PROVIDENCE – Afferent Corp. announced last week that research shows the company’s technology can significantly reduce sway and improve balance for patients suffering from strokes and peripheral problems related to diabetes.
The study, published this month in the clinical journal Annals of Neurology, looked at 15 diabetic neuropathic patients and 15 stroke patients who were given vibratory stimulation through the soles of their feet. The stimulation significantly reduced sway in both groups, with the most severe patients showing the most improvement, Afferent said in a press release.
Jason Harry, president and CEO of Providence-based Afferent, said, “This study further demonstrates the broad utility of our platform neurotechnology. We are aggressively pursuing product development and further clinical testing for these and other applications.”
According to the press release, nearly 40 percent of stroke survivors experience serious falls within a year of having a stroke. Recent research by Columbia University showed that diabetes patients are more than two times as likely to fall as people without the disease.
Researchers from Boston University conducted the study in collaboration with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
APC launches online courses for IT workers
WEST KINGSTON – American Power Conversion, a power supply manufacturer, announced this month that it has launched Data Center University, an online and classroom-based education institution for IT professionals, engineers and server room operators.
The courses, which the company said do not promote APC products, focus on technologies and practices that are related to “leading-edge” data center infrastructure. The courses are aimed at giving people standardized training in data center design and operations, as well as providing skills to manage issues facing centers.
“Our goal is to provide data center professions with training on real-world issues, not just theory,” said Rodger B. Dowdell Jr., APC president and CEO. “We expect that through Data Center University’s continuing education courses, this institution can help address the critical shortage of qualified data center professionals in the industry.”
According to a press release, live classroom instruction will begin in the third quarter of 2006.
Bank adopts Andera system for HSA sign-ups
PROVIDENCE – Associated Banc-Corp, a multi-bank holding company with more than 300 branches across the Midwest, has adopted Andera’s New Accounts Online system to allow its customers to open health savings accounts in real-time on the Associated Web site.
HSAs are tax-free accounts that people can use to pay for medical expenses and are used in conjunction with high-deductible health plans. Many health insurers steer subscribers to their own HSA products, but financial institutions are offering them as well.
“In rolling out HSAs to the marketplace, we are looking to reach out to consumers and offer them a new solution that fits their individual needs,” said Sara Junio, director of deposit products at Associated Banc-Corp, in a news release.
Bryant ranked among ‘most connected’ schools
SMITHFIELD – Bryant University has been ranked in The Princeton Review’s “Top 25 Most Connected Campuses,” which highlights the technological capabilities of American colleges.
Bryant was chosen from a pool of 361 top colleges and universities.
Bryant was the only Rhode Island school to make the list. Last year, it had ranked second.
This year, the review did away with ranking each individual school “because so little difference may exist” between, say, No. 1 and No. 2. Others on the list included Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Devonshire Associates extends Arbitron deal
WESTERLY – Devonshire Associates, a supplier of econometric and demographic information products, says it has extended its contract with international media ratings firm Arbitron for another three years.
Arbitron provides ratings information to radio broadcasters, radio networks, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies, outdoor advertising companies and the online radio industry in the United States, Mexico and Europe.
Devonshire supplies Arbitron with data on retail and service industry sales in different media markets.
“Most of our competitors develop modeled demographic data to estimate retail expenditures,” said John Rafferty, Devonshire’s president and CEO. “They use these models to speculate how much sales activity should be taking place in a given area. We have similar products, but we supply Arbitron with actual retail and service industry sales information that allows their clients to drill down into their markets with maximum confidence.”
Newport company gets state port security job
NEWPORT – Smiths Detection-LiveWave has been awarded a contract to allow government agencies and emergency personnel to share data throughout Narragansett Bay. The R.I. Port Security Wireless Communications Network will consist of a wireless broadband network to distribute text, voice, data and video to first responders and local law enforcement in real-time. It is scheduled to be operational in March.
A collaborative project of the R.I. Emergency Management Agency, R.I. Economic Development Corporation, R.I. Department of Environmental Management and the R.I. Department of Administration, the port security partnership was created as a demonstration project funded by an $856,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through its Information Technology and Evaluation Program.
