Archive for September, 2009
MAKING ENVIRO-FRIENDLY CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS – NATURALLY
by admin on Sep.30, 2009, under Uncategorized
Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2005 by D’Aquino, Rita
The discovery and use of naturally occurring compounds for chemical synthesis is a key strategy for reducing our dependence on petroleum-derived raw materials. With this in mind. Cornell Univ. (Ithaca, NY; www.cornell.edu) researchers led by Geoffrey Coates. professor of chemistry, have successfully used carbon dioxide for alternating copolymerization with epoxide compounds, such as propylene oxide and cyclohexene oxide, to form petroleum derivatives. More recently, they have pioneered a technique for deriving epoxides from biorenewable resources and use the epoxides to make biodegradable plastics.
Their starting material is limonene, a cyclic monoterpene that constitutes 90-96% of citrus peel oil (in the (R) enantiomer form) and touts a global production capacity of 110-165 million Ib/yr. It is commercially available in the oxidized form (as the inexpensive compound known as limonene oxide) and is structurally similar to cyclohexene oxide. “Both characteristics make it an excellent choice as a biorenewable epoxide monomer for copolymerization with CO2.” says Coates. The product of this reaction is a polystyrene-like plastic Coates calls polylimonene carbonate.
Initial copolymerizations were performed at 25C and 100 psi CO2 using 0.4 mol of catalyst complex green construction california -diiminate (BDI) zinc (e.g., (BDI)ZnOAc), and limonene oxide comprising a 1.2:1 ratio of trans- and cis-diastereomers. Reaction times of 24 h resulted in conversions of 15% with a selectivity of 98.9% for the transdiastereomer. The polymer’s components alternate between limonene oxide and CO2. Higher molecular weight polycarbonates (> 25 kg/mol) can be produced using longer reaction times and higher epoxide:Zn ratios, says Coates.
An enzyme isolated from the horseradish plant, and best known for its role in facilitating an ether bond between aromatic compounds, is the key to a polymer coating being developed by Clarkson Univ. (Potsdam, NY; www.clarkson.edu) polymer chemist Anja Mueller to improve artificial heart valves. The coating is a two-part system comprised of a branched aromatic polymer that binds to the valve surface and a branched hydrophilic polymers formulated with anticoagulants and other medications) that resist binding to proteins, thereby preventing blood platelets and bacteria from building up on the valve’s coated surface.
Demonstrating anomolous behavior, HRP catalyzes the polymerization between the aromatic and non-aromatic components. The reaction takes place at 37C and 1 atm over a period of 1-7% with yields of 30-80%. Horseradish polymerase (HRP) also functions in water, obviating the need to introduce toxic chemicals and solvents. The resulting material is similar to pyrolitic carbon at the hydrophobic end, yet flexible enough to withstand the stresses placed on the valve during operation.
Further work is needed to optimize the bonding of polyethylene glycol to the hydrophilic portion of the coating.. “These characteristics will improve as information regarding the reaction mechanism is determined,” says Mueller. The scientists are currently working with a U.S. based medical coatings firm that is committed to licensing the technology as soon as the scientists find a promising combination of materials for the coating.
Peptides hold promise as biozeolites
Polypeptides that can build tubular and helical structures, frequently referred ato s nanotubes, have drawn attention due to their biological use as ion channels and membrane pores
Trace Named by the Consumer Products Safety Commission as an Official Conformity Assessment Body on Compliance Testing for Lead in Children’s Products
by admin on Sep.28, 2009, under Uncategorized
Business Wire, March 18, 2009
BALTIMORE — Trace Laboratories, Inc., a full-service, internationally accredited,
independent testing organization, has been awarded approval by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a Conformity Assessment
Body and third party testing laboratory for the certification of
childrenâs products. Trace will test products for lead content, lead in
paint, lead in jewelry, total phthalate content and heavy metals.
New legislation will eventually require third party testing for all
consumer products intended for use by children twelve years of age and
younger. The focus of the CPSC approval is to evaluate the lead content
in these products and the amount of lead in the paint used in these
products.
Trace will offer formal testing of various childrenâs products for
compliance under the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
(CPSIA). With its official third party test lab status, Trace will be
able to provide manufacturers, retailers, distributors, inventors, and
private labelers with an economical and prompt solution for meeting the
new requirements and regulations.
The new limits on the amount of lead used in childrenâs products are to
be phased in over the course of three years
Even in sluggish market, 2nd homes are appealing
by admin on Sep.26, 2009, under Uncategorized
Washington Jewish Week, May 1, 2008 by Woodard, Jim
It might surprise you to learn that a third of all homes sold during the past year were second homes for purchasers – those to be used as a vacation residence or investment property.
This was revealed in the “2008 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey,” conducted by the National Association of Realtors. To be more specific, 12 percent of home sales were vacation homes, while 21 percent were purchased as investment properties.
About 59 percent of vacation homes were detached single-family residences, 29 percent were condominiums, 7 percent were town houses and 5 percent were other types.
Even in a sluggish sales market, the appeal of owning a private vacation home is strong. It provides a preferred location for a getaway respite when pressures approach the unbearable point. Others see the current market as an opportunity to acquire homes as investments, sometimes at bargain prices.
“Vacation home purchases are largely tied to lifestyle considerations,” said the NAR report. “Households seek to own an additional home in a desirable destination. While the potential financial benefits as an investment are considered, the purchase of a vacation home is a discretionary choice more closely tied to the utility that households enjoy from unfettered access to a second home.”
For buyers of investment residential properties, the potential financial gains are far more important, the report said. The purchase of a home for investment is a dollars-and-cents decision resting in part on current cash flow from rental income and expectations of future value appreciation (gains).
The motivation to buy investment homes is partially driven by investors seeking to diversify their assets and generate income.
The March survey includes responses from a random sample of households that purchased any type of residential real estate during the past year.
To what extent are luxury home sales increasing?
A new NAR report documents the growing number of luxury homes being sold in the current marketplace. In February, nearly 13,000 homes priced from $1.5 million to $2 million were sold – up from 9,860 during the same month last year.
About 11,175 homes priced from $2 million to $3 million were sold in February, up from 5,800 a year earlier. For those super-high-priced homes over $3 million, about 4,470 were sold in February, up from 2,900 last year.
What’s the average commission rate charged by brokers?
The commission rate charged by real estate brokers has long been a touchy subject for both brokers and consumers. Some people believe the conventional 6 percent is a constant, mandatory rate. Not so. Commissions are strictly negotiable between the property seller and the broker.
Considering today’s home prices, even though lowered a bit over the past year, a 6 percent commission is a lot of money in most cases – more than many people believe is justified. An increasing number of brokers are reducing their requested commission to be competitive in the current market environment, often lowering it to 4 percent or 5 percent. It’s impossible to determine a precise average commission because brokers usually decline to reveal their rate. But estimates by real estate reporting groups put the current average at just over 5 percent for full service.
Some firms offer a tiered system of fees – different amounts for varying packages of services
Bank On It
by admin on Sep.26, 2009, under Uncategorized
Printing News, Dec 8, 2008 by Margolis, Stuart W, Enverso, Brian L
In watching the rise and fall of the Wall Street financial giants, we’ve all felt the pinch it has created in our own pockets as business owners. This financial fiasco could also impact the relationship you have with your banking institution in ways you might not anticipate. Like your own printing and graphic communications business, your bank is grappling with economic changes, and seeking new ways to regain or maintain stability and ensure survival. Priorities are changing, bank policies are changing-and ultimately, your relationship with your bank may change.
In a recent conference call (*) with Kurt Knutson, founder and president of Freedom Bank in Kansas City, and 11 participants from printing companies across the country, we explored the changing nature of printer-bank relationships.
As Knutsen pointed out, historically there has been a very positive connection between banks and the printing and graphic communications industry. In the 1980s, the print industry was solid, flourishing, and financially attractive. It was easy for a printer to purchase whatever equipment was needed, and banks made repayment terms very palatable to encourage borrowing. Now some 25 years later, the unstable economy has forced banks to reassess their client base and lending practices.
One of the printers on the call told the story of his bank suddenly “asking” his company to pay off its two term notes. The printer had an ongoing relationship with the bank, had never been delinquent with payments, and was in compliance with all covenants. Puzzled, the owner called his bank to investigate this unexpected turn of events. He was told that printing is not considered a growth industry.
Obviously, the bank was looking for an excuse for converting their loans to cash. Knutsen observed that some banks need cash and are even adopting bonus programs for loan officers who convert outstanding loans, both good and bad, to cash.
Other banks are seeking cash sources by advertising unusually high interest rates on Certificates of Deposit. Either scenario may be a red flag that the bank is in financial distress, and should generate caution to users.
Despite all the “doomsday” reports on the evening news, it should be noted that the percentage of banks in real distress is relatively small. There are both “good” and “bad” banks out there. The financially sound banks far outweigh those in trouble. Indeed, Knutsen estimates that well over 90 percent of all U.S. banks are in good shape.
There are several important steps you can take to improve your banking relationships, and protect your printing company in this changing economy:
* Be proactive and frequently interact with your bank. This includes meeting often with your banker to review your finances, whether they reveal positive or negative results.
* Review your credit lines with your banker to both improve your relationship and avoid surprises from changing bank policies.
* Conserve cash in your business. Follow the lead of the banking industry and build up your cash reserves to make your company less vulnerable to economic swings.
* Rethink plans to pay off loans ahead of schedule.
* Work with your vendors to pay for purchases in a reasonable time frame-but probably a longer time frame than they have accepted in the past
Balducci’s, the Bethesda, MD-based gourmet specialty food retailer with stores in the Northeast, has been sold to a New York investor group led by Jim Demme, the chairman of Kings Super Markets.(MERGER & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
by admin on Sep.26, 2009, under Uncategorized
Food Institute Report, The, April, 2009
BALDUCCI’S, the Bethesda, MD-based gourmet specialty food retailer with stores in the Northeast, has been sold to a New York investor group led by Jim Demme, the chairman of KINGS SUPER MARKETS. Mr. Demme serves as a senior advisor to the New York investment firm ANGELO, GORDON & CO. The transaction includes the purchase of Balducci’s stores located in Alexandria, VA; Bethesda, MD; McLean, VA; Scarsdale, NY; Westport, CT; and Greenwich, CT as well as Balducci’s licensing, catering and gift basket operations.
All assets have been transferred to the new ownership group with the exception of the Greenwich location, which will be transferred upon receipt of customary approvals
Hunter offers new balancer
by admin on Sep.25, 2009, under Uncategorized
Fleet Equipment, Mar 2009
Hunter’s GSP9600HD wheel bal- ancer offers vibration management and wheel uniformity measurement to a wide range of vehicles from pas- senger cars to heavy-duty trucks, its maker said. The universal ForceMatch balancer uses loaded roller contact to measure runout (eccentricity) of a tire and rim assembly and minimize wheel-related vibration, Hunter said. It can balance wheels with rims from 10- to 30-in. in diameter and weights up to 500 lbs
SCAREDY CATS
by admin on Sep.25, 2009, under Uncategorized
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Journal, The – College apparel infuses belonging
by admin on Sep.23, 2009, under Uncategorized
Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 27, 2008 by Mike Hall
By Mike Hall
THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Why do sports fans buy clothing identifying them with their favorite teams?
And what effect does that clothing have on the fans’ self-image?
Edward Hirt was called to court to answer those questions in the lawsuit brought by The University of Kansas against companies operating as Joe-College.com, including one retail store at 734 Massachusetts in Lawrence. He testified during Thursday’s session in U.S. District Court in Topeka.
Hirt is a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Indiana.
KU and Kansas Athletics Inc. is suing Larry Sinks, owner of Victory Sportswear LLC, and Clark Orth, owner of the screen printing operation that is part of the Victory company, for allegedly using KU-trademarked symbols on T-shirts without permission from the school
Hirt offered a wide-ranging explanation of the psychology of sports team apparel.
It allows the wearers to “bask in the reflected glory” of the team, he said. It also gives the wearers a sense of belonging to a group with a common interest.
“It means you are not alone,” Hirt said. “It means we are part of something that is bigger than ourselves.”
KU officials argue they have no control over the quality of the products being sold by Sinks’ businesses and are embarrassed by some slogans on the shirts. The shirts are made to look like the T- shirts officially licensed by the university, so KU officials often are questioned by alumni and other supporters about why the university is producing them, Jim Marchiony, KU’s associate athletic director for external relations, testified earlier Thursday.
While Hirt was on the witness stand, jurors were shown a picture of a John Deere tractor. Hirt said the distinctive green and yellow color pattern demonstrates to most people quickly that it is a John Deere product.
He said the color scheme identity is important because owners of those machines are stating to the world they are proud to own a John Deere
Introducing The Hookup – The Bag Accessory Like No Other! Set to Debut at the 2009 New York International Gift Fair
by admin on Sep.23, 2009, under Uncategorized
PR Newswire, August 17, 2009
With The Holiday Buying Season Just Around The Corner, This Chic & Functional Accessory Cleverly Serves To Hold & Protect Anything From Your Designer Clutch To An Oversized HoBo Or Even A Computer Case With A Unique Fashion Twist
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ — The Hookup will be introduced during the 2009 NYIGF, taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from August 16 through the 20th. This stylish and unique new item is an instant “must have” for women and a great gift idea for the men who love them! The gold or platinum finished purse accessory fuses style and function to create an elegant little tool to use with any sized bag. The Hookup is the chic way to keep your purse off dreaded dirty floors while keeping it conveniently in sight and close at hand.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090817/LA62189)
The fashionable heart clips to the purse strap and twists open to hook your purse to a table or door. Both precious and chic, the Hookup is a symbol of style that solves the daily dilemma of where to put your purse. Use it anywhere; at the office, a trendy club, a sophisticated restaurant, or a casual sidewalk cafe.
The Hookup comes in a hinged box with a lovely embroidered carrying pouch, so it looks stylish even when tucked away. This versatile accessory is perfect for any social setting, but it doesn’t stop there
Door vision with alarm.(Products & Services)
by admin on Sep.21, 2009, under Uncategorized
Security Distributing & Marketing, January, 2009
New Sperry West Spyder SPSVD200HF Door Vision intercom system is a color, voice-activated door security system that costs less than many black-and-white door systems. It comes with a stainless-steel day/night outside camera with infrared LEDs and two-way intercom. The stylish, wall-mountable, inside monitor contains a color, 4-in. LED screen. One-touch door answer, then it is two-way, hands-free, voice-activated speaking. The Spyder Door Vision system has a built-in alarm to send a piercing sound through the outside unit to frighten away undesirable visitors
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