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WALL-E 2.0
Maha Fier | Oct 3, 2017 | in WWF Conservation Innovation Awards 2017
This is a Paraparaumu College senior robotics and Paraparaumu College Societal, Environmental and Animal Rights Action Group (SEAR) project, the purpose of which is to design and build a robot capable of autonomously cleaning a section of beach the size of an Olympic swimming pool of pieces of rubbish between the size of a bottle cap and up to and including the size of a plastic 3L milk bottle. The robot must be able to clean two 1250m2 sections of beach of 80% of the rubbish found in each area within a two and a half hour period by term 4 in 2018.
The final robot must be presentable and acceptable to the public using the beach where it is operating, this entails that it should be such that the chances of members of the public impeding it in it's work are minimal.
The robot will be required to start at a home base position and make it's way to the first section to be cleaned. The robot shall locate items of rubbish using its own robot vision system with a camera mounted on a mast.
An advanced task would be to use a robot drone system which would overfly the area to be cleaned and generate a rubbish map for the robot to follow. Should this be the case the beach robot will use the drone generated rubbish map to navigate to each rubbish item at which point it will use it's own robot vision system to identify the rubbish item followed by it's collection. Should the robot come across an item of rubbish it cannot remove, due to its size or nature, the robot should take a picture of the rubbish item and note it's location using GPS to allow retrieval by a person.
Once the robots rubbish bin becomes full it should make it's way back to the base station where it will unload it's rubbish to a base station receptacle before returning to the beach to continue the cleaning process.
All of the above should be completed in an autonomous fashion with no human intervention. The robot should also have the ability for a human operator to use it in a fully manual mode.
The final competition will be in the latter part of term 4 2018 in which the robot will have to demonstrate it's ability to complete the assigned task. Along with this project and the completion of the robot, we are hoping to educate the public more on ocean pollution and littering through SEAR's channels. However, we must secure funds if we are to follow through with this whole idea.
The Paraparaumu College robotics team have previously constructed multiple remote controlled and autonomous robots that are capable of identifying people on the street and maneuvering around them. Recently the robotics club completed demonstrations for local schools, the Kapiti Mayor and the Otaki MP Nathan Guy. This year in 2017 SEAR received an award for Education and Child Youth development from the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards including a $1000 prize. SEAR Environmental focuses on building knowledge about environmental issues, and how youth can become leaders of positive environmental change as well as having previously successfully followed through with environmental projects collaborating with our local council.
Ocean Pollution and Littering.
Creating a robot which can regularly go out during the week and clean up the amount of litter within a beach can be revolutionary as we face issues like ocean pollution and litter. Litter on beaches can impact a numerous amount of different things. Rubbish being a huge contributer to ocean pollution is hazardous for ships and divers and also the marine life and ecosystems itself, effecting other New Zealand cultural aspects like the gathering of kaimoana. The amount of videos you see on social media of marine life being strangled/suffocated by litter debris or even possibly witnessing such crimes yourself in person is an issue which needs to be solved for the sake of marine life and ecosystems. Having a beach cleaning robot could potentially change the game for the cluttered path our beaches and oceans are heading towards and can potentially change public perception for everybody to realise that littering is not ok.
Related Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qT-rOXB6NI
We wanted to create something innovative in a way where it actually truly solves something instead of creating something which can only document a specific environment state. Creating a beach cleaning robot much like the disney's version of WALL-E for example (though litter will not be crushed into walls, nor will it physcially look like 'Wall-E'), we realised while researching for this project that creating a type of 'WALL-E' hasn't really been done before. This idea pushes the boundaries of robot use to be created into something exceptionally helpful for the earth and is unique in a way that is modern and almost futuristic. What also makes this idea unique is that this is a youth-led idea and project, encouraging rangatahi to be leaders in conservation, however there will also be support and help from local adult team members with this robot project, including further help with financial management.
Any robot constructed will be used by Paraparaumu Colllege in conjuction with the Kapiti Council to clean local beaches. Any maintenance and enhancements will be provided by Paraparaumu College robotics and SEAR, the Kapiti Council and local team members.
The robot will benefit by keeping rubbish including plastic out of our environment and reduce impact to native flora and fauna. Further, upon being successful enhancements will be considered to further expand to multiple robots with potential deployment beyond the Kapiti Coast.
Any organisations or companies or groups around the world can use this idea to face the issue of ocean pollution in their own area once this robot is completed. Countries which face a huge amount of litter on their beaches and struggles to keep this area maintained can benefit from this robot by using it for the reasons above.
The funding would need go towards various different things for the robot such as funds for hardware, engineering services for any custom made mechanical parts, software and transport - all which is referred to in our file link below.
1) The Baleen Filter
We recognise that microfibres, though small, leave an effect to our marine biodiversity. Having the Baleen filter prevents these microfibres from entering the ocean - and that is what could save countless of marine life and ecosystems.
2) Restoring the oceans abundance using seawater electrolysis
We as rangatahi realise that our oceans are dying and want to live in a future where the ocean looks lively - not dead. This project demonstrates a simple but effective way on how kiwis can use technology in New Zealand marine conservation to restore the health of our oceans.
3) SWIMMING with E-COLI
An app which can transmit real-time data about the amount of E-COLI in the area you're about to swim in greatly reduces the risk of human contact with polluted water. This app could potentially save lives and health problems that kiwis could face.
4) Hanging Gardens of New Zealand
Increasing biodiversity in urban areas is beneficial as more houses are being built, so that no matter where you are in NZ, you can still be surrounded by nature and native plants, which also improves the air and water quality in these areas.
5) Subscribe to a Marine Reserve
We realise the importance of marine reserves and how important it is to be knowledgeable about them, considering that we live right next to one of the biggest reserves in New Zealand. Using this app, anybody in a community to have a platform where they can learn more about their marine ecosystem which is important!
Conversing with a school in the U.A.E, who a few years ago, tried to do something similar, approached some issues which they didn't know how to solve, therefore gave up - however we think we know how we can overcome them.
The biggest issue for them was getting the robot to tell between garbage and authentic debris.They gave us a list of solutions they tried, but failed.
But the PC robotics club came up with the idea that to overcome this was through sound. When you touch anything plastic it makes distinct sounds either crinkling or a plastic touch sound. Robot vision also being combined with touch may well be the answer - there should be no reason why this shouldn't be a successful project!
They also gave us some tips which could be applied to WALL-E 2.0
Tank tracks not wheels
High enough so it doesn't get wet in a little water.
Use gears, both for picker upper device and for motors.
Basket should be as lightweight as possible.
Once WALL-E 2.0 is completed, local demonstrations will be done to engage with the community about WALL-E 2.0 - also bringing in talks about ocean pollution and litter and what we can do to follow WALL-E 2.0's footsteps. We could even build a website discussing WALL-E 2.0's journey with the amount of rubbish he's found on the beach, creating him into an influential robot which encourages people to stop littering and also explaining how ocean pollution is affecting our ocean - including Aotearoa's cultural aspects.
Beach Cleaning Robot WALL-E 2.0 Proposal
edited on Oct 6, 2017 by Maha Fier
Megan Somerville	Oct 4, 2017
kia ora. I really like that you have submitted a proposal that is practical, offers opportunities to educate others, and has the potential to be replicable. I wonder if you have looked what has come out of curious minds https://www.curiousminds.nz/ and #ParticipatoryScience? Both have example of using robotics for conservation purposes. If/when this project is successful are you thinking of commercially developing the idea? or is the focus on educating others?
Ngā mihi
Maha Fier	Oct 4, 2017
Kia Ora Megan,
Thank you! Yes, Curious Minds is an amazing organisation with lots of initiatives coming from there! Our focus for this project is to clean up the beach and to continue to educate the community about how technology can positively impact the environment.
rose b	Oct 4, 2017
such an awesome, unique idea! would love to see it become a reality.
Thank you Rose! Glad you think so.
Penny Cliffin	Oct 5, 2017
What an amazing idea! I can't seem to find the 'like' button on your panel?
Kia Ora Penny,
Thank you! We were lucky enough to have 30 votes for our idea (the way you voted was through pressing the like button) and as we passed that milestone - the liking button went away since we got enough votes! Thank you for letting us know that you think the idea is amazing :)
Becky Wilson	Oct 6, 2017
Jack Penman	Oct 6, 2017
Maha had the imagination and drive to get this far. As an engineer I can see all sorts of challenges in this project and I would like nothing better than to see them solved by Maha and her team. Maha's age group are the future and the earlier we show them they can do anything the better. Because then they will go on and do exactly that!
Conservation Technology marine innovation robotics environmental funding environment environmental education earth ocean pollution Young people youth ecology Biodiversity waste management litter robots


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Alfred Franciszek Seweryn Meissner (ur. 4 października 1883 w Sławsku Wielkim, powiat strzelneński, zm. 13 kwietnia 1952 w Warszawie) – polski chirurg-stomatolog, twórca nowych metod operacyjnych i narzędzi stomatologicznych, profesor Akademii Stomatologicznej w Warszawie oraz Wydziałów Stomatologicznych Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego i Akademii Medycznej w Łodzi, żołnierz AK i lekarz w powstaniu warszawskim.

Życiorys

Dzieciństwo i studia
Był jednym z czternaściorga dzieci Kazimiery z domu Hundt i Wojciecha Meissnera, właściciela folwarków  Emmowo (nazwa obowiązująca w latach 1815-1918 w zaborze pruskim, obecnie Rzepiszyn) i Sławsk Wielki, uczestnika powstania styczniowego (1863), do którego przyłączył się wraz z kolegami z gimnazjum. Dziadek Alfreda Meissnera, Andrzej, był uczestnikiem powstania listopadowego (1830). Jego starszymi braćmi byli Mieczysław Meissner i Czesław Meissner.

W latach 1897–1905 Alfred Meissner uczęszczał do poznańskiego Gimnazjum św. Marii Magdaleny. Po otrzymaniu świadectwa dojrzałości rozpoczął studia dentystyczne w Gryfii i we Wrocławiu. Lekarski egzamin państwowy zdał w roku 1908.

Praca zawodowa przed I wojną światową
Od roku 1909 pracował jako asystent prof. Ottona Walkhoffa w królewskim instytucie dentystycznym w Monachium; tamże w roku 1913 zdał egzamin państwowy, otrzymując tytuł lekarza medycyny. Odbył praktykę chirurgiczną w poliklinice prof. F. Klausnera oraz w szpitalach w Riedlingen i w Poznaniu. W roku 1914 obronił w Instytucie Dentystycznym Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego pracę doktorską; w czerwcu tegoż roku został w Poznaniu asystentem prof. patologii, K. Winklera.

Okres I wojny światowej
W latach I wojny światowej Alfred Meissner służył w formacjach sanitarnych wojska bawarskiego (front francuski i włoski). Pracował też, jako porucznik-lekarz (chirurg), w szpitalach wojskowych w Monachium.

Po wybuchu powstania wielkopolskiego (27 grudnia 1918 w Poznaniu) był jego uczestnikiem, początkowo jako kapitan, a następnie major Wojska Polskiego. Pełnił funkcję szefa i naczelnego chirurga szpitala wojskowego w Środzie Wielkopolskiej, gdzie proboszczem był Mieczysław Meissner – założyciel i przywódca "rzeczypospolitej średzkiej" oraz współzałożyciel 1 Kompanii Średzkiej.

Praca zawodowa w II RP

Po odzyskaniu niepodległości Polski (1919) Alfred Meissner był początkowo szefem i naczelnym chirurgiem Szpitala Sióstr Służebnic Bożego Miłosierdzia w Środzie, a w roku 1920 został referentem dentystycznym w Ministerstwie Spraw Wojskowych.
Tytuł doktora habilitowanego w dziedzinie chirurgii szczegółowej otrzymał w roku 1927 na Wydziale Lekarskim Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, a tytuł profesora nadzwyczajnego chirurgii stomatologicznej w roku 1928 w Państwowym Instytucie Dentystycznym (PID), którego był współzałożycielem. Objął też Katedrę Chirurgii Stomatologicznej w PID. Jako aktywny organizator szkolnictwa medycznego doprowadził do utworzenia w roku 1933 Akademii Stomatologicznej w Warszawie (AS, przekształcenie PID).

W latach 1937–1939 był prorektorem AS, a w roku 1939 został jej rektorem. W pracy klinicznej stosował nowatorskie techniki operacyjne i opracowywał nowe typy narzędzi stomatologicznych, m.in. uznawany za niezwykle uniwersalny typ kleszczy, znany jako "kleszcze meissnerowskie" (1923).

Okres II wojny światowej
W latach okupacji niemieckiej Alfred Meissner mieszkał w Warszawie (ul. Szopena, Ursynowska, Filtrowa, Aleje Ujazdowskie). Pracował w Lecznicy Związkowej "Omega" (al. Jerozolimskie 51). Założył też, w roku 1940, przychodnię stomatologiczną – miejsce pracy byłego personelu Akademii Stomatologicznej.

Był wielokrotnie namawiany przez Gestapo, żeby ubiegał się o wpisanie na Reichslistę, lecz odmawiał, co sprawiło, że został umieszczony na liście zakładników zagrożonych rozstrzelaniem. Częsta zmiana zamieszkania była ucieczką przed gestapo. Opiekował się byłymi asystentami Żydami (poszukując dla nich miejsc pracy); w swoim majątku Grzegorzewice pod Warszawą ukrywał spadochroniarzy radzieckich.

Był żołnierzem AK. W lipcu 1944 roku, przed wybuchem powstania warszawskiego, został przydzielony do oddziału "Bakcyl" (Sanitariat Okręgu Warszawskiego AK). Wskazanym miejscem koncentracji przed godziną "W" była ul. Jasna 18. Ponieważ nie udało mu się dotrzeć do tego punktu, zorganizował szpital polowy na 200 łóżek przy ul. Hożej 13 (Śródmieście-Południe), który prowadził do końca powstania.

Po upadku powstania opuścił Warszawę wraz z ludnością cywilną do Pruszkowa. Wydostał się wraz z rodziną z obozu w Pruszkowie pozorując tyfus  wśród dzieci. Zamieszkał we wsi Mościska pod Grodziskiem Maz. Podjął pracę w szpitalu w Grodzisku Mazowieckim.

Okres powojenny
Po zakończeniu wojny został skierowany do Łodzi, gdzie już w styczniu 1945 roku rozpoczęto starania o organizację Uniwersytetu Medycznego. W końcu miesiąca odbyło się spotkanie w hotelu Grand, w którym uczestniczyli m.in. prof. Wincenty Tomaszewicz – intensywnie zabiegający przed wojną o utworzenie w tym mieście uczelni medycznej, prof. Bolesław Wilanowski i inni. W tej grupie znalazł się Alfred Meissner. W roku 1951 prof. Aleksander Pruszczyński – również lekarz powstania warszawskiego, a po wojnie Członek Honorowy Polskiego Towarzystwa Patologów i Doctor honoris causa Akademii Medycznej w Łodzi – tak wspominał wydarzenia z marca 1945 roku:

W sierpniu 1945 roku zostały otwarte trzy wydziały medyczne:
 lekarski; dziekan – prof. Wincenty Tomaszewicz,
 stomatologiczny; dziekan – prof. Alfred Meissner,
 farmaceutyczny, dziekan – prof. Jan Muszyński.
28 lutego 1949 roku Wydział Stomatologiczny rozwiązano (rozporządzenie Ministra Oświaty) tworząc pierwszy w Polsce Oddział Stomatologiczny, włączony do Wydziału Lekarskiego UŁ. Oddział organizowali, wraz z Alfredem Meissnerem, prof. Franciszek Zwierzchowski (prodziekan) i prof. Janina Galasińska-Landsbergerowa. Franciszek Zwierzchowski pisał później:

Na wydziale utworzono:
 Katedrę i Zakład Protetyki Dentystycznej – dr stom. Janina Galasińska-Landsbergerowa,
 Katedrę Ortodoncji – prof. Halina Kondrat-Wodzicka,
 Katedrę Chirurgii Stomatologicznej – prof. dr med. Alfred Meissner,
 Katedrę Stomatologii Zachowawczej – prof. dr med. i stom. Franciszek Zwierzchowski,

Jako pierwszy dziekan Alfred Meissner przyjął na I rok studiów około 600 studentów oraz dodatkową grupę na tzw. rok wstępny (kurs przygotowawczy, wyrównanie spowodowanych wojną braków przygotowania kandydatów); wymagało to wielu starań o pozyskanie lokali i wyposażenie pracowni (wykłady odbywały się w salach kin: Polonia, Gdynia, Włókniarz, Bałtyk oraz w łódzkich szpitalach i w siedzibie PZH przy ul. Wodnej).

Jako chirurg szczękowy podejmował się niemal wszystkich zabiegów; był m.in. pionierem w dziedzinie operacyjnego leczenia nowotworów szczęk i twarzy, twórcą nowych metod operacji progenii i rozszczepów podniebienia. Jako pierwszy w Polsce zastosował przeszczepianie tzw. "płata Fiłatowa" w czasie uzupełniania ubytków twarzy (nie wszystkie opracowane techniki chirurgiczne zostały opisane i opublikowane).

Otrzymał tytuł profesora zwyczajnego w roku 1946; był dziekanem do roku 1948, a kierownikiem katedry w latach 1946–1952. Zmarł w Warszawie 13 kwietnia 1952 roku. Spoczywa na cmentarzu Powązkowskim w Warszawie (kw. 188-3-37/38).

Publikacje
Alfred Meissner jest autorem podręcznika Stomatologia: schorzenia zębów, jamy ustnej i ich leczenie: podręcznik dla lekarzy i studentów, wydanego w roku 1950, oraz ponad 30 innych prac (w języku polskim i w językach obcych), m.in.:
 Der Zahnwechsel in dermoidzysten der Ovarien – praca doktorska (Breslau 1914),
 Plan reformy studiów dentystycznych w Polsce (Warszawa 1923),
 Przyczynek do chirurgicznego leczenia niedorozwoju dolnej szczęki (Warszawa 1924),
 Stanowisko lekarza dentysty w społeczeństwie ("Dwumiesięcznik Stomatologiczny", 1937),
liczne opisy nowych narzędzi stomatologicznych, np.:
 nowego typu kleszczy stomatologicznych – "meissnerowskich" ("Kronika Dentystyczna", 1923, 1925),
 nowego typu dźwigni do usuwania korzeni ("Kronika Dentystyczna", 1924),
oraz opracowanych stomatologicznych technik operacyjnych, np. nowych metod:
 operowania zaburzeń rozwojowych szczęk ("Polska Dentystyka", 1924, 1925),
 faryngoplastyki ("Polski Przegląd Dentystyczny", 1933),
 operowania torbieli szczęk ("Polska Dentystyka", 1925),
 leczenia ran postrzałowych szczęki ("Dwumiesięcznik Stomatologiczny", 1935),
 umocowywania protez z użyciem ruchomych dostawek ("Polska Dentystyka", 1923, 1925; "Dwumiesięcznik Stomatologiczny", 1936).

Życie osobiste
Ożenił się z Marią Alchimowicz (1906–1968), dentystką. Miał siedmioro dzieci: Hannę Marię (ur. 1931–2019), lekarza pulmonologa, Krystynę Jadwigę (1933-2022), Barbarę Kazimierę (ur. 1935), Alfreda Jerzego (ur. 1936), Macieja Stanisława (1938–1966), Marię Elżbietę (1940–1967) i Ryszarda (ur. 1942).

Uwagi

Przypisy

Linki zewnętrzne
 Prof. dr hab. Leszek Woźniak, Izba Pamięci Akademii Medycznej w Łodzi, "Kronikarz" nr 8 (w tym – karykatura prof. Alfreda Meissnera)
 , w tym – kopia strony tytułowej pracy doktorskiej Alfreda Meissnera i zdjęcie autora; wśród cytowanych prac: Kossowska−Fugiely (rozprawa doktorska), Prof. Dr. med. Alfred Meissner, der Begründer der polnischen Kieferchirugie, Düsseldorf 1999]

Absolwenci poznańskich szkół i uczelni
Absolwenci Uniwersytetu Ludwika i Maksymiliana w Monachium
Lekarze w powstaniu warszawskim
Pochowani na cmentarzu Powązkowskim w Warszawie
Polacy – żołnierze Armii Cesarstwa Niemieckiego w I wojnie światowej
Polscy chirurdzy
Polscy stomatolodzy
Powstańcy wielkopolscy (1918–1919)
Wykładowcy Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Wykładowcy Wydziału Lekarskiego Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Żołnierze Armii Krajowej
Urodzeni w 1883
Zmarli w 1952

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You are at:Home»Cruise Holidays»Beijing to Shanghai: A Two-Week Taste of Imperial China
Beijing to Shanghai: A Two-Week Taste of Imperial China
By Claire Wilde on	 November 15, 2016 Cruise Holidays, Cultural Cruises
Few nations on Earth capture the imagination quite like China. With an almost impossible-to-understand history, a culture so rich and unique that almost every major city around the world now boasts its own Chinatown, and endless ruling dynasties who have left an indelible print on this amazing country.
Bewildering in size and population, it is possible to spend years in China without unearthing even a fraction of the secrets hidden just below the surface. Perhaps, this is why guided river cruises are emerging as one of the most popular ways to explore this most amazing, fascinating nation. Transporting you to the very heart of China's awe-inspiring cities and beautiful regions boasting amazing histories, a river cruise allows you to explore the places which truly shaped this unique nation.
So, this is why we're so excited to be offering an incredible river cruise experience through the incredible cities of China. From Beijing to Shanghai, the river cruise aboard members of the Victoria Cruises fleet will transport you to some of the China's most famous and incredible sites. Explore Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and so many more unforgettable spectacles as part of this once-in-a-life tour.
This is the Imperial China Tour – Beijing to Shanghai
Historic Beijing
Following your flight to China, you'll enjoy a three-night stay in Beijing, a city rich with impossible-to-match history. Sites of significance seem to approach from every direction, offering incredible sightseeing opportunities at every turn.
The first full day in Beijing will include a visit to Tiananmen Square, the site of the student-led protests of 1989. In one of the most shocking events of the 20th century, student demonstrators, protesting against the unfair distribution of wealth and opportunities in the country, were gunned down in their thousands by the military, as martial law was declared. Today, the square is popular with locals and visitors coming to pay their respects to those who lost their lives standing up for what they believed in during one of the saddest chapters of China's history.
Later in the day, take a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City, the stunning 15th-century imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty. Comprising of 980 buildings over 180 acres, the palace is as formidable as it is beautifully impressive. Built in traditional Chinese palatial architectural style, the Forbidden City is one of the most quintessentially Chinese buildings in this wonderful nation.
A visit this amazing part of the world is not complete without paying tribute to the Great Wall of China. And that's what you'll do on day four of the Imperial China Tour – Beijing to Shanghai. Perhaps the world's most famous, and certainly most impressive, structure, the Great Wall of China will unfold in front of your eyes, winding 3,700 miles from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert.
The Journey South
After three nights staying in Beijing, you'll start the journey south towards Shanghai in the most beautiful fashion. Navigate the winding bends of China's most impressive gorges and stretches of river, and pass delightful little villages, settlements and single buildings seemingly perched at random.
The pace of the journey south is wonderfully leisurely, stopping regularly to give you the chance to step foot on land and explore some of the riverine highlights of this incredible nation. Before you even leave the Beijing borders, step off the ship and onto a pedicab to explore the charming old alleys of Beijing's most historical stretches. Here, you'll have the chance to visit the home of a local Chinese family, and experience the lives of the natives.
The days spent on board the ship are just as special, as the vessel navigates through delightful scenery. Day six, in particular, is an absolute highlight of this tour, as you pass the jaw-dropping Three Gorges Dam atop the Yangtze River. The entire Three Gorges region is renowned as China's most beautiful area – an impressive feat in the world's fourth largest country.
On day eight, the river cruise will arrive at Shibaozhai, the ancient red pagoda perched at the top of a beautiful, domineeringly steep hill. For those who fancy the walk, make your way off the ship, ascend the hill and explore the stunning 12 floors of the red pagoda, each containing a series of unique artefacts.
The following day is, perhaps, one of the most unforgettable during this itinerary, a trip to Chongqing Zoo, where you'll get a chance to get up close to Giant Pandas. Followed by a delicious dumpling banquet.
Find Out More About This Amazing Asian Adventure Cruise:
The Old Meets New in Shanghai
The final few days of this unforgettable cruise give you the chance to explore Shanghai, one of the planet's most striking cities. A unique clash of ancient Chinese culture and futuristic innovation; Shanghai is home to traditional pagodas and cloud-bothering skyscrapers in almost equal quantity. Whether you want to experience Shanghai of the past, or of the future, there's plenty to see and do in the Paris of the Orient.
For those interested in the very old, a visit to the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses is included in the itinerary. One of the most important architectural discoveries of all time, the museum is home to more than 8,000 terracotta soldiers, 520 terracotta horse and 130 terracotta chariots which date back more than 2,000 years. The soldiers stood undiscovered and forgotten for more than two millennia, until they were unearthed in 1974 by farmers digging a water well. Today, a museum sits around the unmoved terracotta statues, providing one of the world's most interesting historical insights.
During your days in Shanghai, you'll be given plenty of leisure time to explore at your own pleasure, so you can make the very most of your time here. However, the all-inclusive tours and extras should not be ignored. Activities such as the teahouse ceremony within the beautiful Yu Garden and the lazy tours of the Wuzhen canals are an absolute must, giving you a true insight into life in ancient Shanghai.
And on the very last night, before you board your flight back to London, you'll be treated to a special farewell dinner at Din Tai Fung restaurant, where you can sample their famous steamed dumplings.
Full Cruise Details:
Imperial China Tour – Beijing to Shanghai
Depart: 22 March 2017 from London (and selected dates between March and November 2017)
Arrive: 4 April 2017 to London
Ships: Victoria Anna, Victoria Selina, Victoria Lianna
Deal Reference Number: APT4
Price: From £2,969
If you'd like to delve into wonders of Imperial China and book your place aboard the Imperial China Tour – Beijing to Shanghai cruise from APT Travelmarvel, book with Cruise1st UK by calling 0808 2746 777 and quoting:
Reference Number APT4
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credit: Alfred Weidinger, Michael Gwyther-Jones, yeowatzup, Prachanart Viriyaraks
Cruise1st UK are offering a truly spectacular river cruise experience, exploring the Chineses mega-cities of Beijing and Shanghai.
Belinda Goodman


Fluorite is a colorful mineral, both in visible and ultraviolet light, and the stone has ornamental and lapidary uses.
It has very large crystal and is not ideal for carving, but grinds beautifully! The finish is simply stunning.
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness, defines Fluorite as a 4.


text:
This is a list of ministers from Nitish Kumar's third cabinet starting from 26 November 2010.

On 16 June 2013, the JDU separated from NDA after Narendra Modi was announced as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP for the 2014 Indian general election, following which Ministers from the BJP were dropped from the cabinet.

Council of Ministers
Source

|}

References

Bihar ministries
3


Emergency electricians and electrical contractors are typically classified into various categories by the sort of electrical work they do. If their contractors have completed a great task, then they are going to supply you with the information and if they're prevented they won't withstand in informing you that either. Electric contractors handle unique employers. Customized house builder or contractors can assist you through the whole process of housing. Finding the proper pool contractor isn't really everyone's cup of tea. On construction websites, electricians are generally believed to be the Primadonnas of construction, but regardless of whether that's true or not, it is a very good technique to produce a living. Some house owners demand paying cash given that they want to invest less and prevent paying taxes. Electrician warranties and warranties are an indicator of superior workmanship and real customer support. While an unqualified electrical contractor might appear appealing depending on the really low price, in regards to completing electrical work, you don't need to take the more economical option.
Sometimes, you may be having other contractors like an electrician who did a great task. It is just as important to make sure he has the necessary insurance. Discovering a professional electrician is simpler.
Search for a person who may give you a one-to-one sort of service. Either way, employing the assistance of an electric contractor is vital. Industrial construction contractor's service isn't just needed when you're building a completely new structure. For the very best interest of your construction or renovation project, it is quite ideal to employ the expert services of a certified and licensed electrical contractor Talent. The contractor would be responsible for getting each of the suitable building permits and permissions for the job you're doing. After you have a couple contractors that you want to hire, you have to decide on one that's professional and skilled enough to do the job. Many people believe that an electrical contractor and an electrician are the identical thing but they're incorrect. Electrical contractors give an extensive number of electrical services Talent. Trained electrical contractors have a wide comprehension of how to train lights to illuminate only intended places. An exemplary electrical contractor has an inclination to carry a terrific reputation. Industrial electrical contractors, on the flip side, constantly keep updated on the numerous changes which occur within the business.
With advances in technology and equipment capabilities it is necessary to employ a contractor with the wisdom and experience to use them to their fullest. Lots of people mistakenly assume an electrical contractor and an electrician are the very same thing but they're very different. The residential electrical contractor is quite different from an industrial electrician Talent. If you prefer residential electrical contractors on Talent that may secure the business accomplished in a timely and effective fashion. Electrical contractors have unique needs in regards to estimating jobs. To learn what you require, speak to our electrical contractors. Electrical contractors for industrial jobs must bid competitively to find the job. The electrical service must be set up through an electrical contractor. Turn to us when you require a reliable electrical support. Our residential electrical service encompasses a wide selection of installations. Residential electrical contractor services can be hard and risky. If you have a look around your house you will notice you own a lot of things which deal with electricity. Few of the older homes have dedicated circuits, so the very first thing that any skilled residential electrical contractor will want to be aware of is the age of the home. A residential house is a significant investment, therefore it is logical which you would should make periodic improvements to it over time.
The absolute most effective method at which you can access their services is by uploading your needs on their site. You may use our electrical contractor services even when you are in possession of an overall contractor. You merely ought to search for the expert services of a certified electrician. When it has to do with electrician services in Talent, it's important to select the proper electrical contractors. Electrical emergencies Talent can be disruptive to your house and business. They are nothing to play around with. Although an electrical emergency can happen to anybody, there are a few things you can do in order to decrease the possibility of one occurring. When you've got an electrical emergency, you should not attempt to correct the issue all on your own. If you're looking for an electrician you may want to think about contacting your community Electrical Contractors Association for a listing of local contractors Talent.


Who Do You Trust on Health Insurance Reform?
With the House having put forth their actual legislation, organizations that have withheld final judgment are coming out in support. Contrast organizations like the AARP and the AMA with opponents of reform like the insurance industry and decide who's telling the truth about reform.
With the House having put forth their actual legislation, organizations that have withheld final judgment now have something solid to evaluate. And the floodgates have opened.
Today the President made surprise stop by the daily press briefing to commend two particular endorsements, from the AARP and the AMA. Ask yourself who you trust to tell the truth on reform and on your health – these massive organizations of doctors and seniors throwing their support behind it, or the health insurance industry, their lobbyists, and their handmaidens coming out against it.


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DestinationsUnited StatesTexas
11 Best Campgrounds In The Piney Woods Of East Texas
Kim Croisant
Jan.1.2021
Tallmaple / Shutterstock
Book Your RV Now Click Here
Located as far east as you can go trailing alongside the border of Louisiana and all the way down almost to Houston is the Piney Woods Region of Texas. Five state forests and four national forests mean tons of camping opportunities. Favorite things to do in this part of Texas are hiking, fishing, paddling the river, and camping, then the next day — repeat! The Piney Woods is like nothing else you'll see in Texas. To me, it's the most favorable of all regions with its thick pine trees, beautiful oak trees, timeless woodlands, and rich forests. I always love traveling to this area because of the unforgettable scenery.
Though I haven't actually camped at every place on this list, I have traveled many miles near and far in this area. You'll no doubt be satisfied anywhere you choose to camp, and you'll also find wonderful outdoor things to do and beautiful campgrounds in the Piney Woods of East Texas on this list.
1. RV Camping At Lake O' The Pines
Camping anywhere in the Pines is so serene and still. But, 10 miles west of Jefferson's charming town lies Lake O' The Pines, where RV camping is as good as it gets. There are plenty of wooded spaces and tall pine trees at Brushy Creek Park Campgrounds, and at Johnson Creek Campground, you'll have great views of the lake. Just east of the dam is Buckhorn Creek Campground, where the dam protects the park from the wind.
Pro Tip: When in this area, you must check out the best outdoor things to do near Jefferson. There is so much to do in this charming town.
JiroTX / Shutterstock
2. Tyler State Park
One of my most memorable times camping at Tyler State Park was when I took my son and niece when they were both eight years old. We stayed in a screened cabin and slept on cots that were provided. The kids fought the entire time they were kayaking on the lake, but we still had fun, and they were pals afterward. Campsites in this state park are nestled in the deep forest, and though it can get quite humid at times, especially in the summer months, the scenery and ambiance are quite enjoyable.
Pro Tip: When in Tyler, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is a must-see. The peak seasons for beautiful rose blooms are October and mid-to-late May. If you're in the area in October, you may want to see about attending the Texas Rose Festival. I hear it is wonderful.
3. Lake Palestine Resort
I have many ties to Palestine, Texas. My papa lived there for many years, and we visited him at least every other month when I was a little girl and well into my twenties. He told me once that I was his favorite granddaughter and hoped to see me do great things in life. Depending on what type of camping you like to do, Lake Palestine Resort has an RV park and many camping options in lodges and cabins right on Lake Palestine. Boating and fishing are big-time sports there.
Pro Tip: If you're in this area in late March to early April, be sure to stop by Davey Dogwood Park to see the beautiful dogwood and redbud trees in bloom along with many other wildflowers that pop up during the springtime.
4. Davy Crockett National Forest
Acres and acres of woodlands and streams are what you'll find at Davy Crockett National Forest. You'll find plenty of camping available for RVers, group camping, and campsites for tent camping at Ratcliff Lake. Nature viewing, bicycling, hiking, boating, and picnicking can be done there. If primitive camping is your style, you'll find plenty at Neches Bluff Overlook.
Pro Tip: It's possible to see black bears in this area as it's the perfect territory for them to live in. Just follow guidelines for black bear safety, and you'll be fine.
Daniel Mullins / Shutterstock
5. Caddo Lake State Park
It's not a secret, but you will find treasures here at Caddo Lake State Park. With some of the most scenic camping areas in East Texas surrounded by massive bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, this state park encompasses one of the largest naturally formed lakes in Texas. Rent a historic cabin or screened shelter, or choose from 46 campsites that vary in amenities. Your time here will not be wasted or boring! If you have the time, take a guided tour of Caddo Lake. Many outfitters do this, and it's a trendy thing to do when in this area.
Pro Tip: Alligators live in the park, but don't expect to see any. But in case you do, do not feed them!
6. RV Parks In The Oldest Town In Texas
Camping in RVs is on the rise whether you own one or are trying out RV rentals. It's widespread here in Texas. And when in East Texas, Nacogdoches (with a silent "g"), the oldest town in Texas, has many up-to-date RV facilities to choose from. Whether you're looking for somewhere quiet, or perhaps larger areas with lots of amenities or a local park, this area of East Texas will welcome you. Places like Camp Tonkawa Springs RV Park and Piney Woods RV Park are two parks that, to me, look wonderful places to stop for a weekend or even just a night.
Pro Tip: If you're bringing a car along, hop in and go to the old town of Nacogdoches and find a place that serves up some mean barbecue and burgers.
7. Big Thicket National Preserve
Backcountry camping is available year-round in most areas of Big Thicket National Preserve, located almost at the end of the Piney Woods Region in Kountze, Texas. Bring your camping gear and sleep under the stars in the woods or near the water. Hiking or canoeing are the only ways to get to these camping areas. If you're brave, go for it. This chick is not!
Pro Tip: Backcountry camping in Big Thicket requires a permit, but it's free.
8. Lake Fork Camping And Bass Fishing
The summer months at Lake Fork might provide you big bass for dinner! If you like bass fishing, then you'll love this area — it's nothing to take home a Yeti full. My best friend's son won a lot of money catching big bass in fishing tournaments at this lake. And, the camping isn't bad either. Many of my friends have owned lake houses on Lake Fork over the years, and fishing has been a big part of it. So, I'd say if you like camping and fishing, you should check out camping out at Lake Fork.
Pro Tip: If camping at a lodge is your style (it's mine!), and you like bass fishing, Lake Fork Lodge in Alba is a top bass fishing lodge in America.
Wood County, Texas
9. Camping In Mineola
I have not been camping in this area, but I have been to the same yoga retreat in Mineola three times. But if doing outdoor yoga in the woods and staying in adorable cabins count as camping, then I have! I can definitely vouch for the small-town charm on Main Street and the beautiful country in this area of East Texas. There are so many places to camp here, including primitive camping in Mineola Nature Preserve on the Sabine River and over ninety RV Parks and campgrounds.
Pro Tip: When traveling here, take the scenic route on US 80 and not the freeway.
10. Jellystone Park At Whispering Pines
Okay, grandparents, get the grandkids together for a happy reunion and take them to Jellystone Park at Whispering Pines, located just outside of Tyler, Texas. It's a year-round family resort with a Yogi Bear theme. This is a fun-filled camping experience all grandparents need to do with the grandkids at least once! Though I've not camped here, my grandson has with the other side of the family. I did take him and picked him up, and I have to say, I wished I had been invited! The cabins are quaint, but the outdoor fun I saw was even better. Kids were jumping on this outdoor balloon-type thing, swimming in the pool, and playing on the playground. I'd say the best time to go is in the summer.
Pro Tip: While it's fun to sleep in cabins, this park is also RV ready.
11. Coldsprings
Coldsprings, Texas, is on the eastern edge of Sam Houston National Forest, and not too far down the road is a wooden camping area called Rock'n E RV Park. The park has 39 large wooded campsites and offers nature trails, a small camp store, a playground, a pavilion, and more. It looks like a perfect place to get out in nature and take in the awesomeness of the national forest's woods.
Pro Tip: Rock'n E RV Park was voted the best RV park in the area for the past four years. Sounds like a winner to me.
Kim Croisant View Full Profile
Travel writer and road trip enthusiast of My Traveling Roads, Kim Croisant, is a proud native Texan passionate about seeing the world by car, plane, train, RV — any way she can. Her travels include many road trips through Texas and beyond. Kim is raising her grandson and takes him and her Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix doggies on as many trips as possible. When she's feeling the love, she lets her darling 84-year-old mother come along as well. But her favorite way to travel is solo. When Kim's not writing, she is hiking through nature and camping in the woods in a cabin full of amenities.
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I'm about to get back into large format photography. I would prefer to do my ow n processing but have read that consistency is difficult to achieve because of t he required tight temp controls etc. Can anybody comment on the JOBO units for film processing only. I expect to digitize the transparencies, so enlarging and printing paper is not of much interest at this time.
Jobo's work very nicely. I would recommend an Expert drum. They use a small amount of chemistry and are very clean and consistent in processing.
Has anyone ever calculated how much it costs per sheet for home E6 processing of 4x5 in a Jobo? I can get film E6'd in a lab for about $2 per sheet or so. But it is extra for pushing and pulling.
How about the shelf life of the E6 chemistry? Sometimes I am forced to forego photography for several months at a time.
Bottom line question: is it worth it to home E6 100 to 200 sheets per year?
When I did color darkroom work I used the DoMac roller transport color processor that Adorama sells (or used to sell, I haven't looked lately). It cost around $2,000 as I recall, which was several thousand dollars less than similar processors made by Ilford and Fuji, for example. It includes its own heater so temperature control isn't a problem. It took about 50 seconds to process a print from beginning to end with no cleaning of drums after each print. As I recall, it would process prints up to 24 or so inches wide and any length. I was very pleased with it and would highly recommend it. If you would like more information send me an e mail and I'll try to answer.
See the Jobo processing costs per sheet/roll whatever, at list prices. I just bought a Jobo ATL 1500 film unit for the same use as you. I should have it installed next week, and hopefully my chemicals will arrive from Jobo. Kodak e-6 chemistry cannot be shipped by B&H. I will post my results when it is up and running. The expert drums do not fit the ATL 1500 but it comes with the other 4x5 drum. Do note, the ATL requires a low flow water temp control valve. I have a powers with a low flow kit, as with everything the JOBO was to pricy to rationally buy.
The first line of my prior message somehow got garbled. What I was saying is: The per sheet chemical costs are posted on the JOBO web site, at list prices. Even at list, they are nominal. For sheet film even at the JOBO price structure if you process enough film the ATL is cost effective. The reality where I live is that there are no options. Here 2 hours from NYC there are no longer any custom labs. Since Sept.11, mailing raw film to NYC is out of the question (see notice on FUJI website), and this week even if Mail still worked, the Time-Life photolab stopped accepting outside work. In August, the T-L Lab, in a move I am sure they will come to regret, or have already, since the person who made the decision is no longer there, turned into a qasi digital operation and suspended fiber based printing and other analog services.
The biggest cost to roll you own E-6 processing is the price of a Pakon mounter if you do a lot of 35mm, not the JOBO stuff. The JOBO tools empower all manner of other things, and no more trips to the lab. The mounter is a non recoverable expense. If you love E-6 as I do, sooner or later the JOBO will become the only option unless you live in a major metro area.


Trail Tech's surface mounted TTO Digital Tach/Hour Gauge allows you to easily monitor your engine's total running hours. You can set custom maintenance reminders such as that "all so important" oil change interval.
This little gauge is an inexpensive must have and its full of features. The large readable display allows you to easily monitor your engine's running hours. This is a great yet very simple way to stay on top of proper engine maintenance. The LCD display lets you to easily view all gauge readings regardless of the angle or lighting conditions.
Personal customization for setting up your maintenance reminders.
*Black and Orange are in-stock at DDC Racing and ready to ship!


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People who were told to 'go back to their country' share their experiences with the racist phrase
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Dad's 5-year-old daughter's hilarious answers to his questions have the internet screaming.
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Adidas is making 11 million shoes out of recycled ocean plastic.
by James Poulos
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Update: Adidas announced they will create 11 million new shoes using recycled plastic that has been pulled from our planet's oceans.
It's morning. Another picture-perfect day by the sea. You lace up your new running shoes. Stepping into the crisp, bright day, you fill your lungs with air. Soon, you're at the beach, hitting your stride.
You stumble. Tangled around your foot is the scourge of coastlines and oceans worldwide: a dirty mass of single-use plastic. Washed up on dry land, bobbing in the surf, bottles, bags, and other debris isn't just trashing your morning run. It's strangling life on Earth — above and below the waves.
What if, instead of simply kicking away the trash and grimly jogging on, you — and millions around the world — retrieved it? What if that action was part of a global campaign that infuses our deadly waste with a transformational intention to reclaim it from the waters and return it to use in our lives?
And, what if those shoes on your feet were made from that very same ocean plastic?
That's the visionary idea behind Parley for the Oceans.
Photo courtesy of Parley.
Founded by activist designer Cyrill Gutsch, the organization — built around the insight that creativity catalyzes change faster than awareness alone — launched a historic Earth Day partnership with Adidas that saw every Major League Soccer team don jerseys constructed with Parley materials that upcycle ocean plastic. There are running shoes made in the same way, too — including a Stella McCartney trainer — and a women's yoga gear line called Wanderlust.
Why merch instead of public service announcements?
For Gutsch, the answer is simple. Not only is collaboration more powerful than flogging a message solo — it's more productive, too.
And when it comes to moving people to adopt new ways of seeing and doing, the fashion and art world is the perfect place to make bold new concepts concrete.
In that world, says Gutsch, "people expect to be surprised, to learn new things. and be inspired to change their ways." Fashion, he laughs, "has the power to create trends which make you do things that often make zero sense."
Jerseys created from recycled ocean plastic. Photo courtesy Adidas/Parley.
With a cause as monumental as saving the oceans and marine life, trends can be leveraged to reach straight for heart and soul, not argument and analysis.
"Environmentalism, for a long time, was all about protest, all about warning," he explains. "It was not fast enough to bring the economy to change, even though it is a fast-growing movement. We will not be able to convince everybody on this planet by presenting scientific evidence. We have to find a catalyst and that is what these products are that we make: symbols of change."
That's where the science comes in.
"With creatives, I include a scientist on the same level as an artist," Gutsch says. And Parley's technicians, who turn discarded ocean plastic into the textile-like material woven into Adidas athletic garments, are truly scientific artisans.
"We believe that if you want to replace something that does harm," he notes, "you need to come with something that is better. You have to question product but you also have to develop new product ideas."
Photo courtesy of Adidas/Parley.
Without a tangible, concrete improvement, there's no value proposition for the brands and companies, according to Gutsch, you need to bring fashion breakthroughs to global markets. "They just can't justify a change of course if they don't have a replacement," he says.
That's what won over Adidas. In 2017, the company produced 1 million Parley shoes. In 2018, the goal is as many as 5 million shoes made of Parley's ocean plastic.
Sadly, there's more than enough floating detritus to push numbers like that even higher.
Virgin plastic is everywhere, and, as Gutsch underscores, "everything ends up in the water."
The evidence is abundant and damning. This spring, a study published in Marine Policy reported that "plastics are ubiquitous" in ocean waters as deep as 20,000 feet, with 92% of the waste made up of single-use products.
In a shocking show of how infested the seas have become, a single-use plastic bag was found in the Mariana Trench, 36,000 feet below the surface. For living creatures from mammals and fish, to reefs and invertebrates, Gutsch says, we have maybe 10 years to turn things around. Meanwhile, he adds, nearly three fourths of Earth's oxygen comes from sea life. That "one simple fact," as he puts it, that "should actually be convincing enough" to drive change.
But pushing those changes through the marketplace alone takes time.
Even National Geographic, which made the plastic crisis its current cover story with a dramatic image of an iceberg-like bag, initially mailed out copies of the issue double-wrapped in, yes, plastic.
That's why Parley's newest initiative is centered so strongly around the exponential effect of human love and care.
While changing the economic and business role of plastic is key, it's not sufficient. The spirit of communities and nations must change. And once again, collaboration, not argumentation, makes it possible. Already, with Adidas, "what we have proven is that luxury is redefined," says Gutsch.
"Its purpose is not any more the pure material value but the intention that you have — the energy you use to charge up these materials."
Adrift, ocean plastic has negative value. But precisely because "it takes a crazy effort to get it off the beach or out of the water, the moment when a person decides to touch it, remove it, and protect life," a tremendous new positive value arises.
Therein lies the path from market-driven change to community-driven change.
Parley put it to work through a sweeping partnership in the Maldives, the archipelago nation southwest of India. More than 200 in-country collaborations — encompassing the private and public sector, resorts, schools, government offices, and government-owned companies — are committed to implementing Parley's aptly-named "A.I.R." approach to ocean rescue: avoiding virgin plastic, intercepting plastic waste, and redesigning ocean plastic from a material infused with death to one that sustains life.
"They never really swim," Gutsch says of the Maldives residents plagued by plastic. "They're scared of the water."
But through the new partnership, once in the water, "they start to see their country differently. There is this magic universe of life. They become proud and excited to explore and protect it."
Soon, the kids educate their parents, creating a new culture of ambassadorship and guardianship of the oceans. "Suddenly it all fits together," Gutsch reflects. "It's the first time in six years that all the theoretical approach and abstract ideas show that they actually work. And that is more than exciting. That is for me something touching and overwhelming."
In the next five years, Gutsch says, Parley intends to be fully operational and intercepting ocean plastic in nearly 40 countries worldwide, working with brands like Corona. And if you want to get involved right now, you can take global action locally. "Just let one plastic item go," Gutsch asks. "Observe it well, think about, and post it on social media. Explain that you're letting go. Ban it from your life and challenge somebody else."
Top and share photo courtesy of Adidas/Parley.
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Jon Stewart forced to remind Congress of basic decency yet again after Rand Paul blocks 9/11 victim compensation bill. about 11 hours ago So few kids know about the Holocaust, Oregon had to pass a law requiring schools to teach about it. about 12 hours ago Former Texas judge writes a scathing Facebook post on why she's leaving the GOP and voting Democrat in 2020 about 15 hours ago Kellyanne Conway asks a reporter 'What's your ethnicity?' during press conference about Trump's racist tweets. 1 day ago AOC responds to Trump's claim he 'doesn't have a racist bone in his body.' 1 day ago Alan Turing will appear on the 50-pound note nearly 70 years after being persecuted for his sexuality. 1 day ago People who were told to 'go back to their country' share their experiences with the racist phrase 2 days ago Pornhub's new environmental campaign means you can now watch adult videos guilt-free. 3 days ago Saudi Women may soon no longer need a man's permission to travel 3 days ago An invisible government agency called the 'National Intelligence Council' produces crucial national security intelligence, but is anyone listening? 5 days ago Scientists cured HIV in mice. They say a human cure could be next. 5 days ago Wimbledon finally ends sexist tradition of announcing female player's marital status 5 days ago
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We travel through life holding our emotions in. We repress many things - our sexuality and our passion, our grief, our anger and our hurt. We put barriers in front of our heart, and hold our repressed feelings in our muscles. Over time, we become stiff, contracted and tense.
To use your body as your art form, play a piece of music and move spontaneously to your own truth. Dancing to one song a day can free up your body's innate expression.
Our bodies can forget how to move authentically. You may feel self-conscious when you first start dancing. Go to where your body feels the most stiff and move that body part into fluidity.
Move through all of your body parts from head to toe. Allow each body part to express something honest about itself.
Dancing spontaneously opens us to more emotional fluidity. If you maintain a daily expressive art practice, it is helpful to release your body tensions through spontaneous movement first.
1. Spontaneous dancing softens the body's defensive armoring so that emotions can come forward for release and healing.
2. Authentic movement expresses emotions nonverbally. We do not always have to find words to express how we feel.
3. Authentic movement can be emotionally cathartic and provide a way to release difficult emotions.
4. Dancing breaks up the stagnation of stored emotional patterning, and opens up fresh ways of thinking.


Shares of Finnish phone maker Nokia dropped 14 percent yesterday after the firm announced they expected to publish losses for the first six months of this year, due to strong sales of competing smartphone handsets, and dwindling Symbian-based handset sales.
Nokia estimates their mobile revenues will be around €4.2 billion ($5.5bn), a 40 percent drop on the previous year on year revenue generated in 2011, which all told adds up a €126 million ($166m) loss according to the Guardian. Once the figures are made publicly available it will mark the sixth consecutive quarter in a row in which Nokia's mobile operating unit has published declining revenues.
"During the first quarter [of] 2012, multiple factors negatively affected Nokia's Devices & Services business to a greater extent than previously expected," Nokia said in a statement yesterday. As a result, operating margins in the second quarter will be "similar to or below the first-quarter 2012 level." The announcement around midday sent shares in the company tumbling to their lowest since the late 1990's.
"Nokia's challenges have been exacerbated by rampant competition - notably from Apple and Samsung who are extracting a disproportionate amount of margin from the industry at present," Ben Wood from CCS Insight said, noting that the first half of this year was always going to be a challenge for Nokia.
There is no doubt that the popularity of Nokia's Lumia range of Windows-based smartphones has helped buoy the phone maker's revenues, but increasingly slower Symbian phone sales in the Eastern markets, most notably China, India, the Middle East and Africa due to increased competition is affecting the firm's profits.
If Nokia is to rekindle the success and dominance they held back in the 1990's, it's crucial that new devices such as the Lumia 900 sell in large numbers in the US market. Despite offering a fresh platform and beautiful unibody designs they face strong competition from Apple's iPhone and the army of Google Android-based smartphones. With competitive pricing and ever-increasing numbers of app's being announced for the Windows Phone7 OS, it's quite possible the company could return to their former glory.
Nokia launched their Lumia 900 smartphone to the US market on Easter Sunday. Almost immediately complaints surfaced regarding connectivity issues, with the Finnish firm promising a software fix for April 16. For a limited time, Nokia is offering all AT&T customers purchasing a new Lumia 900 before April 21 a $100 credit to their bill, effectively making the device available free on contract with AT&T.


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Dewar's 15 Year The Monarch Blended Scotch Whisky
Dewar's Signature Blended Scotch Whisky — the flagship whisky of John Dewar & Sons Co. — is crafted by blending together "the rarest of rare whiskies from across Scotland." The backbone of the whisky is a 27 year-old single malt whisky that is crafted at Aberfeldy Distillery, according to master blender Thomas Aitken. Once the 27 year-old is married together with other whiskies, the resulting blend is allowed to rest again in oak casks. This secondary maturation process "is a marriage made in heaven — ensuring our whiskies are even smoother and creamier," says Aitken.
Dewar's Scotch 15 Year is an intermediate expression, expanding upon the 12 and 18 year olds in the lineup. Mixed by Master Blender Stephanie Macleod, this single malt is a blend of up to 40 whiskies aged in ex-sherry and bourbon casks, then married together in oak casks. Blending is an art, finding harmony can be challenge as older and younger whiskies have their own unique characteristics. But Dewars has proved themselves masters of this alchemy with their world renowned line-up.
As a result of its unique components and maturation process, Dewar's Signature Blended Scotch Whisky has a deep amber color, along with an aroma of maple, honey, anise and smoke. The aroma gives way to notes of rich, creamy vanilla, honey, rock candy and licorice on the palate. The finish is long and warm, with a touch of heathery, floral notes.


Mesocollect ® is our agency for debt collection and investigation services. This innovation stems from our clients' need to increase their due diligence requirements as well as reduce their costs in order to increase their efficiency. Mesocollect can directly assist you through its own offices in more than ten countries between the Middle East, the GCC and Africa and helps you in other jurisdictions through its international network.


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AniFarm is a puzzle game in which you fill in empty spaces by combining various shapes of wooden blocks. You can decorate your farm with the beautiful characters that you acquire when you achieve the goals!
Decorate your home screen using various characters like animals, birds, and plants.
Play through more than 500 free stages, a number that is growing all the time!
Easy to play for everyone. Move the wooden blocks to fill up the frame.
Can be played without an internet connection.
A daily gift is provided for more fun!


Speaker of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday met with President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong to discuss cooperation opportunities and joint projects.
A parliamentary delegation led by Mirzoyan left for Qatar on Friday (April 5) to participate in the Union's 140th session.
Congratulating the parliament speaker on his election to office, Mr Chungong praised the Armenian parliamentarians' representation in their organizaation, expressing their support to the renewal of democracy worldwide.
According to a press release by the National Assmebly, the sides discussed the framework of deepening partnership and mutual interests, agreeing to organize a workshop in Yerevan to address possibilities of women's engagement in the political decision-making.
Mirzoyan at the end handed to Mr Chungong a letter expressing a willingneess to adhere to the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments, a document elaborated by the Union.


The used, tested tubes we carry are generally various old stock US brands. All of these are tested, cleaned, and boxed before shipping. The pictures are representative of the general forms of the tube types, and internal construction can vary from brand to brand. Our used old stock tubes are guaranteed to test 80% or better.


A system of price controls used in a nation by which the government intervenes to keep the price above a minimum and below a maximum. Usually used in markets for agricultural commodities which can be stored for long periods of time. If the market price falls below a minimum level, the government will come in to buy up any surpluses, which get put into storage. If the price rises above a maximum level, the government will release its buffer stocks to keep the price low. Meant to assure stable prices to farmers and consumers of key food commodities.