http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/credit/the-toll-of-id-theft.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/credit/the-toll-of-id-theft.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 written about identity theft today centers around the way in which it is perpetrated, the nature of the fraud and how this is evolving, and the failure of companies to keep personal information of their employees, clients and customers secure. What doesn’t tend to be as newsworthy or prominent is how identity theft impacts the lives of people.

A recent article titled “Dealing with ID theft can be expensive, emotionally draining and time-consuming” addresses this subject. It references an FTC study that highlights that more than 27 million people became victims of identity theft in the past five years, and that 41 percent of them were still dealing with the problem two years after it occurred. If further concludes that the recovery process could take about 500 hours and cost about $3,000.

Heather Wells who heads the identity theft restoration team for ID Experts is quoted in this article as saying:

“The emotions they go through is pretty similar to what victims of other crimes experience. First there is shock and disbelief. Sometimes shame is involved. They lose trust in other people. Sometimes problems with their spouses come up because it’s so stressful. Many cases involve family members or close friends who have done this. That’s probably the worst thing.”

While there is a lot that people can do to reduce their chances of falling victim to identity theft, the bad guys are continuing to grow in sophistication and an increasing percentage of ID theft is now perpetrated by organized crime groups residing outside the US. Combine this with the growing incidence of corporate data breaches which personal data is lost or stolen, and it would appear that the need for resources and assistance with ID restoration will only continue to grow.

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ID Experts is a leading provider of identity theft protection and remediation services for individuals, corporations and the public sector. Founded in 2003 to help victims of identity theft, ID Experts has grown into America’s leader in personalized, fully-managed recovery services.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-chief-ip-counsel-the-ceo-and-business-strategy.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-chief-ip-counsel-the-ceo-and-business-strategy.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Chief IP Counsel, the CEO and Business Strategy
One of the core principles of my company and the development of our IP software is that strategy needs to be aligned with business strategy. As you might have guessed, we’ve developed our software to help companies do just that. Rather than posting another blog entry that espouses the benefits of achieving this alignment, I wanted to pass along a few other blogs I’ve found that share similar perspectives on the this topic.

Chief IP Counsel
We’ve discussed the concept of a Chief IP Counsel on this blog before. I came across a very cool post on the concept over on the e^(ip) blog. Not only does it discuss the importance of the CIPC role, but the author does a great job of describing some of the more strategically-minded business issues the person in this role needs to consider.

IP-Business Strategic Alignment
Speaking of good posts, I’ve come across a blog dedicated to the concept of IP strategy equating to business strategy by the folks over at IP-Refinery.com. There are some good posts over there. One post that caught my attention recently was on the topic of using IP strategy to reduce the inherent uncertainty in business decisions.

WIPO - A Practical Guide
I’m not sure when this entry was posted over at WIPO, but A Practical Guide to Managing IP is another good piece that outlines everything from organization alignment, education to proper oversight of an IP licensing business.

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Roxanne Carroll works on intellectual property management for Innovation Asset Group.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/women/biologic-age-vs.-chronologic-age.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/women/biologic-age-vs.-chronologic-age.html Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
The average reproductive life span for a woman is about 30 years. Years ago, women didn't menstruate on the average until age 15 or 16. Today girls of 10 or 11 are already menstruating. Part of this is due to the overabundance of synthetic hormones in our diet. We are coming of age faster and going into menopause later. We should be able to prolong our reproductive health as well as longevity.

Specifically applied techniques of Oriental Medicine can restore a more youthful endocrine system. Correct dietary practices and exercise routines are the first factors to contemplate in raising your fertility quotient and maintaining reproductive vigor. R.G. Godsen & C.E. Finch, in Definition & Character of Reproductive Aging & Senescence, state, "Dietary and endocrine manipulations can also slow the pace of ovarian aging." One study in Biol Reprod, 1985, Nelsen, Godsen & Felicio, found that feeding a low calorie diet to rodents slowed the disappearance of ovarian follicles. Whole foods, mainly consisting of organic fruits and vegetables, will help restore vitality, as well as avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Moderate tobacco use has been estimated to advance the onset of menopause by up to three years, and increase the rate of follicular atresia by 7% (Godsen, et al.) Any form of stimulant (including herbal) will age us prematurely. Moderate exercise at least three times per week helps improve the circulation to the internal organs as well as improving skin and musculoskeletal tone.

There is a belief in the reproductive medical community that age is the only factor that determines ovarian health. Medical studies conclude that ovarian decline occurs around age 40. These studies, however, do not take into account the relevance of environmental stressors and dietary factors. Environmental factors play an incredibly crucial role as far as reproductive aging is concerned. In 20% of monozygotic twins, the age at menopause differs by five or more years. Genetic parameters of oocyte aging have used mathematical models to calculate and determine that an 80% variation in ovarian aging is genetically determined, leaving a 20% distinction for environmental factors which are within our control. Guess what?! Our ovaries do not have a predetermined, finite half-life. They are organs that respond to favorable surroundings just as the rest of our bodily systems do. They are not locked away in untouchable safes. This is very good news, however, because just as they respond negatively to poor diet, drugs, toxins, and stress hormones, they also respond positively to a healthy diet and pure lifestyle.

Our ovaries and the eggs residing in them have been present since before we were born. During embryologic development, the seven million germ cells which will become all of the 300,000 - 400,000 eggs we will possess at birth will be carried through menopause, when the follicular supply falls to less than 100. Certainly as we age, the DNA contained within the eggs becomes less stable. However, a human egg which has been lying dormant for 32 years is not itself tremendously more stable than one which has been resting for 40 years. When most women aproach the peri-menopausal hormonal fluctuations, they still have thoudands of eggs remaining within their ovaries! What makes them less responsive? Hormonal fluctuations. Once scientific study found that when the ovaries of older, anovulatory rats were transplanted into hormonally youthful rats' bodies, they became capable of ovulating. Neuroendocrine changes take place while the ovary is still well endowed with follicles. These variations begin with central, hypothalamic control of the release of FSH. Acupuncture and herbal therapy can forestall age related decline.

What happens as we approach middle age is that our own hormonal makeup wavers. The hypothalamic - pituitary - ovarian axis, an invisible network of hormonal relationships which govern our reproductive status, becomes less stable with age. The ovaries become less predictable because of the hormonal fluctuations and the eggs contained within quit responding predictably to the hormones. Once they become less responsive to the FSH, more of them cycle through and go to their "resting place." We need to provide more hormonal fuel for the remaining thousands of eggs, i.e., strengthen the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, when age becomes an issue. Acupuncture techniques have been proven to regulate the hypothalamic - pituitary - ovarian axis. The result will then be manifest in the ovaries and their hormone production.

Contrary to popular reproductive belief, follicular growth from the resting state until ovulation takes up to 100 days, or more than three menstrual cycles. Follicles are selected from the primordial pool of resting follicles almost a year before ovulation, and are recruited to become active. During the initial pre-gonadotropin period the follicle responds to regulatory factors within the ovary itself, which are like hormones. These growth factors are like hormonal precursors. One important ovarian growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, is the precursor to the youth hormone which is secreted by the thymus gland called growth hormone. Others have names like insulin-like growth factor binding protein, interlukin, tumor necrosis factor, inhibin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and activin. These ovarian growth factors help determine the eventual fertility potential of the oocyte (egg).

During this period which lasts for many months, the healthy, responsive follicle determines its own fate with these regulatory proteins. The (0.03mm) follicle is first chosen from the primordial pool to double in size (to about 0.06 mm) and become a primary follicle, about 150 days prior to ovulation. It reaches its secondary phase approximately 120 days before ovulation, when it again doubles in size. The follicle then cycles through the pre-antral and early antral phase and grows from about 0.12 mm to about 1.0 mm in approximately 65 days. It has quadrupled in size during this time, and has gone through many stages of proliferation.

It is only during the last two to three weeks of its cycle through the ovary that the follicle becomes dominant and responsive to FSH. During the selection phase, which lasts approximately ten days, it more than doubles in size as it differentiates further. The follicle itself acts as its own gland by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to make itself responsive to FSH. Now the follicle grows to twice its previous size again, surfaces and becomes the estrogen-producing follicle which then makes itself receptive to luteinizing hormone by expressing a receptor at the preovulatory phase. It fulfills its major purpose as it releases its egg, whose chromosomes are beginning to rearrange, for a chance to become fertilized. The follicle then finalizes its life cycle by becoming its own endocrine gland called the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to maintain a pregnancy. Imagine the potential energy required for these great follicular achievements! This is not an undertaking for the frail!

Learn More about High FSH at The Fertile Soul

A woman who is over age 43 or 44 will often be turned away from any chance at assisted reproductive technology because of the age and therefore poor state of her ovaries. She may fail to respond as favorably to the gonadotropins as her younger counterpart, because her eggs have become less responsive to hormonal stimulation. She may produce few numbers of eggs, whose outer capsule is tougher and thus less capable of fertilization. Those eggs which do become fertilized may have more inclusions during early embryologic development, meaning there are more waste products put out by the mitochondria. Less make it to the blastocyst stage, even fewer are capable of implantation, and fewer yet make it through the full embryonic development. That is why a woman over forty is statistically less likely to give birth, and is encouraged to find alternative ways of becoming a mother. She will be told she has poor quality eggs. Her reproductive endocrinologist will strongly suggest that she consider using a younger donor's eggs. This makes her chances of having a baby, and thus her RE's statistics, much higher.

The reason for the lower chances of assisted reproductive success in older women is because the only portion of the hormonal process that is manipulated is the last few weeks of this many months' process. Massive doses of gonadotropin hormones are given to the women in order to (hopefully) recruit more follicles. This doesn't, however, make them of better quality. Perhaps the reason she has been unsuccessful in conceiving in the first place is because her hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis has been ailing, and the reflection has been in the resistance of her ovaries, the eggs contained within, and thus the inability to conceive.

It seems that the older a woman is, this process of follicular development, which takes up the better part of a year, becomes more susceptible to breakdown. Experience has shown that if the hormonal system is in perfect working order and a woman has clockwork menstrual cycles, no matter what her age, a healthy egg can be released on time. It then has a good chance of becoming fertilized, implanting, and making it through embryologic development to become a child. The emphasis here is on the healthy hormonal cycle. If each individual element of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis is still in healthy interrelationship dring this process, the developing follicles are going to reflect this state of well-being.

How do we give the HPO axis the attention it needs to express its full reproductive vigor? Fortunately, the steps involved in turning back the reproductive clock are all natural. Unfortunately, rejuvinating the reproductive system takes time. Through some effort, we will give the entire reproductive-psycho-neuro-endocrinologic system the attention that a young woman's has effortlessly. We will help urge the body's attention to the mid-brain, the pituitary, the ovaries, the uterus, the spirit, and the mental and emotional health required to produce healthy eggs.

Continue reading the Eastern View and a success story at The Fertile Soul.


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Dr. Lewis authored The Infertility Cure - the Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies, as well as her new book, The Way of the Fertile Soul - Ten Ancient Secrets to Tap Into a Woman's Creative Potential. She has appeared on multipe radio and television shows throughout the country, all featuring her successes in helping women conceive with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Lewis is the founder of The Fertile Soul Method. Read more of her articles and method atTheFertileSoul.com.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/in-recent-years-there-has-not-been-a-better-time-to-buy-a-home-so-what-are-people-waiting-for.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/in-recent-years-there-has-not-been-a-better-time-to-buy-a-home-so-what-are-people-waiting-for.html Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600
It is not a secret that home sales around the nation have declined from peak levels reached in 2005. One can speculate about the reasons for the downturn, but I’m interested in finding answers to why it has continued despite solid fundamentals.

During recent discussions with realtors, I have discovered that there are consumers actively looking to purchase homes but that they don’t have any sense of urgency.

Therefore, I pose this question to our readers, “What are the reasons that many actively looking home buyers are sitting on the sidelines, seemingly waiting for something to happen? What is it that they’re waiting for?”

Home buying fundamentals have arguably improved since the pinnacle of the housing boom. Interest rates are at very low levels, high leverage loan programs are still available for first time buyers, and sellers have negotiating power. Therefore, all the micro economic reasons to purchase a home remain.

On a macro economic scale construction costs have increased considerably over the past decade and show no sign of slow down as raw materials and energy prices continue to rise. Additionally, land is a non-renewing asset; there is a limited supply and infinite demand. Therefore, as construction costs increase, land becomes scarcer, and the region continues to realize population growth, real estate prices should continue to increase once we work through the current supply.

The current supply of homes on the market is high which has made today a buyers market. However, building permits are down to a record low and sellers are experiencing pricing pressures; both of which will bring supply back in line with demand sooner than later. When that happens I expect a new real estate market to emerge that promotes and sustains equilibrium between buyers and sellers.

Therefore, what are potential homebuyers waiting for? When the equilibrium is reestablished buyers no longer will hold the negotiating power currently available. Additionally, if the dollar continues to weaken peoples buying power will be even less.

Comment on this article at our blog


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Darris Cassidy, VP of Finance. Woodhill Homes:

Darris Cassidy has worked in real estate ever since 2002. His background in loans & banking for commercial real estate construction and financial services led him to Woodhill Homes, where Darris manages a team of employees responsible for all of the financial handlings at Woodhill Homes. Darris frequently writes about real estate for the Woodhill Homes blog.

Woodhill Homes has several Bend & Central Oregon real estate developments. Woodhill Homes communities like Woodhill Park and Bend10 feature environmentally responsible homes and all of their residential real-estate developments are geared toward the entry-level & move-up markets.

For more information about Woodhill Homes at www.woodhillhomes.net, and keep in touch with Central Oregon real estate trends on their blog at www.woodhillhomes.net/blog/.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>