StemCell Therapy

When a WNBA team is drafting in the middle of the second round, its probably not expecting to land a major contributor. A rebounding or 3-point specialist, perhaps a player who could earn a roster spot if things go right in training camp but would ultimately struggle to stick around for very long.

This is what makes Tammy Sutton-Browns story so special. Drafted at out of Rutgers at No. 18 overall, Sutton-Brown was never known as a stats monster or superstar player, yet she still became a model of steady play and longevity across her 12 WNBA seasons.

When it was all said and done, Sutton-Brown had played 388 games and nearly 10,000 minutes. She still ranks near the top of the historical WNBA leaderboards in several categories, namely total offensive rebounds (708; 18th in WNBA history) and blocked shots (555; 7th).

The 6-foot-4 Sutton-Brown began her WNBA career in Charlotte, where she was drafted by the Sting in 2001. While Sutton-Browns draft position of No. 18 overall has not typically been kind to rookies over the years, Sting head coach Anne Donovan entrusted her with 20.8 minutes played and 21 starts.

Sutton-Browns volume increased in her second season, and with it her per-game stats. She averaged 11.9 points on 53.1 percent shooting in 2002, along with 6.0 rebounds (2.4 offensive) per game. It earned her a trip to the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game, representing the Eastern Conference alongside fellow up-and-comers Tamika Catchings and Penny Taylor.

Of course, Sutton-Brown never reached the legendary status of those players, but remained remarkably consistent for the Sting as their starting center. Per 36 minutes, she never averaged fewer than 11.7 points or 7.3 rebounds during her time in Charlotte, with her usage falling between 20.0 percent and 21.6 percent in each season. Sutton-Brown also became one of the better rim protectors in the WNBA, finishing outside of the leagues top 10 in blocked shots only once.

The unfortunate folding of the Sting franchise in early 2007 spelled the end of Sutton-Browns time in Charlotte, but her contract with the Sting had expired anyway, and she was thus ineligible for the ensuing dispersal draft.

Instead, Sutton-Brown signed a contract with the Indiana Fever, for whom she continued her steady play. Sutton-Brown was named to her second and final All-Star game in 2007, a season in which she averaged a career-best 17.1 points per 36 minutes for the 21-13 Fever.

While Sutton-Browns 2007 season was her last big one her usage rate declined from a career-high 24.3 percent in 2007 to 20.3 percent in 2008, 19.8 in 2009 and 17.1 in 2010 she continued to start for the Fever, and the Fever continued to win. Indiana made the 2009 WNBA Finals (where the Fever lost in five games to the Phoenix Mercury) and won at least 21 games in each of the following three seasons.

By 2012, Sutton-Brown was 34 years old, and while she kept starting on yet another successful Fever team, her on-court contributions were lessening. Sutton-Browns starting spot was usurped by Erlana Larkins in the 2012 playoffs, a move that proved crucial to Indianas upset of the Minnesota Lynx in the Finals.

The Fevers championship was a storybook ending for Sutton-Brown, who decided to retire following the 2012 season. She had been a solid WNBA starter for many years, falling just short of the ultimate goal in several of them, so it was only right that she finally won a title in the twilight of her career. Sutton-Browns WNBA story is remembered as one of both longevity and consistency, and to this day she remains the only No. 18 overall pick to be named a WNBA All-Star.

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Tammy Sutton-Browns WNBA career was a long and successful one - Swish Appeal

BYDs Blade Battery Factory in Chongqing

BYD allowed outsiders for the first time on Wednesday into its Chongqing, China factory that produces its Blade Battery.

More than 100 media and industry experts toured the FinDreams Battery Factory, which began production of the new battery on March 29.

The electric vehicle manufacturer developed much of the production equipment at a total investment of 10 billion yuan, or $1.4 billion USD, and has an annual production capacity of 20GWH.

The Blade Battery can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 33 minutes, supporting the BYD Han EVs acceleration of zero to 100 km/h, or 62 mph, in 3.9 seconds. Its accumulated mileage can reach 1.2 million km, or 745,645 mph, after 3,000 cycles of charging and discharging.

In short, the Blade Battery outpaces ternary lithium batteries and traditional lithium iron phosphate batteries among the metrics of longevity, power and strength, BYD said.

The Han EV is BYDs flagship sedan model is slated for launch later this month.

BYDs Han EV is the first electric vehicle equipped with the Blade Battery, possessing a cruising range of 605 km (375 mph) with a single charge, said Li Yunfei, vice general manager of BYD Auto Sales.

The factory has a highly specialized environment, reaching the same standards as LCD screen production.

The nature of the factorys environment can be seen in the core production process, BYD said in a statement.

Sun Huajun, vice general manager of the FinDreams Battery Factory, said the strict conditions are a necessary foundation to the Blade Batterys high safety standards.

The nearly one-meter-long pole piece can achieve tolerances of within 0.3mm, and the accuracy and speed of a single-piece lamination have an efficiency of 0.3s/pcs. This is the first of its kind in the world. This form of lamination comes from BYDs completely independent development of its equipment and cutting-edge solutions aspects that are uncopiable, he said.

The Blade Battery is a single-cell battery that can be placed in an array and inserted into a battery pack like a blade.

Compared with ternary lithium batteries and traditional lithium iron phosphate batteries, it holds notable advantages in its high safety, long range and enduring longevity, BYD said.

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BYD gives first glimpse of Blade Battery factory in China - The Fourth Revolution

Ice Cube stars as Jack Robertson in The High Note, a Focus Features release. (Photo credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features)

The new movieThe High Note, starring Tracee Ellis Ross, Ice Cube and Kelvin Harrison Jr., is a story about taking chances and following your heart. The film follows superstar Grace Davis (Ross) as she struggles with her next career move. The audience sees the dynamic between Davis and music manager Jack Robertson (Ice Cube) play out as he tries to convince her to play it safe.

Rolling out had the opportunity to speak with veteran actor Ice Cube about taking on the role, what it takes to conquer the music industry and building a legacy.

What drew you to the role of music manager Jack Robertson in The High Note?

Just being able to see behind the curtain of the music industry. I think being an artist myself, its a million stories you can tell about what happens backstage and offstage and so [I wanted] to be able to show that in the movie. I thought the most amazing relationship in the movie was between Grace Davis and Maggie, her assistant. Everybody wants to go work for somebody famous and for their favorite artists, but do you really? You never know what youre going to get. Knowing that [producer] Rodney Jerkins was doing the music, I knew the music would be on point. Just getting a chance to play a character like Jack was fun.

The High Note focuses on the theme of career evolution. How important is reinvention to the longevity of a career in the entertainment industry?

I think its important to think about the direction that you are going and want to go to. Longevity is something we all want, but theres a path to longevity. Definitely a trust from the audience. You have to give good work, but you also have to give people what they dont expect, so thats reinventing yourself sometimes.

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Ice Cube discusses new role in 'The High Note' and the key to career longevity - Rolling Out

Hardwood athletic floors have beenhardwoodmuchlonger thanthey havebeenathletic.

Todays high shock-absorption, resilient floors are vastly different than the subfloor assemblies prominent in the late 1800s when basketball,squash andvolleyball were being introduced. Floors used for athletic activities during that time period were really designed for warehouse andindustrial settings, and carried over to serve as gymnasium floors for many years to followwith no added cushioning below subfloor assemblies.

Even with the emergence of cushioned floors in the 1950s, the industrial use of non-shock absorbing floors from the turn of the century continued to be installed in gymnasiums well into the 1980s.

Hardwoodathletic floorsinstalled in todays gymnasiums are apt to include some type of resilient pad or foam cushion support. Sport floor systems thatare provided and installed byindustry professionalstypically include high levels ofshockabsorption. Shock absorption is measured and verified by third-party, independent laboratories that have equipment designed to measure characteristics that include force reduction,verticaldeflection andbasketballrebound.

One of the benefits of hardwood floors is longevity. Hardwood floors can provide wear-life lasting upwards of 70 years. Due to hardwoods longevity, there are many gym floors still in use today that are based on the 100-year-old warehouse orindustrialfloor designs. The rigid response to athletic impacts when playing on such floors still in usetodayare the same as when playing on such non-resilient wood floors long before the NBA wasformed.

When was the last time you watched a track event raced on cinder tracks? Do you notice the small, rubber infilled granules sprinkled to the surface when watchingfootball on artificialturffields?Advancements in thosesports surfacesareobvious and can be seen by the human eye.Thecombination of elastic components and subfloor configurations below todays hardwood athletic floors is nearly limitlessbutalways concealed.

The long life of maple flooring offers numeroussandings, after whichyouare left with a clean slate. The floor can be finished with basic gameline uptowhat sometimes look likeworks of art using a mix of stains, paint anddifferent floor grades. The design component is true whether youare on a hardwood floor system going back generations and designed for industrial applications, or on a true hardwood athletic floor designed specifically for sports and recreational activities.

The sayingYou cant tell a book by its cover especially pertains to hardwood athletic floors. You could be playing on the most advanced resilient hardwood athletic floor available or on a rigid floor system designed well before the introduction of the jump shot andglass backboard.

Randy Randjelovic is the technical advisor at Aacer Flooring with over 40 years of experience in the hardwood floor industry. For more information, email randyr@aacerflooring.com.

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Hardwood Athletic Floors, Then and Now - Campus Rec Magazine

Wed like to think that the lockdown has motivated us to pay attention to what we put in our body. Health and a balanced diet have climbed back up the priority ladder as home cooking rose to the occasion. It isnt news that the Mediterranean diet, rich in seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, is one of the healthiest diets in the world for longevity.

So we decided to tweak a classic Mediterranean dish, and make it with only Indian GI-tagged ingredients.

What you will need:

Directions:

Heat up a saucepan and add the chulli oil, hill garlic and chicken meat, and saut for a couple of minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, olives, cumin, pepper and chilies, and cook for another minute, until combined. Pour in the lemon juice and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce is reduced and chicken cooked. Add salt to taste and serve atop some Manipuri black rice!

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Mediterranean Meets the Indian GI - Outlook India

06/04 Update below. This post was originally published on June 3

iPhone and iPad problems have increased for users in recent weeks with ongoing bugs and major security vulnerabilities, with Apple playing a game of Whack-a-Mole twice in quick succession. But now the company is planning to reward iPhone owners who stick with them.

Apple looks set to extend it's already unmatched iOS longevity for millions of iPhone owners

New information attained by The Verifier reveals plans to continue support for all iOS 13-compatible iPhones with iOS 14. The Verifier states this information comes via access to a build of iOS 14 which was subsequently verified by a trusted source in Apples development team. Given the numerous problems in iOS 13, particularly early releases, ongoing software and security support would be a major reason for owners of older iPhones to stick with the company.

06/03 Update: details from future iOS updates continue to leak. Spotted by 9to5Mac, code inside Apple's iOS 13.5.5 beta software reveals the company is preparing to launch new service bundles. The terms "bundle offer" and "bundle subscription" are contained in the release with packages expected to combine Apple Music ($9.99 per month), Apple TV+ ($4.99 pm) and Apple News+ ($9.99 pm). No price has been revealed for any bundle ($15-20 would seem a likely price range), but with Apple Music significantly more popular than the other two, it makes sense for Apple to try and bolster its others services as a package. The arrival of Apple service bundles alongside surprisingly affordable new 5G iPhones again confirms the company's aggressive new strategy of undercutting rivals on price this year. Based on what we already know about the new iPhone 12 range, this hardware + software value-based combination could prove unstoppable.

06/04 Update: 9to5Mac has discovered more new features hidden inside a leaked build of iOS 14. These include a built-in translator for Safari (which works offline with all translations happening on-device) and, most significantly, support for the Apple Pencil. In the early iOS 14 build 9to5Mac attained, Pencil support is limited to websites but it is not limited to navigation with both drawing and markup supported. Having long been removed as a potential feature limited to new iPhone hardware, it would be big news if Pencil support becomes available to all iPhone owners with iOS 14. Needless to say, features from early software can just as easily be removed as added so there is no guarantee it will make the final release but it would be a very welcome addition, if it survives.

For those in doubt, iOS 13 currently supports the iPhone 6S and newer and the 7th generation iPod touch. The Verifier doesnt confirm whether iPadOS 14 will be so generous (iPadOS 13 supports the 2014 iPad Air 2 and newer), but it would seem like a good bet. Interestingly, the report also backs up an early leak from iPhoneSoft.fr which made the same claim in January though with the caveat that Apples decision at the time was not yet final.

If correct, this news could not be better timed for iPhone owners. Aside from being a thank you for sticking with the company through its problems with iOS 13, it would show Apple is not blind to the considerable challenges in 2020 and the fact they put many owners of older iPhones in a difficult financial position where they may not be able to justify an upgrade this year.

Apple iOS 13 devices all look set to receive iOS 14 support

Of course, the flipside is iOS 15 may well drop two generations of iPhone in 2021 (iOS 13 dropped support for both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus), but that is a problem for another time. Troubled as iOS updates have been in recent years, the longevity of their support remains a key differentiator. With the iPhone 12 also set to undercut 5G Android rivals on price, Apple may just have played its winning hand.

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Apple Just Gave Millions Of Users A Reason To Keep Their iPhones - Forbes

Even before the coronavirus pandemic erupted, retirement savings were at risk, according to Building Better Retirement Systems in the Wake of the Global Pandemic, a working paper issued by the Pension Research Council of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

The paper points out that the World Economic Forum estimates the retirement savings gap will grow 5% each year to reach approximately $400 trillion by 2050adding an additional $28 billion to the deficit each day.

Defined benefit (DB) plans around the world have long been facing rising underfunding, in part due to an aging population and a shrinking working age population on which contributions, or taxes, can be levied. Exacerbating this, many DB plan sponsors have underestimated retiree longevity, and some have failed to add their required contributions to plans.

Moreover, the paper says, DB plans have tended to invest in risky assets including equities, hedge funds and alternative investmentsnone of which were selected to defease, or match, benefit promises. Prior to the COVID-19 market downturn, U.S. public DB plan underfunding had swelled to $4 trillion. Globally, that deficit is estimated to be $34 trillion.

Defined contribution (DC) plans shift the responsibility to save and choose investments to participants. The paper says that these participants also bear longevity risk, particularly if they draw down their assets too quickly. These workers may not even participate in their DC plan, or contribute too little, the paper says. Part-time or lower-paid workers may not even be offered a retirement savings plan.

Further complicating the outlook for both DB and DC plan participants is that interest rates have been very low for the past several years, the paper says. This reality has contributed to severe DB underfunding, particularly when actual returns fall far below those assumed when computing contribution obligations, the paper says. DC plans, which are now the norm in many countries, face even more complex challenges, since they do not have explicit funding targets, yet they also suffer when capital markets underperform.

Then came the coronavirus outbreak in late 2019 in China. As the outbreak entered the United States, U.S. equity markets began crashing on February 24, and in March, global stock markets lost trillions.

The paper notes that the COVID-19 pandemic could depress returns for decades. Citing one researcher who looked into the effects of past European pandemics, the after-effects persist for roughly 40 years, with real rates of return substantially depressed.

In the U.S., the employment to population ratio fell from 60% in January to 52% in April, leading the federal government to increase its debt levels to offer relief. But that raises worries about U.S. fiscal sustainability, the paper notes.

The effect of the coronavirus on the markets has made DB underfunding far worse, although, the paper notes, because accounting procedures permit these plans to smooth their funding patterns over several years, it will take time before the full impact of their investment losses are fully recognized.

U.S. state and local pensions are also suffering, where plan funding has fallen from an estimated 52% to 37%, the paper continues. Even larger drops are foreseen for Connecticut (28%), Kentucky (25%), New Jersey (24%) and Illinois (20%), leaving only a few years of assets with which to pay benefits.

Corporate DB plans underfunding went from $329 billion at the end of 2019 to $619 billion in March, according to Morgan Stanley.

And the U.S. Social Security system is projected to be able to pay only three-quarters of scheduled benefits within a dozen years, but the pandemic might hasten that contraction to as soon as 2029.

Because of rising unemployment, many employers are permitting their workers to take out larger loans from their DC plans. In the U.S., a participant can take out as much as $100,000. The paper says that, by one estimate, half of U.S. workers have already dipped or plan to dip into their DC retirement funds.

On top of this, some employers are reducing or stopping their 401(k) matches, and as many as 200,000 firms may terminate their DC plans completely.

Because COVID-19 has exposed so many people to catastrophically expensive health problems, some financial advisers are revising the recommendation that retirees withdraw 4% of their assets each year to 2.4%.

In the U.S. the cost of retirement, or the amount of money one would need to save in order to generate a payment of $1 a year for 25 years has risen by 14%, from $21 for a target retirement in 2040 in 2019, to nearly $24 in March.

How can people offset these challenges? One option is to work longer and postpone a potential retirement date. A March survey of Americans between the ages of 55 and 60 found that 44% would like to work longer. However, that may not be possible in the near term, as there could be massive unemployment for some time to come, according to the paper. And those who decide to take their pensions early are likely to find their benefits reduced.

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which was passed last year, permits private sector employers to establish multiple employer pension plans and requires them to give part-time and part-year workers access to DC plans.

Six states are now offering state-based DC plans that employers are required to offer if they do not already have a retirement plan. These are helpful in covering lower-paid workers at small firms, the paper says.

The pandemic will likely result in fewer pension plans in the U.S., as they struggle to pay benefits and maintain adequate funding following the pandemic, according to the paper. Some might remain in place but make cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).

Since DC plans will become even more pronounced if there are fewer pension plans, it is expected that more of them will adopt automatic enrollment and automatic escalation. If returns remain low, as they are expected to, workers will need to save more. One researcher says that if returns are 2% and a worker has only 20 years to save, they will need to save as much as 33%, or even 48%, of their pay. Someone with 30 years to save would need to save 15% to 16% of their pay.

Target-date funds (TDFs) can boost retirement wealth by as much as 50% over a 30-year savings horizon. The paper suggests that robo-advice may be used in retirement plans to help guide workers on how to allocate their savings.

The paper also says that with governments making such massive fiscal expenditures due to the coronavirus, they may decide to make all DC plans Roth plans, so they can collect the taxes on the front end.

The paper also expects that DC plans will begin to help workers with the decumulation phase, perhaps converting their savings into annuities that guarantee lifetime income.

In sum, post COVID-19, it will be challenging but critical to provide more retirees access to low-cost annuities and high-quality but low-cost investment advice, the paper says. Additional research and product development will be required, to make the retirement decumulation process easier for retirees to manage.

Insurers could more accurately price longevity risk if policymakers found a way to provide more granular data about mortality and morbidity patterns. And Social Security and pensions need to be better funded, the paper says. Policymakers could encourage delayed retirement and employers could also delink health care benefits from employment and, instead, make them available through associations or multiple employer plans.

Finally, policymakers should ensure that more people are educated about the importance of saving for retirement. With more information, people do a better job planning, saving and decumulating during retirement, the paper says.

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COVID-19 Has Made the Retirement System Weaker - PLANSPONSOR

We are focused on accelerating the necessary dialogue for the benefit of advisors, their firms, and most importantly their clients.

NEW YORK (PRWEB) June 04, 2020

The Money Management Institute (MMI) and Financial Advisor Magazine are joining forces to take on the Next Big Thing the transition of the financial advice industry to managing retirement. The initiative, Next Chapter, will focus on the long-heralded retirement age wave with specific efforts to support financial advisors, investment managers, income product companies, and service, technology, and planning providers.

Financial Advisor has a rich history of providing thought leadership and best practice guidance to advisors. As the leading industry association representing financial services firms that provide investment advice and solutions, MMI facilitates collaboration among investment managers, broker-dealers, FinTech providers, and most recently insurance and annuity companies.

The new partnership is aimed directly at helping advisors and their firms work better together and deliver investment advisory solutions that effectively integrate human and digital capabilities.

For years weve talked about the coming decumulation phase for Baby Boomer clients, said Craig Pfeiffer, President and CEO of MMI. Weve reached a demographic tipping point where half of the Baby Boomer population is at the age 65 target point or beyond it. We are focused on accelerating the necessary dialogue for the benefit of advisors, their firms, and most importantly their clients. Its time to take real action, especially in light of our current challenging times.

The best financial advisors are already leading the way by providing solutions for their clients that account for the challenges of longevity. With Next Chapter, we plan to provide them with greater support and more innovation, added Gary Holland, CEO of Charter Financial Publishing Network, the parent company of Financial Advisor.

COVID-19 burst the bull market bubble and reframed retirement and planning. Wealth is now tied to health, and we are all re-assessing our life priorities. What does that Next Chapter hold for clients, their advisors, and the firms that supply critical resources and innovation? We are taking action to drive better outcomes, said Steve Gresham, who will serve as Managing Partner of the Next Chapter initiative.

Next Chapters direction and programming will be guided by two steering councils a Leadership Council, which includes Pfeiffer, Holland, and Gresham, and an Advisory Council. Both groups are comprised of senior executives from firms across the investment advice industry infrastructure.

The Next Chapter leadership team includes Evan Simonoff, Editor-in-Chief of Financial Advisor, David Smith, Co-Founder and Group Publisher of Charter Financial Publishing Network, and Joan Lensing, Chief Programming Officer of MMI.

Background

Hidden behind the March 2020 bear market and the COVID-19 pandemic is a new golden age of financial advice that provides a unique opportunity for the advisors and firms willing to answer the call. Baby Boomers have driven the modern economy and are now moving en masse from accumulation to distribution just as pundits have been forecasting for thirty years.

Added Gresham, We are smack in the middle of the demographic bell curve with the median Boomer at 64. An advice industry built to help clients invest for retirement has been slow to adjust to the demands of managing and funding that retirement which is a much different and more complex endeavor than investing. To best serve the rapidly evolving needs of this demographic, the industry must come to grips with a new normal, The Retirement Income Age.

Objectives: The Four Pillars of Next Chapter

Next Chapter will focus on delivering content and programming that addresses four key areas:

Delivery

COVID-19 has created a more robust and connected virtual community. FA and MMI hope to gather their separate constituents in person when safe to do so, but will in the short-term focus on virtual delivery of educational and development tracks for members of the unified retirement income profession:

Join us!

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Steve Gresham, Managing Partner, Next Chapter at steve@theexecutionproject.com or (203) 623-2265.

About the Money Management Institute (MMI): Established in 1997, the Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association representing financial services firms that provide financial advice and investment advisory solutions to investors. Through conferences, educational resources, and thought leadership, MMI facilitates peer-to-peer connections, fosters industry knowledge and professionalism, and supports the development of the next generation of industry leadership. MMI member firms are dedicated to helping individual and institutional investors, at every level of assets, plan for and fulfill their financial goals. For more information, visit http://www.MMInst.org.

About Financial Advisor (FA): Reaching more than 135,000 qualified readers each month, Financial Advisor delivers essential market information and strategies that advisors need to succeed in their increasingly complex environment. FA focuses on sophisticated planning and investment strategies to help advisors better serve their affluent clients, as well as practice management ideas to help advisors build their firms. FA goes in-depth to challenge traditional planning wisdom by introducing readers to new approaches to help them better counsel clients. To achieve these goals, FA continuously seeks to bring together the best team of editors and contributing writers to provide the most compelling publication for the top decision-makers in the financial advisory field. For more information, visit http://www.fa-mag.com.

About The Execution Project: The Execution Project is a consulting firm focused on better execution of wealth management, leveraging the four key drivers of success adapting to the demands of aging clients, advisor practice management including technology, effective use of data and AI, and effective organizational alignment to support digital and human capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.theexecutionproject.com.

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Two Industry Champions Take Up the Challenge of Advising Clients' Next Chapter - PR Web

Humans are living longer than ever before, but with the increases in lifespan there are also increases in the occurrence of ageing related diseases such as dementia, frailty, and cancer. Gaining a better understanding of the biology of aging and knowing the genes and proteins involved in these processes will help to increase our healthspan to go along with longevity to live as healthy as we can for as long as we can.

In a recent study, the novel anti-aging protein Gaf1 was identified, it was found to control protein metabolism which has been implicated in aging and disease; cells without Gaf1 were found to have a shorter lifespan.

The complex process of aging depends on genetic and environmental factors such as diet. Calorie restricted diets have been shown to promote prolonged lifespans, and this holds true for a variety of organisms with short term studies suggesting that it also helps to improve human health.

Emerging evidence now suggests that it may actually be the quantity of specific nutrients such as amino acids that are linked to the increased longevity rather than the amount of calories consumed. Cells can sense the amount of nutrients in their environment through specific molecules within the cells such as TOR which senses the amount of amino acids that are present in the body and available to the cells.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, when our body has an ample supply the TOR enzyme will trigger our metabolism to instruct the cells to grow by making a lot of proteins, this process is called protein translation. However, if amino acids are low TOR will instruct the body to be on alert which is referred to as a mild stress response that is thought to be beneficial for the cells and the organism overall while increased protein translation and turnover is detrimental.

Longevity is related to an organisms ability to find a way to effectively manage both internal and external stressors. Cells that are on alert have been shown to cope better, as when a cell invests in protein translation and growth it lowers its defenses and is not able to cope with stress as effectively.

A recent study analyzing the turnover of proteins within cells of different animals with lifespans ranging from 4-200 years found that the longer lived animals had lower protein turnover and energy demand within their cells as compared to the shorter lived animals.

DNA carries genetic information, genes are pieces of DNA and many are responsible for making proteins. For a protein to be made the cell needs to produce a mRNA copy of the corresponding gene through a transcription process; mRNA guides the cell ribosomes on the order that amino acids should be linked together to make proteins.

Cells also require ATP energy, amino acids, and small tRNA molecules for protein translation which takes a lot of energy; each cell may need tens of thousands of ribosomes to translate its proteins. The more food a cell has the more active TOR will be instructing the cell to grow and divide. When TOR is inactive as in dietary restriction it will stop translation by preventing existing ribosomes from functioning, as well as stopping the production of new ribosomes.

Scientists recently discovered new function of the Gaf1 protein which is a transcription factor that is able to bind on cell DNA and activate/repress specific genes. When TOR is active Gaf1 can be found in the cytoplasm of the cell and it does not bind on the DNA, but when TOR is inactivated Gaf1 can travel to the nucleus and bind to DNA. When it binds to DNA it stops all the genes that are responsible for making tRNAs as well as other genes needed for translation. This is done by controlling a network of genes that are responsible for providing all of the building blocks for making proteins to stop the cell from putting energy into translation by preventing it from making the components needed for the process; but this is only temporary as when amino acids are available this halt is reversed.

Cells lacking in Gaf1 have been found to be short-lived; TOR signals cells to grow which contributes to aging, but when TOR is inhibited the growth is halted and extends lifespan. When Gaf1 is not present growth is not halted and the observed extension in lifespan is not taking place fully, meaning a molecule was found by the scientists that mediates some of the beneficial effects of dietary restriction.

This study was examining yeasts, but proteins similar to Gaf1 exist in many animals which includes humans, and they have been shown to control development as well as stem cells which are important in whether we develop diseases. It may be possible that these proteins have the same functions in humans that were observed with Gaf1 in yeast.

TOR function, cell growth and protein production are important to physiology and healthspan but they can also contribute to the development of certain diseases. This study has demonstrated how dietary restriction is controlled down to the cells genes, and the findings may allow for the examination of how specific drugs or diets can work to enhance the function of these factors for beneficial effects that may even increase human healthspan.

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Anti-Aging Protein Shown To Slow Cell Growth Important To Longevity - Anti Aging News

We look to centenarians as our guides for living life to the fullest. The Blue Zones refers to the regions where people often live up to triple digits relatively free of diseases. Thats why we pay attention to the food they eat, the wine they drink, and a certain activity that keeps them, uh, lively. Yes, there seems to be a link between sex and longevity of life.

In the Blue Zones region of Ikaria, Greece, for example, more than 80 percent of people between ages 65 and 100 are still having sex. Eighty percent! Now thats something to look forward to if I ever make it that far. Whats more illuminating is that good health seems to inform a longer sex life which in turn informs a longer life in general; its a very uplifting loop. For example, one of the secrets of these long-lasting folk is that they maintain a diet thats 95 to 100 percent plant-based, which is obviously a solid lifestyle switch, but its thought that it could make sex better, too. Theres even research pointing out that men who eat less red meat and lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have less erectile dysfunction. Neat.

Likewise, research has previously revealed the benefits of sex when it comes to the health of middle-agers. A 2016 study on partnered sex and cardiovascular risk revealed a connection between lowered mortality rate and frequency of orgasm in women. And take this with the tiniest grain of salt, but a small study of college students noted that those who had sex two times a week had an overall higher immunity than those who were socializing far less.

Although a lot of research leans towards heterosexual sexual intercourse, your climax in general can be a boon for your longevity. After all, the benefits of orgasmsinclude lowered stress due to feel-good oxytocin release, aquicker and deeper nights sleep, and yes, good heart health. Seeking your pleasure by any means is probably a boon to your sexuality and lifespan.

Its nice to consider this life hack (is that what this is?) if youre looking to spend your golden years with a special someone. Remember, sex can be a bonding agent that helps strengthen your relationship (see: oxytocin release), and while long passages of time with a person might diminish arousal, there are plenty of ways to diversify your sexual experience. If youre extremely pro-orgasms, you want a beautifully long life, and you want to get there with your significant other, keep sex as a regular part of your wellness routine.

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More than 80% of the worlds longest-living people are having sex between age 65 and 100heres their secret - Well+Good

Betty White has joked that vodka helps keep her young.

Betty White. Source: Bang Showbiz

The 98-year-old actress is quarantining at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic and sometimes treats herself to a "vodka martini with hot dogs and french fries", although she is not a big drinker.

A source told Closerweekly.com: "Betty loves to joke that vodka keeps her young.

"She loves the image of her sitting at home in a rocking chair, drinking a martini and watching game shows, but she's not really a big drinker. That's not her. She'll only take a few sips of a cocktail if the occasion calls for it."

And Betty believes the global health crisis is a chance for people to stop and reevaluate their lives.

The insider explained: "Betty's message to the world is to slow down and enjoy what you have: family, friends, your pets. She says that the pandemic is serious, but we have come through worse. It's Mother Nature's way of telling us all to slow down."

Betty has been passing the time in isolation by reading the newspaper and doing crossword puzzles.

Her friend Tom Sullivan said: "She reads the L.A. Times cover to cover. She owns literally thousands of crossword puzzle books and is constantly doing them to keep her mind jumping. This is really serious with her."

However, Betty's beloved Scrabble nights with her friends have had to be put on hold.

One source said: "She's tried Zooming her Scrabble game with her friends, but it's not quite the same."

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Veteran actress Betty White jokingly reveals secret of her longevity - 1News

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Modified 26 May 2020, 14:47 IST

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's stunning longevity has evoked respect and admiration from all corners of the world. And now, Nadal himself has shared his views on what makes the mythical Big 3 of men's tennis so special.

Speaking to ESPN Argentina, the 19-time Grand Slam champion singled out the unbridled passion for the sport within each of the Big 3 as the single biggest reason for their dominance.

The legendary trio have revolutionized the game with their ability to win the biggest titles even in their mid-30s, changing the very notion of a career in tennis. Gone are the days when turning 30 would mean bidding adieu to the sport for good.

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have shown that age is just a number if you are fully aware of what your body needs. Their iron grip on the sport has earned them a staggering 56 out of the last 67 Slams, which has practically shut the door on the next generation.

According to Rafael Nadal, while passion is important, it is not the only thing needed for such a long reign at the top. The Spaniard stressed on a player's ability to adapt to different surfaces, conditions and the growing demands of the sport as yet another requisite for a long and successful career.

Having a team that can help in the clarity of your thought process and eliminate all your doubts is essential too, as per the southpaw. Surrounding yourself with the right people who can show you the right direction and can motivate you everyday to reach your desired goal is absolutely crucial.

Re-iterating what he had said yesterday about never resting on your past laurels, the 12-time French Open winner once again harped on the importance of constant self-improvement as the key to prosperity and longevity.The fact that each of the Big 3 has made continuous efforts to build on their game is what has made them versatile and, in turn, helped them master all surfaces for such a long time.

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We continue our look at the greatest players for each position that have played for the Miami Heat. The center position is filled with some great players, and its a little bit of choice where you want to put them.

Wed love for you to read through and tell us what you think.

**These rankings are based on both longevity and impact. A player is not ineligible if they played for a short amount of time, but their impact must be high.**

Lets take a look at the best centers to play for the Miami Heat.

#5 Rony SeikalyFor six seasons in Miami, Seikaly was the starting center in Miami as the franchise began. He was a good center, averaging 15.4 PPG and 10.4 RPG. He also won the NBAs Most Improved Player Award in 1989-90.

Seikaly never did anything to wow you, but he was a consistent presence on a young team and for that, he make the list.

#4 Hassan WhitesideTheres a lot of mixed feelings about Whitesides time in Miami. It started out with such intrigue and promise as a D-League call-up who started getting triple doubles with blocks. Whiteside was a double-double machine in his 5 seasons with the Heat. He led the league in rebounding with 14.1 in 2016-17. And he led the league in blocks with 3.7 in 2015-16.

Whiteside signed a massive 4-year, $98 million deal in 2016 and he had his best season in that first year averaging 17 PPG and 14 RPG. But after than, his minutes started to decline, as well as his numbers...and some suggested his effort. He was disgruntled and the Heat traded him away.

Regardless, he was a powering presence that played 5 seasons in Miami.

#3 Bam AdebayoAt 22 years-old, Edrice Adebayo became only the third center for Miami to become an All-Star. Adebayo has only been in Miami for three seasons, and this is his first time as a full-time starter, but he hasnt disappointed. He is well rounded, averaging 5 APG, which is by far the best for any center in Heat history.

His sky is the limit. Yes, Seikaly and Whiteside probably have room to grumble being behind him, but the fact that he so quickly became an All-Star and is on his way to a stellar career, I went ahead and penciled him in above him. In October of 2018, Alonzo Mourning predicted that Adebayo would be the best player in the organization...

#2 Shaquille ONealShaq is probably the greatest center to ever play the game, so dominant. But we are judging his time in Miami. And when he arrived at age 32, he was good, but not unstoppable. Shaq had a near MVP season in 2004-05, claiming second to Steve Nash. And then you know he led the Heat, alongside Dwyane Wade to the 2006 title.

In Miami, Shaq averaged 19.6 PPG and 9.1 RPG. His first two years in Miami, he led the NBA in FG%. He was the Diesel, but only spent 3 and a half seasons here as things went south immediately after the title. Still, hes the second best center to lace them up here.

#1 Alonzo MourningThere is a reason he is still around and involved as a part of the Miami Heat organization today.

Alonzo Mourning is one of the best players to ever play for Miami. And his longevity and skill lead him to the top for this category. Its interesting because for much of his career, Zo was overshadowed by Shaq...maybe all of his career. He averaged 21 and 10 as a rookie, but Shaq was the story.

Mourning spent 11 different seasons with the Heat, including the 2006 title team. Mourning was a 5-time All-Star with the Heat (7 overall). He won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in back to back years in 1999 and 2000. He was second in MVP voting in 1999. He led the league in blocks twice. Hes got All-NBAs and all kinds of things.

He was the center of the 90s teams that made a real push and he came back after his kidney disease and played for the Heat again after a stint in New Jersey. Mourning is the best and will always be a legend in Miami.

COMMENT BELOWLet me know what you think of the list! What would you change? Brian Grant was someone I considered but he didnt make the list.

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The Top 5 Miami Heat Centers of All-Time. - Hot Hot Hoops

In times of economic distress, (re)insurance is typically considered by investors to be a defensive sector. This view is well merited: it has less exposure to economic cycles than other industries and has a strong track record in navigating macroeconomic and capital crises.

This is not to say the sector will be unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis. Access to capital has reduced while carriers assets have clearly been hit by lower interest rates, wider credit spreads and an equity crash. A fall back into recession will also hinder growth opportunities, given the long-standing correlation between economic output and premium growth.

It is nevertheless important to point out that most carriers investment portfolios are invested conservatively, with a predominance of (high-grade) fixed income securities and low equity gearings. Whilst investment returns are likely to drop to new lows, such conservative allocations are likely to insulate property and casualty insurance carriers from significant investment portfolio risks. The sector also remains well capitalized. Ultimately, the fundamentals of the (re)insurance market remain strong.

COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and Its Implications, published by the World Economic Forum with support from Marsh & McLennan, examines familiar risks that may be amplified by the pandemic and new ones that may emerge.

The report draws on survey results of nearly 350 senior risk professionals who were asked to identify their biggest concerns over the next 18 months for both the world and their business.

The likely depth and longevity of the economic fallout unsurprisingly dominates companies risks perceptions. These include a prolonged recession, the weakening fiscal position of major economies, tighter restrictions on the cross-border movement of goods and people, the protracted disruption of global supply chains, and an increase in cyberattacks and data fraud.

Guy Carpenter has convened a COVID-19 task force to help support clients through these extraordinary times. By leveraging the deep expertise within our firm and aggregating information from daily colleague and market interactions, we are able to provide our clients with unique perspectives across all lines of business and geographies.

As reinsurers escalate efforts to introduce COVID-19-related exclusions or wording changes to contracts on upcoming renewals, the task force is coordinating responses in a thoughtful manner focused on the best outcome for our clients. The task force is also monitoring regulatory activity for all regions and classes of business and disseminating timely and insightful thought leadership on matters such as these to help clients make the most informed decisions.

Read the COVID-19 Risks Outlook report >>

Click here to register to receive e-mail updates >>

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COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and Its Implications - GC Capital Ideas

It may be back to the future at the box office.

In the 70s, 80s, and into the 90s, films used to debut with much lower grosses, but spending far longer in theaters. In 1977, the original Star Wars debuted in only 32 theaters before gradually expanding nationwide, a phenomenon unthinkable for a blockbuster today.

In the 90s and 21st century, the takeover of the multiplex meant films could debut nationwide starting on day one. The rise of the gargantuan opening weekend meant films box office became far more front-loaded. The first $100 million opening weekend belonged to Spider-Man in 2002. The feat now occurs regularly, including six times last year alone.

Those 70s, 80s, and 90s titles traded lower debuts for lengthier theatrical runs, at a level that would be unfathomable today. E.T. spent 44 weekends in the box office top 10. Other unstoppable films of that era included Top Gun(27 weekends in the top 10), Titanic (26),Forrest Gump (26),Home Alone (25), andBack to the Future (24).

It seemed nothing would stop the 21st centurys era of monster openings paired with faster dropoffs until now.

Once cinemas return nationwide, a combination of social distancing measures and enforced auditorium seating limits will likely result in lower opening weekends. Simultaneously, studios sparser release calendars for months to come due to postponements, reschedulings, and a few films getting removed from theatrical release entirely in favor of streaming exclusivity will likely result in longer theatrical runs. These two factors in combination seem poised to return the box office to an old-fashioned path to profitability: debuting low but remaining in cinemas for months.

Though spending months in the top ten is a phenomenon mostly reserved for films of the 20th century, a few releases from the past decade also managed long stays in the top tier. What tends to set these films apart is positive word of mouth. Audiences will only turn out for a movie two and a half months after release if buzz remains strong, regardless of blockbuster opening weekends; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, for example, are two films with massive openings that dropped relatively quickly.

Below are the 17 films from the past decade which spent 11 in 10: at least 11 weekends in the box office top 10.

Sci-fi and fantasy blockbusters, like Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984, will be among the first major studio releases to debut on the big screen once movie theaters open their doors, making the following box office champs apt comparisons for the initial wave of post-pandemic releases.

Musicals often experience theatrical longevity, with audiences wanting to hear their favorite songs multiple times. 2002s Chicagospent 16 weekends in the top 10, the second-most of any 2000s film, behind only My Big Fat Greek Wedding with 19.

With the awards season lasting for months, these films are often ripe for theatrical longevity.

Last but not least, theres one more film from the past decade which qualifies, but didnt quite fit any of the three above categories. Spending 13 weekends in the top 10: Disneys animated Zootopia.

Read the rest here:
Which Movies Have Spent the Longest in the Box Office Top Ten? - Boxoffice Pro

Whether youre thinking about spending time outdoors this summer or keeping it closer to home, you always want to look your best and pearl powder may be your ticket to a dazzling complexion.

Pearls have a lot more to offer than simply being your favorite jewelry, and who wouldnt want their skin to glow with thelustrous shine of your favorite pearl pendant? Plus, if youre looking for a treat for yourself, a birthday present, or, why not,unique bridal shower gifts, pearl powder is the ingredient to watch for.

Pulverized pearls were a favorite of Cleopatra and the Chinese Empress Wu Zetian. Both regularly used pearls as part of their beauty routine. Pearl powder was treasured in ancient civilizations around the world, and they used it as a herbal remedy for everything from eye disease to tuberculosis. Ancient wellness trends have come full circle and are becoming the New Age beauty go-to products. From gemstone skincare to energy healing sessions, modern women are interested in natural ways to achieve beauty and open trying something new or really, making something old new again.

You probably never thought of your pearls as a strand of vitamins. Pearl powder contains almost twenty amino acids and more than two dozen important trace elements. Whether pearls come from saltwater or freshwater, both types of these natural gems are rich in essential nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and selenium. Lets delve a little deeper and discover the amazing cosmetic and medical benefits pearl powder has to offer.

Proteins are the foundation for life and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Pearls are rich in many essential amino acids and this helps to maintain good health.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It makes up some 85% of your skin, connective tissue, and muscle; it is, in essence, the glue that holds us together. With such an important role, collagen, or lack thereof, decides whether your skin is smooth and strong or fragile and wrinkled.

Several components in pearl powder support collagen production and collagen also builds muscle while promoting fat loss. One place where thin skin is particularly noticeable is around the eyes, and because pearl proteins help regenerate collagen, it can help improve the quality of that delicate tissue, leading to brighter, smoother skin. Collagen production decreases with age, which is why supplementing is so important to keep skin, and the entire body, healthy.

Pearl powder contains special proteins known as signal proteins. Signal proteins are a type of messenger in the body that tells the cells to grow, such as creating new bones or skin. The DNA in pearls signal proteins are very similar to our own that regulate calcium, another essential nutrient used in many important processes.

Conchiolin is the protein responsible for a pearls special luminescent glow. That same protein is used to produce collagen. Conchiolin is very similar to keratin which makes up a large part of your hair and skin. It is also responsible for many important functions including repair, circulation, and growth of new skin cells.

Conchiolin also combines with lipids in the skin to create a natural moisture barrier, preventing water from evaporating and creating naturally brilliant skin.

The amino acid taurine plays a role in the regeneration of skin cells, which is key for a bright, clear complexion. It increases circulation and purifies the blood, also essential for glowing skin. Additionally, taurine helps regulate the menstrual cycle, rebalancing hormones, and taming breakouts. Yet another function of taurine is to calm the mind and body in times of stress. Pearl powder is a good source of taurine.

The above are just a few examples of the important roles protein compounds in pearls play, but there are many more, including methionine which boosts elasticity; glycine that tones the skin; and glutathione, which improves immunity and prevents damage to the skin and other structures from free radicals and environmental toxins.

Everyone knows calcium is indispensable for strong bones, but it does so much more, including keeping your heart healthy. Calcium also helps curb PMS symptoms such as mood swings and depression. Pearl powder is one of the purest forms of calcium available, and it is also one of the most easily absorbed. Only leafy green vegetables match pearls for purity, while other sources of calcium can cause calcification which contributes to problems like acne, arthritis, and cellulite. Pearl powder is one of the best ways to get beneficial calcium into your body.

As you can see, pearl powder has so much more to offer than just clear skin. Pearls contain magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Magnesium performs several hundred functions. One is to maintain proper levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This, in turn, helps alleviate sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety.

Magnesium intake has also been found to help relieve panic attacks, stress, and other psychological disorders. Magnesium helps prevent constipation; good digestion is essential for healthy-looking skin and overall health. Magnesium is also a key component of bones and aids with calcium absorption. Another important role magnesium plays is regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates and glucose. Another of magnesiums many jobs is in the production of collagen.

Pearl powder has many functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including as an adaptogen or stress-reliever known asshen. The powder can also be used to lower blood pressure and improve endurance. Additionally, pearl powder can also be used to clear phlegm and ease constipation.

The powder has been used for centuries by Chinese medicine for detoxification, an anti-inflammatory and relaxant

Ayurvedic medicine also recognizes the adaptogenic power of pearls as well as its anti-aging properties. Mukta Pishti pearl powder is also used to cool the body, soothe the digestive tract, and reduce inflammation. In Ayurvedic medicine, pearls are also sometimes used as an aphrodisiac or love potion.

Pearl powder applied topically makes an exceptional exfoliator. Pearl powder has a finer grain than other microdermabrasion products. It gently but effectively removes dead cells to reveal healthy, glowing skin underneath. Products such as AHA, artificial scrubs, and other treatments are often too intense for facial skin and provoke inflammation.

The body ends up using its precious collagen to repair damage rather than renew skin cells. The overuse of harsh chemicals can also result in permanent damage, from both scarring and exposing fragile skin to harmful UV light.

With pearl powder, you only need to use it once or twice a week to get glowing skin, and without risking any detrimental effects from overuse. Regular use of pearl powder as an exfoliant helps eliminate stubborn acne and the equally stubborn dark spots that acne can leave behind.

Pearl powder increases the activity of an amazing anti-inflammatory enzyme known as SOD (superoxide dismutase). SOD combines with other nutrients to discourage a process called peroxidation, one of the most damaging types of aging in the body. SOD helps prevent the development of melanin, which you may or may not already know is the substance that creates freckles and other skin discolorations. Pearl powder moisturizes, nourishes and softens the skin, restoring its youthful glow.

An increasing body of scientific evidence proves the claims of ancient wisdom regarding the benefits of pearl powder.

Applied directly to the skin, pearl powder minimizes pores and repairs damage, whether due to sun exposure or scarring. Pearl powder also reduces sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles, as well as freckles and dark or discolored areas. Acne and other blemishes heal and elasticity improves with regular use of pearl powder.

Double your results by using pearl powder both inside and out. Pearl powders dozens of trace minerals, amino acids, and other essential nutrients promote optimum health, longevity, beauty, and happiness. Pearl powder has no known side effects or drug interactions. The powder has hardly any flavor and dissolves easily. Add it to tea, a smoothie or bone broth to increase the beneficial effects of collagen.

From helping with sleep disorders and depression to brighter skin, pearl powder offers a wide range of benefits. Pearls heal the body, mind, and spirit, as well as harmonize the bodys energy. No matter how you choose to apply it, pearl powder is the beauty industrys latest powerhouse ingredient. Humans have been harnessing the power of pearls for thousands of years for good reason: because it works.

Here are some anti-aging skin myths you need to know about. Read more here.

Read more:
Why Pearl Powder Supplements Are Taking The Beauty World By Storm - Longevity LIVE

Doosan Bobcat, a global leader in the compact equipment industry, this week announced plans for a $26 million expansion of its Litchfield, Minn., manufacturing facility. The investment will enable meeting an increased demand for Bobcats growing and expanded line of compact equipment and attachments.

The Litchfield announcement coincides with the official opening this week of Doosan Bobcats nearly $2 million investment in a new Global Collaboration Center in downtown Minneapolis at 150 South Fifth Street. The center serves as an easily accessible, centralized location where some elements of the companys global functions work, host global meetings and accelerate innovation.

These investments demonstrate our commitment to our presence in Minnesota, which is a major manufacturing hub and now a center for our global operations, said Scott Park, chief executive officer and president of Doosan Bobcat. We are proud to continually expand our compact equipment line to help empower our customers to accomplish more.

Located approximately 65 miles west of Minneapolis, Doosan Bobcats investment in Litchfield will modernize the existing production facility by adding new paint lines, a climate-controlled environment, assembly line upgrades and more. When completed, the project will more than triple the size of the current footprint and expand the facility to nearly 200,000-square-feet. Once fully operational, the expanded facility is also expected to triple its workforce, from the current 100 employees to an anticipated 300 full-time employees, which will significantly impact the areas local economy.

Construction is underway, with full completion expected by September 2020. The Litchfield facility has been a part of Doosan Bobcat since 2004, and today manufactures attachments for Doosan Bobcat loaders and excavators for the North American market.

We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Litchfield community and appreciate the continued support of the folks there," said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. Our company will continue to expand our facilities and manufacturing capabilities to allow us to meet the future needs of Bobcat dealers and customers, while continually enhancing excellence across our business.

Bobcat continues to increase its manufacturing footprint with investments in facilities across North America. Recently, the company announced a $17 million investment in Gwinner, N.D., and an $11 million investment in Statesville, N.C. These efforts are part of Doosan Bobcats long-term strategic growth initiatives as a global leader in the compact equipment industry, in addition to demonstrating its long-term commitment to employees and communities.

Read more from the original source:
Talbert Manufacturing Honored for 70 Years of Industry Support and Dedication - Rental Equipment Register

Like everything in Michael Jordans orbit, The Last Dance a 10-part documentary series that concluded on ESPN and Netflix last week was iconic and memorable. If not for the fact that it was virtually the only fresh sports content available during a global pandemic, then because it gave us incredible insight into one of the most dominant athletes of all time.

One part of the series that really stood out were the middle episodes that focused on Jordans famous sidekick, Scottie Pippen. Jordan and Pippen are perhaps the most legendary duo in sports, the core underpinning Chicagos six titles from 1991-98.

Like Jordan, Pippen was an electric two-way player who could beat you on both sides of the floor. When the two were on the court together, they outscored opponents at a disproportionate rate. Relative to their 1990s peers, Jordan and Pippen ranked first and seventh respectively in Box Plus/Minus.

Reliving the duos dominance made me wonder which NHL player combinations over the past decade might be comparable. No duo has even come close to winning that amount of team hardware over the period in large part because parity in hockey is omnipresent, and its much less a star-driven league than the NBA. But we do know of a number of player combinations that drove similarly disproportionate differentials against the opposition.

Lets try to find some comparables for the Jordan/Pippen combination. First, we will focus on the player combinations that drove the most disproportionate goal differentials together over the past decade. Then we will look at the best single season net goal differential, searching for the magic Jordan and Pippen recreated during the 1995-96 regular season.

First, the full decade. I wanted to isolate on the combinations that we saw extensively, and the 4,000-minute cutoff (leaving us with 29 pairings) seemed the most appropriate. None of these combinations should surprise:

If you were solely looking at ice time, the longevity of two combinations Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron in Boston, and the Sedin twins in Vancouver would get first consideration.

Those duos are the only two members of the 7,000-minute club, and with both of Bostons premier forwards signed through at least 2021-22, they still have a good chance at building on their legacy. What is particularly incredible about these two combinations is they maintained outrageous goal differentials over nearly a full decade, aging curves be damned. Over thousands of minutes, both were about a full goal better than their opponents for every 60 minutes of even-strength hockey. That is incredible!

Of course, this first pass weighs longevity rather heavily. What about players who played less together for any variety of reasons, and were able to carry more impressive goal differentials than either of the above?

Consider the Boston duo of Marchand and Bergeron for one moment. If we looked at their net goal differentials when one of those forwards were playing with legendary defenceman Zdeno Chara, those numbers improve in fact, none of the combinations posted better net-goal differentials than the likes of Marchand/Chara and Bergeron/Chara, who outscored their opponents by about 1.4 goals per 60 minutes this decade.

The caveat here is obvious: Marchand and Bergeron rarely play apart from one another, so when you bring Chara into the fold, you really are looking at the net goal differentials of all three skaters together. As a trio, there is no doubt this was the most dominant group in the league, and they have a Stanley Cup to boot.

The best non-Boston combination over the years? That honour belongs to Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, who put together an all-time run in San Jose. Pavelski and Thornton were about one goal better than their opponents per 60 minutes, and that discounts the magic they were able to create on the power play over the years.

Lets look at this in two other ways. What if we drop the ice time restriction and bring in players with, say, 2,000 minutes together?

One thing thats obvious is once you minimize the effect of longevity, teams with very strong peaks the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning being the most obvious see a number of player combinations added.

No combination drove better goal differentials this decade than Pittsburghs Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby, who were a whopping 1.8 goals per 60 minutes better than their opponents. And, I cannot emphasize this enough: at their peak, they probably were the most unstoppable offensive force in the league. Thats 3.8 goals scored per 60 minutes for years upon years! If you had to pick one pairing to match-up against any Boston combination, it probably would be these two.

Lastly, what about the best single season? This data gets noisier to be sure, so lets make sure the combinations were regular minimum 500 minutes.

If you had Jamie Benn and Valeri Nichushkin as the best single-season combination of the decade, raise your hand. If your hand is raised, you are either a Dallas Stars fan or are lying! I did find it interesting that only one combination from the 2019-20 regular season made this list that honour belonging to Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, who put together a pretty outrageous +2.1 goals per 60 minutes split this season in Tampa Bay.

If we learned one thing from The Last Dance, its that even superstars of the highest order benefit from playing with great teammates. Bergeron isnt the same without his defensive anchor or winger pest; the Sedin brothers story isnt the same if they arent identical twins with incredible two-way skill sets, and so on.

Finding dominant player combinations in hockey over multiple years is quite hard, but perhaps thats what makes what we have seen in Boston (plus Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Chicago) even more admirable.

See the original post here:
Searching for the NHL version of Jordan and Pippen - TSN

Atlanta music duo the Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are lifelong friends and have been making music together since the 1980s. They met in elementary school and began performing together in high school in the Decatur area.

Ray says, We started playing back in high school, at Shamrock High School, and it was 1980.

Their work spans a wide variety of genres, from folk, to blues, to country to rock. Their lyrics often focus on social causes and politics and authenticity are themes that are important to them both.

Saliers says of their songwriting process, Its kind of a main agenda if you will for us to encourage people to not worry about conforming in any way. You can probably find examples of that in any song.

Their latest album released this month is Look Long and perfectly weaves together their many different musical influences. Saliers and Ray joined City Lights host Lois Reitzes to talk about the album and their highly successful career.

See original here:
The Indigo Girls On Music, Life And Longevity | 90.1 FM WABE - WABE 90.1 FM

What is high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

Nuffield Health explains: HIITtraining stands for High Intensity Interval Training - a form of cardiovascular exercise. HIIT can be further broken down into two main categories SIT (sprint interval training) and HIIT (high intensity interval training).

SIT is a form of very intense interval training that shouldonly be performed by already well-conditioned people who have no contrary health conditions.

You perform 3-5 intervals of very short maximal-intensity exercise working until you can't sustain the intensity, followed by a prolonged recovery period.

This would typically be 20-30 seconds of work followed by a three to five-minute rest interval."

HIIT involves exercising from 30 seconds to three minutes, working between 80-100 percent of your maximum heart rate, with shorter recovery periods than SIT.

Nuffield Health continues: There is no specific formula to HIIT but as a rule of thumb I would recommend your recovery period should be at least the same as your work interval and can become shorter as you get fitter.

More:
How to live longer: The best exercise for increasing life longevity - what is it? - Express