Categoría: Geovanny Vicente

RISHON LEZION, Israel and SAO PAULO, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Agrowing Ltd., an Israeli world leading provider of award-winning AI-Enabling multispectral sensors, and Vetorgeo, a Brazilian startup focused on Agriculture 4.0 solutions, collaborating with São Paulo University (UNESP) announce a significant breakthrough in leaf-level and aerial HLB detection in Citrus.

HLB is considered the main Citrus disease worldwide. The disease has no cure. It decreases oranges’ production as infected trees must be removed from orchards as soon as they are detected to stop the disease’s spreading. Currently, the removal of infected trees is carried out after the visual confirmation of symptoms of HLB by trained inspectors teams. However the visual inspection takes long time, it is not sufficiently accurate, it is expensive and tedious.

VetorGEO’s research team has been developing a new detection method utilizing Agrowing’s high resolution 4 and 10 band multispectral sensors.

Preliminary tests were carried out in highlighted leaves using Agrowing’s 4 band 10MP per band sensor. The tests demonstrated the possibility to identify and isolate multispectral signatures of HLB symptoms in Citrus leaves.

The outstanding accuracy obtained in the preliminary test opened the possibility for the development of two disruptive solutions in the detection of HLB: A. The use of the Agrowing’s sensors for confirmation of inspectors’ visual observation (increasing their accuracy), and B. Early aerial detection of HLB infected trees by a UAV (drone).

VetorGEO has already initiated an aerial research to verify the feasibility of detecting HLB infected trees from 60m altitude. Tests carried out in orchards with advanced symptoms of the disease showed promising results. The challenge now, is to detect the initial symptoms of the disease.

VetorGEO is conducting these very days PCR tests of selected trees, suspected to be infected with HLB, based on the multispectral imagery, which was acquired by Agrowing’s 8MP and 12MP per band 10 band sensor. Once the PCR tests will be analyzed it will be possible to assess the accuracy level of such high altitude aerial detection.

Dr. Kelly Pazolini, VetorGEO’s scientific researcher, says that even if the aerial detection will eventually prove to be only as accurate as the professional visual inspection (up to 70% accurate), it will be a huge step forward. «The rapid detection of trees, which are suspected as infected by HLB, in large orchards, will enable growers to conduct PCR tests for such selected trees without delay, enabling fast decision making, reducing production losses, production costs, and even more important – prevention of HLB spreading.»

Today, visual inspections are performed by 4 inspectors on a tractor pulled platform. Well trained inspectors may inspect 2500 to 3000 trees per day. According to VetorGEO, a single UAV equipped with Agrowing’s 10 band 8 or 12 Megapixel per band sensor will scan over 300ha per day, 150,000 – 175.000 trees, not only reducing the cost of the visual inspections dramatically but enabling the desired early detection of such infected trees.

VetorGEO’s research team intends to fine tune its AI algorithms for HLB detection based on the actual PCR results, aiming at as low as possible false negative results and as high as possible percentage of accurate positive detection, even at the expense of having up to 50% false positive results.

Agrowing’s award-winning multispectral sensors are unique in their high-resolution, number of spectral bands (4/10/14), wide dynamic-range and their ability to acquire aligned multispectral data from both high and low altitude.

Agrowing and VetorGeo are interconnected with the Brazilian universities USP and UNESP, in the respective areas of phytopathologies and remote sensing, providing tools and sensors for various scientific projects.

Bayer Crop Science LATAM (BAYERCROP.NS) has recently selected VetorGEO out of 150 companies for a project, where VetorGEO will start in January of 2021 a research exploring the effectiveness of VetorGEO/Agrowing multispectral solution in different crops for Bayer.

«We are naturally happy with the results of VetorGEO’s HLB research.» Says Ira Dvir, Co-Founder and CEO of Agrowing. «Agrowing’s research in potatoes produced incredible results, detecting early Blight and Alternaria with almost no false negative or false positive identification. Growers do not care about technology as such, they need trustworthy actionable data, to control the spreading of pests and diseases like HLB, and our sensors were designed with this goal in mind, taking precision agriculture from the good old NDVI to the next level AI. We encourage researches and service providers to explore new horizons using our 10 and 14 band sensors.»

VetorGEO is a Brazilian company with Israeli participation, focused on developing technologies for digital precision agriculture, providing solutions for agricultural diagnosis. VetorGEO is focus on citrus, collaborating in scientific research groups with the leading Brazilian universities Usp and Unesp.

The Israeli Agrowing, founded in 2014, collaborates with academic institutes around the globe, like the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Israeli Technion and Unesp, with the goal of enhancing its line patented products and image acquisition technology, to provide service providers with the best multispectral sensor and methods for fast and accurate AI identification of pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.

In October 2019, Agrowing’s Quad-lens sensor won the press award as one of the three innovative products of the Commercial UAV Expo Americas.

Media Contact

Ira Dvir, Agrowing Ltd., +972 523409760, info@agrowing.com

Neto Salvador, VetorGEO, +55 17 992293434, neto@vetorgeo.com.br

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SOURCE Agrowing Ltd.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as lead counsel for BayWa r.e. in the financing, and sale of the 250 MW Amadeus Wind Project, which completed construction and achieved financial close in December. Situated northwest of Abilene in Rotan, Texas, the wind farm is BayWa r.e.’s largest onshore wind project completed to date and «will generate enough clean, renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of more than 74,800 homes annually,» according to a press release issued by BayWa r.e.

«We were pleased to assist BayWa r.e. in the installation of this significant and strategically located wind project,» said Greenberg Traurig’s Global Head of Energy Project Finance, Jeffrey A. Chester, who led the Greenberg Traurig team. «Despite the profound global business challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the completion of the Amadeus Wind Project demonstrates the consumer demand and strong market fundamentals for U.S. wind installations.»

Chester, an Energy & Natural Resources Practice shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office, has deep experience handling transactions related to renewable energy, having closed more than 100 wind and solar power projects throughout the United States and Mexico. He has been centrally involved in the development of the equity, debt, and capital markets for renewable energy projects and represents developers, sponsors, lenders, and investors in a wide variety of energy finance transactions.

In addition to Chester, the multi-office Greenberg Traurig team included Shareholders Christopher L. Bell, Robert J. Downing, April B. Kim, Jillian C. Kirn, Gregory K. Lawrence, Andrew W. Scher, and Labry Welty; Of Counsels Alejandra Garcia Earley and Margaret J Weil; and Associates Ernesto Danache, IV and Thomas O. Lemon.

According to BayWa r.e.’s press release, the Amadeus Wind Project comprises of 96 GE wind turbines, will provide millions of dollars in tax benefits to the local community, will decrease the need for power generated from fossil fuels, and will keep over 648,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere on an annual basis. BayWa r.e., which is committed to delivering renewable energy solutions worldwide, is part of BayWa Group, a business with revenues of $19.1 billion.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice: Greenberg Traurig’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice has broad transactional, regulatory, and litigation experience across most sectors of the energy industry, including oil and gas, LNG, electricity, coal, wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, and water. The firm’s exceptional multi-office platform, including key offices in major energy centers, enables us to serve and implement legal strategies for energy clients throughout the U.S. and internationally.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

Media Contact

Lourdes Brezo Martinez, Greenberg Traurig, 2128012131, martinezl@gtlaw.com

 

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig

RADNOR, Pa., Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As part of an attempt to reduce the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has just enacted a new package of tax changes that accountants and other tax and financial professionals absolutely must know to effectively advise clients. This legislative package addresses and answers many of the questions tax practitioners had with respect to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process, making it easier for most PPP borrowers to obtain forgiveness of their loans from the Small Business Administration.

These changes also provide additional assistance to unemployed individuals and economically distressed businesses, including another version of the PPP loan regime for businesses bypassed by the earlier version. Every tax practitioner will need a thorough grounding in these new legislative changes.

Surgent CPE, a division of KnowFully Learning Group, is offering a new 2-hour live webinar, The New Coronavirus Stimulus Package: Update and Analysis of Individual and Business Tax Changes, which will premiere on December 23rd. A team of tax experts led by Michael J. Tucker, CPA will cover major topics such as:

• Changes to PPP loan relief applications, including a simplified loan forgiveness process for certain loans
• Businesses eligible for forgiveness loans under the new PPP loan program
• Deductibility of eligible business expenses funded with a PPP loan
• Basis increase for tax-exempt income associated with PPP loan forgiveness
• Aid for state and local governments
• New stimulus checks for individuals
• Liability protection for businesses and business owners against lawsuits brought against them for COVID-19 related damages
• Expansion of Federal supplemental unemployment insurance benefits
• Changes to limitations on charitable contributions
• Changes to deductions for business meals
• Other changes incorporated in the new legislation impacting individuals and businesses

See the full course preview video here.

Surgent’s VP of Strategic Content Development, Nick Spoltore, explains, «This course is illustrative of both our speed to market and the value provided to our customers. From release of legislation to course premiere, barely 36 hours will have elapsed. And of course, this offering will enable our customers to immediately advise individual and business clients on the latest COVID guidance and relief. In addition, our other year-end inventory will be updated with the same due speed without sacrificing attention to detail. For instance, our Paycheck Protection Program course is currently in its eighth iteration. It too will immediately reflect these changes in law so that our customers can continue to rely on us for such timely continuing education to enhance their practices and profits.»

Throughout 2020, Surgent CPE has provided 19 different courses, educating nearly 10,000 attendees specifically on the tax, accounting, and financial impacts of the pandemic. Surgent CPE remains committed to offering these crucial topics that help tax professionals navigate today’s complex, challenging, and quickly changing environment.

ABOUT SURGENT CPE
A fast-growing company with a 35-year history of leadership in accounting, finance, and tax education, Surgent CPE has become known as one of the most trusted providers of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) that CPAs need to earn each year to maintain their professional credentials. Surgent CPE is a division of NexPhase Capital-Backed KnowFully Learning Group, a leading provider of continuing professional education, exam preparation courses, and digital learning solutions to the accounting, finance, and healthcare sectors.

For more information, please visit http://www.surgentcpe.com/

Media Contact

Dawn VanDerWende, KnowFully Learning Group, (610) 688-4477, VanDerWended@knowfully.com

 

SOURCE Surgent

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The non-profit Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) confirmed that Greenberg Traurig is the first major law firm to be certified through its Green-e® Energy program. In addition, CRS has certified that Greenberg Traurig’s North American offices are powered by 100% renewable energy. The CRS Green-e® Energy program has been called the leading renewable energy certification program in the United States.

Going beyond North America, the global law firm’s 40 offices are now net carbon neutral with respect to their office energy usage, and are 100% powered by renewable energy, achieved by the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).

«These are significant steps in furthering our continuing sustainability initiative by reducing our carbon footprint,» said Greenberg Traurig Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Duffy.

«To achieve these milestones, we entered into a long-term transaction for the purchase of RECs and associated compliance premiums from a new wind farm and a new solar project. This has truly been a global effort,» said Greenberg Traurig Shareholder Iskender «Alex» H. Catto, who leads the firm’s program and chairs its Power Industry Projects and Restructuring Practice.

The wind farm is currently in operation and the solar farm is expected to be operational prior to the end of 2020, Catto noted.

«This undertaking means that we are annually capable of offsetting up to 13 million kw/hours of global office electricity usage or its equivalent with clean, renewable energy,» Duffy said. «Our status benefits not only our planet but is also of direct benefit to many of our clients.»

Increasingly, companies are adopting sustainability initiatives and voluntary sustainability reporting. In fact, there is a trend in shareholder initiatives that require corporate sustainability reporting. As these clients implement their sustainability initiatives, they turn to look at the emissions in their supply chain. Greenberg Traurig, as a legal service provider, is a part of that supply chain. Therefore, Duffy said, the firm’s global net-carbon neutrality with respect to office energy usage allows clients to directly benefit by reporting reduced carbon emissions from within their supply chain.

«We did this because it is the right thing to do. We are a global law firm with both global and local clients. Carbon is a global issue that has both global and local impacts,» Duffy said.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

Media Contact

Lourdes Brezo Martinez, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 212-801-2131, martinezl@gtlaw.com

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SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP

DENVER, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the final Lead and Copper Rule. American Water Works Association President Melissa Elliott issued the following statement.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is committed to working toward a day when the potential for lead in drinking water is removed from every household and every community. Our 50,000 members have long-awaited the revised Lead and Copper Rule, and AWWA is actively reviewing the rule in light of our Feb. 5, 2020 comments.

As the final rule is announced, AWWA renews its commitment to the removal of all lead service lines in their entirety. The first step in accomplishing that task is the development of lead inventories in every community, and we enthusiastically support the inclusion of that requirement in the final rule. EPA reports that lead action level exceedances today among large systems are 90-percent lower than they were when the rule was first introduced in 1991. Still, the surest way to protect against lead in water is to remove the sources of lead. Water utilities will continue to be leaders in this monumental task, though removing lead service lines will require time and collaboration with property owners, manufacturers, state regulators, federal agencies, financing authorities, plumbers, code officials, local government and many others.

We expect the new rule to emphasize the importance of transparent and timely communications from water utilities to water consumers. Communication is essential in strengthening public trust between a utility and its customers. In fact, AWWA research shows that consumers who recall receiving communication from their utilities perceive their water as safer. Utilities increasingly see communications as integral to their missions, and they know their customers deserve clear and consistent outreach about lead risks, lead inventories, lead service line replacement and other lead-related issues.

AWWA looks forward to helping its members understand the content and spirit of the revised rule and to achieve its public health goals.

# # #

Media Contact

Greg Kail, American Water Works Association, 303-734-3410, gkail@awwa.org

 

SOURCE American Water Works Association

BETHESDA, Maryland, 22 de diciembre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Es poco probable que las mujeres embarazadas que están infectadas con SARS-CoV-2, el virus que causa la COVID-19, durante el tercer trimestre transmitan la infección a sus recién nacidos, sugiere un estudio financiado por los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud. El estudio hizo seguimiento a 127 mujeres embarazadas que fueron admitidas en hospitales de Boston durante la primavera de 2020. Entre las 64 mujeres embarazadas que dieron positivo en SARS-CoV-2, ninguno de sus recién nacidos dio positivo en el virus. El apoyo de los NIH fue proporcionado por el Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano (NICHD) Eunice Kennedy Shriver, el Instituto Nacional del Corazón, los Pulmones y la Sangre (NHLBI) y el Instituto Nacional de Alergias y Enfermedades Infecciosas (NIAID).

«Este estudio brinda cierta tranquilidad de que es poco probable que las infecciones por SARS-CoV-2 durante el tercer trimestre pasen a través de la placenta al feto, pero es necesario realizar más investigaciones para confirmar este hallazgo», dijo Diana W. Bianchi, MD, directora del NICHD.

El estudio, publicado en la revista JAMA Network Open, fue dirigido por Andrea G. Edlow, M.D., M.Sc., del Massachusetts General Hospital [Hospital General de Massachusetts] y la Harvard Medical School [Escuela de Medicina de Harvard].

Los investigadores estudiaron la aparición de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en el tercer trimestre del embarazo, y evaluaron los niveles de virus en muestras de tejido respiratorio, sanguíneo y placentario; el desarrollo de anticuerpos maternos; qué tan bien esos anticuerpos pasaron a través de la placenta al feto (un indicador de posible protección inmunitaria de la madre) y examinaron el tejido placentario. Los resultados informados se limitan a mujeres en el tercer trimestre porque aún se están recopilando y evaluando datos sobre mujeres infectadas durante el primer y segundo trimestre.

Entre las que dieron positivo en SARS-CoV-2 en el estudio, el 36 % (23/64) era asintomático, el 34 % (22/64) tenía enfermedad leve, el 11 % (7/64) tenía enfermedad moderada, el 16 % (10/64) tenía enfermedad grave y el 3 % (2/64) tenía enfermedad crítica. El estudio incluyó, como comparadores, 63 mujeres embarazadas cuya prueba resultó negativa en SARS-CoV-2 y 11 mujeres en edad reproductiva con COVID-19 que no estaban embarazadas.

El equipo descubrió que las mujeres embarazadas que dieron positivo en SARS-COV-2 tenían niveles detectables del virus en fluidos respiratorios como saliva, secreciones nasales y de garganta, pero ningún virus en el torrente sanguíneo o la placenta.

Los investigadores no encontraron diferencias significativas entre los niveles de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 producidos por mujeres embarazadas y no embarazadas. Sin embargo, el equipo del estudio observó niveles de anticuerpos protectores en la sangre del cordón umbilical más bajos de lo esperado. En contraste, encontraron altos niveles de anticuerpos específicos contra la influenza, presuntamente provenientes de la vacunación contra la influenza materna, en las muestras de sangre del cordón umbilical de mujeres que dieron positivo y negativo en SARS-CoV-2. Los investigadores sugieren que estos hallazgos pueden indicar que los anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 no atraviesan la placenta tan fácilmente como otros anticuerpos maternos.

Los investigadores creen que el suyo es uno de los primeros informes de transferencia de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 al feto menor de la esperada. Se observó una baja transferencia de estos anticuerpos independientemente de la gravedad de la COVID-19 de la mujer o si tenía una condición de salud subyacente, como obesidad, presión arterial alta o diabetes. Los autores del estudio señalaron que será importante determinar por qué es menos probable que estos anticuerpos maternos atraviesen la placenta y si esta transferencia reducida de anticuerpos hace que los recién nacidos sean más vulnerables a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, en comparación con otras infecciones. Los autores agregaron que será importante determinar cómo los niveles más bajos de anticuerpos maternos contra el SARS-CoV-2 pueden afectar los resultados de salud de los bebés prematuros porque la COVID-19 puede aumentar el riesgo de trabajo de parto prematuro.

El estudio también encontró que las placentas de las mujeres infectadas no eran diferentes de las de las mujeres no infectadas, aunque el riesgo de isquemia (flujo sanguíneo reducido) en la placenta parecía mayor para las mujeres con COVID-19 más grave. De acuerdo con un informe anterior, los investigadores también encontraron que si bien la placenta expresa las principales moléculas utilizadas por el SARS-CoV-2 para causar infección (el receptor ACE2 y la enzima TMPRSS2), las dos moléculas rara vez se expresan juntas en la misma ubicación, lo que puede ayudar a explicar por qué el virus rara vez afecta a la placenta.

Los investigadores sugieren que sus hallazgos podrían ayudar a mejorar la atención de las mujeres embarazadas con COVID-19 y de sus recién nacidos, así como proporcionar información para ayudar en el desarrollo de nuevas estrategias para vacunar a las mujeres embarazadas.

ARTÍCULO:
Edlow AG, et al. Assessment of maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 viral load, transplacental antibody transfer, and placental pathology in pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.30455 (2020)

Acerca del Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano (NICHD) Eunice Kennedy Shriver: el NICHD lidera la investigación y la capacitación para comprender el desarrollo humano, mejorar la salud reproductiva, mejorar la vida de niños y adolescentes, y optimizar las habilidades para todos. Para obtener más información, visite https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

Acerca de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud (NIH): NIH, la agencia de investigación médica de los EE. UU., incluye 27 institutos y centros y es un componente del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU. NIH es la principal agencia federal que realiza y apoya investigaciones médicas básicas, clínicas y traslacionales, y que investiga las causas, los tratamientos y las curas para enfermedades comunes y raras. Para obtener más información sobre los NIH y sus programas, visite https://www.nih.gov. 

 

FUENTE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)