In order to detect heart abnormalities, cardiologists subject patients to a battery of tests including a resting electrocardiogram [ECG] and stress test. An ECG records electrical signals emanating from the heart to identify abnormalities such as atrial fribulation and fluttering in heart rhythm. The ECG feedback helps diagnose heart damage, valve disorders and structural abnormalities, among other things.   

One company happily straddling these two profitable sectors and offering both some of the best imaging technology available is Peabody, Mass.-based Analogic Corp. (Nasdaq:ALOG).

While demand for poultry is healthy, producers face the big problem of higher costs, mainly for transportation and feed, as oil and other commodities including corn continue to rise.

The designer and producer of motion-control equipment has nothing to do with the automotive industry. Rather, it provides key components for use in high-volume manufacturing where reliability and accuracy are essential in avoiding expensive down time. Some of the industries that Altra supplies (such as energy and mining) are in a real boom phase despite the general economic slowdown.

So what's an investor to do? Eschew the sector or deal with the world the way it is and inhale deeply. We prefer the latter action. From the inside, subsidies, tariffs and usage quotas can be as fragrant as French perfume, and we find the fragrance emanating from Newport, Calif.-based American Vanguard Corp. (NYSE:AVD) to be particularly intoxicating, though on first whiff you might think otherwise.

EnPro manufactures sealing products, metal polymer and filament wound bearings, air compressors and diesel and natural gas-fired engines, among other industry widgetry. It sells in more than 100 countries to customers spanning chemical processing, petroleum refining, food processing, truck making, freight hauling and shipping, power generation and more.

If you’re starting to feel your age, then let’s get physical — therapy, that is.

Climate change is among the factors driving increased demand for fresh water; Georgetown, Grand Cayman-based Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (Nasdaq:CWCO) is one of the leading desalination companies poised to benefit from these conditions — no matter how illiquid the capital markets get.

The Reston, Va.-based company, also known as Transaction Network Services, provides clients with business-critical communications in the United States and 26 other countries through a suite of secure voice and data services. Customers include processors of ATM, credit card and debit card transactions.