NASA SBIR-STTR General Solicitation: Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

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Synopsis - Aug 31, 2012

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNX12SBIR-STTR-GENERAL Posted Date: Aug 31, 2012 FedBizOpps Posted Date: Aug 31, 2012 Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No Original Response Date: Nov 29, 2012 Current Response Date: Nov 29, 2012 Classification Code: A -- Research and Development NAICS Code: 541712 Set-Aside Code: Total Small Business

Contracting Office Address

NASA Shared Services Center Procurement Division Building 1111 Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

Description

NASA plans to issue a solicitation/Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs. SBIR and STTR opportunities are solicited annually pursuant to the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, P.L. 97-219 (codified at 15 U.S.C. 638) as amended by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, Extension, P.L. 99-443 which extended the program through September 30, 1993. On October 28, 1992, through the Small Business Innovation Research and Development Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564), Congress reauthorized and extended the SBIR Program for another seven years (2000). Subsequently, on December 21, 2000, through the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-554) Congress again reauthorized the SBIR Program. With the approval of H.R. 2608, Continuing Appropriations Act 2012, the SBIR Program was authorized through December 31, 2011. On December 31, 2011, the President signed into law the National Defense Reauthorization Act of 2012 (Defense Reauthorization Act), P. L. 112-81, Section 5001, Division E of the Defense Reauthorization Act contains the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 (SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act)), which extends both the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2017. The both Programs are designed to provide small businesses with opportunities to compete for federal research and development awards and to stimulate the commercialization of the resulting technology. Eligible small businesses along with nonprofit research institutions as a partner are invited to submit proposals in response to the NASA 2012 solicitation.

The NASA 2012 technical topics and subtopics support the NASA Mission Directorates of Human Exploration and Operations, Aeronautics Research, and Science. It is anticipated that the NASA 2012 solicitation will identify specific product areas within each subtopic that NASA wishes to emphasize. To participate in the NASA SBIR/STTR programs, firms must have Internet access and an e-mail address. Details can be found on the NASA SBIR/STTR Home Page at http://sbir.nasa.gov/ .

Note that the NASA 2012 solicitation will be issued as a concurrent document together with the NASA 2012 SBIR solicitation. While the solicitation documents are combined, the review, selection and award processes will be conducted separately for each program. Proposals must be submitted as either an SBIR or an STTR proposal and will only be considered for award under one program. NASA will issue the combined SBIR/STTR solicitation around noon Eastern Time on September 17th, 2012. Distribution will be by the Internet as described below. Paper copies of the solicitation will not be distributed. Instructions for electronic access to the solicitation are as follows: the solicitation and other program information will be accessible on the NASA SBIR/STTR home page which can be viewed at http://sbir.nasa.gov/ . Those requesting the solicitation are strongly encouraged to download it from the NASA Home Page as described above.

However, if that is not possible, potential offerors may contact the NASA SBIR/STTR Support Office for assistance by calling (301)937-0888. Questions regarding electronic access and other administrative matters should be referred to (301)937-0888. Detailed instructions for proposal development and submission are clearly stated in the solicitation. Phase I proposals are due November 29th, 2012, 5:00 pm Eastern time and will be required to be submitted electronically as described in the solicitation instructions. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541712, 541711 and 500 employees, respectively. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The anticipated release date of the Solicitation is on or about September 17th, 2012 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about November 29th, 2012. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

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NASA SBIR-STTR General Solicitation: Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

NASA SBIR-STTR General Solicitation: NNX12SBIR-SELECT

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Synopsis - Aug 31, 2012

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNX12SBIR-Select Posted Date: Aug 31, 2012 FedBizOpps Posted Date: Aug 31, 2012 Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No Original Response Date: Nov 29, 2012 Current Response Date: Nov 29, 2012 Classification Code: A -- Research and Development NAICS Code: 541712 Set-Aside Code: Total Small Business

Contracting Office Address

NASA Shared Services Center Procurement Division Building 1111 Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

Description

NASA plans to issue a solicitation/Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is solicited annually pursuant to the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, P.L. 97-219 (codified at 15 U.S.C. 638) as amended by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, Extension, P.L. 99-443 which extended the program through September 30, 1993. On October 28, 1992, through the Small Business Innovation Research and Development Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564), Congress reauthorized and extended the SBIR Program for another seven years (2000). Subsequently, on December 21, 2000, through the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-554) Congress again reauthorized the SBIR Program. With the approval of H.R. 2608, Continuing Appropriations Act 2012, the SBIR Program was authorized through December 31, 2011. On December 31, 2011, the President signed into law the National Defense Reauthorization Act of 2012 (Defense Reauthorization Act), P. L. 112-81, Section 5001, Division E of the Defense Reauthorization Act contains the SBIR Reauthorization Act of 2011 (SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act)), which extends both the SBIR program through September 30, 2017.

The SBIR program is designed to provide small businesses with opportunities to compete for federal research and development awards and to stimulate the commercialization of the resulting technology. Eligible small businesses along with nonprofit research institutions as a partner are invited to submit proposals in response to the NASA 2012 solicitation. It is anticipated that SBIR Select Phase I proposals will be selected for negotiation of firm-fixed-price contracts around the February 2013 timeframe. This is the first year that the NASA SBIR Program is offering a solicitation for Select Topics; therefore, the Program cannot anticipate how many proposals may be received and possibly selected for negotiations. However, the NASA SBIR Program does not anticipate making more than 20 Phase I awards in response to this solicitation. Further, the NASA SBIR program does not anticipate making more than 12 Phase II awards following any Phase I awards made in response to this solicitation. The NASA 2012 technical topics and subtopics support the NASA Mission Directorates of Human Exploration and Operations, Aeronautics Research, and Science. It is anticipated that the NASA 2012 solicitation will identify specific product areas within each subtopic that NASA wishes to emphasize. To participate in the NASA SBIR/STTR programs, firms must have Internet access and an e-mail address. Details can be found on the NASA SBIR/STTR Home Page at http://sbir.nasa.gov/ .

Note that the NASA 2012 solicitation will be issued as a concurrent document together with the NASA 2012 SBIR solicitation. While the solicitation documents are combined, the review, selection and award processes will be conducted separately for each program. Proposals must be submitted as either an SBIR proposal and will only be considered for award under that program. NASA will issue the solicitation around noon Eastern Time on September 17th, 2012. Distribution will be by the Internet as described below. Paper copies of the solicitation will not be distributed. Instructions for electronic access to the solicitation are as follows: the solicitation and other program information will be accessible on the NASA SBIR/STTR home page which can be viewed at http://sbir.nasa.gov/ .

Those requesting the solicitation are strongly encouraged to download it from the NASA Home Page as described above. However, if that is not possible, potential offerors may contact the NASA SBIR/STTR Support Office for assistance by calling (301)937-0888. Questions regarding electronic access and other administrative matters should be referred to (301)937-0888. Detailed instructions for proposal development and submission are clearly stated in the solicitation. Phase I Select proposals are due November 29th, 2012, 5:00 pm Eastern time and will be required to be submitted electronically as described in the solicitation instructions. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541712, 541711 and 500 employees, respectively. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The anticipated release date of the Solicitation is on or about September 17th, 2012 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about November 29th, 2012. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

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NASA SBIR-STTR General Solicitation: NNX12SBIR-SELECT

Pictures: NASA's Space Shuttle Substitute?

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Photograph courtesy SNC Space Systems

Competing spacecraft designs must pass safety and reliability tests, as shown in this picture of the Dream Chaser concept undergoing structural testing.

The goal of supporting private manned spacecraft is to bridge the "spaceflight gap" left by the retirement of the shuttlesand to allow the space agency to focus on longer-range missions, such as sending rovers to Mars, NASA has said.

The hope is that NASA astronauts will soon be able to buy tickets to space in much the same way the rest of us by airline tickets.

It's an exciting era, said David Brin, a science fiction writer who holds a Ph.D. in space science from the University of California, San Diego.

"Ever since Challenger blew up [in 1986], NASA's approach has been to redouble caution," added Brin, who applauds the risktaking ethos he sees among the private-shuttle contenders.

(See "Rare Pictures From the Dawn of NASA Spaceflight.")

Published September 4, 2012

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Pictures: NASA's Space Shuttle Substitute?

EV Group Unveils Its Next-Generation EVG150 Automated Resist Processing Platform For High-Volume Coating/Developing …

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TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --EV Group (EVG), a leading supplier of wafer bonding and lithography equipment for the MEMS, nanotechnology and semiconductor markets, today unveiled its next-generation EVG150 automated resist processing system. The high-volume coater/developer has been completely redesigned to provide customers with a flexible, modular platform that integrates spin coating and developing with EVG's advanced, proprietary spray coating technology.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120904/SF67114)

"Close collaboration with our customers made it clear that the next logical step for our coater/developer technology was to create a universal approach for high-volume processing of devices with more complicated structures and topographies," stated Markus Wimplinger, EV Group's corporate technology development and IP director. "This latest incarnation of our EVG150 system addresses customers' production needs for back-end lithography, conformal coating and planarization all in one modular, fully automated platform. Leveraging EVG's 15 years of experience in resist coating and developing, and particularly our spray coating, the EVG150 is ideally suited for high-volume coater/developer applications needing increased uniformity and process flexibility."

Part of EVG's resist processing equipment family, which addresses all wafer sizes up to 300 mm, the EVG150 platform can accommodate wafers from 50 mm to 200 mm in diameter, and enables up to four wet process modules to be combined with two stacks of hot plates, chill plates and vapor prime modules. The system performs spin coating, developing, spray coating and lift off, and its modular structure helps minimize system downtime and improve serviceability. Throughput is optimized via EVG's latest Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Framework software platform and unmatched process control.

EVG currently has more than 100 customers implementing its proprietary OmniSpray technology, which is also integrated into the new EVG150 resist processing platform. EVG's OmniSpray technology specifically allows the conformal coating of high topography surfaces via its proprietary ultrasonic nozzle. Spray coating technology is ideally suited for ultra-thin, fragile or perforated wafers. Additionally, the implementation of OmniSpray coating can result in a greater-than-80-percent reduction in material consumption compared to traditional spin coating. Another available option for the EVG150 platform is EVG's NanoSpray technology, which is an enhanced, patented coating technique that can coat surfaces with vertical sidewall angles thus, for example, enabling conformal coating of through-silicon vias (TSVs) with polymer liners and photoresist.

The modular EVG150 automated resist processing platform is available immediately for demonstration and evaluation.

For media interested in learning more about EVG's technology solutions, please visit EV Group at booth #1076 at SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei, where the company will be exhibiting from September 5-7, 2012.

EV Group (EVG) is a leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the manufacture of semiconductors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), compound semiconductors and power devices, and nanotechnology devices. Key products include wafer bonding, thin-wafer processing, lithography/nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and metrology equipment, as well as photoresist coaters, cleaners and inspection systems. Founded in 1980, EV Group services and supports an elaborate network of global customers and partners all over the world. More information about EVG is available at http://www.EVGroup.com.

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EV Group Unveils Its Next-Generation EVG150 Automated Resist Processing Platform For High-Volume Coating/Developing ...

Research and Markets: Plunkett's Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Almanac 2012: Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Market …

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bljlqk/plunketts_nanotec) has announced the addition of Plunkett Research Ltd's new book "Plunkett's Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Almanac 2012: Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Market Research, Statistics, Trends & Leading Companies" to their offering.

Key Features:

- Industry trends analysis, market data and competitive intelligence

- Market forecasts and Industry Statistics

- Industry Associations and Professional Societies List

- In-Depth Profiles of hundreds of leading companies

- Industry Glossary

- Statistical Tables Provided: 8

- Companies Profiled: 279

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Research and Markets: Plunkett's Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Almanac 2012: Nanotechnology & MEMS Industry Market ...

New Study in CHEST Validates the Cheetah NICOM® 100% Non-Invasive Method for Addressing One of the Most Difficult …

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VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study led by Dr. Paul Marik, Professor and Division Chief of Pulmonary Critical Care at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA was published this week in CHEST, the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. The study confirmed the high accuracy of using the non-invasive NICOM technology to assess fluid status, one of the most prevalent and frequent challenges in critical care and emergency medicine.

Intravenous (IV) fluid administration has long been a cornerstone of treating patients in shock. In fact, early, guided fluid administration has been shown to lead to dramatic improvements in outcomes and survival of various conditions including sepsis, major surgery and trauma. However, multiple studies have shown that only approximately 50% of critical care patients are responsive to additional fluid. That is, in about half of patients, increased fluid will significantly improve their cardiac function (as measured by stroke volume); whereas in the other half, it will not. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that both inadequate and excessive fluids are associated with poor outcomes. A method to determine volume responsiveness and dosing of fluid is important in the critical care setting; but historically many methods have been invasive, associated with catheter-line blood stream infections or bleeding, costly, and/or had unacceptable accuracy.

In this study, Dr. Marik and team confirmed the accuracy and effectiveness of Cheetah Medical's NICOM system, a 100% non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring system, to address the challenge of fluid management. Critical care patients suffering from sepsis, shock and other life-threatening conditions were monitored with the NICOM monitor and a passive leg raise (PLR) maneuver was performed. PLR induces a gravitational transfer of blood from the lower limbs towards the heart. If the NICOM monitor recorded a change in stroke volume index (SVI) of greater than 10%, the patient was considered fluid responsive. The results from the PLR with NICOM were then compared to results from an IV fluid bolus and carotid Doppler flow measurements. The PLR maneuver with NICOM monitoring had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 100% for predicting volume responsiveness.

The conclusion of the study is, "Monitoring the hemodynamic response to a PLR maneuver using the NICOM provides an accurate method of assessing volume responsiveness in critically ill patients."

"As critical care physicians we understand that determining a patient's fluid status is essential to our ability to provide safe and effective treatments to our patients. Fluid optimization is the cornerstone of medical management in many of our patients, most notably those suffering from sepsis, trauma, acute kidney injury and those recovering from major surgical interventions," said Dr. Jordan Bonomo, Director, Division of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. "This research further validates my experience in using NICOM monitoring, along with the PLR maneuver, in the management of critically ill patients."

"We are pleased with the study findings, which further validate our technology and complement previous studies that have come to similar conclusions," said Yoav Avidor, MD, CEO of Cheetah Medical. "We hope this study will encourage use of Cheetah's NICOM system in the management of critical care, emergency medicine and surgical patients. We believe that NICOM may enable hospitals to advance the quality of care for a large number of patients that are not benefiting from advanced hemodynamic monitoring and fluid optimization today."

About Cheetah Medical Cheetah Medical's NICOM Noninvasive Cardiac Output and Hemodynamic Monitoring System uses the company's proprietary BIOREACTANCE Technology to deliver continuous, accurate, noninvasive cardiac output (CO) and other vital hemodynamic monitoring parameters, useful for fluid management and drug titration. The system is FDA-cleared and CE Marked, and since its commercial launch in 2008 has been adopted by a growing number of clinicians worldwide. Cheetah Medical headquarters is located in Tel-Aviv, Israel and its United States headquarters is located in Vancouver, Washington. For more information, visit our website at http://www.cheetah-medical.com.

Reference: Marik PE, Levitov A, Young A, et al. The use of NICOM (Bioreactance) and Carotid Doppler to determine volume responsiveness and blood flow redistribution following passive leg raising in hemodynamically unstable patients. Chest. 2012. [Epub ahead of print]

Dr. Jordan Bonomo was not an investigator in this study and has no relevant financial interests to disclose.

For further information contact: Kristina Frey Cheetah Medical kristina@cheetah-medical.com 317-489-8922

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New Study in CHEST Validates the Cheetah NICOM® 100% Non-Invasive Method for Addressing One of the Most Difficult ...

Goldman Small Cap Research Issues Research Update on Liberty Gold Corp.

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BALTIMORE, Sept. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goldman Small Cap Research, a stock market research firm focused on the small cap and micro cap sectors, has issued research coverage of Liberty Gold Corp., an emerging gold and precious metals exploration company.

Liberty Gold Corp.'s strategy is to acquire significant assets in properties that have proven production histories and that lie adjacent to current, large-scale production and mining operations owned by the world's largest exploration companies. To date, the Company owns significant assets in Arizona and Alaska that have estimated valuations well into the billions of dollars.

In the Goldman Opportunity Research report on the Company, analyst Rob Goldman outlines his investment thesis.

"The Company's recent sampling and processing for visible gold results on the Company's Domestic Portfolio were favorable. Initial samples were collected from 5 different locations within the Domestic Portfolio holdings to determine whether, once processed, visible gold was present at 3 different screens. Liberty Gold will now apply the same sampling and processing approach on a bulk sampling scale, which will involve collecting at least 2 separate 200-pound samples from each location to assess the mining potential. Plus, we are in the midst of a commodity rally and a record holding level of ETFs backed by gold, which bodes well for investors."

To view a summary of the report or download the report in its entirety, please visit http://www.goldmanresearch.com

About Goldman Small Cap Research: Led by former Piper Jaffray analyst and mutual fund manager Rob Goldman, Goldman Small Cap Research produces small cap and micro cap stock research reports, daily stock market blogs, and popular investment newsletters. For more information, visit http://www.goldmanresearch.com.

A Goldman Small Cap Research report is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned or discussed. Please read the report's full disclosures and analyst background on our website before investing. Neither Goldman Small Cap Research nor its parent is a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer with FINRA or any other agency. To download our research, view our disclosures, or for more information, visit http://www.goldmanresearch.com.

About Liberty Gold Corp.: Liberty Gold Corp. is a publicly traded gold and precious metals exploration company focused on emerging as an industry leader while effectively growing America's reserves of gold. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Liberty Gold is committed to the responsible exploration and production of the nation's rich precious metals resources. The Company's stable of major gold projects is well established, and thanks to an active approach to property acquisitions, Liberty Gold's portfolio of significant assets continues to grow. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://libertygoldcorp.com/.

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Goldman Small Cap Research Issues Research Update on Liberty Gold Corp.

Mercury-Liberty Preview

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The New York Liberty play most of their remaining games against teams with losing records, seemingly improving their chances of returning to the postseason.

The Phoenix Mercury, though, are a much tougher opponent with Diana Taurasi on the court.

New York looks to pull ahead in the Eastern Conference playoff race when it hosts the Mercury on Wednesday night.

The Liberty (10-16) ended a three-game losing streak by beating Washington 79-73 on Saturday, led by Essence Carson's 20 points and 16 from Cappie Pondexter.

New York is tied with Chicago for the conference's fourth and final postseason berth, and it's looking to take a half-game lead before hosting the Sky on Friday.

"Every game is crucial at this point," said Carson, who is normally the first player off the Liberty bench but received an unexpected start Saturday. "We have to think that we need every game. We had to win a game like this, especially with the situation we're in."

Coach John Whisenant's team has several more games against weaker opponents, playing six of its final eight regular-season contests against sub-.500 foes. The Liberty already beat Phoenix (6-19) on the road 89-77 on Aug. 23.

Pondexter had 31 points in that game, but the former Phoenix guard has been struggling with sore Achilles on both feet.

"We still have to win the games we have left," Whisenant said Saturday. "Nothing is an easy win. It was good that we got a win when we didn't have to count on Cappie."

The Mercury may present a bigger challenge this time around, having won back-to-back games following a 10-game losing streak.

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Mercury-Liberty Preview

Gazette.Net: Libertarians will appear on Maryland ballot

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The Maryland Libertarian Party will offer a full slate of candidates for federal office this November, including nominees for each of Marylands eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The partys certification, which required more than 10,000 signatures, was confirmed last week by the State Board of Elections.

This is our third general election where weve run close to a full slate for federal office, said Robert Johnston, the partys state chairman. Johnston credited the growing popularity of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R) of Texas and dissatisfaction with Americas recent history of wars and government bailouts with pushing libertarian principles into the mainstream.

In addition to a presidential ticket featuring former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and running mate Jim Gray, a retired California judge, the Maryland Libertarian slate will include Senate candidate I. Dean Ahmad of Bethesda, who is challenging Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D).

The partys other candidates include congressional hopefuls Muir Boda of Salisbury, who is running in the states 1st Congressional District; Leo Dymowski of Dundalk in District 2; Paul Drgos of Pasadena in District 3; Scott Soffen of Ellicott City in District 4; Arvin Vohra of Bethesda in District 5; Nickolaus Mueller of Baltimore in District 6; Ronald Owens-Bey of Baltimore in District 7 and Mark Grannis of Chevy Chase in District 8.

In 2008, 7,040 Libertarian voters turned out for the presidential election, while 3,140 turned out for the gubernatorial election in 2010, according to reports from the State Board of Elections.

dleaderman@gazette.net

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Gazette.Net: Libertarians will appear on Maryland ballot

Judge: Libertarian should be on Iowa ballot

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -

A judge says Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson should be listed on the Iowa ballot in November.

Polk County District Court Judge Arthur Gamble says in a ruling filed Tuesday that Libertarians fulfilled requirements of Iowa law to get their candidate on the ballot.

Two Iowa voters last week asked Gamble to review the decision of a panel of three state officials that allowed Johnson on the ballot. The panel says in its decision that Iowa's law isn't clear in its definition of a caucus.

Libertarians say they held a caucus at the Iowa State Fair to get Johnson the ballot. The challengers say there was no caucus.

An appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court is expected but time is running out. Ballots must be printed by Thursday.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Judge: Libertarian should be on Iowa ballot

Ron Paul: Libertarian Johnson is “wonderful”

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Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul has yet to endorse in the race for president, but is showering praise on the long shot Libertarian Party candidate, ex-New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

I think hes wonderful, and I think hes doing a good job and people should look at him and every individual should make up his own mind, Paul, who sought the Republican nomination, told Fox News.

Ron Paul, R-Texas, Republican presidential candidate, March 2012. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) / SL

But Jesse Benton, who directed Pauls 2012 presidential campaign, told the Daily Caller that Paul will not endorse Gary Johnson.

Still, the sound bite to Fox News has become part of a Gary Johnson video in which former Paul supporters sing Johnsons praises. Paul was the Libertarians candidate for president in 1988, between two stints in Congress as a Republican.

Paul supporters are continuing to fight for power in the Republican Party, and the congressmans son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, has staked his future in the GOP and spoke to its convention last week.

But Ron Paul voice dissatisfaction with Mitt Romneys convention acceptance speech.

I remain very very skeptical of hearing anything that will change the course of history, he told Bloomberg News. There was no talk of the Federal Reserve. One of the engines of spending is militarism and empire and he enhanced. He was pushing it.

Johnson served two terms as governor of New Mexico, as a Republican. He was briefly a candidate for the 2012 GOP nomination, but later sought and won the Libertarians nod. Johnson is an outspoken critic of the War on Drugs and advocates legalization of cannabis.

Billionaire oilman David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarians 1980 ticket, but this year is spending and raising as much as $400 million to back Republican candidates.

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Ron Paul: Libertarian Johnson is “wonderful”

Libertarian Party VP candidate to speak at UConn on Sept. 20

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Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate Jim Gray is scheduled to speak at the University of Connecticut at Storrs on Sept. 20, his campaign announced this week.

Gray, who was a judge from 1989 to 2010 on the Orange County, California Superior Court, is scheduled to headline a speakers program that will last from noon to 1:30 p.m. in UConns Homer Babbidge Library. The program is free and open to the public.

Gray is best known for his outspoken support for eliminating harsh punishments for victimless crimes. He is No. 2 on the ticket headed by former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, who visited Norwich and New London earlier this year.

For more information, contact Johnsons Connecticut campaign co-director Joshua Katz at (516) 476-0055 or email him at JAlanKatz@gmail.com.

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Libertarian Party VP candidate to speak at UConn on Sept. 20

Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson on Iowa Ballot in November

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson will be on the Iowa ballot in November.

Polk County District Court Judge Arthur Gamble says in a ruling filed Tuesday that Libertarians fulfilled legal requirements to get their candidate on the ballot.

Two Iowa voters last week asked Gamble to review the decision of a panel of three state officials that allowed Johnson on the ballot. The panel said in its decision that Iowa's law isn't clear in its definition of a caucus.

Libertarians say they held a caucus at the Iowa State Fair to get Johnson the ballot. The challengers say there was no caucus.

The challengers decided not to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.

A spokesman for Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz says Johnson has been certified to the ballot.

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Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson on Iowa Ballot in November

Dr. Murray Feingold: Animal genetics help scientists understand diseases

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Not only have great strides been made in human genetics but also in animal genetics. This is important because such genetic information is not only helpful to the animal, but it frequently can also be applied to humans.

A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine discussed how genetic research from one type of animal, the dog, has been helpful in better understanding the genetics of certain inherited disorders that are present in both dogs and humans.

It is generally easier to do genetic research on dogs than on people. Dogs reproduce many litters, therefore, more animals are available to study.Compared with dogs who are bred much closer, purebreds, there is more genetic heterogeneity present in humans. This results in a greater number of uncontrolled variables being present in people than in dogs. Such genetic heterogeneity or variables can make it more difficult to interpret the results of genetic studies.

There are many genetic disorders that affect the bones of dogs. Hip dysplasia is frequently found in larger dogs.

Another condition that affects the bones and is also present in both humans and dogs is chondrodysplasia. About 20 breeds of dogs have this condition and as a result they have disproportionately short legs. Examples are dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds.

By studying dogs that are affected with chondrodysplasia, researchers were able to uncover the gene that is responsible for this skeletal abnormality and also the chromosome where it is located.

This information is now being applied to patients with this condition by the geneticists who care for them.

Genetic studies are now underway on dogs who have other human conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, lupus erythematosus and narcolepsy, to name just a few.

But as gene research on humans has been helpful in understanding genetic diseases in people, the same is true of gene research involving animals.

Determining the genetic cause of a disease, be it a human or an animal, brings researchers one big step closer to finding ways to treat and prevent the disorder.

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Dr. Murray Feingold: Animal genetics help scientists understand diseases

Feingold: Animal genetics help scientists understand diseases

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Not only have great strides been made in human genetics but also in animal genetics. This is important because such genetic information is not only helpful to the animal, but it frequently can also be applied to humans.

A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine discussed how genetic research from one type of animal, the dog, has been helpful in better understanding the genetics of certain inherited disorders that are present in both dogs and humans.

It is generally easier to do genetic research on dogs than on people. Dogs reproduce many litters, therefore, more animals are available to study. Compared to dogs who are bred much closer, purebreds, there is more genetic heterogeneity present in humans. This results in a greater number of uncontrolled variables being present in people than in dogs. Such genetic heterogeneity or variables can make it more difficult to interpret the results of genetic studies.

There are many genetic disorders that affect the bones of dogs. Hip dysplasia is frequently found in larger dogs.

Another condition that affects the bones and is also present in both humans and dogs is chondrodysplasia. About 20 breeds of dogs have this condition and as a result they have disproportionately short legs. Examples are dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds.

By studying dogs that are affected with chondrodysplasia, researchers were able to uncover the gene that is responsible for this skeletal abnormality and also the chromosome where it is located.

This information is now being applied to patients with this condition by the geneticists who care for them.

Genetic studies are now underway on dogs who have other human conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, lupus erythematosus and narcolepsy, to name just a few.

But as gene research on humans has been helpful in understanding genetic diseases in people, the same is true of gene research involving animals.

Determining the genetic cause of a disease, be it a human or an animal, brings researchers one big step closer to finding ways to treat and prevent the disorder.

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Feingold: Animal genetics help scientists understand diseases

No-show health care caucus

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. The Republicans call them the #ReplaceObamacareDemocrats.

Here in Charlotte, they might be called the No-Show Health Care Caucus.

They are 10 Democrats running for Congress whom the National Republican Campaign Committee has identified as particularly vulnerable on President Barack Obamas health care reform law.

So vulnerable that they opted to stay home and campaign this week rather than come to their partys convention.

So vulnerable that most of them wouldnt even talk about the health care law by phone.

One of the Democrats California Rep. John Garamendi was at least willing to speak up for the law long-distance. Im not backing away from it. This is an issue I want to talk about, and do talk about, he said by telephone from his northern California district. Hes home, he says, because redistricting has forced him into a tough and expensive reelection race.

The rest, though, are keeping their silence.

Their absence from the convention is a counterpoint to the messaging thats likely to come out of Charlotte, where at least some of the speakers are expected to remind viewers of the popular parts of the law and hit Republicans for trying to take them away. It may also be a commentary on the declining relevance of the huge national political gatherings: The voters arent in Charlotte, either.

Garamendi and the other nine Democrats identified by the NRCC dont have all that much in common, other than the fact that the House Republicans want to beat them and think antipathy to the health care law in these districts can help woo voters and raise money.

Heres the deal: These 10 Democrats are against the full repeal of Obamacare, an NRCC website says. In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision, Republicans must retire each of them. But we need your help. Even $3 will go a long way. The ReplaceObamacareDemocrats site also promises matching funds, up to $5,000 per candidate in these contested races.NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay said television ads have gone up against three of them so far.

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No-show health care caucus

Health Management to Present at the Robert W. Baird & Company 2012 Health Care Conference

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NAPLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA) announced today that its management will present at the Robert W. Baird & Co.'s 2012 Health Care Conference to be held September 5 - 6, 2012, at the New York Palace Hotel in New York City.

Health Managements senior leaders will present on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 11:20 AM EDT. The presentation will be webcast live over the Internet via Health Management's website (http://www.hma.com). Listeners are encouraged to go to the Investor Relations section of Health Management's website approximately five minutes prior to the event to register and download any necessary media player software.

Health Management enables America's best local health care by providing the people, processes, capital and expertise necessary for its hospital and physician partners to fulfill their local missions of delivering superior health care services. Health Management, through its subsidiaries, operates 70 hospitals, with approximately 10,500 licensed beds, in non-urban communities located throughout the United States.

All references to "Health Management," "HMA" or the "Company" used in this release refer to Health Management Associates, Inc. and its affiliates.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as "expects," "estimates," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," intends, "plans," may, continues, should, "could" and other similar words. All statements addressing operating performance, events or developments that Health Management Associates, Inc. expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to incurrence of indebtedness, projections of revenue, income or loss, capital expenditures, earnings per share, debt structure, bad debt expense, capital structure, repayment of indebtedness, the amount and timing of funds under the meaningful use measurement standard of various Healthcare Information Technology (HCIT) incentive programs, other financial items and operating statistics, statements regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations, innovations, or market service development, statements regarding acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and other proposed or contemplated transactions (including but not limited to statements regarding the potential for future acquisitions and perceived benefits of acquisitions), statements of future economic performance, statements regarding legal proceedings and other loss contingencies, statements regarding market risk exposures, statements regarding the effects and/or interpretations of recently enacted or future health care laws and regulations, statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements, and other statements which are other than statements of historical fact, are considered to be "forward-looking statements."

Because they are forward-looking, such statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Health Management Associates, Inc.'s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Health Management Associates, Inc.'s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those currently anticipated. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on Health Management Associates, Inc.'s forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Health Management Associates, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update its risk factors or to publicly announce updates to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect new information, future events or other developments.

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Health Management to Present at the Robert W. Baird & Company 2012 Health Care Conference

ResCare Joins Hero Health Hire

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LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ResCare, Inc., the country's largest private human services company, has joined Hero Health Hire, a coalition of companies and other entities in the health care industry united with the goal of employing wounded veterans. Launched in Washington, D.C., in 2011, Hero Health Hire includes health care companies, associations and hospitals that collectively employ hundreds of thousands of people. Each member commits to helping veterans with disabilities find and retain jobs in health care.

"ResCare continues its focus on recruiting and hiring veterans of our military services by joining Hero Health Hire," said Ralph G. Gronefeld, Jr., ResCare President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our commitment to hiring wounded veterans isn't a charitable endeavor; it's a deliberate plan to add effective, experienced, dedicated leaders to our company at all levels. We know our veterans are strengthened and enriched by their service, and it only makes sense to put them in a position to apply their skills and positive attitude in helping the people we serve."

Hero Health Hire unites the health care industry with government agencies and the military to understand and eliminate the barriers to employment facing veterans with disabilities. The organization also develops ways to support veterans in their transition from military to civilian life. Since its inception, Hero Health Hire has recruited additional industry partners representing nearly one million employees with worksites in every U.S. state.

The health care industry is considered the fastest growing industry in our economy, requiring talented individuals to help meet multi-generational health care needs. The industry is also uniquely positioned to understand and support the needs of our nation's wounded warriors who return home to face physical and mental health challenges.

About Hero Health Hire

Hero Health Hire is a coalition of 34 health care industry leaders who share a common goal of helping wounded warriors gain employment within health care organizations that are well-suited to their skills and will offer them opportunities for professional, financial and personal stability. For more information, visit http://www.HeroHealthHire.com.

About ResCare

ResCare is a human service company that provides residential, therapeutic, job training and educational supports to people with developmental and other disabilities, to seniors who need in-home assistance, to youth with special needs and adults who are experiencing barriers to employment. Based in Louisville, Ky., ResCare and its nearly 45,000 dedicated employees serve some 57,000 people daily in 42 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Puerto Rico. Please visit the company's website at http://www.ResCare.com.

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ResCare Joins Hero Health Hire

Health-care costs hit the elderly hard, diminish financial wellbeing

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ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2012) The protection of the savings of the elderly -- one of the primary goals of Medicare -- is under threat from a combination of spiraling healthcare costs and increased longevity. As the government attempts to reduce Medicare costs, one suggestion is that the elderly could pay a larger proportion of the costs of their healthcare. But exactly how much would this be and what impact would it have on their finances?

A new study by Amy Kelley at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and her colleagues, funded by the National Institute on Aging, aims to identify the portion of wealth Medicare beneficiaries spend on healthcare costs in the last five years of life. Their work appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer.

Medicare provides nearly universal health care coverage to the population over 65. However it does not pay for everything. There are co-payments and deductibles, and more importantly, homecare services and non-rehabilitative nursing home care, which are not covered. If proposals suggest the elderly should make even larger contributions to care, it is important to know more about patients' out-of-pocket spending under the current Medicare program.

The authors analyzed data from 3,209 individuals with Medicare coverage included in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from 2002-2008. They measured total out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures in the last five years of life, and looked at these costs as a percentage of total household assets. More than three quarters of households spent at least $10,000, with spending for all participants averaging $38,688 in the last five years of life. Even more shocking was the fact that a quarter of participants made an average contribution of $101,791, and the same number spent more than their total household assets on healthcare.

Kelley and colleagues note that the amount spent on healthcare varied widely with the type of illness suffered, with dementia costing the most money. Out-of-pocket spending for individuals or their spouses dying with dementia was more than twice the average for dying from gastrointestinal disease or cancer. The majority of these costs are related to nursing home expenses which accounted for 56 percent of average spending in those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Thus far, attempts to promote legislation to help with long-term care requirements have all been deemed too expensive. Until someone comes up with a financially viable scheme, the authors speculate that the financial outlook for the elderly in coming decades is discouraging. They conclude that, "as more baby boomers retire, a new generation of widows or widowers could face a sharply diminished financial future as they confront their recently-depleted nest egg following the illness and death of a spouse."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Springer.

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Health-care costs hit the elderly hard, diminish financial wellbeing