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While humans typically speak at a rate of four syllables per second when conversing with each other, dogs can only produce about two vocalizations per second. The EEG results also revealed that dogs’ brains are more attuned to slower speech rhythms.
This may explain why people naturally slow their speech to about three syllables per second when talking to dogs.
The researchers suggest that this slower, more rhythmic “dog voice” aligns better with the way a dog’s brain processes sound, leading to improved understanding.
Interestingly, the study indicates that dogs don’t process syllables the same way humans do. Instead, they seem to focus on differences at the word level.
To examine which elements of “dog voice” aid comprehension, the researchers tested commands with and without clear words or original intonation (variations in pitch and intensity). Their findings show that both the words and intonation are crucial for dogs to grasp the commands.
So, there you have it—a scientific explanation for why slowing down and using a singsong voice can make it easier for your dog to understand you.
AN iconic high street brand with more than 1,000 UK locations is set to shut a popular branch in a major blow to a town’s trade.
Argos will be closing its large store in Plymouth city centre this month, delivering another hit to the already struggling high street.
The standalone store in the former Derrys building on Royal Parade will close on the evening of October 17.
But a new Argos “store-in-store” will open the next day inside the nearby Sainsbury’s superstore at the Armada Centre.
Sainsbury’s, which acquired Argos in a £1.4 billion deal in 2016, has not yet commented on possible job losses, but reports suggest that up to 30 staff could face redundancy as part of the closure.
This is part of a broader trend, with Sainsbury’s gradually shutting standalone Argos outlets and relocating them inside its supermarkets.
Plymouth previously saw its New George Street Argos store close in 2016, with the Marsh Mills Sainsbury’s superstore hosting a replacement outlet.
With Argos sales falling, Sainsbury’s also discontinued Argos’ iconic printed catalogue in 2020 and has committed to closing 420 standalone stores by March 2024.
Since March 2023, 72 outlets have already shut, with 213 remaining.
Despite lower consumer demand for electronics and games, Sainsbury’s continues to expand its “store-in-store” Argos model, planning to close an additional 20 standalone stores this financial year while opening around 10 new in-supermarket branches.
Plymouth will retain another Argos store at Transit Way.
Argos, founded in 1972, became a high street staple with its catalogue-based model, and today operates around 1,230 outlets across the UK, including those inside Sainsbury’s.
While sales grew 1.7% to £4.23 billion in the year to March 2024, pre-tax profits dropped 15.3% to £277 million.
Argos has closed dozens of stores over the last two years.
The high street retailer has already closed 42 UK shops, including all 34 of its branches in the Republic of Ireland last June.
In July, Sainsbury’s issued a major update on plans to close more Argos stores.
Burgess was asked about Hull KR’s controversial try that saw them reach the play-off semi-final.
FT Crossword: Number 17,860
CHRISTMAS is on the horizon, but the run-up to the festive season does not have to damage your finances.
The key to frugal festivities is organisation, pouncing on the best deals and not impulse-buying, according to experts.
Dani Whitehead, of the credit-building firm Loqbox, said: “Vendors know they can take advantage of high demand and last-minute shoppers. Do shopping early and avoid higher prices and queues.”
Harriet Cooke looks at key sales dates and other tips to spread the cost.
FOR chocolates and sweets, look for the supermarket loyalty scheme deals or multi-buy offers starting this month.
At the moment, Morrisons is selling two tubs of famous-name chocolates for £8.
Sarah-Jane Outten, of My VoucherCodes, said: “Many of the deals come to an end as soon as December kicks in.”
IT is not too early to draw up a list of potential gifts for loved ones, so you can monitor prices and get the best deals.
Shopping comparison site idealo.co.uk allows you to set up email alerts if your chosen items fall to a certain price.
There is a handy graph to show you the item’s lowest cost all year, giving you a target.
Only buy from reputable sites that you have heard of and trust, and never buy at full price.
FOR early gift-hunters, Amazon is holding a day of discounts and deals for Prime members, with brands including LG, Sony, Bose and Tefal.
A similar Prime Day in July saw a Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo bundle previously costing £145 reduced to £60.
Check the product’s price history on camelcamel.com to see how good the deal is.
PLAN your Christmas food delivery. Supermarkets typically open up their Christmas delivery slots in October and November, with
Sainsbury’s opening its bookings around mid-October and Tesco in early November. Bookings at Ocado, Asda and Morrisons are already open.
ON the hunt for kids’ presents? Check out supermarket toy sales. Sainsbury’s and Smyths are expected to be around mid-October, with discounted Lego, Barbie, Nerf, Hot Wheels, and Playmobil gifts up for grabs.
CHECK out the “Fragrance Star Gift” deals at Boots, with discounts on brands such as Boss, Jimmy Choo and Rabanne. Choo perfume, for example, is £33, down from £55, and CK One was £74, now £34.
It ends on October 22, but Boots will have discounts on health and beauty products all the way through November.
Never buy perfume or aftershave at full price and research its previous highest and lowest prices.
IF you are buying an advent calendar, particularly a pricey one containing toys, fragrance, books or booze, search online for discounts to avoid buying them at a premium on November 30.
For example, this week on Amazon you could get a Disney Princess advent calendar for £8, with an RRP of £21.99.
BLACK Friday is not officially until the end of the month, but the sales typically kick off weeks before.
Liz Hunter, of MoneyExpert.com, said: Black Friday’s reputation as the cheapest time for Christmas shopping is often overstated.
“In fact, a study by Which? found that just one in 50 Black Friday deals are at their cheapest price on the day of the sales extravaganza.
“So if you spot a good deal before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, grab it while you can.”
ANY Disney fans in the family? Check out the Disney Store website to get a code for 25 per cent off toys, such as this Mickey Mouse soft toy.
FOR sports-related presents, Adidas normally has 50 per cent off selected items around this time.
Later in the month, Nike has 25 per cent off for spending £50 or more.
MID to late November is a good time for getting in the festive booze, with supermarkets typically offering 1-litre bottles of Baileys for £10.
Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda usually offer 25 per cent off six or more bottles of wine, sparkling wine or prosecco around now.
GET an array of discounts on designer and high street clothing brands online.
The last week of November has previously seen French Connection doing 30 per cent off, Asos 80 per cent, Disney Store 30 per cent, Ralph Lauren 30 per cent, Urban Outfitters 50 per cent, Gap 20 per cent and Selfridges 20 per cent.
Some shops discount everything, but with others it is only selected items.
WITH one month to go, check your wrapping paper supplies before buying any more.
Amy Knight, of NerdWallet, said: “Reusing last year’s giftwrap leaves more money in the pot to buy the actual presents.”
IT’S Black Friday – the year’s biggest shopping day, with deals of up to 80 per cent off.
Cyber Monday offers another round of online discounts. If you are looking for tech for Christmas, such as a Fitbit or iPad, it is a good time to look, especially if you are prepared to buy an older model rather than the latest.
GET a letter from Santa by sending one to the big man himself at Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.
Include your full name and address and don’t forget to put a stamp on it.
MARKS & Spencer is likely to start its “12 Days of M&S” online daily deals, with discounts and freebies for members of its loyalty scheme.
Last year’s complimentary handouts included a box of chocs and an Apothecary reed diffuser, each worth £6, and Percy Pigs, which usually cost £2.
STARTING from the first Saturday of December and lasting for two weeks, American Express cardholders can normally get £5 cashback for a minimum spend of £15 or more at selected local businesses, normally including clothes shops and hairdressers, after registering their Amex card with the Shop Small website.
It is a great way to cut costs and helps your community.
THE last days for online Christmas orders are normally between December 16 and 20, depending on the retailer.
But do not leave it until then. In recent years, large delivery companies have struggled to clear the backlog of parcels before Christmas Day, so get orders in by early December.
SMYTHS Toys was running a three-for-two sale on board games about this time last year, so keep an eye out for another promotion.
MID-December and onwards presents the best opportunity for getting some bargain Christmas decorations. John Lewis, for example, normally does half-price on selected ones around now.
M&S tends to discount from early December.
DASH to the post box! It is the last day for sending Christmas cards by Second Class post, which costs 85p per stamp.
Send by this date or earlier, or you will need to pay for a First Class stamp, which rises to £1.65 on Monday, for which the last date to post in time for Christmas is December 20.
Don’t buy any Christmas dinner veg until supermarkets start slashing prices to 19p per kilo. This normally happens around now.
Oct. 4—Joseph and Courtney Hinkle were trying to bring some attention to their smoke shop, Wanna Smoke, 405 S. Main St., by painting the exterior with an eye-catching blue-and-yellow color scheme.
It has worked. They have seen an increase in foot traffic into their store, which is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
“We have been here for six months. Business is up. It has brought attention to this place, which has been empty for 20 years,” Courtney Hinkle said, noting that she and her husband have put everything into their store, which is nearly overflowing with merchandise.
“We are in this 100%,” she said.
But the new paint scheme has also caught the eye of the historic preservation commission that monitors the Sunshine Lamp District, which is Main Street from First to Eighth streets. The colors do not conform with the district’s design review guidelines, which are spelled out in a 42-page document that can be accessed online. The Hinkles have been notified of this. They also have been told that they cannot hang a banner on the front of their building or add additional lighting to the front of the store.
Hinkle said she was told that the city has had 200 calls about the new paint scheme and that those calls have been complaints.
“We did not see any rules that said we could not repaint the front of this store,” she said. “It’s just another reason why it’s easier to do business on Range Line than on Main Street.”
The need for paint was prompted by a fire. Someone left a lit cigarette at the entrance, which is made of wood. The fire-damaged wood was replaced by the Hinkles.
“We had to paint it after we repaired the damage,” she said.
Hinkle said she is uncertain about what might happen next and is aware that they could be taken to court.
The Hinkles are not alone in their struggles with the district’s guidelines, which have, for the most part, preserved the historic character of the district with appropriate color schemes, window and door designs, and period-appropriate signage. The downtown looks much the way it does thanks to these guidelines.
Priscilla McKinney, owner of Little Bird Marketing, decided she wanted to install a neonlike sign on her new office on the second floor of a building at 512 S. Main St. The new sign, positioned on the second floor over the first-floor entrance, shows a pink nest for the marketing agency. It’s added a touch of color to what is otherwise a monotone streetscape at night.
“I designed it to be mindful of the history of Joplin. I wanted it to fit downtown,” she said.
The city gave its initial approval based on the address of the agency’s former office at 10th and Main streets. The sign was actually intended for 512 S. Main St., where it would not be permitted by the guidelines. With the city’s approval in hand, the sign went up. McKinney would learn in short order that the sign was not appropriate and would have to be taken down. She appealed.
“It has been approved by the city. There is not a ban on neon,” she said.
These are two examples of how the guidelines are impacting businesses in the Sunshine Lamp District. These are not the only examples.
Work begins
The demolition work to transform a former youth ministry into a new campus for Crowder College has begun.
The Victory Ministry and Sports Complex, 3405 Hammons Blvd., formerly known as The Bridge, is being transformed by R.E. Smith Construction into classrooms for a new branch of the Crowder College system. The college will relocate its existing job training program from a leased building in downtown Joplin to the new branch.
Cindy Brown, spokeswoman for Crowder, said the new branch could open a year from now with an enrollment of more than 100 students. The 67,000-square-foot structure sits on 40 acres. The structure’s size creates the potential for Crowder to add programs.
Contact Wally Kennedy at wkennedy@joplinglobe.com.
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