LONDON, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) today announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase The MECO Group Limited (MECO) independent specialist marine managing general agent (MGA) based out of London It specialises in providing marine insurance products and services to a diverse range of global marine clients shipowners and entities engaged in maritime operations and global supply chains MECO provides coverage through its three core insurance brands – The Charterers P&I Club Aurora P&I and offers complementary legal services through its law firm True North Its insurance business brings in-depth expertise of underwriting several specialist marine classes that are complementary to Markel's existing marine business defence and demurrage; trade disruption; loss of hire; strikes delay; small vessels owners' P&I; contractual extension liabilities; as well as ancillary marine insurance products "This agreement presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our marine footprint and capabilities with new products complementary services and client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies as well as in Europe," said Andrew McMellin Managing Director of Wholesale – International "MECO will integrate into Markel but will continue to operate utilising its existing core insurance brands leveraging Markel's capabilities to build on existing successful relationships in its core regions The evident synergies between our two companies will allow us to provide a more comprehensive and competitive offering for clients." commented: "We're excited to be joining forces with Markel Today's announcement marks a new chapter for MECO as we continue to expand on the strong foundations we've built in many key markets over the past 50 years There are clear strategic and cultural similarities between the two businesses Ensuring MECO will continue operating its brands within Markel International recognises the value of our team and provides lasting benefit to clients." About MarkelWe are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL) Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs valued relationships they develop with colleagues brokers and clients—that differentiates us worldwide a specialist marine insurance MGA that celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year the Group now operates across three key hubs in London the MECO Group is owned and controlled by its executive board We are a service-based business that offers clients the best of both worlds backed by an experienced and knowledgeable team of specialists that is professional the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc today announced a new divisional structure for its US and Bermuda.. Banking & Financial Services Insurance Maritime & Shipbuilding Transportation, Trucking & Railroad Do not sell or share my personal information: Specialty insurer Markel is moving to expand its marine products by acquiring MGA The Meco Group each offering expertise in the marine sector You have reached the limit for gifting for this month Insurance Insider US is the premier intelligence solution for the P&C insurance market Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy Markel (NYSE:MKL) has announced an agreement to acquire The MECO Group (MECO) a specialist marine managing general agent (MGA) that generated US$63 million GWP in 2024 specializing in marine insurance products through its core brands: The Charterers P&I Club MECO's expertise spans various marine insurance classes The company also provides legal services through its law firm True North aims to strengthen Markel's marine footprint particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe MECO will integrate into Markel while maintaining its existing core insurance brands Markel (NYSE:MKL) ha annunciato un accordo per acquisire The MECO Group (MECO) un agente generale di gestione marina specializzato (MGA) che ha generato un GWP di 63 milioni di dollari nel 2024 specializzandosi in prodotti di assicurazione marina attraverso i suoi marchi principali: The Charterers P&I Club La competenza di MECO copre diverse categorie di assicurazione marina ritardi per scioperi e P&I per proprietari di piccole imbarcazioni La società offre inoltre servizi legali tramite il suo studio legale True North mira a rafforzare la presenza marina di Markel in particolare nella regione Asia-Pacifico e in Europa MECO sarà integrata in Markel mantenendo i suoi marchi assicurativi principali esistenti Markel (NYSE:MKL) ha anunciado un acuerdo para adquirir The MECO Group (MECO) un agente general de gestión marina especializado (MGA) que generó 63 millones de dólares en primas suscritas (GWP) en 2024 especializándose en productos de seguros marinos a través de sus marcas principales: The Charterers P&I Club La experiencia de MECO abarca diversas clases de seguros marinos retrasos por huelgas y P&I para propietarios de pequeñas embarcaciones La empresa también ofrece servicios legales a través de su firma True North tiene como objetivo fortalecer la presencia marina de Markel especialmente en la región Asia-Pacífico y Europa MECO se integrará en Markel manteniendo sus marcas aseguradoras principales existentes Markel (NYSE:MKL)은 2024년에 6,300만 달러의 보험료 수입(GWP)을 기록한 해양 전문 관리 일반 대리점(MGA)인 The MECO Group (MECO)를 인수하기로 합의했다고 발표했습니다 Aurora P&I 등 주요 브랜드를 통해 해양 보험 상품을 전문으로 합니다 규제 승인 조건으로 진행되는 이번 인수는 특히 아시아 태평양 지역과 유럽에서 Markel의 해양 사업을 강화하는 것을 목표로 합니다 MECO는 기존 핵심 보험 브랜드를 유지하면서 Markel에 통합될 예정입니다 Markel (NYSE:MKL) a annoncé un accord pour acquérir The MECO Group (MECO) un agent général de gestion spécialisé en assurance marine (MGA) ayant généré 63 millions de dollars de primes brutes (GWP) en 2024 et se spécialise dans les produits d’assurance marine à travers ses marques principales : The Charterers P&I Club L’expertise de MECO couvre plusieurs classes d’assurance marine ainsi que les P&I pour les propriétaires de petits navires La société propose également des services juridiques via son cabinet True North vise à renforcer la présence maritime de Markel notamment dans la région Asie-Pacifique et en Europe MECO sera intégrée à Markel tout en conservant ses marques d’assurance principales existantes Markel (NYSE:MKL) hat eine Vereinbarung zur Übernahme von The MECO Group (MECO) bekannt gegeben einem auf das Marinegeschäft spezialisierten Managing General Agent (MGA) der im Jahr 2024 ein Bruttobeitragsvolumen (GWP) von 63 Millionen US-Dollar erzielte MECO wurde 1974 gegründet und ist von London spezialisiert auf Marineversicherungsprodukte durch seine Kernmarken: The Charterers P&I Club Die Expertise von MECO umfasst verschiedene Marineversicherungsklassen Streikverzögerungen sowie P&I für Eigentümer kleiner Schiffe Das Unternehmen bietet zudem juristische Dienstleistungen über seine Kanzlei True North an soll die maritime Präsenz von Markel insbesondere in der Asien-Pazifik-Region und Europa stärken behält dabei jedoch seine bestehenden Kernversicherungsmarken bei Markel's acquisition of The MECO Group represents a strategic expansion of its marine insurance capabilities and geographic footprint With MECO generating $63 million in gross written premiums in 2024 this transaction enhances Markel's specialized marine insurance portfolio while providing deeper access to high-growth markets in Asia-Pacific The acquisition aligns perfectly with Markel's established strategy of building out niche specialty insurance operations MECO brings valuable expertise in charterers P&I and other specialized marine coverages that complement Markel's existing marine business This portfolio diversification reduces Markel's risk concentration while creating cross-selling opportunities across their combined client base Particularly notable is the expansion into Shanghai giving Markel enhanced access to Asian shipping markets—a crucial advantage as global maritime trade continues shifting eastward The decision to maintain MECO's existing brands indicates Markel recognizes the value of MECO's market position and client relationships built over its 50-year history the transaction appears consistent with Markel's disciplined approach to bolt-on acquisitions that extend their specialty insurance capabilities The integration of MECO's legal services arm (True North) may also provide additional revenue streams beyond traditional underwriting operations This transaction reinforces Markel's identity as a specialty insurer focused on complex niche risks rather than competing in commoditized mass-market segments For a company of Markel's size ($22.7 billion market cap) this acquisition represents a modest but strategically sound addition to their global operations It specialises in providing marine insurance products and services to a diverse range of global marine clients a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/markel-to-acquire-leading-specialist-marine-mga-the-meco-group-limited-302429421.html Already have an account? Login I was thrilled to try authentic Japanese food and see Hokusai’s wood block prints — but the thing I was most excited for was my hotel I’d seen posts about “pod hotels” popping up every few weeks on social media guests sleep in tiny compartments with beds inside These “pods” come in all shapes and sizes — square and round metal and wooden — and many aren’t even large enough to sit up in Pod hotels have existed in Japan since 1979, when the first one opened in Osaka. After four decades, they blew up on American social media in the early 2020s and are finally spreading to the United States. Recently, Boston’s first and only pod hotel — called MECO Hotel — opened in the West End. I stayed a night at MECO to see what it was like and compare it to my experience in Tokyo. MECO sits just off a busy intersection, less than a block from TD Garden. After a traffic-clogged Uber ride there (my fault for leaving during rush hour), I walked into the main lobby: a rectangular room where wood paneling adorned the white-painted walls and round mirrors hung in the place of paintings. Check-in was simple — I’d booked my stay the day before on MECO’s website, so all I had to do was put down a security deposit and collect my key card. I’d bought one night in a “single pod,” MECO’s slightly larger pod variant. It was only $3 more expensive than the cheaper “bunk-bed pod,” so I decided to splurge. My order cost $85 with tax and fees included — disappointing compared to the pod hotel I’d stayed in in Tokyo, which was less than $30 a night, but still market rate for a hostel in Boston. (Because you sleep in a shared room at pod hotels, they’re more comparable to hostels than normal hotel rooms). After receiving my key card, I took the elevator up to my room on the second floor. It opened onto a starkly minimalist hallway with plain white floors and empty white walls. For a pod hotel, this is standard. These hotels provide guests with only the bare necessities — an area just big enough to sleep in and a locker for their things. Like you would at a hostel, you sleep in a shared room and amenities like bathrooms are communal. This stripped-down philosophy extends to design as well. In a pod hotel, you’ll find no superfluous decor — no wallpaper or paintings, only blank walls. Inside my room, wood panels separated around 20 pods. The tinier bunk-bed pods sat stacked on top of each other, while the larger single pods had more ceiling space. Each pod held a panel with an outlet, buttons controlling lights and a fan, and a small pocket to hold your phone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meco Hotel Boston (@mecohotel) My MECO pod wasn’t as sci-fi as the pod I stayed in in Tokyo which was smaller and made of smooth white plastic I piled my things into a sliding locker under my bed The locker wouldn’t lock — I couldn’t figure out if it was broken or I just misunderstood how the lock worked — so I closed it and hoped my stuff would be safe It was a short walk to the North End, where I got dinner with a friend at Giacomo’s I got ready for bed in one of the bathrooms lining the middle of the second floor’s white hallway I appreciated that there was a shelf to hold my toiletries but the sink was small enough that it made it difficult to wash my face I made my way back to my pod to go to sleep but lowering my pod’s blackout curtain blocked it out almost completely I could hear someone a few pods over talking on the phone so I turned on the fan and it quickly drowned her out the blackout curtains were keeping my pod completely dark My stay at MECO wasn’t as exciting as the pod hotel I visited in Tokyo Sleeping in Tokyo felt like staying in a spaceship — my pod was funkily futuristic and the hotel was run entirely remotely which meant I never met a single staff member Its accommodations were undoubtedly unique and it did feel more private than a typical hostel Adelaide Parker can be reached at adelaide.parker@globe.com. Follow her on X @adelaide_prkr. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meco Hotel Boston (@mecohotel) Insurance Asia website works best with Javascript enabled Please enable your javascript and reload the page Markel plans to leverage MECO’s presence in APAC Markel said it plans to acquire The MECO Group Limited (MECO) a specialist marine managing general agent with offices in London It provides marine insurance products and services to a global client base and companies involved in maritime operations and supply chains.  MECO reported $63m in gross written premiums in 2024 MECO operates through three insurance brands — The Charterers P&I Club and Aurora P&I — and offers complementary legal services through its affiliated law firm Its underwriting expertise covers marine classes that complement Markel’s existing portfolio including charterers protection and indemnity (P&I) MECO will integrate into Markel but continue operating under its existing brands.  particularly in the Asia-Pacific and European markets.  Casa no Meco, designed by Lisbon and Zurich-based architect Fábio Ferreira Neves, is a newly completed single-family residence located in the village of Aldeia do Meco, Setúbal, along the Atlantic Coast of Portugal The project aims to blend into the local context with its simple design reflecting the architectural language of the region Neves’ approach aligns with the village’s identity while responding to the characteristics of the elongated site the house is defined by minimal openings on its large whitewashed walls which provide both privacy and acoustic protection from the road This restrained facade creates an atmosphere of enclosure shielding the interior from outside distractions and reinforcing a sense of seclusion images © David Pereira In contrast to its more closed-off street-facing side the south-facing portion Fábio Ferreira Neves’ Casa no Meco gradually opens up to a private garden allow natural light to flood into the home connecting the indoor living spaces with the outdoors while maintaining control over sun exposure and privacy The material choices and construction methods of Casa no Meco respect the local tradition drawing on familiar Mediterranean architectural imagery The whitewashed walls and the use of wooden shutters evoke the region’s vernacular recognizable form that complements the surrounding village buildings While the design is rooted in tradition, the architect brings a contemporary sensibility to the project The house adopts a strategy of subtraction to counter undesirable views and focus on optimal solar orientation Casa no Meco harnesses the best aspects of its context creating a comfortable and protected living space that feels timeless and connected to its environment the northern facade has minimal openings on large whitewashed walls the south-facing side opens onto a garden through large windows and wooden shutters the material choices and construction methods honor local Mediterranean architecture subtracting elements for views and maximum sunlight a pitched roof and simple design reflects the architectural identity of the surrounding village a balance of privacy and openness harmonizes with the village setting and natural surroundings Casa no Meco blends traditional aesthetics with contemporary sensibilities architecture: Fábio Ferreira Neves | @fdfneves photography: © David Pereira | @davdpereira AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Sir William Johnson and Berkshire battle a house fire at 624 County Route 309 in Meco Wednesday Sir William Johnson and Bershire battle a house fire at 624 County Route 309 in Meco Wednesday TOWN OF JOHNSTOWN — A Town of Johnstown home was damaged in a fire Wednesday afternoon Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Sir William Johnson and Berkshire battle a house fire at 624 County Route 309 in Meco on Wednesday Ricmar Design & Print recently received a microenterprise grant it will use to expand its offerings Email notifications are only sent once a day Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Have the latest food and drink articles delivered to your inbox every Thursday Sign up today to receive email newsletters of local daily obituaries Get the Register Star and Daily Mail E-edition delivered directly to your inbox Have the latest local news delivered every morning so you don't miss out on updates Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account the insurance arm of US-based Markel Group Inc has signed an agreement to acquire The MECO Group Limited a marine-focused managing general agent (MGA) with operations in London MECO underwrites marine risks for a global client base The MGA reported US$63 million in gross written premiums for the 2024 financial year Its offerings are delivered through three primary underwriting platforms – The Charterers P&I Club and Aurora P&I – as well as True North MECO’s product portfolio spans various specialist marine coverages including protection and indemnity for charterers These capabilities are expected to enhance Markel’s marine insurance footprint managing director of wholesale – international at Markel said the deal would support growth through a broader product range and deeper client engagement in key maritime markets “This agreement presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our marine footprint and capabilities with new products and client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies as well as in Europe,” he said He added that Markel intends to retain MECO’s existing brand structure which aligns well with the company’s operating model “MECO will integrate into Markel but will continue to operate utilising its existing core insurance brands leveraging Markel’s capabilities to build on existing successful relationships in its core regions The evident synergies between our two companies will allow us to provide a more comprehensive and competitive offering for clients,” McMellin said said the move positions the company to build on its five-decade history “We’re excited to be joining forces with Markel [The] announcement marks a new chapter for MECO as we continue to expand on the strong foundations we’ve built in many key markets over the past 50 years Ensuring MECO will continue operating its brands within Markel International recognises the value of our team and provides lasting benefit to clients,” he said The announcement comes amid changing conditions in the marine insurance landscape. According to Gallagher Specialty’s Q2 2025 market update competitive pricing pressures are emerging Premium rates for hull and machinery coverage are declining as insurers compete for high-quality risks although technical pricing levels remain a concern for profitability The report also highlighted the impact of geopolitical instability on war risk underwriting Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe continue to disrupt shipping routes increasing exposure for vessels navigating these regions Attacks in the Red Sea and missile strikes in the Black Sea have caused damage to infrastructure and vessels Marine insurers are also facing pressure from rising repair costs with inflation in materials and shipyard services contributing to higher claim severity piracy incidents off East Africa and shifting trade policies continue to add layers of complexity for underwriters Markel’s acquisition of MECO is expected to conclude later in 2025 The company has indicated that MECO will continue operating under its existing brands A Gainesville man is behind bars after authorities said he was found with $60,000 worth of illegal drugs in a hotel last week Williams with the Hall County Sheriff's Office said an investigation into Meco Antwon Champion started earlier this month when a warrant served at his home on Athens Highway yielded methamphetamine and packaging materials "There's no indication that anybody else was involved in this particular operation," Williams said The investigation led to authorities serving a search warrant at a hotel on Jesse Jewel Parkway at Prior Street on Wednesday Investigators reportedly found Champion along with nearly 800 grams of meth more than 30 grams of marijuana and small amounts of both crack and powder cocaine also some scales and packaging material," Williams said Champion was arrested on a number of felony drug possession and trafficking charges and was booked into the Hall County Jail where he remained without bond as of Tuesday morning Homeland Security reportedly assisted the sheriff's office in the investigation (ANS – Turin) – The organizers of the literary competition on the theme of imprisonment the beloved chaplain of the “Ferrante Aporti” juvenile prison in Turin never expected such an overwhelming response: the jury received over 800 short stories and essays reflecting on the themes of freedom and confinement The awards ceremony will take place on May 16 at the renowned Turin International Book Fair Ricca—affectionately known as “Fr Ricca served as chaplain at the juvenile detention center for 40 years and passed away on March 2 The competition is sponsored by the City of Turin and the Regional Council of Piedmont and promoted by the Third Sector Forum of Piedmont (of which Fr Ricca was a founding member) and the Salesians of Piedmont and Aosta Valley It is open to both adults (19 and older) and teens (ages 14–18) A special category is reserved for youth inmates at “Ferrante Aporti.” The theme of the prize supported by numerous organizations that collaborated with Fr is “Behind Bars,” interpreted in both a physical and a psychological/social sense “This kind of participation is unexpected It goes beyond the desire to win a prize,” said one of the judges Director of the Rebaudengo Salesian Center and former editorial director of Elledici symbolized by the metaphor of bars—both real and metaphorical—speaks directly to the heart’s timeless desire for lasting freedom and truth that revives the human spirit.” “The submissions we received offer a glimpse into life from countless perspectives,” he continued “but all of them express a yearning to transcend despair It’s almost providential that this is happening during Easter—a time symbolic of liberation through the gift of Another who breaks the bars and makes us soar Don Bosco’s promise echoes here: I’ll see you all in Heaven because everyone’s bars will find their right perspective there.” “We’re deeply moved by the unexpected response to the Prize,” added representatives from the Third Sector Forum “Submissions came from all over Italy: the oldest participant was born in 1938 We even received entries from inmates in various prisons decided to put their skills to the test through the Meco Prize This shows that when professionals care and commit to rehabilitation Several young detainees from Ferrante Aporti also submitted their work explained: “This was possible thanks to the dedication of our teachers who introduced the students to the purpose of the prize and the inspiring life of Fr a man they’ve come to admire for his deep devotion to vulnerable youth.” a publication featuring the best entries will be launched Proceeds from the book’s sales will go entirely to the Comunità Harambée in Casale Monferrato which supports at-risk youth and was like a second home to Fr ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements Markel Corporation (MKL) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire The MECO Group Limited (MECO) a leading specialist in marine managing general agency (MGA) operations The strategic acquisition is poised to enhance Markel's footprint in the marine insurance sector particularly in high-growth markets across Asia-Pacific and Europe The MECO Group operates from key international hubs in London MECO generated a significant US$63 million in gross written premiums (GWP) reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the marine insurance industry The company's portfolio includes specialized marine insurance products under core brands such as The Charterers P&I Club as well as offering legal services through True North The acquisition complements Markel's existing marine business by adding a diverse range of products such as charterers P&I This transaction aligns with Markel's strategy of expanding its specialty insurance operations and diversifying its risk across new markets Managing Director of Wholesale – International at Markel "This agreement presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our marine footprint and capabilities with new products and client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies as well as in Europe." "We're excited to be joining forces with Markel as we continue to expand on the strong foundations we've built over the past 50 years." The transaction underscores Markel's commitment to enhancing its status as a global specialty insurer with a focus on complex and niche markets further distinguishing it from competitors in mass-market segments TOWN OF JOHNSTOWN - Firefighters responded to a fire Wednesday at a Route 309 home in the town of Johnstown Spanish researchers evaluated tissues for fibrosis using MeCo Score a diagnostic tool invented at the University of Arizona University of Arizona Cancer Center member Ghassan Mouneimne says he is hopeful the new study is a step closer to the MeCo Score gaining U.S Food and Drug Administration approval as a diagnostic tool so it could be used to help people with breast cancer Researchers led by Miguel Quintela-Fandino, MD, at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center evaluated the MeCo ScoreÔ, a diagnostic test invented at the University of Arizona and determined that it can potentially predict the likelihood of relapse or recurrence among patients with early-stage breast cancer When standard chemotherapy alone was prescribed in the neoadjuvant setting high MeCo Scores were associated with much worse survival compared with low MeCo Scores; however this difference in survival was minimized in patients who received antifibrotic therapy in addition to chemotherapy antifibrotic therapy reduced the risk of recurrence by 62% with an average follow-up period of 9.7 years after therapy.  while this new study establishes the MeCo Score as a predictive biomarker for antifibrotic benefit in HER2-negative breast cancer patients “In the case of this collaboration with our colleagues in Spain we were able to determine that a drug with no previously known benefit to breast cancer patients led to better outcomes when used in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy,” Mouneimne said “The use of the MeCo Score was crucial to this effort.” Mouneimne is hopeful that this work is a major step toward U.S Food and Drug Administration approval of the MeCo Score.  “There’s certainly a lot more work ahead of us as it will require more clinical validation to get FDA approval,” Mouneimne said “but this really is a big step in the right direction.” the U of A office that commercializes inventions stemming from research develop a strategy for the new company and license the technology from the university “We’re hopeful that additional clinical confirmation of this discovery will firmly establish a new way to determine which patients may benefit from this fundamentally new therapeutic modality,” Mouneimne said nintedanib is set for a substantial drop in price in the next couple of years which may help mitigate the rising cost of treating breast cancer It’s all about seeking new ways to personalize care and find more cost-effective treatments “We are in the initial stages of planning a prospective multicenter trial using the MeCo Score to guide nintedanib treatment in patients with luminal of the George Washington Cancer Center in Washington will serve as the principal investigator for that trial to enable patients to decide whether anti-fibrotic therapy would be beneficial in the neoadjuvant setting before surgery Watch a U of A Cancer Center video with Dr. Gus Mouneimne Ghassan Mouneimne, PhD    Associate Professor Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine Study finds breast cancer’s response to tumor stiffness may predict bone metastasis Mark FebboUniversity of Arizona Cancer Center520-343-1289, markanthonyf@arizona.edu  We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings University Information Security and Privacy © 2025 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona Too many automated requests from this network Taiwan's national health insurance system is well known in the world for its unparalleled quality and services It allows equal access to healthcare for all citizens Even the economically disadvantaged enjoy comprehensive coverage and need not worry about unaffordable medical bills national health insurance budget constraints limit the scope of medical services that can be made available to patients if a patient is diagnosed as requiring rehabilitation or physical therapy the national health insurance system covers up to six follow-up therapy sessions with only an NT$50 self-payment for each session each therapy session may be short and ineffective in relieving the patient's affliction amid the lack of a tailored one-on-one care plan Patients therefore end up seeking self-pay treatment solutions According to Meco Technology Chairman Joseph Chang muscle or joint pain can mostly be treated with a series of well-planned rehabilitation or physical therapies and without the need for surgeries this is hardly achieved with the current national insurance coverage many physical therapy clinics now offer self-pay services but most of them do not provide comprehensive care plans that include physicians and athletic trainers to alleviate patients' pain Meco Technology was founded with the aim to provide patients needing self-pay physical therapies with a comprehensive treatment plan that makes their musculoskeletal pain go away A team of diverse talent targets the self-pay healthcare market Meco Technology is dedicated to providing services including medical consultation and digital healthcare solution development Combining the capabilities to operate a business and develop technologies Meco Technology aims to introduce innovative breakthroughs to the medical sector The Meco Technology team comprises over 130 physical therapists allowing it to provide all-in-one physical therapy treatments and optimized healthcare services to self-paying patients Chang noted that there are three pillars to Meco Technology's business operation - AI Care which provides self-pay physical therapy treatments; healthcare information systems (HIS) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems designed for franchise self-pay clinics; Youdon which is a smart physical therapy platform offering a home exercise treatment app and prescription system AI Care operates pain treatment clinics and physical therapy clinics with a comprehensive and innovative muscle and joint pain treatment model Already running 11 physical therapy clinics and two pain treatment clinics as of 2023 it plans to increase its number of physical therapy clinics to 26 and pain treatment clinics to four by year-end 2024 More and more healthcare institutions are exerting efforts toward self-paying patients Meco Technology offers HIS solutions to such institutions Its HIS solutions can connect with CRM tools and official Line accounts to help healthcare institutions manage customer data The biggest problem hindering the effectiveness of physical therapies is that patients do not follow doctor's orders and do at-home rehab exercises The Youdon smart physical therapy platform can work with the AI Care system and provide more than 1,500+ videos for users to continue doing rehab exercises at home Meco Technology makes all-out efforts to add branch offices in Taiwan while expanding its app services to markets abroad but each of its founders has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare but they are also well aware of hospitals' pain points and patients' needs the company chose to work with BE Accelerator which helped boost its revenue performance accelerate the expansion of branch offices and secure funding from two venture capital firms allowing it to maintain steady and healthy growth apart from establishing a base in Startup Terrace Kaohsiung Meco Technology was also awarded a project by the Industrial Development Administration which will benefit the company's long-term development thanks to the assistance from Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) and BE Accelerator Meco Technology will have several branch offices in operation in central and southern Taiwan this year and enter into partnerships with multiple medical universities It is hoped that by exerting efforts through a diversity of channels Meco Technology will secure a share of the enormous self-pay healthcare market in Taiwan it also plans to introduce Youdon to Indonesia and other overseas markets so as to build a solid foundation for the company's long-term development Grand opening of AI Care Linkou officePhoto: Meco Technology AI rehabilitation equipmentPhoto: Meco Technology Meco Velez (@mecovelez) is a recording artist from the Bay Area, California. Not too long ago, she released an alluring, sexy R&B single, “Pulse,” via Right Turn Records Whether you’re winding down from a long day or gearing up for a night out “‘Pulse’ is a seductive confident song about knowing how much someone wants you.” “Pulse” captivates with its melodies and flirtatious lyrics when you throw me to the bed and you’re kissing on my neck I know that you a fiend,” inviting listeners to let loose and unleash their inner desire If you haven’t yet tuned into the magnetic charm of Meco Velez’s “Pulse” single Dive into this stylish song and enjoy the ride Meco Velez paints a blank canvas with her storytelling and emotion-evoking lyricism Influenced by her life experiences and those around her Meco radiates an inspiring aura that many will be able to relate to she was immersed in music from a young age and has cultivated her talents to what they are today We recommend adding Meco Velez’s “Pulse” single to your favorite contemporary R&B playlist Please comment below and let us know how this song makes you feel your feedback helps us bring you more of the music you love to discover thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment We’re your go-to source for new music and positive entertainment news (P)ositive (E)nergy (A)lways (C)reates (E)levation—P.E.A.C.E Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links Any compensation will be used to keep this website up and running Image above displays an INAH restoration specialist at work at El Meco Archaeological site Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine hundreds of media outlets worldwide have reported on the discovery of the ancient Maya city nicknamed Valeriana in Mexico’s Campeche state.  Several headlines, even from legacy media outlets described the discovery as the result of an “accident” by researcher Luke Auld-Thomas so he applied a very specific methodology and found it It’s not like his cat jumped on the keyboard accidentally entering the correct coordinates any discovery has some element of serendipity or luck Several media outlets have followed a pattern of sloppy science journalism Valeriana has approximately 7,000 structures Like several other recent archeological discoveries this one was based on data from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology collected in 2013 during a sweeping 75.8-square-mile survey.  So, to call Auld-Thomas’s discovery “accidental” is misleading. To this point, the academic paper published in Antiquity goes to lengths to describe how the region is full to the brim with the remains of Pre-hispanic settlements While the “discovery” is new to the scientific community the LiDAR imagery shows modern structures near the site’s core—not to mention a nearby major highway Modern builders may have had no notion of the full scope of the ruins but to say the site was entirely unknown by anyone is a stretch Because the only images of Valeriana available at the moment are from LiDAR news agencies have resorted to accompanying their articles with photographs of excavated pyramids like those at Calakmul and Dzibanché without properly labeling them This creates the impression among readers unfamiliar with Maya archaeology that the photographs are of Valeriana—which is misleading.  Some of the most laughable conclusions drawn from the research paper published by Luke Auld-Thomas and his colleagues are that this discovery proves that the Maya were capable of thriving in the dense jungle had not yet been satisfactorily proven by the extremely well-documented existence of hundreds of sites in the region the published paper’s title announcing the discovery to the world is: “Running out of empty space: environmental LiDAR and the crowded ancient landscape of Campeche and sensationalizing findings are redundant and counterproductive discovered in 2023 to the north of Balamkú it is tremendously difficult without extensive on-the-ground research to claim one way or another if this is an extension of the Balamkú itself or truly a distinct urban/political entity Consider the archaeological sites of Dzibanché, Kinichná, and the recently opened Ichkabal Though each has been given distinct names and has its own ticketing booths its architectural cores are literally a handful of miles from each other with monumental structures between all three In what sense does it make sense to refer to them as singular archeological sites Even worse are outlets that argue that the discovery of Valeriana proves once and for all that the ancient Maya were able to thrive in jungles “previously thought to be inhospitable to civilization” — as if the literally hundreds of documented sites in the region had not established this fact beyond any shadow of a doubt Then there is the over-the-top sensationalization with which media outlets Silly and racist “aliens did it” conspiracy theories aside the reasoning behind ignoring science and trying to make a “mystery” out of everything is baffling The Maya and other Mesoamerican cultures are fascinating enough As someone who has been “in the business” of archaeological science communication for years I understand how frustrating it can be to chase clicks and one should expect better from the media To my colleagues and fellow science communicators Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and translation degrees from universities in Mexico Mexico City is famous for its world-class museums as anyone who has even skimmed the history of this megalopolis knows its roots trace back further than any other city on its scale in North America The Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá is now open and features artifacts dating from the earliest occupation of the city to its heights under the rule of the Itzá Monte Alban was easily among the largest and most influential city-states during early Mesoamerican history.  Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century BCE Its eventual collapse coincides roughly with the fall of the great classic Maya city-states of the Petén The ancient city of Altun Há was once one of the most important Mayan cities in Northern Belize Today it’s among the most visited attractions in this tiny Central American country especially by cruisegoers arriving at Belize city’s nearby port Explore Ek Balam for its famous Acropolis’ elaborate stucco reliefs which are some of the most striking and well-preserved examples of artwork in all of Mesoamerica Caracol is a large ancient Mayan city located in Belize’s Cayo District and just a few kilometers from the Guatemalan border Advertise With Us please first agree to the privacy policy below.Cheloy Garafil a former press secretary to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be appointed as her country's new representative to Taiwan (Full text of the story is now in CNA English news archive. To view the full story, you will need to be a subscribed member of the CNA archive. To subscribe, please read here.) the shuttle had realized its potential as a scientific research platform a satellite launching pad and a vehicle to retrieve and repair damaged spacecraft Navy’s Syncom 4-1 communications satellite a large-format Earth imaging camera and the extendible OAST-1 solar array for NASA’s Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology Commanded by shuttle veteran Hank Hartsfield the STS-41D crew also included Pilot Mike Coats Steve Hawley and Judy Resnik and Payload Specialist Charlie Walker a civilian industry engineer from McDonnell Douglas Yet their flight and its payload had shifted and contorted multiple times since the crew was assigned to begin training in early 1983 TDRS-B (planned for STS-8) and TDRS-C on Hartsfield’s flight were thus deleted from the manifest Yet there were other payloads to fill the void OAST-1 and a Canadian communications satellite the Canadian satellite disappeared quickly from the payload roster and was reassigned to another flight the STS-41D crew arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for Discovery’s maiden launch A computer glitch on the 25th enforced a 24-hour delay On the morning of 26 June—40 years ago today—the countdown clock ticked down without incident Coats activated the shuttle’s three Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) and listened as the trio of hydraulic pumps hummed perfectly alive “The meters showed good pressure,” Mullane wrote in his memoir The computers automatically commanded a final series of checks of the main engines and the elevons on the wings Commander Hank Hartsfield shook Coats’ hand and wished them all good luck reminding them to stick to their training and keep their eyes focused on the instruments the Ground Launch Sequencer (GLS) handed over primary control of the countdown to the shuttle’s computers The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) underwent their final nozzle steering checks and at T-10 seconds a flurry of sparks from hydrogen burn igniters gave way to a familiar low-pitched rumble.  five…we have Main Engine Start…,” intoned the launch commentator the astronauts felt the immense vibration as turbopumps awoke liquid oxygen and hydrogen flooded into the engines’ combustion chambers and they roared to life … and then were arrested by the blaring sound of the master alarm “Then there’s this grinding,” remembered Walker It sounded like … imagine in your mind the hand of God comes out of the sky reaches down and twists the launch tower and structure outside the vehicle It sounds like the place is being ripped apart!” Two of the main engines—No closest the aft body flap—had blazed to life Shadows waved across our seats as Discovery rocked back and forth.” all Coats could hear was the screeching of disturbed seagulls outside Two red lights on the instrument panel indicated that the No whose responsibility as pilot was to monitor the engines during ascent jabbed his finger onto the button to shut it down The indicator did not change; it remained dark Walker’s eyes were focused intently on the procedures for “Mode 1 Egress,” the instructions to open the side hatch and evacuate the vehicle on the roof of the Launch Control Center (LCC) the astronauts’ families were watching the unfolding drama…and they were perplexed both by what they could see and what they could not “A thick summer haze had obscured the launch pad,” wrote Mullane a bright flash had momentarily penetrated that haze As that fear had been rising in the minds of the families the engine-start sound had finally hit … a brief roar.” The sound echoed off the walls of the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and was gone “…We have a cutoff…we have an abort by the on-board computers of the orbiter Discovery,” continued the commentator’s dry tone the astronauts heard the worrisome words “RSLS Abort,” meaning a “Redundant Set Launch Sequence.” This pointed inevitably to a main engine problem which had forced their automatic shutdown by the General Purpose Computers (GPCs) the crew knew safeguards existed to prevent the SRBs from igniting—for if that had happened it would kill them all—but they also knew that only a few seconds existed on the countdown clock “A couple of seconds in the world of electronics is a lifetime,” said Mullane “and I’m sure that all the safety devices had rotated to prevent [the solids] from igniting … but in the back of your mind you’re thinking What happens if those ignite?” The situation was by no means under control 1 engine might still be burning was not enough Launch Control now told the crew that there was a fire on the pad and the suppression equipment had been activated The decision over whether to unstrap and make an emergency evacuation of the orbiter was now in the hands of Hartsfield; downstairs Resnik had unstrapped and was peering through the window in Discovery’s side hatch The astronauts would have to run across the access arm to a set of seven baskets which would whisk them to safety It was a decision which probably saved their lives Hydrogen burns invisibly to the human eye and it had begun to ignite combustible materials on the pad surface Subsequent inspections revealed scorched paint all the way up the launch pad structure “The flame may have been as high as the cockpit,” Mullane continued We could have thrown open the hatch and run into a fire.” Walker praised Hartsfield for not ordering a Mode 1 Egress that day In his conversations with the launch director after the abort Hartsfield realized that a lot of doubt also existed over the reliability of the slide-wire baskets and that informed their judgement-call to keep the crew aboard the orbiter Hawley injected a spark of humor into the proceedings but not at the edge of space; Discovery remained firmly shackled to Earth T-zero had not been reached and so the SRBs had not ignited Hawley’s joke “broke the ice and got everybody laughing,” said Coats but did little to dissipate a pervasive sense of gloom that their mission had been aborted just four seconds prior to liftoff Gloom is often associated with bad weather and rain and when the STS-41D crew finally saw the light of day and made their way out of the orbiter they did so in a torrential downpour … not of rain but of the waters of the fire suppression system As Coats walked out of the elevator at the base of the pad “We got completely soaked to the skin,” he explained there’s a window in the back of the van and all of us were looking back at the shuttle on the launch pad “After a launch abort,” Mullane said later “you could take a gun and point it right at somebody’s forehead because they don’t have any adrenaline left in them; it’s all been used up.” Coats took his wife and children to Disney World The cause of the 26 June pad abort was later traced to a problem with one of the main engines all three of which were commanded to shut down by Discovery’s on-board computers The immediate consequence was that STS-41D would not fly for many weeks as the vehicle required rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) destacking from its boosters and fuel tank and the return of the shuttle to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for the engines to be replaced That placed the next realistic opportunity for launch in late August 1984…and that spelled bad news for NASA’s busy summertime mission manifest Assuming that STS-41D had launched on time and Hartsfield’s crew had returned safely from their seven-day flight three more shuttle missions were targeted for July and August a classified assignment for the Department of Defense Air Force Manned Spaceflight Engineer (MSE) Jeff Detroye, had been assigned to this mission—originally designated “STS-10”—in October 1982 with a scheduled launch date in the fall of the following year their payload also required the Boeing-built IUS which was expected to be out of service for at least another year Mattingly’s mission had been redesignated “STS-41E” but met with added delay the mission had disappeared from the shuttle manifest and was renumbered “51C” and rescheduled for the following December “That is when we started to learn that the numerical sequence of the numbers of the missions didn’t mean a lot,” recalled Shriver in a NASA oral history Similarly afflicted were Karol “Bo” Bobko’s STS-41F crew their final payload before the STS-41D pad abort would have seen a record-setting four deployments: Syncom 4-2 for the Navy and the SBS-4 and Telstar-3C communications satellites together with the retrievable Spartan solar physics platform With STS-41D off the table until the end of August NASA faced uncomfortable decisions about the remainder of 1984 “Payloads were stacking up,” wrote Mullane in Riding Rockets “Every day a communications satellite wasn’t in space meant the loss of millions of dollars of revenue to its operators.” Emphasis was placed on combining two missions into one and deleting the other from the manifest thereby affording minimum distortion to the launch schedule and ensuring continued NASA commitment to its customers This proved bad news for Bobko’s STS-41F crew, who had been aiming for a 9 August launch. Their entire payload—with the exception of the Spartan—was reassigned to Hartsfield’s STS-41D Laden with three large communications satellites and the OAST-1 solar array Discovery would tip the scales with the heaviest payload ever orbited by a shuttle crew: 41,180 pounds (18,680 kg) the hiatus in flights came to an end on 30 August 1984 when Hartsfield’s crew finally flew safely a glimmer of good fortune was on their side Bobko’s crew finally flew STS-51D in April 1985 But it was the events of the previous summer—1984’s “Summer of the Shuttle”—that provided a sobering reminder than the reusable spacecraft could never be fully routine FOLLOW AmericaSpace on Facebook and X © 2022 AmericaSpace.com All rights reserved The Philippine government has eased the regulations on the visit of government officials to Taiwan "for economic and investment" as well as receiving Taiwanese officials visiting the country Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Monday 82 which further prescribed the guidelines for the implementation of Executive Order No This EO prohibits officials of the Philippine government to visit Taiwan and to receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines Bersamin told GMA News Online that the government is ''liberalizing'' to improve investments with Taiwan ''We are the lowest sa mga investment destinations ng Taiwan and one of the factors na nakita namin is this One China Policy na mabagal 'yung ano kasi Department of Foreign Affairs ang nagbi-visa,'' Bersamin said in a phone call Manila does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan a democratic self-ruling island which has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949 restrictions on travel to Taiwan and contact with representatives of Taiwan shall strictly apply to the President ''Philippine government officials intending to visit Taiwan for economic shall travel using their ordinary passports and without using their official titles,'' the MC read they are required to: (a) inform MECO of the purpose of their visit prior to their departure; and (b) coordinate with MECO during their visit ''No official of the Philippine government may visit Taiwan.'' ''No official of the Philippine government may receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.'' ''No official activity relating to Taiwan shall be carried out without the clearance of the Department of Foreign Affairs,'' the EO indicated Under the latest MC of the Marcos administration Philippine government officials travelling to Taiwan for economic and investment purposes shall submit to MECO and DFA a report on their travel they may also receive delegations from Taiwan for economic exchange of notes or similar documents shall be concluded with any Taiwanese organization or agency without clearance from the DFA and an authority to sign from the Office of the President former head of the Presidential Communications Office {{gallery.imageDetails.images.0.description}} Lynette Ortiz grasping at straws? Dennis Uy turns (again) to Cebu property developer to cover P1.4B Landbank loan as PHR cash troubles deepen The road to recovery: Mike Arroyo to return to the Philippines after successful treatment Loan scam warning: BSP disowns links to UNA Financing Three years running: Dennis Uy’s DITO continues to rule as Philippines’ top mobile network – Ookla Consumer group urges Marcos to order audit of Meralco’s books from 2005 to 2024 amid rising power costs Legal clouds clear: With Sobrepeña out, Camp John Hay attracts P248M in new investments The soul of Senigallia: Where land, sea, and flavor unite at Uliassi Mozart chocolate row leaves bitter taste in Austria Cat sole survivor of 115-meter fall in US canyon Katinko maker opens PH’s first pharma ecozone in Tarlac; 13 firms sign on Dizon says old system broken: DOTr to tighten road safety measures, limit bus driving hours after fatal crashes Scottie Scheffler finishes Byron Nelson -31 for first win of ’25 the renewable energy arm of bilyonaryo Manny Zamora’s Nickel Asia Corporation has partnered with Mabuhay Energy Corporation (MECO) (JSI) and Northern Palawan Power Generation Corporation will provide MECO with power generated from two solar projects: the 72.128-megawatt peak (MWp) Subic New PV Power Plant and the 70-MWp Cawag Solar Power Plant (Phase 1) “We are honored to be chosen by MECO as a partner in expanding their clean and sustainable energy offerings,” said EPI president and CEO Roy Joseph S He emphasized the company’s commitment to contributing to the Philippines’ renewable energy goals citing the Subic and Cawag plants as part of the effort to enhance the nation’s energy security currently operates two solar facilities in Subic and is also developing the Cawag Solar Power Plant along with other renewable projects across the country a subsidiary of the Aviva Group of Companies As one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing retail energy suppliers MECO is focused on delivering reliable and sustainable energy options strengthens MECO’s efforts toward a sustainable energy future operates seven nickel mines and holds a 10% stake in the Taganito HPAL project It is also expanding its renewable energy portfolio Elevate your understanding of the Philippine business landscape and gain insights into worldwide markets by subscribing to our dedicated channels and exclusive interviews with industry leaders directly on Viber Stay informed and empowered with our Email Newsletter delivering curated content right to your inbox Don’t miss out on crucial updates and trends shaping economies and businesses both locally and internationally Join Bilyonaryo’s community today by clicking the button below to subscribe and stay ahead in the dynamic world of business Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba can play again in March after his doping ban was cut from four years to 18 months on appeal Now a free agent after his Juve deal was terminated by mutual consent, Pogba is said to be on OM's radar and Di Meco is quoted by TMW you need to know if you need a player like Paul Pogba You have a team that is starting to change direction and you should think about this "Then there is a reflection on his condition We must not forget that before the disqualification he was often injured and at Juve it was a problem I remember that he underwent surgery on his knee Then there is also the question of the contract he should sign: he should be given a relatively low salary for the first year with bonuses for each game played.. when after a long absence you are offered a sporting challenge - Get breaking football news faster with the new Tribal Football app! Download now on iOS and Android to stay ahead of all the latest transfers and football updates. Download now: App Store, Google Play The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) which functions as the Philippines' de facto embassy in Taipei expressed optimism Saturday that the visa-free entry program for Filipino travelers going to Taiwan will be further extended MECO Chairperson and Resident Representative Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said extending the visa-free entry scheme being enjoyed by Filipinos was subject to discussion "It's continuing… It's still too early but our relationship [with Taiwan] is good so hopefully it will be extended," Garafil said in a mix of Filipino and English Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) has extended until July 31, 2025 its 14-day visa-free policy for Filipino travelers The visa-free program for Filipinos resumed on Sept Garafil said that with Taiwan's economy is expanding it has been opening its borders not only for workers but also for students senior high school students to study various courses in Taiwan because that is what they need for their industries," she said "So in the next few months… we will be spearheading some projects to help students study for free in Taiwan," she added there are about 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan 170,000 of which are workers in the Asian neighbor's semiconductor Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) welcomed the Philippines’ new top representative to Taiwan on Monday and said he hoped bilateral exchanges and cooperation will continue to strengthen during her tenure the new head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Taipei headquarters on Monday and highlighted the common interests and values shared by Taipei and Manila He said he hoped that cordial bilateral exchanges in several areas said she was honored to be stationed in Taipei and was also happy to visit Taiwan for the first time She said she would do her best to promote bilateral cooperation on all fronts and people-to-people ties during her tenure assumed office as the chairperson and resident representative of MECO on Oct MECO serves as the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties She previously served as head of the Philippines Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and as a prosecutor at the Department of Justice during the administration of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Garafil worked as a reporter at the Malaya newspaper and also as a stringer for Taiwan’s Central News Agency will source clean energy from Emerging Power Inc the renewable energy (RE) arm of Nickel Asia Corp. announced Monday its partnership with MECO a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Aviva Group of Companies (JSI) and Northern Palawan Power Generation Corp.—will provide MECO with a portion of the power generated from two major solar projects: the 72.128-megawatt peak (MWp) Subic New PV Power Plant and the upcoming 70-MWp Cawag Solar Power Plant (Phase 1) currently owns and operates two solar facilities in Subic and is actively developing the Cawag Solar Power Plant alongside other RE projects in other parts of the country This partnership supports EPI’s mission to drive the Philippines’ transition to sustainable energy through large-scale renewable initiatives “We are honored to have been chosen by MECO as a partner in expanding their business of delivering clean and sustainable energy to their RES customers,” EPI President and CEO Roy Joseph S which includes the Subic and Cawag power plants we steadfastly aim to contribute to the Philippines’s renewable energy goals which should help enhance the country’s energy security in the near term.” MECO has been providing innovative and customizable energy solutions since 2017 With renewable sources like EPI’s solar power plants MECO continues to expand its reach and drive an eco-friendly energy future EPI has a portfolio of RE service contracts across solar which are at various stages of development Input your search keywords and press Enter Metrics details The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) is a global warming event that occurred at around 40 Ma and lasted about 500 kyr We study this event in an abyssal setting of the Tasman Sea and chemical parameters to investigate the evolution of the sea bottom conditions at this site during the middle Eocene We observe significant changes indicating the response to the MECO perturbation in which Mn occurs under an oxidation state around +4 indicates a shift toward higher pH conditions shortly after the end of this event Our results suggest more acid bottom water over the Tasman abyssal plain during the MECO This work provides the first evidence of MECO at abyssal depths and shows that acidification affected the entire oceanic water column during this event We present a multimethodological and multidisciplinary investigation aimed at providing new data about the environmental changes affecting this system during the MECO Our results show that a major change in deep-water circulation occurred over the TAP At the optical microscope all samples appear as light yellowish-brown grained mixture of different minerals making the colour of the sediment reddish-brown The MECO interval is highlighted in yellow and the Mn anomaly just above it is highlighted in red Bulk XRPD results show abundant quartz, halite, and clay minerals in all the studied samples. Analyses performed on clay-separated fraction revealed illite, kaolinite and smectite (see supplements). A distinct increase in smectite respect to the other minerals occurs between 264.85–266.57 mbsf, corresponding to the stratigraphic position of the MECO (Fig. 2). Conventional XRD results from the IODP Core U1511B_16R FT-IR spectra confirm the main results obtained with XRPD revealing the presence of clay minerals (kaolinite and smectite) and quartz Samples from within the MECO interval yield red grains indicating the presence of poor-crystalline Fe oxides not detectable by X-ray diffraction (see supplements) To characterize the micrometric black and red grains selected samples were investigated by Raman spectroscopy Spectra collected on the red grains show the presence of hematite whereas those from black grains reveal Mn oxides that can be assigned to ranciéite as well as traces of gypsum (see supplements) Two major clusters were identified in the dataset being cluster 1 dominant in the intervals 268.5–266.8 mbsf and 264.8–259.5 mbsf and cluster 2 limited within the interval between 266.8–264.8 mbsf Transition intervals occur before and after the cluster 2 interval Two superclusters subdivided into 6 clusters and two outsiders were identified as follows (fig Cluster 1 (C1) contains all and exclusively the samples from within 264.91–266.41-mbsf characterized by a relative increase in smectite respect to the other minerals (fig Cluster 2 (C2) is composed by the first sample above the C1 interval (264.66 mbsf) and a sample at 261.9 mbsf Cluster 3 (C3) is the largest group of values and includes samples from below and above the C1 interval Cluster 4 (C4) composed only by samples from within 259.66–260.69 mbsf Cluster 5 (C5) contains the three samples right below the C1 interval (266.65–167.15 mbsf) Cluster 6 (C6) includes the samples at 262.4 and 268.44 mbsf Summary figure for statistical analyses and interpolated cluster subdivision A strong direct correlation occurs between Al whereas Cl is anti-correlated with Si and Al and Sr have no correlation with any element This method was applied also to each of the six stratigraphic intervals identified by the cluster analyses and showed that the correlation coefficients change significantly from within to outside the MECO interval (fig PRE-MECO (268.54–267.21 mbsf): Consists mainly of radiolarian and diatoms, with smectite (30–40%), illite (20–30%), quartz (15–20%), and kaolinite (10–15%) (Fig. 2) Mn correlates moderately with MS and Fe (fig S12) K-means shows generally low values for MS and all the elements This interval represents conditions with a stable circulation and a well-mixed water column supplying oxygen at the bottom and nutrients at the surface stimulating the productivity of bio-siliceous organisms This expresses a lowering biogenic silica input and consequent increase in clay fraction that gets less diluted representing the beginning of a change in the paleoceanographic conditions over the TAP towards the MECO scenario As SEM analyses showed that clays in the studied core are mainly detrital (see fig the major increase in smectite within the MECO interval can express a different deep-water mass This evidence indicates a strong modification in the paleoceanographic conditions changing the deep-water source area and inducing a more stratified water column with consequent decrease in biosiliceous productivity at the surface Such new conditions resulted in the deposition of more clay respect to biogenic silica during the MECO As clay particles are much more compactable this change in sediments composition produced a decrease in the sedimentation rate is the reason for the anomalously short duration of the MECO at this site POST-MECO TRANSITION (264.85–264.57 mbsf): After the MECO there is a brief transition of ~28 kyr. In this interval all the elements shift back to Pre-MECO values, except for Mn, which presents a highly fluctuating trend (Fig. 1) K-means and Pearson correlation results also agree with this evidence (fig These conditions are limited to a particularly thin interval above the MECO indicating that the end of the typical MECO conditions on the TAP was rather abrupt By comparing it with the Pre-MECO transition it took twice longer to force the system into the MECO scenario than to switch it back POST-MECO (164.33–262.90): This interval is represented by the same cluster assemblage as the Pre-MECO (Fig. 3) and all Pearson values are also very similar (fig This indicates the complete restoration of Pre-MECO environmental conditions after the MECO perturbation no nodule or any other macroscopic Mn-bearing diagenetic feature occurs throughout the core U1511B-16R Pre-MECO and Post-MECO values display very similar and constant trends indicating the restoration of Pre-MECO conditions after the event \({\rm{Fe}}/\overline{{\rm{Fe}}}\)vs \({\rm{Mn}}/\overline{{\rm{Mn}}}\) values are much higher within the MECO interval indicating different conditions respect to the Pre- and Post-MECO The Pre-MECO transition values are similar to the Pre- and Post-MECO whereas those of the Post-MECO transition are more scattered while \({\rm{Fe}}/\overline{{\rm{Fe}}}\) values in the latter interval are close to those in the Pre- and Post-MECO the \({\rm{Mn}}/\overline{{\rm{Mn}}}\) ratio rises up to ~8 times higher than the mean of the entire core This indicates that Mn is extremely more sensitive than Fe to the changes occurred at the end of the MECO Fe/\(\overline{Fe}\) versus Mn/\(\overline{Mn}\) in the IODP Core U1511B_16R Environmental Model showing the oceanic bottom conditions at the Tasman Plain during the middle Eocene respect to the variation in Mn and Fe content between the water and the sediment Here we show that modifications occurred also in the abyssal circulation of the SO Even though the main trigger of the MECO is still unclear we showed that oceanic circulation played a key role for the development of this event A total of 37 samples were collected from the Core U1511B-16R Part of the material was grounded and used for XRPD was used for SEM-EDS and Raman spectroscopy analyses The samples were coated in carbon and then analysed at the Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory of the Geosciences Institute of the University of São Paulo (LabMev - IGc – USP) The scanning electron microscope (SEM) used is a LEO 440 Equipped with an X-ray Dispersive Energy Spectrometer (EDS) with a Si (Li) solid-state detector controlled by Inca 300 software from Oxford Ltd The analyses were conducted at 20 kV of Acceleration Voltage Two types of XRPD analyses were performed: Conventional XRPD analysis were performed on 7 samples at the X-Ray diffraction Laboratory of the Geoscience Institute of the University of Brasilia using a Rigaku Ultima IV with a copper anode (λ = 1.5406 Å) The samples chosen were the closest to the most representative of each cluster identified with the HCA Bulk XRD analyses: the sample was gently pulverized in a jade mortar and inserted in the sample holder XRD measurements were taken on the whole sample: Clay fraction (CF) XRD analyses: the clay fraction was separated from the bulk sediment and analysed separately to better visualize the clay content The bulk sample was washed in an ultrasonic bath with deionized water to remove the halite that causes flocculation the mixture was centrifuged at 750 rpm for 7 min while the clay fraction remained in suspension The clay fraction decanted by centrifugation at 3000 rpm with repeated movements in the same direction to orient the clays The purpose of the orientation is to highlight the plan [00 l] of the clay minerals The small dimensions of clay minerals and their low crystalline organization do not favour the formation of intense reflections which become even less important when the clay fraction contains highly crystalline minerals The orientation of the samples places the basal surfaces - plane [00 l] - of the various particles parallel to each other The sample oriented on the slide is left to air for drying CF XRD analyses after vacuum solvation in ethylene glycol: The process consists of leaving the slide used for the previous measurement in an atmosphere of ethylene glycol for about 12 hours favouring the penetration of the compound in the interlayer spaces of the expanding clay minerals allowing the verification of the possible increase in interplanar distances CF XRD analyses after heating: during this process the previously measured slide is heated to a temperature of 490 °C the sample is analysed and changes in the position of the peaks due to the loss of material from the interlayer site or the collapse of the structure of some minerals Mineral identification was done using the Jade 9 software with the ICDD PDF-2 (2010) and ICDD PDF-4 (2010) databases and the collection from the International Centre for Diffraction Data (Newtown Square FT-IR spectra were collected at the Infrared Spectroscopy Laboratory using a Nicolet iS50 FT-IR spectrometer equipped with a DTGS detector and a KBr beamsplitter and 64 scans were averaged for each sample and for the background Samples were prepared as pellets containing about 1 mg of powdered sample in 200 mg of KBr Raman measurements were performed with a progressively increasing laser power in order to avoid degradation of the samples Raman measurements were performed at the Raman Spectroscopy Laboratory at room temperature using an inVia Renishaw Raman equipped with a diode laser (532 nm an edge filter to select the Raman scattering avoiding the elastic contribution a 1800 lines/mm diffraction grating and a Peltier cooled 1024 × 256 pixel CCD detector Samples were mounted on the manual stage of a Leica DM2700 M confocal microscope Laser beam focusing and collection of Raman signals were realized with a 100x objective (with 2 mW and 5 accumulations of 10 s each The Raman spectrometer was calibrated prior to the measurements using a Si wafer and by performing the automatic offset correction The spectra acquisition and data analyses were performed using WiRE and Origin softwares The peak positions are estimated to be accurate to at least ±2 cm−1 XRPD data collected with the Olympus BTX II Bench-top XRD were analysed with the PANalytical High Score Plus software for cluster analysis A sample with pertinence values close to zero indicates a poor similarity with the cluster whereas pertinence close to one represents high similarity K-means clustering was applied to XRF and MS data This is a method divides the number of observations in a defined number (K) of clusters Each cluster is characterized by the mean value of the data contained Each observation belongs to the cluster with the closest mean which represents the prototype of the respective cluster the Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to the XRF and MS data to identify correlations among them The Pearson correlation coefficient measures the linear correlation between two variables and is expressed with a value between +1 and −1 A value equal to 1 represents a direct correlation between the two variables describable by a linear equation in which Y and X increase together A value equal to −1 represents an inverse correlation describable with a linear equation in which Y decreases as X increases When the Pearson coefficient equals to 0 there is no linear correlation between the two variables The Pearson correlation was applied to the series of the entire Core U1511B-16R and also on individual stratigraphic intervals identified by interpolating k-means clustering SEM-EDS, XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and statistical data presented in this work can be obtained from the corresponding author upon request. 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Geological. https://doi.org/10.1130/G47008.1 (2020) Brown A pre-edge analysis of Mn K-edge XANES spectra to help determine the speciation of manganese in minerals and glasses Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 157.1 Genetic diversity of manganese deposition in the terrestrial geological record History of oceanic front development in the New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean during the Cenozoic—a synthesis New Zealand Journal of geology and geophysics 44.4 Orbitally forced climate changes in the Tasman sector during the Middle Eocene Scher Changes in Southern Ocean bottom water environments associated with the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) “Impact of oceanic circulation on biological carbon storage in the ocean and atmospheric pCO2” X-ray Diffraction and the Identification and Analysis of Clay Minerals The American Mineralogist crystal structure database Raman spectroscopy and laser-induced degradation of groutellite and ramsdellite two cathode materials of technological interest Heated goethite and natural hematite: can Raman spectroscopy be used to differentiate them Calibration of XRF core scanners for quantitative geochemical logging of sediment cores: theory and application Earth and Planetary Science Letters 274.3-4 FCM: The fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm Fuzzy c-means cluster analysis of early diagenetic effects on natural remanent magnetisation acquisition in a 1.1 Myr piston core from the Central Mediterranean Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 85(1-2) Download references The authors thank the personnel of the XRD laboratory at the Geoscience Institute of the University of Brasilia of the Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory of the Geosciences Institute of the University of São Paulo of the Raman equipment of the Brazilian Research Unity in Astrobiology – NAP Astrobio Raman of the University of São Paulo of the Infrared Spectroscopy Laboratory and Raman Spectroscopy Laboratory of the Department of Science of the Roma Tre University for the technical assistance during the analyses This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 that granted the PhD fellowship of F.C This research is sponsored by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP projects 11/22018–3; 16/24946–9; 18/17061–6) INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais) and HCA analyses; integration and interpretation of the data; writing of the manuscript FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy analyses and interpretation Pearson correlation and K-means analyses and interpretation The authors declare no competing interests Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63525-3 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research Ishaan was in a league of his own in the Senior Max category where he won both the Sprint races besides topping the qualifying session to pick up maximum points and top the table Rivaan won both Sprint wins in the Mini Max category as he held off another Chennai driver Rehan Khan The two MSPORT teammates were brimming with confidence following their recent international participation in the Champions of the Future Academy Program © 2025 Cricket Domenico Bernoco died at home in Davis on Oct after suffering for six months from the effects of cancer treatment as the youngest of one sister and two brothers in Cherasco As a young boy he served as altar boy in the church and because of his beautiful voice he sang as soloist at church festivities located 60 km south of Torino near the confluence of the Tanaro and Stura rivers in the region of Piedmont In year 1796 Napoleon Bonaparte resided in Cherasco to sign the armistice before the town was annexed to France The town is surrounded by beautiful vineyards that produce the famous Barolo The people of this region eat the true white truffles the locations of which are secret and passed only from generation to generation All these facts plus the Italian cuisine contributed to Meco becoming a gourmet who would never eat food that he did not like After the Olympic Games in Torino in 2006 Cherasco became a tourist town the military service rejected him because he was too skinny from playing soccer he organized an unofficial soccer team of mostly Australian and South American students at UC Davis and he made sure they would win most of their games Meco received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM summa cum laude) in 1959 and his Ph.D that required a minimum of 12 publications Meco served as Assistant Professor of medical genetics at the University of Torino from 1961 to 1970 with an interval at the Laboratory of Professor Clyde Stormont at UC Davis in all of 1967 (NATO fellowship) before moving on as a Founding Member of the Basel Institute for Immunology (Switzerland) until 1976 Jerne with Milstein and Koehler received the Nobel Prize in 1984 to take a position at UCLA as an associate research immunologist at the Tissue Typing Laboratory in the Surgery Department he came to UC Davis where he continued his notable career in immunogenetics as Associate Professor in the former Department of Reproduction before it became the Department of Population Health and Reproduction Meco was an early leader in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) research and typing in animals and led research on cattle and horses in that field before he retired as Professor Emeritus from the University in 1993 He continued as co-owner of the private Stormont Laboratories in Woodland typing blood groups in cattle and horses for breeding purposes until 2006 Meco also became an active participant in the horse genome workshop at its outset in 1995 until his full retirement in 2006 having trained many in the field and contributing significantly throughout his career to both the knowledge of immunology and animal genetics his knowledge and understanding of something that was in its infancy was truly amazing and impressive He was well known for being vocal if he disagreed with someone’s data analysis or interpretation and his loud voice of reason helped to create a community that advanced the knowledge of horse genetics It was in his vocal nature that ensured the science being presented He cared deeply for the people he met and lives he touched His care was often shown in teasing words that made everyone laugh Besides Meco's love for science and his wife he enjoyed his garden and the harvest of pomegranates When conferences were organized in interesting parts of the world such as the Kruger Park in South Africa Rio de Janeiro and Porto Seguro in Brazil and places in Europe he took advantage and added some vacation weeks for himself and his wife His type of diary was to film these travels Meco was predeceased by his siblings Celestina He is survived by his wife Marietta of 51 years; his nephew and closest friend Ernest Bailey (his former graduate students); his "scientific granddaughter" Prof Rebecca Bellone (the former graduate student of Ernest Bailey); and his dear friends Lee and Lauren Millon A celebration of Meco's life is planned for Jan 21 at the Putah Creek Lodge on the UC Davis campus In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email MECO engineers and manufactures water purification solutions for a variety of industries including the pharmaceutical As president, Queen will have full performance responsibility for developing and implementing short-term and long-term growth strategies for MECO globally. In addition, he will use his experience to drive improvements in manufacturing, support strategic partnerships, drive innovation and new business opportunities for MECO Queen joins MECO most recently from JWC Environmental where he was the president and managing director Liquid and Micro Motion both divisions of Emerson where he held several leadership roles in Operations "Both MECO and Grundfos have a long history of delivering high quality products that originate from a rich heritage of standout values and vision,” said Queen “With MECO a recognized and respected leader in the biopharmaceutical water space I am excited about the opportunity to work with the team to drive further growth and realize new potentials.” Free access to this content is for qualifying individuals only Corporate and institutional access requires an appropriate license or subscription For more information contact institutions@markallengroup.com