Low Water Pressure – Reasons for and Solutions to the Problem

Posted on April 16, 2013 by science

tapLow water pressure can lead to a number of problems. When the water pressure in the pipes is low, everything from taking a shower to washing dishes becomes a hassle. There are many reasons for low water pressure in pipes. The common ones are corrosion in pipes and in-line devices, clogs, low volume of water, low delivery pressure, a kink in the pipe obstructing water flow, and many more.

In some homes, the faucets or shower heads may be clogged. Many faucets and shower heads contain flow restrictors. Even a tiny piece of sediment may clog the restrictor’s openings, leading to low water pressure. Alternatively, someone would have used the shutoff valve, and wouldn’t have opened it properly later.

Only after the cause has been found out, can a solution be offered. Some common causes/problems related to low water pressure and their solutions are given below:

Unscrew the fixture

If the problem is in the fixture, unscrew it with your hand or a pair of pliers and replace it after rinsing to remove obstructions, if any. If the parts have corroded, change them.

Change the supply line

If the supply line feeding the branch is small and this is the reason for low water pressure, change it. You can substitute it with a supply line of a bigger diameter, which allows the free flow of water.

Replace main supply pipe

If there is inadequate water flow in the whole house and if you’ve added new fixtures lately, the main supply pipe may have to be replaced to increase water supply. The main supply pipe that carries water from the water meter to your house should be replaced with one which is bigger in size.

Use a booster pump

If your house is located on top of a hill or at the end of a municipal system and draws water from a well located lower than your house, a booster pump may have to be installed to solve the problem.

Check the valves

If you experience the problem of low water pressure, then be sure to check the position of the valves. If there are any partially open valves, then do open them completely as they might be the cause for low water pressure.

Check the heater

If the issue of low water pressure is only affecting your hot water supply, then be sure to check the water heater. Make sure that the shutoff valves near the heater are completely open so as to ensure adequate hot water pressure. You can also contact a plumber to check whether your heater system is working properly.

Check for leaks

A water leak in your plumbing system can affect the water pressure. Do check for leaks and replace the faulty pipe lines in case of low water pressure.

About the author

Grace is an experienced professional associated with Water Works Canada, which is a well-known drain cleaning and plumbing provider offering services to GTA and Toronto residents for the past 16 years!

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Can Positions like Court Reporters and Stenographers Ever be Replaced by Voice Recognition Technology?

Posted on April 13, 2013 by science
Can Positions like Court Reporters and Stenographers Ever be Replaced by Voice Recognition Technology?
Doctor using voice recognition softwareIt seems like a natural progression; much like hand held computers, cars that can recognize your voice and tell you when to turn, and phones that can do just about anything you could want or need. But replacing a court reporter with a digital recording device could cause more aggravation and cost more money than anticipated. Every state has some court systems currently using digital recording devices in place of human stenographers in some capacity. Whether it’s local state proceedings or federal trials, these recording systems are popping up, threatening the licensed livelihood of professional court reporters everywhere.
Even with the initial set-up cost excluded, digital recording systems cost more than their human predecessor on a continual basis. The cost of transcribing the recorded information would fall solely on the court system verses the privately funded software programs the stenographers use. As for eliminating the court reporter’s salary goes, well, there needs to be a staff member to monitor and run the digital equipment. Court reporters have capabilities with their programs and “real-time” transcripts that a digital recording system might be able to match, but with a substantial delay in the proceedings. That delay costs the courts precious time and money.
Accountability and accuracy is extremely important for the transcription process. Court stenographers are able to eliminate background noise such as the thud of a dropped book, the slam of a door, the shuffle of feet, and the mumble of voices. If a person is speaking too quickly or unclearly, the human stenographer has the capability of asking them to repeat themselves, ensuring the accuracy of what is recorded. When it comes to the typed transcription, the version handed into the court is ensured to be accurate, having been turned in by a skilled, licensed recorder of the court.
Digital recorders do not have the capability to double check potential audible errors as they occur. Think of the problems that could arise from the jury reading inaccurate transcripts on a murder trial! Reports from courts around the country have expressed concern regarding difficulties with “gaps” in testimony and “inaudible” pauses created by multiple voices talking at once that were not accurately decipherable for the record when obtained by digital recording systems. These are problems that a court reporter can easily avoid.
Technology is taking over; constantly growing and changing. Nobody can argue with the benefits it has contributed to the medical field, the music industry, and of course our hand held devices. But there are times when a human’s “real-time” skills are necessary for the smooth, effective operations of a company, process, or procedure. Until the technology improves, the court reporter is one such example were a the reactions of a real-time skilled professional can save headaches down the line.About the Author:

Lance Brusilow is the Owner if Brusilow+Associates, a Philadelphia court reporter and litigation services company.  Lance is a frequent writer on technology issues in the litigation services industry.
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BESLER Consulting Announces Staff Additions

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


Princeton, NJ (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

BESLER Consulting, a leading provider of comprehensive revenue recovery services to healthcare organizations, is pleased to announce the addition of Maria Miranda, FACHE as the firms Director of Reimbursement Services and Arthur Baxter as Regional Vice President of Sales.

Were delighted that Maria and Arthur have joined the BESLER team, stated Jonathan Besler, BESLERs President and Chief Executive Officer. Their experience in the healthcare financial services industry will help us to expand our service offerings and to continue to deliver superior service and value to our growing client base.

Maria Miranda brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare financial services industry and will provide guidance to the Reimbursement service line in the development and delivery of engagements for our clients. She will also develop new opportunities and work with her team members to enhance client service through expertise, perspective, and relationship-building skills. Prior to joining BESLER, Ms. Miranda was the Regional Director of Network Development for Multiplan, a national preferred provider organization. She was responsible for overall contracting efforts and provider relations for the Northeast Region. In addition, Ms. Miranda has held positions of increasing responsibility in reimbursement and managed care at acute care hospital providers in New Jersey and New York.

Arthur Baxter has over fifteen years of executive sales experience in healthcare services and technical solutions. Before joining BESLER, he was Senior VP of Business Services at Hayes Management Consulting. He will be responsible for business development in BESLERs Midwest sales region.

About BESLER Consulting

For over 25 years, BESLER has helped hospitals recover otherwise lost revenue, increase reimbursement, ensure compliance, improve efficiency and reduce costs. BESLERs deep domain experience in revenue cycle, reimbursement, compliance and unmatched software solutions has resulted in the recovery of more than one billion dollars of additional revenue for our clients. For more information, visit http://www.besler.com.







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Telecommunications Exec Ivan G. Seidenberg to Lecture as Part of Pace University MOOC

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


(PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Ivan G. Seidenberg — former Verizon top executive and Pace University alumnus for whom the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is named — will speak at the university on April 3 as a highlight of a lecture series developed by Amar Gupta, Ph.D., Dean of the Seidenberg School, in a Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC.

Open online courses give Pace an exciting new avenue for sharing with individuals across the world the intellectual breadth and emphasis on real-world professional experience that defines our community,” University President Stephen J. Friedman said.

I am especially delighted that Dr. Guptas course will feature Ivan Seidenberg, a visionary leader, whose Pace education started him down the road of driving innovation at Verizon and across the telecommunications industry,” he added. “Mr. Seidenberg, who is also a Pace trustee, has insights and experiences that will make important contributions to this new knowledge arena.

The event, Inventing Verizon: Innovation and Growth in a Transforming Communications Industry, will take place on Wed., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Downtown Conference Center Amphitheater, 1st floor, 157 William St., New York, NY. The event will be simulcast on Paces suburban New York campus in Pleasantville, 861 Bedford Road, Entrance 3, in the Goldstein Academic Center, Room 300. The lecture will also be streamed online on Udemy.com, a course development tool. The free lecture is open to the public.

Seidenberg, retired chairman and CEO of Verizon, will share how he led Verizon on an extraordinary path from a 100-year-old company to a 21st century innovator in broadband and mobile communications, providing a powerful model for how to lead during a time of major technological and social change.

Gupta developed the course, International Technology Services in the Knowledge Economy to address current trends in business and education. Gupta introduced the concept of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory, a model explored in this MOOC, in a detailed, provocative Wall Street Journal article titled Expanding the 24-Hour Workplace: Round-the-clock operations aren’t just for call centers anymore. In the new 24-hour workplace, a professional in the United States who works the usual 8-hour work day can transfer a project to a colleague in a different time zone, perhaps in China or Australia, who will then work 8 hours and in turn transfer the project to a colleague in Eastern Europe. The project is then transferred back to the original professional in the US.

The course covers the technological, economic, legal, and political considerations necessary to foster this type of collaboration. See details of the lecture series and view the first two lectures here.

The concept of the 24-hour knowledge factory is not new to the telecommunications industry, Seidenberg said. Communications companies have had to turn to innovative approaches to keep up with a rapidly changing world. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences in this area at Pace.

Gupta, an expert on linking science with entrepreneurship, joined Pace as the dean of the Seidenberg School in August.

My role as dean of the Seidenberg School affords me tremendous opportunities for developing new courses geared to the needs of students everywhere, he said. The challenges and opportunities of the global knowledge economy can be met with such online courses open to students worldwide.

Seidenberg (MBA 81) donated the largest gift in Paces history, $ 15 million awarded to the School of Computer Science and Information Systems in October 2005. One-third of his naming gift supports the Seidenberg Scholars Program, a program dedicated to recruiting and supporting top computing students from across the country.

Those who wish to attend the lecture in person can register at http://inventing_verizon.eventbrite.com.

About Pace University: Since 1906, Pace has educated thinking professionals by providing high quality education for the professions on a firm base of liberal learning amid the advantages of the New York metropolitan area. A private university, Pace has campuses in Lower Manhattan and Westchester County, N.Y., enrolling nearly 13,000 students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in its Lubin School of Business, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Professions, School of Education, School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.







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Attorney Charles Boyk Stresses the Importance of Driving Safely Through Construction

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science

Toledo, OH (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

As 13 ABC News reported on Monday, construction season has arrived which means that there will be orange barrels along the roadways and an increased need to drive defensively.

Currently in Toledo you will see orange barrels lining Central and Secor making it difficult to get in and out of certain businesses and to travel along the road altogether. Drivers must remember that the construction is necessary in maintaining the area’s roadways, and it is important to remain patient when their commute is delayed.

Attorney Charles Boyk recommends leaving five minutes early in the morning on your way to school or work, decreasing the sense of urgency and frustration you might experience when getting caught up in a delay. There are still other construction projects that ODOT will release the details of later this week, explained 13 ABC News.

Attorney Boyk recommends eliminating as many distractions as possible when driving through areas of construction. The lane markings can change daily, so dont feel as though you know the roadway restrictions. Drive with awareness and be defensive. While the goal of construction is to help the roadways, there have been numerous accidents that have resulted from it, so be careful!

To check for future construction projects in your area, check the ODOT website and pay attention to daily traffic reports from local news stations.







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Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. Launches Premier Energy Education Workshops

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


Buffalo, NY (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Demand Response experts at Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc., one of the nations largest demand response providers, have announced that they are offering to any business interested in demand response a series of online energy-related workshops, to be held monthly. The workshops will feature information relating specifically to demand response programs as well as other pressing energy topics within the New York, PJM, California, and Ontario, Canada markets, broadcasted live from ECSs studio located in Buffalo, NY.

Noticing that many businesses are still not fully aware of what demand response is and how they can earn revenues through participation, ECS developed these workshops to promote the importance of Demand Response in deregulated energy markets as well as to define other evolvements that pertain to the energy industry. ECS consultants will provide their unique insight into the energy industry in order to guide end-users who are looking to advance the way in which they manage their energy solutions. The workshops will involve up to a thirty minute presentation by one of ECS experts, after which participants are invited to call in to ECS to have their energy topic questions personally addressed.

We are developing these Energy Education Workshops with the mindset that keeping people apprised of and up-to-date with the latest and most authoritative information is the most critical factor in advocating and enabling adoption of smart energy strategies. Demand Response plays a pivotal role in the way we keep the electrical grid and wholesale energy market prices stable. Power users need a deeper and broader understanding of how they can participate in order to receive the significant financial compensation available for doing so, says Jim Korczykowski, CEO of Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc.

Space for the workshops will be granted on a first-come, first serve basis, and ECS asks that all interested parties please sign up well in advance of the presentation date. ECS has also announced that for a limited time, the company is offering a sign on bonus payment to qualifying large commercial and industrial facilities that participate in the online workshop and enroll in ECS Demand Response program within one week of attendance.

About Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. (ECS) offers consultative, administrative, and turnkey demand response services. ECS is one of the largest demand response service providers in North America, with more than 10,000 customers participating in its programs nationwide. ECS is currently serving markets across North America including New York, California, Texas, the PJM territory and Ontario, Canada.







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BCG Attorney Search Recruiters Find Increased Demand for New York IP Attorneys

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


New York City, NY (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

New York City, NY The New York market for patent litigators and prosecutors is on the rise, according to legal recruiter BCG Attorney Search. Law firms are actively seeking IP attorneys with backgrounds in both traditionally popular areas like electrical engineering and computer science, as well as the life sciences.

BCG Attorney Search, a legal recruitment firm, is seeing an uptick in the New York market for patent litigation and prosecution work. IP firms have always sought attorneys with technical backgrounds, and candidates with degrees in computer science and electrical engineering have been especially in demand, even during the height of the economic recession. More recently, however, New York firms have been broadening their focus to include hiring of IP attorneys with backgrounds in the life sciences.

Recruiter Nicole Callahan, who is based out of BCGs New York office, noted that firms are showing renewed interest in IP candidates with life science degrees like general chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. This trend is following an employment lull in that field during the recession. As the economy is improving, demand in the life science sector is improving as well, said Ms. Callahan. During the economic downfall, software was very big, and demand for electrical engineers was hot. Now that were coming out of the economic downfall, were seeing a pickup in general, with demand for the life sciences coming back.

Within patent litigation and prosecution, demand is strong across the board for junior and mid-level associates, as well as senior-level attorneys. For IP candidates with senior-level experience, firms are interested in partners who can bring a book of business something that can be admittedly difficult to achieve within an IP practice group.

IP litigation is extensive and complex, explained Ms. Callahan. The cases take longer time-wise than other types of litigation, and firms typically have large IP litigation teams. To have a single partner leave the firm and be able to take that business with him or her is unusual. Even if an IP partner were to leave, the heart of the case would typically still be at the firm.

BCG Attorney Search is also seeing movement within transactional IP as well, particularly for attorneys with experience in technology transfers, licensing, M&A support, and due diligence. On the flip side, the New York market for IP work in trademark, copyright, and trade secret is currently slow, despite picking up in other East Coast areas.

As a former IP attorney, Ms. Callahan predicted that demand for IP attorneys would continue to trend upwards for the foreseeable future, noting that the practice area remains a consistently stable area of law. IP is one of the more reliable practice areas. General litigation fell through the floor during the economic downfall, but demand in IP was always around. Were going to continue to see a trend where having an advanced degree becomes more and more important.

About BCG Attorney Search:

BCG Attorney Search is a premier recruiting firm for experienced attorneys in the United States. BCG Attorney Search has 10 offices across the U.S. and its recruiters focus only on working with attorneys. Since the year 2000, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys with employers who were the best fit for individual candidates, and helped law firms and companies with their recruitment efforts. For more information, please go to http://www.bcgsearch.com/.







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Kenall Manufacturing Receives Two Architectural SSL 2013 Product Innovation Awards

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


Gurnee, IL (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Kenall Manufacturing, a leader in the commercial lighting industry, has been named a 2013 Product Innovation Awards (PIA) recipient by Architectural SSL magazine for two products: TopDek for Best Retrofit Garage/Low Bay category and EnviroPro for the Specialty Lighting category.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, said Jim Hawkins, Kenall president and CEO. This confirms Kenalls commitment to the advancement of solid state lighting solutions. We have long recognized LEDs as a strong and viable source for commercial lighting fixtures providing tremendous opportunity for dramatic cost savings, intelligent energy reduction and the preservation of natural resources.

Architectural SSL magazines PIA Awards program was established to recognize innovative developments in LED lighting. A panel comprised of 24 distinguished designers and lighting specialists reviewed submissions based on industry-leading performance and functionality.

The award determines and honors the best LED luminaires on the market, while also recognizing the companies behind the components that make up these light sources. Over 160 entrants were evaluated in the interior, exterior and components categories, with multiple subcategories in each.

The TopDek parking deck and surface lot luminaire was recognized for its traditional design aesthetic combined with high luminous efficacy. Luminous efficacy is rated at 110 lumens per watt, with available color temperatures ranging from 4000K to 5700K, and a CRI of 70. Offering minimized glare, enhanced uniformity and full-cutoff distribution, the fixture has been designed for use with Kenall’s SmartSense Control System, capable of delivering significant cost and energy savings.

Kenalls EnviroPro Low/High Bay luminaire was recognized for its excellent vertical and horizontal illumination at 97 lumens per watt making it appropriate for big box retail stores, gymnasiums, convention centers and food processing applications. In fact, the lumen output from these low bay and high bay luminaires is equivalent to HID lamp sources, with the added advantages of long life, uplighting, instant re-strike, impact resistance, compatibility with dimming systems, cost and energy savings, and enhanced color rendering.

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Holly R. Lake Joins Miller Law Group’s Los Angeles Office as a Shareholder

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science


Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Miller Law Group, a leading California employment law firm for business and one of the preeminent women-owned law firms in the country, has brought on Holly R. Lake as a shareholder in the firms Los Angeles office.

Ms. Lake represents private and public employers in all aspects of employment law and related litigation, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour matters, and class and collective actions. A successful trial lawyer, Ms. Lake serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) training program. She is a frequent speaker on employment law topics and has authored numerous articles on wage and hour, trade secret, and OFCCP compliance issues.

Miller Law Group is the fastest-growing employment law firm in the United States, based on its rank on the Inc. 500/5000 list of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The firm now has 27 attorneys in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and represents private and public employers throughout the state.

We are very excited to have Holly join us, said Michele Ballard Miller, Miller Law Groups founder and managing shareholder. Hollys skills and the breadth of her experience and practice — including trials, class actions, and affirmative action matters — mesh well with our firms strengths and direction.

Ive known Miller Law Group for years, and have been impressed by the firms reputation, said Ms. Lake. Im drawn to the firms platform and pricing structure and excited about the opportunities at Miller Law Group to continue to expand my practice while better servicing my clients employment law needs.

We have the litigation skills and California-specific employment law knowledge that large employers need, at rates that are extremely cost effective in this market, added Ms. Miller. And, the firm is attractive to companies seeking to retain diverse outside law firms. Miller Law Group is certified as a women-owned business by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and is active in the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP), and the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF).







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Using iPads in Hospitals? Mobile Rhino Shares the Pros and Cons

Posted on April 3, 2013 by science

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Over 30% of physicians are currently using mobile devices on the job for everything from communicating with patients to accessing Electronic Medical Records. With the increasing adoption of mobile technology into the healthcare setting, Mobile Rhino, the first mobile device insurance program available for healthcare organizations through licensed insurance agents, has developed a list of pros and cons for healthcare organizations looking to implement iPads into their practices.

The healthcare industry holds a lot of contention about the presence of iPads in hospitals and private practices. Physicians and healthcare administrators recognize that the devices provide convenient and streamlined communication, mobile access to patient information, and continuously innovative treatment capabilities, said Dwight Stuckey, creator of Mobile Rhino.

However, putting mobile devices in a healthcare setting does present privacy and HIPAA compliance concerns, which is a huge deterring factor for healthcare organizations. Thats why Mobile Rhino put together a pros and cons list to shed light on both the positive and negative impacts of iPads in healthcare.

Pros:

Compatibility: App developers tend to start with iOS before creating an Android version, which means that innovative apps and tools for physicians, including Electronic Medical Record applications, might be more readily available for iPad users than for other tablets.
Affordability: An iPad or an iPad mini, despite costing a few hundred dollars, is still cheaper than tablets made for the healthcare industry. For example, the Panasonic Toughbook H2 has a starting price of about $ 3,449 whereas the newest iPad retails for about $ 500-$ 600.
Adaptability: Apple products are created with easy adoption in mind. Doctors who arent as familiar with iOS devices can adapt easily to the operating system with its intuitive, universal design.
Increased Communications: Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals can contact each other quickly and securely via medical apps that are designed specifically for secure texting.
Accessibility: Medical apps provide quick databases of knowledge to recall specific facts on the go.
Compact: The iPad mini is small enough to fit in a pocket and all iPads reduce the weight and space of a laptop or clunkier tablet. This will decrease the weight of equipment and charts that a doctor might have to carry around all day.

Cons:

Fragile: Durability issues surrounding the iPad make healthcare organizations question the investment. Although not a native quality, several protective cases specially made to increase the iPads ruggedness may help to overcome this objection.
Limited Multi-Tasking: For doctors and nurses moving at lightening speeds, flipping between applications on a mobile device can take additional time. The recent updates on the iPad do enable for special finger swipes that allow users to go back and forth between screens, which may help.
Battery Life: The iPad has a battery life that should last for the majority of medical employees shifts; however, if iPads are being shared among employees, there may not be enough time in between handoffs to power up the iPad for a few hours. iPads take an average of 5 hours to fully charge.
Disease Carrier: The iPad was not designed to be easily disinfected or washed considering it is not waterproof. This presents a potential hygiene problem for healthcare organizations.

One of the greatest cons for using iPads in the hospital is the risk of losing the devices and compromising confidential patient information. To combat this concern, Mobile Rhino provides breach remediation that will protect hospitals and their patients information through personal privacy monitoring, ID theft protection, and other remediation services. For hospitals and private practices using Mobile Rhino, the program delivers a first response resource for providing compliance approved notification letters, response consulting, and breach victim remediation action plans.

About Mobile Rhino

Mobile Rhino, headquartered in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, is a mobile device insurance product offering the most complete protection on the market at the best value. Mobile Rhino provides full 6-Point Protection against loss, theft, mechanical malfunctions, electrical malfunctions and accidental damage, and offers digital life protection. Mobile Rhino is sold and managed through a downloadable mobile app and is the first mobile device insurance product available for sale through licensed insurance agents. Mobile Rhino is underwritten by Chartis/AIG and Sedgwick serves as its third-party claims administrator. Mobile Rhino operates out of Stuckey & Company, a specialty insurance provider based in Lake St. Louis. For more information, visit http://www.mobile-rhino.com.







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