DAY: May 27 2024
5-27-2024

THE CASE FOR OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTATION TO LOWER AGGRESSION

People who regularly eat fish or take fish oil supplements are getting omega-3 fatty acids, which play a critical role in brain function. Research has long shown a basis in the brain for aggressive and violent behavior, and that poor nutrition is a risk factor for behavior problems. Penn neurocriminologist Adrian Raine has for years been studying whether omega-3 supplementation could therefore reduce aggressive behavior, publishing five randomized controlled trials from different countries. He found significant effects but wanted to know whether these findings extended beyond his laboratory.
5-27-2024

WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY AND ARE THEY SAFE?

With summer around the corner, telehealth outlets and medical spas are going into hyperdrive advertising the sale of semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Recent shortages of the brand-name drugs have opened the door to copycat versions that, while legal, also raise some concerns for consumers, says Kelly Ann Barnes, Northeastern professor of pharmacy law. The copycat drugs are made by specialized pharmacies known as compounding pharmacies, which are allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make off-label
5-27-2024

FIVE BASIC HABITS MAY HOLD THE KEY TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

Professor Nick Titov’s professional goal is to make himself redundant. he wants to empower more people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression to understand what they can do each day to care for their mental health. As part of this mission, Professor Titov and his team developed The Big 5, an evidence-based program encouraging five broad types of activities that are strongly linked with good mental health when performed regularly. Everyone’s
5-27-2024

COVID-19 FORECASTING TOOL ALLOWED HOSPITAL TO MANAGE PATIENT CAPACITY, RESOURCES AMID PANDEMIC’S THIRD WAVE

During the peak of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the health-care system’s capacity was stretched and hospitals across Canada relied on each other to share resources and provide care. Experts from
5-27-2024

RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION AS A POSSIBLE ASPECT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PATHOLOGY

The peripubertal DHT-induced mouse model is a non-obese but insulin-resistant model of PCOS. a) Experimental design. b) Fat mass. c) Insulin levels at baseline and 15 min following glucose administration. d) Blood glucose levels during oGTT. e) HOMA-IR, calculated from fasted glucose and insulin levels. f) Glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c). A new study shows that hyperandrogenism—a key characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—affects immune cell populations in reproductive, metabolic and immunological tissues in a PCOS-like mouse model. These findings are of great importance as
5-27-2024

RESEARCH IDENTIFIES BRAIN NETWORK LINK TO STUTTERING

Common acquired neurogenic stuttering network. Common areas that were sensitive and specific across both neurogenic stuttering cohorts. Amy = amygdala; ASt = amygdalostriatal transition area; Cl = claustrum; Pall = Pallidum; Put = putamen. A new study published in the journal Brain has identified a specific brain network hub that plays a key role in stuttering. The research, by Te Whare W?nanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury (UC) Associate Professor Catherine Theys, examines two different types of stuttering—developmental and acquired—to show a clear neural
5-27-2024

THYROID DISEASE ISN’T THE END FOR YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS, REPORT FINDS

How employers behave toward workers experiencing thyroid dysfunction could play a critical part in addressing the UK’s labor market challenges. With long-term sickness on the rise in the UK, researchers at the University of Aberdeen Business School have marked World Thyroid Day (May 25) by releasing new findings which, for the first time, explore the relationship between employer sympathy and the labor market prospects of people with thyroid conditions. One in 20 people in the UK have a thyroid problem, with a significant majority of sufferers being women. Posing serious
5-27-2024

STUDY FINDS HIGH-INCOME EARNERS AT LOWER RISK OF DYING FROM STROKE

High-income earners have a 32% lower risk of dying after a stroke compared to low-income earners. The equivalent for high education is 26% lower risk. The differences in stroke survival linked to socioeconomics are striking, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg.
5-27-2024

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COULD ALLEVIATE LONELINESS, SAYS EXPERT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology could offer companionship to lonely people amid an international epidemic of loneliness, says a robotics expert. Tony Prescott, a professor of cognitive robotics at the University of Sheffield, argues in his new book “The Psychology of Artificial Intelligence” that “relationships with AIs could support people” with forms of social interaction. Loneliness has been found to seriously impair human health, and Professor Prescott makes a case that advances in AI technology could offer a partial solution. He argues that people can spiral into loneliness, becoming
5-27-2024

ALZHEIMER’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IMMENSE CAREGIVER BURDEN—AND POTENTIAL WAYS FORWARD

Some 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and about 11 million provide unpaid care for them. Dementia caregiving can present unique challenges, including financial burdens and time constraints, as well as health complications. A report this year from the Alzheimer’s Association demonstrates the true cost of caregiving for those with the disease and calls to establish dementia care navigation throughout the U.S. to lift this burden. Not only is the estimated value of unpaid care near $14 billion in Pennsylvania alone, the report also revealed emotional and physical tolls. Nearly
5-27-2024

US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVES ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS SYSTEM

An artificial pancreas developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge has been granted approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by individuals with type 1 diabetes aged 2 and older, including during pregnancy. This means that even more people living with the disease will be able to use this life-changing app. For the first time, the FDA authorized the use of the artificial pancreas system in pregnancy. CamAPS FX, produced by Cambridge spinout company CamDiab, is an Android app that can
5-27-2024

RESEARCH SAYS POMEGRANATES COULD OFFER A SOLUTION TO FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) are investigating the effects ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in some fruits and vegetables, could have on halting and potentially reversing the damage caused by fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the physiological manifestation of obesity in the liver. The prevalence of NAFLD has increased from 25.24% in 2015 to 29.38% in 2021, and this condition now accounts for 45.8% of all cases of chronic-liver-disease-related deaths worldwide. There currently exists no treatment for the long-term management of NAFLD; however, dietary interventions
5-27-2024

MAGIC MUSHROOMS MAY ONE DAY TREAT ANOREXIA, BUT NOT JUST YET

Anorexia nervosa is a severe mental health disorder where people fear weight gain. Those with the disorder have distorted body image and hold rigid beliefs their body is too big. They typically manage this through restricted eating, leading to the serious medical consequences of malnutrition. Anorexia has one of the highest death rates of any mental illness. Yet there are currently no effective drug treatments and the outcomes of psychotherapy (talk therapy) are poor. So we’re desperately in need of new and improved treatments. Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms,
5-27-2024

STUDY FINDS FEEDING INFANTS PEANUT PRODUCTS PROTECTS AGAINST ALLERGY INTO ADOLESCENCE

Feeding children peanuts regularly from infancy to age five reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence by 71%, even after many years when the children ate or avoided peanut as desired. The new findings provide conclusive evidence that introducing peanuts into babies’ diets early will achieve long-term prevention of peanut allergy. Lead investigator Professor Gideon Lack from King’s College London said, “Decades of advice to avoid peanuts has made parents fearful of introducing peanuts at an early age. The evidence is clear that early introduction of peanut in infancy
5-27-2024

EATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES MAY LEAD TO OPTIMAL SLEEP DURATION

Good health depends on a healthy diet and sufficient exercise and sleep. There are clear associations among these components; for example, good nutrition provides energy for exercise, and many people report that getting enough exercise is important to their ability to get enough sleep. So how might nutrition affect sleep? A new study looks at the connection between fruit and vegetable intake and sleep duration.
5-27-2024

MONITORING THE H5N1 AVIAN INFLUENZA, BIRD FLU, OUTBREAK

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to actively monitor the ongoing outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, and says that the public health risk remains low. Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, says scientists and public health officials have known about avian influenza for decades. “What’s different today is that since 2020, we’re seeing the largest outbreak of avian influenza among wild birds, poultry and backyard bird flocks,” he says. “The virus has also been found in certain
5-27-2024

INTERNATIONAL STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING TWIST IN HOW DIABETES DRUGS HELP THE HEART

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial has revealed surprising new insights into how SGLT2 inhibitor drugs, originally developed for diabetes, benefit patients with heart failure. Contrary to common assumptions, these drugs may improve cardiac outcomes and heart health without acting as diuretics. Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, often leading to fluid
5-27-2024

FIRST SEIZURE CLINICS REDUCE THE NEED FOR FUTURE HEALTH CARE, RESEARCHERS FIND

Clinics specializing in first seizures reduce the need for patients to present at emergency departments or be admitted to hospital later, Monash University-led research has found. Timely attendance, particularly within 14 days of the seizure, was associated with reduced subsequent all-cause emergency presentations and all-cause hospital admission. Later hospital admissions were reduced by about 25%. First author Dr. Yingtong Li, an adjunct
5-27-2024

CELL-TARGETING TECHNOLOGY CAN ISOLATE NEURONAL SUBPOPULATIONS AND LINK THEM TO BEHAVIORAL STATES

As gene sequencing technologies become more powerful, our understanding of cellular diversity has grown in parallel. This led scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to
5-27-2024

WATCH OUT FOR THESE HIGH HEAT DANGER SIGNS

Climate change is pushing daytime summer temperatures higher for longer periods of time, and that can spell real danger for folks who work outside, like gardeners and landscapers. Protecting yourself in the heat and knowing the warning signs of heat-related illness is crucial, said Chris Enroth, horticulture educator at University of Illinois Extension. He should know: It happened to him. “When I was working as a landscaper, we had to sod a large backyard during a day when the temperature was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit,” Enroth said. “We were hustling
5-27-2024

STAY SAFE FROM THE SUN AND THAT BACKYARD GRILL THIS MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day means firing up that backyard grill for the season, hopefully under warm, sunny skies. You can be sure to enjoy the day without hazards by taking a few simple precautions, said Dr. Mike Ren, an associate professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Watch out for rising heat and humidity If Memorial day is a scorcher, hydration is key, Ren said. “A good rule of thumb is to drink water regularly throughout the day, aiming for 12 or more cups; when in
5-27-2024

HAD A JOINT REPLACED? STUDY SUGGESTS INFECTION RISK MAY RISE AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY

If you’re one of the millions of Americans walking around with a new knee or hip, your odds for an infection in that joint rise if you ever have to undergo cancer chemotherapy, researchers report. “Given the number of people of receiving total joint replacements each year, as well as the cost both physically, emotionally and financially for those who develop an infection and may need subsequent treatment, we need to understand what factors may increase the risk for postoperative infections,” said study author Dr. Janet Conway. She’s an orthopedic
5-27-2024

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES LINKED TO ECZEMATOUS DERMATITIS IN SENIORS, STUDY FINDS

Antihypertensive drugs are associated with an increased risk for eczematous dermatitis in older adults, and the effect sizes are largest for diuretics and calcium channel blockers, whether antihypertensive drug use is associated with eczematous dermatitis in a longitudinal cohort study of individuals aged 60 years and older without eczematous dermatitis at baseline. The researchers found that the overall prevalence of eczematous dermatitis was 6.7% among 1,561,358
5-27-2024

RESEARCH INDICATES KIDNEYS FROM DECEASED DONORS WHO WERE ON DIALYSIS ARE SUBOPTIMAL

Receipt of a kidney from a deceased donor who underwent dialysis is associated with an increased incidence of delayed graft function, compared outcomes of transplant recipients who received kidneys from deceased donors who underwent dialysis prior to kidney donation versus recipients of kidneys from deceased donors who did not undergo dialysis in a retrospective cohort study using data from 58 U.S. organ procurement organizations. Among the donors with
5-27-2024

NEW THERAPY PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST REJECTION IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is one of the most common causes of kidney transplant failure. To date, however, no treatment has proven effective in combating this complication in the long term. As part of an international and multidisciplinary clinical study led by Georg Böhmig and Katharina Mayer, Clinical Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III at MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna, a new therapeutic principle in transplant medicine has been found to be both safe and highly effective. The results were recently published in the New England Journal
5-27-2024

SHARJAH UNIVERSITY PATENTS APPLICATION FOR DISTANCE COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS

Smart Identification of Health Status based on QR Code and User Health Data. Credit: author’s own creation The University of Sharjah has been granted a patent for inventing a smart gadget with the ability to filter user information that will allow doctors to diagnose COVID-19 and other ailments from a distance. The patent, granted by United States Patent and Trademark Office on 1 August 2023, comprises “a display unit, a color code detection unit, an image filter, an optical character recognition unit, a code detection unit and an elimination unit,”
5-27-2024

STUDY REVEALS WHERE DELAYS ARE WORST

When it comes to responding to a stroke, speed is a crucial factor; the longer it takes for someone experiencing a stroke to get to a hospital, the worse the outcome will be. Yet across the United States, delays to treatment can be significant. A Yale study uncovers new insights into factors associated with treatment delays and where in the United States patients are more likely to experience slower responses. The findings, which were published May 24 in the journal Stroke, highlight where interventions should

NEW STUDY SHOWS HEAT WAVES INCREASE RISK OF PRETERM, EARLY-TERM BIRTH

The increased frequency and intensity of heat waves due to climate change puts women at a higher risk of experiencing preterm and early-term labor—jeopardizing the health and well-being of their babies. An analysis of 53 million births that occurred in the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas during the 25-year period 1993–2017, showed
5-27-2024

NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES, EARPLUGS AND EARMUFFS—DO THEY REALLY HELP NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE?

Noise can make it hard to concentrate, especially for people who are extra sensitive to it. Neurodivergent people (such as those who are autistic or have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—ADHD) can experience different sensory sensitivities. Their nervous system may process information differently when they are exposed to sensory experiences such as bright lights, loud noise, strong smells or busy environments. Decreased sound tolerance is estimated to affect up to 70% of autistic people and is described in three ways: hyperacusis (perceiving everyday sounds as loud or painful), misophonia (an aversion to
5-27-2024

MASSACHUSETTS SHELLS OUT NEARLY $400,000 FOR VACCINE RECORD CHECKS IN STATE-RUN SHELTERS

State officials have pumped nearly $400,000 into a program to review the vaccine records of families entering the emergency shelter system, including migrants from other countries who may have foreign documentation, according to the Healey administration. Officials at Boston-based John Snow, Inc., which has long worked with the state, have been contracted to review immunization documents. Since January, more than 1,200 children in state-run shelters have had their records checked, according to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or HHS. Vaccine record checks have occurred since September 2023
5-27-2024

LAWSUIT ACCUSES FLORIDA’S PALM BEACH COUNTY HOSPITAL NETWORK OF SHARING PATIENTS’ PRIVATE DATA

The Palm Beach Health Network has become the latest health provider accused of illegally sharing identities and private health information of its patients with the social media company Meta, owner of Facebook. A lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach says the health network’s websites share code with Meta that enables patients to be targeted with advertising on Facebook based on “highly sensitive personal information” they share. It names as defendants the Palm Beach Health Network Physicians Group, doing business as Palm Beach Health Network, and
5-27-2024

CAN THE PLACEMENT OF DENTAL IMPLANTS IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS BE DONE BEFORE RADIATION THERAPY?

Globally, head and neck cancer accounts for 5% of all cancer types, with a mortality rate of 50%. However, in the Nordic countries, head and neck cancer accounts for only 2.6% of all cancers, with a mortality rate of just 30%. But more survivors mean that many must live with extensive damage and side effects
5-27-2024

STUDY FINDS CLIMATE CHANGE INCREASES RISK OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS OUTBREAKS IN NEW ZEALAND

More cryptosporidiosis outbreaks could be on the cards for Aotearoa New Zealand as extreme rainfall events become more frequent, causing higher levels of the diarrhea-causing parasite to be washed into waterways, public health researchers warn. The researchers studied clusters of cryptosporidium outbreaks around the country between 1997 and 2015 and found 13 coincided with severe weather events. Their research is published in the journal Epidemiology & Infection. It is the first study to compare clusters of outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis to severe weather events in Aotearoa.
5-27-2024

RESEARCHERS EVALUATE IMPACT OF NEW FILM’S MESSAGE ON CHILDREN’S AND ADULTS’ BODY IMAGE, SELF-COMPASSION

Unrealistic expectations about what our bodies should look like—whether from the media, friends or family—make adults and children of all ages more vulnerable to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and other mental health challenges. In a new study published in Body Image, Flinders University experts assessing the program’s usefulness in classrooms highlight the potential for the film “Embrace Kids,” directed by 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt, to achieve large-scale improvements in body image
5-27-2024

STUDY FINDS INCREASED SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG ADOLESCENTS EXPOSED TO EARLY PHASE OF WAR IN UKRAINE

Data Collection in the War-Affected Donetsk Region and Non-War Kirovograd Region. A new study carried out by a multinational research group showed high levels of suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescents, which were strongly associated with wartime traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Dr. Sanju Silwal from the Research Center for Child Psychiatry in the University of Turku, Finland, one of the lead authors, says that the study was conducted in two regions that
5-27-2024

STUDY FINDS SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES IN THE DELIVERY OF CANCER-RELATED CARE

It’s important to ensure that care provided at US hospitals that predominantly serve Black and Hispanic populations is as high-quality as the care provided at other US hospitals. New research reveals significant disparities in the delivery of cancer-related care at minority serving hospitals (MSHs) compared with non-MSHs, however. The findings are published in Cancer. For the study, investigators analyzed information from the National Cancer Database (which accrues approximately 70% of US cancer diagnoses) to identify patients eligible for definitive treatment for breast, prostate, non-small cell lung, and colon cancers between
5-27-2024

WHO SEEKS $7 BN WITH FUND-RAISING REVAMP

The World Health Organization launched Sunday a new financing mechanism that aims to raise $7 billion of funds that can be deployed more quickly and flexibly. The UN agency has traditionally relied on commitments from its 194 member states, but often these are apportioned to specific projects with several conditions attached, including deadlines that can prove too short. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said commitment increases would contribute $4 billion to the agency’s budget of $11.1 billion over the four years through 2028. “The Investment Round aims to mobilize the
5-27-2024

SECOND PERSON DIES OF CHOLERA ON FRENCH ISLAND OF MAYOTTE

Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia A 62-year-old woman has died of cholera in Mayotte, bringing to two the death toll from the epidemic on the French island in the Indian Ocean, health authorities said on Sunday. The woman died on Saturday at her home in Mamoudzou, the capital, the ARS health authority said in a statement. “Response teams went to the scene to disinfect the home and take care of the deceased’s family and friends”, the statement added. In May, the disease claimed its first life
5-27-2024

ALTERING CELLULAR INTERACTIONS AROUND AMYLOID PLAQUES MAY OFFER NOVEL ALZHEIMER’S TREATMENT STRATEGIES

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made a significant breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease research by identifying a novel way to potentially slow down or even halt disease progression. The study, which focuses on the role of reactive astrocytes and the plexin-B1 protein in Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, provides crucial insights into brain
5-27-2024

BRAIN DAMAGE STUDY REVEALS PART OF THE BRAIN NECESSARY FOR HELPING OTHERS

Our willingness to help others is governed by a specific brain region pinpointed by researchers in a study of patients with brain damage to that region. Learning about where in the brain “helping” decisions are made is important for understanding how people might be motivated to tackle large global challenges, such as climate change, infectious disease and international conflict. It is also essential for finding new approaches to treating disorders of social interactions. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, was carried out by researchers at the University of Birmingham
5-27-2024

IMPROVING AI LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS HELPS THEM BETTER ALIGN WITH HUMAN BRAIN ACTIVITY

NSP as a computational account of discourse comprehension. (A) Humans integrate words and sentences to achieve a full understanding of discourse. In LLMs, the NSP task proposed by BERT can serve as a computational account of human discourse comprehension. (B) Illustration of the MLM task. (C) Illustration of the NSP task and its relevance to the Mason and Just model. (D) Illustration of Mason and Just’s neurocognitive model of discourse processing. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn7744 With generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) transforming the social interaction landscape in recent years,
5-27-2024

STUDY EXAMINES METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING OF BREAST CANCER TUMORS DURING NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and cancer metabolism in breast cancer treatment. The research
5-27-2024

RESEARCHERS EXAMINE EVIDENCE FOR A NOVEL NEURONAL MECHANISM DRIVING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

An international team of clinicians and neuroscientists have published a new perspective on the process of neurodegeneration. Their findings review evidence for a mechanism upstream of amyloid including the key neurochemical driving this process. The paper, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, focuses on a selective group of neurons (“the isodendritic core”). These cells have a different provenance from neurons in the rest of the brain and have previously been identified as primarily
The research, by a team from Finland’s University of Helsinki, National Institute for Health and Welfare, and Turku University of Applied Sciences, is published in
5-27-2024

WHO CHIEF URGES COUNTRIES TO QUICKLY SEAL PANDEMIC DEAL

WHO countries have spent two years seeking an agreement on tackling pandemics. The World Health Organization chief on Monday urged countries to nail down a landmark global agreement on handling of future pandemics after they missed a hard deadline. Scarred by COVID-19—which killed millions, shredded economies and crippled health systems—nations have spent two years trying to forge binding commitments on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Negotiators failed to clinch a deal ahead of this week’s World Health Assembly—the annual gathering of WHO’s 194 member states—the deadline for concluding the talks.
5-27-2024

STUDY DEMONSTRATES HOW GUT MICROBES PROCESS STEROIDS—USING FLATULENCE

It turns out flatulence can serve a purpose beyond being uncomfortable or funny: Gas released by some gut bacteria stimulates other gut bacteria to produce a hormone involved in pregnancy and in an FDA-approved treatment for postpartum depression, according to new research led by Harvard Medical School scientists. The work shows how gut bacteria can produce new hormones from steroids in bile and, in doing so, act like an endocrine organ. This research adds to the growing list of ways gut microbiota may influence human
5-27-2024

PHYSICAL FRAILTY MAY PUT PEOPLE AT GREATER RISK OF DEPRESSION, STUDY FINDS

Individuals who meet at least one of the criteria for physical frailty are at higher risk of also developing depression, a new Yale study finds. The findings—which also include insights into the specific inflammatory molecules and changes in brain structure that could underlie this association between frailty and depression—point to a need for routine assessment of physical frailty in clinical practice, researchers said. The study was published May 23 in Nature Communications. In clinical settings, physical
5-27-2024

RESEARCH TEAM RESOLVES STRUCTURE OF CRUCIAL ENZYME FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time, a team co-led by CHU Sainte-Justine researcher and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal, Alexey Pshezhetsky has succeeded in resolving the unique structure of the HGSNAT enzyme, a deficiency of which causes Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare pediatric disease affecting the central nervous system. Through collaboration with a team from Shanghai University, the structure of this enzyme and the mechanism of its function were revealed using high-performance

Chapter 1
Scene 1
Sunlight streamed through the windows of my modern apartment as I meticulously folded clothes and packed my bags, the anticipation of an upcoming trip tingling in the air. The day seemed ordinary enough until the doorbell shattered the tranquility.

Startled, I hurried to answer it, only to find Elena bursting into the house with her usual exuberance. She was a whirlwind of energy, her long chestnut hair tied back in a messy ponytail, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement. Her olive skin glowed with vitality, and her infectious smile lit up the room.

"Peter, what took you so long to answer?" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of impatience and amusement as she took in the array of luggage before me.

I shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Just packing for a trip."

Elena scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Immigrating, are we?" She scanned the room before turning her attention back to me. "Seriously, though, what's with all the luggage?"

I chuckled at her bluntness. "You know me, always overpacking."

She rolled her eyes, reaching for her phone and cranking up the volume on her favorite song. The heavy riff of "Passenger" by Deftones filled the room, adding a pulsating rhythm to our conversation.

Taking a seat at the cluttered kitchen table, Elena flashed me a mischievous grin. "I came to hang out with my friend. Is that a crime?"

I raised an eyebrow, eyeing her suspiciously.

Elena's laughter filled the room, unapologetic. "Okay, you caught me. I need your help." Despite my curiosity, apprehension flickered, yet her sparkling eyes drew me in. "Come on, Peter," she urged. "I promise it'll be worth your while."

"What do you need me for?" I asked, unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm.

Elena's brows furrowed, and she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I was hired by a family in Silverlake to find their missing daughter, Emily. She disappeared without a trace, and I've been investigating this case for weeks. But I have zero leads."

I frowned. "And you think I can help?"

Elena nodded eagerly. "You're one of the best investigative journalists I know, Peter. Your skills are exactly what we need to crack this case wide open."

"I promised my mom I'd spend a vacation with her. I leave in 2 days. I'm sorry, I cannot help you," I said firmly, my resolve wavering in the face of Elena's determination.

"In 2 DAYS AND YOU'RE PACKING FROM NOW?!" Elena exclaimed incredulously.

"Well, I've got to be well prepared," I defended with a shrug, trying to downplay the urgency of the situation.

"This will be over in less than 2 days. All I need from you is to help me identify her last known location when she disappeared and any digital data you could find linked to her disappearance. Do that for me, and you can continue with your plan," Elena bargained, her eyes pleading with urgency.

I hesitated, torn between my obligations to my family and the pressing need to help Elena solve this mystery.

"Well, you could get that from CCTV cameras and her social media, what do you need me for?" I asked, raising my voice slightly to be heard over the blaring chorus of "Passenger."

The heavy guitars and pounding drums filled the room, drowning out Elena's next words as she searched my face for a response. "Well, don't you think I tried that?" she retorted, frustration evident in her voice. "I couldn't get access to CCTV footage, and her social media revealed nothing. I need a deeper search into the digital landscape, and you're the one I trust the most with this."

"One thing is never enough for you, though. You have a way of always pulling me with you, and I really need this. My mother needs me right now. I haven't seen her since the funeral, and I cannot let her down," I said, my voice cracking with emotion.

Elena's expression softened, her eyes reflecting understanding. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I get it, Peter. Family comes first. But think about it, helping me could bring closure to another family who's desperate for answers."

Her words struck a chord within me, igniting a sense of duty and purpose that I couldn't ignore.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded slowly.

I grabbed a notebook and a pen, my determination solidifying as I focused on the task at hand. "I'll do it for the girl's family."

A flicker of relief crossed Elena's face, her shoulders sagging slightly as she realized I was onboard. "Thank you, Peter," she said, her voice tinged with gratitude.

"The town of Silverlake, where Emily had disappeared, was 140 miles away. It was a daunting distance, but one that felt insignificant in the face of the urgency of the situation. Little did I know, Emily wasn't the only one missing. There was a series of disappearances in Silverlake that had gone unnoticed until now."

With a shared glance, Elena and I made an unspoken agreement. We would go to Silverlake, together, to start investigating immediately.

Scene 2
As Elena and I approached the reception desk, the polished tiles of the lobby floor echoed softly beneath our steps, carrying an air of anticipation. The lobby itself exuded a quiet elegance, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sunlight streaming through the expansive windows. A gentle hum of activity filled the space, punctuated by the occasional rustle of papers.

The receptionist, a woman with an air of indifference, glanced up from her notebook as we approached. Her eyes, cool and assessing, swept over us before settling on Elena with a hint of curiosity. "How can I help you, dear?" she asked, her voice monotone yet tinged with a subtle edge of detachment.

Elena, undeterred by the receptionist's demeanor, greeted her with a warm smile that illuminated her features. "We're in need of a room for my friend here," she said, gesturing towards me with a nod of her head. "He'll be staying with us."

The receptionist's expression remained unchanged as she reached for another key, her movements precise and methodical. Retrieving the key, she handed it to me with a detached air. "Room 204, second floor, fourth room on the right," she repeated mechanically, her attention already drifting back to her notebook as if our presence was of little consequence.

As I accepted the key, my gaze was drawn to a striking symbol adorning the wall beside the reception desk – the Eye of Horus. Etched in gold against a backdrop of deep blue, its intricate design seemed to watch over the lobby with an enigmatic presence, casting a subtle aura of mystery over the space.

"it's all over the place in here they believe it protects them from evil" Elena shrugged, noticing my gaze lingering on the Eye of Horus.

I nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by the symbolism woven into the fabric of the hotel. "Interesting," I murmured.

With the key in hand, I turned to follow Elena as she led the way towards the staircase, the soft echo of our footsteps mingling with the hushed whispers of the hotel's guests. As we ascended the stairs.

As Elena entered the room, she immediately shed her coat and rushed to the counter, grabbing her phone. Without pause, the familiar strains of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" filled the room, blasting at an ear-splitting volume.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Elena's predictable ritual.

"Okay, Mr. P, we have no time to waste," Elena declared over the blaring music, oblivious to my annoyance. "Grab your notebook and let's start with the case."

"Emily's disappearance was the initial focus of my investigation," Elena began, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of the matter. "According to her family, Emily was extremely close to her mother. Her life seemed to be on track, with a successful career in marketing and a new boyfriend. However, her parents didn't approve of her relationship with Matthew, citing him as a point of contention."

She paused, her gaze drifting as if searching for the right words to convey the complexity of the situation. "The police initially dismissed Emily's disappearance as a case of a young woman running away, especially since Matthew was also missing."

Elena's voice wavered slightly, betraying the weight of the uncertainty surrounding Emily's fate. "For a while, I entertained the possibility that Emily had indeed chosen to leave her life behind. But then, three days ago, another woman disappeared under similar circumstances."
"And where is Matthew?" I interjected, my mind grappling with the complexities of the case. "His friends and family filed a missing persons report on him as well. He disappeared one day before Emily. But there's no reason to think of him as a suspect, is there?"

Elena's expression darkened, mirroring the shadow of uncertainty that clouded my thoughts. "That's the perplexing part," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "All three people disappeared without a trace. One moment they were there, and the next... poof, disappeared as if they've been captured by ghosts."

Her words sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn't shake off the sense of foreboding that gripped me. It was as if we were peering into the abyss of the unknown, where answers remained elusive and danger lurked in the shadows.

As my mind raced, struggling to contain the torrent of thoughts swirling within, I sought desperately for patterns amidst the chaos. With furrowed brow, I turned to Elena, my voice trembling with urgency.

"Is there any connection between the third woman who disappeared and Emily or Matthew?" I inquired, grasping at straws in the hopes of unraveling the enigma before us.

Elena shook her head solemnly, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "No," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "The third woman is a 50-year-old, last seen exiting her workplace at the quaint bistro, La Petite Cuisine, and heading home."

The revelation sent a shiver down my spine, the realization sinking in that the disappearances were not isolated incidents but part of a larger, more sinister web of mystery. As I pondered the implications, a sense of unease settled over me, the unknown looming ominously on the horizon like a gathering storm.

"Listen, P," Elena's urgency resonated in her voice as she spoke, her words cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. "I acquired CCTV footage of Emily's last sighting, and that's what I need you for."

Without a moment's hesitation, she raced to retrieve her laptop, returning with it clutched tightly in her grasp. With a sense of urgency, she opened the device, revealing the footage of Emily walking down a seemingly ordinary square, her demeanor betraying no hint of the impending turmoil.

But then, like a sudden storm on a clear day, a police patrol car flashed across the screen, casting a shadow of doubt over the otherwise mundane scene. "That means the police have more information on Emily's last movements," I realized, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach.

In a voice tinged with frustration, Elena explained her futile attempts to obtain a statement from the police, leaving us stranded in a sea of uncertainty. It was a crucial piece of the puzzle that remained tantalizingly out of reach, teasing us with its elusiveness.

Turning to me with pleading eyes, Elena's hand reached out to grasp my arm, her wide eyes locking with mine in an unspoken plea. "I need you to secure an interview with the chief of police or any detective working the case," she implored, her voice soft but desperate. "You could still go on your awaited vacation with your mum afterward."

Her touch sparked a fire within me, "alright el I'll think of a plan but I need some rest first, maybe we could meet at the lobby after 2 hours?"

"Thank you, Peter, for real," Elena's gratitude washed over me, momentarily easing the weight of the task ahead. "Also, two hours sharp, don't be late, ey?"

I offered her a reassuring smile, my resolve firm. "I am always on time," I assured her, though a flicker of uncertainty danced behind my eyes.

"Yeah, right," Elena retorted sarcastically, her skepticism evident as she exited the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As the door clicked shut behind her, a sense of apprehension settled over me like a heavy shroud. Contemplation mingled with reservation, and a hint of fear gnawed at the edges of my mind.
Scene 3
As Elena departed, I surveyed the room. It bore the marks of neglect, with faded wallpaper peeling at the edges and worn furniture showing signs of age. The bed, positioned against one wall, appeared tired and weathered, its mattress sagging in the middle and the sheets bearing wrinkles. Above the bed, an out-of-place symbol caught my attention once again - the Eye of Horus, its intricate design etched into a wooden plaque and mounted on the wall.

Feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon me, I sank onto the bed, craving a moment of respite. Before I could even settle in, the insistent ring of my phone shattered the silence. With a resigned sigh, I reached for the device, noting the caller ID - it was my mother, FaceTiming me.

I answered her call, greeted by the warm glow of her smile radiating through the screen. Our exchange of greetings was laced with the gentle familiarity of mother and son.

"Hello, dear," she chimed, "So, you finally found some time to visit your old mum, did you? How kind of you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, accustomed to the underlying reproach that often accompanied her affectionate words. "Yes, Mom," I replied, trying to mask the unease in my voice with forced cheerfulness. "I'm looking forward to spending some time with you."

Her smile widened. "Well, I'll believe it when I see it," she quipped, her words laden with a veiled challenge. "Don't keep me waiting too long now. You know how precious my time is."

"Are you calling me just to do that?" I interjected, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Do what, dear?" she inquired innocently.

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat as I grappled with the swirling emotions inside me. "Never mind, Mom," I murmured, a wave of guilt washing over me for even entertaining the notion of confronting her.

But before I could retract my statement, her expression softened, and her voice took on a tone of vulnerability that caught me off guard. "Listen, Peter, I'm sorry," she began, her words tinged with a hint of sadness. "I just miss you. You don't call enough, and it feels like there's nothing for us to talk about. I just..."

Her voice trailed off, leaving the weight of her unspoken words hanging heavy in the air between us. In that moment, I felt a pang of sympathy for the woman on the other end of the line, grappling with her own insecurities and yearning for connection in the only way she knew how.

"I understand," I replied softly, feeling a surge of empathy. "I've been too caught up in my work, but that's why I decided to take this vacation. I've missed you too, Mom, and I really am looking forward to spending more time with you."

A genuine smile spread across my mother's face, her eyes lighting up with warmth and relief. "Oh, Peter, that's wonderful to hear!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "I've missed you more than you know, dear. It's been too long since we've had a chance to catch up properly."

Before we could delve further into our conversation, my mother couldn't resist injecting a bit of her trademark humor. "Well, now that you're finally taking a break from work, maybe you'll have some time to find yourself a nice, not-at-all-crazy wife," she teased, a mischievous twinkle dancing in her eye.

Her playful jab elicited a hearty chuckle from me, knowing full well it was all in good fun. "We'll see, Mom," I replied with a laugh, shaking my head affectionately. "But for now, I think I'll focus on spending time with my favorite woman - you."

With a heartwarming laugh, my mother waved goodbye, her parting words carrying a hint of playful insistence. "Don't forget to keep your eyes open, Peter! You never know when Mrs. Right might come along," she quipped before ending the call, leaving me smiling at her enduring humor and unwavering love.

As she hung up, the old bed's worn embrace felt oddly inviting. I sank into its tired folds, finding unexpected comfort in its familiarity, and drifted into a well-deserved sleep.

scene 4

The sound of my alarm rang, and I half-opened my eyes, seeing only in black and white. I hit snooze and repeated the process five times until I finally woke up. I hoped Elena wouldn’t get mad at me for being late. The bed squeaked as I got up, and I hastily washed my face. As I turned on the water tap, I noticed water droplets leaking from the sides.

"Jeez, this place needs serious renovations," I muttered to myself.

I walked to the lobby, only to meet Elena.

"Hi, El," I said, bracing myself for Elena to scold me for my lateness.

"Hello, Peter," she replied in a low voice. She seemed to be staring at a void behind me, her face expressionless and still. I took a step closer to her.

"El, you okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, all is good. Uhm, weren't you supposed to leave for a trip to see your mom?"

"Well, yeah, in two days. I'll help you with this thi—" I began, confusion visible on my face, but Elena interrupted me. Her voice was firm, yet she avoided making eye contact.

"No, Peter, it's fine. I've thought about it, and I don't need your help anymore. You can go."

"I am not your toy, Elena. You can't just make me travel with you and then ask me to leave before I even get the chance to do anything," I snapped, my anger blinding me to the obvious. There was something Elena was hiding, and I needed to be calm to understand what was going on.

I tried to salvage the situation by apologizing and reassuring her that I was by her side, but it was too late. Elena's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm sorry, but please, Peter, leave. Go on your trip," she said, storming out of the lobby.

As she left, I noticed a necklace with the Eye of Horus dangling around her neck. Why does Elena wear this, and why is this place filled with an ancient Egyptian symbol? I froze, unsure of what to do. As I ran after Elena, desperation gnawed at my insides. She wasn't in front of the lobby anymore. I hopped into my car and started scouring the streets, telling myself she couldn't have gone too far.

I drove down every street, checked every alley, but Elena was nowhere to be found. Panic rose within me, and my breath quickened as I frantically tried to contact her, only to find her phone out of service.

Finally, I parked in front of an old bar. It was midnight by now, and the place was bustling with people. As I entered, I was greeted by a middle-aged man with a full beard. "Hey, newcomer, welcome to the Allure Bar," he slurred, his breath heavy with alcohol. He introduced himself as Michael Convivial, the owner of the bar, and offered me a shot on the house since it was my first time there.

"I didn't come here for the drinks," I said, the song 'What Am I to You' playing softly in the background. I showed him a photo of Elena, and he instantly recognized her, laughing as he muttered something I couldn't quite catch.

"That crazy girl who still hopes," he said, his speech slurred. He mentioned that he last saw her two days ago.

As I stepped out of the bar and headed towards my car, a ping from my phone startled me. It was a message from an unknown ID, accompanied by a chilling photo. In it, Elena lay unconscious, her Eye of Horus necklace smashed beside her. The caption sent shivers down my spine: "Listen to Elena, outsider. Get out of Silverlake and don't get involved in a fight you've got nothing to do with."

Dread washed over me as I stared at the image, my mind racing with questions.

As my fingers moved almost of their own accord, typing out a message, my mind raced with a mixture of fear and determination.

"I don't know who you are, but I will soon, and I will make you pay," I wrote, my fingers trembling slightly as I pressed send. "You've made it personal by kidnapping Elena, and I won't let you hurt her even more, you hear me?!"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the screen. I never knew I cared for Elena this deeply until this moment. The thought of her in danger filled me with a sense of fierce protectiveness, driving me to do whatever it takes to bring her back safely.

As an avid reader of martial arts and cultivation novels, I have the question: what if there is a game where you create martial arts, own a dojo and sell these to customers?
Game Concept: Martial Arts Mastery Shop
Premise: You are a martial arts master with a unique talent for observing and learning from nature. You run a dojo/shop where you create custom martial arts techniques inspired by the movements of animals and mythical creatures. Your goal is to become renowned for your mastery, attract students, and grow your business.
Core Gameplay Loop
Exploration and Learning: Adventure: Venture into various biomes (forests, mountains, rivers, mystical lands) to observe and learn from animals and mythical creatures.
Observation: Use a system similar to a "skill tree" where you unlock new moves by observing specific animals (e.g., Monkey Fist, Tiger Claw).
Challenges: Complete challenges to learn new techniques. This could include stealth segments (sneaking up on animals), combat trials, or puzzles.
Technique Creation: Customization: Combine different moves to create unique martial arts techniques. Where you have a 'base' move, say 'basic punch' it have a square grid (2x2) and it benefits from 'offensive' attribute that you can customise. Say you successfully obtained tiger claw, its going to be an L shaped attribute, and rabbit leap is a single grid attribute, for visualisation:
Punch: [T][R] [T][T] Using these inspiration you can create a basic punch with: 'tiger claw : (+10 damage, + 10% penetration rate) +20% compatibility (Str attribute) 'rabbit leap': (+2 agility + 5% dodge rate) -20% incompatible (agility attribute)
-)You can get new and better 'base' move that have more grids and maybe bonus attributes by buying, disciple quest, events, winning turnaments, etc
-)There are a total of 4 attribute, 'Str', 'Endurance', 'Agility', 'Neutral (which could be used in all moves without compatibility issues)"
Naming and Lore: Name your techniques and write a brief lore or description to give them personality and context.
Dojo Management:
Training: Train students in your dojo using the techniques you've created.
Quests: Students may go on quests and report back with items, money, or new inspiration for techniques.
Tournaments: Host or participate in martial arts tournaments to gain fame and attract more students, get prizes, etc.
Shop Management:
Sales: Sell scrolls of your techniques, training manuals. Customers can be wandering martial artists, nobles, or even royalty.(*you gain patent on your moves so other don't just yoink them). some may commission martial arts Reputation: Gain reputation by selling effective and innovative techniques. High reputation increases fame level and attracts more and wealthier customers.
Customization: Customize your dojo/shop with decorations and equipment that improve training efficiency / attract more customers.
Fame: With increased fame, more customers visit your shop, buying scrolls and training sessions, allowing you to expand your dojo and explore new areas.
Key Features Dynamic Environments:
Seasons and Weather: Different animals appear in different seasons and weather conditions, adding variety to exploration.
Mythical Creatures: Rare creatures offer powerful and unique moves but are harder to find and observe. Skill Development:
Instructor Skills: Develop your skills as an instructor, improving how effectively you can teach students and manage your dojo.
Narrative Elements: Rival Schools: Compete against rival dojos, each with its own unique style and story.
Mysteries and Legends: Discover ancient martial arts secrets and mythical artifacts that enhance your abilities. Interactive Combat:
Real-time Combat: Engage in combat using your custom techniques, either in training scenarios or against rivals and wild animals.
Tactical Choices: Make tactical decisions in combat based on your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.
Visual and Audio Design
Art Style: A vibrant and stylized aesthetic, drawing inspiration from traditional Asian art and nature. Sound Design: Authentic sounds of nature, combined with traditional music and sound effects that enhance the martial arts atmosphere.
Further ideas 1:

Diverse Learning Methods

*Observation:*

• *Basic Method:* Observe animals in their natural habitat to gain experience points (XP) towards learning their moves.
• *Proficiency Boost:* Prolonged observation of specific animals increases proficiency in similar types (e.g., successfully observing rabbits gain exp in the observation of agility-based creatures, say the first level is 0/3, after leveling up subsequent observation of agility based creature will start with 1 observation exp).
• More than one 'inspiration' from certain creatures, for example you may learn tiger claw(str move) 0/5 but you can also learn tiger's patience (Neutral move)0/3

*Interaction:* other than 'observation' which gain 1 exp to the move you are trying to acquire there are different ways to hasten this process:

• *Sparring:* Engage in combat with aggressive animals to understand their fighting techniques better. This is the fastest way to learn moves; during the turn based fight, you will have an inspiration guage in which you gain +1 exp for that move every time the guage is filled. restriction: only applies to 'medium' to 'large' size animals as small animals like rabbits will run from you, and there is a risk of dying and injuries(based on severity, Permanent disability> Severe > Mild > Slight) death equates to going back to the last save location. Success grants more XP and resources (like food or pelts)
• *Hunting:* Attempt to hunt small/ agility based animals (rabbits, deers, etc). Same concept and guage, success grants partial XP and resources (like food or pelts). Failiure equates to wasted time and stamina for 'small' creature, and injuries for mid to large size animals.
• *Dodging and Detecting:* Dodge and detect attacks from stealthy animals to learn defensive and counter-attacking moves, with similar inspiration guage. failiure equates 'poisoning' status or injuries, depend on the type of creature. (*same thing with combat) success grants more XP and resources (like vials of poison or other material)

*Training and Practice:*

• *Student Sparring:* Practice newly learned techniques with your students to refine and master them.
• *Personal Training:* You dont need this as you 'mastered' the move but your disciple could use dummies, training equipment, and personal drills to learn the moves faster. As the creator of the move you have 'perfect' understanding of the move, however your disciple have to start from scratch. progression: 'Beginer'(20% attribute)->'proficient'(50%)->'Perfect(100%)'->Limit break(150% attribute + 1 unique trait) you yourself couldn't achive 'Limit break' state as this state is only achieved by your disciple's own understanding and is unique to them, inspired by the quote “poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.”

*Mystical Learning:*

• *Ancient Scrolls:* Discover ancient scrolls and artifacts that provide insights into rare and powerful 'base' techniques.
• *Spiritual Meditation:* Engage in meditation or rituals at sacred sites to gain unique abilities from mythical creatures.

Conclusion of Gameplay Mechanics for Learning Moves

*Observation XP System:* - *XP Accumulation:* Each animal has a required XP to unlock a move (e.g., Rabbit Leap requires 4 XP). XP can be gained through multiple methods, not just observation.

• *Proficiency Synergy:* Observing related animals provides partial XP towards similar moves. 2.. *Training Integration:*
• *Student Engagement:* Train students using newly learned techniques. Successful training sessions increase their mastery and understanding of the technique, this could be in the form of a minigame like a rythym game perhaps?
• *Sparring Matches:* Hold sparring matches where you and your students practice techniques, gaining minor XP boosts and refining skills.

*Mystical and Spiritual Elements:*

• *Quest for Scrolls:* Embark on quests to find ancient scrolls in hidden temples or caves. Each scroll grants a unique move or boosts existing ones.
• *Meditation Retreats:* Visit sacred sites for meditation, allowing you to learn from mythical creatures through visions or spiritual encounters.

Visual and Interface Design

• *Learning Progress Bar:* A clear progress bar for each technique showing XP accumulation and methods used. - *Method Indicators:* Icons or symbols indicating how XP was gained (e.g., eye for observation, sword for combat, rabbit for hunting).
• *Training Logs:* Keep logs of training sessions and student progress to track how practice impacts learning.

Further ideas 2: ### Genius Students

• Your dojo have a limited number of disciple, say 5 at lv 1
• All students have traits positive and negative but with rarity, base stats, and 'understanding' level( 'better quality students(genius)' learning things faster, like an %exp increase. 'dissapointment(50%)'bad(80%)-> average(100%)->good(120%)->excelent(150%)->Genius(200%)->Heaven defying(300%)
• Traits could range from: +exp gain for certain moves type(offense(punch, kick) , defense(block, parry), evasion), different rarity may equates to higher exp gain. some traits are negative for example 'sickly' improves the chance of getting sick, 'perverse' could reduce the reputation of your dojo, 'weak body' reduced health, etc, some are unique and is benificial in other ways for example 'lucky', with the highest rarity being 'son of destiny', inexplicable good encounter during quests. Finally there are ungraded, 'unique' traits like 'Madman' gain 50-200% exp during the study, etc

*this could make thing interesting, say we at a lv 1 dojo we could only have 5 disciple, will we kick our 'old' disciple in favour of a 'better' quality students
*Genius Students:*

• *Attraction Mechanism:* As your dojo's reputation grows, you attract more genius students. This can be tied to your achievements in tournaments, the fame of your techniques, and your overall dojo reputation.

further idea 3: romance?
romance who? the rival dojo? i have no idea
HEY! if you have read this far, it shows that you are genuinely interested. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for your time, and I am open to any suggestions for improving this concept. If you are passionate about creating this game, PLEASE DO SO(i aint doin this). I am a bit torn on how to implement the combat, should it be similar to punch club? i genuinely have no idea. Nevertheless, that's all, Thank you for reading and adios fellas.

Greetings,
Here are a few of our upcoming featured courses...for the full course schedule click HERE.
Suns Out (finally) Guns Out!

NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting

• Saturday, June 8, 2024
• 10:00 AM 5:00 PM
• Indian Mills Deer Club (map)

The NRA Basics of Pistol Course (Instructor-Led) introduces students to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for owning and using a pistol safely.
In this course we will cover basic firearms safety, fundamentals of pistol shooting (aiming, grip, stance & trigger control), ammunition components, malfunctions, and we will review the core elements of modern pistols & revolvers. We will practice loading and unloading firearms safely. We will cover how to recognize and clear malfunctions. We will discuss and demonstrate proper firearm maintenance and selection criteria.
Then we’ll head out to the range and put these principles in action.
Course Fee is $165.00

New Jersey Permit To Carry (PTC) Qualification

• Sunday, June 9, 2024
• 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
• Indian Mills Deer Club (map)

The New Jersey Permit To Carry (PTC) Qualification course is an instructor-led and live-fire shooting qualification course intended to equip you with the training and documentation necessary to apply for your New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit.
UPDATE: This course meets the CCARE Protocol requirements for NJ Concealed Carry as published by the NJSP (September, 2023).
Course Fee is $150.00

Beyond the Basics - Pistol Level I

• Saturday, June 15, 2024
• 9:00 AM 3:00 PM
• Jersey Devil Outfitters (map)

The Beyond the Basics (BtB) series is the natural progression for shooters once you have completed the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course. In the BtB - Pistol Level I course, we focus on refining your pistol handling skills, building muscle memory, honing your shooting accuracy, and we take you to the next level of firearms training…beyond the basics.
This course is 100% range time with copious amounts of hands-on instruction.
Course Fee is $185.00

New Jersey Permit To Carry (PTC) Qualification

• Saturday, June 22, 2024
• 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
• Indian Mills Deer Club (map)

The New Jersey Permit To Carry (PTC) Qualification course is an instructor-led and live-fire shooting qualification course intended to equip you with the training and documentation necessary to apply for your New Jersey Concealed Carry Permit.
UPDATE: This course meets the CCARE Protocol requirements for NJ Concealed Carry as published by the NJSP (September, 2023).
Course Fee is $150.00

Stop the Bleed

• Sunday, July 7, 2024
• 2:00 PM 4:00 PM
• Indian Mills Deer Club (map)

This course is designed to teach safe and effective techniques to manage wounds sustained by firearms and other types of weapons. Students will learn when and how to apply different wound-packing techniques, when and how to apply tourniquets, what to place in a trauma kit and more life-saving tactics.
This is a non-live fire course.
Course Fee: $100.00

The Revival is a PC server that provides an organic DayZ experience. Our rules are designed to discourage KOS and toxicity. Our mission is to provide an immersive experience that stays true to what makes DayZ a great game.
Please check out our trailer. It's worth a watch even if you don't plan on playing our server.

FACTIONS RECRUITING

• Deer Isle Police Department - Active Police Force
• Federation of Medical Experts - Active Medical Team
• Revival Trade Collective - Active Trading Group
• Disciples of The Hammered Faith - Devoted followers of Homerius Depotus. Trailer here.
• Dexter's Munchies - Providing what we can to increase the quality of your survival on Deer-isle! We do our best to keep our food crates filled up for the public so you can sit back and relax for a bit!
• The Fish and Game Specialists - A group of friendly hunters, survivalists, and scavengers with a love for diplomacy and emphasis on teamwork.
• Or start your own

FEATURES

• Custom Safe Zone
• Custom POIs
• Custom Dark Zone with Leaderboard & real $$$ Rewards
• Business Licenses for Mechanics, Tailors, Gunsmith, and Carpenters!
• Server Lore Dating Back to 2018 & Experienced Core of Roleplayers
• Base Building with deed system for offline raiding protection
• Mods: Dogtags, Passports, Drugs, Boats, New Zombie Types, Many More!
• People actually use radios. (Long range, no battery drain)
• KOS Discouraged, Interaction Encouraged
• Healthy PvP & Base Raiding - Deed your base with PD to receive a DM when you're being raided.
• Loot is Close to Vanilla, Added Modded Clothing, Guns, Cars, Boats & RP Items
• Customs Mods and Experienced Modders
• All Mods Thoroughly Tested & Configured for Balancing

SERVER INFO

• Dedicated Server in Eastern USA
• 4.5GHz Baseline CPU, High FPS
• Active & Mature Admins and Moderators
• Whitelist and Application Process
• Active Player Bans & Cheater Monitoring
• Clear Rules & Organized Discord
https://discord.gg/therevival

Hi all,
I finally pulled the trigger and bought myself the 70-200 as a B-day gift.
However, I need to ask the most stupid question probably, and apologies for it, but how does one mount the lens on the Peak Design Tripod!? Do I need to attach the little square metal plaque to it, just like you have to put on the camera?
I've watched the videos on the website, he's using a Canon lens for the 70-200 I believe, but I can't see the extra piece mounted to it. So, I'm in doubt and would love your help.
Thank you all!

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You jump in, and every single thing destroys you. There's a hundred packs of bandits that can catch up to you, on your own, on horseback no matter what. You want to wait until morning at a village to catch a hiding bandit? Fuck you, 50 deserters. You want to hunt deer to sell their products? You better hug a fortification and hope they come to you. Or go out and do it, succeed 4 times and lose all your progress training recruits the fifth time.
"Well, you can't just recruit anyone. Maybe you should focus on leveling a core group of companions. And you should level pathfinding to 8 first thing. Or accompany a lord and fight with them."
I don't want to funnel all my points into pathfinding, guy. I don't want to follow an aimless dipshit lord for half the early game. I don't want to hole in a city doing arena melees just to farm 1ks over and over until I can afford a companion or a workshop for passive income. It's not FUN. I get difficulty, I get people get bored after 2k hours in Warband, but why is the raging barbarians option not in the settings menu.
"But that's how it works."
Why?!
Fuckin' garbage ass design philosophy. Takes freedom away and gives it to the wiki.
And it sucks, because they have something. It's obviously a really impressive mod with really talented people behind it. It's just mired in boring, railroaded tactics only for people who have 40 hours to spare just to get rolling on the smallest scale imaginable.

Before I start, here are the pictures - https://photos.app.goo.gl/M1EGtrVyHhpH8f4A7 ("Japan 2" because I took out group shots and condensed slightly from my private album) I've respected the requests for no photos everywhere I've gone (and it happens a lot) so some things are missing from here - I've included a couple of links to sites with pictures of things I couldn't photograph in my breakdown.
I've been wanting to try a solo trip for a little while and originally planned to do this all myself. In the end I chickened out and booked onto a group tour for some of it, but made sure I had a chunk of time on my own too. In the end I needn't have worried about going alone - all the airport and hotel staff speak perfect English, restaurant/shop staff sometimes less so but it's less important there, all navigation signs are translated to English (at least for the cities I visited), Google maps works great (when taking the metro make sure to check which exit it recommends), Google translate has a feature to use your camera and translate any text it sees which works very well most of the time (the tour company booked and collected my JR pass for me so I can't comment on that, although I'm sure it would've also been fine) - although the group were all lovely and made the trip much more fun!
Food isn't really a priority for me when travelling so I can't tell you where I ate most of the time, often it was just the nearest ramen place with a not terrible score on Google. I did make sure to try all of the local stuff as I went (Kobe/Wagyu beef, curry, yakitori, kushikatsu, ramen, donburi, sushi, takoyaki, taiyaki, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, shabu shabu, tempura, gyoza, souffle pancakes, dango).
Flight - opted to go direct as I've never done a transfer before, but could've saved a little bit of cash by stopping over in China for a few hours. The flight was at 9am (London Heathrow, British Airways, economy), 14 hours long and landed at 7am Japanese time (Haneda), so I decided to stay up through the night to make sure I definitely manage to fall asleep on the plane, which I of course did not.
Saturday 13th April - Tokyo Landed at 7am local time. From what I've read my experience is not the norm and you should plan to be there a while, but from the plane touching down, me getting through customs/passport control, exchanging some currency, buying a SIM and travel card through to stepping on the train... a little under an hour? Wont go into it too much but make sure you get a SIM and travel card at the airport, it'll be a lot harder in the city. I got the "Welcome Suica" which is designed for tourists, there's no fee to purchase the card but you can't refund whatever's left at the end - HOWEVER there's a Seven-Eleven (corner shop type thing, they're everywhere in Japan) at the airport (both before and after security) where you can pay with funds from your IC card, so you can make sure you don't waste much (I had about 8 yen left on mine). Went to the hotel (one of the APA hotels in Shinjuku), too early to check in but dropped my bag off. First stop was the Ichiyo Sakura festival - a lot smaller than it is billed as online, I think it's been scaled back a lot post-pandemic, there's no longer a parade, just a little stage in a park with a few hundred attendees and a variety of performances of Japanese stuff - still quite cool, but I was sleep deprived and needed to keep moving so didn't stay too long. I wanted to hunt for cherry blossoms as I knew it was almost the end of the season and they'd die off very quickly, and I'd also seen Tokyo Skytree in the distance, so those were my priorities, and I eventually found myself in Sumida Park. The pink blossoms were very wilted, but the white ones come out a bit later and were in full bloom. Had my first vending machine experience en-route (may sound like a dumb tourist for recommending a western brand but the grape fanta is amazing and I wish they would release it everywhere). Then it was time to check in to the hotel, intended to just have a nap but slept through til 5am.
Sunday 14th April - Tokyo Started at the Samurai Ninja museum. This is 100% tourist nonsense but well worth doing in my opinion, starts with a chance to dress up in samurai outfits (the website says something about the outfits not "looking good" on people over 5'9 but I'm 6'1 and I think it's fine, would be more concerned about width than height) and take photos, then the guided tour (mandatory, included in the price, in English) which I thought was quite interesting (although I got all the same information again on the walking tours I did so not essential), then a chance to throw rubber shuriken (throwing stars) into a foam wall. Afterwards had a bit of free time so wandered in no particular direction, found my first temple - this was the only one I ended up doing that isn't on all the tourist lists so while it wasn't as spectacular as any of the others I did it was the only one that was actually quiet, so really glad I experienced it. Found my way to Senso-ji temple, but knew I was coming back here with the group so didn't linger. Had some candied fruit on a stick on the way. In the afternoon I'd booked teamLab Borderless - you have to book this in advance and I'd highly recommend. I think it's the sort of place you know whether you'll enjoy it just from the pictures. You may have read that it's busy and full of screaming kids, which was true of the big room in the middle but it's easy to immerse yourself in the side rooms which have much better stuff in anyway. There's another teamLab in Tokyo which is similar and I'm sure is also good, but I didn't feel the need to do both. After, had dinner with someone from the group who also arrived early and then wandered around Shibuya for a bit - looked around a pachinko parlour but didn't partake as they were closing in 30 minutes.
Monday 15th April - Tokyo There was a sumo exhibition fight at Yasukini shrine that I spent almost the whole day at! This is a free annual event. Afterwards, had a little walk round near the Imperial Palace (sadly the main gardens are closed on Mondays) then went to grab my suitcase and meet the tour group.
Tuesday 16th April - Kamakura Day trip to Kamakura. Started at Engaku-ji temple where I bought my Goshuincho (at most temples/shrines you can pay a small fee for someone to hand-write a prayer in calligraphy which is unique to that location called a Goshuin, and they'll only do it in a specific type of book called a Goshuincho - it's the last photo in my album). I found it very strange that they were building another building on the site, you'd never be allowed to mess with a historical site like that in England. Then the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. Struggling to come up with much to say about it but it was very pretty? And afterwards the great Buddha statue. We tried to watch the sunset on the beach but it was too cloudy, then headed back to Tokyo.
Wednesday 17th April - Kyoto Bullet train to Kyoto, dropped bags at hotel. Hired kimonos and wandered around the Gion district taking photos for a few hours, before we had booked a matcha tea ceremony (we were told not to worry about cultural appropriation, Japanese people think it's funny seeing western people dressed in them, which did seem to be the case). After lunch we saw the Miyako Odori (each of the geisha districts in Kyoto performs a show/dance for the public once a year, this is the Gion show and is only on in April) - I obviously couldn't take pictures, but there's a snippet up here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm--yxNLMFU
Thursday 18th April - Kyoto Began at the Fushini Inari shrine (the one with thousands of torii gates). You can hike up to the top and back down in under an hour, but there's lots of little side paths to wander down - we budgeted for 3 hours and still didn't see everything. There's a free audio guide online in multiple languages which is quite good. Quickly visited Sanjusangen-do temple (the one with 1001 statues of the deity Kannon) afterwards which I would highly recommend, my favourite of all the temples I saw. Couldn't take photos of the inside, but here it is - https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/sanjusangen-do/#features . In the afternoon we did a free walking tour (Kyoto Localised - obviously tips are expected, please do). I thought the guide was very good and made it entertaining as well as informative, a lot of the time tour guides can be very dry. In the evening, a sushi making class, and then rushed to Kodai-ji temple to see the illuminations before they closed.
Friday 19th April - Kyoto (Arashiyama) Got up early to get to the bamboo forest before it got too crowded. Have no idea why it's so famous - I saw several bamboo forests on the trip (including at Fushini Inari), it's not particularly big and you can only go on the paths - but there is at least some other stuff in the area worth seeing. Hiked up to the top of the hill, then down to the river to sit with our feet in for a while. Had a really strange encounter with some schoolgirls who wanted a picture with us, then went to Tenryu-ji temple. We took the scenic railway (romancecar) back to Kyoto - this is great, try to sit on the right hand side if you can. Rushed up the hill to catch the sunset from Kiyomizu temple. There's a swanky hotel nearby with a rooftop bar that has a gorgeous view of Kyoto (expensive, don't eat here, not sure if it's meant for hotel guests only but nobody asked for a room number or tried to stop us).
Saturday 20th April - Hiroshima Bullet train to Hiroshima, then the ferry over to Miyajima island (ferry is kinda included in the JR pass but you have to pay a small amount of tax) for the floating torii gate. The island is nice to walk around and has lots of deer, we didn't bother with the cable car though as it was quite foggy. Took the ferry back across, then went to see the nuclear bomb dome and peace museum. The museum is quite small and most people would know the history of it but I found the artwork done by survivors to be particularly striking, as well as the eyewitness accounts. Had okonomiyaki in the evening - they uniquely make them with noodles in Hiroshima, great if you're a carb lover like me.
Sunday 21st April - Himeji/Osaka Stopped off at Himeji on the way back to Osaka. Himeji Castle is one of the few surviving castles in Japan (there are many that have been demolished and then replicas built). It is rather impressive in person, although there is nothing to see inside - audio guide is a must as there are no information signs either. Back in Osaka we had a guided food tour - kushikatsu (deep fried skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls), an izakaya (barestaurant that does a bit of everything) and finished with taiyaki (fish shaped pastry filled with red bean paste). The tour ended by dotonbori bridge where we then took a short river cruise up and down the street.
Monday 22nd April - Nara/Osaka Day trip to Nara! Starting in Nara Park, with all the deer that bow to you. Onto Kasuga-Taisha shrine, the one with loads of bronze lanterns. Probably one of the nicer shrines I saw, depending on how far along you are in your trip if you've seen enough it's skippable, much more important you visit Todai-ji temple, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world which houses a huge bronze Buddha statue. There is a hole the same size as the statue's nostril towards the back of the building which you can try to crawl through and is said to bring good fortune. Walk around Naramachi before heading back to Osaka.
Tuesday 23rd April - Tokyo Visited Senso-ji properly in the morning. Most of the day was spent on a walking tour (Tokyo Localised) from Akihabara to Ueno Park - this one wasn't as good as the one in Kyoto, a lot of it was spent sitting and listening rather than walking and the guy was quite pushy with tips. Had a bit of time to mooch around and get some shopping done, I picked up some matcha tea that my Aunt had asked for and some funky Kit-Kat flavours to bring back to housemates/colleagues/friends (liked all the fruity ones I tried except apple which was really bitter - best one was melon). We had dinner at a shabu shabu restaurant (Momo Paradise) and then spent the night in Shinjuku/Golden Gai.
Wednesday 24th April - Tokyo Began the day with a maid cafe experience - this is creepy af and should be avoided at all costs. Went to Harajuku, didn't actually see anybody dressed up but enjoyed the rainbow cheese toastie and giant candy floss all the same. Flying visit to Shibuya to cross the crossing (if you do go, maybe try one of the upper floor people watching cafes/restaurants that always get suggested for this area, it didn't feel worth it to go just to cross, it felt like a normal street crossing), then up Tokyo Tower to the viewing platform - this was nice, but we chose a day with really poor visibility.
Thursday 25th April - Tokyo Travel with the group ended here, a few with later flights came with me to Odaiba beach in the morning. This place is beautiful if it's clear and sunny, I think the tide was in but there were a few rocks we could climb on. Saw the Statue of Liberty and the robot statue. Then I had to head back to the city as I had a ticket for a baseball game (Tokyo Swallows v Hiroshima Carp). This was loads of fun - I work in sports data so had a rough idea of the rules but would suggest others having a quick read beforehand if you go. I caught a really good game, 9-8 to the home team with a home run in the final inning (and with 2 men already out) to win it, also saw a 'grand slam' (home run with a man already on each base for 4 runs). They bring umbrellas to the game and wave them up and down when they score!
Friday 26th April - Hakone This was my favourite day of the trip! I bought the Hakone freepass, which gets you free travel to, from and all around Hakone, plus a couple of discounts. You display the ticket on your phone so it's very easy to use. I've heard Hakone can get busy, and I'm sure it was much worse at the weekend, but I had no queues whatsoever! Started at Shinjuku station, usually the advice is to pay for an upgrade to take the romancecar, rather than sit on the Odakyu line for hours with a transfer at Odawara, but I was lucky that there was a super express train due when I got to the station that was almost as quick as the romancecar (quicker when factoring in the queue to buy the upgrade - I did take the upgrade on the way back though). I went straight to the open air museum which was absolutely stunning, I could've spent the whole day here. I also thought the Picasso exhibit was very good - I've seen more than enough of his paintings before, but this focused more on his sketches and ceramics work. I completed the rest of the loop, cable car up to the top to see the sulphur vents and the view of Mt Fuji, had an egg cooked in the sulphur, car down the other side to the lake, cruise over the lake (I actually got one of the last boats, keep an eye on departure times). Was too late to visit the shrine but could still go up to the torii by the lake, then bus back to the station to get to Tokyo. In the evening I went to a small local band showcase at a venue called Nine Spices.
Saturday 27th April - Tokyo My last day in Japan was left without a plan, so I could go back and finish off whatever I felt I'd missed. Started with a walk through Yoyogi Park to see Meiji Jingu shrine, then went on towards the Imperial Palace to see the gardens. Had a really nice curry at a restaurant called Sama in Harajuku - not sure it's particularly Japanese but it was very popular, I'd skipped breakfast so had a really early lunch and got straight in but the queue was out the door, down the stairs and along the street when I left. I really wanted to see some Japanese artwork (more so traditional stuff than anything modern) and had a hard time deciding which art gallery was best for this, eventually settling on Tokyo National Museum rather than a gallery, and I think I made the right choice. The main exhibition is mostly about the history of Japanese art, from during the isolation period where the focus was mainly on producing art as useful items - folding screen doors, tables, chairs, sword handles, samurai armour - through to the end of that period and the start of international trade, where the West rejected the idea of these items being classed as "fine art" and so lead to the development of the wood block (ukiyo-e) art style. The museum is laid out in a way that tells the story chronologically and is really interesting. The gift shop at the end is also the best place to get good quality souvenirs - I got some folding screen style prints (smaller, the right size to go on a shelf) and a paper fan (sensu). There's a few other buildings on the museum grounds with smaller exhibitions - I didn't see all of them as it was getting late, but I wasn't overly enthusiastic about what I did see, it's all about the main building in my opinion. I finished the day at the Pit Inn (jazz club, the band I saw was called the Suga Dairo Trio).
Sunday 28th April - checked out of hotel, went to airport, 1pm flight.
I'm very happy with my itinerary but there were a few places I didn't get to see. I didn't get to see much of Osaka, I also wish I'd tried harder to get Ghibli museum tickets. I'm not sure that I'd cut anything but with another few days I'd have built in an overnight stay in Kanazawa and a day trip or overnight stay in Nikko (or I might've considered a few nights in Seoul as I'm unlikely to be back in this part of the world anytime soon).

I'm designing bathroom in a very tight space and Deer Valley has a toilet with a total depth of only 23-5/8". Never heard of the brand before now.
Does anyone have experience with them?
Thanks,
HH
Symmetry 12 in. Rough in Size 1-Piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush Round Toilet DV-1F52807
Weights & Dimensions
Overall: 23.62"L X 15.75"W X 25.98"H
Rough In Size: 12"
Toilet Seat Height - Top to Bottom: 15.75"
Bowl Height - Top to Bottom: 14.96"
Tank:?10.24"H X 15.55"L X 4.72" W
Tank Lid:?0.79"H X 15.75"L X 4.92" W
Bolts Spread Distance: 6.1"
Distance from the Seat Installation Hole to the Tank: 1.57"
Distance from the Back of the Toilet to the Wall: 3.74"
Toilet Installation Hole Distance: 5.91"
Height from the Bottom of the Water Tank to the Ground: 14.49"
Distance Between the Center of Adapter and the Center of Trapway: 5.31"
Trapway Diameter: 2.36"
Toilet Seat: 1.73/1.06 Back/Front" H X 15.35" W X 17.24" L
Toilet Seat Inside Ring: 8.86"W X 11.42" L
Bowl: 13.19"L X 10.83" W X 14.96" H
Toilet Base Dimension: 17.32" L X 13.39" W
Overall Product Weight: 106 lb.
Flush Volume: 1.28 GPF
https://www.deervalleybath.com/en-ca/products/deervalley-dv-1f52807-yodar-1-28-gpf-water-efficient-ceramic-easy-to-clean-elongated-one-piece-toilet-seat-included
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEERVALLEY-Symmetry-12-in-Rough-in-Size-1-Piece-1-28-GPF-Single-Flush-Round-Toilet-in-White-Seat-Included-DV-1F52807/321735146

https://imgur.com/a/d6sbcY8
Eve wolf is a fawn girl. (Basically like a Satyr, but without the bottom legs of a deer. Human legs.)
Shadow walkers in this setting are basically shadow infused creatures, with powers that vary based on each walker. Her powers are more akin to teleportation and striking from behind.
The setting is similar to the technology level of the Industrial age, with one glaring change: Black Powder and the like was never utilized, instead they use a crystal called Elysium crystals to form the backbone of their electrical grid. This also means that Firearms are extremely rare. Otherwise its the bog standard Fantasy Setting.)
Her outfit is a bit different than one would expect.
She has a turtle neck (If it makes sense. It'd be slightly looser than one.), with only her left arm covered. The arm goes down to her wrist. Her hands have tekkou, and on her left arm, has armor on top of the sleeve of the turtle neck, mostly to deflect attacks. Her tummy is exposed. She has a hood that she can pull up over her antlers. The neck part of the turtle neck is designed to pull up and cover her lower mouth and nose.
She wears fairly short shorts (Maybe mid thigh.), with armored leg plates and normal off the shelf boots.
Her clothing should be black, although not pitch black. She tends to be a rogue for the most part.
Some of the biggest changes since my last LFA request for this character, shes been burned pretty badly. Right arm, right side of her body and the right side of her face.Her eyes have changed from orange on the burned side, and sky blue on the left side. She sometimes hides the arm burns under bandages, but can't really do much for her face.