Metoc Report for the UK Water Industry on Cost and Environmental Compliance for Revised EU Bathing Waters Directive

Metoc Report for the UK Water Industry on Cost and Environmental Compliance for Revised EU Bathing Waters Directive

Environmental engineers Metoc plc have completed a research project, commissioned by UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research), to investigate the potential costs and understand the compliance issues for the UK arising from the revisions to the EU’s BWD (Bathing Waters Directive).

(PRWEB) June 14, 2006

Environmental engineers Metoc plc have completed a research project, commissioned by UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research), to investigate the potential costs and understand the compliance issues for the UK arising from the revisions to the EU’s BWD (Bathing Waters Directive).

The new Directive will to raise bathing water standards through enhanced beach management and water quality improvements for the further protection of human health.

Metoc’s work has helped to inform the Water Industry and influence the decision making process which resulted in the successful adoption of the Directive in February 2006. The standards reflect a good balance between compliance, sustainability and the important role of improving public health protection, according to the report authors. Metoc’s bathing water assessment strategies were critical in providing informed and scientifically justified recommendations, says Richard Dannatt, Metoc’s business manager for the water sector.

Metoc’s recommendations include the implementation of the new Directive from 2015 - so that the standards can be integrated with measures undertaken under the WFD (Water Framework Directive). This will assist planning for compliance not only by the UK water industry but other local and national agencies, including local authorities, who will be a critical to the successful implementation.

The WFD is the primary legislation in this field and makes broader provision for improved pollution management from such sources as agriculture, Richard Dannatt explains. Consequently integration with the BWD offers a more logical and resource-efficient transition particular given improved knowledge on the effects of diffuse pollution on bathing waters.

Paul McNie of South West Water, who was a key member of the UKWIR steering group for the project, says:

“ Metoc's continued flexibility and commitment, during the development of the directive, has made this a very successful project. This work has significantly assisted the industry during the ongoing negotiations regarding the revision, in what can only best be described as demanding conditions”

Key Recommendations:

· The key recommendations reflect the principle that ‘the polluter should pay’ and costs should be proportionate across all of the relevant sectors involved - public agencies and private organisations.

· The Directive should integrate delivery of the BWD with the WFD to provide optimal rationalisation and efficiency of implementation, within realistic timescales. The ‘sufficient’ standard is confirmed, to enable the water industry and the environmental regulators to ascertain and address significant sources of contamination in a timely manner, to obviate the risk of de-designating Bathing Waters unnecessarily on the UK coastline.

· Sustainability targets should be incorporated in the implementation – in line with the UK’s commitments under the Kyoto Agreement to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 12.5 per cent of its 1990 levels by the year 2012.

· Beach management will require further, detailed understanding of the likely impact of bacterial pollution, from point and diffuse sources, under a wide range of environmental and flow conditions. This will necessitate integration of sewerage telemetry, meteorological information and predictive modeling, where Metoc has specific expertise, according to the sewerage utility.

For further information: 

Natalie Johnson, Metoc plc, Exchange House, Station Road

Liphook, GU30 7DW Tel: + 44 (0)1428 727800

Http://www. metoc. co. uk (http://www. metoc. co. uk)

Media information: 

Patrick Rea, Rea-TMA Marketing

Tel: +44 (0)20 8870 4976

Www. rea-tma. com

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Adobe and Wipro Announce a Global Alliance

Adobe and Wipro Announce a Global Alliance

Adobe Systems Incorporated and Wipro Technologies, one of the world's fastest growing global software services and consulting organizations, today announced a strategic global alliance. The alliance will enable Wipro to offer integration and customization services for Adobe products as part of their Enterprise Solution offerings. Wipro will address the document generation, collaboration and process management challenges that organizations face as they move paper-based processes online

Mumbai (PRWEB) March 6, 2004

In addition, the alliance will enable the two IT leaders to leverage each other’s expertise. Initially, Wipro will offer integration and customization services for Adobe’s server products to customers worldwide. Over time, Adobe and Wipro will build new “repeatable” document solutions targeted at vertical markets, such as financial services, healthcare and government that can be applied to solving document integration problems.

“We are very excited to have entered into an alliance with Wipro,” said Todd Rowe, Vice-President, Solution Channels, Worldwide Sales, Adobe. “Their global presence and customer-base, expertise in industry verticals, integration skills in the enterprise space and cost-effective services model creates compelling value to our customers and helps them exploit Adobe’s product and technological strengths.”

As part of the alliance, Wipro announced the creation of an Adobe Center of Excellence (ACoE). The Adobe CoE is dedicated to Adobe ePaper technologies and will include highly trained specialists focused on creating solutions based on AdobeÂ’s enterprise offerings. It will also provide Wipro with the ability to support extended project teams and rapidly scale resources based on market requirements.

Mr. Divakaran Mangalath, Chief Technology Officer, Wipro Technologies, added, “This alliance allows us to exploit the value proposition of the PDF platform, the technology of Adobe’s enterprise products, and the ubiquity of the Adobe Reader to deliver unique document life-cycle solutions for our customers. Together with the existing and proven solution delivery strengths of Wipro, this would give customers end-to-end integration of their day-to-day user-facing documents with their business transactions, yielding solutions that transform business processes, enhance productivity and lower integration costs.”

The Buzz from Behind the Scenes of the Millimetres Matter Shoot

The Buzz from Behind the Scenes of the Millimetres Matter Shoot

The Viral Factory film promoting the latest Ultra Edition II range from Samsung Mobile exceeds one million views

London, UK (PRWEB) May 16, 2007

Reaching 1.5 million views since going live on 1st May, the Millimetres Matter (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Y6nshKhqyqU) viral campaign has captured public imagination and piqued curiosity as to how the advert was made.

Created by The Viral Factory, to promote the Ultra Edition II (http://www. millimetresmatter. com) from Samsung Mobile, the film encapsulates the balletic grace and beauty of the natural world under the microscope, whilst playfully including a selection of minute pies and desserts - resulting in a microscopic pie fight.

Shot at Greenford Studios, Middlesex, by ex-Oxford scientific cameramen, Steve Downer and Richard de Aragues of Mad Cow Films. Along with a professional insect handler they spent three days using high speed photosonic cameras to capture the pie flinging antics on film.

Ed Robinson, Creative Director and Co-Founder at The Viral Factory comments, "It was no mean feat to shoot pies hitting insects at frame rates of up to 2000fps, Steve and Richard did an amazing job. The biggest challenge was creating enough light to achieve the required exposure without injuring the talent. We needed happy and healthy bugs to push custard pies into the faces of!"

Even with the specialist equipment, the depth of field was literally never more than a few millimetres, meaning that the insects only had to move minutely before going out of focus, or for the pies to miss. For this reason more than two hundred and twenty five miniature desserts, including Lemon Meringue pie, Coconut Custard pie and Cranberry Jelly pie, were specially crafted by an expert team of miniature props creators.

The recipes (example detailed below) followed the usual baking format, with the only difference being that the ingredients were reduced down to millilitres and the desserts were created under a microscope. Although the pies in the final film are genuinely minute millimetre size desserts, the smaller insects were not hit with these directly in case this caused injury. Instead only the jelly, custard and meringue toppings were catapulted towards them.

When asked about the insects' reactions on finding themselves in the middle of a pie fight, Philip Taylor, the professional insect handler commented, "The insects were unperturbed by the flying pies and far more interested in consuming the spoils."

Philip Taylor continues, "In the closing shot of the film, when the beetle is knocked over by a flying Cranberry Jelly dessert, off camera she was quick to get back on her feet and begin to hoover up the sticky remains."

The casting for the shoot was an arduous task and resulted in a total of three hundred flies, fifteen beetles, one Elephant beetle, six common spiders, one queen wasp and one hundred bees being present on set at all times.

No insects were harmed in the making of Millimetres Matter (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=Y6nshKhqyqU) but some did get their just desserts!

Example miniature dessert recipes
Lemon meringue pie:

0.7478 millilitres cornstarch
0.1478 millilitres tablespoon flour
0.176 millilitres cups granulated sugar
0.2 millilitres water, boiling
0.004 egg yolk, beaten
Grated rind of.02 of a lemons
0.1478 millilitres butter
0.025 millilitres salt
0.075 millilitres unstrained lemon juice

Under microscope: Sift together cornstarch, flour, and sugar.
In centrifuge mix in boiling water, continuing to mix until mixture becomes smooth.
Cook the mixture in top of a double boiler for 30 seconds.
Be sure the water in the double boiler is simmering before the 30seconds count begins.

Meanwhile, beat a.25 millimetres egg yolk. Stir the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks (to temper), then slowly combine the egg yolks entirely with the remaining hot mixture. Pipette in the grated lemon rind, butter, salt, and lemon juice.

Stir constantly, continuing to cook until the egg yolks becomes smooth and thick.

Pour the filling into the baked pie shell. Cover with meringue (see below) while still warm, but not hot.

Meringue:
.005 egg whites, stiffly beaten
.0025 teaspoon salt, scant
.09 tablespoons granulated sugar
.025 teaspoon lemon juice

Place salt and lemon juice in bowl and mix in centrifuge egg whites Check under microscope mix is stiff, but not separating. While centrifuging, gradually pipette in the sugar.
Spread meringue on top of lemon filling with a spatula.

Bake pie at 300°F until the meringue takes on a delicately golden color with lightly browned tops. Allow to cool before gently.

Notes to editor

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www. samsung. com.

About The Viral Factory (www. theviralfactory. com):

Founded in 2001, The Viral Factory is a leading viral marketing agency providing creative, strategic, production and seeding services.

They have created over 100 viral campaigns generating over 1 billion views for clients such as Microsoft, Ford, Samsung, Axe/Lynx, Philips and Trojan Condoms. Many of these campaigns have won coveted accolades including silver and two gold Cannes Lions, a one show silver pencil and multiple BTAA awards.

Credits:

Product: Samsung Mobile
Title: 'Millimetres Matter'
Agency: The Viral Factory
Creative: The Viral Factory
Production Co: Mad Cow Productions
Director: Richard de Aragues & Steve Downer
Producer: Jonas Blanchard & Nicholas Unsworth
Editor: Rick Waller
DOP: Steve Downer
Post Facility: Rushes
Telecine Artist: Simone Grattarola
VFX Artists: Brian Carbin, Richie White, Paul Hannaford, Emir Hasham, Matt Jackson
After Effects: Brad Le Riche

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Integrated Healthcare Strategies Announces Split into Two Separate Firms

Integrated Healthcare Strategies Announces Split into Two Separate Firms

Integrated Healthcare Strategies (IHStrategies), a healthcare human capital consulting firm with offices in Minneapolis and Kansas City, today announced the separation of its consulting practice and benefits funding and administration practice into two distinct companies. The two firms are separately owned and operated.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 10, 2010

Integrated Healthcare Strategies (http://www. IHStrategies. com) (IHStrategies), a healthcare human capital consulting firm with offices in Minneapolis and Kansas City, today announced the separation of its consulting practice and benefits funding and administration practice into two distinct companies. The two firms are separately owned and operated.

IHStrategies began operations over 30 years ago designing, funding and administering benefit plans for executives in healthcare. Later, compensation consulting was added to fulfill client needs. IHStrategies continued to expand and diversify its consulting services to become one of the foremost human resources capital consulting firms in healthcare.

The separation of the consulting and benefits funding and administration businesses better positions each firm to meet the evolving landscape of the healthcare industry.

The consulting firm will continue to operate as IHStrategies. It will continue to provide executive total compensation consulting services but will no longer fund or administer benefit plans. IHStrategies will also continue to provide its full compliment of other consulting services through its four specialty practices; Executive Compensation and Governance, Physician Services, MSA HR Capital and MSA Executive Search. There will be no change to the leadership team of IHStrategies. As a part of the separation, IHStrategies is now under the ownership of Integrated Healthcare Strategies, LLC., which is comprised of management and investors.

"We are excited about this change as it provides the greatest opportunity for each firm to most effectively focus on their core competencies and distinct client needs. It aligns the talents of our consultants and advisors into specialty groups designed to respond to the way healthcare organizations do business today," said Bob Erra, President of Integrated Healthcare Strategies.

The benefits solution group has launched under the new company name Stratford Fidelity (http://www. stratfordfidelity. com) and will continue its focus on executive and physician benefits, physician integration solutions and benefit plan enrollment, and administration services for healthcare professionals. Stratford Fidelity will continue to be owned by Clark and Wamberg, LLC.

We are also pleased to announce that Bill Palmer has been named president of Stratford Fidelity. Mr. Palmer has over 37 years in the insurance industry in leadership roles. His extensive knowledge of the insurance industry and products, coupled with his consulting experience, makes him uniquely suited for this role.

"The separation of our business lines will not impact the excellent services that our firm provides to the healthcare industry and our valued clients nationwide. We strongly believe this change will allow both firms the ability to enhance our services and be even more responsive to client needs into the future", said Bill Palmer, President of Stratford Fidelity.

For more information on Integrated Healthcare Strategies, please visit www. IHStrategies. com or call 800.327.9335.

For more information on Stratford Fidelity, please visit www. stratfordfidelity. com or call 877-815-6366.

About Integrated Healthcare Strategies
Integrated Healthcare Strategies provides not-for-profit healthcare organizations with direct access to a comprehensive array of healthcare-specific services, delivered by professionals from the industry who understand the rigors of running a healthcare organization - from the lunchroom to the Board Room. Its client list is a "who's who" of healthcare organizations including over 1200 major healthcare providers, 1,800 hospitals and 700 independent and affiliated medical groups. Integrated Healthcare Strategies specializes in the areas of physician strategy and compensation, employee compensation, executive compensation, human capital solutions, labor relations, leadership transition planning, executive search, employee surveys, performance management and board governance solutions. www. ihstrategies. com.

About Stratford Fidelity
Stratford Fidelity is the premier source for executive and physician benefit solutions delivered by industry professionals who understand healthcare organizations. Our services range from physician practice acquisition and integration planning to benefits design, funding, communication, and installation, as well as benefit plan enrollment services and ongoing administrative support. Our list of over 300 clients represent a broad range of healthcare organizations from all 50 states, including hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, children's hospitals, large, integrated provider networks and systems, and large, multi-specialty clinics. www. stratfordfidelity. com

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Hand Surgeons Deliver Aid to India Ongoing Missionary Program Gives Residents Use of Their Hands

Hand Surgeons Deliver Aid to India Ongoing Missionary Program Gives Residents Use of Their Hands

For the past eight years, members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) from The Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis, have been traveling to remote areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in southern India volunteering their time to perform hand surgery on local villagers and their children. Goodwill trips that started informally have now evolved into a unique and formally organized effort that residents of Tamil Nadu and surrounding provinces have come to rely upon.

(PRWEB) July 28, 2005

For the past eight years, members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) from The Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis, have been traveling to remote areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in southern India volunteering their time to perform hand surgery on local villagers and their children. Goodwill trips that started informally have now evolved into a unique and formally organized effort that residents of Tamil Nadu and surrounding provinces have come to rely upon.

Organized by Alexander D. Mih, MD, and working in conjunction with members of the mission at the South India Church of Christ Mission, ASSH members have performed more than 700 hand and upper extremity surgeries since the inception of the program. They have also participated in a teaching program with one of the medical schools in the area. This year marked Dr. MihÂ’s 16th time to make the trip.

The effort began in 1997 when a need was identified for a hand surgeon to visit one of the hospitals at this particular mission, which has been in operation since 1950. Supported by nearly 300 churches and individuals in the U. S., this mission was actually started and is operated by a husband and wife team from Indianapolis. "One of the orthopedic surgeons from Riley Hospital in Indianapolis had done some work there and said they could really use a hand surgeon. That was the beginning of this whole effort and how we became involved," says Dr. Mih.

Now, each year Dr. Mih, other surgeons and various members of their surgical team, regularly travel twice per year to India in conjunction with the mission to help the villagers – mainly the children – regain function of their hands, elbows, and shoulders. "This is very unique and has now become a well-organized effort. We have a track record there. What's different about this from other programs is that it’s regular, it's ongoing and the local residents look forward to our visits," Dr. Mih continues.

Culturally, the hands are very important in these Indian villages, and those who donÂ’t have proper use of them are treated as outcasts and cannot get jobs. Eating is performed with the right hand while cleansing and hygiene are performed with the left. The effects of diseases such as leprosy and polio, severe burns, congenital birth defects, and other injuries leave many crippled, deformed and unable to perform even the most minor daily tasks with their hands. Access to good healthcare and health insurance as we know it in the U. S. are exceptions to the rule and all but nonexistent in these villages. Residents are very, very poor and there is still a very prominent caste system in place. This effort with the mission enables these people to have their surgery and be a functioning member of society.

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2ndNature Launches Mobile Device/Smart Phone Application Development Initiative and Completes Several Interactive Projects for Global Health-care Industry Client

2ndNature Launches Mobile Device/Smart Phone Application Development Initiative and Completes Several Interactive Projects for Global Health-care Industry Client

2ndNature, a Syracuse, NY-based interactive design studio, has completed a major interactive touchscreen display and multimedia presentation exhibit for their global medical device manufacturer client, Welch Allyn of Skaneateles, NY, for the Welch Allyn Customer Experience Center. Multiple large screen touch displays and video walls along with RFID display presentations provide an immersive interactive experience for Welch Allyn's international visitors. Additionally, 2ndNature has launched their mobile device application development initiative with iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android and Blackberry device app development.

Syracuse, NY (PRWEB) July 10, 2010

2ndNature, an interactive design studio, has announced the launch of its latest marketing and business development initiative--to design and develop custom mobile applications for all current mobile device platforms including iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry.

Sage Young, Partner and Chief Technology Architect, is leading the initiative at 2ndNature and has developed the strategy for collaboration between the multi-platform development and user-interface design teams.

"Mobile devices, Young says, have been integrated, and welcomed, so successfully into the consumer's everyday lives that it has become necessary for interactive studios such as ours to master these technologies to remain competitive in today's marketplace."

Joel Fairbank, Partner and Studio Director of Business Development, has coordinated studio resource allocation and has implemented the direct marketing campaign in support of the overall initiative.

"Today's retail, healthcare, and entertainment vertical markets must rapidly accept the mobile revolution or become casualties of it. We can help businesses leverage these new technologies effectively and efficiently so they can instead become the greatest beneficiaries….and we have a lot of fun doing it!" says Fairbank.

2ndNature has been a leading interactive touchscreen content design and development studio with many Central Upstate New York regional clients including Upstate Medical University, Welch Allyn, Carrier Corporation, PPC, Galson Labs, and Pyramid Management Group as well as global brands such as Procter & Gamble and Macallan.

2ndNature's marketing initiative emphasizes, "Multi-touch mobile devices have introduced engaging customer experiences upon which retailers can lift and extend their brands and offer seamless cross-channel integration. And consider the estimated mobile application sales reaching $17BN by 2012!"

"Consumers have accepted mobile devices wholeheartedly and skepticism amongst corporate users is finally on the wane with 70% of Fortune 100 companies actively piloting and deploying iPhones."

Global medical device manufacturer, Welch Allyn (http://www. welchallyn. com), hired the professional digital design services of 2ndNature to design and develop the interactive content for their recently completed corporate headquarters' Customer Experience Center.

Sage Young, Partner and Chief Technology Architect, led the multi-team initiative at 2ndNature and developed the strategy for creative design, technology integration and production team collaboration with other project partners including Mack Studios Displays of Auburn, NY and DPM Displays - System Integration, of Syracuse, NY.

Welch Allyn's Vice President of Marketing Communications and Global Brand Management, Matt Chadderdon, offered a very challenging and exciting opportunity to design and develop interactive technologies and multimedia content that would both push the limits of available display systems technology but present practical and friendly user-interfaces for the dynamic and rich content Welch Allyn wanted to display to prospective customers and other visitors to the center.

The displays include a multi-screen, large digital display, touch-interface to present the Welch Allyn history timeline from its beginning and through periods of historical significance such as certain Presidential terms. The content for the timeline is managed by Welch Allyn through an on-screen system developed by 2ndNature. The touch-interface provides gestural controls such as swipe and pan, and also allows video replay and audio system support.

Also developed was a large 4-screen video wall to display Welch Allyn's Global Facilities and Customer Video Testimonials. 2ndNature designed an animated, geographically accurate world globe with interactive icons where Welch Allyn's facilities are located throughout the world and which are initiated through an interactive user-interface by the exhibit manager. Videos with stereo audio, images, and other content are presented on high-definition digital monitors.

In addition, Welch Allyn chose the most important products from their medical device catalog to be presented in the Customer Experience Center and charged 2ndNature with developing an RFID tagging and dynamic, real-time, product data display system in which an exhibit manager could place a tagged product on a wooden display table under which an RFID reader and antenna was mounted, invisible to visitors, and would display the product information, images, etc., on a very large rear-projection high-definition screen display several feet away from the display table. This area allows for audiences of a dozen people to view the large screen presentations which include the products, videos, live Internet feeds, or internal Welch Allyn intranet content.

Joel Fairbank, Partner and Studio Director of Business Development, has coordinated studio resource allocation, project management and client relations support of the overall initiative.

2ndNature has been a leading interactive touchscreen content design and development studio for more than eight years with many Central Upstate New York regional clients including Upstate Medical University, Welch Allyn, Carrier Corporation, PPC/John Mezzalingua Associates, Galson Labs, and Pyramid Management Group as well as global brands such as Procter & Gamble and The Macallan.

About Welch Allyn
Since developing its first product, Welch Allyn has become a world leader in developing rugged, reliable, innovative products and solutions. Now led by a fourth generation of family members who continue the commitment of prior generations to solid, steady, long-term growth, the Allyn family has put privately-held Welch Allyn in a position that does not focus on quarterly reports and the stock price of the day, but rather long-term success, innovation, and the technologies that will advance frontline care into tomorrow.

ABOUT 2ndNature (http://www.2ndnaturestudio. com)

2ndNature is a multidisciplinary design studio that specializes in interface design and motion graphics for interactive and digital media. We develop graphic interfaces, presentations, and applications for mobile devices, web, cd/dvd, digital installation, touch-screen kiosk and produce motion graphics and sound design for broadcast and interactive media, and design graphic identities and branding collateral for both digital media and print. to clients throughout the U. S. The firm is located in Franklin Square, an historic landmark district, in Syracuse, N. Y.

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Hurricane Ravaged Areas Flock to Health Website

Hurricane Ravaged Areas Flock to Health Website

A statistically significant increase in registrants from the Gulf States to a blood pressure website has occurred during this hurricane season.

Suwanee, GA (PRWEB) October 5, 2005

Last week Steve Sullivan, creator of www. BloodPressureTracker. com, was reviewing traffic and registration statistics on his website when he noticed a pattern. He was reviewing the states and countries of registrants and the dates they signed up. He noticed that during the time that Rita was bearing down on Texas there was an extraordinary number of people with Texas addresses. Sullivan decided to check and see if there was a similar phenomenon when Hurricane Katrina was taking its toll on the Gulf Coast. Much to his amazement, Steve discovered a similar wave of registrants from the affected areas when Katrina was creating havoc.

Sullivan determined that during this hurricane season 33% of his U. S. registrants have been from the affected states although those states only make up 17% of the US population. Said another way, the affected states have 52% more registrations than the national average.

Steve postulates that the added strain and stress caused by these natural disasters has had impact on local peopleÂ’s blood pressure or their desire to monitor it. Sullivan concludes that given yesterday's announced layoffs by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin many from the area will continue to look to health sites for information and help.

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Axion Spatial Imaging (ASII) Purchases Interest In Water Science, Inc

Axion Spatial Imaging (ASII) Purchases Interest In Water Science, Inc.

Axion Spatial Imaging (Pink Sheets:ASII) announced today, effective 4/18/2008, Axion Spatial Imaging has purchased an undisclosed interest in WATER SCIENCE INC, a California private company.

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) April 21, 2008

 Water Science retains a Patented Hydration Technology pertaining to clustered water technology processing. This hexagonal clustered water delivers water straight to the body's cells much faster and more efficiently than any other beverage. This ultimate delivery system includes free radical neutralization, supplies oxygen, and CoQ-10 to the body among other nourishing contributions.

Axion shall continue to watch Water Science grow, and has further rights to acquire additional stock in the company in the future. ASII will also continue to explore other companies in the Health field (Global LOI) as the markets develop.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may be forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors such as the level of business and consumer spending, the amount of sales of the Company's products, the competitive environment within the industry, the ability of the Company to continue to expand its operations, the level of costs incurred in connection with the Company's expansion efforts, economic conditions in the industry and the financial strength of the Company's customers and suppliers. The Company does not undertake any obligations to update such forward-looking statements. Investors are also directed to consider all other risks and uncertainties.

New Contest Offers Chance to Win the New Paralda HEPA Air Purifier from Alen Corp

New Contest Offers Chance to Win the New Paralda HEPA Air Purifier from Alen Corp.

Alen Corp., a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly indoor air quality products, is holding an online giveaway contest offering visitors to their website the chance to win a new Paralda HEPA air purifier just for voting for their favorite color Paralda online from April 6 through April 22. No purchase is necessary. Prize value is $499.00.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) April 6, 2009

Alen Corp., a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly indoor air quality products, is holding an online contest offering visitors to their website the chance to win a new Paralda HEPA air purifier just for voting for their favorite color Paralda online at http://www. alencorp. com/paralda_survey. asp (http://www. alencorp. com/paralda_survey. asp) from April 6 through April 22. Voters will be automatically entered into the prize drawing to be held on Earth Day on April 22. The winner will receive one free bamboo green Paralda valued at $499 shipped no later than April 28 to any address in the U. S. at no charge. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest. Voters can choose from the following colors: Espresso, Ripe Mango, Bamboo Green, Cherry Blossom, Bronze, Aquamarine, Twilight, or Glacier Blue.

Paralda is Alen Corp.'s new portable HEPA air purifier that eliminates 99.97 percent of indoor air pollution in the home or office. It is recommended for homes with children or for people seeking asthma relief. The new eco-friendly HEPA air purifier also delivers allergy relief for those suffering from seasonal allergies, pet allergies, as well as bronchial infections, cardiac or respiratory problems, or general poor health.

Paralda is the only HEPA air purifier in the U. S. to meet strict green standards, and includes the following benefits:
 Energy Star qualified - consumes less energy than a traditional light bulb  RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances lead free directive) compliant  Ozone safe  Environmentally friendly  HEPA filter efficiency: 99.97 percent  Light weight and portable - weighs only 15 lbs.  UV Lamp lasts 3-5 years and kills airborne bacteria  Quiet noise level: 39 dBA on low, 60 dBA on high  Quiet air flow design with 4 fan speeds and 2 fan assemblies  Ionizer - complements HEPA filter to improve filtration performance  Features an industry-leading Lifetime Warranty Visit http://store. alencorp. com/Paralda-Air-Purifier-p/paralda. htm (http://store. alencorp. com/Paralda-Air-Purifier-p/paralda. htm) for more information.

About Alen Corp.
Since 2005, Texas-based Alen Corp. has been a leading manufacturer of innovative and green indoor air quality products including air purifiers, several HEPA air purifiers, portable air conditioners, dehumidifiers, as well as organic, non-toxic and environmentally friendly odor sprays.

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Shareholders to Vote on Ground-Breaking Economic Security Resolution Tomorrow at Goldman Sachs Annual Meeting

Shareholders to Vote on Ground-Breaking Economic Security Resolution Tomorrow at Goldman Sachs Annual Meeting

A ground-breaking bylaw amendment resolution to create a board committee on economic security at Goldman Sachs will be addressed and voted on by shareholders at the annual meeting located at 32 Old Slip in New York City, on Friday, May 8, 2009. The resolution is the first in the nation to call upon a major bank holding company that received billions of dollars in federal bailout funds, loan guarantees and government insurance, to align its policies to be consistent with protecting the economic security of the United States.

Napa, CA (PRWEB) May 7, 2009

A ground-breaking bylaw amendment resolution to create a board committee on economic security at Goldman Sachs will be addressed and voted on by shareholders at the annual meeting located at 32 Old Slip in New York City, on Friday, May 8, 2009.

John Harrington, President/CEO of Harrington Investments, Inc. (HII), a socially responsible investment advisory firm, will present the resolution at 9:30 A. M. EST

The resolution is the first in the nation to call upon a major bank holding company that received billions of dollars in federal bailout funds, loan guarantees and government insurance, to align its policies to be consistent with protecting the economic security of the United States.

Harrington introduced similar resolutions at Bank of America and Citigroup, but they were challenged at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by corporate management's legal staff on technical grounds. The SEC allowed both banks to exclude the resolutions from their proxy ballots.

Harrington is concerned that Goldman Sachs, originally a 140-year old investment bank, which sought federal protection and a large bailout by taxpayers, will continue to trade derivatives, speculate and leverage public dollars and create further risk in the U. S. economy, while neglecting its fiduciary duty to align the bank's interest with the U. S. public interest.

Harrington, a life-long human rights advocate, is also concerned that Goldman's $2.6b investment in the Chinese government's Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) will be used to undermine U. S. national security interests. The Chinese communist government's banks fund weapons and telecommunications research, and China has a history of utilizing its technology to "hack" into U. S. defense and Pentagon computers as well as breach U. S. Department of Defense weapons contractor's computer systems to collect data and information that may compromise national security.

Bank of America has also invested in a bank controlled by the Chinese government; the China Construction Bank (CCB). A Bank of America employee serves on the CCB board of directors.

In addition to Goldman's ICBC investment in China, the bank has invested in everything from Chinese pig farms to major cement makers. Goldman has also underwritten securities to raise capital for the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Petro China. CNPC operates illegally in Tibet and Petro China economically supports the Sudanese government's genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

About Harrington Investments, Inc

Harrington Investments, Inc (HII) is a Napa based registered investment advisor and has been a leader in socially responsible investing and shareholder advocacy for over 25 years. John Harrington, president of HII, has been in the SRI field for over 37 years, founding Working assets Money Fund, Progressive Asset Management, Waterhealth International, Global Partners LLC, Community Commercial Ventures, LLC and several other socially and environmentally-oriented companies. More information is available at http://www. harringtoninvestments. com (http://www. harringtoninvestments. com).

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Global Chromium Market to Reach 7.2 Million Metric Tons by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts

Global Chromium Market to Reach 7.2 Million Metric Tons by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts

Worldwide demand for chromium is primarily influenced by stainless steel, its major end-use segment. The global chromium market is projected to reach 7.2 million metric tons by 2015.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) November 12, 2008

Worldwide demand for chromium is primarily influenced by stainless steel, while growth in aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets offers bright prospects for chromium metal. Environmental constraints and rapid development of alternatives are issues throttling the chromium industry. Acute scarcity of chrome is a looming prospect as power problems affect production of the metal in South African mines, causing supply disruptions. At the same time, inadequate supplies are leading to steep increase in prices of ferrochrome.

South Africa is the world's largest producer of chromite and accounts for more than 37% of global chromite production. Production of chromium is shifting from independent producers towards vertically integrated producers such as chromium chemical or ferrochromium makers. This is due to the shift in ferrochromium production capacity from stainless steel manufacturing countries to chromite-ore producing countries. Countries mining chromite ore are expected to continue supplying chromium in the form of ferrochromium. With the introduction of advanced ferrochromium production facilities in chromite-producing countries, ferrochromium production and capacity is expected to decrease in places where ferrochromium is produced and not chromite ore.

Europe represents the largest chromium market (http://www. strategyr. com/Chromium_Market_Report. asp) in the world, with sales projected to reach 1.8 million metric tons by the year 2010, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Chromium consumption (http://www. strategyr. com/Chromium_Market_Report. asp) in Asia-Pacific is projected to register a CAGR of 6.5% over the period 2001-2010. Among end-use applications, metallurgical industry forms the largest and fastest growing segment for chromium worldwide. Global consumption of chromium in metallurgical industry (http://www. strategyr. com/Chromium_Market_Report. asp) is estimated to be 4.5 million metric tons.

Chromium picolinate, one of the safest forms and the most bioavailable source of chromium, is witnessing sustained growth in the global market due to its increased usage in dietary supplements and other nutritional products. Chromium picolinate is used for weight loss, as it aids in maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels, body composition and healthy blood glucose levels.

Leading global and regional players operating in the market include ASA Metals, Companhia De Ferro Ligas Da Bahia Ferbasa, Consolidated Minerals Limited, Indian Metals and Ferroalloys, Merafe Resources Limited, Nippon Denko Co. Limited, Outokumpu OY, Samancor, Tata Steel, and Xstrata Plc.

The report titled "Chromium: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, players, competition, end-use applications, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain, Russia, Asia-Pacific and Latin America for the period 1991-2015. Analytics are provided in terms of end-use segments including Metallurgical Industry (Stainless Steel, and Other Steel & Non-Ferrous Alloys), Chemical Industry (Leather Tanning, Metal Finishing, Timber Preservation, Pigments, Aerospace, and Other Chemical Applications), and Refractory Industry.

For more details about this research report, please visit
Http://www. strategyr. com/Chromium_Market_Report. asp (http://www. strategyr. com/Chromium_Market_Report. asp)

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) (http://www. StrategyR. com/) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs over 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of over 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press@StrategyR. com
Web Site http://www. StrategyR. com/ (http://www. StrategyR. com/)

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Washington, D. C. Based Non-Profit Teaching Program ABCTE Names Three to Board of Directors

Washington, D. C. Based Non-Profit Teaching Program ABCTE Names Three to Board of Directors

D. C. based education non-profit American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) names Michelle Bernard, president and CEO of the Independent Women's Forum (IWF) and an MSNBC political analyst; Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; and Doug Mesecar, Vice President for Scholastic, to its board of directors.

Washington, DC (Vocus) December 10, 2009

The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, a non-profit, Washington, D. C. based teaching certification program (http://www. abcte. org), has named three new members to its board of directors.

Joining the ABCTE board were Michelle Bernard, president and CEO of the Independent Women's Forum (IWF) and an MSNBC political analyst; Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI); and Doug Mesecar, Vice President for Scholastic.

Bernard, an attorney by training, is a regular panelist on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews and The McLaughlin Group. She is a Sunday columnist with The Examiner and a political commentator for The Hill's Congress Blog. Bernard is the author of Women's Progress: How Women are Wealthier, Healthier, and More Independent than Ever Before. She has spoken on topics including education reform and school choice. Bernard recently hosted the live town hall About Our Children, featuring Bill Cosby, on MSNBC.

Hess, a former public high school social studies teacher, has authored several books and taught education and policy at universities including Georgetown, Harvard, Rice, the University of Virginia, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is executive editor of Education Next and a faculty associate with Harvard's Program on Education Policy and Governance. Hess also serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and on the review board for the Broad Prize in Urban Education.

Mesecar oversees the editorial, marketing and sales efforts for Scholastic’s suite of math products and is involved in Scholastic's long-term math strategy and new product development. Prior to joining Scholastic, Mesecar served in the U. S. Department of Education as Assistant Deputy Secretary, Office of Innovation and Improvement. There he oversaw efforts to make strategic investments in promising educational practices. Mesecar oversaw the administration of over 28 grant programs related to education improvement, school choice, teacher quality and technology. Before coming to Washington, Mesecar worked as a fifth grade teacher in Colorado.

“Our organization is in the midst of a tremendous period of growth. The experience and knowledge these individuals bring to our board will only further strengthen our organization as we work to ensure that every student has a great teacher,” said ABCTE CEO David Saba (http://www. abcte. org/blog).

ABCTE has issued over 2,000 teaching certifications to-date, with a focus on mid-career professionals. The organization offers certification in ten subjects including the high-need areas of math, science and special education. The program is currently accepted by nine states for public schools: Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Utah. Many charter schools and private schools in other parts of the country also accept ABCTE certification.

ABCTE
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a non-profit organization, dedicated to recruiting, preparing, certifying and supporting dedicated professionals to improve student achievement through quality teaching. ABCTE is accepted in nine states and offers an innovative teacher preparation and certification program for highly knowledgeable individuals who want to change careers and become teachers. For more information, please visit www. abcte. org.

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Norvax Announces Health Insurance Quote Engine 2.0

Norvax Announces Health Insurance Quote Engine 2.0

Shopping for health insurance just got easier -- brokers and their customers can add or change coverage, apply electronically.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 27, 2008

Norvax, the #1 provider of technology and powerful Internet tools for insurance sales, today announced the launch of the new Norvax Quote Engine 2.0, making shopping for health insurance even easier for brokers and their customers.

Now, in addition to getting fast, accurate quotes on health insurance options from more than 70 carriers, users can check out options such as different types of maternity coverage, lifetime maximums or accidental death benefits and immediately see the affect on their premiums. It will be easier to add children or a spouse to any plan, and both brokers and their customers can benefit from an e-application feature which submits the online application directly to the carrier.

The Norvax Quote Engine has long provided insurance agents with the opportunity to slash their health insurance quoting time to mere seconds, compared to the half an hour or more it normally takes for manual quoting. With Quote Engine 2.0, not only brokers but their customers who visit their sites will benefit from these new features, increasing both efficiency and customer satisfaction.

In addition to improved readability and more options for comparison, Quote Engine 2.0 features a navigation that anticipates many of the questions faced by users and helps to guide users to faster, more accurate health insurance quotes.

"This update demonstrates our commitment to continue providing the #1 health insurance quote engine available," said Brandon Cruz, president of Norvax. "We especially want to thank the many agents and brokers who helped us with their suggestions. While our development team makes several behind-the-scene updates every month to our quoting engine, Quote Engine 2.0 was shaped in large part by the feedback we gathered from our loyal users."

Agents and producers do have the option of keeping the classic design of the previous health quote software (http://www. norvax. com) while still enjoying many of the upgraded features. The Norvax Quote Engine 2.0 also continues the classic version's seamless integration with health insurance leads (http://agents. norvax. com), the LeadMiner drip marketing email autoresponder, BrokerOffice lead management system and other online insurance tools that allow top producers to create a more efficient, automated insurance agency.

Health insurance professionals interested in a no-obligation demo or more information should visit www. Norvax. com or call 1-866-466-7829 ext 1.

Contact:
Joy Scott
Scott Public Relations
818-610-0270
Joy(at)scottpublicrelations. com

ABOUT NORVAX
Norvax Inc. is a leading developer of Web-based sales and customer communication tools that connect and help consumers, insurance brokers, agents and carriers transact health insurance business more efficiently. From tools for building Web sites to health insurance quote engines and e-mail autoresponders that can automatically include updated health insurance quotes, Norvax's health insurance technology lets agents increase sales, cut administrative time and reduce expenses by initiating customer contact faster and automatically maintaining around-the-clock communications with prospects. Founded in 2001, Norvax was named among the top ten fastest-growing software companies in the U. S. in 2007 by Inc Magazine. Norvax is privately held and headquartered in Chicago.

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Celerus Networks® Introduces All-In-One Wireless Management Solution for Multi-Purpose Wireless (Wi-Fi) Access

Celerus Networks® Introduces All-In-One Wireless Management Solution for Multi-Purpose Wireless (Wi-Fi) Access

Celerus Networks enables businesses & organizations of all sizes to deploy feature-rich Wi-Fi services with new wireless management software suite. The all-in-one suite aims to set new standard for features, affordability and ease-of-use.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 3, 2005

Celerus Networks launches feature-rich wireless management software enabling delivery of secure enterprise and public access in an easy-to-use all-in-one package. Celerus’ Service Management Platform – Standard Edition (SMP-SE) is ideal for deploying free or fee-based Wi-Fi services in single and multi-site, enterprise and public access environments including retail, property management, municipal, and government.

Installing in less than 30 minutes, the SMP-SE is a complete wireless management product including client service management, network management, wireless portals, email, and multimedia server permitting it to deliver Wi-Fi services for a wide range of employee and public access environments.

“The Celerus package makes it easy for organizations of any size to enjoy enterprise and public access Wi-Fi services equal to those offered by large operators and national franchises”, said Mark Corbitt, Celerus’ Chairman.

The SMP-SE additionally features full VPN protection of network & customer data overcoming limitations of many currently deployed Wi-Fi networks. CelerusÂ’ secure architecture supports multi-service (shared) wireless access allowing one network to deliver tailored wireless services to specific groups, such as employees, visitors and guests. With the SMP-SE one can easily:

 Deliver wireless Internet access to hundreds of locations  Create and manage client services  Monitor health and status of the network  Create and customize wireless portals via WYSIWYG interface  Deliver customized advertising, branding or public interest information  Securely manage the network from any workstation

The SMP package includes NovellÂ’s Suse Linux operating system and Celerus NetworkÂ’s Wireless Configuration Planner for easy setup. The product is compatible with popular virtualization software permitting the SMP-SE to operate on WindowÂ’s based PCs. The solution is scalable to serve virtually any size deployment and is administered by an intuitive browser-based interface. The SMP supports industry standards and is extensible to WiMax technology.

The Celerus SMP-SE will be offered in configurations for organizations of all sizes. In a program aimed to support public wireless initiatives the SMP-SE will be available in a service-supported offering. The program will include educational and Not-For-Profit use.

Celerus NetworksÂ’ products are available directly from Celerus or its partners. Scheduled availability is May 31. Additional versions of the SMP platform tailored for specific markets will be announced.

About Celerus Networks

Celerus Networks provides wireless access and data connectivity solutions for industry and government. The SMP wireless management software capabilities include client service management, network management, customizable portals, media server, email, and advanced security features. Celerus provides a comprehensive range of professional support services. The company is headquartered in Washington, D. C.

Contact:

Michael Strotz

(202) 625-1076 x150

Http://www. celerusnetworks. com (http://www. celerusnetworks. com)

Celerus Networks is a trademark of Celerus Networks, LLC.

Celerus Networks disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

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PATIENT PETITION URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO CONTINUE STEM CELL RESEARCH FUNDING PRESENTED TO HHS SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

PATIENT PETITION URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO CONTINUE STEM CELL RESEARCH FUNDING PRESENTED TO HHS SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

Members of an Internet forum for persons with chronic neurological illnesses have gathered over 13,000 signatures in an online, grassroots petition they authored, urging President Bush to allow continued public funding for stem cell research. The petition was signed, with comments, by both the chronically ill and their loved ones, as well as eminent scientists and health care advocates. Running 750 pages, the petition was personally presented in hard copy to HHS Senior Policy Advisor Mary Kay Mantho during a meeting on May 7th, and another copy was presented to the office of Arlen Specter on May 8th to assist him in passing his stem cell funding bill, SB723. A meeting with HHS Secretary Thompson is currently being arranged

(PRWEB) May 13, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 7, 2001

PATIENT PETITION URGING PRESIDENT BUSH TO CONTINUE STEM CELL RESEARCH FUNDING PRESENTED TO HHS SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

Grassroots Effort by Chronically Ill Gains 13,000 Signatures in Dramatic Appeal

A paper copy of an online petition (http://www. petitiononline. com/stmcll/petition. html (http://www. petitiononline. com/stmcll/petition. html)) to President Bush, organized by members of the largest Internet forum for the chronically ill, was presented today to Mary Kay Mantho, Senior Policy Advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, to be given to Secretary Thompson and President George Bush, urging the president to allow public funding of broad pluripotent embryonic and fetal stem cell research. Although the petition can be viewed, signed, and the total number of signatures seen online, a paper copy of the petition, totaling more than seven-hundred pages of signatures and comments, was given to Ms. Mantho to underscore the broad public support for such research.

The petition was presented by Ilyce Randall, President of the Canavan Resrearch Foundation. Canavan's Disease is a fatal illness that strikes young children, and is currently incurable. Ms. Randall's three-year-old son Max suffers from the disease, and was present at the meeting with Ms. Mantho. "Canavan's Disease is an 'orphan disease,' which strikes only about 400 children a year" said Ms. Randall. "Without the development of broad-based therapies that may be applied to scores of chronic degenerative illnesses, such as those that are likely to result from stem cell research, diseases like Canavan's will probably never attract enough research dollars to come up with a cure. With stem cell research, my son has a chance to live out a normal life."

For additional information on this initiative--or to find out more on stem cell research and funding--see below, or contact:

Gregory M. Wasson, Petition author

Phone: 707 -- 795 -- 7107

Fax: 707 -- 795 -- 7107

E-mail: gmwpark@aol. com

Stem Cell Facts

Pluripotent stem cell research is thought by most scientists to hold the key to curing over 150 neurological and other illnesses and injuries, as well as cancers, cardiovascular conditions, and stroke. Members of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum (www. braintalk. org), which serves as a support and information exchange mechanism for thousands of persons with ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and over 100 other maladies, as well as their caregivers, came up with the idea of a petition after President Bush, who could have eliminated public funding by executive order because of his views on the use of fetal and embryonic tissue, instead referred the matter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson for further review.

Pluripotent stem cells are the "master cells" of the body, capable of transforming into almost any cell, including muscle, bone, and even brain cells, once commonly thought to be irreplaceable. According to Gerald Fischbach, former head of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a Department of the National Institutes of Health, most scientists believe pluripotent stem cells from embryonic and fetal sources hold the greatest therapeutic potential of all stem cells.

Proponents of the use of stem cell therapies, including 80 Nobel laureates who recently faxed the president about the issue, believe that the development of such therapies will eventually lead to cures for more than 128 million persons afflicted with various illnesses.

Major diseases killed 1,495,100 Americans in 1998 and cost our government $218.5 billion. That tally does not include the death toll from, nor direct government expenditures on, another 150 maladies with smaller patient populations, including dozens of neuro-degenerative conditions that kill tens of thousands and cost additional billions each year.

Petition Facts and Comments from the Author and Other Participants

Petition author Greg Wasson said he was surprised but pleased by the success of the petition. Mr. Wasson, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, stated that several forum members decided that the delay by Bush presented an opportunity to give a voice to those with the biggest stake in stem cell research -- the chronically ill themselves. Among those working on the petition and a letter writing campaign were individuals suffering from or caring for persons with ALS, Alzheimer's, Canavan's, and Parkinson's. Having never put together such a campaign before, and having contact with each other only by their computers and telephones, the petition organizers learned the ropes of grassroots advocacy as they went.

They put the petition online for accessibility, put it on as many search engines as possible, then began networking - contacting friends, family, and every disease support group or organization they could locate. They sent each contact a standard request for signatures, which provided hypertext links to the petition and to a primer on stem cell research. They also asked each person contacted to send the request to everyone on their own e-mail lists.

The response was phenomenal. In addition to thousands of signatures by the chronically ill and their loved ones, the petition garnered signatures from Ole Isacson, the Harvard scientist who announced this year that he had "cured" Parkinson's disease in laboratory animals, world reknowned geneticist Charles Janofsky, as well as scores of neurologists and other physicians. The petition has so far been endorsed by Project ALS, the Wisconsin Association for Biomedical Research and Education, Hope for ALS, and several other groups. Dan Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research and chair of the CURe coalition of 123 organizations that earlier urged President Bush to delay a decision on stem cells, said "Congratulations...The compelling voice of individuals and families confronting Parkinson's, ALS and other devastating health problems is the most potent weapon we have in this fight."

The MGH petition organizers plan to keep the petition online and gather more signatures. "I wish we could have gathered signatures for a few more weeks, even days, before sending the petition to the Bush Administration. But with a decision by President Bush looming, this is one party we didn't want to be late for," said John Davis, another petition organizer and an ALS sufferer.

Four Major Hurricanes Have Forever Changed Retirees Housing Needs

Four Major Hurricanes Have Forever Changed Retirees Housing Needs

Even though, Four major hurricanes in 2005 haven't frightened anyone off, retirees housing considerations have changed in two major ways.

Melbourne Florida (PRWEB) January 4, 2006

Although four hurricanes in 2005 haven’t frightened anyone off, retirees housing considerations have changed in two major ways.

1. Location. Not just location as it concerns nearness to medical, transportation, recreational and educational opportunities but location as it concerns insurance costs and vulnerability. This affects proximity to water, flood zones and much more.

2. Age and construction:. People are looking to trade up or buy something newer and/or better built from the get-go. This concerns year built, concrete block versus frame, modular to mobile, roofing types, code restrictions and more.

To make it more complex, the cost of living indexes still factor into all their decisions. So the problem then is, how to get more detailed information about location and construction in addition to health, education, transportation, employment, recreation, etc.

Luckily there is help: A new site, called Florida Relocation Real Estate Network at http://www. flarren. com (http://www. flarren. com) has been specifically designed to give not just retirees but anyone relocating to Florida, in-depth information on these and a wide range of other subjects. In fact there are 18 information categories covering 46 major areas and cities in Florida.

The site was conceived by Florida REALTOR, Dennis Handa who remarked, “It’s amazing how much stuff a person has to wade through on the internet to get information about an area" Most sites ask you to fill out forms and wind up giving only a glossed over picture with very limited content. As a REALTOR, who primarily works with buyers, I know they want as much information as possible, to help make a decision.

With this new site launch, all this comprehensive information is finally available in one site. The benefits for both the person looking to relocate as well as the site advertisers is incredible. Florida Real Estate Network is a Win/Win situation for everyone involved.

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Long Island Pool Company, Blue Ribbon Pools, Gives Tips to Homeowners on Why to Invest in New Swimming Pool Installation

Long Island Pool Company, Blue Ribbon Pools, Gives Tips to Homeowners on Why to Invest in New Swimming Pool Installation

Long Island Pool Contracting Company, Blue Ribbon Pools, puts a plan together to help homeowners add a new luxury to their home but also planning for future resale value.

Commack, NY (Vocus) April 20, 2010

Long Island Pool Company, Blue Ribbon Pools, a thriving pool company, is helping Long Islanders plan an unusual vacation spot this summer. This vacation spot is located, not at the beach, but in the backyard. To save money and also add incredible value to your home. Long Islanders do not have to leave their homes to enjoy a fun-filled vacation spot.

Even though the economy is showing signs of improvement, many households are giving up the thought of leaving the state for their summer vacation. Many homeowners are replacing their vacation getaways to invest in new pool installation rather than spend their extra cash on airline tickets and expensive hotel and resort fees. They can have experience the hotel/resort feel in the backyard in their newly installed swimming pool.

Having a well design pool installed is perfect for hard-working Long Islanders because they can enjoy their new pool installation on a daily basis – not just on their days off.

Another reason why many Long Islanders are investing in pool installation is because it actually can increase the value of a home. According to past real estate surveys, a home buyer is more likely to purchase a home that has a well installed swimming pool, especially if they have kids in the family.

Swimming is also has many health benefits. Swimming is great exercise and it is an excellent stress reliever.

Currently, Long Island Pool Contractors is offer a no-obligation consultation to anyone who is interested in having a new pool installed in their backyard.

Pool owners who already own a pool but haven’t used it for several years can re-open their pool this summer. The Suffolk County Pool Installers, Blue Ribbon Pools provides quality pool renovation services, construction and pool lining installation. Most of all, their prices are competitive and fit practically any budget.

Blue Ribbon Pools offers a variety of affordable pool accessories that include multicolor pool lights, landscape lighting, and water features. Their line of swimming pool water features includes ponds, sheer descents, streams and waterfalls.

About Blue Ribbon Pools
Blue Ribbon Pools, offers Long Island homeowners quality pool installation services including pool accessories for beautification. Their goal is to provide quality service in order to keep their clients pools in good condition all throughout the summer season.
Lining and much more. Clients are welcome to visit their website to review their pool designs located on their portfolio page.

To find out more information about Blue Ribbon Pools visit them online at: http://www. longislandpoolsltd. com or call 888-FIX-POOL or 888-349-7665 and deal directly with owners, Robert Hirsch and Adam Krinsky.

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Viva New Mexico, Aspartame Finally Imperiled

Viva New Mexico, Aspartame Finally Imperiled

The Nation's eyes are on New Mexico. State Statutes on poisonous substances and adulteration can preempt federal. New Mexico set a precedent for the world to follow. Hearing to ban aspartame in July.

New Mexico (PRWEB) October 6, 2005

We, the People, won!

On October 4th New Mexico's Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) courageously withstood a determined fight to preempt investigation of a food poison. This is a first for the Nation. Ever since Don Rumsfeld called in his markers to seat an FDA Commissioner who would finally approve aspartame/NutraSweet/Equal, the political clout, cash and cover-ups of the multi-national aspartame industry have suffocated every challenge.

Http://www. soundandfury. tv/pages. rumsfeld2.html (http://www. soundandfury. tv/pages. rumsfeld2.html)

Ten years ago FDA stopped listing victim complaints when they passed 10,000, and FDA no longer admits there ever was a list. It named 92 symptoms including seizures and death. FDA is now NutraSweet's Washington Branch Office, faithfully promoting aspartame and publishing their propaganda, ignoring enormous injury to our people and rejecting a mountain of medical evidence. Who ever heard a Federal agency saying it was wrong? In the showcase of effete corrupt bureaucracies FDA proudly sits right there beside FEMA.

"But aspartame met its match with the EIB!" Says Dr. Betty Martini, of Mission Possible International, "it spurned the outrageous objections of the Calorie Control Council and Ajinomoto, the world's largest manufacturer of aspartame and MSG against even discussing this grave issue and scheduled an entire week next July for considering the evidence."

Said Cliff Stroud, Vice Chairman of the board: "If the Board does not have the authority to listen to people about concerns with the food supply, then the system is broken."

Well, its not broke in New Mexico!

As Winston Churchill said: "This is not the end, but it is the beginning of the end."

New Mexico is the first domino, and everybody in the aspartame business knows it. If reason and truth prevail against this most pervasive of all poisons, the health and lives of this great western state shall be protected and preserved by its alert, upright officials. Then the storm surge of resentment by innocent, unwarned and afflicted victims across America shall wash this sewage from our land.

A tremendous fight is coming from the malicious entrenched producers of this chemical weapon of mass destruction that was just named a "multi-potential carcinogen" by Italian researchers after a three-year study. Good government should be applauded.

Personally praise and congratulate the members of the Environmental Improvement Board. Get the facts to protect your family and tell everyone you know. Support your legislators! Enter the fray! Few things are exciting as a good fight, and not to fight for what is right is to let evil conquer.

Other heros to honor: Stephen Fox, the indomitable and relentless Petitioner who put this issue before the EIB and fought for years to decapitate this monster. He's an inspiration to all of citizen activism.

Also, honor the principled and generous Attorney Stevan Douglas Looney, who fought pro bono, at his own expense, to valiantly defend the citizens of New Mexico and our first amendment rights of free speech. How fine!

MUST READ: Battleground: New Mexico vs Aspartame & Ajinomoto: Washington D. C. Attorney James Turner's reveals who put this poison on your table. Turner contested with Rumsfeld and knows where all the bodies are buried. http://www. wnho. net/nm_vs_ajinomoto. htm (http://www. wnho. net/nm_vs_ajinomoto. htm)

Ecologist UK: The cover story of the September Ecologist magazine, a 17-page expose' of the spider web of controversy and deceit surrounding aspartame's approval by FDA and other regulatory bodies worldwide, and the myriad adverse health effects it produces. http://www. theecologist. org (http://www. theecologist. org)

Ajinomoto, Aspartame & Brain Tumors: Recipe for Death: http://www. wnho. net/recipe_for_death. htm (http://www. wnho. net/recipe_for_death. htm)

Two New Studies on Aspartame and Diet Drinks Confirm Source of Obesity, Cancer/Malignant Brain Tumor Epidemics. Neurosurgeon Says Ban Toxin from Schools!

Http://www. wnho. net/new_aspartame_studies. htm (http://www. wnho. net/new_aspartame_studies. htm) Update: More data from Italian researchers 3 year study: "Aspartame is a multipotential carcinogen". Kidney cancer and more added.

Aspartame Makers Tell A Whopper! http://www. wnho. net/whopper. htm (http://www. wnho. net/whopper. htm)

Aspartame Violates State and Federal Statutes on Adulteration: Attorney Ed Johnson http://www. rense. com/general67/aspar. htm (http://www. rense. com/general67/aspar. htm)

Calorie Control Council, (aspartame industry's front group) pushes aspartame on pregnant women with full knowledge it is a teratogen (triggers birth defects) and abortifacient. http://www. wnho. net/mh_aspartame_letter. htm (http://www. wnho. net/mh_aspartame_letter. htm)

Aspartame Disease: FDA - Approved Epidemic: http://www. wnho. net/fdaapprovedepidemic. htm (http://www. wnho. net/fdaapprovedepidemic. htm)

Material Safety Data Sheet on aspartame: Do you want your children consuming this?

Http://www. wnho. net/aspartame_msds_3.pdf (http://www. wnho. net/aspartame_msds_3.pdf)

CD of congressional records including FDA's Board of Inquiry revoking petition for aspartame approval, and world renowned neuroscientist, Dr. John Olney's report to that Board on how aspartame destroys the brains of our children.

"Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World:" Documentary exposing the whole story. Interviews Diane Fleming falsely imprisoned for poisoning her husband with methanol. Athletes suddenly die from aspartame damage to the cardiac conduction system. Doctors' affidavits after review of autopsy say free this woman, aspartame, liberator of free methyl alcohol, killed him. www. docworkers. com

Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic by H. J. Roberts, M. D., 1038 pages of case histories and diseases triggered by this neurotoxin. www. sunsentpress. com

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by renowned neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock, M. D., www. russellblaylockmd. com

Dr. Betty Martini, Founder, Mission Possible International, 9270 River Club Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097 770 242-2599 www. wnho. net and www. dorway. com Aspartame Toxicity Center, www. holisticmed. com/aspartame (http://www. holisticmed. com/aspartame )

Can also contact Stephen Fox at 505 983 - 2002

Stevan Douglas Looney, Atty, 505 988 - 5521

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The US Pharmaceutical Industry Needs to Combat the Perception that it is Employers' Enemy, Incurring Enormous Costs for Little Return

The US Pharmaceutical Industry Needs to Combat the Perception that it is Employers' Enemy, Incurring Enormous Costs for Little Return

Dublin (PRWEB) February 6, 2006

Research and Markets (http://www. researchandmarkets. com/reports/c32101 (http://www. researchandmarkets. com/reports/c32101)) has announced the addition of Employers Role in the U. S. Health Care System: Part 1-The Nonelderly Population to their offering.

U. S. employers have many incentives to ensure that their employees (and their employees' dependents) receive a high standard of health care, but expanding and improving health care provision are expensive. Ever-increasing expenditures present employers with a dilemma: they want to ensure a high standard of health care for their employees but need to control their spending on such benefits. How best, then, for companies to proceed?

In this report, Part 1 of a two-part series on employers' evolving role in the U. S. health care system, Decision Resources examine the level of access to employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States and consider the increasing cost of providing such benefits. The report then focus on prescription drug benefits, analyzing employers' present and future cost-containment strategies and reviewing the role played by pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs). Decision Resources also discuss the growth of consumerism in the U. S. health care system. The report concludes with an assessment of the outlook and implications for the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information on Part 2, please search the site for "Employers Role in the U. S. Health Care System: Part 2-The Medicare Population"

Business Implications

Employer-sponsored health insurance is by far the most important source of health care coverage in the United States. In 2003, approximately 159 million nonelderly U. S. residents received employer-sponsored health insurance. However, access to such coverage has declined since 2001, while the ranks of the uninsured have grown, reaching 45 million in 2003. Almost all covered workers in employer-sponsored health plans receive prescription drug benefits. Approximately 200 million U. S. residents (68% of the population) have these benefits administered by pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs). Employers want PBMs to be more transparent about the discounts and rebates they negotiate from pharmaceutical companies and to be more active in promoting the use of generics and other inexpensive medicines. To defend themselves against growing criticism, PBMs may have to distance themselves from the pharmaceutical industry.

Employers are likely to adopt increasingly aggressive pharmaceutical cost-containment strategies. Multitier formularies will become more common and more complex, as more and more employers instruct their health plans and PBMs to add fourth and fifth tiers to their formulary designs. Copayments for branded medicines (especially nonpreferred brands) will continue to increase rapidly, and

Coinsurance for the upper tiers of formularies will become more common. Economies of scale afforded by mail-order pharmacy will prompt a growing number of employers to offer mail-order discounts or even to impose mandatory use of mail-order pharmacy. The expiration of patents on many blockbuster drugs in the next several years will stimulate the generics market. With an expanded arsenal of generic drugs available, it will be easier for employers to justify policies such as mandatory use of generics.

Consumerism—the policy of requiring consumers to assume increased economic responsibility for their health care choices and (potentially) to bear a greater proportion of costs—is expected to expand rapidly in the next several years. Employees will have greater freedom to make choices about their health care but might try to cut their costs to avoid incurring high deductibles. Drug manufacturers should seek ways to interact more directly with employers, especially very large organizations. For example, pharmaceutical companies could play a role in employers' disease management programs. Sponsoring health-related Web sites would be another way to support employers. Above all, the pharmaceutical industry needs to combat the perception that it is employers' enemy, incurring enormous costs for little return. It is critical to demonstrate the value of innovative medicines.

Overview Access to Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Cost of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Prescription Drug Benefits Cost-Containment Measures Pharmacy Benefit Management The Rise of Consumerism Outlook and Implications for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Medco Health Solutions

For more information visit http://www. researchandmarkets. com/reports/c32101 (http://www. researchandmarkets. com/reports/c32101) Decision Resources

Laura Wood

Senior Manager

Research and Markets

Fax: +353 1 4100 980

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Local Chandler Women Find Fitness In Outdoor Bootcamp

Local Chandler Women Find Fitness In Outdoor Bootcamp

If you haven't already heard, there's an outdoor fitness camp for women that's catching on like wildfire. It's the brainchild of Chandler personal trainer Eric Gelder.

Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) June 10, 2006

If you're tired of going to the gym or just aren't motivated to get the results you're after, then why not take your exercise program outdoors? That's exactly what chandler personal trainer Eric Gelder did. Being in the fitness industry for over 14 years and having logged over 11,000 training sessions with clients, Eric decided he'd venture to the great outdoors to get his clients in shape.

According to Eric, "There's a big misconception that's been going on for a while in the fitness industry, especially in the machine based gyms and health clubs." That misconception, he stated, is one of "specializing". As Eric puts it, there's no real world application to isolation exercises done on machines. In other words, his philosophy is one of total body conditioning.

All of the Chandler Boot Camp workouts encompass exercises that train the whole body in a pre-determined sequence. Upper and lower body exercises are mixed in with short bursts of interval training involving anything from sprints to jumping jacks and even skipping. The idea is to get the cardiovascular training in while performing strength training exercises for a total body conditioning effect. This, according to Eric, is a much more efficient results producing workout.

"If you're a stay-at home mom or a college athlete, the program shouldn't and doesn't change, only the amount of work you do", Eric said. His approach completely avoids specializing and focuses on using your entire body for most exercises. According to Meg, a local boot camp resident, "It's definitely not easy, but after my first month of boot camp, I lost over 7 inches and 4% body fat!"

Chandler boot campers come in all shapes and sizes, but one things for certain. If you want a personal training program that kicks you and your metabolism up a few notches, it sounds like Chandler Boot Camp might be right up your alley.

To learn more about Chandler Boot Camp for Women and what it can do for you, visit their website at www. ChandlerBootCamp. com

Their next camp begins June 19, 2006.

For More Information Contact:

Eric Gelder

Http://www. ChandlerBootCamp. com (http://www. ChandlerBootCamp. com)

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PondWorld. com to Offer Pond Keeper Brand Pond Water Treatments

PondWorld. com to Offer Pond Keeper Brand Pond Water Treatments

PondWorld. com has added the Pond Keeper line of pond water treatments to its already lengthy list of reputable water treatment brands.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) June 16, 2008

In its goal to offer the largest selection of the best pond supplies (http://www. pondworld. com) on the Internet, online retailer Pondworld. com has added Pond Keeper to its list of high quality, well respected brands now available on its website.

The Pond Keeper brand (from Natural Environmental Systems, LLC) is a line of natural and safe pond water treatments utilized by small and large ponds to help keep the water healthy and clear. Pond Keeper features an extensive line of pond bacteria additives in both liquid and dry forms, including Pond Keeper Pro, which is a high-count, economical pond bacteria additive for large ponds and lakes. Also included in the Pond Keeper line are water treatments such as a liquid flocculant for improved water clarity, all-in-one water conditioner for fish ponds, phosphate binder for both small and large ponds, barley straw extract, pond and lake dyes, rock and stone cleaner and even decorative polished pond stones in multiple colors.

Pond Keeper products are an excellent addition to Pondworld. com because of some of the uniquely formulated products they add such as dissolvable blocks of pond bacteria for accurate and easy dosing and their 2-in-1 barley straw extract formulation that combines both barley straw extract and beneficial pond bacteria into a single liquid formula.

The addition of different and unique products such as the Pond Keeper line is what separates Pondworld. com from other online pond supply stores and is fueling its growth.

For more information on Pond Keeper products, visit www. pondworld. com or call 866-897-2307.
About PondWorld. com

Pond World, LLC, through its website PondWorld. com, is a retailer of pond and lake supplies including water treatments, pumps, filters, maintenance supplies, kits, aerators, fountains and fish and plant supplies. PondWorld. com is focused on being a one-stop shop for all types of pond owners looking to build and maintain a clean and healthy pond or lake.

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Award-Winning Book Illustrates the Value of Adopting a Pet

Award-Winning Book Illustrates the Value of Adopting a Pet

Ann Pregosin demonstrates the importance of filling your life with animals in her book "The Dogs Who Grew Me," which is newly released in paperback.

(PRWEB) October 29, 2003

“She mixes breed history, advice on training, stories about her particular dogs and autobiography so seamlessly that you feel the rhythm of her life. Her narrative ability echoes Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot’s series….And scattered among the anecdotes are enough training tips that anyone interested in getting one of her breeds would find the book a trove of information.”

Aline McKenzie, Dallas Morning News

“'The Dogs Who Grew Me,' by Ann Pregosin, is a memoir of the author’s six dogs from childhood to the present, and the life lessons she learned from each dog.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer

“The Merial Human-Animal Bond Award was presented for the work best exemplifying the relationship between people and their dogs to Ann Pregosin, author of ‘The Dogs Who Grew Me’…. Pregosin's overall message: We should all open our minds to canine wisdom.”

Steve Dale, AnimalPlanet. com

“'The Dogs Who Grew Me' recounts the invaluable life’s lessons the author learned with five distinct breeds of dogs.”

Dog & Kennel Magazine

"The Dogs Who Grew Me: A Tribute to the Six Dogs Who Taught Me What Really Matters in Life"

Ann Pregosin

October 2003 ISBN 1-931868-52-2 $12.95

6” x 9”, Paperback, 205 pp.

Dulles, VA: There are more than 60 million pet dogs in the U. S. Ann PregosinÂ’s life was molded by six of these dogs. Because of her dogs, Ann Pregosin won the 2002 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award for her book "The Dogs Who Grew Me: A Tribute to the Six Dogs Who Taught Me What Really Matters in Life." Newly released in paperback, "The Dogs Who Grew Me" is now a special tribute to AnnÂ’s dog Tyler, who recently passed away.

"The Dogs Who Grew Me" is a memoir of a life gloriously lived with dogs and illustrates how they can have a profound affect in our lives. The six dogs in Pregosin’s life have been: Moppet, the sweet little American cocker spaniel from her childhood; Della, the sleek black Great Dane; Timber, the wolf hybrid; Boo, an iron-willed Rottweiler; Daisy, a chocolate American cocker spaniel; and Tyler, a Bernese mountain dog. Pregosin recounts the stories of how each dog came into her life and what each taught her. Pregosin also explores myriad dog issues––from the American Kennel Club standards (and departures) of the five breeds and their history to the adventures of owning a dog. She explores the nature versus nurture debate, medical issues, dog breeders, boarding facilities, housebreaking, and obedience training. In the end, all six of Pregosin’s intrepid “teachers” showed their beloved mistress simple but profound truths about perseverance, patience, joy, motherhood, the foibles of excessive rigidity and self-defeating aggression, the gift of good health, adjusting to age as youth gives way, accepting death as part of life, and the importance of really living the life that is given to each of us.

"The Dogs Who Grew Me" is the winner of the 2002 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. Given by the Dog Writers Association of America at their annual banquet on February 9th, 2003, the award recognizes the work that best highlights the special bond between people and their treasured pets.

“The competition for the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award is very stiff and typically draws more entries than any other DWAA special award,” said DWAA contest chairperson Liz Palika. “'The Dogs Who Grew Me' is a lovely tribute to several dogs who taught the author valuable life lessons while giving her unconditional love. It brings to life the important relationship between people and their pets, and provides a unique look at how, over time, the companionship of some special canines helped a sensitive young girl become a writer, wife and mother.”

Ann Pregosin is a frequent contributor to animal and general interest magazines including Dogs, Ladies Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Working Woman. She contributed to Fox News Channel’s “Pet News,” providing news on medical, training, and breed specific issues and new products for dogs. Pregosin has in-depth knowledge of the American cocker spaniel, Great Dane, Siberian husky, malamute, Rottweiler, Bernese mountain dog, and wolf hybrid. Tyler, the Bernese mountain dog featured in this book, appeared on “Pet News” and a national Lysol commercial. Pregosin is the author of How Not to Kill Your Houseplants. Pregosin lives with her family in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

HealthGrades Identifies Hospitals With Highest Patient Satisfaction : - Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ Recipients Listed on HealthGrades. com –

HealthGrades Identifies Hospitals With Highest Patient Satisfaction : - Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ Recipients Listed on HealthGrades. com –

HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization, today identified those hospitals that rank in the top 15 percent nationally in patient experience and posted the hospitals on www. HealthGrades. com. The ratings are based on patient satisfaction survey results that hospital patients provided as part of a new federal initiative to increase public reporting of hospital performance.

GOLDEN, Colo. (PRWEB) December 8, 2008

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, or HCAHPS, includes 27 questions related to physician and nurse communication, responsiveness, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, medication information, and post-discharge care instructions. It is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients' perspectives of hospital care. HCAHPS is an initiative of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.

HealthGrades is providing this award to help consumers choose the best hospital for themselves and their loved ones. Patients want to know about hospitals' patient-experience track records. Recent research by McKinsey & Co. found that non-clinical factors account for 41 percent of a patient's choice of hospital.

"This truly is a distinction generated by patients for patients," said HealthGrades Executive Vice President Sarah Loughran. "HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recognizes those hospitals that deliver a level of service most highly rated by patients."

To identify the top-performing hospitals, HealthGrades analyzed survey results for the 2,592 hospitals nationwide that participated in the HCAHPS program to determine which hospitals scored highest on the surveys. Hospitals had to meet bed size, survey response size, and clinical-quality thresholds in order to be rated. Information on award recipients and the ratings methodology is now available, free to the public, at www. HealthGrades. com.

About HealthGrades

Health Grades, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGRD) is the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, providing quality ratings, profiles and cost information on the nation's hospitals, physicians, nursing homes and prescription drugs. Millions of patients and many of the nation's largest employers, health plans and hospitals rely on HealthGrades' quality ratings, advisory services and decision-support resources. The HealthGrades Network of Web sites, including HealthGrades. com and WrongDiagnosis. com, is a top-ten health property according to ComScore and is the Internet's leading destination for patients choosing providers. More information on the company can be found at http://www. healthgrades. com (http://www. healthgrades. com).

Westland Helicopters Prepares for Take Off with Redwood Software’s Cronacle - Cronacle set to provide better control over SAP® processing

Westland Helicopters Prepares for Take Off with Redwood Software’s Cronacle - Cronacle set to provide better control over SAP® processing

Redwood Software, provider of infrastructure automation solutions, today announced that Westland Helicopters Ltd. has chosen Cronacle to manage its SAP® background processing. Cronacle is Redwood’s flagship process management and job scheduling solution that integrates seamlessly with SAP to manage all SAP batch workload.

(PRWEB) May 27, 2004

Redwood Software, provider of infrastructure automation solutions, today announced that Westland Helicopters Ltd. has chosen Cronacle to manage its SAP® background processing. Cronacle is Redwood’s flagship process management and job scheduling solution that integrates seamlessly with SAP to manage all SAP batch workload.

Westland is a major SAP customer using most R/3 modules in addition to the Business Warehouse and Document Management System products. The company required a job scheduling solution to ensure that its critical processing, within its SAP environment, completed as efficiently as possible.

With Cronacle, Westland has chosen a robust, scalable job scheduling solution to manage all of its SAP and non-SAP processing in an efficient automated manner. Cronacle dramatically improves SAP automation efforts, by managing background tasks and aligning business with IT processes. Redwood Software is a member of the SAP Software Partner Programme and Cronacle, is also mySAP. com certified. Redwood enjoys a healthy partnership with SAP and continues to work with SAP in exploring ways that both companies can bring extra value to their customers.

Richard Cranton, IT Services Manager at Westland Helicopters, explains: “Redwood’s professional approach to our issues proved that Cronacle could meet our requirements and offer additional benefits due to its close integration with SAP. Our SAP financial month-end processing has to be completed within 4 working days. If any job errors factor into the equation, then the delays are unacceptable for our Finance Managers. With Cronacle, we can dramatically improve the way in which we manage our SAP background workload. The system runs more efficiently with jobs running in parallel and dependent jobs starting as soon as preceding ones have completed, and the Finance team get their critical information on time.”

About Redwood Software

Founded in 1993 in The Netherlands, Redwood Software prides itself in providing high quality software solutions that help businesses become more productive. All our solutions enable customers to evolve their IT investments in order to meet todayÂ’s new business challenges. The complexity that comes with increased globalisation, business-to-business commerce and business process re-engineering needs to be overcome. Maximum business efficiency can only be realized through the functional integration of the old with the new as each additional layer of technology is introduced. With the help of Redwood Software solutions automating IT infrastructures, organisations all over the world are achieving their business goals with greater effectiveness, quickly and with greater ease.

About Westland Helicopters

Founded in 1915, Westand Helicopters is the UKÂ’s only helicopter designer and manufacturer. From military conflict to search and rescue missions, the aircraft built by Westland Helicopters perform a variety of roles over land and sea. A major supplier to the UKÂ’s Ministry of Defence and 21 customers worldwide operating nearly 1000 Westland helicopters, their portfolio includes: Lynx, Apache, Sea King and the EH101. In July 2000, Westland Helicopters formed a joint venture with Agusta of Italy and the AgustaWestland group is now the largest helicopter company in the world with annual turnover of more than US$2 Billion and a workforce of some 10,000 people.

MEDai Launches Patient-Specific Early Warning System for Hospitals

MEDai Launches Patient-Specific Early Warning System for Hospitals

'Pinpoint Review' bedside system ensures patient safety and quality, safeguards hospital reimbursement

Orlando, FL (Vocus) April 3, 2009

MEDai, Inc., an Elsevier company and leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced today the launch of its new patient-specific early-warning system for hospitals, Pinpoint Review™. Pinpoint Review generates predictions for acute-care patients, focusing on the likelihood of a patient developing a complication, like decubitus ulcers, acquiring a hospital-acquired infection or being readmitted. Such events increase hospital mortality rates, boost healthcare costs, compromise patient care quality and safety, and result in lower government reimbursement to hospitals. In addition the predictions, Pinpoint Review provides a list of triggers behind each prediction allowing care givers to understand the "why" and more effectively generate a plan of action.

Pinpoint Review addresses the increasing pressure on hospitals from entities such as the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to deliver a higher quality of care and fewer medical errors. The solution applies predictive models to patient data while patients are still in the hospital and while there is time to adjust care to avoid a negative outcome. Pinpoint Review alerts care providers to patients at risk for developing several of the conditions that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer reimburse. After analyzing cost and quality data associated with specific CMS "never events" for several hospitals, MEDai determined that the cost avoidance for conditions like readmission and decubitus ulcers can range in the millions per hospital.

"Payers and healthcare quality organizations are exerting more pressure on hospitals and demanding better care with fewer complications. More than ever hospitals face the need to manage costs and MEDai felt this to be the prime opportunity to leverage its best of breed predictive analytics to aid hospitals with sophisticated data mining and analytics. Pinpoint Review allows clinicians to identify and manage specific populations with greater efficiency and effectiveness," said Swati Abbott, President of MEDai. "By leveraging our analytics we have developed a tool that proactively identifies key conditions that can result in millions being saved both in dollars and lives."

Pinpoint Review is the latest addition to a complete suite of MEDai-developed tools, which includes Pinpoint Quality and Pinpoint Compliance Pinpoint Quality provides robust retrospective analysis that helps hospitals and physicians quickly identify areas for improvement. This information makes it possible for clinicians to improve performance, outcomes, patient satisfaction, efficiency and cost savings by understanding the drivers of the negative outcomes and allowing them to compare their performance against national standard benchmarks. Meanwhile, Pinpoint Compliance provides a simple, time-saving Web-based solution for organizations to collect, report and submit data to the Joint Commission and participate in initiatives related to accreditation, quality improvement and compliance. Pinpoint Review expands the suite by adding the element of real-time decision support, including the application of alerts and predictive models to patient data while patients are still in the hospital.

Saving Hospitals Money, Improving Care

Hospitals stand to benefit from Pinpoint Review, especially because CMS announced that as of October 1, 2008, it would no longer pay hospitals for treating at least eight conditions not present at admission. Known as "never events," these conditions include catheter - and vascular - associated urinary tract infections, decubitus ulcers and mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass graft.

Such infections and complications are costly to both hospitals and patients. For example, the average bill for Pennsylvania residents who contracted infections during their hospital stay was almost five-and-one-half times more than patients who failed to contract infections, according to a 2009 study from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

"The availability of Pinpoint Review complements the Department of Health and Human Services' program to fight the healthcare-associated infections that kill some 100,000 citizens annually and add $20 billion in healthcare costs," said James Lederer, M. D., Medical Director of clinical improvement at Winston-Salem, N. C.-based Novant Health. "With Pinpoint Review MEDai is supporting hospitals and physicians committed to prioritizing and implementing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on averting and controlling infections."

Pinpoint Review is also aligned with federal initiatives such as the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections, which champions partnerships between federal, local and state governments, promotion of best practices and patient education on how to prevent infections.

About MEDai
MEDai, Inc. is a leading health information company offering award-winning solutions for improvement of healthcare delivery. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, payors and care management organizations are able to predict patients at risk, identify cost drivers for their high-risk population, forecast future health plan costs, evaluate patient patterns over time and improve outcomes. For more information on MEDai, visit http://www. medai. com. Its parent company, Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services with more than 7,000 employees in over 70 offices across 24 countries.

About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, Elsevier's 7,000 employees in over 70 offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such as ScienceDirect (http://www. sciencedirect. com/), MD Consult (http://www. mdconsult. com/), Scopus (http://www. info. scopus. com/), bibliographic databases and online reference works.

Elsevier (http://www. elsevier. com/]) is a global business headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

For More Information Contact:
Tom Reller
Elsevier (212) 462-1912

Lizzy Feliciano, MBA,
MEDai, Inc. (800) 446-3324

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