LumaSense Technologies Introduces Mikron M7604 Series Dual Spectral-Band Thermal Imaging Cameras

SANTA CLARA, CA - LumaSense Technologies, a leading provider of infrared thermography, non-contact temperature and gas sensing solutions, today announced the release of its Mikron M7604F and M7604G thermal imaging cameras.

The Mikron M7604 thermal imaging cameras are actually two cameras in one. In addition to low temperature radiometric imaging in the 8 to 14 micron wavelength range, each camera has its own specialized bandpass filter that enables accurate imaging through flames or of glass surfaces. These are the ONLY cameras in the market with such functionality. Both the M7604F (for through-flame imaging) and M7604G (for glass surface imaging) have this capability. You get two complete cameras for the price of one, allowing the customer to do more with less.

The Mikron M7604 camera is a versatile, fully-radiometric camera with high-temperature functionality making it the perfect tool for preventive maintenance inspections, radiometric inspections of internal furnaces and boilers (M7604F) or temperature measurements of glass surfaces (M7604G) for improving process control and product quality. Designed with state-of-the-art capabilities and ease of use, this camera can satisfy needs at power generation facilities, petrochemical and refinery plants as well as glass manufacturing facilities and other industrial environments.

Source msnbc.msn.com/id/29536875/

Student loan companies' shares plunge on Obama proposal

President Obama's proposal for direct government funding of student loans -- cutting out private industry -- sent shares of Sallie Mae, Student Loan Corp., Nelnet Inc. and other college loan companies plunging Thursday.

For-profit vocational schools, such as Corinthian Colleges Inc., DeVry Inc. and ITT Educational Services Inc., also saw their stock prices drop. Their students often rely on government-backed loans from private lenders.

Currently, students needing funds typically borrow money directly from the government or from banks and other lenders such as Sallie Mae that issue loans subsidized or backed by the government.

Obama's budget proposal for the 2010 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, calls for cutting out the middlemen by eliminating subsidies to lenders. The administration believes that the move to the Department of Education's Direct Loan Program could save more than $4 billion a year.

Analysts said the proposal was another blow to the nearly $90-billion student loan market. Lenders have struggled recently with a credit crisis and accusations of manipulative policies, spotty disclosure and deceptive practices. In some cases, for example, lenders have pretended to represent schools' financial aid offices.

Although some analysts said the proposal might not survive its trip through Congress, it seems to indicate that private student lenders are facing an uphill battle with the new administration.

Still, the cost and risk to the government of converting thousands of colleges to the direct-loan program could be enormous, said FBR Capital Markets analyst Matt Snowling. The government might find that it doesn't have the capacity to handle an additional $60 billion a year in student loans.

The Obama plan recognizes the need for help. Under the proposal, the Department of Education may use some of the private lenders as loan servicers.

The special allowance subsidy paid by the government is the main incentive for lenders to allow students to borrow at all, since the high rate of default makes those loans otherwise unprofitable.

Sallie Mae, known officially as SLM Corp., saw shares dive $2.59, or 31%, on Thursday to $5.80. Nelnet Inc.'s stock plummeted $5.83, or 54%, to $4.91. Student Loan Corp., a unit of Citigroup Inc., dropped $11.63, or 22%, to $41.51.

Sallie Mae worked closely last year with the government to ensure that students had access to federally backed loans without putting the burden on taxpayers, said Al Lord, SLM's chief executive. The company manages a $169-billion student loan portfolio and services more than 10 million borrowers.

"We are committed to delivering and servicing federal student loans, regardless of their funding sources," he said.

Student Loan Corp. argued against the Obama proposal, saying that "healthy competition leads to choice, innovation and high standards of service."

Nelnet contended that student loan programs should "maintain the benefits of choice and competition, and should not contribute significantly to the national debt."

Private companies lent $78 billion to students in the 2007-08 school year, said Mark Rodgers, a Citigroup spokesman.

Shares of several owners of private colleges also dropped Thursday, although experts said they were unsure whether Obama's proposal was to blame.

Corinthian Colleges Inc. in Santa Ana fell $1.35, or 6.7%, to $18.86. DeVry Inc., which runs DeVry University and DeVry Institute of Technology, was down $2.10, or 3.9%, to $51.30. ITT, which runs ITT Tech institutions around the country, dropped $6.60, or 5.6% to $110.69.

But the suggested shift away from government-backed private loans isn't a crippling move, said Lorena Valencia, who runs the financial aid program for ITT Tech in Torrance. Most of the students get loans from Sallie Mae or its competitors, she said, but the school also provides information on direct government loans.

"Since we present all the options to students and leave the choice to their discretion, there wouldn't be either a positive or negative impact on the school," Valencia said.

The timing is not good for some private lenders who have been hobbled by loan defaults after graduating students fail to find jobs in the worsening economy, said Emily Peters, a personal finance expert for consumer website Credit.com.

"Financing for student loans has fallen through the cracks in the last few months, with higher default rates and struggling companies," Peters said.

"This is definitely changing the landscape for a whole industry already in flux, though there's still a potentially strong market for private loans."

Source www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lenders27-2009feb27,0,2831996,print.story

Helan Mountain Fuyin Temple Tourism District (the North Temple)

Located in the Helan Mountain State Forest Park, 25 kilometers north of Bayanhot and 160 kilometers from Wuhai airport, the district is the second largest Tibetan buddhism shrine in Alxa League, which was built in 1804 and named by the Jiaqing Emperor in the Qing dynasty the Fuyin Temple. The tourist district features multiple surrounding hills, evergreen pines and cypresses, singing birds, fragrant flowers, beautiful scenery, convenient communication and transportation system. With complete set of hotel and restaurant facilities, the place is an ideal summer resort, holiday and tourism scenic spot.

Washington - The Road to Success

Washington Learns’ 2005 Interim Report spurred significant gains for education in the 2006 legislative session, including:

• Creation of a cabinet-level Department of Early Learning that consolidates more than a half-dozen childcare and early learning programs, giving real focus to helping our youngest learners thrive early in life.


• Programs and funding to help high school students achieve graduation standards.


• Mentor and apprenticeship programs that help middle and high school students prepare for life after graduation whether entering the workforce or college.

Many of the recommendations from the 2006 Final Report were passed by the 2007 legislative session, including:

• Expansion of all-day kindergarten.


• Programs to ensure better math and science teaching and learning.


• Scholarship programs and grants to give more people access to higher education.

Statement from Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich-On the Department of Energy’s plans to dismantle FutureGen

CHICAGO – “The U.S. Secretary of Energy’s proposal to dismantle FutureGen is an example of politics at its worst. Secretary Samuel Bodman is not only jeopardizing the benefits FutureGen promises to deliver, but he deceived the people of East Central Illinois who spent time and resources competing for the project. We’re not giving up the fight to make FutureGen a reality in Illinois.

“After an almost five-year long, rigorous site review process, the FutureGen Alliance announced on December 18th that Mattoon, Illinois will be home to the landmark project. On November 30th, 2007, the Department of Energy sent a letter reaffirming that the project was moving forward as planned. Only after it became clear that an Illinois site would be chosen over a Texas site, the Department suggested the project be delayed and now today, that it be dismantled.

“Just last night during his State of the Union Address, President Bush said that environmentally responsible energy is essential to keeping our economy growing, and that his budget provides strong funding for leading-edge technology, including clean coal. Secretary Bodman’s decision to reverse course on the most important clean coal project to date represents a striking contradiction to the President’s comments. I urge President Bush, who initiated FutureGen in 2003, to stand by the project and move it forward.

“And while we seek clarification from the Bush administration on its commitment to clean coal, it’s also critical to know where the candidates vying to replace President Bush stand when it comes to supporting FutureGen. I am asking all the individuals running for President to let Illinois voters know where they stand before voters cast their ballots on February 5th.”

Voyager Mission

The Voyager mission was officially approved in May 1972, has received the dedicated efforts of many skilled personnel for over two decades, and has returned more new knowledge about the outer planets than had existed in all of the preceding history of astronomy and planetary science. And the two Voyager machines are still performing like champs.

It must come as no surprise that there are many remarkable, "gee-whiz" facts associated with the various aspects of the Voyager mission. These tidbits have been summarized below in appropriate categories. Several may seem difficult to believe, but they are all true and accurate.

Better Government for Older People (BGOP)

Better Government for Older People is a project that aims to improve the quality of life for older people. It works closely with the Council, health boards and other agencies including voluntary organisations to make sure services and information are developed in ways that meet older people's needs. BGOP is committed to making a difference to the lives of older people as citizens, engaging older people in decision making whilst working in partnership to shape experience and learning.

BALDCYPRESS - Taxodium distichum, Linn., Richard

BALDCYPRESS IS A romantic tree. When we think of it we think of dark, mysterious swamps. But while it will grow under conditions too wet for most other trees, it will also grow on high, dry land. It makes a beautiful and unusual ornamental tree. While its natural range in Missouri is the southeast lowlands, it can be grown at least as far north as a line from Hannibal to Kansas City.

Both redwood and the dawn redwood (Metasequoia) are related to cypress. It is a very ancient tree with ancestors dating back to the coal age--and might be called a living fossil. With the drainage and clearing of swamps, cypress is much less common today than it was in the past.

Cypress is an "evergreen" tree that is not evergreen. Like the hardwoods, its needles turn yellow in the fall and are shed. These needles are a rich green in summer and give a soft, graceful texture to the foliage. When the needles fall, the raised needles scars make the slender twigs feel bumpy, which helps identify them in the winter months.

The cone is round with tightly closed scales which average one inch in diameter, a key identifying feature.Swamp-grown cypress are typified by swollen, often fluted butts. The knees, aerial projection of the roots, develop on older trees apparently to supply oxygen to water-logged roots. These knees are often artistically shaped and are frequently used for lamp bases and novelty items.

Soft, beautifully grained and durable cypress wood makes excellent lumber. Both solid and pecky cypress lumber is widely used for paneling and furnishings. It makes fine construction and siding lumber and its durability makes it suitable for use in piers, bridges, and boats.

Zinc: Does It Fight Prostate Cancer?

For decades, scientists have known that zinc may play a role in keeping the prostate gland healthy. Now, studies at the ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, Calif., are revealing new details about how zinc might help fight cancer of the prostate—the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths among American men.

Laboratory investigations using cancerous and cancer-free human prostate cells indicated that the cancerous cells accumulated less zinc than the healthy ones. That might be explained by another of the team's findings: The cancerous cells had lower levels of ZIP1, a protein that specializes in moving zinc through the membrane that encloses a cell. Although another zinc-ferrying-protein, ZIP3, was present in the cancer cells, it wasn't in the right location to be its most effective.ARS and the National Institutes of Health are funding the research.

Pearls

Ask whether pearls are natural, cultured, or imitation. Both natural and cultured pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks; imitation pearls are man-made. Naturally-occurring pearls are fairly rare and expensive, so most pearls you’ll see are cultured pearls — pearls made by mollusks with human intervention. An irritant introduced into the shell of the mollusk causes a pearl to grow. A pearl’s cost depends on the size, usually stated in millimeters, and the coating or "nacre", which gives natural and cultured pearls their luster. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.

Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area

Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area is situated on the backside of the southwest-facing main ridge of the Syueshan Range, its greater part rising over 2,000 meters above sea level. Long an important logging area in central Taiwan, the area retains few virgin stands and the current forest ecology is composed mainly of second-growth temperate and warm zone species, forming a typical mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest.The upper level of the forest is dominated by Taiwan cryptomeria, red cypress, Taiwan yellow cypress, Taiwan spruce, hemlock and Taiwan red pine.

The local hemlocks are huge and have broad-reaching boughs. The forest is also the most abundant mid-elevation bird habitat in all of Taiwan.Dasyueshan maintains an average year-round temperature of 12 degrees centigrade, making it a popular summer destination. The spring blooms, autumn maples and winter frosts complete the area's seasonally changing scenic attraction. The view of the evening sky and cloud formations set against the mountain ranges is a sight that is hard to surpass anywhere on the island.

Treasury Securities

Treasury securities include Treasury bills (T-bills), notes and bonds. T-bills are commonly purchased through a financial institution.Customers who purchase T-bills at banks that later fail become concerned because they think their actual Treasury securities were kept at the failed bank. In fact, in most cases banks purchase T-bills via book entry, meaning that there is an accounting entry maintained electronically on the records of the Treasury Department; no engraved certificates are issued. Treasury securities belong to the customer; the bank is merely acting as custodian.

Customers who hold Treasury securities purchased through a bank that later fails can request a document from the acquiring bank (or from the FDIC if there is no acquirer) showing proof of ownership and redeem the security at the nearest Federal Reserve Bank. Or, customers can wait for the security to reach its maturity date and receive a check from the acquiring institution, which may automatically become the new custodian of the failed bank's T-bill customer list (or from the FDIC acting as receiver for the failed bank when there is no acquirer).

Even though Treasury securities are not covered by federal deposit insurance, payments of interest and principal (including redemption proceeds) on those securities that are deposited to an investor's deposit account at an insured depository institution ARE covered by FDIC insurance up to the $250,000 limit. And even though there is no federal insurance on Treasury securities, they are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government - the strongest guarantee you can get.

Labor contracts of enterprises to be inspected

On 13 June, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs requested that provinces and cities organize the inspection of implementation of labor laws by enterprises.Of which, the attention should be paid to the signing of labor contracts between enterprises and employees; working time, rest time; salary, wages; working conditions, etc. The Ministry also required provinces and cities to publicize hot-line numbers so that the enterprises can contact easily in case of labor disputes.In the past time, many strikes occurred as a result of such violation of labor laws by enterprises as forcing employees working overtime, providing poor working condition, etc.

Caulerpa Marine Algae

Caulerpa seaweed occurs naturally in tropical waters worldwide. Prized for their beauty and ability to uptake excess nutrients, many species of Caulerpa are now widely used in saltwater aquarium systems. In the 1980’s, a cold-tolerant and fast-growing strain of the species, Caulerpa taxifolia,was cultivated in Germany and was eventually distributed to aquarists worldwide.

This cold-tolerant strain was inadvertently introduced into the Mediterranean Sea in wastewater from the Oceanographic Museum at Monaco. The species was first reported in the Mediterranean in 1984. At that time, the algae covered a square yard and it continued to spread rapidly after it was discovered. Even small fragments can start new colonies, and soon other patches began to appear. Caulerpa has now spread over more than 13,000 hectares (32,500 acres) of seabed, and the liklihood of eradication is highly questionable.

This fast-growing "Killer algae" forms dense carpet of algae that covers the bottom in a monoculture, preventing the establishment of native seaweeds and ultimately excluding almost all marine life. Even sea urchins have no interest in eating it. It will colonize any substrate and has been found from the shoreline to depths of up to 250 feet.

In June of 2000, the highly invasive Mediterranean strain of Caulerpa taxifolia was discovered in California's Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad, and again 75 miles north in Huntington Harbor. Genetic studies determined that these two infestations were the same strain of C. taxifolia as that in the Mediterranean Sea. The discoveries marked the first known occurrence of this strain within the Western Hemisphere, and are believed to pose a major threat to coastal ecosystems and recreational and commercial activities dependent upon coastal resources. The infested areas are covered with tarp and treated with herbicide. After a multi-million dollar eradication effort, monitoring is still needed for several years to insure no re-growth. Vigilence is also needed to insure any future infestations are identified and eradicated rapidly.

Obama May Delay Tax Rise

President-elect Barack Obama may consider delaying a campaign promise to roll back tax cuts on high-income Americans as he works on a huge stimulus plan to counter the worst economic crisis the world has faced in decades.The policy moves by the Obama team came as Citigroup, the second-largest US bank by assets and one of the best-known American financial institutions, was struggling on Sunday night to restore confidence after its share price dropped 60 per cent last week.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Citigroup was nearing agreement with US government officials on the creation of a separate "bad bank" that would house some of its potentially toxic assets.Meanwhile, the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which includes the US, Japan and China, pledged at the end of a two-day summit in Lima that they would take quick and decisive action as they seek to reduce the impact of the recessionary conditions sweeping many economies.And diplomats also said there was a high probability the World Trade Organization would hold a ministerial meeting next month to seek a breakthrough in the stalled Doha round of global trade talks.

But the politicians are up against a steady drumbeat of grim economic and corporate news. On Friday, figures from the euro zone and Japan are expected to show increases in jobless rates, and on the same day the traditional start to the US holiday shopping season promises to be one of the most wrenching for retailers in recent memory.The National Institute of Social and Economic Research forecast early on Monday that the British economy will shrink by 1.5 per cent next year, and for a total six quarters in a row, with a recovery not starting until early 2010.

And Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Canada's economy may be in a "technical" recession in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, the first time the Conservative government has conceded that possibility.Such news will be vying with any positive investor sentiment created by Obama's moves as global financial markets open on Monday.

Early indications were slightly encouraging for US stock market investors at least, with US stock index futures opening a bit higher. The benchmark S&P500 index futures were up 4.50 points at 796.50 in early Asian trading, though Australian stocks were lower in early trading.

Mouse Creek Falls

Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade used to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom at the start of the 20th century. At 1.4 miles the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep, picturesque pool below a 6' falls. At 2.1 miles a short side trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and view Mouse Creek Falls which is on the far side of Big Creek. The falls are 45’ in height.

The 4-mile roundtrip hike to the waterfall is considered moderate in difficulty.

Access Trail: Big Creek Trail
Trailhead: Exit I-40 at Waterville Road (#451). Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection. Continue straight, past the ranger station, to a large parking area at road’s end.

Obesity

Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.

Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active.

Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.

Cranberry

Cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines in the genus Vaccinium subgenus Oxycoccos, or in some treatments, in the distinct genus Oxycoccos. They are found in acidic bogs throughout the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

Cranberries are low, creeping shrubs or vines up to 2 m long and 5 to 20 cm in height; they have slender, wiry stems that are not thickly woody and have small evergreen leaves. The flowers are dark pink, with very distinct reflexed petals, leaving the style and stamens fully exposed and pointing forward. They are pollinated by domestic honey bees. The fruit is an epigynous berry that is larger than the leaves of the plant; it is initially white, but turns a deep red when fully ripe. It is edible, with an acidic taste that can overwhelm its sweetness.

Cranberries are a major commercial crop in certain American states and Canadian provinces (see "Cultivation and Uses" below). Most cranberries are processed into products such as juice, sauce, and sweetened dried cranberries, with the remainder sold fresh to consumers. Cranberry sauce is regarded an indispensable part of traditional American and Canadian Thanksgiving menus and European winter festivals.

Hamilton Destined For Greatness

Lewis Hamilton has got a bit of a thing about Ayrton Senna.

The Brazilian, considered by many to be the greatest racing driver of all time, was a hero to the new world champion when he was a child.

Hamilton chose to follow Senna in painting his helmet a distinctive bright yellow, and has modelled his aggressive, uncompromising approach to racing on him, too.

The 23-year-old Englishman's detractors - and he has a fair few in Formula One - might also say Hamilton shares Senna's arrogance, and belief that he is on a separate level from his competitors.

The thing is, it is beginning to look as if he is right.

"He's a cut above the rest, isn't he?" says Damon Hill, the last Briton to win the title, in 1996.

Privately, even some of Hamilton's fellow drivers are beginning to admit that he is "that 2-3% above everyone else", as one driver who preferred not to be named put it.

Already the youngest world champion in history, a mantle he has taken from his former team-mate Fernando Alonso, the question now is how good Hamilton can become.

Freshwater aquarium plant

Aquatic plants are used to give the aquarium a natural appearance, oxygenate the water, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrate species. Some aquarium fish and invertebrates also eat live plants. Recently, there has been a movement in the hobby to use aquatic plants as part of aesthetic aquarium design and aquascaping, spearheaded by Japanese aquarist Takashi Amano.

Most of these plant species are found either partially or fully submersed in their natural habitat. Although there are a handful of obligate aquatic plants that must be grown in water (Cabomba sp., for example), most grow and thrive fully emersed if the soil is kept moist.