text:
NEW YORK (AVAFIN) -- Sprint Nextel options set a new 90-day record for the number of call contracts that exchanged
hands between the buyers and the sellers. Aggregate volume of puts was 19,970 and calls
was 59,679 equating to a 0.33 put/call ratio.
View Options Trading ActivitiesA significant increase in the trading volume of a stock's option often is a precursor of movement
by the underlying stock. In such instances, put/call Ratio can be used as an investor sentiment
indicator, where a high ratio implies that the overall investor sentiment is bearish and a low
put/call ratio implies that the sentiment is bullish.
Shares of Sprint Nextel gained $0.18 (+6.92%) to $2.78. The last trading session witnessed a
low of $2.57 and high of $2.85 during the day. The current trading volume of 138M is greater
than average volume of 39M shares. S is trading above the 50 day moving average
and lower than the 200 day moving average. The stock's 52 week low is $2.10 and 52 week high is $6.45. To date, the stock has gained 15.35% within the last month.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Prev | Next Purchase this photo Billy Summers/The Putnam Herald Cast members of the local production of �Finding Boots� greet Eastbrook Elementary School students after the show on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Cultural Center in Charleston. Gallery: Putnam in Pictures, Friday, April 4 Apr. 04, 2014 @ 05:05 PM The Herald-Dispatch / 2015 Did you miss something in Putnam County this week? Chances are, one of our photographers was there. ()


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Texas History Day
2015 Texas History Day Results
2015 National History Day Results
THD Contest Guide | THD Contest Checklist
National History Day Works
Texas History Day, part of the National History Day program, is a yearlong education program that culminates in an annual state-level history fair for students in grades six through twelve. It provides an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge of history, critical thinking, analytical reading, writing, presentation, media design, and public performance skills through creative and original papers, performances, documentaries, web sites or exhibits.
The Texas State Historical Association coordinates the Texas program, which involves over 45,000 young Texans statewide. Over 1,000 students participate in the state level History Day contest with approximately 60 students representing Texas at National History Day each year in Washington, D.C. Over the years, Texas students have garnered many national awards and scholarships and are often recognized as top competitors.
There are a variety of Special Awards available at the state contest to recognize students for their outstanding accomplishment. The best papers from the writing category are also eligible for publication in the Texas Historian, the official journal of the Junior Historians of Texas. More information and updates can be found on our K-12 student Facebook page.


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Ecto Cooler?
Does this glorious Slimer endorsed Hi-C beverage flavor still exist anywhere? I just had a flashback to my childhood lunch box and could really go for one. Human sacrifices, dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!
Talk is closed, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop!
Check out this post for a more thorough explanation, and jump onto our Facebook page or our Twitter feed to keep the conversations going!


text:
The Following DMV Related Services are Available Online:
- Bill of Sale: Comprehensive and Short-form printable documents
- Driving Records: Delivered instantly online
- Pay Traffic Tickets: Subject to availability by location
Also available online:
Forest Park DDS #59 - Map, Hours, Contact
Forest Park DDS #59 Address
5036 Georgia Highway 85 Forest Park GA 30297
Forest Park DDS #59 Hours
Monday: Close
Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: Close
Forest Park DDS #59 Contact Information
Phone #: (678) 413-8400
Forest Park DDS #59 Holidays
Closed all federal and state holidays. Some offices are closed preceding and following a holiday; call to be sure. National holidays include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Inauguration Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Forest Park DDS #59 Services
- Driver's License
- Identification Cards
- Written Test
- Commercial
- Road Test
- CDL Written
Payment Methods available at this location
Credit Card
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text:
By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2008 The commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq today cited a series of positive trends that includes more civilian cooperation and declines in attacks and in military and civilian casualties.
During a conference call with military analysts from his headquarters in Baghdad, Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, said that June through December 2007 saw 28 straight weeks of declines in attacks.
The decline brought the levels of violence in Iraq down to levels not seen since 2004, Odierno said. The decline covered all areas of the country and included a reduction in improvised explosive devices. "Explosions of IEDs were down to a level somewhere around the beginning of 2004," Odierno said.
The Iraqi security forces increased their strength by 110,000 soldiers and police through 2007. The army has made the most progress, and the force is gaining not only in numbers, but also in proficiency, the general said.
"They still have some work to do, but they are fighting," he told the analysts. "The national police have made progress in their leadership, and we are encouraged by that. The Iraqi police are making progress at a bit slower pace."
The Iraqi army's command-and-control apparatus is robust enough to conduct independent operations fairly effectively, he said, though the army still has trouble with logistics and "enablers," such as supporting fires, aviation and maintenance.
All Iraqi formations are manned at a higher level than in the past, Odierno said, and they are experienced. "I would say 80 percent of the units have proven themselves in battle over the last year," he said.
Sectarianism remains a problem for Iraqi security forces. "It is at a much lower level in the army and higher with police," he said. "The sectarianism in the national police has dropped, but (the force) still has a long way to go." Changes in the national police leadership and progress at the country's Interior Ministry are helping clear the national police of sectarianism and corruption, he said.
Another indicator of progress is an increase in the number of weapons caches found. Much of this has to do with having more forces on the ground, but much of it also has to do with the shift in strategy, Odierno explained.
Coalition and Iraqi forces now use combat outposts and joint security stations to maintain presence in Iraqi cities and towns. The citizens are more familiar with the security forces and see they are not going to leave the area. As a result, the forces are getting much better data from the citizens. The number of tips received from citizens has remained about the same as before the surge, Odierno said, "but the quality improved significantly."
In 2007, coalition and Iraqi forces found two and a half times as many arms caches as they did in 2006, when they found 2,667 caches throughout Iraq. In 2007, the number jumped to 6,799.
Casualties tell another trend story. From April through July 2007, the build-up continued and American casualties rose as well, peaking in May. But since then, there has been a steady decline, Odierno said.
"We were able to eliminate safe havens for al Qaeda and Shiia extremists," he said in explaining the decline. "The Iraqi forces improved their combat capacity, and the government improved its contact with the citizens. And the Sunnis started working against al Qaeda and started to work with us."
In December, the coalition had its second-lowest level of servicemembers killed in action since March 2003. In overall deaths, which include Iraqi security forces and civilian casualties as well as coalition losses, "it was the lowest month since we've been in Iraq," Odierno said. Wounded-in-action numbers also dropped, as did the severity of wounds experienced, the general added, and a decrease in ethno-sectarian violence has meant that civilian deaths in Iraq are at the lowest level in two years.
Related Sites:Multinational Corps IraqMultinational Force Iraq


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No surprise: The SEC is the dominant college football conference in the most recent UPS Team Performance Index.
According the the TPI, a formulaic ranking system devised by UPS and STATS LLC, six SEC teams, Alabama (2), Mississippi State (4), South Carolina (5), Florida (8), LSU (13) and Texas A&M (14), are among the 14 best in the country through six weeks.
Some interesting notes about the overall field, though:
Kansas State (5-0) jumped Alabama into the No. 1 spot following a 56-16 win vs. Kansas.
Florida State (5-1) is third despite a loss last weekend at North Carolina State.
Cincinnati (4-0), ranked No. 6, gets top billing among Big East teams, in what is a friendly poll to a league that doesn't get a whole lot of respect in voter polls. Rutgers (5-0) is 10th in the TPI. Louisville (5-0) is 23rd.
Perhaps most eye-catching of all are the No. 7 Ohio Bobcats of the MAC, who rate ahead of such powers as Oregon (ninth), Notre Dame (12th) and Ohio State (17th). The WAC's best team, 5-0 Louisiana Tech, also fits into that mix with a No. 11 TPI ranking.
Speaking of Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs face Texas A&M in Shreveport, La., on Saturday, with a single TPI rating point separating the teams; the Index scores are 121.6 and 120.6. That portends a closer matchup than many would expect to see.


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Energy is something we all need and depend on. As we consume more energy, much of it is based on fossil fuels – significant sources of greenhouse gases like CO2. As we face the challenge of climate change, we have to find ways to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprint.
P&G is concerned about our energy use and has taken on the challenge to find ways to reduce our CO2 emissions while still ensuring the quality of the cleaning products we rely on. At the production and distribution level, P&G has committed to largely reducing its CO2 emissions through eco-efficiencies. More significantly, P&G has reformulated its products to clean at much lower temperatures enabling the consumer to make even greater energy savings. P&G has been finding novel ways to raise consumer awareness on how we can all reduce our environmental impact with simple power saving tips.
These pages will show how P&G has been working at all stages of a product's life cycle, introducing energy efficiencies and sustainable innovations to ensure that its factories and consumers conserve energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
Every time you switch on a light, turn on a TV, start up a car, energy is required. Most of the power that we consume - the power behind our fridges, cookers, heaters, coolers, washers, dryers, planes, trains and automobiles - comes largely from the combustion of fossil fuels.Burning coal, gas and oil is the cheapest and easiest form of power but it has problems. Every time you burn a fossil fuel, it produces a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2).This goes into the atmosphere and makes it more difficult for the excess heat on our planet (most of which comes from the sun) to escape back into space. Carbon dioxide acts a lot like the glass on a greenhouse, which is why it is called a greenhouse gas.
The impact of global warming.How serious is global warming? Procter & Gamble recognizes the scientific evidence and consensus linking greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change.
As a global citizen, P&G is concerned and believes that cost-effective actions by governments, industry and citizens to reduce emissions to the atmosphere are justified.In a world affected by climate change:
In short, drought, hunger, disease and migration could affect many more people than it does today. Most of these people will be in developing nations that have barely contributed to greenhouse gas emissions.But the effects will be felt by everyone. The Stern Review (2007), commissioned by the UK government, predicts that global production could drop by as much as 5 to 20 per cent, depending on the region. Fortunately, the report also emphasized that cost-effective measures can be implemented.
P&G is not an energy-intensive business, compared to many others, mainly because it formulates products from commercially available raw materials. Despite being one of the largest companies in the world in terms of sales, its carbon dioxide emissions are less than 0.01 per cent of the total global emissions from combustion sources. However, P&G is firmly committed to reducing this amount as much as possible. P&G is concerned about the potentially negative consequences of climate change and believes that the scientific evidence warrants action. P&G supports efforts to combat global warming under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and encourages others, whether nations, organizations or individuals, to do so as well.To this end, P&G has adopted a two-pronged approach.Firstly, P&G is trying to further reduce the amount of emissions it has already cut from its own operations, with a clear company-wide Environment Quality Policy and ongoing manufacturing and plant initiatives plus other measures aimed at making a difference in the future.Secondly, P&G is also committed to helping its consumers cut their energy use and emissions when using P&G products. To read more on the P&G Sustainability Vision and 2020 goals, visit the sustainability section on www.pg.com.
For P&G, sustainable development is a very simple idea. It is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. Which is why P&G takes matters such as climate change and energy use very seriously. For example:
P&G has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since its creation and has been rated among the market leaders since then. However P&G realizes that there is still a long way to go on its journey to become an ever increasingly sustainable company.
To improve the sustainability profile of our detergents and cleaning products P&G is focusing on:
For more information, download P&G's original Environmental Quality Policy, or visit the sustainability section on www.pg.com to read more on the P&G Sustainability Vision and 2020 goals.
P&G had already reduced its global carbon dioxide emissions per unit of product by 65 per cent between 1990 and 2006. Following this, P&G's corporate sustainability goals were renewed at the end of 2007 (with the introduction of 2007-2012 goals). P&G had committed to an additional reduction of CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, and disposed waste (per unit of production) contributing to a 40% reduction for the decade. To read more on what was achieved, click here.
Examples of some of the things P&G has done to cut emissions include:
Last but not least, P&G publicly reports its company-wide emissions every year in its sustainability report and it is one of the few companies that has been and continues to be a voluntary reporter through the Carbon Disclosure Project since its inception in 2003.
Even with all this, P&G continues to accept responsibility to understand the potential contributions of greenhouse gases from its business and continues with its implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures. Many P&G distribution centres and production sites have become pioneers in sustainable energy management, CO2 reduction and green energy initiatives. See the report on several sites in Europe.
In 2010, P&G announced its Sustainability Vision and 2020 goals for its operations and products. For more information, visit the sustainability section on www.pg.com.
You can also find out more about A.I.S.E. - the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products by clicking here:A.I.S.E.
P&G aims to reduce the energy-related environmental impact of its manufacturing plants and distribution centres in two major ways. The first is to reduce the amount of energy they consume overall. The second is to look at alternative energy supplies with which to power them. Overall, this approach has allowed P&G's plants to become 96 per cent eco-efficient, with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 65 per cent between 1990 and 2007. Some of the things P&G has done are:
In 2010, P&G announced its Sustainability Vision and 2020 goals for its operations and products. P&G believes it makes sound business sense to continue to strive for greater environmental performance. There are two main ways that P&G's environmental performance can continue to improve in the future.The first is that P&G can continue to improve the efficiency of its operations so that its business has less of an environmental impact. The second is by creating environmentally more efficient products that can help save energy and reduce carbon emissions.
P&G operations In 2006, P&G achieved its 2012 global climate change goal of an 18 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product. Following this, P&G's corporate sustainability goals were renewed at the end of 2007 (with the introduction of 2007-2012 goals). P&G had committed to an additional reduction of CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, and disposed waste (per unit of production) contributing to a 40% reduction for the decade. To read more on what was achieved and our stretching 2020 energy goals, click here.
P&G products P&G is also aware that the biggest impact its business can have on the environment is in the way consumers use its products. This is where the second point comes in. P&G introduced products such as Ariel 'turn to 30', Ariel Actif à froid (Active in Cold Water) or Ariel Excel Gel, which allow consumers to get a superior wash at low temperatures, saving energy and helping the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And it is a significant amount of help: washing clothes at reduced wash temperatures in Europe could reduce a household's electricity use by around three per cent. In the US, the savings could be up to 10 per cent.To drive this point home, P&G is working with a range of organizations to promote cold-water washing. In the UK, for example, P&G has teamed up with The Energy Savings Trust. In the USA, P&G is associated with the Alliance to Save Energy.To read more on the P&G Sustainability Vision and 2020 goals, visit the sustainability section on www.pg.com.
As well as P&G's efforts to continually improve its operations' and products' environmental profile, consumers can help to make a considerable difference to the environment, for the better.If you look at the level of energy consumption for a typical P&G product, across its entire lifecycle (from manufacture to use), it turns out that the biggest impact on the environment comes the moment you set the temperature of your washing machine or dishwasher.
So P&G is trying to make sure you don't have to wash in warm water. A growing range of P&G products can provide optimal results at low temperatures, meaning you won't pay so much in electricity and the carbon emissions from washing will be reduced.
In Europe, for example, washing clothes at reduced temperatures could save three per cent of the electricity used by a household.
Here's why: washing appliances account for about 12 per cent of a household's energy consumption and, on average, 60 per cent of the electricity they use is purely for heating up water (this rises to 85 per cent for a 90 degree cycle).
Now, a washing cycle at 40 degrees consumes nearly twice as much energy as one at 20 degrees. A cycle at 60 degrees consumes three times as much. And just by turning a wash from 40 to 30 degrees you can save 30 per cent of the energy used per cycle.
P&G's coolclean technology in products like 'turn to 30', Ariel Actif à froid (Active in Cold Water) and Dash 'Impeccabile a Freddo', offer energy savings thanks to ingredients that are active at reduced wash temperatures.
Thus, if everyone in Italy used Dash Impeccabile a Freddo to reduce their washing temperature by one click - say from 40 degrees to 30 - the energy saved would be enough to light up the most beautiful squares across the country.
Put another way, by turning down the dial on your washing machine, for example from 40 to 30 degrees, you could save nearly a third of the energy you use in a normal load. And you can still be sure your laundry will be brilliantly clean.
The energy savings P&G can make in the manufacture and distribution of P&G products are important but relatively small compared to what consumers can do with a simple turn of a dial.
There are many things you can do to save energy around the home, when you use P&G products and otherwise. Here are some tips to help you work out how much energy you use in the wash, what you can do to reduce it, what products to use, how you can cut carbon emissions elsewhere in the home and some general advice on saving power.
What are the main global warming culprits in the home? Heating and lighting are big power users in modern households, but a surprising source, which uses a considerable amount of energy, is simply keeping equipment on standby.
You can virtually eliminate this just by unplugging devices instead.
Clothes washers and dryers each consume about half as much energy per year as a TV, but this consumption can be reduced drastically with ease. Read on to find out how.
Life begins at 30 - if you want to save the planet, that is. When you do your washing, turning down to a lower temperature is one of the simplest and most effective ways of reducing carbon emissions, and saving money.
Best of all, it won't make a difference to the quality of your wash. As a result of improvements in detergents over the last decade, today's washing powders and liquids work very well at much lower temperatures than in the past.
Turning down to 30 (or lower) for normally-soiled laundry will curb emissions, save cash and help preserve clothes that might deteriorate at higher temperatures. And there are many other things you can do to save energy, too, such as:
Remember, measures to cut energy use and reduce carbon emissions will also help save you money which, in the case of your washing, you would otherwise literally be throwing down the drain. To find out which P&G products give you a greener wash click here or find out about a recent sustainable innovation: Ariel Excel Gel click here.
Many leading household brands, including Ariel, Tide and Dash, can provide great results when used at reduced wash temperatures. And turning off the heat could help you help the planet.
For example, if you used New Daz (UK), you could save 30 grams of carbon dioxide per wash.
That is equivalent to 320 grams of CO2 per box (for a detergent with 10 doses), or the energy needed to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours, or a TV for the same period of time.
Over the course of a year, you could save nine kilos of carbon dioxide, the amount of gas produced by driving 56 kilometres in your car.
And if everyone in the UK used New Daz at the recommended low temperatures, around 221,000 tons of carbon dioxide would be saved -equivalent to the amount of gas produced by the car use of 50,000 families, or the annual electricity use of 100 villages. Similarly, with Dash 'Impeccabile a Freddo' Italians can save up to 33 per cent of their energy use. And if all of Italy used new Dash, the country would save enough electricity to power 150 villages.
Depending on where you live, other products that can help you save energy include:
What is good for the environment is usually good for your pocket, too. An energy-efficient home will spend less on electricity bills. And there are literally hundreds of things you could do to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
P&G has listed some tips on this site that could help, besides changing the way you wash with P&G products. In addition, you could consider, for example:
For many more simple ideas about how you can help the environment, visit the Ariel sustainability website. You can also find out much more about electricity use, and how to reduce it, from the Association of Electricity Producers at www.energy-uk.org.uk. Finally, you might also want to work out exactly how much greenhouse gas your household produces. You can do this using one of the many carbon calculators available online, such as the Act On CO2 Calculator, published by the UK Government.
Work out what your carbon footprint is, then try a few energy-saving measures to see what an effect it has. Check what assumptions are made by the calculator so you can make allowances for them, and be honest about your levels of use.
To download a comprehensive list of tips about what you can do to make a difference, click here.
Easy links
Illustrations from P&G's Science-in-the-Box website can be used freely for educational, non-commercial purposes provided that the source will be published as follows: "Obtained from www.scienceinthebox.com (P&G website)"


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July 30, 2015
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) will host its annual Future Leaders Conference Friday (April 19) at Texas A&M University's Memorial Student Center, with Rep. Bill Flores chairing the event and joined by two other members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Organizers say the half-day conference, which begins at 9 a.m., will bring together multiple congressional speakers and distinguished corporate speakers in an effort to inspire and promote entrepreneurship and leadership among today's students. The conference will center on current issues affecting the Hispanic community and the global arena.
In addition to Flores, a 1976 Texas A&M graduate who represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes the Bryan/College Station area, conference speakers include Lincoln Diaz-Balart, former representative of Florida's 21st District, and Quico Canseco, former representative of Texas' 23rd District.
Since 2007, the CHLI Future Leaders Conference has provided students and young professionals the opportunity to participate in policy briefings, workshops, networking and presentations from local, national and international leaders in Washington, D.C., and select cities throughout the country.
The session at Texas A&M is expected to attract about 200 students and young professionals, planners of the event say.
Registration is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from corporations and different organizations with offices in Washington, D.C.
To register for the conference, visit www.chli.org.
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text:
|Renaissance Hotels Weston hotels are provided below. Search for cheap and discount Renaissance Hotels hotel prices in Weston, FL for your family, individual or group travels. We list the best Renaissance Hotels Weston hotels/motels so you can review the Weston Renaissance Hotels hotel list below to find the perfect place.
Our page will list below Weston, FL lodging that have a comparable rating of a Renaissance Hotels.
Need a group/meeting discount? Get quotes from hotels in Weston FL
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New & Improved! - $199!
Buy Now
As a golf swing trainer, Shotwatch™ is a golf gadget that remembers your best golf swing. Its built-in signaling device tells you when you deviate from your ideal grip, speed and tempo. The instant feedback facilitates muscle memory control to improve your golf game and shave strokes off your golf game. Now with user friendly start-up features and handy time of day function.


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A campaign of rebel violence to prevent people from voting in local elections has left four dead. Rebels have proclaimed a province wide strike today. Pakistan is sending a team of interrogators of Guantanamo Bay to interview some of the Pakistanis being held there.
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Posted at: 08/29/2012 8:30 PM
By: J.P. Murrieta, KOB Eyewitness Sports 4
A pair of UNM defensive lineman will miss some games this year because of impermisible benefits.
According to head coach Bob Davie, seniors Rod Davis and Fatu Ulale were given a Fed Ex account number by someone on the previous coaching staff. The two used that account to send some things home. The University of New Mexico football program self-reported the violations to the NCAA. This week they were denied any appeal.
The violations occurred during the 2011 season. Both players are in the process of repaying the value of the benefits.
"If they're given something, I think they're old enough to know right from wrong," said Davie. "The reality is it's illegal to do that," he added.
Because of the violations, the NCAA has declared Ulale ineligible for the first four games of the 2012 season and Davis the first two games.
Davis will be eligible to return for the game against Texas Tech on Sept. 15; Ulale will be eligible to return for the Boise State game Sept. 29.
"It certainly doesn't take me by surprise, we knew it was coming," said Davie. "I wasn't counting on Rod, I knew Rod was going to miss games."
"I wanted to announce it the day when we knew they would miss games, but I thought it would be fair to them to let them go through the appeal process."
Davie added there was a chance he might redshirt Ulale this season.


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Applications Processors Scale From One to Four Cores
Freescale Semiconductor introduces the i.MX 6 series of quad-, dual- and single-core applications processors designed to deliver outstanding performance and scalability to manufacturers targeting the hottest selling smart mobile, automotive infotainment and embedded device categories.
Integrating one, two or four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz each, the i.MX 6 series delivers up to five times the performance of Freescale's current generation of applications processors. This performance provides additional headroom for unbounded user experiences in next-generation tablets, eReaders, smartphones, automotive infotainment systems and other exciting consumer and automotive products.
Potential applications include mobile devices featuring 3D video playback, desktop-quality gaming, augmented reality applications and content creation capabilities – all delivered in ultra-sleek form factors and with significant battery life advantages over many of today's most popular mobile devices.
The i.MX 6 series targets several of the fastest-growing application spaces in the consumer market. According to industry analyst firm In-Stat, standalone eReader shipments will grow from 11.5 million units by the end of 2010 to 35 million in 2014, while the firm's forecast for mobile Internet tablets projects shipments to reach approximately 58 million in 2014, up from 13.7 million in 2010.
Scalability across single-, dual- and quad-core products is a hallmark of the i.MX 6 series. Common SoC IP building blocks enable series-wide software and development tool compatibility, while integrated power management capabilities, a broad range of integrated I/Os, and pin compatibility within package families reduce overall product complexity and development costs. Coupled with planned support for consumer, auto and industrial temperature requirements, the i.MX series offers OEMs fast time-to-value, enabling the rapid creation of complete end-product portfolios that can adjust and scale to meet evolving market demands and requirements.
Continuing to build on its advanced low-power design expertise, Freescale's i.MX 6 series features industry-leading power consumption for demanding applications such as HD 1080p video playback. The i.MX 6 series can deliver up to 24 hours of HD video playback and 30-plus days of device standby time. Integrated power management capabilities reduce the need for external PMICs and help to ensure only those components required for a task are powered.
The product series is comprised of the single-core i.MX 6Solo, dual-core i.MX 6Dual and quad-core i.MX 6Quad processors. Key technical features of the series include:
· Industry-leading four-core design
o Up to four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz per core
o Up to 1 MB system level 2 cache
o ARMv7, Neon, VFPv3 and Trustzone support
· Multistream-capable HD video engine delivering 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode and 3D video playback in HD
· Exceptional 3D graphics performance with quad shaders for up to 200 MTPS
· Separate 2D and vertex acceleration engines for uncompromised user interface experiences
· Stereoscopic image sensor support for 3D imaging
· Interconnect: HDMI v1.4 w/ integrated PHY, SD3.0, multiple USB 2.0 ports w/ integrated PHY, Gb Ethernet w/ integrated PHY, SATA-II w/ integrated PHY, PCI-e w/ integrated PHY, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, MIPI HSI, and FlexCAN for automotive applications
· Support for the VP8 codec
· Support for one of the broadest ranges of major operating system platforms in the industry
· Optional integration of an ePaper display controller for eReader and similar applications
Freescale plans to begin sampling i.MX 6 series devices later this year. Easy-to-use solutions come with complete reference designs, software and turnkey development technologies that simplify design.


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Development squad draw at Hearts
by Stuart Vose
Moberg Karlsson grabs a brace; Agnew and Laidler also on target.
Sunderland's development squad played out a 4-4 draw in a friendly north of the border at Hearts on Tuesday afternoon.
David Moberg Karlsson scored twice, while Liam Agnew and Jordan Laidler also hit the target for the youngsters, who are back in league action against Stoke City on Monday (January 13).
The visitors raced into a two-goal lead with Moberg Karlsson firing home from outside the box before Agnew converted from close range.
Angus Beith pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, but Sunderland went in 3-1 ahead at the break thanks to Moberg Karlsson's second goal of the match.
Sam Nicholson reduced the arrears once again in the early stages of the second half before Beith struck to make it 3-3.
Laidler then restored Sunderland's lead with just three minutes to go, but there was still a goal to come as Rhys Craigie salvaged a draw with the hosts with a goal in stoppage time.
Coach Kevin Ball said: "We were great in the first half but inconsistent in the second."


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Archive Page Design
Click here to go to Balletco's new home page and site navigation
|About the Change
Ballet Black
by Cassa Pancho
Link to: diary index, last diary, next diary
I am a crier. I cry when IÆm upset, I cry when IÆm angry, I cry if someone has been mean to me and I even cry if IÆve been mean to them. I cry when IÆm hungry and when IÆm tired. Just writing that I cry makes me want to cry. Pass me a tissue. Not for me any brave soldiering on and quiet suffering¢ oh no - if IÆm unhappy, chances are youÆll know about it. Of course I donÆt always cry buckets (mascara ainÆt cheap these days). For the lesser things (hunger, boredom, tiredness) I usually just well up a bit then eat a sandwich and IÆm fine. I also swear a lot ¢ so, when IÆm not blubbing chances are IÆm turning the air blue around me. The worse thing is when IÆm so outraged that I cry and swear ¢ then IÆm just an incoherent, watery mess. I have changed though. The Ballet Black Fundraiser (see December diary) toughened me up considerably. And if memories of the goings on at the Fundraiser arenÆt enough to remind me that sometimes shit happens, I try to remember three things told to me by very different people:
1) ōYouÆve got to be somewhereö (Virginia Fowell, my best friends mum)
My Dad also said something about twisting as well as grabbing but thatÆs for another diary. I love, love, love all of those pearls of wisdom and try to apply them frequently. Anyway. Back to the crying:
For the first time ever in my life, I cried tears of pure stunned, astonished awe, in an ōoh my God it canÆt be trueö way, the day I was shown Ballet BlackÆs new homeģat the Royal Opera House. Yeah baby! You heard right ¢ we are now officially residing at the Opera House following a fabulous meeting with Deborah Bull just before the summer. I was shown around the following day and kept saying stuff like, ōare you sure this studio is for us?ö (on seeing the Ashton Studio) and ōOhģmyģGod..!ö (the Fonteyn Studio) and ōYikes!ö (The Clore). I did manage to stem the flow of tears and just had very shiny eyes until I made it out onto Floral Street and was completely overwhelmed. Raymond Chia (our coach/guest ballet teacher) said on our first day ōI always prayed that I would teach in these studios. I had hoped it would be with the Royal Ballet, but I guess this will do.ö
WeÆve done class next door to the Kirov, spied the Royal Ballet in rehearsal and I even, nearly tripped over Gillian RevieÆs baby! I know! Studios built to the size of the Opera House stage, air-conditioning and the sounds of the Royal Opera Co. floating on the air. I think I died and went to Ballet Heaven. I canÆt believe that we, me and Ballet Black are there. But I guess youÆve got to be somewhere.
Work is well underway and in some cases, pretty much done regarding our October show. All four ballets are finished if you can believe it. Our choreographers are Stephen Sheriff and Patrick Lewis (plus me and Denz). The proofs for the (may I say FABULOUS) posters/flyers are done. Our lighting designer, David Playter (Donmar Warehouse) and all costume designers and makers are busy as can be and our musicians are probably drunk somewhere. All going according to plan there then.
I am doing crazy amounts of overtime at my job as Practice Manager at Pilates off the Square. ItÆs such a great/bizarre place to work. I really believe that at some point in time, every face you know will pass through the doors of our studios. Everyone from Melanie Griffiths to Matthew Hawkins has been in for a Pilates class or a bit of applied kinesiology (try saying that after a few vodkas). The overtime is, of course, to help fund the Ballet Black show and although it can be tiring, it was all worth it the day one of the fabulous comedians from ōSmack the Ponyö (Channel Four sketch show) came in. Of course, I am unable to say which fabulous laaaaaaaaaaady it was, but needless to say it cannot be long until there is an episode involving black ballet dancersģ? Celebrities aside, it can make for a fairly long day, but when my Mum advises me to stick to my guns, I bloody well do. Move over Annie Oakley.
The day the Arts Council responded to our funding application with the words ōwe do not think your project is value for moneyö I was pretty mad. But then I thought, hey - we are the only black ballet company around in the UK, we work like crazy every single moment, of every single day for the past two years, we have a school dedicated to providing great ballet classes and encouraging more black and Asian kids into dance, have created professional relationships with brilliant musicians, established links to the Trinity College of Music so that their students receive degree credits if they work with us, have weekly open classes that allow any black or Asian dancer to improve their ballet technique, are producing four brand new ballets, we stick to what we believe is artistically right, we have the full support of a professional physiotherapist, Pilates trainers and additional ballet coaches, we put on our own fundraiser, performed as part of other shows, built a website, produced our own t-shirts, have our own photographer, press department, our own designers, have done interviews with British Satellite News for the Foreign Office, are being turned into a documentary, have a regular diary on Ballet.co. AND we rehearse at the Royal Opera Houseģ
(HUGE pause for breathģ)
We even received a letter of commendation from Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State.
Of course weÆre not value for money.


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My story may be a little different than most. I didn't start the Power 90 for myself. I started it for my wife. She is my best friend and I have watched her struggle with her weight for years. She would go on starvation diets only to lose and gain it right back. I though if we did this together, it would help keep her motivated. Because of my work, I started a month after she did. I didn't think that would make much difference but during the first cardio workout I asked her " do you know how much I love you?" because I was about to die. I was determined to keep up with her. I really didn't know I was that bad out of shape. She took my Day 1 pic and then I knew just how out of shape I was. A picture really tells all.
Everyday we got up and pushed play. Some days it was hard to get started, but it felt so good afterwards. People at work were amazed to see my transformation so quick. There were those that would say "you don't need to lose any more weight" but then there were those that would say "My, you're looking fit. " That made me feel so good!
Thank you Beachbody and Tony Horton for coming up with a doable program. Instead of having a middle life spread at 42, I'm healthier and more fit than I was at 22. It has given my wife and me a new outlook for our future. I'm at the end of my second and will continue to use Power 90 to maintain my results and keep a more active lifestyle. We have learned since getting Power 90 how important diet and exercise is to enjoying life to its fullest. We also consider Power 90 to be an investment in our reirement FUND! ! ! ! !
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GAFFNEY, S.C. -- A North Carolina man has died in an accident at a South Carolina distribution warehouse.
Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said the accident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday at the ADS plant in Gaffney.
Fowler says a man was on a lift about 30 feet off the ground removing shoes from shelves when his lift was hit by another lift.
Fowler says the victim was 24-year-old Kenneth Robert Clary of Kings Mountain, N.C.
Fowler says Clary suffered head injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the second lift was not hurt.
The coroner has ordered an autopsy.
The death is also being investigated by the state office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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A medical appliance of shape memory material is provided for implantation in a vascular passageway for engagement with the walls of the passageway. The appliance includes a body formed of thermal shape memory material having a temperature transformation level below which the body is in a martensitic state and is pliable and compressible, and above which the body is in an austenitic state and is self-expandable to a substantially rigid pre-compressed configuration. The shape memory material in the austenitic state is capable of being transformed by stress to the martensitic state. The body includes segments which expand outwardly away from the longitudinal axis of the body in the austenitic state thereof, and a superelastic hinged joint is formed in at least one of the segments by reducing the cross-sectional area of the segment in a localized area.
1. A medical appliance of shape memory material for implantation in a vessel for engagement with walls of the vessel comprising:
a body formed of thermal shape memory material having a temperature transformation level below which said material is in a martensitic state and said body is relatively pliable and compressible and above which said material is in an austenitic state and said body is self-expandable to a substantially rigid, pre-compressed configuration, said shape memory material in the austenitic state being capable of transformation to the martensitic state in response to induced stress,
said body having a longitudinal axis and including segments which expand outwardly away from said longitudinal axis when said thermal shape memory material is in a thermally induced austenitic state,
and at least one superelastic hinged joint formed in at least one of such segments to localize strain to which said segment is subjected at said joint, to permit said joint to undergo a stress induced phase transformation to a martensitic state while the remainder of said segment is in a temperature induced austenitic state, said joint being formed by reducing the cross-sectional area of said segment in a localized area of said segment.
2. The medical appliance of claim 1 wherein said shape memory material is Nitinol.
3. The medical appliance of claim 2 wherein said segment includes an elongate section of Nitinol wire, said superelastic joint being formed by reducing the cross-sectional area of said wire to cause strain at said joint when the wire is in the temperature induced austenitic state to induce a transformation of said joint to the stress induced martensitic state while the remainder of the wire remains in the austenitic state.
4. The medical appliance of claim 3 wherein the temperature transformation level of said wire is about body temperature.
5. The medical appliance of claim 2 which comprises a blood clot filter having a body including a plurality of wire portions, said filter having a leading end located on said longitudinal axis, said wire portions being confined together at said filter leading end to form a tip, and being confined together at a median place on said axis spaced from said filter leading end, said wire portions having free ends remote from said tip and said median place, said wire portions between said median place and said free ends defining legs, and a superelastic joint formed in each such leg between the median place and free end thereof.
6. The medical appliance of claim 5 wherein said superelastic joint is formed in each such leg between said median place and a point halfway between said median place and the free end of said leg.
7. The medical appliance of claim 6 wherein said legs in the austenitic state of said Nitinol wire bow outwardly from said median place and include a foot extending at an angle at the free end of each said leg.
8. The medical appliance of claim 6 wherein each wire portion between said filter tip and said median place forms a loop, said loops overlapping at least the adjacent two said loops to form a filter basket.
9. The medical appliance of claim 8 wherein each such wire portion forming said loop includes a first wire section extending outwardly from said median place a second wire section extending outwardly from said filter tip and a curved section extending between said first and second wire sections to form the end of said loop, a superelastic joint being formed in each said first, and second wire sections spaced from said curved section.
10. The medical appliance of claim 6 wherein said filter includes coaxial first and second filter baskets, each said filter basket being generally symmetrical about said longitudinal axis and opening away from said filter leading end.
11. The medical appliance of claim 2 which comprises a stent including an elongate body member having a longitudinal axis with a skeletal frame of said wire formed to define an elongate chamber which extends through said body member, the skeletal frame being formed to assume a first expanded configuration relative to said longitudinal axis in the austenitic state of said wire and to be collapsible toward said longitudinal axis to a second collapsed configuration in the martensitic state of said wire, said skeletal frame further being formed to define a plurality of interconnected open cells with each of said cells including two substantially parallel, spaced side walls which are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis in both the first expanded configuration and the second collapsed configuration of said skeletal frame and end walls extending between said sidewalls at an angle to said longitudinal axis, and a superelastic joint formed in each of said end walls, said cells being arranged around said elongate chamber with sidewalls of adjacent cells arranged in adjacent coextensive relationship, said cells joined together by an attachment connecting adjacent, coextensive cell sidewalls, this being the only connection between said cells.
12. The medical appliance of claim 11 wherein said cell end walls each include first and second wall sections, each said wall section having a first end joined to one of the sidewalls of said cell, said wall section extending at an angle to the sidewall to which the first end thereof is joined, and each said wall section having a second end opposite to said first end, the second ends of said first and second wall sections being joined, each said wall section having a superelastic joint formed therein.
13. The medical appliance of claim 12 wherein said superelastic joint in each of said first and second wall sections is located adjacent the second ends thereof.
14. The medical appliance of claim 11 wherein said wire forming said skeletal frame is configured to form finger portions extending axially from an end of said body member, each said finger portion including at least one superelastic joint formed therein.
15. The medical appliance of claim 12 wherein each such finger portion is configured in the form of a loop having first and second spaced wire sections extending axially from an end of said body and a curved section extending between said first and second wire sections to form an outermost end of said loop, a superelastic joint being formed in each said first and second wire sections spaced from said curved section.
16. The medical appliance of claim 2 which comprises a stent including a wire skeletal frame of generally tubular configuration, said skeletal frame comprising only a single wire, said frame including straight axially-extending portions of said wire joined together along the lengths of said straight axially-extending portions, and disposed side by side defining a circumference of said stent, wherein said frame includes a substantially tubular body portion and finger portions extending from an end of said body portion, said finger portions extending axially of said body portion and comprising endless looped portions of said single wire, each such finger portion including first and second spaced wire sections extending axially from an end of said body portion and a curved section extending between said first and second wire sections to form an outermost end of said finger portion, a superelastic joint being formed in each said first and second wire sections spaced from said curved section.
In recent years, a number of medical devices have been designed which are adapted for compression into a small size to facilitate introduction into a vascular passageway and which are subsequently expandable into contact with the walls of the passageway. These devices, among others, include stents for holding open a vascular passageway and blood clot filters which expand and are held in position by engagement with the inner wall of a vein. It has been found to be advantageous to form such devices of a shape memory material having a first, relatively pliable low temperature condition and a second, relatively rigid high-temperature condition. By forming such devices of temperature responsive material, the device in a flexible and reduced stress state may be compressed and fit within the bore of a delivery catheter when exposed to a temperature below a predetermined transition temperature, but at temperatures at or above the transition temperature, the device expands and becomes relatively rigid.
Known self expanding medical devices have been formed of Nitinol, an alloy of titanium and nickel which provides the device with a thermal memory. The unique characteristic of this alloy is its thermally triggered shape memory, which allows a device constructed of the alloy to be cooled below a temperature level and thereby softened for loading into a catheter in a relatively compressed and elongated state, and to regain the memoried shape in an austenitic state when warmed to a selected temperature, above the temperature transformation level, such as human body temperature. The two interchangeable shapes are possible because of the two distinct microcrystalline structures that are interchangeable with a small variation in temperature. The temperature at which the device assumes its first configuration may be varied within wide limits by changing the composition of the alloy. Thus, while for human use the alloy may be focused on a transition temperature range close to 98.6� F., the alloy readily may be modified for use in animals with different body temperatures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,908 to Simon discloses a blood clot filter formed of thermal shape memory material while U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,868,956 to Alfidi et al., 4,503,569 to Dotter, 4,512,338 to Balko et al., 5,354,308 and 5,395,390 to Simon et al. and European Application No. 0556,850A1 disclose stents of thermal shape memory material. Although these patented units operate effectively, it becomes necessary to provide devices in a large number of sizes to accommodate vessels of different sizes or to vary the contact pressure between an expanded device and a vessel wall. With such prior units, when segments of different lengths expand into contact with a vessel wall, it has not been possible to achieve a substantially uniform contact pressure for all such segments. Longer segments tend to contact the wall with a greater contact pressure than the shorter segments.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vessel implantable appliance of shape memory material having temperature induced austenitic and martensite states with a hinged joint subject to stress induced martensite phase transformation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved vessel implantable appliance of shape memory material wherein strain and flexion in the material are localized at a hinged joint. The shape memory material has a low temperature martensite state where the material is flexible and a high temperature austenitic state where the material returns to a predetermined state and becomes relatively rigid. When the material is in the austenitic state, stress induced martensite can occur, and the hinged joint is designed so that stress induced martensite occurs at the joint.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved vessel implantable appliance of shape memory material wherein strain and flexion in the material are localized at a hinged joint. By having the joint subject to stress induced martensite phase transformation, and by locating the joint in sections of the appliance which expand into contact with a vessel wall during a temperature induced austenitic phase, the appliance section will exert a substantially constant force on the vessel wall over a large range of deflections. Also the potential for fatigue fractures of the material due to cyclic respiratory, cardiovascular or postural motions is reduced.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide vena cava filters and stents of Nitinol which operate in a temperature induced austenitic state to exert a constant force on the walls of a vessel regardless of variations in vessel cross-sectional area or variations in the length of sections of the devices which contact the vessel walls.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a vena cava filter formed with superelastic hinged joints;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the superelastic hinged joint of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the superelastic hinged joint of FIG. 2 in a flexed configuration;
FIG. 4 is a chart showing the forces on a vessel wall exerted by standard appliances of Nitinol and the appliances of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stent with the superelastic hinged joints of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a view of a cell of the stent of FIG. 5 with superelastic hinged joints.
By forming the body of a medical device of a Nitinol alloy material, such as Nitinol wire, transition between the martensitic and austenitic states of the material can be achieved by temperature transitions above and below a transition temperature or transition temperature range. Such controlled temperature transitions have conventionally been employed to soften and contract the Nitinol body for a medical unit to facilitate insertion into a catheter and to subsequently expand and rigidify the body within a vascular or other passageway. In addition to temperature sensitivity, it has been found that Nitinol, when in the temperature induced austenitic state, is also subject to stress sensitivity which can cause the material to undergo a phase transformation from the austenitic state to the martensitic state while the temperature of the material remains above the transition temperature level. When sufficient stress is applied to a Nitinol strand in the austenitic state to initiate a phase transition to the martensitic state, the material reaches a superelastic plateau which extends over approximately a 2% to 71/2% stress range. When the material in the martensitic state reaches the superelastic plateau, additional applied stress within the plateau range is taken up by the phase transformation. This superelastic plateau can be utilized in the design of a Nitinol medical unit which will apply a substantially equal pressure to the walls of a body passageway regardless of variations in the length of segments of the unit which contact such walls. Also, a Nitinol medical unit of a single size can be used in body passageways of different diameters or cross-sectional areas while still applying a substantially equal pressure to the walls of these variously sized passageways.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a blood clot filter 10 is illustrated which is made from a set of Nitinol wires. The wires are held together by two small sleeves or coils 12 and 14 of the same material, each coil being spot welded to hold it in place and approximately one-quarter of an inch in length. Coil 12 is adjacent the tip 13 of the wires, and coil 14 is approximately two inches from tip 13 when the wires are fully extended. In the low temperature martensite phase of the material, the set of wires can be straightened and held in a straight form that can pass through a length of fine plastic tubing with an internal diameter of approximately 2 mm (#8 French catheter). In its high temperature austenitic form, the filter 10 recovers a preformed filtering shape.
In its normal expanded configuration or preformed filtering shape, filter 10 is a double filter, having a first filter basket 16 and a second filter basket 18. The two filter baskets provide peripheral portions which engage the inner wall of the vein at two longitudinally spaced locations. The two filter baskets are generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis passing through filter tip 13.
The mesh of first filter basket 16 is formed from the sections of wires between the two quarter-inch coils 12 and 14. The mesh is made up a series of seven overlapping loops 20 arranged to form a rosette approximately 25 mm in diameter. The loops are angled slightly relative to the longitudinal axis of filter 10 and this angle can be varied to accommodate somewhat smaller diameters if the device is to be constrained in a tube of less than 25 mm in caliber. The loops 20 effectively divide the cross-sectional area to be filtered. The rosette formed by loops 20 can expand or be compressed to fit various sizes of vein. The peripheral portions or tips of the loops 20 press outwardly against the inner wall of the vein, although without becoming imbedded in the vein; loops 20 thereby help to keep filter 10 in place. First filter basket 16 is convex relative to filter tip 13.
The mesh of second filter basket 18 is formed by the six circumferentially spaced free wire ends or legs 22, which tilt and bow outwardly of the longitudinal axis of filter 10. The six free ends or legs 22 that extend beyond the second quarter inch coil 14 diverge so that their tips form a circle 24 at their maximum divergence. Each leg is also bowed outwardly slightly. The legs serve to orient the device relative to the longitudinal axis of the vena cava. Second filter basket 18 is convex relative to filter tip 13.
Each free end of a leg 22 is bent sharply outward at about a right angle to form a hook 26 of approximately 1.5 mm in length. The hooks are intended to engage the wall of the vena cava to prevent migration proximally or distally. The six legs 22 are of slightly different lengths to permit good packing within the delivery device. If legs 22 are all of a single length, the hooks may interfere with one another, so that the filter does not expand properly when delivered into the vein.
The variable lengths of the legs 22 can result in each leg engaging the wall of the vena cava with a different contact pressure when the filter 10 is subjected to a temperature at or above the transition temperature. This is often undesirable, and to eliminate this variation in contact pressure a superelastic hinged joint 28 is provided in each of the legs 22. The hinged joint 28 is formed by reducing the cross-sectional area of the Nitinol wire forming a leg or other portion of the filter in a small localized area as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to localize stress deformation at the hinged joint. The cross-section of the hinged joint may be circular, rectangular, ovoid or some other desirable shape and the transition from the full wire cross-section to the reduced hinged joint cross section may be abrupt, tapered, rounded, or any combination of these. The force to be exerted by the legs 22 on the vessel wall is now determined primarily by the geometry of the hinged joint 28 and modern machining techniques allow this geometry to be precisely controlled.
In the legs 22 of the filter 10, the hinged joints 28 should be of substantially the same cross-sectional geometry and located as shown between the coil 14 and the halfway point 30 along the length of each leg. As will be noted in FIG. 1, the maximum inclination of each leg relative to the central longitudinal axis of the filter 10 occurs in this first half of the leg adjacent to the coil 14, and this area is subjected to greater stress as the leg expands and contacts the passageway wall. By localizing stress deformation and flexion in the wire at a hinged joint 28 located in this first half of the leg, sufficient stress is applied so that the Nitinol wire at the hinged joint undergoes a phase transformation from the austenitic state to the martensitic state and reaches the superelastic plateau. As the hinged joints 28 experience stress variations within the range encompassed by the superelastic plateau, they flex as shown in FIG. 3 and cause the legs 22 to provide a substantially uniform contact pressure against the passageway wall. Thus if the hinged joint 28 in each leg 22 is formed to have substantially the same cross-sectional area, each leg will engage the wall of the vena cava with substantially the same contact pressure regardless of the variations in leg length and deflection. This is illustrated by the chart of FIG. 4 which shows the contact pressure curve for legs without the hinged joint 28 versus the curve for legs with the hinged joint. Since the hinged joint is in the stress induced martensitic state while the remainder of the leg is in the austenitic state, flexure at the joint not only causes the leg to exert a constant force over a range of deflections, but also reduces the potential for fatigue fractures of the filter legs due to cyclic respiratory, cardiovascular or postural motions.
To quantify the effect of adding a superelastic hinged joint to the filter leg, in-vitro force measurements were conducted on lengths of Nitinol wire with and without hinged joints. The wires were maintained at 37� C. in a water bath and were deflected through distances that are anatomically relevant. These deflections were correlated to equivalent caval diameters. Unhinged filter wire samples exerted forces that depend on deflection (see upper curve of FIG. 4). In this experiment, the force ranged between 7.5 and 10.5 gm over the expected range of vena cava sizes between 12 and 36 mm diameter. In contrast, hinged joint wire samples exerted a force that was insensitive to deflection (lower curve of FIG. 4), in this instance at a value of 3.5 gm. The force level is determined by the diameter of the joint segments, the length of the segments, and their displacement from the pivot point.
In the past, Nitinol filters, stents, and other medical devices designed for expansion into contact with the wall of a vascular or other body passageway had to be sized to conform to the cross-sectional area of the passageway, for a device which was significantly larger than the passageway would exert excessive contact pressure on the walls thereof. To prevent this, each device had to be manufactured in a large number of sizes. By forming Nitinol medical devices with the superelastic hinged joint 28 in accordance with the present invention, a reduced number of device sizes are required. By placing a hinged joint or joints on each segment of the medical device which contacts the wall of a passageway, a single device can be used for passageways of varying cross-sectional areas. The increased stress on a segment resulting from contact with a smaller passageway would be localized at the hinged joint 28 and the hinged joint would cause the segment to engage the walls of the smaller passageway with substantially the same contact pressure that would be applied to the walls of a larger passageway. Thus a single device could be effectively used with passageways of different cross-sectional areas so long as the stress range for the superelastic plateau of the hinged joint is not exceeded.
In FIG. 1, superelastic hinged joints 28 were formed in the legs 22 of the filter 10. These hinged joints could also be provided as shown in the Nitinol wire on opposite sides of each loop 20, as these loops also engage the walls of a vein.
The superelastic hinged joints 28 may be effective when formed in the expandable section of any Nitinol medical device. For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a stent 32 which includes a skeletal frame 34, preferably formed from a single Nitinol wire 36. The wire includes a plurality of abutting straight portions 38 which are joined to each other, as by welding or by other attachment means. When the frame 34 is expanded in the austenitic state, it becomes relatively rigid, and substantially tubular in configuration. Ends 40, 42 of the single wire 36 are disposed in one of the straight portions 38, such that there are no exposed wire free ends, disposed within or extending from the frame 34. The abutting and elongated straight portions of the wire facilitate the use of strong elongated welds to securely join the wire portions together. The wire 36 may be formed of any desired cross-sectional shape. In the frame, straight portions 38 of the joined wire segments are disposed, relative to the tubular configuration of the frame, circumferentially thereof. The wire abuts itself only at the straight portions 38 and does not cross itself at any point. Accordingly, the frame walls, that is, walls 44 of a tubular body portion 46 of the frame have a thickness equal to the diameter of the wire 36.
The stent includes the body portion 46 and looped finger portions 48 extending generally axially from one, or both, ends of the body portion. The finger portions also expand radially outwardly against the wall of a vascular passageway in which the stent is located.
The tubular body portion 46 comprises a mesh formed by the wire 36, the mesh comprising a plurality of interconnected cells 50 which are preferably of a polygonal configuration when viewed in plan, providing spaced, substantially parallel straight sides to form the aforementioned straight portions 38. The cells 50, when polygonal, are preferably of a hexagonal configuration, which readily provides expansion and rigidity characteristics desirable in the structure and operation of the device. Preferably, the stent comprises six of the polygonal cells 50 circumferentially and an even number of the polygonal cells along its length, thereby facilitating formation of the stent by the single wire 36.
It is important to note that each cell 50 is formed by two straight portions 38 which are substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the stent or stent section of which the cell is a part. Each end of the cell is closed by an end wall or end walls 52 which extend between adjacent ends of the straight portions; the end walls being disposed at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the stent or stent section containing the cell. It is these end walls which expand and contract as the cell undergoes a phase transformation between the austenitic and martensitic states. The straight portions 38 remain parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the stent as the stent expands or collapses.
The cell structure and orientation within the stent 32 is very important to the proper expansion and compression characteristics of the stent. Since cell joinder is accomplished solely at adjoining straight portions 38, the expansion of the stent radially and outwardly from the central longitudinal axis thereof places minimal stress on the connections between cells. The straight portions 38, being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent or stent section, do not significantly change in configuration as the stent is collapsed and expanded.
Since the sole connection between cells is along these straight portions, the connection is not subjected to tension or shear force during expansion and compression of the stent in a manner which would tend to stress and break the connection. The end walls 52, which are inclined relative to the central longitudinal axis of the stent or stent section, are the portions of the cell which provide the radial memory force during expansion, and the longitudinally oriented connections between the cells causes the cells to distribute this radial memory force evenly around the stent. It is the pliability of the end walls at temperatures below the temperature transformation level which cause the cell straight portions 38 to move together as the stent is compressed, and it is these same end walls which become relatively rigid but resiliently deformable to return the stent to its thermal memory shape at temperatures above the temperature transformation level. As these end walls maintain the straight portions 38 of the cells substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent in all configurations of the stent, these straight portions are not significantly biased or stressed.
To adapt a stent 32 of a single size for use in vessels of different cross-sectional areas, the expandable portions of the stent, like those of the blood clot filter 10, are provided with superelastic hinged joints 28. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a hinged joint 28 can be formed at the apex between the wall sections 54 and 56 of each end wall 52 where maximum stress occurs. Alternatively, a hinged joint 28 can be formed in each wall section 54 and 56 in closely spaced relationship to the apex therebetween. Also, a hinged joint 28 can be formed in the Nitinol wires on either side of the end loop 58 for each of the fingers 48.
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DETROIT, Mich. -- Ninth year head coach Antonio Hitchcock and the Mustangs (1-0, 0-0 WHAC) turned an 11-point halftime lead into a runaway 77-40 final over the visiting Cougars of Kuyper College (0-1). The 37-point victory was due in part to the Mustangs' strong defense after allowing a mere 18 second half points.
On the offensive end, the Mustangs exploded for 44 points in the second stanza behind strong play from senior leader Keara Marks (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance). Marks would tally 22 points to go along with 16 rebounds, three assists, and three steals to help lift the Mustangs to a season-opening victory.
With the 22 points, Marks moves to within 21 points of becoming the third 1,000-point scorer in program history.
Marks was joined in double figures by junior guard Candice Minus (Flint, Mich./Mott CC) with 14 points. Minus added five boards, four assists and three steals to complete one of her most well-rounded days as a Mustang.
Elisha Major (Flint, Mich./Carmen Ainsworth) and Shakia Logan (Detroit, Mich./AIB) also reached double figures in scoring with 12 and 10 points respectively.
Arielle Edwards (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) snagged 10 rebounds to go along with four points.
Game Notes: The Mustangs held the Cougars to 28% shooting in the second half … The Cougars committed 30 turnovers compared to 10 for the Mustangs … The win lifts the Mustangs to 1-0 for the second straight season …


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GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Medications
Definition of GERD:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when food or liquid travels from the stomach back up into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This partially digested material is usually acidic and can irritate the esophagus, often causing heartburn and other symptoms.
Drugs (by generic name) associated with GERD
The following drugs and medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of GERD. This service should be used as a supplement to, and NOT a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
Alternative treatments for GERD
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for GERD. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of GERD.
Topics under GERD
- Barrett's Esophagus (12 drugs)
Learn more about GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Micromedex® Care Notes:
Symptom checker:
Related encyclopedia articles:
- Anti-reflux surgery
- Bernstein test
- Esophageal manometry
- Esophageal pH monitoring
- Esophagitis - infectious
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux in infants
- Heartburn
- Home apnea monitor - infants
- Reflux wedge
- Upper GI and small bowel series
Symptoms and treatment for:
Drugs.com Health Center:
Mayo Clinic Reference:
Synonym(s): Acid reflux; Esophageal Reflux; Heartburn; Pyrosis; Reflux


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TEDxEroilor ЯEvolution talks about our reality and it is close to the vision that we all share with our you: there is no evolution without original ideas, no innovation and no revolution without the active action of each and every one of us towards developing the communities we live in. This edition's theme, ЯEvolution, invites us to drive our actions in a more constructive way towards change, new perspectives, and evolution.
Cinema Victoria
Bulevardul Eroilor, 51
Cluj-Napoca, CJ, 400129
Bulevardul Eroilor, 51
Cluj-Napoca, CJ, 400129
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Magor Csibi"I believe in change and evolution and I am passionate about finding ways to start, fuel and rush this process. So my whole life, until now, has been a continuos search for the best place where I could support change most efficiently. This is how I came to be, in turn, a student leader, an university teacher, a counsellor for the President of the Romanian Parliament, the youngest Member of the European Parliament, the founder of Think Outside the Box – an online news platform promoting constructive approaches – and the director of WWF Romania. All stages in my life lasted exactly 2 years, but maybe WWF will be the one to change my pattern."
Dorin MarchișDorin Marchiş is President of Romanian Aikido Aikikai Fundation, organization recognized by Japan Aikikai Foundation – which coordinates the development and promotion of Aikido in the world. He is leading an organisation with 2500 members and branches in over 30 cities in Romania, being invited to teach Aikido in international seminars in many countries. He is also the President of the Center for Japanese Art and Culture, he loves and he promotes the Japanese culture. He graduated from the Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and practice martial arts since 1983, currently being master of Aikido Dan grade 5.
Alina RusuAlina S. Rusu (biologist and psychologist) has received her PhD title in Ethology (the study of Animal Behaviour) in 2004, at University of Zürich, Switzerland. After a training course in Animal Assisted Therapy and Activities (Delta Society and University of Northern-Texas, USA), Alina Rusu has initiated for the first time in Romania a post-graduate course in Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy, with applicability at level of increasing the quality of life in humans and animals. Currently, Alina Rusu is Associate Professor at Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education (Babeș-Bolyai University). In terms of profession, she combines ideas and models from animal life with knowledge about human emotions and behavior, through interdisciplinary courses, such as Animal Psychology, Psychobiology of Sexuality and Evolutionary Psychology.
Ştefan PălărieIs involved in creating and developing educational projects in partnership with corporations which have a strategic aim to have a positive impact on education in Romania. President and founder of "Şcoala de Valori", Ştefan helped design the national educational program GROW launched in 2010 and awarded in 2011 with three national awards including best youth program in Romania. "I understand that only by bringing together passionate people, more expertise and many years of work can produce a transformation on the education in Romania and my children will be able to live in a country as they wish. More important than my experience in professional and volunteer activities, travels, shipping and weddings, my passion remains vivid towards leaving something behind and changing dramatically in the Romanian society."
Elena Basso StănescuElena Basso Stănescu is a designer, artist and lecturer – PhD in Visual Arts at the Fashion-Design Department, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca. She is a member of Artists Union of Romania, winner of UAP Design Award and other honors in the field of fashion design, fine arts and decorative. Personal paths, both in design, as well as those belonging to the decorative arts have spawned iconic images that speak of tradition, identity, paths, dreams, rituals, beliefs. The creative activity accompanies the teaching activity, the two dimensions being complementary. This "dialogue" is essential to define the original vision, generating new openings to the professional environment in this field. Elena is the initiator of UAD Graduates Fashion Design Gala, complex event relevant to higher education art, which reached its eighteenth edition, becoming an important platform of promotion for students and graduates.
Dumitru PopescuDumitru Popescu is for 13 years the founder and the coordinator of ARCA team, that has become the leading organization in the aerospace field in Romania. With an exceptional ability to mobilize, coordinate and focus people, Dumitru and his team, ARCA, has made big projects for Romania, from the Demonstrator 2B rocket, Helen 2 space rocket continuing and culminating with the IAR-111 supersonic plane for the American competition Google Lunar X Prize.
Voicu BojanVoicu Bojan is editor, translator and, sometimes, freelance photographer. He has published pictures and stories in several publications, most significant being Traveler, National Geographic, Romania, Esquire Romania and LensWork, U.S. He is the initiator of Diafragma 9. This project includes a photography course and workshops held with a very small group of friends. He is taking care of a book collection that aims to help photographers think more and trigger less. Details on www.diafragma9.ro
Cornel VîlcuCornel Vîlcu is assistant doctor at the Faculty of Letters (at UBB) and works, professionally speaking, in the field, mainly theoretical, of general linguistics and semiotics. In recent months, however, he became, in a very practical way, civic and environmental activist, particularly involved in the "Save Rosia Montana" campaign. How these two territories reconcile, what can they 'tell' to each other, to what extent they interfere with positive or negative effects? What have the scientific theory of language and semiotics on the one hand and the social practice of communication, opinion formation, taking stand as a citizen, on the other hand? A 'reflection' of 18 minutes which raises the question of the relationship, in each one of us, between abstract and concrete, between principles and facts.
Cornel RăileanuWithin twelve years of teaching theater in university, we have developed our own experiments, a cumulus of exercises that have formed generations of actors viable and competitive. As often happens, on other meridians of the world, this method was already established. We refer here to two great personalities oversea: Neva Boyd and Viola Spolin, to whom we fully recognize their competence. Confirmation that we chose a just and verified way, has produced great satisfaction, and we decided to implement this study in the social sphere. Our approach is a pioneering in the social, cultural and educational Romanian landscape, and results in a complementary form of education.
Cristina PardanschiWithin twelve years of teaching theater in university, we have developed our own experiments, a cumulus of exercises that have formed generations of actors viable and competitive. As often happens, on other meridians of the world, this method was already established. We refer here to two great personalities oversea: Neva Boyd and Viola Spolin, to whom we fully recognize their competence. Confirmation that we chose a just and verified way, has produced great satisfaction, and we decided to implement this study in the social sphere. Our approach is a pioneering in the social, cultural and educational Romanian landscape, and results in a complementary form of education.
Răzvan CherecheşIf I were to name the one trait that would best describe me, I would be "the one who starts". I have an insatiable hunger for innovation and transforming people and things. In 2007, I started the Center for Health Policy and Public Health (CHPPH), at the Babeş-Bolyai University, who's Executive Director I've been since. Within CHPPH, together with the people I have invested in, I ran more than 20 projects in Public Health, contributing to the development of this field in Romania. I have proved that Public Health, which is an established field abroad, can be developed effectively even in poor-resource settings, if you are enough passionate, creative and consistent with your vision. This way, I introduced the concept of "Guerilla Public Health", which has never been used before. Moreover, I initiated the only English-taught Bachelor Program in Public Health from Central and Eastern Europe, which will start this fall. Therefore, my unique expertise as a researcher, leader and manager led to my selection as a national Expert Evaluator for the European Commission.
Organizing team
Oana SiposCoordinator
Andrei BalintPR responsible
Greta OrosSpeakers responsible
Cristina ChismoreFundraising
Dan MocanLogistics
Adela VadanFundrasing
Roxana BibartParticipants responsible
Cristina RucareanuDecoration design
Alexandra CotaDesigner
Raluca GanceanuFundraising
Anca Gligateam member
Tudor PopSocial Media
Alex RadavoiTechnical and Website Responsible
Mircea VadanCurator


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I was given a kayak but it had six cracks in the hull and would eventually take on lots of water.
I had two options: scrap it or repair it. It didn't cost me anything, so I thought I'd try to repair it.
Is it possible to make a permanent repair using a drill, cloth tape and a hair dryer? Yes - it really does work!
I've made a few river trips in my repaired kayak and there are no leaks.
Step 1: Materials needed
- A drill with a very fine drill-bit
- A reel of fabric tape - this is also known as duct tape, cloth tape or gaffer tape. It's a flexible self-adhesive tape reinforced with a cloth mesh. It's quite cheap and easily available.
- A hair dryer or hot air gun.
- A marker pen
Step 2: Drill the end of the crack
This work is done on the outside of the kayak.
Get a drill and drill a very small hole at both ends of the crack. This will stop the crack getting any bigger.
Step 3: Mark the extent of the crack inside the kayak
This can be tricky, so use a pin to poke through the hull so you can mark the hole using a marker pen.
When you have marked the holes, you will then know where the ends of the crack are.
Step 4: Heat the area to be repaired
Heat the repair area.
Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the kayak (or canoe) plastic so that it is hot to the touch. If you are using a powerful heat gun, be very careful not to heat the plastic too much.
The trick is the heat - I applied it on a warm day and was sure to apply lots of heat using the gun.
It's been on for two years and still no leaks, after lots of flexing on stones and shallow rivers ;)
Easyliving's suggestion sounds like the best way to go to effect a permanent repair.
The kayak was free - it was going to be scrapped, but I'm still using it and it doesn't leak!
It's such a cheap and easy thing to do, it's worth a try.
However, to make a better color matched repair, I've looked around and found plastic containers the color of my kayaks, to use for my repairs and modifications. NOTE: Plastic container must have a recycle triangle, with HDPE , which stands for High density polyethylene..
Cut off a piece to use instead of the black welding rods, that's provided in the kit... I recommend practicing on scrap poly container first... Cut the container, then repair it, with a piece of the scrap plastic container.
Basically , work slowly heating the damaged edges of the break, don't melt all the way through your kayak.. Be gentle, let the tool do the work... You just want to melt the surface enough to work the wire mesh into the softened damaged area, for reinforcement... While it's still hot and soft, hold the scrap poly against the welding tip, melting old and new poly together, to completely fill cracked area. When you have plenty of melted poly, smooth it out with the spoon shaped bottom of welding tip... If you don't get it right the first time, reheat it a little and smooth it out again....
You can also use the spoon shaped tip to smooth out deep scratches on the hull and to make any modifications you'd like on your kayak.
I'm getting ready to convert my kayaks into optional sailing kayaks! Adding Sails, Masts, rudders and outriggers. I plan to drill a mast hole through the hull, and weld a poly pipe, into the hollow of my Sit on top kayak's hull. I've ordered some kayak deck plates. I think by adding deck storage holes, I will be able to work throught the deck plate hole to weld inside the hull! I plan to reinforce the Mast pipe base, by welding it to the inside bottom of the hull... Wish me luck..
I've always wanted to sail, Now I'll have the chance.
West System G-Flex Epoxy is great for the Kayaks material,
bonds good, A small repair kit is under 25.00,
1-1 ratio for easy mix and is compatible with fillers.
and fibreglass fabric.
West System G-Flex Epoxy is great for the Kayaks material,
bonds good, A small repair kit is under 25.00,
1-1 ratio for easy mix and is compatible with fillers


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About Us We have a long, rich history here in the islands. Find out why you should join our HCFCU ohana.
HCFCU Wins National Award May 3, 2013HAWAII COMMUNITY FCU RECEIVES DIAMOND AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MARKETING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Kailua-Kona, HI– Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union was recently honored with a Diamond Award, which recognizes outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry. The award was presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of over 1,100 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Awards are given in each of 33 categories ranging from advertising to community events and beyond.
Hawaii Community FCU won the Brand Awareness category for its entry, entitled The Lives We've Touched. The entry was an anniversary edition newspaper tabloid in the West awaii Today that highlighted the Credit Union's 75year history. "The Diamond Award competition is the most prestigious competition for excellence in marketing and business development in the credit union industry," said Michelle Hunter, Chair of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, and SVP of Marketing & Development at Credit Union of Southern California. "Credit unions that receive these awards should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and know that their work represents the very best examples of creativity, innovation, relevance, and execution. The Diamond Awards are not easily earned and the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council is proud to honor those who are deserving of this recognition." Award winners were recognized at the council's 20th annual conference held March 24-27 in Anaheim, CA.
The CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council is a member-led organization comprised of more than 1,100 credit union professionals from across the United States. The Council strives to provide superior educational and networking opportunities to help its members be recognized in the credit union industry as the premier experts in credit union marketing, business development, and related disciplines. The Marketing & Business Development Council is one of the six organizations that make up the CUNA Councils, a network of more than 5,500 credit union professionals. For more information, visit
www.cunacouncils.org or www.cunamarketingcouncil.org.


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SAN DIEGO, Ca. (WTVR)–The panda cub at the San Diego Zoo marked two milestones this week: his first 100 days of life, and the emergence of a new set of teeth. The unnamed panda's body condition was also above average, with ample fat stores over his spine and a full belly, and he is making strides towards making strides too.
Resident veterinarian Matt Kinney says that the panda has new teeth emerging in both his arcades, as well as increased mobility.
"Today we're at the San Diego Zoo and we just completed the weekly exam on the panda cub. The big findings were there are some teeth that are erupting in the upper arcade, there's at least six teeth up there, and then two teeth in the lower arcade, and the other big finding is that he's much more mobile, he's able to have the strength to post up on all four limbs, and he's able to crawl in a direction," says Matt Kinney, resident veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo.
The male panda weighed 9.2 pounds (4 kilograms) and is more than 23 inches (58 centimeters) long from nose to tail. During his exam Tuesday (November 06), the cub wiggled and tried to crawl despite the staff's best efforts to hold him still to try to get accurate measurement.
The panda is also making progress with his vision.
"Looking at his eyes, he's able to focus in on certain objects, there are certain people, you can tell that he'll get fixated on one person, or one object on the floor, he's really focusing with his eyes right now," says Kinney.
The San Diego Zoo's giant pandas are on a research loan from the People's Republic of China. As part of this long-term program, the Zoo is also collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Science in studies of behavior, ecology, genetics and conservation of wild pandas living in the Foping Nature Reserve.
Only 1,600 giant pandas are believed to exist in the wild, and the species is primarily threatened by habitat loss.
The panda will be named November 13, following the Chinese cultural tradition of naming the giant panda only after it has aged 100 days.


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ST. LOUIS, MO. (KTVI) – The new Fox series "The Following" has quite the following. It focuses on tracking serial killers. Major Harry Hegger tracked serial killer Maury Travis in 2001, so he knows how difficult it is to catch a serial killer. "You have to find a way to pick up their pattern," he said.
Travis is linked to at least 12 murders in the St. Louis area, but Hegger believes he may have killed 20 women.
"He was the devil," Hegger said. "Just a sick human being."
Hegger said Travis lured prostitutes into his St. Louis County home. "Then he would tie them up, blind fold them and strangle them," Hegger said.
Investigators caught a break when Travis sent a letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"The letter included a computer generated map leading us to one of his victims," Hegger said.
Investigators used the map to find an I.P. address for the computer it was generated on. It led Hegger straight to Travis. Travis was arrested, but the case never went to trial.
"He killed himself in his jail cell," Hegger said. "He put a pillow over his face and hung himself."
Hegger said the reality of tracking a serial killer is something he will never forget.
"He was just a nasty human being," Hegger said.
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Main Street Minute: Pretzel chain opens stand at Metrocenter
KTAR's Main Street Minute focuses on local businesses that are hiring, businesses that are opening and events across the community. Each weekday these stories air on KTAR at 7:27 a.m. More information can be found below.
� Auntie Anne's has opened at the Metrocenter Mall. The soft-pretzel chain has over 1,500 locations in 48 states and 30 countries. Auntie Anne's stands are typically found in malls, outlet centers, airports and Walmart stores. The mall is near Interstate 17 and Peoria Avenue.
� United Health Group is hiring for positions at the Chandler Regional Hospital. The hospital needs staff for admissions as well as behavioral health experts and phone representatives. Proper certification and experience in the field is required.
� Arizona's Department of Public Safety is holding its annual Barbecue for Champions to raise money for Special Olympics. Thursday's lunch, catered by Honey Bear's barbecue, at DPS headquarters at Encanto Boulevard and 22nd Avenue in Phoenix. There will also be live entertainment. Lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.