While I Like Your Nerve is urbanely genial, it’s a somewhat high concept romantic adventure comedy.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is a playboy–though not one of means–living it up in South America. He travels from country to country (they are, of course, so small he can drive) and stirs up trouble. But then he sees Loretta Young and it’s love at first sight.

Luckily she’s engaged (or Nerve would have no plot) and he has to win her away from her fiancé. The fiancé in question, played by Edmund Breon, is an old pervert with the runs. Literally. Nerve is gloriously indiscreet in its character details, a benefit of being pre-Code (another example is Fairbanks’s buddy, Claud Allister, who’s out of the closet).

Here’s where the high concept comes in… Fairbanks doesn’t so much have to win Young’s affections, but he needs to deal with her corrupt, but lovable, step-father (Henry Kolker) who’s selling her to Breon. Kolker is a government official, so Fairbanks has to tread lightly.

Nerve never gets particularly good, but it’s always mildly charming… sort of like Fairbanks. The whole point of his performance is to be charming; he succeeds. A textured performance isn’t his goal.

Young shows a fair amount of range in her role, though it’s a poorly written one. Kolker and Breon are both okay; once they get together and start arguing they’re fantastic.

Peter Fritch’s weak editing hurts McCann’s otherwise sturdy direction a bit.

Nerve is a pleasant diversion.

Directed by William C. McGann; screenplay by Roland Pertwee, based on an adaptation by Houston Branch; director of photography, Ernest Haller; edited by Peter Fritch; music by David Mendoza; released by Warner Bros.

Starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (Larry O’Brien), Loretta Young (Diane Forsythe), Henry Kolker (Areal Pacheco), Claud Allister (Archie Lester), Edmund Breon (Clive Lattimer) and Boris Karloff (Luigi, Pacheco’s butler).

a Smooth and hierarchical Pt-Ir electrode surfaces (sPt-Ir and hPt-Ir). PU polyurethane. b Fixation base of the electrode¹⁷. c X-ray photo of the implanted electrode. d Experimental design. WE working electrode, RE reference electrode, CE counter electrode, CV cyclic voltammetry, EIS electrochemical impedance spectrum, HE hematoxylin–eosin staining, IHC immunohistochemistry, SEM scanning electron microscopy.

Electrochemical performance was tested using an electrochemical workstation (CHI 660E, CHI, China). In vitro tests were performed in phosphate-buffered saline (0.01 M, Solarbio, China). In vivo tests were conducted during surgery and before sacrifice with a physiological saline bath on the skull formed by medical skimmed cotton. A three-electrode system was used for both in vitro and in vivo testing (Fig. 1d): an sPt-Ir or hPt-Ir electrode as the working electrode, a titanium sheet (20 mm × 30 mm × 0.3 mm) as the counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl electrode filled with saturated KCl (Model 218, Leici, China) as the reference electrode. During the in vivo test, a ball of medical skimmed cotton soaked with physiological saline was first placed on the skull to form a bath, and then the counter electrode and reference electrode were immersed into it. After testing, they were removed.

After electrochemical testing at 1, 8, and 16 weeks, the animals were euthanized with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital and systemically perfused with phosphate buffer and 4% formaldehyde solution. Then, the electrodes were gently explanted, and the brain tissues were carefully removed. The brain tissues and electrodes were fixed separately in 4% formaldehyde for 24 h. The brain tissue was embedded in paraffin wax. Perpendicular to the electrode axis, consecutive sections were made at a thickness of 5 μm. After dewaxing with xylene, some sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE). The other sections were incubated with antibodies: rabbit anti-neuronal nuclei (NeuN, AB177487, Abcam, UK, 1:1000), mouse anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, MAB360, Millipore, USA, 1:800) and rabbit anti-ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1, AB178846, Abcam, UK, 1:2000) at 4 °C overnight to label neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, respectively. Then, appropriate dilutions of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibodies were added, followed by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB, PV-9001 and PV-9005, ZSGB-Bio, China).

Photographs were taken at ×20 magnification using an automated digital slide scanner (Axio Scan.Z1, Zeiss, Germany). The measurements were conducted on one NeuN-stained slide for each animal. The normalized neuron number was calculated as a function of distance from the electrode-tissue interface using the image-processing program ImageJ (National Institute of Health)^20,21,22. An outline of the electrode-tissue interface was defined automatically. NeuN-positive cells were counted at 100 μm increment bins away from the interface up to 1000 μm using a marker-controlled watershed algorithm in ImageJ. The results were normalized to the background cellular count (1000 μm away from the interface). The average values and standard deviations were calculated.

The explanted electrodes were dehydrated using graded ethanol and tert-butanol and then lyophilized at −20 °C. The electrodes were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) operating at 20 kV (Quanta 200, FEI, Netherlands). Each electrode was photographed at magnifications of ×100, ×1k, and ×10k to examine the surface structure and biological adhesion.

Electrochemical performance and biocompatibility are critical for neural electrodes. To assess clinical feasibility, hierarchical Pt-Ir electrodes structured by a femtosecond laser were implanted in rat brains to study their in vivo acute and chronic performance compared with existing smooth Pt-Ir electrodes²³. Although both electrodes experienced a decrease in charge storage capacity after implantation, the hierarchical Pt-Ir electrode showed superior long-term electrochemical performance and comparable biocompatibility to the smooth electrode, demonstrating its potential for application as a clinical neural electrode.

Influence of implantation on electrochemical performance

Compared with the in vitro results (Fig. 3b), the intraoperative CSCs for both the sPt-Ir and hPt-Ir electrodes decreased at a similar rate. This decrease is reported to be associated with the reduced ionic conductivity and oxygen concentration of the biological environment²⁴. Over the course of the experiment, the CSCs of the sPt-Ir electrodes remained stable, but the values of the hPt-Ir electrodes further decreased by ~50% from 0 to 8 weeks (Fig. 3b), similar to that of the electrodeposited Pt-Ir coating on cochlear electrodes²⁵. Given that the hierarchical structures showed no signs of shedding, the deterioration should be related to the glial scarring and biological adhesion on the electrode surface, as seen in the histology and SEM characterizations (Figs. 4 and 5)^26,27,28. In the surrounding blood and extracellular matrix, serum albumin and procollagen are the most common proteins, respectively, both with diameters of a few nanometers¹⁶. These proteins might enter the submicron-sized pores of the hPt-Ir electrode surface, leading to an increase in the pore resistance and limiting the inward diffusion of ions^16,29,30. With complete encapsulation, the electrochemical performance of hPt-Ir tended to be stable after 8 weeks³¹.

The differences in EIS among various implantation times were smaller than those between in vitro and intraoperative measurements (Fig. 3c). This was consistent with previous studies^16,32. Not only in vitro but also in vivo, the hPt-Ir electrodes had a similar impedance above the cutoff frequency compared to sPt-Ir electrodes. The impedance in this range was nearly frequency-independent and mainly determined by the geometric surface area and the surrounding electrolytes¹⁹. On the other hand, below the cutoff frequency, the hPt-Ir electrodes had a lower impedance. The impedance in this range was frequency-dependent and related to the real surface area¹⁹. In addition, the postoperative f_cut-off of the hPt-Ir electrode was slightly higher than the intraoperative f_cut-off reflected by the rightward shift of the phase curve. This result suggested an increased real part of the impedance, which might result from increased biological adhesion³¹. Nevertheless, after 16 weeks of implantation in the brain, the hPt-Ir electrode still had greater strengths in impedance amplitude and cutoff frequency.

Intriguingly, the hPt-Ir electrode had a rather stable EIS over 16 weeks, but the CSC value decreased significantly over the first 8 weeks. Similar results have also been found in conductive hydrogel electrodes in rats^22,33. It is assumed to be associated with varying diffusion processes under CV and EIS tests. Given the complex effects of electrode materials, surface structures, and implantation environments on electrochemical processes, it would be worthwhile to conduct more research in the future.

Biocompatibility of the structured electrodes

Biocompatibility is another key aspect of neural implants, which is characterized by increased surrounding neuron density and limited glial encapsulation and inflammation^34,35. Smooth Pt-Ir electrodes have been widely used in long-term implants and have shown good biocompatibility¹⁹. Nevertheless, according to ISO 10993-22: 2017^36,37, medical devices containing nanostructured surfaces should prevent nanoparticle release and should be assessed for their potential effects on cells and tissues due to direct interactions.

To investigate the effects during acute and long-term implantation, we examined the progression from 1 to 16 weeks^21,34,35. In histological analysis, there were similar neuronal densities and thicknesses of neuron-depleted areas around both electrodes, indicating no distinctly negative impact of hPt-Ir (Fig. 4). Furthermore, previous studies have shown that activated microglia and an inflammatory response would be observed if implants were causing the shedding and spreading of micro/nanoparticles^38,39. In this study, no particulate material from micro/nanostructures or abnormal inflammation was observed in the tissues, indicating that the hierarchically structured Pt-Ir electrodes had good mechanical stability and biocompatibility.

The neuron distribution around the electrodes is related to the biocompatibility and functionality of the electrodes. After 16 weeks of implantation, there were fewer neurons within 200~500 µm of both electrodes than there were farther away from the electrodes. A similar neuronal distribution has been found in previous studies^21,22. Neuronal migration is an important issue for microelectrodes due to their limited accessible tissue volume. However, this migration has less of an effect on the macroelectrodes used in this study. These electrode sizes can be used to stimulate neurons and axons⁴⁰ and record local field potentials⁴¹ within a few millimeters. Although the electrodes reported here are functional, improvements in biocompatibility are of great value and deserve further investigation.

Using nanostructured surfaces to control protein and cell adhesion on electrodes has also attracted increasing attention^15,42,43. Several in vitro studies have shown that nanostructures may preferentially provide architectural cues for neuronal adhesion compared to astrocytes^44,45. In addition, structured microelectrodes have been reported to enhance glial resistance⁴⁶ and reduce the expression of some inflammation-related genes after implantation within the brain⁴⁷. These results illuminate the improved integration between neurons and electrodes, which enhances stimulation efficiency and recording quality^34,43,44,48. In this study, hierarchical Pt-Ir electrodes supported more cellular and ECM adhesion, suggesting that they exhibited no apparent biotoxicity (Fig. 5). However, histological results showed similar distributions around hPt-Ir compared to sPt-Ir electrodes (Fig. 4), as reported in some previous works²⁰. This may result from the differences in the implantation regions as well as surface structures¹⁵. Investigating the mechanisms by which micro/nanostructures affect molecular and cellular activities would help to improve the design of Pt-Ir electrode surface structures⁴³. In addition, electrode structure at larger levels may also impact cell morphology and cytoskeletal structure^49,50. A femtosecond laser has been proven to be a feasible tool for preparing various micro- and nanostructures¹⁴. Improving both the in vivo electrochemical and biological properties of electrodes through multiscale structures is an exciting research direction and worth further exploration.

Compared to a rat brain, the electrode in this study is somewhat large. Thus, it might displace brain tissue and induce chronic mechanical stresses, which could affect the function of the neural interface and the long-term health of neural tissue. The maximum occupation volume of electrodes that does not cause damage has not yet been determined⁵¹. It is estimated that multiple implanted microelectrodes occupying 1–2% of the enclosed volume of the brain will not cause significant damage to brain tissue viability⁵². No direct discussion about the occupation effects of the macroelectrode was found. In this study, the occupied volume of the electrode was ~0.6% of the entire rat brain (always less than 1%). None of the experimental rats showed any functional impairment due to brain herniation or brain tissue damage. No increase in chronic inflammatory responses or astrocyte activation was observed. In previous studies that adopted electrodes of the same size, magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that there was no significant midline displacement of the brain^21,53. The cerebrospinal fluid circulation was unobstructed, and there was no change in the size of the ventricles after electrode insertion. This finding suggests that there was no overall effect on brain function in the rats after electrode implantation. In vivo studies for electrodes of similar sizes were also reported using rat models^21,22,54,55. Nevertheless, the brain size and anatomy of rats differ significantly from those of humans. How the electrodes behave in large animal models is worth future exploration.

Implications for clinical applications

The postoperative electrode-tissue interface plays an important role in clinical DBS treatment⁵⁶. Decreasing the impedance amplitude and cutoff frequency by more than an order of magnitude would facilitate improved stimulation efficiency and recording quality¹⁹. Notably, in clinical practice, an hPt-Ir electrode with a lower impedance amplitude may change the effective stimulation parameters under voltage-controlled DBS. Therefore, in this case, current-controlled DBS would be particularly helpful to stabilize the therapeutic efficacy⁵⁷.

Furthermore, clinical DBS studies have reported a decrease in impedance after cyclic electrical stimulation compared to the passive implantation used in this work^58,59. Based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, this effect was reported to probably arise from the desorption of attached proteins and cells, resulting in the cleaning of the electrode⁵⁶. Considering the negative effect of biological adhesion on the electrochemical performance of hPt-Ir electrodes in this study, cyclic stimulation may provide a way to reactivate the implanted electrodes, which deserves further investigation.

EDINBURGH, Scotland—In a somber, regal procession, Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped coffin was driven slowly through the Scottish countryside Sunday from her beloved Balmoral Castle to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Mourners packed city streets and highway bridges or lined rural roads with cars and tractors to take part in a historic goodbye to the monarch who had reigned for 70 years.

The hearse drove past piles of bouquets and other tributes as it led a seven-car cortege from Balmoral, where the queen died Thursday at 96, for a six-hour trip through Scottish towns to Holyroodhouse palace in Edinburgh. The late queen’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland and topped with a wreath made of flowers from the estate, including sweet peas, one of the queen’s favorites.

The procession was a huge event for Scotland as the UK takes days to mourn its longest-reigning monarch, the only one most Britons have ever known. People turned out hours early to grab a space by the police barricades in Edinburgh. By afternoon, the crowds were 10 people deep.

“I think she has been an ever-constant in my life. She was the queen I was born under, and she has always been there,” said Angus Ruthven, a 54-year-old civil servant from Edinburgh. “I think it is going to take a lot of adjusting that she is not here.”

Silence fell on the packed Royal Mile in Edinburgh as the hearse carrying the queen arrived. But as the convoy vanished from view, the crowd spontaneously started clapping.

“A very historic moment. I am quite speechless actually,” said Fiona Moffat, a 57-year-old office manager from Glasgow. “She was a lovely lady. Great mother, grandmother. She did well. I am very proud of her.”

When the hearse reached Holyroodhouse, members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, wearing green tartan kilts, carried the coffin past the queen’s youngest three children—Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward—into the throne room, where it was to remain until Monday afternoon so staff can pay their last respects.

King Charles III and his Queen Consort Camilla will travel Monday to Edinburgh to join another solemn procession that takes the queen’s coffin to St. Giles Cathedral on the city’s Royal Mile. There the coffin will remain for 24 hours so the Scottish public can pay their respects before it is flown to London on Tuesday.

The first village the cortege passed through was Ballater, where residents regard the royal family as neighbors. Hundreds of people watched in silence. Some threw flowers in front of the hearse.

“She meant such a lot to people in this area. People were crying, it was amazing to see,” said Victoria Pacheco, a guest house manager.

In each Scottish town and village, the entourage was met with respect. People stood mostly in silence; some clapped politely, others pointed their phone cameras at the passing cars. In Aberdeenshire, farmers lined the route with an honor guard of tractors.

Along the route, the cortege passed through locations laden with House of Windsor history. Those included Dyce, where in 1975 the queen formally opened the UK’s first North Sea oil pipeline, and Fife, near St. Andrews University, where her grandson Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, studied and met his future wife, Catherine.

Sunday’s solemn drive came as the queen’s eldest son was formally proclaimed the new monarch—King Charles III—in the rest of the United Kingdom: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It came a day after a pomp-filled accession ceremony in England.

“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty, which have now passed to me,” Charles said Saturday.

Just before the proclamation was read Sunday in Edinburgh, a protester appeared with a sign condemning imperialism and urging leaders to “abolish the monarchy.” She was taken away by police. Reaction was mixed. One man shouted, “Let her go! It’s free speech!” while others shouted: “Have some respect!”

Still, there was some booing in Edinburgh when Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, finished his proclamation with “God save the king!”

That upset Ann Hamilton, 48.

“There’s tens of thousands of people here today to show their respect. For them to be here, heckling through things, I think it was terrible. If they were so against it, they shouldn’t have come,” she said.

Still, it was a sign of how some, including people in Britain’s former colonies, are struggling with the legacy of the monarchy—and its future.

Earlier in the day, proclamations were read in other parts of the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand.

Charles, even as he mourned his late mother, got to work at Buckingham Palace, meeting with the secretary-general and other Commonwealth envoys. Many in those nations are grappling with both affection for the queen and lingering bitterness over their colonial legacies, which ranged from slavery to corporal punishment in African schools to looted artifacts held in British cultural institutions.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is in favor of an Australian republic, said Sunday that now was not the time for a change but for paying tribute to the late queen. India, a former British colony, observed a day of state mourning, with flags lowered to half-staff.

Amid the grief enveloping the House of Windsor, there were hints of a possible family reconciliation. Prince William and his brother Harry, together with their respective wives, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, delighted mourners near Windsor Castle with a surprise joint appearance Saturday.

The queen’s coffin was taking a circuitous journey back to the capital. After it is flown to London on Tuesday, the coffin will be moved from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to the Houses of Parliament to lie in state until a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19.

In Ballater, the Rev. David Barr said locals consider the royal family as neighbors.

“When she comes up here, and she goes through those gates, I believe the royal part of her stays mostly outside,” he said of the queen. “And as she goes in, she was able to be a wife, a loving wife, a loving mum, a loving gran and then later on a loving great-gran—and aunty—and be normal.”

Elizabeth Taylor, from Aberdeen, had tears in her eyes after the hearse passed through Ballater.

“It was very emotional. It was respectful and showed what they think of the queen,” she said. “She certainly gave service to this country, even up until a few days before her death.”   

 Corder reported from London.

In today’s volatile and uncertain business landscape, building a resilient brand for your tech company is more important than ever. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the necessary steps to reinvent your tech company and create a brand that can withstand the challenges of the modern marketplace. We will discuss the importance of understanding your target audience, embracing innovation, utilizing digital marketing, prioritizing customer service, and fostering a strong company culture. By focusing on these key aspects, you can build a brand that will be not only resilient but also poised for success in the future.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Your Target Audience
2. Embracing Innovation
3. Utilizing Digital Marketing
4. Prioritizing Customer Service
5. Fostering a Strong Company Culture
6. FAQs

Understanding Your Target Audience

To successfully reinvent your tech company, it’s essential to first have a deep understanding of your target audience. This understanding allows you to create products and services that cater to their specific needs, preferences, and pain points.

Benefits of Knowing Your Audience

• Improved Product Development: By understanding your audience’s needs, you can create products and services that truly solve their problems.
• More Effective Marketing: Knowing your audience enables you to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with them and generate better results.
• Increased Customer Satisfaction: When you understand your customers’ needs and expectations, you can provide a more personalized and high-quality experience, leading to higher satisfaction rates.

Researching Your Audience

Start by conducting thorough market research, which can include surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Pay attention to:

• Demographics
• Geographic location
• Psychographic traits (interests, motivations, pain points, etc.)
• Behavioral patterns (purchase habits, brand loyalty, etc.)

Embracing Innovation

Innovation is the lifeblood of the tech industry, and it’s crucial for companies looking to reinvent themselves in today’s landscape. Embrace innovation by fostering a culture that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and agile thinking.

Incorporating Innovative Technology

Stay ahead of the competition by integrating the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality, into your products and services. Leverage innovative technologies to:

• Enhance existing products and services
• Create new markets
• Improve operational efficiency
• Increase cost-effectiveness

Encouraging a Culture of Innovation

Create an environment that encourages employees to think creatively, take risks, and explore new ideasby:

• Offering incentives and recognition for innovative ideas
• Investing in employee training and development
• Holding brainstorming sessions
• Establishing a supportive management style that values collaboration and open communication

Utilizing Digital Marketing

Effective digital marketing is essential for any tech company that wants to stand out in today’s connected world. A comprehensive digital marketing strategy should include:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimize your website and content to rank higher in search engine results, driving more organic traffic and increasing brand visibility:

• Perform keyword research
• Create high-quality, informative content
• Optimize website structure and performance
• Build authoritative backlinks

Social Media Marketing

Establish a strong presence on relevant social media platforms to engage with your audience and boost brand awareness:

• Choose the right platforms for your target audience
• Develop a consistent posting schedule
• Create engaging, shareable content
• Interact with your followers and respond to comments

Email Marketing

Utilize email marketing to maintain relationships with your customers, promote new products, and encourage repeat business:

• Grow your email list through targeted lead generation campaigns
• Segment your audience for personalized messaging
• Design mobile-responsive, visually appealing emails
• Monitor and optimize email campaigns to improve performance

Prioritizing Customer Service

Exceptional customer service is a critical component of building a resilient brand, as it helps you retain clients and garner positive word-of-mouth. To prioritize customer service:

Offer Multiple Channels for Support

Allow customers to reach you through various means, such as live chat, social media, email, and phone.

Train Staff to Handle Queries Effectively

Invest in employee training to ensure they have the skills, knowledge, and empathy necessary to address customer concerns efficiently.

Offer Proactive Support

Anticipate and address potential issues before they become problems for your customers.

Collect Customer Feedback

Gather input from customers regarding their experiences and use this feedback to improve your products, services, and overall support.

Fostering a Strong Company Culture

A strong, positive company culture has numerous advantages, including increased employee engagement, talent retention, and productivity. To foster a resilient company culture:

Define Your Values and Vision

Clearly communicate your company’s mission, vision, and values to each employee, ensuring all team members understand and align with them.

Create a Positive Work Environment

Encourage open communication, teamwork, and collaboration, while treating employees with respect, integrity, and fairness.

Invest in Employee Development

Offer opportunities for employees to grow professionally through training,mentorship, and skill development programs.

Recognize and Reward Contributions

Show appreciation for employees’ hard work and accomplishments through recognition and rewards, including both financial and non-financial incentives.

Encourage Work-Life Balance

Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, encouraging employees to take breaks and time off, and providing resources for health and wellness initiatives.

FAQs

1. What are the key components of a resilient brand?

A resilient brand focuses on understanding its target audience, embracing innovation, utilizing digital marketing, prioritizing customer service, and fostering a strong company culture.

2. How can a tech company stay competitive in today’s market?

Staying competitive requires continuously innovating and adapting to new technologies, evolving customer needs, and emerging trends. A tech company should also invest in digital marketing, providing exceptional customer support, and striving for a positive company culture to attract top talent and maintain a resilient brand.

3. How important is understanding the target audience for a tech company’s success?

Understanding your target audience allows your company to create products and services that cater to their specific needs and preferences, improving customer satisfaction and fostering long-lasting relationships. Furthermore, knowing your target audience enables you to create more effective marketing campaigns and provide personalized experiences, driving customer loyalty and brand recognition.

4. Why is a strong company culture important in the tech industry?

A strong company culture helps attract and retain top talent, which is crucial in the competitive tech industry. A positive culture also promotes employee engagement, productivity, and innovation — all of which contribute to the overall success and resilience of a tech company.

5. How can a tech company effectively utilize digital marketing?

An effective digital marketing strategy for a tech company should include SEO to improve online visibility, social media marketing to engage with the target audience, and email marketing to maintain customer relationships and encourage repeat business. Utilizing these strategies, along with other digital marketing tactics, can increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and ultimately generate more sales and revenue.

In conclusion, reinventing your tech company and building a resilient brand in uncertain times require a robust approach involving understanding your target audience, embracing innovation, utilizing digital marketing strategies, prioritizing customer service, and fostering a positive, growth-oriented company culture. By focusing on these essential elements, you can position your company for long-term success and resilience amidst the challenges of the modern business world.

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced that its [H2] Innovation Experience in Downey is now using renewable hydrogen that is produced onsite. The project will demonstrate the resiliency and reliability of a renewable hydrogen microgrid that can power neighborhoods – just in time to kick off National Clean Energy Week.

The [H2] Innovation Experience features a nearly 2,000 square-foot home that can use reliable and clean hydrogen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by drawing power from solar panels on sunny days and converting excess energy into renewable hydrogen, which can be stored and then converted back into electricity, as needed, via an on-site hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen will also be blended with natural gas and used in the home’s tank-less water heater, clothes dryer, and gas stove, fireplace and BBQ grill. The home is being constructed to LEED Platinum standards.

The project’s electrolyzer, which uses solar power to split water, has now produced its first full kilogram of renewable hydrogen – the first ever produced by SoCalGas — which is intended to power a fuel cell to provide power when solar isn’t available. One kilogram of hydrogen, roughly equivalent to a gallon of gasoline, emits only water as a byproduct. The limited production of hydrogen at this site as part of this demonstration project is specifically intended to show the microgrid’s effectiveness in terms of reliability and resiliency.

“The production of the first kilogram of renewable hydrogen by SoCalGas is a key milestone as we prepare to welcome visitors to our [H2] Innovation Experience in the coming months,” said Neil Navin, Vice President of Clean Energy Innovations at SoCalGas. “This project shows the essential role clean fuels like renewable hydrogen can play in meeting California’s clean energy and resiliency goals and highlights our progress toward making net zero a reality. And projects like this, along with efforts like those to develop a statewide hydrogen blending standard, have the potential to drive down the costs of renewable hydrogen, making it a valuable tool to help decarbonize California.”

“On behalf of my council colleagues and myself, I would like to congratulate SoCalGas on this momentous achievement,” added Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco. “The use of green hydrogen could greatly reduce carbon emissions and help in our fight against climate change. By building on the benefits of using hydrogen generated by renewable energy, our city can continue to be at the forefront of technology and environmental sustainability.”

SoCalGas is at the forefront of sustainability having announced its aim to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. It is the first large natural gas utility in the United States to do so.

SoCalGas has been at the forefront of clean energy innovation and is aggressively working to develop a suite of tools to help with those decarbonization efforts, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors: hydrogen, hydrogen blending, renewable natural gas and carbon management, to name some of the clean energy tools being developed and employed as part of its overall clean energy strategy.

That strategy is already in full motion. Earlier this month, SoCalGas partnered with UCI on a proposal to demonstrate how hydrogen can be safely blended into existing natural gas infrastructure on the university’s campus and take California a step closer to establishing a statewide injection standard for renewable hydrogen. Additionally, in February, the company proposed developing the Angeles Link, a dedicated green hydrogen energy infrastructure system for delivering clean reliable energy to the Los Angeles Basin to serve hard to electrify sectors of the economy like electric generation, heavy-duty transportation, and heavy industry and manufacturing.

SoCalGas research has shown that with clean fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen, coupled with carbon management, California can reach 100% net zero goals more affordably, more equitably and with less risk of power disruptions, customer conversion barriers, and technological limitations.

For more information on the [H2] Innovation Experience, click here.

Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped coffin arrives in Scottish capital: ‘An extraordinary woman’

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped coffin has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the British monarchy’s residence in the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh.

The arrival followed a slow, somber and regal procession through the Scottish countryside on Sunday. Mourners had packed city streets and lined rural roads to take part in a historic goodbye to the monarch who reigned for 70 years.

The hearse drove past piles of bouquets and other tributes as it led a seven-car cortege from her beloved summer estate Balmoral Castle, where the queen died Thursday at age 96, for a six-hour trip through Scottish towns to the palace in Edinburgh. The late queen’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland and topped with a wreath made of flowers from the estate, including sweet peas, one of the queen’s favorites.

Members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland carried the coffin past the queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, and into the throne room. It will remain there until Monday afternoon so residence staff can pay their last respects.

“A sad and poignant moment as Her Majesty, The Queen leaves her beloved Balmoral for the final time,” the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon tweeted. “Today, as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman.”

King Charles III and his Queen Consort Camilla will travel to Edinburgh on Monday to take the coffin to St. Giles Cathedral on the city’s Royal Mile. The coffin will remain there for 24 hours before being flown to London on Tuesday. The coffin will be moved from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to the Houses of Parliament to lie in state until a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19.

► Royal news right in your inbox: Subscribe to Keep Calm and Carry On, a newsletter answering all of your questions about the royal family following Queen Elizabeth’s death.

In the Scottish village of Ballater, where residents regard the royal family as neighbors, hundreds of people watched as the hearse it passed.

“She meant such a lot to people in this area. People were crying, it was amazing to see,” said Victoria Pacheco.

The procession was mostly met with muted scenes of respect. People stood in silence; some clapped politely, others pointed their phone cameras.

What’s next for the young royals? King Charles names Will and Kate the Prince and Princess of Wales

In Ballater, the Rev. David Barr said locals consider the royals as “neighbors” and try to treat them as locals when they spend summers in the Scottish Highlands.

When Elizabeth arrived at her summer estate, the royal part of her mostly stayed outside, he said. “She was able to be a wife, a loving wife, a loving mum, a loving gran and then later on a loving great-gran – and aunty – and be normal.”

Elizabeth Taylor of Aberdeen had tears in her eyes after the hearse passed through Ballater.

“It was very emotional. It was respectful,” she said. “She certainly gave service to this country, even up until a few days before her death.”

Protest breaks out in Edinburgh to ‘abolish the monarchy’

Just before the proclamation of King Charles III was read Sunday in Edinburgh, a protester appeared with a sign condemning imperialism and urging leaders to “abolish the monarchy.” She was taken away soon after by police. Reaction was mixed. One man shouted, “Let her go! It’s free speech!” while others yelled, “Have some respect!”

Still, there was also some booing in Edinburgh when Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, finished his proclamation with the words “God save the king!”

Ann Hamilton, 48, said she thought it was “absolutely terrible” that people booed the royal family during the proclamation.

“There’s tens of thousands of people here today to show their respect. For them to be here, heckling through things, I think it was terrible. If they were so against it, they shouldn’t have come,” she said.

Queen Elizabeth’s death: Operation London Bridge and Operation Unicorn, explained

President Biden praises Queen Elizabeth II on anniversary of 9/11 

While marking the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, President Joe Biden paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II for her support of the United States on that fateful day.

In a speech at the Pentagon, Biden cited the queen’s message to the U.S. shortly after the 9/11 attacks: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

Earlier Sunday, Biden said he has not yet spoken to King Charles III since the death of his mother.

“I’ve spoken to him many times but I haven’t spoken to him since he’s become king,” Biden told reporters as he left Delaware to return to Washington for the 9/11 commemoration.

Biden is scheduled to travel to London, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, to attend the queen’s funeral.

What kind of sovereign will King Charles III be? Not like his mother

Prince William promises to serve Wales with ‘humility and great respect’

Prince William, the new Prince of Wales, has told the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, he will serve the country “with humility and great respect.”

William was given the title when his father, King Charles III, the previous Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne following the death Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II.

William told Drakeford that he and his wife, Kate, have a “deep affection for Wales, having made their first family home in Anglesey, including during the earliest months of Prince George’s life.”

He said the couple would travel to Wales “very soon” and want “to do their part to support the aspirations of the Welsh people and to shine a spotlight on both the challenges and opportunities in front of them.”

The world reacts to Queen Elizabeth II’s death: King Charles III, Prince William, more pay tribute

King Charles III formally proclaimed new monarch in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

King Charles III has been formally proclaimed the new monarch in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The move came Sunday in the rest of the United Kingdom, a day after the same proclamation was made in London at a pomp-filled accession ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism.

In Belfast, bells chimed and a bugler played before the proclamation was read. It was followed by a 21-gun salute and a military band playing the anthem, “God Save the King.” In Wales, a regimental mascot goat accompanied the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh regiment at the ceremony at Cardiff Castle.

Earlier, proclamations were held in other parts of the Commonwealth – the group of former British Empire colonies – including Australia and New Zealand.

Even as he mourned Elizabeth, Charles was getting down to work. He met at Buckingham Palace with the secretary-general and other representatives of the Commonwealth, a group of nations that grapples with affection for the queen and lingering bitterness over their own colonial legacies, ranging from slavery to corporal punishment in African schools to looted artifacts held in British institutions.

Contributing: David Jackson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

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