You can now stay overnight on the Toronto Islands – blogTO

There's no longer a hotel you can stay at on the Toronto Islands but acottage for rent might be the next best thing.

The home, which was recently listed on Airbnb, could be a good option for those who want a staycation that's a bit different than your typical urban getaway.

As a result of the pandemic, a local Toronto designer named Bennett Milborne had time to fully renovate and furnish his home on theTorontoIslands.

"After living on the island for numerous years and planning renovations, the pandemic seemed like the perfect opportunity to seize the challenge of renovating,"Milborne told blogTO.

"It was quite the process and very daunting to be completed during the challenges of pandemic protocols but I couldnt be more thrilled to share it,"says Milborne.

The kitchen counter inside the cottage.

Milborne says his background in design helped with interior selections and the creative process.

"Upon completion, I first opened the space up to friends and family and after stellar reviews decided to post it on Airbnb so more people could enjoy themselves,"he said.

The two-bedroom cottage boasts a laptop-friendly workspace as well as WiFi, a full kitchen, waterfront access, and epic views.

Unfortunately, the cottage does not allow pets and the canoe on site is not for guest use, according to the listing.

Milborne committed to Airbnb's enhanced cleaning protocol to ensure COVID-19-appropriate levels of cleaning and sanitization at his property.

"Each booking is automatically spaced apart for the enhanced cleaning process and there is a minimum of 24 hours between guests,"he said.

Milborne's property was a hot commodity when he first listed it but bookings have died down.

"The listing was up on Airbnb for roughly 20 minutes before the first booking request was received but since then I have received three new bookings with plenty of availability remaining."

The living room inside the cottage.

Milborne told blogTO that his house is the perfect place for small groups of friends, families or even a couple's getaway.

It's a great escape from the city and Milborne says he is thrilled theres been a positive response so far.

"Being situated just eight minutes south of the city makes for the perfect retreat that's just far enough. I think people will enjoy the experience of taking the ferry and discovering the hidden beauty of the islands and all that they have to offer,"he said.

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You can now stay overnight on the Toronto Islands - blogTO

3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand – KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

by: Nexstar Media Wire and Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above, authorities say.

The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted Sunday on uninhabited Pikelot Island by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft, the Australian defense department said Monday.

The men had apparently set out from Pulawat atoll in a 7-meter (23-foot) boat on July 30 and had intended to travel about 43 kilometers (27 miles) to Pulap atoll when they sailed off course and ran out of fuel, the department said.

Searchers in Guam asked for Australian help. The military ship, Canberra, which was returning to Australia from exercises in Hawaii, diverted to the area and joined forces with U.S. searchers from Guam.

The men were found about 190 kilometers (118 miles) from where they had set out.

I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfill our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world, said the Canberras commanding officer, Capt. Terry Morrison, in a statement.

The men were found in good condition, and an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach and give them food and water. A Micronesian patrol vessel was due to pick them up.

SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal that originates from Morse code.

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3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

New Engineering Research Center to Focus on Agriculture Technology | Newsroom – UC Merced University News

Part of the ERC mandate is to converge a wide range of academic disciplines in tackling challenges; another is to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce from across the United States. By partnering with industry and a broad community of students, faculty and professionals, the IoT4Ag Center will create an innovation ecosystem to continue these efforts into the coming decades.

The West, Midwest and East Coast are all represented in IoT4Ag, with collaboration nodes and education and research sites across the country, providing limitless opportunities for students, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.

The IoT4Ag Center is divided into three integrated thrusts, with teams of researchers working on sensing, communication and response technologies.

IoT4Ag is housed in the School of Engineering, but the UC Merced branch, in the communication thrust, will include many others: the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), UC Water, drone and energy researchers, management of complex systems experts, socio-economists and big-data analysts, as well as the community, region and state.

We want to include everyone who has a perspective on engineering ag, from farmers, farm workers and the children of farm workers among our student body to government and industry partners, Keske said. Like the rest of the team members, Keske will wear several hats as the initiative gets underway.

Shes responsible for diversity and inclusion, and said shes looking to hold focus groups, ask farmers and commodity groups to be on the advisory board for IoT4Ag at UC Merced and visit field sites to survey farm workers, as well.

We want everyone to have a voice in this, Keske said.

Penn has also allocated a considerable part the ERC budget for travel and programs to train students, Keske said. The IoT4Ag plan calls for involving pre-college, community college and university students through audience-specific lessons and hands-on classroom, lab and field work; advising and mentoring; and a variety of social and professional activities to prepare a diverse workforce of the future to address the societal grand challenges of food, energy and water security.

The worlds finite land, water and energy resources demand new technologies and innovations to improve the efficiency and sustainability of all types of food production.

We can create the tech and infrastructure that will help farmers manage their crops down to the finest details of water and soil nutrients, Keske said. Digital technologies have the potential to improve efficiency, equity, safety, nutrition, health and sustainability across the worlds food systems.

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New Engineering Research Center to Focus on Agriculture Technology | Newsroom - UC Merced University News

Springboard raises $31 million to retool the technology workforce – VentureBeat

Mentor-guided online training platform Springboard has raised $31 million in a series B round of funding led by Telstra Ventures.

The raise comes amid surging demand for online learning, with Udemy recently reporting that course enrollment had risen 425% during the pandemic lockdown and Udacity disclosing that its annual recurring revenue (ARR) had grown 260% for the first half of 2020. Founded in 2013, San Francisco-based Springboard aims to plug the technology talent gap, offering a range of courses across coding, analytics, design, data science, and AI.

Prices vary, but the Data Analytics Career Track costs $5,500 when paid up front and offers students around 400 hours of coursework that must be completed within six months. It also comes with a job guarantee. There are also monthly payment plans or the option to defer tuition until the graduate starts a new job. As another example, the UI/UX design course costs around $10,000 when paid up front.

Above: Springboard platform

Traditional universities and online education platforms have often been criticized for not equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the workforce, something Springboard specifically targets. Its data analytics program, for instance, was designed in partnership with Microsoft after the duo announced a tie-up last December as part of Springboards $11 million series A round. The program aims to train 5,000 students for analytics jobs in the coming years and includes important non-technical skills such as problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking.

Every Springboard student is allocated a personal mentor, who works in a field related to the course and provides one-on-one feedback each week. Mentors hail from companies such as Oracle, Amazon, Uber, and Airbnb. This program is one of Springboards major selling points, as its links with technology companies have led to job offers from the likes of Google, Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, Zoom, and Verizon.

And while many companies have had to pivot their business models to support social distancing during the pandemic, Springboard has always facilitated remote education, which puts it in a strong position to capitalize on the new normal.

Springboard had previously raised around $22 million, and with another $31 million in the bank its well-financed to double down on student employability by creating stronger partnerships with employers and building new products to help students enter the workforce.

With this new capital, we see an opportunity to double down on our industry-leading human-centric approach to delivering career outcomes [to] not only better support our learners, but also partner with universities and employers, enabling them to navigate this online-first economic reality, Springboard cofounder and CEO Gautam Tambay told VentureBeat.

Among the new products is a hireability forecaster, which offers an early indication of how likely a student will be to find a job based on the progress theyre making. This feature is already being offered to prospective students. Additionally, Springboard is developing a student-job fit recommender, which it touts as an AI-driven job matching tool that automatically recommends open roles at Springboards partner companies based on each students background and skill set.

Springboard is also developing a new tool called Springboard introductions, a browser plugin designed to give students targeted introductions and job referrals from its community of mentors and alumni. For example, if someone is applying for a job through LinkedIn, Springboard could surface individuals already working at the company to provide a referral.

Above: Springboards new Introductions browser plugin

Both the recommender and introductions products are currently in development and are expected to launch around mid-September.

Tambay said Springboard saw 54% growth in student enrollment between March and June of this year, a figure that rises to 352% when comparing the year-on-year figures of June 2019 and June 2020. These are the kinds of numbers that attract investors. In addition to increased student demand, we are also seeing a ton of inbound investor interest in our space, Tambay added.

The surge in demand for remote learning and upskilling platforms has kicked countless VC investors into action, with Coursera recently securing another $130 million at a $2.5 billion valuation and Indias Toppr locking down $46 million. That Springboard has managed to raise a sizable round less than nine months after its previous raise underscores investors interest in remote learning as people scramble to train for in-demand industry roles.

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Springboard raises $31 million to retool the technology workforce - VentureBeat

Businesses embrace technology to evolve in a post-pandemic world – ABC News

In a time of social distancing and contactless encounters, businesses are turning to technology to adapt.

Kimbal Musk, CEO and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, had closed his restaurants for months after the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States. Now, as they begin to reopen -- he said about half have done so already -- guests will be having a completely reinvented, contactless dining experience, via a new app called Next Door On Demand.

The app, named for one of his restaurants in Boulder, Colorado, allows restaurant-goers to have a nearly contactless experience with the ability to order and pay via their smartphones.

Kimbal Musk, CEO and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, had closed his restaurants for months after the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States.

Kimbal Musk, CEO and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, had closed his restaurants for months after the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States.

I've always loved the idea of ordering from your iPhone and I've been thinking about it for years, Musk told ABC Newss Rebecca Jarvis on Nightline. When COVID hit and I dealt with the question of safety for our team, I thought to myself, Well, this is a time to build it.

Building the app during the COVID-19 pandemic presented its own challenges. Musk worked with a team of software designers from around the world, mostly through the videoconferencing platform Zoom, to develop the technology.

It was actually awesome. We were trying to figure out time zones, to figure out who'd have to stay up the latest. But it was fun. I mean, we had fun doing it and knowing that we didn't have any else to do. So let's innovate. Musk said.

Hes not alone in that innovation. With millions of Americans out of work and new COVID-19 cases rising in 15 states, more and more businesses are betting on technology to encourage employees and customers to return, changing everything from the way people work to the way they live and communicate.

There is definitely a lot of, to put it lightly, a lot of changes happening all around us and specifically when we look at technology...there is certainly going to be a lot of change in innovation, resetting the industries that were affected negatively. Christine Tsai, CEO and founding partner of venture capital firm 500 Startups, told Nightline."

Doctors, for example, have been adapting to telemedicine, according to Christine Tsai, CEO and founding partner of venture capital firm 500 Startups.

Doctors, for example, have been adapting to telemedicine, according to Christine Tsai, CEO and founding partner of venture capital firm 500 Startups.

But as innovation solves the most pressing problems today, it begs the question of whether it will also create problems for the future. Musk says the hardest part of creating the app was considering the user experience at a restaurant.

We want our guests to feel that they are connected to people. Restaurants are about restoring yourself and going in and meeting, connecting with a server. Getting to know your family or friends or whoever you're with, and so we really wanted to ensure that hospitality stayed in the restaurant experience.

Musk is the younger brother of Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, both for which he serves on the board. The pair was born and raised in South Africa but eventually made their way to Californias Silicon Valley, where they co-founded the software company Zip2, which was later acquired by Compaq in the late 90s. Kimbal Musk says his older brother has always been a sounding board throughout his life.

Kimbal Musk, CEO and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, had closed his restaurants for months after the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States.

Kimbal Musk, CEO and co-founder of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, had closed his restaurants for months after the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States.

[Elon has] helped me all my life. And in 2008, the car industry essentially collapsed and I helped my brother get through Tesla's survival there. And I'm now I'm getting advice from him on how to get through the restaurant industry Our version of a nuclear bomb just went off in our industry, Kimbal Musk said. How do you get through it? He's a good cheerleader for me.

Kimbal Musk hopes other restaurants will utilize similar technology, and said he plans to scale his new app technology for other independent restaurants that want to make their own app.

We're working with a partnership with a young startup out of Silicon Valley that'll focus entirely on independent restaurants to build technology like this for them in a very cost effective way, said Musk.

Since the pandemic began in March, over 100,000 small businesses have permanently shut down, according to researchers from Harvard Business School. Eighty-five percent of independent restaurants are at risk of closing by the end of the year, according to the Independent Restaurant Association. Many have turned to services like Doordash and Seamless to stay afloat.

Angie Mar, Executive Chef and owner of The Beatrice Inn in New York City, had to completely shift her business model in the midst of the pandemic.

We had to completely do a 180, she recently told Nightline. We pivoted to take out and delivery, which we had never done before Our takeout business is doing well, but, regardless, it's a fraction of the amount of money that we were making before.

Like restaurants, other industries have also been forced to embrace technology. The travel industry, which counts itself among the hardest industries, saw U.S. airline passenger volumes drop 75% compared to this time last year, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Hotels, another crucial aspect of the travel industry, have felt the impact as well.

Earlier this year, Marriott, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, had closed roughly 2,000 of its global locations. Although over 90% of the companys hotels are back open today, during the peak of the pandemic in April, the company saw revenue per room drop 90%.

With New York City in the fourth phase of its reopening plan, the hotel giant is using its Brooklyn Bridge location as an early adopter of its mobile technology. Via the Marriott Bonvoy app guests can check-in, check-out, order room service and toiletries and even open their room with a digital key.

Well, obviously we are in the teeth of the [pandemic] still and we're obviously wrestling with it in different parts of the world, Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott, told ABC Newss Rebecca Jarvis on Nightline. So, what we've done quickly is say, Let's make sure we're getting the safety, cleanliness protocols in place that are essential in a time of a pandemic like this, which means more intensive guest room cleaning between guests, social distancing in the public spaces, shields and the like in the public spaces -- probably less food and beverage service.

Well, obviously we are in the teeth of the [pandemic] still and we're obviously wrestling with it in different parts of the world, Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott, told Nightline.

Well, obviously we are in the teeth of the [pandemic] still and we're obviously wrestling with it in different parts of the world, Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott, told Nightline.

As many of these industries implement new technologies to adjust to the new normal, there is still the looming question of whether or not jobs will return. Over 50 million people have filed for unemployment in the last six months and some wonder if technology will replace jobs lost during the pandemic.

As uncertainty continues to surround the trajectory of the virus and the timeline of a potential vaccine, industry experts are cautiously preparing to accept the new normal.

There is no going back to pre-COVID because that doesn't exist, Tsai said. We'll have already gone through this experience of being in this global pandemic and a lot of the challenges in society and technology in these industries are now exposed.

The guests are really happy with On Demand kind of experiences, Musk said. What you dont want to do is turn this into a fast casual experience or a fast food experience. This is not fast food. So, I think balancing that is important. But from a guest convenience and guest happiness perspective, and from a team safety perspective, its pretty hard to imagine going back.

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Smart disinfection technology in the spotlight – Health Europa

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the launch of a number of innovative research and development projects aimed at integrating smart technology into a wide range of disinfection processes in hopes of mitigating the spread of the virus. HEQ examines the efficacy of some of the innovative technological solutions designed to contribute to infection control efforts.

Disinfection tunnels (DTs), or sanitisation tunnels, were briefly in vogue in China, India and Belgium in the early stages of the pandemic. Portable tunnels constructed from steel and PVC and measuring between 16 and 25 feet long are placed at the entrances to busy public spaces, such as markets, shopping centres, hospitals and business premises; users walk or cycle through the tunnels and are sprayed with a misted solution of sodium hypochlorite, a strong disinfectant. Disinfection tunnels can be static, where users stand in the middle of the tunnel and rotate while the disinfectant is sprayed in their direction, or dynamic, where the users path is sprayed as they move through the tunnel.

The evidence in favour of disinfection tunnels is sparse, however; and a study titled Disinfection tunnels: potentially counterproductive in the context of a prolonged pandemic of COVID-19 and published in the Public Health journal in June found that any asymptomatic patient would remain [infectious] as the virus in the nasopharynx and respiratory tracts remains viable, hence contributing to a false sense of security among individuals. There is no way to test the benefits, other than mental satisfaction, which is just like the confidence wearing a cloth mask provides and thereby enables people to venture out into public places.

The studys authors concluded: DTs are likely to be a wasteful expenditure of scarce resources. The World Health Organization has condemned the use of these sprays and tunnels and has released an advisory. The stress on these systems is not evidence based, unreliable, and flawed. While fighting this global pandemic, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel by practicing hand hygiene and social distancing, but not by passing through these DTs.

Disinfection by drone was initially deployed in China to sanitise large, open public spaces when COVID-19 first hit; and has since expanded to Europe and the US. Drones designed for outdoor use can be deployed to spray targeted doses of disinfectant chemicals over large open air facilities, such as parks, stadia, exteriors of hospital buildings and carparks; while smaller drones equipped with ultraviolet disinfection technology can be directed to disinfect indoor spaces including offices, theatres and museums. Many disinfection drones are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to enable remote piloting or route programming.

Particularly as more and more members of the public return to work following the easing of lockdown measures, public transport remains a key infection vector, due to its inherent combination of large groups of people in an enclosed space with limited availability of time and resources to complete a full disinfection of each vehicle between journeys. Passenger transport manufacturing firm Irizar has developed smart technology solutions to address the issue of infection control on buses, including a smart access control camera system placed at the front of the bus. The smart camera is equipped with a temperature sensor, enabling it to detect passengers with an elevated body temperature above 37C; and AI programming which allows it to detect whether or not a potential passenger is wearing a face mask, alert the driver with an acoustic signal and indicate to the unmasked passenger that they may not board.

In partnership with the Spanish Ministry of Health, Irizar has also developed an automatic disinfection system for buses and coaches. This system consists of a fixed outlet installed in the vehicles interior, which sprays disinfectant throughout the vehicle through a pneumatic nebuliser system. The disinfection process itself takes between 15 and 30 minutes, but the vehicle cannot then be used for another three to four hours.

KC Technologies, a Chinese smart technology firm, has developed smart helmet headsets capable of detecting people with a fever from up to five metres away and emitting an acoustic alarm when the wearer is in proximity to someone with a heightened temperature. The helmet, which has already been adopted by police officers in the cities of Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen, is similar in appearance to a motorcycle helmet; and according to its developers, enables users to scan the body temperatures of hundreds of people and lock onto those with fever in less than two minutes. In addition to an integrated infrared body temperature sensor, the helmet is equipped with an facial recognition technology, an augmented reality visor enabling the user to view a subjects name and medical history, and a camera capable of scanning QR codes; as well as wifi, Bluetooth and 5G connectivity to facilitate the sharing of data with nearby hospitals.

Inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown to create the safest, most innovative, and most beautiful mask ever, Italian startup CLIU has developed a reusable face mask equipped with smart technology, featuring a transparent window allowing the users mouth to be visible to others, in order to optimise social engagement and avoid alienating people who rely on lip reading to communicate.

CLIU team member Fabrizio Lipani noted that the smart mask can be synced with a smartphone app, adding: CLIU offers the hi-tech version with integrated Bluetooth, microphone and GPS. Thanks to the dedicated app, you can check your CLIU to ensure it is functioning correctly. Additionally, you can check the filters consumption status and access real time information on your health, such as heart beats and breathing quality. Once the mask reaches the end of its lifespan, it can be dismantled and each component can be recycled.

This article is from issue 14 of Health Europa. Clickhere to get your free subscription today.

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Smart disinfection technology in the spotlight - Health Europa

Vail is betting that disinfection technology will make school, buildings safer during coronavirus – The Colorado Sun

VAIL Brian Counselman removes a panel from an intake vent beneath Vail Mountain School and a purple glow emanates from the duct.

Please dont ask me the specifics on this, says the longtime facilities manager of the 100,000 square-foot building.

The specifics of the Synexis Dry Hydrogen Peroxide biodefense system, the proprietary technology tucked into 86 ducts in the ceilings and walls of Vail Mountain School, are complicated, yet promising. Theyre also part of the reason the private school plans to begin educating its 450 students in classrooms five days a week later this month.

Although this building is among the first in Colorado to have the disinfection system installed, other school districts and public buildings are lining up for installation of the technology, too.

Deals are pending and demand is extremely strong in the state of Colorado, said Synexis Senior Vice President Douglas Bosma, who lives in the Vail Valley and whose children attend Vail Mountain School.

Its especially strong here in the high country, namely because we have gotten those big-name backers to go forward with the technology already, he said.

Bosma declined to name school districts or other municipalities that are interested in the system, saying he wanted to wait until deals were finalized.

Town of Vail officials looked at the Synexis system at Vail Mountain School and are planning to install dozens of the companys devices in public buildings and the towns 35 buses.

There is a simplicity of the system without needing chemical products that really piqued our interest right out of the gate, Town Manager Scott Robson said.

Vail is spending $160,000 on the first wave of installations in buses, town hall, recreation buildings and other indoor public spaces.

Robson said the town still is directing additional funds to additional cleaning, including use of electrostatic misting equipment to disinfect surfaces.

This is another tool in our cleaning effort, he said. I would expect that our initial use of this technology will grow. If you begin to look at the payback on our investment, we might be able to save on spending on additional chemicals and we wont have to close public facilities while we are cleaning. Its a pretty significant payback from a taxpayers perspective.

Robson said other municipalities are watching Vail and eager to see how the system works and how effective it is at controlling the spread of contagion.

At the end of the day, this is not just about public health, Robson said. Its about what are the tools we can implement to improve the economy and get society back to some level of normalcy.

Lenexa, Kansas-based Synexis was founded by James Lee, the inventor of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide gas technology.

Lee served in the U.S. Army specializing in defense against chemical, radiological and biological attacks and directed the chemistry department at West Point Academy. He founded Lee Antimicrobial in 2001 the predecessor to Synexis to help reduce the risk of microbial threats inside buildings using his patented Dry Hydrogen Peroxide biodefense systems.

Synexis has at least 17 patents, including one awarded last month for a device that produces non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas. The system uses UV radiation technology, which is widely used in wastewater treatment. The Synexis devices can be installed in rooms or ducts and produce hydrogen peroxide gas.

The company is purposely vague about just how the devices work but they use ultraviolet light and an air-permeable substrate structure to create the microbe-killing Dry Hydrogen Peroxide gas. The system requires air and humidity to activate the chemical process and is safe for breathing.

Vail Mountain School administrators arent saying how much they spent on the system, only that the amount was six figures. The devices, which run 24-hours a day all year long, are part of the K-12 schools contagion-limiting strategy that includes additional cleaning, masks, barriers and other protective equipment, and measures to limit crowding.

Head of School Michael Imperi hosted a town meeting last week with parents, faculty and staff to detail the schools safety plan for the coming academic year. Response to the new technology has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.

Lee built the technology as a tool to protect people inside buildings. Many systems can detect radiation or a chemical threat in real time but biological events are typically not recognized until there is a problem. The Synexis systems promise to eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, insects, pollen and other organic compounds that can be distributed through the air inside a building.

The Synexis team is busy as demand peaks for the systems. All sales pitches are based on data, facts and a scientific approach, Bosma said.

We do not go on hypotheticals, he said. Everything we state or present has been backed with nine to 10 years of validation and credibility and testing, not only in third-party lab settings but in real world interventions, too.

For example, after a virulent bug leveled 25 Los Angeles Dodgers players and staffers in February 2018, the baseball team installed the Synexis systems in the clubhouse and illness rates fell. Several other professional teams have installed the systems in training facilities and clubhouses. The list of teams includes the Tampa Bay Rays, the Kansas City Royals, the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals.

(Major League Baseball on Monday announced that 13 Cardinals players and staff tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week, on top of four of the teams players testing positive in early July. The team played four of its six games since the season restart at home, with two on the road in Minnesota.)

Synexis technicians measured microbial molecules in the air inside Vail Mountain School before installing the system and will return in two weeks to measure the bioburden essentially organic compounds in the air to gauge the effectiveness of the system.

In the initial testing, the technicians took samples in drawers and behind desks and other obscure spots to get a good baseline reading, Counselman said.

This is good for an independent school, said Kathleen Hogan, the schools director of marketing and communication. We have the (spacious) facility to make sure we keep kids distanced and we have the ability to invest in the technology.

The school, which charges $28,000 to $30,900 a year in tuition, will follow Eagle County public health guidelines but it is not tied to the mandates of the Eagle County School District.

Eagle County Schools last week released a 38-page guidebook for re-opening that includes details for mandatory masks, regular screenings and cleanings, and other strategies to limit crowding. Public schools will follow the countys epidemiological indicator that could require full remote learning for the first part of the school year if the number of new cases in the county does not fall soon.

(Since July 20, the number of new cases in Eagle County has fallen to a seven-day moving average of 6.29 cases, down from more than 15 in the middle of July.)

If Eagle County cases continue to fall, the district plans to begin in-person instruction four days a week for elementary and middle schools, beginning Aug. 25. High schoolers in the district will have a hybrid schedule blending remote and in-class instruction.

The plan has consequences for positive cases. If a single student tests positive for COVID-19, entire classes and even grade levels will be required to quarantine for 14 days, with some exceptions for teachers. Multiple positives will close schools for 14 days.

Vail Mountain School has an equally comprehensive plan in place and will follow the regulations issued by Eagle County public health officials.The school, like many in Colorados resort communities, has seen increasing demand for enrollment as urban families flee cities for homes in the mountains.

The schools gym has six of the Synexis devices. The library has four. The bigger classrooms have two and most of the rooms have one unit. Thats in addition to units on all six of the schools intake vents that distribute fresh air into the school.

One challenge: no one can leave windows open, which is a drawback for Vail, where late summer and fall temperatures are pleasant during the day.

There is a growing chorus of epidemiologists improving the science around the transmission of COVID-19. New peer-reviewed studies show the likelihood of catching the disease from a surface is low, contradicting earlier studies that suggested the virus could live on surfaces for as long as six days. The Synexis system cleans air as well as surfaces by spreading the hydrogen peroxide gas into every cubic inch of a room, Bosma said.

Its really giving a building an immune system, he said.

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Vail is betting that disinfection technology will make school, buildings safer during coronavirus - The Colorado Sun

NYNJA to Host Webinar on August 13, 2020 with Technology and Education Leaders to Discuss "How to Win With Remote University Learning" – The…

LAVALLETTE, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --NYNJA, the security-first, all-in-one communications platform for all your mission critical communications, announced today that it will host a webinar at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 13, to discuss the challenges and evolving best practices for university (and school) educators, administrators, and students to maintain "Education Continuity" while being remote.

Distinguished technology strategist, Shelly Palmerof the Palmer Group, will host / moderate a discussion about the future of virtual learning with some of the brightest leaders in technology and education including Casey Borman, Professor, UCLA Anderson School of Business, Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang, Education Without Walls, and JR Guerrieri, co-founder and CEO, NYNJA.

"There's a lot to be uncertain about right now, yet in today's digital age you can be certain that educators will chart new and productive paths forward for virtual learning," said Palmer. "I'm looking forward to facilitating a vibrant discussion with some of the brightest minds in education and technology, in order to super-charge these discussions and drive best practices for virtual learning."

The webinar discussion will focus on the pitfalls and emerging best practices, technology, features that remote educators will rely on, and in some cases adapt, to foster"Education Continuity."

"More will be done in the next few months to reshape and advance what's expected from the functionality and technology that's driving critical communications in education, then any other moment in time," said JR Guerrieri, Co-Founder and CEO, NYNJA Group. "It our passion to develop the backbone for high-level communications continuitythat educators, administrators and students can rely upon during this critical moment. But like any great technology, we also want to build the foundational thinking for how best to utilize this technology in an educational setting."

NYNJA's passion to develop safe, secure, flexible, and reliable communications for educators and students to connect, anywhere at any time and across a variety of Internet connections and this webinar aims to assist educators as they plan to drive curriculums this fall.

Visit http://www.NYNJA.workto learn more about our advanced communications offering.

About NYNJANYNJA is the fastest way to collaborate and communicate in one safe and secure platform, anyplace anytime.NYNJA is an all-in-one communication platform for webinars, live stream broadcasts, group messaging with automatic translations and transcription all in one safe secure platform.

NYNJA is currently available for global commercial use and can be downloaded from the company websiteNYNJA.workand the Samsung Galaxy store, Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

NYNJA lets users make voice and video calls to any communication device, schedule and run conference calls with screen sharing, and also share notes and files. The NYNJA platform features secure encryption of cloud data storage for saving messages, images and files.

Media Contact:Gary Yentin244781@email4pr.com416-464-2223

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NYNJA to Host Webinar on August 13, 2020 with Technology and Education Leaders to Discuss "How to Win With Remote University Learning" - The...

Compression Therapy Market Research Report by Product, by Technology, by Application – Global Forecast to 2025 – Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 -…

New York, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Compression Therapy Market Research Report by Product, by Technology, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913918/?utm_source=GNW

The Global Compression Therapy Market is expected to grow from USD 2,952.91 Million in 2019 to USD 3,768.92 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.15%.

Market Segmentation & Coverage:This research report categorizes the Compression Therapy to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Based on Product, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Bandage, Stocking, and Tape.

Based on Technology, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Dynamic Compression and Static Compression.

Based on Application, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Leg Ulcer Treatment and Varicose Vein Treatment.

Based on Geography, the Compression Therapy Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Company Usability Profiles:The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Compression Therapy Market including Arjo Huntleigh Healthcare India Private Ltd, Bio Compression Systems, Inc., BSN medical Inc., Julius Zorn GmbH, Medi GmbH & Co., Medtronic plc, PAUL HARTMANN AG, Smith & Nephew PLC, and Thuasne SA.

FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Compression Therapy Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

Competitive Strategic Window:The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.

Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments

The report answers questions such as:1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Compression Therapy Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Compression Therapy Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Compression Therapy Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Compression Therapy Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Compression Therapy Market?6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Compression Therapy Market?Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913918/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Can technology help save live music, and whats the future of gigs and festivals? – MusicRadar

After four months of silence for live music events, restrictions around the world are gradually being lifted and small concerts are starting to happen.

However, with the worry of secondary spikes in Coronavirus and local lockdowns happening across the globe, the future of the touring band is still uncertain.

Various solutions have been put forward, including the drive-in gig; perhaps not the live experience we are all yearning to return to, but at least it gets us out of the house and in front of our favourite musicians. However, Live Nation recently put a stop to plans for its Utilita Live From The Drive-In gigs, so where does that leave us?

The relatively new player on the live scene, TourLife, might just have the answer. For five years it has offered 'the complete touring package' for artists including The Game, Xzibit, Annie Mac, Charlie Sloth, Danny Howard, Defected Records, Ministry of Sound and more.

Like most live event companies, TourLife has taken a hit over the last few months, but the company's founder, Harry Parslow, has a unique insight into the world of touring and how several scenarios might play out in the coming months. And it turns out that the future of live music might well be brighter than we think

What is your background in live events and music?

I went to my first concert when I was 14 that my gran bought me tickets for! It was Xzibit, the rapper, a huge US star. I didn't realise how things worked and started queuing six hours before it even started.

Just being there so early I saw how things worked - the staff, the security, the merch, the manager and the tour buses turning up and some of what goes into making a tour happen. It just sparked something in me and I just thought 'what a cool job!'

I ended up studying media at college and started creating behind-the-scenes touring films and interviewing artists. I was contacting management companies and offering my services and ended up on tour for a month with Bowling For Soup's Jaret Reddick and his side project People On Vacation.

I realised that there was so much more to touring and live events - from the merchandise printing to the security, all those different roles - but every single one was handled by a different company. That's where the first idea for TourLife came into play - me thinking 'how could this be easier and more streamlined?'

It quickly grew into the umbrella company that I envisaged covering everything from tour management to meet and greets, photography to merchandise, and we have since worked with some big names including Radio One stars Annie Mac and Danny Howard, T-Pain and even Xzibit for both his US and European tours.

What is the current situation regarding live music and events in the UK?

The mood was positive with the Live Nation drive-in venture [featuring artists including The Streets and Gary Numan playing drive-in concerts] and other social distanced festivals, but now Live Nation has cancelled it because of the local lockdowns which was a let down but understandable - safety comes first.

How is TourLife adapting to the current situation?

Last year, purely by luck, we decided to reinvest a considerable amount of what we made into live streaming equipment, so we've been focussing on things like DJ streams and having DJs come to our studio with plug-n-play kit so we haven't needed large staff numbers at all. We've had Island Records do a big live stream and people like the DJ James Hype.

So you see live streaming gigs as a possible 'live' future?

I do firmly believe that you still can't beat a live performance, so I think we are safe knowing that they will return. Going to a concert, meeting new people, going out for drinks before and making a day of it is so important. Zoom can't compete with that, either for the artist or the fan. However, live streaming is a great way of bringing a musician's experience to their fans on a global scale, and from the audience's perspective, they can still get to enjoy their favourite artist while being in the comfort of their own home.

Pandemic or no pandemic, musicians and bands have a deep-rooted passion to engage with an audience. Whilst many took to social media to connect with fans during lockdown, as the social distancing rules have progressed, weve seen a huge number of requests from artists to take their virtual offering to the next level.

So how does a live streaming gig work?

We have two key principles. Firstly, it is essential that the experience is as easy for the musician as possible to ensure they can focus on the artistry; secondly to make sure the experience is rewarding for both the performer and the fans.

We provide everything from the safe transportation of the artist and their band to the studio, through to working closely with them and their management to create a unique online event at our purpose-built space.

Pandemic or no pandemic, musicians and bands have a deep-rooted passion to engage with an audience.

For those artists who require an even greater level of finish to their output, our own in-house creative team can also record these events as live and then put them through post-production for broadcast at a later date. Our studio really is a blank canvas and can be used for any and all projects. These events can then be streamed live from our studio to multiple platforms with or without an additional paywall.

Meaning the artists can actually make some money by playing live?

Yes - for artists to make an income they can broadcast from our studio but sell virtual tickets. Then we do a virtual concert and even merchandising, so as the live stream happens merchandise comes up on the screen and it says 'this is for sale' and fans can order it online. There can even be a 'pay what you want' option if the band has a fanbase which is less affluent.

In the medium term how do you think 'real' live events will return and with what kinds of guidelines in place?

I fear we may not see the return of live events in the format we know and love until the beginning of 2021. Small audiences will be able to reconnect with musicians but large stadium tours we may have to wait a little longer for.

This doesnt mean that audiences wont be able to enjoy live performances across a breadth of new channels and platforms such as live streaming and through a modified outdoor experience that we have seen since the announcement from the government this month.

In terms of guidance, a number of associations, such as the Event Industry Alliance, have put together guidelines for event organisers and our industry is no stranger to stringent health and safety and risk assessments.

What is clear is that the desire for the live experience has not dwindled. Punters are happy to flout government laws to attend illegal raves all over the country which, whilst I do not condone, should give the live event industry hope for a successful return.

Do you think the drive-in gig idea still has legs?

The US has had a drive-in movie culture in place for many decades, but to date that has never really taken hold in the UK. And is it great for musicians? Perhaps as an interim solution, but the physical barrier of the car may diminish the artist/audience connection and so I do feel that drive-ins are perhaps better placed for movies.

That said, I dont think we ever say 'no' to a new way of bringing audiences and musicians together. If the model becomes popular, and people are enjoying seeing movies and live acts, comedians and theatre shows in this format, then it's great to have another outlet for the arts.

What about the idea of the socially distanced festival?

On paper, it should work. However, as much as these events might allow people to have a glimpse into the unique UK festival culture, there is nothing that can match an awe-inspiring experience such as standing in front of the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. I think if I had to take the decision as a promoter I think I would probably be holding off, and focussing on the physical event in 2021, when hopefully we will see a return to what we know and love.

So, long term, is the future of live music bright?

Yes! And not only is it looking bright, I also think we are going to see some major positive changes within the industry as live streaming could well allow a secondary global audience to enjoy an event.

I also think the whole industry is going to come away from this and reevaluate what the traditional touring model looks like. In recent years we have seen concert venues and festival organisers embracing more sustainable practices and artists exploring technological advances to connect with their audience and I think these conversations will continue.

While COVID-19 will sadly mean a number of business casualties in our industry, there is strength in building a future together ready for the next normal. The appetite from both musicians and fans is there - its our job to use some of the amazing innovations and technology to take our industry into the next chapter of development and growth.

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Can technology help save live music, and whats the future of gigs and festivals? - MusicRadar

There’s a new open-source project to detect cellphone-snooping technology – CyberScoop

Written by Sean Lyngaas Aug 5, 2020 | CYBERSCOOP

In October 2016, during popular protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a technologist named Cooper Quintin took a red-eye flight from San Francisco to North Dakota and made his way to the Standing Rock Reservation.

There had been reports of police surveillance of the protesters, and Quintin suspected that involved a device known as an IMSI catcher or cell-site simulator. The technology, sometimes referred to as a Stingray, spoofs a cellular tower, tricking your phone into revealing its location. From there, data-stealing attacks on the phone are possible. Police and spies use the gear for surveillance.

At Standing Rock, Quintin took out his software-defined radio, scanning for abnormal signals, and opened up an Android app known for spotting IMSI catchers. He didnt get any hits.

I had no idea what I was doing, said Quintin, a security researcher at the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation. He was using technology designed for 2G wireless networks, leaving him blind to IMSI catchers on 4G networks, if they were indeed there.

Nearly four years later, he has a better idea of what hes doing. This week, Quintin and an EFF colleague who goes by Yomna are releasing an open-source project they designed to track IMSI catchers running on 4G networks. The Crocodile Hunter, as the software and hardware kit is called, includes code that measures an areas cellular network, and an application programming interface that gathers data and shares it with other researchers.

None of the previous IMSI catcher detector apps really do the job anymore, Quintin said in a video recording to be shown Thursday at the DEF CON virtual hacking conference.

The goal is to hone the Crocodile Hunters accuracy over time to more clearly map where mobile-surveillance devices are deployed. Im specifically interested in how often they are being used to spy on protests and uprisings in the U.S. and around the world, Quintin told CyberScoop. The gear will be tested in Washington, D.C., and New York City, and in Latin America through the Fake Antenna Detection Project, he said.

If the tech works, it should get plenty of hits. Cell-site simulators have long been popular with both local cops and federal law enforcement agencies. The Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency used the devices more than 400 times from 2017 to 2019, according to government records obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Theres also the chance that the Crocodile Hunter will stumble upon an espionage operation. In March 2018, DHSs cybersecurity agency acknowledged that there appeared to be unauthorized IMSI catchers in the Washington, D.C., area. A subsequent report from Politico said Israeli spies were likely involved.

In hunting for IMSI catchers, technology only gets you so far. Once you have accurate coordinates of a suspicious cellular base station, you typically have to uncover the device in person. If the Crocodile Hunter gains traction, that could lead to some awkward encounters between tech-savvy sleuths and whoever is on the other end of the signal. I have no idea how I would react in that situation, Quintin said of the possibility of a run-in with a spy.

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There's a new open-source project to detect cellphone-snooping technology - CyberScoop

TransAct Technologies Expands the BOHA! Ecosystem with Employee Wellness Screenings – Business Wire

HAMDEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TransAct Technologies Incorporated (Nasdaq: TACT) (TransAct or the Company), a global leader in software-driven technology and printing solutions for high-growth markets, today announced the launch of its Employee Wellness Screenings function through the companys industry leading BOHA! ecosystem. This new BOHA! module will streamline operators COVID-19 employee health checks by eliminating the need for cumbersome pen-and-paper forms with a convenient mobile app that will either greenlight employees that can work or identify employees that need to stay home.

As restaurants adjust to the new normal of operating standards, Operators are now faced with a multitude of new health and safety protocols. Our BOHA! Employee Wellness module offers a safe and secure employee screening process. As employees arrive to work they use BOHA! Wellness on a tablet or handheld to fill out a wellness questionnaire, including if their temperature is in or out of range. The app can automatically alert the manager to send someone home and even staff at the Corporate office can get a report with employee screening results for one or all locations. The new BOHA! Employee Wellness module gives food service operators an intuitive digital solution, with powerful reporting and analytics that provides critical insights into how these programs are being managed at the location level. Ensuring the health and safety of all employees and patrons is of the utmost importance and we are excited to offer this solution to our customers, said Bart C. Shuldman, Chairman and CEO of TransAct Technologies.

Learn more about BOHA! Employee Wellness here.

The new BOHA! Employee Wellness function can be included as part of the broader BOHA! COVID Readiness and Prevention Program that includes COVID-related checklists, Digital Menus and Clean2Eat labels. The BOHA! COVID Readiness and Prevention Program ensures employee safety while reinforcing new and updated standard operating procedures with digital accuracy and accountability so operators can reopen and operate in the safest, cleanest, most compliant way possible for both employees and guests.

BOHA! is the first single-vendor solution to combine applications for Grab N Go Labeling, Food Safety Labeling, Temperature Monitoring of Food and Equipment, Inventory Management, Timers, Food Recalls, Checklists & Procedures, Equipment Service Management and Delivery Management in one integrated platform. Each BOHA! solution combines cloud-based SaaS applications with hardware and accessories to deliver superior results for critical back-of-house operations. BOHA! offers a one-stop solution for restaurants and food service companies to address their current back-of-house operating requirements while providing a future-ready platform capable of addressing back-of-house operations. BOHA! Terminal TEMS ensures only approved apps and functions are available on the device.

For more information on the Companys BOHA! ecosystem, please visit http://www.transact-tech.com/restaurant-solutions/boha.

About TransAct Technologies Incorporated

TransAct Technologies Incorporated is a global leader in developing software-driven technology and printing solutions for high-growth markets including food service, casino and gaming, POS automation, and oil and gas. The Companys solutions are designed from the ground up based on customer requirements and are sold under the BOHA!, AccuDate, EPICENTRAL, Epic, Ithaca and Printrex brands. TransAct has sold over 3.3 million printers and terminals around the world and is committed to providing world-class service, spare parts and accessories to support its installed product base. Through the TransAct Services Group, the Company also provides customers with a complete range of supplies and consumable items both online at http://www.transactsupplies.com and through its direct sales team. TransAct is headquartered in Hamden, CT. For more information, please visit http://www.transact-tech.com or call (203) 859-6800.

BOHA! is a trademark of TRANSACT Technologies Incorporated. 2019 TRANSACT Technologies Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or other similar words. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, customer acceptance and market share gains, both domestically and internationally, in the face of substantial competition from competitors that have broader lines of products and greater financial resources; our competitors introducing new products into the marketplace; our ability to successfully develop and introduce new products and the acceptance of such products in the marketplace; our dependence on significant customers; our dependence on significant vendors; dependence on contract manufacturers for the assembly of a large portion of our products in Asia; our ability to protect intellectual property; our ability to recruit and retain quality employees as the Company grows; our dependence on third parties for sales outside the United States, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Latin America and Asia; the economic and political conditions in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Latin America and Asia; marketplace acceptance of new products; risks associated with foreign operations; the availability of third-party components at reasonable prices; price wars or other significant pricing pressures affecting the Company's products in the United States or abroad; risks associated with potential future acquisitions; the risk that our new line of food safety and oil and gas products will not drive increased adoption by customers; and other risk factors detailed in TransAct's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no duty to update them to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances.

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TransAct Technologies Expands the BOHA! Ecosystem with Employee Wellness Screenings - Business Wire

Powering Chicago Releases eBook Focused on Technology Solutions to Help Commercial Properties Reopen – PRNewswire

CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Powering Chicago, the voice of the unionized electrical industry in Chicago and suburban Cook County, announced today the release of a new eBook highlighting a variety of technology modifications that can be implemented at commercial properties to limit touchpoints in the office and generally make the environment safer for reentry as tenants return in the coming months.

Designed as an informational resource for owners, managers and tenants of commercial properties, The Contactless OfficeeBook includes an overview of technology solutions that can be installed in almost any commercial property to limit opportunities for virus transmission. Implementation considerations are included for each technology featured, helping those developing reopening plans determine what modifications can be applied to meet their specific needs.

Examples of technologies that can be retrofitted at existing commercial properties or installed during new construction to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases include thermal camera screening systems that passively monitor for elevated body temperature among all those who pass through the area; germicidal ultraviolet lighting; air filtration and HVAC controls to automate the process to circulate external air through the building, which the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas suggested is one way employers can help reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in enclosed spaces; touch-free light switches, bathroom fixtures and elevator controls; and automatic doors, among others.

"Absent a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19, a widespread return to the workplace requires a broad evaluation of how office spaces have traditionally been set up and a plan to modify the environment in ways that minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection," said Powering Chicago Director Elbert Walters III. "With technology, we can create a largely contactless work experience for employees and install systems that help building managers more efficiently control the environment they're responsible for maintaining."

Though the full impact of the pandemic cannot yet be determined, recent studies indicate that a permanent shift away from traditional work environments is unlikely. According to a Cushman & Wakefield study published in June, personal connections and bonding are suffering as a result of remote work, particularly among younger employees. Additionally, a separate study completed by Gensler in May that surveyed more than 2,300 U.S. employees found that just 12 percent want to work from home full-time.

"There's a strong desire by everyone right now to get back to a more normal day-to-day work experience, and applying the technologies highlighted in our eBook is one way to help move Chicagoland toward the achievement of that goal," Walters said. "While this alone cannot eliminate the possibility of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, those responsible for planning a return to commercial properties should be considering these modifications as important elements in more comprehensive strategies to minimize the risk of reopening."

To learn more about technology solutions provided by the unionized electrical industry that can be deployed to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to download the eBook, visit the Powering Chicago website.

About Powering Chicago

Bringing together the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 electricians and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of City of Chicago, Powering Chicago is an electrical industry labor-management partnership that invests in consistently better construction, better careers and better communities within the metro Chicago region. Employing the latest technology, its members are elevating industry performance through their commitment to safety, level of experience and reliability, while also investing in the future of skilled labor through an innovative apprenticeship program that is paving the way for the next generation of skilled electricians. For additional information, visitpoweringchicago.com.

SOURCE Powering Chicago

Powering Chicago

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Powering Chicago Releases eBook Focused on Technology Solutions to Help Commercial Properties Reopen - PRNewswire

Can We Outrun Dark Energy In The Race To See The Universe? – Forbes

There is a large suite of scientific evidence that supports the picture of the expanding Universe ... [+] and the Big Bang, complete with dark energy. The late-time accelerated expansion is driving galaxies away from each other and rendering them unreachable, but there may be a way out.

For the first 7.8 billion years, the Universe unfolded exactly as scientists would have expected in the aftermath of the Big Bang. The Universe started off expanding at a tremendously rapid rate, while the gravitational influence of all the matter and energy worked to slow that expansion down. In many ways, the expanding Universe was a race between these two contenders: the initial expansion, which drives the material in the Universe apart, and gravitation, which works to pull everything back together. The Universe was a race, and the Big Bang was a starting gun.

But about 6 billion years ago, the unexpected occurred. The initial expansion didnt win; gravitation didnt win; nor did the two add up to some perfectly balanced tie. Instead, an extra effects began to show up, as though some new phenomenon was causing the expansion rate to speed up once again. This phenomenon known today as dark energy was first uncovered back in the 1990s, and the evidence for it has grown to reach overwhelming proportions today. It leads to an unsettling, empty, lonely fate for our Universe, but we still have some hope of outrunning it. Heres how.

The four possible fates of our Universe into the future; the last one appears to be the Universe we ... [+] live in, dominated by dark energy. Our observations of the Universe are not consistent without the inclusion of dark energy.

When we look back at a distant object in the Universe, were not seeing it exactly as it is today. Were not even seeing it exactly as it was when the light was emitted from it, either. Instead, what we actually observe is a combination of two effects:

That second effect is tremendously informative, because it tells us that if we can understand how mass, gravitation, motion, and emission and absorption take place, we can use all of the leftover information to reconstruct how the Universe has expanded over its history. By measuring sources at different distances from us and hence, with different light-travel times to our eyes we can learn how the Universe has expanded over its history.

The full suite of data can not only distinguish between a Universe with and without dark matter and ... [+] dark energy, but can teach us how the Universe has expanded over its history. It's very clear that the solid magenta line is the best fit to the data, favoring a Universe dominated by dark energy with no spatial curvature.

This is where that big surprise of dark energy came from: from the fact that, over the most recent 6 billion years, weve seen the Universe expand at a different rate than what the known forms of matter and radiation, even including dark matter, would indicate. It means that either:

Either way, however, what we see occurring is the same. On small scales, gravitation can win many individual battles throughout the Universe, creating star clusters, individual galaxies, galaxy groups, and even large galaxy clusters, some of which merge together over time.

The "raisin bread" model of the expanding Universe, where relative distances increase as the space ... [+] (dough) expands. Note that the more distant each raisin is from any other raisin, the faster it will appear to expand away from it.

On larger scales, however, gravity always loses out. This extra component to the Universe whether its a new force, a new source of energy, a new field, or a new understanding of gravity determines the fate of the Universe on the greatest cosmic scales of all. Whatever was gravitationally bound by the time the Universe reached 7.8 billion years of age will remain bound for all of cosmic time. But whatever wasnt yet bound together will never get there; these unbound structures will all expand away from one another, never to meet again.

You can visualize the Universe as a three-dimensional ball of bread dough with raisins distributed unevenly, even randomly, throughout it. The raisins each represent a bound individual structure: a galaxy, a group of galaxies, or even a massive galaxy cluster. The dough represents the fabric of space. As the dough expands in all three dimensions, the individual raisins all get farther apart. The farther apart two raisins initially are, the faster theyll appear to move away from each other the more that time goes on.

Our local supercluster, Laniakea, contains the Milky Way, our local group, the Virgo cluster, and ... [+] many smaller groups and clusters on the outskirts. However, each group and cluster is bound only to itself, and will be driven apart from the others due to dark energy and our expanding Universe. After 100 billion years, even the nearest galaxy beyond our own local group will be approximately a billion light years away, making it many thousands, and potentially millions of times fainter than the nearest galaxies appear today.

Because the Universe has dark energy in it, we know that every galaxy within our Local Group including the Milky Way, Andromeda, the Triangulum Galaxy, both Magellanic Clouds, and perhaps ~60 other dwarf galaxies is bound to us, meaning we behave as though were all part of the same raisin in the raisin bread.

But when we look out at any other raisin in the Universe, which can be any galaxy, galaxy group, or galaxy cluster beyond our own, heres what we find instead.

Given that we can see for 46 billion light-years in all directions, that means that already, only 6 billion years into the era of dark energy dominance, 94% of the presently observable Universe is already permanently unreachable.

The size of our visible Universe (yellow), along with the amount we can reach (magenta). The limit ... [+] of the visible Universe is 46.1 billion light-years, as that's the limit of how far away an object that emitted light that would just be reaching us today would be after expanding away from us for 13.8 billion years. However, beyond about 18 billion light-years, we can never access a galaxy even if we traveled towards it at the speed of light.

Or, at least, its unreachable if the following two things are true:

But either one of those assumptions can be wrong, and there are many different scenarios that can keep the rest of the Universe from speeding away until its forever beyond our reach. If we simply stayed put in our own Milky Way and waited for long enough, the night skies beyond our own Local Group (or whatever remains of it after all the galaxies have merged together) would be completely empty, with only the fading light from long-gone galaxies to keep us company. Here are the three most interesting ways we could possibly circumvent dark energy and visit the distant Universe for ourselves.

The far distant fates of the Universe offer a number of possibilities, but if dark energy is truly a ... [+] constant, as the data indicates, it will continue to follow the red curve. If it's not, however, a Big Crunch could still be in play, particularly if dark energy either drops in intensity or reverses its sign.

1.) Dark energy evolves over time. The best data we have, from the cosmic microwave background and the large-scale clustering of galaxies, points to dark energy being completely constant over time. But that isnt necessarily the case, as many different variable field scenarios can lead to dark energy changing strength (or even sign) over time. If dark energy either becomes weaker or becomes negative, rather than positive, the expansion will slow down and possibly even reverse, making these galaxies reachable again.

Measuring the necessary galaxies to test for this is also one of the major science goals of the Nancy Roman Telescope, which NASA is slated to construct and launch as its next astrophysics flagship mission after James Webb. Right now, our best observations show that dark energy is consistent with a cosmological constant, but with an uncertainty of about 12% on that figure. Roman will give us a measure of dark energy thats about 10 times more sensitive than our present data, teaching us if dark energy is different than our simple expectations by as little as 1%.

An artist's conception of a starship making use of the Alcubierre drive to travel at apparently ... [+] faster-than-light speeds. By compressing the space in front of you and expanding the space behind you, you could theoretically travel to a distant destination faster than special relativity allows.

2.) Bending or folding space enables us to take a cosmic short-cut. Sick of being limited by the speed of light in your attempts to journey through the Universe? Arent we all. Well, the idea of Star Treks Warp Drive might still be science fiction, but theres a real-life scientific possibility of making it a reality: the Alcubierre drive. In Einsteins General Relativity, its possible to fold, bend, or otherwise distort the fabric of space, enabling a fantastic possibility: compressing the space in front of you at the expense of expanding the space behind you.

If we could make this a reality, we could theoretically compress the space ahead of us, travel through it at a slower-than-light speed, and then arrive at a destination appearing to have traveled faster than light could! The only downside is to make this theoretical possibility a reality, wed need some form of negative energy or negative mass to exist. Theres an experiment happening at CERN right now to measure whether antimatter falls down or up in a gravitational field; if it falls up, the Alcubierre Drive might become a reality!

A scalar field in a false vacuum state. Note that the energy E is higher than that in the true ... [+] vacuum or ground state, but there is a barrier preventing the field from classically rolling down to the true vacuum. Note also how the lowest-energy (true vacuum) state is allowed to have a finite, positive, non-zero value. A smooth transition might not destroy the Universe.

3.) Dark energy is bound to inevitably decay. Perhaps dark energy only appears to have a constant energy density for the time being, and that given enough time, it will decay in some fashion. While much has been made of vacuum decay or the possibility that an immediate transition will knock the energy inherent to space down to a lower value, destroying the Universe as we know it instantly there are other forms of decay that are gradual and non-lethal, such as a conversion of energy from one form into another.

Its possible that this could simply result in the creation of a low density of particles: somewhere around one proton per cubic meter of space, at the cost of virtually eliminating dark energy. If this occurred, the expansion rate would change dramatically, as the Universe would immediately begin slowing down again. All of the distant galaxies, even the ones that appear unreachable today, would suddenly be within the reach of a relativistic spaceship. At close to the speed of light, we could potentially travel anywhere in the known Universe.

The travel time for a spacecraft to reach a destination if it accelerates at a constant rate of ... [+] Earth's surface gravity. Note that, given enough time, you can go anywhere in the visible Universe, particularly if dark energy no longer plays a role.

Its always possible, and we must always keep this possibility in mind, that something is wrong with our current understanding. Perhaps our measurements are biased and have led us to an incorrect conclusion, but that would require an enormous number of independent lines of evidence all being biased in the same way. Perhaps weve got the laws of gravity wrong; perhaps we live in a very special and unusual region of the Universe thats causing us to wrongly conclude that dark energy exists; perhaps theres a novel force or interaction that exists that we simply havent properly identified.

In science, however, we base our conclusions on the full suite of data and evidence we have at our disposal, keeping in mind that they may change over time as we gain new and better information. The expansion rate is changing over time in a way that requires dark energy as the dominant component in our Universe, and dark energy is consistent with it being a cosmological constant: its energy density doesnt appear to change with time. Unless dark energy reveals itself as something different or we find a short-cut through space, the majority of the observable Universe is forever beyond our reach already.

Excerpt from:

Can We Outrun Dark Energy In The Race To See The Universe? - Forbes

Inside The Virgin Galactic Spacecraft That Aims To Take You To Space – Tatler Philippines

Travel enthusiasts and aspiring astronauts have a new aircraft to add to their bucket listVirgin Galactic has revealed the cabin interior of its highly anticipated SpaceshipTwo vehicle live on YouTube yesterday.

In just my second week as Virgin Galactics CEO, it is with great pride that I can lead our talented teams in revealing this latest milestone in our journey to space, Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic said in a press release. The spaceship cabin interior is in many ways the design centrepiece of the astronaut journey and what has been created will both facilitate and elevate a uniquely profound and transformational journey for the thousands who will fly.

The spacecraft itself was built in collaboration with London design agency, Seymourpowell, to include a sense of safety without distraction, so travellers can focus on absorbing periods of sensory intensity while offering each traveler a level of intimacy required to fully absorb the unforgettable experience.

In terms of aesthetics, the color palette of the cabin was curated to complement the architecture of the seats, the spacecraft itself, and the Under Armour-made astronaut spacesuits, with the golden metallics made to resemble desert sands and blues inspired by the celestial spaces and oceans below.

The seats have been made to match the dynamism of the flight, with a built-in, pilot-controlled recline mechanism which will position astronauts to manage G-forces during takeoff and landing phases while also freeing up space to allow for travelers to float through the cabin in zero gravity zones.

When we created Virgin Galactic, we started with what we believed would be an optimal customer experience and then built the spaceship around it, said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, adding that, we will continue with that ethos as we expand our fleet, build our operations and underpin Virgin Galactics position as the Spaceline for Earth.

The event also noted that the latest milestone will be available on a new, cutting-edge augmented reality enabled mobile app, which will be available to download for free at the App Store and Play Store before space tourists will officially be able to take off. We hope the new app will help bring the dream of space one step closer for space enthusiasts everywhere, added Colglazier.

Aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts can now reserve front of the line access to the newly released spaceflight roundtrip for a US$1,000 deposit. For more information or to reserve your seat, be sure to check out the official Virgin Galactic website.

See also:Tatler's Guide to Going to Outer Space

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Inside The Virgin Galactic Spacecraft That Aims To Take You To Space - Tatler Philippines

What the airplane cabin of the future might look like – CNN

(CNN) The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things -- the way we socialize, work, and the way we travel.

In a newly released concept, UK-based design studio PriestmanGoode has developed a post-pandemic cabin to focus on hygiene and personal space and keep passengers safe and relaxed.

Firstly, the firm has reimagined business and economy class. Passengers in "pure skies zones" -- previously known as economy -- will sit in a staggered seat configuration so that they can travel alone, as a couple, or in groups. Dividing screens are also placed at the end of every other row to further separate travelers, while in-flight entertainment systems have been removed in favor of the passenger's own devices.

Passengers will sit in a staggered seat configuration so they can travel in the group of their choosing.

PriestmanGoode

But some things never change: Flying business is always more fun than economy.

Those seated in "pure skies rooms" will fly in a fully enclosed personal space, partitioned by curtains and complete with light and temperature control systems, as well as a personal wardrobe and overhead storage and an in-flight entertainment system synchronized to the passenger's devices.

In-flight entertainment systems have been removed in favor of the passenger's own devices in "pure skies zones," previously known as economy.

PriestmanGoode

As well as comfort, the cabin also boasts hygiene credentials, with minimal split line seat design and antimicrobial materials.

The studio has also incorporated heat, ultraviolet UVC cleaning and fogging as part of the cabin's pre-boarding process, and notes that touch-free features run through the cabin.

"We've looked ahead to imagine future scenarios and taken into account new passenger behaviors driven by the global pandemic to ensure our designs can be implemented within a few years and will meet user and airline requirements for many years ahead," Nigel Goode, co-founding director at PriestmanGoode, said in a statement.

Although the cabins won't be a part of your travel experience in the immediate future -- according to PriestmanGoode, it can take three years to develop and certify them -- the firm thinks they will stand the test of time.

"With both passengers and airline employees at the heart of this project, we have not only taken on board present anxieties but also tried to ensure our solutions are future-proofed against future pandemics, recognizing the significant commitment and investment involved," he added.

The firm envisages design features made from antimicrobial materials.

PriestmanGoode

The company hopes that, through a combination of innovative design features, touch-free technology and material innovation, airlines will be able to both improve personal space and hygiene and reassure passengers -- which, they say, will be vital for the airline industry, even after the pandemic.

In a revised baseline, the body, which represents 290 airlines, forecast that international passenger traffic will drop 55% in 2020, compared to 2019, blaming the sluggish recovery on a number of factors, including a lack of consumer confidence, the decline in business travel, and fresh coronavirus case spikes.

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What the airplane cabin of the future might look like - CNN

The craziest contract demands revealed, including no space travel, weight clauses and cooking lessons – The Irish Sun

PLAYERS are valuable commodities.

So when they thrash out contracts with the world's biggest clubs, its important to get everything right and nothing's left to chance.

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But there are times when stipulations are put in place by player and club to protect their interests, to let them fulfil their hobbies, or managers just don't trust them.

SunSport looks back at the wackiest requested to and by players.

When the Polish forward was at Borussia Dortmund in the last year of his contract Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were jostling for his signature.

And in leaked documents, Real Madrid's offer seemed lucrative.

Alongside a 166,000-per-week deal and a 10million signing-on fee were several requests they didn't want daredevil Lewandowski to do while he was their property.

Skiing, paragliding, climbing, going on a motorboat and even riding a motorbike were big 'no-nos' for Real Madrid's hierarchy... so that's why signed for Bayern.

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WHEN negotiating a contract, its important to be 100 per cent clear about what is being stipulated.

When German forward Reina moved to Arminia Bielefeld in 1996, he demanded the club build him a house for every year of his contract.

The club accepted.

However, Reina didnt specify what size he required.

And Arminia provided him with a house made of Lego for the next three years.

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FORMER Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder was excluded from Argentinas 1998 World Cup squad for a bizarre reason.

Manager Daniel Passarella had refused to pick homosexuals or players with earrings and long hair.

Redondo was guilty of the latter.

He said: I was in great form. But Passarella had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut.

I didnt see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.

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CONGOLESE midfielder moved from Karlsruher to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999.

However, he had one simple request: that his new club pay for his wife to have cooking lessons.

Were not sure Mrs Guie-Mien took too kindly to this demand.

Though, she was not available for comment at the time.

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THE SWEDE moved to Sunderland in 1999 but the Wearsiders had one stipulation the former Arsenal man had to adhere to.

Schwarz was told that any potential flights into space would not be tolerated.

The Black Cats chief exec John Flicking said at the time: One of Schwarzs advisers has, indeed, got one of the places on the commercial flights [into space, due to take place in 2002].

And we were worried that he may wish to take Stefan along with him. So we thought wed better get things tied up now rather than at the time of the flight.

In fact, rather than managing to go up, his career ended when Sunderland went down in 2003.

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THE former defender once admitted to eating 212 steak and kidney pies every year.

And Crystal Palace were advised Ruddock did come with some extra baggage when they signed him on a free in 2000.

Ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan wrote in his autobiography: On approaching West Ham I discovered he was a free transfer, although he did have a weighty salary which was not the only weighty thing about him.

Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager at the time, told me to put in a weight clause.

So I decided to put a 10 per cent penalty on the contract we were proposing to offer him if he was over the recommended weight of 99.8kg, which by the way was still frigging huge.

Ruddocks Palace debut was allegedly delayed because the club couldnt find a pair of shorts big enough for him.

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MORE recently Japanese legend Keisuke Honda joined Botafogo.

But moving to Brazil's crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro had the midfielder fearing for his safety.

So he stipulated he would need an ARMOURED VEHICLE as part of the deal.

More incredibly, Botafogo agreed.

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The craziest contract demands revealed, including no space travel, weight clauses and cooking lessons - The Irish Sun

‘Nuclear fusion can follow in the footsteps of solar cells’ – Innovation Origins

For someone who wants everyone to switch to solar panels, Auke tweeted something quite noteworthy. He explained how we can accelerate the development of nuclear energy by designing and rigorously testing nuclear power plants in the digital world. For many scientists, engineers, and other nuclear energy experts, building a power plant is, as Auke says, a once in a lifetime project. And it is precisely this reason why the technology lags behind solar cells. After all, the latter is made in smaller quantities and far more frequently, resulting in more rapid advances in the technology. The idea behind this is that the more often you do something, the more you learn from it.

Im not an opponent! I just think its currently too expensive and slow. I dont fear it very much (I think climate change is a much bigger threat) but I understand it. Current power plants can get overheated and get a melt down, but the chance is very small. When atoms are split, radioactive waste is produced, which can also be used to make bombs. Every country with nuclear energy that wants to make a bomb can do so. And storing waste safely for tens of thousands of years is no small challenge either.

That fear mainly has to do with current nuclear fission, that splits uranium atoms in large plants. I think things like thorium power plants dont have these issues but development takes too long. And I love the idea of producing smaller powerplants but this is at current just an idea.

What attracts me more is nuclear fusion, where the atomic nuclei are not split but instead merged together. They are smaller atoms and are very common they are found in seawater, for example. 1 gram of nuclear fusion material produces as much energy as 4000 kg of oil. The beauty of it is that some of the atoms that are necessary for fusion are released during the reaction. So, this means an infinite form of energy in theory.

Whats more, nuclear fusion is a lot safer than nuclear fission. If a reactor breaks down, the reaction process also stops. In addition, far less radioactive waste is released and what is released is only radioactive for 100 years, rather than thousands of years.

Nuclear fusion is exceptionally complex. It is the same process that also turns the sun into a warm ball of light. Simulating this on earth outside a lab and on a commercial scale requires considerable effort. In order to do this, you have to put atoms under extreme pressure and even higher temperatures. They use plasma to do that a very hot gas which is held in place by a magnetic field, Auke explains.

In France, construction has been underway since 2013 on the largest fusion reactor in the world, the ITER. Involved in the project are the EU, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. The reactor must be completed by 2025 in order to carry out the first tentative experiments. The project has a price tag of almost 30 billion. Just think about it, this is the first one on such a massive scale. It is extremely expensive and the construction will take more than 20 years. For many of those involved, this is the only time they will ever be involved with something like this. And therefore the only time they can learn anything from it. That got me thinking. How can fusion technology follow in the footsteps of solar cells?

With every doubling of production, solar cells become 20% cheaper. Over the past 50 years, theyve become 100 times cheaper. And if you look at this picture (see below), youll see that their yearly production is skyrocketing and that makes them cheaper. In the beginning, everyone was yelling that solar cells would only be suitable for space travel, but take a look now! These developments are exponential. This is because we can make solar cells relatively quickly and in small quantities. And with every new incarnation, a new generation emerges where faults from the previous series are fixed. In turn, everyone is able to build on the knowledge that has been gained, so developments gain rapid momentum.

In Aukes view, we underestimate the impact of exponential growth. In order to illustrate how fast this happens, he recounts the story of Sissa, a mythical Indian figure who invented the game of chess. The king asked how he could reward him for this invention. Simple, I want one grain of rice multiplied by itself again and again for each square on the chessboard. A simple reward indeed, the king thought. But he wasnt a very good mathematician. 1 became 2, to 4, 8, 16, 32, and so on. It soon became apparent that the king didnt have enough grains of rice to pay the reward.

When I was designing my house, I did it all digitally. I was able to virtually walk through my house with a pair of VR glasses. I could adjust things in detail and see what the effect was. An architect used to make artistic sketches, which were translated by a technical draftsman who would measure it all out to check if it was accurate. A contractor translated these sketches into work instructions for the builders. Mistakes are easily made with so many translations. Now you see more and more models wherein all the parties involved work on the same file. The changes made by one party directly affect the work of the other. As a result, fewer mistakes are made and construction is a lot speedier.

You can use that principle for nuclear fusion too. Now I do realize that this kind of reactor is way more complicated than my house. But if such a digital reactor is highly detailed and you can test and modify everything in VR, you can also use it to speed up the development of this technology. Instead of spending 20 years and 20 billion, you could perhaps do that for a billion euros in just one year.

Science tends to narrow things down a lot; let a scientist explore a subject for ten years and you end up with highly in-depth knowledge of a small piece of the puzzle.

I am not saying anything about how such a reactor would work and what kind of advanced mathematics is behind it because then I wouldnt know what Im talking about. But what I do see is which models you need to connect all the separate pieces of the puzzle to each other. And that isnt happening enough.

Once more, Auke stresses that this type of digital nuclear reactor is a thousand times more complex than my house: Modulating the plasma is very delicate, you have to encapsulate the magnetic field with great precision. These are the dark threads that encircle the blue tubing. There are thousands of variations and before you have found the right proportions you are several years further down the road. But if you put all these possibilities into a computational model, the computer calculates the best ratios much faster.

Then you are still not there by a long shot, Auke goes on. Engineers then get to work on these advanced mathematics: They update the mathematical model. They look for materials that can withstand extreme heat. That translation brings abstract mathematics closer to reality. Then they add the next level where they look at how this type of nuclear power station should be built. Which components do we need in order to run a lot of power safely through certain materials? You expand this further and further until you have even created the underlying software that keeps such a power plant up and running and ultimately connects all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Anyone with a good idea can copy the file and work on it. Thats the great thing about it. Thats when youll notice that it will go a lot faster all of a sudden. Parts become smaller and more effective. And instead of spending 20 billion, it costs just 10 billion and the power plant generates twice as much energy. You can also tweak the model again if it turns out that actual practice is slightly different than expected. This in turn yields more knowledge and the next physical version will be improved and cheaper. In no time at all you can supply an entire province with energy and the development will only cost a mere 100 million. I can totally see it!

See the article here:

'Nuclear fusion can follow in the footsteps of solar cells' - Innovation Origins

Hovering, Flying and Hopping Across the Solar System – Discover Magazine

If you're like most people, you've dreamed of flying (studies show that more than half of us have done it). If you're curious about the universe, you've probably also dreamed about visiting other planets. And if you're willing to wait about nine months, you are in luck because after that, you won't have to dream anymore.

Ladies and gentlemen, NASA is about to go flying on Mars.

The Perseverance rover, scheduled to land on February 18, 2021, is carrying a grapefruit-sized helicopter named Ingenuity strapped to its belly. Assuming all goes well with the touchdown, Perseverance will settle into its new home for about two months. Then it will release a small debris shield, fire a pyrotechnic cable-cutter, unleash a spring-loaded arm and set the little Ingenuity flyer free.

After the rover has rolled a safe distance away, Ingenuity will soak up sunlight to charge its six lithium-ion batteries, like a newly emerged butterfly drying its wings. Then it will spin its twin rotors up to 2,400 rpm and begin a series of exploratory flights on Mars. That ultra-high rotor speed, necessary to generate lift in the thin air of Mars, means each of Ingenuity's flights won't last long (officially just 90 seconds) nor will it go very far (1,000 meters maximum). Still it's the principle of the thing. The first flight of the Wright Brothers covered just 37 meters.

Ingenuity will establish an equally impressive precedent: the first powered flight on a world beyond Earth. It will surely not be the last.

Science and science fiction visionaries have been sketching out ideas for flying on Mars for decades, even before the existence of NASA and space rocketry. The 1918 film A Trip to Mars, one of the earliest science-fiction movies, depicted a giant, buglike Martian airship. NASA's favorite ex-Nazi, Wernher von Braun, wrote a book-length outline for a human expedition to Mars, which prominently included air travel on the Red Planet; space artist Chesley Bonestell gave visual life to his ideas in his 1953 painting, Exploring Mars. No wonder, then, that NASA engineers are already mulling ideas about how to "add another dimension to the way we explore worlds in the future."

"Exploring Mars" by Chesley Bonestell, based on ideas drawn up by Wernher von Braun. (Credit: Chesley Bonestell)

Actually, it's much more than just ideas. NASA already has another off-world flyer approved and under development one that is even more audacious than the Ingenuity helicopter. In April of 2026, the agency is scheduled to launch Dragonfly, a nuclear powered octocopter (yes, eight rotors), on an eight-year journey to Saturn's giant haze-shrouded moon, Titan. After touching down on Titan's Shangri-La dune fields, Dragonfly will set off on a daring set of long-distance excursions, essentially carrying out a whole new mission each time it lands.

Dragonfly's capabilities will utterly eclipse those of Ingenuity. Titan has lower gravity than Mars, and its atmosphere is 200 times thicker, making flight far easier there. Also, Dragonfly will carry its own radiothermal energy source, so it won't have to rely on trickles of electricity from a small solar panel. The net result is that NASA expects its Titan 'copter will end up traveling a total of about 175 kilometers over the course of a nearly three-year campaign and judging from past NASA efforts, those numbers are probably highly conservative underestimates.

Dragonfly as it will appear after landing on Titan in 2034. The 450-kilogram flyer will sample the surface through its feet each time it touches down. (Credit: NASA/JHU-APL)

Titan is a fascinating target for this kind of exploration. It is a huge world, nearly as large as the planet Mercury, covered in cold organic compounds. Methane and ethane fall as rain, flow in rivers, and collect in lakes a hydrological cycle composed of liquid natural gas instead of water. Titan's dunes are probably composed of tar-like compounds, blowing over a bedrock of deeply frozen water ice. The exotic carbon chemistry happening on Titan today may resemble the reactions that occurred on Earth before life appeared 4 billion years ago. We want to see as much as we can of this unique place.

For now, there are no other flying missions planned for other worlds. But flying is not the only novel form of space transit in development. On small objects like comets and asteroids, hopping is an efficient way to get around. Really, it's almost the only way to get around, since the surface gravity is so low.

The European Space Agency's Philae lander did an accidental hop on Comet 67P after failing to harpoon itself to the surface. The Japanese Space Agency's Hayabusa-2 spacecraft dropped three active hoppers onto the asteroid Ryugu. (I wrote a separate account of their amazing journey.) The Hayabusa-2 probe did its own kiss-and-bounce rendezvous with the asteroid to collect samples. NASA's OSIRIS-REx is about to do a similar maneuver with the asteroid Bennu; Japan's Martain Moons Exploration (MMX) probe will perform yet another kiss-and-bounce on the Martian moon Phobos around 2025.

More sophisticated forms of space-hopping may be coming soon. Phil Metzger at the University of Central Florida is testing a robot called WINE that would visit a comet or asteroid, extract water from its surface, and use it to execute a series of steam-powered jumps. NASA recently funded the development of a similar concept called SPARROW, which could hop across the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa.

There could be a future for ballooning on other worlds as well. The Soviets have already pioneered this type of transit with the Vega balloon probe, which was deployed in the upper atmosphere of Venus in 1985. If NASA approves a new Venus explorer as I fervently hope it will a new-generation balloon experiment could be floating around the planet in the coming decade.

Any why stop there? I mentioned earlier that Titan has lakes, which would be prime locations for a future space boat or space submarine. NASA seriously considered a proposal for a Titan boat (the TiME mission) but passed it over in favor of the Mars InSight lander. Still, the concept could easily make a comeback. There are also concepts on the drawing board for Titan submarine and a tunneling machine on Europa.

There's even an experiment underway that could make it possible to navigate the oceans of Europa, if that tunneling machine can manage to break through the ice. If you dream of swimming like a fish, this would be the mission for you. Beneath its icy crust, Europa has more water than all of Earth's oceans combined. There may be volcanic vents below, warming and fertilizing the ocean. Many astrobiologists now consider Europa the most likely place to find life elsewhere in the solar system.

Flying on Mars is a breeze compared to traveling to Europa, breaking through 10 kilometers of ice, and exploring the pitch-black ocean below. But if we can master that tremendous challenge... damn, what we find could be well worth the perils of getting there.

For more science news, follow me on Twitter: @coreyspowell

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Hovering, Flying and Hopping Across the Solar System - Discover Magazine

Nasha Fitter Elected to Board of Directors of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine – PRNewswire

BETHESDA, Md., July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine announced today that Nasha Fitter has been elected to its board of directors. The ACMG Foundation is a national nonprofit foundation dedicated to facilitating the integration of genetics and genomics into medical practice. The board members are active participants, serving as advocates for the ACMG Foundation and for advancing its policies and programs. Ms. Fitter was elected to a two-year term starting immediately.

ACMG Foundation President Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD, FACMG said, "I am delighted to welcome Nasha Fitter to the ACMG Foundation board as a public member.Nasha has a passion for improving the lives of individuals who are affected with genetic conditions, and also has extraordinary skills in business, education and technology.She is superbly qualified to represent the interests of the public on the ACMG Foundation board."

Ms. Fitter has a background in healthcare and education. She currently serves as director of Rare and Neurological Diseases at Ciitizen, where she and her team generate regulatory-grade longitudinal data for natural history studies, synthetic control arm and post-approval studies for rare and neurological diseases. She is also co-founder, CEO, and head of research at FOXG1 Research Foundation, an organization she launched after her daughter was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome. The foundation is focused on finding a cure for this severe disease and is working to build global expertise on FOXG1 neurobiology and a repository of patient clinical outcomes. Previously, Ms. Fitter founded and served as CEO of Schoolie, a technology company that collected data on school performance across the US and shared actionable analysis with parents and policymakers. She also worked as director of the Global Schools Program at Microsoft Education, Microsoft's premier global program for K12 schools. Ms. Fitter earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

About her election to the ACMG Foundation Board of Directors, Ms. Fitter said, "In the next few years we will see the immense power of genetic medicine in saving and transforming people's lives. I am thrilled to be joining an organization at the forefront of this incredible science and look forward to working with such a diverse and experienced board."

A complete roster of the ACMG Foundation board can be found at http://www.acmgfoundation.org.

About the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) mission to "translate genes into health." Through its work, the ACMG Foundation fosters charitable giving, promotes training opportunities to attract future medical geneticists and genetic counselors to the field, shares information about medical genetics and genomics, and sponsors important research. To learn more and support the ACMG Foundation mission to create "Better Health through Genetics" visit acmgfoundation.org.

Kathy Moran, MBA [emailprotected]

SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

http://www.acmgfoundation.org

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Nasha Fitter Elected to Board of Directors of the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine - PRNewswire