title: Dental implants austin tx pre prosthetic surgery p38236

text:
Pre-prosthetic surgery involves prepping your mouth before a prosthesis (partial or complete dentures) is put into place. When you wear dentures, they will sit on top of the bony ridge in your mouth, to ensure that they fit well and feel comfortable, it is essential that the tissue and bony area are the right size and shape. Unfortunately, when a tooth is lost or extracted, the area beneath it could be left jagged or uneven, and your oral surgeon may need to level or reshape the area, and in severe cases, portions of the bone might need to be removed.
Why Pre-Prosthetic Surgery is Needed
Many patients wonder why their mouth isn't able to support a prosthesis just the way that it is. Similar to how genetics give us all different physical attributes, we are also given different shaped jaws and levels of gum tissue growth. At times, the jawbone won't be shaped to appropriately accommodate the tooth replacements in a stable and comfortable manner.
You can certainly try to wear dentures without pre-prosthetic surgery, but the results usually aren't favorable. Most people notice that routine activities like chewing even soft foods can become painful and extremely difficult. Since the dentures will rest on the bone ridge, it is crucial to ensure the mouth maintains the proper size and shape needed for the dentures to fit correctly. You will experience greater quality of life and can avoid some potentially embarrassing social situations brought on by ill-fitting dentures by going through pre-prosthetic surgery to properly prepare your mouth.
Procedures Involved with Pre-Prosthetic Surgery
If your mouth needs to be prepared in order to support a denture, one or more of the following procedures might be used:
Removal of excess jaw bone
Bone reshaping or smoothing
Reduction of the bone ridge
Exposure of an impacted tooth
Removal of extra gum tissue |
During your consultation, we will review your unique needs to find out what procedures might be required to prepare your mouth for your prosthetic.
What You Can Expect
Pre-prosthetic surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that will be performed in our surgical office. Depending on the exact procedures that you need and your individual preferences, we can perform your surgery using IV sedation, laughing gas, or local anesthesia.
After your surgery, you can expect to experience some discomfort and pain, and in other cases, bruising and swelling will be experienced. We'll prescribe pain medications to address your discomfort, and in some cases, you might also be prescribed an antibiotic. Many patients make the mistake of discontinuing antibiotic use once they start to feel better or their symptoms subside, but this should be avoided, and you should be sure to follow all instructions regarding taking your prescriptions correctly.
After you've had your surgery, you will need to follow post-operative instructions to promote healing. The faster that you heal, the sooner you'll be able to get your dentures. |


tier: cub

shelf: finance

title: Interim management

text:
The Interim Managers Association (SIM) has been operating on the Polish market for fifteen years, building awareness and standards in the field of interim management. Their goal is to promote modern management tools and methods to help companies achieve a competitive advantage. As a non-profit organization, SIM engages in educational activities, publications and social initiatives to promote the idea of interim management and improve the quality of managers’ work in this field.
Interim Management is a temporary activity within the organization carried out by the Interim Manager aimed at achieving specific business results. The key goal of the Interim Manager’s work is to increase the value of the organization in a given area and achieve the established goal. This method is based on cooperation and participation in risk and profit, with the intended effect for the organization in mind.
The Interim Managers Association (SIM) offers training and certifications that support the professionalization of the Interim Management market and improve managers’ competences in modern management tools. The training not only prepares you for the SIM Certified Interim Manager® certification exam, but also develops specific professional skills, so they can be a valuable addition to your professional path in interim management.
Information about the latest trends in Interim Management, conferences, industry meetings and webinars organized by the Interim Managers Association (SIM). We promote modern management tools, supporting the development of organizations in a dynamic business environment. Join us to stay up to date with initiatives that influence management success in conditions of market volatility and competition and also get to know the reports of the Interim Managers market in Poland and abroad


shelf: education

title: Toronto crime spikes on weekends and holidays 2024 waterloo

text:
Criminal behaviour in Toronto’s crime hot spots is higher on weekends and holidays, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo and supported by the International Space University based in France.
For the first time, researchers examined how both geography and the distinction between business/non-business days impact crime hot spots in Toronto. Using modelling and visualization techniques, they found that weekends and holidays have significantly higher assault and robbery levels in areas with high business and entertainment activity compared to business days. In comparison, northern residential areas in Toronto experience reduced activity of breaking and entering, auto theft, and theft over $5,000.
The researchers assert that understanding when and where crime occurs can assist in developing effective crime control strategies.
"Modelling and visualizing crime patterns is a helpful tool for professionals like urban planners and police officers," said Renan Cai, PhD candidate in the Faculty of Environment. "The more information we have, the better decisions we can ultimately make about policing, patrol, crime prevention, even things like neighbourhood watch."
The researchers emphasize the need for customized crime control measures in different small areas within the city, especially during weekends and holidays. For example, an area with increasing robbery occurrences and an area with increasing breaking and entering may require higher patrol frequencies and more video surveillance.
The researchers used Toronto Open Data and major crime data from the Toronto Police Public Safety Data Portal between 2015 and 2019. They analyzed the dates and locations of occurrences of five major crime types (assault, robbery, auto theft, breaking and entering, and theft over $5,000).
Future research could investigate other offences or look at geography and time factors, such as how long weekends impact crime in the city.
"There are so many people who live in cities today," said Su-Yin Tan, a professor in Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment. "Our cities are rapidly changing all the time because of gentrification, technology and immigration. So, this research allows us better to understand the behaviour of criminal activity in neighbourhoods and plan accordingly."
The study, Are There Non-Business Days for Crime’ A Small-Area Bayesian Spatiotemporal Analysis of Crime Patterns , supported by the International Space University based in France appears in the journal of Deviant Behavior.


shelf: home-craft

title: Front door garden design

text:
For most homes, the front door garden is the guest’s first impression of you and is scrutinized the most closely. As a result, you should practice restraint in the chosen accents and plants for entryways used in your front door garden design. Let’s find out more about choosing a plant for front entrances.
Front Door Garden Design
When creating a front door garden design, consider the architecture or “bones” of your home. The garden entryway should complement the design of the house and echo the mood one wants to project.
The front door garden should reflect who you are and how you want to be perceived. Whether choosing a relaxed grouping of mixed border plants or a more formal potted topiary flanking the front steps, the landscaping of the front door garden area will set the tone for visitors as well as a welcome home to you.
Whether of simple design or complex, the front entryway garden should draw the eye toward the front door. You want the front door garden design to be a transition between the exterior landscapes to the more intimate indoor area of the home. Tapering a walkway to lead guests to the front door and then creating a larger area at the doorway itself gives a welcoming impression and space to gather, greet or say goodbye.
Transitional options, such as an arbor or a few stairs, link spaces to gradually move your visitor from the exterior to interior of your home.
Choosing a Plant for Front Entrances
Choosing a plant for front entrances, as well as other ornamental accents, should be done carefully and with much forethought.
Since the front entryway is the most focal point of your house, care in utilizing specimen plants should be taken. Specimen plants will be noticed, maybe a little too much. Because of their size (often) and unique ornamental character, situating specimen plants in a front entryway may draw attention away from, not toward the front entryway.
If you have a specimen plant that you just must incorporate in the design of the front entryway, position it near the front door to draw the eye there. Use plants for entryways with restraint and the same can be said for any other accent feature. Sundials, birdbaths, obelisks and statues tend to distract and lessen the balance of the front entryway.
Entryway Plant List
Plants for entryways include those that have a pleasing texture, such as:
These are great choices for the front entryway as they conjure up pleasant thoughts. Plants that should be avoided include thorny types:
If your entryway is shaded or partially so, caladium and impatiens are perfect specimens to enliven the shadowed entryway. Any other shade loving perennial, such as bleeding heart or hosta, can add interest and a splash of color to the front entryway as well.
Utilize a variety of deciduous, evergreen, bulbs, annuals, shrubs and perennials to create interest throughout the seasons. Rotation of flowering annuals should occur two times a year at the entryway.
Some examples of an entryway plant list might be:
Implement the tips above to create an entryway that is a reflection of you and your lifestyle, a welcoming arena for visitors, and a harmonious addition to the neighborhood.


shelf: history-culture

title: Mirsad begic

text:
The twentieth century was the third period in history that elevated Ljubljana to an active art centre on the Slovenian ethnic territory. This era is marked by artistic trends that originated in the world art centres, while only rarely symptoms of local tradition and continuity can be traced. Although the Expressionists are usually ranked as belonging to the historical avant-garde, it is necessary to distinguish within their group between continuity and radicalism. The long shadow of Art Nouveau – particularly in the expressionist oeuvres of the brothers Kralj, France and Tone, and some other representatives of this generation who studied in Prague – extends via the expressive pre-WW1 paintings by Fran Tratnik all the way from its hard core with Gustav Klimt and the Wiener Werkstätte of the turn of the century. The artists’ updated formal methods frequently carry on the patterns of allegorical interpretation. Not even Stane Kregar is completely free from it in his Surrealist manner which he adopted in Prague. The dominant line is paralleled by a more promising colour intimism of the older generation with the relationship between the Flowers, Fruit and Jug by Alexey Jawlensky and The Sava by Jakopič.
Colour realism of the 1930s prevailed in the generation or two that came from the Zagreb academy (France Mihelič, Maksim Sedej, early Zoran Mušič, and Gabriel Stupica), and their counterpart Gojmir Anton Kos is an outstanding representative of pure painting which likewise drew on the orthodox premises of Courbet’s and Manet’s realism. Among the sculptors, Frančišek Smerdu belongs to this generation. These representatives, who with authority and teaching zeal settled in the core of the newly established Ljubljana academy, helped to spread modernist trends in the second half of the century, which were all to the end of the 1970s still influenced by the authority of Paris as the principal art centre. Younger artists, such as Marij Pregelj among painters and Jakob Savinšek, Drago Tršar and Stojan Batič among sculptors, belong to this eminent company. Representatives of Italian painting of the 1930s, such as Gino Severini, Giorgio Morandi and Filippo de Pisis, demonstrate that Slovenian art in this century surpassed the limits of regional ambitions as well as achievements.


shelf: civic-law

title: Contributory pension scheme judge warns nigerian employers against non remittance

text:
Justice Olufunke Anuwe of the National Industrial Court has warned Nigerian employers over non-remittance or under-remittance of contributory pensions of employees.
Justice Anuwe said employers who fail to remit, or who under-remit pension contributions, are strictly liable under Nigerian law and face limited legal defences when such matters are brought before the courts.
She made this known in her presentation at the Fourth Forum of Company Secretaries and Legal Advisers in the Pension Industry, organised by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
According to her, one of the most frequently litigated issues in the pension sector involves the non-remittance or under-remittance of pension contributions by employers.
“Nigerian courts have consistently upheld the rights of PenCom and pension contributors to initiate legal proceedings to recover such funds. Statutory penalties and interest have also been enforced to ensure compliance,” she stated.
“It is a constitutional right,” she affirmed, “and pensioners must be paid for the service they have rendered”.
Addressing jurisdictional concerns, Justice Anuwe noted that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) remains the appropriate court for pension-related disputes.
“This consolidation has helped streamline pension adjudication under one specialised court,” she added.
In her part, PenCom Director General Omolola Oloworaran lauded Justice Anuwe for her presentation. She said the judge’s legal interpretations continue to illuminate the evolving pension landscape in Nigeria.
Oloworaran said the judge’s presence at the forum offered a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to gain clarity on judicial interpretations of the PRA.
Oloworanran further underscored the significance of the forum considering ongoing efforts to strengthen corporate governance within the pension industry and the increasing number of court rulings shaping pension administration in Nigeria.
Media Talk Africa recalls that PenCom, barely two days ago, ordered Nigerian employers to comply with the contributory pension scheme.


tier: polar

shelf: science-engineering

text:
Understanding cancer energetics: Researchers solve mystery of Warburg effect
- June 3, 2011
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
- It's long been known that cancer cells eat a lot of sugar to stay alive. In fact, where normal, noncancerous cells generate energy from using some sugar and a lot of oxygen, cancerous cells use virtually no oxygen and a lot of sugar. Many genes have been implicated in this process, and now researchers have discovered that this so-called Warburg effect is controlled.
It's long been known that cancer cells eat a lot of sugar to stay alive. In fact, where normal, noncancerous cells generate energy from using some sugar and a lot of oxygen, cancerous cells use virtually no oxygen and a lot of sugar. Many genes have been implicated in this process, and now, reporting in the May 27 issue of Cell, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that this so-called Warburg effect is controlled.
"It turns out to be a feed-forward mechanism, where protein A turns on B, which in turn goes back and helps A do more," says Gregg Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., the C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Medicine, director of the vascular program at Johns Hopkins' Institute for Cell Engineering and a member of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine. "PKM2 normally functions as an enzyme involved in the metabolism of glucose, but in this case we have demonstrated a novel role in the control of gene expression in cancer cells."
Nearly 20 years ago, Semenza's research team discovered that HIF-1 can turn on a number of genes that that help cells survive when oxygen levels fall too low. In addition to genes that contribute to building new blood vessels, HIF-1 also turns on genes involved in the metabolic process that turns glucose into energy. One of those genes, pyruvate kinase M2 or PKM2, catalyzes the first step of this metabolic process and is present only in cancer cells.
To figure out whether and if HIF-1 and PKM2 interact, the team first engineered cells to have or lack HIF-1. They kept them in high or low oxygen for 24 hours and found that cells starved of oxygen, but containing HIF-1, had more PKM2 than cells without HIF-1, suggesting that HIF-1 controls the production of PKM2.
The team then asked if HIF-1 and PKM2 physically interact with each other by isolating one of the two proteins from cells; they found that pulling one out also resulted in the other coming along for the ride, showing that the two proteins do in fact bind to each other.
Knowing that the primary function of HIF-1 is to bind DNA and turn on specific genes, Semenza's team next asked whether PKM2 somehow helped HIF-1 do that. They examined genes known to be activated by HIF-1 in low oxygen after the removal of PKM2 and found that without PKM2, less HIF-1 was bound to DNA.
Now armed with evidence that PKM2 helps HIF-1 turn on genes, the team looked at the activity of genes directly involved in the metabolic pathway that burns so much sugar in cancer cells and compared genes known to be activated by HIF-1 with those not affected by HIF-1. Removing PKM2 from cells had no effect on genes not controlled by HIF-1 but reduced the activity of HIF-1-controlled genes.
"These results were really astounding," says Semenza. "In addition to solving the long-standing mystery of the Warburg effect, we also discovered that PKM2 may play a far broader role in promoting cancer progression than has been appreciated before." This study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Authors on the paper are Weibo Luo, Hongxia Hu, Ryan Chang, Jun Zhong, Matthew Knabel, Robert O'Meally, Robert Cole, Akhilesh Pandey and Gregg Semenza, all of Johns Hopkins.
- Weibo Luo, Hongxia Hu, Ryan Chang, Jun Zhong, Matthew Knabel, Robert O'Meally, Robert N. Cole, Akhilesh Pandey, Gregg L. Semenza. Pyruvate Kinase M2 Is a PHD3-Stimulated Coactivator for Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1. Cell, 2011; 145 (5): 732-744 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.03.054
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shelf: software-docs

title: By: Jagir Shastri

text:
By: Jagir Shastri
July 17, 2024
Read time: 5 min (1331 words)
We check the OpenSSH vulnerabilities CVE-2024–6387 and CVE-2024-6409, examining their potential real-world impact and the possibility of exploitation for CVE-2024–6387 in x64 systems.
CVE-2024–6387, also known as “regreSSHion,” is a vulnerability that exists in OpenSSH, a widely-used suite of secure networking utilities based on the SSH protocol. This vulnerability, which was discovered in July 2024, allows for remote unauthenticated code execution, potentially providing attackers root privileges on affected systems. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) has rated this vulnerability with a score of 9.8
The OpenSSH vendor advisory mentions that the successful exploitation of CVE-2024-6387 has been demonstrated on 32-bit Linux and GNU C Library systems with (ASLR). It also mentions that exploitation on 64-bit systems might be possible but this has not been demonstrated at the time of publishing.
On July 8, another similar vulnerability, the signal handler race condition CVE-2024-6409 was discovered. This flaw occurs when a client fails to authenticate within the LoginGraceTime period, which is 120 seconds by default, and 600 seconds in older OpenSSH versions. Consequently, this can lead to a signal handler race condition in the cleanup_exit() function within the child process of the SSHD server.
The “regreSSHion” vulnerability arises from the unsafe handling of the SIGALRM signal during SSH authentication. When the LoginGraceTime expires, the SIGALRM signal is raised, and the corresponding handler performs certain actions, including calling non-async-signal-safe functions like syslog(). This can create a race condition, where the timing of operations could lead to memory corruption or other unexpected behaviors.
SIGALRM is a signal in Unix-like operating systems that indicates an alarm or timer expiration. When a process sets and a function triggers, it schedules a SIGALRM signal to be sent to the process after a specified number of seconds. This signal is commonly used for timing operations, such as implementing timeouts for network requests or scheduling periodic tasks. Processes can define custom signal handlers to respond to SIGALRM, allowing them to perform actions such as terminating processes, resetting timers, or managing execution time limits. Overall, SIGALRM facilitates time-sensitive operations within Unix processes by providing a mechanism to handle scheduled alarms and timing events.
Exploiting CVE-2024–6387 requires an attacker to initiate thousands of connection attempts to trigger the race condition accurately. The process involves repeatedly setting and resetting LoginGraceTime, causing the server to invoke the SIGALRM signal handler. This requires precise timing and proper inputs to manipulate the server’s memory layout, leading to heap corruption and code execution.
Signal handlers are special functions that get called in response to specific signals sent to a program. These signals can be generated, either by the operating system or by the program itself. However, not all functions are safe to call from within a signal handler since they may not be reentrant, therefore cannot safely be interrupted and called again (“async-signal-safe”). For instance, syslog() is a function used to log messages to the system logger and is not considered async-signal-safe.
Researchers have found that approximately 10,000 attempts are needed to successfully exploit this vulnerability. While the exploit could take days to complete, it is still not guaranteed that the attempt would be successful . The presence of modern security mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and No-eXecute (NX) bits further complicate the exploitation process but do not entirely mitigate the risk.
CVE-2024-6409 technical details
Like CVE-2024-6387, this vulnerability occurs when the SSHD’s SIGALRM handler is called asynchronously, which in turn calls various functions that are not async-signal-safe.
The race condition in grace_alarm_handler() calls cleanup_exit() from the privsep child process. However, cleanup_exit() is not designed to be called from a signal handler, potentially invoking unsafe functions. Cleanup function calls can be interrupted by signals, causing unsafe state changes and potential remote code execution (RCE).
As a privsep child process run’s with reduced privileges, there is less reason to worry about the vulnerability. In addition, working exploits for the CVE-2024-6409 have not been yet discovered, therefore proof of its actual exploitation has not been established at the time of publishing.
Exploitability of CVE-2024-6387 in x64 Systems
The OpenSSH vendor advisory mentions that the successful exploitation of CVE-2024-6387 has been demonstrated on 32-bit Linux and GNU C Library (glibc) systems with (ASLR). It also mentions that exploitation on 64-bit systems might be possible. However, certain characteristics of X64 systems make this exploitation much more difficult, which we’ll expound on in this section.
In x64 systems, ASLR plays a crucial role by randomizing memory addresses, including those of the GNU C Library (glibc), with each program execution. This randomness makes it very difficult for attackers to predict the location of the glibc base address, thus mitigating exploits that depend on precise memory targeting. The x64 architecture’s expansive address space further complicates exploitation, as attackers have to guess an exponentially greater amount of addresses. Combined with security measures such as stack canaries and NX bits, exploiting vulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-6387 becomes highly impractical on x64 systems.
While theoretically possible under specific conditions, the effective implementation of ASLR and the inherent complexities of the x64 environment significantly reduce real-world exploitability, highlighting the robust security benefits of these architectural safeguards.
Our As per our internal telemetry we did not notice any trend change for CVE-2024–6387, which could be considered a known exploited vulnerability (KEV)that is being exploited in wild. .
While CVE-2024–6387 presents a critical security risk, its real-world impact is mitigated by several factors. The technical complexity of the exploit and the extensive time required to execute it make large-scale attacks impractical. Each attack attempt resets the login timer, requiring precise timing and substantial effort from the attacker.
Moreover, the vulnerability affects specific versions of OpenSSH (up to 4.4p1 and 8.5p1 to 9.7p1) running on Linux systems using the GNU C Library. Systems with additional protections against brute force attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) are less likely to be successfully exploited. Therefore, while targeted attacks are possible, mass exploitation is unlikely due to the unavailability of working exploits and the time required to exploit these vulnerabilities.
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024–6387, administrators should immediately update OpenSSH to version 9.8 or later. If immediate updating is not feasible, reducing the LoginGraceTime can provide temporary mitigation against this vulnerability.
Additionally, organizations can consider implementing the following best practices for general vulnerability exploit protection:
Regularly updating and patching software, operating systems, and applications is the most straightforward method for organizations to avoid the exploitation of vulnerabilities within their systems.
Separating critical network segments from the larger network can minimize the impact of a potential vulnerability exploitation.
Regular security audits
Performing security audits and vulnerability assessments can identify and remediate potential weaknesses within the infrastructure before they can be exploited.
Security awareness training
Educating employees about the common tactics used by attackers can help them avoid falling victim to social engineering attacks that might precede vulnerability exploitation.
Incident response plan
Developing, testing, and maintaining an incident response plan can help organizations quickly and effectively respond to security breaches and vulnerability exploitations.
Additionally, employing network-based access controls, intrusion prevention systems such as Trend Vision One™, and regular vulnerability scanning can further enhance security.
For Trend customers, the following IPS smart rules can detect the attack on a surface level:
- 1003593 Detected SSH Server Traffic (ATT&CK T1021.004)
- 1005748 Multiple SSH Connection Detected (ATT&CK T1499.002, T1110)
According to other researchers, there could be non-functional exploits in circulation that claim to be working proofs-of-concept (POCs) for CVE-2024-6387. These fake exploits contain payloads that download files from remote servers and establish persistence on the systems of security researchers. Assuming they are testing a legitimate POC for the vulnerability, the security features of their systems might be disabled, making them vulnerable to malicious activities.
Overall, while CVE-2024–6387 and CVE-2024-6409 is a critical vulnerability, it does not pose a widespread threat to the internet due to its exploitation complexity and existing mitigations. However, administrators should remain vigilant, apply patches promptly, and implement recommended security practices to protect their systems.


shelf: health

title: The benefits of medical spa treatments cip10005

text:
Medical spas, or med spas, offer comprehensive approaches to caring for your skin. Their services can address different skin concerns one may be experiencing. The services are specially formulated for each patient and can vary from non-invasive to moderately invasive.Facials are fundamental and versatile, involving deep cleansing, exfoliation, and skin moisturizing. They aim to remove…
The Benefits of Medical Spa Treatments
Self-care and wellness are an important part of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. People are increasingly seeking holistic approaches to enhance their overall health and well-being. Medical spa treatments combine the atmosphere of a traditional spa with the expertise of medical professionals in a clinical setting. These practices offer a wide range of services to promote physical and mental health, providing numerous benefits for those seeking to boost their wellness goals.
Medical spas are staffed with trained and licensed medical professionals who can provide the offered services. These professionals may include:
Medical specialists at medical spas have a high level of expertise and training, ensuring patients receive safe and effective treatments tailored to their specific needs and wellness goals.
Medical spas are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment typically unavailable at traditional day spas. These advanced tools allow for more precise and effective treatments, from laser therapy for skin rejuvenation to noninvasive body contouring procedures. Patients can benefit from the latest innovations in cosmetic and medical procedures in a comfortable, spa-like setting.
Personalized treatment plans
Medical spas take a personalized approach to treatment, recognizing that each individual has unique concerns and goals. During an initial consultation, a potential patient discusses their wellness concerns and treatment objectives with medical professionals. The medical spa team can design a personalized treatment plan with this information. Whether addressing fine lines and wrinkles, medical weight loss, or hair removal, this tailored approach to treatment ensures patients receive the most effective treatments that fit their needs.
Medical spas offer many different noninvasive procedures. These procedures provide a viable alternative to surgical interventions. Compared to cosmetic surgery, treatments like Botox®, dermal fillers, and laser therapy can help patients achieve their skincare goals without incisions or an intense recovery period.
Improved skin health
Many medical spa treatments focus on improving the health of one's skin. These treatments address issues such as acne, scarring, and sun damage. Some of these methods include:
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy
Adding these treatments to a regular skincare routine can help patients achieve a clearer, more radiant complexion. They also promote long-term skin health, boosting collagen production and reducing signs of aging.
Enhancing one's appearance can have a profound impact on self-esteem and confidence. Medical spa treatments can help people feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. Whether their goal is to achieve a smoother complexion, reach their goal weight, or regain a more youthful appearance, these services contribute to both physical and mental well-being.
Relaxation and stress relief
Medical spas combine the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional day spa with medical treatments. They offer a serene, non-judgmental environment where patients can rejuvenate their minds and bodies. This can help the treatment and recovery process, increasing the chances of a successful outcome and a positive outlook on investing in one's wellness needs and goals.
Check out what others are saying about our medical spa services on Yelp: Medical Spa in Swansea, MA
Ready to get started?
Medical spa treatments offer many benefits catering to physical and mental well-being. By choosing medical spa services, you can improve your appearance and boost your confidence. We are here to help you achieve your wellness goals. Give us a call today to get started.
A medical spa can provide many treatments that can improve your health and your self-esteem. This facility can relax you and improve your well-being at the same time. Knowing what they are can help you prepare for your appointment. Here are some services that your local medical spa may offer.This medical spa service is a…
Medical spas are becoming increasingly popular destinations for those looking to unwind and enhance their health and appearance. These practices are unique in their ability to offer advanced medical aesthetic and wellness services in a relaxing and pampering day spa environment. In addition, physicians and other medical professionals oversee the treatments to ensure safety and…


title: By Niket Nishant

text:
By Niket Nishant
(Reuters) -Instacart on Monday set a target of up to $9.3 billion in valuation on fully diluted basis in its hotly anticipated U.S. initial public offering, much cheaper than the price tag it had fetched in its last funding round.
The company, along with some investors looking to cut their stake, is aiming to raise up to $616 million by offering 22 million shares priced between $26 and $28 each, it said in a regulatory filing.
In an unusual move, cornerstone investors have agreed to buy up to $400 million worth of shares sold in the offering, which would account for nearly two-thirds of the total proceeds at the top end of the price range.
Such investors include Norges Bank Investment Management, a division of Norges Bank, and entities affiliated with venture capital firms TCV, Sequoia Capital, D1 Capital Partners and Valiant Capital Management. Sequoia and D1 Capital are current backers of Instacart.
“Instacart has set itself up as an intriguing IPO and will be more comparable for other VC-backed companies than other listings in 2023,” said Kyle Stanford, lead VC Analyst at PitchBook.
The San Francisco-based company was valued at $39 billion after its last funding round more than two years ago, when easy money helped several startups reach sky-high valuations.
As the Federal Reserve raised borrowing costs to tame inflation, many high-flying startups have had to raise funds at lower valuations.
Instacart too has had to cut its internal valuation to as low as $10 billion in December in its long walk toward a Nasdaq debut.
It is expected to list in September, almost three years after Reuters reported that the company had picked Goldman Sachs to lay the groundwork for an IPO.
Instacart would join SoftBank’s chip designer Arm and marketing automation firm Klaviyo, which are also gearing up for market debuts in September.
If successful, the listings could nurture a nascent recovery in the U.S. IPO market amid growing expectations of a pause in rate hikes by the Fed.
The rush toward market debuts follows a lull in new listings for a major part of the last two years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a surge in borrowing costs.
Instacart filed for the IPO as “Maplebear,” the name under which it is incorporated. Its shares are expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol “CART.”
PepsiCo has agreed to buy $175 million in preferred convertible stock, Instacart said adding that common stock investors will see an immediate dilution of their ownership interest after the offering.
Founded in 2012, Instacart allows customers to order through its app and a “shopper” delivers the product in as little as 30 minutes.
It has expanded its delivery business to non-grocery goods from sellers such as beauty product retailer Sephora, convenience store 7-Eleven and pharmacy chain CVS Health.
More than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners that collectively represent more than 85% of the U.S. grocery market partner with Instacart, the company said.
Goldman Sachs and J.P.Morgan are the lead underwriters.
(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)


title: Swinburne helps local retailers 1

text:
Major suburban shopping centres and retailers have received a face-lift, after partnering with students and staff from Swinburne University of Technology.
Working on a range of projects, Swinburne has been able to provide detailed research, advice, ideas and design concepts to retailers including Eastland Shopping Centre, Springvale Homemaker Centre and Kmart, improving the shopping experience for Australian consumers.
Through an ongoing partnership with Ringwood’s Eastland, Swinburne’s Visual Merchandising students have played a key role in making Eastland an interesting, welcoming place to shop. They have designed and implemented a number of different displays and exhibitions, complimenting current campaigns going on in the centre.
“Swinburne has been pivotal in helping us out. The students are full of fresh ideas, which has really helped up to make the centre an enjoyable place for people to do their shopping,” Melissa Griffiths, Eastland’s marketing co-ordinator said.
Swinburne Visual Merchandising course leader Justin Larsen, who has headed up the projects with Eastland, said that by partnering with the major outer eastern suburbs shopping centre, both parties were able to benefit.
“For our students, it is obviously a great learning experience. They get to work with real-life client briefs and come up with solutions to them,” Mr Larsen said.
“It’s also great for those involved at Eastland. They get to collaboratively work with us, giving us ideas around what they would like to change or improve, and then we go away and work on the concept development.
“We have worked on a number of displays, which have promoted Eastland, including their 2014 Autumn-Winter campaign, the Animal Art Studio and the Yarn Bomb Park.”
Recently, Swinburne Visual Merchandising and Interior Design students also worked on a project at Springvale Homemaker Centre, which saw a number of vacant spaces converted into bright, inviting areas.
“The Centre looks completely different now,” Mr Larsen said.
“It’s amazing what a few creative minds can do, when they partner with industry.”
Aside from Visual Merchandising displays, Swinburne has also assisted Kmart to improve their online shopping experience, by conducting research into the online shopping experience.
“The online shopping experience is continuously evolving, and Swinburne Design Factory students have discovered that there are alternative ways for traditional bricks and mortar stores to engage with their shoppers online,” Anita Kocsis, Director of the Swinburne Design Factory said.
“Swinburne isn’t just helping out retailers, we’re partnering with them to create a sustainable economic future for all Australians.”


title: We Repair All Brands

text:
We Repair All Brands
Demand Energy Efficiency
Kiefer Heating & Cooling Professionals in Belleville, Illinois
We have been in service since 1927, providing the Belleville, Fairview Heights, and O’Fallon Illinois areas with expert HVAC repairs, and new installation services.
The local area contacts us for assistance on all heating and cooling needs. Some of those include:
We handle both residential and commercial heating systems. Those include boilers, heat pumps, furnaces and more. Contact our team today for further information.
We provide commercial and residential A/C service for any brand or model you may have. Contact us for central air cleanings, checks and other cooling services.
Installation & Repair Services
We offer complete installation and repair services for all models of HVAC systems. Commercial spaces are no exception. Contact us today to discuss new installations or to schedule a repair.
Quality Work At A Great Price
Kiefer Heating & Cooling promises to provide honest, reliable heating and air conditioning services to all our customers. We also take pride in our installation and repair services that are nothing shy of industry standards. We have been the area’s top heating and cooling specialist since 1927 and consider ourselves your neighbor, and neighbors help each other. Which is why we always go the extra mile in ensuring quality service to our customers.
We provide an essential service, which is why we not only hold ourselves to a high standard, but we make sure that you no longer will have to worry once our service is complete.
Why Choose Kiefer Heating & Cooling
As if 93 years of operation was not enough, we offer free estimates and will be honest about costs. Our job is to help you, so you live comfortably, not to empty your pockets.
Custom Sheet Metal
We specialize in custom ductwork to make sure that your home or sheet metal repairs help with your systems all over efficiency.


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TechBlick to host Innovations Festival covering printed, flexible, hybrid, 3D, wearable and textile electronics
On 22 June, TechBlick will once again be hosting its free to attend Virtual Innovations Festival covering printed, flexible, hybrid, 3D, wearable and textile electronics. Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, CEO of TechBlick, said: "We are confidentially predicting this Festival will be largest of its kind and a wonderful opportunity to hear the latest developments in PE and network with all the global players too." The audience will be truly global, with attendees from many different time zones.
This will be the second edition of TechBlick's Innovations Festival. It will take place over one day, 22 June, online. The agenda will be curated by the TechBlick team and covers all the key application and technology advancements in printed electronics.
Confirmed Speakers include: Fujikura Kasei, Siemens, Jabil, Henkel, Hahn Schickard, Suess MicroTec, Kodak, Arkema, Coatema, Sefar, Heraeus, Akoneer, Kimoto, Epshine, IDS, CondAlign and many more. In total over 50 companies will present on the day.
There will be many networking and engagement opportunities online from round-robin speed dating where you will randomly meet other participants for one-on-one video conversation to interactive hosted virtual booths.
According to TechBlick, this event will give attendees the buzz of on-site meetings making virtual interaction real. It will enable spontaneous discussions, serendipitous meetings and excellent networking. “We believe that in many ways it is more effective and fun than onsite in-person interactions and you can join for free!”
Caption: TechBlick’s Innovations Festival will take place on 22 June (photo: TechBlick)


title: Organization competitive markets set meet kansas city

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Hoping to further advance the message of the plight of the family farmer in America, the Organization For Competitive Markets is set to meet in Kansas City next week, according to Senator Paul Muegge, D- Tonkawa.
The OCM is the product of a grass roots effort to assemble those who are dedicated to the independent production of agriculture, including farmers, ranchers, attorneys, legislators and others who are connected to the farming industry.
"Oklahoma is one of the many states that is beginning to absorb the devastating effects of the heavy hand of the corporate farming trend," said Senator Muegge. "Fortunately, in just a short two years, the OCM has already rallied a tremendous amount of support for preserving the family farm and I expect the meeting next week will be a strong measure of that support."
OCM has openly criticized farm organizations that have supported large agribusiness interests and have been against the family farm systems. The organization has also been swift to protest the claims of professionals who have been insisting to Congress that there isn't a farm crisis in America.
The OCM has recently questioned other national organizations that have started to align themselves with the production agriculture heavyweights, leaving the independent producer without equitable representation on a state and national level.
"Although it's certainly no secret to any farmer in Oklahoma that the future of America's family farms is in a downward spiral, the efforts of the OCM are appreciated by farmers who are simply trying to preserve their livelihood," said Senator Muegge. "The organization is moving in the right direction. Their voices are starting to be heard by legislators and other groups that can make change happen regarding corporate regulation and food production in the farming industry. I am confident the upcoming meeting will be another step closer to helping the American farmer's concerns be heard and addressed."


title: Commercial solar batteries cost effective energy for sydney businesses

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Energy prices are on the rise.
As professionals managing commercial properties, you’ve likely noticed your energy bills creeping higher and higher. How big was your last energy bill?
Reducing energy costs isn’t just about saving money—it’s about making smart, sustainable choices that benefit your bottom line and community. That’s why battery storage is becoming a game-changer for businesses. Solar batteries are a wonderful complement to solar installations on warehouses and office buildings across New South Wales.
At Penrith Solar Centre, we specialise in turning energy problems into energy solutions. We believe in the power of commercial battery storage to transform your business.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why Consider Battery Storage for Your Business?
- Comparing Types of Commercial Battery Storage
- Understanding Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
- The Future of Battery Storage: Emerging Trends
Whether you own or lease your building, adding battery storage to your solar setup can slash your energy bills or even eliminate them. Let’s dive into it.
Why Consider Battery Storage for Your Business?
Battery storage offers numerous benefits for businesses. Historically, the commercial solar industry largely ignores battery storage. The reason for this is that most businesses operate while the sun’s up.
There are a lot of advantages to installing batteries when you install solar panels on your roof. It goes well beyond nighttime energy needs.
It’s important to note that you do not need solar on the roof to take advantage of these possibilities. Batteries can charge and discharge from the grid and accomplish the energy goals we’re diving into (it’ll just cost more than if you installed batteries with solar panels because you’re importing energy from and exporting it to the grid).
Here are some reasons why you should consider battery storage:
As the price of batteries drop, the equation for using them is becoming quite attractive.
Peak Shaving: Reduce your electricity bills by using stored energy during peak hours when electricity rates are highest. This can lead to significant savings.
Demand Charges: Many commercial electricity rates include demand charges based on the highest amount of power used at any one time. By using stored energy to lower peak usage, businesses can reduce these charges.
Programs like Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) where you can earn money by providing energy to the grid are turning your battery storage system into a revenue-generating asset.
Buy electricity when it’s cheap (or harvest it from your solar panels) and store it for use when prices go up. Or export your stored energy when your energy retailer is buying electricity and offering you the best rates.
Make sure you keep essential systems and equipment running during outages. This is necessary for businesses that rely on a constant power supply, such as hospitals, data centres, and manufacturing plants.
It’s not just about keeping the light on. Backup power can keep security systems and medical equipment running without noticing so much as a flicker when the grid goes down.
Examples: A vet clinic in Penrith uses battery storage to keep critical operations, like the medicine fridge and operating table, powered during outages. They can’t have power going out during surgeries. All dogs go to heaven, but that shouldn’t happen because of a blackout.
By generating and storing your energy, you reduce your dependence on the grid. This is especially beneficial in areas with unreliable power supplies.
With a reliable source of stored energy, you are less vulnerable to external energy market fluctuations; your business will be more resilient to price hikes and supply disruptions.
All of the above is possible when you invest in battery storage. When you combine it with monitoring your energy use and storage, you’ll be far more successful. Adjusting your usage based on that will potentially save your business a lot of money.
If you’re interested in reading up about how to do that in a commercial context, you might want to check out the following article titled, Commercial Solar Energy Usage and Monitoring.
Understanding Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
VPPs are networks of solar systems with batteries that are like a real-life power plant if it were decentralised. A VPP network will command all the connected solar batteries in its network to charge and discharge in unison to relive stress on the grid.
Virtual Power Plants play a crucial role in stabilising the grid. The more batteries we have, the better and more reliable the existing infrastructure will become.
The financial incentives mentioned earlier in this article can generate passive income for your business when you install battery storage. It’s equally important to monitor your energy use and program your system to charge or discharge according to time of use rates. VPPs have some really attractive time of use tariffs.
As more companies bring VPPs to the market, the most successful ones will be those that share the highest profits with consumers. If companies try to keep all the profits, customers will likely move to other providers.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about VPPs, you might want to check out the following article titled, Variable Feed-in Rates and VPPs in NSW.
Comparing Types of Commercial Battery Storage
Battery storage systems come in various sizes and capacities, tailored to different needs and applications. Understanding the types of battery storage available can help you choose the best option for your business.
Small to Medium-Sized Batteries
Small to medium-sized batteries are perfect for most commercial properties. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common due to their high efficiency and long lifespan. Here’s why they might be a good fit for your business:
Flexibility: These batteries are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings. They are suitable for small to medium-sized businesses that need reliable backup power and want to reduce energy costs.
Scalability: You can start with a smaller battery storage setup and expand as your energy needs grow. Batteries can also be “stacked” to increase storage capacity – which means you can add batteries together to double, triple, or quadruple your storage.
Ease of Installation: These batteries are relatively easy to install and can be wall-mounted or placed in dedicated areas without taking up too much room.
Tesla Powerwall 2
This is a popular and reliable option. The Tesla Powerwall offers 13.5kWh of storage capacity per unit.
Scalability: Up to 10 Powerwalls can be connected together for a total of 135kWh of storage.
Features: The Powerwall seamlessly integrates with almost any solar system, and it has a sleek design that we feel is easy on the eyes.
Here’s why large batteries might be suitable for your business:
High Capacity: These batteries offer much larger storage capacities, making them ideal for businesses with high energy demands. With their storage capacity, large-scale batteries keep essential operations running, even during extended power outages.
Grid Services: Large-scale batteries can provide energy to the grid to help stabilize it. As mentioned before, energy retailers and distributors love this and will pay well at different times of day for your energy.
The Tesla Megapack is a utility-scale battery solution with a storage capacity of up to 3.9MWh per unit.
Footprint: Each Megapack is about the size of a shipping container, making it suitable for large installations. It’ll take up a couple of parking spaces.
A single Megapack can power a small neighbourhood for several hours.
Hornsdale Power Reserve: The Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia is a prime example of large-scale battery use.It can quickly supply power when there is a sudden demand.
This battery installation paid for itself in just two years by providing reliable backup power and participating in the energy market. It’s a great demonstration of how effective large-scale batteries can be.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the Tesla Powerwall 2, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is the Lifespan of the Tesla Powerwall 2?
The Future of Battery Storage: Emerging Trends
Battery technology is continually evolving, and the future looks promising. Advances in battery chemistry are leading to safer, longer-lasting batteries.
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer improved safety and better performance over time compared to older technologies. It’s much safer than its competition or predecessors. The warranties are better too because of how slowly it degrades (with proper use).
It’s becoming obvious that we’re moving into a world of energy management.
Investing in battery storage will transform your business. The advantages are significant and far-reaching. As battery technology continues to advance, these benefits will only grow, making battery storage a valuable asset for businesses.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about why the future is electric, you might want to check out the following article titled, Commercial Solar Energy in Sydney: Why Should I Consider It?
Final Thoughts from Jake Warner, Managing Director of Penrith Solar Centre
Commercial batteries (really, battery storage in general) is such an opportunity in front of us. With VPPs, there are opportunities to make money and pay batteries off very, very quickly.
Traditionally, battery storage is pitched towards homeowners because the sun is up when businesses are open. It makes sense in the commercial business space to bolt on a lot of batteries, and here’s why:
All commercial premises have a huge electrical connection to the grid. So, when the grid needs energy, you’re able to assist by deploying a massive amount of energy all at once. This is very different from a residential connection, which has export limits that need to be adhered to. By utilising that larger connection to the grid, you’re able to support the grid when it needs it most. The bigger the support, the bigger the pay check.
The Future of Energy with Battery Storage Is Looming Charge
Now you have a solid understanding of how commercial battery storage can complement your business. The benefits are clear: significant cost savings, reliable backup power, and increased energy independence. The impact on your energy bills will depend on your unique energy usage and goals, and how your business operates day-to-day.
At Penrith Solar Centre, every partnership begins with a conversation. We take the time to learn about your business and how it uses energy. Selecting the right battery storage solution is a decision that can boost your bottom line for years to come. Our goal is to help you navigate energy management and find the best solutions tailored to your business.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how safe the different types of solar systems are, especially how volatile high voltage DC solar systems are, might want to check out the following article titled, How Important is Rapid Shutdown in a High Voltage DC Solar System?


tier: grizzly

title: Plugin Tag: authentication

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Plugin Tag: authentication
Limit rate of login attempts, including by way of cookies, for each IP. Fully customizable.
Install this plugin on unlimited sites and manage them all from a central dashboard. This plugin communicates with your InfiniteWP Admin Panel.
WPS Limit login limit connection attempts by IP address
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) using time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), Universal 2nd Factor (U2F), email, and backup verification codes.
The original WordPress membership plugin with content restriction, user login, custom registration fields, user profiles, and more.
Google Authenticator for your WordPress blog.
Login by Auth0 provides improved username/password login, Passwordless login, Social login and Single Sign On for all your sites.
Limit rate of login attempts and block IP temporarily. Brute force attack protection. GDPR compliant. Captcha enabled.
Creates unique passwords for applications to authenticate users without revealing their main passwords.
Simple secure login and user management through your Google Workspace for WordPress (using oAuth2 and MFA if enabled).
SAML authentication for WordPress.
Enable one-click login with this WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) plugin, utilizing email for added security.
Minimal plugin that allows WordPress users to log in using Google.
Use your existing LDAP flexible as authentication backend for WordPress
Active Directory Integration/LDAP Integration enables login & sync in WordPress with Active Directory/LDAP Directory credentials, 24/7 ACTIVE SUPPORT
Authorizer limits login attempts, restricts access to specific users, and authenticates against external sources (OAuth2, Google, LDAP, or CAS).
Easily add Duo Security two-factor authentication to your WordPress website. Enable two-factor authentication for your admins and/or users.
Allows WordPress to externalize user authentication and account creation to a Shibboleth Service Provider.
Next Active Directory Integration allows WordPress to authenticate, authorize, create and update users against Microsoft Active Directory.
A reimagining of WordPress authentication using modern security practices.


title: Restless legs syndrome updated clinical practice guideline

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RESTLESS legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are common neurologic sleep-related conditions that affect millions of adults and children in the United States. A newly published clinical practice guideline provides the most comprehensive treatment recommendations to date for these disorders, based on systematic evidence review and expert consensus.
The guideline, developed by a task force of sleep medicine experts and approved by the Board of Directors, offers strong or conditional recommendations across 27 treatment approaches for adults, special populations such as those with end-stage renal disease, and pediatric patients. It emphasizes the importance of regular iron status testing for all patients with clinically significant RLS, with specific thresholds guiding oral or intravenous supplementation strategies. Ferritin and transferrin saturation levels are central to these decisions, and pre-testing preparation—including a 24-hour avoidance of iron-rich foods or supplements—is advised.
For adults with RLS, the strongest recommendations support the use of gabapentinoids, including gabapentin enacarbil, gabapentin, and pregabalin, as well as intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in patients with iron deficiency. Additional therapies, such as ferrous sulfate, low-molecular-weight iron dextran, and dipyridamole, carry conditional endorsements based on lower certainty evidence.
Importantly, the guideline suggests avoiding standard use of several dopamine agonists and other agents, including levodopa, ropinirole, and pramipexole, due to risks of long-term side effects such as augmentation. The document also discourages use of medications like bupropion, carbamazepine, and clonazepam, citing low efficacy or insufficient evidence.
In patients with comorbid conditions like end-stage renal disease, the recommendations adjust accordingly, with careful suggestions for gabapentin, vitamin C, and IV iron sucrose depending on iron parameters.
This comprehensive guideline offers a critical tool for healthcare professionals navigating the nuanced treatment of RLS and PLMD across diverse patient populations.
Winkelman JW. Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(1):137-52.


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Does your academic achievement influence your car insurance costs?
When your car insurance provider calculates your rates, they will take factors such as your driving history and car's make and model into account. However, some insurers also account for seemingly unrelated factors, as well. For instance, some carriers will consider your education level when determining your insurance costs. But does having a college degree mean insurance savings for you? Here's what you need to know.
- Higher Education Level Means Lower Auto Insurance Rates
Some auto insurance providers will look at your level of education when determining your rates because studies have shown that drivers with advanced degrees are less likely to make a claim than less educated drivers. This means that assuming all other things are equal, a driver with only a high school diploma may pay more for car insurance than a driver with a master's degree. Interestingly, studies have shown that the discounts are actually quite significant. For instance, research shows that drivers can save anywhere from $300-$600 annually, just from having some type of post-secondary education.
- How Common is This Practice?
Many states have tried to prevent insurance companies from basing rates on education levels due to its discriminatory nature. For instance, the states of New Jersey and Rhode Island have both attempted to sue insurance companies in an attempt to stop them from using education as a factor in premium calculations. Unfortunately, these efforts and the efforts of other states throughout the country have been largely unsuccessful. Today, many car insurance companies continue to use academic achievement to determine auto insurance rates.
This is how your education level can affect your auto insurance rates. Do you have additional questions about your car coverage? If so, then
contact the experts at
Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California. Our dedicated team is eager to assist you with all your coverage needs today.


title: Air force students torture junior colleague to death

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The Assistant Head Boy of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Secondary School in Kaduna, Felix Blaise, has been allegedly tortured to death by senior colleagues.
Blaise’s family and church called on NAF authorities and the government to ensure justice was served.
The Guardian gathered that the tragic incident occurred within the dormitory of the school at the Air Force Base in Mando, Kaduna.
Blaise, a 15-year-old student, was found dead under circumstances that his family and church community allege involved severe bullying and torture by senior students.
He was reportedly summoned by his senior colleagues under the pretext of punishment but was allegedly subjected to torture and harmful treatments that led to his death.
The remains of the student have been deposited in a mortuary.
Blaise’s family church, Lux Terra Chaplaincy, Abuja said, the young student was electrocuted to death by two yet-to-be-identified SS3 students.
A member of the deceased’s family Mr. Paul who spoke to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday said the victim was an orphan who lost both parents in 2013.
He said the management of the school and the Nigerian Airforce must honour the late Assistant Head boy by intensifying efforts to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.
The Lux Terra Chaplaincy church in Abuja, where Blaise was an active member, also weighed in, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The church described Blaise as an intelligent and brave student who had supposedly risen above bullying.
“It has been a very, very painful time for us at Lux Terra. Please we ask you, dear colleagues, to highlight this in your conversations and reports this week,” the church said in a statement.
“Bullying is real! And this happened to us. The Air Force say they are investigating so we await the reports of this.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force authorities said the incident is being investigated to unravel the circumstances that led to Blaise’s death.
NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet in a statement said the “NAF family are saddened by the painful and unfortunate incident of the untimely death of one of our students at Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna on 19 Jun 24.
“To avoid all sorts of speculations, a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to unravel how, why and what actually led to the death of the victim.
“Rest assured that this matter is receiving the utmost urgency it deserves, and we won’t rest until it is unraveled.”
The post Air Force students ‘torture’ junior colleague to death appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.


title: Easy halloween treats for party

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Easy halloween treats for party
Discover Pinterest’s best ideas and inspiration for Easy halloween treats for party. Get inspired and try out new things.
2k people searched this
Last updated 5mo
This easy 3-ingredient fudge is perfect for Halloween with its creepy vibe. Rich and delicious, the flavor of this Halloween fudge is fabulous. This simple fudge recipe is the perfect sweet treat for Halloween parties and get-togethers.
Okay, vampire cookies are not as creepy as you think. Once you start taking bites you’ll forget you were freaked out by the mere thought.
Spooky Mummy Brownies a Halloween Treat for the little ghosts and goblins in your home. Made with an Easy Brownie Recipe hand mix and enjoy. Homemade brownie recipe, and decorate with white chocolate and candy eyes for this fun and tasty dessert recipe. | mummy brownies halloween | halloween desserts mummy brownies | how to make mummy brownies | halloween mummy brownies ideas | halloween brownies recipes
Easy no bake recipe for Halloween.
Spider Cookies are the classic peanut butter blossom cookie with a festive twist. Add candy, legs and eyes for the perfect Halloween treat!
Halloween is one of the best holidays. We get to dress up in costumes, go to parties, and eat candy. Does it get any better than that?! Yes, it does! Halloween parties equals fun Halloween appetizers. We picked 15 of the best Halloween party appetizers that are spooky, but not too spooky. What makes these …
50+ Easy DIY Horror Themed Party Food to Put the Spook in Halloween | HubPages
Transform your Halloween treats with these Spooky Mummy Brownies! Perfect for a Halloween potluck, these fun Halloween desserts are easy to make and delightfully spook-tacular. Ready in no time, they’ll be the star of your Halloween themed desserts!
Easy halloween treats for party and more


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First Look: Meet the New ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface
There may not be a franchise in existence with a more complicated (or confusing) continuity than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There was an original chronology of four films, starting with the 1974 original by Tobe Hooper, then a reboot, then a prequel to the reboot. Then there was a direct sequel to the original Texas Chain Saw that ignored the previous sequels. (That was 2013’s Texas Chainsaw 3D.) Then there was another prequel (2017’s Leatherface) that supposedly predated all the previous movies.
Now there’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre (no ‘the’!), another “direct sequel” to the original film. It involves a new group of teens stumbling across Leatherface some 50 years after the events of that movie. Theoretically, then, this is the same Leatherface from the first movie, who has clearly never lost his love of chainsaws through the decades.
You can see the first image of this new Leatherface above; here is a shot of the non-leatherfaced cast:
Here is the film’s official synopsis:
Melody (Sarah Yarkin), her teenage sister Lila (Elsie Fisher), and their friends Dante (Jacob Latimore) and Ruth (Nell Hudson), head to the remote town of Harlow, Texas to start an idealistic new business venture. But their dream soon turns into a waking nightmare when they accidentally disrupt the home of Leatherface, the deranged serial killer whose blood-soaked legacy continues to haunt the area’s residents — including Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouéré), the sole survivor of his infamous 1973 massacre who’s hell-bent on seeking revenge.
In the first Texas Chain Saw, Sally was played by Marilyn Burns, so that’s another returning character, but played by a different actress.
If this is almost 50 years later, that means Leatherface is, what, 70? 80? Is he going to move like a 75-year-old man in the film? That might be kind of interesting (or funny) if he does. Somehow, though, we doubt it. This new Texas Chainsaw Massacre premieres on Netflix on February 18.


title: How can a lawyer help in a wrongful death caused by gas and electrical explosions

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Gas and electrical explosions are a growing concern in our society; these kinds of incidents can potentially cause devastating damage and even cause harm to individuals and communities. The worst outcome of such incidents is wrongful death.
First, it is important to understand the causes of these incidents, which can occur due to negligence, including faulty installations, poor maintenance, and defective products. And then, you should hold any negligent party responsible for the incidents. That’s where a wrongful death lawyer can help.
This article will discuss how a lawyer can help with a wrongful death caused by a gas and electrical explosion.
What can a Lawyer do?
Understand Your Rights:
One of the most important tasks a lawyer will do for the deceased person’s family is to help them understand their rights. When dealing with a wrongful death caused by a gas and electrical explosion, family members may be in for a long and complicated legal process. A lawyer can review the facts surrounding the incident and understand your rights in the situation.
Investigate the Circumstances:
The lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. This can be very important in helping determine if a wrongful death occurred and identifying possible responsible parties. The lawyer will also help collect evidence and statements from witnesses to help prove your case.
Advise You on the Legal Process:
A lawyer can also advise you on the legal process regarding a wrongful death caused by a gas and electrical explosion. This can include explaining the statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death lawsuit and the various legal procedures involved.
Negotiate a Settlement:
In some cases, you may be able to settle the wrongful death suit out of court. A lawyer can assist with negotiations and ensure that your family receives a fair settlement. This could be especially helpful if the incident involved a large company or multiple parties.
Represent Your Family in Court:
Finally, if the case does go to court, a lawyer will devise a strategy to best demonstrate why the responsible party should be held accountable for the wrongful death. And a lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Going through a wrongful death case can be very difficult for a family, but hiring a wrongful death lawyer can make the process easier. A lawyer will help you seek justice for losing your loved one due to someone else’s negligence and bring closure to an otherwise devastating event. They can also make sure that your family gets a fair settlement.


title: By Janet Raloff

text:
By Janet Raloff
Young adults are experiencing a sharp increase in the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers, a new study finds. These readily treatable tumors had been considered mainly a problem for people over age 60.
The youthful trend “is more than surprising. It’s alarming,” says study leader Leslie J. Christenson, a dermatologic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Her study focused on basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are less dangerous than melanoma but, if untreated, can be disfiguring or even lethal.
Once someone develops a non-melanoma skin tumor, says Christenson, there’s a 50 percent chance that another tumor will show up within 2 to 3 years. “Among people who get a second, 75 percent will go on to get a third,” she adds. The study’s finding of a surge in basal cell and squamous cell cancers among people in their 20s and 30s could herald “a potentially exponential increase in the cancers’ incidence over time, as these people age,” Christenson told Science News.
Her team analyzed data collected as part of a local health study. These data included medical information on more than 99 percent of the population in the Minnesota county where the clinic is located.
Christenson’s team tallied reports of non-melanoma skin cancers in people under 40 between 1976 and 2003. In the Aug. 10 Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers report that the incidence of basal cell skin cancers roughly tripled during that period among adult women, to more than 30 cases per 100,000 individuals. Men experienced only a slight increase, to 27 cases per 100,000.
The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma was consistently lower than that but has quadrupled since the mid-1970s—to 4 cases per 100,000 people.
According to the Schaumburg, Ill.–based American Academy of Dermatology, non-melanoma skin cancers will claim the lives of some 2,800 people in the United States this year.
Over time, improvements in screening can increase the number of cancers identified, but that effect doesn’t appear to explain the new data, Christenson’s team says. Better screening tends to turn up cancer in an earlier stage, but no such shift to earlier skin cancers emerged in the Minnesota data.
In contrast, a separate team has reported that a sharp rise in melanoma cases among Medicare beneficiaries between 1986 and 2001 was “confined to early stage cancer.” Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School in White River Junction, Vt., correlated a more than doubling in melanoma cases to an identical rise in screening for the disease and so argue against any rise in melanoma incidence. Their report appears in the Sept. 3 British Medical Journal.
Overexposure to ultraviolet light is the leading risk factor for skin cancers, and 80 to 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers occur on typically sun-exposed sites, such as the head or neck. In the new study by Christenson’s team, only 60 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers occurred there, with most of the others showing up on the torso. This suggests full-body tanning as the source, Christensen says.
“I’m glad somebody documented this,” says John A. Carucci, head of dermatologic surgery at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College in New York City. He has noticed an increase in non-melanoma skin cancer in young adults and on the torso in his own practice. He concludes, “People are tanning more, and this [skin cancer], unfortunately, is the price people are paying.”


text:
in Rust can lead to bad surprises. I recently came across
a particularly gnarly one, and I thought it was interesting enough to
share a little discussion. I think that we are too used to the burden
of separating async
from blocking being on the programmer, and
Rust can and should do better, and so can operating system APIs,
especially in subtle situations like the one I describe here.
programmer learns early on not to call a blocking function
from an async
function. If you do, it is a hidden color violation,
as I discuss in a previous post. By “hidden,” I
mean that unlike other color violations, Rust gives you no compiler-time
help. You just have to use discipline. You just have to “make sure not
to do it.” You just have to increase your cognitive load. It is a rule
that the computer is no help with – which means that you’ll definitely
mess it up at some point, possibly at many points.
Unfortunately, it’s also a gnarly problem to debug. The actual blocking function call will quite possibly work just fine. It’ll return when the resource is ready, and block until then – probably exactly what you wanted. It’s the rest of the system that falls apart – other tasks on the same thread starve, tasks that are depending on them for progress also starve, but meanwhile other tasks might proceed without a problem. Worse, there’s no guarantee that the bug will manifest every time, so the bug isn’t readily reproducible.
You might think this is an easy problem to address, either through improvements in the programming language or better programming discipline.
At a programming language level, you could imagine Rust having
some sort of generalization of unsafe
, or maybe an effects system.
Functions that block would have blocking
as part of their
signature. Calling a blocking
function from an async
function would then be an error, with a way out for functions like
Unfortunately, Rust doesn’t have this feature, so we have to rely on
programmer discipline. The discipline seems easy enough: If you’re in
an async function, and you call a function that’s going to take some
time or do I/O, make sure you’re doing an async call, which in most
cases means using the async
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work 100% of the time, because the operating
system isn’t on board. There are system calls that block sometimes, based
on dynamic configuration. Does the recv
system call block? Well, that
depends on whether the socket is a blocking socket, or a non-blocking
socket. Fundamentally, recv
is run-time polymorphic on socket type,
in a way that makes it a different color based
on run-time information.
This is bad design: BSD should have split recv
into two system calls,
could error if given a non-blocking
socket, and recv_nonblock
could error if given a blocking one.
Linux at least has a flag MSG_DONTWAIT
that makes an individual
call unconditionally non-blocking, but it’s non-standard. It’s
not supported on macOS and tokio
understandably doesn’t use it.
Most of the time, this isn’t an issue. Sockets controlled through tokio
or other async runtimes are always configured with the operating system to
be non-blocking, as an invariant on those socket types. Sockets controlled
or other libraries will be blocking, and will be contained
in completely different Rust types. The Rust type system is used to keep
track of the distinction even if the operating system won’t.
But this becomes an issue where these boundaries are
broken, namely in conversion functions between them. These
methods then have whether or not a socket is blocking
as part of their contract. For example, the documentation for
This function is intended to be used to wrap a TCP stream from the standard library in the Tokio equivalent. The conversion assumes nothing about the underlying stream; it is left up to the user to set it in non-blocking mode.
Thus, as a precondition of calling the from_std
must pass a “non-blocking” socket. If you instead did not set the
socket as non-blocking – perhaps because you were making it with some
extra options you needed, but assumed that tokio
the non-blocking part – bad things happen.
If blocking were considered a safety issue, this function would
be marked unsafe
. But it’s not, and so it’s simply an unchecked
precondition – and we’re not used to those in Rust. Most
safe functions check their preconditions, either returning
a special value (like an Err
) or panicking if something is wrong.
The ones that don’t are typically marked unsafe
. Unchecked preconditions
still exist – they cause rogue behavior but not behavior deemed
“unsafe” under Rust’s definition – but they are rare, and
therefore surprising to a Rust programmer.
Why is it not a checked precondition? That’s easy to answer: Checking it would take an extra system call, as would unconditionally setting it unblocked in that system call itself. System calls are slow, and that would be an unacceptable performance penalty for many applications.
This leads to a dissapointing end result, though. It’s not enough
to simply make sure you don’t call I/O methods unless they come
with an async
version. To be disciplined enough to be an async
Rust programmer, you also have to watch out for these extra unchecked
Otherwise, you get a hidden color bug that’s even harder to track down
because the blocking functions you’re calling don’t look blocking.
, thinking it’s not blocking, but it is. You
to be correct, but because of this broken invariant, it
isn’t. These sorts of issues can be very hard and time-consuming to debug.
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title: After your procedure

text:
If you have a procedure performed through the groin access, you’ll need to rest for a few hours and remain lying flat.
It’s very important that you lie still and don’t bend your knee(s) for the next 4-6 hours to reduce the risk of bleeding from the catheter insertion site. If you need to use the bathroom, you can call the nurse to help you use the bedpan or urinal. If you’re in pain, ask for pain relief.
The nursing team will monitor you, regularly checking your heart rate, blood pressure and urine output. You should report any sudden pains or warm wet/sticky sensation, as this could mean there’s bleeding at the site and pressure may need to be reapplied.
Your doctor will talk you through the results and let you know if you need to make a follow-up appointment.
Your hospital stay
You may be allowed to go straight home once the monitoring is complete or your doctor may decide to keep you in overnight.
You’ll need someone to drive you home. If you leave hospital on the same day as the procedure, arrange to have someone stay with you for the rest of the day and be prepared to lie down and rest.
You’ll be advised not to drive for 24 hours.
If you plan to fly home, check with the airline whether they place restrictions on people flying after stenting procedures. Let your doctor know if you have a long drive home, as this may need to be delayed.


title: Celestia breakout potential crypto gains

text:
I've been diving deep into Celestia (TIA) lately, and I gotta say, the price action is intriguing. There's this descending channel thing going on, and some folks are speculating about a breakout that could send TIA to around $13.16. That's a whopping 231% increase from where we are now. But before we all get too excited, let's break it down.
First off, the bullish case is pretty compelling. Historically, when TIA approached the upper boundary of this channel, there was a surge in buying. And right now? We're kind of hovering near this $5.3 liquidity zone that's super attractive for traders. It’s like a magnet pulling us in.
And here’s another kicker: after the recent token unlock, where the circulating supply almost doubled, the price has actually stabilized. That’s usually a good sign that there's strong demand for the token. If enough people believe in it and hold on, we might just see that breakout happen.
But hold your horses! There are some serious headwinds to consider. First up is external economic conditions—things like recessions or tightening monetary policies can really put a damper on crypto enthusiasm. And let’s not forget about how big unlocks can mess things up; if not managed properly, they can lead to excessive supply inflation and devalue the asset.
The article I read pointed out that many projects that have already released most of their tokens tend to be more stable and less volatile than those still in heavy distribution phases. So if Celestia wants to avoid being just another casualty of market dynamics, it better manage its tokenomics wisely.
So there you have it—Celestia's potential breakout hinges on a lot of factors interacting at once. Sure, there could be massive gains if everything aligns perfectly; but there's also a chance it could falter under market pressures or just become another case study in bad token management.
I'm still on the fence about putting more money into crypto right now; my wallet is feeling pretty light as I wait for clearer signals!


title: Do baby hummingbirds fly right away

text:
When a baby hummingbird is born, it is not able to fly right away. It takes a few weeks for the hummingbird to develop its wings and learn to fly. During this time, the baby hummingbird is cared for by its parents. The parents feed the baby hummingbird and protect it from predators. Once the baby hummingbird is able to fly, it will leave the nest and start to fend for itself.
Table of Contents
What do baby hummingbirds look like flying?
When baby hummingbirds first start to fly, they look quite different than their adult counterparts. Their wings are shorter and their feathers are not yet fully developed, so they appear somewhat clumsy in the air. However, they quickly learn to master the art of flying and soon look just as graceful as their parents.
Learn More – Do baby hummingbirds chirp
What do baby hummingbirds look like when they leave the nest?
As baby hummingbirds leave the nest, they are able to fly and are covered in feathers. They typically leave the nest about three to four weeks after hatching. The parents will continue to feed the young birds for a few weeks after they leave the nest.
How soon do hummingbirds fly?
The average hummingbird weighs only about 0.1 to 0.2 ounces (2.8 to 5.7 grams). Of that weight, about three-fourths is muscle. The rest is skeleton, feathers, and body fat. Fat is used as fuel for long flights. A hummingbird has more feathers, relative to its body size, than any other bird.
A hummingbird’s wings beat incredibly fast. The fastest recorded wing beat is about 80 times per second, but this is probably not sustainable for long periods of time. A more typical range is 50 to 60 beats per second. The wings must beat this fast to keep the hummingbird in the air.
Hummingbirds can fly at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour). When they are migrating, they can sustain speeds of up to 20 to 25 miles per hour (32 to 40 kilometers per hour).
What do baby hummingbirds look like when they’re first born?
When a hummingbird is born, it is very small and has no feathers. The body is covered in a downy fuzz, and the eyes are not yet open. The beak is long and slender, and the legs are very short. The newborn hummingbird is unable to fly, and must spend its first few weeks of life in the nest, where it is cared for by its parents.
How long does it take a baby hummingbird to learn how do you fly?
It takes a baby hummingbird approximately three weeks to learn how to fly. During this time, the young bird will gradually become more adept at using its wings to generate lift and propel itself through the air. Although some hummingbirds are able to fly shortly after leaving the nest, it typically takes a bit longer for them to master the skill.
Though baby hummingbirds are born fully feathered and ready to fly, they don’t take their maiden voyage right away. For the first few weeks of their lives, they stay close to the nest and their parents, gradually gaining the strength and confidence they need to fly. Once they’re ready to venture out on their own, they fly off into the wide world, ready to start their lives.
Hi there! My name is Sarah, and I’m the author behind “Bird Sector,” a website dedicated to helping bird owners learn more about their pets and how to take good care of them. I’m passionate about birds and love sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.


title: Storm journey bowling ball review

text:
The Storm Journey is the newest Belmo Signature line bowling ball, featuring the symmetrical F-8 weight block from the Fate and a pearlized version of the TX-16 coverstock. TX-16 is best known previously for its use in reactive solid form on the very popular Phaze II. This ball comes out of the box with Reacta Gloss, which helps it clear the front of the lane easily. With less total hook than the Fate, Absolute, and Virtual Energy Blackout, the Journey performed best in our testing when playing straighter up the lane. Our medium oil test pattern is where this ball produced its best results with the box finish.
Stroker had the best overall reaction out of the three testers. On the medium pattern, the Journey wasted no energy as it glided to the breakpoint. He played farther outside than with the Fate and saw more angularity downlane than the Hy-Road. With excellent pin carry throughout the session, Stroker saw very little transition. When he did eventually move farther inside, he couldn’t quite get the same drive through the pins, so a better option at that point was getting into the more responsive Virtual Energy Blackout or the stronger Absolute. With how good his reaction was, he never changed his ball’s surface on this condition. Stroker had the best reaction out of our bowlers on the dry pattern as well. The additional hook at the back of the lane on this pattern allowed him to open his angles a bit more than he could on the medium pattern. He still opted to play to his strengths and stay straighter on the fresh, but he took advantage of this extra hook


title: (document and commentary)

text:
(document and commentary)
Yet, in the opening paragraphs, the document cites the entire occupation as “collective punishment,” a war crime under the Geneva Convention so, to that extent, this document issues a finding against Israel of war crimes.
Silent on this are “break away” presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul, both Ziophiles of the worst order and, based on these findings, fully complicit in war crimes.
Julian Assange is silent.
Alex Jones is silent.
Russia Today has danced away from this document and what it entails.
There are serious issues that we will be examining in the immediate future. Here is one:
Up to 70% of members of both al Nusra and the Islamic State are Palestinians, most affiliated with Hamas. Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel, calling Palestinian homes anything other than temporary detention/concentration camps is unjustified, are providing an unlimited source of manpower.
Why is this not being reported? Why is Hamas not be called to account? Why is Hamas working so closely with Israel and why has no one said a word about it? Is Saudi money so important that tens of thousands of Palestinians are killing fellow Muslims on behalf of Israel and the Saudi Royal family?
This is what I came upon when investigating attacks inside Sinai and looking for coordination with the war against Syria, Iraq and the Kurdish people. I have noted more than a few conveniently disingenuous acts on behalf of Hamas over the years. There are certainly Palestinians fighting against ISIS as well including those defending the Yamouk Camp outside Damascus.
What is also now clear is that some Palestinian aid groups are involved in recruiting and training jihadists, moving them out of Lebanon with Saudi cash, into the training camps of Jordan and Turkey, doing so with donated money while talking and pushing about the abuses of “Israel.”
VT staffers visiting Lebanon and Syria found the basis for this infrastructure, working with traitors inside Syria, traitors inside Hezbollah and narcotics traffickers who appear to be coordinated by groups within the US Embassy in Beirut and Turkish intelligence.
The same groups are trafficking stolen antiquities and are involved in trafficking Palestinian and Syrian refugees, young boys and girls, into the flesh pots of Europe and the Middle East. We saw this too, met victims and saw those involved including Americans frequenting the region on invisible money and imaginary peace missions.
Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Countries


title: Alexandria va administrative and technical workers vote to unionize with afscme

text:
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Administrative and technical workers for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, voted overwhelmingly at the end of December in favor of unionizing with AFSCME District Council 20. The historic vote ensures these essential workers have a collective voice on critical workplace issues such as wages, benefits and working conditions.
“This is an incredible day for all city employees in Alexandria,” said Annette Bridges, an administrative support worker for the city. “We work hard every day to keep this city running, and now we’ll have a real voice in decisions that impact our jobs and our lives. This victory is about dignity, respect and fairness for everyone.”
The successful unionization comes after years of organizing and advocacy by city workers determined to create positive change in their workplace. This continues Alexandria’s growing union movement, following the successful unionization of labor and trades employees in 2022, who later secured a historic first contract with the city.
Bridges also highlighted the significance of this victory.
“When we saw the changes the labor and trades workers achieved through their union contract, we knew we could do it too. Today, we’ve proven that when workers stand together, we can win real change.”
In 2020, public service workers across Virginia overturned a 44-year-old law banning public sector collective bargaining. Since then, Alexandria has been at the forefront of this movement, with workers leading the way in building a stronger, more equitable workplace.
Wayne L. Enoch, executive director of AFSCME District Council 20, praised the workers’ determination and resolve.
“For too long, public employees in Virginia were denied the basic right to collectively bargain,” he said. “Today’s victory by Alexandria’s administrative and technical workers shows what’s possible when workers stand together. We are proud to welcome them into the AFSCME family and look forward to negotiating a strong first contract that reflects their dedication and hard work.”
With this vote, Alexandria’s administrative and technical workers will now prepare to negotiate their first union contract, focusing on fair wages, improved benefits and a more transparent workplace.


title: 39

text:
The melting temperature has a significant impact on the quality of the ingot. For example, if the temperature is too high, it is not only easy to produce defects such as coarse grains, cracks, and segregation, but also promotes the interaction between the metal and the furnace gas, slag, flux, and furnace lining, increases the oxidation and volatilization losses of the metal, and promotes the metal to absorb gas; If the temperature is too low, it will reduce the slag removal effect of the melt and make it difficult to operate the ingot. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly control the melting temperature and select the outlet temperature. Therefore, the lining material has an impact on the temperature control in front of the copper alloy furnace.
(1) Discharge temperature
Usually, during induction furnace melting, the temperature at which the melt is discharged is used as the casting temperature simultaneously. The principles for determining the discharge temperature are: ① ensuring a certain fluidity of the metal liquid; ② Ensure the normal operation of casting and prevent defects such as cold shuts and slag inclusions; ③ Ensure the gas precipitation during the solidification process of the melt, as well as the smooth floating and discharge of various inclusions from the liquid cavity; ④ According to the casting characteristics of different alloys, it is recommended to use low-temperature tapping as much as possible while ensuring the normal casting operation.
When melting copper and copper alloys in large and medium-sized cored induction furnaces, immersion thermocouples can be fixed and installed in the furnace for continuous temperature measurement.
(2) Control of furnace front temperature
The temperature control of the lining material in an induction furnace can be divided into indirect and direct control methods.
The indirect control of temperature is usually achieved by changing the voltage, current, and power applied to the inductor, that is, using an automatic adjustment system of voltage, current, or power.
Direct temperature control refers to an automatic control system that takes the temperature of the furnace lining material as the direct control object. Usually, on the basis of automatic voltage or power control, units such as temperature regulators, temperature transmitters, and temperature setters are added. The simplest temperature automatic control system is to send the temperature thermocouple signal to the XCT dynamic coil temperature indicator regulator, which outputs the signal to the contactor to achieve automatic temperature control.