text:
\section{INTRODUCTION}
It is generally assumed that most of the primary cosmic carbonaceous material is formed
as nano- and subnanometer-sized particles via gas-phase condensation in envelopes
of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars \citep{Henning:98}. The very probable and abundant precursor for this
process is acetylene (C$_{2}$H$_{2}$). The presence of a solid nanosized
carbonaceous material in addition to molecular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are considered
to be the carriers of the aromatic IR (AIR) bands in different astrophysical environments,
is sufficiently proven by the IR excess emission of transiently heated grains \citep{Boulanger:98,Draine:01}.
However, a firm detection of individual band
carriers for the AIRs has not been succeeded. The role of fullerenes as possible band
carriers remains uncertain. Giant fullerenes were already found in
primitive meteorites \citep{Smith:81,Buseck:02}. The detection of
fullerenes in astronomical environments is still a matter of debate
\citep{Foing:97,Galazutdinov:00,Nuccitelli:05,Sellgren:07}.

Several authors \citep{Frenkl:89,Cherchneff:92, Allain:97} have modeled the
formation of PAHs in AGB stars. Whereas these authors determined a
narrow temperature range of 900 to 1100\,K for the formation of PAHs in circumstellar
environments, \citet{Cherchneff:99}
reconsidered the modeling of the PAH and carbon dust formation in
carbon-rich AGB stars. They developed a physico-chemical model,
which describes the periodically shocked gas in the circumstellar
shells close to the photosphere of the stars. The authors found that
benzene (C$_6$H$_6$) formation begins at 1.4 R$_*$ and, at a radius of 1.7
R$_*$, the conversion of single rings to PAHs starts at a temperature of around 1700\,K.
This temperature is much higher than the temperature window calculated in previous studies.

Temperatures and pressures in circumstellar condensation environments are uncertain
since they depend on various model assumptions, for instance, mass loss rates, gas density
outflow velocity, and dust formation. Pulsations of the helium burning shells
affect the atmospheres and can cause shock fronts, which result in density/pressure
fluctuations \citep{Nowotny:05}. Pressure ranges of 0.03--100 and 1--800\,dyn/cm$^{2}$
(3$\times$10$^{-5}$--0.1 and 1$\times$10$^{-3}$--0.8\,mbar) for AGB stars with an
effective temperature of 2500 and 4000\,K, respectively, have been calculated \citep{Lederer:06}.

One important way to successfully understand the condensation of
dust in astrophysical environments is to calculate the stability
limits for condensation of dust species based on chemical models and
different chemical and physical parameters. \citet{Lodders:99} have
modeled the condensation of carbonaceous grains in dust-forming
shells of carbon-rich AGB stars using pressures between 10 and
3$\times$10$^3$\,~dynes/cm$^2$ (0.01-3\,~mbar). The authors found
that the condensation temperatures generally decrease with
decreasing total pressure. However, graphite is an exception since
the condensation temperature is not pressure-dependent but sensitive
to the C/O ratio in the dust-forming zone. Higher C/O ratios shift
the pressure range to higher values.

For hydrogen-poor Wolf Rayet (WR) stars with high effective temperatures between 20,000 and
90,000\,K, running through the WC phase, the carbon dust condensation
is supposed to start with small carbon chains, that can form monocyclic
rings \citep{Helden:93}. These carbon chains and rings represent the precursors for
fullerenes, which finally form the amorphous carbon grains \citep{Cherchneff:00}.
In this scenario, the PAHs are ruled out as possible intermediates.

It is imperatively assumed that the formation pathway of carbon condensation determines the
resulting structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the condensing
grains. Therefore, it is important to know the formation process of cosmic dust grains
and possible precursors and/or intermediates such as PAHs, fullerenes, or polyyne
carbon chains, in order to understand their spectral properties in different astrophysical environments.

Despite all efforts, the formation process of carbon nanoparticles in astrophysical environments
and even in terrestrial carbon condensation processes is not
sufficiently understood. Most studies of soot formation pathways have been performed
on premixed gas flames or laminar diffusion flames.
The formation of PAHs and nanometer-sized carbon grains in fuel-rich hydrocarbon flames has been
extensively investigated by \citet{Burtscher:92}, \citet{Baum:92}, and \citet{Weilmuenster:99}.
The chemical species associated with the early stage of soot growth and soot precursor particles
in flames have been studied by \citet{Dobbins:98} and \citet{Oektem:05}.
\citet{Homann:98} claimed that, by association of two or more large PAHs in form of biaryl or $\pi$
complexes, a new group of PAHs is formed, which he called aromers. These aromers
are supposed to be precursors for fullerenes and soot particles.
The disadvantage of studying soot formation in flames is the varying temperature and
chemistry in the flames that seems to be associated with changes in the particle formation pathways.

We have employed gas-phase condensation experiments to produce
nanometer- and subnanometer-sized carbonaceous particles within two
different temperature regimes, a high-temperature (HT) and
low-temperature (LT) condensation regime. Both gas-phase
condensation techniques come close to the grain formation process
suggested to occur in astrophysical environments. The study of the
formation pathways has been performed experimentally by analytical
characterization of the soot and its by-products, including
high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM),
chromatographic methods, and mass spectroscopy. Finally, the
spectral properties of the two different condensates have been
measured from the far UV (FUV) to the infrared (IR), in order to
compare their spectral characteristics. They are are discussed in
$\S$ \ref{spec}.

\section{EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR HIGH- AND LOW-TEMPERATURE CONDENSATION}
\label{experi}
The synthesis conditions for all series of gas-phase condensation
experiments are presented in Table\,\ref{prod}. The first two rows
refer to the high-temperature (HT) condensation experiments performed with pulsed lasers characterized by
high power densities and, consequently, high temperatures of more
than 3500\,K in the condensation zone. The last four rows of Table\,\ref{prod} describe
the low-temperature (LT) condensation experiments that process at temperatures lower than 1700\,K.
The last column of the table contains a description of the two types of condensed carbonaceous matter.

For HT condensations, laser ablation of graphite with subsequent
condensation of carbonaceous matter in quenching gas atmospheres of
He or He/H$_2$ (3/2 He/H$_2$ standard volume flow) mixtures at
pressures between 3.3 and 26.7\,mbar has been applied. The second
harmonic of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser was used to evaporate carbon from
a graphite target. The pressure was kept as low as possible to come
close to the conditions in astrophysical condensation zones.
However, at a pressure lower than 3.3\,mbar, the condensation rate
became too slow to be manageable for the condensation of grains. In
order to study the influence of the pressure on the composition and
final structure of the condensate, we have increased the pressure up
to 26.7\,mbar. In addition, laser-induced pyrolysis (LIP) of
gas-phase hydrocarbon precursors (ethylene, acetylene, and benzene)
at pressures around 335\,mbar using a pulsed CO$_2$ laser have been
carried out. In such a condensation experiment, the pressure has to
be higher in order to obtain a stable flame and constant
condensation conditions. In the table, the terms LA (laser ablation)
and LPPL (laser pyrolysis, pulsed laser) refer to a number of
different experiments with varying laser power densities, quenching
gas mixtures, pressures, and precursors. The condensing particles
were extracted from the condensation zone by using a molecular beam
technique and deposited on KBr and CaF$_2$ substrates for IR and
UV/visible spectroscopy, respectively. A more detailed description
of both methods can be found in \citet{Llamas:07} and
\citet{Jaeger:08b}. For all the HT experiments, the laser power
densities were varied between 1$\times$10$^7$ and
9$\times$10$^9$\,W\,cm$^{-2}$, which is a measure that correlates
with the temperature in the condensation zone. For HT gas-phase
condensation processes of nanoparticles, we can provide lower limits
of the temperature in the condensation zone. The vibrational
temperature of the laser-induced plasma generated by laser
evaporation of a graphite target in a 10\,mbar He atmosphere was
found to range between 4000 and 6000\,~K for power densities between
5$\times$10$^8$--2$\times$10$^9$\,W\,cm$^{-2}$ \citep{Iida:94}. In
the LIP of hydrocarbons, the employed power densities are only
slightly lower compared to the ablation experiments and, therefore,
the condensation temperatures are well comparable, which is
confirmed by other authors \citep{Koji:81,Doub:06}.

LT condensation studies have been performed by laser-induced
pyrolysis (LIP) of gas-phase hydrocarbon precursors, such as
ethylene, acetylene, and benzene, at pressures around 750\,mbar,
applying a continuous-wave (cw) CO$_2$ laser. The detailed
experimental setup is described elsewhere
\citep{Jaeger:06a,Jaeger:06b}. The condensed nanoparticles have been
collected in a filter. The terms LPcw2--LPcw5 refer to individual
condensation experiments performed by application of laser pyrolysis
with a cw CO$_2$ laser. For the LT condensation experiments, the
laser power densities varied between 850 and 6400\,W\,cm$^{-2}$. The
power densities are orders of magnitude lower compared to the HT
condensations and, therefore, the corresponding temperatures in the
condensation zone are much lower and were found to be in the range
between 1000 and 1700\,K. In these experiments, the temperatures
have been determined with a pyrometer.

For both, HT and LT condensations, the pressures considerably
exceeded the pressure ranges supposed to be valid in the
condensation zone of AGB stars. In laboratory experiments it is
necessary to scale up the pressure since the free path lengths of
atoms and clusters would be too long for the laboratory setup at
pressures lower than 1\,mbar. Therefore, in order to simulate the
condensation of particles, we have to scale up the applied pressure
ranges in the condensation apparatus at least by 1-2 orders of
magnitude. However, we would like to point out that the total
pressures provided in Table\,\ref{prod} do not represent the partial
pressures of the condensing species since we additionally use a
quenching gas such as helium or hydrogen. The real partial pressure
of the condensing carbon species cannot be measured. Therefore, an
exact determination of the ratio between the partial and the
equivalent pressure of the gaseous carbon species, which is related
to the supersaturation factor (see $\S$ \ref{result}), during the
condensation process is very difficult.

The internal structures of the condensed carbon particles and the formation of possible
intermediates and by-products were investigated with high-resolution
transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) (JEOL JEM 3010 microscope)
operating at an acceleration voltage of 300\,kV. The soluble components of the condensates were removed by
soxhlet extraction in toluene. The composition of the extracts and
condensates was characterized by using gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses,
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with a UV/visible
diode array detector, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).
Technical details of the analytical and spectral analyses are provided in previous papers \citep{Jaeger:06a,Jaeger:08b}.
\begin{table*} \caption[]{Experimental conditions comprising the HT and LT gas-phase
condensation experiments. The terms LA and LPPL denote a series of experiments performed at
high temperatures, but with varying conditions. The terms LPcwi describe individual LT condensation experiments.
A more detailed description of these experiments can be found elsewhere
\citep{Llamas:07,Jaeger:08b}.} \label{prod}
\begin{center}{\scriptsize
\begin{tabular}{ccccccc}
\hline
Experi- &Precursor             &  Buffer & Laser  & Laser power                     & Tempera-     &  Condensate              \\
ment    &                      &  gas    &        &  density (W\,cm$^{-2}$)         & ture (K)     &                     \\
  \hline
LA      &Graphite              & He/H$_2$& pulsed &2$\times$10$^8$--9$\times$10$^9$ & $\geq$4000  &  fullerene-like soot\\
        &                      &         &        &                                 &             &  and fullerenes     \\[0.1cm]
LPPL    &C$_2$H$_4$, C$_2$H$_2$,& He/Ar   & pulsed &1$\times$10$^7$--1$\times$10$^9$ & $\geq$3500  &  fullerene-like soot\\
        &C$_6$H$_6$            &         &        &                                 &             &  and fullerenes     \\
\hline
LPcw2     &C$_2$H$_4$, C$_2$H$_2$& Ar      &  cw    & 5200                            &             &soot and 14 wt\% PAHs\\[0.1cm]
LPcw3     &C$_2$H$_4$, C$_6$H$_6$& Ar      &  cw    & 5200                            & $\sim$1500  &soot and 33 wt\% PAHs\\[0.1cm]
LPcw4     &C$_2$H$_4$, C$_6$H$_6$& Ar      &  cw    &  6400                           & $\sim$1700  &soot and 17 wt\% PAHs\\[0.1cm]
LPcw5     &C$_2$H$_4$            & Ar      &  cw    &  850                            & $\sim$1000  &  100 wt\% PAHs      \\
\hline
\end{tabular}}
\end{center}
\vspace{1mm}
\end{table*}

\section{RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS}\label{result}
\subsection{Soot Formation at Different Temperatures}\label{struc}
HRTEM images of the carbonaceous matter produced in a HT gas-phase
condensation process are shown in Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 1}.
\begin{figure}[t]
\epsscale{1.2} \plotone{f1.eps}

\caption{HRTEM images of fullerene-like nanoparticles generated in a HT condensation process
 (samples from series LA). In image (a), fullerene and elongated fullerene molecules
 are marked by arrows. Image (b) and (c) present a typical fullerene
 cage fragment and a buckyonion with two interleaved fullerene cages
 (size 1.7 nm, also marked by an arrow), respectively. Model (d)
 illustrates the likely link between fullerene fragments in the soot grains.} \label{HRTEM 1}
\end{figure}
A much more detailed chemical and structural description of the HT
condensates can be found in \citet{Llamas:07} and
\citet{Jaeger:08b}. The HRTEM micrographs reveal that, in addition
to individual fullerenes, which are marked by arrows in
Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 1}a, very small fullerene-like particles are
produced. These particles are composed of small, strongly bent
graphene layers with varying lengths and distances between these
layers. The level of disorder depends on the employed condensation
conditions. Soot condensates containing low amounts of hydrogen show
more ordered and frequently closed fullerene cages
(Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 1}c) whereas grains with higher hydrogen
contents are less ordered and do not show completely closed cages.
In these grains, the cage fragments stick together by van der Waals
forces or are linked by aliphatic --CH$_x$ groups (see sketch d in
Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 1}).

Both methods of HT condensation (laser ablation and laser pyrolysis)
work at different pressures. However, the increase of the pressure
in the condensation zone by two orders of magnitude does not result
in a change of the structure of the condensate.

The small size of the grains points to a strong supersaturation of
the carbon vapor in the condensation zone resulting in a high number
of nucleation seeds. This is based on the assumption that,
generally, homogeneous nucleation needs a high supersaturation of
the vapor phase \citep{Granquist:76,Heidenreich:03}. The relation
between the size of the critical grains $r^*$ and the Gibbs free
energy is defined by the equation $r^* = -2\gamma / \Delta G_v$,
where $\gamma$ stands for the surface energy of the condensed
species \citep{Cao:04}. The Gibbs free energy $\Delta$$G_v$  is
again proportional to the temperature $T$ and the supersaturation
$S$ via the relation $\Delta G_v = \frac{-kT}{\Omega} ln(1+S)$ where
$k$ is the Boltzmann constant and $\Omega$ is the atomic volume.
Therefore, in order to reduce the critical size of stable nuclei in
the condensation zone, which is a requirement for the production of
small grains, one needs to increase the Gibbs free energy
$\Delta$$G_v$ of nucleation per unit volume. TEM micrographs of the
HT samples partly show the appearance of larger particles up to
10\,nm, which were formed by coagulation of the original, very small
fullerene-like carbon grains. Under these condensation conditions
(high supersaturation and temperature), it is supposed that the
further particle growth is exclusively due to coagulation.

\begin{figure}[htp]
\epsscale{0.8} \plotone{f2.eps} \caption{HRTEM image of a typical
large carbon nanoparticle produced in a LT process (LPcw2-4). The
inset displays a section of a particle showing the arrangement and
mean sizes of the graphene layers.} \label{HRTEM 2}
\end{figure}
The generation of fullerenes and fragments of them in the condensation process
could be verified by using electron microscopy.
The presence of symmetric and elongated fullerene molecules with different numbers of carbon atoms
is clearly visible in the HRTEM micrographs. The symmetric fullerenes range from 0.5 up to 1.03\,nm
corresponding to fullerenes from C$_{36}$  up to C$_{130}$ \citep{Goel:04}.
A soot formation process via polyyne chains, fullerenes and fullerene snatches,
respectively, was already proposed by \cite{Kroto:88}.
MALDI-TOF studies of the HT condensate have shown that no PAHs are formed
as intermediates.

The critical point in the creation of bent graphene layers or disturbed fullerene-like
structures is the formation of cage fragments or molecules from the chains.
Quantum chemical molecular dynamics simulations have demonstrated that
high carbon densities are essential for such processes, which can be found
for example in carbon arc or laser ablation processes \citep{Zheng:05}.
These authors found that the C$_2$
molecules quickly combine to long and branched carbon chains and
macromolecules for temperatures above 2000\,K, which form small cyclic
structures with long carbon chains attached (nucleation).
The second step is a further ring condensation
growth for example between two linear chains attached to a nucleus.
Consequently, fullerene fragments of bowl shape with side chains are
formed in this step \citep{Irle:03}. Furthermore,
coalescence reactions of small fullerenes \citep{Yeretzian:93}
can result in the formation of larger and elongated fullerene cages,
which have also been observed by HRTEM.

In contrast, the condensed grains in LT processes are much larger
and show more ordered and well developed planar graphene layers
inside the particles (see Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 2}). Additionally,
mixtures of PAHs were formed as by-products. These soluble components
were extracted from the soot, and the constituents
of the extract were identified by chromatographic
methods. A mixture of around 70 different PAHs, partly hydrogenated at the edges, could
be identified using GC/MS and HPLC. PAHs with 3-5 ring systems are by far
the most abundant components. PAHs with masses up to
3000 Da were also detected by application of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (see Figure\,\ref{Maldi}), but only in
very small amounts. The large size and high internal order of the
condensed soot grains points to a low supersaturation of the carbon vapor
and the formation of a smaller number of stable nuclei compared to the HT condensation
process. In the LT condensation, the further particle growth is
dominated by condensation of intermediates on the surface of the
seeds, which means that PAHs continuously accumulate on the surface
of the grains.
\begin{figure}[t]
\epsscale{1.05} \plotone{f3.eps} \caption{MALDI TOF spectrum of the
LT soot sample LPcw3 showing that PAHs with masses up to 3000 Da are
observed. The individual peaks show abundant PAHs of lower masses.
To exemplify a PAH molecule with comparable mass, a symmetric
molecule comprising 91 condensed rings and having a diameter of
about 3\,nm is presented.} \label{Maldi}
\end{figure}
Since larger PAHs have a lower volatility compared to
the smaller ones, a preferred accumulation of large molecules during
the surface growth process can be observed. The accumulation of the
large molecules on the surfaces of the seeds can be confirmed by
a detailed analysis of the HRTEM micrographs revealing a mean
length of the graphene sheets inside the particles of around
1.8\,nm corresponding to PAHs with masses of
around 1000\,Da. However, the longest graphene layers that could be
determined in the micrographs of the soot particles had extensions of
about 3 nm, which corresponds to the highest-mass PAHs detected with
MALDI-TOF measurements.

\subsection{Spectroscopic Properties of the LT and HT Condensates}\label{spec}
The spectral properties of the HT and LT condensates in the
UV/visible range differ considerably. Although the HT soot grains
consist of about 50\% $sp^2$ hybridized carbon atoms, the UV spectra
do not show distinct UV absorption bands (see Figure\,\ref{UV}).
However, a deconvolution of the UV/visible absorption profile by
employing four Gaussians reveals weak and broad bands due to
($\pi$--$\pi$*) transitions between 4.45 and 3.84\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$
depending on the hydrogen content. The width of the ($\pi$--$\pi$*)
main band and the appearance of a plasmon band around
2.5\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$ (400\,nm) accounts for a certain disorder in the
carbon structures due to a broad distribution of curvatures and
lengths of graphene layers in the small fullerene-like carbon grains
\citep{Jaeger:08b,Jaeger:08}. A very weak band around
5.2\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$ (190\,nm) can be attributed to the absorption of
--C=O groups.

\begin{figure}[htp]
\epsscale{1.10} \plotone{f4.eps} \caption{UV/visible spectra of
selected LT and HT condensate samples. The HT soot sample (black
curve) has been produced in 6.0\,mbar He/H$_2$ atmosphere by laser
ablation (H/C= 0.52). The solid gray curves represent 4 individual
Gaussian profiles fitting as a sum the absorption profile. The
dashed and dotted black curves show the UV/visible spectra of two LT
condensates containing a high and low amount of the soluble organic
component, respectively (see text).}\label{UV}
\end{figure}
In contrast to the HT grains, the soot grains in the LT condensate have much higher content of $sp^2$
hybridized carbon atoms which was found to range between 80 and 92\,\% \citep{NEXAFS:09}.
The UV spectra of LT condensates with very similar grain structure and composition
(soot and PAH mixtures) produced by propane combustion \citep{Schnai:05,Llamas:08}
are shown in Figure\,\ref{UV}. The condensates do show distinct UV absorption bands
caused by ($\pi$--$\pi$*) transitions ranging between 3.6 and 4.9\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$
(204 and 256\,nm). The exact position of this band depends on the internal structure
of the soot grains and the content and composition of the soluble PAH component, which also
contributes to the spectrum. The spectrum with the band position at 3.6\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$
belongs to a condensate consisting of more than 90\,\% soot. Here the band position
is dominated by the soot fraction and shows a strongly enhanced absorption in the visible range.
The second LT spectrum is typical for a composite consisting of
a high amount of PAHs (around 50\,\%) and a smaller fraction of soot grains. The sizes and the internal structure
of the grains are strongly comparable in both condensates. Therefore, the difference in the
positions of the ($\pi$--$\pi$*) transitions is caused by the varying PAH content.

Spectral observations of carbon-rich late-type stars in the UV
range, the places where grain condensation is expected, are limited
since such stars are too cool to be observable in this range. Post
AGB stars and planetary nebulae are brighter in the UV, but due to
the strong rise of temperature, the originally produced dust has
already been processed \citep{Kwok:99}.

The UV spectrum recorded for the active mass-losing and
dust-producing post AGB star HD 44179, recently presented by
\citet{Vijh:05a}, shows a very broad hump with a maximum near
200\,nm (5\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$) which is in width and position similar to
the UV spectrum for the LT condensate containing a high amount of
PAHs (dashed curve in Figure\,\ref{UV}). The effective temperature
of the star amounted to 8000\,K, but the measured blue luminescence
points to the presence of small PAHs. Possibly similar to the
measured UV spectrum in HD 44179 is the one in the hydrogen-rich
post AGB star HD 89353 \citep{Buss:89} with an effective temperature
of 7500\,K \citep{Monier:99}. Aromatic IR bands, observable in both
objects, suggest the presence of PAHs or aromatic subunits in the
carbonaceous dust which probably result from the processing of the
original dust that is supposed to start with the end of the AGB
phase \citep{Kwok:99}.

In the hydrogen-poor post AGB star HD 213985 \citep{Buss:89} and in
the R Coronae Borealis variable stars (R\,CrB and V\,348\,Sgr)
\citep{Hecht:84,Drilling:89,Drilling:97}, UV band positions at 230
(4.34\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$) and 250\,nm (4.0\,$\mu$m$^{-1}$) were
observed, respectively, that are comparable to UV spectral bands
measured for LT condensates but with low PAH content. Indeed, these
objects do not show aromatic IR bands.

The IR spectral properties of the HT condensates are characterized
by strong saturated and aliphatic --CH$_x$ absorptions at 3.4, 6.8,
and 7.25\,$\mu$m. This supports the assumption that saturated
aliphatic --CH$_x$ groups are mainly responsible for the links
between the fullerene fragments (compare Figure\,\ref{HRTEM 1}d). No
aromatic =C--H stretching vibrational bands at 3.3\,$\mu$m have been
observed, but aromatic --C=C-- groups can be identified between 6.2
and 6.25\,$\mu$m. Additionally, out-of-plane bending vibrations of
aromatic =C--H groups are observed between 11 and 14\,$\mu$m, since
their intensity is higher than the intensity of the stretching
bands. A weak feature at 5.8\,$\mu$m can be attributed to a small
amount of --C=O groups inside the carbon structure, but also higher
fullerenes can show vibrational modes in this range
\citep{Mordkovich:00}. Interestingly, signatures for the presence of
--C$\equiv$C-- triple bonds can be observed in the in situ IR
spectra of the HT condensates at 3.03 and 4.7\,$\mu$m, which points
to the formation of polyynes as intermediates and supports the idea
about the formation of fullerene snatches. A more detailed
description of the IR spectral properties of these particles
produced in HT condensations can be found in \citet{Jaeger:08b}.

LT condensates, that represent a mixture of soot and PAHs, show
aromatic IR bands (AIBs) as well as aliphatic IR band, with both
types being partly superimposed on two broad plateau features around
8 and 12\,$\mu$m (see Figure\,\ref{IR}). In the spectra, quite a
number of partly small, individual bands can be recognized. However,
a firm separation of aliphatic and aromatic IR features in the
6--10\,$\mu$m range and an attribution of every IR band to a special
functional group of specific components in this range is difficult
and suffers from the fact that the soluble component of the
condensate contains around 70 different aromatic species which can
be partly hydrogenated. In addition, the structural variety of the
grains and their functional groups becomes manifest in additional IR
bands.

The non-treated condensate (see dashed curve) shows aromatic bands
at 3.3, 6.27, 6.35, 6.88, 7.22, 7.93, 8.47, 8.65, 9.28, 9.72, 10.50,
11.36, 11.9, 12.05, 12.14, 12.30, 13.27, 13.56, and 14.30\,$\mu$m as
well as aliphatic IR bands at 3.4, 6.75, 6.94, 7.01, and
7.5\,$\mu$m. The bands beyond 6.7\,$\mu$m mainly arise from --C--C--
stretching and C-H deformation bands. In this spectral range a firm
assignment of an IR band to a specific functional group is very
difficult even for carbonaceous grains without adsorbed PAHs which
may contain a lot of different functional groups with single and
double bonds integrated in varying chemical environments leading to
a distribution of vibrational bands in this spectral range. IR bands
at wavelengths larger than 11\,$\mu$m can be assigned to aromatic
=C--H out-of-plane bending vibrations. In particular, the bands at
13.27, 13.56, and 14.3\,$\mu$m are caused by 4-5 adjacent H atoms
bound to the aromatic ring and argue for smaller PAHs, PAHs with
outer rings containing 4 hydrogen, or for special PAHs containing
phenyl rings bound to larger PAH molecules. In the spectrum of the
soot without PAHs (after toluene extraction), a few small and
distinct bands disappear and the overall spectrum becomes smoother
(see gray solid curve). However, most of the features persist
pointing to the fact that carbonaceous grains can show similar bands
as PAHs. However, very large insoluble PAHs may also remain and
contribute to the IR bands after extraction.

The spectral characteristics of LT condensates resemble the observed
IR spectra of post AGB stars and protoplanetary nebulae
\citep{Kwok:01,Hony:03,Hrivnak:07}. The comparison shown in
Figure\,\ref{IR} clearly reveals that nearly all of the observed IR
bands are also present in the LT condensate produced in the
laboratory. Differences in band ratios, apparent for the =C-H
out-of-plane vibrational bands in the range between 11 and
14\,$\mu$m for the condensate containing soot and PAHs, result from
the overabundance of small PAHs, or larger PAHs containing outer
rings with up to 4 to 5 H atoms compared to larger, compactly
condensed species which should be more stable under astrophysical
conditions. The pure soot particles (after extraction) which have
consumed all the large PAHs during the growth process show a much
better coincidence with the observed bands (see gray solid curve in
Figure\,\ref{IR}). The comparison reveals that the LT condensate is
a promising dust analog for carbonaceous materials produced in
carbon-rich AGB stars.

\begin{figure}[htp]
\epsscale{1.00} \plotone{f5.eps} \caption{Comparison between the IR
spectral properties of a LT condensate (LPcw3) and the observed
spectrum of a post AGB star adapted from Hony et al.
(2003).}\label{IR}
\end{figure}

\section{CONCLUSIONS}
The chemical pathways for the formation of carbon nanoparticles in
HT and LT condensation processes are completely different, resulting
in different structures and spectral properties of the condensed
carbonaceous matter.

The soot grains formed in HT condensation processes are characterized by very small particles
with sizes up to 3-4\,nm. Their structure can be
described as fullerene-like soot grains containing elongated or
symmetric cages, which can be interleaved. Most of the observed structural units
are cage fragments which can be linked to another fragment either by aliphatic
bridges or by van der Waals forces. The formation pathway of the soot particles is characterized
by the formation of carbon chains that can form fullerene fragments of bowl shape
with side chains. Long and branched carbon macromolecules are suggested to be
the precursors for cyclic structures with long carbon chains attached which can condense
and grow, for example, by a linkage of two linear chains attached to a nucleus \citep{Irle:03}.

A HT condensation process of carbon nanoparticles process can be expected in supernovae \citep{Clayton:01}
or in the hot circumstellar environments of carbon-rich stars, such as Wolf-Rayet stars \citep{Cherchneff:00}.

In contrast, LT condensation realized by using cw laser-driven pyrolysis of hydrocarbons
favors a formation process with PAHs as precursors and particle-forming elements, which condense on the surface of
carbonaceous seeds via physi- and chemisorption. As a result, large carbonaceous
grains are formed revealing well developed planar and slightly bent graphene layers in their interior.
The samples produced in the present study are very valuable for a comparison with astrophysical data.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that LT laser pyrolysis experiments can produce a wealth of PAHs.
The experimental conditions are comparable to those encountered in circumstellar
environments around evolved stars (AGB stars) suggesting that, in these environments, the soot formation is governed by the synthesis of PAHs and their condensation on the surface of larger grains.

In circumstellar shells of AGB stars, the pressure is assumed to be
lower than in the laboratory studies. However, our total pressure is
not comparable to the total pressures in the atmospheres of
dust-forming shells since we use a quenching gas to concentrate the
condensation within a relatively small volume. The lower pressure in
circumstellar condensation zones provokes the condensation to take
place within longer distances and timescales compared to laboratory
experiments, however, it is not assumed that this results in a
change of the  condensate structure. HT condensation experiments
performed in different pressures ranges (at $\sim$3 and
$\sim$300\,mbar) do not show a difference in the structure of the
condensing species and, therefore, they support this assumption.
Furthermore, we have to keep in mind that the graphite condensation
is pressure-independent and much more sensitive to the C/O ratio in
the dust-forming shells \citep{Lodders:99}. Furthermore, the
condensation parameters and, in particular, the pressure as well as
the degree of dust condensation can strongly vary in the
dust-forming zone due to pulsations of the stellar interior
\citep{Nowotny:05b}.

Low-temperature condensation is a very likely formation process of
soot and PAHs in AGB stars. Condensation temperatures in our
laboratory studies were found to be very similar to the temperature
range for carbon dust condensation in carbon-rich AGB stars,
predicted by \citet{Cherchneff:99} to start at temperatures of
1700\,K.

\acknowledgements This work was supported by a cooperation between
the Max-Planck-Institut f\"ur Astronomie and the FSU Jena as well as
by the Deutsche For\-schungs\-ge\-mein\-schaft (Hu 474/21-1).
Furthermore, we would like to thank Dr. H.J. R\"ader,
Max-Planck-Institut f\"ur Polymerchemie, Mainz, for the MALDI-TOF
measurements.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Word of Muth: Stretch Slice (OL Play vs Colts)
Thread starter Om
Another installment from what is quickly becoming one of my favorite Skins-related recurring features. Former lineman Muth does a great job bringing the X's and O's to life, writes well ... "gets it."
This week he looks at the Skins OL play against the Colts and brings a perspective I think you'll appreciate.
Click the title link for the whole story ...
Word of Muth: Stretch Slice by Ben Muth
The Redskins had a simple game plan against the Colts: run the football effectively and use play action to create big plays. They were able to run the ball pretty effectively, but they didn't find any big plays in the passing game. As a result, the Redskins lost another close game to fall back to .500. Despite not coming away with a victory, the coaching staff has to be happy with the way the team ran the ball. A big part of that success was the emergence of a possible workhorse in Ryan Torain, who ended the game with 100 yards and two scores.
Of course, Torain wasn't blocking for himself out there: he had a lot of help from the fullback, tight ends, and offensive line. The offensive tackles were the focus of Cris Collinsworth's commentary (and the majority of this article), but the interior offensive linemen played better. Artis Hicks and Kory Lichtensteiger never jumped off the tape. That was actually a good thing.
The Redskins were running a lot of Zone Stretch. It's a play that doesn't lend itself to really impressive blocks, especially on the interior line, where a stalemate is often a win for the offense. Both guards did a nice job of staying engaged with their men and keeping them on the line of scrimmage. This allowed Torain to be deep into the line of scrimmage before he would make his first cut. The later a running back can make a cut, the harder it is for linebackers to flow over top of plays without getting caught up on their own defenders or opposing offensive linemen. Casey Rabach was solid as well, but he was a slight tick below the guards.
The Redskins' tackles didn't play as well as the interior line, but then again, they had a much tougher job. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis may be the best defensive end combination in the National Football League (copyright: Ron Jaworski). In the running game, I think that Trent Williams and Jammal Brown brought the fight to the Colts. Ryan Torain was consistently able to get to the edge of the defense and chew up chunks of yardage at a time (let it be noted that the Colts secondary was a big part of this too -- they were MIA in run support). That being said, they were usually double-teaming with the tight ends on these plays, so they were rarely on their own. Still, they were effective double teams, and there's no such thing as style points for an offensive line...
Hog Fever
Vescere bracis meis
Bryson City, NC
Great explanation here. The running game looked the best it has looked all season last week. We need more of the same.
Hog Fever said:
Agreed, but I am concerned that we had a terrific gameplan for negating the Colt's lateral quickness, but will have to do something vastly different against the Bears strength up front. Muth did a nice job of explaining the cutbacks and the other things we did to free up Torain. Hopefully Kyle can come up with something new to keep the Bears off balance.
The Franchise Player
Hopefully, a few toss plays and a reverse or two will help keep the Bears honest and allow Torain to have another good game. I kinda like this Muth guy.
Jimbo said:
Just as long as there is no toss play on 3rd and one.
Elephant said:
Goaldeje said:
Goaldeje beat me to the twitch. Possibly one of the worst calls of the season. The toss just isn't a good 3rd and one play but it can be effective against teams who don't play press with their corners.
Wearing down the Bears defense by effectively mixing the run and pass will go a long way. Their offense moved the ball well against Dallas' 3-4 so I'd rather Cutler try to force the issue by playing catch-up rather than give him a lead and having Forte and Taylor grind it out.
stevenaa
The Team Captain
Not possibly, definitely. Turned a one yrd run into a 15 yd failing run. Stooopiddd!!!!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
El distrito de Nagykálló (húngaro: Nagykállói járás) es un distrito húngaro perteneciente al condado de Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg.

En 2013 tiene 30 430 habitantes. Su capital es Nagykálló.

Municipios
El distrito tiene 2 ciudades (en negrita), un pueblo mayor (en cursiva) y 5 pueblos
(población a 1 de enero de 2013):
Balkány (6468)
Biri (1424)
Bököny (3221)
Érpatak (1692)
Geszteréd (1761)
Kállósemjén (3600)
Nagykálló (9469) – la capital
Szakoly (2795)

Referencias

Distritos de Hungría
Condado de Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Wow, Bright Lights, Bright Lights!
Published by Gill Warburton on 14th June 2019
More than half of UK drivers complain about being dazzled by oncoming car headlights
More than half of drivers in the UK complain about being dazzled by headlights from drivers coming the other way, with nine out of ten grumbling about the fact that beams from other vehicles are often too bright.
A new study by the RAC suggest there's numerous reasons why dazzling bright lights are becoming a growing issue on our roads.
Some of the reasons might be that drivers are not adjusting or aligning their lights properly, new brighter bulbs are being used, there's more high-riding SUVs on the road or it's possibly down to individual driver eyesight.
Whatever the reason may be, the outcome can be dangerous, as Government data shows that about 300 collisions every year are related to dazzling headlights.
More than half of UK drivers complain about being dazzled by oncoming car headlights. © Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
A survey involving asking 1,250 UK drivers a number of questions, found that 54% thought they were being dazzled a lot more than they were a year ago.
According to the RAC, it's estimated that around 1.6million drivers in the UK complain about being briefly blinded from the glare of oncoming headlights, based on 91% of the panel alleging that 'some' or 'most' car headlights are too bright.
Recent figures from the DfT shows that the number of people injured in accidents caused by a driver being dazzled by oncoming headlights has risen by 9% year-on-year to 392 in 2017, plus a further six people were killed.
Upon being asked how glare affected them, six out of 10 said they are regularly dazzled by oncoming headlights despite them being dipped, whilst a similar number (60%) were not able to decide if the headlights were lowered or on full beam.
Around 51% believed that 'bluer' xenon or the more modern LED headlights were the reason for being dazzled, however half of the panel confessed to not being able to tell the difference between the types of lights.
The most common reason is probably down to drivers not making sure they adjust their headlights correctly or they've been incorrectly aligned.
Nearly half (47%) of drivers fail to adjust their car headlights up or down, even when carrying different kinds of loads, whilst just over a quarter of drivers (26%) said they have suspected issues with a misaligned headlight.
As part of a vehicle's MoT, headlamp aim is checked and this section of the test was strengthened in 2016.
Yet despite this being the case, figures obtained by the RAC from the DVSA show that 6% (around 1.6m vehicles) tested last year failed their MoT because of incorrect headlamp aim.
Spokesperson for the RAC, Mr Rod Dennis, said it was difficult to pinpoint the blame on one specific reason, however he did say that outdated standards for headlight bulbs, which haven't changed in almost 60 years, is undoubtedly a problem.
Around 84% of drivers would like the UK Government to act, ensuring that the old regulations are updated to remove the prospect of glare being a result of modern technology.
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Tags: bright lightscomplainingdangerousdazzlingDfTdriverseyesight issuesGovernmentheadlightshigh-riding vehiclesincorrect alignmentLEDmany reasonnew brighter bulbsold regulationsRACsurveyUKupdatingxenon
0 thoughts on "Wow, Bright Lights, Bright Lights!"
Revealed: 10 cameras in the UK that have earned a fortune in revenue over a three year period
£25million earned from just 10 speed cameras dotted up and down the country New research has revealed that 10 speed cameras in the UK have collected £25million in revenue over the past three years. Read more...
Driver Warning: Wear the right shoes or face a fine!
Wearing the wrong shoes when driving could land you a hefty fine of up to £5,000! Drivers are being warned about how important it is to wear the correct footwear when behind the wheel, Read more...
Fines in London set to rise for road users breaking the law by 25%
The aim of the increase is to reduce congestion and improve road safety in the capital In a bid to reduce congestion and improve road safety, drivers in London could be hit with increased Read more...


The "Showtime Unit" of the Harlem Wizards offered a flurry of comedy and showmanship, pulling gags on their opponents and dancing with attendees in the stands. The crew mystified its CCA All Star rivals with skilled and unorthodox court antics, and while the team has gone undefeated for several years, Thursday night was no different. Texton Bollers, a third-grader from Tiffin Elementary, donned a Wizards jersey to join them for a competitive quarter before the night ended with musical chairs. A blindfold game, a raffle and a "chuck the duck" contest rounded out the night's program. The Wizards wore pink and white to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a portion of profits from said jerseys donated to the American Cancer Society.
Founded in 1962, the Harlem Wizards are currently in their 57th season, traveling the country and helping raising money for schools and communities. The team reached out to the CCA Community Schools Foundation last winter, which made plans to host the group following a recommendation from the Waukee Community School District. The Oct. 11 Tiffin event was one of a series of local shows for the Wizards, including stops in Williamsburg, Marion and Waukee.
Thursday night's event marked a new direction for the CCA Community Schools Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the CCA Community School District and its programming. The foundation hopes to continue to host similar events in the future to raise awareness and support of its charitable efforts directly impacting the district. While it also hosts an annual golf tournament, the Wizards' performance provided a more accessible, family-friendly outing unlike previous fundraising efforts. With about 750 in attendance, the decision appears to be a success, bringing in approximately $7,000.
The CCA Foundation has been around since 1980s but had been previously known for managing scholarships. Last year saw the organization take a new direction more directly emphasizing district support. As part of this initiative, a $70,000 endowment recently provided upgrades to the Amana Elementary pool.
Laurie Haman, CCA Foundation Committee Chair for the event, described the Harlem Wizards game as a kickoff to cultivating more awareness and giving back to the schools.
The CCA Foundation plans to determine where to allocate funds from the event, and will likely discuss renewing its contract with the Wizards, at the next board meeting.
Those interested in getting involved with the foundation are encouraged to email ccafoundation@ccaschools.org.


text:
Palestinians Are Realizing The Downsides Of So Much Foreign Aid
Shira Rubin,
Mar. 28, 2013, 1:54 PM
Reham Ghazali
Luay Abdel Rafah was unconcerned with President Obama's visit to nearby Bethlehem last Friday, or by the announcement that the United States would unblock $500 million in US funds for the Palestinian government. He was busy tending to the last organic radish, onion, and lettuce crops of the season in a rooftop permaculture garden above the congested Dheisheh Refugee Camp.
Here, as in the 18 other West Bank refugee camps, food insecurity rates have soared to 29 percent, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which administers Palestinian refugee camps throughout the region. In response, Mr. Abdel Rafah and fellow volunteers at the Karama ("dignity" in Arabic) Organization devised this greenhouse, the first in the West Bank.
"We have a lack of space and financial difficulties, but we all have a farming background, so we made greenhouses that will last for years," said Abdel Rafah. Most Dheisheh families lived in agriculture-based villages before fleeing or being expelled in the 1948 war.
But what sets Karama's project apart is the fact that it draws almost entirely from local resources - a rarity in the aid dependent West Bank.
Palestinians are among the largest per capita consumers of foreign aid worldwide. While desperately needed, the billions of dollars flooding in from overseas since 1994 have also caused economic productivity to plummet by flooding Palestinian markets with imported goods.
A recent World Bank report asserts that foreign aid has caused long-term damage to the Palestinian economy. Aid is primarily directed toward products for export that don't reach Palestinians and rely primarily on low-cost labor. And with 85 percent of those exports headed to Israel, Palestinian economic welfare is dependent on Israel continuing to serve as a market for low-cost Palestinian products. Even with such investment, exports have declined, from 10 percent in 1996 to 7 percent in 2011, according to the report - one of the lowest rates in the world.
Meanwhile, more profitable sectors that would keep the greatest benefits in the West Bank, such as technology, remain undeveloped and GDP is plunging, from 11 percent in 2011 to 6.1 percent in 2012.
Karama is striving to overcome that perennial dilemma. It refuses aid that comes with preconditions or inflexible designations of how it should be used, making it a leader in a burgeoning grassroots movement that aims to redirect foreign funding toward local programs, rather than those conceived abroad that may have little connection to problems on the ground.
"We're here to meet people's needs, not file papers," says Abdel Rafah. "This is not Ramallah, where they speak to the donor mentality."
Today, 13 cash-strapped houses are topped with a garden, saving participating families an estimated 300 shekels per month. Resident businessmen recently approached Karama about funding an expansion of the greenhouses to the entire camp.
The Ramallah bubble
In cosmopolitan Ramallah, a construction boom and cappuccino-fueled culture of luxury cars and inflated real estate suggest an economic upswing. But experts warn that the growth is fostered largely by foreign donations to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA), and the profusion of NGOs setting up shop in the de-facto capital has created a bubble - hollow and unsustainable.
Distributing foreign aid has fallen largely to the PA, which Palestinians pan as a complex, inefficient network of donor-supported ministries prioritizing international desires over projects with tangible benefits for Palestinians.
"The Palestinian Authority is the big NGO," says Itiraf Remawi, acting director of the Bisan Center in Ramallah. "The funding could be useful if reallocated to the Palestinian context, but not to make joint projects with Israelis, or democracy from the western model," Mr. Remawi said.
He said that with two decades of growing but misdirected aid, poverty in the West Bank has soared and unemployment has risen to 30 percent.
The PA was intended as an interim body that merely paved the way for a permanent government. But 20 years later it is still in place, subsisting on a budget derived almost entirely from foreign aid - $8 billion between 1994 and 2004, according to the book "How Aid Hurt Palestine," by Anne Le More.
The money thrown at Palestinians in the form of salaries and bank loans to subsidize lifestyles they can't afford has dimmed prospects for real development, argues Nora Lester Murad, co-founder of the Dalia Association, which provides grants to female-run small businesses and village agricultural projects.
"Because they're more dependent on this aid, they're less willing to speak out against its harm," Ms. Murad adds.
Learning to stand alone
PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's goal is to finance the government's operational costs entirely with local revenue by the end of 2013 - an ambitious deadline made more challenging because it is dependent on Israeli actions.
The extent of that dependency was starkly illustrated in 2012. When Israel withheld millions of dollars in monthly tax revenues and the US Congress froze $500 million in aid as punishment for its successful UN bid for nonmember observer status in November 2012, the PA was unable to pay its 150,000 employees.
The Arab League pledged to fill the gap created by the withholding of tax revenue and to help pay off the PA'S billions of dollars of debt, but the funds never arrived, Mr. Fayyad told the AP in January 2013.
In the following weeks, Palestinians staged demonstrations and strikes throughout the West Bank protesting unpaid salaries. Ensuing violence prompted speculation about a third intifada.
To ease tensions, Israel transferred $100 million of the withheld taxes in January. And as President Obama wrapped up his visit here last week, the $500 million in American funds to the PA were also unblocked.
The global economic crisis curtailed foreign aid substantially - in 2011 the PA received $800 million of its anticipated $1 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund - but this may actually be a blessing because it forces Palestinians to create other revenue sources, Ms. Murad argues.
A 'resistance economy'
The combination of Israeli restrictions and donor neglect have triggered a "resistance economy," which skirts external restrictions, says Alaa Tartir, program director of Palestinian policy network Al-Shabaka.
But Mr. Tartir acknowledges that since Palestinian society so thoroughly relies on donations for its income, "getting rid of their money is something gradual."
Aisha Mansour is unwilling to wait.
To achieve food independence and economic protection from Israeli product dumping that undercuts the Palestinian market, people here need to return to "life that is inherently Palestinian," in which communities rely on an each other, and their lands, to fulfill their basic needs, Ms. Mansour says.
Her baladi ("indigenous") agriculture group Sharaka ("partnership"), which connects Ramallah with its surrounding villages, is preparing for the upcoming farmer's markets. Volunteers transport products from economically vulnerable farms to the city, ensuring urbanites have access to pesticide-free produce, eggs, and dairy products and farmers have a market for their products.
She expresses nostalgia for the first intifada, when an economic Israeli-Palestinian disconnect encouraged Palestinian self-sufficiency and solidarity.
"People remember the need to produce the food, the open organic market," she said. "Policies since have taken us from traditional farming and tied our prices to the global market, making it difficult for the small scale to compete."
"But occupation or no occupation, in the meantime you need to plant the land, and maintain your heritage, and fight," said Ms. Mansour.
Read the original article on Christian Science Monitor. Copyright 2019.
SEE ALSO: Two Reasons Israel's New Settlement Plans Could Make A Two-State Solution 'Impossible'
More: Palestine Israel Foreign Aid Christian Science Monitor


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text:
Page 1 of 21, 2
The Extent of Technology.
This forum is used to post threads about lore topics and questions. Well-written guides to Azeroth races will be stickied as reference material.
Cerestal
Joined: April 4th, 2014, 8:43 am
by Cerestal » November 6th, 2014, 11:38 pm
Sup folks.
It's been clattering around in my head for a while (ever since I saw that stupid .50 cal in Keeshan's quest almost 2 xpacs ago), but just how advanced do you think technology is in the WoW universe? How do you think it relates to the current battlespace now, seeing as footmen and grunts still seem to be viable?
A few things I'm curious to hear about from everyone:
Weapons technology - small-scale (ie rifles, rocket launchers, grenades) to large-scale (That scorpion boss in SoO) and how they compare to, say, magic or a good old warrior charge. All you alliance sc- guys have seen that gnome raiding party in SoO as well.
Industrial Revolution - RL materials such as plastic, glass and concrete, and WoW materials such as elementium, arcanite etc. Steam engines are obviously a thing, but what about combustion engines, turbines and some futuristic forms of energy?
Prevalance in society - does everyone have a portable wormhole generator? Would the average citizen know a mechano-hog if they saw it? Is it prevalent enough that laws have been enacted prohibiting the owning of a Gnomish Death Ray?
Redundancy - Gryphon or gyrocopter? Horse or mechano-strider? Ballista or steam engine? Both are used almost hand-in-hand, so one doesn't have a clear advantage over another. Both require resources to function, for example.
Popular fiction - I'm saying it now - Keeshan's .50 cal is not canon (see what I did there?). :/ But everywhere else, like the Vashj'ir submarine to the good old Alliance gunship have stemmed from outside inspiration.
Anyway, I want to hear some thoughts on such a broad subject. Just a good old 'Blizz is stupid and their writing team should have been sacked a while ago' works.
TL:DR - stop whinging and read it.
Re: The Extent of Technology.
by LEGION » November 7th, 2014, 7:23 am
TL:DHTTPN (Too Long: Don't Have Time To Post Now)
I'll come back to this tonight.
Author Page at the Azeroth Press Wiki -- (still in progress). Also see How to use the AzP Wiki
Sergeant Stonzgrinda
Joined: April 9th, 2014, 11:47 pm
by Sergeant Stonzgrinda » November 7th, 2014, 12:23 pm
An interesting question. It is impossible to quantify of course, given flying crystal dimensional ships and the V-2, Jules Verne looking rocket here and there. And magic. Magic makes everything doable. We even have magic nukes. Well, one. Well, had one.
I'm not a huge fan of the steam punkish tech here and there, but that is a personal thing. I want fantasy that is primal and atavistic. I have to wonder about the impurity of that neolithic, copper smelting thing...
Most of the commonly available 'stuff' out there makes me think of 16th - 17th century tech. Gunpowder, organ guns and galleons are not uncommon, but remain the province of governments or comparable organizations; orders, cartels etc. Think the British Isles from Elizabeth to Cromwell. Artillery, wheelocks, combined arms, ships of the line... but in most of the country, longbows, crossbows and cold steel are still the mainstay, and in some places like Ireland or the highlands, warfare and tech is essentially something that Arthur or Beowulf would recognize.
Azerothian tech is basically the realization of Leonardo da Vinci's concept drawings, steamtanks, helicopters and all.
Bottom line: Late Renaissance, with magic as common as brass.
Jalsihr
by Jalsihr » November 7th, 2014, 1:43 pm
The interesting thing about Blizzard's writing is that its shallowness occasionally provides solution to what would otherwise be a glaring discontinuity. This seems like one of those occasions.
The difficulty in describing Azeroth's technology level is that it is not at all standard. Between race, city, and even individuals, there are notable disparities in technological capability. While this seems impossible (why don't the humans in SW ever get what the gnomes are doing), it has actually been the standard for longer than it has not. In order to understand why this happens, one must consider the economic and governmental conditions of Azeroth and their differences from Europe of the last few centuries.
Two key differences stand out: governance, and economy. The responsibilities of the state for most of WoW's peoples are very loosely defined, somewhat resembling medieval Europe. The state is responsible to protect its land and holdings, but very little else. We understand that attempts are made by most cities to police the surrounding areas, particularly those providing food/other resources. There is, however, no evidence of any investment in education or development by any of the governments. This means no standardization of curriculum, and no research. If a particularly clever person invents a thing, they control all knowledge on how to make that thing and can only teach those who they choose. Maybe they write a book to pass the knowledge on, but there is no common method for distribution or even a frame of reference one can draw from standardized curriculum. Eventually, they die, their students fail to pass the knowledge they gained widely enough and all extant copies of their work are destroyed. This may sound far-fetched, but it's actually been the more common result of invention through most of western history (see, Archimedes, Library of Alexandria, Library of Constantinople, Sacking of Baghdad, and so on.)
As for economic differences, we see that regions are exploited for resources to provide an immediate push forward as part of a war movement, but there is no evidence of sustained development beyond immediate needs. Further, while the state appears to collect rents, it turns all of that revenue toward war and its vague responsibility towards protection. There is no evidence of state investment in research or continued development. Additionally, the lack of a robust banking system which can track both debits and credits, means the private citizen would have a very difficult time getting a loan. This makes the idea that innovation could be financed by private capital also very unlikely. People may point to the banks in every major city, but these are not banks in the way we understand them. They store money and goods, yes, but they provide no interest on money stored, or credit.
Thus, the issue with seeing all this amazing technology here and there, but not seeing any real industrial revolution in Azeroth can probably be blamed on poor governmental and economic conditions slowing the propagation of technology. Overall, Azeroth is correctly, imo, placed at a medieval European level of development. Fantastic technologies exist, but are poorly understood/unknown by/to the masses and depend on artisan manufacture.
by LEGION » November 7th, 2014, 11:11 pm
Jalsihr wrote: Thus, the issue with seeing all this amazing technology here and there, but not seeing any real industrial revolution in Azeroth can probably be blamed on poor governmental and economic conditions slowing the propagation of technology. Overall, Azeroth is correctly, imo, placed at a medieval European level of development. Fantastic technologies exist, but are poorly understood/unknown by/to the masses and depend on artisan manufacture.
This. We see some astonishingly advanced engineering which is likely to only be available to the fabulously wealthy (or as Jalsihr points out, as part of a massive war-machine/army). We don't normally think of our characters as wildly rich, but compared to the typical 'mob' NPC out there, we are. Even game mechanics tends to put a high price on such items for 'vanity' purposes. Consider how much it costs to make a mechano hog, or some of these other engineering toys. No way that the typical farmer would be joyriding in one.
Sergeant Stonzgrinda wrote: Bottom line: Late Renaissance, with magic as common as brass.
I think this warrants a qualifier. I think that grandmaster level magic is as rare as the top-tier engineering. Magic requires both talent and education. Getting both in the same place wouldn't be easy. Some races are naturally inclined towards magic, but the average-joe amongst even those people won't be pushing out anything more spectacular than what might be accomplished with 'common' mundane tools/engineering. When I write about magic, I'm usually careful to try to give a sense for how difficult or even dangerous magical practice and use actually is. I try to delve into the 'science' of it to help explain it in a way that isn't terribly far removed from some of our real-world knowledge or cutting-edge research (e.g. the conservation of matter, or the effects of accelerated healing, etc.)
With regard to "magic vs. technology", I think that magic has a small edge on technology in theory, but that it almost always comes down to the practitioners in question. (again, game mechanics allow for 'failures' either in the form of interrupts or resists, etc. -- "sometimes it's better to be lucky than good") On the whole though, grade for grade, I would say they are about equal.
Though, not everyone may agree.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxFKDzW0qdg
Brewdin
by Brewdin » November 7th, 2014, 11:37 pm
When it comes to weapons we have: Bolt-action sniper rifles, combat pump-action shotguns, grenades, mines, flamethrowers, chemical weapons, various types of artillery, powered exo-skeletons (generally large and unstable), aerial strafing runs and bombardments, fully outfitted battleships/juggernauts, even a magical nuke like Stonz mentioned. It seems pretty much everything used in current RL warfare seems to exist in some form on Azeroth aside from stuff like fighter jets or aircraft carriers.
The only reason I can think of for grunts with swords and boards remaining viable is that the ability to create and operate all of these advanced devices lies with very few people. Say, one pilot or battlemech operator for every thousand soldiers. And since only a handful of Gnomes, Dwarves or Goblins know how to create and operate these devices, it's impractical to invest many resources into them that could otherwise be spent on armor and melee weapons that require little to no training at all.
As far as an industrial revolution goes; Since Goblin culture is centered almost entirely around commerce and trade, you'd think it would cause their technology to become very widespread. But I think the problem that's run in to there is that most customers aren't looking to buy anything from them aside from instruments of war such as guns, mech suits (ex: shredders) and of course explosives. The general public doesn't seem to have any use or interest in this stuff, or really anything else overly advanced.
Goblin and Gnomish societies are clearly leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else technologically, likely because those are the only two cultures that fully accept the use of it. You can see this was clearly the case in Gnomeregan before its fall and if they ever let us get a look inside Undermine I'll bet it would be very similar. So, I would argue that a sort of industrial revolution has probably already happened within those two societies, but because of the catastrophic setbacks they've suffered (Trogg invasion and the eruption of Mt Kajaro) and general lack of interest from the other races, the technology is spreading very slowly.
Once the radiation and Troggs get cleaned up though, I hear Mekkatorque promises a mechanical chicken in every pot and a wormhole generator in every garage!
by Cerestal » November 8th, 2014, 1:11 am
I partially agree with the weapons part, Brew, though I've had my own theories still. I think over time, modern weapons have actually been left behind. As far back as Warcraft 3, we had mithril being superior to steel and arcanite superior to both of them.
I've always maintained that a rifle cannot defeat at least mithril-grade armour (except *maybe* at point blank range) and certainly can't defeat a shield AND a breastplate. Soldiers still use crossbows and I've had it explained to me just *how* powerful a crossbow can be, so they perhaps can do mithril. My theory at any rate being the evolution of crafting.
A steel bullet can defeat a steel breastplate, sure. Can a mithril bullet defeat mithril armour? Probably not. A stronger round or bolt tip doesn't may it punch harder - but not fly faster. That lies with the gunpowder and winding mechanism that propels the round in the first place. Arcanite most certainly can stop a round made of the same material. And if that can, saronite rounds have NO chance to beat saronite armour. The same goes for things such as flamethrowers. Armour would have also evolved to withstand spellcasting - which among other things is fire. If someone is decked out in elementium, could he survive a jet of flame? (provided there are no exposed parts of his body to the front) Food for thought.
As far as artillery goes, I've considered it around the Napoleonic Era for cannons and ancient Rome for older ballistae. Since the dawn of warfare, it's been designed to inflict massive damage upon the enemy at range, be it ship-to-ship engagements or knocking walls and fortifications down in siege warfare and I won't take away from that. Cannons will always mess you up pretty badly.
I'd like to point out that even an iron curiass could probably stop a shotgun blast. If you RP your shotgun like a Nock gun, you're doing it wrong.
/gets popcorn and waits for hunter QQ
Kiraleen
Joined: March 23rd, 2014, 5:52 pm
by Kiraleen » November 8th, 2014, 1:39 am
Brewdin wrote: Goblin and Gnomish societies are clearly leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else technologically
The draenei would like a word with you.
by Jalsihr » November 8th, 2014, 12:25 pm
Regarding the strength of armor, it's important to remember a few things.
a) Denser, more protective metals are also heavier. The only example of Elementium armor in game, for example, is the armor made for deathwing. As I recall, this is because Elementium is very rare and exceptionally heavy.
b) Mithril may stop a bullet, but all that impact force has to go somewhere. Even if one's body isn't pierced by a projectile, impact can break bones and rupture internal organs. An attempt to provide cushioning or padding to armor to absorb any kinetic force will also mean heavier, hotter armor.
c) Heat dissipation. Sure, the flame jet didn't burn you, but it can still bake you inside your armor. The metal is super dense elementium with low thermal conductivity? All right, but you'll have to somehow vent the heat being generated by your own body. A soldier encumbered by heavy armor may be impervious to most weapons, but he's still vulnerable to heat stroke from the constant exertion of moving.
Different metals/types of armor have different strengths/weaknesses, of course. Some might ignore all the faults I've listed, but be vulnerable in other ways. Also, the more fantastic the metal, the rarer and more difficult to process. Still, as has been pointed out, anyone can be made an amazing wall relatively cheaply, and a broken rib is better than a bunch of dead soldiers. Of course, there's no perfect armor, but given the complexity/rarity of magic and high technology, it makes sense for it to remain the choice for the front line.
As for the question of an industrial revolution: I keep going back and forth on the idea that gnomes/goblins have actually seen an industrial revolution. They obviously have combustion engines, advanced tools, and even automated assembly lines which all seem to indicate industrialization. My issue, though, is that all of these things require a great deal of fine tuning and supervision by highly trained gnomes/goblins. There's little suggestion, at least that I've seen, that either has moved towards making their inventions more accessible - a key component to the industrial revolution as we know it was that means of production were usable by unskilled laborers, ending the age of artisanry. Gnomish and Goblin works remain products of an artisan crafting process, despite being products more reminiscent of the industrial and modern eras.
by Sergeant Stonzgrinda » November 8th, 2014, 3:00 pm
"Magic requires both talent and education."
Nevertheless, every caster in the game practices magic, and virtually everyone is festooned with amulets. Magic is common place, even if trifling unless the Hand of Metzen makes the casters gods-in-a-pocket.
"As for the question of an industrial revolution: I keep going back and forth on the idea that gnomes/goblins have actually seen an industrial revolution."
I see it more like the Wright brothers' or Thomas Edison's shops. Or Italian machine shops. Low production, variable quality, and very idiosyncratic.
Bottom line for me, is that I do not try to make logical sense out of this game. Not its lore, its technology, its philosophies or its politics. Madness lies that way.
Just ask Thrall, who doesn't know WTF he is at the same time he is supposedly controlling troops.
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SOHEALTHY - "Mediterranean Research Network on Footcare Sector" is a research project financed by the European Commission under the "Reinforcing cooperation with European Neighbourhood Policy countries on bridging the gap between research and innovation" theme of 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.
The main objective of this initiative is to enhance cooperation between European and Mediterranean countries in the creation of a footcare sector network. This community will focus on the determination of foot problems associated mainly to diabetes, obesity and ageing in order to determine footwear solutions aligned to these problems and to the mechanical issues that cause them.
Providing a framework to define research and development priorities, timeframes and action plans on a number of strategically important issues.
Transferring the main advances achieved by the footcare sector in the European and Mediterranean countries.
Informing about the most significant barriers, both technical and scientific, to be considered when assessing the importance of designing specific support lines for the progress of the industry.
Getting better knowledge about the technological level and needs of each participating country and the possibilities of improvement.
Developing a Strategic Research Agenda focused on each target and containing a R&D roadmap of the footcare sector in each participating country.
Devising an action plan for the effective execution of the Strategic Research Agenda and specific actions addressed to the industry in each participating country.


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text:
Sex BlenderHormonizer
Variant Choose an optionspecial editionregular edition2nd pressing Clear
Hormonizer quantity
It's a pleasure to welcome Ukraine's Sex Blender to the ever-growing roster of acts to feature on Drone Rock Records. The band approached me towards the end of last year asking whether I'd be interested in releasing their debut album on vinyl and, after listening to the tracks for the first time, it didn't take long for me to reply with a resounding YES! The four tracks on this album tick so many boxes blending elements of motorik, spacerock, stoner rock and Krautrock to create a fantastic modern psych classic.
"Another tour de force from Drone Rock Records, who continue their circumnavigation of the psych world with this epic album from Ukraine's Sex Blender. Four monoliths of guitar-fronted power, each having its own character and drawing from a heady palette of influences that come together to create an experience that is, beyond anything else, seismic."
Psych Insight Music
Super limited pressing of 250 records available in two variants:-
150 copies pressed on psychedelic-blend coloured vinyl
Regular Edition
100 copies pressed on clear vinyl
'Hormonizer' by Sex Blender proved to be one of the fastest selling records on Drone Rock Records. And, due to demand from both regular and new customers alike, (as well as from shops and distributors), I am happy to announce a 2nd pressing of 250 copies of this fantastic debut album on neon pink vinyl:-
Records purchased through the Drone Rock Records website come with an instant download.
special edition, regular edition, 2nd pressing
Das Motorik Sex Blender 5:50
Sex Blender
The story begins in early april 2017 after a garage jam session in L'viv, Ukraine. With Andy Sumer's on guitar, Rostyslav Garbar on bass and Atanas Bro on drums the band manage to capture a blend of classic '70's and modern psych. They create 4 epic compositions which include a vibrant mix of motoric, drone, blues, oriental, dub, post rock, metal and classic rock. During the rehearsals of "Hormonizer" Yurko Savchuk joined the band on rhythm guitar. Once the band were ready to record they retreated to Atanas' country house (Galician Comfort Studio) in August'17. After two amazing weeks the recording process was finished.
On 20th of April 2018 "Hormonizer" was released digitally. Supporting the album release Sex Blender have toured with welsh stoners Dope Smoker in Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Germany and Ukraine with festival appearances at Electric Meadow (UA) and Psychedelicious Fest (RO). The band are now preparing to tour Europe again to coincide with the release of Hormonizer on vinyl and are also booked for a couple of European summer festivals in 2019 (to be announced soon).
Sex Blender are:
Atanas Bro – drums, percussion, monotribe
Rostyslav Garbar – bass
Yurko Savchuk – guitar
Orest Dragush – guitar
Classic Rock Magazine (UK):
"These tripped-out Ukrainians have put sex in a blender, and it sounds way less painful than you'd imagine. In fact, it's super cool and colourful. After just under 14 minutes of freaky bluesiness and tasty psychedelic hoodoo, we were singing its praises and wishing we had 'Sex Blender' T-shirts (with the snazzy artwork from new digital album Hormonizer, from which this is taken)."
Round Trip (PR):
"What an extraordinary debut album coming from the Ukrainian Sex Blender! "Hormonizer" fascinatingly blends psychedelic rock with blues and stoner rock, carefully driven by a krautrock atmosphere, even with space for some drone inputs. Totally worth your time."
Riff Relevant (US):
"Their music is instrumentally based, laden with heavy amounts of psychedelia and space rock, both of which resonate with enticing garnishes that one could attribute to krautrock. It is served in a most fluid state, chilled but with just the right amount of blues in an almost improve-like sonic decanter…"
https://www.facebook.com/sexblender
https://sexblender.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/sexblender


"Musique Surrealistique" – is not only the title of this piece. It is also my new style in composition since a few years. I mix different emotions, expressions, sometimes even using different styles – to create one-compact and very strong emotionally and formally musical trans. I would say – my own "collage" of my own emotions, expressions – put in the perfect form and perfect time! Simply said: the message in the right form and right time.
I prefer to use the "sound of the nature" (simply said), to imitate this, to transform this into my music, in my way, than to "base" (let's say) on humans… – simply said – to imitate the creations of humans. I have big respect for the nature, and I realise, that the human-being is only the small part of it… Although I never ignore the tradition in music!
I want to create and I want to experience in music the feeling of catharsis – no matter when it was created…So, once more: in my music one will find a sort of "collages" of my emotions, expressions, put in right form and right time! Time for me has a crucial meaning in music anyway. I organise my musical material in such a way, that the emotional gestures – which we know from the past – are used in surrealistic way. Like on the paintings of surrealists – we look at the subject, we think we know what we see, but it looks different, strange… And of course my "big bow" to the nature… which I respect most.
Of course I use gestures of emotion, also from the past. Why not? I am surrealist in music, but not a sur-conventionalist. I don't "work" in any conventions in general, but if my emotional musical gestures touch any convention "by accident" – like for example baroque music – I use it. The conventions in any composers techniques are for me not the priority, but if something works good and at this moment I need to express something in my music – I do not hesitate to use it.
In this composition "Musique Surrealistique" I present fragments of my statement about the art – in general, and I present my statement about the surrealism – which I consider also as an equivalent of art anyway. This text I wrote about a year ago.
The music material: the harmonic and melodic lines are the same in the whole piece, but appear in different "times dimensions", I would say slow-motion time dimension, very slow-motion time dimension, fast, and very fast time dimension. (You can read and hear more: www.hannakulenty.com).


Harry Styles needs the toilet!
Breaking news, guys – there's still people in the world who haven't heard of Hazza and the One Direction boys!
Harry Styles was caught short recently in LA after the owners of a nail salon wouldn't let him use their toilet!
The 1D star was out-and-about enjoying a well-deserved day off when he suddenly really, really, really needed a wee!
With paparazzi everywhere and no public toilets in sight, Harry headed to the local salon and asked whether he could use their facilities – but they said no!
The owners clearly didn't recognise the massive celeb he is and said if he wasn't getting his nails done he couldn't use the loo!
Poor Harry had to waddle off and find somewhere else to relieve himself!
that`s discusting i`m glad i wasn`t there.


Excited to try these Spicy Cauliflower Burgers!
Loving this Joshua Tree print by Max Wanger.
I was introduced to the app Giftagram this week. You can send beautifully curated gifts to friends or family in just three clicks, no address needed. With friends moving so frequently these days and schedules jam-packed, this is a great way for the recipient to schedule the delivery when and where it is convenient for him/her. I'm loving the entire "Inspired Living" collection by Le Collectif!
I'm obsessed with all things Lunya, especially this Siro Bralette.
Cool article about the amount of wind power the US is generating these days.
I'm on Snapchat! I have no idea what I'm doing, but feel free to follow along. :) You can find me at mysimplysimple.
WONDERFUL key note address by Kristen Pressner on global women in leadership.


Love to go above and beyond to have some fun? Jump in to the nightmare while you travel on your tube through a covered tunnel. You can't see much but experience adrenaline pumping turns and curves as you drop through the drak tunnel.


text:
Tour Brightwell Vineyard and Enjoy a Wine Tasting Experience
by The Foodie Travel Guide | Apr 12, 2015
Brightwell Vineyard, Near Wallingford, Oxfordshire
Oxford's largest vineyard produces over 30,000 bottles of wine in a good year. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it makes white, red, rosé and sparkling wines.
If you're a complete English wine novice, a visit to Brightwell Vineyard is a good and gentle place to start. It's owned and run by a husband and wife team who will take you on a one hour guided tour of the vineyard followed by a one hour tutored wine tasting in their barn.
The Foodie Travel Guide
Take a guided vineyard tour
Do a wine tasting
Visit the watercress beds at nearby Ewelme
Pop in to The Crazy Bear Farm Shop
Buy Wines From Brightwell Vineyard
From WaitroseCellar
Brightwell vineyard covers 14 acres of countryside 8 miles south of Oxford near Wallingford.
The vines here are planted on the flinty chalk, greensand and gravel of the Thames Valley. During the summer months, the vineyard is open for tours and tastings from Friday to Sunday.
Richard, the owner, has an extensive knowledge of wine-making, both local and British history, and geology, which makes for both an informative and entertaining tour. His dogs clearly enjoy it too as they come along for the ride.
Taste Oxfordshire Wines
After the tour, you're invited to sit down at a table in the barn among the stainless steel vats used to ferment the wine.
You'll be guided through a tasting of 5 different wines and this is where Richard's passion for wine-making really shines through. He recommends drinking a dry wine, such as their Oxford Flint, with oysters so that you can still 'taste the sea'. It's a zesty dry white blend of Huxelrebe and Chardonnay grapes much in the style of the Loire Valley wines.
For seafood with a stronger flavour like mackerel or tuna, you can match it with a red wine such as their beautifully-named Oxford Regatta.
They also produce an English brandy called Rush which is aged in oak casks. A select edition of under 500 bottles are available each year.
If you'd like to experience life on the vineyard, why not volunteer for the grape harvest in October? Your hard work will be rewarded with a hearty lunch and the chance to try previous vintages
Have a foodie Sunday by starting with a walk among the watercress beds at nearby Ewelme followed by a vineyard tour and wine tasting at Brightwell in the afternoon
Drinker's Tip
Did you know that red wine has less sugar than white wines? Brightwell add the sugar level of their wines on the label (although currently, there is no legal requirement to do so).
Where To Stay in Oxford
Old Bank Hotel
Situated in the heart of historical Oxford, The Old Bank offers luxury rooms and a buzzy brasserie.
Rooms from £189 a night.
VIEW ALL PLACES TO STAY IN OXFORD >
Find more Foodie Things To Do in Oxford. Discover more English Vineyards.
The owners have 2 large dogs so best to check with them first or leave me in the car with my favourite toy.
Mr Hendricks
How To Find Brightwell Vineyard
Brightwell Vineyard, Shillingford Rd, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8LJ
Website: www.brightwellvineyard.co.uk
Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures.


After exhausting final exams my 1st sem of college, i decided to have some chill and refresh my mind. As new year was approaching i decided to trek to hatu peak on first day of 2018 all by myself. I have friend in shimla who offered me a stay and also told me about the famous party at the ridge. So, i was very excited and packed my bag without any second thoughts and reached shimla on 30th.
Next day in the morning we went to tara devi temple it's a nice place which has more height compared to the other parts of capital which gave us amazing views. After having lunch we decided to visit the jakhu temple which is also a must visit if you are visiting shimla. As the sun went down we straightaway went to mall road as per planning. This was my first time in shimla and was amazed to watch such beautiful blend of historical and modern buildings at mall. We spent eve at ridge roaming around and enjoying with the crowd. The weather was chilly which i found to be perfect for me. After partying at scandal and ridge, we came back to our place at 1:30 Am.
Next day we woke up late and I asked nikhil (shimla friend) to come with me but he already had his plans. So i took hrtc bus to narkanda at 12:30 pm(again all alone). I was there in 2 hrs.
As i reached narkanda, i could already see some patches of snow which was making the place look beautiful. I checked into hotel hatu which already booked a day before , which was just a few steps away from where the bus left me. Views from the hotel itself were amazing and the weather was cooler than in shimla. After getting some rest, i decided to go to hatu peak, but the locals advised me to trek in morning as sun goes down very early and weather is very unpredictable.
So i decided to trek in morning, and for now i decided to go till the lake campsite which is in between hatu peak trek with the help of shared taxi. While on our way snowfall started and it became one my most memorable rides as it was the first time i got to experience snowfall in my life. I reached there before dark and was given 1 hr time to return.
The weather was freezing but the site was jaw dropping.Snowcapped camps, lake with the all the snow all around were simply amazing. After having a cup of tea and maggi at the beautiful site from the only camped shop there, i returned to my hotel. At night i went out for dinner and the temperature now was playing with negative numbers. So, i had to cover myself from head to toe. After having dinner and a good sleep at night. I woke at 6:30 in morning after having breakfast from the only shop opened in narkanda , I started trek to hatu peak.
I started walking on the trail of 7 km which was easy and the ascent was gradual but not steep which was easier compared to trek experiences before. Till i reached the lake campsite which is the midpoint of trek sun rised, i had a cup of tea while enjoying the serene sunrise. After the small break, i wanted to get to the peak as soon as possible because the view from the trek trail was getting better and better, the frozen snow was making trek quite challenging and enjoyable. Finally, i managed to get to the top and i was just left in aww... The view from the second highest peak in shimla district can't be described in words. The hatu temple at the top is also very beautiful. After enjoying calm and peaceful atmosphere, now it was time to say goodbye to the place. I started to decent, as the descent is always easier than ascent, it took me half the time to reach narkanda than it took while trekking to hatu.
I checked out of hotel and took hrtc bus shimla. I stayed there for that day and the very next day i took bus to my home city i.e Amritsar.
Best time to visit - accessible throughout the year but may- june and jan - feb are the best time to trek to hatu. In may-june if you are in shimla and and want get yourself out of hustle - bustle you then narkanda is the best option.
In jan-feb trek to hatu becomes more challenging and enjoyable. Moreover, there is always a chance of snow fall in jan-feb.
Accommodation - There are quite a few options in narkanda. You can get both budget and expensive hotels. Camping on the lake site on midpoint of hatu trek is the cheapest of all.
Food - There are small restaurants and cafe which provides quality food at affordable prices.
How to reach - From shimla you can get taxi and if you are budget traveller like me than hrtc bus is always an option.
Hatu Peak: The highest summit in Shimla at 3400m/12000ft.


text:
Q: Why can't Android Studio on my mac detect my Nexus 6 for the "Choose Device" list? I enabled USB debugging under Developer Options in my Nexus 6 and connected it to my mac via a USB cable.
I open Android Studio to run my app to find that the Nexus 6 is not listed in the Choose Devices list. The phone is on and running. I tried restarting it.
Why isn't the Nexus 6 listed? Android documentation notes that "it should just work" for macs.

A: Sometimes the issue is with USB cable. Try to use genuine USB cable. also try to create new project before experimenting.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
<?php

/**
 * This file is part of the Mva\Dbm library.
 * @license    MIT
 * @link       https://github.com/Vyki/mva-dbm
 */

namespace Mva\Dbm\Result;

interface IResult extends \Traversable
{

	public function fetch();

	public function fetchAll();

	public function fetchField();

	public function fetchPairs($key = NULL, $value = NULL);

	public function getRawResult();
}

interface IResultFactory
{

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	function create($data);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


4. Write thank you notes. It is one of the best ways to make a good impression and literally takes five seconds. It is a dying art that so desperately needs to be revived. If someone is nice enough to give you a gift or recommend you to a position, the least you can do is give them a proper thank you. People remember thank you notes.
5. Get involved. Join societies and organizations that have a positive influence in your community. Create positive exposure for yourself.
University of Arkansas Freshman. I'm pre-dental and I fall down a lot. twitter: @caitlinleggett	Follow Caitlin on Twitter or read more articles from Caitlin on Thought Catalog.
Good, sound rules to live by.
It is really cool. Everyone should read this!
Reblogged this on Part time lover….
Reblogged this on Miss Popular Going Nowhere.


Join us at Camp Steeda 2016 and you'll be legit!
POMPANO BEACH, FL – At Steeda, we know you're out there. You sit up on the wheel a bit more than other drivers, silently counting down from the cross-traffic caution, ready to cut the perfect light when your signal changes. On this morning, while others are merely headed to the office, you are destined to be in the Winner's Circle!
Which sadly looks a lot like your cubicle.
Face it – your morning commute is a poor substitute for real track time.
Anyone who has driven their car at speed on a race track can tell you what a rush it is. With a bit of professional direction, man and machine become one. New skills are honed over repeated laps. Experience is gained. Confidence grows. You actually become the driver you've always believed yourself to be. Only better.
Time for you to level up? Don't miss Camp Steeda 2016: our 15th annual assault on legendary Sebring International Raceway. Check into the Chateau Elan Hotel Friday, May 27th then meet fellow students, instructors and sponsor reps as we socialize. We'll then spend Saturday and Sunday bringing you up to speed. Your two-day, go-fast boot camp addresses the tech requirements for your vehicle, ride-along instructions that combines theory with 'seat of your pants' experience, and ultimately, you will be cleared for take off to enjoy solo laps. And more solo laps.
Just you, your car and that glorious, twisting ribbon of asphalt. At ever increasing speeds.
You've already made the investment in your vehicle – time now to invest in yourself. Learn world-class driving skills from the Steeda Team and TrackGuys, right here in your own back yard. Hot laps at speed in Steeda Vehicles available at the this event to help you decide if any of this is right for you.
Join the automotive faithful at Camp Steeda 2016. Your morning commute will never be the same.
About Steeda Autosports – Steeda drives the market for Ford Performance. Owners of Ford Mustang, F-150, Focus and Fusion vehicles experience the utmost in performance, handling and style with Steeda. Committed to continuous refinement of automotive part design, Steeda's passion for performance has fueled nearly 30 years of podium finishes and product development. Steeda engineers components in-house, then manufactures them using ISO 9001:2008 Certified processes. Now available on new, turnkey Steeda Vehicles.