Bill Supported by Girl Scouts to Create Taskforce on Girls and Women in the Media Introduced in Congress

U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation that establishes a national taskforce that would develop voluntary guidelines and other measures to promote positive images of girls and women.

The bill, the Healthy Media for Youth Act (H.R. 4925), which was developed in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), would support media literacy programs, promote research on the effects of media images, and encourage the adoption of voluntary guidelines to promote healthier media images for youth.

“Throughout their lives, girls struggle with how to reconcile the images of girls and women they see in the media with their own body image, self worth and potential,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. “As the premier leadership experience for girls, it’s vitally important that Girl Scouts play a leadership role in efforts to provide our young people with healthier, more positive images in the media. We’re grateful to Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin and Shelley Moore Capito for co-sponsoring this important legislation, and we are excited about the impact it can have for girls.”

In the coming weeks, Girl Scout staff and volunteer leaders from councils throughout the country will meet with their members of Congress to build support for the legislation. The initiative, known as Girl Scout District Congressional Advocacy Days, is part of an organization-wide effort to be the leading voice for girls and promote healthy media images for girls. The outreach effort is a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts to not only meet with members of Congress, but speak with a unified voice on issues important to girls.

“Children are consuming more media than ever,” said Representative Baldwin. “Unfortunately too many of the images they see often reinforce gender stereotypes, emphasize unrealistic body images or show women in passive roles. All young people would benefit from seeing healthier and more positive messages about girls and women. The Healthy Media for Youth Act is a critical step towards achieving this goal.”

Representative Capito said: “The need for healthy, positive images of girls in the media is clear. We applaud the Girl Scouts’ response to this need. The Healthy Media for Youth Act, which builds upon with their tireless efforts to build girls’ self-esteem, will improve youth media literacy and create new opportunities for the media to positively impact the health, relationships and future of our young people.”

The Healthy Media for Youth Act is a part of wider effort by Girl Scouts at the federal, state, and local level known as Live Healthy, Lead Healthy, which seeks to engage policymakers and community leaders around key health and well-being issues affecting girls. In February, Girl Scouts released a study that found that nearly 90 percent of American girls feel intense pressure from the media to have an ideal body type. The same study found that girls want to see healthier, more realistic images of women in media. Girl Scouts is moving to respond to this need through the release later this year of its newest program, It’s Your Story — Tell It! that focuses on helping improve girls’ self-esteem and media literacy skills.

“Girls need an advocate who will stand up for them,” said Laurie Westley, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Advocacy and the Research Institute. “By promoting the Healthy Media for Youth Act, Girl Scouts is being a voice for girls on an issue that directly and disproportionately affects them. Girl Scouts recognizes the need to bring attention to this important issue, which affects girls’ self-esteem, body image, eating habits, and social and emotional development.”

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA

Credit: Girl Scouts of the USA

Stabbed woman sics dog on burglar

A woman stabbed Wednesday morning after she surprised a burglar in her home escaped further injury by unleashing her dog on the assailant.

Rachel Posadas, 26, alerted the Knox County E-911 Center at 9:34 a.m. that her home at 836 Sidebrook Ave. had been burglarized and the suspect had stabbed her, said Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk.

Posadas was transported to a hospital for treatment on a wound that was not serious, DeBusk said.

Posadas told police she was in the rear of the house when she heard someone enter the front door. She assumed the visitor was either her fiance or her mother and strolled into the hallway to greet them.

“She walked in and found the guy rummaging through the living room,” DeBusk said. “That’s when she was attacked. She managed to get to a bedroom door where she had a dog and let him out. The dog chased the attacker away.”

DeBusk said it appears Posadas was stabbed with a “small knife.”

The dog, which DeBusk said was a boxer, was not injured. He was unsure if the dog bit the intruder.

Posadas was able to provide police with a description of her assailant, DeBusk said.

DeBusk described the assailant as a black man, about 35 years old, weighing 180-200 pounds, about 6 feet tall, with brown eyes, black hair, an unshaven face and a spider web tattoo on the side of his neck.

Credit: The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.

Researchers from Ewha Woman’s University detail findings in electroanalysis

According to a study from Seoul, South Korea, “Demand for highly sensitive, selective, and practically reliable sensors which could be easily fabricated is increasing for various applications in biological and biomedical systems. Thus, here we present a novel and simple amperometric NO microsensor based on electropolymerized polymeric films.”

“The sensor consists of a platinized Pt disk anode (25-mu m diameter) which surface is modified with electropolymerized polymer films and a Ag/AgCI wire cathode coiled around the anode. Three different electropolymerized films prepared from m-phenylenediamine (m-PD), 2 3-diaminonaphthalene (2,3-DAN), and 5-amino-1-naphthol (5A1N) are compared in terms of their permselectivity for NO over major biological interferents such as anionic nitrite, ascorbic acid, uric acid; neutral acetaminophen; and cationic dopamine. Poly-5A1N film layer among the three different polymers shows the best anti-interference characteristics for all the electroactive interferents examined. Indeed, single polymer film of electropolymerized 5A1N without any additional modification as a NO selective membrane is confirmed to be sufficient to reject anionic, neutral, as well as cationic interferents while allowing relatively high permeation of NO through it. Other analytical performance of the NO microsensor fabricated with poly-5A1N is evaluated: reliable linear dynamic range (a few tells nM to mc M); sensitivity of 122.0 +/- 2.5 pA/mu M; detection limit of < 5.8 nM (S/N = 3); response time, t(90%) < 5 s, which are excellent when considering the small sensor size,” wrote H.H. Shim and colleagues, Ewha Woman’s University.

The researchers concluded: “Another sensor design which has both all anode (poly-5A1N modified platinized Pt) and a cathode (Ag/AgCl disk) embedded in a single sensor body is also presented.”

Shim and colleagues published their study in Electroanalysis (Simple Fabrication of Amperometric Nitric Oxide Microsensors Based on Electropolymerized Membrane Films. Electroanalysis, 2010;22(3):359-366).

For more information, contact Y. Lee, Ewha Woman’s University, Dept. of Chem & Nano Sci, Seoul 120750, South Korea.

Publisher contact information for the journal Electroanalysis is: Wiley-V C H Verlag GmbH, PO Box 10 11 61, D-69451 Weinheim, Germany.

Keywords: City:Seoul, Country:South Korea, Chemicals, Chemistry, Electroanalysis, Nitric Oxide

This article was prepared by Electronics Newsweekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Electronics Newsweekly via VerticalNews.com.

BSR’s HERproject Empowers Women and Improves Business in Six Countries

To date, HERproject workplace programs have touched approximately 50,000 women. tiffany cufflinks projects include eight multinational companies, 30 factories, eight local organizations, and multiple health-service clinics and local government departments.

The report features several stories from factory projects, such as one in Mexico’s Pegatron Juarez factory, where 47 peer educators were trained and later shared their knowledge with 1,090 (94 percent) of their female co-workers. One peer educator noted the “personal satisfaction of learning new things and being able to use that knowledge to help others.” A nurse at the factory emphasized the importance of the training in preventative health care.

Since her training as a peer educator at NJK Enterprises in India, 30-year-old Gowramma Nagesh has become known by her co-workers and neighbors as the “community nurse.”

And since the launch of a program providing free annual gynecological exams to every female tiffanys in a factory in China that supplies garments to clothing retailer Nordstrom, 500 women have received exams.

According to Joyce Kam, Global Human Rights Manager at Abercrombie & Fitch, HERproject has helped the company build “close and meaningful relationships with both suppliers and workers.” Because of HERproject, she added, “We have planted a seed of positive change in our supplier communities.”

“Investing in women just makes sense: It’s good for the women, their families, their employers, and their communities,” said Yeager. “And we have found that HERproject, as a women’s health program, is a great way to start that investment – and gain significant returns.”

Companies interested in joining HERproject can read more in the report at http://www.bsr.org/reports/BSR_HERproject_Investing_In_Women.pdf, or contact HERproject Manager Racheal Yeager at ryeager@bsr.org.

Media interested in interviews about HERproject can contact Communications Manager Eva tiffany pendants at edienel@bsr.org.

About HERproject

Launched in 2007 in China, BSR’s HERproject links multinational companies and their factories to local NGOs to create sustainable workplace programs that increase women’s health awareness. Working with HERproject partner Extending Services Delivery, BSR also seeks to demonstrate the return on investment for factory-based women’s health programs. HERproject is active in China, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Participating companies include Abercrombie & Fitch, Clarks, Columbia Sportswear, HP, Levi Strauss & Co., Nordstrom, and Timberland. For more information about HERproject, visit http://www.herproject.org.

About BSR

A leader in corporate responsibility since 1992, BSR works with its global network of more than 250 tiffany earrings companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. With six offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR uses its expertise in the environment, human rights, economic development, and governance and accountability to guide global companies toward creating a just and sustainable world. Visit http://www.bsr.org for more information.

NGEF to Host Open Forum on Women in the National Guard

A diverse group of women will share their individual National Guard experiences Thursday during a special forum presented by the National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) here.

“A Half Century of National Guard Women” will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the National tiffany bracelets Memorial, which doubles as NGAUS headquarters just off Capitol Hill.

The event will feature women of different ages, ranks and backgrounds telling their National Guard story in their own words.

“It will be open microphone,” said Jonathan Bernstein, NGEF director. “We have one featured speaker, but this forum will mostly be about the audience sharing their candid experiences, good and bad. I suspect that we will all come away with a richer understanding of women’s contributions to the National Guard.”

The featured speaker will be retired Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville, who became the first female adjutant general in 1997 when she took charge of the Vermont National Guard. She will speak at lunch.

Among those attending will be Spc. Monica Beltran of the Virginia National Guard. She was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart for actions in Iraq in 2005 while serving with the 1173rd Transportation Company.

Women who currently serve or who have served may still register to attend by sending an e-tiffany cufflinks to jonathan.bernstein@ngaus.org.

The event is sponsored by Strategic Resources Inc., SAIC, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, miller-holzwarth inc. and The Issa Family Foundation

About NGEF: The foundation is a nonprofit of organization charted to tell all 374 years of the National Guard Story. It operates the National Guard Memorial Museum, the only national museum dedicated to the Guard. The NGEF also maintains exhibits, artifacts and a Medal of Honor gallery and a large research library in the National Guard Memorial, the National Guard World War II Monument on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, and outreach programs. More information is available at www.ngef.org.

About NGAUS: The association includes nearly 45,000 current or former Guard officers. It was created in 1878 to provide unified National Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources. Today, 132 years later, NGAUS has the same mission.

Internet Availability: This document and other Guard and NGAUS news and information are tiffanys at www.ngaus.org.

SOURCE National Guard Association of the U.S.

Study finds delay in referrals for older women with ovarian cancer

Researchers at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School studied records from the General Practice discount tiffany Database (GPRD) and compared recorded diagnoses of ovarian cancer against rates in the UK cancer registries to see whether there was a difference in how older patients are managed by their GP. The results are published in the British Journal of Cancer.

The researchers found that during the period 2002-06, GPs were less likely to refer patients for gynaecological investigation when they were older. 82% of women under the age of fifty-five years had received at least one relevant investigation in the year before their diagnosis; this figure fell to 75% for women aged between fifty-five and sixty-nine years, and 66% for women aged over seventy years.

GPs were also found to be slower to refer elderly patients than their middle-aged counterparts. Women aged between forty-five and sixty-nine years tended to be referred for gynaecological investigation within ten weeks of presenting to their GP with their first symptom. This figure steadily increases, peaking at twenty weeks for women aged seventy-five to seventy-nine years.

“Ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease but, as with all cancers, early diagnosis is important for improving the chances of successful treatment,” says Dr Rosemary Tate, lead author of the study. “Our research suggests that age plays a role in how quickly diagnosis and referral occurs – the older the patient, the later this appears to happen.

“As we only looked at one type of cancer, we don’t know if our results will generalise to other Tiffany Bangles. However, if this is the case, then such delays could be an important cause of avoidable illness and mortality, and could contribute to the lower survival rates and higher mortality rates experienced in the UK compared with other European countries.”

Survival rates for cancer in the UK are amongst the lowest in Europe, particularly for older people (see note 1). Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, these developments seem not to be benefiting older people as much as they could. A comparison of data from the World Health Organization registry database suggests that there has been little or no improvement in cancer mortality rates for the UK elderly during the last decade (see note 2).

The researchers also found that the rates of recorded diagnoses of ovarian cancer in the GPRD were lower than those recorded in UK cancer registries for all age groups. However, these differences were much larger for patients over sixty; for example, for women aged forty-five to fifty, the difference was only 5% as compared with 22% for those between seventy-five and eighty.

The researchers stress that the reasons for the discrepancy between the GP database and the UK cancer registry are not clear, but may be explained in part by how and when data is recorded. Similarly, it may be possible that GPs are less motivated to record cancer diagnoses in older people if they have other serious Tiffany Bracelets, or to investigate them for other problems first.

“Electronic patient records provide a valuable opportunity for disease surveillance and for monitoring and improving,” explains Professor Jackie Cassell. “It is important that we understand why there is a discrepancy between rates in the GP databases compared to cancer registries. This will help ensure that the information available to our health services is accurate and fit for purpose.”

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, which owns the British Journal of Cancer, said: “Ovarian cancer symptoms can be vague and suggestive of other, less serious conditions. But it’s important that the disease is diagnosed at the earliest possible stage, whether the patient is young or old, as it is then easier to treat and there is a better chance of survival. Ovarian cancer is more common in older women, with four out of five cases in women over 50, so it’s concerning if these older women are indeed less likely to be investigated.

“All too often cancer is found at a late stage, which is why we’re working with the Department of Health, NHS and others on the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI) to address this problem. These results reinforce the importance of NAEDI’s work, which includes raising public awareness of cancer, Tiffany Pendants earlier presentation and supporting doctors with the most up-to-date evidence and decision support.”

Keywords: Ehealth, Electronic Patient Record, Gynecology, Medical Device, Oncology, Ovarian Cancer, Ovarian Carcinoma, Rare Diseases, Women’s Health, Wellcome Trust.

New bioengineering research from Ewha Woman’s University discussed

“Heavy metal uptake and growth by Echinochloa cms-galli were investigated to determine if Tiffany Cuff Links use of root exudates enhanced phytoextraction (see also <http://www.newsrx.com/library/topics/Bioengineering.html> Bioengineering). E crus-galli were planted in soils contaminated with 600 mg kg(-1) Pb, 40 mg kg(-1) Cd and 100 mg kg(-1) Cu,” scientists writing in the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering report.

“E crus-galli were then cultivated with and without root exudates from Belamcanda chinensis for 4 weeks. The growth of E crus-galli in metal-contaminated soils that contained root exudates showed increased roots and shoots when compared to E crus-galli grown without root exudates (p < 0.05). In addition, the accumulation of metal in E crus-galli that was cultivated with the root exudates was two- to fourfold higher than in plants that were cultivated without the root exudates. The exchangeable soil fraction in the rhizosphere of E crus-galli grown with root exudates was greater than when E crus-galli was grown without root exudates. Finally, the BCF and TF values of Cd, Cu and Pb were greater when the root exudates were added (p < 0.05),” wrote S. Kim and colleagues, Ewha Woman’s University.

The researchers concluded: “Taken together, these results indicate that root exudates can be used as a natural chelating agent to enhance phytoextraction.”

Kim and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (Enhanced Tiffany Key Rings metal phytoextraction by Echinochloa crus-galli using root exudates. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2010;109(1):47-50).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting I. Lee, Ewha Woman’s University, Div EcoSci, 11-1 Doehyundong, Seodaemungu Seoul 120750, South Korea.

The publisher of the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering can be contacted at: Society Bioscience Bioengineering Japan, Osaka University, Faculty Engineering, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

Keywords: Country:South Korea, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biosciences, Life Frank Gehry

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Biotech Week via <http://www.newsrx.com> NewsRx.com.

Deadline to Register to Vote in Pennsylvania’s May Primary is April 19

April 19 is the deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania’s primary election on May 18, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes said today.

“The executive leaders and legislators Pennsylvanians elect to represent them will tiffany accessories the course of our commonwealth,” Cortes said. “I encourage all residents to engage in the democratic process by exercising their fundamental right of citizenship — voting.”

On May 18, voters will cast ballots for candidates for a variety of offices, including

governor, lieutenant governor, state senator and representative, and U.S. senator and U.S. representative.

Individuals must be registered and enrolled in a major political party to vote in that party’s primary. Electors wishing to vote in a party’s primary who are not currently registered with one of the major parties must register by April 19 as either a Democrat or Republican in order to participate in the May 18 primary. However, all registered electors are entitled to vote on ballot questions and in all special elections that might be held concurrently with a primary.

Individuals applying to register to vote for the May 18 primary must be:

A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary;

A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the individual desires tiffany register and vote for at least 30 days before the primary; and

At least 18 years of age on or before the primary.

Residents may apply in person at a county voter registration office; the state departments of Public Welfare or Health; PennDOT photo and driver license centers; Armed Forces recruitment centers; county clerk of orphan’s courts or marriage license centers; area agencies on aging; county mental health and mental retardation offices; student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education; offices of special education in high schools; and Americans with Disabilities Act-mandated complimentary paratransit providers.

Residents also may download a voter registration form from the Department of State at VotesPA.com. This site includes tips for first-time voters and members of the armed services, and instructions on how to cast a ballot. VotesPA.com allows voters to obtain directions to their polling place and to check their voter registration.

In addition, voters can view a demonstration of the type of voting system used at their polling places. Select “How to Vote” and choose your county of residence. Videos with step-by-step instructions on the various voting systems are available online, as well as links to each county board of elections.

For more information on voter registration, call the Department of State’s toll-free tiffany rings at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit VotesPA.com.

Media contact: Leslie Amoros or Charlie Young, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

A lesson in values springs from ignoring dictates of fashion

Residing in an old camelback chest with my father’s 1940s Army sweater — a keepsake I tiffanys wear — are plenty of old sweaters I do wear. One from 1982, despite a few small moth holes, has held up beautifully. It’s a chunky old gray thing from Scotland, saved from preppiness by a design in dour colors.

I was wearing it the other day when I heard a woman on the radio talking about the economic downturn and how it has made her wear what she has.

“I am wearing pants I wore 10 years ago!” she trilled in disbelief.

Apparently, more people are making do with stuff longer than they might have done in a more fluid tiffany pendants. Several local thrift stores reported that donations were slow this year. Goodwill’s regional marketing vice president David Tobiczyk said contributions have been flat while demand has increased.

A few managers at other thrift stores said donations dropped late last year but are starting to pick up now.

“We have been getting bombarded lately” after an otherwise slow year, said Sandy McCourt, manager of the Saint Vincent de Paul store in Sharpsburg.

She has particularly noticed an uptick in clothes from the 1970s and 1980s.

It would be nice to believe that, if wearing clothes longer is a trend, it has more to do with our values than the economy, which is so shifty. Fashion is a fleeting fancy that leads people to toss what’s still relatively new. Style has nothing to do with clothes and everything to do with the way they are worn. And, of course, if you hang onto something long enough, it comes back into fashion.

Since hearing the woman on the radio, I have taken inventory of my clothes, shoes, belts, scarves, coats and hats. This closet-gazing has been gratifying and cathartic. I still have more clothes than I routinely wear, but several years ago I culled the collection and have a relatively small wardrobe.

Many of my clothes are from the 1980s, and I am wearing them to no detriment beyond my natural style tiffany earrings. Some of the older items make me feel pretty well turned out. They are better made and better looking than anything I have bought in the past decade.

My high school band jacket is the oldest thing I wear. Then there’s the sweater from the preppy shop back when preppiness was the way. A pair of bush boots I bought in Greenwich Village in 1983 have scrapes on the toes, but with regular applications of saddle soap and oil, the oxblood color and suppleness of the leather remain after 26 years.

To take my dog to the dog park, I still pull on a pair of jeans from 1984, in spite of rips that have been sewn and retorn.

An alpaca Armani greatcoat I found on a clearance rack in Santa Fe, N.M., in 1986 had some flaw that made it affordable to me, but whatever it was, it remains indiscernible. At the time, the coat seemed like an extravagance, even at a great markdown. Now, I regard it as an investment.

I don’t wear dresses and skirts much anymore but have kept the ones I bought in Tulsa in the ’80s for the same reason. I would never spend the money I would need to spend today to buy clothes like these.

My professional wardrobe surely looks too comfortable to people who judge such things, but they should see my really casual wear — paint-stained T-shirts, mud-stained jeans from the dog park, sweatshirts with frayed cuffs and collars that wouldn’t be as comfortable or fun to wear if they were new. There’s a little satisfaction in tiffany necklaces jeans that are ripped because they are so old they are falling apart, knowing they look as bad as jeans people buy ripped for high prices.

It wasn’t the recent economic downturn that made me clothes-frugal. I quit the shopping hobby a decade ago when I bought my first house. Shopping got too expensive, like golf and fly-fishing. By now, almost all my clothes are older than the pants the woman on the radio couldn’t believe she was still wearing. It’s almost time to drag myself to a store for a few replenishings, an update or two, some socks.

Sometimes, when I want to torture my mind, I sit and think about all the clothes I bought in my 20s and 30s that ended up at thrift stores because I had bought them on a whim or to satisfy a need beyond the practical one. Even at earlier prices, I would now have a small fortune in savings had I tiffany accessories then like I shop now.