Wall Street ends flat as investors seek new catalysts

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks ended a quiet session with slight moves on Monday as investors found few reasons to keep pushing shares higher following a six-week advance, though the longer-term trend was still viewed as positive.

The benchmark index is up more 6.4 percent in 2013, putting both the S&P 500 and Dow industrials near multi-year highs. The S&P is less than 4 percent from its all-time intraday high of 1,576.09, hit in October 2007.

"This is still a market that looks terrific, but when you're up for six weeks in a row, everyone is going to want to take a pause going into the seventh week even if there is no bad news out there," said Eric Kuby, chief investment officer at North Star Investment Management in Chicago.

Volume was light, with about 4.812 billion shares changing hands on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and NYSE MKT, well below the daily average so far this year of about 6.48 billion shares.

Wall Street was modestly lower throughout the session but regained some ground in the final hour of trading as Google Inc rebounded off earlier losses. Shares of the Internet search giant dipped 0.4 percent to $782.42, recovering from earlier declines of 1 percent after the company said in a filing former chief executive Eric Schmidt is selling roughly 42 percent of his stake in the company.

Also in the tech space, Apple Inc rose up 1 percent to $479.93 after the New York Times reported the iPhone maker was experimenting with the design of a device similar to a wristwatch.

The Federal Reserve's Vice Chair Janet Yellen, seen as a potential successor to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke next year, said the Fed is still aggressively stimulating an anemic U.S. economic recovery that has failed to bring rapid progress on employment.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was down 21.81 points, or 0.16 percent, at 13,971.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was down 0.92 points, or 0.06 percent, at 1,517.01. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was down 1.87 points, or 0.06 percent, at 3,192.00.

Upbeat U.S. and Chinese data last week helped the S&P 500 extend its weekly winning streak to six. The index gained about 8 percent over that period.

Equities have been strong performers lately and many investors have used any declines in the market as opportunities to buy.

"Everyone wants to buy on a dip in this market, but if you're on the sidelines right now, the decline we're seeing today just isn't the kind you would jump in on," Kuby said.

President Barack Obama will describe his plan for spurring the economy in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. He is expected to offer proposals for investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education.

Opposition has grown to the $24.4 billion buyout of Dell Inc , the No. 3 personal computer maker, as three of the largest investors joined Southeastern Asset Management on Friday in raising objections. Dell said in a regulatory filing it had considered many strategic options before opting to go private in a buyout led by Chief Executive Michael Dell.

Dell shares hovered near $13.65, the buyout offer price.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc shares rose 2.7 percent at $170.35 after it said longtime drug development partner Sanofi plans to boost its stake.

Moody's Corp was one of the strongest percentage gainers on the S&P 500, rising 4.9 percent to $45.49. Last week the stock plunged 22 percent after the U.S. government launched a civil lawsuit against the company. The sell-off marked the stock's worst week since October 2008.

About 53 percent of stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange closed lower while slightly more Nasdaq-listed stocks closed in negative territory.

(Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-signal-higher-open-090526023--finance.html

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Obama Clings to Shotgun in WH Photo

After a week of speculation over the authenticity of claims by President Obama that he regularly participated in skeet shooting at Camp David, the White House released a photograph today showing him firing a shotgun.

The photo shows Obama targeting clay pigeons at the presidential retreat last August, according to the White House. In an interview published Sunday the president said he shoots skeet "all the time" during stays at the compound. The comment was a response to a question of whether he had ever held a gun.

"Not the girls, but oftentimes guests of mine go up there. And I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations. And I think those who dismiss that out of hand make a big mistake," he said.

READ: Skeet-Shooter Obama Has 'Respect' for Hunters

But amid a White House-backed push for stronger gun-control in the U.S., some questioned whether the claim was an embellishment or even true. Politicians who regularly use firearms often advertise the fact to gun owners, but ABC News has not found a quote from Obama referencing his own use before the statement on Sunday.

"If he is a skeet shooter, why have we not heard of this?" asked Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. "Why have we not seen photos? Why has he not referenced it at any point in time as we have had this gun debate that is ongoing?"

PHOTOS: From 2009 to Now: Obama Since His First Inauguration

Appearing on CNN this week, the congresswoman challenged Obama to a skeet shooting contest.

The Associated Press reported in 2010 a second-hand reference to the activity. After a visit with the Texas Christian University rifle team, a student reportedly told the AP that Obama told her he'd practiced shooting with the Secret Service.

This is the only known image of Obama holding a gun.

Asked Monday about the president's interview, Press Secretary Jay Carney responded to reporters about how often the president participates in shooting.

"I would refer you simply to his comments," he said. "I don't know how often. He does go to Camp David with some regularity, but I'm not sure how often he's done that.""

On Wednesday, Carney addressed the issue again, telling press that when the president travels to "Camp David, he goes to spend time with his family and friends and relax, not to produce photographs."

White House officials and some Obama supporters have compared skeet-doubters to "skeeters" or "birthers," the label fixed to those who deny Obama was born on U.S. soil in his home state of Hawaii, and therefore is ineligible for the Oval Office.

"Attn skeet birthers. Make our day - let the photoshop conspiracies begin!" senior adviser David Plouffe wrote on Twitter this morning, referencing the popular photo-editing software.

In January, Obama signed several executive orders strengthening gun regulation and revealed proposals that, if enacted, would include bans on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. The move began in response to the December mass-shooting of 20 first graders and six adults at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

INFOGRAPHIC: Guns in America: By The Numbers

A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found 53 percent of Americans viewed Obama's gun control plan favorably, 41 percent unfavorably.

The photo's release comes two days before Obama travels to Minneapolis for a speech continuing his push for tougher gun control, where he is expected to appear alongside local law enforcement officials.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-clings-shotgun-wh-photo-173722945--abc-news-politics.html

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The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Celebrates! ? ? Desert ...

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Celebrates a Decade in the Desert

?

The fires are lit. The water is flowing. The earth is flowering. The sky is limitless. All of these elements have awakened the senses of visitors at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa since its opening in November 2002. Ten years and 10 million guests later, it has become one of the most highly-rated and awarded resorts in Arizona.

By Richard Romane
Director of Sales and Marketing
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

?

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa commemorated its 10th anniversary this past fall and during the last decade earned multiple AAA Four-Diamond Awards, as well as top travel ratings from Cond? Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Meetings & Conventions, Zagat and more.

Along with being Arizona?s largest resort, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is also big on luxury. With 950 guestrooms (including 81 suites), it is set on 316 acres in the Sonoran desert and features sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains. Conveniently located in northeast Phoenix just 20 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with easy access to the Loop 101, the resort is the centerpiece of the Valley of the Sun?s northeastern corridor.

With 950 guest rooms and 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, the resort has been able to attract larger group business to Phoenix for their conventions that could never come before with the prior hotel landscape.

Inspired by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa redefines the resort experience. The resort features 10 dining experiences, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa?s first Revive Spa ? a 28,000-square-foot facility ? eight tennis courts and four acres of elaborately landscaped pools including the Lazy River with serpentine slide, two championship golf courses and the Wildfire Golf Club. Panoramic views of crimson-hued mountains, fiery Arizona sunsets and the picturesque, cactus-studded Sonoran desert add to the resort?s serene setting.

The elements of nature ? fire, water, earth and sky ? have been woven into the resort?s architectural design to let every guest experience the pleasures of the distinctive surroundings.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the sounds of splashing fountains under the sun-dappled porte-cochere. Stepping into the expansive tumbled marble lobby, guests are dazzled by the sight of stunning floor-to-ceiling windows opened wide, spilling out onto sparkling waterways and majestic palm-lined pathways.

The resort?s guest rooms feature oversized balconies overlooking wildflower gardens, swimming pools, lakes, waterways and golf course or mountain views. Included in the 950 rooms are four presidential suites, four hospitality suites, 35 luxury suites and 38 executive suites, offering a variety of options for groups large and small.

The rejuvenating elements of nature continue to play an important role in the architecture of the resort?s exquisite Revive Spa. This 28,000-square-foot, two-level oasis features 41 elegantly appointed private treatment rooms. A diverse spa menu offers every massage imaginable, as well as facial and body treatments inspired by native desert plants.

Private balconies are the perfect setting for rejuvenation, while relaxation rooms and a rooftop garden offer guests quiet solitude in between treatments. The spa presents its own sanctuary swimming pool surrounded by nine private cabanas. A spacious fitness center and movement studio feature state-of-the-art workout equipment and a host of classes. While enjoying the benefits of the spa, guests can indulge in healthful cuisine in Revive?s Spa Bistro.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers dynamic golf experiences at its Wildfire Golf Club. With two on-site courses, including 18 holes of both Nick Faldo and Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf, your golf afternoon can easily turn into a day of golf.

In addition to a fully equipped golf shop, Wildfire Golf Club offers men?s and women?s locker rooms. The expansive facility features Meritage Steakhouse for course-side dining. The resort caters to the tennis enthusiast as well with eight lighted tennis courts and pro shop at the Tennis Center.

Water flows throughout JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, from spectacular swimming pools to wandering waterways that weave through the colorful grounds. The main pool features a free standing, immense waterfall crowned by flames which dance against the night sky. Families and free spirits alike enjoy floating along the resort?s Lazy River in this lush desert oasis.

From fine dining surrounded by romantic fire pits, to casual poolside cuisine, a cornucopia of dining experiences is sure to please every palate at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Among the notable eateries is Roy?s Restaurant, Roy Yamaguchi?s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Tuscany features authentic Italian comfort cuisine including handcrafted pastas and specialty pizzas in an inviting, warm atmosphere.

Blue Sage headlines the resort?s all-day dining with contemporary favorites and regional specialties. Blue Sage Marketplace offers gourmet sandwiches to go, while coffee lovers perk up at the resort?s Starbuck?s. Vista Lounge, with its magnificent floor-to-ceiling views, has indoor and outdoor patio seating with charming fire pits ? the perfect spot to sip a martini and enjoy fresh fish creations from the sushi bar while enjoying spectacular vistas of the McDowell Mountains.

Meritage Steakhouse at Wildfire Golf Club features bold wines and prime aged steaks for lunch and dinner. Healthy cuisine featuring organic ingredients can be enjoyed at the resort?s Spa Bistro. Room service is available 24 hours a day for intimate, in-room dining.

With wireless access throughout the resort, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers the latest in technology and the two largest ballrooms in Arizona. The Grand Canyon and Grand Sonoran Ballrooms are located on the resort?s first level that opens to a circular drive for easy access. The Saguaro Ballroom offers more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space. More than 100,000 square feet provides lushly landscaped flexible outdoor venues. For outdoor events with flair, the resort?s botanical garden features blooming wildflowers and colorful flora. Parties held here under the desert sun or stars are sure to be remembered long after the event comes to an end.

Whether the visit to the resort is for business or pleasure, the guest?s experience is always memorable. Going into its second decade, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has earned its place as an iconic destination in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

For more information about JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, visit

www.jwdesertridgeresort.com or call 480-293-5000.

Source: http://www.desertridgelifestyles.com/news/2013/02/the-jw-marriott-desert-ridge-resort-spa-celebrates

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The Benefit Information Center Tells You All the Perks Your Credit Card Offers

Most credit cards offer extra benefits that you may not be aware of or using. These include perks like travel insurance and emergency roadside assistance. If you're not sure which benefits your particular card offers, head over to the Benefit Information Center.

The site asks you for the first 10 digits of your credit card number; the field doesn't even let you put in the entire (usually 16-digit) number, so don't worry. It's not taking your personal credit card information. Those first ten digits denote the credit card network and particular program.

Then the site provides the list of benefits for your particular card as well as links to terms and conditions, claim forms, and phone numbers for contacting your card issuer or the provider of those services.

It could be helpful to check your benefits so you don't overspend on benefits like extended warrantees or travel insurance.

The Benefit Information Center | via Business Insider

Photo by Ruben Schade

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/E5VvuH74oBA/the-benefit-information-center-tells-you-all-the-perks-your-credit-card-offers

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The Wham Spot | Real Estate and Property Managers

Residential Property Management Herriman Property management can be a great resource for owners of residential, commercial, or industrial properties. Property management works the same as management in any other field by monitoring what needs to be accounted, monitored, and cared for with any form of real estate. They work to find long-term tenants who pay promptly and maintain your property. We will act as a mediator between you and the tenant easing the responsibility of busy owners. Selecting a reputable property manager can make the real estate process a breeze. We have the experience and know-how to make your ownership experience simple and painless. You can take comfort in the knowledge that we will treat your real estate as if we own it ourselves. Find Real Estate Locally

This entry was posted in Real Estate & Property. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.thewahmspot.com/real-estate-and-property-managers-4/

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Finding out how today's teens tick

Public release date: 1-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Press Office
Pressoffice@esrc.ac.uk
Economic & Social Research Council

The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) will be conducting an age 14 survey after receiving funding of 3.5 million from the Economic and Social Research Council.

Scheduled for 2015, the survey acts as the next phase of the birth cohort study. The MCS follows the lives of 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000-01. Five surveys of cohort members have been carried out so far at the ages of nine months, three, five, seven and eleven years.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: "This 3.5 million investment will build on the UK's proud history of longitudinal studies. It will give us new insights into young people's lives at a vital stage of their development, which will in turn help inform social policy."

The study has been tracking the Millennium children through their early childhood years and plans to follow them into adulthood. It collects information on the children's siblings and parents. MCS's field of enquiry covers such diverse topics as parenting; childcare; school choice; child behaviour and cognitive development; child and parental health; parents' employment and education; income and poverty; housing, neighbourhood and residential mobility; and social capital and ethnicity.

The age 14 survey will be the first study to look at them as adolescents. The survey will extend our understanding of risk behaviours, educational choices and aspirations, peer and family relationships and their consequences in later life.

Professor Lucinda Platt, Director of the Millennium Cohort Study said: "At the Centre for Longitudinal Studies we value the ESRC's recognition of the significance of the age 14 sweep of the MCS. It will greatly help understanding of the all-important period of early adolescence from 11 to 14 as well as revealing whether what children do at this transition stage can reverse earlier patterns and go on to shape their adult life. We are very excited about continuing to work with the MCS cohort as they grow up."

Chief Executive, Paul Boyle said: "The ESRC are pleased to be involved with the next phase of this exciting study. It will be exciting to see how the children are developing as they enter the next phase of their lives and beginning to make those all important decisions that will influence their journey into adulthood".

###

For further information contact:

ESRC Press Office

Sarah Nichols
Email: sarah.nichols@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413122

Jeanine Woolley
Email: jeanine.woolley@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413119

Notes for editors

1. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total budget for 2012/13 is 205 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.

2. The Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) is an ESRC resource centre based at the Department for Quantitative Social Science, Institute of Education, University of London. CLS is responsible for running three of Britain's internationally-renowned birth cohort studies: the 1958 National Child Development Study, the 1970 British Cohort Study and the Millennium Cohort Study.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 1-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Press Office
Pressoffice@esrc.ac.uk
Economic & Social Research Council

The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) will be conducting an age 14 survey after receiving funding of 3.5 million from the Economic and Social Research Council.

Scheduled for 2015, the survey acts as the next phase of the birth cohort study. The MCS follows the lives of 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000-01. Five surveys of cohort members have been carried out so far at the ages of nine months, three, five, seven and eleven years.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: "This 3.5 million investment will build on the UK's proud history of longitudinal studies. It will give us new insights into young people's lives at a vital stage of their development, which will in turn help inform social policy."

The study has been tracking the Millennium children through their early childhood years and plans to follow them into adulthood. It collects information on the children's siblings and parents. MCS's field of enquiry covers such diverse topics as parenting; childcare; school choice; child behaviour and cognitive development; child and parental health; parents' employment and education; income and poverty; housing, neighbourhood and residential mobility; and social capital and ethnicity.

The age 14 survey will be the first study to look at them as adolescents. The survey will extend our understanding of risk behaviours, educational choices and aspirations, peer and family relationships and their consequences in later life.

Professor Lucinda Platt, Director of the Millennium Cohort Study said: "At the Centre for Longitudinal Studies we value the ESRC's recognition of the significance of the age 14 sweep of the MCS. It will greatly help understanding of the all-important period of early adolescence from 11 to 14 as well as revealing whether what children do at this transition stage can reverse earlier patterns and go on to shape their adult life. We are very excited about continuing to work with the MCS cohort as they grow up."

Chief Executive, Paul Boyle said: "The ESRC are pleased to be involved with the next phase of this exciting study. It will be exciting to see how the children are developing as they enter the next phase of their lives and beginning to make those all important decisions that will influence their journey into adulthood".

###

For further information contact:

ESRC Press Office

Sarah Nichols
Email: sarah.nichols@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413122

Jeanine Woolley
Email: jeanine.woolley@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413119

Notes for editors

1. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total budget for 2012/13 is 205 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.

2. The Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) is an ESRC resource centre based at the Department for Quantitative Social Science, Institute of Education, University of London. CLS is responsible for running three of Britain's internationally-renowned birth cohort studies: the 1958 National Child Development Study, the 1970 British Cohort Study and the Millennium Cohort Study.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/esr-foh020113.php

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New device traps particulates, kills airborne pathogens

Jan. 31, 2013 ? A new device called a soft X-ray electrostatic precipitator protected immunocompromised mice from airborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, ultrafine particles, and allergens, according to a paper published online ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. This device, known for short as a SXC ESP, is highly versatile, with multiple potential uses, and Washington University is working on licensing the technology.

"Small particles are difficult to remove, and our device overcomes that barrier," says Pratim Biswas of Washington University, St. Louis. The device not only captures particles with a high level of efficiency that has never before been achieved; it also inactivates them. Even bioterror agents are blocked and completely inactivated, says Biswas.

The range of potential uses includes indoor protection of susceptible populations, such as people with respiratory illness or inhalation-induced allergies, and young children; protection of buildings from bio-terror attack; protection of individuals in hospital surgical theaters, for example, during open organ surgery; protection in clean rooms for semiconductor fabrication; removal of ultrafine particles in power plants; and capture of diesel exhaust particulates, says Biswas.

The device could be used in homes, with a cost similar to that of high efficiency air cleaners, says Biswas. "But it would be much easier to operate, and much more effective," he adds. It could be added into stand-alone indoor air cleaners, or incorporated into HVAC systems in homes, offices, and even in aircraft cabins. In the study, the device exceeded standards for high efficiency articulate air filters, which must be capable of removing particles larger than 0.3 micrometers with 99.97 percent efficiency.

The SXC ESP works by placing a charge on the particles -- "which it does very effectively," says Biswas -- and then using an electrical field to trap the particles. The SXC unit then also completely inactivates biological particles, by irradiating them, and photoionizing them -- as UV light does, only more energetically.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Society for Microbiology.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. E. M. Kettleson, J. M. Schriewer, R. M. L. Buller, P. Biswas. Soft X-ray Enhanced Electrostatic Precipitation for Protection against Inhalable Allergens, Ultrafine Particles, and Microbial Infections. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2012; DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02897-12

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/NhdIUec9Yf8/130131154414.htm

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