#robust survival equipment

[crazydiscostu]

Sandberg Survivor 7 in 1 Torch Powerbank 10000

The Sandberg Survivor 7 in 1 Torch Powerbank 10000 combines utility and practicality, serving as an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Positioned at the intersection of portable power solutions and lighting technology, it offers a multifunctional approach to handling various needs in challenging environments. Its versatility makes it a noteworthy contender in the category of survival gear…

[judgemark45]

The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-class submarines are among the most advanced and powerful submarines in the world. Here are some key features and capabilities that make them so powerful:

Stealth

- Quietness: Seawolf-class submarines are designed to be extremely quiet, making them difficult to detect by enemy sonar. They have advanced sound-absorbing materials and hull design, which significantly reduce their acoustic signature.

- Anechoic Coating: They are covered with anechoic tiles that absorb sound waves, reducing the noise they emit and improving their stealth capabilities.

Speed and Depth

- Speed: These submarines are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots (about 40 mph or 65 km/h) when submerged.

- Operating Depth: Seawolf-class submarines can operate at depths greater than 1,600 feet (approximately 490 meters), allowing them to evade detection and operate in deeper waters than many other submarines.

Armament

- Torpedoes: Each Seawolf-class submarine is equipped with eight 660mm (26-inch) torpedo tubes, which can launch a variety of torpedoes, including the advanced Mk-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) torpedoes.

- Missiles: They can also carry up to 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are capable of striking land targets with high precision from a great distance.

- Mines: The submarines can deploy mines for area denial and strategic control of waterways.

Sensor and Combat Systems

- Sonar Systems: The Seawolf-class features advanced sonar systems, including bow, flank, and towed-array sonars, which provide comprehensive detection and tracking capabilities.

- Combat Systems: They are equipped with the AN/BSY-2 combat system, which integrates all sensors, fire control, and weapons systems, allowing for rapid and effective response to threats.

Survivability and Endurance

- Robust Construction: The hull is made of HY-100 steel, which provides greater strength and durability, enhancing survivability.

- Endurance: These submarines can operate submerged for extended periods, limited only by food supply, due to their nuclear propulsion system.

Versatility

- Multi-Mission Capability: Seawolf-class submarines are capable of performing a wide range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), intelligence gathering, special operations support, and strike warfare.

Summary

Overall, the Seawolf-class submarines are among the most formidable submarines in the world, combining stealth, speed, firepower, and advanced technology. Their ability to operate in various environments and perform diverse missions makes them a critical asset to the U.S. Navy's undersea warfare capabilities.

[bignaz8]

Does an A-10 really have a "titanium tub" for the pilot to sit in? What kind of hit can it actually take? Can it take a .50 cal explosive or armor piercing round?

The A-10 is equipped with a titanium tub – a sort of armored cocoon that envelops the pilot for protection. This feature is officially referred to as the bathtub and is a testament to the aircraft's design, which prioritizes pilot survivability above all else.

The bathtub is crafted from titanium armor and is specifically designed to withstand significant impacts, including direct hits from up to 23 mm cannon fire. It's also capable of enduring single strikes from projectiles as large as 57 mm rounds. The robustness of this titanium shield is so remarkable that it accounts for about 6 percent of the A-10's total weight, weighing in at a hefty 1,200 pounds.

It can take a hit from a .50 caliber explosive or armor-piercing round, the bathtub's resilience is such that it can indeed withstand rounds of that caliber. The Warthog's cockpit glass is also bulletproof, capable of withstanding up to a 23 mm projectile, which covers the .50 cal rounds you're curious about. This level of protection is crucial, given the A-10's role in close air support missions, where it often flies low and becomes vulnerable to ground fire.

The A-10's durability doesn't stop at the bathtub. The entire aircraft is built to survive. It features redundant flight systems, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a structure that allows it to return home even after sustaining considerable damage. This ruggedness has earned the A-10 a legendary status among military aircraft for its ability to take a hit and keep flying.

The A-10 Warthog is a flying fortress, designed to bring its pilot home safely from the most perilous situations. The titanium tub is just one of the many features that make the A-10 a true survivor in the skies.

[snekinnatenk]

Even in the present day, maintaining the cultivated regions in which settled civilizations thrive is no simple matter. It was and continues to be a sad reality that the thin, brittle edges of nations are oft snapped away and chewed up by the peripheral wilderness. Beasts, demons, reflected, pests, or simple harships of the frontier can all cause a settlement and its surrounding areas to be lost. So, how does one keep the bubble from collapsing?

Logistics. Ancient Cuplanders were masters of robust systems of overland delivery- out of necessity- and that tradition has persisted into the modern day. Rebuilding and resettlement is a constant enough need for dedicated infrastructure, that which can persist in the wilderness and facilitate its reclamation.

Many ancient Cuplands cultures solved this with heavy granite trackways, grooved slabs arranged in lines stretching hundreds of miles; vast networks spanning like spiderwebs from urban centers that persist to this day. Long, costly, and labor intensive, these wonders of antiquity were of vital significance to our forebears. For on these, one could employ the backbone and spearhead of resettlement in the ancient Cuplands- the track fortress.

Rolling strongholds akin to galleons on land, track fortresses contain ample berthing for settlers and escorts, as well as spacious cargo holds for the provisions and supplies needed to rapidly clear and resettle an area. This was often done with multiple fortresses, stopping for months at a time and providing shelter to hundreds of people while a defensible village was built up around the trackway. Alternatively, track fortresses made excellent transports for large or sensitive cargo in the interior. Even today, few bandits would dream of assaulting a fully equipped mercantile track fortress.

Track fortresses are largely unique to the Cuplands, enabled by Cuplanders' inheritance of the domestic Nyoro- great beasts of incredible burden. The size and strength of these draconids give them resilience comparable to the track fortresses themselves, a must in wilds harboring formidable predators.

While gradually being replaced by the Arterial Steelway, one can still see track fortresses in use in less developed regions. Many roads still exist in areas claimed by Primordial Wilderness; following them is a sure way to find ruins and stories untouched by the canny eye for centuries, or more.

The track fortress pictured above is of Kunoese make, and the Icon of Vees suggests it is around 850 years old. Early in the Posthuman settlement, many of the few remaining humans turned to banditry to survive. The Icon, then, was a potent psychological repellent against what was then a common problem.

-From The Cuplands in Brief by Dallios Goarde, Page 86

[monstersdownthepath]

Other critters I need to mention more on this blog at some point:

--The King of Glass: Outer God that’s a living planet. The world has fallen in love with its sun and showers it with ‘gifts’ taken from all over the cosmos. It primarily gathers these gifts by trading with mortals and immortals, sending out elaborate, eldritch artwork made from the rainbow-shaded glass it can create from the sand that makes up most of its body in exchange for gifts for its beloved. While these works tend to be mundane (if unsettling), more than a few of them have some unusual, otherworldly, or even dangerous function.

--Oa-Imago, the Deepwoods Mirage: Chaotic Good Great Old One that lives in the border between dream and reality and can cause the two to overlay with its presence. Enjoys dancing among mortal dreams and visiting its favorite ‘friends’ in the waking world to transform them into whatever they desire, though its efforts to contain its destructive and disorienting presence are... lacking, in some areas. It has little concept of pain, fear, or death; these things mean little to a dream, after all, though it’s come to understand that it must undo what it does to its ‘friends’ more often than not.

--The Gravesong: A mysterious melody that haunts the First World like a specter; some remnant of a fallen Eldest, or a haunting song too beautiful to ever stop playing, or perhaps the shards of whatever Death could be found in the First World before it was moved closer to the Positive Energy Plane. Anyone who hears it becomes obsessed with the idea of recreating it, but normal musical instruments won’t do. No, the only equipment that could properly capture the Gravesong have to be crafted from more robust materials. Flesh, blood, bone, and things still stranger, so long as they relate to death and decay.

--The Indomitable Radiance: A creature referenced a few times in other articles already; the Radiance is an Outer God of beauty so pristine, flawless, and true that no creature that looks upon it can bear to look away. With the loss of its home dimension, the Radiance is concerned with preparing a cabal of trusted individuals from all over the Great Beyond to maintain and impose its alien ideals of order and beauty on whatever unwitting world it longs to conquer, with the long-term hope of establishing a society so perfect and cleanly that it can march upon the universe and eradicate Chaos (in all its forms) altogether... because the background radiation of entropy itself causes frays and faults across its body, and that won’t do.

--Aquila-Rediannadier, the Inverse Orchestra: Perhaps it’s a song, or an idea, or a form of life so bizarre it could never survive in our cosmos in any other form. It is perhaps a child of Azathoth, because it seems to dance to the orchestra that surrounds the Sultan, but more importantly is that its amorphous body reflects alien melodies into its surroundings, much to the detriment of whatever creatures may be nearby. Some find madness, some find destruction, but some find twisted inspiration in watching it sing and dance.

--The Loathsome, Shaggy Beast: An abomination, a glitch in reality made manifest when the Eldest Fey Imbrex dared to dream a little too far beyond reality. It’s purposely nameless as to avoid being defined, rejecting any attempt by the world to tell it what it should be as it shifts from grotesque form to abhorrent shape; the title that it bears was imposed upon it by the Eldest in an attempt to cage its concept in a body that could be killed, but as a living recurring nightmare it cannot be permanently slain, rising time and time again from dream and memory.

--The Mother of Filth and her children: A disgusting and corrupt Outer God from a past cycle, the Mother of Filth is bound by obsession in all its forms, but is primarily obsessed with reclaiming all the power it once had by consuming and replacing entire civilizations with its Filthbreed simulacra. There’s also its children, the siblings of the Bloodletter and Clorpt, each claimed by a different obsession: The Wretched, obsessed with microbial life; and the Fragrance Architect, obsessed with scents and decay.

--A bunch of demigods: Like Caerbannog, Nascent Demon Lord of Aggressive Mimicry and Camouflage; an unnamed Vesltrac Demagogue of isolation and meditation, who locks victims away in featureless demiplanes until their sanities have snapped; Saint Caligine, velstrac founder of “Gastromasochism,” who encourages his followers to consume horrifying (and especially spicy) foods to experience new forms of pain; and a handful of disgusting qlippoth lords.

[callmearcturus]

Arc Plays Games: Nora to Toki no Koubou: Kiri no Mori no Majo (NDS)

(apparently in English that's something like "Nora the Time Witch")

I'm gonna try something and try to keep track of all the games I play this year. First up is this extremely cute little that honestly got me through being sick as hell over the holiday. It is kind of perfect as a game for your brain at 40%.

Nora is a DS game that has better "Cozy" feel than most games under the cozy game genre. Basically, Nora (the character) is a chronomancer, so she can do time magic. She's a rookie so she's supposed to be learning how to get good at chronomancy. She's sent to a lil cottage in the woods to bone up on her skills.

The house and garden are extremely precious. You can redecorate the cottage, move furniture and crafting items around, change the walls and floor. The garden has friends and you can lure in cute creatures.

The main loop of the game is in three parts. First is making items to fulfill requests for townsfolk and friends. You'll be asked to make a certain item, and have to figure out the best way to do so with time magic, dismantling raw materials, and processing materials into new stuff. You start off with just a work table and the time magic thingie, then get more and more crafting options like sewing tables and smokers and stuff.

Then you turn in those items and get other items in return and make people happy!

There's also foraging, bc obviously you need materials to make stuff.

There's a whole map with multiple places to go and each of those locations has different materials to gather.

When you arrive at a location, there are interactable things that will give you different materials. Some are sparkly and also give you random effects, like increased rarity, more items, or monsters.

You might want to grab the sparklies first to try and booth the number of materials you get, but on the other hand you might find a monster instead.

Battles are the third pillar. There are a SHOCKING amount of party members, and you can pick and choose teams depending on what you want.

Want to make sure you survive really tough monsters? Go with the errant knight lady and the big friendly city watch guy. Want to get more materials? Go with the soft-spoken clinic worker who can spot more herbs of the 12 year old shop girl who fucking LOVES rocks and can find you more rocks. But the clinic girl isn't great in a fight, so you gotta be careful.

Party members include: a weird mercenary dude who just wants to be the cool knight lady, the buff city watch man who has tea parties and tries to kill monsters with stale bread, the clinic lady who secretly can deadlift a tree, aforementioned 12 year old who thinks rocks are just soooooo cool, the hot knight lady who i think has the hots for Nora but i'm not sure, a Capitalist, a thief who kinda sucks, and a mascot character.

I weirdly ADORE the economy/shop system in this game.

Sometimes when you are selling off old equipment or excess materials, the shopowner will counteroffer your request for money with rare items instead.

YOU CAN DO THIS TOO. Most of the stock in the shops can be bought outright OR you can choose "Buy with items" and offer up stuff in exchange for the item you want.

Shops have normal stock but also special stock you can only get by trading the right materials. The armory guy has swords and stuff BUT if you want the good shit, bring him a dragon scale instead.

I bounce off a lot of these kind of soft, cute games because they don't feel like they have depth but this game sooooo does. I would say the only downside is when you struggle to make a certain items or find a certain material, you... sometimes just gotta figure it out, because this game was an oddball Japanese-only Atlus title and the fan translation isn't super well-known, there isn't a robust wiki to refer you. Just figure it out!

Anyway, solid fucking 4 out of 5 on this game. If you can emulate DS games, you can locate this one pretty easily if you know where to look. (And if you don't know where to look, send me an ask off-anon and I will direct you a bit.)

gd i maybe need to try an atelier game...........

[astrabear]

My labor, and my leisure too (pt. 1)

I've been poking around some ideas lately, about the difference between what feels like a happy (or at least satisfying) ending to a character and what feels like a happy (or at least satisfying) ending to the audience.

This is unedited, un-beta'd, and incomplete. I've already started working on the next bit; I just didn't want to wait to yeet it out into the universe.

********

If Nile hadn’t been frustrated nearly to tears by the time the rest of the team came in, she might have noticed that Nicky and Joe seemed oddly subdued and distracted. But she was, so she didn’t – all she could see was the endless array of charts and computer displays swimming before her eyes.

“I have run so many simulations I feel like I’m stuck in a time loop,” she said as they all gathered around the output table. “I’ve recalculated all the parameters to the limits of possibility, sometimes beyond. And I can’t find any way we pull this off.”

“But the intel we just got – “ Gert was new, had been with them for less than twenty years, and hadn’t quite let go of the idea of being a superhero.

“That intel is what makes it so hard.” Gert frowned, and Nile quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic you were able to track it down. If you hadn’t, we’d be totally screwed.”

“So what’s the problem?” Lijie asked. She ran her finger along one of the infiltration routes in the display. “This looks straightforward to me.”

“The problem,” Nile said, “is the timing. Whoever lays those charges, they’re not getting out. Any delay long enough for exfil is long enough for them to be detected and disarmed by the security system.”

“But we’re shutting down the security system. I walked you through that just the other day. I’m telling you, it’s foolproof.” Jerrah, over 1600 years old, hated that Nile still referred to him as one of “the kids,” but his temper and defensiveness had not mellowed with age and at times like this she felt entirely justified.

She heroically resisted banging her head against the table. It would only scramble the schematics. “Your plan for shutting the system down is foolproof. It’s great. It will absolutely work. But what we didn’t know until recently is that it’s on an automatic reset timer that will boot it back up after a set amount of time. You’re welcome to review the programming,” she ran her gaze around the team, addressing them all, “in fact I’d love it if you’d all review the scenarios I’ve run. Just to be sure. But I’m telling you – the numbers just don’t work. The support team will be fine, but the one with the charges is not getting out alive.”

Gert laughed. “I thought that was the point of us. We don’t have to get out alive.” They looked around and noticed no one else shared their amusement. “What am I missing?”

Jerrah answered while scrolling through Nile’s calculations. “An explosion this size isn’t just going to take out the complex, it’s going to wipe out the whole atmo dome. Anything not secured will get blasted out of the gravity well. You remember about Quỳnh? This would be infinitely worse. Literally.”

“But what about – “

Step by step, Nile walked them through it. How any equipment robust enough to survive the explosion would make it impossible to complete the mission to cause the explosion in the first place. How fast the debris and bodies would be moving with no inertia to slow them down. The number of bodies there would be, and the limits of their ship’s sensors. All of it. The inescapable physics, and the impossibility of making that choice.

“We have to scrap the plan,” she said, “start over from scratch. We’ll find another way, somehow, to – “ Joe and Nicky had withdrawn a bit from the group and were having their own private conversation. This, too, should have been a sign: they didn’t do cross-talk during mission briefings, and through all the months of planning they’d taken this mission particularly seriously.

But Nile was too frazzled and distracted for this to register, so she just barked out, “Hey guys! Are we boring you? Or do you have something you’d like to share?”

Her friends, mentors, brothers, exchanged a final loaded glance and then refocused on the group. Nicky put his arm around Joe’s shoulders, and as he did so his sleeve rode up, just a little, showing an odd patch of dirt on the inside of his upper arm. She found herself staring at it without knowing why.

“Joe and I will lay the charges,” Nicky said.

“Don’t be stupid,” Lijie snapped. “Nile’s right. Do you really think we’re going to just let you guys float around in vacuum forever?”

Three things happened simultaneously in an instant that felt to Nile like a lifetime:

…Nile noticed that the knuckles on Joe’s right hand were also weirdly dirty.

…and Joe said, “Of course not. We’re not asking you to.”

…and Nile thought Bruises. Not dirt. Bruises.

Then time slammed back into place and she cried out from the force of it.

And the room erupted into chaos.

[holomancomics]

James Randall vs Meatwad (GTA5rp/spaceboy vs Aqua Teen Hunger Force)

Connections

Silly little guys who either are involved with or directly/indirectly cause chaos in all of its potential forms, both can and have and will use weapons (Both the ordinary stuff, the strange stuff, and literal weapons of mass destruction), have healed from fatal injuries (James has healed from everything ranging from headshot wounds to the complete destruction or removal of his own head and Meatwad has survived being cut into itty bitty pieces and being shot), however it's also of note That both also have died on multiple occasions, both are possibly connected with government operations aswell as operations that go beyond the government and of debatable innocents when it comes to the cavalcade of crimes they have committed, although most of the time they seem unaware, there are moments of lucidity that make you question, both have a strong association with fast food (When James is introducing himself he also usually says his favorite food specific order from the restaurant burger shot while Meatwad is quite literally a ball of compressed meat originally made to advertise a restaurant alongside his food themed friends) and they have friends/acquaintances that range from the irredeemable asshole (Holden Maddox and master shake) and the dumb normal dude who's consistently getting hurt (Osvaldo Pingafria and Carl) who's still weird but is normal in comparison, together with their friends and even without their friends they've gone on various adventures dealing with all sorts of things including but not limited to demons, aliens, killer robots, vampires, gangsters, mad doctors who they may or may not be related to and may or may not be doctors, strange and supernatural illnesses, clowns, possession hostile animals, dangerous stunts, the us government/military, killer dolls, zombies and so on, however both are also very susceptible to finding themselves cozy with the wrong crowd and being used for the purposes of crime or even as a fall guy in some instances, oh and they both love dancing and rapping, and both are from the East Coast with James being from New York and Meatwad from New Jersey

Fight potential

Honestly this flight would be fascinating to see since you have meatwad with his shape-shifting, basic weapons and equipment as well as potentially having access to his big brain mode or even just generally some of frylocks gadgets And then you have James with his ability to effortlessly drive pretty much any light in a vehicle with extreme skill, is more robust sad of weapons and equipment including a chainsaw and hypersonic leaf blowers, And if we give me what his brain mode then we would have to give James stuff like his bath salts mode or even dark James, Also both these characters have ridiculous healing factors That border on toon force shenanigans So I can see a few moments where One might think the other is down but then they're back up, And since Both of them have memory issues that particularly trigger thanks to physical trauma, I could totally see them getting up having completely forgotten they were fighting and become friends, honestly this is one of those fights where it would make most sense for it to end in a draw because both these characters if we consider them at their best are pretty much unkillable by the other, Maybe James might have something that would completely erase and defeat meatwad but I am doubtful

Track name: We Beefin'

[the-consortium]

Could I please request a direct removal of all face organs? I am tired of hayfever and nosebleeds.

The Chief Apothecary doesn't wear glasses, but he looks like he would like to have them now, just so he can adjust them professorially on his nose. So he contents himself with clasping his hands - a gesture that the Chirurgeon imitates in a strange way, giving him a spider-like halo.

“Even without the improvements of an Astartes, the human sensory apparatus is already quite complex and therefore prone to errors in many ways. But one must not forget that this complexity is absolutely important and necessary! Especially when you have to survive in dangerous terrain. Of course it is possible to remove all of this - but at what cost? You would have to replace it with a mechanical component. And what happens when one gives oneself completely to this prosaic path can be seen, very sadly in my opinion, in the Mechanicum.

The better way is to take a cue from nature and see how you could combine resilience with utility. A tapir trunk perhaps? Mobile, sensory well-equipped and robust. Tested over millions of years. Aesthetically it probably takes some getting used to - but that's a matter of taste. Yes, tapir it is! Why not!" He claps his hands with professional-joyful energy. "Here we go! I’ll quickly clear an operating table!”

[refugedepot]

In a world facing increasing uncertainty, are you prepared for the unexpected? Refuge Depot is your guide to navigating potential societal collapse, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in challenging times. 

Join us as we delve into the signs of societal unrest and explore practical steps to build resilience. From mental fortitude and physical preparedness to financial stability, we'll provide actionable advice to help you safeguard yourself and your loved ones. 

Topics Covered:    

Current Events Analysis: Examining global trends and events that could signal societal instability.    

Mental Preparedness: Developing a strong mindset to cope with adversity and uncertainty.    

Physical Preparedness: Building essential skills and acquiring necessary supplies for survival.    

Financial Preparedness: Creating a robust financial plan to weather economic downturns.    

Community Building: Fostering connections and cooperation within your local community.    

Alternative Living: Exploring sustainable living practices and off-grid options. Whether you're a seasoned prepper or just starting your journey toward self-sufficiency, 

REfuge Depot offers valuable insights and practical guidance to help you build a more secure future. 

Tune in and discover the steps to become a resilient individual and a thriving community member Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at 6:30 pm EST https://www.youtube.com/live/xtsCplttDdE?si=lP-tHtKxF2i5mGua

[mremealsmealsreadytoeat]

Field-Tested Resilience: Navigating Survival with MREs – Meals Ready to Eat

In the unpredictable journey of survival, having the right companions can make all the difference. Enter MREs – Meals Ready to Eat, the battle-tested sustenance that stands as a beacon of resilience in challenging situations. Let's explore how these military-style meals become your trustworthy allies, guiding you through the twists and turns of survival.

The Battle-Ready Basics

MREs are no ordinary meals; they're a culinary lifeline designed for military use. Packed with nutrients and carefully curated, they are field-tested to ensure they meet the demands of real-life survival scenarios.

Portability at Its Finest

Survival often means being on the move, and MREs are crafted with this in mind. Compact, lightweight, and easy to carry, these meals are the perfect companions for adventurers, hikers, or anyone navigating the great outdoors.

Diverse Flavors for Every Palette

Banish the notion that survival food is bland and tasteless. MREs surprise with a diverse menu, offering everything from robust entrees to delightful desserts. It's a culinary experience that defies the stereotypes of military-style meals.

Ready to Eat, No Fuss Required

Survival situations leave little room for complicated cooking setups. MREs come with a straightforward solution – a flameless ration heater. Just add water, and you have a hot and satisfying meal without the need for a stove or culinary expertise.

Shelf Life Assurance

When planning for the unknown, worrying about food expiration is the last thing you need. MREs boast an extended shelf life, remaining fresh and edible for an extended period. It's a reliability factor that adds peace of mind to your preparedness plan.

Nutritional Support for the Journey

Survival is not just about calories; it's about nourishment. MREs are carefully balanced with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to provide the nutrition your body needs to stay resilient and focused.

Conclusion: Guiding You Through the Unknown

In the field of survival, MREs emerge as your seasoned guides, equipped to navigate the uncertainties with you. Whether you're a daring explorer or someone preparing for the unexpected, the compact, flavorful, and field-tested nature of Meals Ready to Eat becomes your anchor of resilience. When the journey is tough, MREs stand ready to fuel your determination and guide you through the challenges of survival.

[warningsine]

Ever misplaced your keys or forgotten where you parked? Imagine if you had the remarkable memory of a mountain chickadee. Despite their small size, with brains just larger than a pea, these nimble birds masterfully remember the locations of tens of thousands of food caches. 

Mountain chickadees hide seeds in tree bark, under dead leaves, and within pine cones throughout mountainous terrains. Their ability to recall these locations during the harsh winter months is crucial for their survival amid the cold and snow.

Remarkable memory of mountain chickadees 

A research study led by the University of Colorado, Boulder and the University of Nevada, Reno has identified nearly a hundred genes that are linked to the birds’ spatial memory, which is their ability to pinpoint and recall the locations of these hidden caches. 

Furthermore, the experts suggest that there might be a trade-off between having robust long-term memory and the ability to quickly forget old memories to make room for new ones. This discovery has the potential to deepen our understanding of how spatial memory evolves not just in animals, but also in humans.

“Chickadees are impressive birds,” said senior author Scott Taylor, the director of CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station and an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 

“They can remember tens of thousands of locations where they cached food across an entire winter and a new set of those the next winter. Their spatial memory is much more developed than many other birds that don’t have to have this strategy to survive cold winters.”

Focus of the research 

To assess how these birds manage such a feat, Taylor’s colleagues at the University of Nevada, Reno, led by biologist professor Vladimir Pravosudov, put together a creative test. They set up multiple feeder arrays in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, each consisting of eight bird feeders filled with seeds. 

Each feeder was equipped with a gate that had a radio frequency reader capable of detecting a tag placed on the chickadees. The setup required the mountain chickadees to remember which feeders they could access as each gate was programmed to open only for certain birds.

Spatial learning among mountain chickadees 

Pravosudov’s team observed and recorded the number of times each bird visited the incorrect feeders before finding the right one. The underlying theory was that mountain chickadees with superior spatial memory capabilities would show a lower rate of errors.

Additionally, using blood samples, the scientists sequenced the genomes of 162 tagged chickadees, creating the largest dataset ever for exploring the genetic basis of cognitive abilities in chickadees. 

Genetics of spatial memory in birds

By correlating the birds’ genetic information with their performance in the feeder test, the team identified 97 genes associated with the chickadees’ spatial learning and memory. Birds with specific genetic variants at these genes demonstrated fewer incorrect attempts before successfully locating their designated feeders.

According to co-author Sara Padula, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, a large proportion of these variants are linked to neuron formation in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays a fundamental role in learning and memory. “Understanding the genetic basis of this trait will allow us to understand how the trait evolves,” said Taylor.

Moreover, he pointed out that the common ancestor of all North American chickadees cached food. However, among the seven species of chickadees found today, two do not. 

“They live in a milder environment where food is generally available year-round. Now that we know the gene regions that underlie spatial memory, we can look at what variation looks like in these species that have lost caching,” said Taylor.

“This study substantially advanced our understanding of the genetics of spatial memory in birds and behavioral genetics more broadly,” added co-author Georgy Semenov, a research associate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Good long-term memory may have a disadvantage

The research also highlighted a potential downside to having an excellent memory. After a few days of the initial task, Pravosudov’s team reassigned new feeders to the birds. Surprisingly, mountain chickadees that excelled in the initial tests struggled with adapting to the new feeders. They found it challenging to discard old memories and form new ones.

“In a more variable environment, what our collaborators found suggests that chickadees with good long-term memory may have a disadvantage. For example, if there is an unexpected snowstorm, these birds may keep trying to visit caches that have been buried in the snow, rather than forgetting them and looking for other caches,” Padula said.

As climate conditions continue to change, birds that can adapt quickly by forming new memories might have a better chance of survival. “Because of climate change, we might expect these selective pressures that have been shaping chickadee’s special memory for thousands of years to shift significantly,” Taylor concluded.

The study is published in the journal Current Biology.

[stevebattle]

MUMS - Micro Unattended Mobility System (2002) by iRobot, Bedford, MA. The MUMS device is a small autonomous vehicle around 3 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. Robust enough to survive high acceleration impacts, it consists of two side-by-side wheels and a reaction tail that doubles as an antenna. "Existing unattended sensor strategies involve air-dropping sensor packages into a target terrain for remote observation and intelligence gathering. The drawbacks of these systems, however, is that they have no control over their location once they have been dropped and are subject to enemy detection. By equipping unattended sensor packages with position, navigation, transportation and communication systems, they will gain a degree of local mobility, and thus be capable of correcting their initial placement, evading detection."

[bignaz8]

Does an A-10 really have a "titanium tub" for the pilot to sit in? What kind of hit can it actually take? Can it take a .50 cal explosive or armor piercing round?

The A-10 is equipped with a titanium tub – a sort of armored cocoon that envelops the pilot for protection. This feature is officially referred to as the bathtub and is a testament to the aircraft's design, which prioritizes pilot survivability above all else.

The bathtub is crafted from titanium armor and is specifically designed to withstand significant impacts, including direct hits from up to 23 mm cannon fire. It's also capable of enduring single strikes from projectiles as large as 57 mm rounds. The robustness of this titanium shield is so remarkable that it accounts for about 6 percent of the A-10's total weight, weighing in at a hefty 1,200 pounds.

It can take a hit from a .50 caliber explosive or armor-piercing round, the bathtub's resilience is such that it can indeed withstand rounds of that caliber. The Warthog's cockpit glass is also bulletproof, capable of withstanding up to a 23 mm projectile, which covers the .50 cal rounds you're curious about. This level of protection is crucial, given the A-10's role in close air support missions, where it often flies low and becomes vulnerable to ground fire.

The A-10's durability doesn't stop at the bathtub. The entire aircraft is built to survive. It features redundant flight systems, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a structure that allows it to return home even after sustaining considerable damage. This ruggedness has earned the A-10 a legendary status among military aircraft for its ability to take a hit and keep flying.

The A-10 Warthog is a flying fortress, designed to bring its pilot home safely from the most perilous situations. The titanium tub is just one of the many features that make the A-10 a true survivor in the skies.

[shinjiro-honda]

Nudging Tradition: A Journey in Digital Transformation

In a landscape marked by relentless change, digital transformation has transcended its status as a buzzword to become a critical pillar for organizational survival and success. This journey poses distinct challenges for traditional enterprises rooted in age-old practices, necessitating a blend of innovation and a nuanced understanding of cultural landscapes. Central to navigating this shift are the principles of business experimentation and nudging. As explored in two articles, these concepts offer a roadmap for navigating the digital age, highlighting the power of calculated innovation and subtle behavioral influences to drive change without forsaking tradition.

Prior to my MBA, I was in charge of digital transformation at a subsidiary. The subsidiary provided construction equipment rental services that required balancing legacy systems with new technology. Tasked with steering a tradition-laden company through the currents of digital change, the mission was clear: introduce digital innovation while respecting the ingrained corporate ethos.

Reflecting on my journey, the subtle yet impactful art of nudging was instrumental in our transformation, embodying a strategy of gentle persuasion over direct imposition. Rooted in behavioral economics, this method catalyzed a significant cultural shift within our organization. It opened pathways for traditional sales teams to willingly engage with digital strategies through constructive dialogue and cooperation. In parallel, a methodical approach to business experimentation played a crucial role. It enabled us to continuously refine our digital initiatives by rigorously testing and learning from each action, ensuring that every advancement was underpinned by robust data and in-depth customer insights.

This dual strategy of employing nudging and business experimentation exemplifies how traditional enterprises can successfully venture into the digital domain. It demonstrates that it's entirely possible to balance preserving the core essence of legacy and embracing the innovative spirit of digital transformation, leading to a seamless integration of the old with the new.

[rawcalamity]

Ranammal gluxem.

(Glux)

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Stats

Height: 1.5 - 2.3 ft.

Weight: 20 - 25 lbs.

Length: 3 - 3.5 ft.

Speed: 25 mph.

Lifespan: 10 - 13 years.

Conservation status: LC.

•

Description: A unique biodiversity of wildlife blossoms within the tropical ecosystems of zerottakída, offering an excellent display of nature. Beyond the trees that line a forest is a lush sanctuary painted in green, sheltering plenty of bizarre, colorful, and often deadly fauna. Dashing swiftly through a forests thickets are nimble prey who have honed their survival strategies over centuries, and continue to evolve with the ever-changing environment. Meet ranammal gluxem: the common glux. Glux are an abundant species of amphibian that populate rainforests. These animals have a wide distribution across vidine and into vinevofort, but subspecies can be found in other regions within zerottakída. Common glux stand at roughly 1.5 - 2.3 feet, while measuring about 3 feet in length. Glux are lightweight, weighing just shy of 25 lbs. The most striking visual of the common glux is their baby blue feathers, which nearly coat the entire body. Complementing these feathers are plumages of pink centered around the face and dorsal regions. Glux boast an assortment of complex patterns, ranging from white stripes to pink spots. The tail is primarily white, with a pink underside.

Glux come armed with two pairs of hooked pectoral claws, of which they use to scale trees. A glux may climb to forage for fruit or to pursue a prey item, but in some instances a glux will climb to avoid a predator. Climbing is not their only survival tactic however, located just behind the hips are two specialized glands that secrete an oily substance. The secretion in question contains trace amounts of a potent toxin which, when ingested, can cause inflation to the digestive system. Furthermore, just touching a feather imbued with this secretion can cause irritation to the skin, and has an absolutely foul taste to boot. Glux will smother their feathers with this secretion to become unappetizing; thus deterring predators from pursuing them as prey.

As mentioned previously, glux are amphibious creatures and not birds — despite what their avian appearance may lead you to believe. Glux begin life as water breathing larvae swarming the river beds. These tadpoles will latch onto any surface and use a sturdy radula to scrape off organic particles to consume. Glux tadpoles will gradually accumulate body mass within the first two weeks of their lives, before entering one of two important metamorphoses. This metamorphosis will mark the start to their transition from water to land, as they begin to grow legs. To start, glux will develop two robust hind legs equipped with a pair of webbed feet. Development on their pectoral claws will also begin, however at this stage they have blunt tips. Lastly, the glux — now 'glutax' — will now have a stunted beak along with a much broader tail. This new body plan allows the glutax to traverse land for short periods of time; enabling them to pursue new prey items such as insects. Glutax cannot remain out of water for longer than an hour, as they risk drying out their mucus coated skin. Glutax primarily prey on small fish and amphibians, however. After another 4 week period, the glutax will begin its final metamorphosis to transition into the feathered, primarily land-dwelling amphibian we‘re all too familiar with.

Glux are gregarious animals who congregate most at dawn, following a crepuscular schedule. For the most part, glux prefer non-vocal communication in the form of beating their tails rhythmically. A glux may also emit a clicking sound with their beak to draw attention to itself. When threatened, glux will ruffle their feathers and chirp.