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Maxar Congratulates NASA on Launch of Perseverance Rover, Featuring Next-Generation Space Robotics – Business Wire

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WESTMINSTER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, congratulates NASA on the successful launch of Perseverance Rover, which began its journey to Mars on an Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida earlier today. Maxar built Perseverances Sample Handling Assembly (SHA) robotic arm and camera focus system, and it has more than 30 years of space robotics heritage, including five robotic arms for previous Mars missions the Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity rovers, and Phoenix and InSight landers.

When Perseverance lands on Mars in February 2021, it will begin searching for signs of livable conditions and microbial life from the ancient past. As Perseverance explores, the SHA will manipulate, assess, encapsulate, store and release collected Martian soil and rock samples. The camera focus system, part of the SHERLOC instrument and WATSON imager, will support this effort by enabling Perseverance to identify promising samples on the surface of Mars. A future mission could potentially return collected samples to Earth.

Congratulations on the successful launch to our friends and colleagues at NASA and its mission partners, said Megan Fitzgerald, Maxars Senior Vice President and General Manager of Space Infrastructure. We're looking forward to the exciting science that Perseverance will conduct with the help of the robotic arm we built."

Robotics have proven themselves as essential tools for a wide variety of space missions. With the ability to provide extreme accuracy under severe temperature variations and within dusty and dirty environments, robotics can even lend a hand when something unexpected happens, such as in the case of the German Aerospace Centers heat probe on NASAs InSight lander.

When InSight touched down on Mars in November 2018, it activated its Maxar-built robotic arm to place sensitive instruments onto the Martian surface, said Lucy Condakchian, Maxars General Manager of Robotics. The robotic arm then went on standby mode, its mission having been accomplished. Shortly after, a heat probe designed to take Mars temperature got stuck while attempting to burrow into the Martian soil. To remedy this, NASA leveraged InSights robotic arm to push the mole underground a task that we didnt design it for.

Maxar is also extending its robotic leadership to the Moon. In addition to the companys work on the power and propulsion element and human landing system for NASAs Artemis program, Maxar is building a robotic arm called Sample Acquisition, Morphology Filtering and Probing of Lunar Regolith (SAMPLR) for NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. When SAMPLR lands on the south pole of the Moon in 2022, it will be used to acquire samples and determine the geotechnical properties of lunar regolith.

Maxar continues to lead and transform the market by fusing reliable, cost-effective satellite platforms with best-in-class robotics. The company is building a spacecraft with three robotic arms for NASA called OSAM-1, which will demonstrate on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing. This technology promises to enable spacecraft that can build and reconfigure themselves on-orbit, advanced space telescopes and other infrastructure that never could have been launched within the confines of existing rocket fairings.

About Maxar

Maxar is a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost effectiveness. Maxars 4,000 team members in 20 global locations are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit http://www.maxar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information included in this release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, as well as other statements referring to or including forward-looking information included in this presentation.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this presentation. As a result, although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with U.S. securities and Canadian regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's EDGAR profile at http://www.sec.gov, under the Company's SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at http://www.maxar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this presentation or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this presentation as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.

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Maxar Congratulates NASA on Launch of Perseverance Rover, Featuring Next-Generation Space Robotics - Business Wire

Injection Molding Robots Market Overview Analysis and Scope Forecast 2020 to 2026 | FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa Motoman, Nachi, Kawasaki Robotics – NJ…

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The global Injection Molding Robots Market research report 2020 provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications, and industry chain structure. The Injection Molding Robots market report provides information regarding market size, share, trends, growth, cost structure, global market competition landscape, market drivers, challenges and opportunity, capacity, revenue, and forecast 2026.

The report delivers a comprehensive overview of the crucial elements of the market and elements such as drivers, current trends of the past and present times, supervisory scenario & technological growth. This report also includes the overall and comprehensive study of the Injection Molding Robots market with all its aspects influencing the growth of the market. This report is exhaustive quantitative analyses of the Injection Molding Robots industry and provides data for making strategies to increase market growth and effectiveness.

Scope of the report:

The report evaluates the growth rate and the Market value based on Market dynamics, growth inducing factors. Complete knowledge is based on the latest industry news, opportunities, and trends. The report contains a comprehensive Market analysis and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.

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The report presents the market competitive landscape and corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/key players in the market. Top Companies in the Global Injection Molding Robots Market: FANUC (Japan), KUKA (China), ABB (Switzerland), Yaskawa Motoman (Japan), Nachi (Japan), Kawasaki Robotics (Japan), EPSON Robots (Japan), Staubli (Switzerland), Omron Adept Technologies (US), DENSO Robotics (Japan), OTC Daihen (Japan), Universal Robots (De, and others.

Global Injection Molding Robots Market Split by Product Type and Applications

This report segments the Injection Molding Robots market on the basis of Types are

On the basis of Application, the Injection Molding Robots market is segmented into

Regional outlook: The regions covered in the reports of the Injection Molding Robots market are

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe), Central & South America (Brazil, Rest of South America), and Middle East & Africa (GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Other).

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Influence of the Injection Molding Robots market report

Comprehensive assessment of all opportunities and risks in the Injection Molding Robots market. Injection Molding Robots market recent innovations and major events. A Detailed study of business strategies for the growth of the Injection Molding Robots market-leading players. Conclusive study about the growth plot of the Injection Molding Robots market for forthcoming years. In-depth understanding of Injection Molding Robots market-particular drivers, constraints, and major micro markets. Favorable impression inside vital technological and market latest trends striking the market report.

What are the market factors that are explained in the report?

Key Strategic Developments: The study also includes the key strategic developments of the market, comprising R&D, new product launch, M&A, agreements, collaborations, partnerships, joint ventures, and regional growth of the leading competitors operating in the market on a global and regional scale.

Key Market Features: The report evaluated key market features, including revenue, price, capacity, capacity utilization rate, gross, production, production rate, consumption, import/export, supply/demand, cost, market share, CAGR, and gross margin. In addition, the study offers a comprehensive study of the key market dynamics and their latest trends, along with pertinent market segments and sub-segments.

Analytical Tools: The Global Injection Molding Robots Market report includes the accurately studied and assessed data of the key industry players and their scope in the market by means of a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis, feasibility study, and investment return analysis have been used to analyze the growth of the key players operating in the market.

Browse in-depth and report summary TOC on Injection Molding Robots Market

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Customization of the Report: This report can be customized as per your needs for additional data up to 3 companies or countries or 40 analyst hours.

Note All the reports that we list have been tracking the impact of COVID-19. Both upstream and downstream of the entire supply chain has been accounted for while doing this. Also, where possible, we will provide an additional COVID-19 update supplement/report to the report in Q3, please check for with the sales team.

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MarketInsightsReports provides syndicated market research on industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. MarketInsightsReports provides global and regional market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.

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Irfan Tamboli (Head of Sales) Market Insights Reportssales@marketinsightsreports.com | irfan@marketinsightsreports.comPhone: + 1704 266 3234 | +91-750-707-8687

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Injection Molding Robots Market Overview Analysis and Scope Forecast 2020 to 2026 | FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa Motoman, Nachi, Kawasaki Robotics - NJ...

Scara Robots Industry Outlook to 2028 and the Impact of COVID-19 – ResearchAndMarkets.com – Business Wire

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Scara Robots Market 2019-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to the report, the global SCARA robots market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 9.51% during the forecasting period 2019-2028.

The ever-increasing need for automation is primarily driving the growth of the studied market. The rising focus on providing workplace safety is instigating demand for the SCARA robots. Lack of skilled labor is forcing manufacturing companies to opt for machines and robots for manufacturing processes.

However, high competition from articulated robots is restraining the market growth. In addition, the huge initial investment cost is also a key constraint. Also, deploying robots in an unstructured environment is posing as a challenge to global market growth. Key opportunities like the surging adoption of Industry 4.0 and the increasing demand for automation in emerging economies must be leveraged to get the projected growth.

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

The global market report covers the countries from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region for the SCARA robots market in the coming years. The increasing demand in the adoption of automated systems in several sectors, including logistics, food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries is driving the regional market's growth. Governments in countries like Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea have been undertaking several initiatives to promote the adoption of the robotics industry. This factor is also contributing to the growth of the global SCARA robots market.

COMPETITIVE OUTLOOK

The major companies in the SCARA robots market are Comau SpA, DENSO Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, Toshiba Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Precise Automation Inc, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Staubli International AG, Seiko Epson Corporation, Nachi Robotics Systems Inc, Yamaha Motor Co Ltd, FANUC Corporation, KUKA AG, Omron Corporation and ABB.

Denso Corporation is a global company supplying advanced automotive technology and systems. The company provides gasoline & diesel engine management systems, small motor systems for automobiles, air conditioning systems, truck refrigeration units, power supply, advanced safety and automated driving products. It is headquartered in Kariya, Aichi (Japan), and has operations in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and other regions.

Key Topics Covered

1. Global Scara Robots Market - Summary

2. Industry Outlook

2.1. Market Definition

2.2. Parent Market Analysis: Industrial Robots Market

2.3. Key Insights

2.3.1. Heavy Investments, Research & Development in the Field of Robotics

2.3.2. Development of Advanced Scara Robots

2.3.3. Demand for Customized & Compact Robotic Systems

2.4. Impact of COVID-19 on Scara Robots

2.5. Porter's Five Force Analysis

2.6. Market Attractiveness Index

2.7. Vendor Scorecard

2.8. Industry Components

2.9. Market Drivers

2.9.1. Rising Need of Automation

2.9.2. Growing Prominence on Workplace Safety Around the World

2.9.3. Shortage of Labor

2.10. Market Restraints

2.10.1. Competition from Articulated Robots

2.10.2. High Costs of Initial Investment, Installation, System Engineering & Technology

2.11. Market Opportunities

2.11.1. Surge in Adoption of Industry 4.0 and Enabling Technologies Industries

2.11.2. Demand for Automation in Asian Countries

2.12. Market Challenges

2.12.1. Technological Limitations

3. Global Scara Robots Market Outlook - by Payload Type

3.1. Up to 5.00 Kg

3.2. 5.01 Kg to 15.00 Kg

3.3. More Than 15.00 Kg

4. Global Scara Robots Market Outlook - by Application

4.1. Material Handling

4.2. Assembling & Disassembling

4.3. Welding & Soldering

4.4. Dispensing

4.5. Processing

4.6. Other Applications

5. Global Scara Robots Market Outlook - by End-User Industry

5.1. Electrical & Electronics

5.2. Automotive

5.3. Food & Beverages

5.4. Pharmaceuticals

5.5. Metal & Machinery

5.6. Other End-Users

6. Global Scara Robots Market - Regional Outlook

6.1. North America

6.2. Europe

6.3. Asia-Pacific

6.4. Latin America

6.5. Middle East and Africa

7. Competitive Landscape

7.1. ABB

7.2. Comau S.p.A.

7.3. Denso Corporation

7.4. Fanuc Corporation

7.5. Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

7.6. Kuka AG

7.7. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

7.8. Nachi Robotics Systems Inc.

7.9. Omron Corporation

7.10. Precise Automation Inc.

7.11. Seiko Epson Corporation

7.12. Staubli International AG

7.13. Toshiba Corporation

7.14. Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

7.15. Yaskawa Electric Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/61b46u

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Scara Robots Industry Outlook to 2028 and the Impact of COVID-19 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

Industrial Robotics Market Update Increasing Investment Is Expected To Boost Market Growth in 2026 – Owned

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The emergence of COVID-19 across the world has impacted the global industrial robotics market in a negative way. The decline in the market growth is majorly owing to the high investment costs of industrial robots. Nonetheless, the market is likely to recover by the second & third quarter of 2022. The continuous advancements in quality of products and in its costs is expected to impel the market growth of industrial robotics market post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Connect with Our Analyst to Contextualize Our Insights for Your Business: https://www.researchdive.com/connect-to-analyst/309

The global industrial robotics market is likely to witness a decrease in growth rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new report published by Research Dive, the global industrial robotics market accounted for $43.2 million in 2018 and is projected to surpass $85.2 million by 2026. Comprehensive analysis of drivers, restraints, growth opportunities and strategies executed by various governments & major market players to sustain in the COVID-19 pandemic are further provided in the report.

The global industrial robotics market was estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% by 2026 prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Although, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now the market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. Industrial robots are very costly to build. In addition, daily maintenance of high power and high electricity usage is cost prohibitive for end-uses; the industrial robotics industry would be impeded by these factors in the forecast era.

For More Detail Insights, Download Sample Copy of the Report at: https://www.researchdive.com/download-sample/309

The predicted pre-COVID-19 market size for the industrial robotics industry was $51.4 million in 2020 and is expected to witness a drastic downfall and reach up to $33.4 million due to COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the global industry players are looking towards the government for financial support to sustain this crisis.

The global market is anticipated to observe a significant growth post-COVID-19 pandemic and recover by the second or third quarter of 2022. Implementation of self-programmed robotics based on artificial intelligence and machine learning is expected to generate increased investment opportunities over the forecasted period. For instance, Huawei, CISCO, and Microsoft are now focused on maintaining collaborations with other IoT firms to build new robots so that their production project starts as soon as possible. Therefore, increasing production line efficiency in the projected timeframe is expected to propel the demand for industrial robots.

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Mr. Abhishek PaliwalResearch Dive30 Wall St. 8th Floor, New YorkNY 10005 (P)+ 91 (788) 802-9103 (India)+1 (917) 444-1262 (US) TollFree : +1 -888-961-4454Email:[emailprotected]LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/research-diveTwitter:https://twitter.com/ResearchDiveFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/Research-DiveBlog:https://www.researchdive.com/blogFollow us on:https://covid-19-market-insights.blogspot.com

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Industrial Robotics Market Update Increasing Investment Is Expected To Boost Market Growth in 2026 - Owned

Robots Everywhere: The promise of humanoid robots – Digital Trends

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For some reason, we humans seem to be hell-bent on making robots that look like us. One thing is for sure, though: Weve been making humanoid robots for a long time, and theyre starting to get really good. This is Robots Everywhere a show where we chronicle the slow but steady takeover by our future robot overlords, and show you how theyre making their way into practically every facet of modern life

Robots come in all shapes and sizes, but one of the constants throughout our history of robotics is the goal of making a humanoid robot that looks, sounds, and acts just like us humans do. Maybe the reason we seek to create robots in our own likeness is narcissism. Or maybe its for practical reasons. Or perhaps its just because human beings like a challenge. In any case, building machines that look and act like humans has always been part of our vision of what robots could and should be.

Humanlike robots date back as far as robotics itself. Some of the very first prototype robots were designed to have humanoid form and function. Eric the Robot made his debut in 1928 at Londons Exhibition of the Society of Model Engineers. This Man of Tin was designed to make the opening address when the Duke of York wasnt able to attend. Erik took to the stage, rose to his feet, bowed to the audience, and gave a 4-minute opening address. Technically, the address was given via radio by someone backstage, but the technology was still pretty impressive. In 1939, Westinghouse debuted Elektro, a 7-foot-tall giant of a humanoid robot that could speak up to 700 words using a record player inside its chest, and who could also blow up a balloon and smoke cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking aside, these robots were still very primitive, and would remain that way for another half century or so. Around the year 2000, humanoid robots started making a comeback in a major way, most notably through Hondas Asimo robot, which finally had the ability to walk on its own two legs. Asimo was the culmination of decades of work to enable machines to walk, run, and balance just like a human. Asimo could also recognize moving objects, gestures, sounds, and even faces, which allowed him to interact with humans.

Asimo was a turning point in humanoid robotics, and soon the speed and complexity of these machines exploded. These robots could now move their hands in highly dexterous ways, make facial expressions, and play soccer. In recent years, weve seen humanoid robots complete with skin and human features, as well as robots from companies like Boston Dynamics that, in just a few short years, went from barely walking to being able to navigate uneven, icy terrain, then gain the abilirty to run, parkour, and do backflips with ease.

The pace of progress in humanoid roboticss continues to speed up. Were now at a point where the prospect of being able to live and work alongside these robots isnt just possible its likely to happen in the near future.

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Robots Everywhere: The promise of humanoid robots - Digital Trends

Lego, robots and drones to take over Salmon Arm rec centre this summer – Salmon Arm Observer

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If boredom is taking over your house this summer, Lego and robotics might be able to provide a little respite.

The SASCU Recreation Centre will be offering Lego and robotics programs for young people ages seven to 14, split into two age groups, beginning Aug. 10.

Back by popular demand, iLearning Canada will be leading the sessions with trained instructors, rec centre staff report. Each participant will receive their own activity pack for the week, during which social distancing and COVID-appropriate hygiene will be practised.

Read more: Salmon Arm pool to reopen for limited programming, not drop ins

Read more: Eight-lane pool identified as a priority

Read more: Salmon Arm chair fitness class resurrected through wonders of technology

Weeklong sessions are scheduled such as Tech Camp and Game Developer 2D, as well as a one-day Lego Build It Workshop on Aug. 15.

Also being offered are Red Cross Babysitting from Aug. 17 to 20 and Safe at Home, Safe Alone on Aug. 31.

All programs require preregistration, and registration is online on the Salmon Arm Recreation website.

Registration for most programs closes on Aug. 10. There is no phone-in or in-person registration.

If you need help with the online process, call 250-832-4044, ext. 101, between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.

marthawickett@saobserver.netLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

#Salmon ArmRecreation

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Lego, robots and drones to take over Salmon Arm rec centre this summer - Salmon Arm Observer

Adena Health System ‘tops out’ new $70 million Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery Center – Chillicothe Gazette

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Adena Health Systems honored the completion of the steel structure that will become the Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery facility with a "topping out" ceremony on Wednesday, July 28, 2020.(Photo: Toria Barnhart/Gazette)

CHILLICOTHE Adena Health Systems marked the halfway point of its new multi-million dollar investment into robotics and orthopedic care with a "topping out" ceremony on Tuesday.

The ceremony held on the campus of the Adena Regional Medical Center and on Facebook Live honored the milestone event in which construction crews lifted the final steel beam signifying the completion of Adena's new orthopedic facility. The beam measured eight feet long and was signed by health system caregivers. An evergreen tree symbolizing safety, luck and prosperity and an American flag accompanied the beam, too.

"Twentyyears ago, we started building an orthopedic program at Adena that has been extremely successful. Butnow we've outgrown our space at the health pavilion," saidOrthopedic Surgeon Brian Cohen, MD. "This new facility will give us the space we need to provide our patients with the best surgical and care experience possible."

Adena's Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery Center is a $70 million project that will create a newfacilitydedicated to advanced orthopedic treatment, minimally invasive surgical care and clinical operations. The groundbreaking ceremony for the center took place in October and the facility is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021.

The facility willhave 80 clinical exam suites, six operating rooms built to accommodate robotic technology, a 20-bed inpatient recovery unit and 22 pre- and post-recovery bays. Clinical operations for orthopedics, neurology, podiatry, sports medicine and spinal care will be available. There will also be imaging suites for X-ray, CT scans and MRIs.

Once completed the center will have 111,000 square feet and stand five stories tall making it the tallest health care structure on the Adena Regional Medical Center campus. The building will also be home to the Adena Spine Centersports medicine, neurology, podiatry and other specialties in addition to its nationally-accredited orthopedics program. A new, multi-level parking structure with 300 parking spaces is also included in the construction project.

Thus far over 43,000 man-hours have gone into the project and there have been zero accidents. They've also had 4,000 truckloads worth of dirt during construction and used 523 tons of steel, according to Operations Vice President of Messer Construction Tim Gusler.

(L-R) Dr. Jim Flemming, Adena Health System CEO Jeff Graham, Dr. Brian Cohen, Adena Health System COO Kathi Edrington and Operations Vice President at Messer Construction Tim Gusler during the "topping out" ceremony at Adena Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, July 28, 2020.(Photo: Provided by Adena Health System)

Dr. Jim Flemming, a spine surgeon, is also hopeful that the new facility will bring in new doctors. He says that the work performed at the center and the level of commitment from its employees are "first-rate fantastic" and serve as an extension of the community.

"We are completely invested in this community," he said. "We had two providers when I started [15 years ago] and now we have 30. We have promised to continue that growth."

Since the start of Adena's robotic surgery program in 2012,roughly 4,000 robot-assisted surgeries have been performed. In 2018, Adena surgeons used robot-assisted surgery for 630 general surgery cases and 400 orthopedic cases. More than 25 different types of robot-assisted surgeries are offered at Adena.

And with the new specialty facility, Adena Health System CEO Jeff Graham believes Chillicothe will become the first choice for care across the region and even throughout the state.

"No one wants to travel far from home to have surgery or to receive care for their conditions. We want every patient that comes to us at this facility to receive not only exceptional health care but to experience a concierge service approach to every step of their journey. We want to make this type of patient experience the most positive it can be, and its what our patients ultimately deserve," he said.

Have a story tip or comment?Contact Toria at tbarnhart@gannett.com or 740-349-1106. Follow her on Twitter @ToriaBarnhart.

Read or Share this story: https://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/news/2020/07/29/adena-tops-out-new-70-million-orthopedic-and-robotic-surgery-center/5518738002/

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Adena Health System 'tops out' new $70 million Orthopedic and Robotic Surgery Center - Chillicothe Gazette

Householder attracts write-in opposition in bid to keep Ohio House seat – The Columbus Dispatch

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Randy Ludlow The Columbus Dispatch

FridayJul31,2020at7:15AMJul31,2020at9:48AM

The indicted Larry Householder faces write-in opposition for re-election to the chamber that booted him from the speakers rostrum of the Ohio House of Representatives on Thursday.

A fellow Republican and a Libertarian say they have filed petitions to oppose Householder, who remains a member of the House, in the Nov. 3 election.

Jay Conrad, a Marine veteran and college student from New Lexington in Perry County, will run as the write-in Republican against Householder following the former speakers arrest in a racketeering and bribery scheme involving the passage of House Bill 6 and its nuclear power plant bailout.

Former Coshocton City Council candidate Robert Leist, a maintenance coordinator at the Kraft Heinz Co., will run as a Libertarian candidate.

Partisan write-in candidates face an Aug. 24 filing deadline. No Democrat filed to run against Householder in the heavily GOP 72nd House District, which covers Perry and Coshocton counties and parts of Licking County, The filing deadline for independent write-in candidates has passed.

If Householder, who lives near Glenford in Perry County, wins re-election and remains a House member, he automatically would be removed if convicted of felonies in the federal criminal case. He and four co-defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

Rep. Bob Cupp, R-Lima, was elected Thursday by the House to replace Householder as speaker.

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow

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Householder attracts write-in opposition in bid to keep Ohio House seat - The Columbus Dispatch

Conservatives and libertarians will appreciate ‘Hamilton: An American Musical’ – Washington Times

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ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Its no secret: America is in the midst of an identity crisis.

Recent weeks have seen developments that would have seemed unimaginable as little as 10 or 20 years ago from widespread demands to remove memorials dedicated to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, to coordinated efforts to erase their names from colleges and universities. As our republic finds itself torn by countless questions surrounding the Founding Fathers and how their legacies should be remembered today, perhaps no better moment exists for Americans of all political stripes to become absorbed in Lin-Manuel Mirandas masterpiece, Hamilton: An American Musical.

With two hours and 50 minutes of wildly provocative wordplay, outstanding overtures and painstakingly precise historical references, one might feel as though theyve been siphoned through an operatic timewarp straight to 1776 (with every bit of the revolutionary spirit one should expect). And make no mistake: With a storyline so refreshingly cognizant of the difficult questions society faces today, Hamilton is just as timely as it is masterfully made.

Often in the form of rap battles, awe-struck audiences can see Mr. Mirandas take on the adoption of the Virginia Compromise, the early (and still-relevant) objections to interventionist foreign policy, and the enduring debates on government finance and national debt. While the musical doesnt necessarily appeal to conservative or libertarian convictions in every way (for instance, Hamiltons impassioned support for a central banking system), many such ideas are still celebrated on stage.

For instance, in the shows account of George Washingtons life from his time as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army to the end of his presidency in March 1797, one can see the honor, nobility and composure with which the Father of His Country conducted himself. In an era wherein it seems as though magnifying Washingtons flaws has become a popular trend, the musicals ballad One Last Time presents a new opportunity to visualize and admire his willingness to relinquish power a decision that shattered every precedent established by history.

Moreover, its no secret that Americas youth are tragically apathetic to politics and uninformed about our history. In 2019, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation surveyed 41,000 Americans and found that only 27 percent of those under the age of 45 demonstrate a basic knowledge of American history. Moreover, a 2018 YouGov poll found that only 13 percent of high school students could pass a simple, five-question test on basic American history. Considering that the creation of this country is a story written by courageous, brilliant young people, this is even more problematic. Thomas Jefferson (a main character in the second act of Hamilton) was only 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. James Madison (already a member of the Virginia House of Delegates) was only 25; at the time he wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1787, he was 36.

And Alexander Hamilton was only around 19 (sources conflict as to his year of birth) when he became Gen. Washingtons right-hand man, assuming responsibility for handling written correspondence amongst Continental officials and military officers.

While many have been swift to point out the shows shortcomings (with some even flocking to Twitter to push the #CancelHamilton hashtag), Hamilton ultimately reminds us that we fought a revolution because a handful of young Americans decided that liberty was worth dying for. Their war was between a nation of unbreakable patriots and an empire that sought to rob them of their liberties and livelihoods.

As America undergoes such a tense and uncomfortable period of transformation, reflecting on our history is vital. This means both celebrating the achievements and learning from the mistakes of those who came before us.

To my libertarian and conservative friends: Watch the musical. While you may disagree with some of Alexander Hamiltons ideas, realize that this is the first piece of art in decades that is encouraging young Americans to explore our countrys founding. If nothing else, perhaps this musical represents an opportunity to rediscover the long-lost American tradition of young people advancing the cause of liberty.

Cliff Maloney is the president of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL).

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Conservatives and libertarians will appreciate 'Hamilton: An American Musical' - Washington Times

Houston Southwest Tri-Counties joining a nationwide demonstration against voter suppression – On the 100th Anniversary of Women s Suffrage Voters Are…

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Houston Southwest Tri-Counties joining a nationwide demonstration against voter suppression

On the 100th Anniversary of Womens Suffrage, Voters Are Once Again Demanding a Voice

Fort Bend, Brazoria, Matagorda Counties On August 8th, 2020 at 11:30, protesters are gathering in the first nationwide driving protest in counties all across the nation. The Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Matagorda Libertarian Parties will lead a group of local community members in a COVID-safe demonstration, driving convoy style down Lexington, Texas Pkwy, Shadow Creek Pkwy, Hwy 288, 518 West, and Hwy 6. They will be decorating their cars parade-style and will go live together on their social media channels.

This is a coordinated effort across the nation with convoys in 107 counties and almost 2000 participants to protest the Commission on Presidential Debates' continued decision to silence the Libertarian Nominee for the United States President, Dr. Jo Jorgensen, and all third parties who are listed on the presidential ballot.

One hundred years ago this year, women were taking to the streets to protest the government to recognize their rights as sovereign citizens, and their right to be heard in elections, led by the League of Womens Voters. The WVC also created the first presidential debates to give American voters a greater understanding of all their presidential candidates. In 1987, the Commission on Presidential Debates was formed to take over sponsorship of the debate and boxed the WVC out.

The CPD created polling restrictions to not allow third-parties in the debate by selecting random polls to determine who is polling above 15%. The catch? Most of these polls do not even mention a 3rd party candidate. Voters are being left in the dark with systemic voter manipulation.

We demand polling restrictions are changed to quantifiable results that cannot be manipulated by the CPD. Third parties who are listed as options on American ballots shall be allowed to debate so that Americans can properly compare their choices.

And its not just third-party voters that think this:

63% of voters surveyed want a third party choice

Veripolls latest results show Dr. Jo Jorgensen polling at 36%

Over one-third of Americans identify as independent

It's been 100 years since the 19th amendment was passed, and Dr. Jo Jorgensen, the only female candidate (who is highly qualified), is still being silenced by the CPD.

Dr. Jo Jorgensen has her Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, is a Senior Lecturer at Clemson University, is an accomplished entrepreneur, and has a pristine record. The Libertarian Party is one of the only parties in the U.S. that has secured ballot access for presidential candidates in all 50 states. She is an educated and articulate woman with fresh ideas, and with as divided as the American public is, she deserves to be heard.

Government is too big, too bossy, too nosy, and, worst of all, often hurts the very people it intends to help. The government doesnt work; liberty and freedom do. - Dr. Jo Jorgensen

We invite all local press to participate in this grassroots event and meet us in the parking lot of First Colony Church of Christ on August 8, 2020, at 11:30 am for a 30-minute fun-filled rally before the convoy begins to go live as a nation for this historic event!

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Houston Southwest Tri-Counties joining a nationwide demonstration against voter suppression - On the 100th Anniversary of Women s Suffrage Voters Are...

STATESIDE: The third-party candidates who the big boys don’t like at the party – Bahamas Tribune

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With CHARLIE HARPER

Did you know there were 21 third-party candidates whoreceived votes in the American presidential election of 2016? They were supported by such diverse collections of voters as the Prohibition (no alcohol drinking) Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party and three different versions of the Socialist Workers Party. Together, they collected over six million votes in an election that saw Hillary Clinton lose in the American electoral college despite garnering over three million more votes than Donald Trump.

In states with close elections like Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona, if just half of the third-party voters had backed Clinton, we could be castigating her instead of Trump for her handling of COVID-19.

Already for 2020, the Libertarians have nominated Jo Jorgenson; the Greens have selected Howie Hawkins and the Constitution Party has picked disgraced West Virginia ex-coal mine boss Don Blankenship. Well see how they do this year, but Gary Johnson won four million votes for the Libertarians four years ago.

And on July 4, the ranks of third-party candidates for this year added a real headline-grabber: billionaire music mogul and Yeezy sneaker impresario Kanye West who has flirted with Donald Trump and is scaring Democrats who are petrified with fear that they will somehow again underestimate Trump in their residual disbelief that the American people could possibly re-elect him.

But is Wests candidacy real? There are questions, some of which were underscored the other day when his wife, the TV celebrity Kim Kardashian, acknowledged to CNN that West has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and said its incredibly complicated and painful for many to understand.

Maybe so, but West has qualified to be on the ballot in Oklahoma. He is already too late to file in a lot of other states, many of which are going to deliver their votes for Biden anyway. But third-party candidates always scare the big established political Republican and Democratic duopoly in the US, and sometimes with good reason. In 1992, H Ross Perots maverick candidacy hurt both Bill Clinton and George H W Bush as Perot won 19 percent of the vote. Here is some of what West had to say recently: It is a form of racism and white supremacy and white control to say that all black people need to be Democrat and to assume that me running is me splitting the vote. All of that information is being charged up on social media platforms by Democrats. I was told that if I voted on Trump my music career would be over.

I was threatened as a celebrity into being in one party. I was threatened as a black man into the Democratic Party. And thats what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man (Biden) can tell a black man if you dont vote for me, youre not black.

At the very least, Kanye West is a wild card heading toward November. Both Trump and Biden are sure to keep an eye on him as long as he remains in the race.

Looking for an American tocarry the blame forthe COVID-19 devastation of the Bahamian tourist industry? A good candidate might be Ron DeSantis. Floridas governor has mismanaged his states response to this public health crisis. The Bahamas is suffering as a result.

At 41, Floridas Ron DeSantis is the youngest incumbent governor in the United States. His resume is impressive. Born and raised in Florida, he got degrees from Yale and Harvard, did a stint in the US Army which included service in Iraq and a detail to the US Attorneys Office in Central Florida. He was elected to Congress in 2012 from a district stretching northeast along I-4 from Orlando to the outskirts of Daytona Beach.

In 2016, DeSantis was hopeful of snagging the GOP Senate nomination until Marco Rubio, having been trounced by Donald Trump in the primaries, decided to run again for his own Senate seat after all. Then in 2018, DeSantis parlayed his loud support for Trump in the Robert Mueller investigation into the Presidents support for a gubernatorial run. Buoyed by Trumps endorsement, DeSantis narrowly won and presides over the Sunshine State today.

DeSantis consistent adherence to Trumps seriously flawed coronavirus playbook is blamed for at least some of Floridas current woes. According to press reports, DeSantis has met once this month with his top health experts. Instead, the governor appears to rely principally on wife Casey and the former hospital executive who serves as his chief of staff.

The fact that nearly 6,000 Floridians have died from COVID-19 and two percent of the entire state population is now infected shows the governor could have done a better job at protecting his constituents, many of whom in better times would be heading to The Bahamasto spend some dollars. Instead, DeSantis approval ratings have dropped by 25 percent and his states own massive tourist industry is slumping.

Trump doesnt see it. Ron DeSantis is doing a great job and will go down in history as a great governor of Florida, the President said.

Not on current evidence. The governor has led his state down the same dreary path Trump would take the rest of the country if other governors were as slavishly devoted to following the Presidents often fallacious advice.

The director of the University of Floridas Emerging Pathogens Institute told the Washington Post that in Florida we failed to convince people that as things began to open up there remained a critical need to maintain the basic practices recommended by the CDC, including masks and social distancing.

A West Palm Beach nurse summed up Floridas COVID-19 response this way: The fairy tales about everything being under control are nonsense. Our government has failed us.

As American professional sports try to resume some sort of normal activity, the major European soccer leagues have largely completed their business for the year.

In the best and by far most competitive league, Liverpool nevertheless ran away with the English Premier League title. Setting several records and nearly matching a couple of others, the Reds fulfilled the promise of their magnificent early season to win their first EPL title and first top-flight championship in 30 years.

Runners-up and defending champions Manchester City may be the second-best team in Europe. These two power houses were joined at the top by Manchester United and Chelsea. Further down the table, venerable Aston Villa managed to stay in the top division for another year and will be joined by tradition-rich West Bromwich Albion and Leeds moving up from the second tier.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, once proudly owned by Freeports Sir Jack Hayward, completed another successful first division campaign and are still contenders for the Europa League title this year.

But the rich do keep getting richer in Europe. It is hardly surprising to find such teams as Liverpool and Man City at the top in England. They are wealthy and powerful. In the top leagues in Italy (Juventus of Turin), Spain (Real Madrid), France (Paris St. Germain) and Germany (Bayern Munich), the champions were all predictable. Except for Spain, where Barcelona often crashes the championship party, these titlists have been winning for years.

Back in the US, baseball has resumed playing games that count in its 60-game season, after which more than half of all its teams are scheduled to compete in the televised, lucrative playoffs. The most significant opening series was in Washington, where the New York Yankees looked strong in beating the current champion Nationals.

Injuries and COVID absences are continuing to influence this already-weird season, with Houston, the Nationals and Dodgers among teams already suffering significant losses. And the Marlins have become a highly problematic proposition.

So far, sort of OK for the other big American leagues. The NBA is following its plan at Disney World in Orlando. The NHL is staging a playoff play-in. And the NFL, having cancelled all its exhibition games, has reopened its training camps around the country. Everyone in pro sports, big-time college sports and at the TV networks who underwrite them all with huge broadcast contracts is holding their breath.

What else can they do? The virus will have the last word.

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STATESIDE: The third-party candidates who the big boys don't like at the party - Bahamas Tribune

The Author of Blacks in Medicine on Race, Racism, and Health Outcomes – KCET

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The following is an excerpt froma June 2020 article republished with the permission of GOOP.

Black Americans aredisproportionately infected with and dying from COVID-19. In a report from the largest health care system in Louisiana,70 percent of the people who were killed by COVID-19 were Black, even though Black people make up only 31 percent of the systems population. In his recent book "Blacks in Medicine," Richard Allen Williams, MD, the founder of the Association of Black Cardiologists, discusses the health of Black Americans from the point of view of doctors and patients and digs deep into the history thats led to todays disparities. (Williams is also currently a clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.)

His history of Black medical practitioners in the U.S. is fascinating and disturbing, starting with the remarkable contributions that Black people made to medicine even while enslaved. Here, Williams explains how a long tradition of discrimination and racial segregation has resulted in inequality in health outcomes for Black people in the U.S. And he tells us why hes hopeful for the future.

GOOP: A powerful letter of yours was published in theLos Angeles Timeson June 2, 2020. Can you tell us about the events of the 70s and 80s that you wrote about?

Dr. Williams: I was the assistant medical director at the brand-new Dr. Martin Luther King Medical Center in Los Angeles, having just come across the country from Harvard Medical School, where I had completed my cardiology fellowship. I came into a hospital that was built on the ashes of the Watts uprising. I saw a great deal of police brutality going on, especially toward the Black population. A number of Black men were dying from what is called the chokehold, a carotid restraint method administered by police, which was highlighted most recently in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This restricts blood flow to the brain and also can cause a drop in blood pressure and heart rate such that the individual dies.

I noted that sixteen men had died from the chokehold in a few months. Twelve of those sixteen gentlemen were Black. So I was amazed when I got a call from police chief Daryl Gates asking me if I agreed that the susceptibility, as he put it, of Black people to this chokehold was due to a weakness in their anatomical structure. He was basing this request on a book that I had written, "The Textbook of Black-Related Diseases," which described differences in health care delivery and responses to medications being different for Black people than for White people.

I refuted this vehemently and called a press conference. This issue came to the attention of the Los Angeles police commission and it led to a banning of the chokehold in the city of Los Angeles. What George Floyd experienced was not something new, and this problem could very easily be eliminated. All that is needed is for mayors and police commissions to say that no longer will the chokehold be accepted. I was at a meeting with assemblyman Mike Gipson, who has sponsored a bill for the purpose of banning the chokehold throughout the state of California. Governor Newsom has promised to sign it.

GOOP: You went through your medical training in the 60s. How did the civil rights movement impact your career in medicine?

Dr. Williams: I was involved in petitions to open up Harvard Medical School to a greater degree of diversity. I was the first Black postgraduate trainee at Harvard Medical School in its entire history. I was surprised when I learned that and started a push for change that was very successful. I teamed up with the dean of the medical school, Robert Ebert, for a rather unusual get-together, so to speak, with members of the Black Panther party and Black Muslims. We had a historic meeting in Roxbury at a Muslim temple. The dean of the medical school came, and I presented the case that Harvard wasnt admitting any Black people into its medical training programs and was not turning out any Black doctors into the community. We got Harvard to contribute a large amount of money for me to start a recruitment drive, which I went on throughout the country, recruiting Black medical students and interns and residents to apply to Harvard. We started admitting our first residents and interns during the time I was in my training program there. In 2004, I was given a lifetime achievement award by Harvard for the efforts that I had made in opening the institution up to diversity.

GOOP: How well represented are Black medical doctors in the US now?

Dr. Williams: The number of Black doctors in this country is about 6 percent of the total, which is ridiculous because approximately 13 percent of the population is Black. Thats something that Im working very diligently on now, with efforts to get Black students into medical school, as well as providing scholarship funds. Ive established seven scholarships to fund Black students going into medicine.

GOOP: You wrote "The Textbook of Black-Related Diseases" in 1975 what was the impetus at the time?

Dr. Williams: I wanted to do something significant in regard to what I had found were severe medical problems with my people, with Black people. And thats when I discovered that there was really no literature on the medical problems of Black people. It was assumed either that Black people should be treated the same as White people or that Black people did not have a need for treatment for certain conditions. At that time, heart attacks and hypertension were not thought to be problems that Black people suffered from. I decided that none of that was true and that we had to start to bring the truth to light. Dr. George W. Thorn, my boss at Brigham and Womens Hospital, encouraged me to write a pamphlet about it, which grew into an 850-page book, "The Textbook of Black-Related Diseases," published in 1975. I dont know whether I wouldve had much of a chance to get published without his help because there wasnt much interest in a book like that at the time.

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The Author of Blacks in Medicine on Race, Racism, and Health Outcomes - KCET

Five Questions With: Dr. Ben Abo on Snakes and Television – EMSWorld

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If you watch Kings of Pain on the History Channel, you know the hosts, Adam Thorn and Rob Alleva, handle some pretty amazing animals and insects. They get bitten, scratched, and exposed in almost every show. Their medical care on the show is provided by Ben Abo, DO. Abo is an EMS physician in Florida, a paramedic, and an expert in wilderness medicine with a keen interest in snakes. He is also director of the elite Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Lake County Fire Rescue Venom 1 and Venom 2 teams. We caught up with Abo.

EMS World: You are nationally known as an authority on snakes and snakebites. How did you get started in this very niche segment of EMS and emergency medicine? What is important for providers to know about snakes?

Abo: Back when I was a resident, I actually had a phobia of snakes, but I had tremendous respect for nature and venom. I started learning from and working with Miami-Dade Fire Rescues Venom 1 team as I realized how many people were treating this incorrectlyand what a tremendous time to be able to put a halt to permanent pain, permanent disability, and permanent disfigurement! I completely owe my diving in to those that were on Venom 1, like Chuck Seifert, Scott Mullin, Lisa Wood, and Jeff Fobb. I find it especially important with my austere-medicine work and honestly my international public health work as well. I would say its especially important to remember that what you used to be taught may not be right, and by golly, dont kill or capture the snake!

You currently serve as medical director for Floridas Venom 1 and Venom 2 unitsvery unique assets. Can you tell us a little more about these units, what they do, and how they operate?

Abo: Venom 1 has been around for about 21 years now. It is the largest public access antivenom bank, with antivenom for everything from scorpions to cobras to box jellyfish to black widow spiders. Venom 1 not only provides a 24/7 dedicated person to deliver the appropriate antivenom, but they also serve as an expert set of eyes for poison control and me, as well as bedside teaching for those uncomfortable with treating envenomation. Venom 2, housed 24/7 by Lake County Fire Rescue, started a couple years ago, modeled after Venom 1, but we only house domestic antivenoms for now. That being said, our first call literally was for a cobra bite from Tallahassee, and they helped me get antivenom from Miami-Dade delivered during bad storms.

Youve been a big part of a TV show this past season, working on the History Channels Kings of Pain. What was it like being part of such a high-profile and high-risk TV show and medical environment?

Abo: Working on that television show was quite a blast. Id served on Shark Week as a safety expert already, but for this not only did I have to prepare as a wilderness EMS expert for international travel and safety for any sicknesses or accidents but also approve and fact-check for other injuries in the middle of jungles and beaches worldwide! Not to mention, Im used to treating pain and being empathetic, but here I would much rather be sympathetic! We are talking about standby for known injuries hours from clinics, but also clearing wild areas for spitting cobras and watching out for king cobras in the wild. Not your typical EMS call for sure!

Between medical school and your residency, you started a nonprofit in Africa to decrease maternal and neonatal mortality and trauma. What drew you to that? Are you still involved? Is there a way folks can support it?

Abo: Life has been quite the journey. Ive always been one to try to do the most good, because, honestly, why not? During medical school I saw an opportunity to efficiently make a difference to provide education for public and healthcare workers in Africa, so I did it with some others. I took a year off and delayed residency training. What an experience! And we did a lot of good, but more always needs to be done.

I have since folded the nonprofit, technically, so I could regroup and reframe. However, there is more work to be done, and Im still in close touch with my contacts there and plan on returning soon. To help? The biggest would be financial support or basic medical supplies, as I plan on introducing more dirt bike sidecar ambulances again, especially in the outskirts of Jimma, Ethiopia.

In your publications and social media posts, you often note the power humor has to disarm as well as help heal. What are your favorite ways to bring humor into emergency medicine? And can you tell us about the banana phone?

Abo: Humor is so important! A smile and laughter are genuine and international without a need for translation. It really depends on the situation, but definitely some go-tos for me include the banana phone, puns, and good old goofiness while still showing Im there to help. I actually get deep into this with my TEDx talk and a podcast with Medic Mindset, as well as a keynote speech Ive given.

Oh, the good old banana phone. At every age I have always had a great reaction to that randomness, whether from patients, family, or staff. It started as a light joke to consult with another EMS physician, mentor, and friend, Ben Lawner. After a month of it I thought Id decided to do my last post with a banana when I had my last ICU shift as a resident, but there was literally such a universal response to it. I still love getting random banana phone calls from former patients and my friends children.

In emergency medicine and disaster work, we see a lot of good and a lot of evil. To survive the negative stressors, we need to see the light and the reminder that light comes in many forms.

Barry A. Bachenheimer, EdD, FF/EMT, is a frequent contributor to EMS World. He is a career educator and university professor, as well as a firefighter and member of the technical-rescue team with the Roseland (N.J.) Fire Department and an EMT with the South Orange (N.J.) Rescue Squad. He is also an instructor for the National Center for Homeland Security and Preparedness in New York.

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Five Questions With: Dr. Ben Abo on Snakes and Television - EMSWorld

We asked 20 medical experts whether they’re sending their own kids back to school. Here’s what they had to say – CNBC

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Social distancing dividers for students are seen in a classroom, July 14, 2020.

Lucy Nicholson | Reuters

Parents everywhere are grappling with the question whether it's safe tosend their children back to school.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released guidelines emphasizing that students get back to the classroomfor the sake of their own emotional well-being. But not every student, parent, or teacher is comfortable with that. Some school districts will likely continue with remote learning or some hybrid blend of in-person and remote.

The situation is highly confusing and the guidelines seem to be shifting. So we asked twenty doctors, public health experts and epidemiologists with school-age children if they're sending them to school this fall.

We got a wide range of responses, which were highly dependent on their location, personal risk tolerance, degree of support at home, the measures taken at the individual school, and the age of their children.

Six of the medical experts felt confident about sending their kids back. Eight were in "wait and see" mode. And a final six were leaning strongly towards remote learning and were not comfortable with the prospect of having kids in school -- at least for the beginning of the year.

Things could certainly change as the start of school approaches. As Boston-based emergency medicine physician Dr. Jeremy Faust put it, "the answers will entirely depend on how well Covid-19 is being controlled" as we move into the fall.

Here's a summary of what each group had to say.

Principal Pam Rasmussen (L) takes the temperature of arriving students as per coronavirus guidelines during summer school sessions at Happy Day School in Monterey Park, California on July 9, 2020.

Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images

Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, is feeling confident that his three kids will return to their schools in Massachusetts this fall. But it's likely that their school will embrace more of a hybrid model, meaning some combination of remote and in-person learning.

Jha isn't wholly convinced the hybrid approach is necessary. "Our infection numbers are relatively low," he said. "And there's enough capacity to create safe spaces."

Jha says there's some evidence that kids are less likely to catch the virus and less likely to spread it. But he acknowledges that the data is still limited, particularly given that countries like Sweden that kept schools open for young kids throughout the pandemic didn't do a thorough job collecting the data. So while he thinks it's possible for many schools to safely open up, but believes that much more should have been done on a federal level to help them prepare.

"If you open up without a good plan in a place that isn't safe, you'll get outbreaks and you'll shut down," he explained.

While Jha is leaning to sending his own kids back, he wouldn't recommend that every parent return children to school. He would look at the community spread in the region first before making a decision. "If I were in Dallas, for instance, which is experiencing an active outbreak, I'd strongly recommend against it."

Likewise, John Brownstein, an infectious disease epidemiologist and the chief innovation officer of Boston Children's Hospital, is helping his kids' school come up with a plan for how to re-open. A lot of the parents are doctors and infectious disease experts, he notes, given the sheer number of universities and academic medical centers in the area. So many are recommending social distancing, masks and other protocols. His kids, who are aged 9 and 10, will go back to school unless community transmissions spike in the area.

Children in an elementary school class wear masks and sit as desks spaced apart as per coronavirus guidelines during summer school sessions at Happy Day School in Monterey Park, California on July 9.

Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images

Physicians in states that are seeing lower rates of infectionstended to be more in favor of sending their kids to school. Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, a pediatrician and public health advocate based in Massachusetts, has thought a great deal about whether she's comfortable sending her youngest child to Williams College as a freshman. She ultimately decided in favor of in-person learning because the college, which is in a relatively remote area, had systems and processes in place to keep the kids safe. But she didn't take the decision lightly.

"Aftercarefully examining the systems to control and respond rapidly to change, yes, I'm sending him because it's a developmentally appropriate step and important socially-emotionally," said Dr. Miotto.

Others were deferring their decision to the school. Dr. Dan Buckland, an emergency medicine doctor at Duke, feels relatively confident about sending his kids back to school if the right steps are taken to keep them safe.

"For a lot of people, especially with kids under the age of 10, It's not sustainable to continue to work and take care of them at home," he shared. That said, Dr. Buckland would keep his kids home if there were a significant danger to the staff, teachers and support personnel. "I don't think we should obligate them to put themselves at risk," he said.

For single parents, the equation might be different.

"I am a single mom of a child adopted from foster care. I would accept the risks of infection to send her back to school," said Carolyn Cardamone, a Physician Assistant with One Medical. Cardomone noted that her child needs help with social and development skills, which she can gain by learning alongside her peers. "She is entering fifth grade this year and the idea she will miss this year of in-person instruction, then go straight to middle school, is terrifying."

School children working from home during the Coronavirus lockdown on April 06, 2020 in New York, NY.

Peter Titmuss | Education Images | Getty Images

Many of parents were still on the fence.

Dr. Esther Choo, an emergency medicine physician at Oregon Health & Science University, has four school-age kids. She's leaning towards distance learning because her school is asking parents to decide within a few weeks if they plan to return their kids by September. For Choo, that's a big challenge as there's no way to know yet whether Covid-19 cases will spike by then.

"What I struggle with is schools needing us to commit now," she said.

Likewise, Aaron Miri, a chief information officer for UT Health Austin in Texas, said it would all depend on the plan in place. He's hoping there will be adequate personal protective equipment available and whether there's testing and/or contact tracing to track potential exposures to the virus. Right now, he's not feeling confident. And his wife is a fifth-grade teacher, which makes the issue more complex for him. "If they can't give assurances soon, I think lots of folks will say 'no thanks' to in-person," said Aaron Miri.

Texas, where Miri lives, is still struggling to get Covid-19 under control. The situation starting to level off in Austin, he notes, although it's unclear how things will be in the fall.

For many of the doctors, it's a challenge to look at the public health data objectively because they're also parents. And as parents, they feel their kids would be best served by being back in school.

Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency medicine physician at Rhode Island Hospital, recognizes the challenges for so many of her peers trying to juggle work with kids at home. She feels fortunate to have some child care support, but recognizes that it isn't easy to recreate the stimulation that her two kids -- ages 8 and 11 -- are getting at school.

"I believe so strongly in getting kids back, but it has to be done in a way that is safe for the kids and the teachers," she said by phone, while her son reminded her that it's time to play Roblox.

Ranney said she plans to send her kids back if there are protocols in place, like proper ventilation, masks and smaller class-sizes. But she has warned her kids that she anticipates a scenario where the situation doesn't last because of an outbreak. She personally doesn't expect life to return to normalcy until next spring. "I want them back but with the state of public school funding and the state of Covid-19, I don't know how it's going to be possible," she said. "But in Rhode Island, I think we at least have a chance."

Montgomery county school officials demonstrate how they plan to keep students apart on county busses during a reporters tour of College Gardens elementary to show room arrangements, sanitizing stations, and other measures that the system hopes will prevent the spread of the coronavirus when school reopens in August in Rockville, MD on July 09.

Bill O'Leary | The Washington Post | Getty Images

For Katie McMillan, a public health expert with a digital health consultancy firm, it doesn't feel like the right time to send her three-year-old back to pre-school. Cases in North Carolina, where she lives, are continuing to rise. McMillan said she initially pulled her daughter out in March and then fully un-enrolled her in June. McMillan's husband works at a hospital in the area, so they were also concerned about putting others at risk if he got sick -- although he's taking steps to mitigate that possibility by using proper protective gear and leaving his scrubs in the garage.

For the fall, she may enroll her daughter in a school that offers smaller classes fully outdoors "from a sanity standpoint," but says it's unlikely. McMillan, with the help of her childrens' grandparents, keeps up with her own work as best she can. It's a struggle because her youngest is only eight months old.

Many parents face a similarly tough road because their shifts are long and it's a challenge to find childcare.

"I need them back in school yesterday," said Dr. Jon Steuernagle, who's currently separated from his partner and is looking after the kids most of the time on his own. But he probably won't return them to school anytime soon. He fears for the teaching staff who might be highly vulnerable to getting sick from Covid-19. And he recognizes the challenges with maintaining social distancing when it comes to young kids.

Some of the doctors say they don't have much of a choice.

Dr. Jane Van Dis, an obstetrician-gynecologist, was planning to send her kids back but in California it's unlikely to happen because most schools have been ordered to start with remote-learning only.

"Even though I feel like in my area and school district, people are following the guidelines," she said. "But I live in Los Angeles County, which is so big, and I wonder if there's a chance that we can bring the numbers down to allow for in-person school."

Many agreed that they are privileged as doctors and academics to be able to afford help when it's needed. Dr. Jonathan Slotkin, vice chair of neurosurgery at Geisinger based in Pennsylvania, is keeping his five-year-old at home. But he recognizes that he's in a fairly unique position to be able to do so. Still, with Covid-19 still spreading in the United States, it's a firm "no" for him.

The entrance to Public School 159 is seen in the Queens borough of New York City, New York, U.S., July 8, 2020.

Shannon Stapleton | Reuters

Even the parents who are planning to send their kids back to school in the fall are expecting that there could be a bump in transmissions. So families should be aware of the risks, they say, while weighing them against the benefits of socialization.

Moreover, school districts might react differently if there is an outbreak. Some might shut down, while others attempt to continue if they have the resources to do so.

"I'm concerned our numbers in the community will dramatically change -- and that could change my comfort levels with my own kids," said Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, a pediatrician based in Madison, Wisconsin. She feels confident about the plans underway at her own school, but it's hard to know what the future will hold.

"No place can guarantee zero transmission," she said. "And there's no guarantee that going back to school is as safe as not going back, but there's always that difficult balance of risks and benefits."

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We asked 20 medical experts whether they're sending their own kids back to school. Here's what they had to say - CNBC

Hard Drive Cloning Software Market Analysis by Size, Share, Growth, Application, Segmentation and Forecast to 2027 – Owned

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New Jersey, United States,- The research report on Hard Drive Cloning Software market comprises of insights in terms of pivotal parameters such as production as well as the consumption patterns alongside revenue estimations for the projected timeframe. Speaking of production aspects, the study offers an in-depth analysis regarding the manufacturing processes along with the gross revenue amassed by the leading producers operating in this business arena. The unit cost deployed by these producers in various regions during the estimated timeframe is also mentioned in the report.

Significant information pertaining to the product volume and consumption value is enlisted in the document. Additionally, the report contains details regarding the consumption graphs, Individual sale prices, and import & export activities. Additional information concerning the production and consumption patterns are presented in the report.

In market segmentation by manufacturers, the report covers the following companies-

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Highlights of the Report:

Accurate market size and CAGR forecasts for the period 2020-2026

Identification and in-depth assessment of growth opportunities in key segments and regions

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Comprehensive analysis of important growth drivers, restraints, challenges, and growth prospects

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The report offers a complete company profiling of leading players competing in the global Hard Drive Cloning Software marketwith a high focus on the share, gross margin, net profit, sales, product portfolio, new applications, recent developments, and several other factors. It also throws light on the vendor landscape to help players become aware of future competitive changes in the global Hard Drive Cloning Software market.

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Hard Drive Cloning Software Market Analysis by Size, Share, Growth, Application, Segmentation and Forecast to 2027 - Owned

Football Stadium-Sized Balloon To Carry NASA’s Cutting-Edge Astrophysics Observations Telescope To Stratosphere – Swarajya

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NASA engineers are working on an ambitious new mission that will carry a cutting-edge, 2.5-metre telescope high into the stratosphere on a football stadium-sized balloon.

The launch of the mission called ASTHROS, short for Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Submillimeter-wavelengths, is tentatively planned for December 2023 from Antarctica, NASA said on Thursday (24 July).

ASTHROS will spend about three weeks drifting on air currents above the icy southern continent and achieve several firsts along the way.

To achieve its mission objectives, ASTHROS will need to reach an altitude of about 130,000 feet (40 kilometers) roughly four times higher than commercial airliners fly.

Though still well below the boundary of space about 62 miles, or 100 kilometers, above Earths surface it will be high enough to observe light wavelengths blocked by Earths atmosphere.

Balloon missions like ASTHROS are higher-risk than space missions but yield high-rewards at modest cost, said Jose Siles, Project Manager for ASTHROS at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

With ASTHROS, were aiming to do astrophysics observations that have never been attempted before. The mission will pave the way for future space missions by testing new technologies and providing training for the next generation of engineers and scientists.

ASTHROS will carry an instrument to measure the motion and speed of gas around newly-formed stars.

During flight, the mission will study four main targets, including two star-forming regions in the Milky Way galaxy.

It will also for the first time detect and map the presence of two specific types of nitrogen ions (atoms that have lost some electrons).

These nitrogen ions can reveal places where winds from massive stars and supernova explosions have reshaped the gas clouds within these star-forming regions.

In a process known as stellar feedback, such violent outbursts can, over millions of years, disperse the surrounding material and impede star formation or halt it altogether.

But stellar feedback can also cause material to clump together, accelerating star formation. Without this process, all the available gas and dust in galaxies like our own would have coalesced into stars long ago.

ASTHROS will make the first detailed 3D maps of the density, speed, and motion of gas in these regions to see how the newborn giants influence their placental material.

By doing so, the team hopes to gain insight into how stellar feedback works and to provide new information to refine computer simulations of galaxy evolution.

A third target for ASTHROS will be the galaxy Messier 83. Observing signs of stellar feedback there will enable the ASTHROS team to gain deeper insight into its effect on different types of galaxies.

Finally, as its fourth target, ASTHROS will observe TW Hydrae, a young star surrounded by a wide disk of dust and gas where planets may be forming.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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Football Stadium-Sized Balloon To Carry NASA's Cutting-Edge Astrophysics Observations Telescope To Stratosphere - Swarajya

Oldest surviving light reveals the universe’s true age – Space.com

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Ancient light from the Big Bang has revealed a precise new estimate for the universe's age: 13.77 billion years, give or take 40 million years.

The new estimate, based on data from an array of telescopes in the Chilean Atacama Desert, also weighs in on one of the most important disagreements in astrophysics: How fast is the universe expanding? Described in two scientific papers, the new result gives a significant boost to one side of the disagreement, though the physicists couldn't prove the other side of the dispute wrong.

Here's the problem: Physicists need to understand the universe's expansion rate to make any sense of cosmology the science of our whole universe's past, present and future. They know that a mysterious substance called dark energy is causing the universe to expand (at an ever-increasing rate) in all directions.. But when astronomers point their telescopes into space to measure the Hubble constant (H0) the number that describes how fast the universe is expanding at different distances from us or another point they come up with numbers that disagree with each other, depending on the method they use.

One method, based on measurements of how fast nearby galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way, produces one H0. Another method, based on studying the oldest light in space, or cosmic microwave background (CMB), produces another H0. This disagreement has left scientists wondering whether there's some important blind spot in their measurements or theories, as Live Science previously reported. These new results seem to show that there weren't any measurement errors on the CMB side.

Related: 9 facts about black holes that will blow your mind

"We find an expansion rate that is right on the estimate by the Planck satellite team," which is another study of the CMB, Cornell University astrophysicist Steve Choi, lead author of one of two new papers, said in a statement. "This gives us more confidence in measurements of the universe's oldest light."

The data from the Planck satellite, released in 2018, were the most important measurements of the CMB before now. With an unprecedented level of precision, they showed how sharply CMB measurements of H0 disagree with measurements based on the movement of nearby galaxies.

These new results recalculated the CMB measurement from scratch using an entirely different set of telescope data and calculations, and came up with very similar results. That doesn't prove that the CMB measurement of H0 is correct there could still be some problem with the physics theories used to make the calculation but it does suggest that there aren't any measurement errors on that side of the disagreement.

Related: The 18 biggest unsolved mysteries in physics

Relying on data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, the researchers tracked faint differences between different parts of the CMB -- which appears to have different energy levels in different parts of the sky. The CMB, which formed as the universe cooled after the Big Bang, is detectable in every direction in space as a microwave glow. It's more than 13 billion light-years in the distance, a relic of a time before stars and galaxies formed.

By combining theories on how the CMB formed with precise measurements of its fluctuations, physicists can determine how fast the universe was expanding at that moment in time. That data can then be used to calculate H0.

The ACT methodically scanned half the sky between 2013 and 2016, looking particularly at microwave light. Then researchers spent years cleaning up and analyzing the data with the aid of supercomputers, removing other microwave sources that are not part of the CMB, to stitch together a full map of the CMB. The whole time, they "blinded" themselves to the implications of their work, they wrote in their papers, meaning they didn't look at how their choices affected estimates of H0 until the very end. Only when the full CMB map was complete did the researchers use it to calculate H0.

The new CMB map also offered a new measure for the distance between Earth and the CMB. That distance, combined with a new measurement of how fast the universe has expanded over time, allowed a precise calculation of the age of the universe.

"I didn't have a particular preference for any specific value it was going to be interesting one way or another," Choi said.

It's still possible, as Live Science has previously reported, that some error in those theories is messing up the calculation. But it's not clear what the error would be.

The other approach to calculating H0 relies on pulsing stars known as cepheids, which reside in distant galaxies and pulse regularly. That timed pulsing allows researchers to perform precise calculations of their motion and distances from Earth.

With those direct speed measurements, it's fairly straightforward to come up with a measurement of H0. There are no complicated cosmological theories involved. But it's possible, some scientists have proposed, that our region of the universe is just weirdly empty, and not representative of the whole universe. It's even possible that there are measurement issues with the cepheids, and that these cosmic measuring sticks don't work quite the way physicists expect.

For now, the true H0 remains a mystery. But CMB researchers have more ammunition for their side of the disagreement.

Both new papers describing the new analysis have been published July 14 to the preprint database arXiv and submitted for formal peer review.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Oldest surviving light reveals the universe's true age - Space.com

Top 5 Stargazing Sites in the DMV Region (Your Backyard Is the 6th!) – Our Community Now at Colorado

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A lot of things have changed since March. Some have given up old habits like smoking or bathing, and some have adopted new habits like talking to their neighbors or learning something new. Known to be lazy, I decided to takea course in Astronomy, thinking it would be easy and fun watching stars all night.

So last night, when I was stargazing with my daughter in our backyard ,she asked me why governments spend so much on space exploration when there are so many critical issues here on Earth that need the money. She is 13, but this was a valid question. Being a fan of astronomy, I couldnt let this slide away.

There are an astronomical number of reasons (I couldnt resist the pun), but I will start with the few most obvious ones. The wireless headphones you connect to your camera phone just before you put on your sneakers ... I paused and pretended to drop the mic. All three are there because someone invested in space exploration.

In fact, many common things we take for granted are there because money was spent on space exploration. Also, even if you dont believe in climate change, you cant deny the fact that our resources are depleting. We owe it to our future generations to solve these problems. Putting money into space exploration is one of the best investments we can make for our future. I think she was convinced.

Human beings are narcissistic by nature. For centuries, mankind believed that we were the center of the universeand many still believe the world revolves around them. According to Dr. Anna Wyczalkowski, an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of George Mason University and Ph.D. from University of Maryland,

"As of Jan. 1st 2019, we have identified 3,946 planets around 2,945 stars including 650 multiple planetary systems confirmed. A few thousand candidates await confirmation.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg, she adds, while teaching astronomy,

"There are billions of stars in our galaxy and there are billions of galaxies in the universe. And there is more."

If that doesnt blow your mind, imagine this. There is speculation among several branches of mathematics, quantum mechanics, and astrophysics that our universe is just one of many and we actually exist in a "multiverse." The curiosity that drives human nature is driven by the philosophy that "seeing is believing," and that keeps moving astronomy forward. And to fill that void in your curiosity, here are the top 5 five stargazing spots in the DMV region.

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

According to Greg Redfern, a NASA-affiliated astronomy professor, Shenandoah National Parkis one of the best destinations for stargazing in Virginia. Two other parks in Virginia are two of the only 64 parks in the world designated as International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Staunton River State Park andJames River State Parkhave a strict outdoor lighting policy that ensure an exceptionally dark sky, making conditions ideal for stargazing.

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

Calm, high, dark, dry: the four conditions ideal for astronomy are pristinely fulfilled at thePrimland Resort. Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 12,000-acre resort is nestled among the southwest Virginia mountain splendor and is a paradise for stargazers. If that isnt enough to convince you for a socially distanced adventure, a resident astronomer leading a nightlyTour of the Universewill.

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

Bear Branch Recreation Park inWestminster, Maryland, is one of the very few facilities open to the public. It houses a 40-seat planetarium with three telescopes that will make your day and night. Just remember the sky is at its clearest during winter nights when there is less (or no) humidity, compared withsummer evenings which produce haze and may blur your view. Try Clear and Dark Sky, the site that tells you which day you should plan for stargazing. Generally, the best time for stargazing is when the moon is in acrescent or gibbous phaseor when its not present in the sky at all. Full moons are only good for werewolves.

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

The astronomy department at the community college is perfect for beginners, as it not only welcomes the general public but also helps guide and educate on the topic of stargazing. It is open throughout the winter starting from August. You can bring your own equipment, and if you havent invested anyyet, you can always borrow what is available.

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

Who would have thought that with all the light pollution in D.C. there would also be a great stargazing spot in Washington? Well, there is, and it is ideally located near Rock Creek Park.Experience the mesmerizing sky under the Rock Creek Planetarium, a facility that usesSpitz software to illustrate the nights sky. But if you want the real thing, evening stargazing sessions occur through November at the Military Field, which is located off of Military Road in Rock Creek Park. And when you step out, look for the International Space Station.NASA has a websitededicated to tracking the ISS. It tells you when the next sighting is in your area, where in the sky it will be, and for how long.

Please check before going to any of the parks for their updated schedule and policies related to social distancing procedures.

Stargazing is one hobby that can bring the entire family together for a fun night out in the backyard. If you dont have a backyard, you can also stargaze from a balcony or front step, or through a skylight. In fact, you can do it every evening and come up with games like Spot the Star. You can download various apps that help you identify stars, their distances, sizes, and so on. My favorite is Skyview Lite which is free and easy to use. It is available on the app stores. Find a permanent spot so you can compare the movements. Get a reclining chair, which allows you to look upwards without straining your neck.Turn off all the lights, and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Astronomers call this process "dark adaptation," and it takes about half an hour. Look for patterns, like the saucepan-shaped Plough, which is visible year-round.Find a planet, which may be a bright "star" that isnt twinkling.

Have you ever wondered about the stars, UFOs, life beyond earth, and the edge of the universe? Which mystery intrigues you the most? Tell us in the comments section.

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Top 5 Stargazing Sites in the DMV Region (Your Backyard Is the 6th!) - Our Community Now at Colorado

Young Men, Alienation and Violence in the Digital Age – Fair Observer

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As the world was forced into lockdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex Lee Moyers documentary TFW No GF was released online. The film focuses on an internet subculture of predominately young, white men who already experienced much of life from the comfort of their own homes, pandemic notwithstanding.

Its title, a reference to the 4chan-originated phrase that feel when no girlfriend, reveals the essence of its subjects grievances described in the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival program as first a lack of romantic companionship, then evolving to a greater state of existence defined by isolation, rejection and alienation. As one of the films subjects remarks early on: Everyone my age kinda just grows up on the internet 4chan was the only place that seemed real I realized there were other people going through the same shit.

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What does this level of alienation tell us about society today? And how seriously should we take the content found on this online patchwork of messaging boards and forums, each with its own language and visual culture that may at first seem humorous or ironic, but often disguises misogyny, racism and violence? These are difficult and urgent questions, particularly given the emergent incel phenomenon incel being a portmanteau of involuntary celibate which appears to be gaining in strength online.

The idea of virtual expressions of alienation and rage translating to actual violence remains a real and present danger, as we were reminded of this May when a teenager became the first Canadian to be charged with incel-inspired terrorism. The documentary, however, avoids confronting the violence that this subculture often glorifies, and the director has since stated that the film was never supposed to be about incels but that it had become impossible to discuss it without the term coming up.

As it turns out, the men we meet in TFW No GF appear to be largely harmless except perhaps to themselves and despite the documentarys lack of narrative voice, it takes a patently empathetic stance. Set against the backdrop of industrial landscapes and empty deserts, this is a United States in decline. Here, role models and opportunities lie thin on the ground, and the closest thing to community exists in virtual realms. Each self-described NEET slang for not in education, employment or training has his own tale of alienation: of alcoholic parents, dead friends or a disenfranchisement with the school system.

For those who study internet subcultures, the memes of Pepe the Frog and Wojak explored in the film will be familiar. Pepe is used as a reaction image, typically in the guises of feels good man, and smug/angry/sad Pepe and, although not created to have racist connotations, is frequently used in bigoted contexts by the alt-right. Wojak, AKA feels guy, is typically depicted as a bald man with a depressed expression.

One of the documentarys subjects, Kantbot, explains that you cant have one without the other thats the duality of man. For these men, Pepe represents the troll self, a public persona that embodies their smug and cocky traits. Wojak denotes a more private and vulnerable self, typified by inadequacy, unfulfillment and sadness. At its core, it is this dichotomy that the documentary seeks to explore, whilst at the same time demanding our sympathies.

On the surface, the men in TFW No GF are united by their failure in finding female partners, a theme which permeates the manosphere that includes Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW) and incels. This latter identity has garnered particular attention in recent years due to the spate of incel violence witnessed in North America, most infamously Eliot Rodgers Isla Vista attacks in California in 2014 that left six people dead. According to Moonshot CVE, incels believe that genetic factors influence their physical appearance and/or social abilities to the extent that they are unattractive to women, with some subscribing to the philosophy of the blackpill namely, that women are shallow and naturally select partners based upon looks, stifling the chances of unattractive men to find a partner and procreate.

Incels are a diverse and nebulous community, their worldview characterized by a virulent brand of nihilism seen through the prism of a three-tiered social hierarchy dictated by looks. Here, incels find themselves at the bottom of the pile, after normies, Chads and Stacys. Whilst instances of real-world violence perpetrated by incels remain in relatively low in numbers, its potential to mutate into an offline phenomenon is rightly a cause for concern, with Bruce Hoffman et al., making a convincing argument for increased law enforcement scrutiny, noting that the most violent manifestations of this ideology pose a new terrorism threat.

A counterterrorism approach alone, however, is unlikely to address the reasons why so many young men (and women: see femcels) are drawn to these virtual worlds. If self-reported narratives on forums such as Incels.net and Incels.co are anything to go by, low self-esteem, bullying and mental health issues are rife. An acknowledgment of the pain, rejection and illness that someone may be suffering from is surely required, however unpalatable that is when faced with the abhorrent imagery and rhetoric that may espouse. Underlying all of this is the need for response based in public health.

However, the documentarys empathic approach has been criticized, with The Guardian accusing it of misinformation, particularly in its portrayal of 4chan and the like as harmless, and Rolling Stone criticizing the films acceptance of events without challenging the communities support of violence, misogyny and racism. In this sense, the film is reminiscent of the 2016 documentary The Red Pill, which followed Cassie Jays journey into the world of mens rights activists, similarly focusing on one side of an ever-complicated debate. Thus, showing compassion should ultimately not be a way of avoiding the difficult conversations and, in the case of inceldom, a failure to do so could be seen as irresponsible.

As a researcher of internet subcultures, documentaries like TFW no GF are valuable in so much as we are granted a rare perspective of these men in their own words. Despite the films selectivity and subjectivity representing a small sample of the infinite experiences and beliefs held by those in this expansive community it provides us with a vignette of the online spaces that allow for certain hateful ideas to flourish and be sustained.

For some, the strange and often hostile world of online messaging boards provides a much-needed connection when other doors are closed. For others, they contribute to a more misogynistic, racist and at times violent way of perceiving the world. As COVID-19 continues to rage on, forcing more of us to shift our lives online, the ability to understand and combat deeply entrenched loneliness as well as its potential to intersect with extreme and even violent corners of the internet will be essential.

*[The Centre for Analysis of the Radical Rightis a partner institution ofFair Observer.]

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observers editorial policy.

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Young Men, Alienation and Violence in the Digital Age - Fair Observer

Artificial Intelligence – A Way To Superintelligence …

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Industrialization and Digitization has changed the wayhumans look at life. The world is moving at a technological pacewherein with every passing minute an invention is done, and a lotof these inventions are beyond human imagination. One suchtechnology is Artificial Intelligence or AI as it is popularlyknown. AI has brought extensive changes around the world. AI is aterm for simulated intelligence in machines.1

According to the father of Artificial Intelligence, JohnMcCarthy, it is 'The science and engineering of makingintelligent machines, especially intelligent computerprograms'.2 In simple words, it is anythingthat can learn and perform functions on its own without anyintervention by humans. AI is the ability of simulated machines tomimic human thoughts like problem solving and learning. Thesemachines also understand human languages, speech and are skilled instrategic thinking.

Artificial Intelligence is a part of our daily lives. Siri,Alexa, Google Maps, Uber, Turnitin and other machine learningapplications are all products of AI. AI is touted as the future ofmankind. AI has already started making its mark in plethora offields and industries like healthcare, education, transportation,agriculture and many more.

To embrace this new wave called AI, India has made a modestbeginning this year by devoting a huge amount of money. In hisBudget Presentation on February 1, finance minister Arun Jaitleyannounced a national programme on AI to be spearheaded by NitiAayog.3 Approximately USD 480 million dollars have beendedicated to artificial intelligence, machine learning and IoT thisyear.4 Many industries and institutions are taking aleap in the field of AI. One of the most robust inventions arecoming in the field of health care, which is utilizing AI incollecting, storing, normalizing, and tracing data. From smartphoneand health tracker revolutions, it has become possible for a userto analyze all relevant data or simply to be up-to-date abouthis/her health.

Currently, a low cost portable home-based rehabilitationsolution device is produced which helps patient exercise forflexion and extension of wrist and fingers. The device has beentested on 20 stroke patients in All India Institute of MedicalSciences (AIIMS), Delhi and can also be combined with the brainstimulation device.

Moreover, institutions like Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Delhi have developed many innovations based on AI rangingfrom an "intelligent" prosthetic limb and anon-hazardous, longlasting "flow battery" to a new typeof loom and technology to convert agriculture waste into pulp thatsaves 40% water and energy than usual. Further, Centre forBiomedical Engineering has developed a new Intelligent ArtificialLeg for people who have lost their legs above the knee. Theseartificial devices are cheap and durable and uses smart sensingtechnology in the shoes to adapt to the movement of theindividual.

As they say every coin has two sides. With AI benefits comescertain challenges that can be a major threat to the mankind. Forexample, the security of the large amounts of data that AI wouldstore. Another major issue that stands is the privacy of thepersonal data that AI would gather.

No doubt that artificial intelligence has unimaginablepotential. The next few decades would definitely mark a shift frommachine intelligence to artificial superintelligence and set fortha new era in which a computer's cognitive ability will besuperior to human's. Nevertheless, along with the new AIinventions, we as a country also need to invest in strong step tofight the challenges that this necessary devil would bring alongit.

Footnotes

1https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/artificial-intelligence-ai.asp

2https://www.tutorialspoint.com/artificial_intelligence/artificial_intelligence_overview.htm

3 Economic Times report available here

4https://analyticsindiamag.com/where-artificial-intelligence-research-in-india-is-heading/

For further information please contact at S.S Rana &Co. email: info@ssrana.in orcall at (+91- 11 4012 3000). Our website can be accessed at http://www.ssrana.in

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

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