About ITT Technical Institute

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/about-itt-technical-institute.html[/postlink] ITT Technical Institute (often shortened to ITT Tech or ITTTI) is a for-profit technical institute with over 130 campuses in 37 states of the United States. ITT Tech is owned and operated by ITT Educational Services, Inc. (NYSE: ESI), a publicly traded company. ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ESI) was spun off by ITT Corporation through an initial public offering (IPO) in 1994, with parent company ITT as an 83% shareholder. ITT Tech licenses the "ITT" name from ITT Corporation, which originates from the latter company's original name "International Telephone & Telegraph".

Company history

The company was founded in 1946 as Educational Services, Inc. and has been headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, since 1969. From 1965 until its IPO in 1994, ITT Tech was a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT Corporation (as "ITT/ESI"). By 1999, ITT Corp. (which had merged with Starwood the year before) divested itself completely of ITT Tech's shares but the schools still use the "ITT" name under license. It operates over 130 ITT Technical Institutes in 37 states which primarily provide career-focused degree programs to approximately 80,000 students.
Academic services

ITT Tech offers AAS, bachelor's BAS, and master's (business-only, online) degrees. ITT Tech is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. It may be impossible to transfer from ITT to a traditional university; per the ITT website, "it is unlikely that any credits earned at an ITT Technical Institute will be transferable to or accepted by any institution other than an ITT Technical Institute."

Controversies

A two-year associate's degree at ITT Tech (which requires 96 credit hours, 12 credits per quarter, 3 classes every quarter, and 4 credits per class) costs approximately $47,328 and that cost comes out to $493.00 per credit hour. Out of concern that students at ITT Tech and other for-profit Technical Institutes are taking on unsustainable levels of debt, the Department of Education implemented new regulations that restricts students at for-profit Technical Institutes from taking out more debt than their future employment prospects would justify.
ITT Technical Institute has been involved in several controversies over its business and academic practices, among them:

• In August 1998, 15 former students alleged misrepresentation, fraud and concealment by ITT arising out of their recruitment and education at ITT campuses. In September 1998, ITT settled all of the claims of the 15 claimants.
• On February 25, 2004, federal agents raided the company's headquarters and 10 of its campuses. The investigation negatively affected the company's stock and triggered several class action lawsuits by investors.
• In October 2005, ITT agreed to pay $730,000 to settle a lawsuit with California in which employees alleged that it inflated students’ grade point averages so they qualified for more financial aid from the State of California.
• An investigation by WGBA-TV (NBC26, Green Bay, WI) found evidence of widespread grade inflation. In one instance, a student got 100% on a computer forensics assignment by emailing the professor a noodle recipe. The station believes this to be a way to increase federal student aid funding.
• In early March of 2011 WTMJ-TV (NBC4, Milwaukee, WI) ran an investigation finding teachers lying on attendance records so they could get cash bonuses paid by ITT Tech. ITT Tech uses an attendance policy as part of a requirement to get financial aid to show student progress.

Notes

1. ^ "Corporate Governance - Management & Directors". ITT Education Services. http://www.ittesi.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=94519&p=irol-govboard. Retrieved 2010-04-16. 
2. ^ "Eugene Feichtner: Executive Profile & Biography". BusinessWeek. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=9363920&ticker=ESI:US. Retrieved 2010-04-16. 
3. ^ "About Us". ITT Technical Institute. http://www.itt-tech.edu/about.cfm. Retrieved 2010-04-16. 
4. ^ ITT Educational Services, Inc. Announces the Opening of its First College in West Virginia Expanding the Company's Reach into 37 States MarketWatch, November 14, 2008
5. ^ "ITT Educational Services, Inc. Company History". Funding Universe. 2008-07-09. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/ITT-Educational-Services-Inc-Company-History.html. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
6. ^ ITT Tech website
7. ^ "ACICS Accredited Institutions" (PDF). Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools. 2008-08-05. http://acics.org/accredited/documents/accreditedinstitutions8.6.08_000.pdf. Retrieved 2008-08-26. 
8. ^ ITT Technical Institute FAQ
9. ^ "In Hard Times, Lured Into Trade School and Debt", New York Times, March 13, 2010
10. ^ Itt Educational Services Inc · 424B4 · On 1/27/99
11. ^ Feds serve warrants at ITT Tech campuses, CNN
12. ^ Federal Probe Targets ITT Tech, CertCities March 2, 2004
13. ^ ITT's CEO Expects Lengthy Federal Investigation, Stock Slips, Channel Web Network, Feb. 26, 2004, Mark Jewell
14. ^ ITT, Calif. Settle False Claims Lawsuit, Inside Higher Education, Oct. 18, 2005, Doug Lederman
15. ^ NBC26 Special Report: Easy A's, WGBA-TV, Accessed 2/17/11
16. ^ I-Team: Teachers Told to Lie?, WTMJ-TV, Accessed 3/3/11

 

 

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/  

About ITT Technical Institute

Parent Involvement in Elementary Language Arts: A Program Model

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/parent-involvement-in-elementary.html[/postlink]

"Parent involvement" is fast becoming a hot topic. Teachingperiodicals, parent magazines, newspapers, and even television talkshows and special broadcasts are emphasizing the impact parents makein educating their children. Topics include hints on effectivecommunication at conference time, tips for establishing study skillsand habits at home, and information on how to use parents effectivelyas volunteers in the classroom (Vukelich, 1984). A potential limitation with the teacher-parents involvementsuggestions described in some articles is that even though they may beworthwhile, they often lack an overall organization that allowsteachers to plan and develop principled programs for parents (Becher,1986; Becher, 1984; Vukelich, 1984). Many well-meaning, dedicatedteachers approach parent involvement as an "afterthought" that maylack purposeful implementation. Parent involvement, in this sense, isnot seen as part of the curriculum. A general format may help toeliminate wasted effort and guide the development of an organizedapproach to parent involvement--a parent involvement program that isintegrated into the language arts curriculum. DIMENSIONS OF INVOLVEMENT Petit (1980) attempts to organize the various dimensions of parentinvolvement. Petit specifies three levels or degrees of increasingparent involvement: (1) monitoring, (2) informing, and (3)participation. At Petit's MONITORING LEVEL, schools make parents aware of the schoolsituation. Potter (1989) suggests that this is done through informalconversations (e.g., open houses, school programs), announcementsregarding the school's activities, and questionnaires. This type ofcontact helps to establish parental feelings of assurance, confidence,and acceptance. Parents feel more comfortable sharing with the teachertheir child's positive, as well as negative, attitudes about schoolthat the child may be experiencing at home. Many schools are effectiveand active at this level of parent involvement with weekly bulletins,annual open houses in the fall, and public invitations to specialschool programs and activities. Petit's second level is described as INFORMING. This means keepingparents informed about the policies, procedures, aims, andexpectations that exist in the school, but particularly in theclassroom. The contact is more formal and direct. Communication atthis level is more specifically between the classroom teacher and theparent rather than between the school and the parents. This is donethrough (1) parent-teacher conferences, (2) home visits, (3) classnewsletters, (4) bulletin boards, (5) reporting, (6) phone calls, and(7) take-home packets. In addition to teachers informing parents, parents need to inform theteacher about anything going on at home that may help the teacher tounderstand the child's behavior and performance at school. Parentsshould communicate with the teacher on how the child's reading andlanguage activities are progressing at home and give feedbackregarding the supportive activities done at home. PARTICIPATION is Petit's final level. At this level parents becomeactively involved in the classroom with teachers. Teachers solicit theassistance of parents in helping the school and/or classroom withinstructional support. Parents might act as aides or volunteers inclassrooms, helping with bulletin boards, checking assignments, ormaking games and activities. Parents might volunteer to work in thelibrary, do typing, or work with school equipment such as laminatingand duplicating. Parents who have had experiences that match a specialtheme or topic being explored by the class could be asked to makespecial presentations. They may be asked to participate in classroominstruction or act as classroom reading tutors or writing editors whowork with one or two children who are experiencing difficulty. Parentswho cannot actively participate in the classroom are encouraged toprovide supportive instruction at home using reading and writingstrategies and methods similar to those being used in the classroom. It is necessary that parents be aware of effective instructionaltechniques when working with children in the classroom and at home.Parent knowledge and skills can be extended through parent observationand/or instruction. It is at this participation level that parentsbecome involved in workshops or reading courses. Teachers,specialists, or other professionals explain to parents about theschool's language arts program. Parents are then given instruction onhow to help students in the classroom and at home. A PROGRAM MODEL One such program encourages parent participation in the classroom forthose parents who are able to volunteer their time, but alsoemphasizes participation at home. In this program, an elementaryschool teacher was implementing a literature-based program in thelanguage arts curriculum. The teacher informed the parents throughletters that the students would be integrating reading and writing inthe language arts block and that they would be involved in a varietyof literature experiences. Parents were given detailed explanations ofvarious strategies in the letters. The teacher asked for their supportand involvement at home in helping their child accomplish assignmentsthrough these new experiences. Parents and students were encouraged toshare reading at home, as well as to share ideas and thoughts aboutthe books. Suggestions or strategies for sharing books were explainedand sent home for parent reference. As the students became acquainted with this literature-based program,enthusiasm for reading was apparent in many of the students. A letterwas sent home recounting some of the students' positive experiencesand asking for parent volunteers--those who felt comfortable with thediscussions and strategies for sharing reading. Some parents came intothe classroom to help with small group discussions, book projects,etc. Later on, the writing process was briefly explained in a parentletter, and activities the students were engaged in and editing marksand skills were defined, so that parents could assist their child athome. In this same letter, parents were asked to come into theclassroom to help small groups of students with the authoring cycle,edit final drafts, type student stories, and assist with bookmaking.When parents did volunteer, it was very common to see the studentsexplaining and informing the parents what it was they were doing inliterature circles. It was not uncommon to see parents in authoringcircles listening to student stories, offering suggestions, andhelping students with first drafts. Parents were given opportunities to help in book selection for newliterature groups. The teacher sent home book club orders andsuggestions and recommendations for book selection. The letterencouraged parents and children to discuss the recommended books onthe list and then make their selection together. Literature groupswere then determined from the book selections made by parents andchildren. The teacher provided additional opportunities for parent input througha variety of correspondence. Periodically, parent letters were senthome telling of the progress students were making with literature andauthor circles. An invitation to observe these activities in theclassroom was extended. Contracts were sent home to be signed byparents, students, and teachers regarding classroom rules, homeworkpolicies, responsibility for using classroom literature sets, andsupport for achieving success in this program. A list of necessaryreading and writing supplies was sent home, and parents were asked todonate some of the items, such as white-out ink, contact paper,markers, old greeting cards, index cards, wallpaper books, cerealboxes, cushions, bean bag chairs, and so forth. CAREFUL PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL Initiating an effective and well organized plan for parent involvementtakes plenty of work--work to achieve it, work and commitment tomaintain it. It is realistic to think that as one moves through thelevels of involvement that Petit describes, the audience of parentsnarrows. It is easy to have all parents and all teachers included atthe beginning levels. However, as movement makes its way up thelevels, the focus narrows. Fewer parents and teachers are able andwilling to enter into the "participation" level of involvement withclassrooms and homes. Teachers cannot let this be discouraging.Instead, they must continually remind themselves that the obligationto reach a wider audience of parents still remains. When parent involvement reaches the level in which parents areactually involved at school and/or at home, teachers must recognizethat it was attained through effective communication in the beginningor at previous levels. This effective communication involves positiveactions by teachers, parents, and administrators who are willing tocooperate and act in concert with one another. The Office ofEducational Research and Improvement (1986) argues that teachers whosucceed in involving parents in their children's schoolwork aresuccessful because they (teachers) work at it. "Working at it" callsfor a commitment from principals, teachers, and parents whichultimately benefits the child. REFERENCES Becher, Rhoda. "Parent Involvement: A Review of Research andPrinciples of Successful Practice." In L. Katz, Ed. Current Topics inEarly Childhood Education, 6. Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1984. ED 014 563 Becher, Rhoda. Parents and Schools. ERIC Digest. 1986. ED 015 756 Petit, D. Opening Up Schools. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin, 1989. Potter, Gill. "Parent Participation in the Language Arts Program."Language Arts, 66(1), January 1989, 21-28. EJ 381 859 Vukelich, Carol. "Parents' Role in the Reading Process: A Review ofPractical Suggestions and Ways to Communicate with Parents." ReadingTeacher, 37(6), February 1984, 472-77. EJ 291 313 What Works: Research about Teaching and Learning. Washington, D.C.:Department of Education, Office of Educational Research andImprovement, 1986. ED 263 299 Source: Marge Simic

Parent Involvement in Elementary Language Arts: A Program Model

Israel Announces Expansion of East Jerusalem Settlements as International Community Scrambles

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/israel-announces-expansion-of-east.html[/postlink] In the midst of the international lobby war leading up to the September UN General Assembly, the Israeli authorities made an announcement that undoubtedly annoyed more than one person in the White House.

Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai gave the official and final green light on Thursday for the construction of 1,600 new flats in Ramat Shlomo, a settlement in the north of East Jerusalem. Ramat Shlomo is the same Israeli colony that drove US-Israeli relations to a low point last year. Back then, President Barack Obama put his foot down and pressured his partner Benjamin Netanyahu to freeze the planned expansion. The situation today, however, is completely different.

One year later, the Israeli government not only confirmed that the building of these 1,600 new apartments is on its way, but a few days earlier further announced the expansion of yet another settlement in East Jerusalem. The plan is to build 930 flats in Har Homa, the massive colony constructed just in front of the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.

Europe, Washington, Russia, the UN (also known as the Quartet) and Turkey reacted immediately, condemning Israel’s new settlement expansion. “Such unilateral actions work against efforts to resume direct negotiations and contradict the logic of a reasonable and necessary agreement between the parties", criticized the American State Department in an official statement.

But as happened last year, the Israeli authorities appear to be immune to these mild warnings. Interior Minister Yishai concluded his statement on Thursday with another announcement: in the next few days the government will approve the building of some 2,700 new apartments; he didn’t say where or when they will be constructed.

The international community, with the Quartet leadership, is negotiating against the clock to convince the Palestinian Authority (PA) to accept restarting a bilateral peace process, thus abandoning its aim of gaining international recognition in the United Nations in September. But in order to have any chance of convincing the PA, the Quartet must first convince their Israeli counterparts to stop expanding the West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements, recognized internationally as illegal and under a military occupation. Ramat Shlomo has become the latest symbol of the international community’s defeat and Israel’s victory.

Home of some 18,000 ideologically-motivated settlers, Ramat Shlomo is part of the Israeli strategy to expand its presence in the surroundings of Jerusalem, well inside the internationally recognized Palestinian territories. Most of its residents are ultra-orthodox Jews, who moved there in the mid 1990s when the colony was initially established. They are convinced that God gave them this land and, therefore, they refuse any discussion or negotiation about the legitimacy of their presence there. “It’s in the Torah”, is the final answer that they gave to every international journalist that visited the colony last year during the US-Israeli diplomatic impasse.

Israeli authorities discuss this expansion as a solution to the housing shortage for these middle class families, most of them with five or six children,and young people who don’t want to leave their “neighbourhood” and need affordable houses.

More and more this argument is presented in the mainstream Israeli media as part of the same message of the massive protest movement in Israel’s major cities, such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. But while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems obsessed with granting every settler’s expansionist wish, the students, doctors, teachers, impoverished families and left-wing protesters in Israel are having a harder time convincing him of their agenda.

Israel Announces Expansion of East Jerusalem Settlements as International Community Scrambles

Cash vs Physical settlement

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/cash-vs-physical-settlement.html[/postlink] In mid 2001, cash-settled single stock derivatives were introduced in India with a promise to be shifted to physical settlement after six months.

Since then there has been much controversy about the two modes of settlement with proponents of each mode decrying the other as speculative and vulnerable to manipulation. This article attempts to throw some light on this debate.

First of all, cash settlement allows the creation of derivative contracts on an underlying whose physical delivery is infeasible or even impossible - index futures and weather derivatives are prime examples.

Cash settlement may also allow us to choose an underlying that is less manipulable and has lower basis risk for hedgers.

However, single stock futures and options have been designed to permit physical settlement. Both modes of settlement are possible and the question is how to choose between the two modes.

What is the difference between receiving the underlying and receiving its price? Finance theory tells us that apart from transaction costs, there is no difference.

To convert the price into the underlying or the other way around requires one transaction in the cash market - nothing more and nothing less.

Let us look at the four categories of players in the derivative market - speculators, arbitrageurs, hedgers and manipulators - and see what difference the two modes of settlement make to each of them.

Consider a speculator who bought the futures at 40 and has seen the price rise to 55 before expiry. He would have received 15 as mark-to-market gains during the course of this price rise, and under cash settlement, there is nothing more to be done.

Under physical settlement, the speculator has to undertake one extra sale transaction in the cash market to complete the transaction.

At expiry, he pays 55 in the futures market and receives the underlying; simultaneously he sells the underlying for 55 in the cash market. These transactions on the expiry day cancel out apart from transaction costs.

Consider next an arbitrageur who has sold futures and bought the underlying for a cash and carry arbitrage. Under physical settlement, the arbitrageur simply delivers the underlying into the futures market.

Under cash settlement, the arbitrageur needs to sell the underlying in the cash market at expiry. The transaction costs here include an execution risk - the risk that the price realised in the cash market may not be exactly the same as the settlement price used for cash settlement in the futures market.

We now turn to the hedger who owns the underlying and is trying to hedge its value. Assuming that the hedge has been rolled over until the expiry matches the holding period of the underlying, the hedger's position is identical to that of the arbitrageur. Under cash settlement he needs to sell in the cash market and incur the transaction costs and execution risks.

Finally, we look at the manipulator trying to implement a bear squeeze. Under both modes of settlement, the manipulator buys both spot as well as futures.

In physical settlement, when he has bought up most of the floating stock, he makes a profit by selling the underlying to the shorts at an inflated price.

The shorts deliver this underlying back to him. In cash settlement, the manipulator gains by the futures being settled at the inflated price.

The underlying bought in the cash market remains with him. Under both settlement modes, the manipulator's transactions are the same and his holdings post expiry are also the same. In both modes, the defence against manipulation is position limits and large position disclosure.

In short, apart from transaction costs, there is no difference between cash settlement and physical settlement.

Even these costs do not apply to most trades because they are squared off before expiry. The choice of settlement mode can, therefore, be safely left to market forces.

But if the regulator chooses to intervene, it should be on the side of physical settlement because it imposes lower transaction costs on hedgers and arbitrageurs at the cost of higher transaction costs on speculators.

One final point about price discovery: under both modes of settlement, arbitrage keeps futures and cash prices tightly coupled. The principal exception is under intense short sale restrictions, when the cash price gets decoupled from the true equilibrium price.

Cash settlement may allow the futures price to track the true price even in this scenario. When liquid futures and spot markets disagree, usually the futures is right because there are less friction in the futures market.

Source: Jayanth R Varma / Ahmedabad January 19, 2004

Cash vs Physical settlement

About Asbestos

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/about-asbestos.html[/postlink] Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral that can only be identified under a microscope. Asbestos is found in the ground and is mined all over the world. In the past, asbestos was added to different products such as insulation for fire resistance. Atlanta asbestos attorneys know that Asbestos exposure can cause ailments like mesothelioma and other problems. Extended asbestos exposure usually develops into serious problems. Persons who have been exposed to asbestos and suffer from related injures often have legal claims against the property owner where the poisoning occurred and/or their employer who exposed them to the product.

Asbestos exposure is particularly threatening for those employed in the following industries: building and construction, automotive, railroad, shipyard, and factory. Though asbestos use is no longer common, many structures still house hazardous asbestos materials that can cause asbestos poisoning. An estimated 1.3 million construction workers still face significant threats of asbestos poisoning on the job.

When you or a member of your family is diagnosed with an asbestos–related injury, it may be the first time you have ever considered hiring an attorney. Choosing the experienced Atlanta asbestos attorneys at Brandon Hornsby, PC, will provide priceless peace of mind during upcoming trying times when you are faced with medical treatments, bills, disability and other losses.

Going through the experienced and qualified Atlanta asbestos attorneys at Brandon Hornsby, PC has many advantages. First, the experienced Atlanta asbestos attorneys at this office have established links and contacts that can help you bring a successful lawsuit against a negligent party. We also know the sort of information required for a successful claim, and what the pitfalls of asbestos cases may be; therefore, we can increase the chances of a successful claim by putting together a watertight case. The Atlanta asbestos attorneys at Brandon Hornsby, PC, are also able to draw on past experience to give you an idea of your chances of success and even give you an idea of what sort of compensation payout you might expect based on the circumstances.

About Asbestos

Pleural Mesothelioma

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/pleural-mesothelioma.html[/postlink]

Malignant pleural mesotheliomaPleural Mesothelioma as compared to a healthy lung. is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up over two-thirds of all cases. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity known as the pleura.

The pleura is is the membrane that surrounds the chest and lungs. This membrane, known as the mesothelium, lines several body cavities. While the pleura surrounds the lungs, cancer of the pleura is not actually lung cancer (which may also be caused by asbestos exposure).

More about the pleura and pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma, like all kinds of mesothelioma, can be difficult to diagnose or easily misdiagnosed. If you are aware of prior asbestos exposure, it is important to inform your physician so that mesothelioma symptoms can be correctly identified.

While a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is certainly serious, it is not without options. A variety of new and novel mesothelioma treatments are available, as are a variety of clinical trials.

Causes of Pleural Mesothelioma

Asbestos causes pleural mesothelioma. Used in a variety of industrial and construction applications, asbestos fibers are small, lightweight, strong, and easily airborne.

Once in the air these fibers are easily inhaled or injested, their size and sharp shape makes it easy for them work their way into the smallest passageways of the lungs and then into the pleura. Asbestos fibers thwart the body's natural defenses. Whether it is the sharp shape of the asbestos fibers, an unknown chemical reaction, or a combination of both these factors that cause the mesothelial cells of the pleura to become abnormal and divide without control is unknown. The connection, however, between asbestos and pleural mesothelioma has been clear since the begining of the 1960s.

Asbestos is the single largest cause of occupational cancer in the US1. In addition to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos causes lung cancer, other forms of mesothelioma, including peritoneal mesothelioma, and it is linked to several other types of cancer such as colon, stomach, throat, and laryngeal cancer.

In addition, absestos causes several non-cancerous conditions such as asbestosis, pleural effusions, pleural plaques, and pleural thickening (also known as pleural fibrosis). The majority of those diagnosed with these non-malignant conditions do not develop mesothelioma. However, the asbestos exposure levels associated with these conditions is an important factor to take into account when considering your risk of developing pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

"Do I have pleural mesothelioma?" If you have been asking yourself this question, chances are you have a history of asbestos exposure.

Pleural mesothelioma's symptoms are not specific, and may indicate other, less serious, conditions. However, if you know you have a history of asbestos exposure, it is wise to be proactive regarding your health care choices and observant of potential symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Have regular check ups with your physician and make sure he or she is aware of your concerns and your history of asbestos exposure.

Pleural mesothelioma is a dose-dependent disease, meaning that the longer and more heavily your exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance you have of developing pleural mesothelioma (or another type of mesothelioma). This dose-dependence can also affect how quickly you are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, although the disease is known for its long latency periods of 10, 20, even as many as 40 years from exposure to disease progression.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include, but are not limited to:

Breathlessness (dyspnea)

Along with shortness of breath, patients may suffer from a cough. Rarely, patients may develop hoarsness or cough up blood (hemoptysis).

Chest pain

Chest pain is often nonspecific, and may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm. Chest pain and breathlessness are the most common, and usually earliest presenting, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma

Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss is cited as a symptom in about a third of pleural mesothelioma cases.

Pleural effusion

A pleural effusion is the result of too much fluid building up between the parietal and visceral pleura (linings of the chest and lungs, respectively); a pleural effusion may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), however, many cause no symptoms and are first discovered during the physical examination or seen on a chest x-ray.

Night sweats

Less common, but still cited enough to be considerd a symptom of pleural mesothelioma are fever, chills, and night sweats.

Pleura Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Pleural mesothelioma, while the most common type of mesotheioma, is still a rare diagnosis. It is important that you seek out specialists who can effectively diagnose any symptoms suspected of indicating pleural mesothelioma. Many patients begin exhibiting symptoms for several months before addressing them with their physician; once in the care of a doctor, pleural mesothelioma is still somewhat tricky to diagnose, thanks to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms. While not surprising that early diagnosis is tricky, if you have a history of risk factors and concerns regarding an unusual symptoms, visit your doctor; ask about your concerns regarding pleural mesothelioma.

Diagnosing Pleural Mesothelioma

A physical exam and patient history will likely be your doctor's first step in diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. Past exposure to asbestos is a strong risk factor for pleural mesothelioma and the longer and more seriously you were exposed to asbestos, the greater your risk. If your doctor does not ask about your work history and potential mesothelioma risk factors, let him or her know about your asbestos exposure.

The next step is usually an x-ray of the chest. Pleural effusions, masses, and scarring may be seen on x-rays. Because x-rays are less sensitive than newer imaging techniques, an abnormal finding on an x-ray will likely prompt your physician to order further imaging through a CT or CAT scan or MRI. This will likely provide a better idea of the size, location, and invasiveness of the mass, but not a definitive diagnosis, nor a complete picture of if the mesothelioma has metastized into the lymph system.

Once a suspicious mass or fluid has been spotted, your doctor will probably order a thoracentesis and/or biopsy be performed.

Thoracentesis is a minimilarly invasive procedure where fluid is removed from the pleural space. As many as 95% of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pleural effusions, or excess fluid collection in the pleural space. Thoracentesis (or thoracocentesis) is generally an outpatient procedure and usually requires only local anesthestic. A hollow needle or catheter is interted into the chest to drain the accumuated fluid.

Generally the first biopsy, or tissue collection, performed is a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Using a thin, hollow needle, cells from the suspcious mass are extracted. Like the thoracentesis, it is not as invasive as many surgical procedures and can help avoid the need for diagnostic surgery.

The collected fluid and/or biopsy tissue will then be sent for analysis by pathologist and/or cytologists. These specialists will look for signs of cancerous cells in the samples. Immunohistochemistry is the chemical staining of these samples to better identify abnormal cells. "Immunos," as these tests are sometimes called, are an important form of testing and are usually recommended.

If a definitive diagnosis has still not been reached, more invasive testing may be required. Your doctor may perform a thoracoscopy; this involves inserting a lighted scope, sometimes with a camera on it, into the chest for a closer look. If suspicious masses are seen, the doctor may cut out a sample of tissue to be examined for maligant cells.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Cheap Car Insurance

[postlink] http://id-max.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheap-car-insurance.html[/postlink]

Let's say it right up front. There is no really cheap car insurance. However, there is almost certainly insurance available that costs less — possibly significantly less — than you are paying now.

Car insurance is one of those annoying expenses in our lives that has no immediately apparent benefit, unlike the cost of a meal in a nice restaurant or the purchase of new music CD. State laws require it and we know deep down we should have it, but that doesn't make it easier to pay for it. Of course, it can bring some peace of mind knowing that we are protected financially if bad things happen. And there is nobody who denies being happy they have insurance when bad things do happen.

Car insurance is the most expensive secondary cost of automobile ownership. Saving money on insurance significantly affects the overall cost and affordability of owning and driving a car.

Given the fact, then, that insurance is necessary, how do we make sure we pay as little as possible for the coverage we need. Cheap car insurance is not difficult to find if you use the following tips.

Shop online for the cheapest car insurance rates

Car insurance companies charge different rates — differences of $1000 or more a year — for the same car, the same driver, and the same coverage. There are no "standard" insurance rates. Each insurance company sets its own risk-based rates, according to its own data and claim experience. Rates can change multiple times in a year.

Even if your current company had the cheapest rates a few months ago, the rates may have changed such that they are no longer the cheapest. So it pays to shop around and get free quotes from a number of insurance providers. Online car insurance quotes are quick, free, and easy to obtain, especially from online insurance company web sites such as Esurance.com.

It costs you nothing to switch to a different car insurance company that provides better rates and better meets your needs. If you switch, be sure to ask for a refund of any prepayment to your current company.

Auto insurance for teen drivers

Teenagers driving for the first time, especially boys, suffer the highest auto insurance rates of any other category of drivers. The reason, of course, is that, as a whole, this group represents the highest risk of accident claims.

We often get questions such as "What is the cheapest car insurance for teenagers?" or "Where can I find cheap car insurance for a 16 year old?"

Insurance costs for teens can easily be the highest of any other costs associated with owning and driving a car. Without a driving record and credit history, teens automatically get assigned the highest rates. In addition to the tips below, young drivers should work to minimize insurance rates by making good grades, taking driving courses, and avoiding high-powered sports cars. It is also cheaper to be listed as a driver on parents' policy than to get a separate policy.

Select vehicles with lower insurance costs

The car you drive can make the difference between cheap car insurance and expensive car insurance. Cars that cost the least, have the lowest repair costs, are in accidents less often, and are stolen less frequently are the least expensive to insure.

In general, the older the car, the less expensive the car, the safer the car, the less insurance will cost.

Insurance rates for expensive luxury cars are considerably higher than for economy compacts. Sports cars suffer from generally higher rates than family sedans. High performance cars in the hands of teenage drivers will cost a small fortune to insure. Frequently stolen vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade cost more to insure than cars with less "thief appeal." Surprisingly, some older cars such 1990's vintage Honda Accords are frequently stolen for parts, and are more expensive to insure.

Insurance rates are reduced for vehicles with extra safety equipment, such as stability control and side air bags.

When car shopping, ask your insurance company to quote you rates on each of the different models you are considering – or get your rates on the Internet.

Watch your credit score

Yes, many car insurance companies now use your credit score to set your rates. Studies show that people with low scores tend to submit more claims. People with low scores can pay as much as three times more than those with excellent scores. Therefore, it's wise to know your credit score before you shop for insurance.

Select coverage options that best meet your needs
Collision and comprehensive insurance coverage for your own vehicle pays for the cost of repairs or for the value of your vehicle in case it is totaled or stolen. You could consider dropping collision coverage when your vehicle has aged to the point that your annual collision premiums are significant when compared to the vehicle's replacement value. Be aware that, if you still have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your loan company may require collision and comprehensive coverage.

In their quest for cheap car insurance, many teenage drivers often choose to do without collision and comprehensive coverage. However, this can be a huge mistake. Accident repairs can be very expensive. Drivers who have struggled to save money for a car, or have taken out large loans, are devastated when they realize that there is no insurance coverage when their car is stolen or totaled in an accident. It happens all too frequently.

There's one good case for not buying full insurance. If you have enough cash savings that you would be willing to risk to pay for your car's repairs or replacement in the event of an accident, you could "self-insure" yourself and avoid the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage.

Most states have laws that dictate the minimum liability insurance coverage you must carry. In these days of lawsuit-happy accident victims and high medical costs, it is good to have as much liability coverage as you can afford. Remember, if you get sued for an accident and your insurance is insufficient, you may find your personal assets in jeopardy. Financial ruin could be only one accident away.

Location is important

Auto insurance costs can be dramatically different depending on where you live. If you live in New York state, you pay the highest rates in the U.S.. If you live and work in a heavily populated metropolitan area, you pay more than your cousin who lives in a nearby small town.

Should you have a choice in where you live, work, and drive — which many people do not — you can affect your car insurance cost by choosing the right location.

Gap protection

If your vehicle is totaled or stolen, your auto insurance is only going to pay the amount that the vehicle is worth, not what you still owe on a loan or lease. This point is misunderstood by many consumers. If you are "upside down" on a car loan or lease, you'll have to come up with the cash to pay off the remainder of the amount you owe. To prevent this situation, you need "gap" insurance.

Gap coverage is usually included in leases, but almost never for loans. Unfortunately, this type of insurance is a little hard to find. Some auto insurance companies offer it, some extended-warranty companies have it, and some dealers sell it. Fortunately, gap coverage is not very expensive and can be dropped as soon as you pay enough of your loan or lease to exit your "upside down" situation.

Avoid at-fault accidents

Pretty obvious, but one of the factors that contributes most significantly to high auto insurance rates is the at-fault accident history of a driver. Insurance companies typically raise rates after only a single accident, assuming that other accidents will follow. Since accident reports are shared between insurance companies, don't think you can avoid higher costs by switching companies. This might work in the short-term but it will soon catch up to you.

Choose a higher deductible

One of the easiest paths to cheap car insurance is to increase your deductible — the amount you're willing to pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim. For example, raising your deductible amount from $500 to $1000 can reduce your insurance costs by 30%. Just be sure that you would be able to afford the immediate cash expense in case of an accident. Deductibles don't apply if you are not at fault in an accident and the other party has insurance.

Check your profile often

Contact your auto insurance company and make sure your personal and family's driving profiles are accurate, and that you are getting all the discounts to which you are entitled. Your driving record, marriage status, age, commute distance, and home address can affect your insurance costs. Your credit history can also have an affect with some companies. Multiple-car discounts are available, as are discounts for vehicle safety features, anti-theft devices, having home insurance with the same company, and even for getting good grades in school.

Don't count on your insurance company to automatically notify you when new discounts are available. You have to ask.

Avoid making small claims

Making small claims with your insurance company can trigger rate increases. Certainly, if the cost of repairing minor accident damage is less than your deductible, don't file a claim. Even if the cost is moderately higher, consider the cost of a possible rate increase compared to simply paying the cost yourself. Many people make the mistake of making unnecessary and frivolous claims.

Check insurance company ratings
Cheap car insurance is not so cheap when the insurance company is difficult to deal with, is not responsive to your needs, and doesn't pay fairly. Therefore, take care in choosing your company on criteria other than premium cost.

JD Power, a national research company, publishes a rating of auto insurance companies that can be helpful in selecting auto insurance companies. Some of the companies in the rating only do business in certain states. Furthermore, the evaluations do not include rate comparisons.

Get your own rate quotes

Insurance companies and brokers provide free online rate quotes that allow you to easily compare costs and coverage. The advantage of a broker is that they work with multiple companies and their services are free. We suggest the following companies:

NetQuote is a free insurance shopping service that allows you to compare rates from major national carriers such as SafeCo, The Hartford, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, and more by simply filling out one online form. By matching your profile with multiple insurance companies, their detailed application form ensures you will receive only quotes that best fit your particular situation. Quotes are 100% free.
Esurance is one of the most recognized car insurance companies due to their clever TV commercials. They are a relatively new company, formed in 1998, but have since become one of the fastest growing insurance companies in the country. They are innovative, value their customers, and work hard to provide excellent service. Get a quote from them to find out for yourself. Get free auto insurance quotes.
GEICO is one of the well-known top four car insurance companies in the country with low prices and the top ranked customer service web site of all. You not only get free quotes but you can file claims, view estimates and photographs, contact your adjuster, and get payment status. They also explain exactly how they process a claim, what to do if you're in an accident, and where to find a repair shop near you. A great web site!
InsureMe is an established and popular company, having been around since 1993. They have a network of thousands of participating insurance agents and companies across the United States, including in your neighborhood. Once you complete their online form, they match your profile to as many as five companies, who will provide you free rate quotes that you can compare and choose from. Remember, you are not obligated to accept any of the offers.

Are you 50 years old or older?

Most people who are over 50 years old may still be paying under-50 car insurance rates, which are higher. Furthermore, lifestyle changes after 50 may not be accounted for in the rates you are currently paying for your insurance. You may not be getting the discounts you deserve. It's always a good idea to check rates after you become 50 years old.

We recommend the AARP Auto Insurance program for people 50 and older. It's a fine program, administered by The Hartford, tailored especially for people in that age category.

Be careful where you buy

Beware of car insurance companies that offer unrealistic low rates for high-risk drivers. Such companies can charge cheap rates because they don't pay claims. Affordable rates are one thing; getting paid when you have an accident is quite another. Be sure to research any such company before you make a decision about cheap car insurance.

Source:http://www.leaseguide.com/articles/cheap-car-insurance.htm

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