Saturday, January 07, 2023

This Japanese Train Ditched Conventional Fuel and Now Runs on Leftover Ramen Broth

This Japanese Train Ditched Diesel And Now Runs on Leftover Ramen Broth

The Amaterasu Railway is a tiny sightseeing train that takes visitors on a 30-minute ride and showcases some beautiful landmarks in the Miyazaki Prefecture. (A highlight includes Japan's highest train bridge, which stands 344 feet tall.) The train itself, however, has some quirky elements that make it a lovable sight in its own right, from its open roof and pink-colored cars to the fact that the conductors blow bubbles along the ride. Now, it has added an even more interesting feature. It has ditched regular fuel to run on a particular kind of biodiesel made, among other delicacies, from leftover ramen broth. It leaves a delicious aroma in the air and is less damaging to the mountainous landscapes and rice fields that it travels through.

Biodiesel refers to fuel for diesel engines made from vegetable oil or animal fat and offers an alternative to fossil fuels. In regions such as the U.S. and Europe, biodiesel has been produced with vegetable oil from rapeseed, canola, or soybeans, while the Japanese industry avoids competing with food producers for resources and turns to waste cooking oil or even food leftovers.

For the switch, the Amaterasu Railway partnered with Nishida Logistics, a transportation company from the neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture that has pioneered a handful of biodiesel types for its truck fleet. As for the biodiesel that is used by this train, 90% originates from tempura oil and other cooking oils, while 10% is from tonkotsu ramen broth. Its resources come from local restaurants. To transform this fatty broth into biodiesel, the company separates lard from leftover pork bone soup and then refines it using a special method that avoids hardening. The only downside of this biodiesel is that it can only be stored for a couple of months at the most before oxidation begins to tamper its efficiency.

The first test drives took place last July. The biodiesel fuel was able to power the train, which comprised two wagons and the weight of up to 60 passengers, with no issue—even on an uphill stretch. Although regular replacement of the fuel filter is required, the cost is said to be about the same as conventional fuel. Moreover, the delicious smell left by the burnt biodiesel has visitors asking the train conductors if there is a restaurant nearby.

The Amaterasu Railway is a tiny scenic train that has ditched regular fuel to run on a particular kind of biodiesel made, among other delicacies, from leftover ramen broth.

To transform this fatty broth into biodiesel, the company separates lard from leftover pork bone soup and then refines it using a special method that avoids hardening.

h/t: [Spoon Tamago]

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~A.

Friday, January 06, 2023

Ever wonder how things are going in the...

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office

District of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 15, 2019

New London Psychiatrist and Mental Health Clinic Pay over $3.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

United States Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that DR. BASSAM AWWA and his medical practice, CONNECTICUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES, P.C. ("CBHA") have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $3,382,004 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

AWWA, a psychiatrist, is the owner of CBHA, a medical practice located in New London. The practice provides behavioral health and addiction medicine services to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

As part of AWWA and CBHA's treatment of patients with substance use disorders, AWWA and CBHA regularly conducted urine drug screening tests on urine samples collected from patients treated at the practice. Although the test screens a patient's urine for multiple classes of drugs, Medicare considers it a single test that should be billed only once per patient encounter.

The government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted claims to Medicare for multiple units of urine drug screening tests, when they knew or should have known that only one unit of service could be billed per patient encounter. By coding their claims using multiple units, instead of a single unit, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted false claims to the Medicare program and received payments that they were not entitled to receive.

In addition, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted claims to Medicare for alcohol tests conducted on patient urine samples that they know or should have known were a component of the urine drug screening test for which AWWA and CBHA were already being paid by Medicare.

Finally, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA defrauded the Connecticut Medicaid program by submitting claims for definitive urine drug tests (also known as "quantitative" or "confirmation" tests) that were not actually performed, and by improperly submitting claims to Medicaid for specimen validity testing of urine samples.

To resolve the governments' allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, AWWA and CBHA have agreed to pay $3,383,004, which covers claims submitted to the Medicare program from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015, and claims submitted to the Medicaid program from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016.

As part of the settlement, AWWA and CBHA have entered into a three-year billing Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of federal healthcare programs.

"It is alleged that, for years, these defendants recklessly overbilled Medicare for drug screening tests," said U.S. Attorney Durham. "Medical practices and physicians who treat patients for substance abuse must bill their services accurately and honestly, and health care providers who submit false claims to federal health care programs will be held accountable."

"It is critically important that we protect federal healthcare programs upon which millions of people rely," said Special Agent in Charge Coyne. "Thus, we will hold accountable providers who submit false claims to Medicare and receive payments to which they are not entitled."

"Providers enrolled in the Connecticut Medicaid program are expected and trusted to bill the program accurately and honestly," said Attorney General Tong. "For years, the defendants betrayed that trust and overcharged the Medicaid program for certain services they provided to Medicaid recipients. This settlement holds those who defrauded this taxpayer-funded program accountable. I want to thank the Connecticut Department of Social Services' Office of Quality Assurance for assisting with this matter and for their continued efforts in combatting health care fraud."

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot, and Assistant Attorney General Gregory O'Connell of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.

?rights as an individual with ASD...

this is copied from my recent dialog with Chat GPT on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question:

do my rights as an individual with ASD include the right to object to vaccinations

In general, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have the same rights as anyone else, including the right to refuse medical treatment. However, it's important to understand that there may be consequences to refusing vaccinations, and the specific circumstances of each case can impact an individual's rights.
In some cases, the refusal of vaccinations may be deemed to be against an individual's best interests, and the state may have the authority to override an individual's refusal of vaccination in order to protect the individual's health and the health of the community. This can depend on the specific laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which the individual lives.
It's important for individuals with ASD or their loved ones to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of vaccination and to discuss any concerns or questions with a qualified healthcare professional. A healthcare professional can provide information about the risks and benefits of vaccination and help individuals make an informed decision about their health care.

where are there laws mandating (Covid) vaccines

Laws mandating the use of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, vary by jurisdiction. Some countries, states, or localities may have laws or regulations that require certain vaccines for certain populations, such as healthcare workers or students. Other jurisdictions may have laws or regulations that allow for exemptions from vaccine requirements for medical, philosophical, or religious reasons.
It's important to note that vaccine laws and regulations are constantly evolving in response to changing public health needs. It's a good idea to check with your local government or health department for the most up-to-date information about vaccine requirements in your area. You can also speak with a qualified healthcare professional for more information about the risks and benefits of vaccination.

too vague, are there Laws mandating the use of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines in the US

In the United States, laws mandating the use of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, vary by state. Some states have laws that require certain vaccines for certain populations, such as healthcare workers or students. Other states may have laws that allow for exemptions from vaccine requirements for medical, philosophical, or religious reasons.
It's important to note that vaccine laws and regulations are constantly evolving in response to changing public health needs. It's a good idea to check with your state government or health department for the most up-to-date information about vaccine requirements in your area. You can also speak with a qualified healthcare professional for more information about the risks and benefits of vaccination.
It's worth noting that while some states may have laws that mandate the use of certain vaccines, the federal government does not have the authority to mandate vaccines for the general population. However, the federal government may recommend certain vaccines and provide funding and other support to states and localities to encourage vaccination.

This looks like the wobbly rights around guns, abortion, religion, and death penalties. Is our government the best system of managment for these concerns

The United States has a system of federalism, in which power is divided between the federal government and the states. This system allows for a degree of flexibility and diversity in policy-making, but it can also lead to inconsistencies and conflicts between different levels of government and between different states.
This can be particularly apparent when it comes to issues that are sensitive and controversial, such as gun rights, abortion, religion, and the death penalty. Different states may have laws and policies that differ significantly on these issues, and there may be ongoing debates and controversies at the federal level as well.
It's not for me to say whether the U.S. government is the best system of management for these concerns, as this is a matter of opinion and there are valid arguments on both sides. However, it's important for individuals to be informed about their rights and to participate in the democratic process by expressing their views and advocating for policies that align with their values.

What is the best system to gain consensus in the general population about how to manage these issues

Reaching consensus on sensitive and controversial issues, such as gun rights, abortion, religion, and the death penalty, can be challenging in any society. Here are a few strategies that may help to promote dialogue and facilitate consensus-building on these issues:
Encourage respectful and open communication: Creating a safe and respectful environment for dialogue can help to foster understanding and facilitate the exchange of ideas.
Foster a sense of empathy: Encouraging individuals to try to understand the perspectives and experiences of others can help to build common ground and facilitate the development of mutually acceptable solutions.
Promote evidence-based decision-making: Encouraging the use of reliable, evidence-based information can help to inform decision-making and reduce the influence of misinformation or bias.
Encourage participation in the democratic process: Encouraging individuals to get involved in the democratic process by voting, participating in public hearings and town halls, and advocating for their views can help to ensure that diverse perspectives are represented in policy-making.
Foster collaboration and cooperation: Encouraging individuals and groups to work together and seek common ground can help to promote consensus-building and the development of mutually acceptable solutions.
It's important to remember that consensus-building is a process and may require patience, flexibility, and a willingness to compromise. It's also important to recognize that it may not always be possible to achieve complete consensus on every issue, but working towards common understanding and cooperation can help to create a more cohesive and functional society.

is there a social media outlet committed to these principles

There are many social media outlets that strive to promote respectful and open communication, empathy, evidence-based decision-making, participation in the democratic process, and collaboration and cooperation. It's important to note that different social media platforms may have different policies and practices, and it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with a platform's terms of service and community guidelines before using it.
Here are a few examples of social media platforms that may be committed to these principles:
Reddit: Reddit is a social media platform that encourages users to participate in online communities centered around specific interests or topics. Reddit has a strong emphasis on free speech and encourages open and respectful dialogue.
Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a collaborative online encyclopedia that is open to contributions from anyone. Wikipedia has a strong commitment to accuracy, neutrality, and the use of reliable sources, and encourages users to work together to build a comprehensive and accurate resource.
Quora: Quora is a social media platform that allows users to ask and answer questions on a wide range of topics. Quora encourages respectful and constructive dialogue and has policies in place to promote the use of reliable sources and the avoidance of misinformation.
It's worth noting that no social media platform is perfect, and it's important to use caution and critical thinking when consuming information from any source. It's also important to remember that social media can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and fostering dialogue, but it can also be a source of conflict and polarization. It's up to each individual to use social media responsibly and to contribute to a positive and respectful online community.

A.d.Ventures

Saturday, January 07, 2023

#shorts Dr. Ryan Cole prat1 wh-uh-oh!

No Grid Survival Projects

This Japanese Train Ditched Fuel And Now Runs on Ramen Broth