08.31
PR Newswire, July 27, 2009
Multi-Center Trial Designed to Further Prove Viability of Treating Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers and Spare Healthy Tissues through the Use of an Miniaturized X-Ray Treatment Tool
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 27 /PRNewswire/ — Xoft, Inc. today announced that it has expanded the treatment capabilities of the Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy, eBx(TM), System with the launch of a multi-center skin cancer trial to further prove the safety and feasibility for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers here at the 51st Annual American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Meeting. The Company also announced that the first skin cancer patients were recently treated using the FDA-cleared Axxent System, which has been available for the treatment of early stage breast cancer since 2005 and endometrial cancer since 2008.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with more than 1 million cases diagnosed annually and results in more than 10,000 deaths each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, if diagnosed and treated early, most cases of skin cancer can be cured. While melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancers, it accounts for less than 10 percent of all cases. Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, represent the majority of all new cases.
“I am very excited to be the principal investigator for the first clinical study utilizing Xoft’s Electronic Brachytherapy for surface treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers,” said Ajay Bhatnagar, MD, of Cancer Treatment Services of Arizona. “Since skin cancers usually present on areas exposed to the sun frequently, such as the face, head and neck, we have to consider both the eradication of the cancer as well as cosmetic outcomes when determining the best treatment option for the patient.
“Radiation therapy has been a common modality for the treatment of non-melanomatous skin cancers especially for elderly patients with lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas. There is also a wide variability in the radiation treatment for skin cancer in terms of the different radiation modalities and dose fractionation schemes. That is why I believe this is a particularly important prospective study which should help us gain a better understanding of the use of radiation therapy, specifically electronic brachytherapy, for the primary treatment of non-melanomatous skin cancer,” added Dr. Bhatnagar.
The prospective study is designed to gather data to enable physicians to develop guidelines for treating skin cancer patients with Electronic Brachytherapy that will result in the best patient outcomes. Treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancer typically include several types of surgery, topical treatments and radiation therapy. The location of the cancer and the extent of the disease impacts which treatment option is best for each patient. Whether in combination with surgery or as a stand-alone treatment, Electronic Brachytherapy will enable clinicians to administer radiation therapy without the use of a radioactive isotope and in clinical settings where a shielded vault is not needed
08.31
Oakland Tribune, Mar 30, 2009 by Lisa P White
Cities and other pool operators are scrambling to comply with a new federal law requiring installation of anti-entrapment drain covers in public swimming pools and spas — covers designed to prevent drownings and injuries related to drain suction.
The law became effective in December, but some local pool operators acknowledge they have been allowing swimmers into pools even though the new protections aren’t fully in place. Those pools, however, won’t face consequences for failing to comply with the law because county health inspectors aren’t enforcing it yet.
Under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, public swimming pools and spas must install the drain covers. A Pool or spa that has a single main drain also must put in a back-up system, such as an automatic pump shut-off, if something blocks the drain.
The law applies to municipal pools and spas as well as those at hotels and motels, apartment complexes and housing subdivisions
08.31
International Economy, The, Fall, 2003 by Owen Ullmann
At least half a dozen times a year, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan treks up to Capitol Hill to report to Congress on an array of financial and economic issues. Whether his testimony focuses on monetary policy, financial markets, the federal budget, energy policy, or trade, Greenspan’s words command the world’s attention.
Yet once the Fed chairman completes his prepared remarks, hardly anyone pays any heed to the subsequent exchange of questions and answers between Greenspan and the members of the Congressional committee that summoned him. The sessions can go on lot hours, yet they rarely produce news–or much enlightenment.
You would think that with the world’s most powerful banker held captive be fore them, the senators and representatives would engage Greenspan in a thoughtful discussion on the top economic issues of the day. Instead, the inquisitors are more interested in pursuing their own political agendas. They may be soliciting his support for–or opposition to–specific legislation, grandstanding for the audiences back home about a major local concern, or trying to bait him into an embarrassing political position.
As a result, the taciturn Greenspan does his best to be even more circumspect than usual in his responses. And the primary contribution from the lawmakers, having squandered the opportunity for lively debate, is entertainment for those in attendance and the few folks who watch the proceedings on C-SPAN.
For Greenspan, the questioning is annoying at times but largely harmless. Few members of Congress rail against his policies, and the Republicans who now wield power are friendly, including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama and House Financial Services Chairman Michael Oxley of Ohio.
And even those who hector him the most can’t compare in antagonism to legendary House Banking Committee Chairman Henry B. Gonzalez of Texas, a Democratic populist who tormented Greenspan during the 1980s and 1990s. Not only did Gonzalez oppose Fed monetary policies, but he also made life miserable for Greenspan by attacking the Fed as an institution, from its lack of minorities in high positions and lavish spending to the way it selected regional presidents. Gonzalez’ threat to pass legislation to rein in the Fed was never taken seriously, but his vows to cut the Fed budget got Greenspan’s attention and forced him to do all he could to pacify the House Chairman. Greenspan used to complain that Gonzalez was the biggest thorn in his side
08.30
Wireless News, February, 2008
Wireless News
02-15-2008
BSG Enhances Credit Card Processing to Guard Against Prepaid and Gift Card Fraud
WIRELESS NEWS-February 15, 2008-BSG Enhances Credit Card Processing to Guard Against Prepaid and Gift Card Fraud (C)2008 10Meters – http://www.10meters.com
BSG Clearing Solutions, a provider of payment and risk management solutions for communications service providers and e-commerce merchants, announced the deployment of a Credit Card Processing enhancement to guard against prepaid / gift card fraud.
Intended for card-not-present (CNP) merchants, BSG s new Card Identification System combines the identification of the specific card type and card class with usage data and sophisticated…
08.30
Oakland Tribune, Jul 28, 2008 by Jonathan Lockett
A woman injured Sunday in a personal watercraft accident near Discovery Bay is expected to live, a Contra Costa sheriff’s deputy said.
Kelly Bradford, 21, of Byron, is in the intensive care unit at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek after suffering a brain contusion along with pelvic and leg injuries when her WaveRunner hit the Highway 4 bridge support in Old River just east of Discovery Bay, Sgt. Doug Powell said.
The accident claimed the life of Discovery Bay resident Jeffrey Rinne, 23, who was riding with Bradford. Rinne died of a blunt- force head injury, a Contra Costa coroner said.
Investigators believe Bradford was driving the WaveRunner at the time of the incident. Investigators are looking into the speed of the watercraft at the time of the collision, and whether alcohol was involved
08.30
Market Wire, June, 2009
The Computer History Museum (CHM)
announced today that it has, with permission from Apple Computer Inc.,
posted two historic Apple corporate documents for public access. Apple’s
Preliminary Macintosh Business Plan and Preliminary Confidential Offering
Memorandum — its initial public offering (IPO) plan — are now available
on the Museum’s website.
The documents provide rare insight into Apple as an early company and offer
perspective on the technology industry at the time. The Preliminary
Macintosh Business Plan and the Preliminary Confidential Offering
Memorandum were generously donated to the Museum’s collection by Apple’s
First Employee Dan Kottke and by original Apple Investor and Former
Chairman Mike Markkula, respectively. The plans have been added to the
Museum’s searchable online Catalog database, which currently contains more
than 65,000 artifacts.
“These two documents provide a rare glimpse into Apple’s history as a
company,” said John Hollar, the Computer History Museum’s President and
CEO. “Apple has grown into such a corporate icon that it’s a special treat
for us to see its dawn as a business — right down to the handmade
corrections on the first financial projections in the offering document.
We’re delighted to have the opportunity to provide this fascinating insight
into Apple’s early history and tell a small part of the company’s historic
story.”
The 30-page Preliminary Macintosh Business Plan, released internally within
Apple Computer in 1982, describes the market position the Apple Macintosh
could fill between home computers, such as the TRS-80, and business
machines, like the Xerox 820. The Macintosh was announced in 1984, two
years after the date of the plan.
Apple’s Preliminary Confidential Offering Memorandum, issued ca. 1977, is a
38-page comprehensive competitor analysis and product roadmap. This
document describes and provides early insight on Apple’s “computer
ecosystem” strategy for product development, which still exists within the
company today.
For more details on each of the Apple documents, please visit:
http://www.computerhistory.org/highlights/earlyapple/ .
To search CHM’s online Catalog, please visit:
http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/search/ .
About the Computer History Museum
The Computer History Museum (CHM) in Mountain View, Calif. is a nonprofit
organization with a four-decade history
08.30
Life Extension, March, 2008 by Will Brink
“LEARNING AND FUN ABOARD THE SUN”
As a long-time member of the Life Extension Foundation and writer for its magazine, one thing I have always appreciated is the creativity of the Foundation when it comes to looking after its members. A great example of this is the exciting new Life Extension cruise, which set sail for the Caribbean in October, 2007. By combining a conference with a great vacation destination as a single package, this inaugural cruise was a smashing success for the Life Extension members lucky enough to attend.
ALL ABOARD THE SUN
The cruise ship was the Norwegian Sun run by Norwegian Cruise Lines, a beautiful ship by all accounts. Between sunny destinations such as Roatan (an island off Honduras), Cozumel (an island off Mexico), Belize, and Key West, Florida, Life
Extension delivered a range of informative lectures for the members on a wide variety of topics relating to health, disease prevention, and fitness, to name a few, as well as presenting the latest in integrative therapies and anti-aging research. This was also a unique opportunity for members to interact directly with medical doctors, researchers, advisors, and other Life Extension members.
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE PRESENTATIONS
The conference began with a talk by Life Extension’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs and Medical Development, Dr. Steven Joyal. His opening presentation was a general “welcome to the conference,” followed by an extensive look at the state of the Life Extension Foundation and the many areas of research it has both funded and focused on. His opening talk covered a wide range of topics, such as the latest research on anti-aging and disease prevention, new supplements and drugs, and strategies such as calorie restriction (CR) for preventing diseases associated with aging and extending life span.
OPTIMAL HORMONE LEVELS
Later that day, Scott Fogle, ND, Life Extension’s Director of Clinical Information, gave a presentation entitled “Hormones and Optimal Health,” which covered many issues surrounding the importance of optimizing various hormones. He explained in easy-to-follow terms how the many hormones in our bodies function, how they need to be properly balanced and monitored, and, a key area that is often ignored, the importance of regular blood work for accomplishing those goals.
Life Extension stresses constantly the importance of regular blood work, as do I, and I was surprised by the number of people on board who did not get regular blood work and did not know what their hormone levels were. For example, many men I spoke with did not know what their testosterone levels were and many women were unaware of their DHEA or estradiol (an estrogen) levels.
Suboptimal hormone levels are a fast way to lose muscle mass, bone mass, and general functionality as we age, which highlights the importance of regular blood work.
A number of talks also focused on the specific needs of aging men and women. Health advisor Alex Benitez gave a detailed presentation called “Prostate Cancer and Prostate Health,” which covered an important topic of concern to all aging men–maintaining a healthy prostate and avoiding prostate cancer. Specific to the concerns of many women, health advisor Dr. Sevda Akhundova gave a talk entitled “Breast Cancer/Breast Health,” which covered a variety of issues essential for avoiding a disease that kills thousands of women each year.
More notable lectures were given on the “Importance of Regular Blood Work” (presented by Dr. Akhundova), “Nutrition and Fitness for Life” and “Medication and Supplement Interactions” (both presented by Alex Benitez).
METABOLIC SYNDROME
Dr. Joyal then delivered an in-depth presentation on a topic important to all aging adults, “Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Loss.”
Metabolic syndrome (also known as Syndrome X) is a cluster of conditions that often occur together as a result of a dysregulation in blood sugar metabolism via a decrease in insulin sensitivity
08.29
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), May 2, 2009
To give your home extra style and flair, consult the experts at Huddersfield’s fitted bedroom furniture specialist.
Floor to Ceiling is one of Yorkshire’s longest established made-to-measure fitted bedroom companies, established since 1978 and situated in Paddock.
The family-run business has survived economic ups and downs but has always remained fully committed to providing quality products, value for money and an outstanding service.
This has proven to be a successful formula for creating satisfied customers who are pleased to return to Floor to Ceiling for additional work and often recommend the business to family, friends and business associates.
Floor to Ceiling is very proud that almost 80% of the business comes from recommendations and repeat customers.
The showroom at Shires Hill, Paddock, has been designed to give prospective clients an insight into the vast range of styles and designs on offer, whatever ‘look’ is required.
Design skills can be used to obtain the desired effect with either hinged doors or sliding door systems.
A truly extensive range is on offer and, most importantly, everything is exactly made-to-measure.
The bulk of manufacturing work is carried out within Floor to Ceiling’s own workshop and, as customers would expect, all installations are carried out by the company’s own directly employed joiners to ensure the very highest quality finish.
Unlike some companies, Floor to Ceiling holds with traditional values and terms of business.
Just a small deposit is required with the balance to be paid when the installation is completed to full customer satisfaction.
Floor to Ceiling believes that the best advertising comes from satisfied customers. A visit to the showroom allows customers to view the extensive range and also to read the many unsolicited testimonials from previous customers..
Finally this local company never has a sale but aims to be competitive 365 days a year with no inflated offers and no gimmicks.
Floor to Ceiling is the local company for fitted bedrooms and home offices/studies.
Look out for the distinctive Floor to Ceiling vans which are always out and about on the roads around Huddersfield and beyond.
Floor to Ceiling fitted furniture, established since 1978..
CAPTION(S):
Pictured (above) is an example of fitted furniture from Floor to Ceiling and (below) the premises at Paddock
08.25
Canadian Medical Association. Journal; CMAJ, Mar 11, 2008 by Kondro, Wayne
Informed that the position of National Science Advisor will be eliminated by the federal government, Arthur Carty will retire in “dismay” that Canadians will be losing a mechanism for generating credible, independent nonpartisan scientific advice when he leaves the post Mar. 31, 2008.
Carty was informed last October that the 4-year-old Office of the National Science Advisor would be phased out in favour of advice provided by the recently minted Science, Technology and Innovation Council. Established in June 2007, the Council is composed of 3 deputy ministers and representatives of industry and academe
08.25
Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, October, 2002 by Bulger, Angela G.; Edds, David R.; Wilkinson, Christopher D.
Mark L. Wildhaber
U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center Columbia, Missouri 65201
The Neosho madtom, Noturus placidus, is a small catfish listed by the U. S