The Intellectual Property & Science division of Thomson Reuters, US, has published a new report that says South Korea’s rapid consumer growth and revolution in intellectual property enforcement have created numerous opportunities for multinational brands. The report, Trademarks in South Korea: Branding the New Cultural Wave, highlights the nation’s evolution into a progressive protector of digital rights and outlines best practices for firms seeking brand protection in the region.
The Thomson Reuters study finds that the ratification of the Korean Free Trade Agreement helped spur rigorous intellectual property enforcement nation wide, creating an environment that better protects brand owners. This strong culture of intellectual property protection, combined with broad-based economic growth, resulted in a 171 percent increase in trademark filing over the past 15 years in South Korea, with analysts projecting continued growth for this market.
Healthcare information provider Wolters Kluwer Health (WK Health), US, has announced that Pharmacy OneSource is hosting a complimentary webinar with Dr. Salah Qutaishat in ‘Preventing MDROs Transmission: Navigating Technologies, Processes, and Measurement of Cleaning and Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces.’ The webinar is scheduled for June 27, 2012, from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET at http://www.pharmacyonesource.com/webinars.
Qutaishat will review the existing CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. He will discuss methods to improve processes, including options available to measure effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection. In addition, the most recent ‘supplemental’ or ‘no-touch’ technologies will be discussed.
For the past two decades Dr. Salah S. Qutaishat has held several positions in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology. He is currently a Senior Clinical Advisor, Infection Prevention at Diversey. He is an expert in infection prevention, prevention of microbial resistance, and healthcare informatics. Dr. Qutaishat is also certified in infection control and is a fellow of the society of healthcare epidemiology of America.
The University of California Center for Laboratory Safety, BioRAFT and Nature Publishing Group have joined forces to launch an international survey to identify issues impacting laboratory safety. The survey invites researchers to anonymously answer questions about lab safety practices and attitudes. The results will provide information needed to design policies and lab safety programmes that protect researchers from harm without unduly impacting their work, that reduce institutional risk, and that can be used to develop software solutions that ease compliance oversight and management.
The survey asks questions about types of materials used in research, training practices and policies, and attitudes and beliefs about existing safety practices and their impact on research. Researchers who do not receive a direct invitation are encouraged to complete the survey at go.nature.com/7LDJlI.
Laboratory safety practices are coming under increased scrutiny following several accidents that have resulted in injuries or death. Many institutions implement or alter policies with the intent of improving laboratory safety. However, without independent evidence and an understanding of existing culture, they cannot ensure that they are achieving the desired results, it is felt. This survey is seen as the first step to gather data required to study these issues more closely, and to better understand the reality of modern-day lab safety from the perspective of the researcher.
The survey builds off of existing work and interest of each of the collaborators. The UC Center for Laboratory Safety hopes the project will further its data-driven mission of improving safety. BioRAFT joins the other partners on the survey to better understand how to strengthen its laboratory safety and compliance management software solutions for researchers and institutions. It recently received an investment from Digital Science, the sister company of survey partner Nature Publishing Group, to support its work.
Nature Publishing Group is partnering on this survey project as a service to the community of scientific and medical researchers.
Global library cooperative OCLC, US, has announced that libraries in Australia have began pilot projects to implement OCLC WorldShare Management Services just weeks after the company began operating a new data center in Sydney. OCLC WorldShare Management Services is the cooperative’s new cloud-based approach to managing library services that provide tools to improve library workflows, reduce costs and offer new opportunities for collaboration.
OCLC WorldShare Management Services provide a Web-based environment that streamlines cataloguing, acquisitions, license management and circulation, and offer a next-gen discovery tool for library users.
Both replacing and standing apart from traditional integrated library systems, OCLC WorldShare Management Services enable libraries to share infrastructure costs and resources, as well as collaborate in ways that free them from the restrictions of local hardware and software. WorldShare Management Services also offer the ability to manage collections of print, electronic and digital material from start-to-finish, and the integration of license management features into interlibrary loan processes set WorldShare apart from legacy systems.
OCLC staff in Melbourne are responsible for implementing and supporting WorldShare Management Services in libraries in Australia and New Zealand. Staff in Melbourne have been working closely with OCLC staff around the world to prepare them for implementation of the new services in Australian libraries. This team has extensive experience in supporting libraries in the region. The team supports 400 libraries using Amlib library management software, as well as VDX implementations, many of which are large, state-wide groups hosted by OCLC.
In March 2012, OCLC began operating a new data center in Sydney, Australia, to support OCLC WorldShare Management Services for members in Australia and New Zealand. The Sydney center is the fourth data center in OCLC's global network. OCLC opened a data center in the UK in December 2011 and maintains two primary operations data centers in the US.
The Sydney center employs state-of-the-art technologies to ensure high levels of performance, reliability, scalability and cost-effectiveness. Key facilities features include high-performance Internet services with multiple service providers to ensure efficient routing, fully redundant heating and cooling systems, continuous power from multiple sources, and best-of-breed security controls and practices.
In addition, the new center enables OCLC to comply with access and data privacy requirements in Australia and New Zealand, and adhere to technical standards that promote the cost-effective, worldwide sharing of information across platforms, and support scripts, languages and cultural materials. OCLC recently obtained its ISO 27001 certification which bolsters the position of trust in OCLC-hosted solutions and will assure the security of member data.
STM publisher Thieme Publishing Group, Germany, has announced a new version of Nowinski's sophisticated 3D neuro-anatomy atlas. Synthesizing science and art, ‘The Human Brain in 1969 Pieces,’ recently published by Thieme, is an updated version of ‘The Human Brain in 1492 Pieces,’ a highly sophisticated 3D neuro-anatomy atlas. This innovative product allows every physician, educator, or researcher in neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurology, and neuroscience to explore, understand, and teach the intricacies of the human brain.
Features of the new edition include user-friendly functionality that allows you to add, remove, or overlap structures; names of structures appear as you mouse over them; users can dissect through the brain model in three different planes; exquisite resolution of the various brain structures throughout the model; and images can be saved for use in PowerPoint presentations.
The Human Brain in 1492 Pieces is authored by Dr. Wieslaw L. Nowinski, a Principal Scientist and Director, Biomedical Imaging Lab, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* STAR), Singapore. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and on The Discovery Channel. He is winner of the RSNA 2009 Magna Cum Laude and Excellence in Design Awards.
UK-based online publishing services provider Semantico Ltd has announced the appointment of Barry Dunne as Business Development Director, Journals.
Barry is a well respected industry professional with vast experience in directing global accounts for leading STM publishers. He is also an experienced sales performance consultant and business development leader, with specialist knowledge in the journals space.
Semantico is launching a new digital publishing platform with significant new journals functionality later this month. Dunne will be heading up the journals team with a mandate to develop and grow this business globally.
Cengage Learning, a US-based provider of teaching, learning and research solutions, has been named a Learning Impact 2012 Gold Award Winner from the IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS) for its MindLinks service. Cengage Learning MindLinks received the designation in the new and R&D initiatives category at this year’s IMS conference in Toronto, Canada on May 18. The Learning Impact programme recognises outstanding applications of technology that address the most significant challenges facing the global education and training industries.
MindLinks is a new Cengage Learning service designed to provide the best possible user experience and facilitate the highest level of learning retention and outcomes through deeper integration of Cengage Learning’s digital suite into an instructor’s Learning Management System (LMS). MindLinks work on any LMS that supports the IMS Basic LTI open standard with advanced features, including gradebook integration, as a result of driving standards forward in collaboration with industry-leading LMS partners.
MindLinks offers an innovative approach to comprehensive learning through interoperability which enhances learning effectiveness. The service provides for fluid pedagogical design in response to teachable moments and it drives learning retention with improved outcomes.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced a $250,000 award to WebJunction to work with state libraries in Illinois, Mississippi, and West Virginia; federal policy makers; and the national nonprofit Connect2Compete to help national digital literacy efforts effectively work with libraries to plan for and deliver digital literacy training. The grant will identify model approaches for partnerships with libraries to meet public demand for training.
During the past year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced major commitments from the private sector, foundations, and individuals to work with Connect2Compete, a national non-profit organisation with an ambitious goal to ‘harness digital opportunity for all Americans.’
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, the institute helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.
Thomson Reuters report describes growth in South Korean trademark filings
UC division, BioRAFT, NPG launch survey to study lab safety
Thieme publishes latest version of Nowinski's Sophisticated 3D Neuro-anatomy Atlas