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Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. Receives $250,000 Engagement Award from PCORI

Communication Service for the Deaf

Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD) has been awarded $250,000 through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The funding will support a two-year project titled "Building Capacity for Deaf American Sign Language Users in Virtual Healthcare PCOR/CER," running from November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2026. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in healthcare yet little is known about best practices for the Deaf community. Deaf individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) face communication and health literacy challenges, making virtual healthcare services potentially inaccessible and inequitable. CSD’s health and patient advocacy division, DeafHealth, will recruit a diverse group of stakeholders to form a national Deaf Patient Coalition. This coalition will identify and capture diverse Deaf patient experiences with virtual healthcare platforms to help shape future patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focused on healthcare virtual platforms for the Deaf community. By collaborating with academic institutions, researchers, and patient communities, this groundbreaking project aims to advance equitable care and decision-making among Deaf patients that aligns with patient-centric outcomes and preferences. The project will be directed by project lead Allysa Dittmar, MHS, Vice President of DeafHealth. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), under the leadership of Dr. Tiffany Panko, executive director of the Deaf Health Care & Biomedical Science Hub and director of the Deaf Health Laboratory at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf will support the project. “Deaf people comprise approximately 13% or 30 million of the American population, yet they are often overlooked in research. We are grateful to PCORI for this opportunity to promote equitable participation and engagement for both Deaf patients and researchers alike," said Dittmar. "The lack of opportunities for our community has hindered the ability to identify effective interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of Deaf people who use ASL. As healthcare increasingly shifts to virtual platforms for care and treatment, it is crucial to include the Deaf population, researchers, and stakeholders to ensure that future PCOR/CER research is patient-centered and equitable.” By incorporating diverse lived Deaf patient experiences, this project empowers this historically marginalized community with the resources and PCOR/CER knowledge necessary to drive community-centered change for improved health outcomes, aligning with PCORI’s mission to empower patients and others. In the long term, the project provides an opportunity to propose future PCOR/CER studies that align with the community’s identified priorities regarding virtual healthcare platforms for the Deaf community. PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress with a mission to fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that provides patients, their caregivers, and clinicians with the evidence-based information they need to make better informed health and healthcare decisions. For more information on the PCORI Engagement Award and CSD's funded project, visit here. Projects approved for funding by PCORI’s Engagement Award Program were selected through a rigorous and highly competitive review process, assessing their ability to meet PCORI's engagement goals and objectives, as well as program criteria. About Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the largest Deaf-led social impact organization in the world. For more than four decades, CSD has been a leader in creating and providing accessible and innovative solutions for the Deaf community. Through CSD's patient and health advocacy division, DeafHealth focuses on improving health outcomes for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients through state-wide initiatives by providing culturally and linguistically accessible health information, resources, and services. For more information, please visit CSD and follow CSD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf Established by the U.S. Congress in 1965, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf is the first and largest technological college in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. NTID offers associate degree programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and provides support and access services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students who study in the other eight colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology. NTID also offers certificate programs in educational, deaf, healthcare, trilingual, and signed language translation interpretation, as well as bachelor’s degree programs in sign language interpreting and community development and leadership, and master’s degrees in secondary education and healthcare interpretation. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students come from all over the United States and around the world to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at RIT/NTID. Visit RIT/NTID and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Allysa Dittmar adittmar@csd.org Company Website https://www.csd.org/

August 15, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Morning Brief: Actelis Networks (ASNS) Achieves Positive EBITDA and Major Revenue Growth Q2 2024

Global Markets News Network

Actelis Networks (NASDAQ: ASNS) recently announced its Q2 2024 results, marking a significant achievement with a positive EBITDA, a first for the company since 2022. This milestone, coupled with robust revenue growth and a reduction in operating expenses, reflects Actelis’ strong execution and strategic focus on growth within the IoT and cybersecurity sectors. The company reported a remarkable 372% sequential revenue growth from Q1 2024, bringing in $3.43 million in Q2 2024. This represents an 81% year-over-year increase, highlighting the growing demand for Actelis’ innovative solutions. The company’s gross margin saw a significant improvement, soaring to 57% in Q2 2024, up from 30% in the prior quarter. This increase in profitability was driven by strong revenue growth and effective cost management. Actelis has also successfully reduced operating expenses by 20% in Q2 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the effectiveness of its ongoing cost reduction initiatives. The company reported a net loss of just $78,000 in Q2 2024, a substantial improvement from the $1.59 million net loss in Q2 2023. Additionally, Actelis achieved positive Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $11,000 in the quarter, marking its first positive quarter since 2022. The company's strong financial performance is complemented by its recent business achievements. Actelis has secured and delivered a $2.3 million order from Washington D.C.’s Department of Transportation, further establishing its position in the intelligent transportation space. The company has also successfully deployed its hybrid-fiber, cyber-hardened solution in Bakersfield, CA, demonstrating its technology's ability to enhance urban infrastructure and security. Moreover, Actelis' newly launched GigaLine 800 and GigaLine 900 Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) solutions are generating significant market interest, with a growing list of customer trials underway. A first order for the GigaLine 800 worth $160,000 from a contractor to a major military carrier was received, marking a major milestone in executing on the new products’ potential. In addition to these business wins, Actelis has strengthened its liquidity position by raising nearly $5 million in June 2024. As of June 30, 2024, shareholders’ equity stood at $1.06 million, and on a pro forma basis, including this fundraise, shareholders' equity was $3.0 million—above Nasdaq's continued listing requirement of $2.5 million. “We are extremely proud of our progress in the second quarter of 2024,” said Tuvia Barlev, Chairman and CEO of Actelis. “Our team's relentless efforts have translated into significant customer successes and the successful execution for key customers. We are delivering on the commitments we made to drive growth and innovation, and the results speak to the impact of our strategic initiatives.” As Actelis continues to build on this momentum, the company remains focused on scaling these successes, expanding its SaaS offerings through strategic partnerships, and continuing to reduce operational costs while maintaining high margins. The significant order from Washington D.C.’s Department of Transportation and the successful deployments in cities like Bakersfield demonstrate not only the strength of Actelis' technology but also the trust that major urban centers place in the company to modernize and secure their infrastructure. Looking ahead, Actelis could be well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding IoT market, particularly in sectors like intelligent transportation and critical infrastructure. With its strong financial performance, recent business achievements, and ongoing strategic initiatives, Actelis eyes significant growth potential. ### This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as financial, investment or any form of professional advice, reccomendation or endorsement. Please review the full documentation detailing financial compensation disclosures and disclaimers the article is subject to. https://justpaste.it/ecto7/pdf. Global Markets News Network is a compensated to publish and syndicate commentary and exploration into innovative companies and industries and it is subject to conflicts of interest. Contact Details Global Markets News Network Covearge Desk robert@futuremarketsresearch.org Company Website https://www.futuremarketsresearch.com/global-markets-news

August 15, 2024 04:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HTX Research's Latest Analysis on Pectra, the Largest Upgrade in Ethereum Following Dencun

HTX Ventures

Key Insights ● Key proposals in the Pectra upgrade (EIPs 7702, 3074, and 7623) will provide direct benefits to projects in the modular, chain abstraction, and AA wallet sectors. ● EIP-7594 (PeerDAS) introduces Data Availability Sampling (DAS), which is expected to be advantageous for ZK Prover networks and, by extension, the broader ZK field. ● Other minor EIPs are anticipated to lower L2 data layer costs, enhance transaction speeds, and reduce data storage costs. ● Given recent concerns about "high FDV, low liquidity," the upcoming Pectra upgrade in Q4 could potentially lead to a significant increase for the Ethereum ecosystem. ● The valuation of venture capital (VC) projects has become more reasonable amid the current "anti-VC" sentiment. Therefore, Q3 might offer a favorable window for institutional investors to enter the primary market, particularly in DeFi and innovative DeFi projects. ○ The price-to-sales ratios for DeFi projects have reached a historic low. Background Singapore / August 14, 2024 – The most discussed topic in the Ethereum community recently has been the Pectra upgrade. This upgrade combines two independent upgrades: Prague and Electra. Prague focuses on changes to the network's execution layer, while Electra impacts the consensus layer. Together, these upgrades are known as Pectra. This event follows the Dencun upgrade in March 2024 and may become one of the most substantial upgrades in Ethereum's history. According to Ethereum.org (https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7600), the Pectra upgrade is expected to incorporate several key Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) to address scalability, security, and user experience. These EIPs include: Pectra, set to launch in Q1 2025, is another step in Ethereum's strategic development. Below, we will walk through some key EIPs in the Pectra upgrade and discuss their potential impact. Analysis of Key EIPs *EIP-7702: A groundbreaking wallet technology for account abstraction (AA) to replace EIP-4337. EIP-7702 allows existing externally owned accounts (EOAs) to execute any smart contract code, potentially leading to the creation of feature-rich and user-friendly wallets. This could facilitate the development of complex applications. ● EIP-7702 is highly compatible with previous work on account abstraction under EIP-4337. Although AA wallet projects have already spent significant time developing unique features based on the EIP-4337 standard, these distinct advantages will no longer exist, as EOA wallets can now achieve similar functionalities. This change will bring AA wallets into direct competition with widely-used EOA wallets like MetaMask, possibly requiring AA wallet teams to reposition their products. ● Future EOA wallets will be able to offer new features such as transaction sponsorship for gas fees, batch account and transaction management, and more. These functionalities can be updated over time, making them user-friendly for Web2 users and DeFi transactions. This may lead to novel and complex applications that attract Web2 users, and present a series of opportunities. History 1. AA adoption and compatibility have been low: The success of the AA market depends on the Ethereum ecosystem's adoption of EIP-4337. However, many DApps and Layer 2 solutions have yet to support it. The total number of smart contract wallets, estimated from the combined users of Gnosis Safe and Argent (the most popular products), is only around 150,000. 2. EIP-4337's technical solution lacks clarity: Although EIP-4337 defines contract interfaces for infrastructure components like Bundlers, Paymasters, and Signature Aggregators, Ethereum left several critical technical issues unsolved. These challenges require project teams to explore different technical implementations. *EIP-3074: Proposed in October 2020 and included in the Pectra upgrade on April 12, 2024. The main idea behind EIP-3074 is to delegate control of EOAs to smart contracts. This proposal allows any EOA to function like a smart contract wallet without needing to deploy a contract, enabling more complex transaction schemes such as gas sponsorship and batch transactions. ● So how does EIP-3074 turn existing EOAs into smart contracts? EIP-3074 introduces the AUTH and AUTHCALL opcodes, which together allow a smart contract to send transactions on behalf of an EOA. This makes it possible to perform multi-signature transactions, batch transactions, sponsored transactions, key recovery, and more accessible CeFi exchange deposits. ● Specifically, a user first signs a transaction offline, and then either the user or a gas sponsor sends it to the Invoker contract (a special intermediary contract), which uses AUTH and AUTHCALL to authenticate and execute each target contract. This setup allows smart contracts to take on greater management responsibilities, enabling various operations to be performed on behalf of users. ● Each EOA address can extend functionality by setting up an Invoker logic contract. Invokers are flexible and offer highly customizable transaction logic and permission control. They are closely associated with the intent-centric sector, where trading experience is optimized through the complex transactions incorporated in Invoker contracts. These include automated relaying transactions, conditional transactions, automated asset allocation, batch transaction aggregation, multi-signature transaction approval, time-limited transactions, integration with external systems, and specialized financial strategies. For example, a notable project ApertureFinance, which has handled transactions worth $2.6 billion, is popular among institutional traders. However, if the Invoker contract is compromised, it can lead to significant financial losses for users. *EIP-7702: Proposed by Vitalik Buterin and built upon the core functionalities of EIP-3074 EIP-7702 allows EOAs to temporarily act as smart contract wallets during transactions, enabling EOAs to perform complex operations limited to smart contracts. This greatly enhances the functionality and flexibility of EOAs. Although this proposal operates at the protocol layer, it does not require permanent changes to the EVM when temporarily using the smart contract code, making it highly compatible. Under EIP-7702, a smart contract code can be temporarily assigned to an EOA within a single transaction. This trustless approach ensures that any access or contract signature is removed after the transaction. A smart contract's code is stored in "contract_code." Typically, the "contract_code" field is empty since EOAs are not contracts. However, during the transaction, this field is temporarily filled with a smart contract code. EIP-7702 introduces a new transaction type that accepts both contract_code and signature fields. At the start of the transaction, the contract code from the signer's account is set as contract_code. At the end of the transaction, contract_code is reset to empty. ● EOAs can dynamically include smart contract codes during transactions, allowing them to execute multiple actions within a single transaction, such as batch processing and complex instructions. This simplification reduces transaction costs and operational complexity, making it particularly valuable for highly interactive financial applications like DeFi platforms. ● Additionally, EIP-7702 introduces a new permission management mechanism called "permission downgrading." This feature allows account holders to assign specific permissions to sub-keys, enhancing account security. Fine-grained permission control lets users limit the actions sub-keys can perform, preventing unauthorized transactions and misuse. ● EIP-7702 also includes transaction sponsorship, where one account can pay transaction fees on behalf of another. For instance, a service provider may cover costs for its customers, which simplifies user experience and potentially attracts more users. ● Currently, EIP-7702 has just been included in the Pectra upgrade, with details still unclear. However, given its significance as a key gateway in Web3—similar to how MetaMask and DeFi Summer enhance each other—this new Web2-friendly wallet solution could drive the development of new applications. Therefore, it merits close attention. At the same time, core DeFi applications such as Uniswap have also responded positively to EIP-7702. EIP-7623: Proposed by Vitalik to increase calldata costs, reduce block size, and boost overall Layer 2 performance Overview and background ● Since the implementation of EIP-1559, the block gas limit on Ethereum has remained constant. Meanwhile, as more rollups post data to Ethereum's calldata, the average block size has been steadily increasing. ● Calldata represents the data used for function calls in Ethereum smart contracts, including function selectors and parameters. While calldata is temporary and discarded after transaction execution to ease storage pressure, it still occupies block space and incurs gas fees. ● Following EIP-4844, rollup data are stored in blobs, which are now the preferred method for data availability (DA). ● This shift necessitates a reassessment of calldata pricing, particularly in addressing inefficiencies related to the average and maximum block sizes. The existing fee model and block size limits have failed to optimize calldata usage, leading to underutilized resources and higher costs. ● Ethereum's theoretical maximum block size is 1,875,000 bytes (1,831 KB), but the actual average size is only around 100 KB. This discrepancy is primarily due to the high gas fees associated with calldata, which reduce transaction volumes and leave block space underutilized, diminishing network efficiency and scalability. ● By introducing a calldata base fee for transactions primarily using Ethereum for DA, EIP-7623 reduces the maximum block size and frees up space for more blobs. There is another related proposal: ● EIP-7706, introduced by Vitalik Buterin, aims to create a separate fee market for calldata, setting independent base fees and gas limits for further optimized transaction costs and network performance. Overall impact ● Improved Ethereum Efficiency: The proposal aims to enhance transaction processing speeds and resource usage efficiency, preventing unnecessary cost increases and reducing calldata fees. This will help lower average transaction costs, better utilize network resources, and improve Ethereum's overall performance. ● Benefits for Layer 2s: The blob data design introduced in EIP-4844 complements this proposal. By aligning the base fee mechanism, Layer 2 solutions can more effectively use Layer 1 resources to boost overall Layer 2 and application performance. ● Advantages for Sequencers: Optimizing the fee structure for calldata and blob data can significantly lower the costs associated with data publication for sorters. Decentralized sequencers like Morph, Metis, Espresso, Eigenlayer, Astria, SUAVE, and Radius will benefit from these improvements. EOF-related Upgrades What Is EOF? Ethereum Object Format (EOF) is a new standard introduced as part of the Pectra hard fork. EOF aims to improve how smart contracts are created and executed on the Ethereum network. By providing a more structured and efficient approach to managing smart contracts, EOF simplifies and secures the development process. EOF introduces a new format for Ethereum smart contracts, making them easier to read and manage. This format helps reduce errors and enhance security by clearly defining the behavior of smart contracts. For developers, this means fewer bugs and vulnerabilities, resulting in more reliable applications on the Ethereum network. EOF also improves the Ethereum Virtual Machine ( EVM ), the core component responsible for executing smart contracts. These enhancements make the EVM more efficient, enabling it to process more transactions simultaneously without slowing down. This is crucial for maintaining a responsive network as the number of users and applications grows. Impact on the Pectra Upgrade The inclusion of EOF in the Pectra hard fork enhances the upgrade's overall effect. By making smart contracts more secure and easier to develop, EOF ensures that new features introduced in Pectra—such as social recovery and transaction batching—can be implemented safely and efficiently. EOF also supports the scalability improvements brought by Pectra. As the Ethereum network expands, it needs to process more transactions and run more smart contracts without sacrificing speed or security. The enhancements to the EVM and smart contract structure provided by EOF are key to achieving this goal. Benefits for Developers and Users For developers, EOF streamlines the process of creating and maintaining smart contracts. Clearer rules and better tools mean fewer errors and more robust applications. This, in turn, benefits users by providing more reliable and secure decentralized applications on the Ethereum network. For users, the improvements brought by EOF result in a better overall experience. Faster transaction processing and more secure applications make Ethereum more appealing for everyday use. Whether for financial transactions, gaming, or other applications, users can enjoy a smoother and safer experience on the Ethereum network. Overall, EOF is an integral part of the Pectra hard fork. It enhances the security and efficiency of smart contracts and supports the broader goals of the Pectra upgrade. By improving developer experience and ensuring better performance and security, EOF contributes to Ethereum's continued growth and innovation in the blockchain space. EIP-7594-PeerDAS: Data Available Sampling (DAS) in the Pectra Upgrade Protocol Overview PeerDAS, also known as EIP-7594, implements DAS on Ethereum. This proposal is expected to considerably enhance the network's capacity to support rollups and their DA needs. Specifically, PeerDAS aims to increase the number of blob transactions that validators can attach to a block, from 3 to 64 or more per block. PeerDAS is a notable enhancement in the Pectra upgrade, which is set to launch at the end of Q1 2025. PeerDAS addresses Ethereum's scalability challenges by ensuring data distribution and availability using existing peer-to-peer (P2P) components. Key Features and Advantages of PeerDAS 1. Scalability and Efficiency: PeerDAS improves Ethereum's scalability by distributing the responsibility of DA across the network. Instead of relying on a few nodes to store and verify all data, it spreads the workload across multiple nodes, increasing overall network efficiency and resilience. 2. Improved DA: Using DAS, PeerDAS ensures that the data needed to verify transactions is accessible without overburdening any single node. This method involves checking a small, randomly selected subset of data to verify the availability of the entire dataset, reducing the strain on individual nodes. 3. Enhanced Network Resilience: By leveraging Ethereum'sbP2P components, PeerDAS strengthens the network's resistance to attacks and disruptions. This improvement in DA makes it harder for a single node of failure to compromise the entire network. 4. Integration with Other Upgrades: PeerDAS is part of the broader Pectra upgrade, which includes enhancements like EVM, EOF, and new EIPs such as EIP-7702. These upgrades collectively aim to optimize transaction processing, boost smart contract capabilities, and enhance user experience and security. PeerDAS represents a crucial step toward improving Ethereum's scalability and resilience. By enhancing DA and leveraging Ethereum's decentralized network, PeerDAS lays the groundwork for a more robust and efficient blockchain ecosystem. Two Advantages Fostering DeFi development ● Increased Transaction Speed and Efficiency: PeerDAS enhances Ethereum's transaction speed and efficiency, allowing DeFi applications to process large volumes of transactions more quickly. This reduces wait times and improves user experience. ● Lower Transaction Costs: With increased network efficiency, PeerDAS helps reduce transaction costs, making DeFi projects more cost-effective and attractive to users. Supporting emerging applications and innovations ● Expansion of Smart Contracts: The combination of PeerDAS with other improvements, such as EIP-7702, enables more flexible smart contracts, supporting innovative applications like decentralized identity verification and complex financial derivatives. ● Cross-Chain Interoperability: Enhanced data availability and network performance make Ethereum more capable of interacting with other blockchains, driving the development and innovation of cross-chain applications. Benefit to ZK Prover Networks Despite being powerful, zero-knowledge (ZK) technology faces challenges such as long zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) generation times and centralized Provers. Therefore, following ZK Rollups, ZKP generation hardware acceleration and decentralized Prover networks is becoming a trending sector in the primary market. In this sector, companies like Succinct @SuccinctLabs and Cysic @cysic_xyz have raised $55 million and $12 million, respectively. For instance, Cysic @cysic_xyz leverages its capability of designing ZK hardware acceleration chips to promote its ZK proving layer, Cysic Network. As the market for ZKP generation services is still in its infancy, revenues are insufficient to cover Prover hardware depreciation, electricity costs, and operational maintenance. Therefore, ZK Prover networks often raise funds by issuing tokens and then reward Prover nodes through PoW to encourage adoption. The Dencun upgrade catalyzed the emergence of several Layer 2 solutions with fully diluted valuations (FDVs) ranging from billions to tens of billions of dollars. Likewise, the Pectra upgrade is expected to ignite a new wave of ZK Prover networks with similar FDVs. EIP-7251: Increasing the maximum effective balance and raising the validator staking cap from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH Protocol Overview EIP-7251, also known as " maxeb," is an enhancement proposed for the upcoming Ethereum Pectra hard fork. This change aims to mitigate the risk of instability in the beacon chain as the staked ETH approaches or exceeds 50% of the network's total. Maxeb allows for the consolidation of multiple validators into fewer "super validators," streamlining operations without affecting monetary policy or rewards. It also benefits individual stakers by enabling them to accumulate rewards beyond the current 32 ETH limit. However, there is division within the Ethereum community regarding the inclusion of maxeb in Pectra. The main concerns focus on its impact on network decentralization and validator diversity, with fears of potential centralization and reduced participation from smaller validators. Proposal Motivation and Expected Impact 1. Reduced number of validators With increased maximum effective balance, the total number of validators can be reduced, easing the network's load and improving efficiency. 2. Enhanced economic security Raising the maximum effective balance can strengthen the network's economic security by preventing instability from a highly dispersed validator pool. 3. Lower operational costs For large node operators, the proposal can reduce the need for multiple validators, lowering operational costs and maximizing rewards. Ethereum developers have agreed to limit the staking ratio to 1/4, allowing individual validators to stake up to 2,048 ETH instead of the current cap of 32 ETH. Increasing the maximum effective validator balance enables operators to manage fewer but higher-staked validators, potentially simplifying operations. Latest Developments ● On June 27, 2024, Ethereum developers discussed and coordinated changes to Ethereum's consensus layer (CL, or the beacon chain). They explored new research on client diversity data collection and multi-client block validation. ● Pectra Devnet 1 is nearing readiness for release. The Ethereum Foundation's DevOps team is awaiting the readiness of the execution layer (EL) clients. Meanwhile, PeerDAS Devnet 1 has been launched, featuring implementations from three different CL clients. Reference： https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7600 https://cryptomaniaks.com/ethereum-pectra-hard-fork-eof-cfi-prague-electra https://github.com/ethereum/ercs/blob/master/ERCS/erc-4337.md?ref=blog.quicknode.com#backwards-compatibility https://www.galaxy.com/insights/research/ethereum-all-core-developers-execution-call-187/ https://ethereum-magicians.org/t/eip-7623-increase-calldata-cost/18647 https://ethroadmap.com/?ref=bankless.ghost.io#pectra%20sticky （Etherum 升级Roadmap） About Us This article is a product of diligent work by the HTX Research Team that is currently under HTX Ventures. HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With more than decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice. HTX Ventures currently backs over 300 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active FOF (Fund of Funds) funds, HTX Ventures invests in 30 top global funds and collaborates with leading blockchain funds such as Polychain, Dragonfly, Bankless, Gitcoin, Figment, Nomad, Animoca, and Hack VC to jointly build a blockchain ecosystem. Feel free to contact us for investment and collaboration at VC@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/ventures About HTX Ventures HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice. HTX Ventures presently backs over 200 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most vigorous Fund of Funds (FOF) investors, HTX Ventures collaboratively forges the blockchain ecosystem alongside premier global blockchain funds, including IVC, Shima, and Animoca. Contact Details EE glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/en-us/ventures

August 14, 2024 04:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST RISE AWARDS GRANT PACKAGES TO 100 SOUTHERN COLORADO SMALL BUSINESSES

Comcast Colorado

Today, Comcast announced the 100 businesses in Southern Colorado that will receive comprehensive grant packages, which include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive, with a focus on economic growth. The regions in this round included Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, VA and Southern Colorado. A total of 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, were announced today and will be awarded in September 2024. A sample of Southern Colorado grant recipients include: · RAD Hostel, Colorado Springs · ColorSplashPaintball, Pueblo · The Walter Brewing Company, Pueblo “RAD Hostel is all about creating an awesome Colorado experience for our guests. As our high ratings, awards, and guest reviews show, we are achieving our mission. However, we are lacking in getting the word out,” said Erin Welch, owner of RAD Hostel. “I'm honored and excited about being selected to receive this grant and I'm confident that with the marketing assistance and technology makeover, we can more effectively share the type of experience we offer, increase our occupancy, and ensure more happy guests have a RAD Colorado experience.” “I purchased this paintball business in March of 2019, and it was flourishing until the pandemic hit. I had to use all my capital just to keep the doors open. My planned projects and dreams were put on hold,” said Rique Lucero, owner of ColorSplashPaintball. “Thanks to Comcast RISE, I now have an opportunity for a fresh start, and resources to grow my business.” “Comcast is committed to supporting and empowering small businesses in our communities,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president of Comcast’s Mountain West Region. “The Comcast RISE program will deliver innovative and impactful resources that will make a lasting impact on small businesses in Southern Colorado.” Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, by providing the grants needed to survive and recover. The program has evolved from helping businesses survive the pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. Grant packages include: COACHING SESSIONS - Business assessment and coaching that provide business owners with recommendations on how to help grow their businesses. EDUCATION RESOURCES - 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small business owners. MONETARY GRANT - $5,000 monetary grant. CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Professionally produced 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and a 180-day linear media schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.) TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER - Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.) In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE destination on X1 featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. X1 customers can say “Comcast RISE” into the voice remote. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. More information is available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

August 13, 2024 11:51 AM Mountain Daylight Time

COMCAST RISE, A NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN SMALL BUSINESSES, AWARDS ANOTHER 100 HOUSTONIANS WITH COMPREHENSIVE GRANT PACKAGES

Comcast Texas

Today, Comcast announced the 100 businesses in the Greater Houston area that will receive comprehensive grant packages, which include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. The recipients are among more than 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected through the Comcast RISE program to date. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive, with a focus on economic growth. The regions in this round included Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, VA and southern Colorado. 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, were announced today and will be awarded in September 2024. A sample of Houston’s grant recipients include Red Circle Ice Cream in southwest Houston, and Miyagi Ken International Karate Academy in Spring. “I’m speechless. As a small business, this means the world to us,” said Nickey Ngo, owner of Red Circle Ice Cream. “We’re a small mom and pop ice cream shop, doing everything by ourselves. I feel like I won the lottery. Comcast RISE will help grow my business and keep up with the competition.” “Supporting small businesses means investing in the heart of our communities,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. “By empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with the skills and resources they need to grow and succeed, we help ensure our local neighborhoods can flourish and thrive too.” Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, by providing the grants needed to survive and recover. The program has evolved from helping businesses survive the pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. Grant packages include: COACHING SESSIONS - Business assessment and coaching that provide business owners with recommendations on how to help grow their businesses. EDUCATION RESOURCES - 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small business owners. MONETARY GRANT - $5,000 monetary grant. CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Professionally produced 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and a 180-day linear media schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.) TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER - Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.) In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE destination on X1 featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. X1 customers can say “Comcast RISE” into the voice remote. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. More information is available at www.ComcastRISE.com. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Ilona Carson +1 346-624-2074 ilona_carson@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 13, 2024 11:06 AM Central Daylight Time

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Zuma Payroll & Processing Makes the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Zuma Payroll & Processing

Zuma Payroll & Processing (“Zuma”), a leading payroll, processing, and talent management software provider, today announced it was named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Inc. recognized Zuma for achieving a three-year revenue growth rate of 316 percent. It’s the third consecutive year that Zuma was named to the prestigious ranking of the most successful independent, entrepreneurial businesses in the United States. Zuma helps small and medium businesses (SMBs) handle their complex payroll, tax, and human resources obligations more efficiently and effectively. In addition to revenue growth, the company has added new clients, experienced payroll and human capital professionals, and products to its business over the past twelve months. “We're honored to be among America’s fastest-growing private companies again this year, having achieved more than 300 percent revenue growth for three consecutive years,” said Chris Caputo, CEO of Zuma. “Our growth is attributed to our relentless focus on serving our clients and delivering innovative solutions to meet their payroll, tax, and talent management needs. Our world-class team of experts are some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the payroll industry, and their dedication to exceptional client service can’t be beat.” Zuma recently launched a Human Resources Support Services offering, providing a dedicated human resources expert to advise and consult to help its clients navigate workplace issues and complexities. That offering follows last year’s launch of its dedicated construction sector solution, which handles intricate union reporting requirements. The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, rising capital costs, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. This year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years. One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list,” says Mike Hofman, who recently joined Inc. as editor-in-chief. “Congratulations to this year’s honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to inflation to changes in the workforce.” About Zuma Payroll & Processing Founded in 2006, Zuma provides critical payroll and human capital solutions to growing businesses. Zuma combines innovative, cloud-based technology and personalized service to help companies better manage their operations. In addition to payroll processing, Zuma delivers comprehensive human capital management (HCM) solutions that integrate business functions into a single source. Based in Melville, NY, Zuma has been recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing companies by Inc. for three consecutive years. For more information, please visit https://www.zumapay.com/. About Inc. Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Contact Details Sivan Ron +1 516-902-2694 Sivan@LoBelloCommunications.com Company Website https://www.zumapay.com/

August 13, 2024 09:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

For the Fifth Consecutive Year, Claravine Makes the 2024 Inc. 5000 List, at No. 2967

Claravine

Inc. revealed today that Claravine, Claravine, The Data Standards Company, ranks No. 2967 on the 2024 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, Patagonia, and many other household-name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. "Being named to the Inc. 5000 list for the fifth consecutive year is a remarkable achievement for Claravine," says Verl Allen, CEO of Claravine. "This recognition serves as a testament to the dedication and exceptional teamwork of our entire organization. Over the past five years, we have consistently pushed boundaries, embraced innovation and remained committed to delivering exceptional results for our clients. Our aim is to leverage our current momentum to enhance digital advertising, measurement solutions, creative optimization, and content metadata.” The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years. For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. All 5000 companies are featured on Inc.com starting Tuesday, August 13, and the top 500 appear in the new issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, August 20. “One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list,” says Mike Hofman, who recently joined Inc. as editor-in-chie f. “To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to inflation to changes in the workforce.” About Claravine Claravine is The Data Standards Company aiming to give people, teams and technology a shared understanding of their data. Claravine helps brands and agencies deliver on the promise of modern marketing by standardizing taxonomies, naming conventions, and metadata across all digital experiences at the source of data creation. The Data Standards Cloud empowers a proactive approach to marketing metadata naming conventions and taxonomy for fast, accurate and rich business insights that help deliver the experiences customers want. Claravine partners with a quarter of the Fortune 100 to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility, and increased ROI. For more information, visit www.claravine.com. To become a Claravine partner, please click here. Contact Details Kite Hill PR +1 704-960-2295 claravine@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.claravine.com/

August 13, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

PathAI Announces Launch of AI-based Measurement of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis ("AIM-MASH") on the AISight Image Management System

PathAI

PathAI, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital pathology solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its AIM-MASH 1 product on the AISight Ⓡ 1 Image Management System (IMS). This product provides advanced AI-based measurement (AIM) to support the analysis of MASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Activity Score (MAS) component grades and fibrosis staging. The launch of AIM-MASH on AISight aims to increase the reproducibility and scalability of pathologists' assessments and management of MASH cases, which are projected to reach 27 million in the US alone by 2030 2. PathAI's AIM-MASH AI-based measurement tools have been utilized in over 20 presentations and publications, demonstrating their effectiveness in assisting pathologists with MASH CRN scoring in clinical trials; bringing them to the AISight IMS enables a seamless connection between trial and laboratory settings. These tools have been rigorously evaluated via a comprehensive multi-site analytical validation study using diverse datasets from four different trials 3. They have proven to be reliable and effective in helping pathologists make MASH assessments with: Highly Sensitive and Specific Review: AIM-MASH's model overlays have been validated by multiple pathologists for their high specificity and sensitivity in guiding reviews of MASH biopsies and accurately highlight key areas such as artifact, steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis 3. Repeatable and Reproducible Assessments: AIM-MASH algorithm outputs have shown higher repeatability and reproducibility compared to intra- and inter-pathologist agreement for manual reads, confirming its precision in measuring the CRN scoring system components in liver biopsies from MASH patients 3. Increased Scoring Confidence: Validation studies have shown that AIM-MASH algorithm outputs are comparable to pathologist assessments, providing accurate first reads equivalent to those of expert pathologists to aid pathologists in their final assessment. 3 Global Collaboration: The AISight digital IMS allows expert GI Liver pathologists to review cases regardless of their location. This eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly shipping of glass slides and provides opportunities to utilize the MASH experts. The practical application of AI in MASH assessments was highlighted in a recent case study conducted by PathAI Diagnostics (now Ameripath, at its Memphis, TN-based laboratory) 4. This study demonstrated the synergy between traditional pathology and AI, showcasing how AI-assisted pathology can enable more precise evaluation of histologic features relevant to MASH, including steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. "We are thrilled to introduce AIM-MASH on the AISight IMS platform," said Andy Beck, MD, PhD, CEO of PathAI. "This product is a game-changer for drug development, as it supports pathologists in making high-quality, reproducible MASH assessments. With AIM-MASH on AISight, pathologists can increase their confidence in pathology reads and decision-making, as if they have the world's expert liver pathologists assisting with every slide, helping with simplifying the complex task of scoring and evaluation." Dr. Arun J Sanyal, Professor and Interim-Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Virginia Commonwealth University and co-investigator of the AIM-MASH analytical and clinical validation study, adds: "The data supports the use of AIM-MASH by pathologists in clinical trials as a method to resolve the accuracy and precision gaps in MASH assessment while guiding pathologists in an efficient evaluation to result in a standardized and reproducible score." The addition of AIM-MASH broadens the set of tools available through AISight to assist pathologists in making reproducible and efficient assessments of MASH. This announcement addresses a crucial gap in pathology labs — the lack of a standardized system that ensures consistent, accurate, and reproducible assessments, particularly for challenging conditions like MASH. With AIM-MASH on AISight IMS, PathAI aims to provide digital and AI tools to assist pathologists in making precise and reproducible assessments at scale, along with workflow optimization features, empowering pathology labs worldwide. References: 1: AIM-MASH and AISight are for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. 2: Estes C, Razavi H, Loomba R, Younossi Z, Sanyal AJ. Modeling the epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrates an exponential increase in burden of disease. Hepatology. 2018 Jan;67(1):123-133. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.29466. Epub 2017 Dec 1. PMID: 28802062; PMCID: PMC5767767. 3: Pulaski, Hanna, et al. “Analytical and Clinical Validation of AIM-NASH: A Digital Pathology Tool for Artificial Intelligence-Based Measurement of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Histology.” MedRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), 29 May 2024, https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.29.24308109. Accessed 22 July 2024. 4: Kinsey, S., Reed, M., Parsell, T. “Practical Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) – A Case Study Highlighting the Synergy between Traditional Pathology and AI.” PathAI, 2024. About PathAI PathAI is a leading provider of integrated AI and digital pathology solutions, dedicated to transforming diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency in pathology labs worldwide. Through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, PathAI aims to enhance patient outcomes and drive the future of medical diagnostics. Contact Details SVM Public Relations and Marketing Communications +1 401-490-9700 pathai@svmpr.com Company Website https://www.pathai.com/

August 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AmeriLife Names Michael Tobitsch Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that Michael Tobitsch has been named Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development. Reporting to AmeriLife’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott R. Perry, Tobitsch will lead the company’s corporate development efforts to source and execute acquisition opportunities, assess their strategic fit, and work closely with AmeriLife’s affiliates and partners to support the company’s growth objectives. In addition, Tobitsch will oversee innovations to the company’s affiliate onboarding processes and ensure the cultural and technical integrations for new partners is efficient and seamless. "For the last seven years, AmeriLife’s Chief Financial Officer Jim Quinn has served as an incredible steward of our corporate development efforts, overseeing a level of growth unsurpassed in AmeriLife’s 50-plus year history,” said Perry. “As our business becomes more complex and Jim’s remit continues to grow, we’re thrilled to welcome Michael and have a leader fully dedicated to AmeriLife’s expansive M&A activities. His experience and innovative approach to partnership development will undoubtedly propel our strategic initiatives forward, enhancing our ability to expand our distribution opportunities and help AmeriLife realize its growth ambitions.” “After 15 terrific years at Marsh McLennan, it’s a privilege to join Scott and the high-performing AmeriLife team to help continue their impressive growth journey,” added Tobitsch. “AmeriLife operates from a position of strength, and I look forward to helping deliver best-in-class products, solutions, and capabilities through a high-impact, programmatic acquisition agenda.” Tobitsch joins AmeriLife from global professional services company Marsh McLennan in New York. As Managing Director of the firm’s Strategy & Corporate Development group, he managed a high-performing team of investment professionals who together deployed more than $1 billion of capital annually into global acquisitions across the insurance and investment management industries. Tobitsch began his career in investment banking with Wells Fargo Securities. Tobitsch received his B.S. from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. An avid traveler and New York Mets fan, Tobitsch resides in Connecticut with his wife and two young daughters. ### About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as an industry leader in developing, marketing and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents and financial professionals and more than 120 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

August 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time