Monthly Archives: June 2021

Gingold Theatrical Group, now in its 16th Season, will continue its new play development with the Phase 1 Plays-In-Progress virtual table readings of this year's SPEAKER'S CORNER Writers Group. This season, writers Kate Douglas, Aeneas Sagar Hemphill, Divya Mangwani, Seth McNeill, Sophie Sagan-Gutherz, and Marcus Scott are developing works in response to Shaw's Arms and the Man. To learn more about these closed developmental table reads, and to register in advance to join, please visit gingoldgroup.org.

by Kate Douglas, directed by Colette RobertJune 5th at 2:30 PM ET

by Aeneas Sagar Hemphill, directed by Arpita MukherjeeJune 8th at 7 PM ET

by Sophie Sagan-Gutherz, directed by Jaye HuntJune 10th at 7 PM ET

by Seth McNeill, directed by Lico WhitfieldJune 12th at 7 PM ET

by Divya Mangwani, directed by Aneesha KudtarkarJune 15th at 7 PM ET

by Marcus Scott, directed by Christopher BurrisJune 17th at 7 PM ET

Named after the corner of London's Hyde Park where George Bernard Shaw and other political speakers have delivered speeches since 1855, GTG's SPEAKERS' CORNER brings together six to ten writers each year who will spend the year exploring a specific Shaw play and writing individual new plays in response to that text and Shaw's forward thinking humanitarian ideals.

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Gingold Theatrical Group Announces Phase 1, Plays-In-Progress Readings from Speaker's Corner Writers Group - Broadway World

One year ago, on June 1, we placed a small rainbow sticker in the front window of our Peachtree City home. Even though our then-president had for his entire term neglected to declare June as Pride Month.

Because of the pandemic, we stayed close to home; the limited shops in our community boasted no Pride merchandise that we saw. I made do with my treasured One Pulse t-shirt (commemorating the massacre at the Florida night club). It was a solemn time.

What a difference a year can make!

Last Tuesday, President Biden formally declared June, Pride Month. A White House statement asserts, after 4 years of relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic actions to accelerate the march toward full LGBTQ+ equality.

Our window sticker has been replaced with a bright HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! lawn sign! We have come across celebratory Pride clothing in local stores! Just today, while picking up to-go in a small restaurant, we were greeted by two employees with rainbow hair we joyfully gushed Happy Pride! as we left. Even the cereal aisle in our grocery store made me grin, with a Kelloggs Together heart-shaped, berry flavored breakfast cereal!

I realize that change has been too long coming; and is still too slow. Much damage has been done; and many people have been terribly hurt. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are certainly at the top of that list (along with other minorities in the U.S., including persons of color and non-Christians).

But we are not hopeless.

May I say to my brothers and sisters

We are supporting you, the best that we know how. Forgive us when we get it wrong.

We are grateful to you. And for you. You add so much to our lives and our society.

We love you.

And we wish us all together a very Happy Pride Month!

Suzanne Sports

Peachtree City, Ga.

More here:

LGBTQ+ progress being made in Peachtree City - The Citizen.com

State championship winning coach retires

Hes coached soccer at Sharyland High School for over 20 years. Hes led the Rattlers to 21 playoff appearances over that span. Hes one of only a handful of Valley coaches in any sport to ever lead a team to a state championship. Hes Coach Reveriano Rev Hernandez, and with the 2020/2021 school year having concluded last week, his coaching career has now officially come to an end at the same place it all began.

Its no secret that anyone who chooses to go into coaching as a career does so knowing full well that there are no guarantees when it comes to job stability. Thats because coaching is a, What have you done for me lately? profession. In other words, todays success in no way guarantees continued employment tomorrow. A coach can have his or her team at the top of the heap one day and be gone the next.

Sharyland High head soccer coach Reveriano Hernandez celebrates the Rattlers state championship in front of thousand of fans that showed up for the welcome home rally thrown in their honor. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra

There are of course exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between. Having coached his entire career at Sharyland High, Hernandez is one of the exceptions. And were it not for his decision to retire at the relatively young age of 54, theres no doubt that he wouldve extended what is now his 22 year tenure of coaching soccer at Sharyland High, even longer.

Hernandezs love for the sport of soccer began long before his coaching career began. He grew up playing soccer in his hometown of Brownsville, Texas and he was good enough to be given the opportunity to play at both the high school level and the Division 1 collegiate level.

I graduated from Brownsville Hanna in 1986, Hernandez said. I played soccer there three years. After high school I went to play for what was then Pan American University. I received a scholarship to play there. I played there four years. I graduated in 1990 with a degree in Special Ed and I went to work in 1990/1991.

Having graduated from Pan American during the month of December and not wanting to wait until the beginning of the following school year to begin his teaching career, Hernandez accepted a position in Rio Grande City. A position he only kept for two years due to receiving an offer he could not refuse to teach in Sharyland, where he was already living.

Back then the Special Ed department at Sharyland was a co-op so I was working for four districts, Valley View, Hidalgo, San Isidro and Sharyland, Hernandez said. The districts were small and the Special Ed departments were super small since they only had a few kids.

Two years later, Hernandez took his first coaching position.

I think when I started working at Sharyland, thats when they started the soccer program, Hernandez said. Demian Marroquin and Shane Hurley, both of whom were my teammates at Pan Am, were the coaches at Sharyland so I started as a volunteer. When Hurley moved on to San Antonio I started coaching the JV team. Within two years Marroquin moved on as well, and I became the head coach.

As stated previously, that was 22 years ago. And while its true that hes led the Rattlers to the playoffs in 21 of those seasons, it took a pandemic to prevent him from making it 22 playoff appearances in 22 years. Thats because despite having a 14-0 district record (26-3-2 overall) and claiming the district championship last year, COVID-19 forced the UIL cut all Texas high school soccer seasons short just as the playoffs were about to kick off.

Under Coach Rev, the Rattlers have never finished district play in any worse than second place. Thats 13 district championships and nine district runner-ups in 22 seasons. In addition, Hernandez has led his teams to 16 Bi-district championships, 13 Area championships, six Regional Quarterfinal championships, one Regional Semifinal championship, one Regional Final championship and the one ultimate championship that every high school coach across the state of Texas aspires to but only a select few ever attain, a State championship!

We went up against Morton Ranch from Katy, Texas for the state championship, Hernandez said. I know that we went ahead 1-0 but they turned the game around and we were losing 2-1. Then we scored in the last minute of the game, I think, to tie it at 2-2. Then we went into overtime but nobody scored in overtime. Then we went to shootouts and we were losing 3-1. Our first three guys missed and then on the last two we scored. They missed on their last two, so it was 3-3. Then we went to sudden death and Amahry Lozano scored the winning goal for us.

While Valley soccer teams have won more state championships over the years than Valley teams from any other sport, being a state champion in the Rio Grande Valley is still a very exclusive club.

Hidalgo won the first one (soccer state championship), Hernandez said. And then I think Brownsville Lopez won one. And then it was Brownsville Porter. And then there was us. And finally it was Brownsville Rivera, and again Brownsville Porter. Thats pretty much it.

That night the Sharyland Rattlers arrived back at Sharyland High School at around midnight. The team was greeted by thousands of fans at a rally in their honor which was held at the football stadium. When asked what it was like to be greeted by so many fans, Hernandez said, It was really something. I think the whole Upper Valley was there in the stadium waiting for us. Even at the stadium where we played over there, there were so many people from the Valley, and not only from Sharyland, cheering for us. It was something special.

The Rattlers two goals in regulation of that state championship game were scored by Daniel Garcia and Jesus Olivares. The goalkeeper was Jorge Medina. He had six saves in that game.

Over his 22 year tenure as the Rattlers head coach, Hernandez has accumulated a record of 466 wins, 108 losses and 41 ties. No matter how you look at his won-loss record and no matter how you look at all the playoff appearances, all the district championships and all the playoff championships the Rattlers have won under him, Hernandezs accomplishments are extremely impressive.

What has made him so successful? Hernandez had no problem answering that question.

Ive never looked at my 22 years as the Rattlers head soccer coach as a job, Hernandez said. Its been a calling. Its been my passion. I think thats the reason Ive been so successful.

I want to thank everybody, Hernandez added. All my former players, all my coaches, all the people that were on top of me like the ACs (athletic coordinators), the AD (athletic directors) and the principals. I thank them for giving me the opportunity to work with them and for making it possible for me to enjoy every day of my time here at Sharyland.

Read more here:

Revving it up Progress Times - Progresstimes

PARSIPPANY, N.J--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoetis today published its 2020 Sustainability Report Our Journey Toward a Better World describing its commitment to continued disclosure on environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics and progress toward the companys Driven to Care long-term sustainability aspirations. The report highlights the companys journey to champion a healthier, more sustainable future through specific commitments to Communities, Animals and the Planet; these commitments build on Zoetis purpose and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Complementing the report is a comprehensive ESG Appendix, an update from the companys baseline disclosure published in November 2020, which shares key ESG performance indicators, including those set out by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry.

Building on its history of supporting the people who care for animals, Zoetis is proud to commit $35 million over five years through the newly established Zoetis Foundation. The signature work of the Foundation will advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers, with grantmaking focused on enabling thriving professions and livelihoods. Initially, the Foundation will focus on scholarships and diversity initiatives to help drive a more inclusive veterinary community in the U.S. In 2022, the Foundations work will expand to support veterinary debt relief, additional diversity, equity and inclusion programming, and mental wellness for farmers and veterinarians in the U.S., as well as support farmer and veterinary livelihoods in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China and Europe.

Zoetis has a long history of addressing important challenges faced by veterinarians and farmers. Our new charitable foundation represents the next chapter in extending and driving forward these commitments, said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Head of Sustainability at Zoetis and President of the Zoetis Foundation. Specifically, the Zoetis Foundation will look for opportunities to address lack of diversity in both professions, the need for resources that support emotional well-being, financial burdens such as veterinary student loans, and lack of access to a higher standard of animal care in underserved areas.

Caring for Communities and Colleagues

In 2020, Zoetis donated over $6 million to support animals and the people who care for them, with 9.6% of all community investments supporting COVID-19 relief efforts across the globe. As progress toward its goal to provide at least $1 million in scholarships to veterinary students annually, in 2020 the company provided over $934,000 in scholarships to support over 400 students. In the U.S., 34% of students supported by the Zoetis and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges Veterinary Student Scholarship Program were diverse. Zoetis also provided over $1.83 million through charitable programs and in-kind donations to care for animals impacted by disasters around the world.

The events of the past year reaffirmed our purpose to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals, and strengthened our resolve to champion a healthier, more sustainable future for people, animals, and the planet we share, said Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer of Zoetis. The world depends on animals for nutrition, comfort and companionship, and the people who care for them play essential roles in that dynamic. That was amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Im incredibly proud of our colleagues who went above and beyond to safely and effectively connect with customers, keep our business operations running smoothly, and make a difference in their local communities to support the health of animals and people who care for them.

Supporting colleagues and their health, well-being and safety was the companys top priority in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 70% of Zoetis colleagues moved to remote working arrangements, while strict health and safety protocols were implemented at the companys essential sites. In response to a survey, 85% of colleagues reported being satisfied with the companys communication, actions and focus on well-being, and 94% of colleagues felt they were able to effectively perform their roles amidst the pandemic. In addition, Zoetis reported progress toward its aspiration to support colleagues and cultivate a safe, flexible, diverse and inclusive workplace, including specific improvements in the diverse representation of our workforce in the U.S. The report also highlights success as a leader for workplace inclusion by achieving a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index. To further support colleagues, Zoetis expanded its Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) to bring together colleagues who share similar backgrounds and experiences or interests and can help work toward the companys diversity, equity and inclusion aspirations.

Innovating for Animal Health

Based on the belief that healthier animals help make a healthier future for all, Zoetis is committing its innovation expertise to solve sustainability challenges facing animals and people. One of the companys sustainability targets is continued investment in its Center for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases (CTED). Through the CTEDs inter-connected capabilities, Zoetis will continue to combat diseases that pose the greatest risk to animals and people and develop vaccines for high impact emerging infectious diseases including Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever and COVID-19.

More than ever before, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in people) put a spotlight on the important connection between animal health and human health. When concerns first surfaced in February 2020 about SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals, Zoetis initiated development activities for diagnostic tests and a vaccine that could be used in animals. Building on the companys experience with other coronavirus vaccines for animals, Zoetis completed initial studies in eight months, and the resulting vaccine has been used experimentally to help care for zoo animals at risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Zoetis also developed and validated feline and canine-specific real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2.

Additionally, to provide products that support livestock farmers and veterinarians environmental, social and animal welfare goals, Zoetis is innovating across the continuum of care to predict, prevent, detect and treat health conditions. Promoting a preventive approach to animal health and helping to reduce the need to use antibiotics to treat disease is one way the company is innovating, including new vaccines introduced in 2020 for salmonids and poultry. Alpha ERM Salar and Poulvac E. coli both are having a direct impact on reducing antibiotics used in raising fish and poultry.

Protecting the Planet

To minimize the carbon footprint and improve environmental sustainability of the companys locations, Zoetis reported it is sourcing 8.8% renewable electricity and progressing toward its RE100 commitment to source 100% renewable energy by 2050. Additionally, eight of the companys international manufacturing sites are operating with 100% renewable electricity. To help meet its second goal to reduce energy intensity in manufacturing and research and development (R&D) by 5% by 2025, the company also shared progress of 2.2% reduction while at the same time increasing its production.

Zoetis is also committed to using resources wisely, including reducing its energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The company reported reduction of energy intensity in manufacturing and R&D by 2.2% through investments in energy efficiency upgrades to manufacturing equipment, utilities including cooling towers, chillers and boilers, and LED lighting. Further, Zoetis reported progress to minimize its impact on the environment by reducing its generation of solid non-hazardous and hazardous waste by increased focus on recycling.

In rethinking product packaging to reduce the companys environmental footprint, in 2020 Zoetis formed the Packaging Council to integrate sustainability considerations into all new packaging designs. The council is a cross-functional group that develops resources and considers recyclability, use of recycled and sustainable materials, and greenhouse gas emissions along with cost, time to market and customer experience.

Zoetis will continue to share updates on its sustainability activities, including progress against its Driven to Care goals, and report annually.

About Zoetis

As the worlds leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide - from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The companys leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. In 2020, Zoetis generated revenue of $6.7 billion with ~11,300 employees. For more information, visit http://www.zoetis.com.

DISCLOSURE NOTICES

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to: business plans or prospects, ESG commitments, goals and aspirations, the plans and future work of the Zoetis Foundation, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, including in the sections thereof captioned Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results and Item 1A. Risk Factors, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at http://www.sec.gov, http://www.zoetis.com, or on request from Zoetis.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted.

2021 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved.

ZTS-CORZTS-IR

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Zoetis Releases 2020 Sustainability Report and Creates the Zoetis Foundation, Marking Progress in Creating a Healthier Future for Communities, Animals...

Heading into this week's CONCACAF Nations League Finals in Denver and, more importantly, World Cup qualifying in the fall, what the United States men's national team needed more than anything was a step up in competition. Its nine-match unbeaten streak over the past 18 months was at least partially a product of the quality of the opposition, which made Sunday's match on the road against Switzerland, the No. 13-ranked team in the world, a valuable barometer for coach Gregg Berhalter.

The results were mixed. After a strong first-half performance in which Sebastian Lletget scored the opening goal, the Americans faded after halftime while playing at altitude in a 2-1 loss.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)- European Soccer Pick 'Em: Compete to win $10,000

Berhalter has said all week part of the goal for this match -- from its location to the day of the week -- was to mimic the timeline for what the team will face in the unusual upcoming three-game World Cup qualifying windows. Playing in Switzerland essentially replicates the final club game the European-based players will have before flying across the Atlantic Ocean to take on CONCACAF opposition.

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Any benefits from the scheduling exercise won't pay off until the fall, but playing against a strong Switzerland provided a decent snapshot of where the team stands, albeit without three key players: Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen, due to their involvement in Saturday's Champions League final, and midfielder Tyler Adams, who is rehabbing a back injury.

In the first half, the U.S. was the better team on balance. They created the more dangerous scoring chances, were patient and played effectively out of the back and pressed Switzerland into some mistakes in the final third. Sergino Dest was effective pushing forward on the left side, where Brenden Aaronson -- who impressed last window and since his move to Austrian champion FC Salzburg in January -- was also an energetic presence.

Without Adams, Berhalter handed a start to Jackson Yueill, and he mostly acquitted himself well, dropping deep to serve as an option for center backs John Brooks and Mark McKenzie.

"I think it was it was an interesting game for Jackson, it seemed that he gave [Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri] a difficult time with this movement and he opened up and got the ball in some good positions," Berhalter said. "There are a couple times that he lost the ball, but he was feeling the game out. I think his diagonal passing could have been a little bit sharper, but overall pleased with his effort."

Yueill was replaced by Kellyn Acosta in the second half, and both players figure to be in the mix to see playing time in the Nations League with Adams' status still uncertain. Berhalter said he would receive an update on Adams' status on Monday, after the team travels to the United States.

It was a difficult game for striker Josh Sargent, who wasn't able to make much of an impact before being subbed off for Jordan Siebatcheu in the 72nd minute. Sargent has always had a reputation for being a talented player expected to come good with time, but as other options at his position have emerged over the past year, it's fair to question what the depth chart should look like at his position. Daryl Dike finished the season on fire with Barnsley, while Siebatcheu scored 15 goals in all competitions for Swiss champion Young Boys. Siebatcheu didn't necessarily improve his standing, either, on Sunday, but the idea that Sargent deserves the benefit of the doubt has become less convincing the longer he goes without being a consistent scoring threat.

Despite Sargent's minimal impact in front of goal, Berhalter praised the job he did in other aspects of the game.

"I think that he had a game where he gave everything he got. He battled," Berhalter said. "I think he played a good game save for scoring a goal, because that's what we want our forward to do. But other than that, very active, very committed."

Darryl Dike isn't on the Nations League roster, but he is with the team in this camp and is expected to play against Costa Rica on June 9. Timothy Weah has been training primarily as a winger with the team but is another option Berhalter could experiment with at the No. 9 spot, having played there some with French champion Lille.

The U.S. had some decent moments to start the second half, but it didn't take long for Switzerland to tip the scales in its favor after switching from a 3-4-1-2 to a 5-3-2 formation. By using a central midfielder behind the American's pressing No. 9, Switzerland played through the press more easily, and it led to several good chances -- with goalkeeper Ethan Horvath coming up big on a few occasions to keep the score within reach.

Switzerland's game winner came almost immediately after the U.S. took off Lletget, Yueill and center back John Brooks, with Acosta, Tim Ream and Yunus Musah coming on. A stray touch by Dest and some suspect defending in the box allowed the ball to bounce around before Steven Zuber beat Horvath.

"It's a great measuring stick," Berhalter said. "This is a team that has been playing together for a really long time. It's the same group that Switzerland has had for the last four years, five years. It's a mature group, it's older than us and our guys can look at that as what this team could be in the future."

Berhalter didn't completely tip his hand at what to expect in the starting lineup against Honduras in the Nations League semifinals on Thursday but indicated that Pulisic was firmly in the plans.

"Try to tell Christian that he's not playing on Thursday," he said. "It's gonna be a very difficult one coming off of winning the Champions League, coming in the game making an impact in that game. He's ready to go."

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U.S. continue to show progress vs. Switzerland but key areas of improvement remain - ESPN

SANTA BARBARA, CA, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SunHydrogen, Inc. (OTC:HYSR), the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and water, today announced progress on the development process for the scale-up of its nanoparticle hydrogen generation technology.

Earlier this year, the company announced its cooperation with Schmid Group in Freudenstadt, Germany and InRedox in Longmont, Colorado to develop its technology to commercial scale. Schmid is developing the process and equipment for manufacturing while InRedox is focused on the electrochemical process of creating nanoporous templates on transparent substrates for growing nanoparticles.

Despite foreseen challenges in the supply chain for necessary materials and equipment, the company has made positive progress in testing and confirming the scalable potential of the transparent substrates, a critical component for fabricating nanoparticle hydrogen generators. The company has worked with various transparent substrates to determine the best-performing ones for creation of nanoporous layers, which will then serve as a template and foundation for growing the nanoparticles. The company isfurthermoving toward testing the growth of nanoparticles on the down-selected substrates at scales relevant for mass manufacturing.

The company is also making good progress in the acquisition of the equipment and chemicals for fabrication, testing and validation of large-scale devices. The devices will consist of arrays of billions of nanoparticle-based hydrogen generators, each able to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Each array will be approximately the size of a single six-inch silicon solar cell.

InRedox and Schmid have been dedicated in providing the necessary input and support for the development process. They have pushed the project hard even with the challenges in supply chains due to persisting pandemic, said Tim Young, CEO of SunHydrogen, Inc. With the team in Germany now in place, and the necessary equipment now able to be obtained, we expect to see more rapid progress very soon. Due to the delays associated with supply chain challenges, the Cooperation Agreement with Schmid has been extended to fully complete the work scope with no additional cost to the company.

About SunHydrogen, Inc.SunHydrogen is developing a breakthrough, low-cost technology to make renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water, including seawater and wastewater. The only byproduct of hydrogen fuel is pure water, unlike hydrocarbon fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas that release carbon dioxide and other contaminants into the atmosphere when used. By optimizing the science of water electrolysis at the nano-level, our low-cost nanoparticles mimic photosynthesis to efficiently use sunlight to separate hydrogen from water, ultimately producing environmentally friendly renewable hydrogen. Using our low-cost method to produce renewable hydrogen, we intend to enable a world of distributed hydrogen production for renewable electricity and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. To learn more about SunHydrogen, please visit our website at http://www.SunHydrogen.com.

Safe Harbor StatementMatters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein, and while expected, there is no guarantee that we will attain the aforementioned anticipated developmental milestones. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: our ability to successfully negotiate agreements with suppliers and manufacturers of its hydrogen generation panels, our ability to procure project financing, our ability to retain the service of a qualified engineering firm to design and build a pilot plant, our ability to secure an agreement to with a partner with us for the pilot plant, the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company.

Press Contact:info@sunhydrogen.com

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SunHydrogen Reports Progress on its Nanoparticle-Based Green Hydrogen Technology - GlobeNewswire

After Bionano (NASDAQ:BNGO) reported very strong first-quarter results and showed that its Saphyr DNA analysis tool is progressing on multiple fronts, I remain extremely bullish on BNGO stock.

Source: Connect world / Shutterstock.com

On May 13, Bionano reported that its Q1 revenue had soared 179% year-over-year to $3.2 million, while its gross margin increased to roughly 33% from 25% during the same period a year earlier.

Moreover, Bionano expects to expand the user base of its Saphyr genome analysis machines by 50% this year to 150.

Bionano CEO Erik Holmlinnoted that the company had sold record numbers of flow cells (the amount of DNA that can be analyzed) and analyzed a record number of service samples.

Since flow cells and service samples are the revenue-generating razor blades in the companys shaver and razor-blade model, those records are extremely important achievements for Bionano.

More specifically, the number of flow cells sold by Bionano jumped 275% YOY and rose 5% versus the previous quarter, reaching 2,603. In its services lab, the company analyzed 227 samples, during Q1, the CEO reported.

Importantly, Bionano acquired a number of very promising customers last quarter.

Both of the key deals it made in Q1 involved the acquisition of new Saphyr systems. One deal was with Torontos University Health Network, which has the largest hospital lab in all of Canada. That agreement leaves Bionano well-positioned to grow in Canada.

In the other noteworthy deal, one hospital and one lab that are part of the UKs national insurance system agreed to launch Saphyr systems.

I think that, in the wake of those transactions, Bionano is very well-positioned to expand not only in the UK, but in all of Europe.

In recent weeks and months, a number of important scientific achievements that are likely to increase the demand for Saphyr systems have been documented.

For example, MD Anderson Cancer Center released a study showing that Saphyr reduced the time needed to analyze the tumors of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome from several weeks to four days.

Childrens Hospital proved that Saphyr, unlike older methods of analysis, detected gene fusions in pediatric acute leukemias, Holmlin said, adding that these fusions can be treated with drugs.

Tel Aviv University showed that Saphyr can be used to analyze DNA methylation in the DNA of tumors, the CEO reported. According to the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Alterations in DNA methylation are common in a variety of tumors.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. and Europe, Bionanos customers are developing and validating new tests that can be performed with Saphyr. Among these are whole-genome analysis within constitutional genetic disorders, whole-genome analysis for neurodevelopmental disorders and blood cancers.

The company also is in the midst of comparing Saphyr with older tools when it comes to analyzing prenatal and postnatal genetics, hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

If the results of these studies are favorable, the acceptance of Saphyr will become more widespread, Holmlin said. Moreover, I believe that positive data from these studies would likely drive BNGO stock much higher.

Finally, Penn State has used Saphyr to analyze solid tumors and has published protocols on how to do so. As a result, Saphyr can expand into solid tumors in areas such as breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, lung cancer and many other areas of solid tumor oncology, including glioblastoma, et cetera, Holmlin said.

Clearly, adoption of Bionanos Saphyr is rapidly accelerating, while new, vital, potentially life-saving uses for it are being found.

Given these points, along with the relatively low market capitalization of BNGO stock, I remain very bullish on the name.

On the date of publication, Larry Ramerheld a long position in Bionano.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

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Bionano Stock Is Enticing on Strong Q1 Results and Saphyr's Progress - InvestorPlace

Last spring, after Philadelphia police fired tear gas into a residential neighborhood and at people protesting police brutality amid days of unrest, Mayor Jim Kenney announced a series of reforms aimed at spurring meaningful change within the 6,500-member Police Department.

A year later, his administration, City Council, and other officials have succeeded in implementing several of those changes, while many others remain works in progress bogged down by bureaucracy, hampered by legal restrictions, or outside of local governments control.

Last week, the city announced the appointment of a deputy inspector general of public safety, a promise Kenney made in his initial list of proposals last year. City Council also agreed to create a new system of police oversight that officials hope will be more active and effective.

But progressive lawmakers continue to call on Kenney to divert additional funding toward community efforts to curb gun violence. And some advocates lament that a year after Defund the Police became their rallying cry and after they demanded the mayor go even further, reallocating taxpayer money from law enforcement and to schools, recreation centers, and jobs programs he has not proposed trimming the Police Departments $727 million budget.

The mayor is proud of the departments progress over the last year, and he understands that true systemic reform takes time, Kenney spokesperson Deana Gamble said.

In some ways, that mix of progress and frustration has mirrored efforts elsewhere. Congressional leaders in Washington have said they are optimistic about passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, but they failed to do so before last Tuesday, the anniversary of Floyds death and a deadline that President Joe Biden had urged lawmakers to meet.

READ MORE: Philly moves toward new police oversight as a report said the current system is in dire need of overhaul

The National Council on State Legislators reported last month that 24 states and the District of Columbia passed laws last year expanding police oversight, accountability, or transparency, with some mandating the use of body cameras, others banning neck restraints, and some addressing other use-of-force issues.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Donna Bullock, a Philadelphia Democrat and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said in an interview that she remains carefully optimistic about the state of criminal justice reform locally, noting that it stayed on the minds of many lawmakers, even amid a pandemic and economic crisis.

Not just here in Philadelphia, but mayors and councilmembers across the state are asking for reform, she said, and they havent stopped asking for reform.

If Defund the Police was the chant of last year, Kenney has continued to resist it.

His proposed budget for the next fiscal year calls for flat funding of the Police Department, which typically represents about one-sixth of the citys annual operating budget. Additional money for law enforcement reforms including a system to try to identify problem officers and a $5 million investment in forensics would be funneled through the Managing Directors Office.

Police officials have long pointed out that personnel costs make up the vast majority of the departments expenses, and Kenney has said he doesnt want to reduce the size of the force, especially as shootings and homicides continue at an alarming pace. The city expects labor costs to continue to rise for all municipal unions.

Kris Henderson, executive director of Amistad Law Project, a civil rights legal and advocacy organization, said that activists were disappointed by police funding remaining flat, but that the group will continue to push officials on issues it believes will reduce inequities and ultimately bolster public safety including a shift away from law enforcement and toward community empowerment.

What we are hoping people start to recognize is that there absolutely are things that our public officials can do to make our cities safer, Henderson said. But pouring resources into the cops is not the thing thats going to do it.

READ MORE: Mayor Kenney said his budget wouldnt increase police spending. Its not that simple.

Some of the re-routed police funding in Kenneys budget would go toward programs that reform advocates have sought. About $6 million would be put toward a new citywide program pairing behavioral health specialists with officers in responding to mental health-related 911 calls.

Similar models have been adopted in other cities, and the goal is to reduce the reliance on armed officers for issues that could be addressed by non-enforcement professionals.

Katia Prez, an organizer with the progressive group Reclaim Philadelphia, said she and other advocates ultimately want to push that program and other functions currently handled by police to become even more divorced from law enforcement.

What more can we civilianize, and not have it be cops with weapons showing up at peoples homes? she asked.

City Council on Thursday approved another major plank of the reforms Kenneys proposed last spring: a new police oversight body.

The Citizens Police Oversight Commission which will replace the existing Police Advisory Commission will have the authority to investigate all citizen complaints against police, and will have subpoena power and access to crime scenes and records. Nine residents will be chosen by a selection panel and confirmed by Council to serve on the commission.

The Police Advisory Commission has been criticized as lacking the authority and funding to provide effective oversight, and lawmakers said they hope the new commission will be an improvement.

The administration also added another, separate layer of oversight, hiring Adam Geer, a former prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, as deputy inspector general for public safety.

READ MORE: A guide to how policing laws in Philly and Pa. changed or didnt after George Floyds murder

Geer said his work will involve identifying areas for policy change and working with the police to make that happen. He hopes the work can be more collaborative than antagonistic.

Theres a real will and a real understanding that this is what the citizens of Philadelphia want and expect, and that they expect real results, Geer said in an interview. In an ideal world, I would present something to the Police Department and they would agree with me ... and there would be a policy change.

The city in recent months also moved to ban choke holds and prohibit using tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters.

The Police Department has also released more detailed narratives of complaints against officers and collaborated with the Police Advisory Commission to examine the internal discipline process. The department is working to implement an early intervention system to track indicators for officer misconduct a process that Gamble, Kenneys spokesperson, said would take at least a year once the city chooses a vendor for the technology. And officers will receive training in implicit bias.

Not all change is that seamless.

Paul Hetznecker, part of a team of lawyers representing demonstrators suing the city over its response to protests last spring in West Philadelphia and on I-676, said he hopes their ongoing litigation will spur officials to agree to further reforms, and achieve the level of transparency and accountability necessary for long-term institutional change to occur within the Philadelphia Police Department.

Another hurdle to significant reform is the contract between the police officers union and the city, which, under state law, is written by a panel of arbitrators, leaving few avenues for meaningful public input. Council in November held a hearing for residents to voice their ideas, but its not clear what impact that may have and the union sued over the practice. That lawsuit is pending.

The current police contract expires July 1. Negotiations over a new pact are ongoing.

In criminal court in recent months, two cases filed against officers for their behavior during the unrest were dismissed by judges who were unconvinced the officers actions were crimes.

District Attorney Larry Krasner had cast the prosecutions as long-overdue steps toward holding police accountable. The people want and deserve justice and change, including police accountability, even though some institutional players are in denial, Krasner said after the second dismissal.

Bullock, the Philadelphia state representative, said that a years worth of activism has spurred real, if incremental, change, and that the challenge moving forward is for officials and citizens alike to sustain energy around the issue.

That work on the ground has informed legislation in the Capitol, Bullock said. I want to encourage people to continue to do that work.

-Staff writer Jeremy Roebuck contributed to this article.

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Philly Mayor Jim Kenney promised police reform. Its a work in progress a year later. - The Philadelphia Inquirer

On Friday, Major League Baseball announced that 16 of its 30 clubs have reached the 85% threshold of vaccinated individuals required to relax COVID-19 protocols and that three more are on pace to join the group in the coming weeks. The Red Sox, however, are among the 11 teams that are not over the threshold or close to it.

The fact the Red Sox are behind most of their counterparts has become a source of frustration in the organization. By allowing teams who reach the threshold to skirt protocols related to quarantining and potentially canceling games, the league has incentivized the vaccination process and give a clear competitive advantage to clubs that reach 85%.

It is frustrating because youd like to be at 100%, team president and CEO Sam Kennedy said. Its really important with the situation were dealing with to have as many people vaccinated as possible. With that said, you have to respect differences of opinion, thought and approach to combatting COVID. We respect the individual players who have decided to not get vaccinated.

The honest answer is it is frustrating because I know the coaching staff and the players who have been vaccinated, youd like to see a relaxing of protocols across the game, Kennedy said.

Manager Alex Cora said last weekend that the club was getting close to reaching 85% but noted Friday that the group had not made any progress toward the threshold in recent days. Until the Red Sox reach 85%, they will have to follow strict MLB guidelines which limit that players and coaches can do away from the field and require coaches to wear masks in the dugout during games.

The Red Sox are having trouble reaching the threshold because of the number of unvaccinated individuals with the WooSox, sources said. To reach the mark, the Sox need to have 85% of covered individuals in the majors and at Triple-A fully vaccinated.

Cora said he respects every individuals decision about getting vaccinated but added that some aspects of the rules have him worried. Because the Red Sox have not yet had their protocols relaxed, any player entering quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19 could cause a domino effect of unavailable players.

I dont think its frustrating, baseball-wise, because I believe this whole thing about vaccination is about the outside world, Cora said. The real world. In our case, obviously, you make the decision you want to make, but as a manager, sometimes you think about all these guidelines and rules.

I always wonder how were going to react if somebody just decides, Ok, Im not vaccinated or, not even that, or if someone in our group because were not at 85% somebody decides to go to a restaurant or to a spa or go out and then all of the sudden that person misses seven days because you have to be put in quarantine because you broke the rules, he continued. Thats the one I always wonder. So far, weve been very disciplined. As the world keeps becoming normal, hopefully we dont see that as a window that we can take advantage (of). Thats my biggest worry.

Though reaching 85% presents a clear competitive advantage, Cora has decided not to mix his feelings about the vaccine with how it affects his teams play on the field. Getting more players and coaches vaccinated would mean the Red Sox would be able to have more freedom at and away from the ballpark, but the club is not trying to pressure anyone into receiving shots.

Throughout the season, Cora has praised his group for following protocols and avoiding COVID-related issues. He hopes that will continue as things begin to open up nationwide.

You can feel it, Cora said. The summer is here, the world is moving forward. Hopefully, we can stay disciplined throughout the process.

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Boston Red Sox not making progress toward 85% vaccination threshold: It is frustrating because youd like to - MassLive.com