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whenitsdarkweilluminate · 7 months

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Lisbon 2018 – Grand Final

Host: Portugal Slogan: “All Aboard!” Participants: 43 Voting method: 12-point system (50/50 system - separated) Format: 2 Semi-Finals / Grand Final = the top 10 of semi 1 & 2 + the Big 5 + host

Winner: Netta - Toy Country: Israel Points: 529 (52.5% of highest score possible) Language: English

General Overview:

I kept putting off reviewing 2018 because I remembered it being a “meh” year. I was dissatisfied in the winner. Many of my faves didn't qualify. And most of the songs seemed forgettable? After all this writing, I'd still rank 2018 towards the bottom of the decade, but it's ahead of 2011 and 2017 at least. For reference, my fave contest of each decade would be: 1956, 1969, 1977, 1980, 1997, 2009, 2012 and 2021.

The opening sequence is exactly same as the two semi-finals (ie. the montage of local people and culture). But since it's the Grand Final, there is an opening act this time! It begins with someone playing a Portuguese guitar, then Ana Moura and Mariza sing some fado music. Mariza's song includes a soft-sounding marching band across the stage. The flag parade happens next, with two DJ's playing contemporary beats to soundtrack it. There's also sailors holding the flags.

Then it's the host introductions. Like I said in SF1, I enjoyed their comedy this year. I especially loved Filomena in the Green Room. And lol at the hosts insinuating that the shirtless stagehand was naked underneath the graphic. There was also a dedication to Lys Assia, who passed earlier in 2018, which was nice.

The interval isn't as bloated as other recent contests. It starts with Branko playing some tranquil dance music, featuring 4 different soloists, one at a time. First it's Sara Tavares (from the 1994 contest) holding a long note, then Plutónio raps, followed by Dino D'Santiago singing inside this silhouette visual effect, and finally Mayra Andrade is joined by dancers on the walkway. They have soothing voices. Next, there's a video on why it took Portugal 53 years to win. Then Suzy from 2014 makes a surprise appearance. And lastly, Salvador Sobral performs two songs: a piano ballad called “Mano a mano” (meh to this one), where he pounds the piano casing at one point, and a reprise of his winning song, as a duet with Caetano Veloso.

The postcards involve the artists exiting a door in places where a door shouldn't be. Like on top of a cliff or something. They aren't attached to a building. Which makes them look like portals. It's as if the artists teleported to Portugal from their home country. Upon entering Portugal, they explore the area and do an activity. Then they take a selfie, as “#AllAboard” appears on screen. Then the flag colours are displayed on a sea anemone graphic. And lastly, there's an adjustment sound to start each performance. The portal doors are what I associate with 2018, like the hallway in 2017.

The stage is designed like a gyroscope. The performance platform is the center circle, with 3 gigantic rings overhead, kind of like archways. Each ring is on a different inclination/angle. There's also a circular walkway ramp cutting through the audience that acts as the 4th ring (on a 0° angle). On either side of the stage, there is a bridge that connect to the ramp. And just like 2010, there is no LED screen. Instead, the back of the stage is constructed of wavy vertical bars.

2018 was a battle between Israel and Cyprus… but not according to the juries. They put Austria and Sweden top 2, which the public weren't as fond of. Early on, the jury vote was a tight race between those 4 countries and Germany. Then it became a battle between Israel and Austria. Then Sweden caught up with Austria. In the end, Israel won the televote, putting them way ahead of both. As for the correspondents: Sweden's Felix Sandman wore Benjamin's merch and Latvia's Dagmāra Legante made a Kanye West joke.

Ukraine: Mélovin - Under the Ladder 3rd year in a row where the SF2 closer opens the Grand Final. I did not expect the juries to rank this last.

Spain: Amaia & Alfred - Tu canción This is like the sweetest love song ever. Yeah, the couple broke up a few months later, but most relationships don't last anyways. Feelings change over time. You live in the moment, and this was how they felt in May 2018. On stage, they look smitten with their cute smiles and eye contact. The opening shot shows them standing far apart in dark lighting, while the audience's phone lights shine behind them. Then the camera spins around Alfred and zooms in on Amaia, as they trade lead vocals. Afterwards, the pair slowly walks towards each other. They hold hands, they embrace. And the camera continues spin around them at certain points. The song itself is a classy, old-fashioned, stuffy ballad. But it also has a tender, romantic texture and a very nice melody. Plus Amaia & Alfred's voices are sweet. “Tu canción” starts with slow, sparse piano notes. Said piano increases in the first chorus, where the strings sneak in. Then the second verse/chorus adds in low-key percussion and makes the strings more noticeable. While the bridge sees the instrumental quiet, then intensify, then stop upon the final chorus. Then the song finally “bursts open”. That “OHHH OHHH” build-up is very effective. I also like the “Siento que bailo…” hook. The lyrics involve Amaia & Alfred expressing their love to each other. Alfred says flying to the moon now feels real; Amaia says his voice shelters her. It's very lovey dovey.

Slovenia: Lea Sirk - Hvala, ne! “STOP THE MUSIC!”

Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaitė - When We're Old

Austria: Cesár Sampson - Nobody but You

Estonia: Elina Nechayeva - La forza

Norway: Alexander Rybak - That's How You Write a Song A semi-final winner placing 15th in the grand final is unexpected.

Portugal: Cláudia Pascoal - O jardim Better than the song they won with. This did not deserve last place, although 39 points is pretty high for that. I can see how “O jardim” was overlooked though – not much happens in the song. There's no big melody, no epic climax. Instead, the song's purpose is to maintain a specific mood. That mood is peaceful grieving. Isaura wrote “O jardim” about her late grandmother. The lyrics repeat the phrase “Now that you're not here, I'll water your garden”, as if this thought keeps circling in her mind. She literally takes care of her grandmother's garden to keep her memory alive. The verses don't translate to English very well, however. The music starts with slow, sad piano notes. Then this subtle anxious sound is added underneath, followed by tiny acoustic tings. Then, from 1:36-2:07, the beat switches to a series of metal spring sounds and inconsistent jittery taps. It's a cool sound and it's my favourite part. It doesn't change the mood either. This is also when Isaura comes on stage and turns “O jardim” into a duet. The ending is minimalist and like a light howl. “O jardim” is all about simplicity. Doing anything extra wouldn't work. Cláudia gives a sensitive vocal too. She seems tearful at the end. On stage, she starts in a dark silhouette. She closes her eyes. She sways a bit. There's spotlights behind her. The stage doesn't feel like it's missing anything though. I also like how Cláudia's voice jumps out at certain points.

United Kingdom: SuRie - Storm The UK is back to flopping. “Storm” is infamous for the stage invader, but the Grand Final video on YouTube replaced her performance with a rehearsal. SuRie sings this with genuine compassion for her family, but the song is bland. The chorus is 'whatever' to me, both melodically and lyrically. The “Toge-e-ether” and “sto-o-orm” hooks are weak. And the lyrics are basic. The “spread your love...” bridge is climactic though. In the verses, SuRie addresses her brother, sister, mother and father one at a time. She reminds her siblings of their childhood worldview (their fearless hopes and dreams), and says she still believes in this stuff. Then she asks her mom if she did good enough. The chorus is her reassuring they'll overcome the storm together. It's an uplifting song with a straightforward message. But it lacks depth I guess? The instrumental only grabs my attention in a few spots too. The song starts with the piano, but quickly adds foot taps, squeals, submerged quivers and finger snaps. The chorus then diminishes back to the piano, before it accelerates via heavy claps; leading the second half bulldozing through with drums and whirls. The second chorus also starts dramatically, with stomps and sawing strings instead. The bridge uses dramatic boom-claps as well. Later, the song returns to the piano before the last chorus. And the outro repeats the bridge lyric. On stage, SuRie stands at the front of a tunnel made of lit-up squares. There's also pyro upon the last chorus.

Serbia: Sanja Ilić & Balkanika - Nova deca Actually her voice is kind of annoying.

Germany: Michael Schulte - You Let Me Walk Alone The only time Germany wasn't bottom 2 during 2015-2023. All it took was a personal, sincere, down-to-Earth ballad to reach top 5. That's how Ireland kept winning! But it sounds like an Ed Sheeran ballad, and I don't like Ed Sheeran (I also hear Adele's “Someone Like You”). The “1-2-3” hook (“1 love / 2 hearts / 3 kids”) is kinda annoying too. And the lyrics are messy. In the song, Michael reflects on growing up without his father, who passed away when Michael was young. However, the wording of “one love”, “loving mum” and “You let me walk this road alone” makes it sound like his father chose to abandon him. There's no mention of a “loving dad”. Still, if this were written in another language, would I even notice? Lines like “I was told that you were too” and “My childhood hero will always be you” still get to me. He sees his father in himself. He misses his father when he needs guidance. His dad provided protection and wisdom. Musically, the verses follow a quick back-and-forth piano. Then the piano is more pronounced in the chorus. The strings come in later. There's an “oh oh oh” bridge. Plus some crashes towards the end. And the drums enter to carry the final chorus. I'm not crazy about this arrangement, but I don't mind the “every now and then” hook. The stage starts darkly lit. Then, a semi-circle LED screen acts as a lyric video behind Michael. It also shows family photos, which really pulls at the heartstrings. And there's hypnotic images during the bridge.

Albania: Eugent Bushpepa - Mall

France: Madame Monsieur - Mercy France is my #2 again! “Mercy” tells the harrowing, but fortunate, story of Nigerian refugee Taiwo Yussif giving birth on a rescue ship. She named the baby “Mercy”. The title is play on words, since “merci” means “thank you” in French. The lyrics are from the POV of the baby. She recounts how her mother fled the war at home. They had nothing to lose. The sea (or “blue immensity”) became the enemy. She was lucky to even be born (“They offered me a hand / And I'm alive”). The song addresses how not every refugee has a happy ending like this. Many of them don't make it. The title implies they deserve mercy. The instrumental and Émilie's voice capture the mood of this situation well. It's a bleak and distressed vibe, but with a message of perseverance. The song starts with minuscule guitar plucks and finger snaps, followed by some cowbell(?). Then a snap-shut transition starts the chorus, which has a fuller sound, and includes distorted cry responses and some “pippity pips” appearing midway. The chorus has a great melody too. The song later quiets for the bridge. And the outro repeats a chant of “merci, merci”, as the duo pushes their hands forward, and the audience joins in. Maybe they could've done something more with the stage though. They're dressed in funeral black. They walk forward in unison. The camera follows her across the stage bridge. And they're on the audience ramp for the “merci, merci” chant. But it needed something more.

Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef - Lie to Me HE DID THE FLIP!!

Denmark: Rasmussen - Higher Ground It's just missing something to make my top 10.

Australia: Jessica Mauboy - We Got Love This could've been an anthem.

Finland: Saara Aalto - Monsters A borderline qualifier that flopped in the final.

Bulgaria: Equinox - Bones

Moldova: DoReDoS - My Lucky Day

Sweden: Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off “With 21 points... Sweden”

Hungary: AWS - Viszlát nyár I think he screams even more in the final.

Israel: Netta - Toy (winner review below)

Netherlands: Waylon - Outlaw in 'Em

Ireland: Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together

Cyprus: Eleni Foureira - Fuego

Italy: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - Non mi avete fatto niente I was puzzled by the 249 televote points... until I realized “Non mi” references several, then-recent, terrorist attacks (Cairo churches, La Rambla Street, 2015 Paris attacks, London Bridge, the truck in Nice). Plus 9/11 “skyscrapers” and 7/7 “subways”. Most of these happened in Eurovision countries. It must've struck a chord. The lyrics are also displayed in various languages so viewers can understand them, along with faces in the fonts. The chorus is an emphatic “You did nothing to me”, saying the terrorists didn't win. Life continues. It's just “pointless wars”. The song doesn't hide the horrific reality either: “blood in the sewer”; “arms without hands”; “mothers without children”. It also finds commonality in religions, dismisses racism, and says mass murder isn't a valid belief. And that “the smile of a child” shows resilience. This is a wordy, lyrically dense song. The duo sings SO quickly to cram everything in that it makes the melody ineffective, despite the up-and-down pattern. I also dislike Fabrizio's hoarse screams at the end, even if it expresses fury. Ermal wails after the bridge too. The instrumental is restless though. It starts with a twinkly guitar and light stomps, then light jingles. There's some slam-downs in the first chorus. Then the second verse increases the tempo into a folksy scared running drum beat. There's some guitar wails later. And the bridge quiets down when they walk to separate bridges. “Non mi” has a strong message and it isn't a cheesy peace song; but it's just not something I seek out much.

The Winner:

Israel achieves their 4th win, exactly 20 years after their 3rd... which was exactly 20 years after their 1st. I guess they'll win again in 2038? Between “Diva” and “Toy”, Israel's results were all over the place: 4 top 10s, 6 NQs, and several times in the bottom half of the scoreboard. The juries ranked “Toy” 3rd, but Netta's 317 televote points were more than enough. Weirdly, the semi-final was the opposite, where the juries were more favourable than the public.

This is an annoying song, but the chicken noises make it worse. “Toy” starts a cappella, with Netta making a bunch of strange mouth sounds (“*bird trill*, ouch, hey!, hm, la!”). Then the backing comes in and she starts clucking like a chicken. This irritating intro lasts for 20+ seconds. It's such a “WTF” moment. It makes for a memorable first impression, but it turns “Toy” into a borderline joke entry. Once the instrumental starts, there's some “Ethnic pop” elements. Verse 1 contains casual hand drums, bass stomps that stop every few seconds, and a couple short jerks. Then the pre-chorus diminishes to a soft synth, before building up with beeps and a squeaky sound, as Netta clucks again. Then the chorus roars and bulldozes through (with more beeps), followed by a string-y post-chorus that rolls around, where the backing shouts “CULULUU”. Those “CULULUU”s are almost as irritating as the chicken noises. This is a weird criticism, but the chorus sounds too much like a Eurovision song. I get bored of it. The second verse starts with video game pew-pews. Then the bridge interrupts the second chorus, leading to a big vocal note on “BOYYYYY”, which transitions to the next string-y bit. The song pulls back again partway through the last chorus. And Netta finishes on another big note (“TOYYYYY”). The song is vengeful and in-your-face and Netta brings attitude and personality. The backing responses of “not your toy/stupid boy” are catchy too.

But the message is hard to take seriously when it's communicated in such a silly way. The lyrics were inspired by the #MeToo movement (“I'll take you down now!”), where Netta rejects being a man's toy, calling him a “stupid boy”. Her vocal has a bratty, ridiculing, and immature tone. She says the boys are too loud and forgot how to play the game. She doesn't care about their money or the “modern-time preachers”. And she makes chicken noises to insinuate he's a coward (like when someone goes “bawk bawk bawk”). The lyrics also mention childhood interests – teddy bear, Barbie, Simon Says, Pikachu, dolls, Wonder Woman – which adds a darker layer to this. The narrator sounds like a little girl. “You're stupid just like your smart.. PHONE!” is a funny line though. There's even a smartphone ding during it. “My Simon Says 'leave me alone'” is clever too, with respecting consent. And “Barbie got something to say” challenges the Barbie stereotypes. There's also a couple Hebrew phrases (“ani lo buba” and “stefa”) and the Japanese word “Baka” (stupid person). But I also think “On the MadaBaka beat” is a censored version of “MF-ing beat”. Apparently “Trump-pam-pau” is a Trump reference too. The lyrics say a lot... in the verses anyways. “Stupid boy” is a childish insult.

On stage, Netta is dressed in a kimono, with two bookcases full of golden cat figurines wagging their tails behind her. She also uses this touch pad thing, which spells the word “H-E-Y”. Meanwhile, the camera will cut to the 3 backing dancers making funny poses and dance moves. They start on the stage bridge, but join Netta later on. And everyone is on the audience ramp at the end. They also flap their arms like a chicken during the clucking. And there's some pyro for the first chorus. The dancers are funny at least.

Ultimately, this, “I Wanna” and “Hard Rock Hallelujah” are the closest to a novelty song winning. I don't think this is what Salvador had in mind during his winning speech... it must've been awkward to hand Netta the trophy. Also, Jack White was later added as a songwriter for similarities to “Seven Nation Army”... I don't hear it.

Verdict: “D” Tier. Catchy but everything about this is annoying.

My Ranking:

Grand Final: 01. Cyprus: Eleni Foureira - Fuego 02. France: Madame Monsieur - Mercy 03. Estonia: Elina Nechayeva - La forza 04. Slovenia: Lea Sirk - Hvala, ne! 05. Austria: Cesár Sampson - Nobody but You 06. Portugal: Cláudia Pascoal - O jardim 07. Moldova: DoReDoS - My Lucky Day 08. Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaitė - When We're Old 09. Denmark: Rasmussen - Higher Ground 10. Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef - Lie to Me

11. Ukraine: Mélovin - Under the Ladder 12. Australia: Jessica Mauboy - We Got Love 13. Finland: Saara Aalto - Monsters 14. Germany: Michael Schulte - You Let Me Walk Alone 15. Sweden: Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off 16. Serbia: Sanja Ilić & Balkanika - Nova deca 17. Spain: Amaia & Alfred - Tu canción 18. Bulgaria: Equinox - Bones 19. Italy: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - Non mi avete fatto niente 20. Israel: Netta - Toy 21. United Kingdom: SuRie - Storm 22. Ireland: Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together 23. Netherlands: Waylon - Outlaw in 'Em 24. Albania: Eugent Bushpepa - Mall 25. Hungary: AWS - Viszlát nyár 26. Norway: Alexander Rybak - That's How You Write a Song

Full Ranking: 01. Cyprus: Eleni Foureira - Fuego 02. France: Madame Monsieur - Mercy 03. Estonia: Elina Nechayeva - La forza 04. Switzerland: Zibbz - Stones 05. Slovenia: Lea Sirk - Hvala, ne! 06. Austria: Cesár Sampson - Nobody but You 07. Belgium: Sennek - A Matter of Time 08. Armenia: Sevak Khanagyan - Qami 09. Latvia: Laura Rizzotto - Funny Girl 10. Portugal: Cláudia Pascoal - O jardim 11. Moldova: DoReDoS - My Lucky Day 12. Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaitė - When We're Old 13. Denmark: Rasmussen - Higher Ground 14. Malta: Christabelle - Taboo 15. Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef - Lie to Me 16. Ukraine: Mélovin - Under the Ladder 17. F.Y.R. Macedonia: Eye Cue - Lost and Found 18. Greece: Yianna Terzi - Oniro mou 19. Poland: Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer - Light Me Up 20. Australia: Jessica Mauboy - We Got Love 21. Finland: Saara Aalto - Monsters 22. Germany: Michael Schulte - You Let Me Walk Alone 23. Croatia: Franka - Crazy 24. Sweden: Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off 25. Serbia: Sanja Ilić & Balkanika - Nova deca 26. Spain: Amaia & Alfred - Tu canción 27. Bulgaria: Equinox - Bones 28. Belarus: Alekseev - Forever 29. Italy: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - Non mi avete fatto niente 30. Israel: Netta - Toy 31. San Marino: Jessika feat. Jenifer Brening - Who We Are 32. Azerbaijan: Aisel - X My Heart 33. United Kingdom: SuRie - Storm 34. Ireland: Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together 35. Montenegro: Vanja Radovanović - Inje 36. Netherlands: Waylon - Outlaw in 'Em 37. Romania: The Humans - Goodbye 38. Albania: Eugent Bushpepa - Mall 39. Russia: Julia Samoylova - I Won't Break 40. Hungary: AWS - Viszlát nyár 41. Norway: Alexander Rybak - That's How You Write a Song 42. Iceland: Ari Ólafsson - Our Choice 43. Georgia: Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao - For You

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malvolios-yellow-stockings · 8 months

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5, 11 and 14 for the ask thing 😌

The ask thing in question

Thanks for the questions! <3

So, I'm a bit of a cheater because I'm Serbian and will probably be choosing Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin bits of media as well. Our languages are completely mutually intelligible so I don't care 😎 (also: *is a sucker for Yugonostalgia*, bratstvo i jedinstvo etc.)

5) Favourite song in your native language?

I'm a huge Azra fan so my faves by them include: Ako znaš bilo što; 2.30; Čudne navike; Pit... i to je Amerika; Krvava Meri; Hladni prsti; Balkan; Gracija; Užas je moja furka; Proljeće je 13. u decembru; 3N; (I'm just gonna stop here)

Darko Rundek - Apokalipso; Ruke; Makedo

Miladin Šobić - Đon; Ne pokušavaj mjenjat me; Prođoh gradom; Od druga do druga

From VIS Idoli - Moja si; Maljčiki; Odbrana & Nemo

I'd also recommend the following bands - Dobri Isak, Šarlo Akrobata (one of my favourite bands actually), EKV & Haustor

There are many others, but I'll leave it here for the sake of y'all.

11) Favourite native writer/poet?

Oof, reluctant to admit but I don't read a lot of literature written by native authors (trying to turn this round though!)

Poet - Branko Miljković hands down

Writer - Ivo Andrić (for his short stories and "The Bridge on the Drina" i.e. "Na Drini ćuprija") and Meša Selimović (for "Death and the the Dervish" i.e. "Derviš i smrt")

14) Do you enjoy your country’s cinema and/or TV?

Current state of affairs - Nope. Our TV shows are mass produced, cheap insipid telenovelas.

I do enjoy our cinema of yore though - Profesionalac; Maratonci Trče Počasni Krug (The Marathon Family); Balkanski Špijun are all a great start for getting into Yugo-cinema. I'd be glad to recommend some more

#asks #ask game #“my quotation marks are inconsistent throughout pardon me I'm studying for an exam and dying”#but I'm not really studying now am I?#alas that is the fate of a procrastinating student #answer

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vaishaliiiii · 9 months

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11th August in the Medical History

I. Introduction

Due to his pioneering contributions that united the fields of chemistry and medicine, Slovenian scientist Branko Stanovnik is recognized as a key figure in the history of medicine. His writings speak to the revolutionary potential of interdisciplinary scientific innovation. Stanovnik forayed into uncharted territory through his rigorous study and testing, creating unique pharmacological molecules that have transformed medical treatments. His brilliant strategies for pharmaceutical synthesis have not only sped up drug development but also improved patient care standards. This article explores the life and legacy of Branko Stanovnik, illuminating his contributions to the development of medical diagnostics, therapeutic approaches, and the larger context of chemistry’s influence on healthcare.

II. Early Life and Education

Branko Stanovnik, who was born in 1938, developed his interest of chemistry throughout his formative years in Slovenia. He was tenacious in his pursuit of knowledge and graduated with chemistry degrees from top colleges. Meetings with notable mentors who ignited Stanovnik’s curiosity and directed his scientific endeavors throughout his formative years had a lasting impression. His later contributions to the field were built on this basis.

III. Notable Discoveries and Contributions

A number of outstanding discoveries and contributions made by Branko Stanovnik have had a lasting impact on the discipline of medicinal chemistry. His ground-breaking work has resulted in the creation of brand-new pharmacological molecules with a variety of medical uses. Innovative synthetic techniques developed by Stanovnik have changed medication production procedures, resulting in pharmaceuticals that are more effective and economical. Additionally, his teamwork with medical experts has produced interdisciplinary breakthroughs that have transformed scientific knowledge into practical medicinal achievements. Stanovnik’s efforts have changed how diseases are identified and treated by pushing the boundaries of chemical innovation, paving the way for a new era of personalized medicine and targeted medicines.

IV. Influence on Medical Diagnostics

A. Innovations in diagnostic reagents

1.development of chemical tools for precise disease detection

The innovative work of Stanovnik includes the development of sophisticated chemical agents specifically designed for accurate illness identification. These cutting-edge reagents make it possible to accurately identify diseased diseases, improving both diagnostic precision and patient outcomes. His efforts have been crucial in improving medical diagnostics, allowing doctors to identify ailments early and administer more potent therapies.

2. The application of diagnostic chemistry in medicine

Diagnostic chemistry has been smoothly incorporated into medical practice because to Stanovnik’s innovative methodology. His novel chemical agents give medical personnel trustworthy instruments for early disease monitoring and identification. His work has improved the quality of care by bridging the chemistry-medicine divide, enabling prompt interventions and individualized treatment plans. By improving patient outcomes and developing a greater understanding of diseases at the molecular level, this combination has revolutionized medical practice.

B. Application in imaging techniques

1. Contributions to contrast agents for medical imaging

Stanovnik’s contributions to medical history extend to the realm of imaging technology through his development of cutting-edge contrast agents. These agents, meticulously designed by harnessing his chemical expertise, have significantly enhanced the quality and accuracy of medical imaging techniques. By tailoring these agents to interact with specific tissues or structures, he revolutionized imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound. This breakthrough not only enables clearer visualization of anatomical details but also aids in the identification of abnormalities and the precise tracking of treatment effectiveness. Stanovnik’s innovative contrast agents have reshaped diagnostic imaging, elevating its role in modern healthcare.

2. Improved visualization of anatomical structures and pathological conditions

Stanovnik’s pioneering work in contrast agents has yielded profound improvements in the visualization of anatomical structures and pathological conditions. By ingeniously designing agents to interact selectively with target tissues, medical imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans have attained unprecedented clarity. This advancement allows medical professionals to identify intricate anatomical details and pinpoint pathological anomalies with remarkable precision. Stanovnik’s innovative contributions have significantly elevated the diagnostic capabilities of modern medical imaging, revolutionized our understanding of internal structures and enabling more informed clinical decisions.

V. Impact on Patient Care and Treatment

The ground-breaking discoveries made by Stanovnik have an effect on methods used in patient care and therapy. His work has paved the road for personalized medicine by driving the development of customized medicinal therapy. With this strategy, treatment effectiveness is maximized, side effects are reduced, and patient outcomes are enhanced. By focusing on particular molecular pathways, targeted medicines have been developed as a result of Stanovnik’s insights into the illness mechanisms. The transition from a one-size-fits-all to a tailored approach to patient care has changed patient care and raised expectations for more successful interventions and improved quality of life. Not only did he pioneer new chemical processes, but he also revolutionized how doctors manage each patient on an individual basis.

VI. Recognition and Awards

Branko Stanovnik has received numerous honors and medals for his outstanding accomplishments. His groundbreaking efforts in the field of medical chemistry have received recognition from prestigious scientific institutes and organizations all around the world. These awards highlight his significant contributions to promoting medical research, therapies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The legacy of Stanovnik has been felt not just by the scientific community but also by the larger medical community. His acceptance is evidence of his commitment, pioneering spirit, and enduring impact on the integration of chemistry and medicine for the advancement of world healthcare.

VII. Legacy and Future Directions

The transformational marriage of science and medicine that Branko Stanovnik created has inspired generations of people. His ground-breaking achievements have established a model for interdisciplinary cooperation, resulting in individualized therapies and cutting-edge diagnostics. His contributions continue to have an impact on current research as they do on modern medical practice. Future chemists, physicians, and researchers will be inspired by Stanovnik’s legacy to forge new paths and develop breakthroughs that could transform healthcare, enhance patient outcomes, and narrow the gap between scientific discovery and medical application.

VIII. Conclusion

In conclusion, Ranko Stanovnik’s lasting influence on medical history is proof of the significant contribution that cutting-edge chemistry can make to healthcare. His innovative contributions to the creation of cutting-edge synthetic techniques, diagnostic agents, and novel medicinal molecules have advanced medical diagnosis and treatment plans. His legacy encourages continuous study, and technology’s role in the development of healthcare is still crucial. Systems like the QMe Hospital Management and Information System (HMIS), which enables data-driven decision-making and seamlessly integrates patient data, further Stanovnik’s legacy. Modern technologies like QMe HMIS represent the fusion of healthcare and information systems for a more effective, patient-centered future, just like Stanovnik’s work symbolized the union of chemistry and medicine.

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gregor-samsung · 3 years

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Za one koji ne mogu da govore [For Those Who Can Tell No Tales] (Jasmila Žbanić - 2013)

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kimengelen · 4 years

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Belgrade Bridge Performance 15 February 2020 | 5:00 p.m. Branko’s bridge, Serbia

#contemporary artFebruary2020SerbiaBelgradeBrankov mostBranko's BridgeBelgrade Bridge PerformanceBridge-performanceOpeningartist in residence #contemporary art #february #2020 #Belgrade #serbia #brankov most #branko's bridge #Belgrade Bridge Performance #Opening #Artist in residence #Advanced Health Attack #Belgrade Bridge Stories #Ongoing project Bridges

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luxymus · 2 years

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Brankov most, Beograd/Branko's bridge, Belgrade 2019.

#photography #analog #35mmfilm #analogue #film photography #35mm #streetphotography #photographers on tumblr #35mmclub #streets #filmphotography #beograd #belgrade #serbia #srbija #my work

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nocapesdahling · 3 years

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As the World Falls Down - Chapter 2

Helmut Zemo x Gender Neutral Reader

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

Chapter Summary: In which we hear a little from Helmut Zemo, the city is flying, and you find a baby. Not necessarily in that order.

Rating: Mature (17+)

Chapter Warnings/Tags: Slow Burn; Here there be angst; Accidental Child acquisition; Mentioned child neglect by others

A/N: I made myself sad while writing this chapter, knowing that certain things mentioned will never happen. Here begins the forewarned angst. Maybe once I finish this story, I’ll write a fluffy AU.

Chapter 2: Beneath a Fallen Sky (Age of Ultron) - Part 1

Word Count: 2.1k

Colonel Helmut Zemo repositioned his earpiece. He was not a man prone to fidgeting and never had been, especially on the job, but he had counted his squad after they had gotten clear of the city and they were one short.

You were missing.

His family was safe, his squad was safe, but you were not. While he kept his expression neutral, inside was a different story. You had to be here somewhere. You just had to be. He would not accept any other outcome. Once they arrived at their base outside the city, he searched room after room and asked person after person and could not find you. You were not in the Mission Control Room or in your workshop fiddling with your gadgets. You did not seem to be anywhere, which meant that he had to consider the idea of you still being in the city.

“Q, come in Q. Where are you? Branko is in need of you. He broke his new infrared glasses and Ana tore her body armor. Don’t ask me how she did it, darling. We thought it was indestructible, but you know Ana. She took that as a challenge.” He let a hint of his desperation show in his voice. “Q, please come in.”

All Zemo heard was static before a voice, your voice, answered and he breathed out in relief. “Hey, Boss.” you started haltingly. You sounded tired and out of breath. “Well, I’m still in the city.” Here, you paused and Helmut’s hand clenched into a fist. “We’re in the air, Helmut... I don’t know if I’m going to make it. You’ll have to give Carl his birthday gift from me. I think he’ll like it.”

His smile was filled with clenched teeth and looked more like a grimace. “Even now, you joke, my Q. Even now.”

__________________

You held back a sob at the pain you could hear in his voice.

You had been meant to rendezvous with the rest of your squad at the checkpoint, but had stopped as you passed an orphanage. You thought you had heard a baby crying, but that couldn’t be right. The orphanage looked to be and should be empty. You strained your ears, knowing you couldn’t leave a baby or a child there to die. There it was again, a baby’s cry. You knew your squad was long gone, but you reassured yourself with the thought that you could easily catch up with them after you saved the baby.

You searched through the rooms on the lower floor before finding one with cribs. No baby was in sight. You paused, hearing fighting and chaos outside. Knowing that you had to move quickly, you hoped for another cry. Just as you were about to dig out your infrared glasses from your pack, there it was again. There was a cry coming from behind some hospital style curtains. You pushed them aside and found what looked like a newborn baby or close to it, abandoned before their life could even start.

You didn’t have much experience with kids, but hoped your time as a babysitter would help somewhat. You had been the babysitter for the family with twins that lived in the apartment complex a few blocks over. They had been cute kids, a boy and a girl, but they weren’t babies. You had been on the job when their apartment was bombed and heard the news afterwards. Even with your connections, you had no luck in finding out what happened to them. You assumed they died alongside their parents and mourned them accordingly. You were never able to bring yourself to watch The Dick Van Dyke Show anymore. It brought back too many memories.

You picked the baby up and cradled her to your chest as she blinked her eyes up at you. Well then, maybe not as newborn as you had supposed. Her eyes had already settled on a color that was close to your own. It was a bit uncanny. You smiled at her, tickling heir stomach as you checked her diaper. You crinkled your nose at the smell. “I see that’s why you’re crying, little one. Let me fix that for you.”

You laid the baby down to change her when her eyes scrunched up and she let out an almighty wail. “Oh my, little one. What strong lungs you have. What about a song? How does that sound, hmm?”

The baby continued to cry and squirm, and you knew this needed to be done quickly as the sounds of fighting had escalated outside and you didn’t want the robots to be alerted to your presence.

You began to sing, “We have been waiting for you. Now you are here. More perfect than I imagined. Our house is now a home. No matter where you go. Sunlight shines on you.” You sang the lullaby again as the baby stopped crying and blinked sleepily.

“There. All done. I’m glad you liked it, though I don’t know if I’m much of a singer. My mother used to sing it to me. You should hear my friend sing. He has such a lovely deep voice and my godson loves it when he sings ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’. I’m sure they’ll both be excited to meet you.”

You smiled down at her and searched the room, finding a baby carrier hidden behind some blankets and formula in the fridge in the next room over. You lifted the baby and put her in the carrier, strapping it to your chest and chatting idly all the while. You noted that she must be around 4 to 5 months old as she supported her own head just fine. You fed her the formula, mopping up her chin, and prepared yourself to go outside. You positioned yourself by the window, gun in hand and infrared glasses in place. There didn’t seem to be any robots in the vicinity at the moment, which meant that it was time to leave and catch up with your squad. You checked the baby one last time and were glad to see that she was still asleep.

You were ready. You stepped outside the orphanage and started to jog in the same direction you were going earlier, doing your best not to jostle the baby. Maybe, you could get through this and get both you and your little charge to safety. Maybe, you would see Helmut again. Then, the street behind you began to splinter and crumble and the ground gave a great lurch. The city had begun to rise from the ground.

__________________

You debated what to do and came up with some semblance of a plan that had at least a 65% success rate. That was not in the least bit promising, but it was better than the 0% chance you had if you stayed here. You needed to get you and your new passenger off the city somehow, and this was the only plan you had thought of so it would have to do.

You had ducked down in an alley that you recognized as not too far from one of your favorite cafes when your phone began to ring. Quickly, you picked it up and answered it with a brief glance at the caller ID. It was Helmut. __________________

“... Even now, you joke, my Q. Even now.”

“Well, Helmut, you know me. Always look on the bright side of life, even when the city is flying and you’re carrying an orphaned baby.”

“A baby, Q?” His tone was disbelieving and you could picture what he would have said if he were here in front of you. “Only you, Q, could get yourself into this mess. For someone so intelligent, you can be kind to the point of stupidity. I admire it as I admire you, but you must not let your compassion come before your safety.”

“Yes, Helmut. A baby. I think I’ll call her Alena. Maybe give her Heike as a middle name. What do you think? Oh, and you’ll be the godparents of course?”

You could hear Helmut let out a heavy breath and the slight hitch in his voice when he answered. “We’d be honored, Q. Heike will be thrilled and Carl will love having a new playmate. They’ll be like brother and sister I’m certain, eating Turkish Delights even when I’ve specifically told them not to.”

You laughed a bit wetly. “That’ll be nice. If we can get out of the city. We have something to look forward to. Cavities galore.”

He laughed and when he spoke his voice was softer than normal. “You’ve always had a soft heart, darling Q. My friend, I told you that your compassion might get you killed one day.” There it was. You knew he wouldn’t be able to resist commenting on what he sometimes thought of as a weakness of yours. You also knew that he wouldn’t have you any other way. He sounded composed over the line, but you knew him well enough to know that he was suppressing everything and trying to hold it back for you to keep your focus on your current situation.

On the other side of the phone, Zemo was glad that he was alone so no one could see their leader fighting to keep his emotions contained. Now was not the time to be showing weakness in front of his squad. They needed him controlled and composed.

You were the only member of his squad that he could be soft with anyway.

“I guess you were right, Boss. I guess you were right. But I’m going to do my best to make sure that today’s not that day.” You paused, holding in a sob. If you weren’t careful and if your plan didn’t succeed, then today would be that day.

Over the course of the conversation, you had been walking as fast as you could, without jostling Alena too much, in the direction of your apartment that was luckily in the center of the city. You dodged more robots, and had the brief thought that whoever had made these things had to be compensating for something.

Why else would they have made so many?

You continued, mustering your nerve as you finally came in sight of your apartment. “I love you, Helmut. You know that, right?”

“I love you too, my Q.” He responded without hesitation.

“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Helmut. The absolute best. Give my love to Carl and Heike.”

You had reached your apartment as the robots all began to fly towards the bridge side of the city, leaving the way clear for you. “Goodbye, Helmut Zemo. Use that exploding pen at least once for me, won’t you?”

With that, you ended the call and turned off your earpiece. You wanted to spare him what could be your final moments and selfishly did not want to hear a goodbye from him. It might be cruel of you to not give him the closure you now had, but a goodbye from him felt too final. It meant you would never see him or the little smiles he gave you, when he didn’t think it would be professional to laugh at your little asides during mission briefings, again.

Just the thought of never seeing Helmut smile or hearing him laugh again made your tears fall, which you quickly wiped away before they could hit Alena. You brushed your fingers through her baby fine hair and checked on her. “Still asleep, little one? It’s been a hard day for us and it’s about to get harder, but that’s okay because I have a plan.” Your eyes filled with determination as you walked towards your apartment’s makeshift workshop. You had just the project in mind for this.

__________________

You were unaware that in your squad’s base, Zemo was staring at his phone in horrified disbelief. You had hung up on him, and he was unable to help you from here. He was a powerful man, and this feeling of powerlessness both stunned and devastated him.

He could not save you.

Zemo threw the phone, smashing it against the wall, and screamed your name. Not Q, but your full name, the name he hadn’t called you in years. He received only silence in return. He trashed the room until his hands were bloody and as he fell to the ground, he finally allowed his anguish to break free and sobbed. He had not cried like this in years. The destruction of the room and his tears weren’t enough.

Nothing would ever be enough again.

He did the only thing he could do as he recalled your last words. “I will, my Q. I promise.”

Tag List: @rumblelibrary

A/N: I couldn’t help myself with the reference to the Maximoffs. The Sokovian lullaby is the translated version of the one Wanda sings in WandaVision. Please let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list for this series.

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a-crack-in-the-universe · 2 years

Text

Charlie Bone Timeline: Book 6

*Note: This book takes place in February 2004.*

Sunday 8th February: Charlie and Paton look at Diamond Corner; Asa’s parents are sighted. Dagbert and Lord Grimwald enter the city. Grandma Bone returns to 9 Filbert Street after a falling out with her sisters.

Monday 9th February: Dagbert starts his first day at Bloor's Academy; Charlie is assigned to look after him. Dagbert creates conflict between Charlie and his friends.

Thursday 12th February: Dagbert tells a bedtime story after lights-out, causing Charlie to get detention when he is caught.

Friday 13th February: Charlie and Billy have detention. Billy tells Charlie about Dagbert and the howling.

Saturday 14th February: Gabriel sees his father give the Red Knight the Red King’s cloak. Venetia marries Arthur Shellhorn.

Sunday 15th February: Gabriel asks to put on the cloak, but his father tells him that it’s disappeared. Venetia forces Emma and Miss Ingledew to babysit her stepchildren Miranda and Eric Shellhorn. Charlie, Billy and Benjamin visit Mrs Kettle’s shop and later help Miranda and Eric retrieve their dog Chattypatra from Darkly Wynd. Mrs Kettle gives Charlie Feromel’s kettle. In the evening, Charlie sees the two not-quite-humans outside 9 Filbert Street (through the window); Paton confronts them and is bitten.

Monday 16th February: The town holds a meeting to discuss the Wilderness Wolf and decides to hunt it down. Benjamin figures out that Asa is the Wilderness Wolf and comes up with an idea to find him.

Tuesday 17th February: The Red Knight visits Mrs Kettle to ask her to make a special, unbeatable sword for him. The hunt for the Wilderness Wolf begins.

Wednesday 18th February: Bart’s family leaves the wilderness because of the hunters (early morning, close to 1am). Naren sends Charlie a goodbye message. Dagbert turns twelve at exactly 1am and confides in Charlie about his endowment. Benjamin contacts Cook to tell Charlie to get some of Asa’s clothes so that Runner Bean can track him. Charlie, Fidelio and Olivia search for some of Asa’s clothes in the drama room.

Friday 20th February: Billy decides to stay in Bloor’s Academy for the weekend. Paton leaves to visit his father at Ocean View.

Saturday 21st February: Early in the morning, Charlie, Olivia, Benjamin and Runner Bean go into the wilderness to search for Asa Pike; they end up rescuing his mother instead. The Red Knight is at the wilderness end of the bridge when the kids and Mrs Pike are trying to cross. He rescues Runner Bean when the dog falls into the river. Once safe in the Pets’ Café, Mrs Pike tells the kids about Merromals and that the Bloors are searching for a pearl-inlaid box. Later on, Charlie, Olivia and Benjamin meet Lauren, Lysander’s new girlfriend, and her parrot Cassandra. At night, Emma Tolly uses her endowment to explore Piminy Street and sees Mrs Kettle forging a sword and Eric animating a stone creature.

Billy Raven is trapped by the Shrivelling Shroud and temporarily loses his ability to understand animals.

Sunday 22nd February: Emma and Olivia go to Mrs Kettle’s shop to ask her about the sword she is creating. Charlie is already there Mrs Kettle tells Emma, Olivia and Charlie about the sword she is making for the Red Knight. After leaving the shop, Charlie runs into Benjamin who has lost Runner Bean. The two boys go to Darkly Wynd after realising that Runner Bean has gone to see Chattypatra. At Darkly Wynd, the boys encounter Miranda and save her from the animated stone troll. Charlie agrees to take Chattypatra away from Darkly Wynd to protect her.

In the afternoon, at the meeting in the Pets’ Café, Gabriel tells Charlie and the others about the missing cloak, prompting Charlie to think that the Red Knight might be an impostor. After leaving the Pets’ Café, Charlie goes to the kettle shop to warn Mrs Kettle about the Red Knight. However, on the way there he is lured into a trap by the Branko twins and Joshua Tilpin, who want him to stop trying to find and rescue Asa Pike. Charlie is saved by Tancred, who blows the twins and Joshua into a field outside of the city. Tancred then accompanies Charlie to the kettle shop. Mrs Kettle tells Charlie and Tancred about the magical hilt she wants to add to the sword. Charlie travels into the kettle and sees where Feromel hid the magical hilt. Charlie, Mrs Kettle and Tancred find the hilt and attach it to the unbeatable sword.

The Red Knight goes back to Mrs Kettle for the completed sword.

Monday 23rd February: Asa Pike is rescued, with Bartholomew’s help. The Red Knight fights the stone knight that Eric conjures up.

Tuesday 24th February: Charlie receives a postcard from his parents with a message written in his father’s hand.

#charlie bone #children of the red king #cotrk #cotrk spoilers #charlie bone timeline #children of the red king timeline #charlie bone and the wilderness wolf

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