Last month, Synology announced the DiskStation DS415play, a four-bay version of its two-bay DS214play announced last October. The "Play" part of the name connotes that this product is optimized for media. In fact, it is the second DiskStation to support hardware video transcoding to provide 1080p HD video to most media streaming devices.
The DS415play is also the first Synology product to come through the SNB lab with Synology's latest DSM 5.0 (DiskStation Manager). DSM 5.0 focuses on "Private Cloud" features as well as expanded capabilities from applications that you can download from Synology's Package Center and run on the NAS. Also included in DSM 5.0, QuickConnect promises hassle free remote access without the need for network configuration and port forwarding.
Since DSM 5.0 will be the operating system for all Synology products going forward, I will be doing a separate in-depth look at the upgraded OS shortly. In the meantime, here's the main menu to give you a taste of DSM 5.0. If you can't wait for our DSM 5.0 review, Synology has a live demo that allows you to explore the menus and features.
The table below, generated from Synology's website, compares Synology's 4-bay DiskStations. Of all the 4-bay DiskStations, only the DS415play has a hardware transcoding engine.
Using the NAS Finder, I selected the DS415play along with two other Evansport-based NASes (the ASUSTOR AS-304T and Thecus N4560) for comparison. All three use the same Intel Atom CE5535 processor running at 1.6 GHz. Both the Synology and the ASUSTOR devices have 1 GB of memory; the Thecus has 2 GB. However, looking at the ranking and the File Copy Write performance, you'll note that the DS415play manages to squeeze a lot more out of the hardware. We'll discuss performance in depth later in the review.
Below is a screenshot showing the callouts for the front and rear panels. The front has LED indicators for each disk, a power button and a single USB 2.0 port. The rear panel has a power connector, Gigabit LAN port, a reset button, 2 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports, a security slot and dual fans.
There are no inside photos because there wasn't an obvious way to get the plastic outer shell off without the risk of cracking it. The main board is screwed to the drive bay chassis on the right side (facing front of the product). So all we have for internal details is what has already been mentioned, i.e. dual-core 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CE5535 Evansport processor and 1 GB of RAM (DDR3 most likely).
Despite their similarities, the DS214play and 415play do not use the same board. The DS214 play has one USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports vs. the 415play's three and two. The 214play also sports an SD card slot and eSATA port that the 415play lacks. Both have a single Gigabit Ethernet port and, in keeping with Synology's current design philosophy, don't have HDMI or VGA ports.
We used four 3 TB WD Red (WD30EFRX) drives to test the 415play. Total active power consumption with the drives spun up was 32 W, which dropped to less than 9W with the drives spun down for power save.
The power supply is external, which reduces heat inside the case. Although the DS415play has two fans, it wasn't audible in the quiet home office setting of the SNB lab. So we rated its noise level as very low.


Homing pigeons are finding their way around Britain by following roads and railways, zoologists claim.
They say the birds' natural magnetic and solar compasses are often less important than their knowledge of human transport routes.
A 10-year Oxford University study discovered some pigeons turn off at certain motorway junctions and use landmarks to remember where they are.
The scientists behind the study were "knocked sideways" by their findings.
The pigeons' routes were mapped to within four yards by tiny tracking devices and global positioning system technology.
Research team member Dr Tim Guilford said the results were "plain to see".
"They don't follow linear lines all the time and sometimes when they're flying at 200 or 300ft above built-up areas it's difficult to see exactly what they are following.
"But when they do follow a road, it's so obvious.
"We followed some which flew up the Oxford bypass and even turned off at particular junctions. It's very human-like."
Dr Guilford said pigeons' used their ability to navigate by the Sun when they were over unfamiliar territory.
He said they did not always fly "as the crow" - making diversions to follow roads home when there were more straightforward routes.
"That's the exciting thing, because we knew then there was something more important to them than just saving energy."
The team believes the birds use the technique to keep their journeys as simple as possible.
"People used to think pigeons navigated by the sun, the moon and the stars"


text:
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The HP14 torch uses a slightly larger casing that allows for the use of the world's most common battery, the AA and has the brightness professionals and serious users are looking for. A quick cycle switch allows you to select between a high output setting of 339 lumens or a low output of 56 lumens allowing you to choose the right level for your application. Coast's Pure Beam Focusing Optic System with Fingertip Speed Focus Control provides superior beam consistency from spot to flood, with no dark rings typically associated with focusing torches, and you can lock the beam focus in any position you want with our Beam Lock System. The Bulls Eye spot beam pattern gives you a great focused spot with a maximum beam distance of 175 meters, while producing an outer ring of flood light which allows you to see a broader area to the sides. Built tough, an impact-resistant, lightweight aluminum casing resists rust and corrosion. The HP14 also features an unbreakable LED and rubberized O-ring for reliable water resistance and durability. Tested and rated to ANSI/FL1 standards by an independent laboratory.


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                    if (/\/$/.test(realPath)) {
                        app.use(virtualPath, express.static(realPath));
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                        app.get(virtualPath, function (request, response) {
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                "/index.html": basePath + "/index.html",
                "/jemul8.js": basePath + "/jemul8.js",
                "/demos": basePath + "/demos/",
                "/js": basePath + "/js/",
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            return new Service(webSocketServer, natGateway);
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    });

    return Server;
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home > World War 1 > Revisionism, imperialism, military worship; the many reasons Battlefield 1 is terrible
Revisionism, imperialism, military worship; the many reasons Battlefield 1 is terrible
Game Theory by Matt S.
Battlefield 1 represents everything wrong with blockbuster storytelling. What has been billed as an attempt to represent the stories and the reality of one of the most horrific wars in human history instead comes across as dangerously revisionist and imperialist. The military hero worship is so overdone that it's simultaneously a piece of propaganda and a complete insult to the people who actually fought in that war.
Related reading: DDNet's Nick was much, much more positive on the game. For a second opinion be sure to check out his review.
There's just so much wrong with this game's narrative that I'm struggling to find a meaningful starting point. Instead, I'll break it down into various components and discuss each individually. The game's real problem is that it manages to bring all these separate issues together to create one giant mess of a narrative, but in breaking things down I hope I'm highlighting the extent of Battlefield 1's problems with the way we (in the West) generally approach military history and storytelling. Films and literature are every bit as guilty of doing what I detail below, but in this game it's handled in an even more infantile manner, as most games struggle to work nuance into their storytelling.
Revisionism and Battlefield 1: leading people dangerously astray
The biggest issue that I have with Battlefield is its revisionist approach to history through its storytelling. This is a game that has no interest in providing a balanced look at the circumstances around the war. Instead, it subjects us to a reductive "goodies vs. baddies" narrative that, in the process, teaches a dangerously limited understanding of the war, and one that verges on being outright propaganda.
In Battlefield 1, you play through a half dozen or so 'stories.' Each time, you're fighting on the side of allies, and each time the reason why you're fighting isn't really relevant; all that matters is that you've got orders to follow, and you're barrelling through them while shooting down hordes of enemies.
The problem is that each and every one of these stories features characters from one side of the conflict: that of the Allies. The Central Powers barely have any voiced characters, and when they do (such as one of the Ottoman officers who briefly makes an appearance in the Lawrence of Arabia story), they are little more than villainous caricatures. This, of course, means that only one side of the conflict is humanised, and we're led to sympathise directly with that side while glossing over its own grievous flaws throughout the war.
So herewith a brief (actual) history of World War 1, because it reveals that neither side was "right" in the conflict and there was every reason to sympathise equally with both sides. For the circumstances that led to the war were a bunch of nonsense; it should simply never have happened.
An Austrian royal was assassinated, and fearing that this was a precursor to the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria-Hungary planned to invade Serbia, which they perceived to be the agitators in the conflict. The Russians were concerned by this development and mobilised their military. This caused Germany to mobilise its military and demand Russia step down. When Russia didn't, Germany felt compelled to declare war on its now highly militarised neighbour. This caused France to mobilise for war. Which caused Germany to declare war on it too, now feeling like it was crushed between two powers. Germany decided the only strategic option it had was to invade France through Belgium, however Belgium was neutral, so when Germany's forces rolled through, a treaty between Belgium and the United Kingdom kicked in, forcing the UK to declare war on Germany. Then Germany used the Ottoman Empire's trade dependency on it to force the Ottomans to declare war on Russia. And then England, Germany, The Ottomans, France and so on decided to force all their subjugated peoples in Africa and Asia to fight for them too. World War 1. America joined the war later, in 1917, because it was keen on proving itself to be a military power, and America likes getting itself involved in military conflict.
The reality of World War 1 is that it was a arbitrary war that didn't actually need to be fought. There was no right or wrong – with the possible exception of Austria-Hungary's aggression towards Serbia. Unlike World War 2, there wasn't a man at the head of one of the sides who posed a genuine existential threat to an entire people. World War 1 was a series of treaties blowing up in the faces of a bunch of nations that weren't that interested in fighting in wars.
This is why it's a problem that Battlefield 1 doesn't present any stories from "the other side." For a game that obstinately claims to offer a story highlighting the horrors and impact of war to be so unsympathetic to one side as to characterise them as nothing more than cannon fodder to blow through is to fail to represent the nuances of the conflict in any way. And yet, by latching on to history so intensely, and including just enough historical truths to place the game within that unique conflict (an emphasis on trench warfare, the use of Zeppelin blimps in combat), Battlefield 1 is claiming the authority of authenticity. No one who plays this game is going to come away with anything but a dangerously skewed understanding of the motivations and context behind the war. This is a problem in itself because already the understanding that people in the West have of the war is limited and badly tainted by the propaganda that comes from being on the winning side.
Imperialism and Battlefield 1: The silence is deafening
World War 1 was also one of the most extreme examples of empires exploiting their colonies (or recently liberated colonies that still relied heavily on their former empire, such as Australia and India) to do the really dirty work we've seen to date. Faced with the difficult task of establishing a beachhead on the coast of Gallipoli, the British forces sent in the Australians and New Zealanders. The Germans and French drained their own African colonies for their respective fronts.
And, most significantly of all, after World War 1 the Arabs - who were pulled into the war by the British and were instrumental in causing the downfall of the Ottoman Empire - were knifed in the back when a secret deal allowed the French to re-colonise Syria, which the British had also publicly promised to the Arabs. It's no exaggeration at all to say the current problems in the Middle East towards the West started at that precise moment.
Indeed, a lot of what has happened in Africa as nations fought for independence was a consequence of World War 1 and the subsequent heightened tensions as the people felt absolutely used and betrayed by the colonists. It's impossible to have a fruitful discussion about WW1 without considering the impact that imperialism had on it; but the closest Battlefield 1 ever gets is when, during the Gallipoli story, the Australian protagonist mutters "bloody English" as they (the British) withdraw forces and start shelling the position without telling a unit of ANZ soldiers what they were about to do.
Needless to say, that's not adequate, and Battlefield 1 feels especially complicit in the imperialist viewpoint when you get to another campaign, the Lawrence of Arabia one. To EA's credit, you don't play as Lawrence, but rather an Arabian woman. And equally to EA's credit, Lawrence's role isn't to order your character around; she does seem to have her own agency and is an empowered warrior woman. But where the film, Lawrence of Arabia, was so effective in showing how the Arabs were ultimately betrayed by the imperialist English, this game sidesteps all that entirely.
Imperialism and nationalism go hand-in-hand, and in failing to be adequately critical of the conduct of the Allied Powers, EA has inadvertently condoned imperialism and encouraged nationalism. While Battlefield 1 does focus on individual stories of characters rather than the broader political environment, in hero-ising the individuals and failing to be critical enough of that political environment, the game is directly supporting the actions of those nations; made all the worse because, again, the enemies are nameless faces with no value beyond their capacity to be killed.
Military hero worship really needs to stop
Note: Spoilers for the next couple of paragraphs below
In one scene in Battlefield 1 my character, a fighter pilot, was single-handedly mowing down giant Zeppelin airships with an anti-aircraft gun that he had appropriated from an airship he'd crashed his plane into (don't ask me how the airship was still aloft - it shouldn't have been). Then one of the destroyed Zeppelins crashed into the one my character was using, and he leaped off it – in full flight. In the very next scene he's emerging from a river, not even slightly injured from a massive drop from an airship high in the clouds. And yeah, he's an unreliable narrator sort (revealed in a horribly contrived way, mind), and we can't be sure of just how valid his heroism is, but there are plenty of other examples through the campaigns that are almost as ridiculous, and those are told straight-faced.
It was utterly ridiculous. It was something that you'd expect to see in The Avengers. For all Battlefield 1's promises that it was taking the death count of World War 1 seriously, as soon as the action starts up, the ludonarrative dissonance kicks in and you're playing a series of heroes who, as far as the narrative is concerned, are infallible.
"Superheroing" the characters elevates them, and beyond their superhuman physical abilities, in each story the hero quickly becomes positioned as a moral point of light in a dark situation. Whether they're rescuing fellow soldiers from the no man's zone or offering to take on dangerous missions so that young kids don't need to, this game of stories about soldiers decides to elevate each character's heroic qualities. They're strong, noble, self-sacrificing individuals to a fault, and they're willing to take extreme risks for the benefits of those around them, to either go out in a blaze of glory, or emerge the other end alive and decorated.
Military worship is a substantial problem in western culture, because it leads directly to a militarised culture. Respect is one thing (and of course there needs to be respect for military sacrifice), but what games like Battlefield 1 do is far greater than respect. Games like Battlefield 1 exaggerate the qualities of soldiers to the extreme, on a par with superheroes, and, just as with superheroes, thus justify the violence and destruction they cause. Because they're infallible.
Indeed, what I saw throughout my time in Battlefield 1 was a spitting image of the heroic propaganda paintings I saw in a Japanese gallery exhibition that I went to last year. Japanese artists would paint the most spectacularly inspiring paintings of their soldiers struggling against the might of the enemy - throwing their lives at the cause and for one another. As with Battlefield 1 the artists aimed for a "noble realism," where the full horrors of war were on full display, but the heroes were defying the very horror of what was around them through their struggling, suffering, and heroic deeds. The fine line between what we determine to be propaganda and what is not would seem to be simply what side we're viewing, but realistically all forms of military hero worship are propaganda, and the difference between this game, and the Japanese World War 2 paintings, is not that great at all.
Now, comic books and superhero films are starting to overtly question the hero worship of the 'superheroes,' but games aren't quite there yet. The number of military games with the audacity to actually question what the "heroes" are doing can be counted on one hand. Either their actions are completely justified and noble or, in order to be slightly more 'edgy', a game might give players an "anti-hero" who still ends up justified in what he/she is doing by the fact the other side is worse. Battlefield 1, in its focus on promotion of "mateship" and the heroism of soldiers looking out for one another, ends up as a mouthpiece for military worship propaganda. You can almost see the military recruiters rubbing their hands over this game.
Battlefield 1: A game of thematic inconsistencies
Finally, a note on a more mechanical flaw within Battlefield 1. This is a game that makes a big deal out of the 'futility of war.' An admittedly impressive opening sequence puts you in control of half a dozen or so soldiers who are doomed. It's impossible to avoid their eventual deaths. This is the game's version of a tutorial. Unfortunately, from that point on, the game completely forgets about the key theme it set out to develop.
Battlefield 1 gamifies war, as every FPS does. There's a focus on the multiplayer experience, in which you're earning points for killing other players over, and over, and over again. There's no consequence to dying, or even dying a lot and eventually losing the match. You just play another one. And, of course, if you're good at killing, you earn trophies.
Weapons in the game, meanwhile, are unrealistic to World War 1 because there's a far more visceral thrill to shooting an automatic than an unreliable rifle that takes an age to reload. Weapons in World War 1 are not the visceral war machines that dominate modern battlefields. Battlefield 1 gets the aesthetics right, but modifies the gun's behaviour so that it works basically as well as any modern gun does.
Earning a trophy for slaughtering a bunch of people with melee attacks hardly sits well with the game's purported musings on the 'futility of war.' There's never the sense that you're meant to reflect on the actual bloodletting in war. It's presented as quite harmless and routine. If Battlefield 1 was taking itself - and the war - seriously, the one thing we should certainly not be towards a war like World War 1 is desensitised.
None of this is meant to suggest that you can't enjoy Battlefield 1 - that should go without saying. Sadly, the games industry has a legion of people who get offended at the slightest hint of criticism of their favourite games, so there's the disclaimer; yes, you're allowed to like this game. However, it's important that we recognise just how poor and downright misleading this game is in representing firstly the horrors of war in general, but secondly World War 1 itself. This is a war that needs to be remembered with horror. "Lest we forget" is a phrase used with reference to World War 1 precisely because, if we ever were to rewrite history, romanticising or glorifying the war just as Battlefield 1 has done, then there's every chance that it might happen again.
Frankly, I think the developers have a lot to answer for with this game.
Title : Revisionism, imperialism, military worship; the many reasons Battlefield 1 is terrible
Posted by : Matt S.
Date : 10/26/2016 10:00:00 PM
Labels : Battlefield 1, DDNet Premium, EA, FPS, Game Theory, Imperialism, military worship, Opinion, Revisionism, World War 1
Item Reviewed: Revisionism, imperialism, military worship; the many reasons Battlefield 1 is terrible 9 out of 10 based on 10 ratings. 9 user reviews.
Posted by Matt S. at 10/26/2016 10:00:00 PM
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text:
Brief Description of Project :
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text:
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import {
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import {
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import { HomeComponent } from './home';
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import { Ng2HandySyntaxHighlighterModule } from 'ng2-handy-syntax-highlighter';

import '../styles/styles.scss';
import '../styles/headings.css';

import { Ng2HandyOauthModule } from './../library/index'; // ... from 'ng2-handy-oauth'

/**
 * `AppModule` is the main entry point into Angular2's bootstraping process
 */
@NgModule({
  bootstrap: [ AppComponent ],
  declarations: [
    AppComponent,
    HomeComponent,
    NoContentComponent
  ],
  imports: [ // import Angular's modules
    BrowserModule,
    FormsModule,
    HttpModule,
    Ng2HandySyntaxHighlighterModule,
    Ng2HandyOauthModule.forRoot({
      providers: {
        facebook: {
          clientId: '1844231895853940',
          redirectUrl: 'http://oauth.diamondtower.pl/demo/callback'
        },
        google: {
          clientId: '967564884306-m8fmpkv78j24u24kf2tigrbci43ua3ni.apps.googleusercontent.com',
          redirectUrl: 'http://oauth.diamondtower.pl/demo/callback'
        },
        spotify: {
          clientId: '783ebe0153dc41febe56783b2ccee809',
          redirectUrl: 'http://oauth.diamondtower.pl/demo/callback'
        },
        foursquare: {
          clientId: 'K4XRQ2S5VFXMY2KS53MHUDPNAX11L3PF3DVYCW32ENYXLX5Y',
          redirectUrl: 'http://oauth.diamondtower.pl/demo/callback'
        }
      }
    }),
    RouterModule.forRoot(ROUTES, { useHash: true, preloadingStrategy: PreloadAllModules })
  ],
  providers: [
     {provide: LocationStrategy, useClass: PathLocationStrategy},
  ]
})
export class AppModule {}


text:
Q: How would you remove the loop from this matlab code Given that we have:

*

*x is 2d matrix with size [numSamples x numFeatures]

*A is 2d square matrix with size [numFeatures x numFeatures]

*B is a 1d vector with size [1 x numFeatures]

I would like to evaluate the following code without a loop: (or in a way faster way)
out = zeros(1,numSamples);
for i = 1:numSamples
    res = sum(repmat(B - x(i,:), numSamples, 1)*A.*(x - repmat(x(i,:), numSamples, 1)), 2).^2;
    out(i) = var(res);
end

If you have other suggestions on a faster improvement of the above, it is also more than welcome.

A: You can bsxfun those piece-by-piece for a vectorized solution -
P1 = bsxfun(@minus,B,x)*A;
P2 = bsxfun(@minus,x,permute(x,[3 2 1]));
out = var(squeeze(sum(bsxfun(@times,P1,P2),2)).^2.');

Partially vectorized approach -
P = (bsxfun(@minus,B,x)*A).';  %//'
out = zeros(1,numSamples);
for i = 1:numSamples
    out(i) = var((bsxfun(@minus,x,x(i,:))*P(:,i)).^2);
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Encountering, yet again, a young Filipino who may be HIV positive, but who is now unaware about the next steps to take, Michael David C. Tan laments about the continuing over-emphasis on testing in the Philippines, and the lacking attention given to treatment, care and support. "If we continue over-emphasizing only the testing, then we are failing in serving by letting people suffer (or even die)," he says.
He is already in his twenties, but listening to him, he sounded just like a kid. A lost kid, in fact – his voice trembling as he shared his confusion on what steps he should now take.
Just as he narrated, this young man was apparently persuaded by a private clinic in Mandaluyong City to get tested. "Libre daw ang HIV antibody test, kaya sinubukan ko (They said the HIV antibody test is for free, so I gave it a go)," he said. The test result was "reactive" – meaning, his blood sample will now be sent to SAACL for the confirmatory test, which would determine if he is, indeed, HIV positive. He was told to hold his horses for three to four weeks, which (annoyingly) continues to be the waiting period usually given before the confirmatory result is released.
In the meantime – not helped by the stress that getting the "reactive" result brought with it – he had been getting sick.
The sources of his worries are numerous.
First, "hindi ko alam ano na ang gagawin ko (I don't know what to do now)," he said. He said that he was not even informed about the treatment hubs – and how these hubs could serve him. Secondly, he was told that "kailangan ko raw magbayad ng P4,200 para bigyan nila ako ng baseline tests agad-agad (I need to pay them P4,200 so they can give me baseline tests immediately). I'm just a student; I don't know where I can get that amount." Thirdly, he didn't know of PhilHealth's OHAT package; he was even surprised ["May ganyan pala (There's such a thing)?" he said] when told that of the "free" access to treatment, care and support. And fourthly, he wasn't even informed of any sources of support for people like him – "Ni wala man lang ba grupo na puwede ko kausapin tungkol dito (Aren't there any groups I could speak with about my plight)?" he asked.
And that's when our paths crossed.
He was particularly worried that, without P4,200, his ailments will just worsen; and something "masama (bad)" will happen to him before the three week waiting period ends.
And here is where my annoyance escalated/continues to escalate.
Because in the past months, his is not the only case we encountered that highlights the over-emphasis of HIV testing in the Philippines, while the support provided after the testing continues to be lacking.
There's one person living with HIV who was kicked out by his adoptive aunt (his mother is overseas, and apparently does not want anything to do with him) upon knowing of his status. He slept hungry in front of a closed church in Mandaluyong until someone took pity of him.
Another person living with HIV was kicked out by his mom, also upon knowing of his status. Feverish, he slept in bus stations (he said he had to pretend to be a passenger waiting for his next trip, so the guards won't drive him away); again until someone took pity of him.
Another person living with HIV has been taking his ARV for four years now, and yet his situation seems to continue to worsen (e.g. his CD4 count continues to decrease, instead of increase). He was told to cough up over P7,000 for genotyping to help ascertain what meds will work for him. Unemployed, he obviously does not have the amount.
There are other students who also tested HIV positive who just "disappeared". Ask those working in the ground in Davao City in Mindanao about this, and the stories actually abound.
These are but some of the instances highlighting the lacking support given to those who test HIV-positive, of course.
I am starting to sound like a broken record by keeping on bringing this up; but since nothing seems to be changing, it has to be stated over and over and over again.
I, like most, believe in the importance of testing. After all, before anything can be done about it, one's HIV status first has to be known – e.g. before you can start getting your ARVs, you first have to know if you're HIV-positive. So let me say this for the record: Yes, testing is very, very important.
But the seeming over-emphasis on testing is – simply put – exasperating.
Too many NGOs/CBOs/government agencies focus ONLY on testing, with so much money spent seemingly only on it.
A politician made the news recently when he asked for additional budget for – you guessed it right – more prevention efforts (read: testing).
Bigger NGOs provide trainings (some even in fancy places outside Metro Manila, not recognizing that some of the very people they claim to serve sleep on the streets because they don't have a cent in their names) to CBOs for them to – yet again – test more.
And we have numerous audio-visual campaigns allocated with lots of money (with the accompanying hype) to encourage people to get tested.
But beyond testing, not many other efforts exist.
If a person living with HIV is kicked out of his/her house, where does he/she go?
If a person living with HIV loses his/her job because of his/her status, are there lawyers he/she can access to uphold the anti-discriminatory principles advocated by the law (RA 8504)?
If a young person living with HIV (e.g. a student) has no money to pay for PhilHealth, where does he/she go?
If a person living with HIV is having suicidal thoughts, and mental health care is not provided by his/her treatment hub, where does he/she go?
If a HIV-negative Filipino (unknowingly) put him/herself at risk for exposure to HIV infection, where does he/she go to access post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?
For that matter, for those who want to access pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the Philippines, where does one go?
I say: CONTINUE TESTING, YES; BUT GO BEYOND TESTING.
Because if we continue over-emphasizing only the testing, then we are failing in serving by letting people suffer (or even die).
We keep saying that the number of people who get infected with HIV in the Philippines continues to increase. And so it is. But unless we better the treatment, care and support programs, we seem to care only with the numbers. Simply, WE NEED TO SERVE THOSE WHO TEST HIV POSITIVE.
As for the young man in his twenties, I have not heard from him again for a few days now.
I have given him some links to follow so he can face this stage in his life – e.g. contacts to access treatment, care and support.
But I still worry, yes.
And not hearing from him, I can only hope he is holding up well.
Better yet, I hope he finally has access to everything he needs for him to live healthy.
I hope, too, that he is not yet dead because the service providers just wanted to know his status, but do not have anything else to offer him after knowing his status. Because his demise could well be the perfect exemplification of the dire need to go beyond testing.


Kenwood brings to you the 'kMix' Stand Mixer with enhanced specification to not only looks elegant in your kitchen but produce consistent, excellent results for your food preparation tasks. This eye catching piece will help you dazzle loved ones and dinner guests alike with delicious dinners or show stopping sweets. The accompanying bowl tools, K Beater, whisk and dough hook, allow you to create flavoured breads, stylish cakes and enticing pavlovas with ease. One of the distinct features is the fold function which helps to fold and layer ingredients together, exceptionally for preparing souffles, mousses or meringues where airy mixtures are key to a show stopping creation.


newredirect.ru - newredirect Resources and Information.
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In April 2016, Parliament passed the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 ("the PDI Act") to replace the Development Act 1993.
The PDI Act provides the basis for a major overhaul of the planning and development system in South Australia. It will affect how development policy is formed, and how development applications are assessed.
The State Government's rollout of the PDI Act is underway, and will be completed by July 2020. More details on the state's progress can be accessed on the link at the bottom of the page.
A key component of the PDI Act is the Planning and Design Code. The Code is aimed at consolidating the provisions of South Australia's 72 Development Plans into one statewide 'rule book' for all development. The Code will therefore replace the Development Plan for Port Adelaide Enfield. More details on the Code can be accessed on the link at the bottom of the page.
Council understands that the State Planning Commission will release further consultation papers in the coming months. Council intends to prepare submissions on all future papers, which will be uploaded in due course. More details on the new planning system can be accessed through the state Planning Portal (see link at the bottom of the page).


Ramesh Aravind widely considered one of the finest actors of South India cinema, Ramesh took to cinema with unique charm, grace and a passion to portray characters like never before. Acknowledged by audience and peers as a class entertainer, and a fine gentleman, he has earned a place in the hearts of millions of cinema fans today. In a movie career spanning over 20 years, Ramesh Aravind has demonstrated his powers and versatility as an Actor, Director, Writer, Producer and TV Host. He has literally lived the roles he has enacted and enjoyed them as much as his audiences. His thirst for creating enjoyable entertainment has led him to become an unforgettable movie star.


NASCAR has announced Steve Phelps will assume duties as president of the sanctioning body effective Oct. 1.
A NASCAR media release noted current president Brent Dewar has "elected to step down," but will transition to a senior consulting and advisory role in 2019.
Phelps becomes only the fifth president in NASCAR's 70-year history, following Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Mike Helton and Dewar.
Since joining NASCAR in 2005, Phelps has held several roles, including chief marketing officer, and most recently, chief operating officer.
It's the second major shakeup at NASCAR in the last few weeks. In early August, NASCAR CEO and chairman Brian France announced he was taking an "indefinite leave of absence" after being charged with DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Jim France assumed his duties.
Phelps faces challenges in boosting NASCAR's fortunes, which have waned in recent years, with TV ratings and attendance both down from the sport's heyday a few years ago.
What was Ellie Soutter's cause of death, what age was the Team GB snowboarder and when is her memorial taking place?


I agree, time is a precious commodity. And so is your future. When you consider you may live a third of your life in retirement, you better make time to manage your money. It's all a matter of what is important to you, and I am telling you it is imperative you pay attention to and understand your finances and investments.
We need to tell the truth and admit we are procrastinators when it comes to our money. We invest years of our time getting an education, and thousands of dollars to pay for it. Yet we don't want to spend a little time and/or money to build and preserve a financial future for ourselves. There is just something seriously wrong with that!
I agree – there are so many investment choices out there, it can be very confusing. That is no excuse to do nothing. This is what you pay your trusted financial advisor for – to help you sift through all the investment options out there, and find the ones appropriate for you.
How about this one – "I don't understand all the financial jargon." This is a variation on it's too confusing. Have your financial advisor explain it all to you, and if they can't explain it so you can understand it, the investment is not for you. Never invest in anything you don't understand! Or maybe it's time to find another financial advisor, if they can't explain things in a way you can understand it.
I have also heard "Where in the world do I start?" Believe it or not, just getting started can be a big stumbling block. Women especially like a process. We like directions. We will actually follow directions. Ask your financial advisor where to start.
Oh yes, you need to believe it – this excuse still exists. But are you absolutely sure he takes care of all that, whatever that means? Or are you just blindly trusting he is? If you are not participating in the financial goal setting and money decisions of your household, or making sure those goals are on track, you are making a huge mistake. And you may not realize it until your husband is gone due to death or divorce. This is about protecting yourself.
Another variation on this theme is "Somebody else should be doing this for me." This is a classic cop-out, and I am amazed at how many women use it. Some women think they will marry a millionaire, win a lottery, or inherit lots of money – this is their financial plan. Why should they bother to invest their own hard-earned money?
"I'm young – I have lots of time to invest." What a lot of young people don't seem to know is, if you start investing when you are very young, it doesn't have to be a lot of money to make a very nice nest egg for retirement, since you have the benefit of lots of time and compounding. Why make it hard on yourself by waiting, and then having to make really big sacrifices to save so much more later?
Or how about this – "I'm too old, what would be the point now?" I have heard this from people in retirement. Even if you don't think you need any more money, how about your children, or your favorite charitable causes? The Bible says we are to put our talents to work for the Kingdom. You are never too old to invest.
So you are embarrassed to admit your financial situation.I'll use the doctor analogy. Financial advisors are like doctors for your financial health. We do not judge you for what you have previously done. We understand that people make financial mistakes, and chances are, we've made our share of them too.
There is no blame or shame here. Allow us to give you the benefit of our experience and training. We will diagnose your current state of affairs, and give you a plan to become better. We will respect you a lot more for doing something to make your financial life better. Do something today!
Protect your future choices by investing now. Don't wait – find a financial advisor you can trust, and get started.


More than 2,000 people died of drug and alcohol overdoses in Maryland last year — a record number that is part of the nation's opioid-abuse crisis.
As part of their response, Maryland legislators have passed a law requiring that students be educated four times — twice in elementary school, once in high school and once at the college level for incoming full-time students — on the dangers of opioids, including heroin. The law applies to all higher education institutions that accept state money — and so includes private colleges as well — and requires naloxone (which can be used in cases of overdoses) to be stocked by campus police and public safety officers.
Preventative education for new students is nothing new for higher ed, as colleges often offer or require student participation in programs aimed to prevent drug and alcohol abuse or sexual assault.
At the same time, despite the widespread use of training and seminars, alcohol abuse and sexual assault — which often go hand in hand — remain major problems in higher education. Will training to prevent opioid addiction be any different?
"This is going to require a variety of different responses and a variety of different channels to solve," said Tammy Wincup, chief operating officer of EverFi, which is prescription-drug safety and addiction-prevention programming for some Maryland colleges. EverFi is the same company behind the online alcohol education program AlcoholEdu, which many colleges use to educate incoming students.
"What we should be held to — what we should all be held to — is, 'Are we moving in the right direction?'" Wincup said, recognizing that prevention education at the college level, on its own, probably isn't enough to stem the tide of addiction and overdoses. While issues stemming from alcohol use and sexual assault are still priorities on campus, she said, EverFi, along with support for its programs from the state and federal governments, has helped make a positive impact at colleges.
In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's section on "Promising State Strategies" to combat opioid abuse, education programs aren't listed. Instead, the list has bullet points dedicated to prescription drug monitoring programs and databases; regulations on clinics, doctors and Medicaid; increasing access to treatment; and expanding access to naloxone. To be fair, Maryland has also instituted measures beyond education to fight opioid misuse, including steps outlined in the CDC's recommendations, and the bill introducing the education component at colleges does expand access to naloxone.
The classes at Maryland colleges might provide more data for the CDC to use in its study of opioid abuse, although existing data suggest that the opioid education programs at the college level could be effective, if done right.
"There isn't much evidence about the effectiveness of educational programs among college students, but in terms of programs for adolescent populations, effective programs are those that go beyond traditional messaging and also promote positive youth development and skills," Courtney Lenard, a CDC spokeswoman, said via email.
Citing a 2013 study on prevention programs aimed at prescription drug misuse, she said that, over all, there are positive effects from education and prevention programs, though the data regarding opioids are limited.
In a press briefing last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price named education as a priority in fighting opioid abuse.
Despite the widespread use of training and seminars, alcohol abuse and sexual assault — which often go hand in hand — remain major problems in higher education. Will training to prevent opioid addiction be any different?
EverFi is confident it is up to the task.
The opioid epidemic has often centered on rural, working-class populations. On the surface, at least, it seems as though the college-going population might not be the most pressing demographic on which to focus anti-heroin resources.
Indeed, deaths from heroin and opioid overdoses are concentrated in populations older than the typical four-year college student, according to CDC data — but that doesn't mean that abuse and misuse aren't relevant topics for colleges. And even with the data skewing one way, opioid abuse has been well documented on college campuses, leading some to examine treatment options for addicted students. In addition, health officials need to think about nontraditional college students.
At the same time, it's important to be realistic about rates of abuse and misuse among college students when EverFi is making its programming, said Kimberley Timpf, senior director of prevention education.
Regardless of demographic trends, however, a risk remains — no matter what.
"It's important to note that no demographic group has gone untouched with the opioid crisis," Lenard said.
Nick Roll covers trends and policies in higher education for Inside Higher Ed.


text:
Захид Исмаил оглы Халилов (; 14 января 1911, Тифлис — 4 февраля 1974, Баку) — азербайджанский  и механик. Академик и президент (1962—1967) Академии наук Азербайджанской ССР.

Общие сведения
В 1944—1960 годы заведовал кафедрой теоретической механики Бакинского государственного университета, в 1967—1974 годы был директором Института математики и механики АН АзССР.

В 1957—1959 годы академик-секретарь отделения физико-математических и технических наук, затем вице-президент, в 1962—1967 — президент АН Азербайджанской ССР.

Основная научная деятельность
К основным областям исследования относятся функциональный анализ и его применения к интегральным и дифференциальным уравнениям, механика сплошной среды, математическая теория систем автоматического управления и другие области математики.

З.Халилов был одним из первых математиков Азербайджана, положил основу школы функционального анализа.

Решил общую краевую задачу для полигармонических систем уравнений, дал аналог метода Фурье для решения смешанных задач с неразделяющимися переменными и метод сеток для решения модельного уравнения смешанного типа. Он создал теорию абстрактных сингулярных операторов, дал решение ряда задач подземной гидромеханики, применяемых в разработке нефтегазовых месторождений, исследовал спектр несамосопряжённых операторов в банаховом пространстве.

З.Халилов имел большие заслуги в подготовке высококвалифицированных кадров. Он был избран президентом Общества математиков Азербайджана.

Известные адреса
Баку, проспект Нефтяников, 67 (Жилой дом учёных)

Ссылки
 Официальный сайт АНА
  Академия наук Азербайджана

Механики СССР
Похороненные на Аллее почётного захоронения в Баку
Президенты Академии наук Азербайджана
Депутаты Верховного Совета СССР 6-го созыва
Депутаты Верховного Совета СССР 7-го созыва
Делегаты XXIII съезда КПСС

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
iRobot to commercialize endurance record-holding undersea robot
iRobot licenses endurance record-holder Seaglider from the University of Washington; Seaglider can operate at sea for months at a time in challenging conditions
Record-holding, ocean-observing robots which operate at sea for months at a time are to be commercially produced by iRobot under a licensing agreement with the University of Washington. iRobot, a U.S. company which makes robots for the consumer and military markets, secured the rights to build the Seaglider robots after negotiating a deal with the University's technology transfer department. Seagliders, developed by the UW's Applied Physics Laboratory and the School of Oceanography, have repeatedly set the world's endurance record for autonomous underwater vehicles.
Two Seagliders deployed in the Labrador Sea operated on their own for more than seven months in 2004 and 2005, a record that still stands. In that time they travelled 2,325 miles through the sea. They have also been deployed in some challenging conditions, such as the intense Kuroshio Current, the world's second strongest ocean current. The Kuroshio, like the Gulf Stream, is a western boundary current that acts as a conveyor belt carrying warm tropical waters north and clips along at 1 to 2 feet a second in some places. Together, they have amassed more than a dozen years of operating time, more sea time than any other autonomous underwater vehicle. A Seaglider can dive from the surface down 3,300 feet and back up every 3 to 9 hours. It remains at the surface long enough to transmit data it has collected, relay its position and receive instructions via a satellite phone network, before diving again.


text:
Hanoi is arguably Asia's most charming capital city. Hanoi, meaning 'embraced by the river', is a city of broad, tree-lined boulevards, elegant French villas and colonial-era buildings painted in muted hues of mustard and white. It is also one of Asia's greenest cities with an abundance of parks and lakes as well as a host of cafes and art galleries and an Old Quarter steeped in history. By day the city hums with commerce and moves at motorbike speed; by night the city is an enchanting, 19th century Asian village best experienced from the seat of a silent cyclo.
Hanoi sits astride the banks of the Red River, Vietnam's second longest river. Beneath modern-day Hanoi lie artefacts and relics of the early Bronze and Iron ages, dating back to 2,000BC. The city was officially founded by Emperor Ly Thai To, who in 1010 renamed the area Thang Long or Soaring Dragon. Soon after, some of the city's oldest structures were built including the Temple of Literature, one of the oldest universities in the world.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the city experienced rapid growth due to the expansion of foreign trade. In 1786, the Tay Son Army from the south invaded northern Vietnam and united the country. During the Tay Son reign the capital was moved south to Hue, where it remained throughout the Nguyen Dynasty. Indeed Hanoi had to wait until 1831 to regain its former name, when Emperor Minh Mang established it as the capital of the Northern Province. The city's main period of growth stemmed from the arrival of the French in 1888. Fortunately, many of the old boulevards and residences have survived and today are used to house Foreign Embassies and Government institutions. From 1902 until 1953, the city served as the capital of French Indochina. In 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed in his independence speech in Ba Dinh square, that Hanoi would henceforth be the capital of Vietnam. Today, Hanoi is a bustling city of nearly 7 million people.
What to see in Hanoi?
Hanoi is one of Asia's most fascinating cities with its unique blend of western and oriental charm. You can wander through the 36 streets in the Old Quarter, rummage for souvenirs and witness the artisans working on their specialty crafts. As the oldest university (established since 1070), the Temple of Literature and its five courtyards retains a scholarly atmosphere and makes a peaceful respite from Hanoi's busy streets. Pay homage to the late Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his 'house on stilts' and learn why "Uncle Ho" is such a respected figure to the Vietnamese. Vietnam is a culturally diverse country and the fascinating ways of life of her 54 ethnic groups can be seen at the Museum of Ethnology.
To check out the budding arts scene, pop into the dozens of art galleries that stock works ranging from traditional to modern. Some of our favorites, the Apricot Gallery and Art Vietnam have consistently received positive accolades from art connoisseurs and travelers. Although modern entertainment outlets are readily available in Hanoi, why not opt to catch a water puppet show - a unique cultural form of North Vietnam? For early risers, head to Hoan Kiem Lake or Park of Reunification (formerly Lenin Park) and observe Vietnamese in their synchronized Tai Chi moves. On fine afternoons, stroll through the French quarter, sip an aromatic cup of coffee on the sidewalk and observe the bustling street life.
If you have more time to spare, there are many interesting locales in Hanoi's outskirts that are lesser visited by tourists. Tam Coc in Ninh Binh - with its series of limestone rock formations jutting out from a sea of rice paddies, is a scenic and surreal place to visit. Nearby Hoa Lu also offers similar landscapes of rocky outcrops - no less spectacular when compared to Tam Coc - as well as 10th century relics from when the area was the capital's country.
To learn about Vietnam's pottery history, a visit to Bat Trang Ceramic Village should be on the travel agenda. Here, you could try your hands at making the ceramics, but it is much easier to be enticed into owning the exquisite vases, bowls and dishes produced from the hands of the talented Bat Trang potters. For lovers of indigenous crafts, the Van Phuc Weaving Village lures visitors with its bewildering range of silk products.
Explore the rustic landscapes by cycling around the city's northern outskirts in Dong Ho Village, which is also famous for its painting styles that depict the traditional Vietnamese village lives. Follow the trails of Vietnamese pilgrims and embark on a 2-hour trek up Huong Son Mountain to Perfume Pagoda (or Chua Huong), with lots of photographic opportunities along the way.
Where to stay in Hanoi?
When in Hanoi, a stay in a colonial-style hotel should not be missed. Located in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a long history of being a luxury place for prestigious events and a popular place of rendez-vous. This charming hotel blends warm Vietnamese hospitality with the European luxury heritage offering legendary service. Centrally located in Hanoi's elegant French Quarter, the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel is a short walk from the famous Old Quarter and the city's bustling business district. Voted 'Vietnam's Leading Hotel' for five consecutive years by the prestigious World Travel Awards, the Hilton Hanoi Opera is a landmark in the city. InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is Hanoi's newest first-class hotel. Built entirely over the serene waters of historic West Lake and adjacent to the famous 800-year-old Golden Lotus Pagoda, the hotel features 359 guestrooms showcasing contemporary Vietnamese design at its best. In the heart of ancient Hanoi is a haven of boutique sophistication reinventing the Bohemian glamour of the Belle Époque era with a 21st Century twist. An operatic highlight in ancient Hanoi, Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi rests just a step away from Hanoi's beautiful Opera House. The Movenpick Hotel Hanoi is conveniently located in the heart of Hanoi's central business district. The hotel features distinctive French architecture with 154 well-appointed rooms and suites. Located in centre of the capital, the newly built Maison d'Hanoi Hanova Hotel is a stylish business hotel. It is a modernized classic, referencing Hanoi's French colonial past with its Asian Art Deco façade. Inside, the mix of French colonial and Asian accents continues, with colors and decorations evoking Hanoi's long history. In a great hotel, different things make different properties outstanding. Serenade Hotel will be your ideal choice during your time staying in Hanoi. The reason why we can confident is because we operate our hotel based on three simple criteria: "comfort, courtesy and cleanliness", which is shown clearly through our service. Conveniently located in the heart of Hanoi, the Hoa Binh Palace Hotel offers you much more than a three star hotel. Erected in 1926 with the name "Le Splendid" the hotel building is one of the finest architectural wonders that have been preserved from the past.
Hanoi – Attractions
Visiting Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is an unforgettable experience. Inside an imposing building lies the embalmed body of the founder of modern Vietnam. When visiting the mausoleum the following rules need to be observed: No short sleeves & skirts are allowed. Silence should be observed when entering the tomb and definitely no photographs (in fact all bags have to be left outside). It's quite an experience as you queue with many Vietnamese, some of whom have traveled many miles to make the pilgrimage. The mausoleum is a unique opportunity to reflect upon the life of one of the 20th century's more revered historical figures. Next to the mausoleum is a replica of "Uncle Ho's" wooden house on stilts.
Dating back to 1070, the Temple of Literature was the site of Vietnam's first university and was used to educate the sons of the mandarin class. The complex consists of five separate courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins and highlighted by the Khue Van Pavilion. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. Another feature of the temple is the steles. Between 1442 and 1779, hundreds of stone tablets, or steles were erected to record the names and achievements of the graduates. Eighty-two of the steles remain and are considered the most valuable artifacts at the temple. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.
Emperor Ly Thai Tong built one of Hanoi's most famous landmarks, the One Pillar Pagoda in 1049 in honor of the Goddess of Mercy. The pillar was destroyed in 1954, but the pagoda was quickly rebuilt. The design of the pagoda reflects the Buddhist belief that the world was created much as a lotus flower emerges from the water. The pagoda is built above a small pond covered in lotus blossoms.
Hoan Kiem Lake is at the heart of Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. In the morning, local residents gather and jog around a peaceful lake ringed by trees; or simply support each other complete Tai Chi practices. In the evening, more people would gather in lakeside cafes and ice-cream parlours to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and share their daily events. The Lake also has a rich and colourful history too. In the 15th century, after Emperor Le Thai To had drove the invading Chinese with a magical sword, a giant tortoise seized his sword whilst he rowed in Hoan Kiem Lake. He took this sign as an intervention from above to signify that peace shall be restored. Thereafter, he renamed the lake to Ho Hoan Kiem or translated to "Lake of the Restored Sword".
A walk through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets offers a glimpse in to Vietnamese life from ages past. In the early 13th century, guilds and artisans clustered their shops around certain streets. As time went by the narrow lanes adopted the names of the particular guild or goods sold there. Hence you can still walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street. It's a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities. There are also two ancient houses in the Old Quarter that are especially worth visiting:
Ancient House: 87 Ma May Street
Built over 110 years ago, this house is one of the two ancient homes in Hanoi's Old Quarter, which were carefully restored as part of Hanoi's 990th Anniversary in 2000. The house is a typical Old Quarter "tube house" 2 meters wide and 60 meters long with open yards between rooms for air and light. The house is arranged strictly in accordance with "Feng Shui" rules and is vividly decorated in a traditional style.
Ancient House: 38 Hang Dao Street
This house, built on the foundations of a 17th century trader's home has been renovated to reflect the architecture and decorative styles of old Hanoi. The first floor is designed for trading purposes and living accommodation, the second for the family altar and the act of worshipping.
The Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi's grandest buildings. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes. Construction of the Hanoi Opera House began in 1901 and was completed in 1911.
Water Puppet Theatre
Water puppetry is a remarkable Vietnamese art form combining traditional music, fireworks and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on the water. The stories depict Vietnamese legends, peasant life and local festivals. The art form dates back to the 10th century and originally these plays would have taken place on lakes and ponds during the monsoon season. The stories remain the same but now the production takes place in a specially designed theatre with a stage knee-deep in water. The puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen and the whole experience is both entertaining and amusing.
Museum of Ethnology
This is a must-see for anyone intending to visit either Mai Chau or Sapa, or indeed anyone interested in Vietnam's cultural diversity. The museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam's 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.
Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 - 1028). The temple honors Saint Tran Vu, a legendary figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away demons during the construction of Co Loa Citadel. The central feature of the temple is a giant, black, bronze statue of Tran Vu cast in 1667.
With origins dating back to the 6th century Tran Quoc is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The pagoda's unique design features a visitor hall, two corridors and a bell tower. Inside are numerous statues, the most notable of which is the wooden statue of the Shakyamuri Buddha. The oldest stele was built in 1639 and depicts the pagoda's history. Several burial stupas in the garden are relics of one of the earliest Zen Buddhist groups in North Vietnam.
Bat Trang Ceramics Village
Bat Trang Ceramics Village (in existence for at least 500 years) is approximately 10km northeast of Hanoi and lies on the left side of the Red River bank. It specializes in crafting ritual objects, and producing household utensils such as bowls, plates, vases, cups and pots. Recently, the village has diversified its holdings and started to offer fine art ceramics and high quality porcelain. The village artisans' skills in providing handicrafts remain unmatched and non-rivaled.
Hoa Binh is a mountainous province located in the North, the culture of Hoa Binh combines six minorities with their own languages, traditional literature, and festivals. Tourists especially enjoy the minority specialty dishes including rice cooked in bamboo and grilled meat, also enjoy watching traditional dancing, music performances (bronze, drums, gongs), and Thai minority singing and dancing.
Located in Hoa Binh Province, 70 km from Hoa Binh town. From the top of Mountain there is a superb panorama of the stilt house of Mai Chau sitting in a fertile green valley. The area is home to several ethnic minorities, particularly the White Thai ethnic group. Their traditional stilt houses are large structures with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo floors. The Sunday market brings lots of people into town. People from different minorities is living in the mountains nearby come to sell such products as honey, bananas, corn and tho cam weaving.
Ninh Binh is a small town about 100km south of Hanoi, which is surrounded by a number of most interesting sites. Hoa Lu was the first capital of the independent Vietnam, under the Dinh dynasty and the early Le Dynasty (968-1009). There are two sanctuaries, each of them devoted to the emperors of one of these two dynasties. They are set into a landscape of limestone mountains reminiscent of some the better known sites of South China. In Tam Coc or better known as Dry Halong Bay, you can take a boat tour on a river which tunnels several times into the same type of mountains. The river is actually used by local villagers to access their rice fields. The nearby Ken Ga canal provides the opportunity to observe river life in the North, and contrast it with what one can see in the Mekong Delta. The whole area was an important center of Catholicism, and you will be surprised to see churches among the rice fields. Phat Diem has a vast cathedral which has a unique Sino-Vietnamese architecture.


juliol | 2015 | fashion of world!
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