09.28
Market Wire, April, 2009
Doctors must customize care and communication to
meet the demands of Internet savvy health consumers in order to succeed and
ultimately survive. That is according to recent reports detailing the
future view of healthcare. This trend of self-service transactions and
online communications is the fork in the road for the orthodontic industry
because its adoption is critical for a successful orthodontic practice.
“By incorporating e-health communications into a practice, an orthodontist
can ensure he or she maintains their competitive edge and brand image and,
as a result, improves patient satisfaction and revenue,” said Scott
Zimmerman, business leader for TeleVox , a leading provider of
healthcare communication solutions.
“Before a patient makes an appointment, that patient has probably already
consulted orthodontists gilbert a variety of sources on the Internet,” continued Zimmerman.
“They most likely have downloaded report cards on orthodontists in their
area, looked at before and after pictures on websites and read patient
satisfaction reviews about a particular office.”
TeleVox is leading the way in the use of innovative e-health communications
to meet the demands of today’s health conscious consumer with unique
products and services, such as T.LINK , SiteBoost and AdBoost .
TeleVox is offering free consultations and product demonstrations at the 2009 AAO Annual
Session (American Association of Orthodontists) in Boston May 1-5, 2009
at Booth #3033.
T.LINK, which has 1.6 million active users, turns a website into an
interactive patient service resource center. With T.LINK orthodontists can
conduct patient satisfaction surveys, give patients access to detailed
appointment information, send automated e-mail appointment confirmations or
send text message appointment reminders to mobile devices. They can even
accelerate payments and decrease accounts receivable through the new online
payment service for mobile devices.
SiteBoost and AdBoost offer premium search results and search marketing
services to augment their website presence and drive more traffic to the
website. Porter Research confirmed that TeleVox-hosted websites outranked
other vendors in search engine ranking and visibility.
SiteBoost and AdBoost provides an opportunity to reach the growing
demographic of online users seeking orthodontic care by driving targeted
traffic to a doctor’s website. With SiteBoost and AdBoost an orthodontist
can target Internet users in their geographical areas that are looking for
answers for specific orthodontic needs at a cost much lower than
traditional marketing (i.e. television, direct mail, billboards, yellow
pages, newspaper ads). SiteBoost and AdBoost also provide data and
analysis to report where the traffic is coming from and what types of
information their user base is seeking.
Recent reports show that many orthodontists are looking for better ways to
decrease administrative costs, increase practice efficiency, improve
productivity and attract new patients. “We know that easy patient
scheduling, quality patient service and access to information are all major
drivers in patient satisfaction. That’s why technology has really become a
necessity in building and maintaining patient loyalty,” said Zimmerman.
About TeleVox
For years leading doctors have chosen TeleVox for proactive, effective and
timely healthcare communication
09.27
Wood & Wood Products, August, 2007
TORONTO — Registration is open for the three educational workshops being held in conjunction with the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo, Oct. 26-28, at the International Centre, Mississauga (Toronto), ON. The three-day trade show, which features woodworking machinery and supplies displayed by more than 400 companies, also will feature a Closets Pavilion stocked with hardware, components and other products used by closet and storage system manufacturers.
Canada’s first Closets & Home Organization Conference is one of the three half-day education sessions scheduled during WMS. It will be held 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at the Toronto International Airport. It is cosponsored by CLOSETS and the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals. Each of the scheduled five presenters is an owner or executive of a closet system manufacturing company.
The two other educational workshops are being coordinated by the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing at the University of British Columbia in cooperation with Wood & Wood Products.
The first, “Recruiting, Training and Retaining the Right Employees,” is co-presented by the Wood Manufacturing Council and will be held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
09.26
Business Wire, April 18, 2008
CHICAGO — Fitch believes the risks within Mexico’s construction bridge loan (CBL) sector have increased over the past year and that this segment will continue to show signs of weakness during 2008. This elevated risk may necessitate an increase in credit enhancement levels for future CBL securitizations which Fitch rates in Mexico. contractor pacific palisades Fitch does not believe the increase in risk within this segment is solely related to the U.S. subprime and global credit crisis.
‘In general terms and compared to other markets across the globe, the Mexican securitization market has been somewhat shielded from the effects of the global credit crisis,’ according to Greg Kabance, Managing Director in Fitch’s Latin America Structured Finance Group. ‘While Mexican issuance has slowed and overall risk premiums have increased significantly compared to last year, the performance within the RMBS and other asset classes continue to perform in line with expectations,’ said Kabance.
Recently, Fitch conducted a review of the main variables that may affect the performance of the CBL asset class in Mexico. Through surveillance of existing construction bridge loan transactions and meetings with key market participants, Fitch concluded that in general terms the risks within the construction housing sector have increased as many developers face a higher level of uncertainty in the current environment. While there have been very few construction loan defaults and delinquencies have shown only modest increases, Fitch has seen signs of a slowdown within the sector. These signs include slower amortizations causing longer durations of outstanding loan maturities and an increase in loan extensions for six to 12 months. The number of unsold houses has also increased within many of the projects, overall inventory levels are on the rise, and many transactions face increased exposure to larger projects. Additionally, some of these projects have been impacted by slower absorption rates caused by imbalances of supply and demand within those particular locations.
Fitch recognizes the significant housing deficit within the Mexican market; however there are signs that portions of this have been satisfied over the past several years. Depending on its definition, this housing deficit has been estimated to be lower than 3 million or greater than 9 million
09.23
0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 18, 2008 | by Anonymous
Joel Meredith, above, and Alexandra Hagerty, right, were among the volunteers who pitched in to help with Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco’s effort to build new homes Tuesday in Redwood City. Habitat for Humanity is constructing eight units at the site, 136 Lincoln Ave., that are intended for low-income families. The homes are expected to be completed by summer. To donate money or building materials or to volunteer to work green construction ca at the construction site, go to www.peninsulahabitat.org
09.21
Ebony, Jan, 2005 by Joy Bennett Kinnon
THE gusts and gales of last season’s hurricanes have prompted many winter travelers to look in their own back yard, or at least close to home, for vacation fun.
And for the savvy traveler, as the jazz standard goes–”Now’s the time!” For vacation fun close to home, be sure to check airline carriers offering special low rates and discount vacation packages. Internet sites have skyrocketed in offering discount flight, hotel and car rental packages.
Skiers may be interested in attending the Summit, sponsored by the National Brotherhood of Skiers, a Black ski organization. This year the summit will be held February 5-12 in Vail Colo. The group’s summit, which brings together more than 5,000 skiers hitting the slopes for a week of winter sports fun, is designed to support its NBS Olympic Scholarship Fund (that supports athletes of color who excel in winter sports).
From Colorado snow to Las Vegas sun, many vacationers lose themselves in the excitement of Las Vegas, including the world-famous Strip and downtown, concert events, dining, golf, and spa options and tours. For those not close to Vegas there are now many local casinos open from Atlantic City to Tunica, Miss., and all sites in between.
While exploring the Great Mississippi, don’t forget to meet in St. Louis. For a warm welcome and some cool savings, St. Louis boasts more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind restaurants, a jamming live music scene and a great number of cultural, family and sports attractions. For those whose family vacation plans turn toward the sun, perhaps a week or two of no dishes, no homework and no carpools would suffice. Disney parks worldwide are preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Southern California. Beginning May 5 and extending for 18 months through 2006, the “The Happiest Celebration on Earth” event will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with the premiere of many new shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort, California, Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida and the international Disney parks
09.19
Indianapolis Business Journal, Feb 25, 2008 by Allan, Marc D
His name is Marty Camire, but to his customers he’s simply Pick Guy.
Working from his Westfield home, Camire, 35, supplies rock bands, record companies and even non-music-related clients with preprinted and custom-printed guitar picks. His products are used for playing, promotions and even favors at weddings and bar mitzvahs.
“I never thought I’d make a living at this,” he said. “I just thought it was cool.”
Camire grew up a music fan and souvenir collector in Calumet City, Ill., and Munster, Ind. About 10 years ago – not long after graduating from Purdue University – a friend introduced him to eBay. He began selling memorabilia under the name All Things Music and was amazed to discover that picks used by famous guitarists would sell for $50 or more.
He wanted to be the person supplying those picks, so he started researching and e-mailing every pick manufacturer he could find. A few weeks later, a package arrived from Grover Allman, an Australian pick maker. They’ve been making and printing Pick Guy’s picks ever since, though Camire recently started working with an American manufacturer as well.
“Marty is extremely passionate about his business and ensures that the quality of the service and the product is second to none,” Kevin Grover of Grover Allman said in an e-mail. “Grover Allman look forward to continuing working with Marty and in turn grow both our businesses.”
Camire has no investors or partners, and in the beginning he had no capital, either. He simply put up a Web site – which turned out to be a great marketing tool – advertised locally by providing picks for “battle of the bands” competitions, and plugged away.
When he wasn’t working his full-time job at the FYE music store in Castleton Square mall, he would search for bands on the Internet and send them letters, offering his picks.
Brix Milner, a musician who has recorded for the RCA and Sony labels, said he found Pick Guy on the Internet while searching for someone to supply custom, autographed picks
09.19
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oct 2008 by Petrolla, Amber A, Xin, Wei
Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare, benign, hepatic mesenchymal neoplasm found in both males and females, and most commonly in adult females. Angiomyolipoma occurs most commonly in the kidneys. The liver represents the second most frequent site of involvement. Hepatic angiomyolipomas are composed of varying amounts of smooth muscle cells, adipose tissue, and vessels. The smooth muscle cell component is the most specific to the diagnosis. The smooth muscle cells can have varying morphologies and are positive for homatropine methylbromide-45 but are negative for hepatocyte paraffin 1 and S100 protein. The definitive diagnostic study remains the histologic examination of the surgically resected lesion coupled with immunohistochemical stains. The differential diagnosis includes hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic adenoma, leiomyoma, hepatoblastoma, melanoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The immunohistochemical staining pattern differentiates this lesion from other malignant and benign liver lesions. If the diagnosis of hepatic angiomyolipoma has been made, it can be followed conservatively or surgically resected.
(Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2008;132:1679-1682)
Hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare, benign, hepatic mesenchymal neoplasm, first described in 1976 by Ishak.1,2 To date, approximately 200 hepatic AMLs have been reported.3 The tumor consists of 3 components: smooth muscle cells (SMCs), adipose tissue, and vessels. These components can vary greatly within the lesion. This heterogeneity makes the preoperative diagnosis by imaging, needle biopsy, and other techniques difficult.
It is possible to misdiagnose hepatic AML as a number of entities, both benign and malignant. Commonly confused entities include lipoma, hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma, sarcoma, or other metastatic neoplasms
09.17
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Jan 2, 2009
A JUMBO jet converted into a hostel by a Swedish entrepreneur will welcome its first guests on board this month.
The Boeing 747 sits on a grass-covered mound just outside the perimeter of Arlanda airport, which serves Stockholm.
Only the words Jumbo Hostel on its side give a clue that the aircraft will shortly be providing accommodation on the ground.
“I got information about this airplane standing abandoned at Arlanda,” said Oscar Dios, who runs a hostel in Uppsala, about 20 miles north of Arlanda.
“I thoughtwhy not try to convert it into a hostel?
Boats, lighthouses and trains have been converted before into hostels.”
Construction crews are working through the holidays to get the 25 rooms ready for the scheduled opening on January 15.
Jumbo Hostel is already taking bookings.
09.17
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), April 20, 2009
BRIGHOUSE Art Circle members enjoyed a combined demonstration and workshop with Les Boothroyd.
Members produced works of art by painting on glass using a new technique.
The group holds meetings every Thursday at Waring Green Community Centre, Brighouse at 7.30pm..
CAPTION(S):
ARTISTS : Members of the Art Circle are pictured with their work
09.16
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), August 26, 2009
Byline: TONY HETHERINGTON
Q: I believe the government is planning a new sort of state pension scheme, but my employer says he knows nothing about it. Is it worth joining? F W.
A: Your employer should at least have heard about the scheme, though it is not due to be launched until 2012.
Is it worth joining? Well, if you do nothing you will be signed up automatically! The plan is for everyone between the age of 22 and the state pension age to be enrolled into the new ‘Personal Account’ scheme unless they deliberately opt out.
The idea is to provide a low-cost pension, mainly for people on low earnings. Your employer will have to contribute to your pension account, which will not be tied to one job or one company, so as you switch jobs throughout your working life, your pension savings will follow you and, hopefully, will grow over the years.
Q: I was in a damage-only traffic accident several months ago and my car was a write-off because repairs would have cost more than the value of the car. The insurance company has offered me about pounds 1,500, but this is after deducting two more monthly premiums. I think this is unfair because for those two months there was no longer a car to insure. B W
A: You need to check the terms of your policy, but typically car insurance is based on an annual premium