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Technology: Electronics

Kyocera and FLEx Lighting Launch New Low Power Reflective LCD Displays

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PLYMOUTH, Mich. and CHICAGO (PRWEB)

Kyocera International, Inc. and FLEx Lighting today announced a new line of high-performance, extremely low power, reflective liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) illuminated using FLEx’s front light panels. These LCDs incorporate Kyocera’s Memory-In-Pixel and reflective display technologies combined with FLEx’s front lighting technology to significantly reduce power consumption compared to traditional LCD and OLED displays. The initial product lineup includes 1.03”, 1.81” and 2.16” displays, and offer excellent options for battery powered applications including low powered industrial devices, wearable medical devices, Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, and wearable consumer devices.

Reflective LCDs with MIP act similar to an e-reader (e.g., Kindle) offering an extended battery life, clear visibility in bright sunlight, and high contrast while consuming a minimal amount of power to hold the content on the display. This new LCD technology achieves low power consumption by incorporating a randomly accessed stored bit in each pixel cell structure, enabling the product designer to address and refresh pixels individually. In addition, FLEx’s low power front light panel only uses one LED and delivers light off the highly reflective display when needed, maintaining low power consumption in dim ambient environments.

Kyocera and FLEx are teaming up to promote this solution to the market. “These new reflective MIP displays continue Kyocera’s tradition of offering high quality displays meant for robust industrial, medical and consumer applications,” said Jim Little, General Manager, Kyocera Display Division. “We are excited to partner with FLEx to incorporate their industry leading lighting technology for customers that require visibility in all lighting conditions.”

This relationship will enable Kyocera and FLEx to promote lit versions of Kyocera’s display which can be seen both in the dark and in bright sunlight. “We are thrilled to partner with Kyocera for these applications. The combination of their highly reflective LCD with FLEx’s low power front light offers an excellent energy efficient option for the display industry,” said Mike Casper, CEO of FLEx Lighting. “We look forward to expanding these low power display options for tomorrow’s electronic devices.”

Kyocera and FLEx will be showcasing these new displays at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA from January 7-10, 2020. Contact Yulia Trevor (ytrevor@flexlighting.com) or Jim Little (Jim.Little@kyocera.com) to schedule an appointment.

About Kyocera

Kyocera International, Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation, a diversified technology enterprise that started manufacturing LCD products (under the Optrex brand) in 1976. The company’s U.S. LCD assembly, warehousing and distribution are based in Plymouth, Michigan, with LCD sales offices in Michigan, California, Georgia and Washington State.

Kyocera Corporation (http://www.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of LCDs, industrial ceramics, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools, solar power generating systems, printers, copiers and mobile phones.

About FLEx Lighting

FLEx’s frontlit technology is changing the way we look at our devices. Founded in 2004, FLEx’s technologies have created the world’s thinnest lighting system, which are powering next generation reflective displays and other lighting applications. These products provide critical lighting solutions for the rapidly expanding category of Reflective LCDs to enhance and augment the rising tide of mobile, wearable, and flexible devices of the future. With 19 sales offices across North America and Asia, manufacturing capabilities in the US and Asia, and over 37 granted patents worldwide, FLEx can help device manufacturers extend battery life and deliver their products in the best light. For more information, visit http://www.flexlighting.com.

Contact: Mike Casper

Phone: 773-295-0305

Email: mcasper@flexlighting.com

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health and fitness

District Taco Introduces Beyond Meat Vegan Menu Item Itza

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WASHINGTON (PRWEB)

District Taco, a popular fast-casual Mexican restaurant based in the Washington D.C. Metro and Greater Philadelphia areas, has introduced their newest menu item, Itza – Beyond Carne. The plant-based vegan protein made with Beyond Meat will be available at all District Taco locations starting January 1, 2020.

The restaurant chain is committed to being a delicious, accommodating dining option for all customers. The current menu offers many options for those with specific dietary needs and the company is thrilled to be adding a new vegan protein to their repertoire.

“It brings us great joy to expand our menu with more healthy offerings for those looking to decrease meat consumption,” says Osiris Hoil, District Taco CEO and Co-Founder. “We want to make sure to have an innovative, delicious menu that appeals to all customers, regardless of dietary preferences or restrictions.”

By leveraging Beyond Meat, District Taco was able to create a vegan option that looks and tastes great and also satisfies those that are seeking an option that is similar to ground beef. Itza has 14 grams of protein per serving, beating out many current meat-based menu items. Itza is soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. This Beyond Meat formula is made from a base of pea-protein, and is cooked with fresh vegetables and spices for a flavor unique to District Taco.

“For over a decade since we founded District Taco, my family and I have been trying to reduce our personal consumption of meat for health and environmental reasons. Our new Itza recipe not only satisfies that craving for ground beef in a taco or burrito, it nails it,” adds Marc Wallace, District Taco’s Co-Founder, “I’m confident that vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike will love Itza.”

Diners can find full nutritional and ingredient information on the District Taco website, along with an interactive nutrition calculator for those interested in viewing the details of their customized meals.

“District Taco is proud to be a restaurant chain that caters to absolutely everyone,” Hoil says. “Our goal is to have fresh, healthy options for anyone craving an authentic Mexican meal.”

About District Taco

In 2009, two neighbors, Osiris Hoil and Marc Wallace, got together over some homemade chips, salsa and guacamole and decided to launch District Taco as a food cart. Since then, District Taco has since grown to fourteen locations and employs over 400 people in and around the Washington D.C. Metro and Greater Philadelphia area.

Our mission is to serve quality Mexican (Yucatán style!) food that is fresh, simple and healthy. All of our food is made fresh daily from the highest quality ingredients. We strive to limit our impact on the environment by serving in environmentally-friendly packaging when possible.

For more information on District Taco, our menu, catering options, and to download our app, visit http://www.districttaco.com or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Industry: Healthcare

Monitor Mondays Marks 10th Anniversary of Inaugural Broadcast

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Monitor Mondays Live Podcast Logo

Monitor Mondays has become an indispensable source of information for healthcare providers of many different types


ST. PAUL, Minn. (PRWEB)

Monitor Mondays, the weekly live podcast produced by RACmonitor.com, is marking the 10th anniversary of its inaugural edition with an extended hour-long live podcast, it’s first of the new calendar year, at 9 a.m. CST on Monday, January 13.

“RACmonitor was launched in 2008 because, at that time, the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program was gaining traction. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had recently concluded a demonstration (pilot) of the RAC concept with four states, and the consensus was that CMS would move forward, and so we wanted to alert hospitals to this new development,” RACmonitor.com Publisher and Monitor Mondays Program Host and Executive Producer Chuck Buck recalled. “The federal auditing that began at that point has only intensified ever since, and Monitor Mondays quickly became a landmark, go-to feature that helps us keep readers and listeners informed.”

Nearly 12,400 professionals from across the U.S. healthcare system subscribe and listen in to Monitor Mondays each week – more than two listeners for each of the estimated 5,500-6,000 hospitals currently operating nationwide. Of those listeners, as many as 1,000 tend to tune in live each Monday morning, and far more take in the recorded podcast, which from 2018 into 2019 boasted more than 250,000 replays across the various streaming platforms that now offer it – including Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, and Stitcher.

“As a new decade begins, it will be more important than ever for compliance practitioners to stay informed and engaged. The interest in healthcare coordination and accountability to secure value-based, positive health outcomes will only accelerate in the future, with the introduction of new technological tools and additional scientific discoveries. Compliance officials will play a critical role in ensuring that their providers maintain sound compliance practices as new delivery and payment designs are implemented to meet these new expectations,” said former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General Daniel Levinson, who resigned last year after serving 15 years in that capacity. “As the compliance mission becomes more central to enterprise success, having the right information-gathering and networking opportunities are critical. Through its weekly broadcasts, RACmonitor provides a highly efficient and timely service, precisely to meet these ever-growing needs.”

Levinson was one of 10 healthcare industry experts to record testimonials about the 10th anniversary of Monitor Mondays’ launch – some of which will be shared during the special hour-long live podcast.

“Monitor Mondays has become an indispensable source of information for healthcare providers of many different types,” said William A. Dombi, Esq., President of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. “I’m privileged to be part of the Monitor Mondays team, and really look forward to another 10 years of great, timely information that covers the topics that are so essential to making healthcare as significant a part of society as it is.”

Monitor Mondays has been recognized for excellence in reporting by numerous individuals and organizations over the years, most recently when ExamWorks listed it among its “50 Best Podcasts for Claims Adjusters” in June 2019.

Looking to the future, Buck pledged that professionals from every corner of the healthcare industry will be able to continue to rely on the website and the podcasts to stay at the vanguard of every relevant change that comes along – which, if the last few years are any indication, are sure to be many.

“RACmonitor and Monitor Mondays will continue to be the single most important source of regulatory and audit news and information,” Buck said. “Both entities will continue to focus on the interaction of the federal government with healthcare providers – provider settings in acute care, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), and rural health, as well as behavioral health, including the social determinants of health.”

To to listen to Monitor Mondays and register to listen live every monday, visit https://www.racmonitor.com/monitor-mondays-podcasts or search for Monitor Mondays on any of the aforementioned podcast streaming services.

RACmonitor, a division of MedLearn Media, Inc., is an online news and information source produced to help healthcare providers make informed decisions for their organizations on the activities of third-party contract auditors, such as the Recovery Audit Contractors and governmental auditors such as those with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). RACmonitor offerings for subscribers include:


  • Weekly eNewsletters covering hot topics on regulatory compliance

  • A weekly live podcast (Monitor Mondays)

  • Live webcasts featuring nationally recognized thought leaders

  • Special bulletins and news alerts

  • Notifications of upcoming webcasts and special programs

  • Up-to-date resources at RACUniversity

RACmonitor, along with its family of brands, including ICD10monitor and MedLearn Publishing, are trusted sources of news and information provided under their parent company name, MedLearn Media Inc.

MedLearn Media, Inc. provides trusted expertise to the healthcare industry in the areas of coding, compliance, reimbursement, and regulatory changes. It offers a family of leading brands on multimedia publishing platforms, including print and digital books, visual charts, newsletters, webcasts, seminars, on-demand content, and more. MedLearn Media, Inc. continues to build on a nearly 30-year legacy of trust, reliability, and peace of mind, and it remains a company that customers can depend on. The company is based in St. Paul, Minn. More information can be found online at http://www.medlearnmedia.com.

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Business: Insurance

Trepp Selected to Manage Commercial Mortgage Loan Insurance Index LifeComps™

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Trepp’s depth of experience and trust in the commercial real estate market and its track record of managing complex loan and real estate data, make it an ideal partner for LifeComps, especially as we look to deepen LifeComps’ value to members and expand the participant base.


NEW YORK (PRWEB)

Trepp, a leading provider of information analytics and technology to the structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking markets announced today that it has been selected to be the exclusive manager and administrator of the life insurance commercial mortgage whole loan index known as LifeComps™. LifeComps provides a quantifiable investment performance index and serves as a benchmark for privately held commercial real estate mortgages.

Going forward, Trepp will generate the LifeComps Index, all underlying reports, and analytics for each of the life insurance industry participants, and use the 20-plus years of data to produce new reports, analytics, and insights.

“Trepp’s depth of experience and trust in the commercial real estate market and its track record of managing complex loan and real estate data, make it an ideal partner for LifeComps, especially as we look to deepen LifeComps’ value to members and expand the participant base,” said Neal Hastings, LifeComps president.

Current LifeComps participants represent about a third of the life insurance commercial mortgage market with more than $144 billion principal balance as of June 2019. The index, which was created in 1997, calculates and publishes quarterly returns and cash yields for the commercial mortgage portfolios owned by the participating members.

“We are pleased to have been selected to partner with LifeComps,” said Russell Hughes, head of data consortia initiatives at Trepp. “LifeComps is an industry pioneer being the first to build a robust database capturing comparative, commercial real estate, whole loan performance data over time, along with that of the underlying real estate collateral,” Hughes said.

While returns are derived from actual historic loan transaction data, the reported results protect the confidentiality of each participant’s data.

For more information contact Trepp at 212.754.1010 or press@trepp.com and visit http://www.Trepp.com for more.

About Trepp

Trepp, founded in 1979, is the leading provider of information, analytics, and technology to the CMBS, commercial real estate and banking markets. Trepp provides primary and secondary market participants with the web-based tools and insight they need to increase their operational efficiencies, information transparency, and investment performance. From its offices in New York, San Francisco, and London, Trepp serves its clients with products and services to support trading, research, risk management, surveillance, and portfolio management. Trepp is wholly-owned by Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT). For more information, visit http://www.Trepp.com.

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Business: Executives

Service Thread, Advanced Manufacturer of Engineered Technical Yarns and Industrial Sewing Threads Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

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LAURINBURG, N.C. (PRWEB)

Service Thread, an advanced manufacturer of engineered technical yarns and industrial sewing threads announces today that Sam M. Butler III has appointed Jay Todd as the new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Butler, his colleague and close acquaintance and former chief executive officer of the company will continue as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the firm.

As Operations Manager, CFO, and COO Jay led, managed, and developed business strategy for Service Thread’s 130-member workforce. During his almost 24-year tenure at Service Thread, the company grew from 32 employees and 30,000 square feet to 130 employees with two operating locations in Scotland County totaling 225,000 square feet.

Sam Butler III says, “Jay is a proven senior executive and a strong strategic thinker. He has done an outstanding job over the past several years developing a strong management team, leading strategic information technology advancements, and transforming our company into an innovative leader in the technical textile industry”.

Jay currently serves as the Lumber River Workforce Development Board (LRWDB) Chairman and received the Board Member of the Year Award in 2009, 2013, and 2019. He also serves as the President of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA), Chairman of the Laurinburg Scotland Chamber of Commerce in 2019, and as Chairman of the City of Laurinburg’s Downtown Advisory Committee and as Secretary for the Scotia Village Advisory Board. Jay also serves as a board member for the Cape Fear Boy Scouts Executive Council, RCC Foundation Board and the Scotland Memorial Foundation.

Jay holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Business Administration from St. Andrews University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Elon University.

Service Thread, an engineered textile yarn products manufacturing company in Laurinburg, NC started in 1949 by Sam M. Butler. Today the company is recognized as one of the leading advanced manufacturers in North Carolina in Workforce Development, Safety, Community Development, and Innovation. An ISO 9001: 2015 registered company, Service Thread is a leading supplier to the thermoplastic hose, flexible packaging, telecommunications wire and cable and industrial sewing industries.

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Health: Addiction

BayMark Health Services Opioid Treatment Programs Nationwide Now Accept Medicare

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“We are extremely pleased that Congress has included Medicare coverage of OTPs in the just-passed opioid package,” said Jason Kletter, PhD, president of BayMark Health Services.


LEWISVILLE, Texas (PRWEB)

BayMark Health Services has announced that they are now able to accept Medicare for medication-assisted treatment services at their Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) across the country. Coverage for treatment with methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, all FDA-approved medications, as well as counseling, began on January 1st. All BayMark branded opioid treatment programs are eligible, including BAART Programs, Health Care Resource Centers, MedMark Treatment Centers and Recovery Services of New Mexico, with the exception of our newest programs who have not yet obtained their CARF-accreditation.

The October 24, 2019 signing of opioid bill H.R. 6, referred to as The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, extended this benefit for Medicare subscribers who may have otherwise lost their ability to stay in treatment when they switched from Medicaid to Medicare or for whom treatment was cost-prohibitive when not covered by their Medicare plan.

“We are extremely pleased that Congress has included Medicare coverage of OTPs in the just-passed opioid package,” said Jason Kletter, PhD, president of BayMark Health Services. “This coverage will, once implemented, provide immediate benefit to the roughly 20,000 Medicare beneficiaries currently receiving treatment in OTPs, as well as create treatment access for the 300,000 beneficiaries with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder,” Dr. Kletter told AT Forum. “In addition, Medicare coverage will likely result in greater coverage of OTP services by commercial health plans, exponentially increasing access to high quality, evidence-based MAT across the country.”

BayMark branded OTPs are known across the country as providers of quality, comprehensive medication-assisted treatment and counseling services. Programs provide addiction education, relapse prevention, lab testing, coordinated care for pregnant patients and linkages to community resources to assist patients on their path to recovery. The BayMark mission is to provide comprehensive medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and other health care services to foster wellness, longevity and socially responsible behavior for the patients we serve.

“BayMark, through our various brands, provides treatment for opioid use disorder. We attempt to match each patient with the best level of care for their individual needs,” shared David K. White, Ph.D., CEO of BayMark Health Services. “Historically, methadone treatment has proven to be the most effective approach to providing affected individuals a real opportunity to recover, in part due to the structure of the OTP. It is great progress for our country that Medicare will now cover methadone treatment, as well as buprenorphine and naltrexone treatment, in the OTP setting. BayMark is happy to be a part of the solution to the opioid epidemic and all initiatives increasing accessibility and affordability of treatment.”

To find a BayMark OTP location near you, visit: http://www.Baymark.com/treatment-locations/.

About BayMark Health Services:

BayMark Health Services provides medication-assisted treatment to more than 56,000 patients in recovery from substance use disorder across the United States and Ontario, Canada. Our outpatient programs deliver medically supervised treatment, in a variety of modalities and settings, to meet the diverse needs of our patients who struggle with the use of opioids, alcohol and other prescription and illicit substances. The BayMark continuum of patient-focused services includes: highly structured opioid treatment programs utilizing methadone or buprenorphine and outpatient buprenorphine treatment programs, both of which incorporate counseling as part of an individualized treatment plan for opioid use disorder. Additionally, ambulatory withdrawal management services with naltrexone therapy, and inpatient detoxification services are offered for a variety of substance use disorders.

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Health

1-800-PetMeds® To Sponsor Danny & Ron’s Rescue at Winter Equestrian Festival

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It takes a big family to care for the hundreds of animals that come to our rescue every year and 1-800-PetMeds is part of that family.


DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)

In an effort to rescue and care for dogs in need and help them find their forever homes, 1-800-PetMeds® is teaming up with Danny & Ron’s Rescue by sponsoring their adoption booth at the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival.

All adoptable dogs will be spayed or neutered, up to date on shots, microchipped, and ready to go to their new families. The rescue does not charge a set adoption fee, instead relying on generous donations from members of the equestrian community, sponsors, and supporters to provide essential medical care to every dog before adoption.

To overcome emotional and behavioral issues and to transition from abusive and neglectful situations, adoptable dogs reside with founders Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta and up to 75 other dogs at the founders’ South Carolina home, on their nearby farm, and in foster homes. There, they are given round-the-clock care, love, and attention with the help of staff and volunteers.

“It takes a big family to care for the hundreds of animals that come to our rescue every year and 1-800-PetMeds is part of that family,” says Kim Tudor, Director of Marketing and Adoption at Danny & Ron’s Rescue. “They make sure that we have all the medications and supplements we need at any given time for our dogs and horses. That’s what peace of mind is all about; knowing 1-800-PetMeds is there for our animals.”

“Danny & Ron’s Rescue gives dogs the emotional support they need after having been abused and abandoned. We love seeing how their dogs are not only physically healthier after they’re rescued, but also how they learn to love and trust before going on to their forever homes. We’re so proud to help make that possible,” says Larissa Schenck, Director of Marketing at 1-800-PetMeds®.

About 1-800-PetMeds®

Founded in 1996, Petmeds.com is America’s Most Trusted Pet Pharmacy® providing fast, easy and helpful service to over ten million customers across the U.S. by delivering prescription and non-prescription medications and pet supplies for less, direct to the consumer through its 1-800-PetMeds® toll-free number, on the Internet through its website Petmeds.com, or with the 1-800-PetMeds® mobile app available for free at Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS.

About Danny & Ron’s Rescue

Danny & Ron’s Rescue, showcased in the 2018 Netflix documentary “Living in the Doghouse,” has rescued over 10,000 dogs since 2005. Founders Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, who are also full-time horse trainers, turned their own house into the ultimate safe haven where they personally care for up to 75 injured and abused animals at a time until they are ready for adoption. Each dog receives a wellness check from their veterinarian, is then spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, groomed, and loved. They are also proud to be one of the only organizations that does not charge a pre-set adoption fee and instead relies on an affordable donation from the adopter.

About Winter Equestrian Festival

The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is the largest and longest-running equestrian competition in the world. It lasts 12 weeks from January through March in Wellington, a village right next to West Palm Beach, Florida. Each week, the festival features its own horse show and competitions. There are also a few competitions that continue throughout the whole 12 weeks of the festival.

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Technology: Computer

Worcester Polytechnic Institute to Help Develop Novel Sign Language Technology

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Erin Solovey

Erin Solovey, assistant professor of computer science at WPI

“This project takes a human-centered computing approach to build a foundation that advances understanding of how deaf individuals could work and learn in environments that are designed with their needs and preferences at the forefront.” -Erin Solovey, assistant professor of computer science


WORCESTER, Mass. (PRWEB)

A Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher has received a $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that could lead to significant breakthroughs in technology platforms for the ASL-signing Deaf Community. Erin Solovey, assistant professor of computer science, will investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of computer interfaces that will allow deaf individuals to navigate, search, and interact with technology completely in American Sign Language.

Members of the Deaf Community whose first or primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) currently engage with interactive computer tools presented exclusively in English, including those designed expressly for ASL content and educational materials. The lack of ASL-based navigation is in part due to the fact that the signed languages of the world have unique requirements that do not align with existing text-based user interface design practices. Therefore, the development of Sign-Language First (SL1) technology offers great promise for ASL-signing users and others interested in signed language content. SL1 design has the potential to level the playing field for deaf students seeking to access academic, linguistic, and other informational content online.

“This project takes a human-centered computing approach to build a foundation that advances understanding of how deaf individuals could work and learn in environments that are designed with their needs and preferences at the forefront,” said Solovey.

Jeanne Reis, M.Ed., co-principal investigator on the project, brings over three decades of experience and understanding of the need for this technology. Reis is director of the Center for Research and Training at The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC)—a nationally recognized leader in educational, therapeutic, and community services with deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. “Technology that is truly SL1 accessible has the power to enhance educational opportunities and facilitate lifelong learning, especially in science and technology,” said Reis. “It can also improve career opportunities in STEM fields, broadening participation in the workforce by an incredibly dynamic, creative, valuable—and very underrepresented—population.”

In this project, Solovey and Reis will explore previously developed and novel approaches that will allow users to engage with technological tools through a signed language with no reliance on conventional written language. To that end, they propose that all aspects of a user interface, including menus, search tools, and navigation buttons, be presented visually. The research team will look at the feasibility of incorporating photos, videos, illustrations, and characters representing the linguistic features of ASL vocabulary, such as handshapes, movement patterns, and location (i.e., placement on the signer’s body).

The team will base their early investigations on existing resources for deaf students created by Reis and Robert Hoffmeister, PhD, in projects done with primary funding from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MADESE). Both projects involved partnerships with The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC), Boston University, numerous deaf professionals and subject matter experts, and schools for deaf students nationwide. Reis and Hoffmeister’s work resulted in two groundbreaking tools: the ASL STEM Concept Learning Resource (ASL Clear), released in 2017, and the ASL Assessment Instrument (ASLAI), released in 2010. ASL Clear focuses on STEM concept learning in ASL; ASLAI is the first computer-based standardized and robustly normed ASL language arts assessment administered to deaf students across the country. Since both are real-world tools with a common need to engage deaf users in ASL without switching to written English, they provide solid context in which to explore the design of ASL interfaces and evaluation tools to determine what works, what doesn’t, and what new features can be added.

Throughout the three-year grant, the WPI–TLC team will work with researchers, software engineers, ASL experts, educators, and doctoral students, many of whom are deaf, to ensure that members of the ASL-signing community have key leadership roles and active participation in the project. The team will also collaborate with Gallaudet University, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, Mass.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI, the global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPI’s pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world. WPI offers more than 50 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 14 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. http://www.wpi.edu

Contact:

Colleen Bamford Wamback

Associate Director of Public Relations

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

508-831-6775 (office)

508-688-4858 (cell)

cbwamback@wpi.edu

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Technology: Electronics

Myant to Showcase Office Environment that Senses, Predicts, and Reacts to Workers at CES, Optimizing Employee Productivity, Performance and Workforce Health & Wellness

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By creating a better connection between the human worker and the AI-enabled connected office, Myant hopes to fundamentally change the way people look at the everyday textile-objects in the workplace


TORONTO (PRWEB)

Myant Inc., leaders in Textile Computing™, will be showcasing the latest developments for a workplace of the future powered by the Myant Platform at CES 2020, happening January 7-10, in Las Vegas. These technology demonstrations will highlight how an office environment connected to the Myant Platform will be aware of the worker’s current physical and psychological state, anticipate their needs, and react to create personalized experiences that optimize individual performance, resulting in enterprise-wide enhancement of productivity and workforce health and well-being. The bridging of the gap between the human operating system, the digital world and the physical workplace empowers office furniture manufacturers to reimagine the value that their products can provide and to rethink their potential business models and revenue streams for the future.

Creating greater synchronicity between the human worker, the AI-enabled digital world, and the physical work environment is a critical objective for many forward-thinkers such as the Government of Japan with its Society 5.0 initiative. To realize such a vision Myant has been developing textile-based products throughout the work environment that can sense and react to the identity and state of the individual. The data generated from these interfaces would then be delivered to the Myant Platform where artificial intelligence analyzes and anticipates future needs for the individual or enterprise in real-time. When an office is populated with textiles connected to the digital world (i.e. chairs, desk surfaces, carpeting, etc.), a continuous, ambient, and pervasive connection between the human operating system, the digital world, and the physical environment is formed. Offices connected by textile have the potential then to sense, anticipate and react to workers’ needs, reducing friction in work processes, freeing workers to focus on the act of value-creation for the enterprise.

The potential of an office connected by textiles and powered by the Myant Platform could manifest in a myriad of different ways, including the following possibilities:


  • Personalized micro-climates and dynamic workplace configurations that continuously optimize according to your current and predicted state, promoting worker productivity, performance, health and wellbeing

  • Enterprise-wide predictive health & wellness management that can measure workforce health & wellness, suggest corrective actions to hit enterprise-level wellness targets, report on progress towards these goals to promote adherence, demonstrate return on investment for HR-driven wellness initiatives, and measure real behavioral outcomes to insurers who can in turn adjust premiums

  • Continuous, ambient multi-factor biometric security that triangulates between a broad spectrum of biometric measures, enhancing security for the enterprise and its workers, deployed in a frictionless, always-on form factor

  • Predictive service and resource management solutions that can observe past and current worker states, factor in contextual information, predict emerging future needs, and intelligently throttle services and resources (like adjusting lighting, heating, energy, lock/unlock doors, redistribute power, etc.) to create a more seamless worker experience and optimally sustainable workplace

  • Deeply immersive AR/VR experiences augmented by textiles that foster a truer sense of empathy, enabling more meaningful collaboration between teammates across locations, ultimately bridging the gap between the physical and virtual realities

  • Plus, many other possibilities

As an example, analysis of continuous ECG data captured by a desk chair could identify abnormally high levels of anxiety, triggering a notification that suggests mindful breathing or walking to turn your stress into focus. This could be supplemented by an adjustment of your micro-climate (e.g. lighting and heating, seat ergonomics), creating a feedback loop where human biometrics drive responses in the environment designed to regulate the human user. These dynamic relationships between an individual worker and the office can also create value at the enterprise-level, where continuous behavioral evidence for the impact of wellness and awareness programs could drive a reduction in insurance premiums for the company.

“By creating a better connection between the human worker and the AI-enabled connected office, Myant hopes to fundamentally change the way people look at the everyday textile-objects in the workplace,” said Ilaria Varoli, executive vice president at Myant. Reflecting on the transformation on the horizon for office furniture manufacturers, Varoli adds that “an office chair is not simply a piece of furniture anymore, but a way to drive productivity, nurture well-being, and stay connected.”

The Connected Office is one of the cornerstones of the Myant Platform, which aims to provide a continuous and ambient connection between people and their bodies, their communities, and their environments across all aspects of daily life (i.e. connected home, connected work, and connected play). Myant’s presence at CES 2020 was designed to highlight the possibilities enabled by the Platform, inspiring the world to challenge the way they see everyday textile objects (i.e. everyday textiles on the body and in the environment) and to reimagine the value that these objects can provide. To that end, Myant is showcasing connected textile demos across all facets of life (with Work, Home, and Play coming together to represent the 24 hours of daily life) as well as celebrating the launch of a connected apparel line under Myant’s consumer brand Skiin. The Skiin Connected Health & Wellness line of apparel has been honored in the Health & Wellness category of the CES 2020 Innovation Awards. Myant invites the public to visit their booth at CES 2020 (Booth #43925, Sands Expo, Health & Wellness) to explore a world connected by textile and to schedule a private demonstration of the Connected Office technologies.

For more information or to schedule a private meeting at CES 2020, please contact:

Ilaria Varolo

Executive Vice President at Myant

ilaria.varoli@myant.ca, 416-423-7906 x379

Brian Fung

Marketing Strategist at Myant

brian.fung@myant.ca, 416-423-7906 x401

Frank Florio

VP, Strategy & Business Development at Myant

frank.florio@myant.ca, 416-423-7906 x421

About Myant Inc.

Myant has created the world’s first platform that continuously and ambiently connects people to their bodies, to each other, and to the world around them. Using connected textiles that can sense and react to the human body and a platform that enables machine learning driven health and performance outcomes, Myant is on a mission to transform human connectedness. With an extensive patent portfolio, key exclusive relationships within the textile computing industry, a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, data scientists, fashion designers and knitting specialists, and over 80,000 ft² of manufacturing capacity, Myant is changing the way people across society connect. Connect with us to find out how we can help you create innovative solutions powered by connected textiles and the Myant Platform.

Visit https://www.myant.ca to learn more.

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Industry: Healthcare

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) New York Announces Nine Upcoming Patient Education Events in its New Manhattan Location, Hosted by Drs. Anate Brauer and Tomer Singer

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Drs. Anate Brauer and Tomer Singer of SGF New York to host nine patient education events in January, February and March 2020.

SGF’s newest full-service location in Manhattan offers access to two leading, board certified reproductive endocrinologists—Drs. Anate Brauer and Tomer Singer—a state-of-the-art laboratory, and an indisputable track record of success.


NEW YORK (PRWEB)

Physicians from Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) New York will host nine free educational events this January, February, and March, including three fertility seminars, three donor egg treatment seminars, and three egg freezing seminars.

Attendees can unwind with refreshments during informal, physician-led seminars and question-and-answer sessions with leading experts in infertility.

SGF New York’s fertility seminars will cover infertility basics, including menstrual cycle warning signs, common causes of infertility, how infertility is diagnosed and recommendations for when to see a fertility specialist, success rates, financial programs, treatment options, and much more. SGF New York’s fertility seminars are free and include a complimentary physician consult that can be scheduled onsite.

SGF New York’s donor egg treatment seminars will provide in-depth look into SGF’s internationally renowned Donor Egg Treatment Program, the largest program in the nation. SGF, home to more than 8,000 babies born from donor egg treatment, is one of only a few centers in the nation that recruits, selects, and prescreens (medically, psychologically, and genetically) its own ready-to-cycle egg donors prior to making them available on their donor registry. Further, SGF offers exclusive 100% refund guarantee programs not only for IVF but donor egg treatment—a significant differentiator among other programs in the area. All attendees will receive a complimentary physician consult and one lucky attendee will receive $1,000 off a future donor egg treatment at SGF New York.

SGF New York’s egg freezing seminars will offer attendees a deep dive into SGF’s track record with egg freezing, a fertility-preserving option that’s growing in popularity at an unprecedented 20 percent per year, nationally, with even higher growth rates in New York City and surrounding areas. SGF holds the spot as one of the top five egg freezing programs in the U.S., and the number of women choosing egg freezing at SGF continues to rise. The seminar will cover SGF’s success rates, with SGF being one of only a few centers in the nation with published success rates for women who return to use their frozen eggs. In addition, the seminar will cover what to expect during fertility testing to determine candidacy for egg freezing, what to expect during an egg freezing cycle, financial programs, SGF’s refund guarantees for egg freezing, and much more. All attendees will be entered into a raffle where one lucky attendee will receive $1,000 off a future egg freezing treatment cycle at SGF New York.

All SGF New York seminars will be hosted in their new 15,300 square foot space in New York City, conveniently located at 110 East 60th Street—minutes from nine NY subway stations providing easy access from all boroughs as well as Westchester, Long Island, and Connecticut, and steps from Bloomingdales, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and The Plaza Hotel.

The SGF New York location is home to physician offices for patient consultations, SGF’s ninth embryology lab, a spacious operating room, embryo transfer room, and recovery bays. Patients benefit from having an onsite dedicated andrology laboratory for sperm preparation and an onsite endocrinology lab for processing bloodwork.

Services available in SGF New York include fertility testing and diagnosis, including semen analysis; non-invasive fertility options such as ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI); in vitro fertilization (IVF); donor egg treatment; preimplantation genetic testing; fertility preservation through egg freezing; and LGBTQ family building.

Fertility Seminars

January 14 | What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting | Dr. Tomer Singer

February 6 | What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting | Dr. Anate Brauer

March 5 | What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting | Dr. Anate Brauer

Donor Egg Treatment Seminars

January 23 | Donor Egg Treatment | Dr. Anate Brauer

February 13 | Donor Egg Treatment | Dr. Tomer Singer

March 19 | Donor Egg Treatment | Dr. Anate Brauer

Egg Freezing Seminars

January 16 | Egg Freezing | Dr. Anate Brauer

February 24 | Egg Freezing & Endometriosis | Drs. Brauer & Singer, with guest speaker Dr. Seckin

March 26 | Egg Freezing | Dr. Tomer Singer

While all SGF in-person and online events are complimentary, interested parties must register to attend by visiting the SGF calendar of events.

Dr. Anate Brauer earned her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, and her fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY. Dr. Brauer is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Dr. Singer earned his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine and his Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management from Hofstra Zarb School of Business. He completed his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, NY, where he also served as Chief Resident, and his fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY. Dr. Singer is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

To make an appointment in New York City, call 212-203-4826 or submit this brief form.

To schedule an appointment at any of SGF’s other 35 domestic locations, call the SGF New Patient Center at 888-761-1967.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and counting. With 36 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.