vegan-leather-sectional-sofa

More than 1,000 Sofa’s and Couches On Sale Now at the SuperStore, the All Vegan Shopping Mall and Marketplace!

Greetings, valued customers! We understand that living an ethical and compassionate lifestyle is important to many of you, and we are proud to share our dedication to this way of life. At SuperStore, we make it our priority to protect the environment and support animal welfare. That’s why we refuse to use any materials derived from animals or wildlife in our products.

With much excitement, we are thrilled to share that we have just added 1,000 new sofas and couches to our collection, all of which meet our rigorous ethical standards. These pieces exhibit a stunning and unique style while maintaining absolute comfort. Our animal-friendly furniture collection is perfect for any home and is designed with your values in mind.

In addition to our impressive ethical standards, we are also pleased to announce that all of our sofas and couches are on sale! Yes, you heard that right, we are providing you with the finest quality products while also ensuring that you don’t exceed your budget. Plus, our home delivery option ensures your convenience.

Therefore, whether you’re looking for a stylish new sofa with the best comfort or are committed to living an ethical lifestyle, we encourage you to check out our amazing collection of animal-friendly furniture at our store today! Trust us, once you experience our products, you’ll never settle for anything less than the best.

Furniture On Sale Sofa’s & Couches Home Goods.

41yMIMIK4VL._AC_.jpg

MAXCBD Couch Sleeper Home Recliner Faux Leather Sleeper Sof…

$2,533.27 Buy Now
31ZSODUiJCL._AC_.jpg

Lestar Classic Chesterfield Faux Leather Sofa Couch Furnitu…

$639.00 Buy Now
51RGHQwFakL._AC_.jpg

NESLIN Futon, White Faux Leather Couch Furniture Home Furni…

$774.60 Buy Now
313UMWY-irL._AC_.jpg

OMGO Faux Leather Futon Sofa Bed, Modern Convertible Sleepe…

$269.99 Buy Now
51LmA7dCtWL._AC_.jpg

FIQHOME Pull Out Sofa, Small Tufted Velvet Convertible Couc…

$373.51 Buy Now
41-hw4W28tL._AC_.jpg

FONLAN Sleeper Sofa, Sectional Manual Reclining Sofa, Uphol…

$9,402.70 Buy Now
Sale!
518y5YFo2FL._AC_.jpg

MUUEGM Futon Sofa Bed Couch,Memory Foam Convertible Futon C…

$255.00 Buy Now
41mhs1sJUiL._AC_.jpg

Lepfun Modular Sectional Sofa Faux Leather Fabric Reversibl…

$852.38 Buy Now
51WI2VIYAZL._AC_.jpg

DHHU Fine Sectional, Reversible Chaise, L Shaped Couch Sofa…

$669.99 Buy Now
51hN8waimdL._AC_.jpg

Lepfun 3-Seater Living Room Sectional Sofa Set, Leather Rec…

$547.60 Buy Now
41F8hORMEuL._AC_.jpg

TEKAMON Single Manual Recliner Chair for Adults,Light Blue …

$285.00 Buy Now
519BRaFUzwL._AC_.jpg

YuiHome Furniture Linen Fabric Faux Leather Sofa & Solid Wo…

$329.24 Buy Now

SuperStore is truly amazing and has transformed the world of online shopping in ways that you could never have imagined! Gone are the days of worrying about the quality of your purchased items or struggling to find all the products you need in one place. SuperStore ensures that you get only the best products from the comfort of your home, offering a vast array of superb quality products, ranging from household goods to beauty essentials, groceries, jewelry, and fashionable clothing options that are sure to leave your wardrobe looking top-notch!

Moreover, shopping with SuperStore is no ordinary experience, as it prides itself on delivering prompt and efficient delivery services, ensuring that your purchases are delivered to you within the shortest possible timeframe. Exceptional customer service is also a top priority on the platform, with a team of professionals always ready to assist you should you need any help.

And what’s more? SuperStore offers you affordable prices and an unforgettable hassle-free shopping experience! What are you waiting for? Why not join the Superstore family today and start enjoying endless benefits!

720Livingroom20dog

September is the New August Sale, More than 15,130 Products in the Amazon SuperStore for Home Goods, Jewelry, Watches, Men’s and Women’s Clothing, Fashion, Beauty & Welness. The All Vegan Shopping Mall and Marketplace!

SuperStore is truly amazing and has transformed the world of online shopping in ways that you could never have imagined! Gone are the days of worrying about the quality of your purchased items or struggling to find all the products you need in one place. SuperStore ensures that you get only the best products from the comfort of your home, offering a vast array of superb quality products, ranging from household goods to beauty essentials, groceries, jewelry, and fashionable clothing options that are sure to leave your wardrobe looking top-notch!

Moreover, shopping with SuperStore is no ordinary experience, as it prides itself on delivering prompt and efficient delivery services, ensuring that your purchases are delivered to you within the shortest possible timeframe. Exceptional customer service is also a top priority on the platform, with a team of professionals always ready to assist you should you need any help.

And what’s more? SuperStore offers you affordable prices and an unforgettable hassle-free shopping experience! What are you waiting for? Why not join the Superstore family today and start enjoying endless benefits!

Our collection of home goods and furniture is sure to impress any vegan looking for stylish and sustainable options. Our selection of faux leather sofas, couches, and chairs offer the perfect blend of comfort and durability without compromising on ethics. Not only do they look and feel great, but they are also easy to maintain and keep clean. Additionally, we have a variety of eye-catching tables that are sure to be a statement piece in any room. Our commitment to offering high-quality vegan home goods and furniture sets us apart, and we are proud to serve the needs of those who want to live a cruelty-free lifestyle while still enjoying beautiful and functional home decor. Explore our collection today and discover the perfect pieces to enhance your living space.

JD1.jpg

JD Sports reports first half revenue rose by 8%

[ad_1]

UK-based JD Sports Fashion has reported a total revenue of £4.78bn ($5.91bn) for the first half of its fiscal year, up 8.3% from $4.41bn in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

During the 26-week to 29 July 2023, the retailer’s sports fashion business achieved revenue of £4.51bn over the period, up 9% on the corresponding period last year.

The premium sports fashion operation, which accounted for 80% of our Sports Fashion segment by revenue, saw revenue growth of 17% to £3.59bn.

Within its other sports fashion fascias, revenues of non-core fashion businesses declined by 16% to £783.8m.

The retailer’s outdoor business reported total revenue of £272.0m in the first half of this financial period, 1% down from the previous fiscal year.

The gross margin of JD Sports for the first half was 48.0% versus 48.5% a year ago.

Over the period, the retailer posted an operating profit of £400.1m in the first half of the fiscal year. Its profit before tax (PBT) was £375.2m for the period, up 25.8% from £298.3m in the same period last year.

Its basic earnings per share were 4.65p in H1, up 29.9% from 3.58p in the prior year period.

JD Sports fashion chief executive officer Régis Schultz said: “We have delivered a strong first half to our financial period with organic sales growth of 12% and profit on track for the full year.

“We have made good progress delivering on our strategic pillars, focusing on expanding the JD brand and we will open more than 200 JD stores worldwide in this financial period.

“We are going to accelerate JD brand growth in Europe through purchasing the non-controlling interest in both ISRG and MIG and the acquisition of GAP stores in France. This is alongside the proposed acquisition of Courier in the region, which will, when completed, enhance the Group’s existing portfolio of complementary concepts, bringing into the company its market-leading focus on the female customer. Meanwhile, we are building and investing in talent and infrastructure to support future growth.”

Last month, JD Sports purchased the remaining 40% minority stake in Polish retailer Marketing Investment Group (MIG), making it the sole owner.

[ad_2]

Source link

87e81cf2818c2e1243550465196a72e4.jpeg

100% sustainable jet fuel from plant waste – Ya Libnan

[ad_1]

Yuriy Román-Leshkov

Professor Yuriy Román-Leshkov and collaborators have demonstrated a new way to produce a critical component of aviation fuel from lignin, a plant material that’s generally discarded as waste during biomass processing.
Credit: Gretchen Ertl

MIT researchers are converting the plant material lignin into hydrocarbon molecules that could help make jet fuel 100 percent sustainable.

An MIT research team is working on converting lignin, a plant waste product, into 100% sustainable aviation fuel using a novel catalyst. This breakthrough could revolutionize the aviation industry by providing a renewable fuel alternative.

Nearly a quarter of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2021 came from the transportation sector, with aviation being a significant contributor. While the growing use of electric vehicles is helping to clean up ground transportation, today’s batteries can’t compete with fossil fuel-derived liquid hydrocarbons in terms of energy delivered per pound of weight — a major concern when it comes to flying. Meanwhile, based on projected growth in travel demand, consumption of jet fuel is projected to double between now and 2050 — the year by which the international aviation industry has pledged to be carbon neutral.

Many groups have targeted a 100 percent sustainable hydrocarbon fuel for aircraft, but so far there hasn’t been much success. Part of the challenge is that aviation fuels are so tightly regulated. “This is a subclass of fuels that has very specific requirements in terms of the chemistry and the physical properties of the fuel, because you can’t risk something going wrong in an airplane engine,” says Yuriy Román-Leshkov, the Robert T. Haslam Professor of Chemical Engineering. “If you’re flying at 30,000 feet, it’s very cold outside, and you don’t want the fuel to thicken or freeze. That’s why the formulation is very specific.”

The Composition of Aviation Fuel

Aviation fuel is a combination of two large classes of chemical compounds. Some 75 to 90 percent of it is made up of “aliphatic” molecules, which consist of long chains of carbon atoms linked together. “This is similar to what we would find in diesel fuels, so it’s a classic hydrocarbon that is out there,” explains Román-Leshkov. The remaining 10 to 25 percent consists of “aromatic” molecules, each of which includes at least one ring made up of six connected carbon atoms.

In most transportation fuels, aromatic hydrocarbons are viewed as a source of pollution, so they’re removed as much as possible. However, in aviation fuels, some aromatic molecules must remain because they set the necessary physical and combustion properties of the overall mixture. They also perform one more critical task: They ensure that seals between various components in the aircraft’s fuel system are tight. “The aromatics get absorbed by the plastic seals and make them swell,” explains Román-Leshkov. “If for some reason the fuel changes, so can the seals, and that’s very dangerous.”

As a result, aromatics are a necessary component — but they’re also a stumbling block in the move to create sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs. Companies know how to make the aliphatic fraction from inedible parts of plants and other renewables, but they haven’t yet developed an approved method of generating the aromatic fraction from sustainable sources. As a result, there’s a “blending wall,” explains Román-Leshkov. “Since we need that aromatic content — regardless of its source — there will always be a limit on how much of the sustainable aliphatic hydrocarbons we can use without changing the properties of the mixture.” He notes a similar blending wall with gasoline. “We have a lot of ethanol, but we can’t add more than 10 percent without changing the properties of the gasoline. In fact, current engines can’t handle even 15 percent ethanol without modification.”

No Shortage of Renewable Source Material — Or Attempts To Convert It

For the past five years, understanding and solving the SAF problem has been the goal of research by Román-Leshkov and his MIT team — Michael L. Stone PhD ’21, Matthew S. Webber, and others — as well as their collaborators at Washington State University, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Their work has focused on lignin, a tough material that gives plants structural support and protection against microbes and fungi. About 30 percent of the carbon in biomass is in lignin, yet when ethanol is generated from biomass, the lignin is left behind as a waste product.

Despite valiant efforts, no one has found an economically viable, scalable way to turn lignin into useful products, including the aromatic molecules needed to make jet fuel 100 percent sustainable. Why not? As Román-Leshkov says, “It’s because of its chemical recalcitrance.” It’s difficult to make it chemically react in useful ways. As a result, every year millions of tons of waste lignin are burned as a low-grade fuel, used as fertilizer, or simply thrown away.

Understanding the problem requires understanding what’s happening at the atomic level. A single lignin molecule — the starting point of the challenge — is a big “macromolecule” made up of a network of many aromatic rings connected by oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Put simply, the key to converting lignin into the aromatic fraction of SAF is to break that macromolecule into smaller pieces while in the process getting rid of all of the oxygen atoms.

In general, most industrial processes begin with a chemical reaction that prevents the subsequent upgrading of lignin: As the lignin is extracted from the biomass, the aromatic molecules in it react with one another, linking together to form strong networks that won’t react further. As a result, the lignin is no longer useful for making aviation fuels.

 that outcome, Román-Leshkov and his team utilize another approach: They use a catalyst to induce a chemical reaction that wouldn’t normally occur during extraction. By reacting the biomass in the presence of a ruthenium-based catalyst, they are able to remove the lignin from the biomass and produce a black liquid called lignin oil. That product is chemically stable, meaning that the aromatic molecules in it will no longer react with one another.

So the researchers have now successfully broken the original lignin macromolecule into fragments that contain just one or two aromatic rings each. However, while the isolated fragments don’t chemically react, they still contain oxygen atoms. Therefore, one task remains: finding a way to remove the oxygen atoms.

In fact, says Román-Leshkov, getting from the molecules in the lignin oil to the targeted aromatic molecules required them to accomplish three things in a single step: They needed to selectively break the carbon-oxygen bonds to free the oxygen atoms; they needed to avoid incorporating noncarbon atoms into the aromatic rings (for example, atoms from the hydrogen gas that must be present for all of the chemical transformations to occur); and they needed to preserve the carbon backbone of the molecule — that is, the series of linked carbon atoms that connect the aromatic rings that remain.

Ultimately, Román-Leshkov and his team found a special ingredient that would do the trick: a molybdenum carbide catalyst. “It’s actually a really amazing catalyst because it can perform those three actions very well,” says Román-Leshkov. “In addition to that, it’s extremely resistant to poisons. Plants can contain a lot of components like proteins, salts, and sulfur, which often poison catalysts so they don’t work anymore. But molybdenum carbide is very robust and isn’t strongly influenced by such impurities.”

Trying It Out on Lignin From Poplar Trees

To test their approach in the lab, the researchers first designed and built a specialized “trickle-bed” reactor, a type of chemical reactor in which both liquids and gases flow downward through a packed bed of catalyst particles. They then obtained biomass from a poplar, a type of tree known as an “energy crop” because it grows quickly and doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer.

To begin, they reacted the poplar biomass in the presence of their ruthenium-based catalyst to extract the lignin and produce the lignin oil. They then flowed the oil through their trickle-bed reactor containing the molybdenum carbide catalyst. The mixture that formed contained some of the targeted product but also a lot of others that still contained oxygen atoms.

Román-Leshkov notes that in a trickle-bed reactor, the time during which the lignin oil is exposed to the catalyst depends entirely on how quickly it drips down through the packed bed. To increase the exposure time, they tried passing the oil through the same catalyst twice. However, the distribution of products that formed in the second pass wasn’t as they had predicted based on the outcome of the first pass.

rying It Out on Lignin From Poplar Trees

To test their approach in the lab, the researchers first designed and built a specialized “trickle-bed” reactor, a type of chemical reactor in which both liquids and gases flow downward through a packed bed of catalyst particles. They then obtained biomass from poplar, a type of tree known as an “energy crop” because it grows quickly and doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer.

To begin, they reacted to the poplar biomass in the presence of their ruthenium-based catalyst to extract the lignin and produce the lignin oil. They then flowed the oil through their trickle-bed reactor containing the molybdenum carbide catalyst. The mixture that formed contained some of the targeted product but also a lot of others that still contained oxygen atoms.

Román-Leshkov notes that in a trickle-bed reactor, the time during which the lignin oil is exposed to the catalyst depends entirely on how quickly it drips down through the packed bed. To increase the exposure time, they tried passing the oil through the same catalyst twice. However, the distribution of products that formed in the second pass wasn’t as they had predicted based on the outcome of the first pass.

“When we do our chemistry with the molybdenum carbide catalyst, our total carbon yields are nearly 85 percent of the theoretical carbon yield,” says Román-Leshkov. “In most lignin-conversion processes, the carbon yields are very low, on the order of 10 percent. That’s why the catalysis community got very excited about our results — because people had not seen carbon yields as high as the ones we generated with this catalyst.”

There remains one key question: Does the mixture of components that forms have the properties required for aviation fuel? “When we work with these new substrates to make new fuels, the blend that we create is different from standard jet fuel,” says Román-Leshkov. “Unless it has the exact properties required, it will not qualify for certification as jet fuel.”

To check their products, Román-Leshkov and his team send samples to Washington State University, where a team operates a combustion lab devoted to testing fuels. Results from initial testing of the composition and properties of the samples have been encouraging. Based on the composition and published prescreening tools and procedures, the researchers have made initial property predictions for their samples, and they looked good. For example, the freezing point, viscosity, and threshold sooting index are predicted to be lower than the values for conventional aviation aromatics. (In other words, their material should flow more easily and be less likely to freeze than conventional aromatics while also generating less soot in the atmosphere when they burn.) Overall, the predicted properties are near to or more favorable than those of conventional fuel aromatics.

Next Steps and Potential Impact

The researchers are continuing to study how their sample blends behave at different temperatures and, in particular, how well they perform that key task: soaking into and swelling the seals inside jet engines. “These molecules are not the typical aromatic molecules that you use in jet fuel,” says Román-Leshkov. “Preliminary tests with sample seals show that there’s no difference in how our lignin-derived aromatics swell the seals, but we need to confirm that. There’s no room for error.”

In addition, he and his team are working with their NREL collaborators to scale up their methods. NREL has much larger reactors and other infrastructure needed to produce large quantities of the new sustainable blend. Based on the promising results thus far, the team wants to be prepared for the further testing required for the certification of jet fuels. In addition to testing samples of the fuel, the full certification procedure calls for demonstrating its behavior in an operating engine — “not while flying, but in a lab,” clarifies Román-Leshkov. In addition to requiring large samples, that demonstration is both time-consuming and expensive — which is why it’s the very last step in the strict testing required for a new sustainable aviation fuel to be approved.

Román-Leshkov and his colleagues are now exploring the use of their approach with other types of biomass, including pine, switchgrass, and corn stover (the leaves, stalks, and cobs left after corn is harvested). However, their results with poplar biomass are promising. If further testing confirms that their aromatic products can replace the aromatics now in jet fuel, “the blending wall could disappear,” says Román-Leshkov. “We’ll have a means of producing all the components in aviation fuel from renewable material, potentially leading to aircraft fuel that’s 100 percent sustainable.”

Reference: “Continuous hydrodeoxygenation of lignin to jet-range aromatic hydrocarbons” by Michael L. Stone, Matthew S. Webber, William P. Mounfield III, David C. Bell, Earl Christensen, Ana R.C. Morais, Yanding Li, Eric M. Anderson, Joshua S. Heyne, Gregg T. Beckham and Yuriy Román-Leshkov, 22 September 2022, Joule.
DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2022.08.005

SCI TECH DAILY

[ad_2]

Source link

Delicious cider is almost always gluten-free naturally

What are the best vegan or gluten-free foods and drinks? Vo…

[ad_1]

Whether the aim is to eat healthier or avoid certain foods due to intolerance or allergies, more and more people in the U.S. are going gluten-free and vegan each year. Once upon a time, eliminating gluten or animal products from your diet meant severe restrictions on what you could eat, with things like cheese, pizza, pasta, beer, and sweets all but off the table.

Today, thanks to a growing understanding of what it means to be vegan or gluten-free and a new wave of gluten-free and vegan menus and products, these restrictions are a thing of the past. To find the best vegan and gluten-free food and restaurants, USA TODAY 10Best asked an expert panel to nominate their top picks across nine categories, from cider to gluten-free bakeries to vegan cheese.

[ad_2]

Source link

Embracing Change and Innovation: Imperatives for Technology…

[ad_1]

Oluwole Asalu

I have witnessed how the COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedentedly transformed the world and our industry. In times of immense crisis, the seeds of innovation are sown, birthing a wave of remarkable transformation. Throughout history, moments of great turmoil have acted as catalysts for groundbreaking advancements and profound shifts.

So did COVID-19, it created a new era of opportunities and challenges for us to navigate and lead. One of the most obvious trends is the rise of remote work. The pandemic forced millions of people to work from home, and many of them preferred to continue doing so even after normalcy was restored. According to a survey by Findstack, 16% of companies in the world are 100% remote, and 77% of remote workers say they are more productive when working from home.

Having personally witnessed the transformative effects of remote work on productivity and creativity, I am aware of the unique challenges it poses in terms of communication and collaboration. However, In the realm of leadership, one essential quality rises above all others: adaptability. The demands of leading require individuals to navigate the ever-changing landscape of challenges that life presents. Remote work is not a temporary trend but a permanent shift. I believe we need to embrace this change and adapt our strategies accordingly. We also need to address the isolation, distraction, and burnout issues that remote workers may face and create a positive remote work environment that fosters trust, engagement, and well-being.

Another trend that has accelerated during the pandemic is the shift in consumer behaviour. With physical interactions limited, consumers have become more dependent on technology for work, education, shopping, and entertainment. This creates a huge demand for digital solutions that can meet their needs and expectations. Online purchase share for slow-moving goods, such as consumer electronics, home and garden, fashion, food and groceries, and beauty, are increasing year-on-year and online shopping is expected to remain popular post-pandemic. Consumers are also more conscious of health and sustainability issues and are looking for brands that align with their values and offer transparency and trust.

These changes are not temporary but lasting. I believe we need to anticipate and respond to these changes and offer solutions that are relevant, convenient, and engaging. We need to use data and analytics to understand our customers better and tailor our products and services accordingly. We also need to ensure that our solutions are secure, reliable, and ethical.

The pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation across industries. Leaders in the technology industry must capitalise on this momentum and drive their organisations forward. This involves leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things to create innovative products and services.

These technologies offer immense potential for improving efficiency, quality, and innovation. For example, AI can help automate tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance customer interactions. Blockchain can enable secure and transparent transactions, contracts, and records. By harnessing these innovations tech leaders can streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Certainly, navigating the landscape of leading a technology company in the post-pandemic era is not devoid of challenges. Nevertheless, amid unparalleled disruption, it becomes imperative for us to wholeheartedly embrace resilience and agility. This new era necessitates a malleable mindset and the capability to swiftly adapt to ever-changing circumstances. It is crucial for us to cultivate a culture of resilience within our organisations, motivating our employees to readily embrace change and discover ingenious solutions to novel challenges. By doing so, we can forge ahead with confidence and embrace the opportunities that lie before us in this transformative era.

With increased reliance on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity has become a paramount concern. Protecting digital assets and ensuring robust security measures are in place is not a luxury but a core business necessity. This involves implementing multi-layered security protocols, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and investing in cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies. According to Statista, the global information security market is expected to grow from 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 to 170 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. By embracing cybersecurity as a core business necessity, organisations can safeguard their valuable assets and ensure the continuity of their operations in the face of evolving cyber threats.

In the rapidly evolving technological landscape, it is imperative for organisations to cultivate a culture of innovation, empowering their teams to take calculated risks, adapt swiftly to shifting market trends and ever-changing customer needs, and build resilience to navigate uncertainties. By embracing these fundamental qualities, organisations position themselves as frontrunners in their respective industries, driving transformative change and proactively staying ahead of the curve. This proactive approach not only enables them to seize emerging opportunities but also effectively respond to challenges, ensuring long-term success and sustainability in the dynamic business environment.

Challenges also give rise to opportunities, and there are ample prospects for technology companies in the post-pandemic era to remain relevant. To capitalise on these opportunities, it is essential to focus on building a diverse and adaptable team that can swiftly respond to market changes. Equally crucial is fostering a culture of continuous learning among employees and investing in professional development programmes. Moreover, creating an environment that nurtures creativity and rewards innovation is of paramount importance. By embracing these strategies, technology companies can effectively navigate the evolving landscape, unlock their full potential, and secure a competitive edge in the industry.

Leading a tech company in the post-pandemic era is no easy feat, but it is also immensely exciting and rewarding. By staying abreast of emerging technologies, addressing leadership challenges, and leveraging opportunities for innovation, tech leaders can position their companies for long-term success in this dynamic environment. Keeping up to date with the latest advancements, effectively tackling leadership obstacles, and capitalising on market demands are crucial elements for strategic positioning. Embracing adaptive leadership strategies, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, and capitalising on evolving market needs will enable us to thrive and flourish in the ever-changing landscape of the technology industry. This transformative approach lays the foundation for a prosperous future and ensures the company’s sustained growth and competitiveness.

Oluwole Asalu writes from Lagos, Nigeria.



[ad_2]

Source link

NORQAIN Wild ONE Hakuna Mipaka Limited-Edition

[ad_1]

The latest release from Norqain features a brand-new three-hand timepiece co-designed by wildlife ambassador, Dean Schneider. Unveiled as a special model with a limited run of 300 units, the Wild ONE Hakuna Mipaka draws aesthetic cues from the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, a wildlife sanctuary and animal rehabilitation center that Schneider has set up in South Africa.

The 42mm reference is attired in a 25-part case composed of cruelty-free NORTEQ® — an exclusive carbon fiber composite that is robust, shock-resistant, and ultra-lightweight. The rich, dark brown hue extends from the sandwich case to the dial, where a stamped “lion fur” pattern enriches its design. In echoing the textured dial, the accompanying beige rubber strap also features the same allover pattern.

Red gold-plated diamond-cut hands and skeleton indices further embellish the dial, thus nodding to the majestic appeal of King Dexter, a lion that resides in the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis. As an interesting highlight, the watch’s rubber shock absorber is infused with sand from the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, adding a piece of South Africa to the timekeeper.

Beating at the heart of this timekeeper is the NN2-/1 by Kenissi Manufacture caliber. The mechanical automatic movement is geared with 70 hours of power reserve, with a personalized bridge inscribed “Adventure – Freedom – Independence” — the core values and brand ethos of Norquain. The caliber is viewable through the open caseback, which also features a golden logo imprint, along with its unique batch number.

Norqain also promised to donate 10% of the watch’s earnings to the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis. Retailing for $5,590 USD, the Wild ONE Hakuna Mipaka limited-edition timepiece is now available to purchase via Norqain’s official website.

In other watch news, Zenith unveils a retro-futuristic Defy Extreme timepiece for Carl Cox.



[ad_2]

Source link

New Co-op store to open in Saltaire later this week

[ad_1]

The purpose-built 2,800 sq ft store is on Bingley Road, in Saltaire, and has opening hours between 7am and 10pm daily.

The convenience retailer – which is set to support 16 local jobs, with new positions created – will open on Friday, September 22.

Saltaire’s new Co-op includes customer car parking, a free ATM to provide access to cash in the community, an in-store bakery, hot food and, a Costa coffee dispenser.

This sits alongside an extended and improved range of fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award-winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from; vegan and plant-based products – including Co-op’s exclusive vegan range, GRO.

Parcel collections are available from Amazon and DPD, along with the online delivery of groceries through Deliveroo; Just Eat and Uber Eats for added ease, speed and convenience locally.

The store is moving from its current premises, further up Bingley Road, into the new building.

Craig Watson, Co-op Store Manager, said: “The store looks fantastic and, we are delighted to now move into our new home and ‘serve up’ a brand new store for the community.

“The team is very excited, we have been looking forward to relocating and can’t wait to welcome our members and customers into their new and improved store.

“Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life. We have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently – with a focus on delivering member value so that the people who own our business, our members, benefit every time they shop.”

Plans for the new store were approved by Bradford Council on the site of a car wash, which shut last year.

Demolition work to knock down Qasim’s Hand Car Wash building was completed in spring 2022.

Planning permission for the new Co-op store was granted by Bradford Council in September 2021. It was submitted by Eco Developments (Yorkshire).

Before it was approved, the proposal received a number of objections from residents and groups including Shipley Town Council, which claimed the store would undermine other Saltaire businesses.

Co-op was originally due to open the store this spring before the date was pushed back to June and then September.



[ad_2]

Source link

AGIS and the US Joint Chiefs J6 Lab have created an Air, La…

[ad_1]

a Joint Operations Center view

In Concert with the US JCS J6 Lab AGIS has created a JADC2, now CJADC2, system that operates on one or more automatically integrated Laptop PCs.

it is a complete COTS C5ISR system that has many attributes that are needed for Near Peer Adversary Operations.”

— Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr.

JUPITER, FL, US, September 20, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — The March 2022 DoD Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) Strategy Summary specifies JADC2 as a strategy that meets six requirements/principles. They are: “(1) Information Sharing capability improvements are designed and scaled at the enterprise level; (2) Joint Force C2 improvements employ layered security features; (3) JADC2 data fabric consists of efficient, evolvable, and broadly applicable common data standards and architectures; (4) Joint Force C2 must be resilient in degraded and contested electromagnetic environments; (5) Department development and implementation processes must be unified to deliver more effective cross-domain capability options; and, (6) Department development and implementation processes must execute at faster speeds.”

How AGIS’ C5ISR aligns with the stated JCS Strategy Requirements:

(1) JADC2 Information Sharing — AGIS’ C5ISR System provides Server to Server and provides Cloud communications to enable Up and Down the Chain of Command data sharing between users enabling communications between Combat Commands.

(2) JADC2 Layered Security – AGIS’ C5ISR System provides Layered Security features that assure data is layered and appropriately available to those that have authority to receive the information. This includes our allied partners.

(3) JADC2 Integrated Data Layer (Data Fabric) – AGIS’ Extensive Integrated Data Layer provides Air, Ground, Sea, Subsurface, Space Interoperability and the ability to provide a Five Eyes / US/NATO Air, Ground, Sea, Subsurface, Space and NATO Common Operational Picture (COP) using our Link-16, JVMF, OTH Golf, CoT and NATO data link processing, translation and forwarding.

(4) JADC2 Joint Force C2 in Degraded / Contested electromagnetic environment – AGIS’ C5ISR system provides for mitigation of RF Targeting. Automatic reduction in non-critical communications and Server failover in case of jamming.

(5) JADC2 Cross-Domain Capability – AGIS’ C5ISR system permits manual cross-domain data transfer between dissimilar C5ISR systems AND different types of sensor feeds.

(6) JADC2 Development and Implementation must execute at faster speeds — AGIS’ C5ISR system is constantly undergoing enhancements to increase interoperability and to provide users automatic software downloaded enhancements.

Does AGIS’ C5ISR system also meet all JADC2 Implementation Plan Desires –- No, but in addition to the above capabilities, it is a complete COTS C5ISR system that has many attributes that are needed for Near Peer Adversary Operations. Some of these include: 1. Full MIL STD 2525 implementation, 2. The ability to handle massive 10,000+ sensor intelligence reports including Commercial and Military satellite feeds, 3. Built-In encrypted Collaboration tools including PTT, Messaging, Chat, Video, Video Conferencing, Worldwide event notification and others, 4. Land, Sea, Air 3D displays of anywhere in the World, 5. The ability for the operator to customize the controls to meet just his needs and 6. Built-in Video training for each operator function.

Where before, C2 systems required complex system of systems, significant power and cooling resources, and hours of operator training. With the AGIS system, military personnel at every echelon are able to carry lightweight yet powerful C5ISR system and server capabilities with them to the field.

AGIS’ software permits additional laptops (or PCs) and Androids and iPhones to be easily added to the secure network, forming a distributed and decentralized computing infrastructure. This approach enhances resilience and redundancy, ensuring that critical command and control capabilities remain operational even in challenging or hostile environments.

In addition to being available on the Laptop C5ISR System, AGIS server(s) can be on the AWS GovCloud, Azure or other Cloud based servers with automatic fail over between them or the Laptop Server.

This breakthrough can be purchased by the U.S. military through the GSA Advantage program without the normal long delays associated with military procurement. The J6 Contracting Office has recently used this method to vastly speed up their procurement to a matter of a week or two, and we can reference interested parties to their POC. US Government Contractors and allied Nations can purchase an entire system or select segments of the system from a Firm Fixed Price List of features. Northrop Grumman recently did just this. This fully integratable and customizable software is warranted for the First year during which the purchaser also receives software updates that increase the systems capabilities and flexibility. The CJADC2 software is under constant improvement, and we appreciate all customers’ inputs.

Malcolm K. Beyer, Jr.
Advanced Ground Information Systems (AGIS), Inc.
+1 561-744-3213
beyerm@agisinc.com

CJADC2 Interoperability



[ad_2]

Source link