Monthly Archives: April 2024

Parents urged to talk to young people about vaping Spice dangers | HSC Public Health Agency – Public Health Agency

Posted: April 12, 2024 at 5:50 am

The Public Health Agency (PHA)isurging parents and guardians to talk to young people about the dangers of vaping unknown substances as it could make them seriously ill or even be fatal.

The PHA is focussing in particular on the dangers of vaping Spice, a synthetic drugwhich mimics the effects of cannabis.Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more of a group of drugs called synthetic cannabinoids.

Kevin Bailey, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: Synthetic cannabinoids are relatively new drugs and evidence is still coming out about harms associated with their use. However, we do know that people can have severe reactions after using them, and using with vapes could make them even more unsafe.

Sometimes the contents or strength of products within vapes cannot be fully verified, so the effects and duration of those effects can be unpredictable and change depending on the product and type of synthetic cannabinoid.

There are hundreds of different synthetic cannabinoid structures, and some are stronger and more toxic than others, so there is no way of knowing what you are taking. The dangers of taking these substances also increase if you add other drugs to the mix including alcohol, prescription medication and other illicit substances.

You can become dependent on synthetic cannabinoids with regular use. For some people who use them frequently, dependence can develop quickly.

Inhaling synthetic cannabinoids, including spice, through a vape is extremely dangerous for young people.

ThePHA continues towork with community and voluntary organisations, local Councils, the PSNI, the education sector and Health and Social Care partners to raise awareness of these issues and share information.

For young people, using substances is particularly dangerous during a time when they are still developing physically and mentally, with drugs having the potential to damage their cognitive and emotional development.

Kevin continued: Parents and guardians can play an important role in helping young people understand the risks, so they dont choose to take drugs without realising the harm they could be exposing themselves to. Dont wait until theres a problem before you decide to talk.

It is important to advise young people that regardless of what they have been told, even by a close friend, that it is impossible to know what is contained in these substances. All drugs, whether alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, carry risks.

Helpful tips for Parents/Guardians:

Do

Dont

The PHA would also emphasise to young people that if theyre with someone who has taken drugs and has become unwell, they need to get them medical help immediately.

It might be frightening and they will be scared of getting into trouble, but they need to look out for their friends, stay with them and get them help it could save their lives.

If you think you or someone you know might have a problem with alcohol and/or drugs and would like to get help, please visitwww.DrugsAndAlcoholNI.infofor information on support services near you.

A range of services is also available to you if you are affected by someone elses drinking and/or drug use, regardless of whether or not your loved one is receiving help for his or her alcohol and/or drug problem.

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Parents urged to talk to young people about vaping Spice dangers | HSC Public Health Agency - Public Health Agency

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Events – Free Program to Quit Smoking or Vaping – Brookdale Community College Newsroom

Posted: at 5:50 am

If youve been thinking of quitting smoking or vaping, theres no time like the present. Smoking remains the single, largest preventable source of death and illness in the world. Regardless of age, smokers can greatly reduce their risk of disease, including lung cancer, by quitting.

The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery offers FREE tobacco and nicotine treatment services, which include working with a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and free nicotine replacement therapies including patches, gum and lozenges (no insurance required).

Our Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists continue to provide services while practicing safe social distancing. Treatment sessions are currently being conducted via phone and web, with virtual group/individual counseling and delivery of nicotine replacement therapies via mail.

The Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery meetings are designed to help people stay quit and offer a resource for those who are starting or thinking about beginning their quit journey. Led by a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, each group will focus on topics and strategies for dealing with triggers and relapse prevention. Join us for free, regardless of where you are with your journey towards nicotine and tobacco recovery!

New Schedule: Mondays 7pm 7:45pm ET Zoom Link Meeting ID: 985 9718 6060 Password: smokefree (all lower case) One tap mobile: +13126266799,,98597186060#

Grupos de Apoyo de Habla Hispana para La Recuperacin de la Nicotina y El Tabaco Contctenos hoy para aprender ms: English and Spanish PHONE: (833) 795-QUIT EMAIL: quitcenter@rwjbh.org WEBSITE: rwjbh.org/nicotinerecovery VIST At: 442 State Highway 35, Eatontown, New Jersey

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Vaping trend among Welsh youth focus of anti-vaping campaign – Yahoo News UK

Posted: at 5:50 am

The anti-vaping campaign uses bright colours like the vape packages (Image: Powys Teaching Health Board)

A campaign has been launched in Wales to warn young people of the dangers of vaping.

The initiative introduces a fresh visual aesthetic on its messaging, leveraging the bright colours and fruit flavours commonly utilized in vape device marketing.

The campaign's intention is to alter perceptions about vaping, which is often deemed cool and safe, particularly among the youth.

Recent findings from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) highlight that whilst youth smoking rates continue to decrease, the prevalence of vaping is increasing.

Across Wales, weekly vape users make up 5 per cent of the younger population.

Meanwhile, one in five adolescents in Powys admits to having experimented with vaping.

According to Mererid Bowley, Executive Director of Public Health, Powys Teaching Health Board which launched the campaign alongside Powys County Council: "It is illegal for those under 18 years to buy nicotine vapes or to have them bought for them.

"Vaping is not without harm."

She supplemented her statement with a plea to parents, urging them to widely share the campaign and discuss the potential dangers of vaping with their children.

She said: "We simply dont have enough evidence to know the long-term impacts that vaping has on our health and wellbeing.

"Developing brains shouldnt be exposed to nicotine, which poses a risk of addiction.

"The simple message is, if you dont smoke, then you shouldnt start vaping.

"I would urge parents to share the campaign far and wide, and to discuss the risks of vaping with their children, to raise awareness of its potential harms, and support preventing a future public health crisis".

Contributing to the narrative, Matt Perry, Powys County Councils chief officer place, explained the crucial need for a shift in the publics interpretation of vaping.

He said: "Just because the device is brightly coloured and fruit flavoured, does not mean it comes without risks.

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"It comes with a list of its very own side effects and health implications.

"This campaign is reflective of our strong partnership approach to protecting the health of our residents".

For those seeking more details about the campaign or assistance in quitting vaping, resources can be found online via the Powys Teaching Health Board website.

The campaign, co-utilising graphics from Crickhowell High School students and members of the Brecon and Llandrindod Wells Youth Club, will be publicised across various platforms including social media, operational premises, secondary schools, and bus stops throughout Powys.

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Vaping trend among Welsh youth focus of anti-vaping campaign - Yahoo News UK

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Are the posthumans here yet? – Big Think

Posted: at 5:48 am

A recentsurveyfound that two-thirds of workers believe that by 2035 workers will have an edge in the labor market if theyre willing to have performance-enhancing microchips implanted in their bodies. Technologically enhanced humans have a rich history in science fiction, but there are many questions about what real-life cyborgs would look likeandwhether they already exist.

In 2017, Kevin Warwick, a robotics researcher and posthumanism enthusiast,examined technologies for human enhancement. He defines posthumanism as the permanent or semi-permanent implantation of machine components into a human body to enhance its abilities beyond the human norm.

Warwick himself was the first person to get a radio frequency identification device (RFID) implanted, back in 1998. The devicea collection of microchips and an antenna that powers the device and emits signalsallowed him to control lights and open doors. Since then, nightclubs have used similar implants to grant access to guests, and the Mexican government has also used them for security purposes. Theyve been used for a long time in pets and for animal research, too.

Warwick envisions a future where people could use chips as keys, credit cards, or passports. While he does not specifically address microchips in the workplace, he notes that people dont want to feel anyone is forcing this kind of technology on them. He suggests that people might accept it voluntarily if it seems like a convenience.

Such might be the case if, for example, the implant enables the user to bypass queues at passport control because extra information could be directed to the authorities as the individual merely marches through, he writes.

Beyond microchips, Warwick looks at technologies intended to extend humans perception, such as magnets implanted under the skin to allow people to feel information gathered by external sensors. The most promising, and potentially most disturbing, type of technology he looks at is an array of microelectrodes attached to users brains. Here again, Warwick has tried out the technology himself, successfully receiving information from ultrasonic sensors and controlling external objects using neural signals. For example, while in England, he was able to control a robotic hand in New York and receive feedback from the robotic fingertips sent as neural stimulation. Elon Musks Neuralink companyrecently demonstrateda technology that can supposedly do something similar, but conveying more data using less-invasive hardware.

Ultimately, both Warwick and Musk envision a vast transformation in human capabilities through seamless connections between high-powered computers and human brains. That seems to be a long way from reality. But whether were talking about a leap forward for the species or just chips that unlock doors, one big question we may face is how much employers can ask workers to transform themselves for their jobs. That question is inescapably connected with power relationships. In the same survey for which workers assessed the advantages of microchipped employees, 57 percent said theyd be willing to get chipped themselves, as long as they felt it was safe. Only 31 percent of business leaders said the same.

This article appeared on JSTOR Daily, where news meets its scholarly match.

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Michael L. Fischler: Anger and The Golden Rule – The Union Leader

Posted: April 10, 2024 at 5:35 pm

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Michael L. Fischler: Anger and The Golden Rule - The Union Leader

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Fr. Aristides Palaynes and the Golden Rule Community – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Posted: at 5:35 pm

William H. Samonides, Ph. D.

Fr. Aristides H. Palaynes was among the most accomplished Greek Orthodox priests of his generation. He served parishes in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. At a time when few priests were fluent in English and Greek, he communicated effectively with the younger generation of Orthodox faithful and with the non-Orthodox.

Many of his sermons appeared in local newspapers, and, as an editor of journals and newsletters, he left behind a wealth of written material. His death in 1938 at age 45 deprived the Church of a dedicated, multi-talented servant of God.

In addition to his service to the Church in America, much of his professional life was devoted to the Golden Rule Community (GRC), an international charity he helped organize in 1924 and headed until his death. The GRC aimed to create a social order based on the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt. 7:12)

He believed that the Sermon on the Mount with its golden rule can revolutionize the world and make it a better place in which to live, not only for the few but for all humanity. He placed the needs of the Church and this charitable organization above his own health, which contributed to his early death.

In 1907, 15yearold Aristides Palaynes arrived in America from Greece, settling in New York City, where he attended high school and then New York University.

From 1921 to 1923, he studied at the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Theological Seminary in Astoria.

Fr. Philaretos Ioannou, dean of the seminary and later Bishop of Chicago, described him as a faithful and sincere worker in whatever he has undertaken.

In the fall of 1923, St. Athanasius did not reopen, and Palaynes completed his preliminary studies at the Episcopalian seminary in Nashotah, Wis., where his mentor, Bishop Philaretos, had also studied. Palaynes then returned to New York for a year at the General Theological Seminary, where he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1925.

Bishop Philaretos called him to Chicago, where Palaynes served as the secretary of the diocese, helped organize the first Sunday schools in the area, and edited the diocese newsletter. In 1927 he married Victoria Karastathis, a native of Samos, and was ordained to the priesthood the following year. In 1928, he was assigned to Holy Trinity in Sioux City, Iowa. He delivered sermons in Greek and in English and gave numerous lectures about Orthodoxy to educate other Christians. He supported joint services for all the Orthodox in Sioux City. He also organized missions in neighboring cities. He was transferred in 1930 to Holy Trinity in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he helped establish a Greek school, a Sunday school, and a parish newsletter. He also started a group for the non-Greek wives of his parishioners.

In 1932, Archbishop Athenagoras, impressed with reports of his accomplishments and his record of social activism in Grand Rapids, transferred him to the St. Barbara parish on the Lower East Side of New York City. This area had been hit very hard by the Depression. The parish was unable to pay its rent and was in danger of closing. It was here that the GRC was most effective.

The Archbishop, along with other Orthodox hierarchs around the world, were honorary members of the organization and acted as its advisory committee. Fr. Palaynes worked tirelessly through the Church and the GRC to provide food and comfort to the poor. He successfully revitalized the St. Barbara parish and did much to alleviate the suffering of people in the neighborhood, but the unceasing labor in difficult conditions took a toll on his health. He suffered a heart attack, and his doctors advised him not to continue. He was transferred to the ocean side community of St. George in Asbury Park, N.J. He held his first service on Jan. 1, 1934, and would remain there for the rest of his life.

The parish did not have its own building. Services were held in the lower level of the public library, which the parish rented for $120 annually.

While working to develop the parish, Fr. Palaynes continued to devote his spare time to the GRC. In October 1934, he took the extraordinary step of giving all his worldly possessions to the Golden Rule Community.

In January 1936, he was hospitalized again. In November, he resigned from the St. George parish to devote his full time to fundraising for the Golden Rule Community, which operated a small orphanage and boarding school and provided a place to stay for the needy and widows.

The Asbury Park Press reported that he would attempt to raise $48,000 by lectures, personal interviews, services, and contributions to promote the activities of his organization.

At the time, the GRC had 133 members, mostly people from parishes where Fr. Palaynes had served and Greek Orthodox priests who shared his vision.

Eventually these labors proved to be too much for his failing health. He died of a heart attack on March 12, 1938. The Golden Rule Community continued to function into the 1940s with Presvytera Victoria taking a greater role, but without Fr. Palaynes leadership it did not last. He had devoted himself to living Christs teachings. He gave his time and talents, and ultimately his life, striving to create a better life for others.

The author thanks Sophia Anest, daughter of Fr. Palynes, of Asbury Park/ Ocean for her assistance. (e-mail Dr. Samonides at [emailprotected])

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RWE Wants to Expand Supply of Fiber Cables for Floating Offshore Wind – The Maritime Executive

Posted: at 5:35 pm

The German utility company RWE is working with Netherlands-based offshore mooring company FibreMax to develop synthetic mooring systems for floating wind production. The firms will work together on supply chain options and look for ways to reduce costs on ultra-deepwater and local floating offshore wind installations.

FibreMax believes that its products are the strongest cables in the world. According to the company, FibreMax mooring tendons offers much better strength, longer operational life and lower levels of maintenance compared to traditional steel moorings. The mooring systems integrity is key to financial and operational viability of floating offshore wind.

It is important to further develop and grow the supply chain for floating wind, in order to leverage its full potential. Working with forward-thinking and innovative companies like FibreMax helps unlock this potential, said Chris Willow, Head of Floating Wind Development, RWE Offshore Wind.

Three years ago, FibreMax delivered prototypes of what it believes to be the strongest aramid cables in the world. The continuous-wound lines were tested to withstand a load of 1,700 tonnes. They were developed with offshore wind mooring and lifting applications in mind; at 85 percent lighter than an equivalent steel cable, fiber has advantages for tethered floating structures.

FibreFlex has a vision for a unique floating production factory for its cables, which could be towed to each installation site in order to enable localization(local labor employment) without building a shoreside facility.

RWE wants to become a market leader in the emerging floating offshore wind market, which has substantially higher costs and new technical challenges when compared to bottom-fixed wind power. The company aims to have 1 GW of floating wind deployed or under construction by 2030 and at least 4 GW by 2035.

RWE has secured a commercial-scale floating offshore wind lease off the California coast, and is also preparing for floating wind auctions in France, Norway, Spain and the UK.

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US unveils next steps in its 20242029 Gulf of Mexico oil & gas leasing program – Offshore Energy

Posted: at 5:35 pm

The Department of the Interiors Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)hasrevealed the notice of availability of the area identification (Area ID) for the three proposed Gulf of Mexico (GOM) oil and gas lease sales during the 2024-2029 period.

The final programfor 2024-2029 offshore oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico comes with the lowest number of lease sales in U.S. history, encompassing amaximum of three potential oil and gas lease sales 262, 263, and 264 slated for 2025, 2027, and 2029, respectively.

These three proposed lease sales are said to be the minimum number that would enable the Interior Department to continue to expand its offshore wind leasing program through 2030 in compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The plan entailszero oil and gas lease sales in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaskan waters.

Based on the 20242029 National Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing program, the first proposed sale, Lease Sale 262, is tentatively scheduled for 2025. In October 2023, BOEMpublished a call for information and nominationson the GOM area identified in the 20242029 National OCS program.

This call solicited industry nominations for areas of leasing interest, seeking input from the public. Using the received input, BOEM created the Area ID for the proposed 262, 263, and 264 lease sales, which were published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2024.

The Area ID is not a decision to lease and is not a prejudgment by the Department of the Interior on how or whether to proceed with proposed lease sales 262, 263, and 264 under the National OCS program. The Area ID simply determines which areas identified in the call will receive further consideration and analyses, explained BOEM.

According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the decision to lease needs to be preceded by several steps, including the completion of environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act.

This process also entails consultation under environmental and other statutes; opportunities for federally recognized tribes, governors of affected states, local government leaders, and other interested parties to provide comment; and the issuance of proposed and final sale notices.

This comes after BOEM modified monetary penalties for oil and gas companies, implementing the 2024 inflation adjustments for the maximum daily civil monetary penalties in its regulations.

The U.S. is determined to curb the oil and gas industrys emission footprint, including methane. With this in mind, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recentlyproposed a new rulein line with the Biden-Harris administrations IRA.

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Romania adopts offshore wind energy law to get first megawatts by 2032 – Balkan Green Energy News

Posted: at 5:35 pm

Following last months vote in the Senate of Romania, 229 out of 330 members of the Chamber of Deputies were in favor of the offshore wind energy law, passing it to President Klaus Iohannis to sign. Bolstered by European funds, fiscal incentives and legal reforms, the country has lately turned into a solar power investment mecca.

After years of delays, the course is now set for the installation of the first turbines on the Black Sea. As for the onshore wind sector, it is just gaining traction again. Namely, the renewable electricity sector crashed a decade ago as the government couldnt withstand the burden of subsidy payments.

On the other hand, the European wind industry is facing a subsidy race against the United States and China, possibly resulting in trade barriers. There were two lawmakers in the lower house of the Parliament of Romania against the bill and two abstentions. The government adopted it in December.

Authorities are confident the offshore wind law would contribute to efforts toward energy independence and the systems resilience. Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja reiterated his dedication to securing the safety of supply and affordable and green energy for all Romanian citizens.

With the timeline set by the bill, we will be able to have the first megawatt of offshore wind energy produced in the national energy system by the year 2032. In addition, offshore wind energy production will allow us to strengthen the Romanian industry through domestic production of green hydrogen and value-added products based on green ammonia. The World Banks data show Romania has an offshore wind potential of 76 GW installed capacity, providing a favorable environment for the development of this type of renewable energy, Burduja stated.

The new legislation obligates the Ministry of Energy to initiate a study within three months to be able to detail the procedures, zones and potential. It highlighted the restrictions from maritime spatial planning rules as well as biodiversity preservation and environmental protection requirements.

The government is scheduled to approve the report by the end of March of next year, followed by necessary bylaws and royalties within the next three months. After that, the Ministry of Energy is envisaged to initiate a competitive procedure for awarding concession contracts.

Neighboring Bulgaria proposed its own first law late last year to facilitate the construction of wind farms on the Black Sea. However, it prompted opposition from locals and environmentalists, which contributed to the fall of the cabinet. It was replaced yesterday by a caretaker government.

Turkey is setting the stage for projects in the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean, but possibly even on lakes. At the same time, Greece has made the most progress in planning in the region covered by Balkan Green Energy News. The first investments are already under development. It should be noted that a string of giant projects are underway for maritime areas around Italy.

Additionally, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria are cooperating in grid development to enable the integration of renewables including offshore wind power. There is a proposal for an important interconnection under the Black Sea between Romania and Georgia.

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Canadian Pension Fund to Consolidate Its Offshore Wind Holdings into UK-Based Reventus Power | Offshore Wind – Offshore WIND

Posted: at 5:35 pm

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) will consolidate its existing direct and indirect offshore wind holdings into Reventus Power, its UK-based portfolio company, which will become its dedicated global offshore wind platform.

Subject to customary approvals, the move will see Reventus Power growing its teams in the UK, Germany, Poland and Portugal to form a team of approximately 50 offshore wind specialists, according to CPP Investments, whose current exposure to offshore wind is more than CAD 1 billion (approximately EUR 678 million; USD 737 million).

Reventus Power was established in 2021 as an offshore wind centre of excellence and has provided dedicated expertise to CPP Investments global offshore wind projects, including in its entry into the US offshore wind market, CPP Investments says.

Reventus Power is an important pillar of CPP Investments global energy strategy, and its growth will help us expand our portfolio of green and transition assets. CPP Investments will benefit from the enhanced capabilities of Reventus Power to support our ambition to grow our offshore wind portfolio, where we see considerable potential, said Bill Rogers, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Energies, CPP Investments.

CPP Investments holds stakes in several offshore wind projects through consortia and joint ventures, including four offshore wind farms in France: fixed-bottom Saint-Nazaire, Courseulles-sur-Mer, and Fcamp, and the Provence Grand Large floating wind project.

In 2022, Maple Power, a 50:50 joint venture between Enbridge and CPP Investments,teamed up with Mainstream Renewable Power to jointly explore the possibility of bidding in the Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Tender in the UK.

Last year, in a consortium with Mainstream Renewable Power, AGL, and Direct Infrastructure, Reventus Power submitted a feasibility licence application for a 2.5 GW offshore wind development off the coast of Victoria, Australia.

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