text:
→ myGMRS.com
What's missing from myGMRS.com?
Started by WQEJ577 , Feb 06 2020 01:35 PM
#1 WQEJ577
WQEJ577
LocationCentral Jersey
GMRS Callsign:WQEJ577
Ham Callsign:N2DLX
Posted 06 February 2020 - 01:35 PM
We have several projects planned that are in various stages of development, but I'm trying to figure out priorities based upon what the members want (and some things that I haven't thought of yet).
I think we can all agree that Problem #1 is outdated listings that never got removed but are no longer on the air for one reason or another. We have plans to address that, but it requires a major redevelopment of the site. In the meantime we have the toggle switches on the map that allow you to hide anything that hasn't been updated in the last year, as it could be stale.
So, what do you think myGMRS needs? What do you personally wish we had that we don't?
Here's some projects that are being considered or are already in the works:
Finish working on the mobile apps. We have a beta version of the iOS app that has some issues before it can be released to everyone. That effort needs to be revived soon. The Android version has been released but there are new features that we want to add (and will also be in iOS).
A complete site redevelopment. Much of the code powering myGMRS is over 10 years old. It's the main reason new features aren't being added -- we need a fresh modern platform to work with. Some early experimentation has been done and we think we have the right combination of technology, but need to build it. Then we can begin adding new features once we have covered all the current functionality.
Launch of our store and securing reseller arrangements with various suppliers. This has been a small success already that we're hoping will grow with time. Most of my energy has been spent here lately, trying to get products that our members are likely to want to purchase. We're always looking for suggestions on products we should add, so please let us know.
Expand our repeater linking project. We have had success with adding systems to our myGMRS Network over the past few years but we haven't pushed to expand very hard. Interested parties have come to us asking to join and we have approved them on a case-by-case basis. It's time, I think, to ramp up the project and try to get more high-quality repeaters on board across the country. There is a lot of work involved in making this something that can scale up without taking huge amounts of my time, however.
Upgrade the forums. We're using an older version of the IP.Board software, and I want to migrate to the latest version soon. We'll have to migrate all the accounts and topics over, but hopefully it won't be such a tough process.
I also have a really cool project in mind that I'm going to remain tight-lipped about. It would be an app which would be of interest to the entire two-way radio community, not just GMRS and Amateur operators. I'm working on a proof of concept that could expand into a whole side business if successful.
So again, what do you think this site is missing? What kinds of features do you think would be worth paying a small subscription for? The core features of the site will remain free. Since incorporating, we have had to look for ways to monetize the site so it pays its own bills and can grow with time. One example might be an ad-free experience for paid subscribers. Another could be advanced tools for helping to compile a list of repeaters along a trip or commute. Dream up some ideas and hopefully we can launch them all!
quarterwave, Corey and WQXP640 like this
Rich Dunajewski
Founder, myGMRS.com
#2 Corey
GMRS Callsign:WQVA593
Ham Callsign:KD9HCW
Whats the chance we can get a chat room? Is that even a thing anymore? I like the idea of ad supported, and yes I would pay 5 bucks a month to not see them!
1. Expand our repeater linking project!
WQEJ577, kb2ztx and miko1428 like this
Just My $.02
GMRS Callsign:WQVY669
Ham Callsign:KC9ZSU
How about a classified section?
I second the chat room....
We had a chat on this board before, but I didn't renew the license for it. Nobody was using it. Instead, we could use a service like Slack or Discord to hold discussions. Then we would get notifications on our mobile devices if we so choose. I think a chat on the forum means everyone needs to be logged in and sitting on the chat page, which is exactly why nobody used it.
If anyone wants to try out Slack, I created an account for myGMRS. Here's the link to join:
[Link removed, moved to Private Discussion]
I recommend putting your callsign after your name in the "full name" field (first name only is okay if you prefer).
kb2ztx likes this
#6 kb2ztx
kb2ztx
LocationEast Coast
GMRS Callsign:WQLY948
Ham Callsign:KB2ZTX
Id like to see more on the linking stuff. As you said fixing the out dated repeater listings is a large task. I tend to come here only for GMRs stuff which i like. Most of the other online forums for radio stuff is all over the place. I know this is mostly GMRS so i tend to come here daily.
One thought i did have and maybe its been done but a spot on "license" encouragement would be nice. I wish places like midland would do thia also but they want to sell a product and not deal with this. having a page spelling out the reasons and how to get a license, with a link to start would be cool.
WQEJ577 likes this
I'm open to guest authors who want to help out with articles like that.
Articles in general are one thing I want to add that has been missing. The site is functional for looking up repeaters, but lacking in substantive content that will drive traffic to us.
#8 wayoverthere
wayoverthere
Locationmiddle of CA
GMRS Callsign:ask
not to rain on this idea, as i think it's a good one.
i WILL give midland a little credit, though, as they DO actually have an article on the licensing topic (and include "license required" in the product descriptions, at least for the micromobiles, though you have to "read more" to see it), and reasons to get licensed. as you said, though, their primary focus is selling product, so it isn't particularly easy for the average person to find. i did a lot of digging and reading before i pulled the trigger on radios, and stumbled across it.
https://midlandusa.c...ow-do-i-get-it/
i definitely think there's still room to expand on the topic, and make the information a lot more accessible than they have (get it more up-front), also know it's a balance being careful not to "borrow" or end up too similar to theirs. this site (and forum) are one of the places i did a lot of reading before jumping in.
on the main thread topic, though, one small idea that comes to mind...maybe i missed it, but i didn't see an actual designated spot for "(New) Member Intros", just a few scattered in the general discussion and the private discussion areas.
WQEJ577, kb2ztx and berkinet like this
#9 WRAA720
WRAA720
LocationArizona
GMRS Callsign:WRAA720
Ham Callsign:K7MFC
>What's missing from myGMRS.com?
A dark theme!
Matt C | WRAA720 | K7MFC
homepage: WRAA720.com
#10 berkinet
berkinet
Senior expert on absolutely nothing
GMRS Callsign:WQYR510
Ham Callsign:WB6TAE
I would suggest an addition to the repeater listings that would allow some degree of crowd sourcing of current status. In other words, let users add something like a QSL card or signal report. It could be simply binary as did or did not work. Or, it could be more detailed. Location at the time of the report, signal strength, etc.
Then, "last verified access" could be added to the repeater report page and, possibly, people could search on, reported active in the last: 30, 60, 90 days, etc.
In the signal report it might also be possible to report if anything differed from the listing, like Frequency, PL, or location. The specific information would not be given, except in the case of a fully-open repeater. But, at least other users would know there had been a change.
And, finally. The owner could receive an, optional, email each time a signal report was received.
In any case, the basic point is even if the owners do not update their listings, other users could help a bit.
kipandlee, wayoverthere and Mikeam like this
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
-- Marcus Aurelius
#11 Lscott
How about some how to, or tutorials, on basic topics. GMRS is mainly aimed at non technical people who simply want a good means of communications and don't have much interest in the theory or radio as a hobby. For that there is Ham Radio.
For example one wants a mobile installation. Basic info on how a mobile radio should be wired up for electrical safety, battery connections, fuses etc. What type of coax cable to use, cable connectors, antenna location and antenna mounts. Recommended mobile radios, antenna manufactures and models. Some sample photos of other people's installations for ideas to go along with the written material.
Another would be for portable radios. Recommended manufactures and models. Issues with using a portable radio in a mobile setting, speaker microphones, heat sets, battery types, battery eliminators, cable adapters from the portable radio to mobile antenna. Again some sample photos.
Repeater operation. What are they used for. What specific channels are reserved for them. Explain why there are two frequencies used and in general how this is programed in to the radio. Explain what a "PL" tone is used for and why it's typically required.
The how to's should be kept at a low simple technical level. The idea is to help somebody setup a functional radio installation without getting mired in a lot of theory. After the system is up and running there is plenty of time and people who can provide additional info for those that have the interest.
VeritasVosLiberabit likes this
#12 Corey
I hope to write some of these at some point, just waiting for the site rebuild
VeritasVosLiberabit and Mikeam like this
#13 Jones
Minor nit-pick here...
When I go to the shop area on MyGMRS.com, I seem to be stuck in there, as in there is nothing to click on to return to the main root page of mygmrs.com. Clicking on the HOME link returns me to the shop home page, as it should, but clicking on the MyGMRS.com logo on the top of the page also returns me to the shop/mygmrs.com page. I think that clicking the main logo from the shop home page should return to the main site page rather than shop home again.
Same with forums as well. while clicking on the top logo from a thread page, it is nice to go back to the forum home, but clicking the main logo from the forum home page should return to the main mygmrs page. Right now, clicking the logo from the forum home page goes nowhere, just re-loads the forum home page.
#14 wrcy378
wrcy378
GMRS Callsign:wrcy378
1. Toward the topic of linked repeaters. It would be nice if there was a note as to where the networked repeaters are located prior to clicking on the link. There is no way to tell what state or city the linked networks are in if it's not in the name and there are many to click on only to find out that there are plenty in Texas, but none near me.
2. Perhaps a way to add a repeater that you do not own but have found. There are several in the area that I come across while scanning the GMRS frequencies, but can't find on the website to get a tone for or permission to use because I don't know who to contact. If someone could add, for example, " Found: 550 repeater near Center City Philadelphia. Tone 141.3"
berkinet likes this
[--snip--]
Personally, I like this idea. However, I suspect it will be controversial. May I suggest that rather than adding this to the official repeater listing, you could create a thread in the Private Discussion topic to report member discoveries. In that case, other members with more information, like the owner does not want it used by others, or it is officially open, etc. could also contribute.
Elkhunter521 and Mikeam like this
https://link.mygmrs.com/map
#17 JeepCrawler98
JeepCrawler98
LocationTucson, AZ
GMRS Callsign:WQVS960
Ham Callsign:K6DSA
One of the things that seems to be fairly prevalent in the repeater listings are paper repeaters - those who are listed, but not longer online or usable. It would be nice if there was some sort of process for removing these - either by vote, requesting a review, flagged as "reported offline," or something like that.
We have a few of these in the Tucson area; their owners at times haven't logged in in almost a decade and/or their licenses expired.
David Adriaanse, WQVS960 / K6DSA
Tucson GMRS Association
#18 JJM
GMRS Callsign:WRFF706
Ham Callsign:N5JJM
The name of the state that the repeater network is in shown on the list of networks would be nice.
So I don't click on "hill country" thinking it's Texas hill country when it is not.
Just add one more column to show the state the network is located in.
#19 WRAF213
WRAF213
LocationVentura, CA, USA
GMRS Callsign:WRAF213
Ham Callsign:KJ6PSG
And with the current system of 'hide offline repeaters' and 'hide outdated listings', a lot of the repeaters that have been around for a long time get hidden by those settings and mixed in with the dead repeaters. There absolutely needs to be a user-reported repeater status function.
Perhaps a way to add a repeater that you do not own but have found. There are several in the area that I come across while scanning the GMRS frequencies, but can't find on the website to get a tone for or permission to use because I don't know who to contact. If someone could add, for example, " Found: 550 repeater near Center City Philadelphia. Tone 141.3"
Most of the repeaters in my area aren't actually listed on MyGMRS, and those that are listed are inactive or offline. It makes frequency coordination an absolute pain. I'd consider the output tone 'public' information as well since it typically identifies a system uniquely within an a particular area and channel, and gets transmitted along with the carrier. Keeping that information hidden when reading a 'found repeater' report makes it hard to tell if that reported repeater is actually the one you're hearing. This could also help with people claiming ownership of repeaters they do not actually own.
When I first got my repeater, I used a particular frequency and tone that was in use nearby. Due to California's highly variable topography, I couldn't hear the incumbent user's repeater when I was doing frequency surveying, but the coverage area overlap was a serious issue. I had to reprogram the repeater and several radios, and get the cavities re-tuned to a different pair, because the only people currently allowed to report a repeater's existence are the owners.
Many repeater owners don't want their repeater's existence or site location to become public knowledge. I do believe it's against public interest to enable that behavior, since the 8 GMRS channels are all accessible to the public and there is no right to privacy on what information is sent over the repeater's output channel. However, there needs to be limitations on access to what specific information can be seen by other users. Frequency, output tone(s), general location, and CWID (if any) can all be narrowed down quickly with a receive-only station or two, and it may also be possible to determine whether a repeater is open or not (only the owner can give the final verdict). The user-reported repeater entries should be marked separately from owner-reported entries since there's no way to attest to the accuracy of the information, and there needs to be some inquiry as to whether there's an abuse potential for such a system that would make the risks outweigh the benefits. Personally, I think there's much more benefit than risk, and Repeaterbook uses a similar system for their ham repeater listings. Over there, change history isn't made public (allowing non-public information accidentally contributed to be removed), and the repeater owners can hide all information beyond frequency, callsign, public/private system, and on/off-air status. Unlike ham bands, there's heavy frequency reuse on GMRS because 8 channels is a lot less than several hundred channels, so there needs to be a more granular way of identifying repeaters beyond using the frequency alone. I think it could also be worth allowing 'found repeater' reports to include general comments, such as hangtime duration, activity level, or peculiarities with the repeater; but anything suggesting the input tone should be censored.
WRAM373 - Richard likes this
#20 yakovich
yakovich
GMRS Callsign:WRFV525
I think the ability to bookmark people, repeaters and networks on the website would add greatly to how functional it is.
Back to myGMRS.com


text:
Implementation of improvement strategies in palliative care: an integrative review
Jasper van Riet Paap1,
Myrra Vernooij-Dassen1,2,3,
Ragni Sommerbakk4,
Wendy Moyle5,
Marianne J. Hjermstad4,6,
Wojciech Leppert7,
Kris Vissers8,
Yvonne Engels8 &
on behalf of the IMPACT research team
Implementation Science volume 10, Article number: 103 (2015) Cite this article
The European population is ageing, and as a consequence, an increasing number of patients are in need of palliative care, including those with dementia. Although a growing number of new insights and best practices in palliative care have been published, they are often not implemented in daily practice. The aim of this integrative review is to provide an overview of implementation strategies that have been used to improve the organisation of palliative care.
Using an integrative literature review, we evaluated publications with strategies to improve the organisation of palliative care. Qualitative analysis of the included studies involved categorisation of the implementation strategies into subgroups, according to the type of implementation strategy.
From the 2379 publications identified, 68 studies with an experimental or quasi-experimental design were included. These studies described improvements using educational strategies (n = 14), process mapping (n = 1), feedback (n = 1), multidisciplinary meetings (n = 1) and multi-faceted implementation strategies (n = 51). Fifty-three studies reported positive outcomes, 11 studies reported mixed effects and four studies showed a limited effect (two educational and two multi-faceted strategies).
This review is one of the first to provide an overview of the available literature in relation to strategies used to improve the organisation of palliative care. Since most studies reported positive results, further research is needed to identify and improve the effects of strategies aiming to improve the organisation of palliative care.
The European population is ageing, and as a consequence, an increasing number of patients are in need of palliative care, including those with dementia. The World Health Organization has defined palliative care as an 'approach to improve the quality of life of patients and families who face life-threatening illness, by providing pain and symptom relief, spiritual and psychosocial support from diagnosis to the end of life and bereavement' [1–3]. Although a growing number of new insights and best practices in palliative care are being published, knowledge translation into daily practice is lacking [4]. Study results in both the USA and the Netherlands suggest that up to 40 % of patients in need of palliative care do not receive evidence-based care [5]. Apparently, there is a wide 'gap' between the available scientific evidence and its use in daily practice [5].
The implementation of new evidence into daily practice is particularly challenging when complex changes are needed, cooperation between disciplines is required, or behaviour needs to be changed [6]. The use of traditional implementation strategies to convince professional care providers to use new evidence (such as identifying, synthesizing and disseminating evidence in journals, guidelines, continuing medical education and conferences) is apparently not sufficient to engineer changes in the complex systems of palliative care [5].
Yet, many studies that aim to improve palliative care have been performed. Often, these studies require much time investment and money from both the professional workforce as well as patients, which raises cost-effectiveness questions. It is therefore of utmost importance to synthesise and disseminate state-of-the-art scientific knowledge [7, 5]. The aim of this integrative review is to provide an overview of effective implementation strategies that have been used to improve the organisation of palliative care. As such, results of this review have been used in the EU-funded Seventh Framework IMPACT project (IMplementation of quality indicators for PAlliative Care sTudy) which aims to develop and tailor national and setting-specific strategies to improve the organisation of palliative care in Europe [8].
A review of available research literature was considered important to identify current knowledge about this topic.
The integrative review methodology summarizes past empirical and theoretical literature that uses diverse methodologies and study designs from a variety of sources in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of a complex health care problem [9]. Therefore, an iterative comparison and analysis of relevant publications about the implementation of strategies to improve the organisation of palliative care was conducted.
Search strategy
A comprehensive literature review was conducted, including Medline, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, PsycINFO, and by searching for grey literature [10] (e.g. literature that has not been published in peer-reviewed literature). The search strategy was limited to English literature only, to publications that concerned palliative care for adults (aged 18 or above) and to publications that were published between 2000 and August 2011. Various search terms were used that referred to subject-specific keywords describing palliative care, as well as the type of implementation strategy and outcomes of the implementation, including synonyms and Medical SubHeadings (MeSH) to include all relevant literature. Table 1 provides an overview of the search terms (the search string is available in Additional file 1). Disease-specific search terms, such as cancer or dementia, were not included because the organisation of palliative care goes beyond a specific disease [11].
Table 1 Overview of search terms
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Publications were included when they described (1) improvements to the organisation of palliative care, (2) which implementation strategies were used, (3) how these strategies were implemented and (4) the effectiveness of these strategies. Publications were excluded when (1) no abstract was available, (2) the implementation strategies were not directed at health care professionals or volunteers, (3) they were not directed at adult health care services or (4) educational curricula were developed.
Two of the authors (JvRP and RS, one with a background in nursing and health sciences and the other in sociology) independently screened title and abstract and reviewed the full-text articles of the included studies to identify implementation strategies to improve the organisation of palliative care. A data collection form was used to extract information about the country and year in which the study was published, study design, setting, type of disease, health care professionals involved, and type, description and impact of the implementation strategies used. Subsequently, implementation strategies were categorised into subgroups, according to the type of implementation strategy, similar to the approach of Grol and Grimshaw [5]. Data from the subgroup classification was coded and compiled into a matrix, whereby the effect of each implementation strategy was summarized as a significant improvement (++), improvement (+), mixed or limited effect (+/−) or no effect (−). To ensure the trustworthiness and rigor of the analysis, peer debriefing took place with the other authors throughout the entire process of data analysis.
Of the 2379 initially identified publications, 241 were selected for full-text assessment (Fig. 1). A first assessment of the full-text of these publications revealed that 156 publications could be excluded, as they did not meet the inclusion criteria (for example, because there were no details given about the improvement strategy used). Reference lists of all publications eligible for inclusion as well as a hand search in grey literature databases revealed an additional 27 publications eligible for inclusion. The remaining publications represented a wide variety of research methods and designs: interviews, focus groups, strategy development designs, case descriptions, surveys, process evaluations, RCTs, pre-post-test interventions, review papers as well as theoretical papers. Because of the large number of identified studies, of which many were of low scientific quality and with incomparable outcome measures, only studies with an experimental (n = 12) or quasi-experimental (n = 56) study design were selected for further analysis.
Characteristics of included studies
A total of 17 single intervention studies and 51 multi-faceted intervention studies were identified. Most studies were conducted in the USA (n = 29), UK (n = 19) and Australia (n = 8), but studies were also included from countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Italy and the Netherlands. Studies were conducted within the entire range of palliative care services, from home care services to advanced palliative care units in hospitals. Fifty-one studies were conducted in one setting (primary care: n = 2, hospital: n = 38, nursing home: n = 9, hospice: n = 1 and other: n = 1) and 11 were conducted in multiple settings. For six studies, the type of setting could not be identified. Within the included studies, a large variety of professionals participated. Thirty-five studies were directed at a single type of professionals (e.g. nurses only), 29 at two or more different groups of professionals (e.g. nurses and physicians), and four studies did not report the target group of professionals.
Strategies and its impact
Additional file 2 provides a summarized description of the methodology, setting and country, number and type of participants, the implementation strategy and the impact of the strategy of each individual study. Table 2 provides an overview of the results of studies with an experimental or quasi-experimental study design.
Table 2 Effect of strategies specified to setting
Educational strategies
Two experimental and 12 quasi-experimental studies used different types of educational strategies to improve palliative care, including lectures [12–14], study days [15, 16], role play sessions [17, 18], interactive education [19, 20], educational outreach visits [21] and computer-facilitated education [22–25]. Eight studies were targeted at a single profession, while six were targeted at multiple professionals. Four studies reported significant improvements, eight reported improvement, and two studies had limited or no effect.
Process mapping
One study used process mapping to improve the organisation of palliative care in a nursing home [26]. Before implementing the Liverpool Care Pathway, nursing home staff organized interdisciplinary team discussions where they answered the question, 'If your patient is diagnosed as dying at 10 am on Monday morning and they are in pain, what happens?' or in other words, 'What is the process?' in order to identify bottlenecks to be expected [26]. A repeated process measure post-implementation reduced the numbers of expected bottlenecks.
One study addressed feedback to improve the organisation of palliative care [27]. In an RCT, patients completed a health-related quality of life questionnaire. In the intervention group, hospital physicians received automated feedback upon completion of this questionnaire. The RCT showed improved health-related quality of life in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Multidisciplinary meetings
One quasi-experimental study performed by Lilly et al. described family and multidisciplinary meetings to improve the communication and shared-decision making at the intensive care unit (ICU) in a hospital [28, 29]. Pre- and post-intervention measurements showed that the use of such meetings reduced length of ICU stay.
Mixed interventions
Fifty-one studies used a combination of strategies. Half of these studies used a combination of solely educational strategies (for example, lecture combined with role play sessions) [30–58], while the other half combined a variety of strategies (for example, education combined with feedback and reminders) [59–86]. Nine studies had an experimental design. Based on the conclusions of the authors, there were 13 studies that had no or a limited effect on the specified outcomes, 21 studies that had a positive effect, and the remaining 17 studies reported a significant improvement.
We made a comprehensive overview of the available literature in relation to strategies used to improve the organisation of palliative care. In total, 68 studies, representing an experimental or quasi-experimental study design, were discussed. These studies included educational strategies, process mapping, feedback, multidisciplinary meetings as well as mixed interventions.
For this review, all reported outcome measures in the identified studies were extracted. These measures included several patient outcome data items (e.g. assessment of the percentage of patients in pain following an educational session about pain treatment) as well as data concerning the process of care (e.g. the frequency of patient referral to specialist care following the introduction of a new referral form), making comparisons of outcomes impossible. However, the aim of all included studies was to improve the organisation of palliative care. We therefore generalized the outcomes to the degree in which they aimed to improve the organisation of palliative care.
Fifty-three studies, covering all strategies identified, reported that their study resulted in improving the organisation of palliative care. Eleven studies showed improvements for some of the characteristics targeted (four multi-educational and seven multi-faceted strategies), and four studies reported limited or no improvements (one using interactive education, one using computer-facilitated education and two multi-faceted strategies). The studies with a mixed or limited result on improving the organisation of palliative care were primarily conducted in one setting (hospital) and directed at one professional group. This stipulates the challenges that are encountered when implementing new evidence in complex environments such as a hospital as well as the importance of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary character of palliative care.
The different strategies identified in this review have been described in other fields in health care. In a review by Grol and Grimshaw, for example, large conferences and courses showed mixed effects, small group interactive education showed positive effects, educational outreach showed positive effects, feedback showed mixed effects and the used of mixed interventions often resulted in better results compared to single intervention studies [5]. Reviews that focused on one strategy type, for example, on audit and feedback [87], printed educational materials [88] or educational outreach visits [89], all had similar findings. One reason for the primarily positive findings of the studies identified in this review might be the fact that participants in a quality improvement project perform better as a result of knowing they are a study object (Hawthorne effect) [90]. Another reason might be that effects were often measured immediately after the intervention, so we do not know if the effects were sustained. Finally, only a few studies (n = 12) used a randomised controlled design, which is often considered to be the gold standard in research [91], compared to other designs. RCTs require significant time and funding and expert research guidance, and particularly, in palliative care populations, they are scarce because of recruitment restrictions, high attrition, (selection) bias, lack of blinding, confounding and small sample sizes [92, 91]. Many of these aspects, however, are also relevant in studies with a quasi-experimental, non-experimental or case-study design. The studies that were included in this review might, therefore, not represent the strongest designs to test improvement strategies.
The included studies were conducted in a variety of settings (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and primary care facilities). The provision of palliative care within these settings may vary depending on the patient group. Patients with cancer, for example, have a different disease trajectory, and other symptoms and needs than persons with dementia [93, 94]. Despite these differences, there are many similarities regarding the organisation and multidisciplinary character of palliative care. For all chronic, life-threatening conditions, palliative care entails a patient-centred approach in which multidimensional interventions related to actual and future problems, needs and preferences are made.
The WHO definition of palliative care is therefore applicable for all patient groups [3]. The European Association of Palliative Care illustrates this by recommending a common approach for palliative care across settings [95, 96]. In addition, 40 international experts agreed that there is no need to formulate disease-specific quality criteria for the organisation of palliative care [97]. However, this does not mean that there is ample evidence regarding effective strategies to improve (the organisation of) palliative care in the different settings. Hall et al., for example, described that there is limited evidence for palliative care service delivery for residents of care homes for older people [98]. This illustrates the necessity to further improve the field of implementation science, in particular, in underdeveloped areas such as palliative care for persons with dementia.
Quality improvement projects often require investments of time and money from both the professional workforce and patients. It is important that the evidence of effective strategies is used to improve daily clinical practice. However, researchers and professionals often have different cultures, values, timelines, goals and rewards [99]. Even when the intervention is well-designed, real-world contextual factors may prevent the intervention from being realized. Implementation of evidence-based and best practices should therefore always be guided by a step-by-step model in order to identify the problem, barriers and facilitators and tailored strategies to solve the problem [100]. Integrated knowledge translation can then be used as a bridge in closing the gap between what we know and what we do [101].
The results of this review were used in the EU-funded Seventh Framework IMPACT project. An intervention study investigating improvement projects with pre- and post-test evaluations was performed in 40 services providing palliative care across Europe (including hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and primary care facilities). In this study, quality indicators were used to identify potential areas to improve the organisation of palliative care. Subsequently, Grol's implementation of change model [100] was used to guide the services in their quality improvements. The strategies described in this review were used as an example and if possible also as actual strategies regarding how to change the organisation of palliative care.
Strengths and limitations
This is one of the first reviews that provides an overview of implementation strategies used to improve the organisation of palliative care. The results of this review can be used as a starting point for further research. However, some limitations should be taken into account. Firstly, this review used the integrative review methodology. Although this approach allows for the combination of diverse methodologies (including non-experimental research), only studies with an experimental and quasi-experimental design were included because of the unexpected high number of publications on the highest evidence level. Since a variety of methods was used in these studies, a quantitative comparison of effect size was considered impossible. Secondly, because it was the aim of this review to provide an overview of strategies used to improve the organisation of palliative care rather than the effectiveness, we did not assess each individual study for risk of bias or effect estimates. The effects of the strategies presented in this paper should therefore be interpreted with caution. Thirdly, we have limited the search strategy to English literature only. Although publications have been included from non-English speaking countries such as Japan and Italy, it is likely that we have missed potentially interesting publications from countries that often publish in their own language. Fourthly, there is no generic set of search terms to identify literature about improvement strategies, despite the fact that improvements are now being recognized as a science [102, 103]. Although we have captured a broad selection of literature with our search strategy, it is possible that it did not identify all available publications on this topic.
This review provides an overview of the available literature in relation to strategies used to improve the organisation of palliative care. The identified studies described educational strategies, process mapping, feedback, multidisciplinary meetings and multi-faceted interventions. Future research, with more rigid designs, proper duration, control and blinding are necessary to identify and improve scientific evidence regarding the optimal strategies to improve the organisation of palliative care.
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This review is part of the larger IMPACT project (IMplementation of quality indicators in PAlliative Care sTudy). The IMPACT project received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007–2013 under grant agreement no. 258883. We thank all participating researchers involved in the IMPACT consortium for their support. Special thanks go to the library staff of both the Radboud university medical center and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, who provided exhaustive feedback, assistance and support in the development of the search strategy.
Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ healthcare), Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Jasper van Riet Paap
& Myrra Vernooij-Dassen
Nijmegen Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Myrra Vernooij-Dassen
Kalorama Foundation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 8905, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway
Ragni Sommerbakk
& Marianne J. Hjermstad
Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Australia
Wendy Moyle
Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway
Marianne J. Hjermstad
Department of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-245, Poznan, Poland
Wojciech Leppert
Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Kris Vissers
& Yvonne Engels
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Correspondence to Jasper van Riet Paap.
YE and MVD are responsible for the design of the study. JvRP and RS equally contributed in the development of the search strategy, selection procedure and analysis of included studies. JvRP drafted the first manuscript. YE, MVD, KV, WM, MH, WL and RS provided extensive feedback to different versions of the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.
Search string. The search strings for Medline, CINAHL, British Nursing Index and PsycINFO. (PDF 57 kb)
Description studies. Summarized description of the methodology, setting and country, number and type of participants, the implementation strategy, and the impact of the strategy of each individual study. (PDF 182 kb)
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
van Riet Paap, J., Vernooij-Dassen, M., Sommerbakk, R. et al. Implementation of improvement strategies in palliative care: an integrative review. Implementation Sci 10, 103 (2015) doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0293-2
Improvement strategies

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hummingbird specialization and vulnerability are often predicted based on physical traits. Scientists have now found that this is not the case for hummingbirds on the Caribbean islands. Instead, the bird's environment is the determining factor. The new study was led by scientists from Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen, and published today in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Hummingbird's body size and bill length are often used to predict how specialized and vulnerable the birds are to extinction of the flowers they feed on. However, a new study shows that vulnerability and specialisation of Caribbean hummingbirds are determined by their environment. The study is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Associate Professor Bo Dalsgaard from Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate says, "Our study shows that Caribbean hummingbirds living in rainy mountainous landscapes with cooler temperatures are more specialized and vulnerable to extinction of the flowers they drink nectar from, compared to hummingbirds in the lowlands. We believe our results display a general trend that applies to many other animals and plants throughout the world. Thus, protecting nature in mountain regions is very important, if we want to conserve specialized and vulnerable species, which exist in just one or a few places on Earth."
There are around 340 hummingbird species in the world, all native to the Americas. Of those, 14 live on the Caribbean islands and only the Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus) is also found on the American mainland.
In general, birds on islands are more vulnerable to extinction—during the past 400 years, 90 percent of known bird extinctions have happened on islands. Hummingbirds on the Caribbean islands most likely developed their characteristic body sizes and bill lengths before they came to inhabit the islands from the American mainland 5-9 million years ago. Postdoc Jonathan Kennedy from Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, says, "We found that Caribbean hummingbirds have likely evolved their physical traits before colonising the Caribbean, and not in co-existence with their flowers, which is the common trend often assumed on the American mainland. How these relationships develop over long timescales is important in order to better understand how vulnerable the birds are if the flowers they feed on become extinct."
Many species rely upon interactions with others in a mutual way, such as hummingbirds who drink nectar from flowers, while at the same time pollinating the flowers they visits. Thus, this study provides important knowledge on the predictability of extinction risk through the study of networks of interactions among groups of species. "Our results can help predict the extinction risk of species, which are mutually dependent on each other, like hummingbirds and their flowers. This has become especially important as climate change and human activity disrupt these delicate partnerships, and cause extinctions of not just birds and plants, but many other species throughout the world," Associate Professor Bo Dalsgaard concludes.
Climate change: can hummingbirds take the heat?


text:
The 2017 Qatar Total Open was a professional women's tennis tournament played on hard courts. It was the 15th edition of the event and part of the WTA Premier series of the 2017 WTA Tour. It took place at the International Tennis and Squash complex in Doha, Qatar between 13 and 18 February 2017.

Points and prize money

Point distribution

Prize money

*per team

Singles main-draw entrants

Seeds

 1 Rankings as of February 6, 2017.

Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:
  Fatma Al-Nabhani
  Çağla Büyükakçay

The following players received entry from the qualifying draw:
  Madison Brengle
  Lauren Davis
  Jelena Janković
  Christina McHale

Withdrawals
Before the tournament
  Johanna Konta → replaced by Irina-Camelia Begu
  Svetlana Kuznetsova → replaced by Laura Siegemund
  Carla Suárez Navarro → replaced by Monica Puig

Retirements
  Timea Bacsinszky
  Yulia Putintseva

Doubles main-draw entrants

Seeds

1 Rankings as of February 6, 2017.

Other entrants
The following pairs received wildcards into the doubles main draw:
  Fatma Al-Nabhani /  Mubaraka Al-Naimi
  Chuang Chia-jung /  Jelena Janković

The following pair received entry as alternates:
  Madison Brengle /  Naomi Broady

Withdrawals
Before the tournament
  Tímea Babos
  Timea Bacsinszky

Champions

Singles

 Karolína Plíšková def.  Caroline Wozniacki, 6–3, 6–4

Doubles

  Abigail Spears /  Katarina Srebotnik def.  Olga Savchuk /  Yaroslava Shvedova, 6–3, 7–6(9–7)

External links
Official Website

Qatar Total Open
Qatar Ladies Open
2017 in Qatari sport
Qatar Total Open

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


· Have the norms and jurisprudence of the African human rights system been pro-poor?
· The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights' order in respect of the situation in Libya: A watershed in the regional protection of human rights?
· The right to economic empowerment of persons with disabilities in Nigeria: How enabled?


text:
Three men face deportation after immigration raid at Leicester factory
The operation was undertaken by immigration enforcement officers this morning
Maia Snow
Two united Kingdom passports on a Union Jack back ground (Image: Getty)
Three Indian men face being deported following a raid by immigration officers at a factory in Leicester today.
The three men, aged 28, 33 and 46, were arrested at around 11am after a raid on the premises of GAL Fashion Ltd, Frisby Road.
Enforcement officers conducted the raid acting on intelligence.
They found that the men had overstayed their visas.
Two other Indian men, aged 42 and 44, who have ongoing immigration cases but currently do not have permission to work in the UK were found.
Police release new photo of missing girl Viktoria Takacs as search continues
They have been instructed to report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are dealt with.
Immigration officials were also supported by officers from Leicestershire Police and HM Revenue and Customs.
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement officers visited GAL Fashion Ltd, Frisby Road, Leicester, on Wednesday 6 February, at about 11am.
"Officers carried out checks to ensure staff had the right to live and work in the UK.
"Three Indian men, aged 28, 33 and 46, were arrested as checks showed they had overstayed their visas. They are detained pending removal from the UK.
"Two further Indian men, aged 42 and 44, who have ongoing immigration cases, but no permission to work in the UK were also encountered. They must report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are dealt with."
The company have also been given a warning following the raid.
The spokeswoman continued: "GAL Fashion Ltd will be served a civil penalty referral notice which warns that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker could be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work. This is a potential total of up to £100,000.
"The operation was supported by officers from Leicestershire Police and HM Revenue and Customs."


Summery: Do I have a child? Julia DeSmit knew she would face the question eventually, but she didn't expect it now. At twenty-four, she is finally content with the way her life has unfolded. A single mother to her son and young brother, she works at the local grocery store while chipping away at a two-year degree. All her free time is spent with her unorthodox family—her boys, her grandmother, and her boyfriend of five years. It's not perfect, but Julia is happier than ever.
I am currently still reading this novel, but since I started it's been hard to put it down. It's quite easy to read, and gets you hooked the first chapter. I'm a very picky reader, and if it doesn't peak my interest within the first couple pages, I would toss it aside. Well, this book I'm still reading!
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a copy of Beneath the Night Tree for review. I did not receive any compensation or incentive nor was I required to write a positive review. Individual results or experiences may vary.


but the official credit is given to someone else as the writer of that text.
due to all these reasons this does not remain a one man's job.
exactly what you want because that is what they do.
be reaching a bigger number of audiences.
as it sounds, you cannot just write anything and expect it to be received well.
yourself in a more efficient and more decent way.
So, these are the top reasons for using ghostwriting as a marketing tool. But before you hire a ghostwriter you must make sure that he/she is not a scam, work with authentic people and you will be producing a lot more profits and your marketing will grow stronger.
Looking to use your story as your own unique competitive advantage and ultimate marketing tool? Consider us here at DreamStarters! We have the drive to get your story captured, written, and turned into an Amazon bestseller in 30 days or less! Don't miss out on your opportunity!


These records have been transcribed through the kind efforts of Dave Hargreave david.hargreave@wmich.edu . Dave has agreed to be a contact for any corrections and suggestions along with yours truly. Please keep in mind, the Haldimand Census and Assessment records are the worst I've ever seen - the one to the left is a good and intact one! How Dave managed to ever get so much information out of them as he has ...... I do not know except through lots of thought and work!
The Census and Assessment Files are being restructured. Below are developing pages that link to pages on this site - each page will have the census files displayed and the capacity to download the file in pdf or Exel Workbook formats.


We have all heard of bamboo, but did you know that this humble plant is actually stronger than steel, or that it was used in one of Thomas Edison's early light bulbs? Bamboo is just big, hollow grass from the tropics with an extensive root system, but don't let that simple definition fool you. Bamboo is an incredibly versatile plant with unique properties and more uses than one could possibly imagine.
A certain type of bamboo actually holds the world record as the fastest growing plant ever. This bamboo was able to grow as fast as 35 inches in a single day! This translates into nearly 1.5 inches per hour. You could literally sit there and see the bamboo growing before your eyes. If that is put into speed, it comes out at 0.00002 miles per hour.
Bamboo is also able to grow very tall, with the tallest ever recorded in the United States of America at 65-98 feet and 130 feet in Europe. Due to how fast bamboo grows, it is considered one of the most renewable plants on earth. As soon as the bamboo is harvested, it just starts growing again, making it an ideal material for all sorts of uses.
Many of us have heard of Thomas Edison, but most of us do not know about his intimate acquaintance with bamboo. Believe it or not, bamboo actually played a role in one of the first light bulbs that Thomas Alva Edison ever made.
Edison and his colleagues discovered that a carbonized bamboo filament in a light bulb could last over 1,200 hours. Up until that time, the other types of filaments did not last as long. Edison originally applied for a patent with light bulbs using a carbon filament made from cotton, linen thread, wood splints, or paper. However, they found that the carbon bamboo filament was the best material, which led to the start of large-scale manufactured light bulbs in the year 1880. The bamboo filament also helped Edison avoid some lawsuits involving the use of carbonized thread as the filament.
When you think of some of the strongest materials on the planet, does bamboo come to mind? If not, it should because bamboo actually has a tensile strength greater than steel.
Tensile strength reflects how hard it is to pull a material apart. Not only is bamboo stronger than steel, but it withstands being smashed better than your average concrete. So, bamboo is one of the strongest materials on earth. Due to these properties, bamboo is now being used to make bicycle frames, because of its light weight and incredible strength. This also makes bamboo an ideal candidate to replace wood for many of its traditional uses in buildings. The ability of bamboo to bend but not break is what gives it this incredible property.
The benefits of this translate to less stinky and cleaner clothes, sheets, diapers, towels, and much more. This means less frequent washing is necessary, another win for the environment. These antibacterial properties are also very attractive for wound dressings, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the bandages.
Now that you are armed with the knowledge that bamboo is super strong and antibacterial, you may think it would make a terrible food, but you would be mistaken.
Bamboo shoots are a common food throughout Asia, and although not high in many nutrients, the shoots have very little fat and calories. Bamboo shoots are also a good source of healthy fiber. The shoots are cut from the plant when it is still in its infancy, and only about 6 inches tall. They add a nice bulk to the food, to make it more filling. Not only do humans eat bamboo, but it is the main food of the much beloved panda. Pandas literally eat nothing but bamboo, and yet they still grow up to over 200 pounds.
Bamboo not only grows faster than any other plant, but it produces more than 35 percent more oxygen than hardwood trees. It has been found that bamboo can absorb up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per 2.5 acres in a single year.
Bamboo can help stabilize the planet's atmosphere, absorb excess carbon dioxide, and help fight global climate change. Bamboo also helps to prevent soil erosion and flooding, due to its extensive, strong root system. This makes bamboo one of the most planet-friendly substances in existence.
Bamboo makes an excellent substitute for traditional wood from trees. It grows much faster and can be harvested anywhere from one to five years after planting.
Trees traditionally used for wood, such as oak, can take decades to be ready for harvest, and deforestation is a major contributor to climate change. Bamboo can drastically cut our need to deforest and help save the environment. Bamboo also has so many varied uses, that the fact it grows so quickly and abundantly makes it an ideal material for manufacturing goods.
Bamboo is one of the most versatile plants on the entire planet. As we have mentioned, bamboo is great as a building material, can be used to make bikes, was once used in light bulbs, and much more. Bamboo is becoming more prevalent in clothing, sheets and homes because of its natural antibacterial and deodorizing qualities.
It has also been used as a musical instrument, kitchenware, food, health and beauty products, art, cars, computer hardware, fishing equipment, weapons, diapers and more. The uses of bamboo are near limitless, due to its many unique and useful properties. Bamboo sheets are also incredibly soft and light, making them an excellent option for bedding materials.
Bamboo is a natural deodorizer, making it a perfect material for textiles. These properties have also started to make bamboo diapers a thing. There are many products on the market today that use bamboo charcoal as the main ingredient to help deodorize noxious smells. A simple Amazon.com search for "bamboo deodorizer" yields many results of bamboo charcoal deodorizers covered in cloth.
This is a great, green alternative to using chemicals, candles, and cleaners to deodorize your home, car or office. The bamboo charcoal actually absorbs and retains the bad odors, as well as moisture, as opposed to traditional deodorizers, which just try to mask the offending odors. These all natural deodorizers also last a lot longer than their conventional counterparts.
In China, some liqueur manufacturers are using bamboo trunks to age their spirits, in place of the traditional oak barrels. The alcohol is injected into the bamboo trunk and then left to mix with the natural juices of the bamboo, including the flavone, from the trunk, and the bamboo sap. The bamboo sap is considered to be a traditional medicine, and has been used to improve lung health and as a general detoxifier.
Bamboo also absorbs some of the alcohol content, which some may view either as a benefit or a defect. Thus, bamboo can help flavor and enhance the health properties of alcoholic beverages.
I am a millennial living in Santa Fe, NM with my wife and our two puppies. I love to write about health, fitness, sustainable living, and travel. I have my own website with my wife, called Millennial Methods, where we cover these topics and more, as well as offer products to live a happy, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle. Connect with us on Facebook and at Millennialmethods.com.


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Lavinia Liang writes on subjects including (but not limited to): migration, education policy, land usage, race & representation, gender equality, and Chinese culture & society. She also writes fiction.
Her work has appeared in TIME, The Atlantic, Roads & Kingdoms, The South China Morning Post, PAPER Magazine, and elsewhere.
She is a graduate of Princeton University.
FEATURES & REPORTING
The Uncertain Future of a Migrant School in Beijing
CityLab (The Atlantic) | June 24, 2019
The school struggles each year to find enough qualified teachers, and the difficulty of living in Beijing without a hukou means that just like many migrants, the teachers may have to leave the city and return to their home provinces.
Looking for Love (Again) in Beijing
Roads & Kingdoms | March 27, 2019
In Beijing, a public park—hidden in plain view near the Forbidden City—is a prominent hub for seniors seeking new life partners. I met and talked with three of the park's seekers.
Illustrations by Pin Chen.
In Beijing, Two Parks Where the Old and Single Look to Mingle
SupChina | June 13, 2019
It's unclear when these two public parks became hotspots for the elderly and middle-aged in Beijing seeking their "second spring."
Subtle Asian Traits is Rallying Asian Youth Around the World
SupChina | March 29, 2019
The variety of memes mentioning boba addictions are endless. And then there are the ones that really hit home.
Illustration by Anna Vignet.
Can You Really Find Love on 'Subtle Asian Dating?'
Goldthread (South China Morning Post) | March 13, 2019
An exclusive Facebook group for lovelorn Asians around the world has become the population's answer to Tinder.
A History of the Supreme Court
TIME Special Edition (print) | October 13, 2017
A complete history, in thumbnails. For TIME Thurgood Marshall: The Visionary.
Replicas of Mark Zuckerberg's T-Shirt
FORTUNE | August 4, 2017
Zuckerberg's shirts are not just any plain gray t-shirts. But a 26-year-old Austrian fashion entrepreneur is looking to change that.
Look Inside Disney's New Star Wars Land
TIME.com | July 14, 2017
Disney Parks has been busy constructing two Star Wars-inspired lands for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.
The Dark Implications of Facial Swap Filter Technology
PAPER Mag | June 11, 2019
If airport facial recognition technology makes us nervous, or if AI-assisted porn makes us question our standards of consent, why don't our mobile social media apps, which we open and close so easily?
I Was a Horse Girl, But I Never Saw Myself Reflected in the Books I Read and Loved
Bustle | May 2, 2019
Books were the only things that made them real to me, a Chinese American kid growing up in suburban Portland. Horses belonged to a different kind of people.
Little Fish
Nassau Weekly | October 2, 2016
We were back mostly because of Yeye—because Yeye was forgetting things and faces. Every morning our two uncles took the old man on a walk by the artificial river which runs across the entrance of my grandparents' hutong.
Photo: Thomas Struth, Market with Stupa, 1996.
How the 'Always Be My Maybe' Parents Quietly Revolutionize Asian American Representation
Bustle | June 5, 2019
I'm excited for movies that will move beyond sacrificial Asian parents to incorporate and revolve around real Asian people.
The Sensitive Folk-Pop of Li Jian
SupChina | February 8, 2019
With European instrumentals, Chinese lyrics, and content that's geographically Russian in nature, the song could have ended up hodgepodge, but with Li's simple, earthy and uncontrived tenor, the result is haunting.
10 Short Works in Translation
Words Without Borders | August 29, 2016
Ten short works of fiction (all under 150 pages) by authors from all over the world to round out your summer reading.


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August 11….2016 Summer Showcase Series - The Buddy Holly Center is gearing up for another summer of music and fun with the 2016 Summer Showcase Concert Series. This week, Wade Parks plays Americana and Folk. Summer Showcase 2016 is free to the public. There will be a cash bar, food and beverages available for purchase. Please, no outside beverages are allowed. Performances are every Thursday evening from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the Meadows Courtyard, 1810 Crickets Avenue.
August 12….Songwriters: Ryan Todd Garza and Caleb Jude Green - Join us as we spotlight these refreshingly creative singer-songwriters as they share their musical journey and the stories behind their songs. Individually and collaboratively, these two storytellers shine a light on the creative process that goes into crafting lyrics, melody and rhythm. You'll thoroughly enjoy the musical spirit that these two artists embody in their work - and the genuine, free-flowing camaraderie they share onstage. Reserved seating only $10 for floor seating; special $8 balcony seats (excluding box seats) for this special night of song. Please contact the box office at 806-762-3233 or visit http://cactustheater.com/ to purchase tickets. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Avenue; 7:30 p.m.
August 12, 13 (Repeats August 19, 20)…. Moonlight Musicals Presents: "Carousel" - For the finale of Lubbock Moonlight Musicals 11th summer season, the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel, will be presented in the beautiful Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre. Carousel was the second musical penned by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, with their first being Oklahoma! in 1943. Carousel opened on Broadway on April 19, 1945, with an initial run of 890 performances. Featuring such well-known tunes as "If I Loved You", "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and "You'll Never Walk Alone", Carousel is a musical masterpiece with a timeless message of love, hope, and forgiveness. Join Lubbock Moonlight Musicals this August for a Carousel-ride you will never forget. Picnics and coolers welcome! For tickets visit Select-A-Seat at http://www.ticketsage.com/ or call (806) 770-2000. Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre, 413 East Broadway; Gates open at 7 p.m., and the performance begins at 8 p.m.
August 13….8th Annual Vamos a Pescar - Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen and water bottles and join us at this annual family fishing event. This is a ree event for all ages. Pre-register online: letsgofishinglubbock.com or register on site the day of the event. For more information call 792-1212. Buddy Holly Recreation Area, Off of North University on Cesar Chavez Dr.
August 13….Lubbock Downtown Farmer's Market - Held each Saturday, June through October, this unique gathering of area producers, specialty food and beverage providers and select artisans specializing in homegrown or homemade. Held in the Depot District area, this weekly event has become a highlight of the summer months and offers something for everyone. Support your local growers and be part of the "locally produced" movement. Be there at 9 a.m. – produce is available until vendors sell out! Tornado Gallery,1822 Buddy Holly Avenue; 9 a.m.
August 13….The KING Summer Fling at Buffalo Springs Lake - There will be events for the entire family to participate in to win cash prizes – including a Hole-in-One contest, Sandcastle Building contest, Hot Dog Eating contest, Fishing Tournament and Water Toy Races! There is $2500 in prize money – and you could win your share! Contesting begins at 9 a.m. Live music will start at the gazeebo at Mad Mike's Marina at 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mystery Stain will perform on the Meadow stage from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The awards presentation will happen at 8 p.m. on the Meadow Stage.The Ducks (aka Whips-n-Kisses) will start the after-party concert at the Meadow Stage at 9 p.m. and rock it out until 11 p.m.! Some contests have limited amount of spaces available so please make sure to pre-register on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Lakeside Grocery Store between 6pm – 8pm. Your pre-registration form will gain the contestant free entry into the gate at Buffalo Springs Lake onSaturday, August 13, 2016 until midnight.Free gate entry will be for the contestant only, friends and family of the contestant will be required to pay the regular Buffalo Springs Lake gate fee. When pre-registering for the contest(s) you would like to participate in – you will be given rules for the contest and have the opportunity to ask the event organizers any questions. You are allowed to pre-register for multiple contests. For more information visit http://buffalospringslake.net/. Buffalo Springs Lake, 9999 High Meadow Rd; 9 a.m.
August 13….The Roundtable presents: Denise Thetford, Buckner Foundation "Protect Children, Strengthen Families, It's What We Do in Lubbock - Since 1958!"- Our luncheons are held at Hillcrest Country Club 4011 N Boston Ave, Lubbock. North on University past State Living Facility to Newcomb, left for about 4 blocks and you will come to the entrance of the Hillcrest Country Club at Boston and Newcomb. Meeting Format: People arrive about 11 a.m. to start registering, pay for lunch and some socializing. Food service starts at 11:15 followed by introductions and announcements at 11:30.The speaker will start about 11:50 and be finished with the program and questions from the audience by 1 p.m.The public is invited. Lunch/attendance is fifteen dollars ($15) per person. Limited menu includes beverage and dessert. There are no membership fees or dues associated with attending the functions. Any extra monies that you would like to contribute will go towards the speakers lunch and towards our Honors College Scholarship fund at Tech. Our Saturday luncheons are a great way to (1) learn more about current global/US/Texas/Lubbock issues and events, (2) meet other people in area who may become lifetime friends (3) feel more at home in Lubbock. Most wear business or business-casual attire. No RSVP is necessary. Show up whenever your schedule allows, feel free to bring a guest(s) and email this invitation to anyone you think might be interested. For more information email Marie Evans at this address: mevans1398@aol.com.
August 13….The Life and Art of Henri Matisse with Christian Conrad - Saturday Lectures at LHUCA is an informal conversation over the life and work of contemporary artists. It's a stress-free opportunity to examine the art and ideas that underlie much of the modern art world. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and join the conversation. This event is free to the public. For more info visit www.lhuca.org. LHUCA, 511 Ave K; 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
August 13….A Tribute to Garth / Keith Whitley / Reba / Alabama - Garth Brooks became the biggest-selling recording artist in the history of country music with smash hits like "Friends In Low Places" and "The Dance". Keith Whitley began his career in bluegrass in the early '70s....moving steadily into hardcore country in the 1980s and bursting onto the national scene with the hits "Miami My Amy", "When You Say Nothing At All" and "Don't Close Your Eyes". Reba McEntire - the redhead vocal powerhouse who morphed into the superstar who only needs ONE name - dominated the female awards category for nearly three decades. Reba crossed over from country music to the pop charts; the silver screen; the stages of Broadway; and, of course, television. Alabama - the most successful group in the history of the country genre - scored an astounding 41 chart-topping hits from the late 1970s into the new millennium. Join the Stars of the Cactus as they deliver this timeless tribute to four of country's greatest all-time hit-makers. Reserved floor seats for this night of country classics are only $20; standard balcony seats are only $15....so get your tickets today! Please contact the box office at 806-762-3233 or visit http://cactustheater.com/ to purchase tickets. Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Avenue; 7:30 p.m.
August 13….Hot August Nights Concert Series – Come out and enjoy Doodling Hogwollops and Sugarwitch. Due to a 90% chance of rain on Saturday the Doodlin' Hogwallops/Sugarwitch show has been moved to THE SHACK 2309 N. Frankford Ave in Lubbock. Doors will remain at 9 p.m. Cover changed to $8. No meal but bar open for business.
August 14….11th Annual K-9 SplashFest - "CALLING ALL DOGS!" What could be more fun than a splash party for your dogs! Join Parks and Recreation for their 11th Annual K-9 SplashFest! Dogs must have proof of current vaccinations or 2016 tags and be on a leash. Aggressive dogs and females in season will not be admitted. Cost is $2.50 for adults, $2 youth 17 and under, and dogs get in free! Contests include the Swimsuit (costume) Competition, Retrieving, 25-Yard Swim Race and Diving. For more information, call (806) 775-2670! Clapp Pool, 46th and Avenue U; 1 - 5 p.m.
Last Week's Trivia Winner(s)....
The Question: The most popular and widely-known version of "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" was recorded by Johnny Cash in the late 1970s. Can you name the lesser-known Southern Rock band that recorded an earlier version of that classic song?
Answer: The Outlaws
Winners: Brenda M. and Rusty P. from Lubbock
August 19….1969: Woodstock Revisited
August 19-20….C.A.T.S. Playhouse Presents" Winnie the Pooh"
August 20….Back 2 School Kick Off
August 20….The Legendary Gene Watson in Concert
August 26…Soft Side of the '70s: Unforgettable Pop-Rock Classics
August 26….Gallagher Smash
August 26 - 28….Hub City Comic Con
August 27….Ninth Annual West Texas Warbirds Event
August 27….The Roundtable presents: Dr. Berhl Robertson
August 27….Hub City On Tap
August 27….Summer of '16 Beach Party: All-Time Greatest Hits


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VoIP-Pal's Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Amazon Remains in the Western District of Texas
VoIP-Pal Receives Favorable Claim Construction Ruling in its Patent Infringement Case Against Samsung
The PTAB Denies Institution of All Four IPR Petitions filed by Amazon and T-Mobile; To Date VoIP-Pal.com Has Successfully Defeated 20 IPR Challenges Against 8 of its Patents by Amazon, T-Mobile, Google, Apple, AT&T and Unified Patents
The PTAB Denies Institution of All Four IPR Petitions by Google; To Date VoIP-Pal.com Has Successfully Defeated 16 IPR Challenges Against 8 of its Patents by Google, Apple, AT&T and Unified Patents
Voip-Pal.com Inc. Announces Termination Without Prejudice of all Alice 101 Motions in the Northern District of California
Current Applications
Patents Detail
Recent Filings
CONNECTING THE WORLD
Voip-Pal.com Inc. ("Voip-Pal," or the "Company") is a global leader in cost-efficient technology that enables high-volume text, voice and digital multi-media communications. We open locked doors across many social and enterprise applications, allowing all "callers" to message each other, regardless of platform. We simply bring people together through the internet, WiFi, and phone networks. Our mission is simple: to Connect the World.
The biggest names in technology utilize Telco pioneer Voip-Pal's patent portfolio. All of these companies seek to grow their businesses by offering increasingly integrated Internet communications services, including simple-to-use telecom and mobile payments. Only Voip-Pal can make this possible.
Voip-Pal's suite of patents offers a major change in the way communication traffic is managed across the Internet and telephone networks. Voip-Pal's intellectual property covers the classification and routing of all voice, messaging and data traffic across telephone networks and the Internet. Voip-Pal creates virtual bridges that span global communications.
• Reduce capital requirements for network platforms
• Allow major network functionality to live in the Cloud, facilitating lowest cost transmission
• Let users go between different types of wireless networks while they're on a call
• Help Operators maintain "call" financial relationships as traffic is delivered to other networks – and to monetize data traffic across networks
ONE NUMBER, ONE WORLD
Today, "callers" connect via private-to-private messages with people who downloaded the same walled-off app such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Twitter and others. A maze of nodes, networks and proprietary software create major challenges for consumers who just want a simple way to reach others around the world.
Tomorrow, "callers" will connect using their single phone number – messaging any user, anywhere, on any network and any social messaging app – across phone networks, Wi-Fi and the Internet – all enabled by the technology integration capabilities provided by Voip-Pal.
All statements contained in this website, other than those identifying historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Safe Harbor provisions as contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relating to the Company's future expectations, including but not limited to revenues and earnings, technology efficacy, strategies and plans, are subject to safe harbors protection. Actual Company results and performance may be materially different from any future results, performance, strategies, plans, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
© 2021 VOIP-PAL.COM. All Rights Reserved.


Adam Bringedahl (Detroit Lions), Brian Slattery (Green Bay Packers), Davey Randa (Minnesota Vikings) and I review hot topics currently affecting the NFC North and the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft in this most recent edition of the Next Fan Up podcast. We worked hard on this and I think it came out reasonably light and funny. Give it a listen and don't miss the two previous podcasts where all 32 representatives participated in a mock draft in preparation for the upcoming real thing tomorrow. Also available on iTunes and Stitcher.
This entry was posted in Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings. Bookmark the permalink.


New product: Ayran "Big Panda"
Ayran is a specific Turkish drink not missing from the tables of the Sultans who led Constantinople. A very popular delicacy in Asia, the Middle East or the Balkan Peninsula. We have respected the traditional recipe appreciated around the world, preserving fresh flavor and strong flavor, salt giving it an appealing and appetizing taste. Ayran is a perfect choice for a healthy breakfast or for a snack between meals.


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DEI-Grant2022-01-05T09:45:23-06:00
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Travel and Registration Grant
Applications for the AASM's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Travel and Registration Grant for the SLEEP Meeting will open on January 4, 2022.
The primary purpose of the grant is to provide AASM members whose demographic characteristics are underrepresented within the AASM's volunteer and leadership population an opportunity to become more engaged so one day they are no longer underrepresented. The grant will cover Free SLEEP registration and a $1,500 stipend for up to 5 recipients (when SLEEP is held as an in-person meeting)
Eligible underrepresented groups are defined by the AASM using demographic data from the July 2021 DEI report as follows:
Members who are Hispanic/Latin, Black/African American, Native American/Alaskan, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and those within Other/Mixed demographic category whose overall members are small and in total are only 5% of the AASM leadership population.
Member of Small Group Practice and Solo Practice (Owner) who in total represent 31% of members who reported their practice setting and are only 7% of volunteers and 10% of leaders. Includes Clinical providers or Technicians with small group or solo practice.
Individuals who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group but are not included above are eligible to apply. This could apply to categories where the AASM does not have enough data to measure representation such as sexual orientation and gender identity, or certain medical specialties such as Pediatrics and Anesthesiology.
To be eligible, applicants must be:
Active AASM Member through December 31, 2022
A member category listed as a Full member who is less than five years out of training; or a Team member who has been in the field for less than five years, or, Who is also part of an underrepresented group as defined above and,
Must not have previously received this grant with a one-time exception for those who were awarded it in 2021 for Virtual SLEEP
*Economic hardship is not a requirement to receive the grant. Preference will be given to first-time applicants who meet the above qualifications.
Online application form with personal statement questions
Curriculum vitae (CV), bio-sketch or resume
Applications for the 2022 grant are due 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 18, 2022.
DEI-Grant