National Alliance for Hispanic Health Praises Enactment of the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — «E-cigarette sales are driving a youth tobacco tipping point. But we now have new tools to protect youth and support parents frustrated by the targeting of their children and the ease of purchasing e-cigarettes online,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

Yesterday, with signing of the 2021…

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — «E-cigarette sales are driving a youth tobacco tipping point. But we now have new tools to protect youth and support parents frustrated by the targeting of their children and the ease of purchasing e-cigarettes online,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

Yesterday, with signing of the 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act becoming law. The new law will apply the same safeguards already in place for traditional cigarettes to online sales of electronic cigarettes and vapor products, including age ID requirements.

With vaping linked to substantially increased risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults, it is more important than ever to have all tools necessary to reverse rates of vaping among youth. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among high school and middle school youth, including Hispanic youth. Online sales are a critical component of reversing e-cigarette use for youth as online and mobile advertising platforms are popular places for e-cigarette advertising, including ads for flavored products appealing to youth, and a majority (63.2%) of internet vendors could not effectively verify age or made no attempt at all to verify.

«We applaud Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate and Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) in the House for their introduction and tireless work to bring about passage of this bipartisan legislation to protect children and families,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us at www.healthyamericas.org

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

National Alliance for Hispanic Health Praises Enactment of the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — «E-cigarette sales are driving a youth tobacco tipping point. But we now have new tools to protect youth and support parents frustrated by the targeting of their children and the ease of purchasing e-cigarettes online,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

Yesterday, with signing of the 2021 Omnibus…

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — «E-cigarette sales are driving a youth tobacco tipping point. But we now have new tools to protect youth and support parents frustrated by the targeting of their children and the ease of purchasing e-cigarettes online,» said Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

Yesterday, with signing of the 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act becoming law. The new law will apply the same safeguards already in place for traditional cigarettes to online sales of electronic cigarettes and vapor products, including age ID requirements.

With vaping linked to substantially increased risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults, it is more important than ever to have all tools necessary to reverse rates of vaping among youth. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among high school and middle school youth, including Hispanic youth. Online sales are a critical component of reversing e-cigarette use for youth as online and mobile advertising platforms are popular places for e-cigarette advertising, including ads for flavored products appealing to youth, and a majority (63.2%) of internet vendors could not effectively verify age or made no attempt at all to verify.

«We applaud Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate and Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) in the House for their introduction and tireless work to bring about passage of this bipartisan legislation to protect children and families,» concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us at www.healthyamericas.org

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-alliance-for-hispanic-health-praises-enactment-of-the-preventing-online-sales-of-e-cigarettes-to-children-act-301198849.html

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Joseph fue adquirida por Urban Home Entertainment para su distribución en video bajo demanda en todo el mundo

RICHMOND, Virginia, 28 de diciembre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – <a target="_blank"…

RICHMOND, Virginia, 28 de diciembre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Soulidifly Productions, una compañía cinematográfica cuya misión es producir historias significativas y edificantes que sean entretenidas y estén bellamente narradas, se ha asociado con TRIAL X FIRE, LLC, la rama de distribución de Urban Home Entertainment, para lanzar Joseph al público en todo el mundo en video bajo demanda partir del 24 de diciembre de 2020, en Amazon Prime y Vimeo.

La película, Joseph, se alinea con el "Año del Retorno" (2019) y la "Década del Retorno" (2020-2030) que expresan actualmente los líderes africanos y las personas influyentes a nivel global a medida que más personas buscan respuestas en el presente buscando pistas del pasado. Es el ganador del premio a la "Mejor película narrativa de la diáspora" de 2020 en los Premios de la Academia de Cine de África. Ha sido respaldada y apoyada por los gobiernos de Ghana, Jamaica y Barbados e incluida en el "Año del retorno" de la Autoridad de Turismo de Ghana". (PRNewsfoto/Soulidifly Productions)

«Joseph brindará a los espectadores una comprensión más profunda de cómo la búsqueda de la verdad puede ser sanadora, especialmente en tiempos de disturbios sociales y políticos», dijo BK Fulton, presidente fundador y director ejecutivo de Soulidifly Productions. «Esta película se alinea con el «Año del Retorno» de 2019 y la «Década del Retorno» que expresan actualmente los líderes africanos y las personas influyentes a nivel mundial a medida que más personas buscan respuestas en el presente al buscar pistas del pasado».

Joseph, filmada en Ghana, Jamaica y Barbados y producida por Step by Step Productions con la asistencia de Soulidifly Productions, fue galardonada con el premio a la «Mejor película narrativa de la diáspora» de 2020 en los Premios de la Academia de Cine de África. Joseph es un largometraje dramático sobre Joseph King, un joven médico jamaiquino que tiene el ardiente deseo de volver a conectarse con las raíces de su familia; con la tribu Ashanti en Ghana. La búsqueda de la «vuelta a casa» crea conflictos familiares. La curiosidad de Joseph por África es alimentada aún más por un amigo de la escuela de medicina, que se jactaba de su tierra natal, Ghana. Sus historias contradicen lo que Joseph escucha y ve sobre África en los medios. Una grave tragedia, un encuentro casual y una promesa incumplida llevan a Joseph a un destino incierto. 

Puede acceder al tráiler: https://www.soulidifly.com/joseph

Joseph ha sido respaldada y apoyada por los gobiernos de Ghana, Jamaica y Barbados y fue incluida en el «Año del retorno» de la Autoridad de Turismo de Ghana«. La película se estrenó en cines en Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica y otras islas del Caribe, y en Estados Unidos en cines seleccionados de AMC a principios de este año.

Dirigida por Marcia Weekes y coescrita por Weekes y Delphine Itambi de la República de Camerún, la película incluye actores y artistas caribeños/africanos. 

Acerca de Soulidifly Productions
Fundada en 2017, Soulidifly cuenta las historias de personas multiétnicas y multigeneracionales en varios segmentos de la vida, experiencias y épocas. https://www.soulidifly.com/

Acerca de Trial X Fire, LLC
Una marca de distribución de Urban Home Entertainment, TRIAL X FIRE, LLC (TXF) es una empresa privada que se especializa en películas, televisión y programación musical. TrialxFire.com.

Contacto con los medios:
Windy Campbell
windy@soulidifly.com 
(804) 314-0205

Fotografía: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1392406/Soulidifly_Productions_Joseph_Movie_Poster.jpg

FUENTE Soulidifly Productions

CEO of Foundation for Climate Restoration and Dean of Thunderbird School of Global Management Applaud Congress’ Commitment to Carbon Removal in New $900 Billion Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The $900 billion coronavirus relief package, now signed into law, is providing critical support to families nationwide, and it will fund renewable energy measures, regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and most importantly, address «the magnitude of excess carbon dioxide» that already exists in our atmosphere. This excess carbon, known as «legacy CO2,» must be drawn down and permanently stored in order to stabilize the climate….

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The $900 billion coronavirus relief package, now signed into law, is providing critical support to families nationwide, and it will fund renewable energy measures, regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and most importantly, address «the magnitude of excess carbon dioxide» that already exists in our atmosphere. This excess carbon, known as «legacy CO2,» must be drawn down and permanently stored in order to stabilize the climate.

Rick Parnell, President and CEO of the Foundation for Climate Restoration, and Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, the Director-General and Dean of Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University – both co-founders of the Global Carbon Removal Task Force – are elated by this bold bipartisan commitment to dramatically scale the removal of legacy CO2, a critical third pillar of climate transformation alongside mitigation and adaptation. The fact that Democrats and Republicans came together to support these initiatives demonstrates the growing recognition that carbon dioxide removal is an essential component of our national climate strategy.

Present-day emissions represent only 5% of the carbon dioxide driving climate change. The other 95% comes from the trillion tons of excess carbon in our atmosphere that has accumulated since the Industrial Revolution. We must safely and permanently remove this excess carbon if we are to restore the climate to a livable state. This legislation brings us one step closer to restoring the climate for future generations.

«This bill includes many important measures that will assist carbon dioxide removal, as well as many other aspects of the clean energy transition,» said Steve Oldham, CEO, Carbon Engineering. «We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers in the coming year to further enhance the market for clean energy and carbon removal.»

The legislation includes $35 billion in clean energy spending and requires the U.S. to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas hundreds of times more potent than carbon dioxide. Alongside the direct spending commitments are a reauthorization and extension of tax credits for wind and solar energy. The most exciting – and most promising – element in the legislation is the commitment of $6 billion to restorative technologies, such as direct carbon capture and storage. This funding will accelerate the development of solutions designed to remove legacy carbon and return us to safe, pre-industrial levels, ensuring a habitable planet for future generations.

About Rick Parnell and the Foundation for Climate Restoration:

Rick Parnell is the President and CEO of the Foundation for Climate Restoration (F4CR), a non-profit dedicated to restoring the climate to ensure a habitable planet for future generations. Climate restoration, which must be done in conjunction with adaptation and mitigation, is the safe and permanent removal of the trillion tons of excess CO2 from our atmosphere. F4CR works with entrepreneurs, investors, companies, scientists, faith leaders, governments, NGOs, and citizens from around the world to advance the use of natural and technological solutions for permanent carbon removal. For more information, visit www.f4cr.org.

About Dean Sanjeev Khagram and Thunderbird School of Global Management

Dr. Sanjeev Khagram is a world-renowned expert in global leadership, the international political economy, sustainable development and the data revolution. Khagram is Director General and Dean of Thunderbird School of Global Management, a unit of the Arizona State University Enterprise, ASU Foundation Professor of Global Leadership, and a member of ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability’s board of directors. For 75 years, Thunderbird has been the vanguard of global management and leadership education, creating inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide by educating future-ready global leaders capable of tackling the world’s greatest challenges. Thunderbird’s Master of Global Management was ranked #1 in the world for 2019 by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. ASU is ranked No. 1 «Most Innovative School» in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for six years in succession.

Media Contacts:
Alexandra Pony
260828@email4pr.com 
250.858.0656

Jonathan Ward
260828@email4pr.com 
480.490.9773
480.354.6770

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ceo-of-foundation-for-climate-restoration-and-dean-of-thunderbird-school-of-global-management-applaud-congress-commitment-to-carbon-removal-in-new-900-billion-stimulus-package-301198779.html

SOURCE Foundation for Climate Restoration

Ellomay Capital Reports Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American: ELLO) (TASE: ELLO) («Ellomay« or the «Company«), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe and Israel, today reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended <span…

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American: ELLO) (TASE: ELLO) («Ellomay« or the «Company«), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe and Israel, today reported its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenues were approximately €6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues is mainly due to the sale of ten Italian indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, which held twelve photovoltaic plants in Italy with an aggregate installed capacity of approximately 22.6 MWp (the «Italian PV Portfolio«), consummated during December 2019. A small portion of the decrease in revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 resulted from the decrease in demand and prices of the European electricity markets due to the Covid-19 crisis, partially offset by increase in revenues in one of the Company’s biogas facilities in the Netherlands resulting from increased operational efficiency.
  • Operating expenses were approximately €3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in operating expenses is mainly attributable to the sale of the Italian PV Portfolio, to increased operational efficiency of the Company’s Waste-to-Energy projects in the Netherlands and to insurance reimbursement in connection with the storm damages in one of our biogas facilities in the Netherlands that reduced operating expenses. Depreciation expenses were approximately €2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease reflects the sale of the Italian PV Portfolio.
  • Project development costs were approximately €3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in project development costs is mainly due to a decrease in consultancy expenses in connection with the project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel, partially offset by consultancy expenses in connection with the development of photovoltaic projects in Italy.
  • General and administrative expenses were approximately €3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase is mostly due to D&O liability insurance costs.
  • Company’s share of profits of equity accounted investee, after elimination of intercompany transactions, was approximately €1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €2.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in the Company’s share of profit of equity accounted investee is mainly attributable to lower revenues of Dorad Energy Ltd. («Dorad«) as a result of a decrease in the TAOZ tariffs and a decrease in the production tariff, partially offset by lower financing expenses incurred by Dorad. for the period as a result of the CPI indexation of loans from banks.
  • Financing expenses, net was approximately €2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in financing expenses, net, was mainly due to income recorded in connection with the reevaluation of the Company’s derivative transactions and revaluation of a loan provided to U. Dori Energy Infrastructures Ltd.in the aggregate amount of approximately €1.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and a decrease in financing expenses of approximately €1.7 million resulting from the early repayment of the Company’s Series A Debentures and the sale of the Italian PV Portfolio, including all related project finance.
  • Taxes on income was approximately €0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to taxes on income of approximately €0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in tax expenses is mainly attributable to the sale of the Italian PV Portfolio and deferred tax income related to the operations of the project company constructing a photovoltaic plant with a peak capacity of 300MW in Spain, in which the Company holds 51%.
  • Net loss was approximately €5.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately €3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
  • Total other comprehensive loss was approximately €3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a profit of approximately €13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The change was mainly due to changes in fair value of cash flow hedges and from foreign currency translation differences on NIS denominated operations, as a result of fluctuations in the euro/NIS exchange rates.
  • Total comprehensive loss was approximately €2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to income of approximately €10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
  • EBITDA loss was approximately €(1) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to EBITDA of approximately €6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
  • Net cash used in operating activities was approximately €2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to net cash provided from operating activities of approximately €4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net cash from operating activities is mainly attributable to the sale of the Italian PV Portfolio.
  • On July 20, 2020, the Company issued 450,000 ordinary shares to several Israeli qualified investors in a private placement undertaken in accordance with Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price per share was set at NIS 70.5 (approximately €18.9). The gross proceeds to the Company in connection with the private placement amounted to approximately NIS 31.7 million (approximately €8.2 million).
  • On October 26, 2020, the Company completed a public offering in Israel of Series C Debenture and a of a new series of options, tradable on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares at an exercise price per share of NIS 150 (the «Series 1 Options«). The Company issued an aggregate principal amount of NIS 154 million (approximately €38.3 million based on the exchange rate as of September 30, 2020) of its Series C Debentures and 385,000 Series 1 Options. The gross proceeds from the offering amounted to approximately NIS 164.2 million (approximately €40.8 million based on the exchange rate as of September 30, 2020).
  • On December 1, 2020 the Company acquired all issued and outstanding shares of Groen Gas Gelderland B.V. («GG Gelderland«) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ellomay Luxembourg Holdings S.à.r.l. («Ellomay Luxembourg«) The Company paid €1.568 million for the shares and the repayment of shareholder loans. An additional shareholder loan of approximately €5.9 million was granted to GG Gelderland by Ellomay Luxembourg on December 1, 2020. The previous owners are entitled to receive an additional amount from the Dutch Government for subsidy payments. This amount is estimated at €0.493 million, but will be determined and paid before June 2021. The Company has no liability to compensate the previous owners if the Dutch government pays less than the estimated amount. GG Gelderland owns an operating anaerobic digestion plant in Gelderland, the Netherlands, with a permit that enables it to produce approximately 7.5 million Nm3 per year. The actual production capacity of the plant is approximately 9.5 million Nm3 per year.
  • As of December 1, 2020 , the Company held approximately €92.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately €2.2 million in marketable securities and approximately €9.8 million in restricted short-term and long-term cash and marketable securities.
  • As noted above, the revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were impacted by the decrease in demand and market prices of electricity in Spain resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Although the Company’s operations have not thus far been materially adversely affected by the pandemic, the Company’s operations, including, but not limited to, its results of operations, ability to raise capital and ability to develop new projects, may in the future be adversely affected by the implications of the spread of Covid-19 in Israel, Europe and worldwide. These potential affects could last until a vaccine or successful treatment plan are developed and implemented worldwide.

CEO Review

Ran Fridrich, CEO and a board member of the Company, provided the following CEO review:

«The Company continued coping with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic during the three months ended September 30, 2020, and despite such challenges, the Company continues in full steam advancing its development plans in Italy (P.V), Spain (P.V) and the Netherland (Biogas), and advancing towards grid connection of project Talasol (300 MW P.V in Spain).

The results of the third quarter were in-line with the Company’s expectations, reflecting the effects of the Company’s PV Italian portfolio sale on December 2019. The upcoming commencement of operations of Talasol will more than compensate for this loss of income.

During December 2020 the Company successfully finalized the acquisition of the Gelderland biogas project in the Netherlands, doubling the Company’s biogas capacity and enabling it to improve the efficiency and utilize the benefits provided by the size of the facilities and the expertise of its Dutch and Israeli teams. The third quarter also reflects the improvements and increased efficiency of the Company’s biogas facilities in the Netherlands, which are working in line with the Company’s production targets and business plan.

Last week Hemi Raphael, who was an active Board member of the Company from 2006 until recently, passed away. Hemi was instrumental in the success and development of the Company throughout the years, and contributed to every aspect of the Company’s business and operations, including the Company’s holdings in Dorad, the acquisition of the Company’s operating assets and the development of the Company’s long-term strategy. He will be greatly missed.»

Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures 

EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company presents this measure in order to enhance the understanding of the Company’s historical financial performance and to enable comparability between periods. While the Company considers EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account the Company’s commitments, including capital expenditures, and restricted cash and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. Not all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies. The Company’s EBITDA may not be indicative of the historic operating results of the Company; nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. A reconciliation between results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis is provided in the last table of this press release.

About Ellomay Capital Ltd. 

Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol «ELLO». Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe and Israel.

To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy and Spain, including:

  • Approximately 7.9MW of photovoltaic power plants in Spain and a photovoltaic power plant of approximately 9 MW in Israel;
  • 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 860MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
  • 51% of Talasol, which is involved in a project to construct a photovoltaic plant with a peak capacity of 300MW in the municipality of Talaván, Cáceres, Spain;
  • Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million (with a license to produce 7.5 million) Nm3 per year, respectively;
  • 75% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd. (including 6.67% that are held by a trustee in trust for us and other parties), which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel.

For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements.  The use of certain words, including the words «estimate,» «project,» «intend,» «expect,» «believe» and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations and projects, including in connection with steps taken by authorities in countries in which the Company operates, changes in the market price of electricity and in demand, regulatory changes, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, and technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Contact:
Kalia Weintraub 
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: kaliaw@ellomay.com

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

September 30,

December 31,

September 30,

2020

2019

2020

Unaudited

Audited

Unaudited

 

€ in thousands

Convenience
Translation
into US$ in
thousands*

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

53,989

44,509

63,164

Marketable securities

788

2,242

922

Short term deposits

7,949

6,446

9,300

Restricted cash

22,162

Receivable from concession project

1,460

1,463

1,708

Financial assets

1,418

Trade and other receivables

5,770

4,882

6,751

69,956

83,122

81,845

Non-current assets

Investment in equity accounted investee

32,172

33,561

37,640

Advances on account of investments

2,405

883

2,814

Receivable from concession project

24,735

27,122

28,939

Fixed assets

216,342

114,389

253,109

Right-of-use asset

16,892

15,401

19,763

Intangible asset

4,597

5,042

5,378

Restricted cash and deposits

10,561

10,956

12,356

Deferred tax

1,313

2,285

1,536

Long term receivables

3,338

12,249

3,905

Derivatives

12,451

5,162

14,567

324,806

227,050

380,007

Total assets

394,762

310,172

461,852

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities

Current maturities of long term bank loans**

10,396

4,138

12,163

Current maturities of long term loans**

4,866

5,693

Debentures

6,668

26,773

7,801

Trade payables

1,426

1,765

1,669

Other payables

6,065

5,010

7,096

29,421

37,686

34,422

Non-current liabilities

Lease liability

17,169

15,402

20,087

Liabilities to banks **

124,011

**40,805

145,087

Other long-term loans **

44,921

**48,377

52,555

Debentures

36,460

44,811

42,656

Deferred tax

6,737

6,467

7,882

Other long-term liabilities

1,236

1,795

1,446

Derivatives

8,523

7,263

9,971

239,057

164,920

279,684

Total liabilities

268,478

202,606

314,106

Equity

Share capital

25,102

21,998

29,368

Share premium

82,379

64,160

96,379

Treasury shares

(1,736)

(1,736)

(2,031)

Transaction reserve with non-controlling Interests

6,106

6,106

7,144

Reserves

4,077

3,283

4,770

Retained earnings

8,407

12,818

9,836

Total equity attributed to shareholders of the Company

124,335

106,629

145,466

Non-Controlling Interest

1,949

937

2,280

Total equity

126,284

107,566

147,746

Total liabilities and equity

394,762

310,172

461,852

* Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at September 30, 2020: euro 1 = US$ 1.17)

** Reclassified

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (in thousands, except per share data)

For the three
months ended
September 30,

For the nine
months ended

September 30,

For the year
ended
December 31,

For the nine
months ended
September 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

Unaudited

€ in thousands

€ in thousands

€ in thousands

Convenience
Translation into
US$*

Revenues

2,630

5,132

6,844

15,435

18,988

8,007

Operating expenses

(1,264)

(1,594)

(3,410)

(5,049)

(6,638)

(3,990)

Depreciation and amortization expenses

(797)

(1,671)

(2,244)

(4,714)

(6,416)

(2,625)

Gross profit

569

1,867

1,190

5,672

5,934

1,392

Project development costs

(674)

(757)

(3,012)

(3,471)

(4,213)

(3,524)

General and administrative expenses

(1,122)

(979)

(3,326)

(2,858)

(3,827)

(3,891)

Share of profits of equity accounted investee

1,055

2,351

1,905

2,382

3,086

2,229

Other income (expenses), net

(2,100)

Capital gain

18,770

Operating profit (loss)

(172)

2,482

(3,243)

1,725

17,650

(3,794)

Financing income

550

572

1,340

1,442

1,827

1,568

Financing income in connection with derivatives and
  warrants, net

433

535

1,532

995

897

1,792

Financing expenses

(2,164)

(2,592)

(5,162)

(7,049)

(10,877)

(6,039)

Financing expenses, net

(1,181)

(1,485)

(2,290)

(4,612)

(8,153)

(2,679)

Profit (loss) before taxes on income

(1,353)

997

(5,533)

(2,887)

9,497

(6,473)

Tax benefit (Taxes on income)

(72)

(399)

(160)

(913)

287

(187)

Profit (loss) for the period

(1,425)

598

(5,693)

(3,800)

9,784

(6,660)

Profit (loss) attributable to:

Owners of the Company

(940)

1,128

(4,411)

(1,623)

12,060

(5,160)

Non-controlling interests

(485)

(530)

(1,282)

(2,177)

(2,276)

(1,500)

Profit (loss) for the period

(1,425)

598

(5,693)

(3,800)

9,784

(6,660)

Other comprehensive income (loss) items that

after initial recognition in comprehensive

income (loss) were or will be transferred to profit or loss:

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations

(1,197)

2,091

(1,283)

3,464

2,768

(1,501)

Effective portion of change in fair value of cash flow hedges

12,942

13,383

3,653

12,624

411

4,274

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to
 profit or loss

528

(1,174)

718

(2,278)

(1,922)

840

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

12,273

14,300

3,088

13,810

1,257

3,613

Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

Owners of the Company

5,531

8,413

794

8,400

2,114

929

Non-controlling interests

6,742

5,887

2,294

5,410

(857)

2,684

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

12,273

14,300

3,088

13,810

1,257

3,613

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

10,848

14,898

(2,605)

10,010

11,041

(3,047)

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period
 attributable to:

Owners of the Company

4,591

9,541

(3,617)

6,777

14,174

(4,231)

Non-controlling interests

6,257

5,357

1,012

3,233

(3,133)

1,184

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period

10,848

14,898

(2,605)

10,010

11,041

(3,047)

Basic net earnings (loss) per share

(0.07)

0.10

(0.36)

(0.14)

1.09

(0.39)

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

(0.07)

0.10

(0.36)

(0.14)

1.09

(0.39)

* Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at September 30, 2020: euro 1 = US$ 1.17)

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (in thousands)

Non-

controlling

Total

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Interests

Equity

Retained

Translation

Transaction

earnings

reserve from

reserve with

Share

Share

(accumulated

Treasury

foreign

Hedging

non-controlling

Capital

Premium

deficit)

shares

operations

Reserve

Interests

Total

€ in thousands

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

Balance as at January 1, 2020

21,998

64,160

12,818

(1,736)

4,356

(1,073)

6,106

106,629

937

107,566

Loss for the period

(4,411)

(4,411)

(1,282)

(5,693)

Other comprehensive loss for the period

(1,393)

2,187

794

2,294

3,088

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(4,411)

(1,393)

2,187

(3,617)

1,012

(2,605)

Transactions with owners of the Company,
 recognized directly in equity:

Options exercise

20

20

20

Share-based payments

28

28

28

Issuance of ordinary shares

3,084

18,191

21,275

21,275

Balance as at September 30, 2020

25,102

82,379

8,407

(1,736)

2,963

1,114

6,106

124,335

1,949

126,284

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity (in thousands) (cont’d)

Non-

controlling

Total

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Interests

Equity

Retained

Translation

Transaction

earnings

reserve from

reserve with

Share

Share

(accumulated

Treasury

foreign

Hedging

non-controlling

capital

Premium

deficit)

shares

operations

Reserve

Interests

Total

€ in thousands

For the nine month ended September 30, 2019 (unaudited):

Balance as at January 1, 2019

19,980

58,344

758

(1,736)

1,396

(227)

78,515

(1,558)

76,957

Loss for the period

(1,623)

(1,623)

(2,177)

(3,800)

Other comprehensive loss for the period

3,701

4,699

8,400

5,410

13,810

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(1,623)

3,701

4,699

6,777

3,233

10,010

Transactions with owners of the Company,
 recognized directly in equity:

Sale of shares in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests

5,439

5,439

5,374

10,813

Buy of shares in subsidiaries from non-controlling interests

667

667

254

921

Share-based payments

3

3

3

Issuance of ordinary shares

2,010

5,797

7,807

7,807

Options exercise

8

11

19

19

Balance as at September 30, 2019

21,998

64,155

(865)

(1,736)

5,097

4,472

6,106

99,227

7,303

106,530

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity (in thousands) (cont’d)

Non-

controlling

Total

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Interests

Equity

Translation

Transaction

 

Share

 

Share

 

Retained

 

Treasury

Reserve from

foreign

 

Hedging

reserve with

non-controlling

capital

premium

earnings

shares

operations

Reserve

Interests

Total

in thousands

For the year ended  December 31, 2019 (audited):

Balance as at January 1, 2019

19,980

58,344

758

(1,736)

1,396

(227)

78,515

(1,558)

76,957

Profit (loss) for the year

12,060

12,060

(2,276)

9,784

Other comprehensive loss for the year

2,960

(846)

2,114

(857)

1,257

Total comprehensive loss for the year

12,060

2,960

(846)

14,174

(3,133)

11,041

Transactions with owners of the Company, 
 recognized directly in equity:

Sale of shares in subsidiaries to non-
 controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,439

 

5,439

 

5,374

 

10,813

Purchase of shares in subsidiaries from
 non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

667

 

667

 

254

 

921

Issuance of ordinary shares

2,010

5,797

7,807

7,807

Options exercise

8

11

19

19

Share-based payments

8

8

8

Balance as at December 31, 2019

21,998

64,160

12,818

(1,736)

4,356

(1,073)

6,106

106,629

937

107,566

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Equity (in thousands) (cont’d)

Non-

controlling

Total

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Interests

Equity

Retained

Translation

Transaction

earnings

reserve from

reserve with

Share

Share

(accumulated

Treasury

Foreign

Hedging

non-controlling

Capital

Premium

deficit)

Shares

operations

Reserve

Interests

Total

US$ in thousands*

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

Balance as at January 1, 2020

25,736

75,065

14,996

(2,031)

5,096

(1,255)

7,144

124,751

1,096

125,847

Loss for the period

(5,160)

(5,160)

(1,500)

(6,660)

Other comprehensive loss for the period

(1,630)

2,559

929

2,684

3,613

Total comprehensive loss for the period

(5,160)

(1,630)

2,559

(4,231)

1,184

(3,047)

Transactions with owners of the Company,
recognized directly in equity:

Options exercise

23

23

23

Share-based payments

33

33

33

Issuance of ordinary shares

3,609

21,281

24,890

24,890

Balance as at September 30, 2020

29,368

96,379

9,836

(2,031)

3,466

1,304

7,144

145,466

2,280

147,746

* Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at September 30, 2020: euro 1 = US$ 1.170)

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flow (in thousands)

For the three months
ended September 30
,

For the nine months
ended September 30
,

For the year
ended
December 31,

For the nine months
ended September 30

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

Unaudited

 

 

in thousands

Convenience

Translation into

US$*

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit (loss) for the period

(1,425)

598

(5,693)

(3,800)

9,784

(6,660)

Adjustments for:

Financing expenses, net

1,181

1,485

2,290

4,612

8,153

2,679

Capital gain

(18,770)

Depreciation and amortization

797

1,671

2,244

4,714

6,416

2,625

Share-based payment transactions

8

28

3

8

33

Share of profits of equity accounted investees 

(1,055)

(2,351)

(1,905)

(2,382)

(3,086)

(2,229)

Payment of interest on loan from an equity accounted investee

582

370

370

681

Change in trade receivables and other receivables

(858)

842

(731)

(902)

403

(855)

Change in other assets

618

(762)

384

(1,470)

(1,950)

449

Change in receivables from concessions project

519

483

1,223

1,129

1,329

1,431

Change in accrued severance pay, net

8

9

Change in trade payables

(304)

(651)

(339)

414

461

(397)

Change in other payables

469

1,636

837

2,690

5,336

979

Income tax expense (tax benefit)

72

399

160

913

(287)

187

Income taxes paid

(88)

(19)

(88)

(19)

(100)

(103)

Interest received

445

446

1,314

1,281

1,719

1,537

Interest paid

(728)

(582)

(2,581)

(3,237)

(6,083)

(3,020)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

(349)

3,195

(2,275)

4,324

3,712

(2,663)

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of fixed assets

(22,398)

(11,316)

(103,678)

(55,835)

(74,587)

(121,298)

Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

(1,000)

(1,000)

Proceeds from sale of investments

34,586

Compensation as per agreement with Erez Electricity Ltd.

1,418

1,659

Advances on account of investments in process

(1,554)

(1,554)

(1,818)

Repayment of loan by an equity accounted investee

1,923

2,250

Proceeds from settlement of derivatives, net

532

532

Proceeds (investment) in restricted cash, net

(230)

1,356

22,350

(3,863)

(26,003)

26,148

Investment in short term deposit

(1,407)

(6,302)

(1,407)

(6,302)

(6,302)

(1,646)

Proceeds in Marketable Securities

1,364

1,364

1,596

Repayment of loan to others

412

3,912

3,912

Net cash used in investing activities

(24,225)

(15,850)

(79,584)

(62,556)

(68,862)

(93,109)

Cash flows from financing activities

Issue of warrants

320

374

Sale of shares in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests

(126)

13,936

13,936

Acquisition of shares in subsidiaries from non-controlling interests

(2,961)

(2,961)

(2,961)

Proceeds from options

20

20

19

19

23

Cost associated with long term loans

(12,218)

Proceeds from long term loans

21,253

192

101,837

59,086

59,298

119,144

Repayment of long-term loans

38

(252)

(2,766)

(4,410)

(5,844)

(3,236)

Repayment of Debentures

(26,923)

(4,532)

(9,836)

(31,499)

Issuance of ordinary shares

8,087

7,807

21,275

7,807

7,807

24,891

Proceeds from issuance of Debentures, net

22,317

22,317

22,317

Net cash from financing activities

29,398

26,977

93,763

91,262

72,518

109,697

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents

(2,067)

951

(2,424)

896

259

(2,834)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

2,757

15,273

9,480

33,926

7,627

11,091

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

51,232

55,535

44,509

36,882

36,882

52,073

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

53,989

70,808

53,989

70,808

44,509

63,164

* Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at September 30, 2020: euro 1 = US$ 1.170)

 

 

 

Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Profit (Loss) to EBITDA (in thousands)

For the three

months ended

September 30,

For the nine

months ended

September 30,

For the year

ended

December 31,

For the nine

months ended

September 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

2019

2020

Unaudited

 

in thousands

Convenience

Translation into US$*

Profit (loss) for the period

(1,425)

598

(5,693)

(3,800)

9,784

(6,660)

Financing expenses, net

1,181

1,485

2,290

4,612

8,153

2,679

Taxes on income

72

399

160

913

(287)

187

Depreciation

797

1,671

2,244

4,714

6,416

2,625

EBITDA

625

4,153

(999)

6,439

24,066

(1,169)

* Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at September 30, 2020: euro 1 = US$ 1.170)

 

Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders

Pursuant to the Deeds of Trust governing the Company’s Series B and C Debentures (together, the «Debentures«), the Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants. For more information, see Item 5.B of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2020.

Net Financial Debt

As of September 30, 2020, the Company did not have a Net Financial Debt, as the calculation of Net Financial Debt (as such term is defined in the Deeds of Trust of the Company’s Debentures), resulted in a negative amount (i.e., an excess of assets over liabilities) of approximately €(19.3) million (consisting of approximately €194.1 million of short-term and long-term debt from banks and other interest bearing financial obligations and approximately €43.1 million in connection with the Series B Debentures issuance (in March 2017) and the Series C Debentures issuance (in July 2019), net of approximately €62.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits and marketable securities and net of approximately €193.8* million of project finance and related hedging transactions of the Company’s subsidiaries).

* The project finance amount deducted from the calculation of Net Financial Debt includes project finance obtained from various sources, including financing entities and the minority shareholders in project companies held by the Company (provided in the form of shareholders’ loans to the project companies).

Information for the Company’s Series B Debenture Holders

The following is an internal pro forma consolidated statement of financial position of the Company as at September 30, 2020. This information is required under the Series B Deed of Trust in connection with the adoption of IFRS 16 «Leases» by the Company and provides the consolidated statement of financial position of the Company as of the date set forth below after elimination of the effects of adoption of IFRS 16. Based on the pro forma statement of financial position, the ratio of the Company’s equity (which the Company calculated in line with the definition of Balance Sheet Equity in the Series B Deed of Trust) to balance sheet as at September 30, 2020 was 36.8%.

 

Unaudited Internal Pro Forma Statement of Financial Position

September 30,

2020

Unaudited

Pro Forma

€ in thousands

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

53,989

Marketable securities

788

Short term deposits

7,949

Restricted cash and marketable securities

481

Receivable from concession project

1,460

Financial assets

Trade and other receivables

5,770

70,437

Non-current assets

Investment in equity accounted investee

32,172

Advances on account of investments

2,405

Receivable from concession project

24,735

Fixed assets

216,342

Right-of-use asset

Intangible asset

4,597

Restricted cash and deposits

10,080

Deferred tax

1,313

Long term receivables

3,338

Derivatives

12,451

307,433

Total assets

377,870

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities

Current maturities of long term bank loans

10,396

Current maturities of long term loans

4,866

Debentures short term

6,668

Trade payables

1,426

Other payables

5,826

29,182

Non-current liabilities

Lease liability

Liabilities to banks

124,011

Long-term loans

44,921

Debentures long term

36,460

Deferred tax

6,846

Other long-term liabilities

1,236

Derivatives

8,523

221,997

Total liabilities

251,179

Equity

Share capital

25,102

Share premium

82,379

Treasury shares

(1,736)

Transaction reserve with non-controlling Interests

6,106

Reserves

4,077

Accumulated deficit

8,814

Total equity attributed to shareholders of the Company

124,742

Non-Controlling Interest

1,949

Total equity

126,691

Total liabilities and equity

377,870

 

Information for the Company’s Series C Debenture Holders

The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series C Debentures includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for two consecutive quarters is a cause for immediate repayment. As of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series C Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s shareholders’ equity was €126.3 million and (ii) the Company did not have a Net Financial Debt. In the event the Company does not have a Net Financial Debt the calculation of the two covenants that are based on Net Financial Debt (i.e., the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity plus the Net Financial Debt) and the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA(1)), becomes irrelevant and the Company is therefore in compliance with such covenants.

______________________________________________

(1) The term «Adjusted EBITDA» is defined in the Series C Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef project, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments. The Series C Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series C Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under «Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures.»

The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s profit and the Adjusted EBITDA for the four-quarter period ended September 30, 2020*:

For the four quarter

 period ended

 September 30,

2020

Unaudited

in thousands

Profit for the period

7,891

Financing expenses, net

5,831

Taxes on income

(1,040)

Depreciation

3,946

Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef project due to calculation based on the fixed asset model

 

2,981

Share-based payments

33

Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series C Deed of Trust

19,642

___________________________________

* As noted above, the Company is in compliance with the covenant with respect to the ratio of Net Financial Debt to Adjusted EBITDA as the Company does not have a Net Financial Debt as of the end of the period. Therefore, the Adjusted EBITDA calculation above is provided for convenience and consistency purposes only.

 

 

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ellomay-capital-reports-results-for-the-three-and-nine-months-ended-september-30-2020-301198734.html

SOURCE Ellomay Capital Ltd

Los NIH financian ocho estudios para descubrir los factores de riesgo del síndrome inflamatorio pediátrico relacionado con la COVID-19

BETHESDA, Maryland, 28 de diciembre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Los Institutos Nacionales de Salud han otorgado ocho subvenciones de investigación para desarrollar enfoques que sirvan para identificar a los niños que tienen alto riesgo de desarrollar el síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico pediátrico (MIS-C), un efecto secundario poco común y grave de la COVID-19, o de estar expuestos al virus que lo causa. Se proporcionarán hasta $20 millones para los proyectos…

BETHESDA, Maryland, 28 de diciembre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Los Institutos Nacionales de Salud han otorgado ocho subvenciones de investigación para desarrollar enfoques que sirvan para identificar a los niños que tienen alto riesgo de desarrollar el síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico pediátrico (MIS-C), un efecto secundario poco común y grave de la COVID-19, o de estar expuestos al virus que lo causa. Se proporcionarán hasta $20 millones para los proyectos durante cuatro años, dependiendo de la disponibilidad de los fondos.

«Estas subvenciones remarcan el compromiso de los NIH para identificar a los niños en riesgo de padecer el MIS-C, quienes informarán el desarrollo de las intervenciones para mejorar sus resultados de salud», dijo Diana Bianchi, MD, directora del Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano Eunice Kennedy Shriver (NICHD) de los NIH. El NICHD y el Instituto Nacional del Corazón, los Pulmones y la Sangre lideran el esfuerzo de todos los NIH para comprender el espectro de las enfermedades pediátricas del SARS-CoV-2.

En la mayoría de los casos, los niños expuestos o infectados con el SARS-COV-2, el virus que causa la COVID-19, no desarrollan ningún síntoma o solo desarrollan una enfermedad leve. Algunos niños se enferman gravemente en el momento de la infección. Otros, que inicialmente no tienen síntomas, pueden desarrollar el MIS-C, una afección grave, a veces fatal, que se caracteriza por producir la inflamación de uno o más órganos, incluidos el corazón, los pulmones, los riñones, el cerebro, la piel, los ojos y el tracto gastrointestinal.

Las subvenciones de los NIH financiarán los estudios que inscriban a niños de diversos orígenes geográficos, raciales y étnicos en 30 estados de los EE. UU., Canadá, el Reino Unido y América del Sur. Los estudios explorarán cómo los factores genéticos, inmunes, virales, ambientales y otros influyen en la severidad con la que se desarrolla la COVID-19 en los niños y las posibilidades de que esta progrese y se presente el MIS-C y otras complicaciones a largo plazo. Las subvenciones provienen de la iniciativa Predicción de la Gravedad de la Enfermedad Inflamatoria Asociada a un Virus en Niños con Diagnósticos de Laboratorio e Inteligencia Artificial (PreVAIL kIds) de los NIH. Estas subvenciones son parte del programa Radical (RADx-rad) de la iniciativa Aceleración Rápida del Diagnóstico (Radx) y respaldan los enfoques nuevos y no tradicionales, y los usos reinventados de herramientas existentes para abordar las brechas en la toma de pruebas y la vigilancia de la COVID-19.

Las nuevas subvenciones evaluarán los genes, las proteínas del sistema inmunológico y otros biomarcadores. Además, examinarán cómo el virus interactúa con el cuerpo y cómo responde el sistema inmunológico. Estos estudios se basarán en la inteligencia artificial y el aprendizaje automático para interpretar los datos que se adquieran y para comprender los factores de riesgo que subyacen a la gravedad de la COVID-19 y el MIS-C.

La siguiente es una lista de los adjudicatarios y los nombres de los proyectos:

  • Jane C. Burns, Universidad de California, San Diego
    Diagnóstico y predicción del riesgo en niños con enfermedades relacionadas con el SARS-CoV-2
  • Cedric Manlhiot, Universidad Johns Hopkins, Baltimore
    Un enfoque de la ciencia de datos para identificar y manejar el MIS-C asociado con la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y la enfermedad de Kawasaki en pacientes pediátricos
  • Ananth V. Annapragada, Escuela de Medicina de Baylor, Houston
    Evaluación por medio de la inteligencia artificial de los riesgos de la COVID-19 en niños
  • Audrey R. Odom John, Hospital de Niños de Filadelfia
    Diagnóstico del MIS-C en niños febriles
  • Usha Sethuraman, Universidad Central de Michigan, Mount Pleasant
    Indicadores de gravedad que integran la transcriptómica y proteómica salival con inteligencia de redes neuronales múltiples en la infección por SARS-CoV2 en niños
  • Juan C. Salazar, Centro Médico Infantil de Connecticut, Hartford
    Identificación de las firmas de biomarcadores de valor pronóstico para el MIS-C
  • Charles Yen Chiu, Universidad de California, San Francisco
    Descubrimiento y validación clínica de biomarcadores del huésped de la gravedad de la enfermedad y el MIS-C con la COVID-19
  • Lawrence Kleinman, Escuela de Medicina Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson, Nuevo Brunswick, Nueva Jersey
    Red de redes COVID-19 que amplían los enfoques clínicos y traslacionales para predecir enfermedades graves en los niños

Referencia

Emergency Awards: RADx-rad Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence (PreVAIL kIds). 2020.

###

Acerca de la iniciativa Aceleración Rápida del Diagnóstico (RADxSM): La iniciativa RADx se lanzó el 29 de abril de 2020 para acelerar la innovación en el desarrollo, la comercialización y la implementación de tecnologías para las pruebas de la COVID-19. La iniciativa tiene cuatro programas: RADx Tech, Plataformas de tecnología avanzada RADx, Poblaciones desatendidas RADx y RADx Radical. Esta aprovecha la Red de Investigación de Tecnología de Punto de Atención de los NIH existente. La iniciativa RADx se asocia con las agencias federales, incluida la Oficina del Subsecretario de Salud, el Departamento de Defensa, la Autoridad de Investigación y Desarrollo Biomédico Avanzado, y la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los EE. UU. Obtenga más información sobre la iniciativa RADx y sus programas en: https://www.nih.gov/radx.

Acerca del Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano Eunice Kennedy Shriver (NICHD): El NICHD lidera la investigación y la capacitación para comprender el desarrollo humano, mejorar la salud reproductiva, mejorar la vida de niños y adolescentes, y optimizar las habilidades para todos. Si desea más información, visite https://espanol.nichd.nih.gov.

Acerca de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (NIH): NIH, la agencia de investigación médica de los EE. UU., incluye 27 institutos y centros, y es un componente del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU. NIH es la principal agencia federal que realiza y apoya investigaciones médicas básicas, clínicas y traslacionales, y que investiga las causas, los tratamientos y las curas para enfermedades comunes y raras. Para obtener más información sobre los NIH y sus programas, visite https://salud.nih.gov.

FUENTE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Robin Autopilot and Weed Man Form Partnership to Strengthen Both Companies’ Positions in the Rapidly Growing Robotic Mowing Market

DALLAS, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Robin Autopilot USA, a leader in robotic mowing technology, has entered into a partnership with a brand under the Weed Man USA ownership umbrella, TurfBot Mowing. This partnership will introduce the benefits of robotic mowing to a growing portion of the North American lawn maintenance and landscaping market.

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DALLAS, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Robin Autopilot USA, a leader in robotic mowing technology, has entered into a partnership with a brand under the Weed Man USA ownership umbrella, TurfBot Mowing. This partnership will introduce the benefits of robotic mowing to a growing portion of the North American lawn maintenance and landscaping market.

Robin Autopilot and Weed Man Form Partnership

Under the new partnership, TurfBot franchises will offer robotic mowing services powered by Robin’s industry-leading technology. TurfBot franchises will have access to all of the tools and resources available through the Robin platform, including patented products, proprietary software, e-learning and training services, and marketing collateral.

Ranked as the eighth-largest company on the 2020 Lawn & Landscape Top 100, based on 2019 revenue, Weed Man has provided high-quality lawn care services for 50 years. The company expanded into the robotic mowing business when it launched TurfBot in 2018 to test the concept, recognizing the benefits of offering battery-powered and emissions-free robotic mowing services to customers. TurfBot currently operates in three locations and plans for aggressive expansion plans in 2022.

«We are proud to partner with Weed Man, which has a long and outstanding history as a pioneer and leader in the North American market for lawn care services,» said Logan Fahey, chief executive officer of Robin Autopilot. «We are creating a strong new force in the lawn and landscaping market that will help both of our companies continue our growth as we provide more customers with the opportunity to adopt robotic mowing technology.»

«Robin Autopilot was the obvious choice for us in our search for a partner with cutting-edge technology and expertise that would help us grow in the exciting robotic mowing industry,» said Jennifer Lemcke, chief executive officer of Weed Man. «We believe robotic mowing has a bright future, and we look forward to working with Robin to continue the transformation of the lawn care industry through the wide-ranging environmental and economic benefits of this new technology.»

About Robin Autopilot  
Robin Autopilot’s software platform provides solutions to enable landscapers to begin offering robotic mowing to their customers by providing software to manage their fleet and jobs, training and educational materials for their staff and customers, marketing collateral to expand their customer base, and finally, innovative products to simplify the installation and management of robotic mowers.  Robotic mowers are battery-powered, programmable, and energy- and cost-efficient. They can be used daily to keep a lawn trimmed to a precise length, resulting in a more attractive landscape with pollution-reducing benefits equivalent to replacing two family cars with electric vehicles. This allows landscapers and lawn maintenance crews to deliver a more reliable and eco-friendly lawn care solution than traditional gas-powered mowing and also results in a healthier lawn. The automated mowers also offer significant relief for landscape service providers who are challenged by a lack of available workforce in many markets. 

About Weed Man 
Based in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Weed Man has provided high-quality lawn care services since 1970. During that time, the company has grown from its Canadian roots into an international network of more than 300 locally owned and operated franchises providing services that produce lush green lawns for homeowners in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Weed Man’s environmentally responsible lawn care programs and services focus on a well-balanced, high-quality fertilization program first, which in turn produces the thickest, healthiest lawn possible. From lawn fertilization to weed control, integrated pest management, and everything in between, Weed Man has a lawn care program for every lawn.

For more information, contact:
Ellen Bruno, VP, Operations 
574-524-0364 
ellen@robinautopilot.com 

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robin-autopilot-and-weed-man-form-partnership-to-strengthen-both-companies-positions-in-the-rapidly-growing-robotic-mowing-market-301198777.html

SOURCE Robin Autopilot

AB Global High Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update

NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AB Global High Income Fund, Inc.[NYSE: AWF] (the «Fund») today released its monthly portfolio update as of November 30,2020.

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NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AB Global High Income Fund, Inc.[NYSE: AWF] (the «Fund») today released its monthly portfolio update as of November 30,2020.

AB Global High Income Fund, Inc.

AB Global High Income Fund, Inc.

Top 10 Fixed-Income Holdings

Portfolio %

1) U.S. Treasury Notes  2.25%, 2/15/27 

2.35%

2) Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional Series F 10.00%, 1/01/23 

1.79%

3) U.S. Treasury Notes  2.875%, 8/15/28 

1.48%

4) Argentine Republic Government International Bond  0.125%, 7/09/30 – 7/09/41 

0.86%

5) Dominican Republic International Bond  8.625%, 4/20/27 

0.63%

6) Colombian TES Series B 10.00%, 7/24/24 

0.56%

7) Nigeria Government International Bond  7.625%, 11/21/25 – 11/28/47 

0.53%

8) Ukraine Government International Bond  7.75%, 9/01/22 – 9/01/24 

0.50%

9) U.S. Treasury Bonds  5.25%, 2/15/29 

0.42%

10) First Quantum Minerals Ltd.  7.25%, 4/01/23 

0.39%

Investment Type

Portfolio %

Corporates – Non-Investment Grade

Industrial

Energy

3.57%

Communications – Media

3.32%

Consumer Non-Cyclical

2.87%

Consumer Cyclical – Other

2.77%

Basic

2.57%

Capital Goods

2.50%

Consumer Cyclical – Automotive

2.46%

Services

2.32%

Communications – Telecommunications

2.02%

Technology

1.70%

Consumer Cyclical – Retailers

1.68%

Consumer Cyclical – Entertainment

1.57%

Transportation – Services

0.54%

Other Industrial

0.35%

Consumer Cyclical – Restaurants

0.32%

Transportation – Airlines

0.17%

SUBTOTAL

30.73%

Credit Default Swaps

28.90%

SUBTOTAL

28.90%

Financial Institutions

Banking

2.35%

Finance

0.90%

REITS

0.77%

Insurance

0.77%

Brokerage

0.48%

Other Finance

0.44%

SUBTOTAL

5.71%

Utility

Electric

0.55%

SUBTOTAL

0.55%

SUBTOTAL

65.89%

Corporates – Investment Grade

Financial Institutions

Banking

5.28%

Insurance

1.97%

Finance

0.98%

REITS

0.44%

Brokerage

0.13%

Other Finance

0.02%

SUBTOTAL

8.82%

Industrial

Energy

1.45%

Basic

0.96%

Consumer Cyclical – Other

0.92%

Consumer Cyclical – Automotive

0.74%

Technology

0.72%

Transportation – Airlines

0.49%

Consumer Non-Cyclical

0.40%

Communications – Telecommunications

0.27%

Capital Goods

0.19%

Other Industrial

0.16%

Services

0.12%

Communications – Media

0.12%

SUBTOTAL

6.54%

Utility

Electric

0.06%

SUBTOTAL

0.06%

SUBTOTAL

15.42%

Emerging Markets – Sovereigns

Emerging Markets – Sovereigns

10.96%

Credit Default Swaps

0.47%

SUBTOTAL

11.43%

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

Risk Share Floating Rate

7.99%

Non-Agency Fixed Rate

0.62%

Non-Agency Floating Rate

0.52%

Agency Fixed Rate

0.47%

SUBTOTAL

9.60%

Global Governments

6.60%

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

Credit Default Swaps

4.72%

Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS

1.20%

Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS

0.08%

SUBTOTAL

6.00%

Interest Rate Futures

5.89%

Bank Loans

Industrial

Consumer Non-Cyclical

0.87%

Technology

0.74%

Capital Goods

0.54%

Services

0.52%

Consumer Cyclical – Other

0.51%

Communications – Media

0.31%

Consumer Cyclical – Retailers

0.16%

Other Industrial

0.13%

Energy

0.12%

Consumer Cyclical – Restaurants

0.11%

Communications – Telecommunications

0.10%

Consumer Cyclical – Entertainment

0.08%

Consumer Cyclical – Automotive

0.08%

Basic

0.05%

Transportation – Airlines

0.02%

SUBTOTAL

4.34%

Utility

Electric

0.18%

SUBTOTAL

0.18%

Financial Institutions

Insurance

0.13%

SUBTOTAL

0.13%

SUBTOTAL

4.65%

Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds

Industrial

Basic

1.52%

Energy

0.70%

Consumer Cyclical – Other

0.47%

Consumer Non-Cyclical

0.43%

Capital Goods

0.24%

Communications – Telecommunications

0.23%

Communications – Media

0.08%

Transportation – Services

0.04%

SUBTOTAL

3.71%

Utility

Electric

0.39%

SUBTOTAL

0.39%

Financial Institutions

Insurance

0.07%

Banking

0.05%

SUBTOTAL

0.12%

SUBTOTAL

4.22%

Emerging Markets – Treasuries

1.79%

Collateralized Loan Obligations

CLO – Floating Rate

1.42%

SUBTOTAL

1.42%

Total Return Swaps

1.42%

Quasi-Sovereigns

Quasi-Sovereign Bonds

1.33%

SUBTOTAL

1.33%

Common Stocks

1.30%

Asset-Backed Securities

Other ABS – Fixed Rate

0.47%

Autos – Fixed Rate

0.27%

Home Equity Loans – Fixed Rate

0.26%

Home Equity Loans – Floating Rate

0.01%

SUBTOTAL

1.01%

Investment Companies

Funds and Investment Trusts

0.51%

SUBTOTAL

0.51%

Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds

0.32%

Preferred Stocks

Financial Institutions

0.22%

Industrial

0.10%

SUBTOTAL

0.32%

Inflation-Linked Securities

0.25%

Warrants

0.03%

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

-0.05%

Currency Instruments

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

-0.31%

SUBTOTAL

-0.31%

Net Cash Equivalents

Investment Companies

1.36%

Cash

0.78%

Foreign Currency

-0.02%

SUBTOTAL

2.12%

Derivative Offsets

Futures Offsets

-5.89%

Swaps Offsets

-35.27%

SUBTOTAL

-41.16%

Total

100.00%

Country Breakdown

Portfolio %

United States

65.05%

Brazil

4.53%

United Kingdom

2.68%

Mexico

1.76%

Canada

1.72%

Colombia

1.13%

France

1.11%

Egypt

1.06%

Dominican Republic

1.02%

Cayman Islands

0.97%

Netherlands

0.92%

Italy

0.91%

Argentina

0.91%

Switzerland

0.88%

Nigeria

0.85%

Luxembourg

0.84%

Ukraine

0.82%

Ivory Coast

0.76%

Bahrain

0.75%

Russia

0.67%

Spain

0.65%

South Africa

0.57%

Ireland

0.55%

Zambia

0.54%

Kenya

0.50%

Oman

0.46%

Gabon

0.44%

Senegal

0.42%

Bermuda

0.41%

Angola

0.39%

Finland

0.38%

Ghana

0.38%

Sweden

0.35%

Germany

0.30%

El Salvador

0.29%

Honduras

0.28%

Macau

0.28%

Ecuador

0.27%

Denmark

0.27%

Costa Rica

0.27%

Indonesia

0.26%

Israel

0.22%

Hong Kong

0.19%

Turkey

0.19%

Chile

0.18%

Mongolia

0.17%

Norway

0.16%

Peru

0.16%

Australia

0.14%

Jamaica

0.14%

Japan

0.11%

Jersey (Channel Islands)

0.11%

China

0.08%

Kazakhstan

0.07%

Venezuela

0.07%

Guatemala

0.06%

Jordan

0.06%

United Arab Emirates

0.06%

Iraq

0.06%

Morocco

0.05%

Kuwait

0.04%

Lebanon

0.03%

Sri Lanka

0.03%

Pakistan

0.02%

Total Investments

100.00%

Net Currency Exposure Breakdown

Portfolio %

United States Dollar

100.14%

Russian Rubles

0.49%

Egypt Pound

0.26%

Indonesian Rupiah

0.19%

Great British Pound

0.04%

Nigerian Naira

0.04%

Argentine Peso

0.01%

Malaysian Ringgit

0.01%

Norwegian Krone

0.01%

Taiwan New Dollar

0.01%

Swiss Franc

-0.01%

Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Offshore)

-0.01%

South African Rand

-0.01%

Brazilian Real

-0.06%

Colombian Peso

-0.06%

Euro

-1.05%

Total Net Assets

100.00%

Credit Rating

Portfolio %

AAA

5.40%

AA

0.95%

A

1.30%

BBB

21.57%

BB

27.17%

B

24.11%

CCC

8.41%

CC

0.54%

C

0.11%

D

0.58%

Not Rated

5.56%

Short Term Investments

1.36%

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

-0.05%

N/A

2.99%

Total

100.00%

Bonds By Maturity

Portfolio %

Less than 1 year

6.97%

1 to 5 years

58.50%

5 to 10 years

22.19%

10 to 20 years

6.67%

20 to 30 years

4.03%

More Than 30 years

0.31%

Other

1.33%

Total Net Assets

100.00%

Portfolio Statistics:

Average Coupon:

7.60%

Average Bond Price:

104.56

Percentage of Leverage(based on gross assets):

Bank Borrowing:

0.00%

Investment Operations:

43.27%

Preferred stock:

0.00%

Tender Option Bonds:

0.00%

VMTP Shares:

0.00%

Total Fund Leverage:

43.27%

Average Maturity:

5.50  Years

Effective Duration:

4.35  Years

Total Net Assets:

$1,098.26 Million

Net Asset Value:

$12.74

Number of Holdings:

1510

Portfolio Turnover:

32%

* Investment Operations may include the use of certain portfolio management techniques such as credit default swaps, dollar rolls, negative cash, reverse repurchase agreements and when-issued securities.

The foregoing portfolio characteristics are as of the date indicated and can be expected to change. The Fund is a closed-end U.S.-registered management investment company advised by AllianceBernstein L. P.

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ab-global-high-income-fund-releases-monthly-portfolio-update-301198775.html

SOURCE AB Global High Income Fund, Inc.

NIH funds eight studies to uncover risk factors for COVID-19-related inflammatory syndrome in children

BETHESDA, Maryland., Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Institutes of Health has awarded eight research grants to develop approaches for identifying children at high risk for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare and severe after-effect of COVID-19 or exposure to the virus that causes it. Up to $20 million will be provided for the projects over four years, pending the availability of funds.

«These awards underscore…

BETHESDA, Maryland., Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Institutes of Health has awarded eight research grants to develop approaches for identifying children at high risk for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare and severe after-effect of COVID-19 or exposure to the virus that causes it. Up to $20 million will be provided for the projects over four years, pending the availability of funds.

«These awards underscore NIH’s commitment to identifying children at risk for MIS-C, which will inform development of interventions to improve their health outcomes,» said Diana Bianchi, M.D., director of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). NICHD and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lead the NIH-wide effort to understand the SARS-CoV-2 spectrum of illness among children.

In most cases, children exposed to or infected with SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will not develop any symptoms or will develop only a mild illness. Some children become seriously ill at the time of infection. Others who initially have no symptoms may go on to develop MIS-C, a severe, sometimes fatal, condition marked by inflammation of one or more organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract.

The NIH awards will fund studies enrolling children with diverse geographic, racial and ethnic backgrounds across 30 U.S. States, Canada, the U.K. and South America. The studies will explore how genetic, immune, viral, environmental, and other factors influence the severity of COVID-19 in children and the chances of progression to MIS-C and other long-term complications. The awards come from NIH’s Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence (PreVAIL kIds) initiative. These awards are part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Radical (RADx-rad) program to support new, non-traditional approaches and reimagined uses of existing tools to address gaps in COVID-19 testing and surveillance.

The new awards will evaluate genes, immune system proteins, and other biomarkers, examine how the virus interacts with the body and how the immune system responds to it. These studies will rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to interpret the data they acquire, to understand risk factors underlying the severity of COVID-19 and MIS-C.

The awardees and project names are as follows:

  • Jane C. Burns, University of California, San Diego
    Diagnosing and predicting risk in children with SARS-CoV-2- related illness
  • Cedric Manlhiot, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
    A data science approach to identify and manage MIS-C associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and Kawasaki disease in pediatric patients
  • Ananth V. Annapragada, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
    Artificial intelligence COVID-19 risk assessment for kids
  • Audrey R. Odom John, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
    Diagnosis of MIS-C in febrile children
  • Usha Sethuraman, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant
    Severity predictors integrating salivary transcriptomics and proteomics with multi neural network intelligence in SARS-CoV2 infection in children
  • Juan C. Salazar, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford
    Identifying biomarker signatures of prognostic value for MIS-C
  • Charles Yen Chiu, University of California, San Francisco
    Discovery and clinical validation of host biomarkers of disease severity and MIS-C with Covid-19
  • Lawrence Kleinman, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
    COVID-19 Network of Networks Expanding Clinical and Translational approaches to Predict Severe Illness in Children

Reference

Emergency Awards: RADx-rad Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence (PreVAIL kIds). 2020.

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About the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative: The RADx initiative was launched on April 29, 2020, to speed innovation in the development, commercialization and implementation of technologies for COVID-19 testing. The initiative has four programs: RADx Tech, RADx Advanced Technology Platforms, RADx Underserved Populations and RADx Radical. It leverages the existing NIH Point-of-Care Technology Research Network. The RADx initiative partners with federal agencies, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Department of Defense, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Learn more about the RADx initiative and its programs: https://www.nih.gov/radx.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov.  

SOURCE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

CPS Energy And The City Of San Antonio Forge Smart City Agreement With AT&T And Itron

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned electric and natural gas provider based in San Antonio, is announcing a new agreement it has entered with the City of San Antonio, AT&T, and Itron, to implement a pilot for Smart Streetlight Technology.  This pilot will leverage CPS Energy’s existing lighting infrastructure and is just one more example of how the utility continues to…

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned electric and natural gas provider based in San Antonio, is announcing a new agreement it has entered with the City of San Antonio, AT&T, and Itron, to implement a pilot for Smart Streetlight Technology.  This pilot will leverage CPS Energy’s existing lighting infrastructure and is just one more example of how the utility continues to establish itself as a forward-thinking energy provider that is eager to test global ideas that create helpful local solutions. This joint effort aligns with SmartSA – which is a consortium of partners comprised of CPS Energy, the City of San Antonio, and other local entities with the goal of leveraging data and technology to build a connected, inclusive, and resilient community that supports high quality of life.

As part of their Flexible PathSM, CPS Energy has thoughtfully positioned itself as an integral partner in San Antonio’s journey toward evolving its Smart City Strategy. To accomplish this, the utility has focused on securing relationships with global technology leaders that deliver new products, efficiencies, and solutions for their customers and community. The utility continually looks for new organizations to team with to bring innovative and technologically sound ideas that propel San Antonio further into the emerging and global Smart City era.

«At CPS Energy, we believe great collaborators are key to implementing game-changing Smart City solutions,» said Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO of CPS Energy. «This approach and new initiative are parts of our creative and broader Flexible Path Strategy, through which we embrace change and disruption, while contributing to the global energy evolution that is already well underway. Despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, we remain focused on moving our industry and our community forward. The project that we are announcing today is another great example of how the right collaborations will help the City of San Antonio and CPS Energy create viable solutions to convert the challenges of developing a Smart City into new opportunities for success.  Both AT&T and Itron are respected global technology leaders, and we are proud to be entering into this strategic relationship together.»

As part of this SmartSA agreement, CPS Energy and the City of San Antonio launched a smart streetlight sensor pilot program. Smart streetlight sensors can provide near real-time operational performance of the utility’s assets, while enhancing service levels for their customers. Additionally, the City of San Antonio will leverage these smart streetlights to test sensors focused on the following:

  • Air Quality,
  • Temperature,
  • Ambient Noise,
  • Parking, and
  • Flooding.

The goal is to evaluate the performance of sensing technology that can be attached to CPS Energy’s existing and more efficient LED lighting systems. The evaluation will include data analysis to help us determine how to use it best to serve our broader community and align with the City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and ozone attainment goals. Aligned to its on-going commitment to its customers, CPS Energy and SmartSA will also prioritize the importance of protecting the privacy rights of the public as it works on this and future Smart City initiatives.

The pilot program includes the installation of smart streetlight solutions in each of the three SmartSA Innovation Zones that include the following San Antonio regions:

  • Downtown;
  • Brooks City-Base, a 1,000-plus acre mixed-use community developed at the former Brooks Air Force Base; and
  • The Medical Center, which is home to 12 major hospitals, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and numerous medical clinics and practices.

«The launch of the Smart Streetlight Technology pilot program is one of the most exciting announcements to come down the pike in a long time,» said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. «I am looking forward to seeing the results from the Innovation Zones. The possibilities – ranging from energy savings to valuable data collection that will inform city services – are extraordinary.»  

«This initiative highlights what our SmartSA partnership with CPS Energy can achieve when we come together to solve community challenges,» said Erik Walsh, San Antonio City Manager. «The City of San Antonio is taking a data-driven approach to addressing city-wide issues, and the environmental data these sensors will produce can help us meet our Climate Action and ozone attainment goals. We are excited to collaborate with technology leaders AT&T and Itron on this initiative that will move our smart city strategy forward.»

The Innovation Zones were established in 2017 by the San Antonio City Council to test new technologies.  In 2019, San Antonio residents completed an Innovation Zone Survey and identified environmental quality, pedestrian safety and traffic congestion as challenges in the zones. Implementing pilots in these zones is the first steps towards acquiring data and developing practical solutions.

AT&T and Itron will each install smart streetlight sensors in all three Innovation Zones on up to fifteen streetlights in each Zone for a total of 45 streetlights. These sensors will include remote lighting controls and up to five «smart» use case applications: parking sensing, air quality, temperature, ambient noise, and flood sensing. The first sensors were installed in the Brooks Innovation Zone by Itron, and AT&T will install its sensors soon.

«As a smart cities leader, AT&T is committed to delivering impactful solutions that help cities address the issues facing their communities,» said JD Salinas, assistant vice president, AT&T External Affairs. «We’re helping communities by connecting things like utility meters, streetlights and water systems – adding connectivity to help transform how cities serve their citizens, use energy and preserve natural resources. Communities that are contemplating or planning investing in innovative solutions can learn from those who have successfully implemented their own. By taking a programmatic approach, cities can optimize technology investments to create more efficient, safe and sustainable communities.»

«We are proud to take part in this collaborative and innovative smart city program that leverages Itron’s smart streetlight solution and partner ecosystem applications. Through this partnership, CPS Energy and the City of San Antonio can unlock efficiencies and build a foundation for smarter city services, while improving the quality of life for all residents,» said, John Marcolini, senior vice president of Networked Solutions at Itron.  

Results from the six-month streetlight pilot will be evaluated in the Summer of 2021.  Lessons learned will help shape a path towards citywide deployment and serve as the first of many steps toward San Antonio’s Smart City goals.

About CPS Energy

Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to 860,934 electric and 358,495 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities – while generating $8 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for more than seven decades. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. True to our People First philosophy, we are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation.

SOURCE CPS Energy