“The Attributes of the Arts and the Rewards Which Are Accorded Them” | Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1766)
We follow a suite of standards developed by theFinancial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) — among them, documents that discover and recommend best financial management practice for not-for-profit organizations common in almost all of the US education industry. At the moment we do not advocate assertively in the FASB suite but we do follow the action as it pertains to the education industry and the activity of the many education industry trade associations whose advocacy activity we do follow.
Stakeholders in the US education industry are encouraged to communicate directly with the FASB on any issue: Accounting Standards Updates Issued
The FASB suite is a standing item on our colloquia covering education industry accounting practice generally and grant and construction project accounting specifically.
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IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems is effectively the global standard for interconnection of distributed resources with large scale electric power systems. It provides requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety, and maintenance of the interconnection. Apart from the power reliability and sustainability zietgeist we have seen in campus bulk power distribution systems, this title is usually referenced in research projects undertaken in university research enterprises. The standard is intended to be universally adoptable, technology-neutral, and cover distributed resources as large 10 MVA. To wit:
We collaborate with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee on this an related titles. This committee’s meetings are held 4 times monthly in European and American time zones. International Electrical Technical Commission titles are items on the standing agenda; a few representative titles are listed in addition to IEEE titles below:
IEEE 21451-001-2017 Recommended Practice for Signal Treatment Applied to Smart Transducers: This guide supports the ability to uniformly processing and classifying data from sensors and actuators in a smart system. The standard enables a common interpretation of data and grid interoperability. NIST personnel served on this standard’s working group, providing NIST research on sensors and actuators.
IEEE 2030.7-2017 Standard for the Specification of Microgrid Controllers: This standard established requirements for controllers, used to sense and manage microgrids. These requirements inform the manufacturing of controllers, and ultimately enable grid interoperability. NIST funding aided this standard’s development.
IEEE 2030.8 Standard for Testing Microgrid Controllers: This testing standard helps verify that microgrid controllers meet these requirements, and, thus, will work as intended. NIST funding aided this standard’s development.
“The greatest danger in modern technology isn’t that machines will begin to think like people, ut that people will begin to think like machines.” — Michael Gazzaniga
The “next big thing” reveals itself in hindsight. Some areas of interest and potential advancements include:
Edge Computing: Edge computing brings computation closer to the data source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage. It enables processing and analysis of data at or near the edge of the network, which is especially important for applications like IoT, real-time analytics, and autonomous systems.
Quantum Computing: Quantum computing holds the promise of solving complex problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computers. Cloud providers are exploring ways to offer quantum computing as a service, allowing users to harness the power of quantum processors.
Serverless Computing: Serverless computing abstracts away server management, enabling developers to focus solely on writing code. Cloud providers offer Function as a Service (FaaS), where users pay only for the actual execution time of their code, leading to more cost-effective and scalable solutions.
Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud: Organizations are increasingly adopting multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies to avoid vendor lock-in, enhance resilience, and optimize performance by distributing workloads across different cloud providers and on-premises infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Cloud providers are integrating AI and ML capabilities into their platforms, making it easier for developers to build AI-driven applications and leverage pre-built models for various tasks.
Serverless AI: The combination of serverless computing and AI allows developers to build and deploy AI models without managing the underlying infrastructure, reducing complexity and operational overhead.
Extended Security and Privacy: As data privacy concerns grow, cloud providers are investing in improved security measures and privacy-enhancing technologies to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulations.
Containerization and Kubernetes: Containers offer a lightweight, portable way to package and deploy applications. Kubernetes, as a container orchestration tool, simplifies the management of containerized applications, enabling scalable and resilient deployments.
Business innovation involves creating new or improved business processes, models, or strategies to achieve organizational goals and gain a competitive advantage. It focuses on enhancing efficiency, customer experience, and overall business performance. Business innovation may encompass changes in marketing, operations, management, or other aspects of the business ecosystem.
On the other hand, technology innovation revolves around the development and application of new technologies or the improvement of existing ones. It aims to introduce novel solutions, products, or services by leveraging advancements in technology. Technology innovation can be driven by scientific research, engineering breakthroughs, or the integration of emerging technologies to address specific needs.
While business innovation is broad and encompasses various facets of organizational improvement, technology innovation specifically centers on advancements in technology and their strategic implementation. Successful companies often integrate both types of innovation to stay competitive, using business innovation to optimize processes and technology innovation to enable novel solutions and capabilities.
Noteworthy innovations relevant to the development and maintenance of the real assets of education settlements:
Proptech Platforms: Various proptech (property technology) platforms have emerged to streamline property management tasks, including tenant communication, rent collection, and maintenance requests. Examples include Buildium, AppFolio, and Propertyware.
Blockchain in Real Estate: Blockchain technology is being explored for its potential to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in real estate transactions. Smart contracts on blockchain can automate and secure property transactions.
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): VR and AR technologies are being used for virtual property tours, allowing potential buyers or tenants to explore properties remotely. This helps in saving time and making more informed decisions.
Predictive Analytics: Data analytics and machine learning are being employed to analyze market trends, predict property values, and assess investment opportunities. This enables more data-driven decision-making in real estate.
IoT (Internet of Things): IoT devices are being integrated into buildings for smart property management. This includes smart thermostats, security systems, and energy-efficient solutions, enhancing overall property performance.
Automated Valuation Models (AVMs): AVMs leverage algorithms and data analysis to estimate property values. These tools provide quick and automated property valuations, aiding in pricing decisions.
Digital Transaction Platforms: Platforms that facilitate end-to-end digital real estate transactions are gaining popularity. These platforms aim to simplify the buying and selling process, reducing paperwork and increasing efficiency.
Energy-efficient Technologies: Sustainable and energy-efficient solutions are becoming integral to real estate development. Innovations include smart building systems for energy management, green construction materials, and renewable energy integration.
Crowdfunding for Real Estate: Crowdfunding platforms allow individuals to invest in real estate projects with smaller amounts of capital. This democratizing approach to real estate investment provides opportunities for a broader range of investors.
Facial Recognition and Biometrics: Some property management systems are incorporating facial recognition and biometric technologies for enhanced security in access control and building management.
A British composer best known for The Planets suite Gustav Holst has had a profound impact on the Anglosphere by bridging classical music with broader cultural narratives and modernity. The Planets, with its bold orchestration and thematic explorations of astrological symbolism, has resonated deeply across English-speaking countries, shaping the orchestral landscape and inspiring generations of composers, particularly in film.
Holst’s music marries English folk influences with European classical traditions, embodying a distinctly English voice that celebrates both innovation and heritage. His works emphasize emotion and mysticism, reflecting a British identity while connecting to universal themes.
In the Anglosphere, Holst’s contributions have expanded the appreciation of orchestral music, influencing composers from Benjamin Britten to John Williams, whose iconic film scores owe much to Holst’s pioneering style. Holst’s legacy endures as a touchstone of British musical identity, evoking wonder, tradition, and a cosmic scope that resonates globally.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
