Author: tnpump.com

A recent study led by a British team of scientists has revealed that a thin layer of cool surface water, just under 2mm deep, significantly contributes to the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This groundbreaking finding was achieved after months of meticulous data collection during voyages across the Atlantic, where researchers measured gas and temperature levels with precision.

The scientists discovered that the slight temperature difference between the “ocean skin” and the underlying water creates an interface that enhances CO2 absorption. They employed sensitive equipment to monitor water temperatures and detect minute variations in the amount of CO2 in the air that is either entering or leaving the ocean’s surface.

Daniel Ford, a research fellow at the University of Exeter, emphasized the relevance of these findings in light of the upcoming COP29 climate change conference. “This work highlights the critical role of the oceans and should aid in refining the global carbon assessments that inform emission reduction strategies,” he stated.

Ford was part of the research expedition aboard the RRS Discovery, which journeyed between Southampton and Punta Arenas in Chile. He described the challenging conditions they faced, including rough seas in the North Atlantic and around the Falkland Islands, contrasting with the tranquil waters near the equator.

The 2mm layer of cooler water results from what scientists refer to as the “cool skin effect,” where heat escapes from the water as it interacts with the atmosphere. The study’s results, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, have been shared with the Global Carbon Budget assessment, a collaborative effort among scientists aimed at deepening the understanding of Earth’s carbon cycle.

Professor Jamie Shutler, an ocean and atmospheric scientist at the University of Exeter, noted that the ocean skin is marginally cooler than the layer below it, and this temperature difference plays a crucial role in CO2 absorption, driven by the concentration gradients of gases between the two layers. He mentioned that while the effects were first proposed in the early 1990s, the absence of field evidence had previously hindered progress.

Gavin Tilstone from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory added, “This discovery underscores the complexity of the ocean’s water column structure and how it affects CO2 drawdown. Grasping these subtle mechanisms is essential as we refine our climate models and predictions, highlighting the ocean’s critical role in maintaining the planet’s carbon cycle and climate.”

On October 20th, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their spot in the World Series by defeating the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, winning the best-of-seven series four games to two. They are now set to face the New York Yankees in a highly anticipated championship showdown.

This “battle of the titans” has captured global attention. Recently, the Dodgers quietly released tickets for four home games, and in just one day, they were completely sold out. The ticket prices for this thrilling matchup between two powerhouse teams have reached five figures.

Although the starting ticket price for the World Series is listed at $800, the secondary market has seen entry-level tickets starting at $1,081 as of the afternoon of October 19th. Seats located in the upper level above the right field line are among the cheaper options, with prices ranging from $1,392 to $1,733 for locations further back in the right field area. For the best views right behind home plate, tickets are going for between $15,000 and $20,000.

Rather than launching a formal advertising campaign, the Dodgers opted to notify previous ticket buyers via email and share the ticket sale information on social media. Their website warns that tickets purchased for resale may be subject to cancellation and refunds by the team.

It’s been over 40 years since the Dodgers last faced off against the Yankees, back in 1981. With both teams boasting star-studded rosters, including heavyweights like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, this World Series matchup is poised to set new viewership records.

Last year, in the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, the cheapest ticket for the opening game was a standing ticket priced at $451, with seated tickets starting at $774.

On October 23, a representative from the Qinghai Meteorological Research Institute shared exciting news regarding the grass production in Qinghai Province for 2024. According to their findings, the hay yield is expected to be 15.5% higher than the average of the past decade for the same time period.

Qinghai ranks as one of China’s five major pastoral areas, with its grassland area only surpassed by Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang, making it the fourth largest in the nation. The province’s grasslands represent the largest ecological system in Qinghai. Data from the third national land survey reveals that Qinghai’s grassland covers 5.92 million hectares, accounting for 56.67% of the province’s total land area and 14.92% of the nation’s grassland.

Satellite remote sensing monitoring indicates that during the grass growing season from May to September 2024, the average grass yield in Qinghai is projected to reach 2,022.4 kilograms per hectare. This yield displays a spatial distribution pattern where western areas have lower production and eastern regions perform better. Huangnan boasts the highest average yield, followed by Haibei and Hainan, while Haixi records the lowest.

An analyst from the meteorological institute noted, “Compared to the average over the past decade, grass production during the growing season is significantly higher, with 52.2% of grassland areas experiencing above-average yields, mostly in northern Hainan, Huangnan, Golog, and southeastern Yushu. Conversely, 17.4% of grassland areas have lower than average yields, particularly in northwestern Yushu.” The analyst attributes this increase to higher-than-average precipitation and temperatures during the growing season, coupled with favorable conditions for grass growth. Notably, July saw optimal temperatures and rainfall during a critical growth phase for the grass.

However, June brought prolonged periods of continuous rain to the Sanjiangyuan area, resulting in insufficient sunlight, which could hinder grass development.

Looking ahead, the meteorological team anticipates that from late October to early November, temperatures in Qinghai will remain above average, with most areas experiencing increased rainfall. This winter and spring, specific regions in Haibei, eastern Yushu, and much of Golog face a higher risk of snow disasters. Authorities recommend that all regions enhance their fire prevention measures on grasslands and prepare for supplementing and storing fodder, especially in areas where grass production is low and snow disaster risk is elevated.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently touched down in India after a brief stop in Denmark, where he is set to participate in the AI Summit. During this event, he will engage in discussions with Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries and Asia’s richest person. Huang’s presence at the summit underscores NVIDIA’s commitment to India, the world’s most populous nation, as he seeks to establish partnerships with several prominent companies, including Infosys.

The AI Summit in Mumbai will showcase how industries across India are leveraging NVIDIA’s AI technologies to enhance their products and services. Huang has been touring the globe this year, promoting what he refers to as the “new industrial revolution” powered by AI.

With a population of 1.4 billion, India presents a significant platform for AI potential, and various sectors—including agriculture, education, and manufacturing—are beginning to use AI technologies to boost efficiency. Major global tech players like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Meta are viewing India as a key growth market and operational hub.

At the summit, NVIDIA unveiled a new small language model called Nemotron-4-Mini-Hindi-4B, which boasts 4 billion parameters to help businesses develop their own AI models. According to NVIDIA’s press release, “This model has been refined using real-world Hindi data, synthetic Hindi data, and an equal volume of English data for training.”

Tech Mahindra, an Indian IT services and consulting firm, is leading the charge by utilizing NVIDIA’s technologies to create a customized AI model named Indus 2.0, focused on Hindi and its numerous dialects.

The primary distinction between small language models and the larger models like those used in ChatGPT lies in the smaller, more specialized databases used for training the former. Small models are typically more cost-effective, making them an attractive option for resource-constrained companies.

Moreover, NVIDIA is collaborating with the e-commerce platform Flipkart to develop a conversational customer service system. The company also plans to partner with medical firms in India to enhance productivity in patient care and research.

NVIDIA has been operating in Bangalore, Southern India, for the past 20 years and has established R&D centers in three other cities, employing around 4,000 engineers—second only to the U.S. in staff numbers.

About a year ago, NVIDIA struck agreements with local Indian conglomerates, including Reliance and Tata, to set up AI data centers. During an August shareholder meeting, Ambani mentioned that Reliance is working on a suite of AI tools and applications called JioBrain, referencing AI an impressive 80 times throughout the meeting.

As U.S.-China relations continue to fray, India’s position within the global tech industry is becoming increasingly significant. Last month, Huang met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the U.S., declaring that “this is India’s time.”

Global chip manufacturers are also investing in India and establishing production facilities to expand their influence in the country. India is ramping up efforts to develop its semiconductor industry in hopes of competing with powerhouses like Taiwan. However, analysts caution that tangible results may take years to materialize.

On October 16, during the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Heads of Government Council in Islamabad, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene for a trilateral summit.

In an interview that day, Premier Li expressed that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the three heads of state, the cooperation among China, Russia, and Mongolia has maintained a solid momentum of development, aligning with the shared expectations of all parties and responding to the current trends in global development. He emphasized China’s willingness to enhance mutual trust with Russia and Mongolia, strengthen coordination, and advance trilateral cooperation to better benefit the citizens of all three nations.

Li highlighted the unique geographical advantages and a strong public support base for collaboration among the three countries, given their close proximity and interlinked destinies. He proposed that China, Russia, and Mongolia adhere to the consensus reached by their leaders, focusing on implementing the mid-term roadmap for cooperation. This includes strengthening development strategy alignment, deepening policy communication, and promoting cooperation that is more profound, sustainable, and effective, ultimately serving as a model for friendly exchanges and mutual benefits.

Both Mishustin and Oyun-Erdene shared their views, noting that under the strategic leadership of their heads of state, cooperation among the three countries has been progressing steadily. They highlighted the expanding dialogue and exchanges across various fields, meeting the common needs of their nations as well as regional stability and development, with broad prospects ahead. The Russian and Mongolian leaders expressed their willingness to collaborate with China, enhancing the connection between the Eurasian Economic Union, the “Prairie Road” development strategy, and the Belt and Road Initiative. They reaffirmed commitment to the key directions outlined in the mid-term roadmap for cooperation, aiming to expedite the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor and strengthen collaboration in transportation, energy, and cultural exchanges to achieve more significant outcomes in trilateral cooperation.

On October 21, the 2024-2025 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) continued with an exciting matchup as the Sichuan Fenggu Liquor team hosted the Zhejiang Fangxingdu team. After four hard-fought quarters, Sichuan fell to Zhejiang with a score of 107 to 118, marking their fifth consecutive loss.

The game opened with Zhejiang establishing control early, led by Hu Jinqiu’s powerful drives to the basket that quickly built a lead. Sichuan, guided by their foreign player Edmond, responded with several three-pointers to close the gap. However, Zhejiang’s Sun Minghui stepped up with consistent mid-range shooting, helping to solidify their lead and orchestrating the team’s offense, which gradually extended the margin to double digits. By halftime, Zhejiang led 63-52.

In the second half, Zhejiang maintained their momentum with foreign player Nate frequently attacking the basket and delivering spectacular dunks. Sichuan’s Zuo Zhenian managed to hit consecutive three-pointers, providing a much-needed response to prevent the deficit from growing. As the fourth quarter unfolded, Sichuan continued to push for a comeback, but their offensive efforts fell short, ultimately resulting in a 107-118 defeat.

After the game, Zhejiang’s head coach Wang Bo praised Sichuan’s performance, acknowledging their desire to win, along with their strong rebounding and teamwork. Meanwhile, Sichuan’s head coach expressed satisfaction with his players’ efforts, highlighting their 21 offensive rebounds and 33 assists as a testament to their determination on the court, despite the disparity in talent between the teams. He encouraged his players to sustain this level of effort moving forward.

On October 23, 2024, a terrorist attack occurred at the headquarters of Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) located in the outskirts of Ankara. The incident involved explosions and gunfire that tragically resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 22 others.

The attack commenced around 3 PM local time during a change of security personnel. Reports indicate that the assailant, armed with an assault rifle, arrived in a taxi, detonated an explosive device at the building’s entrance, creating chaos before entering the facility. There, he engaged in a shootout with the security staff.

Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey’s Minister of the Interior, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “Unfortunately, we have lost five martyrs, and 22 others were injured in the attack. Of the injured, three have since been released from the hospital while 19 are currently receiving treatment.” He confirmed that the two attackers—a man and a woman—were killed in the confrontation, and authorities are working to determine their identities without revealing whether any additional suspects remain at large.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the heinous terrorist act and expressed condolences for the fallen. Cevdet Yılmaz, the Vice President of Turkey, noted that out of the five fatalities, four were employees of Turkish Aerospace Industries, while one was the taxi driver who transported the assailants to the scene.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the Minister of Defense, Yaşar Güler, pointed fingers at the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), asserting without evidence that they have repeatedly failed to learn their lesson despite facing severe repercussions. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to continue combating threats until the last terrorist is eliminated.

According to the Associated Press, the exact orchestrator of the attack remains unclear, but there have been instances in the past where Kurdish militants, ISIS, and radical leftist groups have executed attacks in Turkey.

The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah speculated that the incident could have been a suicide bombing, and additional personnel from security, emergency services, and the fire department have been deployed to manage the situation.

Reportedly, the headquarters employs over 15,000 staff members, who have been relocated to safety in light of the attack.

Turkish Aerospace Industries plays a pivotal role in Turkey’s defense and aerospace sectors. It is known for producing the country’s first indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, and is involved in multiple aerospace projects, manufacturing training aircraft, combat jets, and civilian helicopters.

Dr. Ho Yim operates foot care clinics in both Flushing and Brooklyn, offering a wide range of medical services and surgeries for various foot ailments, including innovative laser treatments for toenail fungus that are pain-free and have no side effects. Dr. Yim is also known for his custom-made orthotics that effectively relieve foot pain. His clinics accept senior care cards, Medicaid, and provide complimentary custom shoes and orthotics for diabetic patients, with discounted rates for those without insurance.

In addition to his clinic work, Dr. Yim serves as an attending physician at New York Hospital in Queens, Brooklyn Hospital, and a Veterans Affairs hospital. He holds board certifications from the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). His goal is to alleviate foot pain and resolve underlying issues through effective treatment methods. Dr. Yim has extensive clinical experience in treating a variety of foot conditions, including diabetes-related complications, deformities, sprains, athlete’s foot, corns, arthritis, flat feet, as well as children’s foot problems and various nail and skin issues.

Dr. Yim emphasizes that diabetic patients often experience numbness or burning sensations in their feet due to high blood sugar and nerve damage, which can lead to neglect of foot injuries. He recommends that these patients have regular foot check-ups every three months, or seek immediate medical attention for any wounds to prevent severe infections or even amputations. One common condition he sees is plantar fasciitis, which can cause heel pain. He advises patients to walk more, perform stretching exercises, apply ice packs, or consider custom orthotics or injections; if the condition is severe, surgery may be necessary.

Moreover, he notes that many in the Chinese community tend to overlook foot issues, leading to more serious and harder-to-treat conditions. Based on his clinical experience, Dr. Yim asserts that early diagnosis and treatment of foot problems can lead to complete healing. For example, children’s bow legs or flat feet can often be corrected with exercises or orthotics if addressed early, but it becomes increasingly difficult to improve as they grow older. Another common issue is heel spurs, prevalent among restaurant workers, kitchen staff, and caregivers. If these conditions are not treated promptly and properly, prolonged walking can lead to pain in the heels, ankles, knees, and even the back due to tendonitis.

Dr. Ho Yim’s clinic in Flushing is located at 42-31 Colden St., #202A, Flushing, NY 11355 (above Red Apple Kindergarten), and appointments can be made by calling 718-886-6868. Clinic hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 PM to 4 PM, Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM; closed on Friday, Sunday, and Monday. The Brooklyn location is at 5521 8th Ave., Unit 4C, Brooklyn, NY 11220, with appointments available at 718-975-7111. Clinic hours in Brooklyn are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM, Thursday and Saturday from 2 PM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM; closed on Friday and Monday. Dr. Yim is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghainese, and accepts various insurances, offering discounts for patients without insurance.

Recently in Beijing, it was announced that Xie Chang’an, the CEO of PepsiCo Greater China and Chief Growth Officer for Asia Pacific, has been recognized for her remarkable leadership by being named one of the most influential businesswomen in Asia Pacific and China on Fortune’s 2024 list. This accolade highlights her status as one of the most prominent business leaders of the year.

Xie Chang’an’s recognition on the Fortune (China) list, which began in 2010, aims to showcase the wisdom, courage, persistence, and confidence of women leaders in the Chinese business landscape. The list not only emphasizes the value created by female executives but also their significance in both the Chinese and global economies, focusing on how they harness their power to influence and shape the future.

Since taking the helm of PepsiCo’s Greater China operations in 2021 and becoming the Chief Growth Officer for Asia Pacific in March this year, Xie has led the company’s growth strategies, driving marketing innovation and product development. Her efforts in the Chinese market have provided valuable insights that feed back into the global structure.

The recognition of Xie on the inaugural Fortune Asia Pacific Most Influential Business Women list underscores her ability to propel PepsiCo forward while fostering a lasting impact through her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has cultivated a passionate and innovative workplace that inspires her team to achieve peak performance. By demonstrating the power of inclusive leadership, she has paved the way for talent development, motivating future leaders.

In the face of structural adjustments and increasing competition in the Chinese consumer market over the past year, Xie has remained steadfast in her commitment to the region, guiding PepsiCo through these cycles with a “long-termism” approach. Her exceptional leadership, forward-thinking vision, and keen insights have enabled strong performance in the Chinese market, which has also benefited PepsiCo’s international operations. Notably, in 2024, PepsiCo announced the establishment of its first food base in China’s northwest region with a significant investment of 1.3 billion yuan in Shaanxi, while the Shandong production base officially launched in September. This investment marks the fifth consecutive year of opening or expanding a food factory, showcasing PepsiCo’s strong commitment to the Chinese market.

To achieve dual goals of “high growth” and “high quality,” Xie has a deep understanding of consumer needs in China. She champions a consumer-centric philosophy, leading her team to develop a series of localized innovations that resonate with the market. From the no-sugar “生” cola, Quaker rice-free porridge, and probiotic oatmeal, to Lay’s freshly baked rice cakes, local snacks, and heritage-themed cans, each product reflects PepsiCo’s bold breakthroughs in product and brand experience while delivering fresh, resonant experiences to consumers.

On the management front, Xie firmly believes that “talent drives PepsiCo’s success.” She is committed to empowering employees from multiple dimensions, with a particular focus on developing young professionals and women in the workplace. PepsiCo Greater China continues to invest in talent development, promoting a value proposition of “Be unstoppable, be impactful.” Programs like management trainees, Tomorrow’s Journey, comprehensive training, and mentorship initiatives cultivate a new generation of “Pepsi Leaders,” ensuring a solid talent foundation for the company’s ongoing leadership in the Greater China market. Additionally, Xie places great importance on organizational vitality, actively engaging with employees to encourage diverse creative expression and innovative thinking. Under her leadership, PepsiCo has received multiple accolades as an “Outstanding Employer” and recognized as one of the best places for women to work.

In 2023-2024, Xie was also featured twice on Forbes’ list of the top 100 outstanding businesswomen in China.

The CDC recently released a list of the 10 dirtiest cruise ships after conducting health inspections on 114 vessels. Have you been onboard any of these?

As part of its updated Vessel Sanitation Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluated cruise ships on a scale from 0 to 100 based on cleanliness, with ten ships scoring below 89. According to CDC guidelines, a score of 86 or higher is considered “satisfactory,” while anything below that is deemed unsatisfactory.

The ship that fared the worst in this year’s inspections was the Hanseatic Inspiration, operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which received a score of just 62. Coming in second is the Bahama Mama, operated by Balearia Caribbean, with a score of 69. The Safari Endeavour, managed by Un-Cruise Adventures, was ranked third with a score of 79.

The remaining seven ships on the CDC’s dirtiest list scored above the “satisfactory” threshold but still performed poorly. These include AIDAaura, Caribbean Princess, Carnival Breeze, Evrima, Kydon, MSC Magnifica, and the National Geographic Sea Lion.

While the scores highlight some of the issues, the report detailed shocking violations on these ships, such as dirty beer taps, live or dead insects found in kitchens and pool bars, a rotting bird covered in maggots on a barbeque grill, missing records for hair filter disinfection in pools, and food not being stored or cooled properly. Following the report, several cruise operators expressed intentions to investigate these lapses.

It’s worth noting that the report also identified over 20 cruise ships that scored a perfect 100: Carnival Spirit, Zuiderdam, Viking Orion, Seabourn Odyssey, Norwegian Jewel, Oceania Regatta, Radiance of the Seas, MSC Meraviglia, Norwegian Bliss, MSC Seashore, Norwegian Sky, Brilliance of the Seas, Viking Polaris, Celebrity Equinox, Norwegian Escape, Explora I, Disney Fantasy, Celebrity Ascent, Viking Sky, Celebrity Beyond, Voyager of the Seas, and Carnival Panorama.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program inspects cruise operations annually to ensure they uphold sanitation standards, preventing and controlling the spread of gastrointestinal diseases that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.