Market Newsdesk

TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MedC Biopharma Corporation (“MedC”), a science-driven company that develops, produces and delivers innovative skin oncology medication worldwide, today announced the launch of its $3 million listing on DealSquare ($MEDCB). Powered by NEO technology, DealSquare is a joint initiative between Silver Maple Ventures and NEO to make private markets better and more accessible.

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, MedC develops and commercializes cannabinoid and other natural compound-containing products for use in the consumer, veterinary, medical skin, and general health markets. The company has already developed two drugs toward clinical trials for CTCL – Skin (Cutaneous) T-cell Lymphoma and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, both of which are recognized as orphan conditions with unmet needs, and as markets with huge potential. MedC is developing its own proprietary red sea-algae “Algel” gel-based products, with a variety of applicable uses for skin health and wellness, and is also pursuing opportunities in veterinary medication and pet health, specifically oncology and inflammation-related indications (an estimated $400 million annual market).

MedC’s listing on DealSquare creates an opportunity for investors who believe there is a global need to mature and legitimize the cannabis and cannabis-related health and medical market, by supporting the development of products that deliver health and wellness benefits. With the funds raised from this listing, MedC is targeting international expansion, initially across Canada and Australia, with plans to launch in Europe, UK, Asia, and Latin America shortly thereafter. It will also expand its product offering with new lines for different markets and multiple dose formats. There will be a strong focus on research and development of high value market products, as well as regulatory work, thus enabling MedC to further enhance its product offering.

“
The launch of our private offering on
DealSquare
marks a significant step towards
MedC
taking its place amongst industry leaders that are determined to legitimize and deliver the health benefits of cannabinoids to the global community,” remarked Dr. Owen Van Cauwenberghe, President of MedC. “Our tireless efforts and commitment to substantiated medical and health claims for these products will ensure that their benefits will be available to all those in need. We are fortunate that DealSquare recognizes our potential and is providing a centralized platform to support our continued efforts.”

DealSquare is an online private placement platform for dealers, investment advisors, and capital raisers. The centralized platform gives registered users the ability to efficiently find, analyze, share, and subscribe to private market deals. DealSquare offers a fully digital and automated process, allowing capital raisers to publish their private placement opportunities, dealers to complete their due diligence, and advisors and investors to electronically subscribe to a deal. Exempt securities are seamlessly integrated into client accounts and dealer back office systems using NEO technology.

“We welcom
e
MedC
on
to
DealSquare
.
The cannabis-related health and medical market is a fast-growing market that offers attractive investment opportunities
,
” said Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, Managing Director of DealSquare, “The listing of MedC on DealSquare enables dealers and advisors to offer this investment opportunity to their clients, and to execute investments efficiently and in a fully digitized way through ouronline platform.”

“
Like
DealSquare
and NEO,
MedC
is on
a
relentless pursuit of innovation
for the benefit of others
,” commented Jos Schmitt, President and CEO of NEO. “They are well-positioned to deliver effective medical treatments for skin conditionsin a highly underserviced market, and the funds raised from this DealSquare campaign will help make that possible. We are excited to help MedCraise the capital neededto achieve rapid growth, while providing investors with a unique investment opportunity that would otherwise be inaccessible.”

To view MedC Biopharma’s private placement offering on DealSquare, click here. The MedC Biopharma ticker is available under MEDCB on existing advisor order entry systems.

About
MedC
Biopharma

MedC Biopharma is a science-driven company focused on developing, producing, and delivering differentiated cannabinoid and other natural compound-containing products targeting the consumer, veterinary and medical skin & general health markets.

Connect with MedC Biopharma: Website | LinkedIn

About DealSquare

A joint initiative between NEO and Silver Maple Ventures, DealSquare, is Canada’s first centralized dealer platform for private placements, digitally connecting capital-raisers to investment dealers, their advisory networks, and their investors. With the complete roll-out of the platform in early 2020, DealSquare supports the entire private placement process: capital raisers publish their private placement opportunities; dealers complete their due diligence; and advisors electronically subscribe to a deal, with exempt securities seamlessly integrated into client accounts and back office systems utilizing NEO technology.

Connect with DealSquare: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

About NEO

NEO is a group of established fintech companies that provide capital markets infrastructure designed for and led by the industry. NEO’s competitive drive, innovation, and advocacy enable change for the better. The NEO Exchange is a progressive stock exchange that brings together investors and capital raisers within a fair, efficient, and service-oriented environment; and DealSquare, powered by NEO technology, is a platform that enables the distribution of financial assets not listed on a stock exchange in a way that reduces costs, minimizes operational risks, and improves the investor experience.

Connect with NEO: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn 

About Silver Maple Ventures

Silver Maple Ventures Inc. (“SMV”) is an exempt market dealer and holding company of FrontFundr Financial Services Inc. (“FrontFundr”) and DealSquare Technologies Inc. (“DealSquare”). With offices in Toronto and Vancouver, the SMV team are national leaders in the private capital markets, developing and operating two fintech platforms to provide access to private markets in Canada and simplify the transaction process.

Media Contact
John Hills
E: [email protected] 
P: 289 962 1708

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MineralTree CFO Christopher Sands will participate in a webinar next week on how financial professionals can help their careers by embracing automation and technology in their roles. The webinar, entitled Elevating AP: How to Enable Strategic Insights and Career Growth, is being hosted by the Institute of Finance & Management, and will also feature Mark Brousseau, President of Brousseau & Associates, a well-respected industry thought leader. 

Automation is impacting nearly every business today and specifically the people who work inside of them. Businesses across the board have viewed automation primarily as an opportunity to drive efficiency. But what about automation as a means to not only drive strategic advantage, but also, in the process, create more rewarding roles and advanced skill sets? No function within an organization today represents this opportunity better than Accounts Payable (AP) because only 38% of businesses have adopted AP and/or Business-to-Business (B2B) Payments automation software. AP department employees that haven’t automated spend more than 80% of their time on transaction processing, leaving little time to spend on analysis and insights.

The webinar will discuss the topic in depth and address specific questions including:

• What is Invoice and B2B Payments Automation software
• What are the steps that CFOs can take to lead this transformational change
• What are the benefits and opportunities that automation creates for AP professionals in their careers
• What are the benefits CFOs can expect from automating

Elevating AP: How to Ena
ble Strategic Insights and Career Growth

Tues. Dec. 8, 2020, 2:00 – 3:00pm ET

Speakers:

• Mark Brousseau, President, Brousseau & Associates 
• Chris Sands, Chief Financial Officer, MineralTree

To Register:

https://www.iofm.com/ap/webinars/elevating-ap-how-to-enable-strategic-insights

MineralTree Resources:

Industry Report: The State of AP 2020: A Research Report
Product Overview: End-to-End AP Automation – How it Works

About MineralTree

MineralTree provides modern, secure, easy-to-use, end-to-end Accounts Payable (AP) Automation solutions that reduce costs by more than 75%, increase visibility and control, and mitigate fraud and risk, while improving cash flow. More than 3,000 mid-market and mid-enterprise companies, as well as more than 30 financial institutions rely on MineralTree to digitize and optimize the entire AP Automation and Payments process, preserving control over the complete invoice-to-payment workflow, improving vendor relationships, maximizing ROI, and transforming the finance function from a cost center to a profit center. For more information, visit https://www.mineraltree.com.

Media Inquiries
Tim Walsh
for MineralTree, Inc.
617.512.1641
[email protected]

Washington, DC, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WASHINGTON — National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas issued a statement today outlining immediate steps President-elect Joe Biden’s administration and a new Congress can take to bolster the U.S. manufacturing sector.  As President-elect Biden has named several key members of his economic team in recent days, the U.S. textile industry stands ready to work with this critical team.  NCTO is also eager to work with the new Congress on advancing these bipartisan priorities.

The U.S. textile industry looks forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team and his administration to provide input on key policies outlined in the campaign to prioritize investing in American manufacturing and its workforce, onshoring critical supply chains, and cracking down on the predatory trade practices that have harmed the manufacturing sector and U.S. jobs.  We agree with the President-elect that we must not revert to status quo trade policies that have undermined our nation’s resilience and exacerbated income inequality by impacting the manufacturing sector and promoting a race to the bottom that have especially hurt the nearly two-thirds of the American workforce without college degrees.

As domestic manufacturers, the U.S. textile industry fully supports the President-elect’s campaign pledge to strengthen ‘Buy American’ rules and invest in government purchases of American-made products.  It is imperative that we strengthen the domestic personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain to achieve a long-term goal of ending our over-reliance on China and begin onshoring the production of critical medical textiles.  We look forward to working with the President-elect and his team to strengthen and maintain these supply chains, which is a paramount national and healthcare security issue. Further, we are prepared to engage with leaders in Congress to enact bipartisan legislation to ensure we can make the long-term investments needed to fully bring critical PPE production back to the United States.

The COVID-19 crisis has made clear to Democrats and Republicans alike that our past trade policies have left the United States too reliant on imports of essential goods.  Our national trade and economic agenda must put American manufacturing workers at the center.  President-elect Biden has committed to taking on China and other countries that utilize predatory trade and economic tactics that have hurt domestic manufacturers and we welcome that call.

There are four immediate steps the Biden administration can take in the first months in office to help boost investment in the U.S. textile industry and onshore critical PPE supply chains.

Expand Investment in American-Made PPE: We strongly endorse President-elect Biden’s plan to bolster the industrial base through strong Buy American proposals.  The Berry Amendment, a domestic procurement law that governs purchases by the Defense Department, has been an essential tool of national security policy to ensure our warfighters and military personnel are wearing 100% Made-in-America product and that we are not relying on foreign supply chains from China and elsewhere to supply critical military materials.  Our healthcare workers are on the front lines and we need to ensure that the products they are wearing are made in America and that they meet the critical performance requirements of the healthcare setting.  Regrettably, our overreliance on China for these essential products failed to meet our needs during a time of crisis.  That can never happen again; we must onshore and diversify these critical supply chains moving forward.

Expanding the Berry Amendment to federal purchases of PPE is a central element of pending bipartisan legislation known as The American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act, which should be adopted.  In addition, we urge the federal government to deploy long-term federal contracts for PPE to spur investment and create jobs in the U.S., a key element of separate pending bipartisan legislation named the Make PPE in America Act.  Lastly, we believe we must utilize tax incentives to help promote the domestic manufacturing industrial base and U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Appoint a High-Level COVID-19 Coordinating Supply Chain Team:  In order to help ensure industry is meeting federal government needs and priorities, it is critical that the U.S. textile industry and PPE producers have a high level of communication and coordination with key officials across all the government agencies procuring medical PPE.  Establishing a key point person and team is critical to ensure the necessary collaboration to help industry and government respond quickly and effectively to national, state and local PPE needs.  A high-level team comprised of experts committed to U.S. manufacturing is vitally important in advancing both short-term needs and long-term supply chain efforts.  As such, we are prepared to do our part in developing a streamlined, high-level coordination structure that ensures that the contracting process yields timely acquisition of quality U.S.-made PPE and other medical items.

Continue to Support Tariffs and Strong Trade Enforcement: We also appreciate President-elect Biden’s pledge to continue aggressive trade enforcement actions against China, along with his willingness to work long-term with international coalitions to comprehensively address systemic predatory trade practices.  For far too long, our industry, like so many others in the manufacturing sector, has been hindered by predatory trade practices.  The U.S. textile industry is highly automated and is proud to compete with anyone in the world on a level and fair playing field.  But the rules of the road are not always abided by or fair – and, regrettably, the U.S. textile industry has far too often faced that sobering reality.  This is why aggressive enforcement actions, including continuing punitive tariffs on finished products, is critical to getting the Chinese to address systemic unfair trade advantages, such as government subsidies, state-owned enterprises, forced labor practices, weak environmental standards, intellectual property theft and currency manipulation that non-market economies use to manipulate global markets and hurt U.S. producers.  Punitive tariffs coupled with other enforcement mechanisms are also necessary to increase negotiating leverage to address these larger systemic issues.  We need to appropriately punish countries that engage in unfair and illegal practices while rewarding companies that invest in the United States for critical materials like PPE, and work to further strengthen our alliances with our existing free trade agreement and trade preference partner countries.

Provide Targeted Stimulus to U.S. Manufacturers and Workers: The unprecedented reduction in consumer demand since the onset of COVID-19 has significantly hurt the U.S. textile industry and other key manufacturing sectors of the economy.  It is critical that the textile industry and other impacted manufacturing sectors and their workforce have access to critical support like the Paycheck Protection Program.  Additionally, this program should be expanded to ensure more medium-sized manufacturers that have made PPE have the opportunity to participate.  A robust manufacturing stimulus will help stabilize the industry and lead to critical domestic job growth in this important sector and we urge Congress and the administration to come together to implement a plan as soon as possible.

We look forward to working with President-elect Biden and the new Congress and their teams on implementing these key immediate priorities in the days ahead.

###

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers.

• U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 585,240 in 2019.
• The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $75.8 billion in 2019.
• U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $29.1 billion in 2019.
• Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2.5 billion in 2018, the last year for which data is available.

DOWNLOAD RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kristi Ellis

Vice President, Communications

National Council of Textile Organizations

[email protected]  |  202.684.3091

Attachment

• Press Statement on Priorities for Biden 12.3.20

Kristi Ellis
National Council of Textile Organizations
202.684.3091
[email protected]

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. announces that it is investigating Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (“Waddell”) (NYSE: WDR) regarding possible breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of law related to Waddell’s agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Macquarie Asset Management. Under the terms of the agreement, Waddell’s shareholders will receive $25.00 in cash per share.

To learn more about this investigation and your rights, visit: https://www.rl-legal.com/cases-waddell-reed-financial-inc.

You may also contact Seth D. Rigrodsky or Gina M. Serra cost and obligation free at (888) 969-4242 or [email protected].

Rigrodsky & Long, P.A., with offices in Delaware and New York, has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of investors and achieved substantial corporate governance reforms in securities fraud and corporate class actions nationwide.

Attorney advertising.  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

CONTACT:

Rigrodsky & Long, P.A.
Seth D. Rigrodsky
Gina M. Serra
(888) 969-4242 (Toll Free)
(302) 295-5310
Fax: (302) 654-7530
[email protected]
https://rl-legal.com

CHICAGO, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, seven in 10 U.S. consumers (71%) say they have increased their use of paid streaming services. The findings come from a new TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) survey administered in November – a follow up to a May survey which found 56% of consumers had increased their usage since the pandemic began in March.

Subscription-based streaming providers, including platforms such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix and Apple TV, have continued to see growingadoption among consumers over the past several months. The TransUnion survey supports this trend, finding that on average, consumers are spending 3-4 hours a day consuming streamed media, with 55% opting for this form of entertainment in place of a cable TV subscription.

“COVID-19 has upended the entertainment landscape and with it, has accelerated the shift to streamed media,” said Matt Spiegel, executive vice president and head of the marketing solutions and media verticals at TransUnion. “To gain market share, platforms are vying for captive audiences, focusing on how their content can stand out in a growing sea of choices. We can expect factors like content quality, price, and user experience to all carry weight in decisions from consumers about streaming new content through various service providers.”

With traditional broadcast programming feeling the pinch in the wake of the pandemic, consumers are finding the diversity of content available on streaming platforms even more appealing. Across generations, content was the top reason consumers gravitated toward streaming services, greater than both affordability and convenience.

The younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) were most likely to also use streaming services due to affordability concerns with traditional cable or satellite packages – a sign that the cord-cutting trend may continue in the new year. Overall, 68% of respondents will consider adding more streaming services in 2021 if the service is more cost effective than cable or satellite television, or if the platform has content the consumer is interested in.

Top Reason
(
s
)
for Using
More
Streaming Services in 2021 by Generation

Reason (s)	Gen Z (1995 and After)		Millennial (1980 – 1994)		Gen X (1965 – 1979)		Baby Boomer (1946 – 1964)		Silent (Prior to 1945)
Interested in the content provided by these services	47	%	44	%	39	%	31	%	36	%
More affordable than cable or satellite television	42	%	41	%	38	%	27	%	23	%
More convenient to use these services (mobile, TV, etc.)	32	%	29	%	28	%	20	%	30	%

*Survey respondents select
ed all that applied.

Despite increased competition among streaming services, the number of platforms in which consumers have subscriptions may have hit a plateau. Approximately 44% of consumers are currently subscribing to an average of 3-5 paid streaming services, whereas only 7% are subscribing to as many as 7-10. In the next 30-60 days, 58% of consumers cited they do not plan to add any new streaming services, however 67% said they also do not plan to cancel any of their existing subscriptions.

“The streaming wars have entered a new phase where it is not only about capturing potential new customers, but there’s also a focus on sustaining and maintaining their existing customer base. While consumers are adjusting to the new realities brought on by the pandemic, there is still a strong appetite for streaming. As those preferences persist, the advertising industry will need to connect the dots and create a better, more accurate view into the devices and people consuming streaming media in the connected home,” said Spiegel.

TransUnion’s suite of identity, audience and insights solutions help marketers and media companies understand and reach the consumers on the other side of the screen. To learn more, please visit https://www.transunion.com/media-consumption-nov2020.

About the Survey

The online survey was conducted the week of November 2, 2020 and included responses from 2,538 U.S. consumers, ages 18 and over.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing a comprehensive picture of each person so they can be reliably and safely represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good.®

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people.

http://www.transunion.com/business

Contact		Dave Blumberg
		TransUnion
E-mail		[email protected]
Telephone		312-972-6646

Potsdam, NY, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite the challenges of navigating a global pandemic and the alterations it demands, Clarkson University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have found a way to grow.

 According to Dennis Yu, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs & Research at Clarkson’s David D. Reh School of Business, the online MBA program’s highest enrollment in the past was 39 students. This year, that number has increased dramatically.

 “There are already 60 new students enrolled in the Online MBA program as we speak,” Yu said. “This program has rolling admission. Easily we can project the enrollment of the Online MBA this year to be close to 70 students for this recruitment year.”

 “The online MBA program currently sits at up 135% in applications from last year, and up 215% in confirmed enrollments as of this evening (60),” added Director of Graduate Business Programs Joshua LaFave. “The Healthcare MBA is seeing growth as well, being up 22% in applications with the same recruitment timeframe. We still have two quarters of recruitment left, and expect enrollments will continue to rise.”

 While Yu said the residential MBA program has not seen the same increase as the online program, its enrollment remains stable. He believes the stability can be attributed to its appeal to a niche market who prefer to complete their MBA program in one year.

 “For residential MBA, there are nine modules this fall semester. We are able to deliver five of them in-person on campus to make sure that we fulfill the promise as a residential program, which is supposed to be a campus-based program in-person delivery,” Yu explained. “The other four modules are delivered online with all synchronous classes (i.e., online live classes) by using Zoom. A selling point of our residential program is that students can complete the program in nine months, to be precise. We are on track to deliver the program for those who seek one-year graduation even during such a difficult time as the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 LaFave said the MBA program’s hallmark is its adaptability to the student and dedicated advisement to build a program that is flexible and works for them.

 “I like to say that our program is accessible, flexible, and efficient,” LaFave said. “Our admissions policies are built with these three pillars in mind, along with our approach to the curriculum and academic scheduling.” 

 Yu credits the flexibility of Clarkson’s MBA program with its recent success. LaFave agreed, and also added that the program’s connection to employers and the impact the program’s alumni make in organizations are also incredible assets.

 “Employers hire Clarkson alumni because they are prepared to add value to an organization immediately,” LaFave said. “This is seen in recruitment still being strong for MBA students.  Our consistent ranking across MBA programs (U.S. News and World Report top 100 for both residential and online) send a message of strong quality as well.”

 LaFave also indicated that in a time of healthcare crisis, the Healthcare MBA program stands poised to prepare leaders for the future of healthcare as the industry will undergo substantial changes over the next several years.

 “Clarkson’s Healthcare MBA is just one of 28 schools nationwide to hold both Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation and Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accreditation,” he said. 

 As for the future, Yu and LaFave both agree the program, particularly online, will continue to thrive.

 “The online MBA program both in format, delivery, and student body makeup will continue to become more robust, more diverse in experiences, disciplines and geographic location. We are seeing enrollments across various locations in the country,” LaFave said. “The live class component in our online programs brings some important elements of the student experience such as faculty interaction and networking that students value as a part of their time in our programs.”

 For more information on Clarkson’s MBA programs and a list of other specialized master’s programs offered in the David D. Reh School of Business, visit www.clarkson.edu/academics/business.

Attachment

• mba-program

Melissa Lindell
Clarkson University
315-268-6716
[email protected]

CANTONMENT, Fla., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Author Les Tripp’s second published book shares a story of courage and dedication towards a difficult task. “Walls and Gates: A Devotional Study of the Book of Nehemiah” by Les Tripp brings historical and cultural background to Nehemiah and Nehemiah’s persistence in the face of great opposition. This motivational narrative contains a series of devotional thoughts for evaluating the effectiveness of personal walls and gates centered around the Book of Nehemiah.

“Walls and Gates” is filled with devotional thoughts with each containing a description of Nehemiah’s actions and their relevance today. The author discusses that by having strong, guarded gates one is able to control what is let in and explores how people are products of what they allow into their lives, either for good or bad. Tripp demonstrates that having effective walls can keep one from being overwhelmed by culture and the trials and tribulations of life. Throughout the book, readers will be challenged to form effective spiritual walls and gates, appreciate insights into Nehemiah’s leadership, explore the actions and events of restoring the walls and gates in terms of one’s spiritual journey and ministry and be engaged in developing spiritual protection.

“Having been encouraged to publish my study of the book of Joshua, I turned to Nehemiah and uncovered the depth of his character and his perseverance,” said Tripp. “I thought readers might enjoy a look at the man and his times and draw personal application from the events in the book.”

At the conclusion of each devotional are a related New Testament scripture and thought-provoking questions. Ultimately, readers will be taken on a spiritual journey of faith as they discover the story of Nehemiah and his significant task of rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem and his actions in restoring the people spiritually.

To learn more, please visit www.mensdisciplemaking.org.

“Walls and Gates: A Devotional Study of the Book of Nehemiah”

By Les Tripp

ISBN: 9781973697633 (softcover); 9781973697640 (hardcover); 9781973697626 (electronic)

Available at the WestBow Press Online Bookstore, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Les Tripp served twenty-three years in the US Air Force and seventeen years as a defense contractor. A church elder and certified men’s ministry coach, he has led men’s ministry, served on the men’s ministry leadership team of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and served as a regional men’s ministry coordinator. This is Tripp’s second book. He is the author of “Strong and Courageous: A Devotional for Men in the Battle.” He is currently in the process of writing his third book. Tripp and his wife currently reside in Cantonment, Florida and have three children and eight grandchildren. To learn more about Les Tripp, visit his Facebook page.

WestBow Press is a strategic supported self-publishing alliance between HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Author Solutions, LLC — the world leader in supported self-publishing. Titles published through WestBow Press are evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication through Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. For more information, visit www.westbowpress.com or call (866)-928-1240.

Attachment

• Walls and Gates

Meghan Bowman
LAVIDGE
480-306-6597
[email protected]

Hsinchu, Taiwan and Oxford, UK , Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Andes Technology Corp., a leading supplier of performance-efficient and extensible 32/64-bit RISC-V CPU cores and a Founding Premier member of the RISC-V International Association, and Imperas Software Ltd., a leader in high-performance software simulation and virtual platforms, announced today to extend their cooperation to the versatile Andes Custom Extension™ (ACE) and Imperas’ fast simulators. The joint work enables SoC design teams using the ACE framework to co-design hardware and software so that full software development can start before the silicon is available.

Under the ACE framework, SoC designers can easily and efficiently define new instructions on the Andes RISC-V processor core to speed up target applications by writing ACE scripts for instruction semantics and concise Verilog for instruction execution RTL. Taking them as inputs, the powerful tool COPILOT (Custom-OPtimized Instruction deveLOpment Tools) automatically generates all required components to extend the existing Andes processor package, including the processor RTL, the compilation tools, the debugger and the cycle-accurate simulator, to support the new instructions.

While SoC architects and logic designers focus on accelerating the most time critical parts of their applications, software engineers need to ensure the functionality and robustness of the whole software stack and put in new features at the same time. Before the SoC silicon is available for full-speed development, a fast simulator allows software engineers to jump-start the coding, debugging and testing of their applications without depending on the schedule of the hardware development. By taking the extended simulation shared library generated by the COPILOT, the Imperas simulators can automatically recognize the new instructions and simulate their functionality just like a hand-customized simulator.  With a fast simulator and the associated tools, software engineers can start full development and even provide feedbacks to hardware designers.

“All Andes RISC-V CPU cores are extensible. ACE empowers SoC designers to easily add custom instructions on top of our highly efficient cores to fulfill domain-specific acceleration and bring their SoC performance to the next level,” says Dr. Charlie Su, Andes Technology CTO and EVP. “Our RISC-V CPU cores are supported by the Imperas simulators already. We are excited to extend our cooperation to enable ACE users to use the Imperas fast simulators so that software engineers can also be engaged with the full development cycle and from the early stage.”

“The flexibility of RISC-V with custom extensions, while compliant with the software ecosystem, offers new degrees of freedom for system architects,” says Simon Davidmann, CEO at Imperas Software Ltd. “Rapid software architectural exploration with virtual platforms complements the ACE hardware implementation flow, plus the resulting platforms offer virtual development boards well before silicon is available. Andes and Imperas working together are helping customers and partners innovate hardware flexibility at the speed of software development.”

The cooperation enhances the ACE solution with the Imperas fast simulators and virtual platforms. SoC design teams using the ACE framework for Andes RISC-V processor cores can define custom instructions and have all the required components generated automatically in no time on their desktops by the COPILOT tool. They include extended components for the processor RTL, the compilation tools, the debugger, the cycle-accurate simulator as well as the Imperas fast functional simulators.

About Imperas

Imperas is revolutionizing the development of embedded software and systems and is the leading provider of RISC-V processor models and virtual prototype solutions. Imperas, along with Open Virtual Platforms (OVP), promotes open-source model availability for a spectrum of processors, IP vendors, CPU architectures, system IP and reference platform models of processors and systems ranging from simple single core bare metal platforms to full heterogeneous multi-core systems booting SMP Linux. All models are available from Imperas at www.imperas.com and the Open Virtual Platforms (OVP) website at www.ovpworld.org.

About Andes

Andes Technology Corporation is a world class creator of innovative high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit processor cores and associated development environment that serves the rapidly growing global market for embedded system applications. As a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is the first mainstream CPU vendor that has adopted the RISC-V as the base of its fifth-generation architecture, the AndeStar™ V5. To meet the demanding requirements of today’s electronic devices, Andes delivers highly configurable, extensible and performance-efficient CPU cores with full-featured integrated development environment and comprehensive software/hardware solutions to help customers innovate their SoC in a shorter time to market. Since 2018, the yearly volume of SoCs Embedded with Andes CPUs has surpassed the 1-billion mark. Andes Technology’s comprehensive RISC-V CPU families range the compact 25-series, the advanced 27-series to the high-performance superscalar 45-series.

For more information, please visit http://www.andestech.com

Attachment

• Andes and Imperas RISC-V Custom Instruction Flow

Hsiao-Ling Lin
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.andestech.com

WASHINGTON, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Workers without four-year college degrees who have the skills for higher-wage work often do not realize these higher wages, according to groundbreaking research released today by the nonprofit Opportunity@Work. 

Astonishingly, the report, “Navigating with the STARs: Reimagining Equitable Pathways to Mobility,” also identifies 51 “gateway” jobs and nearly 300 higher-wage “destination” jobs where employers in need of talent can hire the more than 70 million workers in the U.S. who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) rather than four-year college degrees.

“Today’s labor market is broken,” said Byron Auguste, CEO, Opportunity@Work. “Not that long ago, workers who developed skills on-the-job had a shot at upward mobility nearly on par with college graduates. But a decades-long drift towards screening out job seekers who lack a certain pedigree has created a fractured labor market – one that puts an arbitrary ceiling on economic mobility for over 70 million STARs, who have the skills to contribute and to thrive.” 

The analysis, which examined nearly 130 million U.S. job transitions from 2010-2019, found that 60% of transitions STARs made were stagnant or downwardly mobile, resulting in lower wages, despite it being one of the longest sustained periods of U.S. economic growth. Furthermore, the research revealed striking race and gender disparities as STARs transitioned to better-paid jobs matching their skills. For example, Black or Hispanic STARs are half as likely as white STARs to make a transition to a high-wage job. Likewise, STARs who are women are almost half as likely as those who are men to make a transition to a high-wage job. 

The study also examined the 40% of transitions where STARs earned higher wages and identified a pattern of STARs moving from lower-wage “origin” jobs to higher-wage “destination” jobs via a typically middle-wage “gateway” job. Encouragingly, it identified 292 “destination” jobs STARs transitioned to, and 51 “gateway” jobs that represent a significant opportunity for upward mobility. For example, “gateway” jobs like Customer Service Representative and Computer Support Specialist, can open the door to higher paying “destination” jobs that build on those skill sets, like Sales Representative or System Administrator.

However, STARs are often screened out from “gateway” jobs and even more “destination” jobs because they do not have a four-year degree; restricting the millions of STARs who have the skills to succeed in those positions and limiting the talent pool employers recruit from. 

“In the next year alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nearly 10 million jobs will turn over on these pathways,” said Erica L. Groshen, former Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner and Chair of the STARs Insights Advisory Panel. “Based on skill requirements, these positions could be filled by STARs.  As policymakers and employers work together toward an inclusive economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19, this research offers a template for how employers can rebuild their workforces.”

Additionally, the research identified emerging pathways STARs could traverse to be successful in job roles new to the labor market – for instance in information technology, healthcare, and business roles. This research provides employers a blueprint to meet their talent needs for these roles, while also enabling upward economic mobility for millions more STARs each year. 

The report also offers employers three immediate ways to more effectively identify, cultivate, and retain skilled talent for in-demand jobs:  

• Remove degree requirements from the middle-wage “gateway” jobs that can often provide a path from low-wage work to higher-earning positions; 
• Define and communicate job pathways, giving current and prospective STARs a clearer understanding of how they can build upon their skills to advance;  
• Design new roles with STARs in mind – which means assessing the skills required for those roles, and understanding how they map to existing entry-level positions.

“This research offers a new approach for employers to support a more equitable labor market by removing blanket barriers like degree requirements from ‘gateway’ jobs, and promoting or upskilling existing frontline or entry-level workers,”  said Papia Debroy, Vice President of Insights, Opportunity@Work. “Doing so will enable upward mobility for talented STARs, millions of whom are prepared for the middle- and high-wage jobs that employers expect to hire for in the coming years.”

To access the full report, including the 51 “gateway” jobs and the analysis on pathways by race and gender, download “Navigating with the STARs: Reimagining Equitable Pathways to Mobility” at  www.opportunityatwork.org/navigating-stars-report/.  

For further information, register to attend a virtual event on December 17, 2020, on this new research and other work from Opportunity@Work’s STARs Insights Initiative: Register to attend here.

Attachment

• Navigating with the STARs Report Cover

Cheston McGuire
Opportunity@Work
2025967869
[email protected]

Easton, Md., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qlarant, the nation’s leading Quality Solutions and Fraud Prevention firm, has been named to The Baltimore Sun’s 2020 list of “Top Workplaces”, receiving the recognition for the third time since 2017. The award is based solely on employee feedback through an anonymous survey that uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures. Qlarant employees evaluated the company on several factors including engagement, work/life balance, pay and benefits, and company leadership.   

Qlarant has nine offices throughout the country, with its headquarters in Easton Maryland.  It employs over 500 people nationally, with approximately 200 in the state of Maryland. 

“The Top Workplaces award is a reflection of the company culture we have here,” said Bonnie Horvath, a Qlarant associate and Project Director for the Columbia office. “Being a three time winner of this award showcases our culture of commitment to our staff.  We are dedicated to our clients and it shows in all that we do. Our leadership has done a tremendous job ensuring that all of our associates are safe, healthy, and able to navigate the shift from in-office to working from home during COVID. This was not something anyone predicted but we were prepared. Communication has been key to keeping everyone engaged.”

“We’re very proud to be recognized by The Baltimore Sun as a Top Workplace for the third time,” said Qlarant CEO Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr. “2020 has put organizations to the test in regards to employees work-life balance and this award is reflective of the effort our team has put in. We truly do have the best people here and we’re thrilled to share this honor with the entire organization.”

About Qlarant

Qlarant is a not-for-profit, nationally respected leader in fighting fraud, waste, and abuse, improving program quality, and optimizing performance. The company uses subject matter experts and innovative data science and technology to help organizations see risks, solve problems, and seize opportunities. Solutions are customized for state, federal, and commercial agencies across the nation. The Qlarant Foundation— the mission arm of the organization—has provided over $5.5 Million in grants to charities throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Qlarant employs nearly 500 people nationally and has a 45-year record of accomplishment improving the performance of some of the nation’s most important programs.

For more information visit www.qlarant.com

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• award photo (5)

Pat Boos
Qlarant
410-819-3553
[email protected]