#cortex 01

[stories-by-an-anxious-ice-dragon]

[Horror] Necromancer - 01

I've noticed a lot of memes saying that necromancy isn't as scary as it seems, and while I sometimes agree, I wished to try my hand at it.

CW: Gore, Bugs, Death

--------------------------

The sound of the footsteps tells you that the floor is wood, though to you, it feels like long-since-dusted stone. Or perhaps, it feels like nothing at all. Perhaps it was the mantle, upon which you’d be judged by… whoever you were meant to face after their death. 

Who… are you? It’s so hard to recall anything. There’s a buzzing noise in your head that reminds you too much of the printing machines you used to work with at Marigold’s shop, and it fills your prefrontal cortex with too much white and gray noise to focus on anything. When you do focus, the only thing that sticks out to you is the cavity in your chest, where you can feel specks of flesh dripping where your ribs should be. When you curl up, and put your head to the cavity, the smell is noxious and makes your eyes water. If you could open your eyes… would you want to know what’s happening down there?

Would you want to see the cockroaches and fat beetles skittering around inside of your stomach?

The footsteps are slow, and methodical. They arrive with the swing of a door whose hinges might not have been oiled in decades… or maybe centuries. The gust of wind causes the bugs to jump. And then the door closes. Something drags beside the footsteps, scratching and sliding over the floorboards, clinking off the nails embedded in them like it was meant to be some kind of demented musical instrument. Tapping closer and closer to the pile of grayed flesh that are your remains.

Whatever it is, it nudges you. The tip of it is glassy, and it chills your spine as it drags down it. Eventually, it forces itself into the fetal curl you’ve found yourself in, and forces you out of it. The rod gets under your chin and pushes it back, until the back of your head hits the skirting of the wall. The skirting’s just as rotted as… your stomach.

Who are you…? What are you doing here?

Wait, no… it starts to come back to you. The last moments that replayed in your mind, over and over like a broken record, before you woke up in this place. You remember the hospital bed, and the white - too white - walls all around you. You remember holding your wife’s hand, how soft and gentle it’d been, kissing her for the last time before the… doctors put you to sleep. You remember telling her that it’d be alright, that you’d always be with her.

Something of the stomach, it had been, right? You remember the pain being numb after a while… though with the way you’re feeling now, you would never guess that. You can barely feel your own heart. You don’t wanna look. You don’t wanna look. Where the hell are you?

The glass rod nudges you again. “Rise,” a voice rings through the small room. And then there’s heat, welling up inside the glass like it’s an electric stove. It seers into the dry flesh along your chin, and you open your mouth to scream, but you can’t even manage that. Just a pathetic squeak.

And then - gods, *how!?* - you sit up. As if an invisible force grabs your hind end, it drags up against the wall, much to the complaint of your insides, which drip even more sagging flesh as you lean upwards. You feel a centipede squirm up between two of your guts. The feeling is even worse when your arms push against the splintery wood, to force you as high as you can go.

Once you’re up, your torso lulls forward across your outstretched legs. Oh, you’re in it now. You can feel your cracked ribs, how a gust of air goes into your chest and whistles out the opposite side. Is it possible to want to wretch when… you aren’t sure if you have a stomach anymore?

“Come on, my thrall. I know that you can sit up better than that.” The rod is pushing at your chin again, and forces it up no matter how much your eyes and cheeks want to melt off your bones. They’re crusted up and dry, conceding to their death.

Eventually, you sit straight up, much to the dismay of your ribs. With your lips nearly stuck together, you find something creeping out of them, sneaking up a tightened throat from distended lungs. “Where… am… I…?”

“There you go. No more time to laze around, my thrall.” That voice… you’ve heard it before. It’s foggy, and snappy, but you remember it being softer than this. You remember hearing it… sometime before you made it to the hospital. “Gaze upon me.”

One of your eyes open, and that’s about all you can manage. You see the brown, dusty swirls of the room around you, and the pricks of the nails poking out of the floorboards. In the midst of it, there’s a bright red, glowing rod of glass that still threatens to seer your chin off. It shines so bright that it almost looks superimposed on top of the rest of the room, which is so dead-looking compared to it. With your pupils low and exhausted, your iris climbs the rim of the rod, up the ancient tree branch that it must have been made of, all the way to the smooth fingers gripping it at the other side.

A *staff*. That’s the word that comes to mind. You remember once reading about wizards and witches who dominated the world before the modern age, but you thought it was all… all… Christ, is any of this real? Does it really matter if any of that insane stuff is rooted in reality when you’re sitting there, feeling your guts *melted*? Feeling ants nibbling at your insides?

“I *said* to gaze upon me, thrall.” The voice snarls, and the staff gets hotter. Either as a tear, or condensation, a drop of water streams out of your crusted eye. You recognize the voice now. Oh god, you recognize it. Out of all the voices in the world to violate your ears when you’re meant to be sound asleep in your coffin, there are few that could be worse.

“Why… why am I…”

You, who must be the “thrall,” gaze upon her, as commanded.

You remember speaking with your wife, a few months before the extended hospital stay interrupted, about how the entire atmosphere around Marigold’s printing press was starting to scare you. It started as something small: Marigold, the royally-dressed woman who ran a printing business, had pushed you when you showed up late, and crossed her arms at you. “I didn’t buy you for $500 a week just for you to steal five minutes of my time,” she had said. You only brushed past her then, apologized, and clocked in, avoiding her fingers.

And then, it was the way that her hands glided down yours while you were working. As if the sound of the clunking printer was an invitation to her. The raw tension in her fingers, the sweat they sent down your spine and the way they made your then-existent stomach turn. She mentioned your wife, and how she must be a lucky woman. A lucky, lucky woman. “Is she fulfilling all your needs?” she asked. “Ever want someone else to suck your soul out?” That soft voice, like the surface of a Marigold flower.

And then, on the hospital bed, where you were writhing and trying to keep your composure in front of your wire, as she ran her fingers through her hair in the way that made you wish to sit up and kiss her, you thought that you saw Marigold again. She’d been outside the window of your room, but it was dark out at the time, and rainy, so you convinced yourself that it was just the flash of a tree branch. Just an ordinary tree branch. Or, when you were feeling superstitious, it was a ghost ready to guide you to the afterlife. You were ready, and quite honestly, of all the things in your life to reminisce on, your job was far down on the list.

You hadn’t thought of Marigold in days. You could’ve gone all of eternity without remembering the name of the boss who once leaned in to kiss you on a Thursday afternoon, leaving the remaining 2 hours of your shift an awkward ordeal for you to shimmy through. You could’ve left her as a footnote of your life. Would you even mention the printing place to the angel tasked with weighing your life?

“In the eye, thrall,” she says now, and you want to vomit. No - why her? Why is she here, when you can’t talk back to her?

“Wh…what… have you done…?”

You look her in the eyes, the shining green eyes that had been a dull blue before. You study her face all the way down to the grin. A few more scars have made the way across her face since you last saw her.

“I was dead,” you continue. “I kissed my wife goodbye and I heard the… the heartbeat monitor stop,” you grit your teeth, though your head still lulls. Out of ink, no more miracles, your free trial of life ended - you were dead, dead, dead!

“Oh, you are dead, my thrall…” she says, leaning close to you. You expect her to stop, but she doesn’t, and soon her chapstick is violating your mouth. She sucks out your rotted breath from your plaque-covered teeth, and you lack the strength to pull away. It’s only once she does, that you once again relish in the permission to breathe, through lungs filled with bugs. “Dead as dead can be… dead, dead, dead…”

“W…was happy… being dead…”

“That’s not your choice to make, my thrall. You’re but a corpse. Do corpses get to make choices about how their owners play with them? No. And you’re a corpse. A dull, smelly corpse for me to animate as I please.”

She puts her stuff into your chest… how big is the hole? How much of you is dripping away?

“Just, a fucking, corpse. And not even one of the more useful ones under my command.”

“...why?”

“You thought that you could skip out on work by taking an unannounced vacation to the afterlife? No, no, no my thrall… think again. I invested too much training time into you to let you go to waste. I expect you to be back to work in minutes, thrall. Rise…”

You feel the joints in your legs start to light up… and you move.

No, no, no, you whisper to yourself. Not like this. You remember joking about how necromancy isn’t as scary as it sounds, how all that talk of disrupting the sanctity of the dead was hogwash. And now the wind through your chest tickles the sides of your exposed organs, teasing them, causing a beetle to flicker its wings against a drooping artery. You think of the trillions of infections creeping their way into your vessel right now.

But you stand, head lulling, eyes sagging. Something flakes off your cheek. Your hair is full of blood and loose flesh. You fail to lift your arms.

“Necromancer…” you mumble under your breath.

“That’s right, my thrall,” she bats her hair, and sticks her staff under your shoulder. “And you’re now my dull, reanimated property. It’ll be a long, long, long time before I let you return to the ground.”

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[justzooks]

Stellar Spirit Research paper

Index of Terms:

Amygdala: part of the brain associated with experiencing different emotions

Frontal Cortex: part of the brain associated with decision-making, in unicorns also closely associated with magic.

Cerebellum: part of the brain associated with motor movement and determining the position of limbs in space.

The thaumometer:

The thaumometer measures magical flow in the area around it. Almost anywhere in Equestria has some natural magic flow, making it critical to get control readings before measuring the power of a particular spell or creature. Base measurements of the testing area show a passive magic flow of 0.3 thaums.

(for those unfamiliar with the unit of measurement, 1 thaum is about as much magic flow as it takes to lift an average weight pony off the ground. Princess Celestia’s upper limit has been measured at approximately 15 Thaums. The effects of Grogar’s bell have been measured at over 30 thaums in the right conditions.)

Squee: indicates emotional energy, which can have an effect on Thaumic rate. 1 squee is approximately equivalent to seeing something so adorable that a high-pitched sound escapes your vocal chords.

Test #1: “control”

Subject was subjected to scans with brain mapping equipment and thaumometer and asked to lift a 10-pound weight.

Results appear normal. Activity is a little higher than average, which may be explained by the subject being intellectually stimulated by the tests. Emotional energy measured at .95 squee.

Maximum magic flow measured at 1.2 thaums.

Subject’s notes: "Well, this is just the normal me! Nothing special, really. I can still do some cool stuff, but it's nothing that incredible or complex, I'd say. This is how you'll see me the vast majority of the time."

Test #2: “Cosmic form”

Subject asked to take on “cosmic” form and cast the same spell.

Brain activity increased in the amygdala, reduced in the frontal cortex. Emotional energy measured at 4.5 squee.

Magic flow measured at 5.5 thaums

Subject’s notes: "The Cosmic State is what I call my Overdrive, and it boosts my magic power by quite a bit. In that State, I can feel my magic rushing through me, giving me power and making me feel... well, alive! It's kinda like a shot of adrenaline in that sense. I also feel more confident when I'm Cosmic, though that's probably just due to having more power."

Researcher's Notes: cosmic form is indeed similar to what many ponies experience during an adrenaline rush: increased activities in the primal, subconscious parts of the brain and energy being diverted from less critical functions like abstract reasoning. The massive increase in thaumic flow can almost entirely be attributed to emotional multiplication.

Test #3: “Abyssal form”

Subject was asked to meditate on the “abyssal” state of mind while being monitored by brain mapping equipment and a thaumometer. Please note that the subject reports this state has been inaccessible to her since she “gifted” it to another, so this test is primarily focused on the state of mind associated with the form.

Initial findings show greatly reduced brain activity in the amygdala. Emotional energy measured at .01 squee.

Magic flow measured at 0.2  thaums. Do we need to retake the control readings? This is 0.1 thaum lower than base levels…

Subject’s Notes: "The Abyssal State... My darkest State, outside of actual dark or corrupted forms. I always felt... empty whenever I used it. Sometimes, all I could feel is rage... Towards the end of the State's existence, I like to think I had more control over it, but I'm not entirely sure that's true. It kinda hurts to use, as if it's altering my body, perhaps my very being, every time I use it. It's not safe... but it did give me incredible power. It was my strongest State until I unlocked the Origin State, strong enough to break things otherwise thought to be unbreakable, even with my bare hooves. I could briefly step into the void as a dodge of sorts. Honestly, there's probably more stuff I could do, like sending things into the void, or neutralizing energy, but I was hesitant to experiment with it..."

Note to self: several nodes in the Brain scanner lost connectivity intermittently during the test. Recalibrate before proceeding further.

Test #4: “Entropic form”

Subject was asked to induce “entropic” state and cast the same spell.

Brain scans show a picture of a pineapple. Emotional energy measured at “Mind your own business” squee

Thaumometer shows erratic behavior, no reading recorded.

Subject Notes: "Ah yes, the Entropic State. This is a weird one, and not just because it's chaos magic. I got it because I was depressed! ... Okay, that's not quite accurate. What I mean is I asked Discord to give me some of his power because of... stuff I don't really want to say. But instead of what I expected, it manifested as a State, and I could finally control it! And I thought those tests were for nothing... Anyway, it's a weird feeling, being Entropic. I can see and feel things I couldn't before, use crazy magics that I never had access to before I acquired this power. It's also a little hard to focus on one thing sometimes... It does put me in a good mood, though. I think I have the potential to do everything Discord can, though maybe to a lesser scale. I just don't have a full understanding of it yet, so it's a bit hard to keep it under control sometimes."Researcher’s notes: I did not know my brain scanner could show me a pineapple, let alone make it dance off the screen. I think it’s safe to say none of the readings taken here can be trusted, scientifically. However, I’m convinced chaos magic still follows many rules of magic, despite the difficulty of getting accurate readings.

Test #5: “Copycat form”

Subject asked to copy the abilities of our volunteer Gad Hippogriffin using “copycat” state.

Brain scans show greatly increased activity in the frontal cortex. Additional scans reveal near identical activity in the cerebellum of the subject and that of our volunteer. Emotional energy measured at 1.5 squee.

Magic flow measured at 0.4 thaums at time of scan

Subject Notes: "Hehe, Copycat's a fun one. I've heard Sol say I act like a generic anime protagonist in this state, confident and willing to push myself to the extreme. I don't have any more power than normal in this state though, not by default. The power I get is from learning the techniques and abilities of others by watching them. I can adapt them for my own use, then use them against whoever I'm fighting! Sadly, I only retain those abilities for as long as I'm a Copycat. If I lose focus, and thus lose that State, I forget those abilities."

Researcher’s Notes: My theory at this time is that the copycat ability allows Stella’s brain to construct a rudimentary consciousness capable of channeling the target’s magic on the self-image level. Magic on this level doesn’t register on the thaumometer.

Test #6: “Origin form”

Subject instructed to enter “origin” state and cast the same spell.

Passive Magic flow briefly measured at 7.3 Thaums shortly before overload. Subject notes: "Geez... The Origin State is a little... insane. It gives me power that I haven't felt in so long... It's exhilarating! Okay, so, I've had a long, complicated history. Using game terms, I've been buffed and nerfed many times. Mostly nerfed. But becoming the Origin lets me overcome that, and reclaim the power I once had. It's like... the origin of my true power. I get super serious in the Origin State, but also want to display this power, so I tend to be a bit flashy, I guess. It all feels natural to me, as if I've always had this power, and yet in my own tests, it doesn't exist until I enter the state. It's weird..."

Note to self: it may be time to stop relying on homemade equipment. Also, look into these “video games” Stella keeps referencing. Final notes and Conclusions: It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Stellar Spirit in these tests. She has been both cooperative and insightful. Each of these states operate under incredibly unique rules and would probably take a lifetime of research to understand completely, so for the purposes of this paper I’m afraid I must woefully under-represent each of them. Another research paper may be forthcoming with more focused parameters.

[shinigami-striker]

The End of Universal Interactive... | Thursday, 01.04.24

On this day, 30 years ago, former video game publisher, Universal Interactive Studios was founded, though they ended up consolidating into Vivendi Universal Games before they dissolved around 2008 (15 years ago), in which they merged with Activision.

Video games developed and published (down below):

1994

Jurassic Park Interactive (3DO, 05/10/94)

Way of the Warrior (3DO Interactive, 08/30/94)

1996

Crash Bandicoot (PlayStation, 09/09/96)

Disruptor (PlayStation, 11/20/96)

1997

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (PlayStation, 11/5/97)

1998

Spyro the Dragon (PlayStation, 9/9/98)

Running Wild (PlayStation, 10/7/98)

Crash Bandicoot: Warped (PlayStation, 11/3/98)

1999

Xena: Warrior Princess (PlayStation, 10/05/99)

Crash Team Racing (PlayStation, 10/19/99)

Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage (PlayStation, 11/02/99)

2000

Spyro: Year of the Dragon (PlayStation, 10/10/00)

Crash Bash (PlayStation, 11/07/00)

2001

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (PS2, 10/30/01)

Spyro: Season of Ice (GBA, 11/07/01)

2002

Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure (GBA, 02/26/02)

Spyro 2: Season of Flame (GBA, 09/25/02)

Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly (multi-platform, 11/05/02)

2003

Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced (GBA, 01/07/03)

Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs (GBA, 10/28/03)

Crash Nitro Kart (multi-platform, 11/11/03)

I couldn't add every game on the list unfortunately since the majority of these releases goes to both Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon.

Comment below on what's your favorite (and least favorite) published by Universal Interactive Studios.

[monarch-of-weird-girlboy-nation]

Found some sources :) and yeah, this is, according to my research, all correct.

♡♡♡ Love languages ♡♡♡

https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/study-refutes-concept-of-love-languages/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/feb/14/love-languages-are-hugely-popular-but-theres-very-little-evidence-they-exist-at-all

☆ MBTI ☆

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/03/10345603/personality-tests-persona-documentary-hbo

https://medium.com/@simonspichak/the-racist-origin-of-the-popular-myers-briggs-test-49c735da660a (need to sign up to view)

◇ IQ ◇

Found an actual professional article titled the iq myth, but you HAVE TO PAY AHH, so I couldn't really read it, but I did find:

https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/iq-load-bs/

●●BMI●●

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-02/the-problem-with-the-body-mass-index-bmi/100728416 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215#:~:text=BMI%20(body%20mass%20index)%2C,of%20Medicine%2C%20University%20of%20Pennsylvania.

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/is-bmi-accurate

And for the racism fat phobia thing

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/893006538

https://csw.ucla.edu/2020/11/23/fearing-the-black-body-the-racial-origins-of-fat-phobia-by-sabrina-strings-nyu-press-2019/

Finally,

▪︎The brain develops at 25 ▪︎

https://www.sciencefocus.com/comment/brain-myth-25-development

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/ (basically, the quote that says ur prefrontal cortex is done cooking the rest of your brain isn't.)

Hope I helped!

I can't keep having the same conversations about love languages, mbti, iq, bmi, "brain fully formed at 25" and shit over and over again...

[thejackhopkins]

Mastering Mental Resilience: Jack Hopkins on Navigating Fear and Stress in Modern Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7BnStql9g0 Unlock the secrets behind your brain's response to fear and stress with Jack Hopkins as your guide. Ever wondered why you freeze in a moment of panic or how your body instinctively chooses fight or flight? Discover the intricate dance between the amygdala and the sympathetic nervous system, and learn how these primal reactions have been hardwired for survival. Gain insights into why that often-dismissed freeze response might be your best ally in certain situations. Plus, explore how you can consciously redirect your brain activity to the prefrontal cortex to maintain calm and clarity when fear threatens to take over. In today's fast-paced world, managing stress and maintaining logical thinking is more crucial than ever. Jack emphasizes the need for strategic training to keep the prefrontal cortex functioning during high-pressure moments. Forget relying on luck—understand how fear can hijack your logical thinking, and learn to command your mind to stay operational under duress. With the right knowledge and techniques, you can avoid the pitfalls of stress-induced paralysis and make sound decisions in even the most threatening scenarios. Not all fears are created equal, and recognizing the manufactured fear from real threats is vital. Jack discusses how political and media-induced fears can cloud judgment, leading to unnecessary stress. Explore methods to activate your parasympathetic nervous system through simple practices like peripheral vision awareness and sub-vocalization management. These tools offer you a pathway to serenity amidst chaos, ensuring your mind stays clear and balanced. Tune in to master mental stability and resilience, and navigate the tumultuous waves of modern life with a poised and powerful mind. Support the show (https://ift.tt/hj6e2Eo) via Jack Hopkins https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4mm8MxCLvehI-6tEXEnnA October 16, 2024 at 01:08AM

[xtruss]

What Is Cortisol—And Should You Actually Be Worried About It?

Myths about cortisol—also known as the “Stress Hormone”—abound on social media. Here’s what experts say about this substance that helps make your body tick.

— ByErin Blakemore | Published: March 01, 2024

Cortisol plays a critical role in your body, regulating metabolism, sleep, immune function, inflammation, and your response to stress. This illustration depicts the adrenal cortex (Gold), located above each kidney, as it secretes cortisol and other hormones into the bloodstream. Illustration By Axel Kock, Science Photo Library

How are your cortisol levels today? A few minutes on the internet might leave you convinced that your body is depleted of—or flooded with—the hormone.

Known colloquially as “the stress hormone,” cortisol plays a starring role in most of the physiological processes that make your body tick. But in recent years, it has become a victim of its own fame, with people blaming suspected imbalances of the hormone for ailments such as “adrenal fatigue,” weight gain, exhaustion, anxiety, headaches, and more.

Cortisol does play a vital role in your health. But are imbalanced cortisol levels really that common? Here’s what to know about the critical hormone—and why it may not merit as much worry as some social media health gurus would have you think.

A Physical Powerhouse

Secreted by the adrenal glands atop the kidneys, cortisol, known as a steroid hormone, can be found in nearly every tissue of the body.

“Honestly, we cannot do without it,” says Anat Ben-Shlomo, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai.

Cortisol allows the body to regulate everything from metabolism to sleep to immune function and inflammation, but it’s arguably best known for helping the body respond to perceived threats, a role that’s earned it the nickname of the “stress hormone.”

When the body perceives an internal or external threat, its sympathetic nervous system activates, triggering a complex sequence of hormonal responses. One such response is to prompt the adrenal glands to release cortisol, which helps give the body the energy it needs to cope with the stress and get back to homeostasis.

Too Much—or Little—of a Good Thing?

There is such thing as too much or too little cortisol.

Tumors in the pituitary gland can trigger too-high cortisol levels, leading to a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by weight gain, weakness, blood sugar problems, and bruising.

Meanwhile those whose immune systems attack their adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and can develop chronic adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, which can cause crushing fatigue, dizziness, skin darkening, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.

“The diseases that are associated with cortisol deficiency or excess are very complicated, multiorganic, multisystemic diseases,” says Ben-Shlomo. They can be tricky to treat—and because cortisol issues share symptoms with other diseases, misdiagnosis is common.

But even though experts suspect these conditions are underdiagnosed, both are considered rare disorders.

The Myth of ‘Adrenal Fatigue’

Despite the rarity of cortisol disorders, internet health gurus and alternative health practitioners claim that with sustained stress, the adrenal glands can burn out and become unable to produce cortisol, leading to a cascade of symptoms commonly called “adrenal fatigue.”

But the term is a myth, Ben-Shlomo says, and a 2016 literature review of studies suggests the condition doesn’t really exist.

“It really takes a pretty big insult for your adrenal glands not to work,” Anne Cappola, professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told National Geographic in July 2023. “These glands have a lot of built-in redundancy. You have two adrenal glands. You need less than one to function.”

Though serious endocrine disorders do exist, researchers warn against attempting to “balance” hormones at home or self-prescribing supplements—most of which are unproven and unregulated—to stave off cortisol deficiency or excess.

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, head to a doctor for more information. Endocrinologists can rule out adrenal problems and often identify other conditions, such as perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), that share symptoms with adrenal issues.

“The beauty of the adrenal glands is that they have a huge capacity to give you what you need to survive and withstand stress,” says Ben-Shlomo.

Fighting Back Against Chronic Stress

Stress may not burn out your adrenals or deplete your body’s cortisol reserves. But its effects are real, and supported by a vast body of literature that underlines the association between high stress levels and compromised health.

For example, those with multiple adverse childhood experiences are prone to a variety of health conditions, from mood disorders to obesity and stroke. Stress can trigger or worsen a slew of other conditions, compromising a variety of bodily systems and leading one group of researchers to write in 2017 that “the medical community needs to have a greater appreciation for the significant role that stress may play in various diseases.”

You may not be able to fend off a growing tumor or an autoimmune disorder. But you can modify your experience of stress through a variety of lifestyle modifications. Ben-Shlomo and colleagues stress regular exercise, a healthful diet, meditation or mindfulness, and enough sleep—factors that can treat or even prevent a variety of the conditions some people can mistake for an issue with cortisol production. After all, acute stress may have its evolutionary benefits but most of us would prefer not to experience it.

“Stress is a bad thing,” the physician says. “That’s been proven beyond any doubt.”

[maximuswolf]

Most iconic intros to a boss fight

Most iconic intros to a boss fight I’ll never forget when I played as the bad guy, Neo Cortex, in Crash Twinsanity and I encountered Madame Amberley. The way she talked down to him and made him look so small and weak before the fight is so iconic and funny and I have yet to come across a boss fight intro that beats it. Submitted May 14, 2024 at 01:51PM by aa95xaaaxv https://ift.tt/PSyxOe5 via /r/gaming

[teknolojihaber]

Çinli şirket 300 $ fiyatla RISC-V işlemcili dizüstü bilgisayarını piyasaya sürüyor

Çinli girişim SpacemiT , K1 sekiz çekirdekli RISC-V yongasını temel alan bir dizüstü bilgisayar olan bir sonraki bilgisayarını tanıttı . Tam olarak standart bir dizüstü bilgisayar olmasa da MuseBook olarak adlandırılan bu ürün, donanım mühendislerine, geliştiricilere ve Kendin Yap meraklılarına yönelik özelliklere ve yeteneklere sahip. Resmi bir lansman tarihi mevcut olmasa da, yakında 300 $ gibi nispeten düşük bir fiyatla satışa sunulması bekleniyor. MuseBook, özellikle ekran çerçevesinin altındaki basılı addan belli belirsiz bir Apple MacBook'a benziyor. 1920 x 1080 çözünürlüğe ve 60Hz yenileme hızına sahip 14,1 inç IPS paneli standart. Klavye Windows makinelerine daha çok benziyor ancak özel Windows düğmesinin yerini RISC-V düğmesi aldı. CNX Yazılımına sağlanan ünite açılmayacağı için bu butonun hangi fonksiyonu sağlayabileceği konusunda henüz bir haber yok .

Dizüstü bilgisayar 1,3 kg ağırlığında ve yaklaşık 18 mm kalınlığında. Bir MicroSD kart yuvası, iki USB-C bağlantı noktası, iki USB 3.0 Tip-A bağlantı noktası, bir 3,5 mm kulaklık girişi ve güç, çoklanmış I2C, UART, PWM, GPIO ve daha fazlası için pinlere sahip 8 pinli bir başlık sağlıyor. K1 SoC'nin tüm özellikleri aşağıda listelenmiştir: İşlemciSekiz Çekirdekli X60 64 bit RISC-V çekirdeği (çok çekirdekli yapılandırmada Cortex-A55'ten daha hızlı)GPUOpenCL 3.0, OpenGL ES3.2, Vulkan 1.2 desteğiyle isimsizVPUH.265/H.264/VP9/VP8 4K kodlama/kodlamaYapay zeka hızlandırıcı2.0 ÜST DÜZEY AI NPUHafıza16 GB'a kadar 32 bit LPDDR4-2400MT, 32 bit LPDDR4X-2666MT, 10,6 GB/S'ye kadar bant genişliğiDepolamakSPI FLASH, eMMC 5.1, SDIO 3.0 SD Kart, NVME(PCIe2.1 2x) desteğiGörüntülemekMIPI-DSI ve HDMI, 1920×1440 @ 60Hz'e kadarSatır 7 - Hücre 0Çift ekran kurulumları için destekSes3X Mikrofon girişiKamera4+2+2 şeritli veya 4+4 şeritli konfigürasyonda 8 şeritli MIPI-CSISatır 10 - Hücre 0Tek kamera 16MP'ye kadar desteklerSatır 11 - Hücre 0Üç kamera girişini desteklerBağlantı2xGMACSatır 13 - Hücre 01x USB 3.0 (PCIe 2.1 x1 ile çoğullanmış)Satır 14 - Hücre 01x USB OTGSatır 15 - Hücre 01x USB ana bilgisayarSatır 16 - Hücre 05x PCIe 2.1 (x2+x2+x1 birleştirilmiş, 5 Gb/sn/şerit)Satır 17 - Hücre 04x SPI, 7x I2C, 12x UART, 2x CAN-FD, 30x PWMGüç tüketimi3-5W TDPPaket kafesiFCCSP 17x17mm, 0,65mm aralık MuseBook, Debian tabanlı ve K1 RISC-V SoC için optimize edilmiş bir işletim sistemi olan Bianbu OS'yi çalıştırır. Muhtemelen LibreOffice ve Chromium tarayıcısı gibi yaygın ofis yazılımlarını içerecektir. Ayrıca geliştirme amacıyla optimize edilmiş OpenCV, OpenBLAS, Slam Eigen, libpng, libjpeg, XNNPACK ve diğer algoritma kitaplıklarını da içerecektir. Tercih edilirse, seçtiğiniz Linux sürümünü veya RTOS'u dizüstü bilgisayarınıza da yükleyebilirsiniz. Elbette standart depolarda RISC-V paketlerini bulmakzor olabilir.

SoCSpacemiT K1 sekiz çekirdekli X60 RISC-V çekirdeği, RVA22 ile uyumludur (yukarıdaki tüm SoC spesifikasyon ayrıntılarına bakın)Sistem belleği16 GB'a kadar 32 bit LPDDR4-2400MT, 32 bit LPDDR4X-2666MTDepolamak32 GB eMMC flaş (varsayılan), 128 GB'a kadar seçenekSatır 3 - Hücre 01 TB'a kadar NVMe SSD için M.2 (PCIe 2.1 2x) soketiSatır 4 - Hücre 0MicroSD kart yuvasıGörüntülemek1920×1080 çözünürlük, 60Hz yenileme hızına sahip 14,1 inç IPS ekranSatır 6 - Hücre 0 NTSC (≈0sRGB) Renk gamıSatır 7 - Hücre 0250 nit parlaklıkAğ oluşturmaRTL8852BE tabanlı WiFi 6 modülüGüç kaynağıUSB PD 3.1 Type-C bağlantı noktası (65W güç adaptörü)Boyutlar322,6x209,2x17,8 mmAğırlık1.36 kgişletim sistemiDebian, Ubuntu, Linux'tan Bianbu İşletim SistemiTarayıcıKrom Elbette bu piyasaya çıkan ilk RISC-V dizüstü bilgisayar değil. Geçmişte Sipeed Lichee Console 4A'yı isimli modelde vardı. Bir de ROMA isimli dizüstü bilgisayar var. Ancak K1, RISC-V Foundation'ın RVA22 ve 256-bit RVV 1.0 standartlarıyla uyumlu ilk RISC-V SoC'dir. Örneğin Intel Core Ultra CPU ile karşılaştırıldığında çok hızlı olmasa da SpacemiT'in K1 SoC'si 2 TOPS AI bilgi işlem gücü sağlıyor. kaynak:https://www.tomshardware.com Read the full article

[beracun]

Cara Berpikir Nge-Jazz: Masuk ke dalam area Flow (terjemahan)

Biar saya semakin rajin baca artikel bahasa Inggris, sekalian aja saya bikinin terjemahannya. Semoga rutin.

sumber: https://alifeofvirtue.ca/2020/01/11/a-jazz-state-of-mind-entering-the-flow-state/

Jazz punya elemen unik yang ngebedain dirinya dari aliran musik lain. Yaitu sesuatu yang bergantung sama improvisasi yang bikin musisinya bisa ngekspresiin diri dan nunjukin kejagoan skill teknik mereka lewat permainan solo. Selama improvisasi, si musisi nggak punya waktu untuk mikir secara rasional dalam benak mereka. Mereka harus masukin diri mereka ke dalam musiknya, biarin intuisi nunjukin jalannya dan bergantung sama ingatan otot dan pengetahuan musik yang udah mereka asah selama latihan.

In order to reach peak performance, the soloist must let go, embrace spontaneity and ‘go with the flow.’ Known for his spontaneous prose, ‘Beat Generation’ author Jack Kerouac writes about this sought-after mental state in his seminal book On the Road.  Contrasting the self-conscious musician to one who is connected to the music he writes,

Demi mencapai puncak penampilannya, si musisi harus main lepas, berserah sama spontanitas dan “ngalir aja”. Ada nih seseorang yang dikenal karena prosanya yang spontan, seorang pengarang dari ‘Beat Generation’, namanya Jack Kerouac yang nulis kondisi mental macem ini di dalam bukunya yang terkenal ‘On the Road’. Dia ngejelasin apa yang ngebedain musisi yang tampil secara sadar sama yang “masuk” ke dalam musik yang dia bikin.

“Prez punya kecemasan teknis dari seorang musisi profesional, cuma dia yang dandannya rapi, ngeliat dia gelisah waktu mainin nada yang salah, tapi pimpinan band-nya, yang orangnya asik itu bilang supaya dia santai dan tetep lanjut aja - yang terpenting tuh nada meluap-luap dari musik yang dia mainin.”  - Jack Kerouac, On the Road

Mau itu lagi bermain musik, berkesenian, atau berada “di dalam zona” waktu lagi olahraga, kita semua ngejar apa yang kalo kata psikolog, kondisi flow. Masuk secara utuh ke dalam apa yang sedang kita lakukan, fokus sama tugas yang lagi dikerjakan, dan bebas dari segala macam isi pikiran yang mendominasi kehidupan sehari-hari, disebut sama psikolog positvis Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, kalo flow state ikut campur.

“Berada secara komplit ketika lagi beraktifitas itu sendiri, ego pergi menjauh. Waktu berlalu. Setiap tindakan, gerak, dan pikiran mengalir dari yang sebelumnya… keberadaanmu masuk secara menyeluruh, dan kamu menggunakan kemampuan kamu sepenuhnya.”

Untuk mencapai area flow, seseorang harus berada dalam kondisi disiplin dan berserah. Maka dari itu, ia harus telibat dalam aktivitas yang menantang dan memuaskan dalam menggunakan kemampuan yang udah mereka kembangkan dalam bidang tertentu.

Walaupun, untuk dapat mencapai kreativitas dan melakukan performa yang optimal, seseorang harus melepaskan pikiran sadarnya, ekspektasi, dan rasa takut untuk gagal. Hanya dengan lepas dari pikiran dan menyerahkan diri kita pada sebuah pengalaman, kita akan masuk ke area flow.

Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa saat seseorang berimprovisasi, area kunci dari otak mereka tidak terlalu aktif, disebut dengan default mode network and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)/ Jaringan mode default dan dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (JMDDPC)

Jaringan mode default adalah bagian dari otak yang aktif ketika seseorang melamun, yang diasosaikan dengan ego - yang secara terus-terusan mengkritisi pikiran dan tindakan. Lebih dari itu, DLFPC adalah wilayah yang bertanggung jawab untuk “mengawasi kesadaran diri”/ Mengurangi aktivitas dalam dua wilayah ini membuat otak kita untuk lebih berani, percaya diri, dan mendorong batas untuk bisa lebih kreatif dan menemukan kemungkinan baru.

Dalam era distraksi digital dan ‘kesibukan’ yang tak henti-hentinya, kebanyakan dari kita sulit untuk membuat kita fokus ke satu pekerjaan. Tapi kenapa kita harus peduli dengan flow? Penelitian menunjukkan ada keuntungan penting ketika kita masuk ke dalam area flow. Sebuah studi yang dilakukan profesor dari Harvard, Teresa Amabile, mencatat bahwa seseorang yang tercatat mencapai level tertinggi kreativitasnya, kebahagiaannya, dan produktivitasnya tiga hari setelah ia merasakan kondisi flow.

Manusia selalu mencari cara untuk mendorong pager eksistensinya, untuk mencari batasan dan belajar untuk mencari kemungkinan dari kesadaran manusia. Kita terikat dalam aktivitas seperti panjat tebing, naik gunung, dan olahraga ekstrem yang kayaknya nggak logis dalam pikiran kita. Namun, betapa pun kemungkinan bahayanya, ini semua adalah usaha untuk masuk ke kondisi flow. Untuk sejenak ngelupain pikiran duniawi dari kehidupan masyarakat modern, untuk ngilangin ego, yang kalo kata Eminem “lose yourself in the moment.”

[handsforu]

How Substance Abuse Or Addiction Can Negatively Affect Your Cognitive Functioning?

Drug addiction is a common condition, and the Drug Addiction Treatment in Mumbai is known for helping people with addiction. Drug addiction can lead to a lot of major difficulties in life, and it is important to treat it as it is categorized as a brain disease. Continuous use of drugs can harm the brain’s neurological system and cognitive functioning as well. Today, in this blog, we are going to shed some light on how substance abuse or addiction can negatively affect your cognitive functioning. 

Memory Impairment: Many drugs, including alcohol, marijuana, and certain prescription medications, can impair both short-term and long-term memory resulting in forgetfulness, difficulty retaining new information, and challenges in recalling past events.

Attention and Concentration Issues: Stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can lead to heightened attention initially, but chronic use may result in attention deficits and difficulties in maintaining focus. 

Reduced Decision-Making Abilities: Drugs can impair the individual's ability to make sound decisions. This is often associated with alterations in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain responsible for executive functions, including decision-making, planning, and impulse control.

Impaired Judgment: Substance use can lead to impaired judgment, causing individuals to engage in risky behaviors they might avoid while sober. This can have severe consequences, including accidents, injuries, or legal issues.

Slowed Reaction Time: Many drugs, especially depressants like alcohol and certain prescription medications, can slow down reaction times. This poses significant risks, especially when operating machinery or vehicles.

Language and Communication Difficulties: Some drugs, such as benzodiazepines, can cause slurred speech and difficulties in articulating thoughts. 

Disorientation and Confusion: Intoxication with certain substances can lead to disorientation and confusion. Individuals may have difficulty understanding their surroundings, experiencing time distortion, or feeling disconnected from reality.

Cognitive Decline: Long-term drug use, particularly with substances that are neurotoxic or have a neurodegenerative effect, may contribute to cognitive decline. 

With the help of the Drugs De Addiction Center in Mumbai, you can get treatment for all these issues, that is the reason why we have become the top choice of people all around who wish to quit drugs.

Credit:- https://handsforyoualittlehelp.blogspot.com/2024/01/how-substance-abuse-or-addiction-can-negatively-affect-your-congnitive-functioning.html

[7ooo-ru]

Голосование за лучший мобильный процессор 2023 года: выбирают читатели Hi-Tech Mail.ru

На сайте Hi-Tech Mail.ru стартовало голосование в рамках ежегодной премии «Лучший гаджет 2023». Читатели голосуют за лучшие устройства среди более чем 200 номинантов.

Редакция Hi-Tech Mail.ru отобрала четыре отличившихся мобильных процессора, среди которых пользователи выбирают главную модель. Проголосовать можно на специальной странице.

1. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

На 30% производительнее, чем 8 Gen 2. Внутри сверхмощное ядро Cortex-X4 на 3,3 ГГц, 5 Cortex-A720 на 2,9 ГГц и 2 Cortex-A520 на 2,3 ГГц. Графика – Adreno 750.

2. Apple A17 Pro

Самый быстрый процессор: до 35 трлн операций в сек. В графике теперь 6 ядер вместо 5. Выполнен по 3-нм техпроцессу, содержит 16 млрд транзисторов. Только на iPhone 15 Pro и Pro Max.

3. Google Tensor G3

По сравнению с G2 в 2,1 раза лучше производительность в вычислениях. Выполнен на 4-нм техпроцессе, работает на 9 ядрах. Частота 2,91 ГГц. Графический ускоритель – Mali-G715 MP7.

4. MediaTek Dimensity 9200+

Начинка из 8 ядер с пиковой частотой 3,35 ГГц – выше, чем у Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Выполнен по 4-нм техпроцессу, содержит 17 млрд транзисторов. Графика – Mali-G715 Immortalis MP11.

Читателям Hi-Tech Mail.Ru предстоит голосовать в период с 18 декабря 2023 года по 30 января 2024 года включительно. От каждого пользователя принимается один голос в каждой номинации. У каждого гаджета-номинанта можно прочитать его описание. Результаты проект объявит 31 января 2024.

Подробнее https://7ooo.ru/group/2024/01/12/462-golosovanie-za-luchshiy-mobilnyy-processor-2023-goda-vybirayut-chitateli-hi-tech-mailru-grss-272768414.html

[nobodyqueres]

Entrada 04 03-01-24 inspiração (visceral)

A invisibilidade das pessoas negras na área das artes é transversal a todas as subáreas. Como artista-investigador@, pessoa negra e não binária, desafiar a anti-negritude, as definições cis-heterenormativas de identidade de género, expressão de género, assim como a desumanização dos corpos negros, é essencial. São muitos os arquivos de conhecimento africanos (expressão de Felwine Sarr, economista, artista, pensador senegalês, em entrevista comigo num evento pan-africanista sobre arte, teatro, dança e ativismo/emancipação da juventude africana; Passa Sabi, Lisboa, 2020) com origem no continente (e nas diásporas) que têm sido negados, apagados, desvalorizados e apropriados. Quando se fala em arte, ou em média-arte digital, artistas-investigador@s negr@s e projetos/espaços existentes no continente africano são apagados. África é uma placa de petri para ser estudada, usada como um laboratório-vivo numa escala humana e, ao mesmo tempo, estéril?

(anti)Negritude, queerness e everything is political

As minhas referências-inspirações principais estarão sempre ligadas à minha identidade, nas suas várias camadas. Relembro-me de algumas delas: Saul Williams (he/him): escritor, poeta, músico, performer, ator, realizador, ativista. Tive a oportunidade de conhecer Williams nos bastidores do FMM (Sines) de 2017 e de conversarmos serenamente. Recentemente, realizou o filme Neptune Frost, um musical sci-fi punk, com a sua visão Afrofuturista. Co-realizado por Anisia Uzeyman, artista e cinematógrafa, Neptune Frost foi filmado no Burundi. O enredo: um grupo de mineiros foge de uma mina de coltan e forma um coletivo anti-colonialista de hackers:

When an intersex runaway and an escaped coltan miner find each other through cosmic forces, their connection sparks glitches within the greater divine circuitry. Set between states of being – past and present, dream and waking life, colonized and free, male and female, memory and prescience – Neptune Frost is an invigorating and empowering direct download to the cerebral cortex and a call to reclaim technology for progressive political ends (Lorber, 2022).

Imagem 1: Cartaz do filme Neptune Frost. Fonte: saulwilliams.com

Amber J. Phillips (she/her): Storyteller, cinematógrafa e diretora criativa - negra, gorda e queer. Como ativista anti-fatness, e não só, identifico-me com o trabalho e/ou objetivos a que se propõe.

Amber J. Phillips is a storyteller, filmmaker, and creative director. She creates world building narratives using warm visuals and vulnerable performances through her lens of being a fat Black queer femme auntie from the Midwest. Amber recently released her first short film, Abundance about the limitations and radical possibilities of identity (amberabundance.com, 2023).

ABUNDANCE IS REAL.

SCARCITY IS FAKE AF.

PAY BLACK ARTISTS.

Do site amberabundance.com.

Ericka Hart (she/they): educadora sexual, black queer femme, ativista e muitas coisas mais, em 2016, expõe-se publicamente após uma dupla mastectomia. Oradora, mestre em Educação e Sexualidade Humana, dá palestras em várias universidades e eventos. Eis um excerto da sua biografia, do seu site (ihartericka.com):

Ericka Hart (pronouns: she/they) is a black queer femme activist, writer, highly acclaimed speaker and award-winning sexuality educator with a Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University. Ericka’s work broke ground when she went topless showing her double mastectomy scars in public in 2016 (ihartericka.com).

Imagem 2: Ericka Hart. Fonte: ihartericka.com)

Luh Maza (she/her) - Mulher negra, roteirista, diretora e atriz, com experiências na televisão, streaming (Globoplay, Netflix e HBO Max), cinema, teatro e publicidade, encenadora de mais de 12 peças de teatro e a primeira roteirista trans na televisão brasileira. Referência como profissional, artista e amiga. Como gosto de criar telediscos e roteiros, e viscerais, este, de Luh Maza, será sempre uma referência intemporal. Com uma voz (e trabalho) de uma pessoa que também me inspira nas minhas criações (Liniker): 35.

São apenas quatro (ou 5?) das pessoas que me regulam no meu quotidiano, como pessoa, criativ@, artista e negr@. São fragmentos da minha identidade, logo do meu trabalho.

Referências bibliográficas

Hart, E. (2024). About Ericka Hart. https://ihartericka.com/

Kino, L. (2022). Neptune Frost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acfBNIXovww

Maza, L. (2024). Luh Maza. https://linktr.ee/luhmaza

Phillips, A. (2024). Amber Abundance. https://www.amberabundance.com/

Sarr, F. (2016). Afrotopia. Phillipe Rey.

[storyofshasa]

[02-01-2024]

Kadang ngga expect kalo life could be this complicated, or probably it's adulting thingy that makes me think about something in more complex way--well kuddos to my fully developed prefrontal cortex.

Sorta think it's my past actions that turn my current life becoming a lil bit messy😂 but ya.... We can't turn back the time, so here we go, just keep going while becoming more mindful for every steps that I take.

#30hbc2402 #30haribercerita

[xtruss]

A computer illustration showing the internal and external anatomy of a kidney and adrenal gland as it secretes hormones into the blood stream. Cortisol plays a Critical Role in your body, Regulating Metabolism, Sleep, Immune Function, Inflammation, and your response to Stress. This illustration depicts the Adrenal Cortex (gold), located above each Kidney, as it Secretes Cortisol and other Hormones into the Bloodstream. Illustration By Axel Kock, Science Photo Library

What Is Cortisol—And Should You Actually Be Worried About It?

Myths About Cortisol—Also Known as the “Stress Hormone”—Abound on Social Media. Here’s What Experts Say About This Substance That Helps Make Your Body Tick.

— By Erin Blakemore | March 01, 2024

How are your cortisol levels today? A few minutes on the internet might leave you convinced that your body is depleted of—or flooded with—the hormone.

Known colloquially as “the stress hormone,” cortisol plays a starring role in most of the physiological processes that make your body tick. But in recent years, it has become a victim of its own fame, with people blaming suspected imbalances of the hormone for ailments such as “adrenal fatigue,” weight gain, exhaustion, anxiety, headaches, and more.

Cortisol does play a vital role in your health. But are imbalanced cortisol levels really that common? Here’s what to know about the critical hormone—and why it may not merit as much worry as some social media health gurus would have you think.

A Physical Powerhouse

Secreted by the adrenal glands atop the kidneys, cortisol, known as a steroid hormone, can be found in nearly every tissue of the body.

“Honestly, we cannot do without it,” says Anat Ben-Shlomo, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai.

Cortisol allows the body to regulate everything from metabolism to sleep to immune function and inflammation, but it’s arguably best known for helping the body respond to perceived threats, a role that’s earned it the nickname of the “stress hormone.”

When the body perceives an internal or external threat, its sympathetic nervous system activates, triggering a complex sequence of hormonal responses. One such response is to prompt the adrenal glands to release cortisol, which helps give the body the energy it needs to cope with the stress and get back to homeostasis.

Too Much—or Little—of a Good Thing?

There is such thing as too much or too little cortisol.

Tumors in the pituitary gland can trigger too-high cortisol levels, leading to a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by weight gain, weakness, blood sugar problems, and bruising.

Meanwhile those whose immune systems attack their adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and can develop chronic adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, which can cause crushing fatigue, dizziness, skin darkening, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.

“The diseases that are associated with cortisol deficiency or excess are very complicated, multiorganic, multisystemic diseases,” says Ben-Shlomo. They can be tricky to treat—and because cortisol issues share symptoms with other diseases, misdiagnosis is common.

But even though experts suspect these conditions are underdiagnosed, both are considered rare disorders.

The Myth of ‘Adrenal Fatigue’

Despite the rarity of cortisol disorders, internet health gurus and alternative health practitioners claim that with sustained stress, the adrenal glands can burn out and become unable to produce cortisol, leading to a cascade of symptoms commonly called “adrenal fatigue.”

But the term is a myth, Ben-Shlomo says, and a 2016 literature review of studies suggests the condition doesn’t really exist.

“It really takes a pretty big insult for your adrenal glands not to work,” Anne Cappola, professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told National Geographic in July 2023. “These glands have a lot of built-in redundancy. You have two adrenal glands. You need less than one to function.”

Though serious endocrine disorders do exist, researchers warn against attempting to “balance” hormones at home or self-prescribing supplements—most of which are unproven and unregulated—to stave off cortisol deficiency or excess.

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, head to a doctor for more information. Endocrinologists can rule out adrenal problems and often identify other conditions, such as perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), that share symptoms with adrenal issues.

“The beauty of the adrenal glands is that they have a huge capacity to give you what you need to survive and withstand stress,” says Ben-Shlomo.

Fighting Back Against Chronic Stress

Stress may not burn out your adrenals or deplete your body’s cortisol reserves. But its effects are real, and supported by a vast body of literature that underlines the association between high stress levels and compromised health.

For example, those with multiple adverse childhood experiences are prone to a variety of health conditions, from mood disorders to obesity and stroke. Stress can trigger or worsen a slew of other conditions, compromising a variety of bodily systems and leading one group of researchers to write in 2017 that “the medical community needs to have a greater appreciation for the significant role that stress may play in various diseases.”

You may not be able to fend off a growing tumor or an autoimmune disorder. But you can modify your experience of stress through a variety of lifestyle modifications. Ben-Shlomo and colleagues stress regular exercise, a healthful diet, meditation or mindfulness, and enough sleep—factors that can treat or even prevent a variety of the conditions some people can mistake for an issue with cortisol production. After all, acute stress may have its evolutionary benefits but most of us would prefer not to experience it.

“Stress is a bad thing,” the physician says. “That’s been proven beyond any doubt.”

— Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify the distinction between acute stress and chronic stress.

[maximuswolf]

How/why why did Mario stayed "floating" and "Family friendly" in the 2000s?

How/why why did Mario stayed "floating" and "Family friendly" in the 2000s? Looking back, the 2000s had an interesting treatment for 90s platformer mascots. They were either dropped completely (like Croc), given ill-made/ mediocre sequels from a changed company (Crash: Wrath of Cortex, Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly), or given edgy reboots (shadow the hedgehog). Meanwhile, Nintendo was giving us "mario sunshine" and "mario galaxy", with family-friendly aesthetics and faithful to its platforming roots. Was Nintendo just that strict and stubborn? Still had that much faith in mario? Were the American game companies the ones with the warped mindset? I don't think anyone in my (small rural) highschool even had a wii except me (2006-2010). Submitted April 24, 2024 at 01:26PM by Adagar91 https://ift.tt/ehrZ6aN via /r/gaming

[forlinx]

Intelligent Inspection Robot Solution Based on FETMX8MP-C System on Module

01 Background

In the process of rapid urban development, more and more pipelines are laid underground. How can such a large underground utility network be efficiently and accurately maintained? Given the complexity and potential hazards of underground utility networks, underground inspection robots have emerged as a practical solution.

Indeed, it is possible to retrofit existing infrastructure with intelligent robot inspection and monitoring systems as well as disposal systems. By constructing a smart maintenance software platform, normal checks can be conducted on the fundamental attributes within the underground space to ensure the proper function of the facilities.

The pipeline robot can be divided into three main components: robot operation, IoT sensing, and application.

The robot operation part includes five main systems: cable subsystem, locomotion subsystem, power subsystem, communication subsystem, and positioning subsystem. These five subsystems are the basic guarantees that support the normal operation of the robot.

The IoT sensing part includes various sensing methods such as image capture, sound capture, temperature and humidity capture, hazardous gas capture, and infrared thermal imaging. These sensing methods are important ways for the robot to perceive the underground space.

The application part mainly involves processing the data collected by the IoT sensing part, including functions such as automatic warning subsystem, data analysis subsystem, remote management subsystem, etc.

02 Product features

1. Real-time detection and environmental monitoring: The robotic system is capable of monitoring the on-site environment in real-time, collecting information such as humidity, temperature, and harmful gas concentrations from the devices. It automatically analyzes whether these values exceed the alarm threshold and uploads the data.

2. Fully automated inspection: The robot conducts inspections based on preset schedules or through remote control via the cloud. Inspections can be categorized into two forms: routine daily tasks and special inspections. Special inspections refer to conducting inspections at specific locations designated by the cloud.

3. Automatic charging and low battery automatic return: The robot is capable of autonomously assessing the battery level and when it is low, it will automatically return to the charging station for recharging.

4. Autonomous obstacle avoidance function: The robot is equipped with sensors and is capable of automatically detecting obstacles in the track or pipeline environment during the inspection process. It will stop immediately and upload an alarm message if an obstacle is detected.

5.Inspection monitoring report: The robot will collect and process the inspection information it gathers, generating an inspection monitoring report that reflects the on-site conditions.

03 Product plan

Based on the above features, we recommend the FETMX8MP-C System on Module as the core solution for the intelligent inspection robot for underground pipeline corridors to meet the customer's needs for machine vision and high-speed interfaces.

Forlinx Embedded has launched the FETMX8MP-C SoM, which is based on the NXP i.MX 8M Plus processor. It not only sets a new benchmark for machine learning and vision but also makes an ideal choice for pipeline robot applications. In applications such as pipeline inspection, maintenance, and monitoring, the FETMX8MP-C has outstanding performance and versatile features.

Smart Patrol: Equipped with a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the FETMX8MP-C enables intelligent analysis of pipeline conditions through machine learning, thereby improving inspection efficiency.

High definition images: With the advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), the FETMX8MP-C produces high-definition images that assist pipeline robots in accurately identifying problems. Real-time video transmission: It supports video encoding and decoding, so that the pipeline robot can transmit video information inside the pipeline in real time.

Multi-communication interface: Rich communication interfaces, including USB3.0, PCIe3.0, SDIO3.0, CAN-FD, etc., enable the pipeline robot to flexibly respond to various connection needs.

Some market research institutes predict that the global pipeline Robot Market scale will exceed 2 billion US dollars by 2025. With the continuous development of global urbanization and the continuous expansion of oil and gas pipeline construction, the market growth trend of pipeline robots is undoubtedly worth looking forward to.

Indeed, the development of smart cities, artificial intelligence, and 5G networks will bring even greater market opportunities for pipeline robots.

Originally published at www.forlinx.net.