Eriksen Translations Provides Urgent Medical Translations for Public Use in Haitian Relief Efforts

Eriksen Translations Provides Urgent Medical Translations for Public Use in Haitian Relief Efforts

Eriksen Translations Inc. is partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to provide translations of critical medical phrases for the relief efforts in Haiti.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) January 27, 2010

Eriksen Translations (http://www. eriksen. com), a leading language services provider, is working together with the Language Technologies Institute (LTI) of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science (CMU SCS) to make urgently needed translations of medical triage and treatment phrases available to relief organizations in Haiti. 1,600 phrases in English and Haitian-Creole have been released and are available with limited restrictions at http://www. speech. cs. cmu. edu/haitian/ (http://www. speech. cs. cmu. edu/haitian/). Already being used by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, the terms that Eriksen's linguists translated consist of questions and answers that are part of any medical providers basic interactions with a patient from first contact to simple instructions on what to do after being treated.

"When Jeff Allen, the former lead linguist of the original Haitian Creole DIPLOMAT project at CMU's LTI/Center for Machine Translation, put out a call for help with this project after the earthquake, we responded immediately. Thanks to our extensive work with government (http://www. eriksen. com/Industries/Government. aspx) and healthcare (http://www. eriksen. com/Industries/HealthCare. aspx) organizations serving the Haitian population here in New York, we had the linguists and the process in place to be of service right away," said Vigdis Eriksen, president and CEO of Eriksen Translations. "The wonderful thing about the Carnegie Mellon project is that we are both attending to the immediate need for simple phrases and providing sector-specific customization for a machine translation database that will be utilized for language technology applications that are being developed."

Eriksen's translations are augmenting data that was collected by CMU over a decade ago for the only fully functional speech-to-speech Haitian-Creole system in existence, a part of the NESPOLE! translation project, which was jointly funded by the US National Science Foundation and the European Commission fifth research framework. LTI is providing the speech and text data with minimal restrictions in order to allow others to develop language technology for Haiti, in parallel with their own efforts to help with this crisis. Data is being published to the website on an ongoing basis as it is completed, in order to be of use to organizations as quickly as possible.

About Eriksen Translations Inc.
Eriksen Translations Inc. is a comprehensive provider of multilingual services in over 100 languages including translation, interpreting, typesetting, project management, Web localization, and cultural consulting. Founded in 1986, Eriksen helps organizations in a broad range of industries excel across print, desktop, and Web environments in the domestic and global marketplace. For more information, please visit www. eriksen. com.

About Carnegie Mellon University's Language Technologies Institute
The Language Technologies Institute (LTI) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) conducts extensive research on computational linguistics, machine translation, speech recognition and synthesis, information retrieval, computational biology, machine learning, text mining, knowledge representation, computer-assisted language learning, and intelligent language tutoring. For more information, please visit www. lti. cs. cmu. edu/ (http://www. lti. cs. cmu. edu/).

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WestEd Named One of the Best Places to Work in Bay Area

WestEd Named One of the Best Places to Work in Bay Area

WestEd has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Greater Bay Area. The award recognizes the agency's achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains high-quality staff.

(PRWEB) April 10, 2005

WestEd, a nonprofit research, development, and service agency, has been selected as one of the top 100 Best Places to Work in the Greater Bay Area in 2005 by the San Francisco Business Times, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, and Deloitte. This is the second consecutive year that WestEd has been so honored. The prestigious award recognizes that the agency attracts, retains, and engages high-quality employees through positive working conditions, benefits, and corporate culture.

“I am pleased and honored that WestEd has again been recognized as an outstanding place to work,” says Glen H. Harvey, WestEd’s Chief Executive Officer. “To meet our organization’s goals delivering high-quality work that makes an impact on education and human development requires exceptional commitment by a highly-talented staff. We recognize our employees’ talents and contributions by offering good benefits, implementing sound but flexible policies, and fostering supportive working conditions. WestEd’s organizational culture rewards creativity, hard work, collaboration, and mutual respect.”

This yearÂ’s awards program for the Bay Area attracted about 400 entries. Nonprofit organizations contended with for-profit corporations in this year's competition, making WestEd's high ranking an even more significant achievement.

Companies were evaluated on two types of information gathered. First, each company completed a questionnaire about their retirement plans, health insurance, performance-based reviews, employee training, tuition and transportation reimbursement, management communication with employees, and other benefits and policies.

All Bay Area-based employees of participating companies were then given an opportunity to respond online and anonymously to questions about the company. Employees responded to questions addressing pride in the company; whether and how the company encourages, supports, and recognizes achievement; open communications; fairness of compensation; and relationships with coworkers and immediate supervisors. To be eligible for the Best Places to Work list, at least 50 percent of a companyÂ’s employees had to respond to the survey. Thousands of employees took part in the survey, and their responses carried more than 60% of the weight in the final tally of scores.

"Even in the most challenging times, there were some companies that never took their eyes off the importance of investing in their most valuable assets — the ones that walk out the door at 5 o'clock (or later) every evening,” says Mary Huss, Publisher of the San Francisco Business Times. "These companies know that an engaged workforce is a productive workforce, and ultimately that has a positive impact on the bottom line. [They] exemplify why the Bay Area is such an outstanding and sought-after place to live and work."

About WestEd

WestEd, a national nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to Arizona and California. Its corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd. org.

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Global Costume Jewelry Market to Reach US$21.1 Billion By 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc

Global Costume Jewelry Market to Reach US$21.1 Billion By 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

World costume jewelry market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.63% to reach US$21.1 billion by the year 2010. The market is highly volatile and is characterized by rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer preferences for style, and design. Product lifecycles are shorter with capricious consumer tastes and preferences resulting in quick product model obsolesce. Fashion fads and trends have a profound influence on various types of costume jewelry.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 5, 2008

World costume jewelry market stands enthused by the increasing emphasis laid down by consumers on fashion and style. Demand for costume jewelry and fashion accessories, such as, rings, earrings, bracelets, bangles, lockets, and brooches, is waxing at a healthy pace, driven largely by consumer preference for affordable, yet fashionable jewelry. Costume jewelry has tailored looks and styles borrowed from fine jewelry. However, updated impressions of these are needed to supplement and accessorize the latest apparel from couture houses and the fashion industry. Fashions in costume jewelry are generally reflected in the ready-to-wear apparel and accessories industry.

Given the relative inexpensiveness and affordability of costume jewelry, purchases are predominantly impulsive especially for the younger generation. Designing of costume jewelry is closely in line with the apparel market. Strong economic development in developing countries, rise in GDP, standards of living, and disposable incomes, are all factors fuelling the market's growth. Growing sophistication of consumer tastes in the developed markets is fingered as a key reason for sales gain in these markets. Design innovations from manufacturers and fashion designers are helping attract fashion-savvy consumers. Unique designs, durability, and high quality are all variables for product success in the marketplace.

Costume jewelry market (http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp) worldwide is dominated by the United States with an estimated 32.49% share in the year 2007, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest growing market, mirroring a projected CAGR of 6.93% over the period 2000 to 2010. In the Necklaces, bracelets & chains (http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp) market, sales are forecast to rise by US$3,853 million between the period 2007 to 2015. Global sales of Brooches, Pendants & Pins (http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp) are projected to reach US$2.0 billion by the year 2015. Ear Rings (http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp) market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to grow at a robust CAGR of 9.52% over the 2011 to 2015 period.

Leading players operating in the global costume jewelry market include Avon Products Inc, Adrian Buckley Jewellery, DCK Concessions Ltd, H. Stern Com. & Ind. S. A, K&M Associates, The Colibri Group, Roman Research Inc., and Swank Inc.

The report titled "Jewelry, Costume: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides incisive insights into the emerging and dominating trends in the fashion jewelry market. The study provides updates on 'What's in' in the costume jewelry market in terms of design and fashion appeal, in addition to identifying and discussing factors propelling growth, factors affecting consumer buying decisions, and issues impacting the industry. The report profiles leading players operating in the global and regional markets. Latent demand patterns in product markets, such as, Ear Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets & Chain, Rings, Brooches, Pendants & Pins, and Cuff Links & Studs, are quantified across major geographic market verticals including the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, among others. Also provided in the report is an enumeration of recent mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities.

For more details about this research report, please visit http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp (http://www. strategyr. com/Jewelry_Costume_Market_Report. asp)

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) (http://www. strategyr. com) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press(at)StrategyR. com
Web Site www. StrategyR. com

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Volunteer Ministers: Second Scientology-Sponsored Charter Flight Takes Doctors, Ministers and Medical Supplies to Haiti

Volunteer Ministers: Second Scientology-Sponsored Charter Flight Takes Doctors, Ministers and Medical Supplies to Haiti

The second charter flight this week sponsored by the Church of Scientology arrived in Haiti today with doctors, medical supplies, Volunteer Ministers and other relief workers for the stricken country.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 22, 2010

The 168-seat aircraft departed from Los Angeles Thursday afternoon with medical personnel, specialists in water filtration and sanitation systems, telecommunications experts, emergency medical technicians and representatives from three international adoption agencies.

In Miami, more than 100 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (Association des Médecins Haïtiens a l’Etranger) joined the West Coast group before continuing to Port-au-Prince.

In Haiti, the relief workers were met by the Scientology Disaster Response Team that arrived in Port-au-Prince Sunday after flying from New York with 133 doctors and nurses from the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, paramedics from the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Volunteer Ministers (http://blog. volunteerministers. org) from a half-dozen states.

The teams, in coordination with other relief organizations, are distributing water, food and medical supplies and providing a wide range of services to support the medical professionals.

A Scientology Volunteer Minister who is a certified midwife has delivered two babies in Port-au-Prince. Others are providing trauma relief and grief counseling to relief workers and survivors of the quake.

Miami-based Prudential Aviation donated the use of the aircraft for Thursday’s charter flight and the Sunday flight from JFK. Fuel and other costs were covered by a grant from the International Association of Scientologists.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Corps (http://blog. volunteerministers. org) is an embracive program of the Church of Scientology to provide community service, disaster relief and emergency response. Created more than 30 years ago by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, the program has expanded to 203,000 Volunteer Ministers worldwide who have served at 145 worst-case disaster sites, including Ground Zero after 9/11, the Southeast Asia tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

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Stevens Point Water Department Wins “Best of the Best” Water Taste Test

Stevens Point Water Department Wins “Best of the Best” Water Taste Test

Water Provider Secures Top Honor at American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE10)

Chicago, IL (Vocus) June 23, 2010

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today announced that Wisconsin’s Stevens Point Water Department won the annual “Best of the Best” Water Taste Test. The event, composed of regional winners from water-tasting competitions across North America, was held at AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE10) in Chicago.

Stevens Point Water Department, now known throughout North America for its tasty water, has reliably provided Stevens Point residents with groundwater since 1922.

Second place in the competition was awarded to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection while Lincoln Water System of Nebraska and Silverdale Water District of Washington tied for third place.

Other “Best of the Best” participants in today’s competition included: City of Allegan, MI; City of Blythe, GA; Aurora (CO) Water; Ave Maria (FL) Utility Company; Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Village of Canajoharie (NY) Water Works; Guaraguao Treatment Plant, Ponce, PR; City of Hamilton, OH; Hardin County (KY) Water District No. 2; Kearns (UT) Improvement District; Marshalltown (IA) Water Works; Moorhead (MN) Public Service; San Patricio (TX) Municipal Water District; St. Charles (LA) Water District No. 1; City of Stratford, ON; Valley City (ND) Public Works; and the Village of Park Forest, IL.

An esteemed judging panel rated each water system on its flavor characteristics. Judges included Dr. Stephen Booth of Kennedy/Jenks, who is also chair of AWWA’s Taste and Odor Committee; Monique Durand, engineer at Hazen and Sawyer, P. C and member of the Taste and Odor Committee; Dr. Pinar Omur-Ozbek, research assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University; and Matt Rodewald, reporter for Chicago’s NBC affiliate.

This is the sixth year AWWA has held the national competition. Previous winners are Macon (GA) Water Authority (2009), the Louisville (KY) Water Company (2008), Oklahoma City Water and Wastewater Utility (2007) and Illinois American Water, Champaign District (2006 and 2005).

ACE10 gives its more than 12,000 attending water professionals a chance to network and stay abreast of innovative technology and best practices for providing safe water. To facilitate professional development, AWWA offers two exhibit hall education sessions, six in-depth Sunday workshops and 92 professional sessions.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

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Say Goodbye to the Stress of 2010 with Regular Massage at Massage Envy in 2011

Say Goodbye to the Stress of 2010 with Regular Massage at Massage Envy in 2011

A recent medical study proves the stress relieving benefits of massage

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) December 30, 2010

Massage Envy, the nation’s largest provider of therapeutic massage and the largest spa chain in the U. S., recommends ringing in the new year with a commitment to wellness. Like eating healthier and exercising more, regular massage has been proven to improve health and reduce stress.

A recent study at Cedars Sinai Medical Center showed that biological changes occur after just one massage therapy session. Blood pressure and heart rate are reduced as well as the stress hormone cortisol. In addition to reducing stress, massage therapy can address chronic aches and pains. Massage Envy has more than 900,000 members across the U. S. who take advantage of the massage and spa offerings at the 653 Massage Envy centers in 43 states. At Massage Envy Spa locations, members and guests can receive Murad healthy skin facials in addition to massage.

“Make a resolution to do something healthy that’s relaxing and enjoyable as well,” said Massage Envy’s Vice President of Industry Relations and Product Development CG Funk. “With a customized massage session, therapists can focus on specific needs, like incorporating deep tissue massage for muscle pain or Swedish massage for overall stress relief.

Plan on making 2011 your healthiest year ever by including regular massage therapy in your wellness plan. Visit http://www. MassageEnvy. com to find a location near you and start enjoying the benefits of Massage Envy’s professional, affordable and convenient massage and spa services.

About Massage Envy
Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise of massage centers is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Massage Envy Spa is its newest concept, offering Murad® healthy skin facials as well as therapeutic massages. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has 653 locations in 43 states, with new centers opening every month. The company was recently named a top AllBusiness (a D&B company) AllStar Franchise, and is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). For more information, visit http://www. MassageEnvy. com.

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Consumer Driven Health Care

Consumer Driven Health Care

Consumer Driven Health Care is helping people to afford the health care they need without having to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for an insurance policy that doesn't cover what is needed.

Reno, Nevada (PRWEB) December 10, 2005 -

In today's day and age, health care is getting more expensive and many insurance policies are not affordable for the average person and their families. So what do we do?

Can we afford the cost of health care?

Most of us can't and we do not seek it because it just costs too much, especially if we don't have insurance. Even if we do have insurance, what is the cap? What is our deductible? And what if we have a pre-existing condition? American health is falling rapidly because we just can't afford health anymore!

Our company has provided a way for people without insurance or inadequate insurance to get the health care they need. And as of December 5, 2005, we have rolled out a Health Plan that will give a 50% or more discount on medical services including laboratory work, MRI's, CAT Scans and more. This health plan includes 80% savings on Dental, Vision, RX and Chiropractic benefits for a very low, affordable, monthly cost. It covers individuals as well as full households and that is even if some in the household are not related!

We have over 500,000 providers spread out over 50 states. No matter where one lives, there is a provider close by.

With our plan all pre-existing conditions are accepted. There are no waiting periods; no contracts to sign; no deductibles; doctors or dentists can be changed at any time without having to notify anyone. We make it easier to get the attention needed.

Our Health Plan includes a concierge service for our members so they do not need to find a doctor or facility on their own. Our service will do all the work for them at no extra cost.

Our company also offers the opportunity for any one looking for a viable Home Business to enjoy the savings as well as working from home while getting paid daily and building a true residual income.

Whether it's wanting to Save Money or Make Money, you are invited to look at both opportunities.

Consumer Driven Health Care will literally save lives in more ways than one.

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