NAIROBI (AFP) – Somali pirates attempted to storm the French navy's 18,000 tonne flagship in the Indian Ocean after mistaking it for a cargo vessel, the French military said on Wednesday.
The crew of La Somme, a 160-metre (525-foot) command vessel and fuel tanker, easily saw off the brazen night-time assault by lightly armed fighters on two lightweight skiffs and captured five pirates, a spokesman said.
"The pirates, who because of the darkness took the French ship for a commercial vessel, were on board two vessels and opened fire with Kalashnikovs," Admiral Christophe Prazuck said in Paris.
La Somme is the French command vessel in the Indian Ocean, overseeing French air, sea and land forces fighting Somali pirates and hunting terrorists under the banner of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom.
Officers on the ship have directed commando operations to free French hostages in the hands of Somali pirates.
The pirates tried to flee when they realised their mistake but were pursued by French forces who, after an hour-long chase, caught one of the skiffs, Prazuck said.
On it they found five men but no weapons, water or food as the pirates had apparently thrown all of the boat's contents overboard, the spokesman said.
A Western official at sea in the area, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said that there had been an exchange of fire between the warship and the pirate launches.
Read more at
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091007/wl_africa_afp/somaliapiracyshippingfrance_20091007151820
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Mutual Spirituality Awaits Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers
Nashville, TN (1888PressRelease) - Even if a person with dementia can only greet family members or old friends with a silent stare of non-recognition, authors Jane Marie Thibault and Richard L. Morgan say both the caregiver and care receiver still can travel together along a mutual spiritual pathway.
In their new book, No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality of Caring for Persons with Dementia, Thibault and Morgan draw upon decades of personal experiences to describe how both the caregiver and receiver can benefit from their relationship.
"We want to affirm that the care giving is not in vain," says Thibault, a clinical gerontologist and a clinical professor of Family and Geriatric Medicine at University of Louisville since 1981. "Whatever the caregiver does, the act of love for a person with dementia is never an action that is meaningless."
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, although dementia is a general term that includes many diseases with similar symptoms of progressive mental decline but different causes. By 2010, an estimated 35.6 million people worldwide will be living with dementia, according to Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), the umbrella organization of Alzheimer associations around the world. The ADI's recently released World Alzheimer Report for 2009 predicts the number will nearly double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030, and 115.4 million in 2050.
"People with Alzheimer's are more than body, brain or breath," says Morgan, a retired chaplain and professor who has pursued a ministry for persons with dementia for 30 years. "They are souls and they are spirits, and therefore, you can communicate with them that way, even though their minds may be ravaged by the disease, and even though their bodies are wasting away."
The book by Thibault, who has a Ph.D. in clinical gerontology, and Morgan, who holds three seminary degrees including a Ph.D. in early Christian history, contains information about the various types of dementia and specific suggestions to help provide spiritual care for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The authors also provide tips for leading support groups and worship services for persons with dementia.
Family members, chaplains, and activity directors and nurses in memory care units who deal with dementia every day yearn for the insights in No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted, Morgan says. "I hate to say this, but unfortunately clergy are not yet on board when it comes to dealing with dementia. Clergy are busy, and I understand that this is not a priority. Sometimes it is not just denial, but because they are not trained by the seminaries about how to deal with parishioners with dementia."
Caring for those with dementia presents a major faith challenge, Thibault and Morgan write. "It tests whether we can trust that God will take care of us if we are ever in the same situation," they say in the book. "It tests whether we can love unselfishly, without asking for any love back for ourselves. It also tests whether we can love lavishly without expecting anything in return, without paying attention to the cost, knowing that no act of love is ever wasted."
In addition to No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted, Thibault is author of: 10 Gospel Promises for Later Life and A Deepening Love Affair: The Gift of God in Later Life.
Morgan has authored 14 books, including Settling In: My First Year in a Retirement Community and Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography.
http://www.upperroom.org
Elpida Completes Development of the Industry's Smallest 40nm 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM
TOKYO - BUSINESS WIRE - Elpida Memory, Inc. (TOKYO:6665), Japan's leading global supplier of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), today announced that it had finished development of the smallest high-speed low-power 40nm 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM in the DRAM industry.The new 2-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM uses a smaller chip size to achieve a 44% higher chip yield per wafer compared with Elpida's 50nm DDR3 SDRAM and a 100% yield for DDR3 products that operate at 1.6Gbps, the highest speed standard for current DDR3. Compared with 50nm products, it uses about two-thirds less current and supports 1.2V/1.35V operation as well as DDR3 standard 1.5V, thus reducing power consumption by as much as 45%.
The development of the DRAM using a 40nm process focused on both performance and cost competitiveness. As a result, the investment cost of converting from 50nm manufacturing to 40nm manufacturing is expected to be almost zero. Moreover, a 65nm to 40nm process conversion can be accomplished with greater investment efficiency compared with a 65nm to 50nm conversion.
In addition to finer process technologies Elpida is also developing 65nm XS process technology that can compete with the 50nm process of other companies. Another development effort recently underway aims to produce smaller die size products based on the 65nm process.
Given this range of development choices, Elpida will have greater flexibility to deal with changing market conditions and in making decisions about the timing of investment in 40nm process equipment and the content of technology licensed to its Taiwan partners.
Read more at:
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmVie.....
GM Expects Car Sales to Stay Slow
By Peter Whoriskey - The chief executive of General Motors said Wednesday that uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economic recovery will continue to depress auto sales and remains one of the primary challenges facing the company.
Citing the high unemployment rate and other dismal statistics, Fritz Henderson predicted that sales will remain far off their 2007 peaks. He forecast that next year there will be 11.5 million car and light-truck sales, down more than 28 percent from about 16 million two years ago.
"Everything we've seen . . . suggests that's a good number to use," Henderson said.
Henderson's remarks stand in contrast to some of the optimism on Wall Street, where stock market indices rose this week in anticipation of strong corporate earnings.
Read full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/07/.....
Citing the high unemployment rate and other dismal statistics, Fritz Henderson predicted that sales will remain far off their 2007 peaks. He forecast that next year there will be 11.5 million car and light-truck sales, down more than 28 percent from about 16 million two years ago.
"Everything we've seen . . . suggests that's a good number to use," Henderson said.
Henderson's remarks stand in contrast to some of the optimism on Wall Street, where stock market indices rose this week in anticipation of strong corporate earnings.
Read full story at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/07/.....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine Reaches D.C. Area
Thousands of doses of swine flu vaccine began arriving in the Washington region Tuesday night as a private high school in Laurel became the first in the area to close for disinfection after more than 100 students missed class, many with complaints of illness.
Stephen J. Edmonds, principal and president of St. Vincent Pallotti High School, said there had been five confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, known as swine flu, among students at the school since the beginning of the school year. Edmonds said about 100 of the school's 500 students missed class Tuesday "for various reasons," including swine flu and seasonal flu.
Because of the high absentee rate, Edmonds ordered the school closed Wednesday to allow professional cleaners to disinfect surfaces touched by students.
"It's just precautionary," Edmonds said. "We want to make sure we provide the safest environment for the students."
Read More details at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Stephen J. Edmonds, principal and president of St. Vincent Pallotti High School, said there had been five confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, known as swine flu, among students at the school since the beginning of the school year. Edmonds said about 100 of the school's 500 students missed class Tuesday "for various reasons," including swine flu and seasonal flu.
Because of the high absentee rate, Edmonds ordered the school closed Wednesday to allow professional cleaners to disinfect surfaces touched by students.
"It's just precautionary," Edmonds said. "We want to make sure we provide the safest environment for the students."
Read More details at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Vernalis initiates Pilot Study of V3381 in patients with chronic cough
Vernalis plc (LSE: VER) today announces that it has initiated a pilot study of indantadol (V3381), a novel dual-acting NMDA antagonist & MAO inhibitor, in patients with chronic cough. V3381 has already completed a Phase IIa trial in patients with neuropathic pain and a second study in this indication has just achieved full recruitment.
The pilot study is being conducted specifically in patients with chronic cough who do not have an obvious underlying reason for the cough, such as a persistent chest infection, asthma or gastro-oesophageal reflux. This type of cough is believed to be caused by over-sensitivity of the nerves supplying the respiratory tract and so has many parallels with neuropathic pain.
The study will be run in collaboration with Professor Ashley Woodcock from the University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Foundation and will be conducted in up to 20 patients with chronic cough. The study will utilise a new objective cough monitor developed by Professor Woodcock's team to determine whether indantadol is likely to have any effect on cough frequency. If the pilot study indicates an effect, further randomised studies may be conducted.
Chronic cough affects between 10-20% of the non-smoking population. Chronic intractable cough is an under-recognised and under-treated phenomenon. Chronic cough patients have on average a cough history of greater than six years, and report many physician contacts, with multiple investigations and unsuccessful trials of treatment. Chronic cough also substantially impacts on a patient's quality of life with an average of 240 coughs in a 24 hour period, half are clinically depressed, and two thirds of women with chronic cough have urinary incontinence.
Commenting on the study, Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis, said "There are currently no specific therapies approved for treatment of chronic cough and there have been no new effective anti-tussives for many decades. By initiating this pilot study we will be taking the first steps to developing a treatment for this distressing condition."
Source:
http://www.vernalis.com
The pilot study is being conducted specifically in patients with chronic cough who do not have an obvious underlying reason for the cough, such as a persistent chest infection, asthma or gastro-oesophageal reflux. This type of cough is believed to be caused by over-sensitivity of the nerves supplying the respiratory tract and so has many parallels with neuropathic pain.
The study will be run in collaboration with Professor Ashley Woodcock from the University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Foundation and will be conducted in up to 20 patients with chronic cough. The study will utilise a new objective cough monitor developed by Professor Woodcock's team to determine whether indantadol is likely to have any effect on cough frequency. If the pilot study indicates an effect, further randomised studies may be conducted.
Chronic cough affects between 10-20% of the non-smoking population. Chronic intractable cough is an under-recognised and under-treated phenomenon. Chronic cough patients have on average a cough history of greater than six years, and report many physician contacts, with multiple investigations and unsuccessful trials of treatment. Chronic cough also substantially impacts on a patient's quality of life with an average of 240 coughs in a 24 hour period, half are clinically depressed, and two thirds of women with chronic cough have urinary incontinence.
Commenting on the study, Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis, said "There are currently no specific therapies approved for treatment of chronic cough and there have been no new effective anti-tussives for many decades. By initiating this pilot study we will be taking the first steps to developing a treatment for this distressing condition."
Source:
http://www.vernalis.com
Aerocar Begins Service at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
(1888PressRelease) Richmond, B.C – Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) exclusive sedan and limousine service arrives in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Aerocar Service today announced that the company is the official sedan and limousine provider for the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR).
Operating 24 hours a day, the on-demand service allows passengers to book a sedan or limousine in advance of arriving or departing from YVR. With pickup on the arrivals level of the International and Domestic Terminal buildings, Aerocar Service offers visitors a quick and seamless transportation alternative. This exclusive curbside service is also available without a reservation, by simply exiting either of the terminals and looking for an Aerocar vehicle.
“We are proud to be affiliated with the Vancouver International Airport Authority,” said Angela Mackinnon, Account Manager, Aerocar Service. “We intend to operate and conduct business in an up to date, first class and reputable manner, while making customer satisfaction our primary focus.”
Thousands of visitors are expected in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games and Aerocar Service will provide them with another fast and cost-efficient mode of transportation to and from the airport. Bookings for Aerocar Service can be done one year in advance.
“During the Games we anticipate a high volume of customers using our service,” said Mackinnon. “Our extensive fleet and comprehensive digital dispatch system provides us with the infrastructure to handle the Olympic Games demand while maintaining customer satisfaction.”
Aerocar Service has one of largest fleets of luxury sedans and limousines in the Lower Mainland, with professional chauffeurs on hand to take visitors to their destination in one of the company’s Mercedes Benz, BMW, Hybrid Tahoe or luxury stretch limousines. Offering fixed rates to locations in the Vancouver area, passengers can travel from YVR to downtown Vancouver for $39, a rate comparable to a taxi fare.
Aerocar Service today announced that the company is the official sedan and limousine provider for the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR).
Operating 24 hours a day, the on-demand service allows passengers to book a sedan or limousine in advance of arriving or departing from YVR. With pickup on the arrivals level of the International and Domestic Terminal buildings, Aerocar Service offers visitors a quick and seamless transportation alternative. This exclusive curbside service is also available without a reservation, by simply exiting either of the terminals and looking for an Aerocar vehicle.
“We are proud to be affiliated with the Vancouver International Airport Authority,” said Angela Mackinnon, Account Manager, Aerocar Service. “We intend to operate and conduct business in an up to date, first class and reputable manner, while making customer satisfaction our primary focus.”
Thousands of visitors are expected in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games and Aerocar Service will provide them with another fast and cost-efficient mode of transportation to and from the airport. Bookings for Aerocar Service can be done one year in advance.
“During the Games we anticipate a high volume of customers using our service,” said Mackinnon. “Our extensive fleet and comprehensive digital dispatch system provides us with the infrastructure to handle the Olympic Games demand while maintaining customer satisfaction.”
Aerocar Service has one of largest fleets of luxury sedans and limousines in the Lower Mainland, with professional chauffeurs on hand to take visitors to their destination in one of the company’s Mercedes Benz, BMW, Hybrid Tahoe or luxury stretch limousines. Offering fixed rates to locations in the Vancouver area, passengers can travel from YVR to downtown Vancouver for $39, a rate comparable to a taxi fare.
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