The unique technology used in this process allows the production of high numerical aperture fiber in high volume at less than half the cost of competing technologies. The capacity of Remspec’s facility for 500/600 µm core/clad fiber is over 20 km per year with other sizes available to volume purchasers. This fiber, while not suitable for high power laser applications is, with its high numerical aperture (0.6), well suited for spectroscopy, pyrometry and other low power applications. Unclad fiber is also available and is suitable for distributed chemical sensors.

This development makes Remspec the only fully integrated producer of mid-IR fiber-optic spectroscopy systems. “Being in full control of the manufacturing process from drawing fiber to manufacturing the final system will enable industry leading quality and consistency in our products,” according to the company’s president.

As part of the transfer process Remspec has invested in equipment improvements that have led to better yields and product consistency.

About Remspec:

Remspec, with manufacturing located in Charlton, Massachusetts, was founded in 1993 to pioneer and develop the market for fiber-optic probes and chemical sensors that operate in the mid infrared or fingerprint region of the optical spectrum. Since then, Remspec has been the leader in development and manufacture of cables, spectroscopic probes, and integrated systems using mid-IR optical fiber. Products such as ReactionView® for real-time reaction monitoring, SpotView® for trace surface analysis and cleaning validation, ArtView™ for non-destructive analysis of paintings and museum objects, and TissueView™ for in-vivo evaluation of skin and other tissue, are all technology leaders in their fields.

Information about the fiber products may be found at http://www.ir-fiber.com .

Product and pricing inquiries can be directed to sales@ir-fiber.com.

Information about spectroscopy products may be found at http://www.remspec.com .

Product and pricing inquiries can be directed to sales@remspec.com.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Dr. Spitz started the Shoe Drive program after hearing from his patients – especially from women – they often had a closet full of shoes in excellent condition that were no longer being worn.

“I thought that these shoes could be put to good use at homeless shelters. Many residents of these shelters suffer from a wide variety of foot problems from wearing improper shoes – conditions like bunions, corns, calluses and heel pain. Some have diabetes and peripheral neuropathy which is particularly dangerous if the wrong shoe style or size is worn,” says Dr. Spitz.

Following the Shoe Drive, Dr. Spitz resumes his regular duties as the director of the Foot Pain Center and CEO of Footpaincenter.com – a company that provides information on foot pain, foot conditions, and comfort and performance footwear; and foot health for diabetes.

“The Shoe Drive has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Since its inception we have donated over 30,000 shoes to homeless shelters. The donated shoes provide comfort and protection and in some cases the dressier shoes are worn for job interviews.”

Information about the Shoe Drive: June 11-15, 2012 – shoes in good condition should be dropped off at the Foot Pain Center: 1920 St. Andrews Drive, Seal Beach, CA 90740

About Dr. Marc Spitz:

Dr. Spitz is a well known author and lecturer and a leading podiatrist in Southern California. He graduated from The California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1973 and was the chief podiatry resident at Magnolia Hospital in Long Beach California. He is the co-author of “The Numb Foot Book” (ISBN: 978-0978182052), a guide to the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy. His recently published article, alternative treatment options for the management of diabetic neuropathy, appeared in the Pain Practitioner – the Journal for the American Academy of Pain Management.

For more information, visit: www.footpaincenter.com or www.DrMarcSpitz.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Dr. Marion started her visit at local hot-spot Voodoo Doughnuts, where she was presented with a custom-made 3in4 Need More doughnut. The establishment also unveiled a ‘Guitar Rocking Granny’ doughnut to commemorate Portland’s participation in the nationwide Bring Your Talent contest, which is co-sponsored by Emeritus Senior Living and the 3in4 Need More campaign. The grand prize winner will receive a year’s free rent at an Emeritus Senior Living community. The local leg of the competition took place at Emeritus Senior Living in southeast Portland, after a speech by Dr. Marion; she was also interviewed by Lars Larson on his KXL radio show at 101FM.

“In today’s busy world, it’s easy to push aside important issues such as long term care planning,” said Terry Truesdell, President and CEO of the National LTC Network. “Events like this help people pause and think about how they would handle a long term care need. It also encourages them to seriously consider long term care insurance as a solution for this risk. On behalf of all our colleagues at The Network, I congratulate Mike Skiens and MasterCare Solutions on a job well done in Portland.”

About MasterCare Solutions:

MasterCare Solutions is a national insurance brokerage with nearly 25 years of experience focusing exclusively on long term care insurance. MasterCare is a proud sponsor of the 3in4 Need More campaign; the firm’s President, Mike Skiens, currently serves as Chairman of the National LTC Network’s Board of Directors. Information: www.ltcexperts.com .

About The Network:

Since 1994, the National LTC Network has been a national leader in long term care insurance distribution, counting among its 30 member firms some of the most respected and successful firms in the industry – including trailblazers in workplace sales, association sales, and traditional individual sales. Information: http://www.nltcn.com .

The National LTC Network is proud to be a major supporter of the 3 in 4 Need More campaign.

About 3in4 Need More:

The 3in4 Need More campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of planning for one’s long term care needs; it is a public service of the 3in4 Association, a nonprofit 501(c) (6) corporation. Information: www.3in4needmore.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

FSRs summarize Demotech’s opinion of the financial stability of an insurer regardless of general economic conditions or the phase of the underwriting cycle. FSRs utilize statutory financial data based on insurance accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

“We are extremely proud to have earned our ‘A, Exceptional’ rating from Demotech.” says Corey Little, Chief Executive Officer of Arkansas Mutual. “After five years in business, this designation confirms the financial integrity and stability that is so critical to our business and to our policyholders.”

About Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company:

Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company, a not-for-profit organization, is the only medical liability insurance provider that is headquartered in Arkansas and dedicated to serving only Arkansas-based medical professionals. Founded in 2008, Arkansas Mutual is owned and governed by its physician policyholders. Visit www.arkansasmutual.com for more information.

About Demotech, Inc.

Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Since 1985, Demotech has been serving the insurance industry by providing actuarial consulting and accurate and proven Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs). FSRs are a leading indicator of the financial stability of a company.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Last December, Mrs. Yvonne Keller sent her son to enroll in the Narconon program (http://www.narconon.ca). Unfortunately, according to Ahern, he very soon manifested violent and irrational behavior demonstrating that he was not qualified to do the Narconon drug-free, educational model. In addition, he expressed heatedly that he himself had no desire to do the program. After six days of refusal to receive services, Narconon Trois-Rivieres, says Ahern, had no choice but to let him leave the facility. He was happy that he could leave, as was appropriate since he did not wish to be there of his own choice, and he was put on a bus home.

“We totally agree with the comments made by Mrs. Keller to CBC News,” said Ahern, regarding her dismay that she could find no public treatment available for her son and that lack of treatment beds has been a huge obstacle for years. “We sincerely hope that Mrs. Keller will find a suitable program that will be able to help her son,” says Ahern.

Narconon centers deliver a drug free program model that has saved tens of thousands of lives from people worldwide. Narconon drug rehab is licensed to use and delivers a secular program model, based on years of research by author and humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard. Also known as the founder of Scientology, Mr. Hubbard had spent years looking into the effects of drugs on the mind and body when he responded in the late 1960s to a request for help from heroin addict William Benitez, who had just founded the Narconon program in Arizona State Prison, based on his own reading of Mr. Hubbard’s works.

“From the beginning,” says Ahern, “Bill Benitez said that this model of drug rehabilitation would be based on Hubbard’s concept of raising life skills and personal ability.” From this beginning, the secular Narconon program has expanded to be used by centers around the world (www.narconon.org).

“We have so many letters of thanks from parents or others about the recovery of a loved one,” says Ahern.

Quoting from just one letter sent to a Toronto newspaper just last week:

“My daughter lost her way while attending university in Toronto. She is beautiful, intelligent and very talented. A new love introduced her to cocaine and a nightmare was born.

“I was desperate to rescue my daughter and my Internet search led me to Narconon…

“For 4 months, I had support from the Narconon [Trois-Rivieres] staff and I was given as much information as I needed to calm my fears. I visited the center as often as I wanted…I knew she was getting tools for her to apply to her life and they would always stay with her…She was progressing, changing, and recovering.

“…I will always remain grateful to Narconon and their belief in aiding people to conquer their addiction. What a challenge! Today my daughter is clean and much better equipped to solve the ups and downs that life brings to us.

“Did Narconon save my daughter’s life? Of this, I have no doubt.”

L.S., Kingston, Ontario.

David Love, who made numerous negative comments in the CBC interview with Mrs. Keller, was also a student at Narconon Trois-Rivieres for 5 months. Love has said publicly that he had been a drug addict for 35 years. While he was in the program, he wrote voluntarily a number of remarkable success stories about his wins and gains.

“It strikes me most strange,” says Ahern, “that Love is now attacking the very group that per his earlier statements saved his life. He changed his mind, apparently, after he began receiving payments from members of the Anonymous criminal network, dozens of whom have been arrested around the world recently. But what did David Love say when he was actually here, doing the program? Here is just one sample in Love’s own writing from 8 March, 2009.”

“Wow! This was a ‘Big One.’ Over the past 4 decades, I have been to several detox and rehab centers across Canada. I thought I was OK and ‘good to go’ but soon after leaving the centers, I was addicted again and in worse condition. I was lost, afraid, and expressed a lot of anger because of the pain. I felt that too much time has passed and perhaps I was ‘unfixable.’ In fact, half way through [this Narconon course], I discussed this with a Narconon staff member. I was assured that if I just followed the program and ‘let it happen’ that I was ‘fixable.’ This assurance helped a lot. Although I still had some reservations, I began to focus on where I was and what I was doing. You can only understand it once you do it… and it is amazing and incredible! This book has helped to change my life. Now I have a life. I am here and I am alive. I was fixable.”

**Original handwritten copy (PDF): http://www.narconon.ca/DavidLoveaboutNarcononTroisRivieres2009.pdf .

That, says Ahern, is the true product of Narconon – “Now I have a life. I am here and I am alive. I was fixable.”

More information: http://www.narconon.ca/ .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

When fully functional, this energy field is far reaching. In fact, in its basic form, it embodies seven major layers powered through seven major energy centers called Chakras.

“We are excited to share that we have discovered a way to use this auric field to influence specific bio-triggers which vibrate at a designated combination of frequencies,” explains Richard Eaton, president, AlphaBio Centrix.

These frequencies communicate with, and enhance the body’s natural energetic system. By wearing the TheraEX “Bio App” 24 hours a day for the duration of the protocol, the body is immersed in a corrective, informational and energetic exchange that promotes the balance of weak, disturbed and overactive energy.

AlphaBio Centrix uses a special substrate material for TheraEX (“Therapeutic Experience”) that is sensitive to radio frequencies and is bonded to a non-latex woven medical pad manufactured by 3M Company. It’s been formulated with an adhesive made for different types of skin conditions. This substrate material is then transformed by Infusion Technology, adding digital information onto the material.

These Bio Apps are an ideal alternative health care solution, and according to its recent research studies, mounting stress problems are causing an overwhelming effect on people’s health and emotional problems. Stress factors include: today’s uncertain work environment; and increasing workloads which may result in work-related injuries and health problems.

For more information on TheraEX(TM) visit: http://alphabiocentrix.com/products/thera-ex-apps-for-healing-and-frequency-medicine/ .

AlphaBio Centrix is also developing other products that are uniquely positioned to sell to homeopathic doctors and other health care professionals.

For more information on the company, visit: www.alphabiocentrix.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The coveted Top 10 Innovative Technology Company Awards recognize Georgia-based companies for their innovation, financial impact and their efforts at spreading awareness of Georgia’s technology initiatives throughout the U.S. and beyond. Each Top 10 company presented their innovation on-stage during the 2012 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS) on March 28, 2012, at Cobb Galleria Centre.

“Red Bag Solutions’ technology is not only changing the medical waste disposal industry, the company is also putting Georgia on the map as a state where technology innovation can thrive,” said Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. “We applaud each of these companies for standing out as leaders in Georgia’s technology community and look forward to showcasing them at our annual Georgia Technology Summit.”

Red Bag Solutions (www.redbagozone.com) offers patented technology and equipment for the on-site processing of regulated medical waste. Since 1990 Red Bag Solutions has offered Steam Sterilization and Maceration (SSM) for safe, community friendly on-site processing of bio-hazardous waste. In 2011, Red Bag Solutions released its new Ozone Sterilization and Maceration (OSM) technology, a groundbreaking innovation for which it is being recognized as TAG Top 10 Company. Ozone sterilization and maceration is more environmentally friendly and less costly than comparable bio-hazardous waste management alternatives and represents a giant leap forward in sustainable bio-hazardous waste management.

“The competition for Top 10 recognition was particularly fierce this year,” said Dennis Zakas, a partner and founder of Zakas & Leonard, LLP, Chair of Group Office Buys, LLC, and chairperson of the Top 40 Selection Committee. “The Top 10 demonstrate the depth and breadth of Georgia’s technology community. We are pleased to recognize this group of companies and believe that the community will be just as impressed as we are by their innovation and impact on Georgia’s technology industry.”

The Georgia Technology Summit is TAG’s flagship event that brings together C-level executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia to celebrate and recognize Georgia’s technology community. This year’s theme, Innovation: The Path to a Bright Future, builds upon TAG’s public awareness campaign to promote Georgia’s technology industry through an emphasis on the fastest-growing tech clusters in the state, including health IT, information security, financial technology, logistics and communication services.

About Red Bag Solutions:

Founded in 1989, Baltimore, Md.-based Red Bag Solutions (RBS) provides technology and services for on-site processing of bio-hazardous waste. The company has manufactured and sold its SSM (Steam Sterilization and Maceration) systems throughout the world. In November 2011, RBS launched its patent-pending Ozone Sterilization and Maceration (OSM) system for European markets. OSM processed waste is sterile, safe, and unrecognizable. It can be recycled or disposed of with ordinary municipal trash. OSM will be available to U.S. customers in Spring 2012. Red Bag Solutions’ customers include hospitals, medical providers, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the United States, South America and Europe. For more information visit http://www.redbagozone.com .

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG):

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 15,000 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

TAG’s Top 40 Awards are presented to Georgia technology companies based on degree of innovation, the scope and financial impact of their innovations and effect of such innovation in promoting Georgia’s technology industry throughout the U.S. and globally.

Red Bag Solutions offers patented technology and equipment for the on-site processing of regulated medical waste. Since 1990 Red Bag Solutions has offered Steam Sterilization and Maceration (SSM) for safe, community friendly on-site processing of bio-hazardous waste. In 2011, Red Bag Solutions released its new Ozone Sterilization and Maceration (OSM) technology, a groundbreaking innovation for which it is being recognized as TAG Top 40 Company. Ozone sterilization and maceration is more environmentally friendly and less costly than other bio-hazardous waste management alternatives and represents a giant leap forward in sustainable bio-hazardous waste management.

“The Top 40 companies are shining examples of what makes Georgia a hotbed for innovation in technology,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “Georgia is home to more than 13,000 technology companies, so we applaud the 2012 Top 40 finalists for standing out as leaders in innovation and in Georgia’s technology community. These are the types of companies that will help Georgia become recognized as one of the top states in the nation for technology.”

The Georgia Technology Summit is TAG’s flagship event that brings together C-level executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia to celebrate and recognize Georgia’s technology community. This year’s theme, Innovation: The Path to a Bright Future, builds upon TAG’s public awareness campaign to promote Georgia’s technology industry through an emphasis on the fastest-growing tech clusters in the state, including health IT, information security, financial technology, logistics and communication services.

“This year we had a 30 percent increase in the number of applications over the past few years. We were very impressed by the quality and breadth of technology companies that applied,” said Dennis Zakas, a partner and founder of Zakas & Leonard, LLP, Chair of Group Office Buys, LLC, and chairperson of the Top 40 Selection Committee. “It was very difficult to choose the Top 40 because of the large number of deserving companies. We expect great things from our winners.”

About Red Bag Solutions:

Founded in 1989, Baltimore, Md.-based Red Bag Solutions (RBS) provides technology and services for on-site processing of bio-hazardous waste. The company has manufactured and sold its SSM (Steam Sterilization and Maceration) systems throughout the world. In November 2011, RBS launched its patent-pending Ozone Sterilization and Maceration (OSM) system for European markets. OSM processed waste is sterile, safe, and unrecognizable. It can be recycled or disposed of with ordinary municipal trash. OSM will be available to U.S. customers in Spring 2012. Red Bag Solutions’ customers include hospitals, medical providers, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the United States, South America and Europe. For more information visit www.redbagozone.com .

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG):

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 15,000 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com . To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/ .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The 20th Annual Fresh Start for Kids Celebrity Golf Classic will support Fresh Start’s life-changing medical services for disadvantaged children – Fresh Start provides reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services for children suffering from physical deformities.

Fresh Start gives children:
* a future free of a physical deformity;
* safe, comprehensive medical care;
* and improved confidence and self-esteem.

The festivities begin on Sunday, March 18, 2012 with a pre-tournament welcome dinner held at Morgan Run Club & Resort in San Diego, California. The dinner will feature guest speaker Carmen, a Fresh Start patient who suffers from amelogenesis imperfecta, a tooth development disorder which caused her teeth to become easily damaged and not develop enamel. The pre-party also includes dinner, cocktails, entertainment, and a live and silent auction.

The next day, March 19, 2012, foursomes will be paired with a celebrity to participate in contests and sample delicious food and beverages at each hole from local San Diego restaurants. Current celebrities participating include Marcus Allen, David Justice, Quentin Jammer, Christopher Knight, John Carney, Vince Coleman, James Lofton, Alfonso Ribeiro, Grant Show, and more.

Foursomes start at $2,500 and sponsorships start at $500. For more details, visit http://www.freshstart.org .

About Fresh Start Surgical Gifts:

Fresh Start is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Carlsbad, California that provides free reconstructive surgery, laser treatments, speech therapy and dental procedures for disadvantaged infants, children, and young adults with physical deformities. All services are provided in San Diego by a team of more than 600 local volunteers. Since incorporation in 1991, Fresh Start has provided over $21 Million of free medical services to over 5,600 children. For more information please visit http://www.freshstart.org .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Dr. Lawrence Menendez and Dr. Daniel Allison, Orthopedic Surgeons at the University of Southern California Medical Center, partnered with TeDan Surgical to design and develop this innovative retractor.

Dr. Allison shared their idea with the TSI team. “We wanted to create a system that could place the anterior approach to hip replacement into the hands of any orthopedic surgeon, minimizing trauma to the patient’s soft tissues and bone, while taking away the need for any surgical assistants.”

The Phantom Series MIS Anterior Hip Retractor System has been used in surgery over twenty times. Evaluations by surgeons have deemed the system a success.

According to Dr. Menendez, initial trials exceeded expectations. “We were nervous before the first surgery that things wouldn’t come together or the surgery would become more complicated, but from the first go-round, the surgery was made much easier. Since then we’ve only been making it better. We set some lofty goals and feel like we’ve accomplished them. We are very excited to start giving this system to other surgeons and patients.”

With the realization that performing hip replacements through the anterior approach may expedite patient recovery time and reduce post-operative discomfort, surgeons, with increasing frequency, are opting to operate using the anterior technique. Previously, this technically demanding approach has only been possible using a Judet style fracture table and two surgical assistants. The Phantom MIS Anterior Hip Retractor System allows surgeons to access the surgical site through the anterior approach on a standard operating table without a fracture table or additional personnel.

About TeDan Surgical Innovations:

Founded in 2006 with the goal to innovate existing retraction techniques, TeDan Surgical has become an industry leader in access instrumentation. TeDan’s patented retractors increase visibility for surgeons while decreasing patient wound size and the potential for tissue trauma. Experience the difference. Experience Innovation.

To learn how to maintain operative independence visit: http://www.tedansurgical.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.