Category Archives: Life Extension

While competing on Gordon Ramseys new cooking show Next Level Chef, Auburn alumnus Jonathan Harrison was cooking with a cause: to bring Southern cooking to the world by being the face of progressive Southern food.

My goal with food is to use it as a tool to facilitate conversations that move the South forward and bring positive change for everyone in the South, said Harrison. With good food you can get different people to sit across from each other at a table, and thats where those conversations start that bring empathy and understanding. Thats how change happens.

The Columbiana, Alabama, native was one of 15 chefs competing for the $250,000 first-place prize on the new FOX show, the brainchild of celebrity chef Ramsay that was filmed in Las Vegas in September and is airing on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. CT. Harrison, 29, studied journalism in the College of Liberal Arts and has worked as a chef, realtor and on-site coordinator for the 4-H Youth Development Center in his hometown since graduating from Auburn.

Harrisons love for Southern cooking has influenced him since he was a child. Growing up in what he calls a food-centric family placed some of his happiest times around a dinner table or at Sunday lunches. Harrison says that what he most looked forward to on weekends wasnt watching football or cartoons on television, but cooking shows like Ina Gartens Barefoot Contessa.

I remember watching Ina Garten on Food Network and was like, Wow, that looks good, Harrison said. I kept thinking I might be able to cook that if I could just get someone to buy me the ingredients. I just always absorbed it really easily.

Even though he had grown up in a family of Alabama fans, Harrison said he saw the light when he was 19 while visiting a friend on Auburns campus. The impact the university had on him was instantaneous. He transferred to Auburn and completed a degree in journalism, an experience he fondly remembers.

It felt like home immediately, and I loved it so, so much, Harrison said. Auburn feels like family, and thats what I love about it. It really is the most loving community, loving campus, family-oriented place, and I loved it.

Even when I was in the throes of my major, I felt so comfortable. I cant say enough good things about the communications and journalism department at Auburn.

While a student at Auburn, Harrison also learned to cook with limited means, a skill that would help him compete on Next Level Chef.

For a couple of years, I had to figure out how to make really good things on a very tight budget, he said. That really helped me figure out how to make things with not a lot to work with.

Originally, Harrison had considered a career in food journalism after graduating, but he ultimately changed his mind. Even though his career path changed, his love for cooking never left him. Harrison began posting photos of the meals he would cook at home on his Instagram page, and soon people began asking to get a taste of his food.

I started having driveway dinners during COVID, because we couldnt be inside and I couldnt host dinner parties, Harrison said. Thats when I started to realize that maybe I was better than I thought I was, or maybe I had the potential to be good.

I have always admired Southern Living, Bon Appetit, NYT Cooking and those type of things I read because you have to read to get good at something. You have to read, research and practice.

A friend sent Harrison a link to the application for Next Level Chef, but he shied away from applying and decided against it. After two weeks, Harrison had a change of heart and filled out and submitted the application. Even after receiving a text message asking to speak with him from the Next Level Chef team, Harrison could hardly believe there was a possibility of him making the show.

I didnt believe it was happening to me until wheels were up in September and I was headed to Las Vegas, he said.

The show turned into the experience of a lifetime for Harrison.

The experience was the best in my life, Harrison said. Ive never put myself in such an emotional pressure-cooker like that. I mean, youre cooking for arguably the heaviest hitter in the food game and two people he has deemed heavy hitters in the food game, so you are constantly nervous about them judging your food.

It was nerve-wracking, but the growth that I achieved while I was there was astonishing, and Im just really proud of putting myself out there.

Also, just as valuable as the knowledge gained were the friendships Harrison made while on the show.

I made friends that Ill always have who are from all walks of life, from all over the United States, and it was amazing, Harrison said. I mean, thats my whole deal. My whole deal is taking the South to the world and bringing the world to the South.

Now back in his hometown, Harrison works as a camp coordinator for the science school at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama. The 4-H Center is the central location of the Alabama 4-H Program, which is part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Alabama Extension is the primary outreach and engagement organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M and Auburn University, in cooperation with Tuskegee University.

Harrison helps book school trips to the center, organize activities for the groups and makes sure that everyone is prepared for a successful trip. He also books activities for groups using the conference center. The chance to interact with and have an impact on the youth of Alabama every day is the best part of the job for Harrison.

My favorite part of the job is the people and the kids, Harrison said. I get to interact with so many people from different places and get to really see the kids learn and grow on a daily basis, and thats really rewarding.

Kristy Abrams, director of the Alabama 4-H Center, was able to see Harrison put his passion for cooking into action while at work.

During COVID, the Alabama 4-H Center had to be creative to attract individuals because groups were not traveling, Abrams said. We hosted a variety of events: Great Family Stay-Cays, a music festival, Fourth of July event and a Fall Garden event. The 4-H Center had Jonathan prepare a farm-to-table meal for the Fall Garden event.

Jonathan could go from team building, to lifeguarding, to rocking out a campfire to preparing and cooking an incredible meal during these events. I was so proud when he told me he had been selected to be a contestant. He has a passion for people and a passion for food and was able to bring those two things together following his dreams.

Molly Gregg, assistant director of the 4-H Program, doesnt believe that there could have been a better person to represent the 4-H Program.

Jonathan represents the 4-H ideal, Gregg said. He discovered a passion for cooking that he shares with his community to build and create opportunities for people to feel a sense of belonging and have fun.

It is so fun to watch him now and think about him as a young 4-H camp counselor. He has been a shining light on the youth of Alabama and his community for a long time.

Looking forward, Harrison hopes to continue to push for change through his cooking however he can.

Id love to be out there as the face of progressive Southern food and really just push for equality for all groups of people all over the South and be accepting, loving and spreading the message of radical empathy as much as I can, Harrison said. Anywhere I can do that is where I want to be.

For Harrison, Auburn will always have a special place in his heart for the role it has played in his life.

I love Auburn so, so much, and I think Auburn changed the trajectory of my life, Harrison said. Im just so happy to hopefully be representing Auburn well.

Harrison offers further insight into his passion for cooking and his Southern roots on his Instagram page.

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Auburn alumnus, Extension coordinator competing on FOX's 'Next Level Chef,' cooking for change - Office of Communications and Marketing

On New Years Eve, the Biden-Harris Administration announced America will continue to support the International Space Station through 2030.

That was good news for NASA and its international partners on the station, and it was good for NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

About 650 people at Marshall support the science done on the station. Another 400 government employees and contractors in Huntsville work other aspects of the station program.

We were hoping that was coming, Marshalls Joseph Pelfrey said Thursday. Weve been preparing and expecting that announcement may get made. Its a big day for the agency and for Marshall. Were coming up in March on 21 years weve done continuous operations from Huntsville, from the Payload Operations Integration Center.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who recently toured the center on a visit to Marshall, also praised the presidents decision. Im pleased that the Biden-Harris administration has committed to continuing station operations through 2030, Nelson said in a statement. The International Space Station is a beacon of peaceful international scientific collaboration and for more than 20 years has returned enormous scientific, educational and technological developments to benefit humanity.

Pelfrey manages the Human Exploration Development & Operations Office at Marshall. His teams work with and study the astronauts and the systems that control their environment in space.

How do we mitigate the risk and the different changes the body goes through? Pelfrey asked. Understanding that is critically important for us to go back to the moon and even do the longer duration missions that we want to do to get to Mars.

Late in 2021, NASA launched a carbon dioxide scrubber developed at Marshall to the station. It was an example of the orbiting stations research value.

Thats a technology we developed to increase our ability to scrub off CO2. And were able to demonstrate that on the space station, Pelfrey said. Its working so well were relying on it as part of the main station system.

The system or one like it will be expanded into a version that goes to the moon and on the ship that takes astronauts to Mars. The stations life extension means other systems developed in Huntsville can now be tested in space, including oxygen and water reclamation for the long haul to Mars.

Were also doing new things like more 3-D printing in space, Pelfrey said. When we go to Mars, if we had to carry everything we would need for the trip with us, thats a whole lot of mass and equipment.

Other experiments include growing food in space. We are successfully growing food in different chambers of the station, Pelfrey said. Again, if we can perfect that technology, its another thing we can grow on our way to Mars versus having to carry it with us.

Pelfrey said these examples just touch on the more than 300 experiments running on the station, all of it coordinated and managed by Huntsville and Houston, where the station itself is managed.

COVID has temporarily ended the regular tours where visitors could see the operations center working. Weve had to idle those tours, unfortunately, just for the safety of the team and reducing the number of people coming on site, Pelfrey said. Wed like to get everybody back to the office and get back to being able to tell that story.

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America and Alabama stay in the space station business - AL.com

Retail magnate Chris Dawsons The Range empire has been named the biggest company in Devon and Cornwall for 2021. The Plymouth-based discount retailer has continued on its UK expansion drive opening five stores during the pandemic and creating 1,747 jobs.

With 12, 800 employees on the books, the retailer is by far the biggest single employer in the region.

And Mr Dawson predicts the company will create another 2,700 jobs in the next year. He expects 2021/22 will show further sales growth as the group continues to explore all facets of retailing.

It's sales of 1.35 billion have been helped by being classed as an essential retailer and allowed to trade during repeated lockdowns. Now, The Range's parent company, Norton Group Holdings Ltd tops this year's Annual Business Guide: Top 150 businesses in Devon and Cornwall , published today by BusinessLive and sister print title Western Morning News.

In at number two is meat producers, Dunbia (UK), based in Hatherleigh.

In third spot is Devonport Dockyard, operated by Babcock International, with a turnover of 790,812,992 and 5,665 employees.

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The data for this years list has been compiled by Annual Business Guide partners PKF Francis Clark and is ranked by turnover.

The guide, which is officially published today, acts as a barometer for vital sectors, towns and cities across the region.

Duncan Leslie, partner at PKF Francis Clark, said: "The past two years have been challenging, whichever sector you are in. Many businesses have been in survival mode as the pandemic has tested operations, sales and marketing, IT, HR and finance teams through constant change.

"It is rare for businesses to have to engage with all of these teams to the extent that has been required over such a sustained period. For companies to remain joined up in their approach and focussed on key goals has been a massive challenge. It has been draining for everyone."

But South West business has been resilient - nearly a third of Top 150 companies grew revenues by more than 10% a strong performance in these difficult times.

Looking at the Top 150 as a whole, total employee numbers have risen almost 5% to 80,618. The 20 largest businesses account for 57% of all employment.

Total turnover is down slightly, to 13.75bn (2020: 13.89bn). However, year-on-year comparisons are skewed by the 24 new entrants on this years list.

One contributor to this overall reduction in turnover is Pennon Groups sale of Viridor, completed in July 2020. The Exeter-headquartered Plcs turnover was down 55%, while its 814m acquisition of Bristol Water Holdings announced in June 2021 is yet to be reflected in its full-year revenues.

Other eye-catching deals include the 969m acquisition of Exeter-based GCP Student Living by newly-formed Gemini Jersey JV.

The list does not include public sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Turnover: 1,352,486,016

Employees: 12,480

Retail magnate Chris Dawsons The Range chain of homeware stores saw sales leap by 352m during the worst of the Covid pandemic after his stores remained open as essential retailers.

The hike in earnings to 1.35bn in 2020 led to after-tax profits for the Plymouth-headquartered company jumping to 145m - more than three times the 47m profit made the previous year.

It made so much money it was able to repay a bank loan of 102m. But it has not repaid about 36m it saved during the year-long rates relief holiday, though it does not have to do this.

And despite the financial bounty, no dividend was paid to Mr Dawson, or his share-holding wife Sarah, for the second successive year, after more than 60m was paid out to the couple during 2018 and 2019.

The accounts for Norton Group Holdings Ltd, the holding company which includes The Range, revealed that the year to the end of January 2021 presented unprecedented challenges for the company due to the Covid crisis.

But when the business was designated, somewhat controversially at the time, an essential retailer it made hay during three lockdowns.

A strategic report penned by Mr Dawson said that significant restrictions were placed on stores in Wales and Ireland, limiting the products sold, but otherwise its outlets, some of which contain Iceland branches, were trading full tilt.

Mr Dawsons report said the hike in sales was due to classification as an essential retailer and a full year of trading for the 20 stores opened in the prior year.

Mr Dawson admitted the business benefited from the Governments business rates holiday - saving a reported 36m - but insisted it used the savings to offset costs involved in making stores Covid safe.

And Mr Dawson also stressed a 10% discount for NHS staff during the pandemic amounted to more than 2.8m of savings for those key workers.

Another five stores opened in 2020/21, and created 1,747 jobs, and Mr Dawson predicts the company will create another 2,700 jobs in the next year. He expects 2021/22 will show further sales growth as the group continues to explore all facets of retailing.

Turnover: 1,194,763,008

Employees: 4,551

Brothers Jim and Jack Dobson established Dungannon Meats, a premium butchers shop in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in 1976, and the business has expanded through organic growth and via multiple acquisitions.

In July last year, Dawn Meats took full control of the Dunbia business after Jim Dobson's retirement.

It operates across 12 UK sites including Dunbia Treburley abattoir and processing plant in Launceston, and the Dunbia West Devon abattoir at Hatherleigh.

Highlights this year include the launch of its Sustainable Farming programme and a win at the Great Taste Awards with its Rose County 35 Day Dry Aged Native Breed Cote de Boeuf.

The group's Sustainability Report published in September reported a cut in greenhouse gases from its operations and supply chain by 248,000 tons in 2020 compared to 2016.

It uses 100% renewable electricity and has invested in refrigeration upgrades and lower emission thermal energy generation.

Progress is being made right across the Dunbia supply chain, with 99% of livestock sourced from Red Tractor Assured farms in the UK. All of Dunbias rigid plastic packaging trays now having a 90% average recycled content.

Turnover: 790,812,992

Employees: 5,665

The company which runs Plymouths Devonport Dockyard is a subsidiary of engineering giant Babcock International Group Plc, which has the exclusive contract to refuel and refit all the Royal Navy nuclear submarines at Britains single submarine refitting dock.

Devonport Royal Dockyard, in addition to maintaining and refitting Royal Navy warships and submarines, also carries out other engineering services for the MoD.

Following a restructure of Babcock Internationals operating model the submarine and naval base services now are part of the companys Nuclear sector, while warship and other services remain in the Marine sector.

A new, five-year Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) began in April 2021, with an option to extend the deal with the MoD for another two years, and includes deep maintenance of the Vanguard and Astute class submarines.

During 2021/22 the dockyard will be working on a Type 23 frigate refit and life extension and continuing with the deep maintenance and refuelling of the Trident sub.

The 600m project to refit and extend the life of Britains fleet of Type 23 frigates has been ongoing at Devonport for the past few years with HMS Somerset leaving the huge Frigate Support Centre dry dock sheds in late 2020, with the space filled by HMS Sutherland, while HMS St Albans and HMS Iron Duke were also in mid-refit and upgrade.

Devonport Royal Dockyard is also engaged in design work on the new generation of submarines, which will replace Vanguard, and surface ships and on modernisation of infrastructure to support future submarine and warship programmes.

Work has now started on a 2bn rebuild of facilities at Devonport Dockyard which will create more than 600 construction jobs during the next five years.

Turnover: 624,099,968

Employees: 1,987

Exeter-based Pennon Group had a good end to the year, reporting a 90.4m pre-tax profit for the past six months to November - a 4.3%% hike on the same period in Covid-hit 2020 - partly thanks to its acquisition of Bristol Water.

The parent firm of South West Water, Bournemouth Water and now Bristol Water, saw a profit increase on the 86.7m underlying profit made in the first six months of the 2020/21 financial year and also saw a 21.8% jump in revenue to 389.3m for H12021/22.

It was helped by the June 2021 acquisition of Bristol Water, which contributed to 41.6m to underlying revenue.

Underlying revenue was also helped by the recovery of non-household demand, as businesses opened up post-lockdown, and contract wins for Pennon Water Services, the firms business water division.

Pennon called the performance resilient after the Covid pandemic and Government imposed price cuts took a bite out of earnings in 2020/21.

In 2020, the firm welcomed its new chief executive Susan Davey, handed out a 20million windfall for customers and oversaw the 4.2billion sale of waste management operator, Viridor.

It announced big plans to invest in new technology and environmental improvements, and in its workforce, and by using some of the proceeds of its Viridor sale to pay down debt and bolster its pension scheme.

The firm is one of only a handful on the FTSE 350 to have both a female Chief Executive and Chairman and is a key stakeholder in the #BackTheGreatSouthWest campaign championing levelling up in the South West.

It has launched a Green Recovery Initiative which includes a plan to create up to 500 new jobs to support the local economy and to develop new green skills.

In September, it welcomed 26 graduates as part of South West Waters new Graduate Management Programme and also became one of the first companies to sign up to the Governments Kickstart scheme providing 50 six-month paid work placements to young people at risk of long-term unemployment.

It also signed up to support the #10,000 black interns initiative to offer black students placements that also improves the levels of ethnic diversity and talent across the industry.

Turnover: 511,569,984

Employees: 1,094

Turnover for the firm is down from 643,371,000 on the previous year, but the position of Helston Garages Group remains strong as one of the most successful firms in Devon and Cornwall, slipping just one place in this year's list.

Car ownership in general has taken a backseat as more people ditch the commute during the pandemic and work from home.

But with a rural population and a patchy public transport network, confidence in car ownership remains relatively strong in the region.

Helston Garages Group operates 43 motor dealerships throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset selling Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati and Volkswagen.

Established in 1960, the family-run business has expanded from a single filling station and repairs workshop to one of the UK's top 25 dealerships.

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Turnover: 473,171,008

Employees: 1,979

This South West retail firm is one of the UK's largest agricultural suppliers with holdings in Wales and more recently Scotland. This includes Mole Valley Farmers branches and Bridgmans stores across the South West, Mole Country Stores, Cox & Robinson farm direct outlets in the South and East of England, and manufacturing sites across England, and Scotland.

Formed by a band of disgruntled maverick farmers in South Molton, Mole Valley Farmers marked its 60th anniversary in 2020.

It welcomed new Chief Executive Jack Cordery, who succeeded Andrew Jackson after he retired in 2019.

Mole Valley was classed as an essesntial retailer during the early stages of the pandemic and remained open during repeated lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

This year, it published its environmental roadmap to become carbon net zero by 2040.

It launched its Climate Positive Agriculture initiative helping farmers lower their farm's environmental footprint, including addressing the use of palm oil and soya in animal feeds.

Turnover: 365,416,992

Employees: 654

Based in South Molton, Norbord Europe is the UKs number one engineered wood panel manufacturer and serving the housebuilding and construction industry with flooring, panelling and roofing. This world-leading manufacturer of engineered wood-based panel products has been supplying products to Europe for over 40 years.

It has three mills in the UK and one in Belgium. Its South Molton site manufactures particleboard, loft flooring panels, Contiboard DIY shelving and flat pack furniture.

Norbord Europe is part of Norbord Incorporated, which was acquired by publicly listed Canada-owned timber firm West Fraser in February 2021.

Turnover: 296,870,016

Employees: 741

One of North Devon's biggest employers, this pharmaceutical company is involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical products to more than 70 countries.

During the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, managers recognsied that its products would be in high demand.

It started the recruitment of a shadow workforce - 50 new staff who were trained up and could step in to safeguard against staff sickness or shielding ensuring there was little disruption of its supply chain to the NHS and other stockists.

The facility employs more than 700 people making five billion tablets every year at its manufacturing plant in North Devon. It supplies generic medicines and is one of the fastest growing generic pharmaceutical companies in the UK and Ireland.

The Accord site in Barnstaple acts as the centre of its UK operations, helping to make a significant contribution nationally to the NHS, as well as locally to the community in Devon. The site is one of the largest employers in Barnstaple and has an established apprenticeship programme.

The site is also a designated landing site for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Turnover: 291,267,008

Employees: 498

One of the UKs largest privately-owned construction and property services companies, Midas has grown to become one of the UKs largest independent construction and property services providers, with offices in Indian Queens in Cornwall, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Bristol, Newport in South Wales and Southampton.

A flagship build this year has been Exeters new 6.6million zero-carbon office and laboratory building, the Ada Lovelace Building on Exeter Science Park.

It has also started work on a 6.3million STEM and Health Skills Centre for Truro and Penwith College, Cornwall which will train the aerospace, space, creative, energy, mining and health sector workers of tomorrow.

It has also worked on the first phase of the Oceansgate marine enterprise project in South Yard, Plymouth, and a series of schemes across Cornwall and Devon including the Gateway Retail Park at Marsh Mills in Plymouth, Cornwalls archive centre Kresen Kernow, a Premier Inn for Wadebridge and the 17million Hi-Tech and Digital Centre at South Devon College.

The projects mark an upturn after the pandemic in 2020 led to the firm making a 2m loss - its first in 40 years of trading.

During the period, disruption, including lockdowns, had an adverse effect on revenue and profit with some projects ceasing work temporarily and significant work taking place to develop and successfully implement plans to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and contractors, in compliance with government and Construction Leadership Council guidance.

It reported in June this year that it had maintained a strong order book.

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Revealed: The Top 150 businesses in Devon and Cornwall in 2021 - Business Live

PublishedDec 19, 2021 7:54 PM by The Maritime Executive

[By:ABS]

ABS has further developed its industry-leading approach to aging offshore assets with publication of the Guide for Life Extension of Floating Production Installations.

The guidance supports operators looking to extend the operational life of a floating production installation (FPI) by outlining clear Class requirements with a focus on safety. It is informed by lessons learned from ABS-supported life extension projects and the findings of a series of FPI life extension joint development projects.

Critical issues addressed include pre-life extension data collection, hull corrosion rate, mooring fatigue assessment, rapid corrosion areas, wire rope, tendon, and composite repairs. The Guide is applicable to existing FPIs of all hull forms, including Ship-Type, Column Stabilized, and Tension Leg Platforms.

The offshore industry is faced with an evolving risk profile, and we are committed to addressing the issues this creates and ensuring the ABS-classed fleet remains the safest and best performing fleet in the world. Through our long-standing work in this area with the leading players in the industry, ABS is well placed to assist operators with a safety focused life extension process, said Matt Tremblay, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore.

The Guide is the latest ABS initiative to support the industry with aging assets after bringing together leading companies in the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) sector in August 2021 to address the safety challenges produced by a fleet where more than half of the ship type vessels are over 30-years-old and a quarter are over 40-years-old.

The working group, consisting of Chevron, Shell Trading (U.S.) Company, Petrobras, MODEC and SBM as well as The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry, and the U.S Coast Guard 8th District, led by ABS has already seen the creation of Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) aimed at using technology to tackle a range of FPSO safety issues. The efforts of this working group will produce outcomes that assist with the evaluation and potential acceptance of life extension.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

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ABS Guide for Life Extension of Floating Production Installations - The Maritime Executive

CASCADE LOCKS, Ore., Dec. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's report includes new data on the carbon reduction that results from renewing products as compared to making new ones.

TRW Leading Circular 2021 - The Climate Crisis, Carbon and Circular

Brands can achieve an average reduction of 51.5% in carbon emissions by renewing an existing product instead of producing a new one.

Renewal is the process TRW created to restore apparel, bags and home goods to standardized conditions enabling more uses over longer periods of time with a lower carbon impact than new ones.

Equally important, this year's Leading Circular highlights the voices of activists who are cutting through the noise on what the industry should be paying attention to when it comes to carbon and circularity.

Dominique Drakeford's essay states how the current approach to circular continues "the colonial control of power dynamics while keeping the veil of 'Doing good for people and planet' as a facade of noble action."

Liz Ricketts essay, She Can No Longer Carry Us, is a first person account of the impact in Ghana of US over production. Her concluding words must be heard. "Just because you do not see and feel the weight of fashion's excess does not mean it is not there closing in on us and destroying the industry we love."

re/make authors Ayesha Barenblat, Elizabeth Cline and Chelsey Grasso address the myth that we can recycle our way out of the climate crisis. "In general, brands have to stop taking the low-hanging fruit of recycling and work towards the reuse and product life extension aspects of circularity."

"Climate change is the largest existential crisis facing humanity. It is this urgency that frames the Leading Circular 2021 report on Carbon and Circularity." Says Co Founders Nicole Bassett and Jeff Denby. "We are calling on every apparel and textile brand to commit to displacing 10% of new production over the next 5 years and invest those resources into renewal."

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About The Renewal WorkshopThe Renewal Workshop is the leading provider of circular solutions for apparel and textile brands. We help brands to decouple revenue growth from resource use and expand their businesses by adopting circular practices. We offer apparel and textile renewal, sales channels for renewed products including white-labeled recommerce sites, circular mapping, data collection, and circular education.

The Renewal Workshop (PRNewsfoto/The Renewal Workshop)

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The Renewal Workshop (TRW), the leading provider of circular solutions for the apparel and textile industry, releases Leading Circular - The Climate...

Technology has carried coal miners far from needing to rely on canaries. Unfortunately, black lung is still a reality they work with as they do the dirty work that keeps our lights on. Bidens Build Back Better infrastructure looked like a light at the end of the tunnel. But unfortunately Sen. Joe Manchins sooty. You know what? Ill stop with the coal-mining puns, but I want you to appreciate that an effort was made. The takeaway is that this thing is damned important.

The labor union noted that the bill includes an extension of a fund that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease, which expires at the end of the year. The [United Mine Workers of America] also touted tax incentives that encourage manufacturers to build facilities in coalfields that would employ thousands of miners who lost their jobs.

This is a spit in the face, considering that Mr. Manchin owns stock in a coal brokerage firm, pushed for provisions in the bill that would land coal workers clean energy gigs, and was named an honorary member of the UMWA last year. For whatever reason, it looks like Manchin is flip-flopping on his support of the bill. This wouldnt usually be that big of a deal politicians flip flop like flapjacks but Manchins vote is likely the one that would end a 50/50 deadlock, so he matters.

My hope is that Manchin falls back into the vein UMWA is familiar with him in supporting workers. Christmas is coming up, and while there are a few kids who deserve to be on the naughty list, no kid deserves a Christmas without mom or dad because they caught the black lung.

Coal miners Union Urges Manchin To Reconsider Opposition To Biden Plan [The Hill]

Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord in the Facebook groupLaw School Memes for Edgy T14s. He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim,a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email atcwilliams@abovethelaw.comand by tweet at@WritesForRent.

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For Some, Manchin's Sign Off Is A Matter Of Life And Breath - Above the Law

Ben Silliman, professor and youth development extension specialist, is an expert in family life, youth development, and program evaluation. Prior to serving in his current position at NC State, Silliman taught undergraduate and graduate courses in human development and family life at Louisiana Tech University for six years and was an associate professor and family life specialist for eight years through University of Wyoming Extension. At the University of Wyoming, he contributed to the launch of The Wyoming Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk program.

Silliman joined the Wolfpack in 2001 and has worked on diverse, interdisciplinary projects in the realm of youth development and program evaluation over the last two decades. One of his first projects was helping coordinate afterschool programs statewide, providing training to afterschool staff and support to county programs to promote positive youth development in afterschool settings. Soon after, Silliman became involved in extension evaluation efforts at the county, state and national levels, including managing the North Carolina component of the National Study of Positive Youth Development a national study that illustrated how 4-H promoted positive youth development from elementary to middle school and into high school. This was just one of a long list of projects focused on evaluating extension youth development programs that Silliman contributed to. He also contributed to the first study on the impacts of 4-H public speaking programs and a study on 4-H camping programs that used experiential learning as a tool for evaluation.

In addition to evaluating youth programs themselves, Silliman has also been dedicated to studying the ways in which extension professionals can better implement evaluation for those programs.

For one project, Silliman helped demonstrate how 4-H agents could learn-by-doing evaluation in their programs. And as part of the eXtension Evaluation Team, says Silliman, I led a study of extension professionals in four states that documented how they became engaged and enthusiastic about program evaluation in their diverse program areasand reported on their perceived needs for training and support. The results of that study, which focused on those evaluation champions, was published in the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension in 2016.

Growing demand for evidence of extension program value and effectiveness in recent years was the catalyst for another one of Sillimans key projects: serving as editor for a special edition of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension in 2019 titled Credible and Actionable Evidence in Extension Practice: Framing Issues, Contexts and Principles.

My co-editor, Dr. Scott Cummings at Texas A&M, and I were privileged to work with some of the best minds in extension to highlight how extension makes its case for making a difference that is both scientifically sound and publicly credible, notes Silliman. We hope that our talented authors provided both key insights on how to work smarter in evaluation as well as profound challenges to the status quo in thinking about the public value of extension.

One of Sillimans key projects in recent years has been conducting evaluation research for Project YES, a college student internship program for youth from military families led by Harriett Edwards and J.C. Johnson. In addition to publishing a literature review and program rationale in Marriage and Family Review, the program model and initial outcomes in the Journal of Youth Development, and a follow-up study of long-term program impact in Child and Youth Care Review, Silliman was also involved in an in-depth interview study with program participants to assess program impact. Interviews for that study revealed how Project YES alumni from the programs first cohort were applying program development, problem solving, communication, and teamwork skills learned in the program in their personal and professional lives, and that the program supported alumni in their transition into careers via cultivating a professional identity, familiarity with work conditions and responsibilities, specialized training such as working with military youth and virtual learning, as well as 2-3 years of repeated practice in diverse team and leadership roles. In both cases, Project YES alumni credited the programs training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities as key to their growth and application of life skills in early career. I feel extremely privileged to hear and interpret their stories for the extension and youth development communities,notes Silliman.

I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences over the past 20 years, says Silliman. Theres still more to be done, so Ill continue to look for opportunities to teach, encourage and grow, and wish those who follow me similar rewarding experiences along that way.

His advice for students entering the field: Think about the people who plant or pick the crops that end up on your kitchen table; those who depend on you to show them how to make ends meet when the ends are pretty short; those who share their precious children with you, eager to learn and serve and grow. Think about how their hard-earned tax dollars or program fees support your comfortable lifestyle. Respect them and give them the time of day when you meet them and work as hard and creatively for them as they do for their families and employers. And God will bless you in your work.

Silliman says that his family has been blessed to be part of 4-H and getting to know some of his colleagues in their roles as youth professionals. As I retire, I look forward to perhaps using a few of the insights and lessons from my extraordinary experience to bless others who work with childrenand adults, says Silliman.

My dad worked briefly for extension and always dreamed of getting an Ag degree and going into farming but could not afford college. I am humbled to have had an experience of learning and serving in an Ag-related field and hope I have made himand CALS proud.

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Extension Specialist Silliman on 20 Years Serving NC Cooperative Extension | Agricultural and Human Sciences | NC State University - NC State CALS

MUNICH & SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), a public research organization and international leader in the field of nuclear science and technology, today announced the extension of their partnership by entering into a further long-term licensing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, ANSTO will continue producing n.c.a. 177Lu for the Australian and New Zealand markets by utilizing ITMs unique production technology, continuing to address the needs of patients, clinicians and partners alike. ITM retains all intellectual property rights to the medical radioisotope. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.

N.c.a. 177Lu is used as a radiopharmaceutical precursor in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy, a novel treatment regimen in precision oncology. Due to the rise of Targeted Radionuclide Therapy, the global demand for medical radioisotopes is growing significantly. The agreement between ITM and ANSTO directly addresses this demand and further solidifies ITMs established global network, which ensures clinics and patients around the world have reliable, timely access to high value medical radioisotopes.

One of our goals as a leading radiopharmaceutical company with long-standing expertise in the production and distribution of high-grade medical radioisotopes is to serve patients around the world. We continue delivering on this promise by extending our agreement with ANSTO for Australia and New Zealand, commented Steffen Schuster, Chief Executive Officer of ITM. By sharing our technical know-how with ANSTO, we further ensure quality and supply, especially as the need for medical radioisotopes continues to grow.

We deeply value the opportunity to extend our partnership with ITM as we combine their technical know-how with our renowned facilities and infrastructure to meet the needs of patients, added Mr. Shaun Jenkinson, Chief Executive Officer of ANSTO. Targeted Radionuclide Therapy is a growing treatment approach in our region, and it is important for Australia to have local manufacturing capabilities to support the demand from local patients in our region. Our international collaboration with ITM enables us to continue supplying no-carrier-added Lutetium-177 as successfully as we have over the past ten years.

ITMs highly pure version of the beta-emitting radioisotope, Lutetium-177, can be linked to a variety of tumor-specific targeting molecules for precise treatment of various cancer indications and has already demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects. ITM is further exploring the potential of the medical radioisotope in late-stage clinical trials for indications with high unmet medical need in its wide-reaching pipeline of targeted radiopharmaceuticals, including two phase III trials.

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About Targeted Radionuclide TherapyTargeted Radionuclide Therapy is an emerging class of cancer therapeutics, which seeks to deliver radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure to normal tissue. Targeted radiopharmaceuticals are created by linking a therapeutic radioisotope to a targeting molecule (e.g., peptide, antibody, small molecule) that can precisely recognize tumor cells and bind to tumor-specific characteristics, like receptors on the tumor cell surface. As a result, the radioisotope accumulates at the tumor site and decays, releasing a small amount of ionizing radiation, thereby destroying the tumor. The highly precise localization enables targeted treatment with minimal impact to healthy surrounding tissue.

About n.c.a. Lutetium-177 / EndolucinBetaNo carrier-added Lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu) chloride, is a radiopharmaceutical precursor used in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for the treatment of various diseases, like cancer. When labeled with a tumor-specific targeting molecule (e. g. peptide or antibody), the targeted radiopharmaceutical binds to a tumor-specific receptor, according to the lock and key principle. N.c.a. 177Lu has a half-life of 6.647 days and provides the highest specific activity of more than 3,000 GBq/mg at Activity Reference Time (ART). Optimal preconditions for efficient radiolabeling of biomolecules over its entire shelf-life of 9 days after production are ensured. N.c.a. 177Lu exhibits an extraordinary level of radionuclidic purity and does not contain metastable Lutetium-177m circumventing cost intensive clinical disposal management.

ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SEITM, a radiopharmaceutical biotech company, is dedicated to providing the most precise cancer radiotherapeutics and diagnostics to meet the needs of patients, clinicians and our partners through excellence in development, production and global supply. With patient benefit as the driving principle for all we do, ITM is advancing a broad pipeline combining its high-quality radioisotopes with targeting molecules to develop precision oncology treatments. ITM is leveraging its leadership and nearly two decades of radiopharma expertise combined with its worldwide network to enable nuclear medicine to reach its full potential for helping patients live longer and better. For more information please visit: http://www.itm-radiopharma.com.

ANSTOANSTO leverages great science to deliver big outcomes. We partner with a broad range of industry partners to apply new technologies to provide real-world benefits. Our work improves human health, saves lives, builds our industries and protects the environment. ANSTO is the home of Australias most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research. Thousands of scientists from industry and academia benefit from gaining access to state-of-the-art instruments every year. For more information visit http://www.ansto.gov.au

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ITM and ANSTO Announce Extension of Licensing Agreement for the Production and Supply of the Medical Radioisotope n.c.a. Lutetium-177 - Business Wire

- VRDN-001 targets and blocks IGF-1R, the only mechanism of action proven to deliver efficacy in TED -- Trial is on track to deliver top line proof of concept clinical data in 2Q 2022 -

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRDN), a biotechnology company advancing new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases underserved by current therapies, today announced the first subject was dosed in a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept clinical trial for VRDN-001, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IGF-1 receptor with sub-nanomolar potency. IGF-1R blockade is a clinically validated mechanism of action for the treatment of TED.

The Phase 1/2 trial is designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and potential efficacy of VRDN-001. The trial includes both healthy volunteers and randomized, placebo-controlled cohorts of TED patients and will assess multiple measures of the signs and symptoms of TED, including proptosis the bulging of eyes characteristic of TED. The Company expects to announce top line data from the proof-of-concept portion of the trial in the second quarter of 2022. The trial protocol allows for additional TED patient cohorts to assess differing treatment paradigms that may offer advantages over currently available therapies and may reduce the burden of patient treatment.

We are excited to initiate our first clinical trial of VRDN-001. This trial is designed to quickly assess the potential of VRDN-001 to offer a new option for patients suffering from TED, and to inform how we can optimize VRDN-001 development to best meet patients needs, stated Jonathan Violin, Ph.D., Viridian Therapeutics President and CEO. VRDN-001 exemplifies Viridians patient-centric model of innovation that leverages proven biology and technology to efficiently craft medicines to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers.

The clinical development plan for VRDN-001 was informed by safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data from more than 100 oncology patients who were previously administered this antibody under the name AVE1642.

About Viridian Therapeutics, Inc.

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

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," or "would" or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, plans and intentions. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Companys expectations and guidance regarding its clinical trial plans for VRDN-001, the timing and nature of the initial results from such trials, and the therapeutic potential of VRDN-001, as compared to other therapies. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to: uncertainty and potential delays related to clinical drug development; the duration and impact of regulatory delays in our clinical programs; manufacturing risks; competition from other therapies or products; the timing of and clinical trial activities and reporting results from same; the effects from the COVID-19 pandemic on the companys research, development and business activities and operating results, including those risks set forth under the caption Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 5, 2021 and other subsequent disclosure documents filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither we, nor our affiliates, advisors, or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

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

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Viridian Therapeutics Announces First Subject Dosed in Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of VRDN-001 for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) - GlobeNewswire

The bipartisan bill passed in the House in November, with Democratic leadership rallying most of their members to vote for the measure with the promise that the Build Back Better Act would also get support from moderates in both chambers. Only six progressive Democrats voted against the bipartisan bill, owing to skepticism about Manchins willingness to support the Build Back Better Actskepticism that now appears to have been justified.

Representative Cori Bush, one of the six progressives to vote against the bipartisan bill, said on MSNBC on Sunday morning that Manchins decision was not a huge surprise and that she was part of a group that had been saying for weeks this would happen.Representative Pramila Jayapal, who is chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus but voted for bipartisan bill, said in a statement on Sunday,Senator Joe Manchin made a promise to President Biden to support a framework that would help lower health care costs, cap the price of insulin and other prescription drugs, lower child care costs for Americans, address the climate crisis, and give working people and poor people a shot in America. Today, Senator Manchin has betrayed his commitment not only to the President and Democrats in Congress but most importantly, to the American people. He routinely touts that he is a man of his word, but he can no longer say that.

There were a few time-sensitive issues that Democrats had hoped to address by passing the Build Back Better Act as soon as possible. But with the Senate not voting on the bill until it returns to Washington in January, if it votes on the bill at all, this means the expanded child tax credit will expire at the end of the month. The credit, which had been enhanced by a March coronavirus relief measure, had been disbursed in monthly installments at a greater value. It also, for the first time, reached Americans too poor to file income taxes, who will now stop receiving the assistance in January. The program provided payments to more than 35 million American families with children and was expected to lift millions of children out of poverty. (Another provision in the House-passed Build Back Better Act was a four-year extension of a tax that funds a program to aid veteran coal miners disabled with black lung disease, which directly affects Manchins state of West Virginia.)

Manchin had long been skeptical of the child tax credit, which was extended for a year in the House version of the Build Back Better Act. In recent weeks, Manchin raised concerns that the credit, if extended for ten years, would cost roughly $1.5 trillion, and accused his colleagues of using budgetary gimmicks to make the cost of the bill appear lower. A Congressional Budget Office score requested by Republicans found that the Build Back Better Act would increase the deficit by $3 trillion over ten years, although Democrats argued that this did not take revenue raisers into account. (Tax cuts approved by Republicans in 2017 added $2 trillion to the deficit.)

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Joe Manchin Just Put the Build Back Better Act on Life Support - The New Republic