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Trent Brown had options in free agency, but he ultimately decided to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal. While discussing his decision, Brown pointed to the roster that was already in place and the opportunity to log some serious snaps as major motivating factors.

"Just the pieces that are already in place," Brown said of why he selected Cincinnati. "I feel like it's a plug and play situation, and the chance to go win."

With the Bengals, Brown feels like he'll be able to focus on football in an atmosphere that he feels comfortable in.

"I feel like I'll be worried less and be able to worry about playing football," Brown said. "I won't have to worry about any off-the-field things, and I'll be able to just enjoy coming to work on a day-to-day basis. And that was important as well when we talk about fit."

Following the departure of Jonah Williams in free agency, there was a hole in Cincinnati's offensive line, and Brown projects to fill it. He brings ample experience and versatility to the offense, as he has played both left and right tackle over the course of his career. He is projected to play on the right side with the Bengals with Orlando Brown Jr. occupying the opposite side.

Brown's addition could also potentially alter Cincinnati's draft strategy, as it might open up some options for them in the first round. Many pundits predict that the Bengals will grab an offensive lineman with their first pick, but after adding Brown perhaps they'll opt to go in a different direction.

But, Brown is 30 with nearly a decade of professional experience under his belt, and as a result he might not be a long-term answer for the Bengals on the line. So, the team would still be wise to bolster the line in the draft, even if it's not in the first round.

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Trent Brown sheds light on his decision to sign with Bengals in free agency - Stripe Hype

Sister Wives star Madison Brown Brush is getting candid about her brother Garrison Brown's mental health following his tragic death.

Madison took to Instagram Monday, one week after Garrison was laid to rest, to share how she's processing her grief and shed light on the importance of mental health.

"I wanted to get back to normalcy here, but I want to address some things first," Madison, the eldest daughter of Kody Brown and Janelle Brown, said in the video. "Mental health is so important and I don't think we talk about it enough and I don't think we do enough to bring awareness. It wasn't bullying, it wasn't a lack of love that Garrison had, it was mental health, and I am going to continue talking about mental health and self care until I am blue in the face."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

She also reflected on conversations she and Garrison had about his difficult relationship with social media, particularly as someone with such a public-facing family.

"Social media is not real -- it's a highlight reel and that was something that Garrison and I talked a lot about," she continued. "I know my other siblings and my mom have expressed this -- that Garrison used to feel like he wasn't doing enough because he was comparing himself to things on social media and I don't think that it's real and we need to remember that."

Madison's video comes just days after Garrison was found dead in his home in Flagstaff, AZ after an apparent suicide.

According to TMZ, the Flagstaff Police Department responded to a report of a death on on March 5, finding Garrison dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No foul play is suspected. According to the FPD, Garrison was found by his brother Gabriel.

In addition to Madison, 28, Garrison is survived by siblings Logan, 29, Hunter, 27, Gabriel, 22, and Savannah, 19 -- as well as 12 half-siblings from Kody's relationships with ex-wives Meri Brown, Christine Brown and wife Robyn Brown.

Touching on the Brown family's dynamic, Madison said that although her siblings tend to "disagree," on a lot, they've come together to grieve Garrison over the last few weeks.

"Time is so precious and if you're not happy with how you're spending your time, and you don't feel fulfilled in life, then I would encourage you to reevaluate," she noted. "Thank you to all of you who have shown love and kindness in the last few weeks."

Following the news of his passing, Garrison's friends and family, including his siblings, have been mourning their loss on social media.

Mykelti Brown took to her Instagram last week, sharing a photo of Garrison with her daughter.

"'But pain's like water. It finds a way to push through any seal. There's no way to stop it. Sometimes you have to let yourself sink inside of it before you can learn how to swim to the surface,'" she wrote, using a quote from Katie Kacvinsky to kick off her tribute.

She also included a quote by C.S. Lewis before sharing some words of her own for her late half-brother.

"My heart breaks for my brother who's no longer with us but it rejoices knowing he's with his fellow warriors in Valhalla drinking and fighting with Odin. I hope he is loving his place amongst the stars," Mykelti continued. "Garrison was always the funniest person in the room. He was one cool dude and I cry so much because my kinda [sic] will never be able to experience his fun presence. But he will live on in all my families memories. Have fun up with the stars little bro, you're missed."

Janelle's former "sister wife," Christine Brown, also paid tribute to the Army vet, taking to Instagram to share a sweet video of him building a flowerbed with her daughter, Truely, on Thursday.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress.

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Sister Wives Star Garrison Brown's Sister Sheds Light on His Mental Health Struggles After Tragic Death - TooFab

Amid his late-season struggles, Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton recently opened up about his mental recovery process. He also touched on the rigors of being an NBA star, including constantly being dehumanized by sports bettors.

After a strong first two-thirds of the season, Haliburton has struggled mightily since the All-Star break. Over his last 12 games, he is averaging 15.0 points per game, shooting just 40.2% and 19.0% from 3.

The 24-year-olds 3-point shooting slump has dropped his season average to 35.9%. Considering that he shot at least 40.0% from deep in each of his first three seasons, many are concerned. Meanwhile, gamblers are growing increasingly frustrated with the two-time All-Star for costing them potential winnings.

Multiple players have spoken out against the NBAs emphasis on gambling this season, as the league is promoting it more than ever. However, sports bettors have long been critical of athletes when they dont meet their expectations.

According to Haliburton, he has dealt with his struggles by regularly meeting with a sports psychologist. He noted that the experience has been beneficial to him. So, he encouraged all athletes to find someone to reach out to about their mental health.

(0:29 mark below)

Also Read: NBA analyst ferociously defends Tyrese Haliburton's injury and delivers strong verdict on 65-game rule

Tyrese Haliburton also touched on his shooting woes following Mondays 108-103 home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The star point guard finished with 14 points, shooting just 4-for-14 (28.6%) and 1-for-9 (11.1%) from 3.

Amid increased scrutiny from gamblers, Haliburton vowed to snap out of his slump soon, noting that he has never experienced such prolonged struggles.

The Pacers (38-31) sit seventh in the Eastern Conference with 13 games remaining. So, they could use increased production from the 24-year-old to secure a top-six seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

Given his track record, Haliburtons slump will likely end soon. However, in the meantime, it appears that he wont let the outside noise affect him too much.

Also Read: Is Tyrese Haliburton 6 years old? Debunking rumors around Pacers guard's leap-year birthday

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Tyrese Haliburton sheds harsh truth on sports betting: I'm a prop - Sportskeeda

When his then-teammates were gearing up for the NFL playoffs a few months back, linebacker Anthony Walker was hospitalized, fighting an infection that he feared would cost him his football career if not worse.

Little about Walkers health scare was known as the Cleveland Browns closed out their 2023 season. But Walker, a recent free agent pickup for the Miami Dolphins, went into detail about his medical issue during a Zoom call with South Florida reporters Tuesday.

Walker, a team captain who relayed the Browns defensive play calls to his on-field teammates, started 12 of Clevelands first 13 games at linebacker in 2023.

But he played just one game the rest of the season an inactive stretch that included the Browns playoff loss to the Texans with what the team called a knee injury.

What wasnt known until now: Walker, who signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in recent days, was hospitalized with a pretty gnarly infection that he worried might cost him his career. The infection was related to the torn quadriceps tear that cost him most of the 2022 season.

Walker said at first, he thought it wasnt anything significant. I didnt think it was or the team didnt think it was.

We thought it was soreness or whatever. It ended up being a low-grade infection or something inside the knee. No structural damage, but more so just have to clean it out, antibiotics and all that stuff.

The cause of the infection was a mystery, but it didnt take long for Walker to realize it was more serious than he initially thought.

I was hospitalized for a good while, he said Tuesday. I had no idea. I didnt know what it was. You think the worst, right? You know, you think like, Man, will I be able to play the game again? [And] even worse than that.

My dad was there with me the whole time. I really appreciate him for that. The team, my teammates, my coaches and everybody kept me in high spirits. The doctors were great and everything like that. So I am very fortunate that it was only a low-grade infection, and I can continue playing football. But yeah, definitely scary moments, for sure.

Walker added that hes made a full recovery and is able to go through his normal offseason workout regimen this winter.

Walker, a South Florida native whose father, Anthony Sr., is the head coach locally at Monsignor Pace, was desperate to escape the Midwest winters during his recent free agency. So it was easy for him to come home.

He helps complete one of the leagues more talented linebacker groups, with David Long Jr. and Jordyn Brooks also in his room.

Walkers early scouting report on Anthony Weavers defense?

I think [the Dolphins] rush the passer really well, he said. You got two elite pass rushers. Obviously, you lose [Christian Wilkins] in the middle. But again, a lot of talent up front, a lot of talent in the defensive back room, linebacker room.

David Long, one of my guys, Ive known him for a very long time. I played against him, against him. You know, he played in Tennessee, and I played for Indy. So weve grown a relationship with him over the years. I know he is excited for another opportunity to go out there and play.

Jordyn Brooks, another key addition. Been watching him for years and in Seattle [he] played really well.

So I think the team itself is loaded with talent, but that only goes so far. I think Ive been a part of talented teams in Cleveland and Indy and, you know, we just havent been able to put it all together. Thats the challenge of football, right? Can you put it all together? You can have all the talent in the world, but can you just put it all together?

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Miami Dolphins LB Anthony Walker Sheds New Light on Significant Health Scare - Pro Football Network

Modern humans dispersed from Africa multiple times, but the event that led to global expansion occurred less than 100,000 years ago. Some researchers hypothesize that dispersals were restricted to "green corridors" formed during humid intervals when food was abundant and human populations expanded in lockstep with their environments. But a new study in Nature, including ASU researchers Curtis Marean, Christopher Campisano, and Jayde Hirniak, suggests that humans also may have dispersed during arid intervals along "blue highways" created by seasonal rivers. Researchers also found evidence of cooking and stone tools that represent the oldest evidence of archery.

Working in the Horn of Africa, researchers have uncovered evidence showing how early modern humans survived in the wake of the eruption of Toba, one of the largest supervolcanoes in history, some 74,000 years ago. The behavioral flexibility of these people not only helped them live through the supereruption but may have facilitated the later dispersal of modern humans out of Africa and across the rest of the world.

"This study confirms the results from Pinnacle Point in South Africa the eruption of Toba may have changed the environment in Africa, but people adapted and survived that eruption-caused environmental change," said Marean, research scientist with the Institute of Human Origins and Foundation Professor with the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

The team investigated the Shinfa-Metema 1 site in the lowlands of present-day northwestern Ethiopia along the Shinfa River, a tributary of the Blue Nile River.

The supereruption occurred during the middle of the time when the site was occupied and is documented by tiny glass shards whose chemistry matches that of Toba.

Pinpoint timing through cryptotephra

"One of the ground-breaking implications of this study," said Marean, "is that with the new cryptotephra methods developed for our prior study in South Africa, and now applied here to Ethiopia, we can correlate sites across Africa, and perhaps the world, at a resolution of several weeks of time."

Cryptotephra are signature volcanic glass shards that can range from 8020 microns in size, which is smaller than the diameter of a human hair. To extract these microscopic shards from archaeological sediment requires patience and great attention to detail.

"Searching for cryptotephra at these archaeological sites is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but not knowing if there is even a needle. However, having the ability to correlate sites 5,000 miles apart, and potentially further, to within weeks instead of thousands of years makes it all worth it," said Christopher Campisano, research scientist with the Institute of Human Origins and professor with the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

"This study, once again," said Campisano, "highlights the importance of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas/Arizona State University team pushing the limits for successfully analyzing extremely low abundance cryptotephra to date and correlate archaeological sites across Africa."

The methods for identifying low abundance cryptotephra at Pinnacle Point were first developed at University of Nevada Las Vegas led by the late Gene Smith and Racheal Johnsen and now carried on at Arizona State University's Sediment and TEphra Preparation (STEP) Lab.

School of Human Evolution and Social Change graduate student Jayde Hirniak led ASU's effort to create its own cryptotephra labthe STEP Labworking with Campisano and building on methods developed at UNLV. Hirniak also collaborated with cryptotephra labs in the United Kingdom that work with sediment samples preserving hundreds or thousands of glass shards. Now Hirniak's primary expertise is in tephrochronology, which involves the use of volcanic ash to link archaeological and paleoenvironmental records and place them on the same timeline, which was her contribution to this research.

"Our lab at ASU was built to process extremely low abundance cryptotephra horizons (

Migrations along "blue highways"

Based on isotope geochemistry of the teeth of fossil mammals and ostrich eggshells, they concluded that the site was occupied by humans during a time with long dry seasons on a par with some of the most seasonally arid habitats in East Africa today. Additional findings suggest that when river flows stopped during dry periods, people adapted by hunting animals that came to the remaining waterholes to drink. As waterholes continued to shrink, it became easier to capture fish without any special equipment, and diets shifted more heavily to fish.

Its climatic effects appear to have produced a longer dry season, causing people in the area to rely even more on fish. The shrinking of the waterholes may also have pushed humans to migrate outward in search of more food.

"As people depleted food in and around a given dry season waterhole, they were likely forced to move to new waterholes," said John Kappelman, a UT anthropology and earth and planetary sciences professor and lead author of the study. "Seasonal rivers thus functioned as 'pumps' that siphoned populations out along the channels from one waterhole to another, potentially driving the most recent out-of-Africa dispersal.

The humans who lived at Shinfa-Metema 1 are unlikely to have been members of the group that left Africa. However, the behavioral flexibility that helped them adapt to challenging climatic conditions such as the Toba supereruption was probably a key trait of Middle Stone Age humans that allowed our species to ultimately disperse from Africa and expand across the globe.

The people living in the Shinfa-Metema 1 site hunted a variety of terrestrial animals, from antelope to monkey, as attested to by cut marks on the bones, and apparently cooked their meals as shown by evidence of controlled fire at the site. The most distinctive stone tools are small, symmetrical triangular points. Analyses show that the points are most likely arrowheads that, at 74,000 years in age, represent the oldest evidence of archery.

ASU's cryptotephra research was funded by the Hyde Family Foundations, the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Human Origins, and Arizona State University.

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Toba Supereruption Sheds Light on Early Human Migration - Mirage News

RICHMOND, Va. -- Hundreds of Richmond community members gathered Tuesday night to lay out concerns surrounding affordable housing in the city.

The community group Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities better known as RISC wants to see more funding in the budget allocated for the cities mobile home repair and replacement program.

This is a group of people who have been forgotten," shared one speaker.

Paulina Chavez who is a member of their organization shared her story of how bad the conditions are in some mobile homes in the city.

She detailed how their were cracks in her home where water would get in, floors rotting, mold, pests and more.

This is my story but its not only my story. There are so many more people still living like this," she said.

Her mobile home is now repaired because of some of the previous funding the city had given her.

RISC said the city put forth 800,000 dollars towards mobile home repairs and replacements in the 2024 budget. They said 11 homes have been completed because of that and additional 10 are underway.

The group is asking city council to put another 2 million in the 2025 budget for the program.

They asked city council members in attendance to commit to adding it to the budget. All four in attendance said they would.

"I appreciate your advocacy. Keep holding us accountable and lets make the city great again," said Ann Frances Lambert.

RISC said they plan to hold these leaders accountable As they continue to partner with city leaders to bring change for people like Chavez.

That is why it is so important for city officials to dedicate more money to repairs and and the replacement of these mobile homes," Chavez said.

The group also spoke on advocating for changes to how the city handles gun violence. They are continuing there push for the city to adopt a gun violence intervention strategy like the one Hopewell is currently using.

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information canemail newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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Nearly 100 pieces of content are ready for launch onto the 115 metre-long screen, ranging from live action filming to advanced 3D animation, through to AI-generated artwork and collaborations with international creatives

Europes largest LED screen has been installed at Printworks, one of Manchesters principal leisure and entertainment venues. The 1,000m LED ceiling covers the schemes internal streets and integrates with lighting, audio and creative content.

Owner DTZ Investors hired venue transformation specialists ADI to create the ceiling, which has more than 10,720,900 pixels and is around 115 metres long. The design enables the screen to change the ambience inside Printworks to suit different audiences, live events and brand activations.

In total, ADI has installed around 1,550 m of LED ceiling, digital signage and large-format screens across the interior and exterior faades of Printworks in Manchester, England. They include a 90m interactive gaming screen, as well as other new features, such as Wayfinders and high-level LED ribbon.

ADI worked in partnership with Manchester animation studio Flipbook to produce a variety of content-driven experiences for the ceiling, from AI-generated animations to story-led video. There are nearly 100 pieces of content ready for launch, ranging from live action filming to advanced 3D animation, through to AI-generated artwork and collaborations with international creatives, said Jim Lynch, creative lead, ADI.

The main screen also features a new fire-rated LED product the MTF range developed by ADI for interior applications. Having undergone stringent fire testing, its believed to be the worlds only LED module to meet the BSEN 13501-1 classification.

ADI will provide remote production and event broadcast services over their Live Venue network, which connects over 90 UK stadia and leisure destinations to its centralised production studios, in Preston, over dedicated fibre connectivity.

In the coming months more interactive experiences will be incorporated. The installation of heat mapping cameras throughout the venue will allow real-time, audience-generated content to appear on the ceiling.

The overall refurbishment has been designed by Glasgow-based architects CDA and the creative team as a whole have been guided throughout the project by Creative Director David Fraser of destination specialists, Harrison:Fraser. The scheme, which is managed by Cushman & Wakefield, also remained open throughout the entire refurbishment.

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Largest LED ceiling in Europe unveiled at Printworks, Manchester, UK - Installation - Installation and AV Technology Europe

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

Ceiling fans circulate cooling breezes throughout entire rooms, and the best ceiling fans dont just keep you comfortablethey also reduce utility bills and add a design element to your space.

Minka-Aire, a division of Minka Group, manufactures high-quality ceiling fans. I recently had the opportunity to install and test one of their most popular options, the Barn by Minka-Aire ceiling fan.

With 10 blades, a 65-inch blade span, and a burnished nickel casing, the Barn ceiling fan adds instant farmhouse charm to a room. Keep reading to find out how it performed in our hands-on testing and why I feel confident recommending the Minka-Aire ceiling fan to our readers.

Rating: 4.8/5

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

Pros

Cons

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Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

While ceiling fans are all pretty standard in the way they work, various features on the Barn by Minka-Aire model make it a more attractive choice than its competitors.

For example, the fan has a 65-inch blade span, which is wider than most. This helps it circulate air throughout spacious areas. My husband and I installed the Barn in a great room, and when we ran the fan at its highest speed, we could feel the resulting breeze from the adjoining dining room, which is nearly 20 feet away. Compared to other ceiling fans we tested, the Barn moves a lot of air. Standard ceiling fans move an average of 4,000 to 7,000 CFM. On high, this fan moves up to 9,155 CFM; on low, it still moves a respectable 3,712 CFM.

The Barn has a DC motor, which makes it quieter than fans with AC motors. But its not just the motor thats virtually silentthe blades hardly made any of the typical whooshing sounds one might expect from fan blades cutting through the air.

In addition to being a quiet ceiling fan, the Barn boasts a few other features that set it apart from the pack. It comes with an integrated light kit with a dimmable LED bulb, and the fan can be operated with the included remote control or from a smartphone via a downloadable app.

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

As we unboxed the Barn by Minka-Aire, we began to fear a lengthy installation process because it came with 10 blades (twice as many as some fans) and several other parts. We were wrongthe Barn attached easily to the existing ceiling fan junction box. Plus, the fan came with an integrated receiver that pairs with the remote control, so we didnt have to wire a separate receiver in place. That saved quite a bit of time.

The blades have subtle notches where they attach to the blade arms, which made it easy to fit them correctly and then insert the screws to hold them in place. The installation guide came with clear illustrations and easy-to-understand steps.

Keep in mind that installing any ceiling fan requires one to connect electrical wires, so if youre not comfortable doing that, its best to have an electrician install it. But, as far as ceiling fan installations go, the Barn was a snap.

The EnergyStar label that comes with the Minka-Aire ceiling fan estimates the average yearly cost to run it is just $9. The fan blades are reversible, so instead of just using the fan during warm weather to generate cooling breezes, users can also switch the blades rotational direction in the winter to push warm air downward. Running the fan in warm and cool seasons reduces the need to run the HVAC as frequently, which will save on utility bills.

In addition to being powerful and quiet, the Barn fan is very stable. We didnt see any start-up wobbling (which is only too familiar with some ceiling fans), and it ran smoothly at all speeds.

The LED light is dimmable, which is also a nice feature, but the buttons on the remote control that dim and brighten the light are not as user-friendly as we felt they could be. At first, we couldnt figure out how to dim the light. Reading the directions solved that, but the solution is not very intuitive. We had to hold one button down while pressing the other to dim the lights and then do the reverse to brighten them.

Controlling the fan from the app is straightforward. We had no problems downloading and syncing the app to our homes wireless network.

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

The Minka-Aire Barn ceiling fan sells for about $550, about twice as much as many top-notch ceiling fans. However, this fan offers several features that could justify its higher price point, depending on your preferences and needs.

Its tough to beat this farmhouse ceiling fans striking appeal. Its expansive blades can enhance the look of any large room that has rustic, country, or traditional dcor. Its sure to be a focal point that will get a lot of compliments.

If youre looking for a virtually silent ceiling fan, you can probably justify the higher cost of the Barn by Minka-Aire. And if you want the energy efficiency of running a ceiling fan but also want to control it remotely, this fan might be just the ticket.

On the flip side, if youre into a more classic (as opposed to a farmhouse) look and dont mind the white-noise sound of an AC motor, you can pick from a wide selection of ceiling fans that fit the bill and dont cost as much. And, if you only need air circulation in a small area, an energy-efficient floor fan might be all you need.

Ultimately, your individual preferences and budget considerations will determine whether this barn-style ceiling fan is the right pick for you. Either way, its one heck of a ceiling fan.

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila

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Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industry. She and her husband, John, own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools and other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products. Her husband assisted during the installation of this ceiling fan.

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The Minka-Aire Ceiling Fan Is Impressive, but Is It Worth It? A Tested Review - Bob Vila

ZTE launches FTTR-B series products.

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), which positions itself as a global leading provider of ICT solutions, has unveiled its Fibre To The Room for Business (FTTR-B) series of products at FTTH Conference 2024. This release includes groundbreaking innovations such as the world's first enterprise-level FTTR-B main Optical Network Terminal (ONT) powered by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), the industry's first FTTR room ONT with integrated set-top box (STB) functionality, and ceiling-mounted access points (APs) catering to diverse installation scenarios, boasting ease of installation.

The FTTR-B series is designed to help operators flexibly develop small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) applications for different scenarios and to accelerate the development of all-optical enterprises.

To accelerate the maturation of the FTTR industry chain and promote the development of all-optical enterprises, ZTE has pioneered the introduction of an enterprise-level FTTR-B main ONT based on an ASIC chip. By leveraging an energy-efficient ASIC instead of a power-intensive field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip, the main ONT achieves a 70% reduction in power consumption while delivering exceptional performance. Moreover, it reduces the quiet window by 90% and shrinks uplink time division multiplexing (TDM) latency by 75%. With its combo uplink access capability, the device empowers enterprises to upgrade their all-optical networks to 10G broadband without any modifications to their existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the enterprise-level security protection of the device ensures peace of mind for enterprises and streamlines management for operators.

ZTE's industry-first FTTR room ONT with STB functionality streamlines video service delivery in venues such as hotels or apartment rooms or wards, requiring only a single device. By integrating STB functions into the room ONT, the device not only saves 30% space, but also resolves issues associated with standalone STBs, such as messy cabling and poor WiFi signal. Other notable features of the device include minimal cabling requirements and enhanced energy efficiency.

To address the difficulty of installing ceiling-mounted APs, ZTE designed and patented an installation bracket that supports four installation modes pole, ceiling, wall and box mount in seven scenarios. By combining the installation bracket and ZTE's innovative smart antenna technology, the new ceiling-mounted APs provide the optimal WiFi coverage solution for different installation scenarios. Moreover, the APs have Bluetooth and Zigbee technologies built-in to help enterprises digitally transform their internet of things (IOT) networks.

ZTE's FTTR-B series of new products features six major upgrades: an enterprise-level protection upgrade, a core-chip performance upgrade, a service integration upgrade, a seamless roaming upgrade, a flexible coverage upgrade and a compatible installation upgrade. Thanks to these upgrades, users can enjoy a smooth digital working experience, while operators can perform fibre-deep modernisation of enterprise networks to tap the blue-ocean market of SMEs.

FTTR is leading the second "fibre transformation revolution", part of which is the transition from fibre-to-the-enterprise installation to fibre-in-the-enterprise deployment. Committed to developing more products and solutions that suit diverse FTTR-B scenarios, ZTE will work with operators and industry partners across the globe to usher in an era of all-optical digital enterprises.

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ZTE launches FTTR-B series to accelerate digital transformation of SMEs - ITWeb

A landscape architect has poured cold water on the process to identify 78% of the West Coast as "Outstanding Natural Landscapes" in its proposed "one" district plan.

Landscape architect Hadley Mills said designating so much land as "outstanding" would just add unnecessary costs and compliance to landowners.

Mills was one of two landscape architects to critique the methodology of designating Outstanding Natural Landscapes (ONLs) during the The Te Tai o Poutini Plan hearing in Westport yesterday.

Local authorities have been required to identify these outstanding areas for over a decade.

Under the proposed combined District Plan for the West Coast, 54 Outstanding Natural Landscapes areas encompass 78% of the region.

Mills, a former West Coast Regional Council planning manager, said this would add another layer of compliance, including consent applications, adding costly landscape assessments for landowners.

Mills called for the Outstanding Natural Landscapes chapter to be scrapped, noting many people had not realised the implications for their land.

The Te Tai o Poutini Plan could utilise the existing Conservation Act to govern Outstanding Natural Landscapes given most of the West Coast areas were within DOC estate where activity is permitted, he said.

Mills said the Te Tai o Poutini Plan Outstanding Natural Landscapes seemed to be derived from maps containing "inaccurate and unchecked" assessments of vegetation "and not rechecked by a human".

"This is totally unacceptable for such an important planning document which has real impact on people's lives, and will apply to 78% of the West Coast."

A map detailing the 54 Outstanding Natural Landscapes designated in the West Coast's proposed 'one' district plan. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting)

Mills said classification amounted to two thirds of the 2.3 million ha of the region.

"Approximately 1.8m ha of that is being proposed to be classified as Outstanding Natural Landscapes. That is 78% of our entire region approximately 7% of New Zealand's land area," he said.

He also referred to the 2022 NZ Institute of Landscape Architects guidelines on "outstanding" landscapes, which said it was "a matter of reasoned judgement".

"Outstanding" should be done in the West Coast context, not on a national or international basis as appeared to have been done, Mills said.

Most West Coast residents could see DOC land from their homes, but that did not mean those areas were "outstanding" in the local context, he said.

The Te Tai o Poutini Plan hearing panel challenged Mills about the relatively low submissions on the topic.

Mills replied that the more heated Significant Natural Areas debate had overshadowed the topic despite it having similar implications for private land.

Landscape expert James Bentley, representing Manawa Energy, said they supported a review already of the plan's Outstanding Natural Landscape section but it did not go far enough.

"A fundamental starting point for any regional landscape assessment is to acknowledge all landscapes, not just those that are 'outstanding'," Bentley said.

"It is only after acknowledging all landscapes, through a landscape characterisation, that assessment on the 'special' or 'outstanding' landscapes can be determined."

Farmland at Turiwhate in the Taramakau River valley caught within an Outstanding Natural Landscape designation in the draft Te Tai o Poutini Plan. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting)

Bentley said he believed the Te Tai o Poutini Plan work was at a "high level", without being ground checked.

This resulted in mapping errors and "broad sweeping descriptions", some being "almost generic", he said.

Bentley said it was important Manawa's hydro schemes within an Outstanding Natural Landscape were recognised "as modifications" within the Te Tai o Poutini Plan to inform future planning decisions.

"Very little, if any, modifications are described within the [ONL] schedules which from a policy perspective creates a distorted assumption that Outstanding Natural Landscapes are pristine," he said.

Questioned by commissioner Sharon McGarry, Bentley said adjustment in the Outstanding Natural Landscapes schedule and the boundaries needed "a pragmatic approach".

That included first understanding all the features in a landscape including its human footprint, and the underlying cultural values which should then be detailed in a schedule.

"It's all context dependent. That's why those two process, where the [boundary] line is and what is in the schedule needs to go in tandem".

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Too much West Coast land deemed 'outstanding landscape architect - 1News