Abstract: Various embodiments describe approaches for maximizing rewards associated with financial accounts for at least one user-defined goal (e.g., a travel benefit, a cashback benefit, a flight benefit, a hotel benefit, a charitable contribution benefit, a return benefit, etc.) For example, a user may submit a request for a portfolio of accounts (e.g., credit card accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, a combination thereof) to achieve specific goals within a specified time given the user's spending habits, the number of credit card accounts desired, etc. Financial transaction information, reward program terms, banking institution policies, and the like can be obtained and analyzed to determine and present the portfolio of accounts, timing guidelines, and spending guidelines can be generated. Thereafter, rewards earned from purchases of goods and/or services made in accordance with the timing and spending guidelines maximize the rewards earned towards the user's goal for the specified period of time.

Abstract: Edible adhesives and ingestible compositions that include the same are provided. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Improved ingestible event markers are provided. Aspects of the markers may include the presence of a matrix layer that includes a binder and source of an electron acceptor. Alternatively or in addition to the matrix layer, aspects of the markers may include a large surface area electrode having a surface area that exceeds the surface area of the circuitry of the marker. Aspects further include methods of making and using the ingestible event markers.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus, system, and method are provided herein, in which an exercise apparatus has a tracking mechanism comprising a gyroscope, processor and transmitter. The user may wear a sensor, for example, on his shoe. The gyroscope detects the position of the exercise apparatus with respect to the sensor, and thus detects the motions made by the user with the apparatus. A mobile device such as a cellular phone may have an application running thereon, which tracks these motions, and notify the user if the user's form is incorrect, and preferably provides an image of the proper form. The exercise apparatus may include wheels with which the exercise apparatus may be rolled.

Abstract: An ingestible compositions includes a first polymer layer, an adhesive layer associated with the first polymer layer, where the adhesive layer includes an adhesive material and is configured to releasably adhere to the first polymer layer, an alginate layer adhered to the adhesive layer, and a second polymer layer associated with the alginate layer and configured to releasably adhere to the alginate layer. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Techniques are described for priming virtual machines in advance of the user login, thereby effectively distributing the load on the hosting resources over a wider time interval. A portion of VMs in the pool is allocated for priming. This process is initiated from an advisory service, which can analyze data from different sources, including usage history, rules, and location services. A VM is assigned from the pool and started. One or more application storage volumes and/or writable volumes are attached to the VM. A reclaim timer is then started. If no login event is detected for the user prior to the expiration of the reclaim timer, the VM is reclaimed back in to the pool and made available for other users. If the login event for the user is detected before expiration of the reclaim timer, the user returned the primed VM and the reclaim timer is canceled.

Abstract: Techniques are described for priming virtual machines in advance of the user login, thereby effectively distributing the load on the hosting resources over a wider time interval. A portion of VMs in the pool is allocated for priming. This process is initiated from an advisory service, which can analyze data from different sources, including usage history, rules, and location services. A VM is assigned from the pool and started. One or more application storage volumes and/or writable volumes are attached to the VM. A reclaim timer is then started. If no login event is detected for the user prior to the expiration of the reclaim timer, the VM is reclaimed back in to the pool and made available for other users. If the login event for the user is detected before expiration of the reclaim timer, the user returned the primed VM and the reclaim timer is canceled.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus, system, and method are provided herein, in which an exercise apparatus has a tracking mechanism comprising a gyroscope, processor and transmitter. The user may wear a sensor, for example, on his shoe. The gyroscope detects the position of the exercise apparatus with respect to the sensor, and thus detects the motions made by the user with the apparatus. A mobile device such as a cellular phone may have an application running thereon, which tracks these motions, and notify the user if the user's form is incorrect, and preferably provides an image of the proper form. The exercise apparatus may include wheels with which the exercise apparatus may be rolled.

Abstract: An ingestible compositions includes a first polymer layer, an adhesive layer associated with the first polymer layer, where the adhesive layer includes an adhesive material and is configured to releasably adhere to the first polymer layer, an alginate layer adhered to the adhesive layer, and a second polymer layer associated with the alginate layer and configured to releasably adhere to the alginate layer. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Edible adhesives and ingestible compositions that include the same are provided. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Improved ingestible event markers are provided. Aspects of the markers may include the presence of a matrix layer that includes a binder and source of an electron acceptor. Alternatively or in addition to the matrix layer, aspects of the markers may include a large surface area electrode having a surface area that exceeds the surface area of the circuitry of the marker. Aspects further include methods of making and using the ingestible event markers.