State

What doesn’t kill you makes for a great story – two new memoirs examine the risky side of life

Retrieved on: 
星期二, 四月 23, 2024

She questions whether women like herself – that is, the well-educated, sexually liberated beneficiaries of second-wave feminism – are really better off than their 1940s counterparts.

Key Points: 
  • She questions whether women like herself – that is, the well-educated, sexually liberated beneficiaries of second-wave feminism – are really better off than their 1940s counterparts.
  • But it isn’t quite the avant-garde art crowd looking for anonymous vaginas to cast in their latest 16mm masterpieces either.
  • Reconstructed from the travel diary the author kept at the time, the adventure is everything you could possibly hope for in a road trip – provided you (or your daughter) aren’t the one taking it.
  • Datsun Angel proves the old adage about time and tragedy making for champagne comedy.
  • It self-consciously situates itself as a cross between the substance-induced exuberance of Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson, and the provincially impassioned politics of Australian novelist Xavier Herbert.
  • For all her progressivism, there is a note of nostalgia ringing through Broinowski’s recollections.
  • Datsun Angel harks back to a looser – dare I say, more enjoyable – university experience.
  • The narrative promises, against well-intentioned assurances to the contrary, that what doesn’t kill you will, at the very least, make for a good story later on.
  • Broinowski goes part way towards acknowledging as much when she ends her postscript with: “If you’re male and reading this, kudos.

Detachment

  • Let me borrow one instead from the middle-aged Elmore Leonard fan whom Gordon encounters in the State Library Victoria early in the book: “dickhead”.
  • Yes, that about captures it: the protagonist of Excitable Boy is an unequivocal, grade-A dickhead.
  • Fortunately for Gordon (and dickheads more generally), the affliction may be chronic, but it need not be terminal.
  • This denotes an overriding structure or cohesion that I felt somewhat lacking from the work as a whole.
  • Detachment characterises much of Gordon’s storytelling as he kicks his younger self around the back alleys of Melbourne like a half-squashed can of Monster Energy Drink.
  • To be honest, I still haven’t made my mind up if Gordon’s aversion to Aristotelian catharsis is one of the book’s virtues or vices.
  • Detail has to be controlled by some overall purpose, and every detail has to be put to work for you.
  • Detail has to be controlled by some overall purpose, and every detail has to be put to work for you.
  • It is often difficult to gauge what overall purpose the details are serving in these essays, beyond fidelity to memory.


Luke Johnson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text

Retrieved on: 
星期四, 四月 18, 2024

Many people are now using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to get advice, find information or summarise longer passages of text.

Key Points: 
  • Many people are now using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to get advice, find information or summarise longer passages of text.
  • But our recent research demonstrates how generative AI can be used for much more than this, returning results in different formats.
  • On the one hand, AI tools are neutral – they can be used for good or ill depending on one’s intent.

1. Imagining what lies beyond the frame

  • Adobe’s recently developed “generative expand” tool allows users to expand the canvas of their photos and have Photoshop “imagine” what is happening beyond the frame.
  • You might do this when trying to edit a square Instagram photo to fit a 4x6 inch photo frame.

2. Visualising the past or the future

  • Photography was only invented within the past 200 years, and camera-equipped smartphones within the last 25.
  • That leaves us with plenty of things that existed before cameras were common, yet we might want to visualise them.
  • NASA currently works with artists to illustrate concepts we can’t see, but artists could also draw on AI to help create these renderings.

3. Brainstorming how to visualise difficult concepts

  • As one of the deepest places on Earth, few people have ever seen it firsthand.
  • Or creating a layered illustration that shows the flora and fauna that live at each of the ocean’s five zones above the trench.

4. Visualising data

  • For example, you might upload a spreadsheet to ChatGPT 4 and ask it to visualise the results.
  • Or, if the data is already publicly available (such as Earth’s population over time), you might ask a chatbot to visualise it without even having to supply a spreadsheet.

5. Creating simple moving images


You can create a simple yet effective animation by uploading a photo to an AI tool like Runway and giving it an animation command, such as zooming in, zooming out or tracking from left to right. That’s what I’ve done with this historical photo preserved by the State Library of Western Australia.

  • I used this description to create the following video:
    Tracking shot from left to right of the snowy mountains of Nagano, Japan.
  • Tracking shot from left to right of the snowy mountains of Nagano, Japan.

6. Generating a colour palette or simple graphics

  • In these cases, having a consistent colour palette can help unify your design.
  • You can ask generative AI services like Midjourney or Gemini to create a colour palette for you based on the event or its vibe.
  • This is true for both browser-based generators like Adobe Firefly, as well as desktop apps with built-in AI, like Adobe Illustrator.


T.J. Thomson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is an affiliate with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making & Society.

Draft template for assessment report for the development of European herbal monographs and European Union list entries - Revision 6

Retrieved on: 
星期四, 四月 18, 2024

The completed comments form should be sent to

Key Points: 
    • The completed comments form should be sent to
      [email protected]
      10
      11
      Keywords

      Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products; HMPC; European Union herbal
      monographs; European Union list of herbal substances, preparations and
      combinations thereof for use in traditional herbal medicinal products; herbal
      medicinal products; traditional herbal medicinal products; traditional use;
      well-established medicinal use; benefit-risk assessment; assessment report

      12

      1
      2

      Changes introduced in section 6 Overall conclusions.

    • Peer-reviewer

      If not the same peer-reviewer
      since last version, all peerreviewers should be listed, and
      the version specified in
      brackets.

    • 22

      23


      on
      .

    • It is a working

      24

      document, not yet edited, and shall be further developed after the release for consultation of the

      25


      .

    • The principle of the template is to make clear
      distinctions between presentation of data (methodology and results)
      and the assessment of the data (?assessor?s comment?).
    • likely from an article but it seems it is concluded by
      the rapporteur; ?According to the author? to be added.
    • Chapters with
      a heading including the word ?conclusion? should include a summary
      of all critical assessment of the assessor for that particular
      chapter.
    • If an assessor?s comment is not needed, the Rapporteur
      should delete the box inserted in the template.
    • ?
      The report should be sufficiently detailed to allow for secondary
      assessment of the available data by other HMPC experts.
    • Overview of available pharmacokinetic data regarding the herbal substance(s), herbal
      preparation(s) and relevant constituents thereof ........................................................... 16

      97
      98

      3.3.

    • Overall conclusions on clinical pharmacology and efficacy ........................................ 27

      Assessment report on
      EMA/HMPC/418902/2005

      Page 4/41

      119

      5.

    • This sections is related to
      available quality standards and there is no need to repeat information
      on all preparations included in the monograph.
    • Search and assessment methodology

      161

      The Rapporteur shall undertake a comprehensive search of relevant
      scientific literature and articles, Acts of law and regulations and
      other relevant sources.

    • Cross-reference to the list of
      references in Annex, which should list separately the references
      supporting the assessment report.
    • 143
      144
      145

      150
      151
      152
      153
      154

      162
      163
      164
      165
      166
      167
      168
      169
      170
      171
      172
      173
      174
      175

      Herbal substance(s)

      Herbal preparation(s)

      Relevant constituents for this assessment report

      Examples of scientific databases to be searched are Medline, PubMed,
      Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE etc.

    • Assessment report on
      EMA/HMPC/418902/2005

      Page 6/41

      176
      177
      178
      179
      180
      181
      182
      183
      184
      185
      186
      187
      188
      189
      190
      191
      192

      Additional relevant references could also be retrieved from the checked
      references.

    • Examples of books are Hagers Handbuch, The Complete German
      Commission E Monographs, PDR for herbal medicines etc.
    • In addition, information from non-EU regulatory
      authorities for examples Health Canada monographs or WHO monographs
      could be searched, if relevant to herbal substances and preparations in
      EU.
    • 221

      225
      226
      227

      232

      When the assessment report is revised, the rapporteur should briefly
      summarise the main changes under this section.

    • Data are collected using the template entitled ?Document
      for information exchange for the preparation of the assessment report
      for the development of European Union monographs and for inclusion of
      herbal substance(s), preparation(s) or combinations thereof in the
      list? (EMEA/HMPC/137093/2006).
    • Assessment report on
      EMA/HMPC/418902/2005

      Page 8/41

      Herbal substance/

      Indication

      Posology and
      method of

      preparation

      administration

      Posology, age
      groups,
      pharmaceutical
      form, method of
      administration,
      duration of use
      As reported in
      the market
      overview

      As reported in
      the market
      overview

      As reported in
      the market
      overview.

    • Assessment report on
      EMA/HMPC/418902/2005

      Page 10/41

      Herbal substance/

      Indication/Medicinal

      Posology and

      preparation

      use

      method of
      administration

      Posology, age
      groups,
      pharmaceutical
      form, method of
      administration,
      duration of use

      Regulatory Status

      Type of
      regulatory
      status where
      possible, date,
      Country

      287

      This overview is not exhaustive.

    • Clinical Safety/Pharmacovigilance

      836
      837
      838
      839
      840
      841

      See ?Assessment of clinical safety and efficacy in the preparation of
      EU herbal monographs for well-established and traditional herbal
      medicinal products?(EMA/HMPC/104613/2005) for further details.

    • Overall conclusions on clinical safety

      1067

      1068

      In terms of structure, the conclusion should follow the presentation of
      the results above.

    • Overall conclusions

      1092

      1093

      1101

      Describe key aspects only briefly, these will already have been
      described in detail in the respective sections.

    • This section should
      cover all recommended ?well-established use? and ?traditional use?
      indications and conclusions shall be provided for each therapeutic
      indication and each herbal preparation.
    • 1102

      Well established use monograph

      1103
      1104

      The clinical studies supporting well-established use should be
      specified for each therapeutic indication and each herbal preparation.

    • The choice for the wording of traditional use indications vis-?vis existing wordings in monographs in the same therapeutic area should
      be briefly discussed/justified.
    • 1153

      List entry

      1154

      The conclusions should include a statement pointing to the
      possibility/non-possibility to support a European Union list entry.

FTC Issues Report to Congress on Collaboration with State Attorneys General

Retrieved on: 
星期五, 四月 12, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.

Key Points: 
  • The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.
  • The report, directed by the FTC Collaboration Act of 2021, “Working Together to Protect Consumers: A Study and Recommendations on FTC Collaboration with the State Attorneys General” makes legislative recommendations that would enhance these efforts, including reinstating the Commission’s authority to seek money for defrauded consumers and providing it with the independent authority to seek civil penalties.
  • The report is divided into three sections: 1) The FTC’s Existing Collaborative Efforts with State Attorneys General to Prevent, Publicize, and Penalize Frauds and Scams; 2) Recommended Best Practices to Enhance Collaboration; and 3) Legislative Recommendations to Enhance Collaboration Efforts.
  • Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

FTC Issues Report to Congress on Collaboration with State Attorneys General

Retrieved on: 
星期五, 四月 12, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.

Key Points: 
  • The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report to Congress detailing the FTC’s law enforcement cooperation with state attorneys general (AGs) nationwide and presenting best practices to ensure continued effective collaboration.
  • The report, directed by the FTC Collaboration Act of 2021, “Working Together to Protect Consumers: A Study and Recommendations on FTC Collaboration with the State Attorneys General” makes legislative recommendations that would enhance these efforts, including reinstating the Commission’s authority to seek money for defrauded consumers and providing it with the independent authority to seek civil penalties.
  • The report is divided into three sections: 1) The FTC’s Existing Collaborative Efforts with State Attorneys General to Prevent, Publicize, and Penalize Frauds and Scams; 2) Recommended Best Practices to Enhance Collaboration; and 3) Legislative Recommendations to Enhance Collaboration Efforts.
  • Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

Safer roads in Ireland with Connected Vehicles milestone

Retrieved on: 
星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Vienna/Dublin, March 19, 2024 – Ireland's NIMS (Network Intelligence and Management System) initiative is launching a C-ITS pilot project to increase traffic safety.

Key Points: 
  • Vienna/Dublin, March 19, 2024 – Ireland's NIMS (Network Intelligence and Management System) initiative is launching a C-ITS pilot project to increase traffic safety.
  • Since January 2024, C-ITS is fully integrated into the operational Traffic Management solution NIMS providing information to roadusers in realtime.
  • C-ITS allows the exchange of data between vehicles, infrastructure and authorities.
  • The NIMS project, of which Kapsch TrafficCom is a part since 2020, has a financial scope in the low double-digit million range.

EQS-News: SYNLAB delivers robust performance in FY 2023

Retrieved on: 
星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Synnovis, the South East London hospital outsourcing contract grew 12.2% in 2023 and contributed 0.6pts to the overall 2023 underlying organic growth.

Key Points: 
  • Synnovis, the South East London hospital outsourcing contract grew 12.2% in 2023 and contributed 0.6pts to the overall 2023 underlying organic growth.
  • FY 2023 adjusted EBITDA (AEBITDA) was €438 million (FY 2022: €753 million) while adjusted operating profit (AOP) was €194 million (FY 2022: €508 million) with margins of 16.6% (FY 2022: 23.2%) and 7.4% (FY 2022: 15.6%), respectively.
  • In FY 2023, adjusted net profit (Group share) was €44 million (FY 2022: €342 million), mainly due to lower COVID-19 testing volumes and higher net finance costs.
  • FY 2023 unlevered free cash flow (uFCF) was €74 million (FY 2022: €312 million).

Revenue for the first quarter of 2024

Retrieved on: 
星期三, 四月 10, 2024

This situation, which has already been observed in previous financial years, is repeated at the start of 2024.

Key Points: 
  • This situation, which has already been observed in previous financial years, is repeated at the start of 2024.
  • In addition, the reduction in marketing investment in CPF in 2023 helped optimize the profitability of this sales channel, but slowed order intake, which is a source of future revenue.
  • The first quarter of 2023 also saw exceptional growth of 80% in sales generated by learners self-financing their training, establishing a high basis for comparison for the first quarter of 2024.
  • To register to the Company’s newsletter and receive the latest information on lePERMISLIBRE, visit : http://eepurl.com/hrySr P

Graphene Manufacturing Group Secures AU$2 Million Funding Grant from Queensland Government for Battery Pilot Plant

Retrieved on: 
星期一, 三月 25, 2024

BRISBANE, AUS, Mar 25, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") announces that the Company has signed a Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund Agreement with the State Government of Queensland for a grant of AU$ 2 million towards the funding of GMG's proposed Automated Battery Pilot Plant for the manufacture of GMG's Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery.

Key Points: 
  • BRISBANE, AUS, Mar 25, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") announces that the Company has signed a Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund Agreement with the State Government of Queensland for a grant of AU$ 2 million towards the funding of GMG's proposed Automated Battery Pilot Plant for the manufacture of GMG's Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery.
  • The grant is for the payment of 50% of the capital cost of GMG's proposed Automated Battery Pilot Plant, up to a maximum of AU$ 2 million, for the manufacture of GMG's Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery.
  • The Pilot Plant would be constructed at GMG Richland's existing manufacturing facility, and the grant is conditional on various preconditions including GMG taking a final investment decision in the Battery Pilot Plant project.
  • GMG's CEO Craig Nicol stated, "We want to thank the Queensland Government and acknowledge its commitment to supporting the Critical Mineral and Battery Manufacturing Industry in the State.