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Expert Q & A: Florida Tech faculty experts discuss the Artemis mission and why it matters

Artemis 1 Launch Starts New Lunar Exploration and Research The Artemis 1 mission has hit its halfway point. The uncrewed capsule Orion is orbiting the moon in the first spaceflight of NASA’s Artemis program. Over the entire Artemis program, NASA plans to establish the first long-term lunar presence via a base camp on the moon, then will use what was learned from the moon development for a mission to send the first astronauts to Mars. Founded as a school providing classes for the pioneering space technicians at what would become NASA, Florida Tech has been closely associated with the space program since its inception. The Artemis mission is no different, as over 25 Florida Tech alumni are working on the mission as part of the Exploration Ground Systems crew. We spoke with Florida Tech aerospace, physics and space sciences assistant professor Paula do Vale Pereira, Ph.D., and Don Platt, Ph.D., associate professor of space systems, about the Artemis mission, what it could mean for future missions and more. Q: What makes the Artemis rocket and mission significant? Pereira: The Space Launch System (or SLS for short) is the rocket that is central to the Artemis mission. The SLS will be the third rocket in history to be capable of launching humans to the Moon. Previously, the American Saturn V and Soviet N1 had that capability – none of the four N1 launch attempts were successful, though. Thus, the SLS could become the second rocket to ever fly humans to the Moon. The SLS has been under development for over a decade and one of its key technological differences from Saturn V is the focus on long-term, sustained access to the lunar surface. The SLS will power the Orion capsule to lunar orbit, where it will dock to the Lunar Gateway (currently under development). The Gateway will be a small space station orbiting the Moon and will have docking ports for the Orion capsule and different lander modules, such as SpaceX’s Starship. This coordinated infrastructure means that the SLS needs to carry only the Orion capsule and the crew, instead of having the carry the lander, command and service modules, as the Saturn V did. Because they don’t need to bring all these other modules with them, a larger quantity of useful equipment and extra crew members can be brought along, opening doors for a longer and even more productive human presence on the Moon. The SLS rocket also has other architectures which, instead of carrying humans, can carry large amounts of cargo to the Gateway, which can then be transferred to the lunar surface. This cargo capacity will be fundamental in building the infrastructure necessary for humans to strive on the Moon. Platt: Indeed, the SLS will be the largest launch vehicle ever flown and will put on a spectacular show on the Space Coast. This Artemis I mission will also test out the Orion capsule in deep space for an extended mission. The capability for the capsule to support human life in deep space will be demonstrated. As well, there are mannequins onboard Orion with radiation sensors in them. They will measure the radiation exposure in deep space and around the Moon to help verify how much radiation human astronauts may be exposed to. And I would add, much like the shuttle opened up Low Earth Orbit for all of humanity, Artemis will do the same for lunar exploration. Q: What is the significance of Artemis to NASA-sponsored space exploration? Platt: Artemis is the next major NASA human space program. It is also NASA’s first program to go back to the Moon since Apollo. It is designed to be the first in multiple efforts to expand human presence in space beyond Low Earth Orbit. It is also significant in that it has a goal to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. So, this is an inclusive program to hopefully involve all of humanity in future human space exploration and one day settlement. Q: How can moon-orbiting mission of Artemis help future space exploration? Platt: We need to demonstrate modern capabilities to get large spacecraft that can support human exploration to the Moon. The first step is to place them in orbit to test them out and soon to get astronauts experience in that environment as well. Much like Apollo 8 first orbited the Moon before humans landed on the Moon in Apollo 11 we are now testing and demonstrating new technology and capabilities first in lunar orbit. Pereira: I personally think the most important development in the Artemis mission is the coordination between different providers, especially the commercial partnership with companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin. The commercial partners will provide the lander systems which will take the astronauts from the Lunar Gateway to the lunar surface, a level of dependable trust that has only recently started to be common in NASA’s history. If you're a reporter looking to know more about this topic, let us help. Dr. Platt is available to speak with media regarding this and related topics. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today. Contact Director of Media Communications Adam Lowenstein at adam@fit.edu to schedule an interview with Dr. do Vale Pereira.

Preterm Birth and Lifelong Health

November is Prematurity Awareness Month—a month that places a spotlight on the current state of maternal and infant health in the United States and globally. According to the nonprofit March of Dimes, one in 10 babies is born preterm each year in the U.S. But what does that mean, and why do we need to consider gestation period post-birth? We sat down with Michelle Kelly, PhD, CRNP, CNE, FAANP, associate professor of nursing at Villanova University's M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, to discuss and explain the importance of preterm education for lifelong health. Q: To begin, what qualifies as preterm birth? Dr. Kelly: A full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Infants born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation are preterm. And there are levels of prematurity: Extremely preterm: Infants born before the completion of 25 weeks of gestation. Very preterm: Infants born before the completion of 32 weeks of gestation. Moderately preterm: Infants born between 32-34 weeks of gestation. Late preterm: Infants born between 34-36 weeks of gestation. Q: Why do health practitioners need to be aware of gestation history? DK: Understanding the potential long-term physical and mental health implications is essential to mitigating the risks. Clinicians cannot change the reality that someone was born early. However, clinicians can utilize that information in treatment decisions. Instituting treatment or therapies early can help minimize the expression of that risk and improve future health. Q: What are the health risks for children born prematurely? DK: The earlier an infant is born, the greater the risk to their overall health and development. And while it is much better to be born at 35 weeks instead of 25 weeks, it does not mean that those born closer to term escape all risks. During infancy and childhood, a preterm birth can cause difficulty with breathing, feeding, gaining weight appropriately and achieving important developmental milestones. Research suggests that children and adolescents born at any level of prematurity are at risk for challenges in school, conditions that require physical or behavioral therapy as well as conditions typically associated with immature body systems, such as respiratory issues like asthma. Additionally, long-term follow-up studies indicate that risk continues into adolescence and adulthood. Q: What are some long-term issues that stem from being born preterm? DK: Adolescents and adults born preterm continue to be at risk for reduced lung function, wheezing and asthma. Research findings suggest that there are also cardiovascular risks, particularly an increased incidence of hypertension (high blood pressure). Additionally, an increased incidence of mental health conditions, specifically anxiety and depression, are associated with preterm birth. All these increased risks are modifiable with early recognition and treatment. Q: What recent research has been conducted and what strides have been made to improve the lives of those born preterm? Is the prognosis for those born preterm positive? DK: Today's NICU environment is vastly different from the NICU of the past. Premature babies born in the last 20 years have survival rates that exceed 95 percent for all but the earliest of gestational ages. Increased attention to developmentally supportive care, breastfeeding, kangaroo care and the recognized importance of family presence in the NICU is now the standard of care. Research and advocacy aimed at supporting families touched by prematurity and raising awareness of healthcare providers and K-12 educators are gaining international attention. While being born preterm presents lifelong risks, identifying and communicating one's status with health practitioners early and often allows for effective treatment and positive outcomes.

Researchers awarded £2 million to develop drugs to prevent epileptic seizures in children

• Three-year research project to develop new drug treatments for childhood epilepsy • Scientists will test new treatment on pieces of living brain tissue • The research is a collaboration between Aston University, Bristol University and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Scientists at Aston University have started work on a project that will look for new drug treatments to prevent the onset of childhood epilepsy. The three-year Medical Research Council (MRC) funded project is a collaboration led by researchers in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, partnered with Bristol University and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. They have been awarded £2 million to explore how epilepsy becomes established in the brain and how this process might be prevented. The researchers will test new drugs in the human brain, using samples of living tissue taken from children with difficult to treat epilepsies who have had to have brain surgery. Epilepsy is a brain disease which is characterised by seizures. As Professor Gavin Woodhall, lead researcher and co-director of Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, explains: “Seizures are periods of time when networks of brain cells are too active and are uncontrollably excited and spiking. If uncontrolled excitation spreads to brain regions that control movement, then too many brain cells are ‘talking at the same time’ and we can see seizures as changes in movement such as jerks and twitches.” Upon receiving the grant, Professor Woodhall said: “We will be able to study epilepsy in such detail that we hope to be able to treat the problems that underly epilepsy and not just the seizures themselves. And this could help pave the way to prevent epilepsy from developing in children at all. “Essentially we want to find a treatment that stops the brain from being able to establish epilepsy after the first seizure - via a new drug treatment. We will be testing a known drug and a new drug to see if the drug can do this.” As part of the research for this project the scientists will look at how different amounts of epileptic activity in the brain can alter the brain’s excitability. The researchers predict that if there are a lot of seizures, the synapses in the brain will decrease their activity and brain cells will become more likely to spike. Professor Woodhall added: “This is why we will test antiepileptic drugs, and new drugs designed to interfere with homeostatic scaling - which is a form of plasticity, in which the brain responds to chronically elevated activity in a neural circuit with negative feedback, allowing individual neurons to reduce their overall action potential firing rate. “By interfering with homeostatic scaling we will be able to see if they can prevent seizures from developing or reducing their intensity.” The research will allow Professor Woodhall and his team to be able to record the life history of the disease. This is something which has not been done before in this level of detail and it is predicted it will help to shed light on how epilepsy initially develops in the brain. Following on from the three-year project the team will move into drug development and then clinical trial. For more information about research being undertaken at AIHN please go to our website. If you are interested in the courses we have available in this area please go to our course pages.

Partnership with Hims & Hers Expands In-Person Healthcare Access in Four States

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (“Hims & Hers”, NYSE: HIMS), the trusted consumer-first platform focused on providing modern personalized health and wellness experiences to consumers, and one of the nation’s premier health systems, ChristianaCare, today announced a partnership that will expand access to healthcare services and create a more seamless care journey for patients. The partnership will benefit customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and expands the Hims & Hers’ partnership network with providers to now include 10 states and Washington D.C. Hims & Hers offers treatments for a broad range of conditions, including those related to sexual health, hair loss, dermatology, mental health and primary care. This collaboration allows licensed medical providers on the Hims & Hers platform to connect patients with ChristianaCare’s industry leading Center for Virtual Health and extensive primary and specialty care provider network when appropriate. Referrals may occur if a patient presents with a complex medical history, requires additional in-person follow up or evaluation, or needs care for a condition that the Hims & Hers platform does not support. This collaboration advances the Hims & Hers mission to expand access to high-quality, convenient and affordable care by adding another high-quality health system to its growing network of provider relationships. “ChristianaCare stands for excellence in healthcare and is rated as one of the best hospitals in America, making them an excellent and trusted partner in ensuring a high-quality care experience throughout a consumer’s journey,” said Hims & Hers Chief Operating Officer Melissa Baird. “Healthcare consumers today want easy-to-use, on-demand access to high-quality care both digitally and in-person, so our proprietary platform, coupled with partnerships such as ChristianaCare, help them smoothly navigate more of their healthcare needs.” ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic healthcare organizations that is committed to improving health outcomes, increasing access to high-quality care and lowering the costs for patients. Its Center for Virtual Health makes health care accessible and convenient, available 24/7 through computer, tablet or smartphone. By partnering with Hims & Hers, ChristianaCare gains access to a broader patient population for its Center for Virtual Health and extensive network of primary care, outpatient services, and specialty care services, including its comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. “ChristianaCare is thrilled to partner with Hims & Hers to make high-quality health care available to its customers who have complex needs or need additional services that Hims & Hers does not provide,” said Sharon Anderson, MS, RN, FACHE, ChristianaCare’s chief virtual health officer and president of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health. “At ChristianaCare, our Center for Virtual Health provides personalized health care consultations that are immediate, coordinated, continuous and available 24/7, delivering value to our patients and making a positive impact on health,” she said. This partnership with ChristianaCare builds upon established relationships with other high-quality providers, including Carbon Health in California; Oschner in Louisiana; Mount Sinai Health System in New York City; and Privia in the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia. ChristianaCare will provide support to select counties within Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Aston University financial regulation expert suggests new way to cure poor countries’ credit crisis in new book

New approach to help ease poor countries’ debt burden Many face having national credit rating downgraded Aston University expert coins the term the ‘credit rating impasse’ in new book. An Aston University financial regulation expert has suggested a new approach to help ease poor countries’ debt burden. Currently many poorer countries face having their credit rating downgraded if they ask private investors for loans. Dr Daniel Cash, senior lecturer in law and founder of the Credit Rating Research Initiative, has suggested that a temporary change to the way ratings are decided could help these countries avoid a damaging credit rating, which would prevent them borrowing money in the future. His theory is explored in his new book Sovereign Debt Sustainability: Multilateral Debt Treatment and the Credit Rating Impasse. The study details the history of multilateral debt treatment in Africa, whilst also looking at the impact of the pandemic. When vulnerable countries try to negotiate new lending terms with their lenders their credit rating is immediately downgraded, in some cases they could be labelled as in default - failing to repay a loan. Dr Cash calls this situation the ‘credit rating impasse’. To avoid this happening, he argues that other factors should be temporarily taken into account, making it easier for them to borrow money in the future to spend on improvements such as healthcare or infrastructure. The UN has identified 54 developing economies with severe debt problems. While accounting for little more than 3% of the global economy, they represent 18% of the world’s population, and more than 50% of people living in extreme poverty. The book sets out a new framework which could be used to overlie the existing credit rating system. The book suggests considering factors such as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) – which indicates a country’s impact on society, the environment, and how transparent and accountable it is. Taking ESG and sustainability factors into account indicates if a nation has the potential to grow while benefiting the environment and communities. Dr Cash said: “The credit rating impasse is a systemic problem, and a cure is needed to prevent the bankruptcy of countries around the world. “Lower-income states are being forced to prioritise debt payments over public spending on healthcare or access to food. “Instead, they should be offered help to enable borrowing to make vital improvements.” The book is free to read via Open Access Book and was funded by the Open Society Foundations (OSF).

The Pumpkin Spice Phenomenon

It’s time to embrace it: We’re in peak fall mode. But other than Instagram photos of crimson foliage and shearling boots, how does mainstream society observe the season? Two words: pumpkin spice. AdAge reports that the seasonal flavor is now a $500 million annual industry. So, what gives? "Seasonal products or limited-time offerings have a long history in marketing," says Tyler Milfeld, assistant professor at the Villanova School of Business. "These products are designed to connect to a broader cultural context." And pumpkin spice is undoubtedly a part of Western fall culture. Candles, snacks, drinks, eye shadow palettes, dog treats… the list goes on. But what drives consumer interest? Is it the packaging? The taste? The coziness factor? "Because of their seasonal or limited-time nature, products like these inspire consumer urgency, brand connection and word-of-mouth, three cornerstone marketing objectives," says Milfeld. "For example, candy companies have a long affiliation with the holidays through seasonal packages and flavors." But let’s be honest, there’s no pumpkin spice without Starbucks. "Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte is a terrific example of an in-season tie-in. Starbucks has leveraged consumer demand for the product by creating a buzz around the latte’s debut," says Milfeld. "It's interesting how pumpkin spice latte fans made videos and posted on social media about the launch date! In this way, product marketing is delivered through influencers, social media, and popular press. This year's product debuted in late August, allowing the brand a long run-up to the peak period." And it’s no coincidence that we see seasonally branded items popping up the most in grocery stores and restaurants. "Food products are ideal for seasonal offerings because certain ingredients enjoy strong associations with certain times. For instance, consumers associate cranberry with the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons," Milfeld says. "These products become cultural touchstones because they connect to a specific flavor, ingredient, recipe or color associated with the season and become an experience—for example, picking up a peppermint milkshake on the way home from holiday shopping or getting a 12-pack of cranberry splash for an extended family gathering. Marketers reinforce these usage occasions to strengthen the association for subsequent seasons. The product then becomes a tradition itself and a seasonal icon." The anticipation of a product's return becomes a marketing event. Thus, the holiday and consumer product become inextricably entwined. So, here's to the "basic" PSL lovers amongst us. Enjoy your festive treat without that extra side of embarrassment. After all, we're just celebrating the season.

Expert Perspective: UC Irvine's David Feldman on 'How to address the American megadrought?'

With the American West suffering from its worst megadrought in 1,200 years, and the Mississippi River as its lowest levels in recent history, water resource management is key to the America’s future. It’s a political challenge as much as a climate change mitigation one. UCI Water’s director David Feldman studies how water is allocated and distributed, and the difficulties in achieving institutional reform to promote equity in water management in the U.S. and elsewhere. He specializes in water resources management and policy, global climate change policy, ethics and environmental decisions, adaptive management, and sustainable development. Recently, David was featured on the UCI podcast to talk about this issue. If you're a journalist looking to cover this important topic - then let our experts help with your stories. David Feldman is a professor of Urban Planning & Public Policy and Political Science, Director of Water UCI. He is an expert in the areas of water resources management and policy, global climate change policy, ethics and environmental decisions, adaptive management, and sustainable development.  David is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today or call Tom Vasich with UCI media relations at 949-285-6455.

Aston University welcomes minister for tech and the digital economy for tour of new Institute of Technology Hub

The minister for tech and the digital economy met with representatives from Aston University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Solihull College & University Centre during a visit to the new Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) Hub on 2 August. Damian Collins MP was given a tour of the new facility by Rosa Wells, executive director for employment and skills and IoT at Solihull College & University Centre. The Institute of Technology focuses on engineering and advanced manufacturing and is a partnership between local further education colleges, universities and industry partners. It will support learners from across the region to progress to high-skill technical jobs in industry through clear, supported pathways. Construction of the GBSIoT Hub building is nearing completion and will be welcoming students in the coming weeks. During the visit, the minister was shown the cyber physical manufacturing rig, a scaled-down version of a factory of the future, which will create a simulated working environment for IoT learners. The minister then met with executive dean Professor Stephen Garrett and deputy dean Professor Kate Sugden for a tour of Aston University’s Advanced Prototyping Facility conducted by senior project manager Paul Gretton. The facility supports businesses by increasing awareness of the opportunities available through 3D printing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing designs, and to develop new products all the way through to producing prototypes. The visit also included a showcase of Aston University’s Autopod, a state-of-the-art autonomous vehicle funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the Institute of Technology which is used for research and as a teaching tool. Professor Garrett said: “Aston University has a proud history of delivering high-quality technical education and world-leading research. We were delighted to be able to showcase our facilities to Damian Collins MP, whilst discussing our commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in STEM careers.” Damian Collins MP said: “It’s been brilliant to visit the pioneering facilities at Aston University today, especially seeing the cyber rig which will give students first class training to enter the industry with confidence. “Having these opportunities will help young people gain skills they need for future jobs, supporting the UK’s world leading advanced manufacturing and digital industries.” The minister toured the facilities at Aston University as part of his wider visit to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. For more information about the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences please visit our website.

Aston University welcomes new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

• Professor Aleks Subic has taken up the role of Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, joining Aston University from RMIT in Australia • Professor Subic is a recognised global leader in technology and innovation. Aston University has welcomed Professor Aleks Subic as its new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. He has joined Aston University from RMIT in Australia where he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Science, Engineering and Health and Vice President for Digital Innovation. Prior to that, he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology. Professor Subic is a recognised global leader in technology and innovation in higher education, leading on Industry 4.0 strategy and digital transformations across the university sector and with industry and governments both in Australia and internationally. He has received a number of prestigious awards for his work, including the Australian Business Innovation Award and the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Award. He is a passionate and lifelong advocate for multiculturalism, equality, diversity and inclusion, leading through clear actions and strategic initiatives at enterprise level. These include creating and appointing the first Dean of STEMM Diversity & Inclusion in Australia, establishing Women in STEMM Fellowships and mentoring scheme, Indigenous Research Fellowships, scholarships and internships programs, and creating an innovation precinct with start-up accelerators and industry incubators focused on founders from diverse backgrounds and access. On joining Aston University, Professor Subic said: “I am arriving at a pivotal time in the University’s history, to build on the strong foundations established by its leaders and staff, past and present, and to develop and lead our new bold strategy. Our next stage of development will be ambitious, aiming to achieve our full potential within a rapidly changing world. “I can see huge potential for creating a globally relevant university, a leader in science, technology and enterprise – by transcending academic disciplines, applying the knowledge we create and driving innovation, to improve the lives and livelihoods of those with whom we work. “Building on our collective expertise, experience and professional networks, I look forward to supporting our students, industries and communities in Birmingham and the West Midlands region, as well as our strategic partners nationally and internationally.” Professor Subic is married to Tatjana, and they have three children: Sandra, Katarina and Stefan.

Russia historian on legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev

Kathryn David, Mellon Assistant Professor of Russian and East European Studies, is available for media commentary on the legacy of Russian and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Kathryn specializes in the history of Ukraine and Russia, with research interests including connections between religious and national belonging and the aftermath of World War II in the Soviet Union. In particular, she can speak to Gorbachev's mixed legacy in Ukraine. Her initial thoughts: "On the one hand, Gorbachev made the case for Russia and Eastern Europe to be closer to the West and built on a foundation of democratic values, goals that Ukraine is fighting for today. But on the other hand, as much as Gorbachev wanted deep reforms, he still wanted the USSR to stay together. While he was willing to let the countries of Eastern Europe go their own way, he tried desperately to keep Russia, Ukraine and other republics together, reluctant to let Moscow's empire break apart. For many in Ukraine, Gorbachev represents a figure that remains common in Russian society today: one who believes in liberal values, but still clings to the idea of empire."