Malignant Mesothelioma ONCONASE (ranpirnase) Trial Goal Reached

Alfacell Achieves Full Patient Enrollment Milestone for the ONCONASE Phase IIIb Registration Study in Unresectable Malignant Mesothelioma

BLOOMFIELD, N.J., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alfacell Corporation (Nasdaq: ACEL - News) today announced that the full enrollment target of 316 patients has been reached for the international, confirmatory Phase IIIb registration trial evaluating ONCONASE® (ranpirnase), the Company's lead investigational drug candidate, as a treatment for unresectable malignant mesothelioma (UMM).

The Company has developed and managed one of the largest UMM clinical programs ever undertaken. Over 600 UMM patients have been enrolled in the ONCONASE UMM study, including newly-diagnosed and refractory patients treated with ONCONASE as a single agent and in combination with doxorubicin.

"We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone ahead of schedule, and look forward to completion of all other regulatory requirements for the marketing approval of ONCONASE in the U.S., E.U. and other markets," stated Kuslima Shogen, Chief Executive Officer of Alfacell.

About the ONCONASE Phase IIIb Registration Study

ONCONASE is being evaluated at over 40 investigator sites across 10 countries in a centrally-randomized, open-label Phase IIIb trial as a treatment for UMM, an asbestos-related cancer that afflicts approximately 10,000 people worldwide -- including 4,000 in the U.S. -- each year. The study is being conducted to determine whether survival is prolonged in UMM patients treated with ONCONASE in combination with doxorubicin compared to doxorubicin alone. The estimated global UMM market is $300 million.

About ONCONASE

ONCONASE is a first-in-class therapeutic from Alfacell's proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology platform. ONCONASE has been shown to target tumor cells while sparing normal cells. ONCONASE is internalized by endocytosis and released into the cytosol of the cancerous cell, where it selectively degrades tRNA beyond repair. In doing so, ONCONASE inhibits protein synthesis, stops cell cycle proliferation, and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death).

ONCONASE has previously been granted Orphan Drug designation from EMEA and TGA (Australia), as well as Fast Track status by the FDA. The latter has enabled the Company to complete and submit sections of the New Drug Application (NDA) on an accelerated, rolling basis.

In addition to the Phase IIIb UMM registration trial, the Company is conducting an ONCONASE Phase I / II trial in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The NSCLC market is expected to exceed $4 billion by 2012.

Also, pre-clinical studies examining ONCONASE conjugates as potential treatments for gliomas and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) are being conducted at Johns Hopkins University and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), respectively.

Fear and Loathing of Sales Training

Cincoms Expert Access Presents the Fear and Loathing of Sales Training

03-29-2006 - (openPR) - Cincoms Expert Access Presents The Fear and Loathing of Sales Training. Cincom's award-winning Expert Access e-zine presents best-selling author Dave Steins latest thought leadership paper titled, The Fear and Loathing of Sales Training. The paper is a must-read for any person or organization struggling with success in the complex sales environment. It includes current research into;

Why many organizations dont invest in sales training
The challenge of sales training in todays complex sales environment
The case for sales training

Also included in the paper is a thirty day free guest membership to the ES Research Group. It entitles the reader to online access to samples of ESR/Insight, (2- to 3-page online expert, premium-value, commentary-style, articles posted weekly) and research and analysis briefs.

What Is Cincom's Expert Access?

Cincom's Expert Access is a free, award-winning biweekly e-publication with approximately 135,,000 subscribers in 49 countries, Expert Access provides relevant, concise, objective information, sometimes in an irreverent, humorous manner, to help readers do their jobs better, become aware of new ideas, products, services or occasionally have a B2B laugh.

Why Is Cincom's Expert Access E-zine Different?

Cincom, in addition to its vast internal technology expert base, has recruited and partnered with some truly brilliant and forward-thinking technology analysts to participate in its "Ask the Expert" program. One of the unique aspects of Expert Access is the ability for subscribers to ask "experts" for feedback/answers to questions revolving around innovative business strategies and technologies. Some of the truly visionary and world-class technology, marketing, and sales experts that have contributed include:

Marc Seifer, Author of Wizard; The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla (interview with Expert Access on 4-11-2006)

Elliot McGucken, author, poet, artistic entrepreneur and founder of the "Jolly Roger," a web portal hailed as the "Flagship of the Renaissance"

Dave Stein, best-selling business author of "How Winners Sell" and founder of ES Research

Al Ries, author of "The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR"

Skip Press, author of more than 20 books including "How to Write What You Want and Sell What You Write"

Dr David Abshire, Center for the Presidency

Dr. Paul Pearsall, international best-selling author of "The Beethoven Factor"

David Meerman Scott, author of "Cashing In With Content"

JoAnna Brandi, customer loyalty expert and customer retention maven

Ken Sutherland, creative impresario and the music behind the film "Savannah Smiles"

Louis Columbus, former senior analyst at AMR Research, and currently Cincom Senior Manufacturing Business Consultant and weekly columnist for CRMBuyer.com and Informit.com

Lou Washington, Cincom's mainframe master of MIPS

Dale Wolf, senior marketing manager at Cincom, managing editor of the Simplicity Blog and author/publisher of the Context Rules Marketing Blog

James Robertson, Smalltalk wiki and blog guru

Marsha Friedman, President of Event Management Services

Bob Fitzgerald, Director of China Operations, Cincom

Dana VanDen Heuvel, Director of Business Development for Pheedo

About Cincom

For nearly 40 years, Cincom has delivered innovative software and services that enable thousands of clients worldwide to simplify complex business processes. We empower our clients to outperform their competition by providing ways to increase revenue, control cost, minimize risk and achieve rapid ROI.

Cincom serves thousands of clients on six continents including BMW, Citibank, Boeing, Northwestern Mutual, Federal Express, Ericsson, Penn State University, Milacron Manufacturing, Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and Trane.

For more information about Cincom's products and services, contact Cincom at 1-800-2CINCOM (USA only), send an e-mail to info@cincom.com, or visit the company's website at www.cincom.com

Who's Stealing Your Health Records?

Get the Scoop on the 7 Hottest Topics in Healthcare

Augusta, MI - 49012 - March 29 2006

Get The Scoop On The 7 Hottest Topics In Healthcare!

1. Who's Stealing Your Health Records?
Healthcare Privacy/HIPAA - Hundreds of medical records are lost everyday due to neglect and theft. Are your healthcare records safe? What will happen to you if they fall into the hands of a rogue medical worker or identity thief? How can healthcare organizations and patients protect themselves?

2. Bracing for Disaster
The State of Emergency Care Systems in the US - How well can the current healthcare system deal with another hurricane or terrorist attack? How would the displacement of millions of Americans affect your ability to get the health services you need? How can hospitals, medical offi ces, and patients prevent the loss of medical records?

3. Risky Records
The Truth About EHRs - Following Hurricane Katrina, many healthcare providers have made the switch to Electronic Health Records. What they don't know is that many Electronic Health Record systems may be producing incomplete records that won't stand up to scrutiny in a legal or administrative proceeding. How can you tell if your records are complete and accurate? How can you fix the problem without buying a new system?

4. Price Gouging Patients
Healthcare Insurance - 60 Minutes broke the story first: Uninsured patients are being charged up to 4 times that of insured patients due to a misunderstanding in the regulations. Why? And what can we do about it?

5. Dirty Doctors
Sexual Harassment in the Medical Environment - Hospitals and doctor's offices have some of the highest incidents of harassment among any work environment. Why is this and what can we do as patients and workers to protect ourselves?

6. Is Your Doctor Following the Rules?
Healthcare Compliance - Doctors and hospitals must follow strict government regulations. Find out what they are and what to do if your healthcare provider is not following the rules.

7. Medicare/Medicaid
What Do The Changes Mean for You? - How do changes in Medicare/Medicaid laws affect patients and healthcare providers? Are the changes good or bad? What changes still need to be made?

Nation's #1 healthcare compliance expert comments on breaking health news.

Patricia Trites, CHCC, CPC, CHP is one of the nation's leading experts on Medicare, Medicaid, disaster recovery, and the healthcare compliance laws protecting your health, your privacy, and your money. She is CEO of Healthcare Compliance Resources, LLC (www.ComplianceResources.com), a company that provides compliance certification, training, and resources for healthcare organizations and professionals. She sits on the editorial advisory boards of the industry's top publications, and is the author of the Healthcare Organization and Medical Office Compliance Program Guide, Compliance Guide for the Medical Practice, and Due Diligence evaluating EHR Systems: A Hands on Manual for the Compliant EMR Before and After Purchase.

Patricia Trites (pati@complianceresources.com)
CEO
Healthcare Compliance Resources
507 W. Jefferson
Augusta, MI 49012
Phone : 269-731-2561
Fax : 269-731-4346

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/
__________________________________________________
http://www.legal-search-engine.com
http://www.vioxx-search-engine.com
http://www.drug-store-directory.com
__________________________________________________

Book Publisher Negotiating To Discuss Book On Evil

Get Good Credit Book Publisher Campaigns Feds

Washington, DC 20201 March 28 2006

Evil Money Evil Credit by Alton J. Jones

Alton J. Jones, "How to Get Good Credit" expert and author of the book, Evil Money Evil Credit, which was published by High Tower Books, is touring the nation to teach the fundamentals of credit and the perils of personal finance and life skills mismanagement from his own experience.
Just as teens need to be ready to learn to read when they enter high school, they also need to manage their personal finances as they enter the workforce. High Tower Books is currently negotiating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Directors Offices to discuss its solution for assisting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program recipients in assisting them in obtaining self-sufficiency as well as assisting the State Offices in data and caseload reduction credit maximization. Rob Gentry, Editor-in-Chief says, John Hougen, Director of Public Assistance at the North Dakota Department of Human Services was quite receptive to reviewing our literature. We are anticipating other states will follow suit.

TANF is a block grant program designed to make dramatic reforms to the nation's welfare system by moving recipients into work and turning welfare into a program of temporary assistance. TANF replaced the national welfare program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the related programs known as the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program.

High Tower Books and Jones plans to bring together legislation, lending and educational institutions across the country to help develop solutions for enhancing financial literacy.

High Tower Books and Jones are committed to encouraging legislation to significantly strengthen its efforts to teaching financial literacy programs.

Rob Gentry (Sales@HighTowerBooks.com)
Editor-in-Chief
High Tower Books
2425 East Camelback Road, Suite 950
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone : 888.308.5858
Fax : 602.296.0243

High Tower Books

More Information Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Summary

[Editor's comments: I was impressed when I read this:

"High Tower Books is currently negotiating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Directors Offices to discuss its solution for assisting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program recipients in assisting them in obtaining self-sufficiency as well as assisting the State Offices in data and caseload reduction credit maximization."

However even after reading it a couple of times I am still not sure of what it means...? (hris ]

Helpful List of Tax Credits And Tax Deductions

Top Ten Credits/Deductions That May Save You Tax Dollars

Appleton, WI 54912-8002 - March 28 2006 As our parents used to tell us when we were young, Every little bit helps. Of course, they were referring to putting money in the piggy bank, but the sage advice can also apply to saving money on your tax returns. Here is a quick list of tax credits and deductions to check out before sending in your tax return so you dont miss any opportunities to save.

1) Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) This credit applies to low-income, employed individuals and families. The credit is based on income and family size, and if the EITC amount exceeds the owed amount, it may result in a refund for those who qualify.

2) Child and Dependent Care Credit This credit is for care expenses for children under age 13 or for a disabled spouse or dependent, so that a taxpayer can go to work. It is subject to limitations.

3) Child Tax Credit The maximum amount of this credit is $1,000 for each qualifying child and can be used in combination with the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

4) Adoption Credit If you are an adoptive parent, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $10,630 of qualifying expenses for a qualifying child. For special needs children, you do not need to meet the qualifying expense criteria.

5) Educator Expense Deduction Those who are employed as educators through grade 12 and teach at least 900 hours in a year may receive a deduction for up to $250 for unreimbursed expenses used for the sake of the children.

6) Education Credits Two credits are available for those who pay higher education costs the Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The Hope is for payment of the first two years of tuition for eligible students you claim on your tax return, and Lifetime Learning is for all post-secondary education tuition for an unlimited number of years. Taxpayers cannot claim both credits for the same student in one tax year, and the credit can be claimed only on the return declaring the student as a dependent.

7) Medical and Dental Deductions Qualified expenses for all of your claimed dependents (including any dependents deceased during the tax year) count toward your eligible deduction. Eligible expenses include insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, treatments not covered by insurance, travel for medical care, medically necessary equipment, and more.

8) Health Coverage Tax Credit This new tax credit can pay up to two-thirds of health plan premiums for individuals who lost their jobs due to the effects of international trade and meet certain criteria, and those who receive benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and are at least 55 years old.

9) Credit for the Elderly and Disabled If you are a U.S. citizen or resident age 65 or older, and retired on permanent and total disability, look into this credit.

10) Retirement Savings Contribution For those with qualified retirement savings contributions including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, or SIMPLE plans, a percentage of contributions may help you save on your taxes. Taxpayers who are at least age 18 at year-end, not a student or claimed on someone elses tax return as a dependent, are eligible for this credit if income is below a specified amount. FYI, you can still contribute to an IRS for 2005 up until April 17, 2006.

If all of these credits and deductions have you scratching your head in confusion, dont worry. A reputable tax preparer can help, often for little more than the cost of tax software and the charge for e-filing, plus you dont have to do the work! Professional tax preparers are experts who keep up-to-date year-round on tax law changes. They can save you time and offer insight on how to use the tax breaks available to you. To find a professional tax preparer, look to NATP. NATP maintains a listing of professionals in your area at www.taxprofessionals.com.

To receive a FREE brochure on how to find a tax preparer, visit the NATP Press Room at www.natptax.com and download a copy of NATPs Finding the Right Tax Preparer brochure.

Members of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) assist over eight million taxpayers with tax preparation and planning. NATP is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1979 and provides professional education, tax research, and products to its members. The national headquarters, located in Appleton, WI, employs 43 professionals and 25 instructors.

NATP exists to serve professionals who work in all areas of tax practice and has more than 17,500 members nationwide. Members include individual tax preparers, enrolled agents, certified public accountants, accountants, attorneys, and financial planners. The average NATP member has been in the tax business for over 20 years and holds a tax/financial designation or a college degree. Learn more at www.natptax.com.

Would you like a photo to accompany this article? Visit NATPs press room: http://www.natptax.com/press_room_photos.html.

# # end # #

Char De Coster (cdecoster@natptax.com)
Copywriter / Communications Editor
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
720 Association Drive, PO Box 8002
Appleton, WI 54912-8002
Phone : 800.558.3402 ext. 1172
Fax : 920.968.7472

Anti-Counterfeiting Label Catches Eye, Counterfeit Products

3M Introduces New Confirm Security Label with Floating Image Technology at Authentication Connections Forum in Tampa, Fla.; Strong Overt and Covert Technologies Combine to Help Fight Counterfeit Products

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2006--3M today announced its newest, high-security anti-counterfeiting label will be introduced on March 30 at the Authentication Connections Forum in Tampa, Fla. This new security solution, the 3M Confirm authentication label with floating image technology, incorporates a unique eye-visible security feature that provides powerful product authentication and can be verified easily with or without the use of a tool.

The label's floating image has an optically variable device (OVD) - a unique, overt security feature. The OVD image appears to "float" above or "sink" below the surface of the label and then disappear as the viewing angle changes. Dramatic movement of the image is easy to detect and recognize using only the human eye, enabling quick and easy authentication that proves the label and product are genuine. The label also incorporates a very secure and time-tested covert security feature inherent to Confirm security material.

"Electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, apparel, and cosmetics - the list of items that are counterfeited is endless," said Bill Markovitz, marketing development manager, 3M Security Systems. "The new Confirm security label will allow manufacturers and distributors to certify their products as authentic and then let wholesalers, retailers and end-consumers rapidly identify fakes. 3M currently sells a similar security product to governments for passports and driver's license programs. That same high level of security now will be available for commercial applications."

These labels build on 3M's proven retroreflective security technology - 3M Confirm security labels - which have been very well-accepted in the security marketplace for more than 25 years. The new floating image security feature enhances the inherent security of Confirm authentication labels and is based on proprietary technology. Verification is easier than ever and can be accomplished by a diverse population.

For more than 30 years, 3M has provided premier security solutions and services that identify, authenticate, secure and track materials and information by combining security and productivity. Drawing on its broad technology base and expertise, 3M creates solutions for a wide array of security needs. Examples include issuance and authentication of travel documents and personal identification cards, brand and asset protection solutions to fight counterfeiting and tampering, file tracking solutions, and library security and workflow management solutions.

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 69,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

3M, Confirm, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

Contacts
3M Security Systems, St. Paul
Joan M. Olseen, 651-736-1163
or
3M Public Relations
Connie S. Thompson, 651-733-8914
http://www.3m.com/PressContact

______________________________________________
FREE 1 Year Tech and Business Magazine Subscriptions!
http://consultant-directory.tradepub.com/
______________________________________________
Promote your consulting business with a free listing
in our http://www.Consultant-Directory.com
____________________________________________
Post your resume for free and search for jobs at
http://www.TheJobSpider.com
____________________________________________
Locate Construction and Heavy Equipment at
http://www.Heavy-Equipment-Classifieds.com
____________________________________________
Free Classifieds for restuarant equipment and supplies at
http://www.Restaurant-equipment-classifieds.com
____________________________________________

Irish Stents Starts Suit, Injunction

Medtronic Sues Guidant in Ireland; Alleges Patent Infringement by Vision(R) and Xience(TM) Stents; Seeks Damages and Injunction

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2006--Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Guidant Corporation in the High Court in Dublin, Ireland. The lawsuit alleges that the Guidant MULTI-LINK Vision(R) and Xience(TM) V coronary stents infringe patents under exclusive worldwide license to Medtronic Vascular from evYsio Medical Devices, a private Canadian company. Guidant manufactures the affected stent products in Ireland and the United States. Medtronic is seeking monetary damages and an injunction against the Vision and Xience stents.

The action in Ireland is one of four patent infringement actions against Guidant products involving the evYsio patents. On February 15, 2006, Medtronic filed a patent infringement case against Guidant in United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that Guidant's Vision stent and certain Guidant catheter systems infringe the evYsio stent design patents and Medtronic's Fitzmaurice patents. The Fitzmaurice patents relate to a unique, tapered design feature of Medtronic coronary and peripheral catheters.

evYsio also filed patent infringement cases against Guidant in France in 2001 and 2003, resulting in a ruling on December 17, 2004 against the Guidant Vision stent. Finding that the Vision stent likely infringed the evYsio patent and that the evYsio patent was likely valid, the French court ordered Guidant to post a warranty of EUR 800,000 to avoid an injunction against the sales of Vision in France. On March 3, 2006, the validity of evYsio's European patent was affirmed by the European Patent Office during an opposition hearing initiated by Guidant, and evYsio continues to independently pursue its two suits against Guidant in the French courts. In addition to Ireland, France and the United States, the evYsio patents are registered in several other countries.

Medtronic's lawsuits against Guidant in the United States and Ireland follow other significant legal developments involving Medtronic's vascular business. On March 23, Medtronic announced a positive arbitration panel ruling obtained against Johnson and Johnson/Cordis. On March 1, Medtronic filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Boston Scientific, alleging that the TAXUS(R) Paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system infringes Medtronic's Fitzmaurice and Anderson patents. The Anderson patents cover a method of manufacturing balloon catheters used in stent delivery. In addition, on February 14 the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Medtronic's Request for Reexamination for each of the four Guidant Lau patents on which Guidant has sued Medtronic for infringement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Finding that "substantial questions exist" regarding the validity of the Lau patent claims in view of prior art submitted by Medtronic with the Request for Reexamination, the USPTO will now reconsider whether the Lau patents should have been granted in the first instance, though the timing of such reexamination is not known.

"We value the strength of our intellectual property portfolio and we will continue to pursue legal actions against products that we believe infringe our patents, such as the Guidant Vision and Xience stents and the Boston Scientific Taxus stent," said Scott Ward, Medtronic senior vice president and president of Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif. "Because of the industry's intensely competitive environment, we will be tenacious in protecting and enforcing our patent rights. Our strong preference is to resolve these matters without litigation. However, if that is not possible, then we are prepared to assert our rights in court."

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements described in Medtronic's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 27, 2006. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Medtronic does not undertake to update its forward-looking statement.

Contacts
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis
Public Relations:
Scott Papillon, 707-591-7367
or
Investor Relations:
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696At A Glance

Medtronic, Inc.
Source: via Business Wire
Updated 09/16/2005 by company
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website: http://www.medtronic.com
CEO: Art Collins
Employees: 33,000
Ticker: MDT (NYSE)

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/
__________________________________________________
http://www.legal-search-engine.com
http://www.vioxx-search-engine.com
http://www.drug-store-directory.com
__________________________________________________

Waiting Room Patients Targeted In Sick Scheme

VISI Networks Teams with LabCorp(R) to Launch LabCorp Health Network; A Direct-to-Patient Digital Signage Network for LabCorp's Patient Service Centers Nationwide

LabCorp Health Network (LHN) - a direct-to-patient digital signage network for LabCorp's Patient Service Centers - is a customized channel of healthcare information specifically designed to provide patients using LabCorp's patient service centers a comfortable waiting environment through the delivery of quality commercial, educational, informational and entertainment segments via an internet driven, nationally networked narrowcast system. (Photo: Business Wire)

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2006--VISI Networks and Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings (LabCorp(R)) (NYSE:LH), a leading, national provider of diagnostic services and a pioneer in new diagnostic technologies, have teamed to create the LabCorp Health Network - a direct-to-patient digital signage network for LabCorp's Patient Service Centers.

The LabCorp Health Network (LHN) is a customized channel of healthcare information specifically designed to provide patients using LabCorp's patient service centers a comfortable waiting environment through the delivery of quality commercial, educational, informational and entertainment segments via an internet driven, nationally networked narrowcast system. Presented on large, flat-panel screens installed in LabCorp's Patient Service Centers, LHN provides an opportunity for advertisers and content partners to reach a health conscious audience with known demographic and statistical data.

"Through the LabCorp Health Network, we are providing a dynamic channel to educate patients and visitors as to the latest testing procedures and preventive measures they can take to lead happier and healthier lives," said Joseph Erhart, CEO of VISI Networks.

"We are extremely excited about this network. This private channel represents an opportunity for LabCorp and their content partners to reach a sizeable health conscious audience with relevant messaging that connects directly with their customer base in a way that was previously impossible," said Michael Erhart, VP of Business Development for VISI Networks. "By being able to deliver messages directly to real patients - ensuring they receive the most up-to-date information in a timely manner - this narrowcast network establishes itself as a superior alternative to traditional media."

Currently, the LabCorp Health Network can be found in over 300 of LabCorp's more than 1,300 Patient Service Centers in the U.S.

About VISI Networks

Founded by nationally recognized wayfinding and signage information display system expert Joseph Erhart, VISI Networks develops proprietary network information display systems capable of delivering high-impact digital multimedia messages to targeted consumers. VISI Networks has tested their infrastructure with networks in Florida Hospital Critical Care Centers, SunTrust Bank and Orlando-Sanford International Airport. To learn more about VISI Networks, visit www.VISInetworks.com.

About LabCorp(R)

Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings, a S&P 500 company with an investment-grade credit rating, is a pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing. With annual revenues of $3.3 billion in 2005, approximately 24,000 employees nationwide, and more than 220,000 clients, LabCorp offers clinical assays ranging from routine blood analyses to HIV and genomic testing. LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology with its Centers of Excellence: The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, in Research Triangle Park, NC; National Genetics Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA; ViroMed Laboratories, Inc. based in Minneapolis, MN; The Center for Esoteric Testing in Burlington, NC; DIANON Systems, Inc. based in Stratford, CT, US LABS based in Irvine, CA, and Esoterix and its Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Cytometry Associates laboratories. LabCorp clients include physicians, government agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about LabCorp, visit www.LabCorp.com.

Contacts
Media Contacts
Tier 1 Public Relations
Dan Dyer, 513-478-7818
ddyer@tier1pr.com
or
LabCorp
Pam Sherry, 336-436-4855
sherryp@labcorp.com
OR
Advertising Contact
VISI Networks Inc.
Jenny Sue Rhoades, 407-566-1437
jennysue@visinetworks.comAt A Glance
VISI Networks
Source: via Business Wire
Updated 03/24/2006 by company

[Editor's comments: Great. Now when I have to see a doctor I can look forward to having my desperate-for-a-distraction mind feed commercial messages not unlike waiting for a plane at the airport. I predict the day is near when you use a public restroom and close the door you will sit (or stand) to have a yammering screen that wants to take your moment of privacy and join you for a little marketing one-on-one.

It's information. It's advertising. It's intrusive. And It's obnoxious.

(hris ]

Republican Domain Re-direction Looks Stupid, Petty

I just got a message that someone had posted on a forum:

This fall's US Senate campaign in the state of Tennessee will likely be between Republican Ed Bryant and Democrat Harold Ford Jr. Both are currently in the US House of Representatives.

I just read that Bryant's campaign registered the domain name www.FordforSenate.com. If you type that in you go to the Bryant campaign web site.

If you're so inclined to complain, here's Bryant's contact info:

Ed Bryant for Senate
5214 Maryland Way Suite 304
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: 615-373-2327
Fax: 615-373-9851
Email: info@edbryantforsenate.com

Leave it to a politician to make themselves look stupid. Do they think that someone looking for Ford will then be interested in Bryant? Do they think this will sway voters? I think the petty meanness of this action WILL help to sway voters, but not as intended.

(hris

Early Detection Tests For Conditions Leading to Mesothelioma Sought

New Tests in Development For Early Detection of Conditions Leading to Mesothelioma

High blood levels of a protein called osteopontin are linked to the development of pleural mesothelioma

The key to curing any disease is early detection and progress has been made for an early-detection test that could improve survival for people with a deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

High blood levels of a protein called osteopontin are linked to the development of pleural mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that invades the chest cavity and the lining of the lungs.

In a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Harvey Pass, professor of surgery at New York University School of Medicine said, "The earlier you detect it, the better the chance that you can do therapy that impacts survival,"

Mesothelioma Screening Still Eludes
There is currently no way to screen for mesothelioma, a potential hazard for the 7.5 million American workers with a history of workplace exposure to asbestos. Those people include foundry workers, miners, shipbuilders and an estimated 1.5 million maintenance and construction workers. The challenge is to single out those who will develop the cancer from those with other asbestos-related lung conditions.
Although the work is preliminary, osteopontin levels may point to heightened mesothelioma risk, Pass said. The findings are based on a study of 190 people -- 69 with noncancerous asbestos-related disease, 76 with mesothelioma and 45 smokers with no exposure to asbestos.

Blood tests showed that the levels of osteopontin rose along with years of asbestos exposure -- the lowest levels were in people exposed to asbestos for less than 10 years, while levels doubled for people with more than 10 years of exposure and increased steadily with asbestos-caused damage to the lungs.

Blood concentrations of osteopontin were six times normal levels in people with mesothelioma, even during the early stages of the disease, the researchers found.

A blood marker that helped doctors catch the disease early could offer patients real hope, Pass said. "If you find that this marker of risk is high, you can take action, starting with CT scanning to detect the disease early," he noted.

Osteopontin Test May be Flawed
But that optimism was not echoed by Dr. Mark R. Cullen, a professor of medicine and public health at Yale University, who wrote an accompanying editorial. Longer survival through early detection has been shown in breast cancer, colon cancer and some other malignancies, Cullen said, but the evidence for it in mesothelioma is weak. It is possible that detecting an inevitably fatal cancer early gives the illusion of longer survival, since the time after diagnosis is longer than if the tumor is detected closer to death, he noted.

And the osteopontin test has a major weakness, Cullen said. It lacks specificity, which means it also detects other, less fatal conditions, putting those patients through testing that might be unnecessary.

Nevertheless, he said, "I strongly encourage this kind of research in the hope that many good things might come of it -- an early blood test, a very good diagnostic test, and hopefully over the next few years a breakthrough in treatment."

Pass is continuing his work, which is funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In fact, his NYU facility has been designated a "biomarker laboratory" by the NCI, he said.

Pass and his colleagues will soon start screening banked blood samples from mesothelioma patients. That and future studies will aim at determining the exact levels of osteopontin that could be used in a screening test.

"If we find the same relationship with banked serum [blood] -- something that should take two years -- and if the marker holds up, then we can proceed to a prospective trial to see if it finds mesothelioma early," he said.

About 2,500 cases of mesothelioma are reported in the United States each year, Pass said, although he believes the cancer might be underdiagnosed because there is no official registry for it. Only 5 percent of cases are detected early, Pass said. The life expectancy for those diagnosed late is just nine to 12 months.

However, detected early, mesothelioma "does respond to therapy," he said. Treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery.

source: Ed Edelson, HealthDay

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/
__________________________________________________
http://www.legal-search-engine.com
http://www.vioxx-search-engine.com
__________________________________________________

Virtual Blog Center Has One Million Square Feet Of Virtual Office Space

Major Blog Companies Take Up Virtual Office Space at WorldBlogCenter.Com

Press Release by: The World Blog Center

(openPR) - Stockton, CL (PRWEB) March 23, 2006 -- Business Week Online (www.businessweek.com), BloggingSystems (www.bloggingsystems.com), RealtyBlogging (www.realtyblogging.com), 21Publish (www.21Publish.Com) and Travellerspoint (www.travellerspoint.com) have occupied virtual blog office space at the World Blog Center (www.worldblogcenter.com) - a snapshot of the world's best blogs captured in a virtual office floor canvas.

The World Blog Center (www.worldblogcenter.com) launched officially on 10th March 2006 and aims to bring together the world's greatest blogs within the span of one million square feet of virtual office space represented on its homepage as an office floor canvas.

The world's best blogs in the fields of Business, Marketing, Media, Marketing, News, Computers, Software, Health, Travel, Culture, Entertainment and other industries are to occupy space in what is a highly prestigious virtual office location. There is a review process for all applicants in order to maintain quality and the Center aims to represent a broad range of industries and personal interest topics that will appeal to all website visitors.

Business Week Online is the web version of the well-known and excellent periodical Business Week magazine. BusinessWeek was first published in 1929 and is owned by McGraw-Hill. The publication provides in-depth coverage of the latest trends in technology, finance and management. It reports on news, ideas and trends affecting industry and the economy for those in business management, with national and international coverage. Each of the blogs in its current network has its own individual office spacelet at the World Blog Center.

Blogging Systems (www.bloggingsystems.com) is a blogging platform provider serving real estate brokers, and it recently announced the availability of it's newest version of Community Publisher, its flagship blogging platform. The platform facilitates turn-key community blog networks for the lending and real estate industries.

Richard Nacht is the founder and CEO of Blogging Systems. Richard has over twenty years in the real estate, finance and technology development industries. Dr. Rafiq, who operates the Center, stated "We are very happy to accommodate Blogging Systems at the World Blog Center. The company is at the forefront of pushing blogospheric expansion and provides a great service for the real estate sector. We are particularly looking for companies that are contributing to Web 2.0 and which have a unique angle in their approach."

RealtyBlogging (www.realtyblogging.com) is an online community powered by the Community Publisher platform and provides tips, advice and guidance to the real estate sector on how to blog effectively.

21Publish (www.21publish.com) is an application hosting provider for blogging communities. The company was founded in 2004 and maintains operations in the United States and Europe serving customers like Amnesty International, McGraw-Hill, Mercury Interactive, leading German airline HLX, and thousands of small- & medium-sized communities. 21Publish was founded by Stefan Wiskemann who formerly co-founded both 20six and ricardo.de, the European Internet-Auction company that went public in 1999, before merging with QXL to become QXL ricardo plc.

Travellerspoint (www.travellerspoint.com) is an online blogging community website. The idea started in an MSN Messenger discussion in mid-2002 between Samuel and Peter Daams, and the site was launched only three months later. The goal of Travellerspoint is to create an international meeting point for travellers worldwide, whether they are planning their travels, currently travelling or have returned from their travels and want to stay in touch with (or find) those travel friends they met while travelling in the past.

Center manager, Dr. Rafiq stated, "We are really pleased with our new tenants. All of them are focused upon promoting social marketing and either use or offer state of the art blogging platforms."

The Center is expecting many other big blog names to be taking up occupancy very soon and indicated that there has been a lot of interest in the idea. The Center offers virtual floor space at a rate of $1 per 100 sqare feet, and has already filled a tenth of its capacity.

Tenants will benefit from the prestige associated with the virtual office space on a premium domain name, and for many up and coming blogs it will be a valuable source of traffic. Other benefits that the Center has outlined on its website include the acquisition of peerage by lesser known blogs by being associated with more popular blogs from similar industries, and also becoming a part of Internet history by being one of the 2500 or so blogs that will eventually make it into the Center. Blog office space in the World Blog Center is expected to be full by November 2006.

If you want some high profile exposure for your blog, it might be an idea to go to www.worldblogcenter.com and reserve your blog office space now as this is showing the signs of becoming a huge success.

For more details contact:

The World Blog Center, 70 Brunswick Street, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland, TS18 1DW
Email: enquiries@worldblogcenter.com
Web: http://www.worldblogcenter.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1642 345107

[Editor's comments: My god, I just looked at this site and it's just a variation of the pixel ad sites...! What's funny is their claim that "you cannot buy your way in." to make it seem like it's worth their excessive fees for advertising.

Like the other pixel ad sites, the small blocks are $100 each. What's also funny is that they make it seem like they already have a number of paying advertisers, but I doubt that most are... (hris ]
______________________________________________
FREE 1 Year Tech and Business Magazine Subscriptions!
http://consultant-directory.tradepub.com/
______________________________________________
Free lists of over 9 million expired domain names
http://www.bizprolink-internet.com
____________________________________________
Promote your consulting business with a free listing
in our http://www.Consultant-Directory.com
______________________________________________
Professional SEO firm submits to over 180 systems
by hand and shares the list so you can do it yourself!
http://www.Best-Free-Search-Engine-List.com
____________________________________________
Search Engine Industry Professional Organization
http://www.seoby.org
____________________________________________

US Tort Liability System Causes Lawyer to Sue Himself

WASHINGTON, March 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, issued the following statement regarding Tillinghast Towers-Perrin's recent report on the cost of the U.S. tort system:

"Over the past year, we saw a federal judge uncover possible fraud in more than 10,000 silicosis lawsuits ... we saw a string of prosecutions due to massive fraud involved in the Fen-Phen litigation craze ... we saw state attorneys general deputize countless private plaintiffs' attorneys to target American employers ... and we saw an Illinois plaintiffs' attorney so awash in lawsuits that he actually sued himself by accident.

"Is it any surprise that the cost of our bloated tort liability system has risen again - this time to $260 billion?

"America's civil justice system was created to ensure access to the courts for those who have truly been injured or wronged, and some of the $260 billion is made up of these cases. Unfortunately, our courts are also being used as a legal roulette wheel by opportunistic plaintiffs' attorneys seeking to strike it rich at the expense of American businesses and the hard-working men and women they employ.

"As such, those victims who are truly deserving of justice take a back seat to the plaintiffs' attorneys who continue to clog the courts with frivolous suits.

"The plaintiffs' bar will no doubt attack this latest report. Yet, we challenge them to provide a more accurate analysis of a tort system in which as many as 80 percent of claimants in asbestos suits aren't even sick; in which only a quarter of settlements in medical liability cases actually goes to victims; and in which the reputation for lawsuit abuse in some states has become so poor that jobs are being destroyed and economic growth has been stunted."

Contact: Ginny Smith of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, 202-463-5824 or gsmith@uschamber.com; Web: http://www.instituteforlegalreform.org

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/
__________________________________________________
http://www.legal-search-engine.com
http://www.vioxx-search-engine.com
http://www.drug-store-directory.com
__________________________________________________

Pundits Poo-Poo Google Print, Possibly Prematurely

Whoa, it seems that Google's first attempt to enter the print advertising world was not a hit right from the start.

http://www.searchengineguide.com/searchbrief/senews/007136.html

http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2006/03/not-all-google-touches-turns-to-gold.html

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2006/tc20060324_251660.htm

My, how quickly we are to condemn a first effort...! I was just reading an article today in 2/7/06 DM News about this and realized the vast potential of what Google is trying to do.

They should have purchased ad space in the same style as their on-line ads and put that up for bid right into AdWords. Small, deftly-worded ads that move from the online world to the off-line world complete with the Google brand. Once they make this kind of adjustment and stop trying to fit into the existing format they will have another winner, IMO.

It would be SO AWESOME to have our AdWords ads start to appear in newspapers and magazines like they do now on the content networks, and aside from the additional exposure, there's NO CLICK FRAUD! Plus we get to reach all those people that don't mind killing trees to get their daily fix of news.

I webmaster for a small Minnesota newspaper, The Watchdog News (http://www.watchdog-news.com) and I am going to suggest to the editor that we adopt the same type of ad format with content-related ads that you see from Google and other providers. Don't tell me I'm the only one that sees the potential here and the slap-your-head, simplicity of the concept...?

Hey, I dusted off the crystal ball, and guess what I just saw? HDTV sets in just about every home. No surprise there, but what DID take my breath away was seeing some content on those beautiful screens along one site of the screen and it looked to me to be damn 160x600 skyscraper ads!!! I couldn't make out if it was Gooooogle or Yahooooo! but I would lay some money on which one it will turn out to be... :-)

(hris

Click Fraud Spawns Free Protection and Prevention Clinic

MarketingExperiments.com Web Clinic to Address Click Fraud Protection and Prevention

March 29th clinic will discuss how online marketers can combat click fraud when running pay-per-click campaigns

[ClickPress, Wed Mar 22 2006] How can a company combat click fraud when running pay-per-click (PPC) marketing campaigns? How can it minimize the chance of being targeted and find out if it has already been paying for fraudulent clicks?

These questions and more will be answered at the next MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) Web Clinic, to be held Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The 60-minute teleconference is offered to interested parties free of charge, with prior registration requested.

The genesis of this Web Clinic came when we at MEC thought we might have been victims of click fraud ourselves, said Nick Usborne, senior editor at MEC. We set out to answer some serious questions about click fraud and found answers that we think every online marketer should know about in order to protect themselves and their business. PPC campaigns can be an integral part of a marketing plan, but as awareness of click fraud grows, it is becoming necessary to learn how to protect both the integrity and the return on investment of online campaigns.

During the Web Clinic, MEC analysts will share the findings of their research as presented in a 10-point plan. This plan offers information on minimizing a companys likelihood of becoming a victim of click fraud and also provides instructions on identifying click fraud attacks as and when they occur.

Those interested in attending the free clinic can sign up at www.marketingexperiments.com/webconf or by e-mailing editor@marketingexperiments.com.

MarketingExperiments.com, an online research laboratory, has been named one of 2005s best online marketing sites by KnowThis.com and is dedicated to discovering what really works in Internet marketing. MarketingExperiments.com tests every conceivable methodology to determine which online strategies and tactics are the most successful to improve conversion, drive traffic and sell product. Results of its experiments are published online in the Marketing Experiments Journal.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering what really works in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

MarketingExperiments.com Media Contacts:
David Politis, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730(work)/801-556-8184(cell), dpolitis@politis.com or
Curtis Gasser, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730, cgasser@politis.com

# # #

Company: MarketingExperiments.com
Contact Name: cgasser
Contact Email: cgasser@politis.com
Contact Phone: 801-523-3730

70-Year-Old Awarded $659,000 in St. Paul Defamation Suit

Jury Awards 70-Year-Old Tuan Pham $659,000 in Defamation Suit Closely Watched Nationally; Former South Vietnamese War Prisoner and St. Paul Community Leader Lost His Business and Honor over Baseless Charges

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2006--A former South Vietnamese soldier who was imprisoned for more than two years after the Vietnam War (primarily for supporting the Catholic Church) and who was later appointed by President George W. Bush to St. Paul's Vietnamese Educational Foundation (VEF), won a $659,000 defamation case against seven defendants whom the jury unanimously agreed ruined his business and his reputation. Tuan J. Pham, 70 years-old, his wife Mai Vu and their University Avenue grocery, Capital Market, won the verdict Wednesday, March 22, 2006, in a rancorous controversy that divided the Twin Cities Vietnamese community and was hotly debated nationally on Vietnamese radio programs.

According to the Plaintiff's Statement of the Case's Claims and Defenses in Ramsey County Second Judicial District Court, the lawsuit arose from events that were triggered by a visit to St. Paul by a Catholic Bishop from Vietnam on December 17, 2003. During his visit to Minnesota, the Bishop was escorted by Pham, a devout Catholic, who served as the Bishop's driver as he visited various members of the Catholic and Vietnamese communities in St. Paul.

Falsehoods spread over South Vietnam Flag incident with visiting Vietnam Catholic Bishop

En route to a meeting of Vietnamese community members at the Vietnam Center in St. Paul, the Bishop noted the presence of the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam flag flying over the center. The Bishop told Pham that he wanted to be taken to a private residence because he was under orders from the Catholic Church to avoid political situations during his visit to the United States that could lead to trouble for the Catholic Church with the Communist government in Vietnam. Pham entered the Vietnam Center and informed the Executive Director of the Bishop's concern about the flag. A decision was made to lower the flag momentarily for the Bishop's visit. After the meeting, the flag was again momentarily lowered while the Bishop exited the building and raised it again after his departure.

Defendants and others begin labeling South Vietnamese patriot a Communist

Subsequently a number of the defendants in this matter learned of the fact that the flag had been lowered to permit the Bishop to enter the Vietnam Center. Beginning in December 2003, a number of people in the Vietnamese community raised concerns about the Republic flag being lowered for the Bishop and called for the removal of the leadership of the organization that controls the Vietnam Center. They also claimed "moral turpitude" on the part of Pham and called for his removal from the Vietnamese Educational Foundation. Defendants, including Dean Do, who had at one time married one of Pham's daughters and used the marriage and the daughter's mental illness, allegedly to extort money from Pham and Capital Market, began labeling Pham a communist and mounted a slanderous personal campaign against him.

"I feel relieved this matter is resolved after two years of suffering for me and my family. As an American, I have always believed in the laws of this country, and I had faith that the court would protect our rights," says Pham. "It is wrong to hurt people or ruin their business with false claims. My family has suffered severely because of these baseless attacks. We brought this case for our children and their children to help the Vietnamese community work within the American system. Our young people must know that you must respect other's right and that you can fight for your dignity and honor and the law will back you." Pham says if he collects the awarded damages he hopes to build two Buddhist schools and one Catholic school in his native land.

Immigrant communities put on notice

"Tuan Pham's landmark case will change the way the Vietnamese and other immigrant communities operate as they gain full access an acceptance in the general community. The public debate must be free and robust, however, this verdict sends the message that slander and character assassination will not be tolerated under our laws," says Pham's attorney Darrin Rosha of Scherzo and Trio Legal Advisors, PLLC in St. Paul. "Mr. Pham, his family, and his business clearly suffered at the hands of the defendants in this case. They not only spread false and malicious statements about him, including false claims of criminal acts, but also forced a community boycott of his grocery business and brought it to ruin. The jury wisely and unanimously upheld his rights as an American citizen to redress those wrongs."

For more information - or to interview Tuan Pham or Darrin Rosha - please contact Martin Keller at Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585 or mkeller@mediasavant.com

Contacts

Media Savant Communications Co.
Martin Keller, 612-729-8585
mkeller@mediasavantcom.com

Interest On Loans Is Forbidden At Islamic Wealth Management Event

2nd Islamic Wealth Management Event almost fully booked - Networking Arena free of charge

Press Release by: Michael Gassner Consultancy

(openPR) - Citigroup and Deutsche Bank speaking on alternatives for bonds suitable for Muslims

Cologne, 17 March 2006

The annual gathering regarding Islamic wealth management is undertaken in the Hôtel du Rhône in Geneva on 28/29 March and bookings are quite advanced - only a few seats are still available.

The seminar covers the most pressing needs of the high net worth Muslim investor, which are the replacement of bonds, the new trend for Islamic hedge funds, how to alleviate poverty with rewarding investments, and new methods for addressing issues of family offices.

As interest on loans is forbidden in Islam, conventional bonds are likewise. However, bonds represent at least 33 % of each conventionally managed high net worth portfolio on average. Alternatives which can be used to create a similarly efficient portfolio is the subject for a dedicated session: Presentations will be held by Geert Bossuyt, Deutsche Bank AG, and Rached Khanfir, Citigroup.

"The event is done only for the second time and demand for such kind of trainings is out there", says the organiser Michael Gassner. Further he adds "The huge amount of Muslim wealth in Geneva will be increasingly switched toward Islamic financial products. From our perspective Geneva is the strategic place to be."

Besides the training sessions, networking will be another core focus for this gathering: The hall opens from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm for financial professionals and high net worth individuals, who need to register beforehand. Such valuable networking opportunities are uncommon for most forums, but we want to invite all involved people from Switzerland and abroad to get together. Geneva is getting under stronger competition from Singapore, Dubai and Bahrain. Islamic finance products needs to be available in Geneva to maintain its prime position, said Michael Gassner.

The event is headed and followed by optional workshops introducing to Islamic Finance, Shariah compliant asset management and Family Offices. The latter workshop on 30 March is essential to parties interested in creating better efficiencies and higher levels of service through family offices and is relevant for both conventional players and those working on Islamic precepts.

About Islamic Finance.de Consultancy

The Michael Gassner Consultancy is the leading research and advisory firm on Islamic finance in Germany. It publishes Islamic Finance.de Executive News, the leading bulletin for executives, with a circulation of over 2000 monthly readers. The firm works with financial institutions to develop and structure products based on banking and finance principles, yet supported by a general understanding of the objectives and principles of Islamic law. The firm also offers marketing advise, roadshow organisation and trainings. For more information, visit www.islamicwealthmanagement.com .

The full brochure is avalaible at: www.islamicfinance.de/islamiwealthmanagement.pdf
www.islamicwealthmanagement.com

For interviews please call: Michael Saleh Gassner, +49 7000 42 77 637

Press Cards upon request avalaible from the organiser.

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/expert.html
_______________________________________________________

Effective Marketing and Advertising Via Magazines

Magazines - A Practical Marketing and Advertising Vehicle

Press Release by: PrintPelican.com

(openPR) - Riviera Beach, Florida, March 15, 2006, Magazine printing is widely used in the publishing industry. Many entrepreneurs and individuals depend on magazines as one of the most practical and proven vehicles to market and advertise their products and services.

Magazines play a vital role in many marketing plans. Magazines fall into two broad categories: consumer magazines and business magazines. Whether your company needs to appeal to a broad spectrum of readers or a particular profession or industry, magazines are a powerful tool used to generate more business. Magazine printing, however, is easily done if you have the knowledge and the right equipment.

If you are planning to include magazines in your business marketing strategy, printing your own magazines is achievable when you have the knowledge and the right equipment. The use of a professional printer is proven to be valuable and is highly recommended especially for color printing on a coated paper. Magazine printing requires many steps and having a professional printer can make your job a lot easier.

There are several reasons that deter entrepreneurs in accomplishing this marketing task. Factors such as creativeness and organization act as integral components in creating a commercial and cost-effective product. Every page needs to be built differently, clearly and efficiently highlighting various products and services. Every element should be in harmony from the product design to services and company information. This may be a tedious process but, again, you can experiment with your professional printer.

Some assume that magazine printing is very complicated when compared to other printing services like brochure printing. If you are familiar with the printing process, it is generally not. Being organized with the process and having the right tools can make the task much easier.

Most magazines are printed using the four-color printing process. If you are aiming to have a crisp design that stands out, the four-color process is the answer to your printing needs. The magazine market is very competitive and consumers are after designs that grab their attention. Having that catchy and appealing magazine created using your professional printer, without a doubt, will attract your target markets interest.

Printpelican.com is offering online, cost effective magazine printing to individuals and companies all over North America. It specializes in short to medium run magazines from its 3 plants. It also offers custom design services and direct mail service which are a few of the reasons it prints so many start up magazines. Printpelican.com prints magazines form both the Mac and PC platform and supports all the common graphic arts software programs. Printpelican.com has thousands of satisfied customers saving its customers both time and money.

We recently heard from one their satisfied clients, Kelly Coker who launched Property magazine in 2005. Printpelican.com have been awesome, said Ms Coker, we launched our magazine in March of 2005. They have designed and printed every issue.

For information on services contact 1770 West 10th St., Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 1-800-474-0461, or visit http://www.printpelican.com

_______________________________________________________
Free trade and professional industry magazines are available at
http://www.consultant-directory.tradepub.com
_______________________________________________________
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure is known as
Mesothelioma. Learn more about this killer cancer.
Visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Search-Engine.com
_______________________________________________________
JR Roberts, a Security Expert Witness can help you prosecute or defend
your criminal or negligent liability case in court.
http://www.jrrobertssecurity.com/
_______________________________________________________

Security Guards Important

Private security guards play key roles post-9/11

Dennis Wagner
The Arizona Republic - Jan. 22, 2006 - Forget the image of the pot-bellied security guard, asleep with a newspaper in his lap and doughnut crumbs on his chin.

Post-Sept. 11, the old rental cop in many cases has been replaced by security officers who are screened, licensed, trained and equipped better than their quaint predecessors.

Homeland defense experts, such as former FBI Deputy Director Weldon Kennedy, say the enhanced professionalism is critical because the private-security industry defends more than three-fourths of the nation's most likely terrorism targets.

"The great majority of critical infrastructure in the United States is not protected by sworn law officers," said Kennedy, now vice chairman of New York-based Guardsmark LLC, one of the world's largest security companies. "You name any industry, and you're going to find private security is protecting it. And I don't believe the public is really aware of that."

Private officers are defending power plants, oil refineries, financial centers, computer systems, dams, malls, railroad lines and other prospective terrorism targets. They are responsible for millions of lives and billions of dollars in assets. And they are most likely to be first on the scene in major disasters.

In Arizona, they protect dams on the Salt River, patrol the fence at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, defend Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Plant and stand guard at banks and Circle K's.

Bob Brown, vice president of an Arizona security company and former deputy director of aviation at Sky Harbor, said 9/11 transformed homeland defense and the security business with it.

"When that tragic event happened, a lot of people had to do some soul-searching," Brown said. "The government can't do it all. They need private security."

As a result, security firms today are consolidating, specializing and becoming more professional, and their employees are better screened and equipped to combat attacks, said Gregory A. Thomas, a senior manager at Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

"It's an evolving process," added Thomas, author of Freedom From Fear, a terrorism readiness guide. "It used to be a square-badge industry, and some guards didn't meet the mark . . . . It's not like that anymore. The importance of their role has resulted in a crackdown on those who think they can sit around and do nothing."

It's a big business

Worldwide, private-security company revenues have been estimated at $100 billion by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The institute, which studies issues involving worldwide security, estimates the industry income will double by 2010.

The Fredonia Group, a business research company based in Ohio, projects the international growth rate at 7.7 percent annually through 2008.

The nation's security companies employ 1.5 million people and spend $52 billion per year, compared with public police agencies that have 600,000 workers and spend $30 billion,according to James Pastor, author of The Privatization of Police in America.

Because government officers are more expensive, Pastor sees private guards rapidly absorbing roles once held by public peace officers, protecting stores and neighborhoods.

Proponents say the free- enterprise system often works better and at a lower price for taxpayers. Critics argue that government officers are better equipped to serve the public and are more accountable.

"There are two bottom-line principles: money and fear," Pastor said. "Where is the dividing line between the appropriateness of government and of private security? It's becoming blurred."

Changes over the years

Despite the industry's crucial role in defending against terror, the 9/11 commission, a government group that reviewed America's readiness and response to al-Qaida attacks, took only a sidelong glance last year at the role of rental cops in its 567-page report.

"Because 85 percent of our nation's critical infrastructure is controlled not by the government but by the private sector, private-sector civilians are likely to be the first responders in any future catastrophe," the commission acknowledged. Yet there was no follow-up or evaluation of whether the industry is ready or properly regulated.

Congress paid a bit more attention, conducting hearings about questionable industry standards. Four years ago, Arizona and 31 other states had laws governing security companies. Today, only 10 states have no restrictions, allowing guards to be employed without background checks or training.

Kennedy and other experts said the industry, with a combined 2 million private guards and corporate security officers, has undergone a quiet, dramatic metamorphosis.

Federal crime computers are screening guard applicants. The Department of Homeland Security has begun certifying security-guard companies for certain duties. Private agencies are cutting manpower costs with an array of robots, aerial surveillance drones, computer systems and transponders that detect trespassers with biochemical sensors.

Even before 9/11, international conglomerates had begun swallowing some of the best-known security agencies in the United States. The Swedish firm Securitas bought out Pinkerton and Burns International. Group 4 Securicor, based in Denmark, absorbed Wackenhut.

At the same time, terrorism convinced security providers and consumers that quality can be more important than price when it comes t

Legal Search Engine Blog

Friday, March 31, 2006