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structural steel beams set in concrete allowed them to frame tall buildings that were more fire resistant and more structurally sound than cast iron. Since that time, steel (an alloy made by combining iron and carbon) has not only become the best building material for commercial construction but closely tied to economic health. In fact, many experts look to the steel industry as an indicator of how well the economy is doing [source: Pamuk]. Steel has a long history in the construction industry, but is it still the best material for building?" While no one alternative has become a standard to replace steel, materials like engineered timber and metal composites are becoming more common in new construction projects. "Timber companies tout wood as a durable, renewable resource, and engineered timber is gaining some traction as an alternative to steel. For example, the new arts and media building at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in New Zealand used engineered wood in place of typical steel and concrete construction, and the company that worked on that building says that it's taking on more and more contracts that would have gone to steel construction companies [source: Nelson Mail]."

A new set of case studies and best practice examples to help cities reduce emissions has been launched by the World Economic Forum and Accenture.

"NASA astronaut Megan McArthur created what she called "my best space tacos yet," using some of the newly harvested peppers, some fajita beef and rehydrated tomatoes." They missed the mark not using sustainable fajita beef made from plants or a space cow but 'locally' grown space peppers could become a big hit at Whole Space Foods.

This week I'm talking to Dr. Amy Cuddy, social psychologist, best-selling author, award-winning Harvard lecturer, and expert on the behavioral science of power, presence, and prejudice. We discuss her recently published Washington Post article, "Why This Stage of the Pandemic Makes Us So Anxious," and how working through this collective, constant pandemic flux affects us as individuals and as leaders. We also talk about developing a flux mindset and how important it is to facilitate a sense of agency as we make decisions about how we return to work.

This research is not focused on autonomy but on driver aides. This started with 'lane departure warning', which now also includes in some implementations a correction nudge. This work is focused on sudden avoidance manoeuvres by detecting the object and the direction it is travelling. "We can numerically determine what the optimal manoeuvre is and then decide which control principle is the best." Significant improvement in surviving accidents that would often be fatal - 233 run-off lane accidents were analyzed that ended in fatalities or very serious injury, and the team concluded that 80% were avoidable with an autonomous system.

McKinsey article, a 'proposal for business, government, and society leaders.' 'We propose a way for changemakers in business, government, and society to explore the problem, a mental model that might offer the best chance to reach the answer.' The article believes all three changes are needed and are synergistic. To find a way to make progress in all three areas would be significant and would be beneficial for all.

Driverless trucks are already heading out to the highway, as shipping companies increasingly look to autonomous technology to meet rising demand for goods. The focus now: determining the best way to hand off trailers from machine to human.

"Work together to harmonize standards and practices around the world and to communicate and share corrosion mitigation technologies. Now is the time to make a major impact to protect the environment, preserve resources, and protect our fellow human beings."