biz briefs
biz briefs
0 Comments | Palm Beach Post, Jul 29, 2010
Fed survey pushes Dow down
Investors cashed in some of their recent gains Wednesday after the Federal Reserve gave them more confirmation that the economic recovery is slowing.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell almost 40 points after the Fed released its regional survey of the economy, a report known as the "beige book."
THE MORNING LINE
NASA contractor to lay off 1,400
CAPE CANAVERAL -- The private contractor that handles the bulk of the work servicing NASA's space shuttle fleet is notifying 1,400 employees in Florida, Texas and Alabama that they will be laid off in the fall.
United Space Alliance this week began telling workers, including 900 at the Kennedy Space Center, that they are expected to be let go by Oct. 1 as part of planned reductions from the end of the space shuttle program. The program employs about 8,700 contractors, down from 12,000 employees in October 2008. It also employs 1,200 civil workers.
Big-ticket goods demand falls 1%
WASHINGTON -- Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods fell in June as demand for commercial aircraft plummeted. But businesses increased spending on capital goods for a second straight month, a sign that manufacturing continues to help keep the economic recovery afloat.
Demand for durable goods dropped 1 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted $190.5 billion, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. It was the second straight monthly decline and the largest drop since August 2009.
Oil below $77 after supply jump
NEW YORK -- Oil prices dropped just below $77 a barrel on Wednesday after the government said crude supplies rose unexpectedly last week. Benchmark crude fell 51 cents to settle at $76.99 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Crude supplies grew by 7.3 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration. Analysts expected a drop of 2.3 million barrels, according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.
REAL ESTATE
Equity borrowing hits 10-year low
WASHINGTON -- Americans in the second quarter tapped the smallest amount of home equity in a decade, showing households are focused on repairing tattered finances.
Owners took out $8.3 billion while refinancing prime home loans as borrowing costs dropped from April through June, down from $8.4 billion in the previous three months and the least in 10 years, according to a report by McLean, Va.-based Freddie Mac.
LOCAL & STATE
St. Lucie, Oak Ridge lab team up
FORT PIERCE -- St. Lucie County is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., to facilitate the nation's first sustainable communities demonstration project, county officials said Wednesday. The project will include energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building technologies and more. Oak Ridge will collaborate with St. Lucie County and Fort Pierce to define a district to be known as the "Green Mile."
EARNINGS
Comcast Corp. reported lower second-quarter earnings Wednesday partly because of costs related to its pending takeover of NBC Universal. In the quarter, Comcast earned $884 million, or 31 cents a share, down 8.6 percent from $967 million, or 33 cents a share, a year earlier
survey for cash
Anyone using the Internet to get information
Anyone using the Internet to get information about health is taking a risk, because self-diagnosis is dangerous. It is always best to see a professional when it comes to your health. But, if you want some background information, then by all means search the Internet but learn how to decipher the good and reliable from the bad and unreliable.
You can't believe everything you see
Anyone can post information on the Internet. The people behind the information can be a serious expert or a wacky profiteer. How can you tell the difference?
Always start by being sceptical. If you come across someone who is suggesting you stop taking your prescribed medication and start taking his very expensive cure, then think twice before you buy. Read through the website carefully. Ask the opinions of friends and professionals. Search the Internet for similar suggestions. Search the Internet for stories of other sufferers who may be using the same "miracle cure." If you can, contact some other people who have tried the "miracle cure."
Start with government agencies
When you come across a health site try to understand who is behind it.
electronic cigarette reviews
Pounds 1k prize gig [Edition 3]
0 Comments | South Wales Evening Post, Jul 20, 2010
A SWANSEA music venue is offering unsigned bands the chance to win Pounds 1,000. Sin City in Dilwyn Street, Swansea, is looking for local acts to sign up to take part in the event -- which is also backed by local firms Rowlands Music, record shop Derricks and clothing outlet Obsolete Industries.
Bands must sell a minimum of 20 tickets for each round they appear in, and perform their own material.
The first heat takes place at Sin City on September 22, with the grand final expected to take place in October.
Those wanting to take part have until midnight tonight to sign up online.
.For more information, log on to www.sincityclub.co.uk/
Selenium and CHD
Bandolier, Dec, 2006
The apparently conflicting evidence about whether selenium is protective against heart disease has long intrigued Bandolier. There is something of a rational choice, in that it is involved in protection against oxidative damage. Foods that tend to be selenium rich include plants, meats and seafood, though the content varies with geography and use of fertiliser with selenium. Many people supplement their diets with selenium, often as yeast grown on selenium rich nutrients, often with 100 [micro]g per day or so.
The question is whether such supplementation is helpful, and, indeed, whether selenium levels in the body have any relationship to actual outcomes, like coronary heart disease. A new systematic review and meta-analysis [1] pulls the evidence together, and poses some interesting if difficult questions.
Systematic review
The search examined MEDLINE and Cochrane up to March 2006 for studies that might be relevant. Importantly, it also did some extensive searching of references, which is often as good a source for observational studies as electronic searching. The aim was to identify observational studies assessing the association of selenium content of blood or other tissues with clinical coronary heart disease, as well as any randomised studies examining selenium supplementation.
The main results are shown in Table 1. Cohort studies found a bare statistical association between selenium levels and heart disease, though only one individual cohort study out of 14 individually reached statistical significance. Almost all of these (13/ 14) had adjusted for confounders like age, sex, smoking, BMI, and other factors.
By contrast, case control studies showed a large reduction in coronary heart disease associated with higher selenium levels (Table 1). Thirteen of 18 case control studies individually reached statistical significance. However, the three case control studies with at least 100 cases either failed to reach statistical significance, or only bare significance was achieved. Moreover, most case control studies did not make any adjustment for confounding factors, and only six of 18 made any adjustments.
Randomised trials generally used 100 [micro]g selenium supplementation daily from yeast. The four larger studies were of high quality and had a long duration, of three to eight years. Some had selenium combined with other vitamins or minerals. The results (Figure 1, Table 1) were not statistically significant.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Comment
There are some interesting lessons here, particularly the difference between case control studies that generally made no adjustments for confounding, and cohort studies that did. Of course, adjustment may not be the issue, but it is notable that both larger case control studies, and those that made adjustments for confounding factors had similar magnitude of effect as did cohort studies and randomised trials. Another, recent, randomised trial [2] found no effect of selenium supplementation on heart disease over 7.6 years of therapy.
This emphasises the fact that we have to look carefully at small observational studies, and not be overwhelmed by the size of an effect that could be just an artefact of how a study has been performed.
So what of selenium supplementation? We can probably be sure that this is no magic bullet to protect us against heart disease, especially if we have a varied and full diet. If there is an effect, it is small, probably no more than about 10%. That, of course, depends on one's point of view, and one persons 10% trivia could be someone else's 10% Grand Canyon. Selenium may be a bigger deal in other contexts.
Reference:
[1] G Flores-Mateo et al. Selenium and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006 84: 762-773.
[2] S Stranges et al. Effect of selenium supplementation on cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality: secondary analyses in a randomized clinical trial
yeast micro nutrients
Here are the plot points of
Here are the plot points of The Crossing Guard (1995), as I see them.
The Crossing Guard (1995)
Starring: Jack Nicholson (Freddy Gale), David Morse (John Booth), Anjelica Huston (Mary)
Directed by: Sean Penn
Writer: Sean Penn
PROTAGONIST FREDDY'S DILEMMA: He wants revenge for his 7 yr old daughter Emily's murder but his anger consumes him first.
PROTAGONIST'S DESIRE: To get his revenge by killing John Booth, his daughter's murderer.
HIS CHIEF OBSTACLE: John Booth is still in jail.
ESTABLISHING SHOT: A torch is rolled on the naked skin of a strip joint dancer. A sensitivity group in meeting, talking about how they are coping with their grief.
INCITING INCIDENT: Freddy visits ex-wife Mary at her new house and tells her that he is going to kill John Booth, who has just been released from prison.
PLOT POINT 1: Freddy catches John Booth alone in his trailer but he fails to kill him because his handgun turns out to be empty.
MID POINT EVENT: John Booth tells his girlfriend that he can't just choose to live a happy and new life with her.
movie quizzes
Xaar and Nazdar forge global ink partnership
Ink World, Oct, 2008
Nazdar is the latest ink manufacturer to become a Xaar Approved Ink Partner and supports Xaar's strategy to give end users the freedom to select from a wide range of approved inks.
"We are delighted to be working with Nazdar," said Jill Woods, ink product manager at Xaar. "We feel Nazdar's strategies are a good strategic fit with our own policies. We are both very dedicated to delivering high-quality inks to the market."
Xaar also announced that Nazdar has achieved Xaar 'Approved' status for its range of high-performance Nazdar Lyson 7150F UV and 7340F UV Curable Flexible Series Digital Imaging Inks for use with Xaar 500/40 printheads.
Nazdar's inks sold to OEMs and those also sold under the Lyson digital ink brand incorporate premium grade pigments and resins to ensure superior outdoor durability, plus superior pigment dispersion technology to allow optimum printing performance. Actual and accelerated weather testing has demonstrated that Nazdar inkjet inks withstand two years exterior exposure without a significant change in density or color variance.
The approval demonstrates Nazdar's growing commitment to the digital ink market. The company is a leading manufacturer of screen printing inks, and offers an extensive range of aqueous, solvent, sublimation, oil-based and UV-curable digital inks for wide and grand format digital printers.
"The digital ink market is an increasingly important part of Nazdar's business," commented Stewart Partridge, OEM and business development director for Nazdar
lyson inks
Research and Markets: Study This Analysis and Breakdown of the Mattress Production Industry in 2004
Business Wire, Nov 22, 2004
DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c9524) has announced the addition of The World Mattress Industry 2004 to their offering.
This report offers a comprehensive picture of the world mattress industry, providing trends in mattresses production and consumption, imports and exports and product type.
A breakdown of mattress production by material (foam mattresses, latex mattresses, spring mattresses, mattresses in other materials) is available for selected countries.
For each country imports and exports of mattresses are broken down by country and geographical area.
The analysis of mattress distribution channels is available for selected countries, and covers: mattress specialists and bedroom furniture stores, furniture retailers and furniture chains, department stores and hypermarkets, DIY, mail order, TV sales.
Short profiles of the main mattress manufacturers are provided. Data on leading sector companies, with turnover and product type, are available for selected countries.
Addresses of over 180 mattress manufacturers and distributors are also included.
Products covered include: mattresses, foam mattresses, latex mattresses, spring mattresses, mattresses in other materials, sommiers.
Countries covered: the seven major industrial Countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) plus Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Companies Mentioned in this report include:
Ahlens, Beter Bed Holding, CIE Continentale Simmons, Crown Bedding, Danisches Bettenlager, Diroy, Dorlux Beds, Dormilon Descanso, Dunlopillo, EBAC Literie, Espe, European Sleep Products, Excellent Relax Bedding Co, Grand litier, Industria Bedding Frauflex, Industrias Bilbainas Relax, Le Bed, Literie Duvivier, Matratzen Concord, Nuitea, Onrev, P&L Beds, Palatine Beds, Pocket Spring Bed Company, Relyon, Rest Assured, ROVIVA Roth & Cie, Sapsa Bedding, Sealy, Silentnight Holding, Simmons, SLEEPING COMFORT Highgate Beds, Slumberland, Sprung Slumber, Superba Betten, SWISSFLEX Matra, The Windsor Bed Company, Veldeman Bedding, Wellform.
The contents of this report are as follows:
PART I: The world mattress industry: country analysis
Country analysis
--Seven major mattress manufacturing countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States
--Other main manufacturing Countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Country data include:
--Mattress production, where available broken down by material: foam, latex, spring, others
--Mattress exports and imports
--Mattress consumption, where available analysis by distribution channels and major distribution companies
--Economic indicators, mattress consumption 1997-2003 and forecasts 2004-2005
--Selection of leading mattress manufacturers: turnover, employees, main products
PART II: The world mattress industry: production, consumption and trade
World mattress consumption and imports
--Mattresses consumption and imports, total and per capita GNP in 17 major markets, 2003
--Mattresses consumption in 10 major markets, trend 1997-2003
--The opening of mattress markets over the past 5 years, 17 major countries
--The main mattress importers, trend 1997-2003
World mattress production and exports
--Mattresses production and exports, total and per capita GNP in 17 major countries, 2003
--Mattresses production in 10 major countries, trend 1997-2003
--The main mattress exporters, trend 1997-2003
World mattress trade
--World mattress trade, trend 1997-2003 and forecasts 2004-2005
--Mattress exports, 32 major countries, trend 1997-2003
--Mattress imports, 32 major countries, trend 1997-2003
--World mattress trade. Destination of exports
--World mattress trade. Origin of imports
PART III: Major mattress manufacturers: company profiles
--Information on each mattress manufacturing company
--Address, telephone, fax, website
--Controlled companies, subsidiaries, brands
--Profile: company background, turnover, product breakdown, employees and production facilities, divisions, exports and outlet markets, distribution network and commercial strategies, investments and company strategies, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures
Appendix
--addresses of over 180 manufacturers, controlled companies, subsidiaries, brands
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c9524
N-able Technologies(R) Launches N-able MSP Supplemental Services(TM) With Support From IT-as-a-Service Leader NetEnrich
Market Wire, July, 2010
N-able Technologies , the global leader in remote monitoring and management (RMM) software for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT departments, today announced it has teamed with NetEnrich, the premier IT-as-a-Service (ITaaS) provider, to launch N-able MSP Supplemental Services worldwide.
The new MSP Supplemental Services offering complements N-able's award-winning N-central 7.0 with Endpoint Security Manager RMM platform and gives N-able partners new capabilities for delivering comprehensive network operations center (NOC) and help desk services to customers. In addition, MSPs gain a remote and fully secure option for the management, monitoring and remediation of their customers' IT infrastructures .
"NOCs are the critical nerve centers of business today, and savvy MSPs know that operating this nerve center 24x7 requires sophisticated IT skills as well as a wide range of security strategies and technologies," says Raju Chekuri, president and CEO of NetEnrich. "By taking advantage of proven NetEnrich technology, N-able partners can jumpstart their entry into the fast-growing NOC services and help desk markets -- both conveniently and cost-effectively -- via an ITaaS delivery model that builds upon their existing N-central-based services offering."
With the new MSP Supplemental Services, N-able partners will be able to reduce IT spend, optimize resource allocation, deliver IT with dynamic resources and be more efficient in a 24x7 world, according to Gavin Garbutt, N-able's president and CEO.
"Through NetEnrich and MSP Supplemental Services, we're offering our partners an entirely new way to manage technical labor resources more efficiently, build and sustain recurring revenue streams, improve service levels and customer satisfaction, and increase profitability," says Garbutt. "We're extremely pleased to team with NetEnrich to leverage its innovative NOC and help desk technology in order to help our partners build upon the success they've enjoyed with N-central."
Two NOC services are now available through N-able for remote MSP management and monitoring of desktops , servers and network devices:
Proactive Service , which includes monitoring and escalation services that augment N-able's RMM platform
Managed Service , which includes monitoring and remediation services that augment N-able's RMM platform
Key features and benefits of the N-able Supplemental Services/NetEnrich offering include:
Monitoring and alerting for servers, routers, switches, firewall resources, laptops and desktops
Preventative maintenance including backup and vulnerability scans
Asset reporting
Secure remote infrastructure management for MSPs
Less intrusive engagements and smooth on-boarding process
Quality service offerings for monitoring and managing IT infrastructure
Optional for servers: N-able Endpoint Security Manager
For Managed Service only: Remote troubleshooting and fix
To learn more about the features and capabilities of N-able's MSP Supplemental Services, please visit our web page . For pricing information, please call 1-877-655-4689 (US and Canada) or 00 800 6225 3000 (outside US and Canada).
IT resellers and MSPs interested in becoming an N-able reseller, please visit our Midmarket Partner Program web page or contact 1-877-655-4689 ext. 331 or 00 800 6225 3000 ext. 331.
About NetEnrich
NetEnrich is a next-generation "IT-as-a-Service" (ITaaS) company that is 100 percent dedicated to advancing the professional IT services delivered through the Channel
help desk software
Srei BNP Paribas targets Rs1,100 cr disbursement
Srei BNP Paribas targets Rs1,100 cr disbursement
0 Comments | DNA : Daily News & Analysis; Mumbai, Jul 24, 2010
Srei BNP Paribas, industry leader in the infrastructure and construction equipment financing, is targeting to disburse over Rs1,100 crore in Gujarat. The company opened its fifth office in the state at Gandhidam on Friday. It is a joint-venture between Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited and BNP Paribas Lease Group (BPLG). Srei BNP Paribas, which disbursed over Rs400 crore in the state last fiscal, has already disbursed Rs350 crore in the state, this fiscal
commercial ovens
Proving its staying power, for the past
Proving its staying power, for the past five years hip-hop remains the top-selling genre over country music and is second only to rock music. Formerly known as rap, hip-hop is a moving cultural force that first garnered the attention of corporate America in the early 90s. When hip-hop made its debut into mainstream, corporate heads began to turn. Enterprising brand managers embraced the culture and soon realized substantial results.
In an effort to be a hip drink of choice,
Coca-Colas
Sprite brand
began using rap music in commercial ads in 1994. Sprite Brand manager, Pina Sciarra affirmed that Sprites appeal as a favorite soda quadrupled as a result of the ads. Taking notice of Cokes commercial success,
Burger King
and several restaurant chains followed suit with similar advertising approaches. By bringing the edgy styles of favorite rappers to specialty stores, the fashion industry became a key contributor to hip-hops brand influence.
corporate gift ideas
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