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Health

American College of Lifestyle Medicine announces core competencies for physicians specializing in intensive lifestyle medicine treatment

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Recognition of intensive therapeutic lifestyle treatment’s potential to achieve remission, or even full reversal, in many lifestyle-related chronic diseases has grown as the United States struggles with a crisis of chronic disease. Six in 10 adults have at least one chronic disease and four in 10 have at least two.

“Given the enormous need for intensive lifestyle change treatment in the U.S., it is important to clearly define the competencies that reflect the level of expertise required of physicians to provide effective, evidence-based intensive lifestyle change treatment,” said John Kelly, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM, the study’s first author and ACLM’s founder. “These competencies can help guide the education, practice, clinical training and, ideally, certification for lifestyle medicine intensivists who specialize in this care.”

The competencies were developed by an expert panel with experience practicing intensive lifestyle change, building from competencies ACLM first published in 2020 when lifestyle medicine intensivists were known as “specialists.” The expert panel revised the original 34 competencies identified in 2020 and achieved a consensus on a final set of 45 competencies.

Since certification by the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) began in 2017, almost 2,500 U.S. physicians have become certified in lifestyle medicine as diplomates (DipABLMs). Nearly another 1,000 non-physician health professionals are certified by ACLM (DipACLMs). Being a relatively new level of lifestyle medicine certification, the number of lifestyle medicine intensivists is small but growing.

Interest in lifestyle medicine is also growing. Student-led Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups exist at 132 U.S. campuses and there are 272 lifestyle residency programs that incorporate lifestyle medicine into curricula. ACLM’s Health Systems Council, which supports the implementation of lifestyle medicine into health systems, has 96 member organizations.

ABOUT ACLM
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine is the nation’s medical professional society advancing lifestyle medicine as the foundation for a redesigned, value-based and equitable healthcare delivery system, leading to whole-person health. ACLM educates, equips, empowers and supports its members through quality, evidence-based education, certification and research to identify and eradicate the root cause of chronic disease, with a clinical outcome goal of health restoration as opposed to disease management.

Media Contact

Alex Branch, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, 8173072399, [email protected], https://lifestylemedicine.org/

SOURCE American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Home and Family: Marriage / Relationships

LA LGBT Center Enhances Staff Safety with Kontakt.io’s Real-Time IoT Solution

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The LA LGBT Center, a leading non-profit organization, has taken a proactive stance in ensuring workplace safety for its staff with the implementation of a simplified real-time IoT & RTLS solution. In today’s environment of increasing workplace safety concerns and the focus on employee wellbeing, this initiative sets an important precedent.

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kontakt.io, a pioneer in inpatient journey analytics, announces the implementation of a staff safety solution powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS), to protect 800+ employees at the LA LGBT Center, a leading organization dedicated to the empowerment and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community.

With workplace safety becoming a top concern for organizations across various industries, particularly in healthcare, the LA LGBT Center has taken proactive steps to prioritize the safety and security of its staff. Recognizing the importance of employee well-being, the Center has invested in a state-of-the-art solution that is designed to provide a safer working environment for its employees.

Kontakt.io’s solution offers wearable badges with panic buttons that enable staff to easily send alerts anywhere at any time. It also locates all employees in real-time, allowing for immediate response to incidents and emergencies, which significantly reduces response times and enhances overall staff safety. By leveraging innovative technology, the LA LGBT Center is setting a new standard in workplace safety to make employees feel protected and valued.

BLE-enabled, cloud-managed, and API-powered, Kontakt.io’s solution works seamlessly with the Center’s existing network infrastructure, eliminating the need for cabling and rewiring. This out-of-the-box compatibility means significant cost savings from deployment and unmatched ROI in the long run.

“Protecting our staff from potential dangers is a top priority,” said Kernel Thomas, Director of IT Infrastructure and Security at the LA LGBT Center. “Kontakt.io is giving us a way to provide personal safety solutions to our staff so they can request and receive assistance quickly when an incident occurs. This solution has enabled our staff members to feel safe every time they walk into the door.”

For more information about how Kontakt.io helps LA LGBT Center and its commitment to staff safety, please visit https://goto.kontakt.io/transforming-workplace-safety-webinar.

Media Contact

Olivia Wang, Kontakt.io, 1 6088868698, [email protected], Kontakt.io

SOURCE Kontakt.io

Science: Biology

Drivers Can Now Reserve the 2024 Honda CR-V at Capital Honda

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The 2024 Honda CR-V is available at Capital Honda in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Capital Honda is thrilled to announce that drivers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, can now reserve their very own 2024 Honda CR-V, the latest addition to the renowned lineup of Honda SUVs. With its impressive features and enhancements, the 2024 Honda CR-V promises to deliver an unparalleled driving experience that combines style, performance, and innovation.    

As one of the year’s most anticipated releases, the 2024 Honda CR-V offers a blend of advanced technology, advanced safety features, and luxurious comfort. This vehicle comes equipped with an upgraded infotainment system that includes a user-friendly touchscreen display, seamless smartphone integration, and voice recognition capabilities, ensuring drivers stay connected and entertained while on the road.    

Safety remains a top priority for Honda, and the 2024 CR-V does not disappoint. The Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies comes standard, offering features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a forward-collision warning system. These features work together to give drivers enhanced confidence and peace of mind.    

Under the hood, the 2024 CR-V boasts an efficient yet powerful engine, delivering responsive and fuel-efficient performance. Whether navigating city streets or embarking on a weekend getaway, the performance capabilities of the CR-V are tailored to meet the diverse needs of Charlottetown’s drivers.    

Drivers eager to experience the 2024 Honda CR-V firsthand are encouraged to visit Capital Honda’s showroom and reserve their model today. They can also check the dealership’s inventory to learn more about the 2024 CR-V. Capital Honda takes pride in helping customers find their ideal vehicles and providing top-notch after-sales support. For further information and to schedule a test drive, please get in touch with their sales team at 902-566-1101 or head to 40 Lower Malpeque Road, Charlottetown, PE C1E 1R3.

Media Contact

Daniel Rix, Capital Honda, 902-566-1101, [email protected], https://www.capitalhonda.com/

SOURCE Capital Honda

Technology: Computer

Loftie Unveils “Magic Storymaker” – A Groundbreaking AI-Powered Personalized Bedtime Story Experience, Alongside the Launch of Loftie+ Subscription Plan

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“We believe that bedtime stories should be magical and calming, which is why we are incredibly excited to unveil Magic Storymaker to our passionate community of over 80,000+ Loftie customers,” expressed Matthew Hassett, Founder and CEO of Loftie. “With this new feature, we’re empowering users to become the authors of their own nighttime adventures, sparking imagination and offering a unique way to divert the mind from thoughts and worries and easily drift off to sleep.”

Magic Storymaker is currently available in beta to all customers, but will soon be a core offering in the upcoming September 6th launch of “Loftie+,” a premium subscription plan that brings weekly personalized content directly to the iconic Loftie Clock. From captivating bedtime stories inspired by books, movies, and places to horoscopes, education-rich mini series, soothing meditations, tailored affirmations, and more, subscribers can unlock unlimited access to personalized content for only $4.99 per month or lock in a discounted annual rate of $49.99 when paid upfront. While their core content – nature sounds, white noises, soundbaths, alarm tones – will always be free to all Loftie users, Loftie+ offers consumers a unique opportunity to have a curated hand in the content they receive through the AI integration, allowing them to build out the framework for bedtime stories for the whole family.

“Our mission has always been to support healthy sleep and elevate the way people experience rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation,” said Hassett. “With Loftie+, we are breaking new ground by seamlessly integrating AI to directly enhance our customers’ lives with personalized, creative, and empathetic content.”

Loftie is currently releasing new content each week for beta users to help curate new and fun storylines including, “A Snowy Train ride”, “Backstage with Taylor Swift”, “A Dream Vacation”, “Your Pet’s Life”, and more. The Loftie+ subscription plan will continue these weekly offerings, giving users a comprehensive selection of content to enrich their daily routines. To learn more about Loftie, Magic Storymaker, and the current stories available, please visit www.byloftie.com.

About Loftie: Loftie is a leading wellness company dedicated to crafting stylish, innovative products that promote rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. With a mindful approach to technology and a thoughtful approach to design, Loftie aims to inspire refreshing action instead of endless distraction. The company’s lineup of products has garnered numerous accolades, including Real Simple’s 2022 and 2021 Sleep Awards, Architectural Digest’s Cleverest 2022, Women’s Health Healthy Sleep Awards 2021, Fast Company’s Home Innovation Awards, and NYT Wirecutter’s Best

Alarm Clocks.

About Loftie+: Loftie+ is the premium subscription offering from Loftie, delivering a plethora of personalized content directly to the highly acclaimed Loftie Clock. From captivating bedtime stories inspired by books, movies, and places to horoscopes and education-rich mini podcasts, Loftie+ presents the first-ever personalized content subscription of its kind, by embracing an innovative approach to AI integration. Loftie+ exemplifies the company’s commitment to keeping content fresh, engaging, deeply enriching and experiential. Subscribers can unlock unlimited access to personalized content for only $4.99 per month or enjoy a discounted annual rate of $49.99 when paid upfront.

For media inquiries, product samples, or interview requests with Matthew Hassett, please contact:

Allison Ullo

W/Sara PR

[email protected]

Media Contact

Allison Ullo, Loftie, Inc, 1 610-905-1817, [email protected], byloftie.com

SOURCE Loftie, Inc

Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

Black Woman-Created Football Card Game, Blitz Champz, Launches NFL Collection during Black Business Month

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Blitz Champz is the brainchild of Adrienne Smith, a serial entrepreneur and elite athlete in the sport of women’s tackle football. As a wide receiver, Smith has won two gold medals for the U.S. women’s national tackle football team, and six national championships for the Boston Renegades women’s tackle football team. Combining her passion for football and her creative genius, Smith has brought to life a kid- and family-friendly gaming experience that captures the essence of football while delivering thrilling gameplay for people of all ages.

“When I invented Blitz Champz in 2015, I envisioned securing a licensing deal with the NFL that would allow me to manufacture NFL-branded Blitz Champz card games so NFL fans throughout the country could show their team pride and enjoy repping their favorite NFL teams in a fun and interactive way,” said Smith. “Now that that vision has become a reality, I am overjoyed, as it has always been important to me that Blitz Champz be used as a vehicle to show that football is for all.”

The Blitz Champz NFL Collection will be available to NFL fans nationwide beginning in August 2023, just in time for the start of the 2023 NFL season. Blitz Champz NFL card games can be purchased online at blitzchampz.com, as well as at the merchandise stores located in select NFL stadiums. Teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and New England Patriots have provided team-branded Blitz Champz card games to their fans during training camps.

With its innovative gameplay, high-quality materials, and unparalleled attention to detail, the Blitz Champz NFL Collection is poised to set a new benchmark in sports-themed games. To celebrate the launch, Blitz Champz will host exclusive events and giveaways in select cities, offering fans a chance to experience the excitement firsthand.

About Blitz Champz:

Blitz Champz is a fun and competitive card game for football fans ages 7 and up. Created by Adrienne Smith, Boston Renegades Wide Receiver, football advocate and spokesperson, and entrepreneur, Blitz Champz is a fast-paced, action-packed game perfect for kids, families, and friends. Blitz Champz also reinforces math skills for students in grades 3-8 and can be used as a math learning tool for schools, and at home for fun and family bonding time. The game features 100 vibrantly-illustrated playing cards characterizing a diverse lineup of male and female players. The Blitz Champz NFL Collection features eye-catching, stylized designs that capture the essence of each of the NFL’s 32 teams. For more information, please visit www.blitzchampz.com.

For media inquiries, please contact: Yvette Feinberg, 212-769-9047, [email protected]

Media Contact

Yvette Feinberg, Gridiron Queendom, 1 212-769-9047, [email protected], www.blitzchampz.com

SOURCE Blitz Champz

Health: Abortion

Introducing The Open Resource Sharing Coalition (OpenRS)

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Project governance will be centralized in a governing board elected by contributing partners and will also rely on feedback from a wide community of project adopters and investors. The coalition recognizes that the project will only succeed if all stakeholders’ needs – whether libraries, consortia, developers, or vendors – are heard, validated, and addressed. Coalition governance will be based on open source principles and rely on trust, transparency, agility, and a welcoming community.

OpenRS will be an Open Library Foundation (OLF) project which operates with an open, transparent approach, emphasizing the best practices for open source governance and DevSecOps. The OpenRS software is built and maintained by Knowledge Integration, with support from EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO). Additional OpenRS Community members include representatives from the MOBIUS consortium, GALILEO/University System of Georgia (USG), Marmot Library Network, Boston Library Consortium, Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries, and others.

Executive Director of MOBIUS, Donna Bacon, shares the importance of an engaged open source community with a common goal. “MOBIUS has a long history of working within open source communities, and we have seen firsthand the impact that an engaged, vibrant, and transparent community can have on library and user experience. With OpenRS, we are thrilled to be part of a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to building an open and sustainable solution that meets the unique resource sharing needs of consortia. OpenRS will create opportunities for growth and expansion of services for our consortium that once seemed impossible using traditional tools.”

Co-Founder and Director of Knowledge Integration, Ian Ibbotson, explains Knowledge Integration’s involvement in the community throughout the years. “For more than twenty years, Knowledge Integration has worked with and listened to the needs of the library community, evolving the way we bring these institutions together. With OpenRS, we have found a kinship with libraries and organizations with the vision and intellectual curiosity to conceive of a genuinely open resource sharing ecosystem designed around library and patron needs rather than a short-term business opportunity.” Ian explains how Direct Consortial Borrowing (DCB) compares to the traditional Interlibrary Loan (ILL). “We soon realized we needed to pay more attention to a fundamentally important concept: Direct Consortial Borrowing. We see DCB as fundamentally complementary to ILL – a unifying vision that sets us apart from other projects in the space.”

President of the OLF Board of Directors Tom Cramer says, “We are delighted to have OpenRS in the Open Library Foundation’s ‘community of communities.’ They are bringing innovative open source software that will be a valuable addition to the ecosystem supporting libraries. And with their commitment to open source and community governance, they will be a natural complement to other OLF projects.”

While yet to be an official project, OLF is expected to approve the OpenRS charter by the end of August. An official web presence will be added to the OLF site soon. Core OpenRS functionality for direct consortial borrowing will be rolled out as part of the MOBIUS release in May 2024. Additional features and functionality will be determined based on coalition feedback and implemented over the coming months and years.

About the Open Library Foundation
The Open Library Foundation was created in 2016 as an unbiased, independent not-for-profit organization to ensure the availability, accessibility and sustainability of open source and open access projects for and by libraries. Software developed by communities hosted by the Foundation is freely available under common open source licenses for personal, institutional or commercial use. The software is open and free in order to sustain an open collaboration of interested parties. The Foundation provides infrastructure by which the library community at large can organize, contribute to, and benefit from our projects — ensuring availability and a “safe haven” for member communities’ output that is separated from the needs and goals of any single contributor, user or affiliated party. Find out more at http://www.openlibraryfoundation.org.

For more information, please contact:
[email protected]

Media Contact

Media Inquiries, The Open Library Foundation, +1 215-253-8502, [email protected], https://openlibraryfoundation.org/

SOURCE The Open Library Foundation

Legal / Law: Criminal Law

Netchex Announces Expanded Philanthropic and Employee Volunteer Commitment

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Other organizations considered, including Northshore Food Bank, United Way of SE Louisiana, and St. Timothy on the Northshore, will also receive a monetary donation and volunteer commitment. Additionally, Netchex proudly works throughout the year as a sponsor and volunteer organizer with several additional community organizations, such as Special Olympics of Louisiana and PIG Charity Inc.

“For Netchex, it’s as much about the time commitment as it is the money,” revealed Netchex CEO Will Boudreaux. “A way of doing that is by providing opportunities for our employees to get involved with local organizations through volunteering. Our people want to help their community and we want to make it easier for them to do that.”

The announcement was part of a plan to ensure the company’s charitable giving and community outreach are more impactful and reflective of employees’ interests. Earlier this year, Netchex employees were able to vote for the organizations they were most interested in supporting. In the end, the three selected organizations will not only receive a monetary donation from Netchex, but also a volunteer commitment from its employees.

By voting in the selection process, Netchex employees were asked to declare a commitment of five volunteer hours for their chosen organization. To help make this commitment easier, Netchex allows its employees to conduct volunteer hours during the work week while still being paid.

As it grows as a company, Netchex has not only increased the monetary amount of its charitable giving, but also found ways to work into their technology services. In 2020, Netchex released a new system feature called Helping Hands, available for free to all Netchex clients. Helping Hands is designed to make workplace giving easier by facilitating company-wide charitable campaigns that enable employees to make donations via an automatic payroll deduction.

About Netchex:
Netchex is one of the industry’s fastest-growing payroll and HR service providers. Netchex’s single-source technology solution is a cloud-based, end-to-end platform for managing the employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement.

With powerful, yet easy-to-use technology and award-winning customer support, Netchex currently services over 6,500 clients. Headquartered in Covington, LA, Netchex has offices in Atlanta and Dallas with representatives nationwide. Please visit https://netchex.com for more information.

Media Contact

Katie Kennedy, Netchex, (985) 220-1410, [email protected], https://netchex.com

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SOURCE Netchex



Science: Biology

University of San Diego Partners with AiFi to Open Autonomous Convenience Store On Campus

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University of San Diego Partners with AiFi to Open Autonomous Convenience Store On Campus

BURLINGAME, Calif., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Students and staff can shop the “Smart Market” by scanning an app to enter, picking up desired food and drink items, and walking out, while AiFi’s technology instantly charges and generates a receipt for the purchase

AiFi, the most flexible AI platform that enables retailers to affordably deploy autonomous shopping solutions, today announced its partnership with the University of San Diego to provide frictionless shopping options to students, staff members, and guests on campus. AiFi retrofitted the university’s existing Smart Market with its camera vision-based technology, allowing students to select which food and drink items they’d like to purchase and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay.

The mini convenience store, located within the Knauss Center for Business Education, features entry by scanning a dedicated store app. Items available for purchase include hot and refrigerated prepared meals, coffee and kombucha on tap, as well as packaged snacks and beverages.

“As AiFi continues to expand into more unique spaces, we’re excited to provide the University of San Diego community with more convenient shopping options and an enhanced experience,”said Steve Carlin, CEO at AiFi. “Fast moving and low contact checkout are exactly what college students, professors, and staff members need. As universities embrace more tech-forward solutions to drive their own digital transformation, we’re pleased to partner with them in the direction of innovation.”

In 2022, AiFi deployed autonomous shopping at the University of Denver campus, where students reported satisfaction with not having to wait in line or interact with cashiers. Students and faculty are often rushed between classes, activities, and other priorities, and AiFi is determined to increase its presence in the university market to meet the needs of shoppers on the go.

“The University of San Diego is constantly looking for new innovative ways to improve efficiencies and provide more services to campus, and frictionless dining is perfect for our community”, said Andre Mallie, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services & Resource Management, at the University of San Diego. “We were impressed with the flexibility of AiFi’s solution and the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure in the store. Now, folks coming through the Knauss Center for Business Education won’t be burdened by long lines or wait times, and we’re excited for the future of this technology at our campus.”

The implementation of AiFi’s technology follows suit to the University of San Diego’s consistent efforts to make dining easier on campus through technology. A few years ago, the university introduced GET by CBORD, a mobile app allowing students to order, pay, and schedule a time to pick up food from any dining facility on campus. Additionally, the university partnered with GrubHub three years ago, allowing students to use university campus cash funds for food delivery from nearby restaurants.

AiFi currently has the highest number of autonomous store deployments globally. The company has served over 3.5 million customers, and processed over 10 million transactions with its solution. Other industry-leading partnerships include global customers such as Microsoft, Verizon, ALDI, Carrefour, Zabka, Compass Group, Morrisons, Sodexo, Live Nation, NASCAR, the NBA, and the NFL. Learn more about AiFi and its scalable, flexible AI platform at aifi.com.

About the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego sets the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative Changemakers confront humanity’s urgent challenges. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.

About AiFi

AiFi provides the most flexible AI platform that enables retailers to affordably deploy and scale autonomous shopping solutions across their businesses. Leveraging computer vision, AiFi adapts to existing store formats without the need for shelf sensors, and provides advanced tracking algorithms that can scale and support various shopper journeys such as an app, credit card, gated, or hybrid entry. AiFi works with top retailers worldwide such as ALDI South Group, Carrefour, Compass Group, űabka Group, REWE, and Verizon. AiFi has the highest number of computer vision powered autonomous stores across the globe. The company has raised a total of $80 million from investors including Verizon Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, HP Tech Ventures, Mithril Capital, Cervin Ventures, TransLink Capital, Plum Alley, Duke Angel Network, Reaction, GS Future, Drive Catalyst, and Evolution.

For more information, please visit aifi.com.

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Contact:

AiFi
[email protected]

BAM for AiFi
[email protected]

Media Contact

BAM for AiFi, BAM, 1 714 955 2252, [email protected]

SOURCE AiFi