Solar Wind Energy Tower is an ingenious little company with some key patent applications on their tech, including an improved wind energy power transmission system using multi-stage variable hydraulic drives that can achieve high efficiencies across a wide range of speeds, and an energy tower having external wind capturing capacity that dovetails exceptionally well with their flagship Solar Wind Downdraft Tower concept.

Effectively, this is a solar/wind concept which can also be constructed with large, vertical vanes that help to capture additional prevailing winds, but which primarily operates on very simple downdraft physics. Basically you have a huge hollow cylinder structure with wind tunnels at the base that have turbines in them. The design functions exceptionally well in hot environments and represents a large-scale passive capture strategy using water which is misted out across the opening and evaporates in the hot, dry air, forcing the outside warmer air to downdraft through the cylinder at speeds in excess of 50mph.

The Solar Wind Energy Tower is remarkably efficient, generating electricity at a cost per kilowatt similar to typical coal or gas-fired plants. The company moved to further improve this efficiency back in April, partnering strategically with Commonwealth Dynamics, who have developed (in conjunction with the Whiting Turner Contracting Company) an adaptation of a hyperbolic, thin-walled concrete structure. This key breakthrough in the Solar Wind Energy Tower’s design offers multiple advantages, from drastically reduced cost, complexity, and time for the building of the structure, to elimination of onsite assembly/fabrication requirements when using steel. The company’s goal has always been to offer the most cost effective and efficient clean energy system available, confident that to truly be successful, an alternative energy producer must be able to survive and thrive without subsidies.

President and CEO of SWET, Ronald Pickett, a 40-year veteran in the construction, development, and technology arena, who has nurtured three highly-innovative startups from inception through to public ownership, noted that steel was still a valid design choice in regions that called for even taller structures to be built, but that this new thin-walled hyperbolic concrete implementation was ideal for the towers. While they certainly won’t be ruling it out, the price/performance metrics on the new Commonwealth Dynamics implementation has already made it the de facto standard in tower design for SWET.

Utilizing new software which can calculate and predict energy production for a Solar Wind Downdraft Tower based on empirical, local weather data, SWET has managed to shave a whopping 750 feet off the basic tower height (down to 2,250 in the specs). This software allows for dynamically configuring tower height/diameter before building, as well as the amount of water appropriate to be used as fuel. We are talking roughly 500 megawatt hours net (1.25k gross potential at maximum capacity) on the specs for the first San Luis Tower at just 60% capacity (435 Mwh average across an entire year when factoring in the winter season). This global energy generation calculator software is indispensible as an analytical tool moving forward for SWET and represents a year or more of development time by the company, as well as the ideal means of positioning the Solar Wind Downdraft Tower concept before global markets. SWET can go to an interested party with accurate specs and potential output data with data-driven analytics to show the client, making commercialization, especially in the EU and other green energy hungry markets, an easy sell.

Selling clean energy to the grid also opens up the carbon credit angle and SWET has wasted no time moving to take advantage of this strategic play, scoping out the potential of a planned project in Mexico to produce international, highly-marketable carbon credits, as well as the aforementioned location in San Luis, Arizona, which should generate some $250M in investment tax credits (based on IRS guideline projections). The cachet value alone in global markets for the design, when fully commercialized, is profound enough to grab the market’s attention and SWET is well aware of this fact. They have a robust, highly passive, and extremely efficient green energy production model on their hands here and are looking to push the envelope in hybridized wind/solar generation technology.

The running idea of building large compounds, consisting of many such towers, deployed in optimal locales and design-scaled using the company’s software to further tweak the yields, introduces even greater efficiency into this model, as associated construction, labor, water sourcing, and the like can be localized/streamlined. It is almost like sinking wells in a grid pattern to optimize hydrocarbon extraction on a piece of given acreage, only here we are building up, sky-drilling for premium thermal vectors and creating the downdraft towers. The most efficient turbines at the base, the new thin-walled hyperbolic concrete for the structure, and highly efficient water distribution systems all combine in this tower design, taking full advantage of the underlying physics in a truly ingenious way.

For more info visit www.CleanWindEnergyTower.com

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Leading provider of Personal Health Records, MMRGlobal has announced two new additions to its Medical Board of Advisors. New York Times best-selling author on children’s health and parenting, Dr. Cara Natterson, M.D., is to join as well as Concierge Medicine Specialist Dr. Jeremy Fine, M.D.

A Board-Certified Pediatrician, Dr. Natterson will assist MMRGlobal with its goals to educate parents on the medical importance and relevance of having Personal Health Records for their children. She will help advocate the best ways to offer Personal Health Record products and services through pediatricians. Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Fine will oversee MMRGlobal’s education of Concierge Medicine professionals. He will also ensure patients maintain a current Personal Health Record.

The official announcement of MMRGlobal’s newest additions was made during CEO Bob Lorschs appearance on a Fox News Radio show, during his 30-minute interview on “The Vipp Jaswal Report.” During the interview Lorsch discusses MMR’s business model as well as humanitarian efforts regarding the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi.

A five-time author, Dr. Natterson inked “Worry Proof,” which was awarded The Wall Street Journal’s Best Health Book of the Year Award. She also penned the American Girl book, “The Care & Keeping of You 2.” Additionally she updated American Girl’s original “The Care & Keeping of You,” which has sold about three million copies. A former Clinical professor of Medicine at both UCLA and USC Schools of Medicine, Dr. Natterson was named by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Natterson currently consults for a number of Fortune 500 companies in need of expert consultation on child wellness, health, and safety issues. Her company Worry Proof Consulting is the first pediatric practice of its kind, offering parents open-ended time to review everything from medical questions to parenting issues.

“Dr. Natterson and Dr. Fine will make a great addition to the Company’s Medical Board of Advisors, helping us educate two specialty markets on the value of PHRs,” commented Lorsch. “Dr. Natterson’s role is to strategically introduce MyMedicalRecords to the pediatric market in an effort to make both pediatricians and parents aware of the importance of having a PHR for children at a very young age. Dr. Jeremy Fine truly exemplifies what Concierge Medicine is all about and being there for his patients whenever and wherever they need him.”

Dr. Fine has routinely and skillfully deployed MyMedicalRecords accounts over the past several years to many of his Concierge Medicine patients as part of his Concierge Medicine policy and protocol. “As a result, Dr. Fine knows first-hand how valuable it can be in an emergency at 2 a.m. to have the ability to log in to MyMedicalRecords and access a patient’s critical information regardless of where he or his patients are in the world. Consumer awareness of the importance of having a PHR is critical to the Company’s business plan and there are no better professionals than Drs. Natterson and Fine to carry our message to physician colleagues, patients and parents,” added Lorsch.

Additionally Dr. Fine has served on the Medical Informatics Committee at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Executive Committee and the Bioethics Committee. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, trained in pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco. He was also chosen by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in Los Angeles and was named as one of California’s Favorite Physicians.

A company founded on working with highly qualified healthcare professionals and medical advisers, including the company’s own, MMRGlobal continues to focus on its Personal Health Record services and licensing. The company currently generates revenue from the sale of Personal Health Records to employers for employee benefits. Through MMRGlobal’s wholly owned operating subsidiary MyMedicalRecords, patients are provided a secure online Personal Health Record which then enables them and their families to access medical records and other valuable documents like birth certificates online at anytime.

To learn more about MMRGlobal, visit www.mmrglobal.com

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P2 Solar was pleased to report today that they have successfully completed the full acquisition of their first renewable energy project in India via newly formed and wholly-owned subsidiary, Jagat Energy Private Limited, a choice little 700 KW mini-hydro job on a Sidhwan irrigation canal diversion in Ludhiana (Punjab). Known as the Rajgar mini-hydro site, this newly acquired project is fully permitted, as well as construction-ready, and will initially consist of a small turbine installation and the associated hardware.

Given the nature of the target waterway and planned implementation, this is an ideal project for PTOS, with virtually no impact on the main water channel or surrounding terrain. Moreover the company will be using a time-tested, proven hydro power model that has achieved environmentally sustainable energy production the world over. The company has even slated a potential PV Solar array for the open area above the several kilometers of canal space they have acquired rights to and there looks to be plenty of room here for significant, phased expansion.

Punjab is a thriving region with massive demand from a growing consumer base, and it is riddled with thousands of kilometers of canals that can be viewed by investors as a rich target market for PTOS. The company is set to go into construction on the Rajgar mini-hydro site as early as this summer and revenue projections are already looking cherry, with $443k/yr from the hydro and some $2.95M/yr from the proposed 10 MW solar array. While capital intensity on such projects can be daunting, the superb management team at PTOS has shaved the edges off their implementation model and they are supremely confident that the fusion of rigorous oversight and low facility operating cost is a good recipe for healthy cash flows (EBITDA margin estimates of 95% for the mini-hydro and 93% for the solar).

CEO of PTOS, Raj-Mohinder Gurm, emphasized the receptivity of local and national officials to this sort of project, which will help free India’s crippling dependence on increasingly cost-prohibitive hydrocarbons like imported coal. The local Punjab government is keen to utilize their canal networks like this and PTOS shareholders are poised to reap the rich rewards while helping to bring a good model to India that incorporates PV Solar arrays on the areas above the canals. This is much-needed electricity in a nation where demand is growing at annual rate of 10%. With the electric bills for some consumers across India seeing jumps of 10% to 20% per year and improving renewable price metrics, Gurm sees this acquisition as a major milestone for PTOS and a serious foothold in India’s rapidly expanding, $20B plus annually, clean energy sector.

This little beauty should make envious neighbors of surrounding states, pumping out hundreds of megawatts to consumers in Punjab and the potential for such mini-hydro implementations should become abundantly clear in short order, especially when you throw in that solar component that would use what is generally completely unused space above the canals. This is an exceptionally attractive component architecture model that PTOS has put together and the company is already chomping at the bit to secure additional market share in target-rich India on the back of this concept.

For the latest news and info on P2 Solar, visit www.P2Solar.com

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Liberator Medical Holdings reported its financial results for the second fiscal quarter and six months ended March 31, 2013, reflecting revenue and earnings growth for both periods.

Sales for second quarter of 2013 increased 14.1 percent to $16.7 million, as compared with sales of $14.6 million for the same three months of 2012. Sales for the six months ended March 31, 2013, increased by 16.4 percent to $34.2 million, as compared with sales of $29.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2012.

Net income was $1.4 million, or $0.03 diluted earnings per share, compared with net income of $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share, for the second quarter last year. For the first six months of 2013, net income was $2.7 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.02 per share, reported for the first six months of 2012.

Second-quarter income from operations increased 107.2 percent to $2.3 million, as compared to $1.1 million in the prior year period. For the first six months of 2013, income from operations increased to $4.6 million, as compared to $1.9 million in the first six months of 2012.

Net income for the second quarter of 2013 increased 112 percent to $1.4 million, as compared to $670,000 for the comparable three months of 2012. Net income for the six-month period increased 147 percent to $2.7 million, as compared to $1.1 million for the comparable six months ended March 31, 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, Liberty Medical had $7.0 million of cash and $4.3 million available from its credit line facility.

“We continue to manage the level of our direct response advertising spend to maximize profitability and cash flows for fiscal year 2013. During the first half of fiscal year 2013, we increased our sales by 16 percent, improved our operating margins to 13.4 percent of sales, and generated $4.1 million in operating cash flows for the first six months of fiscal year 2013 compared with the first six months of fiscal year 2012,” Mark Libratore, Liberator Medical’s president and CEO, stated in the press release. “We expect to continue to increase our operating margins and cash flows during the second half of fiscal year 2013 compared with fiscal year 2012.”

On April 3, 2013, the company’s board of directors approved a cash dividend of $0.02 per common share to its shareholders.

For more information, visit www.liberatormedical.com

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On May 16, eFuture Information Technology announced that it would be providing SCA China Holding Co. with cloud services, in the form of its Data Link products. eFuture’s cloud services launched in May of 2012, and is available with no added hardware via a monthly subscription fee.

eFuture is focused on providing software and services to China’s retail and consumer goods industries, as well as providing software and services to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, logistics companies, and retailers in China’s front-end supply chain market.

The company’s products include Salesforce Automation, a sales management application allowing manufacturers and their distributors to manage sales force efficiency. Data Link products, such as the products specified in the SCA agreement, are distributor relationship management applications that allow manufacturers and distributors to access supply chain data.

eFuture’s Data Link services will allow SCA to access real-time sales, inventory, and replenishment information directly from their distributors.

For more information, visit www.e-future.com.cn

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Leading technology and management consulting company Dynamics Research Corp. (DRC) has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the General Services Administration, has exercised the third year option of the Veterans Relationship Management Portfolio Monitoring and Coordination contract, extending the period of performance until May 10, 2014. The contract was awarded in May 2010 to High Performance Technologies, Inc., the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, and has a five-year performance period through May 2015 and a total contract value of $125.5 million.

A multi-year initiative, Veterans Relationship Management restarts previously troubled programs with the end goal of providing veterans, service members, and eligible beneficiaries with fast, accurate, and easily accessible healthcare information and benefits. DRC delivers the next generation of IT solutions geared for veterans, providing a full range of program and portfolio management services across more than 30 projects. The company’s solutions include identity management, advanced voice-recognition tools, enhanced Web self-services tools, and integrated desktop interfaces.

DRC is engaged in providing program architecture, program planning and management, requirements analysis, IV&V, and life cycle engineering to create an IT system that provides veterans with access to the VA through various methods, enables them to access information about VA benefits and services through a uniform interface, and allows them to complete multiple business processes within the VA without the necessity of reentering identifying information.

For more information, visit www.drc.com

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Yesterday, Aspen Group, a nationally accredited online postsecondary education company, announced that Michael Matte has been named as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Matte is taking over this role form David Garrity, Aspen’s former CFO; Garrity has been appointed EVP, Corporate Development, where he will head Aspen’s investor relations activities, M&A, and corporate partnerships. He will also be responsible for building Aspen’s corporate sales function, which is focused on institutional partnerships.

Matte is joining Aspen Group having most recently been at MeetMe, Inc. as its CFO. He has over 20 years of experience as a CFO of both technology and public companies. A Certified Public Accountant in Florida, Matte began his career in public accounting with Price Waterhouse. He holds a Bachelors of Science from Florida State University,

Michael Mathews, Aspen’s Chairman and CEO, remarked, “We are delighted to have attracted Mike to join the Aspen team and we welcome him. He is a strong financial and operational executive with outstanding leadership experience. His track record of managing businesses and positioning them for sustainable, profitable growth is impressive and I look forward to working with him as we continue to identify opportunities to increase shareholder value at Aspen.”

For more information, visit www.aspen.edu

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A global provider of advanced communications and mobile broadband services, iTalk has announced the appointment of Clive Raines as Director of Australasia and Europe Operations. With high voice quality and the lowest prices, iTalk Mobile is currently pushing the market for an industry alternative to traditional cellular coverage. Raines, whose resume includes extensive experience in better business practices in Australasia and Europe, will be welcomed to the team for his strong background in sales, marketing, strategic product development, and distribution.

David F. Levy, Chief Executive Officer of iTalk, commented, “The Australasia and Europe region is poised for the same explosive growth in new communication devices and services that iTalk is currently offering to the US marketplace.” Continuing on Levy stated, “Clive is an excellent addition to our growing team and his 25 years of international communications, product development and distribution experience in Australasia and European countries, will allow iTalk to utilize his unique skills and knowledge to expand our global footprint and make our products the most competitive in the region.”

With extensive international experience establishing and developing next generation telecom companies for IP based services, Raines brings a strong background of management. The man’s resume includes senior management roles, management consulting, marketing, international project management, technical project management, CRM, as well as business development.
Raines previously sat as President of International Operations for TheGlobe.com, a VoIP provider and currently one of the most successful dot-com IPOs in NASDAQ’s long history. With an impressive resume in telecommunications, Raines has received extensive technical management, certifications, and product training with numerous international technology and telecommunications companies.

A mobile communications company, iTalk uses innovative technologies to offer consumers a high quality cellular alternative while severely undercutting all major national carriers. Through iTalks’ extensive network, consumers will have access to offers that include nationwide voice and data coverage to about 280 million people in over 12,900 cities.

To learn more, visit www.italkmobility.com

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Northwest Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapy products for the American and European markets to treat cancers more effectively than current treatments, while costing less, and without the toxicities associated chemotherapies. It is currently working on the DCVax-L personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers.

The company announced today that its Phase III clinical trial with DCVax-L for brain cancer has begun at King’s College Hospital in the U.K., a major European center for neuro-oncology. Other sites across Europe, including three more in the U.K. and nearly 20 in Germany, are in varying stages of preparations for the trial.

This particular Phase III trial is for newly diagnosed Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This is the most common and lethal form of brain cancer. The trial is well under in the United States with 46 active sites presently. Total enrollment in the U.S. and Europe is expected to reach 312 patients.

Under present treatment methods, brain cancer patients have tumors recur within 7 months and they typically live less than 15 months. Northwest Biotherapeutics’ DCVax-L mobilizes a patient’s entire immune system to attack the full set of biomarker targets on the tumor. In prior Phase I/II trials of DCVax-L, tumors did not recur for two years and patients lived for three years. Additionally, a number of patients lived longer, with two patients exceeding 10 years.

For additional information about Northwest Biotherapeutics, its DCVax-L drug, and the Phase III trial, please visit www.nwbio.com

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Trio Resources, an exploration and small-scale processing company reported financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2013, marking the first revenues recorded since the company’s inception in May, 2012. The company also recapped its first-quarter achievements, including its five-year off-take agreement with United Commodity AG.

“During the first quarter, we continued to distinguish ourselves from other junior mining companies by executing on our strategy to monetize our significant stockpiles of mineralized materials and securing a five year off-take agreement with United Commodity AG, one of the world’s leading processors of precious metals,” Duncan Reid, CEO of Trio Resources stated in the press release. “By closing the more than $30 million United Commodity deal, we not only reached a major milestone by generating our first revenues as a public company, but we secured a consistent and significant revenue stream that will enable us to fund operations and future growth opportunities for years to come.”

Trio reported a second-quarter net loss of $489,965, compared to a net loss of $686,801 from the first quarter of 2013. Comprehensive net loss was $464,214, or $0.0014 per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $699,682, or $0.002 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2013.

The company achieved revenues of $166,299, the first revenues the company recorded since it was established May 16, 2012.

Operating expenses decreased by 4 percent to $656,264 from operating expenses of $686,801 from the previous quarter of 2013.

“Overall, we are incredibly pleased with the progress we are making and we believe Trio Resources is well-positioned for continued success,” Reid stated. “Going forward, based on our agreement with United Commodity and the strong recovery rates we are seeing with each shipment of our mineralized material, we are confident we will achieve quarterly revenues in the range of $1 to $1.5 million.”

For more information visit www.trioresources.com

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eMagin, a leader in OLED microdisplay technology, OLED microdisplay manufacturing know-how, and mobile display systems, announced yesterday that it has developed the world’s brightest family of super bright, energy efficient, and full color organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays, called the Color OLED-XLS™.

At 1000 nits of luminance, the Color OLED-XLS™ blows away the industry standard for brightness four times over. This new display is fully compatible with eMargin’s entire VGA, SVGA, SXGA, and WUXGA, and only requires half of the power of the company’s current color displays at the same brightness. This breakthrough display technology enables a much broader range of optical solutions for augmented vision/reality products used in simulation and training devices, or any other head-mounted display application. Additionally, this technology is perfectly suited for medical, maintenance, and process-control “see-through” data glasses and safety goggles.

eMagin’s initial showcase of its breakthrough Color OLED-XLS will be at the Vancouver Convention Center next week for the Society for Information Display, booth #1029. Fully qualified production units are scheduled for release by the fourth quarter 2013, and engineering samples are available immediately.

“Our clients have been asking us to push the known limits in order to create more versatile color microdisplays that are both visible in bright environments and power efficient. We have met and surpassed both requirements with the development of the Color OLED-XLS,” said Andrew G. Sculley, president and CEO of eMagin Corporation. “This technology will enable indoor and outdoor augmented reality headsets for commercial, military and industrial use. We are well on the way to OLED microdisplays that can be even brighter for aircraft heads-up displays and consumer data glasses.”

For further information, please visit www.emagin.com

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Blue Gold Tailing Technologies is a water remediation company focusing on transforming contaminated waters into pure, safe, drinkable water. The company’s environmentally safe solutions address global water purification, restoration, and contamination issues, adhering to EPA guidelines as to what constitutes safe agricultural or drinkable water. Blue Gold then tailors these guidelines to acceptable standards in the jurisdiction in which the technology is used. This technology can also be used to recover heavy and precious metals from mine tailings.

Privately held Blue Gold is currently undergoing acquisition by Golden Cross Resources via merger with Golden Cross’ Ontario subsidiary. The emerging company will operate as “Blue Gold Water Technologies,” functioning as a waste water remediation and tailings processing business with three proprietary product lines: Pureinator Plants, Process Mine Tailings, and Smartsan.

The company’s low-cost Pureinator Plants produce safe, potable water from any source, including seawater, groundwater, and contaminated or polluted water, in an environmentally friendly manner. Through “build-own-operating” contracts, Blue Gold designs, operates, and maintains a client’s water and wastewater treatment system based on the appropriate technological and economical solution for the client.

Blue Gold’s patent pending Blue Gold LAREMUTEC Technology is short for Laser Aided Methodology with Ultrasonic and Thermo-Electric Conductivity. The technology begins with pond mind tailings or a tailings tank and results in the recovery of precious metals (platinum, gold, silver, uranium) calculated to a 60%-96% level.

SMARTSAN is a green sanitation system designed for rural areas affected by water-stress where basic infrastructure for water/waste-water is not economically viable. Among other features, the product processes raw sewage into usable grey water, is portable and easy to install, operate, and maintain, and doesn’t require connection to a municipal water supply or sewer infrastructure.

Blue Gold in January 2012 commenced its first commercial project in Mexico at a private waste management sanitary landfill site where the company estimates 3.3 million tons of household and industrial waste have collected. As of February 1, 2013, Blue Gold had treated 461 million liters of water at the site, the equivalent of more than 170 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Upon completion of the acquisition by Golden Cross, Blue Gold will maintain its strategy to commercialize or license new water technologies to handle and treat domestic and industrial waste under the guidance of Golden Cross’ new president and CEO David Rowson as successor to the resigning current chief executive, Tom Kennedy.

For more information, visit www.goldencross.ca

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Brekford has been a public safety technology and services solutions partner to public sector agencies at the local, state, and federal level for over ten years. The company’s range of solutions include automated traffic enforcement programs, delinquent municipal receivables processing and collection, turnkey law enforcement vehicle upfitting services, and a suite of mobile computer and video technology products.

The company announced today that it won a three-year contract with the city of Asheville, North Carolina, for the provision of parking citation issuance, processing, and delinquent collections. The contract includes the provision of wireless handheld enforcement devices, web-based parking citation processing software and other processing services, in-state and out-of-state DMV look-ups, notice printing and mailing, real-time public access website, online appeal system, payment processing, and optional delinquent collection services.

Brekford will coordinate closely with Asheville’s Parking and Treasury Services Division, and will also support the enforcement efforts of both the city’s police and fire departments. In addition, the company’s technology will be integrated into the Parking Services Division’s technology platform in order to provide a seamless exchange of data between the parking and payment systems to maximize efficiency and accuracy.

The company’s focus on enforcement and out-of-state collections helped it win the contract. There is a vast marketplace for Brekford to win similar contracts with various municipal governments across the country. It is estimated that $40 billion of uncollected receivables is sitting on the books of municipal governments nationwide.

For further information about Brekford Corp., visit www.brekford.com

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Cardica announced the completion of enrollment for the European clinical study of its MicroCutter XCHANGE 30, which is a cartridge-based cutting/stapling device with a 5-millimeter shaft diameter and a cross-sectional area that is more than six times smaller than the standard 12-millimeter surgical staplers currently in use.

The trial has been created to evaluate the XCHANGE 30’s safety in various gastrointestinal surgical procedures in support of a 510(k) filing for market clearance from the FDA. The company expects to file regulatory documents with the FDA in the third quarter of calendar 2013, based on consistent product performance and positive unaudited clinical outcomes of the trial so far.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to the investigators and patients for their enthusiasm in participating in the trial to advance the XCHANGE 30, the smallest cutting and stapling device available today,” said Cardica President and CEO Bernard A. Hausen, M.D., Ph.D.

In total, 160 patients have been enrolled at seven centers in Germany for the prospective, single-arm, multicenter, non-inferiority clinical study. The procedure results will be contrasted with historical adverse event reports for comparable procedures performed with currently available stapling devices. Adverse events typically associated with current surgical staplers include staple line leakage, staple line bleeding, staple line strictures, and surgical infections.

A designer and manufacturer of proprietary stapling and anastomotic devices for cardiac and laparoscopic surgical procedures, Cardica possesses a technology portfolio that is intended to minimize operating time and enable minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgeries. The company manufactures and markets its automated anastomosis systems, which include the C-Port Distal Anastomosis Systems and PAS-Port Proximal Anastomosis System for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and Cardica has shipped more than 45,200 units worldwide.

For more information, visit www.cardica.com

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First Independence Corp. and its subsidiary, The Codesmart™ Group, an ICD-10 education and solutions group, reported that its Codesmart™ University study programs are now eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEU) for existing medical coders, as certified by the Association of Professional Coders (APPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

ICD-10, or the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, is approved by the World Health Organization for the designation of the aspects of disease treatment that include categories of diseases and treatment modalities for them. This tenth revision of the ICD has been broken down into more than 141,000 designations vs. only 17,000 codes, diagnoses, and procedures in the previous version ICD.

The Codesmart Group says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has mandated that all medical practices, hospitals, and other medical record keeping organization be trained and ICD-10 compliant by October 1, 2014. Codesmart University’s eligibility as a CEU provider positions it within the appropriate realm within the coding educational system and government mandate.

“With the two best recognized licensing organizations offering CEU credit, which medical coder members are required to obtain on a yearly basis in order to maintain their certifications, this is an acknowledgement that Codesmart University may be considered the “Gold Standard” of ICD-10 education,” Ira Shapiro, chairman and CEO of the Codesmart Group, stated in the press release. “Our methodology is integrated and flexible and it allows for any kind of adult learner to succeed in learning this information in any of our programs of study whether they are physicians, nurses, medical coders, or a new student looking to embark on a career in medical coding.”

The Codesmart Group also provides solutions for ICD-10 transitions, outsource coding, coding audits, critical documentation improvement, and the revenue cycle continuum.

For more information, visit www.codesmartuniversity.org

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Cinedigm and Universal Studios Home Entertainment have announced a strategic multi-year agreement. Premier home entertainment company, Universal Studios will provide supply-chain services across the United States for Cinedigm’s growing library of digital films and other content. Cinedigm’s existing sales team will continue implementing sales directly to consumers.

Cinedigm’s existing library holds over 5,000 titles of which includes acclaimed independent films, award-winning documentaries from Docurama Films®, next-gen indies from Flatiron Film Company®, as well as festival picks through partnerships with Tribeca Film and the Sundance Institute. Cinedigm also distributes award-winning and Oscar®-nominated films.

Chris McGurk who currently sits as Chairman of the Board and as CEO of Cinedigm commented, “Having worked with Craig Kornblau at both Disney and Universal, I’m thrilled to be working with him and the entire Universal Studios Home Entertainment team again. With Universal by our side, we look forward to rapidly expanding our home entertainment business and are certain that more opportunities to work together will develop as this partnership evolves.”

“Cinedigm is an excellent complement to our evolving portfolio of distribution partners,” stated Craig Kornblau who currently implements the role of President of Universal. “Chris and his team have created an innovative, entrepreneurial and fast-growing company with a substantial film and television library, which, paired with Universal’s formidable home entertainment distribution structure, effectively positions our companies for a long and prosperous collaboration.”

Chief Strategy Officer of Cinedigm, Bob Fiorella, oversaw all negotiations leading to the agreement on Cinedigm’s behalf. It has been over a decade of innovation for Cinedigm, leader of the digital distribution revolution.

To learn more, visit: www.cinedigm.com

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DreamTeamGroup (DTG), a consortium of unique marketing brands that utilizes one dynamic approach to connect publicly traded companies with a variety of investors, today announces the launch of its newest brand, SocialMediaRelations.us, a full-service social media relations firm that combines Investor Relations (IR), Public Relations (PR), and Social Media Relations (SMR) into a powerful communications platform that integrates the latest social media techniques.

SocialMediaRelations.us was created on recognition of and in response to the profound impact social media has on the business world. The firm offers a sweeping array of next-generation communications services as well as far-reaching informational content. Whether it’s building an aggressive social media campaign from the ground up or breathing life into an existing investor relations platform, SocialMediaRelations.us leverages its heightened industry awareness and market reach to produce superior results.

As an affiliated network partner of the DreamTeamGroup (DTG), SocialMediaRelations.us has access to an established and unique network of partners and brands to provide clients with far-reaching and fully customized strategies that will revolutionize investor relations and communications campaigns. Founded in 2004, DTG has developed a family of businesses that currently has over 1.8 million followers on various social networking Web sites.

“Social media has become one of, if not THE, most vital aspects of business communications. We are excited and proud to use SocialMediaRelations.us as our dedicated brand for providing cutting-edge social media relations services and strategies that create brand visibility, awareness and influence,” stated Michael McCarthy, Managing Director of DTG. “A powerful social media relations firm, SocialMediaRelations.us is introducing the future of communications. This new brand is equipped with the resources and capability to drive each client to unprecedented success in their communications strategies.”

To connect with SocialMediaRelations.us via Facebook, please visit http://www.facebook.com/SMRelations

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Great Panther has assembled an enviable position in the rich mineral wealth of Mexico, with some 22.5k acres of 100%-owned claims/concessions between just the flagship Guanajuato silver-gold mine complex and their Topia high-grade silver-lead-zinc mine, making it little surprise today that GPL announced they have tapped 24-year industry veteran geologist, Geoff Chater, for the company’s Board, along with two other key appointments to the Mexico management team’s senior personnel.

You can have a superb footprint of producing mineral assets like GPL, who is on track to churn out some 2.5M silver-equivalent ounces in fiscal 2013, but you still need the right personnel to make it all happen. Hence the significance of Chater joining the operation, as this B.Sc. Geology veteran has spent more than his fair share of time across North and South America, as well as Africa, gaining the kind of mining industry depth that will really help the GPL Board move the ball down the field operationally, especially considering his emphasis on the capital markets sector.

Chater is the principal over at esteemed capital markets relationship development, communications advice, corporate strategy, financing, and transaction related business development consultancy, Namron Advisors, and is also currently a Director at Bearing Resources, Kiska Metals, Lara Exploration, Luna Gold, and Reservoir Minerals. He comes to the Director role at GPL hot off a recent stint as President of Valley High Ventures Ltd., prior to which he headed up Corporate Relations for First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (1999-2008), serving with distinction in even earlier work at top industry names like Eldorado Gold Corp., Ivanhoe Capital Corp., and Nevada Pacific Gold Ltd.

In addition to this important Board expansion, GPL specifically beefed up the Senior Management Team for Mexico operations as well, tagging Guanajuato-based industry veterans Juan Manuel Flores (who alone has over 35 years in the game) and Cesar Epifanio, for the roles of VP Operations and VP SH&E (safety, health and environment) respectively. Flores brings another B.Sc. in Mining to the table and also holds a B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering, with a Master of Science in Mineral Economics. Epifanio brings an exceptional SH&E track record across many other companies to the table, along with a degree in Industrial Engineering, as well as one in Health and Safety.

This news comes fast on the heels of GPL’s Mexican subsidiary winning the “Socially Responsible Company” designation by leading Mexican authority CEMEFI (Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia) for the third straight year in a row, a status that the company is laser-focused on maintaining. Hard to imagine this up-and-comer failing to hold onto that distinction with such visionary appointment work to the company’s team going on.

For more info check out the Great Panther Silver Ltd. Site at www.GreatPanther.com

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Today, Quantum Fuel System Technologies Worldwide announced that Schneider Power, its wholly owned subsidiary, has completed the sale of its 1.6 megawatt (MW) Providence Bay operational wind farm to Leader Resources. The purchase price included an amount of CAD $406,000 as well as the assumption of around CAD $1.1 million in bank debt and certain other projected related liabilities.

Recently, Schneider Power also entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its 1.0 MW development project in the Bahamas, which is expected to close in the coming months.

Previously, Quantum announced it had entered into a separate nonbinding letter of intent with an unrelated third party to sell Schneider Power’s 10.0 MW Trout Creek wind farm development project, along with certain other Schneider Power development projects; the company also received formal offers and letters of interest for Schneider Power’s 10.0 MW Zephyr operational wind farm.

“We are pleased to begin closing these wind farm transactions that (are) providing the company cash and reducing the associated debt with these wind farm projects,” said Quantum President and CEO Brian Olson. “The company remains committed to disposing all of Schneider Power’s operating assets and development projects in order to generate meaningful cash proceeds and reduce the amount of debt on our balance sheet.”

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide is a global leader in natural gas fuel storage systems innovation, development, and production as well as the integration of vehicle system technologies, including engine and vehicle control systems and drivetrains. The company is the producer of one of the world’s most innovative, advanced, and lightweight compressed natural gas storage tanks, supplying these tanks – and fully integrated natural gas storage systems – to truck and automotive OEMs and aftermarket and OEM truck integrators. The company offers low emission and fast-to-market solutions that support the integration and production of natural gas fuel and storage systems; hybrid, fuel cell and specialty vehicles; and modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations.

For more information, visit www.qtww.com

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Yesterday, AirMedia Group announced its board of directors has approved an investment agreement between various entities affiliated with the company, including Beijing GreatView Media Advertising Co. Ltd., which is the main operating entity of AirMedia’s gas station media network, the entity’s current shareholders, and Elec-Tech International Co. Ltd. In accordance with the investment agreement, Elec-Tech will invest RMB640 million ($104 million U.S.) to purchase ordinary shares representing around 21.27% of GreatView Media’s equity interest. Following completion of the transaction, AirMedia will indirectly control 61.41% of the equity interest of GreatView Media.

In order to further develop its existing gas station media network, AirMedia plans to install LED screens in its gas stations throughout China. The company’s current shareholders elected to use the full amount of Elec-Tech’s investment to purchase LED screens from Elec-Tech, or its subsidiaries, for these installations.

“We are excited about our partnership with Elec-Tech, which enables us to explore the great potential and brilliant prospects of LED screen advertising in our gas station media network,” said AirMedia Chairman and CEO Herman Guo. “We believe putting LED screens in our gas station media network is the right step to not only turn around this product line but also to maximize the tremendous value of this network. We expect the introduction of our new partner, Elec-Tech, to bring not only affirmation of the value that we believe the new LED format will add to our gas station media network, but also additional technical expertise in electronic display.”

“We believe AirMedia’s gas station media network is a very unique nationwide network to reach car drivers and car owners, one of the most affluent groups in China,” added Elec-Tech Chairman Donglei Wang. “With the enhancement provided by our LED screens, this influential network will have more capacity to fulfill advertisers’ demand and create more economic value. We believe our partnership with AirMedia is prudent and will bring great returns for our shareholders.”

This investment is subject to Elec-Tech shareholder approval.

A leading operator of out-of-home advertising platforms in China, AirMedia Group’s efforts target middle to high-end consumers. The company runs China’s largest air travel advertising-dedicated digital media network, operating digital frames and digital television screens in 34 major airports, including the majority of China’s 30 largest airports. AirMedia also sells advertisements along the routes of seven airlines, including the four largest airlines in China. The company additionally operates traditional media platforms, including billboards, light boxes, mega LED screens, and other digital media, in selected major airports. AirMedia has obtained exclusive contractual concession rights to develop and operate outdoor advertising platforms at Sinopec’s service stations throughout China through the end of 2014.

For more information, visit www.airmedia.net.cn

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Leading renewable chemicals and fuels company Amyris made a statement yesterday announcing the appointment of R. Neil Williams, Chief Financial Officer of Intuit, to Amyris’s Board of Directors. He was also appointed to the Chair of the Audit Committee.

“We are pleased with the addition of Neil to our Board. He brings extensive financial, corporate strategy and execution experience to help us build on our strategic direction and momentum,” commented John Melo, President & CEO of Amyris. “We are pleased Patrick Pichette, who served on our board for the last three years, has agreed to stay as a member of our strategic advisory board.”

Neil Williams stated, “I look forward to supporting Amyris’s cutting edge technology development and growth-strategy execution. Amyris’s synthetic biology platform, now operating at industrial scale in Brazil, offers considerable opportunities across a broad range of renewable chemical and fuel applications.”

With a thirty-year career in the financial services industry, Williams has held the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intuit since 2008. He oversaw all financial aspects of Intuit, including corporate strategy and business development, investor relations, financial operations, as well as real estate. Prior to Intuit, Williams held the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Visa U.S.A., Inc. He led all financial functions for the company and its subsidiaries, including financial planning, business planning, and all financial monitoring. His career history includes banking experience and senior financial positions at commercial banks in the Southern and Midwest regions of the United States. A certified public accountant, Williams received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Amyris’s Board of Directors is now currently composed of its Chairman, Arthur Levinson, Chairman of Apple Inc. and Genentech, Inc.; Ralph Alexander, Managing Director at Riverstone Holdings, LLC; Philippe Boisseau, President, Supply-Marketing and New Energies divisions and a member of the Executive Committee of Total S.A.; Nam-Hai Chua, Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Plant Molecular Biology at Rockefeller University; John Doerr, Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Geoffrey Duyk, Partner at TPG Biotech; John Melo; Carole Piwnica, Director of Naxos UK; Fernando Reinach, Managing Partner of Pitanga Fund; HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar and its newest addition R. Neil Williams.

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Innovative Food Holdings, a provider of direct from source specialty, healthcare, gluten-free, and artisanal foods, reported first-quarter earnings of $0.06 per share, excluding special items, an improvement over earnings of $0.008 per share reported for the prior year period.

Quarterly revenues of $5.6 million represent an increase of approximately 70 percent compared to revenues of $3.3 million recorded for the first quarter of 2012.

Cash EBITDA (EBITDA without equity related gains/losses) grew more than 500 percent to approximately $470,000 for the first quarter of 2013 vs. $72,000 reported in the comparable quarter of 2012.

On an operational front, Innovative Holdings in the first quarter acquired a new office and warehouse building in Bonita Springs, Fla., which will serve as the headquarters for the company and its subsidiaries. In addition, Innovative Food established a lending relationship with one of the nation’s largest banks.

“I believe that our strong financial results are an indication of the ability of the Innovative Food Holdings’ team to execute on our business model and strategic plans,” Sam Klepfish, CEO of Innovative Food stated in the press release. “Furthermore, I believe that several key growing trends in the specialty food space, including increasing demand for direct from source foods, and demand for healthier foods and higher quality artisanal foods, has enabled Innovative Food Holdings to be very well positioned for future growth in the specialty food space.”

First quarter results did not include sales and profits associated with the company’s subsidiary, Artisan Specialty Foods, which was purchased by Innovative Food in May 2012.

For more information, visit www.forthegourmet.com

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eFuture Information Technology, a leading provider of software and services in China’s rapidly growing retail and consumer goods industries, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Guofang Group to provide its leading customer relationship management (CRM) services.

Guofang, a major department store and supermarket retail operator in northwestern China, was established in 1996. The company has fifteen subsidiaries that are spread across the region, located in provinces such as Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Shaanxi. Guofang, in order to enhance efficiency and meet higher industry standards for customer service, selected eFuture to upgrade its CRM system for the company’s department stores department stores. This marks the second business agreement between the two companies. Previously, eFuture worked with Guofang to provide a POS-ERP system for its supermarkets in 2006.

As per the agreement, eFuture will assist Guofang in improving interactions with current and future customers through data mining and data analysis, identifying and seeking to retain the most profitable customers, and expanding the potential customer base in the process. eSystem began system installation and data migration for the CRM program in early April, with the first and second phases of analysis results expected to come online during the second half of this year.

Commenting on the partnership, a member of the senior management team of Guofang stated, “We believe that our cooperation with eFuture to establish one of the best CRM systems in Northwest China will elevate customer relationship management in Lanzhou City to another level, and this will extend our superior capabilities throughout the whole northwest region.”

Mr. Adam Yan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of eFuture, added, “We are thrilled to be provided the opportunity to partner with Guofang again, and we would like to express our gratitude for its recognition of our services and expertise. Guofang’s decision to collaborate with us a second time is a testament to the past seven years of eFuture’s growth and transformation. As a result of the focus we have put into developing business in tier two and three cities, our efforts are being recognized in many ways. This win is a major step for eFuture to solidify its position in tier two and three cities as we continue to evaluate these new markets as we execute our expansion.”

“In addition to eFuture’s own development, we are also honored to take part and support the growth of these cities as they evolve. Enterprises are becoming more aware of their technological needs and are seeking our consultation and strategic input for their systems design, with the goal to improve their business efficiencies. We remain committed to remain innovative and offer solutions to our customers to keep them ahead of the curve and responding to the ever-changing needs of their businesses,” Mr. Yan commented.

For more information on eFuture Information Technology, please visit www.e-future.com.cn

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Sonus Networks, a leader in SIP communications worldwide and the fastest growing brand of session border controllers, announced today that Smarttel Technologies, a Bangladesh-based international carrier wholesale operator, will be deploying the Sonus SBC 5100 Session Border Controller (SBC) as the Session Initiation Protocal (SIP) interconnect platform for its global network. Specifically, the Sonus SBCs are being deployed at Smarttel interconnect borders for security purposes, as well as to monitor and enforce service levels. Smarttel interconnect borders are demarcation points where two networks meet. This deployment marks Smarttel’s first of Sonus SBCs and will be Sonus’ first entry into the SBC market in Bangledesh.

“Smarttel’s deployment of Sonus SBCs signifies the increasing awareness that businesses in Asia Pacific have that the future of communications is grounded in SIP,” said Pierre-Jean Chalon, vice president and general manager, Asia Pacific Sales, Sonus. “The Sonus SBC 5100 meets the next-generation needs of SIP communications by delivering interworking, embedded media transcoding, robust security and advanced call routing in a high-performance, small form-factor device. We are proud that Smarttel trusts Sonus’ advanced SBCs to help the company capitalize on a growing demand for SIP services.”

The Sonus SBC 5100, designed to deliver an intelligent interconnection between Smarttel and its partner networks, is a stellar combination of security, media switching, and transcoding services in a single scalable device. The Sonus SBC 5100 is capable of providing 250 to 10,000 sessions on a single server. Smarttel was looking for a high performing product that could secure its network borders, enforce quality of service policies, traverse intermediate network address translation and firewalls, ensure regulatory compliance, deliver the essential transcoding of media and provide codec, dual-tone multi-frequency, and fax networking.

“Our business continues to grow at a rapid pace, and we needed a session border controller that will scale as our business demands change, without compromising on performance,” said Anwarul Abedin Manik, chief executive officer, Smarttel Technologies Ltd. “Deploying Sonus session border controllers helps us deliver cost-efficient, high-quality termination for our customers. The industry-leading performance and scale of Sonus’ SBC 5100 allows us to maintain a competitive edge in the market while delivering exceptional customer service.”

For further information, please visit www.sonus.net

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Norstra Energy, the Montana/Texas-focused oil and gas developer currently occupied with their heavily under-exploited territory in the southern Bakken-Alberta Fairway, reported some great news today out of their South Sun River Bakken Project, as the USGS has officially doubled the reserve estimate for the Bakken-Three Forks formation located in Montana and the Dakotas.

With the latest estimates coming in at a whopping 7.4B bbls of “undiscovered, technically recoverable oil,” we have a solid doubling of the previous value issued in 2008 and a firm confirmation from USGS that the formation is the largest continuous oil formation in the continental U.S. This is superb news for the company’s lease holdings targeting the formation and NORX’s management was eager to have investors take a look at the USGS publication to compare regional coverage.

President and CEO of NORX, Glen Landry, emphasized the recommendations offered by head of geosciences for the University of Houston, Dr. Don Van Nieuwenhuise, and those of associate director for research with the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota, John Harju, who both see the latest USGS numbers as still being quite conservative. Dr. Nieuwenhuise pointed to the overwhelming fact that the report only looked at “sweet spots” in the formation and, given that the probability of finding more such similarly sweet spots in this massive area is relatively high, the good doctor emphasized that these latest figures should be taken only as a baseline indicator.

Dr. Nieuwenhuise boldly affirmed that every drop cited in the USGS report was there, saying that he was pretty sure developers would get all of the 7.4B bbls, at the very least. A view roundly reinforced by the biggest leaseholder in the region, Continental Resources, which called the figures quite modest and underscored how the USGS is notorious for erring on the side of caution in their estimates. Chairman and CEO of Continental, Harold Hamm, even ventured some figures of his own, offering the best estimates of Continental’s combined knowledge in a May 1st interview with reputed online publication, the Oklahoman-powered (most trusted news in the state) NewsOk, where he projected some 24B bbls of recoverable oil on some 577B bbls in place.

That isn’t just soft talk coming from the biggest player in the region either, as Continental upped their 2012 estimate by as much as 56%, to an astonishing 903B bbls. Harju over at the University of North Dakota seemed to confirm this extrinsically when he called the USGS figure the Williston Basin’s lower limit and urged interested parties to see the projection as a mile marker in the rear-view mirror, since recovery advancements coming down the pipe in the near future will likely shatter the estimate’s ceiling.

Landry reminded investors that a true resource play is always oil in place, as evinced by high resistivity on their Krone and Steinback wells, cited during the May 7 update offered to the Fairfield Sun Times on the company’s South Sun River Bakken Project. Significant gas spikes on the mudlogs reinforce this analysis and the company looks to have a low risk blanket target in the Bakken on their hands, while still having that deeper wildcat potential in the sub-Bakken range drilled by majors like Arco and Exxon back in the 80′s.

In fact, the target zone is likely overpressure according to Landry, a geologist with a great deal of experience in the region/formation. Landry explained that when you get oil migration and flushing through a naturally fractured play, as opposed to sealed oil in place, as appears to be the case here (target trapped between thrust sheets), the risk is much greater and the returns less sustained. Landry further indicated that a successful horizontal Bakken should have no such fractures and that NORX would be doing their own middle-member fracturing down the road here.

For more info, please visit www.NorstraEnergy.com

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