Latest news with #Austrian-American
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MONEY THOUGHTS: Work, worth, value and victory
THE Austrian-American author and consultant Peter Ferdinand Drucker died almost 20 years ago. He was a genius of the first water (meaning of the highest calibre). Even today, Drucker casts a long shadow upon the rough terrain that billions of us workers traverse daily — to, in and from — our jobs. For instance, back in 1974, the year I turned 10, Drucker wrote: "Work is an extension of personality. It is achievement. It is one of the ways in which a person defines himself, measures his worth and his humanity." This is always true, but much more so when we enjoy our work. So, tell me: Do you? Apple founder and business visionary Steve Jobs said: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." For what it's worth, I love my work as a licensed financial planner specialising in crafting private pension-funding portfolios for clients. I appreciate the flexibility my professional practice grants me to do my work for cherished clients in a way that dovetails with my personality. INVEST IN SELF It should come as no surprise to you that most of us derive our sense of value to others and our internal self-worth from the contributions we make to society. Yet we need to be careful not to have so much of our self-identity wrapped up in our career that we risk becoming psychologically untethered should we lose our jobs. It's a fine line to tread. On the one hand, it is true our work doesn't just make us a living, it also crafts our life. However, in this age of rapid job changes and creeping career obsolescence often caused by the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI type 1) for business cost reductions that threaten our active income (AI type 2), we need to keep investing — IN ourselves and FOR ourselves. There will always be high-paying jobs around. That is the nature of economic expansion. But to be able to snag them, we must invest IN ourselves so we are selected for — or promoted to — them. The way we elevate our worth and value to the marketplace for jobs is by studying, innovating, streamlining and networking. Accomplishing all that requires personal investments of time, focus, effort and money. The potential payout is worth it. But as the world keeps swirling around us, the possibility of losing our jobs to younger (read: cheaper) hires or to AI type 1 engines grows. So, we must stay nimble to land elsewhere on our feet to derive higher levels of AI type 2 earnings in the form of salaries or business revenue. BUILD STEADILY With rising longevity, it is generally better to choose to work longer rather than shorter. This prospect is depressing for those who hate their jobs, yet liberating for those who love their professions. So, if you barely tolerate the work you do, then "work" on yourself to boost your odds of securing a better job or starting a different business down the road. Also, do remember that with the number of centenarians worldwide growing about 20 times faster than the general human population, there is an ever-higher probability that you will live much longer than previous generations of your family did. That's the good news. The bad news is that your money will run out long before you run out of breath. Unless you wisely: 1. Restructure your career to do work you genuinely love; 2. Commit to a CANI philosophy of work and life, which stands for "constant and never-ending improvement"; 3. As your AI type 2 earnings grow with your age, fixate on saving and investing for two different purposes: capital gains and passive income (PI). Read (or reread) this foundational 2023 Money Thoughts column for my elaborations on both those worthy goals: Inasmuch as it's important to work hard, smart, long and profitably, never forget whom you work for: your family and yourself. Remember whom you value above your career, and take care of them all. FINANCIAL FREEDOM To do so, economically, shift your ratio of lifetime income (TI or total income) from AI type 2 (reminder: active income) reliance toward PI dependence. A cool form of mathematical shorthand to help you never forget this truth is: TI = AI + PI When we're young, all our income stems from AI (type 2). As we mature, we derive income both from that type of AI, and from PI. Later in life, when we retire, by definition AI (type 2) ceases to flow into our bank accounts, and PI becomes essential. So, to attain economic victory in retirement, focus on steadily building PI throughout your working years. Then, when you have enough PI to meet all normal expenses, you will have achieved the ambitious, coveted state of Financial Freedom. In closing, I urge you to work well with and for others, build your self-worth, steadily ratchet up your value to the world, and focus on one day reaching the Finish Line of your life an unassailable victor — loved, cherished and respected by those whom you yourself love, cherish and respect. © 2025 Rajen Devadason
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'Very unusual': 68-year-old woman with new blood type found; compatible only with herself
. Scientists have discovered a new blood type in a 68-year-old woman from the French overseas region of Guadeloupe. The blood group has been named 'Gwada Negative' and is only found in one woman across the globe. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS, said, "She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself', as reported by AFP. Peyrard explained that the woman got her blood type from both her parents, as each of them carried the mutated gene. He said that such an instance was 'very unusual'. The research team that made this discovery announced their findings in a presentation at the International Society of Blood Transfusion's Congress in Milan, which concluded on June 4. The research team had initially met the woman in Paris in 2011 when she was undergoing routine checkups before a surgery, when doctors could not ascertain her blood group, reported the French blood establishment (EFS). At the time, research methods were not advanced enough to solve the case, which remained unsolved for eight years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Una madre soltera que conducía un Ferrari rojo casi acaba en la cárcel. Más información Undo In 2019, researchers used high-throughput gene sequencing , a method that allows faster and deeper DNA analysis, to re-examine the woman's blood. Over the next two years, they carefully studied her full genetic makeup. The woman's strange lab test results ultimately led to the discovery of a mutation in a gene called PIGZ, which changes the way proteins anchor to the surface of blood cells, as reported by LiveScience. Till now, EFS has recognised 47 blood group systems. The ABO blood group systems which was initially identified by Austrian-American biologist Dr Karl Landsteiner, is the first and the most familiar blood group system. DNA sequencing in the latest years has accelerated the discovery of new blood groups in the recent years. Blood group systems play a crucial role in safe blood transfusions, as the body rejects antigens that it perceives as foreign. The most common ABO blood typing system describes whether people have both the antigens of 'A', 'B', one of them or neither of them. In the ABO system, individuals with both A and B antigens (AB blood type) can recieve blood from any blood group as their body recognises both the antigens. On the other hand, people with O blood type can only receive blood from other O-type donors as they do not have A or B antigens. Peryard and his colleagues are now aiming to find other people with the same blood group as "Discovering new blood types means offering patients with rare blood a better level of care," said the EFS statement.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26-06-2025
- Health
- First Post
Only one person on Earth has this blood type. What is 'Gwada negative'?
A 68-year-old woman from Guadeloupe has been confirmed as the sole known carrier of a newly discovered blood group named 'Gwada negative'. Officially recognised as the 48th blood group system by the International Society of Blood Transfusion, this ultra-rare type could hold implications for the future of transfusion science and rare blood compatibility care read more 'Gwada negative' has been established as the 48th blood group system in the world. Representational Image/AI-generated via Firstpost A woman from the French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe has been confirmed as the only known person in the world to possess a newly classified blood group — now officially recognised as the 48th blood group system. The new blood group has been named 'Gwada negative', after a local nickname for the islands of Guadeloupe. The discovery was announced by France's national blood service, Établissement français du sang (EFS), following its formal recognition by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) at its congress in Milan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ISBT had previously identified 47 unique blood group systems. This development comes more than a century after Austrian-American biologist Karl Landsteiner first identified the ABO system in 1901, a milestone that would later earn him a Nobel Prize. How 'Gwada negative' was discovered The woman in question, now 68 years old and living in Paris, first drew the attention of medical researchers in 2011. At the time, she was undergoing routine pre-surgical blood tests. Initial laboratory tests failed to classify her blood using any known blood typing methods. An atypical antibody was identified, and her blood could not be matched within existing systems. A 'very unusual' antibody was first found in the patient in 2011, Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist from EFS, who has played a key role in the study, told AFP. However, at the time of the initial tests, the tools and technology available were insufficient to explore the anomaly further. The case remained unexplained for nearly eight years, until 2019, when scientists at EFS returned to her sample using a more advanced diagnostic tool — high-throughput DNA sequencing. This technology enabled researchers to conduct a deeper genetic investigation, ultimately revealing a mutation in the PIGZ gene, which alters how specific proteins anchor themselves to red blood cells. The woman was confirmed to have inherited the condition from both her parents, who each carried a version of the mutated gene. This made her the only known person on Earth to have this specific blood group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself,' said Peyrard. He noted that the name 'Gwada negative' was chosen in reference to the patient's Guadeloupean origin and also because 'it sounds good in all languages,' making it a suitable term for global usage among the scientific and medical communities. What makes blood types so complex Though most people know their blood type as A, B, AB, or O — combined with a positive or negative Rh factor — these are just the best-known components of a vast and intricate system. Human red blood cells carry more than 600 different antigens, and each unique combination of these can result in a new blood type. For this reason, the ISBT recognises blood group systems rather than individual blood types. Each system is defined by the genetic and serological properties that influence the expression of antigens. The ABO and Rh systems are the most clinically important, especially for transfusions, but over the years, dozens of others have been identified, including rare ones that affect transfusion compatibility and immune response. The addition of Gwada negative follows previous rare group discoveries such as the 'Er' system, which was recognised in 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Scientific progress in gene sequencing, particularly high-throughput genomic tools, has accelerated the pace of discovery in recent years. According to experts, more new blood groups may be identified annually as sequencing technologies become more widespread and affordable. What this means for rare blood group carriers Understanding blood types is critical in transfusion medicine. When blood from a donor carries antigens that are not recognised by the recipient's immune system, it can trigger a dangerous immune reaction, which can be life-threatening. The ABO-Rh system offers transfusion compatibility in 99.8 per cent of cases, but patients with rarer blood types face greater risk and more limited donor options. The EFS highlighted this point in its public statement: 'Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care.' Although millions of theoretical blood types are possible based on antigen variation, only 48 blood group systems have met the rigorous genetic and serological criteria to be recognised by the ISBT. Every addition to this list not only advances the scientific understanding of human genetics but also enhances the safety and efficacy of transfusions for rare cases. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 14 million units of blood are transfused annually. Accurate typing and identification are essential to ensure those transfusions are both safe and effective. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why this puts the woman with 'Gwada negative' in a unique position The woman with Gwada negative blood is unique in more ways than one. Unlike other rare blood types that may have small numbers of known carriers, she is the only confirmed person worldwide with this classification, making her completely incompatible with any blood donor currently known to science — except herself. This reality poses major challenges should she ever require a transfusion. Her genome sequencing has been archived, and researchers are now focused on locating other potential carriers, particularly among blood donors from Guadeloupe and surrounding regions. Because blood types are inherited, populations with shared ancestry may be the most likely sources of other cases. The blood group's formal recognition by the ISBT not only gives it a place in global transfusion protocols, but also encourages international collaboration to identify other carriers and develop strategies for rare donor recruitment. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Immigrants must pay back to America, act like guests: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday backed stricter rules around legal immigration in the United States, telling talk show hosts that while he welcomes immigrants, they must follow the rules and contribute to the country. Speaking on The View, the former California governor and Austrian-American actor, who is also an immigrant, said, 'I just think the world of the great history that we have with immigrants in America. But the key thing also is, at the same time, that we've got to do things legal. That is the most important thing.' Schwarzenegger likened newcomers to guests in a household. 'When you come to America, you're a guest, and you have to behave like a guest… keep things clean, make your bed, and do everything that is the right thing to do rather than committing a crime, or being abusive,' he said. His comments come just weeks after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a statement on social media warning that permanent residency and visas are privileges that can be revoked. On May 7, 2025, USCIS posted on X, 'Green cards and visas are a privilege reserved for those who make the US better, not those who seek to destroy it from the inside.' The agency also said immigrants must abide by US 'laws and values' to keep their status. Schwarzenegger on LA protests Schwarzenegger was also asked whether, as governor, he would have called in the National Guard to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles. He did not answer directly but spoke about an immigrant's duty to contribute to society. 'You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America and to pay back to America,' he said. 'Go and do something for your community for no money whatsoever… Give something back—after-school programs, Special Olympics, or whatever it is. Make this a better place.' Co-hosts of the programme challenged his remarks, pointing out that most immigrants are law-abiding and contribute in meaningful ways. '90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing,' said Whoopi Goldberg. Sunny Hostin added, 'Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes in this country than actual American-born citizens.' Reform over rhetoric Schwarzenegger also used the opportunity to push for a legislative fix, calling on Democrats and Republicans to find common ground on immigration. 'All of this is happening because we don't have immigration reform,' he said. 'Democrats and Republicans have to come together and solve this issue if they really want to be public servants. If they want to be party servants, and be party hacks, and be tied to their ideology, then it won't happen.' President Donald Trump, who began his second term in January, has already issued dozens of immigration-related executive orders, many focused on tighter border enforcement and deportation drives. According to policy analysts, the pace of orders under Trump's new term is nearly six times faster than during the same period in his first presidency. Immigration and crime The role of immigrants in society has sparked debate. In January, addressing Trump, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the National Cathedral in Washington said, "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. 'The are people who pick our crops, clean our office buildings, who labour in poultry and meat-packing plants, who wash our dishes after we eat in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals,' she said. 'They may not be citizens nor have proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbours. They are faithful members of our churches, synagogues, gurdwaras, mosques and temples.' Trump, however, maintained his position, saying, 'A large number of immigrants have come to the United States illegally and killed people.' He did not provide specific figures. Studies suggest immigration is not linked to increased crime. 'Immigrants in the United States commit crimes at lower rates than the US-born population,' according to a report by Migration Policy. Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research and state records from Texas indicate that most prosecutions of immigrants involve immigration law violations rather than violent or property crimes. "Notably, US-born citizens were ten times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated for committing weapons-related offenses, five times more likely for violent offenses, more than twice as likely for property crimes, and nearly twice as likely for drug offenses," Migration Policy said in its report.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
Exploring Explainability in the Realm of Responsible AI
Relishing delicious delicacies is something that most people often look forward to - be it visiting a bakery and tasting creamy pastries or enjoying one's favorite dishes at a restaurant. But there is a habit we, as humans, usually possess: if the pastry or dish is extremely delectable, we ask for the recipe. Moreover, before going to the bakery or restaurant, we assess whether it adopts hygienic practices, uses quality ingredients, and so on. You guessed it right — inquisitiveness and skepticism make humans an extraordinary while leveraging Artificial Intelligence, which quickly and efficiently provides solutions to a myriad of problems, having a curious and questioning mind is AI and the Principle of ExplainabilitySince AI assists humans in solving problems and making decisions, it is imperative to ensure that people's trust is consistently maintained. Furthermore, the decisions and solutions must inevitably be ethical and law-abiding. There is a dire necessity for AI tools to act responsibly, and extensive deliberation on 'Responsible AI' thus finds a significant place in today's technology landscape. As AI continues to become indispensable for businesses, understanding how it derives a specific solution or reaches a particular conclusion becomes crucial. The Austrian-American consultant and educator Peter Drucker beautifully says, "The purpose of information is not knowledge. It is being able to take the right action." Responsible AI hence brings forth the principle of explainability to foster confidence in AI systems, equipping us to make informed decisions that translate into actions with the right Performance and Explainability: Balancing Between the TwoWhile discussing Artificial Intelligence, we often come across the terms AI models and algorithms. AI models are programs empowered by AI algorithms to make decisions based on data analysis. The major challenge to explainability in AI stems from many AI models being opaque. Significant breakthroughs in AI have resulted in the emergence of numerous opaque models, as many incorporate deep learning. Deep learning models employ multi-layered neural networks that comprehend patterns based on vast datasets by adjusting weights across several layers. Instead of each step in decision-making being clearly specified, neural networks find their own path to draw a scenario wherein such an AI model examines CT scans to predict the chances of lung cancer in a person and estimates an 80% chance of malignancy. If it does not provide any plausible explanation regarding the rate of metastasis, highlighted tumor areas, or shape or texture-based characteristics, it certainly does not adhere to the principle of explainability. Consequently, it would delay the process of further diagnosis and treatment, which may prove yet another scenario, if we request a refund for a damaged item bought online and the e-commerce site, using a chatbot for customer support, responds, 'Your request is denied' without specifying any reason, such as 'No refund possible after 20 days,' it essentially does not qualify as explainable counter such problems, AI models have begun to include explainable AI approaches like LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations), Integrated Gradients, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations), Activation Maximization, etc. Although the adoption of such techniques is rising, achieving explainability to a satisfactory level continues to be a Herculean task. As businesses witness the evolution of AI, striking the right balance between model performance and explainability becomes paramount. Continued research and improved methodologies can enable organizations to implement explainability appropriately, marking a significant leap toward 'Responsible AI'.By Jigyasu Pant, Application Developer, This article is a part of ETCIO's Brand Connect Initiative.
