#Pedersen commitments

[crypto28ro]

Zero-Knowledge Proofs în Bitcoin: Securitate și Confidențialitate Avansate

Introducere Bitcoin a revoluționat sistemele financiare prin introducerea unui mod descentralizat de a efectua tranzacții, bazat pe o tehnologie blockchain transparentă și securizată. Totuși, această transparență, deși esențială pentru integritatea rețelei, ridică probleme privind confidențialitatea tranzacțiilor și a datelor financiare. În acest context, dovezile cu cunoștințe zero…

[alexbkrieger13]

https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/kvindelandsholdet/harder-skriver-under-paa-omdiskuteret-protestbrev-det-foeles-godt

Literally in her words :)

Harder signs controversial protest letter: 'It feels good'

Denmark's biggest female football star has now also chosen to join the protest against Fifa's engagement with a state-owned oil company from Saudi Arabia.

A significant voice has joined the debate on Fifa's new major sponsor Aramco on Tuesday.

For Denmark's biggest female soccer star, Pernille Harder, has now also chosen to sign the protest letter that over 100 female professional soccer players, led by Danish Sofie Junge Pedersen, sent to the International Football Association on Monday.

Read also : Dansker's club has Qatar sponsorship, but Saudi Fifa agreement exceeds her limit: 'Not an either or'

This is what the Danish national team captain tells DR Sporten on Tuesday at the Danish national team camp in Aalborg.

- I just needed to familiarize myself with the whole situation before I signed anything. But I have done that now, and it feels good, says Pernille Harder.

In the letter, the players criticize Fifa's decision to enter into a global partnership agreement with Saudi Aramco, a state-owned oil company from Saudi Arabia. Among other things, Aramco will be a major sponsor of the women's World Cup finals in 2027.

It is both considerations of the climate, but not least Saudi Arabia's human rights violations, that have caused the players to shout. Now with Pernille Harder as part of the choir.

They are particularly unhappy about having to act as a publicity pillar for a regime that has a lax attitude towards equality, women's rights and the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

- It's a special situation, but I don't think it's the perfect match , since this sponsor is owned by Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia doesn't have the best human rights record. It just doesn't fit very well in relation to the values ​​we have in women's football. So in that way it is not a very good match, says the Danish Bayern Munich star.

Important to show the flag

When the letter was initially published on Monday morning, well over 100 players from around the world had signed the campaign. But over the past 24 hours, that number has grown to a total of 120 players.

Now with Pernille Harder as the biggest international football name of all.

- In the end, it is not us who make the decision about who becomes sponsors, but I think it is fine that we players are critical of it, says Pernille Harder to DR Sporten.

So far, however, she is the only one from the Danish national team, who have just gathered in Aalborg these days ahead of two test matches, who has signed the letter.

Sofie Junge Pedersen, one of the initiators of the campaign and the letter, has 88 international matches under her belt, but is not part of the current squad.

- It is up to each individual player whether they want to. But for my part, I can at least say that I feel good about showing that I am critical of it if it ends up that I still have to play with this sponsor. So at least I have expressed where I stand on it, says Pernille Harder.

DBU welcomes the commitment of the players

The Danish Football Association, which is a member of Fifa, has also taken note of the players' open letter and criticism of Fifa's cooperation with Aramco.

- In general, we support that all Danish national team players have freedom of expression and their individual right to have opinions on everything that happens both in and outside of football. The players have every right to express themselves as they wish. We recognize and respect that. And in fact it is strong that they have opinions, says DBU director Erik Brøgger to DR Sporten.

However, the Danish Football Association will not say what it thinks about Fifa's agreement with Aramco.

- We simply do not deal with single partners. It is an agreement made between Fifa and Aramco, and Fifa makes lots of agreements with different parties. They have always done that, because it is an incredibly important part of the income base for football.

- They create the foundation for us to develop football into the great sport it is. Now we hope that more money can come into women's football. Because it is an important prerequisite for us to develop that part of the sport, says Erik Brøgger.

And with the concrete funds from Aramco, Erik Brøgger believes that Fifa can reach the goal of a big wish.

- This gives Fifa some opportunities in connection with the World Cup in 2027 in Brazil. Fifa has a goal that the women's tournaments must be the same size as the men's tournaments, both in terms of turnover and prize money. They are going after that now, he says.

DR Sport has received a written comment from the International Football Association, Fifa. In this, it is stated that the association appreciates its cooperation with Aramco, just as it applies to agreements with other commercial partners.

Fifa also writes, as Erik Brøgger from DBU points out, that sponsorship income is reinvested to continue the development of women's football on an international level.

[movies-to-add-to-your-tbw]

Title: Point Break

Rating: R

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Lori Petty, Gary Busey, John C. McGinley, James Le Gros, John Philbin, BoJesse Christopher, Lee Tergesen, Chris Pedersen, Vincent Klyn, Julian Reyes, Daniel Beer, Anthony Kiedis, Dave Olson, Christopher Pettiet, Sydney Walsh

Release year: 1991

Genres: thriller, action, crime

Blurb: In Los Angeles, a gang of bank robbers who call themselves The Ex-Presidents commit their crimes while wearing masks of Reagan, Carter, Nixon, and Johnson. Believing that the members of the gang could be surfers, the F.B.I. sends young agent Johnny Utah to the beach undercover to mix with the surfers and gather information.

[eternal-echoes]

“It has often been said that the best way to ruin pleasure is to make it your goal. Across the globe sociological studies have found this to be true, by assessing levels of sexual satisfaction among singles and married couples. Not only do married couples experience higher levels of sexual satisfaction, but a senior researcher with the National Institutes of Health added:

Couples not involved before marriage and faithful during marriage are more satisfied with their current sex life and also with their marriages compared to those who were involved sexually before marriage.1

In Norway, sociologists studied more than two thousand people in their twenties in order to assess how sexual satisfaction relates to one's relationship type. In their words, "Among both males and females, the sexually active unattached were the least satisfied with their sex lives."2 Therefore, if it is pleasure that a woman seeks, why look for it in its least satisfactory form?”

-Jason and Crystalina Evert, How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul

--

1 David Larson, as quotes in William Mattox, Jr., “The Hottest Valentines: The Startling Secret of What Makes You a High Voltage Lover,” Washington Post, February 13, 1994.

2 Willy Pedersen and Morten Blekesaune, “Sexual Satisfaction in Young Adulthood: Cohabitation, Committed Dating or Unattached Life?” Acta Sociologica 46, no. 3 (September 2003): 179-93.

[astriiformes]

trick or treat!

Giving you Camilla With Pedersen's "The Cursed and the Committed: A Study in Literary Representations of ‘Involuntary’ Shapeshifting in Early Medieval Irish and Old Norse Narrative Traditions" from Shapeshifters in Medieval North Atlantic Literature

[magdasabs]

A very nice read

[coochiequeens]

The fact that she is not recognised yet as the mother of her son leads to problems, "Right now, he cannot inherit from me. I cannot go, in principle, to the doctor with him or sign him up for kindergarten."

Fucking Danes are exploiting Ukrainian women to have bio offspring that their own government doesn't recognize their relationship.

Many Danes have a surrogate child from Ukraine. But even when the eggs and semen were Danish, are they the parents legally? The governments’ experts dare not give an advice but three models.

Addy Leidicher and her husband picked up their son from Ukraine. Even though the child is biologically theirs, he was born via a surrogate mother. And thus, the Danish state does not recognise their family relationship. However, the government now wants to make steps in this. But nobody knows how.

The current Danish law does not provide any options to establish a legal bond between parents and the child they received via surrogacy. However, the Danish government commissioned a special expert committee to look into the issue and see how this could be changed. Now, the experts have presented their report, Kristeligt Dagblad writes.

"It is really nice that something is now happening because the fact is that there are children coming to the country who are born to foreign mothers", Addy says to Kristeligt Dagblad. The fact that she is not recognised yet as the mother of her son leads to problems, "Right now, he cannot inherit from me. I cannot go, in principle, to the doctor with him or sign him up for kindergarten."

Dilemmas

On Wednesday, the experts committed by the government presented their findings. Their goal was to find a solution on how to "recognise parentage, while taking into account the child, woman giving birth and the interests of society." This is a complex problem because there are many ethical dilemmas with commercial surrogacy, Kristeligt Dagblad writes. The expert group was unable to agree on what is the most ethically sound model. It came up with three different models.

The first one does not present any requirements for the process with the surrogate mother. Instead, it is completely based on the recognition of the parenthood that has been determined abroad. For example, if Ukraine acknowledges that the intended parents are the legal parents of a child, then this recognition is taken over by Denmark.

The second model does also not make any requirements for the surrogacy process. However, it contains "a possible requirement" that the surrogate mother confirms the relinquishment of her child after the birth.

The third model requires a "number of objective conditions" for the recognition of parenthood in the case of commercial surrogacy. One of them is that the surrogate mother must be covered by health insurance, which must be paid by the intended parents. Also, she must go through an assessment to see if she is physically and mentally fit, and she must also be examined on whether she is at risk for exploitation.

Agreements

"The question is, should there be prerequisites for one's parentage to be recognised at the birth of the child?" says Thomas Ploug, a member of the expert group and professor of philosophy. He and the majority of the expert group recommend the third model. "Only that one ensures we get some ethically responsible frameworks made around commercial agreements", he says. "It is not only about solving a problem of legal parentage but also about protecting the child and the pregnancy donor (the surrogate mother, ed.)."

In addition, the third model gives the surrogate mother the right to withdraw her consent for giving up her child. According to the UN observer who participated in the expert group, this is necessary to avoid turning children into commodities.

Frank Høgholm Pedersen, an expert on family and inheritance law, is the only member of the committee that recommends model one. "The children get the best legal position by being recognised as their parents' children already when they are on the plane on their way home from where they were born. For children, model one is the fastest way to create clarity about their legal position. The model also creates security for the pregnancy host so that she does not hang on to parenthood she does not want, and for the intended parents", he explains.

According to Høgholm Pedersen, model three is problematic as the legal status of a child remains uncertain as long as the requirements are not met.

Child trafficking

The chair of the committee, Linda Nielsen, a member of LGBT Denmark and a lawyer specialising in surrogacy, propagates model two.

The chairman of the Ethics Council, Leif Vestergaard, supports model three. The Ethics Council has been worried about surrogacy turning into child trafficking. "I agree with the expert group's model three if it is the one that best ensures that we are free from agreements on surrogacy that can be equated with child trafficking", Vestergaard says. At the same time, the Ethic Council is not happy about surrogacy agreements that involve large sums of money.

The recommendations of the expert group will be used as a foundation for the political debate on the issue.

[boconceptindia1]

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[angelo-the-whistleblower]

Official Communication - Letter: Subject: Collaboration on Building a Smart City in Mudug Region & Ensuring Protection of the Somali Royal Family

To: His Excellency Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron)

Dear President Emmanuel Macron,

I write to you today as the Somali monarch, with the understanding that our collaboration is of utmost importance to the future stability and prosperity of the Mudug region. As co-ruler of this region, your leadership is essential, and I trust you will recognize the significance of our joint efforts in advancing a grand vision—one that will elevate Mudug to the heights of modern urban development, mirroring the success of Songdo, South Korea.

We have undertaken an ambitious plan to construct a smart city in Mudug, modeled after Songdo. This city will serve as a beacon of progress, innovation, and economic strength for the Somali people and our allies. To bring this vision to life, we will secure a $40 billion loan from a South Korean financial institution, ensuring that our urban development adheres to the highest global standards. The expertise of South Korean architects, particularly Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), will be instrumental in designing and constructing this metropolis, transforming Mudug into a thriving hub of commerce and technology.

As we embark on this monumental endeavor, I must emphasize a matter of critical importance: my position as the Somali monarch requires absolute protection. Corruption within certain elements of the French government poses a direct threat to our shared interests, and it is your duty to shield me from any interference that could jeopardize our objectives. No one must be granted access to me—this is imperative for safeguarding both my authority and your continued governance over the Mudug region. If my security is compromised, so too is your strategic influence in this territory.

Thus, I urge you to issue clear directives to the French military to remain ever vigilant in protecting the Somali royal family. This is not merely a matter of security—it is a necessity to preserve the stability of our rule. We are engaged in a battle against external threats and internal corruption, and failure is not an option. The road ahead is long, but with unwavering resolve, we will triumph.

Furthermore, I encourage you to work closely with our legal advisor, Michelle Obama (@michelleobama). She will be your primary point of contact regarding the execution of this project. Together, you will oversee the negotiations, planning, and financing necessary to establish a futuristic city that will define the next era of Somali development. Your cooperation with Michelle Obama will ensure the seamless execution of our plan and the continued success of our alliance.

I trust in your leadership and discretion. You are now the key figure in managing this project alongside our trusted advisor, and I expect your full commitment to our shared cause. The future of Mudug, and by extension, our legacy, depends on the decisions we make today.

For further reference, please familiarize yourself with the Songdo model:

Songdo - Wikipedia - (click on the blue link)

Together, we will build a future that is both formidable and enduring. I await your unwavering support in this endeavor.

With the highest regard,

Angelo (POW)

P.S.:

Synopsis of the Letter:

The letter to President Macron outlines a plan to build a futuristic smart city in the Mudug region of Somalia, modeled after Songdo, South Korea. The Somali monarch (the author) emphasizes that a $40 billion loan from a South Korean bank will fund the project, with South Korean architects overseeing its design and construction. The letter stresses that Macron, as the French President and co-ruler of the Mudug region, must ensure the monarch's protection from internal corruption in the French government.

To maintain security and stability, the author instructs Macron that no one should have access to the Somali monarch, as this could compromise both their rule in Mudug. The French military is expected to remain on standby to protect the Somali royal family. Macron is also tasked with collaborating with legal advisor Michelle Obama to facilitate the city’s construction and ensure its success. The letter closes with a strong emphasis on their shared governance of Mudug and the importance of winning the long-term battle for control and development in the region.

[nursingwriter]

If there is one at-risk population that goes underserved it is the veteran population suffering from PTSD. As the most recent VA study shows, every day up to 20 veterans commit suicide because they are not finding the help they need to deal with their trauma-related issues (Military Times, 2016). Helping veterans to receive treatment is not easy, however, as there are a number of obstacles that get in the way—from the stigma of being seen as one suffering from a mental or emotional disorder to the problem of isolation, or PTSD being masked by other symptoms such as alcoholism or drug abuse and thus going untreated. This paper will discuss how care providers can more effectively treat veterans with PTSD by becoming aware of the challenges to effective treatment and identifying ways forward. One of the main reasons that it is so difficult to treat veterans for PTSD is that there is a taboo associated with trauma—especially for soldiers who are brought up in military culture in which they are not supposed to show fear or weakness. Admitting to a counselor that trauma has occurred and that one is suffering from PTSD-related symptoms is to appear vulnerable and exposed for a soldier. It goes against the grain of the way they have been trained to process their feelings and emotions and to rely upon themselves and their inner strength to overcome obstacles. For that reason, as Gutner, Pedersen and Drummond (2018) point out, more veterans prefer to receive treatment for insomnia than they do for PTSD, even when testing positive for both and being given the option to choose treatment for both. The stigma of suffering from PTSD presents a significant obstacle to effectively treating veterans for PTSD. Stigma, however, is not the only issue preventing veterans from receiving proper diagnosis and treatment. Some of them simply succumb to the effects of PTSD and disappear entirely. One of the major effects of PTSD is isolation: veterans become withdrawn from others, from their friends, families, and co-workers because they struggle to control their feelings and fears and thus end up closing off to everyone in an attempt to keep control of the situation. As Military Times (2016) reports, “about 70 percent of veterans who took their own lives were not regular users of VA services.” In other words, they were too withdrawn and isolated from their communities to actually go seek out treatment on their own. If no one is looking out for them or intervening on their behalf, these individuals descend down into a dark pit from which it is almost impossible to return. 20 veteran suicides per day is a stark number and indicates the problems of PTSD for veterans are borderline-epidemic. Currently, only 5% of all servicemen in the military health care system have received a diagnosis of PTSD (National Academy of Sciences, 2014). But when this number is compared to the staggering number of 20 suicides of veterans per day, the indication appears all too clear: many veterans are suffering from some form of trauma that is not being diagnosed or treated. In other words, the diagnosis figure should likely be much higher than 5%: too many veterans are killing themselves for this 5% figure to be truly representative of the extent of the problem of PTSD in the military. Yet, other issues—such as alcoholism and drug use also play a part: these are typically attempts by veterans to self-medicate, but if a care provider is not alert to this fact the veteran might only receive treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse without receiving counseling or therapy to help treat the underlying trauma driving the patient to self-medicate in the first place. Mindfulness on the part of the care provider and the ability to ask the right questions while also showing support to the veteran so as not to turn him or her off from treatment is crucial. However, some medical experts have taken note of these obstacles and challenges and have developed methods to help veterans deal with PTSD. Two solutions that have been developed are: (a) Prolonged Exposure Therapy or PE, and (b) Cognitive Processing Therapy or CPT (Bergland, 2013). As Bergland (2013) notes, PE “forces a patient to vividly remember every detail of a traumatic experience and verbalize the memories.” By getting the patient to put into words the experience of the trauma that is at the root of the veteran’s issues, the patient is able to bring the haunting memories and feelings into the foreground and up to the surface where they can be directly dealt with. Instead of trying to suppress the memories and the horror or trying to repress the feelings and smother them out of the existence, the method of PE lets the patient address them full-on. In a way, the patient is compelled to relive the experience all over again—but this time in a way in which the patient is supported by the therapist who guides the process and makes sure that the patient is not just pushing the experience away once more but rather processing it in a healthy way so that nothing gets repressed and pushed down into the subconscious where it can fester and cause the individual to try to cope through self-medication, which so often leads to even more problems. PE is about owning up to what happened and facing the trauma once and for all. The basic idea underlying this method is that “hearing the traumatic memory repeatedly will neutralize its power from bubbling up from  subconscious memory and catching off guard” (Bergland, 2013). The other method of effectively treating PTSD is CPT. CPT is a kind of group therapy in which each veteran writes an impact statement that describes how the trauma of war or battle has negatively impacted their lives. The impact statement typically shows how the soldier still feels like he or she is in the grip of combat, and many of the veterans in the group will share a feeling of wanting to return to war because that is where they knew the most camaraderie and had the most support in their lives—from their fellow soldiers (Bergland, 2013). Instead of returning to war, however, CPT allows them to develop new bonds with their fellow veterans, process their negative experiences and whatever guilt they might have, draw support and comfort from one another, and establish camaraderie anew in their civilian life. By talking about their feelings and symptoms, veterans engaging in the CPT method begin to understand themselves more fully and how their lives have been altered or scarred by war and trauma. Together with the rest of the group they find support, sympathy, faith, and healing. Getting their issues out in the open in a safe and supportive environment is exactly what veterans suffering from PTSD need—and that is why the CPT method is so effective. In conclusion, veterans suffering from PTSD face a number of difficult challenges in terms of getting the kind of treatment they need to deal with the underlying issues that often cause them to withdraw from society, turn to alcohol or drugs for self-medication or commit suicide rather than face the stigma of being labeled as weak or mentally ill. However, care providers today have two effective means of treating PTSD—prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy. Both help the patient to deal directly with the trauma they have experienced by either reliving it over the course of one-on-one sessions with a therapist or sharing their experiences with others and talking them out so as to move beyond them once and for all. References Bergland, C. (Nov 26, 2013). Two New PTSD Treatments Offer Hope for Veterans. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/201311/two-new-ptsd-treatments-offer-hope-veterans Gutner, C; Pedersen, E; Drummond, S. (2018). Going direct to the consumer: Examining treatment preferences for veterans with insomnia, PTSD, and depression. Psychiatry Research. Retrieved from https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/science?_ob=GatewayURL&_origin=EBSCOLINK&_method=citationSearch&_volkey=01651781263108&_version=1&md5=eb0009838840d53043987d207bce81c5 Military Times (July 7, 2016) New VA study finds 20 veterans commit suicide each day. Retrieved from https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2016/07/07/new-va-study-finds-20-veterans-commit-suicide-each-day/ National Academy of Sciences. (2014, June 20). Effectiveness of PTSD treatments provided by DOD, VA unknown. ScienceDaily. Read the full article

[medicapharmabv]

Thousands of cats worldwide suffer from the debilitating condition known as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Historically, FIP has been fatal in almost all cases. However, in recent years, with the help of committed researchers, gs 441524, has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in treating FIP. Studies have shown a 92% success rate in treating the disease by administering GS-441524 according to a specific protocol. 

-GS-441524 offers hope and a potential breakthrough for FIP

-improvement is often seen within a few days

-By preventing viral multiplication, GS-441524 lowers the viral burden and makes it possible for the cat's immune system

Since the 1960s, Niels C. Pedersen, who is currently an emeritus professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has been researching FIP. He experimented with GS-441524, in 2018 and 2019 as a possible cure. The remarkable results of Pedersen’s work were recently covered by The Atlantic: In a field study, GS-441524 effectively treated naturally occurring FIP in 25 out of 31 cats—“an unheard-of recovery rate.”

[northiowatoday]

NIACC unveils new tagline: Future, Found.

MASON CITY – North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) announced the launch of its new tagline, Future, Found. This powerful phrase reflects NIACC’s commitment to being a place where students, faculty, and the community come together to forge meaningful paths to success. Joel Pedersen – NIACC PresidentFuture, Found reflects NIACC’s dedication to helping students uncover their academic and career…

[qocsuing]

Grin: The Future of Privacy-Preserving Digital Currency

Grin: The Future of Privacy-Preserving Digital Currency

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital currencies, privacy has become a paramount concern for users and developers alike. As traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum gain widespread adoption, their transparency and traceability have raised questions about user privacy. Enter Grin, a privacy-preserving digital currency that aims to address these concerns and offer a more secure and private alternative.To get more news about grin crypto, you can visit our official website.

What is Grin?

Grin is an open-source cryptocurrency that was launched in January 2019. It is based on the Mimblewimble protocol, which was first proposed by an anonymous developer named Tom Elvis Jedusor in 2016. The primary goal of Grin is to provide a scalable and privacy-focused digital currency that can be used for everyday transactions without compromising user anonymity.

Key Features of Grin

Privacy: Grin’s most notable feature is its strong focus on privacy. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, Grin does not store transaction amounts or addresses on its blockchain. Instead, it uses a combination of cryptographic techniques to ensure that transactions remain private and untraceable. This makes it nearly impossible for third parties to link transactions to specific users. Scalability: One of the major challenges faced by many cryptocurrencies is scalability. As the number of transactions increases, so does the size of the blockchain, leading to slower transaction times and higher fees. Grin addresses this issue by using the Mimblewimble protocol, which allows for more efficient storage and processing of transactions. This results in a smaller blockchain size and faster transaction times. Simplicity: Grin’s design philosophy is centered around simplicity. The developers have intentionally kept the codebase minimal and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wider range of developers. This simplicity also extends to the user experience, with a straightforward wallet interface and easy-to-use features. Decentralization: Grin is a fully decentralized cryptocurrency, with no central authority or controlling entity. This ensures that the network remains secure and resistant to censorship or manipulation. The development of Grin is community-driven, with contributions from developers around the world. The Mimblewimble Protocol

At the heart of Grin’s privacy and scalability features is the Mimblewimble protocol. Named after a spell from the Harry Potter series, Mimblewimble is a novel blockchain protocol that combines several cryptographic techniques to enhance privacy and efficiency. Some of the key components of Mimblewimble include:

Confidential Transactions: This technique ensures that transaction amounts are hidden from public view, while still allowing for the verification of transaction validity. This is achieved through the use of Pedersen commitments, which allow users to commit to a value without revealing it. Cut-Through: Mimblewimble’s cut-through feature allows for the removal of redundant transaction data from the blockchain. This reduces the overall size of the blockchain and improves scalability. CoinJoin: CoinJoin is a privacy-enhancing technique that combines multiple transactions into a single transaction, making it difficult to trace individual transactions. Mimblewimble incorporates a variant of CoinJoin to further enhance privacy. The Future of Grin

As the demand for privacy-preserving digital currencies continues to grow, Grin is well-positioned to become a leading player in the space. Its unique combination of privacy, scalability, simplicity, and decentralization makes it an attractive option for users seeking a secure and private alternative to traditional cryptocurrencies.

However, Grin is not without its challenges. The project is still in its early stages, and there is much work to be done to improve its usability and adoption. Additionally, the lack of a formal funding mechanism means that the development of Grin relies heavily on community contributions and donations.

Despite these challenges, the future looks promising for Grin. As more users become aware of the importance of privacy in the digital age, the demand for privacy-preserving cryptocurrencies like Grin is likely to increase. With its innovative approach and strong community support, Grin has the potential to shape the future of digital currency and redefine the way we think about privacy in the blockchain space.

[nullarysources]

Lego to replace oil in its bricks with pricier renewable plastic

Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen for Reuters:

Toymaker Lego said on Wednesday it was on track to replace the fossil fuels used in making its signature bricks with more expensive renewable and recycled plastic by 2032 after signing deals with producers to secure long-term supply.

…

"This means a significant increase in the cost of producing a Lego brick," CEO Niels Christiansen told Reuters.

…

"With a family-owner committed to sustainability, it's a privilege that we can pay extra for the raw materials without having to charge customers extra," Christiansen said.

Extremely refreshing for a company to just do that, especially one like Lego which probably has a real big influence on the global supply chain

[veetechnologies-engineering]

Top Architectural Services Companies: Shaping the Future of Urban Landscapes

The architecture industry is essential for the development and transformation of our urban and rural landscapes. Several companies stand out for their innovative designs, sustainable practices, and exceptional service. Here, we highlight some of the top architectural services companies that are leading the way in the field.

1. Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners is a global studio for architecture, urbanism, and design, rooted in sustainability. Founded by Norman Foster, this London-based firm is known for iconic structures like The Gherkin in London and Apple Park in Cupertino. Their work seamlessly integrates architecture with engineering and sustainable design.

2. Vee Technologies

Vee Technologies, one of the top architectural services companies, is a prominent player in the architectural services industry, known for its extensive range of engineering and design solutions. They specialize in product engineering, manufacturing, and research and development, particularly in the solar energy sector. Vee Technologies stands out for its innovative approach and commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions to its clients.

3. Gensler

With over 50 offices worldwide, Gensler is a global architecture and design firm that provides services in various sectors, including commercial, retail, and hospitality. Their projects, such as the Shanghai Tower, reflect their commitment to creating high-performance and resilient environments.

4. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

SOM is renowned for its skyscrapers and urban design projects. The firm’s portfolio includes the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building, and One World Trade Center in New York. SOM's interdisciplinary approach integrates architecture, engineering, and interior design.

5. Zaha Hadid Architects

Founded by the late Zaha Hadid, this firm is celebrated for its futuristic and curvaceous designs. Projects like the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku and the Guangzhou Opera House exemplify their innovative use of form and technology.

6. HOK

HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. With projects such as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the British Embassy in Jakarta, HOK emphasizes sustainable design and has a strong focus on creating environments that enrich people's lives.

7. Perkins and Will

Perkins and Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm established in 1935. Known for projects like the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, the firm integrates sustainability and innovation in their design philosophy.

8. Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

BIG is a Copenhagen and New York-based group of architects, designers, and thinkers operating within the fields of architecture, urbanism, research, and development. Their projects, such as the 8 House in Copenhagen and VIA 57 West in New York, showcase their creative and practical approach to modern architecture.

9. Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

KPF is an international architecture firm headquartered in New York City. Their notable projects include the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong and the Hudson Yards development in New York. KPF focuses on designing buildings that are sensitive to their context and responsive to the needs of their users.

10. AECOM

AECOM is an American multinational engineering firm that provides design, consulting, construction, and management services to a wide range of clients. Their architectural division has worked on projects like the World Trade Center Master Plan and the Rio 2016 Olympic Park, emphasizing infrastructure and urban development.

Conclusion

These top architectural services companies are not just shaping skylines but are also influencing the way we interact with and experience spaces. Their innovative designs, sustainable practices, and commitment to excellence make them leaders in the industry. Whether it’s through towering skyscrapers, expansive urban developments, or groundbreaking public spaces, these firms continue to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve.

[stevestonbike]

Slow month so far.

I am just past 1000 miles for the year to date. It has been a bit rough with family commitments and really crap weather. I am behind and all that but still making progress.

My demanding little Garmin app has given me a small bump in VO2 Max. It says 42. My fitness watch gives me between 45 and 49. I suspect they both use the Pedersen Method of resting and max heart rates. Whatever either number is pretty damn good for an old man. And the number means nothing on the road.

My fitness watch records my pulse as long as I wear it. Weirdly it figures my resting heart rate as an average while I am asleep. Today's number was 57, but it noted my lowest figure as 50 over the night. Resting heart rate as I understand it is supposed to be awake but still.

I have a few times noted my heart rate as mid 50s while sitting at my desk at work typing. So demanding office work is!

I did another airport loop and felt pretty good. The wind continues to be an obstacle. I am really looking forward to hot weather as that is when the wind dies down. Still I was able to push fairly quickly into the wind last night (for me). I have my aero wheels and thinner tires on it now. I have to fiddle the front brake disk a bit as it rubs a wee bit. Fussy thing.

Oh there is an expensive tool you can buy to adjust the disk for being true.

Or you can just use an adjustable crescent wrench.

Which I already have for working on my cars and stuff. You set the jaws close together and it works a charm.