#this acc should be known for its inconsistency | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

captainmdhridoyhossain-blog · 10 months

Text

[ad_1] Investing in Digital Currencies: Opportunities and Risks in the Crypto Market Introduction: With the rise of technology and the increasing digitization of our lives, investing in digital currencies has gained significant popularity. The crypto market, with its potential for high returns and innovative technology, has attracted both seasoned investors and newcomers alike. However, before diving into this exciting world, it is essential to understand the opportunities and risks that come with investing in digital currencies. I. Understanding Digital Currencies: 1.1 What are digital currencies? Digital currencies, often referred to as cryptocurrencies, are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for secure financial transactions. These decentralized digital assets operate independently of any central bank and are based on blockchain technology. 1.2 How does blockchain technology work? Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger system where transactions are recorded in blocks and linked together in a chain. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, ensuring transparency, security, and immutability. II. Opportunities in the Crypto Market: 2.1 Potential for High Returns: Investing in digital currencies offers the potential for significant returns. The crypto market has experienced explosive growth, with several cryptocurrencies witnessing meteoric rises in value. Investors who identified these opportunities early on have reaped substantial profits. 2.2 Portfolio Diversification: Digital currencies provide an excellent opportunity to diversify investment portfolios. Traditional assets like stocks and bonds often move in correlation with each other, making it challenging to mitigate risks. Investing in cryptocurrencies allows for exposure to a different asset class, potentially reducing the overall risk of the portfolio. 2.3 Innovation and Technological Advancements: The crypto market is a hub for innovation and technological advancements. Blockchain technology, upon which digital currencies are built, has the potential to revolutionize various industries such as finance, supply chain management, and healthcare. Investing in cryptocurrencies provides an avenue to support and participate in these emerging technologies. III. Risks in the Crypto Market: 3.1 Volatility: The crypto market is known for its extreme price fluctuations. Cryptocurrencies often experience significant price swings within short periods. Such volatility can lead to substantial gains but can also result in considerable losses. Investors should be prepared for the inherent unpredictability of the market. 3.2 Regulatory Uncertainty: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are still grappling with the regulation of digital currencies. The lack of clarity and inconsistent regulations pose potential risks for investors. Changes in regulatory frameworks or outright bans can impact the value and legality of cryptocurrencies. 3.3 Security Concerns: Digital currencies face security challenges due to the decentralized nature of the blockchain. Investors must be aware of the risks associated with cyber attacks, hacking incidents, and the potential loss of funds. Adopting stringent security measures, such as using hardware wallets and strong authentication methods, can help mitigate these risks. IV. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Q1: How can I start investing in digital currencies? A1: To start investing in digital currencies, you need to follow these steps: 1. Choose a reliable cryptocurrency exchange platform. 2. Create an account and complete the verification process. 3. Fund your account using fiat currency or other cryptocurrencies. 4. Research and select the digital currencies you want to invest in. 5. Place your buy orders and monitor your investment regularly. Q2: What are the factors to consider before investing in digital currencies? A2: Before investing in digital currencies, consider the following factors:

1. Conduct thorough research on the cryptocurrency and its underlying technology. 2. Assess the project's credibility, development team, and partnerships. 3. Evaluate the market demand, competition, and potential use cases. 4. Understand the token economics and supply dynamics. 5. Stay updated on the latest news and regulatory developments. Q3: Should I invest in Bitcoin or other altcoins? A3: The suitability of Bitcoin or altcoins for investment depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and understanding of the respective projects. Bitcoin is the most established and widely recognized cryptocurrency, but altcoins can offer unique features and growth potential. It's important to diversify your investment across multiple digital currencies for balanced exposure. Conclusion: Investing in digital currencies can be a lucrative endeavor, presenting opportunities for high returns, portfolio diversification, and participation in technological advancements. However, it is crucial to be aware of the risks associated with volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and security concerns. By understanding the intricacies of the crypto market and conducting diligent research, investors can navigate this exciting landscape and make informed investment decisions. Remember, when investing in digital currencies, always prioritize education, risk management, and constant monitoring to maximize your chances of success in this dynamic and ever-evolving market. Keywords: Investing in digital currencies, opportunities, risks, crypto market, blockchain technology, high returns, portfolio diversification, volatility, regulatory uncertainty, security concerns, FAQ. [ad_2] #Investing #Digital #Currencies #Opportunities #Risks #Crypto #Market

0 notes

juniperpublishers-sciences · 4 years

Text

Risk Factors and Indicators of Reduced Welfare of Grazing Dairy Cows from Selected Smallholder Dairy Farms in Midlands Province-Juniper Publishers

Abstract

Zimbabwe ́s smallholder dairying faces many challenges that affect the welfare of dairy cows; however the status of this welfare has not yet been determined. A cross sectional study was conducted in Midlands Province on 41 active smallholder dairy farms with 86 cows in winter and summer, to determine the risk factors and indicators to impaired cow welfare. These objectives were achieved using farmer questionnaires and direct observations. 11% of the observed cows were severely lame in summer while only five % were severely lame in winter. Lameness was significantly associated with season, absence of shade, breed and low dipping frequency; 58% of the cows had low body condition scores (BC<3) and this low BC was associated with low frequency of protein (p=0.002) and vitamin (p=0.012) supplementation recorded in more than 52% of the farms visited. In winter only 11% of the observed cows were heavily soiled (score 3), whilst in summer 64% of the cows were heavily soiled and this was associated with slurry accumulation in more than 80% of the observed cattle pens as well as the study season (p<0.001). A quarter (26%) of the studied animals had visible teat lesions on the teat skin and this was associated with type of lubricant used (p =0.011). Only 34% of the cows allowed an approaching stockman to touch them and this was associated with shouting (p=0.012) and whipping of cows (p=0.002). The study concluded that welfare of dairy cows was poor in most of the smallholder dairy farms studied.

Keywords: Risk factors; Indicators; Cow welfare

Introduction

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is an integral membrane protein found in the purple membrane of the Halobacterium halobium. As a light driven proton pump, bRs capture photons in the order of 500nm-650nm. Existing research found that 300mv of electricity generated per purple membrane [1]. Conversely, bacterial reaction center (bRC) is found in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. It generates 800mv of electricity in total, considering the transfer of 4 protons in the membrane. Multiple interventions to denature and modulate the structure of bR should be considered, including pH, temperature, detergent and wavelength of laser light. Bacteriorhodopsin has been known to function between0C to 45C at a pH of 1-11. It tolerates temperature over 80C in water and up to 140C in dry [2]. Conventionally, laser is utilized to precipitate the photoisomerization of bR, consequently shifting all trans-13 to structure. The chromophore which is covalently attached to Lys216 through a Schiff base is modulated through this method. Bacterial Reaction Center (bRC) is a light driven electron transfer reaction that converts solar energy to chemical energy. bRC are integral membrane structured proteins found in the purple membrane of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. It is composed of 3 protein subunits--L, M and H. It has 3 major co-factors composed of 4bacterio-chlorophylls, 2 bacteriopheophytins and 2 quinones [3]. In this interaction, electron transfer occurs through light ejection of electron that passes through them embrane. Conversion of sunlight to chemical energy simultaneously precipitates. Both bR and bRC from Halobacterium halobium and Rhodobacter sphaeroides respectively generate a considerable worth of electricity that can be used in the industry today. Although bRC emits power in a rather limited merit, future research would determine its potential for catalyzing electrically reliant applications such as optics, instrumentation and therapeutic values. bRC can be utilized for solar energy and drive photovoltaic cells. Its usage is ubiquitous at this point and has generated multitude of photovoltaic and solar energy driven applications. Further research will enhance the efficacy of bRC generated solar cells and related interventions.

This high stocking rate has resulted in overgrazing and consequently increased erosion and grass stunting in most Zimbabwean rangelands. Knap sac spraying is used for tick control of the dairy herd; vaccination for Foot and Mouth disease as well as rabies is done by the Government, while vaccination and control of other prevalent diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease, black leg and brucellosis is done by farmers. Studies done in Kenya on the welfare of zero grazing dairy cows showed that poor welfare of dairy cows existed in smallholder dairies [1].

Zimbabwe’s smallholder dairy is also characterized by challenges such as high prices of protein rich commercial concentrates which results in inadequate and inconsistent protein supplementation to dairy cows; frequent outbreaks of diseases [2]; poor husbandry practices and lack of high yielding exotic breeds. These challenges to smallholder dairy systems, results in lowered body condition, which then impacts negatively on cow health, productivity and consequently welfare of the cow. Welfare of grazing cows in both the small holder set up and large-scale dairies in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole has not been adequately studied and with the growing concern on food quality and safety from consumers, there is compelling need to evaluate welfare of cows in these sectors. Improved cow welfare will not only improve productivity of the dairy cow but the whole milk supply chain will benefit, hence the importance and relevance of this study.

Materials and Methods

The research was conducted in two selected districts of Midlands Province (Gweru and Gokwe South) targeting active smallholder dairy farmers. Midlands is characterized by colddry winters (5 to12 °C, 0 to 20mm) and hot humid summers (25 °C to 30 °C, 500mm to 700mm). Mature dairy cows (Red Dane, Jersey, and Holstein mainly crossed with either Tuli or Mashona) from each selected household were examined for the study regardless of their lactation status. In those smallholder units that had less than 5 cows; all cows were used for the study whilst in those units that had more than 5 cows, simple random sampling was used to select 5 cows to be used for the study. Each household was then visited once in winter i.e. from 3 August 2015 to 29 September 2015; and once in summer i.e. from 23 December 2016 to 17 February 2017 to determine the indicators and risk factors to reduced cow welfare using a questionnaire administered through face to face interviews and an animal as well as farm observation tool. All the farmers in Midlands Province who were actively supplying milk to the milk collection center or producing milk for sale (organized smallholder dairies) were included in the study i.e. 35 households from Gokwe South (70 cows) and 6 households from Gweru (16 cows).

Questionnaire

Data collected using the questionnaire included: Household (HH) demographics; level of education for HH; agriculture training received by HH; number of people staying at the HH; dairy herd demographics; institutional support; number, structure and breeds; general husbandry and milking practices; dehorning, castration, hair tail; euthanization methods; udder hygiene; teat lubricants; feeding and watering of animals; energy, protein, vitamin and mineral supplementation frequency; source and distance of water source.

Animal observation tool

Lameness- measured when the cow was either going in or out of the milking parlour using the lameness score sheet during both winter and summer. Lameness was measured on a 4 point scale of 0-3 with 0 indicating good mobility and 3 the animal will be severely lame [3].

Cow cleanliness

This was assessed in winter and summer on similar cows by the investigator early in the morning before cows were released for grazing using a cow cleanliness score chart

Body condition

Scored by the investigator on a scale of one to five during feeding times using a body condition score chart during both summer and winter and on similar cows

Hair loss

Recorded in both winter and summer on a scale of one – three using the hair loss score chart

Teat and hind limb lesions

Teat lesions scored in both winter and in summer as either present or absent

Skin and hind limb lesions

Scored as either present or absent. Skin lesions scored once in winter as either present or absent.

Aggressive interactions between cows

Coded as either frequent or not frequent and were observed during feeding times in winter only for at least 10 minutes per each smallholder unit visited

Avoidance distance

Each cow was assessed once in winter during the study period. Avoidance distance was categorized into cows that could be touched, cows that could be approached 50cm but not touched, cows that could be approached as closely as 50 -100cm, and cows that could not approached as closely as 100cm [4].

Farm observation tool

Site and material used for kraal construction; state of kraal floors, presence of shade, foot bath and handling facilities

Data analysis and presentation

Data was entered and cleaned in Microsoft Excel and then exported into IBM Statistics SPSS version 23. Basic descriptive statistics were generated followed by tests association (chi square tests of independence) between risk factors and indicators of reduced cow welfare.

Results and Discussion

A total of 36 households owning 86 cattle were interviewed from Gweru and Gokwe South districts of Midlands Province, Zimbabwe..

Lameness

In the dairy sector, lameness is considered an endemic disease that affects health and welfare of dairy cattle and results in production loss [5]. Figure 1 shows percentage lameness scores by season while Table 1 shows factors significantly associated with lameness. Study results revealed that more cattle were lame in summer than in winter. The overall low proportion of lame cows in the study (5% winter and 11% summer) may be attributable to the disease resistant cross breeds that dominate the smallholder dairy sector in Zimbabwe and the fact that the studied cows were not confined but had free access to pasture giving them adequate opportunity to exercise thereby improving claw conformation [6].

These findings were in concordance with the work of other authors [7], who reported herd lameness for grazing cows to be 3.5% in Ethiopia. The association between lameness and absence of shade (p<0.001) on most dairy farms may be attributable to the fact that the presence of shade enhances passive ventilation and lowers body temperature and thus reduce restless behavior, and increases the time spent resting by cows thereby reducing the chances of lamenes. The association between moderate lameness cases and low dipping frequency has not yet been reported and may be attributed to ineffective tick control that promotes the spread of ticks in cattle and dip resistance to ticks. Bond legged ticks were noticed between the claws in some of the lame cows and this resulted in poor gait in some of the infested dairy cows. Holstein crosses had higher locomotion score compared to their counterparts (Red Dane* Tuli crosses and the Jersey crosses). The Red Dane* Tuli cross showed higher lameness resistance compared to the other two breeds and had low locomotion scores; this has been previously recorded [8].

The observation that slurry and cattle manure was not removed from cattle housing on a regular basis in 73% of the observed farms, implies that animal welfare is poor among most smallholder dairy farms. The association between lameness and season was expected and is in concordance with the work by other authors [9]. Most kraals were wet and muddy in summer. Moisture and slurry softens and damages the claw resulting in lameness. The observed foot lameness scores of three were in most cases, a result of direct trauma to the foot most likely by sharp objects like rough edges of toughs and stone bruises (Table 1). There was no significant association between levels of education of the household head as well institutional support farmers received and occurrence of lame cows in studied households (Figure 1).

Cow cleanliness Study results revealed that there were more heavily soiled cows (score 3) during the rain summer season (P<0.001) compared to the dry winter season (Figure 2). Significant association tests were conducted between cow cleanliness and the following factors: Lameness, body condition score, and slurry accumulation in cattle kraals and season. Percentage cleanliness scores of smallholder dairy cows by season, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe.

Cow cleanliness was significantly associated with manure accumulation in cattle kraals (χ2= 33,218, df=1, p<0.001) and season (χ2 =14,234,104, df=1, p<0.001). The good husbandry practice of removing manure and slurry was not done on a regular basis i.e. once per week, by the majority of farmers (80%) which led to the accumulation of manure and slurry in most kraals. Failure by smallholder dairy farmers to remove slurry on a regular basis may predispose cows to environmental mastitis [10]. The claw lesions will result in lameness and consequently impaired cow welfare. Instead of regularly removing slurry from cattle pens famers opted to let the dung accumulate as manure which is then used to fertilize crops at the expense of cow comfort. On those farms that were visited when cows were still in their kraals, dairy cows were observed lying on top of manure, fresh cow dung and sometimes on bare earth.

Body condition Figure 3 illustrates the percentage distribution of various body condition scores from the two study sites by season and Table 2 shows factors significantly associated with good body condition. Cattle condition picked up in summer and severely dropped in winter. The observation that in most of the farms (52%), protein concentrates were not given on a regular basis (Table 2) implies that feeding standards for most of these smallholder units was below the expected average. The association significance observed in this study between a good body condition score and regular feeding of commercial concentrate shows the welfare benefits of including standard levels of protein and energy in diet of dairy cows. Cows in poor body condition have low levels of milk fat and low overall milk yields because of inadequate reserves of protein and energy and may undergo anoestrus up and until the body condition improve [8]. Verbal information from farmers showed that protein concentrates were fed to lactating cows only, an indication that dry cows and heifers were denied access to quality nutrients in these production units. There was no significant association between regular feeding of home mixed concentrates (sunflower cake and crushed maize) and a good body condition. However, though not verified, it could be due to a poor mixing ratio of sunflower and crushed maize as well as failure to quantify properly these supplements when offering them to cows. The observation that farmers who had received formal agriculture training (25%) owned the majority of cattle with an optimum body condition demonstrates the benefits of formal agriculture training in improving cattle welfare and hence productivity. However, no association significance was observed between institutional support received by farmers and observed body condition scores.

Air loss

As shown in Table 3, very few cows (3%) had large patches of hair loss. These observed hair loss scores were in most cases a direct result of prior exposure to skin diseases.

Skin lesions and their implications

These were confined to various body parts like the neck, abdomen, tail head and ribcage. The observed skin lesions reflected poor management and indicated that dairy cows in these smallholder farms were living in harmful environments. Among the 41 farms visited 32% of the observed animal houses had sharp protruding poles and wires on either the entrance or on the side walls. These wires and protruding poles were possible causes of abdomen and rib cage lesions and were statistically tested but had no significant effect. Use of opened up metal drums with rough edges in 26% of the studied farms was put forward as a risk factor to observed neck and mouth lesions but no significant association was found. The unexpected lack of significant association between rib cage lesions and presence of sharp protruding poles in cattle houses, as well as lack of significant association between neck lesions and use of metal drums with rough and sharp edges could be due to the small sample size and other factors which could not be assessed on the farm like thorns from the grazing area which could prick cows as well as use of barbed wire in paddocks. Verbal information from farmers also revealed that some of the observed skin lesions were caused by surgical removal of warts using hot knives and removal of horns in adult cattle although this was not very common. The verbal discussions also revealed that anesthetics were not being used by many farmers.

Hind limb lesions from the 86 animals observed, 36% had lesions on hind limbs. Hind limb lesions were significantly associated (χ2= 6,567, p=0.010) with tying of hind limbs during milking. The practice of tying hind limbs while milking was being practiced on 82% of the farms visited.

Teat lesions from the 86 cows assessed, 26 % had visible teat lesions such as scratches, swellings and cracks on the teat skin. For effective mastitis control and improved dairy cow welfare, there is need to maintain good teat skin through use of teat lubricants and proper milking procedures [11]. Table 4 shows proportion of farmers that used various teat lubricants.

Occurrence of teat lesions was significantly associated with the type of teat lubricant used (χ2=12.982, df= 4, p =0.011). This was anticipated because teat lubricants reduce friction between the teat and the milker’s hands when hand milks and act as insulators to teats thereby reducing chances of teat damage. The use of milk salve was more common in Gokwe South where famers were getting the lubricant from the Milk Collection Centre (MCC) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) than in Gweru where no such assistance existed. In Gweru there was use of petroleum jelly as a substitute for milk-salve which was not locally available. The observation that there were fewer cows that had teat lesions belonging to farmers who were using petroleum jelly when compared to those farmers that did not use any teat lubricant, confirms the welfare benefits of teat lubrication to dairy cows. In Zimbabwe petroleum jelly is cheap and locally available lubricant used by people. When used as a lubricant by human beings, petroleum jelly protects: minor cuts, skin scraps, dry and cracked skin by preventing moisture loss from these areas thereby speeding up the natural healing process. These are the same roles that are played by milk salve on cattle teats, making petroleum jelly an effective substitute for milk salve. Factors that were not investigated such as teat pulling could also be held accountable for the unexpected occurrence of teat lesions even on those farms where teat lubricants were frequently used. However, the practice of allowing calves to suckle before and after milking reported in more than 10% of the farms visited, could also be attributable to some of the teat lesions observed in cows belonging to farmers who were using teat lubricant.

Aggressive interactions

Frequent aggressive interactions between cows were recorded in 31% of the 41 farms studied and were significantly associated with an inadequacy of feeding space (χ2= 20.757, df=1 p<0.001). When feeding simultaneously and if feeding space is inadequate cows compete and, in the process, shy and weak cows are bullied away. Aggressive interactions between cows were more common in instances where cows were sharing a single small feeding trough. When cows were feeding simultaneously, feeding space per cow was not adequate (<0.5m per cow) in 72% of the observed farms. On some farms three to four cows were observed sharing feed from an opened up tire or a small wooden feeding trough. In those situations, cows were then observed pushing against each other and the shy feeders moving away from the trough.

Avoidance distance

Only 34% of the cows studied were touched by the approaching stockperson, the rest moved away. The association between avoidance distance and use of whips as well as shouting at cows (Table 5) was attributable to the fact that dairy cows can remember negative interactions and the place where these negative interactions may have occurred as well as the negative handler. Negative interactions such as use of whips, shouting and whistling when handling cows, results in poor growth performance and lowers immune response in dairy cows [12]. The association significance between avoidance distance and frequency of mineral supplementation to dairy cows could be related to regular feeding of nutritious feed to cows which improves the quality of human to cow relationship as the cows get used to and enjoy contact with the stockman who feeds them with quality feed. There was no association between avoidance distance and factors such as institutional support and farmer level of education.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Poor dairy cattle welfare exists in the smallholder dairy production systems in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Agriculture extension departments should promote pasture and forage production among smallholder dairies and should also incorporate lessons on animal welfare in its curriculum. Zimbabwe should enforce implementation of the Prevention of cruelty to animals act of 1960 and where possible come up with a more comprehensive Animal welfare act. To raise childhood awareness on animal welfare issues, it is further recommended that Primary schools education curriculum should include animal welfare lessons and there is need for innovation platforms on animal welfare in Zimbabwe. Further studies can be done to evaluate dairy calf welfare to evaluate the potential of the replacement dairy herd.

To read more articles in JOJ Sciences

Please Click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/jojs/index.php

For more Open Access Journals in Juniper Publishers

Click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/journals.php

#Astronomy #Agriculture #Biology #Space #Geography

1 note · View note

generouslykrispystudentblog-blog · 7 years

Text

The White Heron Keep In Hyogo Prefecture

Their company turned part of Dunkin Manufacturers Incorporated. The corporate was downgraded on Wednesday, March 29 by BTIG Research. On the conclusion of half three of the entertaining "F.O.W.L. Disposition," the "different tentacle" finally drops and Duckthulhu, with Darkwing's unwilling cooperation, lastly rises. That’s just one part of what this bold film covers. When done, simply stroll over next door to the store the place freshly made breads are available. If this is what you were pondering then you can fortunately go for the beautiful stylish shade of olive inexperienced organza saree with sequins works over them. Because olive oil turns into ruined just by getting exposed to gentle as well as heat, there are lots of necessary and vital purchasing concerns you will have to know to make sure that you buy a better quality product. A few of them are hip-hop, blockbuster, wheat pasting, stickers and heaven. It's fairly apparent that folks love things which might be Mexican.

I do love carrot cake, but sorry, chocolate will get my "favorite" vote! Carrot Cake is such a delicious deal with, this lense is making me hungry. When a barbeque grill uses lava rocks, briquettes or some conductive materials to switch heat the flavor dripping out of your meals will truly flare up and cause critical inconsistencies in the distribution of heat. There is also growing support in Congress for an modification, with 140 Congress members popping out in favor of it up to now. There are millions of recorded tracks and you'll add these to your individual tunes. In case you are cooking lobsters with comfortable shells, you should scale back their boiling time by three minutes. Consideration. The simplest time administration system in the world will not do a factor to improve your productivity if you do not focus on the duty at hand. Writer: Chris Hanson Passion is defined as any exercise that you discover interesting and is normally executed during spare time.

Publisher: Alicia Lopez Shifting could be an exciting time, but it will also be disturbing. Starbucks has been in business for years and though Starbucks may be present in plenty of places the aroma of Starbucks by no means gets old. Get useful interview tips, job profile administration and resume sources that can allow you to better manage your job search and change into extra attractive to potential employers. The uprising of the slaves will become an issue, however with Billy dead it may assist tender the alliance they as soon as had. After coffee, I supplied to help clear up, inquisitive about the remainder of the house. Do every part accurately, and you'll have years of enjoyment with your new discovered pets. From now on I think I will stick to the regular Belgian fries. And they could put French fries on it! sonic branson west Even in my being I'm too typically doing. Though all designers make pink handbags, you need to decide on the best to make a good impression. Clearly, years of long-standing want for government and trade an incredible deal "trickle down" work to reverse. The positioning is nicely styled, Quite a bit of work went into creating the location.

First do a web-based search of Maine lobster sellers. Gear: Neoprene socks, rope, harness, sturdy canyoneering footwear, three liters of water per individual or a purification methodology, energy food, dry clothes, first assist kit and a headlamp. Now we have been considering of promoting their manure for awhile now. Now that I give it some thought, that's most likely not truly the next-smartest thing. Advance is an amount of cash paid before the business earns it. Birthday social gathering, Wedding, Enterprise meeting, Engagement, Holidays, get ready for ones final pizza at the ultimate financial savings. So two foremost areas of financial savings. It is an enchanting look at two excessive-flying informal-dining franchises that have fallen on laborious occasions. Although she's actually appropriate about explanation why informal dining has skilled a recognition decline, blame shouldn't be placed on millennials -- it ought to be positioned on the eating places that have did not sustain with altering demand. Keep in mind that selfie camera is implemented on the bottom right corner, so you would want to hold the phone upside down to take portrait selfies. I realize that there is a "cafe" (where every thing is nuked) on the 9th floor of ACC's Pinnacle campus, then of course there are the McDonald's, Jersey Mike's, and so forth. however we don't want to enter all of that, right?

Fraxel laser skin resurfacing lovers are likely to be seeing and listening to extra for the Starlux 1540, Starlux 2940, Fraxel Repair, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and Fractional Pores and skin Rejuvenation . So, it’s good to quite a couple of homework which dining establishments are doing this sort of. Some argue it is simply pretty much as good because the fancy Starbuck model. Although many households of children from early on acknowledged the significance of beginning to drink milk, but the face of an array of many milk drinks, in the long run the parents how to know and deal with it? Updated on August 20, 2014 RuthCoffee moreContact Author What's the Affect of Advertising in your Kids? There's a great deal of proof that the CIA individuals who worked with the Bay of Pigs Cuban-Individuals shared with them an intense hatred of Kennedy. Individuals used to wrap a chunk of cover and tie it with a leather thong round their ft, in the center ages. see I sat oogling at all the goodies on their intensive multi-paged menu and already knew that whatever I ordered have to be a small enough portion to have the ability to get pleasure from a giant piece of cheesecake at the top. But some time in the past the republisher began reselling digital PDFs of them, and made a small fortune.

From a small sandwich store additionally known for its massive, thick cookies, it is expanded to a sequence of bakery cafes in 4 states with soups, salads, sandwiches, espresso and teas and, after all, baked goods. Most parts of the nation is still undiscovered by the outside world. That's round bread with olive oil covered on, plus spice and honey, and baked on the stone. Olive Backyard is a subsidiary of Darden Eating places. Dropping weight is a really serious subject material and you must take correct steps to take care of your physique. I thought jack in the field's saying is, "we do not make it til you order it!" CLEARLY not the case at this jack within the field. JACK stock value traded with surging change along with the amount zero.55 million shares in Tuesday trading session. Refrigerate for at the least half-hour before serving. But these were virtually stale and I don't see myself ever getting them again.

0 notes

junker-town · 7 years

Text

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by their 2017 Rookie of the Year candidates

Leonard Fournette is an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but he’s got plenty of competition.

This year’s draft dropped a banner class of running backs, receivers, and defensive backs into the NFL. Headliners like Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, and Deshaun Watson will all make their pro debuts this fall, carrying massive expectations with them. The result could be the tightest Rookie of the Year race in league history.

Two running backs jumped into this year’s top 10 picks. They were flanked by a trio of top 10 wideouts. The pool of cornerback and safety help was so deep that first-round talents languished long into Day 2 of the draft.

Only two can follow in Dak Prescott’s and Joey Bosa’s footsteps and win the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, though.

This isn’t a list of each team’s best rookie, but rather a look at the most likely award winner from the draft class of 2017. No offensive lineman has ever won the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. There’s more diversity on the defensive side, where linebacker is the most common recipient but every standard position from tackle to safety has earned the honor at least once.

Here’s a look at the rookies on each team likely to make a big splash — on the field and with voters — this season.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette

Jacksonville needs a big-time running presence after T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory disappointed last season. The Jaguars will get it in Fournette, the early frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The burly tailback isn’t just hype — he can back it up. He came to LSU as the nation’s top recruit and promptly ran for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. He nearly doubled that yardage in 2015 before injuries cut his final season in the NCAA short.

2. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey’s ability to contribute as a versatile tailback and kick returner made him one of college football’s most valuable players. He gained more than 6,000 all-purpose yards in his final two seasons at Stanford, proving himself an asset as a runner and receiver. That’s great news for Cam Newton, who needs all the playmaking support he can get after last year’s 6-10 season.

3. Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson

All Watson did at Clemson was win, playing in two national championship games and earning a College Football Playoff title in January. The question now is whether he can scale that success up to the NFL. Houston will give him several opportunities to thrive, surrounding him with offensive talent and a quarterback competition that requires him to beat out Tom Savage to earn a starting role.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook

The Adrian Peterson era is over in Minnesota. In 2017, the Dalvin Cook era begins. Cook was prolific at Florida State, setting a program record with 4,464 rushing yards in three seasons with the Seminoles. Character concerns and a deep running back class dropped him to the second round, where he’ll be counted on to improve a rushing attack ranked dead last in the NFL in yards per attempt last season.

5. Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis

The Titans needed an undisputed No. 1 wideout, and spent the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft to get one. Davis was spectacular at Western Michigan, putting up big numbers against MAC opponents and performing well in non-conference games against the Big Ten. Injuries kept him from much of the pre-draft workout tour, but he’ll be healthy and have plenty to prove for Tennessee when the season begins.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Mixon

John Ross was the team’s premier pick at No. 9 overall, but it’s Mixon who has the chance to earn the unquestioned top role in the Bengals offense. Ross will team with A.J. Green to give Cincinnati an explosive passing attack, while Mixon could earn the team’s starting running back spot if he outplays Gio Bernard (3.8 yards per carry in 2016) and Jeremy Hill (3.7). That’s a big opportunity for Mixon, who will also have to prove he can keep his nose clean off the field after punching a woman while a student-athlete at Oklahoma.

7. Green Bay Packers: Jamaal Williams

Williams is one of three rookie tailbacks who could rise into a starting role with the Packers this fall. Green Bay drafted Williams out of BYU in the fourth round, then added Aaron Jones and Devante Mays to bolster its offense’s weakest position. Williams ran for 1,375 yards as a senior and showed off capable hands in his early NCAA seasons, recording 27 receptions as a freshman. He’ll have the chance to unseat Ty Montgomery as the team’s starting running back.

8. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett

The Browns are loaded with rookie talent for 2017, with Garrett headlining a class that includes Jabrill Peppers, David Njoku, and DeShone Kizer. The freakish athlete will be a terror as an edge rusher in the NFL, and if he can replicate the sack numbers from his final season at Texas A&M, he’ll have a great opportunity to take home some hardware at the end of the year.

9. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky

Chicago paid out the nose for the opportunity to draft a passer with just one season of starting experience under his belt. The Bears gave up three draft picks to move from No. 3 to No. 2 overall to select Trubisky, who stood out as a third-team All-ACC pick at North Carolina. He’ll have to outplay Mike Glennon to earn a spot behind center, but since the former Buccaneer has only thrown 11 passes the past two seasons, there’s a good chance the rookie can rise to the top of the depth chart.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard

Howard’s collegiate hype was based more potential than production, but his combine numbers were a showcase of the kind of athleticism that will make him a matchup nightmare in the NFL. The Alabama tight end maxed out at 602 receiving yards in a season, but his 4.5-second 40 time and ability to make quick cuts downfield give him the potential to do much more. Cameron Brate’s breakout 2016 season with the Bucs suggests Tampa will find more ways to utilize its athletic tight end than the Crimson Tide ever did.

11. New York Giants: Evan Engram

Eli Manning will get another weapon to pair with Odell Beckham Jr. in Engram, a converted wide receiver who brings great speed and hands to the tight end position. Engram won’t be a plus blocker in his first pro season, but he can wreak havoc up the seam. He had 926 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his final season with Ole Miss.

12. Buffalo Bills: Zay Jones

Robert Woods, the Bills’ top receiver in 2016, maxed out at 613 yards — good for No. 71 in the league. Woods has since departed for Los Angeles, and while Sammy Watkins will return, constant questions about his health cloud his future with the team. Enter Jones, who was second among FBS receivers with 1,746 yards last fall. Jones has a steep learning curve after going from East Carolina to the AFC East, but should immediately slide into a starting role in Buffalo.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas

Thomas, who gets his quick feet from Irish step dancing in his teens, is a versatile defensive end who can scramble passers and tailbacks with equal aplomb. He’s a big presence who can record the kind of sack numbers to sway voters this season. San Francisco’s rebuilding defensive depth chart should afford him plenty of pass-rushing chances.

14. New York Jets: Jamal Adams

New York got a bargain when Adams, who was projected to be a top-three pick, fell all the way to No. 6. He’ll have the opportunity to contribute immediately for a team caroming deep into the valley of a long rebuild. He could be the brightest spot on a bad Jets team in 2017.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt

The Toledo back is facing a major jump in competition, but stood out as one of the nation’s most explosive — and inconsistent — runners in college. Hunt failed to follow up on an incredible sophomore campaign in which he ran for more than 1,600 yards and eight yards per carry, but his 2016 proved he can be a versatile addition after making 41 catches out of the backfield. That’ll be useful for a Chiefs team with conservative quarterback Alex Smith behind center for at least one more season.

16. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara

The Saints have a pair of first-round picks who could make an immediate impact with cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, but Kamara plays a position RoY voters typically give preference to. The former Tennessee talent is a dynamic threat out of the backfield as both a runner and receiver, and he’ll have plenty of opportunity to shine in a New Orleans offense known for taking off the restrictor plates and letting it fly.

17. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick

Reddick went from unranked walk-on college prospect to one of the nation’s most productive linebackers, recording 9.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in his senior season at Temple. He also lit up the NFL Combine, putting up running back-style numbers at the event. His combination of athleticism, strength, and ability to grow will help him make an instant impact in his first season with the Cardinals.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett

The Eagles used a fourth-round pick on diminutive but uber-productive tailback Donnel Pumphrey, and while he’ll have the chance to make plays from the backfield, Barnett should be the headliner of the team’s rookie class. The athletic defensive end is a powerful edge rusher who can turn the corner and harass quarterbacks at the next level. A handful of sacks and pressures will sway voters in his favor.

19. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker

Indianapolis got a top-five talent all the way at No. 15 after injuries and questions about his experience made the Ohio State safety a draft bargain. Hooker made an impact in just his second active season with the Buckeyes, hauling in seven interceptions and displaying the range that should make him a dynamic safety in the NFL.

20. Baltimore Ravens: Tim Williams

The Ravens reloaded their defense with a handful of high-ceiling picks, including two outside linebackers who have All-Pro potential. Houston’s Tyus Bowser and Alabama’s Williams each starred on successful college teams and should put up significant numbers in their first season in the NFL — that is, as long as they don’t cancel each other out on the Baltimore depth chart.

21. Washington: Jonathan Allen

Allen was another major draft discount, as lingering shoulder issues forced the disruptive Alabama lineman to slide all the way to No. 17. Allen’s flexibility in the trenches and ability to get to the quarterback from anywhere — he had 22.5 sacks his final two seasons with the Tide -- will make him a valuable asset in the NFL, as long as he can stay healthy.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams

The only reason Williams is this far down on the list is his health — a herniated disk could cost him his rookie season. But if Williams is able to get back on the field without missing much or any time, he’s got a good chance of putting up big numbers (after all, Joey Bosa missed the first four games for the Chargers and took home Defensive Player of the Year honors last season). Philip Rivers might be nearing the end of his career, but he was still fifth in the league last year with 4,386 passing yards, and he turned little-known wideout Tyrell Williams into a 1,000-yard wideout. Mike Williams had 1,361 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at Clemson.

23. Denver Broncos: Jake Butt

The Broncos have had a hole at tight end since Julius Thomas departed for Jacksonville. Enter Butt, a fifth-round pick with second-round talent who is coming off a torn ACL. If he’s healthy this season, he’ll be a valuable safety net for a team with two young quarterbacks, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch.

24. Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay

Golladay only played two seasons at Northern Illinois, but was one of the league’s top producers of MACtion in that span. He caught 160 passes for nearly 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Huskies. At 6’4, he’ll be a big target for Matthew Stafford, who played his way into MVP consideration last fall before a finger injury sapped his effectiveness.

25. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris

Harris’s pass-rushing ability has the Dolphins hoping he can be Cameron Wake’s successor. While Miami is in solid shape at defensive end with Wake and William Hayes as potential starting bookends, they’ve got a combined 67 years of life between them. That means Harris will have the opportunity to work his way through the rotation and into the starting lineup as long as he proves capable of finding NFL quarterbacks.

26. Oakland Raiders: Obi Melifonwu

Melifonwu and Gareon Conley are two high-profile picks who can overhaul the Oakland secondary, but the former UConn safety gets the early nod here thanks to his remarkable athleticism and Conley’s injury concerns. Melifonwu burned down the combine with some of the finest numbers every recorded. He’s still growing as a player, but his ability to contribute as a center fielder and special teamer will turn heads in 2017.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley

McKinley will instantly beef up an Atlanta defense that gelled throughout the team’s run in the playoffs. He’s explosive off the line, driving through gaps to make plays in the backfield — as evidenced by his 18 tackles for loss in 11 games in his final season at UCLA. He and Dontari Poe should immediately improve the Falcons’ defensive line, and some gaudy sack numbers could make him a DRoY candidate.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton

Chidobe Awuzie is a rangy cornerback with great tackling skills, but his pedestrian interception numbers could keep voters from recognizing him. Enter Charlton, who showed strong improvement throughout his college career before landing as Dallas’s first-round pick this spring. At 6’6 and 280 pounds, he’s a beast who can use that leverage to confuse blockers and attack quarterbacks.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt

JuJu Smith-Schuster has the talent to thrive in the NFL, but he’ll be staring up the depth chart at Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Sammie Coates as a rookie. As a result, Watt appears the most likely candidate to make a splash in 2017. He’s got name value thanks to older brother J.J., but his resume at the University of Wisconsin paints him as a high-level pass rusher — 11.5 sacks in his lone season as a starter last year.

30. Seattle Seahawks: Amara Darboh

Darboh was an efficient and dependable wideout for the Michigan Wolverines, and he’ll join a Seattle depth chart that will offer him opportunities as a rookie. The Seahawks need a clear WR2 to step up behind Doug Baldwin, and while Darboh isn’t an explosive athlete, he’s steady enough to fill that role on a team in need of aerial targets.

31. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp

Kupp is the most prolific receiver in NCAA history, but after dominating FCS opponents through four seasons at Eastern Washington, he has to prove he can get open against NFL defensive backs. He’ll have his work cut out — the Rams ranked No. 31 in passing offense in 2016.

32. New England Patriots: Derek Rivers

Bill Belichick’s push to add young veterans in exchange for draft considerations left his team without a pick until the third round, but the Patriots still may have come away with a top-tier talent in defensive end/linebacker Rivers. He had 15 sacks in 16 games last season for Youngstown State, which despite its FCS status played a lineup of solid teams. He’ll have the chance to contribute right away thanks to his ability to rush the passer — one of New England’s few weaknesses in 2016 — but he’ll face a steep learning curve in the jump going from facing Duquesne to the Steelers.

0 notes

matteorossini · 7 years

Text

Is "Allostasis" The Brain's Essential Function?

A paper just published in Nature Human Behaviour makes some big claims about the brain. It’s called Evidence for a large-scale brain system supporting allostasis and interoception in humans, but how much is evidence and how much is speculation?

The authors, Ian R. Kleckner and colleagues of Northeastern University, argue that a core function of the brain is allostasis, which they define as the process by which the brain “efficiently maintains energy regulation in the body”. Allostasis entails “anticipating the body’s energy needs [and] preparing to meet those needs before they arise.” Kleckner et al. point to “physical movements to cool the body’s temperature before it gets too hot” as one example of allostasis.

A concept closely related to allostasis is interoception, the process by which the brain receives information about the body’s internal state from sensory nerves inside the body.

While allostasis and interoception are not new ideas, Kleckner et al. go into novel territory by arguing that allostasis is a fundamental process in the brain. All kinds of ‘higher’ brain functions, such as memory, cognition, and decision-making, “rely on” allostasis, according to this paper. The authors say that the evidence for this lies in the fact that widespread neural circuits are functionally connected with brain areas involved in allostasis:

Our work demonstrates a single brain system that supports not just allostasis but also a wide range of psychological phenomena (emotions, memory, decision-making, pain) that can all be explained by their reliance on allostasis… a highly connected functional ensemble for integrating information across the brain, with interoceptive and allostatic information at its core.

It’s a big idea, and I think we need those in neuroscience, but in my view, Kleckner et al. provide little evidence for the existence of a widespread “allostasis-interoception” system in the brain, or for the idea that allostasis underlies other cognitive functions.

The core of Kleckner et al.’s argument is the idea of a structurally and functionally interconnected set of brain regions. These regions include the dorsal mid and dorsal posterior insula (dmIns/dpIns), the ventral anterior insula (vaIns), the subgenual and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex ( sgACC and pACC) and anterior midcingulate (aMCC also known as dorsal ACC). Many of these regions are also connected with subcortical structures, including the hypothalamus and various brain stem nuclei.

This connectivity is the basis for their centerpiece Figure 2, based on anatomical studies (tract-tracing) of structural connections in primates, and resting state fMRI studies in humans:

My concern here is not with the figure, but with the caption. Granted that these regions are all interconnected, why should we label them as “the unified allostasis/interoceptive system”? The argument is that some of the brain areas in the network have well-known roles in interoception (e.g. the dmIns/dpIns) and in allostasis (e.g. parts of the hypothalamus and brain stem nuclei.) But I find this logic questionable.

Just because some of the brain areas in a network have a particular function, doesn’t mean the whole network is based around that function. Take that logic to its extreme, and you could say that the entire brain (which is all interconnected) has any function you choose. Perhaps my brain is a network for controlling my left thumb. For another thing, the argument is based on reverse inference.

I’m likewise not sure about Kleckner et al.’s argument that two much-studied functional brain networks, the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network, are in fact aspects of the allostasis system. This claim is based on the fact that their fMRI connectivity patterns overlap with that of the ‘allostais network’, but couldn’t this same logic be applied in reverse? Couldn’t we equally well say that the ‘allostasis network’ is actually an aspect of salience network?

Where’s the evidence that any of this connectivity is linked to actual cognition or behaviour? Kleckner et al. report that fMRI connectivity between two allostasis network regions, the aMCC and dpIns, predicts the degree to which people’s subjective feelings of arousal correspond to their objective skin conductance response (SCRs) while watching emotionally evocative photos (n=41).

As the dpIns is thought to be an interoceptive region, this result is consistent with the idea that the aMCC is involved in turning interoception into conscious emotional experience. But that’s a pretty limited result; it’s just two brain regions, and says little about the broader “unified allostasis/interoceptive system” which is the subject of the paper.

So overall I don’t think there’s that much evidence here, certainly not enough to support Kleckner et al.’s suggestion that allostasis is the very purpose of all brains:

Perhaps most importantly, the allostatic–interoceptive system has been shown to have a role in a wide range of psychological phenomena, suggesting that allostasis and interoception are fundamental features of the nervous system… evidence suggests that brains did not evolve for rationality, happiness or accurate perception… the brain evolved to regulate allostasis.

There’s also no evidence presented in this paper which bears on the question of how the brain regulates allostasis. Kleckner et al. refer to the concept of predictive coding, and they refer to their overall hypothesis as the EPIC model (Embodied Predictive Interoception Coding). However, nothing in this paper examined predictive coding. The authors say that more studies to test EPIC are on the way.

Overall, this paper feels like two articles grafted together: an experimental paper (the n=41 study) with interesting, but fairly limited results; and a speculative review paper about an allostatic-interoceptive theory of brain function.

As hypothesis, the ideas in this paper are certainly interesting. But to say that the data in this paper is evidence for the presented hypothesis is a stretch, in my view.

Ian R. Kleckner and the paper’s senior author, Lisa Feldman Barrett, kindly commented on a draft of this post. Here’s what they said:

We do think that you are perhaps misunderstanding one important point of the paper when you write:

“Just because some of the brain areas in a network have a particular function, doesn’t mean the whole network is based around that function”

Neuroscientists have a habit of naming a network/system in line with their own interests. The default mode and salience networks have more aliases than Sherlock Holmes. In this paper, we highlight the domain general nature of these networks (see our Figure 5) but we also show that they interface with the body in important ways that are overlooked. This offers new insights and opens new questions for understanding, say, the role of interoception in memory, the role of concepts to be able to contribute to allostasis, and so on. Some of these topics are discussed in Lisa’s book, How Emotions Are Made, which you can read about here.

We never claimed that default mode/salience network functions are based around any single function. When a particular collection of neurons fires in synchrony, meaning they are interconnected and serving a unified function, this does not mean that the network serves only that function, or even primarily that function. The whole point of the paper is to show that whatever else these networks are doing in a given instance (memory, concept formation, perception, etc.) they are also regulating allostasis and representing interoception. The paper builds off other papers we have written that make a similar point – see 1. 2. 3.

The paper is not claiming that allostasis and interoception are the only functions of this network, or even the primary functions of this network. Such approaches to localization are inconsistent with our understanding of neural function. Default mode and salience networks are domain general in their function. And allostasis/interoception is part of the repertoire of those networks. It is not that these neurons sometimes do allostasis and sometimes do memory (or another psychological function). The point is that while they contribute to memory, to representing concepts, to language, and so on, they appear to simultaneously and always contribute to allostasis (your autonomic nervous system, immune system, and neuroendocrine systems are never off).

On pages 6 and 7 of our paper, we write “The fact that default mode and salience networks are concurrently regulating and representing the internal milieu, while they are routinely engaged in a wide range of tasks spanning cognitive, perceptual and emotion domains, all of which involve value-based decision-making and actions, suggests a provocative hypothesis for future research: whatever other psychological functions the default mode and salience networks are performing during any given brain state, they are simultaneously maintaining or attempting to restore allostasis and are integrating sensory representations of the internal milieu with the rest of the brain….whatever else your brain is doing — thinking, feeling, perceiving, moving — it is also regulating your autonomic nervous system, your immune system and your endocrine system.”

Allostatic changes always have sensory (interoceptive) consequences, and therefore interoception proceeds while you are remembering, making decisions, perceiving the world, and so on. Again, from page 7 of our paper, “Perhaps the most valuable aspect of our findings is in moving beyond traditional domain-specific or ‘modular’ views of brain structure/function relationships”.

Kleckner, I., Zhang, J., Touroutoglou, A., Chanes, L., Xia, C., Simmons, W., Quigley, K., Dickerson, B., & Feldman Barrett, L. (2017). Evidence for a large-scale brain system supporting allostasis and interoception in humans Nature Human Behaviour, 1 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-017-0069

from Latest Blogs http://ift.tt/2pec80W via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Feedly

0 notes

edgysocial · 7 years

Text

New Post has been published on http://edgysocial.com/nfl-says-anti-lgbtq-bill-could-cost-texas-future-super-bowls/

NFL Says Anti-LGBTQ Bill Could Cost Texas Future Super Bowls

function onPlayerReadyVidible(e)'undefined'!=typeof HPTrack&&HPTrack.Vid.Vidible_track(e)!function(e,i)if(e.vdb_Player)if('object'==typeof commercial_video)var a='',o='m.fwsitesection='+commercial_video.site_and_category;if(a+=o,commercial_video['package'])var c='&m.fwkeyvalues=sponsorship%3D'+commercial_video['package'];a+=ce.setAttribute('vdb_params',a)i(e.vdb_Player)elsevar t=arguments.callee;setTimeout(function()t(e,i),0)(document.getElementById('vidible_1'),onPlayerReadyVidible);

The NFL took a strong stand Friday against proposed legislation in Texas that would prevent transgender people from using public restrooms that match their gender identity, saying the bill could potentially keep the state from hosting future Super Bowls.

“If a proposal that is discriminatory or inconsistent with our values were to become law (in Texas), that would certainly be a factor considered when thinking about awarding future events,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Houston Chronicle on Friday, just days after Houston hosted Super Bowl LI.

“The NFL embraces inclusiveness,” McCarthy said. “We want all fans to feel welcomed at our events, and NFL policies prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard.”

The Texas legislation ― known officially as the Texas Privacy Act, or SB6 ― was introduced in January and is similar to a law passed last year in North Carolina. That law cost North Carolina multiple high-profile sporting events: the NBA pulled its All-Star Game out of Charlotte, while the NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference each moved several championship events ― including NCAA Tournament games and the ACC’s football title game ― out of North Carolina.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed interest in bringing the Super Bowl back to Arlington’s AT&T Stadium when the next round of bidding begins. Jones has also said he wants to bring the NFL Draft to a new Cowboys facility in Frisco.

The legislation could complicate those plans. A Cowboys spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the legislation or its potential effect on Jones’ desire to host those events.

Texas is also scheduled to host multiple major NCAA and Big XII conference events over the next two years.

Dallas will host the 2017 women’s basketball Final Four in April and early-round men’s NCAA Tournament games in 2018. San Antonio will host the 2018 men’s basketball Final Four. AT&T Stadium will host the Big XII Conference’s football championship later this year, and the NCAA and Big XII also regularly hold championship events for other sports in the state.

The Big XII office is “tracking” the legislation “and will discuss [it] with our membership at an appropriate time,” Bob Burda, the Big XII associate commissioner for communications, said in an email Friday.

It is likely too late to alter plans for major events scheduled for this spring. It is unclear how the legislation, should it pass, would affect the NCAA’s future plans.

The NCAA last year began requiring prospective host cities to fill out a survey that included questions about how they would protect students, fans and players from discrimination during and around events.

This week, the North Carolina Sports Association, a nonprofit group that promotes sports and recreation in the state, urged lawmakers there to repeal its version of the law in order to attract sporting events back to Charlotte and other North Carolina cities. The NCAA is currently considering host sites for championship events through 2022, and the failure to repeal the law, the North Carolina Sports Association warned, could cost the state NCAA events for the next six years.

Asked about the Texas legislation, an NCAA spokesperson reiterated the message it sent in response to the North Carolina Sports Association letter, saying that it has not yet determined future championship sites but expects to in April. North Carolina, the spokesperson noted, remains the only state where the NCAA has moved events due to discrimination concerns.

None of Texas’ three NBA teams are scheduled to host the league’s All-Star Game in the coming years. But the NBA’s stance on North Carolina’s law ― it has said it won’t return to Charlotte as long as it remains in effect ― means that approval of the anti-transgender bill would likely also doom the prospects of the event returning to Texas at any point in the foreseeable future.

Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick (R) and the 14 Republicans sponsoring the bill this week vowed to push forward with SB6, over the objections of business leaders within the state. On Monday, Patrick dismissed those objections as “fear-mongering.”

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Business – The Huffington Post

#AntiLGBTQ #Bill #Bowls #Cost #Could #Future #says #Super #Texas #Business & Money

0 notes