Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that may be used to generate a Bayesian hierarchical model. One method includes generating a plurality of geographic regions by grouping one or more geographic sub-regions into each of the plurality of geographic regions. The method further includes receiving data for the geographic sub-regions, the data including responses, content inputs, content types, and location identifiers. The method further includes generating geo-level data from the received data by grouping the responses and content inputs of the received data based on a correlation of the location identifiers of the received data to the plurality of geographic regions. The method includes fitting a Bayesian hierarchical model based on at least the geo-level data, the content types, and the geographic regions and determining a content input mix for the content types for each geographic region based on the Bayesian hierarchical model and a content input constraint.

Abstract: A composition is provided, including an emulsion of an aqueous phase in a lipophilic phase, wherein the composition includes water, more than 8 wt % butylene glycol, one or more nonionic polysaccharides, and one or more lipophilic materials. The composition may be prepared by a method including the steps of a) mixing the one or more lipophilic materials with an aqueous mixture including water, the one or more nonionic polysaccharides, and the butylene glycol at a temperature in a range from 30 to 70° C. until homogeneity is reached; b) cooling the product of step a) to room temperature; and optionally c) adding ethanol and/or aluminum starch octenylsuccinate to the product of step b) with mixing. A method of caring for a keratin material in an animal includes applying an effective amount of the composition to the keratin material.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to masks, methods for making masks, methods for improving film elasticity of masks, and to methods of treating skin with masks. The masks are formed by applying a mask base composition onto a surface, the mask base composition comprising: (i) alginic acid and/or a salt thereof; (ii) hectorite (lithium magnesium sodium silicate); (iii) one or more water-soluble solvents; and (iv) water; and exposing the mask base composition to a crosslinking composition for a time sufficient to crosslink the alginic acid and/or a salt thereof and form a final mask, the crosslinking composition being an aqueous liquid comprising (i) one or more polyvalent cations of one or more metals; and (ii) water. The instant disclosure further relates to masks formed by the disclosed methods and to kits comprising the compositions for making and/or using the masks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gentle cleansing compositions, which generally include: (a) a taurate surfactant; (b) an isethionate surfactant; (c) a betaine (and/or another amphoteric surfactant); and (d) a nonionic emulsifier. The cleansing compositions exhibit very good cleansing properties, are particularly effective for removing makeup, and are mild and moisturizing to the skin.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel pyrazolo-quinolinone compounds and method of using such compounds to treat disorders such as neuropsychiatric disorders with sensorimotor gating deficits, such as schizophrenia, tic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, Huntington's disease and nocturnal enuresis;depression; temporomandibular myofascial pain; disorders of trigeminal nerve, such as trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal neuropathy; migraine; and tinnitus.

Abstract: An electrical connector for high speed signals. The connector has multiple conductive elements that may serve as signal or ground conductors. A member formed with lossy material and conductive compliant members may be inserted in the connector. The conductive compliant members may be aligned with conductive elements of the connector configured as ground conductors. For a connector configured to carry differential signals, the ground conductors may separate pairs of signal conductors. The member may further include a conductive web, embedded within the lossy material, that interconnects the conductive compliant members. For a receptacle connector, the conductive elements may have mating contact portions aligned along opposing surfaces of a cavity. The conductive elements may have contact tails for attachment to a printed circuit board and intermediate portions connecting the mating contact portions and the contact tails. The conductive compliant members may press against the intermediate portions.

Abstract: A method of guiding a user to a suitable parking spot is a method used to aid a user in finding a suitable parking spot near a desired location. The method uses at least one remote server and a mobile computing device. The remote server manages information related to potential parking spots, and performs calculations to determine if a potential parking spot is a suitable parking spot. The mobile computing device monitors the location of the user and allows the user to interact with the method. A parking search request is sent from the mobile computing device to the remote server. Upon receiving the parking search request, the geospatial vehicle detection system is used to locate potential parking spots. At least one filtering process is used to identify suitable parking spots from the potential parking spots, before the suitable parking spots are displayed to the user.

Abstract: Technologies are described for performing database updates in a database environment where the database remains accessible during the updates. For example, a number of database clients may utilize a database environment for running queries or performing transactions. When an update to the database environment needs to be performed (e.g., a change to the database schema), instead of taking the database offline or queueing requests, the database can remain accessible to the database clients throughout the update process. The update process can include switching database connections between a first copy of the database and a second copy of the database that are being replicated. Technologies are also described for performing updates to application code used to interact with the database environment (e.g., alone or in combination with database system updates).

Abstract: Methods for preventing, inhibiting or treating parasitic flatworm infection in a vertebrate are provided that include administering an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more ergot alkaloids, one or more lysergic acid amides, or one or more dimethoxyisoquinoline derivatives

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods include providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges, arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, and expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement. The pressure source is in communication with an outer side of the tread ring, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source. Such methods also include inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement, contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass, and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gentle cleansing compositions, which generally include: (a) a taurate surfactant; (b) an isethionate surfactant; (c) a betaine (and/or another amphoteric surfactant); and (d) a nonionic emulsifier. The cleansing compositions exhibit very good cleansing properties, are particularly effective for removing makeup, and are mild and moisturizing to the skin.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the subject invention comprise methods and apparatus for mounting a tread ring onto a tire carcass. Such methods may include the step of providing a tire tread ring having opposing side edges; arranging the tread ring in an initial ring arrangement in communication with a pressure source, the pressure source being in communication with an outer side of the tread ring; expanding the tread ring radially outward from the initial ring arrangement to an expanded arrangement, the tread ring being expanded by applying vacuum pressure along the outer side of the tread ring supplied by the pressure source; inserting a tire carcass within a central opening of the tread ring while in the expanded arrangement; contracting the tread ring into an installed arrangement about an outer surface of the tire carcass; and, releasing the vacuum along the outer side of the tread ring.

Abstract: An aerosol oil foam composition having at least one triglyceride-based oil and at least one polyglyceryl fatty acid ester surfactant. The polyglyceryl fatty acid ester surfactant includes an alkyl group having at least 10 carbon atoms and having a hydrophile-lipophile balance of between about 8 and about 13. The aerosol oil foam composition is a stable foam that is water rinsable. An aerosol oil-containing foamable composition and a process for cleansing skin, scalp or hair are also disclosed.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention concerns methods of forming a retreaded tire with improved tread edge area bonding, and re-treaded tires formed thereby. One embodiment of such methods includes forming an unbonded retreaded tire by arranging a pre-cured tread annularly around an annular tire carcass with a bonding layer arranged there between. The pre-cured tread includes a pair of opposing tread edges laterally-spaced to define a width of the pre-cured tread. The method also includes bonding the tread of the unbonded tire to the tire carcass to form a bonded retreaded tire by sufficiently pressurizing and heating the curing chamber to cure the bonding layer of the unbonded tire, which includes at least partially bonding a pair of laterally-spaced tread edge areas of the pre-cured tread to the tire carcass prior to an intermediate portion of the pre-cured tread located between the pair of laterally-spaced tread edge areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light diffusing panel, a light diffusing module and a traffic sign incorporating the light diffusing module. A front face of the panel has a plurality of linear disruptions, which disruptions redirect the light to emit from the front face of the panel in a broad diffuse emission. The plurality of linear disruptions extends as a series of parallel lines across the front face. A second plurality of linear disruptions extends as a series of parallel lines across the front face, with the first plurality of linear disruptions forming a grid across the front face. The light diffusing module adds to the light diffusing panel, a reflective sheet adjacent to the rear face of the light diffusing panel and light sources along an edge of the light diffusing panel. The traffic sign adds a message panel to the light diffusing module as well as a power supply.

Abstract: The subject invention includes methods and apparatus for joining treads. Such methods include the step of providing a first tread portion and a second tread portion for forming a joined tread, each tread portion comprising a section of tire tread extending lengthwise from a terminal end. Additional steps include providing a first fixture configured to retain the first tread portion and a second fixture configured to retain the second tread portion and securing the first tread portion into the first fixture and securing the second tread portion into the second fixture, each of the first and second fixtures being arranged within the first and second fixtures such that the terminal end of each tread portion is in communication with a joining side of each fixture. The methods further include directing the terminal ends towards each other and into forceful engagement with an elastomeric joining material arranged between the terminal ends.