Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating acute wounds, chronic wounds and/or a wound or epithelial tissue surface that contains bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide topical formulations including antiseptic formulations, for management and promotion of wound healing and in particular infected wounds. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to prove ownership of accounts on the DLNs without having to necessarily reveal private information such as the private key of the account publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.

Abstract: A tamper evident metal foil closure for a container which provides visual evidence of tampering in the form of damage to the metal foil (e.g. tearing) and evidence of temperature tampering of the metal foil when heat is used to remove and reseal the metal foil. Containers sealed with this novel metal foil closure make it more difficult to tamper with or remove the container contents and then return the container for a refund.

Abstract: In a device including a processor and a memory, the memory includes executable instructions causing the processor to control the device to perform functions of displaying, via a GUI of a first communication application, content of a first communication session associated with a first communication application; detecting an activity related to a second communication session associated with a second communication application; displaying, as a part of the GUI of the first communication application, an indication of the detected activity and a first control element that, when activated, causes a user of the device to join the second communication session; receiving a first user input to activate the first control element; responsive to the received first user input, causing the user of the device to join and participate, via the GUI of the first communication application, the second communication session concurrently with the first communication session.

Abstract: A spring assembly is provided which decreases the fatigue and wear on the springs of the assembly. The spring assembly includes upper and lower pistons separated by a substantially incompressible fluid. The lower piston is attached to one or more springs. The surface area of the upper surface of the lower piston is greater than the surface area of the lower surface of the upper piston. As such, the springs are deflected by a distance less than the distance traveled by the upper piston. By decreasing the length the springs are compressed, the springs are subject to less fatigue and wear. As a result, the life span of the springs is increased and the maintenance required of the spring assembly is minimized relative to that of typical spring assemblies.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus having a pair of closable jaws to engage a user's hair. The jaws have complementary shapes with a first said jaw defining a curved ridge and a second said jaw defining a curved recess. One or both of the jaws includes a heater such that, when said jaws are closed, hair is heated in a heating region between the ridge of the first jaw and the recess of said second jaw. The second jaw has a curved longitudinal surface having an active cooling region. The heating region is located on the forward curve and the active cooling region is located on the reverse curve.

Abstract: Described herein are methods inducing the uptake of an agent by a cell. Aspects of the invention relate to physically compressing the cell to induce perturbations (e.g., holes) in the cell membrane or wall. An agent is taken up by the cell through induced perturbations.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural and artificial surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed. The method, which may be performed by one or more processors, may comprise receiving timestamp data representing a plurality of database transactions and dividing the timestamp data into a plurality of partitioning quanta (nPQ), each partitioning quantum (PQ) of the plurality of partitioning quanta representing a range of timestamps. Further, for each partitioning quantum (PQ) of the plurality of partitioning quanta (nPQ), the method may comprise allocating the timestamp data, such that sequentially adjacent timestamps are allocated to different partitions of a physical storage system for subsequent storage at the allocated partitions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1-H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.

Abstract: Techniques for indication of communication across applications are described. According to various implementations, a graphical user interface (GUI) for a first application is presented. The GUI for the first application, for instance, enables a first user to communicate with a second user via the first application. An indication of communication between the first user and the second user via a second application is presented within the GUI for the first application. In at least one implementation, the first application and the second application enable communication via different respective modalities.

Abstract: A method for determining the 3D location of a catheter distal end portion in a patient's body, the distal end portion including an electrode, the method comprising: (a) placing first and second body-surface patches on the patient in positions such that body region of interest is therebetween; (b) driving an alternating current between the patches; (c) measuring the voltage at the electrode and substantially contemporaneously capturing a 2D fluoroscopic image of the region of interest; and (d) determining the 3D location of the catheter distal end portion from the image and the measured voltage. A primary application of this method is 3D navigation during cardiac interventional procedures.

Abstract: Example embodiments describe a data storage method and system. For example, the method described, performed by one or more processors, may comprise in an application for enforcing one or more policies for reading and writing data to a database receiving, over a data network, instructions for performing a read or write request for data, and sending the read or write request to a transaction manager for providing transactions for a key-value store of the database, the request being in accordance with one or more policies to be enforced by the enforcing application. The method may also comprise receiving, from the transaction manager, a response message based on operations performed by the transaction manager in response to the read or write request.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting roots is installed on a hand-carried weed cutter or hand-carried sidewalk edger. The blade assembly comprises a rear blade configured to support a plurality of blades on the shaft of the weed cutter. The rear blade has a plurality of teeth disposed around its perimeter, and a central opening configured to be received by the shaft of the weed trimmer. A front blade has a plurality of teeth disposed around its perimeter. Stacks of grinding segments are sandwiched together between the rear blade and the front blade, each stack of grinding segments extending partially around the blade assembly at an angle. Each grinding segment has a plurality of teeth disposed along an outer edge of the grinding segment. Spacers without teeth are adjacent to and separate the stacks of grinding segments from one another. The spacers are also sandwiched between the rear blade and the front blade.

Abstract: A user interacts with a graphical user interface on a client device. The device displays a data visualization that includes configuration parameters. The device also displays one or more read-only static controls, each static control corresponding to a respective parameter. Each static control indicates the value assigned to the corresponding parameter. A first user action activates a first static control. The first static control corresponds to a first parameter with a first value. The device displays an editable indirect control in the graphical user interface, which displays the first value. The editable indirect control is larger than the first static control, and is superimposed over the corresponding static control. The user changes the first value to a second value, and the device updates the displayed data visualization based on the second value for the first parameter. The editable indirect control is subsequently removed from display in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to Bis-thiol compounds and pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treating, managing or lessening the severity of pulmonary infections in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a bismuth-thiol (BT) composition that comprises at least one BT compound.

Abstract: Implementations may provide contextually-aware expertise or decision-making assistance for meeting participants. A system may include a computerized or automated assistant to help participants of a communication session to identify individuals having expertise related to a topic discussed during the communication session. The system, through the use of an agent-assisted response intelligence observing the communication session, may identify that meeting participants require assistance or expertise on a discussed topic. The agent-assisted response intelligence may reach out to individuals to ascertain if they have the expertise related to the discussed topic.

Abstract: The invention relates to bismuth-thiol compounds and pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The invention further relates to methods for treating a topical wound, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a bismuth-thiol compound, wherein the composition is applied to the infection. Methods for treating microbial infections such as diabetic foot infections are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.