Category Archives: Technology

Katherine Cross, who researches online harassment at the University of Washington, says that when virtual reality is immersive and real, toxic behavior that occurs in that environment is real as well. At the end of the day, the nature of virtual-reality spaces is such that it is designed to trick the user into thinking they are physically in a certain space, that their every bodily action is occurring in a 3D environment, she says. Its part of the reason why emotional reactions can be stronger in that space, and why VR triggers the same internal nervous system and psychological responses.

That was true in the case of the woman who was groped on Horizon Worlds. According to The Verge, her post read: Sexual harassment is no joke on the regular internet, but being in VR adds another layer that makes the event more intense. Not only was I groped last night, but there were other people there who supported this behavior which made me feel isolated in the Plaza [the virtual environments central gathering space].

Sexual assault and harassment in virtual worlds is not new, nor is it realistic to expect a world in which these issues will completely disappear. So long as there are people who will hide behind their computer screens to evade moral responsibility, they will continue to occur.

The real problem, perhaps, has to do with the perception that when you play a game or participate in a virtual world, theres what Stanton describes as a contract between developer and player. As a player, Im agreeing to being able to do what I want in the developers world according to their rules, he says. But as soon as that contract is broken and Im not feeling comfortable anymore, the obligation of the company is to return the player to wherever they want to be and back to being comfortable.

The question is: Whose responsibility is it to make sure users are comfortable? Meta, for example, says it gives users access to tools to keep themselves safe, effectively shifting the onus onto them.

We want everyone in Horizon Worlds to have a positive experience with safety tools that are easy to findand its never a user's fault if they dont use all the features we offer, Meta spokesperson Kristina Milian said. We will continue to improve our UI and to better understand how people use our tools so that users are able to report things easily and reliably. Our goal is to make Horizon Worlds safe, and we are committed to doing that work.

Milian said that users must undergo an onboarding process prior to joining Horizon Worlds that teaches them how to launch Safe Zone. She also said regular reminders are loaded into screens and posters within Horizon Worlds.

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But the fact that the Meta groping victim either did not think to use Safe Zone or could not access it is precisely the problem, says Cross. The structural question is the big issue for me, she says. Generally speaking, when companies address online abuse, their solution is to outsource it to the user and say, Here, we give you the power to take care of yourselves.

And that is unfair and doesnt work. Safety should be easy and accessible, and there are lots of ideas for making this possible. To Stanton, all it would take is some sort of universal signal in virtual realityperhaps Quivrs V gesturethat could relay to moderators that something was amiss. Fox wonders if an automatic personal distance unless two people mutually agreed to be closer would help. And Cross believes it would be useful for training sessions to explicitly lay out norms mirroring those that prevail in ordinary life: In the real world, you wouldnt randomly grope someone, and you should carry that over to the virtual world.

Until we figure out whose job it is to protect users, one major step toward a safer virtual world is disciplining aggressors, who often go scot-free and remain eligible to participate online even after their behavior becomes known. We need deterrents, Fox says. That means making sure bad actors are found and suspended or banned. (Milian said Meta [doesnt] share specifics about individual cases when asked about what happened to the alleged groper.)

Stanton regrets not pushing more for industry-wide adoption of the power gesture and failing to talk more about Belamires groping incident. It was a lost opportunity, he says. We could have avoided that incident at Meta.

If anything is clear, its this: There is no body thats plainly responsible for the rights and safety of those who participate anywhere online, let alone in virtual worlds. Until something changes, the metaverse will remain a dangerous, problematic space.

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The metaverse has a groping problem already - MIT Technology Review

The Government has given the green light for a new 13m East Midlands Institute of Technology (IoT).

Loughborough University, Loughborough College, the University of Derby, and the Derby College Group (DCG) will work together on the new Institute, which will create the highly advanced workforce needed to lead the digital revolution otherwise known as Industry 4.0.

The East Midlands IoT will focus on levelling up the critical engineering, manufacturing and digital skills needed by employers to address the grand engineering challenges of clean growth by embracing the advanced skills required for AI and a data-driven economy.

Its pioneering graduates will be part of a net zero carbon workforce needed to lead the UKs green and digital revolution and support the UKs post-pandemic recovery and journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Based in the heart of the East Midlands, the IoT will specialise in programmes such as Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies; Information and Communication Technology; Science and Mathematics and Construction, Planning and the built environment.

The IoT will be working closely with global powerhouse employers, including Rolls-Royce, Toyota, National Grid ESO, Alstom, Fujitsu, Uniper and Bloc Digital, to ensure programmes level up the workforce with the right skills.

Students will have access to a new IoT centre in Loughborough, as well as partner sites, including world class training environments in Derby at the University of Derbys Enterprise Centre and DCGs Roundhouse technical and professional skills college.

Speaking about the announcement, Professor Rachel Thomson FREng, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching at Loughborough University, said: We are truly delighted that our bid has been successful and look forward to continuing to work with our Further and Higher Education and employer partners to deliver an outstanding Institute of Technology. This will provide much-needed digital and engineering skills for industry and business across the region, supporting our local community to access the right training and skills development at the point of need.

Professor Nick Jennings, Loughboroughs Vice-Chancellor and President, added: The University has always enjoyed great partnerships with industry, and they remain a key a priority as we move forward with our new strategy. The Institute will play a vital role in strengthening our partnerships even further, and I would like to congratulate all those involved in this important initiative. It will be a great asset to the region.

Jo Maher, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, said: We are absolutely thrilled to have been successful in our bid to createthe East MidlandsInstitute of Technology.

This presents us with an exciting and inspiring opportunity to deliver world class programmes which will lead the UKs green and digital revolution and form the beating heart of the countrys post-pandemic recovery.

It is a privilege to collaborate with such exceptional partners and anchor employers to create a pathway which will accelerate the UKs journey to a net zero carbon economy,whilst providing incredible training and employment opportunities for people throughout the region.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: We are delighted that our application for an Institute of Technology in the heart of the region has been selected.

Through our strong industry links, business experience and experience offering placements and apprenticeships in the engineering and technology sector, we understand the importance of ensuring graduates are ready to meet the regions skills needs.

As an applied university, with specialisms in areas such as data science, advanced manufacturing, architectural technology and low carbon business support, we are well equipped to help deliver the Institute alongside our further and higher education partners from Derby and Loughborough, and within industry.

Mandie Stravino, CEO of Derby College Group (DCG): By working together across the FE and HE sectors, the development of the IoT will broaden opportunities for both young people entering the world of work and adults looking to re-train or upskill mid-career.

It will also open up more accessible routes to higher education for students who may not have previously considered this route to expand their immediate and future career options.

The IoT will work in close partnership with its anchor employers to develop the right skills and programmes, from T-Levels through to postgraduate degrees, required for those industries.

Find out more about the successful bid for the East Midlands IoT here.

Press release reference number: PR 21/265

Loughborough is one of the countrys leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022, and 10th in both the Guardian University League Table 2022 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Educations table of tables and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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New Institute of Technology will lead the UK's digital and green revolution - Loughborough University

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "CRO services Global Market Insights 2021, Analysis and Forecast to 2026, by Manufacturers, Regions, Technology, Application, Product Type" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report describes the global market size of CRO services from 2016 to 2020 and its CAGR from 2016 to 2020, and also forecasts its market size to the end of 2026 and its CAGR from 2021 to 2026.

For the geography segment, regional supply, demand, major players, price is presented from 2016 to 2026.

This report covers the following regions:

The key countries for each region are also included such as the United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.

For the competitor segment, the report includes global key players of CRO services as well as some small players.

The information for each competitor includes:

Applications Segment:

Types Segment:

Companies Covered:

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Executive Summary

Chapter 2 Abbreviation and Acronyms

Chapter 3 Preface

3.1 Research Scope

3.2 Research Sources

3.2.1 Data Sources

3.2.2 Assumptions

3.3 Research Method

4. Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Classification/Types

4.3 Application/End Users

Chapter 5 Market Trend Analysis

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Drivers

5.3 Restraints

5.4 Opportunities

5.5 Threats

5.6 Covid-19 Impact

Chapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis

6.1 Upstream/Suppliers Analysis

6.2 Cro Services Analysis

6.2.1 Technology Analysis

6.2.2 Cost Analysis

6.2.3 Market Channel Analysis

6.3 Downstream Buyers/End Users

Chapter 7 Latest Market Dynamics

7.1 Latest News

7.2 Merger and Acquisition

7.3 Planned/Future Project

7.4 Policy Dynamics

Chapter 8 Historical and Forecast Cro Services Market in North America (2016-2026)

8.1 Cro Services Market Size

8.2 Cro Services Market by End Use

8.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers

8.4 Cro Services Market Size by Type

8.5 Key Countries Analysis

8.5.1 United States

8.5.2 Canada

8.5.3 Mexico

Chapter 9 Historical and Forecast Cro Services Market in South America (2016-2026)

9.1 Cro Services Market Size

9.2 Cro Services Market by End Use

9.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers

9.4 Cro Services Market Size by Type

9.5 Key Countries Analysis

9.5.1 Brazil

9.5.2 Argentina

9.5.3 Chile

9.5.4 Peru

Chapter 10 Historical and Forecast Cro Services Market in Asia & Pacific (2016-2026)

10.1 Cro Services Market Size

10.2 Cro Services Market by End Use

10.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers

10.4 Cro Services Market Size by Type

10.5 Key Countries Analysis

10.5.1 China

10.5.2 India

10.5.3 Japan

10.5.4 South Korea

10.5.5 Southeast Asia

10.5.6 Australia

Chapter 11 Historical and Forecast Cro Services Market in Europe (2016-2026)

11.1 Cro Services Market Size

11.2 Cro Services Market by End Use

11.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers

11.4 Cro Services Market Size by Type

11.5 Key Countries Analysis

11.5.1 Germany

11.5.2 France

11.5.3 United Kingdom

11.5.4 Italy

11.5.5 Spain

11.5.6 Belgium

11.5.7 Netherlands

11.5.8 Austria

11.5.9 Poland

11.5.10 Russia

Chapter 12 Historical and Forecast Cro Services Market in MEA (2016-2026)

12.1 Cro Services Market Size

12.2 Cro Services Market by End Use

12.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers

12.4 Cro Services Market Size by Type

12.5 Key Countries Analysis

12.5.1 Egypt

12.5.2 Israel

12.5.3 South Africa

12.5.4 Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

12.5.5 Turkey

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Worldwide CRO Services Industry to 2026 - by Manufacturers, Regions, Technology, Application and Product Type - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

What emerging trends and technologies did customers start engaging with during the pandemic, and where are things now?

The pandemic fundamentally and forever changed the way we work, and accelerated the digital transformation.

With the ongoing pandemic and continued economic uncertainty, MSPs are homing in on their strategies and focusing on their resources. The MSP trends expected to shape the industry really highlight how interwoven maturing technologies and emerging developments have become.

In the next few years, shaped by the pandemic and the urgent needs it revealed/unleashed, there will be a number of hot emerging technologies that will be in high demand. These have already created new opportunities for MSPs to incorporate into their product portfolios and service offerings. And it will most definitely continue to do so.

Staying competitive in this new business and economic environment requires new strategies and practices for partners.

MSPs are making much-needed investments in security, are adopting new hybrid on-premises and cloud approaches. They are embracing new and emerging technologies overall. The road to digital transformation isnt an easy one, and can take many forms. As a result, MSPs have a golden opportunity to help customers navigate this new landscape.

At our recent Channel Partners Conference & Expo, we conducted roundtables with channel experts addressing hot topics in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud and managed services.

New technologies and their impact was among hot topics addressed during our roundtable with MSP industry experts.

Panelists included:

Scroll through our slideshow above for highlights from this roundtable.

See the rest here:

Top MSPs on Digital Transformation, Emerging Technology and the Future - Channel Futures

The potential growth difference for the microfluidics technology market between 2020and 2025 is USD 10.45 million. To get the exact yearly growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Talk to our analyst.

Key Market Dynamics:

To learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio.Read our FREE Sample Report right now!

The microfluidics technology market report is segmented by Material (Polymer-based microfluidics, Glass-based microfluidics, Silicon-based microfluidics, and Others) and Geography(North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW).Technavio market research report entails detailed information on thecompetitive intelligence, marketing gaps, segmentation, and regional opportunities in store for vendors, which will assist in creating efficient business plans.

View our sample reportfor additional insights into the contribution of all the segments, and regional opportunities in the report.

Some Companies MentionedThe microfluidics technology market is fragmented and thevendors are deploying growth strategies such asfocusing ondifferentiating their product and service offerings through clear and unique value propositionsto compete in the market.

Related Reports:Homogenizers Market -The homogenizers market size has the potential to grow by USD 322.30 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.76%.Download a free sample now!

Cell Surface Markers Market -The cell surface markers market share is expected to increase by USD10.00 billion from 2021 to 2026,and the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 7.40%.Download a free sample now!

Microfluidics Technology Market Scope

Report Coverage

Details

Page number

120

Base year

2020

Forecast period

2021-2025

Growth momentum & CAGR

Accelerate at a CAGR of 18.36%

Market growth 2021-2025

USD 10.45 million

Market structure

Fragmented

YoY growth (%)

17.69

Regional analysis

North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW

Performing market contribution

North America at 34%

Key consumer countries

US, China, UK, Germany, Canada, and India

Competitive landscape

Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope

Companies profiled

Agilent Technologies Inc., Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., biosurfit SA, Elveflow, Fluidigm Corp., Fluigent SA, Illumina Inc., Perma-Pipe International Holdings Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Market Dynamics

Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period.

Customization purview

If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Key Topics Covered:

About UsTechnavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

ContactTechnavio ResearchJesse MaidaMedia & Marketing ExecutiveUS: +1 844 364 1100UK: +44 203 893 3200Email: [emailprotected]Website:www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

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Microfluidics Technology Market to grow by USD 10.45 mn from 2020 to 2025 | Increasing Applications in Molecular Biology to Boost Market Growth |...

The need to build better relationships with customers and understand the nuances of business in a more comprehensive manner is driving brands to focus more on vernacular content. The coming of new technologies such as voice interfaces is also helping to steer this trend forward.

As per a report by Google, 90% of internet users prefer to use their local language to search and carry out tasks online. With rapid digitization and new internet users growing, the 3Vs: voice, video and vernacular, have become essential to the way Indians interact with the internet, Googles Year in Search 2020: India for determined progress, report had started.

Attesting to such trends, Vedanarayanan Vedantham, SME & Startup Business Head, Razorpay recalled when he was stopped midway during a webinar as the audience wanted the conversation to be in Hindi language. We had a partnership going on with one of Indias largest ecommerce marketplace, where we did a pseudo bespoke payment for all their sellers. I was talking about trends in digitisation on a webinar when people stopped me to say that they understood nothing and that I should speak in Hindi. It was an eye-opening moment for me, he said while speaking at the recently concluded Razorpay FTX 2021.

Echoing similar sentiments, Harsh Pokharna, Co-Founder & CEO, OkCredit explained that the coming of voice first interfaces instead of type first are making adoption of technology easier for many micro businesses. Stating how they have had a lot of learnings along the way, Pokharna said it is important to adapt as per the need of the situation. What we saw in one of the instances was that the SME employee could not use our software since he only understood Kannada. He did not understand English. So ultimately, we had to make a version that was Kannada focused and after that he was comfortable using the software application, he added.

The narrative, he asserted, has now changed, and a lot depends on how communication is channeled with such businesses. The product building plus marketing has to be vernacular if you want to penetrate deeper. Earlier there was this notion of such businesses not being tech savvy or using business apps. Now that is no longer the case and very good technology adoption can be seen if they get value. Moreover, there is a huge word of mouth in micro business communities as they are tightly knit, he stated.

The inclusion of vernacular languages and local dialect also helps in driving a stronger connect towards the product. People have a lot of pride when they see their language on the app and they feel the product is their own. A lot of such businesses have to communicate with their customers often. The option to communicate in their local language helps to build trust with customers and is a win-win, Pokharna reiterated.

Originally posted here:

Mind your language: How vernacular content will enhance technology adoption for small businesses - Economic Times

MIDDLETON, Mass., Dec. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant Knowledge Solutions recently announced that it has named ACI Worldwide https://www.hcltechsw.com/as a 2021 technology leader in the SPARK Matrix analysis of the global Card Management System (CMS) market.

Quadrant_Knowledge_Solutions_Logo

The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix includes a detailed analysis of the global Card Management System (CMS) market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the major CMS vendors in the form of SPARK Matrix, providing strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market positions.

Due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, a robust card management mechanism is much needed. Critical investments in CMS solutions are expected to grow, with organizations focusing more on security, and seamless user experience being the new long-term strategy to retain customers for the long term. Driven by the continued innovation and investments from leading vendors, modern CMS platforms provide a wide range of advanced functionality for multiple use cases supporting multi-product, multi-language, multi-currency, multi-scheme, and all payment types, including contactless, QR code, in-app payments, tokenization, and others.

According to the "SPARK Matrix: Card Management System (CMS), 2021," a majority of the leading CMS vendors provide capabilities including card lifecycle management, behavioral scoring, dispute management, account management, clearing and settlement, accounting, application processing, fraud monitoring & risk management, authentication & authorization, analytics & insights, customer communication, and compliance & reporting.

ACI Worldwide offers a card and merchant management (CMM) solution suite enabling financial institutions to both manage existing and introduce new payment products, fine-tuned across the customer segment. CMM offers three key functional offerings: Issuing, Acquiring and Clearing & Settlement of retail payments. The CMM suite provides a comprehensive card management solution across credit, debit, smart card, pre-paid, tokenized, and corporate card verticals. ACI Worldwide's CMM solution offers key capabilities and features, including online authorization services, card, token, and account management, clearing and settlement services, enablement for emerging and alternative payment methods, integration and orchestration capabilities, API infrastructure, connectivity to a wide number of card networks, payment schemes and value-added services in the industry, and a wide range of APIs and web services.

Story continues

According to Pradnya Gugale, analyst at Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, "ACI Worldwide's Card and merchant management suite (CMM) offers comprehensive card management capabilities across credit, debit, smart card, pre-paid, tokenized, and corporate card verticals. By combining its sophisticated technology platform, comprehensive functional capabilities, and strong customer value proposition, ACI Worldwide is well-positioned to expand its market share in the global card management systems market," added Gugale.

Quote by ACI Worldwide:

"We are honored to be positioned as a Card Management Systems leader. We have designed and implemented our ACI Issuing solution to allow financial institutions to rapidly launch new services, process new transactions, enter new markets and support business growth while modernizing their legacy systems," said Javier Pino, principal issuing product manager, ACI Worldwide.

Additional Resources:

For more information about ACI Worldwide's Card Management System solution: Link

Complimentary Download SPARK Matrix: Card Management System (CMS), 2021: Link

About ACI Worldwide:

ACI Worldwide is a global software company that provides mission-critical real-time payment solutions to corporations. Customers use our proven, scalable and secure solutions to process and manage digital payments, enable omni-commerce payments, present and process bill payments, and manage fraud and risk. We combine our global footprint with local presence to drive the real-time digital transformation of payments and commerce.

About Quadrant Knowledge Solutions:

Quadrant Knowledge Solutions is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients in achieving business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth advisory services. At Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, our vision is to become an integral part of our client's business as a strategic knowledge partner. Our research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. For more available research, please visit https://quadrant-solutions.com/market-research/

Media contacts:

ACI Worldwide Press Contact:

Riya MeharQuadrant Knowledge Solutionsrmehar@quadrant-solutions.com

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aci-worldwide-named-as-a-2021-technology-leader-in-the-card-management-system-cms-market-by-quadrant-knowledge-solutions-301447366.html

SOURCE Quadrant Knowledge Solutions

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ACI Worldwide named as a 2021 Technology Leader in the Card Management System (CMS) market by Quadrant Knowledge Solutions - Yahoo Finance

World leaders are doubling down on an energy transition that will rely more heavily on renewable sources of energy as we move closer to key climate commitments.

Investment in the energy transition is well underway, with daily news reports announcing new projects for wind, solar, hydro-generation, battery and other storage technologies, hydrogen, bio-based fuels, and carbon capture and storage.

The reality for energy markets is that the global economy is still largely dependent on oil and natural gas as primary energy sources; renewables need to scale significantly to replace them.

Analysts at S&P Global Platts forecast in their baseline scenario that, despite global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), global oil demand will continue to grow slowly throughout this decade and then plateau just below 115 million b/d of oil between the late 2030s and first half of the 2040s.

Platts global energy demand forecast

In the face of forecast oil demand growth, an increased global focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is encouraging oil and gas market participants to produce, invest in, and trade in energy resources with lower associated emissions.

Market demand is growing for low-carbon oil and gas supplies, which are fossil fuel resources produced with a lower rate of GHG emissions.

Markets, in turn, play a key role in facilitating the valuation, trade, and delivery of these lower-carbon resources. New technologies and trading tools offer the energy sector different options to address emissions from current, transition, and future energy sources, and to do so much more quickly and with less risk.

Meanwhile, the data sets generated by tracking and monitoring energy sources and their emissions and other ESG attributes are growing in size and number. In this new context, it is not only the tools for handling the data that are important but the quality and reliability of the data itself. Assigning market value correctly and incentivizing the right investments and shifts in the energy system depend on it.

Carbon intensity and crude trading

Carbon intensity (CI) is one metric the market has started to employ to measure GHG emissions from specific types of crude oil production. Oil produced with a lower amount of GHG emissions per barrel of oil has a lower CI than crudes produced with higher emissions.

Therefore, fewer voluntary carbon credits would be required to offset emissions of lower-CI crudes.

As demand grows for low-carbon oil, CI measurements like those calculated by S&P Global Platts Analytics could impact the traded price of oil, particularly in terms of differentials between crude grades and lower-carbon varieties of the same grade of crude. The market could apply CI as an attribute of the crude, like sulfur.

Just as higher sulfur content devalues crude, the market could equally come to devalue crude produced at a relatively high rate of emissions. In the not-too-distant future, the market for low-carbon oil could mature and price in upstream CI, with crudes of lower CI trading at a premium to those of higher CI.

Having ascertained the CI for individual production fields, there is scope for more in-depth analysis of the implications including price impacts.

Impacts to the global supply curve will be quantifiable, as well, by incorporating the cost of addressing or offsetting emissions in the cost of production. In a market seeking low-carbon oil and limiting capital and market demand for high-carbon production, fields with high CI production would see carbon-inclusive production costs rise.

Targeting cleaner gas supply

There is growing awareness of the role of methane in global warming, with more than 100 signatories to a pledge to reduce emissions of the GHG. Methane, the main component of natural gas, has global warming potential around 85 times that of CO2 over a 20-year period.

The recent launch by Platts of methane performance certificate (MPC) price assessments now enables trading of lower-emission natural gas production in the US. Importantly, the certificates use dynamic sets of measured data monitored and audited by an independent third party, moving away from predecessor standards based on self-reported data.

MPCs are the beginning of a journey to reduce methane intensity along the entire value chain.

Broader standards for natural gas are also emerging in the US, encompassing not only methane but other ESG attributes. And amid growing interest among both consumers and end-users, several midstream operators announced recently that they would start dedicating physical pipeline capacity for certified gas.

Armed with more reliable and comprehensive information about the carbon footprint and methane emissions of specific crude and natural gas resources, market participants will be able to identify and use the lowest emitting assets.

A host of new standards and price indicators for sustainable and renewable fuels, voluntary carbon credits, and carbon-credit pricing and allowance assessments now exist, enabling the renewables and sustainable fuels markets to be monetized more easily.

Technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain can help improve processes and speed of trading in commodity and energy markets

Digital innovation in energy trading

All this new data requires new technologies and faster delivery mechanisms to ensure the market can adequately respond. Desktop and application programming interface (API) delivery of core energy data enables traders to not only see the value of transition commodities, but to trade them with the best information in real time.

APIs allow data to be accessed, integrated and queried in the way that best suits the user to power digital transformation and unlock new value. They are one of a number of delivery channels employed by Platts, which also offers its pricing data, news, and analytics via the Platts Dimensions Pro desktop platform and mobile application.

In combination with such data delivery systems, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain can help improve processes and speed of trading in commodity and energy markets. They also enable companies to model the complex global integrated energy system and navigate the flood of data generated by increased monitoring of commodity and energy supply chains.

The same technologies have great potential to support trading of assets critical to the energy transition, increase transparency and facilitate emissions reductions in supply chains through more efficient use of resources.

For example, in the maritime sector, numerous digital initiatives are emerging to track fuels and traffic and monitor GHG emissions, while blockchain can also ensure traceability in the supply chain for key energy transition raw materials such as battery metals.

AI is also being leveraged in the voluntary carbon market, bringing much-needed transparency. In partnership with Viridios, Platts launched six AI-driven Carbon Credit CARBEX Indices as well as their respective monthly averages. Viridios AI software is trained using Platts commodity data, in addition to Viridios own extensive database of carbon credit transaction data. The software generates values for a range of carbon credits, based on historic relationships between a broad data set of carbon credit transactions and related commodity prices.

These market developments signal that we are at a new juncture in the energy transition. Fossil fuels continue to be a mainstay of many economies, while renewable energy sources are growing at a rapid pace and non-physical commodities like carbon credits and other environmental attributes are creating fresh opportunities and challenges.

From enabling trade of environmental attributes, to analyzing and relating multiple factors that impact value, technology will play an ever-greater role in valuing the commodities and energy products that will drive decarbonization.

Without high-quality, timely data that is easily accessible and analyzable, technology will be insufficient, and this will remain a core concern of the energy sector for years to come. In the short and long term, energy transition will be fueled by information.Source: Platts

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Data and technology will fuel the energy transition - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Severe COVID-19 Cases Linked to Increased Incidences of Stroke

TORONTO & BOSTON, December 17, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BIONIK Laboratories Corp. (OTCQB: BNKL) ("BIONIK" or the "Company"), a robotics company focused on providing rehabilitation and assistive technology solutions to individuals with neurological and mobility challenges from hospital to home, today announced its unique position to meet the increased recovery demands from stroke patients who have suffered from a severe case of COVID-19.

According to a recent study on the impact of COVID-19 on neurological events, more than 80% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have had neurologic symptoms at some point in the course of their disease, including stroke. In looking at ischemic stroke in COVID-19, patients who experienced severe illness from a COVID-19 diagnosis saw a 6% increase in the incidences of stroke occurring 1-3 weeks post-onset symptoms. Through its line of InMotion Robots, BIONIK offers evidence-based technologies for patient-adept therapy to stroke patients that are intended to restore upper-extremity motor control for a broad range of neurological conditions and recovery stages.

Recovery and treatment for patients following a stroke with a positive COVID test requires an emphasis on safety procedures, including maintaining distance in between caregivers and patients along with strict infection control. While human touch has long been a hallmark of modern medicine, the InMotion Robotic Systems help hospitals and outpatient facilities administer targeted therapy for stroke patients, while removing the amount of direct contact needed as clinicians guide and oversee the robots movements with patients.

BIONIK has already seen success with InMotion systems utilized for stroke patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19. The Companys robot was integrated into Einstein Healthcare Networks MossRehabs Core+ Unit, a rehabilitation space for patients infected with or recovering from COVID-19 that require inpatient rehabilitation to return to their communities. The CORE+ Unit is in a dedicated section of MossRehab Elkins Park, the largest provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation in the Philadelphia region, where patients have their own rooms, dedicated staff, stringent PPE requirements, and transportation protocols to reduce risk of infection.

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"Following a stroke, patients need to begin their recovery journey immediately to strengthen their brain's neuroplasticity. With BIONIKs InMotion devices, were able to increase the quantity and the quality of movements done in each therapy session," said Richard Russo, Jr., Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer of BIONIK. "The robot assists with every movement and provides the additional support to help patients overcome any movement obstacles they may face along the way, making it an ideal option for the recovery needs of all stroke patients, but especially those who may test positive for COVID-19."

InMotion robotic therapy systems are used regularly in more than 15 countries to help stroke survivors and those with other neurological conditions regain arm movement by training shoulder protraction/retraction, flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation and elbow flexion/extension. InMotion Robots guide the patient through specific tasks, often completing upwards of 1,000 movements per hour, in an effort to improve motor control of the arm by increasing strength, range of motion and coordination, and assisting with the provision of efficient, effective and intensive sensorimotor therapy.

About BIONIK Laboratories Corp.BIONIK Laboratories is a robotics company focused on providing rehabilitation and mobility solutions to individuals with neurological and mobility challenges from hospital to home. The Company has a portfolio of products focused on upper and lower extremity rehabilitation for stroke and other mobility-impaired patients, including three products on the market and three products in varying stages of development.

For more information, please visit http://www.BIONIKlabs.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Forward-Looking StatementsAny statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "should," "would," "will," "could," "scheduled," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," "seek," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to the design, development and commercialization of human exoskeletons and other robotic rehabilitation products, (ii) a projection of income (including income/loss), earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, pipeline of potential sales, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the Company's future financial performance, (iv) the market and projected market for our existing and planned products and (v) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in points (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances, and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company's inability to obtain additional financing, the inability to meet listing standards to uplist to a national stock exchange, the significant length of time and resources associated with the development of our products and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the impact on the Companys business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's inability to expand the Company's business, significant government regulation of medical devices and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, volatility in the price of the Company's raw materials, and the Company's failure to implement the Company's business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

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Contacts

Media: Ashley WillisFischTank PRAshley@fischtankpr.com

Investor Relations: Stephanie PrincePCG Advisorysprince@pcgadvisory.com 646.863.6341

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BIONIK Laboratories InMotion Robotics Technology Meets the Recovery Demands from an Increase of Stroke Patients Brought on by Severe Cases of COVID-19...

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