory sensation impacts their job or social function; such as teachers, singers, politicians, actors, speakers, salespeople, cooks and musicians who play wind or brass instruments.

Tissue-engineered transplants represent the group of advanced tissue-engineered therapies (ATMPs). These are subject to EU regulation; in order to obtain market access, they must receive authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

In order to obtain this approval, high standards must be met regarding proof of the quality, safety and efficacy of these products. Although tissue-engineered products may have a high impact on patients health, only a few of them will be approved. Tissue engineering techniques are complex and require a high standard of specialised laboratories.

Regarding quality and safety, MukoCell has already received a certificate from the EMA. MukoCell is manufactured in a state of the art cell culture factory, which has been specifically designed for engineering of tissue especially for medical use and complies with GMP guidelines for the production of pharmaceuticals. The manufacturing process starts with a tiny biopsy from the oral mucosa of the patient.

Oral mucosa is easily accessible in any patient; and biopsy under simple local anaesthesia is easy, non-invasive and painless for patients. The tissue is sent to the tissue factory where the biopsy is explanted in cell culture media. Cells are grown out and undergo a standardised aseptic manufacturing process, at the end of which, before the products are used therapeutically, strict quality and safety tests are conducted. Only if the specified quality criteria are met are the products then released for therapeutic application.

The efficacy of MukoCell has been shown in an open non-interventional study. However, to achieve market authorisation, the EMA requests that efficacy be further confirmed in a pivotal clinical study in direct comparison with native oral mucosa. This study will begin shortly and will involve a total of 200 patients, divided into two therapy groups of 100 patients each. Initial results of the study are expected by the beginning of 2023.

One goal of this clinical study is to show equivalence of the tissue-engineered product with native oral mucosa in urethral stricture treatment; the other goal is to clearly demonstrate the superiority of MukoCell over native oral mucosa as a graft, in terms of the aforementioned frequent and severe intraoral complications and impact on quality of life for patients.

The demonstration of MukoCells superiority is not only important regarding market authorisation, but also with respect to reimbursement by health insurances. The transplantation of native oral mucosa is a procedure developed by hospital surgeons. A critical examination of its safety and effectiveness has never been carried out, and complications are accepted if there is no alternative treatment.

Moreover, besides the surgical procedure which is paid for by the health insurance companies there are no additional costs associated with using native oral mucosa. In contrast, to justify additional costs arising from the use of a cultivated transplant, the efficacy, safety and superiority to native oral mucosa need to be proven.

Therefore, in the clinical trial, it is particularly important that the complications arising from excision of the transplant are recorded and documented as objectively as possible. Since the goal of surgery is to reconstruct the urethra, urologists pay little attention to intraoral complications and commonly play down their severity and importance.

Although the production of MukoCell is very complex and absolute sterility must be maintained during the three-week cultivation period, the costs are acceptable at several thousand euros. What pushes the costs even higher is the need to fulfil the requirements of the EMA in order to obtain marketing authorisation for the product: the planned clinical trial alone will cost around 10m. These costs must also be considered when pricing MukoCell.

The requirements of the regulatory authorities and health insurance companies not only influence the price of the products but also their availability. MukoCell has been on the market since 2013, but its approval is limited to Germany and only applies in a few individual cases due to the issue of reimbursement.

In a 2019 review the opinion was expressed that, due to the specificity of tissue-engineered products and the health benefits they offer, it would be advantageous to reconsider their regulatory requirements. The simplification of these requirements would allow the acceleration of these products into the market, faster availability for the patients and a decrease in the associated costs, making reimbursement less challenging for public health insurances in different countries.

Further, it was stated that the use of MukoCell represents a real, safe and efficient opportunity for patients with urethral stricture diseases. However, at present, regulatory, legal and financial issues represent important factors that restrict and slow down the wider use of MukoCell.

Soeren Liebig, CEOMukoCell GmbHBioMedizinzentrumDortmund+49 (0)23197426370s.liebig@mukocell.comwww.mukocell.com

Please note, this article will appear in issue 12 of Health Europa Quarterly, which will be available to read in February 2020.

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A milestone in the treatment of men's disease with regenerative medicine - Health Europa

Meet the Saudi therapist healing her patients through sound – Gulf News

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Bayan Image Credit: Supplied

Jeddah: In a dark room, surrounded by flickering candles, soft music and whiff of wafting fragrance, around 12 men and women sat on comfortable mats in a yoga position facing Saudi Arabias first sound therapist Bayan Abuzindah, who sat in front of two pairs of huge gongs and numerous singing bowls and big glasses set in a pattern.

There was exciting murmur, as attendees got ready for an enchanting two-hour sound bath experience.

Abuzindah signalled the attendees to get quiet after which, in a soft, soulful voice, she briefly explained what one could expect during the session before guiding them on breathing exercises followed by exposing them to sounds in different patterns and frequencies.

Ghadeer Zainy, who often comes for a session of a sound bath after a stressful week at work, said, A sense of relief, calmness, and relaxation washes over me after the session. It feels like excess weight has been uplifted from my body. I sleep peacefully and wake up rejuvenated in the morning. Its wonderful what two hours of breath work and sound can do to your body and soul.

Baker Al Turkestani, a Saudi song producer, said, I feel completely surrendered. It is beautiful.

What is sound therapy?

Sound therapy is an ancient technique that was used to cure emotional, physical, or mental illness by many early civilizations in India, Tibet, Greek and Egypt.

In the past few decades, however, it has made a comeback because a lot of research and experiments have shown positive effects of sound and music on body.

Sound therapy is now being practiced all over the world including Saudi Arabia.

Abuzinadah, 35, is credited for introducing sound therapy in her country.

A member of the International Complimentary Therapist Association and a certified sound therapist from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation in Saudi Arabia, she runs Saudi Arabias first and only known sound studio in the coastal city of Jeddah since last year.

Sound therapy is the medicine of the future. Many hospitals, especially cancer hospitals, in America now have a sound department as it is now being considered as the best therapy to provide relief from pain as it restores balance to the body. Here (Saudi Arabia) people who suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma among others usually use sound therapy as an alternative to medicine, she says.

How does it work?

Shedding light on how sound heals, Abuzinadah explains, Sound therapy works on all layers of our existence that is emotional, physical, and mental. To make it a meditative experience, we induce the body to sounds and slow down the brain waves from theta to alpha. Alpha waves is our frequency bridge between our conscious mind and the subconscious mind theta and that is where all the magic happens. The body is in the healing mode now, and the person gets connected with his/her subconscious mind, which controls 80 percent of what he/she does. At this stage, we plant and manifest positive vibes, release negative emotions, limiting beliefs and habits, or anything that doesnt serve us purpose.

Citing another example of how sound physically heals a body, Abuzinadah said, Everything in our body from cells to organs vibrates. Lets assume if the kidney is not functioning properly; it means that the vibration of that organ is slow or out of tune. Now, our body is made up of around 60 percent of water. So, by technically striking certain instruments, we create sounds that penetrate and travel in the body and create a vibration that forces the organ to synchronize and work in tune with the rest of the body.

While it is very gentle, safe and suitable for everyone, people who have metal implants like pins, screws or pacemaker cannot attend sound session, Abuzindah advises.

How many sessions do you need to get results?

The number of sessions is different for each person.

Sometimes, even one session (typically lasting for 60 minutes) is a life-altering experience for a person.

What is a typical session like?

For a one-on-one session with a patient, Abuzinadah uses gongs and singing bowls only.

For group classes, she uses Shruti boxes, alchemy crystal bowls, didgeridoo (ancient Australian instrument) along with gongs and singing bowls.

While the patient is just required to dress in loose, comfortable clothing and be hydrated, Abuzinadah has planned ritual.

Every therapist practices the ritual based on their personal preference. I stop eating meat three days before a session to detox. I take salt baths, meditate, and chant to look and feel good.

Abuzinadas path to sound therapy

Abuzinadah took the rare, unconventional path of sound healing after working in the corporate world for ten years.

I had had enough. I was not happy; I was not enjoying as I used to and had lost all passion for corporate life. It was time to move on.

She took a few months off and went to Amsterdam and did spiritual training.

It felt good, and I found answers to what I was going through. I liked it, but I hadnt decided to pursue it then.

After returning home, Abuzinadah quit work for good and flew to Ibiza to volunteer at a retreat.

It was there where she had her first sound bath.

It was an out of body experience. I went to a totally different dimension. What I experienced that day told me that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and the rest is history, she said.

In the course of just three years, Abuzinadah poured her heart and soul into it, learning sound techniques.

She travelled to Ireland, Bali, Portugal and Madrid, among other places, to learn sound healing.

I trained with one of the best masters in the world and my guru Patricious, and Don Conreux, who is like the Harvard of sound healing, she said.

Equipped with certificates and license to practice, Abuzinadah returned to her country and upon much encouragement from her folks, decided to open a sound-healing studio much to an overwhelming response. With more than 8K followers on Instagram, one needs to take prior appointments to attend Abuzindahs sound therapy classes.

Is sound therapy available in the UAE?

Healing of the body and mind through sound frequencies has gained wide currency in the UAE.

On December 15, 2019 five sound healers using different instruments such as harps, Tibetan bowls, gongs, crystals and chimes came together at a public event attended by hundreds at Manarat A Sadiyat in Abu Dhabi and many reported feeling a complete rejuvenation and relaxation through that one hour session.

Sonia Gonzalez, one of Venezuelan healers who is an opera singer and a sound healer described the therapy which falls under complementary and alternative medicine: Using sound at certain frequencies makes peoples bodys resonate at that frequency stimulating self-healing. Sound communicates with the subconscious mind and creates an emotional pattern that induces holistic healing, said Gonzales who has done her sound healing training in Bali and is a practising sound healer for the last three years.

Gonzalez holds sessions at Manarat Al Sadiyat regularly that begin with breath work followed with sound healing and conclude with meditation.

She said : I have worked with people undergoing deep depression and anxiety and the shift is amazing. It takes several healing cycles and works differently on every individual.

Modern study of epigenetics says sound vibration can alter bodys molecular structure and induce healing.

Counselling psychologist, Laura Brennan, who is the director of an Abu Dhabi-based therapeutic institute called From Light into Darkness seconded Gonzalez viewpoint saying that sound healing was acknowledged by the community of psychologists to have a very strong impact on mental health of people.

There is clinical and scientific evidence now to prove that sound healing does not just belong to the realm of complementary medicine but has a direct impact on curing diseases and blasting tumours. Research done in the field of epigenetics and astrophysics has indicated that various frequencies have a deep impact on the molecular structure of each cell in the human body.

Brennan explained that according to epigenetics, the human body functions on different levels through multiple electric systems. one of them is the bio electricity in cells. All cells vibrate with sound. When they vibrate at the correct frequency and mili volt, they create a harmony. But when they vibrate at wrong frequencies that creates a sense of Dis Ease which manifests in the physical system as a malady. Correcting the frequencies can help the cells vibrate to healthier harmonies and can actually heal the DNA.

Blasting malignant tumours through ultrasound waves

Brennan gave an instance of patients suffering from restless leg syndrome. Sometimes a blast of energy can get trapped causing pain and discomfort in the body. In the case of restless legs, with sound healing one can help the cells resonate to a healing frequency and release the trapped energy triggering the restless legs.

Brennan reiterated that the sound of healing bells, chanting, Tibetan bowls, ultra sound waves can heal very deeply. There is scientific evidence to show that ultrasound waves can actually blast tumours and stimulate healing and similarly many other sound frequencies can work on Cardio Vascular Diseases and other illnesses.

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Meet the Saudi therapist healing her patients through sound - Gulf News

United States Air Force Plans to "Aim High" Leveraging the Science of Neuroplasticity – PRNewswire

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MIAMI, Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pathwaves, a Miami-based digital therapeutics company, has been awarded a U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract through AFWERX and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to advance the development of the NeuroEmpowerment methodology.

Pathwaveshas effectively established a tracked, evidence-based process that quantifies and improves cognitive mental and emotional function. The NeuroEmpowerment process is based on the science of neuroplasticity the brain and body's ability to build new neural pathways and synapses. The methodology is a unique combination of cutting-edge digital integration technology (neurotechnology), coaching and counseling, along with therapeutic mindfulness techniques that provide natural and sustainable results.

During the last decade, approximately 20% of U.S. Air Force personnel have annually been diagnosed with a mental health disorder (source January 2017 Deployment Health Clinical Center report). Pathwaves has been highly successful in relieving symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, ADD/ADHD and an array of other issues.

"Our team is excited about the opportunity to work with the dedicated men and women who serve in the U.S. Air Force. We look forward to helping them to function at their optimum with our NeuroEmpowerment process," says Geoff Cole, Founder and CEO of Pathwaves.

The Pathwaves NeuroEmpowerment platform will, for the first time, provide the U.S. Air Force with the ability to objectively quantify their personnel's level of mental function. The process begins with the proprietary NeuroQuant as the first step of their modern approach to not only resolving mental health issues, but enabling the highest levels of mental performance. The NeuroQuant reveals the areas of imbalance, and is followed by an average of 12 neurofeedforward sessions a proprietary process that uses neurtechnology to create new, previously non-existent neural pathways and synaptic connections. The sessions are designed to correct the imbalances and are supported by therapy and coaching. The methodology is non-invasive and medication-free.

For more information, visit pathwaveslife.com, email getbalanced@pathwaves.comor call (305) 858-6616.

Pathwavesis a Miami-based digital therapeutics company specializing in NeuroEmpowerment - a proprietary, multi-dimensional and transformative methodology that uses the powerful principles of neuroplasticity, neurotechnology, therapy and coaching to help individuals attain their optimal state of mental, emotional, spiritual and physical harmony.

About AFWERX: Established in 2017 by the Secretary of the Air Force, AFWERX is a catalyst for agile Air Force engagement across industry, academia, and non-traditional contributors to create transformative opportunities. The core mission of AFWERX is to improve Air Force capabilities by connecting innovators, simplifying technology transfer and accelerating results. AFWERX has partnered with the AFRL, a scientific research organization operated by the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, to streamline the SBIR process to speed up the experience, broaden the pool of potential applicants, and decrease bureaucratic overhead.

Media Contact:Ana Margarita305.431.0300232811@email4pr.com

SOURCE Pathwaves

http://pathwaveslife.com

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United States Air Force Plans to "Aim High" Leveraging the Science of Neuroplasticity - PRNewswire

The Neural Revolution Is Almost Here. Should We Fear It? | Articles | Chief Data Officer – Innovation Enterprise

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In September 2019, it became known that Facebook bought the developer of neural interfaces CTRL-Labs. Google Glasses are compatible with the NeuroSky EEG biosensor through the open-source MindRDR application. In July 2019, Elon Musk's startup introduced the revolutionary Neuralink brain-machine interface claiming to start the trans-human evolution.

All these pieces of news indicate the direction the industry is heading to. Internet companies that receive their main profit from showing targeted advertising try to take into account the interests of their users. To determine these interests, they massively collect data, tracking the user's actions on the web, building profiles and social graphs, monitoring messages, calls, physical movements, shopping carts, contact lists. But it seems this is not enough for them.

So far, EEG scanners and implants have very limited functionality, but this technology is developing rapidly. Based on the results of a brain activity scan, it is already possible to recognize basic emotions, some unspoken words, and mental attempts to make physical movements. Scientists have found similarities in how different peoples brains process information. It is now possible to make assumptions about a persons thoughts based on his or her brains neural activity.

Medical brain-computer interfaces should help people regain control of their limbs or control prostheses. Inexpensive headsets are positioned as relaxation tools or entertainment gadgets. However, companies have already begun experimenting with EEGs to evaluate the performance of advertising campaigns.

Facebook and startups like Neuralink are developing a new generation of neurotechnology tools and making bold promises. For example, Facebook promises to let people type by simply imagining themselves talking, and Elon Musk anticipates the merger of the human brain with AI.

On September 10, 2019, the Royal Society of London published a 106-page report on the future and risks of neurotechnology. It predicted that a neural revolution" will happen in the coming decades.

Brain-computer devices generate a huge amount of neural data potentially one of the most sensitive forms of personal information. And the main problem is how this brain data will be commercialized. Advertisers are already using confidential information about people's preferences, habits, and locations. Adding neural data to the mix will seriously increase the threat to privacy.

Getting data directly from the brain will be a real paradigm shift. If Facebook, for example, combines neural data with its extensive collection of personal data, then it can create much more accurate and comprehensive psychographic profiles.

Experts say that for now, there are almost no legal obstacles to prevent companies from trading neural profiles.

Neuromarketing is a new industry in marketing research that uses brain scans to know consumers better than they know themselves. Neuromarketers clearly promise to exploit neural profiles commercially.

By non-invasively recording the bioelectrical activity of the brain (electroencephalography), neuro marketers monitor the brain's response to viewing ads. In the future, they hope that this technology will also allow tracking brain activity while using applications, communicating on the Internet, watching movies and TV shows. This will help to maximize the effectiveness of advertising (and, perhaps, other methods of influencing people.)

It is already clear that such technologies will be used not only in the advertising industry. In arecent interview, Edward Snowden explained that technology giants are tools in the hands of even more powerful players: We see how authoritarianism is growing all over the world, and the reality is that all of them are parts of the same threat. These companies function as weapons in the hands of governments. Its too easy to say that tech giants are a real threat; in reality, all of them are part of the same threat the system.

Snowden pointed out that it is better to use WhatsApp rather than simple unencrypted SMS, but it is still not a good idea to use WhatsApp if you are a prime minister and wish to communicate with your staff. For now, you can encrypt and hide your communication if you usevirtual private networks. Withbrain-computer interfaces, it is impossible to encrypt neural signals inside your brain.

Ethics experts also fear that information from the brain may be potentially used for discrimination. For example, if there are patterns of brain activity similar to patterns observed in drug addicts or people suffering from depression or other diseases, perhaps, on the basis of such patterns, employers will refuse to hire people. In addition, insurance companies could raise premiums and banks offer loans on less favorable terms.

The future we are striving for is a world in which our neural data, which we do not even have access to, can be used against us. For now, our thoughts are the last frontier of the defense in the war for privacy. It is sad, but all previous battles have been unconditionally lost.

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The Neural Revolution Is Almost Here. Should We Fear It? | Articles | Chief Data Officer - Innovation Enterprise

Stryker (SYK) to Report Q4 Earnings: What’s in the Cards? – Zacks.com

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Stryker Corporation (SYK - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2019 results on Jan 28 after the closing bell. In the last reported quarter, the company met estimates. Further, it has an average four-quarter positive surprise of 1.5%.

Which Way Are Estimates Trending?

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings per share is pegged at $2.46, indicating an improvement of 12.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The same for revenues stands at $4.1 billion, suggesting growth of 8% from the prior-year quarter.

Lets take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.

MedSurg in Focus

This segment consists of surgical instruments plus endoscopic and emergency medical equipment. Notably, it has been consistently driving Strykers top line.

Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segments revenues for the fourth quarter stands at $1.83 billion, suggesting an improvement of 6.6% year-ago reported figure.

MedSurg has three subsegments Endoscopy, Instruments and Medical.

Growth across its aforementioned three subsegments is likely to have benefited MedSurgs fourth-quarter performance. The segment is anticipated to have witnessed considerable worldwide organic growth in the to-be-reported quarter driven by instruments.

Other Factors at Play

The companys fourth-quarter performance is likely to show broad-based strength across its divisions and regions. In fact, robust performance in emerging markets and Europe is expected to get reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.

Further, the companys Orthopaedics segment is likely to have witnessed strong organic growth on the back of solid performance at the Knee and Hips sub segments. Moreover, sustained strong demand for Mako TKA (Total Knee Arthoplasty) platform or cementless knee and other 3D printed products is anticipated to get reflected in the segments fourth-quarter performance. For the quarter to be reported, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for this segments sales is pegged at $1.46 billion, indicating an improvement of 5.9% from the prior-year quarter.

With respect to Neurotechnology & Spine segment, a bankable performance within the NeuroTech and Interventional Spine businesses is likely to have contributed to the companys fourth-quarter performance. Moreover, sustained solid demand in Europe, China and Japan might have impacted segmental growth, internationally. For the upcoming quarterly announcement, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segments sales stands at $798 million, suggesting year-over-year growth of 14%.

The company remains on track to achieve its full-year target of 30 to 50 basis points operating margin expansion backed by the top line and continued progress in cost transformation growth initiatives, a trend is likely to have continued in the fourth quarter.

However, unfavorable pricing is likely to have affected Strykers fourth-quarter top line. Moreover, high debt might have put pressure on the margins.

What Our Quantitative Model Suggests

Per our proven model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. This is the case here as you will see.

Earnings ESP: Stryker has an Earnings ESP of +0.60%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Stryker carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Stocks to Consider

Here are a few medical stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

Baxter International (BAX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.32% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

DexCom, Inc. (DXCM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +18.45% and a Zacks Rank #2.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.38% and a Zacks Rank #3.

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Stryker (SYK) to Report Q4 Earnings: What's in the Cards? - Zacks.com

P.E.I. groups say basic Income should not replace addictions, other supports – The Journal Pioneer

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

Two organizations that serve marginalized people said they support a basic income guarantee pilot in P.E.I. but said such a program should not replace existing supports for people facing addictions and mental health issues.

The leaders of the Native Council of P.E.I. and the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry offered their thoughts and recommendations on the possibility of a basic income guarantee to members of the legislative standing committee on poverty on Wednesday.

The committee is tasked with providing costed recommendations related to a basic income pilot on P.E.I.

Basic income is an experimental anti-poverty policy that would give a cash payment to all individuals who earn below a certain amount, regardless of whether they already have a job.

Lisa Cooper, president of the Native Council, and Matthew MacDonald, a policy analyst, offered recommendations related to off-reserve and non-status Indigenous people on P.E.I.

We are now the most impoverished, more impoverished than those that live on-reserve. And this is often forgotten in most programming, be it in P.E.I. and in Ottawa," Cooper told the committee.

"The funding doesn't seem to come to us."

MacDonald said individuals facing addictions and mental health issues would need additional supports if they received the basic income payments.

"Without proper supports in place like timely access to mental health and addictions support, such individuals, participants in the proposed project may be at risk of endangering their health with a new source of income," MacDonald said.

MacDonald said the specific barriers faced by off-reserve Indigenous people should be kept in mind.

He referred to a 2015 Supreme Court of Canada decision that found that the federal government had a duty to recognize the treaty rights of non-status people, or Indigenous people who may not be a registered member of a band.

Cooper and MacDonald recommended that a basic income pilot be offered to individuals within the age group of 18-64, that it consider people from diverse and marginalized backgrounds and that the model be a negative income tax model.

This means it would be offered to people who earn below a certain amount. Both also suggested community organizations be directly involved in recruiting for the pilot and offered the services of NCPEI for this purpose.

Mike MacDonald of the Upper Room Ministry also said a basic income program would benefit low-income individuals he sees every day.

The organization runs a soup kitchen that serves 12 meals a week, as well as a food bank.

But MacDonald also cautioned against looking at basic income as a replacement for other social services, such as mental health and addictions counselling, housing supports and education programming.

Basic income is not the only answer, but its certainly part of the answer, MacDonald said.

MacDonald said he believes such a program should be offered for people living in poverty throughout P.E.I.

He said having a cash payment that would help people take care of their food and shelter needs would relieve a lot of stress.

MacDonald said his organization tends to offer support to many individuals within the age range of 18-64, but also said some as young as 15 are also fed.

He said he has noticed an increase in recent immigrants accessing services and said this group accounts for about 15 per cent of his clients.

Stu.neatby@theguardian.pe.caTwitter.com/stu_neatby

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P.E.I. groups say basic Income should not replace addictions, other supports - The Journal Pioneer