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Medical News Today: What to know about post-viral syndrome
Post-viral syndrome, or post-viral fatigue, refers to a sense of tiredness and weakness that lingers after a person has fought off a viral infection. It can arise even after common infections, such as the flu.
People may experience post-viral symptoms, such as fatigue, for weeks or months after fighting off the infection. Some treatments and home remedies may relieve fatigue and help people manage their energy levels.
Post-viral syndrome may appear similar to other health issues, but it is important to work with a doctor to resolve the problem if the symptoms last too long.
In this article, we provide an overview of post-viral syndrome, including its causes and symptoms. We also explain how to treat it and when to see a doctor.
What is post-viral syndrome?
A person with post-viral syndrome may experience trouble concentrating and headaches.
As the name suggests, post-viral syndrome typically occurs after a person experiences the effects of a virus. It can develop even after seemingly simple bouts of the flu or the common cold.
Once the person's body has removed the virus, post-viral syndrome may make them feel drained of energy and generally unwell. This feeling may linger for days to months after a viral infection.
The trigger for post-viral syndrome appears to be a reaction to the virus itself. Many doctors will treat post-viral syndrome in the same way as they treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), as the two can have a similar presentation.
However, while CFS causes symptoms for no apparent reason, the symptoms of post-viral syndrome appear to have their origins in the infection.
The medical community is not sure why the symptoms arise. Some experts believe that it may be due to the lingering effects of the virus as the body continues to clear it out.
As a study in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics notes, another theory is that the virus overloads the immune system, causing a reaction that triggers symptoms similar to those of CFS.
The authors of an earlier study suggest that the symptom of fatigue after a viral infection is due to inflammation in the brain.
Viruses cause the immune system to respond and attack them. This response causes stress and inflammation in the body. The effects of this response often leave people feeling down, fatigued, and sometimes depressed.
Almost any viral infection can trigger post-viral syndrome, including:
Post-viral syndrome may be more prevalent or apparent in people with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms of post-viral syndrome may vary from person to person, but most people describe feeling fatigued and generally unwell. This feeling persists no matter how many hours of sleep the person gets or how well they take care of themselves.
Post-viral syndrome may cause additional symptoms, such as:
aches and pains in the muscles
stiff joints
a sore throat
In some cases, it may be that the body is simply taking extra time to clear the virus out completely. However, if symptoms such as these linger for longer than a few weeks, a person should talk to their doctor.
Treatment and remedies
A doctor may prescribe pain relievers to treat aches and pains.
As members of the medical community have different opinions on what post-viral fatigue is, it can be difficult for them to agree on how to treat it, and recommendations will differ.
In some cases, the person will require no treatment, and managing the symptoms until they feel better will be enough.
To this end, doctors may recommend some simple symptom management tools, such as over-the-counter pain relievers to treat headaches or other general aches and pains.
Some lifestyle tips may help support the body as it works through post-viral syndrome. These include:
sleeping 7–9 hours each night
taking naps throughout the day as necessary
conserving energy and getting plenty of rest
drinking plenty of water
engaging in mild exercise during the day
eating a balanced and healthful diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and anti-inflammatory foods
avoiding heavy, greasy foods, such as fried or fast foods
Some people may also feel more rested after trying stress reduction techniques. The American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society note that almost 50% of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and CFS — both of which can cause symptoms similar to those of post-viral syndrome — use alternative therapies, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, to help them cope.
Getting a massage may also help some people relax and deal with muscle pain.
These tips may empower the body as it works through post-viral syndrome, and they may help reduce the recovery time.
Recovery timeline
A person should talk to their doctor if symptoms do not resolve within a few weeks.
The recovery time for people with post-viral syndrome can vary widely. A 2017 study noted that recovery time appears to be better the more quickly a person receives their diagnosis.
Post-viral syndrome is temporary. Although the effects may linger, many people can expect their symptoms to resolve within a few weeks.
In some cases, symptoms may last for longer, even up to several months. A smaller study in the journal Viral Immunology reported that 31% of people experienced prolonged fatigue of longer than 6 months following treatment for West Nile virus. The average duration of this symptom among these individuals was 5 years.
After a time, doctors may diagnose a person with a separate disorder, such as CFS. They will then order any necessary treatments and possibly give the individual some additional tips on how to manage their symptoms.
Recovering from a viral infection can drain the body. Yet, even after the body clears out the virus, the symptoms, including fatigue, may linger.
The medical community is not sure exactly what causes post-viral syndrome. Some people believe that it is a condition in its own right, whereas others believe that the virus may have triggered another condition, such as CFS or depression.
Some people with post-viral syndrome — often those who get an early diagnosis — may get better in a few weeks. However, some cases may last a few months, and doctors may offer other treatment options for people who experience bothersome symptoms for a longer period.
Anyone experiencing symptoms for more than a few weeks after recovering from the virus should see their doctor for a diagnosis.
過去の投稿前 Medical News Today: What are the 12 cranial nerves?
次の投稿次 Medical News Today: What causes cysts on the penis?


A survay was conducted at Enkulal watershed, which is found in Dera District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The watershed was one of the sites of Tana Beles watershed development project. The main objective of the study was to characterize the existing chicken production and marketing system of the watershed. A total 52 randomly selected chicken owners were used for the study. According to the results, there were three chicken production systems in the study areas, scavenging only (3.8%), scavenging with seasonal feed supplementation (65.4%) and scavenging with regular feed supplementation (30.8%). The dominant (95.8%) chicken breeds were local ecotypes. The average chicken flock size per household was 5.8. The first, second and third purposes of chicken were; selling for cash income (48.1%), egg hatching (26.9%), home consumption (69.2%), respectively. Similarly; the first, second and third purposes of eggs were; hatching (48.1%), selling for cash income (55.8%), home consumption (71.2%), respectively. The result indicated that only 11.5% of respondents prepared separate chicken houses for birds and the rest (88.5%) kept birds in various night sheltering places like; inside their house (82.7%), under basket (3.8%) and under local sitting place (1.9%). The average age of cockerels at first mating and pullets at first egg were 26.3 weeks and 28.5 weeks, respectively. The survey revealed that 96.2% of chicken owners experienced disease problems in their area, mainly Newcastle disease (100%). The average number of eggs laid/clutch was 14.3 and the number of total clutch periods/hen/year was 3.73. Accordingly; the annual egg productivity of hens, under the existing management condition was 53.4 eggs/hen. The average hatchability performance of hens was 82.5%. However, survivability was low (61.5%). Seasonal diseases outbreak was the major (86.9%) cause for mortality in the watershed. Seasonality of prices was the major (85.6%) chicken and egg marketing constraint in the areas.
Moges F, Amare A and Ibrahim D.
An introduction and demonstration of broilers was conducted in Bahir Dar Zuria district of Amhara region, Ethiopia, in the year 2013 and 2014. The major objective of the trial was to introduce broiler chicken breeds in the area and evaluate their performance using locally processed feed. The trial was done at Bahir Dar Zuria district, Andassa kebele. A total of 420 Hubbard JV broiler breed day old chicks were purchased from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center and used for the study. Four jobless women were participated in this trial and each participant received 105 broiler day old chicks. Brooding was done by using electrical brooder. Finished broilers were sold live after six weeks of growing period. The average weight of day old chicks was 41.4g. The average weight of birds at end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th weeks were 130g, 213.72g, 291.25g, 599.7, 849.9g and 1293.9.6g, respectively. The total numbers of birds died in the entire period were seven (1.8 birds/HH). The average cumulative mortality percentage was 1.7%. The average daily feed intake/bird and cumulative feed intake/bird during the entire period was 79.4g and 3335.9g, respectively. The cumulative average feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 2.3. The partial budget analysis result indicated that broiler production was profitable with a net benefit of 20.41 Ethiopian birr per live bird. The lower mortality rate and profitability of birds revealed that broilers could be reared at small holder level using locally processed feed. The result of the trial showed that boiler producers should give a due attention for the preparation of good quality feed if they could not purchase and use commercial feed. Otherwise; it will not be an easy task to bring broilers in to marketable weight within six weeks of growing period.
Abosede Olayemi O, Adetola Taiwo A and Afusat Jagun J.
Environmental impact assessment studies highlight the harmful effect of toxicants such as pesticides, heavy metals and industrial wastes on target and non-target species including birds. The effect of toxicant exposure on birds was used as an assessment of environmental contamination. The presence of micronucleus was investigated as a biomarker of genotoxicity in free-ranged village weavers captured within Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Micronucleus assay was done using bone marrow collected from tibia and femur post-mortem. The clinical, haematologic, and biochemical changes were also monitored. The haemocytometric method was used to evaluate the erythrogram and leucogram changes. Microscopy was used for histopathology. It was discovered that 20% of the village weavers were positive for micronucleus while 80% were negative for micronucleus. The tissue changes observed in this study also underscore toxicity to possible environmental toxicants. In this study, micronucleus assay was used to evaluate the possibility of exposure of village weavers to genotoxic substances.


Leslie Uggams joins a superstar lineup as Amas Musical Theatre celebrates 50 years of cultural diversity in American musicals during its annual benefit gala on April 1. Leslie will honor Stormy Weather playwright Sharleen Cooper Cohen with a presentation and performance of the title song.
Lilias White serves as emcee. Other performers are Len Cariou, Christopher Jackson, N'Kenge, and Vivian Reed. Honorees are Harry Belafonte, Shelly Berger, Amas Artistic Director Donna Trinkoff, and Cooper Cohen.
For tickets and information, visit the Amas Musical Theatre website.


Hilton Head Magazines: CH2/CB2: The Brew Master at Southern Barrel Brewing Co.
According to some historians, man learned to make beer before bread. Concrete evidence of beer production dates back roughly 6,000 years ago, when Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia were said to have shared a drink from a communal bowl. And a Sumerian poem from 1800 B.C. honors Ninkasi, the goddess of beer, which describes a recipe for an ancient brew.
Walter Trifari, the head brewmaster for the new Southern Barrel Brewing Co., says he respects the history and craft of brewing a delicious and aromatic beer that is not only pleasing to the eye, but to the palate.
Southern Barrel Brewing Co. broke ground in Buckwalter Place in October, where it is building its 12,500-square-foot flagship headquarters. Bluffton's first microbrewery will include a state-of-the-art facility featuring a 10,000-square-foot production facility, a 2,500-square-foot tavern serving food, and an outdoor beer garden. Slated to open in early spring of 2015, Trifari has already moved to Bluffton and is ready to start creating the company's first line-up of beers.
The term "craft beer" has been thrown out and used rather excessively lately. According to Trifari, "craft beer" is any beer that is hand crafted with "tender love and care." Some brewmasters have taken it a bit far lately, he said, including using too many bizarre and unnecessary ingredients.
Southern Barrel will begin crafting eight separate types of beer including lager, amber, IPA, stout and wheat beers. Once the facility is up and running, some of those beers will be aged in barrels formerly used to house bourbon, rum, tequila, whiskey and wine.
Trifari studied criminal justice in college but quickly realized after graduating that he didn't want to become a beat cop. It was in 1997 that his older cousin took him on a tour of the brewpub where he worked, John Harvard's Brew House in Westport, Connecticut. According to Trifari, his cousin laid out all the beers in front of him. Trifari was fascinated by the colors and tastes, even though he wasn't too fond of the beers tasted at the time. But after seeing the inner-workings of the brewery, he was hooked, and his palate has enjoyed the ride ever since.
He became the brewmaster's assistant, doing everything from cleaning tanks to learning the techniques and proper process needed to brew beer. Since then, he's worked at other brewpubs and microbreweries, most recently as head brewer of a mid-sized microbrewery in Fordham/Old Dominion in Delaware. In his 10 years there, he took the company from producing 7,500 barrels a year to 24,000 barrels a year and winning several awards along the way. He is nationally recognized in the craft brewing industry, having received several National Grand Championships and Great American Beer Festival medals.
Although successful in his craft, Trifari says he missed the interaction with his customers. The microbrewery brewed the beer but didn't have an attached space where customers could enjoy his creations. That's why he says he's so excited to join the team at Southern Barrel.
ARTIST RENDERING OF THE FINISHED FAÇADE OF SOUTHERN BARREL BREWING COMPANY, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN MID-MARCH OF THIS YEAR.
As Trifari says, drinking beer is truly a social experience, and this way he will be able to converse with his customers and learn their preferences about his beer.
Southern Barrel Brewing Co. is located in Buckwalter Place, next to CareCore National and Station 300. Learn more at southernbarrelbrewingco.com or like it on Facebook.


Feel what you want, or don't.
See what you want or, don't.
Say what you want,or don't.
Laugh only if it's funny to you.
Cry only if it moves you.
Own yourself and be proud of yourself.
Hug if you want to or don't.
Kiss if you feel like it or don't.
Dance in the rain or don't.
Walk when you feel like walking and don't let anyone make you run if you don't want to.
Share only if you want to because sometimes there are things that only belong to you.
Say, " I love you." Only when you want to and not because it was expected of you.
Be shy when you want to and when you want to be bold do it.
Be true only to you and own your truth.
Dance with someone or alone-but do it anyway.
Go where there are people or stay in alone.
Look at the sunset or don't.
Write a love letter and keep it forever or not.
Write a love story and share or take it to your grave.
Compose a love song and sing it or not.
Whatever you do, do it for you!


It's always a little frustrating when you get a product review request immediately after purchase.
The replacement grid is a perfect fit, made of heavy duty stainless and appears to be very well made. Given that it's October and has been rainy, I haven't had a chance to use it yet. But I have no reason to believe it won't function perfectly.


Not just for people with small, Dinklage-y hands who can't commit to a full burger, sliders are also for people with normal-sized hands who can't commit to a full burger. That in mind, here're the 10 sexiest slider options in Chicago.
This Baconfest-highlighting slider puts crispy pork with LT & mayo on a brioche bun, for the tiniest slice of heaven (heaven's made of crispy pork, right?) you'll eat this month.
Culinary school, Arby's sandwich, and now a slider at The Beer Bistro -- is there anything the Chicken Cordon Bleu can't do? Maybe last more than a minute, but that's about it.
If these came in a crave case, we'd buy it. There's no question as to why fried oysters with kimchi and peanuts are a favorite of James Beard editors. Two words: flavor explosion.
This is actually a $32 Bloody Mary, but it makes the list because of the amazing toppings (and bottomings?). If you're up on your Bloody Mary goings-on (exhibit A and exhibit B), you'll know that this 32oz Bloody is garnished with a slider (and also shrimp, bacon, peperoncini, grape tomatoes, blue cheese-stuffed olives, and a pickle spear).
Think outside the bun? No thanks, we'll just change the shape. OTS is serving up classic Chicago dogs and Detroit coneys in tiny form (which we're gonna say still qualifies them as a slider). The no-ketchup rule still applies.
These mushroom and brown rice mini-burgs are topped with spicy mayo and not what God gave the Israelites during their travels in the desert.
Sliders are never a classy meal... unless, of course, you make them from filet mignon and top them with lobster and fancy butter. Hard to expect anything less from lunch in the Gold Coast, honestly.
Buffalo-style: horrendous for a football team, great for a slider. This pulled chicken in a Sriracha sauce with carrots, celery, and ranch could very well spell the end for Franks' Buffalo dominance.
If sliders existed when we were kids, this is what everyone would've ordered. Fifty/50 has several great choices, but sometimes a simple, itty-bitty grilled cheese is the only way to go.
Okay, so maybe it's cheating, but a slider list without White Castle is like a slow jams mixtape without Boyz II Men. They're the world's best sliders for approximately 13 minutes.
Colin Joliat is a freelance food and booze writer who loves sliders because they make him feel like a big, strong man. Follow him @FlintSkinny.


As we head into the last two weeks of funding, I'll be posting more interior page previews, so if there's something you want to see, you can use the Comments to let me know. I've also reduced the $ amount of the three highest backer levels in order to make them even more attractive.
The "Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer" blog had some kind words to say about Corporia last week, and in another recent post he also mentions something I'd missed: the Typhoon Haiyan Charity Bundle on DriveThruRPG. Although Kickstarter doesn't allow projects to fund charities, I wanted to point this out for those of you who might be interested. You can contribute to the Philippines hurricane relief and get a bundle of games for your help at the same time.
And if you're still not tired of lhearing my voice, drop by the Postcards from the Dungeon site and listen to Episode 120: Corporia!


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Town Information Centre
Wallingford Museum
Cholsey & Wallingford Railway
Castle Gardens & Meadow
The Lamb Arcade
Upload Your business listing
South & Vale Business Support
Councillors & The Mayor
How to stand for Town Council
Venue and Room Hire
The Regal
Annual Meeting (Mayor Making)
Finance and Properties
Parks, Gardens, Allotments & Open Spaces
Tourism & Economic Development
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
Planning for a new Bull Croft
Some of you may have noticed a surveyor in the Bull Croft on Monday 10th July. He was carrying out a survey to produce an accurate map of the park, to show the location of all of the facilities within the park as well as work out contours. The map will be used to by the Bull Croft Working Group in their work to come up with options for the future of the Bull Croft.
The Bull Croft is the largest of the town's three parks and is home to a number of playgrounds and sporting facilities, as well the Recreation Rooms ("Rec Rooms") and the Pavilion.
The Rec Rooms date from World War II when they were erected as "temporary" buildings to provide rest and recreation facilities for wartime servicemen and service women. Currently they are used by Rainbow Pre-school, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, the food bank and the bell ringing society. At some 75 years old, they are approaching the end of their useful life and the council has started to look at how they can be replaced.
The Pavilion at the north end of the park is in fact two separate, wooden buildings that have been connected together. Built about 60 years ago, over the years they have supported many sporting events, but they are out-of-date and are no longer fit for purpose; the sports that are played have changed, and they do not meet modern standards for male and female dressing rooms.
It is time to look at options for the park as a whole. In particular, the Council would like to look at improving the children's facilities for both young and older groups.
For many councils, this might be a relatively straightforward process. Unfortunately, our rich history works against us here:
The Bull Croft is not owned by the Town Council, but by an independent charitable trust administered by the Council. The distinction may be subtle, but it means that the Council has to take into account restrictions in the Deed of Trust which established the park in 1913;
The park is a Scheduled Ancient Monument as it contains both the remains of the Holy Trinity Priory and part of the Saxon defences. We cannot do anything that damages those remains; and
The park is a registered Town Green, which imposes restrictions on what we can build and where.
In short, these constraints mean that we have to tread very carefully!
The unique status of the Bull Croft doesn't mean that it must be frozen in time. The Town Council recognises that it needs significant, but sensitive, reorganisation and the Council has established the Bull Croft Working Group to look at how we can develop options to serve the changing needs of the town. This is of course especially timely given the on-going work on the neighbourhood plan.
The working group will work through the constraints and consult with:
Historic England and groups such as the Wallingford Historical & Archaeological Society (to ensure that any changes do not impact on the archaeology);
Oxfordshire County Council (who must consent to any changes to the Town Green registration);
South Oxfordshire District Council (to seek advice on what would be acceptable in terms of planning policy); and
The heirs of the family that granted the Bull Croft to the Bull Croft Trust, to seek their agreement to any changes to the deed of trust that may be required.
Once this is done, the working group will come up with options for the reorganisation of the Bull Croft and the improvement of its facilities. These will then be put before residents in a public consultation. If you'd like to know more, please email the wording group chair, Cllr Lee Upcraft.
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In Other Words: Corruption's True Face Corruption's True Face...
Corruption's True Face
Ojos Vendados: Estados Unidos y el negocio de la corrupción en América Latina (Blindfolded: The United States and the Business of Corruption in Latin America) By Andrés Oppenheimer 318 pages, Buenos Aires: Editorial Sudamericana, 2001 (in Spanish) Pity the poor U.S. multinational corporation. Constrained by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977, which prohibits ...
By Carlos Lozada
| November 12, 2009, 7:23 PM
Ojos Vendados: Estados Unidos y el negocio de la corrupción en América Latina (Blindfolded: The United States and the Business of Corruption in Latin America)
By Andrés Oppenheimer
318 pages, Buenos Aires: Editorial Sudamericana, 2001 (in Spanish)
Pity the poor U.S. multinational corporation. Constrained by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977, which prohibits bribing foreign government officials to obtain business abroad, American companies and policymakers have long argued that U.S. firms operate at a severe disadvantage vis-à-vis their bribe-happy global competitors. "For more than 20 years," then U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley complained in 1998, "the United States has enforced our anti-bribery legislation while other countries have given tax deductions to companies for their bribes." Similar arguments spurred the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) antibribery convention, which entered into force in February 1999 and by the end of January 2002 had been ratified by more than 30 countries.
Yet if the OECD convention proves as effective as the FCPA, corrupt public officials the world over have little cause for concern. Just ask Argentine journalist Andrés Oppenheimer, author of Blindfolded: The United States and the Business of Corruption in Latin America, a fast-paced investigative look into the seedy dealings of U.S. multinationals in Latin America. Blindfolded reads like a good detective thriller — rife with dirty politicians, ruthless executives, and quixotic government investigators crusading for the truth. A long-time Miami Herald columnist with a Pulitzer Prize to his credit, Oppenheimer spent four years conducting 300 interviews in five countries for this book. Published in Buenos Aires in March 2001, Blindfolded quickly reached Argentina's bestseller list and has been widely read and reviewed throughout Latin America.
Oppenheimer makes a simple argument: Yes, Latin democracies suffer from pervasive corruption, and the region's politicians ought to foster greater accountability. But the foreign companies and international banks who pay bribes and help hide illicit earnings are also guilty. Without stricter laws over the foreign operations of U.S. and European multinationals, warns Oppenheimer, Latin America will never defeat corruption.
Oppenheimer's account of the IBM scandal in Argentina in the mid-1990s helps make his case. Seeking to modernize the country's creaky banking system, Argentina's government sought bids in late 1993 for a major information-technology services contract at Banco Nación, the country's largest bank. IBM's local subsidiary decided to submit a proposal. Given the magnitude of the undertaking, IBM headquarters dispatched systems manager Steve Lew to Buenos Aires to oversee the proposal's final stages. In February 1994, IBM-Argentina won the $250 million contract.
Barely a year later, Argentine tax authorities visited the offices of an obscure IBM-Argentina subcontractor, Rural Training and Computing (CCR), after discovering a $10.6 million payment the IBM subsidiary made to CCR, ostensibly for services provided in the Banco Nación project. They found two minuscule rooms, one phone, and a lone secretary. Investigators soon learned that CCR's main service had been to funnel some $4.4 million in "gifts" to two Banco Nación directors involved in the bid selection. The matter made national headlines and quickly erupted into a political scandal.
Investigators from the U.S. Justice Department pounced on the case but were unable to prove that IBM's U.S. executives had directly authorized the bribes, as was then required to bring charges under the FCPA. (The law was amended in November 1998 to include the activities of overseas subsidiaries.) IBM's U.S. officials deflected attention onto local staff, in particular IBM-Argentina President Ricardo Martorana. While Martorana protested that Lew had approved the proposal, including payments to CCR, Lew claimed he had reviewed only the technical, and not the financial, aspects of the proposal. Martorana was forced to resign, while IBM's U.S. headquarters paid only a $300,000 fine in December 2000 following a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. "The U.S. law was porous, and its implementation was weak," Oppenheimer concluded.
The porosity of U.S. anticorruption laws also looms large in Blindfolded's examination of Citibank's Latin American operations. Oppenheimer begins with the unlikely experience of Juan Miguel Ponce, the brash Interpol chief in Mexico who tracked drug kingpins throughout Latin America. While pursuing Juárez drug cartel boss Amado Carrillo Fuentes from Cuba to Chile to Argentina during the mid-1990s, Ponce chanced upon a letter of reference from Citibank's Mexico City branch for a Mr. Juan Arriaga, described as a "well-known cattleman" from Mexico. But as Ponce knew, Juan Arriaga was an alias for Carrillo Fuentes, who later used the letter to clear his way into Chile's financial sector. The befuddled Citibank staffer who signed the June 1997 letter apparently acted out of negligence rather than criminal intent, but Oppenheimer calls the incident "a perfect example of the ease with which drug traffickers avail themselves of international banking services" to hide their illicit earnings.
The activities of Citibank's private-banking department in New York provide a similarly apt example. A key figure in this tale is Amy Elliott, a Cuban émigré and Citibank executive specializing in banking services for rich Mexican clients. On March 1, 1995, Elliott learned that one of her clients, Raúl Salinas — brother of then Mexican President Carlos Salinas — had been arrested the day before for the suspected murder of a prominent Mexican politician. Even more worrisome for Elliott, Mexican prosecutors were looking into Salinas's finances due to suspicions of influence peddling. (In Mexico, Salinas had earned the nickname "Mr. 10 Percent" for his reputed habit of skimming off the top of government contracts with which he was even tangentially involved.)
Over the three prior years, Oppenheimer explains, Salinas had transferred more than $100 million from Mexico into his Citibank account in New York — an unlikely sum for a man who earned $190,000 per year in a public post. Yet Elliot had never seriously questioned the source of the funds nor even completed the paperwork required to open such an account. Instead, she frantically began filling out the forms the day she heard of his arrest, while her coworkers in London and Zurich debated whether to cover their tracks by moving Salinas's funds to Switzerland. Little surprise that an internal Citibank audit of the private-banking department in 1996 determined that the department's priorities centered on serving clients, even if it meant compromising the bank's internal controls.
Following inquiries by U.S., Swiss, and Mexican investigators, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Investigations held hearings in November 1999 on Citibank's connections with Salinas. The star witness, Elliott, settled into her chair "with the confidence of one who has learned her script by heart," describes Oppenheimer. But under the methodical questioning of U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Elliott acknowledged she had failed to fully comply with the bank's internal controls. Citibank chief executive John Reed also testified, admitting that "like all similar institutions, we have had problems and made mistakes." Levin was not swayed, decrying Citibank's "elaborate ritual of secrecy" in the Salinas case and accusing the bank of maintaining a "rogue's gallery" of private clients. But again, U.S. authorities could do very little. To implicate Citibank with money laundering in the Salinas case, Oppenheimer writes, prosecutors would have had to prove a direct connection of the funds to drug trafficking or bribery — an exceedingly difficult task. "Official corruption or the theft of public monies," explains the author, "were not among the crimes that could qualify as money laundering."
Ultimately, Oppenheimer believes that the problem is not that American multinationals break laws when they enable corruption in Latin America, but rather that the relevant U.S. laws are often weak and useless. Yet despite the corporate corruption Oppenheimer so skillfully chronicles, the author still believes that the "globalization of decency" is possible if legislators, government officials, journalists, and "enlightened" private-sector executives join together to bar the proceeds of corruption from the global financial system. Perhaps he is right. But if Blindfolded proves anything, it is that calls for decency and rectitude carry little weight in international financial circles. Even the governments of rich nations — perhaps distracted by generous corporate campaign contributions — have been less than forceful in disciplining their more wayward companies. Indeed, it has taken the war on terrorism for officials from the United States and other industrialized countries to finally push money laundering to the forefront of the global agenda. In the end, it may not be that governments in rich nations are blindfolded to global corporate corruption, but rather that they willingly avert their eyes.
Tags: 130, Corruption, Default, In Other Words, Latin America, Subscriber


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Now even more lazy and ineffective civil servants face losing their jobs in sweeping reforms
By Daniel Martin for the Daily Mail
Tens of thousands more civil servants face losing their jobs over the next three years under sweeping reforms which will see the size of Whitehall slashed by a quarter, ministers were told yesterday.
Underperforming bureaucrats will be sacked or go unreplaced when they retire under plans to reduce the number of civil servants to around 380,000 by 2015.
This is down 25 per cent from the 500,000 employed when the Coalition took over in 2010.
Huge payments: Civil servants are pocketing bonuses of at least £10,000 over the past year, despite David Cameron's pledge to crack down on the payments
Ministers were briefed at Cabinet yesterday on a civil service 'action plan', which will bring in tough rules to strengthen the management of Britain's army of administrators.
A Whitehall source said the document will question the generous flexitime system, which allows civil servants to amass extra time off each month, and will raise the idea of reducing the number of 'privilege days', such as the Queen's birthday, which officials take off on top of bank holidays.
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The plan, expected to be unveiled next week, will also call for government policy-making to be contracted out to academics and think-tanks.
Other changes will improve the quality of decision making by officials, which ministers hope will improve the quality of government in general.
The Coalition has already reduced the size of the civil service to around 440,000 people and public sector unions will be incensed that ministers want to go even further.
But the Government will fight the risk of further industrial action by arguing the cuts are vital for reducing the deficit.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude yesterday gave a presentation on civil service reform to the cabinet
The Whitehall source said: 'This is all about how we ensure we tackle poor performance where it happens and deal with it effectively.
'It's about how we can make the civil service more professional, do better with less, ensure everyone performs to a higher level, and deliver a better service all round.'
Cabinet ministers yesterday listened to a presentation on civil service reform by Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, and Sir Bob Kerslake, the head of the home civil service.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: 'We have a civil service which is significantly smaller than in recent years, and there's a need to address how it works and ensure it continues to provide the public services required.
'It goes hand in hand with the reduction in staff that we have seen. The civil service is fit for purpose, but there is room for improvement.'
On Monday, Lord O'Donnell, the former Cabinet Secretary, called for major reforms to Whitehall including the sponsoring of some Treasury civil servants by the City.
The spokesman for the Prime Minister said there were as yet no plans to see this vision put into practice.


Understanding the nature of air parcels that exhibit ice-supersaturation is important because they are the regions of potential formation of both cirrus and aircraft contrails, which affect the radiation balance. Ice-supersaturated air parcels in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere over the North Atlantic are investigated using Lagrangian trajectories. The trajectory calculations use ERA-Interim data for three winter and three summer seasons, resulting in approximately 200,000 trajectories with ice-supersaturation for each season. For both summer and winter, the median duration of ice-supersaturation along a trajectory is less than 6 hours. 5% of air which becomes ice-supersaturated in the troposphere, and 23% of air which becomes ice-supersaturated in the stratosphere will remain ice-supersaturated for at least 24 hours. Weighting the ice-supersaturation duration with the observed frequency indicates the likely overall importance of the longer duration ice-supersaturated trajectories. Ice-supersaturated air parcels typically experience a decrease in moisture content while ice-supersaturated, suggesting that cirrus clouds eventually form in the majority of such air. A comparison is made between short-lived (less than 24 h) and long-lived (greater than 24 h) ice-supersaturated air flows. For both air flows, ice-supersaturation occurs around the northernmost part of the trajectory. Short-lived ice-supersaturated air flows show no significant differences in speed or direction of movement to subsaturated air parcels. However, long-lived ice-supersaturated air occurs in slower moving air flows, which implies that they are not associated with the fastest moving air through a jet stream.


Cod Pots Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI | Hampidjan Canada Ltd.
A common problem for cod fishermen is often the quality of their catch. Harvesting cod can be difficult, especially when you're trying to collect your net in high winds or other instances of rough weather. This quality concern helped lead to the development of cod pots in Newfoundland, Labrador and all of Atlantic Canada, products that Hampidjan Canada Ltd. is proud to offer.
Cod pots have been designed by the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR) of the Fisheries and Marine Institute at Memorial University in St. John's and allow you to bring in a higher-quality product. The fish are kept alive in the pots until they're brought in, bled and packed in ice.
This sustainable, eco-friendly method stops the fish from being destroyed and won't damage the ocean floor. Cod pots can be baited with squid, mackerel, and/or herring. The pots allow the fish to swim in but prevent them from getting back out. They're able to stay alive for several days within the pot until capture. The pot itself is comprised of poly netting, a metal frame, a collapsible nylon funnel, non-return devices, and a floating roof. There are now several types available, including Norwegian cod pots, Newfoundland and Labrador cod pots, and 4-entrance cod pots.
Please contact us for more information on cod potting and these products.
Sea Cucumber Harvestig rake complete with mats and netting.


Summer is a fantastic season to get creative with local produce. Using refreshing fruits, veggies, and lean proteins for your recipes provides the kick you want without sacrificing your diet preferences.
This nutritious twist on traditional pancakes is quick and simple to make. Many of the fresh ingredients needed can be found at a local farmer's market. One serving contains 14 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and is under 400 calories.
Summer is the best time to enjoy fresh berries. For a grab-and-go breakfast try this low-calorie substitute using yogurt and ringing in under 200 calories. You can substitute frozen berries if you don't make it to the market and almond yogurt for a dairy-free option.
Omelets are versatile and cook fairly quickly. For a total of 280 calories with 24 grams of protein, this lightweight meal with keep you fueled for the morning. Use fresh or frozen veggies. To make it dairy-free, leave out the gouda or swap for a vegan cheese alternative.
If you're looking for a fun, weekend breakfast to make with others, these doughnuts are healthy alternatives to traditional white-flour and sugar filled options. They can be made completely allergen-friendly with gluten-free flours and nixing the nut toppings if needed. Drizzle with honey and serve with fresh fruit for a little extra goodness!
Creamy, plant-based, and perfect for a light breakfast to-go. Smoothies are great choices when you're not particularly a morning person or you find yourself skipping breakfast often. This recipe is vegan friendly and provides plenty of vitamins and protein to fuel your day and boost your energy.
These sandwiches are a little bit sweet and salty. At 318 calories, you can sneak this in as a "cheat meal" rich in healthy fats and 13 grams of protein. For a vegetarian or vegan option, nix the cheese and swap the prosciutto for grilled mushrooms or tofu bacon.
Who doesn't enjoy a Summer BBQ? This dish is sure to please at any gathering with sweet peaches and savory, smokey chicken. One serving is just under 410 calories and has 33 grams of protein. For a vegan-friendly option, you can leave out the Feta and bacon, and swap the chicken for tofu or grilled eggplant.
Look no further for a fast, easy, and powerful meal that only takes about 15 minutes to make. Wild-caught Salmon is a very nutritious meat high in essential fatty acids, B Vitamins, and Potassium. This recipe weighs in at only 190 calories with 25 grams of protein.
Yep, you read it right- Grilled pizza! The recipe makes 8 slices and one slice is 165 calories, with 5.5 grams of protein. If it's a rainy day and you have to use the oven, simply heat at 375-degrees F., add your toppings, and bake until the crust is golden brown.
A classic Asian-inspired dish that is easy to bring just about anywhere. You could also add brown rice or seared tuna for extra protein.
Created with low-fat yogurt and sour cream, this dish is bursting with smooth flavors. One serving is 211 calories with over 27 grams of protein. Swap the creamy pesto for traditional basil and almond pesto for a dairy-free option. Tofu or mushrooms may be used in place of the chicken for a vegan and vegetarian choice.
Homemade salsa can go with so many dishes and this one is under 300 calories, with 37 grams of protein. The fresh onions and cider vinegar both have detoxing properties that improve your immune system and energy. You can swap out the sugar for equal parts honey or stevia for a healthier kind of sweet.
Bursting with bold spices that boost the immune system, as well as essential fatty acids and protein, this lean meal works in your favor with a prep time under 30 minutes. The recipe makes 8 servings to share or save for leftovers.
This dish is easy to make but looks very impressive, for under 400 calories. The Tuna is another excellent fish for protein and good fats, and the simple salsa is packed with Vitamin C.
This hearty yet low-calorie dinner is created with the family in mind! There's directions to "reverse-marinate" the meats after grilling them so that you can make some ahead of time if you need to. It is naturally gluten and dairy free. Of course, tofu or veggies could be grilled in place of the meat.
Creme Fraiche is a creamy and flavorful way to spruce up a side of fresh veggies while remaining under 100 calories. Dairy-free needs can be met by using alternative almond or coconut milk, which will also lower the fat content.
Another easy side to accompany any meal at only 90 calories with a bit of protein, fiber, iron, and calcium to help you stay satisfied. You can top with fresh herbs like Parsley and or spices similar to Cumin for an extra boost of beneficial flavor.
This salad is a perfect summer appetizer or side for under 150 calories. Fresh lettuce aids in digestion and will help you stick to you weight goals if you've been giving in to too many sweet, summer cravings! You can always make a larger portion and add your favorite protein for a light lunch or dinner option.
This 2-step side is under 100 calories. Fresh mint is great for freshening your palate and soothing the body. You can use frozen peas if needed, and leave out cheese for a vegan and vegetarian-friendly recipe.
For an adorable spin on the regular baked potato without the tedious cook-time, use creamer potatoes for bite-sized snacks or sides! The recipe below is vegan, so you can add cheese and sour cream as you like for traditional toppings.
Summer wouldn't be as fun without indulging a bit! These desserts are made with alternative ingredients you can eat without feeling like you're completely deprived of sweets while trying to stick to your routine.
Made with dairy-free ice cream and friendly alternatives. For a traditional style, you can swap for Breyer's or your favorite brand of chocolate ice cream. Add fresh cherries for a chocolate-cherry twist!
If you have some time to bake, these bars are great for delicious and guilt-free snacking. The total prep and cook time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This recipe calls for granola and the option to add additional seeds and dried fruits so you can mix and match ingredients as you like!
No campfire? No problem! You can still get your s'mores fix with these amazing little cookies. You'd never guess they were made with all vegan ingredients, but you can always use more traditional ingredients if that's what you're most comfortable with.
This delicious frozen favorite isn't at all difficult to make at home, and for only 100 calories! With only 5 ingredients blended together and placed in the freezer for an hour or so, there's no reason not to love it! You can use dairy-free yogurt for a vegan option.
These look really fancy but only take 15 minutes to create! You can pick and chose your fruit toppings for variety. Some favorites are kiwi, berries, and pineapple.


text:
Q: Android Speech Recognition Using USB Microphone I'm trying to use RecognizerIntent for speech input and have the audio come from an external USB microphone. Since I'm using a development board, there is no internal mic. Is it possible to set USB microphone as default Audio input? Maybe use tinyalsa to set sound card? I know you can record using MediaRecorder via USB, but that doesn't work with Speech Recognition API.
I'm using Android 5.1.
Thanks

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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5 Cryptocurrency to Buy for Price Boom This Weekend – May 2022 Week 3
The cryptocurrency market is holding tight after a difficult few days. Its total value has risen by 4% in the past 24 hours, from $1.236 trillion to $1.287 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin (BTC) has led this little jump, with other major coins also rising by similar — or larger — amounts. But with the overall market still down from the highs of last year, and from the recent Terra collapse, there's still plenty of room to rebound. We've therefore compiled a list of 5 cryptocurrency to buy for a price boom this weekend. This covers coins with good short- and long-term potential.
5 Cryptocurrency to Buy for Price Boom This Weekend
1. Lucky Block (LBLOCK)
LBLOCK is up by a very encouraging 76% in the past 24 hours, reaching $0.002417. It's also up by 134% in the past week and by 25% in the last 30 days.
LBLOCK is up today for one very simple reason: there'a growing expectation that its native platform Lucky Block will confirm the date for its first ever prize draw. It's holding an AMA (ask-me-anything) event today on Telegram, where it's expected that it will reveal the date. This, at least, is what a very recent tweet suggests.
AMA x Announcements x Confirmed Draw Date 🚀
When? Today (20th of May) at 4pm BST ⏰Where? Our Telegram Chat https://t.co/4MigxHlmDP
Don't miss it, set up your alarms and be ready! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/CkWTELuAxh
— Lucky Block 🤞 (@luckyblockcoin) May 20, 2022
LBLOCK is still down by 75% on its ATH of $0.009617, set back in February. As such, when Lucky Block does hold its first draw, LBLOCK is likely to rise strongly. This is why we've highlighted it as one of our 5 cryptocurrency to see a price boom this weekend.
Based on Binance Smart Chain, Lucky Block is a crypto games platform. It will hold daily prize draws, which users can enter by spending LBLOCK. Entrants will have the chance to win 70% if each draw's fund, while all holders of LBLOCK will receive an equal share of 10% of the same fund. That it's very close to its first draw has been suggested by recent updates, with the platform's app approaching readiness.
2/ 👉 iOS app will be resubmitted to app store tomorrow with feedback implemented 📲
👉 Android beta app update is available on Google Play ✅
2. The Sandbox (SAND)
SAND is up by 10% in the past 24 hours, reaching $1.30. This represents a fall of 12% in the past week, and of 57% in the past month.
SAND's indicators suggest that it may be beginning a rebound after a difficult few weeks. Its relative strength index (in purple) has risen from 30 to around 55 in the past few days, signalling an improvement in momentum.
And as one of the most fundamentally sound coins in the whole Web3/metaverse space, SAND really should rebound strongly sooner or later. Most notably, its native platform, the Sandbox, racked up around $350 million in sales of virtual land in 2021, more than any other similar platform.
It also continues to announce new partnerships and launches. This includes a recent teaming up with UK band Jamiroquai. Not to mention other partnerships with World of Women, Atari, Gucci, Snoop Dogg and banking giant HSBC.
The #metaverse is about to get a little funkier…🎶
Welcome @JamiroquaiHQ to #TheSandbox, where they will provide a communal place to digitally connect with fans and fellow music lovers!https://t.co/GQSz8HLpK1 pic.twitter.com/tsPwm9fkWd
— The Sandbox (@TheSandboxGame) May 18, 2022
On top of this, the Sandbox also recently launched a $175m fund for investing in projects in its ecosystem. This will ensure that it's in a prime position to begin rallying again once the market picks up.
It's important to support creators from every corner of the world 🗺
We're so proud to be investing in studios from Hong Kong 🇭🇰, Japan 🇯🇵, United Kingdom 🇬🇧, France 🇫🇷, South Korea 🇰🇷 and many more!
Studio teams have grown from exponentially through our support 📈 pic.twitter.com/gI3XbS5V45
3. Fantom (FTM)
At $0.3451, FTM is up by 10% in the past day. It's also down by 13% in the last seven days, and by 71% in the last 30.
FTM is another coin that has been so grossly undervalued by the recent selloff that, eventually, it can only rise. Its RSI shows a recovery in momentum, from under 20 just over a week ago to more than 50 today.
A layer-one blockchain, Fantom currently accounts for just over $1.58 billion in total value locked in, although this stood at over $12 billion during more favourable market conditions. Regardless, its former level shows just how strongly it has grown in recent months, with the platform's scalability being one of its greatest strengths.
This asynchronous processing means greater throughput and scalability.
With Fantom averaging 900k transactions per day, the data quickly adds up. #Snapsync allows nodes to use a pruned version of the chain to begin validating much faster.
— Fantom Foundation (@FantomFDN) May 19, 2022
The Fantom Foundation also launched a fund worth $480 million that will award grants to developers building on the blockchain. As with the Sandbox, this should ensure its future growth. And it's one more reason why we've added FTM to this list of 5 cryptocurrency to see a price boom this weekend. Particularly when the coin has so much lost ground to recover.
Launching a $480m grant program!
After successfully disbursing 35m+ FTM to projects innovating on Fantom, the incentive program is evolving!
With @gitcoin Grants, Fantom will strengthen funding support for a growing array of projects, big or small.https://t.co/dKx3Q3GZpd pic.twitter.com/hZkkDIvjlD
— Fantom Foundation (@FantomFDN) March 31, 2022
4. Ripple (XRP)
XRP is up by 7% in the past 24 hours, hitting $0.4311. This represents a 4% drop in the past week, and a 44% plunge in the last 30 days.
XRP's recent rise means that its indicators are recovering, signalling an improvement in momentum. As things stand, the altcoin is at its lowest level since February 2021, around the time the fallout from the SEC's then-recently initiated legal action against Ripple was being most strongly felt.
Now, XRP is suffering for poor market-wide sentiment, yet its future prospects are good as far as the aforementioned legal case is concerned. Recent months have delivered a series of positive rulings for Ripple, including a decision to uphold Ripple's right to use its fair notice defence. In other words, Ripple can argue that the SEC didn't provide it with fair warning that XRP was liable to be deemed a security, a defence which the regulator had tried — but failed — to strike down.
A judge also ordered the SEC to produce emails and docs related to a speech one of its officials gave in which he declared that ETH is not a security. This was also a big win for Ripple, and may help it secure a positive outcome.
Judge Netburn sticks to her guns on the DPP issue and re-re-re-Orders the production of the emails related to Hinman's speech.
The Order includes some uncharacteristic SEC chastising from our Judge (I'm mirroring her in stating that as politely as possible). 🙂 (1/2) https://t.co/gahWaijVqw pic.twitter.com/Di3JbQsdje
— Jeremy Hogan (@attorneyjeremy1) April 11, 2022
If such an outcome is secured, there's very little doubt that XRP will rally strongly. And given its recent falls, it may do some recovering in the meantime.
5. 0x (ZRX)
At $0.4667, ZRX is up by 30% in the past 24 hours. It's also up by 22% in the past week, but down by 37% in the past month.
ZRX's indicators suggest a breakout rally. Its RSI has jumped to 70, and its 30-day moving average (in red) has begun climbing towards its 200-day average (in blue). It could therefore be reaching a new longer term level.
0x is a decentralised exchange for Ethereum-based ERC tokens. Prior to the recent downturn, its native token, ZRX, had been rallying, because 0x Labs has completed a $70m Series B funding round. On top of this, it announced a partnership with major US exchange Coinbase, also in April.
0x Labs has raised $70M in a Series B round led by @GreylockVC to continue expanding Web3's core exchange infrastructure 🎉https://t.co/HFch61hH42
— 0x (@0xProject) April 26, 2022
Such investment is a sign that 0X has been growing strongly in recent months. In fact, a recent tweet shows that it has facilitated 44 million trades to date, worth around $160 billion. This is a large volume for a decentralised exchange, and shows why ZRX is in our list of 5 cryptocurrency to see a price boom this weekend.
0x is trusted exchange infrastructure for the internet 🌎
Since its inception, 0x Protocol has enabled the multi-chain exchange of more than $160B in tokenized value across ~44M trades ⚡
Let's dive into the recent growth highlighted in our latest ecosystem 🪐 update… pic.twitter.com/TEic5YjMu4
— 0x (@0xProject) May 18, 2022
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Seth Hejny brings more than 15 years of experience in finance and real estate . Throughout his loan origination career, Hejny has experience in both large and small bank environments. Most recently, he served as VP/ SBA Business Development Officer at American Bank of Commerce, where he specialized in SBA 7a and other government guaranteed lending programs. Hejny brings financing expertise to commercial real estate purchase and construction as well debt restructure, partner buyouts, change of ownership, equipment financing and business startup including franchise financing.


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Nominations Open for the Military Child of the Year Award
A child performs push-ups with a Marine during Operation Kids Investigating Deployment Services at Camp Sentinel on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force/Randall Moose)
Military.com | By T. T. Robinson
So often, the unsung heroes of military life are the kids. They're affectionately called brats, but these kids are generally anything but. They move, they say goodbye to their parents for months on end and they take on additional responsibilities at home without being asked.
Military children as a whole are unbelievable. And now you can recognize them by nominating the impressive military kiddo in your life for Operation Homefront's 2020 Military Child of the Year Award.
"The annual awards will recognize seven outstanding young people ages 13 to 18," Operation Homefront explained on its website. "Six of them will represent a branch of the armed forces -- the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard -- for their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family life. The seventh award is the Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation presented by Booz Allen Hamilton. This award goes to a military child who has designed a bold and creative solution to address a local, regional or global challenge."
The seven award recipients will be flown to Washington, D.C., with a parent or guardian in order to be recognized at the annual gala in April 2020. Senior leaders of each branch will present the awards, which include $10,000 each, a laptop and other donated gifts. The recipient of the Innovation award will have the opportunity to work with a team of Booz Allen employees to develop a plan to scale their project.
Previous winners have strong backgrounds in volunteerism, community outreach and both scholastic and academic achievements. According to Operation Homefront, last year's seven recipients have had a change of station a combined 31 times, have lived through 187 months of deployments and collectively, the seven recipients logged 1,744 volunteer hours in the 12 months before nominations.
Nominations are open through 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2019. To nominate a child or learn more about the awards, click here.
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