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Ensure your family have one less financial concern with our range of flexible pre-paid funeral plans.FIND OUT MORE
Protection for your family when you die. The money can be used for mortgage, rent or even education costs.FIND OUT MORE
Insurance if you are diagnosed with a critical or serious illness and cannot work.FIND OUT MORE
Protect your home and possessions from the unthinkable, and the unpredictable!FIND OUT MORE
A family based company founded in 2011 in Cheshire, Manor Financial are one of the fastest growing insurance providers in the UK.
Our goal is to become the UK's market leading insurance provider. We want to protect as many families and homes as possible from unforeseen events, such as illness, injury, or loss of life.
We consult on a non-advised basis, meaning we give you all the facts and let you make the decision that will work best for you, your budget and your circumstances.
We work with 5* Defaqto rated Insurers such as Legal and General, Aviva, Royal London, Vitalitylife, LV and OneFamily so you can rest assured that you are getting the best policies in the Country.
Above all, we are here to help, so ask us as many questions as you like. Whether you are looking for advice, a quote or wish to take out a policy, Manor Financial have you covered.
Get an insurance quote today!
Simply fill out the form and we will give you a call back!
If you are happy with our service then what are you waiting for? Let your friends and family know about us. For every person recommended who takes a policy we will give £50 Marks & Spencers vouchers as a thank you.
*T&Cs Apply
Manor Financial is a trading name of Manor Financial Advice Ltd. Manor Financial Advice Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 810808. The company is incorporated in England and Wales (no. 07728991)
You will receive £50 Marks & Spencers vouchers once their policy has been completed and in place for a minimum of 6 months.


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Enrich your analytics with Piwik PRO data
View Piwik PRO metrics like bounce rate, time on site, and actions for each AdWords campaign and ad group in the Piwik PRO UI.
Link your AdWords account to Piwik PRO to combine campaign data with Piwik PRO metrics and advanced segmentation
Piwik PRO enriches your AdWords campaign data with a broad range of additional metrics. Track the journey taken by your customers after they click on your ad. Learn how often your banners are displayed and see CTRs. Optimize your marketing efforts to attract more visitors.
View Piwik PRO metrics like bounce rate, time on site, and actions for each AdWords campaign and ad group in the Piwik PRO UI.
Create dedicated Piwik PRO segments for your AdWords visitors and filter them from reports of your choice. Use this knowledge to optimize your conversion funnel.
See how different AdWords campaigns impact your website goals. Compare Piwik PRO goal data with AdWords campaign performance and see how AdWords visitors impact your funnel.
Integrate your AdWords data with Piwik PRO goal values and Piwik PRO e-commerce data in one report. Get accurate ROI of your AdWords campaigns and ad groups.
Maybe some of your ads register great click numbers. Their CTRs are high, and you can almost see your new customers on the horizon. With AdWords Integration you see much more, and you can identify which ads attracts the most quality leads.
AdWords provides you with a general overview of landing page performance. Use Piwik PRO for valuable in-depth and actionable insights. Dig into data captured from across your entire account, as one landing page can be used in many different places. This is an easy way to spot unsuccessful pages.
Get detailed data on how many people perform an action after reaching your site from an ad. AdWords Integration in Piwik PRO can easily attach events, virtual page views, and custom dimensions to your AdWords data.

subset: commoncrawl


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Business Consultancy
We are experienced business consultants and we can work with you or independently to move your business forward. We have previously worked with retailers, travel agents, law firms and construction companies to name a few.Learn More
Virtual Assistance
We can take on your ongoing admin tasks so that you can put your time and energy into what grows your business. Book keeping, copywriting, transcription, quoting and data entry are all specialisms of ours and we can help you with so much more too!Learn More
Social Media Management
Effective and consistent social media is pivotal in growing your business and juggling Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, blogging and Pinterest among other platforms can be very time consuming! Scheduling posts and understanding your social media insights can reap huge awards. We are experienced in managing the social media of a variety of companies and can manage yours too.Learn More
Plan – Do – Review
We run a very tight and organised ship here at Star Consultancy. Organisation, efficiency, focus and accuracy are all strengths of ours.
We are great at getting stuck into projects and we have a mixture of both long term contract customers plus as-and-when customers. All of our clients are very important to us and we will quickly have a thorough understanding of the job you would like us to do over either the phone, FaceTime or Zoom.
Our mission here at Star Consultancy is to bring an extra dimension to your business. We can build your strategy, advise on efficiencies, take away your admin, and put you at the front line of customer visibility via your social media.
We want to hear from you….


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Endometrial Receptivity
Definition - What does Endometrial Receptivity mean?
Endometrial receptivity (ER) is the ability of the inner lining of the uterus (called the endometrium), to be optimally capable of allowing for the implantation of an embryo.
The endometrium should be thick enough to allow an embryo to implant within. Receptivity plays a vital part in initiating a healthy pregnancy
FertilitySmarts explains Endometrial Receptivity
Endometrial receptivity occurs during the implantation window, a period of time during where the endometrium is most receptive to embryo implantation, typically 6-10 days after ovulation. Various factors can make the endometrium less receptive and interfere with embryo implantation:
- Genetic factors: Any abnormality in the genes that partake in preparing the endometrium for implantation can cause implantation failure.
- Hormones: Elevated estrogen levels on the day of hCG trigger shot may also have a detrimental effect on endometrial receptivity. The endometrium should be optimally receptive when the embryo is being implanted. This is known as synchrony between the embryo and endometrium. Having said that, fluctuations in estrogen or progesterone levels might trigger asynchrony between the embryo and endometrium. This asynchrony transforms the endometrium from a receptive to a non-receptive state, making the embryo implantation more challenging.
- Advancing age: A significant decrement in endometrial receptivity is also seen in older women undergoing assisted reproduction, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). The declining levels of the female hormone progesterone may be responsible for this age-related decline in endometrial receptivity as this hormone helps prepare the endometrium for pregnancy.
- Clomid: Is a medicine used to stimulate the release of eggs from ovaries that can also impact endometrial receptivity.
There are various ways to identify an endometrium that isn't ready to accept an embryo. Molecules released from the endometrial surface can help ascertain endometrial thickness.
A transvaginal ultrasound may also be used as an alternative tool to assess endometrial receptivity. An Endometrial receptivity array (ERA) can also be done to analyze the expression levels of hundreds of genes involved in endometrial receptivity, and thus determine if the endometrium is ready to accept the embryo.


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Ginger crackle cookies
Prep 20 min
Total 1 hour
Makes 40 cookies
Updated Feb 22, 2018Chatelaine
2 1/4 cups
all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp
ground ginger
1 1/4 tsp
1 tsp
1/4 tsp
ground cloves
1/2 tsp
3/4 cup
unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup
1/4 cup
- PREHEAT oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
- WHISK flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.
- BEAT butter, ½ cup granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium until fluffy, about 3 min. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Beat in flour mixture on low.
- SCOOP out 1-tbsp portions of dough and roll into balls. Coat with ¼ cup granulated sugar and arrange 2 in. apart on prepared sheets.
- BAKE until edges are lightly browned, about 10 min. Let cool for 5 min, then transfer to a rack to cool.
NutritionCalories 87, Protein 1 g, Carbohydrates 13 g, Fat 4 g, Sodium 72 mg.
Filed under:
Recipe Collections


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- I am a member (i.e. architect) but the developer of the project is not a member. Is the project eligible to enter?
No, the developer of the project must be a UDI member.
- I am a member (developer) but some of the development team are not members (architect, engineer, ie). Can they enter the project on my behalf?
Yes, providing the developer gives consent.
- Is the project team recognized at the ceremony?
Although the Award goes to the developer of the project, members of the project team will be formally recognized at the event.
- I am unsure about the criteria and which category to enter. How do I get more information?
Email your question to the Awards information desk email@example.com or phone the UDI office at 604-669-9585.
- When will the judging take place?
The Jury will review the submissions during the month of August and some projects may be visited during the month of September. The final decision on winning projects will be made in early October.
- Are projects outside the Lower Mainland eligible?
Yes, providing the developer is a member of UDI. For example, a member of UDI Okanagan is eligible to submit a project in any of the categories. In addition, there will be special awards for the Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley.
- Is it possible to have duplicates of the Awards made recognizing members of the project team?
Yes, after the Awards ceremony, extra Awards recognizing the team will be made available for a fee.
- When is the ceremony and can I bring my spouse/guest?
The ceremony will be held Thursday, November 22, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. This is a black tie optional event and spouses and guests are most welcome.
This is also an excellent event to invite your project team and local elected officials.
- How will submitted project photos be used?
Any photos submitted in support of your nomination may be used in any and all UDI promotional activity for the Awards event and for other public forums to portray the diversity of housing options produced by UDI members.


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By T.L. HEADLEY, MBA, MAT, MA
I would agree wholeheartedly that the EPA has "not forgotten" Appalachia in making its new rules. In fact, it has TARGETED Appalachia with those rules, doing its best to destroy an entire industry and the communities that depend on it.
I would also say, echoing my dear, sweet grandmother, "it is better to remain silent and have people believe you a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
In making their assertion for the umpteenth time that "there is no war on coal," the Gazette editors show they are either ignorant of reality or actively involved in attempts to deceive the public.
Fact 1: In 2008, one year before Obama, West Virginia produced 160 million tons of coal and there were 24,000 people actively employed directly as coal miners in the state. Each of those 24,000 jobs supported another five jobs for a total of 120,000 indirect jobs.
Fact 2: Obama said clearly that he plans to "bankrupt" those who want to build coal-fired power plants during the campaign. Joe Biden makes clear there will "be no coal-fired power plants here."
Fact 3: Literally the day after Obama takes office the EPA begins a regulatory assault on coal mining that continues to this day — an assault that goes far beyond the congressionally mandated authority provided to EPA.
Fact 4: Regulations like the MATS Rule, like the Existing Source and New Source Performance Standards, and many, many others have resulted in the closure or pending closure of hundreds of coal fired power plants. It has also essentially stopped the construction of any new power plants or any major overhauls to existing ones that might trigger NSPS standards.
Fact 5: Even today, that "cheap natural gas" is higher on a per million Btu basis than any coal. Despite this, "cheap natural gas" is trading at least 50 percent below its market breakeven price (the price to produce it). IF any of you have the slightest knowledge of basic market economics, you will understand that this cannot continue and the "cheap natural gas" will have to "skyrocket" in price.
Fact 6: Utility executives are warning that the forced changes are endangering the grid. In fact, Mark Dempsey of Appalachian Power said in no uncertain terms at a recent meeting in Charleston that "if we have another winter like we had the last two years there WILL be blackouts and brownouts."
Fact 7: According to those same utility executives, consumer rates for electricity in West Virginia have doubled in the past seven years — yes, they are up 100%+ since Obama took office and still more increases are pending. These increased rates are creating energy poverty in the state, taking more and more of the monthly income of retirees and those on fixed income to simply pay for their electric bills.
Fact 8: Obama Administration officials have themselves characterized the regulatory assault on coal as a "war on coal." I would think they would know better than the editors of the Gazette their policy goals.
Fact 9: Today, as a direct result of the Obama policies, West Virginia's coal production has declined to just 116 million tons (down 30 percent) from its 2008 levels of 165 million tons. Likewise, coal mining employment has fallen from 24,000 direct coal miners in the state to just 15,000 today (down 37.5 percent) from 2008. And those 9,000 lost coal mining jobs translate into a further loss of another 45,000 support jobs in the state, most of which are in the poorest, most rural areas of the state, where replacement jobs are non-existent.
Fact 10: As a result of the run up in unemployment due to coal industry and related job losses, unemployment rates across the coalfields are in excess of 12 percent with highs of 15-16 percent in several counties. And by extension, the levels of childhood poverty have skyrocketed in the state along with all the problems that result.
Fact 11: The wages and taxes lost as a result of the Obama regulatory assault on coal are measured in the BILLIONS of dollars annually. Obama's "help" is a small fraction of a single year's economic contribution of the coal industry. It is essentially throwing a few table scraps to the "poor West Virginians" and then telling them to go away and be grateful for even being acknowledged.
Fact 12: West Virginians deserve better from their government AND their media than their condescension. They especially deserve a media that doesn't push a political agenda at the expense of truth.


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Teaching Grit Cultivates Resilience and Perseverance (Research Made Relevant Series) Testing for Joy and Grit? Schools Nationwide Push to Measure Students' Emotional Skills. Argument still rages about whether schools can or should emphasize these skills.
Critics say the approach risks blaming the victim — if only students had more resilience, they could rise above generational poverty and neglected schools — and excuses uninspired teaching by telling students it is on them to develop "zest," or enthusiasm. Groups that spent decades urging the country toward higher academic standards worry about returning to empty talk of self-esteem, accepting low achievement as long as students feel good. But teaching social-emotional skills is often seen as a way to move away from a narrow focus on test scores, and to consider instead the whole child. Teaching Grit Cultivates Resilience and Perseverance. Resilience and Grit Resource Roundup.
There's been a lot of talk lately about resilience, grit, growth mindset, and related concepts -- including the social and emotional skills associated with these factors and their importance for student well-being and academic success.
Edutopia has curated these lists of resources to help educators and parents follow these topics and create home and school environments that provide supports and opportunities to help young people thrive. Nurturing Resilience The ability to bounce back from adversity is associated with a variety of skills. Learn more about the resilience research and supports and strategies to develop resilience in young people. (10+ Resources) Putting Grit in Its Place. We all know why it exists, but the grade-point average is one of the more destructive elements in American education.
Success is about being passionately good at one or two things, but students who want to get close to that 4.0 have to be prudentially balanced about every subject. In life we want independent thinking and risk-taking, but the G.P.A. system encourages students to be deferential and risk averse, giving their teachers what they want. Creative people are good at asking new questions, but the G.P.A. rewards those who can answer other people's questions. Self-Esteem Books. Close(x) Don't Miss Out You're all set!
Look out for our weekly updates soon. The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali (Age 5+) Okay for Now (Age 12+) March: Book One (Age 12+) The Color Purple (Age 15+) Fat Cat (Age 11+) TV and Movies That Celebrate Grit. Close(x)
Movies That Inspire Kids to Change the World. Close(x)
The Big Picture. DRS.
SALLY and BENNETT SHAYWITZ, co-directors of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, illuminate the scientific origins of dyslexia and have created a revolutionary imaging test that pinpoints, for the first time, a specific difference (or marker) in the brains of dyslexics. Dr. Sally Shaywitz explains that this unique marker, while often associated with problems with reading, is also associated with a superior ability to think out of the box, create original ideas, and see the big picture. Budrus. Ayed Morrar, an unlikely community organizer, unites Palestinians from all political factions and Israelis to save his village from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier.
Victory seems improbable until his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, launches a women's contingent that quickly moves to the front lines. Struggling side by side, father and daughter unleash an inspiring, yet little-known, movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that is still gaining ground today. In an action-filled documentary chronicling this movement from its infancy, Budrus shines a light on people who choose nonviolence to confront a threat. Budrus was produced by Just Vision.
Just Vision informs local and international audiences about under-documented Palestinian and Israeli civilian efforts to resolve the conflict nonviolently. The Crash Reel. This eye-popping film seamlessly combines twenty years of stunning action footage with new specially-shot verité footage and interviews as it follows U.S. champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce and exposes the irresistible but potentially fatal appeal of extreme sports.
An escalating rivalry between Kevin and his nemesis Shaun White in the run-up to the 2010 Olympics leaves Shaun on top of the Olympic podium and Kevin in a coma follow- ing a training accident in Park City, Utah. Kevin's tight-knit Vermont family flies to his side and helps him rebuild his life as a brain injury survivor. But when he insists he wants to return to the sport he still loves, his family intervenes with his eloquent brother David speaking for all of them when he says, "I just don't want you to die." How to Survive a Plague. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.
With unfettered access to a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage from the 1980s and '90s, filmmaker David France puts the viewer smack in the middle of the controversial actions, the heated meetings, the heartbreaking failures, and the exultant breakthroughs of heroes in the making. Blisteringly powerful, How To Survive A Plague transports us back to a vital time of unbridled death, political indifference, and staggering resilience and constructs a commanding archetype for activism today.
One Lucky Elephant. Ultimately, David must face the difficult truth that the circus is no place for Flora. She needs to be with other elephants. The road to Flora's retirement, however, is a difficult and emotional journey that tests their bond in unexpected ways. Ten years in the making, One Lucky Elephant explores the consequences of keeping wild animals in captivity, while never losing sight of the delicate love story at its heart. Official Selection, Oprah Winfrey Network Documentary Film Club. Pray the Devil Back to Hell.
This powerful documentary film has been screened at: · World Economic Forum· United Nations· U.S. Department of State· Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Hague Quotes "UPLIFTING, DISHEARTENING, INSPIRING, ENRAGING"—The New York Times "MARVELOUS"—The Los Angeles Times "The heroism on view is BREATHTAKING"—Christian Science Monitor. The Case Against 8. A behind-the-scenes look inside the historic case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. The high-profile trial first makes headlines with the unlikely pairing of Ted Olson and David Boies, political foes who last faced off as opposing attorneys in Bush v. Gore. The film also follows the plaintiffs, two gay couples who find their families at the center of the same-sex marriage controversy. Five years in the making, this is the story of how they took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court. Rudy (Age 9+) Spellbound (Age 9+)
First Position (Age 9+) Won't Back Down (Age 9+) Crossing the Ice (Age 10+) Groundhog Day (Age 11+) Girl Rising (Age 12+) Stand and Deliver (Age 13+) If You Build It (Age 13+) Temple Grandin (Age 14+) Billy Elliot (Age 14+) Brainventures. Sites That Help Kids Do Good. Close(x) Edutopia's GRIT resources. Helping Students Manage Stress, Set Goals, and Feel Connected.
In early October, I reviewed Paul Tough's new book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. I saw implications for policy, funding, and teacher preparation, as well as lots of actions that administrators and teachers could take based on Tough's research. Resilience: The Other 21st Century Skills. Due to the interest of my post The Other 21st Skills, I decided to individually discuss each of the skills or dispositions I proposed that are in addition to the seven survival skills as identified by Tony Wagner. How to Help Kids Overcome Fear of Failure. A couple of weeks ago, a New York Times op-ed asked the question, "Are kids too coddled?"
Where's Waldo? HD - in Hollywood (Age 8+) Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Age 11+) Mission US: A Cheyenne Odyssey (Age 12+) Broken Age (Age 13+)


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A nice sad video
Posted on Oct 10, 2006
Watch this french commercial. I found it rather nice. In a sad sort of way. I like stuff like this.
The last couple nights, I have watched the lord the rings trilogy. It is pretty awesome. I love it. I bought all the movies when they came out and had watched them sporadically after I owned them. But it is nice to sit and watch them in close proximity to the last one.
I am scared of reading count of monte cristo. It seems as though it will be a rough book. I hope it is really awesome. It is gigantic. Seriously the biggest book ever. I think that I will need a bigger bag to carry it to work. hah.
I am seriously considering building out a mythTV pvr. It seems to be awesome. I really want to use torrentocracy to download TV shows easily and watch them on my TV. It will be awesome. The only worry I have is that it would grow to be very expensive. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I mean - I would love to have a DVD jukebox and to be able to watch videos and such I download from youtube on my TV. But I don't want to spend more than a couple hundred dollars - at the most. I really would like to use the hardware I currently have. Which I think I could use. I have an old hauppauge card and a desktop box that isn't doing anything. I could get a new case and drop it in there. Or I could wait until the ITV from apple comes out and use that. But I might not be able to watch democracy downloads that way.
Hmm. the choices.
In other sad news - my N70 may have died. Which means I will have to use the E61, which I love, but it has no camera. and I love taking pictures. hmm. I wonder....
See Also
- This weekend. skinnyCorp Moving published on Oct 9, 2006
- How to get and watch free TV published on Oct 9, 2006
- Keith Olbermann is pretty awesome. published on Oct 8, 2006
- More youTube stuff: I made a youTube badge. published on Oct 5, 2006
- oldboy published on Oct 3, 2006


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Tommy Toe Red
- Grown, sold, and described by Muddy Bucket Farm
- Plant growth: indeterminate
- Leaf type: regular
- Time to maturity: early-mid season
- Approx. number of seeds per pack: 30+
- Vendor's seed source: Commercial Seed Pack
"Tommy Toe Red" is a great old heirloom from the Ozark Mountains that produces huge numbers of 1.5 oz large red cherries. Has that "old fashioned" flavor that reminds me of large beefsteaks. Indet., regular leaf plant will need staking to control. Early to Mid season. A whole lot of these never make it out of the garden because of snacking while harvesting.
16 in stock


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- aimerxoxo
- 3 years ago
- Wedding: July 2016
I've been on a Kate Spade binge recently on account of all their sales. I got especially excited right after I got married because I wanted to get things monogrammed with my new initials!
Currently I've been using a Kate Spade backpack in Crab Red to carry my things for work. During off days I've been using a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, but I switch purses fairly frequently.
What are your favorite purses?


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The Sleeve Effect
This season, our hands are hidden under super cozy and super long sleeves, in a streetwear but chic style. Sweatshirts, shirts, pullovers, tops and dresses are endowed with XXL sleeves, which will stylishly keep your hands warm. Just what we need!
To avoid looking like a hobo and to generate an interesting set of contrasts, the extra long sleeves are associated with pieces that are closer to the body.
What to pair them with?
Beige suede and black leather bucket bag, CHANEL
Fauna velvet thigh high boots, Aquazzura
Guipure lace mini dress, Self-Portrait
Straight cut embroidered jeans, Alexander McQueen
Sequin miniskirt, MANGO
Stainless steel guess necklace, Atamian
Joseph Fashion Show Fall-Winter 2016-2017
Sedgewick Medium leather bag, Tom Ford


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Nickel Alloy Pipe Specification – ASTM B619
ASTM B 619 includes the following welded nickel pipe and nickel-cobalt alloys (UNS N10001; UNS N10242; UNS N10665; UNS N12160; UNS N10624; UNS N10629; UNS N10675; UNS N10276; UNS N06455; UNS N06007; UNS N06975; UNS N08230; UNS 06002; UNS N06022; UNS N06035; UNS N06058; UNS N06059; UNS N06200; UNS N06985; UNS N06030; UNS R30556; UNS N08031; UNS N06230; UNS N06686; UNS N06210; and UNS R20033).
There are two different classes of welded pipe under this specification. Class I is as welded and solution annealed or welded and sized and solution annealed. Class II is cold worked and solution annealed. Please specify what class is required at time of quotation. The pipe shall be made from flat-rolled alloy by an automatic welding process with no addition of filler metal.
Nickel Alloy Pipes – Nickel Alloys – Nickel-Chromium Alloys – Nickel-Cobalt Alloys – Nickel-Copper Alloys – Nickel-Iron-Chromium Alloys – Nickel-Molybdenum Alloys – Tubular Products – Welding
- Note this data is for overview only. For full specification and current revisions, please contact ASTM.


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The Seattle Sports fan is used to a swift kick in the teeth. Sit in a bar and throw out any year and watch them recount the travesty or tragedy of that particular annum.
- 2001 -"How did we lose to the Yankees?"
- 2012 – "Freaking Falcons, man."
- 1998 – "How did that UConn guy – what was his name – hit that shot?"
You can play this game with every year. Just don't expect to be invited back out again.
And man were the chairs aligned yesterday for this to become one of the most debilitating moments in Seattle sports history. Our big brother San Francisco, coming into our house, a place where we embarrassed them 3 months prior. They had all their starters back, we were missing some of our stars to injury and suspension. We have the lead. We're inches from the Super Bowl, and suddenly they have the ball on the 25 yard line with all the time in the world. They'll have 4 or 5 shots to get in the end zone and just crush our will. If you hit pause on life at that moment, I would wager that most fans had already started to think about how they were going to deal with this bone-crushing loss.
And then something amazing happens. The Stanford guy – the import who now who would rather be in Seattle than the Bay Area – makes the play of his life. Seahawks win. Seahawks win. Cue the pandemonium.
I spent hours walking around downtown after the game. I listened to the horns blare up and down 1st Ave. Every bar had "We are the Champions" blasting every 3rd song, with a few versions of New York, New York thrown in for good measure.
To my surprise I saw more than a couple stunned 49ers fans standing on street corners by themselves. They were graciously congratulating jubilant Hawks fans. It was a sign of a fan base who has had enough success to know how to lose as well as win. I surmised that these people were lifelong San Francisco fans who knew what it meant to Seattle fans, and were dealing with their mourning by watching other people be ecstatic. Maybe it was a bit of comfort for them – to see others experience what they had first enjoyed years – maybe even decades – before.
I saw people in bars not knowing what to do. They hugged, they ordered a drink, they watched the replays on TV and….. now what. Some kept drinking. Some went home. Some just wandered the streets.
But what I observed was honest to god ecstasy. People loved the moment they were in and loved loving the moment they were in. They had no idea what to do in it, but all they had to do was smile and feel good. Whatever life struggle they had was forgotten. Whatever uncompleted task on their "to do list" was ignored. People were happy. Truly, magnificently happy.
It's irrational and can never model out on an economist's spreadsheet. But that happiness was good for this city. It might manifest itself as a business owner being more motivated to succeed, or a sad person remembering what it's like to smile, or a group of friends remembering how much they enjoy being together. But combine all of these moments together, across the city, and you see that our fabric is stronger for that moment.
2014 – "That freaking Sherman play was AWESOME!"


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Brewers' fumble, Bryant's hustle key ninth
MILWAUKEE -- The home run wait continues for Kris Bryant, but the rookie found another way to help the Cubs win.
After a pair of Brewers errors gave the Cubs an opening to add on to their lead, Bryant beat out a ninth-inning grounder to short on an overturned call that drove in the eventual winning run, as the Cubs held on for a 7-6 victory on Friday night at Miller Park.
The Brewers lamented their mistakes, especially after Ryan Braun hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning to make it a one-run game.
Video: CHC@MIL: Braun hits a three-run homer in the 9th
The Cubs celebrated their prized rookie, who isn't hitting homers, but continues to hustle.
"He's been struggling at the plate. Hits a routine ground ball to shortstop, beats it out, we score a run," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "How many guys do that? How many guys in baseball today do that? Routine ground ball to short, we're up, it looks like we're in pretty good shape, he beats out a ground ball, we challenge, run scores. That's the game right there."
Brewers manager Craig Counsell had a different takeaway.
"To me, it says every out is important," Counsell said. "Every play is important. If you want to win games, you've got to commit to every out being important, no matter the score."
Video: CHC@MIL: Castro hits Cubs' fourth homer of the game
Starlin Castro opened a wild ninth inning with a leadoff homer to put the Cubs up, 6-3. With two outs, Addison Russell beat out an infield single to third. Third baseman Elian Herrera, a late replacement for Aramis Ramirez who was scratched with lower back tightness, barehanded the ball, but threw wildly past first base, allowing Russell to advance to second. He took third on the play when second baseman Scooter Gennett's throw bounced through the infield for another error.
Counsell put the blame on the Brewers' infielders who had their heads down, but Gennett said, "It's one of those things where I get the error, so it's my fault."
Video: CHC@MIL: Russell singles, advances to third on errors
Bryant, who hit 43 homers in the Minors last season, but is homerless in 72 at-bats since being called up April 17, then hit what looked like an inning-ending grounder, but shortstop Jean Segura bounced the throw to first. Bryant was called out, but the Cubs challenged the call by first-base umpire Tom Hallion and the call was overturned, allowing Russell to score what turned out to be the eventual winning run.
"That's a part of the game that I can control," Bryant said. "No matter how bad the game's going, you can always run hard and play as hard as you can. That's the way I've always played and it turned out helping the team today."
It turned out to win the game.
In the bottom of the inning, Braun's two-out, three-run homer off Hector Rondon pulled the Brewers within 7-6. Adam Lind and Khris Davis followed with consecutive singles, but Rondon came back to strike out Gerardo Parra to end the game.
"We continue to make not the physical errors, but the mental errors," Braun said. "Those are the things we need to avoid in order to get back to playing consistently winning baseball."
The home run was Braun's sixth of the regular season. Bryant is still awaiting his first.
The rookie said he is not bothered by the lack of home runs.
"I could go the rest of the year without hitting a home run and as long as I'm doing that, running hard, driving in runs, helping the team win, that's all I can control and I'll continue to do that," Bryant said.


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Internet-sector stocks closed lower Friday after surging in the previous session, while shares of Akamai Technologies Inc. dipped 2.7% on the heels of an 11% gain the day before.
EBay Inc. EBAY, -0.70% shares closed down 1.5% after one Wall Street analyst upgraded the Web auctioneer to buy from hold and another initiated coverage at hold. Both set price targets at $35.
The Dow Jones Internet Index DJI_DJINET was down 0.7% at 86.05, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index $COMPQ fell 14.20 points to 2,129.95.
Akamai AKAM, -0.95% shares closed at $30.89; the service provider for Internet media gained $3.15, or 11%, in Thursday trading. Akamai shares hit a 52-week high of $36.94 on May 9, yet fell as low as $27.14 on Tuesday.
Sector bellwether Google Inc. GOOG, -1.34% saw its shares fall fractionally to $390.70, while Yahoo Inc. YHOO shares fell 1.4% to $30.36.
Rochdale Research upgraded eBay shares to buy from hold and raised its price target modestly, to $35 from $34.
"We believe the concerns about core growth slowing and the limited leverage from Skype are now priced in," wrote analyst David Eller. "Traffic statistics indicate healthy listings and eBay Express has the potential to contribute to the top line."
UBS analyst Ben Schachter, however, initiated eBay coverage at hold, also with a $35 price target.
"While this stock is cheap by historical comparisons, we do not believe it is poised for a meaningful increase in the near term," wrote Schachter. "The bottom line is that until investors see declining growth in the core business stabilize, newer initiatives are not likely to have a meaningful impact."
Elsewhere in the Net sector, Overstock.com Inc. OSTK, -2.66% shares were down 2.6% at $19.59, near their 52-week low of $19.41. InfoSpace Inc. INSP, +0.47% shares were last off 2.9% to $21.80, near Tuesday's 52-week low of $21.26.
LivePerson Inc. LPSN, -2.89% shares continued their volatile run, gaining as much 7% before settling in with a 3% gain. Since May 1, LivePerson shares have traded for as high as $7 and as low as $4.05.


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|Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strong men ruled the country until 2003, the last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Hussein regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq under a UNSC mandate, helping to provide security and to support the freely elected government. The Coalition Provisional Authority, which temporarily administered Iraq after the invasion, transferred full governmental authority on 28 June 2004 to the Iraqi Interim Government, which governed under the Transitional Administrative Law for Iraq (TAL). Under the TAL, elections for a 275-member Transitional National Assembly (TNA) were held in Iraq on 30 January 2005. Following these elections, the Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) assumed office. The TNA was charged with drafting Iraq's permanent constitution, which was approved in a 15 October 2005 constitutional referendum. An election under the constitution for a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) was held on 15 December 2005. The CoR approval in the selection of most of the cabinet ministers on 20 May 2006 marked the transition from the ITG to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half-century.
|Ancient Mesopotamia
The region of Iraq was historically known as Mesopotamia (Greek: "between the rivers"). It was home to the world's first known civilization, the Sumerian culture, followed by the Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, whose influence extended into neighboring regions as early as 5000 BC. These civilizations produced some of the earliest writing and some of the first sciences, mathematics, laws and philosophies of the world; hence its common epithet, the "Cradle of Civilization".
In the sixth century BC, Cyrus the Great conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and Mesopotamia was subsumed in the Achaemenid Persian Empire for nearly four centuries. Alexander the Great conquered the region again, putting it under Macedonian rule for nearly two centuries. A Central Asian tribe of ancient Iranian people's known as the Parthia's later annexed the region, followed by the Sassanid Persians. The region remained a province of the Persian Empire for nine centuries, until the 7th century.
Islamic Caliphate
Beginning in the seventh century AD, Islam spread to what is now Iraq during the Islamic conquest of Persia, led by the Muslim Arab commander Khalid ibn al-Walid. Under the Rashidun Caliphate, the prophet Mohammed's cousin and son-in-law Ali moved his capital to Kufa "fi al-Iraq" when he became the fourth caliph. The Umayyad Caliphate ruled the province of Iraq from Damascus in the 7th century. (However, eventually there was a separate, independent Caliphate of Cordoba.)
The Abbasid Caliphate built the city of Baghdad in the 8th century as their capital, and it became the leading metropolis of the Arab and Muslim world for five centuries. Baghdad was the largest multicultural city of the Middle Ages, peaking at a population of more than a million, and was the center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age. The Mongols destroyed the city during the sack of Baghdad in the 13th century.
Mongol Conquest
In 1257, Hulagu Khan amassed an unusually large army, a significant portion of the Mongol Empire's forces, for the purpose of conquering Baghdad. When they arrived at the Islamic capital, Hulagu demanded surrender but the caliph refused. This angered Hulagu, and, consistent with Mongol strategy of discouraging resistance, Baghdad was decimated. Estimates of the number of dead range from 200,000 to a million.
The Mongols destroyed the Abbasid Caliphate and The Grand Library of Baghdad (Arabic بيت الحكمة Bayt al-Hikma, lit., House of Wisdom), which contained countless, precious, historical documents. The city would never regain its status as major center of culture and influence.
In 1401, warlord of Turco-Mongol descent Tamerlane (Timur Lenk) invaded Iraq. After the capture of Baghdad, 20,000 of its citizens were massacred. Timur ordered that every soldier should return with at least two severed human heads to show him (many warriors were so scared they killed prisoners captured earlier in the campaign just to ensure they had heads to present to Timur).
Ottoman Empire
Later, the Ottoman Turks took Baghdad from the Persians in 1535. The Ottomans lost Baghdad to the Iranian Safavids in 1609, and took it back in 1632. From 1747 to 1831, Iraq was ruled, with short intermissions, by the Mamluk officers of Georgian origin who enjoyed local autonomy from the Sublime Porte.[8] In 1831, the direct Ottoman rule was imposed and lasted until World War I, during which the Ottomans sided with Germany and the Central Powers.
During World War I the Ottomans were driven from much of the area by the United Kingdom during the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. The British lost 92,000 soldiers in the Mesopotamian campaign. Ottoman losses are unknown but the British captured a total of 45,000 prisoners of war. By the end of 1918 the British had deployed 410,000 men in the area, though only 112,000 were combat troops.
During World War I the British and French divided the Middle East in the Sykes-Picot Agreement. The Treaty of Sèvres, which was ratified in the Treaty of Lausanne, led to the advent of the modern Middle East and Republic of Turkey. The League of Nations granted France mandates over Syria and Lebanon and granted the United Kingdom mandates over Iraq and Palestine (which then consisted of two autonomous regions: Palestine and Transjordan). Parts of the Ottoman Empire on the Arabian Peninsula became parts of what are today Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
British Mandate of Mesopotamia
At the end of World War I, the League of Nations granted the area to the United Kingdom as a mandate. It initially formed two former Ottoman vilayets (regions): Baghdad, and Basra into a single country in August 1921. Five years later, in 1926, the northern vilayet of Mosul was added, forming the territorial boundaries of the modern Iraqi state.
For three out of four centuries of Ottoman rule, Baghdad was the seat of administration for the vilayets of Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra. During the mandate, British colonial administrators ruled the country, and through the use of British armed forces, suppressed Arab and Kurdish rebellions against the occupation. They established the Hashemite king, Faisal, who had been forced out of Syria by the French, as their client ruler. Likewise, British authorities selected Sunni Arab elites from the region for appointments to government and ministry offices.[specify][9]
Hashemite monarchy
Britain granted independence to Iraq in 1932, on the urging of King Faisal, though the British retained military bases and transit rights for their forces. King Ghazi of Iraq ruled as a figurehead after King Faisal's death in 1933, while undermined by attempted military coups, until his death in 1939. The United Kingdom invaded Iraq in 1941, for fear that the government of Rashid Ali al-Gaylani might cut oil supplies to Western nations, and because of his strong ideological leanings to Nazi Germany. A military occupation followed the restoration of the Hashemite monarchy, and the occupation ended on October 26, 1947. The rulers during the occupation and the remainder of the Hashemite monarchy were Nuri al-Said, the autocratic prime minister, who also ruled from 1930–1932, and 'Abd al-Ilah, an adviser to the king Faisal II.
Republic of Iraq
The reinstated Hashemite monarchy lasted until 1958, when it was overthrown by a coup d'etat of the Iraqi Army, known as the 14 July Revolution. The coup brought Brigadier General Abdul Karim Qassim to power. He withdrew from the Baghdad Pact and established friendly relations with the Soviet Union, but his government lasted only until 1963, when it was overthrown by Colonel Abdul Salam Arif. Salam Arif died in 1966 and his brother, Abdul Rahman Arif, assumed the presidency. In 1968, Rahman Arif was overthrown by the Arab Socialist Bath Party. This movement gradually came under the control of Saddam Hussein 'Abd al-Majid al Tikriti, who acceded to the presidency and control of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), then Iraq's supreme executive body, in July 1979, while killing many of his opponents.
Saddam Hussein
In 1979, Saddam Hussein took power as Iraqi President, after killing and arresting his leadership rivals. Shortly after taking power, the political situation in Iraq's neighbor Iran changed drastically after the success of the Islamic Revolution of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which resulted in a Shi'ite Muslim theocratic state being established. This was a dangerous change in the eyes of the Iraqi government, as Iraq had a Shi'ite majority, but was ruled by Hussein's Sunni Muslim dominated regime. In 1980, Hussein claimed that Iranian forces were trying to topple his government and declared war on Iran. Saddam Hussein supported the Iranian Islamic socialist organization called the People's Mujahedin of Iran which opposed the Iranian government. During the Iran-Iraq War Iraqi forces attacked Iranian soldiers and civilians with chemical weapons. Hussein's regime was notorious for its human rights abuses; for instance, during the Al-Anfal campaign as well as attacks on Kurd civilians inside Iraq, such as the Halabja massacre, as punishment for elements of Kurdish support of Iran. The war ended in stalemate in 1988, largely due to American and Western support for Iraq. This was part of the US policy of "dual containment" of Iraq and Iran.
In 1977, the Iraqi government ordered the construction of Osirak (also spelled Osiraq) at the Al Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center, 18 km (11 miles) south-east of Baghdad. It was a 40 MW light-water nuclear materials testing reactor (MTR). In 1981, Israeli aircraft bombed the facility, in order to prevent the country from using the reactor for creation of nuclear weapons.
In 1990, faced with economic disaster following the end of the Iran-Iraq War, Saddam Hussein looked to the oil-rich neighbor of Kuwait as a target to invade to use its resources and money to rebuild Iraq's economy. The Iraqi government claimed that Kuwait was illegally slant drilling its oil pipelines into Iraqi territory which it demanded be stopped, Kuwait rejected the notion that it was slant drilling and Iraq followed this in August 1990 with the invasion of Kuwait. Upon successfully occupying Kuwait, Hussein declared that Kuwait had ceased to exist and it was to be part of Iraq, against heavy objections from many countries and the United Nations.
The UN agreed to pass sanctions against Iraq and demanded its immediate withdrawal from Kuwait. Iraq refused and the UN Security Council in 1991 unanimously voted for military action against Iraq. The United States, which had enormous vested interests in the oil supplies of the Middle East led an international coalition into Kuwait and Iraq. The coalition forces entered the war with more advanced weaponry than that of Iraq, though Iraq's army was the largest armed force in the Middle East at the time. Despite a large arsenal of military forces, the Iraqi army stood no match to the advanced weaponry of the coalition forces and the air superiority which the U.S. Air Force provided. Iraq responded to the invasion by launching SCUD missile attacks against Israel and Saudi Arabia. Hussein hoped that by attacking Israel, the Israeli military would be drawn into the war, which he believed would rally anti-Israeli sentiment in neighboring Arab countries to support Iraq. However Hussein's gamble failed as Israel reluctantly accepted U.S. demand for Israel to remain out of the conflict to avoid inflaming tensions. Iraqi armed forces were quickly destroyed and Hussein eventually accepted the inevitable and ordered a withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, but before they were to do so, he ordered them to sabotage Kuwait's oil wells, which resulted in hundreds of wells being set ablaze causing an economic and ecological disaster in Kuwait.
The aftermath of the war saw the Iraqi military, especially its air force destroyed. In turn for peace, Iraq was forced to accept "no-fly zones", the dismantlement of all chemical and biological weapons it possessed, and end any attempt to create or purchase nuclear weapons, to be insured by the allowance of UN weapons inspectors to evaluate the dismantlement of such weapons. And finally, Iraq would face sanctions if it disobeyed any of the demands. Shortly after the war ended in 1991, Shia Muslim Iraqis engaged in protests against Hussein's regime, but Hussein responded with violent repression against Shia Muslims and the protests came to an end. After the war, Iraq on a number of occasions through the 1990s was accused of breaking its obligations including the discovery in 1993, of a plan to assassinate former President George H. W. Bush, in which sanctions were imposed and military action was taken by U.S. forces against Iraq.
Critics estimate that more than 500,000 Iraqi children died as a result of the sanctions.[13] The U.S. and the UK declared no-fly zones over Kurdish northern and Shiite southern Iraq to oversee the Kurd's and southern Shiites.[specify]
Invasion by American-led Coalition forces
20 March 2003, a United States-organized coalition invaded Iraq, with the stated reason that Iraq had failed to abandon its nuclear and chemical weapons development program in violation of United Nations resolution 687. When Iraq invaded Kuwait during the first Gulf War, the United Nations Security Council, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, adopted resolution 678, authorizing U.N. member states to use "all necessary means" to "restore international peace and security in the area." After Iraq was expelled from Kuwait the United Nations passed a cease-fire resolution 687. The agreement included provisions obligating Iraq to discontinue its nuclear weapons program. The United States asserted that because Iraq was in "material breach" of resolution 687, the armed forces authorization of resolution 678 was revived.
The United States gave further justification for the invasion of Iraq in claims that Iraq had or was developing weapons of mass destruction and the opportunity to remove an oppressive dictator from power and bring democracy to Iraq. In his State of Union Address on 29 January, 2002, the American President George W. Bush declared that Iraq was a member of the "axis of evil", and that, like North Korea and Iran, Iraq's attempt to acquire weapons of mass destruction gave credence to the claim that the Iraqi government posed a serious threat to America's national security. He added, "Iraq continues to flaunt its hostilities toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade… This is a regime that agreed to international inspections—then kicked out inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world… By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes [Iran, Iraq and North Korea] pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred."[14] However, no Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been found since the invasion.[15]
Following the invasion, the United States established the Coalition Provisional Authority to govern Iraq.[16] Government authority was transferred to an Iraqi Interim Government in June 2004 and a permanent government was elected in October 2005. More than 140,000 Coalition troops remain in Iraq.
Studies have placed the number of civilians deaths as high as 655,000 (see The Lancet study), although most studies have put the number much lower; the Iraq Body Count project has a figure of less than 10% of The Lancet Study, though IBC organizers acknowledge that their statistics are an under-count as they base their information off of media-confirmed deaths. The website of the Iraq body count states, "Our maximum therefore refers to reported deaths – which can only be a sample of true deaths unless one assumes that every civilian death has been reported. It is likely that many if not most civilian casualties will go unreported by the media."
After the invasion, al-Qaeda took advantage of the insurgency to entrench itself in the country concurrently with an Arab-Sunni led insurgency and sectarian violence.
On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein was hanged.[18] Hussein's half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan and former chief judge of the Revolutionary Court Awad Hamed al-Bandar were likewise executed on January 15, 2007;[19] as was Taha Yassin Ramadan, Saddam's former deputy and former vice-president (originally sentenced to life in prison but later to death by hanging), on March 20, 2007.[20] Ramadan was the fourth and last man in the al-Dujail trial to die by hanging for crimes against humanity.
At the Anfal genocide trial, Saddam's cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid (aka Chemical Ali), former defense minister Sultan Hashim Ahmed al-Tay, and former deputy Hussein Rashid Mohammed were sentenced to hang for their role in the Al-Anfal Campaign against the Kurd's on June 24, 2007[citation needed].
Acts of sectarian violence have led to claims of ethnic cleansing in Iraq, and there have been many attacks on Iraqi minorities such as the Yezidis, Mandeans, Assyrians and others.[21]
In 2007 Foreign Policy Magazine named Iraq as the second most unstable nation in the world after Sudan.[22]
Although violence has declined from the summer of 2007,[23] the U.N. reported of a cholera outbreak in Iraq.[24]
Iraqi diaspora
The dispersion of native Iraqis to other countries is known as the Iraqi diaspora. There have been many large-scale waves of emigration from Iraq, beginning early in the regime of Saddam Hussein and continuing through to 2007. The UN High Commission for Refugees has estimated that nearly two million Iraqis have fled the country in recent years, mostly to Jordan and Syria.[25] Although some expatriates returned to Iraq after the 2003 invasion, the flow had virtually stopped by 2006.[26]
In addition to the 2 million Iraqis who fled to neighboring countries, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center estimates the number of people currently displaced within the country at 1.9 million.
Roughly 40% of Iraq's middle class is believed to have fled, the U.N. said. Most are fleeing systematic persecution and have no desire to return.[28] Refugees are mired in poverty as they are generally barred from working in their host countries.
In recent times the Diaspora seems to be reversing with the increased security of the last few months, and the Iraqi government claims that so far 46,000 refugees have returned to their homes in October of 2007 alone.
|Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 437,072 sq km
land: 432,162 sq km
water: 4,910 sq km
Area – comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
Land boundaries: total: 3,650 km
border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km
Coastline: 58 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note – this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Land use: arable land: 13.12%
permanent crops: 0.61%
other: 86.27% (2005)
Irrigated land: 35,250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 96.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%)
per capita: 1,482 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods
Environment – current issues: government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification
Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography – note: strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
|Population: 27,499,638 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.4% (male 5,509,736/female 5,338,722)
15-64 years: 57.6% (male 8,018,841/female 7,812,611)
65 years and over: 3% (male 386,321/female 433,407) (2007 est.)
Median age: total: 20 years
male: 19.9 years
female: 20 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.618% (2007 est.)
Birth rate: 31.44 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate: 5.26 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.032 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.026 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.891 male(s)/female
total population: 1.024 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 47.04 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 52.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.31 years
male: 68.04 years
female: 70.65 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.07 children born/woman (2007 est.)


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The selection of an acne elimination technique has probably thrown you into a quagmire that's just too hard for you to resolve. Well, if you are not sure of which method will work for you, then you need to consider using home remedies for acne elimination.You should endeavor to understand the cause of the problem and treat the problem by eradicating the specific causative agents.
If it's diet, then enhance your eating habits; if it's skin debris, then embark on regular cleaning and exfoliating of your skin; and if it's unfriendly soaps and cosmetic products, then do not hesitate to change them for friendlier options!
Once you've removed the causative agent from the equation, it is now time to sort the bumpy pimples on your skin! What method is ideal? Well, we will evaluate 15 home remedies techniques that you may want to consider.
Home Remedies For Acne: the Benefits
Are you wondering why you should embrace home remedies for acne in restoring the glow to your skin?
Well, the truth is that you will get tremendous benefits from natural substances for your regular skin routine. The first benefit that you'll acquire is eliminating any risk of severe side effects associated with some conventional molecules.
While natural home remedies for acne have minimal side effects, some skin may react adversely to some of the products. If you realize anything strange after applying these substances, you should discontinue their use and seek medical guidance immediately. Such cases are rare!
The other benefit that you'll accrue by using DIY techniques is the convenience.
Regular appointments with your dermatologist can be time-consuming. It gets worse when you're required to make a booking and wait for several hours before seeing your doctor whereas you need the acne eradicated before your meeting in a few hours!
In such a case, you will just require to rush to your kitchen's shelves and grab a natural item that works best for your skin.
The speed of initiating the treatment process coupled with the cost-effectiveness of the entire process is something you'll pride in!
Having familiarized with the benefits that will come your way as a result of using home remedies, we'll now look at the specific items that you can use to eliminate acne effectively.
Top 15 Home Remedies for Acne
This section will help you get facts about various DIY techniques that you've heard from friends but you've never been sure whether they really work.
You've probably been having uncertainties regarding their safety and the right amounts to apply on your skin. Well, today we'll clear the doubts by articulating the top 15 methods that will eliminate your acne fast. They include:
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Yes, it works! The ACV is acidic in nature and thus works by restoring pH balance on your skin. It kills all the bacteria that cause infection which leads to inflammation and consequently the blockage of skin pores. Also, the ACV removes the excess oil, debris, and dead skins thus accelerating the acne healing process.
Quick Note
Your skin is acidic in nature (pH 5.4-5.9). Anything that upsets this pH will lead to acne. This is why you should avoid washing your skin with overly alkaline soap and instead utilize a cleanser!
You should mix the apple cider vinegar solution with water in the ration of 1:3 (1 part of ACV with 3 parts of water). Shake well and ensure that they mix completely. Then drop a cotton ball into the mixture and use it to apply on the affected section of the skin. You should leave it for approximately 20 minutes and then rinse with cool water. Immediately you're through, you should apply a moisturizer. Ensure that you repeat the procedure once daily for approximately 2 weeks.
- Tea Tree Oil. This is among the most effective home remedies for acne. The product is highly antiseptic and it'll help you eradicate the bacteria and fungi that have infested your acne. When using this product, you may experience slight tingling. If there is an excessive burning sensation, then you should discontinue its use. Also, you may need to use a carrier oil to reduce the burning sensation since tea tree oil in its original status can be a bit too harsh on your skin.
To reduce the burning sensation when using tea tree oil, mix approximately 6 drops of the oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil (use either coconut or jojoba oils)
Once you have the mixture, you can apply directly to the acne using cotton balls. Let it sit for approximately 30 minutes then wash it off using plenty of water.
- Use Garlic. Despite its harsh smell, garlic can be your savior when it comes to home remedies for acne eradication. It has incredible antimicrobial properties that will flush out all the microbes that are worsening your acne! What's best about it is its simple application process; you'll just need to cut the clove into thin slices and then rub the juice on the acne. You should then let it stay for 30 minutes then wash it off!
- Baking Soda. This is a natural exfoliator that will help you to get rid of acne by removing grime, balancing the skin pH, removing excess oil, and reducing inflammation.
Never leave baking soda mask on your skin overnight! Instead, leave it on your skin for approximately 7 minutes and repeat the procedure twice a week.
You need to use one tablespoonful of baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply the paste on the acne and let it sit for 7 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. You should then apply a moisturizer immediately.
- Honey. This product contains antibacterial properties and has the potential to instantly inhibit their growth this boosting your acne elimination technique. Also, the honey will come in handy in reducing inflammation and redness on your skin. It locks in the moisture thus keeping your skin hydrated and significantly reducing sebum production.
You can choose to apply the honey directly or prepare a face mask by mixing it with cinnamon powder or nutmeg
Once you apply the honey or the mask on your skin, you should leave it for one hour after which you cleanse it off with warm water.
- Use Witch Hazel. This product is extracted from witch hazel shrub which contains tannin responsible for its strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. You can choose to have commercially prepared witch hazel or prepare it yourself. Here, we recommend that you prepare it from scratch to guarantee maximum amounts of tannin. You should take approximately one tablespoon of witch hazel bark and mix it with 1 cupful of water. Let it soak for 30 minutes then boil it for around 10 minutes. Once you remove the mixture from the heat, you should let it cool for 15 minutes and then store it in a sealed container. You should then apply it twice daily until you get the desired results.
- Use Green Tea. This product has high levels of antioxidants which helps in eliminating free radicals that play a significant role in the development of acne. It contains flavonoid and tannin that will help in reducing inflammation thus boosting the speed of acne elimination. While it is easy for you to buy lotions and creams fortified with green tea, we recommend that you make your concoction at home to get maximum benefits. All you need to do is boil the green tea in water for 5 minutes then allow it to cool. You should then use a cotton ball to apply the solution to your skin. Allow it to dry and then wash it off with clean water. While drinking the green tea has numerous health benefits, you should physically apply it on your skin to get the best results.
- Use Egg White.This is among the home remedies for acne that will remove all the impurities causing acne. Also, it reduces the size of the skin pore thus preventing overproduction of sebum which helps you to accelerate the acne elimination process. You need to separate the egg white from the yolk and use a cotton ball to apply it onto the acne. Let it sit for approximately 10 minutes before cleaning it.
- Use Banana Peels.This may be incredible to you but the truth is that it just could be the acne solution you've been looking for. Its regular use will help you reduce inflammation and rid your skin of debris thus improving your skin tone and texture. You are required to use the inside layer of the peel by rubbing gently against the acne populated areas of your skin for approximately 5 minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes then rinse it using cold water. Repeat this procedure twice daily for two weeks to observe the desired results.
- Use Turmeric. This product has amazing antiseptic properties that help in keeping your skin free of acne. You should mix the powder with water to make a thick paste. If you can't find water, you can use honey to make the paste. Gently apply on the affected areas and let it sit for approximately 15 minutes and then clean it using warm water.
To treat cystic acne, you should boil 3 tablespoons of turmeric with 3 cups of water until it thickens. Apply the paste on the acne and cover it with a gauze until it dries. Wash it off with plenty of water
- Oatmeal Mask. This is a perfect mask to lower inflammation and redness associated with acne. You should cook approximately 5 tablespoons of oatmeal and add two tablespoons of honey to make a paste. Let it cool before applying on the skin. Wash your skin using lukewarm water and pat it dry
Avoid rubbing your face when drying. Instead, patting it will do!
After application, you should let the oatmeal mask sit on your skin for approximately 20 minutes before cleaning it.
- Lemon. The citric acid in this product is helpful in restoring the pH balance of your skin. Also, it promotes the generation of collagen which ensures that you do not have blemishes after the healing process. You can use this product to eliminate the microbes causing the acne thus healing the pimples fast. You'll just require to squeeze the lemon juice and use a cotton ball to directly apply it on the acne. Let it sit for around 15 minutes and wash it off with water. If the sensation is too much, you can dilute the juice using clean water.
- Aloe Vera. This tropical plant has leaves that produce a gel rich in medicinal properties. You can use this gel to eradicate acne completely from your skin. Aloe Vera contains significant amounts of salicylic acid and sulfur which will help in drying off your acne fast. Repeat the procedure daily.
- Use of Ice Cubes. The cubes are instrumental in reducing the inflammation of the acne thus reducing their appearance during the treatment phase. They will make the acne elimination process pain-free!You should wrap the ice cubes in a clean towel and place it on the affected area for 3 minutes twice daily. If you strictly follow this procedure, you will get rid of the stubborn acne within 3 days!
- Cucumber. This product is rich in vitamins and potassium which plays a pivotal role in eliminating acne. It removes impurities from the skin, reduces inflammation, and clears the acne within a few days!You are required to place a few pieces on the acne and let them sit for 15 minutes. Wash your face with plenty of water. You can also drink cucumber juice regularly to detox your body
Bottom Line
Home remedies for acne will offer immense benefits including reduced side effects and minimized cost. What's best about these techniques is the fact that they are highly effective in cleansing your skin and keeping the acne at bay.
You should select the best technique from the list we have provided. If a technique does not work for you, you should always try using another. However, if you realize increased discomfort, we recommend that you discontinue the method and talk to your dermatologist immediately.


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The Midnight Oil Smockers evening meeting is held in the newest quilt shop, It Seams To Be Sew, located in Sugar Land. Here are Nikki and Brenda from the last meeting visiting after the program. Lana Dunkerley, the studio owner has lots of wonderful examples to view.
The layout of her fabrics is pleasing to the eye and draws the visitor further into the surroundings, not wanting to miss any grouping. Samples of lovely quilts, cute sewing projects and precious smocking can be seen scattered throughout. Look at this darling smocked bubble and bonnet.
As you continue down the aisle, the fabrics call out to you to become creative
It is hard not to reach out and touch everything as you take in the ambiance.
I know of one member who just had to have the fabric combination of this sweet summer jumper. It is a wise owner who has samples of the fabrics displayed in simple projects for even the beginner sewist.
All of the fabrics are perfectly arranged for the shopper to view.
Next time you are in Sugar Land, you will want to stop in, meet Lana and enjoy a little shopping. You can also go to www.itseamstobesew.com


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Dry-ageing, an ancient method of preserving meat, is having a bit of a moment in the culinary sun. Now it's being brought right up-to-date for New Zealand venison by meat researchers at the University of Otago, offering the chance of a new venison product line.
The appeal of dry-aged meat lies in its tastiness. The flavours are enhanced in the ageing oxidation process, explains meat scientist Tanyaradzwa (TA) Mungure, who has become an expert in the subject since starting his PhD at Otago in 2016. He won an award for a presentation on his work to date at last year's International Conference on Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST) conference in Cork, Ireland.
Even though wild venison hunters remove the skin and hang the carcase, dry-ageing venison for commercial sale is not very common.
"We're trying to modernise the process to make it more applicable commercially," the researcher originally from Zimbabwe explains.
Mungure is working alongside his primary supervisor associate professor Alaa El-Din Bekhit, a meat scientist, and associate professors John Birch and Alan Carne, in the University's Department of Food Science and Biochemistry to further refine the process specifically for New Zealand venison.
"We're looking at technologies to speed up the ageing process and Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology is great at that."
PEF is being used for the first time on venison to deliver high voltage electrical pulses to the meat between two electrodes to improve its quality and reduce ageing time. It does this by breaking down the cell walls to increase cell permeability and speed up proteolysis (protein breakdown) during ageing which enhances tenderisation.
Another problem that they are trying to solve is losing too much moisture during the process, commonly around 30 percent of the weight. "We're looking at new combinations of technologies and processes to control weight loss, including lowering the relative humidity," says Mungure.
After PEF, the venison is then dry-aged in cabinets for 10 days at a controlled ambient temperature of 2-5°C, with a strictly controlled humidity of between 60-80 percent. Fans waft air around the meat at a constant speed, and then it is wet-aged (vacuum packed) for 11 days.
"It's all about concentrating the natural flavours, which develop over time, while the product becomes more tender," says Mungure. The researchers have also encompassed the use of novel NMR spectroscopical methods to monitor the meat quality over the dry ageing process.
The research idea came about as a result of sensory evaluation supported by Alliance Group aimed at investigating whether consumers can differentiate between venison, beef and lamb, at the Dunedin Science Festival. While the tenderness of all meats was extremely appreciated by the consumers, a large percentage of the consumers were unable to differentiate venison from lamb.
"For those used to a wild venison flavour, we found farmed venison is not strong enough. We believe our dry-ageing techniques used on farmed venison could help with European game tastes, for example, bringing the product closer to what they are used to," says Mungure. "It may even open a new market."
He recently presented the latest findings at the ICoMST 2018 conference in Melbourne Australia and expects to complete his PhD project in April 2019.
A keen deer stalker, usually of fallow deer, and of the outdoors Mungure is often found in the Blue Mountains near Tapanui. He loves working with venison, he says, and came to Otago to do his PhD because of the opportunities offered for his particular interests. His work has been funded by the University and AgResearch (Ltd) NZ to date.
"TA's combination of skills and passion about deer and venison is very rare to find," says Bekhit. "We would be very happy to hear from anyone who would like to collaborate on commercial and/or post-doctoral projects to retain his skills here once he completes his PhD."
This article first appeared in Deer Industry News magazine (December 2018/January 2019), see left, and is reproduced here with permission. Check out the magazine for more in-depth deer industry specific news.