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Innovadores locales reciben $75 000 para combatir las disparidades sanitarias en la comunidad

DALLAS, 7 de noviembre de 2024 – Históricamente, las personas de color de comunidades con escasos recursos han tenido menos acceso a las necesidades más básicas, como alimentos saludables, aire limpio y agua potable, educación de calidad, empleo,...




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Los New York Jets de la NFL suman métodos para salvar vidas a la cadena de supervivencia en 12 escuelas

NEW YORK, 7 de noviembre de 2024 — La American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y los New York Jets reunieron a representantes de 12 escuelas locales para realizar un entrenamiento de reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) y...




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La supervivencia al paro cardíaco mejoró desde que decreció la pandemia de COVID-19, aún es menor que en años anteriores

Este comunicado de prensa contiene información actualizada y datos que no están incluidos en el resumen. Puntos destacados de la investigación: Las tasas de supervivencia a los paros cardíacos extrahospitalarios en los EE. UU. disminuyeron de manera ...




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La puntuación de riesgo de enfermedades cardíacas del MESA funcionó bien con o sin la raza incluida

Puntos destacados de la investigación: Una versión de la puntuación de riesgo de enfermedades cardíacas del Estudio multiétnico de la aterosclerosis (MESA) que no incluía la raza predijo el riesgo de enfermedades cardíacas tan bien como la versión...




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Aumento en las muertes por enfermedades cardíacas relacionadas con la obesidad en EE. UU. en las últimas dos décadas

Puntos destacados de la investigación: Un análisis de los datos de la base de datos WONDER del CDC reveló un aumento del 180 % en el número de muertes por enfermedad cardíaca isquémica relacionada con la obesidad en EE. UU. entre 1999 y 2020. Las ...




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Unexplained changes in cholesterol may help identify older adults at risk for dementia

Research Highlights: A study of older adults in Australia and the U.S. indicates that cholesterol levels that fluctuate significantly from year to year without a change in medication may someday help to identify those with a higher risk of developing ...




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Cardiac arrest survival improved since COVID-19 pandemic waned, still lower than prior years

This news release contains updated information and data not included in the abstract. Research Highlights: U.S. survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests fell significantly at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and only slightly ...




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Let’s talk about sex: Heart patients want guidance from health care professionals

Research Highlights: A small survey of adults aged 30 to 89 (average age of 65) in Sweden who have heart conditions found that there is a significant difference between the sexual health information they seek and what is provided to them by their ...




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Updated guidance reaffirms CPR with breaths essential for cardiac arrest following drowning

Updated Guideline Highlights: The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics update recommendations for untrained lay rescuers and trained rescuers resuscitating adults and children who have drowned. One important update is the ...




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Designing Clarity 03 – Did Apple just Disrupt Healthcare?

Did Apple just disrupt Healthcare?  More specifically, Health Tech? I would say Healthcare is one of those industries ripe for innovation disruption.  It is a mature industry lead by large slow-moving organisations, that have been around forever.  They have built their equivalent of the Great...

The post Designing Clarity 03 – Did Apple just Disrupt Healthcare? appeared first on Design Sojourn. Please click above if you cannot see this post.




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Orientation & Identity

Orientation & Identity

Wayfinding, signage design is still a young profession, balancing on the edge of two and three dimensional design. Wayfinding often is described as spatial problem solving and designers are multidisciplinary, with a psychological look into showing the way.

The book Orientation & Identity has 17 different projects discussed and show the potential for clients, urban planners, entrepreneurs and politicians. Each project is described from designer and client point of reference, giving a great insight on how the projects came together. This heavy weighted book shows a great in-depth insight in the field of architecture, environmental graphic design and wayfinding.

About Orientation & Identity

The first few chapters give an insight on identity and orientation standard, the philosophy and architecture. The wide range of interviews include, city-wayfinding, airport signage, Dutch road signs, museum design and corporate wayfinding in Europe. The book is written in both German and English, at first you need to adjust a bit to find the reading language of choice, after a few moments I was used reading the bottom of the pages.

The case studies starts off with a introduction of the topic followed by the people behind the projects, with full background details you will get a good feeling of who participated in the project. The interviews start by asking who participated and why projects are initiated, then the story following the discussion during the project. A great insight on how they made specific choices to come to a solution for the project.

The pages are filled with full color (detailed) photos of projects accompanied by sketches and / or 2D images of the wayfinding systems.

Projects included in the book:

  • Legible London, London; City wayfinding
  • Dialogmuseum, Frankfurt; Museum wayfinding
  • Effenaar, Eindhoven; Environmental identity
  • Messe, Stuttgart; Identity and wayfinding
  • College wayfinding
  • Dutch road signage, Holland; Typography Road signs and wayfinding
  • Zürich Airport, Zürich; signage design and wayfinding strategy
  • Lower Austrian Clinics, Niederösterreich; Hospital wayfinding systems
  • and much much more

As the true value of the book is the various insights on the people involved to get a great perspective on how the projects emerged.

Conclusion

I personally enjoyed reading Orientation & Identity for various reasons; the focus of projects are European, that makes this book very relevant for EU countries and stands out to the many US wayfinding / signage books. Secondly the in-depth interviews with various stakeholders, architects and designers behind a project makes it interesting to get a peek inside a project. Lastly the book also provides in technical details, at the end some projects are displayed with typefaces details, construction drawings and iconography.

The language separation is not disturbing but could have been done better in my opinion and the weight of the book does not make it comfortable holding it for a longer period of time. Overall, if you are looking for the stories behind large-scale wayfinding and signage projects in Europe, this is the book for you.

Availability

The book is worldwide available via amazon.

Information

  • Publisher: Springer Science + Business Media
  • Language: English
  • ISBN: 978-3-211-79189-9
  • Hardcover: 480 pages

Buy Orientation & Identity

This great book containing interviews is available at amazon.

Buy at Amazon




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Dutch government corporate identity

Typeface: Rijksoverheid Sans / Serif

Currently there are over 200 departments and ministries which all have different logos and uses different typefaces as their brand identity. In a pitch held by the Dutch government studio Dumbar won this competition and introduced a new logo and 1 brand identity: 1 Logo.

From the beginning of 2008 Peter Verheul was asked by studio Dumbar to take his typeface Versa and transform the typeface usable for a larger audience. He changed the look and feel of the Serif version of Versa Serif and created a complete new set of letters for the Sans version. The fonts are named Rijksoverheid Sans and Rijksoverheid Serif. The name of the typeface is recognizable as “government” and will be used in every way of visual communication.

The Rijksoverheid Sans will be used mainly for headings of text and in signage or wayfinding systems. The Rijksoverheid Serif is used as bread letter for reading text. In just under nine months Peter Verheul managed to finalize the fonts and released them in four different variations, from Regular, Italic to Bold.

Designing the Rijksoverheid typeface

First notebook sketches by Peter Verheul, designing the bracket of Rijksoverheid Serif.
Print preview of the typeface as workhorse.

Letterijk book

During the time of creation Peter Verheul did not have much time to take pictures (as said in his introduction speech) but he kept a note book full of drawings and notes of creating and designing the typefaces. After finishing the typefaces he donated them to Bijzondere Collecties, a Dutch important collection of valuable work from Dutch graphical, typographical- artists. The Bijzondere Collections hosts the booklet, first printouts and everything that is related in creating the typeface Rijksoverheid.

Letterrijk Book is a story about the birth and why of creation the typeface Rijksoverheid written by Mathieu Lommen, published by De Buitenkant Publishers. The booklet covers everything from the start of the project and the combination with project 1 Logo, a story about how the typography started working together, with many drawn examples of early stages of letter design. It also covers the complete glyphs of the typeface variations, with over 700 glyphs each this typeface is multi-language proof. With the design of the typeface several key factors of demands where given to Peter Verheul and Studio Dumbar.

The typeface should be easy to read, should not be too wide in order to reduce printing costs, it could be used for all forms of visual communication of the Dutch Government and every department will use it therefore it will reduce the costs of different typeface licenses. The typeface will function as a bridge between society and government, a typeface that everybody will feel comfortable with.

Rijksoverheids typeface

The Rijksoverheid Sans, an easy to read typeface with a large x-height. This allows maximum legibility for heading text, signage, wayfinding and other forms of visual identity. In the introduction speech Peter Verheul mentioned that he was impressed by the way the Sans version would be used for bread letter. He is interested to see the further development of Rijksoverheid Sans in this field.

Rijksoverheid Serif is the bread letter for reading text, I have read the booklet a couple of times and it seems to be a very legible typeface. Which will form the basis of the whole brand identity of the Dutch Government.

Project 1 Logo

The Dutch government brand identity was not concise or consistent, with over 200 departments and ministries costs were rising of each department havigd their own logo, typeface, print materials, signage and everything that involves the visual communication of that department. There was not a direct link to society and confusion about the identity the government wants to presents themselves. Project 1 Logo was born to bring back all brand identity of the Dutch government and give one signal to society about what the government stands for. In a pitch several design studios participated in order to create 1 Logo, 1 brand, 1 identity, 1 way of communicating between society and government, coming all together as 1 government.

From 2009 until 2011 every department should use the new logo and typeface in all forms of visual communication, a huge operation which involves many parties. I believe there will be a brand guideline from studio Dumbar to lead everything into the correct, concise and consistent use of the brand identity.

Read more




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The hidden costs of getting lost in a Hospital

Why people get lost

Navigating through hospitals can be a challenging task and stressful experience for patients, visitors, and even staff. With the increasing complexity of hospital layouts and diverse user needs, there is a growing demand for effective and accessible wayfinding solutions.

Misinformation and not up-to-date information are among the most common issues why people get lost. The lack of quality information across platforms allows for disorientation, a feeling of getting lost, and not knowing which source to trust. Some of the issues include:

  • Getting lost, high stress levels
  • Not on time for an appointment
  • Unable to orientate/navigate
  • Information not correct/up-to-date
  • No holistic wayfinding approach

Costs of Getting Lost

Wayfinding issues lead to significant costs due to staff time spent on assisting lost individuals, delays in patient care, and missed appointments.

A Deloitte report showed that medical staff spends on average 4,500 hours in giving directions every year. That is a considerable amount of time wasted just on giving directions.

Lost patients and visitors disrupt hospital schedules and workflows, leading to inefficiencies and increased workload.

Navigational difficulties heighten stress and dissatisfaction among patients. Efficient wayfinding is crucial for patient safety, especially in emergency situations.

Three Main Reasons Why People Get Lost in Hospitals

  1. Complex Hospital Layouts: Hospitals often have intricate, sometimes maze-like structures with long corridors which look similar and multiple wings, making navigation challenging for patients, visitors, and even staff.

  2. Inadequate Signage and Wayfinding Systems: Traditional signage and wayfinding tools are frequently insufficient, leading to confusion and difficulty in locating destinations within the hospital.

  3. Lack of Pre-Visit Information and Real-Time Guidance: The absence of effective pre-visit directions and real-time navigational assistance exacerbates the confusion, especially for first-time visitors.

Assessment of the Costs of Getting Lost in Hospitals

  • Financial Impact: Wayfinding issues can cost hospitals significantly, with studies showing expenses up to $500,000 annually at due to staff assisting lost individuals and other related inefficiencies. Missed appointments due to navigational difficulties add to this burden, with the NHS losing almost £1 billion annually.

  • Operational and Staff Impact: Staff spend substantial time assisting lost patients, leading to lost productivity and increased workload. This can result in staff burnout and compromised patient care.

  • Patient Experience and Safety: Patients experiencing stress and confusion due to poor navigation can have longer hospital stays and increased health risks.

In summary, inefficient hospital wayfinding systems lead to significant financial costs, operational challenges, and negative impacts on patient experience and safety.

Case for wayfinding

Wayfinding is a multidisciplinary design profession, combining cognitive behavior, information design, and user experience. It enhances the process of finding your way to a destination in a familiar or unfamiliar setting by using cues from the environment.

The goal of wayfinding is to create a unique and seamless journey by showing the right information at the right time. A comprehensive and bespoke wayfinding system where patients and visitors can orientate, navigate, and locate destinations in a building or environment.

Holistic wayfinding approach

A holistic wayfinding approach that reduces stress and costs while creating a seamless journey experience in hospitals should include:

  • Integrated Digital and Physical Signage: Combining clear, large physical signs with digital solutions (like interactive maps and mobile apps) ensures accessibility and real-time guidance for all users​​​​.
  • Personalized Navigation Assistance: Utilizing technology such as QR codes, WiFi triangulation, or beacons for real-time, personalized navigation can cater to individual needs and reduce the likelihood of getting lost​​​​.
  • Pre-visit and On-site Information: Providing detailed pre-visit directions and on-site information desks or volunteers can help orient visitors upon arrival and throughout their visit, addressing wayfinding issues effectively​​.

This approach combines technology, human assistance, and clear physical markers to create an environment where patients and visitors can navigate hospital spaces more confidently and efficiently.

Design for today and plan for the Future

Our vision for Wayfinding is an integrated information platform that creates an on-demand and personalized user experience. Our approach seeks to improve people’s understanding of the built environment by implementing identity, urban design, and wayfinding strategies.

Key takeaways

  • People first — User-centered information tools
  • Integrated — Holistic design approach
  • Vision and research — Solving wayfinding problems
  • From the place for the place — A unique experience
  • Seamless — Extendable and flexible
  • Digital — Personalized experiences
  • Build design resources — Ensure legacy
  • Invest once and wisely — High quality delivers a ROI



Let's work together

More on hospital wayfinding, contact us →



Every day, our work helps thousands of people navigate hospitals. We are experts in placemaking and wayfinding.




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A Beginner’s Guide to SharePoint

Microsoft’s SharePoint has been a hit with businesses large and small for its extensive capability and unmatched utility. According to AIIM, 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies use SharePoint to streamline their company operations. So by embracing SharePoint, it seems like you’re well on track for greatness. Frankly, SharePoint isn’t the easiest service to use, and there’s a bit of a learning curve to it. SharePoint for beginners could be a bit frustrating, but it’s nothing too difficult. Anyone in the IT department can handle it, but what if you don’t have an IT department or IT can’t simply handle

The post A Beginner’s Guide to SharePoint appeared first on Photoshop Lady.




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Great Homes with Mid Century Modern Furniture

A beautiful house is never complete without comfortable furniture that coordinates with the style of the home. Furniture transforms a block of stones into a beautiful space that you can then call home. While there are a variety of furniture makers and designers out there, none of them can match up to the style and elegance of mid-century modern furniture. Your home will never look the same again if you just get your furniture from mid-century. Here is why they are that popular.   Vintage Appeal If you want a vintage look in your house, then mid-century got you. You

The post Great Homes with Mid Century Modern Furniture appeared first on Photoshop Lady.




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Pros and Cons of Photography and Videography in Visual Marketing

Do you remember a time when there was only text on the internet? Or when the first images popped up in their glorious blocky low resolution? It seems like a lifetime ago.   Streaming services, social media, shops… Images and videos are all around the web today. It’s no wonder we see more and more imagery used for online advertisement as well.   There are always aspects to consider to decide the best fit for your project. When choosing your advertising strategy, it’s essential to know the good and the not-so-good about photography and videography for marketing. Advantages Look Sharp

The post Pros and Cons of Photography and Videography in Visual Marketing appeared first on Photoshop Lady.




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What Is The Ideal Zoom Room Background

With the pandemic ravaging the world all over, companies and individuals have been forced to adapt and make the best of the situation. We all realize that somehow life would need to go on, and we would need to find new and creative ways to work, carry on with our education and our social lives. One of the major ways in which organizations have evolved is by working from home and using software such as Zoom to carry out meetings and connect. While this has been quite effective and helpful in maintaining social distance, there have been plenty of mishaps

The post What Is The Ideal Zoom Room Background appeared first on Photoshop Lady.




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A Quick Guide to Photo Organization For Macbooks

There’s nothing worse than spending hours searching for an image on your computer. Between old screenshots and blurry photos, your sentimental pictures can get buried amongst the clutter. Luckily, it’s extremely simple and accessible to sort, organize, and group your important photos together on Macbook computers. Not sure where to start when it comes to photo organization on your Macbook? Keep reading for some of the best tips and tricks to get your photos sorted and functional. Declutter Your Pictures When it comes to Macbook organization, a digital declutter is one of the best options. Though it can be time-consuming,

The post A Quick Guide to Photo Organization For Macbooks appeared first on Photoshop Lady.




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Photographer Trevor Cole Captures the Magnificence of Cultures Worldwide

Trevor Cole, an international travel photographer and tour leader from Donegal, Ireland, captures diverse cultures and landscapes with a focus on sustainability and human connection. Leading small-group photo tours across destinations like Scotland, Iceland, and Ethiopia, his work inspires reflection and encourages positive change. More: Instagram




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Rarely Seen Polaroids of Winona Ryder in the Late 1990s

In the late 1990s, Winona Ryder defined a unique fusion of edgy elegance, often seen in minimalist black dresses, leather jackets, and sharp blazers. With her cropped dark hair and bold brows, she embodied an iconic look that captured the grunge and alternative styles of the era. Known for her powerful roles in *Alien: Resurrection* […]




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Universal themes: Some ideas

With the Full Site Editing project well underway, theme developers need to be thinking about what the future holds for themes.  Why block themes? To take advantage of the Site Editor, themes need to be built out of blocks – this is why we need block themes. Block themes are an entirely new way of […]




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Video is evolving

Videography used to be a highly specialized field that required special equipment and training.  It took multiple members of a team, each with highly specialized skills, to produce a video that people would actually want to watch.  Nowadays everyone with a smartphone is walking around with highly specialized camera equipment in their pockets, and they […]

The post Video is evolving first appeared on TECH Intelligence and is written by Brian Wallace.




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4 Android 6.0 Marshmallow tricks to show to your friends

Android recently unveiled their newest operating system, Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It doesn’t entirely overhaul the system, but it does bring some exciting new improvements for Android users to enjoy. Like every new operating system, it takes some getting used to, but knowing some of the tricks help to facilitate the process. Expect Changes with New […]

The post 4 Android 6.0 Marshmallow tricks to show to your friends first appeared on TECH Intelligence and is written by Drew Hendricks.




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Mastering the Art of Web Typography: Enhancing Readability and Brand Identity

Typography is a core element of web design that impacts how easily people can read and engage with your content.  Your message and brand identity stand out when you have a font that draws the eye in.  When you know how to use web typography principles to grab attention, you can transform a good-looking website...

The post Mastering the Art of Web Typography: Enhancing Readability and Brand Identity appeared first on noupe.




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8 Things to Do Before Transitioning Your Small Business From a Side Hustle to Full-Time

If you have a profitable side hustle, you’ve probably considered taking your business full-time. However, before you take the leap and transition to life as a full-time entrepreneur, there are a few things you should do. Some tasks are simple, like opening a business bank account and setting concrete goals. Others, like building a professional...

The post 8 Things to Do Before Transitioning Your Small Business From a Side Hustle to Full-Time appeared first on noupe.




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How to create Twitter widget with WordPress and SimplePie (Part 1)

There are a lot of Twitter widgets for WordPress but in my experience none of those utilize the powerful SimplePie PHP class that is in the WordPress core. SimplePie is a powerful RSS reader class that has very nice built-in caching system since as we all know the Twitter API is limited to only 150 […]




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How to create Twitter widget with WordPress and SimplePie (Part 2)

In the second part of this tutorial we will extend the widget with more options. Let’s start by defining what sort of options we want it to have. Show timestamps Discover Hyperlinks Discover @replies Discover avatar Followers count You can download the extended plug-in here. Step 1: Getting the form ready for the new options […]




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Create Simple Flicker Widget

In this tutorial we will create a simple Flicker widget using the Flicker API and the WordPress widget API. The widget can be used multiple times and it will require your Flicker ID and the number of images to display. If we search for something like this we can find a tons of premade widgets, […]




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Best of the best, 7 jQuery sliders that will fit your need

You are searching for jQuery sliders? Search no more, here we have composed a list of the best slider that you can find on the internet. Some of them are free and very customizable and some of them are worth spending some money to achieve your goal. Rhinoslider This slider offers many different effects, you […]




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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Gmail Account for Beginners

How to Create a Gmail Account for Beginners: Step-by-step guide to set up, secure, and personalize your Gmail account with ease. Perfect for new users.




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How to Find Guest Posting Sites: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building Authority and Reach

Learn how to find guest posting sites with effective strategies to boost SEO, build authority, and reach new audiences in your niche.



  • Point of View

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What SaaS Companies Didn’t  Want You to Know About Content Marketing

Content marketing is crucial for SaaS firms. It helps attract and retain customers by creating content that resonates with the audience using traditional marketing strategies like advertisements or promotions. Sharing articles and videos and engaging social media posts showcasing expertise in the industry sector can help gain trust and establish credibility for the brand, leading […]

The post What SaaS Companies Didn’t  Want You to Know About Content Marketing appeared first on Designer Daily: graphic and web design blog.




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5 Easy Ideas To Get More Referrals From Your Customers

In today’s competitive landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out and attract new customers. While traditional marketing strategies have their place, one of the most potent tools at your disposal is often overlooked: customer referrals. When satisfied clients share their positive experiences with friends, family, and colleagues, they not only validate your […]

The post 5 Easy Ideas To Get More Referrals From Your Customers appeared first on Designer Daily: graphic and web design blog.




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Dramatic Typography Designs to Acquire Best Ideas

Typography designs are most beautiful type of artwork, you can get inspiration from typography design, creative typography design for you to get artistic ideas.

View and Vote




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40 Best Free WordPress Themes with Image Slider and Slideshow

Here is best free WordPress themes with image slider and slideshow with demo and download link. It is professional WordPress themes with slider that i have collected for more purpose of website company that you can choose which one are compatible with your business or personal.

View and Vote




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New Study Reveals Hidden COVID Proteins in Blood of Long Haulers

A study conducted by Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital revealed that individuals experiencing a broad array of long COVID symptoms are twice as likely to have traces of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood compared to those without symptoms of long COVID. The symptoms frequently associated with long COVID include fatigue, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, back pain, headaches, sleep issues, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal problems.These findings were published in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection.




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What Drugmakers Did Not Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials

Genetic tests showed that certain patients were predisposed to brain injuries if they took the drugs. That information remained secret.




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Study Identifies Potential Therapeutic Target for PTSD

A multi-institutional team of investigators has discovered that targeting a specific neural circuit through noninvasive neuromodulation may help reduce symptoms in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent study published in Nature Neuroscience. Jordan Grafman, PhD, professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and director of Brain Injury Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, was a co-author of the study.




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Western researchers closing in on treatment for long COVID 

Western University researchers are taking a unique global approach to finding an effective treatment for people living with long COVID. Led by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Douglas Fraser, the projects represent the first multi-continental research conducted on long COVID, with study sites in Africa and North and South Americas. The long-term effects of long COVID – including symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and difficulty breathing – can be debilitating and greatly impact quality of life. At least 65 million people around the world are affected by the condition. 




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US Air Force veteran finds hope in suicide prevention therapy focusing on stress responses

For many people, it’s a ray of hope rooted in research. Recent research is presenting a new way of thinking about suicide prevention, and both experts and patients believe it’s already saving lives.




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American College of Surgeons Releases Revised Best Practices Guidelines in Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has announced the release of its revised Best Practices Guidelines in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury, offering healthcare providers comprehensive strategies to improve the care and outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).




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How and Why Should Healthcare Providers Ask Patients If They Have PTSD?

 

How and why should healthcare providers ask patients if they have PTSD?

 

Click here to see other video Q&As with Lt. Col. Holcombe.

Click here to return to our BrainLine Military Ask the Expert feature.




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What Is the Ideal Timeline to Do MRIs, fMRIs, DTIs, and Fiber Tracking to Diagnose TBI?

More than imaging, diagnosis of TBI is still based on the initial symptoms at the time of the injury.




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Auphonic Joins NVIDIA Inception

We are proud to announce that we recently joined the NVIDIA Inception Program, which will help to speed up our deep learning development process and therefore offer the best possible audio processing tools to our users.

What is NVIDIA Inception

NVIDIA is a global leader in hardware and software for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Their NVIDIA Inception Program will enable us to leverage NVIDIA's cutting-edge technology by accessing more diverse cloud and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) product offerings, which are used in most Machine Learning and Deep Learning model training instances worldwide. This will allow us to streamline AI development and deployment and train bigger machine-learning models to test and evaluate algorithms faster. The program will also offer us the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations, among other things.

Our Deep Learning Development Process

For our development process, more GPU capacity means a great saving of time and therewith of course a saving of costs. As an example, one training cycle of our dynamic denoiser model takes almost a week trained with GPUs, however the same training cycle trained with CPUs would take several months.

To illustrate, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be compared to a race car, which is very fast but can only transfer a small number of packages, while a GPU in this comparison is a big truck, which can transfer a huge number of packages more slowly. Deep learning algorithms require for training very large datasets consisting of thousands of files, therefore our 'trucks', the GPUs, are the best hardware to choose processing multiple computations simultaneously.

The more GPU capacity we can use, the faster we get results for our tested algorithms, and the faster we know which way we should follow to offer our users the best possible audio processing tools.
Unfortunately, the world is right in the middle of a Global Chip Shortage, so the latest GPUs are very hard to get and super expensive to purchase – unless you have a partnership with a GPU manufacturer.

Conclusion

We are happy to join such a renowned program and look forward to the updates to our product that we will be able to implement and potentially a greater industry transformation.

You can read our full press release here: AuphonicNVIDIAInceptionPressRelease (pdf)







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Export Cuts for Audio/Video Editors and Filler Cutting Updates

For those of you who like to be in control of every applied cut, we are introducing an update for our Automatic Silence and Filler Word Cutting Algorithms today: The export of Cut Lists allows you to import cuts into your favorite audio/video editor to check and apply the cuts to your files manually.
Thanks to your great feedback, we were able to update our “Filler Word Cutting” algorithm as well.

Cut Lists Export

We now provide the export of various formats of “Cut Lists” in the Auphonic Web Service.
You can use these formats to modify and apply cuts in your post production audio or video editing program:

Screenshot of the Reaper DAW with imported “ReaperRegions.csv”: pale red regions display filler words and pale gray regions mark silence.

To generate the cut lists, choose “Cut List (Filler and Silence)” in the “Output Files” section. By selecting the correct “Ending” you can export the cut lists to a format that is suitable for your post production audio or video editor:

We support regions and EDL (edit decision list) formats:

  • Region formats (“AudacityRegions.txt”, “AuditionRegions.csv” and “ReaperRegions.csv”) list filler and silence cut regions with their respective start and end timestamps.
    You can import those cut region lists into your existing Audacity, Audition, or Reaper projects. There you can edit the cut positions to your liking by deleting, moving, or adding individual cut positions. After that, you may apply the cuts manually.
  • EDL (edit decision list) formats, “SamplitudeReaper.edl”, “FinalCutProLegacy.xml”, “FinalCutProX.xml” and “DaVinciResolve.edl” (also known as “cmx3600” format and compatible with various editors), can be imported in your software to automatically apply cuts from the EDL file. Depending on the software you use, you may also edit individual cuts manually before applying them. Be aware though that in some editors it may not be possible to add them to an existing project. If this is the case, simply open a new project with the EDL file instead.

Please just let us know if we do not yet provide a cut list format for your favorite audio or video editing program!

Export Uncut Audio

To only detect fillers/silence but NOT cut them, choose the “Export Uncut Audio” mode for “Automatic Cutting” in “Audio Algorithms”. Then you can query cutting times via our API or select your favorite Cut List format as “Output File” to only export cut times for later editing, but without applying cuts during the Auphonic audio post production.

Using the option “Export Uncut Audio”, it is also possible to use our cutting algorithms for video productions. In this case, we will just detect and report cuts, and you can import and apply them in your favorite video editing program afterwards.

Filler Word Cutting Updates

Thanks to your great feedback, we've been able to further optimize our Automatic Filler Word Cutting algorithm.
By now you probably know that our filler word cutter removes all types of “uhm”, “uh”, “mh”, “ähm”, “euh”, “eh” and similar sounds. If you haven't heard about it yet, our release blog post might be a good starting point.

  • Enhanced Fade Curves
    We noticed that due to reverb or background noise in input files, some filler cuts did not sound as smooth as they should have. To prevent such rough cuts, we trained our filler detection models with more diverse speech data and compared different fade curve approaches. Now the filler detection is much more robust against noise. Additionally, we developed an asymmetrical fade solution, which, in our opinion, makes the cuts almost inaudible.

    We nonetheless recommend, though, that you use filler cutting in combination with our Dynamic Denoising or Speech Isolation algorithms. These algorithms remove heavy reverb or noise and thus prevent noise artifacts during cutting.

  • Handling of Affirmative Sounds
    Some of you were bothered by the fact that affirmative sounds, like “mhm”, “aha”, and “yeah” were cut along with filler words. Driven by your feedback, we tweaked our filler detection algorithm in a way that will remove considerably fewer of these sounds.

  • Multitrack Filler Silencing
    We also received requests to optimize filler cutting for crosstalk in Multitrack productions.
    Let's assume that two speech tracks are simultaneously active and one of the two tracks contains a filler word. In this case, we can not cut the filler word in one track without destroying parts of the speech in the other track.
    Our original solution was to skip such a filler. Now, however, we replace it with silence instead. This removes the filler words while preserving all the speech content.

Feedback

If you want to provide us feedback on how you like the updated filler cutting algorithm or about any other features that are missing, you are very welcome to contact us. You can also leave a comment in the feedback section on the status page of your concrete production.







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Support for Intro and Outro Videos

A new foray into the world of video: Auphonic is proud to announce support for intro and outro videos! With our most recent update you can now seamlessly integrate video intros and outros into your productions, providing a richer and more engaging experience for your audience.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

What's new?

For a long time Auphonic has supported video files as the main files of productions. Until recently, intros and outros were limited to audio-only though.

Our new feature now allows you to add video intros and outros to your productions. This means your content can now begin and end with video clips, adding a professional touch and increasing viewer engagement. Whether you're working on podcasts, audiobooks, or any other type of multimedia content: providing your content both in audio form and in video form is now way easier!

Mixing Audio and Video

A key aspect of this feature is the ability to mix audio and video files effortlessly. If your main production file is a video but your intro is an audio file, Auphonic will automatically generate a video for the intro using a standing image from the main video. This ensures a seamless and visually coherent transition between different media types, maintaining the overall quality and flow of your production.

It works the same way for outros as well. When your main production file is a video file but your outro is audio-only we will generate an outro video from a standing image of the main video.

Overlap

We also support overlap for video intros and outros. This means you can have your intros and outros start or end slightly before the main content, creating a smoother transition. However, you should know that overlapping intro and outro videos requires us to place a cut in your video intro and outro. Only this way the the audio will stay in sync with the video.

How to add Intro and Outro Videos

Using our new feature is incredibly simple. You can add video intros and outros the same way you would add audio intros and outros in the production form.

A screenshot of the production form where a video intro and a video outro where selected.

Adding video intros and outros is also available through our API, allowing for a smooth integration into your existing workflows and automation processes. Again, adding video intros and outros in the API works the same way it works for audio intros and outros.

Use Cases

There are many different use cases for our new feature! If you, as an example, regularly release episodes of your podcast both as audio and as video, you can now automatically add a recurring video intro and outro without needing to manually edit your videos.

Or, if you're an audio engineer, you may have a large number of recordings of, let's say, a conference. Instead of having to edit each individual conference recording by hand you now can add a common intro and outro to each conference recording automatically using a batch production.

Supported Video Formats

The world of video is a limitless one, with a sheer endless amount of video codecs, resolutions or frame rates to offer. Naturally, this means we are not able to support every arbitrary video format there is. However, we made sure to support the most commonly used video containers and codecs to make sure that at least 99.5% of all video productions will be possible.

Currently we support the 3 most common video containers: MP4, MKV and MOV. For these containers the following codecs are supported:

  • h264: MP4, MKV, MOV
  • mpeg4: MP4, MKV, MOV
  • mpeg2video: MP4, MKV, MOV
  • prores: Only MKV and MOV
  • msmpeg4v3: Only MKV and MOV

Any video intro or outro which uses these containers and codecs can be processed by us. Additionally, we make sure that your output video uses a common format. Therefore, if your video intro or outro uses a different codec or container than your main video we will encode the video intro or outro to the setting of the main video.

Given that video demands significantly more computational ressources than audio the video intros and outros may be 1 minute long at max in order to be processed.

Conclusion

The new intro and outro videos feature on Auphonic is designed to give you more creative control and to help you produce professional, engaging content effortlessly. By supporting a variety of codecs and allowing for the mixing of audio and video we aim to support every possible workflow. We invite you to explore this new feature and see how it can enhance your multimedia productions!

Feedback

Would you like us to support another video format? Did you stumble across an issue with your video file(s)? Let us know! Simply drop us a message in our contact form or leave a comment in the feedback section on the status page of your specific production.
We're looking forward to hearing from you!







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Speaker Identification in Single Track Productions

We're excited to announce the release of our new speaker diarization feature! With our latest update, we can now detect individual speakers within a single audio recording, allowing users to see precisely who said what and when. This information is then reflected in the transcript.
Previously, this feature was only available in Multitrack Productions.

What is Speaker Diarization?

Speaker diarization is the process of identifying different speakers and segmenting an audio file accordingly, making it easier to accurately determine who said what. This is particularly useful in scenarios like meeting recordings, interviews, and podcasts involving multiple speakers.

What's New

Until now, Auphonic users had to use our Multitrack Production Workflow to gain access to speaker identification. With our recent update, this feature is now also accessible for single track productions, thereby further simplifying our workflow.

How It Works

When selecting Auphonic Whisper ASR as your speech recognition engine on our production page, the option to use “Speaker Detection” appears. You can select the number of speakers in the recording yourself, or have the AI identify and label them automatically.

Select "speaker detection" in the speech recognition menu

The identified speakers will then be shown next to what they said in the captions of our audio player and within the generated transcript. We know exactly who is saying what at any given time.

If you need to change speakers' names, you can edit them in our Transcript Editor. By changing the name of the speaker, the changes will be applied automatically within the whole transcript.

Click here for an example transcript to play around with!

The transcript editor also lets you edit the generated transcript's content and correct any mistakes. This gives our users the final say in quality control.

For more information on how to use our transcript editor, click here!

Conclusion

With our newly released speaker detection feature for single track productions, we simplified the automatic transcription process even further. You can drop a single audio file into our algorithms, the AI automatically detects and transcribes its contents and attributes speakers correctly. And if the model should unexpectedly be wrong at any time, you can correct it in our Transcript Editor.

Feedback

We're looking forward to having you utilize our new speaker diarization feature!
Please, feel free to send us feedback through our Contact Form or submit it directly in the status page of your production.
Happy detecting!







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Decoding Product Photography Pricing: A Complete Guide

Just imagine, you’ve launched a brand-new online store filled with products that you know are just perfect for your target audience. You’re excited and ready to make those sales, but there’s one piece of the puzzle missing – high-quality product images. And then it hits you: “How much is this going to cost me?”

No doubt, we all appreciate visually stunning product photos when shopping online. Have you ever considered what goes into producing those eye-catching product images? Or how their quality can dramatically impact your sales?

The truth is, professional-looking visuals can significantly influence purchasing decisions – upping conversion rates while fostering trust with customers. Yet finding an experienced product photographer within budget who also understands your vision isn’t always straightforward.

Let us help you.

Understanding Product Photography Pricing

Navigating the realm of product photography pricing can be like trekking through a jungle without a map. You’ll find rates that range from surprisingly affordable to astonishingly high-end, making it tough for businesses to get their bearings.

The cost of product photography is dependent on a variety of elements,

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Essential Guide: How to Do Surf Photography Like a Pro

Wave riders and shutterbugs alike, gather around. Mastering surf photography is a bit like surfing itself—it’s all about balance, timing, and having the right gear. I remember when I first waded into the ocean with my camera; each breaking wave was an invitation to capture something epic.

We’ll dive into picking cameras that won’t buckle under the saltwater spray and lenses that bring distant surfers up close. Think high-speed chases—you need a fast shutter speed for those action-packed moments where every droplet counts.

You’re set to discover composition tips that make viewers feel they’re riding along and advanced techniques for shots so sharp they cut through your viewer’s attention span. By the end of our journey together, you’ll be snapping surf photos worthy of magazine covers or at least some serious bragging rights.

Choosing the Right Camera and Lens for Surf Photography

If you’re looking to capture the raw power of a barreling wave or the finesse of a surfer shot, having top-notch gear is key. So, let’s talk about surf photography equipment.

Cropped Sensor vs. Full Frame Cameras

For starters,

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How to Do Lighthouse Photography: A Practical Guide

There’s a dance of light and shadow you can’t quite grasp until you’ve seen a lighthouse cut through the fog. Mastering lighthouse photography means capturing that silent symphony between nature and human ingenuity, each photo telling its own epic tale.

I remember setting up my tripod on rocky shores, waiting for that perfect moment when the sun dips low enough to paint everything in gold. You’ll get why timing is crucial, how early morning or late afternoon gives your shots character with just the right color wash over stunning structures.

This journey will equip you with gear know-how—like picking out wide-angle lenses for grand scenes or telephoto ones for details—and dive into camera settings so those beams look as majestic in photos as they do slicing through ocean mist.

Capturing the Romance of Lighthouses Through Photography

Lighthouse photography captures more than just a structure; it seizes the tales of human ingenuity and nature’s raw beauty. These coastal sentinels have long stood against time, their beams slicing through fog and darkness, guiding sailors home.

The Allure of Coastal Sentinels

There’s something inherently romantic about lighthouses.

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