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GENIVI To Host “Connected Car Track” During Super Mobility Week

AUT, Aviation, CPR, CSE, FIN, General, NPT, TDS, TRN

– A Key Track as Part of CTIA 2014™ Mobility Week’s “Money Event”

SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The GENIVI® Alliance, an automotive and consumer electronics industry association driving the development and adoption of an open In-vehicle Infotainment (IVI) reference platform announced today that it will host the “Connected Car- Open Automotive Track” as part of CTIA’s Super Mobility Week in Las Vegas, Sept. 8-11, 2014, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

In conjunction with Mobility Week’s “The Money Event” which features panel discussions and demonstrations from some of the most successful experts in the mobile banking and commerce world, the Connected Car – Open Automotive Track will cover the latest innovations and enablers to provide commerce in the car, which itself is now increasingly connected, and in fact a mobile “device” in its own right.

As part its Open Automotive Series, GENIVI will host three sessions on Sept. 11: Collaborate or Die (United We Stand) focusing on the partnerships, alliances and other collaborative efforts that are facilitating major developments in the sector; Cars are Connected – Where are the Applications which will discuss how automotive applications are still missing from the digital devices passengers carry into their vehicles, and Inside Your Car, Your Mind and Your Wallet that will delve into the costs vs. consumer and key stakeholder benefits to bring loT into the vehicle.

“The Connected Car – Open Automotive Track will serve as an ideal venue for GENIVI, as an open source thought leader, to showcase current and future mobile innovations happening in the money and commerce ecosystems,” said Joel Hoffmann, director of Marketing for GENIVI Alliance. “This unique event will bring automotive industry leaders from across the globe to discuss how the connected car is literally becoming a vehicle for payments and commerce.”

GENIVI’s Open Automotive events are a series of one-day conferences that explore – with automakers, suppliers, automotive consortia and leading industry analysts – the relationship between automotive connectivity and the so-called “Internet of Things (IoT)”.  Later in the year, Open Automotive will appear in Detroit as well as live webinars hosted by Automotive World.  For future GENIVI events, visit http://genivi.org/events.

To register for The Money Event in conjunction with CTIA Super Mobility Week and receive a 30% discount on the price of registration, visit www.themoneyevent.com and enter discount code “ADITYA30.”

About GENIVI Alliance
The GENIVI Alliance is a non-profit industry association whose mission is to drive the broad adoption of an In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) open source development platform. GENIVI will accomplish this by aligning requirements, delivering reference implementations, offering certification programs and fostering a vibrant open source IVI community. GENIVI’s work will result in shortened development cycles, quicker time-to-market, and reduced costs for companies developing IVI equipment and software. Comprised of more than 170 member companies, GENIVI is headquartered in San Ramon, Calif.  Please visit www.genivi.org for more information.

About The Money Event
The Money Event (www.themoneyevent.com) where the Mobile and Money ecosystems meet, make deals and create partnerships. The Money Event will offer an unprecedented experience to 40,000 attendees from 100 countries at CTIA 2014, with a combination of visionary presentations, thought-provoking panel discussions and company-specific demonstrations in 3 parallel tracks over 2.5 days of rich programming, all against the backdrop of mobile’s premier industry event, Super Mobility Week.

THE MONEY EVENT will run from September 9 -11, 2014 in Las Vegas.

About CITA
CTIA-The Wireless Association® is an international nonprofit membership organization that has represented the wireless communications industry since 1984. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products.

Media Contact- GENIVI Alliance:
Craig Miner
248.840.8368
cminer@gelia.com

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Utah Based Charity Donates $1.5 Million RMB To China’s Earthquake Relief Efforts

Medical, NPT

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — (NYSE: USNA) Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime and the effects are felt around the world. That’s when organizations like the USANA True Health Foundation step in. Because of the way the foundation is set up, it’s in a position to help with unforeseen catastrophes in an urgent and timely manner. The non-profit organization donated $1.5 million RMB to aid in relief efforts surrounding the massive 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Yunnan province, southwestern China province on August 2.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130425/LA01443LOGO

Contributions will go to the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), a non-profit organization, engaged in managing domestic and overseas-donated funds and materials.

“It’s devastating when a natural disaster hits your home, and we will be there when people are suffering,” said President of the USANA True Health Foundation, Elaine Pace. “We thank all the members of our USANA family who have made it possible for the True Health Foundation to assist in life-saving events such as this.”

The $1.5 million RMB donation includes cash and premium products provided by USANA Health Sciences. The money will be transferred to CFPA, supplies such as food, water, tents and other urgent needs will be delivered to the Yunnan Civil Affairs Bureau and 200-thousand boxes of USANA® Probiotics will be delivered to the disaster area once the roads are fixed.

Earthquake Overview (estimated numbers provided by Time.com)

  • Death toll: 398
  • Injured: 1,801
  • Aftershocks: 411
  • Homes destroyed/damaged: 204,000
  • People evacuated: 230,000

The Yunnan province is in dire need of aid. The USANA True Health Foundation is continuously asking for support to help with unforeseen catastrophes. Anyone can donate at www.usanafoundation.org.

About USANA True Health Foundation: The USANA True Health Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA‘s founder, and USANA CEO Dave Wentz to help expand and enhance USANA’s on-going charitable efforts. Its mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those suffering or in need. USANA True Health Foundation has an active partnership with organizations such as International Relief Teams and the Children’s Hunger Fund, which share the same vision of making the world a happier and healthier place. Learn more at our website (www.USANAfoundation.org), follow us on Twitter (@USANAfoundation), or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USANAfoundation).

Media Contact: Elaine Pace
President USANA True Health Foundation
+1-801-954-7743
Elaine.Pace@us.usana.com

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Shared Services for Charities Limited Selects ACL GRC to Streamline Internal Audit Processes

Business, CON, CPR, FIN, ITE, NPT

SINGAPORE, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — ACL today announced that Shared Services for Charities Limited (SSC), a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides cost-effective professional services in the fields of independent review, policies and procedures documentation, and internal audit services for charities, has chosen ACL™ GRC in an effort to improve productivity. Cloud-based ACL GRC will enable SSC to streamline preparation of internal audit workpapers, implement an automatic tracking process, provide mobile access to reports, and securely archive all work.

Registered in Singapore, SSC turned to ACL to create a uniform and mobile internal auditing practice for its unique matrix of rotating auditors, many of whom serve on a volunteer basis. As a non-profit organization, SSC is motivated to do more with fewer resources. A steady increase in volume, combined with office-space constraints, has created challenges related to its use of manual processes, including spreadsheets, email, shared drives, and physical filing of workpapers.

In order to ensure data security, while allowing for a more mobile and up-to-date workflow, the organization was in search of a solution that would automate internal audit processes and modernize its overall approach. A secure, centrally accessible cloud-based audit management software solution was key to achieving these goals.

“Many of our auditors rotate in and out of different charities and are often producing reports on the go,” said Lilian Tay, Executive Director of SSC. “We needed a system that would create consistent reporting among our auditors, house all documentation in one place, and provide easy access in the cloud, regardless of a volunteer’s location.”

SSC strives to partner with charitable organizations to achieve better governance and organizational excellence, enabling them to focus on service delivery to their beneficiaries, while preserving the goodwill of the community.

“Charitable organizations are faced with high demands, but must meet these standards while operating within much more stringent budget constraints than many for-profit enterprises,” said Ross Paul, VP of Global Operations at ACL. “ACL GRC will allow SSC to focus on continuing to provide its quality services to charities and let the technology do the heavy lifting.”

To learn more about ACL GRC, visit www.acl.com/solutions/products/acl-grc/.

Supporting Resources:

About ACL
ACL delivers software solutions that are transforming audit, compliance, and risk management to give organizations unprecedented control over their business. www.acl.com

© 2014 ACL Services Ltd. ACL and the ACL logo are registered trademarks of ACL Services Ltd. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D., Named President of Controlled Release Society

Medical, NPT, PER

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Southern Research Institute today announced that Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D., President and CEO of Southern Research Institute, has been named president of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) for the 2014-2015 term.  The inauguration took place at the Society’s annual meeting on July 12 in Chicago with attendees from more than 40 countries. 

Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D. Named President of Controlled Release Society
Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D. Named President of Controlled Release Society

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140728/130523

The Controlled Release Society is an international, interdisciplinary, not-for-profit organization whose guiding purpose is the advancement of delivery science and technology. CRS is the home for experts dedicated to the science of delivery, including delivery scientists, engineers, clinicians, and technical professionals. The primary interest of about 70% of the CRS membership is in the pharmaceutical area (including ~18% animal health) and 30% in the non-pharmaceutical areas (called consumer and diversified products).

Dr. Tipton has worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for more than 25 years.  During that time, he has pioneered the use of controlled release technologies through his work in polymer science and engineering.

“It is an honor to be named president of the Controlled Release Society,” said Dr. Tipton.  “Over the past several decades, controlled release formulations have changed the treatment paradigm for a number of serious health conditions, including cancer, pain management, cardiovascular and central nervous system disorders, and have been involved in many industrial applications such as food flavorings and long acting fertilizers.  As controlled release technologies continue to mature, industry and academia are meeting the challenges of developing the next generation of faster, safer, more accessible formulations, and CRS represents the world’s leaders in advancing these novel techniques.  I look forward to leading this distinguished and important group.”

Previously Dr. Tipton held senior positions at Durect Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiary Southern BioSystems, Birmingham Polymers, and Atrix Laboratories.  In 2005, he founded Brookwood Pharmaceuticals, which was subsequently acquired by SurModics and later by Evonik.  At Evonik, he served as senior vice president of the Birmingham Division and also led the company’s global drug delivery program.  Dr Tipton has 31 issued U.S. patents, 22 published U.S. patent applications, and numerous foreign equivalents, with more than 70 presentations and publications.

He is a fellow of AIMBE and CRS and was awarded the CRS Distinguished Service Award in 2012. He serves as an external advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteers as a mentor and judge in business plan competitions.  His election as president of CRS marks the first time in the organization’s 36 year history that it has been led by two individuals of the same organization.  Danny H. Lewis, Ph.D., former Head, Biosystems Division for Southern Research Institute, served as president of CRS for the 1982-1983 term.

In his role as president of the Controlled Release Society, Dr. Tipton will continue to serve on the CRS Board of Directors as well as the boards of the Birmingham Venture Club, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation, the Biotech Association of Alabama, and as a member of the Alabama Workforce Council spearheaded by Governor Robert Bentley.

Dr. Tipton earned a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Spring Hill College.

About Southern Research Institute
Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, AL, Frederick, MD, Durham, NC, Houston, TX, and Cartersville, GA. For more information visit: http://www.southernresearch.org.

Contact: Jonathan M. Nugent
+1-205-566-3026
Nugent@SouthernResearch.org

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140728/8521404266

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Outlook for Hepatitis Patients Set to Improve with Development of Accessible Treatments

Medical, NPT, PUB

PHILADELPHIA, July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Intellectual Property and Science Business of Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, today released a new study in recognition of World Hepatitis Day on Life Sciences Connect, a blog exploring the latest news and trends in Life Sciences and updates on the drug pipeline identifying multiple treatments in development that may serve as potential alternatives to Gilead’s Sovaldi, currently priced in the United States at $84,000 for 12 weeks of treatment — $1,000 per pill.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and there are five main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E — plus types X and G. The five main types are of the greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for epidemic outbreaks. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, killing close to 1.4 million every year according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In late 2013, Gilead dramatically changed the hepatitis C treatment landscape with the launch of Sovaldi, an effective cure for many when used in combination with ribavirin. However, the high cost of the treatment keeps it out of reach for the majority of the estimated 130-150 million individuals suffering from the disease.

To raise additional awareness for World Hepatitis Day, Life Sciences Connect analysts complied Sovaldi-Innovative, Cost Effective, Unaffordable, utilizing Cortellis™Competitive Intelligence, the pharmaceutical industry’s leading source for drug pipeline, deals, patents, and company content, to evaluate the current outlook of therapies in the pipeline. The analysis revealed several alternative treatments in various stages of development. This high activity is expected to create competition that will lessen costs of treatment, making it more affordable and accessible to patients.

The following were among the key treatments found in different stages of development:

Developer

Drug & Mechanism of Action

Indications Under Development

Roche

mericitabine

a nucleoside analog NS5B
polymerase inhibitor
(similar to Sovaldi)

Phase II for Hepatitis

Bristol Myers-Squibb

orally available combination
therapies based on the NS5A
inhibitor daclatasvir, the NS3
protease inhibitor asunaprevir and
the non-nucleoside inhibitor of
HCV NS5B

Phase III

Potential launch in 2015

Abbvie

dasabuvir

(non-nucleoside NS5B
polymerase inhibitor)

veruprevir (HCV NS3/4A protease
inhibitor) and ombitasvir (NS5A
inhibitor), boosted by ritonavir
(+/-ribavirin)

Expected launch Q1 2015

The analysis also includes an infographic illustrating significant shifts in the Hepatitis drug market.

“We conducted this study in recognition of World Hepatitis Day to help raise awareness around this potentially devastating disease and spotlight some drugs in development that may help eradicate it,” said Jon Brett-Harris, managing director of Thomson Reuters IP & Science. “One of the largest barriers in treating hepatitis is accessibility, therefore it is critical to identify the key drugs in development that may help make treatment more attainable.”

Learn more about Cortellis Competitive Intelligence and visit Life Sciences Connect to view the full analysis and other insights into the latest trends in Life Sciences.

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“New World Facilities Management — Youth Square Management Experience Programme” Successfully Held Let Youths Experience Workplace and Plan for Career

Business, EDU, General, NPT

HONG KONG, July 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — “New World Facilities Management — Youth Square Management Experience Programme” (Programme) was successfully held. A total of 8 Form 4 and 5 students from 7 schools in Hong Kong have finished the 5 half days experience programme in Facilities Management Department and Y Loft of Youth Square and received the certificates.

In line with Youth Square’s 6G guiding principle, namely, Groom, Grow, Glow, Give Back, Green and Global Vision, the Programme provides students with opportunities to learn about the management and operation of facilities and hostel, deepen their knowledge about the industry and explore their interest in the related job positions. It also provides a learning environment for students with guidance of experienced supervisors to nurture self-confidence, strengthen communication skills and foster correct work attitude.

Nearly 50 applications from 21 secondary schools have been received for the Programme. An Interview Day was held on 8 July 2014 and 8 applicants have been selected by New World Facility Management Company Limited (NWFM) and the Education Bureau to participate in the Programme to experience the management and operation of Facilities Management Department and Y Loft of Youth Square for 5 half days between 16 to 17 July and 21 to 23 July. A career talk conducted by professional social worker from St. James’ Settlement on career planning has also been arranged for all applicants to help them understand the workplace needs, identify career paths, enhance self-confidence and equip them for future career development.

“Youth Square is a place full of challenges, energy and opportunities. Participating in the Programme enables me to apply what we learn in the school to the workplace, and the unique experience and exposure also helps me to further understand oneself and my career aspiration and planning. The Programme is indeed an invaluable opportunity to me,” Mr. Anson Chui, who experienced in Y Loft, said. While Ms. Michelle Chan, who experienced in Y Loft. mentioned, “Youth Square is a very good concept; it is a platform for the youth to develop while providing a whole range of facilities to unleash our potential. The Programme equips me for the future by learning more on the professional and job requirement of the relevant field.”

In addition, NWFM will conduct next round of “Visits to Youth Square and Y Loft” activities in the next academic year. Through visiting Youth Square and Y Loft which are managed and operated by NWFM, students are able to know more about the company profile and business nature, as well as daily operation of facilities management and Y Loft. NWFM’s staff will also share their career development experience with students to let them learn more about the industry. Please refer to the website of NWFM www.nwfm.com.hk for the details of next round of visit activities to be held in the next academic year.

Youth Square has been embracing the mission of youth development. This year, NWFM which manages and operates the Youth Square has participated in the “Business-School Partnership Programme” (BSPP) conducted by the Education Bureau for the first time. It provides a series of activities including “New World Facilities Management — Youth Square Management Experience Programme” and “Visits to Youth Square and Y Loft” to let youths experience workplace and plan for career.

Students in Y loft are learning hostel reservation system with guidance of supervisor.
Students in Y loft are learning hostel reservation system with guidance of supervisor.

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140725/8521404232

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100 Resilient Cities — Pioneered By The Rockefeller Foundation, Announces Opening Of The 2014 100 Resilient Cities Challenge: Cities Worldwide Invited To Apply

CST, FIN, NPT, TRN

NEW YORK, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Today 100 Resilient Cities — Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation announced that the 2014 application process of its 100 Resilient Cities Challenge has officially opened. The Challenge invites applications from cities worldwide that are ready to address to the social, economic, and physical challenges that they face in an increasingly urbanizing world. Selected cities will be eligible to receive significant resources to help them become more resilient.

“In the last year we’ve worked with 32 cities from around the world, learning what makes them tick and starting to surface the steps they need to take to become more resilient,” said Michael Berkowitz, President of 100 Resilient Cities. “We’re looking forward to using everything we’ve learned over the past year to ensure we have the best group of city partners, who can work with us, learn from each other, and help lead the global resilience movement. The world is becoming more urbanized and cities are facing an ever greater number of challenges, so the question is: how will cities move forward?”

The world’s cities face two clear trends. First, there is increasing urbanization: the percentage of people living in cities is projected to increase from approximately 50% today to an estimated 75% by 2050. Second, cities face more frequent and intense natural and manmade threats. Taken together, it is clear that cities need to think and act differently, and the 100 Resilient Cities Challenge is helping cities do just that.

“While cities across the globe can’t predict which disruptions will come next, they can plan for them, learn from them, and grow after them. This is the crux of resilience,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. “100 Resilient Cities is helping cities to adopt innovative approaches that build resilience to the unprecedented physical, economic, and social challenges that characterize the 21st century”.

Cities everywhere are invited to apply, and will be judged on a range of criteria – including how well they will address the needs of the poor or vulnerable, who are disproportionately impacted by shocks and stresses. Selected cities will be eligible to receive:

  • Grant funding to hire a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the resilience building process, bringing in stakeholders from across silos of government and sectors of society;
  • Technical support to develop a holistic resilience strategy that reflects each city’s distinct needs;
  • Access to an innovative platform of services to support strategy development and implementation. Platform partners come from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and will offer tools in areas such as innovative finance, technology, infrastructure, land use, and community and social resilience;
  • Membership in the 100 Resilient Cities Network to share knowledge and practices with other member cities.

To apply, municipal government leaders and major institutions can submit an application on behalf of their city. To learn more, or fill out an application (subject to official rules) in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, visit www.100resilientcities.org/challenge.

100 Resilient Cities — Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation is financially supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and managed as a sponsored project by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides governance and operational infrastructure to its sponsored projects.

Learn more about 100RC at www.100resilientcities.org, RPA at www.rockpa.org, and the Rockefeller Foundation at http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us

CONTACT:
Maxwell Young
MYoung@100RC.org
+1-646-612-7142

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