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Chemical Security: Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security Gaps – Government Accountability…

What GAO Found

Eight federal programs addressing chemical safety or security from four departments or agencies that GAO reviewed contain requirements or guidance that generally align with at least half of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 18 Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program standards. At least 550 of 3,300 (16 percent) facilities subject to the CFATS program are also subject to other federal programs. Analyses of CFATS and these eight programs indicate that some overlap, duplication, and fragmentation exists, depending on the program or programs to which a facility is subject. For example,

The departments and agencies responsible for all nine of these chemical safety and security programsfour of which are managed by DHS, three by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and one each managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Transportation (DOT)have previously worked together to enhance information collection and sharing in response to Executive Order 13650, issued in 2013. This Executive Order directed these programs to take actions related to improving federal agency coordination and information sharing.

However, these programs have not identified which facilities are subject to multiple programs, such that facilities may be unnecessarily developing duplicative information to comply with multiple programs. Although CFATS allows facilities to use information they prepared for other programs, CFATS program guidance does not specify what information facilities can reuse. Finally, DHS and EPA leaders acknowledged that there are differences between CFATS requirements and the security requirements for public water systems and wastewater treatment facilities, but they have not assessed the extent to which potential security gaps may exist. By leveraging collaboration established through the existing Executive Order working group, the CFATS program and chemical safety and security partners would be better positioned to minimize unnecessary duplication between CFATS and other programs and better ensure the security of facilities currently subject to fragmented requirements.

Facilities with hazardous chemicals could be targeted by terrorists to inflict mass casualties or damage. Federal regulations applicable to chemical safety and security have evolved over time as authorizing statutes and regulations established programs for different purposes, such as safety versus security, and with different enforcement authorities. GAO has reported that such programs may be able to achieve greater efficiency where overlap exists by reducing duplication and better managing fragmentation.

GAO was asked to review issues related to the effects that overlap, duplication, and fragmentation among the multiple federal programs may have on the security of the chemical sector. This report addresses the extent to which (1) such issues may exist between CFATS and other federal programs, and (2) the CFATS program collaborates with other federal programs. GAO analyzed the most recent available data on facilities subject to nine programs from DHS, EPA, ATF, and DOT; reviewed and analyzed statutes, regulations, and program guidance; and interviewed agency officials.

GAO is making seven recommendations, including that DHS, EPA, ATF, and DOT identify facilities subject to multiple programs; DHS clarify guidance; and DHS and EPA assess security gaps. Agencies generally agreed with six; EPA did not agree with the recommendation on gaps. GAO continues to believe it is valid, as discussed in the report.

For more information, contact Nathan Andersonat (206) 287-4804 or AndersonN@gao.gov.

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Chemical Security: Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security Gaps - Government Accountability...

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Matt LaFleur Aced the Chemistry Test With Aaron Rodgers – The Ringer

It was late in the second quarter of the Packers divisional-round game against the Rams on Saturday. Los Angeles had just scored its first touchdown, and Green Bay got the ball back with 29 seconds remaining until halftime, leading 16-10. As the Rams kicked off, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked with coach Matt LaFleur on the sideline before taking the field. LaFleur said that hed been watching film of the Rams defense in two-minute situations just before the game and told Rodgers what to look out for. Even in the moment, Rodgers chuckled at LaFleurs extreme preparedness.

I was like, What? Rodgers said after the game, a 32-18 Green Bay win. Thats what you were doing before the game?

After their conversation, Rodgers took the field and quickly drove the Packers into field goal range before time expired.

But thats the beauty in him, his style, and his staff. Theres no stone left unturned.

Two years ago, the Packers fired Mike McCarthy and chose LaFleur as their new head coach, pairing him with Rodgers for what the organization hoped would lead to a continuation of Rodgerss prime. Like other candidates hired in that 2019 cycle, LaFleur was young, coached offense, and bore a slight resemblance to Sean McVay, the Rams head coach whom LaFleur worked under in 2017 as an offensive coordinator. The trend of hiring these kinds of young, offensive-minded coaches with no head-coaching experience garnered some well-deserved skepticism, but LaFleurs two-year tenure has vindicated Green Bays decision. The Packers beat McVays Rams to advance to the NFC championship against the Buccaneers next Sunday. LaFleur has gotten the Packers to this round of the playoffs two years in a row and is one of seven head coaches to do so in their first two years on the job. He is 28-7 as a head coach in the regular season and playoffs, having won more games in his first two seasons than any other coach in Packers franchise history.

Whether LaFleur winds up with his name on a stadium or a trophy will be determined later. For now, hes been the right coach for the Packers because hes succeeded in the most important part of his job: having a healthy push-pull with Rodgers.

When Green Bay had its opening, Rodgers wanted a head coach who would push and challenge him. Theres an obvious understanding between the two, and Rodgers went out of his way several times to praise LaFleur after the win against the Rams. They clearly respect each others football acumen, but it also seems like part of Rodgerss appreciation for LaFleur comes from how hes made his job easier.

This was one of those weeks where we were working through it, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, and I feel like it just got fine-tuned and fine-tuned even more each day, Rodgers said. Matt is such a grinder.

Rodgers also credited LaFleurs play-calling, particularly his willingness to go back to the play-action deep pass, resulting in a 58-yard touchdown to Allen Lazard with seven minutes left after the same play resulted in an incompletion on a drop by Lazard earlier in the game.

When the play was called I was thinking touchdown, for sure, Rodgers said.

That play typifies LaFleurs influence on the Packers, particularly Rodgers. LaFleurs offense is a by-product of the Mike ShanahanGary Kubiak system McVay runs in Los Angeles and Kyle Shanahan runs in San Francisco. Its designed to elevate quarterbacks. In Green Bay, though, LaFleur gets to run it with a passer already in the NFLs stratosphere. In getting ready for the no. 1 defense, both LaFleur and Rodgers played their ideal roles: LaFleur obsessively prepared the game plan and watched two-minute-drill film up until kickoff; Rodgers took advantage and balled out.

I think as a coach sometimes, specifically as an offensive coach going into this game, I probably had a lot more anxiety than our players in terms of just going up against a defense that throws some unique looks at you, LaFleur said. Our players never flinched.

The Packers got to this stage of the playoffs last season only to get steamrolled by Kyle Shanahans 49ers, but that Green Bay team seemed much weaker than this one. Both teams finished 13-3, but the 2019 Packers finished ninth by DVOA; this seasons group finished third. Rodgers threw 26 touchdowns last season, and hes thrown a league-high 48 this season.

Were just a better, much more efficient team, Rodgers said last week.

Thats happened with largely the same roster Green Bay had in 2019, with some of the difference coming from LaFleurs offense functioning more smoothly in his second year.

Its possible to have seen this coming when LaFleur was hired. His career highlight at that time was as the offensive coordinator on McVays 2017 Rams that ranked 10th in total offense and won the NFC West before losing to the Falcons in the wild-card round. Hed also been the quarterbacks coach in Atlanta for two seasons under Kyle Shanahan, who was then the offensive coordinator. In one of those seasons, 2016, the Falcons offense ranked second in the NFL and saw quarterback Matt Ryan win the sole MVP award of his career. The hiring of anyone whod swapped hair gel tips with McVay reached the level of unintentional comedy when the Cardinals announced Kliff Kingsburys hire by noting he was friends with McVay, but its undeniable that the quarterback-friendly offenses those coaches run currently dominate the NFL. If the Packers beat the Buccaneers next Sunday, it will be the third year in a row that the head coach of the NFC champion will be someone who coached on Mike Shanahans Washington staff from 2010 to 2013. LaFleurs rsum may not have been the longest among the available coaching candidates in 2019, but hed had success working with offenses and quarterbacks. Chemistry with Rodgers was always the most important part of LaFleurs job description. Hes achieved that, and the rest of the offense has fallen into place.

Before the game, Rodgers and LaFleur shared a long hug. LaFleur pumped his quarterback up for a few moments.

I said, Hey, man, whatever you see out there, understand that I totally trustyoure the guy in charge out there, so whatever you see, go with it, LaFleur said.

Rodgers nodded. LaFleur slapped him on the back of the jersey. Then he went back to watching the Rams two-minute film.

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Petoskey girls return to the court, focus on building chemistry for talented group – Petoskey News-Review

PETOSKEY Before the state of Michigan and Michigan High School Athletic Association shut things down in November, Petoskey, like most girls basketball teams around the state of Michigan, had the benefit of getting at least a weeks worth of practices in before closing up shop.

But, that was approaching three months ago.

Petoskey senior Jamisyn Karr makes a layup during a drill in Tuesday's practice.

A lot has changed in that time, though not with a whole lot benefiting high school basketball teams.

On Tuesday, the Petoskey varsity girls were back on the court, trying to build chemistry and prepare for the start of a season thats already been moved a few times.

Still, Petoskey head coach Bryan Shaw and his group of 12 girls are keeping a positive mindset.

It is what it is, said Shaw. Theyve been great this week, but two and half weeks without contact will be tough. Well just do drills and walk them through offense and transition stuff.

Petoskey's Gabriella Guy sends a pass down to a teammate during a drill.

Shaw has perhaps his most talented group of players since taking the reins of the girls program six years back, though theres two big questions facing this group still.

The first hurdle that players and Shaw will deal with is meshing.

The team features six varsity returnees, five that are back as returning starters, along with two players off the junior varsity and another four as newcomers to the school and program altogether.

With just a week of practices before the initial shutdown and the inability to have any close contact on the court during practices now, building chemistry is the tricky part for Shaw.

Thats the bummer is that there was no summer (activity), no fall and we had one week (in November) but we had three kids gone, he said. So, we dont know yet and probably wont until we play. Off the court, its been great and during drills its been very good. I just dont know what its going to look like when we play for real.

From top to bottom of the roster, theres a whole lot to like about Shaws 2021 group.

Petoskey's Dana Cole shoots a free throw during practice on Tuesday.

Returning guards Kenzie Bromley, Hayley Flynn and Ellie Pollion, who all started as freshmen and sophomores last season, bring good ball handling and passing skills, along with the ability to score on the fastbreak.

Returnees Jamisyn Karr and Sydney Mann have also each shown a good shot in years past, both with the ability to knock down shots from three-point range.

Then theres sophomore newcomers Eva, Grayson and Caroline Guy, as well as senior sister Gabriella Guy, who bring height, athleticism and a great deal of basketball talent to the court.

Add in Paige Simard, Dana Cole and Hope Wegmann to the mix and you get to the second problem of where exactly does everyone fit?

All five starting jobs are up for grabs and court time wont be easy to come by, though, thats a good problem to have for Shaw.

Our strength is going to be our competitiveness because weve got a lot of girls who are competing for jobs and theyre pushing each other, said Shaw.

Petoskey players (from left) Eva Guy, Caroline Guy and Kenzie Bromley listen to head coach Bryan Shaw during a break in practice.

For the first time in a while, the Petoskey girls program also seems to finally have true basketball players dedicated to the sport, rather than just good athletes staying in shape for sports in other seasons.

Its evident in the smoothness of practices, both before and after the pause, and the competitive nature of the group Shaws working with in a condensed 16-game regular season.

And anyone who knows Shaw and assistants Gina Wittenberg and Sean Pollion knows the group of coaches are always excited to get the season started, though this year there seems to be a bit extra pep in their step.

Gina, Sean and I have been like kids at Christmas the last few months and here we are getting pushed back, added Shaw. Were excited.

Note: story and photos will run in the Thursday, Jan. 21 print edition.

Follow @DrewKochanny on Twitter

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Controlling chemistry with sculpted light | Stanford News – Stanford University News

Like a person breaking up a cat fight, the role of catalysts in a chemical reaction is to hurry up the process and come out of it intact. And, just as not every house in a neighborhood has someone willing to intervene in such a battle, not every part of a catalyst participates in the reaction. But what if one could convince the unengaged parts of a catalyst to get involved? Chemical reactions could occur faster or more efficiently.

Depiction of the experimental setup where palladium nanorods lie atop gold nanobars. In this image, an electron beam is directed at the sample to watch the catalytic interactions between the hydrogen molecules (in green) and the palladium catalyst. The light driving the illumination is shown in red. (Image credit: Katherine Sytwu)

Stanford University material scientists led by Jennifer Dionne have done just that by using light and advanced fabrication and characterization techniques to endow catalysts with new abilities.

In a proof-of-concept experiment, rods of palladium that were approximately 1/200th the width of a human hair served as catalysts. The researchers placed these nanorods above gold nanobars that focused and sculpted the light around the catalyst. This sculpted light changed the regions on the nanorods where chemical reactions which release hydrogen took place. This work, published Jan. 14 in Science, could be an early step toward more efficient catalysts, new forms of catalytic transformations and potentially even catalysts capable of sustaining more than one reaction at once.

This research is an important step in realizing catalysts that are optimized from the atomic-scale to the reactor-scale, said Dionne, associate professor of materials science and engineering who is senior author of the paper. The aim is to understand how, with the appropriate shape and composition, we can maximize the reactive area of the catalyst and control which reactions are occurring.

Simply being able to observe this reaction required an exceptional microscope, capable of imaging an active chemical process on an extremely small scale. Its difficult to observe how catalysts change under reaction conditions because the nanoparticles are extremely small, said Katherine Sytwu, a former graduate student in the Dionne lab and lead author of the paper. The atomic-scale features of a catalyst generally dictate where a transformation happens, and so its crucial to distinguish whats happening within the small nanoparticle.

For this particular reaction and the later experiments on controlling the catalyst the microscope also had to be compatible with the introduction of gas and light into the sample.

To accomplish all of this, the researchers used an environmental transmission electron microscope at the Stanford Nano-Shared Facilities with a special attachment, previously developed by the Dionne lab, to introduce light. As their name suggests, transmission electron microscopes use electrons to image samples, which allows for a higher level of magnification than a classic optical microscope, and the environmental feature of this microscope means that gas can be added into what is otherwise an airless environment.

Stanford Vice Provost and Dean of Research Kathryn Moler wants all research resources to be as readily available as books in a library. This model would enable faculty and students to pursue the most innovative research in flexible, collaborative teams.

You basically have a mini lab where you can do experiments and visualize whats happening at a near-atomic level, said Sytwu.

Under certain temperature and pressure conditions, hydrogen-rich palladium will release its hydrogen atoms. In order to see how light would affect this standard catalytic transformation, the researchers customized a gold nanobar designed using equipment at the Stanford Nano-Shared Facilities and the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility to sit below the palladium and act as an antenna, collecting the incoming light and funneling it to the nearby catalyst.

First we needed to understand how these materials transform naturally. Then, we started to think about how we could modify and actually control how these nanoparticles change, said Sytwu.

Without light, the most reactive points of the dehydrogenation are the two tips of the nanorod. The reaction then travels through the nanorod, popping out hydrogen along the way. With light, however, the researchers were able to manipulate this reaction so that it traveled from the middle outward or from one tip to the other. Based on the location of the gold nanobar and the illumination conditions, the researchers managed to produce a variety of alternative hotspots.

This work is one of the rare instances showing that it is possible to tweak how catalysts behave even after they are made. It opens up significant potential for increasing efficiency at the single-catalyst level. A single catalyst could play the role of many, using light to perform several of the same reactions across its surface or potentially increase the number of sites for reactions. Light control may also help scientists avoid unwanted, extraneous reactions that sometimes occur alongside desired ones. Dionnes most aspirational goal is to someday develop efficient catalysts capable of breaking down plastic at a molecular level and transforming it back to its source material for recycling.

Dionne emphasized that this work, and whatever comes next, would not be possible without the shared facilities and resources available at Stanford. (These researchers also used the Stanford Research Computing Center to do their data analysis.) Most labs cannot afford to have this advanced equipment on their own, so sharing it increases access and expert support.

What we can learn about the world and how we can enable the next big breakthrough is so critically enabled by shared research platforms, said Dionne, who is also senior associate vice provost for research platforms/shared facilities. These spaces not only offer critical tools, but a really amazing community of researchers.

Additional Stanford co-authors include former postdoctoral scholar Michal Vadai, former doctoral student Fariah Hayee, and graduate students Daniel K. Angell, Alan Dai and Jefferson Dixon.

This research was funded by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; the National Science Foundation, including the Alan T. Waterman award, the U.S. Department of Energy (partially as part of the Photonics at Thermodynamic Limits Energy Frontier Research Center), Office of Science, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, the Gabilan Stanford Graduate Fellowship, the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford, the Diversifying Academia, Recruiting Excellence (DARE) Doctoral Fellowship Program at Stanford. Dionne is also a courtesy faculty in Radiology, member of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Stanford Bio-X, and an affiliate of the Precourt Institute for Energy.

To read all stories about Stanford science, subscribe to the biweeklyStanford Science Digest.

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US Clinical Chemistry and Immunoassay In-Vitro Diagnostics Market, 2020: Demand for High-Volume Testing Driving the Growth of the Market -…

TipRanks

Stock markets are up and holding near record high levels, a condition that would usually make life difficult for dividend investors. High market values normally lead to lower dividend yields but even in todays climate, its still possible to find a high-yielding dividend payer. You need to look carefully, however. The market story of the past year has been unusual, to say the least. Last winter saw the steepest and deepest recession in market history but it was followed by a fast recovery that is only now slowing. Many companies pulled back on their dividends at the height of the corona panic, but now they are finding that yields are too low to attract investors, and are looking to start increasing payments again. In short, the valuation balance of the stock market is out of whack, and equities are still trying to regain it. Its leaving a murky picture for investors as they try to navigate these muddy waters. Wall Streets analysts and the TipRanks database together can bring some sense to the seemingly patternless situation. The analysts review the stocks, and explain how they are fitting in; the TipRanks data provides an objective context, and you can decide if these 10% dividend yields are right for your portfolio. Ready Capital Corporation (RC) We will start with a real estate investment trust (REIT) that focuses on the commercial market segment. Ready Capital buys up commercial real estate loans, and securities backed by them, as well as originating, financing, and managing such loans. The companys portfolio also includes multi-family dwellings. Ready Capital reported solid results in its last quarterly statement, for 3Q20. Earnings came in at 63 cents per share. This result beat expectations by 75% and grew 133% year-over-year. The company finished Q3 with over $221 million in available cash and liquidity. During the fourth quarter of 2020, Ready Capital closed loans totaling $225 million for projects in 11 states. The projects include refinancing, redevelopment, and renovations. Fourth quarter full results will be reported in March. The extent of Ready Capitals confidence can be seen in the companys recent announcement that it will merge with Anworth Mortgage in a deal that will create a $1 billion combined entity. In the meantime, investors should note that Ready Capital announced its 4Q20 dividend, and the payment was increased for the second time in a row. The company had slashed the dividend in the second quarter, when COVID hit, as a precaution against depressed earnings, but has been raising the payment as the pandemic fears begin to ease. The current dividend of 35 cents per share will be paid out at the end of this month; it annualizes to $1.40 and gives a sky-high yield of 12%. Covering the stock from Raymond James, 5-star analyst Stephen Laws writes, Recent results have benefited from non-interest income and strength in the loan origination segment, and we expect elevated contributions to continue near-term. This outlook gives us increased confidence around dividend sustainability, which we believe warrants a higher valuation multiple. Laws sees the companys merger with Anworth as a net-positive, and referring to the combination, says, [We] expect RC to redeploy capital currently invested in the ANH portfolio into new investments in RC's targeted asset classes. In line with his comments, Laws rates RC shares an Outperform (i.e. Buy), and sets a $14.25 price target. His target implies an upside of 23% over the next 12 months. (To watch Laws track record, click here) There are two recent reviews of Ready Capital and both are Buys, giving the stock a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Shares in this REIT are selling for $11.57 while the average price target stands at $13.63, indicating room for ~18% upside growth in the coming year. (See RC stock analysis on TipRanks) Nustar Energy LP (NS) The energy and liquid chemical markets may not seem like natural partners, but they do see a lot of overlap. Crude oil and natural gas are highly hazardous to transport and store, an important attribute they share with industrial chemicals and products like ammonia and asphalt. Nustar Energy is an important midstream player in the oil industry, with more than 10,000 miles of pipeline, along 73 terminal and storage facilities. The relatively low oil prices of the past two years have cut into the top and bottom lines of the energy sector and that is without accounting for the COVID pandemics hit to the demand side. These factors are visible in Nustars revenues, which fell off in the first half of 2019 and have remained low since. The 3Q20 number, at $362 million, stands near the median value of the last six quarters. Through all of this, Nustar has maintained its commitment to a solid dividend payout for investors. In a nod to the pandemic troubles, the company reduced its dividend earlier this year by one-third, citing the need to keep the payment sustainable. The current payment, last sent out in November, is 40 cents per share. At that rate, it annualizes to $1.60 and gives a yield of 10%. Barclays analyst Theresa Chen sees Nustar as a solid portfolio addition, writing, We think NS offers unique offensive and defensive characteristics that position the stock well vs. midstream peers. NS benefits from a resilient refined products footprint, exposure to core acreage in the Permian basin, a foothold in the burgeoning renewable fuels value chain, as well as strategic Corpus Christi export assets we think NS is a compelling investment idea over the next 12 months. Chen sets a $20 price target on the stock, backing her Overweight (i.e. Buy) rating and suggesting ~27% upside for the year. (To watch Chens track record, click here) Interestingly, in contrast to Chen's bullish stance, the Street is lukewarm at present regarding the midstream company's prospects. Based on 6 analysts tracked by TipRanks in the last 3 months, 2 rate NS a Buy, 3 suggest Hold, and one recommends Sell. The 12-month average price target stands at $16.40, marking ~5% upside from current levels. (See NS stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for dividend stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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MIT nanotechnologist arrested for hiding his ties to China – Chemistry World

A professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who directs the universitys Micro/Nano Engineering Laboratory and its Solid-State Solar Thermal Energy Conversion Center, was arrested on 14 January for allegedly failing to report his ties to the Chinese government and grant fraud. Gang Chen has been charged with wire fraud, as well as not filing a report on his foreign bank account in China and making a false statement in a tax return, which together carries a jail sentence of up to 30 years and $750,000 in fines.

Chen worked at MIT for about 20 years and his research has received more than $19 million (14 million) in funding from federal agencies since 2003, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Chen, a naturalised US citizen who was born in China, has also apparently held contracts with the Chinese government since 2012, including acting as an overseas expert, serving as a member of at least two Chinese talent programmes which aim to recruit science and technology experts from western universities and research institutes to work for China and serving as an expert with the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Overall, Chen has allegedly received about $29 million of foreign funding, including $19 million from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in China, since 2013. In addition, the DOJ says he filled several advisory roles for the Chinese government and entities in China from at least 2017 to 2019.

Furthermore, Chen applied for and obtained a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to finance part of his research at MIT, and allegedly failed to disclose these ongoing affiliations to the agency, as he was required.

In a letter to the MIT community on the day of Chens arrest, the universitys president, Rafael Reif, called him a widely respected scholar, teacher and member of our faculty. For those who know Chen, Reif said, the news is surprising, deeply distressing and hard to understand.

MIT also issued a statement saying it was deeply distressed by Chens arrest. MIT believes the integrity of research is a fundamental responsibility, and we take seriously concerns about improper influence in US research, the university said. Prof. Chen is a long-serving and highly respected member of the research community, which makes the governments allegations against him all the more distressing, MIT continued. We are not able to offer any further information related to the governments complaint at this time.

Meanwhile, Yi Rao a Chinese neurobiologist who is currently at Peking University but studied in the US and held various positions at US universities before returning to China more than a decade ago has written to Reif and MIT chancellor Maria Zuber to protest Chens arrest. He called the action nothing but thinly veiled racism, and warned that if MIT doesnt support Chen then the university will be implicated in one of the worst cases of academic racism in the 21st century. Rao went on say that such associations with China are very normal in academia, and that Chens connection with the SUSTech was known to both Reif and Zuber.

Further, he called the charge that Chen did not disclose his associations with Chinese entities on his DOE grant application ridiculous, suggesting that none of them were related to the particular research in the research proposal.

The matter goes beyond MIT. Researchers at US institutions with ties to China are increasingly being targeted, not only by the DOJ but also by the State Department and the universities themselves. Last year, the head of Harvard Universitys chemistry department, Charles Lieber, was arrested over his undisclosed ties to the Chinese governments Thousand Talents programme. The Wuhan University of Technology in China apparently paid him a monthly salary of $50,000, on top of living expenses of approximately $158,000, and also awarded him more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab there.

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