http://www.immediapress.it I comunicati stampa di Immediapress en info@immediapress.it (Informazioni) info@immediapress.it (Info tecniche) Salute e Benessere/Healthcare, Altro/Miscellaneous, chimica e farmacia / Chemistry and Pharmacy, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61866 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Sirtex Medical Limited)
The start of SARAH, a new randomized controlled trial to directly compare the effectiveness of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres® microspheres; Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia) versus sorafenib (Nexavar®, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Germany), a systemic therapy that is the current standard of care for patients with non-surgical advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was announced today by the principal investigator, Professor Valérie Vilgrain MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Clichy and Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France.

SARAH (SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma)is a Phase III multi-centre prospective randomized open-labelled trial, which aims to recruit 400 patients in France with advanced HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) with or without portal vein thrombosis and no extrahepatic spread, who are ineligible for surgical resection, liver transplantation or radiofrequency ablation; or whose disease has progressed or recurred after previous therapies.[1]

The primary goal of the study will be to assess if radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres provides an increased survival benefit compared to sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC.

Professor Vilgrain said: "Around 20 specialist cancer centres throughout France will be involved in this trial. SIR-Spheres microspheres were selected for the test arm of this collaborative trial, which is being promoted by the 'Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris'."

In patients with advanced HCC, sorafenib is now the standard treatment. Its use is associated with an increased median overall survival (from 8 to 11 months in the SHARP trial) but 80% of patients also experience treatment-related adverse events.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as radioembolization, is a novel treatment for inoperable liver cancer that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the site of tumours. It is a minimally-invasive treatment, in which millions of radioactive SIR-Spheres microspheres (diameter between 20-60 microns) are infused via a catheter into the liver, where they selectively target liver tumours with a dose of internal radiation up to 40 times higher than conventional radiotherapy, while sparing healthy tissue. There is a growing interest in radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres in this patient population, based on a substantial number of open-label single-group studies as well as a large multi-centre European analysis[2] of the long-term outcomes related to survival and safety of radioembolization using SIR-Spheres microspheres in patients with inoperable HCC. In 13 open-label single-group studies totalizing 400 patients with advanced HCC, the combined estimation of the median overall survival after radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres was of 15 months (min-max: 7 to 27 months).

SIR-Spheres microspheres are approved for use in Australia, the European Union (CE Mark), New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey and several other countries including in Asia (e.g. India, Korean, Singapore and Hong Kong) for the treatment of unresectable liver tumours. SIR-Spheres microspheres are also indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic liver tumours from primary colorectal cancer in combination with intra-hepatic artery chemotherapy using floxuridine.

Professor Vilgrain said that: "The SARAH trial is testing the hypothesis that radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres can increase the median overall survival with fewer side effects and/or a better quality of life in comparison with sorafenib. We hope that the results of this study will help improve the prognosis for these difficult to treat patients".

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in people whose livers have become severely damaged or cirrhotic, due to conditions such as hepatitis and alcoholism. It is one of the ten most-common cancers in the world, with nearly 750,000 cases diagnosed annually, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.[3] It occurs with greatest frequency in regions where viral hepatitis B or C aremost often diagnosed, such as in Asia Pacific and Southern Europe.

Hepatocellular cancer can be cured by surgery, either by resecting the diseased parts of the liver, or by transplantation with a liver from a healthy donor. These interventions, however, are inappropriate for the great majority of patients, whose survival may range from a few months to two or more years depending largely on the state of their liver at the time of their diagnosis and the extent of tumour invasion.

References:

- SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482442.

- Sangro B, Carpanese L, Cianni R et al on behalf of European Network on Radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (ENRY). Survival after [90]Y resin microsphere radioembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma across BCLC stages: A European evaluation. Hepatology 2011; 54: 868-878.

- GLOBOCAN. Liver Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide in 2008. http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/cancers/liver.asp accessed 28 June 2011.]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61866 Altro/Miscellaneous, chimica e farmacia / Chemistry and Pharmacy, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61867 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Boston Scientific)
The Infinion 16 Lead is the world's first and only 16-contact percutaneous lead and the latest innovation in Boston Scientific's comprehensive percutaneous lead portfolio.  The Company announced the approvaltoday at the World Institute of Pain (WIP) Congress, which runs from February 4 - 6 in Miami Beach.  The Infinion 16 Lead is currently commercially available in the U.S. and will be introduced in CE Mark countries immediately.

SCS leads are designed to deliver electrical pulses from an implantable pulse generator to the spinal cord to mask pain signals to the brain (known as paresthesia).  Until now, percutaneous leads have offered a maximum of eight stimulating contacts.  By providing twice the number of contacts than any previous percutaneous lead, the Infinion 16 Lead is designed to offer more coverage of the spinal cord for the management of chronic pain.

"I appreciate that for the first time, it is possible to place 16 contacts with a single percutaneous lead using a small insertion needle," said Dr. Gatzinsky.  "This lead will provide me with more options to optimize the paresthesiacoverage to bring relief for chronic pain patients." Dr. Revesz added, "The Infinion 16 Lead is very responsive, with excellent steering that allows easy placement in the target area.""The Infinion 16 Lead is the latest advance in SCS lead technology and an exciting addition to our unrivaled percutaneous lead portfolio," stated Maulik Nanavaty, Senior Vice President and President of the Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Division.  "We believe that the European launch of the Infinion 16 Lead, coupled with increased awareness of pain management treatment alternatives, will allow us reach a wider patient population. Boston Scientific continues its commitment to innovation by offering pain management physicians more choices to help optimize pain relief for their patients."

About Boston Scientific Neuromodulation

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation is an innovation leader in implantable pain management technology.  The Precision Plus Spinal Cord Stimulator System, powered by SmoothWave Technology, uses pulses of electricity delivered directly along nerve fibers through the spinal cord to mask pain signals to the brain.  Through investments in technology, clinical science, and world-class service, Boston Scientific Neuromodulation is committed to Making life smoother(TM) for physicians and patients.  For more information on Precision Plus technology, visit:http://www.controlyourpain.com/.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words.  These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance.  These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding new product launches and launch cadence, future innovation, product performance and competitive offerings.  If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.  These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release.  As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.   ]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61867 Auto e Motori/Automotive, Economia e Finanza/Economy and Finance, Altro/Miscellaneous, trasporti e logistica / Transportation and Logistics, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61865 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Azure Dynamics Corporation)
"We are pleased to have received several initial orders through the GSA as various U.S. government agencies, affiliated companies and military installations begin their procurement process for fiscal 2012," said Scott Harrison, Azure's CEO.  "The Transit Connect Electric, offering low operating costs and zero tailpipe emissions, is the ideal versatile product that can serve a myriad of government fleet needs, particularly within the Armed Services."

Since most commercial and government fleets spend a significant portion of their operational costs on fuel alone, there has been a dramatic surge in the demand for electrified alternatives.  These fleet operators are increasingly seen as the logical starting point for electric vehicles due to typical drive cycles that include travel on predictable, short-range, routes with frequent stop and go driving that generally return to a central location at the end of a drive cycle making for efficient and convenient recharging over night.

"We are also pleased to see continued adoption among universities and large companies, such as Verizon," continued Harrison.  "Fleet operators, big and small businesses and colleges worldwide increasingly recognize the value the Transit Connect Electric offers in helping them reduce cost and meet their environmental goals."

Azure is a leading provider of electric drive technology for light to medium-duty commercial fleet vehicles in North America and is the first authorized provider of electric and hybrid electric solutions on Ford's market leading light-and medium-duty commercial vehicles.

"With these new orders, our global Transit Connect Electric sales exceed $32 million in less than 12 months of production," continued Harrison.  "And, our network of over 160 Ford dealers globally continues to drive our sales growth while providing outstanding service for our customers."

Azure Dynamics has agreements with over 160 Ford commercial truck dealerships in key markets across North America, 90 of which support sales and service activities for Transit Connect Electric and in six countries throughout Europe representing 13 dealerships with 57 store locations.

Transit Connect Electric expands its customer base:

The 45 Transit Connect Electric vans announced today were sold to a variety of customers across North America and Europe as wells as to a number of Ford commercial truck dealers who will use the vans as customer demonstrators to increase awareness and appreciation of the product. These sales include:

UNITED STATES

California

Connecticut

FloridaGeorgia

Massachusetts

Texas

CANADA

GERMANY

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

UNITED KINGDO

MThe Transit Connect Electric utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls to achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle and is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet.  Commercial vans generally return to a central location at the end of each driving cycle making for easy overnight recharging.  Use of the vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.For more information on how Azure Dynamics powertrains are 'Driving a World of Difference,' please visit http://www.azuredynamics.com/.

About Azure Dynamics

Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for light and medium duty commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with a variety of partners and customers.  The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions.  For more information please visit http://www.azuredynamics.com/.

The TSX Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements Advisory

More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning Azure's anticipated: business development strategy, customer orders, product deliveries, sales, revenue and revenue growth. The forward-looking statements are based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by Azure, including expectations and assumptions concerning achievement of current timetables for development programs and sales, target market acceptance of Azure's products, current and new product performance, availability and cost of labor and expertise, and evolving markets for power for transportation vehicles. Although Azure believes that the expectations and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Azure can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

For further information:JurisPagrabs, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-248-298-2403 ext 7570, Email: mailto: jpagrabs@azuredynamics.com]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:10:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61865 Salute e Benessere/Healthcare, Altro/Miscellaneous, chimica e farmacia / Chemistry and Pharmacy, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61863 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Stryker)
(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120202/NY46927LOGO )

The TREVO Study was designed to assess the ability of the Trevo® System to remove the blood clots that cause strokes and to restore blood flow to the brain. Revascularization was measured by an independent core lab.

The results were presented at the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans, LA by Professor Nils Wahlgren, co-Principal Investigator of the Study and Professor of Neurology at Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden. The results demonstrated high revascularization rates of 91.7% of patients. 46% of patients achieved a good outcome in just seven days and at 90 days, the good outcomes rate increased to 55%. These patients with good outcomes were functionally independent (modified Rankin score of 2 or less). A low symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate of 5% was also reported.

Professor Wahlgren commented: "The TREVO Study represents an important step forward in the evidence supporting the treatment of patients with moderate and severe strokes with mechanical thrombectomy devices, such as the Trevo System. The rigorous conduct of this prospective multicenter trial provides more confidence not only in patient selection, but in the successful procedural and clinical outcomes that can be achieved for these patients."

Clinical evidence remains key for wider adoption of interventional, device-based therapies for the treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke. The prospective design and rigorous conduct of the TREVO Study underscores Stryker's commitment to building robust evidence to support the adoption of important technologies like the Trevo System by physicians for their stroke patients.

About Stryker

Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. For more information about Stryker, please visit http://www.stryker.com/.

Media Contact:
Tamara Cutler
Vice President, Public Affairs
269-389-7253
tamara.cutler@stryker.com]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:30:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61863 Cultura e Tempo Libero/Culture and Leisure, ICT / ICT, Altro/Miscellaneous, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61862 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Crytek GmbH)
- Cross reference: Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.presseportal.de/story.htx?firmaid=65312 -

GFACE GmbH (GFACE) - an affiliate of Crytek, one of the world's leading independent development studios for interactive entertainment - announced today the freemium only social media publishing service GFACE.com. The service is now open for registrations for its closed beta phase. Next to its social media features GFACE is designed to enable its users to play games together live and to discover and live-share entertainment content with friends. Currently the service is being tested with a limited amount of participants for enhancing, simplifying, and polishing the user experience. More users will be invited soon. GFACE will be releasing and enhancing the service over time by utilizing its user's feedback and adding new features and tools in the process, which will bring it closer to the goal of delivering an innovative and user friendly social entertainment experience.

"GFACE enables its users to discover and experience entertainment together in real time. 'Play. Together. Live' encompasses our mission to re-imagine the way we play, the way we interact with each other - live in an entirely new way. We want everybody to play everywhere for free," said Cevat Yerli, CEO & President of Crytek and director of GFACE.

For more information about GFACE please visit: http://www.gface.com or download our press kit here (http://www.gface.com/downloads/GFACE_beta_Presskit.rar).

GFACE GmbH ("GFACE") is an innovative, high quality social media publishing service. The inspiration and ideas behind GFACE were born in 2007 in collaboration with Cevat Yerli CEO of Crytek - one of the world's leading independent development studios for interactive entertainment.

GFACE is a registered trademark of GFACE GmbH in the USA, Germany and/or other countries.

http://de.msn.com/?rd=1&ucc=DE&dcc=DE&opt=1&ar=3http://crytek.com/companyhttp://crytek.com/company 

About GFACE GmbH

GFACE GmbH ("GFACE") is an innovative, high quality social media publishing service. The inspiration and ideas behind GFACE were born in 2007 in collaboration with Cevat Yerli CEO of Crytek - one of the world's leading independent development studios for interactive entertainment.

GFACE is a registered trademark of GFACE GmbH in the USA, Germany and/or other countries.

About Crytek GmbH

http://crytek.com/company



Jens Schaefer
Senior PR Manager
+49-6921977661071
jens@gface.com

Franziska Lehnert
PR Manager
+49-6921977661222
franziska@gface.com]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:55:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61862 Salute e Benessere/Healthcare, Altro/Miscellaneous, chimica e farmacia / Chemistry and Pharmacy, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61861 global@prnewswire.co.uk (CSL Behring)
http://www.cslbehring.com/ today announced the results of a Phase I study evaluating recombinant fusion protein linking coagulation Factor IX with albumin (rIX-FP) in patients with severe hemophilia B.  Results of the study, which were presented during an oral session at the Gesellscaft fur Thrombose- und Hameostasegorschung (GTH) congress in Switzerland, showed that rIX-FP was well tolerated in all patients and lasted longer in the body, due to its prolonged half-life, compared with current Factor IX treatment options.CSL Behring, in collaboration with its parent company, http://www.csl.com.au/ (ASX:CSL), is developing rIX-FP for the prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with congenital Factor IX (FIX) deficiency as part of the PROLONG-9FP clinical study program."Hemophilia B is a rare and serious bleeding disorder that prevents normal blood clotting and requires frequent infusion of Factor IX concentrates to restore clotting ability," said Elena Santagostino, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the Medical School of Clinical and Experimental Hematology at the University of Milan/IRCCS Maggiore Hospital. "The results of this study suggest that rIX-FP is a promising investigational agent for improvement of prophylactic and on-demand treatment for patients with hemophilia B."

In this analysis, no serious adverse events (including no hypersensitivity reactions), presence of inhibitors to Factor IX, or antibodies to rIX-FP were reported.  Terminal half-life (a measure of how long the drug lasts in the body) was more than five-times longer in comparison to values associated with current recombinant FIX therapy. Incremental recovery and area under the curve (a measure of total exposure to the drug) were also significantly improved in comparison to values associated with current recombinant FIX therapy. "The development of this new recombinant investigational agent further adds to CSL Behring's long heritage of identifying innovative treatments to improve outcomes for those living with rare bleeding disorders," said Dr. Stefan Schulte, Vice President of Research and Development, CSL Behring. "We look forward to further exploring the potential of rIX-FP in patients with hemophilia B."

CSL Behring and CSL Limited have engineered the rIX-FP albumin fusion protein to extend the half-life of Factor IX while minimizing tolerability issues. In the process, recombinant albumin -- a carrier protein with an inherently long half-life -- is used as a fusion partner.  A specifically designed linker connects the recombinant factor IX and recombinant albumin as a means of optimizing the efficacy of rIX-FP.

About the Phase I Study

The Phase I study, part of the PROLONG-9FP clinical program, was a multi-center, international open-label trial evaluating rIX-FP in patients with documented severe hemophilia B (FIX < or = 2%). The primary objective was to determine the safety of rIX-FP up to 28 days following intravenous injection of 25, 50, or 75 IU/kg.  The secondary objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of rIX-FP.  More information about the study design can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/.


About Hemophilia

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles and joints. In nearly all cases, it affects only males. The disease is caused by deficient or defective blood coagulation proteins known as factor VIII or IX. The most common form of the disease is hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia, in which the clotting factor VIII is either deficient or defective. Hemophilia B is characterized by deficient or defective factor IX. Hemophilia A affects approximately 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 people. Hemophilia B affects approximately 1 in 25,000 to 50,000 people. The recommended treatment for patients who are factor deficient is to treat by replacement factor therapy.


About CSL Behring

CSL Behring is a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapeutics industry. Passionate about improving the quality of patients' lives, CSL Behring manufactures and markets a range of safe and effective plasma-derived and recombinant products and related services. The company's therapies are used in the treatment of immune deficiency disorders, hereditary angioedema, haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, other bleeding disorders and inherited emphysema. Other products are used for the prevention of hemolytic diseases in the newborn, in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation and in the treatment of burns. The company also operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. CSL Behring is a subsidiary of CSL Limited, a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit http://www.cslbehring.com/.  ]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61861 ICT / ICT, Altro/Miscellaneous, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61859 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Lemay-Yates Associates Inc.)
LYA benchmarked six key broadband internet metrics, covering cost and performance indicators as well as household penetration in G7 and 32 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Based on data from more than 52 million actual user speed tests, LYA has found that the performance of Canada's broadband internet services is significantly better than rankings in previous international studies, which are often only based on advertised Internet speeds.

"The results of LYA's analysis demonstrate that Canada's broadband internet metrics are often in the top quartile among these countries, not near the bottom as reported by some organizations including the OECD," noted Ms. Johanne Lemay, co-author of the Report at LYA. "Using actual tests conducted by users gives a far more accurate measure of performance than simply basing findings on what internet service providers advertise their broadband internet speeds to be."

Additional findings from the LYA report are:

- Canada takes the number one spot in highest broadband penetration among G7 countries at 74%, significantly ahead of the United Kingdom and France at 69.2% and 69%, respectively. Using the latest data available, LYA found Canada ranks seventh out of 32 OECD countries in the same metric, up from the 10th spot as reported by the OECD.

- Canada's average consumer broadband speed performance comes in at the top half with 11.5 Mbps, in 15th place, faster than average speeds seen by consumers in France and the U.K.


The statistics are particularly meaningful when Canada's large geographical land mass and sparse population is taken into consideration.  Canada has the best performance with respect to broadband speeds and penetration when compared to countries with similar very large geography, notably the United States and Australia.

This study was sponsored by Rogers Communications Inc., a leading Canadian telecommunications carrier.  LYA found that not only does Canada rank amongst world's best in internet cost and performance, but the average Rogers broadband subscriber:

- Benefits from higher download speeds (average 15.6 Mbps) than the average broadband subscriber in Canada (average 11.5 Mbps)

- Pays less for each Megabit per Second of Downstream Speed compared to the average Canadian broadband subscriber ($1.99 vs. $2.68 USD PPP)


This independent study was conducted by LEMAY-YATES ASSOCIATES INC. (LYA). The methodology for the study was developed by LYA and LYA conducted significant research on internet statistics and pricing among G7 and OECD countries using the latest and most reliable information available, as well as acquired data on user broadband speed tests from Ookla Inc. The LYA study provides detailed results for 32 OECD countries.The study was finalized in December 2011, based on user tests and pricing research from mid-2011. To obtain a copy of the study, please fill out the form on LYA's web site at http://www.lya.com or contact LYA directly by email at mailto: lya@lya.com or by phone at +1-514-288-6555.]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61859 Altro/Miscellaneous, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61857 global@prnewswire.co.uk (German Energy Agency)
The competition is open to any business from industry and production that has sucessfully implemented in-house energy efficiency projects. Cooperative entries from end users and the plant manufacturers, planners or advisers involved in a project are also allowed. Entries from small and medium-sized businesses are particularly welcome. A jury of top-ranking experts from politics, business, science and the media will assess the projects submitted and decide upon the winners. The first prize in the dena Energy Efficiency Award 2012 is EUR 15,000, the second EUR 10,000 and the third EUR 5,000. The prize will be awarded at dena's Energy Efficiency Congress in September 2012.

In 2011, three businesses were awarded the dena Energy Efficiency Award: The first prize was shared by SCA Hygiene Products SE for the savings it has made in various cross-sector technologies, and Heideblume Molkerei Elsdorf-Rotenburg AG for its successful implementation of energy contracting. The second prize went to Südbayerische Portland-Zementwerk for its efficient use of waste heat in its cement manufacturing operations. The international Energy Efficiency Award has been awarded since 2007.

Media contact:

Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) - German Energy Agency, Juliane Kammer, Chausseestrasse 128a, 10115 Berlin, Germany

Tel: +49(0)30-72-61-65-652, Fax: +49(0)30-72-61-65-699, E-mail: mailto: kammer@dena.de, Internet: http://www.dena.de/]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61857 Politica e PA/Politics and Public Affairs, Altro/Miscellaneous, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61856 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Worldwide News Ukraine)
The special supplement to the February 1 printed edition of The Washington Post, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, includes an interview with Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper (an American Naval officer and a former NASA astronaut, formerly of Ukrainian origin), as well as an article authored by Orest Deychakiwsky - an expert with the U.S. Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, representative of Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S. In his contribution to the special edition of The Washington Post Orest Deychakiwsky described efforts by the U.S. government to support the independence of Ukraine. Oleg Voloshyn emphasized that the special edition pays little attention to politics; instead, it focuses on other issues.

The printed supplement special on Ukraine also features articles on local agriculture and energy, information on Ukraine's contribution to global nuclear disarmament, current National Projects, and even religious preferences of the citizens.

Another part of the supplement special is presented in the form of collage that incorporates rockets and wildlife in Ukraine. It symbolizes multifaceted nature of Ukraine. "We aimed to showcase the diversity of Ukraine," explained Oleg Voloshyn. The official added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine arranged for similar promotional publications in other major international outlets. For example, in December of 2011 a leading German daily business newspaper Handelsblatt published a supplement special on Ukraine that focused on EURO 2012. Daily circulation of Handelsblatt equals almost 150,000 persons while The Washington Post covers the audience exceeding half a million readers.

The embassy of Ukraine in the USA came up with the idea of collaboration with The Washington Post, said Oleg Voloshyn. He emphasized that many governments across the globe use similar kind of promotion: "India, China, Argentina… if I'm not mistaken, Russia publishes a quarterly supplement Russia Now [with The Washington Post]."

The aim of the special edition is to acquaint foreign readers with Ukraine.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/02/4233409/ukraine-gets-exclusive-coverage.html#storylink=cpy]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:55:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61856 Formazione e Lavoro/Education and Employment, Salute e Benessere/Healthcare, Economia e Finanza/Economy and Finance, ICT / ICT, Altro/Miscellaneous, http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61851 global@prnewswire.co.uk (Sonic Foundry, Inc.)
The Universite Paris Sud is the largest campus in France with about 27,000 students and 3,500 employees. In 2011 public reform of the medical studies department doubled the number of students enrolled in courses. After an extensive search process the university implemented Mediasite in September of 2011, deciding to webcast the lectures in high quality video and to make the content available on-demand. For the university, Mediasite offered the most reliable platform with its integrated environment and ease of integration for its large 350-seat classrooms.

"We appreciated the automation of Mediasite with the templates and the presentations pulled directly from the recorders to the central server with no human help needed," said Eric Briantais Morisson, head of the university's instructional technology department.

Currently, 90 percent of the medical school and nursing courses are recorded with Mediasite. Those courses create about 400 hours of webcasts each semester.

"The advantage of the recorded presentation is that the students may interact with it at their own pace. It's a second chance for someone that hasn't caught the entire message during class. For our medical classes, it's a big help, because students receive a great deal of knowledge each class, and with Mediasite, they can go back and review," Briantais Morrison said.

According to Briantais Morrison, Mediasite has become a study platform for students, and the majority of views come two months before final exams. Between September 2010 and June 2011, there were 115,000 views from 1,500 students.As a state owned university, one of Universite Paris Sud's missions is to share scientific knowledge. In the future, the university hopes to fulfill this by expanding its Mediasite usage to include webcasting live scientific seminars to the public.

"Sonic Foundry is pleased to support The Universite Paris Sud as it responds to the student demand for lecture capture," said Rob Lipps, Executive Vice President of Sales at Sonic Foundry. "The amount of student views the webcasts receive is a testament that educational technology platforms like Mediasite can make a real impact on learning. We're honored to be the lecture capture partner for Universite Paris Sud."

About Sonic Foundry®, Inc.

Sonic Foundry (NASDAQ: SOFO, http://www.sonicfoundry.com/) is the trusted market leader for enterprise webcasting and lecture capture, providing video communication solutions for education, business and government. Powered by the patented Mediasite webcasting platform and Mediasite Events group, the company empowers people to transform the way they communicate online, using video webcasts to bridge time and distance, accelerate research and improve performance. Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of Sonic Foundry, Inc. or their respective owners.

Certain statements contained in this news release regarding matters that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties pertaining to continued market acceptance for Sonic Foundry's products, its ability to succeed in capturing significant revenues from media services and/or systems, the effect of new competitors in its market, integration of acquired business and other risk factors identified from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100 http://www.immediapress.it/sito/rss/gira.php?id=61851