NEW YORK, May 16, 2012 — Madison Realty Capital (MRC), an institutionally backed commercial real estate investment firm and asset manager specializing in flexible debt and equity financing solutions for middle-market transactions throughout the United States, announced that it has purchased the note and deed of 385 Union Avenue, a 6-story, 53,000-square-foot residential rental property in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for approximately $21.5 million. The property, located within one of New York’s fastest growing submarkets, includes 47 apartments, 24 parking spaces and a gym. The seller of the loan was a bank which had taken over the original failed lender on the project through an FDIC loss share deal. Joshua Zegen, Co-Founder and Managing Member of MRC, made the announcement.

“It was exciting to bring this transaction to a successful conclusion in less than 30 days. We were able to buy this transaction at a very attractive basis and well below replacement cost given the complexities of understanding all of the components and counterparties,” Mr. Zegen said. “Going forward, we expect that our vertically integrated platform, which incorporates debt, equity and development expertise, will unlock the true value of this fundamentally strong piece of real estate.”

The property is substantially complete and approaching full occupancy. The original owner had defaulted on its construction financing in 2009, and the property was placed in receivership after the original lender filed a foreclosure action.

The acquisition negotiated by Madison rescues the property from “real estate limbo” by, among other things, assuring stable ownership, providing for finishing touches on construction, and satisfying various tax and construction liens previously clouding title.

Madison’s management team intends to stabilize the property and enhance its value and visibility. Removing the uncertainty caused by financial distress will enable the building to fully compete in the market.

Madison Realty Capital (MRC)

Founded in 2004, Madison Realty Capital is an institutionally backed commercial real estate firm specializing in flexible debt and equity financing solutions for middle-market transactions throughout the United States. MRC invests in the multifamily, retail, office and industrial sectors and has completed in excess of $900 million of transactions in 28 states to date. MRC’s vertically integrated platform encompasses origination, servicing, asset management, property management and construction management expertise to maximize the value of its investments.

Contact:

Great Ink Communications – 212-741-2977
Eric Waters ()
Tom Nolan ()

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Dr. Robert Cameron, Director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, led the symposium. Dr. Cameron has been a leading proponent of lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication surgical procedures for nearly 20 years.

The distinguished faculty at this meeting included Dr. Anne Tsao from M.D. Anderson, who presented exciting information about targeted and chemo-therapy; Dr. Raja Flores from Mt. Sinai Medical Center described his personal journey from extra pleural pneumonectomy to pleurectomy/decortication; Dr. Courtney Broaddus from the University of California, San Francisco, presented truly innovative basic biology findings; and Dr. Jim teWaterNaude from the University of Cape Town gave a stirring account of the asbestos situation in South Africa.

The attendees included numerous physicians, nurses, researchers, as well as mesothelioma victims and their families.

“This symposium brings the best scientific and medical minds together to advance the treatment of mesothelioma,” said Clare Cameron, executive director of The Pacific Meso Center at The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. “The quality of the speakers and the information they shared was both interesting and educational and every faculty member thought the day was exceptional.” Clare went on to say that there already has been interest from several other speakers around the world to present their findings at the next international symposium, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013.

About The Pacific Meso Center:

The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) is a division of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research institute established in 2002, which is focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The exploration of innovative ideas forms the foundation of PMC’s unique research program and provides the promise of future treatment breakthroughs. PMC is dedicated to educating the public on asbestos-related diseases and informing them of their best treatment options. PMC also connects newly diagnosed patients with patients that have been through treatment and provides assistance and emotional support.

For further information, please contact:

Clare Cameron
310-478-4678

http://www.pacificmesocenter.org

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Higgins is also the national best-selling and award-winning author of a series of books, There Were No Parents Here, that chronicle the events of her life that led her to incarceration at the CCWF, the largest women’s detention center in the California, and her eventual redemption.

Survivor of Sexual Exploitation
Over 70,000 Books Sold!

Book Reviews – Here is what the media are saying about the books and work that she has done in the life of others …

“Janice Higgins life reads more like a Hollywood Movie Script than anything else.” – La Jolla Light News

“She is an Amazing woman with an Amazing Story.” – Fox Television

“You could easily forgive the descent into victimization; instead, a new straight-talking hero has emerged. Some stories deserve to be told more than once, first here in this book and then again, in the full dimensionality of film. This is one of them.” – Marina Martins, Lexicon Entertainment

There Were No Parents Here Series by Janice Higgins
$14.95

Book I: From the Eyes of a Child ISBN # 09709868-07 – Gentry – Parenting, Sociology, Children, Family
Description: What would push a seven-year-old child to the knife attack of her seven-year-old schoolmate? Could it be molestation? There was a murder. Where were her parents?

Book II: No Direction ISBN # 09709868–15
Description: A teenager, a fugitive from justice kidnapped from Phoenix to Hollywood and forced into the sex trade; cheating death not once, but twice.

Book III: There is Hope ISBN #09709868-23
Description: The drama and chaos continue to unfold, fighting the court system for the return of her children. Refusing to let go of a childhood belief: “All men kill.” Janice shares her story, keeping it real, behind one of the largest prisons in California, living with dangerous women. The outcome of every child’s life will impact our society for better or worse.

Community Partnership – (Available in Spanish)
Project R.A.G.E. Therapeutic Circles ISBN# 978-0-615-25830-0
Description: Ms. Higgins will include a curriculum, a step-by-step guide to corrective behavior, from her experience, strength and hope: to empower anyone to change their life and break the cycle of violence which leads to jails, other institutions or death.

Contact:

Janice Higgins
www.projectrage.org
Release Anger & Guilt for Empowerment
Nonprofit 501(c)3
PO Box 2242
Sun City, CA 92586

619-414-0011

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Chicago punk rock outfit About the Mess is set to release a split with Detroit rockers Seized Up. The two bands teamed up in early 2012 at Million Yen Studios in Chicago with engineer Jeff Dean to record four songs about Life, Love, and Partying. Entitled White City Blackouts, the album is currently available for pre-order on vinyl at http://store.whoarecords.net, with a street date of June 5th. The album will be available on iTunes, Amazon, and many other digital retailers on June 5th as well. The album features two songs from each band, including About the Mess’ new single “I Remember ’94.”

About the Mess also released a video on BlankTV to accompany their new single “I Remember ’94.” The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSMS9SeDq6o. Says About the Mess frontman Joe Mizzi, “I thought of all these great songs I grew up listening to in the ’90s about being a kid going to punk rock shows … and well, we are all grown up now, and there should be a song about that.” The video captures the feel and energy of an About the Mess live show and gives us a close-up look – maybe too close up – of what the band is all about.

To support the White City Blackouts split, About the Mess and Seized Up will play an album release show June 9 at the Cobra Lounge in Chicago. Also playing the show will be The Wanton Looks and Bottle Kids. Tickets are available for the show at http://ticketf.ly/HszELH.

Chicago rockers The Wanton Looks will be celebrating the vinyl release of their self-titled album at the June 9 show as well. Influenced by acts as diverse as the Ramones and the Ronettes, The Wanton Looks have long been known for their powerful live performances. Now they’ve masterfully captured that energy on their new 12-song self-titled album. The album can be purchased at http://store.whoarecords.net,  http://thewantonlooks.bandcamp.com, iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers.

On Saturday, June 16th, About the Mess will join Detroit-based The Black List and Smoking Popes at Small’s in Hamtramck, Michigan. Copies of The Black List’s new album, The Elephant Graveyard, will be available at the June 16 show. Black List frontman Jim says of the album, “It’s not all about aggression anymore; it’s still there, it’s just not the focus.” Albums can be pre-ordered and tracks downloaded at http://store.whoarecords.net.

Whoa! Records
P.O. Box 2731, Chicago, IL 60690
http://www.whoarecords.net
(312) 420-1989

Contact:

Joe Mizzi
Phone: (312) 420-1989
Email:

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The study, “Comparison of the Microbiological Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor and Ultraviolet Light Processes for Room Decontamination[1],” recorded before-and-after aerobic colony counts for five high-touch sites in 15 patient rooms: the bedside rail, over-bed table, TV remote, bathroom grab bar, and toilet seat. Earlier published research indicates that frequently touched environmental surfaces can be contaminated with epidemiologically important microbes (such as C. diff, VRE and MRSA) that contribute to cross-transmission of patients by contaminating the hands of healthcare workers.

For this comparison, HPV and UVC processes were performed using Clostridium difficile carrier disks. Researchers concluded, “We found that both HPV and UVC decontamination reduce bacterial contamination in patient rooms … Of the two technologies, UVC decontamination was easier to use and had significantly shorter cycle times, can be administered by personnel with only limited training, and does not require monitoring by personnel during the process.” It should be noted that the numbers of spores on the carrier disk biological indicators are “much greater than would be present on surfaces in patient rooms, which presents a difficult challenge for decontamination processes.”

As a practical application of these results, UVC (Tru-D) should be used for disinfection of high-touch noncritical environmental surfaces, as defined by the Spaulding Classification system of disinfection methods to reduce infection risks. The Spaulding Classification cites “high-touch” surfaces as identified in this comparison: bed rails, tables, BP cuffs, computers, bedpans, sink / toilet / door handles, etc.

The study also noted with the Tru-D instrument that: “Once activated by a handheld device outside the room, the device emitted UVC in the 254-nm range until all sensors on the instrument reached the desired dose of reflected light (in the UVC range) and the instrument turned itself off.”

TRU-D SmartUVC™ is the only portable UV disinfection system that precisely measures reflected UVC emissions with Sensor360™ to automatically deliver the pathogen-lethal UV dose required for each room, dynamically compensating for room size, shape and other dose-altering variables such as the position of contents, windows, blinds and doors. Tru-D uses continuous wave narrow band UVC light for a high efficiency targeting of the DNA-disrupting wavelength that stops pathogens.

For information and copies of published Tru-D efficacy data, go to www.Tru-D.com, or contact Chuck Dunn at 800-774-5799.

[1] Havill NL, Moore BA, Boyce JM; Comparison of Microbiological Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor and Ultraviolet Light Processes for Room Decontamination. 2012;33.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 16, 2012 — Efficiency is paramount when a military unit needs to mobilize. That’s why having the most advanced, lightweight and compact technologies, such as the new StarkPower Lithium Batteries (http://www.starkpower.com), are so critical to troop success. More than just a cost-saving solution, these batteries give the military an opportunity to significantly lighten their loads, improve the reliability and functionality of their operations, and boost their odds of achieving strategic goals.

“StarkPower’s Lithium Batteries are revolutionary in that these highly flexible, stand-alone battery packs have the potential to change how our military ‘powers up’ and conducts operations,” says Martin Koebler, president of StarkPower. “Either portable or stationery, these unique battery packs are great for anyone in defense, specifically communications, and who has previously depended upon conventional lead acid batteries and gas generators for energy support.”

These breakthrough lithium battery packs are maintenance-free, memory-free and assembly-free. StarkPower uses flat, large-format cells that minimize heat build-up and produce extremely low-heat signature with high current-discharge capabilities. This makes StarkPower the highest energy density and power density solution around. Additionally, StarkPower has incorporated internal, solid-state, high-amp power switches that enable greater battery reliability and flexibility. The batteries operate in a wide temperature range with exceptional cold-weather performance.

Proven to far outperform heavy, lead acid batteries, the StarkPower option works as a sole source of energy storage or with hybrid systems (e.g., solar, wind, gas generators). Current systems can be used in conjunction with this lithium solution to boost efficiency, reduce overall power use and lower energy costs.

“Each StarkPower battery pack has internal cell balancing, over-voltage and over-discharge voltage protection, and temperature control protection that uses solid-state technologies for maximum reliability,” Koebler says. “It’s pretty phenomenal and a must-have military tool in today’s arsenal of defense.”

For more information, visit: http://www.starkpower.com.

About StarkPower

Based in Charlotte, N.C., StarkPower is a premier provider of advanced technology in the field of intelligent energy storage and management, systems integration and industrial automation. StarkPower specializes in lithium battery technologies and delivers innovative energy storage solutions for even its most demanding customers. Solutions include integration and adaptation of existing, off-the-shelf technologies as well as through custom hardware and software design.

Contact:
Martin Koebler

704-804-4464

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GREENWICH, Conn., May 16, 2012 — Chief Executive Group, publisher of Chief Executive magazine and ChiefExecutive.net, today announced it had acquired Chief Executive Network (CEN), a member organization that helps chief and senior executives improve their effectiveness and gain competitive advantage.

Bob Grabill, CEO of CEN, will remain with the business in his current role, as will the entire CEN staff.

“My goal has been, and remains, to distinguish CEN as the premiere best-practices organization in the U.S.,” said Grabill. “This transaction will enable CEN to continue to flourish while maintaining our commitment to exceptional member experiences.”

In just two to three members’ meetings annually, CEN members focus on best practices that give them competitive advantage.

“For CEOs looking to learn from the hard-won experience and wisdom of peers, there is no better resource than Chief Executive Network,” said Wayne Cooper, Chairman of Chief Executive Group. “By placing CEOs in non-competitive, industry-specific groups of similar size, learning is dramatically accelerated.”

“Chief Executive Network provides no-nonsense leadership development to CEOs and their direct reports,” added Chief Executive Group CEO Marshall Cooper. “CEN isn’t for CEOs that need constant ‘spine-stiffening’: CEN members know what they need to do, and better spend their time seeking out best practices and relevant benchmarks.”

About Chief Executive Network (CEN)

Chief Executive Network is a member organization that helps chief and senior executives improve their effectiveness and gain competitive advantage. Through CEN, CEOs and senior executives share operational and strategic expertise via a structured meeting process. Members are placed in industry-specific, revenue compatible, non-competing groups to share innovative ideas, problem solving and best practices. For more information visit http://ChiefExec.com.

About Chief Executive Group

Chief Executive Group improves the effectiveness of CEOs and the organizations they lead. The company publishes Chief Executive magazine (since 1977) and ChiefExecutive.net, hosts exclusive events for CEOs to network, learn and share ideas with peers, and produces proprietary research, which gives CEOs insights into data and trends that help them more effectively lead their organizations. The Group also facilitates the annual “Chief Executive of the Year Award,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of his or her peers. Visit http://ChiefExecutive.net for more information.

Contact: Marshall Cooper
Tel: 203-930-2703

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“We have been waiting for good news in stroke for a long time, and it remains elusive for pharmacotherapy, where there were two more pivotal trial failures during 2011, from D-Pharm and Sygnis. But devices have taken the clinical high ground, particularly in clot retrieval, where Covidien‘s ‘Solitaire’ device has produced impressive results. In fact, it would not be surprising if inclusion of such devices were to become the new standard of care, with drug or cell therapy candidates utilized either as adjuncts or in post-stroke repair,” said Harry Tracy PhD, publisher of NeuroPerspective (www.niresearch.com).

Novel mechanisms for neuroprotection in stroke have underperformed, but there was some impressive albeit preliminary Phase II data from NoNo. Lundbeck is completing Phase III testing for DSPA. ReNeuron and SanBio continue with post-stroke repair programs using cell therapy; Pfizer is continuing with Phase II testing of a stroke recovery molecule, PF-03049423. BrainsGate and PhotoThera are in Phase III testing with their SPG stimulator and infrared laser therapies, respectively. The May issue of NeuroPerspective reviews these programs and their prospects.

The May issue of NeuroPerspective also includes commentary on:

1. Triage time at Targacept
2. Upcoming events in the neurotherapeutics area: ‘Blood and Roses’
3. The federal JOBS Act and the revival of sell-side analyst participation
4. The clinical irrelevance of AmyVid
5. A summary company review of NeuroKin

About NeuroPerspective

NeuroPerspective is the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area. A one-year PDF subscription is US $2,200. A three-month trial subscription is US $700.

NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the neuropharmaceutical/therapeutic industry. NI Research has published NeuroPerspective (formerly NeuroInvestment) since 1995; the Private CNS Company Review since 2003; and NeuroLicensing since 2007. NI Research has developed an unmatched information base regarding both publicly and privately held neurotherapeutics companies, and offers strategic/licensing consultation services.

For information, go to www.niresearch.com
Blog: neurogram.wordpress.com

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NEW YORK, May 16, 2012 — Freeware developer DVDVideoSoft continues to renew and enrich the 40+ multimedia tools from Free Studio package. This time the video editing program, Free Video Dub, has been renovated to satisfy the most exigent users.

Free Video Dub is an easy-to-use video editing tool to cut videos which have been recorded by any camera. The most attractive innovation is functioning without re-encoding, so Free Video Dub preserves the input video quality. All a user has to do is to set a start and an end point for the unwanted part, delete it and press the button “Save video.” The edited video is saved as a new file.

This lossless video editing program supports a variety of input video formats: *.avi, *.mpg, *.mp4, *.mkv, *.flv, *.3gp, *.webm, *.wmv. Previously only MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 were supported; now you can cut MP4 videos with h.264 and MPEG4 codecs. The program edits videos without influencing its original quality.

The company’s representative Aline Terny: “We are happy to suggest Free Video Dub 2.0.5 to you. This program lets you delete unwanted parts from video files without re-encoding and that means that the program preserves original quality of the input video files. We ourselves like to use this program as it functions easily and fast. We’d like to share this tool with you.”

The updated Free Video Dub 2.0.5 as well as the whole set of DVDVideoSoft tools Free Studio 5.4.8 can be downloaded from the company’s website www.dvdvideosoft.com.

About DVDVideoSoft:

DVDVideoSoft (www.dvdvideosoft.com) is an independent developer of multimedia software programs for video and audio processing. DVDVideoSoft offers 47 multifunctional easy-to-use applications with step-by-step instructions on how to solve different multimedia tasks with the help of its programs and, if necessary, provides free comprehensive support in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese languages. The daily rate of visitors to www.dvdvideosoft.com is constantly growing and today reaches 350,000.

Contact:

Alice Dubost
DVDVideoSoft Ltd

www.dvdvideosoft.com

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The E-Learning Symposium 2012 Austin, set for June 13-14, offers a track for those who create E-Learning, as well as a management track geared to those who make decisions regarding learning for their organizations.

This high-level track includes a roundtable discussion focusing on corporate and organizational learning cultures, and how the E-Learning landscape is evolving. In management-level sessions, facilitators will each share their vision in an effort to encourage participation. The track is designed to help corporate decision-makers select the learning strategies that will best help align their employees with organizational business goals.

Featured speakers in the management track include:

• Shana Storey, head of the Learning Solutions team at JetBlue Airways, will speak on “Transiting Thinking from Skill Based to Role Based.” She will help participants generate ideas on how to encourage role-based thinking within an existing business team, without changing structure.

• Ian MacNeil, a senior project manager at Bank of Montreal, will discuss “In, At, and Away – E-Learning as a Strategic Knowledge Lever” – tools and methods the bank has used for E-Learning “in the work,” “at the work” and “away from the work.” He will provide an in-depth look at off-the-shelf, configured and customized solutions for business E-Learning.

The symposium is hosted by the E-Learning Council and the Texas Department of Information Resources. Event sponsors and exhibitors include: MicroAssist, Atomic Axis Mobile Solutions, First Order Consulting, and the Texas Engineering Extension Service. Various levels of exhibitor packages and sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information on the symposium, visit http://www.elearningcouncil.com/content/e-learning-symposium-2012-austin.

The council will also hold an E-Learning Council Manager’s Roundtable later in the summer, and another E-Learning Symposium is planned for the fall in Houston.

About the E-Learning Council

Founded in 2008, the E-Learning Council advances online learning through a community that promotes leadership, best practices and resources in a collaborative environment. The council provides a peer-based network that serves as a clearinghouse of diverse E-Learning information and resources.

Contact:

Nicole Stallings
E-Learning Council
8500 Shoal Creek, 4-225
Austin, TX  78757
512-794-8440

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