It's So Miami…In Manhattan

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MIAMI, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Simply put, Greater Miami and The Beaches is booming! Celebrating another banner year of record-breaking tourism figures with the highest percentage of international visitors than any other U.S. destination, Miami is no longer just a warm winter getaway but a year-round, full service destination. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) today unveils a new brand campaign to capture its evolution by announcing the "It's So Miami" program featuring a pop-up pool in New York City's Union Square for New Yorkers to get a taste of Miami right in Manhattan.

IT'S SO MIAMI Revealing a new tagline It's So Miami and eye-catching imagery showcasing contrasting visuals of iconic destination scenes juxtaposed with people taking advantage of cultural attractions, the new campaign captures the vibe and variety of everyday life in Greater Miami and The Beaches.

"Greater Miami and The Beaches is a global brand and because of programs like the pop-up pool in New York City and our It's So Miami campaign, we continue to infuse it with buzz and excitement that resonates even beyond the life of the project," said GMCVB President and CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME. "The strength of Miami's image is evident when we travel internationally and see other brands using the destination to sell their product and in doing so, further promoting Miami as a tropical cosmopolitan destination. Miami is a strong and vibrant brand and the It's So Miami campaign captures that vitality. Additionally, with more U.S. visitors coming to Miami from the New York metro area than any other, it makes sense to launch our new campaign in the Big Apple by making a splash with our pop-up pool."

Jetsetters, Celebrity DJs and Prizesthe It's So Miami "Pop-up Pool"To capture Miami's iconic poolscapes set against its vibrant cosmopolitan cityscape, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitor Bureau brings its new brand (and a slice of Miami life) to New York City with its "Pop-up Pool." Located in Union Square, the pool has it all bikini-clad models dipping in the water while dancing to music spun by popular DJs including DJ Prostyle, DJ Italia 3 and DJ SELF. Let's not forget the chaise lounges, beach balls, Cuban coffee, cabana and fresh Cocofrio.

From noon to 6PM consumers can participate in any number of contests for prizes, including unbelievably enticing trips to Miami and The Beaches where winners will stay at some of the destination's hottest hotels and indulge in true It's So Miami moments while visiting the destination. Additional elements at the pool will include a fashion show featuring swimwear from Jantzen, a salsa dancing demo, on-site Miami Spa Month massages provided by The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, and a Cuban coffee tutorial featuring Caffe Sacco performed by Havana Central chef Stanley Licairac. Finally, to kick-off this year's Miami Spice, chef Alfred Portale, chef and owner of Gotham Steak at Fontainebleau Miami Beach will cook up a dish straight from his restaurant live from the pool and give New Yorkers a sneak preview of the Miami Spice program, the wildly anticipated summer celebration in which Greater Miami restaurants offer discounted three-course lunch and dinner menus throughout August and September.

Can't wait to get away to Miami?Those wanting to take advantage of all Greater Miami and The Beaches has to offer this summer can head to the GMCVB's dedicated website for the best summer offers http://www.ITSOMIAMI.com. Find amazing deals as well as content to enrich your It's So Miami moments while in the destination. Additionally, the GMCVB partnered with Jetsetter.com, the leading travel website providing members with hand-selected experiences to curate a sale of Miami's most stylish properties at prices up to 30 percent off. This three-day flash sale launches July 30, at 3pm and ends on August 1. Consumers stopping by the pool on July 31 can talk to Jetsetter's Miami experts andreceive an added value offer from Jetsetter. To peruse or book Jetsetter's It's So Miami sale, visit http://www.jetsetter.com/group/itsomiami. Consumers not already Jetsetter members can register by visiting http://www.jetsetter.com/register/promo/itsomiami. Membership is free.

Not in NYC?Visit Miami and The Beaches at Facebook.com/VisitMiami to check out photos of New Yorkers getting in on the fun at the pool all day on July 31. In addition, those on Twitter have the chance to score some It's So Miami moments themselves such as hotel stays and meals at premiere restaurants in the destination by following @MiamiandBeaches on Twitter and re-tweeting select tweets throughout the day on July 31.

For more information about Greater Miami and The Beaches and details on recommendations on where to stay, dine, spa, discover, explore, celebrate, propose and so much more, please visit http://www.ITSOMIAMI.com.

About The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors BureauThe Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide visit our website at http://www.MiamiAndBeaches.com or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000. Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only) or 305-539-3071 or visit http://www.MiamiMeetings.com.

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It's So Miami...In Manhattan

Secret seaside: the wild dune beaches of the Netherlands

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Goedereede, a cosy cluster of centuries-old gabled houses (photo: Alamy)

To get there, you need to aim for the village of Goedereede, a cosy cluster of centuries-old gabled houses around a tiny, canal-like harbour. In Old Dutch, the name means safe harbourage refuge from the sandbanks and other perils of De Kwade Hoek, which means Angry Corner. From here, roads narrow into farmland lanes, barely a car wide, and stop dead at the Goeree dunes. Then its a 20- to 30-minute walk, along footpaths through high sand mounds covered in grasses and wildflowers catchflies and dune violets, poppies, thyme, star of Bethlehem and yellow irises. At times the dunes drop to reed-clustered wetlands, home to spoonbills, waders and all manner of wildfowl. Turn a corner in the path, and the vista suddenly opens, stretching towards a grass- tufted dune and the sea.

The beach is wide and generally empty, a place for long walks and quiet contemplation.

Swimming at De Kwade Hoek is possible, though not always pleasant in parts the water is shallow, and you gloop through mud. If youre wanting more of a splash or a family day out, head a couple of miles farther along, to the southern end of the Goeree dunes, where at Strand Noord and Strand t Flaauwe Werk youll find marked bathing areas, more people, and the occasional beach pavilion selling coffee, pancakes, chips and beer.

But for a step beyond jolly seaside fare, its back to Goedereede, or across the Brouwersdam to the neighbouring island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Succulent oysters, a pot of mussels, delicate lobster all from nearby Oosterschelde make an elegant end to a day in the dunes.

The Netherlands essentials

GETTING THERE

KLM (0871 231 000: klm.com) flies to Amsterdam-Schiphol and Rotterdam from London and regional airports. The easiest way to get to De Kwade Hoek is to hire a car (sixt.nl) at either airport and drive (one hour 45 minutes from Schiphol and 45 minutes from Rotterdam). Check out a route at 9292.nl.

THE INSIDE TRACK

THE BEST HOTELS

Originally posted here:

Secret seaside: the wild dune beaches of the Netherlands

Secret seaside: the dune beaches of the Netherlands

Posted on by

Goedereede, a cosy cluster of centuries-old gabled houses (photo: Alamy)

To get there, you need to aim for the village of Goedereede, a cosy cluster of centuries-old gabled houses around a tiny, canal-like harbour. In Old Dutch, the name means safe harbourage refuge from the sandbanks and other perils of De Kwade Hoek, which means Angry Corner. From here, roads narrow into farmland lanes, barely a car wide, and stop dead at the Goeree dunes. Then its a 20- to 30-minute walk, along footpaths through high sand mounds covered in grasses and wildflowers catchflies and dune violets, poppies, thyme, star of Bethlehem and yellow irises. At times the dunes drop to reed-clustered wetlands, home to spoonbills, waders and all manner of wildfowl. Turn a corner in the path, and the vista suddenly opens, stretching towards a grass- tufted dune and the sea.

The beach is wide and generally empty, a place for long walks and quiet contemplation.

Swimming at De Kwade Hoek is possible, though not always pleasant in parts the water is shallow, and you gloop through mud. If youre wanting more of a splash or a family day out, head a couple of miles farther along, to the southern end of the Goeree dunes, where at Strand Noord and Strand t Flaauwe Werk youll find marked bathing areas, more people, and the occasional beach pavilion selling coffee, pancakes, chips and beer.

But for a step beyond jolly seaside fare, its back to Goedereede, or across the Brouwersdam to the neighbouring island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Succulent oysters, a pot of mussels, delicate lobster all from nearby Oosterschelde make an elegant end to a day in the dunes.

The Netherlands essentials

GETTING THERE

KLM (0871 231 000: klm.com) flies to Amsterdam-Schiphol and Rotterdam from London and regional airports. The easiest way to get to De Kwade Hoek is to hire a car (sixt.nl) at either airport and drive (one hour 45 minutes from Schiphol and 45 minutes from Rotterdam). Check out a route at 9292.nl.

THE INSIDE TRACK

THE BEST HOTELS

Continue reading here:

Secret seaside: the dune beaches of the Netherlands

Terenganu National Archives gets valuable items related to Islamic astronomy

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25 July 2012 | last updated at 07:23PM

Its director, Mohd Nasir Ismail, said the items were presented by the family of Abdul Ghani at his former residence in Jalan Bakti here recently.

"We would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the family of Abdul Ghani for taking an immediate move to hand over the valuable items to the National Archives after discovering that termites are destroying some of the documents.

"This is indeed the right decision because the National Archives has the expertise in the conservation of items deemed as national and historical treasures," he told Bernama here today.

Mohd Nasir said right now, the materials were being processed, including undergoing fumigation, cleaning, listing and packaging works for permanent storage.

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Terenganu National Archives gets valuable items related to Islamic astronomy

Astronomy program at McCloud July 28

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McCloud Nature Park will be hosting a free evening program on astronomy on Saturday, July 28 at 8:30 p.m.

Expert sky watchers from The Indiana Astronomical Society will partner with Hendricks County Parks & Recreation naturalists at McCloud Nature Park for its monthly astronomy program.

The program will provide emphasis on actual observing, helping beginners find their way around the night sky by learning how a telescope works and how to recognize planets, constellations, galaxies and nebulae of all kinds.

Focusing on the basics of astronomy, this event will begin with an outdoor informational session lasting about 30 minutes, followed by night sky viewing through a limited number of binoculars & telescopes provided or you can bring your own.

Astronomy programs are dependent upon clear skies and will be cancelled if bad weather is forecast. Call the McCloud Nature Center at 676-5437 before 5 p.m. Saturday if cloudy skies are evident.

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Astronomy program at McCloud July 28

Astronomy Club speaker to focus on space station

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Dr. David L. Ellis, a research engineer at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, will be The Wilderness Center Astronomy Clubs featured speaker at 7:30 p.m. July 27, in the centers Hart Interpretive Building at 9877 Alabama Ave. SW.

Ellis will give a presentation on the International Space Station, which will cover its construction, living conditions and some of the experiments being performed there. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The goal of the Wilderness Center Astronomy Club is to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of astronomy among its members and the community.

For more details about the presentation or The Wilderness Center, call 330-359-5235.

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Astronomy Club speaker to focus on space station

King Aerospace contract with U.S. Navy to take effect Aug. 1

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The Marines landed at Ardmore Airpark Tuesday and in doing so, initiated a new era of partnership between King Aerospace, Inc., and the United States Navy.

A Marine Corps C-9B landed at the airpark and was looked over by Jerry King-Echevarria, King Aerospace Chairman, and King Aerospace executives. The plane is scheduled to be refurbished under a contract between King Aerospace and the U.S. Navy. The contract will take effect Aug. 1. As the plane landed, supplies specified for C-9B were being unloaded in preparation for scheduled projects.

King-Echevarria said the contract created 40 new jobs, 30 of which have been filled. King Aerospace won an $11 million, one-year contract to provide support for the U.S. Navys C-9B aircraft. The Navy also has four options on the contract, which would make it a five-year partnership.

This contract really puts us on the radar screen with the Navy, King-Echevarria said.

King-Echevarria said the contract could lead to other opportunities with the Navy. Since King Aeropace added the sale of Av-Gas to its services, King said the amount of traffic at the airpark has grown by 50 percent. Jeff Alcorn, Interior Supervisor, King Aerospace said much of the traffic has been military, mainly from Texas bases. When the Marine C-9B touched down Tuesday afternoon, King Aerospace employees were lined up on the runway as a welcoming committee.

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King Aerospace contract with U.S. Navy to take effect Aug. 1

Astronics Corporation to Participate in Jefferies 2012 Global Industrial and Aerospace & Defense Conference

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EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Astronics Corporation (ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries, today announced that Peter J. Gundermann, President & Chief Executive Officer, and David C. Burney, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Jefferies 2012 Global Industrial and Aerospace & Defense Conference in New York City on Wednesday, August 8, 2012.

Astronics presentation is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM ET. A live webcast of this presentation, along with presentation materials, will be available at http://www.astronics.com and an archive of the presentation will be made available in the Investor Relations section, on the Calendar of Events page, of the Companys website.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation is a leader in advanced, high-performance lighting, electrical power, avionics databus products and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. Astronics strategy is to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from our leadership position and strategic direction. Astronics Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp., Ballard Technology, Inc., DME Corporation and Luminescent Systems Inc., have a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at http://www.astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at http://www.astronics.com.

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Astronics Corporation to Participate in Jefferies 2012 Global Industrial and Aerospace & Defense Conference

LMI Aerospace Announces Conference Call to Discuss 2012 Second Quarter Results

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ST. LOUIS, July 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LMI Aerospace, Inc. (LMIA), a leading provider of design engineering services, structural assemblies, kits and components to the aerospace, defense and technology markets, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the company's second quarter 2012 results.

The conference call will be Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 9:00 A.M., CDT. LMI Chief Executive Officer Ronald S. Saks, Chief Operating Officer Ryan P. Bogan and Chief Financial Officer Lawrence E. Dickinson will host the call. LMI plans to release the company's second quarter 2012 results just prior to market open on August 8.

To participate in the call, please dial 866.307.3343 approximately five minutes before the conference call time stated above. A live webcast of the call can be accessed directly from the LMI Aerospace web site at http://ir.lmiareospace.com/events.cfm and by clicking on the appropriate link. A recording of the call will be available on the LMI web site upon completion of the call.

LMI Aerospace, Inc. is a leading provider of design engineering services, structural assemblies, kits and components to the aerospace, defense and technology markets. Through its Aerostructures segment, the company primarily fabricates machines, finishes, integrates, assembles and kits formed close tolerance aluminum and specialty alloy and composite components and higher level assemblies for use by the aerospace, defense and technology industries. It manufactures more than 30,000 products for integration into a variety of aircraft platforms manufactured by leading original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 aerospace suppliers. Through its Engineering Services segment, operated by its D3 Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, the company provides a complete range of design, engineering and program management services, supporting aircraft product lifecycles from conceptual design, analysis and certification through production support, fleet support and service life extensions via a complete turnkey engineering solution. Additional information can be found at http://www.lmiaerospace.com.

The LMI Aerospace, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4971

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LMI Aerospace Announces Conference Call to Discuss 2012 Second Quarter Results

Schiff Nutrition Announces Timing of Fiscal 2012 Fourth Quarter and Year-end Results

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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc., (SHF), announced it intends to discuss its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and year-end results on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The company will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET, featuring remarks by Tarang Amin, chief executive officer and president, and Joseph Baty, chief financial officer and executive vice president, followed by a question and answer session.

The call will be webcast at http://www.schiffnutrition.com/press_conference_calls.asp. The webcast replay will be available for 90 days. If you do not have Internet access, the dial-in number will be 800-265-0241 for domestic callers and 617-847-8704 for international callers. The participant access code is 36087437. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 888-286-8010 for domestic callers and 617-801-6888 for international callers, and entering access code 27609818. The telephone replay will be available through August 7, 2012.

About Schiff Nutrition

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. is a leading nutritional supplement company offering vitamins, nutritional supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and abroad. Schiffs portfolio of well-known brands includes MegaRed, Move Free, Airborne, Tiger's Milk, Sustenex, Digestive Advantage and Schiff Vitamins. Focused on quality for 75 years, Schiffs headquarters and award-winning manufacturing and distribution facility are based in Salt Lake City, Utah. To learn more about Schiff, please visit the web site http://www.schiffnutrition.com.

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Schiff Nutrition Announces Timing of Fiscal 2012 Fourth Quarter and Year-end Results

Complete Nutrition Launches Endurance-Enhancing Product to Help Athletes Reach Goals

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OMAHA, Neb., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Complete Nutrition, the nation's fastest-growing nutritional supplement retailer, has introduced 3Plenish, its first-ever supplement formulated specifically for endurance athletes. Designed to be taken throughout a workout, the product hydrates athletes more effectively than sports drinks or water and provides essential nutrients demanded for peak performance and recovery.

Research indicates endurance athletes require fuel and hydration to perform at their highest levels during prolonged workouts, and nutrients afterward to fully recover. 3Plenish, developed by a team of scientists and nutritionists, satisfies both the intra- and post-workout needs of these athletes through the exclusive Triple-Core Endurance Blend. This non-stimulant formula packs in each serving the optimal levels of electrolytes for hydration through muscle volumization and high-energy carbohydrates to amplify muscles for sustained strength and longevity. The included essential amino acids help muscles recover during and immediately after workouts.

"When formulating 3Plenish we examined the hydration and nutrient needs of runners, cyclists, CrossFit enthusiasts and triathletes," said Dr. Nicholas Rupcich, Chief Formulator of Product Development for Complete Nutrition. "The clinically effective dose of electrolytes, carbs and amino acids makes 3Plenish a go-to drink mix for all athletes who want to push their athletic limits."

Each package of 3Plenish contains 25 servings of instant-mix powder, available in Lemon Lime and Fruit Punch flavors. To use, individuals mix one scoop of powder with 20 oz. of water and consume throughout the duration of their workouts. 3Plenish is free of stimulants, gluten, aspartame, allergens and other restricted ingredients.

Additional benefits of 3Plenish include a reduction in training-induced cortisol to help preserve muscle and an increase in Type I and Type II muscle fiber size for enhanced power and speed. 3Plenish has also been proven to enable athletes to increase resistance exercise by 100 percent for more strength, tone, mass and endurance.

3Plenish is available at all Complete Nutrition retails stores. Along with the new endurance category of products, Complete Nutrition offers more than 200 exclusive general health, weight-loss and sports nutrition supplements. Employing certified personal trainers, former strength coaches and others experienced in health and fitness, Complete Nutrition differentiates itself from competitors through its consultative approach to nutritional supplements.

About Complete Nutrition

Complete Nutrition is a network of high quality nutritional supplement retail stores whose mission is to create a safe and effective weight management, sports nutrition, and healthy aging program to help customers look better, feel better, and perform better. Since 2005, Complete Nutrition has been helping people achieve their health and wellness goals by offering exclusive supplements at affordable prices. Staff members are athletes, certified personal trainers, nutritionists, and other people with experience in the health and fitness supplement retail industry. For more information about Complete Nutrition, call 866-366-5766 or visit http://www.CompleteNutrition.com

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Complete Nutrition Launches Endurance-Enhancing Product to Help Athletes Reach Goals

In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) – Emerging Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Opportunity Assessment, Competitive …

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NEW YORK, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) - Emerging Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Opportunity Assessment, Competitive Landscape and Market Forecasts to 2018http://www.reportlinker.com/p0862093/In-Vitro-Diagnostics-IVD---Emerging-Countries-Brazil-Russia-India-China-Opportunity-Assessment-Competitive-Landscape-and-Market-Forecasts-to-2018.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=In_Vitro_Diagnostic

In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) - Emerging Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Opportunity Assessment, Competitive Landscape and Market Forecasts to 2018

Summary

GlobalData's new report, "In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) - Emerging Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Opportunity Assessment, Competitive Landscape and Market Forecasts to 2018" provides key data, information and analysis on the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market in emerging countries. The report provides market landscape, competitive landscape and market trends information on the IVD market in emerging countries. The report provides comprehensive information on the key trends affecting the market, and key analytical content on the market dynamics. The report also reviews the competitive landscape and technology offerings.

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

Scope

-Key geographies covered include the China, India, Brazil and Russia. - Key segments covered include Immuno Chemistry, Infectious Immunology, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Histology and Cytology, Genetic Testing and Microbiology Culture. - Annualized market revenues data from 2004 to 2011, forecast forward for seven years to 2018. Company shares data for 2011. - Qualitative analysis of key market trends, market drivers, and restraints within IVD market in emerging countries. - The report also covers information on the leading market players and the competitive landscape. - Key players covered include Siemens Healthcare, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Abbott Laboratories, Sysmex Corporation, Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd. and Beckman Coulter.

Reasons to buy

- Develop business strategies by understanding the trends and developments that are driving the IVD market in emerging countries. - Design and develop your product development, marketing and sales strategies. - Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies. - Identify key players best positioned to take advantage of the emerging market opportunities. - Exploit in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities by identifying products that are most likely to ensure a robust return. - What's the next big thing in the IVD market in emerging countries? Identify, understand and capitalize. - Make more informed business decisions from the insightful and in-depth analysis of the IVD market in emerging countries and the factors shaping it.

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In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) - Emerging Countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Opportunity Assessment, Competitive ...

Time Is Ticking to Submit an Entry for the Center for Productive Longevity's Later Life Story Contest

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BOULDER, CO--(Marketwire -07/24/12)- The Center for Productive Longevity's (CPL) Later-Life Story Contest is now at its mid-way point, with less than seven weeks left to submit a story. This national competition, which was launched June 1, 2012, highlights entrepreneur success stories and inspirational life stories from people 55 and older. The deadline to enter the contest is August 31, 2012, and CPL will announce the two winners on October 1, 2012. Boulder-based CPL serves as the bridge between people 55 and older and opportunities that enable them to continue in productive activities.

A panel of three influential, highly regarded judges will select one winner in each of the following two categories: (1) Entrepreneurship Success Stories and (2) Inspirational Life Stories. The winners will each receive $1,000 and a specially designed trophy. From the entries, CPL will select a variety of entrepreneur success stories to post on its website and publish the stories of the two winners. Here are some tips on what to include in your contest submission:

For the Entrepreneurship Success Stories Category, some optional areas to include:

Entrepreneurship Success Story submissions will be judged on how well they:

A few things to consider when submitting for the Inspirational Life Stories Category:

Inspirational Life Story submissions will be judged on how well they:

To submit a story, visit http://www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest and complete a submission form. Entrants must be 55 and older and be willing to have their story posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be sent to James Hooks at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL and the Later Life Story Contest, visit http://www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

About the Center for Productive LongevityThe mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

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Time Is Ticking to Submit an Entry for the Center for Productive Longevity's Later Life Story Contest

Debunking The Myth That Chinese Can’t Innovate

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In my last post,Doing the Undoable, I discussed the rapid development of genetics, particularly genetic engineering. Having the video presentation of Juan Enriquez available helped get the point across. Today, Im going to look at a related area that also raises the possibility of sudden and unexpected change in the not-so-distant future (anytime from tomorrow on).

Once again, Im assisted by the work of another commentator who, like Mr. Enriquez, provides a good overview of other changes that are already underway, but whose impact has yet to be felt by most of us, at least knowingly.

I am referring to an article in Foreign Policy magazine by Dr. Vivek Wadhwa, director of research at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization at Duke University and fellow at the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University.

Published on July 17th of this year, it is titled, The Future of Manufacturing Is in America, Not China. Thats a nice provocative title. I will provide a link to the full article (its not that long and free of most technical jargon), but first Ill use his words to briefly summarize four important areas where advances have led him to choose that title.

It all sounds very exciting, full of potential for good things. Dr. Wadhwas summarizes his argument reflected in his articles title when he says, All of these advances play well into Americas ability to innovate, demolish old industries, and continually reinvent itself. The Chinese are still busy copying technologies we built over the past few decades. They havent cracked the nut on how to innovate yet.

Yes, it sounds great, but hold on a minute. Like all things human, the potentially good comes coupled with the potentially bad. I have two very basic concerns.

The first is true of so much that I read these days, including a lot that is written on what the Eurozone has to do to deal with its problems. Oddly enough, those varied European solutions have something in common with the idea that Foxconn plans to install one million robots within three years to do the work that its workers in China presently do. It has found even low-cost Chinese labor to be too expensive and demanding. Too many commentators on the Eurozone today forget that all the zones nations are functioning democracies.

China obviously is not, but even casually following Chinas internal political and economic trends provides plenty of evidence that non-democratic states also have to consider the feelings and fears of their citizens. We are continuously told that the Chinese Communist Party fears uprisings among the people. There is more than one way to vote and get your voice heard.

So Foxconn will replace Chinese workers with robots. Great. That ought to make folks happy in China. But hold on, theres good news. We can do the same in the US! Wonderful, now we have a means of massively increasing US unemployment too! Pardon the sarcasm. Im sure Dr. Wadhwa is well aware that robots will replace human workers who may not be able to find replacement jobs easily or at all. His relatively short article is focused on the good news, so he doesnt try to address problems that might result.

But one sentence stands out as unacceptable to me.The Chinese are still busy copying technologies we built over the past few decades.They havent cracked the nut on how to innovate yet.

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Debunking The Myth That Chinese Can't Innovate

DNA Links Former Garland Resident To 1980 Murder

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Former Garland resident Steven Alan Thomas has been arrested for the murder of a 73-year-old Texas woman in 1980. (credit: Williamson Co. Sheriffs Office)

GEORGETOWN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) Investigators say DNA evidence in a 1980 Central Texas killing led them to a former Garland resident.

The Williamson County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday announced the arrest of 53-year-old Steven Alan Thomas on a capital murder charge.

The case involves the November 1980 beating, sexual assault and strangling of 73-year-old Mildred McKinney. She was discovered dead in her southwest Williamson County home.

In the 1980s, well known serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to killing McKinney, but DNA evidence later proved he was not the killer.

Thomas was arrested Monday in Austin, where he had been living. Investigators say Thomas has denied knowing the victim or assaulting her.

Sgt. John Foster says DNA from Thomas was obtained at a previous time. Foster declined to provide further details.

The investigation into the murder of Mildred McKinney is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case or Steven Thomas is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriffs Office at (512) 943-1300.

Bond has been set at $1.5 million for Thomas. Williamson County jail records Tuesday did not list an attorney for him. ( Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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DNA Links Former Garland Resident To 1980 Murder

Posted in DNA

DNA Shows Polar Bears Are Ancient, Related To Brown Bears

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July 24, 2012

Michael Harper for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

New research suggests polar bears and brown bears come from the same DNA as ancient bears. In an international study, led by Penn State University and the University at Buffalo, researchers have found that polar bear populations changed with climatic events over the past million years, with fewer polar bears roaming the Earth in times of warmer weather.

This new research also suggests the relationship between brown bears and polar bears is tied to climate change, noting that the two species interbred with one another until recently. This interbreeding between the two species may have also been tied to changes in the Earths climate when a glacial disappearance brought the two bears closer together.

Maybe were seeing a hint that in really warm times, polar bears changed their life-style and came into contact, and indeed interbred, with brown bears, said co-lead author Stephan Schuster, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State.

The teams findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

This new study goes beyond what other studies have documented, taking DNA samples from existing polar bears, black bears and brown bears and comparing the results to DNA from an ancient polar bear skull. The team performed a deep genome analysis to compare the DNA between the species and found that the split between the brown and the polar bears occurred anywhere from 4 to 5 million years ago; around the same time ice began to cover the Arctic Sea. This evidence also shows that polar bears could have roamed the earth as early as 5 million years ago.

Schuster explained the survey in a statement, saying: We generated a first-rate set of data, including deep sequence coverage for the entire genomes of a polar bear, three brown bears, and a black bear, plus lower coverage of 23 additional polar bears, including a 120 thousand year old individual; very few vertebrate species have such comprehensive genomic resources available.

We showed, based on a consideration of the entire DNA sequence, that earlier inferences were entirely misleading, said another co-author, Webb Miller, a Penn State professor of biology and computer science.

This means polar bears definitely persisted through warming periods during Earths history, said Charlotte Lindqvist, the studys senior author.

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DNA Shows Polar Bears Are Ancient, Related To Brown Bears

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DNA race to unlock ageing secrets

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24 July 2012 Last updated at 02:28 ET By Helen Briggs BBC News

A race to unlock genetic clues behind living to 100 is set to begin next year, after a US team announced it will compete for the $10m Genomics X Prize.

Genetic entrepreneur Dr Jonathan Rothberg is entering the challenge to identify genes linked to a long, healthy life.

His team - and any other contenders - will be given 30 days to work out the full DNA code of 100 centenarians at a cost of no more than $1,000 per genome.

The race will start in September 2013.

Under the rules of the Archon Genomics X Prize, teams have until next May to register for the competition.

Dr Rothberg's team from Life Technologies Corporation in California is the first to formally enter the race.

Being able to sequence the full human genome at a cost of $1,000 or less is regarded as a milestone in science.

It is seen as the threshold at which DNA sequencing technology becomes cheap enough to be used widely in medicine, helping in diagnosis and in matching drugs to a patient's genetic make-up.

If they can do a human genome in two hours with one little machine, it's just stunning. We have come a long way.

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DNA race to unlock ageing secrets

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Online DNA mapping helps siblings find each other

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(CBS News) It's now easier than ever to map your DNA through online services. The goal is usually to discover more about your body through science, but the technology sometimes yields unexpected results, as Neil Schwartzman discovered.

Schwartzman was just 10 days old when he was given up for adoption in 1960. He looked for his biological mother his entire life. He grew up in Montreal, with loving adoptive parents, but had questions about who he was.

Schwartzman describes the feeling as akin to "having a picture puzzle and two pieces missing."

But then he turned to technology. "I opted to do what some people might find a little strange: I spit in a test tube and sent it off to California."

Schwartzman sent that test tube to the Silicon Valley Company, 23andMe, named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in human DNA. In this region built on information technology, the information gathered by 23andme is the most personal of all: genetic code.

23andMe co-founder Anne Wojcicki said, "23andMe just really strongly believes this is something that you should get, it's your information."

Wojcicki is married to Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google. Her goal is to make genetic information as accessible as Google has made so much other information. On the 23andMe website users can learn how their own genetic makeup may play a role in more than 200 diseases and physical traits.

"We started the company really with the idea that we wanted to do something revolutionary, where consumers could come, learn tons of information about themselves and really start to revolutionize health care," Wojcicki said.

That's a mission that grew more urgent for Wojcicki when 23andMe's testing revealed that her husband carries the genetic variant for Parkinson's disease. "Suddenly it became very personal," Wojcicki said. "That my husband is at-risk, and potentially some of my children are at risk. We've got to do something."

But DNA isn't just about health. Online users of 23andMe can sometimes unlock long-hidden family secrets or find long-lost relatives.

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Online DNA mapping helps siblings find each other

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