Abstract: Methods to reduce hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in chromite processing wastes include one or more of the following steps: contacting the chromite processing wastes with an oxygen scavenger or chemical reducer; permitting the chromite processing wastes to react with the oxygen scavenger or chemical reducer; contacting the chromite processing wastes with ferrous ion; contacting the chromite processing wastes with sulfide ion; and, contacting the chromite processing wastes with ferrous sulfide.

Abstract: Methods for treatment a heavy metal-contaminated solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous matrix with magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfite, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures of any two or more of these. Methods for treatment of a solid or semi-solid waste containing unacceptable levels of leachable aluminum and reactive metallic aluminum-containing waste with magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfite, magnesium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, and mixtures of any two or more of these.

Abstract: In one arrangement, information useful in understanding the content of user speech (e.g., phonemes identified by a speech recognition algorithm, data indicating the gender of the speaker, etc.) is determined at an apparatus (e.g., a cell phone), and accompanies speech data sent from that apparatus. (Steganographic encoding of the speech data can be employed to convey this information.) A receiving device can use this accompanying information to better understand the content of the speech. A great variety of other features and arrangements—some dealing with imagery rather than audio—are also detailed.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection method uses a matched filtering technique on a log polar re-mapping of a watermarked signal to detect peaks associated with a repetitive structure of a watermark.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently obtaining a summary from and locating data in a log file allow a user to efficiently obtain summary information and locate specific data records even in large log files. The system includes a configuration program, a log writing program, and a log reading program. The configuration program allows the user to control the duration of monitoring and the frequency of summary record creation by the log writing program. The log writing program writes data records, summary records, and summary information to a log file in response to monitored events. The log reading program retrieves summary records and data records from the log file using summary information in response to user requests.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing data polling and buffering for multiple requesters are provided. With the present invention, a user/computing device may register with a data polling system whose purpose is to periodically poll computer system resources for data. This data is stored in a common storage buffer with pointers to the data being stored in index data structures for a plurality of users. More than one user index data structure may have a pointer to the same data location in the common storage buffer. In addition, a mechanism for aligning data pollings among a plurality of users/computing devices is provided so as to increase the amount of sharing of data stored in the common storage buffer.

Abstract: A digital watermark (DWM) content identifier is steganographically embedded in content. The DWM content identifier provides a link to a rights registry storing usage rights associated with the content. In some implementations the rights registry provides an association between the DWM content identifier and a digital rights management (DRM) content identifier. The DRM content identifier is used to find associated usage rights. The DWM content identifier can also be used to transfer content from a first DRM system to a second DRM system.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and devices to manage media content. In one implementation, a method receives a media identifier that is generated by a user device. The media identifier is determined from at least a portion of a media signal. The method further includes determining a media title that corresponds to the media identifier; determining usage rights associated with at least one of the title and a user of the user device; and controlling access to the media title based at least in part on the usage rights. Another implementation provides a related user device.

Abstract: The present invention provides digital watermarks through multiple channels. The channels can include, e.g., visible, ultraviolet and infrared channels. The non-visible channels can be selected to fluoresce either in the visible or IR/UV spectrums upon the appropriate illumination in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. The watermarks in the various multiple channels can cooperate to facilitate watermark detection or to authenticate an object in which the watermarks are embedded. In other implementations the multiple watermarks include so-called orientation components. A relative relationship between the orientation components is used to convey data.

Abstract: Embedded data in gaming objects is used to authenticate the gaming object and to enhance the gaming experience in gambling venues.

Abstract: A skin color measuring device is provided for use with a kit and method to measure skin shades at point-of-sale. The device includes a hand holdable housing encompassing a spectrophotometer/colorimeter, a logic program for calculating L, a, b values measured by the spectrophotometer/colorimeter and for converting these values into corresponding shades of facial foundation cosmetic products suitable for the measured customer, and a display window formed in the wall of the housing allowing visualization of the logic selected facial foundation products. Kits in the form of a display case are provided which include the skin measuring device and an inventory of different facial foundation products as well as a reader card set for correlating the selected facial foundation products with complementary color cosmetics such as lipsticks, eye shadows, eye liners, blush and lip liners.

Abstract: A lipstick is provided for freshening the breath and reducing oral malodor. These lipsticks are based on a combination of free menthol and a bound menthol substance, the latter being either a complex or an encapsulated form. Most preferred is a menthol complex with beta-cyclodextrin. Further components of the lipstick include lipophilic material such as waxes and usually colorants. Water is advantageously included at levels ranging up to 10% by weight.

Abstract: A lipstick is provided for freshening the breath and reducing oral malodor. These lipsticks utilize an antibacterial agent in combination with menthol as the active components. Most preferred as the antibacterial agent are zinc salts, especially zinc citrate. Further components of the lipstick include a lipophilic material such as waxes and usually colorants. Water may be included at levels ranging up to about 25% by weight.

Abstract: A method and cosmetic composition for improving skin firmness are provided through an anhydrous composition including a hydrophobic carrier which may be a silicone or hydrocarbon for delivering an effective amount of a ceramide formed of a sphingoid base linked through an amide to a 2-hydroxycarboxylic C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 group.

Abstract: A cosmetic product is provided for delivery of skin actives through adhesive strips which concurrently remove keratotic plugs from skin pores. The product is a strip including a flexible substrate sheet onto which a composition containing an adhesive polymer is deposited. The composition is essentially a polymer of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic variety which increases in tackiness upon being wetted, with wetting occurring just prior to application onto the skin thereby enhancing the composition's adhesivity. Skin agents delivered through the adhesive strip include vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof. The strips are sealably enclosed within a pouch for purposes of moisture protection.

Abstract: A cosmetic product formed as a multi-compartment dispenser is provided wherein an aqueous and an anhydrous composition are stored in separate compartments. The anhydrous composition includes ascorbic acid delivered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The aqueous composition includes an alkaline agent present to cause a rise in pH of the anhydrous composition as both compositions are blended together after being dispensed from their respective compartments.

Abstract: A cosmetic product is provided for delivery of skin actives through adhesive strips which concurrently remove keratotic plugs from skin pores. The product is a strip including a flexible substrate sheet onto which a composition containing an adhesive polymer is deposited. The composition is essentially a polymer of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic variety which increases in tackiness upon being wetted, with wetting occurring just prior to application onto the skin thereby enhancing the composition's adhesivity. Skin agents delivered through the adhesive strip include vitamins, herbal extracts, alpha- and beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids, ceramides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, vasoconstrictors, zinc salts and mixtures thereof. The strips are sealably enclosed within a pouch for purposes of moisture protection.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for enhancing skin radiance and treating chronoaging conditions including wrinkles and dermatological disorders including acne, follicular and lesional papules, actinic keratoses, oily skin and rosacea comprising: (i) a safe and effective amount of an unsaturated C.sub.18 -C.sub.30 fatty acid ester of retinol; and (ii) a safe and effective amount of a cosmetically acceptable carrier, the composition being stable for at least four weeks at 43.degree. C. An unsaturated C.sub.18 -C.sub.30 fatty acid ester of retinol is the active component which is applied to the skin in a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The most preferred unsaturated retinol fatty acid ester is retinyl linoleate. The composition is stable and remains active for at least four weeks at 43.degree. C.

Abstract: A novel series of phytosphingosines are disclosed which are phytosphingosine salicylates having use in cosmetic compositions. They have potential as anti-acne, anti-blemish, anti-bacterial and anti-wrinkle agents, as well as being active in skin lightening.

Abstract: A composition and method thereof treating or conditioning human skin, hair or nails is described. The composition is topically applied in an effective amount and contains from about 0.0001 to about 50 wt. % of a ceramide derivative containing sphingoid bases having amide, but not ester linkages to a 2 (alpha)-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a safe and effective amount of a pharmaceutical or cosmetically acceptable carrier. The composition effectively treats or conditions areas of fine flakes having histogram values of 10 to 128. Treated areas exhibit a desquamation value difference of 1.0 or greater at day 28 after treatment commences compared to a desquamation value of untreated areas.