Strength of materials is that branch of engineering concerned with the deformation and disruption of solids when forces other than changes in position or equilibrium are acting upon them. The development of our understanding of the strength of materials has enabled engineers to establish the forces which can safely be imposed on structure or components, or to choose materials appropriate to the necessary dimensions of structures and components which have to withstand given loads without suffering effects deleterious to their proper functioning.
This excellent historical survey of the strength of materials with many references to the theories of elasticity and structures is based on an extensive series of lectures delivered by the author at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. Timoshenko explores the early roots of the discipline from the great monuments and pyramids of ancient Egypt through the temples, roads, and fortifications of ancient Greece and Rome. The author fixes the formal beginning of the modern science of the strength of materials with the publications of Galileo's book, "Two Sciences," and traces the rise and development as well as industrial and commercial applications of the fledgling science from the seventeenth century through the twentieth century.
Timoshenko fleshes out the bare bones of mathematical theory with lucid demonstrations of important equations and brief biographies of highly influential mathematicians, including: Euler, Lagrange, Navier, Thomas Young, Saint-Venant, Franz Neumann, Maxwell, Kelvin, Rayleigh, Klein, Prandtl, and many others. These theories, equations, and biographies are further enhanced by clear discussions of the development of engineering and engineering education in Italy, France, Germany, England, and elsewhere. 245 figures.
Reprint of the McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1953 edition.


Deer Creek is a trail that connects Brush Creek road to Gothic road, making it a nice addition to something like 401 or some other Brush Creek trails like Strand. Still, I've never actually had the opportunity to ride this trail, though our backcountry ski adventures have taken us on parts of it in the past. I'll blame Frank for this, as he basically hates Deer Creek. Since he's my primary riding partner, we avoided it like the plague. Luckily, my friend Heather was game to ride it with me on this windy but blue-bird day!
Deer Creek lacks the fun downhills that many of the trails have here in Crested Butte. Since it follows above the East River Valley, the trail rolls up and down along the contours of of the Elk Mountains. However, this trail does offer some fantastic views!
Heading up Brush Creek road.
Gothic as seen from Brush Creek, Baldy full of snow.
The start of Deer Creek.
Every hill and valley, climb and descent took us closer to Gothic.
Looking up at White Mountain, with Western State Peak peaking out behind.


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A Ponta do Munduba está situada a leste do litoral paulista, na cidade brasileira de Guarujá. Foi descoberta em 1578 pelo bandeirante português Carlos de Munduba. Em sua busca por objetos indígenas de valor, ele desviou de sua rota e saiu em um ponto litorâneo nunca antes descoberto, que batizou de Ponta do Munduba.

Acidentes geográficos do estado de São Paulo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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'The Sheer Volume' Is Hard To Capture: Unemployment In Nevada Soars To Historic High
By Mary Louise Kelly,
Casey Morell
Published May 28, 2020 at 1:43 PM AKDT
A car drives down an otherwise empty Las Vegas Strip amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 8.
Amid record-breaking unemployment numbers, Nevada stands out. The jobs crisis hit the state early and dug in deep. Unemployment there has soared to more than 28% — the highest in the nation and the highest for any state since 1976, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking this data.
The accommodation and food service industry has been hit the hardest, says David Schmidt, chief economist for the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, with a nearly 41% year-on-year loss of jobs at hotels, casinos and restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
It's not just Vegas and Reno that are hit hard. ... A community called Fernley in northwest Nevada — about 57,000 people in total and 20% unemployment. This sounds as though it's hitting the state hard all around. Is that right?
Oh, certainly. We had a nearly 10% unemployment in all of our metropolitan and micropolitan areas. Fernley is near to Reno, and it has definitely not been spared. Our lowest unemployment is 9.6% in Winnemucca, which is in north-central Nevada.
Are there specific challenges to getting help to more rural parts of the state?
Not necessarily challenges getting help out there. Really, they've been spared the worst of this. Las Vegas is our hardest-hit area, whereas the mining industry wasn't as affected by the closure of nonessential businesses. And so we've seen less of an impact out in our rural areas, where mining is a much bigger piece of the economy than I think many people realize.
Your agency handles all of these unemployment claims pouring in. What has been your biggest challenge in this crisis?
Definitely the volume. We saw a surge in unemployment claims unlike anything that anyone could have ever expected. We had been averaging approximately 10,000 new initial claims every month heading into this.
In the first week of the pandemic, we had over 90,000 claims. We saw nine months' worth of activity in a single week. And then we had eight months' worth of activity in the week after that and seven months the week after that. The sheer volume, I think, is something that is really hard to capture.
Stay-at-home orders in Nevada are being lifted slowly. ... Many casinos in the Las Vegas area say they will reopen on June 4, which is the earliest day they could do so. How hopeful are you about the impact on the state's unemployment numbers?
I tend to lean optimistic. Thirty percent unemployment is comparable to what we saw in the Great Depression. That's a scary sort of thing to say.
But I think it's also important to recognize that in the Great Depression, we didn't have the programs that we have today — like Social Security, like unemployment insurance, like SNAP ... and Medicaid to help support people. And because we have those programs in place to help keep people engaged with the labor market, help keep people provided with the things that they need for daily living, I think you can see a much quicker recovery than you saw in the Great Depression, where it lasted for decades.
Listen to the full interview at the audio link above.
Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.
See stories by Mary Louise Kelly
Casey Morell (he/him) is an associate producer/director of All Things Considered.
See stories by Casey Morell

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Readings and Discussions
BCDSS Reading and Discussion Series
(UN-) ABHÄNGIGE ANSICHTEN
Twice annually, we invite authors and other creative minds who we think contribute to the cluster's dependency and slavery discourse, to the University of Bonn. They read from their texts or have passages read out and discuss their ideas with members of the cluster as well as members of the public. The readings and discussions are particularly designed as outreach events to encourage mutual discourse and public engagement.
With Natassa Sideri
With Iris Därmann
November 7, 2022; 18:15 CET
Reading and Discussion with Natassa Sideri
The young Greek playwright NATASSA SIDERI was awarded the first prize in a new competition for contemporary drama called "Mythos?!", which Regensburg Theatre launched in 2022 in cooperation with the National Theatre in Thessaloniki. Born in Athens in 1981, Sideri works as an author and translator. She wrote her first plays in English while living in London and Berlin. Sideri's award-winning play G E F E S S E L T ('Bound') tells the story of a man in financial distress who gradually falls into an increasingly brutal DEBT BONDAGE with his rich friends.
NATASSA SIDERI, who is also involved in the non-profit association "Work on Europe", wrote the text in 2015 during the most heated period of the financial crisis, amidst discussions about Greece's future in the European monetary union. It tells the story of Nephos, who is in debt and helps his friends Callios and Pyrra with renovation work. The audience witnesses how the situation changes and Nephos' FINANCIAL DEPENDENCE becomes the maxim of living together until he is deprived of his freedom.
Excerpts of the play will be read (in German) by BCDSS doctoral researchers Maja Baum, Lena Muders, David B. Smith, and Lukas Wissel. The discussion (in English) with NATASSA SIDERI will be kickstarted by BCDSS members Marion Gymnich, Professor for English Literature and Culture and BCDSS Co-Speaker and Principal Investigator; and David B. Smith, BCDSS doctoral candidate.
The event is designed to particularly address the public, who are very welcome to take part in the discussion. This is a multilingual event held in Germany and English (Greek is welcome, too). Contributions in either language are welcome. Please spread the word!
Monday, November 7, 2022.
Reading and discussion: 18:15 - 20:00 CET, followed by a reception.
Reception closes at 21:00 CET.
Location: Festsaal Universität Bonn, Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
To take part please register by email:
lesung@dependency.uni-bonn.de
© BCDSS
Watch what Natassa Sideri thought about the reading and discussion evening of her play BOUND ('GEFESSELT'),
organized by the BCDSS, at Bonn University, November 7, 2022.
Reading & Discussion with Natassa Sideri
Below is Act III, Scene 2 of her play BOUND ('GEFESSELT'), from Theater Regensburg (world premiere, June 2, 2022)
Scene 2 of Gefesselt, Natassa Sideri
July 4, 2022; 18:15-21:00 CET
Reading and Discussion with Iris Därmann on "Undienlichkeit"
Cultural Studies scholar and philosopher IRIS DÄRMANN, Professor of Cultural Theory & Cultural Aesthetics at Humboldt University Berlin, presented two passages from her book "Undienlichket. Gewaltgeschicht und Politische Philosophie" that formed the basis of a lively discussion between Iris Därmann, BCDSS members and members of the public on the history of violence.
"Throughout history, resistance to violence, sadism and cruelty has comparatively rarely taken the form of open rebellion. Whether in the transatlantic slave trade or in the Nazi concentration camps, in the face of a lack of options for action, fear of death and disenfranchisement, the only way out was often to escape the grip of those in power through flight, sabotage, but also through abortion, infanticide, hunger strikes, self-mutilation and suicide. Iris Därmann outlines the history of violence of human service and enslavement and interweaves it with body politics and forms of resistance of unserviceability. In doing so, she sheds particular light on the role of European political philosophy as a procurer of legitimacy for transatlantic enslavement and the extermination of European Jews. The result is not only a bloody counter-history to the other master narratives of Western thought, but also a panorama of horror that even in moments of attempted self-liberation touches the limits of what can be endured, but which we must keep in mind if we want to understand the foundations on which our civilisation is also based." (Iris Därman)
The event was convened by:
KONRAD VÖSSING, BCDSS Co-Speaker, Professor of Ancient History, University of Bonn
BCDSS participants:
BIRGIT MÜNCH, BCDSS Principal Investigator, Professor of Art History, Vice Rector for International Affairs, University of Bonn
CHRISTOPH ANTWEILER, BCDSS Principal Investigator, Professor of Southeast Asian Studies, Institute of Oriental and Asian Studies, University of Bonn


"This is a scary-big deal," says Nicholas Weaver, a security researcher at the University of California at Berkeley.
But Krebs is still skeptical, and so is security researcher Nicholas Weaver of the International Computer Science Institute at UC Berkeley. Krebs paraphrased Weaver as saying that "this new solution could make mobile phones and their associated numbers even more of an attractive target for cyber thieves."
Serge Egelman, a researcher with the International Computer Science Institute affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley, helped lead the study of nearly 6,000 children's Android apps.
Per the recent NY Times op-ed, some see the word "lodestar" as signature Mike Pence, but as Sadia Afroz explains, stylometry—the analysis of prose to uncover its author's identity—is a little more complicated than looking at individual words. Afroz is a senior research scientist at the International Computer Science Institute. Interview begins at minute 6:20.
"If it's not sent encrypted, then any of those parties along the way can see the full contents of your message," said Serge Egelman, director of usable security and privacy research at the International Computer Science Institute.
"Posing as a money launderer for Bitcoin seems like a great mechanism to find the dealers: There are so many paths for the dark net dealers to get drugs. There are much fewer paths for them to get cash," Nicholas Weaver, a senior researcher at the International Computer Science Institute at UC Berkeley, told Motherboard in an online chat.
"Most people have no idea that this is happening," said Serge Egelman, director of usable security and privacy research at the International Computer Science Institute. Apple's new effort, he said, "gives users more control over how these companies collect information from them."


Our programs help young people at a critical time.
Our leaving care and post care programs are here to help young people become more independent as they leave state care.
This program aims to achieve better outcomes for young people leaving state care by assisting in the development of life skills, providing links to education, employment and training options, and preventing homelessness through the creation of pathways to sustainable, long-term housing options.
Pathways is for young people over the age of 16 who are in state care. This service is designed to help during the transition to independence when they exit care at age 18.
This service helps young people while they are transitioning to independent living after they have left state care. It helps young people achieve and maintain independence and stability by providing them with information, advice, brokerage and support. MOIRA runs this service from our Hampton East office, serving the entire southern area of Melbourne.
Do you need help with leaving care now?
Please contact MOIRA Youth Services. If you live outside the southern area of Melbourne, please phone the Leaving Care Helpline on 1300 532 846 or visit the Young Care Leavers website.


Strategic Credit Management Workshop is a workshop designed specially for entrepreneurs, business owners, credit and finance managers who want to make credit control a more effective and efficient task in its operation.
The 2-day training programme is not a seminar, speech or class. It is an interactive workshop that will provide you with a specific action plan and training to rapidly solve your business problems and quickly increase your profits. Come prepared with problems specific to your business. The workshop leaders will answer your questions in credit and risk management. They will teach you simple, proven concepts and techniques that will increase your cash flow.


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Target in-store sales jump 17% during holidays despite pandemic
Target announced Wednesday that same-store sales rose 17% over the holiday season compared to the previous year, despite the pandemic.
Store traffic increased 4.3% in the November-December period compared to 2019, the retailer said.
Home goods were the most popular, followed by electronics, food and beverage, beauty and essentials, and apparel.
Online sales more than doubled compared the previous year.
US retailer Target said on Wednesday that robust online sales during the holiday season had resulted in a 17.2% rise in comparable sales for the company compared to the previous year, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Target, founded in 1946, has been investing heavily in its online business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital sales more than doubled over the holidays as customers shopped across all its major categories including home goods, electronics and apparel, according to a press release released Wednesday.
Store traffic increased 4.3% in the November-December period compared to 2019, Target said, adding that sales trends for January were strong. Store-originated comparable sales grew 4.2%, while comparable digital sales grew 102%.
The Minneapolis-based retailer said that home goods were the most popular over the holidays, with a comparable sales increase in the low-20% range.
Comparable sales in electronics grew in the mid-20% range, while food and beverage was in line with the company average. In beauty and essentials, comparable sales grew in the low teens and apparel sales growth fell in the high-single digit range, Target said.
Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target Corporation, said: "The momentum in our business continued in the holiday season with notable market share gains across our entire product portfolio.
"We're very pleased with our results, and the strength of our performance is a reflection of the tireless work of our team to support our guests through a safe, convenient and inspirational experience."
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Should you consider freelancing if you have a degree? :: Freelance UK →


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Mercedes True Self-Driving Car Tech Is Coming To The US
Mercedes-Benz cars in the U.S. are about to add a little extra semi-autonomy, with drivers in some states potentially able to hand over highway congestion to their car to deal with. Announced at CES 2023 today, Automatic Lane Change (ALC) and Mercedes' DRIVE PILOT will build on the automaker's existing adaptive cruise control.
Though still not "autonomous driving" according to the generally accepted Level 4/5 standards — which expect fully unsupervised operations across a wide range of road types and conditions — the new features should make a difference to life on the highway. They'll also help Mercedes' bring its driver-assistance offerings in line with what some rivals are doing.
Already, Mercedes vehicles with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist can manually trigger an automated lane-change maneuver. By tapping the indicator stalk in the required direction, the car will automatically shift lanes assuming the coast is clear. ALC, however, sees the car take on that decision.
Slower cars can be automatically overtaken
If the car approaches another vehicle on the highway that's moving slower than the speed the adaptive cruise control has been set to, automatic lane change can now overtake that vehicle by itself. The driver no longer needs to weigh in and decide whether or not to do so; the car will make the decision so as to keep as close as possible to the preset speed.
After the maneuver, and the slower car has been overtaken, the Mercedes "can assist moving back to the original lane," the automaker says. In addition, if there's active route guidance from the navigation in operation, ALC will also initiate lane maneuvers to help follow that guidance when approaching exit ramps and freeway junctions.
Mercedes isn't the first to this sort of technology. Tesla and GM already offer automatic maneuvering on select models, in fact. However, the German automaker's other big CES 2023 announcement is something it doesn't have U.S. competition for.
DRIVE PILOT lets drivers watch a movie on the highway
Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT launched in Germany in May 2022, a Level 3 "conditionally automated" driver-assistance system. Offered on select Mercedes models — including the latest S-Class and its electric cousin, the EQS — the system is designed to operate in a fairly constrained scenario. On pre-mapped highways, where traffic density is high — and at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour, or around 37 miles per hour — DRIVE PILOT can operate the car itself.
As we found when we tried the system out, the big difference to other driver-assistance tech is that, when DRIVE PILOT is active, the human driver doesn't have to supervise. Instead, they can use their phone, play a game, or even watch a movie. When traffic conditions clear, responsibility is handed back over to the human driver.
Now, Mercedes says, it has applied for certification in California and Nevada. "DMV Nevada has approved our application and they are now preparing the certificate of compliance that will be issued within the next two weeks," Mercedes said today. "With that, Mercedes-Benz will be the first OEM to have a Level 3 system to offer in the US — and is optimistic that California will follow soon."


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Biometric voter registration: Lessons from Uganda elections
Rindai Chipfunde Vava
The BVR system worked well in Uganda's recent elections. But BVR is not a silver bullet in solving all electoral issues. Inadequate voter education was a major problem as well as state interference and harassment of the opposition. The electoral commission was also perceived to be partisan in favour of Yoweri Museveni.
Joint letter on Internet shutdown in Uganda
Several organisations have written to the African Union and regional bodies asking them to condemn the decision by Ugandan authorities to shut down Internet access during recent elections ostensibly for national security. Such an action – which is becoming widespread - violates human rights and international law. It must not be allowed to become the new normal in Africa.
Yoweri Museveni and the future of Uganda: Beyond 30 years of militarism
Horace Campbell
For 30 years, the Ugandan leader who is poised to extend his rule in next week's elections has presided over a militarized regime supported by the West. The citizens desperately need change but they have no way of achieving it through compromised procedural democracy. The forces for change in Uganda must re-strategize and keep up this struggle after the elections.
Is Uganda ready for change? Besigye, Museveni and Mbabazi to decide
Odomaro Mubangizi
It is the final week to Uganda's fiercely contested elections. President Museveni looks set to extend his 30-year rule. The campaign period has been grueling and deeply divisive. Museveni and his challengers and their respective supporters must ensure the elections pass off peacefully.


Blood Bound Books celebrates its third year of publishing with Blood Rites, a gathering of dark talents that have shared our dreams-and shaped our nightmares. We individually summoned each author to contribute his or her voice to this choir of the damned.
Joe McKinney is the author of numerous horror, crime, and science fiction novels, including the four-part Dead World series: Dead City, Apocalypse of the Dead, Flesh Eaters, and Mutated.


If you're a big fan of electronic music and want to get to know more about the Barcelona scene, or even just enjoy a relaxing drink with great music, then the Rubdown parties are ideal for you. Being held every Thursday evening in July, these events are being live streamed over Facebook. A new guest DJ will feature every week, while the resident DJ is Frank Lane.


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Use Windows 10? Here's What They're Tracking
Microsoft has revealed details about the data it is tracking via its new operating system (OS), Windows 10. In a blog, the firm listed statistics on how many minutes had been spent by users in total in the Edge browser and the number of photographs which had been viewed in the Photo app. The firm also said that Windows 10 was now active on over 200 million devices.
However, some people have questioned whether the data tracking is a threat to privacy. Since Windows 10 was launched, Microsoft has been tracking information about how those with the OS are using it. Until now though, relatively little has been known about what data is being collected. "Microsoft is deeply committed to protecting our customers' privacy. Consistent with all modern services and websites, the Windows 10 information highlighted in the blog on January 4 is standard diagnostic, anonymous analytics that enables us to deliver the best Windows 10 experience possible," a spokesman for the company told the BBC.We are committed to delivering industry leading privacy protection for our customers, as shared in a recent blog from Terry Myerson."
Minutes tracked
The company blog listed a range of figures, including:
44.5 billion minutes spent by users in the Microsoft Edge browser across Windows 10 devices
2.4 billion questions asked to virtual assistant Cortana
30% more Bing search queries per Windows 10 device versus previous versions of the OS
82 billion photos viewed with the Photo app
More than four billion hours spent playing PC games
Microsoft also reported that Windows 10 continued to be the fastest growing version of Windows, outpacing the adoption of both Windows 8 and Windows 7. Security expert Prof Alan Woodward told the BBC he was interested to know the long-term plans for the data. "[This information] might be collected for one purpose, but how long will it be stored for? What else are they going to use it for?" he said. "As soon as it goes outside the EU it's no longer protected by things like the UK's Data Protection Act." Recently, Microsoft announced it would be opening UK data centres for corporate clients in a move the firm hoped would address privacy watchdogs' concerns about "data sovereignty". However, it is not clear where data relating to the company's own operating system is transmitted and stored. It is possible to increase the privacy controls in Windows 10 by setting the feedback option to Basic, so that activity data is not sent to Microsoft - bar error reports. However, Prof Woodward suggested that users of the new OS may not be fully aware of the range of options and what they do. "I've noticed it because I've been installing it a lot recently. The default is for them to track a whole lot of things about usage and send details back to Microsoft. I think some people are walking into it blindfolded, they don't necessarily realise what's going on," he said.
Microsoft reveals details of Windows 10 usage tracking
PlayStation Agrees To Fortnite Cross-play
Best Way To Quit Smoking
Dealing With Anxiety & Panic Attacks? Helpful Tips
New HP Laptops To Block Over-Shoulder Snooping


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HomeIR Blaster PhonesWhy an IR Blaster remains Useful on Phones in 2020
0 phone shadows September 10, 2020
There's a chance (albeit, an ever-decreasing one) that your phone comes with an IR blaster. These allow your phone to talk with everyday devices in your home, like TVs and DVRs, using invisible bursts of electromagnetic radiation.
If you're perennially losing your remote, phones with IR blasters are extremely handy. But how do they work, and where are you ready to get one?
When Infrared Was King
Readers of a specific age might remember using infrared to share files and internet connections between their phone, PDA, or computer. This feature (dubbed "IrDA") was common within the 1990s and early '00s before Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
At the time, IrDA was revolutionary, but it's way back ceased to be mainstream. Modern data transfer technologies are simply better. With Bluetooth and IrDA, both infrared ports don't get to be nearby or have a line of sight.
They're also significantly faster. The IrDA port on my Apple PowerBook G3 tops out at a sluggish 230.4 kbps. Compare that to Bluetooth 5.0, which supports speeds of up to 2 Mbps, or Wi-Fi 6, which features a base speed of 1.2 Gbps, and should even go up to 10 Gbps.
It's worth emphasizing that IR blasters aren't the same because of the old IrDA ports of yesteryear. They use a different protocol called Consumer Infrared (CIR), and operate at much slower speeds.
That means you'll get to ditch using your shiny new phone to connect to your late-'90's laptop.
What Is IR Used for in 2020?
IR blasters are almost exclusively used to control other devices, like TVs, set-top boxes, and air conditioning units. By downloading an app, you'll effectively turn your phone into a universal remote and control your entire world.
Because IR blasters for TVs and set-top cable boxes are so prevalent, Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox One incorporated one, as well. That's how the Kinect hardware lets Xbox One control a TV.
Some phones, a bit like the Unihertz Jelly 2, accompany universal remote apps preloaded. If yours doesn't, there are options on the Google Play store.
Lean Remote is one of the only and offers an honest range of support for household electronics. Your mileage will vary, of course.
Few U.S. Phones Offer IR Blasters
In the early 2010s, Android phones routinely shipped with IR blasters. Manufacturers like Samsung and LG included them on their devices, but this gradually stopped. However, IR blasters are still frequently shipped on phones from Chinese manufacturers, like Huawei and Xiaomi.
Below are a few of the most recent phones that provide IR blasters.
It shouldn't be surprising that TCL ships an infrared blaster on its top-tier phones. After all, the Chinese tech brand is most generally known for its affordable smart TVs, and there are obvious synergies.
Priced at $449, the quad-camera TCL 10 Pro offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, 128 GB of storage, 6 GB of RAM, and a tall, 6.47-inch display. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack which is somewhat of a rarity lately.
It's one of the few phones with an IR blaster sold within the U.S.
Xiaomi's Poco F2 Pro combines flagship-level specs, kind of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and 64 MP quad-camera setup, with a sub-$500 tag.
This is one of the few Xiaomi phones available within the U.S. While the firm hasn't formally entered the American smartphone market, it's been widely imported by resellers, and thus, are often found on Amazon.
Huawei P30 Pro remake
Announced earlier this year, the Huawei P30 Pro remake could also be a modestly updated version of last year's flagship from the embattled Chinese tech giant.
Unlike other recent phones from Huawei, this device includes Google's proprietary Android apps, so it's access to the Google Play store. It comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage by default, and, yes, there's an IR blaster.
The P30 Pro remake isn't readily available within the U.S., although it's widely sold in Europe for around $800.
I wasn't joking once I said IR blasters were getting rarer. While it's certainly true that they're going to be found, only a couple of are included on devices sold within the U.S.
Fortunately, the electronics behind an IR blaster are very simple. If you're handy with a tool, it's possible to form your own and plug it into your phone's 3.5mm headphone jack. Your mileage will vary, however.
best phone IR Blaster Phones


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Within the Faculty of Forestry, there are several research labs, groups, and projects. Visit the website of each project to find out more.
Adaption of Asia-Pacific Forests to Climate Change
A project designed to address uncertainties in forest management policies and help forest managers and policymakers to develop effective management strategies to maintain resilient forest ecosystems for adaptation to climate change.
AdapTree
A project that aims to improve provincial seed transfer policy and operational forest management response to climate change.
Advanced Renewable Materials Lab
The lab's primary goal is to construct a sustainable future with the design of renewable building blocks harvested from nature.
Asia Forest Research Centre
The AFRC works to promote quality education and research capacity by enhancing relationships between the UBC Faculty of Forestry and its partners in Asia.
A Collaborative Research and Development project that seeks to use remote sensing to enhance Canada's forest inventory and to improve the modeling of forested ecosystems.
Bamboo Applications and Management
The Bamboo Applications and Management Group is dedicated to conducting research on the social, economic, & environmental potential of bamboo
Belowground Ecosystem Group
The primary goal of the Centre is to conduct interdisciplinary collaborative research towards the eventual scientific goal of linking structure and function in belowground ecosystems.
Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
CAWP conducts applied research, offers a wide range of continuing education, training and extension programs, and assists the industry by supplying undergraduate students with specialist knowledge of wood products manufacturing for cooperative education placements.
Centre for Alpine Studies
The Centre for Alpine Studies serves to coordinate scientific research conducted on alpine ecosystems.
Centre for Forest Gene Conservation
The CFGC studies the genetic structure of forest trees and genetic diversity in breeding and deployment of improved varieties to meet current and future environmental challenges.
CoAdapTree
CoAdapTree aims to develop strategies and recommendations, such as climate-based seed transfer and assisted migration that will help us grow healthy forests that are better adapted to future conditions. The CoAdapTree Project also aims to develop genomic tools and strategies for improved tree breeding, not only for warmer or drier climate conditions but also for resistance to pathogens.
Collaboration for Advanced Landscape Planning
An informal group of researchers at the University of British Columbia specializing in landscape visualization, environmental perception, public land management processes, and sustainable landscapes.
Cool Tools Warm World
This research cluster focuses on the design and testing of digital media to enhance learning and influence behaviour.
Cranston Research Group
The Cranston Research Group aims to design high-performance materials to replace those that are based on non-renewable resources by learning from nature and using biological components.
Cultivating Forest Stewardship
A partnership between UBC Forestry and UBC Farm, this website is designed to provide students and teachers with learning materials relevant to forestry and encourage public awareness of forestry products and services. You will find introductory aids for the forestry 'beginner' as well as comprehensive learning tools for prescription and management planning.
Energy Resources, Development and Environment Laboratory (ERDELab)
The Energy Resources, Development, and Environment Lab (ERDELab) uses inter-disciplinary approaches to research problems at the intersection of technology, environment, and development.
Evaluation Forestry Contributions to the Carbon Market
An initiative targeted to aggressively implement large-scale action plans such as a global emissions trading scheme (ETS) to help meet global reduction targets.
FACT – Forests and Communities in Transition
An initiative dedicated to research, dialogue, and knowledge exchange aimed at contributing to the development of more resilient and liveable forest-dependent communities.
Forest Carbon Policy
A project funded by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions that aims to generate recommendations for regionally differentiated climate change mitigation alternatives for BC's forest sector.
Forest Measurements and Biometrics
Forest measurements and biometrics involve developing and testing methods for taking and using measures from forested lands, including statistical sampling and analysis methods.
Future Delta 2.0
Future Delta 2.0 explores the use of video gaming to encourage exploration of local climate change challenges and solutions in an innovative place-based game environment by high school students and other community members.
Genetic Data Centre
The Genetic Data Centre trains graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and faculty members in the use of molecular tools, data collection, and data analysis. This laboratory is a common meeting ground for molecular applications in population, quantitative, and conservation genetics.
Grizzly-PAW
Grizzly-PAW is an NSERC CRD research project that focusses on the grizzly bears in the Yellowhead region of Alberta.
Industrial Engineering Research Group
The IE research group comprises of graduate students and research scholars working in the area of operations management, efficiency and productivity, and information technology under the supervision of Dr Taraneh Sowlati.
Integrated Remote Sensing Studio
Advanced inventory techniques and application of remote sensing imagery.
MGEM Project Library
The Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM) Project Library is a repository of applied research undertaken by students in the program.
National Parks Research Center
The National Parks Research Center studies national park systems all over the world to contribute to a growing body of knowledge on protected areas.
Pacific Salmon Ecology Conservation Lab
The Pacific Salmon Ecology Conservation Lab is committed to the study of salmonid ecology, behaviour and physiology, and to providing management systems with information needed for the conservation and sustainable use of fish resources.
Peter Arcese Lab
The Peter Arcese Lab addresses a wide range of questions related to the ecology and evolution of small populations and the indirect effects of humans on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of bird, mammal, and plant populations.
Rethink Silviculture — Discussion Board for Regeneration Practices
A blog that encourages the discussion of experiences, ideas, and opinions related to silviculture practices.
SCHIRP – Salal Cedar Hemlock Integrated Research Program
SCHIRP's research is to determine the underlying causes of poor growth of regenerating western redcedar on cedar-hemlock cutovers invaded by salal on the west coast of North America and to establish the best operational means for improving productivity on these sites.
Simard Lab
The Simard Lab is run by Suzanne Simard.
Social-Ecological Systems Research Group
The Environmental Social Sciences (ESS) span a range of disciplines (e.g. anthropology, economics, human geography, political science, sociology) and associated analytics for understanding the diverse ways that humans value and interact with non-human nature. ESS includes approaches that focus on individual behaviour and decision making as they relate to the environment, as well as broader structural processes, institutions, and governance. Insights from ESS research help us understand the full complexity of environmental issues, and from this, to develop socially-informed and contextually appropriate solutions.
Stable Isotope Facility
The SIF provides analytical services to any department on campus and welcomes sample submissions from other academic institutions, government, and industry.
Stream and Riparian Research Laboratory
This research program addresses questions related to the mechanisms that structure stream and riparian area communities, and how various land-use practices affect those systems.
Sunderland Lab
The Sunderland Lab performs research focused on applied research, biodiversity, conservation sustainable resource management, and linkages to levering policy influence.
Sustainable Engineered Structural Solutions Laboratory
The research focus of the Sustainable Engineered Structural Solutions Laboratory is on developing high-performance carbon-neutral systems and structures, as well as related performance-based optimum design procedures for engineers to provide them with cost-effective solutions for the next generation of buildings and sustainable urban development, also featuring structural resilience against extreme events (e.g., earthquakes).
Sustainable Functional Biomaterials Lab
The Sustainable Functional Biomaterials Lab is run by Dr Feng Jiang, Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Sustainable Functional Biomaterials.
Tree Molecular Biology Research Lab
UBC Tree Molecular Biology Research Lab's areas of research include tree biotechnology, the relationship between genes expression and phenotypic fibre characteristics, plant metabolism (metabolomics), cell wall development, cellulose biosynthesis, lignin biosynthesis, lignocellulosic chemistry and ultrastructure as it relates to wood quality, fibre morphology and chemistry as related to the formation and properties of paper, enzyme applications in the pulp, and paper industry and enzyme-substrate interactions.
TREE RINGS: Reading Between the Lines – Tree Ring Lab
The Tree Ring Lab performs research that combines forest ecology and dendrochronology to investigate the influences of natural and anthropogenic disturbances and climate variation on the dynamics of temperate forests of western North and South America.
Urban Forestry Project Showcase
Highlights of current faculty research projects related to Urban Forestry.
Vibrant Forest Landscapes
Research lab interested in the processes that increase peoples' prosperity and encourage broad sustainability outcomes in forest landscapes.
Wildlife Coexistence Lab
This research lab is led by Cole Burton, Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management on wildlife and conservation.


Here at the office we really liked this Desna Rose 3Ply White Toilet Roll when we put it through trials, of all the toilet papers that we have "tested" in the office (not actually in the office) this toilet paper came out on top. And belive me when i write that we have tested a lot of toilet rollls in order to offer our customers great products.
It offers soft absorbent sheets that are well bonded and is an all round good bathroom tissue.
3ply Toilet Roll - Desna Rose is a luxury 3ply Toilet Roll that compliments every bathroom.
Desna Rose 3ply Luxury Toilet Rolls 10 x 4pk Luxury Quilted Laminated (Glue Embossed for extra strength and durability with a quilted pattern).
Mini Jumbo Toliet Roll 2.25"


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La Place de l'Étoile is the first novel of the French writer Patrick Modiano. It was published by Gallimard in 1968 and won the Roger Nimier Prize and Fénéon Prize.

The novel, which draws on elements of autobiography, recounts the story of Raphael Schlemilovitch, a French Jew born just after the war, who is haunted by the war and by thoughts of persecution. The hero, who is also the narrator, tells the story in a hallucinatory manner, mixing reality and fictitious personal inventions.

He first presents himself as an antisemitic Jew belonging to the French Gestapo living in Geneva who becomes friends with Des Essarts, a French aristocrat, and Maurice Sachs, who has miraculously reappeared (Maurice Sachs was a real person, but deceased by the time of the narration). After their abrupt disappearance, he reconnects with his father, a Jewish industrialist living in New York, and gives him his entire fortune which he had previously inherited from an uncle from Venezuela. He then enrolls in an academic preparatory school (a "khâgne") in Bordeaux, where he is influenced by M. Debigorre, professor of literature, former Pétainist, who is harassed by his students, and whom the narrator successfully defends against them. He then meets Levy-Vendome, a Jewish aristocrat who is in the business of sex slave trafficking and with whom he signs on as an associate in order to kidnap young women according to specifications. By virtue of his athletic good looks, his stature and his physical strength, he is able to seduce and capture and deliver to employer several women from the French provinces, first in Savoy and then in Normandy. He then flees to Vienna, where he becomes a pimp, believing himself to be the "official Jew" of the third Reich, friend of Heydrich, the official pimp of the SS and lover of Eva Braun. We next see him in Israel in a reeducation camp that very much resembles a concentration camp where the Israeli army "reforms" European Jews into good Israelis, freed from their obsessions over Jewish misfortune, Jewish thought and Jewish intelligence. But all this appears to be simply an illusion because after a final scene where all the characters reappear, we find Schlemilovitch on a couch in Vienna in the process of being psychoanalyzed by a doctor whom he takes to be doctor Freud.

The title is a play on words, reflecting both the star that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule (French l'étoile jaune) and Place de l'Étoile, the traffic circle around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Editions
 La Place de l'Étoile, « Blanche » collection, Gallimard, 1968 ()
 La Place de l'Étoile, « Folio » collection, Gallimard (nº 698), 1975 ()
 La Place de l'Étoile, translated by Frank Wynne, Bloomsbury, 2016 ()

References

1968 French novels
1968 debut novels
Novels by Patrick Modiano
Éditions Gallimard books
Novels set in the 1940s
Vichy France in fiction


Generation Break 1:[Choose a face down G guardian from your G zone, and turn it face up] When this unit is placed on , you may pay the cost. If you do, choose one of your vanguards, and until end of turn, it gets " :At the end of the battle that this unit was attacked, if the attack did not hit, Counter Charge (1).".
With such a weak attack, don't think that you can win!


The following was taken from www.collectorsweekly.com : Prior to our disposable metal, paper and plastic oil containers you would purchase oil at a gas station either pumped from a drum or in glass quart bottles which sat in special racks.
The bottles where mostly displayed in wire racks such as seen to the left. There WERE examples of solid racks made from wood and sheet-metal. It might be possible to make an acceptable wire rack using Photo-etching.
I added eight bottles as if you drop any of these you will probably never find them .. they are that small.
I have setup a discussion thread in my forum – Quart Oil Bottles. That is where you can comment, make suggestions etc. The more input from people the better the products can be made.


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News & Runway
BURBERRY CHIC
Jonathan Pizarro August 7th, 2009
It is hard to imagine that a brand could suffer from overexposure, but that's exactly what led to a decline in the image of Burberry in Britain.
The company was started in England in 1856, by 21-yea- old Thomas Burberry, as an outfitter's shop that eventually grew into an emporium. By the late 1800's, they had developed a name for quality and innovation, having created items of clothing such as the gabardine and the Tielocken, which was used by officers during the Boer War.
By 1920, the red white and black Burberry check was introduced into the lining of their trench coats. Burberry was well known for providing clothes to the higher classes of British society, including royalty.
Although the company maintained its image intact overseas, particularly in the Asian and American markets as the epitome of British luxury, by the 1970's it began to suffer in Britain.
The rise in what was known as football casual wear, meant the Burberry check had been adopted by hooligans, thugs, and "chav" culture.
The Burberry check had taken a complete turn in what it signified to the public, becoming instead a symbol for the flashy "bling bling" culture that encompassed a class of uneducated and uncultured persons. The name "Burberry" became synonymous with anything gaudy and flashy, turning into something of a national joke. Many bars and clubs wishing to retain a sense of style and exclusivity began to advertise as "no Burberry allowed", in an attempt to ban the now tacky check pattern.
However, the company had expanded as a clothing line, providing not only overcoats and handbags, but umbrellas, scarfs, swimwear, and even fragrances. Burberry proved vastly popular in other markets, and in 1994 Christy Turlington was used in a campaign.
By 1997, New York native Rose Marie Bravo became Chief Executive Officer, her main intention being to revitalize the brand in an attempt to move away from the negative perceptions and stigma Burberry had embarrassingly adopted.
The push in marketing began to form itself around the idea of British chic, with fashion campaigns portraying British celebrities and models such as Kate Moss and Ioan Gruffudd. Burberry was being sold as a lighter, younger, more cosmopolitan brand, taking on the idea of British style without the stuffiness. Taking the spotlight away from the check, their designs began to centre themselves on a classier type of young adult, a look sold as quintessentially London.
It seems the fruits of their labours are finally paying off. This year has seen a move from Milan to London to display their Spring/Summer 2010 collection for September's fashion week, and a campaign centred around Harry Potter star Emma Watson.
Burberry is back, and more beautiful and British than ever.
WHY THURMAN?ERIN WASSON: FROM MUSE TO THE TENTS


Water Works update: first stage of construction work planned for summer/fall 2018.
We invite community members to take the Water Works concept revision online survey. The survey will be open through Sunday, May 21. Survey results as well as information from other engagement efforts will be posted on the project website.
The cultural resources consultant, led by the 106 Group and including Pam Smith created the Interpretive Plan [PDF] to help guide upcoming design work.


FROM remakes to 3D avatars, Sholay continues to influence and entertain us. Actor Amjad Khan as the notorious villain, Gabbar Singh, immortalised the character with dialogues like Tera Kya Hoga Kaliye? Here is another tribute to the moviea��this time in a graphic format.
The idea of releasing a graphic novel on the iconic villain titled Gabbar is the joint venture of Graphic India and Sholay Media Entertainment. a�?a�?I always had a passion for comics and graphic novels,a�?says Sascha Sippy, chairman of Mumbai-based Sholay Media Entertainment, a�?When I met Sharad Devarajan (co-founder and CEO of Graphic India) a few years ago, we decided to explore this unique medium of storytelling to revive Sholay as well as create a different perspective for Gabbar Singh.a�?
To all the skeptics who questition Gabbara��s relevance,A� Devarajan says, a�?What Star Wars was to Hollywood, Sholay is to Bollywood. In that context Gabbar is our very own Darth Vader.a�? A definite addition to the Sholay shrine, Graphic India is also releasing Sholay: The Graphic Novel, an adaptation of the movie. If that does not cover everything on Sholay then their soon to be released series of short stories called Sholay Shorts will do it a�� based on some of the popular characters in the movie such as Thakur Baldev Singh, Soorma Bhopali and Sambha.
Fans can also look forward to motion comic episodes in English and Hindi, exclusively created for mobile phones. There is more in store as Graphic India has plans to collaborate with some of the leading talents in Bollywood to create new graphic novels that will captivate readers. Devarajan feels that India has the potential to become one of the biggest creative exporters in the years ahead. So are you ready to wait and watch our next Stan Lee in the making?


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The magazine of
The National MS Society
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Home › Health › Testing ground
Pros and cons of participating in clinical trials for MS research.
by Aviva Patz
Karen Jackson, diagnosed with MS in 1996, has benefited from medications from clinical trials. Photo courtesy of Karen Jackson
Karen Jackson has been happily filling out surveys, giving extra vials of blood and undergoing MRIs and lumbar punctures for clinical trials since 2006. The 58-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1996, then with primary progressive MS in 2003. "For me, it's a no-brainer," she says. "There aren't a lot of treatment options for primary progressive MS. This is a way for me to continue to be part of the solution, part of the answer."
Clinical trials are at the heart of finding new and better treatments for MS. They help scientists understand how MS develops and whether treatments—from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to rehabilitation strategies—are safe and effective. Participating has pros and cons, but one thing is certain: There can be no progress without it. "Everyone owes a debt of thanks to people who have participated in clinical trials, who have helped pushed the field forward, because all trials, even unsuccessful ones, teach us valuable lessons," says Ari Green, MD, director of the MS Center at the University of California at San Francisco. "Everyone with MS has benefited because of the risk or the inconvenience of the people who came before them." Read on to learn more about participating in clinical trials for MS and whether they're right for you.
How to find clinical trials
There are two main sources of MS clinical trial listings: One is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, which allows you to search for trials by state, type of MS or keyword. You can also check the website of the National Institutes of Health, where you can search more than 290,000 research studies in all 50 states and in 207 countries. Search by condition to find MS-related trials.
Details of trials
Studies can last from weeks to months to years or even the rest of your life, in the case of long-term research. Timing depends on the phase of the research, what it's testing and other variables. How you participate will also vary widely—you might be trying an app, modifying your diet, taking vitamins or pills (including disease-modifying therapies), giving extra vials of blood or having extra MRIs, getting your skin biopsied, getting injections or infusions, or testing out different ways of walking, exercising or doing physical therapy.
You can ask your physician to refer you, or you can apply directly by emailing or calling the contact listed in the trial description. The researchers will then determine if you meet the eligibility requirements—for example, you may need to be over 18, live within 150 miles of the research facility and fall within certain levels of disability and duration of disease. Check with your neurologist to ensure it makes sense for you, and put your doctor in touch with the researchers running the study to ensure that it's a fit. It isn't always. For example, you might like the idea of testing a DMT, but therapies are sometimes compared to inactive placebos. If you end up getting a placebo instead of the medication and that could put you at risk, it's not safe for you to participate.
There are two basic types of studies in which people with MS might participate, according to Joan Ohayon, senior nurse consultant with the Neuroimmunology Clinic at the National Institutes of Health.
The first type simply gathers information to understand more about the disease and doesn't involve interventions. For example, the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Memphis is studying how different neurological conditions impact speech. Researchers at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and Carle Hospital are exploring the relationship between nutrition and eye health among people with MS. Then there's a USC Multiple Sclerosis Center study looking to validate a smartphone app called "myMS," which helps track MS at home.
Participating in a clinical trial could include commitments and tests, such as getting MRIs.
For longer-term information gathering, you can get involved in a registry designed to capture the real-life experience of people living with MS. One example is iConquerMS, which involves completing surveys about daily experiences and symptoms, sharing medical records, and suggesting research topics and questions.
The second type of study is an interventional clinical trial that tests new therapies and rehab strategies, whether it's a new treatment or an add-on treatment, or a complementary therapy such as a special diet, yoga or meditation. For example, Dr. Green is studying ways to take advantage of the body's existing capacity for repair. "In MS, primary early damage occurs to the myelinating cells of the central nervous system," he explains. "There are cells that are meant to repair that damage, but for some reason in MS they don't do what they're supposed to do—we're looking to help those cells overcome the barriers keeping them from doing their job." Results of his first trial with a medication, which were promising, were published in The Lancet in 2017, and he's now doing a second trial to evaluate the best timing for that medication.
Key factors to consider
Obviously, you want to consider logistics like the time commitment, scheduling, and whether you can handle what's involved (like hour-long MRIs every six months) and any risks the study might pose. "It may depend how risk-averse you are," Ohayon says. Then you're going to want to start asking questions. You can find a complete list of questions on the website of the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation, but these are among the most important:
What are we trying to learn? You might think the answers are in the trial description, but it can be complicated, according to Dr. Green, so ask for a breakdown in simple language.
What is the background data to support this approach? Ask the investigators to provide evidence of why they believe this therapy will work. Beware of a hard sell, warns Dr. Green. "If you feel like the researchers are making false promises or painting an overly rosy picture of the possible results, that's a reason to be skeptical," he says.
Has the treatment been tested before? If so, on how many people? What are the possible side effects?
What kinds of tests and treatments are involved? If you're not comfortable with any of the elements, that's a deal-breaker. "There's no reason to feel coerced to participate—it's your body, it's your condition," Dr. Green says.
What are the possible risks and benefits in the study compared with my current treatment?
Who will pay for the experimental treatment, or any of the tests, and will I be reimbursed for other expenses such as mileage, parking or meals?
If the treatment works, can I continue receiving it?
Benefits of enrolling
What's in it for you? The short answer: You'll receive regular and careful medical attention from a team of doctors and other health professionals; you'll possibly have access to new treatments before they're widely available; and you'll help others by contributing to understanding of new treatments or procedures. "Sometimes negative studies are just as informative or more informative than positive ones, so it's good to go into the study thinking, yes, this may benefit me, but more important, I'm benefiting the greater good," Ohayon says.
Anita Williams volunteers for clinical trials as a way to contribute to MS research. Photo courtesy of Anita Williams
Anita Williams, 49, of Aurora, Colorado, has volunteered in clinical trials since 2015 for that very reason. "I said 'yes' because I wanted to contribute to MS research, especially as a black woman who would like to see more African Americans represented," she says. "It's the MS patients who came before me and participated in clinical trials that gave us the information we have today. The DMTs are all possible because of them, and I want to do the same for others."
Jackson did benefit from one experimental medication. But more gratifying for Jackson has been having access to top-notch teams of dedicated and passionate clinicians. When she developed a pressure sore on her right hip, it was successfully treated the same day by the study team's wound department. "Had it not been for my connection to the National Institutes of Health, I wouldn't have gotten that early intervention and would have suffered so much longer," she says.
Potential downsides of enrolling
What are the risks? Besides logistical inconveniences—the time, interventions and even costs involved—the experimental treatment you're getting may not be effective. Or you could be in the control group and not get active medicine. Worse, you could take the active medicine and have unpleasant and even serious side effects. "It could be that you take a medication and suddenly your disease gets worse—it's definitely a risk," Ohayon says. "But there are many steps along the way to minimize the risk category." It's important to note that participants are monitored closely for side effects and other issues.
Phases of clinical trials
Every therapy undergoes several phases of testing:
Phase I is a small study that determines the safe dose range and flags any safety concerns and side effects.
Phase II starts looking at the effectiveness of the therapy and further evaluates its safety.
Phase III is a bigger study, sometimes with thousands of people and spanning years, that compares this therapy with standard or similar treatments or no treatment (placebo). To earn FDA approval, the drug must prove to be as good as or better than what already exists.
Phase IV follows FDA approval and is designed to monitor how the treatment is working. "It's not just boom, it's approved, we're done," Ohayon says. "We still monitor safety and effectiveness for a long time."
Ultimately, volunteering for MS research could benefit your disease, but in Dr. Green's experience, it will definitely benefit your state of mind. "In my years of doing this, I've seen that the people who participate in clinical trials are happier because they're part of the work that's helping overcome something they're living with," he says. "There's an injustice to MS—it harms people at a crucial time of their lives and robs them of certain opportunities and experiences, so it really helps people psychologically to be fighting back."
Aviva Patz is a writer in Montclair, New Jersey.
Learn more about enrolling in clinical trials.
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The National MS Society is proud to be a source of information about MS. Our comments are based on professional advice, published experience and expert opinion, but do not represent individual therapeutic recommendation or prescription. For specific information and advice, consult your personal physician.


Education has indeed got costly nowadays, and even though students dream of pursuing any particular discipline, they at times couldn't afford to do that. However, in the 21st century, no one's dream stays incomplete because of financial incapability. Most of the concerns are ready to give loans to the candidates who are worthy of it. However, they need to repay it once the course is completed. There are options, and Performance SLC believes that there's no harm in looking back and have an idea of these options to repay the student loan earlier.
Most of the loan programs that one applies for have specific eligibility pre-requisites as well. But that doesn't mean the entire process of paying back the loans will be straightforward. Depending on the loan plan, the period required to get out of it will also be determined as well.
For those, who still have got some balance left at the end of the 20 or 25 years of income-driven repayment plans, the remainder gets forgiven for sure. Also, these programs allow the students to decrease their monthly installment as well. Depending on the income bracket, and the percentage of the income that you pay as your installment, the amount is being determined. However, one thing needs to be considered for sure. If the period of repaying the loan is being stretched over two decades, one will end up paying much more. And the forgiven amount that will be considered at the end of this period will come under the taxable income bracket.
Many prefer to take up the Perkins Loan; they have several programs planned which help the students to waive off their loan amount. There are the Peace Corps and the AmeriCorps Vista programs which are being served in the heart of the US, generally in those hostile areas where the US armed forces serve in the extreme of the conditions. Those who avail the loans under the Perkins Loan program get the opportunity to serve under these programs waiving off the entire payback of student debts.
There is a special allowance for the veterans who have got service-connected disability in America for sure. They do qualify to receive Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income as well. Any candidate who has taken a student loan and later in life has had service-connected disability qualifies for the Total and Permanent Disability Discharge. Performance SLC finds this to be a noble move on behalf of the US Government allowing these citizens survive the remaining few years being financially stable.
However, these are some of the special cases which have been discussed, and hence students must not rely on them. The best way is to get the right work done and pay it off in significant amounts as soon as possible.


text:
Mirijevo (cyr. Миријево) – wieś w Serbii, w okręgu braniczewskim, w gminie Žabari. W 2011 roku liczyła 372 mieszkańców.

Przypisy

Miejscowości w okręgu braniczewskim


Speaking during an interview with Sky News, the 20-year-old said: 'It makes me feel: "Wow, if I can't be safe surrounded by our own fans, where am I safe?"
'These people shouldn't be going to games.
'Who else could this be happening to if I don't say anything?
The youngster took to social media to speak out on his ordeal in attempt to have his message heard, writing: 'And I now say this with my whole chest. Imagine going to Europe away day just to get racially abused by your own fans :) F***ing cowards.
Chelsea were recently shamed after a video emerged of a set of supporters chanting a racial slur against their former player Mohamed Salah - now playing for rivals Liverpool.
The Blues came out to describe the behaviour of the men as 'abhorrent' and called those who were singing 'an embarrassment'.
Liverpool also branded the video of abuse directed towards Salah as 'unadulterated bigotry' and condemned them in the strongest possible terms.


In 2012, Kierstin Eaddy entered Shelton School as seventh grader, excited about the opportunities that awaited her.
In her two years at Shelton, Kierstin was outstanding, soaring both in academics and athletics. Not only did she successfully complete eighth grade with honors, maintaining an A average, Kierstin broke numerous track records. She even participated in the Junior Olympics national qualifier event in San Marcos, TX.
Kierstin also set an example for all. She won praise from both her teachers and peers, actively participated in Girl Scouts and volunteered with SpiritHorse, a not-for-profit organization where she donated many hours to help autistic children build skills and confidence.
The entire Shelton community mourns the loss of such an exceptional young person who achieved so much in 14 years. For those who were privileged to know her, Kierstin will always bring to mind a beautiful, giving spirit, full of fun and talent. Her legacy will always include the exceptional standards by which she lived.


In response to Rob Olson's Outdoors column in the Winnipeg Free Press titled Future Premier: time to show us some love (Saturday, Mar.19 Outdoors Column, read it right here), Brian Pallister took a break from campaigning to join the Managing Director, President Brian Strauman and MWF super-volunteer Chris Heald in Gimli for a little ice fishing demonstration and a bowl of fresh Lake Winnipeg walleye chowder. Rob's column offered the MWF's services to train our political leaders in the ways of our wonderful outdoor traditions.
Conversations on the ice with Mr. Pallister ranged from the need to curb spotlighting to the future of our Lake Winnipeg fishery. A big thanks to Brian for taking the time to meet with us in our favorite meeting place: Lake Winnipeg. A fun time was had by all. We stand ready, willing and able to provide the same opportunity to Ms. Bokhari and Mr. Selinger, but they better hurry, ice fishing closes March 31st.


Delémont (German: Delsberg) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Jura. The city has about 12,000 people there since 2004.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Delémont.
This page was last changed on 7 November 2017, at 17:40.


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Christian leaders and activists are rooting for minority groups, whose rights have long been overlooked in India, as the country prepares for six weeks of polls in the world's biggest democracy.
"The coming elections are going to be very important for the country's overall future, and especially for minority groups," said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, a spokesperson for Indian bishops.
"Every time elections are held in a democratic set-up, the marginalized and unrepresented class gets a chance to make its voice heard. That's why this is such a decisive time," he told ucanews.com.
The elections, divided into seven phases, will run from April 11 to May 19. Some 900 million eligible voters will elect 543 members of parliament.
The Election Commission announced the detailed schedule on March 10, as the five-year term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will officially end on May 26.
While Modi and his pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are seeking a second term, the rival Indian National Congress party has vowed to oust him.
It has projected his government as being inefficient and unsympathetic to the interests of religious minorities and the poor.
Others say the party promotes a culture of violence that could mar the elections.
The votes will be counted on May 23, and whoever leads the party with the most seats will head the next government.
Five years ago, Modi's BJP won an unexpected 282 of 543 MP seats, riding on a plank of pro-Hindu hysteria, which also entailed hate speeches against religious minorities like Muslims and Christians.
Bishop Mascarenhas said the parties and candidates "must ensure hate doesn't get any space."
"We expect that whoever comes to power will ensure the protection of all citizens, irrespective of their cast, creed or religion," he said.
International rights groups have accused the government of failing to act against Hindu radicals, who took the BJP's victory as a mandate for their efforts to make India a Hindu nation while stepping up their campaigns of violence against other religions.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said minority groups are harassed, threatened and intimated by the bullying tactics of the BJP.
The government has also been blamed for plunging India into chaos by withdrawing 80 percent of the country's currency in one fell swoop, failing to address the mounting agrarian crisis, and allowing unemployment to soar.
Christian leader A.C. Michael told ucanews.com the elections are going to provide his group with an important platform as the authorities have severely curbed efforts to promote their faith in eight of the nation's 29 states.
He was referring to laws that restrict religious conversions in Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand.
Michael said if the BJP wins a second term they are expected to press ahead with their calls for a legally enforced national ban.
"The party's members increasingly defer to communal rhetoric, which has spurred a violent campaign of vigilantism against the consumption of beef," he said.
Pundits say the party will try to placate orthodox Hindus, who consider the cow a revered animal, by banning beef from being eaten nationwide if it is re-elected.
Such policies run contrary to constitutional guarantees permitting people to profess, practice, and propagate their religion.
But BJP leaders have hinted they will amend the secular character of the charter if they win a super majority, or at least one third of the vote, which would enable them to redraft parts of the constitution.
"That's why this election is so crucial, not just for Christians, but for people of all faiths who want to see democracy thrive," Michael said.
Attempts at suppression will "result in social tension, violence and chaos," he added.
Alliance Defending Freedom, a global organization that works to defend Christian rights globally, said in a report there were 219 incidents of targeted violence against Christians across India from January to October 2018.
"Of those, 192 were mob attacks in the form of threats and intimidation. Women and children were the most affected, with 160 women and 139 children reportedly injured," it said.
Christian leader Joseph Dias believes the BJP and other pro-Hindu parties aim to galvanize Hindu voters by stoking religious passions.
"Some are engaging in door-to-door campaigns seeking votes in the name of Hindu supremacy. This is a major challenge to India's secular character," Dias said, adding that most Indians reject fanaticism.
Hindus comprise 960 million or 80 percent of the population.
"Saner minds, not just Christians and Muslims, will vote for harmony and inclusiveness," he said.
The nation's 28 million Christians, who make up 2.3 percent of its 1.2-billion population, are barely represented in politics. They wield some influence in pockets of southern and northeastern India.
"There is no Christian-centric party in India," Joseph told ucanews.com. "But Christians have always put their trust in the country in light of its formerly tolerant attitude toward other religions."
Catholic bishops recently urged the authorities to change the April 18 date for the MP elections in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states as Maundy Thursday falls on that day, meaning many Catholics would be prevented from attending Holy Week services.


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text:
Martine Wright – From 7/7 Bombing Victim to Paralympian
Martine Wright - From 7/7 London Bombing Victim to Paralympian
by Sukh Singh, Associate Partner, Lighthouse International
The London bombings took place on 7th July 2005. I remember starting a photography course just 2 days after the bombings, in Russell Square, where one terrorist set off a bomb on a bus. It was a day that changed many people's lives forever...
One such person was Martine Wright and this is her moving and inspiring story.
The day before the bombings, on 6th Jul 2005, Martine was celebrating the fact that Britain had just won the chance to host the Olympic Games in 2012 and was very passionate about attending the Paralympic Games.
The next day, she sat 5ft away from one of the suicide bombers on a London train carriage and lost both of her legs...
Martine completely lost the life she knew and enjoyed. After several weeks of feeling totally lost and distraught, she set her mind on rebuilding her life by finding a new sense of purpose and meaning. In a TEDx talk, she said:
'Either I was going to feel sorry for myself for the rest of my life, or… I had a choice to live my life, whatever it would hold.'
Martine rehabilitated and decided to enrol in her local sitting-volleyball team. Through her passion, dedication and hard work, she was selected to be in the British Paralympic team. Ironically, 7 years on from the bombings, instead of visiting the 2012 Olympic games as a supporter, she had earned the right to be there to represent her country.
What Martine says at the end of the video is humbling for us all to take stock of;
'Maybe I was meant to go on this journey, all I can say is that I'm just lucky to be living this dream now'.
Martine is incredibly grateful to be in the position she's in, but she chose it; she worked hard and had incredible courage to make it happen. She didn't allow herself to remain feeling like a victim for too long, that's what true legends do, well-known or not. We all face our own challenges in life and even though we might get knocked down by them, it's crucial that if we want to live a happy and successful life, that we find the opportunity in those challenges and become stronger.
Here's the full 15 minute TED Talk which is well worth a watch...
Is there a challenge that has shaped you in your life? No matter how small or big, there is something we've all faced that has defined a part of our journey...share in the comments below...
[whatsapp url="https://www.legends.report/martine-wright-from-77-bombing-victim-to-paralympian/" title="Thought you'd like this article from the Legends Report, it's the moving story of a survivor of the 7/7 Bombings in the UK who has gone on to become a Paralympic Athelete..." ]
Developing Your Mindset
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Martine Write image © Sam Friedrich/acumenimages.com


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PALERMO'S AIRPORT
Palermo International Airport (IATA: PMO, ICAO: LICJ), also known as Falcone-Borsellino Airport and Punta Raisi Airport is located at Punta Raisi, about 35 km (20 miles) west of Palermo, the capital city of the Italian island of Sicily. The airport is one of the busiest in Italy, with 4.446.142 passengers in 2008.
The airport was given the name Falcone-Borsellino in memory of the two leading anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino who were murdered by the mafia in 1992. A 1.90m (6 feet 2.8 inches) diameter plaque featuring their portraits can be found to the right of one the main outside entrance to the departure hall, set into a mosaic of Sicily. Created by the sicilian sculptor Tommaso Geraci, it bears the inscription Giovanni Falcone - Paolo Borsellino - Gli Altri - L'orgoglio della Nuova Sicilia (Giovanni Falcone - Paolo Borsellino - The Others - The Pride of the New Sicily).
Airlines and destinations
Air Malta (Malta) [begins May 15]
Air One (Milan-Linate, Milano-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino, Turin, Naples)
Alitalia (Milan-Linate, Rome-Fiumicino)
Clickair (Barcelona)
Blu-express (Rome-Fiumicino)
Brussels Airlines (Brussels)
easyJet (London-Gatwick [begins June 27], Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino)
Eurofly (New York-JFK) [begins May 10]
operated by Air Nostrum (Madrid) [begins July 24]
Luxair (Luxembourg)
Myair (Foggia, Milan-Orio al Serio, Venice-Marco Polo)
Meridiana (Bologna, Cagliari, Florence [begins June 1], Milan-Linate, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Verona)
operated by Avanti Air (Lampedusa, Pantelleria, Trapani)
Ryanair (London-Stansted, Milan-Orio al Serio, Pisa)
Scandinavian Airlines System (Oslo) [ends October 25]
TUIfly (Cologne/Bonn, Hannover, Memmingen, Munich, Stuttgart)
Transavia (Paris-Orly)
Tunisair (Tunis)
Wind Jet (Barcelona, Forlì, Milan-Linate, Nantes, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Parma, Pisa, Rome-Fiumicino, Turin, Venice, Verona)
GESAP S.p.a. is the airport management company of "Falcone e Borsellino" Airport in Palermo. It has a fully paid-up share capital of € 15,912,332.00 divided between the Regional Province of Palermo, the Comune of Palermo, the Chamber of Commerce, the Comune of Cinisi and other minor partners.
Established in 1985, until 1994 Gesap operated exclusively as handler and supplier of ground services for Palermo airport, the management of which is directly assigned by the government and overseen by the District Airport Directorate.
In 1994, Gesap was charged with the partial management of the airport through a Convention which granted the company a 20-year mandate to run land side activities (the airport buildings and surrounding areas).
In April 1999, GESAP obtained an anticipated mandate to manage the airport's air side activities, and, more specifically, the flight infrastructures (runways, links, taxiways and aprons) as foreseen by art. 17 L. 135/97.
As airport management company, Gesap plans, creates and manages the airport's areas, infrastructures and systems, ensuring the necessary maintenance and implementation of the same. It also provides centralised services such as airport coordination, public information systems, security controls and surveillance as well as managing commercial outlets through concessions to third parties.
In April 2004, GESAP was awarded UNI ISO 9001/2000 (Vision 2000) certification. The company had already received certification for its services and processes in the handling sector and this too was renewed by the certification body, TUV, in December 2006.
On 30 May 2004, ENAC awarded GESAP an "Airport Certificate" in recognition of the airport's full conformity with the regulations set down in ENAC's "Regulations for the construction and management of airports". On May 24, 2007 Gesap has obtained the renovation of "Airport Certificate" until May 30, 2010.
Today, after having recently transferred its handling sector to a controlled company, GH Palermo, GESAP is awaiting a ministerial decree that will grant it a forty-year concession for the total management of the airport. This comes after the deliberation of ENAC's Board of Directors on March 1, 2005 that was officialised in a Convention signed on November 17, 2006.


SALMA slim-fit mid-length classic down coat is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 10.
Description SALMA by SOIA & KYO is a slim-fit, above-knee length classic down coat with a dramatic face-framing hood and removable fur trim. The asymmetrical zipper closure molds to your body for a beautiful silhouette. Designed with our signature water-resistant and water-repellent shell fabric keeping you extra dry during those extreme cold winter days.
Shell (Woven, Visible Coating) (80% Body): 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester. Combo (20% Body): 100% Polyester. Lining (Woven): 100% Polyester. Filling: 90% Duck Down, 10% Feathers (Ma, Tadorna Tadorna). Asiatic Raccoon Fur (Nyctereutes Procyonoide). Water resistant & Water repellent.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Carrot from The Perfect Coat This really is a gorgeous coat that has everything I wanted for the winter. A beautifully fur-lined hood, a nice curvy silhouette that gives you a figure, so comfortable, and oh so much warmth. Couldn't be happier with this coat. The indigo colour is gorgeous and the fur sits in such a lovely way when the hood is down that is frames your face and looks almost like you're wearing a stole/shawl. Although I should mention that I returned this particular one and bought the dyed grey fox fur hood instead. The grey suited me better than the brown and looks really nice with the indigo colour that I purchased.
Rated 4 out of 5 by Lisa from Great looking, warm jacket beautiful Indigo col Again it just a perfect jacket for urban use in winter days. I find the zipper to be of low quality, its take couple of tries to attach the zipper and it's not very smooth while zipping it up. I had mackage and canada goose jackets and the zipper is very smooth and easy. The fur is not as soft compared to other higher end jacket. I just hope the zipper will last, I have had it for only 2 weeks now.
Rated 5 out of 5 by lizzydoogs from Best. Coat. Ever. This coat has been my #1 winter purchase of all time. The coat has several features which make it worthwhile: it is surprisingly warm considering it's slim fit and not "bulky" (I've worn it up to -10 degrees and was toasty warm with a merino sweater on!), the pockets are lined with fleece which adds an extra layer of warmth to your hands on extra cold days, there's a hidden breast pocket which is great for stowing things like lip balm or Kleenex on the go, the inner zip vest offers more versatility in fluctuating weather (and warmth when it's super cold!), and the length keeps your body warm! I also love the oversized hood and the fur is exceptionally beautiful. I also want to mention the coat's hardiness - I've (unfortunately) worn it in the rain and after hanging to dry was good as new, and went skiing (yes, skiing) in it. I had quite a wipe out on the hills but the coat stood up wonderfully! No rips, scuffs or other damage at all! I would absolutely say this coat is worthwhile and would recommend it or the brand to anyone.
Rated 4 out of 5 by Carolina from Great jacket I love it! I bought it two months ago and I have received many compliments.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Leena from Super stylish & super warm I bought this is November and am really happy. The materials are good quality and soft, it is very warm and love the length. Live that the pockets have zippers so i don't have to worry about anything falling out. Its not as fitted as i thought...but i like that ...as i feel more comfortable and can easily wear thick sweaters underneath and it still doesnt look bulky. Love it!!
Rated 5 out of 5 by jeanm from Classy but I've been wearing this jacket a few weeks and I'm very happy with it so far. You can tell this is a quality jacket and I appreciate the minimalism of the design. Its not too flashy, but still stands out and I love the indigo/navy colour. The fur is the perfect touch and I am a tall woman, so I love the length.
Rated 2 out of 5 by B Chi from Not great quality Overall, I expected higher quality for the price. The zipper is cheap plastic and the lining is a fake fur print. The style is nice though and it is pretty warm. I got an XS (I'm usually an S) just because I didn't want it to be too bulky, it's a bit tight but was the right call because the fit is nicer.


ACouplez is an on-line supplier of fine diamond jewelry especially designed for that special person in your life. As the saying goes, "Diamonds are forever" and we hope that our unique jewelry will strengthen the bond that holds you together. Our mission is to provide you with top quality, designer jewelry at reasonable prices and the confidence and security of knowing that all of our pieces come with a life time warranty and a 30 day, no questions asked, money back guarantee.
Q: Where do you get your jewelry from?
A: We are an established family of diamond merchants and with Couplez we have taken the next step. We are responsible for the entire process. We select the diamonds and other precious stones, we manage the process of cutting and polishing the stones ensuring that our high quality standards are always maintained. Then we develop our own designs and expert craftsmen produce them with care and attention to detail using only the finest materials. Finally, we sell directly to you, our customer. By cutting out the middle man (or men) we make tremendous savings which we then pass on to you so that you get an exquisite piece of fine jewelry for a fraction of what you would normally pay.
Q: Compared to other on-line jewelry stores your prices are really great. How do you do it?
A: As we said in the answer to the last question, we do everything in-house. So we have total control over every aspect of the process from start to finish. Plus, we use clarity enhanced diamonds. They are just as brilliant and beautiful as a regular diamond, but are a lot cheaper. And you get the benefit!
Q: Clarity Enhanced Diamonds – what are they and are they as good as a real diamond?
A: First, clarity enhanced diamonds are real diamonds, they are not artificial or paste diamonds. Almost every diamond has some flaws. They can be large and noticeable or microscopic flaws that can only been seen under magnification. The flaws in a diamond have an impact on its price. Clarity enhanced diamonds are, as we said, natural diamonds that have minor, almost invisible, flaws. The diamond is treated using advanced technological processes that let the light pass through the diamond as if the flaws weren't there. The process leaves the diamonds weight and color totally unchanged so, the bottom line is a brilliant, dazzling diamond that can cost 40% less than its equivalent, untreated cousin.
Q: I'm worried about buying on-line. What if I don't like the ring or it's the wrong size?
A: Buying Couplez diamond jewelry on-line will save you lots of your hard earned dollars. But we appreciate your concerns and because of this, and so that you can shop in complete confidence, we offer a 30 day, unconditional, no questions asked return policy. If, for whatever reason, you want to return the piece, just return it to us (see our Return of Goods guidelines) and we will issue a full refund.
Q: How can I be sure that my jewelry won't get damaged, lost or stolen in transit?
A: We ship all your orders using reputable shipping companies such as FedEx Express. All orders are packed securely so that they will be protected from minor knocks during shipping. We also insure all of our shipments so that in the unlikely event of it going astray, you are fully insured against its loss.
Q: Do you ship to all 50 states and internationally?
A: Yes we do. We will ship to any of the 50 states and any destination in the world. Shipping and insurance are free but and import duties or taxes will have to be paid by you.
Q: I want to get my wife a new wedding band. I've chosen the design but how long will it take you to ship the order?
A: We will do all we can to process and ship your order as soon as possible. In general, once payment has been cleared, we will pack and ship your order within 7 working days. We let you know when it's shipped with a tracking number so you can go to the shipper's site and see exactly where your package is and when you can expect it to arrive.
Q: I don't want to use my credit card over the Internet, so, can I pay using PayPal?
Q: Do you provide a guarantee for your jewelry?
A: Not only do we provide a guarantee, but it's a lifetime guarantee – not a year, not 5 years, but for a lifetime! That's how confident we are of our jewelry's quality and workmanship. If it ever gets damaged or need repairing, we'll fix it free of charge (other than the cost of replacing lost stones of course). See our Lifetime Warranty for more information.
Q: My local jeweler said on-line jewelry stores don't provide gemological certificates. Is this true?
A: Most definitely not! Here at Couplez we provide you with genuine, natural diamonds and each one comes with its own unique ID card, its gemological certificate. This is just another of the steps we take to give you the security of knowing that you are buying from a fair and reputable company.
Q: I've been doing some research and come across the term "laser inscribed" diamonds. What is this exactly, do you provide this service and does it cost extra?
A: A laser inscribed diamond is one that has its gemological certificate number etched microscopically on the stone with a laser. This in no way effects the stones color or clarity! If the stone is lost or stolen, police or jewelers can use this number to identify the diamond and as proof of ownership. All of our diamonds are laser inscribed and this is a free service we provide to all of our customers.
Q: It would be much easier if I could pay by installments. Can I?
A: Yes, of course. However, credit is only available when paying with a credit card. As an alternative, you could consider our layaway program. You make a 20% deposit for the jewelry you want and we will keep it for you for two months. When final payment has been made, we ship the jewelry off to you automatically.
Q: What are conflict free and blood diamonds?
A: Unfortunately, many diamond producing areas are also centers for armed conflict. Rough diamonds from these areas are often mined using child or forced labor to purchase weapons for the warring parties. In the year 2000 the UN Security Council and the World Diamond Congress put in place a set of guidelines to ensure that diamonds coming on the market were conflict free and that the proceeds from their sale would not be used to fund violence and war. All of our diamonds are certified as conflict free.
Q: How should I clean my diamonds?
A: Despite diamonds being one of the hardest substances known to man, if you need to clean them do so with great care. Never, ever use abrasive materials as these could affect the diamonds brilliance and clarity. Always use a soft, microfiber cloth like the sort used to clean your glasses. See our care guide for more information.
Q: I'm ashamed to say that I dropped my engagement rind and one of the stones came loose. Can I send it back for repair?
Q: What about end of season sales or stock clearances?
A: We suggest that you sign up for our newsletter. That's where we'll announce any special offers or promotions before they appear on the web site. By signing up for the newsletter, you'll be one of the first to know of our latest deals and bargains and a 10% discount on your next purchase.
Q: I hear a lot about the "4 C's" – what is this?
A: The 4 C's refer to the four characteristics of a diamond that determine its value. They are: Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity. Look at our "Education" pages for more information about the "4 C's" and lots more of other interesting facts about diamond jewelry.


text:
Panthers perfect on power play Wednesday, won't seek outside help
By Matthew DeFranks
For Panthers general manager and interim coach Tom Rowe, diagnosing the team's power play struggles is simple. So is the cure.
SUNRISE — For Panthers general manager and interim coach Tom Rowe, diagnosing the team's power-play struggles is simple. So is the cure.
"We were passing the puck too much and too slow," Rowe said. "We were being too deliberate. On the power play, I don't care what you do, but you got to do it fast."
During Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Edmonton that snapped Florida's five-game winning streak, the Panthers were perfect with the man advantage, scoring twice to boost a lagging unit. Florida's power play now ranks 26th in the NHL this season, scoring on just 15.8 percent of its opportunities.
At home, the unit ranks 29th (13.1 percent), while on the road, it is a middling 17th (18.6). Wednesday's two goals ended a 0-for-12 drought on the power play at home.
"We shot the puck, moved it quicker," Rowe said. "It's nothing [assistant coach] Dave Barr hasn't talked to the guys about all year. Chemistry's better. We have two units that know each other inside and out. They're starting to get some good looks. We had good looks before. We just weren't finishing."
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Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Marchessault scored with the man advantage on Wednesday night, with Barkov's goal coming off a rebound from an Aaron Ekblad shot. Marchessault scored after Keith Yandle found him splitting the defense around the blue line.
It was Yandle's 400th point and gave him 12 assists in his past 18 games. One of the reasons the Panthers signed Yandle in the offseason was for his passing on the power play.
He's had at least 22 power-play points in each of the past three seasons, including 2013-14 when his 31 points tied for the league lead among defensemen. This year, Yandle has 12 power-play points, leading the Panthers and tied for 17th among NHL defensemen.
"He's a specialist," Marschessault said. "He's amazing. He's probably the best passer I've ever played with. He's really fun to have on your team. He sees you, even if he acts like he doesn't see you, he sees you and gives you the puck. He's a great passer and a great power play specialist. We're lucky to have a guy like him on our team."
Florida Panthers videos
It appears the Panthers won't be looking to add more power-play help ahead of the March 1 trade deadline. Last week, Panthers president of hockey operations Dale Tallon told NHL.com the club would like to add offense to get the power-play going, maybe parting with prospects or draft picks to do so.
But Rowe said the current roster is enough so the Panthers won't have to look for power-play upgrades at the deadline.
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"Nope, we got the guys here to get the power play going," Rowe said. "I'm not worried about that at all. The execution is a lot better. Like I said, whatever you do, you got to do it fast to move the puck quicker and then just get more shots to the net. But we got guys here that can get our power play right at the top of the league. When we get into the playoffs, it'll be fine. I'm not worried about it at all."
A reporter noticed Rowe said "when" the Panthers make the playoffs, instead of "if" they make it.
"We're going to be there," Rowe replied.
Pleading for the fourth
Rowe said the fourth line of Colton Sceviour, Derek MacKenzie and Shawn Thornton should get more minutes Friday night against Calgary. Sceviour (11:48), MacKenzie (10:06) and Thornton (4:58) combined to play less than 27 minutes against Edmonton.
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Sceviour scored a second-period goal that tied the game at two.
"Really, I stunk last night at managing the fourth line," Rowe said. "I should've given them more minutes. They're going to get more minutes tomorrow. I think that hurt us a little bit as the game went on. They've played great."
*After leaving during the second period Wednesday, Panthers leading scorer Vincent Trocheck returned for the third period. He was at Florida's off-ice practice Thursday and his shoulder injury is not believed to be serious.
mdefranks@sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @MDeFranks.
Keith Yandle
Derek MacKenzie
Shawn Thornton
Colton Sceviour
Dale Tallon