From U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Patent Database

Abstract

Disclosed is an animal litter that includes a palm oil residue, possibly in combination with another absorbent material such as whole ground grain, virgin germ, seed meal, spent germ or clay. The palm oil residue may be palm kernel cake, palm oil sludge, or palm pressed fiber. Also disclosed are a method for removing animal waste and a process for preparing an animal litter. The method for removal of animal waste includes allowing an animal to excrete waste into a container that includes a litter, the litter comprising a palm oil residue. The process for preparing an animal litter comprises combining the materials that make up the litter to form the litter.

Disciplinary actions issued by Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences regarding:

• Fancy Nails & Spa and owner Hang L. Ly of Cedar Rapids – Stipulation and Consent Order
• William “Mike” Manchester of Iowa City – Stipulation and Consent Order

IA Board of Cosmetology Disciplinary Order - Hang L Ly 2010-07

IA Board of Cosmetology Disciplinary Order - William Mike Man Chester 2010-07

From an Iowa Office of Energy Independence news release, SourceMedia Group archives

Fuel prices have risen at the pump this month in Iowa, but they are still below the national average, according to the Iowa Office of Energy Independence.

The price of 10 percent ethanol blended mid-grade gasoline in Iowa was $2.58 per gallon on July 19, which is 10 percent higher than the July 2009 price of $2.34 per gallon of the same blend.

The same grade of fuel is selling for a national average $2.72 per gallon, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

The average price for diesel in Iowa on July 19 was $2.89 per gallon, which is 17 percent higher than the July 2009 price of $2.48. Nationally, the average diesel price is $2.90 per gallon.

The average price of 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline in Cedar Rapids was $2.60 on July 19, up from $2.41 per gallon on July 19, 2009.

In Iowa City, the average price of 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline was $2.70 on July 19, up from $2.39 per gallon on the same date last year.

Kerri Johannsen, data analyst for the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, said fuel prices are typically higher at this time of year due to increased summer demand.

“This year, oil prices have largely been following the stock market and reacting to news of economic recovery and gas prices have been following the oil market trend,” Johannsen said.

Iowa Office of Energy Independence chart

U.S. Energy Information Administration chart

As the Federal Aviation Administration moves toward using satellite technology to modernize the nation’s aging air traffic control system, The Eastern Iowa Airport is getting on board.

The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission on Monday will select an engineering firm to develop an electronic airport layout plan. The contract also will require the firm to collect and input airport data into the FAA’s Airports Geographic Information System.

The goal of the FAA’s NextGen project is a satellite-based air traffic control system that could cut flight delays as much as 40 percent. It also would reduce fuel use and aircraft noise, and save all parties millions of dollars.

Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids is part of an ITT Corp. team recently awarded a NextGen contract by the FAA. The team will conduct development work across all dimensions of air traffic control, including ground systems, avionics, aircraft, air traffic control rules and procedures, human factors, safety and security, environmental and standards.

NextGen would replace existing equipment that requires aircraft to move point-to-point across the sky to match up with radar beacons on the ground. When pilots approach airports, they often take wide turns to match up with the beacons so controllers can guide them into airports, burning extra fuel and time.

By using global positioning receivers in the airplanes and new control systems, NextGen creates “precision” approaches and departures to and from airports that cut the distance that airplanes have to cover.

The Dallas Morning News reports that American Airlines has been using the precision routes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, with annual fuel savings of about $10 million a year. Delta claims it is saving about $36 million a year at its Atlanta hub using the new approaches.

Article includes information from the Dallas Morning News, and Federal Aviation Administration and Rockwell Collins news releases.

Check back for additional information on this story following Monday’s Cedar Rapids Airport Commission meeting.

The Iowa Renewable Energy Association will break ground Wednesday for a renewable energy training center on the grounds of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 E. Boyson Rd. in Hiawatha.

The Iowa Renewable Energy Training Center will be a controlled setting training center and serve as the only solar thermal and solar photovoltaic installation training roof in Iowa. It will feature two types of metal roofing and traditional shingles to ensure across-the-board, comprehensive penetration practice.

Prairiewoods has been recognized for its renewable energy leadership and environmental stewardship. The facility features a 17.5 kilowatt solar photovoltaic array, solar hot water system and is home to a significant acreage of restored prairie habitat.

Financial support for the training center was provided by the State of Iowa, Iowa Power Fund Board, and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. Support for renewable energy training programs has been provided by grants from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and Alliant Energy.

Gov. Chet Culver and Roya Stanley, director of the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, will attend the 11 a.m. event, along with Hiawatha Mayor Tom Theis and state Sen.  Robb Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, and state Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City.

Despite posting a third-quarter profit, Lee Enterprises saw its shares fall Tuesday as it continued to experience declining revenues.

The Davenport-based newspaper publisher posted net income of $10 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, for the quarter that ended June 27, compared with a loss of $24.5 million, or 55 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.

Revenue fell 3.6 percent to $196.4 million from $203.8 million in the comparable period of 2009.

Shares of Lee common stock fell 12 cents, or 4.51 percent, to $2.54 in late trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Total advertising revenue in the quarter was $140.8 million, down 4.9 percent from $148 million in the third quarter of 2009. Lee experienced declines in revenue in each of its advertising sectors with the lone exception of digital advertising which spiked 24.8 percent.

The biggest declines were seen in automotive, real estate and national advertising.

Lee said it cut newsprint and ink expenses by 36.1 percent and slashed expenses related to work force by 77.1 percent to $1.1 million from $4.7 million a year ago.

The number of unique visitors to Lee online sites increased 23.3 percent to 49.5 million during the quarter. The company has been delivering news, information and advertising to mobile devices as it looks to focus on developing its digital presence.

For the nine months that ended June 27, Lee reported earnings of $40.9 million, or 92 cents per share, compared with a loss of $124.9 million, or $2.81 a share, in the same period of 2009.

Revenue dropped 8.4 percent to $592 million from $646.20 million in the first nine months of the last fiscal year.

PepsiCo Inc. on Tuesday reported a 3 percent drop in its second-quarter earnings on declines in its Quaker foods business and costs related to the recent purchase of its two largest bottlers.

The Purchase, N.Y.-based beverage and food manufacturer earned $1.6 billion, or 98 cents per share, down from $1.66 billion, or $1.03 a share, in the same quarter last year. Analysts had expected $1.08 per share on revenue of $14.41 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.

Second-quarter sales jumped 40 percent to $14.8 billion from $10.6 billion in the same quarter of 2009, benefiting from the $7.8 billion buyout of PepsiAmericas and Pepsi Bottling Group. The company bought its bottlers to be quicker to market with new products and save costs.

PepsiCo had $155 million in integration charges in the second quarter related to the deal, which closed in the first quarter.

PepsiCo’s beverage volume in North America rose 13 percent in the three month period ending in June, a dramatic improvement over the 6 percent increase recorded in the same quarter last year.  Hugh Johnston, PepsiCo chief financial officer, said sales of Gatorade Prime, used by athletes before games, is selling as quickly as PepsiCo can make it.

However, Quaker Foods North America was a weak spot, with declines in ready-to-eat cereals hurting revenue and profits for that business.

PepsiCo executives acknowledged on a conference call that the company had ”underinvested” in its Quaker line but said it is starting to spend more on developing new, healthier offerings under the Quaker brand.

PepsiCo operates a large Quaker Foods and Beverages plant in Cedar Rapids.

Foreign currency fluctuations weighed down the company’s second-quarter results. Some 40 percent of PepsiCo’s revenue comes from outside the U.S. and Canada.

A strengthening U.S. dollar can dampen overseas revenue because sales convert back into fewer dollars.

Whirlpool, with a major appliance plant in Amana, on Tuesday reported its second-quarter net income more than doubled as it slashed costs and more shoppers used federal rebates to buy new appliances.

The Benton Harbor, Mich.-based appliance maker earned $205 million, or $2.64 per share, during the three months that ended on June 30, compared with $78 million, or $1.04 per share, in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 9 percent to $4.53 billion, up from $4.17 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected the company to earn $2.17 per share on revenue of $4.50 billion.

Whirlpool said demand for its washers, dryers and other appliances had been hurt in the recession, but sales are picking up due to federal rebates for energy-efficient appliances.

The federal tax credit of up to $8,000 that helped spur home sales in the first half of the year also helped appliance makers because people are more likely to buy appliances when they move into a new house.

Whirlpool said it expects to earn between $9 and $9.50 per share for the full year. That’s up from its previous forecast of net income between $8 and $8.50 per share.

“We have made strong progress toward our key operating priorities in 2010,” said Jeff Fettig, Whirlpool chairman and chief executive officer in a statement accompanying the earnings release.

“While we continue to expect general economic conditions to remain volatile, we have put actions in place to position the company to effectively manage through these challenges.  With continued strong execution throughout our global operations, we expect to deliver a record year of earnings per share in this fragile global economic environment.”

A Cedar Rapids business has been cited for violating the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Act following a May 4 incident in which an employee had part of his hand amputated.

J.E. Adams Industries, 1025 63rd Ave. SW, allegedly failed to provide point of operation guards for a machine that a 43-year-old man was operating when he was injured.

The violation is considered serious and the Iowa Division of Labor Services is proposing a $2,500 fine as well as requiring that the guards be installed by Aug. 23.

The agency also cited J.E. Adams Industries for not having a signed annual executive review of workplace injuries and illnesses in 2007, 2008 and 2009. No fine is proposed, but the appropriate annual review must be signed and filed by Aug. 23.

The Iowa Division of Labor Services issued the citations on July 7.

J.E. Adams Industries, which manufactures parts and accessories for self-service car washes, has the right to contest the citations and fine within 15 days of the date the citations were issued. Otherwise, the citations and penalty become a final order of the Iowa Employment Appeal Board and may not be reviewed by any court or agency.

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate in June was unchanged from May at 6.8 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

The state’s unemployment rate was 6 percent in June 2009.

The national jobless rate for June dropped to 9.5 percent from 9.7 percent in May. Hiring in June at the statewide and national levels was affected by the government’s cutting of temporary census workers and weak consumer spending.  

Iowa’s pool of unemployed workers decreased slightly to 113,600 in June from 114,800 in May. The number of unemployed was reported at 99,500 in June 2009. 

“The June non-farm employment figure is higher than one year ago, indicating that some progress has been made toward a recovery,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Iowa is headed in the right direction, but hiring will need to gain strength to substantially lower the state’s unemployment rate.” 

The total number of working Iowans dropped to 1,567,100 in June from 1,571,600 in May, the lowest level reported for the year.  One year ago, total employment stood at 1,572,400.

Trade and transportation posted the largest loss in June, down 4,200 jobs. Within this sector, retail trade accounted for 2,400 of the loss. 

Elsewhere, construction continued to reflect weakness with a decline of 1,900.

On a positive note, a few sectors showed signs of recovery in June.

Professional and business services, which is considered to be a leading indicator, added 2,400 jobs. Manufacturing added 2,000 jobs, all of which were contained in the hard-hit durable goods segment.

Financial services, which reflected a moderate decline in May, increased by 800 jobs in June.

Unemployment rates for Iowa cities and counties will be released later this month by Iowa Workforce Development.