Page 2888

When is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?

0





When is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?

American Academy of Ophthalmology offers tips to help people considering whether to have the procedure


SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Nearly 25.7 million Americans over age 40 have cataracts and the number is projected to increase to 45.6 million by 2050.1 While the only way to remove cataracts – a clouding of the eye’s lens – is surgery, the right time to have surgery depends on the individual patient. In support of Cataract Awareness Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is offering tips for those who have been diagnosed with cataracts as they consider whether to have surgery to remove them and when.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150601/220036
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130405/MM89329LOGO

Cataracts occur as part of the body’s natural aging process. Being diagnosed with cataracts does not always mean that surgery is immediately required. In the early stages, cataracts may not change vision significantly and minor changes may be improved with prescription glasses. But as the cataracts continue to mature over time, they may cause vision loss that can interfere with daily life.

Although the prospect of cataract surgery can be intimidating, the procedure itself is the most common elective surgery among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated its association with improved quality of life, reduced risk of falling and fewer car crashes.2,3,4 In addition, one study found that those who had cataract surgery had a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk than those who did not.5

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has developed a list of four questions people should consider to help determine if they’re ready for cataract surgery:

Are your cataracts impacting your daily or occupational activities?
Symptoms of cataracts include dim, blurry or yellowed vision and can even double vision in a single eye. The lack of contrast and clarity can be difficult for those who need clear vision for work, driving or who enjoy hobbies like reading, cooking or sewing.

Are your cataracts affecting your ability to drive safely at night?
Cataracts can cause halos around lights and difficulty seeing in low-light settings, impacting the ability to safely drive at night. Advanced cataracts can even cause enough vision loss to fail the vision test required for a driver’s license.

Are your cataracts interfering with the outdoor activities you enjoy?
Cataracts can also increase sensitivity to glare, which can be especially troublesome for those who enjoy skiing, surfing and a number of other outdoors activities. They can also cause visual differences from one eye to the other, which can affect the distance vision golfers need.

Can you manage your cataracts in other ways?
Those who decide to put off cataract surgery can make the most of their vision with a few simple tools, such as incorporating brighter lighting and contrasting colors in the home. Polarized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat can reduce glare, while magnifying lenses can make reading easier.

“If cataracts aren’t disrupting your life, you can probably wait and have surgery when they really start to bother you,” said Ravi D. Goel, M.D., cataract surgeon and a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “But for those who are feeling impeded by their blurry or dulled vision, the procedure can make a significant beneficial impact.”

Cataract surgery is only recommended when the outcome is expected to improve vision, unless the cataracts obscure treatments for other eye diseases. Those considering cataract surgery should discuss how cataracts are affecting their daily lives with an ophthalmologist. Learn more about cataract risks, symptoms and treatments at http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/cataracts/index.cfm.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, headquartered in San Francisco, is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, serving more than 32,000 members worldwide. The Academy’s mission is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. For more information, visit www.aao.org. 

The Academy is also a leading provider of eye care information to the public. The Academy’s EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more.

1 http://forecasting.preventblindness.org/
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22978526?dopt=Abstract
3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22851116
4 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22273356
5 http://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-64201300143-7/fulltext

Related Links
EyeSmart – American Academy of Ophthalmology


March of Dimes Launches Innovative Prematurity Research Center

0





March of Dimes Launches Innovative Prematurity Research Center



More Than 18,000 Illinois Babies Born Too Soon Each Year


CHICAGO, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The March of Dimes, University of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Duke University School of Medicine announced on June 2nd the launch of a new March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center that will focus its efforts on identifying the regulatory genes responsible for ensuring a pregnancy continues to full-term and how stress can influence those genes.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197662LOGO

Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive have serious and sometimes lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, jaundice, developmental delays, vision loss, and cerebral palsy.

This new collaborative, transdisciplinary enterprise provides a team-based research approach to discovering the unknown causes of preterm birth in order to develop new strategies for prevention. The March of Dimes will invest $10 million over five years in the center. It will be the fifth in a nationwide network devoted to prematurity research.

“This new Prematurity Research Center continues our commitment to understanding the underlying causes of preterm birth. Too many babies, here in Illinois and throughout the United States, are born too soon,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. “We’re excited to add the expertise of renowned scientists at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Duke University to our specialized network of investigators nationwide working to discover precisely what causes early labor, and how it can be prevented.”

In Illinois, 11.7 percent of babies, or more than 18,000, are born too soon each year, and the U.S. has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any industrialized country.

“The serious problems caused by preterm birth don’t end when the baby leaves the hospital – some first appear years later,” says Carole Ober, PhD, Chair, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the University of Chicago and the primary investigator for the new research center. “Preterm birth is one of the most critical health problems today. March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers are engaging researchers from many different disciplines to bring fresh insight to the problem of premature birth. With new ways to study genes and cells, we will unravel the mystery of how and why labor occurs. And we will see a revolutionary change in our ability to prevent preterm birth and help more women have healthy, full-term babies.” 

University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Duke University researchers are working together to determine which genes are involved in maintaining human pregnancy to 39 weeks, how these genes are regulated, and what changes in this regulation could result in a preterm birth.  They also are investigating how responses to stress, including how a woman’s lifelong exposure to discrimination or poverty, might alter gene regulation. 

“It’s amazing to me that even after tremendous research efforts, we still don’t have a clear understanding of what leads to normal labor, let alone preterm labor. Being able to prevent early births would improve lifelong health,” says William Grobman, MD, MBA, Arthur Hale Curtis, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and professor of preventive medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“The March of Dimes is to be congratulated for funding a study that will significantly grow our fundamental understanding of the genetic drivers of preterm birth,” says A. Eugene Washington, MD, Chancellor for Health Affairs Duke University and Chief Executive Officer for the Duke University Health System. “We are pleased and honored to be participating in this study aimed at giving more babies a healthy, strong start in life.”

The first March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center opened at Stanford University School of Medicine in California in 2011. The Ohio Collaborative, a partnership of the leading academic institutions, children’s hospitals and medical centers in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, launched in 2013. Last year, centers opened at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Pennsylvania. Working together, the five centers form an interactive hub of research to share findings and work together to determine the causes of preterm birth. To learn more about the research center, visit: http://prematurityresearch.org/uchicago-northwestern-duke

The Prematurity Research Centers are funded by donations from individuals and corporations, including the March of Dimes number one supporter Kmart. Over the past three decades, Kmart has raised more than $125 million to fund March of Dimes research and programs. 

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

 


American Honda Reports May 2015 Sales: Gateway Models Power Honda Light Truck and Sedan Sales; Acura Continues Momentum as Sedan Sales Accelerate

0
New HR-V debuts with incredible 6,381 units sold in half a month to lead record May Honda light truck sales (PRNewsFoto/American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)





American Honda Reports May 2015 Sales: Gateway Models Power Honda Light Truck and Sedan Sales; Acura Continues Momentum as Sedan Sales Accelerate

– Honda Fit again impresses with an 82-percent gain to lead strong Honda sedan sales

– New HR-V debuts with incredible 6,381 units sold in half a month to lead record May Honda light truck sales with a 10.6-percent year-over-year gain to 63,979 units

– Acura’s first-year TLX continues to drive Acura sedan sales increases with second consecutive 4,000+ unit month for a 43.5-percent year-over-year sedan sales hike

– Upgraded RDX first full sales month punches well over 5,000 units smashing May 2014 numbers by 24.3 percent and setting a new all-time monthly sales record

– Top Acura performers accelerated the luxury brand sales by a substantial 16.1 percent


TORRANCE, California, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported May 2015 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 154,593 units, with Honda light trucks gaining 10.6 percent on sales of 63,979 units and Acura sedans increasing 43.5 percent on sales of 6,278 vehicles. Month-to-month American Honda total sales were up 1.3 percent year-over-year, with the Acura Division gaining 16.1 percent on sales of 17,042 vehicles in May and the Honda Division posting sales of 137,551 vehicles, a decrease of 0.3 percent for the month.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150602/220184

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO

Honda
With the introduction of the all-new HR-V entry crossover further strengthening the perennially popular Honda light truck lineup, the trifecta of HR-V, CR-V and Pilot CUVs proved a winning sales combination in May. The lineup will gain greater momentum with the June debut of the all-new third-generation 2016 Pilot. The introductory vehicle to the Honda car lineup, the Fit is finding homes with a steeply increasing number of individual buyers, posting an 82-percent gain to 6,342 units in May. Accord and Civic continue to be incredibly popular, topping 30,000 units in sales, along with America’s most popular SUV, the Honda CR-V.

  • Honda light trucks beat previous May record by 6,144 units for a total of 63,979 vehicles.
  • Sales of the second-generation 2015 Pilot increased 17 percent to 11,760 ahead of introduction of the third-generation 2016 model.
  • Fit posts third consecutive month of over-6,000 unit sales for an 82-percent year-over-year May increase.

“The new Honda HR-V hit the ground running with an incredible sales performance in just a half month on the market with the all-new 2016 Pilot coming to market this month to further accelerate light truck sales,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda Division senior vice president and general manager. “Despite the market trend toward light truck sales, our trio of Fit-Civic-Accord remains popular with individual buyers, and we’re looking forward to a summer of hot sales.”

Acura
Sales of the new TLX luxury sport sedan and upgraded ILX gateway luxury sedan boosted Acura sedan sales to an impressive increase of 43.5 percent from May 2014 with a total of 4,352 TLX models and 1,673 ILXs sold. Adding to Acura’s overall 16.1-percent month-to-month gain to 17,042 vehicles was the refreshed RDX with all-time record sales of 5,343 units, combining with the popular MDX to produce sales of 10,764 Acura luxury SUVs in May.

  • With a total of 17,042 units sold, Acura brand sales gained 16.1 percent in May; every current Acura model up from previous month
  • Acura sedan sales up by 43.5 percent for May with a total of 6,278 vehicles driven by TLX sales of 4,352 units and ILX sales of 1,673.
  • MDX and RDX both post sales numbers over 5,000 units each for a May record total Acura light truck sales of 10,764 vehicles

“The Acura sedan lineup continues to build strong momentum with an increasing number of luxury customers getting behind the wheel of our TLX and ILX luxury performance models, ” said Mike Accavitti, Acura Division senior vice president and general manager. “Together with the benchmark MDX and recently refreshed RDX, both topping 5,000 units in sales, we’re looking forward to a long, hot summer of Acura sales.”

American Honda Vehicle Sales for May 2015

Month-to-Date

Year-to-Date

May 2015

May 2014

DSR** % Change

MoM % Change

May 2015

May 2014

DSR** % Change

YoY % Change

American Honda Total

154,593

152,603

5.2%

1.3%

618,604

610,413

2.1%

1.3%

Total Car Sales

79,850

84,467

-1.8%

-5.5%

316,935

331,623

-3.7%

-4.4%

Total Truck Sales

74,743

68,136

13.9%

9.7%

301,669

278,790

9.1%

8.2%

Honda

Total Car Sales

73,572

80,093

-4.6%

-8.1%

290,861

309,569

-5.3%

-6.0%

Honda

Total Truck Sales

63,979

57,835

14.9%

10.6%

256,183

234,099

10.3%

9.4%

Acura

Total Car Sales

6,278

4,374

49.1%

43.5%

26,074

22,054

19.2%

18.2%

Acura

Total Truck Sales

10,764

10,301

8.5%

4.5%

45,486

44,691

2.6%

1.8%

Total Domestic Car Sales

79,217

78,793

4.4%

0.5%

313,772

303,038

4.4%

3.5%

Honda Division

73,182

75,684

0.4%

-3.3%

288,701

287,583

1.2%

0.4%

Acura Division

6,035

3,109

101.6%

94.1%

25,071

15,455

63.5%

62.2%

Total Domestic Truck Sales

74,743

68,136

13.9%

9.7%

301,664

278,790

9.1%

8.2%

Honda Division

63,979

57,835

14.9%

10.6%

256,178

234,099

10.3%

9.4%

Acura Division

10,764

10,301

8.5%

4.5%

45,486

44,691

2.6%

1.8%

Total Import Car Sales

633

5,674

-88.4%

-88.8%

3,163

28,585

-88.8%

-88.9%

Honda Division

390

4,409

-90.8%

-91.2%

2,160

21,986

-90.1%

-90.2%

Acura Division

243

1,265

-80.1%

-80.8%

1,003

6,599

-84.7%

-84.8%

Total Import Truck Sales

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

5

0

0.0%

0.0%

Honda Division

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

5

0

0.0%

0.0%

Acura Division

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION

Honda Division Total

137,551

137,928

3.6%

-0.3%

547,044

543,668

1.4%

0.6%

* ACCORD

32,373

39,637

-15.2%

-18.3%

128,269

152,949

-15.5%

-16.1%

* CIVIC

34,472

36,089

-0.8%

-4.5%

129,574

134,796

-3.1%

-3.9%

CR-Z

246

389

-34.3%

-36.8%

1,088

1,697

-35.4%

-35.9%

FCX CLARITY

0

0

0.0%

0.0%

0

1

-100.0%

-100.0%

* FIT

6,342

3,485

89.0%

82.0%

30,965

18,126

72.2%

70.8%

INSIGHT

139

493

-70.7%

-71.8%

965

2,000

-51.4%

-51.8%

CROSSTOUR

887

1,011

-8.9%

-12.3%

3,759

5,703

-33.6%

-34.1%

* CR-V

32,090

32,430

2.8%

-1.0%

134,669

128,563

5.6%

4.7%

HR-V

6,381

0

0.0%

0.0%

6,381

0

0.0%

0.0%

ODYSSEY

12,835

12,915

3.2%

-0.6%

51,015

52,386

-1.9%

-2.6%

PILOT

11,760

10,054

21.5%

17.0%

59,863

40,850

47.7%

46.5%

RIDGELINE

26

1,425

-98.1%

-98.2%

496

6,597

-92.4%

-92.5%

***

Memo: Accord FHEV

1,463

1,530

-0.7%

-4.4%

5,166

5,753

-9.5%

-10.2%

Memo: Accord PHEV

5

46

-88.7%

-89.1%

55

152

-63.5%

-63.8%

Memo: Civic Hybrid

458

415

14.6%

10.4%

1,873

2,085

-9.5%

-10.2%

Memo: Fit EV

-1

33

-103.1%

-103.0%

0

183

-100.0%

-100.0%

Acura Division Total

17,042

14,675

20.6%

16.1%

71,560

66,745

8.1%

7.2%

ILX

1,673

1,629

6.7%

2.7%

6,809

7,429

-7.6%

-8.3%

RLX / RL

239

324

-23.4%

-26.2%

976

1,855

-47.0%

-47.4%

TL

10

1,480

-99.3%

-99.3%

76

8,026

-99.0%

-99.1%

TLX

4,352

0

0.0%

0.0%

18,186

0

0.0%

0.0%

TSX

4

941

-99.6%

-99.6%

27

4,744

-99.4%

-99.4%

MDX

5,421

5,997

-6.1%

-9.6%

24,828

25,774

-2.9%

-3.7%

RDX

5,343

4,299

29.1%

24.3%

20,657

18,864

10.4%

9.5%

ZDX

0

5

-100.0%

-100.0%

1

53

-98.1%

-98.1%

***

Memo: ILX Hybrid

4

63

-93.4%

-93.7%

18

227

-92.0%

-92.1%

Memo: RLX Hybrid

24

0

0.0%

0.0%

92

0

0.0%

0.0%

Memo: TSX Wagon

0

82

-100.0%

-100.0%

2

475

-99.6%

-99.6%

Selling Days

26

27

127

128

**** Hybrid

2,339

2,936

-17.3%

-20.3%

9,257

11,914

-21.7%

-22.3%

* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts

** Daily Selling Rate

*** Memo line items are included in the respective model total

**** Hybrid includes FHEV, PHEV, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Insight, ILX Hybrid, RLX Hybrid and RLX Sport Hybrid

 

CONTACT: Robyn Eagles (Honda), (310) 783-3163, or Jessica Fini (Acura), (310) 783-3165


Gerawan Farming Reports: California Newspaper Publishers File Brief To Support Lawsuit To Open Labor Agency Proceedings To Farm Workers

0

FRESNO, Calif., June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In a court filing yesterday, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the First Amendment Coalition asked the California Court of Appeal to strike down an order of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) that bars workers, the public, and the press from attending “on the record” hearings conducted as part of the Board’s compulsory contracting process. Siding with fruit grower Gerawan Farming and farmworker Lupe Garcia, the reporters and publishers argue that “the exclusion of the public” from ALRB proceedings “should be held to violate the First Amendment.”

Gerawan Farming

The “friend of the court” brief was filed in the California Court of Appeal for the Fifth District in Fresno in a proceeding challenging an ALRB decision (39 ALRB No. 13 (August 21, 2013)). That order barred farm worker Lupe Garcia from attending a Mandatory Mediation and Conciliation (MMC) proceeding. Under the MMC proceedings, the ALRB dictates the terms and conditions of a compulsory “contract” between Gerawan, its workers, and the United Farm Workers union.

Yesterday’s filing challenges the constitutionality of the Board’s denial of public access to the press, and the ALRB’s holding that “the public interest . . . is not served by public presence” during the on the record portion of this forced contracting process.

A coalition of publishers, journalists, and First Amendment advocates urged the Court to determine that the MMC proceedings are a matter of public concern and should be “presumptively open to the public,” and “The public may be understandably suspicious of a closed process that keeps out the people whose rights the process adjudicates.” The amicus parties explain that courts have routinely ruled that similar proceedings must be open.

“I am pleased that reporters and publishers are supporting the rights of farm workers to attend these ALRB proceedings,” said Gerawan Farming co-owner Dan Gerawan. “Sadly, the Board decided that farm workers should be excluded from these proceedings where, behind closed doors, the UFW was demanding a right to tax workers, even those who don’t want any part of the union.”

David A. Schwarz, counsel for Gerawan, explained: “Both the U.S. and California constitutions require that the ALRB decision be struck down. Article 1 of the California Constitution, as amended by the voters in 2004, makes clear that these proceedings must be open. As the amicus brief underscores, the result is the same under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

On May 14, 2015, a unanimous three-judge panel in the same Court struck down the MMC Statute as unconstitutional. Yesterday’s filing challenges the constitutionality of the Board’s denial of public access to the MMC proceedings. Said Schwarz: “The Board’s decision to cloak its forced contracting process in secrecy not only violates the rights of farmers and farm workers. It erodes public trust in our government.”  

The amici are represented by Professor Eugene Volokh of UCLA Law School. Volokh is one of the nation’s leading First Amendment scholars. He is the author of “The First Amendment and Related Statutes, Problems, Cases and Policy Arguments” published by University Casebook Series and used in law schools across the country. He is the founder of the 13-year-old Volokh Conspiracy, one of the most widely read legal blogs in the world, which is now affiliated with the Washington Post.

See:
Amicus Brief of Reporters Committee and Publishers Association 
ALRB Decision – Gerawan Farming v. UFW, 39 ALRB No. 13 (Aug. 21, 2013)

Gerawan Farming

 

Gerawan Farming

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150515/216285

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150515/216284

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141107/157362LOGO

 


Technological Tour de Force 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Goes On Sale June 3 with Greater Feature Content

0





Technological Tour de Force 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Goes On Sale June 3 with Greater Feature Content


Acura’s flagship luxury sport sedan receives additional premium features including AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies plus new “Surround View” Camera


TORRANCE, Calif., June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With pricing unchanged from the current model, the 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD will be available at Acura dealers nationwide beginning June 3 boasting new features including AcuraWatch™, now offered as standard equipment on all models, and an available 360-degree Surround View Camera system. The only luxury sedan with a three-motor, torque-vectoring hybrid powertrain, the 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $59,950 with Technology Package and $65,950 with Advance Package.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150601/220023

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/ACURALOGO

Producing a combined 377 horsepower and 341 lb-ft of torque2, the RLX Sport Hybrid is powered by a direct injected 3.5-liter V6 engine and three-motor hybrid system with Acura’s signature Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This highly effective powertrain provides a unique combination of exhilarating all-weather, any-road dynamic performance, and exceptional acceleration, while also receiving an impressive 32 mpg EPA highway fuel economy rating3. These performance attributes are matched by the RLX Sport Hybrid’s luxurious appointments and for 2016 even more comprehensive feature content including the AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies and available Surround View Camera4, bi-directional starter and heated steering wheel.

All RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD models now include AcuraWatch™, which helps to improve the driver’s situational awareness and, in certain circumstances, intervene to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. The AcuraWatch™ suite of available features includes:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF)
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS)
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
  • Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
  • Blind Spot Information (BSI)
  • Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
  • Cross Traffic Monitor

The 2016 Acura RLX is available in two trims, RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with Technology Package and RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with Advance Package. The RLX with Technology Package has been enhanced with AcuraWatch™ as standard. The RLX with Advance Package has been additionally improved with Surround View Camera4, bi-directional keyless remote engine starter and heated steering wheel.

TRIM

MSRP1

EPA Rating3

RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with Technology Package

$59,950

28/32/30

RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with Advance Package

$65,950

28/32/30

AcuraWatch™
At the heart of AcuraWatch™ is the fusion of camera and radar technology that can sense the roadway and objects within it, including other vehicles and pedestrians. This technology underpins the systems that help provide the driver with improved vision around the vehicle, can alert the driver of potential issues and, if necessary, intervene to help keep the RLX Sport Hybrid from departing a lane, departing the road, or help to avoid or mitigate the severity of a collision. These systems include Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Cross Traffic Monitor, both of which are new to the RLX Sport Hybrid.

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)4
New for the 2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) uses a Monocular Camera (mounted on the upper portion of the windshield) to identify solid or dashed painted lane lines, Botts’ Dots and Cat Eye markers. RDM uses both steering force, via EPS, and braking force, via VSA, to help the RLX Sport Hybrid from leaving a detected lane or detected roadway.

The monocular camera can recognize lane features and identify a lane or roadway edge. If the RDM system determines that the RLX Sport Hybrid is about to leave a detected lane or roadway defined by solid lines without a turn signal in use, it will provide steering assist (primary) and, in rare occasions when steering is not sufficient, braking assist to help the driver stay on the road. If a lane only identified by dashed lines, Bott’s Dots or Cat Eye markers and the system determines that there is an unintended departure, no braking assist will be provided. Instead, the RLX Sport Hybrid will use active steering force to help return to the detected lane. RDM is integrated with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system to provide moderate braking, and with the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system to provide steering input.

Multiple visual and audible warnings alert the driver when the RDM system is taking corrective action. These include a lane departure warning on the driver’s Multi Information Display (MID) along with an audible warning. RDM also has a customizable initial warning of either a steering wheel shake/vibration and/or an audible alert. This can be customized in the vehicle settings.

Cross Traffic Monitor5
Another new driver assistive technology included with AcuraWatch™, the Cross Traffic Monitor works in conjunction with the RLX’s blind spot information (BSI) radar sensors to enhance driver confidence when backing up. The system is especially useful when reversing in congested parking lots with an obstructed view from the driver’s seat.

The system utilizes a pair of radar units located in the rear quarter panels. When Reverse is selected and an approaching vehicle is detected, arrows indicating the approaching vehicle’s direction are shown on the center display’s rear camera image. An audible warning is simultaneously emitted.

Surround View Camera6
For 2016, the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid with Advance Package includes Acura’s Surround View Camera system6 that provides a 360-degree image of the area around the vehicle. The surround view camera system is designed to assist drivers during critical and precise maneuvers in snug parking situations. Using four separate cameras, views from behind, directly in front of, and both left and right sides of the vehicle can be displayed on the navigation screen. The system can also use all four cameras to seamlessly create a composite bird’s eye image, to provide the driver with information about the surroundings. In addition, dynamic on-screen guidelines help the driver see their projected path relative to the lines demarking parking spaces or other objects, allowing them to maneuver with greater confidence.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/acura-automobiles/channels/rlx.

1 MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, vehicle options and destination charge of $920.00. Dealer prices may vary.

2 Combined engine and hybrid electric motor system power and torque ratings.

3 Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors.

4 RDM only activates when lane drift is detected without a turn signal in use. RDM may not detect all lane markings or lane departures; accuracy will vary based on weather, speed and road condition. System operation affected by extreme interior heat. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

5 The Cross-Traffic Monitor system and Rear View Camera are not a substitute for your own visual assessment before backing up; display does not provide complete information about all conditions and objects at the rear or to the sides of your vehicle. Cross-Traffic Monitor may not detect all objects behind or to the side of a vehicle and may not detect a given object; system accuracy will vary based on weather, size of object, and speed. Driver remains responsible for safely operating vehicle and avoiding collisions.

6 Visually confirm that it is safe to drive before backing up or parking. Certain conditions (such as weather, lighting and high temperatures) may also restrict the camera view. Do not rely on the camera displays as they may not give you all information about conditions, persons, objects or obstructions around your vehicle.

 


(Español) Toronto se calienta este verano con la música latina

0

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

CSA Group, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and Premier Quality Services Limited Sign Memorandum of Understanding

0





CSA Group, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and Premier Quality Services Limited Sign Memorandum of Understanding


TORONTO, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — CSA Group, a leading global provider of standards development, testing and certification services, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), the standards development, conformity assessment, laboratory accreditation and metrology organization for Trinidad and Tobago, and Premier Quality Services Limited (PQSL), a fully owned subsidiary of TTBS that provides business solutions in quality, professional and skill development via training, consultancy and strategic partnership programs, announced a new alliance and have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

“Our new alliance with TTBS and PQSL is part of our commitment to develop standards nationally and globally,” said Gianluca Arcari, Executive Director, Standards and Vice President, CSA Group. “Through our new alliance, we will be sharing expertise and knowledge to encourage stronger relationships with business and government in Trinidad and Tobago. Our new cooperation will help build awareness and understanding of the important work our respective organizations do to help make a safer world.”

CSA Group, TTBS and PQSL will cooperate and work together in the fields of standards, conformity assessment and training and consultancy to contribute meaningfully to trade and economic development. The new alliance will help build institutional linkages between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.

Theodore Reddock, TTBS Executive Director (Ag) stated that “this alliance is an important step in building strategic partnerships to advance the development of a globally recognized quality infrastructure.” He further added that “the MOU with the CSA Group is of special significance to TTBS as it builds upon our previous excellent collaboration in the areas of standards, quality and trade support systems, as we keep abreast of international best practice.”

Through the proposed alliance, both organizations will engage in specialty training and mentorship programs for professional and technical staff in conformity assessment activities including inspection, testing and certification, accreditation and product evaluation. The organizations will also work together to fight counterfeiting and establish training programs to help identify counterfeit CSA marks to remove from the market potentially unsafe products that have not been tested and certified .

About CSA Group
CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. Its knowledge and expertise encompass standards development; training and advisory solutions; global testing and certification services across key business areas including hazardous location and industrial, transportation, plumbing and construction, medical, safety and technology, appliances and gas, alternative energy, lighting and sustainability; as well as consumer product evaluation services. The CSA certification mark appears on billions of products worldwide. For more information about CSA Group visit www.csagroup.org.

About Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
TTBS is responsible for the development of national standards in relation to goods, services, processes and practices in Trinidad and Tobago. The organization’s mandate includes conformity assessment activities including inspection, testing and certification of products, services and systems, laboratory accreditation, and metrology services. TTBS also serves as the Enquiry Point as well as the implementation and administration agency for the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.  

Premier Quality Services Limited
PQSL is a fully owned subsidiary of TTBS, which is committed to facilitating industrial development and supporting the quality infrastructure, by providing business solutions in quality related fields including inter alia management systems; business improvement initiatives and  programs; and professional & skill development via training, consultancy and strategic partnership programmes. For more information about TTBS visit www.gottbs.com.

For further information: CSA Group: Allison Hawkins, Manager, Corporate Affairs, 1-416-747-2615, [email protected]; TTBS: Rodney Ramnath, Head, Certification Division, 1-868-662-8827 Ext: 177, [email protected]; PQSL: Huey Cuffie, Chief Executive Officer, 1-868-645-9026 – Ext 227, [email protected]


Four Tips for Flying with Your Pet

0





Four Tips for Flying with Your Pet


WASHINGTON, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As the summer travel season heats up, you might be planning a trip with your family—including Fluffy. Over two million pets and other live animals are transported by air every year in the United States. If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll need to meet the animal health requirements of the country you’re visiting. Before getting on the plane, these tips from USA.gov will help make traveling with your pet safe and enjoyable.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155566LOGO
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141030/155567LOGO

  • Ask your airline about requirements for and restrictions on traveling with a pet. Check with your airline to find out if they allow pets in the passenger cabin. If you can’t bring your furry friend on your flight as checked or carry-on baggage, you might be able to ship your pet as cargo. Also, you’ll likely have to provide a certificate from a veterinarian stating that your pet is in good health. However, airlines may not require health certificates for service animals used by people with disabilities.
  • Make sure you bring an approved kennel. The kennel for a carry-on pet must fit under the seat in front of you, and your airline will likely require your pet to stay in the kennel during the flight and in the airport. You’ll want to de-clutter your pet’s kennel before you get to the airport, in case TSA agents need to do a physical inspection of your pet’s carrier.
  • Carry a leash. Whether you need to walk Fido through a metal detector, or carry him through, bringing a leash can help keep your animal under control in the busy airport environment.
  • Consider your pet’s comfort. Traveling, particularly loading and unloading, can be stressful for an animal, so you should consider your pet’s comfort. Try feeding your pet a light meal two hours before getting to the airport. Walk your pet before leaving for the airport, and again before checking in. While you should leave the sedatives at home, if you’re thinking about giving your pet something to help it sleep easier on the trip, always check with your veterinarian first.

To learn more about travel, see USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov, the U.S. Government’s official websites in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).