Sentiment is frequently coincident with
changes in the labor market, but there are other factors too like gasoline prices and politics.
The LMCI is a relatively recent indicator developed by Federal Reserve economists to assess
changes in the labor market conditions.
The labor market conditions index (LMCI) assesses
changes in labor market conditions.
Damian said the findings suggest traditional education may not be fully equipped to address upcoming
changes in the labor market, although she acknowledged the educational system has changed since the research subjects were in school in the 1960s.
This 50 - minute lesson plan helps students examine the relationship between education attainment and earning potential, develop a budget, and explore
changes in labor market trends.
In an age of rapid, transformative
change in the labor market, organizations are having to adapt their learning and development strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Despite significant
changes in the labor market broadening opportunities for women and rising expectations for the role of teachers and schools, these structures and incentives have persisted almost unchanged to the present.
As part of
the changes in the labor market, inspired resumes such as info - graphic resumes will be more popular because hiring managers and recruiters take pleasure in reading them and only candidates or job seekers who present their resume in this way will stand out from the crowd in 2017.
Two
changes in the labor market have contributed to this trend.
Over recent decades,
changes in labor markets and in family structure have created substantial barriers for fathers in maintaining stable employment and stable relationships with their children.
Not exact matches
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected
in such forward - looking statements and that should be considered
in evaluating our outlook include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) our ability to continue to grow our business and execute our growth strategy, including the timing, execution, and profitability of new and maturing programs; 2) our ability to perform our obligations under our new and maturing commercial, business aircraft, and military development programs, and the related recurring production; 3) our ability to accurately estimate and manage performance, cost, and revenue under our contracts, including our ability to achieve certain cost reductions with respect to the B787 program; 4) margin pressures and the potential for additional forward losses on new and maturing programs; 5) our ability to accommodate, and the cost of accommodating, announced increases
in the build rates of certain aircraft; 6) the effect on aircraft demand and build rates of
changing customer preferences for business aircraft, including the effect of global economic conditions on the business aircraft
market and expanding conflicts or political unrest
in the Middle East or Asia; 7) customer cancellations or deferrals as a result of global economic uncertainty or otherwise; 8) the effect of economic conditions
in the industries and
markets in which we operate
in the U.S. and globally and any
changes therein, including fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates; 9) the success and timely execution of key milestones such as the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, including our ability to obtain
in a timely fashion any required regulatory or other third party approvals for the consummation of our announced acquisition of Asco, and customer adherence to their announced schedules; 10) our ability to successfully negotiate, or re-negotiate, future pricing under our supply agreements with Boeing and our other customers; 11) our ability to enter into profitable supply arrangements with additional customers; 12) the ability of all parties to satisfy their performance requirements under existing supply contracts with our two major customers, Boeing and Airbus, and other customers, and the risk of nonpayment by such customers; 13) any adverse impact on Boeing's and Airbus» production of aircraft resulting from cancellations, deferrals, or reduced orders by their customers or from
labor disputes, domestic or international hostilities, or acts of terrorism; 14) any adverse impact on the demand for air travel or our operations from the outbreak of diseases or epidemic or pandemic outbreaks; 15) our ability to avoid or recover from cyber-based or other security attacks, information technology failures, or other disruptions; 16) returns on pension plan assets and the impact of future discount rate
changes on pension obligations; 17) our ability to borrow additional funds or refinance debt, including our ability to obtain the debt to finance the purchase price for our announced acquisition of Asco on favorable terms or at all; 18) competition from commercial aerospace original equipment manufacturers and other aerostructures suppliers; 19) the effect of governmental laws, such as U.S. export control laws and U.S. and foreign anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act, and environmental laws and agency regulations, both
in the U.S. and abroad; 20) the effect of
changes in tax law, such as the effect of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the «TCJA») that was enacted on December 22, 2017, and
changes to the interpretations of or guidance related thereto, and the Company's ability to accurately calculate and estimate the effect of such
changes; 21) any reduction
in our credit ratings; 22) our dependence on our suppliers, as well as the cost and availability of raw materials and purchased components; 23) our ability to recruit and retain a critical mass of highly - skilled employees and our relationships with the unions representing many of our employees; 24) spending by the U.S. and other governments on defense; 25) the possibility that our cash flows and our credit facility may not be adequate for our additional capital needs or for payment of interest on, and principal of, our indebtedness; 26) our exposure under our revolving credit facility to higher interest payments should interest rates increase substantially; 27) the effectiveness of any interest rate hedging programs; 28) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; 29) the outcome or impact of ongoing or future litigation, claims, and regulatory actions; 30) exposure to potential product liability and warranty claims; 31) our ability to effectively assess, manage and integrate acquisitions that we pursue, including our ability to successfully integrate the Asco business and generate synergies and other cost savings; 32) our ability to consummate our announced acquisition of Asco
in a timely matter while avoiding any unexpected costs, charges, expenses, adverse
changes to business relationships and other business disruptions for ourselves and Asco as a result of the acquisition; 33) our ability to continue selling certain receivables through our supplier financing program; 34) the risks of doing business internationally, including fluctuations
in foreign current exchange rates, impositions of tariffs or embargoes, compliance with foreign laws, and domestic and foreign government policies; and 35) our ability to complete the proposed accelerated stock repurchase plan, among other things.
Actual operational and financial results of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet will likely also vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of other reasons, including,
in addition to those identified above: the challenges and costs of integrating operations and realizing anticipated synergies and other benefits from the acquisition of ExpressJet; the challenges of competing successfully
in a highly competitive and rapidly
changing industry; developments associated with fluctuations
in the economy and the demand for air travel; the financial stability of SkyWest's major partners and any potential impact of their financial condition on the operations of SkyWest, SkyWest Airlines, or ExpressJet; fluctuations
in flight schedules, which are determined by the major partners for whom SkyWest's operating airlines conduct flight operations; variations
in market and economic conditions; significant aircraft lease and debt commitments; residual aircraft values and related impairment charges;
labor relations and costs; the impact of global instability; rapidly fluctuating fuel costs, and potential fuel shortages; the impact of weather - related or other natural disasters on air travel and airline costs; aircraft deliveries; the ability to attract and retain qualified pilots and other unanticipated factors.
In a key
change to the statement, the Fed omitted prior language saying it expected the
labor market would strengthen further.
With the
labor market tighter than it has been
in decades, workers who've been yearning to
change jobs finally have their moment.
Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: (1) the effect of economic conditions
in the industries and
markets in which United Technologies and Rockwell Collins operate
in the U.S. and globally and any
changes therein, including financial
market conditions, fluctuations
in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, levels of end
market demand
in construction and
in both the commercial and defense segments of the aerospace industry, levels of air travel, financial condition of commercial airlines, the impact of weather conditions and natural disasters and the financial condition of our customers and suppliers; (2) challenges
in the development, production, delivery, support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies and new products and services; (3) the scope, nature, impact or timing of acquisition and divestiture or restructuring activity, including the pending acquisition of Rockwell Collins, including among other things integration of acquired businesses into United Technologies» existing businesses and realization of synergies and opportunities for growth and innovation; (4) future timing and levels of indebtedness, including indebtedness expected to be incurred by United Technologies
in connection with the pending Rockwell Collins acquisition, and capital spending and research and development spending, including
in connection with the pending Rockwell Collins acquisition; (5) future availability of credit and factors that may affect such availability, including credit
market conditions and our capital structure; (6) the timing and scope of future repurchases of United Technologies» common stock, which may be suspended at any time due to various factors, including
market conditions and the level of other investing activities and uses of cash, including
in connection with the proposed acquisition of Rockwell; (7) delays and disruption
in delivery of materials and services from suppliers; (8) company and customer - directed cost reduction efforts and restructuring costs and savings and other consequences thereof; (9) new business and investment opportunities; (10) our ability to realize the intended benefits of organizational
changes; (11) the anticipated benefits of diversification and balance of operations across product lines, regions and industries; (12) the outcome of legal proceedings, investigations and other contingencies; (13) pension plan assumptions and future contributions; (14) the impact of the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and
labor disputes; (15) the effect of
changes in political conditions
in the U.S. and other countries
in which United Technologies and Rockwell Collins operate, including the effect of
changes in U.S. trade policies or the U.K.'s pending withdrawal from the EU, on general
market conditions, global trade policies and currency exchange rates
in the near term and beyond; (16) the effect of
changes in tax (including U.S. tax reform enacted on December 22, 2017, which is commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017), environmental, regulatory (including among other things import / export) and other laws and regulations
in the U.S. and other countries
in which United Technologies and Rockwell Collins operate; (17) the ability of United Technologies and Rockwell Collins to receive the required regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result
in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the merger) and to satisfy the other conditions to the closing of the pending acquisition on a timely basis or at all; (18) the occurrence of events that may give rise to a right of one or both of United Technologies or Rockwell Collins to terminate the merger agreement, including
in circumstances that might require Rockwell Collins to pay a termination fee of $ 695 million to United Technologies or $ 50 million of expense reimbursement; (19) negative effects of the announcement or the completion of the merger on the
market price of United Technologies» and / or Rockwell Collins» common stock and / or on their respective financial performance; (20) risks related to Rockwell Collins and United Technologies being restricted
in their operation of their businesses while the merger agreement is
in effect; (21) risks relating to the value of the United Technologies» shares to be issued
in connection with the pending Rockwell acquisition, significant merger costs and / or unknown liabilities; (22) risks associated with third party contracts containing consent and / or other provisions that may be triggered by the Rockwell merger agreement; (23) risks associated with merger - related litigation or appraisal proceedings; and (24) the ability of United Technologies and Rockwell Collins, or the combined company, to retain and hire key personnel.
With the prevailing economic instability
in the Middle East and North Africa, the evolving
labor market needs and hiring preferences, and the new technologies that are constantly introduced to this region, the business world is definitely
changing, and it is expected that recruitment will
change as well.
These risks and uncertainties include competition and other economic conditions including fragmentation of the media landscape and competition from other media alternatives;
changes in advertising demand, circulation levels and audience shares; the Company's ability to develop and grow its online businesses; the Company's reliance on revenue from printing and distributing third - party publications;
changes in newsprint prices; macroeconomic trends and conditions; the Company's ability to adapt to technological
changes; the Company's ability to realize benefits or synergies from acquisitions or divestitures or to operate its businesses effectively following acquisitions or divestitures; the Company's success
in implementing expense mitigation efforts; the Company's reliance on third - party vendors for various services; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or tax - related proceedings or audits; the Company's ability to attract and retain employees; the Company's ability to satisfy pension and other postretirement employee benefit obligations;
changes in accounting standards; the effect of
labor strikes, lockouts and
labor negotiations; regulatory and judicial rulings; the Company's indebtedness and ability to comply with debt covenants applicable to its debt facilities; the Company's ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; the Company's ability to access the credit and capital
markets at the times and
in the amounts needed and on acceptable terms; and other events beyond the Company's control that may result
in unexpected adverse operating results.
In a tight labor market, it is imperative to be open to candidates from nontraditional backgrounds who may, for example, be new to the workforce, changing careers or taking on new roles, in order to determine whether they have transferable skills and desirable attribute
In a tight
labor market, it is imperative to be open to candidates from nontraditional backgrounds who may, for example, be new to the workforce,
changing careers or taking on new roles,
in order to determine whether they have transferable skills and desirable attribute
in order to determine whether they have transferable skills and desirable attributes.
Uber, and more broadly the app - driven
labor market it represents, is at the center of what could be a sea
change in work, and
in how people think about their jobs.
The FOMC's annoucement after their meeting on Wednesday affirmed the Fed's QE3 policy, offering no
changes, while stating, «If the outlook for the
labor market does not improve substantially, the Committee will continue its purchases of agency mortgage - backed securities, undertake additional asset purchases, and employ its other policy tools as appropriate until such improvement is achieved
in a context of price stability.»
Employees work
in approximately eight branches of the OCE, including Sustainable Development, Agricultural
Labor Affairs, World Agricultural Outlook Board, Climate
Change Program Office, and the Offices of the Chief Meteorologist, Environmental
Markets, Energy Policy and New Uses, and Risk Assessment and Cost - Benefit Analysis.
Important factors that may affect the Company's business and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward - looking statements include, but are not limited to, increased competition; the Company's ability to maintain, extend and expand its reputation and brand image; the Company's ability to differentiate its products from other brands; the consolidation of retail customers; the Company's ability to predict, identify and interpret
changes in consumer preferences and demand; the Company's ability to drive revenue growth
in its key product categories, increase its
market share, or add products; an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite - lived intangible assets; volatility
in commodity, energy and other input costs;
changes in the Company's management team or other key personnel; the Company's inability to realize the anticipated benefits from the Company's cost savings initiatives;
changes in relationships with significant customers and suppliers; execution of the Company's international expansion strategy;
changes in laws and regulations; legal claims or other regulatory enforcement actions; product recalls or product liability claims; unanticipated business disruptions; failure to successfully integrate the Company; the Company's ability to complete or realize the benefits from potential and completed acquisitions, alliances, divestitures or joint ventures; economic and political conditions
in the nations
in which the Company operates; the volatility of capital
markets; increased pension,
labor and people - related expenses; volatility
in the
market value of all or a portion of the derivatives that the Company uses; exchange rate fluctuations; disruptions
in information technology networks and systems; the Company's inability to protect intellectual property rights; impacts of natural events
in the locations
in which the Company or its customers, suppliers or regulators operate; the Company's indebtedness and ability to pay such indebtedness; the Company's dividend payments on its Series A Preferred Stock; tax law
changes or interpretations; pricing actions; and other factors.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
in any forward - looking statements include, but are not limited to:
changes in consumer discretionary spending; our eCommerce platform not producing the anticipated benefits within the expected time - frame or at all; the streamlining of the Company's vendor base and execution of the Company's new merchandising strategy not producing the anticipated benefits within the expected time - frame or at all; the amount that we invest
in strategic transactions and the timing and success of those investments; the integration of strategic acquisitions being more difficult, time - consuming, or costly than expected; inventory turn;
changes in the competitive
market and competition amongst retailers;
changes in consumer demand or shopping patterns and our ability to identify new trends and have the right trending products
in our stores and on our website;
changes in existing tax,
labor and other laws and regulations, including those
changing tax rates and imposing new taxes and surcharges; limitations on the availability of attractive retail store sites; omni - channel growth; unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information; risks relating to our private brand offerings and new retail concepts; disruptions with our eCommerce platform, including issues caused by high volumes of users or transactions, or our information systems; factors affecting our vendors, including supply chain and currency risks; talent needs and the loss of Edward W. Stack, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; developments with sports leagues, professional athletes or sports superstars; weather - related disruptions and seasonality of our business; and risks associated with being a controlled company.
Important factors that may affect the Company's business and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward - looking statements include, but are not limited to, operating
in a highly competitive industry;
changes in the retail landscape or the loss of key retail customers; the Company's ability to maintain, extend and expand its reputation and brand image; the impacts of the Company's international operations; the Company's ability to leverage its brand value; the Company's ability to predict, identify and interpret
changes in consumer preferences and demand; the Company's ability to drive revenue growth
in its key product categories, increase its
market share, or add products; an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite - lived intangible assets; volatility
in commodity, energy and other input costs;
changes in the Company's management team or other key personnel; the Company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits from its cost savings initiatives;
changes in relationships with significant customers and suppliers; the execution of the Company's international expansion strategy; tax law
changes or interpretations; legal claims or other regulatory enforcement actions; product recalls or product liability claims; unanticipated business disruptions; the Company's ability to complete or realize the benefits from potential and completed acquisitions, alliances, divestitures or joint ventures; economic and political conditions
in the United States and
in various other nations
in which we operate; the volatility of capital
markets; increased pension,
labor and people - related expenses; volatility
in the
market value of all or a portion of the derivatives we use; exchange rate fluctuations; risks associated with information technology and systems, including service interruptions, misappropriation of data or breaches of security; the Company's ability to protect intellectual property rights; impacts of natural events
in the locations
in which we or the Company's customers, suppliers or regulators operate; the Company's indebtedness and ability to pay such indebtedness; the Company's ownership structure; the impact of future sales of its common stock
in the public
markets; the Company's ability to continue to pay a regular dividend;
changes in laws and regulations; restatements of the Company's consolidated financial statements; and other factors.
Important factors that may affect the Company's business and operations and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward - looking statements include, but are not limited to, increased competition; the Company's ability to maintain, extend and expand its reputation and brand image; the Company's ability to differentiate its products from other brands; the consolidation of retail customers; the Company's ability to predict, identify and interpret
changes in consumer preferences and demand; the Company's ability to drive revenue growth
in its key product categories, increase its
market share or add products; an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite - lived intangible assets; volatility
in commodity, energy and other input costs;
changes in the Company's management team or other key personnel; the Company's inability to realize the anticipated benefits from the Company's cost savings initiatives;
changes in relationships with significant customers and suppliers; execution of the Company's international expansion strategy;
changes in laws and regulations; legal claims or other regulatory enforcement actions; product recalls or product liability claims; unanticipated business disruptions; failure to successfully integrate the business and operations of the Company
in the expected time frame; the Company's ability to complete or realize the benefits from potential and completed acquisitions, alliances, divestitures or joint ventures; economic and political conditions
in the nations
in which the Company operates; the volatility of capital
markets; increased pension,
labor and people - related expenses; volatility
in the
market value of all or a portion of the derivatives that the Company uses; exchange rate fluctuations; risks associated with information technology and systems, including service interruptions, misappropriation of data or breaches of security; the Company's inability to protect intellectual property rights; impacts of natural events
in the locations
in which the Company or its customers, suppliers or regulators operate; the Company's indebtedness and ability to pay such indebtedness; tax law
changes or interpretations; and other factors.
These risks and uncertainties include food safety and food - borne illness concerns; litigation; unfavorable publicity; federal, state and local regulation of our business including health care reform,
labor and insurance costs; technology failures; failure to execute a business continuity plan following a disaster; health concerns including virus outbreaks; the intensely competitive nature of the restaurant industry; factors impacting our ability to drive sales growth; the impact of indebtedness we incurred
in the RARE acquisition; our plans to expand our newer brands like Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52; our ability to successfully integrate Eddie V's restaurant operations; a lack of suitable new restaurant locations; higher - than - anticipated costs to open, close or remodel restaurants; increased advertising and
marketing costs; a failure to develop and recruit effective leaders; the price and availability of key food products and utilities; shortages or interruptions
in the delivery of food and other products; volatility
in the
market value of derivatives; general macroeconomic factors, including unemployment and interest rates; disruptions
in the financial
markets; risk of doing business with franchisees and vendors
in foreign
markets; failure to protect our service marks or other intellectual property; a possible impairment
in the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets; a failure of our internal controls over financial reporting or
changes in accounting standards; and other factors and uncertainties discussed from time to time
in reports filed by Darden with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
«We are
in a
labor market where more and more emphasis is placed on cognitive skills and education - based skills, the
changing economy,» explains Harry Holzer, a
labor economist who is a professor of public policy at Georgetown University.
The GNC reviews the individual components and total amount of director compensation at least annually and may recommend
changes in director compensation to the Board for its approval more or less frequently based on, among other factors, competitive pay data for non-employee directors of the financial services companies
in the Company's
Labor Market Peer Group.
But the prescription offered by the Taylor rule
changes significantly if one instead assumes, as I do, that appreciable slack still remains
in the
labor market, and that the economy's equilibrium real federal funds rate — that is, the real rate consistent with the economy achieving maximum employment and price stability over the medium term — is currently quite low by historical standards.
Notwithstanding the positive signals from the
labor market and the pickup
in sentiment, consensus estimates for US first - quarter 2017 growth showed little
change, staying
in the 1.5 % — 2.0 % band that has prevailed
in recent years.
With this guarantee, there was little incentive for these countries, beyond exhortation from other EURO countries, to control their deficits and debt or to implement structural
changes in labor and product
markets needed to make their economies competitive.
Among the factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained
in such forward - looking statements are the following: macro-economic conditions (including fluctuations
in housing prices, oil
markets, jobless rates and other indicators), credit
market changes and constraints, foreign currency fluctuation, the company's ability to manage its property portfolio, the impact of
labor markets, failure to effectively manage costs or achieve anticipated expense and cost reductions, and disruptions
in our supply chain or information technology systems.
As a member of the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA), we've signed a pledge committing to reporting annually the company's performance
in the 11 - action categories that include organic & land use, distribution & sourcing, energy, climate
change & emissions, water use & quality, solid waste reduction, packaging &
marketing materials,
labor, animal care, sustainability education, and governance & community engagement.
Chapter 1 looks at women's growing presence
in the
labor market and explores
changing attitudes about work.
Later educational attainment mattered, but researchers said the findings highlight the importance of personality traits, intelligence and vocational interests
in determining how well people fare
in a
changing labor market.
What kind of curriculum
changes do you believe are essential for students to succeed
in a future
labor market?
However,
in making these
changes, policymakers should carefully consider their
labor market effects.
What kind of curriculum
changes do you believe are essential for students to succeed
in a future
labor market and
in life generally?
However,
in making these
changes, policymakers should carefully consider their
labor -
market effects.
[16] Given the
changes we expect to take place
in the
labor market in coming years, and how often individuals might need to switch occupations, this is a potentially serious concern.
Thus, with higher growth rates and faster technological and structural
change, people with vocational training may be more likely to be out of the
labor market later
in the life cycle.
Abstract: This article analyzes the impact of classroom characteristics and opportunity wages on four possible
labor market choices of teachers
in Florida: remaining at their present school, switching schools within a school district,
changing school districts, and leaving teaching.
Other research shows that
changes in these laws caused the pace of teachers» unionization to vary considerably, even among states with very similar
labor markets such as Ohio and Illinois.
In a labor market, in the absence of other changes, if wage or salary payments increase, workers will increase the quantity of labor they supply and firms will decrease the quantity of labor they deman
In a
labor market,
in the absence of other changes, if wage or salary payments increase, workers will increase the quantity of labor they supply and firms will decrease the quantity of labor they deman
in the absence of other
changes, if wage or salary payments increase, workers will increase the quantity of
labor they supply and firms will decrease the quantity of
labor they demand.
It seems difficult enough attracting effective teachers and leaders to work long hours at modest salaries
in New Orleans; doing it throughout Louisiana is unrealistic without a major
change in the educator
labor market.
This reflects the increasing understanding that
in rapidly
changing knowledge economies, critical thinking and problem solving are important parts of the new global skill set, whereas the
labor market demand for routine cognitive competencies — the kinds of skills that are easy to teach and test — has declined rapidly over recent decades.
In addition, we will support projects that identify state policies to increase economic competitiveness through a combination of economic and workforce development, and help advance research and advocacy for state policies to create a modernized safety net in response to a rapidly changing labor marke
In addition, we will support projects that identify state policies to increase economic competitiveness through a combination of economic and workforce development, and help advance research and advocacy for state policies to create a modernized safety net
in response to a rapidly changing labor marke
in response to a rapidly
changing labor market.
We continue to determine new solutions and areas of focus that reflect continuing
changes in technology, the global
labor market, research, and U.S. education leadership.
Nonetheless, these conjectures are categorized into sections about how VAMs might help us to (1)
change the supply of people who opt into pursuing a teaching career and who are selected into the
labor market, (2)
change the effectiveness of those currently teaching, and (3)
change which teachers elect to, or are permitted to, stay
in teaching.
Search theory suggests early career job
changes lead to better matches that benefit both workers and firms, but this may not hold true
in teacher
labor markets characterized by salary rigidities, barriers to entry, and substantial differences
in working conditions.