Give Your Small Space Some Big Style

BOSTON, MASS. – June 24, 2008 – Whether it's because you live a tight budget or simply prefer the conveniences of apartment living (or both), a small living space can still have big style if you follow some simple guidelines, says Davis Remignanti, Lead Design Consultant at FurnitureFind.com (http://www.furniturefind.com/).

• Measure, Measure, Measure. When furnishing a small space, it's vital that you measure your room carefully - and never shop without a tape measure! Don't rely on the measurements you may have seen on price tags - they could be off by an all-important inch or two.


• Shop Every Department. Who knows, the perfectly-scaled dresser for your bedroom may be in the children's department. The petite dining table you need may be with the outdoor furniture. Apartment living requires thinking outside the box. Don't let labels limit you - if it works for your space, that's all that matters.


• Think in 3 Dimensions. Don't just think about the "footprint" of your furniture - height is the most overlooked dimension in decor. If your space doesn't have soaring ceilings, keep your furniture low and lean to ensure that your small space has an open and airy feeling. Even a small-scale piece can appear bulky if it's too tall.


• Pare it Down. Bring high style into cramped quarters by shopping for simply styled, clean lined furniture. Your sofa doesn't have to have arms - your bed doesn't have to have a footboard. Apartment living is all about making a small space feel larger!


• Refined Palette. A small space benefits from a controlled color palette. Two or three pops of accent hues against a soothingly monochromatic color scheme will give your decor instant sophistication. And remember, monochromatic doesn't mean neutral and boring - it can be bold and daring!


• Big Art, Big Impact. Don't burden your walls with multiple, wimpy pieces of wall decor. A single large-scaled piece of art can actually give a small space a confident sense of self! Consider an oversized piece of vintage advertising art on a single accent-colored wall.


• Move It! Small needn't be boring, especially if it's constantly changing! Consider modular furniture that can be re-arranged on a whim. Furniture on casters allows you to re-configure the look of your room without needing an extra pair of hands to help.


• Set the Scene. One of the favorite secrets of designers? Up lights. Canister lights that can be placed on the floor, behind furniture, on shelves - where they cast an upward beacon of light that adds drama and dimension. They are easily moved around, and nothing will change the look of your room like an unusual accent of light.


• Treat Yourself. An under-appreciated fact about apartment living is this - because you need fewer pieces, your budget can be stretched to include a splurge or two. Take that money you saved on dining chairs and treat yourself to high end bed linens or the best electronics.

“Remember, bigger is not necessarily better,” says Davis Remignanti. “With a little planning, your small space can be an exquisite jewel box, perfect for you because it's uniquely your own.”

About FurnitureFind.com
FurnitureFind.com (http://www.furniturefind.com/) provides an excellent experience for decorating apartments and small spaces every step of the way – with the largest selection of brand-new merchandise from top manufacturers at the lowest prices and service only a phone call or email away.

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Kazakh-British Technical University partners with Invensys Process Systems to train future Kazakh engineers

JUNE 23, 2008/KAZAKHSTAN - With world oil prices booming, it has never been more important for Kazakhstan to produce a continuous stream of highly qualified and motivated engineers to help the country maximize revenues from this important and increasingly scarce commodity. The Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) in Almaty is providing a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses that will equip the next generation of Kazakh engineers with the skills they need to be employed by both Kazakh and international energy and energy-related companies.

To further improve both the technical and practical content of the KBTU’s Process Engineering course, the University has linked up with Invensys Process Systems (IPS), a major supplier of technical and IT support systems to the oil and gas industry. IPS has offices in Almaty and Atyrau and specializes in increasing the integration and collaboration within various process systems and in developing personnel at all levels of an organization to increase productivity. Based on the company’s experience and that of the KBTU’s Engineering Faculty, IPS agreed to fully equip a technical laboratory which uses InFusion™, the world’s first Enterprise Control System. The laboratory will feature the latest technological equipment, including 12 personal computers, 15 large-screen monitors and three servers, as well as a bank of micro controllers for automated systems. This automated system will allow students to develop crucial skills to manage enterprise processes for many industries, including the strategically important Kazakh oil and gas industry.

Opening the new technical laboratory in front of a substantial audience was a representative of the President of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Educational Foundation and Patrick Buffet, President of IPS in EMEA. Following the opening, Degree Certificates were presented to recent graduates of KBTU, sponsored by IPS. It is anticipated that graduate numbers for IT courses at KBTU will dramatically increase in subsequent years as the benefits of this investment are fully realized.

Significantly, to ensure that this particular facility continues to remain at the leading edge of process technology, IPS has also agreed to fund a permanent Chair of Computing and Software. The appointment, which has yet to be made, will develop a fully integrated training laboratory to improve students’ information technology skills and qualifications as they relate to the financial and administrative branches of the economy. Iskander Kalybekovich Beisembetov, Rector of the KBTU, said, “We are delighted that IPS has chosen to sponsor the Chair of Computing and Software and, in particular, for providing a state-of-the-art technical laboratory that utilizes the most current software and hardware technology.”

“Sponsoring the KBTU is a natural step for IPS. We have been committed to investing in Kazakhstan since 1998, and we look forward to helping develop the next generation of Kazakh engineers,” said Ken Fox, Vice President of Marketing for IPS in EMEA.
Since opening their new office in Atyrau, IPS has enjoyed considerable business success, largely due to the company’s commitment to recruiting and training local engineers and to providing a real career structure within a global company. In fact, the company’s goal is to ensure that by 2010, more than 80 percent of its employees in Kazakhstan will be Kazakh nationals, a figure which exceeds the government targets for businesses operating in Kazakhstan.

Notes to editors:
Graphics and photos can be downloaded from http://pr.ballard.co.uk/ipskbtu/.

About Invensys Process Systems

Invensys Process Systems (IPS), headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a global technology, software and consulting firm leading significant change in process manufacturing, plant optimization, business operations and enterprise performance. IPS clients are some of the world’s most important industrial organizations — companies that operate large oil refineries; plants that process chemicals, gas, LNG, power, pharmaceutical and minerals; and pulp and paper mills. IPS solutions, used at more than 50,000 locations across the globe, include field devices and controls from Foxboro and Triconex, advanced applications from SimSci-Esscor, operations management from Avantis, and the world’s first truly open enterprise control system, Infusion.

IPS’ nearly 7,000 employees integrate these capabilities to create solutions that impact and increase efficiency, boost productivity and accelerate performance. These results help industrial companies run safer, operate more efficiently and extract useful knowledge from their operations to make faster, better decisions. To learn more about IPS visit us at http://www.ips.invensys.com/.

The Invensys Group (http://www.invensys.com/) is made up of Wonderware, Invensys Process Systems, Eurotherm, Invensys Rail Group and Controls. The Group is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with approximately 25,000 employees working in 60 countries.

Invensys, Avantis, Foxboro, SimSci-Esscor, Triconex, InFusion, Eurotherm, Wonderware, and the IPS logo are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

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Aserdiv Introduces Laboratory Billing Program for Medicare Compliance

SPRINGFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA, June 24, 2008 – Aserdiv, a leading provider of advanced IT solutions and project management, today introduced its Laboratory Billing Program, the first in a series of Medicare Compliance offerings for hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient treatment centers, and clinical laboratories. This new program enables healthcare facilities to more effectively audit their Medicare billings for greater compliance and revenue recovery.

“Our Medicare compliance offering identifies errors such as overpayment, duplicate charges, inaccurate claims, and under billing,” said Phillip Lanctot, Jr., Aserdiv Chief Executive Officer. “Healthcare providers now have an easy-to-apply Medicare compliance solution that enhances visibility to invoicing issues and permits the aggressive implementation of process improvement and optimization.”

The Laboratory Billing Program audits and validates Medicare laboratory claims from physician order to payment. The centerpiece of the program is the MediBill Analyst Lab Module, developed by Health Systems Concepts (HSC), Inc. of Longwood, Florida. Aserdiv has signed an agreement with HSC to exclusively sell and market the module in North America.

The MediBill Analyst Lab Module is in use at five U.S. healthcare facilities, including Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii.

“The program helps us manage our risk in billing with written reports that document our monitoring and auditing actions,” said Francis Imada, Chief Financial Officer, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii. “That goes a long way in showing the U.S. Office of the Inspector General that we are taking steps to be in compliance.”

Aserdiv’s Laboratory Billing Program for Medicare Compliance will consist of implementation, training, consultation, project management services, and comprehensive reporting.

“In an era when healthcare organizations are subject to hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for non-compliance, our new program helps them avoid penalties, cut audit time, recover lost revenue, and reduce legal, consulting, and administrative costs,” said Lanctot. “When we apply the Laboratory Billing Program for Medicare Compliance, our experience shows that providers are not recovering up to 6.0 % of their Medicare revenue.”

Aserdiv’s new offering conducts a validation check for every audited record based on the following criteria:
· Did the laboratory perform the ordered test
· Did the test results match the test’s billing code
· Is the test a billable covered service under Medicare
· Was the CPT or HCPCS code correct
· Did the payment match the state’s Medicare fee schedule
· Were the diagnosis codes and other required billing information accurate
· ICD-9-CM codes against laboratory MCDs and Medicare payer-specific LCDs

The program’s standards are continually updated to maintain the most current Medicare reference claims tables available. In addition, the patient’s privacy is fully protected, and there are no HIPAA issues since patient records do not leave the institution.

Aserdiv’s MediBill Analyst Lab Module for Medicare Compliance and enhanced revenue recovery is available by contacting 800-966-7770 or www.aserdiv.com/medicarecompliance.htm

About Aserdiv
Aserdiv is a leading provider of advanced IT solutions and project management services, founded in 1975 as NRI Data. The company configures, integrates, implements, and supports a broad range of hardware, software, networking systems, and infrastructure solutions. Headquartered in Springfield, Pennsylvania, Aserdiv also has offices in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and Norwood, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit http://www.aserdiv.com/.

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EH&E Launches Interactive Discussion Forum for Healthcare Environment of Care Professionals

Needham, Mass. – June 20, 2008 – EH&E, an environmental and engineering consulting firm for the healthcare industry, has launched “EHEConnect” – an interactive discussion forum dedicated to Environment of Care (EC) professionals – at www.eheconnect.com.

“The forum will act as a central resource for the exchange of ideas and issues central to the mounting, and increasingly complex, responsibilities of those accountable for a healthcare organization’s Environment of Care,” said Kevin Coghlan, M.S., C.I.H, Director of EH&S Compliance & Strategic Support at EH&E. “Our goal is to create a virtual community where EC professionals and others involved in EC issues can login and network with their peers around the country.”

“EHEConnect offers an informal way for EC professionals to exchange ideas, experiences and their solutions to challenges in the EC as well as keep up with The Joint Commission accreditation requirements,” said Coghlan.

EH&E’s team of EC consultants monitor and participate in forum discussions, adding their own professional insights and expertise to the dialogue.

Current topics being discussed include: life safety code documentation; new hospital EtO sterilizer regulations take effect December 2008; OSHA recommendations regarding protection of hospital security personnel in emergences; personal protective equipment for pandemic influenza; extreme temperature policies, interpretation of governing standards for showers and eyewashes.

To learn more and to join EHEConnect, go to: http://www.eheinc.com/forum.htm

EH&E offers a host of customizable services to assist hospitals with a variety of needs including: working to help create a healthy and safe work environment, reducing occupational illness and injury, minimizing workers’ compensation claims, increasing worker morale and productivity, reducing liability, costly litigation and unfavorable publicity, and helping to avoid OSHA fines and other expensive penalties.

About EH&E
EH&E (www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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Tips to Achieve a Healthier, More Restful Nursery

Atlanta, Georgia – June 17, 2008 – While billions of dollars are spent yearly on strollers, high chairs, car seats, and other items to help infants stay safe and comfortable – parents often overlook the environmental health impact of the one place where their babies spend the majority of their time – the nursery.

Steven Hong, a specialist who designs healthier indoor environments for the home, and president of Sylvane.com (www.sylvane.com), offers these tips to help parents create a healthier restful environment for their infants:

• Paint First, Breathe Later – Fresh paint may look great in a nursery, but lingering fumes can cause problems from nausea and eye irritation to internal damage. When decorating, plan – and paint – the nursery well ahead of mother’s due date. Otherwise, have the baby sleep in a different room until the fresh paint has dried and fully off-gassed.
• Clear the Air – A baby’s lungs are very sensitive and pollutants, new furniture, plastics, new carpeting, mold, and even dust mites can irritate. Clear the air with a quality air purifier, or run the air conditioning. Keep ducts clean and change and clean furnace filters regularly.
• The Weekly Wash – Dust mites thrive in moist areas and are a major source of allergies. Wash bedding at least once weekly in hot water to keep mites, and their excretions, from building up.
• Clean Enough to Eat Off – Since babies spend much of their time on the floor and place nearly everything they touch in their mouths, it’s critical to keep floors clean and germ-free. Consider using a high quality HEPA-filtered vacuum or steam cleaner, at least weekly, to safely remove germs and particulates from floors and carpets.
• Put Out the Cat – Keep pets out of nurseries and cribs. Pet dander can lead to allergic reactions, causing discomfort –and poor sleep. Moreover, pets may also bring in pests, such as ticks and flees, into the nursery from the outdoors.
• It’s the Humidity – Control moisture levels to keep baby’s room comfortable year round. In the summer, humidity can cause odors and mold. In winter, heated air becomes dry, prompting sore throats and dry skin. An air conditioner or dehumidifier can help in the summer. A humidifier can add moisture, and comfort, in the heating season. If winter drafts are an issue, be sure any supplemental heating units are certified as child-safe.

“When parents create a comfortable environment in the nursery, they’re not only helping to ensure the health and well-being of their babies, but in turn might just allow themselves a bit more shuteye as well,” says Hong.

Sylvane.com (www.sylvane.com) is a leading online supplier of solutions for a healthy indoor environment.

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Educational Articles Assist Healthcare in Starting, Sustaining a Safe Lifting Program

Franklin, Mass. – June 17, 2008 – Nurses and healthcare risk or safety professionals seeking detailed how-to information on starting and managing a safe lifting program at their hospital or healthcare facility are invited to download a new, free five-part series of educational articles from the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention website.

The articles, which include such Safe Lifting Program details as assessing patients, selecting lifts for patients with special needs, infection control, and how to calculate the return-on-investment of a formal program, are available free at: http://www.safeliftingportal.com/slp-for-nurses.

Designed for nurses and safe patient handling committee members, the articles were produced by Liko North America, sponsor of the Safe Lifting Portal, to inform hospital employees about the importance of safe lifting in all aspects of patient care. The series details:

• Selecting Lifts for Patients with Special Needs – Special needs patients, such as elderly, morbidly obese, or orthopedic patients, require the correct lift or sling to safely move them throughout the hospital. This article explains the proper lift to use depending on the need of the patient.
• Safe Lifting: The Assessment Imperative – This article reviews the general guidelines for safe patient handling and the importance of a routine assessment of ergonomic hazards and the patient’s functional ability, level of assistance, and mental status.
• Infection Control for Lifts and Slings – In order to ensure patient safety during the lifting process it is important that lifts and slings are clean, decontaminated and disinfected. This article details the importance of infection control when using lifts and slings.
• Safe Patient Handling Programs: How to calculate Return on Investment – Implementing safe handling programs in hospitals not only reduces patient–handling injuries but significantly cuts the direct and indirect costs that coincide with lifting injuries. This article explains how facility managers can calculate their ROI which results in reducing expenses significantly.

The articles also review the general guidelines for implementing safe patient handling programs, including the importance of choosing the right lift for every patient and turning the need for assessment into an everyday habit.

The articles are available for immediate download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/slp-for-nurses. Copies can be requested by calling toll-free 1-888-545-6671.

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories. The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit www.safeliftingportal.com for more details). For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com.

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Retailers Select E4X’s FiftyOne Global Ecommerce Solution to Launch Online Sales in 34 Countries – In time for 2008 Holiday Shopping

NEW YORK, NY – June 11, 2008 – Three leading U.S. retailers have selected E4X Inc.’s integrated FiftyOne Global Ecommerce solution to extend their ecommerce sales internationally – and reach 500 million consumers in 34 countries in time for the 2008 holiday shopping season, Michael DeSimone, Chief Executive Officer, E4X, Inc. (http://www.fiftyone.com/), announced today.

DeSimone said the three retailers are:

• David’s Bridal (http://www.davidsbridal.com/), the nation's leading bridal retailer with over 280 stores nationwide featuring wedding gowns, bridal party dresses, accessories, gifts, favors and invitations.
• Discount Dance (http://www.discountdance.com/), the dance supply company dedicated to bringing the dance community the best selection of dance accessories, discount dancewear, dance clothes and dance shoes at the best prices available.
• Intermix (http://www.intermixonline.com/), the fashion-forward lifestyle boutique offering the innovative dressing and highly evolved personal styles embraced and championed by the most stylish and sophisticated women everywhere.

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the decision by Overstock.com to use FiftyOne Global Ecommerce to offer its discount, brand-name merchandise for sale to consumers outside of the U.S.

“Smart U.S. retailers are implementing a 2008 Q4 revenue growth strategy that focuses on extending their online presence internationally to access entirely new markets of 500 million holiday shoppers in 34 countries -- rather than engaging in an increasingly competitive and less rewarding wallet share battle for a mature, saturated U.S. holiday ecommerce market,” said DeSimone.

“The FiftyOne solution delivers on that vision by ‘snapping onto’ a merchant’s existing ecommerce and fulfillment operation with no new infrastructure investment required,” he said.

FiftyOne Global Ecommerce simplifies international ecommerce for both retailers and consumers. Shoppers visiting a retailer’s U.S.-based ecommerce site from outside the U.S. are shown only the merchandise, pricing, and delivery options available in their country. Meanwhile, to the retailer, international sales are managed to look the same as any domestic sale. The FiftyOne solution addresses all critical aspects of an international transaction: multicurrency localization; international payment and fraud management; global logistics and delivery; and service and returns management.

“International consumers are so hungry to shop from U.S. retailers that they’re paying huge sums of money to charter planes for shopping vacations in New York. Clearly, for U.S. retailers considering international ecommerce extension, the time to act is now – to launch in time for the 2008 holiday shopping season and benefit from the low U.S. dollar,” DeSimone added.

For more information about the FiftyOne Global Ecommerce solution, visit www.fiftyone.com, or call 1-212-299-3500.

About E4X, Inc.
E4X, Inc. is the leading provider of technology and services that simplify global ecommerce for both retailers and consumers. The company’s FiftyOne Global Ecommerce solution manages local country merchandising, multi-currency payments, global logistics, and international customer service complexities enabling a U.S. retailer to sell to 500 million new international consumers using its existing ecommerce infrastructure. Founded in 1999, E4X is based in New York with offices in Toronto, Canada and Tel Aviv, Israel. For further information, visit http://www.e4x.com/.

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White Paper Helps Hospitals Prepare Staff for Joint Commission Environment of Care Interview Sessions

NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS – June 10, 2008 – Preparing for The Joint Commission survey process within the Environment of Care (EC) is challenging because virtually all internal services used to support patient care, including all areas of the EC, may be audited. As a result, a healthcare institution must be prepared for the survey interview session to proceed in almost any direction and to involve any staff member. EH&E has found that practice interview sessions, if done properly, can dramatically improve the performance of hospital staff in actual Joint Commission surveys.

The white paper titled, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” provides an overview of the practice interview technique and discusses “best practices” for conducting practice interview sessions, including how to:

• Select survey topics that are most relevant to your institution.
• Determine the right composition of staff members.
• Create the proper ground rules.
• Design questions that get to the important issues quickly.

Authored by Nanette E. Moss, M.S., C.I.H., Associate Director of EH&S Compliance and Strategic Support at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel working with leading healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper will be applicable to EH&S managers, facilities managers, Infection Control managers, pharmacy directors, and anyone responsible for maintaining Environment of Care compliance at a hospital or other type of Joint Commission accredited healthcare institution.

To download the free white paper, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” visit: http://www.eheinc.com/practicetracer.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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Free Safe Lifting Booklet Available to Help Healthcare Professionals Start-Up, Manage a Patient Safe Lifting Program

Franklin, Mass. – June 9. 2008 – A new, free educational booklet, compiling dozens of the most-asked questions by healthcare professionals about starting-up and managing a safe lifting program, is available for free download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/lift-doctor-booklet.

Titled, “Ask the Lift Doctor – Real-World Questions and Answers about Safe Lifting,” the booklet compiles two years worth of questions and answers sent in by healthcare professionals – nurses, nurse practitioners, administrators and others – to the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention website’s (www.safeliftingportal.com) popular “Lift Doctor.”

The “Lift Doctor” is a panel of Liko Specialists which includes a sling application expert, bariatric specialist, lift system design consultant, risk management professional, safety director, and an overhead installation designer.

Designed to help those starting up and managing Safe Lifting Programs to prevent patient and healthcare provider injuries in healthcare facilities and hospitals, the 22-chapter booklet covers a wealth of topics related to patient-specific injuries, training, policies, procedures, and general patient lift usage.

The booklet is just one of the many available informational tools of the Safe Lifting Portal, the Liko North America-sponsored online resource to educate and guide healthcare professionals and administrators on a host of safe patient lifting and handling topics. The Safe Lifting Portal provides how-to information on creating a safe patient handling program, achieving caregiver buy-in, tracking legislative activities, and calculating the projected savings that can result from the implementation of a Safe Lifting Program.

Request a free copy of the “Ask the Lift Doctor – Real-world Questions and Answers about Safe Lifting” booklet, at http://www.safeliftingportal.com/lift-doctor-booklet or call 1-888-545-6671.

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s products include mobile lifts, overhead ceiling mounted systems, and a variety of injury prevention solutions. For more information on Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com/na.

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Microtest Labs Doubles Microbial Identification, Analytical Services

AGAWAM, MASS. – June 3, 2008 – Microtest Laboratories (http://www.microtestlabs.com/) has doubled their microbial identification and analytical services with the purchase of an additional MicroSeq® Microbial Identification System.

The MicroSeq is a state-of-the-art DNA sequence-based system that enables Microtest technicians to more quickly and accurately identify bacteria isolates that are not viable or easily identified.

“With the purchase of our second MicroSeq system, we are not only complimenting our existing unit but doubling our analytical capacity and ability to service our clients,” stated Dr. Steven Richter, Microtest President and Chief Scientific Officer. “As one of the only testing labs in the area with this technology, we are providing our customers with a significant competitive advantage.”

Using the MicroSeq system, Microtest technicians can provide precise and reliable bacteria, mycoplasma, and mold identification in a 24-hour time period. Traditional bacteria and mold identification lab tests are often less accurate, and require up to a one-week turn around time.

“In the highly competitive biotechnology industry, accuracy and speed cannot be compromised,” stated Dr. Richter. “Our ability to provide rapid identification helps our customers minimize down-time, which directly affects their bottom-line. When manufacturing is halted or a cleanroom is shut-down and awaiting test results, there is no product going out the door and that translates to an interruption in sales.”

The MicroSeq system is integrated for use across the spectrum of services that Microtest provides. Customers that will benefit most are those that utilize their analytical testing services in:

• Contract Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical Testing & Validation
• Medical Device Testing & Validation
• Environmental Control and Testing
• Water Validation
• Mold Identification
• Biologics/Virology

The MicroSeq systems are 99% reliable with repeatable results, and is especially beneficial for companies with pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing applications. Made by the Applera Corporation, the MicroSeq Microbial Identification System is the most accurate and rapid bacterial identification system available today.

For more information about Microtest’s analytical testing and related services, visit contact the Microtest on the Web at: www.microtestlabs.com/medical-device-testing or by phone 1-800-631-1680.

About Microtest
Microtest is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, USA, the company's expertise and flexible processes enhance product safety and security, accelerate time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680.

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Advanced Instruments’ Anoxomat Mark II Anaerobic System Is Excellent Alternative to Anaerobic Chambers, Gas Bags in Clinical Laboratories

BOSTON, MASS., USA – June 2, 2008 – The Anoxomat™ Mark II anaerobic system for the cultivation of anaerobic, microaerophilic, and capnophilic bacteria is an excellent alternative to the use of anaerobic chambers and gas bags currently used in clinical laboratories. The Anoxomat Mark II automatic jar evacuation/replacement system is available from Spiral Biotech, Inc., a subsidiary of Advanced Instruments of Norwood, Massachusetts, USA.

“Because of the way the Anoxomat jar works, I can open it up, take out a sample, and make it anaerobic again very fast,” said Dr. Hannah Wexler of the VA Wadsworth Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The Anoxomat Mark II creates microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions quickly – delivering significant advantages for clinical laboratory managers. “Managers report that the Anoxomat delivers significant savings in terms of consumables, time, effort, and money versus anaerobic jars, anaerobic glove cabinets, or CO2 incubators,” said Anthony Pappas, National Sales Manager, Advanced Instruments.

Benefits of the Anoxomat Mark II system include:

• Rapid achievement of anaerobic conditions, reaching anaerobiosis as quickly as one to three minutes as opposed to one to four hours for gas bags,
• Repeatable environmental conditions, with gas mixtures remaining consistent within 0.5 percent of desired values,
• Substantial cost-of-ownership savings versus the expense of consumables, pre-reduced media, and ongoing costs involved with chambers and gas bags,
• “Walk-away convenience” and ease of use due to the Mark II’s new, intuitive software and touch-screen interface,
• Automatic quality assurance programming features that ensure an airtight status, warn of pressure leaks, and bind any residual oxygen after evacuation cycling, and
• Unmatched flexibility allowing users to take plates in and out of jars and return to anaerobic environments in minutes rather than hours.

The Anoxomat system is highly efficient and cost effective at cultivating pathogens and attaining growth performance that easily equals or exceeds that of chambers or gas bags.

“The Anoxomat was an easier operation…on gases alone, in the first year of operation, it probably saved us around $8,000,” said Frank Hollis of Hackensack Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Each Anoxomat cycle involves an evacuation phase, followed by replacement using an oxygen-free gas mixture. One cycle achieves 70% to 80% removal of the original atmosphere and gives a microaerophilic environment in one minute. Three cycles achieve an anaerobic atmosphere in less than 3 minutes.

A built-in quality assurance system checks for leaks before incubation. The system also checks whether the catalyst is capable of achieving the desired conditions and warns you if there's a threat of gas failure.

The resulting gas mixture stays well within 0.5% of the desired value. This high precision, combined with the well-known reproducibility of these conditions, gives microbiologists a strong tool to draw accurate conclusions from repeated findings, Pappas said.

The Anoxomat Mark II Anaerobic System is immediately available from Spiral Biotech. For more information, reach Advanced Instruments or Spiral Biotech on the Web at http://www.aicompanies.com/, or by phone at (800) 554-1620 or +1 (781) 320-9000.

About Advanced Instruments and Spiral Biotech
Founded in 1955, Advanced Instruments, Inc. is the world’s largest supplier of freezing-point osmometers used in clinical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology laboratories. The company is also a leading supplier of analytical instruments and test kits for the food, dairy, and industrial microbiology markets. Based in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA, the company also produces Fiske® Associates brand diagnostic instruments and operates Spiral Biotech, Inc., and Delta Instruments as wholly-owned subsidiaries.

For nearly 30 years, Spiral Biotech, Inc. has developed and supported automated microbiology systems for food, dairy, and environmental sciences. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advanced Instruments, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of freezing-point osmometers for clinical and research applications. Visit Spiral Biotech online at http://www.spiralbiotech.com/.

Advanced Instruments’ products are supported by a worldwide network of sales professionals and independent distributors. Reach Advanced Instruments online at http://www.aicompanies.com/ or contact customer service at (800) 225-4034 or +1 (781) 320-9000.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc. , http://www.tizinc.com/

Technorati tags: Advanced Instruments, freezing point, osmometer, biotechnology, Protinol, protein-based controls, CLMA, Clinical Laboratory Management Association, ThinkLab

RainDance Appoints Kelly Chief Operating Officer

LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, June 2, 2008 — RainDance Technologies, Inc., a provider of innovative microdroplet-based solutions for human health and disease research, today announced the appointment of Roch W. Kelly as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

“As RainDance solutions enter commercial development, Mr. Kelly is the ideal leader to establish our manufacturing and financial capabilities,” said Chris McNary, President and Chief Executive Officer, RainDance Technologies. “With more than 20 years of experience in life sciences, he brings a proven record of successfully implementing the process and controls in these critical areas to meet the anticipated demand for our products.”

Kelly joins RainDance from Synarc, Inc., where he was Vice President, Clinical Operations. Under his leadership, the operational team rapidly implemented new processes and systems that achieved a 25% improvement in efficiency. Previous positions included Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Protedyne, Inc., and Vice President, Clinical Operations and Worldwide Business, at PAREXEL International. He also served as Executive Director of Manufacturing Operations at Chiron Diagnostics. Kelly received a bachelor of science degree in finance from Miami (Ohio) University and a master’s of business administration degree from Syracuse University.

About RainDance Technologies, Inc.

RainDance Technologies is a provider of innovative microdroplet-based solutions for human health and disease research. The speed and simplicity of the company’s exciting new technology enable researchers to design experiments in ways that were previously unaffordable or unimaginable.

The company’s technology produces picoliter-sized droplets at a rate of 10 million per hour. Each droplet is the functional equivalent of an individual test tube and can contain a single molecule, reaction, or cell. This versatile technology can adapt highly referenced assays for high-speed workflows with minimized process-induced bias or error.

RainDance’s initial application will focus on the targeted resequencing of the human genome — one of the fastest-growing segments of the $1 billion DNA sequencing market. This application will enable the high-resolution analysis of genetic variation between individuals and populations at a level unmatched by current methodology.

RainDance was founded in 2004 by scientists from Harvard University; the Medical Research Centre in Cambridge, England; and the ESPCI in Paris. The promise of this technology has attracted an outstanding Scientific Advisory Board. RainDance advisers include three Nobel Prize winners: Jean-Marie Lehn (Chemistry, 1987), Aaron Klug (Chemistry, 2002), and Richard Roberts (Physiology or Medicine, 1993), as well as Sir Gregory Winter, joint head of the British Division of Protein and Nucleic Acids Chemistry at the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.

For more information, please visit http://www.raindancetechnologies.com/.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: droplet based microfluidics, drug discovery, industrial enzyme development, integrated fluid handling, microfluidics, nanotechnology, molecular diagnostic, Roch Kelly