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It is simple arithmetic: if a country's GDP growth is less than its population growth rate then its citizens are getting poorer. Nepal's population is growing at 2.24 percent a year, GDP growth this year will fall to 2.1 percent.
If the inflation rate, which has climbed from 1.7 percent last year to nearly 6 percent this year, is counted it means sharp erosion in purchasing power. Add to that the drop in investment, fall in tourism, plummeting agricultural and industrial production and it is clear that Nepal is getting poorer by the day.
Finance Minister Madhukar Rana, who is preparing the budget for presentation next week, has an unenviable task of paying for more with less.
Remittances from Nepali workers abroad, which served as a parachute for Nepal's economy, only grew by 3.7 percent this year (compared to 4 percent last year) even though the number of workers went up and money transfer became more streamlined. Nepalis aren't sending their money home and political instability has spurred capital flight.
Tourism revenue is down 33 percent this year, third country exports have fallen by 20 percent and there is a severe shortage of Indian currency to pay for imports. The Rastra Bank chartered a 757 recently to air-freight IRs 4 billion worth of cash from Bombay that it traded for US dollars. Private banks are awash in cash, but they have Rs 3 billion invested in unproductive sectors like housing and consumer lending.
Revenue is down not just because of the drop in import tariffs but also due to an estimated Rs 3 billion shortfall in tax collection this year. The Deuba government raised VAT by three percent and borrowed Rs 1.4 billion from Nepal Telecom's savings in order to meet rising military and administrative expenditure but that isn't something that can be repeated.
The most dramatic drop is in the development budget which has fallen from Rs 37 billion five years ago to less than Rs 10 billion in the first 11 months of this fiscal year (See chart). More worrying, in the absence of people's representatives in villages and districts, it is difficult to keep track of how the money is spent. It is an open secret in the Finance Ministry and National Planning Commission (NPC) that upto a quarter of the allocation to VDCs finds its way into Maoist hands, and 10 percent from other projects. There is little accountability about the rest.
"We know it is happening but we look away because at least the money goes to the villages and the people participate in development activities," one government official told us.
What has made the squeeze tighter is the suspension of aid after February First, including the Rs 5 billion budgetary support under the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. Many projects, including Rs 800 million worth of VDC grants and Rs 600 million for low-priority projects remain suspended since January.
The donors could come to the rescue but the Europeans and British have suspended new aid until democracy is restored. And instead of reassuring donors, the government has gone out of its way to rebuke them for meddling in its internal affairs. The World Bank is increasingly worried about a rollback in economic reforms and the ADB is so anxious about the ability of this government to implement Melamchi that it is running out of patience. Given the donor mood, the government will find it difficult to get the Germans to bankroll the 40 million Euro cost over-run on the Middle Marsyangdi hydro project.
The government has approached China and the Gulf countries for a fiscal rescue package, sources told us. But Finance Minister Rana who is preparing the 2005-6 budget to be approved by royal ordinance next week is already preparing for the worst. He dashed off a group email to the Rastra Bank governor, chief secretary, and the NPC warning them that he was against a donor-driven economy and Nepal should be prepared to go it alone. For many this harks back to the inward-looking Panchayat years when the slogan was: 'Domestic market, domestic production.'
Former Finance Minister and NC leader, Ram Sharan Mahat is aghast. He told us, "It's not just the political process that is being rolled back, even the economic reforms of the past 14 years are being dismantled." Former NPC member Yubaraj Khatiwada agrees: "At this rate, we will never reap the benefits of economic reforms instituted after the restoration of democracy in 1990."
The government is designing the budget in a three-year development package that corresponds with King Gyanendra's commitment in his royal proclamation on 1 February to bring democracy back on track in three years. To do this, the government would like to amalgamate development with security so zonal and district-level development projects like bridges, schools, roads, water supply will be implemented jointly by the military. This is how it is done in Afghanistan, and an NPC delegation recently visited Kabul to take a look.
The army has already submitted a proposal for Rs 5 billion at the NPC. The military's argument is that the lack of development is hampering its counterinsurgency operations and it can use service delivery as a hearts-and-minds tool to fight the insurgency.
With just a week to go for the new budget, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative in Nepal, Sukhwinder Singh, has expressed his concern about the slow pace of economic reform in Nepal.
Singh said economic reforms had slowed down even before the February First move and was worried about the lack of progress in banks realising non-performing assets. Singh told the BBC Nepali Service in an interview aired on Tuesday night that if economic reforms were reactivated the IMF could resume the transfer of the promised $70 million tranche in aid to the Poverty Reduction Growth Fund (PRGF). If this happened, he said, Nepal may find it easier to convince other donors who are on 'wait-and-watch' mode to resume aid.
The comments came as economists warned that Nepal is suffering not just a rollback of democracy but also a rollback of the liberal economic policies instituted since 1990. Singh said the conflict had affected the economy considerably. "Nepal's economic growth rate was going well during the first and second halves of the 1990s but the growth rate started going down after 2001."


By Bob Stark, Agricultural Economist
A 13 cent weekend gain in the old crop (2015) Arkansas soybean market was wiped away during the past week as price fell each trading day. The market opened on Monday at $10.61, a full 10 cents above the previous Monday, but closed on Friday at a statewide average of $10.19, an overall 29 cent decline for the week (Figure 1). The old crop market remains very thin with only three reporting locations across the entire state. High daily individual market price of the past trading week was seen on Monday with Helena at $10.68. Low quote for the week was $10.12 at Old Town/Elaine on Friday. End-of-the-week quotes saw Friday closing day prices ranging from the $10.12 low at Old Town/Elaine to a high of $10.28 at Helena. The ending quotes represented a range of 16 cents, a 9 cent widening from the previous week closing spread.
The 2016 New Crop Soybean Cash Market Booking price rose 12 cents over the weekend, but then experienced losses each trading day of the past week. Price opened on Monday at a statewide average of $10.27, an 11 cent improvement from the previous Monday and seemed to have solidified the above $10.00 prices of the previous week. But price then proceeded to fall each trading day to a closing Friday average of $9.79 as the market dipped under $10.00 once more (Figure 2). High market price of the past week was reported on Monday with Helena at $10.54. Individual market daily low of the week occurred on Friday as Wynne fell to $9.47. The end-of-week individual market quotes on Friday ranged from the $9.47 low at Wynne to a high of $10.02 at Helena and West Memphis, the only markets remaining above $10.00. These ending quotes put the closing spread at 55 cents across the reporting markets in the state, 2 cents narrower than the previous week closing range.
(Market average prices stated in this report are unweighted averages of the state markets surveyed by NASS. Price data was based on USDA LR GR111 Arkansas Daily Grain Reports.)


The Web of Issues (IoT) has turn into a pervasive know-how with a major impression on varied industries. IoT refers back to the community of interconnected bodily gadgets embedded with sensors, software program, and connectivity, enabling them to gather and change knowledge.
The expansion of IoT purposes has revolutionized sectors corresponding to healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and sensible houses. Behind the success of those purposes lies the essential function of software program growth in enabling the seamless integration and performance of IoT gadgets.
Key Issues in Software program Growth for IoT
Creating software program for IoT purposes requires cautious consideration of particular challenges and necessities. Scalability and adaptability are essential elements in coping with large-scale IoT deployments and adapting to various machine capabilities.
IoT methods ought to have the ability to deal with an intensive variety of gadgets whereas guaranteeing seamless communication and interoperability. Connectivity and interoperability, together with help for various communication protocols and integration with present methods, are important for IoT purposes to speak and collaborate successfully.
Safety and privateness are essential considerations, and IoT software program should prioritize defending delicate knowledge and gadgets whereas addressing potential vulnerabilities and threats. Energy effectivity and useful resource constraints are additionally important issues, as IoT gadgets usually function with restricted processing energy and reminiscence assets.
Optimizing vitality consumption and managing assets effectively are important for sustainable IoT options.
Programming Languages and Frameworks for IoT Software program Growth
Varied programming languages and frameworks are generally utilized in IoT software program growth. C/C++ are fashionable selections for low-level and resource-constrained gadgets resulting from their effectivity and close-to-hardware capabilities. Java and Python are sometimes employed for higher-level IoT purposes that require quicker growth cycles and adaptability.
IoT-specific frameworks like IoTivity and Eclipse Kura provide specialised options for growing and managing IoT options. Cloud-based platforms additionally play an important function in IoT utility growth, providing scalable infrastructure and providers to help IoT deployments.
Moreover, IoT product engineering services present complete end-to-end options for designing, growing, and deploying IoT purposes.
Information Administration and Analytics in IoT Software program Growth
Environment friendly knowledge administration and analytics are important in IoT software program growth. IoT purposes gather huge quantities of sensor knowledge, which must be processed and analyzed successfully. Sensor knowledge acquisition and integration contain capturing knowledge from varied sources and gadgets.
Actual-time processing and knowledge filtering make sure that related and actionable data is extracted promptly. Selecting appropriate databases for IoT purposes is crucial to retailer and handle knowledge effectively.
Dealing with massive volumes of information and scaling databases to satisfy the rising calls for of IoT purposes is a major consideration. Moreover, analytics and insights play an important function in extracting useful data from IoT knowledge. Strategies corresponding to predictive analytics and machine studying allow IoT purposes to derive actionable insights and make clever selections based mostly on the collected knowledge.
Testing and High quality Assurance for IoT Software program
IoT software program testing presents distinctive challenges resulting from machine heterogeneity, interoperability points, and community reliability considerations. Making certain useful testing for machine habits is essential to ensure the proper operation of IoT gadgets and their interactions.
Efficiency and reliability testing are important to judge the responsiveness, scalability, and reliability of IoT methods underneath various masses and circumstances. Safety testing is of utmost significance to determine and tackle potential vulnerabilities in IoT purposes and shield towards potential cyber threats.
Implementing steady integration and supply (CI/CD) practices in IoT software program growth permits speedy and iterative growth whereas sustaining the standard and stability of the deployed options.
Case Research: Profitable IoT Software program Growth Tasks
A number of profitable IoT software program growth tasks have demonstrated the potential of IoT purposes throughout various domains. Sensible house automation methods have leveraged IoT know-how to offer seamless management and monitoring of varied family gadgets, integrating totally different protocols and gadgets right into a unified ecosystem.
Industrial IoT monitoring options have enabled real-time knowledge assortment, analytics, and distant management, resulting in improved operational effectivity and predictive upkeep. Healthcare IoT purposes have performed a essential function in distant affected person monitoring, safe knowledge transmission, and well timed alerts for healthcare suppliers.
Future Traits and Challenges in IoT Software program Growth
The way forward for IoT software program growth is poised for thrilling developments and challenges. Edge computing and distributed intelligence are rising developments, enabling knowledge processing and analytics to happen nearer to the supply of information technology.
Standardization and interoperability efforts are essential for seamless integration and collaboration amongst totally different IoT gadgets and platforms. Moral issues and privateness laws will proceed to form the event of IoT purposes, guaranteeing knowledge safety and accountable use of private data.
Moreover, the developments in AI and machine studying methods will improve the capabilities of IoT purposes, enabling predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and autonomous decision-making.
Progressive IoT Options
Software program growth performs a pivotal function in shaping the success of IoT purposes. With the ever-growing significance and impression of IoT, steady studying and adaptation are essential for builders to maintain up with the quickly evolving subject.
By addressing key issues corresponding to scalability, connectivity, safety, and energy effectivity, builders can create sturdy and revolutionary IoT options. The potential for innovation and progress in IoT purposes is immense, promising transformative modifications throughout industries and bettering the standard of life for people and companies alike.


The recent passing of the Renters’ Reform Bill is a major step forward in protecting the rights of tenants across the United States. The bill, which was signed into law by President Biden in March 2021, is designed to provide renters with greater protection from eviction and to ensure that landlords are held accountable for their actions. The bill also includes provisions for increased access to legal aid for tenants and the creation of a national rental assistance program.
The implementation of the Renters’ Reform Bill will begin in 9-12 months, with the first phase of the bill focusing on providing tenants with greater protection from eviction. This includes establishing a national eviction moratorium, which will prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a court order. Additionally, the bill will require landlords to provide tenants with written notice of any changes to their lease and give tenants more time to respond to eviction notices.
The second phase of the bill will focus on increasing access to legal aid for tenants. This includes providing free legal services to low-income tenants who are facing eviction and expanding the availability of legal aid to tenants in rural areas. Additionally, the bill will create a national rental assistance program which will provide financial assistance to tenants who are struggling to pay their rent.
Finally, the bill will also create a national tenant registry which will allow tenants to report any problems they have with their landlords. This registry will help ensure that landlords are held accountable for their actions and that tenants are protected from unfair practices.
The Renters’ Reform Bill is an important step forward in protecting the rights of tenants across the United States. With its implementation set to begin in 9-12 months, it is important that tenants and landlords alike understand the provisions of the bill and how it will affect them. By doing so, they can ensure that they are prepared for the changes that will come with the implementation of this important legislation.


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Marion Zilinski, founder of the Lt. Dennis Zilinski II Memorial Fund receives a hug and gratitude from Sgt. Steven US Army and his K9 Companion for Warriors dog Torii, which was purchased by the fund.
- Filed Under
On Saturday, September 7, over 235 people gathered at the fifth annual Toast to Dennis, at the home of Debbie and Bill Rustico in the Monmouth Hills Historic District. This year's event was the most successful to date, with donations raised benefitting the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund. The fund was created and founded in 2006 in order to honor local resident 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, United States Army, who was killed in action while deployed in Iraq on November 19, 2005.
According to Marion Zilinski, mother of Dennis and co-founder of the fund, "This year, there was tremendous ...

domain: history


Demonstration in Haiti against Monsanto.
Monsanto may be showing strong economic growth—19 percent last quarter!— but it's also generating more opposition than ever, all over the world.
A report out yesterday illustrates the struggles against Monsanto, and the agribusiness model it embodies, being led by small-holder and organic farmers, local communities and social movements around the world."Who will hold Monsanto responsible for the global depletion of biodiversity, soil erosion, and violations of peasant rights wrought by the application of petroleum-based inputs required by industrial agriculture?” said Dena Hoff of La Via Campesina, adding that while farmers everywhere are resisting for food sovereignty, the rest of the world needs to join in.
And in many places in many countries, it is. “The majority of Europe’s public remains opposed to GM food production, and several countries in Europe now have national bans on Monsanto’s MON810 maize and BASF’s Amflora potatoes, despite the strong pressure of the biotech industry and of the European Commission to lift those moratoriums,” said Héloise Claudon from Combat Monsanto.
Fighting for Food Sovereignty
La Via Campesina defines "food sovereignty" as the right of all peoples to produce and consume healthy, culturally appropriate, sustainably-produced food—and to define and own their own food and agriculture systems.
The new report, which is a collaborative effort by La Via Campesina, Friends of the Earth International and Combat Monsanto, is worth looking at for a closer look at resistance to Monsanto and GMOs around the world—like in India, for example, where:
a moratorium has been implemented on the cultivation of Bt brinjal, a GM version of a key Indian food staple, and Mahyco-Monsanto has been formally accused of biopiracy by India’s National Biodiversity Authority. After a decade of popular opposition in India, a movement rejecting Monsanto’s colonial-style approach is gathering under the ‘Monsanto, Quit India!’ banner, with a view to ejecting the company from the country. This would free India’s cotton industry of Monsanto’s current stranglehold, and help to stop the suicides of small farmers driven into debt by the ever-increasing costs of GM and chemical inputs.
It also emphasizes the importance of seed biodiversity and conservation:
In 2004, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture entered into force. This treaty has played an important role in recognising the farmers’ struggle to save and conserve their seeds in the face of the threat posed by the multinationals’ patented seeds. In article 9, it “recognizes the enormous contribution that the local and indigenous communities and farmers of all regions of the world... have made and will continue to make for the conservation and development of plant genetic resources which constitute the basis of food and agriculture production throughout the world.”
Based on this treaty, a French campaign called Sowing Biodiversity (Semons la biodiversité), was launched in 2008 by the network, Peasant Seeds (Réseau Semence Paysanne). This campaign aims to defend local varieties and promote the free exchange of seeds among farmers, in order to restore rural biodiversity and guarantee consumers a large range of local products.
Read the report for more, but what it comes down to is a fight for the future of the global food system.
As the report concludes:
Monsanto and agribusiness in general are increasingly unwelcome wherever they operate. They ruin local agriculture and harm communities with their attempts to dominate food production systems...
We are calling for collective action from all of those who share our vision of a sustainable world. There has never been a more important time to globalise our struggles.


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I’m sure that as single mothers, caregivers, guardians, and grandparents-as-parents you send your children with Autism and developmental disabilities to summer school.
I sent my son with Autism to summer school every year up until he reached his junior year of high school. Only that year was he allowed to skip summer school.
Three months off from school may result in our children with autism and developmental disabilities forgetting all of what they learned throughout the school year. According to Forbes Contributor Nick Morrison, “While some children gain an additional 32% of their in-school gains an additional 32% of their in-school gains over the summer, others lose almost 90% of what they have learned over the year.”
After years of attending summer school, it has benefited my Autistic son greatly today.
Your patience has been much appreciated and I thank you for reading my blog post.
Morrison, Nick. “Children Lose Up To 40% Of Learning Over Summer Break – So Imagine What Lockdown Will Do.” Forbes: 10 Jul. 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2020/07/10/children-lose-up-to-40-of-learning-over-sumer-breakso-imagine-what-lockdown-will-do/?sh=4942c31a73b3
Written by Author Miss Brenda Lee Gertman PO Box 4382, Lakewood, California 90711
Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is to inform and for educational purposes only.

domain: psychology


There is little to no doubt that IRON MAN's first album had become a classic over the years. Originally released in 1993 by Hellhound Records, 'Black Night' showed once more the musical variety of Maryland's heavy rock/doom scene. Although all bands from that federal state in the USA have been influenced by Black Sabbath, no one came so close to the early records from Iommi & Co. like IRON MAN. Thus, it is hardly surprising that IRON MAN started as a Black Sabbath cover band, but the true origins lie in the late seventies, when the band's mastermind Alfred Morris III founded FORCE. Unfortunately, FORCE never had the chance to record an official album, but then in the early 1990's Hellhound Records enabled IRON MAN to record their first album packed with ten self-penned tracks.
Meanwhile it's almost impossible to find a copy of this album, but fortunately we have Shadow Kingdom Records who make sure that this masterpiece is available again. Only as a side note, let's not forget that they have also released IRON MAN's new album 'I Have Returned'. Back then in 1993 I was immediately struck by the brutal heaviness of 'Black Knight' and it is still one the heaviest albums in the Hellhound catalogue. Alfred Morris' supersonic and powerful, thick, almost leaden riffs display a terrific raw energy, but despite all brutality they are bluesy and soulful. Sometimes, it seems as if he's playing all the riffs and solos that Tony Iommi has forgotten. And then there is the super tight rhythm section consisting of Larry Brown (ex-FORCE) on bass and drummer Ron Kalimon (Asylum/Unorthodox, RLK Project, ex-Internal Void). They give the necessary hold for the gargantuan riffs and provide the songs with slamming grooves. The only thing I never get used to are the vocals of Rob Levey (the organiser of the legendary Stoner Hand of Doom festival). Sometimes he doesn't strike the right notes or he sounds too weak. Luckily this doesn't happen too often and furthermore, the songs are simply too strong so that they can not be weakened by an average singer.
Nowadays many people believe that doom metal needs to be extremely slow, but IRON MAN are proof that doom can be energetic and dynamic. Here are uptempo songs like 'The Lair' (a re-recorded version of 'Last Chance' from FORCE) and 'Leaving Town' that are deeply ingrained in rock 'n' roll while 'Life's Toll' is just unbelievably heavy. In direct comparison to the Hellhound version, the re-issue has a better sound, largely owing to the fact that it has been re-mastered by IRON MAN manager Lucifer Burns. However, there is no additional bonus material, but at least the booklet contains all lyrics and informative liner notes written by Kevin McHugh. 'Black Night' is an essential album and I'm looking forward to Shadow Kingdom Records re-release of IRON MAN's second album 'The Passage'.


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by Dwain Richardson
Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkey, borders on two major continents: Europe to the west and Asia to the east. Some of its neighbouring countries include Syria, Greece, Iraq, Armenia, and Georgia. Turkey is also surrounded with major bodies of water, such as the Black Sea (north), the Mediterranean Sea (south), and the Aegean Sea (west). In addition, the country boasts the Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles. These bodies combined make up the Turkish Straits, which divide Europe from Asia.
Like most European and Asian countries, Turkey is deeply steeped into history. It is possible to trace the first inhabitants—Hattians and Hurrians—in this country from about 6000 B.C.! Some historic sites, such as the Göbekli Tepe temple, have been around for a longer period of time (10,000 B.C.). What’s more, the country passed through many historical periods, namely the Neolithic and Hellenistic eras, followed by the Antiquity and Byzantine eras, and eventually the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
With respect to the country’s geography, most of Turkey belongs to Asia (97%), while the remaining percentage falls under European jurisdiction. Its area takes up 783,562 square kilometres; of this area, 755,688 square kilometres are in southwest Asia, while the remaining 23,764 square kilometres are in Europe. Turkey also has a rich and varied landscape, especially on Asian territory. The eastern and southeastern areas of Turkey are characterized by plateaus and coastlines as well as mountains and rivers (Euphrates, Tigris, Aras). Given that Turkey has many bodies of water and has an ever-changing landscape, it is not uncommon for the country to be the site for earthquakes or volcanoes.
The climate along the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, especially in coastal areas, is generally temperate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet. Coastal areas along the Black Sea boast of an ocean-like climate; summers in this region are wet and warm, and winters are either cold or cool, and wet. This area receives the most abundant rainfall—an average of 2,200 millimetres of rain per year.
Areas along the Sea of Marmara, however, transition between a Mediterranean and ocean-like climate. Summers are either warm or hot, and are generally dry. Winters, on the other hand, are cool or cold, and are mostly wet. The country receives snowfall, but depending on geographical location, the snow immediately melts. In easternmost areas of Turkey, snow piles up a great deal because of cold temperatures. Along the Anatolia Peninsula, for instance, temperatures soar between -30°C and -40°C. This is one area where snow will linger the longest (a minimum of 120 days in the year).
Turkey welcomes approximately forty million tourists each year. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Turkey is the sixth most popular destination.
This European destination boasts of many kinds of tourism: namely, coastal, health, and thermal (also known as alternative tourism ). Tourists can also take advantage of open air sports in the summer and winter. For instance, it is possible to take up winter sports and mountaineering. Turkey is home to exotic and natural environments, making it possible to be an ecotourist during your stay. For a more romantic getaway, hop aboard one of many cruise ships from the Mediterranean Coast, Istanbul, Antalya, Pamukkale, or any other port area.
Are you worried about potential language barriers? Most Turkish locals speak English, while some get by with French, German, and Russian.
The Hills Are Alive in Cappadocia!
Tourists will be enamored by honeycombed hills beautiful boulders. Most architecture in this area is made of soft stone and rocks, including the Göreme Open-Air Museum and refuges of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli. It is even possible to stay in an underground hotel! Ideal for anyone interested in having a 21st-century accommodation experience.
Cappadocia has a rich historical background, and is also known for its hiking paths. And if you love landscapes, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking lunar views, characterized by orange and cream-coloured valleys.
There is much to see and do while in Cappadocia. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, one of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, and take in the Byzantine monastic settlement as well as a 17th-century pilgrimage site with its numerous rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries, noteworthy of Byzantine art. For an additional 10.00 TRY ($4.61 CAD), check out the Karanlik Kilise (Dark Church), an 11th-century compound known for its dome-shaped structure with one main apse, two small apses, and four columns, all decorated with frescoes from the Bible’s New Testament. Some of the scenes visitors can see include the Last Supper, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Crucifixion. This is the most famous of all on-site churches.
During your visit at this museum, follow a cobbled path from the admission booth and see the Aziz Basil Sapeli, a chapel dedicated to St. Basil—one of Cappadocia’s foremost saints.
As you continue your visit, you will be greeted by other churches, including Elmali Kilise (Apple Church), Azize Barbara Sapeli (Church of St. Barbara), Yilanli Kilise (Snake Church), Azize Katarina Sapeli (Church of St. Catherine), and Çarikli Kilise (Church with Sandals), all representative of biblical frescoes and tributes to patron saints.
On your way out the Göreme Open-Air Museum, stop by the cordoned-off Rahibeler Manastiri (Nunnery). This nunnery was seven storeys high; a dining hall and small fresco chapel now remain. When you finally exit the museum, be sure to visit the Tokali Kilise (Church of the Buckle), located across the street from the Open-Air Museum. This is the biggest of all churches, known for its underground chapel and restored frescoes.
The Old Village, located in Ürgüp, boasts of traditional stone architecture. Be sure to drop by visit this neighbourhood if this architecture interests you.
Do you like the military? You will want to see the Uçhisar Castle made of volcanic rock. No matter where you are, you can see this castle from miles away. Tunnels galore! Villagers considered this castle a place of refuge for many centuries, especially when armies captured surrounding plains. If you want to soak in the sunset, climb through the castle’s mazy core to reach its vantage point. Because the Uçhisar Castle is a major attraction, be sure to arrive as early as possible to avoid the sheer volume of tourists.
If you like to hike, the Ihlara Valley will certainly peek your interest. Ideally, you should begin your hike in the early morning if you want to follow the entire trail (a four-hour hike). And be sure to get some shade, since it is often hot and humid, especially during the summer.
The Ihlara Valley trail begins in the Ihlara village and ends in Selime, a village in the Güzelyurt district. You will be greeted with many churches along this forty-kilometre trail. As you continue your trip to Selime, however, you will be taken aback with many fields where farmers will till their ground and shepherds graze their sheep.
Getting Around Cappadocia
Tourist buses end service in Nevşehir, located outside Cappadocia. Shuttle buses will then take you to your final destination, whether it’s Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Çavuşin, Nevşehir, Ortahisar, or Avanos. You can also take a taxi. Of course, you can walk around Cappadocia.
Roads are in good condition; getting around Cappadocia is easy if you decide to drive by car or motorcycle.
Other Things to Do in Cappadocia
• Get aboard a hot air balloon and see the many landscapes from the air.
• Watch a traditional Sema, a performance combining dance, cultural attire, and music (part of the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity).
• View fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley and monk’s chapels in Monk Valley.
• Learn basic culinary techniques while preparing meals with the villagers.
• For night owls, have a beer in one of many Cappadocia bars, or spend the night dancing at a restaurant or disco club.
Denizli: Home of the “Cotton Castle” and Hierapolis
The “Cotton Castle” (Pamukkale in Turkish) is another UNESCO World Heritage site located in southwestern Turkey. You will find many terraces made of travertine tile (form of limestone deposited by mineral springs; tile can either be tan, cream-coloured, or rusty). The castle is 2,700 metres long, 600 metres wide, and 160 metres high. This is a natural bathing spot for visitors; water comes from hot springs, making it warm and rich with minerals.
Hierapolis is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist attraction. Because Hierapolis means “sacred city,” you will be greeted by a thermal Sacred Pool, giving you the opportunity to swim with antiquities, see the Pamukkale, and see many museums from a distance.
Some of the many sights to see in Hierapolis include the Pamukkale Museum. Many displays and collections await, especially coins, jewellery, sarcophagi, and architectural fragments. You can also see many statues and reliefs. Ruins also characterize this World Heritage site: most ruins hail from the Roman era, since consecutive earthquakes ravaged Hellenistic remains in 17 AD and 60 AD. Byzantine walls surround the site, too.
The nymphaeum is behind the Sacred Pool. This monumental fountain provided water to the city, and dates back to the fourth century AD. The Temple of Apollo is next to the nymphaeum, and is the patron god and the city’s founder. The foundations of the Hellenistic temple remain, while the rest of the structure is Roman (the new temple was reconstructed in the third century AD).
The Temple of Apollo had originally been built over Platonium, an active planar fracture. Platonium is south of this temple, a sacred cave some thought was the entrance to the underworld—the place where the Roman god Pluto (Greek god Hades) lived. Because the cave still emits poisonous vapors into the air, no entry to Platonium is permitted.
Be sure to stop by Hierapolis’s theatre, built around 200 BC. Twenty thousand audience members once filled the theatre. Nowadays, only thirty rows remain.
Getting to and from Denizli
You can get to and from Denizli by train (three trains operate between Izmir and Denizli daily). One train leaves Istanbul in the evening and arrives in Denizli in the mid-morning.
Other Things to do in Denizli
•Visit the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum, a must-see for tourists who appreciate Romano-Greek history, stamps, and jewellery. A sphinx will greet you as you walk through the doors. Why not rest a while in the Pamakkule area?
•Have a shopping craving? Take a stroll through Forum Camlik. Restaurants, shoe stores, fashion outlets galore! Teras Park is also a popular shopping centre. Historic ruins set this centre apart from others in the country.
•Buy handmade clothes and purchase textile products from any local market or shopping centre.
İzmir: Turkey’s Metropolitan Hub
İzmir (formerly Smyrna) is one of Turkey’s metropolitan cities, and is the third largest port city located in the country’s west end. The city boasts of its many heritages, especially Levantine, Greek, Armenian, and Jewish. Cultural activities boom in this port-city area; the main activity is the International Arts Festival, taking place in June and July. Former industrial buildings have turned into cultural and community spaces.
The Kemeralti Market is by far a must-see for those who like to shop until they drop. Tourists can pick up bargains in leather goods, clothing, and jewellery. Flower and bead markets are also must-sees, and while you’re in the market, have a cup of coffee and baklava in one of many coffee shops. You can also have a sip of coffee in the Kızlarağası Han caravanserai, located in Anafartalar Caddesi, the market’s main bazaar area.
Hisar Camii is the largest mosque located in the main bazaar area. Watch out for blue and gold motifs on the domed ceiling and carved roses and grapes under the women’s gallery and on stone staircases. A must-see.
Do you like waterfronts, bars and restaurants, fashion and nightlife? The Kordon is for you! This is where you will find many pedestrian paths, restaurants, bars, even the new Arkas Art Centre, home of exciting art exhibits, are located. Like visiting Old Montreal, Old Quebec, and other historic areas, you can get around the Kordon by horse coach. All it costs is TRY 20 ($9.16 CAD) for four people!
Like Cappadocia, İzmir has many churches for visitors to see. Some of the most noteworthy churches are the Church of St. Polycarp, honouring Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, St. John’s Cathedral, and St. John’s Anglican Church.
Take a stroll between Alsancak and Basmane, the city’s town centre. This former Greek neighbourhood is now the home of Kültürpark, the sight of much greenery, pedestrian pathways, and special attractions. Keep an eye on a fifty-metre parachute tower, a Ferris wheel, contemporary sculptures as well as exhibition halls for special events such as the International İzmir Festival.
While in İzmir, visit some heritage buildings in Çeşme, especially the fortress and museum. The 16th-century fortress is now home to the annual Çeşme International Festival held each July. It also hosts many cultural activities, such as concerts and art exhibits. The city’s archaeological museum, located inside the fortress, displays many objects, including paintings and archives. You can also find exhibits dedicated to marble objects and ceramic artefacts.
Religion is a common theme across Turkey, and Çeşme is no exception. The city is home to a number of 19th-century mosques and churches. Chief among them are the Hadji Memiş Aga and Hadji Mehmet Aga mosques, as well as the Haralambos Church.
After a day of walking around town and visiting several attractions, you probably want to rest a while. Perhaps you’re up to swimming or other water sports. Çeşme and surrounding areas have no shortage of beaches, lakes, and seas, and it’s possible to do go windsurfing or diving. Located seven kilometres from Çeşme, the Alaçati harbour is the ideal location for windsurfers and sailors who flock the beaches between May and October. Enjoy the many yearly sailing and surfing competitions while you’re here.
Lastly, take a bite into local cuisine. Seafood is the Çeşme specialty. Any meal goes well with lobster, mussels, octopus, or sea breams. If you crave sandwiches, taste the İzmir kumrusu garnished with meats, cheese, and vegetables. Speaking of vegetables, taste enginar (artichokes dipped in olive oil). What’s for dessert? Try şeker işi, a sweet pastry served with a local fig marmalade.
Ephesus: Connection with Sacred Heritage
This is an ancient city nestled in the country’s central Aegean area. Any remains found date back to Greek and Roman Empire history. This Turkish region is known for its sacred heritage, since many prominent sacred figures are associated with religion, chief among them St. Paul, St. John the Evangelist, and the Virgin Mary. The Temple of Artemis was one of many Seven Wonders of the World; nowadays, all that is left are its foundation ruins dating back to the Hellenistic era.
Other sacred sites include the House of the Virgin, Temple of Hadrian, Isabey Mosque, Church of Mary, Ancient Synagogue, Cave of the Seven Sleepers, and the Theatre of Ephesus.
Ephesus is both an area for tourists (especially from Mediterranean Europe) and pilgrims.
Other Things to do in İzmir
• Tour Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Visit Ancient Smyrna for a half day.
• Take a full-day tour of Pergamon and Asclepion.
Pergamon: Connecting History with Archaeology and Mythology
Pergamon was an ancient city located in present-day Bergama. It was the former capital of the Asian province during the Roman era until Ephesus acquired this status.
How did Pergamon come to be? Following Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC, his generals divided all the conquered territory. Following a series of conflicts, Pergamon eventually became part of a territory Lysimachus controlled (one of the Macedonian generals). Unfortunately, Lysimachus was also dragged into military conflicts, resulting in his death when he confronted Seleucus, Babylon’s Greco-Macedonian administration ruler. Meanwhile, a trusted lieutenant called Philatauerus of Tieium was watching over Lysimachus’s war chest in Pergamon; he eventually pledged allegiance to Seleucus, resulting in Pergamon becoming part of the Seleucid Empire. He ruled Pergamon until his death in 263 BC.
Who founded the ruling dynasty of Pergamon? Contrary to public belief, Attalus I founded it (241–197 BC). He won an attack over the Galatians, a Celtic tribe that settled in central Anatolia during the third century BC. Unfortunately, central Anatolia was not immune to Galatian attackers who tried to invade Pergamon. But Attalus I managed to defeat the Galatians and make Pergamon the most powerful capital in this Turkish region.
Nowadays, Pergamon is an archaeological site housing works from the Hellenistic and Roman eras. When you visit the Acropolis, you will notice monumental tombs built for the Pergamon kings during the Hellenistic period. Of the other remaining attractions in this former city, the library of Pergamon is worth a visit, as are the Temple of Trajan, the Theatre of Pergamon, and the Altar of Zeus.
The entire Pergamon site was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.
ÖLÜDENIZ: Paraglide Away
Looking for a great getaway while in Turkey? Look no further. Even though Ölüdeniz literally translates as “Dead Sea,” it is anything but. Tourists will enjoy a relaxing day on sandy beaches while basking under the warm sun. Ever dream of falling off a mountain? Ölüdeniz is the go-to paragliding capital. The village’s pleasant weather conditions make paragliding in this area safe. And while you’re above ground, look beneath you and be amazed at the beautiful landscapes. Paragliding flights begin and end at Babadag Mountain (1,960 metres in height). Flights last anywhere from twenty-five to forty-five minutes. No need to worry about landing: paraglide instructors will be sure you land safely on a beach.
What do you need to wear to fully enjoy this experience?
Make sure you wear comfortable clothing (paragliding companies provide you with flying suits and helmets) and a good pair of shoes. If you get thirsty while above land, be sure to walk with a bottle of water. Don’t be blinded by the sun! Sunglasses always come in handy.
Paragliding season generally runs from April until November. Flights cost 315 TRY ($144.25 CAD).
Lycian Way: Prepare for a Long Trek
The Lycian Way, designed by British and Turkish amateur historian Kate Clow in 1999, is one of Turkey’s long routes (540 kilometres in length). Located in southern Turkey, the Lycian Way begins in Fethiye to the west and ends in Antalya to the east. Want to travel along this route by mountain bike? Mountain bikers will be out of luck, since the hard and stony underfoot paths are not suitable for bikes. This trail has a mixture of Roman roads, old footpaths, and mule trails.
If long treks are not your cup of tea, you can swim, canoe, or paraglide along the Lycian Way. Public transportation is also available to travel from one area to the next.
The best time for trekking is in the spring and fall, more specifically between February to May and September to November, respectively.
Looking for accommodation or camping sites? You’ll find many village houses, pensions, and small hotels along the way, as you’ll come across a lot of camping sites. If you decide to camp out, you will have no shortage of water sources.
For those who are interested, some tourist associations in Turkey plan seven-day tours along the Lycian Way once a month.
Other Things to do in ÖLÜDENIZ
• Take advantage of the many natural parks, including Kidrak Natural Park.
• Have a swim and take a slide down many water tubes at Water World Aqua Park. An ideal excursion for children!
• Glide along the many bodies of water with boat trips, and enjoy the sunset aboard a cruise.
• Night owls will enjoy the many bars at their disposal, including the Ölüdeniz Night Bar, Crusoes Beach Club, Relax Cocktail Bar, and One for the Road.
Antalya: Mediterranean Pearl Rich in Culture, Hotels, and Golf Clubs
This is an ideal location for travellers wishing to be surrounded by sea, sun, and sand. Aside from the coastal beauties, Antalya is yet another Turkish cultural hub. Entertainment fills the air year-round. And entertainment doesn’t only take place indoors: It’s not uncommon to enjoy an opera or theatre performance under a starry sky. Of course, festivals will always line Antalya streets.
Although it is possible to visit a lot of ancient ruins and historic buildings, many of these establishments have turned into hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, bars, and restaurants. Looking for a souvenir to bring with you on the way back home? Antalya has many shops selling local products and gift items.
Like Çeşme, Antalya boasts of land, air, and water sports. But it also boasts of worldwide sport events such as football, volleyball, rafting, and—yes, it’s true! —golf. The Tat International Golf Club, located in Belek, is the go-to destination for golfers. The Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club and Carya Golf Clubs are also popular spots night and day.
Considering that many events take place in Antalya, this city hosts the 2016 Expo beginning on April 23. A number of national celebrations will abound, including presentations on culture through meetings and ceremonies. It will also be possible to take part in many symposia, panels, meetings, and congresses on the environment, agriculture, development policies, and much more. The expo ends October 30. For more information about this event, visit http://www.expo2016.org.tr/anasayfa/EN.
No matter your destination in Turkey, no trip is complete without trying out a few dishes.
• Menemen: scrambled eggs mixed cooked in sautéed vegetables; served with hot bread.
• Köfte: made of ground beef or lamb; makes for good stews or nice accompaniments with salads, sandwiches, or yogurt.
• Kuzu Tandir: made with roasted lamb; served with rice or potatoes, and yogurt.
• Lahmacun: flat and crispy bread garnished with minced meat, salad, and lemon juice. You can replace meat with vegetarian foods (e.g., red beets). Makes for a light lunch or snack while visiting attractions.
• Börek: a pastry filled with minced meat or spinach, and cheese. You can roll it or lay it out like you would if you prepared lasagna. Ideal for any meal.
• Baklava: a must-eat! Full of nuts and syrup; ideal when eaten fresh.
• Güllaç: dessert often served during Ramadan. The base is dough, milk, rosewater, nuts, and pomegranate seeds.
Bon appétit, and enjoy your stay in Turkey!
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domain: geography


Over at Transitions Online, Aleksandr Kolesnichenko writes about the increasing pressure against radio station owners out in the far-flung regions of Russia carrying content from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who can even sometimes face criminal charges and the applications of bizarre regulatory infractions. This tool box of legalism à la carte, the same kind we saw utilized in the Yukos case, is becoming more and more central to the authoritarian apparatus, with prolific uses in new areas.
“The Soviet authorities used to jam Radio Liberty and the Voice of America. Now, they actually revert to jamming, but using different, quite legal tools. They are creating a certain information climate in the provinces, while all independent information has been channeled to the Internet,” said Aleksei Simonov, president of Russia’s Glasnost Defense Foundation, a free press advocacy group. (…)
In fall 2005, Rossvyazkomnadzor ordered all RFE/RL partners to “bring broadcasting activity into line with license terms.” Most partners’ licenses did not allow them to transmit RFE/RL programs.
“Although the order was legitimate, there were only two ways to comply,” Glushkova said. The stations could take programs off the air or they could ask Rossvyazkomnadzor to change their licenses, which are valid for five years. “Most of our partners tried to introduce changes into their licenses. A few went so far as to file the necessary papers. All those who applied for changes had their requests turned down,” Glushkova said.


- What’s the difference between 2k and 4k?
- What is Wqhd vs QHD?
- Can the human eye see 4k resolution?
- Which is better FHD or Amoled?
- Is 2560×1440 better than 1920×1080?
- Does the iPhone 7 shoot in 4k?
- What is the difference between FHD QHD and UHD?
- Does QHD make a difference?
- Is QHD same as 4k?
- Is 1440p much better than 1080p?
- Is 4k FHD?
- Is 2k QHD?
- What phone has the best resolution?
- Which is better UHD or QHD?
- Is 2k better than 4k?
- Which phone can play 4k video?
- Do any phones have 4k?
- Which is better HD or FHD?
What’s the difference between 2k and 4k?
2K reference resolution is 2048 × 1536 pixels, whereas 4K reference resolution is 4096 × 3072 pixels.
This means a screen of the same size, say 60″, the 4k would have more pixels per square inch, creating sharper and better images..
What is Wqhd vs QHD?
While the FHD (Full HD) has 1,920 x 1,080 resolution (2,073,600 pixels in total), the WQHD (Wide Quad HD, or just QHD) has 2,560 x 1,440 resolution (3,686,400 pixels in total) with the same 5.1″ screen. Accordingly, the ppi of the WQHD (577 ppi) is much higher than that of the FHD (432 ppi).
Can the human eye see 4k resolution?
The size of the screen is also a major factor when it comes to being able to discern the difference between 1080p and 4K. … So yes, despite the rumors you may have heard floating around, the human eye is capable of seeing the difference between a 1080p screen and a 4K screen.
Which is better FHD or Amoled?
In fact it’s as much as 1000 times faster than LCD. AMOLED screens also tend to have great contrast, as the light on the screen comes from each individual pixel rather than a backlight; when it needs to create a black colour it simply dims or turns off the relevant pixels, for a true, deep black.
Is 2560×1440 better than 1920×1080?
In comparison to 1920×1080, 2560×1440 provides you with more vivid details and more screen real estate (just how much more depends on the screen size and pixel per inch ratio), but it’s also more power-hungry when it comes to gaming.
Does the iPhone 7 shoot in 4k?
4K is four times the resolution of 1080p and offers fantastic video quality right from your iPhone. … iPhone 7 and 7 Plus offer the same, while iPhone 8/8Plus and iPhone X brought 4K at 24 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps. iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and Xr all offer the same 4K support as iPhone 8 and X.
What is the difference between FHD QHD and UHD?
The difference between QHD and UHD is the resolution: QHD is defined by a display resolution of 2560 x 1440. UHD, on the other hand, can display 3840 x 2160. However, both feature a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Does QHD make a difference?
The selling point of Quad HD displays is sharper images and improved clarity. This is more important for larger displays, where a greater number of pixels are required to keep up the pixel density and thus clarity. Pixel density is often referred to as the pixels per inch or PPI number.
Is QHD same as 4k?
4k is ambiguous and may refer to 3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160, or potentially others. UHD (in this context) refers to 3840 x 2160 and nothing else. This resolution may be called 4k. QHD refers to 2560 x 1440.
Is 1440p much better than 1080p?
In the comparison 1080p vs 1440p, we can define that 1440p is better than 1080p as this resolution provides more screen surface workspace footprint, more sharpness accuracy in image definition, and larger screen real estate. … A 32″ 1440p monitor has the same “sharpness” as a 24″ 1080p.
Is 4k FHD?
FHD stands for Full HD or Full High Definition and refers to 1080p video resolution, which is 1,920-pixel columns by 1,080-pixel rows. That equates to 2,073,600 total pixels or about 2 megapixels. … 4K is more accurately 4096 x 2160 pixels, which is slightly wider with the same height.
Is 2k QHD?
2K (also referred to as “1440p”, “Quad HD”, or “QHD”) is quite the upgrade to 1080p. A 2K native resolution is 2560 pixels horizontally and 1440 pixels vertically. It is referred to as QHD because it has 4 times the pixels as 720p.
What phone has the best resolution?
Phone Pixel Density (PPI) ListRankManufacturer and model nameResolution1.Sony Xperia XZ Premium3840×2160 UHD-12.Sony Xperia Z5 Premium3840×2160 UHD-13.Samsung Galaxy S62560×1440 QHD4.Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge2560×1440 QHD54 more rows
Which is better UHD or QHD?
4K is technically a better resolution than QHD. Simply put, QHD is 2K approximately half resolution of 4K which is popularly known as UHD by TV manufacturers. UHD is the resolution most commonly supported by most TVs.
Is 2k better than 4k?
The correct term for “2K” on a monitor screen should be QHD, Quad High Definition, the resolution of 2560 X 1440. … Naturally, a higher resolution 4K monitor is going to both cost even more and requires even more power to drive.
Which phone can play 4k video?
Samsung Galaxy S10e / Galaxy S10 / Galaxy S10+ / Galaxy S10 5G / Galaxy S10 Lite – Capable of recording at 4K@60 or 30fps with official support from Samsung. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 / Galaxy Note 10+ / Galaxy Note 10 5G / Galaxy Note 10+ 5G – Capable of recording at 4K@60 or 30fps with official support from Samsung.
Do any phones have 4k?
The Xperia XZ Premium’s 5.5-inch display is the first smartphone screen to support both 4K and HDR tech. (Other phones have had one or the other, but not both.) The 4K support means it has a resolution of 3840 x 2160, which equates to a whopping 807 pixels per inch.
Which is better HD or FHD?
1080p, also known as Full HD or FHD (full high definition), is a very common display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels….Common Monitor Resolutions.5K5120 x 28801080p aka Full HD aka FHD1920 x 1080HD aka 720p1280 x 7205 more rows•Jan 20, 2020


text:
Op-Ed by P. Wimsett
These days you might see conspiracies everywhere you go, at least where China is concerned. However a closer look at car making in China presents an interesting conundrum. Although China has built up a reputation as the world’s factory (due to various tax exemptions and the ability to operate without too many rules and regulations) other countries have proved better in exporting cars. And China’s domestic market could be a lot better.
The question might not be why the Chinese car market is huge, but why isn’t it bigger?
Not that cars aren’t important of course, its just that other materials have been more important. It just has never been a priority for the country. Although 46.8% of China’s GDP is from manufacture, most of this is chemicals, steel, and cotton. The manufacture of cars goes way down the list. Typically, countries that make there own steel do well in the vehicle manufacturing arena.
When you consider the entrepreneurial spirit of countries such as the US and Japan it doesn’t come as that remarkable that these countries sell more cars. But China gives them a run for their money-or did until very recently.
Last July there were reports that the Chinese car industry was failing. In 2019 there were 21 million passenger vehicles created in the country whereas 2017 had 24 million cars (These figures are from the German Association of the Automotive Industry).
But as of now the country seems to have come through the Coronavirus and out the other side, its possible to view China car manufacturing as an investment.
It seemed that even without the virus, the Chinese car industry was in a bad way. It seems that car sales in China fell by 92% after that with only 811 vehicles produced per day. Even without the virus we wouldn’t exactly be singing China’s praises as far as the car market is concerned.
Names like Chang-an and Chery Automobiles haven’t fared that well in the Western world, where Japanese cars remain quite popular. In other words The “West” has no problem buying cars made in Japan or South Korea, but not China. The Chinese seem okay buying Western Cars so long as they are made in China, which was the case until Covid shut down several factories.
To look at one name in more detail, Ford’s sales in China fell 20%. Since a factory operating at 80% can only break even, Ford was forced to close factories temporarily.
We don’t really know how much of this is Covid related and how much was already in the works. The closures were treated as longer Lunar New Year holiday. There’s not that much good news at the moment.
The factories were not just manufacturing Chinese cars. In Wuhan there was a Nissan factory (which were founded in Japan) and one for Honda (also Japan) and Hyandai (South Korea). So, by China falling ill, other countries soon felt the pinch.
Maybe by looking into how the US and Japan operate, China can now take the advantage? When the lockdown is over, and people begin to take to their cars out more it will be a rush by all automakers to resume manufacture. China could focus on finding a competitive advantage for their designs.
Areas it might look into is creating lightweight designs with composite materials, possibly personalizing the design. Things must surely change for the Chinese market, there should be a way through. Granted, these times are unprecedented, so no one knows what is coming.

domain: news


By using a standard processor architecture to create a unified control environment, design engineers can improve system performance and reduce design cycle time.
By Ram Sathappan & Jean Anne Booth, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI)
Modern factories and processing plants are technologically sophisticated operations. To control machinery and processes accurately, operations utilize the latest generations of sensors, actuators and servos. As an example of the technology added to derive benefit from the availability of precise control capabilities, layers of networking and automation have been added on the factory-floor level with control networks linked to IT networks that provide business information and strategies which in turn drive production decisions.
This centralized, networked vision of industrial control offers technicians and industrial engineers access to a wealth of data for observing, tweaking and optimizing operations. Plant managers and corporate executives can consult operations dashboards at a glance for a comprehensive view of the overall factory’s efficiency.
In the past, processes were manually controlled and each bay in the plant operated independently. Having access to real-time data summarizing the actual plant operation enables executives to be better informed of daily activity and to adjust business strategies based on real-time loading.
A gradual transition from isolated nodes to fully networked facilities has been in progress for some years.
Since this transition has been largely ad-hoc and unplanned, with each aspect of current industrial control design still focused fairly tightly on its own particular assortment of buses, networks, and controllers, it has given rise to the design of disconnected industrial control systems.
Although today there is a unified vision of networked industrial control from a top-down perspective, the view from the bottom up – looking from the central processing unit in each segment – is very fragmented. Until now, a single IC processor architecture that works effectively at all levels of a control infrastructure was simply not available.
Recent developments in processor technology give design engineers an opportunity to innovate within a unified industrial control paradigm. By carefully analyzing the performance, functionality, and communications requirements at each level of control, designers are able to utilize a unified, standard processor core architecture that not only provides optimal solutions at a competitive price, but also provides a reduction in software development cost and a significant reduction in design cycle time through software reuse.
Typically industrial control is described as a hierarchy of four levels: (Figure 1)
• Sensors and actuators, which are used to monitor industrial processes to report status and sometimes initiate changes in state;
• Electric motors and other systems, such as induction heaters, to implement the changes in state of the processes or operations;
• Controls that analyze the information transmitted from sensor nodes and provide commands for the drive systems to effect desired changes, including programmable logic controller (PLCs) networks and programmable automation controller (PAC) networks that connect devices;
• Human machine interface (HMI) modules and displays that provide visual and algorithmically processed plant status to engineers and technicians.
Until today, no single software-compatible processor architecture could cost-effectively span all four levels of industrial control. By employing a common processor architecture, designers can reduce the number of software development tools that must be purchased, increase the amount of reusable code, and work exclusively in a familiar development environment.
The ARM® architecture is an open architecture, freely licensed and therefore not proprietary. The benefits of being an open architecture have made the ARM architecture a de facto standard has fostered the development of a robust, diverse, and global third-party software and hardware ecosystem.
As a leader in embedded processing, ARM Ltd. offers a range of processor cores capable of meeting industrial control’s performance requirements at every level. The evolutionary development of the cores has placed a premium on software compatibility and architectural continuity. There is complete software compatibility in upward migration from Cortex™-M3 cores to Cortex-A8 processors, making it easy to develop a control system with communications capabilities that are developed and tested just once but run across a spectrum of performance.
It should be noted that several ARM cores have integrated hardware support for industrial control functions, including deterministic behavior and multitasking.
While the cores provide an excellent starting point, microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs) incorporating ARM architecture cores must also provide the appropriate combination of integrated peripherals and memory options. Given the proliferation of applications within the category of industrial control, this requirement translates to a need for large product families encompassing a range of price, performance, and functionality solutions.
Finally, professional-grade software development tools that ease the development process and maximize code reuse are essential to helping design engineers realize a control system utilizing the unified architecture paradigm.
The best way to illustrate the flexibility and range of ARM’s cores — and determine the right mix of MCU and MPU peripherals for discrete control functions — is to analyze the requirements of each level of the control hierarchy from Figure 1.
From a processing perspective, the HMI interface at the top level of the control hierarchy is the most demanding. Basic user interfaces characterized by touch screen buttons, slide bars and basic 2D graphics can be handled by an MCU, such as one based on ARM’s Cortex-M3.
Beyond that, a high level operating system is required and the user interface solution shifts from an MCU to an MPU.
In automated facilities, operators working from remote control stations need to be able to monitor and observe as much of the factory floor as possible. To achieve full observation, a new level of graphics capability including 3D graphics and video is required. For example, one method of providing operator view of distributed industrial control systems is by having operators gain access to each segment by clicking on tabs on the screen for graphical displays of particular machinery or segment.
Advanced HMIs have the ability to display algorithmically-processed data, 2D and 3D graphics, and video transmitted from inspection cameras on the factory floor. Also available are the ability to display critical processes or production metrics in windows. Scaling, rendering and windowing are common capabilities for advanced HMIs. Touch screen, keypad and voice are optional input types, and all require an interface or peripheral support in the MPU.
A high level of interactivity with factory floor operations is essential, including switching views of inspection cameras, requesting reports on demand, and issuing commands to alter the process or assembly line. The control console can easily receive and process data from hundreds of devices in the underlying control network layers.
From a processor perspective, at the high end this level of interactivity requires a processor with built-in video graphics capability, rich I/O options and significant processing power. Also, the availability of the right peripherals and software libraries play a role in selecting the right processor.
Among the few processors with all aforementioned qualifications are those based on the ARM Cortex-A8. Specific peripherals, interfaces and performance parameters of the processors will be addressed later in this article.
The factory control level typically consists of a large number of PLCs operating at the control level. The PLCs collect sensor data and make decisions to change the state of the process and control relays and motors and the state of other mechanical equipment in the plant. They can monitor and manage a large network of IOs running into hundreds of nodes. PLCs typically require deterministic behavior – that is, each I/O behavior happens in exactly the same amount of time (or processor cycles), each time it occurs. Where the requirements for real-time deterministic behavior are slightly less strict, some PLCs utilize a real-time operating system (RTOS) to ease task-based programming while also ensuring that a system will react within a specific period of time.
One of the differentiating characteristics of ARM Cortex-M3 core is its hardware support for deterministic behavior. Instead of fetching data from caches, the Cortex-M3 fetches instructions and data directly from on-chip flash memory. It provides hardware capable of saving the CPU state during an exception. It always takes just 12 cycles after receiving an external interrupt for the processor to pass control to the interrupt handler and back-to-back interrupts (“tail-chained”) pass control to the interrupt handler in just six cycles.
From a design perspective, the Cortex-M3 core’s built-in determinism makes it possible to replace a two-chip solution for motor control with a single MCU. In the past, a digital signal processor (DSP) would be required to control the motor associated with the node. Meanwhile, the MCU would be handling connectivity with the rest of the system. Cortex-M3-based MCUs have the capability to maintain both. Hardware support of deterministic performance works best with a network protocol that has been designed to be deterministic. The IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) with time precision offers this feature and possesses the capability of multicasting. From a automation design perspective, this means 10/100 Ethernet with hardware assist for IEEE1588 PTP is an important peripheral. In some instances of the higher end Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC), the need for Gigabit Ethernet is evident with increased amount of data transfer. Another popular method of communication in factory automation systems is the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol allowing the design of distributed and redundant systems. Wireless networks are becoming popular for networking PLCs, sensors and other node-level devices. For communication between PLCs and PACs, WLAN (wireless Ethernet) is commonly used. The Sitara™ class of ARM microprocessors from TI have Ethernet MAC, CAN and SDIO for WLAN integrated on chip and possess the required performance to support the networking protocols. At the sensor level, the ZigBee protocol is gaining recognition. Based on the IEEE8 02.15.4 radio specification, ZigBee utilizes mesh networking technology to create robust, self-configuring networks, which is ideal for industrial applications.
Cortex M3-based MCUs have the performance necessary to execute the ZigBee protocol and all associated tasks excluding the radio. Additionally, a Cortex-M3 has the performance to handle 10/100 Base T Ethernet communications, full and half-duplex, with auto-MDIX support.
The Stellaris® family of ARM Cortex-M3-based MCUs from TI have the significant additional advantage of integrating both the Ethernet PHY and MAC on chip, which reduces costs compared to a two-chip solution and saves board space.
For designs that require greater than 10/100 Ethernet performance, designers should choose Cortex-A8-based MPUs, such as the Sitara family from TI.
The Cortex-M3 core is optimized for single-cycle access to on-chip Flash and SRAM, and delivers performance that designers would not have been able to reach in the MCU space previously. Because 50MHz Stellaris Cortex-M3 MCUs feature single-cycle Flash and single-cycle SRAM, designers have access to more raw performance with a Stellaris MCU running at 50MHz than with other MCUs running at 100MHz.
A key decision point in the selection of a processor core is the availability of software that speeds time to market, including operating systems, libraries, and communications stacks.
The graphics requirements are often the driving factor that selects the operating system. Control applications that require 2D or 3D graphics, streaming video, and higher display resolutions generally also require a fully-featured RTOS, Embedded Linux or Windows™ Embedded CE operating systems, and will be at home on a processor based on the ARM9™ or Cortex™-A8 core like in the Sitara™ ARM MPUs that includes a full memory management unit (MMU).
An intelligent display module that can handle text, 2D graphics primitives, and QVGA JPEG images generally sets the upper bound for Cortex-M3-based MCUs. The Cortex-M3 core features a memory protection unit (MPU) that facilitates the efficient usage of small-footprint RTOSes and light-weight Linux kernels such as the Unisom kernel from RoweBots.
One of the advantages of the ARM architecture is that strong ecosystem mentioned earlier. This results in the availability of numerous third-party certified communications stacks, including the specialized industrial communications stacks required in the factory automation environment.
TI’s Stellaris MCUs build on this time-to-market advantage by providing Stellaris Ware® software that provides peripheral driver libraries, a graphics library, a USB library for USB Device, Host, and On-the-Go support, and boot loader support, along with an IEC 60730 self-test library that can be used in industrial applications for device diagnostics.
This time to market advantage extends to the Sitara™ MPUs with development hardware, drivers and board support packages for open source Linux, Windows Embedded CE6 as well as 3rd party support for RTOS like Neutrino, Integrity and VxWorks.
Power has become an important characteristic for all applications, including ones that draw power from the power mains. But whereas portable designs are largely concerned with the power consumption of the processor, industrial systems designers concentrate on electric bills and keeping utility costs as low as possible over time. Reduced power consumption also has positive environmental effects.
Electric motors are practically ubiquitous in factories and processing plants and generally consume large percentages of the plant’s power. Somewhat surprisingly, deterministic performance in the MCU core plays a significant role in power efficiency. When, as in the Cortex-M3, the efficiency of the MCUs interrupt service response increases by 60 percent, less system level power is consumed. A 60 percent faster interrupt service means the MCU can stop and start motors 60 percent faster — and this power saving adds up over the course of a year. In addition, the performance of the Cortex-M3 core can be used to implement intelligent digital commutation which can result in being able to chose a smaller motor for the application, allow the choice of a more efficient motor, or improve the performance of the motor (AC induction motor driven by space vector modulation rather than a simple sine algorithm, for example) – all of which decreases the required system power. Stellaris MCUs include specialized motor control PWMs with deadband timers and QEI for closed loop control to enable designers to increase efficiency and decrease power with the computational capabilities of the Cortex-M3 core.
Another power issue is the trend toward designing fully enclosed factory automation systems to guard against dust and other contaminants normally found in factory environments. If cooling the processor and associated electronics requires more than a heat sink, the designer is forced to consider vents and fans, which either defeats the original goal of an enclosed system or forces the installation of expensive cleaning systems for forced air.
The Sitara™ class of MPUs address the reduced power consumption requirements with adaptive software and hardware techniques that dynamically control voltage, frequency and power based on IC activity.
Peripherals and IOs
The value of processor cores based on a standard ARM architecture has numerous advantages. Since system-level designs are based on MPUs and MCUs, the functionality that IC manufacturers provide in the on-chip system around the core is equally important. Memory options are a key factor, and since on-chip peripherals provide the rest of the product differentiation, the types and numbers of peripherals and IO interfaces are key elements.
Two important communications blocks – the CAN controller and the Ethernet MAC and PHY with 1588 support – have already been discussed. Listed below are various IO options, many of which are in demand because they offer a wide range of data transfer applications:
• I2C: a multi-master serial computer bus used to attach low-speed peripherals;
• UART/USART: an advanced high-speed, general purpose communications peripheral;
• SPI: widely used synchronous serial data link that operates in full duplex mode;
• Inter Integrated Sound (I2S): drives a low distortion signal to an external IC for audio applications;
• External Peripheral Interface (EPI): a configurable memory interface with modes to support SDRAM, SRAM/Flash, legacy Host-Bus ×8 and ×16 peripherals, and a fast Machine-to-Machine (M2M) 150MB/sec parallel transfer interface;
• Universal Serial Bus (USB): USB interface for point to point or multipoint applications often including USB Host support for external storage of machine configuration or USB-on-the-Go.
In industrial applications, functionality such as very fast general purpose I/Os (GPIOs), pulse width modulation (PWM), quadrature encode inputs and analog-digital converter (ADC) channels are important for motor control and other machinery and process equipment.
A good idea of how many of these functions can be integrated on-chip is illustrated in Figure 3, a block diagram of a high-end MCU.
All of the on-chip functionality described above is widely available from most IC vendors. In some instances, product differentiation can be achieved through a more robust implementation. The integrated Ethernet MAC and PHY along with IEEE 1588 support on the Stellaris family devices is a good example of this product differentiation.
Another example is the Programmable Real-Time Unit (PRU) available on TI’s Sitara ARM9 MPUs. The PRU is a small processor with a limited instruction set that can be configured to provide specific resources for real-time functions that are not available on-chip.
In industrial control applications, the PRU is usually configured for IO. This may be a custom interface or an IO block that is not available in any MPU in the product line. Using the PRU can help save in system cost compared to adding an external chip to perform the same function. For instance, with the PRU industrial designers can implement additional standard interfaces such as an UART or industrial Fieldbus like Profibus. The full programmability of the PRU allows designers to even add their won customer proprietary interfaces.
Since the PRU is programmable, it can substitute for different types of IO in different execution scenarios to reduce power consumption and accelerate system performance.
For instance, the PRU can handle specialized custom data handling to offload the ARM9 processor by switching off the ARM clock.
As more semiconductor vendors jump on the bandwagon of utilizing the ARM architecture of MCUs and MPUs, designers of industrial control equipment will have a wider selection for their ICs. Product differentiation will be determined by the intelligent application of silicon (balanced memory systems, fast I/O and peripherals, and communications integration that speeds time to market), along with the availability of good software development tools, libraries and industrial stacks.
It will not be sufficient to simply have a superior inventory of MCUs or MPUs. It will be a higher priority to have an inventory of production ready tools and open source software, such as drivers or a graphics library of primitives and widgets, to offer designers a jump start on their design.


text:
by Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s latest exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey through Africa.
With “Creative Africa,” the Philadelphia Museum of art is celebrating African art and design with five distinct exhibitions, ranging from fashion and photography, to architecture and centuries-old sculptures.
“It’s a really great opportunity for people to see a variety of African art, past and present,” said program coordinator John Vick.
It’s designed to acquaint visitors with the diverse styles and functions of African art through the act of close looking.
The centerpiece of the show is called Look Again: Contemporary Perspectives on African Art.
It’s a collaboration between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Penn Museum– which is home to one of the world’s most important and oldest collections of African Art.
“With that presentation of historical art, we then spun out from that a number of exhibitions that were looking at what contemporary artists and designers are doing on the African content today,” said Vick
The exhibit features ‘Three Photographers/Six Cities,’ which looks at modern photographic work being done throughout Africa. Visitors can also explore the world of fashion and textiles at the Vlisco exhibit and immerse themselves in ‘The Architecture of Francis Kere: Building for Community’
Look Again is curated by Dr. Kristina Van Dyke.
Creative Africa opens Saturday and runs through September 25th.

domain: artistic


text:
Abietic acid isolated from pine resin (Resina Pini) enhances angiogenesis in HUVECs and accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice
- Abietic acid isolated from pine resin (Resina Pini) enhances angiogenesis in HUVECs and accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice
- 김수남; 신명숙; 박준언; 이윤경; 이동수; 유정은; 노리꼬야마베; 이슬아; 김기현; 이해정; 노석선; 강기성
- wound healing; tube formation; resin; resina pini; abietic acid; mapks
- Issue Date
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- VOL 203-287
- Ethnopharmacological relevance Resin known as Resina Pini is listed in the Korean and Japanese pharmacopoeias and has been used for treating skin wounds and inflammation. Resin is composed of more than 50% abietic acid and 10% neutral substances. Objective In the present study, the wound-healing effects of abietic acid and the possible underlying mechanism of action were investigated in various in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and methods The effects of abietic acid on tube formation and migration were measured in human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was evaluated via Western blotting analysis. The wound-healing effects of abietic acid were assessed using a mouse model of cutaneous wounds. Results The results showed that abietic acid enhanced cell migration and tube formation in HUVECs. Abietic acid induced significant angiogenic potential, which is associated with upregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 expression. Additionally, 0.8 μM abietic acid-treated groups showed accelerated wound closure compared to the controls in a mouse model of cutaneous wounds. Conclusion The current data indicate that abietic acid treatment elevated cell migration and tube formation in HUVECs by the activation of ERK and p38 MAPKs. We suggest that abietic acid can be developed as a wound-healing agent.
- Appears in Collections:
- KIST Publication > Article
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domain: biology


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text:
Library consolidating aperture 3 ass
Friday, September 08, 2017 by Mdaf
Adventures merging Aperture 3 libraries
In our family we take a few photos, and they end up in different places. Two of those places are two laptops and two separate Aperture libraries. Two years ago I took the plunge and merged the libraries using Aperture’s library merging feature (to say nothing of the prior migration from iPhoto). I then used Duplicate Annihilator to remove duplicate photos, and generally tidied up my libraries. I then left both laptops with a copy of the same Aperture library (containing photos from 2011 and on, as my SSD couldn’t cope with much more).
Spin forward to 2013 when it once again seems prudent to take stock of our photos. Attempting to take the two Aperture libraries and merge them results in an error:
The library could not be imported because it is a duplicate of the library currently running.
After attempting various tricks, including importing one library into a fresh library, I was unable to use Aperture to merge the libraries. I was able to add one library to the other, however then I’d have an enormous number of duplicates to delete and it felt like it introduced some unpredictability into the result… deleting duplicates feels like a last resort to me rather than part of the plan.
Time to start hacking.
Aperture libraries are packages, which are just disguised folders, and they contain masters, which are the original files. Using a few UNIX tools I decided to find all of the files in library B that are also in library A, at the exact same path in the masters folder, and remove them. This is based on the assumption that our libraries were exactly the same until they diverged. Obviously if both libraries have imported new photos separately I will end up with duplicates. Hopefully not too many.
Here is the simple script I wrote to first find all of the masters in library A and then to delete them. BACKUP YOUR LIBRARIES FIRST.
find Masters -type f | while read i; do
if [ -f “$LIBRARY_B/$i” ]; then
This runs pretty quickly. When it’s done LIBRARY_B is smaller than it was. It is also a slightly broken Aperture library, in which a lot of originals are missing. To remove those broken images you need to open the library, hold down the option key and choose Generate Previews from the Photos menu (while not having any photo selected). Aperture will take a while, but it will go through all your photos and notice that ones that are missing. Once that process is complete, filter your library for “File Status” of “missing” and then delete those photos.
You still can’t import B into A, as Aperture will give the error mentioned above. But you can now import B into a new library. Then finally you can import that new library into A and then set about resolving any duplicates you did in fact end up with.
This was posted 5 years ago. It has 0 notes.

domain: library


text:
As the lawless anti-pipeline protests ramp up on Wet’suwet’en territory, our stagnating economy suffers. We are being poorly served. It is time to let Ottawa know that it is failing us. Watch more above or read the full script below.
Protesters in Ontario are continuing to bring rail transit in the busiest corridor in Canada — Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto — to its knees, forcing 14,000 persons on one weekend alone to shift at the last moment from carbon-friendly public transit to gas powered cars.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
These illegals are in solidarity with illegal protestors on the West Coast, who are protesting the Coastal Gas Pipeline, which has been approved by all government and regulatory authorities to bring natural gas to a $40 billion Liquified Natural Gas plant for export.
Just six years ago, Canada was amongst a handful of countries with plans for numerous LNG plants —18 to be exact. The U.S. had only a few on the drawing boards — now the numbers have been virtually reversed.


text:
Free Throw Contest Set For Sunday
The Emmetsburg Knights of Columbus will sponsor their annual Free Throw contest this Sunday, Jan. 20. The event will be held at Corrigan Hall in Emmetsburg.
The competition is open to boys and girls ages 10-14 from the Emmetsburg, Graettinger/Terril, Ruthven-Ayrshire and West Bend-Mallard school districts.
Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. with shooting to start at 1:00 p.m. Winners will advance to district competition.
For more information, call Jim Bird at 712-852-4699.


text:
Brutus redefines All-Terrain motorcycles
Take an old three-wheeler and lop off one of those big balloon tires in the back and what you’ve got is the basic concept of the Brutus motorcycle. However, there’s more to this bike than just bloated, knobby tires.
Designed by Alessandro Tartarini, son of the founder of Italian motorcycle-maker ‘Italjet’, the Brutus is powered by a 750cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke engine which puts out 45 hp. It’s coupled to a CVT gearbox with optional reverse and low gears. The components are mounted to a beefy high-strength steel chassis with 14-inch aluminium wheels, riding on Maxxis Bighorn ATV tires which are designed to tackle sand, dirt and rocks. The front tire is 6-inches wide and the rear 7.5-inches. Despite the aggressive tread up front and back, the bike is rear-wheel drive only (unlike the much older Rokon, which is similar in appearance and two-wheel-drive).
The bike is expected to enter the market in early 2013 and may offer an optional sidecar and snow treads. But whether the bike will make it to UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC is still not known.

domain: design


text:
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