This decrease in return counts also reflects the expected recessionary period in the U.S. economy and its implications for tax return volumes. Historically, recessionary periods are correlated with increases in unemployment and corresponding decreases in taxable income. This reduction in income can be expected to reduce overall individual tax return filings, as the projections indicate. After CY 2010, grand total return filings are projected to grow at a more common average annual rate of 1.1 percent and are expected to reach 253.6 million returns by 2016. The average rate of growth is derived mainly by projected trends for the major return categories that comprise grand total filings, including individual income tax returns and business tax returns like employment tax returns, corporation tax returns, partnership returns, and estate tax returns. In addition, projections for total electronic returns continue to show a steady increase over the forecast horizon. This growth of electronic filing furthers IRSs strategic goal to improve taxpayer service. For example, according to the most recent forecast, total individual electronic returns are estimated to be 66 percent of all individual income tax returns filed in 2009 and are projected to constitute 79 percent of all returns in 2016. Trend in Grand Total Returns
The main goal of the Training Program is to increase the number of Hispanic students knowledgeable and committed to careers in cancer research and cancer medicine. The specific objectives are to prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in cancer research, cancer medicine, and population sciences and to establish a Career Development Program for clinical and basic scientist faculty at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico (UPRCCC). The Training Program includes a series of didactic and research experiences, and enrichment activities that include on-campus cancer research at the UPR campuses during the academic year, and summer research and year-round rotations to MDACC. These experiences are complemented and supported by a structured Mentoring Program for students and junior investigators. The mentors are well recognized senior Faculty, mostly from MDACC. Training Opportunities Various research programs are available in UPR and MDACC, all sponsored by the U54 Training Program. In the UPR there is Research Assistantships Stipends Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Students have the opportunity of working in cancer research projects under the guidance of Faculty in mid to senior stages of their academic careers. Most of these scientists are re-gearing their careers to Cancer Research. The students are also required to attend Seminars and Workshops offered through the academic year, mostly offered by visiting world-renowned scientists.
This profile is the essential source for top-level energy industry data
and information. The report provides an overview of each of the key
sub-segments of the energy industry in New Zealand. It details the
market structure, regulatory environment, infrastructure and provides
historical and forecasted statistics relating to the supply/demand
balance for each of the key sub-segments. It also provides information
relating to the natural gas assets (gas fields, LNG terminals, pipelines
and underground gas storage terminals) in New Zealand.
The report also analyses the fiscal regime relevant to the natural gas
assets in New Zealand and compares the investment environment in New
Zealand with other countries in the region. The profiles of the major
companies operating in the natural gas sector in New Zealand together
with the latest news and deals are also included in the report.
Scope:
Supported by the governments agricultural machinery subsidy policy,
Chinas agricultural machinery industry has developed rapidly in recent
years.
1. The total number of agricultural machinery keeps growing
The total power of Chinas agricultural machinery was 525.7 million kW
in 2000, 684.0 million kW in 2005, 821.9 million kW in 2008, and 875.0
million kW in 2009. In the meantime, the ownership of large and
medium-sized tractors increased from 975,000 sets in 2000 to 5.019
million sets in 2009, while the ownership of combine harvesters rose
from 235,000 sets to 847,000 sets, at a CAGR of 20.2% and 15.3%
respectively.
2. The structure of agricultural machinery has been optimized
INTRODUCTION Fat deposition of pigs is of economic importance because of market incentives for lean pork production and decreased feeding costs. It is crucial to investigate and characterize new candidate genes and QTL relevant to pig fat deposit traits. To date, several quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly affecting 10th-rib, average backfat thickness and other production traits have been mapped on SSC7 (Wang et al., 1998; Nagamine et al., 2003). Peroxisomal [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (PECI) was located near the boundary of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) region. [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (Ecilp) is unique because its activity is necessary for [beta]-oxidation of all unsaturated fatty acids (Geisbrecht et al., 1999). The series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions required for degradation of fatty acids are evolutionarily conserved and accomplished primarily through the p-oxidation pathway. In peroxisomes, ECI was predicted to be a dominant enzyme for 3-cis 3[right arrow]2-trans and 3-trans 3[right arrow]2-trans isomerizations of long-chain intermediates (Zhang et al., 2002). Fatty acid [beta]-oxidation in mammals is considerably more complicated, primarily due to the existence of overlapping but distinct fatty acid poxidation pathways. Mammalian peroxisomes contain at least three fatty acyl-CoA oxidases, both L-specific and D-specific 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multifunctional proteins, and at least two thiolases, all of which are encoded by different genes (Palosaari et al., 1990a, 1991; Geisbrecht et al., 1998; Gurvitz et al., 1998; Geisbrecht et al., 1999; Partanen et al., 2004). When the ECI was completely excised in the mouse, it extensively perturbed the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids, especially for short interval starvation and the fatty acid pattern of complex phospholipids was strongly altered (Palosaari et al., 1990b; Janssen et al., 2002). The PECI gene can be encoded by ECI1 and it is required for growth of saccharomyces cerevisiae on unsaturated fatty acids (Gurvitz et al., 1998). It can be concluded that the PECI gene may play an important role during the metabolic processing of unsaturated fatty acids. Deposition of fat by animals in their bodies is associated with the metabolism of fatty acids, and more research would contribute to understanding of porcine fat deposition. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of mature Tongcheng pigs (Hubei province, China) by phenol/chloroform extraction. RNA was extracted from muscle tissue of adult Tongcheng pigs and adult Swedish Landrace with TRIzol reagent kit (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NE, USA). RACE (the rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was performed according to the instructions of the SMARTTM RACE cDNA Amplification Kit (Clontech Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The PCR products of RACE were purified with the Wizard PCR Preps DNA Purification System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). ORF were found by the program SeqMan (DNA star, Madison, WI, USA) and the amino acid sequences were deduced with Primer5.0 (Primer Premier5.0, Premier, Canada). Using the pGEM T-easy vector, DNase I (RNase-free) and M-MLV reverse transcriptase from TaKaRa Dalian (Dalian, China), primers were synthesized (Table 1) and PCR products were sequenced by AuGCT Biotechnology (Bejing, China).
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
WLS, a leading provider of cellular platforms to top tier global phone
makers, will operate as a standalone business serving its existing
customers. WLS will also contribute to Intel’s strategy to make
connected computing ubiquitous from smartphones to laptops to embedded
computing.
“The global demand for wireless solutions continues to grow at an
extraordinary rate,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “The
acquisition of Infineon’s WLS business strengthens the second pillar of
our computing strategy — Internet connectivity — and enables us to
offer a portfolio of products that covers the full range of wireless
options from Wi-Fi and 3G to WiMAX and LTE. As more devices compute and
connect to the Internet, we are committed to positioning Intel to take
advantage of the growth potential in every computing segment, from
laptops to handhelds and beyond.”
“The sale of WLS is a strategic decision to enhance Infineon’s value. We
can now fully concentrate our resources towards strong growth in our
core segments Automotive (ATV), Industrial Multimarket (IMM) and Chip
Card Security (CCS). This creates a great perspective for all Infineon
customers, employees and shareholders,” said Peter Bauer, CEO of
Infineon Technologies AG. “We all stand to benefit enormously from this
deal. Thanks to the outstanding effort of the employees and the
management during the last years, WLS is excellently positioned to grow
further with the new owner who is ideally suited for this business.”
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
WLS, a leading provider of cellular platforms to top tier global phone
makers, will operate as a standalone business serving its existing
customers. WLS will also contribute to Intel’s strategy to make
connected computing ubiquitous from smartphones to laptops to embedded
computing.
“The global demand for wireless solutions continues to grow at an
extraordinary rate,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “The
acquisition of Infineon’s WLS business strengthens the second pillar of
our computing strategy — Internet connectivity — and enables us to
offer a portfolio of products that covers the full range of wireless
options from Wi-Fi and 3G to WiMAX and LTE. As more devices compute and
connect to the Internet, we are committed to positioning Intel to take
advantage of the growth potential in every computing segment, from
laptops to handhelds and beyond.”
“The sale of WLS is a strategic decision to enhance Infineon’s value. We
can now fully concentrate our resources towards strong growth in our
core segments Automotive (ATV), Industrial Multimarket (IMM) and Chip
Card Security (CCS). This creates a great perspective for all Infineon
customers, employees and shareholders,” said Peter Bauer, CEO of
Infineon Technologies AG. “We all stand to benefit enormously from this
deal. Thanks to the outstanding effort of the employees and the
management during the last years, WLS is excellently positioned to grow
further with the new owner who is ideally suited for this business.”
Exclusive Forum organized by Chinese General Administration of Press and
Publication (GAPP)
Beijing (August 30, 2010) Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global
information
services and publishing company focused on professionals, announced that
Nancy
McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, has been invited by Mr
Liu
Binjie, Minister of General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP)
to
deliver a keynote speech at the 2010 Beijing International Publishing Forum
on
Sunday, August 29, 2010, in Beijing, China.
The Beijing International Publishing Forum is the most important high-level
industry event that provides a valuable opportunity and a platform for
Chinese
and foreign publishers to have a dialogue and exchange experiences. Held in
conjunction with the 2010 Beijing International Book Fair that is taking
place
from August 29 to September 3, the Forums theme covered “Global Publishing
Cooperation and Chinas Market Opportunities”.
Ms. McKinstry emphasized Wolters Kluwers commitment to support the growth
ambitions in China and deliver world-class information solutions to Chinese
professionals it serves, such as lawyers, accountants, and health
professionals,
especially in the context of the emerging digitization of the information
and
publishing industry. The company remains committed to the Chinese market in
terms of delivering value to customers, employees and investors through
continued investments in developing global partnerships in the tax,
accounting,
legal, and healthcare markets in China.
YOULL get pumped up about our great money-saving offer this bank holiday! Weve teamed up with Shell to give you and every Sunday Mirror reader pounds 2 off a 20-litre tank fill or more on their brilliant new fuels – Shell FuelSave Unleaded and Shell FuelSave Diesel. The new fuels, which have replaced Shells regular Unleaded and Diesel, have been designed by Shell scientists to help save you up to one litre per tank at no extra cost*. SIMPLY cut out the voucher (left) and hand to the cashier at a till point at any participating Shell Service Station in Great Britain before midnight Saturday September 4, 2010. Youll receive your pounds 2 discount when you buy 20 litres or more of Shell FuelSave Unleaded or Diesel. See voucher for full terms. If you have any issues redeeming this promotion please contact customer services on 0207 293 2220 (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat/Sun: 9am-3pm. *Based on a minimum tank size and fill up of 50 litres. Comparison between a standard gasoline and that same standard gasoline containing our instantaneous fuel economy formula; urban cycle comparison between a standard diesel and that same standard diesel containing our instantaneous fuel economy formula. Actual savings may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.
BRIAN ODriscoll has revealed it took just 15 days before his new bride turned into a rugby widow. The Ireland superstar got hitched in the summer after a gruelling tour to New Zealand and Australia and was looking forward to a four week break from anything to do with rugby. He travelled to the quiet east African state of Tanzania on honeymoon with new wife Amy, but just after two weeks had passed, the Leinster star got itchy feet and I do became I must. “I was saying after the summer tour that I needed a holiday and a break,” said ODriscoll. “At the time I thought how will four weeks be enough?, but after just over two weeks into it, I started missing exercise and was kind of looking forward to it again!
MILLIONS of parents will be spending the bank holiday weekend getting their kids ready to go back to school. But the cost of kitting them out for their studies can cause a serious dent in the family finances. Research from insurance and investment group LV= shows parents will spend pounds 709m on back- to-school basics – an average of pounds 122 per child. The cost rises to pounds 139 for secondary school children, compared to pounds 96 for infants. Here are our top tips for cutting new term bills. TAKE advantage of back-toschool promotions wherever possible. Asda, for example, are offering cut-price uniforms, with school trousers from just pounds 4, and pintuck shirts starting at pounds 2. The supermarket also sells stationery sets for pounds 2 and laminated ringbinders at just 50p. You can pick up a 36-pack of HB pencils for pounds 1 and a pocket calculator for 50p.
In August 2004, the Law #230, approved by the Government of Puerto Rico in a three party resolution, created the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC), a public corporation affiliated to the University of Puerto Rico. This law established that this Center will be the organism responsible for executing the public policy related to the prevention, education, and research, as well as the clinical and treatment services related to cancer in Puerto Rico. The dual mission of the UPRCCC is: (1) To deliver the best research-driven cancer care through programs that integrate patient care, research, prevention, and education, and (2) To eradicate cancer in Puerto Rico using a multidisciplinary approach of basic, clinical, and population research. Thus, the UPRCCC is fundamental for the development of cancer control, research, and training efforts in Puerto Rico. More recently, in 2008, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Puerto Rico published its first official Cancer Control Plan, a structured guide with measurable outcomes aimed at reducing the cancer burden in our population. All of the previously mentioned initiatives will continue to be key to the progress in cancer control and research in Puerto Rico and thus, to the quality of the preventive and treatment services that we will offer to our patients. The increase in the cancer burden in Puerto Rico has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the volume of published research and federal funds to academic institutions in Puerto Rico for cancer research. Despite this advancement, areas that need our continued support and development in the years to come include: 1) continued surveillance of cancer occurrence in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, 2) development of transdisciplinary and translational cancer research that encompass all areas of the cancer control continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship), 3) outreach efforts that bring scientific knowledge to the development of targeted cancer control strategies for the community, 4) development of sound cancer-related public policy, and 5) continued training of the next generation of cancer researchers and health professionals. Our ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary local and international teams will be essential to our success. The forthcoming issue of the Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal provides an informative summary of various research studies that are currently being conducted in Puerto Rico. The 17 articles in this issue describe diverse research areas in the cancer field including disease burden, disease prevention, correlates of cancer occurrence, diagnostic technologies and clinical management. In addition, an overview of cancer training efforts in the island is discussed. Our future as a healthy nation will require a concerted effort between government, academia and industry that lead the research, training, and public policy efforts that will ultimately result in improved cancer prevention and control outcomes for the people of Puerto Rico. We hope you find in this edition of the journal a well-rounded overview of cancer research in Puerto Rico.
During the second half of the last century, the incidence of cancer in PR increased dramatically; however, rates seem to have begun to stabilize in more recent years (8-9). Previous studies in the 1970s and 1980s showed a lower incidence of total cancer in persons residing in PR as compared with the general population in the United States (US) (8) and to Puerto Ricans (10) living in the continental US. Recent studies show similar patterns for selected cancer types (11-14). However, the incidence from infection related cancers such as stomach, liver and cervical is higher in PR than in the US (12). Also, contrary to the US, these cancer types also rank among the leading cancer sites in incidence and mortality (8, 11, 15-16). The PR Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR) is the fourth oldest population based cancer registry in the world (8, 17) and collects information on cancer in PR since 1951. The PRCCR is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As with any other surveillance system, the PRCCR is responsible for generating data on cancer burden for the Puerto Rican population, as the collection, analysis and dissemination of health information are important components of public health surveillance systems (18). Given that the last official report of the PRCCR regarding cancer burden in PR was published in 1991 (9), this special article describes the incidence and mortality data for cancer in PR for the period of 1987 to 2004. In addition, we assess differences in cancer incidence and mortality by sex, municipality and health region. This information is important to identify changes in cancer occurrence in PR and to guide the development of future interventions aimed at diminishing the burden of the disease in our population.
Approximately 5.5 million workers are exposed to drugs and hazardous materials in Puerto Rico and in the United States (1-2). In 2005, Puerto Rico generated 22.6 million pounds of solid waste including biomedical waste and carcinogens (3-4). Some companies that manage this type of waste face ethical and financial dilemmas and, on occasion, choose to inappropriately dispose of hazardous waste. The cost of disposing a pound of hazardous waste is approximately $2.00 when it is incinerated by a company that has an incinerator certified by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); but it would only cost $0.35 in a non-certified facility (5). In 2007, a company in Puerto Rico inappropriately disposed of some biomedical waste and polluted an area of Caguas. To remedy the situation, the Environmental Quality Board hired Western Medical to appropriately dispose of this waste at a cost of approximately $3.2 million (6). This situation stresses the importance of properly disposing toxic waste. The objective of this paper is to review the regulations and evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate disposal of antineoplastic medications and to update the reader on this important issue. Regulations and recommendations
Balqon Corporation (OTCBB: BLQN), a developer and manufacturer of zero emissions, heavy-duty electric vehicles and drive systems, has received a $490,000 order for electric drive systems under a new dealer agreement with DynaProTech, a leading composite automotive parts manufacturer in the Peoples Republic of China.
Under the terms of the dealer agreement, DynaProTech plans to integrate Balqons zero-emissions electric drive systems into electric buses, heavy-duty trucks, light commercial vehicles and automobiles for use throughout China. DynaProTech will also provide servicing and parts for Balqons products throughout China.
“Our relationship with DynaProTech is a continuation of our localization strategy to have our drive systems integrated into products manufactured by regional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in major world markets,” said Balwinder Samra, president and CEO of Balqon Corporation.
“We believe that DynaProTechs existing customer base in the automotive sector will expedite our ability to promote our technologies to a growing base of OEMs seeking zero-emissions technologies,” said Samra. “In addition, we believe that our relationship with DynaProTech will also allow us to showcase our flux vector motor controllers and battery management systems to manufacturers of electric buses, trucks and automobiles in China.”
The relationship with DynaProTech comes at a time where China is expected to increase spending in the alternative-energy vehicle industry. On August 4, 2010, the Shanghai Securities News reported (without citation) that China may invest more than 100 billion Yuan (approximately US$14.8 billion) in the alternative-energy vehicles industry during the next 10 years.
The US automobile dealer industry includes about 45,000 new and used
vehicle dealers with combined annual revenue of $600 billion. Major
companies include AutoNation, Penske Automotive Group, Sonic Automotive,
and CarMax. The industry is highly fragmented: the top 50 companies
generate less than 15 percent of revenue.
Consumer spending and interest rates drive demand. The profitability of
individual companies depends on the volume and mix of cars and services
sold. Large companies can offer a wider selection of cars and have
advantages in marketing, purchasing, and finance. Small companies can
compete effectively by offering superior customer service or serving a
local market. The industry is capital-intensive: annual revenue per
worker averages nearly $600,000.
For vehicle sales, auto dealers compete with private market sellers, who
are increasingly using the Internet to bypass traditional retail
channels. Companies compete with various retail outlets, such as oil
change centers, tire stores, and independent service shops and chains,
for service revenue.
Nancy K. Vos (Granny B.)
Claude Elmo Middleton 1917 ~ 2010
Claude Elmo Middleton 1917 ~ 2010
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
The Malaysia Food and Drink Report provides industry professionals and
strategists, corporate analysts, food and drink associations, government
departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and
competitive intelligence on Malaysias food and drink industry.
BMI View: Malaysias food and drink industry continues to recover from
the slowdown experienced in 2009 with many of the countrys leading
industry players posting robust growth in interim financials. Even
allowing for this recovery, however, Malaysia continues to linger within
the bottom half of our Asia Pacific Food Drink Risk/Reward Ratings,
with neither existing consumption levels nor growth prospects exciting
enough to mark the country out among many of its higher growth regional
emerging market peers.
Headline Industry Data
INTRODUCTION Pork is a popular meat consumed by non-muslim Singaporeans with about 87,000 tonnes being consumed per year (Kanagalingam, 2005). Currently, Singapore imports its pork from several countries, but Australian and Indonesian pork is consumed most widely due to its ready availability at supermarkets and wet markets. Fresh pork is obtained from pigs raised in Indonesia but slaughtered at Singapore abattoirs, while chilled pork is mainly imported from Australia and is widely known as “Air Pork”. Singaporean consumers are aware of the origin of pork from packaging labels. Results of a recent survey showed that Singapore consumers associate non-Indonesian pork with the presence of an unpleasant mutton-like off-flavour (Leong et al., 2008). One possible cause of off-flavours in pork is by the oxidation of lipids, leading to the formation of aldehydes and short-chain fatty acids (Reindl and Stan, 1982; Devol, et al., 1988). The rate and extent of lipid oxidation depends on a number of factors, the most important being the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle (Allen and Foegeding, 1981). Pork contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids relative to ruminant meat (Enser et al., 1996) and is more susceptible to oxidative deterioration of lipids and myoglobin. Feeding of PUFAs to pigs can improve the nutritional quality of pork, but may also increase the susceptibility to oxidation (Sheard et al., 2000; Kouba et al., 2003; Morel et al., 2006). There have been many reports of PUFA-rich feeds leading to increased lipid oxidation and thus off-flavour in pork (Houben and Krol, 1980; Warnants et al., 1998; Roman et al., 1995; Overland et al., 1996; Leskanich et al., 1997; Wood et al., 2003). There have also been examples of off-flavours in pork arising from the direct transfer of aroma components from feed to meat, including several reports on how feeding of fish oil and high fat fish meal to finisher pigs has caused “fishy” and other off-flavours in pork products (Kjos et al., 1999; Lauridsen et al., 1999; Maw et al., 2001; Jaturasitha et al., 2002). The current paper compares sensory assessments of the flavour of pork from the legs of pigs finished in New Zealand on three diets (Morel et al., 2008) using Singaporean panelists. The objective was to determine the extent to which dietary feed treatments received by the New Zealand pigs influenced the sensory properties of pork using trained and untrained Singaporean panels. Results of sensory analyses of pork from the loins of the same New Zealand pigs using New Zealand panelists were reported by Janz et al. (2008).
SHOCKED pals of Michaela Davis huddled together in trembling groups yesterday as they struggled to come to terms with the pretty youngsters death. They stood at the entrance to her Village estate in Clonsilla which was exactly at the point where the Garda tape sealed off the scene. The young teens watched as Garda vehicles passed up and down the road and officers hurried around the corner to where the body was discovered in undergrowth. One sobbed: “I just cant believe it. I saw her walking by my house yesterday. Its so hard to believe she is gone, just like that.” Pals said the pretty 12-yearold was short for her age but was much more mature. She was looking forward to returning to starting secondary school tomorrow. Her friends also revealed how she had worn her new uniform for the first time last Friday at Luttrelstown Community College when she picked up her timetable for the coming year.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Jay Payton belted a first-inning three-run homer to put Colorado Springs in front to stay, as the Sky Sox rolled to a 7-2 win over Salt Lake Bees. The first two batters singled off Salt Lake starter Matt Palmer before Payton drilled a 3-2 pitch over the center field fence to give the Sky Sox the early lead. After trailing 4-0, Salt Lake scored two runs in the fifth to cut the deficit in half, but that was as close as they would get as Colorado Springs broke the game open with three runs in the eighth.
INTRODUCTION Pork is a popular meat consumed by non-muslim Singaporeans with about 87,000 tonnes being consumed per year (Kanagalingam, 2005). Currently, Singapore imports its pork from several countries, but Australian and Indonesian pork is consumed most widely due to its ready availability at supermarkets and wet markets. Fresh pork is obtained from pigs raised in Indonesia but slaughtered at Singapore abattoirs, while chilled pork is mainly imported from Australia and is widely known as “Air Pork”. Singaporean consumers are aware of the origin of pork from packaging labels. Results of a recent survey showed that Singapore consumers associate non-Indonesian pork with the presence of an unpleasant mutton-like off-flavour (Leong et al., 2008). One possible cause of off-flavours in pork is by the oxidation of lipids, leading to the formation of aldehydes and short-chain fatty acids (Reindl and Stan, 1982; Devol, et al., 1988). The rate and extent of lipid oxidation depends on a number of factors, the most important being the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle (Allen and Foegeding, 1981). Pork contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids relative to ruminant meat (Enser et al., 1996) and is more susceptible to oxidative deterioration of lipids and myoglobin. Feeding of PUFAs to pigs can improve the nutritional quality of pork, but may also increase the susceptibility to oxidation (Sheard et al., 2000; Kouba et al., 2003; Morel et al., 2006). There have been many reports of PUFA-rich feeds leading to increased lipid oxidation and thus off-flavour in pork (Houben and Krol, 1980; Warnants et al., 1998; Roman et al., 1995; Overland et al., 1996; Leskanich et al., 1997; Wood et al., 2003). There have also been examples of off-flavours in pork arising from the direct transfer of aroma components from feed to meat, including several reports on how feeding of fish oil and high fat fish meal to finisher pigs has caused “fishy” and other off-flavours in pork products (Kjos et al., 1999; Lauridsen et al., 1999; Maw et al., 2001; Jaturasitha et al., 2002). The current paper compares sensory assessments of the flavour of pork from the legs of pigs finished in New Zealand on three diets (Morel et al., 2008) using Singaporean panelists. The objective was to determine the extent to which dietary feed treatments received by the New Zealand pigs influenced the sensory properties of pork using trained and untrained Singaporean panels. Results of sensory analyses of pork from the loins of the same New Zealand pigs using New Zealand panelists were reported by Janz et al. (2008).
INTRODUCTION Fat deposition of pigs is of economic importance because of market incentives for lean pork production and decreased feeding costs. It is crucial to investigate and characterize new candidate genes and QTL relevant to pig fat deposit traits. To date, several quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly affecting 10th-rib, average backfat thickness and other production traits have been mapped on SSC7 (Wang et al., 1998; Nagamine et al., 2003). Peroxisomal [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (PECI) was located near the boundary of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) region. [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (Ecilp) is unique because its activity is necessary for [beta]-oxidation of all unsaturated fatty acids (Geisbrecht et al., 1999). The series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions required for degradation of fatty acids are evolutionarily conserved and accomplished primarily through the p-oxidation pathway. In peroxisomes, ECI was predicted to be a dominant enzyme for 3-cis 3[right arrow]2-trans and 3-trans 3[right arrow]2-trans isomerizations of long-chain intermediates (Zhang et al., 2002). Fatty acid [beta]-oxidation in mammals is considerably more complicated, primarily due to the existence of overlapping but distinct fatty acid poxidation pathways. Mammalian peroxisomes contain at least three fatty acyl-CoA oxidases, both L-specific and D-specific 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multifunctional proteins, and at least two thiolases, all of which are encoded by different genes (Palosaari et al., 1990a, 1991; Geisbrecht et al., 1998; Gurvitz et al., 1998; Geisbrecht et al., 1999; Partanen et al., 2004). When the ECI was completely excised in the mouse, it extensively perturbed the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids, especially for short interval starvation and the fatty acid pattern of complex phospholipids was strongly altered (Palosaari et al., 1990b; Janssen et al., 2002). The PECI gene can be encoded by ECI1 and it is required for growth of saccharomyces cerevisiae on unsaturated fatty acids (Gurvitz et al., 1998). It can be concluded that the PECI gene may play an important role during the metabolic processing of unsaturated fatty acids. Deposition of fat by animals in their bodies is associated with the metabolism of fatty acids, and more research would contribute to understanding of porcine fat deposition. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of mature Tongcheng pigs (Hubei province, China) by phenol/chloroform extraction. RNA was extracted from muscle tissue of adult Tongcheng pigs and adult Swedish Landrace with TRIzol reagent kit (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NE, USA). RACE (the rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was performed according to the instructions of the SMARTTM RACE cDNA Amplification Kit (Clontech Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The PCR products of RACE were purified with the Wizard PCR Preps DNA Purification System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). ORF were found by the program SeqMan (DNA star, Madison, WI, USA) and the amino acid sequences were deduced with Primer5.0 (Primer Premier5.0, Premier, Canada). Using the pGEM T-easy vector, DNase I (RNase-free) and M-MLV reverse transcriptase from TaKaRa Dalian (Dalian, China), primers were synthesized (Table 1) and PCR products were sequenced by AuGCT Biotechnology (Bejing, China).
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
INTRODUCTION The essentiality of copper for poultry and livestock is well documented (Davis and Mertz, 1987). Cu is an essential mineral which serves as co-factor in many enzyme systems in the body. Cu-sulfate (CuS[O.sub.4]5[H.sub.2]O) is the most commonly used dietary Cu supplement. Copper in the form of Cu-sulfate improves growth rate and feed efficiency in broilers (Choi and Paik, 1989; Baker et al., 1991) and in pigs (Roof and Mahan, 1982; Edmonds et al., 1985; Cromwell et al., 1989) at supernormal level (125 to 250 mg/kg). Growth promoting effect of dietary Cu has been attributed to its antimicrobial action (Fuller at el., 1960; Bunch et al., 1961; Burnell et al., 1988). Improved availability of Cu from organic Cu complexes compared with the commonly used Cu salts recently has been suggested. Chelates, complexes or proteinates are the organic form of Cu and are usually considered for use in animal diet as alternatives to inorganic Cu source. More bioavailability of Cu is probably due to better absorption, which enhances its efficiency (Downs et al., 2000; Yu et al., 2000; Guo et al., 2001). Baker and Ammerman (1995) reported that relative bioavailability estimate of organic Cu sources ranged from 88% to 147% of the response to cupric sulfate in poultry, Swine, sheep and cattle. Improvements in the digestibility of proteins (Braude, 1965; Castell and Bowland, 1968) and retention of nitrogen (Braude, 1965) have been reported in young pigs fed diet containing added Cu. Studies by Dove and Haydon (1992) and Dove (1995) have indicated that addition of 250 mg Cu/kg improved digestibility and utilization of the fat of weaned pigs, but results have limited and inconclusive for chickens when Cu added to the feed fortified with oil. To increase the energy level in the finisher diet and to obtain higher weight of a broiler chicken, oil and fat are used because of its high energy content. Soybean oil which stimulates growth rate, when included in poultry diet (Nitsan et al., 1997) is most commonly used oil source in Indian condition. Unsaturated vegetable fats (like soybean oil) are more energetic than saturated animal fat. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of level of dietary inorganic and organic forms of Cu and energy level on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chicken.
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
Epidemiological studies in the United States (US), Europe, Australia, and Africa have documented standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers using data from linked Cancer and AIDS registries (4-13). In a population-based registry linkage in New York State, Gallagher et al. (10) reported significant SIR for KS, NHL, invasive cervical cancer, and several non-AIDS related cancers affecting the tongue, mouth, rectum, anus, trachea, bronchus, and lung. In Italy, Dal Maso, Serraino and Franceschi (7) reported a SIR of 302 (95% CI, 253-357) for NHL in AIDS patients. In a linkage of AIDS and cancer registries from 11 US regions, Engels et al. (4) reported important declines in KS and NHL after the introduction of HAART in people with AIDS, no change in cervical cancer, and increased risk of non-AIDS related cancers, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma, anus, liver, and lung cancer. An AIDS-Cancer linkage was also conducted in Africa, where the incidence of all AIDS related cancers and some non-AIDS related cancers (Hodgkin lymphoma, conjunctiva, kidney, thyroid, and uterus) were found to be higher among people with AIDS (9). In a more recent prospective cohort study, Patel et al. (5) also reported a reduction in AIDS related malignancies except for cervical cancer, and a significant increase risk of non-AIDS related malignancies in a cohort of adults living with HIV compared to the general population in the US. The most important types of non-AIDS related malignancies were: anal, vaginal, Hodgkin lymphoma, liver, lung, melanoma, oropharyngeal, leukemia, colorectal and renal. These results suggest that the incidence of non-AIDS related cancers has increased more than the incidence of AIDS related cancers, and that the influence of HAART in the development and prognosis of various cancers is still not clear. Biological, environmental and behavioral risk factors must also be explored to better define the long-term cancer risk in people living with HIV/AIDS (14). Puerto Rico (PR) is one of the top ten US States and territories with the highest cumulative number of AIDS cases, and Puerto Ricans are the second largest group of Hispanics in the US with higher cancer mortality rates (15-16). However, little information is available regarding AIDS related and non-AIDS related malignancies among Hispanics with HIV/ AIDS in the US or PR. In one retrospective cohort study in Southern California, Levine et al. (17) reported that from 1982 to 1998 the prevalence of AIDS-related lymphoma decreased significantly in whites but increased in Hispanics. In another study, Fordyce et al. (18) conducted a population-based AIDS-Cancer linkage analysis of women from New York City diagnosed with AIDS between 1981 and 1994, and reported that 47% of all cancer cases were among African Americans, 36% among Hispanics, and 16% among non-Hispanic whites. Mayor et al. (19) conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,576 HIV/AIDS patients attending an outpatient clinic in PR from 1992 to 2005. Of these patients, 171 (4.8%) were diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives: 51.5% AIDS related and 48.5% non-AIDS related cancers. Because no population-based studies have been conducted in PR, the risk of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers in PR compared to the general population is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers among Hispanics with AIDS in PR using the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program Registry. Both are population-based registries that receive support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We hypothesized that the risk of all AIDS related cancers and the risk of many non-AIDS related cancers will be higher in the AIDS group compared with the general population in PR. The results of this study will provide the basis for future epidemiological studies to characterize the natural history of specific cancers in HIV infection and other important biological, environmental, and behavioral risk factors.
Epidemiological studies in the United States (US), Europe, Australia, and Africa have documented standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers using data from linked Cancer and AIDS registries (4-13). In a population-based registry linkage in New York State, Gallagher et al. (10) reported significant SIR for KS, NHL, invasive cervical cancer, and several non-AIDS related cancers affecting the tongue, mouth, rectum, anus, trachea, bronchus, and lung. In Italy, Dal Maso, Serraino and Franceschi (7) reported a SIR of 302 (95% CI, 253-357) for NHL in AIDS patients. In a linkage of AIDS and cancer registries from 11 US regions, Engels et al. (4) reported important declines in KS and NHL after the introduction of HAART in people with AIDS, no change in cervical cancer, and increased risk of non-AIDS related cancers, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma, anus, liver, and lung cancer. An AIDS-Cancer linkage was also conducted in Africa, where the incidence of all AIDS related cancers and some non-AIDS related cancers (Hodgkin lymphoma, conjunctiva, kidney, thyroid, and uterus) were found to be higher among people with AIDS (9). In a more recent prospective cohort study, Patel et al. (5) also reported a reduction in AIDS related malignancies except for cervical cancer, and a significant increase risk of non-AIDS related malignancies in a cohort of adults living with HIV compared to the general population in the US. The most important types of non-AIDS related malignancies were: anal, vaginal, Hodgkin lymphoma, liver, lung, melanoma, oropharyngeal, leukemia, colorectal and renal. These results suggest that the incidence of non-AIDS related cancers has increased more than the incidence of AIDS related cancers, and that the influence of HAART in the development and prognosis of various cancers is still not clear. Biological, environmental and behavioral risk factors must also be explored to better define the long-term cancer risk in people living with HIV/AIDS (14). Puerto Rico (PR) is one of the top ten US States and territories with the highest cumulative number of AIDS cases, and Puerto Ricans are the second largest group of Hispanics in the US with higher cancer mortality rates (15-16). However, little information is available regarding AIDS related and non-AIDS related malignancies among Hispanics with HIV/ AIDS in the US or PR. In one retrospective cohort study in Southern California, Levine et al. (17) reported that from 1982 to 1998 the prevalence of AIDS-related lymphoma decreased significantly in whites but increased in Hispanics. In another study, Fordyce et al. (18) conducted a population-based AIDS-Cancer linkage analysis of women from New York City diagnosed with AIDS between 1981 and 1994, and reported that 47% of all cancer cases were among African Americans, 36% among Hispanics, and 16% among non-Hispanic whites. Mayor et al. (19) conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,576 HIV/AIDS patients attending an outpatient clinic in PR from 1992 to 2005. Of these patients, 171 (4.8%) were diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives: 51.5% AIDS related and 48.5% non-AIDS related cancers. Because no population-based studies have been conducted in PR, the risk of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers in PR compared to the general population is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers among Hispanics with AIDS in PR using the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program Registry. Both are population-based registries that receive support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We hypothesized that the risk of all AIDS related cancers and the risk of many non-AIDS related cancers will be higher in the AIDS group compared with the general population in PR. The results of this study will provide the basis for future epidemiological studies to characterize the natural history of specific cancers in HIV infection and other important biological, environmental, and behavioral risk factors.
INTRODUCTION The essentiality of copper for poultry and livestock is well documented (Davis and Mertz, 1987). Cu is an essential mineral which serves as co-factor in many enzyme systems in the body. Cu-sulfate (CuS[O.sub.4]5[H.sub.2]O) is the most commonly used dietary Cu supplement. Copper in the form of Cu-sulfate improves growth rate and feed efficiency in broilers (Choi and Paik, 1989; Baker et al., 1991) and in pigs (Roof and Mahan, 1982; Edmonds et al., 1985; Cromwell et al., 1989) at supernormal level (125 to 250 mg/kg). Growth promoting effect of dietary Cu has been attributed to its antimicrobial action (Fuller at el., 1960; Bunch et al., 1961; Burnell et al., 1988). Improved availability of Cu from organic Cu complexes compared with the commonly used Cu salts recently has been suggested. Chelates, complexes or proteinates are the organic form of Cu and are usually considered for use in animal diet as alternatives to inorganic Cu source. More bioavailability of Cu is probably due to better absorption, which enhances its efficiency (Downs et al., 2000; Yu et al., 2000; Guo et al., 2001). Baker and Ammerman (1995) reported that relative bioavailability estimate of organic Cu sources ranged from 88% to 147% of the response to cupric sulfate in poultry, Swine, sheep and cattle. Improvements in the digestibility of proteins (Braude, 1965; Castell and Bowland, 1968) and retention of nitrogen (Braude, 1965) have been reported in young pigs fed diet containing added Cu. Studies by Dove and Haydon (1992) and Dove (1995) have indicated that addition of 250 mg Cu/kg improved digestibility and utilization of the fat of weaned pigs, but results have limited and inconclusive for chickens when Cu added to the feed fortified with oil. To increase the energy level in the finisher diet and to obtain higher weight of a broiler chicken, oil and fat are used because of its high energy content. Soybean oil which stimulates growth rate, when included in poultry diet (Nitsan et al., 1997) is most commonly used oil source in Indian condition. Unsaturated vegetable fats (like soybean oil) are more energetic than saturated animal fat. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of level of dietary inorganic and organic forms of Cu and energy level on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chicken.
The Dickens Societys sixteenth annual symposium, business meeting and dinner will be held at Saint Anselm College on the 21st through 23rd of July, 2011. Delegates will have the choice of on-campus housing or hotel accommodation in downtown Manchester with a shuttle to and from the College. The award, either one stipend of $500 (or two of $300 if warranted), will be made annually to help defray costs of attending the Dickens symposium in order to deliver a paper on any aspect of Dickenss life or work. Candidates should submit proposals via e-mail to the convenor of the symposium; those eligible are students (graduate and undergraduate) and non-tenured faculty, but not individuals connected with the host institution. Registration fees will also be waived.
The Dickens Societys sixteenth annual symposium, business meeting and dinner will be held at Saint Anselm College on the 21st through 23rd of July, 2011. Delegates will have the choice of on-campus housing or hotel accommodation in downtown Manchester with a shuttle to and from the College. The award, either one stipend of $500 (or two of $300 if warranted), will be made annually to help defray costs of attending the Dickens symposium in order to deliver a paper on any aspect of Dickenss life or work. Candidates should submit proposals via e-mail to the convenor of the symposium; those eligible are students (graduate and undergraduate) and non-tenured faculty, but not individuals connected with the host institution. Registration fees will also be waived.
In August 2004, the Law #230, approved by the Government of Puerto Rico in a three party resolution, created the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC), a public corporation affiliated to the University of Puerto Rico. This law established that this Center will be the organism responsible for executing the public policy related to the prevention, education, and research, as well as the clinical and treatment services related to cancer in Puerto Rico. The dual mission of the UPRCCC is: (1) To deliver the best research-driven cancer care through programs that integrate patient care, research, prevention, and education, and (2) To eradicate cancer in Puerto Rico using a multidisciplinary approach of basic, clinical, and population research. Thus, the UPRCCC is fundamental for the development of cancer control, research, and training efforts in Puerto Rico. More recently, in 2008, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Puerto Rico published its first official Cancer Control Plan, a structured guide with measurable outcomes aimed at reducing the cancer burden in our population. All of the previously mentioned initiatives will continue to be key to the progress in cancer control and research in Puerto Rico and thus, to the quality of the preventive and treatment services that we will offer to our patients. The increase in the cancer burden in Puerto Rico has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the volume of published research and federal funds to academic institutions in Puerto Rico for cancer research. Despite this advancement, areas that need our continued support and development in the years to come include: 1) continued surveillance of cancer occurrence in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, 2) development of transdisciplinary and translational cancer research that encompass all areas of the cancer control continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship), 3) outreach efforts that bring scientific knowledge to the development of targeted cancer control strategies for the community, 4) development of sound cancer-related public policy, and 5) continued training of the next generation of cancer researchers and health professionals. Our ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary local and international teams will be essential to our success. The forthcoming issue of the Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal provides an informative summary of various research studies that are currently being conducted in Puerto Rico. The 17 articles in this issue describe diverse research areas in the cancer field including disease burden, disease prevention, correlates of cancer occurrence, diagnostic technologies and clinical management. In addition, an overview of cancer training efforts in the island is discussed. Our future as a healthy nation will require a concerted effort between government, academia and industry that lead the research, training, and public policy efforts that will ultimately result in improved cancer prevention and control outcomes for the people of Puerto Rico. We hope you find in this edition of the journal a well-rounded overview of cancer research in Puerto Rico.
Economic theory provides different methods to assess the economic impact of a health condition, as is cancer. The Cost of Illness (COI), developed by Rice (3-6), is the most widely accepted conceptual framework for cost estimates. COI estimates involve three components: direct costs, morbidity costs and mortality costs. Within this framework, several studies with different approaches have been conducted to determine the economic burden of different diseases (7-17). These studies have concluded that the component with the greatest impact lies in the productivity cost, even more than the costs for medical treatment of patients. For example, the National Institutes of Health(18) estimated the cost of illness for different causes of death in United States (US) for 2007. This study estimated the overall cost of cancer at $219.2 billion, of which, $89 billion correspond to direct costs of health expenditure, $18.2 billion in morbidity costs and $112.0 billion in mortality costs (representing more than 52% of total costs). Others studies of the economic burden of cancer in California (14-15) have concluded that the premature mortality cost of breast cancer is 80% of the total costs of the disease. Also, mortality costs of gynecological cancers like ovarian and cervical cancer represent more than 65% of total cost of these cancers. This pattern has also been observed in the state of Texas and in Sweden, Canada, and Spain (10-11, 17, 19-20). Other studies (20-25) have focused on estimating the productivity cost due to cancer mortality. Although these studies show some discrepancies in their methodology, data sources, and the inclusion of indirect costs components, such variations are not necessarily a weakness. Different arenas of application require different approaches and schemes (e.g., economic burden estimates vs. cost-effectiveness analysis) (4-5, 26). From a societal perspective, estimates of the value of labor productivity loss due to premature mortality are important in determining the economic burden of disease. Previous studies in PR have used the COI approach to estimate the cost of AIDS, schizophrenia and traffic accidents (7, 27-28). For example, cumulative total cost of AIDS in PR from period of 19821989 was estimated to be $ 525.2 million (27). Despite the importance of evaluating the economic impact of cancer in PR, there are no previous studies that have used the COI approach to investigate this issue. In fact, this economic component has been overlooked in cancer investigations in PR. Although the value of a persons life transcends its economic value as a productive unit, cost studies present another dimension of a health problem, providing valuable information for society and for policymakers to decide how to allocate scarce resources more optimally (27). Consequently, the aim of this study is to estimate the labor-market productivity loss in PR, as a result of premature mortality, due to overall cancer and by cause-specific cancers in 2004.
Approximately 5.5 million workers are exposed to drugs and hazardous materials in Puerto Rico and in the United States (1-2). In 2005, Puerto Rico generated 22.6 million pounds of solid waste including biomedical waste and carcinogens (3-4). Some companies that manage this type of waste face ethical and financial dilemmas and, on occasion, choose to inappropriately dispose of hazardous waste. The cost of disposing a pound of hazardous waste is approximately $2.00 when it is incinerated by a company that has an incinerator certified by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); but it would only cost $0.35 in a non-certified facility (5). In 2007, a company in Puerto Rico inappropriately disposed of some biomedical waste and polluted an area of Caguas. To remedy the situation, the Environmental Quality Board hired Western Medical to appropriately dispose of this waste at a cost of approximately $3.2 million (6). This situation stresses the importance of properly disposing toxic waste. The objective of this paper is to review the regulations and evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate disposal of antineoplastic medications and to update the reader on this important issue. Regulations and recommendations
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
M2 BEST BOOKS-(C)2000-2010 M2 COMMUNICATIONS The eight strong shortlist for the EUR100,000 annual International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, which is run by Dublins public libraries, has been chosen from an initial longlist of 156 novels which were nominated by 163 libraries from around the world. The recipient of the IMPAC prize, which is managed by Dublin City Libraries on behalf of Dublin City Council and is sponsored by international management productivity company IMPAC, will be decided by a judging panel of five members, chaired by Hon. Eugene R Sullivan.
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
Statistics of Income (SOI) data are available in electronic formats and in print. For further information on any of the following products and services, or for answers to questions on the availability of SOI data, other statistical services, or release dates for data, contact SOIs Statistical Information Services (SIS):
Statistics of Income (SOI) data are available in electronic formats and in print. For further information on any of the following products and services, or for answers to questions on the availability of SOI data, other statistical services, or release dates for data, contact SOIs Statistical Information Services (SIS):
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
During the second half of the last century, the incidence of cancer in PR increased dramatically; however, rates seem to have begun to stabilize in more recent years (8-9). Previous studies in the 1970s and 1980s showed a lower incidence of total cancer in persons residing in PR as compared with the general population in the United States (US) (8) and to Puerto Ricans (10) living in the continental US. Recent studies show similar patterns for selected cancer types (11-14). However, the incidence from infection related cancers such as stomach, liver and cervical is higher in PR than in the US (12). Also, contrary to the US, these cancer types also rank among the leading cancer sites in incidence and mortality (8, 11, 15-16). The PR Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR) is the fourth oldest population based cancer registry in the world (8, 17) and collects information on cancer in PR since 1951. The PRCCR is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As with any other surveillance system, the PRCCR is responsible for generating data on cancer burden for the Puerto Rican population, as the collection, analysis and dissemination of health information are important components of public health surveillance systems (18). Given that the last official report of the PRCCR regarding cancer burden in PR was published in 1991 (9), this special article describes the incidence and mortality data for cancer in PR for the period of 1987 to 2004. In addition, we assess differences in cancer incidence and mortality by sex, municipality and health region. This information is important to identify changes in cancer occurrence in PR and to guide the development of future interventions aimed at diminishing the burden of the disease in our population.
Zella Jean Ault Hubbard 1937 ~ 2010
On March 2 of 2007, with the implementation of Law 66, Puerto Rico became a smoke-free island by completely banning indoor smoking in public places such as bars, pubs, casinos, hotels, work places with more than one employee, and cars with any passenger under the age of 13 . According to the literature, the immediate impact of smoke-free workplace policies has been to dramatically reduce the exposition to SHS for customers and workers (10-17). Many studies have used the level of respirable particulate matter ([PM.sub.2.5]) as the main indicator of exposure to SHS because it has been demonstrated that smoking is one of the main sources of indoor levels of [PM.sub.2.5] (10). For example, bars in the state of New York experienced an average reduction of 84% in their [PM.sub.2.5] levels after the Clean Indoor Air Act was implemented in July of 2003 (11). In the case of Austin, Texas, bars experienced a reduction from 71% to 99% in their [PM.sub.2.5] levels after a smoking ban was implemented (12). In another study (13), Irish-theme pubs around the globe located in countries or cities with smoke-free legislation were compared with similar pubs in places without smoke-free ordinances. In this case, the results showed an average 91% reduction in [PM.sub.2.5] levels. In March of 2006, a smoking ban was implemented in Scotland, which substantially covered enclosed places including pubs. Evidence shows that, as a result, Scottish pubs experienced an average of 86% reduction in [PM.sub.2.5] levels (14). In Italy, a year after the implementation of an all smoke-free workplace policy in January of 2005, there was an average of 68% reduction in [PM.sub.2.5] levels across bars, restaurants, game rooms, and pubs (15). The main claim of this study is that the smoke-free workplace policy implemented in March of 2007 was effective in reducing the exposure to SHS in restaurants, pubs, and discos in the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The specific research objectives of the study were three. First, to measure and compare the restaurants, pubs, and discos in the metropolitan area of San Juan at baseline (before the smoke-free workplace policy was implemented) in terms of the levels of respirable particulate matter (PM), the number of smokers, the number of customers, and establishment area. Second, to measure the change in levels of PM, the number of smokers, and the number of customers before and after March 2007. And third, to measure the effect of the smoke-free workplace policy on the level of PM controlling for the number of customers and establishment area.
HIS whiskers had gone grey, his long hair wispy. But old hippy Pete Perry still had that twinkle in his eye. as his daughters best friend discovered. The moment Nikki Heydon met him, she remembers, she went weak at the knees. So did Pete. And it wasnt his rheumatism. To the amazement of friends, and worried looks from relatives, they fell in love across an age gap of 37 years. Pete was 72 and wore his best white kaftan when they married. Nikki was 35 and instantly became a step-greatgrandmother. “No one seriously thought we would ever get married,” she says. “Now theyre thrilled for us. I never saw Pete as an old age pensioner. Hes a lovely, genuine, caring man. Thats what matters. Age was never an issue.” Nikki says it was a fairytale wedding as her dad, nine years younger than the groom, walked her down the aisle.
TADHG Kennelly believes Ireland is still the best breeding ground for new Australian rules recruits despite the growing trend for big name Australian rugby league defectors endorsed by the AFL in recent months. The Listowel superstar highlighted the ease with which GAA players adapt to the oval ball, a privilege that Kennelly himself didnt have, when he defected to Australian rules from Gaelic football a decade ago. “The best thing for me was because I played Gaelic football, I had the aerobic fitness because Gaelic and Aussie Rules are quite similar – with lots of running,” he said. “Rugby League players are professionals – they have egos, so theyre not going to go out there and not play well.
I AM not exactly flavour of the month at Manchester City. Apparently it is “laughable” to criticise their “sustainable” recruitment policy.
BRIAN ODriscoll has revealed it took just 15 days before his new bride turned into a rugby widow. The Ireland superstar got hitched in the summer after a gruelling tour to New Zealand and Australia and was looking forward to a four week break from anything to do with rugby. He travelled to the quiet east African state of Tanzania on honeymoon with new wife Amy, but just after two weeks had passed, the Leinster star got itchy feet and I do became I must. “I was saying after the summer tour that I needed a holiday and a break,” said ODriscoll. “At the time I thought how will four weeks be enough?, but after just over two weeks into it, I started missing exercise and was kind of looking forward to it again!
MILLIONS of parents will be spending the bank holiday weekend getting their kids ready to go back to school. But the cost of kitting them out for their studies can cause a serious dent in the family finances. Research from insurance and investment group LV= shows parents will spend pounds 709m on back- to-school basics – an average of pounds 122 per child. The cost rises to pounds 139 for secondary school children, compared to pounds 96 for infants. Here are our top tips for cutting new term bills. TAKE advantage of back-toschool promotions wherever possible. Asda, for example, are offering cut-price uniforms, with school trousers from just pounds 4, and pintuck shirts starting at pounds 2. The supermarket also sells stationery sets for pounds 2 and laminated ringbinders at just 50p. You can pick up a 36-pack of HB pencils for pounds 1 and a pocket calculator for 50p.
Finacity Corporation (”Finacity”) announced
today that, together with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (”NORD/LB”),
it has facilitated the successful closing of a European trade receivables
securitization for CHC Helicopter. The funding agreement will initially
provide CHC Helicopter cash proceeds of up to $40 million through the
ongoing purchase of receivables from various European subsidiaries and
affiliates. NORD/LBs commercial paper conduit, Hannover Funding Company
LLC, will fund the transaction. NORD/LBs Asset Backed Finance Group
structured the transaction for Hannover Funding. Finacity served as
Arranger, providing analytic and structuring support and serves as ongoing
Administrator.
“CHC Helicopter is very pleased to have worked with Finacity and NORD/LB to
implement a cost-efficient and creative source of incremental liquidity,”
said John Hanbury, Corporate Treasurer at CHC Helicopter.
“NORD/LB is delighted to have partnered with Finacity to provide CHC
Helicopter with increased liquidity from this transaction,” said Omar
Bolli, Head of Securitization at NORD/LB, adding that “structuring leading
edge European receivables securitizations is an area in which we provide
added value.”
“Finacity is very pleased to implement a complex European receivable
securitization for CHC Helicopter,” said Adrian Katz, Finacitys Chief
Executive Officer.
Finacity Corporation (”Finacity”) announced
today that, together with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (”NORD/LB”),
it has facilitated the successful increase to $125 million of a trade
receivables securitization for The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW).
NORD/LBs commercial paper conduit, Hannover Funding Company LLC, will fund
the transaction.
MAZDA has released some pictures of the updated Mazda2 ahead of its Paris Motorshow debut. The 2 will now come with an automatic option; upgraded interior, upgraded exterior styling and an updated suspension to improve ride comfort.
FRANK LAMPARD and John Terry are out of Englands Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night. Boss Fabio Capello could also be without Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora and David Stockdale. Chelsea midfielder Lampard will undergo an operation this week to combat a long-term hernia injury. Lampard missed a penalty as Chelsea beat Stoke 2-0 yesterday and Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “He was in pain last week, but had treatment and felt it was OK to play today. It has not improved, and he has to have surgery. “This is something Frank had an operation on 10 years ago.
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
During the second half of the last century, the incidence of cancer in PR increased dramatically; however, rates seem to have begun to stabilize in more recent years (8-9). Previous studies in the 1970s and 1980s showed a lower incidence of total cancer in persons residing in PR as compared with the general population in the United States (US) (8) and to Puerto Ricans (10) living in the continental US. Recent studies show similar patterns for selected cancer types (11-14). However, the incidence from infection related cancers such as stomach, liver and cervical is higher in PR than in the US (12). Also, contrary to the US, these cancer types also rank among the leading cancer sites in incidence and mortality (8, 11, 15-16). The PR Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR) is the fourth oldest population based cancer registry in the world (8, 17) and collects information on cancer in PR since 1951. The PRCCR is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As with any other surveillance system, the PRCCR is responsible for generating data on cancer burden for the Puerto Rican population, as the collection, analysis and dissemination of health information are important components of public health surveillance systems (18). Given that the last official report of the PRCCR regarding cancer burden in PR was published in 1991 (9), this special article describes the incidence and mortality data for cancer in PR for the period of 1987 to 2004. In addition, we assess differences in cancer incidence and mortality by sex, municipality and health region. This information is important to identify changes in cancer occurrence in PR and to guide the development of future interventions aimed at diminishing the burden of the disease in our population.
The main goal of the Training Program is to increase the number of Hispanic students knowledgeable and committed to careers in cancer research and cancer medicine. The specific objectives are to prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in cancer research, cancer medicine, and population sciences and to establish a Career Development Program for clinical and basic scientist faculty at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Puerto Rico (UPRCCC). The Training Program includes a series of didactic and research experiences, and enrichment activities that include on-campus cancer research at the UPR campuses during the academic year, and summer research and year-round rotations to MDACC. These experiences are complemented and supported by a structured Mentoring Program for students and junior investigators. The mentors are well recognized senior Faculty, mostly from MDACC. Training Opportunities Various research programs are available in UPR and MDACC, all sponsored by the U54 Training Program. In the UPR there is Research Assistantships Stipends Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Students have the opportunity of working in cancer research projects under the guidance of Faculty in mid to senior stages of their academic careers. Most of these scientists are re-gearing their careers to Cancer Research. The students are also required to attend Seminars and Workshops offered through the academic year, mostly offered by visiting world-renowned scientists.
A MISGUIDED animal rights activist protested outside a poetry reading by Seamus Heaney – because he thought the Nobel prize winner was a fan of bull-fighting. Paul Hart staged his bizarre one-man protest because some of Heaneys poems deal with the issue of bullfighting. As a result, Hart travelled from his home in Sheffield – some 150 miles to hand out anti-bullfighting leaflets. Mr Heaney was giving a reading of his latest book of poems called Human Chain. Fans of the Derry writer were bemused by the protest outside the Aldeburgh Music Festival.
BROADCASTERS will be carefully studying ratings figures for Fridays Euro 2012 fixtures. And you can bet that if England v Bulgaria on ITV1 , for example, draws a lower than normal audience, pressure will mount on FIFA, who changed the calendar for double headers from the traditional Saturday-Wednesday slots to Friday-Tuesday. Many England fans living outside London are furious that the 8pm start will force them to take time off work and create travel problems. But the only opinion that will count in FIFAs corridors of powers are those of TV moguls with their big bucks. The size of their Friday audiences will decide whether the international assault on Saturday kick-offs continues. The omens are not good. TV bosses report that Friday night ratings for rugby union are encouraging.
Ontarios Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the firearm death of a man today in Scarborough. He has been identified as 25-year-old Reyal Jensen Jardine-Douglas of Pickering. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) reported the following information to the SIU:
The SIU is an arms length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must
Abbreviations The guidelines for application of diagnostic imaging, and MRI in particular, to breast cancer patient evaluation and management continue to evolve, and some are articulated by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN; 1). Currently, the breast cancer patient populations who might benefit most from pre-operative MRI include genetically-defined high-risk patients, those with dense breasts as determined by mammography, those with a lobular invasive cancer, a multi-centric tumor or a previously-diagnosed bilateral tumor, those with significant distinctions in size between mammography and ultrasound (US) findings, or those for whom partial breast irradiation or other breast conserving therapy is being considered (2-5). Despite this extensive experience, considerable controversies exist as to the true benefits of the application of MRI to treatment management. A retrospective review of patients with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma who had MRIs prior to surgery noted 381 lesions in 361 patients with pathologic confirmation of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive carcinoma, or mixed DCIS and invasive carcinoma (6). Of these lesions, 16.8% were DCIS, 26.5% were invasive carcinoma, and 56.7% were mixed. An MRI lesion correctly identified the histopathologically-defined cancer in 85.9% of DCIS cases, and to an even higher extent in invasive (97.0%) or mixed (98.1%) cases. DCIS often appears as non-mass clumped enhancement on MRI, with ductal or segmental distribution (7).
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. — ISWest,
which provides environmentally
controlled facilities for computer equipment and high
speed internet connectivity, was named in Inc. magazine’s
Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nations fastest-growing private
companies. Named for the second year in Inc.’s fourth annual
list, ISWest has grown steadily since its founding in 1996.
“We are fortunate that through this recession, we continue to attract
customers to our state of the art facilities,” says ISWest CEO and CTO
Bob Johnson, who has designed voice and data facilities in the U.S. and
abroad. “We have found that many of our customers who rely on computer
equipment, the internet and voice communications, have outsourced their
mission critical tasks to us, which allows them to focus on their core
business.”
The Inc. list features 5000 of the nation’s fastest-growing
private companies that span many industries. “The leaders of the
companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow
their businesses during the longest recession since the Great
Depression,” said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. “The 2010 Inc.
5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs.”
ISWest’s services include colocation
which houses equipment in environmentally controlled facilities with
redundant power, bandwidth and security; internet connectivity
with T1 and DSL lines; security
including firewalls, VPN and content filtering; and managed
services including VoIP, email, spam filtering and web hosting.
ISWest is also the recipient of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s
4th largest business Internet service provider, the 21st
fastest-growing technology company and the 23rd
fastest-growing privately held company; the San Fernando Valley
Business Journal’s top 16 telecommunications companies and the 50
fastest private growing companies; and Deloitte’s 16th
fastest-growing technology company in Los Angeles.
WHEN Andy and Bonnie Cowley saw an advertisement for a 100ft Dutch barge for sale in Ireland, they jumped at it. They sold their hotel on the Isle of Wight and, in 2005, picked up the African Queen, sailed her across the Irish Sea and up to a base on the River Thames. There followed a few months of extensive restoration and the former Dutch barge was ready for action. She now offers tranquil cruises past some of the most attractive spots on the River Thames. I joined the African Queen at Mapledurham, near Reading, where Andy and Bonnie greeted us with a cream tea. The boat can take 12 passengers in en-suite cabins. Upstairs theres a lounge area with plenty of room to sit and chat, plus a flatscreen TV, fully-stocked bar and dining area. Theres also a sundeck where you can while away the hours.
The Dickens Societys sixteenth annual symposium, business meeting and dinner will be held at Saint Anselm College on the 21st through 23rd of July, 2011. Delegates will have the choice of on-campus housing or hotel accommodation in downtown Manchester with a shuttle to and from the College. The award, either one stipend of $500 (or two of $300 if warranted), will be made annually to help defray costs of attending the Dickens symposium in order to deliver a paper on any aspect of Dickenss life or work. Candidates should submit proposals via e-mail to the convenor of the symposium; those eligible are students (graduate and undergraduate) and non-tenured faculty, but not individuals connected with the host institution. Registration fees will also be waived.
Macphies history of product innovation has made it one of the brightest lights of a Scottish industry enjoying its highest profile for many years. Scottish Food Drink Fortnight, one of the key strands of a year- long celebration of Scotlands produce announced by Tourism Minister Jim Mather at Edinburgh Castle in May, kicks off next weekend and will showcase local producers at events all over the country. Events forming part of the “Year of Food and Drink” include next weekends Dundee Flower and Food Festival, the Huntly Hairst festival and the BBC Good Food Show Scotland in Glasgow in October. Meanwhile, heavyweight industry players including Guy Crawford, chief executive of the luxury Dubai-based Jumeirah Hotels group, Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association and Sandy Wilkie, sales and marketing director at dairy group Robert Wiseman Dairies, will be among those exploring issues affecting the industry at a Scotland Food Drink event in the Scottish Parliament on September 17. The event will highlight the need to focus on new and evolving market opportunities as the industry seeks to grow its value from pound(s)10 billion to pound(s)12.5bn by 2017.
AUSTIN, Texas — Fitch Ratings has published a report on Burleson Independent School
District, TX 2010 general obligation (GO) bonds.
Related Research: Burleson Independent School District, Texas
NEW YORK — The remarketing of the District of Columbia (DC) (Childrens Hospital
Obligated Group Issue) hospital revenue bonds series 2005-1, 2005-2, and
2005-3 does not affect their ratings, according to Fitch Ratings.
With this remarketing these bonds will receive new CUSIPs:
254764GN7 (original); 254764HC0 (remarketed)
If youre wondering where Air Force fullback Jared Tew finds the rage required to challenge massive, mangy tacklers, try visiting his hometown of Park City, Utah. Imagine a less snooty version of Aspen, and you have the right image of Park City. The vibe is mellow. The real estate is astronomical. The nearest mugger works at least 20 miles away. “Its real quiet,” Tew said, smiling as he travels in his mind to the small town where he learned to play football. After first talking to Tew, theres no reason to believe he can bust through the line for the Falcons and muscle past the big men itching to mangle him.
Ralph Clair Murray 6/29/1928 ~ 8/13/2010
If youre wondering where Air Force fullback Jared Tew finds the rage required to challenge massive, mangy tacklers, try visiting his hometown of Park City, Utah. Imagine a less snooty version of Aspen, and you have the right image of Park City. The vibe is mellow. The real estate is astronomical. The nearest mugger works at least 20 miles away. “Its real quiet,” Tew said, smiling as he travels in his mind to the small town where he learned to play football. After first talking to Tew, theres no reason to believe he can bust through the line for the Falcons and muscle past the big men itching to mangle him.
If youre wondering where Air Force fullback Jared Tew finds the rage required to challenge massive, mangy tacklers, try visiting his hometown of Park City, Utah. Imagine a less snooty version of Aspen, and you have the right image of Park City. The vibe is mellow. The real estate is astronomical. The nearest mugger works at least 20 miles away. “Its real quiet,” Tew said, smiling as he travels in his mind to the small town where he learned to play football. After first talking to Tew, theres no reason to believe he can bust through the line for the Falcons and muscle past the big men itching to mangle him.
INTRODUCTION Fat deposition of pigs is of economic importance because of market incentives for lean pork production and decreased feeding costs. It is crucial to investigate and characterize new candidate genes and QTL relevant to pig fat deposit traits. To date, several quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly affecting 10th-rib, average backfat thickness and other production traits have been mapped on SSC7 (Wang et al., 1998; Nagamine et al., 2003). Peroxisomal [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (PECI) was located near the boundary of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) region. [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (Ecilp) is unique because its activity is necessary for [beta]-oxidation of all unsaturated fatty acids (Geisbrecht et al., 1999). The series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions required for degradation of fatty acids are evolutionarily conserved and accomplished primarily through the p-oxidation pathway. In peroxisomes, ECI was predicted to be a dominant enzyme for 3-cis 3[right arrow]2-trans and 3-trans 3[right arrow]2-trans isomerizations of long-chain intermediates (Zhang et al., 2002). Fatty acid [beta]-oxidation in mammals is considerably more complicated, primarily due to the existence of overlapping but distinct fatty acid poxidation pathways. Mammalian peroxisomes contain at least three fatty acyl-CoA oxidases, both L-specific and D-specific 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multifunctional proteins, and at least two thiolases, all of which are encoded by different genes (Palosaari et al., 1990a, 1991; Geisbrecht et al., 1998; Gurvitz et al., 1998; Geisbrecht et al., 1999; Partanen et al., 2004). When the ECI was completely excised in the mouse, it extensively perturbed the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids, especially for short interval starvation and the fatty acid pattern of complex phospholipids was strongly altered (Palosaari et al., 1990b; Janssen et al., 2002). The PECI gene can be encoded by ECI1 and it is required for growth of saccharomyces cerevisiae on unsaturated fatty acids (Gurvitz et al., 1998). It can be concluded that the PECI gene may play an important role during the metabolic processing of unsaturated fatty acids. Deposition of fat by animals in their bodies is associated with the metabolism of fatty acids, and more research would contribute to understanding of porcine fat deposition. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of mature Tongcheng pigs (Hubei province, China) by phenol/chloroform extraction. RNA was extracted from muscle tissue of adult Tongcheng pigs and adult Swedish Landrace with TRIzol reagent kit (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NE, USA). RACE (the rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was performed according to the instructions of the SMARTTM RACE cDNA Amplification Kit (Clontech Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The PCR products of RACE were purified with the Wizard PCR Preps DNA Purification System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). ORF were found by the program SeqMan (DNA star, Madison, WI, USA) and the amino acid sequences were deduced with Primer5.0 (Primer Premier5.0, Premier, Canada). Using the pGEM T-easy vector, DNase I (RNase-free) and M-MLV reverse transcriptase from TaKaRa Dalian (Dalian, China), primers were synthesized (Table 1) and PCR products were sequenced by AuGCT Biotechnology (Bejing, China).
Supported by the governments agricultural machinery subsidy policy,
Chinas agricultural machinery industry has developed rapidly in recent
years.
1. The total number of agricultural machinery keeps growing
The total power of Chinas agricultural machinery was 525.7 million kW
in 2000, 684.0 million kW in 2005, 821.9 million kW in 2008, and 875.0
million kW in 2009. In the meantime, the ownership of large and
medium-sized tractors increased from 975,000 sets in 2000 to 5.019
million sets in 2009, while the ownership of combine harvesters rose
from 235,000 sets to 847,000 sets, at a CAGR of 20.2% and 15.3%
respectively.
2. The structure of agricultural machinery has been optimized
The Malaysia Food and Drink Report provides industry professionals and
strategists, corporate analysts, food and drink associations, government
departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and
competitive intelligence on Malaysias food and drink industry.
BMI View: Malaysias food and drink industry continues to recover from
the slowdown experienced in 2009 with many of the countrys leading
industry players posting robust growth in interim financials. Even
allowing for this recovery, however, Malaysia continues to linger within
the bottom half of our Asia Pacific Food Drink Risk/Reward Ratings,
with neither existing consumption levels nor growth prospects exciting
enough to mark the country out among many of its higher growth regional
emerging market peers.
Headline Industry Data
WALTER SMITH is seeking a massive improvement on last seasons disastrous C h a m p i o n s L e a g u e campaign. Rangers finished bottom of their section after failing to win, home or away, against Seville, Stuttgart and Unirea. But while on paper Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor are even stronger, t h e I b r ox boss believes his players can step up. Smith (right) said: “Our Champions League performances from last season werent good enough, especially in our home games. “Manchester Uniteds pedigree is already set. Valencia have had a good few changes in their team for the first time in the last three seasons. They have lost four of their main players but have brought in another six or seven Spanish players. “They will be changed from the last two or three seasons where they have had fantastic consistency to finish third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. “And Bursapor? Well, if you were drawn against Fenerbahce or Galatasaray you would say you wo u l d h ave a struggle. It would be a good game and Bursaspor have won the League and they beat Fenerbahce in the first game of the season.
By Jan Biles A group of volunteers is helping to restore a historic farmstead in Wabaunsee County. The Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards recently put down gravel and made other improvements to the road leading to Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie, a 50-acre hilltop park about three miles south of Wamego, said Michael Stubbs, a founding member of the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards. The volunteers also worked with Wabaunsee Township and local construction companies to replace culverts and build up the roadbed. The cost of the project was about $6,500, which will be raised by the volunteers.
By Jan Biles A group of volunteers is helping to restore a historic farmstead in Wabaunsee County. The Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards recently put down gravel and made other improvements to the road leading to Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie, a 50-acre hilltop park about three miles south of Wamego, said Michael Stubbs, a founding member of the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards. The volunteers also worked with Wabaunsee Township and local construction companies to replace culverts and build up the roadbed. The cost of the project was about $6,500, which will be raised by the volunteers.
Foreclosure. Reduced hours. Downsizing. Unemployment. In one month, I was given reduced hours at work, my mother lost her benefits, and a former bishop of mine became unemployed. This current economic calamity is taking no prisoners. We all are squeezed by the downturn. When faced by trials, we sometimes ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” In some cases, this may be appropriate. After all, we all need improvement. But sometimes the answer is that we did nothing. Dr. Truman G. Madsen pointed out that when we ask this question we “assume suffering is always a form of Divine punishment. It is not. (We) are convinced by Jobs friends instead of by Job” (see “Eternal Man” by Truman G. Madsen, p. 55).
Supported by the governments agricultural machinery subsidy policy,
Chinas agricultural machinery industry has developed rapidly in recent
years.
1. The total number of agricultural machinery keeps growing
The total power of Chinas agricultural machinery was 525.7 million kW
in 2000, 684.0 million kW in 2005, 821.9 million kW in 2008, and 875.0
million kW in 2009. In the meantime, the ownership of large and
medium-sized tractors increased from 975,000 sets in 2000 to 5.019
million sets in 2009, while the ownership of combine harvesters rose
from 235,000 sets to 847,000 sets, at a CAGR of 20.2% and 15.3%
respectively.
2. The structure of agricultural machinery has been optimized
The Malaysia Food and Drink Report provides industry professionals and
strategists, corporate analysts, food and drink associations, government
departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and
competitive intelligence on Malaysias food and drink industry.
BMI View: Malaysias food and drink industry continues to recover from
the slowdown experienced in 2009 with many of the countrys leading
industry players posting robust growth in interim financials. Even
allowing for this recovery, however, Malaysia continues to linger within
the bottom half of our Asia Pacific Food Drink Risk/Reward Ratings,
with neither existing consumption levels nor growth prospects exciting
enough to mark the country out among many of its higher growth regional
emerging market peers.
Headline Industry Data
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
One important task when analyzing microarray data is that of determining which genes changed their expressions significantly from one state to another, for example, from tissues in a cancerous state to tissues in a healthy state. In general, the procedure in which such a task is undertaken is known as gene filtering and has been extensively explored due to its potential for recognizing a reduced number of genes, which recognition can offer a shortcut to illness diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment (4-5, 7-21). Gene filtering has been explored through a variety of techniques based on normal distribution, such as the 2 sample t-test (17), ANOVA (22), and the Welch t-test (19), among others. Some authors stress the fact that gene expression data do not follow a normal distribution (18, 21, 23), proposing the use of nonparametric statistical tests such as the Mann-Whitney (MW) test (18), also known as the Wilcoxon test. Genes selected through a filtering procedure can be used for many purposes. Of particular interest to this study was defining a classifier to determine whether a given tissue belongs to a particular category (i.e. cancer or healthy) through measuring the relative expressions of the selected genes. Thus, the interest was on developing a cancer diagnosis that is based on classification. As a precedent, our research group has previously proposed a strategy (based on the Wilcoxon test) to carry out gene filtering and tissue classification (24-25), aiming first for simplicity rather than performance. In this study, using this initial strategy as a baseline, classification performance was targeted through the development of two new methods. The first method employed the Wilcoxon test for gene filtering and classification; however, this revised method introduced a gene-set selection step right after filtering to enhance classification performance. The second method capitalized on this new structure, and used the Nemenyi-Damico-Wolfe (NDW) multiple comparison nonparametric test as a distinctive enhancement strategy. For brevity, the descriptions of the Wilcoxon and the NDW tests have been omitted here but can be readily perused in a textbook on nonparametric statistical methods, such as that of Hollander and Wolfe (26). The structure of this paper is as follows: In the next section, microarray databases are described in general, along with the details of the proposed methods. The computational setting is then discussed in the ensuing section, followed by an assessment of the classification performance of the proposed methods vs. that of the baseline approach. Finally, conclusions are drawn and future plans are described.
In August 2004, the Law #230, approved by the Government of Puerto Rico in a three party resolution, created the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC), a public corporation affiliated to the University of Puerto Rico. This law established that this Center will be the organism responsible for executing the public policy related to the prevention, education, and research, as well as the clinical and treatment services related to cancer in Puerto Rico. The dual mission of the UPRCCC is: (1) To deliver the best research-driven cancer care through programs that integrate patient care, research, prevention, and education, and (2) To eradicate cancer in Puerto Rico using a multidisciplinary approach of basic, clinical, and population research. Thus, the UPRCCC is fundamental for the development of cancer control, research, and training efforts in Puerto Rico. More recently, in 2008, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Puerto Rico published its first official Cancer Control Plan, a structured guide with measurable outcomes aimed at reducing the cancer burden in our population. All of the previously mentioned initiatives will continue to be key to the progress in cancer control and research in Puerto Rico and thus, to the quality of the preventive and treatment services that we will offer to our patients. The increase in the cancer burden in Puerto Rico has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the volume of published research and federal funds to academic institutions in Puerto Rico for cancer research. Despite this advancement, areas that need our continued support and development in the years to come include: 1) continued surveillance of cancer occurrence in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, 2) development of transdisciplinary and translational cancer research that encompass all areas of the cancer control continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship), 3) outreach efforts that bring scientific knowledge to the development of targeted cancer control strategies for the community, 4) development of sound cancer-related public policy, and 5) continued training of the next generation of cancer researchers and health professionals. Our ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary local and international teams will be essential to our success. The forthcoming issue of the Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal provides an informative summary of various research studies that are currently being conducted in Puerto Rico. The 17 articles in this issue describe diverse research areas in the cancer field including disease burden, disease prevention, correlates of cancer occurrence, diagnostic technologies and clinical management. In addition, an overview of cancer training efforts in the island is discussed. Our future as a healthy nation will require a concerted effort between government, academia and industry that lead the research, training, and public policy efforts that will ultimately result in improved cancer prevention and control outcomes for the people of Puerto Rico. We hope you find in this edition of the journal a well-rounded overview of cancer research in Puerto Rico.
The Malaysia Food and Drink Report provides industry professionals and
strategists, corporate analysts, food and drink associations, government
departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and
competitive intelligence on Malaysias food and drink industry.
BMI View: Malaysias food and drink industry continues to recover from
the slowdown experienced in 2009 with many of the countrys leading
industry players posting robust growth in interim financials. Even
allowing for this recovery, however, Malaysia continues to linger within
the bottom half of our Asia Pacific Food Drink Risk/Reward Ratings,
with neither existing consumption levels nor growth prospects exciting
enough to mark the country out among many of its higher growth regional
emerging market peers.
Headline Industry Data
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
Supported by the governments agricultural machinery subsidy policy,
Chinas agricultural machinery industry has developed rapidly in recent
years.
1. The total number of agricultural machinery keeps growing
The total power of Chinas agricultural machinery was 525.7 million kW
in 2000, 684.0 million kW in 2005, 821.9 million kW in 2008, and 875.0
million kW in 2009. In the meantime, the ownership of large and
medium-sized tractors increased from 975,000 sets in 2000 to 5.019
million sets in 2009, while the ownership of combine harvesters rose
from 235,000 sets to 847,000 sets, at a CAGR of 20.2% and 15.3%
respectively.
2. The structure of agricultural machinery has been optimized
At Nostalgia Fireplaces Ltd, all of its marble surrounds are manufactured on site by time-served stonemasons, who have, over recent years, seen their industry diminish due to the increase of retailers prepared to buy from overseas. Due to a good buying strategy, clever innovations, cost control and good work ethics, Nostalgia Fireplaces is able to compete with these overseas giants and go one step further for the customer. Director Alan Taylor said “All our surrounds are made by hand and therefore can be adjusted to suit the customers own sizes or existing dcor at no extra cost”. “We source all of our raw material from Valencia, none of the surrounds are imported, we hand-craft all of them in our premises in Washington and we offer a free, no obligation measuring and design service”. “There are a wide range of colours to choose from too, and we are competitively priced on all surrounds and fires”.
Jamboo Creations today announced the launch of HearthSoft, the first, custom-tailored fireplace hearth cover that blends the elements of interior design and safety into one unique and creative baby-proofing solution. HearthSoft protects young children from the sharp edges of the fireplace hearth while allowing parents to retain a sense of style and eye for interior design.
The patent-pending, durable yet lightweight HearthSoft is custom-tailored to fit any hearth and decor and goes directly from shipping box to the fireplace hearth, with no assembly required. Zippered entries further enhance the convenience factor, allowing for easy cleaning when necessary. In addition, the padded skirt folds effortlessly underneath for easy storage in a closet or under a bed. The top pad of the HearthSoft contains 2″ of dense, flame-retardant polyfoam that is wrapped in Dacron. The skirt contains 1″ of dense polyfoam.
Jamboos debut product addresses one of the greatest areas of concern for child safety at home: The sharp-edged area around the fireplace hearth, which also happens to be a major focal point for entertainment and family gatherings. The founders of Jamboo Creations and parents of a vivacious 4 year old, Gina and Bill Maguire have blended the elements of design and safety into one unique and creative baby-proofing solution with HearthSoft — the first fireplace hearth cover that accomplishes two clever and essential objectives:
1. Add a safe layer of protection for your child or loved one (including the elderly living at home or those with disabilities) around the hard surfaces and sharp edges of the fireplace.
2. Create an attractive home furnishing piece that enhances the look and usability of any room, using durable, easy-to-clean and flame-retardant designer fabrics.
By Mary Carol Garrity Mirrors work wonderfully as artwork because they are available in every style and price range and are incredibly versatile. Youll find everything from funky modern mirrors in cool shapes to antique mirrors with a rich history. If you cant find a framed mirror you like, you can make your own. Just hunt for a picture frame at a frame shop or garage sale, then have it fit with a new mirror. Mirrors are like chameleons in the decorating world — they take on the look of whatever you put with them. Thats why I like to hang them over a fireplace mantel. They are so neutral they allow you to revamp your mantel display over and again without clashing. If you decide to place a mirror above your mantel, position it to reflect down, not up. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when working with mirrors is to tilt it so that it reflects the ceiling, not the lovely things in the room below. Once your mirror is properly positioned, if you want to, you can break up the cool expanse by leaning a piece of artwork against it to add color and movement. Hang mirrors in unusual spots for added panache. When our daughter was married at our home, I hung a gorgeous antique mirror from the molding between the windows in my foyer, where the ceremony took place. I was so taken by how the mirror looked in this unexpected spot that Ive kept it there. For a variation on this idea, hang a set of small mirrors down the wood molding between two windows. They also look great hung above beds.
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PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS
SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCHS CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION OF
THIS SITE.
In the 115-degree heat and 80 percent humidity of Qatar, between 12-hour shifts doing communications support for 8,000 special operators in U.S. Central Command, Carson Bird worked to stay in shape, keeping in mind a picture he made in first grade. “We were asked what we wanted to be when we grow up – I drew a picture of me playing football and wrote I want to be a professional football player,” Bird, who played defensive back for Air Force from 2004-2007, said in an e-mail. “I dont think I could have spelled it more wrong but (Mom) framed it anyway.” When his six-month tour is over and he returns to the United States in October, Bird plans to chase that dream. Pending Air Forces approval, he wants to work out for NFL teams shortly after his return. He said he has received some feedback from some interested NFL teams, and hopes to get a workout when he is in his best football shape. He hopes to sharpen his skills in some competitive flag football leagues in Las Vegas. Even if a tryout doesnt happen this fall, he hopes to participate in a pro day workout for NFL scouts in March. “Ive stayed extremely active,” Bird wrote. “Ive always had the itch so Ive kept myself in the gym nonstop.”
MENS SOCCER: The Griffins season opener is on Thursday against second-ranked The Masters College at 5 p.m. Then on Friday Westminster welcomes 10th-ranked Benedictine College to Dumke for a 5 p.m. kickoff. Both games will be streamed live on Griffins TV at WestminsterGriffins.com. Westminster enters the week after going 10-7-2 in 2009 and advancing to the semi-finals of the Unaffiliated Conference Tournament. They were 6-1-1 in games played on Dumke Field last season and have won three straight. They return 18 players from last seasons team. Dennis Sellis returns in 2010 after leading the team with eight goals and 21 points last season. Sellis attempted a team-best 52 shots as a sophomore and put 31 of those attempts on frame. Matt Jimenez also returns after a five goal season in 2009. Other key returners include Kaden Anselmo, Nikolai Dziezyc, Spencer Luczak, and Bobby Ward.
Medicare Beneficiaries Whose High Prescription Drug Costs Have Put
Them in the Medicare Part D Donut Hole to Receive $250 Rebate Checks as
a Result of the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON — The next round of more than 300,000 eligible seniors who have entered
the Medicare Part D “donut hole” this year have been mailed their
tax-free, one time rebate check for $250, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today .
These one-time rebate checks are the first step in closing
the prescription drug coverage gap under the Affordable Care Act. The
first round of checks were distributed in the middle of June. As
qualifying Medicare recipients “fall into the donut hole,” they will be
sent a rebate check by Medicare.
“Seniors and other Medicare recipients in the Medicare donut hole are
struggling to afford the medications they need and their basic living
expenses. Seventy percent of our first round of these $250 rebate checks
were cashed within a week of eligible Medicare recipients receiving
them; so, we know that folks really need some help,” said Secretary
Sebelius. “The Affordable Care Act starts to close the donut hole this
year, giving much-needed relief to millions of seniors. In 2011, the
Affordable Care Act takes an additional step for Medicare beneficiaries
in the donut hole by providing them with a 50 percent discount on their
brand name medications. Every year from 2012 until 2020, the Affordable
Care Act will take progressive steps to close the donut hole.”
On Thursday, July 8, at 2:00 p.m., HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will
join local officials in Manchester, N.H., for a forum with senior
citizens to discuss the rebate checks and other benefits of the
Affordable Care Act as well as efforts to fight Medicare fraud.
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
EAST LANSING, Mich. NAPA, Calif. — American Physicians Capital Inc. (APCapital) (NASDAQ:ACAP), a major
provider of health care liability insurance, and The Doctors Company,
the largest national insurer of physician and surgeon medical liability,
today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement
pursuant to which The Doctors Company will acquire APCapital for $41.50
per share in cash, or an aggregate purchase price of approximately $386
million. The $41.50 per share in cash purchase price represents a
premium of approximately 31 percent over the $31.76 per share closing
price of ACAP on July 7, 2010, the last trading day prior to today’s
announcement.
R. Kevin Clinton, President and CEO of APCapital said, “This transaction
delivers significant value to our shareholders. Additionally, our
insureds will benefit as they become members of one of the largest and
most respected professional liability companies in the nation. I would
like to recognize our employees, agents, and medical society partners
for their dedication and commitment to APCapital. They are the driving
force behind the success of our company.”
“We are extremely pleased to announce this partnership between two
physician-founded companies and we look forward to delivering enhanced
value to our member insureds through the financial strength of a
combined organization with a relentless commitment to protecting,
defending, and rewarding the practice of good medicine,” said Richard E.
Anderson, MD, FACP, chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company. “Members
will benefit from our partnership and will continue to receive
aggressive claims defense, unmatched legislative and patient safety
advocacy, outstanding service, and industry leading member benefits.”
With this merger, The Doctors Company further expands its position as
the largest national insurer of physician and surgeon medical liability
to nearly 55,000 member insureds.
The Board of Directors of APCapital has approved the proposed
transaction and has resolved to recommend that its shareholders approve
the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter
of 2010 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the
receipt of regulatory approvals, and approval by a majority of
APCapital’s shareholders.
Online Real Estate Bidding Leader RealtyBid.com has partnered with the Special Assets Group of national commercial real estate broker, Marcus Millichap, to develop CommercialBid.com, a bidding site for commercial real estate assets. The new website officially launched July 1, 2010, with the online unveiling of a special bidding event offering commercial property and commercial loans valued at more than $60 million from the Marcus Millichap Special Assets Group (MMSAG). Online bidding for this more than $60 million of assets will take place August 3-5 on CommercialBid.com .
RealtyBid.com CEO/President Tony Isbell said now is the ideal time for potential buyers to turn their eyes toward the commercial market.
“RealtyBid has been watching the commercial market for the past two years and evaluating the timing of rolling out a commercial auction strategy,” Isbell said. “Our new relationship with MMSAG provided the perfect entrée into this market at a time when we can be most beneficial to buyers and sellers.”
Isbell emphasized that CommercialBid.com is launching with a bang. “Were launching CommercialBid.com with a Marcus Millichap special bidding event offering commercial property and commercial loans valued at more than $60 million,” he said. “We are so excited about this offering, and it is just the beginning of the investment opportunities we will be offering through CommercialBid.com.”
Jacob Steele, director of Marcus Millichaps Special Asset Group, agreed. “MMSAGs partnership with RealtyBid.com and the creation of CommercialBid.com generate an extremely powerful accelerated marketing process for lenders and private sellers to maximize commercial property and loan values,” he said.
PARAMUS, N.J. — VORNADO REALTY TRUST (NYSE: VNO) today announced that it has completed
the first closing of its real estate investment fund with initial equity
commitments of $550 million (including $200 million from Vornado).
Vornado expects total commitments of $1 billion. Subsidiaries of Vornado
will serve as the general partner and investment manager. The Fund is
Vornado’s exclusive investment vehicle for all real estate and real
estate-related investments that fit within the Fund’s investment
parameters for its three-year investment period.
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to buy securities in the United States. Interests in the
Fund have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any U.S. state securities law, and may not be offered or
sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption
from registration requirements.
Vornado Realty Trust is a fully-integrated equity real estate investment
trust.
Certain statements contained herein may constitute “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such factors include, among others, risks associated with the timing of
and costs associated with property improvements, financing commitments,
and general competitive factors. For a discussion of these and other
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from
those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
ROCKVILLE, Md. — RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: RGN) (the “Company”
or “RegeneRx”) today announced it has received Notice of Acceptance from
the Australian patent office for the use of Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), its
analogues, isoforms and other derivatives in the treatment of infections
and inflammatory disorders including colitis, ileitis, gastrointestinal
ulcers and gingivitis, among others. The patent expires in 2023. This is
one of several patents the Company has been granted in Australia related
to its technology and drug candidates.
“We are pleased to enhance our global intellectual property estate for
our product candidates and their potential uses,” said J.J. Finkelstein,
president and CEO of RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals. “We currently have
more than 60 issued patents and patent applications throughout the world
that expire between 2019 and 2027.”
About Tβ4
The famous cartoon characters have been enduringly popular for seventy years and have been awarded no less than SEVEN Oscars. Their slapstick comedy appeals to all ages and recently topped a Channel 4 poll of favourite TV characters.
During the summer holidays you can meet Tom and Jerry in person when they appear exclusively at Haven Holidays 35 family friendly Parks around the UK. They have a hilarious new stage-show – a first for the UK – which will tour Haven Holiday parks throughout the summer holidays.
Kids will be able to meet the duo, shake paws and have their photo taken in a rare opportunity to discover the real characters behind the popular cartoons.
The Tom and Jerry Tour starts at Berwick on Sea on July 4th and will include all Haven parks on every break during the summer. Haven say, the show brings all the fun and hilarity of the cartoons to life on stage.its sure to have everyone falling about laughing!
Holidaymakers will be able to enjoy an action packed programme of family entertainment this summer at all Haven parks. Haven Holidays 2010 activities include stage-shows with Havens own popular characters Rory the Tiger, Bradley Bear and friends; summer-time pantos; circus performances; wrestling and Summer Showtime Variety nights as well as music, dancing and professional cabaret – all of which are included in the holiday cost.
BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say at least five people have been killed by bombs targeting pilgrims taking part in the final day of a Shiite religious holiday. Police and hospital officials say the five were believed to be pilgrims on their way home from visiting a mosque in northern Baghdad to mark the anniversary of the death of a revered Shiite figure. Four died in eastern Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded, while a car bomb in southern Baghdad killed the fifth person. Hundreds of thousands of devout Shiites from across the country walk to Baghdad to take part in the occasion. But the crowds make prime targets for Sunni insurgents.
Expert Group, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: EXPU), a Florida based diversified financial services provider specializing in home and commercial real estate loans, is proud to announce that it now offers direct loans.
Expert Financing, Inc. will be closing and funding its very first Loan as a Lender, meaning the company has funded 100% of the Loan, which will be serviced in house. Expert Financing and Investments has closed 100s of millions in Loan transaction as a broker working with numerous National and Regional Banks that it has maintained long relationships with as a Wholesale broker. But as of today, Expert Financing is now a bona fide lender and servicing company.
Management believes it is truly the right time to enter into the direct lending business, with record low prices, this environment presents a win-win situation for the borrowers and lenders. Our Goals are to build a 10 million dollar portfolio and service the loans in house. A servicing company collects monthly payment from its borrower on the month to month basis. Our investment Guidelines will be a minimum of 50k to a max of 100k with a 50% LTV, Three year term. As a lender we collect upfront fees as well as monthly payments secured by first lien on the property.
Robert Rico, Chairman of EXPU, stated, “Expert Group continues take the necessary steps to ensure the longevity and the growth of our company. As lenders, we are able to collect interest and hold substantial assets as we continue to grow our revenues. Furthermore, we will aggressively continue working on growing our portfolio as a lender, while continuing to expand our brokerage business. Our first Transaction adds 200k in assets to our book and monthly revenues, as well as upfront closing fees. We continue to look forward to 2010 with great optimism.”
Poxel S.A. / Poxel Raises EUR16 million in a
Series A Financing to Accelerate Pipeline Development processed and
transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content
of this announcement.
Lyon, France, July 8, 2010 – Poxel SA, a diabetes drug development
specialist,
announces today that it has raised EUR16 million (USD 19.7 million) in a
Series A
round. Poxel is a spin off from Merck Serono. The financing round was
led by
Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EdRIP); other investors
in the
financing are InnoBio fund, managed by CDC Entreprises within FSI
France
Investment program and Crédit Agricole Private Equity. A significant
part of the
funds will be used to rapidly advance the companys Iead program,
Imeglimin, an
oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor, to treat Type 2 diabetes.
Imeglimin is a first-in-class oral anti-diabetic that has demonstrated
efficacy
and safety in diabetic patients in two Phase IIa trials. Imeglimin is
being
developed in monotherapy and in combination with key treatments.
Imeglimin has
an innovative mode of action that targets the three key defects of
Type 2
diabetes, inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, increasing muscle glucose
uptake
and restoring normal insulin secretion. Poxel has five further
promising
anti-diabetic programs in early development. These also include a new
class of
direct AMPK activators close to preclinical development stage.
“This substantial funding is very encouraging and is a real testimony
to the
potential of our company”, said Thomas Kuhn, CEO at Poxel. “This financing
will
help us advance our product pipeline and specifically demonstrate
Imeglimins
clinical potential, both as monotherapy and in combination.”
In line with the financing, four new members have joined Poxels
board of
directors: Thierry Hercend, MD, PhD, and Chairman of the Board;
Raphaël
Wisniewski, Partner at EdRIP; Olivier Martinez, PhD, Investment Manager
at the
InnoBio Fund and Bruno Montanari, Investment Manager at Crédit
Agricole Private
Equity.
INTRODUCTION Fat deposition of pigs is of economic importance because of market incentives for lean pork production and decreased feeding costs. It is crucial to investigate and characterize new candidate genes and QTL relevant to pig fat deposit traits. To date, several quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly affecting 10th-rib, average backfat thickness and other production traits have been mapped on SSC7 (Wang et al., 1998; Nagamine et al., 2003). Peroxisomal [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (PECI) was located near the boundary of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) region. [[DELTA].sup.3],[[DELTA].sup.2]-enoyl-CoA isomerase (Ecilp) is unique because its activity is necessary for [beta]-oxidation of all unsaturated fatty acids (Geisbrecht et al., 1999). The series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions required for degradation of fatty acids are evolutionarily conserved and accomplished primarily through the p-oxidation pathway. In peroxisomes, ECI was predicted to be a dominant enzyme for 3-cis 3[right arrow]2-trans and 3-trans 3[right arrow]2-trans isomerizations of long-chain intermediates (Zhang et al., 2002). Fatty acid [beta]-oxidation in mammals is considerably more complicated, primarily due to the existence of overlapping but distinct fatty acid poxidation pathways. Mammalian peroxisomes contain at least three fatty acyl-CoA oxidases, both L-specific and D-specific 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multifunctional proteins, and at least two thiolases, all of which are encoded by different genes (Palosaari et al., 1990a, 1991; Geisbrecht et al., 1998; Gurvitz et al., 1998; Geisbrecht et al., 1999; Partanen et al., 2004). When the ECI was completely excised in the mouse, it extensively perturbed the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids, especially for short interval starvation and the fatty acid pattern of complex phospholipids was strongly altered (Palosaari et al., 1990b; Janssen et al., 2002). The PECI gene can be encoded by ECI1 and it is required for growth of saccharomyces cerevisiae on unsaturated fatty acids (Gurvitz et al., 1998). It can be concluded that the PECI gene may play an important role during the metabolic processing of unsaturated fatty acids. Deposition of fat by animals in their bodies is associated with the metabolism of fatty acids, and more research would contribute to understanding of porcine fat deposition. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of mature Tongcheng pigs (Hubei province, China) by phenol/chloroform extraction. RNA was extracted from muscle tissue of adult Tongcheng pigs and adult Swedish Landrace with TRIzol reagent kit (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NE, USA). RACE (the rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was performed according to the instructions of the SMARTTM RACE cDNA Amplification Kit (Clontech Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The PCR products of RACE were purified with the Wizard PCR Preps DNA Purification System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). ORF were found by the program SeqMan (DNA star, Madison, WI, USA) and the amino acid sequences were deduced with Primer5.0 (Primer Premier5.0, Premier, Canada). Using the pGEM T-easy vector, DNase I (RNase-free) and M-MLV reverse transcriptase from TaKaRa Dalian (Dalian, China), primers were synthesized (Table 1) and PCR products were sequenced by AuGCT Biotechnology (Bejing, China).
Women in Kenya remain disadvantaged, with opportunities for educational, social, and economic advancement inferior to those of men. Women are underrepresented in modern sector wage employment, political and judicial decision making, and all major public service appointments. Numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers limit womens participation in these areas. But womens underrepresentation in education is a primary factor. The benefits of womens education to women and to society in general are immense. In the workplace, education increases skills needed for job entry, improves chances of vertical mobility, and enhances overall labor market productivity. It also has positive consequences at home, including improved health, increased child survival rates, reduced fertility rates, lower infant mortality rates, and better protection against HIV and AIDS (Tembon and Fort 2008). Education of women and girls is therefore not only a moral and human rights issue, but also an economic and development issue. Given the significant benefits of womens education, equity in education is essential to improving circumstances for all Kenyans. As the leading provider of education, the government should acknowledge that compensatory mechanisms may be required to level the playing field for disadvantaged girls, and it should adopt an approach that uses these mechanisms. Making education equitable means adopting policies and initiatives that support equal provisions across genders. Female Education in Kenya Education in Kenya has four basic levels: preschool (ages 4-6), primary (ages 7-14), secondary (ages 15-18), and tertiary. Since attaining political independence from Great Britain in 1963, the Kenyan government has emphasized educations importance to economic development. It has also increased the number of schools at all levels, from about six thousand primary and 150 secondary schools in 1963 to almost twenty thousand primary and four thousand secondary schools in 2004. As a result, the student population has increased substantially, with over 700 percent growth at the primary level and almost 3,000 percent growth at the secondary level (Ministry of Education 2007). But this total expansion in education hides disparities by gender and region.
Partnership with Gerson Lehrman Group provides Bloomberg clients
with new service
NEW YORK — BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® Service and Gerson Lehrman Group
executives today announced that Bloomberg clients will get access to
more than 50,000 leading business experts globally through an exclusive
partnership with Gerson Lehrman Group.
The agreement offers clients of the Bloomberg Professional Service
access to members of the Gerson Lehrman Group Councils — networks of
consultants, physicians, scientists, engineers, attorneys, market
researchers and other professionals from around the world, who are
referred to as GLG Council Members.
Through this new partnership, Bloomberg clients will be able to view
profiles of select GLG Council Members; request consultations directly
with those Council Members; and access news commentary, video, webcasts
and teleconferences led by GLG Council Members globally. In addition,
Bloomberg and Gerson Lehrman Group will jointly produce seminars and
surveys that will be available exclusively to Bloomberg Professional
Service users.
This partnership also provides trial access to Gerson Lehrman Group for
Bloomberg clients who are not yet Gerson Lehrman Group clients. All
clients who engage Gerson Lehrman Group’s services through Bloomberg
will be supported by more than 300 industry-specific research
professionals, who help users identify the experts who best meet their
research needs.
“Since founding the Subversion open source project in 2000, we have continually invested in and worked to serve the Subversion community,” said Richard Murray, vice president, engineering, CollabNet. “Hiring talented developers like Bert Huijben and our eight other Subversion committers as full-time CollabNet employees is part of our long-term corporate strategy to provide Subversion innovation and leadership. Their work is critical to our vision of delivering Agile ALM in the Cloud.”
CollabNet and Subversion: Key Facts
“While promoting Subversion to its leading position in the SCM market, enterprises have provided clear feedback that they are looking for a Subversion stack that goes beyond just certified binaries,” said Mark Phippard, director, Subversion engineering, CollabNet and project owner, Subclipse open source Eclipse plug-in. “This led CollabNet to release CollabNet Subversion Edge as an open source distribution, providing enterprises with the configuration, administration, and governance required to support their Subversion rollouts. Hiring Bert builds upon that strategy, providing CollabNet with the core committers for the number-one plug-ins for Visual Studio (i.e., AnkhSVN) and Eclipse (i.e., Subclipse) integration, which enables CollabNet to provide enterprises with an additional layer of certified capabilities. In addition, Berts strong background in open source Subversion continues CollabNets commitment to extending Subversions user and development communities.”
BlueArc® Corporation, a leader in scalable, high-performance unified network storage, today announced that The Mill, a world-leading visual effects (VFX) studio headquartered in London, relied on two clustered BlueArc Mercurys in creating the VFX for the three minute “Write the Future” football-themed advertisement for Nike that has captured the worlds attention during the World Cup.
The feature length advertisement has set a new precedent in commercial production, with film worthy computer graphics (CG). The Mill produced 236 VFX shots — equivalent to that of several two hour movies — in a span of just five weeks. In addition to the three minute commercial, The Mill delivered 14 worldwide global adaptations directly to international broadcasters, as well as delivering bespoke material for localised adaptation to six countries and generic HD and SD digital assets to 31 countries.
“This was one of the biggest commercial VFX projects weve ever undertaken at The Mill. Weve been working with BlueArc for nearly ten years now and we knew we could rely on them to provide the unfailing storage performance that this project required,” said Stephen Venning, 3D executive producer, The Mill.
During the development of “Write the Future,” The Mill had artists from each office, London, New York and LA working around the clock. Two BlueArc Mercurys stored 20 terabytes, and ran numerous applications, including Autodesk Maya, XSI, mental ray, and Massive for simulation, rendering, compositing and CG crowds. BlueArc handled these applications with ease, and even under constant demands — with disks running at 90 percent capacity or greater — delivered consistent performance to keep the project on track.
“BlueArc was the silent warrior behind this project, enabling us to deliver quality, creativity and believability, without the burden of downtime or aborted jobs delaying the project,” said Roy Trosh, group technical director, iovation. “Were continuing to invest in BlueArc to build a state-of-the-art storage infrastructure that scales with our work — including recent investments with our sister company Beam.”
BURBANK, Calif. — Disney Interactive Studios today announced that after an explosive
release for video game consoles, Windows PC and iPhone in May, Split/Second
will be speeding onto the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PSPGo. Split/Second,
which was named Best Racing Game by Game Critics Awards: Best of E3
2009, is expected to be available for these new handheld systems this
holiday season.
In Split/Second, players don’t just race to the finish line to
beat their opponents, they build up their power meter through deft
driving and triggering “power plays,” explosive moments that take out
opponents or alter the track. The game takes place within a
hyper-competitive reality television show with city-sized sets rigged
for destruction. Each track has numerous power plays that can be
strategically triggered by skilled drivers. Competitors in Split/Second
don’t just collide with other vehicles to knock them from the track —
they can trigger blockbuster action film-like explosive events that
drastically alter the dynamics of the race. Players must use strategy
and pinpoint timing to derail opponents, tactically alter the track or
create entirely new routes.
“Split/Second has become a hit with fans of racing and action
games, and is the perfect fit for the PSP system,” said Craig Relyea,
senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.
“The explosive track altering features and fast arcade racing will have
PSP system players worldwide playing it on-the-go or at home.”
Split/Second for the PSP system will include unique handling and
controls designed specifically for Sony’s premier handheld game
platform. The game will feature an exclusive new track and challenges
not found on the current versions. In addition, the game also includes
four-player local multiplayer.
Motor vehicle versus pedestrian crashes are a leading cause of injury and death among children. Because attending school is a major focal point of a childs daily activity, many pedestrian-related injuries among children occur on the way to or from school. Research on this topic has shown a number of factors to be related to motor vehicle versus pedestrian crashes, some of which include: school travel times, season, neighborhood characteristics and the number of schools in the area. School zones have been created in many areas, aimed to reduce the risk of pedestrian-related injuries to children and are meant to be safe places for children to walk during school travel times. However, the question remains as to how effective these zones are and if more should be done to protect our youth. Our study used pedestrian collision data from the City of Torontos Traffic Data Centre and Safety Bureau. The study included all police-reported motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians with a recorded age less than 18 years that occurred in Toronto, Canada between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) provided a list of all 1,050 schools registered in Metropolitan Toronto. School zones, established by the Toronto Transport Operations, are defined as a 150-meter radius around a school. For the purpose of this study, additional zones were designated around schools at increasing distances of 150, 150-300, 300-450 and 450 meters. Frequency of vehicle-pedestrian collisions around schools in each zone was determined. We found that there were a total of 2,717 collisions in Toronto between 2000 and 2005 that involved children under the age of 18. The largest proportion of collisions was in the 10-14 year age group (37%). Almost 50% of collisions occurred during the hours defined as school travel times (7-9 am, 12-1 pm, and 3-5pm). When considering the rate per hour, there was 3.3 times greater rate of injury during school travel time. Furthermore, higher numbers of child pedestrian collisions occurred during the school year (from September to June), with a drop in the summer (July and August). School zones were found to be less than 10% of the surface area of the city, but had a much higher risk of child pedestrian collisions than other areas. The absolute density of injuries (collisions divided by units of area [m2]) and fatalities (fatalities dived by units of area [m2]) were 5.7 and 9.4 times higher in the school zones as compared to the largest zone (450m or more away from the school).
Socket Mobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT), an innovative provider of mobile productivity solutions, today announced that Signature Bars Ireland, an operator of 10 top-quality restaurants and bars located in the Dublin Airport, have selected Cratos Hospitality Solutions and Socket Mobile as providers of their electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) system. The EPOS system consists of EPOS and stock control software from Cratos Hospitality and the Socket SoMo® 650 handheld computer.
With Cratos EPOS software running on the SoMo 650, waiters can send food and drink orders directly from customer tableside to the kitchen or bar over a wireless network. Wait staff spends less time walking to and from the kitchen or bar and more time taking care of customers, resulting in improved productivity and higher quality service.
“The SoMo 650 has been a great solution for Cratos Hospitality because it provides all the core functionality restaurants need for mobile point of sale without unnecessary features found in other manufacturers devices,” said David McIntosh, managing director of Cratos Hospitality. “Its priced ideally for the UK market, and for the restaurant sector that we sell into, its mix of features is spot on perfect.”
In April 2010, when the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull caused a massive ash cloud that disrupted air traffic across northern Europe and left thousands of travelers stranded at Dublin Airport, the Cratos and Socket EPOS system was put to the test as one Signature Bars restaurant using the system experienced three to four times its normal volume of customers.
“Signature Bars wanted an EPOS system that was efficient and could stand up to high volumes of turnover,” said McIntosh. “When the volcano in Iceland erupted, Dublin airport had its busiest day ever, and our system with the SoMo 650 handheld computer stood up to it.”
INTRODUCTION The species composition of the herbage available to and consumed by grazing animals is an important variable in studies of their nutritional status. Our understanding of the foraging behaviour of free-ranging herbivores is often constrained by our inability to make meaningful measurements of herbage diet composition. Herbage composition of feed ingested by grazing animals is difficult to assess. Direct observation of animals, use of oesophageally fistulated animals or fecal cuticle analysis have commonly been used, but all of these methods are very tedious, time consuming and/or do not allow differentiation to the level of plant species or plant parts (Dove and Mayes, 1991). Oesophageally fistulated animals have the disadvantage of requiring surgery and might be of restricted use only. The use of n-alkanes as fecal markers for estimating the diet composition of grazing animals has provided a significant advance in such studies and has been used successfully to estimate the proportions of plant species in the diet of free-ranging herbivores (Dove and Mayes, 1991, 1996; Bugalho et al., 1999). Because the different pasture species differ in their alkane patterns, and alkanes are largely indigestible during their passage through the herbivores alimentary tract, the composition of a mixed herbage diet can be determined from the patterns of n-alkanes found in herbage and faeces (Dove and Mayes, 1996). The n-alkane technique has been successfully applied to estimate diet composition, intake and digestibility in sheep, red deer and steer (Dove and Mayes, 1991; Duncan and Mayes, 1999; Bugalho and Myes, 2002; Ru et al., 2002; Valiente and Delgado, 2003; Walter Kelman and Miguel Bugalho, 2003; Premaratne et al., 2005). The experimental site used in the present study lies in an alpine area, and the species composition is complex. The yaks graze in different areas of natural grassland in the different seasons. The aim of the present study was to use the n-alkane method to estimate the diet composition selected by yak when grazing alpine pastures and to explore whether the method can provide accurate assessments of dietary selection by yak under these conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Like many artists working today, Leone does not have medical insurance. Pledge Music and Sweet Relief Musicians Fund have partnered to raise money to help with Leones medical bills. “Since we started working with the band in January, Matthew and I worked closely on Madina Lakes E.P. campaign. He is one of the nicest people I have worked with since we started this company. His bravery in this moment is not surprising,” said Pledge Music founder Benji Rogers. “The bands commitment to their fans is always at the forefront and we are committed to making this as easy a process for both the Leone family and for Matthew as we can.”
Madina Lakes Pledge Music campaign is now collecting funds that will go to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund in Matthews name and Pledge has agreed to waive their commission on all post EP target funds raised.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund was founded in 1993 by singer/songwriter Victoria Williams. Since then they have provided support for career musicians who face illness and/or need assistance due to age. The organization works with musicians to determine their most pressing needs and helps with medical bills, insurance premiums, living expenses and treatments not covered by insurance.
“We simply cant thank you enough for your generosity, compassion, love and amazing energy that has all been an integral part of Matthews recovery,” said Nathan Leone, Matthews twin brother, in response to the outpouring of well wishes and financial contributions from fans.
HUENENBERG, Switzerland — Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL)
announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire LenSx Lasers, Inc, a privately held company that developed the
first femtosecond laser to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) clearance for use as a part of cataract surgery. The LenSx system
is indicated for anterior capsulotomy and laser phacofragmentation
during cataract surgery, providing a complementary surgical approach to
certain manual steps within the traditional cataract procedure.
Alcon will pay US $361.5 million in cash at closing to LenSx
shareholders for their shares, plus maximum contingent payments of US
$382.5 million based upon the achievement and over-achievement of future
femtosecond unit and procedure fee revenue milestones. The closing of
this acquisition is subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals
and customary closing conditions.
The innovative LenSx laser platform enables surgeons to perform some of
the most delicate manual steps of cataract surgery with image-guided
visualization and micron level laser precision. The LenSx laser enhances
a surgeon’s ability to predictably create a well centered anterior
capsulorhexis of exact diameter, and to effectively fragment the lens
for removal with minimized phaco time and power.
“This complementary technology aligns with Alcon’s strategic focus to
help surgeons improve every step of the cataract procedure. The LenSx
laser provides surgeons a new level of predictability and control over
critical manual steps during cataract removal – making those steps more
precise and reliable,” said Stuart Raetzman, vice president, Global
Marketing and area president for the United States.
“The LenSx femtosecond laser has been designed to advance the precision
and reproducibility of key manual portions of the cataract procedure,
something we have seen lasers do repeatedly in other ophthalmic
procedures,” said Stephen Slade, M.D., Slade and Baker Vision, Houston,
TX, who performed the initial series of LenSx laser procedures in the
United States. “This laser delivered improved post-surgical refractive
outcomes for my patients with a more exact size, shape and centration of
the capsulotomy and precise centering of the intraocular lens. I was
able to reduce the phacoemulsification energy and time – further
enhancing cataract surgery by providing a safe and more accurate
refractive outcome. From a patient’s perspective, I have never seen the
potential benefits of a technology so quickly understood and accepted.”
Winners presented awards at ceremony in the Military Healthcare
Convention Expo Hall June 23
NEW YORK — The Continuum of Care Awards were presented at the Military Healthcare
Convention and Conference June 22-25, 2010 at the Henry B Gonzalez
Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Presented by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement
(IDGA), the Continuum of Care Awards recognize military and civilian
healthcare providers and technologies throughout the Military Healthcare
Community. With awards given in five categories, the Continuum of Care
Awards honor and promote the most significant technologies and medical
solutions having positive impacts on military personnel and their
families.
Outstanding Healthcare Provider/ Military or DoDLtCol David
Dickey, Mental Health Flight Commander, 779th Medical Group, USAF
Winners presented awards at ceremony in the Military Healthcare
Convention Expo Hall June 23
NEW YORK — The Continuum of Care Awards were presented at the Military Healthcare
Convention and Conference June 22-25, 2010 at the Henry B Gonzalez
Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Presented by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement
(IDGA), the Continuum of Care Awards recognize military and civilian
healthcare providers and technologies throughout the Military Healthcare
Community. With awards given in five categories, the Continuum of Care
Awards honor and promote the most significant technologies and medical
solutions having positive impacts on military personnel and their
families.
Outstanding Healthcare Provider/ Military or DoDLtCol David
Dickey, Mental Health Flight Commander, 779th Medical Group, USAF
Jointly Developed with University of Washington’s Department of
Laboratory Medicine
BLUFFTON, S.C. — CareCore National today announces the introduction of its Lab Management
Program with LabPrintTM technology, the latest innovative
evidenced-based management solution for the healthcare industry. The Lab
Management Program with LabPrintTM, jointly developed in
partnership with the University of Washington’s Department of Laboratory
Medicine, manages both medical and payment policy in the laboratory
health services.
CareCore National’s Lab Management Program with LabPrintTM
was designed to manage the rising utilization of lab testing services.
New laboratory technologies, increasing numbers of labs performing
complex clinical tests, the development of new genomic and genetic
testing, physician detailing and direct to consumer marketing are all
fueling increases in lab utilization. Annually 50 to 75% of insured
patients will have a laboratory test and 5 of the top 10 CMS billed
codes in 2008 were for laboratory services. According to a recent
report, laboratory services are increasing at 7% per year, with
molecular and genetic testing increasing at more than 20% per year.
CareCore National’s lab offering is differentiated in the market not
only for its breadth and depth, but for its integrated approach. The Lab
Management Program addresses the challenges in the dynamic and rapidly
evolving field of molecular and genetic testing through evidence-based
guideline protocols. The LabPrintTM technology platform
transforms claims and payment processes by identifying unique coding and
billing elements for test specific payment policy. And the program
offers genetic counseling support and scheduling when necessary.
Managing appropriate utilization, confirming proper coding and billing,
while providing patients with needed information is the unified approach
sought by the payer community.
Partnership with Gerson Lehrman Group provides Bloomberg clients
with new service
NEW YORK — BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® Service and Gerson Lehrman Group
executives today announced that Bloomberg clients will get access to
more than 50,000 leading business experts globally through an exclusive
partnership with Gerson Lehrman Group.
The agreement offers clients of the Bloomberg Professional Service
access to members of the Gerson Lehrman Group Councils — networks of
consultants, physicians, scientists, engineers, attorneys, market
researchers and other professionals from around the world, who are
referred to as GLG Council Members.
Through this new partnership, Bloomberg clients will be able to view
profiles of select GLG Council Members; request consultations directly
with those Council Members; and access news commentary, video, webcasts
and teleconferences led by GLG Council Members globally. In addition,
Bloomberg and Gerson Lehrman Group will jointly produce seminars and
surveys that will be available exclusively to Bloomberg Professional
Service users.
This partnership also provides trial access to Gerson Lehrman Group for
Bloomberg clients who are not yet Gerson Lehrman Group clients. All
clients who engage Gerson Lehrman Group’s services through Bloomberg
will be supported by more than 300 industry-specific research
professionals, who help users identify the experts who best meet their
research needs.
CHICAGO — PFGBEST, one of the nation’s largest non-clearing Futures Commission
Merchants (FCMs), has updated its annual PFGBEST Research Outlook 2010
to reflect changes and news events that occurred since January into
their analysis for the second half of 2010.
“I will let the PFGBEST Research experts tell you market by market what
some of the trading opportunities and challenges are,” said PFGBEST
President and Chief Operating Officer Russ Wasendorf, Jr. in his cover
letter to clients. He referred to events such as the U.S. Federal
Reserve Board’s delicate, historic high wire act, the 2010 Euro crisis,
the BP oil spill off the shore of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, and
emerging weather patterns. In the PFGBEST Research Outlook 2010,
published at the start of the year, PFGBEST leaders had forecast a
potential globally cataclysmic event that could emanate from debt-ridden
nations and businesses all around, which of course, did occur.
Some highlights from the PFGBEST Research Outlook 2010 Midyear Update:
PFGBEST is a rapidly-expanding global financial services and technology
firm, specializing in electronic trading, futures, forex, options, and
managed accounts. The company is also an industry leader in investor
education, and it offers numerous free webinars each week attended by
hundreds of people wishing to further their knowledge and skill in
trading, charting, comprehending various government reports, enriching
their understanding of trading psychology, and many other topics.
Trulia and CNNMoney today announced a partnership making Trulia the exclusive provider of real estate listings to CNNMoney, which will bring Trulias award winning real estate search experience to CNNMoney, one of the webs top destinations for in-depth real estate reporting and breaking financial news.
The CNNMoney/Trulia co-branded web site allows users to easily search for properties for sale and refine their search results based on criteria like open houses, neighborhood, price, property type, new listings alongside CNNMoneys in-depth real estate coverage.
In addition to the enhanced search experience, Trulia will be the exclusive provider of real estate data for MONEYs “Best Places to Live” list. CNNMoney will incorporate Trulias local data, stats and trends into its deep editorial content to help users understand exactly what is happening in these locations.
“CNNMoney is the place to go on the web for breaking financial and real estate stories, news and trends. We are excited to bring our user experience and millions of listings to this audience,” said Pete Flint, co-founder and CEO of Trulia. “Our goal is to provide as many consumers as possible with access to listings and relevant data to help them make the biggest financial decision of their lives.”
“Through our partnership with Trulia, we will offer readers an in-depth and comprehensive real estate picture. Real estate has been and will continue to be one of the biggest topics in the coming years,” said Chris Peacock, Executive Editor and Vice President of CNNMoney. “We are excited to kick off this co-branded site with our annual Best Places to Live feature.”
ROCKVILLE, Md. — RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: RGN) (the “Company”
or “RegeneRx”) today announced it has received Notice of Acceptance from
the Australian patent office for the use of Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), its
analogues, isoforms and other derivatives in the treatment of infections
and inflammatory disorders including colitis, ileitis, gastrointestinal
ulcers and gingivitis, among others. The patent expires in 2023. This is
one of several patents the Company has been granted in Australia related
to its technology and drug candidates.
“We are pleased to enhance our global intellectual property estate for
our product candidates and their potential uses,” said J.J. Finkelstein,
president and CEO of RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals. “We currently have
more than 60 issued patents and patent applications throughout the world
that expire between 2019 and 2027.”
About Tβ4
After a lull brought on by the global recession, Puerto Rico appears to be bouncing back as one of the worlds top destinations for life science companies. Two U.S. companies — Blu Pharmaceuticals and a DuPont business, Pioneer Hi-Bred — announced new manufacturing and RD facilities on the island during the past several months.
With Amgen, Eli Lilly and Abbott Laboratories investing $4 billion in the island over the past seven years, Puerto Rico rapidly became the worlds third largest biotech manufacturer, earning it the nickname “Bio Island.” Puerto Rico also has one of the largest concentrations of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in the world and produces 13 of the top 20 blockbuster drugs sold in the United States.
Most recently, Pioneer Hi-Bred announced a new state-of-the-art research and development facility in Salinas on the southern coast of Puerto Rico to complement its existing trial seed production facility. The $6 million facility is expected to employ 100 scientists, agronomists and others.
“Puerto Rico was a smart choice for many reasons,” said John Soper, Pioneer Vice President of Crop Genetics Research and Development. He noted that the island has the same regulatory framework as the mainland United States, a longer growing season suitable for planting crops year-round and a steady stream of quality talent coming out of the University of Puerto Rico.
Pioneer also worked closely with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) , a governmental economic development agency, to take advantage of aggressive new economic incentives.
Renee Dec Reilly Renee Dec Reilly, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. passed away Monday, July 5, 2010. Born in Paris, France May 4, 1939, daughter to Joseph F. Dec and Helene Nasierowska Dec. Migrated to the United States in 1951, married John F. Reilly, July 18,1964 in Bayonne, New Jersey. They moved to Utah in 1974. John Reilly died January 22, 1999. She graduated from Montclair State College with B.A. in 1963, received MEd from Westminster College in 1988, taught for five years in New Jersey and retired from teaching after 25 years in the Salt Lake School District. She taught French, History, English and Computer Science and was computer support person for Clayton Middle School.
SOPHIA Search Limited, the emerging leader in enterprise search and unstructured content management, has closed a $1.2 million seed funding round constituting the single largest angel investment ever made in Northern Ireland. The financing will be used to globally deliver and market SOPHIAs next-generation search and discovery solutions.
SOPHIAs technology is purpose built on the companys unique, patented, Contextual Discovery Engine (CDE) based on the linguistical model of Semiotics, the science behind how humans understand the meaning of information in context. The CDE platform automatically detects relationships and themes in unstructured content to enable organizations to seamlessly search, extract, deduplicate and eliminate redundancy of content to minimize risk and reduce the cost of retrieving, storing and managing enterprise information.
The financing round was led by Volcano, Belfast, co-investing with the HALO EIS fund managed by Javelin Ventures, London. With the funds, SOPHIA will invest in product development and delivery, expand its sales channel, and invest in marketing to drive market share for its dynamic CDE solution.
The newly funded organization has an experienced leadership team which includes: Dr. Chris Horn, chairman (formerly of IONA Technologies PLC), and one of the most successful technology entrepreneurs in Ireland; David Patterson co-founder, president and CEO; Dr. Vladimir Dobrynin, co-founder and CSO; Jim Blumel, vice president, business development; John Breslin, CTO; and Alastair Kerr, vice president, global sales.
“Discovering, recovering and eliminating redundant enterprise information has become a critical requirement to ensure compliance and to harness the intelligence of enterprise information,” said Chris Horn, chairman, SOPHIA. “The companys patented CDE technology is transforming the way organizations gather and analyze critical information to reduce risk and streamline the cost and complexity of information management. I am pleased to join the SOPHIA team as chairman and look forward to the next stage of rapid growth in one of the hottest market segments today.”
IT is a Victorian house the Stockfords wish they could stay in for years to come. But with their children now grown-up, Diana and Dick Stockford have found themselves rattling around the home they have described as simply beautiful. The house, at Cooper Lane in Holmfirth, is as private as it is picturesque. But its part of a thriving little community which is ready to welcome a new family. A former gentlemans residence, the 1842 Victorian property is located in the heart of Holmfirth and has elevated and panoramic views of the village and Holme Valley. Set in mature grounds, it boasts many period features including high ceilings, deep skirting, panelled doors, period fireplaces, detail to the ceilings, panelling to walls as well as an Aga range in the fabulous dining kitchen. It has five double bedrooms, two of which are a self-contained attic. There is a sitting room and the Stockfords have lovingly restored its original wooden floor, a formal dining room and a drawing room. Diana explained: “Weve lived here for six years now – I was walking the dog one day and saw the For Sale sign and fell in love with it.
As environmental products move up in the marketplace, retailers are making more shelf space available as “going green” becomes the mantra of marketers everywhere. For Viaspace, Inc. (OTCBB: VSPC) those advances might just pay off after the company introduced the first fully renewable biomass product, Green Log, at this years National Hardware Show in Las Vegas.
Green Logs are fireplace logs manufactured from Giant King Grass , a proprietary variety of grass which grows at a remarkable pace, which is the dreamchild of Doctor Carl Kukkonen, a former Ford Motor Co. researcher who led Fords research team in the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel before moving on to work at NASA where he served as Director of the Center for Space Microelectronics Technology. Kukkonen, now Chairman and CEO of Viaspace, envisions Giant King Grass as the biomass fuel of the future.
Seeing it developed for the $400 million a year consumer firelog market, Kukkonen called Green Logs a stepping stone to cash flow growth in order to develop Giant King Grass into a recognized global biomass fuel source.
“Green Logs complement our strategy,” Dr. Kukkonen said.
Viaspaces plans are to enter the lucrative U.S. fireplace log market with a bang, and according to buyers at last weeks National Hardware Show, Viospaces Green Logs were a hit. “This is exactly the kind of product were looking for,” said a national grocery chains buyer who attended the 2010 show in Las Vegas.