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hellfiresky · 6 months ago

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The rain pauses too

Summary: A chance encounter during a rainy afternoon in Coruscant’s Federal District leads to a fleeting conversation between a weary worker and an equally tired clone trooper.

Pairing: Captain Rex x GN!Reader

Word Count: 2067

Warnings: None

A/N: This is my very first x Reader fic and my first-ever one-shot! Inspired by today’s rainy morning that lingered until midday, paired with Vienna by Billy Joel playing on repeat.

Join the taglist if you’re interested

(Rex picture from TCW and Coruscant from Episode III, Yannick Dusseault. The photo in the middle is courtesy of myself)

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You finger brushed your damp hair back and tucked it behind your ears. The hovertrain was busy that morning, like almost every morning in the Galactic City. You couldn’t remember when was the last time you could effortlessly enter the train and get yourself a seat - you always had to squeeze your way in and hope to god you wouldn’t crash into someone holding a hot caf and spilled it on their shirt. This time, at least, you managed to snag a free grab handle - better than leaning awkwardly against the separator by the door. It was raining again. You wondered if the weather control systems were glitching. There’d been reports about that last month - supposed to be summer, but instead, everyone was layering up like it was autumn. It took a week for the engineers to fix it because, of course, the topsiders raised hell over their ruined summer picnics.

The next station is Orowood. The doors on the right side will open. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.

A sigh escaped your lips. Five more stations, you thought. You wished you could live closer to your office, but your mid-level salary didn’t stretch to the business district. You wonder how it would be when the war ends - would it be cheaper then? Or would things be worse? And this entire galaxy would go into a galactic-wide dystopia and you would have to find the latest available commercial starship to fuck off this planet and go to some desolate rock like Tatooine? Or worse, a Cthon outbreak might turn the Remnants of Us holoseries into reality. At least that universe had that handsome Kiffar actor.

The next station is Calocour Heights. The doors on the left side will open. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform. Change here for the Federal, Southern, Rotunda, and Uscru Line.

Finally. You muttered the word under your breath as you double-checked your pockets - no pickpockets today, thankfully. You slipped into the river of commuters flowing towards the escalators, and finally broke off towards your usual tapcafe as its shutters slid open. Four people ahead in line. Not bad. You stepped into place, already tasting the first sip of caf. The next few minutes was a blur, it was like your body moving on autopilot to where you work as a communications specialist for the Interstellar Children’s Aid Fund. The next thing you knew you were in front of your terminal, clacking on your keyboard for the next press release on the joint effort between ICAF and the Galactic Senate, a collaboration so mind-numbingly routine.

Your datapad vibrated on the desk, demanding your attention. You scrolled through the business group chats. The protocol group for the Core Worlds Educational Reform Committee hadn’t replied to your request for a quote from their head senator. Typical. You’d sent the request yesterday, clearly marked urgent, but as usual, anything involving Senate bureaucracy felt like trying to steer a starship through a nebula without sensors. You returned to the draft on your screen, re-reading it for the third time, wondering if you could sneak in one of the standard placeholder quotes: "This initiative is a testament to the enduring cooperation between the Galactic Senate and civic organisations like ICAF." You winced. Generic. Sounded like you asked a droid to write it. Still, it might have to do unless the protocol group got their act together.

By the time your shift ended, the rain had returned, misting the transparisteel windows of Galactic City's towering spires. The train ride home felt heavier somehow, and you didn’t even bother to grab a handle this time, just leaned back against the cold separator and let your mind drift. You thought about nothing. You thought about everything. About how things might get worse before they got better - if they ever got better. Funnily, nothing was happening. It was neutral. Your life was neutral. You had a great career, a group of friends that you occasionally have drinks with, a nice one bedroom apartment in Orange District. It was alright.

Along the way, you changed your mind and got off the train at the Federal District where you were greeted by the drizzle. The shoes you’d splurged on last week as a treat splashed against shallow puddles as you turned down a quieter street, a detour you didn’t usually take. It was quieter here. Dimmer. And you liked that. You didn’t usually come to the Federal District unless work demanded it, but today you thought it might be worth reacquainting yourself. Another annual event loomed in the horizon - a grand affair hosted by the Galactic Senate involving a coalition of organisations, including your own. Something about health and youth in conflict zones - worthy on paper, meaningless in execution. You’d written enough press releases to know these things rarely scratched the surface, let alone solved anything. You marvelled at how different the neighbourhood is compared to the other topside districts - always well-guarded and clean.

You spotted the venue where the event will be held and watched from under your umbrella. You could already picture it: the Senate representatives filing in, the Chancellor delivering the opening remarks, followed by yet another speech from your organisation’s representative. Then more speeches, probably a ribbon-cutting ceremony, some small side events for civilians to engage with the cause. Booths would line the promenade, showcasing what the organisations and the Senate claimed they were accomplishing. And, of course, the obligatory doorstop interviews.

“Excuse me,”

A sudden jolt rushed into you. You knew that tone. You’d forgotten where you were for a moment, and now, the realisation hit you. Loitering is probably prohibited here.

“Sorry... I—I was just looking at...” You trailed off, flailing your hand vaguely at the outdoor venue in front of the Senate Building ahead. “I’m from ICAF. You know, the Interstellar Children’s Aid Fund? There’s an event there in two weeks, and I was just—”

“It’s okay,” the man bowed his head and shook it with a quiet chuckle. “Calm down. I don’t have jurisdiction here.”

His tone was disarming, almost amused, and it let you take in his appearance for the first time. He was a clone trooper - you knew that armour anywhere. It wasn’t the same as the ones stationed locally, though. His was a combination of white and blue, looked worn with several tally marks on its vambrace. He also had blonde hair that was buzzed very short. Definitely not a rookie.

“But,” he jerked his head towards a nearby window, “it might be better if you didn’t loiter too long. My brother over there already thought you were a threat.”

He pointed with his palm towards another trooper, this one in red armour. The man stood near a small group, some in full armour, others in those familiar grey uniforms. They were gathered inside a modest diner, chatting over caf and food that steamed faintly against the glass. You could tell by their body language it was their usual haunt.

“Oh,” you managed, darting your eyes between the trooper in front of you and the group by the window. “A threat? Me?”

“I believe you. But Commander Fox over there sometimes thinks a kid standing too long in front of the Senate Building is trying to hack into the Republic’s server. Let alone an adult like you.” You blinked, unsure if he was joking. Either way, you let out a professional laugh - the kind you’d perfected after years of working alongside the bureaucracy of the government. Polite, restrained, and noncommittal.

“Sounds like a… cautious guy,” you said. The trooper’s lips curved into a wry smile, flicking his gaze briefly towards the diner where the red-armoured clone - Commander Fox, apparently - stood with his brothers. “Cautious is one word for it.” It struck you how out of place they looked here, despite the Federal District’s veneer of order. Soldiers in a city that didn’t feel like theirs, in a galaxy that seemed to stretch farther and farther from anything resembling peace.

“Must be exhausting,” you murmured, the thought slipping out before you could stop it. “Always having to look over your shoulder.” The rain filled the silence that followed, soft patters against the pavement and your umbrella. You waited for a reply, but the man beside you stayed quiet. That was it, you thought - you’d done it again. Crossed a line without realising it. You shifted uncomfortably, ready to apologise or maybe just walk away, when he broke the silence.

“It is,” he said at last. “But it’s not just him. It’s everyone, these days.”

You caught his profile as he gazed out into the street. His tired eyes seemed to carry the weight of the world. “I guess we all do, in our own way,” you tried to meet him halfway. “Different reasons. Different things we’re afraid of.”

“You don’t look like someone who’s afraid of much.”

“You’d be surprised.” You huffed a quiet laugh.

Another lingering silence followed as though the conversation had reached an unspoken understanding. You didn’t press him for more, and he didn’t offer it.

“Anyway, you should pro–”

“Yes,” you finished for him. You followed him back across the street. The rain still fell steadily, painting the streets in muted reflections of street lamps and shopfront signs. Ahead of you, a row of businesses lined up - tapcafes with warm, inviting light spilling from their windows, a newsagent with a glowing sign advertising the latest headlines, and a pharmacy with shelves barely visible through the foggy window. Among them was the small diner he’d pointed to earlier. Through the window, you could still see the men inside in various states of relaxation, probably sharing war stories - or so you concluded in your head.

“Not exactly your standard war zone,” you murmured as you took in the scene.

He chuckled softly. “No. But sometimes you have to make peace where you can.”

You studied the way their armour contrasted the casualness of the place. “Do you get many moments like this?”

“Not often,” he admitted. “But when they come, you hold onto them. You take what you can get.”

One of the troopers inside had noticed the two of you and nudged another, who turned to look. You wondered what they thought of this. Of their brother standing in the rain, talking to a stranger who clearly didn’t belong in their world any more than they did in yours.

“Do you ever get tired?” the words tumbled out before you could stop them. “Of always having to take what you can get? Of never having more?”

“All the time,” he let out a deep sigh. “But tired doesn’t mean done.” There was something grounding in the way he said it. No resignation, no, but a quiet resilience you didn’t think you had in yourself. Of having to keep moving through this wheel of life. “We slow down,” he added with a smile, “Better cool it off before we burn it out, yeah?”

“Coruscant by Bili J’ole?” you chuckled.

“Love that track,” he mirrored your laugh, warmth creeping to his tone. “But I guess it was written for non-clones like you. Slow down, don’t be too ambitious, take your comlink off the hook, and all.” He raised both hands as if to say he wasn’t part of that world.

“Well,” you said softly, cocking your chin towards the diner. “I guess this is where you head back to… not being done and not disappearing.”

He looked at you for a moment, and you thought he might say something more. But then he just smiled. A small, tired smile..

“Yeah,” he said. “Thanks for the chat.”

“Thanks for the company,” you offered a small smile of your own.

You lingered for a moment longer, watching as he turned and headed back to the diner, one of his brothers in orange and white armour opened the door for him and slung his arm around his shoulders. Then you turned too, just as the rain eased into a soft drizzle. You folded your umbrella, shaking off the droplets, and began mentally listing your unfinished to-do list for the day.

Neither of you asked for a name. Neither of you looked back.

#hellfiresky #star wars #clone wars fic #captain rex x reader #captain rex fic #the clone wars fic #the clone wars fanfiction #star wars fanfiction #captain rex fanfic

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covid-safer-hotties · 8 months ago

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New Study Reveals Hidden COVID Proteins in Blood of Long Haulers - Published Oct 21, 2024

A virus reservoir in the body may explain why some people experience long COVID symptoms.

A recent study indicates that long COVID sufferers with symptoms impacting multiple body systems might have persistent SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, pointing to an ongoing viral infection that could be treated with antivirals.

Persistent Viral Proteins in Long COVID Patients A study conducted by Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital revealed that individuals experiencing a broad array of long COVID symptoms are twice as likely to have traces of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood compared to those without symptoms of long COVID.

The symptoms frequently associated with long COVID include fatigue, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, back pain, headaches, sleep issues, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal problems.

These findings were published in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

Implications for Long COVID Treatment Strategies Specifically, the team found that 43 percent of those with long COVID symptoms affecting three major systems in the body, including cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems, tested positive for viral proteins within 1 to 14 months of their positive COVID test. But only 21 percent of those who didn’t report any long COVID symptoms tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers in this same period.

“If we can identify a subset of people who have persistent viral symptoms because of a reservoir of virus in the body, we may be able to treat them with antivirals to alleviate their symptoms,” said lead author Zoe Swank, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Pathology at BWH.

Insights From the RECOVER Initiative The study analyzed 1,569 blood samples collected from 706 people, including 392 participants from the National Institutes of Health-supported Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, who had previously tested positive for a COVID infection. Using Simoa, an ultrasensitive test for detecting single molecules, researchers looked for whole and partial proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They also analyzed data from the participants’ long COVID symptoms, using electronic medical chart information or surveys that were gathered at the same time as the blood samples were taken.

It’s possible that a persistent infection explains some — but not all — of the long COVID sufferers’ symptoms. If this is the case, testing and treatment could aid in identifying patients who may benefit from treatments such as antiviral medications.

The Complex Nature of Long COVID One of the questions raised by the study is why more than half of patients with wide-ranging long COVID symptoms tested negative for persistent viral proteins.

“This finding suggests there is likely more than one cause of long COVID,” said David Walt, a professor of pathology at BWH and principal investigator on the study. “For example, another possible cause of long-COVID symptoms could be that the virus harms the immune system, causing immune dysfunction to continue after the virus is cleared.”

To better understand whether an ongoing infection is behind some people’s long COVID symptoms, Swank, Walt, and other researchers are currently conducting follow-up studies. They’re analyzing blood samples and symptom data in larger groups of patients, including people of wide age ranges and those with compromised immune symptoms. This way, they can also see if some people are more likely to have persistent virus in the body.

“There is still a lot that we don’t know about how this virus affects people,” said David C. Goff, a senior scientific program director for the RECOVER Observational Consortium Steering Committee and director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH. “These types of studies are critical to help investigators better understand the mechanisms underlying long COVID — which will help bring us closer to identifying the right targets for treatment.”

Goff added that these results also support ongoing efforts to study antiviral treatments.

The SARS-CoV-2 blood test developed by Brigham and Women’s researchers is also currently being used in a national study, called RECOVER-VITAL, that is testing whether an antiviral drug helps patients recover from long COVID. The RECOVER-VITAL trial will test the patients’ blood before and after treatment with an antiviral to see if treatment eliminates persistent viral proteins in the blood.

The idea that a virus can stay in the body and cause ongoing symptoms months after an infection isn’t unique to COVID.

“Other viruses are associated with similar post-acute syndromes,” said Swank. She noted animal studies have found Ebola and Zika proteins in tissues post-infection, and these viruses have also been associated with post-infection illness.

Reference: “Measurement of circulating viral antigens post-SARS-CoV-2 infection in a multicohort study” by Zoe Swank, Ella Borberg, Yulu Chen, Yasmeen Senussi, Sujata Chalise, Zachary Manickas-Hill, Xu G. Yu, Jonathan Z. Li, Galit Alter, Timothy J. Henrich, J. Daniel Kelly, Rebecca Hoh, Sarah A. Goldberg, Steven G. Deeks, Jeffrey N. Martin, Michael J. Peluso, Aarthi Talla, Xiaojun Li, Peter Skene, Thomas F. Bumol and Mike Zissis, 9 October 2024, Clinical Microbiology and Infection. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.09.001

www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(24)00432-4/abstract (PAYWALLED)

#mask up #covid #pandemic #wear a mask #public health #wear a respirator #covid 19 #still coviding #coronavirus #sars cov 2 #long covid #covid is not over #covid conscious

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rjzimmerman · 1 year ago

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What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign. (Washington Post)

As Donald Trump sat with some of the country’s top oil executives at his Mar-a-Lago Club last month, one executive complained about how they continued to face burdensome environmental regulations despite spending $400 million to lobby the Biden administration in the last year.

Trump’s response stunned several of the executives in the room overlooking the ocean: You all are wealthy enough, he said, that you should raise $1 billion to return me to the White House. At the dinner, he vowed to immediately reverse dozens of President Biden’s environmental rules and policies and stop new ones from being enacted, according to people with knowledge of the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a private conversation.

Giving $1 billion would be a “deal,” Trump said, because of the taxation and regulation they would avoid thanks to him, according to the people.

Trump’s remarkably blunt and transactional pitch reveals howthe former president is targetingthe oil industry to finance his reelection bid. At the same time, he has turned to the industryto help shape his environmental agenda for a second term, including the rollbacks of some of Biden’s signature achievements on clean energy and electric vehicles.

The roughly two dozen executives invited included Mike Sabel, the CEO and founder of Venture Global, and Jack Fusco, the CEO of Cheniere Energy, whose proposed projects would directly benefit from lifting the pause on new LNG exports. Other attendees came from companies including Chevron, Continental Resources, Exxon and Occidental Petroleum, according to an attendance list obtained by The Post.

Despite Trump’s huge fundraising ask, oil donors and their allies have yet to donate hundreds of millions to his campaign. They havecontributed more than $6.4 million to Trump’s joint fundraising committee in the first three months of this year, according to an analysis by the advocacy group Climate Power. Oil billionaire Harold Hamm and others are scheduling a fundraiser for Trump later this year, advisers said, where they expect large checks to flow to his bid to return to office.

One person involved in the industry said many oil executives wanted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or another Republican to challenge Biden. But now that Trump is the nominee, this person said, they are going to embrace his policies and give.

#trump #oil and gas companies

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fealac-ymax25 · 10 days ago

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Distributed: 09:15 GMT+8, 19th June 2025 Compiled by: FEALAC Cyber Secretariat and Memos from State Ministries Compiled from national submissions, open-source monitoring, and select diplomatic cables. Circulation is of utmost confidentiality.

Section I: Stricken with Fear

Amidst the long-term Paraguayan insurgency struggle, today six suicide bombers have destroyed strategic buildings and injured many others near the borders, which is suspected to be linked to the rebel Paraguayan People's Army and its affiliated dissidents. Following a 47% spike in sabotage incidents, Paraguay has denounced the non-state "terrorist groups" and intensified military operations in the northeast. The spillover economic effects are alarming - the ambush of an agro-export convey en route to the Far East halted grain shipments valued at around US$38 million. Suspicions arise over Russian agent involvement. A regionally concerned security analyst from IISS notes that "the last and only hope" is a transregional comprehensive suppression strategy coordinated with regional stakeholders, before insurgents in other states jump the bandwagon.

Section II: Surfing Two Troubled Tides

The tandem of transpacific challenges of IUU and deep-sea mining are now rocking the unity of FEALAC violently. As Malaysian-Indonesian joint patrols see limited success in mitigating mutual IUU incursions, Malaysian President Anwar has unilaterally proclaimed to ramp up "ocean stewardship against illegal fleets". However, Subianto has condemned Malaysia's deployment of expanded naval assets to the contested East Sabah waters. In light of IUU depleting local Latin American resources, Peru's Ministry of Production launched the "Make our Seas Great Again" Initiative by permitting ocean nodule extraction, accredited with 4 exploration licenses issued to Brazilian and Ecuadorian firms, west of Peruvian coasts. Costa Rican aquaculture conglomerate has denounced the administration's pivot to opening up ocean activities and exacerbating resource extraction along strategic maritime routes, calling for the end of "overfishing and overmining that will destroy the Pacific Ocean."

Section III: This Ain't Right(s)

In Q1, humanitarian monitors from UNHRC and OHCHR have confirmed the mass displacement of 20k Torres Strait Islander residents from the Keeling Islands in Australia. Deemed a violation of their fundamental human rights, the reports indicate a series of coordinated land seizures, targeted arsons and communal land takeovers through collective contract substitution, perpetrated by both state and non-state actors. In a letter written by an Australian collective to the Secretariat of the United Nations, they are appealing for transregional coordination of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine so that further losses are no longer incurred.

Annex:

Transregional Funding Mechanism Receipt No. 4 FEALAC Steering Committee/2025/06/18 Brunei +$ 3,500,000 China +$ 3,000,000 Indonesia +$ 2,000,000 -------------------------------- Total TRFM +$ 8,500,000 TOTAL TREASURY $ 31,593,000 REMARKS: N.A.

In the Trust Fund Headquarters, an HR worker laments, "Why are states tossing money without outlining how they want it spent?"

On 18th June, the Steering Committee, convened by Philippines, Vietnam, Bolivia and Brazil, have jointly pledged US$13,907,000 on FEALAC-endorsed frameworks, in abbreviation, IAMOE, CAT, FTDEX, TIH, TIES, IPP, as well as a Whistleblowing Hotline.

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digitalmore · 30 days ago

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#IFTTT #Digital More

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literaturereviewhelp · 2 months ago

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Virtual learning environment (Virtual Learning Environments) gained popularity much later after the development of the internet in the early 1990s. The internet has really supported learning and teaching activities with the use of education community software. As referred by the joint information systems committee under learning environment steering group, virtual learning environment “is a leaning environment whereby learners and tutors can interact online, on educational basis such as online learning” . The internet has brought out a wide platform where students and lecturers can flexibly interact and communicate and at the same time, the lecturers can use the same platform to create internet resources that are appealing, stimulating, educational and easy to use. In the coming decades, every academic discipline will be forced to respond to the quest of them becoming more sustainable because, as time elapses students will be living in a world challenged by competition for resources, climate change and hence, will require that most disciplines show how much they are relevant and useful to the society and the changes that arises over the years. To make education suitable for the future life there is need to have Education for sustainability which scholars refers to as a way in which the capacity of the community can be built so as to enable them to make critical decision based not only on the economic grounds but also on environmental and social outcomes . The world needs to make education sustainable so as to retain its competitiveness in this competitive world with limited resources. Education for sustainability can therefore, be referred to as a lifelong learning process that results to an informed and involuntary citizens having some skills which can assist them to solve problems, scientific and social literacy and be fully dedicated to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions. The actions will be suited to bring out an environmentally sound and a very economically successful future. Many educators are slowly streamlining their curriculum to enable the education world to achieve the sustainability it deserves. This has been done by teaching “e’s” which are economics, environment and equity not forgetting the three “r’s” which are also reading, arithmetic and writing . This effort fosters the understanding and awareness of the institutions, government and communities and therefore, education for sustainability has been an important tool which can be used to build stronger bridges between the classroom and business and between schools and communities. In the Agenda 21 of the UN conference in 1992 on Environment and Development, the issues given the topmost priority in their discussion were matters concerning education, which was termed as very critical for promotion of sustainability in development Read the full article

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nursingwriter · 3 months ago

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Middleton Hospital Scenario As Middlefield Hospital approaches the beginning of another year serving the health needs of our community, the strides we have made in replenishing the workforce with qualified staff should be applauded, but there remains work to be done. After meeting with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and listening to a detailed analysis of the hospital's financial performance during the last six months, it has become apparent that Middlefield must consider fundamental adjustments if our strict budgetary limitations are to be met. Having convened a meeting of Middlefield Hospitals' team of executives and managers, a total of six critical obstacles to future profitability have been brought to my attention, including the arrival of a competing medical facility in the region which is attracting patients and internal issues in terms of billing and insurance. In order to maintain a policy of proactive preventative measures designed to assure the financial viability of Middlefield Hospital, while also honoring our commitment to key stakeholders including physicians, nurses, patients, and the community at large, I have devised a four-pronged approach to resolve the most pressing issues threatening the hospital's fiscal solvency. Below you will find my advisory guidelines, based on extensive research in applicable fields, to be used for the formulation of a more effective and efficient hospital policy. The payer mix of Middlefield Hospital is comprised of more and more Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients, and fewer patients have commercial insurance. This is reducing overall reimbursement and net income for the hospital. In order to overcome Middlefield's disadvantages when it comes to payer mix, I am convinced that adapting the strategic structures used by the nation's most overachieving hospitals to our particular circumstances can produce increases in overall reimbursement and net income. After reviewing the data assembled by a California Healthcare Foundation study of hospitals which thrive despite poorly rated payer mixes, I recommend a reemphasis on "the importance of reputation for delivering high-quality care in negotiating payment rates with commercial payers" (Rundall et al., 2010). By pushing our commercial payers to offer rates commensurate with the excellent care Middlefield Hospital has always provided, we can effectively balance the reduction in patients who carry commercial insurance. Predictive analysis of similar hospital's experiences after renegotiating rates with commercial payers indicates that Middlefield can realistically expect increases in revenue across the board which will exceed the losses currently being incurred by the reduction in commercially insured patient intake. The nearby hospital that competes with Middlefield has opened a wellness center that offers a comprehensive array of preventative and wellness services to the community. This facility is attracting young families to seek services at this location. While the arrival of a direct source of competition for patients is undoubtedly regrettable, Middlefield Hospital currently lacks the financial wherewithal to directly counter many of our rival's strategies. If current policy shifts produce the expected return to profitability, it would then be advisable to institute a steering committee charged with drafting plans for Middlefield's own wellness center. During the interim, I recommend that our nursing staff begin actively encouraging preventative wellness treatments to young families who are current patients, with the hope that they develop an association between Middlefield and wellness. The Joint Commission survey is scheduled for next year, and there are significant problems with the hospital's quality improvement program. I am extremely concerned with the state of our quality improvement program, especially considering the recent comments made by Director of Quality Improvement Barbara Seville, who confessed that "Middlefield's quality improvement activities are not effective anymore." It is unacceptable to continue a policy in which there is "lots of data collection and reporting, but there is little improvement in the quality of care." Due to the apparent failure by management to fully emphasize the importance of improving the quality of patient care, I have made the difficult decision to terminate Ms. Seville's employment with Middlefield Hospital effective immediately. Rather than "relying too much on our past reputation," I recommend beginning an expedient search for qualified, experienced candidates for the open position of Quality Improvement Director. By replacing Ms. Seville with somebody who is prepared to act decisively on their observations, and providing them with at least nine months preceding the Joint Commission survey, Middlefield Hospital can assure that our quality improvement program is achieving its objectives according to local, state, and federal guidelines. The health plan offered to employees is getting more expensive each year. In fact, the costs are increasing at a rate of 20% each year. This is adding significantly to the hospital's operational costs. There are a number of effective ways to offset the rising operational costs of offering comprehensive health plans to Middlefield employees. The method I prefer involves a combined approach-based finding ways to "customize employee benefits to require or encourage the use of the hospital's or system's facilities, including physicians, pharmacies and other affiliated resources" (Stephenson, 2012). As the number of healthcare expenditures our employees utilize in-house increases, the hospital's overall balance sheet can be strengthened across the board, and by "offering financial incentives (such as waiving co-pays and deductibles) - as well as providing disincentives for using outside services" (Stephenson, 2012), Middlefield marginalize the burgeoning costs of our employee health care plan. References Rundall, T., Oberlin, S., Thygesen, B., Janus, K., & Arroyo, L. (2010). "Success under duress: How five hospitals thrive despite challenging payer mix." California Healthcare Foundation, (9)1, 1-17. Stephenson, J. (2012). Wellness programs and in-house care: How hospitals can lower employee health coverage costs. Towers Watson Human Resources Consulting, 3(1), 1-4. Retrieved from http://www.towerswatson.com/assets/pdf/6419/Towers-Watson Read the full article

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kansainepalnews · 3 months ago

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Invitation for Durga Prasai's life safety precautions in simple words

#Nepal #RameshKhatri Kathmandu – The Joint People’s Movement Steering Committee has issued a call for the protection of the life of Durga Prasai, the coordinator of the Save Nation, Nationality, Religion, and Culture Revival Campaign, in order to restore the monarchy. The committee spokesperson, Swagat Nepal, released a statement on Thursday. The movement aims to reinstate the monarchy in Nepal…

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nepalenergyforum · 2 years ago

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Power Trade Between Dhaka and Kathmandu Faces Delays, Expected to Commence After November

Despite an understanding among Bangladesh, Nepal and India, state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) still cannot import electricity from the Himalayan nation. On August 28 this year, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that import of hydropower from Nepal was almost final. It seems unlikely that the power trade will happen before November. That…

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#Baharampur-Bheramara transmission lines #Bangladesh #Bangladesh Power Development Board #Bangladesh-Nepal power and energy sector cooperation #BPDB #clean energy #cross-border power trade #India #Indian company NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam #Indian transmission #Joint Steering Committee #JSC #JWC #Kul Man Ghising #Narayan Prakash Saud #Nepal #Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)#NVVN

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firstzealmediacast · 5 months ago

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FG' Joint Project Steering Committee and Project Delivery Team visits Bayelsa

…No going back on Agge seaport – Governor Douye Diri assures By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye with additional report by BSCPS ‎ The Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, has restated his administration’s commitment towards actualising the deep seaport project at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.Governor Diri gave the assurance on Monday during…

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news365timesindia · 7 months ago

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[ad_1] By Anjali Sharma WASHINGTON – India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani on Tuesday hailed the role of the Indian community in the Gulf nation as a vital link between the two countries, and underscored the importance of mutual cooperation in various fields, including healthcare, tourism, and education. The Ministry of External Affairs in a joint statement released after the conclusion of the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission Meeting said, “Both sides appreciated the role of the Indian community in Bahrain as an important link between the two countries, and their vital contribution in the development of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Indian side commended the Kingdom’s liberal policies of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as well as their welcoming society in making Bahrain a preferred destination for Indian professionals and workers, and their families. Both sides acknowledged the close cooperation during COVID-19 pandemic, which helped in mitigating its impact. The Indian side thanked the leadership and the government of Bahrain for the royal pardon of more than 125 prisoners of Indian Nationality in the last year, reflecting Bahrain’s generosity.” They expressed satisfaction at the growth in two-way tourism and the increasing number of Bahraini students choosing to study in India. The MEA said, “The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the exponential increase in two-way tourism, and its impact in cementing people-to-people ties and the trade and economic relations between the two countries.” Both sides agreed to expand the scope of bilateral cooperation in the education sector. In this regard, the Indian side welcomed more Bahraini students wishing to enroll in leading higher education institutes in India. They stressed the importance of working to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments to enhance education cooperation. Both sides also agreed to deepen the cooperation on consular issues and welcomed the decision to establish a Joint Consular Committee to discuss issues of mutual interest in Consular affairs and to strengthen cooperation in Consular issues. The meeting also marked the continued expansion of cultural exchanges, with both nations agreeing to renew their Cultural Exchange Program and work on new initiatives to foster deeper ties. “Both sides recalled the Cultural Exchange Programme signed by them for 2019-23 and expressed happiness at the implementation of the CEP in strengthening the historical cultural ties. EAM conveyed happiness at the successful visit of Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to India for the 46th WHC of UNESCO in New Delhi in July 2024, and his meeting with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of India, to take bilateral cooperation in the field of Culture ahead. Both sides agreed to continue discussions regarding the renewal of The Cultural Exchange Program for the period 2025-2029,” the MEA said. Jaishankar acknowledged that the bilateral security dialogue and the Joint Steering Committee in the field of combating international terrorism, are important mechanisms in institutionalizing cooperation in the area of security cooperation including Cybersecurity. Both sides agreed to hold the third security dialogue and the third JSC at the earliest. The two Ministers reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called on all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries. Bahrain praised India for the successful conduct of the G20 summit in India held in the theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Indian side expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s participation, including in the Y-20 Summit. EAM Jaishankar appreciated the participation of Bahrain in all of the three editions of the “Voice of Global South” Summits, reflecting the commitment in bringing together countries of the Global South to share their development perspectives and priorities.

He also thanked Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid AlZayani for sharing his valuable perspectives and ideas in the Foreign Ministers’ Session on “Global South and Global Governance” of the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit held in August 2024. Jaishankar noted that both countries have strong convergences on a number of contemporary global issues, including on the need for effective global governance reforms and equitable access for Global South countries to clean and green technologies. He congratulated Bahrain on assuming the Presidency of the Arab League this year and commended the exceptional organisation of the Arab League Summit in Manama in May 2024. India expressed hope that Bahrain will remain a partner in strengthening India’s strong ties with GCC countries, in view of the successful India GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh, held in September 2024, the MEA added. Both agreed to enhance their collaboration on global challenges and advancing peace efforts in the Middle East. “Both sides discussed key global developments, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The two countries view each other as key partners in the region, working together to foster a more peaceful and inclusive global community in West Asia. The Indian side welcomed the proposal by the Bahraini side to host an international conference for peace in the Middle East,” the MEA said. They stressed the importance of holding early meetings of existing bilateral mechanisms including Foreign Office Consultations and Joint Committee Meetings under the MoU on manpower and development. It was agreed that the seventh FOC should be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date to follow up on the decisions of the HJC. It was agreed that the fifth meeting of the High Joint Commission would be held in India, dates for which will be decided through diplomatic channels. The 4th meeting of the India Bahrain High Joint Commission co-chaired by Jaishankar and Rashid Alzayani, was held in Manama. According to MEA, the HJC was established pursuant to an MOU signed between the two sides during the State visit of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, to India on February 18-20, 2014. Jaishankar visited Bahrain from December 7 – 9 at the invitation of Alzayani. He also met the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa during the visit. The post India, Bahrain hails people-to-people ties, reaffirm commitment to combat terrorism appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

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covid-safer-hotties · 9 months ago

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Also preserved on our archive (follow the link to access thousands of news and science sources about Covid as well as hundreds of resources! DAILY UPDATES)

A reservoir of virus in the body may explain why some people experience long COVID symptoms

Researchers found people with wide-ranging long COVID symptoms were twice as likely to have SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, compared to those without long COVID symptoms, according to a study out of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Commonly reported long COVID symptoms included fatigue, brain fog, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, headache, sleep disturbance, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Results are published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

Specifically, the team found that 43 percent of those with long COVID symptoms affecting three major systems in the body, including cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems, tested positive for viral proteins within 1 to 14 months of their positive COVID test. But only 21 percent of those who didn’t report any long COVID symptoms tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers in this same period.

The study analyzed 1,569 blood samples collected from 706 people, including 392 participants from the National Institutes of Health-supported Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, who had previously tested positive for a COVID infection. Using Simoa, an ultrasensitive test for detecting single molecules, researchers looked for whole and partial proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They also analyzed data from the participants’ long COVID symptoms, using electronic medical chart information or surveys that were gathered at the same time as the blood samples were taken.

A condition with more than one cause One of the questions raised by the study is why more than half of patients with wide-ranging long COVID symptoms tested negative for persistent viral proteins.

Goff added that these results also support ongoing efforts to study antiviral treatments.

The idea that a virus can stay in the body and cause ongoing symptoms months after an infection isn’t unique to COVID.

Study Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1198743X24004324?via%3Dihub

#mask up #covid #pandemic #covid 19 #wear a mask #public health #coronavirus #sars cov 2 #still coviding #wear a respirator

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news365times · 7 months ago

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