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Cancer Moonshot New Actions Aimed to Reduce Cancer Burden in Africa

The White House has selected the “Global Pediatric Brain Tumor Network (GPBTN)” for Cancer Moonshot proposed by Bayer, the National Brain Tumor Society, Duke University and other partners and institutions including the Open Health Systems Laboratory (OHSL). The project will use TELESYNERGY® technology, originally developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the White House announcement, this will “…enable hospitals across the continent of Africa to connect with U.S. hospitals and biomedical innovators to help match pediatric patients to neuro-oncologists, clinical trials, potential treatments, and importantly to organizations that may be able to help close geographic, financial, and cultural barriers.”

Dr. Parvati Dev, former director of Stanford University Multimedia and Medical Information Technology (SUMMIT), is leading the development of next generation TELESYNERGY®. Working with Samta Sharma, Jeeven Saini and the OHSL team of developers, the group has created a single pane view of data and devices for clinician-researchers, training, tumor boards, and clinical trials. The team has recreated TELESYNERGY® functionality in a Lego-like microservice system with a strong API (Application Programming Interface) and Internet of Things (IoT) connecting medical devices. The system is fully compliant with Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).

Duke University serves as the lead for the Global Pediatric Brain Tumor Network (GPBTN.) Over the years OHSL has worked closely with Duke University on international programs in Cambodia, India, Pakistan and other developing countries. Duke’s lead, Dr. H. Kim Lyerly heads OHSL’s Council of Advisor for Science and Technology (OHSL/CAST) and takes an active interest in its international programs.

Professor Kenneth Buetow, Ph.D.  of Arizona State University, a recognized expert on biomedical information technology, is providing additional support to the GPBTN and OHSL.  Dr. Buetow advises OHSL’s TELESYNERGY® team and the GPBTN’s data science efforts.  These efforts are part of OHSL’s International Cancer Knowledge Alliance (ICKA) whose goal is to create a ubiquitous cancer grid spanning the globe to provide clinician-researchers anywhere and everywhere with the best computational tools they need to reduce the burden of cancer.

OHSL has developed the next generation TELESYNERGY® cloud-based platform for medical consultation under a transfer of technology agreement with NIH. After extensive user studies, learning from previous experience with the original TELESYNERGY® medical consultation system in the Ireland-US NCI Cancer Consortium, OHSL is working with several leading cancer centers in the United States to create test beds for further development and deployment with special emphasis on cancer disparity programs.

Mary Coffee, Trinity College, Dublin, who led the use of TELESYNERGY® at the Irish centers said: “The system was used in several ways: clinical, educational and research. Clinical usage facilitated multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. Present at the meetings were radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, physicians, nurses, radiation therapists and data managers allowing for full consultation and decision making.

“The benefits to patient care of access to MDT decision-making in the management of cancer patients are clear, and should not be compromised by geographical location. The establishment of centers of expertise for site-specific cancers and the expertise amassed by dedicated groups in large tertiary referral centers is a central component of the National Cancer Strategy and videoconferencing is the most efficient route to facilitate access to such multi-disciplinary, site-specific expertise.”

TELESYNERGY® according to the Ken Kempner, who led the development team at NIH Center for Information Technology, creates a “same room paradigm” whether a participating mentor and expert is 5 feet away or 5000 miles away. Kempner was closely associated not only with the development of the original TELESYNEERGY® but its deployment in several cancer centers in Ireland, Jordan and here in the United States.

Dr. Thomas Merchant of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital looks at TELESYNERGY® as an omnibus and versatile open system to connect data and devices for consultation between experts and/or mentor-mentees for capacity building across the globe.

The original TELESYNERGY® used expensive and cumbersome hardware videoconferencing as one of the components of the system deployed in the Ireland-US cancer consortium. The OHSL team replaced it with cloud-based Pexip technology which provides all necessary videoconferencing, and supports interoperability with other systems such as Team, WebEx, Zoom or Skype.

Working with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability (STRIDES) initiative and several private sector partners like Microsoft Research, OHSL led a successful neuro-oncology digital twin proof-of-concept demonstrating the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in translational research and precision medicine in a clinical setting in LMICs (Lower and Middle Income Countries). This has further led to an international collaboration between Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), National Cancer Institute and Department of Energy to develop an open source digital twin software solution which, combined with TELESYNERGY®, could realize the shared vision for the “Future of Radiology”.

Dan Isaacs, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Twin Consortium of Object Management Group, believes “…despite much progress, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer are now estimated to lead all causes of death across the African continent,” and that OHSL’s open source digital twin software could make artificial intelligence tools available to clinician-researchers across the world to help reduce the burden of cancer.

Martin Deutsch, OHSL co-founder, speaking at BioIT 2022 in Boston, welcomed Eric Stahlberg’s remarks that OHSL is “walking the talk” by providing an advanced technology platform for clinician-researchers in low resource countries to access advanced tools for research and treatment of cancer. He added that this has been the founding principle for OHSL.

Open Health Systems Laboratory (OHSL) has been conceived to build global team science consortia by leveraging the best biomedical informatics, information, and communication technology. OHSL has technical expertise to utilize the latest developments in information technology, including informatics, natural language processing, and data collection and mining to bring solutions to our global community of biomedical researchers. Addressing key questions of medical science, OHSL consortia members are able to provide timely and focused global public health responses. We accomplish this by actively engaging participants to shape a specific agenda and goals, and then to encourage collaboration for collective action to resolve the targeted problems.

In partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, OHSL is establishing the International Centre of Excellence for Computational and Biomedical Sciences (ICECBS).

‍Contact Information

‍Open Health Systems Laboratory
Anil Srivastava
+1.240.463.3686
anil.srivastava@ohsl.us
https://ohsl.us

‍Duke University School of Medicine
H. Kim Lyerly, M.D., B.S., F.A.C.S, F.S.S.O.
+1.919.684.0132‬
kim.lyerly@duke.edu
https://surgery.duke.edu/profile/herbert-kim-lyerly

Crafty Kids Academy, an online business offering an easy-to-follow arts and crafts curriculum for homeschool students ages 4–10, is set to launch on December 28, 2022 at www.craftykidsacademy.com. The company aims to foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in young students through their lessons, which encourage kids to be imaginative and expressive while creating pieces of art they can be proud of.

Crafty Kids Academy's programs are affordable, educational, and fun, with easy-to-follow instructions and full-color pictures guiding parents through the lesson plans. Founder Diane Adkins, a grandmother who is raising and homeschooling her granddaughters, believes in the importance of including arts and crafts in children's school curriculum. "Doing art enables children to develop their motor-skills, time management, and problem-solving," said Adkins. "But, most importantly, it is a great way to have some fun together."

Crafty Kids Academy will offer monthly lesson plan memberships, printable theme-based lessons, and online video lessons. For more information, visit www.craftykidsacademy.com.

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The Volleyball School is proud to announce a partnership with Optimal Sports Performance (OSP), a leading provider of strength and conditioning training for young athletes. This partnership will provide The Volleyball School students at the Katy and Aliana location in Richmond with access to OSP's comprehensive training program, designed to improve physical performance, prevent injuries, and develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

"We are excited to be partnering with Optimal Sports Performance to bring their top-notch training program to our young athletes," said Domingo Martinez, Managing Director at The Volleyball School. "We believe that strength and conditioning training is an essential component of any athlete's training regimen and are committed to providing our athletes with the resources they need to reach their full potential."

Through this partnership, trained professionals will use age-appropriate exercises and techniques to safely improve strength, endurance, and power, giving young athletes a competitive edge on the court. The partnership will allow The Volleyball School to help students elevate their training and reduce sports injuries, while also allowing Optimal Sports Performance to expand its training services across the new facilities.

For more information, visit https://www.thevolleyballschool.com.

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Linkcheck.io, a leading website monitoring service, today announced the launch of Monitoring Backlinks, a new service designed to help website owners check and track the availability of their backlinks in just 3 seconds.

Available on November 23, 2022, Monitoring Backlinks will provide customers with access to a range of features, including link checker and indexing checker, to help them keep track of their website's link profile. The service will send notifications if a backlink becomes unavailable for indexing, disappears from search results, or is removed from the donor website.

"We understand that website owners need a convenient and reliable way to monitor their backlinks," said Kane Jones, Co-founder of Linkcheck.io. "That's why we're excited to launch Monitoring Backlinks, which will provide our customers with the tools they need to keep an eye on their link profile and ensure the success of their website."

Based in Aspen, Colorado, Linkcheck.io is committed to providing high-quality website monitoring services to customers around the world. With the launch of Monitoring Backlinks, the company aims to further streamline the process of tracking and managing backlinks, helping website owners save time and stay on top of their website's link profile.

For more information, visit linkcheck.io.

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Sloop John B, an upscale island style taco bar located at 1420 N. Parham Rd. Suite M226 in Richmond, VA, is hosting a multi-tiered New Year's Eve (NYE) event on December 31. The event features a rooftop bash, dinner special, and outdoor food and beer truck pre-game, offering something for everyone in the local area. Here are the full details of each tier:

Tier 1 / Rooftop Bash: This exclusive bash will have a local DJ Tony ringing in the new year with the best tunes of the year, front row seats to the live ball drop, a nacho bar buffet, and party favors. The rooftop bash is a ticketed event, for individual admission or full cabanas for groups. Tickets can be purchased at sloopjohnbrva.eventbrite.com.

Tier 2 / Dinner Special: The restaurant will have a dinner special for two for $49, including a chips trio appetizer, two pairs of craft tacos with a side, and our house-made churros for dessert. Dinner will be served from 5 –  10pm on that day only, and reservations are encouraged at www.sloopjohnbrva.com.

Tier 3 / NYE Ball Drop: The restaurant will host an outdoor NYE pre-game to 2023. This will include local food and beer trucks. There will be space for guests to watch the ball drop from downstairs as well. There is no charge to attend this part of the event.

The multitiered event is sure to offer something for everyone in the local area. For more information about the event, visit sloopjohnbrva.com.

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180Degreze LLC, a leader in innovative product development, has announced the launch of Magna Stop, magnetic doorstop covers. This groundbreaking product aims to transform the magnetic doorstop industry by providing a cover for existing doorstops that transforms them into magnetic doorstops.

Magna Stop will be available to customers across the U.S. on December 19, 2022 through the company's website, MagnaStop.com. The product includes three components: the Magna Cap, which covers the existing doorstop; the Strike Plate, which adheres to the door and can be painted to match the door; and permanent bonding glue to ensure a permanent installation.

"We are thrilled to bring a new level of convenience and functionality to the magnetic doorstop market. Magna Stop is easy to install, fits any type of home doorstop, and does not require any tools or the assistance of a handyman. It will solve the problem of 'ghost doors' and hold doors fully open until you are ready to release them," said founder and CEO Carl Reid.

For more information, visit MagnaStop.com.

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5Africa, Africa's leading e-learning platform, announced the launch of its new Learning Management Solution (LMS) today. This platform is designed to help educators manage their online courses and learning materials, while also improving the student learning experience. The 5Africa LMS offers a range of learning management solutions, including the ability to create online courses, track and customize student performance, monitor course completion, and assess learning outcomes.

In addition to these features, the platform provides an integrated and intuitive user experience, allowing students to access course material, quizzes, and other course-related elements directly from their 5Africa dashboard. The platform is customizable, user-friendly, and secure, providing an optimal environment for teaching, learning, and assessments.

In the coming months, 5Africa will also offer a variety of valuable resources to learners, including career planning resources, industry insights, and international job opportunities. The platform will also provide virtual document notary services and support for legal migration for African professionals to countries such as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Japan.

5Africa's new service will be available globally on December 26, 2022. In addition to the LMS, the platform also offers virtual notary services and a white label Learning Management System designed to help African education providers improve the delivery of learning to students. The platform's Relocation Assist initiative provides a one-stop destination for resources, information, and community support related to the process of migration.

"Our mission is to create opportunities for people looking for a better life and greater opportunity," said Oluwamiseun Mafa, Executive Director of 5Africa. "We are excited to bring these innovative and valuable services to our customers and help them succeed in their education and career goals."

For more information, visit 5africa.com.

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Goodtime Hustle, the "far-alt-country jam band" based in Seattle, is hitting the stage for a series of live performances in January.

On January 7th, Goodtime Hustle will be joined by Dāvin (from The Staxx Brothers) at Black Lab Gallery in Everett. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., show starts at 9:00 p.m. This is a 21+ event and ID is required. Tickets are $10 at the door. Dāvin will perform a rare solo acoustic set, including his hit "Free Your Mind." More information about the event can be found at https://bit.ly/blacklabgallery17.

On January 13th, Goodtime Hustle will perform at Murphy's Pub in Seattle, starting at 9:00 p.m. This is a 21+ event and ID is required, with no cover charge. More information about the event can be found at https://bit.ly/murphyspub113.

On January 14th, Goodtime Hustle will take the stage at The Brown Lantern Ale House in Anacortes, starting at 9:00 p.m. This event has no cover charge. More information about the event can be found at https://bit.ly/brownlantern114.

Finally, on January 20th, Goodtime Hustle will perform at The Main Street Bar and Grill in Ferndale, starting at 8:00 p.m. This event also has no cover charge. More information about the event can be found at https://bit.ly/mainstreetbarandgrill120.

Goodtime Hustle features Chris Denny on lead guitar, Michael Gagliardo on bass, and Tom Lash on drums. Frontman Bud Weather tells the story of his life as a psychedelic outlaw through the band's music, with honest and absurd tales of uncommon crime, kafkaesque punishment, and make-believe LSD.

Don't miss your chance to see Goodtime Hustle live in January. More information about each event can be found at the links provided above.

For more information about Goodtime Hustle, visit https://goodtimehustle.com.

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Pictor Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming juried show, Isn't It Ironic? featuring a selection of works by artists exploring the theme of irony in art. The show will be juried by John Gagné, an artist and curator based in Toronto and New York City. Gagné is the founder of Gagné Contemporary, a gallery located in Leslieville, Toronto, and is well known for his work in programming exhibitions and curating shows in galleries across New York City.

The participating artists in Isn't It Ironic? include Michael Amendolara, Kassem Amoudi, Sandra Benhaim, Stephen Cimini, Tom Fitzgibbon, Debra Friedkin, Barbara Herzfeld, Miriam King, Satyam Jha, Miranda Maher, Denis Ouch, Pamela Pearce, Cyndi Philkill, Gail Rickards, Rachel Romano, Bernice Sokol Kramer, and Robbyn Wix. Their works will range in medium and style, with a focus on exploring the concept of irony through a variety of approaches.

Pictor Gallery, located in the historic Landmark Arts Building in New York's Chelsea District, is a fine art gallery that showcases the work of artist members from around the country. The gallery is known for its unique blend of exhibits, salons, and live entertainment, offering a fresh and inclusive gallery experience for the art-loving public.

Join the Pictor Gallery for the opening reception for Isn't It Ironic? on Thursday, January 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and in Gallery 2 a selection of Pictor Gallery members' work will be shown.

For more information, please contact Pictor Gallery at info@pictorgallery.com or visit its website at www.pictorgallery.com.

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Do the Happy Bounce, a family-owned business dedicated to providing the best inflatable rentals, bounce house rentals, and party equipment to their customers, today announced the launch of their new inventory for 2022. This product includes 20 new custom bounce houses, featuring improved safety features, cutting-edge designs, and all-new products.

Do the Happy Bounce is committed to the safety and quality of its services and ensures that all of its products are thoroughly cleaned, tested, and sterilized before delivery. Customers can rent any of their inflatables and party games with complete confidence, knowing that their guests will be safe and protected.

The new product will be available on January 1st to customers across Southwest Florida. Do the Happy Bounce delivers to homes, commercial properties, churches, schools, and any other location where the equipment will be set up.

"We are excited to offer our customers this expanded selection of high-quality bounce houses for their events," said Joe Parker, owner of Do the Happy Bounce. "Our team is committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for all of our customers, and we look forward to continuing to provide the best inflatable rentals and party equipment in Southwest Florida."

For more information, visit https://dothehappybounce.com.

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American Paranormal Magazine, a leading publication in the paranormal research field, is excited to announce the release of its Vermont edition. This new edition is available for purchase both digitally and in print, and can be ordered online for international and U.S. readers. It is also available to be read for free on paranormalzine.com.

The December Vermont regional edition features a cover story about the Paranormal Investigators of New England, as well as articles on ghost stories and Christmas, vampires in Woodstock Village, and the true story behind the Legend of Anna's Ghost.

"We are thrilled to bring our Vermont regional edition to our readers and are excited to continue expanding to other New England states," said Lonnie Sullivan, Publishing Assistant and Volunteer at American Paranormal Magazine. "Our mission is to promote paranormal research, researchers, authors, psychics, investigators, podcasters, and paranormal field workers of all types, and this new edition is part of our strategy to achieve that."

For more information, visit https://www.paranormalzine.com.

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American Paranormal Magazine, a leading publication in the paranormal research field, today announced that it is launching its first British Columbia regional edition of the magazine, aimed at promoting paranormal research and investigation in British Columbia, Canada.

The new product is available now to customers across the U.S. and Canada, and can be shipped worldwide or read for free at paranormalzine.com. The magazine will also be available for purchase in print. The British Columbia edition will include a cover story research team, "Haunted History BC," as well as articles like "Do Fantastic Beasts Lurk in the Uncharted Depths of Vancouver Island?" by Nick Murray, "Ghosts of Nelson" by William Johnson, and "Tales From the Cryptid Keeper" by Adam Louis.

"British Columbia is teeming with interesting legends and lore that we are very excited to share," said Kim Eaton, Executive Publisher and Volunteer of American Paranormal Magazine. "We are excited to bring our publication to this region and provide a platform for paranormal researchers and enthusiasts to share their findings and experiences."

For more information, visit https://www.paranormalzine.com.

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Escaping Reality VR is excited to announce the official opening of its newest location on February 12, 2023, at 313 US Route 46 in Parsippany, NJ. Escaping Reality VR was created to assist the human brain by helping to escape the harsh realities of life through indoor entertainment using puzzle rooms and virtual reality platforms.

"Our goal is to create an environment where people can escape the stresses of everyday life and focus on sharpening their concentration, improving their memory, and boosting their mood," said Stephanie Peterson, the co-founder of Escaping Reality VR. "We believe that our immersive virtual reality experiences and escape rooms will not only provide entertainment, but also enhance social skills and encourage team building."

In addition to escape rooms and immersive virtual reality, Escaping Reality VR will also offer stand-alone virtual reality experiences for those who want to take a brief break from the real world.

"We understand that everyone's life realities are different, and sometimes it can be overwhelming," said Peterson. "At Escaping Reality VR, we want to provide a safe and fun place where people can escape those realities and create their own version of reality, even if it's just for a little while."

Escaping Reality VR is excited to welcome visitors starting on February 12th, and looks forward to providing a unique and memorable experience for all.

For more information, visit https://www.escapingrealityvr.com.

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Women in Cloud (WIC) is taking aim at the Guinness World Records™ title attempt for the most users in a vision board video hangout as part of the WICxAnnualSummit on February 1st, 2023. Led by Patti Dobrowolski, founder of Up Your Creative Genius, the three-hour session will guide participants through the process of defining their "Future You" identity and help those in transitional periods of their personal and professional lives identify who they want to become.

The goal of the record-setting event is to create 500 unique individual vision boards, which will be shared via an online album. This immersive experience is open to women and allies of all ages looking to make a change in their lives, whether transitioning from high school to college, college to career, employment to self-employment, or seeking a change in their career field.

Don't miss this opportunity to join the Women in Cloud community in a record-setting event and shape your own "Future You."

For more information visit https://womenincloud.com/wicxworld-record.
‍
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HeartLands Conservancy is thrilled to announce the preservation of four private properties in Clinton County near the Kaskaskia River. This accomplishment brings the total number of acres preserved to over 10,000. These conservation efforts support farming, wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, community well-being, and scenic beauty. These properties, located near the Kaskaskia River, are being restored to forested wetlands, providing vital habitat for a variety of tropical birds, bats, and animals.

HeartLands Conservancy (HLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural resources of southern Illinois. Since its founding, HLC has worked with private landowners, government agencies, and other partners to protect and restore essential habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. HLC uses a popular and voluntary tool called a Conservation Easement to protect the land's conservation values while allowing the landowner to maintain ownership of the property. These landowners are positively impacting the environment and the local community by preserving vital habitats and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

In addition to preserving land through conservation easements, HLC also engages in various other conservation efforts, including land acquisition, habitat restoration, education, and outreach. These efforts help to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and ensure the long-term health and vitality of southern Illinois' ecosystems.

The four properties preserved in Clinton County are an essential part of HLC's conservation efforts. Not only do they provide habitat for a variety of species, but they also help to protect water quality in the Kaskaskia River and surrounding areas.

HLC is grateful for the support of its donors, volunteers, and partners, who have helped make this milestone of 10,000 acres preserved possible. The organization is committed to continuing its conservation efforts in the coming years and invites the community to get involved.

For more information and updates on HeartLands Conservancy's conservation efforts, visit: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/about-us. Learn more about conservation easements and how you can get involved at HeartLands Conservancy's website: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/land/private-land-owners.

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American Paranormal Magazine, a leading publication in the paranormal research field, is excited to announce the launch of its first Florida regional edition. This new edition is available now and is available for purchase both digitally and in print. Customers in the U.S. can order the magazine online and have it shipped to them, and it will also be available for free reading on paranormalzine.com.

The Florida regional edition features a cover story by Angel Naves titled "Inside The Attic," as well as articles on the haunted locations of St. Augustine, Florida written by Louise Fredieu, the 1880 Victorian St. Augustine, Florida written by Keith Evans, and a feature on American Ghost Adventures. Additionally, Ava McClure will contribute an article on the 12 locations in Florida every paranormal investigator should visit, with The Hog Kong of Florida highlighted.

"We are thrilled to bring our Florida regional edition to our readers and are excited to continue expanding to more regions in 2023," said Lonnie Sullivan, Publishing Assistant and Volunteer of American Paranormal Magazine. "Our mission is to promote paranormal research, researchers, authors, psychics, investigators, podcasters, and paranormal field workers of all types, and this new edition is a step towards achieving that goal."

For more information, visit https://www.paranormalzine.com.

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Qstream, the leading enterprise microlearning and knowledge reinforcement platform that revolutionizes how businesses empower their employees through individualized learning, announced today that it has been awarded an Excellence in Technology Award from Brandon Hall Group, a top Human Capital Management research firm. Qstream has been recognized with a bronze award in the Learning & Development category for Best Advance in Mobile Learning Technology.

Qstream's quick, mobile microlearning challenges are delivered to learners in the flow of work, producing 90+% learner engagement. Qstream's mobile app pushes micro training content directly to each learner to reinforce critical information and change on-the-job behavior. Additionally, microlearning integrates with work and learning systems, meeting learners in their digital channels of choice and weaving training into daily routines. This enables continuous learning to ensure employees have the latest information and tools to excel in their roles and drive training and business outcomes.

"When it comes to corporate training programs, the learner experience is everything since employee proficiency and performance is critical to the success of every business," says Bret Kramer, VP of Sales and Customer Success at Qstream. "Employees want and need to be productive to perform in their jobs and prefer training that is easily accessible, relatable and impactful. Qstream's non-disruptive solution meets the needs of the modern learner, making them more engaged and continuously sharpening their knowledge and skills."

"We selected Qstream for this award because of their commitment to keeping learners engaged and providing people with the skills needed to perform at their job," said David Wentworth, Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group. "Their microlearning solution and mobile app prioritize a personalized learner experience, making it easy to access training on-the-go, grow their knowledge and become active contributors of the business."

The complete list of Excellence Award Winners can be found here.

About Qstream

Qstream is the leading enterprise microlearning and knowledge reinforcement solution proven by science and in practice to boost learner performance. Hundreds of organizations rely on Qstream to build high-performance teams by delivering a personalized and agile learning experience that delivers the highest levels of retention, engagement and efficiency along with analytics that provide precision insights and expose a real-time view of performance readiness.

About Brandon Hall Group, Inc.
‍
Brandon Hall Group is the only professional development company that offers data, research, insights and certification to Learning and Talent executives and organizations. The best minds in Human Capital Management (HCM) choose Brandon Hall Group to help them create future proof employee development plans for the new era. For nearly 30 years, we have empowered, recognized and certified excellence in organizations around the world influencing the development of over 10,000,000 employees and executives. Our HCM Excellence Awards was the first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard, known as the 'Academy Awards of Human Capital Management'. Our cloud-based platform delivers evidence-based insights in the areas of Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Acquisition and Human Resources for corporate organizations and HCM solution providers. To learn more visit http://www.brandonhall.com.

‍Media Contact
‍
David Resendes
‍David.Resendes@Qstream.com
(781) 960-5411

Leading estate sale franchise hosts annual conference to recognize franchisees for success in 2022 and share new initiatives to better serve customers

‍Blue Moon Estate Sales, the fastest-growing estate sale franchise in the U.S., awarded the 2022 Franchisee of the Year award to Laura Melish of Centennial and Aurora, CO at the company's annual conference held December 6 to 8th in Charlotte, NC.

The franchisee of the year is awarded to the Blue Moon owner who not only demonstrated excellent success in growing their business, but also selflessly supports and promotes the Blue Moon system.

"Laura is an example of what it means to be a successful business owner and meaningful member of the communities she serves," said Bob Lang, president of Blue Moon Estate Sales. "Laura gives of herself by always being available to take a phone call and to help fellow Blue Moon owners. With strong customer and client experience skills, she drives her team to provide the best service at all times. She is a true leader in every sense of the word."

Laura came to the business with a passion for antiques and breathing new life into old relics. Prior to opening Blue Moon in 2021, Laura worked in the car rental and travel industry for 35 years.

"Being named the franchisee of the year is extremely gratifying and underscores the hard work and dedication we've put into making our business a success," said Laura Melish. "I continue to be excited about the future of this company, the opportunities for growth and helping more families with their downsizing needs with respect, sensitivity and compassion."

Additional award winners include:
‍

• Growth Mindset: Rick Blanton of Memphis, TN
• True Blue Customer Loyalty: Jonathan and Jeannette Tinkey of Greenville, SC
• Marketing Excellence: Danielle Roberts of Conroe, TX and The Woodlands, TX
• Highest Multi-Unit Revenue: Tracy Duce of Minneapolis east, west, and south territories
• Highest Single-Unit Revenue: Terri and Chris Dickson of Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC
• Surpassing Everest: Jonathan and Jeannette Tinkey of Greenville, SC
• Rising Star: Melanie Ramos of Knoxville, TN
• Rookie of the Year: Kerry and Dustin Chester of Omaha NE

In addition to announcing awards within the network, the conference was held to help energize the Blue Moon teams and provide new tools and insights on making the most significant impact possible for franchisees and the families that Blue Moon serves.

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Blue Moon Estate Sales is the fastest-growing national estate sale franchise with 78 locations in 24 states. Established in 2009, founders Deb, Ken and David Blue wanted to bring their proven business model to a larger audience. Thus, in 2013, Blue Moon Estate Sales started franchising, running an industry-leading training program and providing ongoing support, and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company.

To learn more about Blue Moon Estate Sales franchising, visit www.bluemoonestatesales.com/franchising.

About Blue Moon Estate Sales

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Blue Moon Estate Sales is a growing national franchise with 107 locations in 28 states. Established in 2009, Blue Moon Estate Sales was created to set the highest of standards in an unregulated industry. After five successful years in the Raleigh market, founders Deb, Ken and David Blue wanted to bring their proven business model to a larger audience. Thus, in 2013, Blue Moon Estate Sales started franchising, running an industry-leading training program and providing ongoing support, and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company.

To facilitate the ongoing process to sell its businesses, DCL Corporation (DCL or the Company), a leading manufacturer and reseller of color pigments, announced today that, on December 20, 2022, its United States based subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for a court-supervised reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (Chapter 11) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Contemporaneously, the Company and its Canadian subsidiaries have also commenced court-supervised restructuring proceedings in Canada under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, as amended (CCAA).

As part of these filings, DCL has entered into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement (APA), under which DCL will sell substantially all of the Company's assets in a sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The agreement is subject to court approval and any higher or better offers received pursuant to the bidding procedures proposed as part of the sale process.

DCL's international subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are not included in the Chapter 11 or CCAA proceedings.

In support of the restructuring process, DCL's existing lender, Wells Fargo,  has agreed to provide up to $55 million in debtor-in-possession financing. Following court approval, the Company expects this financing, together with cash flow from operations, to support the business in normal operations during the court-supervised process. The Company is continuing to serve customers and end users in the U.S., Canada, and globally.

Scott Davido, the Company's Chief Restructuring Officer, said, "We are pleased to enter into this asset purchase agreement, and to have the continued support of our lenders as we complete this process. The U.S. and Canadian restructuring proceedings will facilitate our sale process, address our liquidity challenges, strengthen our balance sheet and better position DCL for the future. Additionally, we thank all of the DCL employees for their continued dedication and tireless efforts, during these challenging times."

DCL is filing customary first-day motions with the courts that, once approved, will allow the Company to operate its business in the normal course under Chapter 11 and CCAA, including, among other things, granting authority to pay employee wages and benefits and honor customer commitments in the ordinary course of business. The Company will also pay all vendors in the ordinary course for all goods and services provided on or after the Chapter 11 filing date.

To assist with the Company's restructuring, Scott Davido of Ankura Consulting Group (Ankura) has been named as DCL's Chief Restructuring Officer, and Ankura Consulting Group is acting as the Company's financial advisor. The Company is represented by King & Spalding LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as legal counsel. TM Capital Corp is the Company's investment banker.

Additional information is available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/DCL, by calling DCL's claim agent, Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC, at (888) 510-7189 (US/Canada Toll Free) or +1 (646) 440-4160 (International), or by emailing DCLInfo@ra.kroll.com.

About DCL

DCL Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of pigments for our customers in the coatings, plastics, printing ink and paper industries worldwide. Our extensive range of pigments is backed by technical expertise, our commitment to service excellence, continuous improvement, environmental, health, safety and social responsibility. Please visit www.pigments.com for more information on our product range.

About Ankura

Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end-to-end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to conflict, crisis, performance, risk, strategy, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 1,800 professionals serving 3000+ clients across 55 countries who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise. Collaborative lateral thinking, hard-earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivaled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create and Recover Value. For more information, please visit, ankura.com.

The Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) today announced it has launched a new brand theme for its annual Logistics Sales & Marketing Conference: ELEVATE. The new theme embodies the tremendous rate of change the transportation and logistics industry has undergone in recent years. It also reinforces the advancement of the sales and marketing discipline to take TMSA member companies to new performance heights.

In fact, 76% of TMSA Member companies participated in our proprietary 2022 Metrics Study reported a 10-20%+ increase in sales in 2021. 79% of respondents are anticipating the same results year-over-year—an increase of 10–20%+ in sales in 2022, even amidst recession concerns.

"For nearly 100 years, TMSA has been a beacon for sales and marketing professionals in logistics and transportation. As the industry has grown and matured, our member companies have relied on us to be the voice of change, leading the charge with the most modern, cutting-edge practices in sales and marketing. ELEVATE represents all of that—and more," said Mark Derks, Chief Marketing Officer at BlueGrace Logistics and President of TMSA.

ELEVATE will take place June 11–13, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Georgia. The opening keynote address at ELEVATE will be delivered by Jared Orton, president at the Savannah Bananas, a ground-breaking minor league baseball team that has transformed the way the game of baseball delivers a differentiated customer experience. Ready to go bananas and ELEVATE your game in totally different ways? Registration opens today with special holiday pricing at: www.tmsatoday.org/ELEVATE-conference.

"At TMSA, we know that keeping pace with the industry isn't enough for our member companies. That's why we continue to launch new programs and expand access to resources and educational tools that empower them to gain an edge and accelerate their growth strategies faster and smarter," said Jennifer Karpus-Romain, executive director at TMSA.

"By doing this, our member companies ELEVATE the performance of their sales and marketing talent, emerging as industry leaders."

In addition to ELEVATE, TMSA also hosts an Executive Summit each fall, bringing together the most respected and experienced senior leaders in business development, marketing and commercial growth in the industry.

TMSA members reap the benefits of not only two exceptional in-person events at ELEVATE and the Executive Summit, but also gain access year-round to more than 20 live webinars, hundreds of published knowledge-based member portal resources, regional and virtual networking events, proprietary member-only research studies, and an exclusive members-only directory of the most sought-after leaders in sales and marketing.

TMSA's Metrics Study benchmarks performance and cutting-edge practices for sales and marketing departments across the industry. The study is proprietary to TMSA and exclusively available only to TMSA members at https://www.tmsatoday.org/membership-resources.

About TMSA

TMSA is the only non-profit association of its kind dedicated to advancing the success of marketing and sales professionals in all modes of the commercial freight transportation and logistics market. From president and vice president to manager, director and coordinator, members are at all levels and represent all market segments including motor carriers, 3PLs, railroads, air carriers, ocean lines, port authorities, OEMs, media and suppliers.

TMSA's mission is to enable sales and marketing professionals to learn and give back to the transportation and logistics industry through education, connections and resources, ultimately strengthening their individual development, their businesses and the industry-at-large. TMSA's vision is to be the pre-eminent non-profit sales and marketing association that transportation and logistics professionals turn to for industry-specific education, connections and resources.

Learn more about TMSA at https://www.tmsatoday.org.