Daily Archives: September 1, 2021

Foxtel delivers documentaries galore this September, plus the return of GOGGLEBOX and LOVE IT OR LIST IT AUSTRALIA – TV Blackbox

Posted: September 1, 2021 at 12:07 am

HIGHLIGHTS

The docos for right now

Spike Lees NYC Epicentres 9/11-2021Coming Wednesday September 1 at 7.30pm4 episodes

Spike Lee helms this tribute to New York City, marking two decades since the World Trade Center attacks. And this title leads a slew of specials to mark this occasion, including9/11: Voices from the Air.

In the Same BreathComing Thursday September 2 at 8.30pm90 mins

Director Nanfu Wang, who returned from China to the US just as the coronavirus was taking hold, follows the outbreaks in both countries and how each took control of the narrative. A must-see.

The people who have made their mark

Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect UnionComing Sunday September 5 at 8.30pm3 episodes

A look at the rise to power of Americas first Black president, Barack Obama, and the racial tensions that came to the fore during his tenure, which he vowed to tackle. What can hindsight reveal?

I Am Paul WalkerComing Friday September 17 at 7.30pm90 mins

The world was shocked by the death ofFast & Furiousstar Paul Walker in 2013. This documentary showcases his rise to fame and talks to those who knew the actor about what made him so special.

Deep dives into some unique minds

Johnny Strange: Born to FlyComing Friday September 3 at 9pm90 mins

What drove young wingsuit BASE jumper Johnny Strange to continue to try more dangerous endeavours? Family and friends paint a picture of a daredevil constantly looking for the next thrill, and the price paid.

Almost Almost FamousComing Wednesday September 8 at 9.30pm90 mins

Welcome to the world of celebrity tribute acts and step into the (blue suede) shoes of those who bring music legends to life. But what is the real impact for an artist who performs as someone else?

When action is your life

Swell ChasersComing Thursday September 9 at 7.30pm4 episodes

Witness the raw power of the ocean with this series of specials from Australian surf cinematographer Tim Bonython. Immerse yourself in some jaw-dropping waves ridden by the worlds best surfers.

Lauda: The Untold StoryComing Thursday September 16 at 8.30pm90 mins

A gripping deep dive into the shocking crash that almost claimed the life of Formula 1 star Niki Lauda during the 1976 German Grand Prix, as well as his incredible recovery and comeback.

The returns were cheering for

Gogglebox Australia Season 14Coming Wednesday September 8 at 7.30pm10 episodes

We could all use our favourite couch critics back in our lives right now! Their various takes on whats on TV make our week, so lets check in and see what makes them laugh, cry and spit the dummy this time.

Love It or List It Australia Season 4Coming Wednesday September 29 at 8.30pm10 episodes

Its banter at 10 paces as rivals Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker engage in some good-natured biffo as they encourage homeowners to either DIY their abode or get rid of it. How weve missed them!

The series well all be watching

Scenes from a MarriageComing Monday September 13 at 8.30pm5 episodes

One of the most-anticipated dramas of the year. Jessica Chastain? Oscar Isaac? A remake of an iconic 70s classic chronicling a relationship over a decade? We cannot deal. And cannot wait.

Impeachment: American Crime StoryComing Wednesday September 8 at 9pm10 episodes

Ryan Murphy revisits Bill Clintons (Clive Owen) presidential impeachment over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein). Its sure to get people talking just like it did in the 90s.

FULL TITLESNew on Foxtel

1 September

FOX DOCOS Spike Lees NYC Epicentre 9/112021 (Season 1) 7.30pmHISTORY Behind History (Season 1) 7.30pm

2 September

FOX DOCOS Walking With Hope (One Hour Special) 7.30pmFOX DOCOS In The Same Breath (90 Minute Special) 8.30pmTLC Seeking Sister Wife (Season 3) 9.30pm

3 September

FOX SHOWCASE What We Do In The Shadows (Season 3) 8.30pmFOX ARENA Million Dollar Listing LA (Season 13) 1.30pm EXPRESS

5 September

FOX DOCOS Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union (Season 1) 8.30pmANIMAL PLANET Walking With Elephants (Season 1) 7.30pmDISCOVERY Blowing Up History: Seven Wonders (Season 1) 8.30pm

6 September

LIFESTYLE FOOD MasterChef (Season 17) 7.25pmE! Celebrity Game Face (Season 2) 8.30pm

7 September

LIFESTYLE Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping (Season 1) 8.30pmLIFESTYLE FOOD The Great Kenyan Bake Off (Season 1) 8.30pmHISTORY First In: CIA Vs. Bin Laden (2 Hour Special) 8.30pmDISCOVERY Hunting Atlantis (Season 1) 8.30pm

8 September

FOX ONE Impeachment: American Crime Story (Season 1) 9.00pmFOX DOCOS Almost Almost Famous (90 Minute Special) 9.30pmLIFESTYLE Gogglebox Australia (Season 14) 7.30pm LOCAL PRODUCTIONINVESTIGATION DISCOVERY Tamron Hall Double (2 Part Special) 8.30pm

9 September

INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY Body Cam (Season 2) 8.30pm

10 September

ANIMAL PLANET Puppy Bowl XVII (3 Hour Special) 6.30pm

11 September

HISTORY 9/11 The Pentagon (One Hour Special) 9.30pmDISCOVERY No Responders Left Behind (One Hour Special) 8.30pmDISCOVERY Blowing Up History: Twin Towers: The Hidden Secrets (One Hour Special) 9.30pm

12 September

INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY Dark Waters: Murder in the Deep (Seasons 1 & 2) 8.30pm

13 September

FOX SHOWCASE Scenes From A Marriage (Season 1) 8.30pmFOX8 The Russell Howard Hour (Season 5) 9.00pm

14 September

HISTORY The Titans That Built America (Season 1) 8.30pm

15 September

A&E Heavy Rescue 401 (Season 4) 4.00pmBBC UKTV Shakespeare & Hathaway (Season 3) 8.30pm

16 September

BBC EARTH The Science Of Sleep: How To Sleep Better (Season 1) 8.30pmE! LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET: 2021 MET GALA, 6.30pm

17 September

FOX SHOWCASE The Premise (Season 1) 9.00pmFOX DOCOS I Am Paul Walker (2 Hour Special) 7.30pm

19 September

FOX SHOWCASE Y: The Last Man (Season 1) 8.30pm

20 September

FOX ARENA 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards (LIVE) 10.00amE! Live From The Red Carpet: 2021 Emmys, 8.00am

22 September

CRIME + INVESTIGATION Very Scary People (Season 3) 7.30pmINVESTIGATION DISCOVERY True Conviction (Season 2) 8.30pm

23 September

FOX8 Doom Patrol (Season 3) 8.30pmLIFESTYLE The Great British Sewing Bee (Season 7) 8.30pm

26 September

LIFESTYLE Inside the Ambulance (Season 10) 8.30pm

27 September

LIFESTYLE FOOD The Great Celebrity Bake Off (Season 2) 8.30pm

28 September

BBC UKTV Taskmaster (Season 11) 8.30pm

29 September

LIFESTYLE Love It Or List ItAustralia (Season 4) 8.30pmLIFESTYLE George Clarkes Remarkable Renovations (Season 1) 9.35pm

30 September

BBC UKTV Joanna Lumles Unseen Adventures(3 Part Special) 8.30pmDISCOVERY Gold Rush: Winters Fortune (Season 1) 7.30pm

MOVIES

1 September

Ammonite Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)Wrong Turn Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 2)Ann Rules Circle Of Deception Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 3)Fatman Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 4)Snow Queen: Mirrorlands Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 6.30pm, September 4)Baby Monitor Murder Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 5)My Salinger Year Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 8)Wendy Williams: The Movie Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 10)My Fathers Other Family Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 17)Stalked at 17 Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 24)

3 September

Dont Go Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)

4 September

Summerland Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 5)Archenemy Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 11)

10 September

The Witches (2020) Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 7.30pm, September 11)Death Of Me Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)

11 September

Wander Darkly Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 7.30pm, September 16)

14 September

Monster Hunter Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 18)

17 September

Fear Of Rain Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)Misbehaviour Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 19)Superintelligence Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 25)Dreamland Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm, September 26)

23 September

Girl Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)Mob Town Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)Dreambuilders Drops on VOD 12.00am (LINEAR TX 8.30pm)

30 September

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Foxtel delivers documentaries galore this September, plus the return of GOGGLEBOX and LOVE IT OR LIST IT AUSTRALIA - TV Blackbox

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Thompson Electric gives presentation on robotics in the workforce – KCAU 9

Posted: at 12:06 am

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Local educators are working to drum up interest in robotics.

Over at the Sioux City Rotary meeting, Skip and Richard from Thompson Electric gave a presentation on robotics, programming the machines to installation and human safety, and how robotics are growing in many industrial work places brought on by local labor shortages.

The presentation went over how the robots can work independently or collaborate with human workers to accomplish tasks.

They said its important educating folks on robotics.

So many businesses are looking for people and theres just not enough people to do all the work so a lot of manufactures, a lot of industrial places are looking for their options and robotics may or may not be an option, said Skip Perley.

Richard is also apart of the Sioux City Robotics Club out at the Southern Hills Mall teaching kids the fundamentals in the field.

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The service robotics market is projected to grow from USD 36.2 billion in 2021 and is – GlobeNewswire

Posted: at 12:06 am

New York, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Service Robotics Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Environment, Type, Component, Application And Geography - Global Forecast to 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p03858922/?utm_source=GNW However, concerns associated with data privacy and regulations is the key factor limiting the growth of the service robotics market.

Market for Research and Space Exploration application is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.The market for research & space exploration is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period.The adoption of robots for the space exploration application is driven by several factors, including the growing need for servicing existing geostationary satellites and debris removal, increasing number of technological advancements in autonomous systems, and the rising demand for on-orbit manufacturing and assembly in the International Space Station (ISS) from government agencies and commercial entities.

The demand for resupply and refueling missions for the International Space Station (ISS) and on-orbit satellite manufacturing is also driving the market.The growth of this application is accelerated by government funding.

For instance, in 2020, the US government provided USD 22.6 billion to NASA. In 2019, the European Space Agency received funding of USD 15.9 billion from its 22 member states. North America is expected to witness significant demand for space exploration robots. This can be attributed to the high demand for robotic space activities from prominent organizations, such as NASA and the Department of Defense, due to the increasing reliance on space assets and for enabling safety in space operations. Robots are also used to aid astronauts in lifting and handling heavy and large objects in space.

Market for professional robots to hold a larger share than that of Personal and Domestic robots during the forecast periodThe professional service robots are expected to hold a larger market share during the forecast period.Professional service robots are high-tech, sophisticated, and expensive service robots that are increasingly being deployed in factories, hospitals, public buildings, and hazardous environments.

The service robots used for professional applications include drones, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), agricultural robots, inspection robots, humanoid robots, exoskeletons, construction robots, robotic kitchens, laundry robots, unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), inspection robots, telepresence robots, surgical robots, and cleaning robots.AGVs are generally used in warehouses for handling and transporting materials.

Due to wide-scale adaptability there is a growing demand for them.

Propulsion systems to hold a significant share of the market for hardware during the forecast periodThe propulsion systems are expected to hold a significant chunk of market for hardware during the forecast period.For any type of service robot whether it be ground-, aerial-, or marine-based, propulsion systems are often the most expensive components, as they need to be robust and require a greater degree of precision and quality control during manufacturing.

This includes all the different motors and actuators that drive these vehicles. Hence, propulsion systems are expected to contribute the largest to the hardware market compared to the rest of the components.

Europe to hold a significant share of the service robotics market during the forecast periodEurope is expected to hold a significantly large share for service robotics market during the forecast period.In Europe, the growth of the automotive, healthcare and electronics industries in Europe will lead to the growth of the service robotics market in the region.

Most of the countries in Europe are developed, have a high per capita income, and can afford the high cost of certain service robots.France and the UK have a strong research base supporting the service robotics market.

Due to the aging population in Germany, France, and the UK, the governments are focusing on the development of assistive robots for elderly care.The shortage of labor in Europe is the driving factor for domestic robots.

Additionally, European countries have been actively adopting robots to fight COVID-19. The European Commission has launched the AI-ROBOTICS vs. COVID-19 initiative to develop ideas for the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics solutions, as well as information on other initiatives that could help face the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews have been conducted with key industry experts in the service robotics market space. The break-up of primary participants for the report has been shown below: By Company Type: Tier 1 40%, Tier 2 30%, and Tier 3 30% By Designation: C-level Executives 40%, Directors 40%, and Others 20% By Region: North America 40%, APAC 30%, Europe 20%, and RoW 10%The report profiles key players in the service robotics market with their respective market ranking analysis. Prominent players profiled in this report are iRobot (US), SoftBank Robotics Group (Japan), Intuitive Surgical (US), DeLaval (US), Daifuku (Japan), CYBERDYNE (Japan), DJI (China), Kongsberg Maritime (Norway), Northrop Grumman (US), Exyn Technologies (US), XAG (China), AMP Robotics (US), UVD Robots (Denmark), Diligent(US), HARVEST CROO (US), Starship Technologies (US).

Research Coverage:This research report categorizes the service robotics market on the basis of type, component, environment, application, and geography.The report describes the major drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to the service robotics market and forecasts the same till 2026 (including analysis of COVID-19 impact on the market).

Apart from these, the report also consists of leadership mapping and analysis of all the companies included in the service robotics ecosystem.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report would help leaders/new entrants in this market in the following ways:1. This report segments the service robotics market comprehensively and provides the closest market size projection for all subsegments across different regions.2. The report helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities for market growth.3. This report would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain more insights to improve their position in the business. The competitive landscape section includes competitor ecosystem, product developments and launches, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.4. The analysis of the top 25 companies, based on the strength of the market rank as well as the product footprint will help stakeholders visualize the market positioning of these key players.5. Patent analysis, trade data, and technological trends that will shape the market in the coming years has also been covered in this report.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03858922/?utm_source=GNW

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

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Laparoscopic Applications Highlight the Trends in Medical Robots Industry – MedTech Intelligence

Posted: at 12:06 am

Breakthrough technologies like robotics and AI have been demonstrating potential to address many common issues in the modern healthcare industry. Often considered synonymous with surgical robots, which are a dominant application for robotics in healthcare, medical robots are being used in many other care delivery and hospital management operations. Advanced medical robotic systems are capable of executing several tasks, from complex surgical procedures to personal care, medicine dispensing, clinical training and more.

Used mainly for tasks that involve monotonous and repetitive work, the integration of machine learning in healthcare has also contributed to the burgeoning popularity of medical robots in recent years. According to a report by Global Market Insights, Inc. (GMI) the global medical robots market size could exceed $22.1 billion by 2027.

Over the past two decades, minimally invasive surgery, or MIS has established itself as a highly sought-after surgical alternative to conventional open surgery in many cases, owing to medical advantages like smaller incisions and faster recovery times. There are various types of MIS solutions, which involve small incisions through which minuscule cameras and instruments are inserted to perform the surgical procedure.

Laparoscopy, in particular, has gained rapid prominence as a commonly executed minimally invasive surgical technique, providing benefits such as fewer complications post-operation, reduced surgical risk, and accelerated patient recovery. One of the major drivers behind the growing preference for laparoscopic procedures in recent years is the gradual shift of the healthcare sector away from open surgeries.

Despite growing interest, however, conventional minimally invasive surgical procedures face certain limitations. These include loss of force- and touch-related sensations, which are essential for surgical accuracy, restriction of movement dexterity due to limited instrument mobility, and the risk of physiological tremors, which can be transmitted to the operating field by the rigid laparoscopic equipment.

Robotic surgery systems, especially robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries, can be a solution to these challenges and are expected to transform the way minimally invasive surgeries are performed. Based on GMI estimates, the medical robots market share from the laparoscopic application segment held a valuation of nearly $2.51 billion in 2020.

Robot-assisted surgery holds certain similarities to traditional laparoscopic procedures, vis--vis use of high-definition, 3-D imaging for magnification of the surgical site, high-tech cameras, and reliance on small incisions. Despite these similarities, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries possess a certain edge over their conventional counterparts. These systems do not require surgeons to scrub in at the patients side, but rather allow them to operate the laparoscopic instruments via robots, using a separate console in the operating room.

In January 2021, TransEnterix, Inc., a pioneer in digitization of the interface between surgeons and patients in MIS, announced the CE Mark approval for its Intelligent Surgical Unit, which is designed to enhance the machine vision proficiency of the Senhance Surgical System. Through this approval, Senhance digital laparoscopic programs gained access to the novel technology, bringing them to the fore in terms of augmented intelligence-powered surgical innovation.

Likewise, in February 2021, CMR Surgical collaborated with LifeHealthcare to introduce its Versius Surgical Robotic System into the Australian market. Following its launch, Sydney-based Macquarie University Hospital became the first to utilize the system after its approval by the Australian TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) in late 2019, which authorized the Versius system for use in a vast array of laparoscopic procedures.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has brought along several unprecedented threats and burdens to the global healthcare industry. These challenges are manifesting in numerous forms, most prominently the high risk posed to frontline healthcare workers battling the pandemic.

Among the many types of robotics in healthcare, telemedicine robots, or telepresence robots, have been gaining rapid momentum. A notable example is a collaborative effort undertaken by Boston Dynamics, Brigham and Womens Hospital, MIT, and others, to develop a robotic solution for the measurement of patient vital signs, reducing frontline healthcare workers vulnerability to COVID-19 transmission.

The new solution, called Dr. Spot, is a customized version of the four-legged, dog-like robot built by Boston Dynamics, built to measure vital signs using contactless monitoring equipment. Outfitted with a tablet that allows healthcare workers to conduct face-to-face consultations and exams, the hyperlocal telemedicine robot version not only mitigates exposure risk for medical personnel but also ensures the reduced need for and conservation of essential PPE.

At the Sunway Medical Center in Malaysia, a robot called the BellaBot was deployed to serve food and other essentials across the pediatric ward. The robot is equipped shelfs to place different items and has a range of expressions. The aim of the project was to keep the patients in the ward cheerful while also ensuring increased protection for the healthcare providers.

Some of the challenges posed by the pandemic include the global shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment), which created fierce competition amongst governments in developed and emerging economies, as well as limitations associated with human labor capacity. Medical robots could pose a solution for these dilemmas, providing multiple benefits such as the reduced need for patient and healthcare worker contact, mitigation of PPE requirement, and the ability to serve at maximum capacity in unprecedented times.

With the field of robot-assisted surgery growing and advancing at a breakneck pace, the advent of technologically advanced healthcare robots is surging as well. Experiments in next-gen fields such as deep learning and sensor technologies have paved the way for numerous innovations related to robotics in healthcare, with an aim to increase autonomy and minimize patient intrusiveness. These developments are steadily pushing the boundaries of existing healthcare solutions, proving that medical robot technology will play a key role in the transformation of care delivery over the years ahead.

Access to recently developed materials, new technological deliveries and access to new markets are only

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How advanced software, technology and manufacturing processes will help companies stay competitive.

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More members of Afghanistan’s all-girls robotics team flee the Taliban – CNET

Posted: at 12:06 am

Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's secretary of foreign affairs, welcomes members of the Afghan Dreamers all-girls robotics team at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City.

Five members of the celebrated all-girls Afghan robotics team, which made headlines as a symbol of a more progressive Afghanistan, landed in Mexico on Tuesday after escaping their country in the wake of the Taliban seizing control.

"We give you the warmest welcome to Mexico," the country's Deputy Foreign Minister Martha Delgado told the girls as she greeted them during a news conference at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. The girls were part of the first group of Afghan refugees to arrive in Mexico. Others on the same 20-hour flight included members of the media who've requested a humanitarian, refugee or asylum visa from the Mexican government.

"Thank you so much," one of the girls said during the news conference. "We would really appreciate it if you have the opportunity to help others too to come to Mexico." As she spoke, the team member sitting next to her became visibly emotional.

Last week, 10 other members of the team called the Afghan Dreamers landed in Qatar, according to Afghan tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob, who started theAfghan girls robotics teamin 2017. Mahboob founded theDigital Citizen Fund, which runs classes for girls in STEM and robotics.

The work to bring the girls to Doha began on Aug. 12 when Mahboob, DCF founder, and Elizabeth Schaeffer Brown, a DCF board member, asked Qatar for help. Government officials had stayed in touch with the team after hosting it in Doha in 2019.

"The Taliban have promised to allow girls to be educated to whatever extent allowed by Shariah law," Mahboob said in a statement obtained by The New York Times. "We will have to wait and see to what that means. Obviously, we hope that women and girls will be allowed to pursue dreams and opportunities under the Taliban, because that is what is best for Afghanistan and in fact the world."

The girls who fled will settle in Qatar to continue their education, Mahboob said, while others plan to stay in Afghanistan, at least for now.

Members of the Afghan all-girls robotics team work with their robot in the practice area between events at the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, DC.

On the Sunday the Taliban fighters took control of Kabul, all but officially sealing their takeover of the whole country, New York-based international human rights lawyer Kimberley Motley described what the girls were experiencing amid the panic and uncertainty of the Taliban takeover.

"These girls are extremely terrified,"Motley told the Canadian Broadcast News. "They're in Herat, where now in the universities, they're turning girls away. They're telling girls, 'Don't come back to the university.' Women are showing up for work and are being turned away. They're seeing this and watching tearfully as their city is crumbling."

The Taliban captured the girls' hometown of Herat, Afghanistan's third largest city and a strategic provincial capital, as fighters approached the capital of Kabul.

Members of the team, who range in age from 12 to 18, have overcome war and other hardships to pursue their love of engineering and robotics and strike a blow for gender equality and national pride.

This CNET video shows them accepting the silver medal for "courageous achievement" at a 2017 international robotics competition. Other teams had four months to build their robots, but the team from Afghanistan, twice denied visas into the US until a late intervention by the Trump administration, had only two weeks to build and ship their ball-sorting bot to Washington, DC.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the teamworked on a low-cost ventilator using old car parts. The design, inspired by work on an emergency ventilator out of MIT, is low-tech so it can be replicated around the world with local products. For that contribution the team made Forbes Asia's 30 Under 30 list this year. The list honors trailblazers who exemplify determination, hard work and innovation.

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Motley has worked in Afghanistan since 2008, successfully handling criminal and civil cases there. She says she fears for the young roboticists' futures now that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country, leaving the Taliban in power and parts of the country in panic and chaos. The girls have expressed a desire to continue their education in Canada, and Motley has been working to make that happen. Their plight has even spawned a Change.org petition calling for their safe resettlement there.

As my CNET colleague Katie Collins reports, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen hastaken to Twitter to say Taliban soldiers have been ordered not to enter people's homes and has described reports that soldiers are forcing young girls into marriage as "poisonous propaganda." The story Shaheen is telling on Twitter is at odds both with news reports from the ground in Afghanistan and the fear expressed by Afghan citizens.

"We are deeply worried about Afghan women and girls, their rights to education, work and freedom of movement," the White House said in a statement released Wednesday. "We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee their protection."

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Greek tortilla producer gets production boost with bespoke robotic and VFD technology – BakeryAndSnacks.com

Posted: at 12:06 am

The new conveyor installed at the established manufacturing facility in Athens carries the tortillas along the line to check for quality before being packaged and palletised for distribution.

Greek robotics and automation specialist Robotsys enlisted the help of Automation Experts a sales partner of Invertek Drives, one of the worlds leading innovators in VFD technology to develop the bespoke system using Optidrive VFDs. The process also involved the control of a robot for the packaging and palletizing of the products at the end of the line.

The project involved designing a completely new conveyor solution, including more automation than the existing process, said Teo Amiridis, technical director of Automation Experts.

The customer wanted to increase the speed of the line, including the quality control element, before packaging the tortillas automatically.

According to Amiridis, the six-conveyer line uses a total of 12 Optidrive VFDs: six E3s to control the motion of each conveyor; two to regulate the Cartesian system to find the correct angle to rotate the conveyer; three to govern the rejection pistons to push scrap products off the line and a final one to drive the Yaskawa robot, which controls the packaging and palletising of the tortillas at the end of the line.

The conveyors must sync with the rejection pistons to allow the right batch of tortillas to be pushed off the line at the correct time. So, accurate motion control is crucial for each element of the line, he said.

The Optidrive E3, Frame Size 1 with an IP20 enclosure, with 3PH input and output, 380V- 480V was chosen for the line and piston control.

An Optidrive P2, Frame Size 2 with IP20 enclosure, with 3PH input and output, 380V-480V was selected for the movement of the picking and packaging robot.

The Optidrive E3 has three application modes out of the box: industrial, pump and fan modes, which makes it easier to set up and commission for a range of applications.

The parameters connected to Inverteks Optitools mobile app via the Optistick Smart can also be easily changed and replicated on multiple drives through Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.

The Optidrive E3 is available in IP20 and IP66 enclosures and four frame sizes, making it ideal for a wide range of applications and environments.

The Optidrive P2 high-powered drive is available in IP20, IP55 and IP66 / NEMA 4X enclosures; single and three-phase input of between 200v to 600v, 0.75kW to 250kW and 1HP to 350HP. It supports all motor types, including IM, PM, BLDC and SynRM.

Working with Robotsys, we were able to design a completely automated system, added Amiridis.

The quality and control were an objective from the outset. Were pleased that weve doubled the speed of production while at the same time improving the quality of the product.

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Greek tortilla producer gets production boost with bespoke robotic and VFD technology - BakeryAndSnacks.com

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Meet the Surrey man who created the Academy of Robotics to build futuristic inventions – Surrey Live

Posted: at 12:06 am

Driverless cars are already a reality in some countries and their regular use on the UK's roads is on the horizon.

But William Sachiti, a self-described "serial entrepreneur", has jumped one step ahead and created Europe's first street-legal self-driving vehicle which is already being used to trial deliveries of goods to households, including in Surrey.

His Kar-Go invention has been used in his home town of Banstead as part of its trials which have also taken part over the Surrey/London border in Hounslow.

READ MORE: From office deli to international online company how one female entrepreneur pivoted during the pandemic

While he's created and sold several projects, he's currently focusing on the future of automation.

"After I sold my last company I thought I could do pretty much anything," he said. "All of the money was going towards these Silicon Valley type apps that don't really change anything positively in the world."

For Mr Sachiti, creating with a positive purpose is an important factor.

"I would say making the world a better place is what motivates me," he said. "Because if we want a utopian future we have to create it."

One of his many projects has made steps towards this future, by transforming trees in Africa to hubs of educational content through AI software. "As someone that grew up in Africa I saw that the difference between me and the children there is education," he said.

Mr Sachiti designed micro-computers that could be implanted into the trees to produce wifi, and made this technology open source so that anybody can create and replicate it for free, opening up the world of information to people who wouldn't otherwise have access.

"I thought someone needs to rebalance this and I'll take a step that will hopefully inspire more people to run with it," he said. "Later in my career I'd like to focus on rebalancing that."

Mr Sachiti had already gained the equivalent of a degree by the age of 16 in Zimbabwe before moving to the UK, but believing that the world needed automation is what prompted him to go back to university at the age of 31 to study Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Aberystwyth University. It was here that he invented the world's first AI robot librarian, called Hugh.

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In 2016, the university gave him 10,000 which he used to start the Academy of Robotics.

"I started the Academy of Robotics in 2017, robotics and automation were sort of new at the time."

Mr Sachiti had started to consider solving the 'last mile' problem in logistics at university, which looks at the massive costs involved in delivering items to their final addresses. He initially thought that the solution was drone technology, but found the user experience to be terrible.

"The biggest problem in the online industry is simply that 'last mile' of moving something from that local depot to your house," he explained. This is what inspired Mr Sachiti to invent the Kar-Go autonomous delivery system which he believes solves this issue.

"At the moment deliveries are on average 7 per delivery with drivers doing up to 50 deliveries a day, so ]it's costing] hundreds of pounds a day," he explained. "We can do the same job for less than 1 a day. The cost has gone completely because you're only paying for the cost of electricity, that's what automation does."

When Mr Sachiti first started trialling driverless deliveries in the UK, it was for sending prescription medicines to care homes in Hounslow.

"It was not to represent some corporation or about capitalism," he said. "But it was just hopefully changing the world one step at a time and using our technology to solve actual problems."

This technology is now being used to help Banstead boutique Something Special offer driverless deliveries, making it one of the first stores in the UK to do so.

The Kar-Go completely forgoes the cost of petrol, insurance, road tax and the cost of the driver. It's what Sachiti describes as "optimal efficiency".

While electric vehicles prove most cost-efficient, the green aspect is hugely important for Mr Sachiti. He said: "I'm a bit of a self-professed hippie so I'm all for green vehicles. I believe in the principles of 'leave no trace in the environment' when you do something."

While artificial intelligence appears to be the inevitable future, Mr Sachiti worries about what this could mean ethically.

"The thing that keeps me up at night is the possibility that we create a really advanced artificial intelligence that is even a tiny bit sentient, and even just 1% unhappy," he explained. "Does this mean that we've made a being that suffers, or that we've made a hell and then populated it? Where is the line?"

Though the concept is akin to a Black Mirror episode, Mr Sachiti is keen to monitor the issue. "I love AI and I do think it's the future, but I also think we have to be careful," he said. "Maybe one day I'll be an activist representing the rights of 'the differently sentient'."

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Genome Medical Announces Acquisition of GeneMatters and Closing of $60 Million Series C Financing – Business Wire

Posted: at 12:05 am

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genome Medical, the leading nationwide genomic care delivery company, today announced that it will acquire GeneMatters, a telehealth genetic counseling and software solutions company. Simultaneously, the company announced the closing of a $60 million Series C financing to accelerate commercial traction and advance its mission of transforming health care for all through genomic medicine. These strategic initiatives solidify its position as the preeminent technology-enabled provider of genetic health services and genomic insights.

The addition of GeneMatters, along with our Series C financing, propels us into the next phase of commercial growth and enables us to realize the genome-driven personalization of health, said Lisa Alderson, co-founder and CEO of Genome Medical. The genomic medicine industry is primed with testing capabilities and novel therapeutics; now is clearly the moment for Genome Medical to deliver expanded availability of genomic medicine for patients and providers.

Genome Medical will use the financing proceeds to expand its team and further enhance the development of its configurable technology solutions to provide innovative and efficient genomic medicine programs. The company will continue to build out its full suite of physician services, test ordering capabilities and guidelines-based care plans to ensure comprehensive, seamless care for patients.

The Series C round was led by Casdin Capital, a committed and leading long-term investor in life sciences and genomics, and was joined by new investors GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Amgen Ventures. Existing investors also participated, including Perceptive Advisors, Canaan Partners, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Illumina Ventures, LRVHealth, Echo Health Ventures, Revelation Partners, HealthInvest Equity Partners, Avestria Ventures, Flywheel Ventures, Dreamers Fund and Blue Ivy Ventures.

In connection with the financing, the Genome Medical Board of Directors will be joined by Eli Casdin, founder and chief investment officer at Casdin Capital; Shaun Rodriguez, director of life science research at Casdin Capital; and Jill Davies, co-founder and president of GeneMatters. Anthony Philippakis, M.D., Ph.D., venture partner at GV, will join the board as an observer.

We feel fortunate to have been in the unique position to facilitate this strategic combination of two strong genomic health providers and Casdin portfolio companies, Eli Casdin said. We have been an early and active investor in the development of genetic testing capabilities broadly. The breadth and scale of Genome Medical and GeneMatters together produce the clear leader in digital health for genomics. It is also a terrific example of how one + one can equal more than two!

Together, Genome Medical and GeneMatters represent expanded technology solutions and clinical expertise to better meet the growing need for genomic medicine across health and wellness. GeneMatters will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Genome Medical Holding Company, with a focus on expanding the delivery of genetic services to community health systems and other partners.

The mission of GeneMatters from day one has been to increase patient access to genetic services and to support patient decision-making, said GeneMatters Davies. Joining the Genome Medical family allows for expanded capabilities, broader reach and ultimately more patients and providers being served. We are thrilled to be joining forces with this talented team that shares our mission, vision and passion for patient care.

By combining innovative, technology-enabled solutions with the virtual delivery of industry-leading clinical expertise, Genome Medical is accelerating the adoption of genetic services and genomic medicine for health care systems, large-scale research studies, health plans, employers, providers and molecular diagnostic testing laboratories. Learn more about Genome Medicals comprehensive services, including its Genome Care DeliveryTM platform and precision insights for population genomics.

About Genome Medical

Genome Medical, the leading genomic care delivery company, is personalizing health care for all through on-demand access to genetic insights and genomic medicine. We operate as an independent virtual medical practice, powered by a digital health technology platform. By partnering with health systems, providers, health plans, employers, labs and biopharma, we expand the reach and impact of precision medicine. We provide clinical assessments and tools, test recommendations and ordering, and personalized care plans to deliver optimal patient care and improve health outcomes. The company, which is headquartered in South San Francisco, was recently honored as The Best Digital Health Company to Work For by Rock Health, Fenwick & West and Goldman Sachs in their Top 50 in Digital Health awards. To learn more, visit genomemedical.com and follow @GenomeMed.

About GeneMatters

GeneMatters is a leading provider of telehealth genetic counseling and software solutions to increase access to genetic services. We deliver customizable solutions to hospitals, health networks, genetic testing labs and biopharmaceutical organizations to extend the capacity of existing genetic counseling teams, support new programs and increase patient engagement with genetic services. Our genetic expertise spans oncology, reproductive, cardiovascular and rare diseases. Founded in 2016 by Jill Davies, a genetic counselor, with a mission to increase patient access, we are committed to outstanding service delivery, unwavering quality standards, high patient satisfaction and technology to simplify care. To learn more, visit gene-matters.com and follow @GeneMatters on Twitter Linkedin

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Genome Medical Announces Acquisition of GeneMatters and Closing of $60 Million Series C Financing - Business Wire

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Paper: Use patent law to curb unethical human-genome editing – University of Illinois News

Posted: at 12:05 am

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. A new paper co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholar who studies the legal and ethical implications of advanced biotechnologies outlines an unexplored tool to regulate the medically and ethically dubious practice of heritable human-genome editing: patent law.

Applied judiciously, patent law could create an ethical thicket around human genome editing that ultimately discourages access to germline editing that is, changing sperm and egg to create designer children in more permissive countries such as China, Greece, Mexico, Spain, and Ukraine, said Jacob S. Sherkow, a professor of law and an affiliate of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at Illinois.

The World Health Organization has explored international governance tools for human genome engineering, but as long as individual countries are allowed to set and enforce their own policies, the possibility of people engaging in medical tourism to other countries to circumvent domestic prohibitions remains a risk, the authors said in a paper published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

A lot of policymakers and medical practitioners are concerned with some of the genomic editing technologies out there, specifically with technologies that focus on allowing parents to pick and choose their childrens height, eye color, skin tone and the like, Sherkow said. Generally speaking, reproductive technologies are somewhat regulated, but U.S. rules are totally different from what they are in Canada, certain EU countries, the United Kingdom or China. And there is no international enforcement agency out there thats going to stop people from engaging in genetic medical tourism.

So there isnt much international harmony on the issue, and its just inherently something thats pretty inimical to an international governance framework. But the gene-editing technology itself is patentable and that could potentially be an under-the-radar tool to thwart this undesirable behavior.

Theres already a trend in the U.S. toward patenting human heritable germline-editing technology, Sherkow said.

Patent protection affords researchers and their institutions significant power over the ethical limits of using such technologies, he said. For institutions that develop these technologies, its essential to build the ethical limits of their intellectual property into the patent licensing process.

Even though patents are only enforceable in whatever country theyre granted, using patent law as an enforcement mechanism would potentially allow owners to go to court to stop someone else from using a piece of technology in a way that they dont like, Sherkow said.

The typical economic conceit behind patents is it allows an inventor who doesnt like that theyre not getting paid for something they created to sue, he said. But that scope can also include the ways in which the technology is being used, like if its being used in an unethical manner by others.

Sherkow and his co-authors said this could be especially important for countries where patent laws and regulatory systems surrounding gene-editing technologies diverge.

Some countries have strong patent protections but weak regulatory protection, while other countries are the opposite, Sherkow said. Using patent protections that are granted in countries that otherwise have a weaker regulatory system we think thats an economically sensible and politically feasible path forward.

As a strategy, its not a silver bullet but a hurdle to trip up bad actors, Sherkow said.

Its not a complete solution by any means, as it relies on private interests to police the social harms of a private activity, he said. But patents present an opportunity to combine the tools of commercialization and ethical behavior in a manner not readily available in other enforcement mechanisms, especially given the disparate international regulation. So this is a particularly important moment to consider ethical governance by patent, and we think its a pretty significant arrow in the regulatory quiver.

Sherkows co-authors are Eli Y. Adashi, of Brown University, and I. Glenn Cohen, of Harvard Law School.

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Decoding The Gordian Knots At The Ends Of The SARS-CoV-2 Genome – Forbes

Posted: at 12:05 am

Alexander the Great Cutting The Gordian Knot

This is the first in a series describing the role of the beginning and end of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in the virus life cycle. I summarize what we know and point out what we need to know about these ends in order to develop new antiviral drugs.

Unraveling the details of the life cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is much like reading a mystery novel. The truth is often deeply buried and the journey laden with misleading clues. As every reader knows, the first and last pages are inevitably the most important. The analogy is closer than you may imagine. The bookends of the viral genome are responsible for many of the viruss critical functions, including initiation of replication, protein synthesis, and messenger RNA synthesis. Unraveling the details of exactly how these functions occur requires puzzling out the most intricate mysteries. The first observation is that both the beginning five prime (5) end and terminal three prime (3) end are complex (Figure 1).

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FIGURE 1: (A) 5 end of the SARS-CoV-2 genome; (B) 3 end of the SARS-CoV-2 genome; (C) Gordian Knot

RNA is a self-folding polymer. The 30,000-nucleotide long genome self-assembles into elaborate stem-loop structures. The stems are base-paired, G pairs with C and A with U (or T in the case of DNA), while the loops are unpaired (Figure 2).

Markova et al

FIGURE 2: (A) Theoretical stem-loop structure; (B) Schematic representation of a stem-loop.

Alternatively, these structures can fold into pseudoknots, emerging in various forms (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3: Theoretical pseudoknot stem-loop structures

Collectively, these are called secondary structures. The secondary structures of diverse coronaviruses are relatively well conserved, even though the primary genome sequences differ. The similarity of these structures suggests that the structure itself, in addition to the primary nucleotide sequence, plays an essential role in virus replication. Moreover, understanding the details of how the ends of the viral genome interact with viral and cellular proteins is a prerequisite to the discovery of new antiviral drugs.

The recent introduction of a new drug to prevent and treat influenza illustrates exactly how important this research is in finding new drugs to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. A study from July 2020 found that the anti-influenza drug baloxavir marboxil (also referred to as Xofluza), reduced close-quarters transmission of Influenza A by 80%.

The influenza virus uses a process called cap snatching to reproduce, effectively snatching host RNA and reusing it in the reproduction process. Xofluza binds to and inhibits the proteins involved in the cap snatching process.

My hope is that these brief descriptions of what we know and dont know about the termini of SARS-CoV-2 will stimulate scientists around the world to develop drugs similar to Xofluza for the virus at hand.

Entry of the viral genome and production of the viral replication complex

Upon fusion of the viral and cellular membrane, the viral genome is deposited into the cytoplasm of the cell. The first requirement of the viral RNA is to avoid triggering the antiviral defenses, collectively called the innate immune response. A primary trigger of the innate immune response is the entry of foreign RNA. The cellular alarm signals recognize naked RNA 5 termini, unmethylated RNA, and RNA that does not carry a polyadenylated (poly-A tail). The SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA skirts all these alarm signals as it is properly capped and methylated by the virus's own proteins. It also carries a poly-A tail. In other words, it masquerades as a cellular messenger RNA.

Once safely inside the cytoplasm, replication begins. As it enters a cell, the viral genome is organized as a compact package bound to multiple nucleocapsid capsid (N) proteins (Figure 4). The viral genome itself serves as a template for the synthesis of the very first viral proteins located in a long open reading frame that begins at the AUG initiation codon located 266 nucleotides from the 5 prime end of the genome, buried deep within the 5 stem-loop structures.

FIGURE 4: Viral RNA bound to the N protein.

Question: How do the translation machinery, translation initiation, and associated initiation factors recognize the genome RNA complexed with the N protein. Does the N protein disassociate from the RNA on entry spontaneously or is it displaced by cellular proteins and the ribosome during protein synthesis?

Virus protein synthesis begins when the ribosomes bind the 5' end of the genome and initiate synthesis (Figure 5).

FIGURE 5: Messenger RNA being translated by a ribosome.

It is no mean feat for the ribosome to navigate the intricate 5 structure. Ribosomal entry likely requires the assistance of a cellular unwinding enzyme (a helicase) allowing slippage of the ribosome along the RNA until it encounters the AUG initiation codon. Initiation of the Orf1a and Orf1b proteins begins at position 266 with stem-loop 5 (Figure 1).

We note that there is the possibility of initiation at position 107. There is an AUG codon within the reading frame at this position which would proceed to yield a nine-amino acid long peptide before encountering two termination codons

I wonder if initiation at position 107 followed by reinitiation at position 266 is possible. A similar 5 AUG occurs in SARS-CoV. As the structure of the stem-loops is nearly identical and the resulting theoretical peptide in SARS-CoV from the first AUG closely resembles that of SARS-CoV-2, this is not an anomaly confined to SARS-CoV-2 (Figure 6). It would be interesting to learn if this small peptide is functional and we will continue to research this sequence in an effort to elucidate it.

FIGURE 6: SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 5 ends, denoting the initial AUG codon that results in a nine ... [+] amino acid long peptide before the Orf1ab initiating AUG downstream in the sequence. Note the resultant amino acid peptides in both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

Question: Why does Orf1a protein start at the second AUG at position 266 and not the first AUG at position 107 (Figure 1). The general rule is that protein synthesis in mammalian cells begins at the initiation codon closest to the 5 end. Is it possible that initiation actually begins at position 107 to yield a nine amino acid-long peptide of unknown function followed by re-initiation at position 266?

The first proteins made are the two products of the Orf1a and Orf1b genes. These long polypeptides are cleaved into 15 proteins, called the non-structural proteins (NSPs1-16: there is no NSP11) that are required for the synthesis of small messenger RNA that direct the synthesis of the proteins of the virus particle S, M. E, and N, as well as the regulatory proteins.

FIGURE 7: Frameshift between Orf1a and Orf1b

The very first viral protein made, NSP1, plays a critical role in virus replication. The protein blocks the production of cellular proteins while permitting the production of viral proteins. NSP1 acts by obstructing the entry of cellular RNAs into the ribosome (Figure 8).

FIGURE 8: Ribosomal translation

Recent studies show that the N protein binds to an RNA sequence of the 40S subunit of the ribosome obstructing the entry tunnel. Preferential synthesis of viral proteins allows much of the cells energy to be devoted to producing viral components.

How then are viral proteins made? The mystery was solved by studies that show any message with stem-loop 1 located near the 5 terminus can be translated in the presence of NSP1. Both the viral genome and all viral messenger RNAs meet this requirement.

A brief description of viral messenger RNA synthesis explains why all viral messages carry the requisite 5 stem-loop. The structure protein S, M, E, and N of the virus particle and regulatory genes Orfs by the 3 end of the genome. The template for their synthesis is a nested set of negative-strand RNAs that all share a 3' and 5' termini (Figure 9).

FIGURE 9: The messenger RNA replication and transcription strategy of SARS-CoV-2. Note the nested ... [+] set of 3 messenger RNAs made by jumping from the 3 to the 5 transcriptional regulatory sequence.

As the negative strand elongates, the growing end encounters whats called termination regulatory sequences (TRS-B). Transcription pauses after copying the TRS sequences (Figure 10) and then resumes by pairing with the complementary TRS-L sequence located near the 5 terminus.

FIGURE 10: 5 End through TRS-L at nucleotide position 75.

The messenger RNAs all begin with the same 5 end that extends from nucleotide 1 through nucleotide 75 and includes stem-loops 1-3, but not stem-loops 4-7.

Question: How does the presence of stem-loop 1 relieve the NSP1 translation block? Does NSP1 bind to stem-loop 1? If so is NSP1 recognition of stem-loop 1 determined by the sequence or structure. Can stem-loop 1 of SARS-CoV-2 relieve the NSP1 block of other coronaviruses? What is the role of cellular translation initiation factors in viral messenger RNA translation?

Question: Why does transcription pause at TRS-B sequences. Does the topology of the replication complex facilitate the post pause jump to the 5 TRS? Can the jump occur only in cis to the same genome or is a trans jump possible to a second replicating genome? Can a jump occur to any TRS sequence or only the one closest to the TRS-L sequence 5 end? Do cellular proteins participate in messenger RNA synthesis?

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