MMA Top 10 Rankings: Rousey, Cyborg and Zingano Top Women's Pound-for-Pound

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The updated MMAWeekly.com World MMA Rankings were released on Wednesday, April 17. This system ranks the Top 10 MMA fighters from across the world in each of the seven most widely accepted mens weight classes and the Top 10 pound-for-pound women fighters.

Taken into consideration are a fighter's performance in addition to win-loss record, head-to-head and common opponents, difficulty of opponents, and numerous other factors in what is the most comprehensive rankings system in the sport.

Fighters who are currently serving drug-related suspensions are not eligible for Top 10 consideration until they have fought one time after the completion of their suspension.

Fighters must also have competed within the past 12 months in order to be eligible for Top 10 consideration unless they have a bout scheduled within a reasonable time frame.

Notes: Brian Bowles, Dominick Cruz, and Shane Carwin are ineligible for consideration because they havent fought in more than a year.

(Fighters previous ranking is in parenthesis.)

Below are the current MMAWeekly.com World MMA Rankings:

WOMENS POUND-FOR-POUND (all weight classes)1. Ronda Rousey (1) 2. Cris Cyborg Santos (n/a) 3. Cat Zingano (n/a) 4. Sarah Kaufman (4) 5. Miesha Tate (2) 6. Jessica Aguilar (3) 7. Megumi Fujii (5) 8. Marloes Coenen (6) 9. Alexis Davis (8) 10. Liz Carmouche (9)

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (over 205 pounds)1. Cain Velasquez (1) 2. Junior dos Santos (2) 3. Daniel Cormier (3) 4. Antonio Bigfoot Silva (4) 5. Alistair Overeem (5) 6. Fabricio Werdum (6) 7. Frank Mir (7) 8. Josh Barnett (8) 9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (9) 10. Mark Hunt (10)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)1. Jon Jones (1) 2. Lyoto Machida (2) 3. Alexander Gustafsson (3) 4. Dan Henderson (4) 5. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (5) 6. Rashad Evans (6) 7. Phil Davis (7) 8. Mauricio Shogun Rua (8) 9. Glover Teixeira (9) 10. Ryan Bader (10)

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MMA Top 10 Rankings: Rousey, Cyborg and Zingano Top Women's Pound-for-Pound

PNI Digital Media and AlphaGraphics of the Palm Beaches Sign Agreement for New Business Printing Website

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Apr 16, 2013) - PNI Digital Media (PN.TO)(PNDMF), ("PNI" or the "Company"), the leading innovator in online and in-store digital media solutions for retailers, announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Alphagraphics of the Palm Beaches, a multi-location Alphagraphics franchisee serving Palm Beach county in south Florida.

Launching in mid-2013, Alphagraphics of the Palm Beaches will use the PNI Digital Media Platform to offer its customers an all-new online business printing service that directly connects to its in-store printing capabilities. AlphaGraphics customers will be able to easily upload, edit, create and order business cards, brochures, flyers, multi-page documents, posters, postcards and much more to help promote their respective small businesses. The service will offer template content to easily create marketing and communication materials. Orders submitted online will be ready for pick up or delivery in as little as same-day.

"This is the first roll out of our newly extended PNI Digital Media Platform," said Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer of PNI Digital Media. "Using proven technology from our recent acquisition of Quarterhouse Software, PNI can now quickly and effectively reach and roll out new online business printing sites and services to an even wider base of retailers and franchisees."

The new online business printing service with AlphaGraphics of the Palm Beaches is expected to launch in mid-2013.

About PNI Digital Media - PNI Digital Media operates the PNI Digital Media Platform, which provides transaction processing and order routing services for major retailers. The PNI Digital Media Platform connects consumer-ordered digital content, whether from online, in-store kiosks, desktop software or mobile phones, with retailers that have on-demand manufacturing capabilities for the production of personalized products such as photos, photo books, photo calendars, business cards and stationery. PNI Digital Media successfully generates millions of transactions each year for retailers and their thousands of locations worldwide.

Further information on our company can be found at http://www.pnimedia.com.

About AlphaGraphics - AlphaGraphics, Inc. plans, produces and manages visual communications for a wide variety of clients at nearly 300 franchise business centers worldwide. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and founded in 1970, the AlphaGraphics network continues to be at the forefront of the printing franchise industry and today offers customers the full complement of services ranging from web design, mobile and email marketing to branding, graphic design and color printing. Backed by state-of-the-art technology, the world's highest quality standards and a global network, the company's trained and experienced team members are committed to delivering creative solutions that enable customers to increase their reach. For more, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com.

The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. PNI Digital Media's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in technology, employee retention, inability to deliver on contracts, failure of customers to continue marketing the online solution, competition, general economic conditions, foreign exchange and other risks detailed in the Company's annual report and other filings. Additional information related to the Company can be found on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com and on the SEC'S website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. PNI Digital Media shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained in this release. PNI Digital Media relies upon litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.

PNI Digital Media is a trademark of PNI Digital Media Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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PNI Digital Media and AlphaGraphics of the Palm Beaches Sign Agreement for New Business Printing Website

Beaches ComicCon comes to Neptune Beach's library May 4

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The Beaches inaugural ComicCon flies into the Beaches Branch Library from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday May 4, at 600 3rd St. in Neptune Beach.

The Jacksonville Public Library system invites comic book enthusiasts and geeks to don their favorite superhero costume and come to the free event held in collaboration with the Superhero Beach comic book shop, at1124 N. 3rd St. The library will showcase local comic book creators James Greene, Aaron Hazouri and Henry Gonzalez, who will display their works and answer questions. Contests will be held for best comic book character costume, comic trivia and for creating an original comic book page on a provided library form. Winners comics will be exhibited on the library walls throughout May.

Comic book-inspired art by librarian Tony Miller and University of North Florida student Michael Slayton will be on display, as well as Branch Manager Tamera Branams comic book collection of. Fans can enjoy The Avengers film and participate in activities such as making superhero eye masks.

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Beaches ComicCon comes to Neptune Beach's library May 4

Astronomy Day at York County park

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The York County Astronomical Society will offer a day-long slate of free activities for children and adults and a night of Public Observing at John C. Rudy County Park for Astronomy Day, noon-3 p.m. Saturday.

Activities include:

* Radio Astronomy: Listen to the mysterious sounds of the universe using a small radio telescope.

* Solar Observing: Safely observe the Sun through various types of telescopes.

* Solar System Walk: Help build a scale model of the Solar System.

* Learn how to use your telescope: Daytime is the best for learning how to use that telescope gathering dust at home. Bring the telescope, any accessories and instructions to the observatory to get help from experienced astronomers.

Return to Rudy Park at 8 p.m. for a two-hour observing session.

The daytime program will be offered rain or shine. Solar activities will only be offered if it is not cloudy. The evening observing session will only be offered if it is clear or partly cloudy. Call the YCAS Hotline at (717) 578-9109 or check http://www.ycas.org after 5 p.m. on the day of the event if the weather is questionable.

For more information on Astronomy Day, write to info@ycas.org, visit http://www.ycas.org and click on Astronomy Day, or call (717) 578-9109.

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Astronomy Day at York County park

Evening of astronomy offered at Goldthwait Reservation

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All are welcome at the Goldthwait Reservation Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. for an evening of astronomy, moon observation and sky watching.

This event will premiere the newly established Graham Hale Gardner Cultural Series. Established in memory of a beloved Marblehead young man who treasured his time with family and friends at the Goldthwait Reservation, these special presentations are designed to enrich and educate those attending in interesting and reflective topics.

The astronomy program will be presented by local popular stargazers and teachers Jim Keating and Eric Reines. Suggested ages are 8 years and up, and the program will occur weather permitting. Several telescopes will be provided, and the event is free.

There will be a second astronomy evening on April 25, the night of the pink full moon, also at 7:30 p.m. and again weather permitting. Call 781-639-2764 to confirm attendance or for more information concerning a weather-related cancellation.

Organizers strongly urge you dress warmly if you plan to attend.

They also offer a note to all promising and amateur astronomers: April 20-22 are the dates for observing the Lyrid meteor shower, which is best seen in suburban or rural areas. The darker the sky, the better it will be to see these magical celestial bodies, they say. The peak of the meteor shower will be on April 22.

April is also Global Astronomy Month, which is the worlds largest global celebration of astronomy.

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Evening of astronomy offered at Goldthwait Reservation

Cascade Aerospace wins C-130 avionics contract with Canada's RCAF

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ABBOTSFORD, BC, April 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Cascade Aerospace, an operating unit of IMP Aerospace & Defence, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a multi-year contract by the Canadian government for the Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) of the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF's) legacy C-130 Hercules avionics system. This complements the services Cascade provides as Canada's C-130 Primary Air Vehicle Optimized Weapons Systems Manager (PAV OWSM), which includes the in service support, fleet management, aircraft modification, engineering, maintenance, and repair and overhaul of Canada's legacy model C-130 fleet. Cascade also provides in service support services for Canada's C-130J fleet under a 20-year contract with Lockheed Martin.

"Winning this avionics Optimized Weapons System Support (OWSS) contract expands the already holistic support Cascade provides to Canada. The anticipated synergies with our existing Primary Air Vehicle OWSM contract will further enhance Canada's operational output, reduce overall costs and allow for more effective decision making," says Justin Currie, Cascade's Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. "It brings us closer to the original vision of the OWSS long-term, performance-based contract model," he added.

Under this latest contract, Cascade will develop operating plans for the program management and support of C-130 avionics repair and overhaul, and provide software support, configuration management, supply chain management strategies and the management of thousands of avionics-related consumable items.

Cascade is a leading Canadian aerospace and defence contractor with over 650 skilled professionals supporting military and civilian aircraft programs. Headquartered in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Cascade also has operations in Trenton and Ottawa, Ontario. Cascade Aerospace is a Lockheed Martin authorized C-130 Service Center and one of only two Lockheed Martin authorized C-130J Heavy Maintenance Centers in the world.

Cascade Aerospace was recently acquired by IMP Group, a Halifax-based company focused on global sustainable growth, and with over 4,400 experienced people delivering service, quality and value to customers across diverse sectors, such as aerospace, aviation, airline, healthcare, information technology, hospitality, and property development.

SOURCE: Cascade Aerospace Inc.

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Cascade Aerospace wins C-130 avionics contract with Canada's RCAF

Airbus to lift spending in Turkish aerospace sector

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By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - EADS (EAD.PA) unit Airbus plans to double spending in Turkey from last year's $74 million (48.5 million pounds) "very soon" as it deepens its partnership with the local aerospace industry, its chief executive said.

In a speech to mark the signing of Turkish Airlines' (THYAO.IS) recent order for 117 Airbus passenger planes, Fabrice Bregier also said Airbus planned to lift spending in Turkey by 30-fold in a little more than a decade.

"We expect by 2025 we will reach spending of $2.4 billion ... This will make Airbus the biggest partner for Turkish aerospace," Bregier said.

Bregier told Reuters in an interview the expenditure would mainly come in the form of orders likely to be awarded to state-run Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which produces military and commercial aircraft.

Airbus Military, which is headquartered in Madrid, already produces parts for its A400M airlifter in Turkey, according to the company's website.

Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said at the ceremony the government wanted Airbus to make planes in Turkey.

"We want an extensive agreement from you on producing planes in Turkey and we have the capacity to give you every support and incentive for that," Yildirim said.

But Bregier said that suggestion was "even more ambitious" and that Airbus would instead play a supporting role to Turkey's existing aerospace industry.

Bregier also said he expected national carrier Turkish Airlines (THYAO.IS) to eventually order Airbus's A380, the world's largest airliner, to meet demand for flights to the United States and other long-haul, populous destinations.

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Airbus to lift spending in Turkish aerospace sector

UTC Aerospace Systems Selected by Spring Airlines Japan to Provide Wheels, Brakes and MRO services on 737NG Carbon Fleet

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --UTC Aerospace Systems has been selected by Spring Airlines Japan to supply the wheels and carbon brakes for its new fleet of 20 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.The company will provide the equipment through its Wheels & Brakes business in Troy, Ohio. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in April, 2013. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

The 737 Next Generation carbon brakes use proprietary DURACARB carbon heat sink material. The DURACARB carbon provides exceptional brake performance and a 35 percent brake life advantage over competitive products, producing significant cost savings for operators. The wheels and carbon brakes provide a weight savings of approximately 700 pounds (318 kg) per aircraft compared to high capacity steel brakes.

"This agreement, which includes full carbon brake MRO services performed at our Hong Kong service center, demonstrates Spring Airlines' confidence in our track record of providing great products and services with the lowest total cost of ownership," said Cory May, vice president of commercial programs, Wheels & Brakes.

"UTC Aerospace Systems' ability to offer the perfect full carbon brake service solution was a significant factor in our supplier selection," stated Liu Haijun, director of maintenance and engineering, Spring Airlines Japan. "The seamless MRO support and lowest total cost of ownership will enable us to maintain our core business model. We look forward to superior customer focus and exceptional brake life on our new 737NG fleet."

Spring Airlines Japan is a newly established Japanese subsidiary of Spring Airlines, the first and now the largest low-cost carrier in China. Spring Airlines Japan is based in Tokyo and will expand Spring Airlines' international presence. Headquartered in Shanghai, Spring Airlines currently operates domestic and international passenger services on over 50 routes covering a network of more than 30 cities across China, Japan and Thailand. As a leader in China's domestic travel market, Spring Airlines core business model includes low-cost fares and a strong focus on innovation, safety and efficiency.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com

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UTC Aerospace Systems Selected by Spring Airlines Japan to Provide Wheels, Brakes and MRO services on 737NG Carbon Fleet

UTC Aerospace Systems to Provide Nacelle Maintenance for Avianca Brazil A320 Fleet

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., April16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --UTC Aerospace Systems' Aerostructures business has been selected by Ocean Air Linhas Aereas Avianca Brazil to provide complete nacelle maintenance for the airline's fleet of 12 A320 family aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. The flight hour agreement specifies that Aerostructures will provide initial provisioning of spare parts, dedicated nacelle components to enhance Avianca Brazil's operational reliability, as well as providing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) coverage, including parts and labor. The MRO work will be performed at the UTC Aerospace Systems' MRO facility located in Atibaia, Brazil (Goodrich do Brasil). UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

"This is our first nacelle flight hour agreement within Brazil and demonstrates the importance of this growing market," said Marc Duvall, president of Aerostructures. "Being selected by Avianca also underscores our capability in serving South American customers' MRO needs through our maintenance facility, which relocated from Sao Carlos to Atibaia last year."

A nacelle is the structure that surrounds the engine on an aircraft that improves fuel savings, reduces noise and assists in stopping the aircraft upon landing.

Avianca's vision is to be the best airline in Brazil in quality, services, profitability and work environment. More information is available at http://www.avianca.com.br

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com

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UTC Aerospace Systems to Provide Nacelle Maintenance for Avianca Brazil A320 Fleet

Africa: Report On Nutrition Shows Progress in Combating Childhood Stunting

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A United Nations nutrition report released today shows that progress has been made in recent years in addressing stunting in children, and calls for increased efforts to accelerate a response to a condition that affects some 165 million children across the world.

"Stunting can kill opportunities in life for a child and kill opportunities for development of a nation," said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake. "Our evidence of the progress that is being achieved shows that now is the time to accelerate it."

One in four of all children less than five years of age is stunted because of chronic under-nutrition in crucial periods of growth. The damage done to a child's body and brain by stunting is irreversible. It drags down performance at school and later at work, and puts children at a higher risk of dying from infectious diseases.

The UNICEF report, 'Improving Child Nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress' notes that a key to success against stunting is focusing attention on pregnancy and the first two years of a child's life.

An estimated 80 per cent of the world's stunted children live in just 14 countries. The report highlights successes in scaling up nutrition and improving policies in 11 countries: Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Viet Nam.

Stunting is reduced through a series of simple and proven steps such as improving women's nutrition, early and exclusive breastfeeding, providing additional vitamins and minerals as well as appropriate food - especially in pregnancy and the first two years of a child's life.

In the Maharashtra state in India, the percentage of stunted children dropped from 39 per cent in 2005 to 23 per cent in 2012 largely because of support to frontline workers who focus on improving child nutrition.

In Peru, stunting fell by a third between 2006 and 2011 following an initiative that lobbied political candidates to sign a commitment to reduce stunting in children under five by five per cent over the span of five years and to lessen inequities between urban and rural areas.

Ethiopia cut stunting from 57 per cent to 44 per cent between 2000 and 2011 by implementing a national nutrition programme, providing a safety net in the poorest areas and boosting nutrition assistance through communities.

The report says that existing solutions and the work of new partnerships represent an unprecedented opportunity to address child under-nutrition through countries accelerating progress through national projects coordinated with donor support and measurable targets.

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Africa: Report On Nutrition Shows Progress in Combating Childhood Stunting

American Society of Nutrition to Host Symposium on the Impact of Sweetened Beverages on Obesity and Obesity-related …

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WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Nutrition will be hosting a symposium at its annual Experimental Biology 2013 meeting in Boston where medical and health experts will examine the latest scientific evidence surrounding the recent controversy around sugar sweetened beverages.

The symposium, "Sweetened Beverages and Health: Current State of Scientific Understandings," will be held on April 23 at 3:00pm at the Boston Convention and Expo Center and will focus on the controversy surrounding the health effects of both sugar sweetened beverages and non-nutritive sweetened beverages.

The symposium is sponsored by an educational grant from the Corn Refiners Association and has been endorsed by the Medical Nutrition Council.

WHAT:

American Society of Nutrition Late Breaking Symposium "Sweetened Beverages and Health: Current State of Scientific Understandings"

WHEN:

April 23, 3:00pm 5:00pm EDT

WHERE:

Ballroom East, Boston Convention and Expo Center, Boston

WHO:

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American Society of Nutrition to Host Symposium on the Impact of Sweetened Beverages on Obesity and Obesity-related ...

Bond Labs' NDS Nutrition to Attend FILEX Convention in Australia

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OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Bond Laboratories, Inc. (OTCBB:BNLB) (Bond Labs), an international provider of innovative and proprietary nutritional supplements for health conscious consumers, marketed primarily through its wholly owned operating division, NDS Nutrition Products (NDS) http://www.ndsnutrition.com, announces that the Company will attend and participate in the FILEX 2013 Fitness Industry Convention, held in conjunction with the Australian Fitness & Health Expo, April 19-21, at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in Sydney, Australia.

The FILEX 2013 Convention is an exceptional opportunity for NDS to increase its brand awareness and maximize the Companys visibility in Australias expanding health and fitness market, stated John Wilson, Bond Labs CEO. The Convention brings together health and fitness professionals and healthy lifestyle enthusiasts from across Australia. Our presence at FILEX further reinforces NDS as an established provider of premium nutritional supplements to the Australian market and represents an exciting forum to showcase several new products as we continue to expand our footprint in market.

We initially entered the Australian market during the third quarter of 2012. Since that time, we have steadily increased the number of NDS products sold at GNC franchise locations, continued Mr. Wilson. We are very pleased with the strong consumer response we have received thus far and will continue to work to further our brand recognition and our sales.

About Bond Labs

Bond Laboratories is a manufacturer of innovative nutritional supplements. The Company produces and markets products through its NDS Nutrition division. NDS products number over 50 brands of energy, sports and dietary supplements. These products are sold directly through specialty health and nutrition retailers, including top-selling products at GNC franchises. Bond Labs is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. For more information, please visit http://www.bond-labs.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements in this release that are forward looking involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Companys actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this news release. Such factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability to of the Company to continue to grow revenue; the Companys ability to continue to achieve positive cash flow given the Company's existing and anticipated operating and other costs; and the outcome of the Companys pending litigation with the U.S. Department of Labor and our former President alleging violations of certain unlawful employment practices in connection with his separation from the Company. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the Company's control. Reference is made to the discussion of risk factors detailed in The Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

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Bond Labs' NDS Nutrition to Attend FILEX Convention in Australia

The 20th International Congress of Nutrition Will Be Held in Spain For The First Time

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GRANADA, Spain , April 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Granada will host the 20th International Congress of Nutrition (20th ICN) promoted by the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), and the event will be organised by the Spanish Nutrition Society. This is the most prestigious event in the nutrition sector at an international level and will bring together more than 5,000 specialist professionals in this field from 15 to 20 September.

According to Professor Angel Gil , Chairman of the Congress, "the increasing relevance of health and quality of life in people's priorities and aspirations and the fundamental role of nutritional sciences in this context, makes the 2013 International Congress of Nutrition a not-to-miss media and social event."

Prof. Gil also explained that "an increasing number of European citizens are immigrants from Africa , Latin America and Eastern Europe . Many of these people try to continue with their own diets and lifestyle habits, although at the same time they need to integrate into the culture of their hosting countries. Therefore, the slogan chosen for ICN 2013 is 'Joining cultures through nutrition."'

"On behalf of the Spanish Nutrition Society and the IUNS, I would like to invite you to come to Granada and enjoy the scientific and cultural activities that are currently being designed and developed for the 20th International Congress of Nutrition," he added.

The conference logo depicts a pomegranate, the seeds of which are arranged as a map of the world, showing the world's countries with Spain at the centre. It also represents "Granada," the city in which the conference will be held. "We wanted to represent the pomegranate as a symbol of good food, fertility, prosperity, hope, abundance and love. The combination of the seeds of all countries brings to mind the slogan: 'Joining cultures through nutrition."'

An extensive and complete programme

The congress addresses eight major topics related to food and nutrition and is made up of 88 parallel symposia and 38 symposia sponsored by public entities and companies that will address the role of nutrition and public health. It also addresses the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and the impact of technology on the nutritional qualities of food, through to food safety aspects and basic science studies. More than 3,500 scientific communications will be presented along with six plenary conferences, 24 special conferences and eight debates about topics of international interest.

CONTACT: Paula Fernandez , paulafernandez@berbes.com; Patricia Garcia , patriciagarcia@berbes.com; or Maria Poveda, mariapoveda@berbes.com

SOURCE: International Congress of Nutrition

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The 20th International Congress of Nutrition Will Be Held in Spain For The First Time

Nutrition for a just world

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IT is entirely fitting that Ireland is hosting the April 15-16 International Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Climate Justice in Dublin.

Fitting because it was in Ireland that a historic injustice took place -- the Great Hunger of 1845-52, in which one million human beings died, many of them children.

And fitting because Ireland has been and is a leader in the global fight against another great social injustice: stunting.

If you have never heard of stunting, you are by no means alone. A vast human tragedy, it is one of the least reported, least recognised, least understood issues before us.

Stunting, caused by chronic under nutrition early in a child's life, blights the lives of some 165 million children around the world. It is far more than a problem of inadequate growth/height for these children. It can trap them in a lifetime cycle of poor nutrition, illness, poverty and inequity.

Why? Because stunted growth in the first months of a child's life means stunted development of the brain and thus, of cognitive capacity. Permanently.

Stunting hampers not only the future ability of an individual child to learn and earn, but also the social and economic progress of the countries in which they live. In real terms, it cuts school performance, translating into a reduction in adult income by 22 per cent on average. It also leads to increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adult life.

In 2011 it was estimated that more than one in every four children under five in the developing world were stunted, or 28 per cent -- an estimated 160 million children. 80 per cent of children globally live in just 14 countries. Stunting continues to be highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and is highest among low-income countries.

High stunting rates are part of the reason why the world is not on track to reach most of the Millennium Development Goals, notably on extreme poverty and hunger, child and maternal health, and combating HIV and AIDS. Under nutrition contributes to one-third of child deaths and around one-fifth of maternal deaths.

The good news is that it does not have to be this way. In fact, attacking stunting is a huge development opportunity. And a cost effective one.

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Nutrition for a just world

The New Pregnancy Nutrition Rules

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When I was in graduate school, Bridget Swinney's book on infant feeding, "Baby Bites," was one of my textbooks for a course on pediatric nutrition. Later on in life, I returned to her book for help navigating the thorny waters of transitioning my own kids to solids.

Recently, I heard she had published a fourth edition of "Eating Expectantly," a veritable bible for pregnancy nutrition. So I rushed out to get a copy, devoured it in one sitting and stalked her online to score an interview for this column.

"Eating Expectantly" is misleadingly titled--it's not just a book about pregnancy nutrition, is it?

It's really a lifestyle book about the whole "pregnancy season," encompassing pre-conception, pregnancy and that post-baby time when nutrition is important for breastfeeding and getting back in shape.

[See Trouble Trying to Conceive? This May Be Why.]

While food plays an important role in having a healthy baby, environmental influences like chemicals also contribute to a developing baby's "diet" in utero. This fourth edition focuses on living "cleaner" to keep baby's environment safe.

Yes, I was impressed to see how much discussion you devote to cosmetic and household chemicals that may affect pregnancy outcomes. What should women be on the lookout for?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can mimic, increase or decrease the action of hormones in the body. They are suspected as contributing to the worldwide decline in semen quality as well as physical abnormalities of the male reproductive tract. Such chemicals are found in amniotic fluid and semen and arrive there in the most innocuous of ways.

A person can be exposed to dozens of chemicals before she even leaves the house in the morning! People should read labels of makeup and household cleaners as closely as they would food labels. We're concerned about possible lead in lipstick; endocrine disrupting chemicals like phthalates in air fresheners, lotions, nail polish and cleaning products; Bisphenol-A (BPA) in canned foods; and pesticides on conventionally-grown produce.

[See How Safe Are Your Cosmetics?]

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The New Pregnancy Nutrition Rules

Circumcision alters penis microbiome, could explain HIV protection

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Public release date: 16-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Sliwa jsliwa@asmusa.org 202-942-9297 American Society for Microbiology

Circumcision drastically alters the microbiome of the penis, changes that could explain why circumcision offers protection against HIV and other viral infections. In a study to be published on April 16 in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers studied the effects of adult male circumcision on the types of bacteria that live under the foreskin before and after circumcision. By one year post-procedure, the total bacterial load in that area had dropped significantly and the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria, which thrive in locations with limited oxygen, declined while the numbers of some aerobic bacteria increased slightly.

"The change in the communities is really characterized by the loss of anaerobes. It's dramatic," says the corresponding author, Lance Price of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Flagstaff, Arizona and George Washington University in Washington, DC. "From an ecological perspective, it's like rolling back a rock and seeing the ecosystem change. You remove the foreskin and you're increasing the amount of oxygen, decreasing the moisture - we're changing the ecosystem," he continues.

Randomized controlled trials show that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection in men by 50-60% and reduces the risk of infection with human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus type 2, but the biology behind these benefits is not well understood. It could be that the anatomy of the circumcised penis helps prevent infection, or it could be that changes in the microbiome confer protection, or some combination of the two.

Using swab samples from a large circumcision trial in Uganda, Price and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins and TGen set out to determine whether circumcision significantly alters the penis microbial community. Using a quantitative technique called qPCR along with pyrosequencing to identify individual community members, the researchers compared samples from uncircumcised men with samples from circumcised men that were taken both before the procedure and one year later.

"There was a dramatic and significant change in the penis microbiome as a result of male circumcision," says Price. At the beginning, the microbiota of both groups of men were comparable. One year after their operation the bacterial load in all men had declined somewhat, but in circumcised men the decline was significantly greater than in the uncircumcised controls. And nearly all the bacterial groups that declined were strict anaerobes or facultative anaerobes. Overall, these changes amount to a reduced biodiversity in the microbiota.

"From a public health perspective the findings are really interesting because some of these organisms that are decreasing could cause inflammation," says Price. "We're used to thinking about how disrupting the gut microbiome can make someone more susceptible to an infection. Now we think maybe this disturbance [in the penile microbiome] could be a good thing - could have a positive effect," says Price.

Just what role the penile microbiome might play in HIV acquisition is not yet known, but studies suggest that genital bacteria may affect how susceptible the penis is to sexually transmitted viral infections. In uncircumcised men, high bacterial loads may activate cells in the foreskin called Langerhans cells, preventing them from carrying out their normal role in fending off viruses. Instead, these activated Langerhans cells betray the body, binding and delivering HIV particles right to T-cells, where they can initiate an infection. Cutting back on the numbers of bacteria on the penis could, conceivable, prevent these Langerhans cells from becoming turncoats.

To follow up on this work, Price says he and his colleagues plan to address the question of whether the penile microbiome affects HIV transmission by studying possible links between changes in the microbiome and cytokine responses, signaling mechanisms that can activate the immune system.

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Circumcision alters penis microbiome, could explain HIV protection

Norton board questions longevity pay

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Selectmen say a bylaw entitling town employees to longevity pay is no longer necessary.

Vice Chairman Robert Kimball said the bylaw was created when he served on the finance committee in the 1980s.

This was prior to the adoption of unions, it was important for employees to have some security, he said. This was also an effort to keep people in their jobs as long as possible.

The conversation came up at the boards April 11 meeting because an article is set to appear on the Town Meeting warrant in May asking voters to increase the amount of longevity pay town employees receive.

Currently the town pays the following in longevity pay in annual installments, after five years of working for the town an employee receives $150, after 10 years, $200, after 15 years, $250, after 20 years, $300 and after 25 years, $350.

The article is asking to change the compensation amounts to the following, after five years, $550, after 10 years, $650, after 15 years, $750 and after 20 years $850.

I dont believe in longevity pay, I think its a waste of taxpayers dollars, Kimball said. Im not going to support it because in a year from now well be back negotiating contracts. I dont think this is a good idea.

Selectman Bradford Bramwell said employees should be compensated based on their performance, not how long they have worked for the town.

Its nice to have people stay around for a long time, but its also nice for them to have job security for a long time, he said.

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Norton board questions longevity pay

Longevity pay debate continues

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PARKERSBURG - An ordinance on longevity pay for employees will go to a fourth reading after reverting to its original form.

Parkersburg City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday evening to indefinitely suspend longevity pay, with council members John Kelly and Roger Brown voting against. Councilwoman Kim Coram was absent.

The longevity pay ordinance was amended last week during a second reading to repeal rather than suspend longevity pay at the behest of Kelly. The ordinance also had language added requiring the city's Personnel Committee to meet annually to review employee job descriptions and pay.

Photo by Michael Erb Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell, left, gives opening remarks Tuesday evening while Councilwoman Nancy Wilcox listens.

Tuesday's meeting began with Mayor Bob Newell asking council to reconsider the repeal, saying it was done incorrectly and harmed employees. He asked for the ordinance to be amended back to its original form or to have it sent to committee for discussion.

"Last week's motion was unnecessary and confusing," he said. "I'm not sure members knew exactly what they were voting for."

Newell said many council members and administrators were told of the proposed change only minutes prior to the last meeting. He also said the move to repeal was not given the consideration or discussion it deserved.

"This was not fair to the employees or as importantly not fair to the citizens you serve," Newell said. "The motion was an unnecessary blow to the morale of city employees. City council has repeatedly said to city employees that the suspension of longevity was a temporary measure necessary because of the recession. To eliminate it completely is being less than honest to the employees."

At times the series of motions and votes seemed more like a volley at a tennis match.

When council reached the third reading of the ordinance, Kelly quickly asked for a vote to approve, but Councilman John Rockhold proposed an amendment returning the ordinance to its original form. That amendment passed 5-3, with Brown, Kelly and Councilman J.R. Carpenter voting against.

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Longevity pay debate continues

Supreme Court considers gene patents

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The Supreme Court on Monday seemed skeptical that a human gene can be patented but also worried about what a decision to bar such patents would mean for private scientific inquiry and research.

Even the normally confident justices expressed some trepidation as they considered the complexities of patent law and the mysteries of biochemistry. They talked about the introns and exons that are parts of genes, but spent more time on simpler illustrations: baseball bats, a hypothetical plant in the Amazon with miraculous powers, the recipe for chocolate-chip cookies.

The justices caution is warranted: The decision could shape the future of medical and genetic research and have profound effects on pharmaceuticals and genetically modified crops.

The court is considering a challenge to a decision to award a patent to Myriad Genetics for isolating human genes that indicate a hereditary disposition to breast and ovarian cancer. Doctors and patients must use the diagnostic test that Myriad has developed, and others are restricted from research in that area.

The patents are being challenged by organizations of physicians and researchers, geneticists, patients and others who say that the snippets of DNA are products of nature and may not be patented, even though the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued such patents for decades.

The challengers were represented by Christopher A. Hansen of the American Civil Liberties Union. He told the court that Myriad did not deserve a patent because it did not invent anything.

The genes themselves ... where they start and stop, what they do, what they are made of, and what happens when they go wrong are all decisions that were made by nature, not by Myriad, Hansen said.

Now, Myriad deserves credit for having unlocked these secrets. Myriad does not deserve a patent for it.

The justices did not so much disagree with Hansen as they did worry about the consequences of not rewarding companies that invest so much money in genetic discoveries.

What does Myriad get out of this deal? asked Justice Elena Kagan. Why shouldnt we worry that Myriad or companies like it will just say, Well, you know, were not going to do this work anymore?

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Supreme Court considers gene patents