Safe use in MRI machines sold in HK

The world's first pacemaker designed for safe use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was commercially obtainable in Hong Kong Sunday.

The first-ever MR-Conditional pacemaker system, named the " EnRhythm MRI SureScan pacemaker & CapSureFix MRI SureScan pacing leads", was designed, tested & approved for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under specified scanning conditions.

Patients receiving the EnRhythm MRI SureScan Pacing System will for the first time be able to undergo MRI scans under certain conditions, representing a major milestone in the evolution of implantable cardiac devices.

Lau Chu Pak, former president of Hong Kong College of Cardiology, said that approximately 2 million Europeans have implanted pacemakers, but these patients are prohibited from receiving MRI scans, a widely practiced diagnostic process for manycommon diseases & conditions, because their tool could interact with MRI machines, potentially affecting the tool or patient safety. According to estimates, 50-75 percent of patients worldwide with implanted cardiac devices are expected to need an MRI scan during the lifetime of their devices.

"This data is promising," continued Sommer," While the trial is ongoing, we've observed no lead-performance issues or unexpected MRI effects in this patient group to date." The clinical trial will include up to 470 patients at 53 centers in Europe, the Middle East, Canada & the United States.

"MRI is unmatched & irreplaceable in the diagnosis of cancer & neurological disorders," said germany expert Torsten Sommer. "And for investigation of the brain & spinal cord, there is basically no suitable alternative in most cases. As the necessity forMRI grows, it is critical to introduce a solution that allows pacemaker patients safe access to MRI," they added.

MRI lets doctors see internal organs, blood vessels, muscles, joints, tumors, areas of infection & more, without X-rays or surgery, & without exposing the patient to any ionizing radiation. The MRI machine creates a magnetic field, sends radio waves through the body, then measures the response with a computer, generating an picture of the inside of the body. In plenty of cases, MRI gives information that cannot be seen on an X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Lau said the EnRhythm MRI SureScan pacing system includes modified hardware to minimize the level of energy transmitted through the lead/device connection point. In addition, the new system also includes a new SureScan feature designed to eliminate the impact of MRI-generated electrical noise, as MRI scanners may cause traditional pacemakers to misinterpret this noise & as a result withhold or deliver unnecessary pacing therapy. The tool & leads also contain radiopaque marks, viewable via X-ray, to indicate that the system is MR-Conditional, a classification indicating a medical tool may be used in the MRI suite under certain conditions.

NYC subway line 100-ton machine to extend

NEW YORK - A 100-ton machine will begin cutting through hard rock underneath midtown Manhattan to build a $2 billion subway extension on the Far West Side.

New York City officials lowered the tip of the tunnel boring machine into an assembly chamber Thursday to begin the next phase of the No. 7 extension. Two of the machines will be used to excavate two 7,100-foot tunnels between West 25th Street and Times Square.

It will take two months to assemble each machine. The tunnels could be finished by the middle of next year.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said the "7" extension will rejuvenate the underdeveloped far West Side. It is contingent on a massive redevelopment of the Hudson rail yards along the waterfront. The entire extension is expected to open in 2013.

Buy Pfaff Sewing Machines for Your Needs

Are you going to get a new sewing machine in this season? If yes then you should be well acquainted with the machine. You should be clear in your mind about the kind of machine you want to buy. This could be confusing if you don’t have prepared a chart for that. This is not an easy job. It is also that there is no specific brand for that. Your compatibility with the machine is one of the first priorities. This should not be neglected. The second thing is the intention. What is your reason for buying a new sewing machine is? You should not neglect it.

The thing is sewing is not just a job. It is also used for the purpose of entertainment. Many people try it as some kind of hobby. Hence you should decide first what do you intend it for? A good choice would be the Pfaff sewing machines. These are one of the earliest machines made by the human beings. The name is due to the inventor of this kind of machine. There are certain facts about which you should be fully aware before buying a new Pfaff sewing machine. You must be familiar with the price variations in the sewing machine market.

There are a lot of companies in this business and all of them claim to be the best. Not everyone of their product is the best. It is also true that not every machine suits with every seamstress. It varies from person to person. Their price could be anything between $100 and it could up to $8000 as well. If you want to buy a sewing machine for completion of your college projects then you should better hang up with cheaper one, which will help you, do your projects and also they could be very easy to operate. There are a number of Pfaff machines available in the market, which will cater to your needs without any discretion.

Hence everyone can find their first choices in the market of the sewing machines. It is very enjoyable. Besides the company is very trusted and you could fully rely upon it. One of the many advantages about the sewing machine is that you could learn many things with these machines. This is not one machine that you will outgrow very easily. It is very durable in that sense. You can grow with this machine. There will be many advantages with this machine.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/buy-pfaff-sewing-machines-for-your-needs-769966.html

Washing machine manufacturer moves to Mexico, lays off 60

Kay Reiter, executive director of the Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation, said local officials met Friday with representatives from Fisher & Paykel, manufacturer of washing machines and dryers.

"They announced that they will be moving the dryer operations in July to Mexico, and the location is just over the border right by Brownsville, Texas," Reiter said. The machinery now used at the Clyde plant, located at 101 Water Tower Drive, will be moved to the Mexican factory.

"In June they will be stopping the production of their washing machines until further notice," she said. "They're stopping production but all of the machinery will be staying at the plant ... They're hoping if the economy turns around that possibly that line will start back up, but they're not making any promises at this time," the director said.

She said the company currently employs 86 people locally, but that number will drop to 26. "The motor line that was the original project that came to Clyde from Australia is staying," she said. "I do know that some of the employees will be offered jobs to go with the dryer line to Mexico. I do not know the exact number at this time," she said.

The company decided to move its production of Smart Drive washers from Australia and its moving motor manufacturing from New Zealand in 2005. In late 2007, it reportedly employed 128 people at the Clyde facility.

A woman who answered the telephone Monday at the Clyde plant declined to comment on the situation, but instead forwarded questions to the company's California office. That office was closed on Monday due to the Presidents' Day holiday.

Law puts a halt on selling youth dirt bikes and ATVs

A new law is putting the brakes on youth dirt bikes and ATV’s. Lawmakers say the lead content in parts of off-road machines is too high and dangerous for children.

Dealerships filled with the newest in off-road vehicles are missing one big seller.

Jason Johnson/U Motors: “We can't sell a machine for a child 12 or under, currently.” Mike Hennebry/Wheels Inc: “Well, I kind of feel short changed on the whole situation.”

This comes after a temporary national ban on any ATV or dirt bike designed for children 12 and younger because some parts contain lead levels greater than 600 parts per million. And it has sellers fuming; one local company is losing 50 thousand dollars a year in sales.

Jason: “If there were a part on the machine that had lead, is the child going to eat the part off the machine? We don't think that that is normal.”

Until they get the OK to sell them again, dealerships in the F-M are either keeping their youth bikes on display or are wiping them off the floor completely.

And this ban is not only affecting sales, it could also hurt ridership. Kids could get on bigger, used bikes that aren't as suitable for them or not get into the sports at all.

Mike: “If you have a six year old and you want to introduce him to dirt biking, you'd have absolutely nothing to offer them at this point.”

Jason: “It's something I've enjoyed with my family and hope to pass on to my son, but now I don't know when or if that can happen.”

And the news may get worse for dealers, sales managers say they don't know if they'll be reimbursed by the manufacturers if the bikes are recalled.

Some youth bike manufacturers are getting around the law. Polaris has already sent out a new handbook for some of its vehicles, including new stickers that say no one, 12 and under, can operate this vehicle, allowing the dealers to sell the ATV.

Magusi Mineral Resource Announced By Globex Partner

GLOBEX MINING ENTERPRISES INC. (TSX: GMX)(FRANKFURT: G1M)(PINK SHEETS: GLBXF) wishes to inform shareholders that First Metals Inc. (TSX: FMA) have reported a new NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource at the Magusi Project near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.

A 20,000 meter, 20m x 20m infill drill program to a depth of 350m was completed and reported in a NI 43-101 conformable report by Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. as of October 31, 2008.

The results reported below are reproduced from First Metals press release dated February 9, 2009. Notes:

1.CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.

2. Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off of $80 NSR/tonne.

3. Mineral Resources are estimated using an average long-term copper price of US$2.50 per pound, a zinc price of US$0.75 per pound, a gold price of US$800 per ounce, a silver price of US$13.50 per ounce and a US$/CAN$ exchange rate of 1.00 to 1.11.

4. Grade interpolation was carried out with inverse squared distance (ID2) method.

5. The Company provided Scott Wilson RPA with NSR multipliers per metal unit. Those NSR multipliers which vary in function of head grades and metal recoveries are based on SGS Lakefield metallurgical tests. The NSR values for each assay as well as each block in the model were then calculated.

6. Minimum underground mining width of two metres was used.

A permit to remove and process a 50,000 tonne bulk sample was received and site preparation, upgrading of road access, infrastructure installation and collaring of the ramp have been done.

Metallurgical test work by SGS Lakefield was undertaken and has been for the most part completed although the press release gives no details.

First Metals also started discussions in order to facilitate a restructuring plan under a Notice to Make a Proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Globex's royalty interest is registered against title and Globex believes that in the worst case, should First Metal go bankrupt, that Globex's royalty will be payable by whoever acquires the property.

This press release was written by Jack Stoch, P. Geo. President and CEO of Globex in his capacity as a Qualified Person Q.P.

We Seek Safe Harbour. Foreign Private Issuer 12g3 - 2(b)
CUSIP Number 379900 10 3

Forward Looking Statements: Except for historical information this News Release may contain certain "forward looking statements". These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the Company's expectations and projections.

N.S. NDP propose 10 per cent manufacturing tax credit to boost business

Nova Scotia's NDP will introduce a 10 per cent manufacturing and processing tax credit if they come to power, party leader Darrell Dexter told a business audience Thursday.

Dexter used a lunchtime address to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce to pitch a refundable credit as the most effective way of supporting private-sector businesses during the economic downturn.

"The credit would be 75 per cent refundable because a downturn is often the best time to invest," he told the audience.

Dexter said his proposal would cost the province up to $25 million in the first year of the program with as much as $18 million paid in rebates.

"That provincial investment would trigger the creation of more than 2,000 jobs from construction, purchases of equipment and machinery and the increased operations that result, according to the province's own analysis of a manufacturing tax credit," he said.

The idea was presented as the first plank of the party's platform ahead of what's expected to be an election year in Nova Scotia.

Dexter was asked later by reporters how he would pay for the proposed program, given a shrinking provincial surplus and the fact the Conservative minority has opened the door to running a deficit in 2009-10 after tabling seven consecutive balanced budgets.

"I would pay for it out of the available revenues to the province," Dexter said.

When pressed, he refused to accept that the choice could boil down to either the tax break or staying in the black. Dexter said there's no question that any budget would have to be balanced.

"We have within our budget, money for economic development. We have money for restructuring. We have money for capital investment. This money would come from those areas and are an important part of any stimulus package that a government would bring forward," he said.

The idea isn't new, having been tried by the Conservative government of former premier John Hamm. Businesses were offered a 30 per cent non-refundable tax credit for investments in processing plants and equipment.

But Jamie Muir, a Conservative member and former cabinet minister, said the program was cut in 2002 as part of the ongoing fight to balance the books.

"Anytime you can reduce taxes it's a good thing," he said. "But the decision that's going to have to be made is if you reduce that amount of revenue, what's the tradeoff?"

Dexter's suggestion got a qualified endorsement from Jean-Paul Deveau, president of Dartmouth, N.S. -based Acadian Seaplants Ltd.

Deveau said although the tax credit would clearly help his company, it wouldn't make a difference in whether or not it makes further investments.

He said the tax credit would have to be as high as the former Tory program to spur significant investment by companies.

"That kind of stimulus that would be provided to manufacturers would make a difference and would make a difference in terms of decisions that manufacturers would make," said Deveau.

In his speech, Dexter also promised to do more to make Nova Scotia a "learning province" by involving business and post-secondary institutions in efforts to ensure students get basic skills.

He said that would include a specific role in curriculum review and development.

Article resource:http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hcqZTY0PbUBsXuHy0GTpz9bMt4dQ

First repairs in renovation of wastewater plant to begin in May

The city of Marietta's aging wastewater treatment plant is slated to receive a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation and the components prioritized for renovation in 2009 are three primary sedimentation basins where solids settle from the wastewater.

The basins are fundamental and have been part of the plant since it went online in the mid-1950s.

The last renovation of Marietta's wastewater treatment plant took place in 1987.

Marietta Wastewater Superintendent Steve Elliot said the machinery of the primary sedimentation basins is designed to last about 20 years. Though the machinery has been maintained, it is in need of repair and no longer meets EPA requirements and standards.

It's like any other mechanical device; after years of running 24 hour a day the process “gets sloppy,” Elliot said.

Marietta's wastewater treatment plant has three primary sedimentation basins but is currently running on only two, Elliott said.

The renovation of these sedimentation basins is only the first step in updating the wastewater treatment plant and its processes. Many of its other components are in need of repair as well, including pumps, sludge-thickening equipment, and final clarifiers.

In an effort to save money, the three sedimentation basins are going to be renovated up to current EPA standards. There is no standard size for all the parts needed to rebuild the three basins and every chain, motor, sprocket, and gear is made to order, Elliot said.

"In 2008 we operated at 95% of design flow, and 96 days we were above design flow, so on an average day we’re just under capacity. It varies with precipitation and river levels. In 2007 we operated at 108% and in 2006 we operated at 102%," Elliot said.

That means the plant at times is operating beyond the capacity it was designed to handle.

Elliot said Marietta's wastewater treatment plant is capable of treating 3.34 million gallons a day while meeting its EPA permit requirements.

In wet-weather conditions the plant can utilize a hydraulic system to move 2.6 million gallons to an equalization basin for storage and treat up to the maximum hydraulic design of 8.25 million gallons, but that level of operation cannot be sustained for long periods of time without violating EPA requirements.

Elliot said there were 33 in 2008 when the plant operated above the maximum hydraulic design.

Marietta's wastewater treatment plant received three minor violations in 2008, Elliott said, and if “we lose a major process, we’re in danger of losing our permit," he said of the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit needed to discharge treated wastewater into the Ohio River.

So far about 30% of the final designs have been completed for the wastewater treatment plant's renovation. Elliot said the renovation process cannot go much further until negotiations are concluded between the city of Marietta and Washington County.

City and county officials are working on a plan to extend the service area of Marietta's wastewater treatment plant to parts of Washington County within reasonable distance. Areas under consideration include Oak Grove, Devola, areas of Ohio State Route 7 North around Reno and areas of Ohio State Route 7 South, Elliot said.

If such areas are included, the wastewater treatment plant will need to be renovated to handle a higher capacity.

Once the final design is finished the plan will go to the city engineer for a project cost estimate.

Elliot figures that amount will be somewhere between $12 and $15 million, but said it is hard to estimate at this time because the project's scope depends on what city and county officials decide to do.

Over $1 million in funding for the project's design was secured through low interest loans from the Ohio EPA, Department of Environmental Financial Assistance. These might be rolled over into construction loans.

Other possible sources of funding are State and Tribal Assistance Grants from EPA and the federal stimulus package in development, Elliot said.

The first stage of the update to the three primary sedimentation basins is set to begin in May.

A contract has been awarded to Downing Construction of Baltimore, Ohio. Downing was the low bidder and won the job at the price of $343,370, Elliot said.

Applied Materials Customers Say Downturn Deepest Ever

Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) Chief Executive Mike Splinter said his customers have called the downturn the deepest they have ever seen, as demand for semiconductors falls amid the deepening recession.

"Unprecedented things are happening right now," he said in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires. "Being in this industry more than 35 years, I've never seen people shut down memory factories. You just always keep it going."

In recent months, the majority of memory chip makers have taken action to halt production amid the economic downturn.

The memory segment can represent almost half of total revenues for chip equipment makers. But in the fourth quarter, nearly all chip makers saw sales tumble as demand for semiconductors slumped.

While the Santa Clara, Calif., company, which makes the tools used to produce computer chips and also more recently solar panels, said it wouldn't provide specific guidance for its business segments, it expects overall revenue to decline by 30%.

Revenue is expected to decline in each of its businesses.

Splinter said that the chip equipment market needs to consolidate, and Applied Materials is working to preserve cash and cut costs so that it can pursue acquisition opportunities when they appear.

"There needs at least to be fewer players than there are today," said Splinter, though he added sparking any deals could prove difficult.

"Getting consolidation to happen has been quite difficult if you look over the history of this market," he said. "There needs to be a triggering event. What that will be is hard to say."

Applied Materials shares were recently down 3.5% to $9.35 in late trading after reporting its first quarterly loss since 2003 amid cutbacks by a wide variety of chip makers.

In addition to making tools used in producing semiconductors, the company has a fast-growing business in solar panel manufacturing. Splinter said that the fate of the U.S. stimulus package currently being negotiated in Congress could affect its work in the solar area, at least indirectly.

Currently, the Senate version of the bill contains a provision providing tax credits for manufacturing equipment used in solar power that is absent from the version approved by the House, Splinter said.

A final version sent to the White House that includes those credits would be important for the solar sector.

Splinter said customers need to regain confidence that the market deterioration is slowing in order to begin moving toward purchases of capital equipment, but he sees few signs that a bottom has been reached.

Best and worst industries in 2008

Software publishers and home-health care services were among the nation’s top-performing small-business sectors in 2008, with annual sales growth of 17.39 percent and 13 percent, respectively, according to Sageworks, a North Carolina company that develops financial analysis tools and provides financial information for private companies.

The list is based on annual revenue growth percentages for small businesses with revenues of less than $15 million per year.

Other industries that performed well last year based on annual sales growth were remediation and waste-management services (up 12.3 percent); direct-selling companies (12 percent); accounting, tax preparation, payroll and bookkeeping services (11.5 percent); investigation and security services (11 percent); computer systems design (10.7 percent); management of companies and enterprises (10.7 percent); medical equipment and supplies manufacturing (10 percent); and electrical equipment and component manufacturing (9.24 percent).

Businesses tied to auto, real estate and construction were among the worst-performing groups in 2008 based on annual sales growth.

According to Sageworks, real estate agents and brokers (–5.52 percent); credit-intermediation services (–5.47); lumber and construction materials merchant wholesalers (–5.45 percent); cement and concrete product manufacturing (–4.7 percent); motor vehicle parts, supplies and merchant wholesalers (–3.67 percent); nondepository credit intermediation (–2.11 percent); wood product manufacturing (–1.93 percent); furniture stores (–1.48 percent); chemical and allied products merchant wholesalers (–1 percent); and dry cleaning and laundry services (–0.84 percent).