#surface pattern for licence

[reasonsforhope]

"Clothing tags, travel cards, hotel room key cards, parcel labels … a whole host of components in supply chains of everything from cars to clothes. What do they have in common? RFID tags.  

Every RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag contains a microchip and a tiny metal strip of an antenna. A cool 18bn of these are made – and disposed of – each year. And with demands for product traceability increasing, ironically in part because of concerns for the social and environmental health of the supply chain, that’s set to soar. 

And guess where most of these tags end up? Yup, landfill – adding to the burgeoning volumes of e-waste polluting our soils, rivers and skies. It’s a sorry tale, but it’s one in which two young graduates of Imperial College London and Royal College of Art are putting a great big green twist. Under the name of PulpaTronics, Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro reckon they’ve hit on a beguilingly simple sounding solution: make the tags out of paper. No plastic, no chips, no metal strips. Just paper, pure and … simple … ? Well, not quite, as we shall see. 

The apparent simplicity is achieved by some pretty cutting-edge technical innovation, aimed at stripping away both the metal antennae and the chips. If you can get rid of those, as Biro explains, you solve the e-waste problem at a stroke. But getting rid of things isn’t the typical approach to technical solutions, he adds. “I read a paper in Nature that set out how humans have a bias for solving problems through addition – by adding something new, rather than removing complexity, even if that’s the best approach.”   

And adding stuff to a world already stuffed, as it were, can create more problems than it solves. “So that became one of the guiding principles of PulpaTronics”, he says: stripping things down “to the bare minimum, where they are still functional, but have as low an environmental impact as possible”.  

...how did they achieve this magical simplification? The answer lies in lasers: these turn the paper into a conductive material, Biro explains, printing a pattern on the surface that can be ‘read’ by a scanner, rather like a QR code. It sounds like frontier technology, but it works, and PulpaTronics have patents pending to protect it. 

The resulting tag comes in two forms: in one, there is still a microchip, so that it can be read by existing scanners of the sort common within retailers, for example. The more advanced version does away with the chip altogether. This will need a different kind of scanner, currently in development, which PulpaTronics envisages issuing licences for others to manufacture. 

Crucially, the cost of both versions is significantly cheaper than existing RFID kit – making this a highly viable proposition. Then there are the carbon savings: up to 70% for the chipless version – so a no-brainer from a sustainability viewpoint too. All the same, industry interest was slow to start with but when PulpaTronics won a coveted Dezeen magazine award in late 2023, it snowballed, says So. Big brands such as UPS, DHL, Marks & Spencer and Decathlon came calling. “We were just bombarded.” Brands were fascinated by the innovation, she says, but even more by the price point, “because, like any business, they knew that green products can’t come with a premium”."

-via Positive.News, April 29, 2024

--

Note: I know it's still in the very early stages, but this is such a relief to see in the context of the environmental and human rights catastrophes associated with lithium mining and mining for rare earth metals, and the way that EVs and other green infrastructure are massively increasing the demand for those materials.

I'll take a future with paper-based, more humane alternatives for sure! Fingers crossed this keeps developing and develops well (and quickly).

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The 170,000 sq km (42m acre) wild expanse harbours one of the world’s most biologically rich environments, with at least 380 species of fish, 580 types of birds and 2,272 different plants. It is one of the main refuges for jaguars and houses a host of vulnerable and endangered species, including giant river otters, giant armadillos and hyacinth macaws.

But plans are under way to revive plans for the Paraguay River, one of the Pantanal’s main arteries, to be turned into an industrial shipping route for crops such as soya beans and sugar.

Political proponents say the waterway would reduce costs and time for exporting agricultural commodities to North America, Europe and Asia but critics warn that its creation – which involves building new ports, possibly straightening bends and meanders, and large-scale dredging – would cause irreversible damage to the wetland and its wildlife.

“It seems a high price to pay: destroying the Pantanal, one of the world’s unique systems, to reduce the price of grain,” says Carolina Joana da Silva, a professor at Mato Grosso State University. “It is a war – a war which risks extinction.”

The threat of the development, known as the Hidrovia Paraguay-Paraná waterway, has haunted the Pantanal for decades. Early iterations – which involved dredging and straightening river curves on hundreds of sites – were shelved by the Brazilian government in 2000 due to environmental concerns.

But the push to develop waterways through the wetland has continued. Now experts believe a new strategy is being deployed, one that sees sections of the project approved piece by piece.

“The politicians and companies are forcing it through dismembered,” says Girard.

[In 2023], the Brazilian government announced that the Paraguay River, which drains the wetland for six months then floods it for the rest of the year, would be developed under its growth acceleration programme. Its website says the national project has “great potential to reduce transportation costs” and that “discussions are being held with society and local stakeholders”.

The government announced an investment of 81m reais [£11m] for dredging, clearing vegetation and adapting the navigable channel’s signage. Preliminary licences were issued for the construction of two port facilities at Porto Esperança and Cáceres, which opponents say is the first step towards transforming the largest natural section of the Paraguay River into an engineered waterway.

The Pantanal, often called the “kingdom of water”, is made up of more than 1,200 rivers and streams, and the vast biodiversity relies on the seasonal flood pattern. Scientists fear dredging and deepening will in effect create a “big drain”, disconnecting the Paraguay River from its floodplain and shrinking the wetland area.

Scientists warn this could destroy aquatic habitats, fish populations, bird nesting areas, and consequently affect other species all the way through the food chain.

Wetlands are also of global importance for the climate. Despite covering only 5-8% of the Earth’s land surface, they could store up to 30% of terrestrial carbon. The Pantanal is a critical carbon sink, but perpetual dredging – which would be required for barges to pass, due to the sandy sediment along the riverbed – would lead to the release of greenhouse gases, further contributing to global warming.

The risk of wildfires could also increase, but such concerns are not being heard, scientists say. “Brazil sees the Amazon as its international environmental playing card,” says Girard, while the Pantanal remains forgotten.

Near Tucum, 55-year-old Edna Luiz Dias grills a freshly caught pacu fish. Her wooden stilted house is surrounded by trees and native plants. “I don’t need much money – only the fish, the birds, the fruits, the nature,” she says.

“But this waterway could take that all away. I can already feel the river changing.”

With its deeply curved rivers and thick marshes, this section of the Pantanal, close to Cáceres, remains sparsely populated by humans, but Porto Esperança already sees the effects of large barges on the river.

An existing port is now used to transport iron. The mineral leaves a thin layer of red dust on the fishing village’s land and trees. There are eight Indigenous communities living in the Pantanal, of which at least the reservation of the Guató people would be directly affected by making the river navigable, scientists say.

In response to this article, the Brazilian ministry for ports and airports said the concerns raised about environmental damage were “opinions” without “scientific elements to support them”, and that a debate for each project would be held. The ministry of environment and climate change did not respond to requests for comment.

[lycasurvy]

Topographic Survey Requirements in Dubai and Survey Report for Property

The topographic survey method delivers complete mappings to show both terrain details and land height information. Effective land use planning and construction project compliance with local standards in Dubai depends on these vital studies since the urban region keeps experiencing rapid development. Topographic survey requirements in Dubai provide developers and architects with accurate data about roads and vegetation patterns as well as existing structures and terrain heights and man-made and natural features of the land.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

To ensure accuracy and adherence to zoning and building regulations, land surveys in Dubai are subject to clear legislative criteria. The township and other land organizations are among the government agencies that supervise surveying operations. According to the city's regulations, surveying companies cannot do surveys without a licence and authorization.

Topographic surveys may proceed only after the authorities in charge have granted their active consent. Surveyors must use the latest technology, such as GPS, as well as total stations and drones, to achieve the highest possible accuracy. Furthermore, all gathered data needs to be turned in using a format that complies with regional laws. Project delays, penalties, or the rejection of survey results may arise from noncompliance with these rules.

Purpose and Importance of Topographic Surveys

Topographic surveys serve multiple functions during both city development phases and property construction initiatives. A topographic survey helps with assessing risks while designing drainage systems as well as detecting land limitations along with maximizing land potential for use. The assessments play a critical role in Dubai due to the requirement of designing structures that combine modern infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

As one of the main objectives of a topographic survey, the production of detailed and exact representations of land surfaces remains essential. Engineers building roads and utility networks and making constructions need this information to perform their work. The surveys resolve property boundary disputes and resolve land encroachment matters between different property owners.

Essential Components of a Topographic Survey

All surveying work requires elevation and contour information as the starting point. The natural slope understanding becomes vital because engineers and planners need these specifics for road planning and drainage system design while evaluating project viability. Contour mapping with exact precision leads to effective infrastructure development in Dubai because different parts of the city experience varying heights.

Topographic surveys document every existing built structure found on the land, including walls together with roads and houses. Topographic surveys show the positions of underground utilities together with surface utilities like electrical wires and telephone cables and include sewerage systems and water distribution networks. Before construction begins, builders need to know the precise position of all utilities because identifying their locations prevents disruptions to their work.

A topographic survey documents natural features, including rocky terrain, forests, and sources of water. In Dubai, where environmentally friendly initiatives and preservation efforts are incorporated into urban development, environmental factors are especially significant. Recognizing these characteristics aids in the design of ecologically responsible and legally compliant projects.

Process of Conducting a Topographic Survey

The authorities must provide the required authorization before a survey may begin. To ascertain the survey's scope and pinpoint important points of interest, surveyors must do an initial site evaluation. Examining past survey data and land records is another aspect of this step.

During data collection, advanced surveying technology utilizes GPS receivers together with total stations as well as laser scanners. As drones capture increasingly high-definition aerial footage, the process of mapped detail is enhanced to better degrees. Elevation levels, specifics of the landscape, and the positions of physical landmarks are among the information gathered.

Specialized software is used to process field data once it has been gathered. Data alignment, filtering, and accuracy verification are all part of this process. After that, surveyors produce three-dimensional depictions of the area, computerized terrain models, and contour maps. These products assist planners and engineers in creating layouts and constructions that complement the natural elements of the terrain.

Following data processing, surveyors create an extensive report that contains maps, elevation information, and land use suggestions. Engineers, architects, and developers utilize this report as an official document to move on with construction plans. Reports submitted for evaluation in Dubai must adhere to the rules set out by the municipality and be in an authorized format.

Applications of Topographic Surveys in Property Development

Extended infrastructure initiatives, together with city design, require topographic surveys for successful implementations. Topographic surveys enable designers to create public works infrastructure and drainage systems as well as road networks. The fast expansion of Dubai requires exact detailed mapping to ensure seamless integration between new structures and existing frameworks.

Topographic maps help developers determine if a property section can serve as both residential and commercial building locations. These studies are used by builders to guarantee accurate foundation planning and site grading. Due to Dubai's stringent zoning regulations, topographic surveys are an essential component of project design.

Topographic maps are used in construction to assist developers in determining if a piece of land is suitable for homes or businesses. These studies are used by builders to guarantee accurate foundation planning and site grading. Due to Dubai's stringent zoning regulations, topographic surveys are an essential component of project design.

Heavy irregular rains in Dubai yield flash floods as an environmental challenge. The positioning of water accumulation-prone low areas becomes visible through topographic survey techniques. Engineering personnel require this information to create drainage systems and flood control measures that operate competently.

Urban development, together with real estate projects in Dubai, strongly relies upon topographic surveys as essential foundations. Engineering studies are essential because they provide detailed information about land elevations as well as present structures and environmental conditions, thus ensuring project effectiveness according to legal requirements. Quick and exact topographic survey work plays a fundamental role in developing sustainable infrastructure because Dubai experiences rapid population expansion.

The combination of professional adherence to regulation and modern survey methods helps professionals generate trustworthy topographical survey reports, benefitting engineers, developers, and architects. Topographical survey report for property serves as an essential tool to form Dubai's evolving environment, which serves purposes for environmental assessment alongside urban planning and real estate development.

[outlinedrainageaus]

Civil Drainage Contractors- Managing Stormwater Effectively and Adhering to Regulations

Civil drainage contractors are essential to preserving the durability and functionality of buildings in the complex field of civil engineering. The unsung heroes who plan, build, and maintain these vital systems—civil drainage contractors—make sure that both urban and rural areas are resilient to problems relating to water. In order to protect infrastructure and public safety, these professionals are essential for tasks like managing stormwater and preventing flooding.

Civil Drainage Contractors Do And Their Principal Duties

The creation and administration of water removal and flow control systems is the area of expertise for drainage contractors. Their employment involves a variety of duties, such as drainage system design, construction, upkeep, and repair. To avoid erosion, flooding, and damage to infrastructure and property, these systems are essential for controlling rainwater, groundwater, and surface water.

Site Evaluation: To determine the site's drainage requirements, contractors must conduct an assessment. Analysing soil types, geography, and current water flow patterns are all part of this process.

System Architecture: Contractors create drainage systems that are specifically suited to the project's needs based on the assessment. Surface drains, subterranean pipelines, retention basins, and other systems may be examples of this.

Regulatory Conformity: It's critical to make sure that designs adhere to regional laws and specifications. Zoning laws, environmental restrictions, and other legal requirements must be followed by contractors.

Experience with Licencing and Credentials

Seek out professionals who have a track record of creating and setting up drainage systems that meet the specifications of your project. Verify that the contractor has the licences and certificates required to adhere to industry standards and local laws. Look for references and read past customers' testimonials to determine the contractor's dependability and calibre of work.

Their proficiency in the planning, implementation, and upkeep of drainage systems is essential for mitigating the risk of floods, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and improving public safety.

The work of civil drainage engineers becomes even more important as metropolitan areas continue to grow and weather conditions become more unpredictable. We may better appreciate the crucial role they play in creating and preserving resilient, functional settings by being aware of their roles and effects.

Source

[zara-rosez]

Trendy liquid Digital Paper Marble wave alcohol ink background Turquoise, pink, purple, black, and gold colours. digital paper, luxury wallpaper, cloth, and fabric printing. Abstract dark blue background with foil. Artificial stone texture, fake agate, trendy marble wallpaper. abstract marble background with golden Glitter, Japanese kintsugi technique, fake painted artificial stone texture, marble surface, and digital marbling. Groovy Glittering wave pattern,

This is perfect for scrapbooking, web design, card making, invitations, wedding or baby shower props, crafts projects, graphic design, cards, mugs, wrapping paper, iPhone covers, fashionable products, social media banners and much more!

This digital paper pack contains 6 images in “PNG” format. 👉 ( 3600×3600 Pixels )

All files are compressed into one ZIP File. You need to extract them or Direct Double Click and Extract them.

[caulfieldpaintings]

Transform Your Home with Expert Commercial and Residential Painting in Chadstone

Painting your home might benefit you far more than just changing the colour of the walls. The core of residential painting in Chadstone is personal expression, and home painters are the artists that bring their clients' visions to life. Paint not only enhances look but also protects the interior structure of the house by providing a layer of protection against weather-related damage. Professionals are skilled at handling both interior and exterior renovations, making your home an outstanding gem on the inside as well as the outside. 

Commercial painting in Ormond is also offered by the leading companies offering painting services. Because they can paint offices just as well, professional painters are also adept at commercial painting. Professionals with access to cutting-edge tools can fix paintwork that has cracked and peeled as well.

Since one must maintain the interior of the property in a beautiful manner, interior painting is just as important as exterior house painting. Painting town houses, apartments, and single-family homes are among the many buildings that interior painters may paint. Painting tasks interior involve painting a range of spaces, such as hallways, bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, and more. Experienced and highly trained painters have a solid understanding of colours, allowing them to help customers choose the perfect colour scheme for their interior.

What Services Do Painters Offer in Addition to Interior Painting?

Exterior Painting: Just as they can paint the interiors of a home, house painters can paint the exteriors of any type of residential building. Painters are adept in painting a wide range of exterior surfaces, including gutters, fences, roofs, patios, decks, and railings. Whether the objective is to maintain the existing paintwork or refresh the home's look with a new colour scheme, professional painters can handle any painting assignment.

Commercial Painting: In today's environment, it is essential that an office or commercial space seems stylish and professional in colour to provide a positive impression on clients. Painters can paint commercial buildings including offices, cafés, restaurants, hotels, motels, gyms, schools, universities, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. They can also paint retail stores, shopping malls, factories, and warehouses.

Painters are aware of how critical it is to use colour and pattern to perfection in order to make a lasting impact on viewers. For peace of mind and to ensure high-quality work, it is imperative to use the services of licenced and professional painters when painting a building. Contact a qualified building painter to get the building painted for the best effects.    

Source

[design-emporium]

Summer Ice cream seamless pattern white non exclusive ice lolly fabric tile watercolour sunny design digital surface pattern digital paper baby children’s and kids clothing and apparel

What you will receive: A digital download of a hand painted seamless pattern design ready for printing onto fabric. This design is 160x160mm, 300 DPI JPEG in RGB mode Terms and Conditions: Upon purchase you will own a licence which allows you to print the design on fabric to sell or to make/sell clothing of up to 100 items/units. If you would like to print on other materials or intend to exceed…

[glassandbones]

Jumping Jacks (2019) - Posca and coloured pencil on paper

Alice Alva

www.alicealva.com

[meccaalim]

[lynnbecks-mainblog]

Ok so this is something I'm planning on talking about in a video I'm going to start making very soon, but:

Saints Row 2 is so much more detailed than The Third and IV.

Like, at one point I left the game idle for a few seconds and my character, completely unprompted, walked to the end of a pier I was standing next to and started fishing. The Boss can hum along with the music on the radio. The car-customisation interface shows the inside of the garage (which can cause problems with large vehicles getting shredded when rotating them too fast and the fork on the O-Ring fast-food car snapping off due to it getting wedged in the ceiling). There are two tourist spots with gift-shops that sell unique stuff. You can call 911 and an ambulance comes to the spot you were standing when you called. There is a functional train that can be derailed with explosives. If you're standing on a glass surface and perform a melee attack, The Boss stomps and the glass shatters. Grenades work like standard weapons, meaning that the mini-radial menu is instead used for single-use consumable healing-items, which you can refill by going to bars, off-licences and fast-food restaurants. You can change how your clothing is patterned and what angle you wear certain hats using a TF2-esque "style" system. One of the DJs dies and their station is replaced by a different one that plays the same stuff.

[chrwrites]

SOFTober day 31: Stars

read on ao3

Marinette couldn’t stop smiling as she felt the soft breeze coming from the sunroof caress her skin, some stray hair danced on her forehead but it didn’t bother her. Actually, nothing could bother her.

She had graduated from lycée with flying colours, got her driver’s licence and now she was driving out of the city and was going to enjoy the freedom and relief only being done with something stressful could give you, she felt free and full of energy, finally ready to live a new exciting chapter of her life.

And to top it all, she was going to spend the weekend alone with her boyfriend – gosh, saying that still sent thrills down her spine. Luka Couffaine was her boyfriend –. She glimpsed at him for a fraction before she focused her eyes back on the road and blushed at the soft look he was giving her.

Being a new driver and getting as nervous as she did even when it came to something so simple as walking meant that she was extra careful on the road, but also that she was stiff and scared of making mistakes while driving, and Luka’s soothing voice did wonders at calming her down, “Easy, love, you’ve got this”, he’d say when they encountered a narrow alley and she’d be scared to park the car there or get anxious because someone might arrive and honk at her.

It was only when they exited the city that she felt better and relaxed a little bit, Luka would keep the talk light, putting some songs on the radio and making sure not to distract her.

He had been waiting for this moment since Marinette turned up next to the Liberty in a white car and proudly showed him her shiny pink driver’s licence, asking him to join her on a small road trip for the weekend. They wouldn't go too far from the city, and the few hours they needed to get to the countryside were spent singing along to the songs Luka put on the radio and Marinette making sure she didn’t go above the speed limit. 

When they reached the small camping area they would be staying at, Marinette looked around in awe. The sunlight was shining through the tall trees and gleamed on the surface of the lake in front of them, flowers of all kinds and colours surrounded them, and everything was so serene and calm that Marinette felt her heart lighter the more she looked around, finally feeling the weight on her shoulders get less heavy. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to inhale the fresh air while Luka set up their tent, insisting he didn’t need any help. 

Marinette laid a blanket on the ground, picked some daisies and started weaving them in a crown while she waited for him. She was pulling the ends of the garland together when Luka sat next to her, “What’s that?”, he asked, and as an answer Marinette pulled him in a light kiss and placed the crown on top of his head.

She could feel his smile on her lips before he pulled away, “Does it look good?”.

Marinette’s eyes fluttered open at his question, the flower crown was titled on one side, and the sweet smile on his face made Marinette's heart skip a beat. The bright blue of his hair made a nice contrast with the white flowers, and all Marinette could do was raise her hand to cup his cheek and lean closer to press her lips to his. It was overwhelming, thinking about the way the tall lanky brother of her friend made her feel, how things changed since they first met and everything that led to this exact moment, but Marinette couldn’t wish for anything better, even if Luka wasn't who she thought she needed in the past.

He made things easy, and that was what she needed.

Something easy, someone who listened to her silence, who was patient and gentle. Luka was that and more, and Marinette loved every part of him. 

She kissed him again, deeper this time, so she could let her actions speak for her, so he could understand how much he meant to her. The soft hum he let out when he kissed her back was an answer for her, he understood, and Marinette's heart beat louder in her ears as his hand tickled the hair at the nape of her neck.

They were both breathless when they parted, “I’ll take that as a yes”, Luka’s words came out in a soft sigh, his thumb gracing her cheek as their forehead pressed together. He looked down, picking a small daisy from the ground and putting it behind her ear, and pressed a small kiss on her lips before he pulled away and looked at her.

He was sporting the goofiest, dumbest smile as Marinette tilted her head, “What?”, she asked.

Luka let out a breathless laugh, “Nothing, nothing… I just- you're so beautiful”, he said, cupping her face with both his hands and squeezing her cheeks lightly, “and amazing. I really don't know what made you choose me but I'm so happy that you did. You make me so happy, and- ah, I’m so stupid in love with you, Marinette”.

He could feel her cheeks heat up under his touch, and he let her go only to grab her by her hips and make her sit on his lap. Marinette's face was the prettiest shade of pink, "You, you-", she mumbled as she hid her face on his shoulder and slapped her hand on his chest lightly. She could feel his chuckle rumble through his chest, how he could be so open with his feelings for her was still a mystery to her, but she loved how he never failed to warm her heart and make her feel special.

Back when she was at the beggining of lycée, Marinette thought she would never find someone who loved her the way Luka did, and now here she was, with his arms wrapped around her and his hands tracing small patterns on her sides, finally feeling that someone genuinely cared for her without asking for something in return.

“The same goes for me, you know...”, Marinette whispered after a moment, and Luka hummed softly, “You make me happy, even if you’re a dork sometimes”.

“But you love me”, he countered, she could see him smiling without even looking at him.

“That’s true”, she confirmed, and raised her head to place a kiss on his jaw, “I really, really love you”. 

Marinette’s fingers played with Luka’s hair as they got lost in each other’s eyes and admired the warm sunlight flicker through them, making them shine in different shades of blue.

They spent the afternoon wrapped around each other, sharing slow, tender kisses and basking in the sun in blissful oblivion, pointing at the sky and guessing the shapes of the clouds. 

It wasn't until the sun hung low in the sky that Luka reluctantly got up to light up a fire before it became too dark and cold, and Marinette took out their food from the cooler she had brought. Luka grinned at her, reaching for his backpack and pulling out a bottle of wine and a box. She tilted her head in confusion as she watched him set the bottle down and open the box, pulling out some electric candles and putting them around the blanket. Marinette's eyes twinkled with happiness as she looked at their surroundings in awe, "It's so beautiful, Luka!". 

"Are you planning to serenade me, too?", Marinette said, glancing at the guitar case he set next to them.

"Maybe later", Luka bit down a sheepish smile as he sat next to her and opened the bottle, pouring the mellow liquor in a glass before handing it to her and raising his glass for a toast. They both drank from their glasses and later started eating the delicacies Marinette had brought. Sometimes, she fed him from her fingers, and he did the same until they were both comfortably full and the bottle of wine was half empty. After they put away their plates and settled on the clean blanket, Luka reached for his guitar and started to tune it, "When did you become so romantic?” Marinette teased, “Lighting candles, bringing wine, and now you're playing for me…”.

Luka let out a small chuckle as he tested the sound coming from his instrument, “Did you forget how I confessed to you, Ma-Ma-Marinette?”.

It had been so long since then, since their first meeting and since the first date that followed much time later, after Marinette had sorted out her feelings and decided to allow herself to move on and found love in blue eyes and gentle melodies. 

She smiled fondly at him, her cheeks turning pink at his comment, and Luka just took some time to admire her and take her in fully, from the way her lilac sundress exposed her pale collarbones to the way her midnight hair framed her face. 

"I would never forget that", Marinette said, and leaned in to press a small kiss on his cheek.

“Good”, he grinned, and finally started to play a slow tune.

“Called you for the first time yesterday, I finally found the missing part of me”, he sang slowly as he looked at her, the soft smile on her face made her shine brighter than the stars that were starting to appear in the sky.

“I can't get your smile out of my mind, I think about your eyes all the time. You're beautiful but you don't even try”, he went on singing, Marinette could feel her cheeks grow warmer and warmer, but she decided she'd blame it on the fire cracking in front of them.

He moved his head to the rhythm as he sang, grinning when he stopped the music abruptly. He winked at her before his fingers started moving effortlessly on the fretboard to form a quicker melody, “Now I'm hopeless, head over heels in the moment, I never thought that I'd get hit by this lovebug again!”, he concluded with a final strum, lowering his head in a little bow.

Marinette was giggling as she clapped her hands, and the wide smile didn't leave her face as she leaned in to kiss him. He let out a small sigh before he shifted to settle his head on her lap, his fingers slowly moving on the fretboard to test a comfortable position to play. “I'm not done yet”, he said, and he started playing another delicate combination of notes as Marinette's fingers brushed his hair.

He started singing a moment later, his rough voice dripping with sweetness as he sang, “I want to write you a song, one that's beautiful as you are sweet, with just a hint of pain for the feeling that I get when you are gone...”. Marinette closed her eyes to fully absorb the music that made her heart feel full and she got lost in that sweet world he was creating just for her, feeling like she didn't need anything else while he was by her side.

When a chill gust of wind made Marinette shiver, Luka got up and offered her his spare hoodie, which she took gladly. 

They laid down, watching the sky littered with bright stars as they both held each other close. Marinette nuzzled next to him when he wrapped his arms around her, quietly inhaling his scent and closing her eyes. Her hands intertwined with his as she turned her face to him, the fire had slowly gone out, and the only thing illuminating his features was the faint light coming from the moon hanging high in the sky and the tiny stars shining over them. She looked up only to find herself in awe at the world around them. Looking at the stars from there was different than seeing them in Paris, they weren't dimmed down by the city lights and the pollution. The sky was clear, allowing them to see a big portion of its stars as Marinette raised her hand to try to reach them.

Luka couldn’t help but look at her in wonder, smiling to himself as her lips curved into the most happy smile.

“It’s so beautiful”, she whispered quietly, afraid to ruin the atmosphere if she spoke too loud.

She heard Luka hum in approval, too dazed to even answer. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but the only thing he could do now was point at the constellations that were shining over them. Marinette squinted her eyes to follow his finger. He gave her directions again, and she lit up when she could finally see the constellation he was talking about.

“If you go up from there and then to the left, you can see Ursa Major”, he said, and watched Marinette cheer when she finally found it.

The moonlight  was illuminating her beautiful features, it made her skin glow a soft white light and he couldn’t help but wish to never stop looking at her, warmth spread through his body, and when she turned to give him a slow kiss he was sure that he wouldn’t trade this moment for anything.

He would fight for it, to keep it stored into the softest parts of his mind, to keep it pure and true like their love was, and he was sure he didn’t need any blanket to keep him warm as long as Marinette was by his side.

She rested her head on his shoulders, letting out a content sigh as his fingers traced lazy patterns on her arm while they looked back at the sky. Luka started humming the melody of her heart in the quiet of the night, and just then a sudden flash of light crossed the sky, illuminating the trees surrounding them.

Marinette gasped, “Shooting star! Make a wish!”.

Luka chuckled, pressing a soft kiss on her temple, “I couldn’t wish for anything more, Marinette”.

[psychopersonified]

Quartermaster Origin - Series 2 (Ep 3 finale)

An imaginary Q-centric Netflix series

Series 2 Episode 1 & 2 here. Might want to read the first 2 episode first for everything to make more sense.

Series 1 Pilot here. 

In this second series, we see Q’s double life and how he juggles them. One as a civilian and the other in service with MI6 -  his growth his setbacks; the dramas that follow and which of the two will have to give way. 

To make Q’s backstory come to life and the events that happen to and around him seem more realistic, I’ve tried to include as much relevant details including the bureaucracy, politics and technology in MI6 (with a lot of artistic licence). The details all play a role in growing plot and telling of the narrative, I promise. 

This is meant to be a plot summary, not a full blown fic. Feel free to furnish with your own details. 

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Episode 3

Clock is ticking! ⏳

Q enlists his unofficial minions - interrupting cyberwar night. Together they form a plan to gather evidence. They confirm the findings when they retest some of the components in storage that were marked as released and find that an unusually high percentage do not meet specification. They trace the manufacturers but they have nothing in common on the surface other than being long time component suppliers to MI6. Q wants to dig further by hacking the company databases but is stopped by R who warns him that he doesn’t have M’s approval. The board only approved an internal investigation, hacking a private company without authorisation would put his career at further risk than it already is. 

By morning of the third day the team have what they need regarding the inventory system hack and the extent of it. Evidence suggests someone familiar with their procedures and systems. The hack itself not incredibly sophisticated by anyone’s standards - it didn’t need to be, the low level system was virtually unprotected. It’s effectiveness lay in how and where it was used tactically, break the weakest link and the whole system is undermined. 

They manage to determine the extent of the breach. About FOUR months. The good news is that it means limited recall of field equipment. Bad news is, the hacker has had four months of skipping around in their system unchallenged. It’s like having an intruder come and go from your house rummaging through your drawers and cupboards for months without you knowing. God knows what they might have left behind - it makes Q feel nauseous and violated. However an idea begins to form in his head....

Timeline check: Note the timeline is now somewhere at the end of Casino Royale, 007 has just infamously resigned with a one sentence email to M.

Q presents all their findings to M and the board. M sends teams to the manufacturers under the guise of a routine audit so as to not tip them off. In one of them, they find a shipment of components intended for MI6. Documents indicate that they passed inspection, but when they are tested, it’s found that they are mostly duds. The CEO denies any wrong doing and cooperates with the investigation, handing over data and recordings. Q runs the employee list through MI6 database and facial recognition, the results come back that the COO has been seen in the company of a certain Mr White (Quantum). With M’s permission, he traces the COO’s financial activities and hacks his secure accounts. He’s been receiving large sums over the course of a few months coinciding with the shipments to MI6. 

That’s one piece of the puzzle slotting into place; M now has more evidence on Mr White than a phone number Vesper left for 007 - and that allows her to sanction 007 to retrieve him for questioning. 

Meanwhile, Q acts on the idea he had and plans a trap for the hacker. The Q-Minions scramble to move all remaining systems regardless of security level behind secure firewalls; the process isn’t neat or clean and it breaks more than a few WIFI enabled printers and IOT devices, including the fancy video conferencing setup M has in her home; but its a small price to pay to remove easy entry points. Hayden can chew him out for causing the Great Print-pocalyspe later. Now for the trap - a mirror system is left in place, fed with filtered data from the master system now behind the firewall, this is so that it appears that they are still in use. Then they wait…..

Meantime, it’s been over a week since Q had last seen Adam. A quiet moment lets Q slip away to deal with his civilian life that he’s put on hold. He calls Adam who is relieved that Q is OK. Adam is in tears when he tells Q that he realises that he doesn’t even know where Q’s flat is and has gone to the extent of calling hospitals in the city to check if something has happened to him - he was close to reporting Q as a missing person to the Met. Q assures Adam the best he can and they agree to talk in a few days when whatever emergency he’s dealing with is over. 

They end the call with Q feeling like a right piece of work. He hadn’t meant to make Adam worry so much, he had meant to check in earlier, text even. So why hadn’t he? Q has a uncomfortable realisation - as wonderfully stable and predictable as Adam is, he lacks the excitement and intellectual stimulation that MI6 provides. His life in MI6 draws him like a moth to a flame, even if it might burn him one day. 

Geeky action time! after the break below. 

At Q-Branch, the shipment arrives and is put through the normal procedures of logging in new inventory and testing. Not 24 hours later the hacker strikes. This time Q and his minions are ready. As the hacker’s code rips through the mirror system, it changes data and pings its trojans within the system for updates. Q’s team record all the activity but leave the hacker unchallenged. 

Instead they chase hacker on two fronts even as the signal is bounced all over the world - the source of the hack as well as the destination of the data packets its downloaded from the mirror system to see if they overlap, hoping to find a point of origin. Both trails end up somewhere between IndoChina-Hong Kong. The source of the hack is harder to pinpoint but the data packets are ending up somewhere in Laos. It’s a poorly secured telecommunications server belonging to Lao Telecom. It’s likely the owners don’t even know they are being used as a data cache to be retrieved later by the hacker. 

Time to pull the plug. But before that Q acts on a hunch, he takes over the system locking everyone else out and executes a data grab first - pulling data off the server in Laos and dumping it into a proxy of his own in Philippines. That’s when he realises that it’s not a passive hack using automated code. There is someone on the other end actively watching... 

Now alerted to Q’s presence, the hacker fights back. Simultaneously trying to regain control of the server and chasing Q’s data grab. After several failed attempts by the hacker to regain control and protect the data - whoever they were decides to cut their losses. The hacker sends a DDOS attack to the server, overwhelming it and taking with it telecom service in the surrounding region - Q looses connection. Not the most elegant counter by the hacker, but effective. No matter, Q had already managed to grab a sizeable chunk which he’ll examine later. The other trail also ends abruptly.

Q isn’t innocent either, he’s had to initiate lockout protocols to protect the data he’s dumped in the Philippines, so even the owners of the server in the Department of Transportation can’t get in temporarily. If the traffic lights in Pasig city goes on the blink for half a day and causes mayhem…. well Q better hide their tracks.

It’s OVER. There is dead silence in Q-Branch, jarring after close to an hour of frantic activity. It’s as if no one dares to breathe. Q wills himself to calm, his fingers coming up to cover his eyes under his glasses, he finally lets out a long breath he had not realised he was holding. With that, it’s as if a tightly wound string had been cut. His minions take their cue and break into their own sighs and groans of relief. A minion (future R) is retching into the nearest bin, that was how much anxiety and stress was in the room. 

All the adrenaline and tension of the last few weeks bleeds out of him and Q feels like he can’t hold himself upright any longer. He braces himself on his work station and slowly slips onto the floor back against the workstation desk. The reality of the situation hits him then - today, halfway around the world, two servers in two unsuspecting nations just became the latest cyberwar battleground and victims of collateral mayhem. Q is treading on eggshells - an attack like this even if indirect could be construed as an act of war on sovereign nations if they ever found out (yes, Q kinda, technically, maybe caused England to declare war on two nations today).

He doesn’t know it yet, but this was their first of a series of live encounters with Raoul Silva. Q hadn’t planned on Silva being on the other end, so the timing of their counter offensive is a huge clue to Silva as to who they were. 

*A throat clearing* M and Tanner make themselves known. They were alerted when the hack started but M chose to stand back and let Q and his team handle it while she watched. Q stiffly picks himself off the floor to face M and Tanner. His minions are also rousing from their various states of collapse - future R is still clutching the bin. 

Q confirms they got what they needed. Q and his minions can now use the records of the hacker’s activity in the mirror system and compare it with the unaltered data in the master system and locate the areas that were tampered with as well as where the trojans were located. Like comparing two photographs to see what was changed. This will help them weed out the trojans and patch the system quickly, while also allowing them to study the hackers patterns and choice of tools - both as a ‘fingerprint’ identification as well as adapting MI6’s own cybersecurity response.

As for the data Q stole from the server in Laos, by the time the dust settles in Quantum of Solace, they will find that it was not just MI6s’ inventory system that was targeted. Mr White working for Quantum had been paying off employees in a number of defence companies to ship dud components and equipment to law enforcement and military around the world, while Silva uses the same hack to launder the records of faulty equipment. Once the reputation and faith in these companies have been shaken, Quantum would sweep in with their own and monopolise the industry; controlling the supply of a multi-billion dollar market and aligning it to their own agenda. 

Weeks later, 007 has removed Dominic Greene and exposed his plans in Bolivia, but its Q’s investigation and stolen data that allows MI6 to get ahead of Quantum’s plan globally. Unknown to him, Q has already thwarted SPECTRE twice before he’s even in full-time service of MI6 (once in the pilot and now). We can imagine the interest that generates within the organisation to find out who is behind it. 

(This is also my take on the personalised “Not such a clever boy” message in Skyfall. Silva knew who Q was long before 007 brought him in. And if Silva knew who Q was, so will SPECTRE. Delicious future setup! *rubs hands*)

Q meets Adam for their ‘talk’ in a local animal shelter Adam is volunteering at. Adam is much calmer, resigned even. As they feed and play with the animals, he tells Q that he’s given a lot of thought to their relationship and realises that he barely knows Q. Q has never invited him over to his place, or introduced him to his family or friends, doesn’t know what he does outside of university other than the excuses he gives. Who is he?? Q listens without saying anything. 

Q leans against against a wall of cages and watches Adam thoughtfully as he goes about his work around the shelter. Adam who is kind, thoughtful, who likes long walks and conversations, who picks up strays and nurses them back to health. Adam with his strong nurturing instinct and perfect abs, who gives everything to help those in need. Q commits possible acts of war on behalf of a nation, heedless to the damage it causes. The end justify the means and all that... a life that demands secrecy and subterfuge. Adam could never understand that. It is no one’s fault. They don’t deserve one another. They break-up amicably. 

Q helps Adam finish his shift at the shelter. As he tries to put the big adult orange tabby he’s been petting all afternoon back in its cage, the moggie refuses to let go. It meows grumpily and clings to his jumper like velcro. He’s a heavy one, rounded head with impressive jowls, ears notched in a few places and some superficial facial scarring. A street brawler before he was brought in for sure, but now a needy cuddle monster shredding Q’s jumper. Perhaps he’s feeling a little melancholy and a bit lonely now that the breakup is formal, he finds the low pitched yowling  heartbreaking. 

He finally gets the cat to let go by sacrificing his jumper, leaving the clothing inside the cage for it to snuggle in. Q goes to leave, the cat’s continued piteous calls tugs at his heartstrings. He makes it as far as the door before turning back and grabbing the cat’s papers hanging by the cage. Guess he’s not going home alone after all. 

The last scene of the finale is M in her office. She’s reviewing all the gathered intel and drawing connections. She recognises that she’s being herded into a corner. Unknown entity (Silva) trying to pull the rug out from under her by undermining MI6 through Q-Branch, while Quantum attacks directly from the inside with an assassination attempt by her bodyguard. This is only the start. 

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Notes: I like the idea that Q is more than just a future quartermaster doling out equipment and supplies. He’s also an ‘agent’ in his own right - it makes the conversation when he meets 007 in Skyfall hold more weight. It’s not just hubris, he’s proven himself.

Next on Q... let me know what you’d like to see. 

[bonesfakiescom-blog]

Do You Know How to Spot a Fake ID?

Acceptable Forms of ID

When you ask a patron for identity there are handiest 3 suitable proofs of age which you have to accept:

A legitimate passport.

A image riding licence.

A Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card.

Each shape of ID should incorporate a photo of the character, their date of delivery, and an legitimate hologram.

It’s important which you test this stuff very cautiously to make certain that the image is of the proper character and to ensure that it’s actual, now no longer faux. It’s greater common than you suspect for younger human beings to borrow an ID card from an older pal or sibling to try to purchase alcohol.

Unacceptable Forms of ID

Aside from passports, riding licences and PASS playing cards as said above, all different sorts of ID have to now no longer be customary as evidence of age. This consists of gadgets together with:

Student playing cards.

Birth certificates.

Library playing cards.

Bus/teach passes.

Credit/debit playing cards.

If a patron attempts to provide you any of those as their evidence of age then you definitely have to now no longer approve the sale till a legitimate shape of ID is presented. You may also desire to give an explanation for the regulation to the patron, plus the fines you could face in case you promote alcohol with out legitimate evidence of age.

Types of Fake ID

Government steerage explains that there are 5 sorts of fake documents:

A real record that is being utilized by a person else, e.g. a infant the usage of their older sibling’s passport.

A real record which has been altered, e.g. a riding licence with the date of delivery scratched off.

A real record which has been fraudulently obtained, e.g. a actual passport that has been stolen and utilized by any person else.

A faux record that is a replica of a real record, e.g. a person replicating a character’s present driving force’s licence.

A faux record that is a shape of ID that doesn't exist, e.g. a provisional bike licence.

The maximum not unusual faux ID consists of those who appear to be riding licences, together with country wide identity playing cards, European or worldwide riding lets in and provisional bike licences.

How to Spot a Fake ID Card

You may also perceive a faux PASS Card with the aid of using the subsequent functions:

A hologram this is caught on pinnacle of the plastic, in place of being clean.

An synthetic searching hologram in appearance.

A photo this is caught on pinnacle of the plastic.

A photo that doesn’t healthy the character offering the ID.

An wrong date of delivery.

Details which have been altered or tampered with.

A non-clean surface.

Authentic UK PASS Cards Must Have:

A 3-D hologram with the characteristic ‘A’ withinside the lettering.

A photo that suits the character.

A legitimate date of delivery – you may calculate the character’s age from their DOB or search for the ‘18+’ image at the card.

A flat, clean surface.

How to Spot a Fake Driving Licence

You may also perceive a faux riding licence with the aid of using the subsequent functions:

An wrong flag picturegraph.

The incorrect phrases throughout the pinnacle, e.g. ‘National Identification’ or ‘International Driving Permit’.

Different languages.

A simple or simple-patterned history.

A photo withinside the incorrect location.

No signature/an wrong signature.

Fake holograms.

Information withinside the incorrect places.

AUSTRALIAN FAKE DRIVER LICENCE are designed to be tough to forge and own many functions which are difficult to copy.

Authentic UK Driving Licences Must Have:

A first name, surname, date and location of delivery.

A date of licence issue, image expiry and issuing authority.

A driving force number.

A legitimate photo (black and white on more moderen photocards).

The holder’s signature.

The holder’s address.

Entitlement categories.

A hologram of a steerage wheel over the character’s photo which ‘turns’ as you pass the card.

Further holographic photos at the front.

Pictograms at the reverse.

A green/gold steerage wheel picturegraph at the reverse.

Information codes.

A complicated history pattern.

How to Spot a Fake Passport

The British authorities extrade UK passports barely each five years to save you the manufacturing of real-searching faux passports.

Authentic UK Passports Must:

Be the proper size (round one hundred twenty five x 88mm).

Passports issued after November 2015 have 34-pages.

Passports issued earlier than November 2015 must have 32 pages (forty eight for a enterprise book).

Feature a digitally revealed picture with holographic overlay.

Have a 9-digit variety on web page 1.

Have a perforated serial variety in the course of the pages.

Feature the holder’s signature.

You can also additionally discover a faux passport via way of means of the subsequent features:

An invalid expiry date.

Personal info which have been amended or tampered with.

An wrong variety of pages for the time it became issued.

A picture that isn’t digitally revealed.

No holograms or perforations.

No passport chip.

Words, signatures or photos withinside the incorrect places.

Passports are the most effective different form of identity which you must receive from a consumer. This may be a UK passport or a overseas passport, even though it’s tougher to decide the validity of a overseas passport in case you are unexpected with their design.

There are moderate variations among older & more recent passports. Differences include:

The variety of pages.

The web page designs.

The presence of a chip: passports issued after 2010 have a chip withinside the cowl of the passport while older passports have the chip positioned on web page 32.

What to Do if You Come Across a Fake ID

If a consumer gives you with a faux ID then it’s critical which you address it correctly.

If you aren't happy that the ID is true then you definitely must constantly refuse the sale and ask the character to go away the premises. You must then make a word on your refusals/incident book.

Only sure humans have criminal powers to capture fake ID but, if supplied with it, you could ask the consumer handy the ID over to you.

It’s additionally inside your rights to say that the police can be known as to research in the event that they do now no longer quit the faux ID.

Once on your possession, you must keep the ID in a steady vicinity till the police can gather it or a supervisor can take it to the police station.

The UK authorities understand door body of workers because the frontline of defence towards faux ID. Therefore, it's miles their view which you aren't committing a crook offence via way of means of confiscating the ID as you lack the cheating motive vital to devote the offence of theft. This offers door body of workers the capacity to confiscate fake ID beneathneath not unusualplace law. If you do confiscate a faux ID, it’s an amazing concept to document any confiscated ID in an incident book

[bpod-bpod]

Hairy Dog Problems

Like looking at a cross-section through a lettered stick of rock, these patterned circles are a cross-section view of tiny ‘hairs’ on the surface of lung cells, known as cilia, visualised with an electron microscope. The cells are from an Alaskan Malamute dog with a hereditary lung disease called primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), causing extra structures to form within the cilia (red arrows) and affecting their movement. Defective cilia can’t perform their usual job of sweeping out dust, mucus and infectious agents, leading to recurrent lung infections. Elsewhere in the body, immobile cilia can cause problems with fertility and brain development. By carefully analysing a dog family where two out of six puppies are affected by PCD, researchers have pinned the defect down to a gene called NME5. PCD can also affect humans, although the genetic culprit often isn’t known, so maybe NME5 is behind some of these cases too?

Written by Kat Arney

Image from work by Linda Anderegg and colleagues

Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Image originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)

Published in PLOS Genetics, September 2019

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[sollowellness]

How Keurig coffees are the best

Long before Keurig K-Cup packets were created, there were single-serve coffee containers. Actually, other inventions came first, followed by coffee beans as we know them today.

The success of buy coffee for keurig was hindered from the start, despite the fact that they were and still are a fantastic offering. They themselves were difficult to come by, there weren't many reliable pod brewers, and there was no accepted measurement or specification for the pods themselves. The challenge of getting their goods into customers' hands was one that these machines also had to overcome. There was a very small selection of coffee, and many of the options weren't very excellent. They had two shortcomings despite being generally thought of as a competent brewer. One was that it almost brewed under pressure like an espresso maker due to the snug fit of the pod holder. Two, the finished coffee contained a lot of foam, which wasn't always appealing to customers. They had a smaller diameter 55mm or less, were somewhat thicker than average, and were packed extremely closely.

The buy coffee for keurig brewers that used a different shape of pod, measuring 60-62mm, thinner in height, and typically softer, entered the market. These are what we now refer to as "soft pods," and they are the kind of pod that has ultimately gained the most traction.

Key benefits of Keurig:

better separation of the coffee more surface area for the water to contact the coffee

Because the coffee isn't completely enclosed in plastic, there is more aroma while brewing.

decreased packaging trash only the wrapper is not biodegradable

For their single-serve brewing capsule, Keurig is recognised by its foil-lined, ringed pattern on a plastic cup. There are currently other modified versions that use the plastic ring and foil lid instead of the plastic cup. Despite insistence that their goods be referred to Keurig, they are almost universally used instead.

For both residential and business use, there are various Keurig-branded brewer models. Only conventional workplace coffee services offer commercial models, such as those that can connect to a water line. With Keurig, these service providers have legally-binding agreements to install, maintain, and transport coffee to customers. To keep their status, they must adhere to stringent requirements regarding the quantity of installations and new clients they must acquire. They are only permitted to sell officially licenced brands and are the friendly names for these service companies.  However, there are no such limitations with the home versions as you can buy the brewer and the coffee from any retailer.

[design-emporium]

Summer Ice cream seamless pattern teal colourway exclusive ice lolly fabric tile watercolour sunny design digital surface pattern digital paper baby children’s and kids clothing and apparel

What you will receive: A digital download of a hand painted seamless pattern design ready for printing onto fabric. This design is 160x160mm, 300 DPI JPEG in RGB mode Terms and Conditions: Upon purchase you will own a licence which allows you to print the design on fabric to sell or to make/sell clothing of up to 100 items/units. If you would like to print on other materials or intend to exceed…