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You may want to switch birth control methods to reduce side effects, opt for increased convenience or improve effectiveness. Changing from a barrier method of birth control to a hormonal contraceptive is one option, but you may also change from one hormonal contraceptive to another. Staying safe and preventing pregnancy while you switch is key, but your circumstances will affect whether you should use a back-up method of contraception.
Hormonal birth control, including the pill, shot, vaginal ring and patch, work in three distinct ways. The hormones prevent ovulation from occurring, but also thicken cervical fluid to provide a natural barrier and thin the uterine lining, creating an inhospitable environment, according to Planned Parenthood. Understanding how hormonal contraceptives work can help you make the right choices about back-up birth control when switching methods.
When switching to oral contraceptives, if you begin your new birth control pills on the first day of your period, you will not need a back-up birth control method, according to The Pill website. If you opt for a Sunday start on the first Sunday after your period, you will need to use a back-up method for the first seven days. You can use this strategy when switching from one hormonal birth control method to another. If you are simply changing your birth control pill prescription, start your new prescription when you are ready for a new pill pack. There is no need for a back-up contraceptive.
If you need to use a back-up contraceptive, choose a barrier method that works for you. Condoms are an accessible, affordable and convenient choice while still being highly effective, according to Planned Parenthood. You can also opt for another barrier method, like a sponge or diaphragm, if you prefer. As an alternative, abstaining from intercourse until your new birth control is effective provides total pregnancy protection.
If you are switching from condoms to the vaginal ring, allow seven days for the ring to be effective. Use a back-up method during this first week. If you are switching from birth control pills to the vaginal ring, insert the ring within seven days from your last active birth control pill. In this situation, a back-up contraceptive is not required. If you are switching from the ring after an IUD removal or when a birth control shot is scheduled, if the ring is inserted immediately after removal or when the shot is due, it will be effective immediately, according to the Birth Control Comparison website.
When changing to a new hormonal contraceptive, you have two start choices. The first is to start simply on the first day of your cycle. This option reduces your need for back-up birth control, but it may be less easy to remember or just inconvenient. A Sunday start is often suggested also, as you can easily predict when to expect your period and when you will need a new pill or ring. You can manage your birth control with less fuss.


The Register reported that Mattel had been hit by a ‘well-crafted’ phishing scam that almost cost the company $3m. Here to comment on this news is Richard Beck, Head of Cyber Security at QA, which you are welcome to use.
Richard Beck, Head of Cyber Security at QA:
“This attack is a prime example of how phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, and better planned out. This is only going to get worse before it gets better. Recent research conducted by QA amongst IT security professionals showed that compromise through employees is the second biggest threat to corporate security this year.
“The best way to defend against this nature of attack is to ensure all employees, executives included, know not to click on a URL sent via email. The key here is education. The actions of employees, whether intentional or accidental – can lead to catastrophic data breaches. Without a risk education programme for all staff, organisations like Mattel will not be able protect themselves from being toyed with by cyber criminals.”
[su_box title=”About Richard Beck” style=”noise” box_color=”#336588″][short_info id=”60714″ desc=”true” all=”false”][/su_box]


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First, let me warn you, to get to the chicken burgers you’ll actually have to scroll down a fair bit of text and a few pictures but I promise there are interesting stories on the way! Anyway, Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all and of course TGIFF! For those who are not already a part- go, join, quick, here!
Over the last few days there has been a visual overdose of hearts, everything pink and red, cakes and roses everywhere- well I am enjoying the OD! It’s not going to last long enough so let’s have some fun. 🙂 I was so tempted myself to post a molten chocolate lava cake that I made in 2 small ramekins yesterday but fortunately or unfortunately they didn’t last long enough for pictures. So that’s for another time! But wait, here is how one of them looked (we managed to save this one just for a couple of pictures before indulging):
and then we took it out of the ramekin, dusted some powdered sugar & cocoa powder and need I say more…
And oh did I mention I tried using healthy ingredients- organic coconut sugar, coconut oil, brown rice flour & oat flour plus an egg and an extra egg yolk and they came out just great.
Now back to Valentine’s day and Fiesta Friday. Even though we don’t go all out to “celebrate” this day ‘coz we like to think every day is a Valentine’s Day for us- cheeeeesssyyyy, I’d like to see flowers around the house :). The husband also got me a slice of a vanilla cake with strawberry jam filing and a super awesome strawberry-ish frosting and oh yes a fun card. The flowers are in the vase and I ate the cake so here is the card:
oops..I apologize for some uncensored portions!
no that is not a kid’s handwriting.. that’s Nikhil..scribbling and trying to make hearts!
Aww… Isn’t that sweet now? Did you just ask me what I got him? Well, I am practical, I was out (window) shopping yesterday afternoon and remembered Nikhil needed a pair of PJ’s so I decided that is going to be his Valentine’s day gift 🙂
Next, what are we doing this evening? Nothing. Why? ‘Coz we are SNOWED IN! These wretched winters need to be over and out for good- pretty please? Until then, I suggest we all enjoy Fiesta Friday with these yummy Chicken Burgers. Now, burger’s don’t always have to be unhealthy. Use the right kind of meat, good ingredients, whole wheat 100 calorie buns and for some indulgence good cheese 🙂
Here is how Nikhil makes them-
- ½ pound or approx. 250 grams ground chicken
- ¼ of a small onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 teaspoons chopped mint leaves (the mint gives the burger such great flavor, you just mustn’t skip this)
- 1 teaspoon chopped coriander
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½-1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream, whichever you have on hand
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, add more if needed
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2-3 slices provolone cheese
- 1 dollop of low fat sour cream
- a few slices onions and tomatoes for the burger
- 2 whole wheat buns, when you chose your wheat buns make sure that whole wheat grain is the first ingredient listed
- In a mixing bowl, mix all the chicken patty ingredients together.
- Form the patties depending on the size of your buns. This recipe makes 2 large patties.
- In a pan, heat the oil and butter and pan fry the chicken patties. Each side should be cooked for approximately, 4-5 minutes.
- If you like your cheese melted with the patty, this is what you do- when the second side is cooked for about 3 minutes you just put the slice of cheese on the patty and allow it to melt for about 30-40 seconds before taking it off the heat. If you don’t like it this way, just take the patty off the heat and layer your cheese when you assemble the burger.
- Next, slightly toast the buns and assemble the burger with toppings of your choice- we used tomatoes, onions, provolone cheese. We also spread a dollop of sour cream on the bun in place of the mayo. You could use mayo if you prefer.
So, that’s how easy, simple and not so unhealthy chicken burgers can be! Oh we also made shoe-string fries. It’s basically potatoes sliced really thin, soaked in water for about 20 minutes to get rid of the starch, towel dried, deep fried and sprinkled with salt. 🙂 You just cannot go wrong with this!
I like my burger with just the cheese!
P.S.- it is also our 50th blog post so yeyyii!! 🙂

domain: food


45-47 Batman Street, WEST MELBOURNE
Andrew Thorburn and Andrew Waddell of Gross Waddell have sold 45-47 Batman Street, West Melbourne prior to auction for $3,700,000 with a land size of 506sqm* representing a rate of $7,312*.
The property provides a single level building fronting Batman Street. The building occupies the entire land parcel and boasts an open plan warehouse/showroom.
The property is located on Batman Street, West Melbourne, within close proximity to Flagstaff train station (600m*) and 2.5km* from Melbourne’s CBD. The property offers easy access to CityLink, the West Gate Freeway and bus services on Spencer Street and further enhanced by a tram interchange on William Street. The area reflects a diverse and unique urban character and a place for people to both live and work on the doorstep of one of the world’s most liveable city.
Andrew Thorburn of Gross Waddell, commented, “The sale of 45-47 Batman Street adds to the growing number of successful results that we have recently achieved in the area.”


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VRPS/AWA Convention and Auction
Mesquite, Texas -- November 7-9, 2003
BY GEORGE POTTER AND RANDY JAMES
VRPS hosted the 28th VRPS/AWA Annual Convention, November 7-9,
2003, at the Hampton Inn Suites in Mesquite, Texas. Total attendance
numbered 265, of which 182 were registered. They came from across the
country -- from Washington State to Massachusetts -- while Rolf
Bartel journeyed all the way from Rodau, Germany.
Five antique radio clubs from the Southwest area, including many
AWA members, helped in all events at this convention. It is
interesting to note that these five clubs are from different states,
yet give of their time to make this Texas event special and
Among the events at the convention were a technical session held
by James Wilkinson on identification, pricing and common problems of
early phonographs; a raffle; an Old Equipment Contest; and an Awards
Without a doubt, our auctions are impressive, and this year was no
exception. Jim Sargent, President of VRPS, was the auctioneer, with
Bill Werzner of HVRA-Houston lending a hand.
Results from three auctions and two silent auctions are as
follows: Friday, November 7, the tube and paper auction saw 473 lots
sold, with 89 passes, for a total of $14,789. On November 8,
Saturday's auction plus two silent auctions saw 519 lots sold, with
89 passes, for a total of $35,364. The grand total for five auctions
was 992 lots sold for $50,153!
Cleo Cherry Holmes, as always, did an excellent job with his crew
on the TV displays and remote video camera system. Our computer
system worked really well, with relatively few problems and a speedy
Some of the auction equipment highlights are as follows: a Kennedy
V selling at $360; a Kennedy 281 at $440; a Western Electric 540W
cone speaker at $190; a Magnavox amplifier with three Type 216A
tipped tubes at $560; a 1933, black Deco Emerson Mickey Mouse
receiver at $300; a Zenith 9S263 shutter dial/robot, fully restored,
at $640, a black NeutroWound at $350; an RCA Radiola Jr. crystal set
at $275; a Magnavox R-3 Telemegaphone horn at $220; a Cutting &
Washington Teledyne at $450; and two Philco 90 cathedrals, at $270
The Old Equipment Contest netted Tom Burgess of Arkansas, the
Founder's Award and Best of Show, with his World War I Mule set
display. The People's Choice awardwent to June Clark of Houston,
Texas and her Charlie McCarthy display.
As VRPS goes into 2004, we are preparing for our 30th anniversary
(1974-2004) in November. We were one of just a handful of clubs in
1974. Just think, back then there were just two books out on vintage
radios -- Flick of The Switch and Vintage Radio by none
other than Morgan McMahon! See print version for complete auction
e=excellent. vg=very good, g=good, f=fair, p=poor, unk=condition
unknown, GS= "Goldstar" set, guaranteed to work, WT=with
tubes, NT=no tubes, N.O.S.=new old stock, nwk=not working,
The Neutrowound in the foreground, in excellent condition, brought
$350. In the rear is the Magnavox 3-tube amplifier with three Type
216A tipped tubes selling at $560.
This mint Crosley Type F Dynamic speaker and its carton sold for
A Fada Model 160 without tubes and in very good condition sold for
The ever popular Crosley "Pup." This one in fair to good
condition, with a WD-12 tube, brought $275 in the auction.
A warning: Auction prices are not current values.
Our selection of auction items is not necessarily complete. A listing
such as this cannot adequately include the condition of cabinets,
chassis, transformers, tubes, the operating status of the set, and
the inclusion of incorrect, restored or replica components, etc.
Auction prices are the result of the excitement of the auction
process, the skill of the auctioneer and the specific interests of
the participants. Nevertheless, auction prices serve as useful
references and as another element in the value determining process.
The possibility of error always exists, and if we are notified,
corrections will be reported.
This Remler Model 5560 "Scotty" in excellent condition sold
In good condition, this Emerson Mickey Mouse radio sold for $300.
One of the two Kennedy Model 281 receivers that sold in the auction.
Another nice radio -- a Cutting & Washington Teledyne -- with dud
tubes, brought $450 in the auction.
This beautiful Atwater Kent Model 84 brought a winning bid of $330.
This Kennedy V in working condition and with tubes sold for $360.
Photo credits: Jeannine James, VRPS Editor.
(George Potter, 536 Drexel Dr., Lewisville, TX 75067 e-mail:
DeForest22@aol.com; Randy James, 5544 Trail Lake Dr., Fort Worth, TX
7613 e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org)
The Vintage Radio & Phonograph Society (VRPS) publishes
"Soundwaves" monthly and "The Reproducer"
annually. There are monthly meetings and a spring auction, an annual
convention and auction, and two summer swapmeets. Dues are $17.50
U.S.A. and $20 foreign. For more information, contact: George Potter,
VRPS, P.O. Box 165345, Irving, TX 75016.

domain: hobby


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Check out the job opportunities available at KJZZ!
Looking At Sex Trafficking Victims In Juvenile Justice System
Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - 2:43pm
A new study from Arizona State University's school of social work has discovered that more than 160 minors who have received treatment or services through Arizona's juvenile court system were victims of sex trafficking.
Researcher Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, director of the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research at ASU, joined us.

domain: law


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With 50 shows across 22 venues at the ninth Belfast City Blues Festival you’ll be spoiled for choice. 15,000 people are expected to attend the festival, sponsored by American Holidays, from June 23 - 25 which is celebrating its ninth year.
Here are 7 songs you might hear throughout the festival:
1. Pat McManus
Playing on Saturday, June 24 as part of A Taste of Rory is The Pat McManus Band. Here’s Pat’s personal tribute to Rory Gallagher in ‘Rise of the G-Man’
2. Billy Boy McKimmin
Billy Boy McKimmin is one Europe’s finest exponents of the Blues Harp. As well as two shows with SP3, he’ll be giving a workshop on the harmonica on Sunday, June 25 at Dawson’s Music. A quick taste of his talent can be seen here:
3. Rab McCullough
Rab and his merry band of cohorts have been entertaining fans across Northern Ireland and further afield for some time – and always provide a storming show. He’ll be playing several shows across a number of venues at the Belfast City Blues Festival. Here is at a recent show playing with the Rev Doc.
4. The Backbone Blues Band
A live phenomenon the Backbone Blues Band are playing the Northern Whig on Friday evening, June 23 from 5pm. This English band has earned plaudits in the States for their shows. Here’s a taster of what to expect:
5. Lee Hedley & Co
Also playing across the Belfast City Blues Festival is Lee Hedley. A consummate live performer Lee Hedley and his merry band of musical cohorts will be entertaining at a number of events across the weekend. This is the Lee Hedley Band playing The Thrill Is Gone:
6. Ronnie Greer and Ken Haddock
This pair of mighty musicians know how to rip up a stage! Messers Greer and Haddock have their hearts steeped in the blues, so it’s fitting that here they play ‘Kansas City Blues’
Steve Payne, Paul Hobday and Billy Boy Miskimmin will be hitting Kelly’s Cellars and The Spaniard over the weekend with their intense roots and blues music. Payne and Hobday are seen here playing ‘Pumpernickel Bread’

domain: entertainment


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Explore the storied career of British actress Maggie Smith, from her early stage performances to her iconic roles in 'Downton Abbey' and the 'Harry Potter' series. A look at her award-winning performances and her lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.Want a resume like this?
One of today's most talented and well-respected actors is Maggie Smith. She has accumulated a long number of honors and trophies over the course of a career spanning more than six decades, solidifying her position as an entertainment industry real legend. But what specifically has she done? She is one of the most honored actresses of all time due to her two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and three BAFTAs. She has also received countless more nominations, including numerous Emmy and Tony nominations. Awards, however, do not adequately capture her influence and impact on the industry. Smith has also had a very varied and successful career, appearing in roles in theater, television, and film. She has acted in some of the most lauded and cherished motion pictures ever made, including "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," "California Suite," and the Harry Potter films. She is most well-known on television for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the hit show "Downton Abbey." She also had a great theatre career, having been on Broadway and on London's West End. Her output is important, but so is the caliber of those pieces. She has repeatedly demonstrated her acting prowess. Her performances have frequently received accolades for their intricacy, sensitivity, and depth. Maggie Smith is unquestionably a major power in the entertainment business, to sum up. She is one of the most regarded and admired actors of our day thanks to her amazing resume of honors and awards as well as her successful and varied profession. Do you desire more information about Maggie Smith? Her paintings are generally accessible and unquestionably worth viewing.
Played the role of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series, which is considered one of the most successful and beloved film series of all time, grossing over $7.7 billion worldwide. Maggie Smith is considered as one of the finest actors of her generation
Played the title role in the film adaption of Muriel Spark's novel 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' and won the Academy award for Best Actress. She portrayed a complex character of a teacher in a 1930s Edinburgh girls' school, who is charismatic and controversial.
Played the role of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the popular British historical period drama television series Downton Abbey . Her performance was widely critically acclaimed and earned her numerous award nominations and wins
She has played a diverse range of characters, from the stern Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series to the witty and acerbic Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey.
She has had a successful acting career spanning several decades, with notable performances in stage, film, and television.
She has won numerous awards for her acting, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three BAFTA Awards.
Although this content is AI-inspired and human-reviewed, there are bound to be some small inaccuracies, such as start-end year discrepancies. Please bear this in mind when or if you cite the content. Focus on the strengths, achievements and experiences that famous people have on their resumes, how they are framed, and what you can take from them as an inspiration for your own job application.
Resume Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Idris Elba is a highly accomplished actor, producer, and musician with an impressive resume. He has starred in critically acclaimed films such as "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," "Beasts of No Nation," and "The Mountain Between Us." He has also made a name for himself in television with his leading roles in "Luther" and "The Wire." Are you impressed yet? But wait, there's more. Idris Elba has also proven his talents behind the camera as a producer and director. He executive produced the crime drama series "Guerrilla" and directed several episodes of "Luther." He even ventured into the music industry, releasing several albums under the moniker "DJ Big Driis." But it's not just his professional accomplishments that make Idris Elba stand out. He is also actively involved in charitable causes, serving as an ambassador for the Prince's Trust and UNICEF, and even starting his own charity, the Idris Elba Fund. It's clear that Idris Elba is not just a talented actor, but a multifaceted artist who is constantly pushing the boundaries of his craft. He is a true force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. So, if you're looking for an actor with a proven track record and a passion for giving back, look no further than Idris Elba.
One of the most important people in the music business is Dr. Dre. He has made a name for himself as a master producer, rapper, and businessman over the course of a career spanning more than three decades. Have you ever heard of "2001" or "The Chronic"? These albums, which have sold millions of copies worldwide and are regarded as hip-hop classics, Dr. Dre's producing abilities are evident because he collaborated with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar, and helped create the sound of West Coast hip-hop. But that's not the end of Dr. Dre's résumé. He co-founded Beats Electronics in 2008, which transformed how people listen to music by making premium headphones and speakers widely available. Dr. Dre became one of the richest hip-hop artists in the world when the company was eventually sold to Apple for $3 billion. He has also established a reputation as a shrewd businessman. He has made investments in a number of businesses, most notably the well-known music streaming service Tidal. The fact that Dr. Dre is a skilled rapper contributes to his success in the music business in addition to his production abilities and commercial savvy. Dr. Dre has solidified his spot in the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame with a number of solo albums. To sum up, Dr. Dre's résumé is, to put it mildly, amazing. He has left an enduring impression on the music business and has distinguished himself as a talented musician, producer, and businessman. His contributions to the economic and musical worlds will be felt for many years to come.
Do you know who Tom Cruise is? Most likely, you have. But just in case, let me briefly introduce you to this very gifted and popular actor. Have you ever seen any of his movies, to start? Tom Cruise has starred in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, from the famous "Top Gun" to the phenomenally successful "Mission: Impossible" series. But he stands out for more reasons than just his box office triumph. His performances have regularly been praised by the critics, and he has received three Academy Award nominations. But Tom Cruise's career spans much more than acting. Along with being a director, he is also a renowned film producer. Not to mention his excellent resume of charitable initiatives. He has given millions of dollars to numerous organisations and actively participated in disaster relief operations. What therefore makes Tom Cruise such a valuable and prosperous person? It's his commitment to his art, his drive to constantly get better, and his readiness to take on demanding jobs. His amazing amount of work demonstrates how hard he continually works to improve himself. So keep in mind the arduous labor and commitment that went into making a Tom Cruise movie the next time you watch one. He is unquestionably a legend in the entertainment business.

domain: artistic


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LUKA KNIT TOP
The Luka Knit Top is a versatile styling piece. Cut from a comfortable, body hugging ribbed knit fabric, the cropped top features a split V-neckline, wide shoulder straps and a scoop backline.
FIT: designed with a form-fitting cropped silhouette. Pull-on styling, not bra friendly. Ribbed knit fabric offers some stretch to the fit.
SIZE: true to size, select your normal size. Model is 178cm / 5'10" wearing AU 8 / US 4.
Designed in Australia, made in China
FABRIC: 55% linen, 45% cotton
- Cold hand wash separately using mild wool detergent
- Reshape when wet if needed
- Dry flat in shade
- Cool iron on reverse
- To prevent stretching store flat, do not hang
- Do not dry clean, bleach, rub, soak, wring or tumble dry.
FREE 2-DAY SHIPPING
All orders are shipped within 24 hours from Los Angeles California, United States.
A Curated Collection of Timeless Investment Pieces
from Sustainable Designers - you'll LOVE.

domain: design


text:
Only 2 left in stock
Crow Bar by Multi Minis. Adorable accessory for your dollhouse! Designed for a miniature setting. Made of plastic. Measures approximately 2 5/8 inches long x 5/8 inches wide.
There are no reviews yet.
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Glass Jar of Dried Eyeballs for Halloween
The Chopper Two by North West Short Line NW694
Set of 10 Alexandre Dumas Books by A Novel Idea NCNI138
Vintage Look Framed Victorian Gold Metal Framed Picture of Twin Halloween Witches MG
Join our mailing list for the latest miniature products, news, and special promotions for preferred customers.


text:
- Subject index
Visual Culture Studies presents 13 engaging and detailed interviews with some of the most influential intellectuals working today on the objects, subjects, media, and environments of visual culture. Exploring historical and theoretical questions of vision, the visual, and visuality, this collection reveals the provocative insights of these thinkers, as they have contributed in exhilarating ways to disturbing the parameters of more traditional areas of study across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. In so doing they have key roles in establishing visual culture studies as a significant field of inquiry. Each interview draws out the interests and commitments of the interviewee to critically interrogate the past, present, and future possibilities of visual culture studies and visual culture itself.
Chapter 5: Disability Studies, the Humanities, and the Limits of the Visible
Disability Studies, the Humanities, and the Limits of the Visible
Lennard J. Davis is Professor in the English Department in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition, he is Professor of Disability and Human Development in the School of Applied Health Sciences, and Professor of Medical Education in the Medical School. Amongst his many books, he is author of Enforcing Normalcy (1995), My Sense of Silence (2000), Bending Over Backwards (2002) and editor of The Disability Studies Reader (1997 ), and has a book forthcoming on the cultural history of obsession (2008). Here Davis begins by speaking about the role of the public intellectual in discussions of ...

domain: library


The thugs also injured some voters at the polling unit.
Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the police public relations officer in Ebonyi, who confirmed the incident, said the electoral materials were initially destroyed.
“Yes, some sensitive materials were destroyed but later resent to the affected polling unit and the election was conducted in the area.
An electorate, who refused to mention his name, said suspected thugs came into the polling unit and started shooting sporadically.
“No fewer than three persons were shot. They have been taken to the hospital,” he said


Coronation Park Location
Coronation Park is just west of Westmount Mall. The park entrance is where 114 Avenue meets 139 Street.
From 142 Street turn right/east onto 115 Avenue. At the 4-way stop, turn right/south onto 139 Street. The entrance to the park is on the right where the road changes to 114 Avenue.
In the park stay to the left (follow orienteering signs). There are 51 angle parking spots on the left.
There are public washrooms in the food court of Westmount Mall. Seasonally, there are public washrooms on the south side of the tennis courts.
Restaurants: McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Boston Pizza on the Groat Road side of the Mall; the food court is accessible from the west side of the Mall.
ETS: #5 from downtown & other routes to Westmount Transit Centre


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Yeti Dog Bowl: You probably already know that Yeti makes the world’s best coolers (hard and soft), and the company has quickly built an expanded product line of backpacks, drinkware and other accessories, all leveraging its reputation for products that are over-engineered and nearly indestructible. Well, they took the same approach to dog bowls, with the company’s single model, the Boomer 8, so named because it is large and holds up to eight cups of water (or food) enough for any dog (or more than one). It is built with double-walled, non-insulated, food safe 18/8 stainless steel, and is just bombproof rugged, very easy to clean, resistant to rust, and impervious to even the roughest roughhousing. It has a non-slip ring on the bottom, is heavy enough to not get knocked over, can even go in the dishwasher, and comes in four colors ($50).
The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise.
Over the past few years a limited number of breeders have advertised and sold dogs they represent to be purebred Labrador Retrievers with a dilute or gray coat color—hence the term “silver labs.” The AKC has accepted some of these “silver labs” for registration. Apparently, the rationale for this decision is that the silver coat color is a shade of chocolate. Interestingly, the original breeders of “silver” Labradors were also involved in the Weimaraner breed. Although we cannot conclusively prove that the silver Labrador is a product of crossbreeding the Weimaraner to a Labrador, there is good evidence in scientific literature indicating that the Labrador has never been identified as carrying the dilute gene “dd.” The Weimaraner is the only known breed in which the universality of “dd” is a characteristic.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Personalize a colorful collar for your dog, or get her ready for adventure with a durable jacket. And when you’ve seen to all things practical, dress her up with playful accessories like bow ties and bandanas. Then browse our sturdy dog bowls, long-lasting toys, all-natural treats, and more to find the perfect fit, whether you’re treating a friend or pampering your own four-legged companion.
My name is Tin Top and I am a truly amazing dog! My life kind of is like one of those country songs that starts out sad and then ends up happy. My sad start was being found on a rural rode with a gunshot wound in my shoulder. It shattered my front leg, so the amazing vet and his team had to remove it. But then they worked with me and helped me learn to walk on three legs. Cool huh? Soon a foster for DFW Lab Rescue came and took me to his home. I get lots of food (I was very, very, skinny), a nice warm cozy bed and tons of love from my foster parents. There are two foster lab brothers that I like but I am not really into playing with them.
We all live on the go these days. That includes dogs. So if a dog lover doesn’t want Sparky drinking out of that filthy, gasoline-swirled puddle, they better have a good alternative on hand. And while dog owners have been known to be quite up-close and personal with their pets, most people draw the line at sticking their own water bottle in Sparky’s mouth. This is one of those simple, obvious gifts that will come to seem so indispensable that they won’t believe they ever got on without it.
If you’re not totally sure exactly what type of toy or treat to give, Shirley Braha, who’s mom to Instagram-famous Marnie the Dog, recommends giving the gift of replenishing treats. “The first thing that comes to mind is a BarkBox subscription, because I feel like dogs are always running out of treats, and high-quality treats are weirdly expensive.”
Labrador Retrievers are often categorised in one of two ways: English Labs or American Labs. The differences are principally behavioural, though there are differences in appearance as well. Behaviorally, English Labs tend to be more easily trainable, and are often considered better for non-professional owners to keep as pets or hunting companions. American Labs tend to be more energetic and, having been bred to compete in field trials, are better suited for professional owners with more experience and time to devote to training. In terms of appearance, English Labs tend to more prominently exhibit the 'blocky' heads for which Labrador Retrievers are known, whereas American Labs tend to be leaner and longer-legged.
But let's face it, there are so many gifts to choose from that a lot of them simply aren't that great. Maybe they're too ugly, too poorly made, or just downright cheesy. Some bones are just bad for a dog's teeth and digestive track, while others might not be environmentally sustainable enough. Some toys might break apart after just one night, and don't get us started on things you can make your dog wear. Have you seen some of the sweaters out there that can make dogs look like Muppets? These are difficult choices because the dog simply can't tell you what it wants. You have to decide, and hopefully these options will help.
We know our dogs would follow us to the ends of the earth. Why not make their travels a little more comfortable? Inside the sturdy Traveler’s Kit bag is an airtight pouch made to store 5 pounds of kibble, a portable food bowl, and a water bowl. Pockets galore cam stash leashes and toys, and the durable nylon canvas material is built to last multiple weekend camping trips.
Exercise Because of their high energy level, Labs require plenty of exercise—overeating and obesity can be a concern for this breed, and regular exercise will help maintain a proper weight. Running, swimming, fetch, and hiking are examples of activities the Lab enjoys. And of course, treks into the field are a wonderful form of exercise for this ideal gundog.
The rest is basic maintenance. Trim the nails every week or two, as needed. They should never get long enough that you hear them clacking on the floor. Long nails can make it uncomfortable for the Lab to walk, and they can get caught on things and tear off. That’s really painful, and it will bleed a lot. Brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good dental health and fresh breath.
While this product doesn’t scream “I’m a dog mom” to those who aren’t in the know, the Second Chance Movement is taking dogs out of high-kill shelters and moving them to no-kill shelters around the country where they have a chance at a forever home instead of euthanasia. This water bottle funds 4 miles of transport for a dog at risk of euthanasia. What better gift for a dog mom than helping to save the life on an innocent dog?
Furbo Dog Camera & Treat Dispenser: The Number One Dog Gift on Amazon’s wish lists and the perfect gift for that person who loves their dog more than anything, the Furbo Dog Camera is the world’s first treat tossing camera, allowing an owner who hates being away from their pup to keep an eye on them and interact remotely. With Furbo, dog parents can watch their dog throughout the day, toss them treats, and speak to them through 2-way audio. In addition, the new Furbo Dog Nanny service lets them set up to receive smart alerts via cloud-recorded videos triggered by activity, barking or people in the frame. You can also have your dog send selfies and receive Doggie Diaries - a 60-second time-lapse of highlights from your pup’s day. The video, audio and treat tossing are all basic functions included with Furbo ($249), while the Dog Nanny features requires an additional monthly subscription.
Labrador Retrievers come in three colors—black, yellow, and chocolate. Differences in behavior and personalities between the colors have been noted by many Lab owners, though these differences are no more than hearsay. While anecdotal evidence suggests the genes may be responsible for differences in temperament as well as coloring, this phenomenon has not been studied extensively.
DFW Lab rescue is proud of our stewardship of the trust our donors and volunteers have in us. Rescued dogs are often not in the best of shape. Some will take a few weeks to recover and some will take months. Our donors allow us to provide excellent care and rescue dogs that otherwise would never receive that chance.

domain: pet


Data dialogues: Critical connections for designing and implementing future nanomaterial research
Powers, CM., Grieger, K., Beaudrie, C., Hendren, CO., Davis, JM., Wang, A., Sayes, C., MacDonell, M., & Gift, JS. (2015). Data dialogues: Critical connections for designing and implementing future nanomaterial research. Environment Systems and Decisions, 35(1), 76-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-014-9518-1
Individuals and organizations in the engineered nanomaterial (ENM) community have increasingly recognized two related but distinct concerns: (1) Discordant data due to differences in experimental design (e.g., material characteristics, experimental model, and exposure concentration) or reporting (e.g., dose metric and material characterization details), and (2) a lack of data to inform decisions about ENM environmental, health, and safety (EHS). As one way to help address these issues, this Commentary discusses the important role of “data dialogues” or structured discussions between ENM researchers in EHS fields (e.g., toxicology, exposure science, and industrial hygiene) and decision makers who use the data researchers’ collect. The importance of these structured discussions is examined here in the context of barriers, solutions, and incentives: barriers to developing research relevant for human and ecological risk assessments; potential solutions to overcome such barriers; and incentives to help implement these or other solutions. These barriers, solutions, and incentives were identified by a group of expert stakeholders and ENM community members at the December 2013 Society for Risk Analysis panel discussion on research needed to support decision making for multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Key topics discussed by experts and ENM community members include: (1) The value of researchers collaborating with EHS decision makers (e.g., risk analysts, product developers, and regulators) to design research that can inform ENM EHS-related decisions (e.g., occupational exposure limits and product safety determinations), (2) the importance of funding incentives for such collaborative research, (3) the need to improve mechanisms for data sharing within and between sectors (e.g., academia, government, and industry), and (4) the critical need to educate the “next generation” of nanotechnology researchers in EHS topics (e.g., risk assessment, risk management). In presenting these outcomes, this Commentary is not intended to conclude the conversation that took place in December 2013 but rather to support a broader dialogue that helps ensure important risk assessment questions are answered for ENMs.


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Predicting the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is a fool’s game. Many have tried, all have failed — particularly impatient politicians who have prematurely declared victory against the coronavirus, only to see their hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients again.
That does not mean the pandemic tunnel is dark. There is light at the end of it. It’s just difficult to gauge the speed at which it’s approaching.
Hope seen once the omicron wave increases global immunity
Posted: 1:05 PM Jan. 24, 2022
World health officials are offering hope that the ebbing of the omicron wave could give way to a new, more manageable phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as they warn of difficult weeks ahead and the possibility of another, more dangerous variant arising.
In the U.S., cases have crested and are dropping rapidly, following a pattern seen in Britain and South Africa, with researchers projecting a period of low spread in many countries by the end of March. Though U.S. deaths — now at 2,000 each day — are still rising, new hospital admissions have started to fall, and a drop in deaths is expected to follow.
Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director in Europe, offered a sensible and hopeful message Monday: he said he believes the world can end the "emergency phase" of the pandemic in 2022 and that the Omicron variant "offers plausible hope for stabilization and normalization."
It’s a realistic outlook. The world is not in the same place it was two years ago when COVID-19 began spreading rapidly around the globe. We are not even in the same place we were last spring when the Delta variant caused severe and widespread illness among largely unvaccinated populations.
Today, the vast majority of Manitobans and Canadians have had at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which continues to provide strong protection against severe illness and death. The vaccine does not prevent infection against Omicron the way it did with previous strains. But the data show hospitalization and death rates remain far higher among the unvaccinated than those with at least two doses. People with three doses are even better protected.
That is not an excuse to become complacent. Even though Omicron causes milder symptoms for most people compared with previous strains, the variant is so transmissible, the sheer number of infections it causes is driving up hospital admissions.
Nevertheless, society and the medical community have tools and knowledge they did not have two years ago. Used wisely and distributed equitably throughout the world, it is those resources that represent the light at the end of the tunnel, Dr. Kluge said.
"Although Omicron offers plausible hope for stabilization and normalization, our work is not done," Dr. Kluge wrote. "Huge disparities in access to vaccines remain. If 2021 was the year of vaccine production, 2022 must be the year of vaccine equity in the European Region and beyond."
The COVID-19 pandemic will end, like previous ones did, he said. More variants will likely emerge. But with new tools and knowledge, there’s good reason to believe the virus can be managed with far less illness and societal disruption, said Dr. Kluge.
"With strong surveillance and monitoring of new variants, high vaccination uptake and third doses, ventilation, affordable equitable access to antivirals, targeted testing, and shielding high-risk groups with high-quality masks and physical distancing if and when a new variant appears, I believe that a new wave could no longer require the return to pandemic-era, population-wide lockdowns or similar measures," he wrote.
It is a persuasive argument, one that is based on science and reasonable assumptions. Political will at the global level will be required to ensure equitable access to vaccines and antivirals in less affluent countries. If that will is strong enough, a return to normalcy is achievable in the near future, thanks in large part to advances in science.
No one can predict when the pandemic will end. However, Dr. Kluge’s assessment of the current state of affairs offers a healthy dose of hope and a realistic path to a post-pandemic world.

domain: medical


Good early morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top rated newspapers headlines in Nigeria for these days, Thursday, 14th October 2021
The Federal Governing administration has said that employees will be denied entry from their offices from Dec 1 if they are unable to display proof that they have been vaccinated from COVID-19 pandemic or a Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR take a look at accomplished in just 72 hrs.
Mr. Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee PSC on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Federal government of the Federation SGF announced this on Wednesday, during a press briefing.
He stated: “With impact from 1st December, 2021, Federal Government workforce shall be expected to display proof of COVID-19 vaccination or existing a unfavorable COVID-19 PCR take a look at final result performed inside 72 hours, to get access to their places of work, in all spots inside Nigeria and our Missions. An proper service huge advisory/round will be issued to tutorial the method.
Rising from a conference with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday, the Edo Condition Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his resolve not to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) even as he tackled the lingering disaster in the point out chapter of his new occasion.
He mentioned that it was not his will to leave the political platform that sponsored his election in his 1st tenure but was pushed out of the occasion when he needed to run for the next tenure.
Naija News had documented the Governor’s take a look at to the presidential villa hardly a working day right after he explained why he is yet to indicator the anti-open up grazing regulation which southern governors solved to go in their states.
Questioned by point out home correspondents whether or not he was considering a return to the APC, Obaseki said, “I believe I have demonstrated that I’m a politician with integrity and I have produced it quite crystal clear that I didn’t go away the other occasion on my individual.
Forward of the November 6 Anambra governorship election, the deputy governor of the point out, Dr Nkem Okeke, has formally dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News experiences that Okeke also met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
Okeke was led to the President by the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo Condition Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
Briefing Point out House correspondents at the conclude of the assembly, Uzodinma mentioned there will be additional defections to the ruling get together ahead of the impending governorship election in the state.
Embattled Yoruba Country agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been reportedly rushed to the clinic.
It was confirmed to newsmen on Wednesday, October 13 by a single of the agitator’s authorized counsel, Yomi Aliyu, that that Igboho is critically sick and has been rushed to the healthcare facility.
Naija News studies that Aliyu though interacting with BBC Yoruba earlier, alleged that the legal rights activist produced the sickness in Benin Republic prison custody.
In accordance to him, the agitator has also been critically sick and rushed to the medical center for remedy. The law firm lifted an alarm that Igboho is in dire want of health-related remedy.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Social gathering (PDP) has rejected the adoption of the direct primary for buying candidates for elections in political events.
Naija Information studies that the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition social gathering, Kola Ologbondiyan, mentioned this in a statement on Tuesday.
This news medium had documented that the Senate on Tuesday accredited that all political parties need to use the immediate major for the election of candidates.
But in accordance to the PDP, the Senate conclusion to undertake immediate main is a hindrance to the development of democratic norms, and a plot to introduce anarchy in functions.
The PDP mentioned that the adoption is a retrogressive provision that seeks to wipe off the gains accomplished in the nation’s electoral apply given that 1999.
It explained this kind of the immediate primary was not operable and does not replicate the wishes and aspirations of the vast majority of Nigerians, asking the Senate to instantly reverse by itself on the final decision.
The Nigerian Army has refuted stories that it was developing a Ruga settlement in the southeastern region of the state.
In a statement introduced on Wednesday, Oct 13, the military warned customers of the public to disregard the viral statements, declaring that the reports are far from the real truth.
The communique which was signed and issued by Important Abubakar Abdullahi, performing Deputy Director, Army General public Relations, browse therefore: “The 82 Division Nigerian Military has pointed out with utmost problem, a baseless allegation aired by means of an outlawed on the net radio that the Division of the Nigerian Army is at this time constructing a Ruga Settlement at Igbo-Etiti local community of Udi Local Authorities Place, Enugu Condition.”
Naija Information reports that the Nigerian Army taken care of that it continues to be a credible institution that unites the nation, including that it has no spot for ethnoreligious sentiments.
Providing clarification on the alleged ruga generation, the army said they are relatively setting up a navy teaching facility at Igbo-Etiti Neighborhood of Udi Neighborhood Federal government Area, Enugu Condition, and not ruga as claimed in some quarters.
Some political functions, not less than seven are doing work eagerly in time for the 2023 elections in Nigeria to current a mega occasion able of hard the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP).
This was disclosed by a politician and previous Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu.
He said the purpose is to current a credible and choice platform to Nigerians unique from the APC and PDP which he explained as the “same side of a coin.”
Moghalu designed this identified when fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja when he played host to the applicant of African Democratic Get together (ADC) in the November 6th governorship election in Anambra Condition, Nzeh Akachukwu.
The North Central zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has agreed to the option of Benue-born previous Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu as their prospect for the placement of national chairman of the occasion.
This was disclosed to newsmen by the Benue Point out Governor, Samuel Ortom following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, late on Tuesday.
The assembly was also attended by previous Senate presidents David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Iyorchia Ayu himself.
Other individuals present at the conference include previous Kogi Condition Governor, Idris Ibrahim PDP Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan former Governor of Niger Point out, Babangida Aliyu and previous Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and many other folks.
Soon after the conference, Ortom disclosed that after many hrs of meeting in which 5 potential candidates were deemed, they agreed on the option of Ayu.
The Adeyemi Faculty of Education has been upgraded to a full-fledged college.
Naija News reviews that the Nationwide Assembly on Wednesday handed a bill to upgrade the federal governing administration-owned greater instruction establishment positioned in Ondo Town, Ondo State, Nigeria.
The development followed the concurrence of the Senate to the Home of Reps Invoice which was earlier passed at the Environmentally friendly Chamber.
The establishment, Naija News understands will now go by the new title the Adeyemi Federal College of Education, Ondo.
Speaking just after the passage of the monthly bill, the President of the Nigeria Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the bill has repealed the Act that proven Adeyemi Higher education of Schooling and re-enacted a new a person for the institution of the Adeyemi Federal College or university of Education.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has asked political and socio-cultural leaders to halt making divisive reviews that would tear the region apart.
Talking at an event on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo condition funds, Fayemi encouraged the leaders to look for a new way of communicating their views rather than make inciting statements that would induce division in the nation.
He extra that Nigeria needs patriots and not ethnic disaster business people and bigots who see almost everything from the prism of ethnic and spiritual conspiracy.
The governor also asked politicians to connect their politics responsibly, and not resort to ethnic jingoism, sectarian and divisive rhetoric.


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Those who wish to develop their natural wellbeing may find yoga therapy a useful route. Yoga therapy is taught by yoga teachers with additional training and experience in the therapeutic adaptation and application of yoga. People may be taught one-to-one or in a therapy group setting.
Yoga therapy may help with many issues and can be appropriate for a wide range of ages and lifestyles as well as those looking for a healthier way of life. All that is needed from the participant is the desire to help her or himself and the willingness to practise regularly.
Through practising a yoga therapy programme the participant may, for example, become more aware of posture and breathing. She/he may also find regular practice can help to promote relaxation, aid sleep and relieve tension; it may help to contribute to an increased sense of wellbeing and a positive mood.
In a typical first yoga therapy session a medical history will be taken by the yoga therapist. The body, posture, simple movements and the breath may be observed and issues and concerns discussed. Working with yoga therapeutically is about the whole person.
The yoga therapist will then assess how yoga therapy may help before planning and teaching a practice tailored to the needs of that individual. Practices may include one or more of a range of techniques such as posture work, breathing, relaxation, working with sound, reflection, and/or meditation. A number of sessions are likely to be needed to confirm safe and appropriate practice.
Choosing a practitioner
It is important to choose a qualified yoga therapist who has undertaken all the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of yoga therapy.
You can check whether a yoga therapist is registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) by searching the register at www.cnhc.org.uk. By choosing yoga therapists registered with the CNHC you can be confident that they are properly trained, qualified and insured.
Search the Register
To find a local complementary therapist, enter your own postcode or town/city and select how many miles from there that you want to search.
You can narrow your search by selecting a particular type of therapy from the drop down list.
Alternatively you can search for a therapist by name.

domain: health


Merkel gets fourth term in office
Merkel’s conservative bloc won 32.5% of the vote, making them the largest parliamentary group, an exit poll for broadcaster ARD indicated. However, that was down from 41.5% in the last election, in 2013.
Support for their closest rivals, the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) which are currently junior partners in a so-called “grand coalition” with Merkel, slumped to 20.0%—a new post-war low. The SPD ruled out a re-run of that tie-up.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) stunned the establishment by finishing third and entering parliament for the first time with 13.5% of the vote. ■


The Liberal parliamentary secretary tasked with defending the government's carbon pricing plan had a sharp retort Monday for a former teammate who bolted to the Conservatives.
Ontario Tory MP Leona Alleslev, who was elected as a Liberal in 2015 but crossed the floor in dramatic fashion last month, rose in question period to ask why Canada is pricing carbon when its emissions are a drop in the bucket compared to China and the United States.
Watch the exchange below:
Alleslev received some jeers when she stated in her preamble that "we all agree that climate change needs to be addressed." Liberals have been pressing the Tories to release their own climate plan.
Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser, who often pinch hits for Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in question period, sparked laughs with his response.
"If the honourable member honestly believes all members of this House [on the Conservative benches] believe this is a threat that needs to be challenged, I suggest she hasn't been with them quite long enough," Fraser said.
The Liberal MP added that "anybody who wants to join us for the next campaign, who believes this message, would be welcome on this side of the House."
More from HuffPost Canada:


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POSTED: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - 6:15pm
UPDATED: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - 6:19pm
Baton Rouge, La (NBC33) — If you're looking at LSU for your education, then you'll be getting one of the best values in the country, according to two national publications.
Both the Princeton Review and Kiplinger's say LSU is one of the top public schools in the country for its combination of cost and quality.
On the academic side, the rankings measure things like admissions standards, student-teacher ratio, and graduation rate.
On the financial side, they consider, in and out-of-state tuition, the number of students on scholarship, and the average amount of debt students have when they leave the university.

domain: economics


The Case of Lebanon
November 16, 2018 will always be remembered as the day the entire country came to a standstill because of practices in downtown Beirut for the Independence Day parade. The drills, coupled with a storm, had citizens stuck in their cars for up to four hours to make the trip from Jounieh to Beirut – a drive which would take a maximum of forty minutes on an empty road; a pregnant lady even gave birth on the road since she couldn’t get to the hospital in time due to the traffic.
While such heavy traffic jams are rare even in Lebanon, it is unfortunately very normal to spend an hour or more in congestion during rush hour to make a journey that would otherwise take less than half that time.
Efficient and fast ground mobility is clearly a huge problem in Lebanon and while the Ministry of Public Works and Transport says it plans to tackle the issue, nothing has been done yet. So, instead of waiting, some of Lebanon’s entrepreneurs have set their sights on innovation in transportation: YallaBus, Carpolo, Loop, Towbe and Careem are all startups working towards making daily commutes less of a nightmare for the average citizen.
Why is Innovation in Transportation Important?
Traffic is not only a problem because it is incredibly frustrating for those stuck in it wishing they could just leave their car in the middle of the road and walk; the loss of productivity resulting from time wasted in traffic jams is considerable. According to the World Bank, the annual economic cost of traffic congestion in Lebanon is $2 billion or 5-10 percent of our national GDP.
Transportation in Lebanon overwhelmingly relies on private cars. A 2016 study by the IPT Energy Center and UNDP claims that 230,000 passenger cars enter Beirut from the north highway on a daily basis and 85,000 do so from the southern highway. As such, the study says, a proportionately higher percentage of emissions are released into the atmosphere per vehicle-kilometer or vehicle-hour of congestion in Lebanon than in more developed countries. The environmental implications of this fact are serious given that Beirut has little greenery to absorb all the CO2 being released into the air.
Next time you are stuck in a traffic jam, look around you and notice that most cars you see are occupied by one user only, the driver, which compounds the traffic problem. Ralph Khairallah, co-founder of carpooling search engine app Carpolo, who has done extensive research on mobility before launching his company, says 80 percent of the vehicles on Lebanon’s roads today are private cars. Moreover, the passenger per vehicle in Lebanon is 1.2 over five cars seats when the global average is 1.4; increasing that number to 1.4 can save the Lebanese economy $320,000 per day by reducing the number of cars on the street, he says.
Public transport in Lebanon exists only in the form of taxis and buses, the latter of which are chaotically run and unregulated. Therese Keyrouz, co-founder of bus map and application YallaBus, says the government owns less than 1 percent of the 4,000 licensed and registered buses currently running in Lebanon.
Worldwide, innovation in transportation is making headlines. The general trend is towards green mobility – aimed at reducing a country’s carbon footsteps, and include self-driving electric buses which are already in operation in China and Germany and are being tested for the US market. Others also look at decreasing traffic congestions such as elevated buses which allow cars to drive underneath them – currently being designed in China, or self-driving drone taxis.
Innovations aside, developed countries already rely heavily on their existing public transportation. We have all taken the subway, tube, metro or train in cities abroad or ridden on buses however these options are nonexistent or not easily available in Lebanon.
Innovation in Transportation : what is being done in Lebanon?
All of the entrepreneurs we spoke to for this article agree that Lebanon needs immediate solutions to its traffic problems. “We want to organize how things move and we are trying to do this in a country that has not had a transportation strategy for the past forty years. Today, we cannot replicate what has been done abroad exactly: ideas like digging underground to have a metro or getting funds to completely update the bus network are not going to be achieved in the near future. We need something practical that can be done right now,” says Carpolo’s Khairallah.
Carpolo makes use of the aforementioned empty car seats by connecting those with a similar route to each other so they may carpool. Although Khairallah says the concept of carpooling is not new to Lebanon- people in rural areas have been asking their neighbors for rides to the city for ages now, with payment being a homemade treat or a bag of fruit instead of money, he acknowledges that it may be awkward for people to ask for rides and that often times we don’t even know that our neighbor has a similar route.
As such, Carpolo incentivizes carpooling by gamifying it through points for both the driver and the user which can be redeemed at various stores. Carpolo is currently being used within by the BDD community and by Bank Byblos employees (7,000 active users in total) with Khairallah hoping to not only add more corporations and individual users but also to get governmental support for Carpolo to go nationwide.
The ride sharing app Careem, which was recently bought by its international counterpart Uber, modernized the concept of taxis by also making use of cars already on the road and by having the payment and ordering of rides more efficient and user-friendly.
While YallaBus’ Keyrouz applauds the World Bank’s plan regarding a new bus system for Lebanon, she believes making immediate use of the buses already running in the country is important. The main problem with these buses, according to Keyrouz, is that most people don’t know their route; this is where YallaBus comes in, a map which outlines the routes taken by Lebanon’s 4,000 buses. She believes riding the bus to university or work is the ideal solution for cash strapped students and young professionals, especially when they are coming to Beirut from far destinations, giving the example of a student who used to commute to work through Uber or Careem but saved $90 in thirteen days by riding the bus. Keyrouz says the maps are available across Beirut and that interest is so high that they ran out in many stores. She says the app with the map will be launched before the end of the year and that although today only 26 buses are equipped with trackers – allowing them to provide estimated times of arrival, YallaBus’ plan is to ultimately have all buses equipped with GPS trackers.
For commuting within the city, bicycles are the ideal option; however, they can be impractical if there are hills or rather long distances to be covered in a short period of time. In comes the electric scooter, which not only reduces the time spent in traffic, and the number of cars on the road, but is also environmentally friendly.
Funded by Berytech Fund II in 2016, Loop introduced sharable electric scooters to Beirut under the belief that if they can succeed in Beirut, they can succeed anywhere. Those who wish to use the scooters have to download the app, provide their current location and be directed to the nearest station where they enter a code provided by the app to release the bike and start using it. Today, there are 15 stations for Loop’s electric scooters situated in key areas in Beirut with 15 to 20 scooters. The app has 1,500 subscribers and around 600 active users who take it almost every day and so expansion is very much on the company’s mind: they plan to have a hundred scooters and 50 stations across Beirut by July 2019, according to general manager Mira Raham.
It’s not just about traffic
Not all transport innovations are centered around traffic reduction. Through Towbe, wait time for a tow truck can be reduced by less than half. As co-founder Naim Nassereldin explains, Towbe is an app currently used to help businesses such as insurance companies to easily and efficiently secure a tow truck for their clients; to date they have completed 153,000 jobs. It will soon be launched as an app which drivers can use for emergency car services such as changing a tire or charging a car battery instead of hoping for a do-gooder to take pity on a stranded individual.
While Lebanon’s traffic problems are far from solved, such innovation in transportation provides frustrated citizens with options beyond being stuck behind the wheel. There is hope for us still.


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It's officially, I've been traded in for Justin and Camea. After 4 long days away, I was so excited to see my cuddlebug, Molly. Sadly, after the initial excitement to see me, Molly did not feel the same. As we drove away, Molly began whining and looking backwards out the window for hew new best friends. Needless to say, Justin and Camea have both our stamps of approval.
Justin and his wife were very gracious while we went out of town for about a week. I requested to meet first, just to make sure our dog would get along with them. They were happy to do so, and put us at ease right away. We got a picture and an update while we were out. They understood my irrational concerns and treated Sadie like family right away. As a crazy dog owner, I ...
Justin and his wife were awesome!! They took great care of our pup! He came home very tired and very happy. Highly recommend!
Young, Active, Dog-Loving Couple!
My wife (Camea) and I are dedicated dog lovers with a comfortable dog friendly apartment in Downtown Dallas. I am available most of the day and your precious pup will be most welcome in our home. We live just minutes away from Klyde Warren Park and Katy Trail. Let me know how your dog does at a dog park so we can plan our day. Plenty of play time, affection, and love.
About this sitter ...
What Justin would like to know about your dog
No breed preferences.


Taprite Sanke Wing Handle Coupler - "S" - #FT90
This 'Wing' handle coupler is designed to be used with Sanke 'S' kegs. The wing handle design makes it easier to connect to even highly carbonated kegs.
It also features a built-in pressure relief valve with a 55 PSI rating. The gas port has a 3/8" barbed probe.
Please note that a tailpiece assembly is necessary to connect your beverage line to a Sanke coupler.


The smartphone gaming industry is growing at a rapid pace and so are the gaming smartphones. Xiaomi recently launched its third generation gaming smartphones namely the Black Shark 3 and the higher-end Black Shark 3 Pro.
These two 5G gaming smartphones sport visually impressive display, powerful internals, capable camera hardware, and reliable battery life coupled with astonishing charging speeds.
The Pro variant of this gaming smartphone series outperforms Samsung’s most powerful smartphone i.e. the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in multiple aspects.
In this article, we have compared these two flagship smartphones and drawn a conclusion as to which smartphone is the most powerful.
NOTE: In this article, we have only compared the Pro variant of the Black Shark 3 gaming smartphone series to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Table Of Contents
Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro Vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra: Design & Display
As you might know, Black Shark is Xiaomi’s gaming-phone focused subsidiary and it only produces capable gaming smartphones. The recently announced Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro is dedicated to hardcore gamers.
This new gaming smartphone has refined design aesthetics with improved grip and Xiaomi has also offered physical buttons on the side of the phone that function as triggers on a console controller. Users can customize and map these physical buttons as per their preference or as per the game requirement.
The humungous 7.1-inch screen of Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro has a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels and a refresh rate of 90Hz coupled with 270Hz touch-sensing. While gaming the higher refresh rate of this smartphone ensures that you have smooth and flawless gaming experience.
One of the major highlights of the entire Samsung Galaxy S series is excellent design aesthetics and the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra isn’t an exception. This flagship smartphone sports a full glass and metal construction. Unlike the Black Shark 3, Galaxy S20 Ultra offers IP68 dust & water-resistant.
Samsung manufactures some of the best smartphone displays and one on the Galaxy S20 Ultra is nothing short of astonishing. The 6.9 inches Dynamic AMOLED display on this smartphone has a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9.
Samsung allows users to change the resolution of this smartphone from Quad-HD to Full-HD in order to save battery. Luckily, you can enjoy the super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate when you are in FHD resolution.
In comparison, the humungous 7.1-inch screen of Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro offers much more screen real estate than the 6.9-inch Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. That said, the overall quality (resolution, refresh rate, and color reproduction) of the display of Galaxy S20 Ultra is much better than that of the Black Shark 3 Pro.
The design ergonomics of a smartphone comes down to personal preference. That said, the construction of Black Shark 3 Pro offers numerous advantages to gamers.
Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro Vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra: Processing Power And Camera
Both the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra are powered by the exact same Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) processor coupled with the capable Adreno 650 GPU. Moreover, a variant of Galaxy S20 Ultra is powered by the Exynos 990 (7 nm+) processor coupled with the Mali-G77 MP11 processor.
As you might have guessed, both these smartphones can effortlessly handle long gaming sessions. That said, the cooling solutions on the Black Shark 3 Pro offers improved cooling with the liquid-cooled plate and the liquid-cooled tube on this device helps reduce the CPU’s core temperature.
The standard 12GB RAM on both these smartphones ensures that the processor and GPU run at their full potential. Black Shark 3 Pro recently broke the highest AnTuTu benchmark score and it managed to get 620,952 points. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra also has a respectable score of 515,098 points.
As far as storage is concerned, the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro comes with either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. Sadly, the storage on Black Shark 4 Pro cannot be expanded. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra comes with 128GB / 256GB / 512GB internal storage. You can further expand the storage of S20 Ultra using a microSDXC.
ALSO READ: The Best Smartphones For Gaming
Xiaomi’s Black Shark 3 Pro sports a 64MP primary camera, joined by 13MP ultra-wide and 5MP depth-sensing sensor. Lastly, there’s a 20MP front-facing camera on this gaming smartphone.
One of the major highlights of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is its feature-packed triple camera setup. This triple-camera setup consists of a primary 108-megapixel sensor with OIS, 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Lens with a 120-degree field of view, 48-megapixel Telephoto lens with OIS with Super Resolution Zoom up to 100X and a depth sensor.
Undoubtedly, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra beats out the Black Shark 3 Pro in the camera department. In addition to photography, Galaxy S20 Ultra is also an impressive video-centric smartphone as it can shoot up to 8K resolution videos.
Other Important Features
Both these smartphones come with a plethora of unique features that help them stand out from the crowd. For example, the Black Shark 3 Pro packs industry’s first dual battery system and it has a battery capacity of 5000mAh. Xiaomi claims that this gaming smartphone takes just 12 minutes to reach 50% and 38 minutes to fully charge.
This smartphone relies on series charging for its 65W fast charging and parallel discharging for battery life stabilization and longevity.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra also packs a respectable 5000 mAh battery with 45W fast charging. Additionally, this smartphone also supports 9W reverse wireless charging. Luckily, both of these smartphones support the 5G network. Additionally, they run on the latest Android 10 out of the box.
Pricing And Availability
The base variant of Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro retails for a price of ¥4,699 (~$675) and the 12GB/256GB configuration costs ¥4,999 (~$718). This smartphone is available in Phantom Black and Armor Gray color variant. Presently, Mi 10 Pro is only launched in China. We can expect, Xiaomi to soon launch this flagship smartphone globally.
The base variant of this Galaxy S20 Ultra retails for a price of $1,399. This smartphone is available in Cosmic Grey and Cosmic Black color variants.
So this was a quick comparison between Xiaomi’s Black Shark 3 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Clearly, both these smartphones serve the purpose that they are meant to. Black Shark 3 Pro is undoubtedly one of the most powerful Android smartphones in existence.
That said, the gaming aesthetics of Black Shark 3 Pro make it a bit unimpressive for regular and corporate users. As a conclusion, in spite of being slightly less powerful than the Black Shark 3 Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra is presently the best Android smartphone.
ALSO READ: Best 5G Smartphones To Buy
Do share your thoughts and opinions on this comparison in the comments section below.


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By Chia Jie Lin
In a government office in Finland, 28 employees are working alongside 18 robots to trial a new way of working.
Finland is one of the world’s most advanced govtech nations, ranking sixth in the 2018 United Nation e-government survey. “We have allocated for this year 10 million Euros to encourage government agencies to use robotics, analysis or AI in daily functions,” Anna-Maija Karjalainen, Director General of Public Sector ICT at the Ministry of Finance, tells GovInsider.
In an exclusive interview, Karjalainen shares Finland’s focus on AI; why it has reformed its digital identity vision; and how it is pioneering services for marginalised residents, including asylum seekers and the elderly.
Robots take over finance
Artificia l intelligenceis playing a key role in the Finland Government’s finance and HR – validating purchase invoices from vendors, maintaining supplier registers and verifying changes to government employees’ contracts, according to a Finnish vendor it worked with.
AI has taken over the repetitive and manual tasks in the office, and allowed employees to spend more time and energy on customer service. “We have several different HR and financial systems, where you move the information from one system to another, and checking that data is in certain guidelines is a big part of it,” Karjalainen says.
This automation has brought the government annual savings of five million euros, she says. “What we are thinking in Finland all the time is the cost efficiency; how we can do more with less.”
The savings is equivalent to employing “100 persons less to do the sort of manual work that our robots are now able to do”, she says. The operations of a single robot costs 16,000 Euros annually.
The government has set up a “special fund for digitalisation” of 100 million euros to be spent over three years, according to Karjalainen. In addition, it has allocated 30 million euros for regional and local governments to implement their own digital projects.
One of the projects emerging from the special fund uses blockchain to provide welfare payments to asylum seekers. The national immigration service now provides payment cards containing grants for refugees to get a basic standard of living.
Each payment card is linked to a unique digital identity on a blockchain, doing away with the need for identity papers or bank accounts. A blockchain database monitors all card transactions, serving as an added layer of security to ensure that refugees get the money they need.
“The blockchain secures the information that we use,” she says, and “ensures that it’s okay for refugees to get the money from the bank.” Its secure digital trail allows for credit scoring and allows fellow users to lend money to one another.
These cards also serve as a form of identity that allows refugees to get jobs, receive their salaries and pay their bills. In late 2017, the programme had about 4,000 active accounts, and was launched across the European Economic Area (EEA).
Digital identity reforms
In January, Finland mandated that all government agencies must provide digital services. Citizens will primarily communicate with the government online, while businesses must use digital services to communicate with the agencies. The aim of this mandate, Karjalainen says, is to “give these services regardless of the location, and with 24/7 accessibility”.
Digital identity is a key platform for this, and Finland has drawn crucial lessons from previous attempts at launching a national digital identity. The government pioneered the world’s first national e-ID project in 1999, but had to compete with digital authentication services provided by Finnish banks.
Ultimately, high costs of using the government-issued IDs led to low usage rates, according to a 2010 study of the system. National e-IDs are “not used so much”, and Finnish citizens rely more on their bank IDs and mobile IDs, Karjalainen says. The 2010 study reported that the bank IDs were used for 99.9% of all e-government and e-commerce transactions, with only 0.1% using the government one.
Finland has now revised its approach to digital identities: citizens can transact with governments and businesses via a “trust network” using any one of three identity systems – bank IDs, mobile IDs, or national electronic IDs. “These three possibilities are available for identification,” says Karjalainen. This approach sets it apart from others like Estonia where citizens largely use the government digital identity for transactions with government and businesses.
Inclusion and e-authorisation
As Finland brings all its public services onto digital platforms, the government must provide assistance to those who may not have easy access to a computer or the skills to use it. “We try to support and help people who are unable to use digital services,” Karjalainen notes.
The government has introduced an e-authorisation system to allow citizens to use e-services on behalf of another citizen who might be entirely unable to use digital services. “You can authorise somebody else to use the digital services on your behalf,” she says.
For instance, citizens can now book medical appointments on behalf of their ailing parents, who cannot use the digital services. Finland is the first country in the world that allows citizens to electronically authorise another person to make important decisions for them.
Meanwhile, Finland has launched a nationwide support network that aims to help citizens who are not digitally savvy. The approach differs for citizens with varying needs.
For instance, officials provide “face-to-face support” in service centres for citizens who have no access to digital services. Meanwhile, officials can remotely instruct citizens that have access to digital services, but who are simply less tech savvy.
Social and healthcare services are two key services that constitute this support network. Finland has introduced a virtual hospital hub where healthcare professionals can diagnose, treat patients and refer them to specialists remotely, and where patients can access self-help exercises and therapies, both on websites and through mobile apps.
Some cities are already bringing advanced digital healthcare services to their citizens, but other cities have fallen behind. “We’re consolidating these services,” she says. In future, the fully established support network will help bring quality healthcare to more citizens across the country.
By focusing on disadvantaged people, and ensuring equality of access, Finland’s digital vision is anything but robotic. But even the most humane government policies can be enhanced by effective, efficient tech implementation.

domain: news


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The Cincinnati Reds would have to pay a steep price to extend the contract of ace Johnny Cueto, but the risk is definitely worth the reward for the second-best starting pitcher in baseball since 2011.
Jesse Winker will get to showcase his skills at the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game and just might be on his way to a starting left field job for the Cincinnati Reds in 2015.
The Cincinnati Reds may have endured a poor season overall in 2014, but their defense up the middle is getting their Gold Glove due, including award longshot shortstop Zack Cozart.
Cincinnati Reds' rookie Billy Hamilton may have faltered at the plate in 2014, but his defense in center field was so impressive that he should win a NL Gold Glove.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips should be a lock for his fifth Gold Glove award despite missing 41 games with the Reds this year.
The Cincinnati Reds will be auditioning Cuban pitcher Raisel Iglesias this winter for a potential spot in their 2015 rotation, which could help the Reds trade one of their current starters.
The Cincinnati Reds might have to trade one of their starting pitchers due to payroll excess and the need for a left fielder, and Mike Leake would be the ideal choice. See why here.
The Cincinnati Reds have needs for a starting left fielder and a reliever, and one or more of these five free agents could find themselves playing for the Reds in 2015.
Norichika Aoki has played a huge role in helping the Kansas City Royals reach the World Series, but here are the top five landing spots for the potential free agent once the 2014 season ends.
The Texas Rangers opted out of paying outfielder Alex Rios $14 million for 2015, but other teams will be more than interested in adding Rios to their roster.


88-Key Portable Electronic Piano with Dual Speakers
In the fast-paced world of today, music has become a cherished means of emotional expression and relaxation. To meet the desire of music enthusiasts to play anytime, anywhere, we are excited to introduce an astonishing musical instrument – the 88-key portable electronic piano with dual speakers. Packed with a diverse range of features, this piano allows you to effortlessly enjoy the enchantment of music.
This 88-key portable electronic piano takes pride in its high-quality tones and exceptional sound effects. With 128 meticulously tuned tones, ranging from the exquisite piano sound to rich synthesized effects, it caters to the demands of various musical genres. Additionally, the availability of 128 rhythm patterns enables you to create vibrant rhythm arrangements that infuse your music with greater vitality.
This electronic piano comes with a collection of 20 carefully selected demo songs, making learning and practice more engaging. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced musician, these demo songs will serve as excellent material for exploration and skill enhancement. Features such as dynamic functions, Trans adjustment, and Syncho synchronization allow you to fully unleash your playing prowess.
Our electronic piano boasts exciting creative capabilities. The recording function allows you to easily capture your performance, preventing those moments of inspiration from slipping away. The programming feature empowers you to independently arrange rhythms and tones, crafting personalized musical compositions. If a fresh start is needed, the reset function clears all settings, paving the way for new experiments.
Setting it apart from traditional pianos, this electronic piano features Bluetooth MIDI functionality, seamlessly connecting with smart devices. Through Bluetooth, you can link the electronic piano to compatible software, enabling music recording, editing, and sharing. You can manage your musical creations on the go, effortlessly showcasing your creative outputs using smartphones or tablets.
The 88-key portable electronic piano with dual speakers marks a new milestone in musical exploration. It not only possesses the refined sound quality of traditional pianos but also incorporates the power of modern technology, offering unparalleled convenience and versatility in music creation and performance. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or a professional musician, this electronic piano will be your indispensable musical companion. Let’s step into this new era brimming with the magic of music together!


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In 2017, the government of the United Kingdom passed the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Act, which allowed law enforcement to search locations that might contain looted artwork. That’s entirely understandable, given the ongoing debate about art forcibly taken from other countries and held unjustly. But, as a new article at Hyperallergic points out, there’s one fairly substantial exception to that rule — and it involves a hereditary monarchy.
An investigation by David Pegg and Rob Evans at The Guardian offers more details about just how the Queen was able to get a personal exemption from this law — which means that the Queen’s estates are off-limits to searches for looted art.
The article quotes a letter sent from an unnamed official to Buckingham Palace in early 2016, as the law was being prepared. “Separately, we wish to ensure that the powers of part 4 of the bill are not exercisable in relation to Her Majesty’s private estates,” wrote the official.
It’s worth noting that the exemption applies specifically to the Queen’s private estates, rather than to the royal estates as a whole. The Guardian reports that the crown estate is considered fair game for police conducting searches for looted art. The entire article is well worth a read, and focuses on some of the processes by which these laws were shaped. And it certainly sounds like the next season of The Crown could go to some rather unexpected places, should the filmmakers desire.
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CREACOMP® PEEK/CF composites are the ideal material for any pump application: PEEK material has excellent tribological, mechanical and damping properties and is wear and corrosion resistant.
Almost universal chemical resistance.
High mechanical strength.
Efficiency increase of the pumps.
PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic. As a composite material, it combines many useful properties that are particularly important in pump operation: In addition to tribological and mechanical properties, extreme chemical and corrosion resistance, and enormous wear resistance, the material also has excellent damping properties. The first-class emergency running properties have an equally positive effect on pump performance, as the risk of pump failure is significantly reduced. Compared to metallic composites, the CREACOMP® composite material has a significantly lower coefficient of friction and a lower weight.
Low-temperature or high-temperature applications and pressure fluctuations are also no problem for PEEK composite materials thanks to their low temperature expansion and insensitivity to pressure. The high ductility prevents damage from thermal shock, impact and shock loading. With CREACOMP® PEEK material from Createc, you thus benefit from a combination of strength, durability and uncomplicated usability.
CREACOMP® PEEK/carbon fiber composites have excellent mechanical properties and exhibit high temperature resistance. Compared to metallic materials, PEEK/carbon fiber composites have excellent corrosion resistance, high wear resistance and very good tribological properties.
The first-class emergency running properties of CREACOMP® PEEK/carbon fiber composites reduce a pump's risk of failure and protect the rotor, impeller and casing during start-up with the mating partner. The reduction of running clearances increases the efficiency of the pump, reduces energy consumption and thus leads to significant cost savings in pump operation.
Risk of production downtime is minimized:
The use of CREACOMP® composites increases the reliability of the pump. This minimizes the risk of pump failure and possible loss of production.
Longer service life of the pump:
Smoother running due to reduced vibrations, as CREACOMP® has excellent damping properties; additional prevention of total damage to a pump
Efficiency increase of the pumps:
Reduction of running clearances by up to 50%
Longer service life of bearings and wear rings:
Higher wear and corrosion resistance of critical components, such as bearings, wear rings and races
Reduction of operating costs (life cycle cost):
Pumps are more economical from production to service
Due to longer maintenance intervals of the production plant, trouble-free installation, longer running times of the plant
For special applications, such as on offshore platforms, in power plants or desalination plants, pumps are required where size, weight, energy and maintenance requirements are decisive criteria. Special process pumps with medium-lubricated bearings are suitable here. These high-performance pumps are more compact and lighter in design. They are more efficient because their bearings are lubricated directly with the pumped medium. However, the demands on the bearing material are high.
Alternative materials, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and hard metals, are brittle, so that stress cracks and fractures occur very quickly. Despite its hardness, the CREACOMP® PT-200 material exhibits high ductility and is insensitive to impact and shock loads. This facilitates the design of the plain bearings, the assembly and transport of the pump and allows trouble-free pump operation, even under extreme operating conditions.
In terms of running behavior, CREACOMP® PT-200 outperforms the usual bearing and wear properties of alternative materials in medium-lubricated pump bearings.
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Love You to Bits is an iOS puzzle adventure game by Alike Studio, that has an interesting title, and a reason why the game is named as such. The game puts you in the role of Kosmo, a clumsy rookie space explorer who’s in search for his robot girlfriend Nova. We should add that Nova is, in fact, dead, with all her pieces having been blasted across outer space. But that’s the thing about this game, as Kosmo wants to find those robotic bits (hence the title – get it?), rebuild her, and bring her back to life. And while doing this, you’ll be visiting strange worlds and planets, with aliens to battle, hidden objects to gather, and puzzles to solve. Can you help Kosmo find the bits and pieces of his robot girlfriend and put her back together again?
Puzzle games are designed to test your critical thinking ability, and while this is a fairly casual title overall, there may be some bits of it (no pun intended) that may throw you off and leave you scratching your head. But worry not about those tough parts of the game, as we’re here to help you solve more puzzles with these Love You to Bits tips and tricks.
1. All The Puzzles Remain The Same No Matter How Often You Replay Them
Many games like to challenge players by including “procedurally generated” levels among the features. In simple terms, that means levels that are completely random each time you play, adding to the replay value, but also making the game harder. Love You to Bits contains no such procedural generation, as each puzzle will always remain the same each time you load them up. These are fixed puzzles, so there’s no need to expect any twists and turns during replays.
2. Keep On Clicking
Love You to Bits is a point-and-click kind of puzzle game, and that simply means you should be clicking on stuff and hoping something happens – in other words, good old trial and error. Still, that’s what you need to do in most cases to complete the puzzle. Sometimes, you may click on something but nothing happens, but that’s okay. You can simply move on to the next object, click on it, and hope for the best. Also keep your eye out for items that seem to blend into each other – it’s easy to miss these “camouflaged” items, so maintain your focus and look carefully!
3. Memorization Is Key
Sometimes, you will need to click on one item multiple times, and that’s something you have to remember should you go through the level once again – just as we said, everything stays the same in the levels from play-through to play-through. There are also times when you have to click things in a certain order – for example, you may need to work on the left side, then on the right side, then back again to the left. Do your best to memorize these little details and you’ll be acing those puzzles in no time flat.
That’s all you need to know to become successful in Love You to Bits. In case you know additional tips or tricks for the game, let us know in the comment section!