ICC recommends FCA instead of FOB in containerized shipments. But why?

FOB (Free on Board) and FCA (Free Carrier) are two well-known and frequently used trade terms of Incoterms 2010.

Both FOB anf FCA have been in circulation for a long period of time, as they been defined under previous versions of Incoterms.

FOB is one of the oldest incoterms, which has been created in 1923. FCA introduced to the export-import world in 1980.

ICC recommends FCA instead of FOB in containerized shipments.

ICC included a warning message in Incoterms 2010, which catches the most practitioners by surprise.

One of the explanatory paragraphs under the FOB rule states that:
FOB may not be appropriate where goods are handed over to the carrier before they are on board the vessel, for example goods in containers, which are typically delivered at a terminal. In such situations, the FCA rule should be used.

Is it possible to use FOB incoterms with land and or air shipments?

The aim of the international commercial terms, known as incoterms, is to create a set of international standard rules for the application of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade.

Incoterms can only achieve its goal if it could reduce or eliminate the uncertainties of different interpretations of such terms in different countries.

ICC, International Chamber of Commerce, published latest version of international trade terms rules, which is known as Incoterms 2010.

Incoterms 2010 rules define 11 different trade terms.

FOB, Free on Board, trade term is one of the most frequently used incoterms along with CIF and Ex Works.

As a result every exporter or importer must understand these trade terms very well.


What is the synonym of solidarity?

What is the synonym of solidarity? Synonyms of ‘solidarity’ in British English. I found myself in total accord. stability. cohesion. team spirit. camaraderie.

What is a solidary person? solidary in American English. (ˈsɑlɪˌderi) adjective. characterized by or involving community of responsibilities and interests.

How do you use solidary? Examples of ‘solidarity’ in a sentence

  • We have good solidarity in the group.
  • We will show solidarity and we will obey the law. …
  • They need not just sympathy but solidarity and support. …
  • It implies a man who prefers looking sharp to expressing solidarity.

Who is a solitary person? a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others. a person who lives in solitude from religious motives.

What is the synonym of solidarity? – Related Questions

What is an act of solidarity?

uncountable noun. If a group of people show solidarity, they show support for each other or for another group, especially in political or international affairs.

What is the difference between joint and solidary?

They relate to performances which by their nature have to be rendered in common by several debtors, bound to the creditor by a single contract. A joint obligation is distinguished from a solidary obligation in that the creditor in a joint obligation can take action only against all the debtors together.

What is the synonym of abstruse?

esoteric, perplexing, abstract, complex, complicated, deep, enigmatic, heavy, hidden, incomprehensible, intricate, involved, muddy, obscure, profound, puzzling, recondite, subtle, unfathomable, vague.

What does social solidarity mean?

Social solidarity emphasizes the interdependence between individuals in a society, which allows individuals to feel that they can enhance the lives of others. It is a core principle of collective action and is founded on shared values and beliefs among different groups in society.

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An acronym is a term formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the major parts of a compound term. This list explains acronyms found on the web site and other acronyms that are commonly used. This list is not a legal document. Select one of the following letters to view the list of acronyms that begins with that letter.

4411-4420 of 4420
Acronym Sort descending Term
YTD YearToDate
YYYY Year (i.e., mmddyyyy)
ZBB Zero Base Budgeting (OMB Circular A115)
ZD Zero Defects
ZI Zonal Index
ZIP Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP Codes)
ZIP+4 9 digit ZIP Code Plan
ZO Zero Overpricing
ZST Zone Standard Time
ZULU Greenwich Mean Time


Haiku Contest Winners!

Chevy Chase Library

Haiku Contest Winners!

Thank you to all who participated

To celebrate National Poetry Month here at the Chevy Chase library, we held a Haiku contest for poets of all ages!

Haiku is a form of poetry that began in Japan. Haiku uses the senses to describe scenes from nature and often involves vivid images of trees, plants, seasons, and other elements of the natural world. Sometimes, poems have very specific " rules " for how to create them. Haikus are poems that are three line longs, and each line has a certain number of syllables. The first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line has 5 syllables. That' s 17 syllables overall!

Like all poetry, even though Haiku follows specific syllabic rules, lots of writers find great ways to make it their own. We got so many amazing entries this year, and it was very difficult to chose a winner, so we ended up choosing First and Second place winners for both the Adult and the Children's age group.

Here are the winners for the adult age group:

First Place:

Radiant Black Joy
Offers Peace to the Weary
Liberating Souls

-Stephanie Jenkins

Second Place:

Leaves open in Spring
Cherry blossoms in my mind
Wind turns the pages

-Robert Cmarik

And here are the winners for the Children's age group

First Place:

D.C. spring is warm
The cherry trees are in bloom
The birds sing sweetly!

-Elina Hart

Second Place:

Cats from a shelter
They don't have to do anything
Kittens are so cute

-Martin Philip

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Haiku Contest this year! We had such a great time reading your poems, and we hope you submit again next year. Write on!


Data Storage Solutions

Thinking about adding storing or working with data on your network?

Working with computers does one thing very well and that's produce data. It could be documents, photographs, video.. All that data soon adds up and consumes space. But how do we store it?

And it's not just files, it's virtual hard drive's for virtual machines or computers and advanced storage solutions.

There are many different ways to solve many different needs from simple external drives allowing you to keep copies of those all import files, to Network attached storage (NAS) devices that can hold terabytes for information in a resilient always accessible and safe manor.

I can help you choose and implement the right solution for your needs.


The Ancient City of Olba is located in the Silifke district of Mersin and is the capital of the Olba Kingdom, which ruled in antiquity. Located at an altitude of 1040 meters from the sea, this city is in a strategic position at the intersection of roads coming from the sea. In the city, it is possible to find artifacts related to the Olba Temple State, the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire, as well as the Christian period.

Like many settlements in ancient times, the city has an acropolis (fortress for protection). The height of the hill where the acropolis is located is about 50 meters from the plain, and this elevation has the appearance of a natural castle, as well as a rocky structure that provides natural protection.

The most important artifact still standing from the Ancient City of Olba is the ancient fountain from the Roman Empire period and the aqueducts that bring water to the city from the Lamas River. On the aqueduct, "City of Olba People" is written.

Kingdom of Olba

The Olba Kingdom is a temple state dating back to the pre-Hellenistic period. To briefly mention the temple state structure, it is a management style in which all property belongs to the temple. Priest kings are both religious leaders and state administrators, and the number of slave workers determines the power of the kingdom due to the economy based on agriculture.

Kingdom of Olba, starting from the 4th century BC, ruled especially in the Mountainous Cilicia region between the Lamas (Lemonlu) and Göksu rivers. Subsequently, it continued to exist as a semi-independent kingdom under the sovereignty of the Seleucid Empire, which was founded by Seleukos I, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great. At this stage, during the Seleukos period, who also founded the city of Silifke and gave its name to the city, they were influenced by the Greek Gods and transformed their temples into the temple of Zeus. While the Seleucids established Greek police states in areas of land that are fertile for agriculture and in places with ports, they left the administration to semi-independent rulers in rugged and less suitable areas for agriculture. In this way, the Olba Kingdom was able to continue its rule.

Due to the mountainous and difficult geographical structure of the region, the pirates seized power over time, and when the Roman Empire declared war on piracy, the commander Pompeius established order in the region in 67 BC. From this period, the Olba Kingdom continued its sovereignty as an autonomous city-state affiliated to the Roman Empire.

Olba Excavations

Especially foreign researchers have been talking about Olba since the end of the 19th century. In this area, there are many ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman and Christian periods. The team led by A. Emel ERTEN from Mersin University has been continuing the excavations for two periods, from 2001-2009 and 2010 to the present.

As a result of the excavations, works such as the cult of the dead, the acropolis, the theater and the monastery were unearthed. One of the most important artifacts found here is the floor mosaics, known as the Olba Mosaic, with portraits of men and women and two-winged angels, whose photographs are featured on our website. Selected as Turkey's most important archaeological discovery in 2015, this 1800-year-old mosaic is exhibited in sixteen plates in the garden of the Silifke Museum Directorate.

Where is Olba Ancient City? Directions Information. How to get to  the ancient city?

Olba Ancient City is located within the borders of Örenköy District of Silifke. It is 32 km from Silifke and 100 km from Mersin.

To go from Mersin to Olba Ancient City by private car, you should proceed west on Mersin-Antalya highway then you should turn right, in the direction of the signs on the town of Kızkalesi and by passing the villages of Hüseyinler, Cambazlı and Yeğinli, respectively you can reach the city. If you choose this road, you will have the opportunity to see the Adamkayalar and Cambazlı Church on the road.

To go from Silifke to the Ancient City of Olba, by turning north from the district center, passing the villages of Demircili, İmamlı, Keşli Türkmenli and Uzuncaburç, and then turning right you can reach the ancient city.

You can use the Uzuncaburç minibuses that depart from Silifke Central Monument Square 3 times a day to reach the Ancient City of Olba by public transport.

The entrance fee of the ancient city of Olba is 12.5 TL and the Museum Card is valid.

Places to be seen around Ancient City of Olba


Historical Sites of Myanmar

Historical Sites of Burma

List of Myanmar Historical Sites

Name of the Old CapitalsFromTo
Arakan (Rakhine)
Dhannawaddy518 B.C370 A.D
370 A.D600 A.D
600 A.D720 A.D
Myohaung (Mrauk U)1431 A.D1785 A.D
Tagaung10th Century
Beithano1st Century5th Century
Hanlin3rd Century9th Century
Sri keshtra3rd Century10th Century
Hantharwaddy8251125 A.D
13491599 A.D
Bagan10401287 A.D
Pinya12981364 A.D
Sagaing13151364 A.D
Innwa13641555 A.D
16291752 A.D
17651753 A.D
18231837 A.D
Taungoo14861573 A.D
Shwebo17581765 A.D
Amarapura17831823 A.D
18371857 A.D
Mandalay18571855 A. D
Historical Sites of Burma
Historical Sites of Burma

Highlights of Myanmar Historical Sites

Beikthano City
Beikthano or the Vishnu City is the ancient center of Pyu Kingdom. Its name was transliterated from “Vishnu” language, which means the Preserve. For the casual visitor, there does not seems to be much left at Beikthano rather than the ruined brick structures. Beikthano; however, is well worth a visit on a trip to Myanmar for those who are interested in history and archaeology as it is one of the best examples of early Pyu civilization.
For more details, Beikthano is the second of the Hindu triad and is the oldest of the 3 ancient Centers of Pyu Civilization. Chronologically Beikthano flourished during the 1st to 5th century CE, the second is Thayekhittayar (Srikestra) now called Hmawzar which lasted from the 5th Century to the 7th Century, and Hanlin is the last Pyu Kingdom located farther north in the Shwebo District of Sagaing Division.

beikthano ancient city - one of the famous historical sites in myanmar

Hanlin City
Hanlin city (or Halingyi-Great Halin) is situated II miles south-east of Shwebo in Upper Burma. Believed by archeologists to have been founded somewhere around the first century CE, Hanlin was the largest and most important Pyu city until around the eighth century, when it was overtaken by a much larger city Sri Ksetra, located near modern Pyay. Some scholars say Pyu culture then gradually morphed into Bagan culture, broadly shaping the society of today.
One passes through irrigated rice-fields on the way may find refresh but then will find themselves in a dry scrubland when approaching the ancient site. There is a group of villages with numerous small modern pagodas to the south of the old fortified city. Especially, this locality has hot saline springs.

Tagaung City
Tagaung is situated on the east bank of the river Ayeyarwady, 127 miles north of Mandalay and 56 miles north of Shwebo. It was the ancient capital of the Pyu, who were the forerunners of the Burmese people. Its history is steeped in myth and legend. The city is said to have been founded in 850 BC by King Abhirajaof the Sakya clan from Kapilavastu in India, before the time of the Buddha. The civilization of the city dates back to the early Christian era with Pyu culture.

Tagaung - myanmar historical site

Nyaunggan City
Nyaunggan is located in Budalin Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Division. A cemetery, near Nyaunggan Village, Budalin Township was excavated during two field seasons in 1998 and 1999. The excavation involved five pits. Most of the skeletons with bones in situ were extended and supine primary burial although there was one secondary burial consisting of a skull in a large pot. The skeletons except for the two buried in the same orientation laid with their heads to the north. The two skeletons (NK III M-4. NK IV SE-6); however, had their heads to the south.


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Bullying, Interrupted

Despite early fears that a move to remote learning during the pandemic would see an increase in cyberbullying, a new study co-authored by alum Andrew Bacher-Hicks suggests the opposite could be true.
Teen on cell phone

The COVID-19 pandemic closed schools and forced students into online education, causing widespread worry among parents and educators that an increase in cyberbullying would follow. But that increase never materialized, reports a new study by Andrew Bacher-Hicks, Ed.M’14, assistant professor of education at Boston University, and co-authors Joshua Goodman, Jennifer Greif Green, and Melissa Holt. In fact, bullying and cyberbullying rates, measured by the frequency of online searches for bullying-related terms, actually dropped during the pandemic. We caught up with Bacher-Hicks to learn why.

Andrew Bacher-HicksTell us about the study. What inspired it?
The study looks at the effect that COVID had on bullying and cyberbullying. We were motivated to look into this for two reasons. The first was that bullying and cyberbullying are really common phenomena. One in five high school students reports being bullied in person every year, and one in six reports being bullied online. The second is that a large amount of research has shown that bullying is associated with a range of mental and physical consequences, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In fact, some studies even show that bullying has long-run physical, mental, and economic effects that persist after the bullying has stopped, into adulthood.

We wanted to look into bullying during COVID in particular because, after the massive shift from in-person instruction to online learning in March of 2020, there was a lot of concern that cyberbullying might increase (since students were spending more time online). We wanted to see if that increase had indeed come to pass.

How did the study work?
We used Google search trends in this study, for two purposes:

First, we looked at historical Google search trend data from before the pandemic to figure out whether or not Google search trends for words like “bullying” or “cyberbullying” actually predict bullying behavior. Linking historical search popularity for those terms with survey responses from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we provided clear evidence that increases in internet searches for bullying historically predicted higher reported rates of bullying.

Then, we tracked Google searches for “bullying” and “cyberbullying” during the periods directly before and after schools closed in March 2020. We also tracked search frequency during the summer of 2020 and into the fall of the 2020–21 school year.

What did you find?
The main result was that both bullying and cyberbullying searches dropped dramatically (by 30 to 40%) in months immediately following school closures. We also found that, for schools that remained remote in the fall of 2020, decreases in both in-person bullying and cyberbullying persisted.

When we looked at schools that remained fully remote versus schools that offered in-person instruction for the 2020–2021 school year, we found that the drops in bullying were concentrated among schools that remained fully remote. This is consistent with the idea that shifting to remote schooling was an important mechanism that drove down the rates of both bullying and cyberbullying.

Interestingly, even in schools that shifted back to in-person instruction, we found that in-person bullying and cyberbullying did not fully return to pre-pandemic levels.

Why do you think that is?
There were likely some differences between the fall of 2020 and past falls. For schools that returned to some in-person instruction in the fall of 2020, bullying rates may have been lower than historical patterns because those schools had lower rates of in-person attendance. Just because a school offered in-person instruction doesn’t mean all students accepted it.

Another possible reason is that even if everybody did return for in-person learning, there were additional structures in place. Prior literature has found that bullying tends to happen during unstructured time — when students are passing in the hallways, at recess, during lunchtime. With COVID precautions, in-person schools had less unstructured time, meaning there may have been fewer opportunities for in-person bullying to occur.

What about cyberbullying rates? Why might those have initially dropped and, in schools that returned to in-person learning, remained lower?
This gets into one of the most surprising results of this study. It was not surprising to me or my co-authors that in-person bullying dropped, but it was surprising to us that cyberbullying dropped.

Our study didn’t examine this question directly, but it might be the case that there is a link between in-school interactions and online interactions. Prior research shows that the same individuals are often involved both in cyberbullying and in-person bullying. Some instances of bullying, therefore, may start in person and then shift online. If these in person interactions are disrupted, then the spillover onto online bullying may also be disrupted.

What do these findings mean for educators and families?
They suggest a few things. The first is that we, as families, educators, and policymakers, do not have to accept high rates of bullying. The pandemic has shown us that bullying rates can change quite dramatically. Second, this research suggests that we may be able to identify effective strategies implemented during pandemic to decrease bullying rates in the future. For example, school leaders might think carefully about unstructured time in a school day, how those student interactions have differed during the pandemic, and if any of the additional structure introduced during the pandemic would be useful to offer moving forward.

Finally, I think a lot of research on the educational effects of COVID-19 has focused on negative consequences — things like learning loss, student achievement, and anxiety. It’s certainly crucial that we document these harmful effects, but this study suggests that there are at least some aspects of students’ learning experiences that may have improved. Highlighting the decrease in pandemic-era bullying allows us to see the shift to remote as not entirely harmful. This is important to remember, as there might be other benefits we can learn about from the shift.


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Illinois IGB

New study investigates the microbiomes of dogs across the world

June 21, 2022
By: Ananya Sen

Although the microbiome—the collection of all microbes that live in the body—in the fecal matter of dogs has been investigated extensively, those studies have mostly been limited to domesticated dogs. In a new study, researchers have sampled the fecal microbiomes across diverse geographical populations to better understand what they look like around the world.

Most studies have looked at the microbiome in dogs in veterinary centers, which lead a very different life from dogs that don’t live as pets.

“A lot of the studies look at how different diets affect dog microbiomes. Although they are extensive, they work with dogs in veterinary centers, which lead a very different life from dogs that don’t live as pets,” said Karthik Yarlagadda, a former graduate student in the Malhi group. “It’s similar to how studies on the microbiomes of humans have been focused on people who live in cities and eat processed foods.”

To sample a diverse range of microbiomes, the researchers collected fecal matter from three geographical locations: pets from South Africa, stray dogs and shelter dogs in India, and dogs from a rural village in Laos. The samples were collected on FTA cards, which contain chemicals that preserve the DNA so it can be sequenced and analyzed later.

“Most of our previous studies have looked at animals that come into a vet clinic or are housed in a research facility; they are vaccinated and eat food that is processed,” said Kelly Swanson, a professor of animal and nutritional sciences. “But that is different from animals, like the ones in Laos, that live outside and have a variety of environmental exposures. By carrying out these studies, we can learn what is considered “normal” for different populations around the world.”

In each location, the dogs had different diets. The shelter dogs were fed rice, lentils, yogurt, and dog food; the stray dogs likely scavenged human leftovers; the village dogs consumed local agricultural products, including maize, corn, bamboo, sticky rice, and fish from nearby rivers; and the pet dogs were likely fed commercial dog food.

Interestingly, although the microbiomes among the different populations differed, functionally they were the same. “It was cool to see that you can have different microbiomes, but they all fulfil the same metabolic function. For example, dogs that were consuming dairy in the South African and Indian populations had different Lactobacillus species that were probably involved in the same pathway,” Yarlagadda said.

In addition to comparing the microbiomes of dogs from different geographical locations, the researchers wanted to? contrast these samples with ancient microbiomes, obtained from fossilized dog feces. Presumably, dogs that live in an outdoor environment and have a mixed diet will have similar microbiomes to that of ancient dogs, providing insight into how industrialization affects the fecal microbes.

The researchers indeed observed that the microbiomes from ancient dogs closely resembled the non-US populations, potentially due to overlapping diets and more environmental exposures. Further work will elucidate whether the human microbiome diversity in non-industrialized settings will also follow similar trends.

“Using sequencing techniques from a previous study, we want to find more data on ancient microbiomes in various dog species,” said Ripan Malhi (GNDP/GSP/IGOH), a professor of anthropology. “Since we know what their diet consisted of, we can make more comparisons to see how diet influences the microbiome.”

The study “Geographically diverse canid samples provides novel insights into pre-industrial microbiomes” was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences and can be found at 10.1098/rspb.2022.0052. The study was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

June 21, 2022
By: Ananya Sen
Photos By: Kelly Swanson

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Research Virtual Info Room

Due diligence virtual data areas are a great formula for businesses wishing to maintain the confidentiality with their documents. Unlike public file storage solutions, virtual info rooms give enhanced protection and ease for official users. Each uses high-grade software and components to ensure that the privacy of intellectual building summaries is definitely protected and easy to gain access to. Furthermore, the assistance offer strict conformity with industry standards.

To assure security, digital data rooms must focus on the different stakeholders mixed up in project. The administrators should ensure that the ideal people have entry to the right docs. They should likewise track user engagement and bring more users if needed. The data place must also end up being easy to find the way and well-organized. Its framework must allow for the deal to progress organically and make this easier to locate documents inside the data room.

When creating a virtual info room, managers should explain permission levels for all asked users. This is very important to protect the privacy of information preventing leakage. They must also consider all the stakeholders involved in the homework process and place the appropriate accord to prevent illegal access to details. In addition , they need to digitize each and every one documents and be sure they have the most recent versions. Finally, they must rank the docs according to their categories. Common categories include financial data, company and product details, legalities, physical assets, and environmental health insurance and safety information.

A VDR is a good idea in homework by monitoring the relationships that users have with the documents. In addition to this, a VDR can also provide audit records, which allow users to track who has contacted and altered files. These logs generate it simpler to identify any kind of unauthorized changes that may have occurred to the documents.


Optimization of Properties and Resistance of Asphalt Roads using Nanotechnology

  Logos of project participants
  Schematic diagram of the production of [MMT/PEI] adducts Copyright: © ISAC

Against the backdrop of the sharp increase in the volume of heavy traffic in recent years and the consequences of climate change, conventional asphalts are increasingly reaching the limits of their performance. Plastic deformation, mostly in the form of rutting, and cracking due to material fatigue or the effects of cold, characterize road construction and cost billions of euros every year.

Decades ago, the use of polymer-modified bitumen (PmB) began to address these problems, which also resulted in a significant improvement in the performance of the layers produced with these binders. As a consequence, heavily loaded surface courses are now almost invariably built with PmB. However, the potential of this type of bitumen modification has been largely exhausted, so that new, innovative approaches must be pursued to meet future challenges.

In this context, the use of nanotechnology promises significant improvement. The mode of action of nanoparticles is essentially based on their extremely large specific surface area, which can be expected to have a positive effect on almost all asphalt properties. The addition of nanoparticles has already proven successful in cement-bound building materials, among others.

It is very likely that the addition of nanoparticles in bitumen leads to the formation of nano-composite-like structures, as known from polymer chemistry: Both the association polymers of pure bitumen and the added macromolecules can strongly adsorb on the surface of nanoparticles with suitably compatible surface, thus forming an adsorption boundary layer whose mechanical and thermal properties exceed those of the bulk material. Thanks to the large surface area of the nanoparticles, a small volume fraction of the particles in the material is sufficient to form sufficient adsorption boundary layer phase, so that the macroscopic properties of the resulting composites, such as viscosity, toughness, strength are improved. The viscosity of the material is increased simply by the presence of hard particles. Since inorganic nanoparticles are impermeable to solvents and gases, the barrier properties of the composites are also improved, making the ma-terial less susceptible to oxidation and attack by solvents (oil, gasoline, chemicals) applied to the road surface. A road surface based on such a composite should thus be much more durable and long-lasting than conventional road surfaces.

Research Approach

The aim of this research project is to develop novel composites of inorganic nanoparticles and bitumen for use in asphalt road pavements with improved durability. The aim is to improve the service properties of asphalt, to increase the durability of asphalt roads and to contribute to the improvement of environmental conditions, e.g. by saving energy and resources. The main task of the project is to develop and produce nanoparticle bitumen composites (NPBK) and to describe them by analytical and engineering bitumen tests with regard to the overall objective. In this context, it is to be investigated how and which NPBK can be used to improve the service behavior as well as to increase the durability of asphalt. The successfully tested NPBK are then to be investigated and optimized in asphalt mixtures as composite asphalt mixes in the laboratory. The optimized mix shall be manufactured, placed and evaluated on a large scale. The production technology and quality assurance of the NPBK for the considerable quantities required in road construction represent an accompanying work objective, as does occupational and product safety, in order to avoid adverse consequences for health, both during production and processing and, if necessary, during use as a result of abrasion.

From a scientific and technical point of view, the implementation of the project will provide important knowledge regarding the synthesis of novel functional polymers, the behavior and properties of the novel polymers and the interaction between polymers, nanoparticles and the solvent bitumen. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the novel building materials can be used to create material models that can be used in dimensioning and prediction calculations, thus advancing analytical design.


Name: Saeed Mardani
Job title/position and company's name: Lead Engineer, Borealis Polymers Oy
Education: Doctor of Science, Chemical engineering, Aalto University, Finland Master of Science, Chemical and process engineering, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland Bachelor’s degree, Chemical engineering, Azad University, Iran

What was your dream job as a child? What led you to your school of choice?

I grew up in Shiraz, Iran. It is a historical city with mild weather and a great agriculture. During the last century, by exploration of the oil in Iran, the city transformed to an industrial hub. Refineries and petrochemical plants were built around it and changed the appearance of the city. In my younger ages, I was looking at those plants, and I was hoping to understand what is happening in the massive vessels and equipment. So, I applied to the school of chemical engineering and it was the start of my career life as chemical engineer.

What does your company do/manufacture? What kind of innovations is your company working on?

Borealis is in petrochemicals business. The main products are polyolefins (publicly known as plastics), base chemicals, fertilizers, melamine and technical nitrogen products. We consider polyethylene and polypropylene as the main company products. In Borealis, we are committed at development of sustainable processes for manufacturing polyolefins. Some examples are continuous efforts for reduction of the carbon footprints in the polyolefin manufacturing processes, development of polyolefin recycling processes, and optimization of the manufacturing processes.

What are you most excited about at your job?

In Borealis, we are producing petrochemicals. Moreover, we develop the manufacturing processes. In my role in the company, it is very exciting to work as a part of a large research and development group to improve the manufacturing processes.

Saeed´s career on a timeline

Year 2002, age 15, high school student.
Year 2004, age 17, accepted for bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Year 2009, age 23, completed the bachelor’s degree with great hope for future.
Year 2010, age 24, I started my master’s degree in Lappeenranta, Finland. It was the first time that I was far from home. Lappeenranta was a calm place, with a nice environment for studying.
Year 2012, age 26, I started a master’s thesis related to life cycle assessment and carbon footprint calculations. The personal conclusion for myself was that all of us are involved in the future of our planet. So, all of us should move towards sustainable future.


Ace Weight Loss Pills Review

There are many options for weight loss pills. Certain pills can be taken multiple times per day, while others can be taken once only. Look for companies that provide money-back guarantees. Making the right choice of pills can make losing weight easier. You can also shed weight by following an appropriate diet that is balanced and includehealthy food.

Many weight loss pills contain ingredients that help reduce the amount of fat in your body. Certain ingredients have been proven to be effective in clinical tests. Some have been shown to reduce appetite and calories consumed, while other ingredients help prevent new fat formation. These ingredients are essential in reducing your chance of becoming overweight. Some of them could cause unwanted adverse side effects, therefore it is important to consult with your doctor before using any weight loss medication.

Many weight loss pills prescribed by doctors contain caffeine, which increases your metabolism and helps burn more calories each day. Other ingredients in these supplements may include glucomannan, a fiber that is derived from the konjac root. It reduces cravings and lowers the overall caloric intake. Additionally, some of these supplements contain choline which regulates the burning of fat. A deficiency in choline may cause fatty liver and other health problems.

You need to alter your eating habits and lifestyle to lose weight. To reach your weight loss goals, it is essential to take in nutrient-rich foods and exercise regularly. In the beginning there will be setbacks, but you should not give up. Remember, you’re changing your life, so it’s best to keep at it.

Instead of setting short-term goals instead, set longer-term goals. These long-term goals can be more motivating, like being healthier for your children. You should focus on the long-term benefits, such as weight loss and better health. To keep track of your progress, utilize tracking tools, such as smartphone apps, fitness trackers, and a journal.

Fad diets are tempting if you want to shed weight quickly. However, they can frequently make you feel overwhelmed and depressed. Moreover, these diets may result in you gaining the weight back. Instead, you should try to lose weight slowly and steadily. This will help you to keep the weight off over the long-term.

A healthy relationship with food is crucial to lose weight. You must also control your eating habits based on emotions. You should limit your consumption of foods that cause you to consume more than you burn. A balanced diet will enable you to maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall health. Once you’ve mastered your eating habits, you’ll feel much more satisfied with the results.

When you want to lose weight, you should take the initiative to be physically active throughout the day. Walking with your friends cycling, walking or dancing, or participating in activity-based games are all options. Make sure that your daily exercise is at least 15 minutes daily. Do not eat when you are hungry or thirsty.

A good way to lose weight is to lose between 0.25 to 2.25 pounds each week. This is a reasonable amount that can be achieved without difficulty and without triggering negative emotions. For the best results, you should burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than what you consume. This will allow you to achieve a healthy weight within a matter of days. If you’re not sure how you can get there or goal, you can talk to an accredited dietician or physician. So in summery if you got a good diet plan and active life style. Then like any added supplement, will most likely enhance and help what you are trying to achieve.


Productivity v/s Efficiency: Who wins over the other? | optimiser

Productivity v/s Efficiency: Who wins over the other?

An average employee is productive for 2 hours and 53 minutes per day. And the engaged employee can improve the profit margin by 21%. However, pushing productivity can be detrimental for the employees as 41% of them have stated that it negatively impacts them and the output.

However, efficiency focuses on doing less work that is of better quality in the same amount of time. So, what should be the centre of attention?

What is Productivity?

In Economics, Productivity is the measurement of output per unit of input. At a corporate level, productivity is the efficiency measure of a company's production process.

In a workplace setting, productivity in the workplace is the amount of work being accomplished within a specific time. Depending on the nature of work, the organisation measures the output. Taking the example of the sales department, it can refer to customers acquired, sales gained, and phone calls made within one month.

Benefits of Productivity

Attaining a higher level of productivity is one of the top objectives of every business. Higher productivity leads to less cost of production, higher levels of productions and effective utilisation of the existing resources. As a result, the concept is gaining the attention of producers, consumers, and employers.

Since it increases profits, productivity can be useful when installing the latest technology and improving the enterprise. It ensures the greater social and economic development of a business' economy.

What is Efficiency?

The term efficiency means a peak level of performance that utilises the least amount of inputs and the achievement of the highest amount of output. It reduces the number of unnecessary resources used to produce a given product. The resources also include both personal time and energy.

Efficiency is a measurable concept. Determined using the ratio of useful output to total input minimises the waste of resources. It is important for smaller businesses as inputs are scarce. Raw materials, money and time, are limited and conserving them is very important.

Benefits of Efficiency

An efficient business will be able to serve its customers effectively and conduct business operations smoothly. Efficient goods are sold at a lower price and bring in more customers. It improves the quality of customers' lives, given they are being provided with an effective product at a budgeted rate. In fact, it has been observed that efficiency improves productivity in a shorter amount of time.

Measuring Productivity and Efficiency

How to measure productivity?

Let us assume that a business is generating £100,000 worth of goods per week for a second. This output is achieved by using 1,000 labour hours, that is, the input. So to calculate the company's productivity, you can divide 100,000 by 1,000, equivalent to 100. This implies that for every hour of work put in, your organisation marked £100.

How to measure efficiency?

Consider two designers, Designer A and Designer B. Designer A creates 10 pieces per week. In contrast, Designer B produces only 5 per week. While A appears to be far more productive, what would make A efficient if the designed pieces matched the theme selected. Meaning, Designer B is more efficient than A as they create pieces that are far more relevant to the selected theme. While A is working productively and creating more pieces, B is working consciously on creating pieces that can be presented to the clients immediately without requiring extra work.

Productivity Vs. Efficiency

Overall workplace performance can be improved if the employees focus more on being productive. However, efficiency can ensure that the products are produced with the least effort and saving resources.

For example, A content writer can produce 13 articles per week productively. However, another content writer can efficiently produce 10 articles that are proofread and edited in a week. The difference being, while the comparison between the numbers makes the former more advantageous. The latter is accomplishing writing, proofreading as well as editing.

This points towards the old debate: Quantity versus Quality.

Productivity focuses on the quantity of the work done, whereas efficiency focuses on the quality. Continuing with the example of the content writers, Writer A is dishing out 13 articles. In contrast, Writer B is doing 10 articles that are proofread and edited and can be published immediately. Writer A will require time to proofread and edit their article to make the final publication which implies that it requires an additional resource, that is, time. In addition, they will need time to review any error and correct it.

Many organisations focus on productivity more because it is easy to calculate. The numbers are easy to navigate around. Efficiency requires extra attention as it focuses on the best possible output for every unit of time. Productivity focuses on calculating the amount of work done in a specific period.

The Big Reveal: Which is better?

As remarked before, greater Efficiency can improve productivity.

Having a productive mindset will allow you to reach your business goals. It fosters an environment of accountability within the organisation. While one cannot shortchange one over the other, it has been observed that Efficiency is the better area to focus on as it covers similar grounds as productivity.

To simplify crunching the numbers, companies can employ CRM solutions like Optimiser to calculate both productivity and Efficiency. Given that Optimiser is an all-rounder CRM with third-party integrations and AI-enabled automation, it is scalable and flexible. Under a single platform, your data will be stored. You will have an aerial view of your business operations using the dashboard functions.

Effective for both productivity and efficiency, Optimiser CRM streamlines your workflow operations. With its single platform simplicity, this 100 percent customisable CRM is easy to use and enhances the user experience. Workflow automation cuts down the tedious tasks. In minimal time you can process raw data for detailed analytics. And using these insights, create project strategies for efficient work processes and track the progress. Without additional costs, Optimiser's robust automation connects with the customers and assists the employees.

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Ovarian Cancer Glossary

Ovarian Cancer Glossary Mobile

Ovarian Cancer Glossary

GeneA piece of DNA passed from parent to child. Genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Genetic TestingThe process of looking at cells or tissue to look for changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins that may be a sign of a disease or condition, such as cancer. These changes may also be a sign that a person has an increased risk of developing a specific disease or condition.

GeneticsHaving to do with genes. Most genes are sequences of DNA that contain information. The information in genes is passed down from patent to child, and sometimes, certain changes in genes can affect a person’s risk of disease, such as cancer.

Genomic TestingThe process of looking at the complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in a person or other organism. Studying your complete set of DNA may help researchers understand how genes interact with each other and with the environment and how certain diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, form.

Germ cellsOva or spermatozoa cells or their developmental precursors

Gynecologic oncologistA doctor of obstetrics and gynecology who specializes in women’s reproductive cancers


Whatever name you call it—the hellbender, Allegheny alligator, snot otter, devil dog, or even lasagna lizard—the giant amphibian Cryptobranchus alleganiensis may be off-putting at first glance. Its rippled and mucus-y skin can make North America’s largest salamander a creepy sight to behold.

“It has a face only your mother could love,” says Eric Chapman, director of aquatic science at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. But the mother of all mothers, Mother Nature, does, in fact, love the hellbender.

Although this creature might look like the spawn of satan, it is actually quite docile towards humans unless provoked. Plus, the aquatic animal does wonders for its environment as its presence signals water quality and mitigates crayfish populations from running amok. “They’re the canary in the coal mine for streams,” Chapman says, explaining that the rise or fall of Cryptobranchus populations is often an indication of the health of the overall environment.

But not everyone appreciates the hellbender like Mother Nature does. According to Chapman, misinformation leading to the persecution of these slippery salamanders has been around for centuries. The nasty names originally spread by European colonizers only scratch the surface of what hellbenders have been through in the public eye. They’ve been said to bring bad luck when encountered, while other folklore paints hellbenders as poisonous beasts that decimate populations of large native fish, neither of which is true.

[Related: Skydiving salamanders have mastered falling with style]

In reality, hellbenders are gentle giants, says Jeff Briggler, state herpetologist for Missouri. Although they may occasionally try to defend themselves when their homes or babies are encroached upon, they are generally harmless—unless you’re a crayfish or a snail. Hellbenders are typically around one to two feet in length, and “the bigger they are, the more gentle they seem to be,” Briggler says.

Hellbenders spend a lot of time just hiding at home, which for them are under massive rocks in streams that can be as big as the hood of a car, Chapman says. Some hellbenders have been spotted under the same rock year after year, living out the majority of their impressively long lives (25 to 35 years in the wild) all under one rock. And hellbenders themselves are an ancient species. “They’ve been around in the fossil record for millions of years,” Briggler says. “Little has changed over time.”

On the occasions when hellbenders do have to leave their rocky abodes, these big homebodies are rarely seen swimming and instead usually plod along river bottoms with their stubby legs.  The amphibians are typically most active in the fall during mating season. Males come out to do a courtship display and mate with females who will go back under the rocks to lay their eggs. Male hellbenders also guard the nests for weeks without eating, Chapman says. Despite their sacrifice, they might not win the award for best dad of the animal kingdom award, given their tendency to eat their young if the babies don’t flee the nest early enough.

But far scarier than their names or their debatably ugly mugs are real threats to hellbenders, such as habitat loss and disease. Ozark hellbenders, one of two hellbender subspecies, have faced significant declines in Missouri and Arkansas “In the ‘70s, we estimated there were around 45,000 hellbenders in Missouri. Today we estimate there are about 2,100,” Briggler says. Eastern hellbenders, the other subspecies which live as far north as New York and as far south as Georgia and Alabama, may be seeing population declines, but scientists don’t have as much information about these numbers as they do in Missouri, Briggler says. Still, the eastern hellbender is listed as threatened or endangered in several states, although it has not made it onto the federal endangered species list like the Ozark subspecies.

But even though they reside across 15 states, habitat destruction is suffocating these amphibians. Although they are born with gills and use lungs later in life, hellbenders primarily breathe through their blood-vessel-lined skin. They absorb oxygen through cold water and may occasionally use their lungs to get oxygen from the surface if their streams become too warm, Briggler says. But, as deforestation displaces soil and agriculture erodes land, increased sedimentation can occur in streams, literally choking out hellbenders. Additionally, the spread of amphibian chytrid fungus has been affecting Missouri hellbenders since the 1960s and causing death along the way, Briggler says.

Illegal animal trade has impacted hellbender populations, too. Although learning about these animals is a great way to save them, increased recognition has had adverse effects, Chapman says. When the eastern hellbender was named the Pennsylvania state amphibian in 2019, “it was amazing,” he says. “But it also spurred up tons of calls to the Pennsylvania fish and boat commission from people wanting to have one in a tank at their house.” This is nothing new. A few decades ago, hundreds and thousands of hellbenders were illegally collected from Missouri waters, mostly for sale as pets in southeast Asian countries, Briggler says. If individuals go looking under rocks for these giants in the wild, Briggler warns that the animals may never return.

Now, protections like CITES have helped curtail this trend, although scientists still urge people not to go looking for hellbenders in the wild, as moving their rocks should only be done by highly trained individuals who know how best to preserve the microhabitat underneath. With the help of breeding programs, scientists have been able to release 10,000 hellbenders back into rivers in Missouri. It will likely take decades to bring back hellbender numbers back to where they were before the 1960s, but states like Missouri are starting to see a small resurgence, says Briggler.

“Fifteen years ago, I would have said, ‘I don’t know if we can save this animal,’” he says. “I’m so much more hopeful with the program we have here today. We are buying this animal 30, 40 years while we work on addressing threats.”


Massage Therapy Helps People To Reduce Their Pain

leg massage

Useful for centuries, massage therapy provides both physical and emotional relief. It can help to heal by increasing the flow of blood and releasing built up emotions. Other benefits include relieving painful muscles and reducing stress.

Natural solutions, such as touch, appeal to numerous people. They believe that an individual really should not be overly reliant on prescription medications or technological surgical procedures for most of their conditions. The elderly, athletes and people with many stresses usually find this sort of procedure very beneficial.

During sessions, many individuals tend to get emotionally  overwhelmed and without knowing why. They may begin crying or become angry with very little reason that they may see. However, the reason would be the release of pent up inner thoughts, which following the initial starting point, will help the person to feel a lot more relaxed. Having regular sessions reduced the overwhelming nature from the releases. You can visit a spinewise health care center in Bowmanville or call us at (905) 623-8388 for more info about massage therapy.

Those who are athletic in nature, perhaps competing in races or working out frequently, tend to put added pressure on the joints, tendons, muscles and your bones. Massage reduces inflammation, which reasons pain and injury.

This sort of therapeutic treatment has been very useful in helping women that experience water retention and cramping in their premenstrual cycle. It helps to supply a release for the fluids and get the blood moving better.

For many purposes, massage therapy is not meant to replace modern medicine as being a treatment. Massage therapy is best for reducing negative stress or symptoms that is certainly problematic in the future, causing a dependence on modern medicine. Everyone receives a session in a different way and has a different dependence on it. However, anyone that makes it a regular occurrence can benefit from its provisions.


You are here: Home » News » Sungold Blogs » The reason why solar panels are placed at a slant?

The reason why solar panels are placed at a slant?

Views: 19     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2022-11-11      Origin: Site

You may all find that most solar panels around us are placed at a certain tilt angle, whether on the roof or street lights. The tilt angle of solar panels is related to the local geographical location as well as latitude.

一、Reasons for solar panels to be placed at an oblique angle

Solar panels are mainly through the absorption of sunlight, the solar radiation energy through the photoelectric effect or photochemical effect directly or indirectly into electricity. That is to say, the more solar radiation a solar panel receives, the more electricity it can convert, so the output power of solar modules depends on factors such as solar irradiance and solar cell temperature.

In most areas with high latitudes, the angle of sunlight irradiation is oblique. Only by placing the solar panel diagonally in the opposite direction can the panel's light-receiving surface be as perpendicular to the sun's rays as possible, allowing the solar panel to perform at high efficiency.

At present, there are also fully automatic solar panels, which allow the panels to constantly adjust the horizontal angle as the angle of sunlight changes so that the panels are perpendicular to the sunlight from morning to night.

二、Solar panel tilt angle calculation

1、Azimuth angle calculation

The azimuth angle of the solar panel array is the angle between the vertical surface of the array and the due south direction (set to the east as a negative angle, set to the west as a positive angle). Generally, when the square array faces due south (i.e. the angle between the vertical plane of the square display and due south is 0°), the solar cell power generation is large. At a deviation of 30° degrees from due south (northern hemisphere), the power generation of the square array will be reduced by about 10% to 15%. At a deviation of 60° from due south (northern hemisphere), the power generation of the square array will be reduced by about 20-30%.

In sunny summer, the high solar radiation energy is later in the noon, so when the square array is oriented slightly to the west, large power generation can be obtained in the late afternoon. In different seasons, the orientation of the solar cell array is slight to the east or west - there are times when the power generation is high.

 If you want to adjust the azimuth angle to the peak moment of load and the peak moment of power generation in a day, please refer to the following formula: Azimuth angle = (peak moment of load in a day (24-hour system) - 12) x 15 + (longitude - 116) In different seasons, the peak moment of solar radiation generation in each direction is not the same.

solar panels

2、Tilt angle calculation

The tilt angle is the angle between the plane of the solar cell square and the horizontal ground, and hope that this angle is the tilt angle when the power generation capacity of the square is large in a year. The tilt angle in a year is related to the local geographical latitude, when the latitude is higher, the corresponding tilt angle is also large. However, as with azimuth, the design also takes into account constraints in terms of the tilt angle of the roof and the tilt angle of the snow slide (slope greater than 50-60%).

For due south (azimuth angle of 0 ° degrees), the tilt angle from horizontal (tilt angle of 0 ° degrees) gradually to the tilt angle of the transition, the amount of sunlight increasing until the large value, and then increase the tilt angle of its sunlight decreasing. Especially after the tilt angle is greater than 50 ° ~ 60 °, the amount of daylight drops sharply until the vertical placement, and the amount of power generation is down to small. For the azimuth angle is not 0 ° degrees, the value of oblique daylight volume is generally low, and the value of the daylight volume is near the angle of inclination close to the horizontal.

3、Shadow area influence

If the solar panel can not be directly illuminated by daylight, then only scattered light is used to generate electricity, when the power generation than no shadow it reduces about 10% ~ 20%. For this situation, we have to correct the theoretical calculation value.

Usually, when there are buildings and mountains around the array, there will be shadows around the buildings and mountains after the sun comes out, so you should try to avoid the shadows when choosing the place to put the solar panels. If it is impossible to avoid, the wiring method of the solar panel should be solved so that the shadow will have less influence on the power generation.

In addition, if the square array is placed in front and behind, after the distance between the back square array and the front square array is close, the shadow of the front square array will have an impact on the power generation of the back square array. When the latitude is higher, the distance between the squares increases, and the area of the setting place increases accordingly. For the square array with anti-snow measures, its tilt angle is large, thus making the height of the square array increase, and to avoid the influence of shadows, the distance between the square arrays will increase accordingly.

The solar panel relies on receiving solar radiation to generate electricity, and the more radiation it receives, the more power it generates, so several aspects should be considered in advance when designing the solar panel installation angle.

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Monday, October 31, 2022

Trash-Mex Screening of Cementerio Del Terror (1985) at The Frida Cinema on Friday November 11th!

The Frida Cinema gave Trash-Mex so much love when we screened Ladrones De Tumbas back on September 2nd alongside Michael Aguirre of See It On 16mm. The Frida Cinema of course invited us back for yet another epic screening and this time around we are proud to present the slasher/zombie epic Cementerio Del Terror (1985)! This movie is eye-captivating. This movie is not to be overlooked nor thought of as just another slasher/zombie film. Oh no, this is a unique one. An experience, really. Do not miss it, folks!

Come see it on Friday, November 11th at 8:00 PM. From 6-8 PM, we will have a DJ set from none other than La Cosecha Internacional and he will of course be spinning the finest Mexican music on vinyl. A true mood setter! And just right before the movie begins, you will be treated to yet another Trashy Mexican Movie Trailer reel. The trailer reel from September was so good, it had everyone in the audience in awe. It was a remarkable experience and it will be much longer this time around with some awesome & trashy Mexican titles awaiting to be seen again!

Please get your tickets asap and don't miss out in yet another grand Trash-Mex screening at The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, CA! We are bringing Mexican genre movies back to Santa Ana!

Purchase Tickets Here:

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Cult of Death.

During the 1980’s, Mexican drug trafficking had officially become a threat to the country and to its neighboring countries as well. What was being ignored for decades, was now all over the news & what used to be a “sophisticated” criminal network, now became a cesspool of greed, all-around betrayals & tons of carnage. It all of course got much worse with time. Even more so now. In Matamoros, Tamaulipas, a drug trafficker named Adolfo Constanzo had lead a drug trafficking gang which had ties to the Gulf Cartel and Adolfo was not just another shmuck trafficking drugs & killing “enemies”, he was also considered a “witch doctor”. He practiced Palo Mayombe and this lead to killing animals and people, which were enemies of fellow drug lords & innocent people from the surrounding areas. This was all done due to the fact that Adolfo & his “followers” believed sacrifices of living beings lead to “good luck” for them. After killing an American college student for a sacrifice, Adolfo and his gang went on the run and this all lead to their demises and arrests. What sounded like something out of a fucked up movie, was actually all true.

Now there are have been movie portrayals of the so-called “Narco Satanicos” and the titles that come to mind are “Narcosatanicos Diaoblicos”, a sex comedy by Frontera Films which has Roberto Ballesteros portraying a sort-of Adolfo Constanzo type of character. Then there’s “Masacre En Matamoros: Secta Satanica”, an ultra-cheapie SOV portrayal from director Xorge Noble & producer Jorge Gomez, and the most “well-known” that was somewhat inspired by this madness is “Perdita Durango”. Now there is another movie portrayal that could've came close to the real thing, but sadly it was just rushed & felt empty. That movie is “La Secta De La Muerte” (aka "The Cult Of Death")

After taking off to Mexico from Florida, a young man named Fidel (Sebastian Ligarde) meets with a Nicaraguan immigrant and both men turn to a life of crime, but with a twist. What is the “twist”? Well, Fidel practices black magic and he believes it will give him & others the powers they need to do well in their criminal activities. As their criminal gang/following grows, it also comes with much heavier consequences and lots of innocent people dying along the way!

La Secta De La Muerte was produced & written by Ismael Rodriguez Jr and he was no stranger in making gritty movies since he did write, produce & direct the ultra-gritty gang flicks Olor A Muerte and Pandilleros, then years beforehand he made the notorious true crime flick "Masacre En El Rio Tula". You’d think he would have handled a Narco Satanico movie portrayal in the same vein—alas, it is a portrayal that offers some brutality & shocking scenes, but overall it falls flat and also feels very rushed. Ismael Rodriguez Jr didn’t direct La Secta De La Muerte and that I feel is an aspect as to why the movie is inferior in quality. Had maybe Ismael rook the director chair instead of Roman Hernandez, it could've been much more gruesome & gritty. Still though, I blame both Ismael & Roman for this rushed & inferior production.

With a title like La Secta De La Muerte, you’d expect to see plenty of black magic shit going & sacrifices; but sadly we are left with mostly a true crime story and some black magic stuff, but not what you'd expect. At least the newborn baby sacrifice scene was a shocker/intense of sorts. Now I can’t put down La Secta De La Muerte so much because it does at least have a good cast and leading man Sebastian Ligarde does portray the Adolfo Constanza-inspired character "Fidel" fairly well. The movie also tries to be close to the real story, such as “Fidel” being a Cuban-American from Florida and learning black magic from his mother as the real Adolfo did. The movie's ending is also reminiscent of what really happened to Adolfo and his partner and it’s actually a really great scene, too. Worthy for a clap or two.

La Secta De La Muerte is a movie that you'll either kind of like or not like at all. For me, it's a movie that I can watch if I’m really bored, but still feel & see the emptiness it has. It had potential at being something so vile & so intriguing, but it didn't quite turn out that way. Oh, well!

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Panic In The Mountain with Pedro Fernandez, Maria Rebeca & Resortes!

The mountain ghost town of “Dos Estrellas” ("2 Stars") is feared by those nearby, but an old quirky man named Beto (Adalberto Martinez "Resortes") alongside his strong-willed nephew Pedro (Pedro Fernandez) and local girl Rebeca (Maria Rebeca) head out there in search of treasure in the old mines. Once the trio settle in Dos Estrellas, they take notice of the eerie things going on around there and they’re also not alone since a big bearded man named “George” (George Samano) lives in the town and there’s also another man living there with his motherwhom probably is not even alive. After breaking open a locked-up mine, a supernatural being is unleashed and begins to terrorize the trio & eventually takes possession of Pedro!

Panico En La Montaña (aka "Panic In The Mountain") is the first of two horror-comedies that Pedro Galindo III had made alongside his glorious filmmaking family. Pedro III by this time had already directed several genre movies and this one seems to have wanted to be a throwback of sorts to the early Pedrito Fernandez & Maria Rebeca stuff that Pedro’s uncle Ruben Galindo had made in the late 70’s/early 80’s. The audience in mind for those movies were families & kids of the very same age as Pedro & Maria, but with them being young adults now, they twisted up the cutesy-sappy kid stuff with horror since the horror genre was dominating box offices during the 80’s.

So does Panico En La Montaña play out well for what it is? I would say yes because Panico is a fun watch that offers an eerie mountain ghost town setting, a ghoulish protagonist that Jorge Reynoso plays so perfectly and the movie of course features a cast that is very beloved. Especially in those times. As kids, Pedro Fernandez & Maria Rebeca had starred in several movies together and the most famous one was "La Niña De La Mochila Azul". That was the movie that made them stars and a sort of rejuvenator for the old comedic actor Adalberto Martinez “Resortes”. Seeing these 3 actors together again is very sentimental and in a different kind of story is quite intriguing as well. This also marks the last time these 3 appear together. A farewell to those days? Basically, yes.

If you enjoy all the other amazing movies that Pedro Galindo III had directed and are a huge sap for the ol' Pedro Fernandez/Maria Rebeca flicks & if horror-comedies are your thing, then Panico En La Montaña is a must see. It'll give you everything to expect and put a little smile to your face. It is enjoyable for what it is.