New York, NY, August 13, 2020 — Santa’s been kidnapped just before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, but almost no one notices his absence. Christmas has become an exercise in one-upmanship, with children practically dictating their wish lists and parents gauging the success of the holiday solely upon their ability to outdo their neighbors. Santa needs to be rescued for people to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Can a band of unfairly labeled misfits culled from The Naughty List rise to the challenge?
Author Thomas Conway sets the stage for worldwide adventure in this imaginative, modern Christmas tale that blends elements of pop culture with the age-old tradition of Santa Claus. The Naughty List opens in a world without Santa, where toy manufacturer Eastern Industries has just released a new holiday marketing scheme, monopolizing the attention of the children and draining their holiday spirit. With Christmas fast approaching and the North Pole in chaos, a team of intrepid youngsters recruited from Santa’s Naughty List aim to rescue Santa and save the holiday.
While primarily a Santa tale, The Naughty List cleverly incorporates Winter holiday beliefs from around the world, including the legend of Marduk, a Babylonian god; the Roman feast of Saturnalia; the epic story of Jangar from North Asia; Moravian traditions of animal communication; and the present real-life adventures of Israeli Santa Claus, Nicola Abdou.
Also sprinkled with references to holiday favorites such as Miracle on 34th Street, T’was the Night Before Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and others, this wonderfully rich tale promotes right over wrong, good over evil and love over fear.
Suitable for all ages, The Naughty List skillfully weaves valuable lessons about overindulgence and society’s tendency to put labels on children, with the overarching theme that when kids misbehave they should not be defined by their bad deeds but rather see it as a learning opportunity, since when we appreciate the best in humanity and combine our talents, we are capable of almost anything.
The Naughty List, winner of the 2020 Indie Book Award in the E-Book Fiction category, is the first release from Thomas Conway. His 30-year career spans various industries. When not at work, he devotes his time to environmental matters and inventing stories for his two children.
Nitrate supplementation could help breathing and lung clearance in the elderly
Peer reviewed Experimental study Animals
UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT MONDAY 17 AUGUST 2020
Not for publication or broadcast before this time
New research published today in The Journal of Physiology shows that nitrate improves function in the diaphragm, the muscle involved in coughing and breathing, by improving power. The study done in old mice, if replicated in humans, could provide a strategy for helping elderly people clear the lungs more effectively and avoid infection.
Previous studies showed nitrate was helping muscles by improving use of calcium in the muscle. This finding that it’s additionally affecting power is significant, especially in the context of COVID-19, because the diaphragm is the primary inspiratory muscle used for breathing and coughing, the latter being relevant for clearing the lungs.
The research team at the University of Florida found that dietary nitrate supplementation elicited a pronounced increase in contractile function (power) of the diaphragm, a respiratory muscle, of old mice.
They made their measurements during maximal activation, so the effects observed seem to be caused by an improvement in the function of contractile proteins rather than calcium handling.
Few short-term interventions have such a profound impact on muscle contractile function, as was observed in this study.
Dietary nitrate is readily available for humans and could be used, under proper supervision, to improve respiratory muscle dysfunction that contributes to shortness of breath and morbidity in the elderly.
The researchers gave sodium nitrate to old mice in their drinking water daily for 14 days. The control group received regular water. Diaphragm muscle contractile function cannot be assessed directly in live animals or humans. Thus, they tested diaphragm function in muscle tissues under controlled conditions for muscle stimulation and oxygenation.
The main limitations are that mouse and human diaphragm have different percentages of fast and slow muscle cells. Mouse diaphragm consists of 90% fast muscle cells; the human diaphragm consists of 25-50% fast muscle cells depending on several factors that include and age and sex.
Dietary nitrate seems to exert a greater impact on the contractile function of fast muscle cells. Thus, the benefits to the human diaphragm may not as pronounced as was observed in mice. They also only tested male mice, and the benefits for females is unknown.
Leonardo Ferreira, senior author on the study said:
“Our findings are especially important in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic as they suggest that, if replicated in humans, dietary nitrate is useful to improve respiratory muscle dysfunction that contributes to difficulty in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.”
The Journal of Physiology publishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
Baxter Canada Releases 'Welcome Home' Two-Year Report With Canadian Red Cross
More than $300,000 in contributions over past two years has helped thousands of vulnerable Canadians
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 11, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Baxter Canada's 'Welcome Home' national giving program in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross released its two-year report. Since the establishment of the partnership in 2018, Baxter Canada has contributed more than $300,000 to provide greater access to essential resources for patients returning home from hospital. This support is greatly needed as many Canadians do not have the financial or logistical resources to return home which can be a source of anxiety and stress.
"Baxter Canada is proud to support those in our communities who may need a helping hand. The Welcome Home program is specifically targeted at making their return home from the hospital a more positive one," says Stephen Thompson, president and general manager, Baxter Canada. "Our unique partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, supported by our dedicated employees across the country allows us to make a meaningful social impact that helps save and sustain lives."
Baxter employees are creating positive change through volunteer opportunities offered by the program. No Place Like Home is a postcard writing initiative where employees write encouraging notes to seniors in North Eastern Ontario through the Canadian Red Cross PATH program. In 2019 alone, employees wrote over 1,900 postcards.
Highlights of the report showcase Baxter's contributions through its signature Welcome Home program:
The Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) provides essential health equipment to individuals recovering from illness or injury throughout B.C. and the Yukon. Through Baxter's support:
A new full-time employee was hired to coordinate new HELP volunteers in the Lower Mainland Region of B.C.
An additional 133 new volunteers were recruited with the most significant impact in the communities of Vancouver, Surrey, and Richmond
The Priority Assistance to Transition Home (PATH)program allows seniors who do not have a support system to still feel cared for and safe as they recover at home. Baxter's support in Ontario facilitated:
3,262 PATH clients with 3,177 safe transitions from hospital to home
An additional 79 PATH clients in North Eastern Ontario to transition safely from hospital to home
619 referrals for clients to community resources
575 care visits to clients after their initial transition home
The Mobile Food Bank provides an essential service for vulnerable people in the Greater Toronto Area. With Baxter's support, employees:
Donated 600 lbs. of food during its annual food drive in October 2019
Volunteered 355 hours helping to pack 1,012 food hampers for 632 food bank clients
Baxter Canada and the Canadian Red Cross are continuing into the third year of this unique partnership. Looking forward, the program is to expand direct service delivery of the PATH program in key communities in North Eastern Ontario as well as the Homeward Bound program in Southwestern Ontario. The program will also support the Canadian Red Cross in working with hospital partners to collect and analyze PATH patient hospital data and implement a new volunteer model into the PATH program. Community outreach efforts will also be built upon in the Lower Mainland Region of B.C. to recruit and train new HELP volunteers to the program.
For more information on how you can support the Canadian Red Cross, visit www.redcross.ca. To see how Baxter's Welcome Home program is helping those in underserved communities, take a look at the Year Two Impact Report, and #BaxterGivesBack and @baxter_intl on social media.
About Baxter Canada
Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of critical care, nutrition, renal, hospital and surgical products. In Canada, we've been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen for 83 years. With products, technologies and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. Baxter Canada and its over 1,221 employees are located primarily in Ontario at the Head Office, CIVA Admixing and Technical Services Centres in Mississauga, and in Alliston – where Baxter operates Canada's only large-scale manufacturing plant producing life-sustaining intravenous and dialysis solutions. To learn more, visit www.baxter.ca and follow Baxter on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Baxter is a registered trademark of Baxter International Inc.
SOURCE Baxter Corporation
Rocket Science Health and Inez Jabalpurwala Team Up to Launch VINEx, a Multi-Disciplinary Exploration of the Virus-Brain Connection
VINEx to Provide Catalytic Leadership for Research into A Vital Area in the Fight Against SARS-CoV-2 and other Viruses which may have Lasting Effects on the Brain
VICTORIA, BC and MONTREAL, Aug. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Rocket Science Health and Inez Jabalpurwala have teamed up to launch VINEx – a multi-disciplinary exploration of how viruses directly and indirectly affect the central nervous system (CNS), and the potential impact on brain health in the immediate and longer term. VINEx aims to provide catalytic leadership to connect the people, knowledge and funding needed to advance research at the intersection of neuroscience/neurology, virology, immunology and data science – from basic science to clinical studies. The initial focus will be SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses which may have an olfactory entry point into the CNS. This work will address what could be a major health crisis in the months and years after the COVID-19 pandemic, and also contribute to the knowledge base around the impact of viruses on neurological health more generally.
Inez Jabalpurwala, Rocket Science Health's Senior Advisor on Brain Initiatives and Global Director of VINEx, said, "There is evidence that some viruses can cause devasting neurological harm and even invade the CNS. Research has suggested a link between viral infection and dementias, for example, as well as to essentially untreatable viral encephalides. In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a number of small studies around the world on the ability of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses to affect other body systems, including the CNS. We believe that understanding this potential pathway – and the impact viruses like SARS-CoV-2 have on the CNS – can lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutics – if not for this pandemic, then for a future one. By connecting the dots to create a larger evidence base, and capitalizing on Canada's leadership in brain research and culture of collaboration, we can accelerate positive outcomes in this vital area."
"With her deep experience building multi-disciplinary collaborations and changing paradigms to accelerate the pace of research, we can't think of a better person to provide catalytic leadership in this important space than Inez," said Kenneth C. Irving ("Irv"), co-founder of Rocket Science Health. "While the current COVID-19 crisis creates urgency, this is a long-term effort that grows out of a commitment Rocket Science Health made over three years ago to pursue Pandemic Preparedness as one of four non-commercial, social impact projects. By contributing to this effort, we can expand scientific knowledge in an area that is critical to public health and of interest to our business. Beyond that, there's the potential that our device could be helpful in delivering self-administered therapeutics on a very large scale – which is something we would do at the lowest possible cost on a non-commercial, social-impact basis."
The initiative has quickly attracted support from world-class researchers and clinicians, including those who are serving as members of the VINEx Science Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC is providing input and advice to ensure that the virus-brain initiative is developed, executed and monitored with scientific integrity, and in the context of the latest advances in this area; this includes knowledge we can draw from the study of other viruses, and potential links to neurodegenerative diseases. Its members include (in alphabetical order):
Fernanda De Felice, PhD,Adjunct Associate Professor of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies & Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University; Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Neurosciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil.
Marc Desforges, PhD, Specialist in Medical Biology, Virology Lab, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec.
Renée Douville, PhD, Professor, University of Winnipeg, Department of Biology.
Douglas P. Munoz, PhD, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience; Professor of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Medicine, and Psychology; Queen's University.
Christopher Power, M.D., F.R.C.P(C), Canada Research Chair in Neurological Infection and Immunity; Professor of Neurology at the University of Alberta; Attending physician in the University of Alberta HIV and MS Clinics; Founding Director of the University of Alberta Multiple Sclerosis Centre.
In addition, Alan C. Evans PhD, Avindra Nath, M.D. and Pierre J. Talbot, PhD have agreed to serve as Special Advisors to the SAC. Dr. Evans is the James McGill Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering; Researcher in the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre (BIC); Co-director of the Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health; Principal Investigator of CBRAIN; and Victor Dahdaleh Chair in Neurosciences at Montreal Neurological Institute – McGill University. Dr. Nath is Senior Investigator – Section of Infections of the Nervous System; Clinical Director – NINDS of the National Institutes of Health (US). Dr. Talbot is Director - Laboratory of Neuroimmunovirology, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Université du Québec.
Drawing from a comprehensive literature review and input from the Science Advisory Council, VINEx has identified five key lines of inquiry aimed at creating a robust approach to understanding viral neuroinvasion – from lab-bench to population health. These include: (1) the risk factors for neuro-COVID; (2) the origination and development (neuropathogenesis) of neuro-COVID; (3) clinical manifestations and potential diagnostic biomarkers of neuro-COVID; (4) long-term sequelae and potential linkages to neurological disease; and (5) potential therapeutics for mitigating risk-factors, preventing viral neuroinvasion and treating associated and ongoing neurodegenerative disease. Across these areas will be sex and gender considerations, as well as ethical, social and legal implications of the research, where relevant.
Prior to partnering with Rocket Science Health, Inez served as Founding CEO of the Brain Canada Foundation, a role she held for nearly two decades. During her tenure at Brain Canada, Inez led the development of a research program that primarily focused on enabling teams of scientists to work across disciplines, disorders and institutions to explore common, underlying mechanisms, while also securing nearly $300 million in funding for brain-related research. She was a pioneer in building the case for the brain as one interconnected system, and rallied more than 100 partners to that vision. In joining Rocket Science Health, Inez is continuing her passion for building communities to address complex science challenges, and expanding the one brain vision to explore connections within the whole human system.
Rocket Science Health is a start-up company engaged in the development of medical devices for use in the treatment of CNS conditions by enabling nose-to-brain delivery of pharmaceuticals via the olfactory region of the nasal cavity.
The VINEx Initiative is dedicated to the memory of The Honourable Michael H. Wilson. In addition to so many other things, Michael was a dear friend to Irv and Inez. He inspired, mentored and introduced them, and it is his sense of public service, his commitment to brain science and mental health, and his undying belief in Canada's extraordinary potential that infuses this endeavor.
Racial, social factors contribute to mental health inequity, says Baker Institute experts
HOUSTON – (Aug. 12, 2020) – Inequities throughout society influence mental health research, where they can become self-perpetuating and contribute to persistent disparities in mental health services, according to new research from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
The researchers argue that the same inequities that affect access to education or job security affect both mental and physical health.
Health equity is a concept that acknowledges systemic and societal barriers to achieving health and wellness, framing health "in terms of equal opportunity to be healthy, as opposed to simply the outcome of health,” wrote Quianta Moore, fellow in child health policy at the Baker Institute, and Patrick Tennant, project mananger for child mental health at the institute. “The implicit declaration of this framing — that not only are we not all equally healthy, but we do not all have an equal opportunity to be healthy — is critical in addressing mental health equity.”
Moore and Tennant said influences on the opportunity to be healthy include race, immigration status and political, economic and community factors.
“In fact, decades of research demonstrate that social, environmental and economic factors have a greater impact on health outcomes than clinical care, with 80% of health
outcomes attributed to these social determinants of health (SDOH),” they wrote.
SDOH are influenced by “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These conditions are affected by the distribution of money, power and resources at the individual, community and national levels, according to the paper.
Due to historical racial and ethnic discrimination, minority populations are more likely to experience negative SDOH and are also more likely to distrust the health care system, the authors argue.
“A critical, reflective review of the participation and contribution of the health care field to adverse conditions and community mistrust is necessary as a first step toward achieving equity,” they wrote. “We focus our inequity discussion on race because the social construct of race compounds and perpetuates disadvantage in the United States, and racial disparities exist in every outcome of individual and community well-being.”
Despite progress, “remnants of racism and false beliefs” contribute to health inequities, the authors wrote.
The paper argues that partnering with communities and leveraging community expertise “can help remove inequities and barriers in the research-to-practice pipeline and help to correct mistaken assumptions and biases.”
“By including community-articulated needs, priorities and recommendations we resist replicating existing service disparities in our clinical and research practice, thereby optimizing opportunities for socially disadvantaged populations to achieve mental health and well-being,” the authors wrote.
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To schedule an interview with Moore or Tennant or for more information, contact Avery Franklin, media relations specialist at Rice, at averyrf@rice.edu or 713-348-6327.
Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks as the No. 2 university-affiliated think tank in the world and the No. 1 energy think tank in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blog.bakerinstitute.org.
Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
A Santa Tale With A Modern Twist
New York, NY, August 12, 2020 — Santa’s been kidnapped just before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, but almost no one notices his absence. Christmas has become an exercise in one-upmanship, with children practically dictating their wish lists and parents gauging the success of the holiday solely upon their ability to outdo their neighbors. Santa needs to be rescued for people to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Can a band of unfairly labeled misfits culled from The Naughty List rise to the challenge?
Author Thomas Conway sets the stage for worldwide adventure in this imaginative, modern Christmas tale that blends elements of pop culture with the age-old tradition of Santa Claus. The Naughty List opens in a world without Santa, where toy manufacturer Eastern Industries has just released a new holiday marketing scheme, monopolizing the attention of the children and draining their holiday spirit. With Christmas fast approaching and the North Pole in chaos, a team of intrepid youngsters recruited from Santa’s Naughty List aim to rescue Santa and save the holiday.
While primarily a Santa tale, The Naughty List cleverly incorporates Winter holiday beliefs from around the world, including the legend of Marduk, a Babylonian god; the Roman feast of Saturnalia; the epic story of Jangar from North Asia; Moravian traditions of animal communication; and the present real-life adventures of Israeli Santa Claus, Nicola Abdou.
Also sprinkled with references to holiday favorites such as Miracle on 34th Street, T’was the Night Before Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and others, this wonderfully rich tale promotes right over wrong, good over evil and love over fear.
Suitable for all ages, The Naughty List skillfully weaves valuable lessons about overindulgence and society’s tendency to put labels on children, with the overarching theme that when kids misbehave they should not be defined by their bad deeds but rather see it as a learning opportunity, since when we appreciate the best in humanity and combine our talents, we are capable of almost anything.
The Naughty List, winner of the 2020 Indie Book Award in the E-Book Fiction category, is the first release from Thomas Conway. His 30-year career spans various industries. When not at work, he devotes his time to environmental matters and inventing stories for his two children.
Vancouver Speech Therapy Introduces Parent Coaching Services to Support Children with Autism
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Navigating an autism diagnosis can be challenging. It comes with various emotions for the family involved. These can be sadness, disappointment, fear, confusion and desperation. Vancouver Speech Therapy recognizes these challenges and has introduced personalized parent coaching services to support families who have children with Autism in remote or local settings. Evidence has shown parental involvement is heavily encouraged and recommended, in order for a child to reach their optimal language capacity.
When seeking speech therapy in Vancouver, and seeing a speech pathologist, a very recommended and evidence-based approach is for parents to be coached. They can be coached on how to continue and carry therapeutic intervention into a natural home setting, the grocery store or even a doctors office. Not only can they be coached on continuing intervention, but they can also be coached on how to encourage and increase usage of Augmentative and Alternative Communication technology (AAC).
When parents are coached on AAC, research showed that the language acquisition of non-verbal or low frequency performers increases. The objective of using AAC is to have children on the spectrum become increasingly verbal and have a means to communicate with others. This can be done through use of the Picture Exchange System, (PECS), Communication Boards or apps on digital platforms such as iPads and Tablets. Verbal children learn to speak through the exposure of verbal language that constantly surrounds them. Similarly. children who use AAC should be exposed to AAC as much as possible to learn how to use it themselves. Parental involvement out of the therapist's office with these apparatuses is key to seeing effectiveness in any intervention, studies show. Parents can be coached in person or online, by a speech therapist on how to effectively implement strategies aimed at encouraging AAC use.
Many parents who may at first be shy to assume the role of interventionist outside of the therapist's office will be guided on how to interact with their child for therapy purposes. At Vancouver Speech Therapy, they will be taught on the strategies that can be subtly used to encourage communication between themselves and their non-verbal child. Simple strategies such as keeping preferred foods out of reach deliberately to prompt their child to request these items has been shown to be an evidence-based approach to increase greater communication. If the child cannot verbally request the object, they may be able to point to a picture of the item on their device.
AAC has been used to help many non-verbal children begin communicating with their family and others who may come into contact with them on a regular basis. It by itself is an evidence-based approach used by many language and speech pathologists to facilitate better social communication development. Parent coaching ensures that the child receives enough reinforcement and opportunity to practice what is being taught in order to achieve a target.
When choosing an AAC platform, consult the child's speech and language pathologist who can assess the child to give accurate advice.
Vancouver Speech Therapy believes in the core board as a good low-tech starter device. Unlike PECS children can initiate many other communicative functions, more than just requesting. With the core board, children can work on labelling, commenting, answering and asking questions very early in their AAC journey. Children typically have a lot more to say than just requesting for what they want. The core board is a great starter approach that easily transitions to using an app on an iPad for more efficient communication.
Parent coaching may seem daunting at first, especially for those who have never had any experience in a teaching role. The therapist is on your side and willing to guide families through this process. This will benefit a child immensely in the long run.
Vancouver Speech Therapy specializes in these parents coaching services and are a great choice for families all across BC as they introduce tele-therapy for families in remote settings.
Happy coaching!
SOURCE Vancouver Speech Therapy
Odeum Launches The First Platform Allowing Fitness Studios and Independent Professionals to Offer Branded On-demand Subscription Content Across Mobile, Desktop and Tablet Devices, With No Upfront Costs
Purple Yoga, Vinyasa Cloud and Pound Rockout Fitness launch on Odeum’s revolutionary watch-anywhere, video content platform, taking businesses online to generate revenue through branded subscription services
LONG BEACH, CALIF. - August 12, 2020 - Today, Odeum announces the first platform to enable distribution of branded, subscription video content for yoga and fitness studios, with no upfront costs.
Businesses are able to create new revenue streams online using subscription video delivered through a completely branded experience with custom apps for every device type. The platform uniquely provides support for yoga studios and fitness trainers to provide custom branded content online during this unparalleled time.
“Odeum’s platform was key in transforming how we as a yoga studio are running our daily operations,” says Joe Vogt, owner of Purple Yoga. “We selected Odeum from all the various options because it was the only platform that gives us the opportunity to create branded apps that keep us connected with our community and vice versa. It is great all around and I see us continuing this even when the period is over. Connection to our community is extremely important and ensuring that the content is coming from a brand they trust (our brand) is priceless.”
Odeum is an all-in-one platform to publish and distribute videos through a set of custom branded apps designed to deliver natively to all device formats including mobile, tablet, web and TV. This subscription video platform allows creators to completely brand their content and look of their site and apps and deliver the content wherever the subscribers want it. Users are able to control their own revenue model and manage their videos and subscribers.
“We live in an unprecedented time for connecting storytellers with their audience,” said CEO and founder of Odeum, Jay Dysart, “We want to empower small and large content publishers alike, to connect directly with viewers with an honest approach and a sustainable business model.”
Odeum helps yoga instructors, fitness trainers, meditation guides, educators, and more elevate their business with premium subscription video services. Businesses can work on branding, marketing, revenue control, and publishing of video services all in a single place. Odeum’s integration includes custom branded apps on every major platform, adaptive streaming, and built-in tech support for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and browsers.
To get your business online with Odeum today, visit https://odeum.io/.
Backed by a Century of Agricultural Expertise, Matt Billings Establishes a New Legacy of Responsible Modern-Day Farming and Food Production with AYO Almondmilk Yogurt
Through common sense practices and a vertically integrated approach, Matt Billings brings a passion for innovation and sustainability to the crafting of AYO Almondmilk Yogurt
Delano, Calif. – The story of AYO Almondmilk Yogurt begins in 1913 on the Billings family farm. Fast forward sixty-five years. As a boy, Matt Billings had the best seat in the house: riding around with his dad and grandfather in the family pickup truck, three generations of Billings exploring their fields. Life on the farm taught Matt that a good reputation requires a steadfast commitment to doing the right thing, even when it isn’t easy or popular. Now a father, farmer, and founder of AYO Almondmilk Yogurt, Matt brings a passion for innovation, healthy living, and sustainability to the practice of farming almonds - a legacy he plans to pass down to his own children.
“Growing up in agriculture has given me an enormous appreciation for nature, the seasonal rhythm of life, healthy nutritious food, and lifelong friendships,” says Matt. “Today, the use of new technology takes it one step further, enabling us to innovate our farming techniques, helping us to conserve inputs such as water and plant nutrients and at the same time develop a healthy living soil that we will be proud to pass along to the next generation.
For Matt, being a good farmer means being a responsible steward of the land. “ you have to think of the future generations.” He continually seeks creative ways to modernize and more thoughtfully use resources. He is working on tilling in the ground trees from older orchards before replanting. This approach will store carbon in the soil for the future there by bringing his carbon footprint close to negative. His multi generational relationship with the same bee keeper for pollination and his use of composts to feed good micro organisms in his soils and reduce the reliance on commercial fertilizers shows his eye is not on next years crop but the one his children haven’t harvested yet. It is these steps that build symbiotic relationships on the farm, partnering with nature to produce a higher quality almond and superior yogurt flavor.
Likewise, Matt states, “This isn’t my land. I am just taking care of it for the future generations. I want to make sure I pass it along in better condition than I received it.” This is why we allow natural ground covers to grow in our orchards, they provide a diversity of flora and promote healthy soils To that end, Billings makes every effort to maintain the farm’s most precious resource: water. Over the years we have become increasingly efficient with our water usage in the orchards and in turn be better stewards of the land we farm.
As Billings watches his oldest son (age 17) show interest in farming, he understands that the greatest gifts he can give his three kids are the lessons, morals, and expertise passed down from his own father and grandfather. Plus, he now has his own distinct legacy to offer: the production of creamy, probiotic-rich AYO Almondmilk Yogurt, backed by a 100-plus year tradition of responsible cultivation and successful almond farming. With his solid foundational expertise and vertically integrated capabilities, Billings carried out a lifelong vision of building a quality consumer brand that delivers on what customers want: a delicious, clean-crafted delicious tasting almondmilk yogurt. It’s an almond yogurt that actually tastes like almonds. Visit ayoyogurt.com to learn more and shop AYO Almondmilk Yogurt at your local store.
About AYO Almondmilk Yogurt:
“From farm to spoon, from us to you,”AYO Almondmilk Yogurt is the only non-dairy yogurt crafted using organic almonds produced by fourth-generation farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Run for more than 100 years by the Billings family, Billings Ranches is committed to forward-thinking practices of sustainability, traceability, and vertical integration, which nourish the land they are proud to call home. In new AYO Almond Yogurt, lightly-toasted almond flavor is enriched with live active cultures to produce a probiotic-rich, vegan treat the whole family will love. You can find AYO Almondmilk Yogurt at your local store. Learn more at ayoyogurt.com.
COVID-19 Shines A Bright Light On Disparities In Health Care Among People Of Color
New York, NY, August 12, 2020 ̶“During the coronavirus pandemic, people should guard their eyes with glasses or face shields to protect their eyes from virus infection,"said Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York. People also need to know, even though there are many concerns about COVID-19, common-sense precautions can significantly reduce the risk of infection, he says, adding: “Wash hands frequently, follow good contact lens hygiene and avoid rubbing or touching our mouth, nose, and especially our eyes.'' Dr. Laroche is also affiliated with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Island Eye Surgical Center, and New York University.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the way people visit their doctors. For patients over 60, Dr. Laroche advises it's better to stay home and do telehealth over the phone or video consultation until the pandemic flattens. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic. “Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80% of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts. A healthy brain function requires a healthy vision. The brain is our most essential organ, and It allows us to control other organs. Normal and healthy vision contributes to improved learning and comprehension for a better quality of life,” says Dr. Laroche.
Dr. Laroche says there is another critical issue that COVID-19 has brought to the forefront and that is the issue of health care disparities among Black and Brown people. “Nationally, African American deaths from COVID-19 are nearly two times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population. In four states, the rate is three or more times greater. In forty-two states, plus Washington, D.C., Hispanics make up a greater share of confirmed cases than their share of the population. In eight states it’s more than four times greater,” he says, adding: “In stark contrast, White deaths from COVID-19 are lower than their share of the population in thirty-seven states.”
Dr. Laroche says there are several things that can be done to not only address but to help combat this issue:
1. Increase the number of Black and Afro-Latino physicians worldwide.
2. Implement universal healthcare.
3. Increase wealth and education which produces better health.
4. Provide a living income stipend for poor people to access food and reduce malnutrition.
5. Eliminate racism to reduce stress.
6. Identify white supremist organizations as terrorist groups.
7. Recommend all corporations have people of color in the top management and leadership positions.
8. Eliminate sole reliance on standardized testing as the criteria to be used at entry to magnet schools.
9. Provide more funding to reduce homelessness and for mental health.
10.The government should also require medical school, research and hospital funding to diversify and benefit people of color.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche:
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his Ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
For more information about Dr. Laroche, please call 212-663-0473 or visit: www.advancedeyecareny.com.
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