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THE desperate family of ISIS bride Shamima Begum have begged to raise her "innocent" newborn son in Britain as they denounce her "vile" fundamentalist views.
Writing to the Home Secretary they vowed to support the teen mum as she takes the fight for her status to the British courts.
In the letter, written by Shamima’s oldest sister Renu, the family admit they have been "shocked and appalled at the vile comments" the 19-year-old has made in recent days.
She goes on to ask Sajid Javid to "recognise my nephew, Shamima's son, as a British citizen".
Shamima left east London in 2015 to join the terror group and is currently living in a refugee camp in northern Syria.
She gave birth to a baby boy on Sunday, naming him Jerah after a historic jihadi warlord, and has said she wants to return to the UK.
[Shamima's son] is the one true innocent and should not lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this countryShamima Begum's sister Renu
"As a family, we ask now how we can assist you in bringing my nephew home to us," the letter continued.
"In all of this debacle, he is the one true innocent and should not lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country."
The family claim Shamima has been in the "thrall" of a "murderous and misogynistic cult" for four years now and "her exploitation at their hands has fundamentally damaged her".
Renu added that despite watching her sister "open her mouth and set fire to our nation's emotions" with "sickening" comments, the Begums will support her case in British courts.
BATTLE IN THE COURTS
"We hope you understand our position in this respect and why we must, therefore, assist Shamima in challenging your decision to take away the one thing that is her only hope at rehabilitation, her British citizenship,” the letter states.
"Shamima's status will now be a matter for our British courts to decide in due course.
"We seek solace in the fact that the institution of our courts as independent arbitrators of this nation's laws have served as a bastion of good practice to the world.
"My family trusts that this institution will properly perform its functions and entrusts Shamima's future to its decision-making process."
ISIS BRIDE BEGS FOR MERCY
Shamima has said she is "willing to change" her ways while pleading for "mercy" from Britain.
The 19-year-old also claims her son Jerah is so sick she will not allow him to return to the UK without her.
"I am struggling to get my supplies in right now," she told Sky News correspondent John Sparks while speaking from Syria.
"I don't have a card because they lost my card, so I have to run around to take care of my son now, when I am sick. I am not getting my stuff."
In a message to British politicians the teen said: "I would like them to re-evaluate my case with a bit more mercy in their heart, you know."
'I AM WILLING TO CHANGE'
When asked by the Sky journalist if she could be rehabilitated following her time with the terror group, she replied: "I am willing to change."
The young mum also said she has no desire to go to Bangladesh - who don't want her anyway.
She said: "I don't have anything there, another language, I have never even seen the place, I don't know why people are offering that to me."
Earlier today it was claimed Begum could be handed a backdoor route to return to the UK as her baby is British.
I would like them to re-evaluate my case with a bit more mercy in their heart, you knowShamima Begum
Immigration lawyers have said Begum could use her son's nationality to accompany him back to Britain.
However, it's also been reported Begum could be stuck in her squalid refugee camp for two years after Britain and Holland also battle to keep her away from their borders.
She fled her home in Bethnal Green, East London, in 2015 to join Islamic State but gave birth to a baby boy over the weekend.
Begum had been begging to come back to the UK to raise Jerah, but her hopes appeared to be dashed when the Home Office stripped her British citizenship.
However, he admitted returning jihadists can't always be prosecuted over what they've done in the Middle East as it's so hard to gather evidence.
He continued: "Then let's say they're in the UK and they radicalise others, they groom others, they carry out a terrorist attack themselves or incite others to do that.
MOST READ IN NEWS
"What about the danger and risk to the country of that?
"What about the impact on community cohesion if people come back to the country and use that to radicalise others? I have to weigh that up too.
"These are people who chose to leave the UK and join a terrorist organisation that hates the UK and everyone who lives in the UK."

domain: politics


Buzzfeed posted a video mocking the sex appeal frequently used in advertisements by recreating many popular commercials with the use of some good old-fashioned gender role reversal. Here’s the link to their article:
Essentially, they take the over-sexualized actions of female actresses, like laying naked in bed covered in Doritos, or sensually eating a hamburger on the beach, and have a male complete them. As a viewer, it’s funny to see a man try to eat a hamburger as attractively as Sports Illustrated model Nina Agdal.
Then they take the typical male counterpart, mindlessly crunching chips while watching a football game, and have a girl do them.
Gender roles and expectations are heavily engrained in our minds are perpetuated by ads like this. Think back to your high school’s Powder Puff football game. Why was it so funny when the boys cheered on the sidelines, and the girls ran around the field? Women are typically the ones over-sexualized, and males are not.
Aside from sociological thought about gender roles and expectations, let’s think psychologically. What messages are we sending to women? Do these ads reduce our identity to sexual objects that are highly comparable to foods?
The use of sex appeal to sell products is not new, and realistically, it’s not going away anytime soon. Regardless, I think it’s good that Buzzfeed did an article covering this topic, especially in a comedic, entertaining way. By seeing what it’s like when roles are reversed, we can then open discussion to why a video like this is even funny, or even offensive.
Cowie, C. & Rose, M. (15 March, 2014). This Is What Happens When You Replace The Women in Ads With Men. Buzzfeed. Retreieved on March 17, 2014 from http://www.buzzfeed.com/caitlincowie/what-happens-when-you-replace-the-women-in-ads-with-men?bftw


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Australian Dinosaurs and Mega Beasts
Explore prehistoric Australia and the mega fauna that roamed the land and swam the seas with this fascinating picture book
Travel through time with vivid illustrations and insights into 70 distinct creatures from marine marvels to amphibians, dinosaurs, reptiles, birds, and mammals that once inhabited Australia during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, spanning over 250 million years.
The meticulously crafted portrayals of each era's environment and flora, is a stunning backdrop for the procession of colossals that roamed, soared, and swam across the Australian landscape.
Designed to engage dinosaur fans of all ages, this book encourages readers to uncover, explore, and learn the names of these extraordinary animals and compare their distinctive characteristics. Guided by insights from leading paleontologists, author Myke Mollard has ensured the illustrations are vibrant and captivating as well as anatomically accurate, enriching the learning experience and fostering a deeper connection with Australia's prehistoric heritage.
Hardcover, 48 pages
Size: 355 x 280 x 15 mm
Delivery costs are calculated at checkout and include the total weight of items within an order.
Orders are posted Mon - Weds. Standard post to Australian addresses will arrive within 5 - 7 working days from dispatch date.
For international delivery, please allow an additional 14 days

domain: hobby


Sam and Bucky aren’t done saving the world whatsoever. In The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, the beloved Marvel characters are entering the next chapter of their lives after the events of Avengers: Endgame. A new trailer dropped during the 2021 Super Bowl, and it’s even more epic than we originally thought it would be. The show picks up following Sam being handed Captain America’s shield.
The first moments of the trailer show Bucky and Sam in what looks like an interrogation room. “Mr. Barnes, why does Sam aggravate you?” the woman asks Bucky. The answer to that question remains a mystery. Despite their differences, Bucky and Sam have to team up against Baron Zemo, who doesn’t think superheroes should exist.
At one point in the trailer, Sam throws Cap’s shield. It boomerangs off of a tree and Bucky catches it. Could this be teasing a possible struggle for Cap’s shield in the future? Sharon Carter returns to spice things up in the trailer. Towards the end of the latest glimpse of the Disney+ series, there’s an intense truck fight. Bucky is left hanging on to the bottom of a truck, and Sam just has to take a moment to tease him about it.
Sam and Bucky team up for a global adventure that tests them in completely new ways. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan are back as Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Their characters haven’t always gotten along, but this show will explore their growing friendship. Both of them also have to deal with the impact of not having Steve in their lives anymore. HollywoodLife got some EXCLUSIVE scoop from Anthony about the show during the Altered Carbon press junket in Feb. 2020. “With this new series, Falcon & [the] Winter Soldier, you get to see Sam in a completely different light,” Anthony told HollywoodLife. “You get to see him in his day-to-day life and learn and see who he actually is.”
The series was originally supposed to debut in Aug. 2020 on Disney+. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the show’s premiere has been delayed. The cast and crew had to stop filming in March 2020 while in Prague because of the global health crisis.
The Falcon & the Winter Soldier will feature more familiar faces from Marvel movies. Daniel Brühl returns as Baron Zemo, the villain of Captain America: Civil War. Emily VanCamp is also reprising her role as Sharon Carter. Wyatt Russell joins the main cast as a new character named John Walker. The Falcon & the Winter Soldier is part of Phase Four of the MCU. The Disney+ original series will premiere on March 19.


Emergency Furnace Repair in Cherokee, AL, 35616 - Heating Repair Services
Cherokee Furnace Repair
Phone : 888-616-3026
Need an Emergency Furnace Repair Service in Cherokee, AL?
A broken furnace is one of the most unpleasant issues that you will face as a homeowner. If your furnace ceases to function this can leave your home uncomfortably cold in the winter months. While small heaters may assist a bit, they're no substitute for the power of a central furnace that can keep your home warm all through winter. Cherokee Furnace Repair understands this and can assist with repairs for all types of furnaces. We also provide repair services for gas and electric heaters.
At Cherokee Furnace Repair, we strive to ensure that our customers are satisfied. Our primary goal is to make sure that your requirements are met and that we've completely resolved any concerns you might have about your furnace's malfunction. We've been at the forefront in Cherokee furnace repair for more than 40 years. If your furnace requires repair services that are durable and professional Our team is equipped to help with cutting-edge equipment, expert training, and premium components.
Cherokee Furnace Repair is aware that there are numerous possibilities when it comes down to repairs to your furnace in Cherokee, AL and the surrounding areas. There are a variety of furnace repair businesses available and the prices vary dramatically from one firm to another.
If you decide to choose Cherokee Furnace Repair you can always rest sure that you're getting a fair price on skilled service. Our large range of service vehicles provides prompt furnace repair services 24/7 all day, every day. If you're fed up of paying more money for less service, it's about time you take the right step and call Cherokee Furnace Repair. We're thrilled for the chance to offer you the superior customer experience that you're entitled to.
Don't accept the first offer. Explore the market and see what's available. Anyone who has ever required repairs to their furnaces made recognizes that certain companies utilize certain pricing methods that are not reputable. That is why we offer an absolutely free second opinion. We'll visit your house and offer a no-cost diagnosis if you've had an expert from a furnace repair business located in Cherokee, AL and surrounding suburbs. We will also offer you an estimate in writing.
The majority of companies will offer a service call cost just to be there. We'll inspect the appliance to determine if there's any issue, or provide the most cost-effective solution. You're not risking anything by contacting us today to discuss any furnace repair needs.
One of the most common queries we get from our clients who require repair work on their furnace is "Can I repair my furnace, or do I just change it to a new one?" It's true that repair of furnaces isn't always the most efficient solution. For instance, if your furnace is old and your repair is expensive it may prefer to replace the entire unit. It's important to recognize when you should replace your furnace. The majority of furnace issues need to be replaced. We at Cherokee Furnace Repair our staff will be there to help you and will always recommend what we believe to be the most appropriate solution to your requirements.
These are only a few indications that your furnace could be in disarray and may need to be replaced:
- You don't have any idea why your energy bills have gone up so much.
- Some rooms in your house are too hot or cold for the rest of your house.
- The humidity of your home is way out of hand which can lead to musty odors or uncomfortable spaces
- Your furnace repair costs are a substantial portion of the cost of the entire system replacement.
Cherokee Furnace Repair can help with any furnace repair you need in Cherokee, AL. You'll have to contend with cold winter weather if you live in the largest city of Oregon. If your heating system isn't functioning correctly, it can create an uncomfortable situation. We've been in business since 1989 and our local-owned and operated business provides a personalized service. We can serve the needs of both residential and commercial clients and can deal with all kinds of heating equipment, including furnaces and heat pumps.
We have earned a name for:
- Having highly experienced technicians
- Prices that are reasonable
- Giving sensible guidance
- Communication should be open
Communities we server: 35616
Search Tools: Cherokee, AL customers have found us by searching: emergency furnace repair in Cherokee AL, 24 hour furnace repair in Cherokee AL, 24/7 furnace repair in Cherokee AL, furnace service in Cherokee, gas furnace repair in 35616, electric furnace repair in Cherokee Alabama


by Scott Keyes Jun 9, 2015 Updated: Jun 9, 2015
He trashed most of the Republican presidential contenders in a surprisingly blunt interview.
by Judd Legum Mar 9, 2015
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
by Igor Volsky Nov 20, 2014
The outgoing Oklahoma senator linked the action to worries of unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
by Kira Lerner Nov 18, 2014
If postal reform legislation does not pass before the end of the year, the postal service will be in the hands of a Senator who has said it should enter bankruptcy and be privatized.
by Josh Israel Jun 25, 2014
Appeals Court Judge Jerome A. Holmes was recommended for the post by one of the U.S. Senate's most staunchly anti-LGBT members, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK).
by Igor Volsky May 1, 2014
Tom Coburn is not the only Republican to come out for abolishing the minimum wage.
by Alan Pyke Jan 8, 2014
Federal officials tend to exaggerate how good a deal they've gotten for the American people in legal settlements.
by Bryce Covert Oct 29, 2013
Coburn joins the Republican shift from blaming President Obama for sequestration to embracing it as a win.
by Ben Armbruster Oct 20, 2013
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) doesn't think the GOP should be focusing too much attention on fighting Obamacare anymore.
by Bryce Covert Aug 7, 2013
Congress inches closer to solving the problem that they created.


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Landon’s sentencing for bribery postponed
Published: February 17,2011
GREENE COUNTY — A sentencing hearing has been delayed until April 27 for a businessman who pleaded guilty in a federal bribery scheme to get Hurricane Katrina cleanup contracts.
Thomas Landon, owner of Mid-South Pipe, was accused of bribing Greene County supervisors to get debris removal contracts after the 2005 storm.
Former Greene County supervisor Lee Lambert was acquitted in the case. Landon testified that he arranged a deal with Lambert wherein Lambert would receive kickbacks if Landon was awarded the contract.
Greene County Supervisor Earnest Holder was convicted of tax evasion and acquitted of some charges.
Prosecutor Ruth Morgan asked for a delay of the March sentencing because it was scheduled the same day as the re-sentencing of former attorney Paul Minor and two former judges in a judicial corruption case.
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- MARTIN WILLOUGHBY — Doug Dale’s self-awareness helps lift him to top of his game

domain: news


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The Supreme Court has refused to extend the deadline for demolishing five illegally built apartments in Maradu in Kochi violating Coastal Regulation Zone rules.
On a plea of flat owners for extending the deadline till alternative facilities were made, the court decried the tendency in the legal system to pardon those violating environment laws. It advised flat owners to approach appropriate authorities for compensation.
It was on May 8 that the Supreme Court ordered demolishment of apartments of Holy Faith, Alfa Ventures, Golden Kayaloram, Jains Coral Cove and Holiday Heritage built at Maradu violating CRZ rules. The five buildings had violated the CRZ notification and the state’s Coastal Zone Management Plan. They also had not sought permission from the state body that implements the CRZ notification along Kerala’s coastline.
The May 8 verdict had also referred to the August 2018 devastating floods which “had taken place due to such unbridled construction activities”.The apartment complexes are on the shores of backwaters that “support exceptionally large biological diversity and constitute one of the largest wetlands in India”, it pointed out.
It said the buildings should not have been constructed in CRZ-III, a zone that includes relatively undisturbed areas where no construction is allowed unless specific prior permission is granted. They are close to the mangroves.
Earlier, Kerala High Court had ruled in favour of flat owners which were challenged by the Coastal Regulation Authority in the apex court.


Hannabach 950MT Titanyl Medium Tension
Specifications:The Titanyl treble strings are made of a polyamide blend which gives the strings a particularly bright and clear sound with an amazing brilliance.
The bass strings wound with long-life silver wire offer full sound projection and clear harmonics. These strings are part of the long-term development work of Werner Hannabach and are aimed at guitarists demanding the highest standards.
Made for instruments with scale length 65cm/25.5".
Trebles: Titanyl, plain
Basses: Long-Life-Silver, wound
Hannabach 950MT Titanyl Classical Guitar Strings - Medium Tension
Hannabach 950MHT Titanyl Classical Guitar Strings - Medium/High Tension


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Begin Your Journey in Making Dog Bandanas
Canine fashion often highlights the timeless accessory, a dog bandana. These accessories not only elevate your pet’s style but also offer several practical uses. They shield your pet’s fur from dirt, aid in cooling them during summer, and are a must-have for every pet owner. This guide aims to provide an easy-to-follow process on making dog bandanas.
The Utility of a Dog Bandana
Dog bandanas go beyond being adorable accessories. They have multiple practical uses:
- Shielding: Bandanas can safeguard your dog’s fur and skin from harsh environments.
- Identification: Personalized bandanas make it easier to identify your pet.
- Health checks: Certain bandanas can help monitor your dog’s health by tracking changes in their saliva.
Gathering Materials for Your Dog Bandana
To start your project of making dog bandanas, gather the necessary materials. You’ll need:
- Fabric: Opt for comfortable, durable materials like cotton or flannel.
- Measuring tape: For accurate measurement of your dog’s neck size.
- Scissors: To cut the fabric to the desired size.
- Sewing equipment: A sewing machine or needle and thread will be required to sew the bandana edges.
Selecting the Ideal Fabric for Your Dog Bandana
The fabric choice for your dog’s bandana is crucial. It should offer comfort and breathability while also being robust enough for regular washing and use. Cotton or flannel, available in various colors and patterns, are good choices as they are soft and easy to maintain.
A Detailed Guide to Making Dog Bandanas
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect bandana for your furry companion:
Determine Your Dog’s Neck Size: Use a flexible measuring tape to get an accurate measure of your dog’s neck. Add a few extra inches for comfort and adjustability.
Fabric Cutting: Cut the fabric into a square or triangle shape based on the measurements.
Edge Sewing: Fold the fabric edges about half an inch and sew to prevent fraying.
Attach Fasteners: For adjustability, you can add snaps or velcro fasteners.
Fitting Your Dog: The final step is to try the bandana on your dog. Ensure it’s comfortable and not too tight around your pet’s neck.
Creating a dog bandana is a rewarding and fun-filled task that lets you show off your creativity while making a useful accessory for your pet. With the correct materials and a dash of patience, you can fashion a trendy yet comfortable bandana that your dog will adore. Keep in mind, your pet’s comfort should always be prioritized. Therefore, opt for soft, breathable fabrics and ensure the bandana fits snugly, without being too tight. Check out these essential steps master diy scarf making for more creative ideas.

domain: pet


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Today I have a fun glitter sandwich to show you that I made with a very cool indie polish. I was just playing around with some colors one day and loved the result. That means I don't have pictures before & after style, but I had to share with you anyway. :)
For my underwear, I used Wet n Wild Rain Check; then I put on a coat of Rainbow Polish Great Blue, which has a very fun mix of hexes and diamonds in different sizes and in several shades of blue, plus holographic hexes and bar glitter. You can see the true colors in the bottle.
After putting the glitter on, I wanted to give it a little shimmer, so I topped with with a coat of Pure Ice Oh Baby!, which is a really translucent blue shimmer. Here is the final effect:
|Rainbow Polish Great Blue + Pure Ice Oh Baby! over Wet n Wild Rain Check|
|Look at all that pretty, chunky glitterz...|
In terms of reviewing the polish, it went on great and required minimal fussing; this is one coat with a little strategy, but not much. I love this chunky look--it's fun and sort of retro, and I like the way it stands out against the light underwear. :)
If you're interested in checking out Great Blue or other Rainbow Polish delights, you can find the Etsy store by clicking here.There appear to be a few holiday polishes up for your festive delight!
Thanks so much for reading!
(These polishes were all purchased with my own money.)

domain: artistic


(The Center Square) – While Illinois’ primary elections are still months away, some are lining up to toss their hats in the ring for Republican districts.
In Illinois, Democrats hold a supermajority in the Illinois House and Senate. Democrats also hold all statewide state constitutional officers and the two U.S. Senate seats. All but three of Illinois’ 17 districts in the U.S. House are held by Democrats.
In one of the three Republican U.S. House districts in Illinois, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is eyeing the seat held by Congressman Mike Bost.
“We are considering that,” Bailey told The Center Square last month. “If we decide to run, we’ll probably make an official announcement pretty soon. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time, and I’m gauging what kind of impact our movement could have on the overall direction of things.”
In general terms, Republican state Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said he’s keeping an eye on such instances around the state of Republicans challenging Republicans in their primary.
“There’s a few Republicans that are trying to create a circular firing squad where we spend all this money on primaries and then we get roasted in a general election with either a very poor candidate or a candidate that has been beat up unnecessarily by a Republican candidate who just wants to run to get attention for themselves,” McClure said.
McClure was elected to the 54th District for a 4-year term in 2022. He will face another election in 2026.
Like seats in the U.S. House, state Representatives have two year terms.
In Decatur, incumbent state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, announced he won’t be seeking another term, adhering to self-imposed term limits. He endorsed Regan Deering for the district. Deering lost to U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, in the 2022 election for that newly drawn U.S. House seat.
Deering said she’s ready to win the support of the voters to head to the Illinois Statehouse.
“Illinoisans are so tired of being taxed and having those dollars spent inappropriately,” Deering said. “So if we could try and reclaim some of those dollars, make sure that what we are spending is making a difference in the lives of everyday Illinoisans, that’s going to be our first priority.”
There could be a Republican party primary in that and other districts.
Despite what could be fierce primaries around the state, McClure hopes Republicans stick together.
“I really want us to be a united Republican party because that’s the only way we’re going to be able to make a difference in this state and start to cut into the Democrats’ supermajorities,” McClure said.
Illinois’ general primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2024.


In a major organisational setup, the former energy minister and OBC leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday was appointed as the Maharashtra BJP unit chief while former school education minister and Maratha leader Ashish Shelar will head the Mumbai unit. Incidentally, both Bawankule and Shelar are close to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Bawankule was denied a ticket in the 2019 assembly elections but he was elected to the state council on June 20.
In the case of Shelar, who had held the Mumbai BJP chief’s post earlier, was denied a ministerial berth and appointed for the second time when the party has launched Mission 2022 to win BMC elections along with the Shinde camp and defeat Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena which was ruled India’s richest civic body for almost three decades.
The announcement of appointments of Bawankule and Shelar were made by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh.


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If you want to fix a special summer snack that is as healthy as it is fresh, this fruit salsa on cinnamon chips is to die for! A seriously easy recipe that works great at home or from the living quarters of your trailer at a show.
And the best part? Not counting the fruit, there are only 140 calories per every 7 chips!
1/8 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Bag of Stacy\’s Cinnamon Chips
Wash all produce. Pit the cherries. Prepare your mango and cut into small pieces. Chop the tops off your strawberries and cut in half. Chop the cilantro up slightly. Throw the cherries, strawberries, mango and cilantro in a food processor and add in the lemon juice. Not a lot of processing is necessary because you want the salsa to be somewhat chunky. Once you have a blend you\’re happy with, put the salsa into the fridge and allow it to marinade for at least 15 minutes.
Serve the salsa with Stacy\’s Cinnamon Chips.

domain: food


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Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort to iPhone - 15/02/2010
Intermap Technologies has made available 76 ski resort maps for its AccuTerra iPhone App, including a special application for Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort where the Olympic Games are being held. The application allows consumers to see where events are taking place, locate lifts, view trails by difficulty, find lodging, and check weather forecasts. AccuTerra for Whistler-Blackcomb is available in 2D and 3D giving 2010 event spectators all the features of a paper trail map in the palm of their hands.
Building upon the success of AccuTerra GPS for the iPhone, which brings outdoor enthusiasts a detailed view of their topographic surroundings for hiking and walking adventures, AccuTerra is growing its library of applications by adding snow sport terrain. As visitors make their way to Whistler-Blackcomb and home viewers watch events unfold, AccuTerra allows them to navigate the upcoming events by displaying detailed, high-resolution images of the ski trails and surrounding area used during the competition.
Created with the same accuracy, map detail, and social aspects of the award winning AccuTerra GPS, the Whistler-Blackcomb app lets visitors use the full functionality of the topographic map, while toggling between Google Maps for on-road data - essentially creating an all-in-one mapping app for the 2010 events. Similar to all AccuTerra iPhone applications, the snow sport terrain apps allow users to create personal tours and record and share outdoor experiences through photos and videos. In essence, create an interactive personal journal.
In addition to the Whistler-Blackcomb map, AccuTerra is now offering ski resort maps and bundles covering over 76 ski areas. Resort map downloads are available for resorts across the the United States, such as Northern Colorado (15 resorts), Lake Tahoe Area (10 resorts), Northwest (8 resorts), Northeast (5 resorts), Northern Rockies (6 resorts), Southwest (8 resorts), Southern California (5 resorts), Utah (10 resorts), and Vermont (9 resorts).
The AccuTerra GPS App is available in the App Store on iPhones or through iTunes.Last updated: 18/02/2020

domain: travel


Curious Film director Taika Waititi has recently directed a new 60-second TVC for Steinlager Pure, Lion Nathan, via DDB Group New Zealand.
Historically, Steinlager Pure has relied on big name overseas talent to demonstrate its appreciation for the Kiwi way of life. However in a step-change for the brand the latest campaign sees Lion Nathan and DDB Group collaborating with local hero Waititi, who directs and stars in his unique interpretation of what it means to ‘Keep It Pure’ with Pure Taika.
As a parody on all New Zealand clichés, the campaign sees Waititi walk through a number of over-the-top film sets and Kiwi vista backdrops that have been linked with the country’s cultural heritage, with the end tagline: “Maybe when things are this good you can just enjoy them.”
Curious producer Matt Noonan said he was proud of the result.
“It was a privilege to collaborate with such a talented creative team,” he said. “I'd also like to express thanks for the support we got in LA from Dan, Cindy, Jason and the team at HM.”


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It’s only human to occasionally scrutinize the various spots, marks, and growths that appear on our skin over time. After all, our skin is a dynamic canvas that continually evolves in response to a myriad of factors ranging from aging to environmental influences.
Two of the most common skin anomalies that people encounter are skin tags and moles.
While they may seem similar at first glance, there are significant differences that are worth understanding.
The Basics: What Are They?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are soft, benign growths that appear on areas of the skin that are prone to friction. They often develop in places where the skin rubs against other skin or clothing, such as the eyelids, armpits, and groin. Composed primarily of collagen fibers and blood vessels, skin tags are typically flesh-colored and can range in size from a grain of rice to the size of a large pea.
Moles, or nevi, are a more complex skin phenomenon. They are small, usually dark, skin growths that result from a concentration of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. Moles can occur anywhere on the body and may vary in size, shape, and color. Unlike skin tags, moles have the potential to evolve into melanoma, a form of skin cancer, making them of greater concern from a medical standpoint.
Origins: Where Do They Come From?
Skin Tags: A Product of Friction
The development of skin tags is commonly attributed to constant friction. Individuals who are overweight, pregnant, or aging are often more prone to developing skin tags due to skin folds and chafing. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition can also contribute to their formation.
Moles: More Than Skin Deep
The factors influencing the formation of moles are more intricate and not completely understood. Genetics play a significant role, and sun exposure is also a contributing factor. Unlike skin tags, moles can develop early in life and may change in appearance over time.
Appearance and Symmetry
Skin tags are often smooth and somewhat wrinkled. Their texture is not uniform and can be irregular, especially as they grow in size. Moles, on the other hand, are typically smooth but can have a variety of appearances including flat or raised, round or oval.
Symmetry and Borders
Moles are generally symmetrical, and dermatologists use asymmetry as a criterion for assessing potential malignancy. Skin tags usually lack this symmetrical nature, but that’s less of a concern since they are benign.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While skin tags are mostly harmless, it’s advisable to consult a dermatologist if you notice any changes in size, color, or shape, or experience pain or bleeding.
Moles require more rigorous scrutiny.
A change in size, color, shape, or any other unusual characteristic could be an early sign of melanoma and should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional.
Skin tag removal is usually a simple procedure involving excision, cryotherapy, or electrocautery.
Mole removal may involve similar methods but often requires a biopsy to determine if cancerous cells are present.
Knowledge as a Tool
Understanding the distinctions between skin tags and moles is not merely an exercise in dermatological trivia.
It is a vital part of body awareness, equipping you to take proactive steps in managing your skin health.
Recognizing what’s normal and what warrants medical attention could make a significant difference in catching potential skin issues early. It’s your skin—knowing it well is the first step in taking good care of it.

domain: medical


text:
What started as a solemn dance in honor of their late father took an unexpected turn as Jaclyn and her brother Eric surprised everyone (even the film crew!) by breaking into a well-rehearsed dance medley. Enjoy!
Wedding DJ: Greenbelt DJ (http://greenbeltdj.com/)
Subscribe to this YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=austinweddingvideos
Wedding Reception Rap (Tied the Knot). Groom and Sister Wedding Dance. SURPRISE Father Daughter Wedding Dance!!!!!! Mom and Son Wedding Dance. Brothers step in for Father Daughter Dance. Footloose Wedding First Dance Surprise! Best Mother & Son Wedding Dance. Mom kills the Watch Me Whip & Nae Nae Dance. #Cabello2K15. Awesome Father/Daughter Dance... A Crowd Shocker!!! Best Bridesmaids dance of all time. Wedding Surprise Dance...THE BEST.


Manufacturer and Supplier of Air Separation Plant. Air separation plant separates the oxygen, nitrogen and other useful gases by liquefying and rectificating the air.
Feed air is sucked into the air filter from the atmosphere, where the contents of dust and other mechanical impurities are being removed, before entering an oil-free air compressor, and through two stage compression, it is pressurized up to a pressure of ~1.2MPa (Gauge); upon being cooled in the after-cooler, it enters the pre-cooling unit where it is pre-cooled to a temperature of 8~10ºC, before being inlet to a switch-over molecular sieve adsorption unit, where the contents of moisture, CO2, hydrocarbons in the air are being adsorbed. Molecular sieve adsorption unit is made up of two vessels filled with molecular sieve: when one vessel is working, the other is being regenerated in an electrical heater for its molecular sieve by the waste nitrogen from the cold box.
The purified air is separated into two parts: One part enters the main heat exchanger, Then it is cooled by expanded hypo thermal air. The other part is cooled to some temperature in the high-pressure Vaporizer of LOX .Two parts of air mixed in the main heat exchanger.
It is cooled furtherly then reaches to some degree of moisture before it enters oxygen distillation column (air separation column). The air becomes into liquefied air in oxygen column through sub-cooler and throttling valve, the liquefied air of the bottom of oxygen column enters the condenser inside the top of oxygen column. As reflux, oxygen enriched gas air vaporized by condenser is drawn out of the top of oxygen column and reheated to a temperature of -141ºC within the main heat exchanger through liquefied air sub-cooler. The most part enters expansion turbine for expansion and refrigeration. The expanded oxygen enriched gas air comes back to cold part of the main heat exchanger. It is reheated to a temperature of about 13 ºC in the main heat exchanger and then drawn out of the cold box. It is also used as regenerated air of Molecular sieve adsorption unit.
Some specified quantity of LOX is drawn into the liquid oxygen pump from bottom of oxygen column. After increasing pressure, LOX is sent to user through high-pressure Vaporizer of liquefied oxygen reheating.
How We use Air Separation Plant for separating gases in Bhartiya Group.
Air consists of mixture of gases o2, n2, argon and CO2, helium, neon and other rare gases with presence of moisture.
Air separation plant is a process to separate and manufacture commercially the major constituent gases present in air like o2, n2 and argon and other rare gases.
The content of these gases are:-
Bhartiya Cryogas supply a complete set of Air Separation Plant, including the complete set of components and auxiliaries, piping's, vales (with paired flanges) and the base plate, supports, anchor bolts, nuts and inlet/outlet paired flanges of each component and also the piping's, valves and pipe fittings within the cold box. The air separation plant supplied by Bhartiya Cryogas involves two processes:-
The air separation plant supplied by Bhartiya Cryogas will be of a process with the booster turbo-expander unit, the molecular sieve air purification system. The process is detailed as follows:
The Compressed and Purified Air from Air Compressor and Skid Mounted equipments is expanded and liquefied in this process by expansion and cooling in an Expansion Engine and Expansion valves in medium pressure.(40 kgs/cm2 to 50 kgs/cm2.).
The expanded and cooled air from expansion engine and expansion valves will enter the lower part of the distillation column. The air as mostly in Liquid state. The Oxygen and Nitrogen have different boiling points.
Since Nitrogen is more volatile is drawn out of the distillation column in Vapour form and Oxygen is less volatile will be collected in condenser. The liquid Oxygen pumped at 150/200kgs/cm2 and filled in cylinders.


text:
Bohemia Interactive has taken to their website to report that they’ve suffered “an illegal attempt” by hackers that’s resulted in a database full of user information being downloaded.
As a result, Bohemia’s forums have been taken offline.
“We have unfortunately discovered that an illegal attempt has been made to access certain of our online websites, leading to the download of a database containing usernames, email addresses and encrypted passwords,” Bohemia advised. “Please note due to the encryption of the passwords it is very unlikely that anything nefarious can be done with this information.”
“We would like to reassure everyone that no other information such as credit card details is stored by us and thus was not at any risk from this illegal breach,” they continued.
Bohemia has reset each users’ password “as a precaution;” those who wish to log back in to a Bohemia site must first use their recover password page.


text:
Checking out the “Oil Paint” filter in PS6.
One of the many fields in the area showing good growth now that the weather has improved.
Mushrooms on a log.
Mud Lake, in the West end of town.
On the way back from the river, the fields are growing up.
On the way to the river, the pines seem to invite you in.
The experimental farms occupy a sizable portion of West-central Ottawa. This view looks toward the Rideau River.
After all the rain, buds are popping out everywhere.
This Lily is ready to go.

domain: geography


2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE Review - EV Growing Pains Persist
2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE Fast Facts
Jaguar’s I-Pace electric hatchback provides an interesting driving experience. When it has enough charge to be driven, that is.
The I-Pace I drove for a weekend last summer spent much of that time at the dealership, charging, because it failed to charge anywhere else near my home.
More on that in a minute.
Background, for those that don’t know: The I-Pace is an all-electric small hatchback that uses a 90 kWh battery to offer a claimed range of up to 234 miles. Jaguar also promises an 80 percent charge in 40 minutes using a fast charger, but again, more on that later.
The I-Pace’s twin electric motors (one front, one rear) pump out 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque combined, which gets to the 20-inch wheels via an all-wheel-drive system and a single-speed automatic transmission.
On road, the driving experience is standard EV – instant torque, whirring and whooshing replacing engine noise, single-pedal driving with regenerative braking, et cetera. For those unfamiliar with that last bit, that means lifting off the gas actually slows the vehicle and provides some regen, as opposed to simply just coasting. You’ll still use the brakes in most situations, though.
[Get new and used Jaguar I-Pace pricing here!]
Even the nav system is in on the act – it can factor in your driving style and other elements to choose a route that optimizes range.
That all sounds gee-whiz great, but the fact is, the I-Pace was difficult to charge, and Jaguar couldn’t tell me why – there was nothing obviously wrong with my test car.
I knew from jump I’d not be able to do much charging at home – the outlets in the parking garage of my condo couldn’t provide enough juice, even overnight, for more than a few miles of charge.
No worries – a Whole Foods close to my house had the proper chargers. Just drop the I-Pace, lock it, and come back later. Done.
Except not so simple. The I-Pace wouldn’t take a charge from either unit on site. Nor did it take a charge from the units located a Walgreen’s. Hmmm.
I consulted with JLR PR and was told to make sure the car was locked – it won’t charge if you try to get it going before locking the doors. Okay. I tried that, still no juice. At this point, I was advised that perhaps a pin in the plug of the charging cord had been bent by a previous journo. Apparently, sometimes the plug doesn’t come loose easily after a charge, and a user forces the issue and bends a pin.
That explanation made sense, but no pins appeared bent.
I finally threw up my hands and trekked to the local Jag dealership. The folks there got it to plug in and charge no problem. Now I felt like an idiot.
After recharging, I drove the hour or so to my dad’s house to pick him up for a planned drive to Wisconsin (this was during pre-pandemic times), and we decided to take his car – the math on the remaining range wasn’t good, not if I wanted to return home the next day. I tried a standard outdoor outlet at his place, and all I managed to do was blow a fuse.
It wasn’t until my last day with the car, on the third or fourth visit to my neighborhood Whole Foods, that one of the two charging units finally provided a charge. Yet the car’s dash never showed the readout it was supposed to while charging.
Upon further inquiry with JLR, the best guess was that somehow the car and charging units weren’t “talking” to each other correctly, although that doesn’t necessarily explain why the proper screen didn’t appear.
If you haven’t already done so, this is a good place to get the British/Lucas/Jaguar electronics jokes off your chest.
Charging issues aside, I found the I-Pace delightfully funky. The handling does suffer a bit from the hatch’s odd proportions, but only a bit. There’s enough sportiness on tap to counter the worst myths about EVs, and the air-suspension ride is acceptable for long freeway stints.
I generally liked the interior, which integrates infotainment and HVAC display screens nicely (you can also call up nav in the gauge cluster), although like with all current Jaguar interiors, I worry about the possible long-term repairs costs of these tech-focused cabins.
The hatch’s looks are of the “tall yet sleek” variety, and while it can look odd from certain angles, it’s also fairly cohesive as an overall package.
While the I-Pace is EV-only and the platform likely can’t accommodate any other type of powerplant, I found myself wondering how fun the I-Pace could be as an entry-level crossover with a petrol turbo-four under hood and a traditional automatic transmission. Instead, it’s a quite pricey luxury EV.
I’m not kidding. The base price on this bad boy was over $80,500. That price includes premium LED headlights, fixed panoramic roof, powered/gesture-activated tailgate, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, keyless entry and starting, premium audio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive speed limiter, 360-degree parking aid, clear exit monitor, adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency braking, blind-spot assist, and 360-degree camera.
A $2,200 package included a head-up display and configurable ambient lighting, among other things, and additional options included a heated steering wheel, a heated windshield, and even heated washer jets. All told, the final tally was $86,771.
Also an option: Adaptive dynamics, which allows drivers to customize their drive modes.
The I-Pace is one of a new breed of BEVs that sheds the electric-car-as-penalty-box label. The problem here is that EV charging can still be a challenge – not everyone can charge at home, and if chargers in public lots don’t work or are occupied, tough luck. Speaking of luck, maybe it’s me – I nearly killed a Leaf at a previous gig.
Price will be an issue, too. This is not the EV for the everyman. Live in the right place, have the right sized bank account, and maybe the I-Pace will work for you. For the rest of us, it’s a neat little EV hatch that remains a novelty, for now.
[Images © 2020 Tim Healey/TTAC]
Anthony Magagnoli on Apr 24, 2020
I got a ride around the Nurburgring in one of these, in the wet, with their powertrain development engineer. Ho-lee-crap. For a bone stock vehicle with 4 people on board, it was amazing. He was able to balance between over and understeer both on corner entry and power-on corner exit. Yeah, the suspension needed more body control for track duty, but it handled it. I think the ride in the wet, with someone who had probably a thousand laps there, was better than if it'd been dry (for this vehicle).
Legacygt on Apr 27, 2020
A number of years ago, Cadillac offered a version of the Volt called the ELR. It was totally fine. But it was priced as the most expensive Cadillac on the lot and failed very quickly because it wasn't the best Cadillac on the lot. In fact, it may have been the least desirable Cadillac wearing the highest MSRP. So in some ways the I-Pace reminds me of the ELR. It may be fine. It may pack some nice tech. But it's the least attractive Jaguar. It may have the least luxurious interior. And this review is correct to wonder "how fun the I-Pace could be as an entry-level crossover," so it really doesn't score high in the exclusivity or desirability departments. With all that, the I-Pace is the most expensive Jaguar. It should be priced a little higher than the XE but they've priced it higher than the XJ. This is wrong.
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- SCE to AUX It's not really a total re-badge since some of the body parts are unique, and the interiors are quite different.As I mentioned the other day, the Tonale has a terrible name and a dim future.As for the Alfa team - guess what, this is how corporate ownership works. You are part of Stellantis partly because you're not viable as a standalone business, and then your overlords decide what's shared among the products.By the way: That Uconnect infotainment system found in Alfas was originally a Chrysler product... you're welcome.
- Kurkosdr Someone should tell the Alfa Romeo people that they are a badge owned by a French company now.The main reason PSA bought FiatChrysler is that PSA has the technology to enter the luxury market but customers don't want a French luxury car for psychological/mindshare reasons. FiatChrysler has the opposite problem: they have lots of still-respected brands but not always the technology to make good cars. Not to say that if FCA has a good platform, it won't be used in a PSA car.In other words, if those Alfa Romeo buds think that they will remain a silo with their own bespoke platforms and exclusive sheet metal, they are in for a shock. This is just the start.


text:
Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Book by Peter Stone
Direction & Staging by Kipp Simmons
Music Direction by Delano Mendoza
Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
at The Arts Asylum, 1000 E 9th St, Kansas City MO 64106
EXPECTATION AND PREPARATION
The Barn Players is seeking a large ensemble cast of strong singing actors for their production of Titanic.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Please download the audition form at thebarnplayers.org (HERE). Please bring a completed copy of the audition form, a headshot, and resume (if you have them). We will have a few forms at the space if needed. If you do not have a headshot, we will take a picture of you at the audition.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE: When you get to The Arts Asylum, please park on the street and do not park in the lot behind the Arts Asylum. That parking lot is reserved for tenants only. Enter the building on 9th Street and check in at the front desk.
• Auditions will be an open call and we will see people in the order that they sign in.
• You will sing a prepared 32 bar selection of a musical theatre song in the style of the show.
• Please provide sheet music - NO CDs & NO ACAPPELLA auditions.
• You will be notified by email if you are invited to callbacks.
• If you have worked with this directing team before there is no need to come to the open call.
Please email your interest to the stage manager at email@example.com
CALLBACKS (BY INVITATION ONLY):
All callbacks will take place at The Arts Asylum on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 1p to 5p.
Rehearsals will begin around January 5, 2020. Typical weekly rehearsal schedule will be Sunday afternoons 1:00p to 5:00p and Monday through Thursday nights from 6:30pm – 10pm. Rehearsals the last 2 weeks may go past 10:00p but staff will be respectful of your time and get you out as close to 10:00p as possible. Tech rehearsal on Sunday, February 9, 2020 will be 1:00p to 8:00p. Conflicts with the rehearsal schedule must be kept to an absolute minimum during the rehearsal process. No conflicts will be accepted during dress / tech week without prior approval from the director.
February 13-23, 2020.
Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm & Sundays at 2:00pm
All performances take place at The Arts Asylum, 1000 E 9th St, Kansas City MO 64106
Winner of five Tony Awards in 1997, including Best Musical, “Titanic” tells the true story of the quintessential 20th Century disaster through the eyes the captain, the owner, the designer, the officers and crew members, as well as the passengers from the 1st, 2nd & 3rd class decks of the ill-fated “unsinkable” ship. With Music & Lyrics by the Tony-Award winning composer of “Nine” & “Grand Hotel” and a book by the Tony-Award winning writer of “1776” & “The Will Rogers Follies”, this show is a true modern classic.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CAST MEMBERS WILL PLAY MULTIPLE ROLES, INCLUDING PRINCIPALS
THOMAS ANDREWS — the ship’s designer and builder – 30-40s
J. BRUCE ISMAY — the ship’s owner, fastidiously dressed, dark hair and moustache – 40s
E.J. SMITH — captain of the Titanic, grey-bearded – 50-60s
MURDOCH — first officer; a Scotsman – 40s
HAROLD BRIDE — radioman – 20-30s
FREDERICK BARRETT — stoker – 20-30s
FREDERICK FLEET — lookout – 20-30s
HENRY ETCHES — senior 1st-Class Steward – 40-50s
JOSEPH BELL — chief engineer – 40-50s
ISIDOR STRAUS — 1st-Class Passenger – 60-70s
IDA STRAUS — Mrs. Isidor Straus – 60-70s
ALICE BEANE — 2nd-Class passenger – 40-50s
KATE McGOWAN — a young Irish girl – 20s
OFFICERS, CREW, PASSENGERS – all ages and types
For more information, please contact Eric Magnus, Artistic Director of The Barn Players, at firstname.lastname@example.org.
The Barn Players embraces diversity in all aspects of our organization. Non-traditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
All productions for the remainder of the 2019 Season, with the exception of the 6 x 10, have been cast. Audition information for the 6 x 10 will be posted here as soon as it is available.


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Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian agreed in a telephone conversation on the urgent need to fully restore the Iran nuclear deal.
They discussed the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) amid the ongoing talks in Vienna over the landmark deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said in a statement.
The Ministers expressed support for a quick revival of the JCPOA in its original form, Xinhua news agency reported.
Lavrov and Amir Abdollahian also exchanged views on the recent visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Moscow, and reassured their readiness to foster cooperation in a wide range of fields.
Talks on the revival of the JCPOA resumed in Vienna on Tuesday.
The current eighth round of negotiations will focus on discussing “the prospect of a possible return of the US to the JCPOA and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides,” according to a statement published by the European External Action Service.


Beauty Salons Are Offering Free Bikini Waxes For Women Who Book Their Smear Test
Beauty salons are fighting against cervical cancer by offering free bikini waxes to women who go for their smear test.
Pinky's Beauty and Beautique by Riley are offering the free treatment to customer who want to feel more confident ahead of their pending cervical screening test.
A study by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust found that 31 per cent of women would avoid a smear test if they hadn't shaved.
Katie Pickett, who owns Pinky's Beauty, launched her 'preen for your screen campaign' for Cervical Cancer Awareness month and had six women book their smear test within two days.
Two women die from cervical cancer every day and one in four miss their screening test but Katie's generous offer is encouraging women to shed their embarrassment and go for a check-up.
Katie set up the scheme after six of her friends lost their lives to cancer in recent years.
The 34-year-old, from Walderslade in Kent, said: "Cervical cancer is a very taboo cancer because of getting your private parts out.
"We thought what can we do to help create awareness and what can we do to give back?
"They feel more body confident in getting ready for their test and we get really good feedback from people.
"We had six ladies within two days say they had booked their smear test, and said 'thank you for reminding us.'
"A lot of our clients have said they had an abnormal smear and it was sorted and they were okay."
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The Pink Ladies at the salon in Hempstead, Kent, are running the scheme until Valentine's Day and Katie hopes to extend it.
People who take a #smear4smear photo - a selfie showing lipstick smeared across their face - will get a discount.
The popular hashtag campaign has been flooding social media since its launch on January 22 and is spearheaded by UK charity Jo's Trust, supporting women affected by cervical cancer.
Christina White, who owns Beautique by Riley in Maidstone, Kent, wanted to take the #smear4smear campaign one step further and 'offer something to try and make people more comfortable.'
The 34-year-old, from Chatham in Kent, is rewarding all customers who can prove they have booked their smear test with free wax treatments, worth £18, and said she has had a 'fantastic reaction.'
Christina launched the campaign as MPs began debating whether to lower the age women are invited to undergo cervical screening from 25 to 18.
It comes after a mum-of-four launched a petition last year to 'enable all women to detect cell changes and prevent cancer' and was taken to the House of Commons after receiving more than 10,000 signatures.
Christina said: "I try and get involved in a lot of social media campaigns but I wanted to take that one step further and offer something to try and make people more comfortable.
"I know us girls find it a bit embarrassing but a bit of shyness is nothing compared to what could happen if you shy away from having a smear.
"I was lucky, when I was growing up my mum spoke to me about it a lot, but there's many young people who aren't as aware, I don't think it's quite followed through the generations.
"If you can get over the shyness to have a bikini wax you can then build the courage to go one step further to have your smear."
Appointments are fully booked until March but Christina is preparing to open up earlier each day due to popular demand.
She added: "I don't mind it at all, it's just what we do to try and get the word out there.
"There's been a fantastic reaction so far and it's times like these when social media absolutely comes into its own."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS
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By August 2004 ACC Ltd will have its 2.25Mta capacity cement plant commissioned at Kymore in Chhattisgarh, India. The entire quantity of limestone, an estimated at 6Mta will be transported by a 11km long conveyor system linking the plant with the Nehagaon limestone mine built by Pheonix Germany in collaboration with a local partner Yule.
ACC had conceived the Kymore project nearly 10 years ago, but took concrete steps towards its implementation only recently, presumably after Pheonix had developed the product at its Kalyani plant in West Bengal. The installation of the system at Kymore proved to be daunting for ACC as it involved relocation of villages through which the conveyor system would pass, major excavation work and skirting around the local railway system.
Phoenix AG has already been awarded the LoI for erecting a 34km long conveyor belting system for Lafarge Cement for transporting limestone from Shella in Meghalaya to Chatak in Bangladesh. The route traverses mountainous terrain and involves a stretch which will be like a ropeway, slung six metres above the ground-level.


Public transit agencies in the Montreal area cut services due to impact of COVID-19
Published Thursday, March 26, 2020 2:59PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, March 31, 2020 11:39AM EDT
MONTREAL -- Public transit agencies across the Montreal area reduced their services Monday due to less traffic amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
The Autorite regionale de transport metropolitain (ARTM) announced that it would alter services Thursday.
The changes affected The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM), the Societe de transport de Laval (STL) as well as Exo lines.
Changes to the STM’s regular bus and metro schedules came into effect on Monday and will likely evolve depending on demand. Transit users can expect a 20 per cent decrease of services during peak hours, and are being asked to plan their departures on the STM website, where schedules are up to date.
Ridership has dropped by nearly 75 per cent during the public health crisis, and the STM will reduce service during peak periods by 20 per cent on average, while maintaining access throughout the Island of Montreal.
- A decrease in high-frequency lines, including the “10 minutes max” lines, when ridership observed on these lines allows it
- Adjustments to lines serving the exo train stations, to take into account the decrease in commuter train service
- Postponement of mitigation measures planned for the REM work
- Elimination or significant reduction of services not currently in use, namely the navettes Or shuttles, bus lines for schools, and routes serving the Casino and Jean-Drapeau Park
- A decrease in service on line 747
The STM is reporting an over 80 per cent drop in turnstiles, and service will be reduced by 20 per cent during peak periods.
Train frequency was thus decreased on average from 3:20 to 4:05 for the Orange and Green Lines.
- Complete coverage at CTVNews.ca/coronavirus
- Coronavirus newsletter sign-up: Get The COVID-19 Brief sent to your inbox
The STL’s new schedule was released on Friday and came into effect on Saturday. The regular weekday bus service was reduced by 45 per cent, and the new schedule will apply every day of the week, including weekends.
The agency said it intends to coordinate its new schedule with other public transit networks to facilitate travel for transit users.
The following resources are available for planning departures:
• The STL website
• Send a text to 511785 with the number appearing on the bottom left of the bus stop sign
• Customer Contact Centre: 450-688-6520
The STM's paratransit services have been reduced by 85 per cent to reflect demand. For Exo, the service is still available to accommodate those who are working and to provide transportation essential to daily life such as to medical appointments, pharmacies and grocery stores.
The ARTM said public transit services will not halt completely amid the pandemic. These changes reflect the current demand, and will allow the transit agencies to follow social distancing rules implemented by the provincial government.


Apple Watch Giveaway – Win the Hottest Wearable of 2015
Apple plans to dominate the market of wearables with their highly anticipated Apple Watch (Launching March 9th). We really like new gear and gadgets and we love to share them with you. In light of this, we want to give one of you the Apple Watch. For free. It’s that simple. You could be one of the very first to own this heavily sought after wearable if you are lucky enough to win The Apple Watch Giveaway. The Apple Watch is a music player like an iPod; a fitness tracker with heart-rate measurements; a communications device that will send and receive messages, calls and audio recordings; and a handheld portal to other apps, too. It also makes payments via Apple Pay. It can also control your Apple TV and act as a remote for connected smart-home devices. The Apple Watch seems intent on being a synthesis of many other smartwatches, trying to knit together all of these features into a coherent whole. In some ways, the Apple Watch’s notifications, voice-activated controls, and swipe-to-glance features feel like elements of Google’s Android Wear watches. And the focus on apps and built-in features like voice calling seem like what the Samsung’s Tizen OS-based Gear watches have tried to aim for in the past.
Which phone do you need?
To pair with an Apple Watch, you’ll need an iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6 or 6 Plus. Sadly, earlier iPhones are excluded. So are other phone platforms like Android. This is an iPhone-owner’s product, much like Samsung’s Gear watches run only on certain Samsung phones, or Android Wear watches require Android phones.
How does it work?
Like most smartwatches, the Apple Watch is designed to be an adjunct to your iPhone. It’s meant to stay paired and connected while you wear it for most features, but it also does some things while disconnected, too.The Apple Watch has a small, bright color touch display plus a scroll-wheel digital crown and button on the side for extra features. You can touch and swipe to interact, or speak to its microphone.The watch runs on a brand-new S1 processor, is equipped with a gyro and accelerometer, and can piggyback on the Wi-Fi and GPS from your phone. You press down on the crown to get to the home screen. The watch will take dictation and offers very precise synchronized time to plus or minus 50 milliseconds. It also has a “Taptic” haptic processor that offers a subtle vibrational feedback for notifications, alarms and other messages, plus a force-sensitive touch display.
About this Giveaway
Apple Watch will be announced March 9th 2015, this giveaway ends March 16th and we’ll ship the basic Apple Watch model to the lucky winner within 40 days. This is an international Giveaway which means that anyone can participate.


text:
Please contact the Shelter for More Information
(903) - 432 - 3422
5th Annual Whiskers & Wags Gala - April 29, 2017, 6 p.m.
Athens, Texas Country Club
Friends of the Aminals
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
We know you've always wanted a dog or a cat. And now's the time friends! We are here to help you get ready for your new family member, as and as soon as you're ready to take the big plunge. Owning an animal is, after all, one of the most gratifying things you can do.


text:
Physical therapy graduate waits to go home to Gaza Strip
Eyad Abu, MPT, (seated, third from right), enjoys a get-together with friends and colleagues. Of his friends in the Loma Linda community, Eyad says, “They are like family.”
Eyad Abu finished his master’s in physical therapy degree at Loma Linda University in the summer of 2007.
His wife and five children live in Rafah city, normally about a 20-minute drive from Gaza city in the area of Palestine known as the Gaza Strip.
Since August 18, 2007, he has been trying to go home, but the Israeli government has refused to grant him a permit. He is currently stranded in Amman, Jordan, hoping for some progress.
Eyad graduated in 1993 as a physical therapy assistant from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) education center, located in Gaza. In 2000, he finished his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the same center.
“I worked full time at Alaqsa University as a physical therapist,” Eyad explains, “and part time with the Palestine Red Crescent Society in their rehabilitation department.”
He also volunteered with a local society that provided care for mothers and children in the local community.
In April of 2004, Eyad applied for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) scholarship and received word in July that he had been nominated.
However, he needed to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam in order to formally apply for the scholarship.
During that time, Eyad would work at his two jobs during the day, arriving home around 9:00 p.m. to spend some time with his wife and kids.
Then, at around 2:00 a.m., he would awaken to study for the TOEFL exam.
“The night was scary,” he recounts. “All kinds of war sounds were around me. I needed to lie down on my stomach to study because it was dangerous to sit or stand because of gunfire.”
He typically studied until about 6:00 a.m.
When it came time to take his exam, he decided to head to Gaza city and the testing center a day early, since the exam was only offered four times a year and he didn’t want to miss it.
“Because of the siege around the city and the many check points,” Eyad points out, “the 20-minute drive could become 20 hours or even days.”
As he took the exam the next day, he worried about the safety of his family the entire time. “The news said the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] would be attacking the area where my family lives.”
Eyad had to decide whether he would stay to take the exam or return to be with his family.
“I decided to stay,” he remembers, “but it was a very hard decision.” Eyad’s fears were fully justifiable.
For the next seven days, his family was under fire and without electricity, food, or water.
“More than 60 people were killed,” he details, “and more than 20 homes were demolished. I blamed myself for [not being there], but at the same time trusted that God would take care of them.”
Eyad received the scholarship but needed a visa from the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv. He was refused passage by the Israeli government until forces finally withdrew.
To expedite the process, he traveled to Cairo, Egypt, where he waited for three months for his visa to be processed. The visa was denied and he returned to Gaza city.
A year and a half later, Eyad was called by the Palestinian government and told that he must resign his position at the university to be granted a visa.
Not a problem! Soon he was on his way to Loma Linda University.
“Loma Linda is my second home,” Eyad smiles. “I really enjoyed staying in the dorm. It was safe, clean, and quiet, which gave me an opportunity to study.”
Eyad spent his free time with many friends in the community and enjoying Drayson Center, Loma Linda University’s recreation and fitness center.
Of his many friends, he says, “We are like family. They are very friendly and I have never felt like a stranger in this community.”
Today, Eyad is living in Amman, waiting to return to his family. Rather than sitting idly by, he volunteers at a local physical therapy clinic that treats elderly patients, including many who have suffered strokes.
“I like to work with these people,” he comments. “They remind me of my parents.”
Eyad calls his family at least twice a week. His children keep asking him, “Dad, when will you come back? We miss you.” It’s hard for Eyad to know that his family needs him and not be able to reach them.
“The situation in Gaza is very critical and dangerous,” he adds. “I follow the news every moment for updates.”
Many are being killed every day from the fighting, and others are losing their lives due to the lack of food and medicine.
“There is a complete closure and siege around Gaza Strip, and nothing can go in or out, ” he worries.
“All the time I think about my family and faith in God is the only help for me,” Eyad attests. “I pray He will protect and take care of them.”
By Larry Kidder, MA


Red e App teamed with Brian Wallace of Nowsourcing to develop an Infographic that details how interruptions impact employee productivity.
Is it possible to be too connected in this digital age? Research data indicates, yes.
Recognizing that it’s a personal choice in determining your level of manageable noise.
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Among the findings, workers are interrupted approximately once every 10.5 minutes, and that it takes an average of 23 minutes to return to an assigned task.
The impact of these interruptions is staggering — costing the American economy almost $650 billion dollars a year, it says.
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See on redeapp.com


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- Open Access
TO901317 regulating apolipoprotein M expression mediates via the farnesoid X receptor pathway in Caco-2 cells
Lipids in Health and Disease volume 10, Article number: 199 (2011)
Apolipoprotein M (apoM) may have potential antiatherosclerotic properties. It has been reported that apoM expression could be regulated by many intracellar and extracellar factors. In the present study we further investigated regulation of apoM expression in Caco-2 cells stimulated by a liver X receptor (LXR) agonist, TO901317.
Materials and methods
Caco-2 cells were cultured in the presence of either TO901317, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist guggulsterone or TO901317 together with guggulsterone at different concentrations for 24 hrs. The mRNA levels of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), apoA1, apoM, liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1) and short heterodimer partner 1 (SHP1) were determined by real-time RT-PCR.
When Caco-2 cell cultured with TO901317 alone, the mRNA levels of ABCA1, apoA1, apoM, LRH-1 and SHP1 were significantly increased with dose-dependent manners (p < 0.05), whereas when the cells cultured with guggulsterone alone, the mRNA levels of apoM, SHP1 and LRH-1 (p < 0.05) were strongly inhibited. Moreover, guggulsterone could abolish the TO901317 enhanced mRNA levels of apoA1 apoM, SHP1 and LRH-1.
The present study demonstrated that LXR agonist TO901317 induced apoM expression in Caco-2 cells might be mediated via the LXR/FXR pathway.
With the aging population and changing lifestyles, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has gradually increased . Abnormal lipid metabolism has been considered as one of the major risk factors of CVD . Previously studies have demonstrated that serum concentrations of apolipoprotein (apo) AI and apoB have significantly correlation with the occurrences of CVD [3, 4], and other apolipoproteins may also involve in the initiation and progression of the diseases . ApoM is one of the latest discovered apolipoproteins that is mainly synthesized in the liver, and to a smaller amounts, in the kidney . In human plasma, most apoM are located in the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and small proportion present also in apoB-containing lipoproteins, i.e. chylomicrons, very low-, and low-density lipoproteins (VLDL and LDL) [6, 7]. Recent investigations have suggested that apoM may participate in the HDL-related biological activities as an important component of HDL particle on the protection of endothelial cells . Wolfrum, et al.,  reported that apoM is required for preβ-HDL formation and cholesterol efflux to HDL particles, which is an initial and crucial stage of reverse cholesterol transport, and subsequently protects against atherosclerosis. In addition, the physiological and patho-physiological roles of apoM may also involve in the inflammatory activities and the potential immuno- and inflamm-reactive properties, and apoM may therefore contribute to the anti-inflammatory function of HDL, being as generally acknowledged as a significant antiatherogenic mechanism [10, 11].
ApoM could be regulated by many factors including leptin, insulin, hyperglycemia and many cytokines in vivo and in vitro . It has been demonstrated that apoM gene expression could be also affected by some nuclear receptors, such as hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α (HNF-1α) , hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α)  and liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) . Liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor, as a lipid sensor, protects cells from lipid overload and directly or indirectly controls apolipoprotein-mediated cholesterol efflux . Our previous studies demonstrated that the synthetic LXR agonist TO901317 could down-regulate hepatic apoM expression in vivo and in vitro . Whereas Calayir., et al. , in recognition of our findings that TO901317 inhibited apoM expression in HepG2 cells, even found that TO901317 could upregulate apoM expression in intestinal cells. In the present study we further revealed the regulative pathway of apoM expression in Caco-2 cells stimulated by TO901317.
Materials and methods
Cells and reagents
Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2, was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA). TO901317 was purchased from the Cayman Chemical Company (Ann Arbor, MI, USA). Guggulsterone was from the Sigma Chemical Co. Ltd. (Shanghai, China). Six-well cell culture clusters and 75 cm2 vented cell culture flasks were purchased from the Nunc (Roskilde, Denmark). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) were obtained from the Invitrogen (Shanghai, China). Total RNA purification kits were purchased from the Shenergy Biocolor BioScience and Technology Company (Shanghai, China). First strand cDNA synthesis kits were obtained from the Fermantas (Vilnius, Lithuania). The LightCycler real-time RT-PCR System was from the Roche Applied Science (Mannheim, Germany).
Caco-2 cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 20% FBS in the presence of 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin and 1% Glutamax at 37°C under 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cells were plated in 6-well cell culture clusters at a density of 3 × 105 cells/dish with DMEM containing 20% FBS. Cell monolayer of approximately 50-70% confluence were grown for 24 hrs in the above media prior to experiments, cells were washed twice with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and once with serum-free DMEM without antibiotics. Then the experimental medium, containing DMEM with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and different concentrations of TO901317 and guggulsterone, or TO901317 together with guggulsterone were added. As TO901317 must be dissolved in the DMSO and then added into the experimental medium (the final concentration of DMSO was at 1% in the present study), 1% DMSO were always applied in the controls. Unless stated otherwise, cells were incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs.
Total RNA extraction and real time RT-PCR
Total RNA of Caco-2 cells were extracted by using the total RNA purification kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Primer Express software (Applied Biosystems) was applied to design the primers and probes of human apoM, apoA1, SHP1, LRH-1, ABCA1 and GAPDH (the sequences of primers and probes are shown in Table 1). Quantifications of mRNA levels were performed on a LightCycler in a final volume of 25 μl. Optimal conditions were obtained with 2.5 μl of 10 × PCR buffer, 1.5 μl of 25 mM MgCl2, 0.5 μl of 10 mM 4 × dNTPs, 0.25 μl of 5 U/μl Taq DNA polymerase, 0.1 μl of 100 μM specific sense primer, 0.1 μl of 100 μM specific antisense primer, 0.1 μl of 100 μM specific probe and 2 μl template cDNA. Finally 17.95 μl H2O was added to the reaction mixture. The thermal cycling conditions for human apoM, apoA1, SHP1, LRH-1, ABCA1 and GAPDH were as the following steps: 25°C for 10 min, 48°C for 30 min and 95°C for 5 min to do reverse transcription, and then the reaction mixture was preheated for 2 min at 50°C and for 10 min at 95°C to activate Taq polymerase. After that, a 40-cycle two step PCR was performed consisting of 15s at 95°C and 1 min at 60°C. Samples were amplified simultaneously in triplicates in one-assay run. The prospective amplicon of each gene was amplified and purified, then ligated into the pMD19-T vector. The ligated product was transformed into the E. Coli JM109 competent cells. In brief, a serial dilution of extracted plasmid DNA was used to generate a standard curve by plotting the cycle threshold versus the log initial copy number of input plasmid DNA. Standard curves of apoM, apoA1, SHP1, LRH-1, ABCA1 and GAPDH achieved a very high correlation coefficient (r = 1.00). The ratio between the target gene and GAPDH was calculated as the relative gene expression.
Data are expressed as means ± SE. All experiments were repeated twice and the data were represented one of the experiments. Statistical analyses were performed with the software Prism (version 5.0). Multiple comparisons were performed with one-way ANOVA/dunnett-t, and comparisons between two groups were statistically evaluated by the unpaired t-test. Significance was established at a P value less than 0.05.
As shown in Figure 1, TO901317 could significantly upregulate mRNA levels of ABCA1, apoA1, apoM, LRH-1 and SHP1 with dose-dependent manners. At 1.0 μM TO901317, apoM mRNA level was increased by 24% (P < 0.05), and at 5.0 μM TO901317, increased by more than 100% (P < 0.01) compared to the controls. When Caco-2 cells were cultured with guggulsterone alone, mRNA levels of SHP1, LRH-1 and apoM were significantly inhibited (P < 0.05); apoA1 decrease by 6% and 16% respectively; However, ABCA1 were significant upregulated (Figure 2), which were also dose dependents. As shown in Figure 3, it demonstrated that guggulsterone could abolish TO901317 induced upregulation of apoA1, SHP1, LRH-1 and apoM. When Caco-2 cells cultured with 5 μM TO901317 together with 3.0 μg/ml guggulsterone, the mRNA levels of apoA1, SHP1, LRH-1 and apoM were only 85%, 70%, 77% and 74% compared to the cells cultured with TO901317 alone, respectively, whereas ABCA1 were not affected compared to the cells cultured with TO901317 alone (Figure 3).
ApoM has firstly been identified from human postprandial lipoproteins by Xu and Dahlbäck in 1999 . Recent observations strongly suggest that apoM is predominantly confined to the HDL particles in human plasma and it may have antiatherogenic properties involving in the conversion of large HDL to pre-β HDL, the later mainly functions as an acceptor of peripherally deposited cholesterol that is described as the revise cholesterol transportation [9, 17]. Moreover other researches indicated that apoM might be also involved in the immunity, inflammation, and neoplasia [18–20]. However, the physio-pathological functions of apoM are still not fully revealed. Observation of the regulation of apoM expression may reveal clinical importance of apoM in humans.
Previous studies have demonstrated that hepatic apoM expression could be regulated by certain cytokines and nuclear factors. In our previous study , we demonstrated that LXR agonist, TO901317, could significantly downregulate apoM expression in the hepatic cell line, HepG2 cells. Moreover, Calayir., et al.  confirmed our findings that TO901317 did inhibit apoM expression in HepG2 cells, however, they found that TO901317 could significantly upregulate apoM expression in intestinal cell, which suggest that TO901317 regulating apoM expression is cellular dependent. Moreover, Mosialou., et al.  reported that the natural LXR ligand oxysterols could significantly upregulate apoM mRNA level and protein level in HepG2 cells, and LXR could bind to the HRE in the proximal apoM promoter examined by the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assays (CHIP). They found that TO901317 caused an increased mRNA level of Short Heterodimer Partner (SHP) in HepG2 cells. In contrast, the SHP mRNA level was not affected by the oxysterols. Enhanced expression of SHP could inhibit LRH-1-mediated trans-activation of apoM promoter in HepG2 cells . SHP is an inhibitory nuclear receptor activated by the FXRs that interacts physically with many nuclear receptors including LRH-1. Furthermore, it has been reported that TO901317 is a dual LXR/FXR agonist that activates FXR more efficiently than its natural ligand, the bile acids . Based on the findings described above, the TO901317 downregulating apoM expression in hepatic cells may be due to the activation of the FXR/SHP pathway that inhibits LRH-1.
In the present studies, we further investigated effects of TO901317 on apoM expression in Caco-2 cells mediated via the FXR/SHP/LRH-1 pathway. TO901317 could significantly upregulate the mRNA levels of ABCA1 that is a classic LXR downstream gene . LXR can bind to the HRE upstream in the proximal apoM promoter to upregulate apoM gene expression. As SHP levels were enhanced simultaneously and SHP is a classic FXR downstream gene, which suggests that FXR has been activated simultaneously , whereas the LRH-1 was not inhibited by the overexpressed SHP. LRH-1 was induced by the SHP and the apoM mRNA levels were upregulated. The similar phenomenon was seen in apoA1 expression , TO901317 could downregulate apoA1 mRNA levels in HepG2 cells but it could be upregulated in the Caco-2 cells. Furthermore we demonstrated that FXR antagonist, guggulsterone, could abolish TO901317 increased expressions of apoA1, apoM, SHP1 and LRH-1 in Caco-2 cells, although guggulsterone alone might also decrease mRNA levels of apoA1, apoM, SHP1 and LRH-1. All these findings strongly suggest that activating FXR may mediate upregulative apoM expression in the Caco-2 cells.
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This research project was supported by the national Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (30972955), the research grant of Jiangsu province (BK2008140) and the research grant of the Changzhou Health Bureau (ZD200901).
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
ZCW participated in the assay of RT-PCR. JW performed the statistical analysis. YPS participated in cell culture. DD, XYZ, GHL, MBS, PNE and NX participated in the project design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Zhu, C., Di, D., Zhang, X. et al. TO901317 regulating apolipoprotein M expression mediates via the farnesoid X receptor pathway in Caco-2 cells. Lipids Health Dis 10, 199 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-10-199
- Liver X Receptor
- Farnesoid X Receptor
- Caco-2 cell line
- Apolipoprotein M


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Swiss Re: SONAR 2018 – A peek into the future?July 6 2018
Catching emerging risks is a bit like catching fog. Some drops will turn into water nurturing new risk pools while others just evaporate as they won’t hit the ground. But all risks have the potential to impact not only the insurance industry but also society as a whole. So it’s worth looking at them carefully. Swiss Re’s latest SONAR report draws on the company’s unique in-house risk management expertise to chart the progress of evolving risks that could spell both opportunities and dangers for the insurance industry in the future.
Growing geopolitical tensions, the re-emergence of the asbestos threat, cyber risks and new technology, biased algorithms and the erosion of risk diversification are just some of the key themes identified in this year’s SONAR report.
Fast developing technologies can also have broader implications for our general wellbeing. They can exacerbate sleep deprivation, undermine human skills or have both beneficial and negative impacts as in the case of cryptocurrencies. These are some of the additional emerging risks discussed in this publication.
- April 2
Future Outlook and Emerging Risks
- April 2
Moving from optimization to transformation
- February 22
Empowering for transformation
- January 18
The most important corporate perils for the year ahead and beyond, based on the insight of more than 1,900 risk management experts from 80 countries.

domain: finance


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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine meets Early Morning Riser with a dash of Where’d You Go, Bernadette in this very funny, occasionally romantic, and surprisingly moving novel about how one woman’s life is turned upside down when she becomes caregiver to her sister with special needs.
In the tradition of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle, a darkly humorous modern classic of Scottish literature about a doomed adolescent growing up in the mid-19th century—featuring a new introduction by Maggie O’Farrell, award-winning author of Hamnet.
A New York Times Notable Book, Critic’s Top Pick, and Top Ten Book of Historical Fiction
Named a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, NPR, Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg Businessweek
From one of today’s most brilliant and beloved novelists, a dazzling, epic family saga set across a half-century spanning World War I, the rise of Hitler, World War II, and the Cold War that is “a feat of literary sorcery in its own right” (Oprah Daily).
An engaging, accessible citizen’s guide to the seven urgent changes that will really make a difference for our climate—and how we can hold our governments accountable for putting these plans into action.
From one of rap’s most personal and evocative writers comes a stirring memoir about how Boosie Badazz, one of the industry’s most controversial figures, was able to overcome insurmountable odds to make his music dreams a reality.
When star of Bravo’s TheReal Housewives of Potomac Dr. Wendy Osefo was growing up, her mother was her everything. But when she became a mother herself, everything changed. In this powerful memoir, Wendy explores how her Nigerian upbringing has affected her life, her success, and her role as a parent.
The long-awaited follow-up to the “fabulous, addictive” (Chicago Sun-Times) New York Times bestseller Diana’s Boys explores the last twenty years in the lives of Princes William and Harry and the evolution of their relationship as adults, with one brother the designated heir, and the other doomed to life as the spare—perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown.
Learn how to make meals that are out of this world with this indispensable guide to the food of the stars! Perfect for every fan, this updated edition of The Star Trek Cookbook from the New York Times bestselling author comes with brand-new and delicious recipes, tantalizing visuals, and easy-to-follow instructions and advice to make the best foods from the future.
Kiss & Tell: Stand Up & Stories About Love, Sex, Etc. is a breakthrough audiobook that combines the brashness of stand-up comedy, the intimacy of oral storytelling and the energy of a live audience to portray a compelling and hilarious take on modern relationships. Coproduced with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and hosted by Emmy Award–winning actress Rachel Bloom and Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoah, Kiss & Tell presents an incredible lineup of the funniest comedians unavailable in any other format or on any other platform.

domain: library


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Lindsey Graham getting a Liberty Challenger?Submitted by Vots on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 17:18
Senator Rand Paul is having a luncheon in Greenville, SC at the end of the month, then Paul is heading over to Columbia,SC for a BBQ dinner. The BBQ dinner is $75 a person (it goes to SCGOP).
State Senator Tom Davis, a huge liberty ally, just announced on his Facebook page that he will be introducing Paul at the BBQ. And it's hard not to speculate that Davis will announce he's challenging Graham, followed by a Rand Paul endorsement. In case you aren't aware of Tom Davis' contributions to liberty...
Remember this is pure speculation by me, but if there was ever a time to announce that Graham is getting a primary, this is the time.


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Shopoff Unveils Plans for Mixed-Use Project at Westminster Mall
Irvine, CA-based real estate firm Shopoff Realty Investments has unveiled Bolsa Pacific at Westminster, a 26-acre redevelopment of Westminster Mall in Orange County, CA. The project will feature a mixed-use community of multifamily homes adjacent to walkable community spaces, restaurants, retail and a nearby hotel.
“Together with the City of Westminster, we are envisioning a vibrant center where housing, hospitality, retail and nature come together,” said Shopoff President and CEO William A. Shopoff. “This community will help to reinvigorate the local economy and bring value to the county and surrounding neighborhoods, elevating this prime piece of real estate into its highest and best use.”
The development will consist of three apartment buildings with 1,065 rental units and 102 for-sale townhomes, plus a 175-room hotel lining Bolsa Avenue. Meeting community requests for open space, Bolsa Pacific at Westminster will feature a 2.5-acre park, open space promenades, an amphitheater and outdoor dining.
The development, designed by AO with landscape architecture by MJS, is expected to break ground in 2025.
Hear from CRE industry leaders like TruAmerica Multifamily President & CEO Bob Hart. Come together with top dealmakers, owners, investors, lenders and more at Connect LA on May 3 at the Hotel Indigo.