Daily Archives: September 25, 2013

Government

ALIPAC Drops Endorsement of Bob Goodlatte for Supporting Obama’s Amnesty for illegals

Leave a comment

ALIPAC is dropping their standing endorsement of Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) (202-225-5431) today due to Goodlatte’s support for Obama’s illegal alien amnesty plans, which would entail changing current immigration and border laws to accommodate millions of illegal immigrants and their employers!

Raleigh, NC, USA (September 25, 2013) — Contact: ALIPAC (866) 703-0864 / Press@alipac.us

ALIPAC is dropping their standing endorsement of Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) (202-225-5431) today due to Goodlatte’s support for Obama’s illegal alien amnesty plans, which would entail changing current immigration and border laws to accommodate millions of illegal immigrants and their employers!

Bob Goodlatte is John Boehner’s appointed chairman of the powerful House Judicial Committee which intends to pass some bills next month designed to legalize illegal aliens starting with young immigration law violators and then all others eventually.

“We are dropping our endorsement of Bob Goodlatte due to his support for amnesty for illegal aliens,” said William Gheen, President of ALIPAC. “He really had us fooled due to his past strong scores with NumbersUSA. We are now actively seeking a strong GOP primary challenger for Goodlatte in 2014 who will inform and organize the more than 80% of Republican voters who disagree with Goodlatte’s support for Obama’s illegal alien amnesty plans!”

ALIPAC is America’s largest grass roots Political Action Committee fighting against illegal immigration and any form of amnesty for illegal aliens. Founded on 9/11 of 2004, ALIPAC currently endorses more than 140 federal candidates, but has recently had to rescind endorsements for a small group of GOP members of Congress who have betrayed their constituents on immigration issues by changing their positions to support amnesty for illegals.

Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) are being added to a list of 28 GOP members of Congress who now support Obama’s illegal alien amnesty plan.

ALIPAC is pointing out that if sellouts like Poe and Goodlatte succeed in legalizing millions of illegal aliens, any future hopes of border security, immigration law enforcement, or protections for American workers, students, taxpayers, and voters will become politically impossible. Such an amnesty will also quickly attract the next waves of tens of millions of illegal aliens from 3rd world areas just like the prior amnesty of 1986 did.

For more information about ALIPAC’s efforts to stop the degradation and destruction of the United States from amnesty for illegal aliens, or to schedule interviews, please visit http://www.ALIPAC.us or http://www.AgainstAmnesty.com.

Healthcare

Colorado HealthOP Turns Health Insurance Upside Down with Focus on Choice and Prevention, Not Profits

Leave a comment

New Health Insurance CO-OP Announces Five Progressive Programs that Give Coloradans More Control Over Their Medical Costs and Care

Denver, CO, September 25, 2013 — Colorado HealthOP, Colorado’s first statewide non-profit health insurance cooperative (CO-OP), announced today that it will offer five progressive programs designed to give consumers more choice in their healthcare, help them stay healthier and ultimately reduce their healthcare spending.

“Because Colorado HealthOP reports to members, not shareholders, investing in members’ long-term health – not short-term profits – is a priority,” said Jack Westfall, MD, chief medical officer of Colorado HealthOP. “By investing in preventive care and giving members more choices, we will not only improve members’ health, but also hope to save them more money now and in the future.”

Colorado HealthOP’s five programs emphasize preventive care and encourage members to make choices that help them get healthy, stay healthy, and save money.

1. Rewards Members for Staying Healthy
Under most of Colorado HealthOP’s health insurance plans, when members take three health actions each, they will:
* Pay less out-of-pocket when they visit the doctor.
* Earn money on a debit card to use to pay for healthcare expenses.

2. Partners With Doctors that Cost Less
Colorado HealthOP members have two ways of saving money when they go to the doctor.
* Members can choose a plan with a more limited network that costs less.
* Colorado HealthOP has partnered with doctors who believe in the CO-OP’s mission. When members go to these doctors, they often pay less.

3. Helps Children Remain Cavity Free at Three
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in young children, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Yet the majority of health plans do not cover infant and toddler oral care provided by a primary care physician. Colorado HealthOP will pay for covered children to receive four oral health visits, including preventive fluoride varnish, between the ages of 6 months and 4 years from their primary care provider. The CO-OP is partnering with Cavity Free at Three, a program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to train primary care physicians to provide dental care for infants.

4. Covers Home Blood Pressure Monitoring at 100 Percent
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for anyone with high blood pressure. When people measure their blood pressure at home several times a week and report it to their doctors online, doctors see a more accurate picture of health and can more quickly respond to issues, helping people with high blood pressure better manage their condition. Colorado HealthOP will cover 100 percent of the costs associated with home monitoring for its members with high blood pressure. And finally Colorado HealthOP will pay primary care providers an annual fee to cover home blood pressure management.

5. Gives Members the Tools to Price Shop
While most people compare prices when purchasing almost anything, few price shop when seeking medical care. To help its members compare costs prior to seeking medical care, Colorado HealthOP will provide pricing and quality ratings for local providers of surgery, medical tests and other common procedures.

“Colorado HealthOP is not just a health insurance company; we partner with our members and their providers,” said Dr. Westfall. “We believe that the role of health insurance extends beyond covering people when they’re sick or injured; we want to support our members’ health, nutrition and fitness, and help them be more informed consumers of healthcare services.”

For more information about Colorado HealthOP or to learn more about changes in healthcare, visit www.COHealthOP.org.

About Colorado HealthOP:
Colorado HealthOP offers a new alternative to traditional health insurance in Colorado. A nonprofit health insurance cooperative, Colorado HealthOP and its members are committed to providing affordable, quality coverage to individuals and employers interested in making a difference in their own health, their employees’ health and the health of their community. Colorado HealthOP aims to improve health outcomes by putting the responsibility for consumers’ care back into the hands of the cooperative’s members and providers. A private market solution tailored for individuals and employers, Colorado HealthOP will begin open enrollment in October 2013 via Connect for Health Colorado, Colorado’s health insurance marketplace, and through independent brokers and agents. Coverage will begin January 1, 2014. For more information about Colorado HealthOP, please visit www.COHealthOP.org or call 720.627.8900.

Contact:
Anna Beaty
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, Colo., 80206
303-433-7020
anna.beaty@COHealthOP.org
http://www.COHealthOP.org

Business

NanoMarkets Issues New Report Examining Use of Quantum Dots in Lighting and Displays

Leave a comment

NanoMarkets today announced the release of its new report, “Market Opportunities for Quantum Dots in Lighting and Displays.”

Glen Allen, Virginia (September 25, 2013) — Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets today announced the release of its new report, “Market Opportunities for Quantum Dots in Lighting and Displays.” In the report the firm states that quantum dots (QDs) will create significant opportunities for electronics manufacturers in the coming years through their ability to enable the creation of higher value intermediary products. Furthermore, the arrival of QDs will pose a significant threat to OLED displays and lighting.

Additional details about the report are available at: http://www.nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/market_opportunities_for_quantum_dots.

About the Report:
This new NanoMarkets report provides an in depth market analysis of the opportunities emerging within the field of quantum dots (QDs), examining the latest products, strategies and technical developments in electronics applications for these emerging materials. Within the report we assess how QDs are likely to penetrate addressable markets in lighting and display applications and along what time horizon. We also examine the technology hurdles facing QDs broader adoption and how the industry will resolve them. The report also evaluates the potential of QDs vs. competing technologies and provides NanoMarkets opinions on how well QDs will fare.

The report also includes NanoMarkets’ assessments of the strategies of leading firms active in the QD space with attention paid as to which are the companies to watch in the market. In addition, detailed and granular forecasts of QD shipments in volume and value terms and by application will be provided.

From the Report:
The value of quantum dot material will be less than $200 million in 2018 growing to $560 million by 2020. Yet there are immediate opportunities to create and sell higher value-added intermediary products using QDs. An example here is 3M’s Quantum Dot Enhancement Film (QDEF) which is designed to make it easier for display makers to enhance existing backlighting units (BLUs) with QDs. There is also potential for distinguishing QD products at the material level by adding tunability or making them cadmium-free. High-performance blue QDs will also find a ready market.

TVs, cell phones and notebooks with QD-enhanced LCD displays are already being sold, with Sony, LG, Samsung and Sharp backing this technology. NanoMarkets expects that such products will clock up a healthy $10.5 billion at retail as early as 2016. While some big display firms are doing their own R&D, most are licensing the technology from startups such as QD Vision, Nanosys, Nano Photonica, and Nanoco Group.

Light-emitting QDs may eventually prove a serious challenge to OLEDs in the future. OLED displays are being promoted because of their excellent color and suitability for flexible displays; attributes that QDs can match. However, light-emitting QDs promise better power efficiency with the same level of color purity. In addition, QD emitters do not become burned out in the way that OLEDs do. Although, displays using emissive displays have not shipped yet, by 2018 they are expected to reach $7.3 billion at retail.

About NanoMarkets:
NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging markets in energy, electronics and other area created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of in the transparent conductor industry.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets’ reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
(804) 938-0030
rob@nanomarkets.net
http://www.nanomarkets.net

Education

Ecotech Institute’s Energy Efficiency Program Now Provides Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certification

Leave a comment

In 2014, Ecotech Institute will also add a new energy efficiency lab to help students prepare for certification

Denver, Colorado, September 24, 2013 – Ecotech Institute, the only college entirely focused on renewable energy training, now provides students in Ecotech Institute’s Energy Efficiency degree program the opportunity to earn Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certification. BPI sets the national standards for energy efficiency retrofits and professional credentials. Many state-run energy efficiency and weatherization programs require BPI certifications.

Interest in energy efficiency continues to grow in all sectors of the economy, as both homeowners and businesses look for ways to control rising energy costs.

“As more people seek ways to improve their energy efficiency, individuals with deep knowledge in renewable energy systems are becoming a valuable asset in businesses,” said Tiffany Burton, program director for Ecotech’s Energy Efficiency program. “Ecotech has asked employers what skills they desire in employees and we often hear that people with BPI Certification is key; that’s why our curriculum now includes that critical designation.”

Starting in 2014, Ecotech Institute Energy Efficiency students will also be able to use a new on-site energy efficiency lab that will help prepare students for BPI certification.

“Our new lab will once again set Ecotech apart from other institutions that don’t specialize in renewable energy and energy efficiency education,” added Burton. “Having this equipment on campus will be a terrific asset for our students.”

Facility Management is another program at Ecotech Institute where energy efficiency is becoming more important. Now, more than ever, the role of a facilities manager involves developing and implementing plans that incorporate energy efficiency into buildings, drastically changing how they are managed on a daily basis. People who work as facilities managers plan, manage and optimize critical facility operations and maintenance for a variety of buildings, grounds and equipment, and Ecotech Institute is educating future facilities managers on how to keep energy conservation top of mind.

According to Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index, in August 2013 there were more than 5,100 jobs posted in the U.S. related to facilities management energy efficiency. To see open positions in each state, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com/cleanjobsindex. A sample of possible facilities management jobs that graduates of this program could be qualified for include: energy manager, facilities manager, maintenance supervisor, grounds and plant manager. Energy efficiency jobs include work on building retrofits, home weatherization, lighting upgrades and grid infrastructure.
 
Ecotech Institute, based in Aurora, Colo., now has more than 500 students who came to Ecotech Institute from across the country for practical training in the growing field of sustainability. In addition to the Facility Management Technology and Energy Efficiency programs, Ecotech Institute currently offers the following six associate degree programs:

* Solar Energy Technology
* Wind Energy Technology
* Renewable Energy Technology
* Electrical Energy Technology
* Power Utility Technician
* Business Administration – Sustainability.

For more information on Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Ecotech Institute:
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers six highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
720-244-4268
jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

AssessmentTA from ExamSoft Helps Faculty Members Give Students More than Just a Grade

Leave a comment

Leading provider of intelligent assessments offers new way for faculty to enrich the feedback students receive, improve the way exams are created, delivered, and analyzed, saving faculty valuable time, so they can focus on instruction instead of grading

Dallas, Texas, September 24, 2013 – ExamSoft, the leading provider of intelligent embedded assessment solutions, today announced, AssessmentTA, a combination of easy-to-use software and dedicated services that will help faculty focus on teaching, provide direct-evidence of student learning, and spend less time grading. Assessment TA streamlines the creation and delivery of exams and enables faculty to track and measure performance across learning objectives. Provided at no cost to faculty or the institution, AssessmentTA includes personalized help from ExamSoft’s assessment experts to ensure faculty members are fully supported as they use the system. A software fee for students is less than most college-level textbooks and covers unlimited exams per semester.

AssessmentTA enables faculty to tag questions to various learning objectives, which are stored in a database so they can be tracked across an exam or course. This helps instructors see a blueprint of each exam broken out by learning objective, making it easier to get a full picture of student performance and reduce grading time. This means faculty members can make the most of office hours or other individual guidance sessions with students and adjust exams for use in future courses. Every exam created with the intelligent assessment platform can also be delivered securely on iPads and laptops without an internet connection or via paper (Scantron).

“We are dedicated to helping faculty help every student by providing a real-time connection to direct evidence of learning. AssessmentTA provides more than just a grade, it provides personalized, real-time feedback after every assessment,” said Daniel Muzquiz, Chief Executive Officer of ExamSoft. “Essentially this platform enables faculty to easily close feedback loops with students and administrators while proving the equivalent of a full time teaching assistant to create, deliver and grade exams, quickly and easily.”

AssessmentTA is designed to expedite a process that has traditionally been arduous. When faculty members register for AssessmentTA they will work with an assessment expert from ExamSoft who will provide support, insights, and best practices for creating and analyzing assessments. ExamSoft experts can help with uploading test questions, tagging questions to learning outcomes, creating reports with meaningful feedback for students, faculty and administrators by mapping curriculum back to course and institutional learning outcomes.

“The ExamSoft platform is definitely an upgrade from the Word documents and fill-in-the-bubble system we formerly used to create exams,” said Jenifer Van Deusen, Curriculum Director at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Students appreciate the snapshot the ‘Strengths and Opportunities’ report provides. We use it to cover not only what topics but also what types of questions students are exceling at or struggling with, so they can understand how to prioritize their studying. Plus, the assurance of having the knowledgeable ExamSoft team only a phone call away provides me some peace of mind.”

The platform is free for institutions. The $25 per semester, per student fee is assessed similar to a textbook and is paid for by the student. AssessmentTA is transferable, meaning students do not have to pay multiple times if the platform is used in more than one of their classes, and includes unlimited exams. Faculty members at major institutions have already started signing up for AssessmentTA so they can give their students even more insight into their own path to success.

Individuals interested in registering their course for AssessmentTA or learning more can visit http://assessmentta.com.

About ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc.
ExamSoft provides scalable and flexible intelligent assessment solutions that give educators actionable outcomes data and insights to help every student. Its software puts the data back in the hands of faculty and enables clients to more efficiently and practically administer direct assessments and analyze resulting data to improve curricular design, test design, and accreditation compliance. ExamSoft has served hundreds of prominent academic, certification, and licensing institutions for more than 15 years and has successfully administered millions of exams. For more information, please visit www.examsoft.com, or follow ExamSoft on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Anne Jenkins
Communication Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
703-624-6125
ajenkins@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com