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Maple Leafs sign veteran European defenceman Mikko Lehtonen

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Finnish defenceman Mikko Lehtonen to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2020-21 season, the club announced Monday.



  • Sports/Hockey/NHL

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SOLIDWORKS xDesign Challenge- India WINNERS!

We are proud to announce the winners of the first SOLIDWORKS xDesign Challenge for India! 1600+ students and 249 teams had 41 days to work on their Futuristic Public Transport designs. The submissions we received were amazing! The response from

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Sara Junghans
Senior Manager, Education and Early Engagement at DS SolidWorks Corp.

Just a working mom with three kids trying to find the happy balance of life!

The post SOLIDWORKS xDesign Challenge- India WINNERS! appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Announcing the SOLIDWORKS xDesign SAE Challenge

All SAE Collegiate Design teams within the United States have the chance to work on their creative design and collaboration skills, and three teams will win a grand prize of $3,000, with six runner-up teams winning $1,000.

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Sara Zuckerman

Sara Zuckerman is a Content Marketing Specialist in Brand Offer Marketing for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works.

The post Announcing the SOLIDWORKS xDesign SAE Challenge appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Build the Future of Medical Care with SOLIDWORKS xDesign

We’re halfway through the SOLIDWORKS xDesign SAE Challenge, where SAE teams are hard at work designing the rescue vehicles of the future. Research is an important part of building these new machines, and we’ve got some inspiration for our design teams!

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Sara Zuckerman

Sara Zuckerman is a Content Marketing Specialist in Brand Offer Marketing for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works.

The post Build the Future of Medical Care with SOLIDWORKS xDesign appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Solving Mounting Problems Using xDesign

In this blog, you will learn how to use SOLIDWORKS xDesign to save money and use

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Ben Horton

I am an intern and a mentor in the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab here at the DASSAULT SYSTEMS Waltham campus. Currently I am studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. I am also the Vice-President of the Society of Automotive Engineers at UMass Lowell. My interests include building racecars, petting dogs, being a maker, and going on adventures in my Outback!

The post Solving Mounting Problems Using xDesign appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Using SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal for Cardboard Packaging Design

In thig blog, you will learn how to use SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal for Cardboard Packaging Design.

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Brian Craven

Brian Craven is a Solidworks Education Intern working in the Dassault Sytemes 3DExperience Lab in Waltham. He is a Mechanical Engineering student at UMASS Lowell. Brian is excited about using this blog to showcase interesting and creative utilizations of Solidworks products. In his free time Brian enjoys building Jeeps for offroad-use and hiking.

The post Using SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal for Cardboard Packaging Design appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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SOLIDWORKS Electrical Formula SAE Tutorial: Assigning, Creating and Modifying Manufacturer Part

In the prior video, we learned how to insert and create a line diagram symbol. In this video we will learn how to assign a manufacturer part to a line diagram symbol, create our own manufacturer parts and edit an

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Ajay Vaidya

I am the SOLIDWORKS Education Brand Advocacy Digital Marketing Intern in Waltham, MA. I go to Marywood University, Scranton, PA. Currently, I am studying Management Information Systems. During my free time, I love to play the keyboard, guitar, and ukulele. I can speak 8 languages!

The post SOLIDWORKS Electrical Formula SAE Tutorial: Assigning, Creating and Modifying Manufacturer Part appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Steampunk 1577 Changes Lives with Electric Wheelchair Kit Designed in SOLIDWORKS

FIRST Robotics Competition Team Steampunk 1577 started the FRC revolution in Israel and their mission is to impact people who were not previously interested in STEM, and help them grow. They are one of the most influential FIRST teams in Israel, both with their robots and their community outreach projects. One of those projects, of which the team is incredibly proud, is their creation of a low-cost electric wheelchair kit, designed in SOLIDWORKS.

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Sara Zuckerman

Sara Zuckerman is a Content Marketing Specialist in Brand Offer Marketing for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works.

The post Steampunk 1577 Changes Lives with Electric Wheelchair Kit Designed in SOLIDWORKS appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Danielle Boyer Makes STEAM Fun with The Engineering Design Club

Discover how STEAM advocate Danielle Boyer created the Engineering Design Club in her hometown and used SOLIDWORKS Apps for Kids to make learning STEAM more enjoyable.

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Sara Zuckerman

Sara Zuckerman is a Content Marketing Specialist in Brand Offer Marketing for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works.

The post Danielle Boyer Makes STEAM Fun with The Engineering Design Club appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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3DEXPERIENCE Design Contest for Students POTY 2020

Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Project of the Year (POTY) 2020 is a virtual design competition for students. The 3DEXPERIENCE is our latest solution on the Cloud, which brings together CATIA, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS all in one place!   Sign up now. Students,

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Director of Education & Early Engagement, SolidWorks at Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation

Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.

The post 3DEXPERIENCE Design Contest for Students POTY 2020 appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 1: Intro and Initial Mockup

In this case, we will be reproducing a wheel in SOLIDWORKS based on measurements of the actual part. This tutorial series will span the full design process, from initial mockup all the way to final details.

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Matthew Gruber is an alumni of Concordia University's Aero Design and Design/Build/Fly teams in 2015 through 2017, having joined after gaining an interest in helicopters and airplanes from living in Alaska.

Now is in his 3rd year in the airframe stress group of the 525 helicopter program at Bell and with 1 year of internships at Bombardier behind him, he credits the hands-on learning and team project experiences in SAE and D/B/F as the most formative in his path towards aerospace engineering. Being able to create in programs like SolidWorks and then to build into realization is one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering.

In his spare time, Matt likes backcountry snowboarding with his family dogs, bicycling for commuting, mountain trails and touring, looking for music and hanging out with friends and family.

For fun, for practice, and for a connection with the education and University communities and you the students, Matt is stoked to bring you these aero design video series.

The post Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 1: Intro and Initial Mockup appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Aero Design Series- Stock Wheel – Part 2: Front Plane Sketch and Revolve

Welcome to the #Aero Design Video Series created by Matthew Gruber! This is the second tutorial in the 10 part series where we will go from the initial mockup to a detailed front plane sketch and revolve feature.

Author information

Matthew Gruber is an alumni of Concordia University's Aero Design and Design/Build/Fly teams in 2015 through 2017, having joined after gaining an interest in helicopters and airplanes from living in Alaska.

Now is in his 3rd year in the airframe stress group of the 525 helicopter program at Bell and with 1 year of internships at Bombardier behind him, he credits the hands-on learning and team project experiences in SAE and D/B/F as the most formative in his path towards aerospace engineering. Being able to create in programs like SolidWorks and then to build into realization is one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering.

In his spare time, Matt likes backcountry snowboarding with his family dogs, bicycling for commuting, mountain trails and touring, looking for music and hanging out with friends and family.

For fun, for practice, and for a connection with the education and University communities and you the students, Matt is stoked to bring you these aero design video series.

The post Aero Design Series- Stock Wheel – Part 2: Front Plane Sketch and Revolve appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Designing and 3D Printing At Home

While I’m working from home, I thought this would be a really great time to invest in a 3D printer for myself. I purchased a budget-friendly printer that can still achieve quality prints. I’ve also found it really important to

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Matthew Desrochers

Matthew DesRochers is a SOLIDWORKS Education Engineering Intern working in the Dassault Sytèmes 3DExperience Lab in Waltham. He is a Mechanical Engineering student at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. In his free time Matt enjoys working on his Volkswagen and screen printing.

The post Designing and 3D Printing At Home appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 3: Saving and Renaming

Welcome to the first in a line of Aero Design Video Series created by Matthew Gruber in collaboration with SOLIDWORKS and SolidXPerts! This first series is for beginners using SOLIDWORKS for the SAE Aero Design and Design/Build/Fly competitions. In this tutorial, we will learn focus on saving and renaming parts.

Author information

Matthew Gruber is an alumni of Concordia University's Aero Design and Design/Build/Fly teams in 2015 through 2017, having joined after gaining an interest in helicopters and airplanes from living in Alaska.

Now is in his 3rd year in the airframe stress group of the 525 helicopter program at Bell and with 1 year of internships at Bombardier behind him, he credits the hands-on learning and team project experiences in SAE and D/B/F as the most formative in his path towards aerospace engineering. Being able to create in programs like SolidWorks and then to build into realization is one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering.

In his spare time, Matt likes backcountry snowboarding with his family dogs, bicycling for commuting, mountain trails and touring, looking for music and hanging out with friends and family.

For fun, for practice, and for a connection with the education and University communities and you the students, Matt is stoked to bring you these aero design video series.

The post Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 3: Saving and Renaming appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 4: Right Plane Cutouts

In this Aero Design Video Series tutorial, we will learn how to do right plane cutouts that form the spokes of the wheel.

Author information

Matthew Gruber is an alumni of Concordia University's Aero Design and Design/Build/Fly teams in 2015 through 2017, having joined after gaining an interest in helicopters and airplanes from living in Alaska.

Now is in his 3rd year in the airframe stress group of the 525 helicopter program at Bell and with 1 year of internships at Bombardier behind him, he credits the hands-on learning and team project experiences in SAE and D/B/F as the most formative in his path towards aerospace engineering. Being able to create in programs like SolidWorks and then to build into realization is one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering.

In his spare time, Matt likes backcountry snowboarding with his family dogs, bicycling for commuting, mountain trails and touring, looking for music and hanging out with friends and family.

For fun, for practice, and for a connection with the education and University communities and you the students, Matt is stoked to bring you these aero design video series.

The post Aero Design Series – Stock Wheel – Part 4: Right Plane Cutouts appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.




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Central Bank Digital Currency - Objectives, preconditions and design choices

Netherlands Bank DNB Occasional Studies by Peter Wierts and Harro Boven




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Cincinnati auxiliary bishop resigns after failing to act on allegations

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 7, 2020 / 07:55 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Binzer, Cincinnati's auxiliary bishop, who was accused in August of failing to act on allegations made against a priest. 

A statement from the Holy See press office May 7 said the pope had accepted the 65-year-old bishop’s resignation but gave no reason for the decision. 

In a statement released by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr said the pope accepted Binzer’s resignation after conversations between the bishop and the Holy See. 

The archdiocese also included a brief statement from Binzer in which he said he was “deeply sorry for my role in addressing the concerns raised about Father Drew, which has had a negative impact on the trust and faith of the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.”  

“In April, having studied this matter since last summer, the Holy See informed me that it agreed with this assessment. As a result, and after much prayer and reflection, I offered my resignation from the Office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,” said Binzer. ”I believe this to be in the best interest of the archdiocese.”

Archbishop Schnurr said that although retired, Binzer will continue to serve in the archdiocese with the title of “Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus.” 

“What exactly that ministry will look like will be determined after discussions between Bishop Binzer, the Priest Personnel Board, and me,” Schnurr said. “In this difficult and unfortunate time, please keep Bishop Binzer and all the people of the archdiocese in your prayers.”

Archbishop Schnurr removed Binzer from his position as head of priest personnel in August, after CNA presented officials with its investigation into claims that Binzer failed to pass on reports that a priest had engaged in inappropriate behavior with teenage boys.

In August last year, Schnurr told CNA that “We obviously made serious mistakes in our handling of this matter, for which we are very sorry.”

While Schnurr’s public comments did not address Binzer’s role directly, senior sources in the archdiocese told CNA in August that Schnurr had “gone nuclear” when he discovered the situation.

“The archbishop was as mad as I have ever seen him. When he was told that Bishop Binzer had withheld information, well, he used words I have never heard him use before,” one senior source told CNA, saying Schnurr called Binzer’s actions a “firestorm” for the archdiocese.

In September, 2019, an archdiocesan spokesperson told CNA that Schnurr had sent a "full report to Rome on the whole case and he is waiting for the Vatican’s response,” and he expected "a full investigation” to be conducted by the Vatican.

Binzer later resigned as a member of the U.S. bishops’ conference committee for the protection of children and young people, on which he represented Region VI.

CNA reported in August last year that Binzer was told in 2013 about allegations concerning a recently suspended priest, Fr. Geoff Drew, and failed to disclose them to Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr and other archdiocesan officials.

While the archdiocesan victims’ assistance coordinator, who reported to Binzer, was aware of the allegation, the information was not made known to the diocesan priest personnel board or Archbishop Schnurr. 

In 2015, similar allegations were again made against Drew. The matter was forwarded to Butler County officials, who determined that the activity was not criminal. Again, Binzer reported neither the complaints nor the investigation to the archbishop or informed the priest personnel board.

Sources in the archdiocesan chancery told CNA in August that Binzer met with Drew twice, was assured by him that he would reform his conduct, and considered this sufficient.

In early 2018, Drew applied for a transfer to St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Green Township, which is attached to the largest Catholic school in the archdiocese.

As head of priest personnel, Binzer was in charge of the process that considers requests and proposals for reassignment, in conjunction with the priest personnel board.

Neither the board nor the archbishop were made aware of the multiple complaints against Drew, and the transfer was approved.

The allegations were also reportedly not recorded by Binzer in the priest’s personnel file that would have been available to the archdiocesan personnel board as part of the process.

A month after Drew’s arrival at St. Ignatius, a parishioner at Drew’s former parish resubmitted the 2015 complaints about the priest, but this time it was also brought to the attention of Archbishop Schnurr.

Also in 2018, Binzer received an additional complaint of similarly inappropriate contact by Drew, dating to his time as a high school music teacher, before his ordination as a priest. 

Following a diocesan investigation, Drew was ordered to attend counselling with a psychologist.

On July 23, Drew was removed from ministry, when it emerged that he had sent a series of inappropriate text messages to a 17-year-old. 

Chancery sources told CNA in August that it was only after the recent incident at St. Ignatius that archdiocesan officials discovered that the otherwise undisclosed complaints about Drew had been made to Binzer, and that the auxiliary bishop had failed to report them to other diocesan officials, or raise them during the decision to approve his transfer in 2018.




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Designing and Troubleshooting Immunopanning Protocols for Purifying Neural Cells

Purifying and culturing cells from the central nervous system (CNS) has proved to be an incredibly powerful tool for dissecting fundamental neuron and glial properties, and especially powerful in understanding neuronal–glial interactions. In a series of detailed protocols, we have provided step-by-step instructions for purifying and culturing specific types of neurons, glia, and vascular cells from the CNS by immunopanning. This article discusses common pitfalls and errors as well as important design considerations for the immunopanning procedure.




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SOLIDWORKS Solution for Complex Structure Design

Structure System Solidworks The term structural system or structural frame in structural engineering refers to the load-resisting sub-system of a building or object that transfers loads through interconnected elements or members. In SOLIDWORKS 2020, the structure system feature is an advanced

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E G S Computers India Private Limited, since 1993, has been in the forefront of delivering solutions
to customers in the areas of Product Design and Development with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD,Remaining Life Calculations,
Validation using Finite Element Analysis, Customization of Engineering activities and Training in advanced engineering functions
relating to design and development.

EGS India - Authorized Reseller for SOLIDWORKS Solutions in India - Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai - Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry.
For any queries on SOLIDWORKS Solutions contact @ 9445424704 | mktg@egs.co.in
| Website - www.egsindia.com

The post SOLIDWORKS Solution for Complex Structure Design appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog.




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Eliminating Over Design Cost Using SOLIDWORKS Costing

SOLIDWORKS Costing is ready to use with both customized and standard templates for our company to accompany the more specific manufacturing needs. SOLIDWORKS Costing Templates Sheet Metal / Weldment Parts Machined Parts Plastic Molded / Cast Parts 3D Printed Parts

Author information

E G S Computers India Private Limited, since 1993, has been in the forefront of delivering solutions
to customers in the areas of Product Design and Development with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD,Remaining Life Calculations,
Validation using Finite Element Analysis, Customization of Engineering activities and Training in advanced engineering functions
relating to design and development.

EGS India - Authorized Reseller for SOLIDWORKS Solutions in India - Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai - Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry.
For any queries on SOLIDWORKS Solutions contact @ 9445424704 | mktg@egs.co.in
| Website - www.egsindia.com

The post Eliminating Over Design Cost Using SOLIDWORKS Costing appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog.




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Master and Expand Your SOLIDWORKS Skills with LIVE Design series

Don't miss tuning in for our LIVE Design web series to see our own SOLIDWORKS experts as they model a variety of products and provide design Tips, training, and more ways to increase your design knowledge.

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Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SolidWorks products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. The SolidWorks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.

The post Master and Expand Your SOLIDWORKS Skills with LIVE Design series appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.




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The Value of Simulation: Which Design is the Best?

SOLIDWORKS Simulation revolutionizes the traditional design process by allowing design validation to be done in parallel with product design. Join us for a four-part Simulation webinar series starting on April 22nd to learn more.

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Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SolidWorks products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. The SolidWorks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.

The post The Value of Simulation: Which Design is the Best? appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.




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Maintaining SOLIDWORKS Design and Data Efficiency While Working From Home

Read this blog to learn how you can maintain efficiency throughout your design and data management activities when working from home.

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Mark Johnson
Expert Technical Support Engineer, Escalation Manager for the Americas at SOLIDWORKS

Mark Johnson is the SOLIDWORKS Escalation Manager for the Americas. He also has resolved the highest number of technical support cases in SOLIDWORKS support history – over 45,000! This experience gives him a unique perspective which he leverages to train our VAR community and take part in the SOLIDWORKS Development process to improve overall customer experience. Mark also hosts and organizes the SOLIDWORKS World AE Workshop for the past 10 years and The VAR Performance Tuning Workshops (VPTW) at company HQ.

The post Maintaining SOLIDWORKS Design and Data Efficiency While Working From Home appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.




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How I Used SOLIDWORKS to Design the Cars You’ve Seen in Movies

Ever heard of Mission Impossible? Ready Player One? How about Terminator? Learn all about how Dave Clark, a mechanical engineer and industrial designer, makes stunt cars for the big screen – and how he got there.

Author information

Sean O'Neill

I'm a Community & User Advocacy Manager here at SOLIDWORKS. As a longtime SOLIDWORKS user myself, I love meeting with users and hearing about all the interesting things they're doing in the SOLIDWORKS community!

The post How I Used SOLIDWORKS to Design the Cars You’ve Seen in Movies appeared first on The SOLIDWORKS Blog.




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Updated: Cardinal Sarah says he did not sign letter claiming coronavirus exploited for one-world government

CNA Staff, May 7, 2020 / 03:45 pm (CNA).- Hours after the publication of a controversial open letter regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the prefect of the Church’s dicastery for liturgy and sacraments, listed among the signers of the letter, said he did not sign it.

The letter, titled “Appeal for the Church and the World,” says the coronavirus pandemic has been exaggerated to foster widespread social panic and undercut freedom, as a preparation for the establishment of a one-world government.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments, tweeted: “I share on a personal basis some of the questions or concerns raised with regard to restrictions on fundamental freedoms, but I have not signed this petition.”

“A cardinal prefect of the Roman Curia must observe a certain reserve in political matters, Sarah wrote in another tweet, “so I explicitly asked this morning the authors of the petition titled ‘for the Church and for the world’ not to mention me.”

Sarah was listed as a signatory of the letter when it was published May 7 by the National Catholic Register, LifeSiteNews, and other websites. Sarah's denial raises questions about the legitimacy of other reported signatories to the letter.

Jeanette DeMelo, editor of the National Catholic Register, told CNA that the principal author of the letter is Archbishop Carlo Vigano, a former papal emissary to the United States.

Vigano made headlines for an August 2018 letter that alleged Vatican officials had ignored warnings about the sexual abuse of disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Since that time, Vigano has released numerous letters expressing his viewpoints on matters in the Church, which include criticisms of Pope Francis and other curial officials.

DeMelo said that Vigano had vouched for the authenticity of Sarah's signature.

“The Register contacted Archbishop Vigano, the principal author, and asked him specifically about the authenticity of the signature of Cardinal Sarah and he said ‘I can confirm 100% that Cardinal Sarah signed it.,” DeMelo told CNA.

The letter laments the social distancing and stay-at-home orders issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, suggesting they are contrived mechanisms of social control, with a nefarious purpose.

“We have reason to believe, on the basis of official data on the incidence of the epidemic as related to the number of deaths, that there are powers interested in creating panic among the world’s population with the sole aim of permanently imposing unacceptable forms of restriction on freedoms, of controlling people and of tracking their movements,” the letter said.

“The imposition of these illiberal measures is a disturbing prelude to the realization of a world government beyond all control,” it added. (bold original)

Among the letter’s reported signatories are four cardinals: Sarah, who has now indicated he is not a signatory; Cardinal Gerhard Muller, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong, and Cardinal Janis Pujats, emeritus archbishop of Riga, Latvia.

Two U.S. bishops are also alleged signatories: Bishop Rene Gracida, emeritus bishop of Corpus Christi, and Bishop Joseph Strickland, the Bishop of Tyler, Texas. 

Strickland told CNA by email May 7 that he “did sign off on this letter.”

Along with several other bishops, the well-known auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, is listed as a signer of the letter.

Another reported signatory is Fr. Curzio Nitoglia, a priest of the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist group in “irregular communion” with the Church. Nitoglia is the author of “The Magisterium of Vatican II,” a 1994 article that claims that “the church of Vatican II is therefore not the Apostolic and Roman Catholic Church instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The May 7 letter argued that the coronavirus pandemic has been sensationalized and exploited, to impede civil rights and exact government control over individuals and families.

The letter said that “the facts have shown that, under the pretext of the Covid-19 epidemic, the inalienable rights of citizens have in many cases been violated and their fundamental freedoms, including the exercise of freedom of worship, expression and movement, have been disproportionately and unjustifiably restricted.”

“Many authoritative voices in the world of science and medicine confirm that the media’s alarmism about Covid-19 appears to be absolutely unjustified.”

Nearly 4 million people worldwide have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 270,000 have died. In some countries, death rates in the months of the coronavirus pandemic have far exceeded death rates over the same months in previous years, suggesting to some demographers and epidemiologists that coronavirus deaths have been dramatically undercounted.

The pandemic, and the social distancing and stay-at-home orders issued to slow its spread, have become a source of considerable controversy in recent weeks. In the U.S., protests in several state capitals have gathered demonstrators in close proximity to one another, a move public health experts say could lead to new outbreaks of the disease.

The letter said that the economic crisis occasioned by the global pandemic “encourages interference by foreign powers and has serious social and political repercussions. Those with governmental responsibility must stop these forms of social engineering, by taking measures to protect their citizens whom they represent, and in whose interests they have a serious obligation to act.”

“The criminalization of personal and social relationships must likewise be judged as an unacceptable part of the plan of those who advocate isolating individuals in order to better manipulate and control them,” the authors added.

No cure or therapeutic treatment has yet been identified for the virus. In early weeks of the pandemic, President Donald Trump hypothesized that hydroxychloroquine, an inexpensive anti-malarial medication, could help treat the disease. U.S. researchers have largely moved away from the medication, especially after a study by the Veterans’ Administration found that administering the drug leads to higher death rates among patients receiving it.

Some, including television hosts Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity have alleged that the study is inaccurate. Some protestors have suggested the VA study was intended to discredit Trump or profit vaccine manufacturers.

In an apparent reference to the hydroxychloroquine controversy, the letter said that: “Every effort must be made to ensure that shady business interests do not influence the choices made by government leaders and international bodies. It is unreasonable to penalize those remedies that have proved to be effective, and are often inexpensive, just because one wishes to give priority to treatments or vaccines that are not as good, but which guarantee pharmaceutical companies far greater profits, and exacerbate public health expenditures.” 

“Let us also remember, as Pastors, that for Catholics it is morally unacceptable to develop or use vaccines derived from material from aborted fetuses,” the letter added.

The U.S. bishops conference has also said vaccine development should avoid unethical links to abortion.

The letter argues that governments do not have the right to ban or restrict public worship or other kinds of ministry, and asks that any such restrictions be rescinded.

On the sacraments, which have been subject both to voluntary restrictions and public health orders in some states, the letter noted that “the Church firmly asserts her autonomy to govern, worship, and teach.”

“The State has no right to interfere, for any reason whatsoever, in the sovereignty of the Church. Ecclesiastical authorities have never refused to collaborate with the State, but such collaboration does not authorize civil authorities to impose any sort of ban or restriction on public worship or the exercise of priestly ministry. The rights of God and of the faithful are the supreme law of the Church, which she neither intends to, nor can, abdicate. We ask that restrictions on the celebration of public ceremonies be removed.”

While restrictions on public worship have been met with public criticism in many places, the objections have been most pronounced in Italy.

After Italy’s prime minister announced in late April new health measures that would continue prohibiting religious gatherings, the Italian bishops released a statement denouncing the decision, which the bishops criticized as “arbitrary.” Two days later, Pope Francis seemed to signal his own view, praying while celebrating Mass that Christians would respond to the lifting of lockdown restrictions with “prudence and obedience.”

Along with cardinals, bishops, and priests, the letter’s signatories also included some academics, journalists, and scientists. Included among them are Vatican journalists Marco Tosatti and Robert Moynihan, Lifesitenews editor John-Henry Westen, Stephen Mosher, president of the Virginia-based Population Research Institute, and the leaders of pro-life groups in Texas and Ohio.

The letter’s signatories encouraged Catholics, and “all men and women of good will” to “assess the current situation in a way consistent with the teaching of the Gospel. This means taking a stand: either with Christ or against Christ.” (bold original)
 
“Let us not allow centuries of Christian civilization to be erased under the pretext of a virus, and an odious technological tyranny to be established, in which nameless and faceless people can decide the fate of the world by confining us to a virtual reality. If this is the plan to which the powers of this earth intend to make us yield, know that Jesus Christ, King and Lord of History, has promised that ‘the gates of Hell shall not prevail’ (Mt 16:18).”

The Holy See has not yet commented on the letter.
 

This story has been updated since its original publication. It is developing and will continue to be updated.




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Andy Murray signs up for virtual Madrid tennis tournament amid coronavirus crisis

ANDY MURRAY will swap a tennis racket for a games controller when he takes part in a virtual Madrid Open later this month.




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Scottish students design building blocks of Moon base

A GROUP of Glasgow-based students are working on an international project to design the building blocks of a Moon base.




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Remote Learning Problems During Coronavirus Prompt Resignation of Big District Tech Leader

The top technology official for Virginia's Fairfax County schools resigned after the district struggled to handle some major technical glitches in its e-learning platforms.




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Trump Signs Legislation Promoting Evidence-Based Policymaking

Just before Christmas, federal lawmakers sent President Donald Trump the Foundations for Evidenced-Based Policymaking Act of 2017, which aims to improve how federal data is used, shared, and protected.




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U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Case Over Cheerleader-Uniform Design

The battle stems from Varsity Brands' efforts to gain copyright protection for the design of stripes, chevrons, zigzags, and color blocks that are on its uniforms.




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Microsoft, Verizon, and Other Big U.S. Companies Design Their Ideal High School Courses

Education Week asked senior executives from some of the biggest and fastest-growing companies in the United States that question. You might be surprised by what they had to say.




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José Viana, Head of Federal ELL Office to Resign

"I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and privilege I have been given to serve my country and its learners," Viana wrote in an email to supporters this week.




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The Population Cost-effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Prevent Childhood Depression

There are a number of effective interventions designed to prevent childhood/adolescent depression. Such interventions tend to comprise screening and the subsequent provision of psychological therapy. However, the cost-effectiveness of routinely providing such interventions at a population level is not known.

By using economic modeling techniques, this study shows that the population cost-effectiveness of such preventive interventions for childhood/adolescent depression is very favorable, although implementation issues, particularly around the acceptability to providers, need to be addressed before widespread adoption. (Read the full article)




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Trends of Transcutaneous Bilirubin in Neonates Who Develop Significant Hyperbilirubinemia

Although the natural course of bilirubin levels has been extensively studied in general neonatal populations, there is a paucity of data regarding bilirubin trends in neonates before the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia.

This study provides data on the natural course of transcutaneous bilirubin before the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia, and on the effect of different demographic and perinatal risk factors on the rate of bilirubin increase in neonates with borderline bilirubin values. (Read the full article)




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Symptoms and Otoscopic Signs in Bilateral and Unilateral Acute Otitis Media

Bilateral acute otitis media (AOM) is considered more severe than unilateral AOM, and several guidelines recommend more active management of bilateral AOM. However, severity of symptoms and otoscopic signs of bilateral and unilateral AOM have previously not been comprehensively studied.

Bilateral AOM seems to be clinically only a slightly more severe illness than unilateral AOM. When assessing AOM severity, bilaterality should not be used as a determining criterion; instead, the child’s symptoms together with otoscopic signs should also be acknowledged. (Read the full article)




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The Effects of Music Therapy on Vital Signs, Feeding, and Sleep in Premature Infants

Recorded music, parent voices, and sung lullabies have been shown to increase oxygen saturation, nonnutritive sucking, and weight gain in premature infants.

Parent-preferred melodies and entrained live rhythm and breath sounds can enhance quiet alert and sleep states, suck response, and oxygen saturation in premature infants and significantly reduce fear and anxiety perception in parents. (Read the full article)




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Mode of Obstetrical Delivery and Type 1 Diabetes: A Sibling Design Study

Several studies have revealed an association between cesarean section (CS) and childhood type 1 diabetes. Most of these studies lacked important information on indication for CS and induction of labor. It is unknown whether the reported associations are causal.

Using a cohort of 2.6 million children we found an association between elective CS and type 1 diabetes. The sibling analysis suggested the association is not causal. The findings are crucial evidence to advise women on mode of delivery choice. (Read the full article)




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Changes Over Time in Sex Assignment for Disorders of Sex Development

XY disorders of sex development have a diverse etiology and often present with atypical genitalia in the newborn period. Sex assignment in those cases in whom this is marked genital ambiguity is a rare, challenging situation that requires multidisciplinary input.

An international registry has shown temporal changes over the last 3 decades in the practice of sex assignment with a greater proportion of severely affected infants being raised as boys, raising the need for long-term monitoring of these children. (Read the full article)




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Young Adult Psychological Outcome After Puberty Suppression and Gender Reassignment

Puberty suppression has rapidly become part of the standard clinical management protocols for transgender adolescents. To date, there is only limited evidence for the long-term effectiveness of this approach after gender reassignment (cross-sex hormones and surgery).

In young adulthood, gender dysphoria had resolved, psychological functioning had steadily improved, and well-being was comparable to same-age peers. The clinical protocol including puberty suppression had provided these formerly gender-dysphoric youth the opportunity to develop into well-functioning young adults. (Read the full article)




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A Model for Predicting Significant Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates From China

Guidelines for postdischarge monitoring of hyperbilirubinemia for neonates of white descent are available from the American Academy of Pediatrics; however, such information for healthy term and late preterm Chinese neonates is lacking.

A classification model for predicting the risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese neonates was developed that combines a transcutaneous bilirubin–based nomogram with clinical risk factors. It classified newborns into 6 risk groups, which can guide clinicians in planning appropriate follow-up strategies. (Read the full article)




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Germany's Silvia Neid looks to sign off with gold

Silvia Neid has won it all as a player and coach ... nearly. Only an Olympic gold has eluded her – on Friday she can end that wait in her final game as Germany coach.




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Patent Hints at New PlayStation Controller Design

Sony has been granted a patent for a new PlayStation controller that features two more buttons than the existing DualShock 4 model, but don't look for it with the PS5.




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Graphic design students excel in national competition

Sixteen design projects created by graphic design students at Pennsylvania College of Technology have been honored in the national Flux Student Design Competition.




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Graphic design students bring senior showcase to social media

Unable to host their senior capstone showcase as an on-campus celebration of their work with family and friends in attendance, graduating students in the Graphic Design undergraduate program in the Stuckeman School at Penn State are turning to Instagram to highlight their design work in a creative way to an even larger potential audience during the week of May 4-8.




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Stuckeman School studio breaks down disciplinary lines through design

A studio course for architecture and landscape architecture students in the Stuckeman School prepares students for the collaborative design process they will take part in once they begin careers in their respective fields by blurring the boundaries between the disciplines in the college setting.




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Significant efficacy of single low dose primaquine compared to stand alone artemisinin combination therapy in reducing gametocyte carriage in Cambodian patients with uncomplicated multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria [Epidemiology and Surveil

Since 2012, single low dose of primaquine (SLDPQ, 0.25mg/kg) has been recommended with artemisinin-based combination therapies, as first-line treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, to interrupt its transmission, especially in low transmission settings of multidrug, including artemisinin, resistance. Policy makers in Cambodia have been reluctant to implement this recommendation due to primaquine safety concerns and lack of data on its efficacy.

In this randomized controlled trial, 109 Cambodians with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria received dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) alone or combined with SLDPQ on the first treatment day. Transmission-blocking efficacy of SLDPQ was evaluated on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and recrudescence by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (gametocyte prevalence) and membrane-feeding assays with Anopheles minimus mosquitoes (gametocyte infectivity). Without the influence of recrudescent infections, DP+SLDPQ reduced gametocyte carriage 3 fold compared to DP. Of 48 patients tested on Day 0, only three patients were infectious to mosquitoes (~6%). Post-treatment, three patients were infectious: on D14 (3.5%, 1/29), and on the first and seventh day of recrudescence (8.3%, 1/12 for each); this overall low infectivity precluded our ability to assess its transmission blocking efficacy.

Our study confirms effective gametocyte clearance of SLDPQ when combined with DP in multidrug resistant P. falciparum and the negative impact of recrudescent infections due to poor DP efficacy. Artesunate-mefloquine (ASMQ) has replaced DP and ASMQ-SLDPQ has been deployed to treat all P. falciparum symptomatic patients to further support the elimination of multidrug resistant P. falciparum in Cambodia.




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Champions League Fantasy: Bargain signings

Players who provide excellent value for money are a key component of successful Fantasy sides; check out our suggestions.




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Benign Neonatal Shudders, Shivers, Jitteriness, or Tremors: Early Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Millicent Collins
Aug 1, 2017; 140:e20160719-e20160719
CASE REPORTS




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Get a Free Echo Dot With Any Toshiba, Insignia Fire TV Edition

That free Echo Dot will let you launch apps, search for titles, and switch inputs on your TV with just your voice.




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10 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Check out these quick tips to boost your wireless signal from your router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.