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The use of the red cross and the emblem of the city of Milan in the Alfa Romeo Vehicles Vector Logo is significant, as it represents the company's strong ties to Italian culture and heritage. The green serpent and the man-eating biscione snake are also symbols of power, strength, and agility, which are essential values for a performance vehicle brand.
The Alfa Romeo Vehicles Vector Logo is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts, from print to digital media. The logo is available in several different file formats, including PNG, JPEG, AI, EPS, and SVG, allowing for easy integration into different marketing materials and advertising campaigns. The Alfa Romeo Vehicles Vector Logo is often accompanied by the company's tagline, "La meccanica delle emozioni," which translates to "The Mechanics of Emotions," emphasizing the brand's commitment to delivering high-performance vehicles that offer a thrilling driving experience.
Overall, the Alfa Romeo Vehicles Vector Logo is an excellent example of effective branding and design. Its use of powerful and iconic symbols, bold colors, and striking design make it a standout in the automotive industry. The logo is a powerful representation of the company's values and commitment to delivering high-performance vehicles that are engineered to the highest standards of quality, making it an instantly recognizable symbol of Italian luxury and style.


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How to Play the Lottery Online
Lotteries have been around for hundreds of years. Many people assume that they are a form of hidden tax, but the truth is that they provide a great deal of public funding. They raise funds for a variety of purposes, such as college scholarships, bridges, roads, and public projects.
Most of the US’s 45 states operate their own togel deposit pulsa 10rb tanpa potongan lottery. The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC also offer their own games. In 2021, the District of Columbia will begin online lotteries. These games can be played on the web or mobile apps. The top prizes range from $1 to $20, with some jackpots reaching over a million dollars.
The earliest known lottery was held in the Roman Empire. Wealthy noblemen distributed lotteries during Saturnalian revels. In the early 1700s, several colonies started using lotteries to raise money for local militias, fortifications, and libraries.
In the 18th century, colonial America saw more than 200 lotteries. A few of these included the Mountain Road Lottery, which George Washington managed, and the “Slave Lottery” of Col. Bernard Moore, which advertised slaves as the prizes.
In the United States, the first modern government-run lottery was introduced in 1934 in Puerto Rico. Since then, there have been hundreds of state-run and multi-state lotteries. The biggest national lottery, Powerball, has a prize pool of over a billion dollars. There are other large payouts, such as MegaMillions, which offers a top prize of over $600,000.
The origins of the game of chance can be traced back to the Chinese Book of Songs. The game is mentioned as “drawing of lots.” In the 17th century, lotteries were held in the Netherlands and France. However, they were outlawed for two centuries, until King Francis I decided to organize a lottery in his kingdom.
When the Chinese Han Dynasty was in power, lotteries were used to finance major government projects. Those slips of paper were believed to have helped fund the construction of major canals and buildings. In the 1740s, Princeton and Columbia universities were financed by lotteries. In 1758, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts raised money with a lottery for an expedition against Canada.
A woman who won the $636 million jackpot in the Mega Millions in 2016 is a rare success story. She was also very fortunate in her selection of numbers. She chose seven as her lucky number and shared the prize with another winner.
If you’re interested in playing a lottery, the first step is to find out what you can expect. Typically, you’ll have to choose between a one-time payment and an annuity payment. If you choose a one-time payment, you’ll pay less than the jackpot based on the amount of time that you’ll have to wait to receive your prize. If you choose an annuity, you’ll receive your winnings in fixed, monthly payments. The amount of each payout is dependent on the state you live in.
It’s recommended that you wait at least a few weeks before purchasing your tickets. This will give you more time to research the jackpot and decide if it is worth your investment. It’s also important to remember that the odds of winning are the same each draw. It’s also a good idea to buy more tickets than you think you’ll need to play.

domain: history


Across the United States, evolving data collection and processing practices are driving digital services and socially beneficial research, but also pose increasing risks to individuals and communities that America’s existing sectoral privacy frameworks are insufficient to govern. In response, leaders in law and policy are considering more comprehensive approaches to privacy regulation, which establish baseline rights and protections for personal data throughout the economy. Years of negotiations in Congress culminated in the introduction of the bipartisan American Data Privacy and Protection Act in 2022; however, its fate remains uncertain. In the absence of federal legislation, five U.S. states—California, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, and Connecticut— enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws between 2018-2022.
The Future of Privacy Forum provides expert, independent analysis of legislative and regulatory approaches to protecting data privacy interests. FPF does not typically support or oppose particular bills, but instead focuses on analyzing proposals in relation to existing privacy frameworks, sharing information on current data practices and technologies, and ensuring that data governance strategies are future-looking and adaptable.
FPF also engages with the broader privacy community through reports, blog posts, webinars, and educational programs such as the CPRA Law + Tech Series. It is our view that robust and durable policy outcomes can be achieved when all stakeholders are equipped to understand the key technologies, business practices, and legal mechanisms available to regulate privacy and data protection. FPF’s legislation work is led by Keir Lamont, Director.
Old Laws & New Tech: As Courts Wrestle with Tough Questions under US Biometric Laws, Immersive Tech Raises New Challenges
Extended reality (XR) technologies often rely on users’ body-based data, particularly information about their eyes, hands, and body position, to create realistic, interactive experiences. However, data derived from individuals’ bodies can pose serious privacy and data protection risks for people. It can also create substantial liability risks for organizations, given the growing volume of lawsuits […]
In October 2021, the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) published a Request for Information (RFI) regarding uses, harms, and recommendations for biometric technologies. Over 130 entities responded to the RFI, including advocacy organizations, scientists, experts in healthcare, lawyers, and technology companies. While most commenters agreed on core concepts of biometric technologies used […]
By Stacey Gray, Pollyanna Sanderson, and Katelyn Ringrose Download a printable version of this report (pdf). As Congress continues to work toward drafting and passing a comprehensive national privacy law, state legislators are not slowing down. In Washington State, a new comprehensive privacy law is moving quickly: last week, the Washington Privacy Act (SSB 6281) […]
By Michelle Bae and Jeremy Greenberg Privacy professionals seeking clarity on compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are monitoring numerous amendment bills introduced in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate. Twelve bills garnered the votes needed to pass the Assembly and moved to the Senate for further revision and voting. […]
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum submitted comments to the Washington State Senate Ways & Means Committee on the proposed Washington Privacy Act, Senate Bill 5376. FPF takes a “neutral” position regarding the Bill, and makes a few important points. FPF commends the Bill’s sponsors for addressing a broad set of individual data protection rights. […]
We look forward to working with Microsoft, others in industry, and policymakers to “create policies, processes, and tools” to make responsible use of Facial Recognition technology a reality.


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Since lockdown began in March 2020, SURF (Scotland's Regeneration Forum) has provided a platform for SURF’s network to tell their stories of challenges, responses and resilience.
Covid-19 Community Resilience Case Studies
These frontline responses – more than 150 of them – represent a unique resource, providing inspiring examples of the ways in which communities and their partners have responded nimbly and effectively to immediate needs.
You can view all of the special Showcasing Community Resilience Bulletins and our Interactive Community Resilience Map on the SURF website at https://www.surf.scot/projects/building-back-better/showcasing-community-resilience/
Lessons from the Frontline Report
These stories from all over Scotland form the basis of SURF’s Covid-19 Lessons from the Frontline Report. Lessons from the Frontline identified ten common themes and lessons learned from those activities. This practice based learning from SURF’s active network, was promptly shared to help Scottish Government, and other key regeneration partners, to connect with, learn from and sustain these frontline examples of cooperative resilient action in place based communities.
Read Report HERE
Building Community Resilience Report
Our second report, Building Community Resilience, focuses on three of those ten themes:
- Mutual support – Collaboration/partnership working
- Relaxation of rules – Flexible funding
- Online Scotland – Digital access
Based on SURF’s earlier research, these three were selected as offering the greatest potential for positive, sustainable change and as reflecting the interests of SURF’s broad network and its role as Scotland’s Regeneration Forum.
Read Report HERE
For further information please contact Emma Scott ([email protected]) or Elaine Cooper ([email protected]).

domain: sociology


TOUGH COOKIES is a concert, a church service, a support group, a strip club, a punk club, but mostly a SOUL MUSIC VARIETY SHOW. As seen in The New Yorker, NPR’s All Things Considered, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, World Cafe and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Eric Goulden, known as Wreckless Eric, is an English rock/new wave singer-songwriter, best known for his 1977 single "Whole Wide World" on Stiff Records. More than two decades after its release, the song was included in Mojo magazine's list of the best punk rock singles of all time. It is also acclaimed as one of the top 40 singles of the alternative era 1975–2000.


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Biography of Kerem Bursin
Kerem Bursin is one of the most successful and bright Turkish actors of our time. It is popular not only in Turkey, but also among American and Russian lovers of oriental series in America and Russia. Thousands of women sigh dreamily, remembering his skillful and sensual game in the Turkish youth film “Waiting for the Sun”. In the spring of 2024, the actor announced that he would soon begin acting in the new series Knock on My Door, and the first episodes of the picture were released in the summer.
In the photo: Kerem Bursin
Childhood and youth: Istanbul – Sweden – UAE – Texas
Kerem was born in Istanbul in the summer of 1987 to businessman Ibrahim Pamir and housewife Chigdem Bursin. At that time, they already had one child – daughter Melis. The business that my father was engaged in required frequent business trips to other countries. Until the boy was eleven years old, the family moved several times: from Turkey to Sweden, from Sweden to Indonesia, and from there to the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. Each country had its own foundations, traditions, which Kerem absorbed like a sponge. The boy retained a genuine interest and respect for the cultures of people of other nationalities for the rest of his life.
Kerem Bursin in childhood
They also influenced the choice of profession. Kerem was a teenager when the family settled in Texas and the move ended. He went to a new school, where he soon made friends with whom he formed a rock band. And more and more Kerem wanted to become an artist, especially when he watched a movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme, his teenage idol. Later, Bursin was struck by the cycle of films about Batman, he even more wanted to get on the set. He became an active participant in school theater productions, even being recognized as the best actor in the school for the role of Christopher Columbus.
Kerem Bursin in his youth
After leaving school, at the insistence of his father, he entered the Department of Marketing at Boston University, but continued to hone his acting skills. Ibrahim Pamir dreamed of seeing his son continue the family business, and he dreamed of Hollywood and played on the stage of the student theater, at the same time became interested in baseball and swimming, played lacrosse, a game invented by North American Indians. On the recommendation of the head of the theater studio, Kerem, having received a diploma in marketing, entered the acting department of Emmerson College in Boston. Mom supported the initiative of her son, unlike his father.
In his interviews, Kerem admitted that for the rest of his life he remembered his first casting, which was organized for him by a friend at the university. He was terribly afraid of the director, forgot the text from excitement and went home absolutely sure of his failure. But the next morning they called him and said that he was approved. Kerem was happy: the role in the film by Roger Corman “Thursday” was small, but the start was made.
Soon, the charismatic Turk began to learn acting from Eric Morris, who discovered the inimitable Jack Nicholson and the legendary terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger to world cinema.
Kerem Bursin in the movie “Akulosminog”
To earn a living, Bursin took on any part-time jobs: he was a security guard and a driver, a waiter and a bartender. And he became a regular participant in various castings. He got small roles, little money was paid, but Kerem was glad that he was doing what he loved, even if not in the highest grossing films. He recalled that from the American period of acting, the most delusional in his cinematic life was Declan O’Brien’s film “Shark O’Brien”, where he played Andy Flynn, the partner of the protagonist, who was embodied by Eric Roberts.
At the time of filming the horror film “The Phantom of the Imperial Palace” by Anthony Sito, Bursin dreamed of becoming the main Turkish actor in Hollywood. But when the directors asked him about film projects in the homeland of his childhood and found out that Kerem spent his adult life in America, interest in him disappeared. His surname was almost always pronounced incorrectly, which upset the actor, since it was rooted in one of the Turkic leaders.
Kerem Bursin in the film “The Phantom of the Imperial Palace”
Over time, the young man realized that it was better to be the first in Turkey than to get lost in the large crowd of beautiful and talented, but little-claimed Hollywood actors. Chance helped to become a star at home. He traveled to Turkey for his cousin’s wedding, where he met Gaye Sokmen, a producer who recommended the young man to a casting agency.
The very first test in the Turkish drama series “Waiting for the Sun” by Altan Denmez brought Bursin the main role of Ganesha Beklerken. Sensual Kerem won the hearts of fans of television series instantly. He was immediately invited to Chagan Yrmak’s musical melodrama Whisper If I Forget, where he met on the set with Turkish film stars Farah Zeynep Abdullah and Mehmet Gunsur.
Kerem Bursin in the movie “Whisper If I Forget”
Altan Denmez did not forget about Kerem’s brilliant performance and invited him to play the lead role in his next TV series A Matter of Honor. Yigit Kılıç performed by Bursin turned out to be impudent and cunning, dissolute and selfish.
Kerem Bursin in the series “A Matter of Honor”
Then there was a break in Kerem’s creative career. He never starred in the project “Beyond Longing”, although he had high hopes for this role, and went to travel the world in the company of actress Serenay Sarikaya. About that period, Bursin later says:
I missed everything – the adrenaline that work brings, the satisfaction of a job well done, even the fee! But it was important for me to take this break, because now I am completely freed from the influence of past images. For a long time I worked at a frantic pace, and at some stage I felt devastated mentally and physically exhausted. This break has benefited me in every way.”
He returned to acting work in 2017 – in the multi-episode drama “This City Will Follow You” by Chagry Vila Lostuvaly and Ender Mihlar. Love and boxing, social inequality and victory over oneself – all this was embodied on the screen by Bursin in the image of Ali Smith. An interesting experience for the actor was the Turkish military action movie Chagatai Tosun “I will give my life.”
Kerem Bursin in the movie “This City Will Follow You”
The bright actor was noticed not only by fans, but also by advertisers. Kerem was invited to cooperate with several well-known brands, as well as Garanti BankasI. The well-known clothing brand H&M also signed a contract with Bursin.
Kerem Bursin in advertising
In 2018, the actor starred in Umut Aral’s sports comedy-drama film Good Game and attended the World Football Championship in Russia. Kerem arrived in the capital as a special guest of the sponsor of the World Cup, the brewing company Bug. Having visited one of the matches, the actor was happy to talk with Russian fans, sign autographs and take many pictures, not forgetting to share them with his Instagram followers. Returning to his homeland, he plunged into the atmosphere of the comedy mini-series Aynen Aynen, in which he starred along with Nilperi Shahinkaya and Uraz Kaigilaroglu. The actor also starred in the crime thriller Çağatay Tosun and Baris Erjetin “The Magnificent Two”, where he embodied the image of the police commissioner on the screen. His partner, a complete opposite in character, was played by Ibrahim Celikkol. They, two successful police officers, but who cannot stand each other, together need to expose the activities of an international criminal group and catch its leaders. The series was released on Turkish TV screens in 2019.
Kerem Bursin in the movie “Lifeless”
Bursin also decided to try his hand as a producer. The first test was Alpan Eseli’s fantastic vampire saga “Lifeless”, where he also starred in the title role of almost five hundred-year-old vampire Dmitry. Another producer work of Kerem was the project of Tolga Karacelik “Butterflies”. The audience highly appreciated the psychological intensity of the picture about three brothers who, after a long absence, came to their native village for the funeral of their father.
Personal life of Kerem Brusin
The actor says almost nothing about the American period of his personal life. When he began to be considered one of the sex symbols of Turkey, it became much more difficult to hide the relationship, I had to answer some questions from the ubiquitous journalists. Filming in the film “Waiting for the Sun”, Kerem met an attractive young actress Yagmur Tanrisevsin. Together they were for a year, after which they broke up without explanation. Bursin’s friends clarified the situation – the actor was tired of the constant whims of a spoiled girl.
Kerem Bursin and Yagmur Tanrysevsin
In 2016, Kerem starred in the same advertisement with actress Serenay Sarikaya. It was love at first sight. In one of the interviews, the guy admitted that he was happy and in love as never before, and the press immediately started talking about the upcoming wedding. But young people were in no hurry to formalize the relationship, motivating such a decision with total career employment and the fact that marriage is too serious a step.
Kerem Bursin with Serenay Sarikaya
Haters said that Serenaya demanded that her lover draw up a marriage contract, which was the first crack in their relationship. But Kerem did not reproach the girl with a single word in public. I must say that respect for the fair sex is a distinguishing feature of Bursin from his many colleagues.
Alas, after several years of living together, the most promising couple in Turkey, as they were called in the press, broke up. In 2019, the paparazzi captured Serenaia in an embrace with another actor, Cem Yilmaz, who broke up with his former passion Defne Samyeli for her sake. And Kerem, according to journalists, found solace in the arms of the young singer Melisa Senolsun.
At the beginning of 2024, the tabloids started talking about the actor’s new romance – with the beautiful Turkish woman Demet Ozdemir, to which Bursin turned to the publications with a request not to spread rumors about his romantic adventures, noting that he was not one of those who start an affair for the sake of intrigue:
I’d rather be single for five years than start an affair with the first woman I meet. For me, an example of true love will always be the relationship between my grandparents.
Kerem Bursin now
The summer of 2024 was marked for the actor by the premiere of the new melodramatic series Knock on My Door. In it, he is the head of a commercial enterprise named Serkan, in whose life changes are taking place on the personal front. Bursin’s partners in the film were Hande Erçel and Melissa Dongel.
Kerem Bursin and Hande Erçel in the series Knock on My Door

domain: artistic


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JANESVILLE, Iowa --- Any night of the week is a good night for ballroom dancing.
At least, that was the case in Janesville from 1951 through the late 1980s, when the Riviera Ballroom and bowling alley was alive.
Debbie Mather-Renner, a Janesville native, has captured detailed accounts and photos of the ballroom in "Memories of the Riviera Ballroom in Janesville, IA."
The book, which encapsulates four decades of local events, was released Dec. 15. Images of couples gliding to music of the times are unveiled, as well as firemen's dances and bowling leagues. Old couples rekindle memories of young romances sparked while dancing at the ballroom.
"It's an important part of Janesville history," Mather-Renner said. "It really put us on the map."
Madge and Heine Kurtz opened the ballroom in 1951 on old U.S. Highway 218. The book unfolds accounts of several famous attendees including Louis Armstrong and Lawrence Welk.
While a food demonstrator at grocery stores, Mather-Renner began documenting patrons' memories of the ballroom. After several unsuccessful attempts at uncovering the ballroom's history, Mather-Renner decided to dig deeper.
"I enjoyed researching library archives and old newspaper ads to see how the ballroom had changed," she said.
But it was the help of former ballroom patrons and the original owners' daughter, Janis Kurtz Wilson, that led her to begin her book seven years ago.
She was especially surprised to hear the ballroom was open every night of the week.
"And people were actually there every night of the week," she said.
Mather-Renner, now a service coordinator at North Star Community Services in Waverly and mother of three, has her own memories of "The Riv," as she calls it.
She experienced both her prom and wedding dance with her high school sweetheart, Mark Renner, at the ballroom. Her son, Wes, received bowling lessons, all three sons had birthday parties and the family attended 4-H banquets, all held in the ballroom.
"It was a big part of our life," she said.
The book was published at The Printery in Waverly, with the design help of Julie Bierow and Melissa Jacobs.
It may be purchased at A&K Design Hair Salon, 302 Main St., Deb's A Cut Above, 405 Main St., and Janesville City Library, 227 Main St., all in Janesville, and at The Printery, 215 W. Bremer Ave. in Waverly. Call 352-5822 to order a copy to be delivered.

domain: library


Volvo introduces Tier 4 Interim Pipelayer
02 July 2012
Volvo Construction Equipment has unveiled a new pipelayer, the PL3005D, which complies with US tier 4 Interim emissions legislation and can also swap booms to convert to standard excavator.
Powered by a 151 kW Volvo D8H engine, the 35 tonne tracked machine has a 50 tonne lifting capacity. Its superstructure can swing 360o, allowing it to lift pipes and place them anywhere around the machine - a significant departure from traditional side boom pipelayer designs.
A heavy-duty mechanical slew lock can fix the superstructure at any angle in relation to the undercarriage, protecting the transmission and helping secure the load at a fixed position. The PL3005D can operate on slopes of up to 30o and in rugged conditions. Its standard 600 mm tracks can also be upgraded to wider 800 mm tracks for added stability and lower ground pressure.
The machine boasts a load management system (LMS) which uses inputs from hook, boom and base machine-mounted sensors to allows the operator to see what weight can be safely lifted in any position relative to a slope. There are also visible and audible warning signals that notify when the safe load limit is reached, including green/yellow/red light bars on both sides of the boom.
Other on-board technology includes Volvo's CareTrack telematics system, which comes as standard. This provides machine data such as location, fuel consumption and service reminders, and makes this information available securely to any remote online connection.
Volvo's Attachment Management System is also included as standard. This stores up to 18 pre-sets for the use of a variety of attachments, allowing operators to adjust hydraulic flow as standard, and make adjustments to hydraulic pressure as an option.
The hydraulics on the PL3005D are also optimised for both pipelayer and excavator operations, and a digging kit is available to allow booms to be swapped. Volvo CE said the PL3005D shared 80% common parts with its sibling excavator, a fact which also makes servicing and parts replacement more simple.
Range of Tier 4i launches
Speaking at the launch of the PL3005D, Volvo CE president for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sales region Tomas Kuta said the machine was part of the manufacturer's comprehensive range of Tier 4 Interim launches. The company introduced over 50 new models in 2011, and plans to unveil more than 60 new machines this year.
"The PL3005D represents a pioneering approach to pipe laying," Mr Kuta said. "The availability of the digging kit makes this a truly flexible machine, while the 360o swing allows optimum productivity."
This year has also seen Volvo CE increase its investments in the EMEA region. Mr Kuta highlighted the fact that the manufacturer has spent over SEK 1 billion (US$ 144 million) increasing the capacity of its component factory in Eskilstuna, Sweden, while over SEK 100 million (US$ 14.4 million) has also been channeled into increasing the company's articulated dump truck and wheeled loader production capacity.
In addition, Volvo CE is also constructing a new SEK 350 million (US$ 52 million) excavator factory in Kaluga, Russia. Mr Kuta also emphasised Volvo CE's investments in its supply chain and dealer network.
"In Russia alone, we plan to invest up to SEK 700 million (US$ 101 million) by 2015 to expand our dealer network from over 50 locations today to around 100," he said.
Volvo CE also plans to invest SEK 100 million (US$ 14.4 million) in improving its attachment supply chain.
Mr Kuta explained that the project started in Europe where a regional hub was set up in Gent, Belgium, to serve Europe, Russia, Turkey and Africa.
"France is the pilot dealer before the programme rolls-out to North and West Europe and then South and Central. A second hub is also planned for in China, and further down the line we plan hubs to serve North and South America, and a fifth and final hub in South Korea. All hubs are planned to be operational by the end of 2013."
"With increasing competition from around the world, the differentiator will be distribution," Mr Kuta said. "Together with the rapid development of our range, we aim to offer customers much more comprehensive support - there need to be tailor-made solutions for each customer in each country."


CNC Engraving Machinery (RJ-1280)
|FOB Price:||Get Latest Price|
|Min. Order:||1 set|
|Production Capacity:||100 Sets/Month|
|Transport Package:||Standard Export Wooden Case|
|Payment Terms:||L/C, T/T|
- Model NO.: RJ-1280
- Control: CNC
- Laser Type: CO2
- Engraving Speed: 0-1200mm/S
- Category: CNC Engraving Machinery
- Trademark: Ruijie
- Origin: China
- Engraving Machine Type: CNC Engraving Machine
- Current: AC
- Usage: Plastic
- Cutting Speed: 0-600mm/S
- Material: Aluminum, Iron
- Specification: 1200x800mm
- HS Code: 8456100090
1. Unique Design: The space between two heads can be freely adjusted.
2. Strong stucture enables the machine moving steady and speedy with high precision, maintaining high carving precision long time unchanged. Run-through body design suitable for infinite length work piece processing.
3. Two laser tubes working together or alternetively.
4. Equipped with a low power, high precision engraving laser tube and a high power cutting laser tube, the operationg of engraving and cutting can be completed in one machine.
5. Save prgraming time and tube cost.
|Size of table-board||1200 * 1800mm|
|Engraving area||1200 * 800mm|
|Laser power||80W, 100W, 130W|
|Minimum character size||English: 1mmm|


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Tuesday, April 1, 2014
I usually just steal maps from other sources and repurpose them when I am doing DM prepwork. I do enjoy drawing my own maps but it is relatively time consuming and I honestly don't have enough time as it is to prepare for my biweekly session, and what time I do have I don't want to spend mapping. I found some nice cave maps today on the interwebs. One is an awesome hand drawn map of the Colossal Cave Adventure (Adventure), a text-based cave exploration game that was one of the first computer games I ever played, on a Kaypro computer no less :) This map brought back some memories of my own attempts to map out the collosal cave. I never did finish the adventure myself, but I used my incomplete maps when I was a teenage DM. This is a great map for RPG purposes because it has a name for every room and often some images associated with it, so you could pretty much wing an adventure with this map. The second map is a two part map of Mercer Caverns in California. It shows an overhead view of the cavern and a side view, and it is a great reminder of how caverns are three dimensional spaces.

domain: game


Fujian ear qinsheng music production company analysis of the strengthening of vocal music art accomplishment
As a form of music, vocal music art has the characteristics of time art, and is the synthesis of music and literature. The singer should not only sing a gorgeous voice, but also express the emotional connotation of the work, so as to achieve both sound and emotion.In vocal singing, the singer is not only faced with Chinese music works, but also with various types of works like art songs and operas. These works require the singer to understand the cultural background, time and other historical factors of the creation of the work, so as to further experience the work and interpret the work.At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the study of language grammar in various countries, so as to more accurately express the style of the works.Vocal music art is an important link in which vocal music works are transformed into flowing form of sound and aesthetic communication occurs directly with aesthetic aestheticians. That is to say, the embodiment of artistic value of vocal music must rely on the re-creation of performance links in order to establish aesthetic relationship with aesthetic aestheticians and realize its ultimate value.The cultivation of musical aesthetic ability helps to improve the singer’s singing level and second creation ability, helps to grasp and understand the style and connotation of the work more accurately, helps the singer to form correct aesthetic values, so that their body and mind are cultivated and their hearts are purified.


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*** ** * *** آ*ج*ل*** ج*ل*
Play as Captain USA and shoot all the enemy soldiers through various challenging levels to score maximum points.
Battle in Megaville
This is a fighting game based off of the story and characters of PPGD. 6+ playable characters, juggle combo system, and several unlockable
Drive police car Buggy
Brasil vs. Argentina
Meet Neymar, Messi & co. in this fun, turn-based Brasil vs. Argentina football game. Pick one of the teams and let the match begin. All you have to...
Ninja Turtles Sewer Surf
Ride your shell surf board in the sewers as you chop down enemies from the Ninja Turtle universe.
Megamind dress up
Megamind and Metro man are waiting for you to dress them up !
Crazy Flasher 3
Ripped gunmen are no match for your ripped guns. Run out of cash and you can fight no more, but beat them down and get rich before that happens.

domain: entertainment


DeKalb School of the Arts won the regional mock trial competition on Feb. 2 at the DeKalb County Courthouse, by defeating Decatur High School in the final round of the competition.
The event, sponsored by the State Bar of Georgia, brought together approximately 150 youth from seven DeKalb and metro Atlanta schools to compete for the regional title. Other schools that competed were Centennial, Chamblee, The Galloway School, Lakeside and Southwest DeKalb.
The event included two rounds of competition, a championship round and an award ceremony.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicole Marchand Golden, who has served as organizer of the mock trial competition for seven years, said she was excited about the opportunity to work with talented students for this year’s competition.
“We have students from across the county coming together to compete,” she said. “Hopefully, this platform will not only inspire spirited debated among our young people but will also encourage those participating to pursue a career in law.”
Hunter Archer, a senior at The Galloway School, said being on the mock trial team for four years has largely influenced him to possibly become a lawyer.
“If I do [go into law] it will be largely a part of what I’ve done here at mock trial,” he said.
Hunter, who will attend Brown University in the fall, said he developed skills such as public speaking, organization and confidence as a member of the mock trial team.
“Faking confidence can be one of the most important skills in life because you can get confidence,” he said.
DeKalb School of the Arts will move on to the state mock trial competition, which will be held March 16-17 in Lawrenceville. The winner of the state finals will move on to the national competition in Indianapolis, Ind.


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This gorgeous bandeau top has soft, contour cups with built-in push up. Optional halter strap ties at neck or can be removed for a strapless look. Match it with ref 192581 and pick the size that fits you best.
- Halter bandeau top
- Removable halter strap
- Match with ref 192581
- Mix and match sizes
- Fabric content: 82% polyamide, 18% elastane, Interior lining: 82% polyamide, 18% elastane

domain: design


text:
When Tang Shi followed Cong Shan back to the office, the people in the office came up and said, "How did the interview go? There are no problems, right?"
Tang Shi said with a smile as if he had forgotten what Jiang Huiyu had targeted her before. "No problem."
Cong Shan stood aside, took a sip of coffee, and said indifferently, "There is a fool." The
first time I heard curse words from Cong Shan's mouth, it was quite fresh. .
The green dinosaur suddenly became interested, "Who is it? Is that the internet
celebrity ?" Cong Shan walked towards Lao Wang, "Who proposed to let Jiang Huiyu be the spokesperson?"
Lao Wang looked up at him, "Of course it is above. Why, do you want to change it?"
Cong Shan sighed, "Change."
"I have no right to speak about this." Lao Wang expressed regret, "I'm just working for someone else."
Cong Shan did not speak, staring. Looking at Lao Wang's face for a long time, there was no other way but to turn around and do his own thing.
This seemed to be an episode, and Tang Shi had no intention of entanglement with Jiang Huiyu. In her opinion, this woman was nothing more than jealous of her.
In their eyes, she is a scheming slut who can betray everything for a man. She has long been too lazy to argue for herself. In this world, explanation is the most useless thing, because from the moment you need to open your mouth to explain, As you know, no matter who you are on the other side, you have lost all trust in you.
A true friend never needs explanation.
Tang Shi also pulled out the chair and sat down, turned on the computer, and engaged in a new round of work. Unexpectedly, she was directly posted on Weibo hot search before she worked long this time.
#恋爱养成Game Studio, the real face of the mysterious goddess dawn is out! #
#dawn, the dawn of the design world. #
" Damn , this title is like a pornographic novel. It has no lower limit and it attracts people's attention." Little Moon swiped Weibo and cursed, "Media Really shameless, who is blacking us behind? Why is Xiao Tang Shi’s ex-boyfriend also picked up by netizens?" The
three words ex-boyfriend made Tang Shi’s eyebrows jump, “Who did they say?”
“Someone broke the news about you I don’t know the relationship with Bo Shao, anyway, it’s hard to hear what you said."
Tang Shi's face changed, and Cong Shan next to him said, "Fake."
"I think too." Little Moon handed the phone to Tang Shi. Let me show you."
Cong Shan didn't raise her eyelids. "If she had been in love with Bo Ye, she would definitely be a rich little woman."
"It makes sense." Fangfang looked distraught, "I hope. What story did Tang Shi and Bo Ye have
, you can hug my thighs!" "Hahahaha, Fangfang, you can use your chest to fish for men." The green dinosaur fiddled with a small human body. Constructing the model, turning the limbs of the small model, posing in different fighting postures, "I said how pure silk is in our studio? Can a hidden boss take us to fly? I really thought about it. In the life of an overbearing president, if Bo Ye likes a man, I will sell my chrysanthemum to him."
"Hahahahahaha, if I am Bo Ye, I would rather be single for the rest of my life without you." The old Wang laughed wildly while slapped at the table. "Cong Shan is going to Bo Ye and I might be fancy."
Cong Shan's eyelids twitched, "Huh?"
Fangfang and Little Moon played their rotten girl natures again, "Well, yes, yes, they are both very handsome. They are used in the comics. The bases are all handsome guys."
"Isn't that nonsense? It's the same thing as romance novels. They are both handsome and ugly. The protagonist must be perfect to satisfy the daily imagination of human beings." The green dinosaur looked at the model and started to read it in the computer. Composition, "Unexpectedly, our goddess would have been taken on the camera once in thousands of years, and she would be skinned. Goddess, don't panic. There are a large number of navy trumpets in our studio, and I will help you vindicate it later."
Updated 486 Episodes

domain: literature


text:
Four Points by Sheraton bets big on Indonesia
Four Points by Sheraton, a brand under the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide umbrella, has been aggressively pursuing its growth strategy in Indonesia. Buoyed by the Indonesian government’s commitment to growing its tourism industry, Four Points by Sheraton has launched six hotels in just over one year, with a further three hotels in the pipeline.
Four Points by Sheraton is betting big on Indonesia as an upcoming holiday destination. In just over one year the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide brand has launched six hotels in Indonesia including the Four Points by Sheraton Jakarta, Thamrin recently opened on the 15th August 2016.
The other five properties are in equally enviable locations including Surabaya, Bandung, Makassar and Bali. In an effort to further cement its position in the southeast Asian destination, the brand has also announced plans to launch an additional three hotels- one in Manado scheduled to open in 2017 and two due to open in 2018, one in Bintan and another in Bali.
Speaking about Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific’s aggressive growth strategy in Indonesia Vincent Ong, senior director, brand management stated:
“We are proud of the immense growth of the (brand) across Asia-Pacific and especially in Indonesia in recent times. Indonesia features our strongest footprint of the brand across South-east Asia and we are confident with its uncomplicated and honest brand positioning, the demand will continue to accelerate.”
Mr Ong also highlighted the fact that his firm has been encouraged by the Indonesian government’s commitment to growing its tourism industry in an effort to diversify its economy and reduce the dependence on exports of raw commodities. The Indonesian government has set itself a goal of attracting as many as 20 million visitors by 2019- an ambitious target considering the fact that this is more than double the number of visitors to Indonesia in 2015, which stood at 9.73 million.
Recent statistics however, show a promising trend that could see Indonesia realise its goals. At the end of August, the Indonesian statistics bureau announced that 931,694 foreign travellers took holidays in Indonesia, a 20.13 per cent increase over the same period last year. Notably this was a more significant annual increase than that recorded for the month of June when foreign arrivals increased by only 0.78 per cent year on year. In the month of July 2016 arrivals China was the largest source market and had an increase of nearly 60 per cent year on year.
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domain: travel


- This event has passed.
17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
January 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Please join Mayor Elorza and the Providence Human Relations Commission in celebrating Dr. King’s powerful legacy, by highlighting the work of Providence civic leaders who embody his mission.
When: Thursday, January 30, 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Council Chambers, 3rd Floor of City Hall
– Refreshments will be served
– This event is free and open to the public
For more information, please contact Deputy Chief of Staff Theresa M. Agonia at 401-421-2489 (CITY) or .


text:
William J.B. Dorn, 89, a Democrat who served western South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1947 to 1949 and from 1951 to 1974, died Aug. 13 at his home in Greenwood, S.C. No cause of death was reported.
Rep. Dorn was chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and served on the House Public Works Committee. He was considered a defender of his district's agriculture-based economy.
He resigned from the House on Dec. 31, 1974, and ran unsuccessfully for his state's governorship.
Rep. Dorn was upset in the 1974 Democratic primary by Charles "Pug" Ravenel but received the nomination after the party removed Ravenel from the ticket because he did not meet residency requirements.
Ravenel refused to support Rep. Dorn in the general election, and Rep. Dorn lost narrowly to James Edwards, the state's first Republican governor since Reconstruction.
Rep. Dorn ran for governor again in 1978, but lost in the primary to eventual winner Dick Riley.
Rep. Dorn was chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1980 to 1984.
William Jennings Bryan Dorn was born near Greenwood on April 14, 1916. He was named for William Jennings Bryan, the former Democratic presidential candidate who became the advocate of creationism during the Scopes Monkey Trial.
Rep. Dorn's political career began in 1938 when he was elected to the South Carolina House at 22. Two years later, Greenwood County sent him to the state Senate even though he was a year younger than the then-required 25. His fellow senators decided the people had spoken and waived the requirement, said his brother, Watson Dorn.
During World War II, Rep. Dorn spent nearly two years in Europe serving with the Army Air Forces. He would have an affinity for the military for the rest of his political career, and the veteran's hospital in Columbia is named for him.
His wife, Mildred Johnson Dorn, died in 1990.
Survivors include five children and seven grandchildren.

domain: news


text:
When playing Online Slot, there are many myths that you should avoid. While slot machines may be random, the maths behind the game determines your odds of winning. However, the maths behind online slots does not give players a definite edge, so you can still win money by playing them. Here are some myth-busters to help you win more often at online slots:
Whether you play for money or for fun, the online slot tournaments are a great way to get a feel for the game and win big. There are short and long tournaments available, depending on your budget and preferred playing style. Short tournaments are great for players who like to play in short bursts, while long tournaments are better for those who can sustain the playing time. For more information on these tournaments, click here.
Lastly, you should consider the Return to Player (RTP). RTP is the theoretical percentage of a game that a casino gives back to the player. While this percentage does not apply to individual gaming sessions, it does apply to the billions of spins made by all players in the casino. The RTP of an online slot is typically between ninety-five percent and ninety-eight percent, and some online slots boast even higher RTPs.
As with land-based slots, online slots are easy to learn and play. They usually have three reels with classic symbols. As time went on, however, designers realized that the format was not limited to the three-reel slot machine, and were able to incorporate new themes and unconventional layouts. Currently, online casinos have a wide selection of slot games, and developers are constantly coming up with new ones. This is likely one of the reasons for the huge variety of games.
Multi-line play is a key element of online slots. It provides more winning variations, and players can wager on as many lines as they wish. And while a single-line game in a casino may have the highest payout, multi-line play gives the player more chances of winning big and more often. This also increases the volatility of a slot game. The more lines a player plays, the higher their payouts will be. If you win, don’t feel disheartened. Keep a broad financial perspective.
A Wild symbol is a very useful feature in online slots. Like the joker in a deck of cards, Wilds can replace other symbols on a slot game to help create a winning combination. However, you should note that the wild symbol may not appear on a payline to activate the bonus round. You should also look out for the scatter symbol, as it doesn’t necessarily have to be on a payline. If it appears anywhere on the reels, it will activate a bonus round for you.
While online slot gaming is convenient, many players still prefer it over a land-based casino. This is because online slots are more flexible. You don’t have to drive to a casino to play, and you don’t need to rearrange your schedule to accommodate multiple slots players. You can even wager while you are on the go. With multiple wagering, you have more chances to win. There are so many benefits to online slot gaming.


text:
Lung disease is a common problem for older adults and a common reason to seek medical advice. The doctors
who will be well qualified to discuss this issue in greater detail include his primary care doctor
or his pulmonologist
. Emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which the tissue of the lungs starts to break down and develops large, dilated areas where normal breath sacs previously were. It can lead to progressive loss of ability to exercise and shortness and breath and can predispose to the need for oxygen therapy and to lung infections. Virtually all cases of emphysema are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Although most of these are in people who smoke themselves, there are numerous documented cases of emphysema from second hand tobacco smoke, so this is also the most likely cause in your father's case. Another cause of emphysema, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, is an inherited condition which results in liver disease and emphysema at an much earlier age than smoking-related emphysema. As always the diagnosis and the management of your father's particular condition will require a physical examination by his personal physician. He should stay in regular contact with his primary care doctor and his pulmonologist.

domain: biology


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text:
It is so easy to love Santa Teresa Beach, but do you know why people do?
Have you not been to Santa Teresa Beach yet? Well, here is a list of 14 reasons to love Santa Teresa Beach, and why you should choose The Nicoya Peninsula to purchase a beach home or beach property in Costa Rica.
Santa Teresa Beach is located in the middle of two small villages, Mal Pais in the south and Playa Hermosa in the north. They connect with each other by one, long winding road, just behind the beach. When visitors say they love Santa Teresa Beach, they really also talk about Mal Pais, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Carmen. That’s because it’s hard to tell when one stops and the other starts.
These are all REAL comments found on forums, TripAdvisor and in emails from clients. These comments will give a good idea why we all love Santa Teresa Beach:
1. Amazing Location
- Traveled with family–adult children. Amazing location, amazing surf, and quiet remote beach…very tropical.
- Lots of access points to beach from the main road in Santa Teresa. Very few vendors. No peddlers, so you need to bring your own umbrellas, chairs, food, toys, etc. A wonderful place.
- Great location to get away from the noise, go for long walks, practice yoga and surf, yet a short drive from Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen.
- It’s hard to get here, but once you arrived you don’t want to leave anymore.
2. White Sand Beach
- Gorgeous beach with the softest sand.
- An idyllic beach with white sand, beautiful palm trees, and endless crystal blue waves.
- Simply one of the best beaches I have ever seen, and I live at the beach!
- The beaches are not crowded during the day and there is plenty of space for you to hang up a hammock.
3. Advanced Surf
- Good beach with constant waves for advanced surfers. As an intermediate beginner, the waves were too big for me in the of March – beginning of April.
- Surfer’s paradise… if you are a surfer you owe it to yourself to come here. You will be in good company.
4. Tiny Town
- A tiny little, can we call it a town? OK, but be sure and look for it when driving by or you will miss it.
- It’s a pretty quiet town, people are really friendly.
- Those dusty bumpy roads help to maintain the charm.
5. Tide Pools
- At low tide, some fun tide pools and rocks to explore off to the North.
- Many people snorkel here in the calm pools created during low tide.
- Parking area where “contributions” are requested. Take a 1 mil note with you and you won’t have a problem.
- Easy ample parking and several Ticos selling sarongs and handmade jewelry.
- Great place for a beach walk! Found a natural plunge pool, lots of pretty shells, good shoes a must for walking on the rocks. A very nice dog kept us company and even went swimming with us!
- Walked about 8mi worth of this beach as well as surfed about two mi worth, it is so awesome!!!
- There are like 3 beaches in one, so you can walk through an endless beach watching surfers at the distance.
- Beautiful beach where the only conflict is to decide whether to sit, swim or walk for miles in serenity–oh yeah–we did it all!
- Just go there. Lost in paradise! Get up early and enjoy the feeling of an unexplored beach. Anytime again!!!
- It is one of those beaches that really makes u feel like u are in a tropical paradise.
- Paradise beach in the middle of nowhere.
- Hard to believe there is a place like this, I wish I could live here forever, beautiful relaxing great people, my family loved it!
9. Empty Beach
- Enjoyed the mostly empty beach.
- Aside from the surfers in the water, there is no one on the beach. You will feel like it is all yours.
- This is an absolutely breathtaking beach that is huge and wide and practically empty.
- The beach went on forever and wasn’t crowded.
- You can feel alone on that beach at 6 am-noon or 6 pm.
- Bring your surfboard and cans of beers to enjoy the sunset with.
- Perfect for sunsets. The calm water between the rocks creates a beautiful mirror.
- The reason to go here is the spectacular sunsets. Some of the best sunsets you will ever see.
- There are plenty of Vegan restaurants and options in the town square and along the short road towards Santa Teresa.
- A lot of restaurants to choose from! You must eat at a local soda to try a casado which is a typical Costa Rican meal that includes a meat, vegetables, beans, rice, salad and french fries/plantains. The Bakery was a yummy breakfast spot and Chop It has excellent burgers.
- Tons of places to eat.
- You will see dogs waiting for their owners to finish surfing on the beach. You will see dogs running down the road following their owners’ ATVs. And, you will see dogs walking around a local restaurant. They also love Santa Teresa beach!
- I loved hanging with all the beach dogs.
13. The Critters
- If u like critters, the hermit crabs are fun to watch hunting for shells.
14. Greatest Place on Earth
- Greatest place on earth!! Surf?? Sun ☀Super fun people good vibes Del Soul Surf chill Yoga?Healthy Organic ??Monkeys ? Pura Vida!!!

domain: geography


text:
Celebrating Sasha and supporting SickKids patient and family centred interprofessional care, staff and family partnership, patient safety, palliative care and Alagille Syndrome. Thanks to family for love and visits, laid back Dr Michael Peer, Dr Jennifer Russell's tireless coordination of LFHC, GI, CCCU, Gen Surg and IGT, all the staff at Hospital for Sick Children and Max and Beatrice Wolfe Centre and final homebound team Stephen Jenkinson, Dr Russell Goldman and TCCAC.
A short journey by a chair and a wall
Monday, October 10, 2005, 6:54:36 PM. Vintage Sasha.

domain: medical


There are several types of HVAC Equipments available. The three most popular types are split systems, packaged systems, as well as duct totally free systems. Each type has its benefits, and each is essential for your home. Discover each type so you can make an enlightened choice concerning which one you want for your home. If you are seeking to save cash on your energy expenses, ductless systems might be the means to go. You can also obtain a ductless system that just needs minor improvements.
A Lot Of heating and cooling Solutions have a central system that moves air with a network of signs up as well as ducts to numerous spaces throughout the residence. This device is after that attached to the outdoor device and evaporator coil through refrigeration lines to get rid of hot air from the residence. There is likewise ductwork throughout the house, both supply air and return air ducts. A thermostat is likewise used to establish the preferred temperature and connects with the entire a/c system.
The most reliable heating and cooling systems are able to decrease power expenses by as long as 50%. The most reliable models are half extra energy-efficient than systems set up 12 years ago. If you have an older system, you can see significant decreases in your power costs, in addition to a substantial repair service bill. It is additionally essential to consider the type of building and construction of your residence before acquiring a new system. As soon as you have a clear idea of what you require, you can begin looking for the brand-new system.
Heating and cooling systems are a complicated and also costly method to give a comfortable indoor environment. They are utilized in business buildings, single family homes, and submarines to manage temperature levels and also ensure a high degree of thermal comfort. Due to the fact that heating and cooling systems are so complex, they can break down conveniently as well as need maintenance. They include 9 various elements that can be a challenge to identify and fix. If your HVAC system is older, you might not also understand all of the parts!
One more sort of a/c system is a split system. A split system is a two-part unit that offers both heating and cooling objectives. The interior device is in charge of offering amazing air and the outside system manages moisture levels. On top of that, it maintains the air circulating in the structure cool and also stops it from stagnating. While the heating and also cooling systems are two different components, they are similar in performance. If you’re seeking a budget friendly and efficient HVAC system, split systems could be the ideal option for your residence.
Besides domestic structures, HVAC systems are also vital in commercial buildings, large office complex, and medical facilities. They manage temperature level and moisture by using fresh air from outdoors. It’s additionally a good suggestion to have a CO2 sensing unit on your HVAC system to check the focus of CO2 airborne. By monitoring the carbon dioxide degrees airborne, you’ll be able to adjust the system as necessary, and conserve cash. On top of that, variable tenancy HVAC systems are great for managing moisture and mold and mildew in an institution atmosphere. Simply keep in mind to adjust CO2 sensors often and also maintain them properly maintained.
An a/c system includes a set of key tools and also secondary equipment. The primary tools consists of steam central heating boilers and also warm water central heating boilers, packaged air delivery tools (axial or plenum fans), and also piping. Refrigeration equipment gives cooled air to the area. These parts use cooling agents such as ethane, lp, and butane. It is important to recognize the precise workings of the HVAC system prior to installing it.
The two sorts of packaged systems are the packaged and also the split systems. Packaged systems are usually bigger and a lot more pricey than split systems. The maintenance of a packaged system is frequently challenging, and also it might not be offered in some areas. Packaged devices are usually set up in the attic room or top floor of multi-story homes. Their ductwork makes them appropriate for these kinds of atmospheres, but they do not perform as successfully as various other sorts of a/c systems.
The SEER rating of a cooling and heating system is determined in SEERs. Greater SEER scores need less energy to operate. HVAC systems generally have SEER ratings of 14 to 21. When changing your existing heating and cooling system, a service provider might advise a higher-SEER unit. However, a greater SEER unit normally costs about 60% to 1,000 more than a 14-SEER device. Moreover, high-efficiency parts do not make a HVAC system more reliable.
A heat pump is another prominent type of cooling and heating system. Heat pumps are typically found in houses with a combination of furnaces and also heatpump. These systems utilize the exact same ductwork to move warmed air. Nevertheless, a heater without any heat pump is called a standard a/c. In either situation, the system is a hybrid system. Once you understand what each element of the system does, you can start evaluating your system as well as identify whether it is the ideal fit for your house.
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A/c systems are essential to the functioning of numerous sorts of structures. They absorb fresh air from outside as well as filter it in order to regulate the temperature level and also humidity in a building. The fresh air is after that distributed into busy rooms, and also the system exhausts it back to the exterior air. The outdoors air is utilized for air conditioning as well as heating objectives. This system additionally controls moisture and humidity degrees inside the building. A well-designed HVAC system can keep individuals comfy in any type of setting, despite the weather condition. BreathAlong air conditioner reviews
In addition to moving air, heating and cooling systems likewise boost air high quality by drawing fresh outside air with filters. Filters eliminate irritants as well as various other fragments from air. They likewise protect against the growth of germs and also viruses. Whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers additionally add or eliminate humidity. Additionally, these gadgets can preserve the humidity of the residence, making the house really feel cooler without running the cooling system. This is a fantastic choice if you are looking for miraculous energy efficiency.


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On a day when we honor the men and women who've served in the
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has not done enough to address this shameful situation. For years, activists and advocates have been urging the department to repurpose some of the existing unoccupied buildings on its sprawling 387-acre campus in West Los Angeles, turning them into permanent supportive housing for homeless vets, many of whom suffer from debilitating brain injuries or mental disabilities. But the VA has been maddeningly slow; it is currently overhauling just one building, in hopes that, eventually, some 65 vets will be able to live there. Two other buildings on the property have long awaited renovation.
Now, with a court ruling hanging over it, the VA has a chance to jump-start the process.
In August, a federal judge ruled that the VA had misused the West L.A. campus by leasing some of the property to
Meanwhile, UCLA, desperate not to be banished from its beloved
Putting aside that insensitive reference to homelessness and the insignificance of the free-ticket program, we nevertheless agree that the presence of the stadium on a small portion of the VA land isn't the big problem. Homelessness is.
Instead of appealing the decision, UCLA could play a helpful role by urging the VA to sit down with the plaintiffs to work out an agreement that meets the needs of the interested parties but also ensures that the federal government fulfills its responsibility. If baseball stays, great. But what is most important is that homeless veterans finally get the housing and healthcare services they need on the West L.A. campus. That's why the VA owns the property, after all. Renovating the two other buildings that have been proposed for permanent supportive housing would be a good start.
UCLA, to its credit, has a decades-long history of involvement with the VA's health services on that campus. Hundreds of doctors and residents work there throughout the year, and there are a variety of programs at UCLA that concentrate on veterans' medical and health needs, including Operation Mend, which provides extensive reconstructive surgery — free — to veterans who have suffered severe, deforming injuries.
Whether the school could offer additional services targeted specifically to homeless veterans, and whether it could pay the VA more than the $5,000 a month it does now for use of the stadium, are negotiable points for UCLA. "Everything is on the table," says Kevin Reed, UCLA's vice chancellor for legal affairs. Mark Rosenbaum of the


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The three Tibetan supporters, Jonathan Stribling-Uss, 27, and Kalaya’an Mendoza, 29, and Cesar Pablo Maxit, 32, are Americans, with Maxit also holding Argentinean citizenship. Each displayed the Tibetan national flag and was taken away by police afterwards.
It is considered a serious crime to display Tibet’s national flag in China. When Stribling-Uss, Mendoza and Maxit arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport Saturday afternoon, they were greeted by friends, supporters and people of the Tibetan community.
“We proudly displayed the Tibetan flag in Beijing yesterday to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s lethal military crackdown inside Tibet and its attempt to use the Beijing Olympics to cover up its human rights abuses there,” said Mendoza of New York City.
The three activists walked into the streets near the Chinese National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. There, they each pulled out T-shirts saying “Team Tibet 08” and each of them also pulled out the Tibetan flag.
“After walking into the streets, we were quickly tackled by the six people from the Chinese military,” Stribling-Uss said.
“One of my friend’s feet was broken, and their faces were pushed onto the concrete. Afterwards, we were taken to a nearby park where we were treated poorly,” Stribling-Uss continued. “Our shoe laces were tied together and our shirts were pulled onto our heads.”
“The Chinese government is using the Olympics as a Chinese Opera Mask to make an impression—the Tibetan people and I wanted to be part of an action of unmasking that impression with an action,” said Stribling-Uss.
“I wanted to give a clear statement so that they couldn’t cover up the protest,” he said.
According to Stribling-Uss, during the spring of 2008 in Tibet, 1000 monks were detained and sent to detention camps.
“They’re increasing the tension throughout Tibet as the Olympics go on,” said Stribling-Uss. “It was really horrible and saddening to see the brutality.”
As the Beijing Games continue, Tibetan groups are planning to protest in various parts of the world to call on the Chinese regime to address the crisis is Tibet.


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We are thankful to be a part of your diverse, creative, and compassionate cultural commuity. It is InLiquid’s 20th year … See Full Post
Not to confuse with our current exhibition, Into the Woods, at Park Towne Place, but Emily Squires Levine’s project Into … See Full Post
How do you define “home?” In the spring of 2020, InLiquid will explore that question by exhibiting the photography of … See Full Post
Miriam Singer will be teaching color etching at Fleisher Art Memorial this spring/summer! Register today!
ArtYard is currently recreating the original Chalkboard Chronicles project using the same vintage chalkboards from the original installation, and 12 … See Full Post
Works by Elyce Abrams, Enzhao Liu, Gerri Spilka, Jaime Alvarez, Jenny Lynn, Scott Troxel, and Tremain Smith kickoff our new partner … See Full Post
InLiquid will be ringing in its 19th year of serving the Philadelphia arts community with a cocktail reception to be … See Full Post
InLiquid will be celebrating 19 wonderful years of serving the Philadelphia arts community with opportunities for artists to exhibit their … See Full Post
New work by Rebecca Jacoby will be exhibited at the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, MD. Also be sure to … See Full Post
Stay tuned on Wednesday, September 26th from 1-1:30 PM, Amie Potsic will be interviewed on Art Watch Radio by host Lele Galer!
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After just the first quarter, it was pretty clear what the final outcome of the game was going to be.
Halfway through the first quarter, the Savage High School football team had already scored 32 points, a mark that teams in most games would have at halftime or at the end of the game.
The Warriors, though, used that strong first quarter to bury the Bainville Bulldogs early and launch themselves into an astounding 80-8 victory.
The win capped off the Savage Homecoming weekend with victories from both sports teams, including a sweep of Bainville as the Savage volleyball team defeated Bainville the morning of September 19.
A lot went into the Warriors’ win, most likely including a little Homecoming magic.
“Yeah it was pretty exciting. They are screamers back there, that’s for sure,” said Savage head coach Michael Bender.
While the Warriors’ offense did put up 80 points, it was the defense that stood out just as much for Bender.
Any time the one blemish for your team is just one touchdown, it is usually a good thing.
This was pretty much the case for the Warriors. Bainville was able to get off a couple of big-yard plays, but otherwise, the Savage defense was suffocating.
Bainville’s lone touchdown, which arrived in the first half, came after a big play that advanced them down to the red zone.
In the second half, a big pass play advanced the Bulldogs down to the red zone again, but this time, the Warriors’ defense held strong and prevented the Bulldogs from scoring.
Otherwise, any play Bainville ran was almost immediately stopped in its tracks by Savage. In fact, Bainville only got a couple first downs in the entirety of the second half.
In the previous week, Savage lost 50-19 to Froid/Medicine Lake, and the big difference between that game and the win over Bainville was the defense, Bender said.
“We’ve been working defensively to get our assignments done right, and today they cleaned it up and they did a good job at it,” Bender said.
The Savage scoring was so good and did so much, in fact, that when Cade Tombre scored on a run in the fourth quarter, it signaled that a member of each grade class had scored in the game.
Bender said the team played well, and that the game was a culmination of everything going right.
He added that the Warriors secured a playoff spot, which was the goal at the beginning of the season.


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Ubisoft has removed a Far Cry 6 tie-in mission that featured actor Danny Trejo that went live before it was ready to see the light of day.
The ‘Dani & Danny vs Everybody’ mission accidentally released earlier this week but was meant to launch sometime in December. The title has three planned crossover missions coming down the pipeline with the Machete actor appearing in the first.
PC players may still be able to access the content as a patch has not been released as of the time of writing; however, a fix has already been pushed for console versions of the game.
Ubisoft released a statement on Twitter saying the content was a “work-in-progress” and the team “look[s] forward to when players can check out the final version.”
The Dani & Danny vs Everybody mission is a work-in-progress and was accidentally released early. We're working to remove it and look forward to when players can check out the final version.
We apologize for any confusion caused and will follow up shortly with more information.
— Far Cry 6 (@FarCrygame) November 2, 2021
Far Cry 6 is available now. For more on the game, check out MobileSyrup’s in-depth look at it here.


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By Moses Kuwema
New York City Council member and Majority Whip Fernando Cabrera has demanded for equity in contracting for businesses in lower income communities.
Cabrera's remarks come in the wake of the unveiling of the preliminary 2022 budget by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday, amid revenue shortfalls following the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the city and it's economy.
“Today’s release of the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget confirmed many of our worst fears. The budget situation over the next four years is dire, including the city’s employment and hiring situation," said Cabrera who represents the Bronx's 14 District and is also aspiring for the borough president of the Bronx.
"I’m particularly concerned about the impact of these projections on local businesses in communities of color, especially our restaurants, many of which have been forced to close and might never re-open without help.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been only two companies contracted by the city to distribute food. This is outrageous, unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.
"Restaurants in black, brown and Asian communities should have been actively engaged in the city’s emergency food program.
"These restaurants know what foods to prepare for their clients and desperately needed the income that could have come from city contracts.
"Instead, they were excluded, ignored, businesses closed and jobs disappeared. I have submitted legislation to require all city agencies that issue contracts for COVID-19 related services to report monthly, by Council District, the number of contracts issued to MWBEs as a proportion of total contracts disaggregated by race and ethnicity."
Cabrera also cited the continuing digital divide between low income and affluent communities, which disproportionately impacted students in communities of color, who struggled to participate in online learning.
“Today the mayor mentioned expanding WiFi in shelters. We need this but it’s not enough," he said.
"Lots of kids who don’t live in shelters don’t have access to WiFi because their families can’t afford it. Real broadband equity must be inclusive of everyone who cannot afford it.”
“The next several fiscal years will be painful. We must be innovative in order to meet our fiduciary responsibilities while continuing to provide critical programs and services for vulnerable New Yorkers.
"We must also be vigilant in the months and years ahead and hold city agencies accountable. Businesses in communities that are disproportionately impacted must receive a proportionately higher number of city contracts. It’s the only equitable thing to do” said Cabrera.


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Is there a difference between “I’m so sad” and “I’m so depressed?” Many people might say no, insisting that these two words are easily interchangeable.
It’s all too common to associate sadness with depression, but these two psychological states are in fact different and very distinguishable. Sadness is an integral component of depression, but by no means are they the same.
Unfortunately, many people who struggle with depression may assume that they are merely experiencing normal emotions of sadness, thereby delaying or prolonging necessary treatment. On the contrary, people who are sad often wrongfully self-diagnose themselves with depression.
Pervasive sadness is the most common symptom of depression. According to the DSM-5, an individual must experience five or more of the following symptoms during a two-week period to be diagnosed with depression, and at least one of the symptoms must be either of the first two:
1. "Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide."
Put simply, depression is not simply extreme or prolonged sadness. Sadness is a normal emotion, whereas depression is an abnormal emotional state. The latter is a mental illness, and people with depression are oftentimes sad about almost everything in their lives. In many cases, depression results from a triggering event, situation, or loss. However, a trigger is not always needed, and sometimes there lacks a clear, identifiable cause; people who are depressed often claim that they “feel sad for no reason.”
You can’t tell someone who feels depressed to “try to be happy” or to “just focus on the positive things,” because mental illnesses don’t work that simply. Someone who is sad might be able to just reverse their emotions and “snap out of it,” but not someone who is depressed.
I have personally spoken with people who struggle every day with depression, and they often note that they dislike when people undervalue their mental illness by saying things like “I’m feeling sad today after my final; maybe I’m depressed, too.” It makes them feel like their condition is something that everyone struggles with on a daily basis, on and off, depending on mood and circumstance — but this is far from the case. People who are truly depressed should not be made to feel like their condition is undervalued just because sadness is an emotion that everyone experiences from time to time.
So just remember that if you are basing your “depression” off of having a rough day or a low exam score, then it’s probably not depression. Let’s not confuse a mental illness with a normal emotion, because that only perpetuates the negative stigma around mental health, further discrediting a very real condition that people struggle with on a daily basis. Additionally, mislabeling depression as mere sadness will only prevent or delay treatment of a serious mental illness that should be addressed and treated as such.
BRIDGET YU is a College sophomore from Los Angeles, CA studying Biological Basis of Behavior. She plans to attend medical school and specialize in psychiatry. Her email address is email@example.com.


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MANILA – Ombudsman Samuel Martires is seeking the exclusion of transactions between members of a family from declaration of public officials' statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, a group said Thursday.
Atty. Eirene Aguila, a leader of the Right to Know Right Now coalition, said excluding transactions from SALNs is the most problematic amendment to the SALN Law aside from a proposed ban on commentaries on SALNs.
"I think, next to the fact that you’re…throwing shade on commentaries, this is the most problematic amendment. Why? Because I think the value of the SALN, more than talking about illegal wealth, more than talking about the wealth of a politician or public official, is actually looking at the possible motivations they might have, which you might see in possible conflicts of interest,” Aguila said on ANC Rundown.
“I mean, 90 percent, 80 percent of our provinces are run by political dynasties so are we saying that the transaction between the mayor who’s married to the vice mayor whose child is a councilor, we can no longer expect to see those?” she said.
“I think that’s where the problem lies because there’s very little to check on what motivates them to decide on policy. We can’t ask because it’s not declared."
Transparency advocates have rejected many of Martires’ proposed amendments to the “SALN law,” based on a draft bill that his office had submitted to Congress and obtained by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
The PCIJ reported that the biggest opposition was to the proposal to jail anyone who makes commentaries on the SALN.
This is a proposal that Martires already voiced out in a September hearing at the House of Representatives.
"I think it’s very problematic the moment you bear down on people making commentaries on anything that’s related to government whether it’s the SALN, whether it’s the president’s health, whether it’s the submission or non-submission of reports or ongoing investigations,” Aguila said.
“I think it’s every citizen’s right to give commentaries, to ask. And the moment we put it into a law that there is some kind of restriction, we go against the very spirit of the Constitution that demands accountability, disclosure, transparency, and ease of flow of information,” she said.
Aguila also flagged amendments that removed the disclosure responsibilities on the part of government official’s relatives.
"When you talk about the fact that you’re not requiring them anymore to outright declare relatives, there’s some kind of discretion left on the public officials. The wording is couched in a way that, if possible conflicts may arise, we leave the discretion up to the public official. Of course they will, in good faith say, ‘I don’t believe there’s any conflict of interest.’”
“And when there’s too much discretion left on anyone, we know how dangerous that could be.”
Aguila said this also may make it easier for government officials to hide their motives why they do the things they do.
“You know, they might deny a franchise that might run contrary to their business which they gave to a child of theirs, that they don’t have to declare.”
“So, not just hiding wealth but we don’t exactly understand what motivates your public officials. You don’t exactly know why they decide the way they do. Is it to protect their property from possible rezoning because that’s where they live? That’s why they deny a rezoning ordinance?”
Another proposed amendment flagged by transparency advocates is excluding “real property used solely and exclusively as the personal residence or family home of the reporting individual or his or her family” from the SALN declaration.
“Again talking about political dynasties, how many residences are they allowed? You have political dynasties, husbands and wives, living in two different districts. Will that be considered two residences? And what we mean exactly by used exclusively for personal, as a personal residence?”
For Aguila, these exclusions run contrary to the principles behind Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
“The principles behind (RA) 6713 is we’re able to put, hold our public officials to the highest form of ethics to see if they lead modest lives, but, you remove these things, it runs contrary to the principles in 6713,” she said.
“There’s just too much carving out from the SALN. And when you carve out too much, it’s a very slippery slope since it leaves the possibility to unbridled discretion on the part of the public official.”
Aguila said that Martires’ apparent attitude towards the disclosure of SALNs does not bode well for a democracy.
“I think, generally, when it’s very difficult to ask, and it makes you look bad to ask--whether it’s the Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the President, or other offices that hold the records-- I think that’s very… it doesn’t bode well for a democracy, especially as we’re heading to election season.”
“When we have to be able to be critical, to be able to be more analytical, of our public officials, I think making it seem that asking is a wrong thing, I think [that] sends a very dangerous message,” she said.
--ANC, 21 October 2021
Ombudsman, Samuel Martires, SALN, Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, exclusion, Atty. Eirene Aguila, Right to Know Right Now coalition, transparency

domain: politics


Today is Human Rights Day. On this day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This landmark document set out rights that everyone is entitled to - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Since then the UK and Welsh governments have signed up to a range of international human rights treaties. The most significant is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to life, liberty, private and family life, the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, among others.
These rights apply in the UK and Wales through the Human Rights Act 1998. The Act requires public authorities (like local authorities, health services and the police) to respect and protect these rights in everything they do. If breaches of the convention occur, individuals can challenge these rights through the courts.
As we mark this international anniversary, the pandemic has been a stark reminder that inequalities continue to exist in almost all areas of life.
There are also other developments which could have an impact on equalities and human rights in Wales, including leaving the European Union and a UK Parliament independent review of the Human Rights Act 1998.
A distinct Welsh approach to human rights
While human rights are not devolved, the Welsh Government has taken a number of steps to enhance and strengthen the rights of people living in Wales.
International human rights have been embedded in Welsh law through ‘indirect incorporation’ using the ‘due regard’ mechanism. In simple terms this means that duties are imposed on relevant authorities to take specified human rights into account when exercising certain functions.
There are three examples of indirect incorporation in Welsh law:
- the Rights of Children and Young People (Wales) Measure 2011:
- the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014; and
- the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.
The Wales Specific Equality Duties (WSEDs) go further than the English Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and compel Welsh Ministers and listed public authorities to undertake Equality Impact Assessments (EIA).
Wales has also taken a lead in legislating for well-being through the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales)Act 2015, which requires public authorities to think about the long-term impact of their decisions on equality.
A further duty for Welsh public bodies (like Welsh Ministers, local authorities, and health boards) started on 31 March 2021. The socio-economic duty under the UK Equality Act 2010 places a duty on certain Welsh public bodies to consider how their strategic decisions can improve inequality of outcome for people who suffer socio-economic disadvantage.
The Welsh Government has set out further human rights commitments in its Programme for Government.
Strengthening and advancing human rights
In January 2020 the Welsh Government commissioned research to examine options to strengthen and advance equality and human rights in Wales. The research identified a number of issues with the current legislative and policy framework on human rights and equality, including:
- a lack of connection between human rights, equality and well-being policy and legislation and clarity about priorities and responsibilities;
- a misalignment of timescales for planning and reporting on equality and well-being duties;
- an ineffectiveness of well-being legislation to protect equality and human rights;
- a lack of legally enforceable rights and an implementation gap between equality and human rights policy and people’s lived experience;
- poor Equality Impact Assessments which are often viewed as a ‘tick-box’ exercise; taking place too late in the policy process; and failing to involve people in the assessment;
- a lack of confidence in current monitoring mechanisms to properly reflect progress on equality and human rights; and
- barriers for individuals who want to challenge how government and public bodies treat them, and to question how decisions are made about them.
A Human Rights Act for Wales?
The report includes 40 detailed recommendations to strengthen and advance equality and human rights in Wales; the key being the introduction of a Human Rights (Wales) Act.
The report recommends introducing primary legislation to give effect to international human rights in Welsh law and to make select international human rights part of Welsh law and enforced by a court or tribunal.
The report did not confirm which international human rights should be adopted, but suggested taking a similar approach to Scotland. The Scottish Government has established an independent taskforce to consider the options for introducing stronger forms of incorporation and legal accountability for non-compliance than is currently available through the ‘due regard’ approach.
The Senedd’s Equalities and Social Justice Committee heard in November that, if the Welsh Government does want to bring legislation forward in the Sixth Senedd, establishing a taskforce “is matter of urgency”.
Article by Claire Thomas, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament