Jaylon Johnson isn't interested in bright spots with the Bears' skid at 5 games

(BPT) - This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement and posture that begins in early childhood development. It is the most common cause of motor disability in children, affecting about one in 345 children in the United States. 1-2 It may happen as a result of lack of oxygen during or around birth, stroke, infection, a problem with metabolism or other problems that cause injury or affect the development of parts of the brain involved in movement control in the first few years of life. 3 CP is a permanent condition, affecting a person for their entire life. People living with CP typically have motor problems, which may include spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) or ataxia (poor muscle control), and many people have a mix of these motor disorders. 4 Dyskinesia due to CP (DCP) is one of the most disabling forms of CP and impacts approximately 10% to 20% of people living with CP. 5-6 According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), the combination of irregular and unpredictable movements (chorea) and twisting and repeating movements (dystonia) often disrupt activities and cause significant functional impairment, including the ability to maintain balance, walk or fine motor control. 7 Heather Riordan, M.D., Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, discusses the symptoms of chorea and impact on patients in a video shared on the CPF website here . About 30% of people with DCP are affected mostly by these involuntary and irregular movements (chorea), while dystonia is the predominant motor finding in the remaining 70%. 8 However, it is common for both chorea and dystonia movements to be present together. 6 For people living with DCP, these movements can occur in any region of the body, including the arms and legs, torso and face and may vary in severity. They are often triggered or made worse by stimulation or stress. Because dyskinesia can occur at rest and/or when actively using the body, the problems with movement are very burdensome in day-to-day living, with discomfort and pain affecting the quality of life for people and their caregivers. 9 Jen Lyman, mom to a son with DCP, highlights how dyskinesia makes communicating more difficult. "The most difficult thing about dyskinesia is watching my son struggle to do things that he wants to do, but the extra movements get in the way...special things, such as using a touch screen to video chat with his grandmother, are nearly impossible despite his best efforts to use his hands and fingers. Something so simple, yet so special for him should be effortless." DCP has a wide-ranging impact on the individual, including lifelong challenges with movement, a higher risk of other medical issues, a higher rate of mental health challenges and difficulties with communication. 10-12 "Those of us who have the privilege to serve patients with dyskinetic, hyperkinetic or mixed cerebral palsy see the functional impact of this very challenging type of tone every day," said Susan Biffl, M.D., Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "Patients face challenges with self-care, independence, mobility, communication, fine motor skills that affect occupational and recreational activities, swallowing, social interactions and even sleep. As this tone is variable, it is much more challenging to treat than more consistent tone issues, such as spasticity." Treatment Options There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for DCP. Dystonia and chorea are often managed separately as they respond differently to various treatments, which can make treatment challenging. 3 Most drugs being investigated for DCP have focused on dystonia, and more research is needed to determine potential treatments for chorea. New treatment options are needed to help manage these movement disorders and improve daily function and quality of life for those affected. "After 20 years of caring for individuals with cerebral palsy, I continue to find those with dyskinetic cerebral palsy among the most challenging to treat, largely due to the limited effectiveness of available pharmacologic options," said Joyce Oleszek, M.D., Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine. "There is an urgent need for more robust evidence to support pharmacologic treatments for this condition, given its profound impact on function, comfort and quality of life." Ongoing Research Clinical studies are important in the development of treatment options, allowing researchers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. The data from clinical studies are used to determine if an investigational treatment can be approved for use to treat certain disorders. There are ongoing clinical studies evaluating potential treatments for DCP, including one for chorea. Neurocrine Biosciences is conducting the KINECT ® -DCP clinical study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigating the study drug, valbenazine, for the treatment of DCP. The clinical study is currently enrolling children, adolescents and adults six to 70 years of age who have been diagnosed with DCP. "The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is excited to partner with Neurocrine Biosciences on this study," said Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. "We are proud to support strong research that can potentially bring meaningful change to the lives of those living with cerebral palsy." If you or someone you know may be eligible for this research study, please visit the study website for additional information here: FindADCPStudy.com . REFERENCES © 2024 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CAP-NBI-US-0115 12/2024 NBI-98854-DCP3018_11DecMatRelease_v1.0_25November2024(BPT) - This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement and posture that begins in early childhood development. It is the most common cause of motor disability in children, affecting about one in 345 children in the United States. 1-2 It may happen as a result of lack of oxygen during or around birth, stroke, infection, a problem with metabolism or other problems that cause injury or affect the development of parts of the brain involved in movement control in the first few years of life. 3 CP is a permanent condition, affecting a person for their entire life. People living with CP typically have motor problems, which may include spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) or ataxia (poor muscle control), and many people have a mix of these motor disorders. 4 Dyskinesia due to CP (DCP) is one of the most disabling forms of CP and impacts approximately 10% to 20% of people living with CP. 5-6 According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), the combination of irregular and unpredictable movements (chorea) and twisting and repeating movements (dystonia) often disrupt activities and cause significant functional impairment, including the ability to maintain balance, walk or fine motor control. 7 Heather Riordan, M.D., Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, discusses the symptoms of chorea and impact on patients in a video shared on the CPF website here . About 30% of people with DCP are affected mostly by these involuntary and irregular movements (chorea), while dystonia is the predominant motor finding in the remaining 70%. 8 However, it is common for both chorea and dystonia movements to be present together. 6 For people living with DCP, these movements can occur in any region of the body, including the arms and legs, torso and face and may vary in severity. They are often triggered or made worse by stimulation or stress. Because dyskinesia can occur at rest and/or when actively using the body, the problems with movement are very burdensome in day-to-day living, with discomfort and pain affecting the quality of life for people and their caregivers. 9 Jen Lyman, mom to a son with DCP, highlights how dyskinesia makes communicating more difficult. "The most difficult thing about dyskinesia is watching my son struggle to do things that he wants to do, but the extra movements get in the way...special things, such as using a touch screen to video chat with his grandmother, are nearly impossible despite his best efforts to use his hands and fingers. Something so simple, yet so special for him should be effortless." DCP has a wide-ranging impact on the individual, including lifelong challenges with movement, a higher risk of other medical issues, a higher rate of mental health challenges and difficulties with communication. 10-12 "Those of us who have the privilege to serve patients with dyskinetic, hyperkinetic or mixed cerebral palsy see the functional impact of this very challenging type of tone every day," said Susan Biffl, M.D., Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "Patients face challenges with self-care, independence, mobility, communication, fine motor skills that affect occupational and recreational activities, swallowing, social interactions and even sleep. As this tone is variable, it is much more challenging to treat than more consistent tone issues, such as spasticity." Treatment Options There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for DCP. Dystonia and chorea are often managed separately as they respond differently to various treatments, which can make treatment challenging. 3 Most drugs being investigated for DCP have focused on dystonia, and more research is needed to determine potential treatments for chorea. New treatment options are needed to help manage these movement disorders and improve daily function and quality of life for those affected. "After 20 years of caring for individuals with cerebral palsy, I continue to find those with dyskinetic cerebral palsy among the most challenging to treat, largely due to the limited effectiveness of available pharmacologic options," said Joyce Oleszek, M.D., Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine. "There is an urgent need for more robust evidence to support pharmacologic treatments for this condition, given its profound impact on function, comfort and quality of life." Ongoing Research Clinical studies are important in the development of treatment options, allowing researchers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. The data from clinical studies are used to determine if an investigational treatment can be approved for use to treat certain disorders. There are ongoing clinical studies evaluating potential treatments for DCP, including one for chorea. Neurocrine Biosciences is conducting the KINECT ® -DCP clinical study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigating the study drug, valbenazine, for the treatment of DCP. The clinical study is currently enrolling children, adolescents and adults six to 70 years of age who have been diagnosed with DCP. "The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is excited to partner with Neurocrine Biosciences on this study," said Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. "We are proud to support strong research that can potentially bring meaningful change to the lives of those living with cerebral palsy." If you or someone you know may be eligible for this research study, please visit the study website for additional information here: FindADCPStudy.com . REFERENCES © 2024 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CAP-NBI-US-0115 12/2024 NBI-98854-DCP3018_11DecMatRelease_v1.0_25November2024

SIOUX CITY — The year on the calendar changes. The focus of the U.S. Attorney's Office, at least in the Northern District of Iowa, does not. Nearly every year, the majority of cases handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the district, which includes Sioux City and the northern half of the state, involves violent crime. This year was no different, with 51% of the office's cases involving violent crimes: kidnapping, robbery, assault and those involving firearms. "Violent crime is always at the top. We're looking to be proactive in those cases," said Tim Duax, U.S. Attorney in the district. U.S. Attorney Tim Duax Tim Duax, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, talks about his office's priorities in 2024 during an interview at his Sioux City office. Of the cases the office filed this year, 51% involved violent crime and 21% were drug-related. Drug cases also make up 21% of the Northern District's caseload, and Duax said trafficking routes continue to run through cities such as Sioux City and Cedar Rapids, with the flow of drugs continuing on to Minneapolis, Chicago and other large cities. In those drug cases, 80% involve methamphetamine, 15% fentanyl and the other 5% cocaine, heroin and other drugs. Methamphetamine is more prevalent on the western side of the district, but fentanyl's presence is rising, Duax said. The powerful opioid was at the center of one of the Sioux City branch's most notorious cases in the past year in which two brothers were convicted and sentenced to 15 and 16 years in prison for mailing thousands of fentanyl pills from Phoenix to Sioux City to sell here. "When you consider one fentanyl pill can be fatal, it's amazing when you consider they were bringing thousands of pills into our area," Duax said. The district saw a 22% increase in the number of child pornography possession cases this year, due to an uptick in referrals from state and local law enforcement agencies. It's a crime made easier by offenders' use of technology. U.S. Attorney: Child exploitation/porn cases up 22% in Northern District of Iowa Tim Duax, Northern District of Iowa U.S. Attorney, talks about the 22% increase the district has seen in Project Safe Childhood cases. Project Child Safe Childhood is an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. "Their ability to engage in that type of conduct, where they can share images, where they can trade images, has gotten easier," Duax said. "We focus on it, and we're looking for it." The U.S. Attorney's Office launched investigations this year into the Paycheck Protection Program, which was introduced during the COVID pandemic to provide loans to businesses forced to close meet payroll and other expenses. "Unfortunately that program saw a lot of fraudulent activity," Duax said. Investigators have been reviewing PPP loan recipients and checking the credibility of their claims. In the Northern District, the U.S. Attorney's Office has recouped $200,000 that was fraudulently obtained, and the time-consuming effort will continue into the coming year. U.S. Attorney Tim Duax Tim Duax, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, said his office expects to see an increase in immigration cases once the Trump administration assumes power in January. About 10% of the Northern District's caseload currently is made up of immigration cases. The district has indicted 332 defendants to date in 2024, an 8% increase from last year and the second-highest among the 25 districts classified as "small." The Northern District of Iowa includes 19 attorneys in the main office in Cedar Rapids and eight in the Sioux City branch office. There are 94 districts across the country. In addition to violent crime and drug cases, the Northern District also prosecutes immigration cases, white-collar crime and child sexual abuse cases. With the incoming Donald Trump presidential administration promising to increase deportations of illegal immigrants, Duax said he expects the Northern District will see an increase in immigration cases in 2025. "I think the immigration area is where we're most likely to see a change," Duax said, adding that most illegal immigrants prosecuted in the Northern District aren't prosecuted solely for being in the country illegally. Most are initially arrested for some type of crime, then their illegal status is discovered. Duax doesn't expect the new administration to shift the Justice Department's other priorities. "I think the emphasis on violent crime will continue," he said. U.S. Attorney Tim Duax: "Proud of the people who work here" Tim Duax, Northern District of Iowa U.S. Attorney, praises the the staff of his offices for the work they do to keep the district safe. Whatever the priorities become, Duax likely will not be leading the implementation. Appointed acting U.S. Attorney in February 2022, he never received a presidential appointment and was instead court appointed in August 2022. He expects the Trump administration will appoint a new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. Duax does not plan to be a candidate for the job. "I'm not seeking it," he said, adding he hopes to return to his previous job as Sioux City branch chief, a position that's remained open since his appointment as U.S. Attorney. Duax said he's enjoyed the nearly three years he's served as the U.S. Attorney and seeing the office continue to prosecute major cases and secure sentences that removed violent offenders from the streets. "We've been really successful," he said. "That makes me proud of the people who work here. They work hard and they work smart for all the people who live here." How to use the new Sioux City Journal app The Journal’s Jared McNett shows how to download and browse the Sioux City Journal's app. Unlimited Access to the Sioux City Journal An unlimited digital and E-Edition subscription to The Sioux City Journal gets access to our E-Edition, the only way to read full issues on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; allows you to read unlimited articles on the website and the SCJ app. (c)2024 Sioux City Journal, Iowa Visit Sioux City Journal, Iowa at www.siouxcityjournal.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’

CMG Class Action Notice: Robbins LLP Reminds Investors of the Lead Plaintiff Deadline in the ...PayMedia, a leader in fintech innovation, has achieved a significant milestone by winning first runner-up in the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2024 hosted in Brunei Darussalam under the category of Community and Indigenous Services. The recognition was earned for their ground-breaking product, LankaRemit, a platform that has revolutionised digital remittance services in Sri Lanka. Securing the first runner-up position in the Community and Indigenous Services category is a significant achievement, as it highlights solutions that cater to underserved communities, preserve cultural heritage, and improve inclusivity. PayMedia’s LankaRemit stood out among the highly competitive entries for its ability to empower Sri Lankan communities through seamless, secure, and cost-effective remittance services. The LankaRemit platform simplifies and streamlines the process of sending money to Sri Lanka, ensuring that remittances are fast, secure, and cost-efficient. Traditionally, the process of sending money from abroad has been fraught with high fees, long processing times, and a lack of transparency. LankaRemit tackles these issues head-on, providing an innovative digital platform. LankaRemit’s success lies in its ability to empower underserved communities and promote financial inclusion. With remittances emerging as a significant and growing source of income for the country, LankaRemit plays a crucial role in supporting economic stability and development. PayMedia’s platform ensures that families can access funds promptly and with minimal hassle, helping them meet essential needs like education, healthcare, and housing. Additionally, LankaRemit plays a vital role in encouraging digital literacy and financial awareness among communities, aligning with national efforts to promote a cashless economy. As PayMedia celebrates this remarkable accomplishment, the focus remains on expanding the reach and capabilities of LankaRemit. By enhancing partnerships, incorporating emerging technologies, and addressing evolving community needs, PayMedia aims to further solidify its role as a leader in fintech solutions that drive inclusivity and empowerment. The recognition at the APICTA Awards marks a significant milestone, underscoring the potential of technology to transform lives and communities. PayMedia’s success with LankaRemit serves as an inspiration for other innovators in the region to harness technology for social good. With LankaRemit as a beacon of innovation and empowerment, PayMedia is not just shaping the future of fintech, its transforming lives, one seamless transaction at a time.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Getting blown out at Green Bay following another squandered late lead the previous week against Seattle has quickly turned the San Francisco 49ers from a Super Bowl contender into a team just fighting to get back to the playoffs. If San Francisco doesn't get healthy and eliminate the errors that led to Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Packers, the focus will turn from playoff permutations to what offseason changes are necessary. “I think everyone understands completely outside and inside what the situation is,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “That’s why the Seattle game was so tough of a loss and that’s why last night was even worse. We know what we got ahead of us. We know exactly what the playoff situation is. That is what it is. But really, all that matters is this week when you do need to go on a run and put a lot of wins to even think of that.” The task doesn't get any easier as the Niners (5-6) get set to play at Buffalo on Sunday night. The 49ers are hoping to get injured stars Brock Purdy , Nick Bosa and Trent Williams back for that game, but their presence alone won't fix everything that went wrong on Sunday . The defense got repeatedly gashed early and put San Francisco in a 17-0 hole before the offense even generated a first down. The running game never got going as Christian McCaffrey has looked nothing like the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year in his three games back from Achilles tendinitis. And whenever the Niners appeared to do something right, a penalty came back to haunt them. It added up to the most lopsided loss for San Francisco since the 2018 season, before Shanahan had turned the Niners into perennial contenders. “It’s probably one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “It is embarrassing. You’ve got to take it on the chin, take it like a man and move on.” Despite the doom and gloom, the 49ers are only one game behind Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West standings with six games to go. But San Francisco already has three division losses and a difficult schedule featuring games against the Bills this week and Detroit in Week 17. “My optimism is not broken by any means,” tight end George Kittle said. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back and I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays. I have no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind. We'll see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.” Red-zone passes to Kittle. Backup QB Brandon Allen connected on a 3-yard TD pass to Kittle late in the second quarter for San Francisco's only TD. Kittle leads the NFL with eight touchdown catches in the red zone, which is tied with Vernon Davis (2013) for the most in a season for a Niners player since 2000. Kittle was the only consistent part of the San Francisco offense with six catches for 82 yards. Avoiding penalties. San Francisco had nine penalties for 77 yards and they were costly and sloppy. The Niners had 12 men on the field on defense on back-to-back plays, three false starts, a pass interference in the end zone and three penalties on special teams, including a holding on Eric Saubert that negated an 87-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel to open the second half. Rookie Dominick Puni had three penalties after being penalized just once in the first 10 games. DE Leonard Floyd. There were few positive performances on defense, but Floyd had both of the team's sacks. Run defense. San Francisco allowed 169 yards rushing, including 87 in the first quarter for the team's second-worst performance in the opening quarter since 1991. The Niners missed 19 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, as Josh Jacobs gained 83 of his 106 yards rushing after contact. Purdy took part in a light throwing session without pain on Monday and Shanahan is hopeful he can return to practice Wednesday after missing the Green Bay game with a shoulder injury. ... Bosa (hip, oblique) and Williams (ankle) also could return this week after sitting out Sunday. ... LG Aaron Banks, DT Jordan Elliott and WR Jacob Cowing all in the concussion protocol. ... RG Dominick Puni (shoulder) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. ... CB Renardo Green (neck) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. 11 — The Niners generated only 11 first downs, tied for the fewest in any game in eight seasons under Shanahan. They also had 11 in the 2022 NFC title game loss at Philadelphia when Purdy hurt his elbow and in Week 2 against Seattle in Shanahan's first season in 2017. The 49ers visit Buffalo on Sunday night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLMinisters will not set an arbitrary cap on the number of civil servants amid reports more than 10,000 jobs could be lost as the result of a spending squeeze. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Nico Galette scored 20 points as Youngstown State beat South Carolina Upstate 72-64 on Saturday. Galette also added three steals for the Penguins (8-5). EJ Farmer scored 11 points while shooting 3 for 9 and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Ty Harper shot 3 for 6, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points. It was the sixth straight win for the Penguins. The Spartans (4-11) were led by Mister Dean, who posted 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Breylin Garcia added 16 points and six rebounds for South Carolina Upstate. Karmani Gregory had nine points, five assists and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Bowls miss out in 4 CFP teams in latest postseason twist

Accenture PLC Cl A stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market