Daily Archives: March 18, 2021

Scientists named the object Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, and conceded it was unlike anything previously seen.

It took four years, but two Arizona astrophysicists have come up with an explanation for the interstellar pancake-shaped disk that ignited fears of alien technology in 2017.

The object which resembled the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars hurtled past Earth at 196,000 miles per hour and was confirmed to be from another solar system, according to The School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University.

Scientists named the object Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, and conceded it was unlike anything previously seen.

The lack of certainty quickly led to speculation it was a piece of alien technology, but the new research proves otherwise, according to a news release from the American Geophysical Union and Arizona State University.

Everybody is interested in aliens, and it was inevitable that this first object outside the solar system would make people think of aliens, Steven Desch, an astrophysicist at ASU, said in the release. But its important in science not to jump to conclusions. It took two or three years to figure out a natural explanation.

So what was it?

A massive chunk of ice, or more specifically, frozen nitrogen, scientists say.

However, thats just one of the surprises discovered by Desch and astrophysicist Alan Jackson, who co-authored two papers on the object in the American Geophysical Unions Journal of Geophysical Research.

Oumuamua was small, about half as long as a city block and only as thick as a three story building, but it was very shiny, the scientists wrote.

The shininess is about the same as the surfaces of Pluto and Triton, which are also covered in nitrogen ice. We suggest Oumuamua was probably thrown out of a young star system about half a billion years ago. Bodies like Oumuamua may allow us to see what the surfaces of a so far unknown type of exoplanet ... are made of.

It was spotted in 2017 by an astronomical observatory in Hawaii and quickly labeled the first known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, the report says.

Oumuamua was believed at first to be a comet, but experts then noted features that were just odd enough to defy classification, the scientists said. The object didnt have a tail, which is created when gases evaporate off comets.

Their research contends orbital instabilities caused giant planets to collide, which resulted in large numbers of small pieces of nitrogen ice like Oumuamua to break off and shoot into space.

It was likely knocked off the surface by an impact about half a billion years ago and thrown out of its parent system, Jackson said in the news release.

This revelation is important, because it means other solar systems have at least some planets like those in our own solar system, Desch said.

Until now, weve had no way to know if other solar systems have Pluto-like planets, but now we have seen a chunk of one pass by Earth, he said.

Oumuamua changed shape as it traveled, the report notes. It likely wasnt flat when it entered our solar system, but melted away to a sliver as it got closer to the sun. It eventually lost more than 95% of its mass."

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Interstellar disc that blasted by Earth was not alien technology. Heres what it was. - Mahoning Matters

CENTERVILLE Centerville police are looking to crack down on dangerous speeders as they roll out a new neighborhood program.

News Center 7s Ronnell Hunt spoke to people who live in Centerville who said they hope the program cuts down on speeding.

Sadie Powell, who lives in Centerville, said most drivers look like they are going nearly double the speed limit in a 25 mph zone.

I go out to take the trash out and someone is just speeding down the road. I can get hit and stuff, said Powell.

The new technology Centerville police hope will reduce speeding tracks the speed of cars and logs information such as time and location over a 24 hour period.

Itll also give us top speed, low speed, average speed. It will gives us all kinds of percentiles so that we can get a really good snapshot of whats going on, said John Davis with the Centerville Police Department.

The technology will help notify police so they know which areas to patrol with officers without wasting resources.

A lot of the times the public will see one car go through their neighborhood at a high speed, which is not good. We dont condone that, but should we be directing 15 to 20 hours of enforcement in an area because of that one car? Davis asked.

For Powell, she is looking forward to the extra police effort, but she still believes drivers must do their part.

Just take it slow, said Powell.

Centerville police said they will be posting results from its speed enforcement on the departments Facebook and city website.

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Centerville police to crack down on speeding with help from new technology - WHIO Radio

Like a lot of students these days, a lot of kids in Mason, Ohio, are sad and anxious. And theyre talking about it on the internet, saying things like this:

"I have no friends. How can I make friends?" Or "Im feeling alone. I am hopeless. I dont have a reason to live."

Mason started using technology to track students' online activity years ago. Mostly to make sure they werent looking at inappropriate content. Or talking about violence.

But now the schools are monitoring students to try to figure out who might be heading for a mental health crisis.

"It gives us insight into what the student's thinking that we otherwise would not see or hear," says Nicole Pfirman, mental wellness coordinator for schools in Mason.

Mason uses a company called Securly to track its students. Machine learning lets the company flag words that suggest a student is thinking about hurting him or herself, or otherwise in trouble, and then notifies the school district so it can intervene.

"It's not a magic wand, it's not going to prevent everything in a school, but it's going to give schools a lot more information than they ever had before and it's gonna be good information that they can go and have a conversation with a student about," says Mike Jolley, who is in charge of K-12 safety at Securly.

Jolley says that around the country, Securly's technology has been flagging more and more younger kids.

The mental health struggles of school kids mean a business opportunity for companies like Securly. More and more are marketing themselves as a way to track students' mental health. Here's one line from a promotional ad from the company Gaggle:

"[In the last school year,] Gaggle identified 64,000 student references to suicide and self-harm. Each reference is a cry for help."

It's a persuasive message. Gaggle says its customer base regularly grows between 20 and 25 percent a year. And grew even more than that last year.

On its website, Gaggle claims to have helped school districts "save the lives of 927 students." But it's hard to know what that actually means or how it gets counted.

Companies like Gaggle and Securly offer lots of anecdotes about kids they've helped. But even they acknowledge nobody really knows how well these programs prevent self-harm or suicide.

Ellen Yan directs Beacon. Thats the division that tracks student suicide risk at another monitoring company, GoGuardian.

"There is honestly not a lot of data at the national level around in terms of suicide prevention," she says.

One reason there's not a lot of data is that using the technology this way is still pretty new. And it's hard to prove that the technology tracking stopped a kid from hurting themselves.

Plus the companies don't see everything students are doing online. One company might not see posts on social media. Another could miss internet searches.

Programs can also trigger false alarms: a student who's writing a paper about Romeo and Juliet, say, or gun control. (For its part, Securly says its technology is able to differentiate between a search out of curiosity and a genuine crisis.)

The cost of this kind of surveillance varies from company to company and district to district. Jolley says Securly's services range from a dollar a student for the basic model to more than $15 a student for the higher end.

Nicole Pfirman says that in Mason, it's money well spent. She says there have been times at the Mason schools that an alert saved a kid's life.

"Had we have not been able to get the alert, respond to the alert, and put the appropriate supports in place, say on a Friday night," she says. "It is oftentimes difficult to think about what may have happened before Monday."

Mason partners with therapists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital. And over the last year, Pfirman and her team have ended up connecting a lot more students to that program.

Meanwhile, the technology companies continue to position themselves on the front lines of student mental health. The latest example? This fall, Gaggle announced a new product line. It will now contract with school districts to connect them with therapists for students who need mental health care.

This article first appeared on American Public Media and has been adapted for online.

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How Mason City Schools Is Using Technology To Monitor Students' Mental Health - WVXU

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas Medical Technology, a leading medtech company, launches its iNitrile disposable glove dispenser to combat infections in businesses and organizations. The machine utilizes an automated process to help organizations streamline tedious daily tasks, minimize waste, and improve cost-efficiency.

Infections can often come from places people seldom consider, and with COVID-19, simply washing your hands or wearing a mask isnt enough. Many infections today, for instance, are transmitted as a result of wearing disposable gloves incorrectly, or leaving the glove box open so that germs are transmitted through them. Following the 2016 regulation prohibiting the use of disinfecting powder in gloves, their sterility became compromised and their efficacy waned. Additionally, close to half of the dispensable gloves used worldwide are discarded even before use, as a result of wearers tearing a glove while putting it on or accidentally taking out several at a time. With a viral pandemic in our midst, the need for a smarter and safer approach is more urgent than ever.

Texas Medical Technology tackles this challenge with its state-of-the-art iNitrile disposable glove dispenser. The machine first verifies an authorized user through its check-in function, utilizing radio-frequency identification to scan their badge or tag. A compartment then opens, allowing them to insert their hand into an inflated glove. Each iNitrile device is connected and submits information to a cloud-based network, allowing users to maintain a clear overview of operations, requirements, and usage statistics. The machine is suitable for both latex and nitrile non-powdered gloves.

iNitrile glove dispenser ensures organizations substantially improve upon their own safety protocols amidst a pandemic. An easily accessible and plentiful supply of disposable gloves will greatly improve sterilization rates, as well as prevents inadvertent infection from being transmitted within a workplace or venue. The ongoing use of the device helps organizations achieve significant savings in operating costs, reducing up to 40 percent in glove waste over the first year of operation. iNitriles built-in, cloud-based, management software enables business to streamline stock management by managing the usage process and supply levels.

Its been our mission since the get-go to get organizations back to operational capacity, says Omri Shafran, Founder & CEO of Texas Medical Technology. iNitrile will really help companies gain the initiative to begin implementing safer protocols, where employees are protected, resources are saved, and peace of mind is afforded.

About Texas Medical TechnologyTexas Medical Technology, one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., has taken the supply challenges and placed them on its shoulders by shifting attention to COVID-related PPE. Providing an array of advanced tech and non-tech equipment to empower administrators to monitor potential medical crises and protect employees.

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Texas Medical Technology Launches Its Smart iNitrile Device for Putting on Sterile Gloves Easily, Safely, and Automatically - Business Wire

Dublin, March 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Markets for Environmental Remediation Technologies" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report analyzes the worldwide just as territorial business sectors for innovations utilized in the remediation of ecological tainting. The report delves into the subtleties of the market for ecological remediation, comparable to the soil, water and air remediation.

The advanced technologies considered to shape the market for remediation innovations are those that are considered as the "Remediation Technologies"" segment of this report. Any innovations that are excluded from the previously mentioned area are excluded from the market evaluation, except if in any case explicitly expressed. Likewise, excluded inside the extent of this report or in the market size and development gauges, are advancements that are material exclusively for treatment (like wastewater treatment) and not for remediation; notwithstanding, advances that can be dually applied and have seen critical use for remediation reasons for existing are incorporated.

Any administrations or gear that don't straightforwardly uphold the facilitation of a site remediation project or those that require just broad information with the end goal that most organizations in the economy could give them similarly well have not been remembered for the market assessments. Direct hardware, materials, reagents, and deals and rentals of remediation innovations have been incorporated just as the expert administrations needed to survey a defiled site; to build-up a remediation plan for a particular site; and to actualize, introduce or ceaselessly work the remediation gear throughout a characterized existence. Remembered for complete dollar figures for market gauges are immediate expenses for plan, creation and get together of remediation gear; costs for materials and synthetic compounds, for example, surfactants and co-solvents that are utilized in numerous remediation techniques (electro-dynamic remediation, for instance); and expenses for on-location proficient administrations in evaluation and remediation project plan and progressing observing of remediation projects.

Story continues

Many of the advanced technologies applied to remediation of polluted destinations are innovative frameworks or cycles (a considerable lot of which hold patents in different locales) as opposed to a solitary piece of equipment. Thus, while thinking about the technological process, the whole cost of the process has been considered. It is additionally essential to take note of that number of remediation innovations utilize a critical bit of standard gear, for example, off-the-rack siphons or hefty development hardware (for removal) that are then incorporated into a general framework, bundle or cycle explicitly for site remediation that clients can apply to their particular requirements.

Report Includes:

53 data tables and 18 additional tables

A brief general outlook of the global environmental remediation market

Analyses of the global market trends, with data from 2019, estimates for 2020, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2025

Estimation of the actual market size and revenue forecasts for environmental remediation technologies, and corresponding market share analysis on the basis of environmental medium, technology type, and end-use industry with major regions and countries involved

Highlights of the importance of remediation of resources - essentially water, soil and air - to make life comfortable by studying the various methods available to remediate these resources

Discussion of the environmental industry structure, opportunities and trends, government regulations, and penetration of emerging environmental remediation technologies within the industry

Assessment of the technological categories in their current state as well as future developments, and applications of these categories, including soil remediation, groundwater remediation, and surface water remediation

Competitive landscape of the global environmental remediation market providing a valuable insight into the major market players and their global rankings

Company profiles of major players including AST Environmental Inc., Bechtel, CH2M Hill, Dorton Group, Ecosphere Technologies Inc., FMC Corp., Hydrus Technology, and Kurion Inc.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Overview

Study Goals and Objectives

Reasons for Doing This Study

Scope of Report

Information Sources and Methodology

Intended Audience

Information Sources

Methodology

Geographic Breakdown

Analyst's Credentials

Custom Research

Related Reports

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Technology Background

Environmental Remediation Technologies

Overview

Water Pollution

General Causes of Water Pollution

Effects of Water Pollution on Humans

Effect of Water Pollution on the Environment

Various Types of Water Pollution

Contamination of Ground/Surface Water

Sources of Water Pollution/Contamination

Steps to Reduce Water Pollution

Soil Contamination

Soil Pollution

Causes of Soil Pollution

Impact and Effects of Soil Pollution

Possible Solutions to Reduce Soil Pollution

Air Pollution

General Causes of Air Pollution

Types of Air Pollutants

Effects of Air Pollution

Steps to Reduce Air Pollution

Environmental Remediation

Expected Outcome from Environmental Remediation Processes

Environmental Remediation: Source Materials

Water Remediation

Groundwater Remediation

Surface Water Remediation

Remediation Technologies for Groundwater and Surface Water

In Situ Biological Treatment of Contaminated Water

In Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment of Contaminated Water

Ex Situ Biological Treatment

Ex Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment

Containment

Soil Remediation

Sediment Remediation

Remediation Technologies for Soil, Sediment and Sludge

In Situ Biological Treatments

In Situ Physical/Chemical Treatments

In Situ Thermal Treatment

Ex Situ Biological Treatment

Ex Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment

Ex Situ Thermal Treatment

Other Types of Treatments

Air Remediation

Elimination/Reduction in Air Pollutants

Remediation of Existing Pollutants.

Air Remediation Technologies

Biofiltration

Steps to Decide on Environmental Remediation Process

Steps in the Environmental Remediation Process

Green Technologies to Accomplish Environmental Remediation

Newly Developed Remediation Techniques

Industry Applications of Environmental Remediation Technologies

Oil and Gas Industry

Mining and Forestry

Manufacturing Industry

Land Development and Construction

Chemical Production and Processing

Agriculture

Miscellaneous Fields

Major Man-Made Environmental Disasters

Chapter 4 Market Breakdown by Technology

Overview

Global Market for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Type

Regional Markets for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Type

North American Market for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Country

European Market for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Country

Asia-Pacific Market for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Country

Rest of the World Market for Environmental Remediation Technologies by Country

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Insights on the Environmental Remediation Technologies Global Markets to 2025 - by Technology and Industry Application - Yahoo Finance UK

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Herkimer County Community College has upgraded its infrastructure to ensure the health and wellness of students, employeesand campus visitors, according to a news release.

The project included the installation of ultra-violet germicidal irradiation technology in the colleges heating, ventilationand air-conditioning system.

UVGI is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (ultraviolet C or UVC) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions.

HCCCcontracted with Eastern Energy Solutions, Inc. (EES), an energy contracting and consulting firm focused on increasing profitability for clients by identifying and implementing Design-Build solutions that reduce operating costs, improve the working environment and resolve power quality issues negatively effecting operational and production cost.

EES has been working with UVGI technology since 2008, primarily in the hospital, dairy and laundry sectors.

More: One death, 12 new COVID-19 cases reported in Herkimer County

More: See the Herkimer County village election results

More: Herkimer police chief: 'We're making sure we comply' with reform plans

According to EES President Bob Granger, UVGI has been around for more than 75 yearsand was primarily used in the healthcare industry where microbial disinfection is a major concern.

With the recent pandemic, the use of UVGI is being implemented throughout market sectors and even in the home.

UVGI lighting systems are designed to provide air purification, reduced maintenance and increaseenergy efficiency within the air handling units in which they are applied.

As air passes through the UV-C light spectrum/wavelength, airborne infectious pathogens that can cause respiratory sickness, disease and infection (including COVID-19) are rendered inert, in turn providing high-level, facility-wide disinfection of the air supplied to occupied spaces.

What Herkimer College has accomplished is outstanding. The upgrades they have made are delivering many real advantages to all on campus, said Granger.

According to Nicholas Laino, senior vice president for administration and finance at HCCC, the nearly $100,000 investment in UVGI technology was 100 percent funded by federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)Act funds granted to Herkimer College.

First and foremost, the health and wellness of our campus community is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a safe environment for our students, employees, and visitors,Laino said.

Added benefits to protecting the health and wellness of the campus community may include reduced absenteeism and increased employee and student performance.

EES also recently implemented their custom designed and fabricated lighting system in Herkimer Colleges indoor swimming pool area.

The college needed help in implementing a new lighting system that would be energy efficient, provide higher and more uniform light levelsand be able to utilize the existing electrical system.

The new lighting system is providing targeted light levels at an energy savings of 73 percent. In addition to saving on energy cost, the college also was able to receive a utility rebate.

We are extremely pleased with the innovative ideas and superior work of EES. Recent investments made to update the campus infrastructure with energy efficient solutions will have a long-term payback well-worth the initial investment, not to mention the added benefits to our community and the environment, Laino said.

Over the past many years, we have been very aware of our carbon footprint and have made many efforts to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, said Tom Stock, interim director of facilities at the college. He said about 80 percent of the campus lighting has been upgraded to LED lighting.

LED lamps are approximately 75 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 5-10 times longer. According to EES, most applications with LEDs offer a payback period as low as one to four years. Herkimers transition to LED is estimated to save 801,870 kilowatt-hours annually. Emissions saved from this project are equivalent to 481 trees planted or 71 cars driven per year.

Herkimer College is currently working with National Grid on a street lighting conversion project along the roadway leading to campus. Although the College does not own the lights, it does pay a monthly fee to National Grid, and therefore an upgrade to LED would result in cost savings to the college. Additionally, the Herkimer County College Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that owns the property on which the student housing is located, is planning a lighting upgrade on housing property.

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How HCCC's upgrades will help ensure health of everyone on campus - The Times Telegram

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DataTrace Information Services LLC, the nations largest provider of data and automation solutions to the title and settlement services industry, announced today that it has been recognized by HousingWire Magazine as a HW Tech100 Real Estate winner.

The HW Tech100 program provides housing professionals with a comprehensive list of the most innovative and impactful companies that can be leveraged to identify partners and solutions to the problems that mortgage lenders and real estate professionals face every day.

At DataTrace, our goal is to provide underwriters and title agents with the data and technology they need to make confident decisions, produce quality and, ultimately, accelerate the closing process, said Robert Karraa president of DataTrace. This recognition reflects the efforts of our people and the impact of our solutions in supporting our customers' growth and success throughout the extraordinary circumstances of the last year.

DataTrace was recognized for its advanced real estate data and market-leading title search technology, automation and examination solutions, which help title and settlement services providers streamline processes, gain competitive intelligence and position for future growth. The companys solutions are powered by an extensive collection of real estate title plants, tax data and recorded property data, including more than 7 billion land record images.

After the uncertainty and unpredictability of last year, we expected a greater adoption of technology. However, these 100 real estate and mortgage companies took digital disruption to a whole new level and propelled a complete digital revolution, leaving a digital legacy that will impact borrowers, clients and companies for years to come, said Brena Nath, HousingWires HW+ managing editor.

About DataTrace

DataTrace Information Services, LLC provides advanced real estate title search technology, automation and production services that enable settlement services companies to quickly access and search regional title databases through a secure application. The DataTrace system delivers title history information, property tax assessment and payment data, document images and property profiles in 47 states across the United States. With its significant geographical coverage, DataTrace title plant and tax database is the broadest and most comprehensive title information system available and is used by the largest national title insurance underwriters. For additional information, visit http://www.DataTraceTitle.com.

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DataTrace Named One of the Most Innovative Technology Companies in Real Estate by HousingWire Magazine - Business Wire

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SoftServe, a leading digital authority and consulting company, won Best Technology Response in the Best Corporate Response to COVID-19 category at the Global Sourcing Association (GSA) UK Professional Awards 2020. SoftServe was honored for exhibiting excellence in strategic sourcing and its response as a company to COVID-19.

SoftServe was recognized for its COVID-19 Bulgaria Chatbot, an innovative pro bono solution project designed to reduce the spread of inaccurate information related to COVID-19. It provides Bulgarias residents with up-to-date statistics on the virus in Bulgaria, the latest official news, and a recording of the briefings from the National Operational Headquarters (NOH) in Bulgaria.

This recognition highlights the dedication and innovative work SoftServe engineers and development professionals have demonstrated to help solve complex business problems brought on by COVID-19, said Andon Simeonov, VP, Bulgaria Country Manager at SoftServe. We look forward to leveraging our expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and cloud-based services to create and build more cutting-edge solutions that provide our customers with the tools and technology they need to thrive in todays ever-changing digital environment.

The GSA Professional Awards is a competitive, global awards program focused on recognizing and rewarding demonstrated innovation and pioneering best practices by buyers, service providers, and advisors in the strategic sourcing industry. Submissions are judged by a panel of appointed GSA UK Council members and co-opted judges. The 2020 awards featured 19 categories including the addition of new categories focused on corporate and partnership responses to challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About SoftServe

SoftServe is a digital authority that advises and provides at the cutting-edge of technology. We reveal, transform, accelerate, and optimize the way enterprises and software companies do business. With expertise across healthcare, retail, energy, financial services, software, and more, we implement end-to-end solutions to deliver the innovation, quality, and speed that our clients users expect.

SoftServe delivers open innovationfrom generating compelling new ideas, to developing and implementing transformational products and services. Our work and client experience is built on a foundation of empathetic, human-focused experience design that ensures continuity from concept to release. We empower enterprises and software companies to (re)identify differentiation, accelerate solution development, and vigorously compete in todays digital economy. No matter where you are in your journey.

Visit our website, blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Originally posted here:

SoftServe Wins Best Technology Response at the GSA Professional Awards 2020 - Business Wire

TipRanks

Do you like roller coasters? According to Deutsche Bank, were looking at some roller coaster volatility for the next few months, with near-term gains likely, followed by a Q2 retreat, and second-half gains. The firm expects share values to fall in the next three months, perhaps by as much as 5% to 10%, for several reasons laid out by the firms strategist Binky Chadha. The more front-loaded the impact of the stimulus, and the direct stimulus checks at around a quarter of the new package clearly are one off, the sharper the peak in growth is likely to be. The closer this peak in macro growth is to warmer weather (giving retail investors something else to do); and to an increased return to work at the office, the larger we expect the pullback to be, Chadha noted. Thats the mid-term. In the longer view, Chadha expects markets to strengthen by years end, and has put a 4,100 target on the S&P 500. This is up from his previous 3,950 target, and suggests potential gains of 4% from current levels. So, for investors, were looking at a rocky summer and fall, with some dips and gains likely in the markets. In that environment, a defensive stock play makes sense; it provides some stability to the portfolio, as well as some insurance should the gains not materialize. Reliable dividend stocks, with their regular payouts, provide an income stream thats independent of the share price appreciation, as well as a share profile that is less volatile to begin with, making them the ideal move for investors worried about keeping up returns while coping with high macro volatility. To that end, weve used the TipRanks database to pull up three high-yield dividend stocks that share a profile: a Buy-rating from the Streets analyst corps; considerable upside potential; and a reliable dividend yielding over 8%. Lets see what Wall Streets pros have to say about them. Monroe Capital (MRCC) We'll start with Monroe Capital, a private equity firm invested in the health care, media, retail, and tech sectors. Monroe is focusing its business on minority and women-owned companies, or on companies with employee stock ownership plans. Monroe offers these sometimes underserved demographics access to capital resources for business development. Monroe has shown two contradictory trends so far this year: declining revenues and earnings, along with rising share value. The companys top line, at $12.6 million, was down 6% from Q3, and 25% year-over-year, while EPS fell 40% sequentially to 42 cents. Year-over-year, however, EPS more than doubled. Looking at share price, Monroes stock has gained 60% in the past 12 months. On the dividend front, Monroe paid out 25 cents per share in December; the next is scheduled, at the same amount, for the end of this month. With an annualized payment of $1, the dividend yields a strong 9.8%. This compares favorably to the 2% average yield found among peer companies. The dividend attracted attention from Oppenheimer analyst Chris Kotowski, rated 5-stars by TipRanks. We continue to see a runway to eventual dividend coverage with full fees expensed as management grows the portfolio to its target 1.11.2x leverage (from 1.0x currently) and redeploys funds currently tied up in non-accruals once resolved... The primary driver of return for a BDC is its dividend payout over time, and we have confidence that MRCC's new $1.00 distribution (equating to a ~10% yield) is sustainable, Kotowski noted. In line with his comments, Kotowski rates MRCC an Outperform (i.e. Buy), and his $12 price target suggests it has room to grow 25% in the year ahead. (To watch Kotowskis track record, click here) The analyst reviews on MRCC break down 2 to 1 in favor of Buy versus Holds, making the consensus rating a Moderate Buy. The shares have a trading price of $9.59, and their $11.13 average target implies an upside of 16% in the year ahead. (See MRCC stock analysis on TipRanks) Eagle Point Credit Company (ECC) Lets stick with the middle-market financial sector. Eagle Point is another of the capital investment companies that seeks to turn middle-market debt into returns for investors. The company invests in CLO equity, and focuses on current income generation in other words, ensuring a return for its own investors. While Eagle Point is a small-cap player, the company does boast $3 billion in assets under management showing that it punches above its weight. Last month, Eagle Point reported 4Q20 earnings, with EPS of 24 cents, below the expectation of 29 cents. However, the current earnings just edged into growth quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, as 3Q20 and 4Q19 both came in at 23 cents. Turning to the dividend, we find that Eagle Point does something slightly unusual. The company pays out a monthly dividend, rather than quarterly. The current payment, at 8 cents per common share, has been held steady for over a year now, and the company has not missed a distribution. At 96 cents per common share annually, the dividend yields is 8.4%. This is robust by any standard. B. Rileys 5-star analyst Randy Binner covers Eagle Point, and he notes that the company should have no problem in maintaining its dividend coverage moving forward. The companys reported quarterly recurring CLO cash flows averaged $0.75/share over the last 12 months. Similar levels of recurring cash flows would leave a large cushion to service the $0.24 quarterly dividend going forward. The company announced $29.5M of cash on the balance sheet as of February 9. This balance sheet cash and serviceable quarterly dividend of $0.24 contribute to a favorable liquidity position, Binner wrote. Binners comments back up a Buy rating on the stock, and his $14 price target implies a 12-month upside of 23%. (To watch Binners track record, click here) Wall Street takes the same stance on ECC that it did on MRCC: a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on a 2-1 split between Buy and Hold reviews. ECC shares have an average price target of $14, matching Binners, and the shares are trading for $11.41. (See ECC stock analysis on TipRanks) Hess Midstream Operations (HESM) Midmarket financials are not the only place to find strong dividends. Wall Street pros also recommend the energy sector, and that is where we now turn. Hess Midstream is one of many companies in the midstream sector of the energy industry, providing and supporting the infrastructure needed to gather, process, store, and transport a fossil fuel products from the well heads into the distribution network. Hess has a range of midstream assets in the North Dakota Bakken formation, moving crude oil and natural gas, along with their derivatives. Hess reported results for 4Q20 earlier this year, showing $266 million at the top line and EPS of 36 cents per share. Revenues were up 5% year-over-year, and relatively flat from Q3. EPS rose 20% quarter-over-quarter, but were down sharply compared to the 87 cents reported in 4Q19. Of interest to investors, the company reported over $126 million in free cash flow, which it used to fund the dividend. Hess pays out its dividend quarterly, and has a reputation for not missing payments. The company has been raising the payment regularly for the past four years, and most recent dividend, at 45 cents per common share, was paid out in February. This dividend is considered safe, as the company expects to generate between $610 million and $640 million in free cash flow next year. Those funds will fully cover the dividend, with approximately $100 million left over. Writing from Scotiabank, analyst Alonso Guerra-Garcia sees the free cash flow as Hesss priority going forward. We expect the focus this year to be on the harvesting of free cash flow (FCF) with deployment toward buybacks and further de-leveraging. Improved FCF profiles this year also better position the group for a 2H21 demand recovery. Continued energy policy changes and the energy transition may be headwinds this year, but we continue to prefer exposure to the more diversified companies with FCF after dividend (FCFAD) optionality and torque to a recovery, the analyst opined. To this end, Guerra-Garcia rates HESM an Outperform (i.e. Buy), with a $27 price target indicating a potential upside of 26% by years end. (To watch Guerra-Garcias track record, click here) All in all, there are only 2 reviews on this small-cap energy company, and they are evenly split one Buy and one Hold giving Hess a Moderate Buy rating. The shares are trading for $21.41 and their $27 average price target suggests a one-year upside of 26%. (See HESM stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for dividend stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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The report on the automatic optical inspection market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by growing use of smart manufacturing technologies.

The automatic optical inspection market analysis includes type segment and geography landscape. This study identifies the advent of collaborative robots for assembly and testing as one of the prime reasons driving the automatic optical inspection market growth during the next few years.

This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters.

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PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Global Automatic Optical Inspection Market- GPEL Electronic GmbH, Koh Young Technology Inc., Mek Europe BV, Among Others to Contribute to the Market...