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Venezuela Election Step Toward Dictatorship, US Warns Amid Protests That Killed Several
"I said rain, thunder or lightning, the 30th of July was going to come," Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said as he cast his ballot in the election Sunday for a new constituent assembly.
Maduro, who hailed the election as the "biggest ever vote for the revolution," promised it would bring peace and stability to the country where more than a hundred people have died in the protests this year, reports said. He was the first person to cast vote shortly after the polls opened at 6 a.m. EDT Sunday. "The first vote for peace," the Venezuelan president said after casting his ballot.
Read: Venezuela Crisis 2017: Security Forces, Demonstrators Clash Amid Recession-Induced Shortages
"The Constituent Assembly will be the space, the power of powers, the superpower that will, so to speak, recover the national spirit, find reconciliation, justice, find the truth," he said as he accused President Donald Trump of trying to "prevent the people from carrying out its right to vote," CNN reported.
Maduro's move was criticized by many, especially by the United States and Canada. Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, took to Twitter to slam Maduro's election, calling it a step toward dictatorship.
Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) too expressed displeasure over the election process and said he stood by the people of Venezuela who deserved democracy.
The Canadian government also denounced Maduro's decision. In a statement released Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland said: "Canada denounces and condemns today's significant and undemocratic action by the Venezuelan regime. This constituent assembly will further escalate tensions in the country by robbing the Venezuelan people of their fundamental democratic rights."
"Despite repeated calls by member states of the Organization of the American States and the international community, including Canada, to cancel the national constituent assembly, President Maduro and his…


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Sachsenhausen – część miasta (Ortsteil) Oranienburg w Niemczech w kraju związkowym Brandenburgia, w powiecie Oberhavel, do 1974 r. odrębne miasto.

Położenie geograficzne
Sachsenhausen leży w północnej części Oranienburga na zalesionym terenie, nad rzeką Hawelą.

Podział administracyjny
Sachsenhausen dzieli się na mniejsze jednostki:
 na południu jest osiedle Chaussee,
 w pobliżu dworca kolejowego, niedaleko muzeum byłego obozu koncentracyjnego znajduje się osiedle imienia Ernsta Thälmanna (niem. Ernst-Thälmann-Siedlung)
 osiedle Friedenthal powstało w roku 1804 na miejscu folwarku należącego do pruskiego ministra von Schröttera, który z kolei został założony na miejscu plantacji morwy zwanej Hannetal, położonej między Hawelą a ujściem kanału prowadzącego do jeziora Ruppinersee.
 osiedle Teerofen
oraz właściwe centrum w pobliżu kościoła.

Historia
Tereny dzisiejszego Sachsenhausen wspomniane są po raz pierwszy w roku 1300 przy okazji budowy strzegącego przeprawy przez Hawelę askańskiego zamku Neumühl. W tym miejscu powstają pierwsze kuźnice na terenie Marchii Środkowej. W pobliżu zbudowano również młyn (do mielenia zboża i zasilania kuźni), z którego korzystać musieli wszyscy chłopi mieszkający na wysoczyźnie zwanej Ländchen Glien i nad brzegiem Haweli. W roku 1349 zwano zamek i przyległe włości "Nowym Dworem" (niem. Neues Haus). Młyn został odbudowany po zniszczeniu go w roku 1402 przez Rupinów i Pomorzan sprzymierzonych z rodem Quitzow. W roku 1448 rozpoczęto pracę nad budową śluzy. Młyny zbudowane przy śluzie zwano po roku 1652 "młynami oranienburskimi" (niem. Oranienburger Mühlen). W okolicy śluzy powstała kolonia Berg, w której od 1690 mieszkało dwóch cieśli zajmujących się konserwacją ogrodzenia zwierzyńca elektorki Rzeszy Luizy Henrietty.

Na północ od tej kolonii i na wschód od drogi do Löwenberga założono gminę Sachsenhausen, jako pierwszą w Kurmarchii osadę saskich przędzarzy, a od 1830 roku mieszkali tam również szkutnicy.

W okresie III Rzeszy miejscowy dworzec służył do przeładunku więźniów przeznaczonych do obozu koncentracyjnego Sachsenhausen. Z dworcem sąsiadowało osiedle SS Andre, dzisiaj nazwane imieniem Ernsta Thälmanna.

We wrześniu 1945 przeprowadzono reformę rolną. W latach 1945–1974 w mieście urzędowało dziesięciu burmistrzów, a w roku 1974 miasto stało się włączone w granice Oranienburga.

Oświata
 szkoła podstawowa w Sachsenhausen
 szkoła średnia (Jean-Clermont-Oberschule Sachsenhausen)

Osoby związane z Sachsenhausen
 Marie Diers (1867–1949) – pisarka, mieszkała i zmarła w Sachsenhausen

Oranienburg
Powiat Oberhavel
Dawne miasta w Niemczech

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Fi-fashion&imagination: Fashion is in the details - Colors and polka dots!
Fashion is in the details - Colors and polka dots!
A moda está nos detalhes - Cores e Bolinhas!
Pictures that inspire me! Enjoy!
Imagens que me inspiram! Desfrutem!
I love the polka dots. That blazer is amazing!


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Un machi es un chamán en la cultura tradicional del pueblo mapuche, un pueblo indígena del sur de Chile y suroeste de Argentina. Su principal rol es la curación de dolencias, tanto los males físicos como los que se consideran derivados de la acción de fuerzas espirituales o a transgresiones de normas. Además, pueden cumplir roles religiosos y sociales.

Descripción

La vida como machi en el pueblo mapuche

Puede ser machi una mujer o un hombre. Dirige los ceremoniales de curación, llamados machitún. En el caso de que las autoridades tradicionales, como el ngenpin, no se encarguen del guillatún, ceremonia mediante la cual la comunidad se comunica con el mundo espiritual, también esta función puede ser ejercida por un machi.

Elección
Para llegar a ser machi usualmente se deben producir ciertos sucesos durante la infancia o adolescencia. Por ejemplo:

 Sueños premonitorios.
 Revelaciones sobrenaturales.
 Influencia de la familia.
 Transmisión hereditaria.
 Poder de curación de enfermedades.
 Iniciativa propia.

El linaje (küpal) de una familia puede tener antecedentes de la existencia de machis anteriores y esto se conoce como machi küpal. Pero personas ajenas a estos linajes también pueden manifestar las condiciones para ejercer esta actividad. La persona elegida se prepara durante un tiempo, para posteriormente irse a vivir un tiempo con un machi consagrado, que le entregará las herramientas para desempeñarse como tal. Posteriormente el nuevo machi será consagrado en la ceremonia del machiluwün.

Los machis hueyes (o weyes)
Existe registro de un tipo de machi de sexo masculino, conocido como «hueye» o «weye», el cual podía vestirse con indumentaria femenina considerada como sagrada por la cultura mapuche, sin ser propiamente calificado como un travesti, sino que asociado a un ser con «dos almas» e investido como autoridad espiritual por ello; normalmente permanecían solteros, sin embargo, debido a la relativa tolerancia social hacia la homosexualidad en la cultura mapuche bajo ciertas circunstancias, ellos podían mantener relaciones sexuales con otros hombres varoniles de forma pasiva, siendo aceptados y respetados por toda la comunidad.

Rol

Plano medicinal

El machi es la figura central de la medicina mapuche, poseedor de sabiduría y poder curativo. Conoce el uso medicinal de ciertas plantas y sustancias, a fin de usar las requeridas para obtener el remedio (ḻaweṉ) adecuado. Tiene también el poder de los espíritus y los sueños (pewma), que son de gran importancia, puesto que su interpretación determina muchas decisiones importantes.

Plano espiritual
El/la machi es la persona que maneja y resuelve las preocupaciones de la sociedad mapuche con respecto a las fuerzas malignas y dañinas del mundo. Ya que su función cotidiana básica es la de curar, un machi también tiene los conocimientos necesarios para descubrir al calcu (kalku, "brujo") o a cualquier individuo que, mediante poderes o ayuda sobrenaturales, quiera dañar o matar a otra persona.

Actitud

Todo(a) machi debe seguir el camino indicado en el Admapu y no dejarse llevar por el mal o por las malas actitudes. Si no cumple estos preceptos, estará siguiendo un camino equivocado que lo conducirá a ser considerado kalku, persona que practica el mal por medios místicos o espirituales). Las actitudes que convierten a un machi en kalku son las siguientes:

 Ser una persona envidiosa y/o codiciosa, teniendo más interés por el dinero que por curar al necesitado.
 Ser una persona que no usa su conocimiento sabiamente o que lo usa para hacer el mal, uniéndose así a las fuerzas que luchan contra los seres humanos.

Véase también
 Calcu
 Chamanismo
 Creencias del pueblo mapuche
 Ngenpin

Machis conocidos:
Francisca Linconao

Referencias

Chamanismo
Organización social mapuche
Religión en Chile
Ocupaciones de la medicina tradicional


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Why Every CEO Is Now A New CEO
July 22, 2020 July 22, 2020 coosystem
In times of crisis, many leaders feel it's their responsibility to have all the answers. What if there is a flaw in that logic?
What if it's better to empower and guide your team to ask the right questions? Is it better to find the strength to embrace and solve our way through the unknown rather than waiting for direction as unanswered questions fester into new problems?
Twilio's CEO was recently asked why the company pays to have a billboard in Silicon Valley that reads "Ask Your Developer." He pointed out what a waste it is to tell expensive software developers what to do. You can get more from them if you ask them about problems you're having and put their solution mindset to work.
In the context of building high performance talent, I like to think of this as "learning forward," and it's a necessary leadership skill for what's coming with COVID-19 and beyond.
Every CEO is Now a New CEO
In a sense, every CEO right now is a new CEO. Practically none of us have led our organizations through a situation like Covid-19, and its economic consequences. There are no veteran CEOs who have all the answers to this. So we don't have to pretend like we do, and we don't need to fake authority.
We do need to show a genuine growth mentality that authentically models how to embrace the newness of this all.
When I first became a CEO, I had experience in management consulting and private equity. But I was also a young woman, younger than most of the team I was supposed to be directing. I was younger than most of our customers. I had not seen the things my employees or customers had seen in the industry.
But I learned very quickly that I had a winning strength. I could ask all the questions I wanted. Something great happened when I did that. Employees started asking questions, too. They spotted hidden opportunities that no one had called out. They exposed problems that we could have solved a lot sooner if we had more closely worked together.
In hindsight, I was accidentally modeling learning behavior that lowered the barrier for others to become more open and honest about their work—and ultimately take on greater ownership. We worked to become an alternative to the "command and control" culture that we think can hold companies back.
As the pandemic has set in, I've felt that I'm back in that role where I started. I'm leading my team in asking questions, and we're doing it all over again.
Have a Plan, But…
This is not to say leaders shouldn't have a plan. Research firm Forrester found initially that only 43 percent of employees they surveyed thought their organizations had a plan for Covid-19 as the pandemic first hit.
We all have plans at some level, and we all have training. In our industry we have had pandemic and workplace illness training as a starting point. We have had CDC guidelines to follow as they evolve. We have policies. There is a starting point to remind employees of, and rally them around.
In this crisis, most of us are continuing to work on internal plans, external plans and business continuity plans. There are unknowns, and the speed with which new best practices to address those unknowns come on line is variable. But all leaders should clearly communicate a plan, and stick with it.
Asking questions is about modeling the calm process of encountering unknowns, and using the right tools to address them. This is where a leader can't become a bottleneck for top down decision-making. Teams need to see how to calmly make the best choices in the face of tough and urgent challenges, and use open lines of communication to come into alignment with best practices as they develop.
The Communications and Decision Loop
On this point, what's especially important for learning forward in crisis is to maintain a communications and decision loop. There are many models to borrow from. But the key is to make a safe place to ask questions within a framework that allows the best questions to come to the top. Allow best practices to emerge and test them. Distribute them. But if the process stops there, you won't go far.
Lines of communication have to be open so awkward and embarrassing questions can continue to come up through the ranks. Reboot.io's CEO Jerry Colonna and business psychologist Camille Preston have pointed out if that loop is not closed, stress, disinformation and conspiracy can start to take hold.
There are broader implications for organizations beyond this crisis.
Viruses and digital
A few months ago, we were patting ourselves on the back for adopting a learning forward approach ahead of what we thought was big disruption at the time.
Our company's culture was evolving just as digital technology is shaking the foundations of the real estate industry, where we focus. No one can afford not to be a learner in that environment. The same is true for most sectors today, of course. The pace of change in business, technology and culture—consider how the #MeToo movement has changed the American office—is too fast for companies to stick to rigid hierarchies. Black Lives Matter is now central, and we're wrestling with very deep issues today. If anything, Covid-19 is pushing digital transformation along even faster. Learning forward is the way of the future.
Research backs this up. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than 80 percent of chief executives believe they must pursue operation efficiencies to boost growth. Efficiencies often translate into automation, artificial intelligence or other innovations. Machines, however, are never going to replace everyone, and have the most difficulty with the unknown.
The humans who staff future organizations are likely going to be more important than ever for steering through unchartered waters when they arrive. At the same time, around 80 percent of employees want to acquire new skills, which, incidentally, tend to make them happier.
Managers seeking to create a learning forward workplace culture need to be extremely self-aware. They must acknowledge their own biases and compile data on their decision making. Otherwise they might never know if they or anyone else is learning anything. They also need to be aware of context. Sometimes employees want to give input. Sometimes they want clear marching orders. One must sometimes strike a balance between top-down and bottom-up managing. It can be tricky, but "reverse mentoring," when a junior team member provides insights to a senior, is a tool that can help.
Lastly, learning forward addresses a development that business experts have identified as a key driver in productivity in recent years: the difference between recognition and appreciation. The former occurs in the form of an award or bonus. The latter occurs on a more personal level. Recognition only goes so far. It has its limits. Appreciation, however, occurs when managers value employees for who they are.
And we're going to need a lot of that right now.
The post Why Every CEO Is Now A New CEO appeared first on ChiefExecutive.net.
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When Richie Northcott, Emily Lusk and twins Shelby and Ballard Saul take to their courts Monday in Austin at the State High School Tennis Tournament, each will be proud to hear their school - the Canadian Wildcats - announced with their names.
They also will be the proud - and only - players at state who make up the entire membership of a country club.
The Arrington Country Club Kids.
"No way," Northcott said. "Never did we think back then we'd all be (going to state) as regional champions. We were just having fun after school, hitting around on the Arrington's court."
As fifth-graders in Canadian, this foursome became fast friends thanks to a worn down, cement tennis court belonging to their neighbors, Jane and George Arrington.
Lusk first grabbed a tennis racket and would hit balls on the court, now famous for a large hole known to eat tennis balls.
Northcott soon joined Lusk for these informal practice sessions, and when the Saul twins living nearby caught the tennis bug, a unique bond was formed and the hours together spent on the court earned them a title: The Arrington Country Club Kids.
"We all lived on the same street and walked down there after school and played tennis for fun," Ballard Saul said. "We just had a lot of fun playing. Nothing real competitive. Just fun."
Added Shelby Saul: "I know Ballard and I would have never picked up a tennis racket if it hadn't been for the Arrington Country Club. Emily lived a few houses down and invited us over one time to play with her and Richie. We just all started playing any free time we had."
Canadian tennis coach Tim Fletcher said the friendship among the four has made for a unique experience.
Those hours together on the court, along with inspiration during their seventh-grade year from then state-bound Canadian senior Gretchen Ashley, have produced a feel-good story.
Lusk (girls singles), Northcott (boys singles), and the Saul twins (mixed doubles), each won the Region I-IA tournament last week in their respective brackets.
Not that they haven't had success.
� Northcott: He is a two-time regional champion and placed third at state his sophomore and junior seasons.
� The Sauls: The twins were second in regionals and third at state last year. This year, the pair enter state as regional champions and haven't lost a match in the five tournaments they have played.
The Arrington's kids "biggest fan" is Tim Fletcher's wife, Jennifer. Jennifer Fletcher has rooted for the "Arrington Country Club Kids" since they first met in fifth grade.
"Amidst the stress, pressure and tough competition," Jennifer Fletcher penned in an e-mail, "all four players showed up (at regionals) with great determination and every one of them are finally walking away from the tournament with gold medals hanging around their necks. What a great accomplishment for these four netters, who as neighborhood friends found a common court on which to play. Though it's not an actual country club, these four seniors are proud to be known as the Arrington Country Club Kids."


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Home News & Analysis SL Capital in $171m for latest secondaries fund
SL Capital in $171m for latest secondaries fund
SL Capital Secondary Opportunities Fund II launched last year with a $200m target.
Chelsea Stevenson
SL Capital Partners has held a second close on $171 million for its sophomore secondaries fund, according to documents from the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) dated 10 March.
SL Capital declined to comment.
SL Capital Secondary Opportunities Fund II (SOF II) launched last year with a $200 million target. The fund will include a general partner commitment of 1 percent or up to $2 million.
Limited partners in SOF II will pay a 10 percent carried interest rate over a 12 percent preferred return. The management fee is 0.6 percent of net asset value of investments and 0.4 percent for LPs committing at least $25 million.
The fund is expected to close at the end of April or in early May – eight to 10 weeks after the firm stopped new marketing on 28 February.
SOF II has the same investment strategy as its predecessor fund (SOF I) which closed on $190 million in February 2014. It focuses on "niche or less competitive" areas of the secondaries market and will buy private equity fund stakes of between $10 million and $50 million. Typical stakes will be at least 40 percent funded.
To date the fund has drawn $19 million from LPs and committed $21 million to restructure a 2006-vintage US mid-market buyout fund. As part of the fund restructuring SL Capital acquired eight assets that were 85 percent funded as of December 2014, when the deal closed. SOF II invested in the restructuring alongside SOF I.
SOF II is expected to be invested over a three-year period and is targeting a 20 percent gross internal rate of return.
PwC and King & Wood Mallesons are advising SL Capital on the fund.


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Milwaukee County supervisor pushes for recreational marijuana referendum this November
Milwaukee County Supervisor John F. Weishan wants to put a referendum on the November 6 ballot to legalize the commercial sale and taxation of marijuana.
"It's time for Wisconsin to join the many states across the country that have legalized marijuana and benefited from the revenue that comes with commercial sale and taxation of one of America's largest cash crops," Supervisor Weishan said.
Wisconsin Is Fourth Worst State For Lyme Disease In U.S.
The proposed referendum would read, "Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?"
Weishan's proposal will be considered on Friday, May 11 and committee meetings on the issue are open to the public and encourage public comment.
If approved, Wisconsin would be the 10th state to allow recreational marijuana usage--joining Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, Vermont Massachusetts and Maine.
It would be the first truly Midwestern state to approve marijuana usage.
According to a October 2017 Gallup poll, nearly 64 percent of American's support the legalization of marijuana--up from 50 percent in 2010.
In a July 2016 poll done by the Marquette University Law School, 59 percent of Wisconsin voters believed marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol.
This Saturday, the 8th annual March for Cannabis will be held in Milwaukee starting at McArthur square Park and going through downtown.
Per their Facebook event, 554 people are going and nearly 3,000 are interested. Last year, the event drew nearly 1500.
In terms of profit, a big focus of the referendum, legalized marijuana is a multi-billion dollar industry and is expected to be as valuable as $24 billion in 2025.
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New Jersey is one of several states that does not allow voters to take selfies with their ballots.
It's all over your social media feed: people taking selfies after voting.
But if you see people taking selfies while casting their vote — that's illegal. At least in New Jersey.
There is no specific law on the books in New Jersey restricting voters from taking pictures of themselves in voting booths — but voters are also not allowed to show completed ballots.
The Secretary of State's office, which oversees elections, views voting booth selfies as a violation of the existing law against disrupting a polling place and identifying a voter's cast ballot.
The current law states "no person shall within the polling room mark his ballot in a place other than in the polling booth or show his ballot [...]"
In 2016 and 2017, measures to allow ballot selfies have been introduced in the state Assembly and Senate. The 2016 measure was withdrawn by its primary sponsor and the 2017 bill stalled because it was unknown if the 2016 bill was going to be reintroduced.
The 2016 bill sought to amend the law and allow voters to take voluntary photos of their ballots to share on social media.
Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, D-Hudson, has tried unsuccessfully for several years to allow voters to take pictures of their ballot and share on social media. His latest bill, A-1919, was introduced earlier this year but does not have a Senate counterpart so at this point it doesn't have much in its favor for passage.
New Jersey is not the only state that does now allow ballot selfies, though some do — with provisions. Others will allow selfies as long as the ballot is not marked.
ELECTION DAY 2018: These Bergen elections were nail-bitingly close. Will this year's contests be the same?


I don't remember a Poodle at this Photoshoot and I have photographic evidence.
What a fun bunch, as you can see from this year's Queer Film FestivalProgram guide.
The wonderful folks of Out on Screen and Out in Schools.


How do you select a journal for your article? Some articles are rejected, not because their quality but because they are just in the wrong place. Dr. Steve Wallace used to be a journal editor, and he will reveal to you regarding journals and submission guidelines. How does one avoid annoying the editor? How does one not submit an article to a questionable journal? Dr. Wallace will answer any questions you have about journal and article submissions.
Audience: Faculty, staffs, students, alumni, and friends.


We have had some wonderful reviews over the years, for many books we loved writing. But no reviewer has ever topped A.L. Butcher's ability to absorb, metabolize, and reassert the values and tensions in a novel. In this novel, the most experimental of the Sacred Band novels, set where humanity has nearly destroyed its world, Butcher reached into our souls and recast cause into effect so completely that we want to read the book again, keeping in mind the Wisdom of the Reader that Butcher brings the stories she reads. Thank you, Alex Butcher, who has proved to be as much a Sacred Bander as any of us.


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SC spanner on FDI in hydels?
Maoist Center will have a tough time finding Dahal's successor
Climate of emergency in South Asia
India's interest in Maldivan politics
Nihar R. Nayak
India would wish for the continuation of the current inclusive coalition in Male in order to thwart the Yameen-led 'India Out' campaign
In a major boost to India-Maldives relations under the 'neighborhood first' policy, India hosted Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the first week of August. President Solih led a high-level business and political delegation to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues with India. This was President Solih's third visit to India after assuming office in October 2018 and the first post-pandemic.
The visit happened amid an internal crisis in the Solih-led Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) coalition government and difficulties for the island country in grappling with development projects, with low volumes of foreign direct investment and tourists. Since the assassination attempt on Mohamed Nasheed (May 2021), his supporters, and Nasheed himself, have been speaking openly against Solih. He is also opposed to Solih's candidature in the 2023 presidential elections and has accused him of pandering to Islamist hardliners. Interestingly, in the 2022 MDP party chairmanship elections, Solih's candidate won over Nasheed.
Given the comprehensive partnership with the Maldives, India gave the visit high priority. The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues including investment, trade, human-resource development, infrastructure, cooperation in multilateral forums, defense, security, and strategic cooperation. As this was the first high-level visit after a two-year gap, the MEA felt it could "advance the exemplary ties of friendship" between the two countries. President Solih met Indian President Droupadi Murmu and had one-on-one as well as delegation level talks with PM Modi. He had a separate meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1965, the ties have been characterized by mutual trust, understanding and maturity. The relationship is free from any major controversy. The one-time claim of the Maldives to Minicoy Island was resolved by the Maritime Boundary Treaty of 1976. Despite many asymmetries, the two countries depend on each other and acknowledge each other as equal partners in their collective endeavor for economic growth, consolidation of democracy, and regional peace.
The two sets of leaders feel that India's 'neighborhood first' and Maldives' 'India first' policies are complementary. This was reiterated during this visit too. Moreover, the importance of India's strategic role in that part of the Indian Ocean has been well-recognized by the Maldives given India's geographical advantage in the region. India is seen as a net security provider to the Maldives both in conventional and non-conventional senses. India was the first to assist the Maldives during the 2004 Tsunami as well as during Male's water crisis in December 2014.
There are several institutional arrangements between the two countries in areas like hydrographic survey, trade, economic, defense, development cooperation, tourism, disaster management, education, and capacity-building. India was a key trading partner of the Maldives with over $300 in trade in 2021. India was also the fifth largest source of tourists in the Maldives with around 6.1 percent (90,474) market-share before the Covid-19 restrictions. Apart from annual aid and technical assistance, in December 2018, India announced a $1.4 billion financial package in the form of budgetary support, currency swap, and a concessional line of credit to manage the rising external debt created during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom (November 2013- 2018).
Defense and security cooperation is an important aspect of bilateral relationship. India has a wide range of security arrangements with the Maldives including joint maritime security cooperation, SAAGAR, counter-terrorism and capacity building of the Maldivian defence forces. During this visit, the two PMs acknowledged that the 'security of India and the Maldives are interlinked', further strengthening mutual trust and cooperation on security.
This reassurance was both timely and essential. The island country has been witnessing multiple challenges like political instability, Islamic radicalism, extra-regional powers' interests, and climate change-induced disasters. These challenges are difficult for a small country like the Maldives to address alone. Moreover, given its strategic location and increasing presence of global powers in the Indian Ocean region, these challenges have been a concern for India too. Only a stable, progressive, and democratic government in Male can manage these risks.
Despite being committed to multiparty democracy and a new constitution in 2008, the Maldives has witnessed several autocratic regimes, including, most recently, Yameen's. India has always pushed for strengthening of multiparty democracy in the Maldives. It played a crucial role in restoring multiparty democracy by supporting the MDP in 2018. India believes autocratic regimes in the Maldives often engage with elements inimical to India. Yameen was the best example of that. The current crisis in the MDP could still affect the continuation of democracy there.
The Maldives is scheduled to have presidential elections in 2023. Current speaker Nasheed and President Solih have shown an interest. If the Solih government continues to be obstructed by Nasheed, then the Progressive Congress, a coalition of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC)—which has been spearheading an "India Out" campaign—could have an advantage in the elections. The Yameen-led Progressive Congress is known for serving Chinese interests.
Back to Solih's visit, it appears to have been successful given the release of the 30-point joint statement on 02 August and the signing of six MoUs in areas of mutual interests. India's commitment to a new LoC of $100 million to finance infrastructure in the Maldives would support several large projects and boost the fragile Maldivian economy.
Politically, the MDP currently enjoys the majority in parliament. If the tussle between Nasheed and Solih continues, the MDP might lose the same in the upcoming elections. India would wish for the continuation of the current inclusive combination of radical, conservative, and liberal democratic forces to tackle critical issues like religious extremism and Yameen-led 'India Out' campaign.
As India treats emerging security issues of Maldives as a challenge to its own national security, it would prefer to further strengthen democracy there and protect its sphere of influence.
Breaking News | Climate of emergency in South Asia


Please note that Great Lent begins on March 10thwith Forgiveness Vespers which follows Coffee Fellowship that Sunday.
Soul SaturdayDivine Liturgy is this Saturday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. If you have loved ones you wished to be included in the prayers, please give the list to Fr. David. Your list should be divided into names of those who were Orthodox and those who were not Orthodox. Both sets will be remembered. If you have any questions, contact Fr. David.


Did you know that your nail polish could be the reason why your skin, or even, your eyes are red and irritated?! Well, CLINIQUE is ahead of the game and developed the first ever ophthalmologist-tested nail polish! Safe for sensitive skin AND sensitive eyes!
Nail polish contains some especially scary chemicals and recent research suggests that these chemicals on our hands when placed on or near the face (like itching your eyes for example) can lead to potentially severe skin reactions especially those with sensitive skin!
But it does seem to make sense. Being a long-time sufferer of sensitive skin, sensitive eyes, AND occasional bouts of eczema, I'll be the first to tell you that products containing harsh ingredients can reek havoc on my skin. But I never thought that a potential culprit could be my nail polish!
Most nail varnishes contain harsh ingredients like Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP or Parabens, and at times Toulene and Camphor. Now you don't have to know what these chemicals are in order to suspect that these aren't the healthiest components to be putting on our nails in the first place, and we certainly wouldn't put them directly on our skin! However, research suggests that when these components are near delicate areas like our face, particularly our lips and eyes, this can lead to a reaction.
Now, not everyone reacts badly to wearing nail polish and some may not even know it or connect the dots. But either way, don't be scared, I'm not necessarily talking about developing a severe rash or breaking into hives while walking out of the nail salon, it could be something more subtle than that. Some people may develop red or chapped lips, itchy irritated eyes, or may even develop a mild breakout of eczema and never think that it may be due to their nail varnish!
But CLINIQUE understands sensitive skin! In fact, they are leaders in the cosmetics and skin care industry when it comes to sensitive skin! So when they launched a healthy nail polish that's also ophthalmologist-tested I definitely took notice!
It only took me a few minutes to be convinced of the potential damage I was doing to my skin not to mention harsh chemicals like Formaldehyde being leeched into my system by using traditional nail polish! But I was still sceptical of whether this healthy nail varnish was going to be able to stand up to my usual manicure.
The truth is, that although the formula is a little thin, CLINIQUE's A Different Nail Enamel is comparable to most of my usual polishes. Like I mentioned, it goes on slightly thin and transparent, so you definitely need a few coats; but despite that, it goes on smooth, dries perfectly glossy, and lasts as long as any other regular polish I own!
The best part about the CLINIQUE polish, is that there is no harsh smell! No eye-burning fumes while doing your regular mani-pedi night and no fumes the days after either. In fact, they were so nice to use, that I managed to do my nails sitting right beside my fiance on the couch! Usually, I am banished to the furthest corner of the house to do my nails due to the strong fumes, but not with the CLINIQUE A Different Nail Enamel!
One thing to note is that CLINIQUE also makes a Base/Top coat within the Different Nail Enamel line and this is essential if you want to use ANY of the polishes. It would be pointless to make the step to use a healthy nail polish and then sandwich it between an unhealthy Base/Top coat you already have! So make sure you also invest in A Different Nail Enamel Base/Top coat as well! It's an excellent Base/Top coat in it's own right.
As for the polish shades, at first they were quite limited, and one thing I've noticed is that they discontinue and issue colors every season so if you see a shade you like don't hesitate to buy it because it may not be around for long. This also means, don't get too attached to it either! Furthermore, I've noticed that CLINIQUE has released different shades in different countries so make sure you check out the CLINIQUE counter on your travels!
And to end on a bright note, every season they release a great mix of some real pretty neutrals and edgy shades so there is always something for every one! From barely-there nudes, to dainty pinks and right up to eye-popping brights and vampy darks, CLINIQUE has carefully executed the healthiest nail varnish while also maintaining the trends of the season!
Summary: This is truly A Different Nail Enamel! The first ever nail varnish marketed to people who suffer from sensitive skin and sensitive eyes! Who knew that your nail polish could be the culprit to your burning/itchy eyes?! This polish is not only healthy for your nails/skin and has zero harsh smell but it is also quite good! Comparable to most regular high-end nail varnishes (although it's a bit thin and you may need a few coats) with shades for everyone! Just make sure you don't get too attached to your fav shade because they come & go fast with the seasons! And buying the extra base/top coat is a must!


The University of the West Indies (The UWI) faces a growing funding crisis. This crisis can be seen as a product of the considerable growth in demand for The UWI's services over the past three decades. This has coincided, ever since 2008, with a period of chronic economic crisis facing the economies, governments, and individual households of most of the contributing territories.


text:
VI Reappraisal
After discussion of a disputed final course mark with an instructor, the Chair/Director, and the Faculty Dean, a formal request for reappraisal/review must be made to the Registrar by: March 1, or the next working day, for courses completed in the fall term; or October 1, or the next working day, for courses completed in the winter, spring, or summer terms. In the case of incomplete or deferred grades, the deadline is twenty working days after receipt of these grades, whether mailed or posted on the University Web Site. In the case of disagreement of the reappraisal result, the student is advised to carefully note the much shorter deadline of the Academic Appeals Committee, which is based on receipt of registered mail. The Course Reappraisal Fee (see Fees, page 12) must be enclosed with the application for each course mark to be reappraised/reviewed. Normally requests will be considered for up to a maximum of two full course equivalents.
In the case of a course mark with no practicum component, the request will be for a reappraisal and this request will be forwarded by the Office of the Registrar to the Dean of the Faculty concerned. The Dean shall establish within 5 working days a committee composed of three faculty members, one of whom shall be from the home academic unit (excluding the course instructor), one from a cognate academic unit, and the Chair to be appointed by the Dean from a cognate academic unit.
In the case of a disputed practicum course mark, the reappraisal is replaced with a formal review procedure in the academic unit offering the course. The request for review will be forwarded by the Office of the Registrar to the Dean of the Faculty concerned, who will request the Director/Chair of the academic unit concerned to establish within 5 working days a review committee based on the approved process in that academic unit. A copy of this review procedure is available from the Chair/Director.
No person who is biased for or against either the instructor or the student shall act as a member of any reappraisal/review committee. In the case of both a reappraisal and a review, a formal meeting must be held at which the instructor (or delegate) and the student (or delegate) shall be present. Failure of the student (or delegate) to attend without valid reason shall result in a reappraisal/review being deemed to have finally been abandoned and no further appeals will be allowed. Both the instructor and the student will be given access to all the materials received by the Committee and shall be given full opportunity to present their cases and to respond. In the appeal of any course mark, each of the instructor (or delegate) and the student (or delegate) may be accompanied to the reappraisal/review meeting by a member of the University community, who may act as an observer.
The decision of the reappraisal/review committee including reasons therefor will be forwarded to the Registrar through the Dean. Applicants will be informed of the results of their request by the Registrar. The fee will be refunded only if the mark is raised.
It should be understood that if the mark is changed, the new mark whether higher or lower than the original, replaces it as the student's official mark in the course.
After all normal procedures of the University have failed to resolve the grievance of a disputed course mark, the student may appeal to the Senate Academic Appeal Committee, which acts as the final appeal for students in all cases concerning academic grievances, except those pursued under the auspices of the "Code of Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures".
The Senate Academic Appeal Procedure and Procedural Guidelines for Hearings and Formal Hearings are available from the Executive Assistant to the President.
University Regulations:
I General Regulations
II Registration
III Programs of Study
IV Examinations
V Standing
VII Special Examinations
VIII Deficiency
IX Academic Dishonesty
X Withdrawal
XI Computer Users
Definitions (Full-time vs Part-time Status)
Transcript/Academic Record Abbreviations
Disclosure of Personal Information to Statistics Canada
2007-2008 Calendar version


I think these are tulips, although I know there are daffodils and crocuses in the same flower bed. It's not unusual to see the tulips up and blooming early in Northern Colorado and then have to watch them slowly get buried by a big spring snow. They're tough, though, and will spring right back if the snow is brushed away.
In honor of the upcoming conference (March 26-27) and the wonderful speakers and presenters who will be there, Director Kerrie Flanagan is holding a Countdown to Conference Contest. Drop by the Northern Colorado Writers website to enter. This week's prize is a copy of Three Shirt Deal by our opening keynote speaker, Stephen J. Cannell.
While you're there, check out the conference schedule, peruse the list of visiting agents and editors, and think about joining us at the Fort Collins Hilton for an informative and fun event.
I've finally selected all the books for my next giveaway. I'll post the list of titles and the entry rules tomorrow. I think you'll like this one.
Multi-tasking wastes time and energy. It does not lead to quality output.
Try focused serial-tasking instead. Set priorities. Make a schedule. Tackle one task at a time.
Blogging friend Stephen Tremp, author of the thriller novel Breakthrough, was kind enough to read and review my second Sylvia and Willie mystery. Book reviews are not as easy as they look, and I have a lot of respect for those who write them. Many thanks to Stephen for posting this review on his blog and for spreading the word.
The first draft of my suspense novel is doing deep-breathing exercises in preparation for my brutal attack on its flaws during the revision and self-editing phase.
Meanwhile, I'm working on blog posts, putting together the 90-minute seminar on social media for Northern Colorado Writers, and working my way through a very long To Do List (one task at a time).
Wow. 2012. How did this happen?
I'm exhausted just reading this. We're in the midst of packing to move, so everything's crazy. We're still waiting on the appraisal, but are being optimistic. With luck, maybe I'll see you at the conference.
We had broccoli and cauliflower from our garden for dinner Saturday night.
Wow! I can't believe you have tulips! We're buried out here. I don't think I'll see the ground anytime soon. On a side note, my hubby and I watched some old VHS tapes of his mom's. Her family moved from Minnesota to Colorado Springs in the mid 1940's. I couldn't believe how Pikes Peak looked back then. And we saw some great shots of Manitou Springs too. Ya'll sure do have some gorgeous country out there!
I thought Stephen did a great job on the review. I agree – it's a difficult skill.
Love to see a sign of spring somewhere. We have a beautiful winter day – sunny & crisp – but I still want spring to come!


Rehabilitation Services, provided by licensed rehabilitation personnel, are available on both inpatient and outpatient basis 7 days a week.
With our varied menu selection, you're sure to find something pleasing.
View the Virtual Tour section and see the beautiful Main Dining room. Multiple dining areas are available for your convenience.
A courtyard to stroll through, social events, recreation and a relaxing dayroom are just a few of the offered amenities in our secured unit for patients with Alzheimer's or Dementia.


Alcohol consumption data for 2016 is in and Americans are definitely turning to the bottle. American consumers overall drank 3.5 million fewer nine-liter cases of alcohol overall in 2016 than they did in the year prior, with total consumption down slightly to just under 3.4 billion cases according to the IWSR US Beverage Alcohol Review. However the volume of wine and liquor bought both showed solid increases, especially for whiskey, tequila and cognac. Irish Whiskey increased by 17.6 percent, Bourbon was up by 7 percent, Cognac was up 18.8 percent and tequila did well up 7.4 percent.
Overall, American consumers bought 2.6 percent more distilled spirits than in 2015, bringing the total to more than 220 million nine-liter cases. Wine volume sold also showed steady increase similar to distilled spirits. This trend, along with the slight decline in beer volume can be seen in the current trend of "premiumization" where people are drinking less but better quality or more expensive products.


VisioForge Video Capture is a Delphi / C++ Builder control that allows programmers to easily integrate video capturing and processing capabilities into their software applications. VisioForge Video Capture can play and capture video and audio streams from TV tuners, USB webcams, DV camcorders, PCI capture cards, USB capture devices and firewire cameras.
Input devices: TV tuners, USB webcams, DV camcorders, PCI capture cards, USB capture devices and firewire cameras.
Supported output file formats: AVI (DivX/XviD/Mpeg (1, 2, 4)/H264) or Windows Media Video 8, 9, 9.1.
Audio and Video compressor settings.
Convert image to black and white (grayscale filter).


text:
Cervical cancer treatment costs and cost-effectiveness analysis of human papillomavirus vaccination in Vietnam: a PRIME modeling study
Hoang Van Minh1Email author,
Nguyen Thi Tuyet My1 and
Mark Jit2, 3
Received: 15 July 2016
Accepted: 8 May 2017
Cervical cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in South Vietnam and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in North Vietnam. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has the potential to substantially decrease this burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that a cost-effectiveness analysis of HPV vaccination is conducted before nationwide introduction.
The Papillomavirus Rapid Interface for Modeling and Economics (PRIME) model was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccine introduction. A costing study based on expert panel discussions, interviews and hospital case note reviews was conducted to explore the cost of cervical cancer care.
The cost of cervical cancer treatment ranged from US$368 – 11400 depending on the type of hospital and treatment involved. Under Gavi-negotiated prices of US$4.55, HPV vaccination is likely to be very cost-effective with an incremental cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted in the range US$780 - 1120. However, under list prices for Cervarix and Gardasil in Vietnam, the incremental cost per DALY averted for HPV vaccination can exceed US$8000.
HPV vaccine introduction appears to be economically attractive only if Vietnam is able to procure the vaccine at Gavi prices. This highlights the importance of initiating a nationwide vaccination programme while such prices are still available.
Cost-effectiveness analysis
Human papillomavirus
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a cause of many diseases including cervical cancer. About 90 types of human papillomavirus have been found but two types (16 and 18) are responsible for 75% to 80% of cases of cervical cancer in Europe and North America [1], and more than 70% of cases in Asia [2]. In 2012, cervical cancer was the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide with an estimated 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths; 87% of deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries [3]. Treatment costs for cervical cancer remain high with low survival probabilities due to late diagnosis in many countries [4, 5]. HPV vaccines offer an approach for primary prevention of HPV infection that can eventually reduce the health and economic burden of cervical cancer. Cost-effectiveness studies in many countries using a range of model types have suggested that vaccinating young adolescent females can be cost-effective [6–12].
In Vietnam, there are no comprehensive national figures on cervical cancer incidence. However, studies based on smaller samples from older registry-based studies have found that incidence ranged from 6.8 cases per 100,000 women in the north of Vietnam [13] to 26 cases per 100,000 women in the south of Vietnam [14]. As estimated, cervical cancer is the main cause of female cancer mortality Ho Chi Minh City and the second main cause in Hanoi [15].
Vietnam began its accelerated transition policy from support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2016 [16]. While the country is no longer eligible for Gavi support, there is a window of opportunity where is can still procure vaccines at Gavi prices [17]. The Vietnam National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) remains keen on introducing additional vaccines despite tight resource constraints. Vietnam has not yet incorporated HPV vaccines into its routine vaccination schedule, although pilot studies have been conducted in the country [18]. A previous cost-effectiveness analysis concluded that HPV vaccination combined with regular screening could be cost-effective provided that vaccine prices were low (below I$25 per vaccinated girl) [19]. However, there has yet to be a cost-effectiveness study on HPV vaccination involving local analysts and stakeholders. There has also not been a study estimating the cost of cervical cancer and pre-cancer treatment in Vietnam, as the previous study extrapolated costing data from Thailand and other countries. Hence we aimed to perform the first local cost-effectiveness analysis of human papillomavirus vaccines in Vietnam using the Papillomavirus Rapid Interface for Modeling and Economics (PRIME).
Mathematical model
We used PRIME, a static model supported by the World Health Organization to facilitate estimating the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccine introduction in order to support decisions about vaccine introduction, particularly in low and middle-income countries. An Excel-based interface to PRIME is available in the public domain (www.primetool.org) for country studies. This consists of a number of spreadsheets to input country-level data on demography, cervical cancer incidence and mortality, and costs. Outputs can be visualised in terms of tables and graphs. The Excel-based version of the model can be used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating females prior to sexual debut. Because it excludes herd effects and details of cancer natural history, it is not designed to evaluate other options such as vaccinating males, vaccinating older females, catch-up campaigns or changes to cervical cancer screening. The detailed model structure and assumptions have been previously described [20].
Methodological assumptions
Methodological assumptions used in the analysis followed WHO guidelines for cost-effectiveness evaluations [21]. In particular, we adopted a a discount rate of 3% for both costs and health effects on a lifetime time horizon. However, a health care provider perspective was adopted because of the unavailability of household expenses for cervical cancer patients in Vietnam. Health outcomes were measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rather than quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) because quality of life weights associated with cervical cancer have never been elicited from a Vietnamese population.
PRIME's default data (obtained from publicly available databases and the literature) were used to inform parameters related to vaccine efficacy, population demography and cervical cancer incidence [20]. However, costs for vaccine delivery and cervical cancer treatment were estimated from primary sources.
Vaccination assumptions
School-based HPV vaccine demonstration projects organized by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) in Vietnam among 11 year olds achieved coverage of 96.1% [22]. Hence we assumed that vaccination would be delivered to 11 year olds and achieve 95% coverage. The current HPV vaccine schedule recommended by NIHE is three doses.
Vaccine delivery costs
We conducted a costing study which used a bottom-up approach to calculate the financial cost of HPV vaccine delivery from central to commune level (i.e. between NIHE in Hanoi, the provincial centers for preventive medicine, the district health centers, and the commune health station), incorporating both capital costs and recurrent costs. We also assumed minimal wastage of vaccine doses, due to annual training of vaccine delivery staff and use of single-dose vials in the Vietnamese national immunization program.
Financial costs estimated included both start-up and recurrent costs. Start-up costs were defined as initial investments whose benefits last longer than one year such as initial training, social mobilization, information, education and communication material development, cold chain equipment purchase and vehicles purchase. Recurrent costs were defined as the cost of resources whose benefits last one year or less such as the personnel time, transport, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, and supervision as well as costs of short-term training activities that lasted a year or less.
Costs for healthcare personnel for each activity was estimated based on their time and monthly salary. To collect information related to these personnel costs, one staff member at each health facility was interviewed and monthly salary reports were collected. For start-up costs, we assumed a discount rate of 3% and useful lifecycle of 5-10 years.
To estimate the cost of pre-cancer and cancer treatment, we conducted a study involving clinician and patient interviews, and hospital record reviews. This consisted of two phases.
Hospitals and health centers in Vietnam are stratified into four levels: central, provincial, district and commune. While provincial and district hospitals provide some treatment of pre-cancerous neoplasias, cervical cancer treatment is only provided at the central level. We randomly selected two central hospitals (Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Hospital and Hue Central Hospital) from a list of all hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hue.
In phase I of the study, we invited healthcare workers from the selected hospitals to construct scenarios that represent patient treatment situations (see Table 1). In these hospitals, 40 staff from different departments (including examination, laboratory medicine, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) participated.
Scenarios describing hospitalized cervical cancer patients for costing by the expert panel
Hospital level
Length of treatment (days)
Number of days of productivity loss
Central, provincial and district
CIN I
Annual screening
Cryo therapy
Central and provincial
CIN II & III
CIN II &III
Conization
At central level
IA1 - IIB proximal
Radical hysterectomy
Radical hysterectomy + Chemoradiation
Radical hysterectomy + Radio therapy (Intr)
Radical hysterectomy + Radio-therapy (External beam)
IIB distant - IVB
Chemoradiation
Scenario 10
Radio therapy (Intra + External)
Average cost of scenario 5 to 10
In phase II, we micro-costed each of the scenarios identified by interviewing the healthcare workers in detail. In addition, we reviewed medical records and financial bills by randomly selecting 38 patients in the selected hospitals to extract information related to cancer stage, patient age, diagnosis, treatment and length of treatment. Further to that, we interviewed the 38 patients and their family members to get detailed costing information.
Model uncertainty was explored by varying parameters governing vaccine delivery and treatment costs according to the scenarios above. Vaccine prices were also varied between the Gavi negotiated price of United States Dollar (USD) 4.55 per dose, the market price of Cervarix in Vietnam of USD 35.60 per dose and the market price of Gardasil in Vietnam of USD 55.80 per dose.
Table 2 shows the parameters used in the model, including birth cohort size, coverage of 3 vaccine doses, vaccine efficacy vs HPV 16/18, vaccine price per fully immunized girl, vaccine delivery cost per fully immunized girl, cancer treatment cost as per patient scenario, DALYs incurred due to non-fatal and fatal cancer episodes, and epidemiological data such as cervical cancer incidence and mortality. The female birth cohort size was 556,874 in 2014. Vaccine price per fully immunized girl was estimated to be USD 15-168. Cancer treatment cost for 10 patient scenarios ranged from USD 368-11448 depending on the kind of treatment. Information related to cervical cancer incidence and mortality was extracted from GLOBOCAN 2012. All-cause mortality in 2012 was extracted from national data.
Selected parameters for estimating cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination using the PRIME model
Average value/value
Vaccine delivery cost per FIG
$ 9.5-$ 11.3
Costing study
Cancer treatment cost
Scenario 5 (IA1 - IIB proximal treated by Radical hysterectomy)
Scenario 6 (IA1 - IIB proximal treated by Radical hysterectomy + Chemoradiation)
Scenario 7 (IA1 - IIB proximal treated by Radical hysterectomy + Radio therapy (Intr))
Scenario 8 (IA1 - IIB proximal treated by Radical hysterectomy + Radio-therapy (External beam))
Scenario 9 (IIB distant – IVB treated by Chemoradiation)
Scenario 10 (IIB distant – IVB treated by Radio therapy (Intra + External))
Scenario 11 (average cost of all scenarios)
DALYs lost per non-fatal cancer episode
DALYs lost per fatal cancer episode (excluding life years lost)
Cervical cancer incidence in 2012
6.1 per 100000
GLOBOCAN 2012
20.5 per 100000
13 per 100000
Cervical cancer mortality in 2012
All-cause mortality in 2012
100 - 52 800 per 100 000 (depending on age)
Table 3 compares the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination in Vietnam under different assumptions about the cost of cervical cancer treatment (depending on the type of treatment and stage of cancer) and the cost of vaccination. If HPV vaccines can be procured at prices negotiated by Gavi, then the incremental cost per DALY averted ranges between USD18 (under scenario 9) - USD1,103 (under scenario 5). However, if either vaccine is only available at list prices, then the incremental cost per DALY averted increases dramatically, exceeding USD4,000 in all the scenarios explored. Using the average cost of cancer treatment over the six scenarios gives an incremental cost per DALY of USD800 at Gavi prices, and over USD5,000 at list prices.
Estimation of incremental costs as per life saved, per life year saved and per DALY averted in the PRIME
Estimation of incremental costs
Vaccine price
Scenario 11 (average cost)
Incremental cost per discounted life saved
HPV vaccine with negotiated price from GAVI (13.65 US$ for 3 doses)
Cervarix vaccine with 106.8 US$ for 3 doses
Gardasil vaccine with 167.4 US$ for 3 doses
Incremental cost per discounted life year saved
Incremental cost per discounted DALY averted
Unit cost: US$
Our analysis suggests that routine HPV vaccination of 11-year-old girls in Vietnam has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of around USD780 - 1200 per DALY averted and USD7000 - 23000 per life saved, if the vaccine can be procured at prices available to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is well below Vietnam's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, and hence at the level commonly considered "very cost-effective" based on global recommendations in WHO-CHOICE.
There are large disparities in cervical cancer incidence between north and south Vietnam, so the cost-effectiveness of vaccination is likely to differ between regions. However, we have performed our analysis on a national level because the most recent cervical cancer incidence data is only available at the national-level, and because a national program is likely to be more acceptable to policy makers.
More recently, the use of GDP per capita-based thresholds for cost-effectiveness has been criticized [25] and is no longer recommended by WHO. Several alternatives have been suggested, including comparing the incremental cost-effectiveness of new interventions to existing interventions, and measuring the willingness to pay for health improvements. In terms of the first approach, the cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted of HPV vaccination is similar to previously published figures for rotavirus (USD540 per DALY averted) [23], and slightly lower than figures for Haemophilus influenza type b (USD1373 per DALY averted) [24]. The cost per life saved is within the range of estimates for corresponding figures for existing vaccines in Vietnam's Expanded Programme on Immunization (USD1000 - 27,000 per life saved) [26, 27]. For the second approach, the only relevant study to refer to is one in a rural area of Vietnam in 2014. This revealed that respondents were willing to pay USD667 - 992 for a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) [28]. The results would likely be higher if urban respondents were surveyed. Nevertheless, the results suggest that HPV vaccination is likely to be cost-effective in Vietnam if the country is able to access Gavi prices, but the cost-effectiveness would probably not be favourable if higher prices had to be paid.
A study conducted to assess Vietnamese mothers' willingness to pay for HPV vaccination for their daughters suggested that nearly 70% of them would pay for HPV vaccines at $7 per course, but this drops to 30% at $353 per course [29]. This suggests that even at Gavi-negotiated prices, public procurement of HPV vaccines is necessary in order to see substantial vaccine uptake in the population.
If Vietnam is not eligible to purchase vaccine prices at Gavi-negotiated levels, then vaccination appears much less cost-effective than other vaccines, and its incremental cost-effectiveness ratio well exceeds GDP per capita. This highlights the value of pooled procurement mechanisms such as those used by Gavi and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in obtaining fair prices in low- and lower-middle income countries [30]. It also underscores the urgency of HPV vaccine introduction in Gavi-graduating countries like Vietnam while they are still eligible for lower vaccine prices. Analyses such as these are also helpful to local policy makers for negotiating long-term prices with vaccine manufacturers. Further analyses could take into account constraints of both cost-effectiveness and affordability in different regions and socio-economic contexts in Vietnam.
Only one previous cost-effectiveness analysis of HPV vaccination in Vietnam has been conducted [19], which used an individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model developed at Harvard University. Like our analysis, the Harvard analysis concluded that HPV vaccination would only be cost-effective at low vaccine prices (below about $10 per vaccinated girl in north Vietnam and $50 in south Vietnam). The advantage of our study is that we were able to use actual vaccine prices available to Gavi and on the private market in Vietnam. We were also able to micro-cost cervical cancer treatment costs for the first time, instead of extrapolating costs from Thailand and other Asian countries as was done in the Harvard study.
Vietnam is one of the pioneer countries to use PRIME with WHO support to inform a national cost-effectiveness analysis of HPV vaccination. The tool was found by local analysts to have both positive features and shortcomings. Data and expertise requirements are light, facilitating its use and interpretation by non-experts. This allowed analyses to be led by local investigators in contrast to many previous cost-effectiveness analyses in low and middle-income countries [31]. However, PRIME underestimates the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination by not incorporating herd protection, pre-cancerous health states or non-cervical cancer disease outcomes such as anogenital warts. Also, the Excel-based version lacks built-in features for probabilistic sensitivity analysis, so outputs such as cost-effectiveness acceptability curves have to be constructed based on manual alteration of input parameters. Hence there is scope for future iterations of PRIME to incorporate more advanced features for expert users.
This is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of HPV vaccination in Vietnam to be led by local analysts and to include a local costing study of cervical cancer treatment. The study highlights the urgency of HPV vaccine implementation in Vietnam during the window of opportunity to obtain Gavi prices. It also demonstrates the importance of HPV vaccine introduction in Gavi-graduating countries before the countries become ineligible for low Gavi prices, after which the vaccination programme may cease to be cost-effective. Finally, our study highlights the need to understand realistic cost-effectiveness thresholds in low and middle-income countries so as to avoid misinforming health policy makers.
DALY:
GDP:
HPV:
NIHE:
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
PAHO:
Pan-American Health Organization
PRIME:
Papillomavirus Rapid Interface for Modelling and Economics (PRIME)
QALY:
Quality-adjusted life years
WHO-CHOICE:
World Health Organization CHOosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective initiative
We thank Phan Van Tuong and Ha Anh Duc for help with data collection. The PRIME model was developed by Mark Jit, Marc Brisson, Allison Portnoy and Raymond Hutubessy with the support of WHO.
Data collection for this research was supported by a grant from WHO. Mark Jit was supported by grants from WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
PRIME is available at www.primetool.org. All data used in PRIME are included in this manuscript or in the original published article.
HVM and MJ designed the overall study. HVM drew up the data collection plan and designed the data collection instruments. HVM and NTTM collected data from the study sites. NTTM and HVM analysed the data collected. HVM and NTTM used PRIME to conduct the cost-effectiveness analysis with guidance from MJ, the lead designer for PRIME. HVM, NTTM and MJ drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. HVM is the guarantor.
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Hanoi School of Public Health in Vietnam (reference number: 261/2015/YTCC-HD3). Informed consent was obtained from all respondents before conducting the study.
Hanoi University of Public Health, Building A, 1A Duc Thang Road, Duc Thang Ward, North Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Modelling and Economics Unit, Public Health England, London, UK
Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin DM. Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008. Int J Cancer J Int Du Cancer. 2010;127(12):2893–917.View ArticleGoogle Scholar
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Subramanian S, Trogdon J, Ekwueme DU, Gardner JG, Whitmire JT, Rao C. Cost of cervical cancer treatment: implications for providing coverage to low-income women under the Medicaid expansion for cancer care. Womens Health Issues. 2010;20(6):400–5.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
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text:
from core.nn.neuralnet import *
from core.rl.portfolio import evalLinUCB
from core.rl.policyGradient import policyGradient
from core.util.data import StockHistory
import sys

def main() :
    if len(sys.argv) < 2 :
        usage()
    method = sys.argv[1]
    args = sys.argv[2:]
    argDict = {arg.split('=')[0]:arg.split('=')[1] for arg in args}
    if method == 'nn' :
        trainNN(**argDict)
    elif method == 'retrainNN' :
        testNN(**argDict)
    elif method == 'testNN' :
        testNN(loadNN(**argDict))
    elif method == 'rl' :
        # number of stocks to choose, test set percentage, starting money amount
        evalLinUCB(None, None, **argDict)
    elif method == 'pg' :
        policyGradient(**argDict)

def usage() :
    print "That's not how you use this script!"
    sys.exit(0)

if  __name__ =='__main__':main()


Having a Golden Racket marker indicates that it's a full certified club. That club should have a lot of competitive and social activity. This is a top level subscription. A Golden Racket represents the best of TieTennis.
This marker means that the club is certified with some features. That club should have Coaches, Programs and some social activities. Online Booking should be available.
This marker means that the venue is certified and its information is trustworthy. Online Booking should be available.
All venues registered on TieTennis receive a "beginning" Grey marker. It represents a non-certified venue until someone claims it as yours.


The Domain Name System (DNS) is a critically important part of TCP/IP internetworks, especially the modern Internet, because it allows hosts to be accessed using easily-remembered names rather than confusing numerical addresses. Two different primary types of devices are involved in the operation of DNS: DNS name servers that store information about domains, and DNS resolvers that query DNS servers to transform names into addresses, as well as performing other necessary functions.
DNS resolvers are employed by Internet users on a continual basis to translate DNS names into address, but under normal circumstances, they are always invoked indirectly. Each time a user types a DNS name into a program such as a World Wide Web browser or FTP client —or even uses it in one of the other utilities in this section, such as ping or traceroute—the resolver automatically performs the name resolution without the user having to ask. For this reason, there is no need for users to manually resolve DNS names into addresses.
However, administrators often do need to perform a DNS resolution manually. For example, when troubleshooting a problem, the administrator may know a host's name but not its address; in the case of a security problem, the address may show up in a log file but the host name may not be known. In addition, even though users do not need to know the specifics of the resource records that define a DNS domain, administrators often need to be able to check these details, to make sure a domain is set up properly. Finally, admins also need some way to be able to diagnose problems with DNS servers themselves.


text:
Budapest–Belgrade Railway (Hungarian Section)
Southern Hungary
Written by Ágnes Szunomár on December 21, 2021 .
Often billed by the Hungarian Government as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Europe, the Budapest–Belgrade Railway upgrade is a refurbishment of an existing (though old and outdated) railway line between the capital cities of Hungary and Serbia that aims to reduce the journey time from eight to four hours. The construction of the Hungarian section is to be financed by a 20-year, 1.855-billion-USD loan from the Export–Import Bank of China. It is the single most expensive rail investment in Hungary's history.
Project Outline
Project Impacts
Chinese Name: 布达佩斯-贝尔格莱德铁路/匈塞铁路(匈牙利段)
Location: Southern Hungary
Type of Project: Transportation; logistics.
Project Developer(s): Chinese–Hungarian Railway Non-profit Limited Company (CHRN), a joint venture between Hungarian State Railways (MÁV Zrt.) and two Chinese companies, China Railway International Corporation (CRIC) and China Railway International Group (CRIG).
Main Contractor(s): CRE Consortium, consisting of two subsidiaries of China Railway Group Limited (CREC)—China Tiejiuju Engineering & Construction Limited and China Railway Electrification Engineering Group—and Hungary's RM International Limited. The Chinese and the Hungarian partners each hold 50% of the shares.
Financiers: Export–Import Bank of China (85%); Hungarian Government (15%).
Cost: 2.1 billion USD
Project Status: Under construction (expected to be ready in 2025)
Budapest Railway Station. P.C: Albert Koch (CC).
The Budapest–Belgrade Railway is 350 kilometres long, with 166 kilometres on the Hungarian side. It will be the final segment of a track linking the majority Chinese–owned Piraeus Port in Greece to Western Europe for the transport of goods, passing through North Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary. However, the sections between Piraeus and Skopje and between Skopje and Belgrade have yet to be built.
The Hungarian section runs from Kelebia Village in the Southern Great Plain region of Hungary to Budapest. The route runs through rural parts of southern Hungary, across flat terrain free of natural obstacles. The line, however, does not pass through major Hungarian cities in the area, such as Szeged, even though these are hubs of commercial activity and the existing railway lines connecting them with Budapest are in very poor condition. Local governments lobbied for inclusion on the route of the new railway but were unsuccessful.
The railway line was first mentioned in 2013 at the Bucharest summit of the 16+1 Platform, a diplomatic forum between 16 Central and Eastern European countries and China. The construction agreement was signed in 2014 by the prime ministers of Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, and China at the Belgrade summit of the 16+1. Construction work was supposed to begin in 2015 and the railway should have been operational by 2017, however, by December 2017, only the section between Belgrade and Stara Pazova was under construction.
The main reason for the Hungarian section being delayed for so long is that, in May 2016, the European Commission (EC) initiated preliminary infringement proceedings against Hungary, suspecting corruption in the deal, citing irregularities in the tender procedure for the contract, and uncertainties about what role Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) would play. In 2017, the EC was still looking into the details of the project but stopped short of a full investigation. The first tender for the railway upgrade was published in December 2017, right after the Budapest summit of the 16+1 Platform. This tender was later invalidated as the estimated cost of the project had increased by about 10%. A year later, in December 2018, the Hungarian Government launched a new public procurement procedure for the railway upgrade. Two consortiums, both including Chinese construction companies, bid in the public tender. Finally, in 2019, the tender was won by the CRE Consortium, 50% of which is owned by China Railway Group Limited (CREC) through its subsidiaries, China Tiejiuju Engineering & Construction Limited and China Railway Electrification Engineering Group. The remaining 50% of the consortium is held by RM International, a unit of Hungary's Opus Global.
The Hungarian–Chinese consortium secured the construction contract in 2019, and Hungary and China signed the loan agreement in April 2020 under the 'active coordination' of the Chinese Government. In May 2020, the Hungarian Parliament passed a law codifying the commitment to the railway project and also classified information about it. Therefore, the specifics of the loan agreement are unknown, other than the fact the loan is worth 1.855 billion USD, with a 20-year repayment period, and a 2.5% interest rate. When announcing the signing of the agreement, Hungarian Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said the loan 'carried a fixed interest rate and an early repayment option', was 'advantageous and secure' for Hungary, and the terms were 'favourable relative to the currently available debt financing conditions', but he did not say what the exact terms were. Independent opposition MP Bernadett Szel subsequently sued the Hungarian Government, asking for disclosure of the agreement. On 7 October 2021, the court ruled the government must disclose the contracts within 15 days, but at the time of writing in early January 2022 this had not happened. According to current plans, the Hungarian section of the railway will be completed by 2025.
For the Chinese authorities, the construction of the railway could help to export overcapacities in engineering and construction, while also bringing logistical benefits by diversifying trade routes. In addition, if the refurbishment is ultimately successful, it could open doors to the European construction market for Chinese companies, as the project would demonstrate their ability to work according to EU standards. Hungary's actions are driven by the government's desire to become a transportation hub in Europe and to develop closer relations with China.
Transparency: The feasibility study and the contract have been classified for 10 years by the Hungarian Government and, as a result, the public has no information regarding the potential benefits and disadvantages of the project (impacts on employment, local community, the environment, and so on).
Lack of Benefit for Local Communities: The railway will be constructed mostly by Chinese companies. Also, even though officially the project aims to make Hungary a transportation hub for Chinese products, major cities in southern Hungary have been bypassed by the railway line.
Financial Sustainability: The project is the single most expensive rail investment in Hungary's history, and is financed largely through a loan provided by the Export–Import Bank of China. According to earlier calculations by logistics experts consulted by the newspaper Figyelő, the maximum number of trains per year will be 1,600 (4.4 trains per day), which means an increase of 1.6 million tonnes of freight traffic on the line. On this basis, the return on investment is estimated at 2,400 years. The details of expected traffic levels have never been released, nor have any hard figures been provided to make the case for rebuilds at such high expenditure.
Corruption: The fact the Hungarian partner in the joint venture contracted to build the railway is controlled by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's childhood friend has led to accusations of cronyism.
The phrase 'transportation hub' is often used by Hungarian Government officials when referring to the railway project. However, since the feasibility study has been classified, it is not known whether there is any evidence to support the idea that the new railway will play such a role. In addition, Chinese goods can already reach Europe more cheaply and efficiently through other ports on the Adriatic, such as Koper, Trieste, or Rijeka. The Hungarian Government also argues the investment is of the 'highest public interest'; however, since the feasibility study and contract have been classified for 10 years, it is unclear on what basis such claims are made. Despite this, the Hungarian Government often refers to this railway as a flagship project of Sino-Hungarian cooperation.
Hungary's commitment to boost its relations with China might be another explanation for the prioritisation of the project. The Hungarian Government regularly takes the opportunity to promote bilateral relations with the People's Republic of China and supports it on many sensitive issues (for more details, see Hungary's country profile). This engagement signals Hungary's goodwill towards China and reinforces its status as a strong political partner in Europe. Engagement and alignment with China provide the Hungarian Government with leverage against the criticism and opposition Hungary faces in Europe.
'Crony capitalism'—referring to an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships with government officials—might also play a role here. Lorinc Meszaros, a childhood friend of Prime Minister Orbán, owns Opus Global, which owns 51% of RM International Limited, the company that won the contract to build the Hungarian section of the railway together with two Chinese companies.
In-Depth Sources
Brînză, Andreea. 2020. 'China and the Budapest–Belgrade Railway.' The Diplomat, 28 April. Link.
Inotai, Edit. 2020. 'Budapest to Belgrade: All Aboard the Secret Express.' Baélkan Insight, 22 April. Link.
Kafkadesk Budapest Office. 2020. 'Belgrade–Budapest High-Speed Train: Highway to Rail?' Kafkadesk, 15 May. Link.
Káncz, Csaba. 2020. 'The New Budapest–Belgrade Railway Line: A White Elephant on the New Silk Road.' China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe, 15 June. Link.
Keller-Alánt, Ákos. 2019. 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' EchoWall, 8 August. Link.
Rencz, Flóra. 2019. The BRI in Europe and the Budapest–Belgrade Railway Link. EIAS Briefing Paper 10/2019, October. Brussels: European Institute for Asian Studies. Link.
Rogers, Samuel. 2019. 'China, Hungary, and the Belgrade–Budapest Railway Upgrade: New Politically-Induced Dimensions of FDI and the Trajectory of Hungarian Economic Development.' Journal of East-West Business 25(1): 84–106.
Vörös, Zoltán. 2018. 'Who Benefits from the Chinese-Built Hungary–Serbia Railway?' The Diplomat, 4 January. Link.
Updated on 11 January 2022.
Ágnes Szunomár, PhD is a Hungarian economist studying China's economic footprint in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). She is the head of the Research Group on Development Economics at the Institute of World Economics, CERS, Hungary and an Associate Professor at Corvinus University, Budapest. With more than 100 scientific publications, Ágnes has led and participated in several international research projects. She is a member of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 'China in Europe Research Network', where she is the head of Working Group on Strategic Sectors and Infrastructure Developments. She is also a member of China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) network.


Chicago: "World, The," 03/22/2005, WGBH Media Library & Archives, accessed April 23, 2019, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/A_8C255F0F02104D54853000965993099A.
MLA: "World, The." 03/22/2005. WGBH Media Library & Archives. Web. April 23, 2019. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/A_8C255F0F02104D54853000965993099A>.


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text:
Stina Powell
gästforskare vid Centrum för genusvetenskap
stina.powell[AT-tecken]gender.uu.se
I work as a researcher at the Centre for Gender Research and at the Department of Urban and Rural Development, SLU. I have two ongoing research projects:
To stop counting bodies: New ideas for a gender equal forest sector (Skogssällskapet 2018-2021)
The value of stakeholder participation in collaborative research projects for sustainable development: A gender and intersectional analysis (Formas 2018-2021)
I have a specific focus on feminist theory and gender perspectives on academic organisations and on environmental issues. I have two new research projects where the focus lie on the latter, while my PhD thesis from 2016 focused on gender equality and meritocracy in academic organisations.
In my Formas project The value of stakeholder participation in collaborative research projects for sustainable development: A gender and intersectional analysis (Formas 2018-2021) I ask questions about whose perspectives, knowledge and participation we see in the present environmental discourse. A gender perspective on this gives the opportunity to display relations of power and influence in order to develop the environmental governance and policy. The aim is to investigate who participates and why in collaborative research projects aiming at sustainable development. https://www.slu.se/en/departments/urban-rural-development/research/environmental-communication/ongoing-research/stakeholder-participation/
My second research project To stop counting bodies: New ideas for a gender equal forest sector (Skogssällskapet 2018-2021) started in 2018. The focus here is the gender equality discourse in the forestry sector, through the lens of the forestry education at SLU, and the #metoo. How do the ways do we talk about, think about and do gender have material lived effects in the forestry sector? /https://www.slu.se/en/departments/urban-rural-development/research/environmental-communication/ongoing-research/equal-forestsector/
My PhD thesis Gender Equality and Meritocracy: Contradictory discourses in the Academy examines how gender equality measures and discourses are reconciled with notions of merit in academia. Gender equality is often defined as equal rights for women and men and has become a widely accepted political goal and vision. Meritocratic principles build on the assumption that everyone, regardless of gender, class, race and sexuality, has the same opportunities to advance provided they are sufficiently hardworking and intelligent. Meritocratic principles thus build on the assumption that objective evaluations are possible. Along these lines, inequalities in academia are a natural outcome and not the result of discrimination. However, feminist studies have shown that meritocratic practices fail to reach these objective evaluations and that gendered norms influence who is considered merited and not. This awareness of discrimination leads to academic organisations being required to act upon inequalities and ensure that gender equality measures are taken, despite the strong conviction that meritocracy is already in place. Thus, we have two contradictory discourses that have to be reconciled in order to co-exist in academia. Through which processes does this reconciliation take place? With a view to answering this, I examine a gender equality project at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU. The material includes interviews, focus-group interviews, surveys, participant observations and literature reviews. The research methodology is based on action research and the analysis on relational and critical discourse analysis. The research finds that meritocracy and gender equality are reconciled through three processes; 1) by creating the gender inequality discourse as a matter for the individual, not the organisation 2) through depoliticisation of gender equality where administration rather than inequalities are in focus and 3) through a process of decoupling where gender equality is separated from the permanent organisation. These processes make it possible for meritocracy and gender equality to co-exist as two important principles of academic practice, despite their contradicting values. However, this separation of discourses contributes to the persistence of inequality in academic organisations. Further, these three processes work to silence counter discourses on gender equality that have become visible in the Gender Equality Project.
https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=114&artikel=6925143
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stina_Powell
http://resurs.slu.se/jamstalldhet-slu-i-blickfanget/
http://www.etc.se/inrikes/universiteten-fortfarande-mannens-varld
Powell, S. & Arora Jonsson, S. (forthcoming) Den politiska korrekthetens etik. In: Participatory Action Research Community (SPARC) anthology.
Powell, S. (2018) Gender Equality in Academia: Intentions and Consequences. In: The International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations: Annual Review, 18:1. doi:https://cgscholar.com/bookstore/works/gender-equality-in-academia
N. Powell, R. Kløcker Larsen, A. de Bruin, S. Powell and C. Elrick-Barr (2017) Water Security in Times of Climate Change and Intractability: Reconciling Conflict by Transforming Security Concerns into Equity Concerns, in Water, 9(12), 934; doi:10.3390/w9120934
Powell, S., Ah-King, M. & Hussénius A. (2017) 'Are we to become a gender university?' Facets of resistance to a gender equality project. Gender Work Organization, 2017;1–17.
Powell, S. (2016) Gender equality and meritocracy: Contradictory discourses in the academy, Department of Urban and Rural Development, SLU, ISBN: 978-91-576-8536-0.
Powell, S. & S. Arora-Jonsson (2015) The Ethics of Political Correctness. In: Understanding Social Science Research Ethics: Inter-disciplinary and Cross-Cultural Perspectives for a Globalising World, Publisher: Routledge, forthcoming. 2015., Editors: K. Nakray, M. Alston and K. Whittenbury (eds)
Westberg L. & Stina Powell (2015): Participate for Women's Sake? A Gender Analysis of a Swedish Collaborative Environmental Management Project, Society & Natural Resources: An International Journal, DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2015.1014594
Powell, S., Ah-King, M. (2013). A case study of integrating gender perspectives in teaching and in subject content at a natural science university in Sweden, International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, Vol.5, No.1
Klocker Larsen, R., S. Powell, T. Peterson, N. Sriskandarajah. (2010)Towards a learning model of ICT application for development: Lessons from a networked dialogue in Sweden. Information Communication and Society 13(1):136–150 .