In addition to automotive applications, Schrader technology is utilized in markets such as industrial, robotics, construction and hospital environments.

(Coal Geology/NewsUSA) – “Innovation” is a term companies use quite often. While many companies are quick to brand themselves as inventive, very few have the legacy and pioneering spirit to be truly innovative. But occasionally, a few great companies manage to prove their claims of innovation by successfully extending core technologies into new fields and applications.
You may be grasping at air when you try to explain valve and sensing technologies to a friend. While many don’t see or interact with these technologies on a daily basis, they are utilized in applications that many customers and end-users use each and every day -; and the roles these technologies play in your everyday safety and comfort shouldn’t go unnoticed. One such valve and sensing technology manufacturer, Schrader, takes innovation seriously.
“Since 1891, our valve and sensing technology has played a critical safety role within global automotive applications. We invented the first pneumatic tire valve, the very same valve used on every vehicle in the world today. More recently, we pioneered tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), now required on all new vehicles in North America, and growing in European and Asian-Pacific countries,” says Paul Wise, director of marketing at Schrader. “However, what differentiates Schrader is our ability to extend these foundational technologies to new markets and applications.”
For example, Schrader has been successful in adapting its sensor technology to monitor power transmission belts and industrial hoses, which are found in diverse applications for factory equipment, construction, agriculture, robotics and other markets as well.
“Many of these applications are considered ‘capital equipment,’ meaning when the piece of equipment is down because of a broken belt or a burst hose, it translates to a real operational cost to owners,” said Enda McCloskey, vice president of technology, Schrader. “Our new belt and hose monitoring systems remove the guess work about when to perform critical maintenance.”
Schrader valve and sensing technology within automotive applications helps to save lives, reduce fuel costs, and reduce environmental impact via TPMS. Additionally, Schrader’s continued history of innovation has resulted in an all-electric way to better measure fuel levels in gas tanks as well as new flex fuel sensors for hybrid vehicles — its technology has even expanded to the medical field, including oxygen monitoring for hospital and patient environments.
For more information, visit www.schraderinternational.com.

Club Tech teaches youth a variety of technology-driven programs, including arts and music.

(Calcutta Tube/NewsUSA) – Among the latest tech gadgets, cell phones and social media sites, today’s teen is more connected than ever. Although teens are surrounded by a flurry of electronics and digital media, are they gaining the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven world?
According to the Department of Commerce, students educated in science, technology, engineering and math at any level make 26 percent more money overall than counterparts who have studied in other fields.
Several non-profits and corporations have rallied together to highlight the importance of teaching young people critical digital literacy skills.
“The access to technology kids get outside of school is often an important complement to the learning that happens in the classrooms,” said Dan Rauzi, senior director of technology programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Boys & Girls Clubs has a long history of providing educational and developmental programs for youth in communities nationwide. Through a national partnership with Microsoft and Comcast, its Club Tech program provides free software and access to technology lessons to youth of all ages. In 2010 alone, the program reached over 850,000 kids who learned how to design posters, collaborate on film projects and make their own music.
Daniel Flores, 16, has participated in Club Tech for two years at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Mich. He believes the skills he is acquiring in graphic design will help him get into an art college and pursue a career one day. In fact, he’s started his own small business offering Web and graphic design services.
“I wanted to create a business that helps other companies market and promote their ideas by developing websites, logos and print making,” Flores said.
According to a recent study, teens like Flores who participate in after-school technology programs exhibit a more positive outlook on their future. Many also become more positive about finishing high school and attending college.
“Club Tech is more than just providing computers. We give kids and teens an opportunity to express themselves artistically and engage with technology in a way that builds confidence and real-world skills,” added Rauzi.

Digital surveillance systems provide high-resolution images and better evidence.

(Coal Geology/NewsUSA) – Although cities are vibrant centers of culture and business, city dwellers must deal with public safety issues like theft, assault and vandalism. When law enforcement is stretched thin, who is held accountable for such crime, and how can individuals and businesses tighten security?
When a theft at his former business remained unsolved despite a significant investment in surveillance equipment, business owner Alexander Fernandes had a vision — build the world’s best surveillance systems based on emerging high-definition (HD) technology.
“Low-quality surveillance footage simply isn’t cutting it anymore. If the image is fuzzy and grainy, what kind of evidence is it? What kind of deterrent is it?” asks Fernandes, now the co-founder and CEO of Avigilon, a global supplier of HD video surveillance solutions. “Businesses, governments and other organizations need quality images that can be used to provide usable evidence in order to promote public safety, manage liability and ultimately detect and deter crimes.”
High-definition images can provide irrefutable evidence, which is revolutionizing security-monitoring systems for public transportation, government organizations and businesses on a global scale.
Despite the availability of higher-quality HD solutions most installed surveillance systems still use analog technology, which results in grainy footage because of low-resolution cameras and poor-quality recording equipment. The perceived higher cost of HD is a reason why some organizations are not jumping to upgrade. Buyers won’t, or can’t, pay a premium for better technology. Related is the fact that new HD components must be compatible with existing analog surveillance equipment and IT infrastructure.
Avigilon has responded to the demand and barriers of adopting HD surveillance by architecting a complete system that delivers the best image detail, yet also eases the burden of cost, installation and support. To-date, Avigilon systems have been installed in more than 80 countries as organizations recognize the advantages of HD technology.
“We can cover 50,000 spectators in a stadium with 10 of our cameras and get facial recognition and valid, usable evidence,” says Fernandes. “It could literally take over a thousand analog cameras to get that extreme detail.”
Many other valuable non-security uses for HD surveillance are also emerging, such as analyzing traffic flow and staffing productivity.
Learn more about using HD digital surveillance systems to protect and enhance your business or community by visiting www.avigilon.com.

NASA

July 21, 2011, CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., (Coal Geology)- Wrapping up 30 years of unmatched achievements and blazing a trail for the next era of U.S. human spaceflight, NASA’s storied Space Shuttle Program came to a “wheels stop” on Thursday at the conclusion of its 135th mission.

Shuttle Atlantis and its four-astronaut crew glided home for the final time, ending a 13-day journey of more than five million miles with a landing at 5:57 a.m. EDT at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was the 26th night landing (20th night and 78th total landings at Kennedy) and the 133rd landing in shuttle history.

“The brave astronauts of STS-135 are emblematic of the shuttle program — skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds who propelled America to continued leadership in space with the shuttle’s many successes,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “This final shuttle flight marks the end of an era, but today, we recommit ourselves to continuing human spaceflight and taking the necessary- and difficult – steps to ensure America’s leadership in human spaceflight for years to come.”

Since STS-1 launched on April 12, 1981, 355 individuals from 16 countries flew 852 times aboard the shuttle. The five shuttles traveled more than 542 million miles and hosted more than 2,000 experiments in the fields of Earth, astronomy, biological and materials sciences.

The shuttles docked with two space stations, the Russian Mir and the International Space Station. Shuttles deployed 180 payloads, including satellites, returned 52 from space and retrieved, repaired and redeployed seven spacecraft.

The STS-135 crew consisted of Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim. They delivered more than 9,400 pounds of spare parts, spare equipment and other supplies in the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module – including 2,677 pounds of food – that will sustain space station operations for the next year. The 21-foot long, 15-foot diameter Raffaello brought back nearly 5,700 pounds of unneeded materials from the station.

A welcome home ceremony for the astronauts will be held Friday, July 22, in Houston. The public is invited to attend the 4 p.m. CDT event at NASA’s Hangar 990 at Ellington Field. Gates to Ellington Field will open at 3:30 p.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on NASA Television. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

STS-135 was the 135th and final shuttle flight, Atlantis’ 33rd flight and the 37th shuttle mission dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.

For more information about the STS-135 mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

For information about the space station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

For information on NASA’s future exploration activities, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/next

SOURCE NASA

CONTACT: Michael Curie, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1100, michael.curie@nasa.gov; or Kyle Herring, Johnson Space Center, Houston, +1-281-483-5111, kyle.j.herring@nasa.gov; or Candrea Thomas, Kennedy Space Center, Fla., +1-321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

Web Site: http://www.nasa.gov

“With today’s final launch of the space shuttle we turn the page on a remarkable period in America’s history in space, while beginning the next chapter in our nation’s extraordinary story of exploration,” Administrator Charles Bolden said. “Tomorrow’s destinations will inspire new generations of explorers, and the shuttle pioneers have made the next chapter of human spaceflight possible.”

The STS-135 crew consists of Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim. They will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with more than 8,000 pounds of supplies and spare parts to sustain space station operations after the shuttles are retired.

“The shuttle’s always going to be a reflection to what a great nation can do when it dares to be bold and commits to follow through,” Ferguson said shortly before liftoff.  “We’re not ending the journey today…we’re completing a chapter of a journey that will never end.”

The mission includes flying the Robotic Refueling Mission, an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed for robotic refueling of satellites in space, even satellites not designed for servicing. The crew also will return with an ammonia pump that recently failed on the station. Engineers want to understand why the pump failed and improve designs for future spacecraft.
Atlantis is on a 12-day mission and scheduled to dock to the station at 11:06 a.m. on Sunday.

STS-135 is the 135th shuttle flight, the 33rd flight for Atlantis and the 37th shuttle mission dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.

NASA’s web coverage of STS-135 includes mission information, a press kit, interactive features, news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA Television schedule, is available on the main space shuttle website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of the mission. NASA TV features live mission events, daily status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will host daily news conferences with STS-135 mission managers. To participate, reporters must have valid media credentials issued by a NASA center or issued specifically for the STS-135 mission.

http://www.nasa.gov/station

SOURCE NASA

CONTACT: Joshua Buck of Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1100, jbuck@nasa.gov, or Kyle Herring of Johnson Space Center, Houston, +1-281-483-5111, kyle.j.herring@nasa.gov, or Candrea Thomas of Kennedy Space Center, Fla., +1-321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

Web Site: http://www.nasa.gov

“This mission represents the power of teamwork, commitment and exploration,” Commander Mark Kelly said shortly before liftoff. “It is in the DNA of our great country to reach for the stars and explore. We must not stop. To all the millions watching today including our spouses, children, family and friends, we thank you for your support.”

The crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and critical supplies to the space station, including two communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional parts for the Dextre robot. AMS is a particle physics detector designed to search for various types of unusual cosmic matter. The crew also will transfer Endeavour’s orbiter boom sensor system to the station, where it could assist spacewalkers as an extension for the station’s robotic arm.

“Today’s final launch of Endeavour is a testament to American ingenuity and leadership in human spaceflight,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “As we look toward a bright future with the International Space Station as our anchor and new destinations in deep space on the horizon, we salute the astronauts and ground crews who have ensured the orbiter’s successful missions. The presence of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at the launch inspired us all, just as America’s space program has done for the past 50 years.”

Kelly’s crewmates are Pilot Greg H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Mike Fincke, Drew Feustel, Greg Chamitoff and Roberto Vittori of the European Space Agency. This is the first shuttle flight for Fincke and Vittori. Vittori will be the last international astronaut to fly aboard a shuttle.

Endeavour is scheduled to dock to the station at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday. The 16-day mission includes four spacewalks. After undocking to return to Earth, Kelly and Johnson will ease the shuttle back toward the station to test new sensor technologies that could facilitate the docking of future space vehicles to the station.

The shuttle’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for 2:32 a.m. on June 1. STS-134 is the 134th shuttle flight, the 25th flight for Endeavour and the 36th shuttle mission dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.

NASA’s web coverage of STS-134 includes mission information, a press kit, interactive features, news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA Television schedule, is available on the main space shuttle website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of the mission. NASA TV features live mission events, daily status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Daily news conferences with STS-134 mission managers will take place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. To participate, reporters must have valid media credentials issued by a NASA center or issued specifically for the STS-134 mission.

Journalists not on site must contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of a briefing to participate. Newsroom personnel will verify credentials and transfer reporters to the phone bridge. Phone bridge capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SOURCE NASA

CONTACT: Joshua Buck of NASA Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1100, jbuck@nasa.gov, or Candrea Thomas of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., +1-321-867-2468, candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

Web Site: http://www.nasa.gov

Two are recipients of the National Merit Scholarship.  They are:

Alexandra Logan, daughter of Bob Logan, assistant terminal superintendent, and Ruth Whitworth-Logan. She will graduate from Altamont School, Birmingham, Ala.
Laura Starling, daughter of Hugh Starling, director network systems, and Elizabeth Starling. She will graduate from Chamblee High School, Chamblee, Ga.

Recipients of Norfolk Southern Special Scholarships are:

Brent Aldridge, son of Don Aldridge, senior manager purchasing, and Cheryl Aldridge. He will graduate from Franklin County High School, Rocky Mount, Va.;
Melinda Boggs, daughter of Cary Boggs, senior designer, and Dana Boggs, accounting clerk. She will graduate from Hidden Valley High School, Roanoke, Va.;
Kathryn Cook, daughter of Katie Cook, director accounting research and analysis, and Steve Cook. She will graduate from Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va.;
Marissa Gogniat, daughter of John Gogniat, national account manager, and Anita Gogniat. She will graduate from Gateway High School, Monroeville, Pa.;
Steven Guinn, son of Steve Guinn, training coordinator, and Ronda Guinn. He will graduate from Powell High School, Powell, Tenn.;
Alanna Koehler, daughter of Steven Koehler, conductor, and Sandra Koehler. She will graduate from Triton Regional High School, Runnemede, N.J.;
Shelby Lyons, daughter of Clem Lyons, chief clerk, and Barbara Lyons. She will graduate from Old Bridge Adult High School, Old Bridge, N.J.;  and
Daniel Russell, son of Lindsay Russell, tax counsel, and Susan Russell. He will graduate from Matthew F. Maury High School, Norfolk, Va.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation, an independent, nonprofit organization, selects scholarship recipients.  For detailed descriptions of the scholarships sponsored by Norfolk Southern and other corporations, refer to the NMSC Web site, www.nationalmerit.org.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation

CONTACT: Media, Robin Chapman, +1-757-629-2713, robin.chapman@nscorp.com, or Scholarship Information, Carol Sensenig, +1-757-629-2685, carol.sensenig@nscorp.com

Web Site: http://www.nscorp.com

SciEd Classroom Rock and Mineral Collection; 50/pk

The Klingon Language Institute $500 KOR Scholarship (language study);
National Marbles Tournament $5,000 Scholarship;
Chick & Sophie Major’s Duck Calling $1,500 Scholarship;
The “Duct Tape” Stuck-On-Prom Scholarship ($6,000 per couple);
Why Milk’s “SAMMY” $7,500 Scholarship (Scholar-Athlete-Milk-Mustache);
Dr. Seuss’ ‘Oh the Places You Will Go’ $5,000 Scholarship;
Patrick Kerr $5,000 Skateboard Scholarship;
Culinary Institute of America $25,000 Best Apple Pie Recipe Scholarship;
Parapsychology Foundation’s Scholarship (studying paranormal activity);
The Sheep Association’s “Make It With Wool” $2,000 Scholarship;
Mycological Society of America $500 Scholarship (study mold/spores/fungus);
Coven of Sacred Waters $500 Scholarship (amounts vary for Pagan/Wiccas only);
NCTA’s Help Santa Find The Perfect Christmas Tree $10,000 Scholarship;
American Association of Candy Technologists $10,000 Scholarship
Icy Frost Bridge Scholarship (for females who sing The National Anthem with sincerity!)

Aristotle Circle expert Rod Bugarin, former admissions and financial aid director, Columbia University, explains: “With college costs at an all-time high and family financial resources stretched to the breaking point, Aristotle Circle has experts to help students find the right college, while advising them on how to be competitive for merit and need-based scholarships.”

About Aristotle Circle:

Aristotle Circle connects parents to experts with current insight and inside knowledge of admissions from pre-K to graduate school.  Aristotle Circle’s network of more than 250 elite experts currently serves over 1000 clients in 30 states and 15 countries and includes top admissions professionals, guidance counselors, school administrators, financial aid advisors, and child development experts in their fields. Aristotle Circle’s goal is to take the stress out of the process. www.aristotlecircle.com

Contact:

Renee Young / Renee Young PR

914.523.5320

reneeiyoung@aol.com

SOURCE Aristotle Circle