#also in pharmaceuticals briefly

[nickala]

"To our knowledge, no previous studies have measured metals in tampons."

This is the sticking point for me, and this is absolutely what we should be talking about. No previous studies? Really??? This isn't the standard for whatever QA/QC department that measures this stuff before releasing manufacture batches to the public?

Demand better standards for menstrual products.

This should not be a first-of-its-kind study with a tiny sample size! This should be what the manufacturers are required by law to test for before their product can go on shelves! Public health organizations need to set a maximum PPB level!

this post is fearmongering. the results of this study are concerning and should definitely be a matter of public discussion, but this is certainly not the conclusion the researchers came to.

the point of the study was to assess the risks of exposure to toxic metals- something one of the co-authors notes are “ubiquitous” fwiw- via menstrual products. Their research confirmed that these metals are indeed present in tampons, but no further conclusions are drawn. it is possible the metal entered into the cotton from the soil, which is a well-known phenomenon; cotton is so good at lifting heavy metals that it has actually been suggested as a part of the solution for revitalizing polluted ground.

the authors conclude with an acknowledgement that the study should be repeated- their sample size was 60 tampons- and a suggestion that further testing ought to be done to indicate whether or not these metals can even leech out of the tampon in the first place, let alone whether or not such leeching could occur at levels deleterious to human health.

there is, in fact, a body of research- too small, for sure, but much larger than this single study- indicating that long-term proper tampon use has no observable negative impact on health. i am grateful and thrilled that more research is being done and i hope that this study is the first of many on this line of questioning, but i am really frustrated at this post and the response it got.

obviously, if this study alters your approach to menstrual health, more power to you. consumers should be informed-risk-takers, and menstrual health is double-obviously a very personal choice. but it definitely wasn't the researchers concluding that you ought to “avoid using tampons at all cost," only this tumblr user did. the lead author of the paper, in fact, specifically says that she hopes people do NOT panic about the results.

(the notes of the post were disappointing. people affirming that they knew they were right to be suspicious of tampons all along, or even recommending alternatives that actually have very little to no research regarding the safety of long-term use, etc. it’s a different conversation, but categorical distrust of tampons is old-school misogyny. you certainly shouldn't wear them if you don’t want to, but there is nothing inherently scary or wrong about them, and people who prefer them are not being reckless or crass.)

((if you're really worried about exposure to heavy metals, you may want to turn a critical eye to fast fashion, as an aside))

[fbfh]

Tristin Dugray lore hcs

wc: 1k

warnings: mentions of broken/dysfunctional families, tristin's siblings both have drug problems, mentions of sexism and abortion (v briefly), mentions of cheating (also v briefly), tristin is not super close with his siblings, brief mention of DUIs (not tristin), I think that's it??

summary: lore on Tristin's family whipped up in my little plastic play kitchen by yours truly lol

a/n: I MISS HIM!!!! I SAW SOME GIFS THAT MADE ME SALIVATE!!!!! also!! in case it wasn't obvious the Dugray family is based on the real life Dupont family, just like how the Huntzbergers are based on the Sulzbergers

song recs: family jewels - Marina (ouch!), be here - palaye royale, everything is romantic - charli xcx

The Dugray family have made their fortune as far back as the American revolution, starting with immigrating to America and manufacturing gunpowder for the American soldiers

This eventually led to the Dugray family owning one of the largest and most established chemical manufacturing corporations in America, DuGray

They invented a number of household names like pyrex, teflon, styrofoam, and even superglue, and also make ppe for people who work with or around chemicals

A while back, they also acquired two bank chains on the east coast, one of which is for east coast businesses, and the other is expanding slowly across america. 

The Dugray family’s net worth is roughly 18.6 billion. I know. 

Also, the Huntzberger family’s net worth is roughly 21.7 billion. I know.

Tristin mentions at one point that he has a “matching set” of baggage with Paris, and we know Paris’s parents are not at all close to her, or each other

We also know that her father is the head of a pharmaceutical company, and when her parents divorced it was in the newspaper

So yikes!

Anyway the only family mentioned by name is Janlon Dugrey, his paternal grandfather (I’m assuming if Janlon was his mom’s dad he would have a different last name yk)

So OBVIOUSLY I had to flesh things out a little 

Looking at this family tree I made a while ago, Tristin has two older siblings: his oldest brother Royce, and his older sister and middle sibling Sutton

They’re both a bit older than Tristin, since his mom is their dad’s second wife

Truett DuGrey married Helena Holshire and had Royce, then Sutton

They divorced when Royce was around 7 and Sutton was almost 5 because Helena suspected Truett of cheating, and Truett suspected Helena of being a gold digger

Both were true

A couple years later, Truett is introduced to Blythe Ross while working on publicity for the banks his family as acquired 

Blythe and Truett didn’t necessarily get along, but she could handle him better than most other women he’s met 

They were actually introduced through Mitchum Huntzberger and his wife Shira, because Shira and Blythe are sisters

Surprise!

So Blythe gets pregnant and Truett can feel another Helena gold digger situation coming

That’s when Blythe tells him she can’t go to his work event because she has to go to a clinic

Truett stops in his tracks and realizes three things at the same time

Blythe is not in fact using a pregnancy to try and get access to his money

He loves his son Royce as much as he’s able to, but he’s already becoming apathetic and Truett can’t pass over the family business to someone with no drive or ambition

Royce is 10 by the way

Lastly, he realizes that this might actually be beneficial to him

So he convinces Blythe not to get an abortion and to elope instead

Once she gets her body back after the baby they’ll stage some wedding photos and claim it was from a little over a year ago so no one knows he had the baby out of wedlock

When she’s 18 weeks along, he schedules a private ultrasound to find out the baby’s gender

He tells her that if it’s a boy, everything will be fine

If it’s a girl, he’ll serve her annulment papers and nice fat alimony and child support checks to keep both of them out of his life

Blythe isn’t sure if she’s relieved or not when the doctors announce they’re going to be having a healthy baby boy, but Truett sure is

So he grows up watching his burnt out older brother and back bone of the family older sister navigate middle school and high school when he’s barely starting kindergarten

They don’t have any harsh feelings toward Tristin

Not really

They were just never that close yk

It’s like the pilot of umbrella academy, “we only see each other at weddings and funerals”

Except really, they only see each other when Truett forces them into whatever is going on with the family business, or to bail each other out of trouble

Royce is just waiting for his trust fund to kick in so he can fuck off and smoke weed in peace

Sutton is desperately trying to keep her image and life together while hiding her nicotine dependency and steadily growing pill problem from the public eye

And Tristin just wants to fucking feel something

His mom has been in and out of “med spas” and “wellness retreats” for so long he wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t recognize him, and the only time he and his dad talk is when he’s making charges go away

Sutton is engaged to this guy Clint

And he’s fine or whatever, Tristin hasn’t really talked to him much before

But he’s keeping his ear to the ground to make sure he treats his sister right

Sure Sutton can be condescending and a total control freak and act more like a mom than his actual mom

But she’s still his sister

So Sutton’s been off planning this huge wedding and trying to start some lifestyle brand for luxury dog beds and organic phone cases or something

Royce barely managed to keep his latest DUI for driving stoned under wraps but Truett still found out and sent him off to rehab

So Tristin starts high school at Chilton feeling almost lonelier than ever

Tristin aches for consistency, for stability

Thanks to Duncan and Bowman he sort of has that

And people like Paris that he’s literally been in school with since he can remember

It’s not that they’re particularly close, but he just likes that she’s always around when he’s going to and from class

There’s a few other people like that too, loose acquaintances that haven’t dropped out or transferred

They make him feel like even if everything else has gone to shit, he still has his winning personality

And he still has Chilton

[neuroticreno]

Big fan of your hc about Myron being a vault city citizen, do you wanna share more on it? No biggie if you don't wanna!

you have no idea the beast you have unleashed, anon.

ALRIGHT FAIR WARNING HERE it is. an extremely lengthy explanation and i've been meaning to share it here anyhow :] take this doodle of him as well for a little extra

As a preface, this headcanon is entirely for funsies (and autism). Some bits may seem like a stretch of the imagination, but it's fun to give him some kind of backstory, so take it all as you will.

I use dialogue from Myron's talking head segments, as well as the floating dialogue seen when Myron is in active combat (how canonical the combat dialogue is may be up for debate, but for the sake of this…essay? we'll say it's true).

To start, let us briefly examine Myron's character. Notably, the parts that relate most to this essay.

Myron is intelligent. To give him credit where credit is due, he is smart and thoroughly understands the subjects that he talks about. The people around him know this as well, and remark on it too (mostly at how wasted his potential is). He cares little for the well-being of others, especially slaves, whom he views as objects, and mutants are worth even less to him. He also has a very high opinion of himself, often referring to himself in the third person and boasting about his intellectual capabilities (calling himself a genius, a God, etc. etc).

So, we know he has not lived in New Reno for his entire life, only being there roughly a year or so. As he puts it, he came across the Mordino's way back when, so where was he before that? Just wandering the wastes? Or perhaps coming from another settlement?

Myron, compared to any other companion in the game, mentions Vault City quite a bit. Even more than John Cassidy, who has been tending to a bar outside the Vault City walls for a presumably long time. Though he shares the same distaste that many others do for the city, he also possesses what feels like insider's knowledge that the average wastelander would not have.

A lot of this knowledge presents itself when Myron's intelligence is threatened. If the Chosen One is smart enough, they can engage in a dialogue with Myron and demonstrate to him just how much they know about Jet and its chemical compounds. He will snip at the Chosen One for asking too many questions and interrogate them, asking where they learned all of this stuff anyway. Their understanding of pharmaceuticals is on a similar level to his own, which he may take as them learning it from the same place. Makes sense, considering during combat, Myron will mention he has not been in a fight since the fifth grade. Nowhere else in the game beyond a stray tombstone in Golgotha is any school mentioned or found. One can assume that Vault City would be the only settlement nearby with an established education system, thus reinforcing his belief.

Should the Chosen One pry him about a cure for Jet and suggest endorphin blockers, when asked where they could find such a thing, Myron will suggest Vault City first. He explains they have a 'pretty good' medical warehouse, and laughs when they want to try it as an option, saying they would have more luck getting a radscorpion to part with its tail than getting Vault City to give up anything. The city is widely known for its medical advancements, but Myron could have more of an idea of just how extensive their medical know-how is, having experienced it firsthand. Myron also proclaims that he is a 'natural', 'self-taught', and possesses 'none of that bullshit Vault City 'purer-than-thou' 'tude', which is funny since he spouts off his own 'purer-than-thou' 'tude every time he opens his mouth. Of course, he may have some level of natural intellect, but the rest of it likely stems from an education.

He also remarks that the citizens are a 'Buncha "genetically pure" humans. They got their noses so high in the air they'll drown when it rains'. Again, pretty humorous regarding his own high-and-mighty sense of self.

We can look at his propensity to look down upon slaves/servants. In Vault City, slaves are integrated enough into society to call for a Servant Allocation Center. Where citizens regard them with little to no respect, Myron, having grown up in Vault City, likely followed that ideology, too. The city's negative view of mutants could also explain his own distaste for them.

Myron also makes a lot of Dungeons and Dragons references, which is really just a funny haha 90s pop culture thing at the end of it, but it is fun to imagine that, at some point, he might have had his own little group when he was younger. This bit is just speculation for the sake of entertainment.

All of this raises more questions though; why did he leave? How did he leave? And how did he make it to New Reno without dying on the way there?

As for why he left, we know that Myron does not appreciate being hindered or being told what to do. Working for the Mordino's, he will complain that they only want him to focus on Jet when he wants to make new drugs instead. He complains as well about the lack of respect, so he could have left Vault City for similar reasons. Perhaps his talents were recognized, and he was allowed to experiment more in the field of chemistry. However, Myron could have found Vault City's restrictions less than ideal, giving him the incentive to leave and find somewhere with more creative freedom (he can leave New Reno for the same reasons, anyhow).

How he left and how he got to New Reno is difficult to explain. Myron has virtually no survival skills, and it is a considerable distance from Vault City to New Reno. Hitched a ride with a caravan, maybe? Him managing to escape a settlement covered in laser turrets and guards is also unlikely, but perhaps there was some kind of weakness he was smart enough to exploit and slip through.

Any additional thoughts on this bit would be appreciated :]

[heyiwrotesomethings]

hey can we get a part 4 on Crash

angst to tooth rotting fluff

in case you need ideas :

shinobu tell her back story

reader tells theirs

or they tell each other something that happend during mission

Crash Prt IV: Comfort

Shinobu Kochou x They/ Them Reader

A/N: PrtIII I always go re-read previous parts when people ask for sequels and I noticed that they kind of already had a bit of a sharing of backstories in the previous part so I kind of went the mission route. Hope you can find something to like about this, thank you for reading! Word Count: 1,641

Shinobu noticed something was off after she had read the latest letter from (Y/n). Not only had it come a few days later than it usually would, but the words were also lacking their usual cheer and the letter itself was a bit shorter than what was normal for their usual correspondences. It was hard not being able to see each other. Sometimes for weeks at a time.

Being Hashira, they had little free time and even when they did, that free time almost never seemed to coincide. They would still come to visit the other if they weren’t downright exhausted, but since the other had to work, they still weren’t getting the quality time they both desired.

Shinobu briefly sat back in her chair. If she remembered correctly, (Y/n) should be scheduled for a period of rest soon. She leaned back over her desk and retrieved a fresh piece of stationary and began penning a response, inviting (Y/n) to rest within the Butterfly Mansion. Even though Shinobu found herself with more work than usual, it would be nice to at least be in proximity of her beloved. A sentiment she was sure (Y/n) could agree with.

She rolled the letter up and secured it with En. She made sure to thank her crow and promise her extra seed when she returned, noticing how the usually content bird looked a bit ruffled having to leave (Y/n)’s crow, Unmei, so soon when they had only just arrived from their long flight. Having been spending more time together themselves, the crows had become quite the couple as well. Literal love birds; It was rather sweet.

If all went well, they would all have a good three or four days together within the mansion.

Shinobu was surprised to see En return with a response early the next morning, showing yet again that she was one of the fastest Kasugai Crows in the corps. She plopped the letter in Shinobu’s lap and promptly went to roost with Unmei until the other crow had to return to (Y/n).

Shinobu opened the letter, finding the same lack of cheer as the previous message, but at least they had agreed to come and had expressed that they were looking forward to seeing everyone. The poor slayer must have been really going through it as of late. Hopefully a little time off would help them perk right back up.

***

On the morning that (Y/n) arrived, Shinobu was much too busy to greet them right away. She assumed it was fine since she knew the other girls were more than qualified to help (Y/n) settle in as they had done a handful of times before. (Y/n) would probably be exhausted and want to sleep anyway, so she didn’t think too much about it until they came knocking at her laboratory door.

“(Y/n), good morning love. It’s so good to see you. I would have thought you would want to nap.” Shinobu could afford a brief pause in her work at that moment, so she looped around the table to greet (Y/n) with a quick peck on the lips and what was supposed to be a brief hug, but (Y/n) kept her close even after she moved to let go.

“I just really wanted to see you. Is it all right if I hang out in here with you?“

“I suppose that will be fine. As long as you promise not to distract me,” Shinobu teased. “There is much to be done.”

(Y/n) managed a half smile, “I’ll try to stay out of your way.”

That was a bit strange… but Shinobu chalked it up to them being tired from their trip. She gave them another quick peck and cleared a small spot at the table for them before diving right back into her pharmaceuticals. An influx of patients had really put a dent in their supply, so Shinobu had been working overtime to restore it, one drug at a time.

(Y/n) silently watched Shinobu work, slowly slumping over in their seat until their head was resting on their arms over the table. Their eyes dropped shut and their breathing slowed. Shinobu’s eyes flickered to them briefly and she smiled to herself while she continued to grind some dried sage into a fine powder.

It was some point after she started measuring the powder that (Y/n) started to become restless, a sudden sob pushing past their lips startled Shinobu and made her knock over the measured powders over the table. She was not annoyed in the slightest however, she was much more worried about whatever nightmare was plaguing her beloved’s mind.

“(Y/n), darling, it’s only a dream,” she soothed, stepping over to their hunched and quaking form in hopes of waking them before they could experience anymore sorrow, “come back to me, wake up.”

Shinobu looped an arm around the and used the other to lightly scrape her fingers up and down their back. Her cheek rested high between their shoulders blades, but she quickly had to readjust when (Y/n) jolted in their seat, back now pin straight. Even so, they still weren’t quite awake yet.

“(Y/n),” Shinobu called their name more sternly now, hoping to bring them back sooner, “wake up!”

She then noticed (Y/n)’s eyes focus on her, and after a tense moment, they slumped back against the table, exhausted and breathing just a bit erratically.

“I’m sorry.” They croaked.

“Shhh, just breathe for a minute. You’ve done nothing wrong.” But the sentiment only seemed to make (Y/n) feel worse, their back trembled violently beneath Shinobu’s hand.

Shinobu coaxed them to breathe between light touches and after a time, (Y/n) quieted. With tender care, Shinobu lifted (Y/n)’s head and dabbed at the corners of their eyes with the sleeve of her haori before cupping their cheek with the palm of her hand, skimming her thumb over their damp skin.

“Are you going to be alright? That must have been an awful nightmare. Poor dear, you’re still shaking.” She shrugged off her haori all together to give them an extra layer. “It was only a dream, let the feeling pass.”

“But it wasn’t just a dream.” (Y/n) whispered, “Those people really died because I didn’t get there in time.”

“We can only do so much, my love. You did the best you could. At the end of the night, that’s all any of us can say.”

“They were newly weds. They looked like us.”

Shinobu pulled them in to rest their head against her chest, stroking the back of their head, they continued speaking after a moment.

“There was nothing I could do but lay them together in their final moments, help them hold each other’s hand. They were too weak to even speak, they just, stared at each other until they were… gone.”

“I’m sorry, darling. You did help them stay together in the end. I’m sure putting them next to each other in those last moments meant more to them than you will ever know.”

Shinobu held (Y/n) until they pulled away on their own. Their eyes caught the mess of powder on the table, but Shinobu was quick to bring their attention back to her.

“It was only an accident and wasn’t even your fault. Don’t worry, I have plenty more.”

“Still…”

“No.” Shinobu tapped the bridge of their nose, then kissed it for good measure, “How about we take tea in my room?”

“You don’t have to let your work suffer because of me. I’ll be fine.”

“You are my priority as well. Kanao and Aoi are plenty capable of doing this task and will probably be happy to do it just to make me step away from the lab for a bit. The only thing suffering right now is you, and I cannot have that,” another kiss and a gentle tug of their hand, “come with me now.”

(Y/n) squeezed Shinobu’s offered hand, grateful for the warmth and the unique feeling of those lotion smoothed calluses. They could hold her hand forever if she’d let them.

“Okay.”

They saw Sumi, Kiyo and Naho in the hall as they left the lab and they were eager to lend their assistance. One went off to make tea, one to get Kanao, and another to get Aoi to help with the medicine demands while Shinobu took a short break.

It didn’t take long for (Y/n) and Shinobu to be cuddled up in front of Fugu’s tank, watching the fish lazily swim about while they sipped the relaxing tea brew Sumi had whipped up with some help from Aoi.

“I wish it could be like this all of the time,” (Y/n) murmured behind the rim of their cup, “I wish I could be with you every day, that demons didn’t exists and we could just live like normal people.”

“We will just have to make the most of the time we do spend together. Just as anyone else. No one truly knows how much time they have. Even if demons were out of the question, there are many other factors at play,” she leaned back from her position sat between (Y/n)’s legs and let her head rest against their chest, “No matter what we may face, every second I get to spend with you is a victory. I feel like I’m really getting away with something when I get to be with you like this.”

(Y/n) put their empty cup back on the table so they could hug Shinobu closer to their front and hide their face against her neck. They took a moment to burn the feeling into their brain, the comfort of Shinobu’s bedroom, the wisteria scent that clung to her, and how her fingers ran over their own. They really were getting away with something special, weren’t they?

“I love you.”

“And I love you.”

[bodybeyondstories]

dicks keep growing around me - 7 (Myron)

Ty hatches a plan to make some extra spicy content using Myron's ability. Myron begrudges after some self-reflection, and things tumble further than either of them expect.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Previous) | 8 (Next)

male TF // growth // dick growth // butt growth // nsfw

4478 words

(This is now the longest running series and I have two more DKGAM chapters that I started developing as I was writing this one. Might be settling back into a writing mood, so that's cool. Also I've just really been enjoying sitting with these characters)

---

[Me: It’s not that I’m opposed to it]

[Ty: But you’re not *not* opposed to it]

[Me: I’m ruminating on the situation]

[Ty: Ok! We love to ruminate!]

[Me: It’s just risky…]

[Ty: What could possibly go wrong?]

I briefly considered the laundry list of mishaps and mayhem that had consistently been falling into my life, baffled by the thought that Ty’s superdick ripping through their pants and coating their car in jizz had somehow not scared them away from me in perpetuity. They could barely keep the baseball bat swinging between their legs under wraps and were by whatever tiny miracle cool with that.

[Ty: ok actually don’t answer that. We’ll be careful this time!]

[Me: Is careful in the room with us now?]

[Ty: Just once. We recreate my l'il episode in the locker room, but with some rippage. Just enough to wow the viewers. That's it!]

[Me: You mean when you got all up in my underwear and almost ruined your own 🤨]

[Ty: Exactly 😙! But this will be more of a controlled scenario. ‘Dicks keep growing around me,’ in your words. They'll eat this up.]

I never should’ve uttered that phrase. I sat curled on the couch and levied an exasperated sigh at my phone. It's always some sort of antic with this one. I thought that inadvertently turning us into medical mysteries verging on freaks of nature would temper my former roommate’s exhibitionist imagination, but they were doing a great job of rolling with the punches–much better than poor Miguel and his window washing beau. But Ty seemed to thrive with the mammoth appendage springing from their groin, and it was their body to do what they felt like. And I do like to help my friends, even if in my own unique way.

I rested a hand on my hip, contemplating how far we would take these shenanigans before whatever this mysterious power was tapped out or we ended up in some government facility or pharmaceutical lab. I'd like to spend time around the people I care about without them growing uncontrollable donkey dicks. Even if they didn't seem to care all that much. I caressed the curvature of my backside, cheeks stretched taut over a layer of fat padding powerful muscle. These days, I felt like I could lift anything with only moderate effort. It was actually making my workouts more difficult, I was having to get creative just to maintain progressive overload. Some of the more serious guys at the gym have been trying to get me into powerlifting, even amateur competitions, but I’m mildly afraid of where that might lead. And I don’t need even more attention.  

I felt a tremble in my glutes as the muscles seemingly flexed in disagreement. I'd been feeling these small twitches more often lately, deep in the muscle. I was worried I'd been overtraining. Maybe I should slow down on leg day, I thought, then immediately banished the idea. I guess, like Ty, I had started to grow accustomed to the spotlight on my dump truck whenever I was in public. I even got a kick out of the furtive glances and comical double takes. My hands were always resting on my round cheeks, letting me steal small squeezes here and there, especially when I was trying to think through something, and cared less and less who saw me feeling myself up. With this ass, who could blame me?

I glanced back at the mound of my oversized posterior making a permanent taking up space on the couch. I couldn’t help but wonder how far all this would go, reflecting on a recurring anxious daydream of a future in which the plush couch was gone entirely and I simply had beanbag size butt cheeks to relax into. I had convinced myself that we’d figure all this out long before things got that far. And if Ty was right about one thing, it’s that these changes were kind of fun. And it’s not like anything all that bad had happened. So far.

—

7…8…9…

I gritted my teeth as I tried for a tenth hip thrust. The plates clanged heavy against the ground as I failed, my butt falling back to the floor in resignation. I breathed a sigh of relief at being done with my last set, my glutes burning in satisfaction. Again that annoying twitch, stronger this time. 

At least these shorts held up, I thought,  leaning my head back. It was a quiet morning at the gym, meaning I could unapologetically load up the bar with several plates on each side, enough to really get a pump going. I needed to work up a sweat for Ty's little experiment later, which I had begrudged when they finally wore me down by promising to get a few pairs of super supportive, ultra stretchy gym shorts from the athletic line of the brand sponsoring them. All I had to do was go through my normal routine, hand them off in the locker room, and film the short scene with Ty before any unsuspecting person wandered through.

“Myron, right?” came a question from somewhere above and behind.

I swiveled my head around towards that voice, looking up to see someone silhouetted against the overhead lights. I couldn't quite make out their face, but I'd recognize that figure from a mile away.

“Winston?”

“Yeah, you remember,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Um, sorry if this is awkward, but I saw you from across the floor and I just had to know where you got those…”

“Shorts?” I interjected, a beaming smile appearing on my face. 

“Yeah! I've ripped through just about every pair I have, it's kind of becoming a problem. You know how it is.” We nodded in commiseration. “I could send you the link for these, if you want?” I said as I extracted myself from under the loaded bar and regained my footing, trying to casually pull the thin fabric to cover more of my thighs (to no avail). This current pair looked painted on and kept riding up my legs, making my ass look somehow even more bubbled, but they were solid. At least for the time being. “I’m pretty satisfied so far, and I think we’re probably the same size.”

“No, I think you might have me beat,” said Winston, eyeing me up with an appreciative smile. “Are you a trainer? I need to know your routine.”

I was taken aback. Winston looked like he had just stepped out of a fitness magazine. His stringer tank top hung from the peaks of his traps and flowed delectably over his torso, leaving his juicy pecs, biceps, and boulder shoulders exposed to the air, nipples peeking out playfully whenever he moved, the light catching the glisten of sweat in just the right way along his deep brown skin. His thin joggers ended at calf height, doing nothing to hide his tree trunk quads and of course, the wildly disproportionate globes of his glutes, stretching the otherwise loose sweats tight across the mathematically elegant curvature of muscle that made up his backside. His body was a work of art. And he wanted fitness advice from me?

I turned to the mirror. Maybe it was the way my shorts were riding up or maybe a trick of the light, but it did look like my perky bubble butt had surpassed his, evolving into an amazonian ass since we’d last met.

“Um, sure,” I stammered. “Yeah, let me give you my number, we could train together sometime. Miguel will get a kick out of this,” I added with a nervous chuckle, handing him my phone.

“Well he definitely has a type.” He winked as he put his info in and shot himself a text.

—

I left Winston with the comically overloaded barbell to get his leg workout going and headed to the locker room. Ty was standing in one of the aisles, leaning against a wall of lockers with arms crossed, looking unusually impatient.

“Time is of the essence,” they snapped. “We're about to hit the midday rush.”

“Oh am I holding up your little workday excursion?” I quipped, working my fingers under the waistband of my shorts. It was struggle enough to get them on, but with a serious glute pump, it was a lost cause. I meticulously peeled them down the top half of my ass cheeks until they simply wouldn't budge against the hemispheres of my posterior. Ty, seeing my frustration, intervened, locking their thumbs in and pushing down as the elastic approached catastrophic failure, eventually resorting to palming each cheek with one of their dinner plate sized hands.

“You sure you don't want to make some content of your own?” they asked, grunting with the effort. “You would do numbers.”

With my gym shorts finally off (with no shortage of curses, prayers, and geometric strategizing), I whipped my underwear towards Ty's face. They caught them in their nimble fingers, appearing to hold the reinforced bikini briefs with reverence. They closed their eyes and let their nose dance delicately above them like a sommelier of magic musk.

“Is it that serious?” I asked.

“You have no idea,” they answered. “But let's save all that for when the camera's rolling.” They whipped off their work shirt and track pants and positioned themself on the bench facing the camera in nothing but their underwear, their long legs splayed to either side. Their massive fabric encased member rested on the bench, thrust forward slightly as they leaned back, indulging in another strong whiff of my underwear.

I had long known Ty made fetish content, but I had never actually seen them in action. They had crafted a compelling character. Laid back stoner with gravelly, sultry undertones. They reel you in with a dopey demeanor and cute asides, their eyes dancing casually around the mise en scene as if there was something vaguely interesting just off screen, before cutting directly to the camera with startling intensity. I watched my recently used underwear tangle between their fingers as they brought them up to their face and inhaled deeply, their eyes fluttering with a full body shudder. This looked genuine. They bit their lip as they dug into the sweat soaked fabric, their face a contortion of pleasure and pain. With their shirt off you could see their core flexing in involuntary waves, becoming stronger and stronger as beads of sweat formed on their brow. Eventually they began to shudder across their entire form, lean muscles brought into stark relief as they curled forward and stood up to their full height, staring down at the camera as they blocked one of the overhead lights to create an accidental dramatic effect. This was getting serious. They rested their hands on the tops of the lockers for support as they became slightly off balance, a brief look of confusion as their dick lurched further, small tears appearing in the fabric of their overstressed pouch, shudders becoming rolling muscle contractions across their slim, lanky physique.

They struck an imposing figure with their full wingspan splayed across the tops of the lockers on either side. How had I forgotten how tall they’d grown? Their fingers curled against the metal, head drooping down more and more frequently to the commotion coming from their groin. Their breathing became heavier and more urgent as their dick pushed against its confines, already testing the limits of its pouch as it began to visibly engorge.

It was obvious that the pouch was comically, woefully huge, literally unbelievable if you hadn't already seen the beast visibly pulsing against the fabric as if in sync with their heartbeat, eyes and lips creased with discomfort.

“I think it's…happening…again,” they muttered, looking down at their overpacked crotch with a mask of worry. I couldn't tell how much of this was an act for the video and how much was real. I don't think I cared. The pouch was inflating with the pressure of Ty’s growth, stretching the fabric to the limit as it grew larger and larger, slowly revealing their pubes as the waistband was pulled downward. 

I was captivated, my heart pounding with the knowledge of what was happening in that pouch, turned on by the prospect of our all too real fantasy content production suddenly being discovered by some unsuspecting civilian. I thought of Miguel. Saw his self-conscious worry in the set of my friend's face, wondered if his own expanding member would reach a similar point that could only conservatively be described as colossal. My hole twitched at the thought.

“Augghh!” exclaimed Ty, bending over in pain and snapping me back to reality.

“You okay?” I asked. I knew this was risky.

“Wait. It's…almost,” they muttered through clenched teeth and panicked breaths.

Small tears began to appear as the pouch finally started to give way, growing and widening as their monster cock did the same. A slow tearing sound filled the space as the fabric separated bit by bit from the elastic waistband and the seams of their pouch split open just as the growth started to slow down and rest to a stop. With a final grunt, the now useless panties gave way and fell to tatters as Ty's semi hard cock ripped through, hanging down between their knees under its own weight, a few bits of fabric still hanging on.

“Was,” they breathed heavily, hands holding on to the lockers on either side. “Was that good?”

I was speechless. It was incredible. “I, uh–”

“I think so!” came a voice of encouragement out of the ether that Ty seemed to immediately recognize.

Their eyes widened in shock as they whipped around, revealing an unassuming gym goer previously hidden behind the expanse of their double wide back. Their newly enlarged schlong swung heavily through the air, bobbing back and forth until they stopped it firmly with one hand and tried to cover it up with the other, a gesture that was so comically futile that it just served to emphasize how undeniably massive their dick had become. Their long, lithe form was crouched in embarrassment, their naked body displaying a vulnerability that I don't know I'd ever seen from them before. 

“Kai!” they exclaimed, their voice an entire octave higher with what sounded like uncharacteristic nerves. “We've, um, got to stop meeting like this.”

—

“So who's this twink they have a crush on?”

Miguel was cuddled up against me later that evening, his hand caressing my ass cheek in lazy circles. I felt my glutes spasm again. Strong enough to resonate deep in my hole and cause my back to arch ever so slightly.

“That whole story and that's what you're focusing on?” I asked. “And I don't know if it's a crush so much as a series of awkward encounters.”

“Or a pattern of meet-cutes, as they say,” countered Miguel. “They're having a romcom moment, they should lean into it.” He smirked and gave my butt a playful swat.

“Okay but not even the underwear thing?” I asked, rolling on top of him to grab two handfuls of his juicy pecs. He's really been going hard lately, I thought. 

“I can’t blame them. You've got an enticing aroma.” Miguel pointedly squeezed the underside of my ass, sliding a finger towards the entrance of my waiting hole.

Another spasm. Strong enough for Miguel to feel the tremor through my glutes and pause briefly. He bit his lip in anticipation as I arched my back and began to rock against his groin, feeling the heat of his python stirring to life. He gasped as I rolled his nipples under my thumbs, his dick jumping in excitement. Has he always been this sensitive? I thought, but didn’t have time to reflect as he slid one finger, then two into my sensitive hole. I clamped down, biting my lip as my butt cheeks flexed with the sudden spike of pleasure.

“You always feel so good,” he said, sliding a third and fourth digit, beginning to prep me for what was to come.

I could discern what was to come extending between my legs, pushing them apart with its girth. I could practically feel his heartbeat through the pulses of the veins along his shaft. His face narrowed in concentration, his breath deepening as he got harder and harder, his baseball bat elongating inexorably behind me. I was overcome with lust as my lips fell hard onto his.

“I really can’t blame them,” Miguel repeated, swinging around to reposition me on all fours, ass up, back arched. His dick flailed widely under its own momentum, slapping the insides of my thighs with blunt force. It wasn’t yet fully hard, but was that still hard enough to bruise? Note to self, I mused. He smacked the globes of my ass with enough force to definitely leave a mark, setting them into uncontrollable jiggling motion.

“Fuck,” he whispered, grabbing handfuls of each cheek.

A steady ooze of precum wound its way down my back. These days, he had no shortage of homemade lube. He nestled his face between my shoulder blades, rubbing his beard against my sweaty back as he left urgent kisses on my skin. My hole twitched in anticipation. His breath became ragged as he slid his massive head between my cheeks. The sheer weight of it was more astounding every time.

But he continued. He left a gooey trail of precum as he caressed my shuddering hole and his cock thumped heavy onto the bed before springing back up to kiss my taint. I sighed in wanting, missing the weight of his monster cock even though I still felt the heat radiating from it. But then that beard was tickling my sensitive hole, and those urgent kisses turned into guttural moans as he began furiously eating me out. It was enough to cum right then and there.

“God you taste so good,” he moaned between my cheeks.

Miguel’s rimming prowess was such that it nearly eclipsed the power of his record breaking dick. My mind was swimming in ecstasy, unable to hold on to a coherent thought beyond whatever symphony he was writing through expert ministrations around my butthole. I was dimly aware of the muscle tremors running across my glues getting stronger and more frequent, a dance of minute twitches interspersed with full spasms, crescendoing into a full body shudder as my ab muscles contracted together and a prickly heat spread across my backside and down my legs. It felt familiar. I had the phantom sensation of deja vu but nowhere near the mental capacity to investigate.

“Does this feel good?” Miguel asked, coming up briefly for air.

“I, uh, yeah,” I eked out, clenching my teeth through the orgasmic heat radiating from my lower body. I felt another shiver, my ass and leg muscles contracting in tandem on a regular basis now. What’s happening? I thought. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this kind of full body horniness, a pulsar firing off gamma rays with every heartbeat.

“You look so fucking good.” Miguel caressed each ass cheek, then let his fingers trace along my hamstrings. “You’ve really been hittin’ legs, huh? Feels even better than I remember.” An inside joke that gave him no end of amusement. “You’re sure they’re not sneaking that GluteMax stuff in the gym's water supply?” I felt my right cheek jiggle as he gave it a firm slap.

“Had a great leg day,” I chuckled. “And I know a guy.”

Miguel repositioned, backing up awkwardly to extricate his dick from underneath my belly and position his massive head at the top of my ass crack. I looked back to see him entranced, one hand resting on my ass for stability and the other holding the base of his dick. The space needed between us just to situate his cockhead at my backdoor was comical, he may as well have been on the other side of the room.

“Can I?” he asked.

“Be my guest.” I steeled myself for what was to come.

I was well aware that I was quite possibly the only person on earth that could take his gargantuan prick and those first few inches of his mushroom head always felt unreal. My hole expanded past what I thought was humanly possible as he slowly rocked back and forth, easing himself in. Before long, my walls were stretched to the limit. When he was inside me, all I could even fathom was the pressure of his monster cock filling me up to the brim, sending me to ethereal heights. He began to work up a rhythm, but then I worked up my own. My glutes and legs weren’t the only parts of my lower body that had gained outsized strength. As I became lost in orgasmic bliss, I was pushing and pulling him in and out by sheer force of will, using him as little more than a human dildo.

“Fuck you’re strong,” he breathed, moaning into me as he relinquished control. Bottoming out was a pipe dream, but he had made it far enough in to grab my hips and leave little bite marks on the small of my back as he held on for dear life.

As I built toward orgasm, the spasms got stronger and longer. My legs were on fire, I felt like I could burst if I didn’t cum soon. I was bearing down on Miguel’s cock with enough force to destroy a normal human penis, eliciting a grunt of concern.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I…I just…” I lost the ability to formulate sentences as a mind melting orgasm crashed over me, a supernova centered around my hole, which still refused to relinquish its iron grip on Miguel’s cock. I shot rope after rope of cum against my chin, my chest, my stomach, before my hand finally steadied my dick. But the feeling of orgasmic release continued, my back arching deeper, knees sliding across the bed and feet losing purchase as suddenly they dangled in the air. My legs settled into a delicious stretch to relieve tension, contractions finally releasing with the last spurts of jizz.

“That was…that was amazing,” breathed Miguel. I could hear his feet stumble onto the floor as his prodigious cock slid slowly out of me, ending with a thud against the edge of the bed as he stood up to full height, hands still gripping my cheeks for support. “Wow,” he muttered, fingers splayed out against my butt. “You’re really good at that,” he said.

“Good at what?” I asked, shifting around to slide off the bed and find purchase on the hardwood.

“Whatever muscle you’ve been training to, um…” he trailed off, looking dumbfounded.

“To what?” I continued, standing up to full height and looking down into Miguel’s big cocoa eyes.

Looking down? I glanced at Miguel’s feet to verify that they were solid on the ground and worked my way up the rest of him. Not kneeling, not slouching. So how was I looking down? I was a tad bit taller than Miguel but we still basically saw eye to eye. But now I was gazing from inches above, down into his flabbergasted expression.

A wave of disorientation hit as I looked past him into the mirror, my head closer to the upper edge than I remember it ever being. I rested my hands on his shoulders. I was now visibly, undeniably taller than him. Miguel stepped aside, shocked into silence as he turned my body ninety degrees, my side profile coming into view in the reflection.

My upper body was the same. Soft paunch of my belly below pecs that were starting to take shape along with some definition coming in along my triceps and forearms. The look of someone who was still relatively new to working out but consistent with a rigorous program and appeared to be decently in shape. As my eyes wandered down the expanse of my lower half my heart fluttered in disbelief.

I was inexplicably higher from the ground because my legs were…bigger. It wasn’t an optical illusion or some sort of sex induced vertigo. I was literally taller. My quads, hamstrings, and calves had the same shape and muscularity, the same healthy layer of fat, but had become bigger and beefier versions of the legs I had had just a few minutes ago. They looked wildly disproportionate to everything above the waist. Yet that was the least of my concerns.

With some strategizing, I could’ve probably maneuvered my most forgiving pants onto my legs. I was certain I had some shorts on hand that were stretchy enough to at least cover my quads until I could figure out how to update this wardrobe. But there was nothing I owned that was going to last more than three minutes against the planetoids that had inflated behind me.

I thought back to my encounter with Winston at the gym. It was hard to imagine how I could’ve ever compared myself to Miguel’s dapper, bubble butted fling. Winston’s ass was a showstopper, but this? This was something else entirely. My ass had grown into two beach balls perched on top of my hamstrings, ballooning from my lower back around the small dimples on each side. It was a comically unrealistic, anatomically impossible morph that was very very real. I squeezed one cheek and felt a pulse of pleasure permeate the background noise of post-coital satisfaction, causing me to briefly lose my balance.

I stumbled backwards, still disoriented from my sudden growth spurt (Is this how Ty felt?), my monster booty smashing Miguel back onto the bed hard enough to knock the wind out of him. He sat up on his elbows, awestruck, his semi-hard python bobbing in the air in front of him.

“Oh shit,” I said, my face flushing with embarrassment. “I think I need to sit down.”

“Don’t sweat it, babe,” said Miguel. “I always got a seat for you.”

He leaned forward and placed his hands on the underside of each cheek, taking a second to watch them shake, then buried his head deep between them, fully smothered by the time he reached my hole.

The flood of pleasure tuned out any concern I had had about this latest development. I sighed, leaned back, and fell on top of him, his head and shoulders disappearing beneath my mammoth ass as his dick sprung to full attention dangerously close to my lips. I grabbed hold with both hands, each of which could barely wrap around half of his pole, and began lapping up the steady stream of pre from his mushroom head.

One more thing to deal with later, I reasoned as I began to fall back into a second wave of orgasmic bliss. This really was fun. So far.

[hasdrubal-gisco]

one kinda quirky thing is that for most of its existence, the stance of the narkomzdrav (people's commissariat of public health) in the USSR regarding clinical trials and pharmaceutical research was different from what developed in the west. their stance from the beginning was opposed to the use of placebos – on the grounds that if potential treatment existed, it was not right to deny people this, and give them sugar pills instead. they also generally did not blind either the participant or the investigator, all involved knew that an unapproved medicament was being administered, and its efficacy was not being compared to any sort of baseline. a notable exception to this was vaccines, because as those are typically given to a healthy population, you can’t make the case that a placebo/blinding is somehow keeping someone sick deliberately. the narkomzdrav did briefly switch to the western model (which would eventually become the ISO 14155/GCP model used today worldwide (including eg. china)) under the kukuruznik

[learnwithmearticles]

Technology's Use of Water

While water is renewable, it is finite. Its renewability depends on us using and managing our water resources responsibly.

Previous articles on this page have discussed hydropower and how it produces less waste and costs less than other resources. We have also briefly discussed how other energy sources consume water as a coolant or receptacle for waste. Entire university courses are dedicated to human uses of water.

Water Scarcity

Only 3% of water on Earth is freshwater. Of course, we need this to drink, but we need it for many more services beyond that.

Many plumbing fixtures are made of copper, which saltwater severely corrodes, same as lead and, over a longer time, PVC. Toilets on average use 1-5 gallons of water per flush. If we want to preserve freshwater by switching to saltwater plumbing, we would have to rethink and re-pipe entire plumbing systems.

We lose safe water in rain, as well. Supported by a study in Environmental Science and Technology, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022 stated that rainwater is not safe to drink. Chemicals known as per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances break down extremely slowly, and have leached from many products like cleaners, fabrics, and shampoo into the water cycle. Removing PFAS from water requires filters of activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes, which also require frequent maintenance.

A lot of water is also not available to us because it is in ice caps and glaciers, which are estimated to be about 68% of Earth’s freshwater. This water is also being lost, because as glaciers melt at increasing rates, that freshwater becomes saltwater in the ocean.

These limitations mean that water is not necessarily renewable yet, especially because treating water produces its own waste and pollution. We have to be responsible with the small percentage of water we have access to.

Irresponsible Use

There are a ridiculous amount of ways in which we waste water. Leaks, watering lawns, and leaving taps running are some of the big household wastes of water. While individual accountability and changes can still make a big difference, I want to focus on bigger impacts.

One example is in nuclear power production. Nuclear power plants use water to cool down used fuel when it is done being used in the reactor. This results in radioactive and thermal water pollution.

Agriculture is another common cause of water pollution. Excess water from rain or artificial watering runs off of agricultural fields and flows towards streams and bodies of water. This runoff often includes amounts of fertilizers and pesticides ranging from minimal to extremely harmful. This leads to improper levels of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen within the water. Like water contaminated by pharmaceuticals, this is not safe to drink, and something not safe for skin contact.

Technology is also a major factor of water demands. Artificial Intelligence and cryptocurrency are heavy water consumers.

AI is beneficial within waste management, as it is able to quickly analyze information and identify issues, potential problems, and potential areas of improvement. Unfortunately, AI training requires a large amount of water. One study states that training GPT-3 alone can evaporate 700,000 liters of freshwater. In 2027, AI is predicted to consume 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water. In comparison, Denmark nationally consumes around one billion cubic meters in a year.

Cryptocurrency is even worse. It goes through a process called mining in which transactions are verified and new ‘coins’ are generated into the system. This process is extremely water-demanding. For example, in 2021, mining of Bitcoin consumed more than 1,600 gigaliters of global water. On average, each cryptocurrency transaction consumes 16,000 liters of water in cooling down the computer equipment and the power plants that provide the electricity.

Saltwater as an alternative in these situations does exist; however, this process has the disadvantages of one-time use, large water intake, sewage discharge, and ocean pollution. Technology has begun to improve on this method with seawater circulation cooling technology, which reduces sewage discharge and water intake, but remains an imperfect solution.

Technology has the potential to drastically improve environmental management and restoration, but still has a long way to go before we offset the huge impacts we have made. Freshwater is taken for granted by many people, and the systems that disproportionately consume the most of it are not held accountable. This cycle must stop if we want to make water a truly renewable resource.

Additional Resources

1. Water Renewability

2. Corrosion on Plumbing

3. Treating PFAS

4. Household Water Waste

5. Nuclear Water Waste

6. AI Helping Water Management

7. AI Water Consumption

8. Crypto Mining Water Consumption

9. Seawater cooling technology

[goldenempyrean]

As Fate Would Have It

❥ Valentines Drabbles: Day 11

❥ Pairing: Sick Kate x Sick Reader

❥ Wordcount: 1070

[ Previous || Next ]

AN: Well, this ‘drabble’ turned out longer then expected… oops (also its not edited, because I enjoy letting you all read my dreadful grammar”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ:

Fate. You didn’t really believe in fate. Or at least that’s what you used to believe. But that belief was soon changed, all be it in the strangest way.

Who would ever think something as simple as a meer cold could bring two people together. Of course you’d seen her around. The girl in the apartment across the hall. That dark haired girl - the one with the amazing style, super cute smile, and oh just thinking of her sparkling eyes was enough to bring a gentle blush to your face. You’d spoken to her once or twice. You’d learned her name was Kate. Each time you spoken, you learned more about her and it only increased the more that you wanted to know but you’d always been too nervous to invite her in…

But you’d never guess that this would be the way you’d finally interact. It started with a cold. You’d woken up that morning with a horribly stuffed-up nose and a headache which felt akin to be being stomped on by multiple elephants at once.

You dragged yourself out of bed and shivered helplessly feeling the cool air hit your skin as you staggered to the bathroom. You grumbled in annoyance as you opened your cabinet and discovered that there was nothing there, nothing that you needed atleast. A half-full tube of toothpaste and an empty packet of paracetamol were the only items on the shelf inside.

That’s it. You’d have to go to the shop. Coughing as you did, you forced yourself to change into something that would make you at least look somewhat alive and stumbled out of your apartment down to the closest shop.

Loud, busy and crammed. Those were the three words you’d used to describe the atmosphere of the shop. Wanting as little human contact as possible, you made a bee-line for the pharmaceutical aisle.

To your surprise, the shop shelves were dwindling in supplies to say the least. Cold and Flu season seemed to be taking its toll of their stock. Not wanting to be here much longer, you quickly picked up two bottles of cold medicine and some throat lozenges - cherry flavoured of course. You heard the sound of a feminine sneeze somewhere else in the shop and that reminded you of the final thing you needed. Tissues.

It took you longer then expected to find them and as you did, only one remaining box sat on the shelf where they should’ve been. A sense of relief washed over you as you extended out your hand to take them but instead of grabbing the tissues, your hand touched something else.

Another hand.

A small gasp left your chest as you recognised your neighbour. Her easy identifiable hair hanging in loose threads beside her face. She smiled sweetly at you, the only flaw in the image being her sniffling nose and fever flushed cheeks. And she gave a small laugh as you both retracted your hands from the box.

“Sorry did you want this?” Her voice was different, raspy. In a way it was strangely intoxicating.

“You got this cold too?” You asked as she briefly turned away from you to stifle a high pitch sneeze into her hoodie.

“I think the whole city has it.” She groaned, trying to subtly wipe her nose with her sleeve, “I came here to get some supplies, I guess you did too?” She said, nodding down to your basket.

You nodded, turned away from her slightly to muffle a chesty sounding cough into your elbow which was soon followed by a set of sickly, wet sneezes.

“Bless you,” Kate offered as she hesitantly reached out to rub your shoulder, “You really don’t sound too good.” That was true, but her words were rich considering that she had to turn away to cough too only moments later.

“Well… I guess I should let you have these then.” You smiled, picking up the tissue box and holding it out to her.

“No, no. You take them.” Kate shook her hand, pushing the tissues back towards you, “I’ll just pick up some kitchen roll or something, that’ll do.”

“No- Kate, that’ll only make your nose all chapped, you should take them-“

“I’ll have them!” And with that a spritely young man took the box from the both of your hands, tucking it under his arm and leaving without another word. Leaving the two of you absolutely stunned, your mouths hanging open in shock.

“What…”

“The hell.” You interjected, finishing her sentence.

“What the hell was that?” Kate’s voice lifted a few octaves with her shock, “who does that?!”

You and Kate exchange looks of sheer, unquenchable disbelief. It feels so absurd that something like this was happening to you personally. "Did you... did you know him?" Kate queries, her shock giving way to righteous fury. "What kind of rude little twat snatches something from our hands and just runs?" "Who does that?!" She repeated as you watched on with shock.

“An idiot… thats who.” You shook your head, and a moment of silence stretched out before Kate quickly snapped out to sneeze down into her hands.

“Bless you Katie. I suppose we better both get some kitchen roll.” You reached to squeeze her own shoulder, echoing the gesture she had given you earlier. The pair of you walked from the aisle towards the kitchen supplies and went to grab a packet of kitchen roll. But just as you picked it up, it revealed something else, something hidden out of sight behind it.

Another tissue box… this time it really was the very last one.

You and Kate shared another glance, this time one of relief at the fact that your noses wouldn’t have to suffer the abuse of itchy, uncomfortable kitchen roll. But there was still one problem. Who would get the box?

“We could share it?” Kate offered, filling the silence, “My apartment’s empty if you wanted to come over, this way we can both use them. If- if you wanted of course.”

“That’s a great idea.”

And by the end of the night, the two of you were safely huddled under Kate’s big blanket as you sat on her sofa sharing stories and getting to know each other. That fateful tissue box sitting right in the middle of you. Who knew you’d meet your future girlfriend this way. You didn’t, but fate certainly did.

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[tendrflesh]

*    ◟    :    〔   angela sarafyan  ,     cisfemale    +   she-her    〕      tennessee gant ,      some say you’re a  fourty-three  lost soul among the neon lights.      known for being both  determined  and  inflexible,  one can’t help but think of  the devil  by   banks  when you walk by.    are you still a    cfo  at   anunnaki pharmaceuticals,     even with your reputation as the tenacious?     i think we’ll be seeing more of you and  pink lips in a thin line, the chill from seeing something move in the back corner of the bar, the condescending pat on your head.    although we can’t help but think of shirley schmidt (boston legal), catherine of aragon (the spanish princess), dolores abernathy (westworld), queen ravenna (snow white and the huntsman).    whenever we see you down these rainy streets. ’

BASICS

NAME: tennessee baron gant NICKNAMES: essie JOB: cfo, anunnaki pharmaceuticals BIRTHDAY: january 1st ZODIAC: capricorn sun SEXUALITY: bisexual  GENDER: ciswoman, she/her RELIGION: none THREE POSITIVE TRAITS: determined, mature, persuasive THREE NEGATIVE TRAITS: inflexible, confrontational, judemental ENNEAGRAM: 8w9 MYERS-BRIGGS: enfj AESTHETIC: pink lips in a thin line, the chill from seeing something move in the back corner of the bar, the condescending pat on your head CHARACTER INSPO: shirley schmidt (boston legal), catherine of aragon (the spanish princess), dolores abernathy (westworld), queen ravenna (snow white and the huntsman) LIKES: DISLIKES:

pinterest | playlist

WANTED CONNECTIONS

estranged daughter

ex/father of daughter (could also be estranged or a one-night stand)

current fling/fwb/casual relationship

other exes

work enemy

confidant

someone with connections that helps her get things she wants

current connections

ex-husband: vinny nolan

old friend/casual ex: frankie levin

work rivals: diana ingram

girl boss besties: rowan rockwell

FAST FACTS

while in school, essie accidentally fell pregnant (boyfriend/casual fling/one night stand), and thought briefly she could do both - be successful and be a mother

essie had bigger plans than being a mother, so being pregnant in her early twenties was not ideal

after giving birth, she tried the mothering thing before deciding she couldn't do that and instead gave her daughter up for adoption

then essie focused entirely on her career and climbing the ladder at anunnaki until she made it to coveted cfo

never had time for too many relationships, comes off as harsh, believes in the future that anunnaki can bring

she's the kind of person that either loves you, hates you, or if for some reason you don't fall in either of those categories she forgets you exist

more to come...

[kemetic-dreams]

Dr. Riley Andrew Ransom Sr. (1886-1951)

Dr. Riley Andrew Ransom, Sr., the founder of the first hospital for African Americans in Fort Worth, Texas, was born on March 9, 1886, in Columbus, Kentucky, to parents Allen and Alice Ransom. Ransom briefly attended Lane College in Tennessee then transferred to Southern Illinois State Normal University (now Southern Illinois University at Carbondale) where he earned his undergraduate degree.

Ransom attended Pharmaceutical College in Princeton, Indiana, and Louisville National Medical College in Louisville, Kentucky, from which he graduated in 1908 as valedictorian of his class. He did post-graduate work at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

After receiving his medical license in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1909, Ransom started his medical practice in Brooksville, Oklahoma, where he worked for five years. In 1914 Ransom moved to Gainesville, Texas, where he established the Booker T. Washington Sanitarium. At that time Ransom was one of only 16 black doctors in Texas.

On June 3, 1915, Ransom married schoolteacher and graduate nurse Ethel Blanche Wilson of Gainesville, Texas. To this union one son, Riley Andrew Ransom, Jr., was born on March 12, 1915.

In 1918, Dr. Ransom moved the hospital to Fort Worth and added a Nurses’ Training School. The hospital was the first 20-bed facility for African Americans in Texas. It was also one of only three African-American owned hospitals in the United States accredited by the American Medical Association.

Booker T. Washington Hospital was known for its state-of-the-art medical equipment, fully equipped laboratory, a dining room, onsite food preparation area, and nurses’ quarters. Between 1925 and 1928 the facility was known as the Negro Baptist Hospital. In 1928 the name was changed to the Fort Worth Negro Hospital, and in 1938 Ransom renamed it the Ethel Ransom Memorial Hospital, in memory of his deceased wife.

Dr. Ransom was a member to the Fort Worth Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the YMCA, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, a Chairman of the Social Disease Committee of the Volunteer Health League, First-Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross of Tarrant County, and member of the Lone Star Medical Association. He was also a Mason.

Dr. Riley A. Ransom, Sr. died on January 4, 1951, in Houston, Texas. He was 64. His work in Fort Worth was continued by his son, Dr. Riley A. Ransom, Jr. The Ranson Memorial Hospital continued to serve the Fort Worth African American community until it closed in 1949.

[dailycharacteroption]

Class Feature Friday: Neurochemistry Field of Study (Biohacker Field of Study)

 Through the combination of energy, structure, and chemistry, consciousness is born. How? Why? These are as of yet impossible to fully answer.

But instead of dwelling on existential side of the brain, let us focus on the study of how it works and how it applies to the biohacker class with the neurochemistry field of study!

Neurochemistry is exactly what it sounds like, the study of the chemicals in the brain. However, in a broader sense and much broader galactic stage, it is the study of the chemical element of thought and awareness. After all, plenty of creatures in the cosmos may not use neurons to process stimuli or to cogitate complex thought, and are worthy of study as well.

Of course, neurochemistry is not just understanding how it works, but how to alter it. At it’s best, this can help regulate the brain to heal or at least manage an illness, or even temporarily bolster certain aspects of thought for practical reasons.

At it’s worst, however, it can be used to manipulate the state of mind of others. Causing erratic behavior to make them easier to manipulate, alter, or even kill. All of which falls under the same moral and ethical debasements that we’ve talked about in the past regarding the enchantment school of magic.

Of course, when it comes to fighting for your life, any tool becomes a viable one, so just like using charm person to stop a bandit from killing you, injecting a corporate soldier full of mind-altering pharmaceuticals so that he doesn’t have to be killed for a paycheck can be preferable. Any tool in a pinch, as they say. Using the same drugs in the water supply to make a population more pliable, however, is definitely unethical.

In any case, these biohackers are at the forefront of understanding how the brain (or other nervous structures) works. They might be field-testing their latest formulae, or they might be wishing to study the thought processes of other species or both, or even have their own laboratories. Either way they can bring their skills to bear when needed.

 The booster these biohackers carry helps regulate the brain chemistry of the target, causing them to briefly ignore effects that would slow their behavior or make it erratic.

Their inhibitor, on the other hand, weakens the mind, making them more vulnerable to mental effects.

Their breakthrough formula helps them resist mental effects for a brief while, and even helps them overcome a mental effect they are already suffering.

These biohackers tend to focus on medicinals and serums that bolster saves and provide buffs, such as stimulants, excitants, Joyful Thought serum, and so on. They also favor poisons that affect the mental ability scores as well. They also favor theorums that focus on the nervous system, such as Electrostatic Sense, Energied Assault, Telepathic Boost, Enhanced Senses, Energetic Booster, and the like, as well as others that can be flavored as targeting the nervous system.

This field is best paired with a party member that has access to mind-affecting effects, or in a party where the fear of mental control or debilitation is a very real fear. It also fits well thematically with campaigns that feature a lot of psychic powers and the like. In any case, if you take this field as your primary or later on, bolstering the mind and understanding the minds of others is the name of the game, even if it’s only to tear them apart.

 Diagnosing problems of the mind is perhaps one of the hardest things to do in medicine, and it’s even harder to prescribe the right treatment on the first try. As such, goodly biohackers in this field will likely be or learn empathy and keen listening skills to better understand their patients and others. Evil ones, however, may take a more experimental approach and have less interest in their patients (or “patients”) wellbeing.

  Seeing decades of abuse by the empire, the tromlin hardshell Gulgauk has had enough, putting their biological genius to the test in developing a new neurotoxin that specifically targets humans. While the empire is undeniably evil, the idea of using such a weapon on civilians is just as monstrous, to say nothing of the potential for the formula to be replicated for use outside of empire space.

 The party happens upon a derelict spacecraft. The research vessel Covacks specialized in taking samples of the nervous systems of various species and testing them in sterile environments. Now, it is filled with the undead nihili of its former crew, many of which remember their biotech training and eagerly warp the senses of intruders. At the core of the craft, however, is the true threat, a powerful psychic entity created by their tests.

 A brilliant neurosurgeon, Dr. Pulmoda recently went missing about a month ago, never showing up at the starport for his vacation. Leads seem to point in various directions, everything from kidnapping for ransom, extremists looking for more effective mind altering weapons, and so on, but nothing seems concrete yet, and no demands have been issued.

[koh-er142]

Twisted Wonderland MC, Michiko’s Profile (New Version because I wanted to change the name)

Name: Uesugi Michiko (上杉 倫子) Gender: Female Age: 15/16 Birthday: 10 April Star sign: Aries Height: 152 cm Homeland: Japan

Dormitory: Ramshackle School Year: First Class: 1-A Student Number: 28 Occupation: Student, Supervisor Club: Mountain Appreciation Best Subject: Magical Pharmaceuticals/Potionology

Dominant Hand: Right Hobby: Cooking Talents: Playing the Koto Role: Night Raven Strategist, Magician Pharmacist

Personality: Michiko is a selfless and modest person. She does not refuse people when asked for help. Michiko is also a truthful and virtuous person. Hence, she struggles to come to terms with the dynamic of Night Raven College.

Michiko appears mysterious to the Night Raven College students but she does not know that. Though, she can quietly gather information because she is a composed and quiet individual.

Michiko's eyes will have a determined look when the students are being unjust and immoral. Her gaze will appear as cold as ice.

Background: A young girl who came from a high esteemed family, for Michiko’s paternal grandfather was the retired Chief of Metropolitan Police Department.  Her father is a police officer, while her mother is a renowned singer, belonging to a family of talented musicians.

There are frustrating times for Michiko when family members from both paternal and maternal sides, would discuss, and even argue over Michiko’s future. Whether to be a musician, or a member of law enforcement.

Since then, Michiko is coached in various forms of combat and military strategy by her father, and learned to play a variety of music instruments and sing.

As her family values righteousness and justice, her role is to become a lady that everyone looks up to.

Appearance:

Michiko is a young lady with brown hair that stops inches below her shoulders with bangs covering her forehead and blue eyes. Her hair is tied in a ponytail with side braids in a navy blue ribbon.

Handyman Uniform: Michiko wears a white flannel shirt with blue denim overalls and a red ribbon. She also wears knee length black socks and brown boots.

Normal Student Uniform: Michiko wears a pair of black pants, a long sleeved white collared shirt, a black and white striped tie and a buttoned black blazer with gold buttons.

PE Uniform: Michiko wears a black mechanic one piece suit with short sleeves and a purple sports shirt underneath it.

Alchemy uniform: Michiko wears the lab coat over the student uniform, black gloves and safety goggles to protect the eyes.

Abilities:

Combat: Michiko was taught martial arts and self defense. She’s also a strong tactile kinesthetic learner.

Swordsmanship: After the Octavinelle Arc, Michiko was taught self defense with an ancient dagger. This is so that she doesn't have to rely completely on her companions. She has also taken lessons from Silver.

Healing: Michiko learned emergency treatments, pharmacy and medicine in her health classes. Additionally, she seek Jade to be her tutor for Magical Pharmaceuticals/Potion Making which improved her abilities as a pharmacist for magicians.

Cooking: Michiko learned Home Economics in school. She starts to cook meals frequently in Night Raven College.

Music: Michiko can play the koto.

Blot detection: Michiko can sense an incoming Overblot when she hears dripping ink. When Michiko hears the Blot, a visual will briefly appear in her head— an image of a blot of ink, dripping on a coloured background. However, when that happens, she would have a headache and feel nauseous.

[kamayakya]

How to Prepare for Diwali Muhurat Trading: A Checklist

Diwali, the Festival of Lights is not only a festive occasion but also an important event in the financial calendar, especially for investors in India. The Muhurat trading tradition that takes place on the eve of Diwali is based on the belief that trading at this auspicious time can bring prosperity and wealth in the coming year. Proper preparation is key if you want to participate in this unique business activity. Here is a detailed analysis to help you prepare for Diwali Muhurat trading.

1. To Understand the Importance of Muhurat Trading

Before going into trading, it is important to understand why Diwali Muhurat trading is important. This tradition symbolizes new beginnings and prosperity. Based on Hindu astrology, business time is considered auspicious, making it an ideal time to invest. Understanding this cultural context will not only enhance your shopping experience, it will also give you a sense of purpose in your decisions.

2. Set Clear Financial Goals

Determine what you want to achieve with your investment during the Muhurat trading period. Are you looking for short-term gains, long-term investments, or diversifying your portfolio? Setting clear goals will help you stay focused on your plan and make informed decisions.

3. Research and Analyze Stocks

a. Briefly list the possible storage options

Start by researching which stocks have performed well over the past few months. Identify industries that are expected to perform well, such as utilities, technology, or pharmaceuticals.

b. Analyze market data

Keep an eye on market products till Diwali. Analyze the performance of the broader market and identify areas that show resilience or growth potential.

c. Check out the historic exhibit

Examine the historical performance of stocks in the pre-Diwali muhurat rallies. This study can provide insights into trends and potential consequences.

4. Create a Diversified Portfolio

Diversity is a key element of risk management. Instead of investing all your money in one stock, consider a mix of stocks across industries. This approach can help reduce risks and improve your chances of a good return.

5. Set up your Trading Account

Make sure your merchant account is up and running properly. If you don’t have an account, consider creating one already. Make sure you have completed all the necessary KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements to avoid any last-minute problems.

6. Choose your Marketing Strategy Wisely

Choose a reliable trading platform that offers user-friendly features and strong security. Monitor functionality such as real-time data updates, charting tools, and efficient sequence execution. A simple trading experience during a busy trading season can make a huge difference.

7. Determine the Amount of Investment

Decide how much capital you are willing to invest in the Muhurat trading session. It’s important to only invest what you can avoid losing, especially in a potentially volatile festive trading environment.

8. Create a Business Plan

A clear business plan is essential to success. Consider the following:

a. entry and exit points

Define your entry and exit points based on your analysis. Knowing when to buy and sell can help maximize profits and losses.

b. risk management

Set a stop-loss level to protect your investment. This strategy can help prevent huge losses if the market is against you.

c. Keep up to date

Keep abreast of any news or events that could affect the market. Being informed can help you make faster decisions during trading.

9. Be Prepared for Emotional Trading

Holidays can create strong emotions, which can cloud judgment. Regardless of the market volatility, it is important to remain disciplined and stick to your business plan. Avoid decisions that are quickly motivated by fear or greed.

10. Have a Post-Sales Review Process

Once the trading period is over, take time to review your trades. Analyze what worked and what didn’t, and adjust your schedule for future meetings accordingly. This idea will help you improve your trading skills over time.

Conclusion

Participating in Diwali Muhurat trading stocks can be a rewarding experience if they are approached with the right mindset and preparation. By following this research process, you will be better prepared to navigate the market with confidence and make informed investment decisions. Remember, while the festive spirit adds excitement to the business, the right preparation is the key to turning that excitement into financial success. Prosperity Happy Diwali!

[jcmarchi]

AI, Sustainability, and Product Management in Global Logistics: Navigating the New Frontier

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ai-sustainability-and-product-management-in-global-logistics-navigating-the-new-frontier/

AI, Sustainability, and Product Management in Global Logistics: Navigating the New Frontier

Before we explore the sustainability aspect, let’s briefly recap how AI is already revolutionizing global logistics:

Route Optimization

AI algorithms are transforming route planning, going far beyond simple GPS navigation. For instance, UPS’s ORION (On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation) system uses advanced algorithms to optimize delivery routes. It considers factors like traffic patterns, package priorities, and promised delivery windows to create the most efficient routes. The result? UPS saves about 10 million gallons of fuel annually, reducing both costs and emissions.

As a product manager at Amazon, I worked on similar systems that not only optimized last-mile delivery but also coordinated with warehouse operations to ensure the right packages were loaded in the optimal order. This level of integration between different parts of the supply chain is only possible with AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time.

Supply Chain Visibility

AI-powered tracking systems are providing unprecedented visibility into the supply chain. During my time at Maersk, we developed a system that used IoT sensors and AI to provide real-time tracking of containers. This wasn’t just about location – the system monitored temperature, humidity, and even detected unauthorized access attempts.

For example, when shipping sensitive pharmaceuticals, any temperature deviation could be immediately detected and corrected. The AI didn’t just report issues; it predicted potential problems based on weather forecasts and historical data, allowing for proactive interventions. This level of visibility and predictive capability significantly reduced losses and improved customer satisfaction.

Predictive Maintenance

AI is revolutionizing how we approach equipment maintenance in logistics. At Amazon, we implemented machine learning models that analyzed data from sensors on conveyor belts, sorting machines, and delivery vehicles. These models could predict when a piece of equipment was likely to fail, allowing for maintenance to be scheduled during off-peak hours.

For instance, our system once predicted a potential failure in a crucial sorting machine 48 hours before it would have occurred. This early warning allowed us to perform maintenance without disrupting operations, potentially saving millions in lost productivity and late deliveries.

Demand Forecasting

AI is revolutionizing how we predict demand in the logistics industry. During my time at Amazon, we developed machine learning models that analyzed not just historical sales data, but also factors like social media trends, weather forecasts, and even upcoming events in different regions.

For instance, our system once predicted a spike in demand for certain electronics in a specific region, correlating it with a local tech convention that wasn’t on our radar. This allowed us to adjust inventory and staffing levels accordingly, avoiding stockouts and ensuring smooth operations during the event.

Last-Mile Delivery Optimization

The final leg of delivery, known as last-mile, is often the most challenging and costly part of the logistics process. AI is making significant inroads here too. At Amazon, we worked on AI systems that optimized not just routes, but also delivery methods.

For example, in urban areas, the system would analyze traffic patterns, parking availability, and even building access methods to determine whether a traditional van delivery, a bicycle courier, or even a drone delivery would be most efficient for each package. This granular level of optimization resulted in faster deliveries, lower costs, and reduced urban congestion.

As product managers in the logistics industry, we’re tasked with driving innovation and efficiency. AI offers unprecedented opportunities to do just that. However, we now face a critical dilemma:

Efficiency Gains

On one hand, AI-powered supply chains are more optimized than ever before. They reduce waste, minimize fuel consumption, and potentially lower the overall carbon footprint of logistics operations. The route optimization algorithms we implement can significantly reduce unnecessary mileage and emissions.

Environmental Costs

On the other hand, we can’t ignore the environmental cost of AI itself. The training and operation of large AI models consume enormous amounts of energy, contributing to increased power demands and, by extension, carbon emissions.

This raises a pivotal question for us as product managers: How do we balance the sustainability gains from AI-optimized supply chains against the environmental impact of the AI systems themselves?

In the age of AI, our role as product managers has expanded. We now have the added responsibility of considering sustainability in our decision-making processes. This involves:

Life Cycle Analysis: We must consider the entire lifecycle of our AI-powered products, from development to deployment and maintenance, assessing their environmental impact at each stage.

Efficiency Metrics: Alongside traditional KPIs, we need to incorporate sustainability metrics into our product evaluations. This might include energy consumption per optimization, carbon footprint reduction, or sustainability ROI.

Vendor Selection: When choosing AI solutions or cloud providers, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources should be key selection criteria.

Innovation Focus: We should prioritize and allocate resources to projects that not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance sustainability.

Stakeholder Education: We need to educate our teams, executives, and clients about the importance of sustainable AI practices in logistics.

As product managers, we can learn a lot from how industry giants are tackling the challenge of balancing AI efficiency with sustainability. Let me share some insights from my experiences at Amazon and Maersk.

Amazon Web Services (AWS): Pioneering Sustainable Cloud Computing

During my time at Amazon, I witnessed firsthand the company’s commitment to reducing the power consumption of its AWS infrastructure, which hosts numerous AI and machine learning workloads for logistics and other industries. AWS has been implementing several strategies to improve energy efficiency:

Renewable Energy: AWS has committed to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. As of 2023, they’ve already reached 85% renewable energy use.

Custom Hardware: Amazon designs custom chips like the AWS Graviton processors, which are up to 60% more energy-efficient than comparable x86-based instances for the same performance.

Water Conservation: AWS has implemented innovative cooling technologies and uses reclaimed water for cooling in many regions, significantly reducing water consumption.

Machine Learning for Efficiency: Ironically, AWS uses AI itself to optimize the energy efficiency of its data centers, predicting and adjusting for computing loads to minimize energy waste.

As product managers in logistics, we can leverage these advancements by choosing energy-efficient cloud services and advocating for the use of sustainable computing resources in our AI implementations.

Maersk: Setting New Standards for Shipping Emissions

At Maersk, I am part of the team working towards ambitious environmental goals that are reshaping the shipping industry. Maersk has set industry-leading emission targets:

Net Zero Emissions by 2040: Maersk aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire business by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goals.

Near-Term Targets: By 2030, Maersk aims to reduce its CO2 emissions per transported container by 50% compared to 2020 levels.

Green Corridor Initiatives: Maersk is establishing specific shipping routes as “green corridors,” where zero-emission solutions are supported and demonstrated.

Investment in New Technologies: The company is investing in methanol-powered vessels and exploring other alternative fuels to reduce emissions.

As product managers in logistics, we played a crucial role in aligning our AI and technology initiatives with these sustainability goals. For instance:

Route Optimization: We developed AI algorithms that not only optimized for speed and cost but also for fuel efficiency and emissions reduction on regular shipping routes.

Predictive Maintenance: Our AI models for predictive maintenance helped ensure ships were operating at peak efficiency, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Supply Chain Visibility: We created tools that provided customers with detailed emissions data for their shipments, encouraging more sustainable choices.

Despite the challenges, I believe that the implementation of AI in logistics remains a worthy undertaking. As product managers, we have a unique opportunity to drive positive change. Here’s why and how we can move forward:

Continuous Improvement

As product managers, we’re in a unique position to drive the evolution of more energy-efficient AI solutions. The same optimization principles we apply to supply chains can be directed towards improving the efficiency of our AI systems. This means constantly evaluating and refining our AI models, not just for performance but for energy efficiency. We should work closely with data scientists and engineers to develop models that achieve high accuracy with less computational power. This might involve techniques like model pruning, quantization, or using more efficient neural network architectures. By making energy efficiency a key performance indicator for our AI products, we can drive innovation in this crucial area.

Net Positive Impact

While AI systems do consume significant energy, the scale of optimization they bring to global logistics likely results in a net positive environmental impact. Our role is to ensure and maximize this positive balance. This requires a holistic view of our operations. We need to implement comprehensive monitoring systems that track both the energy consumption of our AI systems and the energy savings they generate across the supply chain. By quantifying this net impact, we can make data-driven decisions about which AI initiatives to prioritize. Moreover, we can use this data to create compelling narratives about the sustainability benefits of our products, which can be a powerful tool in stakeholder communications and marketing efforts.

Catalyst for Innovation

The sustainability challenge is driving innovation in green computing and renewable energy. As product managers, we can champion and guide this innovation within our organizations. This might involve partnering with green tech startups, allocating a budget for sustainability-focused R&D, or creating cross-functional “green teams” to tackle sustainability challenges. We should also stay abreast of emerging technologies like quantum computing or neuromorphic chips that promise vastly improved energy efficiency. By positioning ourselves at the forefront of these innovations, we can ensure our products are not just keeping pace with sustainability trends but setting new standards for the industry.

Long-term Vision

We need to take a long-term view, considering how our product decisions today will impact sustainability in the future. This includes anticipating the transition to cleaner energy sources, which will decrease the environmental cost of powering AI systems over time. As product managers, we should be advocating for and planning this transition within our own operations. This might involve setting ambitious timelines for shifting to renewable energy sources, or designing our systems to be adaptable to future energy technologies. We should also be thinking about the full lifecycle of our products, including how they can be sustainably decommissioned or upgraded at the end of their life. By embedding this long-term thinking into our product strategies, we can create truly sustainable solutions that stand the test of time.

Competitive Advantage

Sustainable AI practices can become a significant differentiator in the market. Product managers who successfully balance efficiency and sustainability will lead the industry forward. This is not just about doing good for the planet – it’s about positioning our products for future success. Customers, particularly in the B2B space, are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions. By making sustainability a core feature of our products, we can tap into this growing market demand. We should be working with our marketing teams to effectively communicate our sustainability efforts, potentially pursuing certifications or partnerships that validate our green credentials. Moreover, as regulations around AI and sustainability evolve, products with strong environmental performance will be better positioned to comply with future requirements.

Ethical Responsibility

As leaders in the field of AI and logistics, we have an ethical responsibility to consider the broader impacts of our work. This goes beyond just environmental concerns to include social and economic impacts as well. We should be thinking about how our AI systems affect jobs, privacy, and equity in the supply chain. By taking a proactive approach to these ethical considerations, we can build trust with our stakeholders and create products that contribute positively to society as a whole. This might involve implementing ethical AI frameworks, conducting regular impact assessments, or engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders to understand different perspectives on our work.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The challenges of sustainable AI in logistics are too big for any one company to solve alone. As product managers, we should be fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the industry. This could involve participating in industry consortiums, contributing to open-source projects, or sharing best practices at conferences and in publications. By working together, we can accelerate the development of sustainable AI solutions and create standards that lift the entire industry. Moreover, by positioning ourselves as thought leaders in this space, we can enhance our professional reputations and the reputations of our companies.

As product managers in the logistics industry, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to shape the future of sustainable, AI-powered logistics. The challenge of balancing AI’s benefits with its energy consumption is driving innovation in green computing and renewable energy, with potential benefits far beyond our sector.

By thoughtfully considering both the efficiency gains and environmental costs of AI in our product decisions, we can drive innovation that not only optimizes operations but also contributes to a more sustainable future for global logistics. It’s a complex challenge, but one that offers immense potential for those willing to lead the way.

The future of logistics is not just about being faster and more efficient – it’s about being smarter and more sustainable. As product managers, it’s our job to make that future a reality.

[essarairsystems]

Bacillus Subtilis Manufacturers In USA

Bacillus Subtilis Manufacturers in the USA: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, is renowned for its versatility and wide range of applications across various industries. From agriculture to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, its robust nature and beneficial properties make it a valuable asset. In the USA, several manufacturers specialize in producing Bacillus subtilis products, catering to different sectors with their tailored solutions. This blog delves into the key manufacturers of Bacillus subtilis in the USA, exploring their offerings, applications, and contributions to various industries.

**1. Bacillus Subtilis: An Overview

Before we dive into the manufacturers, let's briefly discuss what makes Bacillus subtilis so significant. This bacterium is known for its ability to form endospores, which allows it to survive harsh environmental conditions. Its applications span across:

Agriculture: As a biofertilizer and biopesticide, Bacillus subtilis promotes plant growth and controls plant diseases.

Biotechnology: It serves as a host for the production of enzymes and pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceuticals: It is used in the production of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds.

2. Major Bacillus Subtilis Manufacturers in the USA

Several prominent companies in the USA are leading the charge in the production and commercialization of Bacillus subtilis products. Here’s a closer look at some of the key players:

a. Novozymes

Overview: Novozymes is a global leader in industrial biotechnology, known for its innovation in enzyme production. Headquartered in Denmark, Novozymes has a strong presence in the USA, focusing on producing Bacillus subtilis for various applications.

Products and Applications:

Agricultural Solutions: Novozymes offers Bacillus subtilis-based biofertilizers and biopesticides that enhance soil health and crop yield.

Industrial Enzymes: Their Bacillus subtilis strains are engineered to produce enzymes used in various industrial processes, including detergent and textile manufacturing.

Special Features: Novozymes is renowned for its research and development capabilities, continually advancing the application of Bacillus subtilis in different sectors.

b. BASF Corporation

Overview: BASF, a global chemical company with a significant presence in the USA, integrates Bacillus subtilis into its product lineup to address agricultural and industrial needs.

Products and Applications:

Crop Protection: BASF’s Bacillus subtilis products are used as biofungicides and soil conditioners, improving plant health and productivity.

Industrial Solutions: They also produce Bacillus subtilis-based enzymes for various industrial applications, including bioenergy production.

Special Features: BASF emphasizes sustainable solutions and innovation, making their Bacillus subtilis products a part of their broader commitment to eco-friendly technologies.

c. Kemin Industries

Overview: Kemin Industries specializes in nutritional products and ingredients for various industries. With a focus on health and nutrition, Kemin incorporates Bacillus subtilis into its offerings to improve animal and human health.

Products and Applications:

Animal Nutrition: Kemin produces Bacillus subtilis-based probiotics that enhance gut health and overall well-being in livestock.

Human Health: They also offer supplements containing Bacillus subtilis for its potential benefits in digestive health and immune support.

Special Features: Kemin’s emphasis on research ensures their Bacillus subtilis products are backed by scientific evidence and tailored to meet specific health needs.

d. BioCare Copenhagen

Overview: BioCare Copenhagen is a company dedicated to providing natural and sustainable solutions. Their Bacillus subtilis products are used in various applications, particularly in agriculture and environmental management.

Products and Applications:

Agricultural Products: BioCare offers Bacillus subtilis-based biofertilizers and biopesticides designed to enhance soil fertility and plant resistance to diseases.

Environmental Solutions: Their products also include solutions for waste treatment and soil remediation, utilizing Bacillus subtilis’s natural abilities to break down organic matter.

Special Features: BioCare’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices is reflected in their use of Bacillus subtilis as a natural solution for environmental and agricultural challenges.

3. Trends and Innovations

The Bacillus subtilis market in the USA is continually evolving, driven by advancements in biotechnology and an increasing focus on sustainable solutions. Key trends include:

Genetic Engineering: Companies are employing genetic modification techniques to enhance the properties of Bacillus subtilis, making it more effective for specific applications.

Sustainability: There is a growing emphasis on using Bacillus subtilis for environmentally friendly solutions, such as reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and promoting waste recycling.

Cross-Sector Applications: The versatility of Bacillus subtilis is leading to its use in new and emerging fields, including bioremediation and personalized medicine.

4. Conclusion

Bacillus subtilis manufacturers in the USA play a crucial role in leveraging this versatile bacterium’s capabilities across diverse sectors. From enhancing agricultural productivity to advancing biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications, these manufacturers are at the forefront of innovation. As the industry continues to evolve, the focus on sustainability and advanced research will likely drive further developments, expanding the potential of Bacillus subtilis even further.

Whether you’re a farmer looking for effective biofertilizers, a biotechnologist seeking enzyme solutions, or a consumer interested in health supplements, the advancements in Bacillus subtilis technology promise exciting opportunities and benefits. Keep an eye on these key manufacturers and the ongoing innovations in this dynamic field.

[halfeaten-mantou]

🧁 old-fashioned YanShen cupcake | Chapter 5/10 | ao3

They go mountain-climbing together. Unfortunately, they run into a monkey. Shen Qiao falls.

(Continue reading here or under the cut!)

It's been one month since Shen Qiao has been taking on extra tasks at work.

And...it's been the strangest job he's ever had in his life. The weekend jobs are the strangest of all, because firstly, he gets free meals—extremely sweet and tasty ones. Secondly, he gets to experience leisurely activities—things like watching movies, visiting pet stores and shopping—things he's never actually gotten around to trying in his younger years.

Thirdly, despite all that, he gets paid for overtime, and when he'd pointed out to his boss that it was absolutely unfair, he'd shrugged and said he didn't mind one bit.

Is his boss…really that rich?

More importantly, Yan Wushi is nothing like what the rumours make him out to be—at the very most, he was domineering and hostile when they'd first met, perhaps cautious about his true intentions about his company. And after Shen Qiao had gained his trust, there was indeed a period of time when he'd been...too close-for-comfort, at least for for someone who's barely met him for more than two days. At that point in time, Shen Qiao had briefly considered that the rumours were true.

But ever since Shen Qiao had openly requested against being 'touched' too intimately, and told him that he'd wanted physical boundaries set between them, he'd actually been acquiescent, never doing anything remotely like that ever since, and Shen Qiao knew it wasn't just because they were in public, because he behaved similarly politely in the office on weekdays as well.

Nonetheless, he has noticed Yan Wushi looking somewhat uneasy sometimes, almost as if he's restraining himself from fluidly carrying out his natural behaviour—stepping back when he thinks he's getting too close, retracting his hand inches away from his skin, stopping his words mid-sentence before he's about to use a pet name such as A Qiao—and he thinks he's certainly been holding back. It's the sort of behaviour that stands in contrast to what the rumours say about him having no regard for every human apart from himself, and having no boundaries.

Shen Qiao wonders exactly what he's been holding back on—what he'd have done had boundaries not been set between them.

He shakes off the thought, willing himself to concentrate on his 'intern tasks' instead. Those have been exceedingly easy for him—after all, he's had quite a bit of experience in the pharmaceutical field, quite a bit being quite a bit of an understatement. Incidentally, he's also recently been crowned the 'Ace Intern of Huanyue', and also been finishing everyone's work for them. Not that he really minds in particular, though.

Just then, Miss Ruru appears around the corner, holding a stack of paper that should probably be everyone's work for the day.

"You're such a lifesaver, Shen Qiao," the young lady coos. "The boss has really hired an angel this time. And you're so beautiful-looking too."

Shen Qiao smiles politely—he's never known what to say whenever people say that to him.

"Thank you. But perception is subjective, and all things subjective are illusory and transient, with physical appearances the most illusory and transient of them all."

Miss Ruru clicks her tongue. "There you go, waxing Taoist lyrical again. One would have thought that you're some thousand years old sage if they hadn't known better. Also…"

She suddenly bends down to whisper something in Shen Qiao's ear. "I've noticed that you've gotten really close with the big boss lately. Has he done anything to you?"

Shen Qiao shakes his head.

"Are you safe? Are you okay?"

Shen Qiao nods his head.

"Are you sure?" Miss Ruru looks around. "They always say that he's a huge pervert, especially for the good-looking ones. They say he always has his hands all around them, and the worst part is that he's super strong and muscular so most people can't fight bac—"

"Thank you for your concern, but rumours are only rumours." Shen Qiao says firmly, voice calm but suddenly louder than usual—loud enough for the entire office to turn their heads towards them.

"As far as my knowledge goes, Mr Yan does not lay a finger on anyone without their permission, be they men or women. Everything he does to anyone is consensual..." Shen Qiao asserts. Suddenly, he pauses, feeling like he forgot about an exception to this fact...hacking. Hacking is not consensual, because it's forced sharing of knowledge.

"...everything, except for hacking. Everything else is consensual except for the hacking." He promptly adds.

Miss Ruru’s mouth is slightly ajar, not having expected the sudden change in demeanour. "O-kay. I'm glad to know that you're okay, Shen Qiao. I think the receptionist ladies will be glad to know that too."

Shen Qiao smiles, relieved to hear that his point has gotten through. "Thank you. Please help me to tell them thank you too, for worrying about me."

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This week, it's Shen Qiao's turn to choose the location for Saturday. He's supposed to let him know on Friday night, but it's already 8 p.m., and there hasn't been any text of any sort yet.

Yan Wushi never lets anyone else plans his days for him—after all, he's always been too much of a control freak for that to happen. He's starting to find this nerve-wrecking...yet also exciting, because it's Shen Qiao planning it.

Beep. It's a text with a Google maps link.

Yan Wushi clicks, and it's…a mountain. He reads the text:

Mr Yan, in order to prevent potential diabetes, I would like to help you realise that 'youth' includes both schoolgirl things and schoolboy things. If you're not opposed, I will not include a dessert cafe this time. Instead, I will make and pack a light breakfast, and we will eat it upon hiking up the hill. Please let me know if you have any oppositions or suggestions to the plan; if not, see you there tomorrow at 7 a.m.

He notices that Shen Qiao has asked to meet three hours earlier than the usual timing. Even though the contract only mandates three hours of weekend overtime.

Regardless of whether he will ask for extra overtime pay (Yan Wushi reckons this possibility highly unlikely, given his character), Yan Wushi finds himself looking forward to the events of the next day—seeing Shen Qiao in hiking clothes; eating Shen Qiao's cooking.

Getting to spend extra time with Shen Qiao.

Maybe he really is starting to become a schoolgirl, because these thoughts start to flutter in Yan Wushi's stomach.

(He barely gets to sleep a wink that night.)

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He's there at 6 o'clock in the morning. Even though they're really only meeting at 7.

Granted, Shen Qiao's usually at least 30 minutes early, so technically, he's just being there to meet him properly. But one hour early is way too early, even for Shen Qiao. Plus, he's the boss and for bosses, one hour early is one hour too early.

A thought suddenly floats into his mind—it's some Taoist thing Shen Qiao had told him one time, something about 'formlessness' and 'lacking fixed identify'; something about changing your perspective.

So, hypothetically speaking, maybe if he'd changed his perspective, the formlessness of these weekend intern tasks can shift their identity into something like…perhaps, a date. And then he wouldn't be the boss anymore, because he'd just be one half of the date. And so, it was okay for him to be one hour early.

Catching his own thoughts, he cringes at them—seems like being sleep-deprived really did a bunch of silly things to his old brain.

(He was right about sleep-deprivation taking a toll on his old brain, because he starts falling asleep on the pavement, nodding off on a little street lamp right beside where he's sitting on the pavement.)

"…Mr Yan. Are you okay?"

Yan Wushi jerks himself awake from the street lamp, and he sees a very concerned Shen Qiao, all decked out in hiking clothes and gear.

So cute I could die, intuitively says some part of his sleep-inebriated, still-asleep schoolgirl brain. The sleep deprivation was worth it after all.

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When they take a break on a rest stop midway through the mountain path, something unexpected happens—it's a monkey.

While monkeys aren't too uncommon in China, the thing about this monkey is that they're currently aiming for Shen Qiao, who is currently attempting to drink water. Luckily, Yan Wushi has quick reflexes, so he lunges forward and pushes Shen Qiao away to the side in a quick forward movement, before using his legs to kick backwards at the monkey.

Said monkey backs off, startled, before absconding back into the forest. Also startled is Shen Qiao, and Yan Wushi realises that his forward push had been somewhat ill-positioned, ending up as something closer to a hug. Suddenly remembering what he'd said about abhorring non-consensual touching, he lets go of Shen Qiao.

"Sorry," he apologises. "I just reacted on instinct."

Shen Qiao looks at him, speechless for a moment, before a gentle smile starts dawning on his mild countenance.

"I really appreciate that you'd listened to my request that day." He smiles. "Thank you. However, please don't worry too much. Normal touching is okay." Shen Qiao then starts patting him on his shoulders, as if to prove his own point. "Please don't feel the need to restrain yourself abnormally."

Yan Wushi pauses to introspect briefly when he hears the words 'restrain yourself abnormally'...restraint has never really been a word in his dictionary. At least not until he'd met Shen Qiao.

Yet, he has been restraining himself. He really did want to respect his wishes. However, the strangest fact was that Yan Wushi hasn't ever tried to respect anyone else's wishes and principles—in fact, he's probably infamous for purposely disrespecting others' wishes and principles.

Funny that he's the one realising this, but Shen Qiao has certainly brought out a very unusual Yan Wushi.

Indeed, he's been absolutely unusual lately, so unusual that even Yu Shengyan had asked if anything's wrong lately; so unusual that even the cleaning lady had caught him humming a jolly tune in the office pantry while making a veggie smoothie instead of a coffee in his pantry one day.

For the umpteenth time, Yan Wushi realises he's way too smitten for his own good, and try as he might, he doesn't think he's going to be able to crawl out of this hole he's fallen in.

Nonetheless, given that even Shen Qiao himself is attempting to get him to act a bit more normally...

He thinks that perhaps everything is okay—so okay that he even could afford to be a little more comfortable with the situation.

(Perhaps everything will turn out okay in the end.)

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When they reach the peak of the mountain, Yan Wushi is panting only very slightly—thank goodness he'd done enough strength training over the years to prevent the Saturday dessert breakfasts from eliminating him and his abs.

Shen Qiao is completely not panting, though, and Yan Wushi marvels at how this is possible for a skinny dude like him. He also starts wondering if Shen Qiao secretly also has abs.

As he tries very hard to shake the thought away, Shen Qiao hands him a sandwich—it's the long-awaited 'A-Qiao's cooking'.

(Either being too smitten or too sleep-deprived has caused him to forget that technically, assembling a sandwich does not qualify as cooking.)

Yan Wushi takes a bite—it's probably super delicious, because he almost wolves down the entire thing.

"You're good at cooking."

"…thank you for the compliment." Shen Qiao is slightly awestruck, mouth gaping a little in shock at how much his poor boss must have been starving. "Even though it's not really cooking at all...really just assembling bread with tomatoes and eggs."

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Beep. Shen Qiao's phone buzzes.

[HilltopWithA-Qiao.jpg] A-Qiao, look at this glorious picture we have together. Time to praise me for my exponential improvement in wefie-taking skills.

As he appraises the photograph he's been sent, Shen Qiao can't help but smile at the silly message, and the silly photograph. It's indeed a good picture, so he presses 'save'.

It's the fifth week since they’ve been having weekly Saturday outings, and the first since Shen Qiao's been the one proposing the locations. And if Shen Qiao were to admit, it's been unexpectedly fun; so much fun that it's hard to believe this really is a job. He even finds himself looking forward to overtime on Friday nights.

He also still can't believe how far Yan Wushi is from how the rumours make him out to be. He'd half-expected him to revert back into his old self over time, but ironically, it'd only gone the other way—it seems that he's been getting the hang of being respectful. Even after lifting the 'ban on physical contact' earlier today, Wushi hadn't done anything untoward to him either. Still acquiescent to what most people would consider normal physical distancing, the most skinship that has occurred was when they'd found rabbits at an unexpected rabbit habitat in the forest, and he was patting some of the cute rabbits there while his boss was patting his head, calling him 'cute A-Qiao' in jest.

In that instant, the first thought to emerge in Shen Qiao's head was that his boss was, in fact, the one who was 'cute'—the older man's face had been brimming with pure joy, and even though he's really almost fifteen years his senior, Shen Qiao could not help but experience a certain sense of endearment towards the childlike way in which he'd seemed to have so much fun there.

He'd also been realising something strange about himself: he'd been strangely unopposed to Wushi calling him 'A-Qiao'.

Only two people have ever used this nickname on him; specifically, the two closest people he'd had in his life: Yu Ai and his mentor.

Both of them weren't around for him anymore.

He'd never expected to experience closeness with another person apart from the two of them—not even his parents, with whom he's always had a mostly respectful and cordial relationship. When his mentor had passed on, he was left with one person.

And now that Yu Ai has betrayed him, he's left with none.

This has indeed taken an emotional toll on him, but at the same time, his Taoist principles—a constant anchor in his life; a constant nagging at the back of his head—has always firmly reminded that he should not mourn too much over them, because all the best he can do is to remember that everything is impermanent, and that he shouldn't have expect to share emotional proximity with anyone in the first place.

Because everything is impermanent, and he'd have been misguided to expect anyone to stay.

Yet, he'd somehow managed to break the ice with his new boss in recent days, and before he'd known it, he's stopped holding back so much on his own emotions. He's stopped reminding himself that it's dangerous to let himself get caught up too much in transient emotions; dangerous to express too much; dangerous to feel, and to feel so happy.

Amidst the unexpectedly joyous times they've been having together, Shen Qiao finds himself looking forward to more. On Mondays, he counts four days till the next meeting. On Tuesdays, he counts three. On Wednesdays, he counts two, and on Thursdays, he counts one. On Fridays, he finds himself spending the whole day looking forward to overtime.

It's a peaceful, pleasant Saturday night. Now that a day has barely made it past Friday, he's already looking forward to overtime—so much so that he decides to jump the gun, sending his boss the next location for the next overtime a whole week early.

https://www.google.qianqiu/maps/dir/nextlocation Mr Yan, I found a good place for next week, if you're not opposed to a slightly further location. Do take a look and consider if you like it. If you do, we could meet for breakfast at the train station on Saturday morning and travel there afterwards.

He hits send. Catches himself looking forward to overtime, even though overtime has only just ended. Closes his eyes as he drifts into peaceful, pleasant dreams—dreams of a kind future he'd never expected to have the privilege to enjoy.

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