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New Research Reveals Positive Associations Between Online Content Creators and Community Connection for LGBTQ+ Young People

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SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Hopelab, in collaboration with media psychology expert Dr. Bradley Bond, sheds light on the powerful role that social media and parasocial relationships play in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people. The study, Parasocial Relationships, AI Chatbots, and Joyful Online Interactions Among a Diverse Sample of LGBTQ+ Young People provides a nuanced understanding of how unique online connections with media figures, such as social media content creators, contribute to the positive experiences, community connection, and identity development for Queer young people. The study also features data on LGBTQ+ young people’s use of AI chatbots to engage in interactive conversations.

The findings suggest that parasocial relationships—one-sided relationships formed with media figures—are strong sources of support and connection for LGBTQ+ young people, a group that experiences loneliness and depression at significantly higher rates than their peers. The data suggest that parasocial relationships are also especially important for transgender and nonbinary young people.

“Conversations about the well-being of LGBTQ+ young people often focus primarily on harms, rather than ways to improve joy,” said Dr. Mike Parent, Principal Researcher at Hopelab. “Our data highlight that visibility matters and relatable content creators provide a pathway to the development of programs and policies that support Queer young people as they navigate an evolving technology ecosystem.”

Key Findings:

Transgender and nonbinary young people benefit most from parasocial relationships: These connections are linked to higher levels of transgender pride and community connectedness among transgender and nonbinary young people.Smaller-scale content creators resonate deeply: LGBTQ+ young people often identify with smaller, relatable creators whose content feels authentic and less curated. These creators frequently focus on personal growth and LGBTQ+ identity.High chatbot use among transgender and nonbinary youth: 40% of respondents report engaging with AI chatbots for ongoing conversations, with another 16% indicating openness to using chatbots in the future.Online interactions foster joy and connection: LGBTQ+ young people report finding joy through supportive online conversations, connecting with others who share similar identities, and experiencing relatability that helps them feel less alone.

Additionally, the report examines the use of social media and generative AI, highlighting that tools such as chatbots may lessen the impact of in-person isolation and loneliness for transgender and nonbinary young people. A greater understanding of the ways LGBTQ+ young people navigate emergent technology and leverage parasocial relationships is crucial to informing efforts that minimize harm while constructing social media literacy and developing policies and programs in support of Queer joy.

“In a hetero- and cisgender-normative society, it is essential for marginalized populations, such as transgender and nonbinary young people, to have access to resources as they develop their sexual and gender identities,” said Dr. Bradley Bond, media psychology and parasocial relationship expert. “Parasocial relationships and technology like generative AI can play a vital role for LGBTQ+ young people who are dealing with isolation and lack of in-person support.”

Data for this study was collected via a national survey of 1,715 U.S.-based LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, ages 13-22. To provide additional depth and context, Hopelab conducted co-distillation and sense-making sessions with nine LGBTQ+ young people, offering a fuller perspective on the findings.

Download the full report here.

About Hopelab
Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, convener, and science translator, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for young people. Learn more at hopelab.org.

Bradley J. Bond, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of San Diego. His research examines the development and maintenance of parasocial relationships with media personae and the influence of media on identity and outgroup attitudes. Much of his current work focuses on the depiction of marginalized individuals in entertainment media and the effects of exposure on identity, stereotypes, and prejudices. He serves as a Research Associate with the Media and Diversity Center, on the Advisory Council for the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, and as Board President for FilmOut San Diego.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-reveals-positive-associations-between-online-content-creators-and-community-connection-for-lgbtq-young-people-302263271.html

SOURCE Hopelab

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Lakshmi Finance Center: Jonathan Dale Benton Unveils the Strategic Leap from TradeGenius AI 3.0 to 4.0

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Lakshmi Finance Center announces the next generation of its flagship AI platform, TradeGenius AI 4.0, showcasing advanced learning capabilities, re-engineered infrastructure, and cross-domain scalability under the direction of founder Jonathan Dale Benton.

SAN DIEGO, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Lakshmi Finance Center has officially launched TradeGenius AI 4.0, the most significant architectural and functional overhaul of its intelligent automation platform to date. Building on the foundational framework of version 3.0, the new system introduces a series of transformative upgrades designed to meet the demands of increasingly complex and dynamic real-time environments.

The development, led by Founder and CEO Jonathan Dale Benton, reflects the institution’s ongoing investment in modular artificial intelligence systems that prioritize learning adaptability, high-volume data responsiveness, and operational transparency.

“TradeGenius AI 4.0 is not simply a version update—it’s a complete strategic reinvention of the system’s intelligence core,” said Jonathan Dale Benton. “It now thinks in contexts, adapts in cycles, and learns in real time across environments that no static model could survive.”

While TradeGenius AI 3.0 introduced essential advancements such as adaptive learning databases and preliminary decision feedback loops, version 4.0 redefines those foundations by integrating reinforcement learning, temporal abstraction layers, and dynamic task routing engines. These upgrades allow the system to execute multi-stage, variable-output strategies across non-linear data streams—an essential feature for modern AI operations.

One of the key innovations in 4.0 is its event-driven processing model, which replaces sequential logic chains with flexible response modules. This model enables the system to react to new inputs based on weighted probabilities rather than fixed triggers, dramatically reducing latency and enhancing situational awareness.

In parallel, the platform now supports natural language command interpretation through an upgraded NLP parser, allowing users to construct complex operational logic using simple language prompts. These are dynamically translated into structured tasks, enabling broader accessibility across non-technical roles in systems management and automation testing.

The memory module—a critical improvement over 3.0’s short-term feedback structure—has been expanded into a context-aware temporal buffer. This allows TradeGenius AI 4.0 to maintain variable-length memory trails for long-form decision-making, improving continuity in strategy across extended sessions.

Another core advancement is the scalability architecture, which now supports simultaneous deployment across decentralized nodes with real-time synchronization. This enables federated learning experiments and distributed intelligence deployment in simulated or live multi-agent environments.

The engineering teams behind TradeGenius AI worked through 14 months of sprint-based iterations and regression testing to ensure that legacy logic sets could be retained while accommodating the system’s expanded capabilities. Cross-disciplinary contributions from Lakshmi’s internal data scientists, systems theorists, and interface designers ensured a consistent balance between depth, speed, and usability.

In preparation for broader use, Lakshmi Finance Center is releasing a developer sandbox environment for institutions and research labs, including access to API layers, custom training modules, and anonymized datasets for testing. Internal pilot programs have already demonstrated successful applications in automation orchestration, real-time analytics, and process modeling.

Looking ahead, Lakshmi Finance Center plans to integrate real-world knowledge graph structures and symbolic reasoning systems in future iterations of the TradeGenius framework. Version 4.1, currently in prototype, is expected to introduce explainability modules and internal audit trails for transparency in critical system decisions.

TradeGenius AI 4.0 is now available for enterprise deployment, research collaboration, and curriculum integration within Lakshmi’s technical education programs.

With this release, Lakshmi Finance Center not only extends the capabilities of intelligent systems but reinforces its role as a center for continuous innovation in scalable, modular, and explainable AI.

Media Contact

Charlotte Evans, Lakshmi Finance Center, 1 619-379-7337, contact@lakshmifinance.com, https://www.lakshmifinance.com/

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SOURCE Lakshmi Finance Center

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ROLLER Celebrated on AFR’s Best Places to Work List and Certified as a Great Place to Work

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ROLLER’s purpose is to help create experiences that bring joy and happiness to the world. They achieve this by connecting attraction venues with powerful, easy-to-use technology.

AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ROLLER, the all-in-one venue management platform for the leisure and attractions industry, is proud to announce it has been named a finalist on the Australian Financial Review’s Best Places to Work List for 2025, in the Technology category. Presented in collaboration with Bendelta, the list evaluates hundreds of companies across Australia and New Zealand based on employee experience, policies, and innovation. For the ROLLER team, being recognized among such respected companies is a meaningful acknowledgment of the culture they’re continuing to build as they scale.

“Our people are the heart of everything we do,” says Bee Hepburn, Chief People Officer at ROLLER. “Being included on the AFR’s Best Places to Work List reflects our team’s passion for not only creating joyful guest experiences through our platform but also cultivating a workplace where people love to show up every day.”

ROLLER was also honored to be officially certified as a Great Place to Work® for the third consecutive year in Australia and the second year running in the United States.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is based entirely on real feedback from employees, making it a genuine reflection of how people feel about the company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that ROLLER stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

ROLLER’s employee experience is driven by core values that promote collaboration, trust, innovation, and personal growth. With a global team spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, ROLLER emphasizes flexibility, psychological safety, and opportunities for career progression. Recent initiatives include working with Equidi to close the gender pay gap, a public holiday swap program, and DEI-driven hiring practices.

“We’re intentional about creating an environment where people feel connected to their work, each other, and the impact we’re making,” added Bee Hepburn. “Whether you’re based in Austin, Melbourne, or London, you’ll find the same level of openness, encouragement, and energy that defines ROLLER’s culture.”

As the company continues to grow and evolve, ROLLER remains focused on maintaining a culture-first approach, recognizing that happy, fulfilled teams are the key to delivering world-class products and support to the attractions industry.

About ROLLER

ROLLER is the cloud-based venue management platform for modern attractions, purpose-built to remove friction from the guest experience at every touchpoint. Their all-in-one platform simplifies its customers’ business processes, improving efficiency and maximizing revenue. ROLLER’s comprehensive solution includes: Online Checkout & Ticketing, Point-of-Sale, Integrated Payments, Memberships, Gift Cards, Waivers, Self-Serve Kiosks, Cashless Wallets, Guest Surveys, and more. To learn more, visit roller.software.

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Thermo King Launches Flagship LEGEND Trailer Refrigeration Unit with Asian-based Production

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SHANGHAI, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thermo King, a strategic brand of Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, has announced the launch of its first Asian-made trailer refrigeration unit production line at the new smart plant in Wujiang, China. This production line is dedicated to the LEGEND series – the flagship products developed by Thermo King Asia Pacific. These units will be supplied to markets across Aian, marking a strategic milestone in Thermo King’s localization efforts in R&D and manufacturing.

In line with the company’s Future Factory Initiative, the highly automated and intelligent new production line has increased the localization rate of the LEGEND supply chain by 60%, significantly shortened the delivery cycle, and greatly enhanced the stability and flexibility of the refrigeration equipment supply chain across the Asia Pacific region. This development propels the cold chain logistics industry towards a more efficient, intelligent and sustainable future.   

“The localized production of LEGEND products is a key milestone for Thermo King to deepen its presence in the Asia Pacific market.” said Helen Ling, vice president of Trane Technologies Asia Pacific, “We have achieved a breakthrough in the entire process of independently developed a product, from design to large-scale manufacturing. We also worked with local suppliers to create the industry-leading ‘three-in-one’ motor technology through a series of technical advancements. This accomplishment marks our completion of a full cycle from independent R&D to mass production. Moving forward, Thermo King will continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies and work with our partners to drive greater quality and efficiency in regional cold chain logistics. “

The new LEGEND series is built on Thermo King’s world-leading Trailer platforms, specially designed for high-frequency road transportation in Asia Pacific, combining three advantages – precise temperature control, efficient energy saving, and intelligent operation and maintenance. With its advanced electrical architecture and independent airflow control technology, it enables precise all-zone temperature management tailored to cargo types and transportation conditions. This ensures the consistency of temperature control throughout the transportation process, and delivering uniform temperature distribution even at low engine speed, which effectively avoids local temperature variations for high-value goods such as fresh food and medicine, and significantly reduces the cargo damage rate.

For high efficiency and energy saving, the LEGEND series adopts the breakthrough “three-in-one” motor technology, integrating the motor, permanent magnet generator, and active rectifier. Compared with the traditional mechanical drive solution, the LEGEND series uses 27% fewer components, saving installation space while improving the unit’s fuel efficiency by 15%. Simultaneously, with the coordinated operation of brushless fans, smart control algorithm and electronic engine speed control (ECO Governor), the unit can deliver up to 20% fuel efficiency in actual scenario. Besides, the LEGEND series can also achieve fast pull down and consistent capacity output across all conditions. Its ability to monitor engine load ensures reliable operation, cutting overall maintenance needs by 30% and reducing downtime losses by 52%.

In addition, the LEGEND series enjoys improved product reliability thanks to the intelligent operation and management system. It features an IP67 HMI with multi-language support, live fuel consumption data display, and automated Pretrip self-check function to avoid unexpected downtime. The standard Tbox telematics solution can continuously track the operating status of the unit, ensuring a fully controlled refrigeration transportation process.

The LEGEND series has ovtained the certification for China GB IV emission regulation. The first batch of products will be applied mainly in the inter-city highway refrigerated transport market, with planned expansion into railway applications and compliance with EU stage V emission regulation. In the future, Thermo King will continue the green manufacturing practice, driving the high-quality development of the Asia-Pacific refrigeration logistics industry through intelligent upgrades of production lines and R&D efforts on high-efficiency energy-saving technologies.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.

About Thermo King

Thermo King – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – is a worldwide leader in sustainable transport temperature control solutions. Thermo King has been providing transport temperature control solutions for a variety of applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, air, shipboard containers, and railway cars since 1938. For more information, visit www.tranetechnologies.cn or www.thermoking.com.cn.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/thermo-king-launches-flagship-legend-trailer-refrigeration-unit-with–asian-based-production-302425792.html

SOURCE Trane Technologies

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