Of the many kinds of stars, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, usually slightly larger and older than our own sun, are known to produce interstellar dust. Dusty AGBs are particularly prominent dust producers, and the light they shine varies widely.

For the first time, a long-period survey has found the variable intensity of dusty AGBs coincides with variations in the amount of dust these stars produce. As this dust can lead to the creation of planets, its study can shed light on our own origins.

You’ve probably heard of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) which has been in the news lately. It’s famous for being the largest and most sensitive space telescope designed to observe infrared (IR) light.

But long before the JWST took to the skies, two other IR space telescopes, AKARI and WISE, have been surveying the cosmos, both of which have ended their initial missions, but produced so much valuable data that astronomers are still finding new discoveries with it.

The latest finding from that data by doctoral student Kengo Tachibana from the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Astronomy and his team, could have implications for the study of the origins of life itself.

“We study stars, and IR light from them is a key source of information that helps us unlock their secrets,” said Tachibana.

“Until recently, most IR data was from very short-period surveys due to the lack of advanced dedicated platforms. But missions like AKARI and WISE have allowed us to take longer-period surveys of things. This means we can see how things might change over greater time periods, and what these changes might imply. Lately, we turned our attention to a certain class of star known as asymptotic giant branch stars, which are interesting because they are the main producers of interstellar dust.”

This interstellar dust is not the same stuff that accumulates on your floor when you forget to vacuum for a few days; it’s a name given to heavy elements that disperse from stars and lead to the formation of solid objects including planets.

Although it’s long been known that AGBs, especially dusty AGBs, are the main producers of dust, it’s unknown what the main drivers of dust production are and where we should be looking to find this out.

“Our latest study has pointed us in the right direction,” said Tachibana.

“Thanks to long-period IR observations, we have found that the light from dusty AGBs varies with periods longer than several hundred days. We also found that the spherical shells of dust produced by and then ejected by these stars have concentrations of dust that vary in step with the stars’ changes in luminosity. Of the 169 dusty AGBs surveyed, no matter their variability period, the concentrations of dust around them would coincide. So, we’re certain these are connected.”

Finding a connection between the concentration of dust and the variability of stars’ brightness is just the first step in this investigation, however.

Now the team wishes to explore the possible physical mechanisms behind dust production. For this, they intend to continuously monitor various AGB stars for many years. The University of Tokyo is nearing completion of a large ground-based telescope project, the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory, in Chile, dedicated to making infrared observations.

Source: University of Tokyo

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A new way of using 3D printing to create infection-fighting materials for use as medical implants has been revealed in a new research paper.

Engineers at the University of Bath, working with colleagues at the University of Ulster, have for the first time successfully created a new kind of ferroelectric composite material with antimicrobial properties using a novel multi-material 3D printing process.

They say the use of electrically responsive ferroelectric materials gives the implants infection-fighting properties, making them ideal for biomedical applications, such as heart valves, stents, and bone implants reducing the risk of infection for patients.

While commonplace, all biomedical implants pose some level of risk as materials can carry surface bio-contaminants that can lead to infection. Reducing this risk could be beneficial both to patients in the form of improved outcomes, and to healthcare providers thanks to reduced costs incurred by ongoing treatment.

The team has previously used this 3D printing technique for the fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Dr Hamideh Khanbareh, a lecturer in materials and structures in Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, is lead author of the research. She says that the development has the scope for wide-ranging applications.

She said: “Biomedical implants that can fight infection or dangerous bacteria such as E. coli could present significant benefits to patients and to healthcare providers.

“Our research indicates that the ferroelectric composite materials we have created have a great potential as antimicrobial materials and surfaces. This is a potentially game-changing development that we would be keen to develop further through collaboration with medical researchers or healthcare providers.”

The innovation comes thanks to ferroelectricity, a characteristic of certain polar materials that generate electrical surface charge in response to a change in mechanical energy or temperature. In ferroelectric films and implants, this electrical charge leads to the formation of free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which selectively eradicate bacteria.

This comes about through the micro-electrolysis of water molecules on a surface of polarised ferroelectric composite material.

The composite material used to harness this phenomenon is made by embedding ferroelectric barium calcium zirconate titanate (BCZT) micro-particles in polycaprolactone (PCL) a biodegradable polymer widely used in biomedical applications. The mixture of the ferroelectric particles and polymer is then fed into a 3D bioprinter to create a specific porous ‘scaffold’ shape designed to have a high surface area to promote ROS formation.

Testing showed that even when contaminated with high concentrations of aggressive E. coli bacteria, the composite can completely eradicate the bacteria cells without external intervention, killing 70% within just 15 minutes.

Source: University of Bath

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The official date is set: the Russian aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” should be fully repaired by 2024. But even if technical works follow the schedule, assembling and training a new crew for this ship will certainly not happen quickly.

“Admiral Kuznetsov” was designed to have 1,900 technical personnel onboard. The new crew should consist of 1,500 people, and such a reduction is explained by the fact that many of the internal systems will be automated and therefore will require less maintenance.

Still, a 1,500-large crew is not a simple thing to prepare, because most of these servicemen will need to undergo very specialized and long training before the vessel will be ready to perform at least basic tasks. Also, due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, finding the necessary crew members will not be a simple task.

The repair and overhaul of “Admiral Kuznetsov” have been underway for 6 years. After the ship was stationed at the repair facility, the former crew was disbanded.

Of course, some operations onboard an aircraft carrier are closely similar to those in other types of military ships. Nevertheless, every aircraft carrier has its own specifics, including the fact that the crew must be 100% capable of maintaining aircraft and aviation equipment.

“Even if there are 1500 suitable sailors, their training and familiarization [with the aircraft carrier] will take months, since the Kuznetsov is the largest surface ship in Russia. Even the old team would find it difficult to learn how to properly operate with newly installed equipment. An improperly trained team can lead to major accidents,” commented Russian Navy expert Matus Smutny.

In a similar way, pilots of naval fighter jets Su-33 and MiG-29KR will need to complete additional training after 7 years spent without regular practice at sea.

Previously, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that the ship suffered from significant hull corrosion which is extremely difficult to repair.

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Ukrainian engineers are learning to make the maximum use of simple and cheap drones. They not only construct their flying machines, but also develop specialized munitions and adapt novel attack methods.

The tactics used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are usually based on drones that drop munitions while flying over the positions of the enemy. Such unmanned flyers are often made by volunteer communities using non-military grade parts.

There are only two main technical requirements: the drone must have the ability to be controlled remotely with a visual feedback, and it must be capable of carrying an explosive charge.

One such community named “Steel Hornets” which manufactures drones for Ukrainian soldiers and also constructs ammunition release systems and even optimized the construction of munitions for this purpose, recently demonstrated how they tested their new the testing of its new development – shrapnel ammunition.

Each shrapnel charge weighs 800 grams (around 1.8 lb) and has a diameter of 63 mm. It uses a mechanical fuse.

Generally, shrapnel explosives are packed with metal balls with a diameter of several millimeters that are scattered in the proximity of the detonation. Modern versions may contain sharp pieces of metal sometimes shaped as small arrows to increase their flight distance.

But it is not only ammunition that plays an important role on the battlefield. Ukrainian drone pilots are using a ‘diving’ technique to increase the efficiency of their strikes.

In his method, the carried drone flies along the charge release trajectory in order to increase the initial projectile velocity right after it is released from the drop mechanism. This also allows performing hits from a lower altitude, thereby increasing the accuracy and simplifying the aiming process.

Is it possible to recover the drone?

Yes, the drone does not hit the ground but is able to change its trajectory right after the drop. As Defense Express notes, the drone essentially turns into a miniature combat aircraft that is able to repeat maneuvres similar to those used in large airplanes.

The process could be simplified even further by programming an automated drone return function to optimize its recovery after it performed its mission.

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The Soviet anti-aircraft weapon KS-19 entered production in 1947. It was developed to replace old WW2-era 85 mm anti-aircraft guns. It is now very old, but the defenders of Ukraine are still using these weapons because they need to defend their country. But where did they get such old weapons from? And can they still be effective at all?

The Armed Forces of Ukraine uses anti-aircraft guns KS-19, which entered service with the Army of the USSR in 1947 – 76 years ago. All the people involved in the development of this anti-aircraft gun are long dead. The KS-19 is a 100 mm gun designed to replace the 85 mm guns of World War II.

A video appeared on the Internet showing as many as 4 KS-19 guns in the hands of the defenders of Ukraine. The Ukraine Weapons Tracker does not exclude the possibility that these anti-aircraft guns are used against ground targets – the KS-19 is definitely suitable for that. In fact, the KS-19 has been used for direct and indirect fire against lightly armoured vehicles or personnel positions for the entirety of its service life.

Defense Express notes that these KS-19 may have appeared in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as trophies, seized during the counterattack campaign in the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian army then captured at least 4 KS-19 guns. However, it is possible that these anti-aircraft guns were dragged out from Ukraine’s own weapon storage.

Ukraine stored multiple KS-19 guns in Balakliia, a city in Kharkiv Oblast at the beginning of the Russian invasion. This city was then captured by the advancing Russian forces. Invaders did use these KS-19s, sometimes even as decoys to divert the attention of the Ukrainian reconnaissance.

However, as Russian positions in the Kharkiv region weakened, Russia was swiftly kicked out of Balakliia and Ukraine retook its KS-19 and other weapons.

Journalists note that, despite its age, KS-19 can be useful for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The characteristics of this weapon allow shooting at ground targets at a distance of up to 20 km, and air targets can be reached at an altitude of up to 15 km.

The shooting rate of the KS-19 is up to 15 rounds per minute. The entire weapon weighs just under 10 tonnes and needs a crew of 15 people, but for modern trucks that is hardly an issue. Attacking large air targets with the KS-19 now might be tricky, but smaller drones can feel the wrath of this ancient weapon.

The main problem with such old weapons is the availability of ammunition. It is possible that Bulgaria, which also operates the KS-19, helped with the ammunition. Ukraine probably had some suitable 100 mm rounds stashed as well as this system has been in use for decades.

Sources: Focus.ua, Wikipedia

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Manufacturing – illustrative photo.

How Can a Manufacturing Company Use RPA?

RPA can be useful for automating a wide range of processes in manufacturing businesses including tasks performed by any company regardless of its specialization, such as invoicing, as well as operations that are more specific to the type of manufacturing industry.

When it comes to invoicing and accounting, RPA can be applied to a variety of processes, including invoice creation and verification, payment scheduling, collecting and processing information as well as updating the system.

A great example of RPA applications for tasks specifically related to manufacturing is inventory management. Companies can automate the process of tracking inventory to determine stock levels and issue purchase orders to manage supply levels with minimal human supervision. This can help businesses to optimize inventory levels and avoid downtime caused by insufficient supply.

RPA can also support order processing by automating order entries, validation, and confirmation.

Manufacturing companies can automate production line monitoring, such as tracking machine performance and notifying of potential or ongoing problems, which is very helpful for increasing production efficiency.

Quality control is another part of manufacturing companies’ workflows that can be automated. RPA can handle data collection and analysis, as well as report generation.

Read more about robotic process automation in manufacturing industry on: https://xplusglobal.com/resources/blog/robotic-process-automation-rpa-in-manufacturing-industry/

Why Should a Manufacturing Company Implement RPA?

Manufacturing companies that want to stay ahead of their competitors can effectively optimize their production, reduce costs, and increase profits by using RPA.

Automating repetitive, rule-based tasks saves significant resources and creates opportunities for employees to engage in tasks that can contribute to the development of their skills and expertise. This also eliminates human error and increases accuracy. Whether they are accounting processes or tasks related to production quality control, they can have a significant impact on the company’s performance.

Automation also speeds up processes and allows companies to do them outside of employees’ working hours if needed. While this can further increase business productivity, speed is especially important for some processes. This is true, for example, for handling tasks related to customer service and shipment.

Finally, the reduction in the need for manual labor makes companies more scalable, as they do not necessarily need to hire more employees to handle an increasing number of tasks that can be automated.

Potential Challenges of RPA Implementation

Despite the considerable benefits, companies may encounter certain issues when implementing RPA. The biggest problem is the upfront financial investment, which not all companies can afford. This depends on the RPA solution an organization is looking for. For instance, the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM suite comes with tools for automation, while other solutions may require the implementation of separate solutions.

These expenses may include software costs as well as investments in employee training.

Although in many cases companies enjoy significant savings after deploying RPA software, smaller businesses may not receive ROI high enough to benefit from the implementation.

Another potential risk associated with RPA regards security. Automated execution of processes creates more opportunities to overlook vulnerabilities that can lead to data breaches or other types of losses. At the same time, depending on the exact nature of the information being processed, companies must ensure that their RPA systems comply with data security regulations. Enforcing these regulations, in turn, requires additional resources and can generate even higher costs of implementation.

RPA may also require changes in work routines. To successfully deploy automation, employees must adapt to the changes. While this requires the training mentioned above, there is still the possibility that some may not be ready to adapt to new workflows. This can slow down the adaptation of the system and can disrupt some of the business operations.

More and more companies are deciding to move to automated testing because it is an effective way to reduce the cost generated by manual labor, speed up software adoption, and reduce the likelihood of human error. Although automated testing itself does not require as much effort as manual testing, there are certain challenges that many companies face, especially during the implementation process.

Selection of the Right Tool

In order to automate testing, companies need to decide which tool they want to use for this task. The range of options is quite large, which makes it challenging to make the right decision. In addition to the financial factor, which will be discussed in the next point, companies should also carefully consider the desired features.

To reduce human involvement to a minimum, no-code solutions can be an optimal choice, as they do not require advanced technical knowledge to create and maintain test cases. Implementing such tools is also easier and faster than solutions distributed in the form of libraries that can be used for creating a custom testing tool.

At the same time, custom testing solutions allow companies to automate different types of tests, while most low-code and no-code software products are suitable only for functional testing. However, there are exceptions such as Executive Automats, which is also a powerful tool for performance testing.

Read more on: https://www.executiveautomats.com/top-5-automated-testing-concerns-in-ms-dynamics-365/

High Upfront Investment Cost

Free test libraries such as Selenium seem to be the most obvious choice for many enterprises, but such tools generate other expenses that should be considered. Despite the lack of licensing fees, such tools involve a high upfront investment required for setting up and maintaining an infrastructure, which cannot be done without professional developers.

Creating and maintaining tests for Selenium-based solutions also needs expert assistance. While this itself is associated with high cost, working with Selenium also requires more time than working with low-code or no-code solutions, which in turn increases expenses even more.

While no-code solutions such as Executive Automats require an upfront investment, they can provide a higher ROI in the long run due to reduced requirements for supervision from professional testers and simplified implementation.

Companies should evaluate the scope of testing, budget, and level of technical preparation before making a final decision.

Unrealistic Expectations

While test automation offers significant benefits to organizations that rely on third-party software, such as ERP and CRM suites, it is not a magic solution that can meet all testing requirements of a company.

Some unrealistic expectations are related to the problems mentioned earlier in this article. One of these is the belief that automated testing provides complete test coverage. In many cases, much of the work can indeed be automated, but for particularly complex test scenarios, as well as certain types of tests that require a human, automation is not helpful. User experience testing is one of them.

There is also a common myth about automation freeing companies from the need to maintain tests. Test automation does not mean that tests do not need to be updated when the tested software changes. Enterprises that use ERP software such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management should consider this fact since this system undergoes frequent modifications.

In addition, many companies would like to switch to automated testing because they believe that it can detect any bug. Even though automation increases the level of accuracy, it still does not guarantee that no errors will occur. Some problems may remain undetected and require manual testing for further investigation.

Ineffective Strategy

Choosing an inadequate strategy for test automation is particularly common among organizations with unrealistic expectations. At the same time, it is a challenging task for any business.

Again, it is necessary to set clear expectations for the test automation project in order to choose the right approach to automated testing. For instance, some companies looking for ways to automate testing of their ERP and CRM systems may be seeking cost reduction, while others are looking for a solution to minimize the testing time required to roll out updated software. Furthermore, there are organizations that want to automate testing to increase the quality of their software and reduce downtime or other costly consequences of compromised performance.

A multi-cloud strategy means a company has intentionally used different public cloud solutions to store its data. Amazon Web Services, Google Workplace, and Microsoft are some of the most popular public cloud vendors that companies can choose from when using this strategy. Companies do this because of the various benefits they stand to enjoy. These benefits of a multi-cloud strategy include the following:

1.     Security

This strategy enables companies to enjoy security when storing data. They can transfer some workloads to public (Infrastructure as a Service) Iaas providers with security benefits. They also have the choice to transfer files between cloud platforms while waiting for services to resume after a phishing or brute force DDoS attack by hackers.

The vendors also provide data backup and recovery services in case of data loss due to natural disasters, power outages, and malfunctioning disks. Additionally, it helps to reduce factors that affect performance, such as packet loss, jitter, and latency which usually happen when a company moves between server and network to another. This way, the multi-cloud approach makes your business more resilient.

2.     Boosting Performance

When choosing a cloud services provider, a company considers whether the Iaas can fulfill performance needs, affordability, and location. With this strategy, companies can have a fast infrastructure that maximizes application performance and lowers the cost of merging cloud services with their current IT network. When companies spread networks to various cloud providers, companies can create networks that improve user experience and response time.

3.     Compliance

Most countries have strict governance and data privacy rules, including GDPR and CCPA, which mandate clients’ data be kept in specific locations. With this strategy, companies can meet this requirement without the hassle of creating and operating their in-house data centers.

4.     Flexible and Scalable

As a business grows, its amount of data also increases significantly. Therefore, organizations that want to store and analyze their data can use several cloud providers. This allows businesses to increase or reduce their storage needs when the need arises.

5.     Customized Strategy

A company that uses multiple cloud services can choose the provider that best suits its needs. The advantage of doing this is that an organization is not forced to adjust its functions to comply with a provider’s specifications. The business has the freedom to use different providers that are most compatible with every aspect of the company and its needs.

6.     Eliminate The Risk Of Lock-Ins With A Single Vendor

By using one vendor, you will become tied to them, and it will be hard to change your applications in the future when you desire to alter them. Even though one vendor is ideal for you at a specific time, it might not be suitable when you realize you need to scale your storage needs.

Additionally, you could lose an opportunity to grab some fantastic deals that arise in the future. When you choose a multi-cloud approach from the start, your developers can make apps that operate on different platforms. Therefore, you will be flexible and able to capitalize on the best capabilities and processes from various providers and still be able to deliver the quality you promised your customers.

Final Thoughts

Data is crucial for any business in this day and age. Organizations do their best to protect the data and ensure their IT systems run smoothly. Adopting the multi-cloud strategy is an excellent way to achieve these vital organizational goals.