Latest Thought Stories

Study suggests certain meditation techniques significantly enhance creative thinking In a study published on April 18, 2012 in the open-access journal Frontiers in Cognition, researchers at Leiden University, led by Lorenza Colzato, suggest that certain types of meditation can be an effective tool for enhancing creativity. The study is the first of its kind to investigate the differential effect of diverse meditation techniques on the two main ingredients of most creative activities:...

Far too many K-12 students have inadequate writing skills, and the current efforts to improve instruction in the United States may be more challenging than anticipated, research from Michigan State University shows. According to an initial sample of seven states, the existing standards for teaching writing vary widely in comparison to a new set of common standards that are in the process of being implemented by most states. Study co-director Gary Troia of MSU, along with Natalie...

Trial of Automated Essay Scoring Systems, like Vantage Learning’s IntelliMetric®, Shows Electronic Scoring to Be As Effective As Human Graders Yardley, PA (PRWEB) April 13, 2012 Vantage Learning, a recognized leader in online assessment and instruction, recently ranked high among participants of an analysis on the viability of using automated essay scoring for a new generation of assessments. Vantage was one of nine commercial companies to take part in the Automated Student...

DUBLIN, Pa., April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Quantum Global Technologies, LLC (QuantumClean®), the leading global provider of validated high-purity outsourced process tool parts cleaning, surface treatment, refurbishment, analytical and engineering services to the semiconductor, solar and LED industries, today announced that it has hired Tim Burrows into the new position of Global Quality and Continuous Improvement Director. Tim joined QuantumClean® in March and...

COLUMBIA, Md., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxim Staffing Solutions, a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. (www.maximhealthcare.com), is pleased to announce more than 80 of its Maxim Staffing Solutions Per Diem offices have been awarded The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval(TM) for healthcare staffing services. For the third consecutive time, since the initial certification in 2008, no deficiencies were found at any of these offices during the extensive review....

TORONTO, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-Health Systems (MHS Inc.) announces the acquisition of assets from Functional Assessment Systems (FAS), including the CAFAS® and JIFF®. "At MHS, we believe in strong product growth, providing exceptional experience, and being digitally driven," explains Hazel Wheldon, Publisher and COO of MHS Inc. "By adding gold-standard and innovative assessments such as the CAFAS® and JIFF® into our product line, MHS will continue this legacy."...

NEW YORK, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standardization system and a global leader in conformity assessment, is pleased to announce that the West Virginia Legislature has recognized ANSI's Accreditation Program for Personnel Certification Bodies in the Crane Operator Certification Act. Passed on March 10, 2012, the act amends aspects of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, that pertain to...

NEW YORK, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standardization system and a global leader in conformity assessment, is pleased to announce the accreditation of the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI) under ANSI's Accreditation Program for Personnel Certification Bodies. A federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and...

Leading plagiarism checker checks business reports submitted to the publishing division of The Richard Ivey School of Business for originality prior to publication OAKLAND, Calif., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Turnitin, creators of iThenticate and the leader in plagiarism prevention, has proved instrumental to Ivey Publishing, the publishing division of The Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, in ensuring that all of their...

HOUSTON, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas Certification is now the first global training organization to be recognized by the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) for its ISO 50001 lead auditor training course. IRCA is the world's original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems. The role of this organization is to register auditors with high level credentials, as well as recognize training courses that enable...