Author Archives: Erica Schipper

Tour Emory’s Innovation Center

Category : News/Events

Learn about the resources available to support translation of your research in this 30 minute tour of the 3D Bio/Printing & Micromachining Core, the Lab2Launch Startup Incubator, and the Extended Reality (XR) Center. The next 30 minute tour will take place at Emory University’s Innovation Center at HSRB II First Floor, 1750 Haygood Drive NE from 4 to 4:30pm on July 25! Click here to register.


Registration Open, CDC Workshop on Applied Epidemiology and Environmental Health 

Category : News/Events

August 1, 2024, 9:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m. ET 

Workshop Overview 

CDC’s Environmental Health (EH) Nexus is hosting its third annual environmental epidemiology methods workshop, “Innovative Methods for Analysis of Environmental Mixtures in Epidemiology,” on August 1, 2024. Subject matter experts will discuss innovative epidemiologic methods and how they can be applied to environmental health research and practice.   

Audience 

The workshop is designed for epidemiologists, statisticians, biostatisticians, and other environmental health professionals at state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health agencies and environmental health organizations.    

Presentations 

Overview of Issues in the Analysis of Mixtures 

Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, ScD 

Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health 

Weighted Quantile Sum Regression 

Chris Gennings, PhD 

Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 

Kernel Machine Regression 

Jennifer Bobb, PhD 

Associate Biostatistics Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute 

Other Machine Learning Applications 

Vishal Midya, MStat, PhD 

Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 

Moderator 

  1. Dana Flanders, MD, DSc, MPH 

Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health 

Format 

The workshop will be a hybrid event with lectures and an interactive roundtable discussion. In-person sessions will be held at the CDC Global Communications Center, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA. Remote participation will be available via Zoom.  

 Call for Abstracts 

As part of this year’s workshop, we are allowing time during the roundtable discussion for three or four short (10-minute) presentations about ongoing or planned epidemiologic projects that involve analyses of environmental mixtures. After briefly summarizing the project and potential issues, the presenter can ask the speaker panel for suggestions about methods of analyses, possible challenges, and other issues.    

For more information about how to submit an abstract, please visit Workshop on Applied Epidemiology and Environmental Health | EH Nexus | CDC.

Registration 

Remote participation: If you plan to attend the workshop remotely, please register online at https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dItf3iIuR3G3SX34xK4Xow.

Registration is free. 

More information 

For more information, please visit Workshop on Applied Epidemiology and Environmental Health | EH Nexus | CDC or contact envepiworkshop [at] cdc [dot] gov


Course Offering: OAM 536 – Social Impact Management

Emory University’s Goizueta Business School is offering a fall course with limited seats available for RSPH students.

If interested, students should complete the following survey: https://emory.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bPIcK1vxU9vZfbo  Professors Goebel and Martin will review submissions and notify students of their acceptance to the course.


This course surveys the evolving role that social-purpose organizations, their leaders (both management and board of directors), and critical stakeholders play in delivering social and environmental impact. These purpose-driven organizations, which encompass and array of business models, include 1.97 million U.S. based nonprofits1 and 10 million global for-profit social enterprises2. Climate-smart companies, which will also be covered, are on the rise with 434 of the S&P 500 publicly committed to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets3.

This course will analyze the evolving trends in this field through a blend of:
▪ Academic content (research studies, articles, and case examples)
▪ Emerging business models and frameworks
▪ Guest lectures from social-purpose and climate-smart organization leaders ▪ Team-based learning projects

We will also cover the role and importance of key actors in the social sector, including foundations / grant makers, charities, service providers, B corps, impact investors, government entities, and social enterprises.

Topics covered in the course include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Historic roots of the impact sector and emerging trends
  • Governance models, both traditional and hybrid
  • Tri-sector dynamics, including the roles of business and government
  • Collaborations and partnerships, including public / private
  • Systems thinking
  • Climate-smart business / management principles
  • Resource development and impact investment approaches ▪ Organization and management leading practices
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Whether you plan to work for an impact organization at some point in your career or aspire to serve on a board or make impact investments, this course will prepare you to apply your business acumen for social and environmental good.

The course is part of several Emory University Goizueta Business School’s concentration areas including Nonprofit Management, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Social Enterprise.


Tuberculosis Data and Surveillance Advisor, Credence Management Solutions

Category : Alumni Post-Grad

Summary Statement 

Credence Management Solutions employs hard-working, passionate individuals who bring innovation, accountability, and a growth mindset to the many missions we support across the US Federal Government. Employee empowerment is part of the fabric of our corporate culture through which we emphasize opportunity, recognition, reward, and retention. At Credence, we follow the principles of servant leadership and believe that serving and supporting others is critical to both our individual and collective achievements. We have only one measure of success. Yours.

We are hiring for positions under the Global Health Training, Advisory, Support Contract (GHTASC) in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health (GH). These roles deliver institutional support services in a wide range of technical areas at the junior, mid-, senior, and expert levels.

We are a diverse, enthusiastic family of subject matter experts, business professionals, and practitioners who all share a common goal of providing excellent services to our government customers. If you want to work in a dynamic and fast-growing environment with highly motivated colleagues, then Credence is the right place for you!

Credence Management Solutions is seeking a Tuberculosis Data and Surveillance Advisor.  See below for more information on this exciting opportunity and apply to join Credence today!

Position Summary

The Tuberculosis Data and Surveillance Advisor will primarily support the USAID office of Infectious Disease (ID), Tuberculosis (TB) Division as a Credence Institutional Support Contractor (ISC).

USAID is in the forefront of global Tuberculosis (TB) leadership and support to high burden TB countries.  USAID works with the World Health Organization, Stop TB Partnership and other international TB and TB/HIV partners to support policy development and implementation at the global, regional and country levels. USAID is working with 23 countries with bilateral funds to improve TB services and supporting almost 30 more through targeted technical assistance to support Global Fund grants. These efforts provide lifesaving treatment to cure them from TB, prevent the further transmission of TB, and reduce the potential of drug resistant TB in the future. 

The Tuberculosis Data and Surveillance Advisor (Advisor) will serve in the Bureau for Global Health, Office of Infectious Diseases (GH/ID), and will support the TB Team.  The Advisor will aim to strengthen TB data and surveillance systems in USAID’s priority countries and other countries where USAID contributes to and provides technical assistance as well as conduct country, regional, and global data analysis. S/he will ensure that USAID-supported TB data and surveillance interventions are in-line with the US Government (USG) TB Strategy, USAID’s technical implementation approach, and other international policies and guidelines. This will include mapping and analyzing current systems (both USAID and non-USAID), improving the quality of the systems, and supporting the implementation of strategic quality improvement interventions. The Advisor will coordinate with key stakeholders in countries including National TB Control Programs; local technical partners; and other donors like the Global Fund. The Advisor will provide support to USAID TB/HIV surveillance activities funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

 

The Advisor will receive technical guidance from the USAID Senior Tuberculosis Advisor who will serve as their USAID POC. The Advisor will also serve as a member of the TB Team, working closely with technical advisors and health staff in the Office of Infectious Diseases, the Office of HIV/AIDS, the regional bureaus and other regional and mission staff as appropriate. The Advisor will also work closely with other USG agencies and USAID TB project partners.

Salary Range

Full salary range for this position is $94,900 to $147,940 per year, with the starting salary determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the duties listed below

  • Providing advanced technical assistance to USAID on program introduction, implementation and/or policy.
  • Assisting with development and updates of M&E systems and performance indicators.
  •  Provide advanced guidance and expertise, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of strategies and program plans to address policy and implementation issues at the global level.
  • Developing best practice models for routine data strengthening and TB surveillance in collaboration with national and USAID TB partners.
  • Analyzing the appropriateness of USAID funded data and surveillance interventions depending on the TB epidemiology and needs of each country, and ensuring that interventions follow USG and international TB policies and guidance.
  • Reviewing and synthesizing information about USAID programs and recommending adjustments in program direction as needed.
  • Working with TB Team members to analyze national TB program, USAID and other partner data sets using the most current tools.
  • Assessing current health literature and international guidelines, and providing recommendations to USAID.
  • Developing and implementing best practice models for TB/HIV surveillance strengthening in priority countries with USAID and PEPFAR partners.
  • Contributing to the routine work, including providing technical updates, briefers and other documents that describe USAID’s activities, research and progress; preparing portfolio reviews and reports; reviewing documents such as annual reports and operational plans; and preparing responses to Q&As and other requests for information.
  • Analyzing the availability and quality of routine TB data and surveillance systems in USAID priority countries, including a range of paper-based and electronic systems currently in use.
  • Assisting countries in developing their capacity to plan management activities.
  • Assisting countries to introduce and scale-up suitable models for improving data quality and strengthening surveillance systems.
  • Assisting international and local partners at the country level.
    • Contributing to PEPFAR TB/HIV monitoring and evaluation interventions in USAID priority countries.
    • Providing technical advice to ensure that country programs are consistent with current practice, international standards and recommendations.
    • Support USAID Missions in interpreting national TB program data to improve planning and implementation.
  • Contributing public health expertise and participating in working groups and task forces.
    • Participating in consultations to share and disseminate USAID experience and models of TB surveillance.
    • Supporting TB Team to enhance data use, including data visualizations.
  • International and domestic travel approximately 30-40%.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education, Requirements and Qualifications

  • Masters degree and a minimum of 6 or more years of relevant experience, or bachelor’s degree with 8 years, Associate’s degree and 10 years relevant experience OR High School graduate and 12 years of relevant experience in public health, health sciences, life sciences, or a related social science field.
  • US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency with the ability to obtain and maintain a Facility Access clearance is required. For Permanent Residents, this means having resided in the US for at least 3 of the past 5 years.
  • Experience or knowledge of TB data collection and surveillance methods is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience with public health disease programs and/or surveillance strengthening in developing countries (including national TB control programs and/or other infectious disease control programs) is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of and experience with key international TB or other infectious disease initiatives and organizations, including those focused on epidemiology, surveillance and/or monitoring.
  • Knowledge of and experience with USAID policies, regulations and procedures desirable.
  • Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines while producing quality content.
  • Ability to travel internationally approximately 30-40%.

Competencies/Performance Criterion

  • Innovation: Takes initiative to propose new ideas/approaches and demonstrates ability to find new and better ways to accomplish work
  • Client Service: Communicates with clients, handling any issues politely and efficiently; understands and is available to clients; maintains pleasant and professional image.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to ensure obligations are met.  Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Works in cooperation with others and communicates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, clients, and other outside contacts.
  • Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development that is aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals; proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization.

REAL Student Interns, American Cancer Society

 Position Title:  Research Interns 

Department:    Surveillance and Health Equity Science, Intramural Research, Health Services Research

JOB SUMMARY:

This research internship can fulfill the practicum and/or thesis requirement. The intern will participate in projects related to health services research, learning skills for scientific research by conducting data analyses, presenting analytical results to both internal and external collaborators, drafting research proposals and manuscripts and performing other scientific activities under the supervision of senior researchers.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conduct literature review on topics related to access to cancer care and cancer disparities.
  • Analyze data on studies related to cancer disparities.
  • Build database, prepare tables and figures for scientific presentations.
  • Potential to lead or co-lead a research project in health services research.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

REQUIRED: 

  • Master’s degree student or higher education level
  • Data analysis experience: R, SAS, or Stata programming skills in social epidemiology research environment. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. 
  • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.

LOCATION:

  • Remote

TIME:

  • ~20 hours/week Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Emory University academic year.

CONTACTS:


Internships Available, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, EPA

The Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) is a leader in the science of human health and ecological risk assessment. Divisions within CPHEA, such as the Chemical and Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), occupy a critical position within EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) between the research community and EPA’s program and regional offices who make regulatory, enforcement, and remedial action decisions. CPAD is tasked with determining how pollutants or other stressors may impact human health and the environment.
CPHEA’s Education Program provides participants with educational and professional opportunities in the development of human health and ecological risk assessments, using robust scientific processes to determine how pollutants or other stressors may impact human health and the environment. Through on-the-job training, students work with CPHEA CPAD staff as part of a team conducting an assessment. Through this process students learn about risk assessment (e.g. hazard identification, mode of action analysis, dose-response analysis), systematic review, and new computational tools being utilized in evidence analysis. Students may also assist with confirming toxicity and risk information gathered computationally from public sources to assure accuracy. These non-laboratory positions are ideal for students interested in learning more about the application of toxicological, epidemiological, and environmental research to support science decisions related to risk assessment. CPHEA is currently seeking applications for Student Intern positions.


Technical Qualifications:
This position does not require study in a particular discipline, but applicants with coursework or experience in the following areas are strongly preferred: biology, ecology, toxicology, environmental science, public health, epidemiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, statistics, or a related field. The specific project will be based on student area of interest, completed or in progress coursework, and discussions with academic mentors. The ideal candidate would possess and/or demonstrate the following:

  • Proactive and engaging nature.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment.
  • General knowledge and interest in public health and environmental sciences.
  • Excellent communications skills

Eligibility Requirements:
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen enrolled at least half-time and be in good standing in a degree-seeking program (bachelor, master, or doctoral degree) at an accredited U.S. educational institution. Participants are required to show proof of enrollment and provide a completed resume.
The program duration will be for a minimum of 10 weeks, 10-15 hours per week within the 2024-2025 school year. This is an unpaid educational opportunity in a virtual environment. Students will be assigned a mentor for the duration of this internship. The participant does not become an EPA employee.


How to Apply:
Interested students should email a statement of interest/cover letter (no more than 1 page), proof of enrollment, and resume/CV to: Louis Neal (neal [dot] louis [at] epa [dot] gov) or Amanda Persad (persad [dot] amanda [at] epa [dot] gov). In the subject line, reference ‘CPHEA Education Program. The statement of interest should clearly identify your academic and professional interests. Potential candidates will have to undergo a background check prior to onboarding. EPA will accept applicants on a rolling basis. For consideration for the Fall/Winter semester, applications are due by July 31, 2024.


    Epidemiologist 2, Tennessee Department of Health

    Category : Alumni

     Job Overview:

    The Tennessee Department of Health’s Division of Family Health and Wellness is hiring an Epidemiologist 2 for the Perinatal Telehealth and CHANT programs. This position is responsible for professional scientific and epidemiological assessments of considerable difficulty for both programs. This position will not directly supervise, but is expected to mentor junior epidemiologists. This is an executive service position.

    Key Responsibilities:

    Perinatal Telehealth:

    • Participate in the design and implementation of the new perinatal telehealth projects. This will include creating the design, requesting proposals, determining locations, and awarding contracts.
    • Develop and implement an evaluation plan for the perinatal telehealth program. Participate in the design of questionnaires, surveys, and other evaluation tools to monitor effectiveness of the perinatal telehealth projects receiving funding. Develop and monitor process and outcome measures developed.
    • Analyze perinatal health data as needed to respond to requests, program evaluation, presentations, etc. Requests could be both internal and external and relate to a wide variety of perinatal data components and outcomes.

    CHANT:

    • Plan and conduct program evaluation, as well as routine reporting of program outcomes to internal and external partners, including data requests.
    • Maintain REDCap data collection projects, and lead efforts to transition to future data systems, including translation of programmatic requirements into the development of appropriate data collection.
    • Work closely with MCH Programs Team to effectively support MCH surveillance projects and create data outputs and visualizations for CHANT data. 
    • Develop, assist and create TennCare/CHANT reports, submissions, and other grant deliverables in accordance with policies and procedures. 
    • Produce weekly reports of Call Center reach and productivity.

    Minimum Requirements: 

    Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctorate degree in medicine (MD), osteopathic medicine (DO), veterinarian medicine (DVM), public health, biostatistics, statistics, health informatics health sciences, biomedical sciences or environmental sciences with experience equivalent to two years’ work experience in epidemiology.

    Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in public health or an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Fellowship may substitute for the required experience on a year-for- year basis to a maximum of two years.

    OR

    Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, statistics, or health informatics with experience equivalent to four years’ work experience in epidemiology.

    Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional studies with an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Fellowship may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.

    Preferred Qualifications: 

    The preferred candidate will have:

    • Experience in SAS.
    • Experience working with large data sets.
    • Excellent oral and written presentation skills.
    • Excellent data visualization skills.
    • Expertise working cross-functionally.

    Salary and Benefits:

    To apply: 

    Email resume with cover letter to Dr. Angela M. Miller (angela [dot] m [dot] miller [at] tn [dot] gov).


    Communications Associate, Department of Epidemiology

    Part-time Position – Communications Associate, Department of Epidemiology 

    Date(s): August 15, 2024 through May 31, 2025 

    Anticipated Hours: 8-10/week 

    Hourly Rate: $15.00 

    Apply by: July 30, interviews via Zoom in early August 

    Application: Email noni [dot] bourne [at] emory [dot] edu with your resume and a brief description of your relevant experience and interest in the position.   


    The Department of Epidemiology is seeking a 1st-year MPH student to manage The Confounder https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/epi/) and its corresponding weekly newsletter (The Weekly Confounder) – representing the voice and brand of the Department. Key characteristics of the overall brand include: 

    • Community 
    • Collegiality and inclusion  
    • Academic rigor 
    • Integrity 
    • Ambition  

    The position will require the student to format and post content on the Confounder site as it is emailed to them and collated throughout the week. The associate will schedule weekly emails to be sent to the department and alumni, and work with the rest of the Epidemiology communications team to fulfill the mission and strategic goals of the department. This task may include independent searches and identification of relevant content for the Confounder – including, but not limited to, events, jobs, and human-interest content from outside sources. A successful candidate would be able to identify, troubleshoot, and report technical issues with WordPress and Mailchimp to the appropriate team members as needed. This role may require communication with alumni and faculty via email for job postings and events. Other job duties may include recruiting individuals for #WeAreEmoryEPI highlights, writing occasional articles, assisting with website redesign/updates, and collaborating with the communications team to generate creative solutions to execute the Epidemiology departments communications goals.  

    Requirements:  

    • Incoming 1st year student in Epidemiology MPH/MSPH program 
    • Strong writing/editing skills and attention to detail 
    • Experience with WordPress, Mailchimp, HTML, CSS preferred 
    • Available for virtual monthly team meetings via Zoom 
    • Responsive to email, with a collaborative mentality 
    • Work hours are typically inconsistent (20 minutes here and there), and will include at least some time on Saturdays and Sundays to prepare for the newsletter launch that happens on Mondays 

    TA Positions Available, Center for the Study of Human Health

    Maryn McKenna — award-winning journalist and author and senior fellow in the Center for the Study of Human Health in Emory College — seeks a TA for her fall writing course, HLTH 381W.

    In this class, students learn the skills of popular writing and the norms of health and science journalism, producing edited stories of varying lengths. These stories are published during the semester on the CSHH news site, Exploring Health.

    This is an excellent training opportunity for candidates studying heath communication or scicomm, or planning to work in the public understanding of science, particularly students taking an MPH, or an MA or PhD in English. Prior public writing or journalistic experience is desirable but not required.

    TA tasks include the following:

    At a minimum, serve as the classroom manager:

    • –  Attend the class (Mon and Weds, 4-5:15pm)

    • –  Maintain attendance records and track draft and final assignments

    • –  Supervise a class GroupMe

      Ideally, also serve as assistant editor for Exploring Health:

    • –  Assist students with locating and documenting rights-free images

    • –  Supervise publication onto WordPress, subject to professor approval

    • –  Supervise compilation of health-news digests and cultural recommendations, for specific

      blog verticals

    • –  Perform first edits of student work (optional, depending on skills)

    • –  Conduct in-class discussion of materials (optional, depending on skills)

      Further opportunities include:

    • –  Writing for publication under Prof. McKenna’s direction

    • –  Continuing the TA assignment into a spring independent study team.

      This is a paid position.
      For more information, contact Prof. McKenna <mmcken3 [at] emory [dot] edu>


    Scholarship Opportunities, Association for Environmental Health & Sciences Foundation

    AEHS Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce two scholarship opportunities:

    The 11th Annual Dr. Charlena M. Seymour Scholarship and the 8th Annual Dr. David F. Ludwig Memorial Student Travel Scholarship.

    Seymour:

    This scholarship was established to recognize women pursuing an advanced degree in the fields of Public and Environmental Health. $1,000 will be awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a graduate degree in Public Health and/or Environmental Health from any accredited U.S. University or College.

    Please see our website for more details: https://www.aehsfoundation.org/dr-charlena

    Ludwig:

    Up to $1,000 will be awarded each year per applicant (multiple winners are possible) conducting and/or presenting research in the field of ecology, pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree from accredited U.S. Universities or Colleges.

    Please see our website for more details: https://www.aehsfoundation.org/drdavid

    The deadline for both is July 1st. Please note submission requirements at above links. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. AEHS would be grateful for anything you could do to inform eligible students.


    Upcoming Events

    • The Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID) July 15, 2024 – July 31, 2024 Conference / Symposium Event Type: Conference / SymposiumSeries: The Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID)Speaker: Leaders in the FieldContact Name: Pia ValerianoContact Email: pvaleri@emory.eduLink: https://sph.emory.edu/SISMID/index.htmlThe Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID) is designed to introduce infectious disease researchers to modern methods of statistical analysis and mathematical modeling.
    • Functional Biomarkers for Early Detection and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy August 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Zoom Online Location: ZoomSeries: EGDRC Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Dr. Machelle PardueContact Name: Wendy GillContact Email: wggill@emory.eduLink: https://tinyurl.com/Machelle-PardueDr. Pardue’s lab is focused on clinically relevant treatments for retinal disease that can make a difference in the quality of life of patients. She is developing novel screening and treatment strategies for early-stage diabetic retinopathy and elucidating the retinoscleral mechanisms…
    • The Second Annual RSPH Staff and Post-Doctoral Ice Cream Social August 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Networking and Special Event Event Type: Networking,Special EventContact Name: Staff CouncilContact Email: rsphstaffcouncil@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_Terrace 2nd FloorRSPH staff and post-docs are invited to join us for ice cream and delightful conversation. This event is hosted by the RSPH Staff Council.

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