As bandwidth needs continue to multiply, consumers demand faster and faster broadband speeds. That holds just as true for those who live in multiple-dwelling-unit buildings (MDUs) as it does for those who live in single-family homes.

Previously constructed MDUs, also known as brownfield buildings, almost certainly have twisted pair wiring that can support internet connectivity via DSL. But increasingly, customers are looking for faster speeds. MDUs wired for cable TV service are likely to support faster broadband, but as Kevin Morgan, chief marketing officer for fiber connectivity manufacturer Clearfield notes, the hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) infrastructure supporting cable TV service may be quite old and not in prime shape. The upshot is that even where a cable provider is present, competitive broadband providers may consider deploying service in condominiums, apartment buildings or complexes.

Landlords, condo homeowners associations and service providers considering the MDU market have several options for bringing high-speed broadband to units within buildings, including making fiber available to individual units and using alternatives based on structured Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Jay Bestermann, senior director of managed networks for connectivity product supplier CommScope, notes that MDUs today are likely to have fiber connectivity to the building. And that eliminates one step a service provider would need to make to support high-speed broadband within a building, no matter which item is chosen.

A 2016 study conducted by research firm RVA, LLC for the Fiber to the Home Council (now the Fiber Broadband Association) found that fiber broadband connectivity can increase MDU owners and operators net income per average unit by as much as 11 percent and can increase the market value of rentals in MDUs by 8 percent. The value of a condominium in an MDU increases by 2 percent when the condo has fiber connectivity, the survey found. All those percentages are likely higher today, as broadband has become increasingly critical to daily life.

Despite these numbers, only about 50 percent of MDU deployments involving new construction also known as greenfield deployments were installed with fiber to the unit as of 2016, according to Christy Johnson, market development manager for Corning, whose product portfolio includes fiber connectivity equipment. That percentage undoubtedly has increased, however, and may be closer to 100 percent than 50 percent today, Johnson notes.

When service providers talk about deploying fiber within an MDU, they generally are referring to the same passive optical network (PON) technology that underlies fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-premises deployments. As with traditional PON technology, a single fiber connects a service providers network to a splitter, from which individual fibers are run to individual apartments or condos.

When a service provider considers deploying fiber within an MDU, accurately estimating take rate is critical to determining project profitability. Typically, a potential provider can gauge interest level through marketing efforts, such as distributing flyers throughout the property.

An MDU is expected to be more profitable than a single-family home, observes Morgan.

He notes that some MDUs may have businesses located on the ground floor, which generally makes it attractive for a service provider to deploy fiber within the building.

Johnson notes that providers also may be able to maximize profitability by considering other sources of revenue that a fiber installation might generate, such as supporting cell site densification or rooftop antennas. Some service providers may have their own wireless businesses; others may be able to provide fiber connectivity on a wholesale basis to other providers.

Even a cable company may consider deploying fiber within an MDU rather than using traditional HFC infrastructure, Morgan notes.

With HFC infrastructure, fiber from a service providers network feeds coaxial distribution connections that ultimately support coaxial connections to individual customers. With PON, these feeder connections are fiber, which carries more data than coax, Morgan notes.

Another concern is that because HFC originally was designed to send video programming to end users, its bandwidth is asymmetrical, supporting higher bandwidth downstream than it does upstream. And internet usage also traditionally was asymmetrical, with more traffic flowing to users than coming from them, but that pattern is becoming less pronounced as uploading and videoconferencing/video calling become more popular. PONs also may be asymmetrical, but upstream and downstream capacity are closer to being equal and in some cases are equal.

Morgan also argues that fiber is more reliable than coax and is more efficient for interconnecting cable TV or phone companies that are consolidating with geographically adjacent companies.

Service providers choosing the PON approach may consider not running fiber into every unit initially, doing so only when a customer orders service.

They might take fiber down the hall and past every unit, comments Johnson. Later, if they have the third or fourth customer on a floor, they only have to enter into the apartment.

In other cases, a service provider might run fiber only to the communications closet for each floor and do the hallway later.

Approaches such as these minimize upfront costs, but service providers need to ensure that they dont lose those savings later because the process of adding new customers later becomes overly complicated.

Fortunately, cabling vendors have developed some innovative products for the MDU market, including some aimed at enabling subsequent customers to be added in an efficient manner. (See sidebar.)

As an alternative to PON, some service providers and landlords or homeowners associations opt to deploy structured Ethernet within an MDU one of several broadband connectivity areas that CommScope specializes in. Typically, CommScope deploys structured Ethernet throughout an MDU in what Bestermann calls a whole property or bulk service approach. Most commonly this is done for greenfield installations.

As Bestermann explains, this approach typically is supported by a gigabit per second (Gbps) or 10 Gbps connection to the building, with fiber or coax extended to individual units, where a gateway provides connectivity via wired Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. From a technology standpoint, its similar to what might be installed in an office building.

One advantage of this approach is that gateways can be installed in public areas of an MDU, such as in fitness rooms or at a swimming pool, and residents can connect easily via Wi-Fi when they are in those areas.

A service provider choosing this approach can market directly to individual units or can sell connectivity for the whole property to the property owner, who can then determine how to charge end users, Bestermann explains. When the service provider offers service to individual units, it may opt for a service left in place approach in which the service provider doesnt expect to get gateways back from customers when they move. When a new resident moves in and signs up for service, the service provider doesnt have to roll a truck to onboard the customer but instead may simply have to reset the gateway.

The systems that CommScope installs are engineered to support a minimum of 25 Mbps per device a different approach from PON, in which each housing unit gets a specific amount of bandwidth.

The per-device approach offers more flexibility, according to Bestermann.

I might have 10 to 20 devices and can get high bandwidth to every device, he explains. In the home, its a shared model.

The 25 Mbps-per-device target is the bare minimum that CommScope recommends, notes Bestermann, who adds that CommScope is seeing demand as high as 200 Mbps per device in student housing.

Companies that offer cabling products including Clearfield, Corning, CommScope and others have developed some innovative offerings for MDUs.

For example, both Clearfield and Corning have considered the unique needs of brownfield installations, where space for extra equipment and cabling may be scarce.

Cornings Clear Track is designed to look like decorative molding. It holds fiber cabling inside.

Cornings ClearTrack offering resembles decorative molding but has space inside for fiber cabling. It can be installed where walls meet the ceiling, where few would guess that it was part of a broadband network, Johnson explains.

Clearfields FieldShield Drop Wheels and protected pathways

Clearfields FieldShield Drop Wheels are compact spools stored in the communications closet on which fiber bundles are wrapped, saving space in comparison with traditional alternatives. The drop wheels also offer service providers the option of minimizing upfront costs by beginning with partial installations. The drop wheels keep unused fibers neat until they are needed, in which case individual fibers can be unspooled as needed. The company also offers FieldShield microduct that can be pre-installed and houses fiber that can be pulled or pushed through it. That approach can minimize deployment costs by enabling a single technician to add the fiber, Morgan notes.

The Clearfield Drop Wheel

Cornings IBwave FiberPass software streamlines the installation process by reducing the time required to do site surveys and design systems.

CommScopes Ruckus product line also includes offerings tailored for the unique needs of MDUs. For example, the Ruckus Fiber Backpack is designed to simplify Wi-Fi deployments for fiber-ready MDUs. The device easily attaches to the companys Ruckus H510 wall-mounted indoor Wi-Fi access point/switch and helps provide a better-looking installation by eliminating wire clutter.

MDUs come in many shapes and sizes from garden apartments with just a few stories to high-rises with hundreds of units which means that a cookie-cutter approach to MDU broadband connectivity wont work. Fortunately, suppliers have applied considerable creativity toward developing solutions to meet a wide range of MDU connectivity needs.

The rest is here:
High-Speed Broadband for MDUs: A Look at Today's Options - Broadband Communities

San Francisco, Oct 10 (IANS): Fitbit Sense smartwatch has started receiving the ECG App functionality in few countries which was not available at its launch.

The wearable received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as Conformite Europeenne (CE) approval in the EU to record ECG recently, and now the smartwatch has already started getting the update in the US, the Uk and Germany, reports GizmoChina.

The report says that countries like India are also on the list but the exact date of getting the update is unknown.

One can also install it by downloading the app from the Fitbit official website or trying it via the Fitbit app on the smartphone. After installing, go to Assessments & Reports->Discover Tab->Heart Rhythm assistant.

After accepting the terms, one can open the ECG app on Fitbit Sense and complete the setup.

The ECG, or electrocardiogram, allows users to gain insight into their heart's performance and possible conditions, like irregular or erratic heartbeats.

The Sense is the first Fitbit to gain the functionality and now puts it on par with the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Withings ScanWatch.

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Fitbit Sense gets ECG app functionality in US and Europe - Daijiworld.com

As one of the people responsible for looking after the Rubenstein Arts Center, John Kolba has paid plenty of visits to the central campus building during the pandemic.

And each time hes there, the importance of stopping the spread of the virus is paramount.

Its pretty much front and center, said Kolba, associate director of theRubenstein Arts Center. You cant get around it.

Kolbas days begin and end with wiping down doorknobs and drawer pulls, and in between he wears a mask, washes his hands and passes numerous signs reminding him to do so.

And the Classroom Caddies installed in 12 spaces in the Rubenstein Arts Center byDuke Facilities Management are yet another way to help Kolba, and everyone else who passes through the building, show their commitment to safety.

The small boxes bolted to the walls by doorways hold sanitizing wipes and a spray bottle filled with anti-viral disinfectant and are available for students, staff and faculty to keep their areas clean.

Its a good combination of something thats practical and reinforces the idea that were trying to convey, Kolba said. From a logistical standpoint, it gives each of the spaces a home where the cleaning supplies are going to be. And it makes things a little more straightforward for folks.

The idea for the caddies took shape over the summer, as the university studied what kind of safety protocols would need to be in place for students to return to campus.

With Dukes housekeeping staff already busy tackling deep cleaning in classrooms and other areas, some cleaning responsibilities had to also fall community members who used the spaces. The next challenge was ensuring they had everything they needed.

Once we decided that wed need a tub of wipes and a spray bottle of disinfectant, we thought we could leave them on a desk near the door, said Steve Palumbo, director of facility operations for Duke Facilities Management. But as we talked through it, we realized we needed a single spot where we could keep them and where housekeeping would know to check for them.

Palumbo and colleagues in Duke Facilities Management studied different options before finding a three-sided metal box concept online. After tweaking it to fit exact needs, Duke enlisted the help the same Raleigh-based fabrication company that made thehand-sanitizer stands, to make the caddies.

In August, the Duke Facilities Managements General Maintenance Mechanics began installing over 220 caddies across campus, with each school helping determine location. Housekeepers from University Environmental Services monitor and refill the caddies with cleaning supplies.

They are nice because you can put them up and everything you need is right there, said Duke Facilities Management General Maintenance Manager Charlie Perez.

As limited aspects of on-campus life has resumed this fall, the caddies serve as reminders that we all have a role to play in that effort.

It keeps safety in the front of everyones mind, said Kolba of the Rubenstein Art Center. Its not like theres a spray bottle sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. Its right there. It helps get the message across.

Help share the proactive and extensive work being done by all Duke community members during the COVID-19 outbreak. Send ideas, shout-outs and photographs throughour story idea formor writeworking@duke.edu.

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Putting COVID-19 Safety Tools in Your Hands - Duke Today

The "Laminate Flooring - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global market for Laminate Flooring is projected to reach US$21.3 billion by 2025, driven by new flooring trends that drive demand in favor of laminates given their virtually unlimited variety of styles, designs and colors available.

Homeowners are always on the lookout for beautiful flooring options at affordable prices. Laminate floors provide both the elegance and beauty of expensive natural wood, ceramic and porcelain titles at low prices. Made up of layers of adhered fiberboard with printed images of wood, tile or stone, laminate floors are today a popular choice among homeowners.

Benefits of laminate flooring driving their adoption rates include long-lasting and durable characteristics; easily maintenance and installation; suitable for installation basement floors and upper rooms; eco-friendly materials it is produced with paper developed from farm-raised trees. Unlike wood, laminate flooring resists swelling and shrinkage due to seasonal changes.

Recent innovations in decorative overlays and improvements in physical characteristics such as protection against normal wear; advanced stain resistance; impact and indentation resistance; fade resistance; radiant heat resistance; dimensional tolerances; have all helped expand applications in both the residential and commercial sectors. Resistance to chemicals, for instance, is encouraging use of laminate flooring in beauty salons, laboratories, and healthcare facilities. Innovations in digital designs are making laminates perfect floor options for boutiques, bookstores, art galleries, dry cleaner shops, banks, gift shops, photography studios, hotel rooms, coffee shops, jewelry stores, professional offices, classrooms, and waiting rooms.

To impart elegance to a home, homeowners are using exotic grainy designs in rich colorations and textured details that can magically turn a kitchen into a vintage butler pantry. Wenge style flooring in deep chocolate tones is a perfect choice for homeowners wishing to impart to their living rooms a rich, elegant and expensive look of rare wood species. Waterproof laminates in exotic rich colors from golden honey tones to rich russet-brown help transform basement media room from being stuffy and lifeless into a bright multimedia retreat.

White plank styled laminates with sound insulation represents a frugal way to turn bedrooms into an oasis of comfort & regeneration, while laminate floors in imperial oak designs bring glamour and refinement to outdoor patio spaces. Laminate flooring in short is a bold direction forward in decorative surfaces and the market holds a growth edge given its growing acceptance in the non-residential sector.

Key Topics Covered:

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/537dlg.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200914005711/en/

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ResearchAndMarkets.comLaura Wood, Senior Press Managerpress@researchandmarkets.com

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Global Laminate Flooring Market Trajectory & Analytics Report 2020-2025: New Flooring Trends Revive Optimism in the World Flooring Market -...

WIESBADEN, Germany U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden has been working to renovate areas of the barracks and give Soldiers more space.Garrison commander Col. Mario A. Washington said the move had the support of Army leaders.Its in line with the Chief of Staff of the Army, our senior leaders and Gen. (Christopher) Cavolis first line of effort, which is the barracks and quality of life for Soldiers, so this has provided us an opportunity to work that line of effort, and its just, I believe, the right thing to do for the Soldiers.Improvements that can be made now are being done right away, such as painting, laying new flooring, restriping parking lots and revamping day rooms, said Donald Meyer, Chief Housing Division, USAG Wiesbaden.A team of carpenters, painters, roofers and gardeners executed numerous improvements at the Clay barracks to improve the quality of life for Soldiers living in this community, according to Rod Oshiro, director of Public Works.Gardeners have been clearing weeds and refreshed the sand volleyball court. They are set to begin targeted tree trimming this fall.Roofers began replacing shingles and installing metal flashing on gazebos. Staff coordinated with units to clean up trash and dilapidated grills. The next phase will consist of sanding and staining the rest of the structure with the help of the Soldiers who live there.Carpenters and painters removed the carpet and installed new flooring and window blinds and repainted the day room in Bldg. 1206. The renovation was capped off with replacement furnishings and a game table for the Soldiers to socialize.In addition, the garrison will give Soldiers more room in the barracks by offering staff sergeants the option to move to shared two-bedroom apartments in Crestview.From a quality of life standpoint for our service members, we cant meet the Army standard of 1 plus 1 barracks (one Soldier per room, connected by a shared bathroom) unless we do a major renovation, Meyer said. However, with utilization of excess Army housing (in Crestview), we can provide better quality of life for our sergeants and staff sergeants, which allows more barracks space for E-4s and below, which in turn improves everybodys quality of life.The Crestview apartments have a full kitchen, living room, dining area and basement storage. Washington said the extra space provides Soldiers the opportunity to unwind, which in turn improves readiness.People look at readiness sometimes as going to the range or doing physical activity, but readiness is also your mental health and being able to decompress from work, and this provides them that opportunity, he said.The commander said his goal is to take care of Soldiers, and improving their quality of life with more living space is one way of doing that.Taking care of service members and family members is my number one priority, and this is in line with that, Washington said. So any opportunity I get to take care of service members and their families, I take it.

Excerpt from:
Barracks renovations at USAG Wiesbaden improve Soldier quality-of-life, readiness - United States Army

Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market was valued at USD xx Mn in 2019 and is expected to reach USD xx Mn by 2027 at a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period 2020-2027.

The report covers an in-depth analysis of COVID 19 pandemic impact on Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market by region and on the key players revenue affected till July 2020 and expected short term and long-term impact on the market.

Global Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market Dynamics;

VCT contains a high proportion of inorganic filter as compared to other floorings such as vinyl sheet flooring and vinyl tile flooring. Vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring is manufactured by using various natural materials limestone, plasticizer, and a copolymer of vinyl chloride (95 %) and vinyl acetate (5 %). A finishing layer of styrene-butadiene adhesive is used during installation. These Vinyl composition tile (VCT) floorings are used in various commercial buildings like hotel, hospitals, and commercial offices. Various factors such as high durability & low upfront cost as compared to other floorings, availability of wide range of colour in VCTs, resistant to abrasion heat, water, stains and dirts, rapidly expanding construction industry in many developing countries such as China, India, South Korea and ASEAN, growing population & urbanisation and rapid industrialisation are driving the Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market over the forecast period.

However, factors such as fluctuations in raw material prices, stringent rules and regulations on VCT flooring applications, lack of universal enforcement directives pertaining to manufacturing process of VCTs and less adoption in many underdeveloped countries are restraining the market growth over the forecast period.

Global Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market is segmented by product, by application and by region. By product, multiple-layered vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring held the highest market share in 2019 and is expected to keep its dominance over the forecast period. Multilayer vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring includes ceramic tiles, wood, laminate, stone, marble, bamboo, and terrazzo. Multiple-layered vinyl composition tile (VCT) floorings are highly water resistant and offers various benefits such as low maintenance, high reliability. Multiple-layered vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring is mainly used in commercial buildings such as shopping malls and corporate centers. By application, commercial application segment held the highest market share in 2019 and is expected to keep its dominance over the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring in this sector. Factor such as growing commercial construction activities in China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and United States, high spending on office spaces across the globe are driving the market growth of this segment over the forecast period.

Global Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market Request For View Sample Report Page :@https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/71521

By geography, market is segmented into North America, APAC, Europe, MEA& Africa and South America. Among all these, Asia Pacific held the highest market share in 2019 and is expected to keep its dominance over the forecast period. Factors such as increasing number of new housing units, increase in population, and growing investments in the commercial & institutional constructions and infrastructural projects, higher spending on office spaces and favourable government policies are driving the market growth in this region. China is leading the Asia Pacific vinyl composition tile (VCT) market over the forecast period owing to growing construction of healthcare, educational, and industrial infrastructures in major provinces of China. APAC is followed by North America and Europe. North America is expected to hold the second largest market share over the forecast period owing to growing investment in the Construction Industry and rise in the number of renovation & remodelling activities in the United States and Canada. Europe is expected to hold the third largest market share over the forecast period owing to expansion in various end-user industries such as sports, automotive, hospitality, and others.

Report covers in depth analysis of key development, marketing strategies, supply-side and demand side indicators and company profiles of market leaders, potential players, and new entrants. Key players operating in this market are adopting various organic and inorganic growth strategies such as merger& acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations, expansion, new product launches and patents to increase their regional presence and business operatations. Armstrong Flooring, Inc. is a major market player in the Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market. Armstrong Flooring, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring solutions, and it is a leading manufacturer of resilient products across North America and Europe. They have 8 manufacturing facilities globally equipped with high tech machineries and research and development labs. Armstrong Flooring, Inc, is working to provide good service, quality, and innovation to ensure it remains as strong and vital as its 150-year heritage.

The objective of the report is to present a comprehensive analysis of the Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market including all the stakeholders of the industry. The past and current status of the industry with forecasted market size and trends are presented in the report with the analysis of complicated data in simple language. The report covers all the aspects of the industry with a dedicated study of key players that includes market leaders, followers and new entrants. PORTER, SVOR, PESTEL analysis with the potential impact of micro-economic factors of the market have been presented in the report. External as well as internal factors that are supposed to affect the business positively or negatively have been analysed, which will give a clear futuristic view of the industry to the decision-makers. The report also helps in understanding Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market dynamics, structure by analyzing the market segments and project Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market Clear representation of competitive analysis of key players by price, financial position, Product portfolio, growth strategies, and regional presence in the Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market the report investors guide.Scope of Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market

Global vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market segmentation by Product

Single- layered Multiple-layeredGlobal vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market segmentation by Application.

Residential Commercial IndustrialGlobal vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market segmentation by Region

North America APAC Europe MEA& Africa South AmericaGlobal vinyl composition tile (VCT) flooring market Major players

Armstrong Flooring LG Hausys Mohawk Industries Inc. Shaw Industries Group Inc. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. CBC Flooring Congoleum Corporation Forbo Holding AG Tarkett S.A. Mannington Mills, Inc. Mohawk Industries, Inc Gerflor SAS IVC Group

Global Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here @ :https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/inquiry-before-buying/71521

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Global Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) Flooring Market- Forecast and Analysis (2020-2027), by Product, by Application, and by Region. - Kewaskum...

We asked our viewers and readers to send us photos of their DIY home renovations that were completed during quarantine, and we were absolutely stunned by the responses.

Not only did we get dozens of submissions showing photos full of incredible home makeovers, but a lot of viewers submitted before-and-after pictures -- and the attention to detail and craftsmanship is truly commendable.

From people finally building a deck in the backyard, to restoring an old piece of furniture or getting around to painting the walls of their home, our viewers got to work during the early days of quarantine.

Since we got so any submissions, we decided to show off some of the best of the best.

Ready for some before-and-after pics? We thought perhaps even if you havent done a project yet, these might give you some inspiration for the future.

This family did a makeover on their front lawn. Doesnt it look great? The person who submitted this photo said it was a family project, and it turned out a whole lot better than they expected.

This looks like a completely new kitchen. From the new floors to the painted cabinets and countertops, this looks absolutely fabulous.

These folks did a vamped-up master closet -- and its to die for. The chandelier was already great, but the new floors and paint on the walls really bring it all together, dont you think?

Sometimes all it takes it a fresh coat of paint, and you can have a room go from basic to chic in a few hours. These photos are proof.

When we asked for home renovation photos, we didnt specify what kind of home! This play house is perfect.

These parents really went above and beyond with a new coat of paint. You never would have guessed that it went under a renovation, right?

This really looks like a completely different backyard.

This viewer said they got rid of the shrubs and made their backyard more live-able for their summer staycations.

We think its pretty cool!

Talk about a transformation! It honestly doesnt even look like these two rooms were the same, but shockingly, they were! These folks knocked down a wall, and added new cabinets, countertops and appliances in the kitchen. It looks so great.

This viewer took down an old wallpapered wall and added a more modern and sleek-looking wooden wall. This is giving us some serious home renovation inspiration.

Putting in some new floors is never a bad idea. These viewers tore up their old carpet and installed a gorgeous hardwood floor.

This viewer watched YouTube tutorials on installing hardwood floors and did all of this gorgeous work themselves. Impressive!

This viewer redid her sons bathroom, and we love this modern feel. It doesnt take much to have a new look -- some fresh paint can really go a long way.

Would you believe that this viewer just put a fresh coat of paint on the fireplace, and thats it?

By just painting it, the fireplace has been completely transformed. The viewer said it is now the new focal point of the living room and they love it.

This is another bathroom renovation that we are obsessed with. They removed the tub in the bathroom, did some painting and added some boho design elements. Can we move in, please?

We love this renovation! These folks said they put new floors in their entire home, and they did it all by themselves. They also painted the walls and put in a new fireplace. It looks like it was a great project to do in quarantine.

We often dont think about renovating a hallway, but these folks did and it looks fabulous. It looks like they added some new paint and molding, and a few new decorations, as well.

These viewers said they scored a free patio table from Facebook Marketplace, so they got some cheap lawn chairs, sanded them down and painted them. They just added some new cushions, and their quarantine project came together, just like that.

You can still submit photos, and we want to see them. Post them below!

More:
15 quarantine home renovations from our viewers, readers -- and the photos are amazing - KSAT San Antonio

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), will reopen on Saturday, September 26, welcoming the community back for one-of-a-kind encounters with works of art. First to reopen will be 31 galleries of the Art of the Americas Wing, featuring the work of North, Central and South American and Caribbean artists, and including some of the MFAs most beloved objects. Two special exhibitionsWomen Take the Floorand the teen-curatedBlack Histories, Black Futureswill also reopen, offering visitors another chance to experience these cornerstone shows of the MFAs 150th anniversary year. The Museum will also unveilin short order three new and highly anticipated exhibitions that were originally slated to open in the spring:Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation(October 18, 2020May 16, 2021),Monet and Boston: Lasting Impression(November 15, 2020February 28, 2021) andCzanne: In and Out of Time(November 11, 2020February 28, 2021).Member Appreciation Days will take place September 23-25.

Museums play a crucial role in providing spaces for reflection, solace and inspiration. Were grateful to welcome Bostonians back to their MFA and bring a shared experience of art into the lives of many once again. This wasand will continue to bea challenging time for all of us, but we remain guided by our belief in the power of bringing art and people together, said Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director.

The MFA will reopen at a reduced capacity in the interest of prioritizing the health and safety of visitors and staff.Advancetimed-entry ticketswill be required for all visitorsmembers and nonmembers alikeand will be released on a monthly basis (approximately two weeks before the start of each month, following a 24-hour member presale).

When the Museum reopens, visitors will have the chance to reconnect with hundreds of important works throughout four floors of the Art of the Americas Wing. Spanning 3,000 years, from the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica to the modern art capitals of Mexico City and New York, the objects found in these galleries embody the innate human desire to create meaning and beauty through art and crafta drive shared by Indigenous peoples, colonial settlers and immigrants, the free and the enslaved, artists trained and those self-taught. A new text panel at the Wings entrancecomposed by curators during the MFAs closurewelcomes visitors with a more inclusive vision of the arts of the Americas, a global interpretive approach that questions dominant historical narratives, challenges biases and seeks to highlight previously underrepresented cultures and artists. Later in the fall, two paintings by artist T.C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo), on loan from a local collector, will also be installed at the Wings entrance.

Over the coming months, new installations and careful reassessments will build upon initiatives launched in late 2019 with the addition of Charles Bird Kings portrait of the Pawnee leader Peskelechaco to the New Nation Gallery, which emphasizes that North America was home to a constellation of powerful Indigenous nations when the United States was founded. Visitors will also find updated labels reflecting fresh perspectives on iconic visitor favorites such as Thomas SullysPassage of the Delaware(1819), John Singleton CopleysWatson and the Shark(1778) and Paul ReveresSons of Liberty Bowl(1768); and the installation of an empty frame in the Boston on the Eve of Revolution Gallery, acknowledging those who contributed to this nations founding but by virtue of their race, class or preferences were largely left out of the visual record of the time. The Art of the Americas Multilingual Interpretation Initiative begins in September, soon bringing interpretation in Spanish, Chinese and Kryol (Haitian Creole)the three languages most commonly spoken in Boston after Englishas well as an Algonquian language, into the Wings opening gallery.

The MFAs upcoming fall exhibitions will mark milestone moments for the 150-year-old Museum. The groundbreakingWriting the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generationis the first major exhibition to chart Jean-Michel Basquiats relationship to early hip-hop culture, uniquely positioning him among his friends and fellow artists of color at the forefront of post-graffiti, a transformative moment in American art. And for the first time in a generation,Monet and Boston: Lasting Impressionassembles the Museums entire collection of 35 paintings by the beloved Impressionist mastericonic works that capture the beauty and mystery of the world around us. A concurrent exhibition,Czanne: In and Out of Time, places the paintings of Paul Czanne in conversation with those of his contemporaries, highlighting what made his art so distinctive when it was newand why it continues to fascinate today.Due to limited capacities,Writing the FutureandMonet and Bostonwill each require separate, timed-entry exhibition tickets($30 for nonmembers, free for members and youth) that include general admission. Wall texts and labels for the two exhibitions will be freely accessible via a new mobile app, and additional contentincluding videos and curated Spotify playlistscan be found on mfa.org.

Visitor info:mfa.org/visit.

Excerpt from:
MFA Boston Will Reopen September 26 with Art of the Americas Galleries, "Women Take the Floor," "Black Histories, Black Futures,"...

A company that makes tidal power turbines in Scotland has won a C$4m contract to install 15 of its machines in the waters of Nova Scotia, Canada in the latest attempt to realise the dream of generating power from the vicious tides of the Bay of Fundy.

An earlier attempt in 2009 saw a large turbine shredded by the high-velocity currents of the bay, which has the highest tidal range in the world.

Some 160 billion tonnes of water flow in and out twice a day, which the government believes believes represents a generating capacity of at least 2.5 gigawatts of clean energy.

Canada is betting that the smaller, aquadynamic profiles of Nova Innovations turbines, manufactured in Edinburgh, will allow them to withstand the violent tides.

Announced 9 September, the contract sees Nova Innovation install first just one of its 100kW M100 D turbines on the sea floor of Petit Passage in southwestern Nova Scotia, near the giant mouth of the bay. https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2020/09/government-invests-in-canadas-tidal-power-industry.html

Its performance will be monitored before another four are added in 2021, followed by another 10, making a total of 15 turbines by 2023, giving the array a generating capacity of 1.5MW. Nova Innovation has been operating three of these turbines in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, since 2016.

An earlier attempt in 2009 saw a large turbine shredded by the high-velocity currents of the bay, which has the highest tidal range in the world.

Some 160 billion tonnes of water flow in and out twice a day, which the government believes represents a generating capacity of at least 2.5 gigawatts of clean energy.

Canada is betting that the smaller, aquadynamic profiles of Nova Innovations turbines, manufactured in Edinburgh, Scotland, will allow them to withstand the violent tides.

Announcedon 9 September, the contract sees Nova Innovation at first install just one of its 100kW M100 D turbines on the sea floor of Petit Passage in southwestern Nova Scotia, near the giant mouth of the bay.

Its performance will be monitored before another four are added in 2021, followed by another 10, making a total of 15 turbines by 2023, giving the array a generating capacity of 1.5MW. Nova Innovation has been operating three of these turbines in the Shetland Islands in Scotland since 2016.

Canada is betting that the smaller, aquadynamic profiles of Nova Innovations turbines will allow them to withstand the violent tides (Nova Innovation)

It is a modest installation, but Canadian fisheries and oceans minister Bernadette Jordan said it was a step toward building a thriving tidal power industry across Canada.

With the longest coastline in the world, Canada should be a global leader in tidal energy, she said. This renewable energy source has the potential to substantially grow our blue economy in the long term, but we need to invest now.

Kim MacNeil, Nova Innovations Head of North American Business Development said: Canadas investment reflects the growing confidence worldwide in our technology and our ability to operate it in extremely challenging environments. It will be a huge step forward for tidal energy in Nova Scotia and Canada.

In the first attempt in 2009, a much bigger, 10-tonne turbine was installed on the floor of the Minas Passage, near the head of the bay where currents are twenty times faster than at Petit Passage, reports CBC.ca. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ottawa-pledges-9-6m-to-try-to-harness-bay-of-fundy-tidal-energy-again-1.5717559

Within 20 days all 12 of the turbines rotor blades were destroyed by 10-knot currents.

With the longest coastline in the world, Canada should be a global leader in tidal energy, she said. This renewable energy source has the potential to substantially grow our blue economy in the long term, but we need to invest now.

Kim MacNeil, Nova Innovations head of North American business development, said: Canadas investment reflects the growing confidence worldwide in our technology and our ability to operate it in extremely challenging environments. It will be a huge step forward for tidal energy in Nova Scotia and Canada.

In the first attempt in 2009, a much bigger, 10-tonne turbine was installed on the floor of the Minas Passage, near the head of the bay where currents are twenty times faster than at Petit Passage, reports CBC.ca.

Within 20 days all 12 of the turbines rotor blades were destroyed by 10-knot currents.

Top photograph: Low tide in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. Some 160 billion tonnes of water flow in and out of the bay twice a day (LeonardoDog/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Turbine trials: New attempt to harness power from the ferocious Bay of Fundy - News - GCR

MarketPlace Logan announced the latest safety measures, contactless options and innovative new amenities taking flight at Boston Logan International Airport.

Some of the safety measures that have been put into place across the concessions program include:

In addition, the concessions program has launched new technology and amenities that have become critical throughout Boston Logan terminals such as in-airport food and delivery leaderAtYourGate, airport e-commerce platformGrab andPPE Vending Machines by Hudson.Travelers can use the AtYourGate contactless delivery service to receive a meal within 30 minutes or less from airport eateries such as: B. GOOD, Not Your Average Joes, Lucca, WPizza, Burger King and more. Coming this fall, AtYourGate and Grab will debut the next generation of airport e-commerce ordering at Boston Logan allowing travelers to order through a variety of digital channels across terminals enabling a more efficient and stress-free experience. Hudson PPE vending machines featuring individual and bulk packaged masks, sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer, latex gloves, multi-use thermometers and portable and rechargeable UV-C sanitizers for mobile devices and personal items are now available pre-security within Hudson stores pre-security in Terminals A and B.

We have made every effort to adjust and improve the Boston Logan Concessions Program to keep employees and passengers safe and healthy. In collaboration with our partners at Massport we have not only made necessary adjustments but also introduced new pilot programs and technology to elevate the options available and further facilitate social distancing for our travelers. There is a variety of grab-and-go options throughout the airport, ordering to go through AtYourGate as well as sit down dining options allowing travelers to have a meal safely and feel comfortable doing so while passing through Boston Logan, said Paul McGinn, president of MarketPlace Development.

Boston Logan International Airport has also already initiated the following safety measures:

This update coincides with restaurant re-openings including iconic favorites such as: B.GOOD in Terminals A and B, Kellys Roast Beef, Lucca and Not Your Average Joes in Terminal B, and Wahlburgers in Terminal C.

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Marketplace Logan Announces Ongoing Safety Protocols and Debuts Innovative Offerings for the Concessions Program - AviationPros.com