Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of stabilization of microbial compositions comprising combining a population of pre-served microbial cells with at least one water activity scavenger (WAS) to a desired homogeneity level; and packaging and sealing the mixture of preserved microbial cells and the WAS. The present disclosure further relates to the stabilized microbial compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: A pet bed with a solid, non-woven outer shell that makes the pet bed essentially waterproof and odor proof. The pet bed does not require and is not used with a waterproof liner, and thus it does not require the removal and re-insertion of any pet bed foam fill or cushion for cleaning of the pet bed. Preferably, the outer shell is a silicone, polyurethane, or other similar synthetic, solid, non-woven material safe for pets. In a preferred form, the pet bed is impermeable to water and pests, does not absorb odor, spills, body fluids or bacteria and is essentially maintenance free due to the non-porous quality of the outer shell. The pet bed is highly resistant to pet biting and scratching, is suitable for indoor or outdoor use and is mobile, ideal for travel.

Abstract: A method for localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure receiver node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets destined for a downstream user device. The downlink packets have headers that indicate a level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets. The headers also indicate a level of expected downstream congestion declared by an upstream node. The method also includes forwarding the downlink packets to the downstream user device through a wireless connection. The method further includes sending packets upstream that have feedback indicative of the level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets and any congestion experienced within the localized congestion exposure receiver node.

Abstract: A computerized on-line photo identification game presented through a computer program provides a subject matter category and steps for registration of website visitors to become photo-submitting players or to become photo subject matter identifying photo identifying players who receive photos of specific subject matter within the subject matter category submitted by photo-submitting players and identify the subject matter shown in the photos by name, by matching the subject matter to stored text in the program database, or both, and in which the photo identifying players may be rated by factors including concurrence with the majority of photo identifying players in identification and in which they may also be rewarded.

Abstract: A method of localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure sender node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets that are destined for a downstream user device. The method also includes receiving packets that have feedback indicating a congestion level from a downstream node of the cellular network. The method further includes inserting a declaration of an expected downstream congestion level into headers of the received downlink packets; and forwarding the downlink packets that have the declaration of the expected downstream congestion level inserted into the headers toward the downstream user device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing face recognition in a telecommunication system (1) comprising a central repository (10) in which Face Recognition profiles attached to subscribers signed up for face recognition have been stored. The method comprises steps like: Detecting proximity between a subscriber (5) of the subscribers signed up for face recognition and an entity (6,8) involved with Face Recognition, said subscriber (5) being located within a cell coverage area (7); Migrating a Face Recognition profile attached to said subscriber, from the central repository (10) to a Network node (8) controlling the cell coverage area (7); Generating in the Network node, an extended synthetic gallery for the migrated Face Recognition profile.

Abstract: A system implementing an optical steering domain that steers traffic flows through a plurality of processing nodes is described. The system includes a first, second, and third wavelength selective switch (WSS). The first WSS receives the traffic flows, and transmits traffic flows out a plurality of tributary ports toward the processing nodes. The second WSS receives the processed traffic from the processing nodes, and sends it to a third WSS. The third WSS receives the processed traffic from the second WSS, and causes the processed traffic requiring further processing to be transmitted out its third plurality of tributary ports to be looped back toward the plurality of processing nodes, and causes the processed traffic that does not require further processing to be transmitted by a different tributary port of the third WSS that is an exit port leading out of the optical steering domain.

Abstract: A method for localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure receiver node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets destined for a downstream user device. The downlink packets have headers that indicate a level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets. The headers also indicate a level of expected downstream congestion declared by an upstream node. The method also includes forwarding the downlink packets to the downstream user device through a wireless connection. The method further includes sending packets upstream that have feedback indicative of the level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets and any congestion experienced within the localized congestion exposure receiver node.

Abstract: A method for localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure receiver node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets destined for a downstream user device. The downlink packets have headers that indicate a level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets. The headers also indicate a level of expected downstream congestion declared by an upstream node. The method also includes forwarding the downlink packets to the downstream user device through a wireless connection. The method further includes sending packets upstream that have feedback indicative of the level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets and any congestion experienced within the localized congestion exposure receiver node.

Abstract: A method of participating in an identification game includes the steps of providing information on an interface executed by a computer program interacting with at least one and preferably several lay website visitors or other interface visitors or members of the general public, which upon joining the website or other interface are referred to herein simply as lay subject matter identifiers members, or as a lay subject submitting member who has provided the photographic image for identification, or as an identifying member who views and submits an identification of what is shown in the photo, which in most instances would be a digital image or picture of something, to identify what specifically beyond the category of the subject matter is shown in the photo.

Abstract: A system implementing an optical steering domain that steers traffic flows through a plurality of processing nodes is described. The system includes a first, second, and third wavelength selective switch (WSS). The first WSS receives the traffic flows, and transmits traffic flows out a plurality of tributary ports toward the processing nodes. The second WSS receives the processed traffic from the processing nodes, and sends it to a third WSS. The third WSS receives the processed traffic from the second WSS, and causes the processed traffic requiring further processing to be transmitted out its third plurality of tributary ports to be looped back toward the plurality of processing nodes, and causes the processed traffic that does not require further processing to be transmitted by a different tributary port of the third WSS that is an exit port leading out of the optical steering domain.

Abstract: A method for localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure receiver node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets destined for a downstream user device. The downlink packets have headers that indicate a level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets. The headers also indicate a level of expected downstream congestion declared by an upstream node. The method also includes forwarding the downlink packets to the downstream user device through a wireless connection. The method further includes sending packets upstream that have feedback indicative of the level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets and any congestion experienced within the localized congestion exposure receiver node.

Abstract: A method of localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure sender node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets that are destined for a downstream user device. The method also includes receiving packets that have feedback indicating a congestion level from a downstream node of the cellular network. The method further includes inserting a declaration of an expected downstream congestion level into headers of the received downlink packets; and forwarding the downlink packets that have the declaration of the expected downstream congestion level inserted into the headers toward the downstream user device.

Abstract: A computerized on-line photo identification game presented through a computer program provides a subject matter category and steps for registration of website visitors to become photo-submitting players or to become photo subject matter identifying photo identifying players who receive photos of specific subject matter within the subject matter category submitted by photo-submitting players and identify the subject matter shown in the photos by name, by matching the subject matter to stored text in the program database, or both, and in which the photo identifying players may be rated by factors including concurrence with the majority of photo identifying players in identification and in which they may also be rewarded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing face recognition in a telecommunication system (1) comprising a central repository (10) in which Face Recognition profiles attached to subscribers signed up for face recognition have been stored. The method comprises steps like: Detecting proximity between a subscriber (5) of the subscribers signed up for face recognition and an entity (6,8) involved with Face Recognition, said subscriber (5) being located within a cell coverage area (7); Migrating a Face Recognition profile attached to said subscriber, from the central repository (10) to a Network node (8) controlling the cell coverage area (7); Generating in the Network node, an extended synthetic gallery for the migrated Face Recognition profile.

Abstract: A method for localized congestion exposure within a local loop in a cellular network that is performed by a localized congestion exposure receiver node of the local loop. The method includes receiving downlink packets destined for a downstream user device. The downlink packets have headers that indicate a level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets. The headers also indicate a level of expected downstream congestion declared by an upstream node. The method also includes forwarding the downlink packets to the downstream user device through a wireless connection. The method further includes sending packets upstream that have feedback indicative of the level of congestion experienced by the downlink packets and any congestion experienced within the localized congestion exposure receiver node.

Abstract: A multicast cloud controller (“MCC”) in a cloud system implements a process to manage multicast traffic in a cloud network. The MCC is coupled to at least one virtualized server for hosting one or more virtual machines (“VM”), wherein the virtualized server comprises at least one virtual switch (“VS”) that supports multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and the virtual switch is coupled to a top of rack switch (“TORS”) that supports MPLS. MPLS is utilized to support multicast data traffic in the cloud system such that the system and method reduces state and is scalable.

Abstract: A multicast cloud controller (“MCC”) in a cloud system implements a process to manage multicast traffic in a cloud network. The MCC is coupled to at least one virtualized server for hosting one or more virtual machines (“VM”), wherein the virtualized server comprises at least one virtual switch (“VS”) that supports multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and the virtual switch is coupled to a top of rack switch (“TORS”) that supports MPLS. MPLS is utilized to support multicast data traffic in the cloud system such that the system and method reduces state and is scalable.

Abstract: A multicast cloud controller (“MCC”) in a cloud system implements a process to manage multicast traffic in a cloud network. The MCC is coupled to at least one virtualized server for hosting one or more virtual machines (“VM”), wherein the virtualized server comprises at least one virtual switch (“VS”) that supports multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and the virtual switch is coupled to a top of rack switch (“TORS”) that supports MPLS. MPLS is utilized to support multicast data traffic in the cloud system such that the system and method reduces state and is scalable.

Abstract: A multicast cloud controller (“MCC”) in a cloud system implements a process to manage multicast traffic in a cloud network. The MCC is coupled to at least one virtualized server for hosting one or more virtual machines (“VM”), wherein the virtualized server comprises at least one virtual switch (“VS”) that supports multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and the virtual switch is coupled to a top of rack switch (“TORS”) that supports MPLS. MPLS is utilized to support multicast data traffic in the cloud system such that the system and method reduces state and is scalable.