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If you think its hard to get a doctors appointment for yourself, try getting one for a pet. Veterinarians in the U.S. are slammed. More than 23 million American householdsnearly one in fiveadopted a pet during the pandemic, according to the ASPCA. Today, 66% of American householdsnearly 87 millionown a pet, according to a 20232024 survey by industry association American Pet Products Association (APPA). That means there are now more households with pets than with children.Meanwhile, the ranks of veterinarians are thinning. At the end of December, there were only about 127,000 of them in the U.S. And like their counterparts who care for humans, many are feeling burned out. A 2021 study found that more than 40% of veterinarians who entered the profession in the past 10 years were considering leaving the profession earlyprimarily for reasons of mental health and work-life balance. But in many places, the crisis is already here: In recent months, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Texas have all announced critical shortages in veterinarians.With the rapid expansion of its services in the U.S., the four-year-old Toronto-based pet health platform Vetster is working to fill the care gap.Since May, five of the most populous (and pet-filled) statesVirginia, Arizona, New Jersey, Florida, and most recently, Californiahave updated their laws to broaden the scope of virtual veterinary care. This means that Vetser can now offer a full range of veterinary services to about two-thirds of the U.S. population through a pet telehealth platform that connects independent vets with pet patients in need.Vetsters pet telehealth propositionCommon things we address are what we call the itchy, scratchy, smelly, says Vetsters COO Cerys Goodall. This includes things like allergies, ear infections, minor scrapes and bruises, and tummy troublesboth ends. Broken bones and large wounds cant be patched up remotely, but online triage can help determine whether a borderline injury requires a higher level of care, and help avoid unnecessaryand shockingly pricytrips to the animal ER.Vetster users can book a virtual appointment with one of nearly 7,000 licensed veterinary professionals across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. who are all independent contractorssomething that sets Vetster apart from competitors such as Dutch Pet, Smart.vet, or Animal HealthLink, says Goodall. They are not employees, nor are they working in a call center.With so many vets on the platform, chances are that your pet can be seen quickly. And considering the value of not having to load a thrashing cat into a carrier, prices on Vetster might seem reasonable to many people. Flat-rate pricing for a half hour appointment starts at $50, but each vet sets their own, clearly advertised rate. (In the small city where I live, I could find four vets who could see my cat, Fifi, today, starting at $65). A Vetster Plus subscription, which costs $138 annually, covers four telehealth consultations, plus unlimited live chat via text, and assorted discounts and special offers. In late 2023, Vetster partnered with the pet insurance company Fetch, which offers customers $1,000 in annual telehealth services as part of their plan.The perks of pet telehealthAppointments are conducted over a secure video connection on a phone or computer.Pets need to be present on the call for a veterinarian to establish a medical relationship and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. Their human can help by describing symptoms and assisting with a physical exam by, for example, checking their pets gums, taking a photo inside an ear, or shooting a video of the animal moving. A common trick vets teach owners is how to check their pets hydration status (using a skin elasticity test), which is important in assessing gastrointestinal issues.Some ailments may actually be better addressed virtually than in an office. Virtual visits are great for appointments that rely heavily on seeing the patient in its home environment, such as behavior and anxiety consultations, says Jo Myers, a Colorado-based Vetster veterinarian and member of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association. It is also ideal for a pet newly diagnosed with diabetes, so that a vet can coach the owner through the mixing, measuring, administering, and storage of insulin.After an exam, vets can order additional at-home diagnostic kits, and in states where it is permitted, prescribe medications or special-formula pet foods from partners including Purina, Hills Pet Nutrition (a Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary), and Royal Canin (owned by Mars Incorporated). Vetster users can order meds directly through the Vetster app, which connects to PetMeds, which ships the order to their home. If the pet owner prefers to buy medications or food elsewhere, Vetster can send a prescription to a pharmacy or clinic of their choice.Gaining accessToday, more than 20% of the veterinary industry is providing telehealth in some form, a number that seems likely to grow. And not all animal-focused organizations are thrilled about it. The ASPCA supports the reduction of legal limitations to telemedicine access, advocating for public policy that explicitly empower [s] veterinarians to create veterinarian-client-patient relationships. But the not-for-profit American Veterinary Medical Association, while supporting telemedicine, has lobbied for more restrictive laws that require an in-person relationship be established first before virtual services can be provided, citing concerns about misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and inappropriate treatment.Today, 22U.S. stateshave language that explicitly prohibits a veterinarian patient relationship being established virtually, but pet owners in all 50 statesand beyondcan access Vetster for consultationVetster asserts that isnt out to replace the brick-and-mortar vets office, but to complement it. Were not impacting their revenue, says Vetster founder Mark Bordo, who sold his previous company, the vacation-rental platform CanadaStays, to Expedia in 2019. COO Goodall says that most veterinarians on the platform also have an in-person practice: We have thousands of veterinarians who work in-clinic, as mobile vets, as locums. To provide continuity of care, Vetster sets up a secure, portable online medical record for each pet.Caimans, pigeons, and moreAlthough vets can prescribe medications only for patients in their state, telehealth visits can be done from anywhere. (A smooth-fronted caiman crocodile in North Carolina was able to get help from a specialist in Missouri, for example.) And while most of Vetsters clients are in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K., pet owners anywhere can use the platform. Bordo says that a Great Dane in Perth, Australia, was seen by veterinarian in Florida. And a good Samaritan in Kuwait was able to find a vet in the state of Georgia to develop a care plan for a rescued pigeon. Air Canada Cargowhich mademore than 11,500 differentanimal shipments in 2021 includingrescued dogs, endangered animals transported in conservation efforts, livestock shipped for breeding or shows, as well as family petsalso uses Vetster to ensure that all animals being shipped are safe to travel; a crew in Lima, Peru, connected witha Vancouver-based expert in alpacas to get the A-OK on one recent passenger. The company says that since its launch in late 2020, about one million petsmore than 20 specieshave accessed services through the platform.Pets with benefitsIncreasingly, companies are starting to offer Vetsters pet telehealth services as an employee benefit. In a 2024 survey of 1,000 U.S. pet owners by financial services firm Empower, 57% of pet owners said they would switch jobs strictly for more pet-friendly benefits, and 37% said they consider pet care costs when evaluating a job offer. Currently, Amazon, Royal Bank of Canada, Samsung, Hyundai, and GoodRx, and other big companies are working with Vetster to create a pet-inclusive workplace that includes Vetster services. Can on-site pet massage be far behind?

Interior studio Atelier Tao+C has completed a light-filled bookshop with a timber roof at a ski report in northern China for local retailer Nave.Located in the ski resort of Aranya Chongli in northern China, the bookshop was built within an existing concrete frame.A circular opening on the pitched roof allows natural light inA grid of steel and timber frameworks were inserted in between the concrete columns of the original building, while the partition walls of the 420-square-metre space were removed, creating unobstructed views from interiors to the exteriors."We conceived the new Nave bookshop as a luminous space in the midst of ice and snow, seamlessly integrated with the surrounding landscape, climate and nature," said the Shanghai-based studio.A gridded framework of timber and steel is inserted into the concrete spaceThe timber frame was raised at the south side of the building, taking advantage of the double height ceiling of the original structure and forms a pitched roof with a circular opening.The south facade allows views of sloping snow field and forest from the building through the timber-framed, full-height windows.Translucent fibreglass on top of the display tables add warmth to the interiorsThe south facing glazed facade along with the circular opening on the pitched roof allow plenty of natural light into the space, creating playful lighting dynamics throughout the day.The bookshelves and seatings were arranged along the grids along with a cafe, library and leisure area.The glazed facade invite the snowy landscape into the buildingThe timber bookshelves are supported by a stainless steel structure, while the display tables are made of the same timber on wheels but covered by an extra layer of fibreglass with round edges, creating visually lightweight and translucent installations that also allow flexibility."The light birch and fibreglass complement the snowy landscape, making the previously grey concrete space more exquisite and brighter, like warm mist rising from the snow," said Atelier Tao+C."As the sunlight moves, penetrated, and filtered by the texture of the fibreglass material, softens the hard light and cast soft shadows, the honey colour light oscillates and flows in the space."Read: Atelier Tao+C creates serene timber and travertine reading roomBespoke furniture pieces were placed along the south window facade, accommodating both solo resting and casual gatherings.Three banquettes in a fluid and meandering shape combine seats on one side and display table on the other, providing an easy access to books for resting customers.The bookshop is located in a ski resortAtelier Tao+C was founded in 2016 by Chunyan Cai and Tao Liu, who will join Dezeen Awards Chinaas judges for the interiors category. They have recently selected five projects for Dezeen that best reflect their work.The photography is by Wen Studio.The post Atelier Tao+C creates "luminous" bookshop in Chinese ski resort appeared first on Dezeen.

I bought a projector around the time the pandemic began. My rented apartment was small, I didnt want to mount a TV on the wall, and moreover, I liked the idea of being able to watch movies either in the living room or the bedroom. Besides, its also when streaming at home absolutely exploded because nobody was going to the theaters anymore. Projectors have existed for over a century at this point, but for a major part of the modern tech discourse, TVs have dominated the conversation when it came to consumers. Every home HAD to have a couch facing a TV but not anymore. Projectors are finally becoming smarter, higher in quality, more compact/sleek, and more affordable. However, choosing the right projector is a tricky affair. Sure, you could go with your budget and compare ratings on Amazon, but before you do, it helps to understand what TYPE of projector you want to buy. Broadly, there are two kinds of projectors worth looking into youve got your standard projectors that need to be kept a few tens of feet away from a wall or screen but youve also got ultra-short throw projectors, that need to just sit a couple inches away from their projection surface.Choosing the right projector for your needs in 2024 can feel like navigating a maze of technical jargon and endless options. With advancements in both ultra-short throw and regular projectors, making an informed decision requires understanding the strengths and limitations of each. Whether youre setting up a home theater, outfitting a classroom, or enhancing your office conference room, knowing which type of projector suits your space and needs is crucial.What are Ultra-short Throw Projectors?Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors are designed to project large images from a very short distance, as their name suggests. Typically placed just inches away from the screen or wall, these projectors are perfect for small spaces where traditional projectors would be impractical. The key feature of UST projectors is their ability to produce a big, bright image without requiring a significant throw distance.UST projectors have several advantages:Space-saving: They can sit directly below or above the projection surface, making them ideal for small rooms or areas with limited space.Installation flexibility: These projectors can be placed on a console, mounted on the ceiling, or even integrated into furniture, offering various setup options.Reduced shadows and glare: Since the projector is close to the screen, shadows from people moving around are minimized, and direct glare from the light source is less likely to affect viewers.What are Regular (Long-throw) Projectors?Regular or long-throw projectors are the traditional choice for home theaters, classrooms, and large venues. These projectors need a considerable distance from the screen to project a clear, large image. The longer throw distance allows them to achieve higher brightness and resolution, making them suitable for various environments.Advantages of regular projectors include:Cost-effectiveness: Long-throw projectors often offer more bang for your buck, with a range of options at various price points.Higher brightness: These projectors are typically brighter, making them suitable for larger spaces or environments with ambient light.Variety: Theres a broader selection of long-throw projectors, providing more options in terms of features and specifications.Performance ComparisonPicture Quality: Both UST and regular projectors can deliver excellent picture quality, but there are nuances to consider. UST projectors often use laser technology, providing bright and vibrant images with good contrast. However, the proximity to the screen can sometimes result in a slight drop in edge clarity. Regular projectors, on the other hand, benefit from longer throw distances that enhance image sharpness and uniformity.Installation: UST projectors shine in ease of installation. Place it close to the wall, connect your sources, and youre ready to go. This simplicity is a stark contrast to regular projectors, which require careful placement, mounting, and alignment to ensure a proper image. Adjusting keystone and focus can be a time-consuming process, especially in rooms where the projector must be mounted at a significant distance from the screen.Sound: While most projectors come with built-in speakers, the quality varies significantly too. With UST projectors, you have the benefit of the sound emanating from as near the screen as possible. With regular projectors, if youre relying on the projectors built-in speaker, the sound will usually emerge from behind you, with the visuals in front of you, creating a mild dissonance of sorts. However, both speakers can be hooked to a home theater setup, allowing you to effectively outsource sound to a more expertly tuned device fit for the job.Use Cases and SuitabilityChoosing between a UST and a regular projector largely depends on your specific use case:Ultra-short Throw Projectors are best suited for:Small spaces: Apartments, small meeting rooms, and classrooms where space is at a premium.Minimalist setups: If you prefer a clean, uncluttered look, UST projectors can blend seamlessly into the rooms design.Interactive whiteboards: Ideal for educational environments where students and teachers frequently interact with the projection surface.Regular Projectors excel in:Home theaters: Offering a cinema-like experience with a larger, brighter image, regular projectors are perfect for dedicated home theater rooms.Large venues: Conference halls, auditoriums, and outdoor events benefit from the higher brightness and larger image sizes that long-throw projectors can provide.Budget-conscious setups: If youre looking to get the most value, regular projectors offer a wider range of affordable options.Cost and ValueWhen it comes to cost, UST projectors tend to be more expensive upfront. Their advanced optics and compact designs come at a premium, with prices starting around $1,500 and going up to several thousand dollars for high-end models. However, the long-term value includes easier setup and less need for additional mounting hardware or cabling, potentially offsetting the initial investment.Regular projectors, on the other hand, offer a broader price range. Entry-level models can be found for as low as $300, while high-end models still cost several thousand dollars. Despite potentially higher installation costs due to mounts and longer cables, the ongoing costs can be lower. Replacement lamps for regular projectors are generally cheaper and more widely available than those for UST projectors.Technological AdvancementsUltra-short Throw Projectors have seen significant advancements:Laser Technology: Many UST projectors now use laser light sources, offering longer life spans, brighter images, and better color accuracy.Smart Features: Integration with smart home systems, built-in streaming apps, and voice control are becoming common, making them more versatile and user-friendly.Regular Projectors continue to evolve with:4K and HDR: High-resolution and high-dynamic-range imaging are now standard in many models, providing stunning visual quality.LED Advancements: Improved LED technology offers better brightness, longevity, and color reproduction, reducing the need for frequent bulb replacements.These advancements have significantly enhanced the performance and user experience of both types, making them viable options for different needs.User Experience and ReviewsFeedback from users highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each type:Ultra-short Throw Projectors:Pros: Users appreciate the ease of setup, modern design, and the ability to place the projector close to the screen. The integrated smart features and quality speakers are also frequently praised.Cons: Some users report issues with image uniformity and edge clarity. The higher cost can be a barrier for budget-conscious buyers.Regular Projectors:Pros: Users enjoy the high brightness and sharp image quality, especially in darkened rooms. The variety of options and price points is another strong selling point.Cons: The setup can be complex and time-consuming. External speakers are often necessary for good sound quality. The projection can sometimes get obscured by people moving around in the room.Future Trends and PredictionsLooking ahead, several trends are likely to shape the projector market in 2024 and beyond:AI Integration: Expect projectors to become smarter, with AI helping to optimize image settings, adjust focus automatically, and even provide content recommendations.Enhanced Connectivity: Improvements in wireless technology and seamless integration with other smart devices will make projectors even more versatile.Enhanced Quality: Television displays have made leaps and bounds in the past 20 years that projectors havent. Projectors today have great contrast and can go up to 4K in quality if you spend a good buck, but they always need to be used in a low-light setting to be visible. Future projectors could have great quality with higher brightness levels, allowing them to be used even in moderately lit rooms.Its worth knowing what youre getting into when you buy a projector. Just like a TV, a projector is something youll probably expect at least a decades worth of use out of (nobody changes TVs as rapidly as they change their phones) so make sure you weigh all the pros and cons of each kind of projector type before springing to buy one. If its great quality in a compact setup, UST projectors have you covered. If budget and portability are your biggest concerns, there are a whole slew of portable projectors you can buy that are about as cheap as a mid-range smartphone.Choosing between an ultra-short throw and a regular projector depends on your specific needs, space, and budget. UST projectors offer convenience, modern aesthetics, and smart features, making them ideal for small spaces and minimalist setups. Regular projectors, with their high brightness and a broad range of options, are perfect for home theaters and large venues.Ultimately, both types of projectors have their unique advantages and are continually improving with technological advancements. Whether you prioritize ease of installation or superior image quality, theres a projector out there that will meet your needs. So, whether youre planning to host epic movie nights or deliver stunning presentations, 2024 has the perfect projector for you. And remember, choosing the right projector isnt just about the specsits about finding the one that makes you the star of the show.The post Ultra-short Throw or Regular Projectors? Which One Should You Buy in 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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An indepth analysis of the most influential brand overhauls that shaped the visual landscape of the 1980s, as picked by the pros.