#Top 10 scale model company

[csanflower]

are you my soulmate?

pairing: idol/model! jungkook x part time staff! reader

genre: fluff, sfw

wc: 2.7k

synopsis: You offered to do some part time work for a Calvin Klein shoot to earn some quick cash. The job was simple. Do whatever the higher ranked people told you to do. You expected a simple job like making coffee or ordering lunch for the staff. You definitely did not expect the biggest star in the world following you around like a puppy, thinking you’re his soulmate just because a bell rang when you crossed paths with him…

*inspired by jungkooks comment abt hearing bells ring when he meets his soulmate ^^ BUT NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT SOULMATE AU

“y/n, thank you so much for helping us out! Our shoot today is extremely important for the company and we needed all the help we could get! You are aware of who the model is, right?” Sejin, your overall manager for the shoot today approached you as you entered the shooting area.

You immediately noticed how large scale this shoot was, compared to the other shoots you’ve been to before. As a college student interested in the modelling sector, you had always tried to find opportunities to get yourself familiarised with the industry, and at the same time earn some money to pay off your school fees. Thus you’ve dabbled in helping out with basic chores for shoots, such as buying coffee for the staff, organising the mess on the tables, or the occasional touch up of the model’s makeup. However, all of the shoots you’ve been to so far have been small scale, quick shoots, unlike this shoot which seemed to have about 100 staff members in a rush to get ready. Whoever the model was must have been a huge figure.

“Sorry, this job was kind of last minute so I didn’t have time to read up on the information. Who is the model?” You replied Sejin with slight embarrassment.

“It’s fine, no need to be sorry. The model is Jeon Jungkook of BTS! Do you know how many fans this guy has? This shoot is going to make our company stocks rise to the max!” Sejin laughed out loud at the mere thought of company stocks rising.

Jeon Jungkook? Wow. Who didn’t know Jeon Jungkook? He was the most famous and desired man in the whole South Korea — in fact maybe the whole world. Your jaw hung open. You were going to see Jeon Jungkook? Sure, you were probably not going to reach within a 10 meter radius of him as a small staff, but you were gonna be in the same room as him. You weren’t a big fan of him but you had heard of how famous he was. Jeon Jungkook was a household name. You’ve personally heard your mother and siblings fangirling over him. Who would have known that y/n l/n, the only one in the l/n family who did not fangirl over Jeon Jungkook would be meeting him first. You laughed to yourself, imagining your family’s reaction when you tell them about it.

“Ah, y/n, the shoot is about to start, i’m about to get busy. Could you do me a favour and help me get my file for todays shoot? It’s in my office, you should know where it is.”

“Sure! I’ll go now!” You immediately replied, hoping to do good job so you could get on his good side. You bowed at him quickly, before rushing to his office.

When you reached his office, you immediately found the file, with big, bolded letters written on it. “For Jungkook shoot! Extremely important!” You were about to grab it and leave, when you notice a golden bell beside it, with a post it note written on it. “Bring to the shoot! In case I need to get everyone’s attention since nobody ever listens to me anymore!” You laugh at the note, grabbing both the bell and the notes as you head out of the office.

As you walked in the hallway, you suddenly got a text message from sejin. You placed the bell on top of the file and barely balanced it with your left hand, as your right hand held your phone to read the message.

Help me take the bell too please! Thank you!! - Sejin

You inwardly praise yourself saving a trip back, trying to type a response to sejin with your right thumb.

Just as you were about to hit send, you suddenly felt a hard chest in front of you, harshly colliding into it, sending you to the ground.

Ding! The loud sound of the bell resonated in the empty hallway as it hit the ground.

“What the hell…” You rub at your painful head as you lay on the floor, rushing to get up to grab the file before its contents fly around.

Dischevelled, you grab the file and bell, hugging it close to your chest as you glared up at the person who caused the mess.

You definitely did not expect to see a pair of doe eyes looking at you curiously, with a glint of excitement in them. His mouth was open slightly in awe, as if he just saw an angel. But your jaw hung wider than his when you realised you just bumped into THE JEON JUNGKOOK?

“Oh…OH MY GOD! I’m so so so sorry!” You quickly sobered up, standing up and bowing at him multiple times. You avoided eye contact as you walked past him and tried running away in embarrassment.

But before you could leave, you felt strong, large hands grabbing your wrist.

“W-wait! Don’t go… who are you? Are you my soulmate?”

When you heard what he said, you almost burst into laughter. What? Soulmate? What was this famous star on? Was the most famous guys in the world really asking you if you were his soulmate? You let out a muffled laugh, trying your best to hold it in as you say, “Excuse me?”

“T-the bell. It rang when we bumped into each other. It’s fate.”

You finally let out your laughter at that, laughing uncontrollably at what you thought was a joke, until you noticed his hardened stare and realised maybe he was not joking.

“Um the bell rang because it fell on the floor… I don’t think we are ‘soulmates’, sorry man.” You said awkwardly.

The both of you stood in silence, staring at each other. After 30 seconds, the awkward tension started getting to you and you slightly bowed before walking away back to the shoot.

If you thought that would be the the end of the very weird experience, you were very wrong. As you walked, you could feel a presence behind you. Using your peripheral vision, you were 100% sure Jeon Jungkook, the world’s most desired bachelor was following you around like a puppy. You were starting to get annoyed, the other staff were starting to notice and the attention was definitely not what you needed. You whipped around, face to face with Jungkook.

“Why are you following me?” You ask infuriatingly.

At your annoyed tone, he lets out a small smirk, suddenly having some newfound confidence.

“I’m not following you, I’m going the same way as you.”

You let out a frustrated sigh, turning around and stomping at a quicker pace to the shoot area. Of course, he was still following you closely.

When you reached the shoot, you felt an instant relief with the amount of people bustling around.

“Jungkook is here!”

“What! Where?”

“Jungkook!”

The moment Jungkook entered the room behind you, people immediately took notice of him, running to be by his side and crowding around him. You took the opportunity to blend with the crowd and get away from him.

As you turned back to look at him, you noticed he was looking around for you, after losing you in the crowd. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he carried a small frown on his face, eyes glancing around the room trying to find you.

For a guy who could get any girl he want, he seemed weirdly obsessed with you. Did he really think you were his soulmate because of the bell? Maybe he was just playing with you like with other girls. You were just a nobody to him after all. You place the thoughts at the back of your head as you get back to work, finding Sejin.

“Thanks y/n, you can go take a lunch break. I’ll text you if I need you!” Sejin seemed satisfied at your swift pace as he released you for a break.

You give him a small smile as you walk out to the cafeteria with a sigh of relief. Taking one last glance at Jungkook, he still seemed to be trying to find you, with a small cute pout on his face as he seemed slightly frustrated at his futile attempts.

You sat down on an empty bench as you chewed on your sandwich, glad that you could take a short break before the real demands start coming in when the shoot gets busy.

Emergency: Contact some models to see if they’re available ASAP. Part time models OK. Get a variety. Jungkook being picky. He doesn’t want to work with Nari. - Sejin

You furrowed your eyebrows at the message. Jungkook didn’t want to work with Nari? Nari was the biggest female model in Korea. Why didn’t he want to work with her? She was ‘the most beautiful girl in Korea’ and every man loved her. Why did he have to be so uncooperative and make my job so hard? You quickly messaged your model contacts, asking them to come as soon as they could.

Of course, all of them immediately accepted. Who wouldn’t be dying to get an opportunity to model with Jungkook? You led the 4 models to the shoot, noticing the grim and dark mood as soon as you entered. You could tell there was tension due to Jungkook’s lack of cooperation.

When sejin noticed saw the models, his face immediately lighted up.

“Jungkook! The models are here! You can choose any of them to be your partner! These girls are all highly esteemed models and they are all experienced! Any of them would be a great partner!”

You could feel the girls beside you fixing their posture and making a juice pose as they awaited in anticipation for Jungkook to see them.

Jungkook looked up from his phone in disinterest, quickly skimming over the models until his eyes landed on you. Immediately, you noticed a glint of sparkle in his eyes, a child like smile on his face as he pointed at you.

“I want her.”

You instantly tensed up, staring at sejin in shock. You could feel the rest of the staff’s shock as well. You wanted to climb into a hole and die from the tension. Why did he have to cause so much problems for you?

“A-are you sure jungkook? Y/n is a beautiful girl but she’s a staff, not a model…”

You looked at Sejin in desperation, slightly shaking your head and telling him with your eyes that it was a no. However, Jungkook was relentless.

“If it’s not her, i’m not doing this shoot.” He said nonchalantly.

You wanted to smack his handsome little face so bad. You should have just stayed home today. Sejin walked over to you, pulling you aside apologetically.

“I’m so sorry y/n, but you know how important this shoot is to us. Could you please help us out this once? It’s just for today. We will pay extra and it’ll be a great experience! You want to work in the modelling industry in the future right? You could hear desperation in his tone.

You thought about it. Of course this would be a great experience for you, but you were so unprepared. What if you didn’t do well? Or worse what if his fans hated on you? You couldn’t handle that. But with Sejin staring at you so desperately, you felt that the guilt of rejecting him would kill you on the inside. You knew how excited he was for this shoot.

“Fine.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much y/n! Here take this file and read up on the looks for the shoot. I’ll bring you a makeup and stylist team ASAP. The shoot will start immediately when you’re ready!” He handed you a file with immense gratitude written on his face.

You reluctantly grabbed it from him, making your way to the makeup room as you tried to avoid the heated jealous stares of the girls around you. You glared at Jungkook as you walked past him, receiving a smirk in return.

When you reached the makeup room and sat on the model’s chair for the first time, you flipped through the file, reading the contents, your eyes widening and jaws dropping when you read it.

“Underwear shoot???!!”

You stared at yourself in the mirror after you had gotten your makeup and styling done. You were only wearing Calvin Klein underwear and a Calvin Klein jean jacket. Were you really about to do this? Of course, you looked hot. This was probably the hottest you have been in your whole 21 years of your life. But you were so nervous. You sucked in a deep breath, telling yourself: You have to do this well. This will give you many opportunities. Just suck it up.

You walked out awkwardly, feeling the heat of everyone’s stares. You could especially feel Jungkook’s heated stare.

“y/n! You look great! Come here! Let’s start the shoot!” Sejin commented in excitement when you came out.

You awkwardly walked over to in front of the camera where Jungkook was already waiting.

“Ok, y/n, I need you to sit on Jungkook’s lap and grab his neck while looking up innocently at the camera.”

You looked at Jungkook who had a smug look on his face as he waited for you to approach him. You tried not to stare down at Jungkook’s sudden exposed abs. Sucking up your embarrassment, you did as Sejin said.

Unexpectedly, the shoot went smoother than you expected. You managed to do many of the poses Sejin told you to do, even the intimate ones. Sejin even commented that you were a natural. Looking at the pictures taken, you also noticed that you somehow had a natural chemistry with Jungkook, with all your pictures with him seeming natural, like a real couple. In one of the pictures, you were straddling Jungkook as you both stared into each other’s eyes as if you both loved each other. You felt yourself blush as you stared at the picture. Despite the slight embarrassment, you couldn’t help but feel a new sense of pride when you were praised by everybody there, even staff members who previously did not even acknowledge your presence.

“And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone!” Sejin shouted.

You felt a flush of relief feel your body, a sense of tiredness taking over your body as you could finally relax.

You slowly got up from Jungkook’s shirtless body, looking away from him. You could still sense him staring at you as you walked away to change out of the uncomfortable undergarments.

After removing the extravagant makeup and changing into comfortable clothes, you walked out of the shoot feeling much more relaxed. You looked at the time on your phone, noticing it was already 11pm. Everybody must have already left by now.

You let out a content sigh, thinking back on the stressful day.

“y/n, wait! Dont go yet!”

Just as you were about to step out of the building, you heard a panicked voice behind you.

You turn around, seeing Jungkook who was panting hard as he bent down to catch his breath. He had changed into more comfortable clothing, with a hoodie and sweats, without any makeup on his face. Yet with such a natural look, he seemed so much more attractive to you. He must have ran after you if he was panting so much.

You crossed your arms, playfully smiling at him as you asked him why he stopped you. You felt a newfound sense of comfort with him after the shoot with him, maybe because you had been in such intimate positions with him.

“I-I need to tell you something. T-there’s something wrong with your phone. It doesn’t have your number in it…” Jungkook seemed nervous.

You looked at him in confusion, not understanding.

“W-wait! I mean there’s something wrong with my phone! It doesn’t have your number!” Jungkook hit his head in frustration, seeming actually annoyed at himself for not pulling off his pickup line correctly.

“So what do you want me to do about it?” You ask with a playful smirk on your face.

“You can fix it by giving me your number.” He said with a shy smile, still slightly embarrassed from his failed pickup line, as he reached out his phone to you.

You laughed out loud at his shyness and relentless determination. Jungkook laughed along with you shyly as you both shared a moment in the sweet darkness of the night.

You grabbed his phone from his hand, typing out your phone number.

*HII IM NEW TO TUMBLR i may make a part two depending on how wrecked i am after seven comes out :’)

[veganism]

The genocide is also experimentation on living beings

Israel is currently testing new weapons in Gaza, some of which will soon be sold globally as "battle-tested," according to Antony Loewenstein, an author who has written a widely acclaimed book on the issue.

For years, the Israeli defense sector has used Palestine as a laboratory for new weapons and surveillance tech, he told Anadolu, adding that this is also the case in the current ongoing war on Gaza.

One of the main reasons why "many nations, democracies and dictatorships support Israeli occupation" of Palestine is because it allows them to buy these "battle-tested" weapons, asserted Loewenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World.

Another aspect of Israel's war on Gaza has been the use of artificial intelligence technology, he said.

According to Loewenstein, AI has been one of the key targeting tools used by the Israeli military in its deadly campaign of airstrikes, leading to mass killings of Palestinians-now over 28,500-and damage on an unprecedented scale.

The current war on Gaza is "inarguably one of the most consequential and bloody," he said.

He described Israel's use of AI against Palestinians as "automated murder," stressing that this model "will be studied and copied by other nation-states" and Tel Aviv will sell them these technologies as tried and tested weapons.

In the last 50 years, Israel has exported hi-tech surveillance tools to at least 130 countries around the world.

To maintain its illegal occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and blockade of the Gaza Strip, Israel has developed a range of tools and technologies that have made it the world's leading exporter of spyware and digital forensics tools.

But analysts say the intelligence failure during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks casts doubts over Tel Avis's technological capabilities.

Israel's reliance on technology "is an illusion of safety, while imprisoning 2.3 million people under endless occupation," said Loewenstein, who is Jewish and holds Australian and German nationalities.

He described Israel's response in Gaza as "apocalyptic," stressing that the killings of Palestinian civilians, including children and women, is "on a scale of indiscriminate slaughter."

- 'BLOOD MONEY'

Loewenstein, who is also a journalist, said Israel has honed its weapons and technology expertise over decades as an occupying power, acting with increasing impunity in the Palestinian territories.

This led a small country like Israel to become one of the top 10 arms dealers in the world, he said, adding that Israeli arms sales in 2021 were "the highest on record, surging 55% over the previous two years to $11.3 billion."

In his book, Loewenstein explores thoroughly Israel's ties with autocracies and regimes engaged in mass displacement campaigns, and governments slinking their way into phones.

The Israeli NSO Group sold its well-known Pegasus software to numerous governments, a spyware tool for phones that gives access to the entire content, including conversations, text messages, emails and photos even when the device is switched off.

Israeli drones were first tested over Gaza, the besieged enclave that Loewenstein referred to as "the perfect laboratory for Israeli ingenuity in domination."

Surveillance technology developed in Israel has also been sold to the US in the form of watch towers now used on the border with Mexico.

The EU's border agency Frontex is known to have used Israeli drone technology to monitor refugees.

Loewenstein explains in his book that the EU has partnered with leading Israeli defense companies to use its drones, "and of course years of experience in Palestine is a key selling point."

"So again, one sees how there are so many examples of nations that are wanting to copy what Israel is doing in their own area in their own country on their own border," he said.

These technologies and "are sold by Israel as battle-tested," he said.

In other words, he contends that Palestinians essentially have become "guinea pigs," and despite some nations and the UN publicly criticizing the Israeli occupation, in reality "they're desperate for this technology for themselves for their own countries."

"And that's how in fact, the Palestine laboratory has been so successful for Israel for so long," he said.

In his exhaustive probe into Israel's dealings with arms sales around the world, he noted that the country has monetized the occupation of Palestine, by selling weapons, spyware tools and technologies to repressive regimes such as Rwanda during the genocide in 1994 and to Myanmar during its genocide against the Muslim Rohingya people in 2017.

"This to me is blood money. I mean, there's no other way to see that and again, as someone Jewish, who has spent many, many years reporting on this conflict, both within Israel and Palestine but also elsewhere, it's deeply shameful that Israel is making huge amounts of money from the misery of others," he said.

"This is not a legacy that I can be proud of."

- 'NO NATION ACTUALLY HOLDING ISRAEL TO ACCOUNT'

Profiting from misery is to some extent the nature of what capitalism has always been about, but Israel does this with a great deal of impunity, "because Israel does what it wants," said Loewenstein.

"There is no accountability, there is no transparency, there is no nation actually holding Israel to account," he added.

Israel's regime is shielded from any political backlash for years to come because nations are reliant on Israeli weapons and spyware, said the author.

Israel may not be the only player employing surveillance technology that leads to human rights violations, but it still plays a dominant role, which is why Loewenstein insists that it deserves singular attention.

Israel's foreign policy has always been "amoral and opportunistic," he said, calling on all nations to take a stand and hold Israel accountable, and acknowledge that the world is buying what Israel is selling.

[mariacallous]

Wreckage of the Titan’s innovative carbon fiber hull was found separated into three distinct layers, US National Transportation Safety Board engineer Donald Kramer has told a Coast Guard hearing into the fatal implosion of the OceanGate submersible in 2023.

Although Kramer would not offer an opinion on what caused the hull to delaminate into separate layers, he testified to multiple problems with the hull, beginning with its manufacture in 2020.

Using samples of carbon fiber saved from its construction, as well as dozens of pieces recovered from the seabed, the NTSB gave the most complete picture to date of the experimental nature of the Titan’s hull.

After the Titan’s first hull was found to have a crack and delamination following deep dives in 2019, OceanGate switched manufacturers to replace it.

The new manufacturer, Electroimpact, used a multistage process to wind and cure the five-inch-thick hull in five separate layers. Each layer would be baked at high temperature and pressure before being ground flat, having an adhesive sheet added, and another layer built on top. The idea of this multistep process was to reduce wrinkles in the final hull that the company believed had caused test models to fail short of their design depths.

However, Kramer testified that the NTSB found several anomalies in the fresh hull samples. There was waviness in four of the five layers, and wrinkles that got progressively worse from layer to layer. The NTSB also found that some layers had porosity—gaps in the resin material—four times larger than specified in the design. It also recorded voids between the five layers.

On Monday, Roy Thomas, a materials expert from the American Bureau of Shipping, told the hearing: “Defects such as voids, blisters on surface, and porosity can weaken carbon fiber, and under extreme hydrostatic pressure can accelerate the failure of a hull.”

OceanGate did not make any additional test models using the new multistage process.

The NTSB was able to recover many pieces of the carbon fiber hull from the seafloor, one still attached to one of the submersible’s titanium end domes. In a report issued simultaneously with Kramer’s testimony, the NTSB noted that there were few, if any, full-thickness hull pieces. All of the visible pieces had delaminated into three shells: the innermost of the five layers, a shell made of the second and third layers, and another with the fourth and fifth layers. Like an onion being peeled, the hull had largely separated at the adhesive joining the layers.

The scene was set for Kramer on Monday, with testimony from Phil Brooks, OceanGate’s director of engineering until March 2023. Brooks was asked about a loud bang that had been heard when the Titan surfaced from a successful dive to the Titanic in July 2022.

About 10 minutes after the submersible surfaced, its crew and passengers heard a bang “as loud as an explosion,” according to a witness last week. When the Titan returned to its support ship, Brooks downloaded data from acoustic sensors and strain gauges mounted on its carbon fiber hull.

Five of the eight acoustic sensors captured the noise. The other three showed nothing and were likely nonfunctional, according to Kramer. On Monday, NTSB investigators noted that the acoustic sensors had not recorded useful data for several preceding dives.

The strain data, measuring stretching in the hull, also showed a shift coinciding with the bang. Brooks had seen a similar but larger change in strain just before an earlier scale model of the Titan’s hull failed dramatically in testing. “A sudden shift is something to be concerned about,” he testified. “But it was fairly minor, on two out of the 16 strain gauges.”

Brooks also admitted, however, that three of Titan’s strain gauges had never worked since it was rebuilt and that he was “probably not” qualified to decide on the significance of the change in the strain data. Brooks trained as an electronics engineer and computer scientist, and he deferred on mechanical issues to CEO Stockton Rush, one of five people who died in the Titan.

Brooks said that Rush believed that the bang originated in an external metal frame that held the hull and that Rush gave the go-ahead for future dives. “Without my being a qualified mechanical engineer, his explanation sounded plausible,” said Brooks.

One former OceanGate engineer told WIRED they thought the bang could have been layers in the carbon fiber parting or the hull separating from the titanium end rings: “The degree of the separation can’t be known, but it could have been the beginning of the end.”

The Titanic dives continued without Brooks or Rush doing any further investigation of the noise or consulting with outside experts.

“We didn’t see any further shifts in strain data. No loud bangs,” said Brooks. “Nothing with the acoustic monitoring that seemed out of the ordinary.”

In fact, Kramer’s own analysis of strain data showed that the changes persisted for at least the next three dives. The NTSB did not have sensor data from the Titan’s 2023 missions.

At the end of the 2022 dives, Brooks lobbied to bring the Titan back to OceanGate’s headquarters for testing. “We really wanted to bring the sub back to Everett, Washington, and look for cracks,” he testified. “It was frustrating because it was left at St. John’s [in Newfoundland] at the dock. We were told it was cost-prohibitive. They were low on money.”

A maintenance log for the Titan shows no repairs or adjustments were made to the submersible between late July 2022 and late March 2023.

The hearings continue this week, although it will likely be many months before the Coast Guard issues its final report into the accident.

[boinkingbattlemechs]

Bushwacker

Originally a failed BattleMech concept designed to have a smaller forward profile, the Bushwacker would ultimately become a popular Clan Invasion era BattleMech in use within both halves of the Federated Commonwealth.

Under development on the cusp of the Clan Invasion, the ambitious and unorthodox design of the Bushwacker featured a low-slung and narrow upper torso to present minimal target profile to enemy units. Unfortunately this resulted in a complex and crowded internal layout, with the 'Mech's fusion engine's close proximity to the sensor and communication system resulting in electronic interference and system failures. Engineers were unable to overcome these issues, and the 'Mech seemed destined for the scrap-heap despite impressing evaluators with its design and capabilities.

The Bushwacker was ultimately saved by the Clan juggernaut following a successful Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth raid against a Clan Jade Falcon base on Twycross, FedCom forces securing a treasure trove of schematics and technical data on numerous Clan designs, including the Vulture. Though a more vertical design, the Clan OmniMech shared the same compressed volume issues, with the Clan engineers making several unusual decisions in its internal layout to alleviate the interference problem. With the TharHes engineers able to adapt the Clan solution to the Bushwacker, reconfiguring its internal structure, the 'Mech was given a second lease on life.

Full scale production of the corrected Bushwacker began in 3053 on Tharkad following the Truce of Tukayyid, though many FedCom units who served on the Clan frontlines received preproduction models during the initial invasion. This led to the 'Mech being most numerous on the Clan/Lyran Alliance border immediately following the succession, though by the conclusion of the FedCom Civil War the Bushwacker could be found in almost every first echelon unit in both halves of the Federated Commonwealth. For some unknown reason the Bushwacker has since become a favorite of MechWarriors in the Draconis and Capellan Marches of the Federated Suns.

With TharHes Industries badly damaged during the Jihad and Word of Blake occupation of Tharkad, the company was forced to sell off the Bushwacker plans to raise much-needed capital to rebuild its production lines. Purchased by Coventry Metal Works, the company used the specs to create the Gauntlet OmniMech, with modern Bushwacker models sharing a similar frame and various other components with it, allowing both CMW and TI to reduce costs for both designs through economies of scale. Though the OmniMech was intended as an exclusively Lyran design, the Bushwacker is not so restricted and is exported outside the Commonwealth, remaining popular within the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns even during the Dark Age era.

The Bushwacker has a top speed of 86.4 km/h and carries nine tons of armor. What the 'Mech lacks in protection it makes up for in range, using its speed to keep enemies at arm's length while using its slew of long range weaponry to slowly wear down enemies.

In an attempt to keep the enemy at as long a range as possible, the Bushwacker carries two Federated 5-Shot LRM-5 launchers. The LRM-5s give it the capability to give some indirect fire support as well as laying down minefields with specialized munitions. These are backed up by a BlazeFire Sweetshot ER large laser and an 80 mm Mydron Model B AC/10, which give the 'Mech a powerful long range direct-fire punch. A pair of Johnston Minigun machine guns are the only short range weapons carried by the 'Mech.

[datascience-from-the-trenches]

On March 14th, 2023, OpenAI launched GPT-4, said to be the latest milestone in the company’s effort in scaling up deep learning. As part of its launch, OpenAI revealed details regarding the model’s “human-level performance on various professional and academic benchmarks”. Perhaps none of these capabilities was as widely publicized as GPT-4’s performance on the Uniform Bar Examination, with OpenAI prominently displaying on various pages of its website and technical report that GPT-4 scored in or around the “90th percentile,” or “the top 10% of test-takers”.

This paper begins by investigating the methodological challenges in documenting and verifying the 90th-percentile claim, presenting four sets of findings that indicate that OpenAI’s estimates of GPT-4’s UBE percentile are overinflated.

Summary of results:

The 90% percentile estimates are heavily skewed towards repeat test-takers who failed the July administration and score significantly lower than the general test-taking population.

data from a recent July administration of the same exam suggests GPT-4’s overall UBE percentile was below the 69th percentile, and 48th percentile on essays.

GPT-4’s performance against first-time test takers is estimated to be 62nd percentile, including 42nd percentile on essays.

when examining only those who passed the exam (i.e. licensed or license-pending attorneys), GPT-4’s performance is estimated to drop to 48th percentile overall, and 15th percentile on essays.

[lordzannis]

There are several serious concerns regarding DreamWorks Animation in recent years:

Shifting Production Away from In-House

DreamWorks is shifting away from fully producing animated films in-house at its Glendale, California studio. The studio is partnering with Sony Pictures Imageworks to handle asset builds and shot production for an upcoming 2025 film. This reflects a new cost-cutting model where DreamWorks will outsource some work to partner studios in lower cost locations to reduce production costs by 20%[1]. This has raised concerns among DreamWorks staff about job security and the studio's commitment to in-house production.

Significant Layoffs

In March 2024, DreamWorks announced huge layoffs across multiple departments. Reddit users commented that the studio won't be recovering from this round of layoffs, blaming the outsourcing strategy[2]. The exact number of jobs lost is unclear, but it seems to be a major blow to the studio's workforce.

Questionable Leadership Decisions

DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg has made some decisions that have raised eyebrows. In 2013, President Obama visited DreamWorks and joked about Katzenberg's large ego[4]. More concerning is Katzenberg's history of overseeing the shift of production from Culver City to Vancouver at Sony Pictures Imageworks to take advantage of tax credits[1]. This suggests a willingness to prioritize cost savings over maintaining jobs in Los Angeles.

Outsourcing Threatens Local Economy

The animation industry is a major economic engine for Southern California, similar to how finance is to New York or tech is to Silicon Valley[4]. By shifting production overseas, DreamWorks is putting local jobs at risk and threatening the viability of the local animation ecosystem. This could have ripple effects on the broader economy of the region.

In summary, DreamWorks appears to be making decisions that prioritize short-term cost savings over maintaining a robust in-house production workforce. While some outsourcing may be necessary to stay competitive, the scale and speed of the changes raise serious concerns about the studio's long-term commitment to its Los Angeles workforce and the local economy. Significant layoffs and the CEO's history of prioritizing tax credits over local jobs add to the sense of unease among DreamWorks employees and the surrounding community.

Citations: [1] https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html [2] https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/comments/1bdemof/dreamworks_layoffs/ [3] https://www.thegamer.com/things-wrong-dreamworks-movies-choose-ignore/ [4] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/26/remarks-president-economy-dreamworks [5] https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-times-dreamworks-movies-tackled-serious-issues

Here are some potential solutions for holding DreamWorks Animation accountable and ensuring they pay their fair share of taxes:

Advocate for Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes

DreamWorks and other large corporations often exploit loopholes and tax havens to minimize their tax burden[3]. Employees should urge lawmakers to close these loopholes and ensure companies like DreamWorks pay their fair share. This could involve measures like:

Eliminating deductions for offshoring jobs and profits

Imposing a minimum tax on corporate book income

Increasing IRS funding for auditing large corporations

Requiring public country-by-country reporting of taxes paid

Push for Transparency Around Tax Practices

DreamWorks should be more transparent about its tax practices and lobbying efforts related to taxes[3]. Employees can demand the company publicly disclose its effective tax rate, tax credits and incentives received, and political contributions. Greater transparency would allow stakeholders to hold the company accountable.

Support Unionization to Increase Bargaining Power

Unionizing gives workers more leverage to demand that DreamWorks invest in its workforce rather than prioritizing tax avoidance[2]. Unions can negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and more training that improves productivity and reduces the need for tax breaks. Collective bargaining power is key to rebalancing the scales.

Collaborate with Community Organizations

DreamWorks employees should partner with local community groups, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations that are pushing for corporate tax reform and responsible business practices[3]. By pooling resources and amplifying each other's voices, workers and activists can build a powerful movement for change.

Engage with Shareholders

As a publicly traded company, DreamWorks is accountable to its shareholders. Employees who own stock should engage with the company's leadership and other investors to voice concerns about tax avoidance and demand more responsible corporate citizenship[3]. Shareholder resolutions and proxy voting can influence company policies.

By pursuing these solutions, DreamWorks Animation employees can help ensure the company contributes its fair share to society through the tax system. Closing loopholes, increasing transparency, unionizing, collaborating with allies, and engaging shareholders are all important levers for driving accountability. Responsible corporate tax practices are key to funding public services and infrastructure that benefit workers and communities.

Citations: [1] https://dreamworkstaxsolutions.com [2] https://www.reddit.com/r/vfx/comments/1bdemof/dreamworks_layoffs/ [3] https://filmstories.co.uk/news/dreamworks-animation-set-to-outsource-work-to-tax-advantaged-lower-cost-geographies/ [4] https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/how-to-manage-taxes-as-an-indie-developer [5] http://www.filmstrategy.com/2015/04/production-tips-filmmaker-and-taxes.html

[dracolupus628]

Big News! My Store is Now Live!

Hello, All! I have been trying to set up my own little store, where I can sell my handmade chainmaille crafts. After several months of preperation, toil, and fighting technology, the store is fully operational! It can be found at https://lupuscrafting.com.

Below, you can find a collection of the products you can find on the site. Everything is handmade by me, and I create each object custom for each order.

  Two examples of the chainmaille necktie, a fun way to incorporate a little fun into your outfit

A scale mail bag- The only one on the market that is proper scale mail, using rings to secure each scale! Useful for many purposes, such as dice bag, coin purse, or a bag for any small trinkets you can find. The bag is lined with fabric to protect whatever you put in it from abrasion.

Two dragons, of different sizes- A wonderful little friend to keep you company, debug code, or decorate your desk! Like everything here, the colours are completely customizable. The green one is 25 in (60cm) long, while the black and blue one is 10 in (25 cm) long, perfect to fit in your pocket!

One of the many models of earrings I have. A wonderful gift for mother’s day, or to make your friend feel extra cool!

These are just a small collection of the products available at the link above. On top of the listed products on the website, I do custom orders! Just contact me at lupuscrafting@gmail.com, describe what you would like to be made, and we will work together to make your vision come to life!

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Titanic: First ever full-sized scans reveal wreck as never seen before

Titanic departing Southampton on 10 April 1912

By Rebecca Morelle and Alison Francis

BBC News Climate and Science

17 May 2023

The world's most famous shipwreck has been revealed as never seen before.

The first full-sized digital scan of the Titanic, which lies 3,800m (12,500ft) down in the Atlantic, has been created using deep-sea mapping.

It provides a unique 3D view of the entire ship, enabling it to be seen as if the water has been drained away.

The hope is that this will shed new light on exactly what happened to the liner, which sank on 15 April 1912.

More than 1,500 people died when the ship struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

"There are still questions, basic questions, that need to be answered about the ship," Parks Stephenson, a Titanic analyst, told BBC News.

He said the model was "one of the first major steps to driving the Titanic story towards evidence-based research - and not speculation."

The Titanic has been extensively explored since the wreck was discovered in 1985.

But it's so huge that in the gloom of the deep, cameras can only ever show us tantalizing snapshots of the decaying ship - never the whole thing.

The new scan captures the wreck in its entirety, revealing a complete view of the Titanic.

It lies in two parts, with the bow and the stern separated by about 800m (2,600ft). A huge debris field surrounds the broken vessel.

The scan was carried out in summer 2022 by Magellan Ltd, a deep-sea mapping company, and Atlantic Productions, who are making a documentary about the project.

Submersibles, remotely controlled by a team on board a specialist ship, spent more than 200 hours surveying the length and breadth of the wreck.

They took more than 700,000 images from every angle, creating an exact 3D reconstruction.

Magellan's Gerhard Seiffert, who led the planning for the expedition, said it was the largest underwater scanning project he'd ever undertaken.

"The depth of it, almost 4,000m, represents a challenge, and you have currents at the site, too - and we're not allowed to touch anything so as not to damage the wreck," he explained.

"And the other challenge is that you have to map every square centimetre - even uninteresting parts, like on the debris field you have to map mud, but you need this to fill in between all these interesting objects."

The scan shows both the scale of the ship, as well as some minute details, such as the serial number on one of the propellers.

The bow, now covered in stalactites of rust, is still instantly recognisable even 100 years after the ship was lost.

Sitting on top is the boat deck, where a gaping hole provides a glimpse into a void where the grand staircase once stood.

The stern though, is a chaotic mess of metal. This part of the ship collapsed as it corkscrewed into the sea floor.

In the surrounding debris field, items are scattered, including ornate metalwork from the ship, statues and unopened champagne bottles.

There are also personal possessions, including dozens of shoes resting on the sediment.

Parks Stephenson, who has studied the Titanic for many years, said he was "blown away" when he first saw the scans.

"It allows you to see the wreck as you can never see it from a submersible, and you can see the wreck in its entirety. You can see it in context and perspective. And what it's showing you now is the true state of the wreck."

He said that studying the scans could offer new insight into what happened to the Titanic on that fateful night of 1912.

"We really don't understand the character of the collision with the iceberg. We don't even know if she hit it along the starboard side, as is shown in all the movies - she might have grounded on the iceberg," he explained.

Studying the stern, he added, could reveal the mechanics of how the ship struck the sea floor.

The sea is taking its toll on the wreck, microbes are eating away at it and parts are disintegrating.

Historians are well aware that time is running out to fully understand the maritime disaster.

But the scan now freezes the wreck in time and will allow experts to pore over every tiny detail.

The hope is that the Titanic may yet give up its secrets.

[amoradevid]

Top 10 Laravel Development Companies in the USA in 2024

Laravel is a widely-used open-source PHP web framework designed for creating web applications using the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern. It offers developers a structured and expressive syntax, as well as a variety of built-in features and tools to enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of the development process.

Key components of Laravel include:

1. Eloquent ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Laravel simplifies database interactions by enabling developers to work with database records as objects through a powerful ORM.

2. Routing: Laravel provides a straightforward and expressive method for defining application routes, simplifying the handling of incoming HTTP requests.

3. Middleware: This feature allows for the filtering of HTTP requests entering the application, making it useful for tasks like authentication, logging, and CSRF protection.

4. Artisan CLI (Command Line Interface): Laravel comes with Artisan, a robust command-line tool that offers commands for tasks such as database migrations, seeding, and generating boilerplate code.

5. Database Migrations and Seeding: Laravel's migration system enables version control of the database schema and easy sharing of changes across the team. Seeding allows for populating the database with test data.

6. Queue Management: Laravel's queue system permits deferred or background processing of tasks, which can enhance application performance and responsiveness.

7. Task Scheduling: Laravel provides a convenient way to define scheduled tasks within the application.

What are the reasons to opt for Laravel Web Development?

Laravel makes web development easier, developers more productive, and web applications more secure and scalable, making it one of the most important frameworks in web development.

There are multiple compelling reasons to choose Laravel for web development:

1. Clean and Organized Code: Laravel provides a sleek and expressive syntax, making writing and maintaining code simple. Its well-structured architecture follows the MVC pattern, enhancing code readability and maintainability.

2. Extensive Feature Set: Laravel comes with a wide range of built-in features and tools, including authentication, routing, caching, and session management. 

3. Rapid Development: With built-in templates, ORM (Object-Relational Mapping), and powerful CLI (Command Line Interface) tools, Laravel empowers developers to build web applications quickly and efficiently.

4. Robust Security Measures: Laravel incorporates various security features such as encryption, CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) protection, authentication, and authorization mechanisms. 

5. Thriving Community and Ecosystem: Laravel boasts a large and active community of developers who provide extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums for support.

6. Database Management: Laravel's migration system allows developers to manage database schemas effortlessly, enabling version control and easy sharing of database changes across teams. Seeders facilitate the seeding of databases with test data, streamlining the testing and development process.

7. Comprehensive Testing Support: Laravel offers robust testing support, including integration with PHPUnit for writing unit and feature tests. It ensures that applications are thoroughly tested and reliable, reducing the risk of bugs and issues in production.

8. Scalability and Performance: Laravel provides scalability options such as database sharding, queue management, and caching mechanisms. These features enable applications to handle increased traffic and scale effectively.

Top 10 Laravel Development Companies in the USA in 2024

The Laravel framework is widely utilised by top Laravel development companies. It stands out among other web application development frameworks due to its advanced features and development tools that expedite web development. Therefore, this article aims to provide a list of the top 10 Laravel Development Companies in 2024, assisting you in selecting a suitable Laravel development company in the USA for your project.

IBR Infotech

IBR Infotech excels in providing high-quality Laravel web development services through its team of skilled Laravel developers. Enhance your online visibility with their committed Laravel development team, which is prepared to turn your ideas into reality accurately and effectively. Count on their top-notch services to receive the best as they customise solutions to your business requirements. Being a well-known Laravel Web Development Company IBR infotech is offering the We provide bespoke Laravel solutions to our worldwide customer base in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, ensuring prompt delivery and competitive pricing.

Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5.0

Avg. hourly rate: $25 — $49 / hr

No. Employee: 10–49

Founded Year : 2014

Verve Systems

Elevate your enterprise with Verve Systems' Laravel development expertise. They craft scalable, user-centric web applications using the powerful Laravel framework. Their solutions enhance consumer experience through intuitive interfaces and ensure security and performance for your business.

Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5.0

Avg. hourly rate: $25 

No. Employee: 50–249

Founded Year : 2009

KrishaWeb

KrishaWeb is a world-class Laravel Development company that offers tailor-made web solutions to our clients. Whether you are stuck up with a website concept or want an AI-integrated application or a fully-fledged enterprise Laravel application, they can help you. 

        Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5.0

Avg. hourly rate: $50 - $99/hr

No. Employee: 50 - 249

Founded Year : 2008

Bacancy

Bacancy is a top-rated Laravel Development Company in India, USA, Canada, and Australia. They follow Agile SDLC methodology to build enterprise-grade solutions using the Laravel framework. They use Ajax-enabled widgets, model view controller patterns, and built-in tools to create robust, reliable, and scalable web solutions

      Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 4.8

Avg. hourly rate: $25 - $49/hr

No. Employee: 250 - 999

Founded Year : 2011

Elsner 

Elsner Technologies is a Laravel development company that has gained a high level of expertise in Laravel, one of the most popular PHP-based frameworks available in the market today. With the help of their Laravel Web Development services, you can expect both professional and highly imaginative web and mobile applications. 

      Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5

Avg. hourly rate: < $25/hr

No. Employee: 250 - 999

Founded Year : 2006

Logicspice

Logicspice stands as an expert and professional Laravel web development service provider, catering to enterprises of diverse scales and industries. Leveraging the prowess of Laravel, an open-source PHP framework renowned for its ability to expedite the creation of secure, scalable, and feature-rich web applications. 

      Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5

Avg. hourly rate: < $25/hr

No. Employee: 50 - 249

Founded Year : 2006

Sapphire Software Solutions

Sapphire Software Solutions, a leading Laravel development company in the USA, specialises in customised Laravel development, enterprise solutions,.With a reputation for excellence, they deliver top-notch services tailored to meet your unique business needs.

     Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 5

Avg. hourly rate: NA

No. Employee: 50 - 249

Founded Year : 2002

iGex Solutions

iGex Solutions offers the World’s Best Laravel Development Services with 14+ years of Industry Experience. They have 10+ Laravel Developer Experts. 100+ Elite Happy Clients from there Services. 100% Client Satisfaction Services with Affordable Laravel Development Cost.

     Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 4.7

Avg. hourly rate: < $25/hr

No. Employee: 10 - 49

Founded Year : 2009

Hidden Brains

Hidden Brains is a leading Laravel web development company, building high-performance Laravel applications using the advantage of Laravel's framework features. As a reputed Laravel application development company, they believe your web application should accomplish the goals and can stay ahead of the rest.

     Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 4.9

Avg. hourly rate: < $25/hr

No. Employee: 250 - 999

Founded Year : 2003

 Matellio 

At Matellio, They offer a wide range of custom Laravel web development services to meet the unique needs of their global clientele. There expert Laravel developers have extensive experience creating robust, reliable, and feature-rich applications

     Additional Information-

GoodFirms : 4.8

Avg. hourly rate: $50 - $99/hr

No. Employee: 50 - 249

Founded Year : 2014

What advantages does Laravel offer for your web application development?

Laravel, a popular PHP framework, offers several advantages for web application development:

Elegant Syntax

Modular Packaging

MVC Architecture Support

Database Migration System

Blade Templating Engine

Authentication and Authorization

Artisan Console

Testing Support

Community and Documentation

Conclusion: 

I hope you found the information provided in the article to be enlightening and that it offered valuable insights into the top Laravel development companies.

These reputable Laravel development companies have a proven track record of creating customised solutions for various sectors, meeting client requirements with precision.

Over time, these highlighted Laravel developers for hire have completed numerous projects with success and are well-equipped to help advance your business.

Before finalising your choice of a Laravel web development partner, it is essential to request a detailed cost estimate and carefully examine their portfolio of past work.

[exhausted-archivist]

@csphire replied to your post “Heights Based off Official Model Scales, Dev...”:

I will have to politely disagree on your Varric estimate. I happen to have that stature and measured it from the top of his head down his straightest leg which is around 37 cm or 14.5 inches. Times that by four will put him at 148 cm or 4'11 ish. Granted that's almost five feet but I added the half-inch to account for the fact his head is tilted down slightly. You may want to readjust your other numbers accordingly.

​Hey! Thanks for the input!

I'm not saying they're canon, aside from Bull's height their is no canonical mention of height; these are calculations based on the measurements of the models I have or that people have provided me. Or in Solas's case, rough estimates based on the provided information and soda cans in this image.

If you want a breakdown of the methodology and math I put it under the cut.

To start off with, all conversions of the 1:4 scale is based on the assumption that Gaming Heads isn't rounding down (taking a 1.9 and saying 1) or up too much (taking a 1.3 and making it a 2). In either their conversion of scaling down or in the description of items.

This is also assuming they aren't skewing their scaling to force perspectives or achieve a certain look. I'm relying on the scaling being accurate and true to a 1:4 scale. As I'm not the modeler, the company producing it, or involved beyond a consumer I can't confirm that.

As for my math, I got my numbers from someone who has the figure. They said their base was under 2 inches, Bianca added 1.5 inches height to Varric, which amounts to 3.5 inches so knocking that off of 17 and we get 14.5, which is what we got for the model: 14.5 inches with his head down. Like you we rounded it up .5 inches to account for straightening his head which would bring him to 15 inches, which is how I got the 5'3.

I was using this calculator to double check my conversions and it panned out to 5'3.

In regards to your numbers, I will admit to being a little unsure if you're saying that the model is 14 inches and became 14.5 after you accounted for an upright head. But if his model is 14 inches prior and then 14.5 after the adjustment Varric would by the 1:4 scale be 4' 9.96" / 147.26 cm or if you round up in feet 4' 10 / 147.31cm. If the model is 14.5 before the adjustment, then you should have the same math as I do.

Either way, I'm not saying anyone has to adopt these figures or that they are solid canon by any means, not even Bull's height which is specified in canonical sources.

Far from that, I shared the calculations because I personally find them a bit more reliable (and amusing) than relying on game models. Especially based on cut scenes since they will sink or float models to achieve an aesthetic angle. BioWare only knows that Inquisitions models especially aren't on any consistent scale. As seen with Iron Bull's model, which isn't proportionally 8' tall along with the fact there are limitations of game modeling where most models are sharing the same body mesh and rig.

[moonsinkfoxgirl]

hi! i remember you once talked about being into gunpla and as a new gundam appreciator i have been thinking of buying a couple of kits but it all seems so intimidating? i dont really get the “grades” and idk if i should have some tools at home already or if i can just order the kit without needing extra tools? also im in europe too and i thought they would be super expensive but i found them for like €10 so im worried i am on a scammy website and idk how to tell 😭 (the website i found is called hlj.com btw idk). anyway sorry this is a lot i just feel very lost and intimidated maybe you have some advice on how to get started?

Uhhh.. as of right now I do not own a single gunpla yet. I ordered a couple but unfortunately I'm still waiting. In any case, I'll gladly answer your questions as far as I can:

Hobby Link Japan is legit, the reason the gunpla are cheap is that the company isn't based in Europe meaning you'll be the one to pay the import tax, so an HG model is around 10 euros; as opposed to e.g. if you buy from riseofgunpla.com, which is a french site, then you pay ~10 bucks extra but you will not have to worry about the shipping company charging you taxes plus a fee because they paid the taxes for you. I still think hlj comes out cheaper in total, but I'm not sure.

As for the grades, you probably want to start out with HG, which stands for High Grade, which is basically the standard tier: 1/144 scale (so ~13 cm tall, though of course the exact size depends on the exact model), and they cost around 1500 Yen (plus minus some depending on the exact model), which comes out at ~10 euros, plus whatever cut your international/european store wants to make their little profit on top.

Then there's:

SD (Super Deformed) which is for like chibi style ones with huge heads, they're also relatively cheap iirc.

RG (Real Grade) also 1/144, but more realistic and more expensive

MG (Master Grade) 1/100, which are bigger ~19cm, and cost ~double I think?

FM (Full Mechanics) also 1/100 but maybe slightly cheaper? and only for specific Gundam shows? I'm not sure tbh, they're not on the same list as I get my info from

PG (Perfect Grade) 1/60, ~30cm sized ones where you get to pay money in the triple digits

As for tools I heard you want a side cutter (ideally one made for modeling), some kind of box cutter or otherwise sharp knife (ideally one for modelling), and a pair of tweezers (for stickers). And maybe some fine sand paper, or files made for modeling. You can probably get that kind of stuff from any local shop that sells model kits (whether they sell gunpla or not). Or I think there's complete tool sets for that kind of stuff on amazon. I'm probably just gonna see if I can raid my dad's model train toolbox.

[peoally]

How PEOs Can Enhance Your Business: Top 10 PEO Companies & Best Recruitment Strategies

As companies grow, managing HR becomes complex, especially for small and mid-sized businesses. Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) help companies outsource essential HR functions such as payroll, employee benefits, recruitment, and onboarding processes. Let’s dive into the best PEO companies and how they streamline recruitment and onboarding for better workforce management.

Top PEO Companies for Efficient HR Management

Choosing the right PEO can significantly impact your HR operations. Some leading companies are:

ADP TotalSource — Known for excellent payroll and compliance solutions.

Insperity — Offers flexible pricing models and tailored HR services.

TriNet — Ideal for industry-specific HR needs.

Justworks — A simplified platform for small businesses.

CoAdvantage — Perfect for small-to-mid-sized businesses.

These Best PEO companies stand out for their customizable HR services, comprehensive employee benefits, and advanced tech platforms that simplify payroll, tax compliance, and risk management.

How PEOs Can Transform Recruitment and Onboarding

Recruiting the right talent and onboarding them efficiently is vital for any business’s growth. PEOs streamline these processes by offering:

Access to Large Talent Pools: PEOs have connections to multiple recruiting networks, making it easier for companies to find skilled employees.

Automated Onboarding: PEO platforms simplify paperwork and employee onboarding processes by automating document signing, payroll setup, and benefits enrollment, reducing errors and saving time.

Compliance and Legal Support: With ever-changing labor laws, PEOs ensure that your hiring practices are compliant, protecting your business from legal risks.

Employer Branding and Candidate Experience: A PEO enhances your brand image with structured onboarding, which improves employee engagement and retention.

Why Businesses Need PEO Support in Recruitment

The modern labor market is competitive, and retaining top talent requires an exceptional recruitment and onboarding process. Here’s why PEOs are crucial:

Scalability: PEOs help you scale your HR processes as your business grows, whether you’re hiring for one role or expanding a department.

Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing recruitment, companies reduce internal HR costs while maintaining high-quality hiring standards.

Focus on Core Business Functions: With the administrative burden lifted, you can focus on driving business growth rather than being bogged down by HR.

Final Thoughts

For Top 10 PEO companies looking to streamline HR processes and improve recruitment and onboarding, partnering with a PEO is a smart choice. Whether you opt for an established name like ADP TotalSource or a specialized service provider like TriNet, the right PEO can transform your workforce management, boost compliance, and create a seamless hiring experience.

Choosing the right PEO is a critical step toward building a more efficient, compliant, and engaged workforce.

If you’re considering partnering with a PEO or need more insights into how these organizations can support your business, explore PEOAlly for more information.

[jhonwales]

AI trends that can grow your business in 2024

In 2024 AI revolutionised all businesses & industries, Especially newly growing startups. According to Statista, the market size of AI in 2024 is going to be $184M. AI can transform the commerce world, improving customer engagement, streamlining operations, and even creating new business models. prepare yourself because AI will lead the business and create new opportunities in every field. Now, let's discuss some points that can transform the company in 2024: AI-driven automation, Advanced Data Analytics, AI in Customer Service, Personalization at Scale, AI Ethics and Governance, AI-powered security Enhancements, Improvements in Speech and Facial Identification, Edge AI, Generative AI & AI in Decision Making.

Read more - https://www.joomla2you.com/blog/top-10-ai-trends-that-will-transform-your-business-in-2024

[jenniferphilop0420]

Top 10 AI Development Companies 2024: Leaders Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it has seamlessly integrated into our lives, transforming industries like healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and more. Behind these advancements are the AI development companies that are creating cutting-edge AI solutions, AI models, and AI technologies to help businesses streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation. If you’re looking to tap into AI for your business, these companies offer AI development services to make it possible.

In this article, we'll spotlight the Top 10 AI development companies in 2024, including industry leaders and innovative startups making strides in AI development technology. Whether you're looking for AI development solutions or full-scale AI services, these companies have established themselves as front-runners in the field.

1. Shamla Tech – Your Partner in AI Innovation

A recognized name in the AI development world, Shamla Tech stands out for its comprehensive AI services, offering everything from custom AI models to robust AI solutions that cater to a wide variety of industries. With years of expertise in AI development technology, Shamla Tech is known for helping businesses leverage AI to automate processes, enhance decision-making, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Why Shamla Tech?

Customized AI Development Solutions: Shamla Tech develops bespoke AI systems to meet the unique needs of every business. Whether you need AI-powered chatbots or AI algorithms for predictive analysis, they deliver tailor-made AI development services.

End-to-End AI Services: Their expertise spans the entire AI development lifecycle, including data collection, model training, deployment, and maintenance.

AI-Powered Business Insights: Shamla Tech enables companies to extract valuable insights from their data through advanced AI analytics tools.

Key Focus Areas:

AI-powered automation for various industries

AI model training and optimization

Custom-built AI solutions for enterprises

2. OpenAI – Pioneering Generative AI

When it comes to groundbreaking AI development technology, OpenAI continues to lead with innovations like GPT-4, which has revolutionized the field of generative AI. The company focuses on developing advanced machine learning models that assist businesses in content generation, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Why OpenAI?

Advanced AI Models: OpenAI’s GPT series is renowned for generating human-like text, making it useful for chatbots, customer service, and content creation.

Cutting-Edge AI Technologies: From natural language processing (NLP) to machine learning algorithms, OpenAI remains at the forefront of AI innovations.

Flexible AI Solutions: They offer customizable AI solutions to various sectors, including e-commerce, education, and customer support.

3. Google DeepMind – AI for Scientific Breakthroughs

Known for its pioneering work in AI, particularly in healthcare and science, Google DeepMind pushes the boundaries of AI's potential. DeepMind’s AI models have been instrumental in solving complex scientific problems, like protein folding, which has far-reaching implications for drug discovery and medical research.

Why Google DeepMind?

AI for Healthcare: DeepMind uses AI development solutions to enhance medical diagnostics, particularly in fields like radiology and ophthalmology.

Scientific AI Models: Their innovations extend to biomedicine, physics, and chemistry, applying AI to some of the most complex scientific challenges.

AI for Gaming: DeepMind’s AI models, such as AlphaGo, have made headlines for their unprecedented success in games like Go and StarCraft.

4. IBM Watson – Enterprise AI Solutions

IBM Watson is one of the most comprehensive AI platforms available today, focusing on delivering AI development services for enterprises. Whether you're looking to integrate AI into your supply chain or customer service, IBM Watson provides customizable AI solutions that help businesses operate more efficiently.

Why IBM Watson?

Scalable AI Development: Watson's AI platform offers scalable solutions for enterprises, allowing them to grow their AI capabilities as their business needs evolve.

Industry-Specific AI Solutions: IBM Watson provides tailored AI technologies for healthcare, finance, and other sectors.

Data-Driven AI Models: Their AI models are designed to analyze large datasets, offering businesses actionable insights to improve their operations.

5. Microsoft Azure AI – Cloud-Powered AI

Microsoft Azure AI offers a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to build, deploy, and manage AI applications. Azure AI is especially known for its deep integration with Microsoft’s other enterprise tools, making it an excellent choice for companies already utilizing the Azure cloud ecosystem.

Why Microsoft Azure AI?

Seamless Cloud Integration: Azure AI integrates with Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, offering a smooth AI deployment process.

Comprehensive AI Services: From machine learning models to cognitive services like speech and vision, Azure AI covers a wide range of AI applications.

Enterprise-Grade AI Development: Azure AI is designed to meet the demands of large enterprises, providing secure, scalable, and reliable AI development technology.

6. Amazon Web Services (AWS) AI – AI in the Cloud

AWS AI provides powerful AI development solutions through its extensive cloud-based platform. Known for its robust infrastructure, AWS allows businesses to easily deploy and scale their AI initiatives using machine learning and natural language processing tools.

Why AWS AI?

AI-Powered Cloud Solutions: AWS AI integrates AI into cloud-based services, enabling businesses to process vast amounts of data seamlessly.

Advanced Machine Learning Models: AWS offers pre-trained machine learning models and customizable options for businesses looking to innovate using AI.

Wide Industry Reach: AWS AI provides solutions for a range of industries, including retail, healthcare, and logistics.

7. C3.ai – AI for Digital Transformation

C3.ai specializes in providing AI development services for digital transformation, focusing on industries like energy, manufacturing, and defense. Their AI solutions help companies optimize their operations, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions.

Why C3.ai?

AI for Enterprise: C3.ai provides AI-based enterprise applications that help large businesses improve efficiency and performance.

Industry-Specific AI Models: Their solutions are designed for high-impact industries, offering tailored AI models that address specific challenges.

Comprehensive AI Development Technology: C3.ai covers the entire AI development lifecycle, from data collection to model deployment.

8. DataRobot – Automated Machine Learning

DataRobot offers automated AI development solutions that allow businesses to deploy AI without needing in-depth data science expertise. Their platform provides AI models that are easy to integrate and scale, making AI accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Why DataRobot?

Automated AI: DataRobot simplifies the AI development process by automating much of the model-building process, making it easier for businesses to implement AI.

Pre-Built AI Models: Their platform offers a wide range of pre-built AI models that are ready for deployment.

AI for Decision Making: DataRobot’s AI solutions help businesses make smarter, data-driven decisions through predictive analytics.

9. H2O.ai – Open-Source AI Platform

H2O.ai is known for its open-source AI development technology, offering businesses the flexibility to customize and scale their AI projects. Their platform provides both pre-built AI models and tools for building custom AI solutions.

Why H2O.ai?

Open-Source Flexibility: H2O.ai allows businesses to access open-source AI tools, offering complete customization for AI development.

Fast Deployment: Their platform is designed for fast, efficient deployment of AI models, helping businesses innovate at speed.

AI for Financial Services: H2O.ai has been especially successful in the financial sector, offering AI models for fraud detection and risk management.

10. Narrative Science – AI for Data Storytelling

Narrative Science focuses on converting data into meaningful insights through AI-powered storytelling. Their AI development services help businesses transform complex data into easy-to-understand narratives, enabling better decision-making across the organization.

Why Narrative Science?

AI for Data Interpretation: Narrative Science specializes in creating AI models that generate natural language narratives from complex data sets.

Improved Decision Making: Their AI-powered insights help businesses make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

Customizable AI Solutions: Businesses can tailor Narrative Science’s AI solutions to meet their specific needs, whether for internal reports or customer-facing insights.

These top AI development companies of 2024 are leading the charge in revolutionizing industries with their advanced AI technologies, AI models, and innovative AI development solutions. Whether you're a startup looking to integrate AI into your product or an enterprise aiming for large-scale digital transformation, these companies provide the AI development services you need to stay competitive in a tech-driven world. Among these, Shamla Tech continues to stand out with its customized AI offerings, making it a top choice for businesses looking for specialized AI expertise.

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The Growing Market for Cloud ERP: Key Trends and Opportunities

The Cloud ERP Market is expected to grow from USD 44.6 billion in 2023-e at a CAGR of 11.2% to touch USD 93.8 billion by 2030. Cloud ERP refers to a suite of integrated applications hosted in the cloud that allow organizations to manage core business functions, including finance, supply chain, human resources, and customer relationship management. Unlike traditional ERP systems, which are installed and maintained on a company's physical servers, cloud ERP is hosted on the vendor's servers and accessed via the internet.

This model offers numerous advantages, including:

Lower Upfront Costs: Cloud ERP reduces the need for heavy upfront investment in hardware and IT infrastructure.

Faster Implementation: Deploying cloud ERP systems is typically faster and less complex than on-premise solutions.

Scalability: As business needs grow or change, cloud ERP platforms can easily scale without requiring significant changes to infrastructure.

Automatic Updates: Cloud ERP providers often deliver automatic updates, ensuring businesses always have access to the latest features and security protocols.

Accessibility: Cloud ERP allows employees to access the system from anywhere, enhancing remote work capabilities.

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These benefits have led to an increasing adoption of cloud ERP systems, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may not have the resources to manage complex on-premise ERP solutions.

Key Trends Driving Cloud ERP Market Growth

Several trends are contributing to the rapid expansion of the cloud ERP market:

Increased Demand for Remote Work Capabilities The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for remote work solutions, with businesses seeking tools that enable collaboration and productivity from any location. Cloud ERP systems provide the flexibility to manage business processes remotely, making them a vital component of modern business strategies.

Digital Transformation Initiatives Organizations across industries are embracing digital transformation to stay competitive. Cloud ERP systems are at the heart of this transformation, providing a unified platform for integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics. These technologies enable predictive decision-making, process automation, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Shift Towards Industry-Specific Solutions Vendors are increasingly offering industry-specific cloud ERP solutions tailored to the unique needs of sectors such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and finance. This specialization allows businesses to deploy ERP systems that address their specific operational challenges and regulatory requirements.

Focus on Cybersecurity As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, cybersecurity has become a top priority. Cloud ERP providers are enhancing their security features, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits, to ensure data integrity and compliance with global regulations.

SME Adoption Cloud ERP systems are particularly attractive to SMEs, which often lack the resources to implement and maintain complex on-premise ERP solutions. The subscription-based pricing model of cloud ERP allows smaller businesses to access enterprise-level technology without significant upfront costs.

Market Outlook and Opportunities

The global cloud ERP market is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, with analysts predicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 10% between 2023 and 2028. North America currently dominates the market, but regions such as Asia-Pacific and Europe are expected to see accelerated adoption due to increasing digitalization and government initiatives to support cloud adoption.

Industries such as manufacturing, retail, and healthcare are expected to be key drivers of this growth, as businesses in these sectors seek to optimize their operations, improve supply chain visibility, and enhance customer experiences.

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Challenges to Consider

Despite its numerous benefits, cloud ERP adoption is not without challenges. Some of the common concerns include:

Data Privacy and Compliance: Organizations operating in highly regulated industries must ensure their cloud ERP systems comply with strict data privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the U.S.

Integration with Legacy Systems: For businesses with existing legacy systems, integrating cloud ERP can be complex and time-consuming.

Change Management: Implementing cloud ERP requires significant changes to business processes and employee workflows, which can be met with resistance if not properly managed.

Conclusion

The cloud ERP market is poised for robust growth as businesses increasingly recognize the value of modernizing their operations with cloud-based solutions. With trends such as remote work, digital transformation, and industry-specific solutions driving demand, organizations have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the benefits of cloud ERP. However, businesses must carefully consider their specific needs, regulatory requirements, and change management strategies to ensure a successful ERP implementation.

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No one is safe: Israel’s actions in Lebanon as a new kind of global threat

Israel has been preparing an operation in Lebanon for a long time, for which a front company in Europe was set up to produce explosive pagers, The New York Times reported, citing sources.

The company in question is Hungarian BAC Consulting, which posed as an international company and contracted Taiwanese Gold Apollo to assemble the devices. It is alleged that the company was supposedly “part of the Israeli front.” At least two other shell companies were set up to hide the involvement of Israeli intelligence.

BAC produced conventional pagers for all customers except Hezbollah. The gadgets supplied to Lebanon contained batteries packed with explosives, the paper’s interlocutors said. The pagers began entering Lebanon in the summer of 2022 in small batches, but production ramped up after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said mobile phones were insecure and banned them from the group’s meetings.

US intelligence officials said thousands of pagers were shipped into the country and distributed to Hezbollah fighters and allies. To make the devices detonate, Israel sent a message to them in Arabic that purported to be from the group’s top leadership.

Wireless communication devices and other electronics have exploded en masse twice in Lebanon in the past two days. The first series of explosions occurred on September 17 – pagers detonated across the country. Twelve people died and more than 4,000 were injured.

The second wave of explosions happened on September 18. Radios and other electronic devices detonated in different parts of Lebanon. At least 20 people died, including nine Hezbollah fighters. More than 450 people were injured.

Production of the radios that exploded in Lebanon ended a decade ago

The radios that exploded in Lebanon were taken out of production more than 10 years ago, Japanese walkie-talkie maker Icom said.

The radios were taken out of production about 10 years ago and have not been supplied by the company since then, the company shared details, commenting on the situation with the spontaneous detonation of the IC -V82 model radios.

According to Icom, the company has long stopped producing batteries that power the main unit of the radios. In addition, the exploded devices did not have a holographic seal, which is necessary to distinguish original products from counterfeit ones, so it is impossible to confirm the dispatch of those particular radios by the company, the company summarised.

Netanyahu and Gallant will launch a full-scale war against Lebanon

Israel’s military cabinet has given the green light to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to launch a full-scale offensive operation.

Tel Aviv’s readiness to launch a large-scale military operation was reported by Israel’s Channel 12. Given the IDF’s plans, this involves a fairly long stretch of the “northern territories”, which are actually the southern part of Lebanon, where a “buffer zone” is to be created.

Israel is shifting the focus of hostilities to the north

Gallant announced the beginning of a new stage of the war and the transfer of part of the military forces from the Gaza Strip to the north, where the country borders Lebanon. Israeli Netanyahu promised to return the residents of the north to their homes. The day before, an Israeli division was moved from the Gaza Strip to the north. Mr. Gallant told soldiers at the Ramat David airbase, according to The Times of Israel:

The center of gravity is moving north. We are diverting forces, resources, and energy toward the north…We have not forgotten the hostages and we have not forgotten our tasks in the south. This is our duty and we are performing it at the same time.

According to the defence minister, the military’s goal in the north is “simple and clear”: the safe return of residents. Benjamin Netanyahu also said in an address to Israelis:

I have already said, we will return the residents of the north to their homes safely. And that is exactly what we will do.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff approved defence and offensive plans for the northern front.

There were three IDF divisions in the Gaza Strip – the 98th, 162nd and 252nd. On September 18, it became known that the 98th Division would be moved to the north. The decision was taken after numerous pager and electronics bombings in Lebanon, for which Lebanese Hezbollah blamed Israel and threatened to retaliate.

South Africa has documents on the facts of genocide by Israel

South Africa is ready to hand over documents to the ICC on the facts of genocide in the Gaza Strip on the part of Israel, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a conversation with journalists.

African President also noted:

We are persistently investigating these cases and we are going to present our facts and evidence to the International Court of Justice next month.

Israel’s “shift of attention” judging by the pager blasts, etc. was planned in advance. At the same time, the US and Europe are not making any statement about Israel’s use of de facto terrorist methods when thousands of civilians have been affected by the device blasts.

Meanwhile, only individual politicians have voiced their opinions on the blasts. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI) wrote on X:

If there is anyone left in power in France who respects our country’s historical commitments, it’s time to take action to prevent Netanyahu from invading Lebanon! What is the prime minister doing? Where is the president?

Mélenchon also added:

EU countries allow genocide in Gaza. They allow aggression in Lebanon. They allow Netanyahu to mine European industries to kill their users. Is the European Union at war with Netanyahu?

The pager blasts could be the first salvo of Israel’s long military campaign against Lebanon’s Hezbollah or the latest covert operation against Iran’s allies, military analysts said. It is also possible that the Israelis initiated the operation because there was a time limit on how long it could go undetected. The pager bombings could have been important in restoring the reputation of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, badly tarnished by the failures surrounding the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Exploding devices in Lebanon and the possibility of mass production of such “weapons” takes terrorism to a new level. It is a global threat to all countries; international institutions must develop measures against such crimes. Otherwise, no one can feel safe.

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