#hydraulic grab

[bossattachments]

Essential Tips for Operating a Telescopic Boom Safely

Operating a telescopic boom, such as a telehandler or a telescopic forklift, can be a challenging task that requires proper training and safety precautions to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of both the operator and those around them.

Here are some essential tips for operating a telescopic boom safely:

Training and Certification : Ensure that operators are properly trained and certified to operate telescopic booms. They should be familiar with the specific machine they will be using and its controls.

Pre-Operation Inspection : Conduct a thorough pre-operation inspection of the telescopic boom, checking for any visible damage, loose components, hydraulic leaks, and tire conditions.

Stability : Be aware of the machine's stability. Ensure it's set up on a firm and level surface. Use outriggers or stabilizers as required to prevent tip-overs.

Load Capacity : Know and adhere to the machine's load capacity limits. Do not exceed the maximum weight capacity specified by the manufacturer.

Load Securement : Safely secure all loads before lifting or moving them. Use appropriate rigging equipment, such as slings and hooks, and make sure the load is balanced and properly attached.

Proper Positioning : Always position the telescopic boom directly above the load to maintain stability and avoid tipping.

Clear Communication : Establish clear communication with ground personnel, spotters, and other operators. Use hand signals or two-way radios when necessary.

Watch for Overhead Obstructions : Be aware of overhead obstacles, such as power lines, trees, and structures. Maintain a safe clearance distance from these hazards.

Travel Safely : When moving the telescopic boom, do so at a controlled speed, especially when the boom is extended. Keep the load low to the ground to maintain stability.

Avoid Rapid Movements : Avoid sudden or jerky movements of the boom or the load, as this can cause instability and lead to accidents.

Use Seat Belts : Always wear the provided seat belt while operating the telescopic boom to prevent ejection in the event of a sudden stop or tip-over.

Stay Clear of the Load : Do not stand or pass under the load or the boom. Keep a safe distance from the equipment and loads at all times.

Use Proper PPE : Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a hard hat, high-visibility vest, and safety shoes.

Emergency Procedures : Familiarize yourself with the machine's emergency shutdown procedures and know how to respond in the event of a malfunction or emergency.

Maintenance and Inspections : Regularly inspect and maintain the telescopic boom according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Address any issues promptly to ensure safe operation.

Stay Informed : Stay up-to-date with the latest safety regulations and best practices for operating telescopic booms.

Remember that safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone working around the telescopic boom should be aware of these safety practices to prevent accidents and create a secure work environment. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and any specific safety regulations in your region.

[whatwooshkai]

Gimme a number 5! :D

Chase's face is contorted in badly disguised panic as he stands there, finials practically brushing the lights on his back, waiting for instruction.

Charlie tries desperately not to laugh, coughing into his fist. "I am so sorry," he says, voice strained, as Mayor Luskey forces his way out of the car, fuming.

"BURNS!" he snarls, his toupee slightly askew, and he nearly trips over the grappler as he storms up to him. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

"So sorry," Charlie repeats, noticing that Chase has started nervously wringing his hands. "The police bot noticed your car was going above the speed limit and wasn't responding to the flashing lights, so he- uh, the AI, I mean- took the next logical step." He gestures at the scene. "Hence the grappler."

Chase had deployed it without asking, and Charlie hadn't even known what happened until the mayor's car had suddenly stopped and started swerving in front of them, caught in a trap of yellow nylon webbing.

"Well- well- fix it!" Mayor Luskey turns on his poor chauffeur and starts shouting again, and Charlie notices the slight sigh of relief from Chase as the attention is taken off them.

"Police bot," Charlie orders, biting back his smile, "fix this please."

"Yes sir," Chase says, sounding much less confident than usual.

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

"I didn't even know you had a grappler," Charlie pipes up as they roll into the firehouse's driveway. "My last patrol car sure didn't."

"It was equipment I had back on Cybertron," Chase explains as the garage door closes behind them, then transforms when Charlie steps out. "I just haven't had a reason to use it until now."

"Well, uh, good to know," Charlie says, patting his hands on his hips. "Just maybe ask first next time?"

"Of course," Chase hums, and his finials flatten against his helm.

"So, do you have any other equipment you're holding out on me?" Charlie continues teasingly, and Chase's finials cant back.

"No," he answers, sounding almost disappointed. "A question better suited for Heatwave. I have not seen him use any of his arsenal."

"Really?" They step on the lift together. Normally Charlie would go back upstairs, but now he's curious. "What kinds of equipment?"

"I'd imagine it's similar." Chase taps his foot against the ground as the lift starts down. "He's got a kit hand."

"What's that?"

"Heatwave!" Chase addresses the fire bot instead, who's up on one of the pillars with the training dummy.

"What?" he calls back, leaning against it.

Chase gestures to Charlie. "He's curious about your equipment."

Heatwave frowns. "...What equipment?"

"Your firefighting equipment. You hand." Chase gestures abstractly.

"Oh." Heatwave jumps down and Chase offers his hand to Charlie, who climbs into it, and he's deposited onto Chase's shoulder for a better view. "Most of it's only accessible in my alt mode, but I got a few things."

He sticks his forearm out and a panel retracts. "Winch," he says, gesturing at it. "Got them on both sides. And my hand's kit." His left hand retracts back into his forearm, and he transforms tools out in rapid succession, including but not limited to a sledgehammer, an axe, a halligan, and a chainsaw. His hand's back in a few moments, and he offers Charlie a shrug. "I don't really have a need for them. I can usually brute force my way through any of the emergencies you guys have."

"True," Charlie hums, "but it's good to know. Thank you."

Heatwave blinks, then nods, turning away and going back to his dummy. Charlie looks to Chase. "Do the others have equipment like that, or, uh, 'kit' hands?"

Chase's finial flicks. "Why don't we go ask?" he says, voice colored with an excited lilt.

Charlie gets the distinct impression he's being included on something important, but he can't even begin to be sure of what. So he just smiles, pats Chase on the cheek, and lets him take him to the others.

[bixiaoshi]

when i say im normal abt kdj i need u all to forget about my pinned post. that pinned post is irrelevant when i talk abt kdj in other posts

[starstruck-critter]

look at my silly little alien guys, they need a name. and more development.

[gender-euphowrya]

how long can i refuse to get a pap smear done until the docs start hunting me for sport

[grabnlifters]

GrabnLifters: Leading the Way as Electro-Hydraulic Grab Bucket Manufacturers

Introduction:

In the realm of material handling equipment, where efficiency, reliability, and precision are paramount, GrabnLifters emerges as a pioneering force in electro-hydraulic grab bucket manufacturing. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, quality craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction, GrabnLifters is redefining the standards of excellence in the industry. Let's delve into what sets GrabnLifters apart as your premier choice for electro-hydraulic grab buckets.

Innovative Design and Engineering:

At GrabnLifters, innovation is at the core of everything we do. Our team of seasoned engineers and designers harness the latest advancements in technology to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the diverse needs of our customers. From robust structural designs to precision-engineered hydraulic systems, every GrabnLifters electro-hydraulic grab bucket is meticulously crafted for optimal performance, reliability, and durability.

Customization for Diverse Applications:

We understand that every material handling application is unique, which is why GrabnLifters offers a wide range of customization options to suit your specific requirements. Whether you need a grab bucket for bulk cargo handling, scrap metal recycling, or marine applications, our team will work closely with you to tailor a solution that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

Efficiency and Productivity:

GrabnLifters' electro-hydraulic grab buckets are engineered to deliver unparalleled efficiency and productivity in material handling operations. With fast and precise grabbing action, our grab buckets streamline loading and unloading processes, minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput. Whether you're working with bulk materials, scrap metal, or industrial waste, GrabnLifters' grab buckets ensure swift and efficient handling with minimal effort.

Reliability and Durability:

Durability is a hallmark of GrabnLifters' electro-hydraulic grab buckets. Constructed from high-quality materials and built to withstand the rigors of heavy-duty usage, our grab buckets are engineered for long-lasting performance in even the most demanding environments. Rigorous quality control measures and extensive testing ensure that every grab bucket that leaves our facility meets the highest standards of reliability and durability.

Safety First Approach:

Safety is paramount at GrabnLifters. Our electro-hydraulic grab buckets are equipped with advanced safety features, including overload protection, anti-slip surfaces, and fail-safe mechanisms, to ensure the safety of operators and bystanders during operations. Additionally, our grab buckets undergo thorough testing to comply with international safety standards, giving you peace of mind knowing that your workers are protected.

Conclusion:

With a focus on innovation, customization, efficiency, and safety, GrabnLifters stands as the premier choice for electro-hydraulic grab bucket manufacturers. Whether you're handling bulk materials at a port, recycling scrap metal at a facility, or performing material handling operations in an industrial setting, GrabnLifters' grab buckets offer unmatched performance, reliability, and durability. Choose GrabnLifters for your material handling needs and experience the difference that true excellence makes.

[grabbucketmanufacturers]

Hydraulic Type Orange Peel Grab Bucket | GRABNLIFTERS

[galaxicnova]

you forget to charge yourself so your body automatically enters low power mode. you reach for your cable, but autonomous movement was deemed lesser than core function, so all your servos go offline at once, leaving you trapped in your own body.

you lay there in a heap, fingertips millimeters from your charger. yet you aren’t worried. your core can last for weeks in this state, without all those hydraulics and higher processing power draining your electricity cells.

your partner finds you hours later, though in your drained haze it felt a lot shorter. her touch imparts a brief static tug back to awareness, your subdued sensors briefly overwhelmed after so long in such a low power environment.

she lays on the floor, filling your cameras viewport with her face (eventually recognized as “smug”). she asks you something, but your taxed system’s language recognition fails to identify a meaning.

you just lay there in response, endlessly buffering.

she sits you up against the wall, letting you see her in her entirety as she grabs your charger and begins fiddling with your access ports, her fingers grazing the unshielded metal of the outlets.

biostatic impulses are a lot stronger than most organics realize.

she finds the right port and gently inserts the charging cable, instantly filling you with sensations as all your previously-dampened subsystems flare back to life, your body subtly jolting back to working order.

your movement and vocal systems still won’t work for a while as a precaution until your battery level gets higher, but the instant spinning up of your fans lets your partner know exactly how you’re feeling.

with a kiss, again lighting up your newly responsive sensors, she leaves, eagerly awaiting your return to full functionality.

you stay seated, replaying the sensation of her kiss over and over.

[machinery1special]

Hydraulic Sorting and Demolition Grabs: Efficient Solutions for Material Handling

In the world of heavy-duty construction, demolition, and material handling, efficiency and precision are paramount. Hydraulic sorting and demolition grabs have emerged as indispensable tools in these industries, revolutionizing the way materials are managed, sorted, and moved. Let's delve into the capabilities and advantages of these powerful devices.

The Power of Hydraulics

Hydraulic technology forms the heart of these innovative grabs. By utilizing hydraulic systems, these grabs offer immense strength and control, allowing operators to manage even the heaviest and most unwieldy materials with ease. The incorporation of hydraulic cylinders, pumps, and valves enables precise movement, making them ideal for delicate operations where accuracy is vital.

Sorting Grabs: Organizing with Finesse

Sorting grabs excel in tasks that involve arranging materials with distinct properties, such as recycling centers, scrap yards, and construction sites. Their ability to selectively grasp and sort different materials based on size, weight, or type is a game-changer. Imagine a recycling facility dealing with mixed loads of various recyclables – sorting grabs can efficiently separate materials like metal, plastic, and wood, streamlining the recycling process.

These grabs function by using their hydraulic grip to secure items, and then systematically sort and deposit them into designated areas. With automated options and compatibility with various heavy machinery, they significantly enhance productivity and accuracy in industries dealing with diverse materials.

Demolition Grabs: Controlled Destruction

When it comes to demolition and site clearance, precision and safety are paramount. Demolition grabs offer a controlled approach to material removal. These grabs are equipped with powerful hydraulic mechanisms that allow them to grasp and tear apart structures with accuracy, minimizing collateral damage. They're particularly valuable for selective demolition projects, where specific portions of a structure need to be removed while preserving adjacent areas.

The versatility of demolition grabs also extends to material handling after demolition. They can efficiently load debris onto trucks or into containers, expediting the cleanup process and reducing labor requirements.

Advantages and Considerations

Efficiency: Hydraulic grabs significantly expedite tasks that involve handling or rearranging large quantities of materials. Their swift operation saves time and labor costs.

Precision: Hydraulic systems provide excellent control over the force exerted by the grabs, ensuring delicate materials are handled without damage.

Safety: Demolition grabs enhance safety by allowing operators to maintain a safe distance from hazardous environments while handling materials or debris.

Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the smooth functioning of hydraulic grabs. Proper upkeep of hydraulic systems guarantees consistent performance and longevity.

In Conclusion

Hydraulic sorting and demolition grabs exemplify the remarkable synergy between technology and heavy industry. Their efficiency, precision, and safety features make them indispensable tools across construction, demolition, recycling, and material handling sectors. As hydraulic technology continues to advance, we can anticipate even more sophisticated and adaptable grab solutions that redefine the boundaries of efficiency and convenience in the realm of heavy-duty operations.

[sporesgalaxy]

Sanji has his "oh... hes kind of..." moment for 0.0000210 seconds before grabbing that thought bubble with a vice grip so poeerful the hydraulic press weeps in envy and flings it out to see over the side of the deck and it lands 50 kilometers away killing 100 fish in the following impact. And then later that night Zoro puts a hand on his thigh and he a) gets so hard he gets nauseous and b) slams his face so hard into the table that he knocks himself unconscious in the hopes by the time he wakes up all his memories of at least tonight will be gone and his gay realization crisis moment will be postponed for another year. Unfortunately he wakes up ten minutes later with his forehead bleeding and memories entact and the only reason why he doesn't fling himself off the side of the ship and go live on a deserted island forever is because Luffy would be sad. Aaaand send post.

your mind is so beautiful

[soupywoof]

[maintenance] - a gabv1el oneshot

i sit here exposed, pieces of my body never meant to be seen lie out in open air. someone else’s blood, dried, not unlike the rust on my metal, at one point escaped through loose piping, tangled wires, damaged circuitry. you see the signs of my obsolescence.

you stare into my chassis, your face unchanged.

i can feel you, your eyes, your focus, tracing over my internals. your gentle hands disappear inside me for your fingers to follow suit, and they return cradling damaged parts, long forgotten, weathered by use and time as they gathered dust, oil, blood – the likes of which untouched by self-repair.

and, whether by your careful touch or my layered wear, your work goes unnoticed, and yet it doesn’t. i feel you, though i don’t, not as i understand it, not as i have ever felt. the presence of your hand – each muscle and tendon, contracting, extending, manipulating wrist, fingers, joints, yours - its softness, its care. your presence inside of me, i feel it ever deepen, incomprehensibly so. and thus i feel you work. softly, you tear me into pieces.

but i don’t understand the attention you give to each piece of my decommissioned body. you run each wire gently between your fingertips and with care you repair me, reconnect me anew, clip each rusted, rotting part from my chassis and replace it, pristine. you untangle my twisted internals and in return they twist around you, your delicate touch, intricately working, now interwoven, pulled into me. you hold each piece of me as though it could shatter. you treat me so softly. i am a machine designed and created for war: sturdy, persistent, self-sustaining.

and yet, here you kneel, holding my heart with careful hands, gently, dearly, nursing me to life.

and yet, as your hands leave my hollow core each time, i ache.

you wipe away old grease between the seams of my plating, and i can feel you get carried away, slowly, softly, tracing the lines of my body. every angle, every corner, every curve. every part of me. my rust. my breaks. it feels as though not an inch goes untouched, untended. why do you take care of me so?

divine, yet you use your light on me. not even mortal, an afterthought, created by the free will that damned them, of steel, of sin. and still, despite such objectionable existence, here you kneel. why?

why do you care and why do i let you?

why do i sit here, my heart exposed, letting you see into me, each detail of my making, of my being, the routing of each cable into each socket, the pipes fueling my hydraulics, my inner-workings, and why do i let you rearrange me, poke around my delicate circuitry, why do i let you in? i wasn’t made for this. i wasn’t made for you. i don’t know if i care.

as you gently press the last piece of me into place, it clicks, and through the quiet air i can hear you breathe. your scarred chest rises, falls, and rises once more as you stare expectantly into my core. i feel your hand linger inside. you feel different, vivid. like your heart is my own i feel it beat, blood racing through your body. and i twitch. my fans whirr at nothing, my pumps spur to life, and i feel warm. warmer than ever before, with your hand in my chest, against me, inside me, a part of me.

i look down at you, the glow of my visor lights up your face, the low thrum of my body fills the silence.

you look up at me, at me.

i don’t want you to let go. i grab your wrist with both hands, holding it in place against my beating, ticking heart, and this newfound warmth continues to grow. what did you do to me?

please don’t let go.

you avert your gaze and i pain, my grip tightening on you. my whole body tightening in on itself. but you don’t let go. your hand remains still against my body, my chest, my heart, heating, heating up with every moment you stay.

you look back into me, your finished work, your palm against, and mine.

time pauses.

i don’t know what you think.

but in the stillness i feel your grace, your presence, gently against my metal, held onto your flesh. you place your empty hand on mine.

you don’t look back up into my visor, but i feel your warmth course through me and my body relax, my fear subside.

we sit there, in emptiness, accompanied only by the quiet, constant sounds of our bodies.

incredible accompanying animatic made by the amazing oshasno linked here: WATCH IT PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[INSPIRED LOTS BY THIS AS THEY WORKED ON IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[suzukiblu]

WIP excerpt for Jan behind the cut; mistaken identities and interdimensional refugees. ( chrono || non-chrono )

And they must have a Clark. Kon can’t imagine how they couldn’t. 

He can’t imagine how anywhere couldn’t, if it came to it. 

Yeah, that’s a healthy thought, Kon reflects resignedly as Alfred shuts the car door and goes around to the driver’s side to slip into his own seat. Alfred starts the engine and pulls out of his parking spot, and Jon nervously grips Kon’s sleeve. He twists his wrist to grab the kid’s hand, and immediately ends up with Jon pressed completely against his side and resuming his earlier sniffling buried against his bicep. It’s whatever, obviously; Kon figures if the kid cries on the suit a bit, he can just get it . . . dry-cleaned, he guesses? Probably this is a dry-cleaning thing? 

God, who knows, Tim got the damn thing for him. It might need to be cleaned by a hyper-specific radiation or fresh water from snowmelt on the Alps or a custom-designed spray from the Batcave, for all he friggin’ knows. 

“Hello, Mr. Kent,” Alfred says as soon as the aid workers on the street have directed the towncar out of the immediate area of the refugee camp, his voice wryly but politely amused, and Kon feels an immediate rush of relief. Thank fuck, yeah, okay. Not that he really thought Alfred of all people thought he was actually a version of Batman, just . . . yeah. Just–yeah. It’s a relief. “Dare I ask why you informed the aid workers that you were Master Bruce?” 

“I did not, but I winked at a pretty lady while wearing a very expensive suit and holding a traumatized kid, so apparently some assumptions were made,” Kon admits sheepishly, and Alfred’s mouth quirks in the rearview mirror. 

“Do tell,” he says. 

“Please tell me Batman isn't gonna pull the ‘no outside capes in Gotham’ card over this,” Kon says, dragging a hand through his hair and slightly wrecking the carefully slicked-back style he had it in. At this point, he does not care. “My Batman knew I was in town.” 

“Oh, did he?” Alfred asks, still seeming wryly amused. 

“Mine too!” Jon blurts, straightening up a little as he leans back a bit from Kon. He keeps a hand on his arm, but Kon figures that’s no surprise. He’s a pretty familiar face, considering. Like, double-familiar, in a sense. 

“Ah, yes,” Alfred says, glancing carefully at Jon in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry, young man. May I inquire after your name?” 

Well, shit, Kon thinks as Jon wilts immediately and tightens his grip on his sleeve, then buries his face in his bicep again. Not ideal, probably. At least, explaining Jon as a person is probably gonna be a whole thing, and not a thing the local Batman is gonna be thrilled to hear. 

Could be worse, admittedly. Could be “oh, Lex Luthor cooked me up in a basement”. 

Yeahhhhh. Well, at least Alfred actually recognized him, so apparently he does exist here. So like, at least they’ve only got to get through one of those explanations. 

“Jon Kent,” Jon says quietly, and Alfred . . . pauses. Kon does not let himself wince or look guilty or anything even remotely similar. Look, he’d have forewarned them if he’d had the option, okay? 

“I see,” Alfred says carefully. “May I inquire, young Mr. Kent, as to who your father might happen to be?” 

“Clark Kent,” Jon says, his voice still quiet and grip on Kon’s sleeve probably at hydraulic-press levels by now. “And my mom's Lois Lane.” 

“Ah,” Alfred says. “Please don't take this question the wrong way, young man, but would you happen to be adopted?” 

“No,” Jon says, setting his jaw stubbornly. 

“I see,” Alfred says. Kon–sighs, for lack of a better idea, and just wraps his arm around Jon. 

“I got you, Jonno,” he says, trying to sound reassuring. He’s not as good at that as Clark is, which is immediately proven by Jon tearing up and just clinging to him, full super-strength and all. A less invulnerable version of him would definitely bruise. 

And literally any baseline human would get their fucking spine crushed.

“I’m not dangerous,” Jon mutters. “And I’m not gonna hurt anybody. You know I wouldn't, right? I–I know you haven't had me yet in your reality, but–” 

Wait. 

What? 

“–but I'm not bad, I wouldn't hurt anyone, I promise, you know you and Mom wouldn't ever have a kid who was bad!” Jon chokes past an almost-sob, and Kon’s stomach sinks like a rock. 

Okay. Jon does not, in fact, have a version of him in his reality. 

Fuck. 

Also, apparently has some really concerning ideas about biological determinism and nature versus nurture and whatever else, but like, he’s like ten, that’s–normal, or whatever, that’s–

Fuck. 

“Jon, kiddo, no, I’m not–” he tries, and then the car dashboard lights up with a low, melodious sound, and Alfred presses a button on the steering wheel. 

“Report,” Batman’s voice says neutrally from the speakers, and Kon immediately winces. 

Well, this is gonna go just great, isn’t it. 

“Well, it seems Batman doesn't yet have to worry about an interdimensional territory dispute,” Alfred informs him dryly. “Superman, however . . .” 

Fuck his entire fucking life, Kon thinks. 

So much for not having to give both of the awkward explanations. 

“. . . Kent,” Bruce says, sounding immediately exasperated and also way less “Batman”, which Kon wishes he could assume were a good sign. “Why the hell did you tell the aid workers you were me?”

[katealpha]

Art by RandomGirl1265

While many of the underground facilities built by Vault-Tec have been uncovered over the two centuries that went by after the bombs fell over America. However, one of Los Angeles’ deepest secrets lie just underneath the decimated (and formerly named before the war) Chinese Theater.…

————-

Christina Kirby was just your average movie and TV actress in her late 20s. Born into money and practically raised by Hollywood, she had a promising career ahead of her. The Great War hadn’t affected her life all that much, though one day, she was brought to one of those vaults that were being created in case the worst happened. The plan was outlined to her as she was given a tour around the place. That when the bombs started to fall, she‘d be notified the second any bombs were detected headed towards the country, minutes before any nuclear sirens started going off, and she and other Hollywood names would live underground until the all clear.

It was a neat little place. It was furnished comfortably with many of the decorations based on the Hollywood esthetic. Movie posters, a walk of fame in the hallways, everything looking shiny. Her room was practically a smaller version of what she had in her mansion, but still comfortable and private.

When she was driven home after the tour, she was getting ready to walk through her front door, when she felt herself being grabbed from behind and a wet cloth pressed against her nose and mouth. Christina passed out within seconds, hardly able to struggle.….

————280 Years Later———-

A hydraulic hiss woke Christina up suddenly. Everything was blurry and misty as a glass door opened before her into a dim hallway. She felt horrible. Sweaty, sore, and most of all, severely bloated. As she stepped out of the cylindrical pod, she felt slow and heavy to boot. When her vision cleared, Christina looked down to see that her belly was disgustingly swollen. A gasp left her lips as her hands moved to feel herself. It didn’t take long for her to feel something moving inside of her. That she was pregnant. Very pregnant. Her heart sank and Christina imm began to waddle down one way, searching for anything that could help her, or give her answers.

As she made her way down, she passed by more of those pods like the one she was in. Inside she saw more women. All of them sporting baby bumps of various size. Some looking less than 9 months with one, some looking like they were carrying quadruplets. They all stood still, sleeping. Some were subconsciously caressing their bellies as they shifted and jostled with whatever lie within. Christina looked up and gasped again, seeing their faces and seeing their names on the tops of the pods. All of them were other actresses. Many having much more recognizable names than her. A List stars to lesser known actresses like herself. All Christina could do as she wandered through this place was wonder what was happening to them and why.

———-—

After finding a shower chamber and rinsing off, Christina managed to fit a blue and yellow jumpsuit on and began exploring, hoping to find food and water. She found water cans first, then some food stores with cereal and canned goods. Then, she found various terminals. All of them revealing more and more about what was really going on here.

Apparently, this was part of some horrendous experiment to preserve pre war Hollywood. By kidnapping nearly every prominent actress in the industry, stick them down in this lab, and inseminate them with the seed of multiple sports stars. To combine the genes of the most physically fit men in America with who many considered to be the most beautiful and influential women in entertainment. That by doing this, a new generation of potential entertainers could populate the wasteland. It all made Christina want to throw up, especially with the knowledge that the outside world was a nuclear hellhole, and that over two centuries had gone by, the pods preserving the actresses perfectly, as well as their unborn children.

After Christina gained ahold of her bearings, she ventured to an elevator and arrived in the living quarters upstairs. The place she remembered touring through what felt like yesterday. It was still in decent condition. The vault hadn't been discovered by the outside world, and everything was as it was left by the science staff. A trek up to the Overseer’s office revealed that not only was he dead, but killed by the scientists, who collectively agreed not to participate before their pregnancies reached full term. They left the vault together after over a decade, shutting it behind the. Only the robotic staff and the test subjects remained.

Now, Christina had a choice. One that had her stumped. From that terminal, she could override the pods, and release every woman in the lower levels. Let all those actresses wake up to the same horror Christina had. She couldn’t know what reactions would happen as a result, but she wouldn’t be alone, and the truth would prevail. However, she could also let them rest with their children still inside, and leave this place behind to start a new life. It was a tough choice…one that she hadn’t too much time to make, as one more question popped into her already overwhelmed mind.

When am I giving to give birth?..

[learnyouabiology]

Fun Fact: Starfish get around using a hydraulic system!

I want to start off by saying: you may have heard that starfish have sea water instead of blood! This is not true!

Before I explain, let me point out this little dot that every starfish has (and I SWEAR that this is relevant)

(It’s like they all have lil’ buttons on! 1, 2, 3)

This little spot is known as a madreporite, from Italian madre (”mother”) + Latin poro (”pore”). 

What is it? Well, to over-simplify:

The madreporite is basically a pressure valve for the insides of the starfish. It lets water in and out of its water vascular system as needed. In order to prevent debris and sea life and other non-desirables from getting inside the starfish, the madreporite filters the water that it takes in.

this is what the madreporite looks like up close:

(Name origin: apparently someone saw that and thought “huh, that kind of looks like madrepore coral, but tiny! They... weren’t wrong.)

Now, you may look at the name “water vascular system” and think “hey, I know ‘vascular’! That's related to blood!” This is a reasonable misunderstanding.

While in humans, the circulatory system is part of a vascular system (along with our lymphatic system) in the starfish’s water vascular system, seawater is NOT analogous to blood in a circulatory system. Or, well, it’s complicated, because it does do some things that are similar to a mammalian circulatory system, such as transporting certain types of immune cells, but still (source: Ferguson 1966)

Instead, these seawater-filled tubes are used for things such as the movement of starfish arms (and their little tube feet), which in turn allows them to move around their environment, find and consume food, and stick to surfaces. Mammals generally don’t use their circulatory systems in this way (if I am wrong about this, PLEASE let me know, as that would be absolutely WILD).

(diagram of a starfish’s water-vascular system, revealing the starfish’s final form: some sort of fidget toy, I think)

I admit that “starfish use seawater instead of blood” is a much more attention-grabbing headline, but it’s not true, and it’s also kind of sad, because the water-vascular system is really cool without the misinformation!

(before you ask, yes, this entire post was prompted by one (1) person saying something that was WRONG, and that person may or may not have been related to me 😤😭😭😭😭😭)

The water-vascular system is, essentially, a hydraulic system. By adding and expelling water, as well as opening and closing internal channels via muscle contractions, starfish can create positive and negative pressure within their bodies. This allows them to “flex” their tube feet in surprisingly complex ways, among other functions.

(these^ are a starfish’s “tube feet”. They are little structures with suckers on the ends. If you’ve ever held a starfish in your hands, you probably felt these feet holding onto you. They have a surprising amount of strength!)

You can imagine this sort of like how a whacky inflatable tube man uses air pressure to straighten up and fall down, except with hundreds in one connected, complex system (and also the pressure is more tightly controlled in order to prevent all that flailing, and also to allow fine control required for things like ripping open a mollusc shell).

(I always imagine this when looking at starfish tube feet. And now, maybe you will too! join me. 1, 2)

The confusion regarding starfish blood being seawater is understandable, but in the end it’s essentially a misunderstanding.

Plus, starfish have coelomic fluid, which is honestly more analogous to blood.

Coelomic fluid is, basically, the fluid that fills the starfish’s body cavity between all of its organs and such, facilitating nutrient transport, gas exchange, and overall being more blood-like than the water-vascular system in general (Andradre et al. 2021).

And ok, technically the liquid part of coelomic fluid comes from seawater, ultimately, but that would be like saying I, a human, use tap water for blood. And, ok, yes, there is water in my blood, and that water came from the tap, but no one would say that I have tap water instead of blood! Except my brother but he also says trigonometry doesn’t exist so we will be ignoring his opinion at this time.

(a more detailed diagram than the one before. The coelomic fluid is found in the coelomic cavity! Also, as a bonus, you now know where a starfish’s anus is! Enjoy this new knowledge next time you look at a starfish! source: x)

Starfish aren’t the only animals with a water vascular system and a madreporite. They can also be spotted in other echinoderms, such as sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers (although in the sea cucumber the madreporite is inside the animal, so you probably won’t see it in the wild).

That said, starfish have my favourite madraporites, because I think they look like little badges. They all win the award of being lil friends (and also keystone species that are essential to many marine ecosystems. So.)

This has been Fun Fact Friday, telling you all about wacky lil friends who have funny little feet and DO NOT HAVE SEAWATER INSTEAD OF BLOOD!

I will do battle with my sibling later, as is tradition

Sources under Read More:

Andrade, C., Oliveira, B., Guatelli, S., Martinez, P., Simões, B., Bispo, C., ... & Coelho, A. V. (2021). Characterization of coelomic fluid cell types in the starfish Marthasterias glacialis using a flow cytometry/imaging combined approach. Frontiers in Immunology, 807. 

Ferguson, J. C. (1966). Cell production in the Tiedemann bodies and haemal organs of the starfish, Asterias forbesi. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 200-209.

Mao, S., Dong, E., Zhang, S., Xu, M., & Yang, J. (2013, July). A new soft bionic starfish robot with multi-gaits. In 2013 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (pp. 1312-1317). IEEE.

[mamawasatesttube]

an excerpt of tim car fic wip :)

“My goddamn luck,” Tim mutters. He made such a point of being ready to change his tires on the side of the road, and then his stupid jack gave out on him. This is so stupid.

He rocks back on his heels and kicks at the gravel and pebbles in the dirt. It’s hot as hell, and he’s stuck on the side of the road. He can get back in the car, but that won’t help with the tire situation.

He looks back down at the offending jack, scrunching up his face with displeasure, and—

“Ohhh, come on!”

There’s grass stains on his cargo shorts now, just to add insult to injury. Tim throws up his hands and stalks a few meters away, blows out a breath, and sets his hands on his hips as he stares across the pasture. That one cow is staring at him again.

Ugh. So he’s got two options. He can call roadside assistance—which he really doesn’t want to do—or he can just…

Yeah, there’s only one real option.

Tim stalks back to the Redbird, opens the passenger side door, and clambers in. It’s getting hot in here already, though it’s still blessedly cooler than outside; he wipes his sweaty hands on his shorts and grabs his phone.

Kon picks up on the second ring. “Helloooo, sunshine! How’s Gotham’s most irresistable little freaknugget doing this fine afternoon?”

Mood already lifting, Tim wrinkles his nose. “What did you just—? Don’t say that again.”

Kon’s laughter rings out, a bright, clear peal even through the phone. “Whatever you say, babycakes. What’s up?”

Tim can just picture him lounging indolently back in midair, tossing one leg over another and resting his cheek in his palm. It’s amazing what just the sound of Kon’s voice does for Tim’s temper.

“I’m having an… issue,” Tim says. Clears his throat. It’s a little embarrassing. “That I could, uh. Use some assistance with.”

Kon’s voice is sharper, more alert. “An issue? What happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Tim hastily assures. “I just, uh. Well. I’ve run into a sort of… problem.”

“What do you mean, a problem?”

Tim’s face is hot. This is so stupid. “Um. A… scenario. Of the suboptimal variety.”

Kon exhales. “Rob, for the love of god. I’m gonna call you a freaknugget again if you don’t actually elaborate in the next ten seconds.”

Tim huffs. “Okay, don’t do that. Fine. I have, uh… I kind of have a flat tire.” This is mortifying. “And I know I said I expected that, with the experimental tires. But my dumb hydraulic jack has a leak. So I can’t fix it. So.”

A pause.

And then, to Tim’s indignation, Kon giggles.

“Oh my god, Tim, you had me worried for a second there!” Tim can hear his grin in his voice. “I’ll be there in just a sec, sweet cheeks. Sit tight and look pretty, okay?”

Tim rolls his eyes, but since it’s just a phone call, he doesn’t bother trying to mask his smile. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. …Thanks, Kon.”

“Anytime.” And then the line clicks off.

[artastic-friend]

Some things I love about DJ’s sound design and animations in Help Wanted 2:

Every time he makes a bigger movement that requires shifting of its weight you can HEAR IT- It creaks and you can hear hydraulics inside of him WHICH BTW IS SO COOL IN SO MANY WAYS BC (tangent): it makes sense as to why he needs hydraulics being so huge and heavy, but also because the way real spiders extend their legs is like a natural form of hydraulics!! They pump their hemolymph(basically bug blood) into their legs which then allow those legs to be filled with more pressure that causes them to extend! This is why a dead or near-death spider’s legs go into the curled position (the death curl) :(

The sTOMPS I always loved the stomps even in base sb but there is just something so cool about hearing them around you as he is so close!!! It all just adds to the feeling of his weight and size 😫

HIS GROWLING?? AND MORE ANIMAL-LIKE SOUNDS??? In the past we would hear a little bit of it when he was sleeping in SB, but now we hear more examples of it and just like- closer and more noticeably 😳 it’s almost like you can hear it breathing at times and it is so cool and uncanny in the best ways :D

Ok the SNAP?!? The way he snaps his fingers and the sound reverberates all around you?!? And the way the light ring of the outside of his tunnel turns on at the same time??? I don’t really think that DJ is actually producing the snap sound from the snap alone, as with the synthetic materials its gloves are made of probably can’t produce that crisp of a sound, BUT THAT JUST MEANS THAT HE MAKES THE SOUND HIMSELF WITH ITS SPEAKERS OR SOMETHING AND SO HE’S DOING IT 100% FOR STYLE POINTS AND I LOVE THAT FOR HIM

The sound of its teeth clanking together to the beat of the music, that’s just a neat feature I like very much

Ok movements now, THE WAY HE SWAYS HIS HIPS(?) TO THE MUSIC!?! especially when it is doing that little happy dance of his or pointing at the player when it’s their turn to play. I LOVE THAT LITTLE DANCE IT’S SO CUTE

Ok the way he leans in reaaal close before settling back? He’s probably just doing it as it shifts its balance to lean back, but like, I wanna believe he’s also sorta doing it on purpose a little 🤭

Speaking of which, the movements for him going from leaning towards you to shifting his weight back and getting into that badass cross-armed pose?!!? Love it 😭 I love it sm- once again, the recoil and the followthrough of his movements just emphasize its size and weight so well I am just obsessed

OH AND HIS LITTLE FINGER TAPS WITH HIS MIDDLE RIGHT ARM THAT’S ON THE FLOOR?!? It’s a smaller detail but I am so glad they included it because it’s just so neat!?! I don’t know how to explain why I like it but it is so neat and adds to his vibe so well

OK I JUST NOTICED THIS BUT WHEN IT IS DOING THAT LITTLE DANCE AND POINTING AT YOU WHEN YOU GOT EVERYTHING RIGHT: he like, Bops his head a little and with each head bop his headphones bounce a little as well!! Idk why that is just such a neat little detail to me!

Ok this one I probably should have mentioned sooner since it’s one of the first things it does but the way it climbs out of the tunnel and grabs the sides like that with his middle set of arms? 😫😫✨ Idk what to tell y’all but that is the most attractive shit I’ve seen!!! Y’all need to step up your game if you wanna be like him XD /j

His head tilts. Need I say more? They’re adorable.

THE JUMPSCARE??!?? Dude I know it’s probably meant to look like he’s coming in to bite/eat you or something??? But to me and my DJ-Simp corrupted brain it just looks like we’re boutta make out 😁😁😁

OK THAT’S ALL I GOT FOR RIGHT NOW, but I might possibly add to this later???? If I notice anything else that stands out to me.