Daily Archives: May 28, 2017

Museum of Discovery exhibit shows how people with disabilities use technology to readjust – THV 11

Posted: May 28, 2017 at 7:32 am

Museum of Discovery exhibit shows how people with disabilities use technology to readjust

Jamal Goss , KTHV 6:09 PM. CDT May 27, 2017

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- The threat of rain for part of the weekend proves the value in having some indoor ideas to keep the kids busy.

The Museum of Discovery opened a new exhibit Saturday that gets kids thinking about STEM. It's all about innovation and getting people to think outside the box.

The new Human Plus: Real Lives + Real Engineering exhibit has a ton of creative and fun ways that show how people with disabilities use technology to readjust, but be careful there's a lot of kids learning a lot of cools things about technology. Alex Palmer works for the new exhibit.

"We just had our human plus engineering exhibit open up, it's all about the engineering of prostatic and the human body, Palmer said. "It's just letting people know about the world and what goes on."

Inside, kids learn different functions of prosthetic limbs and how they help people carry out their day to day functions. Each station explores different ways people with disabilities use high-tech engineering to overcome the impossible. It's helping ignite a passion for science, technology, and math for people of all ages.

"We can draw a lot of cool art and show how different colors can come together, Palmer said. And just create something really amazing."

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Palmer said it opens the minds of children, exposing them to things they may have never seen before. It's family day for Fonz Jenkins along with his niece and nephews.

"I used to come here as a kid when I was living here, Jenkins said. So I thought I'd let them experience the same thing I experienced when I was a kid."

He's impressed with how the museum keeps children engaged.

"We get to meet so many cool people from all over the world, Palmer said. Nigeria, China all over the United States that come and visit here and learn so much about the natural world and about science."

The exhibit will remain open at the Museum of Discovery until September 10th. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. More information can be found here.

2017 KTHV-TV

More:

Museum of Discovery exhibit shows how people with disabilities use technology to readjust - THV 11

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Museum of Discovery exhibit shows how people with disabilities use technology to readjust – THV 11

BCSC technology guidelines on the web – The Republic

Posted: at 7:32 am

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. expressly grants and prohibits access to certain materials on school provided computers. Here is a quick-hit list of dos and donts included in current school policy.

Students will receive information about appropriate online behavior, including, but not limited to, use of social media to interact with others online, interacting with individuals in chat rooms or on blogs, recognizing cyberbullying and understanding cyberbullying is a violation of corporation policy and learning appropriate responses to cyberbullying.

All computers, telephone systems, electronic mail systems and voice mail systems in the school corporation are the school corporations property and are to be used for business purposes. BCSC reserves the right to access and review all electronic and voice mail, computer files, databases or any electronic transmissions in its system and staff members should have no expectation that any information contained on such systems is confidential or private.

The Student Code of Conduct governs students use of the corporations personal communication devices (computers, tablets, e-readers, cellphones, smartphones or any other web-related device) and applies to devices connected to the corporations network, the corporations Internet connection or online educational services (Ed-Tech).

BCSC has implemented technology protection measures (those that filter or block) access to visual displays or materials that are obscene, constitute child pornography and/or are harmful to minors, as defined by the Childrens Internet Protection Act. The school corporation also has technology to monitor online activity of students to restrict access to these materials that could be harmful to minors.

The director of technology may temporarily or permanently unblock access to websites or online education services containing appropriate material, if access to such sites has been inappropriately blocked by the filters. The determination of whether material is appropriate, or inappropriate, shall be based on the content of the material and the intended use of the material.

Read this article:

BCSC technology guidelines on the web - The Republic

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on BCSC technology guidelines on the web – The Republic

Does Cognizant Technology Fit the Bill as Buffett’s Ideal Business? – Madison.com

Posted: at 7:32 am

Image source: The Motley Fool.

At Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRK-B) annual meeting earlier this month, an investor asked Warren Buffett about the company's shift from investing in high-return, asset-light businesses to capital-intensive businesses, such as railroad operator Burlington Northern. Whether this shift is actually occurring or not can be argued, but Buffett agreed with the questioner about the idea of investing in businesses that return gobs of capital with minimal investment. He said, "Buying a high return on assets, very light capital-intensive business that's going to grow beats the hell out of a business that requires a lot of capital to grow."

This isn't the first time that Buffett has expressed his fondness for a business with high returns, low capital requirements, and high growth. However, after reiterating his ideal business characteristics, Buffett's followers are likely clamoring to find the next company that matches a few of the Oracle's investing criteria. Let's see if Cognizant Technology(NASDAQ: CTSH)fits the bill.

Cognizant is in the IT services business, providing consulting and professional services to a variety of clients. With over 260,000 employees, its greatest assets are its people rather than equipment or software. As a result, Cognizant has been able to generate gobs of cash.

Data source: Thomson Reuters. Chart by author. All numbers in millions.

Despite the dip in 2016, Cognizant's management has done a solid job generating cash. The company also recently began paying a $0.15 per share dividend and announced a plan to return 75% of its free cash flow to shareholders, through either share buybacks or dividends.

While free cash flow is a great metric to analyze a company's performance, a better measure to see if management is adding value is return on equity (ROE). Over the trailing 12 months, Cognizant's ROE came in at 16.5%. While impressive, the downward decline over the past five years is concerning.

A declining ROE is often a sign of either increased competitive pressures or that the company is earning less and less on each dollar invested by its shareholders. A lack of value-added investment opportunities may also be the reason for the company's new shareholder return program. On a positive note, in its most recent quarter ending in March, Cognizant's ROE increased to 22.3%. Assuming the bump is not a head fake, an increasing ROE combined with a strong capital return program can be a boonfor Cognizant shareholders.

High returns on assets with low capital requirements are often a recipe for a solid investment. However, if you can combine those two traits with high growth, you may be looking at a great investment. Let's see where Cognizant stands in terms of growth.

According to data from S&P Capital IQ, Cognizant has grown its revenue at 17.1% annualized over the last five years. Earnings and cash flow growth didn't come in as strong but are fairly solid at 12.3% and 13.8%, respectively, over the same period. Despite strong growth over the last half decade, growthhas slowed more recently as the company has matured. In its latest quarter, revenue growth slowed to 10.7%.

Despite the slowing growth, Cognizant is not resting on its laurels. The company has been aggressively making acquisitions in the fast-growing digital technology space, gobbling up smaller consultant firms like Idea Couture, Mirabeau, and Adaptra. On March 1, Cognizant made its seventh acquisition in just one year by purchasing Japan-based Brilliant Service Co. Ltd.

Cognizant appears to meet Buffett's criteria of achieving high returns, having low capital requirements, and growth. However, there are some concerns about declining returns and slowing growth. That growth also appears to be more and more dependent on acquisitions. Additionally, given Cognizant's footprint in the technology space, I wouldn't exactly call the IT services company an ideal Buffett investment.

10 stocks we like better than Cognizant Technology Solutions

When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Cognizant Technology Solutions wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

*Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017

Palbir Nijjar owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and Cognizant Technology Solutions. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and Cognizant Technology Solutions. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The rest is here:

Does Cognizant Technology Fit the Bill as Buffett's Ideal Business? - Madison.com

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Does Cognizant Technology Fit the Bill as Buffett’s Ideal Business? – Madison.com

Smart glass technology is making wearable computers accessible – TNW

Posted: at 7:32 am

If you thought that wearable computing was the stuff of science fiction movies, companies like Vuzix are bringing this technology to life. With a Smart Glasses range for enterprise and entertainment; hands-free, digital eyewear is becoming an accessible option for all. Why would you want a computer directly in front of your eyes? Here are a few of the benefits this latest technology brings.

With a range designed for business and industry, Smart Glasses can increase worker productivity from the factory to the office. Through a pair of intelligent glasses, your workers get a functioning Android-based computer on the tip of their noses. With all the capabilities of a smartphone and compatible with Android apps, now they can wear their computers and leave their hands free to carry out pertinent tasks simultaneously.

In warehousing and manufacturing, workers can fulfil more orders, scanning a barcode by simply looking at it. They no longer have to stop and consult their tablet or smartphone, but have their hands free to carry out orders, load produce, or operate machinery. In fields like telemedicine, workers can recall pertinent data in instants, while helping serve patients quicker.

Compatible with the almost 3 million apps available in Google Play, the wearer can use Smart Glasses for just about any program or function. They can take pictures through a high definition camera, play videos, record, and link the Smart Glasses to their phones to make calls, send messages and place orders. This can greatly speed up your company workflow.

The live streaming function is particularly helpful to employees who work in remote and hard-to-reach locations. The wearer can connect to a computer (or computers) at any location, allowing others to get a visual on exactly what the viewer is seeing in real time. This brings unsurpassed possibilities for remote tech support, employees working on an external site and first responders.

With the live streaming capability, surgeons and other specialists can get an accurate visual on the situation without having to be there, or rely on voice commentary of events under stress. Remote technicians working on site can solve a problem on the first call out, without the need to assess and return. This makes for augmented worker productivity, reduced cost, and can help save lives in an accident and emergency situation.

Smart Glasses have the potential to change the way many businesses work, from the operating room to the factory floor, telemedicine and remote tech support. Theyre also proving useful in the field of employee learning and practical training. Allowing the wearer to view the computerized image, as well as their actual surroundings. They can watch a tutorial and follow instructions at the same time.

Healthcare workers, for example, can learn on the job and carry out important maneuvers, such as CPR, while receiving exact indications on their screen. White collar workers can take notes, carry out exercises and interact with training videos, speeding up the learning curve.

Smart Glasses can transmit the exact coordinates of the wearers location, with GPS, gyroscope and a compasses system integrated. So, you can follow your field workers into hard to locate areas without risk of losing their location. This can reduce accidents and make your workers jobs safer.

The iWear model allows the wearer to get into the cockpit of the drone by providing a widescreen, immersive view. The screen size is the equivalent of a 125 screen viewed from 10 feet with 24-bit true color. Theres also an optional full immersion face mask for where outside distractions are not an option; making this technology suitable for the military, science and geology.

With a built-in battery, the drone pilot can participate in the activity for hours, with crystal clear audio and added noise isolation. This enhances the accuracy and safety of using drone technology.

In the entertainment industry, iWear has won multiple Consumer Electronic Show awards. Working like a high-end pair of video headphones, the user gets a wearable video display that provides a high definition gaming solution.

Vuzix slogan is view the future, but it seems as if theyre actually bringing the future into the here and now. Making waves in the gaming and entertainment industry, the field of drones, medicine and enterprise. Increasing worker productivity in the factory, helping first responders do their jobs, facilitating training, and even saving lives.

Read next: Rumors spread on WhatsApp lead to mob violence and death in India

Read more here:

Smart glass technology is making wearable computers accessible - TNW

Posted in Technology | Comments Off on Smart glass technology is making wearable computers accessible – TNW

UK says making progress with tech companies on getting encrypted militant messages – Reuters

Posted: at 7:31 am

LONDON Britain is making good progress with technology companies on getting access to the encrypted messages of militant suspects, interior minister Amber Rudd said on Sunday.

Britain has repeatedly complained that technology companies have failed to disclose enough information about the encrypted messages of militant suspects, though technology companies such as Whatsapp say they cannot break end-to-end encryption.

"We are making good progress with the companies who have put in place end-to-end encryption, some of them are being more constructive that others but we will continue to build on that," Rudd said on BBC television.

"The area that I am most concerned about is the internet companies who are continuing to publish the hate publications, the hate material that is contributing to radicalizing people in this country," Rudd said.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

MANCHESTER Members of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi's network are still potentially at large, British interior minister Amber Rudd said on Sunday, after the terrorism threat level was lowered due to significant progress in the investigation.

SIGONELLA, Italy With trouble facing him back home, U.S. President Donald Trump ended his nine-day overseas journey in dramatic fashion on Saturday, addressing U.S. troops at a campaign-style rally.

TAORMINA, Italy Under pressure from Group of Seven allies, U.S. President Donald Trump backed a pledge to fight protectionism on Saturday, but refused to endorse a global climate change accord, saying he needed more time to decide.

See more here:

UK says making progress with tech companies on getting encrypted militant messages - Reuters

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on UK says making progress with tech companies on getting encrypted militant messages – Reuters

San Diego Padres: Signs of progress soured by worrisome injuries – Friars on Base

Posted: at 7:31 am

May 17, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Manuel Margot (7) reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres: 3B prospects by Cheri Bell

Already San Diego finds itself in the National League West cellar, a whopping 14 games out of first place. As the losses have mounted, there have been positive signs, like Dinelson Lamets first big league start. However, the burgeoning disabled list, especially with the addition of center fielder Manuel Margot, does not bode well.

Before Lamets call-up scouts considered his mid-90s fastball and his slider his best pitches, with his change-up a work in progress. However, he had all three working when he faced the New York Mets Thursday night. He struck out eight batters, and threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes.

Lamet told reporters after the game he thought he had an excellent start, a sure sign of the confidence the young Dominican has in himself. The 24-year-old has moved from High-A to the Padres in just three years.

In another sign of progress, Hunter Renfroe has actually walked 14 times, most of those coming lately. A first-round pick in 2013, Renfroe has always had a reputation for mashing the ball but demonstrating poor plate discipline, as evidenced by his .286 OBP. Working on staying in the strike zone in the major leagues is a real challenge, but he did walk twice against Clayton Kershaw (who does not give up many walks) in a game in early May.

Two additions, Chase dArnaud and Matt Szczur, have injected signs of life and provided help in the face of the growing disabled list. The Cubs, loaded with talent, had no room for Szczur on their roster. However the Padres welcomed him, and hes already played all three spots in the outfield.

DArnaud, in the meantime, has had a rocky road to the Padres. On April-25 Braves designated him for assignment; the Red Sox claimed him two days later, then waived him April 27 5-17. The Padres claimed him and immediately put him to work. He has experience in both the outfield and infield. DArnaud started the rally in the seventh against the Mets bullpen on Thursday and helped the Padres win two of three from the Mets.

Want your voice heard? Join the Friars on Base team!

Winning the series against New York started the road trip off well. Plus, long-time Padres fans undoubtedly relish a win against Mets General Manger Sandy Alderson, who had a scorched earth policy as CEO of the team from 2005 to 2009. He trashed then traded Khalil Greene. Worse, he refused to let closer Trevor Hoffman talk to John Moores about the future of the Padres and let him walk. Hoffman, who should have played his entire career with the Padres, ended up aBrewer instead.

Having lost to the Nationals (the team leading the NL East) Friday night, the Padres face a daunting series of games against the Cubs and Rockies (also leaders of their divisions). And the bad news from the disabled list keeps mounting.

Center fielder Manny Margot officially landed on the disabled list Saturday retroactive to April 25. He has tightness in his calf and is in a walking boot. That makes two walking-boot clad players, as Travis Jankowski has been hobbling around in one since fouling a ball off his foot. Both Margot and Jankowski rely on their legs, and neither will be back soon. Margot had played almost every single game in center field and batted leadoff, leaving huge voids in both categories.

Equally worrisome, Trevor Cahill, 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, has been diagnosed with a right shoulder strain. Hes on the disabled list for the second time having missed nine games in April with a lower back strain. This bad news conjures memories of Tyson Ross in 2016. He pitched opening day, giving up seven runs against the Dodgers. Then he landed on the disabled list with a similar diagnosis. Ross hasnt pitched since.

View post:

San Diego Padres: Signs of progress soured by worrisome injuries - Friars on Base

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on San Diego Padres: Signs of progress soured by worrisome injuries – Friars on Base

Cornerback Picture: Work In Progress – Philadelphia Eagles – PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Posted: at 7:31 am

There are 11 cornerbacks listed on the 90-man Eagles roster and every single one of them comes with a "yeah, but " attached to him. There are four rookies, two first-year players, and two second-year men among the group, which collectively fits the description a work in progress.

The Eagles are keeping the big picture in mind here, and thats one of the reasons they were so eager and excited to use a second-round draft pick (No. 43 overall) on Sidney Jones, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered in March and who is very much a question mark to play this season. And then the Eagles came right back in the third round and selected West Virginias Rasul Douglas. After the draft ended, the Eagles added two more cornerbacks, UCLAs Randall Goforth and Iowa States Jomal Wiltz.

In the short term, well, thats where the work-in-progress mindset comes into play. The Eagles have some veterans on hand Ron Brooks, returning from a torn quadriceps injury that ended his 2016 season, figures to play a lot, whether hes competing for a starting role on the outside or as the teams primary nickel cornerback; Patrick Robinson, now in his eighth season in an injury-plagued career that began as a first-round draft pick in 2010 in New Orleans; and Dwayne Gratz, in his fifth season with 43 games, 25 starts, and three career interceptions under his belt.

Then there are the young veterans, headed by Jalen Mills, the second-year man who impressed last season, playing 65 percent of the snaps and keeping his composure, his confidence, and clearly improving as the year went along. C.J. Smith earned a spot on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie and then was promoted to the 53-man roster in October. He eventually played in 10 games, with just one defensive snap in the mix. Aaron Grymes looked so very good in the preseason before suffering a shoulder injury, and he returns hoping to take his next steps.

Mitchell White, like Grymes, plied his trade in the Canadian Football League and played very well there for three seasons. Now hes with the Eagles looking for success.

Eleven cornerbacks. Just as many questions. Well see how it works out, both in the short term and in the future.

"All I know is that I have to keep my focus and work and get better. Im not looking at numbers or the depth chart," said Smith, a star at North Dakota State who played very well in last summers preseason. "I felt I got a lot better last year with my technique and understanding of the defense.

"Its a new year. I have a completely different perspective from last season."

Smith could emerge as a key player for 2017 with the jobs at cornerback pretty much up for grabs. When the Eagles lined up on Tuesday to open the Organized Team Activities, Mills and Robinson were with the first team. When the Eagles brought a third cornerback on the field, it was Douglas on the outside, as Mills slid inside to cover the slot receiver. Brooks did not participate in 11-on-11 drills and isnt likely to do so until Training Camp. The rest of the reps were divided evenly.

Everything is up in the air. The competition is wide open.

Its all new for me. My focus is my job every day, Douglas said. Even in this short time I think Ive gotten a lot better, but I know I have a long, long way to go. I have a lot to improve on. Im just starting my career.

Going up against guys like Alshon (Jeffery) teaches me a lot. How to use my body, how to be physical, my footwork, my hands. Really, its everything. Technique means so much. Its fast and its precise. You have to be on top of it on every play.

Cornerback isnt a position likely to be resolved, set in stone, anytime soon for the Eagles. There are a lot of young and developing players. The ones who progress the furthest the fastest are the ones who are going to get game reps. The goal is to have cornerbacks one through five on the 53-man roster who have earned the trust of the coaching staff and who are going to compete and not back down against the great wide receiver challenges on the 2017 roster.

You can squint and see a day, in the not-far-off future, when Jones is healthy and a top cornerback, Douglas is developed and a tenacious competitor, and Mills is another season into his NFL experience and contributing in a big way to the defense. How far away that day is, we just dont know.

In the meantime, every day is crucial for the cornerbacks. Every practice rep means something. The coaching staff is watching, hoping to see some answers in a short time for the season to come.

Read more from the original source:

Cornerback Picture: Work In Progress - Philadelphia Eagles - PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on Cornerback Picture: Work In Progress – Philadelphia Eagles – PhiladelphiaEagles.com

G7 makes ‘substantial progress’ on trade talks: French source – Reuters

Posted: at 7:31 am

TAORMINA, Italy The Group of Seven nations have made progress in negotiations on trade, notably on the issue of multilateralism, a French presidential source said on Saturday, suggesting there has been some softening in the United States' protectionist stance.

The leaders have been wrangling on the wording of a final communique since Friday with international trade and climate change the main stumbling blocks.

"The discussions on trade are making substantial progress, notably on the issue of multilateralism," a French presidential source said.

Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump, has derided some of the same international partnerships, including the World Trade Organisation, raising the prospect that the Republican's "America First" agenda might well mean an America more willing to act alone.

A senior White House official on Friday said Trump had told the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Britain that the United States would treat other countries in the same way it was treated.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Crispian Balmer)

BEIJING Profits earned by Chinese industrial firms rose 14.0 percent in April from a year earlier, official data showed on Saturday, slowing from March's pace and adding to concerns that the world's second-largest economy may be losing steam.

BEIJING China is determined to open its market and is positive about promoting talks on a China-EU investment agreement, a senior Chinese official said on Saturday ahead of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Brussels for a summit with the European Union.

NEW YORK U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chief Jay Clayton is expected to name Steven Peikin, a partner from his former law firm, to help lead enforcement at the agency, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Originally posted here:

G7 makes 'substantial progress' on trade talks: French source - Reuters

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on G7 makes ‘substantial progress’ on trade talks: French source – Reuters

Manchester attack: ‘Immense progress’ made by police – BBC News

Posted: at 7:31 am


BBC News
Manchester attack: 'Immense progress' made by police
BBC News
"Immense" progress has been made, he added, but more arrests were likely. Meanwhile, US singer Ariana Grande has said she will return to the "incredibly brave city" for a benefit concert. In a message posted on Twitter Miss Grande, who performed on ...
Manchester police make 'significant progress' in bombing probeNew York Daily News

all 76 news articles »

Continue reading here:

Manchester attack: 'Immense progress' made by police - BBC News

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on Manchester attack: ‘Immense progress’ made by police – BBC News

Proposed new school in York sees progress – Daily Press

Posted: at 7:31 am

York County moved a step closer to building a new elementary school this month when the School Board agreed to pay for preliminary design work.

The design work will cost $210,421. At a special meeting May 3, the School Board agreed to use money from the division's revenue stabilization reserve fund to cover the cost.

The school division has said it would like to begin construction in 2020, and the project is listed under fiscal year 2019 and 2020 in the county's Capital Improvement Plan.

The school is to be built in the upper part of the county in the Marquis development, off Marquis Center Parkway. A residential development is planned for the area as well. The subdivision is expected to have 600 units, with 182 houses and 418 apartments.

Under early drafts of proposed elementary school rezoning in the county, the new school would take in students from Magruder and Yorktown elementary schools. Those schools have the greatest crowding concerns, said division Chief Operations Officer Carl James at an April 17 work session. He noted that the density of the schools changes year-to-year and that other developments would affect school populations.

The early draft plans, which were developed by a contractor outside the division, have two possibilities for the new school. One would put 180 students into the new school from existing schools; the other would put 295 students in the school. Those figures do not reflect possible changes from any new developments in the area. James noted that current rezoning possibilities are subject to change.

The CIP lists the new school as having space for 500 students and lists the expected cost of building and furnishing at $23 million.

The school division is in the early phases of redrawing the elementary school attendance zones and plans to establish an advisory group over the summer. Early plans have the committee meeting several times in the fall and presenting recommendations to the School Board toward the end of the year.

The Marquis currently consists of a shopping center with a Target, Kohl's, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods and an empty J.C. Penney that closed in April 2015. A Sam's Club is expected to fill a space that is now vacant.

Reyes can be reached by phone at 757-247-4692.

Go here to see the original:

Proposed new school in York sees progress - Daily Press

Posted in Progress | Comments Off on Proposed new school in York sees progress – Daily Press