The HP Envy 15 isn’t my favorite laptop around, but if you buy one configured with both a Core i7 and ATI Radeon HD 5830, it’ll arrive loaded with USB 3.0. Oooooh! [CNET via Engadget]
R&B singing legend Teddy Pendergrass has died. The velvet-voiced ’70s crooner — who rose to the top of the charts with panty-dropper like “Somebody Loves You Back,” “Love TKO,” and “Turn Off The Lights” — lost his battle against colon cancer at a surburban Philadelphia hospital on Wednesday. He was 59. Teddy was paralyzed from the waist down after he crashed his Rolls Royce into a tree in a car accident in 1982, but he continued to record and even released a hit album in 1990.
His son, Teddy Pendergrass II said, “He will live on through his music.” In recent years, Pendergrass had invested his energy into creating a charity to help victims of spinal cord injuries, like his own.
We’ve got to do something about this darn cancer. Still praying for a cure. Rest in Peace, Teddy.
Bill Aulet wrote:
We just came back from spending a week with 95 MIT students in Silicon Valley drinking from the West Coast Fire Hose of Entrepreneurship. Our theme was “East meets West: The Unification Study Tour.” For us, the theme worked well. But some of those out west, as well as some back in the east and in the press, preferred to pursue a competitive approach, which I find not only unattractive and destructive but also incorrect.
Most people love a competition with winners and losers where we can track them as they race along. We certainly love our rivalries: Red Sox vs. Yankees, Celtics vs. Lakers, and Patriots vs. Colts (oops—scratch that last one now). Some rappers had their own version of East Coast vs. West Coast. But these sorts of rivalries are not exactly how it works—especially with regard to innovation.
In 1980, Bob Metcalfe (esteemed MIT graduate & co-inventor of the Ethernet) came up with his now-famous Metcalfe’s Law. The essence of his insight is that the value of the network to each user is exponentially related to the number of nodes on the network. So rather than there being a zero-sum game with “competing” innovation ecosystems, in many aspects the opposite is in fact the case, especially in the new digital “flat world.” That is, the success of one area should enhance the success of another.
At MIT, we train our students to be great entrepreneurs globally, not just in Massachusetts. In fact, according to the widely cited report on the economic impact of entrepreneurship at MIT, written by MIT Sloan School of Management professor Ed Roberts and Charles Eesley, MIT alumni start 200-400 companies annually. Of those companies, an estimated 26-28 percent will be started in Massachusetts this year. In addition, an estimated 26-28 percent will be started in California. The punchline of this story is that these are not two competing ecosystems, but really one large, connected-at-the-source entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Rather than spend our time and efforts arguing about winners and losers, or us vs. them, we at the MIT Entrepreneurship Center are focused on leveraging Metcalfe’s law through our second principle of operation: “collaboration.” We will spend our time and efforts to build connective tissue between East and West…and other areas, too. There are very interesting things happening outside Route 128 and Silicon Valley that we could all learn from and gain from by working together. So next time someone starts talking about Silicon Valley vs. Route 128 or Boston, ask them to “stop the noize!” We can all gain by a mindset of working together. Let’s spread the love around and innovation will flourish…and then we all win. Leave the score keeping to the sports page.
We’re not usually prone to listening to analysts’ speculation—especially when it comes to Apple products—but this latest, previously unheard-of rumor could see the iPhone experience reinvented completely if proven to be true. Still, please do BYO salt bag.
Robert Chen, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg that the next iPhone will launch in June (obvious to anyone in this world), but will also be remarkably different to what we’ve seen before.
“Apple’s going to put a lot of innovation, not just on the hardware, but also on the software of the new iPhone”
The “new plastic casing” will be touch-sensitive, much like Apple’s Magic Mouse, and according to Chen it will also have a 5.0-megapixel camera. The camera will undoubtedly be upgraded in the next iPhone model, so that’s not a far reach for Chen to make, but this new touch-sensitive casing sounds intriguing.
Making the next iPhone completely touch-sensitive sounds slightly redundant, if you ask me. Why would you want to be able to make a gesture on the back of the iPhone with your finger, to answer a call or turn the volume up on your music, when it’s already all too easy to do that on the touchscreen?
Unless Apple has something else up their sleeve. When you think about how you hold an iPhone, your index finger is usually pointed upwards, resting somewhere in the middle of the back. Could a touch-sensitive area there allow for quicker one-handed scrolling through emails, or application of pressure to perform a different task? Could it be used effectively in gaming?
It’s perplexing thinking about what Apple can offer via a touch-sensitive casing that its touchscreen can’t already do, but if you’ve got any ideas about this big fat piece of analyst hype, do let us know. [Bloomberg]
Anne Hathaway will be honored by the Ivy Leaguers at Harvard University next month.
The Oscar-nominated actress has been named The Hasty Pudding’s Woman of the Year and will accept the title in a ceremony at the prestigious Massachusetts college. The prizes are handed out every year by Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest undergraduate drama troupe in America. Hathaway, 27, who has appeared in films including Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, and Rachel Getting Married, will lead a parade through Harvard Square to a ceremony at New College Theatre – formerly known as The Hasty Pudding Theatre.
The legendary award is given to entertainers who have made a “lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment” and known for being very slapstick. Last year’s winner Renee Zellweger was persuaded to put on a fat suit while the male recipient James Franco was made to milk a “gay cow” to mark his work in the movie Milk.
Past recipients of Hasty Pudding’s Woman of the Year award include Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, and Charlize Theron. Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Willis, and Christopher Walken are among the former male recipients.
The recipient of this year’s Man of the Year prize has yet to be announced.
It has not yet been revealed which male star will take the honour this year.
Online music is growing at a healthy pace with YouTube clearly dominating, but other players like Hulu, at least in the US, are coming strong from behind. One trend that has helped this growth lately is the increasing amount of professional content available online. And, while TV series and shows are proving quite popular on Hulu, it’s still music vid… (read more)
hi5star is obviously a fairly successful and intelligent guy, so why on earth is he such an insecure, attention-seeking fag?
Being a person who drank the kool aid that Apple is selling, I am a lover of Mac computers. One of the publications that I receive at home regularly is MacLife, a rag dedicated to, you guessed, all things Mac. I opened the February issue and was intrigued to find that the staff of MacLife had dedicated a section to a review of the Verizon Droid.
I was intrigued because a major Mac publication was giving an Android device some precious page space. Not to mention the time to reviewing a product that has nothing to do with the focus of their publication.
The review itself, which may not surprise you, said the Verizon Droid was not that great of a handset. I beg to differ of course, but what less can we expect from a publication that is lock, stock and barrel for the iPhone? Not much more.
Why is this important for the Android Army? Because it shows that Apple fanboys are taking notice that Android is becoming something that people are choosing to use instead of the iPhone. It shows that Android is a real threat now, and the industry as a whole is waking up.
If you have opportunity, check the review out in the latest edition of MacLife. Have a good chuckle at the criticisms of the Droid, then smile because it sounds so much like Apple fanboy’s barking at something they fear just a bit.
GigaOM Pro is our network’s subscription research arm, and it has grown by leaps and bounds since the launch last year. The Pro site has lots of research and deep looks into various technology industries, all for a low annual subscription fee. The launch of Pro set the research world on its ear, as most industry reports are sold for large fees piecemeal, rather than a low subscription rate for all reports produced over the course of a year.
A new program launched this week under the GigaOM Pro banner will further shake up the research business, as the Analyst Relations Program looks to bring industry professionals together forming an insider community. Verified Analyst Relations folks can join the program, which includes a free subscription to the GigaOM Pro research. From the press release:
“The success so far of GigaOM Pro is in large part due to our belief that expert opinion and research is infinitely more valuable through discussion,” said Paul Walborsky, CEO of the GigaOM Network. “The next step in the evolution is to empower analyst relations professionals to join the conversation.”
GigaOM Pro’s Analyst Relations Program will offer industry first: enabling a more open, engaged and persistent conversation around informed opinion and analysis by leveraging our large community and interactive platform that are the pillars for GigaOM Pro.
“At GigaOM, we strongly believe that the more smart people that are engaged in the conversation, the more value is found in our platform,” said Michael Wolf, Vice President of Research, GigaOM Pro. “By creating a program where vendors can engage, clarify and lend insights around their positioning, all of our community will benefit and we’ll see more interesting, relevant conversations between analysts, vendors and our subscribers.”
“Part of the challenge for an analyst relations professional is to find channels to react to market research once it’s published,” said Ted Miller, Global Analyst Relations Manager, Opera Software. “GigaOM Pro’s Analyst Relations program enables a way for an AR pro to respond directly to research and engage with the analyst.”
Analyst Relations professionals can learn more about the platform and sign up today for the program by visiting: http://pro.gigaom.com/gigaom-analysts-relation-program.
I know that some of our readers are involved in the AR business, so if that is your line of work don’t miss this opportunity.
Lazard Capital analyst Barton Crockett slapped a “sell” on Netflix today, with a $41 price target, saying he thinks the company’s stock hit “a peak.”
Looking at comScore data, Crockett thinks Netflix’s subscriber growth will be at the low end of guidance for Q4.
He also thinks Netflix is going to have trouble maintaining growth, which will add pressure to the stock.
Here’s what he said in a note this morning to investors:
* Comments imply 4Q09 was within guidance range. Netflix chairman Reed Hastings made an appearance on CNBC just before the close to discuss the new Wii bundling deal. In response to a question from Maria Bartiromo, Hastings said “We’ve been really blessed with just incredible subscriber growth, 7 million to 9 million to 12 million — we keep on growing and it’s really driven by this phenomenal value.” While this was not guidance, it suggests that at worst Netflix hit the low end of its 12 million to 12.3 million subscriber guidance in 4Q09 or shortly thereafter. Netflix also set an earnings reporting date — Jan 27 — without warning, suggesting performance consistent with guidance.
* But comScore data argue for subs at the low end of guidance. However, ComScore website traffic data for December, released Wed. afternoon, argues for performance at the low end of sub guidance, which we believe would be a headwind for the shares. Because of this data, which is 88% correlated to sub gross adds, we are trimming 4Q09E net adds 200,000 to exit at 12.0 million subs.
* Console questions. Longer term, we are skeptical that online streaming via PS3, Wii, and DVD players, the company’s current focus, will drive sub growth that matches the lift in 2009 from the Xbox 360, because Xbox users are much more inclined to go online. So we expect an easing of recent torrid growth, and pressure on both the trading multiple and Street estimates.
Join the conversation about this story »
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Bruce V. Bigelow wrote:
[Updated 1/14/2010, 9:37 am. See Below] Darrius Thompson tells me he’s been involved for a long time in the software community, and he sees how consumer acceptance can be fluky. Some new software products get widespread distribution, and some go nowhere. Thompson says he believes in open-source products, but sometimes it doesn’t seem to matter if the software is available for free or not.
The runaway hit-or-miss nature of software development reminds him of the music industry. “Some of these guys were just taking in enough money to pay their server bill,” he says.
But Thompson tells me he’s also noticed that consumer acceptance tends to be much higher when users are offered a free software download at just the right moment. For example, during the years he worked at San Diego-based DivX (NASDAQ: DIVX), which provides audio-video compression technology, users would often readily agree to download software for a “surround sound” system if it was offered while they already were installing the DivX codec. Figuratively speaking, it’s like offering a free download of peanut butter while you’re installing jelly.
It was that realization that led Thompson and Chester Ng to found OpenCandy in 2007 with a handful of other ex-DivXers. The San Diego startup operates a Web-based network that allows a software publisher to advertise its product—and to offer it as optional download—while another program is being installed on a user’s computer. Both are usually offered as free downloads.
[Updates to clarify that OpenCandy’s system selects the software offer] OpenCandy helps facilitate the process by providing software publishers what it calls “a tiny plug-in” they can integrate into their installer, which enables publishers to recommend complementary software or services that might be valuable to their users. “Software developers are doing their best to make their advertising as targeted as possible,” Thompson explains. The publisher picks the products they want to recommend and our network automatically chooses the best offer for each consumer. For example, through OpenCandy’s partnership with San Francisco-based Nitro PDF Software, a user who downloads PrimoPDF, a popular free alternative to Adobe Acrobat, gets an offer to also install Snagit, a free program for capturing, sharing, and editing anything users see on their computer screen.
While it’s possible to do tricky things to get users to install software, Thompson says OpenCandy’s business model calls for recommending good software and ensuring that consumers opt into the download. “We really like the idea of openness. That’s the way we operate internally. We really believe in transparency, and in open systems in general,” Thompson says. The founders conveyed that sentiment when they named …Next Page »
El contrabando ilegal de coches es un problema que a los gobiernos les cuesta controlar. No sólo son las bandas que roban los modelos y los trasladan de un país y otro, si no que existen diversos métodos en los que no hace falta robar los modelos, simplemente se hace una importación fraudulenta, evadiendo impuestos, que permite al importador ganar mucho dinero con una inversión relativamente baja.
Y recalco lo de relativa, porque según el modelo la cifra puede ser importante, pero no tanta como la de su posterior venta. Por esto, el gobierno tailandés ha tomado una decisión drástica, que incluso raya la locura. Para dar una lección a los importadores, han decido destruir los modelos delante del público como si de un espectáculo se tratara.
Creo que existen métodos más eficaces, pero creo que ninguno tan impactante como este, aunque si lo pensáis bien, es mejor subastar el modelo y utilizar estos ingresos para financiar cualquier programa social o incluso invertirlo en evitar la importación ilegal.
En la foto que os mostramos, podéis ver como destrozan un Ferrari 456 GT de 1992, este modelo asciende a 1.2 millones de dólares debido a los impuestos que hay que pagar por este tipo de vehículos en Tailandia.
Vía | Wrecked Exotics
It’s a nightmare for a woman to start loosing hair. A woman’s hair is believed to be an integral part of her beauty. And loosing them at an alarming rate, to an extent of even appearing bald, definitely takes a toll on her self confidence. But before one seeks to find out the remedy, it’s very important for her to know what exactly the root cause of her hair fall is.
In a woman, more than the genetic, it’s the hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss. Other factors such as diseases, anemia, surgery, laser therapies such as the chemo therapy or too much stress can also lead to hair loss. Lack of proper nutrition, extreme diets, and rapid weight losses have also seen leading to hair fall in women.
Prevention is better than cure. Anyone can suffer from hair fall and therefore taking proper care of your hair is extremely essential. One must brush her hair properly and slowly, detangling the tips first and gradually moving towards the roots. This will ensure than the number of hairs falling is decreased. Then using a suitable shampoo for your hair is also necessary. One must take a test before using a certain product as one might naturally be allergic to any ingredient used. One must avoid shampoos that are too harsh on the scalp and are chemical rich. Also conditioning is an important part of your hair care process. It provides nourishment to your hair along with keeping it smooth and hassle free.
One must also keep the scalp clean with regular hair care. In case of hair fall one might also find home remedies effective. Hot oil massages, Ayurveda, hair spas have also found to be helpful. One must visit a dermatologist first when she notices the first signs of an abnormal hair loss. The dermatologist will be able to tell her what actually is causing the hair fall. If it is hormonal, then the doctor might advice certain medications. If it is due to the side effect of some medication then she might be asked to discontinue it altogether.
Women are more exposed to hair styling products. Excess use of blowers, dryers, curlers can cause hair fall. Straightening, perming, and coloring also have an adverse effect on the hair health. Therefore one must no overdo these. Lack of proper blood circulation in the scalp leads to loosening of hair roots and thus they cannot bind the hair tightly, making them fall. One must regularly exercise to improve the circulation of blood. Also she must try various stress relieving techniques. Taking of vitamin and mineral supplements can also improve the condition as there are chances that deficiency of these essential nutrients in causing the hair fall.
There are also various products available in the market those are believed to solve hair loss problem. For example the FDA approved Provillus is believed to be an extremely effective solution to hair loss. In fact not only does it reduce the hair fall, it also helps in the growth of new hair. One must seek to find a solution in accordance with what actually is causing the hair fall.
Provillus for women reviews are highly sought after with hair loss increasing at an alarming rate in women. Today a women can expect to began losing hair at age 30 just as men can. Hair loss in women is commonly known as female pattern baldness and can occur in a quarter of all women.
Provillus supplements your body’s natural supply of these nutrients and lets the tiny follicles beneath your scalp receive exactly what they need to create beautiful, full-bodied hair. Provillus has an excellent blend of nourishing nutrients that also block the DHT in the body. The formula prevents hair loss and promotes regrowth of hair follicles.
Provillus has an excellent blend of nourishing nutrients that also block the DHT in the body. The formula prevents hair loss and promotes regrowth of hair follicles. It supplies nutrients for growth of healthy thick hair. Strong, healthy hair begins with the proper nutritional building blocks.
Hair loss is a difficult thing for many men to deal with, but using Provillus can help in reducing that stress. For a lot of men they feel a loss of self-confidence if their hair starts to thin on top. Men will try all types of different hair styles and treatments to attempt to cover up or hide the thinning areas, but even these temporary measures will not give you the kind of confidence that puts a spring back in your step.
One prescription remedy for males only is a pill called Propecia that can only be obtained from a physician. It is unsafe for women and children to even handle this drug. This medication is a powerful DHT blocker that works to prevent balding. When it comes to DHT blockers for women, they are out there but not available by prescription.
Provillus Is a modern and safe product which contains Minoxodil and effective herbal supplements. Ideal for both men and women, Minoxidil (or loniten) was the first ingredient approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness.
Many hair growth treatments will help replace that lost hair. One of these is Provillus for Women. This product has proven to help you re-grow that lost hair quickly after giving birth. That way you can spend more time enjoying your baby rather than worrying about your hair loss.
Provillus is an exclusive natural formula available in two different compositions specially designed for male and female hair loss patterns. Provillus for Men contains Saw Palmetto extract, which has the properties to lower the levels of male hormones DHT in male body. At that Provillus for Women has various Vitamins and acids necessary to nourish women’s hair and fight with female type of hair loss.
Provillus benefits also include easy online ordering and shipment facilities provided by the manufacturer in many parts across the globe. If you order online, you will not only receive it at discount rates but also benefit from some special offers. You can call at their helpline toll free number to learn more about the product in general and its usage.
Read about hair loss treatments, and also read about choosing hair color and beautiful hair
Hair loss has to be considered quite a natural process, but lately, under effects of various negative factors, hair loss has escalated and turned into a real problem, both in men and women. That is why a great deal of people is looking for relevant information and effective hair loss treatments. Fortunately, modern medicine offers us a great variety of solutions. Those include therapeutic shampoos, hair creams and balsams, hair growth stimulants and the medicines that improve our blood flow, vitamins and hair food cocktails, scalp massage, hair replacement and many others. However, overwhelming majority of these treatments is connected with chemicals and other unnatural approaches to solving hair loss problem.
In Ancient Egypt, people used to treat hair loss with special therapeutic solutions made of lettuce leaves and juice, or scalp massages with castor or olive oil. Africans used to prepare a special brew made from olive tree flowers and rub it into the scalp. Also, in Africa using avocado was considered effective for fighting with brittle hair and dandruff. Ancient Indians used therapeutic properties of sage for hair re-growth, as well as a magic mixture of cocoa milk, black pepper and fenugreek. Finally, early American immigrants used another therapeutic formula, which included such ingredients as camphor oil, cantharidine and a little of alcohol.
Actually, there are a lot of natural remedies and solutions for hair thinning or falling out which are not connected with such negative side effects like allergic reactions, digestion problems or incompatibility. Provillus Hair Re-growth Treatment is one of the most effective natural hair loss remedies, which does not only stop hair loss in a natural way, but also stimulates hair re-growth. Provillus contains a variety of natural ingredients, such as biotin, minerals and Vitamins, as well as extracts of some medicinal herbs and plants which are proven effective for combating hair loss problem.
Moreover, Provillus is an exclusive natural formula available in two different compositions specially designed for male and female hair loss patterns. Provillus for Men contains Saw Palmetto extract, which has the properties to lower the levels of male hormones DHT in male body. At that Provillus for Women has various Vitamins and acids necessary to nourish women’s hair and fight with female type of hair loss. Finally, using Provillus is not connected with any risks, including financial, because this natural remedy always comes with money back guarantee.
Provillus Natural Hair Loss Remedy is available for everyone. Copious information about Provillus for Men and Provillus for Women can be found at http://provillus.all-hair-loss-treatments.com
À zero hora do próximo domingo, dia 17 de janeiro de 2010, terá início o novo sistema de cobrança nas praças de pedágio da rodovia Castello Branco (SP 280). A reestruturação tarifária faz parte do projeto Cebolão da Castello e proporciona uma diminuição de até 57% nos valores praticados. Assim, o pedágio do quilômetro 33 da Castello Branco, no município de Itapevi (sentido interior), terá a tarifa reduzida em 50%, baixando de R$ 11,20 para R$ 5,60, cobrado apenas no sentido capital-interior. Já nas duas praças da Marginal, (quilômetros 18 e 20), a cobrança passa a ser feita também nas pistas expressas e seu preço reduzido em 57%, baixando dos atuais R$ 6,50 para R$ 2,80, em ambas as praças.
Viabilizado pelo Programa de Concessões Rodoviárias do Governo do Estado de São Paulo e executado pela concessionária ViaOeste, sob fiscalização da ARTESP, o Complexo Cebolão trará também maior fluidez ao tráfego. A reestruturação tarifária permite uma melhor distribuição do tráfego entre as pistas marginal e expressa. Atualmente, no trecho do km 24 ao km 13 o tempo gasto na marginal nos horários de pico (7h-10h e 17h-20h, aproximadamente) é de 10 minutos e na pista expressa é de 25 a 30 minutos. Com as melhorias físico-operacionais do Complexo Cebolão da Castello esse tempo passará a ser de 10 minutos, tanto na marginal como na via expressa.
As mudanças na rodovia Castello Branco incluem a nova ponte que dá acesso à pista local da marginal Tietê, a recuperação de parte da marginal do Tietê e a construção do novo trevo de acesso aos municípios de Jandira, Itapevi e Aldeia da Serra, localizado no quilômetro 32. As obras foram liberadas para o tráfego no último dia 6. O investimento chega a 242 milhões de reais e beneficia mais de 2,5 milhões de pessoas.
Objetivos da mudança tarifária
Além das obras, o projeto Cebolão da Castello prevê a redução de tarifas e extensão de cobrança para as pistas expressas, na altura de Osasco e Barueri (Alphaville). O objetivo da reestruturação tarifária é equilibrar a cobrança, que sendo estendida a todos os usuários proporciona uma diminuição expressiva dos valores que vinham sendo praticados. Essa foi a forma mais justa de viabilizar os investimentos realizados, que não estavam previstos no contrato de concessão.
Antes da definição dessas alterações, foi feita uma pesquisa entre os usuários da rodovia – tanto das vias expressas como das marginais -, e constatado que, em razão do ganho substancial na fluidez dos veículos com a conclusão das obras do Complexo Cebolão, 82% dos entrevistados foram favoráveis à nova forma de cobrança das tarifas.
Abaixo, os novos valores de cada praça de pedágio:
Osasco, km – 18, sentido interior – R$ 2,80
Barueri, km – 20, sentido capital – R$ 2,80
Itapevi, km 33, sentido interior – R$ 5,60
Nova Ponte sobre o Rio Pinheiros
A reconfiguração do Complexo Cebolão inclui a nova ponte construída sobre o Rio Pinheiros (sentido Castello às marginais) e melhorias viárias na Marginal Tietê. Com a ponte os usuários que seguem da rodovia Castello Branco para a Marginal Tietê dispõem de mais duas faixas, além das três já existentes. As conexões da pista expressa da Castello Branco com a pista expressa da Marginal Tietê e da via local da Castello Branco com a via local da Marginal Tietê também garantem maior fluidez ao tráfego. A obra beneficia cerca de 100 mil usuários/dia da rodovia Castello Branco que acessam as marginais Tietê e Pinheiros.
A obra inclui a implantação de ponte com 581 metros de extensão, a recuperação das três pontes existentes, totalizando 1.242 metros de extensão, a recuperação de pavimento e aplicação de massa asfáltica, além da instalação de barreira acústica e de 340 postes de iluminação.
Novo Trevo de Jandira
A ampliação do trevo localizado no km 32 (Jandira) da rodovia Castello Branco elimina os congestionamentos que ocorriam devido ao cruzamento feito pela rotatória. O viaduto sobre a rotatória possibilita ganho de fluidez e maior segurança aos usuários. A obra inclui a implantação de três viadutos (Jandira/Itapevi-Aldeia da Serra, Jandira/Itapevi-São Paulo e Castello Branco-São Paulo), a implantação de faixa adicional na Castello Branco, de passarela sobre os ramos do trevo e de um túnel sob a Castello Branco para passagem de pedestres. Além disso, foram construídos muros de contenção e passeio em concreto para pedestres, e instaladas defensas metálicas, barreira rígida, sinalização vertical e horizontal, iluminação e sistema de drenagem.
Programa de Concessões Rodoviárias do
Governo do Estado de São Paulo
O Programa de Concessões Rodoviárias do Governo do Estado de São Paulo teve início em 1997 com a concessão de 3,5 mil quilômetros de rodovias, divididos em 12 lotes. Os investimentos já realizados na malha dessa 1ª Etapa somam 16 bilhões de reais. O principal resultado do Programa são viagens muito mais confortáveis e seguras: o índice de mortos nas rodovias concedidas hoje é 40,5% menor em relação a 2000.
Somente no corredor rodoviário, do qual faz parte a rodovia Castello Branco (Osasco a Itú), já foi investido 1,3 bilhão de reais em obras de ampliação e modernização da malha, além de 800 milhões de reais em serviços operacionais que incluem o Serviço de Atendimento ao Usuário (socorro médico e mecânico) e o Centro de Controle Operacional (monitoramento por câmeras, inspeção de tráfego, etc).
Entre as obras já executadas nesse trecho da SP 280 constam 20 dispositivos de acesso e/ou retorno, 5 passarelas, 2 pontes, 20 quilômetros de novas pistas, 6 quilômetros de faixas adicionais e 132 quilômetros de recapeamento. O Programa também garante serviços de manutenção e conservação durante todo o período de concessão.
A six-strong team of Oxfam emergency specialists has been dispatched to Haiti from the UK today to bolster the charity’s response to the devastation wrought by the earthquake that struck the country on Tuesday.
Cedric Perus, Oxfam’s humanitarian coordinator in Port au Prince said:
“I have seen wounded people flooding into the hospitals and buildings of several stories high that are now totally flat. Several thousands have probably died in the quake, but it will it will take time to get a full picture. Bodies may stay under the rubble for a long time because it is difficult to access some sites and heavy lifting equipment is in limited supply.
“There are bodies all over the city. People have nowhere to put them so they wrap them in sheets and cardboards in the hope that the authorities will pick them. People have also piled bodies in front of the city’s main hospitals.
“Oxfam’s teams have now started to assess the scale of the disaster, across the different parts of Port au Prince, as some have been more severely affected than others. The epicentre was near the slum of Carrefour, where people were living in flimsy shacks. There are reports that over 90% of its buildings are in ruins.
“Our immediate priorities will be providing safe water and shelter material for the people who have lost their homes. Many people have lost their homes and were sleeping out in the open last night.
“There has been no rain yet, but there was rain earlier in the week and if it comes again it will make the situation much worse for all those made homeless by this quake. It is dangerous at night. Lootings were widespread and some markets were ransacked.”
Oxfam is preparing to send stocks from its Bicester Warehouse in Oxfordshire. Materials that will be sent include plastic sheeting and equipment for water distribution, purification and storage.
The Disasters Emergency Committee – a group of the 13 leading UK aid agencies including Oxfam – launched a joint appeal for funds from the UK public today.
The public can donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal by calling 0370 60 60 900 or visiting the website http://www.dec.org.uk/
Communication has been difficult since the 7.0 magnitude quake struck 10 miles southwest of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, but the situation is undoubtedly grave. Homes, office buildings, roads, schools, hospitals and hotels have collapsed. Millions of people are affected and the aid agencies need millions of pounds to get aid to all the people that need it.
ENDS
Oxfam has spokespeople in Haiti and San Domingo.
For information contact: Ian Bray on +44 (0)1865 472289/ +44 (0)7721 461339 or Rebecca Wynn on + 44 (0) 1865 472530/+ 44 (0) 7769 887139
You can also contact the Oxfam Media Unit hotline on 01865 472498 or email [email protected] with enquiries
Luke Timmerman wrote:
Hope sprang eternal at this year’s JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the annual kickoff event for the biotech industry. A few Seattle biotech companies offered some reasons for people to think a little hope may be justified.
—VentiRx Pharmaceuticals said it raised $25 million to further develop its drugs that stimulate the innate immune system against cancer and allergies. A pair of local investors, Arch Venture Partners and Frazier Healthcare Ventures, chose to re-invest in the Seattle and San Diego-based company, while MedImmune Ventures, a unit of AstraZeneca, led the new round.
—Stephen Friend is at it again. The visionary founder of Sage Bionetworks said he struck a partnership with the world’s largest drugmaker, Pfizer, to support Sage’s effort to spark an open-source-style movement for biology. Pfizer is paying to support research at Sage to find new cancer drug targets and predict which patients are likely to respond to therapies in development. Terms weren’t disclosed.
—Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), the world’s largest maker of HIV medications, is deepening its roots in the Seattle area with a $50 million respiratory disease research center looking out over Lake Union. The company hasn’t yet seen U.S. product sales to justify its $365 million acquisition of Corus Pharma in 2006, although it is hoping to get the green light from the FDA next month to start selling Corus’s inhalable antibiotic for cystic fibrosis.
—ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: ZGEN), the granddaddy of Seattle biotech companies, closed on a financing that netted about $90.9 million. The company plans to use the cash to support R&D, and to boost sales of its lone marketed product, recombinant thrombin (Recothrom) for surgical bleeding.
—Seattle-based Targeted Genetics (NASDAQ: TGEN) said it is allowing itself to be de-listed from the NASDAQ exchange in order to save cash. The longtime gene therapy stalwart is down to the equivalent of six full-time employees.
—The Institute for Systems Biology was found to have the highest scientific impact of any research center in the U.S., and the third highest in a global survey of more than 2,100 research centers, according to an analysis by Spain-based SCImago Research Group. The report looked at total research output, how much each institute collaborates with other centers, the influence of its publications, how often they are cited by other scientists, and other factors.
—SonoSite (NASDAQ: SONO), the Bothell, WA-based developer of portable ultrasound machines, said it plans to spend $100 million to buy back shares of its stock.
—Kineta, the Seattle-based biotech company, raised $942,000 in new capital, according to a regulatory filing. The company is developing anti-viral therapies, as well as drugs for autoimmune diseases.
