Newsletter Volume 32 Issue 5, May 2020

From The Editor

“It’s really like somebody in the 1980s expounding on the economic opportunity of the Internet. Everyone would have laughed at you. That’s kind of what’s happening right now with blockchain applications—the foundational tools for another technology revolution are emerging, and this could be one of them.” This quote is from a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) news story by Wayne Hicks, who describes how Researchers at the NREL are evaluating the use of blockchain for transactive energy using hardware in the laboratory’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF), and how it may reshape the world of electric systems operation. See below, Blockchain: Not Just for Bitcoin.

Another good news story for Australia comes in a May 22, 2020 article in The Conversation, from Cathy Foley, Chief Scientist, CSIRO, and Dominic Banfield, Science and Technology Consultant, CSIRO. The authors note that “ More recently the University of Adelaide developed a way to produce one billion electrons per second and use quantum mechanics to control them one-by-one. Advances like these are paving the way for quantum information processing in defence, cybersecurity and big data analysis. Australia is also home to some of the top quantum technology companies in the world. They are working on advanced quantum control solutions (Q-CTRL), unique quantum computing hardware (Silicon Quantum Computing), and quantum-enhanced cybersecurity tools (Quintessence Labs). Multinationals like Microsoft and Rigetti Computing have also set up shop in Australia to work with our quantum experts.” See below, Australian quantum technology could become a $4 billion industry and create 16,000 jobs

“A gene therapy trial performed on mice may foreshadow yet another way to hack fitness. In a study done by a team at Washington University in St. Louis’ medical school, mice quickly built muscle mass and reduced obesity after receiving the therapy, even while eating a diet high in fat and not exercising. The results were published last week in a paper in Science Advances.” This quote is from a May 18, 2020 article in The Mandarin, which notes that “Over a period of 18 weeks, or about 4 months, the team observed that the muscle mass of the treated mice more than doubled, as did their strength level. They also experienced reduced damage related to osteoarthritis, less inflammation in their joints, and had healthier hearts and blood vessels than mice that didn’t receive the gene therapy — even though all the mice ate the same high-fat diet and did the same amount of exercise.” However, there is a caveat: The fact that this would ruin the pleasure and satisfaction of a good workout is another conversation—and one not everybody would be interested in having. But even if genetic or chemical exercise-replacement tools become safe to use in humans in the foreseeable future, they’ll likely be limited, at least at first, to those who need them due to debilitating health conditions. That said—for the time being, keep hitting the treadmill, the weight room, or your other off-the-couch, effort-intensive workout of choice.” See below, Forget exercise — these mice got ripped with gene therapy.

One of the agreeable aspects of the COVID19 lockdown is that collectors have been revisiting, and sharing, some of their favourite old films and TV shows. Here are some links to start with, films from silent days to more recent – (QESP Editor’s Note: If anyone has a favourite old film to share, send the link to me at tedsmillie@yahoo.com . Thanks, Ted ) See below, Thanks for the Memory Banks.

Current Issue

Articles in the current Issue cover:

Blockchain: Not Just for Bitcoin

“Today, utilities use complex software platforms called an energy management system (EMS) and advanced distribution management system (ADMS) to manage the demand, supply, and reliable delivery of electricity on the power grid. But it is difficult to scale EMS and ADMS to interoperate transactions between thousands of homes, let alone the millions of connected devices in use in those homes”.

Australian quantum technology could become a $4 billion industry and create 16,000 jobs

“This is a competitive area, and the world is racing. Since 2019, the UK, US, European Union, India, Germany and Russia have established multibillion-dollar quantum technology initiatives. Reports also suggest China has committed around US$10 billion to quantum research and development. To maintain our leadership and capture this opportunity, Australia needs a coordinated, collaborative approach to growing our domestic quantum economy.“

Forget exercise — these mice got ripped with gene therapy

“In cases of severe obesity or muscle loss, it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to lose weight or improve muscle strength through normal exercise and diet,” said Farshid Guilak, orthopedic surgery professor and director of research at Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis. “The goal of this study was to show the importance of muscle strength in overriding many of the harmful effects of obesity on the joint.”

Thanks for the Memory Banks

In 2002, Britain’s film censors lifted the ban on the video release of Sam Peckinpah’s notorious 1971 film, Straw Dogs, which has been described as “one of the strongest statements about violence ever put on screen”

Straw Dogs (1971) film Sam Peckinpah – (wimpy Dustin Hoffman gets MAD AS HELL) –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QpdpAgxqok

QESP Blog

Who’s afraid of Alzheimer’s?

For anyone who thinks their occasional memory lapses could be a sign of altzhiemers, this test will set their mind at rest (at least it did for me.)

In the following analysis the French Professor Bruno Dubois, Director of the Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease (IMMA) at La Pitié-Salpêtrière – Paris Hospitals, addresses the subject in a rather reassuring way:

“If anyone is aware of his memory problems, he does not have Alzheimer’s.”

I forget the names of families …
I do not remember where I put some things …

It often happens in people 60 years and older that they complain that they lack memory. “The information is always in the brain, it is the “processor” that is lacking. ”

This is “Anosognosia” or temporary forgetfulness. Half of people 60 and older have some symptoms that are due to age rather than disease.

The most common symptoms are:

– forgetting the name of a person,

– going to a room in the house and not remembering why we were going there …

– a blank memory for a movie title or actor, an actress,

– a waste of time searching where we left our glasses or keys ..

After 60 years most people have such a difficulty, which indicates that it is not a disease but rather a characteristic due to the passage of years …

Many people are concerned about these oversights hence the importance of the following statement:

“Those who are conscious of being forgetful have no serious problem of memory.”

“Those who suffer from a memory illness or Alzheimer’s, are not aware of what is happening.”

Professor Bruno Dubois, reassures the majority of people concerned about their oversights:

“The more we complain about memory loss, the less likely we are to suffer from memory sickness.

– Now for a little neurological test:

Only use your eyes!

1- Find the C in the table below!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2- If you have already found the C,

Then find the 6 in the table below.

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

69999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

3- Now find the N in the table below.

Attention, it’s a little more difficult!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

If you pass these three tests without problem:

– you can cancel your annual visit to the neurologist.

– your brain is in perfect shape!

– you are far from having any relationship with Alzheimer’s.

So, share this with your over-60 friends, it can reassure them…

COVID-19 Parodies

If anything, the COVID-19 lockdown has given us some good memories of old songs we used to enjoy and this has resulted in some witty parodies of old songs, see below. Caution, some of the language is R rated.

But before we look at the parodies, let’s start with a real life contribution that is funnier than a parody. It comes from The Washington Post Video Editor, JM Rieger on Twitter, and also has some good responses:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1263524533581029376

TRUMP: “I tested very positively in a — in another sense. So this morning, yeah — I tested positively toward negative, right? So, no, I tested perfectly this morning. Meaning — meaning I tested negative. But that’s a way of saying it: Positively toward the negative.”

Vote Him Away (The Liar Tweets Tonight)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkU1ob_lHCw

Lie-Lie-Lie-Lie Lysol” by Founders Sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvGkB4bdryQ

With A Little Help From The Feds” by Founders Sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD0qzFuL_d0

Lockdown – Covid-19 Version of Downtown – Petula Clark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0NIZR_bLd0

Tom Jones Parody Corona Virus Sing Along Lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eROgdB0ryK0

The Sound of Sirens (Sound of Silence Lockdown Parody)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsfy8AD_S0

The Beatles – Yesterday (Lockdown Acapella Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoQJerrMcwA

Quarantine (A “Dancing Queen” Parody)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmDcg59Xzek

Events

Our indefatigable Julian (Jolly) Day advises that Consensus has just joined the #RebootAustralia movement. This platform connects entrepreneurs and business leaders with professionals and experts that can help your business Reboot.

“We are proud to be part of #RebootAustralia at this challenging time in our nation’s history.
There are TWO different opportunities for you to pursue…

Join as a member: If you need a hand with your business (whether you’re bursting at the seams or hanging on by a thread), please click here.
Become a Partner: if you have something to offer that helps business owners get back to ‘thrive’, please click here.

Behind the scenes the busy Reboot team help match entrepreneurs and partners so everybody gets what they’re looking for. If you have any enquiries about how it all works, best to email them direct: reboot@mycatapult.com.au”

ACOSM 2020: Responsible Business Conduct

ACOSM 2020 has been postponed due to COVID-19. A new date will be advised when the restrictions have been lifted.

Quotes

Quote of the Day

https://www.crikey.com.au/

THEY REALLY SAID THAT?

“The purpose of politics, as far as I can tell, is to use any means whatsoever within reason, and that’s the question, what is within reason, to raise your party and denigrate the other party. — Dr Gillian Dempsey

In their appeal against Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s successful defamation case, the lawyer for former senator David Leyonhjelm offers a dim — if depressingly accurate — view of Australian politics.

Quote from Yesteryear

“Doctors say it’s okay to have sex after a heart attack, provided you close the ambulance door.” – Phyllis Diller

Ted Smillie

QESP Chair