By Terri Moon Cronk WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 - The future of military medicine is evolving largely from the input of service members and their families, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Douglas J. Robb, director, Defense Health Agency, said at the annual Warrior-Family Symposium here today. An organization under the Military Health System umbrella, the agency is the military's platform to deliver health care, Robb told the symposium audience. The event was cosponsored by the Military Officers Association of America and the National Defense Industrial Association. "Keep knocking on my door ... we're listening," the general told audience members. But keeping up-to-date with medicine in a tight fiscal atmosphere can be a matter of adapt or perish, Robb said. With the military downsizing from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, DHA was stood up to reform the military medical systems into one "efficient, effective but viable and higher-quality health care system in today's environment," he said. DHA brings together standardized medicine and shared medical resources from the services, and shifts resources to increase the military's readiness posture, Robb added. By integrating the Army's, Navy's and Air Force's medical departments and services, Robb said, the military is getting the best value for its health care system and a great readiness support network. The recommendations from a recent Military Health Care System review are now in the hands of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Robb said. The results should come out in the next couple of weeks. "What we'll see is a good, honest hard look," from internal and independent reviewers, he said. "We have some areas for improvement, but we have some areas where we're out-performing the civilian sector," he said, adding that a highly reliable organization must continually focus on where it needs improvement. "You need to keep pushing us and keep demanding [quality health care]," Robb told the audience. |
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Official: Military Input Keeps Medical Care Top-Notch
Healing Through Writing
Can an emotional trauma flip a switch in the creative brain? Does profound loss offer a new perspective from which to peer into one’s soul?
For LeRoy Flemming, author of the “Timelightenment” series (www.timelightenment.biz/) and volume one of “Soulsplitting,” the answer is a resounding yes! And, there’s psychological research supporting this idea.
In role-playing, veterans who’ve endured trauma resulting in PTSD “were better able to represent the boundary between reality and the role-playing, to immerse themselves in the scene, to enact identifiable characters consistent with their setting, and produce complex and interactive scenes that told a coherent story,” compared to non-PTSD vets, according to researchers Robert Miller and David Johnson.
The non-PTSD group created more stereotyped, and unimaginative scenes, despite a higher education level and greater role-playing experience, the two wrote.
“I was never diagnosed with PTSD, but I know profound emotional trauma can trip all kinds of coping mechanisms in the brain and soul, including creativity,” Flemming says. “When I suddenly lost my mother, it was a profound, life-altering shock. She was fine when I saw her last – Dec. 25, 1999 and she died on Jan. 1.That’s what started me writing.”
His mother was, by far, the most stabilizing and inspiring person in his life, he says, and losing her rocked him to his core. Rather than seeming abstract, the larger questions in life became the most important, and that’s when he knew he had to write.
“I didn’t have much of a background in writing,” he says. “But since her passing, I’ve been in close contact with a part of my soul that has spawned several books, all of which have helped me heal.”
The creativity caused by pain is a cycle, “because the creative process has significantly healed me,” he says. “I’m not surprised that creativity increases within those who’ve suffered; it makes sense.”
How does a grieving individual make something good out of a heart-wrenching loss? Flemming offers perspective.
• Don’t force it. One of the last things a grieving person needs is an assignment they don’t want. Grief is a process that entails a host of negative emotions: denial, confusion, anger and more. Prescribing creative therapy to oneself or another before one is ready for it can backfire.
• Let it flow naturally. We are all unique individuals and, though we know in the backs of our minds that we’ll someday face the loss of a loved one, we can’t predict how we’ll handle it.
“Grieving and creativity actually share some traits,” Flemming says. “Both are processes, and both prompt individuals to express feelings in their own terms. When creativity can be used in conjunction with the grieving process, the catharsis can be profound.”
• You have many options.When a person is desperate for an outlet, he or she will often gravitate toward what he knows. A onetime aspiring painter, for instance, may return to that familiar and comforting form of self-expression.
“But the mind can be unpredictable; it may be that gardening is the process that is most therapeutic for a grieving person, even though she never pulled a weed or planted a seed in her life,” Flemming says. “In other words, be open to where your intuition guides you. As most grieving people understand, life doesn’t always work out as planned. Be open to helpful new possibilities.”
About LeRoy Flemming
Leroy Flemming is a graduate of Alabama State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Montgomery, Ala. He always wanted to show people that with spiritual guidance you can make things happen. Through his determination and inspiration from his Creator, he completed his five-part series of novels, “Timelightenment,” (www.timelightenment.biz/), in hopes of demonstrating to the children of this world that they can dream big, and accomplish those dreams. Though inspired by many people, his biggest influence comes from his mother, who said shortly before she passed away, “Son, I may give out, but I never give up!” Flemming recently completed volume one of his new series, “Soulsplitting.”
EPA Settlement
EPA Settlement with Amerikohl Mining Inc. Will Help Restore Water Quality for Western Pennsylvania Communities
(PHILADELPHIA – September 10, 2014) In a consent agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Amerikohl Mining, Inc., has settled Clean Water Act violations at 22 of its Pennsylvania mining operations, including four active and 18 inactive mines in western Pennsylvania.
As part of the settlement agreement, Amerikohl will pay a $140,000 penalty and implement a new standard operating procedure to ensure Clean Water Act compliance at existing and future mining operations.
EPA cited Amerikohl for 157 violations at the 22 mining operations. Violations included exceedances of Clean Water Act permit limits for discharges of pH, aluminum, iron, manganese and total suspended solids.
Of the 22 mines covered by the settlement agreement, five are in Indiana County, four are in Clarion County. The rest of the mines are in Washington, Butler, Armstrong, Beaver, Somerset, Lawrence, Venango, Fayette, Clearfield, and Westmoreland Counties.
The mines covered by the settlement are:
- Alexander Mine, Beaver County, which discharges to a tributary of Beaver River;
- · Best Mine, Armstrong County, which discharges to a tributary of Mahoning Creek;
- · Ernest #3 Mine, Indiana County, which discharges to McKee Run;
- · Lopinski Mine, Butler County, which discharges to a tributary of South Branch Bear Creek;
- · Bittner Surface Mine, Somerset County, which discharges to a tributary of the Casselman River;
- · Boots Mine, Lawrence County which discharges to a tributary of Slippery Rock Creek;
- · Delp Mine, Clarion County, which discharges to Leatherwood Creek;
- · Ernest #5 Mine, Indiana County, which discharges to a tributary of Crooked Creek;
- · Ferraro Mine, Butler County, which discharges to a tributary of Story Run;
- · Germany Mine, Indiana County, which discharges to a tributary of the East Branch of Richards Run;
- · North American Mine, Indiana County, which discharges to Ferrier Run;
- · Penn Lakes Mine, Venango County, which discharges to a tributary of the Allegheny River;
- · Ridec Surface Mine, Fayette County, which discharges to Ferguson Run;
- · Robertson Mine, Clearfield County, which discharges to a tributary of Sandy Lick Creek;
- · Semmler, Armstrong County, which discharges to a tributary of Redbank Creek;
- · Szynal, Indiana County, which discharges to Tearing Run;
- · Taylor, Clarion County, which discharges to a tributary of Town Run;
- · Thomas, Clarion County, which discharges to Little Piney Creek,
- · Watson Surface Mine, Washington County, which discharges to Sawmill Creek;
- · Zacherl, Clarion County, which discharges to a tributary of Piney Creek;
- · Zelmore Strip Mine, Westmoreland County, which discharges to Laurel Run; and,
- · Zielonka Surface Mine, Washington County, which discharges to a tributary of Pigeon Creek.
Soldier Missing From WWII Accounted For
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing since World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Pfc. Bernard Gavrin of Brooklyn, New York, will be buried on Sept. 12, in Arlington National Cemetery. On June 15, 1944, as part of an allied strategic goal to secure the Mariana Islands, U.S. forces were ordered to occupy Saipan. After a month of intense fighting, enemy forces conducted a suicide assault, known as a banzai attack. This was designed to inflict as many casualties as possible against the 105th Infantry Regiment (IR), 27th Infantry Division (ID). During these attacks, elements of the 105th IR sustained heavy losses, with more than 900 soldiers killed or injured. Gavrin was reported missing in action on July 7, 1944.
On July 8, 1945, with no new information concerning Gavrin or 21 other service members of the 105th IR, investigators issued a presumptive finding of death. In November 1948, the American Graves Registration Services (AGRS) reviewed the circumstances of Gavrin's loss and concluded his remains were non-recoverable.
In Sept. 2013, several Japanese non-governmental organizations, with oversight from a private archaeological company, recovered human remains and personal effects belonging to American servicemen from an unmarked burial. The remains were turned over to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).
In the identification of Gavrin's remains, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools including dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA, which matched Gavrin's nephew.
200 members of ISIS are just over the Mexican border – confirmed
By Dr. Laurie Roth
The anniversary and horror memories of 9/11 are in our face again and so is ISIS. They are boldly crafting ways with Mexican drug cartels to get across the border to the U.S. and attack us now.
This week Judicial watch exposed that ISIS was hanging out in Ciudad Juarez and planning attacks on us. This was confirmed on my show this week with Frank Salvato the editor and publisher of www.newmediajournal.us.
Frank stated that unnamed high up military sources confirmed that 200 ISIS members were working with drug cartels to get across at Ciudad Juarez and planning attacks on the U.S. He said that the military knows exactly where they are and are watching them.
I asked Frank, if this is confirmed and a major attack is in the works, and 9/11 is here why haven’t we done a pre emptive strike on them and got the Mexican Government to do the same before the big hit happens…again?
What is the real equation here people? Is it politically incorrect and rude to the Mexican Government or even an act of war if we do a pre-emptive strike and take out the 200 ISIS members before they take down a plane, attack a Mall or blow up Houston? Why wait anymore? How is this not treasonous and criminal already to know where the 200 ISIS Islamic killers are and do nothing but watch as the plan? Popcorn anyone?
Obama has already shown us his policy with ISIS in Iraq and Syria…watch, wait, and remind the American people he doesn’t have a policy yet. Only recently, when the heat from the Pentagon and media was too hot did Obama pull a 3-year military plan out of his ‘golf ball’ pocket to actually look like he cared. Before this however, in the ‘no plan for ISIS stage’, Obama knew and watched ISIS commit genocide against Christians, behead several American journalists, burry women and children alive, behead babies and post their heads on sticks – and for desert, a 5 year old was sawed in half. How can we forget Obama responding briefly to the last beheading, then quickly going back to his golf game? If that doesn’t tick you royally off you must be dead already.
As a US citizen I demand action from our military and President to take out the confirmed 200 ISIS members we know are planning major attacks and NOW. Everyone spread the word far and wide on this and put pressure on your leaders, Representatives and Senators.
If our blood is intended to flow over the next few days because of more inaction or ‘way too late’ action…let it start with the blood of our leaders careers from the White House on down. This is treason to know this, confirm this and do nothing.
U.S. Airstrike Hits ISIL Near Irbil
From a U.S. Central Command News Release WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 - U.S. military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq, using an attack aircraft to conduct one airstrike yesterday in support of Iraqi Security Forces' defense of Irbil operations. The strike destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle in the vicinity of Irbil. The aircraft exited the strike area safely. The strike was conducted under authority to protect U.S. personnel and facilities, support humanitarian efforts, and support Iraqi forces that are acting in furtherance of these objectives. U.S. Central Command has conducted a total of 154 airstrikes across Iraq. |
U.S. Athletes Prepare for Invictus Games in London
By By Tech. Sgt. Chris Powell
Air Force News Service
LONDON, United States, Sept. 10, 2014 - USA Team members preparing to compete at the Invictus Games here finished their second day of training by practicing road cycling at Lee Valley VeloPark yesterday.
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The Invictus Games, which begin today and run through Sept. 14, will take place at the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The games feature athletes competing in various Paralympic-style events, including swimming, track and field, seated volleyball, cycling, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby, among others.
Preparing for cycling event
Competitors on both upright solo and recumbent bikes tested out the one-mile road circuit to familiarize themselves with the track before the road cycling competition begins Sept. 13.
"This is a very fast-paced course, and if you're not careful, you can go flying," said retired Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaac Francois, who's competing in track, road cycling, archery and field events.
"The handling and the turns are different," Francois said. "This is a professional track, and we've never been on a track like this before so it's good to get a feel for the track where we'll be competing."
Francois said his personal goal at the Invictus Games is to medal in at least one event.
"I would hate to go home without a medal -- silver, bronze or gold," he said. "I want to beat the Brits in the track, so I'm going to get a medal in track."
Easy does it in training
Francois' Air Force teammate, retired Tech. Sgt. Ryan Pinney, echoed the retired sailor's opinion about the benefits of becoming familiarized with the track, but he added that the team needs to be careful not to push too hard before the real competition begins.
"There was maybe a little too much exertion than I'd like today because we're getting down to competition time, so this should be the time we're tapering off," Pinney said. "But altogether, it's good to get out to the venues, see what we're competing in and know what to expect when we get out there."
Strong cycling competitors
Pinney said the USA Team has very strong competitors in both the upright solo and recumbent bike events.
"USA Team is good. We're going to be a force to be reckoned with but it's not going to be given to us," he said. "We're going to have to go out there and get it. All the competitors out there from all the different nations are trying to accomplish the same goal as we are, but I feel really confident about our team."
While some of her teammates already have medals on their minds, Army Sgt. Erin Stewart, who is stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, said she's still coming to grips with the reality that she actually made the team and is about to compete in the Invictus Games.
Team camaraderie
"This event brings everyone from [Operation Enduring Freedom] and [Operation Iraqi Freedom] together. We all fought in the same war, so it's nice having the camaraderie and a little friendly competition between the nations," Stewart said. "It's also an honor because you're representing your country. I don't even know how I made it here. It's mind-blowing. It's very humbling."
Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Hammond said he's very excited to compete alongside his fellow U.S. service members but he also acknowledged the importance of competing against wounded warriors from other countries.
"We're representing the Stars and Stripes, and that's the coolest thing," said Hammond, who's stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is competing in recumbent cycling and rowing events.
"A lot of time we've trained and fought alongside each other in combat, but now we get to play," he said. "We're not shedding blood -- we're shedding sweat."
New virus has parents worried sick
Local doctors urge parents to track symptoms
(September, 2014) Back in the classroom, kids should be focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic, but a virus making the national rounds has children falling ill and parents worried sick. Doctors with AFC and AFC/Doctors Express are urging parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of this respiratory enterovirus known as EV-D68 sweeping the nation.
The virus symptoms are sneaky -- they mimic severe colds, allergies and asthma -- and are hitting asthmatics especially hard. With the upcoming fall season bringing the common cold and allergies to the forefront,AFC/DRX doctors have created a Symptom Tracker that parents can use to determine whether their children have just caught a cold or if it’s something more severe.
SYMPTOM TRACKER
| EV-D68 Virus | Cold | Allergies |
| Runny nose | Runny nose, sneezing | Runny nose, sneezing |
| Sneezing | Coughing | Itchy, watery eyes |
| Coughing | Sore throat | -- |
| Wheezing | -- | -- |
| Fever | -- | -- |
| Body and muscle aches | -- | -- |
“This virus is a scary reality for parents across the nation right now,” said Dr. Bruce Irwin, founder of American Family Care. “Our local doctors are warning people to be on the lookout for symptoms that usually occur in colds or allergies, but just seem a little bit worse. Wheezing is also a key symptom that shouldn’t be overlooked in the face of this virus.”
Wheeze Watch
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wheezing is the biggest indicator that children are suffering from the EV-D68 virus. Children under the age of 5 and those with asthma are at high risk for this particular virus. Children with asthma are particularly vulnerable, since the virus is attacking their already-compromised respiratory systems.
Healthy Hands
Staying healthy is all about clean hands and awareness, according to local doctors and the CDC.
• Wash hands with warm water and soap
• Cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze
• Wipe down communal surfaces with antibacterial wipes
• Avoid those that are sick
Asthma Awareness
Since children with asthma are having a hard time with the EV-D68 virus, parents should be aware of viral symptoms, as well as signs of an asthma attack. Doctors recommend that parents go over an asthma action plan with their children, including where inhalers are located, when to seek help and emergency contact information.
We’d love to have you interview one of our doctors in your local area about virus symptoms, prevention tips and how to keep your family healthy.
About American Family Care:
American Family Care is the second largest privately owned urgent care operator in the country. D. Bruce Irwin, M.D. founded the company in 1982 in Hoover, Ala., with a business model of “putting the patient first.” The clinics are designed, equipped and staffed to provide accessible primary care, urgent care, minor emergency treatment and occupational medicine. AFC clinics use a high-tech, high-touch approach to medical care, with digital x-rays, laboratories and medication dispensing available on-site. AFC also offers a Specialty Clinic (general surgery), WeighToLive, and U-Save Pharmacy at many of its clinics. In 2013, AFC acquired Doctors Express, the largest national urgent care franchise. By the end of 2014, AFC will operate more than 160 facilities in 26 states, providing care to more than a million patients. For more information, visit www.americanfamilycare.com.
About AFC/Doctors Express Urgent Care:
Founded by an emergency room physician seeking a more efficient, affordable and personable system for urgent care patients, AFC/Doctors Express walk-in medical centers are sweeping the country as the nation's largest urgent care franchise. AFC/Doctors Express provides state-of-the-art treatment for acute illness, trauma (including minor surgical procedures) and has on-site laboratory and digital x-ray service as well as medication dispensing. Pre-employment physicals, drug screening and treatment of work related injuries are also available to local employers. In 2013, American Family Care acquired Doctors Express, further expanding its reach and available services. By the end of 2014, AFC/Doctors Express will operate more than 160 facilities in 26 states, providing care to more than a million patients. For more information visithttp://www.doctorsexpress.com or http://www.americanfamilycare.com.
General Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced today that the president has made the following nominations:
Air Force Lt. Gen. Tod D. Wolters for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy chief of staff, operations, plans and requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. Wolters is currently serving as commander, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Air Combat Command, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
Air Force Brig. Gen. VeraLinn Jamieson for appointment to the rank of major general. Jamieson is currently serving as director of intelligence, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
City of West Hollywood to Provide Cooling Center At Plummer Park From Sept. 10 to Sept. 14
Temperatures Will Skyrocket During End of the Week and Weekend;
Cooling Center Will Help People Stay Cool and Safe
WEST HOLLYWOOD, September 10, 2014 – With temperatures climbing across Southern California, and with high temperatures forecast this weekend throughout metropolitan Los Angeles, the City of West Hollywood is providing a Cooling Center during the next five days at Plummer Park’s Community Center Senior Lounge, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.
The Cooling Center is scheduled to be open daily from Wednesday, September 10, 2014 to Saturday, September 13, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; it will also be open on Sunday, September 14, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
High heat, coupled with low humidity, can make the weather dangerous as well as uncomfortable. The City reminds residents and community members to take precautions to keep as cool as possible throughout the warm summer months. If possible, stay out of the sun; avoid strenuous activity; drink plenty of water; and wear lightweight clothing.
The Cooling Center is available for quiet activities. People using the Cooling Center are encouraged to bring books or board games. Staff members at Plummer Park are available to direct people to the Senior Lounge.
The City of West Hollywood provides free transportation to Plummer Park through its Cityline service. Cityline is a friendly and accessible alternative to the larger bus system and all shuttles are ADA-accessible. Cityline operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and shuttles arrive approximately every 30 minutes. For additional information and a detailed route map, visitwww.weho.org/cityline — route maps are also available on Cityline shuttles and at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard.
For more information regarding the City of West Hollywood’s Cooling Center, please call (323) 848-6308. For more information about Cityline, please call (323) 848-6510. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call (323) 848-6496.
NASA Catches Birth of Tropical Storm Odile
The Eastern Pacific Ocean continues to turn out tropical cyclones and NASA's Aqua satellite caught the birth of the fifteenth tropical depression on September 10 and shortly afterward, it strengthened into a tropical storm and was renamed Odile.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Tropical Depression 15-E on September 10 at 8:53 UTC (4:53 a.m. EDT) when it developed. The National Hurricane Center named the depression at 5 a.m. EDT, when the center was located near latitude 14.4 north and longitude 102.5 west.
AIRS infrared imagery reads temperature and identified the coldest temperatures in powerful thunderstorms circling the center of the newborn depression. Cloud top temperatures were near 220 kelvin (-63.6F/-53.1C).
By 11 a.m. EDT, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Odile. Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 kph) and Odile was drifting toward the north-northwest near 3 mph (6 kph) and is expected to drift to the north-northwest over the next two days. Odile was located near 14.9 north latitude and 102.9 west longitude, about 220 miles (350 km) south-southwest of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.
The National Hurricane Center noted that on the forecast track, Odile's center will remain offshore of the southwestern coast of Mexico through Thursday night, September 11. However, Odile is expected to create swells, rip currents and rough surf along the southwestern coast of Mexico over the next day or two.
Angels Gate Cultural Center invites you to an Opening Reception
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| Sergio Teran, Mina as El Hurracan, charcoal and graphite, 2008 |
MAIN GALLERY I: Supporting Structures: A Community Arts Project -
MAIN GALLERY II: Features artists: Alexandra Grant, Audrey Chan, Nuttaphol Ma, Sergio Teran, and Wura-Natasha Ogunji.
COMMUNITY GALLERY: Solitude to Solidarity: A Journey of Our Collective Consciousness- is in partnership with laane and combines the inspiring work ofBeatriz Rios-Nava with residents from the South Bay/Los Angeles Harbor region.
COMMUNITY ROOM: letting it happen features work by select AGCC Studio Artists. The exhibit is organized by LACAC intern Shelby Roberts.
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Angels Gate Cultural Center
Unprecedented X-ray View of Supernova Remains
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The destructive results of a powerful supernova explosion reveal themselves in a delicate tapestry of X-ray light, as seen in this image from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton. The image shows the remains of a supernova that would have been witnessed on Earth about 3,700 years ago. The remnant is called Puppis A, and is around 7,000 light years away and about 10 light years across. This image provides the most complete and detailed X-ray view of Puppis A ever obtained, made by combining a mosaic of different Chandra and XMM-Newton observations. Low-energy X-rays are shown in red, medium-energy X-rays are in green and high energy X-rays are colored blue. These observations act as a probe of the gas surrounding Puppis A, known as the interstellar medium. The complex appearance of the remnant shows that Puppis A is expanding into an interstellar medium that probably has a knotty structure. Supernova explosions forge the heavy elements that can provide the raw material from which future generations of stars and planets will form. Studying how supernova remnants expand into the galaxy and interact with other material provides critical clues into our own origins. A paper describing these results was published in the July 2013 issue of Astronomy and Astrophysics and is available online. The first author is Gloria Dubner from the Instituto de AstronomÃa y FÃsica del Espacio in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Image credit: NASA/CXC/IAFE/G.Dubner et al & ESA/XMM-Newton › View large image › Chandra on Flickr |
ICYMI: Los Alamos Using Neutrons to Stop Nuclear Smugglers
Laser-generated neutrons could one day be enlisted to help fight the War on Terror. Using the short-pulse laser at Los Alamos'sTRIDENT facility, Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers generated a neutron beam with novel characteristics that interrogated a closed container to confirm the presence and quantity of nuclear material inside.
Click here <http://bit.ly/1qKJsrx> to see how this successful experiment is paving the way for the creation of table-top-sized or truck-mounted neutron generators that could be installed at strategic locations worldwide to thwart smugglers trafficking in nuclear materials.
Watch the Lab's video stories on the LANL YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/LosAlamosNationalLab
Special Report: Proliferation Security Initiative
DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2014 - The Proliferation Security Initiative is a global effort to stop trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials to and from actors of proliferation concern. U.S. involvement stems from a national strategy which recognizes the need for more robust tools to stop proliferation and identifies interdiction as an area of greater focus. Learn more in the Defense.gov special report, Proliferation Security Initiative:http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0814_psi/ |
EPA Announces 3rd Environmental Youth Symposium for Colleges and Universities in the Southeast
Release Date: 9/10/2014
ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host the 3rd Environmental Youth Symposium for Colleges & Universities in the Southeast on September 12, 2013. The event will be held at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center in Atlanta, GA.
The conference is an opportunity for students, faculty members, higher education administrators, and other environmental and sustainability stakeholders to develop partnerships, network, and collaborate on sustainable environmental strategies and practices.
Who: Heather McTeer Toney, EPA Regional Administrator Southeast
Christoph Sander, Consul General of Germany – Atlanta, GA
What: 3rd Environmental Youth Symposium for Colleges & Universities in the Southeast
When: Sept. 12, 2014
Where: Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
The itinerary will include sessions on climate resilience, environmental stewardship, clean energy, watershed management, and associated health challenges. Presentations will focus on Climate Change; Coastal Impacts ad Watershed Management; Sustainable Resource Conservation; Environmental Equity; and Urban Systems in the Environment. The conference will provide opportunities for students, faculty members, administrators, and other environmental and sustainability stakeholders to network, develop partnerships and collaborate on sustainable environmental practices.
Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @USEPASoutheast, #EcoYouth2014
REEF CHECK Divers Check the Health of California Reefs, Make a Difference as Citizen Scientists
Citizen science is a growing movement in the United States, and Reef Check (now in 90 countries) was founded to train volunteers to track the health of coral reefs and the beautiful rocky reefs and kelp forests found in California. Calm, clear warm waters during the Fall months allow Reef Check divers to complete most of the annual reef surveys used to track the condition of California’s reef ecosystems at 80 reefs from San Diego to Fort Bragg. The data are analyzed, and results are displayed online for the public and provided to the California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife to help better manage California’s network of over 130 new or modified Marine Protected Areas. Reef Check’s most recent report on California’s reef ecosystems showed just how low populations of some fish species had declined compared to the 1970s, but also indicated recovery of some species following the establishment of the marine parks during the past 15 years.
Reef Check trains 250 divers per year in California alone through its EcoDiver Training Courses that are offered throughout the summer in a half dozen coastal cities. The volunteer divers are trained to identify, count and in some cases measure 70 key indicator species that include shellfish such as lobster and abalone, fish such as cabezon and kelp bass, and of course the famous California algae such as giant kelp.
According to Reef Check Foundation’s Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson, “By training volunteer scuba divers in marine biology and organizing reef surveys, we save taxpayers millions of dollars, and provide an educational and fun experience.”California’s 1000 mile-long coastline is world famous for beaches and scenery, but just offshore, there is an underwater world that rivals Yosemite and Big Sur for beauty and biodiversity. Because these natural wonders are underwater, most people can’t see them, and so this treasure trove of marine life is often underappreciated. Unfortunately, the state’s decades-long growth in population, coastal development, pollution and fishing has placed increasing demands on these near-shore resources. Many organisms that were previously common in high numbers, such as abalone, are now almost gone in Southern California and fish abundance is down in the north.
“Many of us enjoy surfing, diving, and eating seafood,” says Manos, “I like the opportunity to appreciate what the ocean does for us and to give back.”
Reef Check’s annual benefit gala will be on Oct. 2nd at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica, CA. The evening’s honorees include Julie Packard, marine biologist and Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; Ed Begley Jr., actor, director and environmentalist; and volunteer diver David Horwich, who will receive the Citizen Scientist of the Year Award for his participation in the Reef Check California program since 2007. For more information on sponsorship and tickets, please visit http://www.reefcheck.org/events/gala2014/, or call310-230-2371.
Upcoming Reef Check staff and volunteer diver survey dates include:
Sept. 12-13 - "Mega Malibu". As one of the toughest annual dives, the team stops and surveys four sites, including those most challenging due to the intense surf. No one else monitors these areas.
Oct. 8-9 – Ventura (either Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island).
Oct. 25 - Salt Creek by Dana Point. As part of their stewardship efforts and participation in Reef Check’s ‘Adopt a Reef’ program, the four Dana Point hotel resorts fund Reef Check to do Fall and Spring surveys off their coast to check on the health of their local ecosystems. This is the Fall Survey.
About Reef Check
Founded in 1996 by marine ecologist Dr. Gregor Hodgson, the Reef Check Foundation provides ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions to save reefs, by creating partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities, and other nonprofits. Every year, Reef Check trains thousands of citizen scientist divers who volunteer to survey the health of coral reefs in over 90 countries as well as rocky reef ecosystems along the entire coast of California. The results are used to improve the management of these critically important natural resources. (www.ReefCheck.org)
NASA Astronaut Mastracchio to Visit Orbital Sciences, Media Invited
NASA Astronaut Rick Mastracchio will visit Orbital Sciences Corporation at 1:30 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 15, where he will hold a town hall meeting with the company’s team that carries out cargo delivery missions to the International Space Station under the agency's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.
Media are invited to attend the event at Orbital’s Dulles campus, located at 45101 Warp Drive in Dulles, Virginia.
While at Orbital, Mastracchio will view several Cygnus spacecraft service modules in production and visit the Mission Operations Center from which Orbital’s CRS missions are controlled.
In the first of its eight operational missions under the CRS contract, Orbital successfully berthed its Cygnus spacecraft with the International Space Station on Jan. 12, carrying about 3,200 pounds of science experiments, food and other supplies to the station astronauts. Cargo resupply from U.S. companies ensures a national capability to deliver critical science research to the space station, significantly increasing NASA's ability to conduct new science investigations to the only laboratory in microgravity.
Media interested in attending should submit their credentials to Barron Beneski at 703-406-5528 or beneski.barron@orbital.com no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11.
For more information on Orbital, visit: