#Quality Control Processes in Food Production

[comparativetarot]

The Emperor. Art by Cedar McCloud, from The Magic Pantry Tarot.

▪ Wealth ▪ Patience ▪ Hard work ▪ Barriers Historically, chocolate was a food only for the wealthy and noble, and before that, food for the gods. This card brings up themes of wealth, not only in the material and monetary sense, but in all areas of your life—spiritual, mental, emotional. It may indicate a person who is wealthy in one or more areas of life and/or who controls and distributes that wealth. Chocolate is difficult to grow, and after being picked, the cacao beans must be processed—fermented and roasted, among other things! This card may be suggesting that patience is necessary for the task or situation at hand. Things may need time to develop more rich, complex flavors. Beyond the initial processing of the beans, the production of quality chocolate is an art which requires much attention, skill, and effort. Are you ready to put in the work to get the results you desire? Do you need more practice or learning, first? What is your plan? Chocolate without sugar is quite bitter! This card may appear when we are facing barriers and disappointment to getting what or where we want. Additionally, sometimes we ourselves need to learn when to say “no” to others, even if it causes bitter feelings to arise.

[thirdeye-ai]

Improving Packaging Quality and Label Quality in Food Manufacturing with AI Vision Inspection

In the food manufacturing industry, ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance with regulations is critical to maintaining consumer trust and business reputation. AI Vision Inspection technology is a powerful solution that can significantly improve the quality control processes in food production, packaging, and labeling. By automating these processes with advanced computer vision and machine learning, manufacturers can achieve higher precision, efficiency, and consistency.

AI Vision Inspection for Packaging Quality in Food Manufacturing

Packaging plays a crucial role in food product safety, shelf life, and customer satisfaction. Faulty packaging, whether due to poor seals, damage, or contamination, can lead to product spoilage, regulatory violations, and customer complaints. AI Vision Inspection ensures that every package meets the highest quality standards.

Detecting Packaging Defects: AI Vision systems can identify packaging defects such as torn bags, incorrect sealing, or damaged containers in real time. This automated detection ensures that defective products are removed from the production line before reaching consumers.

Seamless Integration into Production Lines: AI-driven vision systems can be integrated into existing production lines without disrupting operations. They work alongside other automated processes, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted production and faster throughput.

Consistency and Precision: By continuously learning from data, AI-powered solutions can maintain uniformity in packaging quality, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring each package meets the exact specifications, whether in size, shape, or sealing.

AI Vision Inspection for Label Quality in Food Manufacturing

Accurate and compliant labeling is essential in the food industry. Incorrect or misleading labels, such as misprinted nutritional information, missing allergens, or incorrect expiration dates, can result in significant legal and financial consequences, including recalls. AI Vision Inspection technology automates the process of verifying label quality, ensuring that every label is correct, consistent, and compliant with regulations.

Text and Image Accuracy: AI Vision Inspection systems use optical character recognition (OCR) to verify the text on food labels. These systems ensure that ingredients, nutritional facts, allergens, and other important information are printed correctly and in the right font size and style.

Barcode and QR Code Verification: AI Vision can also verify the accuracy of barcodes and QR codes, ensuring they are scannable and linked to the correct product information. This helps prevent supply chain errors and improves traceability.

Label Alignment and Positioning: AI-powered systems can check the precise alignment and placement of labels on packaging. Misaligned labels can create a poor impression of the product and may not meet regulatory standards. Vision systems ensure that labels are always applied in the right position.

How Can Food Manufacturing Improve with AI Vision Inspection?

The food manufacturing industry stands to gain significant improvements through the use of AI Vision Inspection, not just in packaging and labeling but across various facets of production.

Ensuring Food Safety and Hygiene: AI Vision Inspection can detect packaging defects that may compromise food safety, such as improper seals or contamination within the packaging. It also helps identify issues in the food product itself, such as foreign objects or contamination, ensuring that only safe, high-quality products reach consumers.

Regulatory Compliance: The food industry is heavily regulated, with strict standards for labeling and packaging. AI Vision Inspection ensures that food packaging and labels comply with all relevant food safety laws and guidelines. This reduces the risk of regulatory fines, recalls, or brand damage.

Preventing Waste and Rework: By catching defects early, AI Vision Inspection reduces the number of defective products that make it to the consumer. This leads to lower waste, fewer returns, and less rework, ultimately improving profitability.

Improved Production Speed and Consistency: Food manufacturers face pressure to meet high demand while maintaining quality. AI Vision Inspection systems work at high speeds, ensuring consistent quality control without slowing down production lines. This means faster time-to-market and higher throughput.

Cost Efficiency: By automating the inspection process, manufacturers can reduce the need for manual labor, which in turn lowers labor costs. Additionally, AI Vision Inspection systems identify defects that would otherwise require costly manual inspection or rework.

Better Traceability and Recall Management: In the event of a product recall, AI Vision systems help track and trace products by verifying the accuracy of labels, production dates, and batch numbers. This improves recall accuracy and efficiency, reducing the impact of recalls on the business.

Real-World Use Cases in Food Manufacturing

Several food manufacturing companies have successfully implemented AI Vision Inspection technology to improve their quality control processes

Beverage Manufacturer: AI Vision Inspection was implemented to verify label accuracy, ensuring proper expiration dates and product information. This technology reduced manual labor by 40% and minimized the risk of costly recalls due to labeling errors.

Frozen Food Producer: The company used AI to inspect packaging for defects like tears, improper seals, and damage. This automation improved packaging quality by 25% and reduced waste from defective packaging by 15%.

Snack Food Manufacturer: AI Vision Inspection was used for both packaging and label quality control. It ensured accurate label application, including text and barcode checks, leading to a 30% improvement in labeling accuracy and fewer product misplacement errors in the supply chain.

The Benefits of AI Vision Inspection for Food Manufacturing

Incorporating AI Vision Inspection into food manufacturing can provide a range of benefits

Higher Quality Standards: Automated, AI-driven inspections guarantee that products meet the highest quality standards, ensuring consistency in packaging and labeling.

Cost Reduction: AI Vision Inspection reduces the need for manual inspection, decreasing labor costs and preventing costly product recalls or rework.

Regulatory Compliance: Automated inspections ensure that food manufacturers adhere to strict labeling regulations, reducing the risk of fines or recalls due to non-compliance.

Efficiency and Scalability: AI Vision Inspection can be easily integrated into existing production lines, scaling with the company’s growth and increasing production volumes without sacrificing quality.

Improved Customer Trust: Consistently high-quality, well-labeled products build customer trust, strengthen brand reputation, and increase customer loyalty.

Conclusion

AI Vision Inspection technology has the potential to significantly improve quality control processes in the food manufacturing industry. By automating packaging and labeling inspections, food manufacturers can ensure product safety, comply with regulations, minimize waste, and increase production efficiency. While challenges like initial costs, integration complexity, and data quality need to be addressed, the long-term benefits of AI Vision Inspection — such as reduced waste, improved safety, and higher throughput — make it a valuable investment for food manufacturers aiming to stay competitive in an increasingly demanding market.

[apas-95]

Is there a story behind China's one child policy that makes it not as horrifying as western media claims?

The defining feature of China's development for the past 70 years has been the urban-rural divide. In order to develop a semi-feudal country with a very low industrial level into an industrialised, socialist nation, it was necessary to develop industrial centres. To 'organically' develop industrial centres would have taken many decades, if not centuries of continued impoverishment and starvation, so programs were put in place to accelerate the development of industry by preferentially supporting cities.

Programs like the 'urban-rural price scissors' placed price controls on agricultural products, which made food affordable for city-dwellers, at the direct expense of reducing the income of rural, agricultural areas. This hits on the heart of the issue - to preferentially develop industrial centres in order to support the rest of the country, the rest of the country must first take up the burden of supporting those centres. Either some get out of poverty *first*, or nobody gets out of poverty at all. The result being: a divide between urban and rural areas in their quality of life and prospects. In order to keep this system from falling apart, several other policies were needed to support it, such as the Hukou system, which controlled immigration within the country. The Hukou system differentiated between rural and urban residents, and restricted immigration to urban areas - because, given the urban-rural divide, everyone would rather just try to move to the cities, leaving the agricultural industry to collapse. The Hukou system (alongside being a piece in many other problems, like the 'one country two systems', etc) prevented this, and prevented the entire thing from collapsing. The 'one child policy' was another system supporting this mode of development. It applied principally to city-dwellers, to prevent the populations of cities expanding beyond the limited size the agricultural regions could support, and generally had no 'punishments' greater than a lack of government child-support, or even a fine, for those who still wanted additional children. Ethnic minorities, and rural residents, were granted additional children, with rural ethnic minorities getting double. It wasn't something anyone would love, but it served an important purpose.

I use the past-tense, here, because these systems have either already been phased out or are in the process of being phased out. The method of urban-rural price scissors as a method of development ran its course, and, ultimately, was exhausted - the negative aspects, of its underdevelopment of rural regions, began to overwhelm its positive aspects. So, it was replaced with the paradigm of 'Reform and Opening Up' around the 1980s. Urban-rural price scissors were removed (leading to protests by urban workers and intellectuals in the late '80s), and the Hukou system, along with the 'one child policy', were and are being slowly eased out as lessening inequality between the urban and rural areas make them unnecessary. Under the new system, the driver of development was no longer at the expense of rural regions, but was carried out through the internal market and external capital. The development paradigm of Reform and Opening Up worked to resolved some contradictions, in the form of the urban-rural divide, and created some of its own, in the form of internal wealth divisions within the cities. Through it, over 800 million people were lifted out of extreme poverty - almost all of them being in rural areas - and extreme poverty was completely abolished within China. 'Extreme poverty' can be a difficult thing for westerners to grasp, wherein poverty means not paying rent on time, but to illustrate - many of the last holdout regions of extreme poverty were originally guerrilla base areas, impassable regions of mountainside which were long hikes away from schools or hospitals, wherein entire villages were living in conditions not dissimilar to their feudal state a century before. These villages were, when possible, given infrastructure and a meaningful local industry accounting their environment and tradition (like growing a certain type of mountainous fruit), or entirely relocated to free government-built housing lower down the mountain that was theirs to own. These were the people the 'one child policy' was aiding, by reducing the urban population they had to support. Again, there were exemptions for rural and ethnic minority populations to the policy.

Even now, Reform and Opening Up is running its course. Its own negative aspects, such as urban wealth inequality, are beginning to overcome its positive aspects. So, the new paradigm is 'Common Prosperity', which will work to resolve the past system's contradictions, and surely introduce its own contradictions in the form of chafing against the national bourgeoisie, as it increases state control and ownership of industry, and furthers a reintroduced collectivisation. Organising a nation of well over a billion people is not simple. It is not done based on soundbytes and on picking apart policies in the abstract for how 'dystopian' they sound. It is an exceedingly complex and interconnected process based on a dialectical, material analysis of things; not a utopian, idealist one. What matters is this: those 800,000,000 people now freed from absolute poverty. The things necessary to achieve that were, unquestionably, good things - because they achieved that. They had their negative aspects, as does everything that exists, but they were unquestionably correct and progressive things.

[fitnessadvicethatfitsinyourlife]

Something I've seen a lot in faux-health fitness spaces is a diagram comparing 500 calories from different sources. But the way it compares them boils my blood into a fine mist.

They compare the amount of space these various sources would allegedly take up in your stomach. Showing that 500 calories of oil would take up very little space, while 500 calories of fruits and veggies would fill your whole stomach.

And, if we were comparing the space these items take up on your kitchen counter, that might mean something, but that's not how digestion or fullness works at all.

First of all of the food in your stomach has already been chewed and partially digested by the enzymes in your salvia, turning the food mass into what we call a "bolus."

It's still true that you would end up with a higher quantity of partially digested food bits from 500 calories of broccoli than you would if you just took a 500 calorie shot of oil (which I do not recommend for numerous reasons completely unrelated to diet or weight, but I'm going to assume you already weren't doing that.)

However the quantity of stuff sloshing about in your acid sack (stomach) does not actually relate to the feelings of fullness like those diagrams are desperately trying to imply.

What controls how satiated you feel after eating is your hormones. Specifically Leptin, Amylin, and GLP-1. And there is some value in knowing that certain foods, like lean protein or fibrous veggies, have been shown to increase levels of these hormones and can lead to more feelings of satisfaction after eating.

Conversely certain foods, like highly processed snack foods, can increase the hunger hormone, Ghrelin, making you feel more hungry after eating, not less.

But that's more of an issue about corporate greed destroying the quality of our food than it is about calorically dense foods as a concept.

As mentioned in the study I linked above, eating fats and sugars also helps decrease Ghrelin production. Eating a diet that's rich in fruits and veggies can make you feel fuller. But it doesn't mean that fatty, sugary foods can't too.

It also leaves out the fact that depriving yourself of calorically dense foods can also lead to disordered eating behaviors. And it ignores the reality that minimally processed whole foods have become a luxury item that most people simply cannot afford.

The takeaway here is: The pendulum between hunger and fullness is complicated. Eating a whole bowl of broccoli might make you feel bloated but it won't necessarily alleviate the sensation of hunger. Humans are complicated.

Our nutritional needs cannot be simplified into a diagram urging you to eat unsatisfying foods.

[thedansemacabres]

Introduction To Supporting Sustainable Agriculture For Witches and Pagans

[ID: An image of yellow grain stocks, soon to be harvested. The several stocks reach towards a blurred open sky, focusing the camera on he grains themselves. The leaves of the grains are green and the cereals are exposed].

PAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT ARE MOVEMENTS WITHIN A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CAPITALIST SOCIETY. As the world becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, so does the duty of humanity to uphold the idea of the steward, stemming from various indigenous worldviews, in the modern era. I make this small introduction as a viticulturist working towards organic and environmentally friendly grape production. I also do work on a food farm, as a second job—a regenerative farm, so I suppose that is my qualifications. Sustainable—or rather regenerative agriculture—grows in recognition. And as paganism and witchcraft continue to blossom, learning and supporting sustainability is naturally a path for us to take. I will say that this is influenced by I living in the USA, however, there are thousands of groups across the world for sustainable agriculture, of which tend to be easy to research.

So let us unite in caring for the world together, and here is an introduction to supporting sustainable/regenerative agriculture. 

A QUICK BRIEF ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 

Sustainable agriculture, in truth, is a movement to practise agriculture as it has been done for thousands of years—this time, with more innovation from science and microbiology especially. The legal definition in the USA of sustainable agriculture is: 

The term ”sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:

A more common man’s definition would be farming in a way that provides society’s food and textile needs without overuse of natural resources, artificial supplements and pest controls, without compromising the future generation’s needs and ability to produce resources. The agriculture industry has one of the largest and most detrimental impacts on the environment, and sustainable agriculture is the alternative movement to it. 

Sustainable agriculture also has the perk of being physically better for you—the nutrient quality of crops in the USA has dropped by 47%, and the majority of our food goes to waste. Imagine if it was composted and reused? Or even better—we buy only what we need. We as pagans and witches can help change this. 

BUYING ORGANIC (IT REALLY WORKS)

The first step is buying organic. While cliche, it does work: organic operations have certain rules to abide by, which excludes environmentally dangerous chemicals—many of which, such as DDT, which causes ecological genocide and death to people. Organic operations have to use natural ways of fertilising, such as compost, which to many of us—such as myself—revere the cycle of life, rot, and death. Organic standards do vary depending on the country, but the key idea is farming without artificial fertilisers, using organic seeds, supplementing with animal manure, fertility managed through management practices, etc. 

However, organic does have its flaws. Certified organic costs many, of which many small farmers cannot afford. The nutrient quality of organic food, while tending to be better, is still poor compared to regeneratively grown crops. Furthermore, the process to become certified organic is often gruelling—you can practise completely organically, but if you are not certified, it is not organic. Which, while a quality control insurance, is both a bonus and a hurdle. 

JOINING A CSA

Moving from organic is joining a CSA (“Community supported agriculture”). The USDA defines far better than I could: 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one type of direct marketing, consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

By purchasing a farm share, you receive food from the farm for the agreed upon production year. I personally enjoy CSAs for the relational aspect—choosing a CSA is about having a relationship, not only with the farmer(s), but also the land you receive food from. I volunteer for my CSA and sometimes I get extra cash from it—partaking in the act of caring for the land. Joining a CSA also means taking your precious capital away from the larger food industry and directly supporting growers—and CSAs typically practise sustainable and/or regenerative agriculture. 

CSAs are also found all over the world and many can deliver their products to food deserts and other areas with limited agricultural access. I volunteer from time to time for a food bank that does exactly that with the produce I helped grow on the vegetable farm I work for. 

FARM MARKETS AND STALLS 

Another way of personally connecting to sustainable agriculture is entering the realm of the farm stall. The farmer’s market is one of my personal favourite experiences—people buzzing about searching for ingredients, smiles as farmers sell crops and products such as honey or baked goods, etc. The personal connection stretches into the earth, and into the past it buries—as I purchase my apples from the stall, I cannot help but see a thousand lives unfold. People have been doing this for thousands of years and here I stand, doing it all over again. 

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Farmers’ markets are dependent on your local area, yet in most you can still develop personal community connections. Paganism often stresses community as an ideal and a state of life. And witchcraft often stresses a connection to the soil. What better place, then, is purchasing the products from the locals who commune with the land? 

VOLUNTEERING 

If you are able to, I absolutely recommend volunteering. I have worked with aquaponic systems, food banks, farms, cider-making companies, soil conservation groups, etc. There is so much opportunity—and perhaps employment—in these fields. The knowledge I have gained has been wonderful. As one example, I learned that fertilisers reduce carbon sequestration as plants absorb carbon to help with nutrient intake. If they have all their nutrients ready, they do not need to work to obtain carbon to help absorb it. This does not even get into the symbiotic relationship fungi have with roots, or the world of hyphae. Volunteering provides community and connection. Actions and words change the world, and the world grows ever better with help—including how much or how little you may provide. It also makes a wonderful devotional activity. 

RESOURCING FOOD AND COOKING 

Buying from farmers is not always easy, however. Produce often has to be processed, requiring labour and work with some crops such as carrots. Other times, it is a hard effort to cook and many of us—such as myself—often have very limited energy. There are solutions to this, thankfully:

Many farmers can and will process foods. Some even do canning, which can be good to stock up on food and lessen the energy inputs. 

Value-added products: farms also try to avoid waste, and these products often become dried snacks if fruit, frozen, etc. 

Asking farmers if they would be open to accommodating this. Chances are, they would! The farmer I purchase my CSA share from certainly does. 

Going to farmers markets instead of buying a CSA, aligning with your energy levels. 

And if any of your purchased goods are going unused, you can always freeze them. 

DEMETER, CERES, VEIA, ETC: THE FORGOTTEN AGRICULTURE GODS

Agricultural gods are often neglected. Even gods presiding over agriculture often do not have those aspects venerated—Dionysos is a god of viticulture and Apollon a god of cattle. While I myself love Dionysos as a party and wine god, the core of him remains firmly in the vineyards and fields, branching into the expanses of the wild. I find him far more in the curling vines as I prune them than in the simple delights of the wine I ferment. Even more obscure gods, such as Veia, the Etruscan goddess of agriculture, are seldom known.

Persephone receives the worst of this: I enjoy her too as a dread queen, and people do acknowledge her as Kore, but she is far more popular as the queen of the underworld instead of the dear daughter of Demeter. I do understand this, though—I did not feel the might of Demeter and Persephone until I began to move soil with my own hands. A complete difference to the ancient world, where the Eleusinian mysteries appealed to thousands. Times change, and while some things should be left to the past, our link to these gods have been severed. After all, how many of us reading know where our food comes from? I did not until I began to purchase from the land I grew to know personally. The grocery store has become a land of tearing us from the land, instead of the food hub it should be.

Yet, while paganism forgets agriculture gods, they have not forgotten us. The new world of farming is more conductive and welcoming than ever. I find that while older, bigoted people exist, the majority of new farmers tend to be LGBT+. My own boss is trans and aro, and I myself am transgender and gay. The other young farmers I know are some flavour of LGBT+, or mixed/poc. There’s a growing movement for Black farmers, elaborated in a lovely text called We Are Each Other’s Harvest. 

Indigenous farming is also growing and I absolutely recommend buying from indigenous farmers. At this point, I consider Demeter to be a patron of LGBT+ people in this regard—she gives an escape to farmers such as myself. Bigotry is far from my mind under her tender care, as divine Helios shines above and Okeanos’ daughters bring fresh water to the crops. Paganism is also more commonly accepted—I find that farmers find out that I am pagan and tell me to do rituals for their crops instead of reacting poorly. Or they’re pagan themselves; a farmer I know turned out to be Wiccan and uses the wheel of the year to keep track of production. 

Incorporating these divinities—or concepts surrounding them—into our crafts and altars is the spiritual step towards better agriculture. Holy Demeter continues to guide me, even before I knew it. 

WANT CHANGE? DO IT YOURSELF! 

If you want change in the world, you have to act. And if you wish for better agriculture, there is always the chance to do it yourself. Sustainable agriculture is often far more accessible than people think: like witchcraft and divination, it is a practice. Homesteading is often appealing to many of us, including myself, and there are plenty of resources to begin. There are even grants to help one improve their home to be more sustainable, i.e. solar panels. Gardening is another, smaller option. Many of us find that plants we grow and nourish are far more potentant in craft, and more receptive to magical workings. 

Caring for plants is fundamental to our natures and there are a thousand ways to delve into it. I personally have joined conservation groups, my local soil conservation group, work with the NRCs in the USA, and more. The path to fully reconnecting to nature and agriculture is personal—united in a common cause to fight for this beautiful world. To immerse yourself in sustainable agriculture, I honestly recommend researching and finding your own path. Mine lies in soil and rot, grapevines and fruit trees. Others do vegetables and cereal grains, or perhaps join unions and legislators. Everyone has a share in the beauty of life, our lives stemming from the land’s gentle sprouts. 

Questions and or help may be given through my ask box on tumblr—if there is a way I can help, let me know. My knowledge is invaluable I believe, as I continue to learn and grow in the grey-clothed arms of Demeter, Dionysos, and Kore. 

FURTHER READING:

Baszile, N. (2021). We are each other’s harvest. HarperCollins.

Hatley, J. (2016). Robin Wall Kimmerer. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Environmental Philosophy, 13(1), 143–145. https://doi.org/10.5840/envirophil201613137

Regenerative Agriculture 101. (2021, November 29). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101#what-is

And in truth, far more than I could count. 

References

Community Supported Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture

Navazio, J. (2012). The Organic seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Plaster, E. (2008). Soil Science and Management. Cengage Learning.

Sheaffer, C. C., & Moncada, K. M. (2012). Introduction to agronomy: food, crops, and environment. Cengage Learning.

Sheldrake, M. (2020). Entangled life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Random House.

Sustainable Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/sustainable-agriculture

[reyaint]

futuristic dr | virelia + neovista

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date: may 14 2025. i'm figuring out how to format this from my script so it's probably gonna look like a mess i'm sorry haha. i may edit this to add more info if i feel like it.

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✧˖*°࿐the state

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ virelia ☆ 𓂃 › official title. The Sovereign Technocratic Republic of Virelia ☆ 𓂃 › motto. “precision. progress. perfection.”

virelia represents a paradigm shift in governance — not built on ideological revolution but on technological supremacy. it emerged in the late 21st century after a coalition of corporate leaders, scientists, and futurists proposed a self-regulating state built around data-driven governance and environmental sustainability.

virelia is a beacon of technological advancement, a sprawling self-sustaining state located on the western coast of North America. founded in the late 21st century, it has quickly risen to prominence as a futuristic utopia where human ambition and technology intertwine seamlessly.

this city-state operates with cutting-edge infrastructure, clean energy solutions, and unprecedented levels of automation, making it a model of the future. however, its advancement comes with hidden costs, such as surveillance, control, and the loss of personal freedoms for some citizens.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ location. built on reclaimed land along the coast, the state is positioned near mountains, leveraging its natural terrain for sustainability. this combination of oceanfront and mountainous landscape allows for the development of a beautiful yet highly structured environment. ☆ 𓂃 › climate. Virelia enjoys mild weather and pristine air quality thanks to its advanced environmental control systems. artificial rainfall helps balance the region's climate, ensuring that both agriculture and ecosystems thrive in a sustainable way.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ security. Virelia's government promises safety and order, with AI-driven law enforcement and near-complete surveillance throughout the city. While this has reduced crime, it has also led to a society where privacy is almost nonexistent. there are whispers of corruption and a power struggle between mega-corporations and the state apparatus, but these are rarely seen by the public eye.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ infrastructure. the state boasts hyperloop systems for rapid transportation, vertical farming to maintain food supplies, solar-powered highways, and drone-based delivery networks that make logistics seamless and efficient. the city is powered by renewable energy sources, making it one of the most environmentally friendly cities on Earth.

*ೃ༄government

Virelia operates as a technocratic-republic hybrid, where leadership is shared between elected officials and influential corporate leaders, scientists, and engineers. while democracy is maintained on paper, the wealth and power held by corporations, especially megacorporations like Orbis, have a significant influence over the decision-making process.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ the core assembly. a ruling body made of 50% elected officials and 50% appointed technocrats from approved corporate, scientific, and engineering councils.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ citizen score index (CSI). citizens are ranked via a complex index measuring productivity, compliance, social behavior, and cybernetic compatibility.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ the data purity initiative. Virelia heavily regulates access to public data and surveillance feeds. those who attempt to mask or alter their data trail risk demotion in social status or even imprisonment.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ a controlled utopia. on the surface, Virelia is a utopia, offering its citizens a high standard of living, access to the latest technology, and the promise of a pollution-free environment. however, this idealized world comes at a cost—strict regulations on cybernetics, data privacy, and social freedoms. citizens are encouraged to embrace technology, but those who resist are often marginalized or silenced.

✧˖*°࿐the city

neovista is a megacity — a glittering neon spire among the clouds and an undercity of grit and rebellion. It’s a contradiction: a technological utopia resting on a foundation of exploitation and resistance.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ common mods. ocular overlays, subdermal HUDs, neural ports, smart limbs.

*ೃ༄black market and underground tech

located beneath the official grid of Neovista, in the Vein or the Undervault.

დ࿐ ‎˗ˋ traders deal in: ☆ 𓂃 › memory-modding tech ☆ 𓂃 › neural firewalls ☆ 𓂃 › blackbox implants ☆ 𓂃 › emotion regulators ☆ 𓂃 › discontinued weapon augmentations

hackclans (like SpiralZero or Echo Drift) operate in these markets, building custom tools to counter HALO’s surveillance net.

while Orbis Corporation and other megacorporations offer cutting-edge cybernetics, there is a thriving black market for illegal modifications and illicit technology. from hacked neural implants to stolen AI software, the underground tech scene is a dangerous place but provides an outlet for those who cannot afford or do not want to abide by the official channels.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ pirates and hackers: groups like The Shattermen exploit these underground markets, seeking to disrupt corporate control by stealing and redistributing technology. they often employ cybernetic pirates who operate outside the law, dealing in anything from illegal AI software to underground body augmentations.

*ೃ༄energy & environmental tech

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ skyharbor towers: pull moisture and solar energy, creating perpetual artificial rainfall and maintaining air quality.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ cryoroot systems: bioengineered roots that store solar power and regulate temperature in city zones.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ ecozones: each district has its own energy quota; exceeding it triggers rolling blackouts in poorer sectors.

virelia is powered by renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and artificial rainfall systems maintain a stable climate. advanced energy storage technology allows the city to operate efficiently even in low-light conditions.

the city uses vertical farming and aquaponics to maintain food production in a way that integrates seamlessly into urban spaces, providing sustenance for its citizens without relying on traditional agricultural methods.

*ೃ༄transportation & infrastructure

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ hyperloop arteries: Connect districts with high-speed magnetized transit tubes.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ skyrails: glass-bottomed tramways suspended between megastructures.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ drone skynet: hundreds of drones transport packages, law enforcement supplies, and emergency aid across the city.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ vertical cities: skyscrapers built as self-contained ecosystems—residential, commercial, medical, and agricultural facilities stacked together.

neovista's transportation system is revolutionary, with hyperloop networks connecting different districts, allowing for ultra-fast travel. drone-based delivery systems handle everything from groceries to medical supplies, and personal autonomous vehicles are common on the roads.

the city has designed solar-powered highways and green rooftops that house both parks and renewable energy infrastructure.

*ೃ༄law enforcement & governance

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ enforcement is done by VEC and HALO drones. there are no beat cops — instead, predictive policing algorithms determine where violence might happen and deploy units in advance.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☆ citizen compliance officers (CCOs) are citizens elevated by the CSI system, acting as civilian enforcers with surveillance privileges.

most investigations are conducted digitally—by scanning memory logs, personal feeds, and neural output rather than physical clues.

*ೃ༄cybernetics & body augmentations

cybernetic normalization is pervasive in Neovista. while minor enhancements like augmented vision, neural interfaces, and biomechanical limbs are common, full-body conversions are rare and often subject to strict regulations.

body augmentations are not just a physical enhancement but have become part of the culture. the wealthy often choose to augment themselves for beauty or efficiency, while those in the slums might use augmentations to survive or gain an edge in the fight for resources.

*ೃ༄technology in neovista & virelia

neovista represents the pinnacle of technology, where AI and humans coexist, yet there is a deep tension between innovation and freedom. virelia’s citizens enjoy unparalleled access to technology but must constantly navigate the surveillance state and corporate control.

virelia’s technology fosters a sense of constant progress, but this has made the city and its citizens vulnerable to the very forces they sought to escape—power, control, and the erosion of personal freedoms.

*ೃ༄visuals.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣾⣿⣿⠀⠀⢸⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣼⣿⣿⣿⣧⡀⢸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠰⠶⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡶⠄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠙⢿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠋⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⢿⣿⡿⠀⢰⣿⣿⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⠇⠀⣾⣿⢹⣿⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⠀⠈⣿⢀⣼⣿⠃⠀⢻⣿⣄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣸⣀⣠⣿⣿⡿⠁⠀⠀⠀⠻⣿⣶⣤⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠠⣴⣶⣾⣿⣿⣿⣛⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢙⣻⣿⣿⣷⣶⣦⡤ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠉⣿⡟⠿⣿⣷⣦⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣶⣿⡿⠟⠋⠉⠉⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢰⣿⣧⠀⠀⠙⣿⣷⡄⠀⣰⣿⡟⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣼⣿⣿⡄⠀⠀⠘⣿⣷⢰⣿⡟⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣠⣿⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⢹⣿⣿⡿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣠⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣤⡀⠘⣿⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠤⣶⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡧⠄⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠉⠙⠻⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⠛⠉⢹⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⢻⣿⣿⣿⡿⠃⠀⠀⠀��⡏⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⣿⣿⠃⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢹⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠘⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⠃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

✦ ˚ — THE MAIN DISTRCITS

☆. MIRROR DISTRICT —

☆. U DISTRICT —

☆. DREAM DISTRICT —

☆. 127 DISTRICT —

[thejournallo]

Life hack: belance in yourself

Hormones are powerful chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system. They travel through the bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mood. Hormones play a significant role in maintaining balance in the body, known as homeostasis, and any imbalance can affect your mental and physical well-being.

How Hormones Work

Production: Hormones are secreted by glands like the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and ovaries/testes.

Transport: Once produced, hormones travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs.

Receptors: Hormones bind to specific receptors on cells, triggering a response. This can involve altering cell activity, gene expression, or initiating a cascade of processes.

Feedback Mechanism: The body monitors hormone levels using feedback loops. For example, if a hormone level is too high or low, the body adjusts production to maintain balance.

Key Hormones and Their Functions

Cortisol: Stress hormone; regulates metabolism, immune response, and energy.

Serotonin and Dopamine: Mood and happiness regulators; linked to emotional well-being.

Insulin: Manages blood sugar levels.

Estrogen and Testosterone: Sexual health, energy, and bone strength.

Thyroid Hormones: Control metabolism and energy levels.

Melatonin: Regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Prepares the body for fight or flight.

How to Support Hormonal Health

To feel better mentally and physically, it’s essential to maintain hormonal balance. Here are strategies to care for your hormones:

1. Nutrition

Balanced Diet: Eat whole, unprocessed foods rich in nutrients.

Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, and omega-3s (from fish) support hormone production.

Complex Carbs: Whole grains and vegetables regulate insulin levels.

Protein: Essential for hormone production; include lean meats, beans, and tofu.

Avoid Excess Sugar and Refined Carbs: These can cause insulin spikes and crashes.

Hydration: Proper hydration supports cellular communication and detoxification.

2. Sleep

7-9 Hours of Quality Sleep: Hormone regulation (like melatonin and growth hormone) occurs during deep sleep.

Consistency: Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.

Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Blue light can suppress melatonin.

3. Stress Management

Mindfulness Practices: Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing reduce cortisol levels.

Physical Activity: Exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and balancing stress hormones.

Journaling or Therapy: Helps process emotions, reducing chronic stress.

4. Exercise

Moderation: Both too much and too little exercise can disrupt hormones. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.

Strength Training: Boosts testosterone and growth hormone.

Cardio: Supports circulation and reduces stress.

5. Avoid Endocrine Disruptors

Limit Toxins: Avoid products with BPA, phthalates, and parabens (found in plastics and cosmetics).

Clean Water: Use filtered water to avoid contaminants.

Organic Foods: Reduce pesticide exposure, which can disrupt hormones.

6. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess body fat can increase estrogen levels, while too little fat can disrupt reproductive hormones.

7. Regular Medical Check-Ups

Hormone Testing: Regular blood tests can identify imbalances early.

Thyroid and Reproductive Health: Monitor specific hormones like TSH, estrogen, and testosterone as needed.

8. Natural Supplements (Consult a Professional First)

Vitamin D: Supports mood and immune function.

Magnesium: Regulates stress and supports sleep.

Adaptogens: Herbs like ashwagandha and maca root can balance stress hormones.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation and support brain health.

Signs of Hormonal Imbalance

If you're experiencing persistent symptoms, consider consulting a healthcare provider:

Fatigue

Mood swings or anxiety

Unexplained weight changes

Irregular periods

Sleep disturbances

Low libido

Conclusion

Hormonal health is essential for overall well-being. By prioritizing proper nutrition, stress management, exercise, and regular medical care, you can support your endocrine system and feel better both mentally and physically.

[not-normal-about-shigaraki]

Your Boyfriend Tomura Headcanons ❤️

Main love language is Quality Time. 99% of the population annoys the hell out of him. If he wants to spend a lot of time with you, out of his own will, it's probably because he likes you a lot.

Secondary are Acts of Service and Gift Giving, in no particular order. It usually takes a casual form of giving you food, medicine, sending you helpful articles when you're doing research etc. With gift giving it's similarly casual - him noticing you're running out of that one product. Him leaving your favorite snack somewhere you can notice etc.

He doesn't really clock it as his love language though, or even really making an effort. It's just "something you do for some people". He's hopeless lmao

Naturally gets into most of your interests

Granted, he has a preference for those of the non-physical variety

Meaning, yes, he will absolutely watch this new tropey romance shojo with you

He's probably the type to talk during though. On topic but still.

I feel like his main ways of showing affection are very non-verbal

Not at all the cuddly type, though likes being constantly close to you. Touching shoulders when standing close to each other, you sitting between his legs when he's reading, leaning against his thigh, etc.

Also likes propping his chin against the top of your head, or just lean his head against yours. If you're taller than him, he will find a way.

Sometimes when he's tired or fed up, he will physically lean against you and sigh, loudly. Absolutely does not care if he's too heavy for you.

In other words, cat-coded lmao.

Very dry, sarcastic humor. Will mutter snarky shit under his breath, no matter how serious the situation, and you will crack sooner or later. He will be very proud of himself, but won't show it. If it gets you in trouble, occasionally will send you a smug self-satisfied grin.

Secretly loves it when you wear his clothes. Underwear included. Outwardly will complain about you "making him run out out of clothes"

If you say you won't do it anymore, he will absolutely switch sides at the snap of a finger and complain you're making a big deal out of this for no reason. What does he care? He doesn't care. At alll

He's rude. Kind of?? If you do something stupid, don't expect to not get called out lmao. It's not really a lack of respect for him, he's just very matter-of-fact.

In major denial of his feelings when he first starts to feel something. It's just… Inconvenient. So he pretends it's not real.

Needs time to think and talk things through, during every decision. At the start, he will shut you off completely during this process but as time goes on, he will either involve you in its entirety or have his time to think and then discuss his thinking process with you later.

Very perceptive. Hiding things from him tends to be rather impossible.

Kind of jealous? Not really suspicious or controlling but lowkey gets really pissed off at people trying to hit on you, or even just seeing you in a romantic or sexual light.

Not the type to make things official official but extremely loyal and expects complete loyalty in return. Doesn't really see the point of following the traditional couple behavior - you like him, he likes you. What's more to it?

Lowkey would want to get married though. Doesn't care about making it a huge thing but likes the thought of that sort of symbolic commitment.

Very slow about certain things and breakneck about others. For example, basically living together after like a week is fine. Won't sleep in the same bed for months though.

Generally doesn't like to be touched, much more prefers to be the one touching. Especially if it's something like being grabbed, or hugged. Makes him feel kind of suffocated. Has a pretty good chance to make him go into fight more if it's by surprise. He can tolerate but for the most part, won't be something he enjoys.

And for the love of God, don't ever attempt to pick him up, unless he specifically says it's alright.

Okay with surprise kisses… Will send you a look about them though.

Very protective of his partner, in a surprisingly healthy way. Including sometimes physically placing himself between you and something that makes you just uncomfortable, let alone being threatening.

Only amusement is suffering… Well, that's not exactly true. He's amused at banter or some jokes but hearing him laugh without malice or irony is like hearing an unicorn sneeze. I feel like he truly laughs at the dumbest things though. You just see him choke-laughing at some shit like the "rat jumps off the balcony" video.

Gets annoyed with no direct communication. He doesn't care about the form it will take - written, verbal, whatever. But if you have something to say, he wants you to say it. Doesn't play mindgames in a relationship

Overall, probably not a good fit for sensitive, or "communication/understanding by emotion" people lol

Prefers you to do house chores but surprisingly flexible on that. Hates most of them, but will put in the work.

[pals-pet-project]

Pal's Pro Pet Tip #1: Dog Food

We're gonna start this blog off with a bang: selecting the right brand of food for your dog.

"But Pal," you say, "That sounds really boring. Surely it can't be that important."

Wrong.

There's a lot of nuance to dog food. It can get really complicated. But, luckily, it's also really simple.

First, what to avoid.

A lot of people think that the more "natural" foods are best. After all, dogs are descended from wolves. Shouldn't we be feeding them like wolves?

No <3

Here's a PDF of the potential dangers of feeding raw

TL;DR: There's a higher chance of bacterial contamination in uncooked foods. Additionally, there is a serious danger of nutrient deficiency when feeding homemade, refrigerated, or raw diets.

Even if you're not feeding raw, lots of brands will advertise themselves as "holistic" or "natural." In my opinion, this is a good reason to run away. Those are buzzwords. They mean nothing. They're not good for your dog because they're focused more on the marketing than the research behind their products.

Second, what to look for.

Lucky for you, there's an easy answer to all of this. But I'm gonna go through the finer details first.

What do we want, then? If natural is bad and raw is bad, then what is good?

Science. Science is good.

So, when you're looking for a food, I always recommend following WSAVA guidelines. (And we trust WSAVA because they're a global organization that has put decades into researching pet foods in order to make sure their needs are being met) I'm gonna summarize this below, but if this is too much to read, I'll simplify things at the end.

Basically, you want a brand of food that:

Has an Animal Nutritionist on staff. They have a nutritionist--who either has a PhD in Animal Nutrition or is certified by either the American College for Veterinary Nutrition or European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition. Many, many brands are like "Yeah we have a specialist :)" But fun fact: That's a title anyone can give themself. It means nothing. Another important distinction is that they are on staff--not an outside consult. They are always there overseeing the research and the process.

Has a trustworthy pet food formulator--someone with a Masters or Doctorate in Animal Nutrition. Maybe their Animal Nutritionist is cross-trained. Maybe it's someone else with a PhD. Regardless, it's not just anyone--it's someone that knows the intricacies of not only nutrition, but also how to handle raw materials and process food. These are things not taught in veterinary school, and they're certainly not things readily available to breeders or trainers.

Has a good quality control process. First off, do we know they meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or European Pet Food Industry Federation guidelines? (That just means they meet the profile of nutrition a dog needs.) How do we know that? They should be running tests on their food pretty much constantly--ingredient validation, final diet nutrition analysis, toxicology, bacteriology, and packaging/shelf-life screenings prior to these foods being released.

Bonus: Dedicates themselves to product research and nutrition studies. This isn't a requirement of WSAVA, but it does show a dedication to the health of the animals they're feeding.

"Wow. That sure is a lot of information. How the hell am I supposed to check all that?!"

Good news.

Kind of.

Out of the hundreds of brands of pet food, there are five brands--FIVE--that meet all these requirements. Those brands are:

Iams

Purina (ANY purina brand--so Pro Plan and One are both good!)

Hills Science Diet

Eukanuba

Royal Canin

That's it. Those five brands have put in the necessary money, hours, and experience to make sure you're getting a science-based food that's good for your dog. Other companies may claim to be WSAVA approved, but don't be fooled. That's not a thing. It's not an accreditation organization. They simply offer guidelines that a brand does or doesn't meet. There's a sixth brand that funds the WSAVA, but they do not meet the guidelines!

Bottom line?

When recommending a brand of food, I stick to those 5 brands. There's a wide range of affordability within those brands, so there's something for everyone!

That being said, I also never shame someone for what they're feeding. Fed is best at the end of the day, and lots of people don't know better. You can educate and redirect, but the most important thing is that a dog is eating.

[xeoniq]

The Dehumanisation of our Clothing

I was walking through a fabric market with my partner and an old man in his late 70s or 80s offered to make me a custom trench coat. We picked a nice cotton canvas and buttons for it. He’s patterning, cutting and sewing the entire thing himself. It will take between 4 and 8 weeks to be made. A time frame that is I guess unacceptable to the modern consumer who wants everything right now, no time to even go to the store; it’s ordered online with expedited delivery. I feel happy to see someone exercising their craft, even in the waning years of their working life; the result made entirely by a human being, and it will be worn by one, happily, even more so because of the process and not just the piece’s tangible qualities.

This is the reason why you don’t see me in Nike or other such fast fashion brands anymore, even if sometimes they do release a product here and there that is somewhat interesting. The keyword being “product” because I don’t want to dignify the output these brands put out by calling them “clothes”. Being non-religious I hesitate to use the term “soulless”, but at least I could call them lifeless or inhuman: cut-down scraps of petro-chemical derived polyester assembled in some approximation of what clothes are supposed to look like by a dozen different workers who are forced to live on-site in some industrial park for $USD2 an hour, with a big brand logo slapped on it so everyone knows what it is and generally how much it cost to buy. The patterning, cutting, sewing, finishing, quality control: it is all segregated between different roles, the individual workers denied developing any kind of affinity or pride with their work; and the consumers wearing the products equally deprived of any kind of humanity that clothing used to confer. The once beautiful, uniquely human art of making and wearing clothing has been debased to a pathetic, commodified imitation, all so multi-billion dollar corporations can earn even more money.

More and more these days I see a kind of critical thinking and scrutiny being applied to the food we are seemingly addicted to eating and the media that invades our minds for hours on the day. Perhaps it’s time we take a critical look at clothes we have on our bodies as well.

[helen0086]

Research Progress on Spirulina Phycocyanin

Abstract: This paper summarizes the progress of research on extraction, purification, physicochemical properties, physiological activity and product development of Spirulina cyanobacteria in recent years, and suggests that the main directions of research in the next few years are the extraction process, drug development and quality control methods.

Spirulina is a genus of Cyanobacteria in the family Cyanobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Segmented Plants, and Trematoda, and is a filamentous, multicellular, spiral-shaped, prokaryotic algal organism with a high protein content and a fast reproduction rate [1, 2]. Spirulina includes various strains such as Spirulina obtususus, Spirulina major and Spirulina salina. Spirulina is rich in protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, β-carotene and polysaccharides, and it is an ideal food and drug resource for human beings [3].

The phycobiliprotein contained in Spirulina is an important light-trapping pigment protein, mainly composed of phycocyanin (pC), allophycocyanin (ApC) and phycoerythrin (pE). Phycocyanin is a safe and non-toxic protein resource, which is not only a valuable food and erbium protein resource in nature, but also superior in the study of the original theory of photosynthesis. Polysaccharides and cyanobacterial proteins are important active substances in Spirulina [4]. In recent years, domestic and foreign researchers have shown that Spirulina has various functions such as anti-fatigue, anti-radiation, anti-virus, tumor inhibition, anti-allergy, and immunity enhancement, which determines that Spirulina and its active ingredients have a wide range of application prospects in the research and development of functional foods [5].

Phycocyanin is a kind of photosynthetic auxiliary pigment commonly found in cyanobacterial cells, it is a special kind of pigment protein, which consists of open-chain tetrapyrrole compounds and de-assisted proteins bonded by sulfur chains[6], and its theoretical research and application have been widely emphasized in recent years. The content of phycocyanin in Spirulina is as high as 1O%~2O%, and it is an important natural pigment for photosynthesis in Spirulina cells, and it can preferentially transfer light energy to photosystem Ⅱ in photosynthesis with a high efficiency of nearly 1OO% [7, 8].

Phycocyanin can be widely used as a natural pigment in food, cosmetics, dyes and other industries. Meanwhile, the strong fluorescence of phycocyanin can be made into fluorescent reagents, fluorescent probes, fluorescent tracer substances, etc., which can be used in clinical diagnosis, immunochemistry and bioengineering and other research fields [9, 10]. As an important physiological active ingredient, it can also be made into pharmaceuticals for medical care. Meanwhile, phycocyanin is also an ideal photosensitizer without toxic side effects [8].

Due to the good development prospect of algal blue protein and its high content in Spirulina, the study of algal blue protein in Spirulina has become a hot spot of algal protein research. In this paper, the research progress of Spirulina cyanobacterial protein in terms of extraction, purification, physicochemical properties and physiological activities in recent years will be introduced.

1 Extraction

The extraction of Spirulina cyanobacterial protein is often divided into two processes: egg white dissolution and egg white precipitation. Algal blue protein is an intracellular protein, to make it dissolved firstly, the cell wall and cell membrane of the cell should be broken so that it can be dissolved in the extracting solution in a soluble state, and then it should be precipitated by suitable methods, and its activity should be maintained in the extraction process. The current state of research shows that the extraction of Spirulina cyanobacterial protein is still in the stage of experimental research, and its extraction methods are not the same. Zheng Jiang [11] summarized the cell crushing methods: repeated freezing and thawing method, chemical reagent treatment method, swelling method ultrasonic method and tissue mashing method 5, protein precipitation methods: salinization, crystallization, isoelectric point precipitation and ultrafiltration method and other four methods.

1 In the cell breaking method, due to the longer extraction period of the swelling method, ultrasonic extraction rate is poor, etc., the more commonly used is the repeated freezing and thawing method and chemical reagent treatment method, but there are some differences between the two. Lin Hongwei [12] et al. used sodium dodecyl sulfate (sDs) to destroy the cell membrane of Spiroplasma obtusely to extract cyanobacterial proteins, the extraction rate was as high as 98%, and significantly better than the control group extracted by freeze-thawing method.

Zhang Yifang [13] et al. used kcl and lysozyme to extract algal blue protein from Spirulina cell wall, and the wall-breaking rate reached more than 95%, and compared with the freeze-thaw method, that the freeze-thaw method is only suitable for the preparation of small amount of samples, and it is difficult to freeze-thaw the samples in large doses quickly, while the lysozyme method is suitable for the preparation of large amount of algal blue protein. Due to the addition of chemical reagents, it is difficult to increase the purification process in the later stage, and it is easy to cause protein denaturation if it is not handled well, while the freeze-thaw method is simple and convenient to operate. Therefore, the freeze-thaw method is more commonly used to extract small amounts of algal blue protein.

In practice, several methods are often used in order to maximize the dissolution of cyanobacterial proteins. For example, Gao Tianrong [14] and Wang Yong [15] used repeated freeze-thawing and ultrasonic methods to rupture the cell wall of Spirulina. Lin Hongwei[12] and others used the washing cycle freeze-thaw method to extract Spirulina alginata, and the results showed that the extraction rate of Tween2O as the extraction reagent could reach 65.1%, which was higher than that of the buffer cycle freeze-thaw method.

1.2 After the cells are broken, the alginate is dissolved in the extraction solution, and it is very important to choose the appropriate method for precipitation. Isoelectric point precipitation method utilizes the characteristic that the solubility of protein is the smallest when it is at the isoelectric point. By adjusting the pH value of the solution to the isoelectric point of alginate, the solubility of alginate will be reduced and precipitate will be precipitated. Zhang Yifang [13] and Tang Zhaohui [16] used this method to precipitate algal blue protein. However, it is generally believed that alginate blue protein is more sensitive to pH, and poor pH control during precipitation may cause protein denaturation.

Salt precipitation of algal blue egg white is more commonly reported in the literature, and its precipitation effect is generally recognized. Ammonium sulfate solution is a commonly used salt solution, and Zhang Yifang[13] and others have used magnesium sulfate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and ammonium sulfate solutions to compare with ammonium sulfate solution for hydrodialysis, and the results showed that ammonium sulfate hydrodialysis effect was good, and the other hydrodialysis effect was poor. However, there are many opinions about the concentration of ammonium sulfate for salting out. More often, ammonium sulfate solution with 5O% saturation is used for precipitation [4, 12, 17], and there are some cases in which saturation of 30%~60% is used [15, 18].

Lin Hongwei [19, 2O] and others used 7O% and 80% ammonium sulfate solution. Hu Yibing [21] and others used different concentrations of ammonium sulfate solution to establish a segmented gradient salting out to separate and purify the cyanobacteria of Spirulina platensis, and the results were good. H. W. Siegleman [22] concluded that the cyanobacteria could be separated from the alpha cyanobacteria by salting out with different concentrations of ammonium sulfate solution, while Peng Weimin [23] concluded that it was not possible to separate the cyanobacteria from the alpha cyanobacteria by salting out with ammonium sulfate. However, in the study of Peng Weimin [23], it was not possible to separate phycocyanin from allocyanin by ammonium sulfate salting out. Nevertheless, the extraction of cyanobacterial proteins from Spirulina has to be treated with ammonium sulfate in order to obtain the crude extract of cyanobacterial proteins.

2 Purification Methods

The content of impurity protein in the extract of Spirulina alginata is very high, and the purity ratio of alginate protein (A62O/A28O) should be more than 4.O before it can be used in practical applications [11]. Therefore, it is necessary to further purify the crude extract, remove the impurity proteins and improve the purity of alginate blue protein. Currently, the purification methods reported in the literature include hydroxyapatite column chromatography, gel chromatography, ion exchange method and less frequently used diatomite column chromatography. In practice, it is often necessary to use two or more methods at the same time in order to get better results.

Wei Ping[18] extracted alginate from Spirulina major by adsorbing the crude extract of alginate on a column with DEAE-sephadex A-25 and hydroxyapatite (HA), and then analyzing the eluate of alginate on the HA column and passing it through a G-15O column. The results showed that a homemade hydroxyapatite column was used to obtain alginate with a purity ratio of 4.18, and the alginate was analyzed on a G-15O column to obtain a single alginate with a single composition. Hu Yibing[21] and others used hydroxyapatite chromatography and sephadex G-1OO gel chromatography to obtain alginate with a purity ratio greater than 5.O. Yin Gang[24] and others used hydroxyapatite chromatography and sephadex G-1OO gel chromatography to obtain alginate with a purity ratio greater than 5.0. Yin Gang[24] and others used sephacryls-2OO gel chromatography and hydroxyapatite column chromatography to separate and purify the algal blue protein from cultured Spirulina obtusususus, and obtained the pure algal blue protein.

Zhang Chengwu[4] and others purified the alginate from Spirulina obtususus by chromatography and filtration on a sephadex G-1OO column twice for electrophoretically pure alginate. Yin Gang[25] and others also studied the isolation and purification of alginate from Spirulina obtusususus using DEAEsepharose FF ion exchange and hydroxyapatite adsorption, and the alginate was identified as electrophoretically pure by isoelectric focusing. Yin Gang[26] and others used hydroxyapatite and sephadex G-1OO for column chromatography to isolate the alginate with a purity ratio of 4.71. The alginate was purified by isoelectric focusing. Peng Weimin[23] and others used hydroxyapatite column chromatography to purify algal bile protein from Spirulina to obtain algal blue protein with high purity.

Lin Hongwei[19, 2O] and others obtained alginate with a purity ratio of 4.1 from spirulina by using a diatomaceous earth 545 column with graded elution followed by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange purification. Zhang Jianping[27] , et al. obtained a purer alginate from Spirulina by hydroxyapatite column chromatography followed by dextran gel chromatography on a sephadex G-15O column. Wang Y[15] established a purification procedure for sephadex G-2OO, DEAE-sephadex A-25, HA, and SePhadex G-2OO. The results of this method were satisfactory, with a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and the purity ratio was as high as 14, which exceeded the highest value of 1O reported both domestically and abroad.1 The combined use of multiple purification methods was also typical. This is a typical example of the combined use of multiple purification methods.

3 Physical and chemical characterization

Because of the broad application prospect of phycocyanin, the study of the physicochemical properties of phycocyanin has become an important topic in the development of Spirulina.0 In recent years, the study of phycocyanin has been deepened to the molecular composition, and greater progress has been made in the study of other physicochemical properties.

3.1 Spectral Characterization  

Spectroscopy is one of the important properties of cyanobacterial proteins, and the study of spectral properties provides an important basis for the identification of cyanobacterial proteins in Spirulina. At the same time, the maximum absorption of cyanobacterial proteins can also be utilized for the determination of protein content, which provides a simple and effective method for the quality control of cyanobacterial proteins. However, due to the differences in the cyanobacterial proteins of different strains of Spirulina and the purity of the cyanobacterial samples used by the researchers, the reported spectral properties of the cyanobacterial proteins differ.

Yin Gang [26] et al. showed that there were characteristic absorption peaks at 278nm, 36Onm, and 62Onm in the UV-visible spectrum of Spirulina obtusususus 0 Wei Ping [18] et al. found that the alginyl cyanide of the purified Spirulina obtusususus was scanned by UV-visible spectrophotometer, and the characteristic absorption peaks were found at 62Onm and 348nm 0 Chengwu Zhang [4] et al. measured the maximum absorption wavelength at 62Onm in the UV-visible spectrophotometer 0 Peng Weimin [17] et al. used UV-visible spectrophotometer to obtain the maximum absorption wavelength at 62Onm in the UV-visible spectrophotometer 0 Peng Weimin [17] et al. Zhang Chengwu [4] measured the maximum absorption of purified Spirulina obtususifera phycocyanin at 62Onm by UV-visible scanning. 0 Peng Weimin [17] and others used UV-visible spectrophotometry to determine that the maximum visible absorption of Spirulina obtusifera phycocyanin was at 62Onm, and used fluorescence spectrophotometry to determine that its fluorescence emission peak was at 645 nm at room temperature.

The results of Wang Yong [15] showed that the absorption wavelength of phycocyanin in Spirulina salina was 615 nm under the condition of PH 7.O. When the PH decreased, the maximum absorption peak of phycocyanin shifted to blue, and when the PH increased, the peak shifted to red; the fluorescence excitation peaks of phycocyanin in neutral condition were located at 590 nm and 635 nm, and the fluorescence emission peaks were located at 650 nm only. Zhang Erxian [28] et al. determined that the maximum absorption peak of algal blue protein was at 625nm, and its fluorescence emission peak was at 648nm.0 Yin Gang [24, 26] et al. also determined the infrared spectra of algal blue protein, which showed that algal blue protein had absorption peaks at 32OO, 165O, 155O, 11OO, 1O5O, and 65Ocm-1 , thus providing a richer basis for the identification of algal blue protein. The results showed that algal blue protein had absorption peaks at 32OO, 165O, 155O, 11OO, 1O5O and 65O cm-1 , thus providing a more abundant basis for the identification of algal blue protein.

3.2 Amino Acid Composition of Algae Blue Protein

The amino acid composition of the protein is conducive to the further understanding of the internal structure and active groups of the algal blue protein, and also provides a theoretical basis for other properties of the algal blue protein.0 Yin Gang [24, 26], Liu Qifang [29], and Li Jianhong [9] studied the amino acid composition of the algal blue protein in Spirulina, and the results showed that the composition of the cyanogenic acids of different strains of Spirulina is basically the same.0 Zhang Chengwu [4] analyzed the amino acid composition and content of the bile protein of Spirulina obtusususus, and concluded that except for tryptophan, which was not measured, the algal blue protein contained 14 amino acids, only trace amounts of histidine and proline, and lack of methionine. Zhang Chengwu [4] analyzed the amino acid composition and content of Spirulina bile protein, and concluded that, except for tryptophan which was not measured, the cyanobacterial protein contained 14 amino acids, with only trace amounts of histidine and proline, and a lack of methionine.

Peng Weimin [17] analyzed the amino acid composition of phycocyanin in Spirulina obtusususus by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the results showed that the amino acid compositions of phycocyanin and other algal cyanoproteins were similar, with the highest content of Phenylalanine (Phenylalanine) followed by Aspartic Acid (Aspartic Acid), Glutamic Acid (Glutamic Acid), Tyrosine (Tyrosine), and the lower content of Proline (Proline) and Histidine (Histidine). Meanwhile, the ratio of acidic amino acids to basic amino acids in alginate was 2.14, which was higher than that of alginate (1.92), and therefore alginate was considered to be an acidic protein, which also explained why alginate had a lower isoelectric point than other alginates as reported in [29].

3.3 Biochemical characterization

3. 3. 1 Isoelectric point

The isoelectric point is one of the most prominent properties of proteins. The isoelectric points of Spirulina cyanobacterial proteins have been reported differently, but all of them are in the range of 3.4-4.8 [4, 13, 24, 26, 29]. This is probably due to the differences in the nature of cyanobacterial proteins in different strains of Spirulina, and another reason is that different purity of cyanobacterial proteins affects the consistency of the results of the assay. It was also found that the isoelectric points of algal blue proteins were generally lower than those of other algal blue proteins, which may be related to the amino acid composition of the proteins [17].

3. 3. 2 Studies on algal blue protein subunits

Current research suggests that phycocyanin is composed of two α and β subunits with different molecular weights, usually a hexamer of the two subunits (αβ)15], but the molecular weights of the subunits are not the same as those of the other subunits. Zhang Chengwu [4] and others showed that purified phycocyanin is composed of two subunits, α and β, and that their molecular weights are 145OOμ and 15OOOμ respectively, as measured by 12% sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The α and β subunits of Spirulina obtususifera were composed of two subunits and their molecular weights were measured to be 145OOOμ and 15OOOμ0 Zhang Erxian [28] measured the molecular weights of the two subunits of phycocyanin to be 149OOμ and 172OOμ0 Peng Weimin [17] performed a regression analysis by using the relative mobility of the standardized proteins (X) and its corresponding molecular weight in terms of the logarithm of the molecular weight (Y) as the parameters, and the obtained equation of regression was: Y= 1. O228X ten 5. 12. O228X x 5. 1255 (R2= O. 9889), the molecular weights of the α-subunit and β-subunit of the cyanobacterial protein in Spirulina obtusususus were calculated to be about 16.3 KD and 18.9 KD, which were similar to those in the literature [30,31].

3.4 Algae blue protein stability study  

Zhang Yifang [13] studied that alginate blue protein is stable below 40℃, its pigment starts to decompose at 45℃, the optical density of the solution decreases gradually, the optical density of the solution decreases rapidly at 50℃, and the optical density of the solution at 70℃ decreases by 75% compared with the original one, the sugar solution can increase the stability of the alginate blue protein to the heat, the effect of the illumination on the alginate blue protein is small, the illumination of 5,100x for 6Oh, the optical density of the solution treated with PH5 does not change. It was also shown that the optical density of algal blue protein was stable in the range of PH4.O~8.5, the optical density was unchanged, and the color of the solution became lighter when the PH value was higher than 8.5 or lower than 4.O. The results of the above studies showed that the algal blue protein was more sensitive to the temperature and PH, but insensitive to light, which was of great significance for the control of the conditions of algal blue protein in the process of extraction, purification and preservation.

4 Physiological activity studies

Phycocyanin is one of the important active ingredients in Spirulina. The results of clinical studies have shown that phycocyanin in Spirulina has the effect of improving immunity, promoting animal cell regeneration and inhibiting cancer cells [32]. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the physiological activity of algal blue protein in depth. Currently, the focus of research is mainly on the study of anticancer activity, and at the same time, some progress has been made in the study of other activities.

4.1 Research on anticancer activity  

Dong Qiang [33] et al. investigated the anticancer activity of alginate cyanine (PC) on HeLa cells by two methods, and demonstrated that PC had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of HeLa cells, and the inhibitory rate of PC reached 31.0% when the concentration of PC was 8Omg L-1. Shen Haiyan[34] and others used semi-solid agar culture method and MTT assay to determine the effect of Spirulina alginate on the growth of human blood cancer cell lines HL-6O, K-562 and μ-937. These three tumor cells were treated with different concentrations of cyanobacterial proteins under in vitro culture conditions, and the results showed that Spirulina cyanobacterial proteins inhibited the growth of these three tumor cells to different degrees, and there was a concentration-dose effect, with a strong inhibitory effect at high concentrations.

Guo Baojiang[35] and others investigated the inhibitory effect of selenized alginate from selenium-enriched cultured Spirulina obtusususus on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Guo Baojiang[36] and others also studied the inhibitory effect of photoimmobilized alginate on hepatocellular carcinoma cells 74O2 in vitro. The experiment showed that, when the initial concentration of immobilized alginate was 2O μg/well, the inhibition rate of 74O2 cells reached 55%, and the inhibition rate of the cancer cells decreased when the concentration continued to increase, and then increased back to 55%, 66% and 66% when the concentration of alginate was as high as O.5mg/well and 1mg/well. When the concentration of cyanobacteria reached O.5mg/well and 1mg/well, the inhibition rate rebounded to 55% and 66%.

4.2 Other Activity Studies  

Spirulina alginate also has some activity in other areas. Wang Yuanxun[37] and others found that feeding extracted Spirulina cyanobacteria alginate to mice significantly improved exercise endurance. Zhang Chengwu[38] demonstrated that Spirulina alginate had anti-radiation effects in animal experiments, and the results also showed that alginate may promote the recovery of hematopoietic function in irradiated animals. Tang Mei[39] and others found that phycocyanin could promote PHA-induced proliferation of normal mouse splenic lymphocytes, enhance the hemolytic capacity of plaque-forming cells and the content of hemolysin in the serum, and significantly resist the damage of hydrocortisone to the immune function of the organism.

Zhao Jingquan [4O] et al. investigated the scavenging effect of alginate from Spirulina on hydroxyl radicals by using a competitive reaction kinetics method, and the results showed that alginate had a strong scavenging effect on hydroxyl radicals, and the scavenging rate constants were measured to be in the range of (2.8~5.6) × 1O9L mol-1 S-1. Tang Mai [41] et al. studied the effect of phycocyanin (PC) in Spirulina on the function of human peripheral lymphocytes, and the results showed that PC could promote the transformation of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes, and there was a dose-dependent relationship. The results showed that PC could promote the transformation of lymphocytes stimulated by PHA, and there was a dose-dependent relationship. PC could restore the ability of T cells to form E rosettes after being damaged by cyclophosphamide, especially the ability to form active E rosettes (Ea).

Experimental studies have shown that Spirulina cyanobacteria have physiological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-radiation, anti-fatigue, enhancement of immunity and scavenging of free radicals, etc., which provides an important basis for decision-making on the development of Spirulina in the field of functional foods and medicines.

5 Research on algal blue protein products [42, 43]

Phycocyanin is an important active ingredient in Spirulina, and its unique physicochemical properties have been emphasized in product development research. The School of Life Sciences of Peking University used the purified algal blue protein monomer from Spirulina mud preparation to couple with purified DFI antibody, and then purified the coupling product to obtain the antibody labeled with algal blue protein, which is a fluorescent probe. The Institute of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences have also carried out the development of fluorescent markers and diagnostic reagents for algal bile protein, and researched on diagnostic reagents and diagnostic kits (screening, labeling and detection techniques of fluorescent reagents, etc.), and are expected to obtain a technology to replace other fluorescent markers and enzyme markers, as well as a popular algal bile protein-labeled diagnostic kit for surface antigen of Hepatitis B Virus.

At the same time, algal blue protein for food research, especially functional food research has made great progress, China has more than 10 kinds of spirulina tablets and capsules, according to different functions approved by the Ministry of Health as health products. However, because the extraction of algal blue protein in Spirulina is still in the stage of experimental research, there is no suitable industrial production process, so that the commercial price of algal blue protein is expensive and its application is limited to a certain extent.

6 Conclusion

The research of Spirulina in China began in 1970s, after more than 30 years of research and development, although there is a great progress, but mostly at the laboratory level. According to the literature, it is difficult to extract and purify the active ingredient of Spirulina cyanobacteria, and its mature technology still needs a period of research and exploration. Meanwhile, there are not many functional foods based on cyanobacterial proteins, and there is still no research and development of pharmaceuticals.

Therefore, in the next few years, the research and development of algal blue protein will mainly focus on the following aspects: Firstly, exploring a method of preparing large amount of algal blue protein suitable for industrialized production, reducing the cost of algal blue protein, and promoting its extensive development and utilization. Secondly, according to the results of the research on the activity of algal blue protein, the development of algal blue protein will be expanded from functional food to the development of medicines and medical diagnostic reagents, so as to develop its utilization value at a deeper level. Thirdly, we will continue to study the physical and chemical properties of algal blue protein and establish a good quality control method to provide quality assurance for the research and production of algal blue protein products, especially medicines.

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#Spirulina #Phycocyanin #Phycocyaninpowder

[shinhoofood]

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[bardic-tales]

11.27. 24: World-Building

Hello everyone. Today has been a very productive day, even if all I have done was focused on the economy of Blood & Stardust. I count these little world-building snippets as part of outlining my books (fan fiction). It's a big part of fleshing out a world as it sets social classes, and I'm very excited with the direction it is taking.

With that said, more details are under the cut.

Author’s Commentary:

Today, I spent a significant time refining the economic structure within Blood & Stardust. This process involved clarifying how power, privilege, and wealth function in the world, especially as it relates to characters like Sephiroth, Bianca, and, even brief characters that I have mentioned. I focused on drawing distinctions between the lower classes and the elites, examining how their conflicting desires shape their decisions. By exploring this tension, I wanted to give myself a deeper understanding of how wealth and status doesn't always equal contentment.

I also worked on further developing my personal headcanon for Sephiroth and his internal conflict regarding his 'privilege' position at Shinra as the Golden Boy of SOLDIER. This required shifting his perspective to seeing his comfort as chains that keep him tied to very corporation that he is loyal to but is coming to resent. This conflict adds a complexity to his character, allowing me to explore themes of power, corruption, and autonomy in a more nuance way when it comes to such an iconic character.

Finally, I spent time shaping the way Bianca navigates her place within the economy of Blood & Stardust. Her experiences with the CEO Mordecai and the SOLDIER Sephiroth illustrates her own struggle with luxury and instability.

Snippets from Today:

Lower Class: The Lower Class consists of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck or rely on low-wage jobs. While they may not experience the extreme poverty seen in the Least Resources group, they still struggle to afford a comfortable lifestyle and tend to be marginalized, with limited access to upward mobility. They have limited financial resources, often owning their homes or renting, but are unlikely to have significant savings or assets. Their finances usually only cover basic living expenses, leaving little room for luxuries. Housing is typically in older or less desirable neighborhoods, and food is basic, while clothing and personal items are of lower quality compared to higher classes. Though their standard of living may be adequate, it is far from luxurious. Individuals in the Lower Class face challenges such as job insecurity, limited career opportunities, and a lack of access to quality education or healthcare. They may also experience social stigma and discrimination. However, they benefit from strong community ties, with neighbors helping one another, and may have access to government assistance or social services, albeit often limited or inconsistent.

Sephiroth: Sephiroth’s economic background was shaped by Shinra’s investment in him as both a military asset and a propaganda tool. As the face of SOLDIER, he was provided with a luxurious lifestyle to project an image of strength and success that would attract recruits. This included a plush apartment, access to top-tier amenities, and other symbols of privilege. However, these resources were never truly his own; they were part of Shinra’s control and manipulation, tying him to the corporation’s agenda. Despite the outward comforts, Sephiroth grew to resent these amenities, seeing them as gilded chains that reinforced his role as a pawn in Shinra's grand design.

Bianca Moore: Bianca’s economic background was marked by constant instability and hardship. Forced into a life on the run after her family's tragedy, she and David moved frequently, struggling to survive and relying on odd jobs and limited resources. This unstable existence left Bianca with little formal education and a deep-seated drive to forge her own path, ultimately finding success as an author while carrying the emotional scars of her turbulent upbringing.

Bianca’s economic background took a significant turn for the better when she married Mordecai Delacroix, the CEO of Dark Light Publishing. With his wealth and resources, she experienced stability for the first time, living comfortably in a luxurious villa in Tuscany for six years. This period of prosperity marked a stark contrast to her nomadic past, though her journey eventually led her to the world of Final Fantasy VII, where new challenges awaited and those luxuries are ripped away from her.

Lower Middle Class Hojo’s Assistants / Other Scientists

Character Influence: Characters in this class are caught between aspirations of success and the harsh limitations imposed by their economic position. While they are educated and skilled, they are still largely controlled by more powerful figures. Their internal conflict often revolves around ambition versus loyalty, as they may aspire to rise above their station but are constrained by the corrupt systems they work within, like Shinra’s exploitation. Hojo’s assistants, for example, are often faced with ethical dilemmas, knowing the atrocities they are involved in, yet lacking the power or autonomy to escape.

Relationships: Relationships here tend to be transactional and hierarchical. These characters may try to form alliances or friendships based on mutual benefit, but there is always an undercurrent of control and subordination. Their interactions with higher-ups like Hojo or other Shinra officials may be marked by fear or ingratiation, while their relationships with those in the lower classes are often patronizing, seeing them as inferior but necessary to achieving their goals.

Plot Influence: While not directly at the forefront of the plot, this group plays a key role in advancing the story’s exploration of the corrupt corporate and scientific systems. The actions of Hojo’s assistants, for instance, contribute to the experimentation and atrocities that drive much of the plot, and their internal conflict can serve as a way to highlight the moral decay of Shinra’s operations.

Symbolism/Theme: The lower middle class represents the theme of compromise and the loss of autonomy. They are the "middle men" in a corrupt system, trapped between their ambitions and the moral costs of their work. They also embody the theme of exploitation, showing how even educated individuals are often constrained by economic and corporate power.

[bettertomorrow25]

Testosterone isn’t just about muscles and libido — it’s about energy, motivation, and mental clarity.

Whether you're in your 20s or your 50s, testosterone plays a key role in your physical and emotional health. And while testosterone levels naturally decline with age, lifestyle factors like poor sleep, stress, and a bad diet can accelerate the drop. The good news? You can take control.

Here’s how to naturally boost your testosterone levels and reclaim your vitality — no risky shortcuts or gimmicks needed.

💤 1. Get Serious About Sleep

Studies show that just one week of sleeping 5 hours per night can drop testosterone levels by as much as 15%. Sleep is when your body does most of its hormone production and repair.

Tips:

Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Keep your room dark, cool, and device-free.

Try a wind-down routine (think: reading, meditation, or a hot shower).

🥑 2. Eat Like Your Hormones Depend on It (Because They Do)

The food you eat has a direct impact on your hormonal health. A balanced diet rich in whole foods supports testosterone production and overall vitality.

Focus on:

Healthy fats (olive oil, eggs, nuts, avocados)

Zinc and magnesium (beef, oysters, pumpkin seeds, leafy greens)

High-quality protein (chicken, fish, legumes)

Reduce: processed foods, sugar, and excess alcohol

🏋️‍♂️ 3. Lift Heavy. Move Fast.

Nothing boosts testosterone quite like resistance training and high-intensity workouts. Strength training signals your body to build muscle and increase testosterone production.

Workout strategy:

Lift weights 3–4 times per week using compound movements (squats, deadlifts, presses)

Add in HIIT sessions 1–2 times weekly

Avoid overtraining — recovery is essential

⚖️ 4. Lose the Belly Fat

Extra fat — especially around your midsection — can convert testosterone into estrogen. Not good.

Solutions:

Prioritize strength training + clean eating

Track progress with photos or how your clothes fit, not just the scale

Aim for sustainable changes, not crash diets

😌 5. Stress Less, Live More

Cortisol, the stress hormone, directly suppresses testosterone. If you’re constantly wired and anxious, your testosterone takes a hit.

De-stress practices:

Meditation or deep breathing for 10 minutes a day

Daily movement, especially outdoors

Journaling, therapy, or simply disconnecting from screens

🚫 6. Ditch the Booze and Smokes

Both alcohol and nicotine are testosterone killers. Frequent drinking or smoking disrupts hormone production and recovery.

Try this:

Quit smoking — full stop

Replace the habit with something that builds you up (a walk, workout, or hobby)

💊 7. Try Smart Supplementation

Supplements aren’t magic pills, but they can help — especially if you’re deficient in key nutrients.

Evidence-backed options:

Vitamin D (especially if you don’t get much sun)

Zinc and magnesium

Ashwagandha (helps with stress and hormone balance)

Fenugreek (some studies show modest boosts)

⚠️ Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.

🔁 Final Thoughts: Make It a Lifestyle

The secret to boosting testosterone naturally is consistency. This isn’t about chasing hacks — it’s about building habits that support your body’s optimal function. Sleep well, eat real food, train smart, and manage stress. The benefits will go far beyond hormone levels.

[nuleafnaturals-in]

What to Look for in Herbal Extracts Manufacturers in India

Introduction

As the demand for plant-based wellness, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products rises globally, businesses are actively seeking herbal extracts manufacturers in India who offer high-quality, sustainable, and customized solutions. Whether you're sourcing herbal extracts, oil extracts, or partnering with a fragrance manufacturer, the right supplier is key to delivering premium formulations.

India, with its rich biodiversity and Ayurvedic legacy, is home to many natural product manufacturers. But how do you choose the one that meets your quality standards and business goals?

This guide will help you understand what makes a manufacturer reliable — and why leading companies partner with Nuleaf Naturals, one of the top herbal extract and oil extracts manufacturers in India.

Mastery in Botanical Extraction Technologies

A manufacturer’s expertise in extraction techniques directly impacts the purity, efficacy, and safety of the final product. At Nuleaf Naturals, we combine traditional herbal wisdom with modern science using advanced extraction technologies such as:

Supercritical CO₂ Extraction (SCFE): Ideal for solvent-free, potent herbal and oil extracts — widely used in cosmetics and nutraceuticals.

Steam Distillation: Best suited for aromatic compounds and essential oils, preserving delicate fragrance notes.

Short Path Distillation: Useful for high-purity concentrates with minimal heat degradation.

Solvent Extraction: Effective for herbs where other methods may not deliver optimal yields.

By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, we ensure our extracts meet international quality benchmarks.

Certifications That Guarantee Quality and Compliance

Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable when choosing herbal extracts manufacturers in India. Top-tier suppliers should offer:

GMP Certification (Good Manufacturing Practices)

ISO Certification for quality assurance

FSSAI Registration to ensure food-grade safety

HACCP Certification for hazard analysis and critical control

These certifications demonstrate a manufacturer's commitment to standardized processes and safety protocols. At Nuleaf Naturals, we maintain rigorous quality systems backed by all essential certifications.

Extensive Product Portfolio and Customization Options

A good natural product manufacturer offers not only variety but also customization. At Nuleaf Naturals, our comprehensive product line includes:

Herbal Extracts (e.g., Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Tulsi, Turmeric)

Essential & Oil Extracts (e.g., Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Lavender)

Oleoresins, Hydrosols, and Fragrance Compounds

Custom Ayurvedic Formulations for wellness and skincare brands

We also offer tailored services including:

Custom potency levels and particle size

Private/white labeling

Third-party testing and documentation

Bulk supply and formulation assistance

This flexibility ensures that our clients get exactly what they need for product development.

Transparent Testing and Full Documentation

Trustworthy manufacturers provide full transparency through lab reports and third-party testing. Nuleaf Naturals guarantees:

Certificates of Analysis (COA) for every batch

Heavy metal and pesticide screening

Microbial testing to ensure safety

Batch-specific traceability

This documentation builds trust with your end customers and helps you stay compliant with global safety standards.

Environmentally Responsible and Ethical Manufacturing

Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s a key value proposition. As an eco-conscious herbal extract manufacturer, Nuleaf Naturals is committed to:

Green extraction techniques with minimal solvent waste

Eco-friendly packaging and waste reduction policies

Ethical sourcing directly from certified organic farms

By choosing a sustainable manufacturing partner, your brand benefits from environmental stewardship and stronger consumer loyalty.

Dependable Supply Chain and Bulk Production Capacity

When scaling your operations, you need a manufacturer that can deliver high volumes without compromising quality. At Nuleaf Naturals, we offer:

Bulk herbal extracts and oil extracts with reliable restocking

Global shipping and export support

Custom contract manufacturing for long-term partnerships

White labeling and B2B collaboration models

With a robust supply chain and on-time delivery, we help your business maintain consistency and meet market demand efficiently.

Proven Industry Experience and Global Clientele

Before finalizing your supplier, evaluate their industry track record. At Nuleaf Naturals, we bring:

Over a decade of experience in herbal extraction

Partnerships with nutraceutical, personal care, and wellness brands globally

Client testimonials that reflect satisfaction, reliability, and professionalism

Our success lies in helping brands around the world create high-performing, natural products that customers love.

Conclusion

Selecting the right herbal extracts manufacturer in India goes beyond product sourcing—it's about building a strategic partnership. From technical expertise and regulatory compliance to customization and sustainability, Nuleaf Naturals offers a complete solution for businesses looking to scale with confidence.

Whether you’re a wellness startup or an established beauty brand, our team is ready to co-create high-quality formulations that align with your values and market goals.

Partner with Nuleaf Naturals — a trusted fragrance manufacturer and supplier of premium herbal and oil extracts — and unlock the full potential of nature-powered innovation.📞 Contact us today for bulk orders and B2B partnerships! +91 9866760001

[chicguides]

CHICGUIDES

Goals For 2025

Fresh starts for the New Year. Being 2 weeks into January, if you are anything like me, goals have been postponed until February. However, I am here today to help you (and I) to gain some motivation and set goals for the new year.

Build a Workout Routine

Building a consistent workout routine is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. You surprisingly find how refresh you feel once you establish a workout routine. Better said than done, staying consistent with habits is not easy. Don't forget! Eating healthy is also apart of keeping yourself toned bod!

Daisy Keech - 10 Minute Defined Hourglass Abs

Madeleine Abeid - 20 MIN Full Body Pilates

Cami Sophia - Pilates Princess | hourglass ab workout

Harper’s BAZAAR - How To Workout Like A Victoria's Secret Angel Candice

Stick to a Good Skin Care Routine

Our skin is so sacred and sensitive. Controlling breakouts and giving food to your skin from the outside in strengthens your skin barrier. While also slowing down the aging process, keeping a good skincare routine protects your skin from the ever-changing environment and seasons. Not just your face, but making sure you are washing and moisturizing your body is equally important too! It’s trial and error for sure. Finding the right products that keep yourself skin in harmony with each other. Try not to cake your face with products, that would promote break outs. The less the better. Figuring out your skin type is key to this!

Diet is an important factor for keeping your skin clear and glowy. Juicing is a great way to achieve this; improving gut health and increasing energy levels.

Juicing Recipes:

green apple , celery , spinach , lemon, cucumber | glowy skin

pineapple , celery , lemon , ginger | even skin tone

Build Positive Social Habits

As someone who’s an introvert, this used to be very difficult for me also. However, this is someone for everyone, romantically for not. Rejection therapy is the best type of therapy when you want to get over anxieties and fears (from experience). Complimenting people, saying good morning to people as you pass them on the street, or even asking a stranger an opinion on a dress you are considering buying. Starting to build your social capabilities will be essential for your adult years.

Build deep, meaningful, fulfilling friendship! Again, easier said than done but this is so beneficial to your individual growth as well as to your emotional maturity. Building lasting relationships are so beneficial to the soul.

Reading

Having an extensive vocabulary is so chic and elegant when speaking and writing. Adapt that chicness through reading. Everyone knows the properties of reading, therefore I hope not to let you know about them now, or else I deeply worry for you. Kidding.

In any case, filling any gaps in your day with reading a book that you enjoy poses many benefits.

Experiment with Your Style

This year, allowing your wardrobe to refelct more of who you are presents you as more of a confident person. Aligning with how you feel, your outfit gives insight into your personality. Whether it’s with prints, graphics, or accessories, your clothes show who you are.

In the new year, you could also aim to buy fewer, higher-quality pieces. Quality or quantity. Look for unique pieces that aren’t mass-produced and that will last. Encourage thoughtful shopping, you’ll end up with a wardrobe that has more meaning.

Focus on Academics & Career

Knowing where you want to go academically and professionally helps eliminate indecision, allowing you to prioritize what matters most.When setting clear academic or career goals, you become more motivated because you can see the purpose behind your efforts. That sense of purpose helps keep you focused, especially when challenges arise.

As you succeed in your pursuits, you'll feel more empowered, not just in your academic or career life, but in other areas as well. Along with the relationships you build along the way, this can lead to career advancements, partnerships, or even lifelong friendships. Having a strong professional network can give you a competitive edge!