Texas Business reports: LAREDO - Laredo dentist Dr. Carlos Armin Morales-Ryan, 45, and his wife local orthodontist Dr. Nelia Patricia Garcia-Morales, 42, have pleaded guilty to a criminal information admitting they made false statements on bills to Texas Medicaid, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced. 

Texas Business reports: Persistent euro-zone turmoil has kept the world economy on edge, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Doubts about the ability of many countries in the single-currency region to service their sovereign debt are rising along with the interest rates the affected nations must pay to roll over maturing obligations.

Texas Business reports:  OKLAHOMA CITY & AUSTIN, Texas—Caisson Biotech LLC, a biopharmaceutical company with a patented heparosan-based drug delivery technology,  entered into a development and license agreement with Denmark's Novo Nordisk A/S, a provider of diabetes care.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Energy production technology services company Proserv expanding its subsea capabilities and specialist integrated services and increasing its workforce by more than 300 people. 

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—An Atwood Oceanics Inc.’s subsidiary won a drilling services contract by a subsidiary of Noble Energy Inc. for the Atwood Hunter for three firm wells with a minimum total duration of 150 days plus one option well.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Luminex Corporation received CE marking of both the xMAP NeoPlex4 Assay and NeoPlex System. 

Texas Business reports: A Fort Worth firm wins $15.3 million contract to support the operations of 30 utility helicopters in Iraq and Tennessee, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company won a contract from US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Alabama  for the procurement of contractor logistics support for 30 Bell 407 helicopters in service with the Iraqi Army.

Texas Business reports:  ARLINGTON— Shimadzu Scientific Instruments  opened the Shimadzu Center for Advanced Analytical Chemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington.

FALFURRIAS — The Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint, the most effective operation of its kind in the nation, has been so successful at stopping traffickers from moving drugs and immigrants through the area that it has created a new problem: teenagers are doing more of the dirty work and suffering no consequences if they’re caught. 

Texas Business reports:  KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, and FORT WORTH, Texas—RadioShack Corp., a national retailer of mobile and technology products, services and accessories, and Berjaya Retail Berhad, a Malaysian retail group with diverse franchised brands, have signed a master development agreement that substantially expands RadioShack's global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries.

Texas Business reports:  Long hours of backbreaking work in the fields, on construction sites or as day laborers, along with being away from family and friends for days, months or years can take a toll on the mental health of migrant workers.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Bureau Veritas signed an agreement to acquire TH Hill, a worldwide leader in oil & gas drilling failure prevention and analysis services. The transaction is expected to be completed in April, upon clearance by the relevant authorities.

 Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—American Airlines and Beijing-based Hainan Airlines implemented their new codeshare agreement, providing significant opportunities for American in China and for Hainan in the United States. 

Texas Business reports: THE WOODLANDS—TETRA Technologies Inc.’s subsidiary, TETRA Investments Company U.K. Limited, acquired Optima Solutions Holdings Limited ( Optima ) for GBP 40 million (approximately $62.7 million equivalent) plus contingent consideration to be paid in the future depending on profitability.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport, operator of the DFW Airport Foreign Trade Zone, and the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding which creates a framework for a collaborative alliance between the two organizations. 

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—The U.S.- and Singapore-based creators of the I-slate educational tablet and local government officials in India’s Mahabubnagar District plan to adopt 50,000 of the low-cost electronic educational slates into middle and high school classrooms throughout the district over the next three years.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Physicians and patients in Brazil now will have access to advanced genetic testing technologies through a new partnership between Baylor College of Medicine’s Medical Genetics Laboratory and DASA, a major, Brazil-based medical diagnostic laboratory that serves as the largest medical reference lab in Latin America and is the fourth largest provider of diagnostic services in the world.

Texas Business reports: ADDISON—ULURU Inc. received an Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods Certificate from the Therapeutic Goods Administration to market the drug Altrazeal in Australia.

Texas Business reports: An Arlington firm won a $19.5 million contract for a flight trainer and support of the air force of Malaysia, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—A subsidiary of Atwood Oceanics Inc. won a drilling services contract by Shemen Oil and Gas Resources Ltd., an Israel-based oil and gas company, for the Atwood Beacon.

Texas Business reports:  SHANGHAI— Huntsman Corporation began construction on its Asia Pacific Technology Center in Shanghai's Minhang Economic & Technological Development Zone.

Texas Business reports: The state is investing $1.2 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) in Continental Automotive Systems Inc., to relocate production of its sensors and actuators from Europe and Asia to its plant in Seguin, reportedly creating 300 new jobs and $113 million in capital investment.

Texas Business reports:  DFW AIRPORT—The inaugural Emirates flight from Dubai to Dallas/Fort Worth arrived today at DFW International Airport, welcomed by a traditional “shower of affection” water cannon salute and a gathering of community leaders. 

Texas Business reports:  LONDON—Hays, a specialist recruiting group, opened an office in Houston.

Texas Business reports:  GLASGOW, Scotland—The Weir Group PLC   plans to acquire Novatech LLC, a US manufacturer of well service pump valves and valve seats for upstream oil and gas applications, for $176 million in cash.

Texas Business reports:  CARROLLTON—FASTSIGNS International Inc., reached a deal with three business leaders in Puerto Rico to bring five locations to the island in the next five years.

Texas Business reports:  An Austin cargo firm is participating with 13 other American firms in an exploration of Mexico’s safety and security business.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—EZCOR  Inc., a provider of specialty consumer financial services, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 60% ownership interest in Prestaciones Finmart, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (Crediamigo), a specialty consumer finance company headquartered in Mexico City.

Texas Business reports: LUFKIN—Lufkin Industries Inc. completed the acquisition of Datac Instrumentation Limited and RealFlex Technologies Limited.

Texas Business reports: A Fort Worth firm won a $16.1 million contract to provide an aircraft with support to Lebanon, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—Oceaneering International Inc. won a three-year Field Support Vessel Services contract from BP PLC.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Oceaneering International Inc. announced its wholly-owned Norwegian subsidiary, Oceaneering AS, closed the previously-announced definitive agreement to acquire AGR Field Operations (AGR FO). 

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—Glori Energy signed a field implementation contract with Brazil's Petrobras. 

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—The Japan Ministry of Defense selected the Lockheed MartinF-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's (JASDF) next generation fighter aircraft, following the F-X competitive bid process. 

Texas Business reports:  A Fort Worth firm won a $600 million contract to provide jet fighter aircraft to Oman, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Texas Business reports:  HYDERABAD, India—Houston-based Energy Solutions International (ESI) announced that Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL) decided to expand its deployment of PipelineStudio. 

Texas Business reports:  EL PASO—The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF), operating Raytheon Company's Patriot Configuration-3 systems, successfully concluded its annual training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Texas Business reports:  SOUTHLAKE—Sabre Airline Solutions, the aviation industry's largest software-as-a-service provider, delivered a number of new capabilities to Ethiopian Airlines to enable its entrance into the Star Alliance airline network.

Texas Business reports: HOUSTON—AvStar Aviation Group Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Twin Air Calypso Limited Inc. formed an alliance with Berry Aviation Inc. (Berry Aviation) of San Marcos, Texas.

Texas Business reports: ALICE—Forbes Energy Services Ltd.  and certain of the company's subsidiaries entered into a purchase agreement with Dirivera Investments LLC and RGV Holding S.A. de C.V. covering the sale of substantially all of Forbes Energy's assets currently located in Mexico as well as the company's equity interests in Forbes Energy Services Mexico Servicios de Personal, S. de R.L. de C.V. for aggregate cash consideration of $30 million.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) started  daily scheduled passenger service between Texas and Africa with new nonstop flights between Houston and Lagos, Nigeria. 

Texas Business reports:  FORT WORTH—Work wear brand Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. has announced plans to open a registered entity in the Middle East. 

Texas Business reports:  Washington state’s Radiant Logistics Inc., a domestic and international logistics services company, agreed to acquire the assets of Laredo-based Isla International Ltd., a  privately-held company that provides a full range of cross-border transportation and logistics services between the United States and Mexico. 

Texas Business reports:  STOCKTON, England—Houston’s Energy Solutions International, (ESI) announced that Hong Kong Electric (HEC) has selected ESI’s PipelineManager for deployment as part of its extension to the Lamma Island natural gas system.

Texas Business reports:  RICHARDSON—Based on the success of its stores in Mexico City, Wingstop announced the company will add 120 restaurants across Mexico over the next seven years, thanks to a master franchise agreement with WIS Master S.A. de C.V.

Texas Business reports:  Unisys Corporation is assisting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency in opening the first pedestrian border crossing in El Paso that deploys a combination of gate systems, mobile handheld devices and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to more efficiently identify and process pedestrians crossing the border into the U.S.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Brigham Exploration Company and Norway’s  Statoil ASA   entered into a definitive merger agreement for Statoil ASA to acquire Brigham Exploration Company for US$36.50 per share by means of an all-cash tender offer for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Brigham Exploration Company.

Texas Business reports: THE WOODLANDS—Huntsman Corporation will invest $40 million to build a new Asia Pacific Regional Technology Center (ATC) in Shanghai's Minhang Economic & Technological Development Zone, to support the rapidly growing demand for technology and innovation from customers across the Asia Pacific region.

Texas Business reports:  A Fort Worth firm won a $17 million contract change for to support Italy’s F-35 fleet.

Texas Business reports:  SOCHI, Russia—Rosneft and ExxonMobil reached an agreement under which the companies plan to undertake joint exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in Russia, the United States and other countries throughout the world, and commence technology and expertise sharing activities.

Texas Business reports:  Houston & Kemah, Texas—American International Industries  Inc. reached an agreement to acquire interests in timber and agricultural concessions in the West African nation of Cameroon in consideration for the issuance of stock by a newly-organized entity of American, Africa Ag Corporation (AAC).

Texas Business reports:  DFW AIRPORT—DFW International Airport welcomed the first of what will be three Air China Cargo freighter flights a week, bringing DFW additional cargo lift capability to Shanghai and a new connection to what officials say is a strategically important destination. 

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Golfsmith International Inc., the largest golf specialty retailer in the U.S., plans to introduce its first retail operations outside the U.S., in South Korea, the fastest growing golf market in the world.

Texas Business reports:  After participating in a program unique to the St. Mary’s University School of Law,Andrew Fields and Joshua Sisam will be offering prospective employers something they hope few law graduates will have—first–hand experience living and doing business in China.

Texas Business reports: FORT WORTH--The first four of 24 new Lockheed Martin advanced Block 52 F-16s produced for the Royal Moroccan Air Force have left the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Morrocco. An arrival ceremony will be held in Morocco later this week.

Texas Business reports:  A Fort Worth firm won a $42.3 million  contract for Pakistan jet fighter upgrade kits.

A US Air Force (USAF) F-16C Fighting Falcon, 120th Fighter Squadron (FS), 140th Fighter Wing (FW), Colorado Air National Guard

Texas Business reports:  Despite the worsening relations between the U.S. and Pakistan over the death of Osama Bin Laden and ensuing revelations, an Arlington firm won a $20 million contract to provide an air training system to support the Pakistan air force, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.  

Texas Business reports:  Rising U.S. natural gas production from shale formations has already played a critical role in weakening Russia’s ability to wield an “energy weapon” over its European customers, and this trend will accelerate in the coming decades, according to a new Baker Institute study.

Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—Valence Technology Inc.,  a manufacturer of advanced energy storage solutions, announced its lithium phosphate batteries earned favorable first phase reviews during a large electric vehicle assessment program being conducted by Ford-Werke GmbH in Cologne, Germany.

Texas Business reports:  DALLAS—Arabian American Development Co.  reached a three-year, $79 million contract with China National Geological & Mining Corporation earlier this month for the operation, management and maintenance of the surface works of the Al-Masane Al-Kobra (AMAK) mine.

Texas Business reports:  The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Business launched a new Global Venture Competition with the Universidad de las Palmas in the Canary Islands this month.

Texas Business reports:  IRVING—Fluor Corporation announced that Germany-based BASF has chosen it as an engineering partner for chemicals and petrochemicals projects across Asia and Europe.

Texas Business reports: A second Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will soon be based in Texas in an effort to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a statement released by U.S. Henry Cuellar Wednesday.

 Texas Business reports:  AUSTIN—The University of Texas at Austin reached an agreement with Canada-based Hydro-Quebec for lithium-ion material technology invented and patented by John Goodenough, a scientist at the university.

 Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—As the energy boom continues, Geokinetics Inc. secured work valued at approximately $165 million for several new projects and extensions to current projects in the Latin America, Asia-Pacific, EAME and North America regions.

Texas Business reports:  M&G Group, an Italian-based PET resin manufacturer, has chosen to locate its third North American plant in Corpus Christi.

F-35C at Paris Air Show.

Texas Business reports:  Fort Worth—The Norwegian parliament unanimously approved the funding of four Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II training jets to begin fulfilling Norway's future air-combat capability requirements.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Oil States International, announced its Oil States Industries subsidiary has been awarded a contract from Subsea 7 to supply 27 FlexJoint  Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) terminations and 40 receptacle assemblies for the Guara and Lula NE oilfields in Brazil.

Texas Business:  Houston—Harvest Natural Resources  Inc. discovered oil in the wildcat well Dussafu Ruche Marin-1 (DRM-1) drilled in the Dussafu Marin PSC, in the offshore waters of Gabon, West Africa. 

Texas Business reports:  Irving—Commercial Metals Company, headquartered in Irving, completed the acquisition of G.A.M. Steel Pty. Ltd. (G.A.M.), a leading distributor and processor of steel long products and plate based in Melbourne, Australia.

Texas Business reports:  McDermott International Inc. announced that one of its subsidiaries was won a contract by PEMEX Exploración y Producción for procurement, construction and installation of three oil and gas pipelines ranging from 8 to 20 inches in diameter, in Mexico’s Bay of Campeche. 

Texas Business reports:  Houston—Baylor College of Medicine announced the first major project of its new Center for Globalization, a plan to partner with a leading health care provider in India in an academic affiliation.

Texas Business reports:  Dallas—Lockheed Martin received a $45.3 million contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, incorporating the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements.

Texas Business reports:  The Woodlands—Huntsman Corporation and Wilmar International Limited reached an agreement for Wilmar to build a state-of-the-art natural alcohol plant at Huntsman's chemical site in Rozenburg (Rotterdam, The Netherlands), and to supply natural alcohols to Huntsman. 

Texas Business reports:  Humble—CDI Seals, an oil and gas technology maker, bought Multiseals Pte Ltd located in Singapore in a strategic move to expand its markets.

Texas Business reports:  Partners and stakeholders of the U.S.–Mexico Border 2012 National Coordinators announced the initiation of a $13.9 million project, including $4 million from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), for the joint development of a Regional Framework for Sustainable Use of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande and to address environmental issues.

Texas Business reports:  The Chinese are moving into West Texas wind power.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) of India awarded Baker Hughes a five-year contract to provide drilling and evaluation services and to manage third-party services for the Platinum Explorer drillship.

Texas Business reports:  SAO PAULO—Austin’s Rev Worlwide launched Brazil's first reloadable prepaid card for everyday purchases with Banco PanAmericano and MasterCard in participating PanAmericano.

 Texas Business reports:  Houston—Harvest Natural Resources commended   commenced drilling operations on the Ruche Marin-A exploration well located in the offshore waters of Gabon, West Africa. 

Texas Business reports:  Southlake—Travelocity signed a distribution agreement with S7 Airlines of Russia, a member of the oneworld alliance, and will offer the airline’s full range of content through Travelocity.com, Travelocity Business, and the Travelocity Partner Network.

Texas Business reports:  Houston—A Texas firm that sells an ediscovry software product expanded into 51 Canadian offices as the result of an agreement with an  audit, tax and advisory firm.

Texas Business reports:  Southlake—Geos Communications Inc., a digital content distribution company, provided an update on its investment in D Mobile  Inc. and D Mobile’s mobile content kiosk operations.

Texas Business reports:  Dubai’s LMKR, a global geoscience technology and consulting services provider focused on resolving the challenges associated with unconventional oil and gas exploration and production, formed a strategic partnership with Houston’s Object Reservoir, a provider of reservoir analysis services and technology to the exploration and production industry.

Texas Business reports:  Fort Worth—Wound Management Technologies Inc., a provider of  wound care products, received $150,000 in international orders for the firm’s line of CellerateRX  powder and gel products. 

Texas Business reports:  Houston—Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) announced the creation of the Texas Children's Center for Global Health and the appointment of physician-scientist Russell E. Ware as director.

Texas Business reports:  Houston-based Stewart & Stevenson LLC acquired EMDSI - Hunt Power LLC in an all cash transaction from ITOCHU of Japan.

Texas Business reports:  TOKYO—ExxonMobil Japan Group has reopened its Shiogama Terminal, enabling delivery of increased fuel supplies into the Tohoku area of North East Japan, which was affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Shafter Silver Mine In Presidio County

Texas Business reports:  After the Texas Hunt Brothers tried to corner the silver market, Silver Rule 7 and Silver Thursday in 1979, serious interest in that commodity lagged for three decades.

But a Canadian company has invested in a 130-year-old Texas silver mine. Yes, that’s right. A Texas silver mine.

Texas Business reports:  An Austin tech firm has accounted for all employees in Japan in the wake of the March 11 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan as well as the ensuing tsunami.

Texas Business reports:  Valero Energy Corporation will buy Chevron’s Pembroke refinery in Wales, U.K., as well as extensive marketing and logistics assets throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, for $730 million, excluding working capital. 

Texas Business reports: An Austin firm is providing the batteries for a European electric car.

Dean Larry Sager, left, and Dean Jorge Cerdio, right, after signing papers establishing a dual-degree program between UT Law and ITAM.

Texas Business reports:  The University of Texas School of Law and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City have announced a new dual-degree program that will allow students to earn both a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a Licenciatura en Derecho (Mexican professional degree in law) from ITAM, the UT law school said in a prepared statement.

The first phase of the Miho site was completed in 1980.

Texas Business reports: After a preliminary assessment, Texas Instruments said its manufacturing site in Miho, Japan, about 40 miles northwest of Tokyo, suffered substantial damage during last Friday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake. 

Texas Business reports:  Newpark Resources Inc. entered into a definitive agreement with Rheochem PLC to acquire its drilling fluids and engineering services unit. 

Texas Business reports:  Toshiba International Corporation will expand manufacturing capacity at its plant in Houston  for production of high-performance drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs).

Texas Business reports:  KFAR SABA, Israel & AUSTIN, Texas—N-trig, providers of DuoSense, a pen and projected capacitive multi-touch solution enabled over a single digitizer, are expanding their partnerships with independent software vendors to support the development and increase of pen-enabled applications for the rapidly growing slate market.

Texas Business reports:  The first Chili’s Grill & Bar opened in Russia, the Texas-based company announced.

Photo In Collections of U.S. Library of Congress

Texas Business reports:  Despite recent events in Egypt, a Fort Worth firm won a $19.8 million contract to provide support equipment for the government of Egypt, the U.S. Department of Defense announced. 

Troops at Camp Lemmonier

Texas Business reports:  An Austin firm won a $7.1 million contract modification for building a dining room at a Djibouti camp installation, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.

Texas Business reports:  San Antonio—S2C Global Systems Inc. is preparing  to start  distributing fresh water from its first “World Water Hub” located on the west coast of India.

Texas Business reports:  Brisbane--Texon Petroleum Limited contracted a rig for its second Eagle Ford horizontal well. 

Texas Business reports:  Austin—Hire International, Inc. announced it closed its transaction with Hua Neng Long Yuan Technology Company Beijing, Ltd. ("HNLY") to acquire a minority interest of HNLY. 

Texas Business reports:  Chicago’s Livingston International has acquired Texas-based Maquilogistics Inc., officials announced. 

Texas Business recommends this story by Steve Clark of the Brownsville Herald:   Port of Brownsville officials went hunting for TIGER I late last year but came up empty-handed, so they’re hoping TIGER II is easier to catch.

TexasBusiness.com notes: For Texas Instruments Inc., foreign markets aren't undiscovered countries or murky threats. Rich Templeton, at the Sheraton Dallas on Tuesday, said technology is 17 percent of U.S. exports - 'more than oil and more than aircraft.  They're practically home base, reports Victor Godinez of the Dallas Morning News.