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So, here it is. Another part or better said LEGO interpretation of another part of my childhood. Sanok, the place I spent most of my summer time. A place on earth I love to come back anytime I’ve got some spare time.

 

Autosan, one of the the oldest factories in Poland, founded by Walenty Lipiński and Mateusz Beksiński (yes, great-grandfather of ZdzisłaW Bekśiński) in 1845/1846.

 

Autosan H9-35, a city bus dsigned in 1969 and since 70s widely used in Poland in small and medium cities. Far away from today’s buses but still can be met here and there. Most of them are modernized.

 

I decided to replicate something older what I remember. The choice was H9-35 in traditional SPGK (operator of buses in Sanok) livery used in 80s and 90s. Bus #017 was built in 1984 and since new used as a city bus. I’m not sure when it was scrapped but for sure it is never more. Line number 3, just because it was the one I often traveled from my grandparents to visit my cousin on the other side of the city. Another option is a line “0” – called that because its route was around the city.

 

The idea to build such a bus with LEGO came after V1 showed his H9-21 couple of years ago. I re-used his front and wheel arches.

 

The model is equipped with fully functional minifig seats and couple more of them can stand on the floor as well. Far away from a real bus capacity, but not bad as for LEGO model. There are hand handles under the ceiling. Doors can be detached and then you will get fully functional steps to arrange some bus stop scenes. Driver workplace is also quite realistic with seat, steering wheel, gear lever and fancy wooden foot landing prevalent in H9-35 buses.

 

A lot of fun building it. I really cannot wait to put it on the bus stop by my train station. Now I think I need two of them. Or maybe Jelcz PR110 #084 from Sanok, but it’s topic for another story :)

  

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This article is about the group of viruses. For the disease involved in the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, see Coronavirus disease 2019. For the virus that causes this disease, see Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Orthocoronavirinae

Coronaviruses 004 lores.jpg

Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of avian infectious bronchitis virus

SARS-CoV-2 without background.png

Illustration of the morphology of coronaviruses; the club-shaped viral spike peplomers, colored red, create the look of a corona surrounding the virion when observed with an electron microscope.

Virus classification e

(unranked):Virus

Realm:Riboviria

Phylum:incertae sedis

Order:Nidovirales

Family:Coronaviridae

Subfamily:Orthocoronavirinae

Genera[1]

Alphacoronavirus

Betacoronavirus

Gammacoronavirus

Deltacoronavirus

Synonyms[2][3][4]

Coronavirinae

Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal. Mild illnesses include some cases of the common cold (which has other possible causes, predominantly rhinoviruses), while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. Symptoms in other species vary: in chickens, they cause an upper respiratory tract disease, while in cows and pigs they cause diarrhea. There are yet to be vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat human coronavirus infections.

 

Coronaviruses constitute the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales, and realm Riboviria.[5][6] They are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The genome size of coronaviruses ranges from approximately 26 to 32 kilobases, one of the largest among RNA viruses.[7] They have characteristic club-shaped spikes that project from their surface, which in electron micrographs create an image reminiscent of the solar corona from which their name derives.[8]

  

Contents

1Discovery

2Etymology

3Morphology

4Genome

5Life cycle

5.1Entry

5.2Replication

5.3Release

6Transmission

7Taxonomy

8Evolution

9Human coronaviruses

10Outbreaks of coronavirus diseases

10.1Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

10.2Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

10.3Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

11Other animals

11.1Diseases caused

11.2Domestic animals

12Genomic cis-acting elements

13Genome packaging

14See also

15References

16Further reading

Discovery

Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1930s when an acute respiratory infection of domesticated chickens was shown to be caused by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). In the 1940s, two more animal coronaviruses, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), were isolated.[9]

 

Human coronaviruses were discovered in the 1960s.[10] The earliest ones studied were from human patients with the common cold, which were later named human coronavirus 229E and human coronavirus OC43.[11] Other human coronaviruses have since been identified, including SARS-CoV in 2003, HCoV NL63 in 2004, HKU1 in 2005, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Most of these have involved serious respiratory tract infections.

 

Etymology

The name "coronavirus" is derived from Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "wreath", itself a borrowing from Greek κορώνη korṓnē, "garland, wreath". The name refers to the characteristic appearance of virions (the infective form of the virus) by electron microscopy, which have a fringe of large, bulbous surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona. This morphology is created by the viral spike peplomers, which are proteins on the surface of the virus.[8][12]

 

Morphology

Cross-sectional model of a coronavirus

Cross-sectional model of a coronavirus

Coronaviruses are large pleomorphic spherical particles with bulbous surface projections.[13] The average diameter of the virus particles is around 120 nm (.12 μm). The diameter of the envelope is ~80 nm (.08 μm) and the spikes are ~20 nm (.02 μm) long. The envelope of the virus in electron micrographs appears as a distinct pair of electron dense shells.[14][15]

 

The viral envelope consists of a lipid bilayer where the membrane (M), envelope (E) and spike (S) structural proteins are anchored.[16] A subset of coronaviruses (specifically the members of betacoronavirus subgroup A) also have a shorter spike-like surface protein called hemagglutinin esterase (HE).[5]

 

Inside the envelope, there is the nucleocapsid, which is formed from multiple copies of the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which are bound to the positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome in a continuous beads-on-a-string type conformation.[15][17] The lipid bilayer envelope, membrane proteins, and nucleocapsid protect the virus when it is outside the host cell.[18]

 

Genome

See also: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus § Genome

 

Schematic representation of the genome organization and functional domains of S protein for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV

Coronaviruses contain a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome. The genome size for coronaviruses ranges from 26.4 to 31.7 kilobases.[7] The genome size is one of the largest among RNA viruses. The genome has a 5′ methylated cap and a 3′ polyadenylated tail.[15]

 

The genome organization for a coronavirus is 5′-leader-UTR-replicase/transcriptase-spike (S)-envelope (E)-membrane (M)-nucleocapsid (N)-3′UTR-poly (A) tail. The open reading frames 1a and 1b, which occupy the first two-thirds of the genome, encode the replicase/transcriptase polyprotein. The replicase/transcriptase polyprotein self cleaves to form nonstructural proteins.[15]

 

The later reading frames encode the four major structural proteins: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid.[19] Interspersed between these reading frames are the reading frames for the accessory proteins. The number of accessory proteins and their function is unique depending on the specific coronavirus.[15]

 

Life cycle

Entry

 

The life cycle of a coronavirus

Infection begins when the viral spike (S) glycoprotein attaches to its complementary host cell receptor. After attachment, a protease of the host cell cleaves and activates the receptor-attached spike protein. Depending on the host cell protease available, cleavage and activation allows the virus to enter the host cell by endocytosis or direct fusion of the viral envelop with the host membrane.[20]

 

On entry into the host cell, the virus particle is uncoated, and its genome enters the cell cytoplasm.[15] The coronavirus RNA genome has a 5′ methylated cap and a 3′ polyadenylated tail, which allows the RNA to attach to the host cell's ribosome for translation.[15] The host ribosome translates the initial overlapping open reading frame of the virus genome and forms a long polyprotein. The polyprotein has its own proteases which cleave the polyprotein into multiple nonstructural proteins.[15]

 

Replication

A number of the nonstructural proteins coalesce to form a multi-protein replicase-transcriptase complex (RTC). The main replicase-transcriptase protein is the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). It is directly involved in the replication and transcription of RNA from an RNA strand. The other nonstructural proteins in the complex assist in the replication and transcription process. The exoribonuclease nonstructural protein, for instance, provides extra fidelity to replication by providing a proofreading function which the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase lacks.[21]

 

One of the main functions of the complex is to replicate the viral genome. RdRp directly mediates the synthesis of negative-sense genomic RNA from the positive-sense genomic RNA. This is followed by the replication of positive-sense genomic RNA from the negative-sense genomic RNA.[15] The other important function of the complex is to transcribe the viral genome. RdRp directly mediates the synthesis of negative-sense subgenomic RNA molecules from the positive-sense genomic RNA. This is followed by the transcription of these negative-sense subgenomic RNA molecules to their corresponding positive-sense mRNAs.[15]

 

Release

The replicated positive-sense genomic RNA becomes the genome of the progeny viruses. The mRNAs are gene transcripts of the last third of the virus genome after the initial overlapping reading frame. These mRNAs are translated by the host's ribosomes into the structural proteins and a number of accessory proteins.[15] RNA translation occurs inside the endoplasmic reticulum. The viral structural proteins S, E, and M move along the secretory pathway into the Golgi intermediate compartment. There, the M proteins direct most protein-protein interactions required for assembly of viruses following its binding to the nucleocapsid.[22] Progeny viruses are then released from the host cell by exocytosis through secretory vesicles.[22]

 

Transmission

The interaction of the coronavirus spike protein with its complement host cell receptor is central in determining the tissue tropism, infectivity, and species range of the virus.[23][24] The SARS coronavirus, for example, infects human cells by attaching to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor.[25]

 

Taxonomy

For a more detailed list of members, see Coronaviridae.

 

Phylogenetic tree of coronaviruses

The scientific name for coronavirus is Orthocoronavirinae or Coronavirinae.[2][3][4] Coronavirus belongs to the family of Coronaviridae.

 

Genus: Alphacoronavirus

Species: Human coronavirus 229E, Human coronavirus NL63, Miniopterus bat coronavirus 1, Miniopterus bat coronavirus HKU8, Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, Rhinolophus bat coronavirus HKU2, Scotophilus bat coronavirus 512

Genus Betacoronavirus; type species: Murine coronavirus

Species: Betacoronavirus 1 (Human coronavirus OC43), Human coronavirus HKU1, Murine coronavirus, Pipistrellus bat coronavirus HKU5, Rousettus bat coronavirus HKU9, Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2), Tylonycteris bat coronavirus HKU4, Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, Hedgehog coronavirus 1 (EriCoV)

Genus Gammacoronavirus; type species: Infectious bronchitis virus

Species: Beluga whale coronavirus SW1, Infectious bronchitis virus

Genus Deltacoronavirus; type species: Bulbul coronavirus HKU11

Species: Bulbul coronavirus HKU11, Porcine coronavirus HKU15

Evolution

The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses has been estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE, though some models place the MRCA as far back as 55 million years or more, implying long term coevolution with bats.[26] The MRCAs of the alphacoronavirus line has been placed at about 2400 BCE, the betacoronavirus line at 3300 BCE, the gammacoronavirus line at 2800 BCE, and the deltacoronavirus line at about 3000 BCE. It appears that bats and birds, as warm-blooded flying vertebrates, are ideal hosts for the coronavirus gene source (with bats for alphacoronavirus and betacoronavirus, and birds for gammacoronavirus and deltacoronavirus) to fuel coronavirus evolution and dissemination.[27]

 

Bovine coronavirus and canine respiratory coronaviruses diverged from a common ancestor recently (~ 1950).[28] Bovine coronavirus and human coronavirus OC43 diverged around the 1890s. Bovine coronavirus diverged from the equine coronavirus species at the end of the 18th century.[29]

 

The MRCA of human coronavirus OC43 has been dated to the 1950s.[30]

 

MERS-CoV, although related to several bat coronavirus species, appears to have diverged from these several centuries ago.[31] The human coronavirus NL63 and a bat coronavirus shared an MRCA 563–822 years ago.[32]

 

The most closely related bat coronavirus and SARS-CoV diverged in 1986.[33] A path of evolution of the SARS virus and keen relationship with bats have been proposed. The authors suggest that the coronaviruses have been coevolved with bats for a long time and the ancestors of SARS-CoV first infected the species of the genus Hipposideridae, subsequently spread to species of the Rhinolophidae and then to civets, and finally to humans.[34][35]

 

Alpaca coronavirus and human coronavirus 229E diverged before 1960.[36]

 

Human coronaviruses

 

Illustration of SARSr-CoV virion

Coronaviruses vary significantly in risk factor. Some can kill more than 30% of those infected (such as MERS-CoV), and some are relatively harmless, such as the common cold.[15] Coronaviruses cause colds with major symptoms, such as fever, and a sore throat from swollen adenoids, occurring primarily in the winter and early spring seasons.[37] Coronaviruses can cause pneumonia (either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia) and bronchitis (either direct viral bronchitis or secondary bacterial bronchitis).[38] The human coronavirus discovered in 2003, SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), has a unique pathogenesis because it causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections.[38]

 

Six species of human coronaviruses are known, with one species subdivided into two different strains, making seven strains of human coronaviruses altogether. Four of these strains produce the generally mild symptoms of the common cold:

 

Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), of the genus β-CoV

Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1), β-CoV, its genome has 75% similarity to OC43[39]

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), α-CoV

Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), α-CoV

Three strains (two species) produce symptoms that are potentially severe; all three of these are β-CoV strains:

 

Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

The coronaviruses HCoV-229E, -NL63, -OC43, and -HKU1 continually circulate in the human population and cause respiratory infections in adults and children worldwide.[40]

 

Outbreaks of coronavirus diseases

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

Main article: Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Characteristics of human coronavirus strains

MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2,

and related diseases

MERS-CoVSARS-CoVSARS-CoV-2

DiseaseMERSSARSCOVID-19

Outbreaks2012, 2015,

20182002–20042019–2020

pandemic

Epidemiology

Date of first

identified caseJune

2012November

2002December

2019[41]

Location of first

identified caseJeddah,

Saudi ArabiaShunde,

ChinaWuhan,

China

Age average5644[42][a]56[43]

Sex ratio3.3:10.8:1[44]1.6:1[43]

Confirmed cases24948096[45]1,601,018[46][b]

Deaths858774[45]95,718[46][b]

Case fatality rate37%9.2%6.0%[46]

Symptoms

Fever98%99–100%87.9%[47]

Dry cough47%29–75%67.7%[47]

Dyspnea72%40–42%18.6%[47]

Diarrhea26%20–25%3.7%[47]

Sore throat21%13–25%13.9%[47]

Ventilatory support24.5%[48]14–20%4.1%[49]

Notes

^ Based on data from Hong Kong.

^ Jump up to: a b Data as of 10 April 2020.

vte

In 2003, following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which had begun the prior year in Asia, and secondary cases elsewhere in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a press release stating that a novel coronavirus identified by a number of laboratories was the causative agent for SARS. The virus was officially named the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). More than 8,000 people were infected, about ten percent of whom died.[25]

 

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

Main article: Middle East respiratory syndrome

In September 2012, a new type of coronavirus was identified, initially called Novel Coronavirus 2012, and now officially named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).[50][51] The World Health Organization issued a global alert soon after.[52] The WHO update on 28 September 2012 said the virus did not seem to pass easily from person to person.[53] However, on 12 May 2013, a case of human-to-human transmission in France was confirmed by the French Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.[54] In addition, cases of human-to-human transmission were reported by the Ministry of Health in Tunisia. Two confirmed cases involved people who seemed to have caught the disease from their late father, who became ill after a visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Despite this, it appears the virus had trouble spreading from human to human, as most individuals who are infected do not transmit the virus.[55] By 30 October 2013, there were 124 cases and 52 deaths in Saudi Arabia.[56]

 

After the Dutch Erasmus Medical Centre sequenced the virus, the virus was given a new name, Human Coronavirus—Erasmus Medical Centre (HCoV-EMC). The final name for the virus is Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The only U.S. cases (both survived) were recorded in May 2014.[57]

 

In May 2015, an outbreak of MERS-CoV occurred in the Republic of Korea, when a man who had traveled to the Middle East, visited four hospitals in the Seoul area to treat his illness. This caused one of the largest outbreaks of MERS-CoV outside the Middle East.[58] As of December 2019, 2,468 cases of MERS-CoV infection had been confirmed by laboratory tests, 851 of which were fatal, a mortality rate of approximately 34.5%.[59]

 

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Main article: Coronavirus disease 2019

In December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China.[60] On 31 December 2019, the outbreak was traced to a novel strain of coronavirus,[61] which was given the interim name 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO),[62][63][64] later renamed SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Some researchers have suggested the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market may not be the original source of viral transmission to humans.[65][66]

 

As of 10 April 2020, there have been at least 95,718[46] confirmed deaths and more than 1,601,018[46] confirmed cases in the coronavirus pneumonia pandemic. The Wuhan strain has been identified as a new strain of Betacoronavirus from group 2B with approximately 70% genetic similarity to the SARS-CoV.[67] The virus has a 96% similarity to a bat coronavirus, so it is widely suspected to originate from bats as well.[65][68] The pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and nationwide lockdowns in several countries.

 

Other animals

Coronaviruses have been recognized as causing pathological conditions in veterinary medicine since the 1930s.[9] Except for avian infectious bronchitis, the major related diseases have mainly an intestinal location.[69]

 

Diseases caused

Coronaviruses primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of mammals and birds. They also cause a range of diseases in farm animals and domesticated pets, some of which can be serious and are a threat to the farming industry. In chickens, the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus, targets not only the respiratory tract but also the urogenital tract. The virus can spread to different organs throughout the chicken.[70] Economically significant coronaviruses of farm animals include porcine coronavirus (transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus, TGE) and bovine coronavirus, which both result in diarrhea in young animals. Feline coronavirus: two forms, feline enteric coronavirus is a pathogen of minor clinical significance, but spontaneous mutation of this virus can result in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease associated with high mortality. Similarly, there are two types of coronavirus that infect ferrets: Ferret enteric coronavirus causes a gastrointestinal syndrome known as epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE), and a more lethal systemic version of the virus (like FIP in cats) known as ferret systemic coronavirus (FSC).[71] There are two types of canine coronavirus (CCoV), one that causes mild gastrointestinal disease and one that has been found to cause respiratory disease. Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a coronavirus that causes an epidemic murine illness with high mortality, especially among colonies of laboratory mice.[72] Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) is highly infectious coronavirus of laboratory rats, which can be transmitted between individuals by direct contact and indirectly by aerosol. Acute infections have high morbidity and tropism for the salivary, lachrymal and harderian glands.[73]

 

A HKU2-related bat coronavirus called swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) causes diarrhea in pigs.[74]

 

Prior to the discovery of SARS-CoV, MHV had been the best-studied coronavirus both in vivo and in vitro as well as at the molecular level. Some strains of MHV cause a progressive demyelinating encephalitis in mice which has been used as a murine model for multiple sclerosis. Significant research efforts have been focused on elucidating the viral pathogenesis of these animal coronaviruses, especially by virologists interested in veterinary and zoonotic diseases.[75]

 

Domestic animals

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes avian infectious bronchitis.

Porcine coronavirus (transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus of pigs, TGEV).[76][77]

Bovine coronavirus (BCV), responsible for severe profuse enteritis in of young calves.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) causes mild enteritis in cats as well as severe Feline infectious peritonitis (other variants of the same virus).

the two types of canine coronavirus (CCoV) (one causing enteritis, the other found in respiratory diseases).

Turkey coronavirus (TCV) causes enteritis in turkeys.

Ferret enteric coronavirus causes epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets.

Ferret systemic coronavirus causes FIP-like systemic syndrome in ferrets.[78]

Pantropic canine coronavirus.

Rabbit enteric coronavirus causes acute gastrointestinal disease and diarrhea in young European rabbits. Mortality rates are high.[79]

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PED or PEDV), has emerged around the world.[80]

Genomic cis-acting elements

In common with the genomes of all other RNA viruses, coronavirus genomes contain cis-acting RNA elements that ensure the specific replication of viral RNA by a virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The embedded cis-acting elements devoted to coronavirus replication constitute a small fraction of the total genome, but this is presumed to be a reflection of the fact that coronaviruses have the largest genomes of all RNA viruses. The boundaries of cis-acting elements essential to replication are fairly well-defined, and the RNA secondary structures of these regions are understood. However, how these cis-acting structures and sequences interact with the viral replicase and host cell components to allow RNA synthesis is not well understood.[81][5]

 

Genome packaging

The assembly of infectious coronavirus particles requires the selection of viral genomic RNA from a cellular pool that contains an abundant excess of non-viral and viral RNAs. Among the seven to ten specific viral mRNAs synthesized in virus-infected cells, only the full-length genomic RNA is packaged efficiently into coronavirus particles. Studies have revealed cis-acting elements and trans-acting viral factors involved in the coronavirus genome encapsidation and packaging. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of genome selection and packaging is critical for developing antiviral strategies and viral expression vectors based on the coronavirus genome.[81][5]

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus

This is one of my latest models which replicates one of the BMW X5 vehicles that Essex Police use as Armed Response Vehicles.The model is of EU62 EOB. This is the first model I have built of Essex vehicles since they have changed their base colour back over to white in the last couple of years.

 

The model has been re-sprayed from it's original colour of black, had it's interior painted black, had it's rear windows tinted and full Essex Police livery applied. I've also added a clear Whelen Liberty light bar to the roof and a police comms aerial. The model has had the correct roof codes and number plates fitted. Also note the correct extra yellow markings on the bonnet and lower front bumper.

 

See a picture of the real vehicle here: www.flickr.com/photos/49027694@N03/8518798346/in/photolis...

It's amazing that our biological bodies are seemingly built upon technology that has been passed to us through numerous replications of our DNA strains through each and every cell division ad infinitum. Through meosis, mitosis, and it continues again.

 

There is this moment of rebirth when our genetic codex is melanged through combinatronic permutation after permutated combination in this grand scheme of survival, life, and existence. It is the greatest hedging of the bets done so for purely longer-term species survival, but is this concept of an individual that we adore so much just an elaborate illusion? Instead, are we really just infinitesimal parts of a whole, the huge composite structure of machinery that completes the circle of life, the way of the tao, the nature of the au natural, the systemic mechanisms of divinity?

 

Are we just an experimental device, a mouthpiece for control over the dominion of evolutionary advantage such that our DNA is mixed into a combinatorial cocktail and then reborn anew time and time again for the pure fact of increasing the probability of species survival and thusly letting the natural forces at bay enhance and design our technology?

 

With all of this illusion and deceiving, it's hard to discern reality from dream, so it comes to light that we are a product of continuous being whereby there has been no end since the beginning. Is this so? And all this where the replication from one system to another has been so seamless that an illusion upon an illusion upon an illusion began to surface seemingly making us distinct individuals, when in fact we are but one grand individual?

 

There is no spoon, yet there is no divinity. I find this to be simultaneously true and false at the same time, which is blasphemy at its best. There isn't a spoon, it's all an illusion, but yet we do exist, we think, breathe, eat, and live, then where is the divinity? Is it all around us, including us, ourselves, our individualistic entities of existential being?

 

We are also not multiple beings, but one continuous breed of life that has been spawned, remixed, recoded, reconfigured time and time again just to maintain strength, vigor, and an edge on the competition in this jungle of an environment.

 

Ultimately, we are one. We are one being, one machine, one system, one divinity. We will not fully become aware of our supremeness nor immortality until we have reached our destination called destiny, but when we do reach it, we will be one, and with that oneness, we will be divine.

 

La machine parfaite est divinité.

 

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For this model I have sought to replicate the Lego Creator Classic Pickup as is - rather than morph it into a particular vehicle brand. For the basis of the pickup, I used my early 1950s Ford F1 model as a basis.

 

The Ford F1 was the first in a long line of best-sellers in the segment for Ford Motor Company, having replaced the pre-War truck models with a much more sophisticated and comfortable vehicle.

 

When I first designed the Base Ford F1 vehicle, more than a decade ago, I was broadly unfamiliar with the vehicle proportions (you don't see many driving around these days). For this significant update of the model, I have included a much taller cabin and windshield, along with more sculpting of the front fenders and hood. The Lego model also featured squarer rear fenders as well.

 

This scale does not permit the usage of the (rather clever) lift in/out wooden tray extenders, bu t I have sought to achieve a similar (but slimmer) effect with 3mm circular rods and some of the new end connectors.

 

I am also quite pleased with the outcome of the design of the front grille at the smaller scale, particularly as the official set executes this (generic) part of the truck very effectively.

A replication in metal sculpture. It was all covered in sand at the time, there was no grass. You can see the rail, which was there runway. Orville is flying the plane, lying on the lower wing.

The picture shows a replication of The the prophet Mohammad's (peace be upon him) House. The model of the house was built to give people a glimpse of the way the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) lived. This house is just a part of a bigger exhibition of the life of the prophet (peace be upon him).

 

the house was reproduced based on authentic narrations that describe the Prophet's (peace be upon him) house.

 

The Exhibition is held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 

SPHERICAL PANORAMA | 360 dgree

fieldofview.com/flickr/?page=photos/bahimashat/3372829764...

 

Allahuma 9aleee 3alieeh :)

 

I will post the other pictures soooon here :

www.facebook.com/pages/Bahi-Mashat-photography/38641338576

Replicating Batman from the 90s cartoon is a bit more difficult than you'd think because of his colors. I mean, sometimes his cape and cowl are black, sometimes they have dark blue highlights. The inside lining of his cape is definably blue, though. This pic shows the weirdness of his colors. So, would this minifig here make the best BTAS Batman, or should it just stay all blue?

Palm: Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago

Floor: Le Capitole, Toulouse

Replicating a late 1950's photo of how tight Ranelagh Bridge Service Depot was, here a couple of GW's Express Loco's are squeezed in between the Sub Station on the right, with the Mews to the left.

 

Towering over it all is GW's Records Office.

In OO gauge I've had to truncate it's width but it slides in nicely to finish off that corner.

 

The fire escape was made using 'H' section plastic strip coupled with the cut down step sections from an ancient Hornby Footbridge I bought at a rail show. Unfortunately, the hand rails from the kit won't work as they are made from a 'poly' type plastic that won't take superglue, so it's back to the drawing board until I find another option

replicating "Vermeer's Girl With The Pearl Earring" with tape.

This is my attempt at replicating the Pagani Zonda Cinque in LEGO bricks. The Zonda is one of my top 5 favorite cars, so I had to include one in my LEGO collection. This is actually my third attempt at building the Zonda (see my previous versions here and here). With this version, I think I've improved the overall shape of the car by increasing the width at the rear of the car to 17 studs (the front of the car is 16 studs wide).

 

As you can see, this creation was inspired by Firas Abu-Jaber's own Zonda. I tried to replicate the Zonda's shape using different methods from Firas' Zonda, but in the end some areas, such as the front simply could not be made better (Firas' version is near perfect).

 

Also, if anyone has a set of Ferrari FXX rims and is willing to sell, please let me know (prices on Bricklink are so high for this piece)! Those rims would look a lot better on this car than these silver ones I have.

Replicated the linen suit that I made for my Iplehouse SID for Kingdom Doll Nelson.

Replication of the scene from ALIEN (1979). Might make a good Wallpaper.

This gorgeous bacterial polysome was recently published in Cell. You can think of it as a 9-head programmable nanofabricator.

 

The ribosome reads the digital code of mRNA and manufactures most of what we care about in our bodies from a sequential concatenation of amino acids into proteins. The ribosome is a wonderful existence proof of the power and robustness of molecular machines. It is roughly 20nm on a side and consists of only 99 thousand atoms.

 

The numbered ribosomes are shown tightly bound to a single mRNA strand at the core, with each mRNA making its own protein. The two major subunits of each ribosome are blue and yellow. The nascent protein chains being cranked out in close proximity to each other are green and red.

 

The researchers conclude: “this arrangement maximizes the distance between nascent chains on adjacent ribosomes, thereby reducing the probability of intermolecular interactions that would give rise to aggregation and limit productive folding.”

 

To me it looks like hyperbolic crochet. (I’ll post a comparison image below)

 

…a mesmerizing image to behold during the Synthetic Genomics board meeting today. Another example of perceiving beauty in the accumulated complexity of simple iterative algorithms… like a 3D cellular automata from Wolfram or a hyperbolic coral reef.

 

Replicating Red Necks

Despite its chilling temperatures, the Arctic tundra is a hotbed of reproduction. Many avian species, like the Red-necked Phalarope seen flying across frigid waters, seem oblivious to the cold, and, in fact, fly from potentially warmer waters to the Alaskan tundra to breed each summer season. For many, it is the only time that they spend significant time on land. Many pass the winter months out at sea and out of sight for most humans. It’s a wet and chilling concept for landlubbers like us, but is it the norm for these animals. The effects of global warming and Arctic drilling have yet to be determined. Most certainly, oil spills could spell disaster for some species that depend upon finite areas for their reproduction. Spills in the Arctic would be almost impossible to clean up, leading to death and destruction on epic scales. Perhaps we need to temper our red necked ways when it comes to exploring for petroleum in vital areas of the globe. #RedNeckedPhalarope

 

Catherine’s Little Free Library in Old Northeast St. Pete, photographed in the company of an affectionate cat.

Style Card:

Gown: Virtual Diva Closure Gown

Virtual Diva Gema Gown Couture

Add-ons: Secret MVD (replicated and repositioned to form a pair of earrings)

metoorose (replicated and repositioned to form a pair of sleeves)

metooornament (replicated and repositioned to form a belt over the waist line)

Rose MVD (worn as a headpiece)

Clutch: Chop Zuey - Nocturne - Clutch Blk/BlkDiam

Shoes: Heels - STILLS 1 BLK PATENT

Hair: enVOGUE HAIR - Patricia

Ring: Lazuri Classic Pearls Ring

 

Inspiration:

 

The name I chose for the gown I've created is "No means NO" and I've created it as an statement against any form of abuse against women... "No means NO" goes against those silent guidelines that many men take as correct as far as when a woman is saying no, secretly she means yes to them to do as they please.

I took as an inspiration for the gown the many embroideries and lace textures seen at several tops and gowns at the 2018 Golden Globes Red Carpet and worked from there to obtain a rich creation by starting off with the Virtual Diva Closure Gown and adding the train from the Virtual Diva Gema Gown Couture. The meetoo rose given as an add-on for the challenge were perfect to make sleeves out of them, and the metooornaments were perfect to create a belt to add to the waist line back and front.

The Rose MVD part was perfect to make out of it a stunning headpiece and finally the SecretMVD parts were resized and repositioned to create the perfect earrings for this elegant ensemble.

Stylish high black heels, a delicate pearl ring and a jeweled clutch were the perfect touches to finish this creation, ready to go out to the Red Carpet under the paparazzi's lenses!

 

Photographer: Leezah Kaddour

Replicating the other side of the model after solving one side is easy to build. Attaching it? A half hour.

Copy | Duplicate | Repeat

A scene replicating what could possibly have been witnessed at Derby roundhouse in the traction transitional period 1962-63 when 43106 was allocated to Saltley, Wellingborough and Kettering sheds, with a 204hp shunter on the turntable. Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 43106 brews up (not precisely aligned under the 'smoke jack'!) on Barrow Hill shed on 23 September 2015.

 

© Copyright Gordon Edgar - No unauthorised use

Replicating a photo that I had taken 14 years before. The world has changed a bit since then ...

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Palace

In replicating this fifth-gen stealth fighter, I was aiming for:

– Smooth: nearly studless in form.

– Integrated: packing in a host of features.

– Fresh: incorporating new pieces and techniques.

and of course, purist! (at least, for now; I may experiment with designing some Marine Corps liveries on waterslide decals for mere aesthetic decoration that denotes the squadron affiliation…)

 

The 1:40 scale replica includes:

– Opening cockpit that holds pilot, control panel, and joystick

– Hidden weapon bays in fuselage for stealth missions

– Optional exterior loadout for air-to-ground attacks

– Retracting landing gear that supports the model

– Opening flaps, rotating fan blades, and tilting vector nozzle for VTOL

– Stable Technic display stand and brick-built name plaque.

 

This is the first MOC I’ve finished in about five years (during which I completed my university degree, got my full-time career job, moved out, got married, and a few other things), after working on it off-and-on for at least three years. [The real-life aircraft has suffered from its own extensive delays in design / production, so I guess it could be worse where my LEGO one is concerned. XD]

 

A big thank-you to everyone who has inspired me along the way, including special acknowledgements to AFOL friends like the Chiles family and Eli Willsea for helping rekindle my joy in the hobby; Brickmania, for showing me a few new hinge techniques that I incorporated during these last few months of the design process; and especially my lovely wife Natalie who, bless her heart, has allowed the dining room of our tiny apartment to serve as my building studio and encouraged me to use it more often as such!

 

Let me know what you guys think!

The Cloud Forest replicates the cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level, found in South-East Asia, Middle- and South America. It features a 42-metre (138 ft) "Cloud Mountain", accessible by an elevator, and visitors will be able to descend the mountain via a circular path where a 35-metre (115 ft) waterfall provides visitors with refreshing cool air.

 

The "cloud mountain" itself is an intricate structure completely clad in epiphytes such as orchids, ferns, peacock ferns, spike- and clubmosses, bromeliads and anthuriums. It consists of a number of levels, each with a different theme.

My attempt to replicate the most-produced fully tracked armoured German fighting vehicle during World War II. Commonly known as the StuG III, it started its career as mobile assault gun but quickly revealed itself as an excellent tank destroyer.

 

This StuG III Ausf. G is an early production model and this can be seen by the gun mantlet shape and the absence of machine gun on top of the roof.

 

My model is inspired by the various existing models (BrickMania, Custom-Bricks...). Stickers are from BKM and CB, tracks are from CB. Minifig is from BKM.

My attempt to replicate the most-produced fully tracked armoured German fighting vehicle during World War II. Commonly known as the StuG III, it started its career as mobile assault gun but quickly revealed itself as an excellent tank destroyer.

 

This StuG III Ausf. G is an early production model and this can be seen by the gun mantlet shape and the absence of machine gun on top of the roof.

 

My model is inspired by the various existing models (BrickMania, Custom-Bricks...). Stickers are from BKM and CB, tracks are from CB. Minifig is from BKM.

HISTORY OF THE CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE…. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is a parade that celebrates the beginning of the summer season (late June) in Coney Island, New York. The 2017 parade (35th Annual was held on Saturday, June 17, 2017, at 1 pm.

The parade The Mermaid Parade is held in celebration of the beginning of the summer season, and so it traditionally takes place on the Saturday closest to the calendar start of summer, June 21, regardless of the weather. The tradition began in 1983, when the first event of this kind was conceptualized and organized by Dick Zigun, who is sometimes dubbed the "Mayor of Coney Island", and who was the founder of the non-profit arts group Coney Island USA. The last nine parades (up to 2015) were held on June 21, 2008; June 20, 2009; June 19, 2010; June 18, 2011; June 23, 2012; June 22, 2013; June 21, 2014; June 20, 2015; and June 18, 2016. Each year the Mermaid Parade features a merman and mermaid King and Queen. In 2005 the King was David Johansen (Buster Poindexter) and the Queen was Karmen Guy (Mad Juana). In other years, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Adam Savage, Harvey Keitel, and Moby have filled the royal seats. In the 2010 parade, the King was Lou Reed and the Queen Laurie Anderson. In 2013, Carole Radziwill from The Real Housewives of New York City was titled the queen. The parade pays homage to the Coney Island Mardi Gras parades of the early 20th century. During this era, Coney Island was the primary amusement park destination for those in the New York area. Like the much larger annual Village Halloween Parade, the Mermaid Parade evokes the artistic spirit of Mardi Gras. www.coneyisland.com (information obtained from Wikepedia)

  

“The Eye Moment photos by Nolan H. Rhodes”

“Theeyeofthemoment21@gmail.com”

“www.flickr.com/photos/the_eye_of_the_moment”

“Any users, found to replicate, reproduce, circulate, distribute, download, manipulate or otherwise use my images without my written consent will be in breach of copyright laws.”

 

Replicate 100 by using objects.

Replicating a scene from the 1990s, LSL's 87002 'Royal Sovereign' leads a full Intercity Mk3 set over Docker Viaduct, working 1Z87 London Euston - Glasgow Central 'The Electric Scot'. DVT 82139 was on the rear.

In replicating this fifth-gen stealth fighter, I was aiming for:

– Smooth: nearly studless in form.

– Integrated: packing in a host of features.

– Fresh: incorporating new pieces and techniques.

and of course, purist! (at least, for now; I may experiment with designing some Marine Corps liveries on waterslide decals for mere aesthetic decoration that denotes the squadron affiliation…)

 

The 1:40 scale replica includes:

– Opening cockpit that holds pilot, control panel, and joystick

– Hidden weapon bays in fuselage for stealth missions

– Optional exterior loadout for air-to-ground attacks

– Retracting landing gear that supports the model

– Opening flaps, rotating fan blades, and tilting vector nozzle for VTOL

– Stable Technic display stand and brick-built name plaque.

 

This is the first MOC I’ve finished in about five years (during which I completed my university degree, got my full-time career job, moved out, got married, and a few other things), after working on it off-and-on for at least three years. [The real-life aircraft has suffered from its own extensive delays in design / production, so I guess it could be worse where my LEGO one is concerned. XD]

 

A big thank-you to everyone who has inspired me along the way, including special acknowledgements to AFOL friends like the Chiles family and Eli Willsea for helping rekindle my joy in the hobby; Brickmania, for showing me a few new hinge techniques that I incorporated during these last few months of the design process; and especially my lovely wife Natalie who, bless her heart, has allowed the dining room of our tiny apartment to serve as my building studio and encouraged me to use it more often as such!

 

Let me know what you guys think!

Replicating one of the coolest scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Let me know what you think!

Replication of "Ol Spot Mortimer's" cabin originally constructed in 1869 at this site. Mortimer, a shoemaker from New York, came to Dakota Territory after hearing stories of the rich fur trade in the Big Sioux Valley. In 1869, he found his way to Oakwood Lake and discovered a trapper's paradise. Otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, and fox were abundant. Mortimer built this cabin and lived here for the next five years.

By 1874, Mortimer experienced declining harvests from his traplines. Turning his attention to the areas valuable timber, he built a sawmill and played an important role in providing the lumber for building houses and area businesses.

After the death of his wife, Mortimer left Oakwood Lakes and moved to Yankton, Dakota Territory. He later re-married and returned to the cabin. Later in 1886, he sold the cabin and 1,200 acres for $1,800. (Story from a sign at the cabin).

This is a replicated cabin on the same site as the original cabin of Ol' Spot Mortimer. Mortimer was a shoemaker in New York, but eventually moved west to trap furs along the Missouri River in what is currently the Yankton SD area. While there, he heard stories of the fur rich Big Sioux Valley. However, the apprehension and terror of the Minnesota Uprising of 1862 had made the Big Sioux Valley virtually a no-man's land. The state of Minnesota offered a bounty for scalps of renegade Indians, and prospective white settlers feared another uprising. For 8 years, settlers and Indians alike shunned the area to avoid another conflict. Nevertheless, in 1869, Sam Mortimer arrived at Oakwood Lakes and found a trapper's paradise. Otter, mink, muskrat, and fox could be taken in great numbers. Mortimer, called 'Ol Spot, built a cabin at this site and lived here for the next 5 years. After 1869, white settlers began to arrive in ever increasing numbers. Trapping was of great value to these settlers as the furs could provide income until the first crops could be harvested. 1871 proved to be a peak year for trappers in this area. In 1874, Mortimer found that he could no longer depend on a profitable harvest from his trap lines. He sold 100 acres of timber from his land for $100 per acre to new settlers who were hard pressed to find logs for fuel and buildings. A pioneer reported that some of the oak trees were over 3 ft in diameter. In September of '74, Mortimer sold his claim, abandoned his Indian women, and returned to Vermillion, Dakota Territory, where he married a white widow with several children. In 1877, Sam and his new family returned to this site at Oakwood Lakes. Sam tried farming, but soon discovered he was more adept at trapping. Another pioneer wrote of the growing population in the Oakwood vicinity. He noted that in 1876, at the first 4th of July celebration, about 20 people attended, but 2 years later, about 400 attended. The population explosion may not have been agreeable to 'Ol Spot Mortimer, as he sold his 1,200 acres of land for $1,800 in 1886. Some claim he moved west with his family where the frontier was still unsettled. (Story taken from a sign at the cabin)

This is my attempt at replicating the Pagani Zonda Cinque in LEGO bricks. The Zonda is one of my top 5 favorite cars, so I had to include one in my LEGO collection. This is actually my third attempt at building the Zonda (see my previous versions here and here). With this version, I think I've improved the overall shape of the car by increasing the width at the rear of the car to 17 studs (the front of the car is 16 studs wide).

 

As you can see, this creation was inspired by Firas Abu-Jaber's own Zonda. I tried to replicate the Zonda's shape using different methods from Firas' Zonda, but in the end some areas, such as the front simply could not be made better (Firas' version is near perfect).

 

Also, if anyone has a set of Ferrari FXX rims and is willing to sell, please let me know (prices on Bricklink are so high for this piece)! Those rims would look a lot better on this car than these silver ones I have.

“Any users, found to replicate, reproduce, circulate, distribute, download, manipulate or otherwise use my images without my written consent will be in breach of copyright laws as well as contract laws.”

“The Eye Moment photos by Nolan H. Rhodes”

nrhodesphotos@yahoo.com

www.flickr.com/photos/the_eye_of_the_moment

 

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