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OPINION / OBSERVER
US, West's smears disregard facts, won't stop Xinjiang from getting better
By Global Times Published: Aug 25, 2022 10:00 PM
Slandering Xinjiang -- the new normal of the "empire of lies" Illustration: Vitaly Podvitski
Did Washington just accidentally reveal its playbook filled with tactics to block China's justified counteractions over Xinjiang-related issues?
The US State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC) released a report Wednesday accusing China of actively attempting to "manipulate and dominate global discourse on Xinjiang." According to it, China is accused of using its "messengers" to spread disinformation, attack China critics, amplify "positive stories," and so on.
The current round of public opinion warfare between China and the US-led West over Xinjiang arguably began in 2018, when anti-China "scholar" Adrian Zenz's "studies" on so-called human rights abuses in Xinjiang started to attract much attention from the US media and Washington. Now almost five years into this struggle, the US' trick is crystal clear - to use its dominant position in the global discourse and its shamelessness in the geopolitical game to smear and attack China on all possible fronts, at multiple levels, and through various means.
As the West, mainly the US, continues to concoct and spread lies, China's efforts to tell its story over Xinjiang-related issues aim at refuting and stopping the spreading of disinformation, which is far from the complete picture of the situation.
When it comes to Xinjiang-related issues, the West simply doesn't or refuses to understand its complexity. Western countries view this matter through the monotonous lens of human rights and freedom they are so accustomed to. But in fact, China's governance in Xinjiang involves the unity of China's ethnic groups and the combat of separatism, terrorism and extremism - key elements that affect the development and security of the Xinjiang region and the whole country.
The US and Western smears are far from the reality in Xinjiang, and the US State Department has described China's self-defense as "spreading disinformation," which shows their inherent disregard for facts and refusal to self-reflect.
In many ways, public opinion warfare over Xinjiang is a competition for a fair position of global discourse, said the experts. The US wants to destroy China's capability to defend and protect itself in such a contest, aiming to prove its hegemony in global discourse and gain the upper hand when dealing with the rising nation. The final goal is to knock Beijing down entirely so that Washington can act even more recklessly.
According to Lü Xiang, a research fellow on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, when playing the geopolitical game, Washington tends to intensify the attacks against its opponents - Beijing, for example - once it feels like it's in a weak position. Therefore, since the US is deep in political and economic crises, it has chosen to bash China, prompted by a sense of weakness. However, the US has to come to realization that it's futile to push China into any kind of warfare to solve its own domestic problems.
This public opinion warfare is unlikely to end soon. Chinese military observer Wang Qiang told the Global Times that smearing China on Xinjiang-related issues means gaining considerable outputs with few inputs for Washington, be they from the perspective of containing China, maintaining white people's dominant position in the world, or strengthening the West's unity.
As the GEC report proves, the US will certainly continue to step up the smearing of China on Xinjiang-related issues. On the one hand, it would continue to create more barriers for China to speak out. On the other hand, we should not be surprised if it increases the usage of the measures it has accused China of in the report to manipulate global opinion on Xinjiang. Nevertheless, China is ready to make counterattacks and expose the lies from the West one by one. The play has just begun.
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Xinjiang is getting better and better despite of US and Western smears
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STEPHANIE DOWRICK. After al-Noor, a new sense of "neighbour" is needed.
By Stephanie Dowrick | On 28 March 2019
There's a simple, eloquent community song written by parish priest and musician Father Kevin Bates SM that begins with a sacred invitation: "Come and sit at my table. Though you have no money, come! Come and sit at my table and make yourself at home." It goes on to ask, "Are you lonely or fearful? Do you ever lose your way? …If you're tired or hungry, if you have no song to sing…then come and sit at my table and make yourself at home."
I've used that "Table Song" often. Its unconditional message of welcome brings diverse people closer together. And closer to their own hearts. That's unsurprising. We have a universal need to belong. We grow though, and grow safer, only when we can actively extend this vital "belonging" to others. I would say, without exception.
The universal Golden Rule endorses the centrality of this. In all faiths there's a version of "Look out for your neighbours. Keep them safe by behaving towards them as you yourself wish to be treated." This is the essence of self-respect as well as human dignity.
Bringing people together, often around the physical and emotional comfort of food, was the primary spiritual practice of Jesus, or so Franciscan writer Richard Rohr suggests. He writes, "Jesus' most consistent social action was eating in new ways and with new people, encountering those who were oppressed or excluded from the system [my italics]. A great number of Jesus' healings and exorcisms take place while he's entering or leaving a house for a meal. In the process he redefines power and the kingdom of God. Jesus shows us that spiritual power is primarily exercised outside the structure of temple and synagogue."
In the days since Christchurch, when fifty people lost their lives simply for being Muslim, there've been real efforts in the wider community to draw closer to those who follow the path of Islam. Social teachings with an explicit emphasis on hospitality – including to the "stranger" – are central in that faith. Professor Mona Siddiqui, author of Divine Welcome: The Ethics of Hospitality in Islam and Christianity, has written: "Islam holds hospitality as a virtue that lies at the very basis of the Islamic ethical system, a concept rooted in the pre-Islamic Bedouin virtues of welcome and generosity in the harsh desert environment…The Prophet is reported to have said, 'There is no good in the one who is not hospitable.'" https://www.abc.net.au/religion/divine-welcome-the-ethics-of-hospitality-in-islam-and-christiani/10096406
But maybe the greatest barrier to genuine hospitality to others is an avoidance of "hospitality" within our own selves. A willingness to "own" our individual complexity is fundamental to maturity. That's what allows us to be self-responsible rather than self-deluded. It lets us take honest and honourable responsibility for our actions – and especially for any harm we may wittingly or unwittingly have caused. It also saves us from ceaselessly finding someone else to blame – or vilify.
"Confession" once involved identifying your wrong-doing, doing some kind of penance and resolving not to make that same mistake again. But was that fairly routine process adequately maturing, never mind transforming? We change our behaviours only when we are ready to see our part in them and that we could do better. This can happen only when we also recognise our ego defences – not from a place of self-abasement but by caring sufficiently how we are affecting others. This, in turn, is dependent upon claiming what we might call universal soul strengths, most particularly compassion, self-forgiveness, humility – and also joy. A desire for others' happiness and wellbeing is fundamental also.
The horror of large-scale dramas is evident for all to see. But harm can also be subtle, indirect, closeted – and still excoriating. I wrote about this extensively in my book, The Universal Heart, not least because it's so easy to deny. Yet if others tell us that they are hurt by what we have said, done, thought, it helps neither them nor us if we fall into a self-pitying heap or blame others ("What about…?"). That's the conduct of a child whose ego is emerging and fragile. A safe society depends on adults being adults. Diminished individual moral responsibility perpetuates community harm.It also slams shut doors that may lead to greater harmony and inclusion.
In Australia almost all marginalised groups people are diminished by stereotyping, name-calling, the refusal to see individuals as complex and singular, and the appalling, false attribution of behaviours, attitudes, even feelings that are regarded as somehow "inferior" to those supposedly held by the "mainstream". Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of their many nations, Muslims, African-Australians, Asians, are, in 2019, routinely, casually "othered". It seems heartening then to note that in an outstanding post-Christchurch episode of "The Drum" on ABC TV, an all-female, all-Muslim panel consistently referenced the struggle for dignity and voice by Indigenous people in this, their own country.
Self-awareness and self-responsibility are the crucial liberating elements here. On the public stage, the Prime Minister did make efforts post-Christchurch to "sit at tables" with Muslims. But he is also aggressively denying Coalition responsibility for their virulent anti-Muslim, anti-refugee rhetoric since John Howard's "Children Overboard" lies of October 2001, and his party's divisive, vote-seeking efforts since. Challenged on "The Project" by leading academic and commentator, Waleed Aly, Morrison seemed to have forgotten the years of exploiting not-so-soft racism and anti-refugee rhetoric and policies to appeal to the worst in the voting public. (Never mind – though we do mind – the Turnbull Government's dismissal and misrepresentation of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/26/indigenous-voice-proposal-not-desirable-says-turnbull)
My point is simple. If those currently in power in Canberra are incapable of seeing how stereotyping of racially marginalised groups destroys vital social cohesion and belonging – and taking unconditional responsibility for it – then we are not. Whether it is the insane "justifying" of further humiliation and suffering to asylum seekers and refugees, or the scandals of Indigenous incarceration, diminished life expectancy and youth suicide, or indeed, the increasing stains of homelessness and domestic violence and women's deaths, it's clear a determined, policy-driven denial of human rights for all cannot linger without dire consequences.
After al-Noor, some conversations have shifted. But how far? Many thousands in our communities live without a full sense of "belonging". They live with fear. Time again then, surely, to check how we individually hear those ancient, universal calls to sacred inclusion. And how we collectively practise them.
Rev Dr Stephanie Dowrick is a writer, social activist and Interfaith minister who works with people of many cultures and faiths. Her many books include Seeking the Sacred: Transforming Our View of Ourselves and One Another. You can find her on Twitter and also on her public Facebook page.
Rev Dr Stephanie Dowrick is a New Zealand-born writer, social activist and interfaith minister. She has written many influential books, was co-founder and first MD of The Women's Press, London; has been a contributor to Australian media in many forms, including as "Inner Life" columnist for Good Weekend; she has led "Interfaith in Sydney", a global spiritually inclusive congregation, since 2006; she teaches widely both on writing and spiritual/ethical living; she is a mother and grandmother.
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Horses of Unbridled: Beauty's journey home
In Columns, Columns - Ravena, The Ravena News Herald
By Susan Kayne
Beauty, a horse rescued from the slaughter pipeline by Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation, with advocate Michelle Brown. Courtesy of Susan Kayne
Imagine that in your golden years, after doing all that had been asked of you by people you trusted, accepted and worked alongside, you find yourself in a life-or-death crisis, and not even one of them show up to help.
Like our own elderly, senior horses are often perceived to be a burden to care for, instead of being embraced as blessings among us. The most marginalized of the equine species are older mares who had been used for breeding. When they are no longer able to stay pregnant, they are at the highest risk of slaughter.
When Beauty came to the attention of Unbridled in January 2021, she had been sorted for slaughter. She was frightened and trembling to stay warm. Her thick black coat of fur wasn't sufficient to protect her malnourished body from the unseasonable cold spell sweeping across Louisiana.
The bright oval USDA labels glued to the top of her tail and the right side of her neck signified that she had been weighed and cleared for shipment to slaughter. On the horse meat broker's lot her identity had been exchanged for a barcode and her life's worth priced upon the flesh clinging to her bones.
Her enlarged and heavily calcified right ankle looked like an old racing injury. Her rounded belly and extended udder were those of a veteran broodmare. The only clue to anything about her were patches of gray, silver and white hair clustered around her eyes and across her delicate cheeks. She was old.
Beauty was defenseless against the apathy and indifference that surrounded her. Yet amid a sea of strange people and unknown horses, she searched for a familiar face. Who was she looking for? What memory gave her hope when the world she had served had turned its back on her?
The horse meat broker called her by number: 850C. Likely her hip number when he bought her at a local livestock auction. Her ebony coat could be likened to Black Beauty, so the team at Unbridled called her BEAUTY, and set about to save her life.
Securing Beauty's safety was the first step in her long journey home to Unbridled. On Jan. 30, 2021, when Chester and Gail Markowitz learned of Beauty's terrible fate, they stepped in and funded her rescue.
The slaughter pipeline is a Petri dish of highly contagious sickness. Strangles, the most prevalent, is like COVID in humans. Beauty would require quarantine, careful nourishment, and veterinary care to strengthen her for transport to Unbridled.
Beauty recently celebrated her 25th birthday in her new home. Courtesy of Susan Kayne
When Beauty arrived in April 2021, her attitude was upbeat. She pranced around the paddock. Her nostrils flared and her tail lifted in the wind. Her attitude belied the needs of her fragile body — she needed to gain 250 pounds to achieve a healthy weight.
Beauty is petite and elegant like an Arabian or a Morgan. Research on the tattoo under her upper lip confirmed her real identity. Beauty is a Thoroughbred. She was born on Jan. 4, 1998, in Florida. Her registered name is BANK SHOT.
As a two-year-old she sold for $75,000 in a training sale in Ocala. Racing only at the age of five, Beauty debuted on Jan. 17, 2003, at Santa Anita in California. In that same year, she raced 16 times while crossing the country. On Oct. 23, she ran for the last time in a $2,500 claiming race in Charles Town, West Virginia.
After her final race, Beauty's chain of custody went cold. Her injured ankle limited her use for riding. She was used for breeding, but not Thoroughbreds. No foals from her are registered through the Jockey Club.
She may have been a surrogate, or reciprocal mare. She is tiny and gorgeous — she may have been used to produce show ponies. Her history post-racing, and how she landed in the slaughter pipeline, may never be known.
On Jan. 4, 2023, Beauty celebrated her 25th birthday. She is in excellent health and weight. socializing with her girlfriends Joy and River, gentle grooming, finely shredded apples and carrots, and soft peppermints are among her favorite things. Her teeth are few, so her treats must be bitesize. Beauty is now the equivalent of an 80-year-old human.
Amid the great tragedy of our culture of use is that when mares like Beauty grow old, barren and unsound they often disappear into the slaughter pipeline. They are erased and denied the dignity of being seen for the immutable gift of their equine spirit that remains.
Beauty's story invites us to ask ourselves some uncomfortable questions.
Susan Kayne operates Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation on the border of Greenville and Albany County.
Soft Paws: The art of distraction
In Columns, Columns - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
By Charlene Marchand
Mickey is a 7-year-old domestic shorthair pictured with CGHS/SPCA Adoption Counselor Samantha Link. Mickey was initially surrendered to us last year and was recently a returned adoption as the other cat in the home didn't like her. She enjoys lounging in our cat rooms and getting attention from visitors and our staff! Mickey is the sweetest girl, and would love nothing more than a warm lap to curl up on. If you are interested in adopting Mickey, please stop by the shelter to meet with her today. Contributed photo
Remember the jokes and cartoons about dogs chasing the mailman? Though door-deliveries or meter-readers are in fact approached by many a protective canine, the inside scoop with most dog trainers was the fact that some dogs had been corrected with the use of a newspaper. These canines proceeded to "defend themselves" against an additional onslaught by an unknown perpetrator.
Welcome to the year 2009. Seen any dogs going for the Windex bottles of window-washers yet? Just wait – their day is just around the corner!
All kidding aside, I think we may be on the verge of a rash of 409 Spray and Shower and Shine "attacks." I've yet to work with a new training client or adopter who has been properly taught the correct way to use the discreet art of water distraction via a spray bottle or squirt gun. I'm repeatedly told how the aberrant canine "shrinks or runs when I grab that bottle and show it to him."
Another scenario is the dog who begins to growl when the bottle appears at the end of the extended arm.
If these stories refer to any of you, STOP IMMEDIATELY. If this scenario describes your use of water to deter your dog's or cat's inappropriate behavior, STOP NOW! You've got it wrong! Let's do it right!
Most importantly, water can be used to DISTRACT your dog (or cat) from some behaviors that you find unacceptable. A puppy or adult dog having a leisurely snack on that leg of your Queen Anne chair, a cat scratching the only new piece of furniture in your living room, or your dog rivaling our best county landscapers in removing that tulip bed, recently planted, are just some of the situations where water distraction can be used appropriately.
Here's how to use your spray bottle or squirt gun correctly (that means to break their concentration):
Your water-dispensing "tool" should not be seen by your pet. The minute you extend the bottle toward the animal, that object takes on the life of a threat, and the pack leader (YOU) holding that "grenade" becomes fear-inducing and threatening in the animal's eyes.
I fold my arms around me and the bottle, and as I begin to squirt some water on the back of that cute pup's neck, in the process of demolishing my antique bench, and I have a huge smile on my face, while I merrily talk about rain showers. The spray DISTRACTS the puppy, IN THE MOMENT.
I now can REDIRECT the behavior by a melodious "Leave it.! Look what Mommy's got," and give the ambitious baby a treat and a toy.
If the little rascal is obsessed with that exquisite cherry leg, I will need to repeat this process. Eventually, the pup thinks, "Every time I chew this leg, it rains out…I don't remember a forecast for rain in the den…I must have missed it…this little pink bunny is dry, I'll chew her instead."
I'm taking liberties paraphrasing, but the end result is a happy pup that never was "corrected," the pack leader (me) was never the bad guy, and the little guy got an extra reward for concentrating on the great toys I spent a fortune on!
It's no different with our fluffy feline sharpening her nails. She's DISTRACTED from getting her pedicure by that recliner from Taft Furniture, she gets a little goody for looking at mom or dad, and now we bring her focus to that scratching board we had hoped she'd use.
Animals learn faster if they think that they are responsible for the consequences of their own actions. The pack leaders (family members) remain loving, encouraging, sympathetic and non-threatening.
One-room schoolhouse offers glimpse into the past
In Community, Community - Ravena, The Ravena News Herald
Retired teacher and columnist Dick Brooks brings the history of the Little Red Schoolhouse in Coeymans Hollow to life. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media
COEYMANS HOLLOW — It was a time when students used inkwells for their writing utensils, coal kept the classroom warm and female teachers were fired if they got married.
Education in years gone by was far different from the high-tech whiteboards, laptops and distance learning classes youngsters have today.
History buff and retired teacher Dick Brooks gave a presentation recently at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow detailing what learning was like when one-room schoolhouses ruled rural education. Brooks is also a columnist for the Ravena News-Herald and other local publications.
The building now known as the Little Red Schoolhouse was built in 1879 to educate children in District No. 7, long before the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk district was consolidated. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since May 16, 1996, and still stands as a reminder of education in years gone by.
"The teacher, at the start of the day, would ring the bell and you might stand outside and chat with your friends, but when the teacher rang the bell, you took your seat and got ready for the morning exercises," Brooks said.
The day did not start with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or with singing the national anthem. Why not? Because they didn't exist yet, Brooks said.
Instead, many teachers started the day reading a verse from the Bible.
Students in many grades were taught in the same one-room schoolhouse. In the early years, the same teacher taught grades one through eight in the same classroom, at the same time.
"This school, up until 1949, had anywhere from six to eight grades, depending on how many kids were in the district," Paul Caswell, president of the Little Red Schoolhouse Society, said. "If they had too many kids, they only had six grades and the other two went to Coeymans, but if they didn't have enough kids, they had all eight (grades)."
The Little Red Schoolhouse was first opened in 1879 on Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media
Local resident Dawn Cary attended classes at the Little Red Schoolhouse for first and second grades, with roughly 15 students in the two grades attending school together. For third and fourth grades, Cary attended school in Alcove, fifth grade was at the building now housing the town hall, and sixth grade was in what is now the RCS Community Library, Cary said. Seventh and eighth grades were in the Coeymans school, and high school was at the old Ravena High School.
Moving around so much was just business as usual for students at the time, she said.
"We didn't know any different — it was just the way we attended school," Cary said.
Cary is a member of the Little Red Schoolhouse Society and said preserving memories of that time is important.
"I think it's fantastic that this is available for people to see, especially younger generations who have no idea what it was like back then," she said.
If things were different for students, particularly in the early days, they were even more so for the teachers.
Brooks read from the "Rules for Teachers" at the schoolhouse from 1872.
Teachers were required to fill and clean the lamps that lit the classroom, bring a scuttle of coal to warm the room, and sweep and mop.
The rules also applied to their personal off-hours.
"Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly," Brooks read from the list. "After 10 hours in school, teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed."
"So if you got married, you got fired," Brooks added.
Teachers were also required to set aside a portion of their earnings for retirement "so he will not become a burden on society," Brooks read — no IRAs or pension plans in those days.
Teachers were also required to adhere to a list of requirements pertaining to their personal habits.
"Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will get good reason to suspect his worth, integrity and honesty," according to the list.
After five years of teaching, good teachers were awarded a 25-cent weekly increase in their salary.
In 1915, when more female teachers began entering the workforce, rules governing their behavior were added — and were even more strict.
"You will not marry during the terms of your contract. You are not to keep company with men," Brooks read from the list of rules. "You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores."
Female teachers were prohibited from riding in carriages or automobiles with any man unless he was their father or brother, and smoking cigarettes and dressing in bright colors were prohibited. Dyeing their hair was also a no-no, and two petticoats were required.
And this may sound familiar — women teachers were paid less than their male counterparts.
"Female teachers were paid 40% to 60% less than the male teachers," Brooks said. "That doesn't sound too fair."
Read Ravena News-Herald
Police Blotterby Melanie Lekocevic / January 13, 2023
Indians wrestlers roll over Riders 51-9by Melanie Lekocevic / January 13, 2023


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Curationis
Curationis vol.39 n.1 Pretoria 2016
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v39i1.1593
Knowledge and uptake of occupational post-exposure prophylaxis amongst nurses caring for people living with HIV
Lufuno Makhado; Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele
Department of Nursing Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
BACKGROUND: Nurses caring for people living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by needle sticks, cuts, getting body fluids in their eyes or mouth and skin when bruised or affected by dermatitis.
OBJECTIVES: To determine knowledge, insight and uptake of occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (OPEP) amongst nurses caring for PLWH.
METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. Stratified random sampling was used to sample 240 nurses. The study was conducted in a regional hospital in Limpopo province. Both parametric and non-parametric statistics were employed to analyse data.
RESULTS: A total of 233 nurses participated in the study. Sixty per cent (n = 138) of all nurses had a situation at work when they thought that they were infected by HIV and 100 (43%) nurses had experienced the situation once or more in the past 12 month. Approximately 40% did not know what PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is, and 22% did not know or were not sure if it was available in the hospital. Only few participants (n = 68, 29%) had sought PEP and most (n = 37, 54%) of them did not receive PEP when they needed it. There was a significant association between the knowledge and availability of PEP (r = 0.622).
CONCLUSION: The study recommend an urgent need for policy makers in the health sector to put in place policies, guidelines and programmes that will rapidly scale up PEP services in health care settings, so that preventable occupationally acquired HIV infection can be minimised amongst nurses.
The rise of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections nowadays had greatly exposed the health care settings to frequent occupational hazards that posed an amplified challenge to health care providers. Occupational exposure to HIV in either hospital or community health care settings presents a potential risk of infection (Hamlyn & Easterbrook 2007:329). Nurses, as the forefront health care providers, are perceived to be the most susceptible group with regard to occupational health hazards and work in fear of contagion with HIV.
The prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following exposure to HIV has now become routine and it is of paramount importance that individuals with potential risk of exposure are aware of the procedures to follow and where the first point of contact should be if an incident occurs (Hamlyn & Easterbrook 2007:329). PEP is short-term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after occupational exposure.
Although occupational exposure to HIV is preventable, it continues to impose risk on nurses and impact negatively on their health. Nurses caring for people living with HIV (PLWH) are at a greater risk of exposure to HIV by needle sticks or cuts, getting blood or other body fluids in their eyes or mouth and blood or other body fluids on their skin when it is chapped, scraped, or affected by dermatitis. It is of paramount importance that the awareness and knowledge about OPEP be sought amongst nurses caring for PLWH. Hence, this study sought to determine the knowledge and uptake of OPEP amongst nurses caring for PLWH.
Aim of the study
The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge and uptake of OPEP amongst nurses caring for PLWH.
Globally, there are approximately 3 million HIV exposures amongst health care providers every year estimating to result in 200 to 5000 HIV infections (World Health Organisation [WHO] 2006). Occupational HIV exposure impacts heavily on the already burdened workforce with increased morbidity and mortality amongst nurses who provide care to PLWH.
The standard universal precaution guidelines (WHO 2006) had been in place for the last two decades, and stipulated the provision of adequate sharps containers, the training of workers at risk and prevention of transmission of blood-borne viruses, the use of gloves and eye wear, and safer devices such as needles that sheath or retract after use. These were said to have led to a significant reduction in needle prick, infection risks and other injuries (Beekmann & Henderson 2005). The Pruss-Ustun, Rapiti and Hutin's Report (2003) stated that the global burden of disease resulting from sharps injuries reveals a number of factors which may contribute to their occurrence, including the use of unnecessary needles, the lack of availability of safer needle devices and sharps disposal containers, the lack of access to or failure to use sharps containers immediately after a procedure, and the continued recapping of needles after use.
Hamlyn and Easterbrook (2007:334) reported that regardless of occupational exposures being preventable, this continues to impose risk on nurses and impacts negatively on their health. Nurses caring for PLWH are at a greater risk of exposing themselves to HIV by the risky engagement they are faced with in the workplace, that is needle sticks or cuts, blood or other body fluids spills or splashes in their eyes, nostrils or mouth and exposed blood or other body fluids on their chapped or scraped skin, or affected by dermatitis.
Furthermore, it is of paramount importance that awareness and knowledge about OPEP be created amongst nurses caring for PLWH. This is based on limited information about the use of universal precautions by nurses in a resource-limited country such as South Africa. Universal precautions focus specifically on the prevention of exposure to blood and body fluids. The study sought to determine the awareness, knowledge and uptake of OPEP amongst nurses caring for PLWH in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa.
The objectives of the study were to:
Determine the level of exposure to HIV amongst nurses caring for PLWH.
Determine the awareness and knowledge about OPEP.
Determine the uptake of PEP amongst nurses exposed.
Establish the relationship between awareness and availability of OPEP in the unit.
Definition of concepts
Occupational post-exposure prophylaxis: The prophylaxis taken when a nurse working in a health care setting is potentially exposed to material infected with HIV.
Occupational exposure: Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, in this case HIV, that may result from a nurse's duties.
Contribution to field
The findings of this study may help policy makers and programme planners in developing policies and programmes that will support awareness, knowledge and skills development regarding prevention and management of occupational exposure to HIV, as well as the uptake of OPEP, and promote a positive working environment.
Graziano (2010) defines occupational exposure as any contact with an infectious body fluid as a result of an injury with a needle or any other sharp instrument, or via mucous membranes or an existing cutaneous condition (wound, eczema, scratch, etc.). This applies to nurses caring for PLWH and patients with an unknown HIV status. Occupational exposure may place nurses at risk of HIV infection through injuries such as those involving a potentially contaminated needle or sharp instrument or chapped, abraded skin or contact with mucous membranes. A potentially infectious body fluid that comes from a person who carries an infection is termed infectious. Potentially infectious body fluids include blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, semen, or vaginal secretions (Graziano 2010).
PEP comprises of administering a short course of ART to decrease the possibility of sero-conversion following events with high risk of exposure to HIV (National AIDS Control Organisation [NACO] 2009). The process that nurses have to follow after exposure involves first aid, counselling, risk assessment, relevant laboratory investigations with the consent of the exposed individual and source, followed by provision of a short course of ART for 28 days, and monitoring (Mathewos et al. 2013:508; NACO 2009).
PEP has been effective and able to prevent about 81% of seroconversion and is at present the only means of reducing the risk of HIV infection after exposure (Gupta et al. 2008:2). Unsafe practices such as the re-use of inadequately sterilised needles, careless handling of contaminated needles, and poor hazardous waste management, have the potential to increase the risk of acquiring blood-borne pathogens (Gupta et al. 2008:7; Sagoe-Moses et al. 2001:538). In 2005 about 3 million percutaneous occupational exposures to blood or other bodily fluids occurred in health care settings, the majority (90%) in developing countries (Gupta et al. 2008:2). The average risk of HIV transmission after a percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected blood has been estimated to be approximately 0.3% (Hoffmann, Bucholz & Schnitzler 2013). The risk after a mucous membrane exposure is approximately 0.09%. Although episodes of HIV transmission after non-intact skin exposure have been documented, the average risk for transmission by this route has not been precisely quantified but is estimated to be less than the risk for mucous membrane exposures (Kuhar et al. 2013:877). The risk for transmission after exposure to fluids or tissues other than HIV-infected blood also has not been quantified but is probably considerably lower than for blood exposures (Kuhar et al. 2013:877). This projects that the risk of acquiring blood-borne pathogens is high in Africa, especially in South Africa most probably reflecting the high prevalence of HIV.
There have been a number of studies conducted in the African continent regarding knowledge of PEP. Some studies have reported favourable knowledge of PEP amongst health care workers (Mathewos et al. 2013; Sarah et al. 2014), but several others have found rather important knowledge gaps on PEP amongst health care workers. In Nepal, only 6% of nurses in Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital had good knowledge on PEP, whilst in Zimbabwe 65% of health care workers and 83% in Ethiopia had poor knowledge on PEP (Jharna, Bijay & Kalpana 2012; Monera & Ncube 2012).
Furthermore, amongst the exposed respondents, 81.6% did not use PEP, with 33.8% reporting lack of knowledge on the use of PEP (Tebeje & Hailu 2010). Similarly, inadequate knowledge on PEP has been reported amongst medical doctors in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria (Esin et al. 2011). Most studies suggest that nurses are at higher risk of occupational acquisition of HIV through needle stick injuries and contact with infected body fluids (Jharna et al. 2012; Owino; Srivanichakorn & Thepthien 2013). Therefore, it is of paramount important for nurses to have adequate knowledge on how they can protect themselves.
It was deemed of paramount importance to investigate the knowledge and uptake of PEP in a South African context given the heavy burden placed at nurses caring for PLWH given their increased health care access. This is carried out through HIV counselling and testing (HCT), prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) and nurse initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) to name a few, which are inclusive of procedures that expose nurses to infected fluids through needle pricks, fluid splash during obstetric care, and contact with an infected person's skin when skin is cracked.
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a regional hospital in Limpopo province.
Context of the study
The study was conducted at one of the regional hospitals in Vhembe district, Limpopo province. Vhembe district is predominantly rural.
The study focused on three nursing cadres (N = 233), namely enrolled nursing auxiliaries (ENA), enrolled nurses (EN) and professional nurses (PN) caring for PWLH. Purposive sampling was used in this study because of the nurses' experience in caring for PLWH.
Data collection methods
Data collection was attained using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of two sections, i.e. demographics and a seven item questionnaire which incorporates measures for exposure and PEP uptake related questions. The questionnaire was prepared by selecting relevant studies carried out by Esin et al. (2011:465), Owolabi et al. (2011:180) and Agaba et al. (2012), which were modified according to the field experiences of the researchers. The questionnaire was then pre-tested amongst 13 nurses in a hospital and further modifications were incorporated with the aid of PEP experts; however, reliability analysis was not performed. Participants were recruited from the nurses' respective wards at the hospital. An information sheet was provided to inform them about the purpose of the study after which the questionnaires were disseminated.
Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 21) was used to assemble and analyse the collected data. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the demographics as well as the different questions in the questionnaire and were tabulated. Linear correlation was carried out to establish possible relationship between availability of PEP and knowledge of PEP. The significance level was set at 0.01.
Ethical clearance of the study was granted by the North-West University Ethics Committee, and permission to conduct the study by the Limpopo Department of Health. The study protected the rights and dignity of the participants, and they were informed that the research was of no harm to them. Voluntary participation was encouraged and participants were informed of their right to terminate their participation at any given point if they felt uncomfortable. Written consent of all participants was sought after detailed information about the research was given to participants. The researchers ensured that all collected data were stored in a locked place and electronic data were saved in a password-protected device to which only the researchers had access. No names of the participants and hospital were divulged.
Two hundred and thirty three (97%) of 240 questionnaires were returned completed and analysed. The study was inclusive of PNs (n = 109, 47%), ENs (n = 58, 25%), and ENAs (n = 66, 28%). Female nurses (n = 181, 78%) dominated the study (Table 1).
Sixty per cent of nurses (n = 136) experienced a situation at work where they were afraid they had been infected with HIV; this had happened to them once (n = 54, 23%), twice (n = 25, 11%) and more than five times (n = 21, 9%) in the past 12 months. It was revealed that 40% (n = 92) of nurses did not know what PEP is, and 22% (n = 51) did not know or were not sure if it was available in the hospital/unit they were working in. Only 68 (29%) nurses had sought PEP and the majority (n = 37, 54%) of them did not receive PEP when they needed it during their last experience.
The findings in Table 2 show that those who did not seek PEP or sought it but did not receive it, was because they did not need PEP (42%, n = 81), they did not have enough information about PEP (16%, n = 33), did not want to take an HIV test (2%, n = 3), PEP was not available (8%, n = 16), did not know where to go (12%, n = 25), and were afraid to go through the process (20%, n = 41).
Table 3 shows a significant association between the knowledge about PEP and availability of PEP (r = 0.622) in the units that nurses are working in, which suggests that the availability of PEP in the unit increases the knowledge about PEP.
Nurses, as key players in the health care provision in South Africa, need education and awareness about PEP as an important factor for successful prevention of transmission of HIV within the workplace. Nurses showed to be highly exposed to HIV, and this increases their fear of contagion, as they are on a day to day basis faced with HIV patients or PLWH as well as patients with an unknown HIV status. This is in line with a Cameroonian study by Aminde et al. (2015) stating that a majority of the nurses (85%) considered themselves to be at risk of exposure to HIV at the workplace with about 68% admitting to have been exposed in the past.
This indicates that nurses' exposure is a serious problem and has an impact in the provision of care towards PLWH, as nurses continually care for PLWH in settings where universal precautions cannot be maintained because of a lack of resources.
The majority of nurses (60%) knew about PEP and this was in line with findings by Owolabi et al. (2011:181) revealing that a majority of the respondents amongst health care providers working at the University of Abuja Teaching hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, were aware of PEP. However, the major concern was the fact that 40% did not know anything about PEP. Ignorance in this area of work can have a disastrous outcome on the health of nurses (Sabane, Dixit & Durge 2011:29). It is safe to assume that this will also undermine the confidence of the nurses to deal with patients confidently and effectively (Sabane et al. 2011:29). According to Ooi, Dayan and Yee (2004), low levels of awareness and knowledge of HIV and PEP may translate to missed opportunities for access to PEP, and potential HIV infections.
Not all nurses caring for PLWH were aware of the availability of PEP in the unit they were working which is in line with the findings in the study by Ooi et al. (2004) that about 68.5% of those surveyed were aware of the availability of HIV PEP for high risk occupational exposures. Awareness of availability of PEP may provide, and increase, confidence of nurses caring for PLWH and reduce fear of HIV contagion.
Regardless of the high number of exposure amongst nurses, it was evident that only a few sought PEP. Owolabi et al. (2011:181) reported high exposure rate amongst the study respondents with only about 6% seeking PEP which support these findings. Furthermore, this finding is supported by findings from a similar study conducted in Nigeria that revealed poor attitudes of health care providers toward PEP (Obi, Waboso & Ozumba 2005:372). The study revealed poor seeking of PEP which may have been the result of a lack of knowledge, as well as the different reasons that this study has revealed.
The following reasons were mentioned by nurses as barriers to seeking PEP: they did not want to test for HIV; PEP was not available in the unit/hospital; and nurses did not want to go through the process of PEP. Fear by some nurses of going through the process of PEP seemed to be a barrier to taking the prophylaxis, which may be the greatest factor of nurses' morbidity and mortality as a result of HIV infection in a workplace. According to Abrahams and Jewkes (2010) the combination of feeling ill from the medication and the association of the drugs with AIDS was said to create immense distress and was a barrier to taking PEP. The physical effect of ARVs which includes side effects that are well known by these nurses from their own patients, increases their fear of going through the PEP process. The mentioned reasons are in line with Abrahams and Jewkes (2010), stating that physical and side effects of the drugs clearly exacerbated the fear of HIV infection and this should be taken as a potential barrier to PEP adherence.
Other nurses revealed not having enough information about PEP, not knowing where to go for PEP, as well as not needing it which may be because of the fact that the source had tested negative. These findings were supported by Owolabi et al. (2011:181) stating that the reason why many of them did not need PEP was that the patient was HIV negative.
These findings reveal the fact that not all nurses are aware or knowledgeable of the importance of PEP in their unit/ hospital and the preventive necessity thereof. However, if all these nurses who sought PEP and not receive it seroconvert to HIV infection, it can have severe implications for the health care system. The health care system is prone to suffer from nursing workforce morbidity and mortality as a result of occupational acquired HIV infections. This will correspondingly have a negative impact in the South African nursing profession as this may induce fear of becoming a nurse. If nurses acquire HIV occupationally it will definitely discourage other health care providers caring for PLWH (Owolabi et al. 2011:182)
The findings of this study are of great use to make recommendations to guideline and policy developers, who may utilise the information to develop policies, guidelines and programmes that will assist in strengthening and promoting universal precautions, and the uptake of OPEP.
The findings of the study cannot be generalised to other regional hospitals in the province as only one regional hospital was used.
As a result of the research findings, the following recommendations are made.
• Emphasis on universal precaution and infection control in hospitals needs an improved approach.
• It is, therefore, a necessity that nurses caring for PLWH should be informed about PEP guidelines and policies; this includes information about potential risk of exposure, importance of early reporting following exposure, strict avoidance of exposure and readily available first aid kits.
• There is a crucial necessity for policy makers in the health sector to set in place policies, guidelines and programmes that will quickly measure up/monitor and evaluate PEP services in health care settings, so that escapable occupationally attained HIV infection can be avoided amongst our nurses.
• Organisational provision of all protective equipment must be a priority.
• PEP induction training/and refresher courses are required as they form an integral part of the initial training of health PN on universal precaution measures.
Future research
• A larger study over a diversity of nurses exploring their attitude, perceptions and experiences with regard to OPEP is required.
• Epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of PEP uptake in South Africa amongst exposed nurses are required.
• Evaluate OPEP programme.
Not all nurses exposed to HIV are aware of PEP. It was also evident that not all exposed nurses sought PEP and those who sought PEP did not all receive it when needed. Furthermore, some nurses revealed that they never sought PEP because they did not want to go through its process, did not want to undergo the HIV test, did not know where to go for it, and did not have sufficient information on PEP. There was a significant association between availability and knowledge of PEP in the unit. Although HIV is regarded as a chronic disease, strict preventive measures are still a priority and these measures need to be taken seriously to promote and maintain a healthy nursing workforce in South Africa.
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr U. Ramathuba for her contribution in the collection of data and thank all nurses who participated in this study. North-West University, Mafikeng Campus is acknowledged for its financial support for this study.
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
M.D-M. (North-West University, Mafikeng Campus) was the project supervisor who supervised the study. L.M. (NorthWest University, Mafikeng Campus) conducted the study's sampling, participants' recruitment, data collection and analysis. L.M. and M.D-M. wrote the manuscript.
Abrahams, N. & Jewkes, R., 2010, 'Barriers to post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) completion after rape: A South African qualitative study, Culture, Health & Sexuality', An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care 12(5), 471-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691050903556316 [ Links ]
Agaba, E., Agaba, P., Dankyau, M., Akanbi, M., Daniyam, C., Okeke, E., et al., 2012, 'Specialist physician knowledge of chronic kidney disease: A comparison of internists and family physicians in West Africa', African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine 4(1), 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v4i1.319 [ Links ]
Aminde, L.N., Takah, N.F., Dzudie, A., Bonko, N.M., Awungafac, G., Teno, D., et al, 2015, 'Occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a health district in Cameroon: Assessment of the knowledge and practices of nurses', PLoS One 10(4), e0124416. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0124416 [ Links ]
Beekmann, S.E. & Henderson, D.K., 2005, 'Protection of healthcare workers from blood borne pathogens', Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases 18(4), 331-336. [ Links ]
Esin, I.A., Alabi, S., Ojo, E. & Ajapi, A.A., 2011, 'Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis among doctors in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital', Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 14(4), 464-466. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.91757 [ Links ]
Graziano, F., 2010, Guidelines for blood borne pathogen exposure and post exposure prophylaxis in health field sites, UW Global Health Institute, Madison, WI. [ Links ]
Gupta, A., Anand, S., Sastry, J., Krisagar, A., Basavaraj, A., Bhat, SM. et al., 2008, 'High risk for occupational exposure to HIV and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis in a teaching hospital in Pune, India', BMC Infectious Diseases 8(1), 142. [ Links ]
Hamlyn, E. & Easterbrook, P., 2007, 'Occupational exposure to HIV and the use of post exposure prophylaxis', Occupational Medicine (London) 57(5), 329-336. [ Links ]
Hoffmann, C., Buchholz, L. & Schnitzler, P., 2013, 'Reduction of needlestick injuries in heathcare personel at university hospitals using safety devices', Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 8, 20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6673-8-20 [ Links ]
Jharna, L., Bijay, A. & Kalpana., S.D., 2012, Knowledge of nurses on post exposure prophylaxis of HIV in medical colleges of Chitwan District Nepal, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology 3(6), 1394-1399. [ Links ]
Kuhar, D.T., Henderson, D.K., Struble, K.A., Heneine, W., Thomas, V., Cheever, L.W. et al., 2013, 'Updated US public health service guidelines for the management of occupational exposures to human immunodeficiency virus and recommendations for post exposure prophylaxis', Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 34(9), 875-892. [ Links ]
Mathewos, B., Birhan, W., Kinfe, S., Boru, M., Tiruneh, G., Addis, Z., et al., 2013, 'Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among health care workers in Gondar, North West Ethiopia', BMC Public Health 13(1), 508. [ Links ]
Monera, T. & Ncube, P., 2012, 'Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers on occupational HIV post exposure prophylaxis at Zimbabwean referral hospital', Journal of International AIDS Society 15, 4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1758-2652-15-4 [ Links ]
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), 2009, Management of occupational exposure including post exposure prophylaxis for HIV, New Delhi, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi. [ Links ]
Obi, S.N., Waboso, P. & Ozumba, B.C., 2005, 'HIV/AIDS: Occupational risk, attitude and behaviour of surgeons in Southeast Nigeria', International Journal of STD & AIDS 16(5), 370-373. [ Links ]
Ooi, C., Dayan, L. & Yee, L., 2004, 'Knowledge of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV among general practitioners in northern Sydney', BMJ Sexual Transmission Infection 80, 420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sti.2004.009977 [ Links ]
Owino, S.O., Srivanichakorn, S. & Thepthien, B., 2013, 'Awareness of occupational post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection among health workers in Nyanza province, Kenya', Journal of Public Health Development 11(2), 19-30. [ Links ]
Owolabi, R.S., Alabi, P., Ajayi, S., Daniel, O., Ogundiran, A., Akande, T.M., et al., 2011, 'Knowledge and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against HIV infection among health care providers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria', Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (Chic) 11(3), 179-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1545109711401409 [ Links ]
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Lufuno Makhado
22891935@nwu.ac.za
Accepted: 05 Dec. 2015
Postnet Suite #110, Private Bag X19, Durbanville, Cape Town, Western Cape Province, ZA, 7551,


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2:47pm 10.01.2017 News • Entertainment by Harry Fletcher
Eva Longoria Stuns In Skin Tight Dress As Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA Award
The actress's jaw-dropping dress stole the show last night.
Eva Longoria The Desperate Housewives star Image Getty Images
The biggest names in football were out in force for the Best FIFA Football Awards last night, but it wasn't a sportsman who stole the limelight at the event.
The footballing world watched on as Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best player in the world, but it was Eva Longoria who was the main focus of attention on the night.
The Desperate Housewives star hosted the Zurich event on Monday night, and did so wearing a stunning figure-hugging dress.
The event also saw the standard red carpet swapped out for a turf-like green, presumably to make the soccer stars feel more at home.
There were guest appearances by the likes of Maradona, but the biggest moment of the night came when the 41-year-old presented Ronaldo with the main award.
The Best FIFA Football Player prize was voted for by footballers all around the world. Ronaldo beat his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi to the title, after another hugely successful season with Real Madrid and Portugal.
Eva Longoria and Cristiano Ronaldo Image Getty Images
Longoria didn't seem too phased about meeting the superstar, and actually spent the hours leading up to the event chilling out, enjoying a relaxing spa treatment day.
The actress went makeup-free for a stunning Instagram picture, which was posted before the ceremony.
The actress looked more stunning than ever during the event, and took everyones' minds off football for a while – forget Ronaldo, Longoria was the real star on the night.
Eva Longoria Hits Out At Donald Trump For Offensive Latino Views
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals the toughest opponent he's ever faced


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Apatelodidae, the American silkworm moths, is a family of insects in the order Lepidoptera. They are a family within the superfamily Bombycoidea, though they have in the past been considered a subfamily of Bombycidae.

Distribution
Species are exclusively found in the New World, with the highest diversity in the Neotropical realm.

Diversity
Apatelodidae is undergoing taxonomic and phylogenetic revision, as a result of which the exact numbers of genera and species included have been subject to frequent change. "A global checklist of the Bombycoidea" (Kitching et al. 2018) lists twelve genera and 182 species for the family.

Not included in the checklist are taxonomic changes that occurred shortly before, or since, publication. Some examples of such changes are the addition of genera Arotros (transferred from Bombycidae in 2019) and Asocia (newly described in 2021) to Apatelodidae, the synonymization of Apatelodes florisa to Apatelodes schreiteri, or the description of several new species such as Apatelodes navarroi, Pantelodes camacana, and seven new species of Arotros.

Taxonomy
Apatelodidae has historically been placed as subfamily Apatelodinae within the Bombycidae, alongside Phiditiinae and Epiinae. Recent revisions of the taxonomy of Bombycoidea have seen both Apatelodidae and Phiditiidae elevated to separate families within the superfamily, while Epiinae remains a subfamily of Bombycidae. During those taxonomical revisions, several genera formerly placed in Apatelodinae—such as Anticla and Quentalia—were transferred to Epiinae.

Genera
The list below follows the 2018 Global Checklist of Bombycoidea of Kitching et al, with exception of changes since, in which case an additional reference is given.

Apatelodes Packard, 1864
Arotros Schaus, 1892
Asocia Herbin, 2021
Carnotena Walker, 1865
Drepatelodes Draudt, 1929
Ephoria Herring-Schäffer, 1855
Epiopsis Piñas Rubio, 2008
Falcatelodes Draudt, 1929
Olceclostera Butler, 1878
Pantelodes Herbin, 2017
Prothysana Walker, 1855
Thelosia Schaus, 1896
Thyrioclostera Draudt, 1929
Zanola Walker, 1855

References

External links
 ACG  Page of images of Apatelodidae from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Moth families

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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A10 Blog / Glossary / How do Layer 4 Load Balancing and Layer 7 Load Balancing Differ?
How do Layer 4 Load Balancing and Layer 7 Load Balancing Differ?
Load balancing is one of the most important functions of an application delivery controller (ADC), optimally distributing network traffic across servers to provide the best possible application performance and application availability. There are a few different ways this can be done; you'll see references to layer 4 load balancing, layer 7 load balancing, and even L4 load balancing / L7 load balancing. What does this mean, and which of these is the most useful?
The difference between layer 4 load balancing and layer 7 load balancing is based on the various layers in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model for networking. An Layer 4 load balancer works at the transport layer, using the TCP and UDP protocols to manage transaction traffic based on a simple load balancing algorithm and basic information such as server connections and response times. An Layer 7 load balancer works at the application layer—the highest layer in the OSI model—and makes its routing decisions based on more detailed information such as the characteristics of the HTTP/HTTPS header, message content, URL type, and cookie data. An L4-7 load balancer manages traffic based on a set of network services across ISO layers 4 through 7 that provide data storage, manipulation, and communication services.
To understand the value of each of these approaches, we'll first look at the differences between them.
Layer 4 Load Balancing vs. Layer 7 Load Balancing
Layer 4 Load Balancing
Layer 4 load balancing, operating at the transport level, manages traffic based on network information such as application ports and protocols without visibility into the actual content of messages. This is an effective approach for simple packet-level load balancing. The fact that messages are neither inspected nor decrypted allows them to be forwarded quickly, efficiently, and securely. On the other hand, because layer 4 load balancing is unable to make decisions based on content, it's not possible to route traffic based on media type, localization rules, or other criteria beyond simple algorithms such as round-robin routing.
Layer 7 load balancing operates at the application level, using protocols such as HTTP and SMTP to make decisions based on the actual content of each message. Instead of merely forwarding traffic unread, a layer 7 load balancer terminates network traffic, performs decryption as needed, inspects messages, makes content-based routing decisions, initiates a new TCP connection to the appropriate upstream server, and writes the request to the server.
While the need for encryption incurs a performance penalty for layer 7 processing, this can be largely reduced through the use of SSL offload functionality. Enabling application-aware networking, layer 7 load balancing allows more intelligent load balancing decisions and content optimizations. By viewing or actively injecting cookies, the load balancer can identify unique client sessions to provide server persistence, or "sticky sessions," sending all client requests to the same server for greater efficiency. Packet-level visibility allows content caching to be used, holding frequently accessed items in memory for easy retrieval. Importantly for modern organizations, layer 7 load balancing provides the intelligence to handle protocols that piggyback or multiplex requests onto a single connection to optimize traffic and reduce overhead.
Why your ADC Needs L4 Load Balancing / L7 Load Balancing
Although layer 7 load balancers offer more extensive functionality and allow more intelligent routing decisions, there are appropriate use cases for each. Layer 7 offers essential visibility and application awareness to enable intelligent routing decisions, optimizations, and performance enhancement. For example, the language indicated in the browser header can be used to redirect visitors to the appropriate content version. To provide the best possible experience for any user, device, and location, while meeting the organization's requirements for compliance, content localization, and efficiency, an ADC should offer load balancing capabilities across both layer 4 and layer 7 to meet various different application needs.
How to Choose a Cloud Load Balancer
Load Balancing Goes to School to Learn Application Availability
What is Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB)?
How do you Load Balance in a Hybrid or Multi-cloud World?
What is High Availability Load Balancing?
Advanced Load Balancing in the Cloud: 5 Ways to Simplify the Chaos
How A10 Networks Provides L4 Load Balancing / L7 Load Balancing
A10 Thunder® Application Delivery Controller (ADC) provides advanced layer 4-7 load balancing to ensure high availability and business continuity for application services. Intelligent traffic management enables fast response times using servers with optimal traffic distribution, or customized traffic distribution such as blue/green traffic during service maintenance. Application acceleration techniques and SSL/TLS offload technologies further optimize application performance.
Learn more about L4/L7 load balancing with Thunder ADC
What is HTTP Header Enrichment?
What is Carrier-grade NAT (CGN/CGNAT)?
What is Load Balancing?


We drive an intersection-theoretic formula for the number of nth-order contacts between a given (n-1)-parameter family of plane curves and a gerenal specified curve. This is accomplished through the use of a tower of P 1-budles first introduced by Semple in [Se]. These bundles may be seen to parameterize nth-order curvilinear contact at a point in a natural way.
Colley, Susan Jane, and Gary Kennedy. 1991. "A higher-order contract formula for plane curves." Communications in Algebra 19(2): 479-508.


(1917-2010) Louis Henkin was born in in present-day Belarus and died in Manhattan, New York. He taught at Columbia University.
Eliezer Henkin was born in present-day Belarus on November 11, 1917.
Louis Henkin died in Manhattan, New York, on October 14, 2010.
Louis Henkin and his family moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York, in 1923.
Louis Henkin graduated from Yeshiva College in Manhattan, New York, in 1937.


The Desert Canyons master plan provides for a full complement of land uses ranging from 3,800 residential units to hundreds of acres of commercial and industrial parcels. Desert Canyons is strategically positioned to capture the benefits of growth the St. George area continues to experience.
Designed to accommodate the full spectrum of residential needs, the master plan includes one acre estate lots, large executive lots at 3 units per acre, medium density single family housing at 8 units per acre, plus higher density town homes and apartments to 12 units per acre. The master plan contains distinct residential neighborhoods each containing interconnecting trails, parks, and other amenities.
Desert Canyons is offering a total of 1050 acres of residential land and 264 acres of mixed use land containing a total of 3,800 units. Access to the residential lands is provided at each of 3 interchanges along the Southern Parkway.
St. George is a recreational paradise where mild winters and over 300 sunny days a year support year-round outdoor activities for all ages and ability levels. The area boasts over 12 premier golf courses all within a 10 to 15 minute drive from Desert Canyons. For those who like cooler venues, nearby retreats in nearby Pine Valley Mountain offers alpine settings at elevations up to 10,000 feet. Shoppers can enjoy the variety of many unique shops in historic downtown and the Factory Store Outlets. Sand Hollow Recreation Area is just a few minutes from Desert Canyons, where you can enjoy boating and water power sports, and OHV fun on the sand dunes at Sand Mountain.
Desert Canyons is set in an area of breathtaking scenery. Major scenic landforms within the master plan area form the backdrop of a strikingly beautiful desert landscape. Significant areas and landscape features will be protected to preserve the unique character that sets Desert Canyons apart from other developments.
Content copyright . Desert Canyons Development. All rights reserved.


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Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013: An Analysis
Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013: An Analysis
Written by: Eshti Kapoor[1]
The Land and Acquisition Act of 1894 was a general law governing the acquisition of land for public and private uses, as well as setting the amount of compensation to be paid in connection with such acquisitions. The provisions of the aforementioned Act were determined to be insufficient in resolving some issues linked to the State's legislative powers for forced land acquisition and poverty. The Rehabilitation and Resettlement Issues for Affected Persons and Their Families were not addressed in the Act.
The Land Acquisition Act of 1894 has been amended numerous times, not only by the Central Government but also by the State Government. However, public concern about land acquisition, particularly multi-cropped irrigated property, has grown. There was no central law that appropriately addressed the challenges of displaced persons' rehabilitation and resettlement. Because land acquisition, rehabilitation, and resettlement were two sides of the same coin, a single integrated law was required to address the concerns of land acquisition, rehabilitation, and resettlement.
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act of 2013 addresses the concerns of farmers and others whose livelihoods are dependent on the land being acquired, while also facilitating the timely and transparent acquisition of land for industrialization, infrastructure, and urbanization projects.
This Act marks a shift in the way the legislature views land acquisition. For the first time, it includes a provision for the social impact study, identifies non-owners as impacted persons, establishes a manner of acquisition that requires the cooperation of the displaced, and establishes statutory resettlement benefits. Furthermore, the grounds for acquiring the land under the urgency clause have been limited.
Aims and Objectives of the Act[2]
In conjunction with all parties and local governing authorities, ensure a transparent land acquisition process.
To ensure that the present population is displaced as little as possible while owning or remaining on the land.
To offer just compensation to families whose livelihoods have been harmed or whose land has been acquired as a result of land acquisition.
To provide appropriate funding for the rehabilitation and resettlement of affected families.
Provision and Purpose of Land Acquisition Act[3]
According to the Act, the Indian government (both state and central) can purchase land for its own use, for public sector firms, or for a 'public purpose,' which can include any of the following:
For any work linked to India's state or national security or defence services, including the naval, military, air force, or other armed forces, that is under the state or central government's authority.
For the construction of public infrastructure, excluding private hospitals, educational institutions, and hotels.
For any government-owned or farmer-owned initiative involving agricultural or related businesses, such as dairy, fishing, or meat processing.
For projects designated in the National Manufacturing Policy, such as industrial corridors, manufacturing zones, and other projects. This can also apply to mining operations.
For water harvesting, conservation structural initiatives, or planned village development or renovation.
For educational and research institutions that get government funding.
For planned development in rural and urban regions, such as the creation of housing developments for the less fortunate.
For the development of housing projects for the poor and landless, as well as those afflicted by natural disasters.
Challenges before the Land Reforms[4]
Farmers have been suffering under numerous governance institutions for a long time. The ruling class benefited from the growth of the zamindari, mahalwari, jagirdari, and ryotwari systems. Even after independence, nations are unable to execute reforms due to a lack of resources or the complicated agricultural system and social divisions that exist.
The Indian government has recognized the importance of abolishing such arrangements. People are able to find gaps between the enactment of a law and its enforcement, and the problem endures in a different form. Any government action leads to a shift in the methods of exploitation. Poverty figures that have persisted among the agricultural class for decades are an unmistakable indication or evidence that land reforms have failed to achieve their intended goals.
The obstacles to land reform begin with different states enacting different land ceiling measures, which is due to differences in the resources they have, such as geographical area, rural and urban structures, landless labour population, and natural resources available. The situation is made worse by errors in land records, which result in the creation of benami (properties with missing ownership details) properties, and finally, government empty coffers entail improper compensation payments for landowners under reforms.
Land reforms strive to address issues such as the allocation of government-acquired land, existing government land, excess land, land under tribal control, land under village community control, and land that falls under the category of forest land. Various states have different land ownership regimes, and many of them lack legal recognition. Land reforms are complicated by ownership systems where land is occupied by a community or tribal population, or when land holdings are dispersed among community members after each agricultural season.
Land reforms strive to address issues such as the allocation of government-acquired land, existing government land, excess land, land under tribal control, land under village community control, and land that falls under the category of forest land. Varied states have different land ownership regimes, and many of them lack legal recognition. Land reforms are complicated by ownership systems where land is occupied by a community or tribal population, or when land holdings are dispersed among community members after each agricultural season.
Land Reform and Impact its on Social Movements[5]
Various social movements in India have been successful in bringing about change at the grassroots level where government intervention has failed. The most notable of these is the Bhoodan Movement, which began in the early 1950s under Acharaya Vinoba Bhave. It recently fell prey to the land mafia, and a large portion of it remains unallocated. In a similar vein, the government-sponsored Gramdan (village donation) programme was launched with minimal success.
These movements are able to raise awareness about the plight of poor agricultural landless people and wealthy landowners who profit handsomely from them. Rich and privileged people were pressured by social movements to think of additional methods to secure their riches and improve their image. So, before the government drafted a new land ceiling law, they began to use social movements to become saviours of the new India by donating their lands and transferring them to their close and dear ones.
On January 1, 2014, the "Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013" went into effect. It gives hope to the suffering populace, but the Act has many problems, including a large migrant labour force, thousands of land disputes in court, loss-making marginal and agricultural farms, debt-ridden farmers, agriculture tenancy issues, and rural development. The Act is for compensation and transparency when land is acquired, the population is rehabilitated, and resettlement is required.
Experts are hopeful that its implementation will address all issues and solve all of the problems listed above, as they believe the root of all problems is the injustice done to farmers and displaced people in the form of insufficient compensation. The Act was amended in 2015, diluting the safety measures for five special categories: the defence sector, rural infrastructure development, affordable housing schemes, industrial strips, and infrastructure projects, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects where the government owns the land.
Eshti Kapoor
She has participated in various academic events at VSLLS including successfully completing the Legal Drafting and Office Management Course at Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies. She has a keen interest in writing and has written many articles for various legal blogs. She is an author of "Equal Pay for Equal Work" Research Paper published at Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR)
[1] B.B.A LL.B (Hons.) student of 4th year Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, VSLLS, VIPS, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
[2] All about Land Acquisition Act, Surbhi Gupta ( https://housing.com/news/all-about-the-land-acquisition-act/ ) (Last Visited: 23. 08.21)
[3] All about Land Acquisition Act, Surbhi Gupta, ( https://housing.com/news/all-about-the-land-acquisition-act/ ) (Last Visited: 23.08.21)
[4] The Challenges before "The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR)": A Study of Indian Land Reforms, Masood Ahmed, ( https://amity.edu/UserFiles/admaa/c1ebfPaper%2010.pdf ) (Last Visited: 23.08.21)
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Gwen Hoops - Palladium - International - Superette | Your Fashion Destination.
Introducing Superette International, an unforgettable and tailored shopping experience connecting customers to brands from further afar. Superette International presents an opportunity to grow the current brand family and provide access to even more incredible designers from around the globe. Focusing on delivering premium wardrobe essentials, elevated accessories and highly considered trend pieces that you'll have, love and wear for years to come, Superette International comprises of top-tier established designers alongside some amazing emerging brands from every corner of the globe.


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Die Liste der Naturdenkmale in Saarwellingen nennt die auf dem Gebiet der Gemeinde Saarwellingen im Landkreis Saarlouis im Saarland gelegenen Naturdenkmale.

Naturdenkmale

|}

Belege

Saarwellingen
Naturdenkmale


Although I never made a formal announcement on the blog, many of you know from the social medias that I've been pregnant over the last nine months eight months. Adeline Alexis made a surprise appearance almost a month early on 12.13.13 (Friday the 13th is our new lucky day!) These are pictures we took in the hospital.
My mother tells stories about the hellion that I was (I was kicked out of the nursery at the hospital because I made all the other babies cry) so I was very prepared to start paying some sort of karmic debt with a constantly screaming baby. However, Adeline could not have a sweeter temperament -- she pretty much just eats and sleeps and looks cute.
It's a wonderful time for us as the holidays approach. We could not have dreamed of a better Christmas present!
Congratulations! What a little beauty! Wishing you and your family a happy holiday and all the best in the coming year.


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Cladding scandal: Gove expected to announce stricter penalties for developers
by Today's Conveyancer
Housing minister Michael Gove has announced to Parliament that he will soon reveal a series of measures to tackle the cladding scandal which is currently affecting around 1.2 million leaseholders across the country.
Amongst the measures, Gove is expected to announce that developers responsible for dangerous cladding could be barred from public contracts and an extra £1bn in funding could be released for medium-rise buildings.
Other proposals include:
Giving an additional £30m to the Waking Watch Relief Fund.
Scrapping the planned leaseholder loan scheme for buildings under 18 metres tall.
Removing the "consolidated advice note".
Speeding up cladding remediation by prioritising highest-risk buildings.
Gove is said to be placing leaseholders "at the heart of these measures" and will try to protect them from huge remediation bills by leaning on developers, contractors and manufacturers for more contributions. The Housing and Communities Select Committee estimates that the total cost of fixing the building safety crisis is now in excess of £15bn.
To protect leaseholders, Gove is said to be considering increasing the Building Safety Fund by £1bn for the remediation of medium-rise buildings. This will take the total amount of money paid by the government to help fix dangerous cladding to £4bn, with an additional £2bn expected to be raised over the next decade from the residential property developer tax.
The cladding loan scheme, which would see leaseholders in medium-rise buildings pay for remediation work also looks likely to be scrapped with Gove commenting in November that he was "disturbed with the principle of leaseholders having to pay anything".
Further changes to the use of EWS1 forms are also expected to be announced, including a reduction in the number of checks required and increased support for professionals conducting the checks. The consolidated advice note, stating that all buildings regardless of height must be checked, will also be removed by the end of this year.
The government is also thought to be considering a government-backed insurance scheme for those carrying out fire safety checks to give further protection to decision-makers, as well as the introduction of a central government body that will audit checks and oversee the process.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) may also be commissioned with the task of recovering funds from companies and developers that are thought to be liable for some of the issues.
Giles Grover from the End our Cladding Scandal Campaign commented:
"It has long been painfully clear that an increase in grant funding is urgently required to bring about a fair end to this scandal that has blighted our lives for years – but we still need to see action on the ground to make buildings safe at pace, and we still need cast-iron guarantees that we will be protected from all costs to do so.
Our heads continue to tell us to be cautious but our hearts are increasingly optimistic that we will soon begin to be able to think about moving on with our lives."
A DLUHC spokesperson said:
"We do not comment on speculation. It is unacceptable and unfair that leaseholders are facing excessive bills – they are innocent parties in this and building owners and industry must make buildings safe without passing on costs to them.
The secretary of state is looking at our work in this area to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect and support leaseholders, and we will be setting out further proposals in due course."
The Government has scheduled an event due to take place in the next month that will consult stakeholders involved in the scandal to focus on speeding up remediation works of unsafe buildings.
The news comes as further revelations about Government accountability over unsafe cladding were made during the opening statements of the Grenfell inquiry. Lawyers acting for victims of the tragedy listed several Government failures including claims that the government suppressed information about the combustibility of cladding used on Lakanal House after a fire killed six people in 2009, and that a government-commissioned test on the same cladding material used on Grenfell Tower in 2002 failed five minutes into its 30-minute duration, but the product was not banned.
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The rise of online learning!
Hot off the press: In an interview with the BBC, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has said that boring university lectures will be the first casualty in the rise of online learning! Just as massively multiplayer online gaming changed the playing field for computer games, so too will the rise of Massive Open Online Education (MOOC).…
20 August 2013 in News, Reviews.
Careers advice on the go
The National Careers Service, a free advice service for learning, training and work opportunities, has just launched a new mobile site for careers advice on the go. But there are new apps and mobile sites coming out all the time, so is this new mobile site from the National Careers Service just another gimmick or…
8 April 2013 in News, Reviews.
Freelance work is a gem for students and graduates
It's tough being a student, both pre- and post-graduation. Despite students being stereotyped as being lazy and irresponsible, it does seem rather difficult to survive as one these days. From balancing lectures, deadlines, friends and finances, any student can find it stressful to survive in the aftermath of a financial recession. So what is a…
29 March 2013 in Reviews.
Personalised Jobseeking Advice: Where To Look
BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING? Whether you're unemployed and have a bit of time on your hands, or are incredibly busy and trying to switch or upgrade careers, the way you should approach searching out opportunity should always be strategic. For many of us, being in a tricky situation means that our judgment is immediately clouded.…
13 February 2013 in Reviews.
Reed – the UK's No. 1 Jobs Site?
The company's new 'Love Mondays' advert shows an intergalactic crew of recruitment agents transforming the lives of miserable workers by finding them the perfect job. But is Reed really out of this world or do job seekers wish it would just blast off?
1 November 2012 in Reviews.
Monster Jobs – Truly Terrifying or Scarily Good?
Searching for job vacancies online can be a daunting task. The first step on your journey to finding employment online is likely to be one of the major search engines but with so many job search sites out there, how do you choose the right one for you? In this article, we've reviewed the job…
15 October 2012 in Reviews.


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Q: Python: Rescale time-series in pandas by non-integer scale-factor I have no idea if this is feasible in Pandas. I thought df.resample may do the work but no. Here's my objective:
I have a time-series in a DataFrame, df that looks like this:
            return
12:30:00 -0.000202
12:30:01 -0.000257
12:30:02 -0.000230
12:30:03 -0.000229
12:30:04 -0.000253
...
12:59:49  0.001491
12:59:50  0.001523
12:59:51  0.001503
12:59:52  0.001484
12:59:53  0.001513
12:59:54  0.001523
12:59:55  0.001527
12:59:56  0.001545
12:59:57  0.001532
12:59:58  0.001535
12:59:59  0.001566
13:00:00  0.001605

This is the plot:

Now you can you see that the time goes from 12:30:00 to 13:00:00. I want to re-scale or stretch the this time-series to have observations from 12:30:00 to 14:15:00. Hence I need to have 3.5 more entries in my original time-series... so 3.5 times more duplicate entries for each observation in my time-series. If it was only 3 time mores, then I would transform my data into array and use np.reshape() and then re-assign a time index but this won't work in this particular case. Any suggestions?

A: You can convert the datetime to unix epoch, multiply by your scale factor and then convert back (epoch calculation using How to get unix timestamp from numpy.datetime64)
df['epoch'] = df.index.astype(np.int64) // 10 ** 9
start_epoch = df.epoch.iloc[0]
df['epochdelta']= df['epoch'] - start_epoch
df['newindex'] = pd.to_datetime((df.epochdelta * 3.5 + start_epoch),unit='s')

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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C-Span offers prizes for student videos on national issues
Columbia Daily
Middle and high school students can win a number of cash prizes in a video competition highlighting what they want the president and Congress to address in 2021, hosted by C-SPAN and Mediacom.
Entries will open online Nov. 1 and close Jan. 20, 2021 in the 17th annual C-SPAN StudentCam video competition. Students are asked to analyze and present a history on the issue of their choice, which includes differing points of view in their five to six minute submissions, according to a Mediacom news release.
Students can work individually or in teams, according to the release. The communications companies wrote that a total of $100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded for the winning documentaries. Winners will be announced in March and the winning videos will be broadcast on C-SPAN. Complete details are available at studentcam.org.


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NBC, Affiliates to Discuss NASCAR Ad Time
When NBC executives meet with the network's affiliates advisory board April 14 in New York, there will be talk of how to guarantee that affiliates won't lose commercial time in NASCAR races, which happened Feb. 15 during the popular Daytona 500. NBC's practice has been to schedule network commercial inventory, but because the network cannot pull out of, but must wait out, local breaks to cover crashes and other sudden, dramatic developments, the network has waited for yellow caution flags before it slipped in local commercial breaks. On Feb. 15 there were no yellow flags during about half of the race, so some of the affiliates' commercial inventory did not get in until after the race, when the audience was smaller. The network helped make good the situation by giving affiliates two extra prime-time spots on March 12, one in "Dateline NBC" and one in "Crossing Jordan." The network also has indicated it will work in local breaks early in races to guard against a repeat of the Daytona 500 situation.


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Kilili endorses Clinton to be next US President
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Posted On Jan 11 2016 06:08
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU) has introduced federal legislation to extend eligibility for national service programs to citizens of the Freely Associated States who reside in the United States and are otherwise eligible for these programs. Specifically...
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, By Jon Perez


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Dennis Russ (born 5 June 1992) is a German football midfielder.

External links

1992 births
Living people
German footballers
SC Freiburg II players
Association football midfielders
Würzburger Kickers players
FSV Frankfurt players
3. Liga players


Reston, Virginia., Oct 8, 2018 — Following the success of its first ever Wi-Fi Design Day last year in London, Ekahau announced the event series will be expanding from London to Sydney, Australia this year. Wi-Fi Design Day Australia will take place on November 9, 2018, at All Hands Brewing House in Sydney.
Wi-Fi Design Day, a one-day event that provides a unique opportunity for those managing wireless networks to discuss technology developments and best practices to hear from experts within the wireless community, will feature a day full of design theory, practical case studies and future-gazing led by industry experts. Topics to be covered include RF fundamentals, designing Wi-Fi that works, AI and analytics in Wi-Fi. Speakers have been invited based on their expertise and hands-on experience in the wireless space.
"The idea of Wi-Fi Design Day is simple: get the Wi-Fi minded folks to meet face-to-face to share ideas and have some fun," said Jussi Kivinemi, Senior Vice President of Ekahau. "What makes our event different is twofold: First, the speakers are selected not only based on their technical knowledge, but for being the most captivating storytellers in the industry. Second, the audience is very passionate about Wi-Fi, and willing to share their experiences. These two factors ensure the event will be entertaining, welcoming, and well targeted for the audience.
For more information about the event, speaker line-up and to reserve a seat click here (seats are limited).
Ekahau will also host its second annual Wi-Fi Design Day London on November 2, 2018, at The Barbican Centre.
Ekahau is headquartered in Reston, Virginia and has much of its R&D and product related functions in Helsinki, Finland. For more Information, visit Ekahau.com.


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Is Dick Advocaat on his way out at Sunderland?
By Kyle LynchOct 2, 2015, 6:11 PM EDT
After winning a league-low seven matches last year and just barely surviving relegation, Sunderland's struggles have continued.
The Black Cats sit bottom of the Premier League table, winless through seven matches with just two points on the season. They have conceded 16 goals and have a -10 goal differential, both worst in the league.
[ MORE: Prince-Wright's Premier League picks — Week 8 ]
Ahead of Saturday's match against West Ham, reports began to circulate that Dick Advocaat could be on his way out as the Sunderland boss if the side does not get a result.
While Advocaat denied that he would leave after this weekend, he didn't sound too reassuring when talking about his future at the Stadium of Light.
I always think in facts.
The fact is it is now Friday and I am manager of Sunderland but what will happen on Sunday, or a week after Sunday, or nine months after Sunday – then I will tell you the real story. But now I am still here.
When it is time to do something, then I will do so. Today is not the time to do something. For me it's important to discuss what happens tomorrow, not to say what maybe will happen on Sunday or a week later.
Earlier this season, Advocaat got in a bit of a row with the Sunderland board, saying the club did not spend proper money to bring in quality players to compete in the Premier League. Despite making a few transfers before the deadline, they remain without a win.
[ WATCH LIVE: Stream every PL game via Live Extra ]
Advocaat was appointed as Sunderland's manager last March, leading the club to a 16th place finish, three points above relegation. After the season, the 68-year-old said he was retiring from management after more than three decades on the touchlines. However, the club convinced Advocaat to return for one more year, although now it looks like he could be on his way out sooner than expected.