Keystone launches new online chat feature

 Keystone Property Finance has launched a new online chat feature with the aim od providing brokers with extra support when handling new client cases by giving them an additional way to speak to their team.

The chat feature will be available for new case enquiries only and will be monitored and maintained by Keystone’s business development managers (BDMs), enabling brokers to contact a BDM instantly to discuss any enquiries they have.

The web chat will also have extended hours from 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00am to 6:00pm on Fridays.

This latest addition to Keystone’s services is part of a wider package of measures that have been put in place by the specialist buy-to-let lender to ensure brokers are supported throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes offering video calls for brokers and their local BDMs that supplement the lender’s telephone, email and chat services.

Google to Move Hangouts Users to Free Chat Service Next Year

 Google has announced to move Hangouts users over to Google Chat next year which will be available as a free service — both in the integrated experience in Gmail and the Chat standalone app

Chat includes familiar Hangouts features like direct and group messaging, with helpful additions like send to inbox, faster search, emoji reactions and suggested replies.

With Chat, you can more easily plan with others on goals and similar interests, share and collaborate on files, and assign tasks to help keep everyone on the same page.

“In addition, Chat features the same strong phishing protections we built in Gmail, so if a link is sent to you via Chat, it will be checked against real-time data from Safe Browsing and flagged if it’s found to be malicious,” the tech giant informed.

How to Improve Your Online Dating Profile

 Online dating has as many fans as opponents. Some people are just delighted with the option of meeting a potential partner online, while others don't fancy it and feel uncomfortable getting to know someone just via messages or video calls.

However, even the most skeptical people will agree that online dating resembles marketing. Why? It's all about the profile — the photo, the "about me" section, and its impression on the reader.

Therefore, creating a profile for an online dating platform needs to be well-thought. As not everyone is an expert in the online dating world's jungle, we provide a quick guide on how to improve the attractiveness of your online dating profile quickly. Many dating sites provide suggestions themselves - you can find them on Badoo, or Beyond Ages.

Choose an Appropriate Picture

We all judge by appearances - no matter if we want it or not. That's why an appropriate, well-chosen photo is so important in online dating. Your photo embodies everything you want to say to a potential "buyer" - make no mistake, what people are buying is nothing more than your at-a-first-glance persona, and the currency is their time and effort. It is an aspect of the profile which attracts the attention first.

How to choose a good photo for a dating app? Of course, it doesn't have to be a professional one, but it's good to invest in the picture's quality.

Try to make it look relaxed and natural - a CV-like photograph will look simply artificial and too formal. Think of choosing a picture that really represents you - maybe while you're doing your hobby or in your favorite café? Try to look at yourself through the eyes of the people you'd like to get to know. How would you like them to see you?

What to avoid in choosing a dating app photo? Pictures with others, for example, friends, will not be seen well because people won't know which person is you. Also, don't put controversial or abusive photographs online. They may be funny, but the internet remembers everything, and you can be sure to see the embarrassing pictures somewhere later on. to read more on how a good profile picture should look, have a look here.

Describe Yourself!

When it comes to dating apps, personal descriptions are just as important as photographs. 'Nobody reads descriptions', you may think, but in fact, you couldn't be more mistaken!

A description is a place on a dating app where you can say basically anything about you. It's an equivalent of a simple 'Hello' that someone would hear on the street in the offline world. Why not use it to maximize your chances of getting noticed, then?

How to write a good description for dating? Well, there's no universal recipe for that. Simply try to express yourself. Think of some words, a quote, or a phrase that describes you best. It can be short, witty, or funny - there are no boundaries of being serious!

Again, simply be yourself. Are you a music fan? Great, then put some of your favorite lyrics in the description box. Do you love sports? Then, a few words about it will look great in the 'about you' section. To find examples of profiles and descriptions that are worth following, click here.

Personal descriptions on dating apps are also perfect conversation starters. You can include some things you'd like to develop or be asked about. Also, it's a good place to share your preferences about potential partner. Don't go into detail, though. And don't be too strict and demanding - remember, it's only dating, it should be fun!

Make Use of Extra Options (and to Text First)

Some dating apps facilitate getting to know each other online by introducing some additional functions to the users. For example, these are sharing other social media profiles, linking your account to Spotify or Instagram.

These can be great options to boost the credibility of your profile and make people notice you. Don't be afraid of revealing a little more about yourself - it can surely repay in the future! To read more about the new functions of dating apps, click here.

What's more, don't be scared to text someone first! A song or a photo on their profile may be a starting point for initiating conversation. Just make use of this knowledge and ask a question about it. You can also make a link to your favorite things. Just get creative, use all the info you have, and go ahead.

Conclusion

Online dating may seem a real challenge. Getting through the jungle of all these faces, profiles, descriptions, simply to find a soulmate appears to be tiring and difficult.

However, a well "marketed" profile will make the whole affair more clear, targeted and fun.. The more information you give, the more you're likely to get what you want. If you seem open and easy-going, you'll attract similar people. Just don't be afraid to take new steps, relax, and… wait for new messages and matches!

Facebook hopes to unite college students with new platform

 Facebook is hoping to connect students stuck in their homes while attending college with its new social media platform, Facebook Campus.

“(Facebook Campus) is a college-only space designed to help students connect with their classmates and their school community all in one place, even when they can’t be together,” said product manager Charmaine Hung. “We do think that campus is more relevant than ever with COVID-19. We see many students not returning to campus and classes are now all happening remote and online.”

Facebook Campus hopes to reconnect students to their college clubs and friends through their pilot program. The program began in mid-September in 30 schools across the country, including the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

“We do know that university experiences are quite different, depending on what school you go to,” Hung said. “We really wanted to make sure we build the product that fits the needs of everyone.”

To do so, Facebook looked into different criteria to create a good sample size.

“Some of the things we took into account when deciding on these 30 schools were things like geographic diversity, a diverse student population, a mix of small and large undergrad bodies, and some schools that are specialized in different areas, for example, liberal arts schools,” Hung said.

Made with the help of college students, Campus will function as a separate, dedicated space within the larger Facebook platform, allowing only users with a “.edu” email to join.

“As we were building this, we had what we like to call a ‘student council,’” Hung said. “We were getting their feedback along the way.”

Once users join, they will verify their email address and create their campus profile.

“We realized that having some verification that you belong to that school to participate in Campus was really important,” Hung said. “Once you get in, you’ll be able to create groups and events that are all bounded and specific to your school… It’s not a completely different identity that you can take, but it is basically a different network of people.”

Additionally, users will have access to Facebook’s campus directory which will allow them to search for others using graduation year, specific classes, majors or their dorms. According to Hung, because Campus is separate from the larger Facebook platform, this specific information will only be shown on users’ Campus profile, not their main profile.

The final feature of Facebook Campus is a campus chat room feature where students can pick and choose which rooms to join, similar to the functioning “Groups” feature in the larger platform.

“Students can create chatrooms for their dorm, club, classes and more,” Hung said. “Campus chat rooms don’t actually require you to choose and invite people like group chats. Instead, once you create the chatroom, people in that specific group can just pick and choose ones they want to pop into.”

Facebook hopes that their new platform will allow students to continue to connect and interact with one another even when they are away from campus.

Genes, diseases and treatments

Greek scientists have recently announced the discovery of the gene fosfolamvanis, which is involved in heart failure. What it means for patients to discover genes associated with diseases; opens the way to cure them?

There would be no exaggeration to say that last move in orbit genes: fifty years after the elucidation of the structure of DNA (the material of which genes are made) and only a few days after the announcement of the completion of the human genome (the reading, ie, the entire DNA sequence of humans), is drowned by information on new genes discovered. What does all this but us? And specifically what it means for patients to discover genes associated with diseases; leads the discovery of such genes to treat disease and what should we hope? Following the recent announcement by Greek scientists to discovery of the gene fosfolamvanis, which is involved in heart failure, «To Vima» explains today with seven questions and answers of the possibilities opened by the knowledge of genes to diseases.


1. What is the disease gene?
These genes are neither health nor disease! These DNA segments in the sequence of which contained information on the composition of proteins, molecules that play a variety of significant structural and functional, the roles in the cell. When genes are sound, the proteins synthesized under instructions perform their role. Thus the cell and the organism is healthy. But there are cases where genes have undergone changes (mutations in the language of biology). Then, depending on the type of mutation, the protein or cease to be synthesized or synthesized by the damage which is preventing it from operating. For example, when the gene of beta-hemoglobin is normal, the protein (ie, the beta-hemoglobin) that makes up red blood cells capable of carrying oxygen. A slight mutation in the hemoglobin gene, however, is the cause of the improper composition of the protein and cause of thalassemia. In other words, has prevailed to genes known disease genes whose mutations lead to the emergence of heritable diseases.

2. What then describe the type of news: «The scientists discovered the gene of one disease»;

They describe the discovery of genes whose mutations lead to the emergence of the disease.

3. How important is the discovery of such genes?
It is very important because it allows researchers to deepen the causes of diseases. The understanding at the molecular and cellular level the mechanism by which it caused a disease opens the way for effective intervention. Take for example the recent announcement by Greek scientists at the University of Cincinnati and Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center on the discovery of mutations in the gene fosfolamvanis in a patient with heart failure. Multi experiments on animals had shown that this protein plays a role in the regulation of myocardial contraction is brought with the help of calcium ions. As explained in speaking «Step» Mrs Evangelia Helmets, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati, which has contributed decisively to the clarification of the role of fosfolamvanis, «the elucidation of the mechanism by which the action fosfolamvanis will enable better management of patients with heart failure ».

4. How quickly patients benefit from the discoveries of genes?
The speed with which knowledge of genes associated with disease converted to a benefit for the patient depends on many factors. We have known for many years and the mutation of the gene of hemoglobin which is responsible for thalassemia, but we have not cure the disease. We can however take steps to prevent the occurrence of subsequent generations. Usually the first thing that can happen after the discovery of a gene associated with the occurrence of disease is to develop diagnostic tests for the disease.

5. What is the diagnostic test?
It is a discussion which explores whether the candidate carries the mutation that would render the patient. It should be noted that in contrast to thalassemia, which the symptoms occur very soon after birth, there are hereditary diseases that occur at older ages.

6. Who should use these tests?
A bad family history is the light in which doctors decide if someone needs to take a diagnostic test to detect mutations. In very few cases such tests are routine for much of the population. For example, in our country, that thalassemia is a scourge, an examination of married to determine if they were bodies of disease, as well as the examination of embryos is necessary to prevent births of children with the disease. Criterion for the wide application of the test is the frequency of mutation in the population.

7. Why not have a cure thalassemia because we know the gene that when mutated causes There are other hereditary diseases are treated;

The only way to be cured a hereditary disease would be to replace the mutated gene that causes a standard. Such intervention, which is called gene therapy, it is not easy, as many scientists who attempted to treat a number of hereditary diseases. The biggest success has been achieved to date refers to a disease of the immune system which makes the children suffer from it so vulnerable to infections that may have to live in a sterile environment. A small number of children has been treated with gene therapy, while others had leukemia as a side effect of treatment ... It should however be noted that the ongoing efforts of the scientists on many fronts. The research team succeeded Mrs Helmets to restore the contraction of heart cells in test tube epemvainontas in the fosfolamvanis gene, which is the first step in probably a long way for gene therapy of the disease.

Geneticists have discovered a gene which "block" of the AIDS virus and possibly lead to the deal.

The news was announced 5 days before and on 29 February. The news stated that Stephen Barr and his team from the University of Alberta in Canada, after studies found a gene that is able to block the spread of AIDS virus in the body and disease. The importance of the discovery are enormous, because it may mean the capability to manufacture a vaccine for the virus in the future ...

The professor and his team discovered a gene TRIM22, which has managed to prevent contamination of cell culture in the laboratory from HIV AIDS. It was when the gene in cells, the virus could not be replicated, and also prevented to go and infect other cells. This essentially means that even if an infected cell the virus stops spreading there, and not the rest of body.

In simple words, if researchers manage and develop the technique to be applicable to humans (ie to activate the gene in some way, even pharmaceuticals), then this would mean constructing physical defense against the virus, without the unpleasant side effects drugs or the manufacture of medicines will do the same job without having to be hazardous.

The researchers report that among other things, as many genes as humans have to protect the body from viruses and help to combat them, the gene has a strong preference in dealing with HIV AIDS.

The biggest problem scientists regarding the battle with the AIDS virus for years (and what it prevents than to build a successful vaccine) is that the virus mutate so easily be resistant against medicines made by time. With this gene, essentially found a new weapon that can do the job fighting the virus naturally.

The research scientists went one step further by trying to block the function of this gene in cells. This resulted in the cell to react to the virus but (as usual) the production of interferon, but the reaction was not the slightest effect. What does this mean that practically the gene is certainly a special relationship with HIV and AIDS need to address it. The body from which it seems has an own way to respond to the incursion of the virus. What we think eistimones is to replicate the function and mode of action of the gene TRIM22 with a drug.

Under investigation are open and two other "hot" questions:

"Why if the gene is located in the body of all people, in patients with AIDS is not working?"

And also:

"I can now activate this gene in these patients to take action?"

Search fee and the possibility of dealing and other viruses with the same gene.

Pending developments, therefore, very interesting ...

The findings were published in Public Library of Science Pathogens

Gene discovery opens the way for cigarettes without nicotine

Japanese scientists announced that they isolated a gene, which carries the nicotine from the roots of the tobacco plant leaves, thus opening the way for the creation of cigarettes without nicotine, which is less addictive, but it will remind regular cigarette. The research done by Professor Kazoufoumi Giazaki, molecular biologist, in plants, at the University of Kyoto, which took three years to identify the gene Nt-JAT1, which is the carrier of nicotine.

As stated, according to British newspaper Daily Telegraph, the objective now is to create a cigarette that has always known the taste, but it is much less addictive.

The next step will be to grow tobacco plants that will not have any nicotine in the leaves, but admits that there are still open issues to be resolved, for example, the possibility of blocking the transfer of nicotine in leaves lead to concentration of cells in the roots, which could be toxic to the plant itself.

Japan has a relatively high percentage of smokers, with rates around 40% in men and 13% in women, according to data of 2008. According to government statistics, more than 63,000 people die each year in the country of lung cancer. Professor Giazaki, he is not a smoker, hopes his investigation will try to help people stop smoking. The scientist, in order to finance his experiments, did not rule to require the assistance of Japan Tobacco, the largest Japanese tobacco.

Major new discovery of genes that predispose for severe disease

New chapter opens in history of medicine, as researchers announced the discovery of new genes associated with serious diseases. The new discovery is published in the journal 'Nature' and is expected to pave the way for further research and treatment of genetic test.

Researchers examining the DNA of blood 17,000 people, found that genes contribute to the onset of depression, diabetes, disease of Crohn, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and coronary disease.

The research team emphasizes that the discovery of genes that contribute to the emergence of serious diseases research will lead scientists to better understand the mechanism of disease, identify people at risk to develop, and will shortly be able to develop more effective and personalized medicines.

As stated, many of the most common diseases are very complex and depend on genetic and environmental factors in combination with lifestyle.

Scientists said that although in the past had little lights turn to the long dark tunnel of the genome, now turn lights in many parts of the tunnel, in this case half a million lights.

In case 1 diabetes gene discovered several areas that increase the risk of disease. The researchers of the project took part in the recent announcements of the discovery of obesity gene, three new genes linked to diabetes 2 and region of chromosome 9 associated with heart disease.

One of the most important discoveries is that a gene that was previously unknown is common and the emergence of diabetes and 1 in disease Chron, an inflammatory bowel disease, indicating that the two diseases share common biological pathways.

Many of the genes discovered by a team of 200 scientists were in parts of the genome not previously been regarded as potentially linked to illnesses.

In the future could allow people to look for combinations of genes to predict the risk they face in their entire lives to outbreaks of disease, which will lead them to change their lifestyles or be considered timely.

Professor of Statistics, Peter Donnelly, who took part in the investigation, said that the investigation is a new beginning and that researchers have learned more the past 12 months than they had learned the previous 15 years.

Science: Discovery of gene could help treat blindness

LONDON . Scientists have to find a «mutant» gene, which is directly linked to the most common causes of blindness in the developed world, creating hope even for the whole treatment of the disease.

British scientists said that they found six variants of this gene, which they call "Serping 1" and, related to the degeneration caused to spot (eye) - is called "AMD", due to advanced age. As stress characteristics: «The discoveries are helping us to better understand the genetic surrounding the degeneration induced in cells with age, which should lead to new methods of treatment of normal and« limited »disease» underlined Sarah and Andrew Enis higher, from the University of Southampton in the newspaper «Lanset».

The "AMD", which causes damage to sensitive cells of the plume in a region located in the center of the retina, usually develops when a person grows. A proportion of 90% of patients found to suffer from "AMD", is called «dry-version» of the disease, but for which no treatment is not currently available.

The others are the «wet» form, found in minutes Red pots to grow between the retina and the back of the eye. This form of the disease can be treated with modern medicines.

Gene Discovery

A pioneering discovery Italian researchers overturning the scientific view that the sex of the child is determined only by the man.

The Italian scientists discovered a gene-gender and women, which even if the mutation converts male to female fetuses. This will try to do as they say the researchers, in mouse embryos.

Meanwhile, Greek scientists stress that can change sex in animal embryos, however pointed out that it is morally unacceptable that this applied to human embryos.

Gene discovery may help prevent asthma

British scientists discovered a gene that can prevent allergy that triggers the illness and pain especially at this time a large proportion of the world's population.

The gene, named PHF-11, appears to regulate the blood cells that produce antibodies that are directly related to asthma. The discovery of the gene provides a new target for drugs designed to «erase» the immunoglobulin E antibody to prevent asthma.

The gene was discovered in the laboratories of Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics in Oxford by Dr teachers. And Dr Miriam Mofat. William Koukson.

Dr. Koukson said: «The discovery of this gene adds a new dimension to the understanding of asthma and other allergic diseases, but has not yet been fully completed. There are at least ten genes that have a significant impact on a person's susceptibility to asthma and more genes with smaller effects ».

The survey, which lasted more than six years, attended by more doctors and scientists. The survey results were published in the online edition of the scientific form Nature Genetics.

Discovery of genes that increase the risk for skin cancer and hepatitis B

The discovery of a series of genes that are associated with increased risk of skin cancer, hepatitis B and susceptibility to radiation, have three different teams.

Scientists of the Institute for Cancer Research UK under Richard Murray, discovered that up to 70% of fatal cancers of the skin (melanoma) can be fired from a genetic mutation that leads cells to a cancer after exposure to excessive sun. The discovery may lead to more effective future treatments targeted by drugs, was published in the journal "Cancer Cell" (cancer cells).

British researchers have identified the gene BRAF, from which often starts the chain of genetic changes leading to melanoma. Scientists know for certain gene already, but until now were not sure whether a cause or effect of cancer and is now established that the First case. Although melanoma represents a small percentage of skin cancers, responsible for most deaths.

Another scientific team from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. in the Vivian Tseoungk, identified a group of genes, around 1200, that affect how the human body reacts to radiation from the environment, often leading to cancer. According to the researcher is most likely to identify people who are more likely to have serious side effects from radiation exposure and to protect such by reducing the dose of radiation they receive.

Finally, a third scientific team from Japan has identified a number of gene mutations that appear to make people more sensitive towards chronic infection with hepatitis B. The discovery of researchers at the University of Tokyo, under the Giotsiro Kamatani, published in the journal "Nature Genetics .

Approximately 400 million people are suffering from chronic hepatitis B worldwide and 60% of cancers of the liver associated with the contamination. Japanese researchers compared the genes of patients with hepatitis B, people who do not have the infection and were able to identify 11 genetic mutations in a region containing the genes HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1.

Although not the only cause of the hepatitis B infection, genetic factors seem to play an important role. The Japanese researchers hope the findings will assist in new drug therapies.

Astana: Armstrong custody and Leipheimer

The Astana team has selected a very international custody around Americans Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer for the Giro, which starts Saturday in Venice.

Six countries (Slovenia, United States, Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine and Kazakhstan) are represented in the group surrounding Armstrong, seven times winner of the Tour but neophyte of the Giro, and his compatriot, who won this season of the Tour of California and Tour de Castile and Leon.

Chris Horner, the third American this, the duo participated last week in the Tour de Gila, a small national race in New Mexico before Leipheimer won by Armstrong.

The Spaniard Jose Luis Rubiera and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych, two members of the team of Armstrong when the Texan was the undisputed leader of his training (Discovery Channel) before the first stop of his career in 2005, are also in Giro team.

Last year, Leipheimer took the 18th place in the Giro.

Team Astana at the Giro:

Lance Armstrong (USA), Jani Brajkovic (SLO), Chris Horner (USA), Levi Leipheimer (USA), Steve Morabito (SUI), Daniel Navarro (ESP), Yaroslav Popovych (UKR) José Luis Rubiera (ESP), Andrey Zeits (KAZ)

Ontario is increasing its support for the innovative economy

The Partnerships Fund for the entertainment industry and the creation of Ontario is extended for four years.

Ontario continues to support economic growth in innovative renewing the Partnership Fund for the entertainment and through the creation of an investment of $ 12 million for next four years. The announcement was made today by the Honorable Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture, in her speech to the Economic Club of Canada.

The Partnerships Fund for the entertainment industry and the Creation was established in 2006 with a budget of $ 7.5 million over three years. Its mission is to stimulate the growth of industries entertainment and creative in promoting capacity building, marketing, innovation and vocational training. Society development of the media industry in Ontario (OMDC) co-manages the fund in partnership with the Ministry of Culture.

Here are two examples of creative business hubs supported by this fund partnerships:
The Canadian International Festival Hot Docs film has expanded its global reach in 2008 through its Doc Shop. This service Doc Shop is a digital commerce server, through the Hot Docs festival (30 April - 10 May), allows delegates to have access on request to a library that contains over 1 500 documentaries from Canada and international. During the festival, Doc Shop strengthens the opportunity for buyers to view and acquire new Documentary Ontario. Doc Shop this service also works all year as a site of international trade for online buyers and
Documentary Distributors.

Niagara Interactive Media Generator - ngen or for short - is a incubator for new media in the Niagara region. Brock Partners University, Niagara College, Interactive Ontario, Silicon Knights, the Niagara Enterprise Agency, services and economic development tourist Ste. Catherine and Development CorporationEconomic Niagara have been working on two projects: the project "noiseinniagara" which is a website promoting the Niagara music scene and a set interactive education on the War of 1812. A tool for attracting investment is also underway. Last year, Microsoft ngen and were partners in a project to allow businesses to new media access to software worth several tens thousand dollars.

The next series of partnerships the fund will be launched at the end of May with the organization of information sessions that will in June, and the adoption of a deadline set for applications to 23 September.

QUOTATIONS
"The industry of the establishment of Ontario contributes not only to the modern economy of the province, but also a potential growth exponentially and the ability to create jobs for the future. By supporting innovation, research and development, we are helping Ontario to be
competitive and succeed in the global market for entertainment and media, a market that brings. "

- Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture
"The Ontario government understands the huge advantage in terms of competitiveness, the industries that we offer in the context of the global knowledge economy where intellectual property is characterized by significant challenges. The fund is a resource partnerships valuable that unites industry partners, universities and Government in the common goal to create and promote cultural products that Ontario offers on international markets. "

- Kevin Shea, Chair of the Board of Directors of the OMDC
"We are pleased that this program will continue to encourage the type of innovative projects and cross that can allow companies in Ontario to be competitive on the international scene. Since it was established three years ago, the Partnerships Fund entertainment industry and the creation supported 43 projects involving 285 partners and amounting to 15.9 million dollars. "

- Karen Thorne-Stone, CEO of OMDC

"We are delighted to have taken this crucial step that allows us to providing services and strengthen our role as a key market the international documentary industry. Telefilm Canada, and the OMDC all our partners deserve to be congratulated for their vision vision and dedication to this project unique. " - Chris McDonald, CEO, Hot Docs

QUICK FACTS

- Since its early years, the fund partnerships has contributed to success of several major projects including the project Magazines Digital Discovery Canada, a project that supports the creation and hosting online delivery of digital magazines Canadian and draft Spotlight on China, a project that permit the arrival of 28 Chinese music directors of leading Otario, a mission that has enabled them to discover and explore business opportunities with companies in the Ontario
Canadian Music Week.

- With some 276 000 jobs in 2008, the Entertainment and the creation of Ontario is the third in America North, behind California and New York. It is at the forefront of provinces for the film and television production, book and magazine publishing, and sound recording.

- Ontario represents 40% of Canada's cultural GDP.

- According to estimates, the sector's contribution to the creation of Ontario is at least $ 7 billion in contributions direct cultural sector. If we include a wider range cultural contributions, the figure reaches 12.2 billion dollars.

- During the last decade, the entertainment and the creation of Ontario has created more than 80 000 jobs in the province - an increase of 40 per 100 compared to 17 p. 100 for the general economy of Ontario.

- According to estimates, the global entertainment and media accounted for over 1.5 trillion dollars last year.

Informatica offers a certified integration with the platform archiving content Hitachi

The integration of advanced solutions for archiving and storage helps businesses comply cheaply regulations become more stringent in terms of data retention


Informatica Corporation (NASDAQ: INFA), the first independent provider of solutions and services for data integration, announces that its solution Data Archive, recently acquired with the acquisition of Applimation has been certified for use with the platform archiving content Hitachi Content Archive Platform. Through this integration, Informatica and Hitachi to provide customers an economical solution to archive, store and retrieve their critical information.

"While the data have never been as important, companies are grappling with declining budgets," said Adam Wilson, General Manager, ILM, Informatica. "The increase in transaction volumes and a growing demand for conservation of data have led to escalating costs of equipment, databases and packaged applications. Today more than ever, companies are turning to archiving of data to align the costs of management and functionality of their IT infrastructure on the actual value of information ".

Informatica Data Archive provides a wide range of features allowing companies to manage the lifecycle of data, data archiving until applications. This solution integrates the most comprehensive set of functions to accelerate and automate the storage of packaged applications (or software). The solution provides a ready to use for hundreds of application modules SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft and Siebel. It also supports custom applications developed using major RDBMS market applications and mainframe systems.

Hitachi Content Archive Platform provides an 'active archive' - ie an online store for unique, search and retrieve multiple types of content based on structured data and unstructured. Based on a single SAN architecture (known as SAN Attached Array of Independent Nodes), Hitachi Content Archive Platform capitalizes on the advanced features of storage and archiving software Hitachi to provide high availability and performance and an ability climb over several Petabytes.

Together, Informatica and Hitachi reduce total cost of ownership of applications to economical archiving historical data and ensuring their conformity with features full e-discovery.

The integrated solution provides:
Accelerator ready to use to automate the installation and archiving structured data,
Support for SAP applications, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Siebel and for custom applications and mainframe Recovery of archived information independent of source applications, Consolidation of information structured and unstructured in a retrieval system, single asset and highly scalable.

"More and more companies are facing a growth of data continues. It has become vital for them to not only address the storage problems but also to an application-independent access to a wide range of structured data and unstructured for the purpose of e-discovery and risk management, "says Marc Trimuschat, Senior Director, Global Business Development & Alliances, Hitachi Data Systems. "The integration of Informatica Data Archive with Hitachi Content Archive Platform is by optimizing the archived data and optimize storage space in the archiving system. Together, we give companies the opportunity to manage their application infrastructure by obtaining the best return on investment. "

The scavengers of the crisis of "subprime"

"Over 500 houses are seized every day in California. The subprime crisis enhances the real estate speculators. A charge for them to evict the former owners. "

In California, since the beginning of the year, more than 500 houses are seized every day. In total, 3.6% of all properties are purchased on credit defaults, and entry procedures have been launched for two thirds of elles.Pour be aware in advance of all the bargains , speculators subscribe to specialized websites, which have become their main working tool. One of the most famous Foreclosureradar.com (Radar seizures ") was created by Sean O'Toole, a scientist who won a lot of money on the Internet before retraining in real estate. Today, Mr. O'Toole, quarantine thin and nervous, lives in Discovery Bay, a marina nestled in a delta leading to the bay of San Francisco. Apart from him, a subdivision of 550 homes, completed in 2007, already has 77 homeowners in default. "

Source: Le Monde, The scavengers of the crisis of "subprime"

We go out of our archives, this excellent article - the date - which denounces seizures and evictions, and denounced speculators. I suggest you read them after reading the two articles on the sad prévisons U.S., and millions of evictions should still be made by banks.

A year later, speculators are caught in this enrenage enfernal because prices have fallen much, and even Brada, they need not to resell their property acquired in 2008, so many new properties before arriving non-stop on the market.

Atlantis successfully captures Hubble Telescope

The U.S. shuttle Atlantis has successfully captured Wednesday Hubble Telescope during a dangerous maneuver at 600 km altitude to repair and modernize the aircraft, which revolutionized the understanding of the universe.

Astronaut Megan McArthur used the robotic arm of Atlantis to grab the telescope at 17h14 GMT, while the two spacecraft were at 560 km altitude over Australia.

"Hubble has come on board," said the captain of Atlantis, Scott Altman, who had managed to bring the shuttle about a meter telescope of 11 tons and about 13 meters long, the size of a bus.

Difficulties
"I would not say it is not difficult," noted in the morning Tony Ceccacci, the main flight director of NASA for the mission, on this delicate maneuver. "These two vehicles traveling over 27,000 kilometers hour. But this has already been done, and we are confident," he said.

Hubble should be fixed on a rotating platform which will serve as a work area to the seven Atlantis astronauts during five space program. The telescope, a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), was placed in orbit on 25 April 1990 by the shuttle Discovery, and has sent more than 750,000 spectacular images of the confines of the cosmos and millions data, opening a new era in astronomy.

Repairs
Atlantis was launched Monday from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral (Florida) for the fifth and final mission to Hubble, which should prolong its existence for at least five years. The first spacewalk to repair Hubble should begin on Thursday at 12:16 GMT. It will bring together the astronomer John Grunsfeld, 50, who makes his third trip to Hubble and Drew Feustel geologist, 43 years old, a novice in the area.

The mission of 11 days of the shuttle is much more risky that a flight to the International Space Station (ISS), notably because of the increased danger of a collision with a micro-meteorite or space debris in orbit high Hubble. NASA estimates the risk of collision with debris a chance on 221 when the flight against nearly one in 300 for the ISS.

In addition, Atlantis is too far from the ISS to come and moor in the event of a problem, because the telescope is moving at an altitude nearly two times higher than the ISS (350 km). An emergency shuttle, Endeavor, has been exceptionally placed on another the shooting of Kennedy Center, ready to be launched in emergency with a crew of four astronauts for a rescue mission.

Minor damage
A dozen trips to the shuttle to the ISS have been conducted by NASA since the disintegration of the shuttle Columbia in 2003 during his re-entry, but none to Hubble. This tragedy that killed seven astronauts, was due to undetected damage on the heat shield that had occurred at the time of launch.

During an inspection of ten hours Tuesday with cameras on the wings and the underside of the shuttle, astronauts have found a series of notches on the thermal protection tiles on the right wing. The damage was described as "minor" by officials of the mission of NASA, which will however continue their assessments.

Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown at the heart of the history of the United States

Canada was born on 3 July 1608 in Quebec. We have celebrated it last year. A year earlier, on 26 April 1607, three English ships reached the shores of American land to establish the first British colony in the New World. This group of 105 entrepreneurs from the Virginia Company of London and 39 crew members would begin construction on that day, a fort that would take the name of Jamestown, in honor of the King of England. The small river passing nearby would also be called James River. And the whole region would be named Virginia ... the name of the London company which financed the trip.

Four centuries later, tens of thousands of Americans visit the historic site of Jamestown. Queen Elizabeth herself went there in 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the erection of the first British colony in America.

Jamestown is part of the "Historic Triangle" U.S.. The other two points of this triangle is Williamsburg, which was to succeed in Jamestown as the capital of Virginia, and Yorktown, where in October 1781, the Marquis de La Fayette and his fighters in 1200 won a historic victory over British troops, that victory was devote the independence of the United States a few months later. This day was to become, for American poets, that when the world found itself upside down .

It is in this triangle that historic beginning of April, The Sun was invited to accompany a group of women graduating from universities in the region of Quebec. "This is a cultural journey. We are not going there to shop, "said the leader of the trip, Dr. Suzanne Lemire. And nobody had time to shop between 2 and 7 April. The agenda was very busy. Lever to bed around 7am and 22h.

We visited the beautiful village of Intercourse, where the Amish live, through Pennsylvania, the beautiful botanical garden and the Norfolk naval base of the same name, the largest in the world, Virginia. Then, in return, the magnificent home of Monticello, the estate that Thomas Jefferson was built near Charlotteville, Virginia. Another stop was planned at the fabulous museum of Sterling and Francine Clark, heirs to the Singer family.

It is regrettable that the historic triangle of Virginia is completely ignored snowbirds who go back to Florida. It would be insufficient for a little detour of a few kilometers to discover treasures.

Jamestown
Jamestown, the city no longer exists, but you will find, instead, a wonderful museum that tells the story of the discovery of America. A triple woven tight history with whites on the one hand, red skin and other blacks who would develop the Virginia and southern United States as slaves. This museum has long adjacent to three other attractions: a fully refurbished Indian village, a fort built in the same manner as those made at the time, ie with a high wall surrounding a few piles buildings, and a port where the replicas of three ships used to transport British merchants, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery can be visited. In fact, boats are docked at about the same place where they dropped anchor 402 years ago.

Williamsburg
If Jamestown is the hometown of James, Williamsburg is the town of William. Williamsburg was born a few years after Jamestown, around 1674. Its brick church was built in 1683. Ten years later, the College of William and Mary received its royal charter of King William and Queen Mary, making it the second oldest U.S. university after Harvard. The college is still in the middle of Williamsburg.

Williamsburg has lived and survived through the three C's: Church, College and Capitol. We just mention the first two. The third C is the Capitol. When the Statehouse or the State House which was built at Jamestown burned in 1698, in Williamsburg is that we built a new Capitol. Thus was to begin forfeiture of Jamestown and the birth of Williamsburg. It was in Williamsburg that Americans proclaimed the first declaration of human rights (12 June 1776).

Williamsburg is a bit like a city rebuilt around the church, college and the Capitol. The college - the university, in fact - is still popular. A few dozen homes have been moved into the main streets, while others have been restored. The complex, which has roughly the dimensions of the university city of Quebec, has an undeniable historical perspective. The people (except students) are dressed as at the time and only the horse movement is allowed in the main streets. It takes at least two days to visit Williamsburg and Jamestown for a day. There are hotels everywhere. There are houses at low cost.

Yorktown
We do not go to Yorktown, the third edge of the historic triangle. The organization has preferred a visit to the largest naval base in the world, of Norfolk, and especially its vast and extraordinary botanical garden.

But what happened at Yorktown in October 1781? While the British General Charles Cornwallis fought the Carolina continental forces, General George Washington was in New York and New Jersey to fight other British forces supported by German auxiliaries. British and American independence finally met halfway, at Yorktown, and Washington won the battle. But fortunately that the French army under the command of the Marquis de La Fayette, was on hand to give him the victory. The victory at Yorktown was decisive but not final. The war should not stop at the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

This treaty ended the American War of Independence. By this treaty, Britain recognized the independence of its 13 settlements and grants the territory to the Mississippi. We look as the province of Quebec has lost the southern part of the Great Lakes it was obtained by the Quebec Act of 1774. Montreal merchants, who had comptoirs trafficking in the region, had to evacuate within two years after the treaty. The border issue was completely resolved. We had agreed to cross the border as we can see today, in the middle of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is entirely in the United States. However, west of Lake Superior and between Quebec, New Brunswick and Maine, the matter will be settled later.

Yorktown also deserves a visit one day. The magnificent monument of Victory is on its own three beautiful stars. Some residences in the town of Yorktown will make widening of the eyes. Nelson House is without doubt the most impressive.

In short, the next time you pass by there to go to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, take the time you stop a day or two. You will not regret it. Do not go out this summer. It's too hot and there are too many visitors. Go in the fall or spring. Off season, room rates are more affordable hotels, motels, inns and bed & breakfasts.

It even happens occasionally, we accept Canadian money at par. Inform yourself!

We go for a Tour

The Tour of Italy rises in Venice on Saturday, their first one against the clock. A Giro marked by the presence of Lance Armstrong, who is the race for the first time in his career. The U.S. does not win, but to fine-tune its preparation for the Tour de France. The point on the full forces.

LPR: Di Luca and Petacchi peak. The LPR team will present its two peaks, Italian Danilo Di Luca and Alessandro Petacchi in the Giro d'Italia which starts Saturday in Venice. "We are proud to be part of the Centennial Giro," said Fabio Bordonali, the head of the Italian training, presenting on Tuesday its group. Petacchi has 19 stage success to his name when taking into account the 5 that were removed for his positive test in 2007. Di Luca, for its part, won the Giro in 2007 .

The LPR team at the Giro:
Gabriele Bosisio (ITA), Riccardo Chiarini (ITA), Danilo Di Luca (ITA), Giairo Ermeti (ITA), Jure Golcer (SLO), Montaguti Matteo (ITA), Daniele Pietropolli (ITA), Alessandro Petacchi (ITA), Alessandro SPEZIALETT (ITA).

Lampre: a team one hundred per cent Italian. The Lampre team will bring a Saturday in the Giro a hundred percent with Italian Damiano Cunego for figurehead. The winner of the 2004 Giro will be at his side Marzio Bruseghin third of the race last year. In the group with a mean age of 29 is a beginning, Mauro Da Dalto. The only "foreign" of training is one of the team managers, the South African Brett Copeland.

The Lampre team at the Giro:
Matteo Bono (ITA), Marzio Bruseghin (ITA), Pietro Caucchioli (ITA), Damiano Cunego (ITA), Mauro Da Dalto (ITA) Enrico Gasparotto (ITA), Marco Marzano (ITA), Manuele Mori (ITA), Paolo Tiralongo (ITA). Substitutes: Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) and Massimiliano Mori (ITA).

Astana: Armstrong custody and Leipheimer. The Astana team has selected a very international custody around Americans Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer for the Giro, which starts Saturday in Venice. Six countries (Slovenia, United States, Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine and Kazakhstan) are represented in the group surrounding Armstrong, seven times winner of the Tour but neophyte of the Giro, and his compatriot, who won this season of the Tour of California and Tour de Castile and Leon. Chris Horner, the third American this, the duo participated last week in the Tour de Gila, a small national race in New Mexico before Leipheimer won by Armstrong. The Spaniard Jose Luis Rubiera and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych, two members of the team of Armstrong when the Texan was the undisputed leader of his training (Discovery Channel) before the first stop of his career in 2005, are also in Giro team. Last year, Leipheimer took the 18th place in the Giro.

Team Astana at the Giro:
Lance Armstrong (USA), Jani Brajkovic (SLO), Chris Horner (USA), Levi Leipheimer (USA), Steve Morabito (SUI), Daniel Navarro (ESP), Yaroslav Popovych (UKR) José Luis Rubiera (ESP), Andrey Zeits (KAZ)

Silence around Gilbert. Belgian Philippe Gilbert, subscriber to places of honor in the spring classics, led the team Silence in the Giro (May 9 to 31). The rider wallon ranked third in April's Tour of Flanders and fourth in the Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liège.

The team Silence in the Giro:
Christophe Brandt (BEL), Francis De Greef (BEL), Bart Dockx (BEL), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Pieter Jacobs (BEL), Olivier Kaisen (BEL), Jonas Ljungblad (SWE), Jelle Vanendert (BEL), Charles Wegelius (GBR)

Rabobank with Menchov. The Rabobank team is at the start of the Giro, Saturday in Venice, with Russian Denis Menchov to lead. Menchov, twice winner of the Vuelta (2005 and 2007), ranked fifth last year's Tour of Italy.

The Rabobank team at the Giro
Mauricio Ardila (COL), Laurens ten Dam (NED), Jos van Emden (NED), Bram de Groot (NED), Pedro Horrillo (ESP), Dmitriy Kozontchuk (RUS), Denis Menchov (RUS), Tom Stamsnijder (NED) Pieter Weening (NED)

Cavendish chased. Already winner of two stages last year, Britain's Mark Cavendish back in hunting, next Saturday in the Giro, the head of the American team Columbia. For support, the rider from the Isle of Man (23 years) may count on the Australian Mark Renshaw, his pilot fish in the sprints. The Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen, who won last month in Ghent-Wevelgem, is part of the team as the Italian Marco Pinotti, holder of the pink jersey for four days during the 2007 Giro, and the Swede Thomas Lövkvist.

The Columbia team at the Giro:
Michael Barry (CAN), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Mark Cavendish (GBR), Thomas Lövkvist (SWE), Marco Pinotti (ITA), Morris Possoni (ITA), Mark Renshaw (AUS), Michael Rogers (AUS), Kanstantsin SIUTSOU (BLR)

Katusha without McEwen. Australian Robbie McEwen will be lacking in the Russian team Katusha, which will take the Giro, from Saturday, with Italian Filippo Pozzato to lead. "Robbie has not yet recovered completely from the fall of the GP de l'Escaut. We can not take the risk of
lose in the early stages. He will rest and prepare for the Tour de France, "said sports director of the Russian team, Serge Parsani.

The team Katusha in Giro:
Filippo Pozzato (ITA), Evgeni Petrov (RUS), Christian Pfannberger (AUT), Ben Swift (GBR), Mikhail Ignatyev (RUS), Pavel Brutt (RUS), Serguei Klimov (RUS) Nikita Eskov (RUS), Luca Mazzanti (ITA).

Quick Step put on youth. The Quick Step team put on youth in the next Giro d'Italia (May 9 to 31) with the Kevin Seeldraeyers and Belgians Dries Devenyns. Besides Seeldraeyers, for in Paris-Nice, and Devenyns, noticed in the Ardennes classics, is the Italian Dario Cataldo, winner of the Tour of Italy hopes in 2006. "We have a young team, ready to attack," said sporting director Luca Guercilena say that the average age of his group at 26 years.

The Quick Step team at the Giro:
Dario Cataldo (ITA), Allan Davis (AUS), Dries Devenyns (BEL), Addy Engels (NED), Mauro Facci (ITA), Kevin Hulsmans (BEL), David Malacarne (ITA), Francesco Reda (ITA), Kevin Seeldraeyers (BEL)

Fuji Kessiakoff revelation. The Swede Fredrik Kessiakoff, one of the revelations of the early season, will compete under the colors of the team Fuji's first grand tour at the Giro which soars Saturday from Venice. Former rider (3rd World Championship cross-country in 2006), the Swede who will celebrate his 29th birthday during the Giro was reported in the Tour de Romandie last week, taking fourth place in the mountain stage and the ninth place in the final. Fuji, the heir to the training Saunier Duval who had left the Grand Boucle last year after the doping case involving the leader (Ricco), was aligned to the Tour in 2009 but finally accepted at the Giro.

The team at the Giro Fuji
Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE), Eros Capecchi (ITA), Ricardo Serrano (ESP), Iker Camano (ESP), Jesus del Nero (ESP), Lithua Angel Gomez (ESP), Alberto Fernandez de la Puebla (ESP), Hector Gonzalez ( ESP), Davide Vigano (ITA). Alternate: JUFRE Josep (ESP).

Bouygues Telecom: Voeckler for leader. Former French champion Thomas Voeckler is the leader in training Bouygues Telecom in the Giro d'Italia which starts next Saturday in Venice against a time-trial team. Winner early in the season of the Etoile de Bessèges and the Tour du Haut-Var, the Vendéen fell in Paris-Nice (broken collarbone) and the competition resumed in early April. Voeckler, who is 29 years, has already raced the Giro twice. In 2001, he was the only rider to win his training at the finish, after the theft of bikes of the last survivors to approach the final day. In 2007, the former yellow jersey of the Tour de France (2004) had dropped from the 8th stage after falling twice in the first days. The Swiss climber Johann Tschopp and Russian Evegeny Sokolov is also in the team like the French Saïd Haddou, winner of the Tro Bro Leon last month.

The Bouygues Telecom team at the Giro:
Belgy Julien (FRA), Steve Chainel (FRA), Yohann Gene (FRA), Saïd Haddou (FRA), Guillaume Le Floch (FRA), Evgeny Sokolov (RUS), Matthieu Sprick (FRA), Johann Tschopp (SUI), Thomas Voeckler (FRA).

AG2R: Valjavec for leader. The Slovenian Tadej Valjavec led the AG2R team in the Centennial Giro, which starts next Saturday in Venice. The ambition is to place a rider in the top ten and win at least one step, "announced the French band led by Vincent Lavenu. Ninth of the last Tour de France (after the decommissioning of the Austrian Bernhard Kohl), is Valjavec already entered the top ten of the Giro in the past (9th in 2004).

The AG2R team in the Tour of Italy:
Renaud Dion (FRA), Alexander Efimkin (RUS), Sébastien Hinault (FRA), Yuriy Krivtsov (UKR), Julien Loubet (FRA), Jean-Charles Sénac (FRA), Sonnery Blaise (FRA), Ludovic Turpin (FRA) Tadej Valjavec (SLO). Substitutes: Bonnafond Guillaume (FRA), Nicolas Rousseau (FRA).

Saxo Bank: Cancellara but with Nicki Sörensen. Team Saxo Bank comes at the start of the Giro, May 9 in Venice, with Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, Olympic champion against the clock, but the Dane Nicki Sörensen, which was originally planned. "Nicki had convinced us recently that they could be included in the team of the Tour de France, said Thursday Bjarne Riis, manager of the Danish training to explain the absence of the champion of Denmark Road. Sörensen will now observe a break in view of the Great Loop which, in the opinion of Riis, it will play an important role, both in the against the clock by teams in the mountains. For the Giro, the Dane was replaced by his compatriot Klasper Klostergaard.

Team Saxo Bank in Giro:
Lars Bak (DEN), Fabian Cancellara (SUI), Juan Jose Haedo (ARG), Matthew Goss (AUS), Kasper Klostergaard (DEN), Anders Lund (DEN), Jason McCartney (USA), Jurgen Van GOOLEN (BEL) Jens Voigt (GER).

Caisse d'Epargne: Rodriguez aims a step. The Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez, second in Liege-Bastogne-Liege last Sunday, is aimed primarily successful stage in the Giro Centennial (9 to 31 May) on behalf of the team Caisse d'Epargne. The Catalan rider, which is not scheduled for next Tour de France is the leader of the Spanish team, whose composition was announced Wednesday. Three French, Anthony Charteau, Mathieu Perget and promising Jeannesson Arnold, were selected.

The Caisse d'Epargne team at the Giro:
David Arroyo (ESP), Anthony Charteau (FRA), Arnold Jeannesson (FRA), Vasil Kiriyenka (BLR), Pablo Lastras (ESP), David Lopez (ESP), Fran Pérez (ESP), Perget Mathieu (FRA), Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP).

Cervelo: Sastre hopes the podium. Spaniard Carlos Sastre, winner of the Tour de France in 2008, hopes to reach the final podium in the Giro, which will start next May 9 in Venice and ends May 31 in Rome. Sastre has already acceded to the podium in the Tour and the Vuelta (2nd in 2005 and 2007, 3rd in 2008). His training Cervelo, who announced the composition of the group, said to include a successful milestone in the race which rose this year celebrates the centenary of its creation. "We have Simon Gerrans has won a Tour stage last year, has increased its sports director Jean-Paul van Poppel. But we also Philip Deignan and Hayden Roulston as potential stage winners.

Cervelo team at the Giro:
Philip Deignan (IRL), Simon Gerrans (AUS), Volodymir Gustov (UKR), Jeremy Hunt (GBR), Ted King (USA), Ignat Konovalova (LTU), Serge Pauwels (BEL), Hayden Roulston (NZL), Carlos Sastre (ESP). Alternate: Daniel Lloyd (GBR).

Liquigas: Basso and Pellizotti for leaders. Italians Ivan Basso and Franco Pellizotti will be the leaders of the Liquigas team in the next Giro (9 to May 31) announced Monday the formation Italian officialising the package of their compatriot Daniele Bennati. Basso will return for the first time in the Giro since his victory in 2006, shortly before being swept away by the turmoil of the Puerto doping case. The Italian, who joined Liquigas last season, is winning the Giro's centenary, which is the first favorite. Pellizotti fourth year, will be at his side and the team manager Roberto Amadio, has ruled out any problems between them: "These are boys who know how intelligent the Giro is important for our training." "We'll see after the against the clock to Sestri Levante (12th stage) what is whichever has the better chance," said the leader of the team. In group three riders (Agnoli, Miholjevic, SZMYD) will be responsible for assisting in the mountains the two leaders of the group. Liquigas officially package Daniele Bennati, winner of three stages last year but not sufficiently recovered from his fall in March in Tirreno-Adriatico. "Now, the goal is to prepare for the Tour de France stage win," said Amadio on the road-Italian sprinter. Basso is not foreseen in the 2009 Tour.

The Liquigas team at the Giro:
Valerio Agnoli (ITA), Ivan Basso (ITA), Kjell Carlström (FIN), Vladimir Miholjevic (CRO), Franco Pellizotti (ITA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Gorazd Stangelj (SLO), Sylwester SZMYD (POL), Alessandro Vanotti (ITA).

Barloworld: Hunter and Soler protected. South African Robert Hunter in the plain and the Colombian Mauricio Soler in the mountains will be protected both riders in the Barloworld team in the next Giro (May 9 to 31). The British team, which announced Monday the composition of his group's departure for Venice, align climber also promising South African John Lee Augustyn, one of the revelations of the Tour de France 2008. Hunter, who won last week from one stage of the Tour of Trentino, has already won a Tour stage. Soler removed the jersey of best climber of the Tour in 2007. Last year, Soler was abandoned in the 11th stage of Tour of Italy between Cesena and Urbania. The Colombian had a small fracture in a wrist after a fall early in the Giro.

Team Barloworld at the Giro:
John Lee Augustyn (RSA), Francesco Bellotti (ITA), Diego Caccia (ITA), Felix Cardenas (COL), Gianpaolo Cheul (ITA), Christopher Froome (GRB), Robert Hunter (RSA), Paolo Longo Borghini (ITA) Mauricio Soler (COL). Alternate: Geraint Thomas (GRB).

Columbia will be the first training run in against the clock by teams opening at 15:35, at the Lido of Venice. The draw, which took place Friday morning, placed Astana (Armstrong, Leipheimer) last.

10-Q: DECODE GENETICS INC

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of March 31, 2009 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto set forth in Item 1 of this report.

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations of future industry conditions, strategic plans and forecasts of operational results. Various risks may cause our actual results to differ materially. A description of some of the risks and uncertainties is contained below and in the risk factors referred to in Part II, Item 1A.

Overview
Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, DECODE is a bio-pharmaceutical company developing and marketing products to improve the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of common diseases. DECODE applies its discoveries in human genetics to bring to market DA-based reference laboratory tests and consumer genome analysis services to assess individual risk of common diseases and applies its capabilities in chemistry and structural biology to the development of drugs in major therapeutic areas.

In the context of limited financial resources the Company's principal focus continues to be to maximize near-term value creation, utilizing our success in gene discovery to advance the commercial opportunities in our diagnostics and deCODEme (TM) businesses. We are also pursuing partnerships that provide a parallel means of capturing the commercial potential of the intellectual property coming out of our gene discovery work. In April 2009 we entered into non-exclusive, worldwide licensing agreements with Celera, Inc., under which Celera can incorporate our genetic markers for risk of certain cardiovascular and metabolic diseases into Celera's risk assessment tests and services, and for which we have received an upfront payment and will receive royalties on sales of products utilizing our Celera markers. We have been seeking to continue the development of our therapeutics programs through partnerships and have select advanced preclinical programs while employing our drug discovery capabilities to generate service contract revenue.

At March 31, 2009, we had liquid funds available for operating activities (cash and cash equivalents) of $ 6.1 million as compared to $ 3.7 million at December 31, 2008. The net utilization of cash in operating activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $ 8.2 million as compared to $ 20.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 and $ 54.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2008. In January 2009, we transferred our Auction Rate Securities (ARS) to an Icelandic financial institution for an aggregate price of approximately $ 11.3 million. This transaction has been accounted for as a secured borrowing. In April 2009 we entered into a licensing deal with Celera Corporation ( "Celera") which provided us with a $ 10.0 million upfront payment. With the collateralized borrowing and the licensing deal with Celera we believe we have sufficient funds to sustain our operations only through the second quarter of 2009. DECODE's management and the Board of Directors are exploring a variety of possibilities for obtaining additional funds, including partnerships similar to that recently announced with Celera. However, if DECODE is unable to raise additional capital through one or more of these options, it will be able to continue operations through the second quarter of 2009 and thereafter may be forced to discontinue its operations and liquidated its remaining assets.

Diagnostics. We are applying our expertise and unique discoveries in human genetics and genotyping to the development of reference laboratory DNA-based tests for assessing individual risk of a growing range of common diseases. Since April 2007 we have launched six reference laboratory DNA-based diagnostic tests to detect single-letter variations in the human genome (called SNPs) that we have linked to increased risk of several common diseases:

* DECODE T2 (TM) - which detects SNPs we discovered to be associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

* DECODE AF (TM) - which detects SNPSs we discovered to be associated with increased risk of stroke and atrial Fibrillation

* DECODE MI (TM) - which detects SNPs we discovered to be associated with early-onset heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI)

* DECODE ProstateCancer (TM) - which detects SNPs we have linked to increased risk of prostate cancer

* DECODE Glaucoma (TM) - which detects SNPs we have linked to increased risk of exfoliation glaucoma

* DECODE BreastCancer (TM) - which detects SNPs we and others have linked to risk of the most common forms of breast cancer

Beginning in 2008, DECODE initiated billing to commercial insurance companies on behalf of physicians ordering these tests and has received reimbursement from several health insurance companies. All of our diagnostic tests are offered by DECODE via direct sales efforts to physicians in the United States, through marketing collaborations with other organizations in the U.S. and other countries, as well as through our dedicated website diagnostics, www.decodediagnostics.com. DECODE also has an alliance with Illumina, Inc. to develop DNA-based diagnostic kits utilizing DECODE's gene discoveries in certain diseases and Illumina's platform for SNP genotyping.

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In April 2009, we entered into non-exclusive, worldwide licensing agreements with Celera, mentioned above, and we are exploring similar opportunities as a pathway to complement our own diagnostics business, commercial deriving additional value from our intellectual property by leveraging third-party marketing and outreach.

deCODEme (TM). In November 2007, we launched the first consumer genetic analysis service: deCODEme (TM). This service takes advantage of DECODE's leadership in human genetics and the capabilities of its high-throughput genotyping laboratory, which is CLIA registered for analytical and clinical validation. Through deCODEme (TM), subscribers can put themselves in the context of the latest discoveries in genetics, learning what their own DNA says about their ancestry and certain physical traits, as well as whether they have genetic variants that have been associated with higher or lower than average risk of a range of common diseases. This information is continually updated as new discoveries are made, and is presented in subscribers' secure individual web pages. Recently, we launched two focused disease scans, deCODEme Cardio (TM) for cardiovascular-related diseases and deCODEme Cancer (TM) for several common types of cancer. These scans offer subscribers an opportunity to understand their risk of groups of diseases that may be of particular interest without ordering the full genome scan. deCODEme (TM) products are offered through a dedicated website, www.decodeme.com.

Drug Discovery and Development. The expertise of our chemistry and structural biology units enables us to discover novel small-molecule therapeutic compounds targeted pathways identified by us or against novel targets identified by us in known pathways, take candidate compounds through pre-clinical testing, and manufacture sufficient quantities for early -stage clinical trials. Our integrated approach to medicinal chemistry and protein crystallography have helped us to discover compounds that bind selectively to our targets and at sites that may offer better safety and tolerability profiles than existing compounds for certain indications. DECODE is actively exploring drug development partnerships and out-licensing opportunities in order to advance the development of its therapeutics programs.

Our lead drug development programs include:
* DG041 for the prevention of arterial thrombosis. DG041 is our novel, first-in-class antagonist of the EP3 receptor for Prostaglandins E2, which we are developing as a next-generation oral anti-platelet therapy aimed at preventing arterial thrombosis without increasing bleeding risk.

* DG051 and DG031 for the prevention of heart attack. We have completed Phase I and Phase IIa clinical studies for DG051, our leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) inhibitor being developed for the prevention of heart attack. We successfully completed our reformulation of DG031, our Phase III 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitor, in-licensed from a third party and which is also being developed for the prevention of heart attack.

* DG071 for Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders. In October 2008 we filed an investigational new drug (IND) application for DG071, a novel small-molecule modulator of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), being developed for Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders.

For our most significant research and development programs we have cumulatively invested $ 47.5 million, $ 24.5 million and $ 16.0 million in our heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI), arterial thrombosis and stroke programs, respectively, from the beginning of 2003 to date (March 31 , 2009). Inception to-date costs are not available as these costs were not historically tracked by program.

Contract genotyping services
At our research facility in Reykjavik, we have one of the largest and most advanced genotyping laboratory in the world. We have extensive expertise in microsatellite genotyping and also conduct genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) association analyzes. We utilize these capabilities for both in-house gene discovery work and contract genotyping services to fee paying customers. We have in place efficient, automated systems for all stages of the genotyping process, from DNA isolation and amplification to plate preparation and the generation, storage and analysis of volumes of genotypic data. Our customers for genotyping services include pharmaceutical companies, research consortia and academic institutions. Our reference laboratory is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1998 as amended (CLIA) registered.

Drug discovery and development services
In order to offset the cost of maintaining its proprietary drug development infrastructure, DECODE utilizes its capabilities in chemistry, structural biology and clinical trials to offer contract services to fee-paying customers, principally pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

* Our chemistry subsidiary, DECODE chemistry, Inc., based in Woodridge, Illinois, provides a full range of drug discovery technology and services using multiple integrated high-throughput technologies to streamline the drug discovery process.

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* Our structural biology subsidiary, DECODE biostructures, Inc., based in Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, determines three-dimensional X-ray crystal structures of target proteins for structure-based drug design and development.

* Our proteomics tools subsidiary, Emerald Biosystems, Inc., based in Bainbridge Island, commercializes a series of instruments, consumables and software products for structural proteomics research.

Results of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008