Abstract: A method may include, by a network resource optimization system, receiving from a network node a resource request, determining a plurality of network resources based on the resource request, and determining a subset of network resources from the plurality of network resources and a network resource from the subset based on a score of each network resource. The score of each network resource may be based on a rate of acceptance of communication requests received or a number of communication sessions established. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, transmitting a communication request to the determined network resource and receiving an acceptance from the network resource. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, causing a selection mechanism to be activated at the network node, receiving from the network node a selection, and initiating the communication session in response to the selection.

Abstract: A mill includes a generally vertical, rotatable shaft having at least one set of cutter blades driven thereby and a fan assembly mounted on the shaft below the cutter blades in position to receive output therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan disc secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith. A plurality of fan blades is secured to the fan disc in a generally radial orientation. A terminal portion of the mill includes a gradually, radially expanding outer wall configured in a volute form. The expanded outer wall decreases wear and increases efficiency of discharge and airflow through the mill.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation systems and methods are provided that can cancel and suppress acoustic echo from the output of a mixer that has mixed audio signals from a plurality of acoustic sources, such as microphones. The microphones may have captured speech and sound from a remote location or far end, such as in a conferencing environment. The acoustic echo cancellation may generate an echo-cancelled mixed audio signal based on a mixed audio signal from a mixer, information gathered from the audio signal from each of the plurality of acoustic sources, and a remote audio signal. The systems and methods may be computationally efficient and resource-friendly.

Abstract: A method may include, by a network resource optimization system, receiving from a network node a resource request, determining a plurality of network resources based on the resource request, and determining a subset of network resources from the plurality of network resources and a network resource from the subset based on a score of each network resource. The score of each network resource may be based on a rate of acceptance of communication requests received or a number of communication sessions established. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, transmitting a communication request to the determined network resource and receiving an acceptance from the network resource. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, causing a selection mechanism to be activated at the network node, receiving from the network node a selection, and initiating the communication session in response to the selection.

Abstract: A software-based conferencing platform is provided. The platform comprises a plurality of audio sources providing input audio signals, the audio sources including a virtual audio device driver configured to receive far-end input audio signals from a conferencing software module, and a network audio library configured to receive near-end input audio signals from one or more near-end audio devices. The platform further comprises a digital signal processing component configured to receive the input audio signals from the audio sources and generate audio output signals based the received signals, the digital signal processing component comprising an acoustic echo cancellation module configured to apply acoustic echo cancellation techniques to one or more of the near-end input audio signals.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone array with a plurality of microphone elements comprising a first set of elements arranged along a first axis, comprising at least two microphone elements spaced apart by a first distance; a second set of elements arranged along the first axis, comprising at least two microphone elements spaced apart by a second, greater distance, such that the first set is nested within the second set; a third set of elements arranged along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, comprising at least two microphone elements spaced apart by the second distance; and a fourth set of elements nested within the third set along the second axis, comprising at least two microphone elements spaced apart by the first distance, wherein each set includes a first cluster of microphone elements and a second cluster of microphone elements spaced apart by the specified distance.

Abstract: A method may include, by a network resource optimization system, receiving from a network node a resource request, determining a plurality of network resources based on the resource request, and determining a subset of network resources from the plurality of network resources and a network resource from the subset based on a score of each network resource. The score of each network resource may be based on a rate of acceptance of communication requests received or a number of communication sessions established. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, transmitting a communication request to the determined network resource and receiving an acceptance from the network resource. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, causing a selection mechanism to be activated at the network node, receiving from the network node a selection, and initiating the communication session in response to the selection.

Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation systems and methods are provided that can cancel and suppress acoustic echo from the output of a mixer that has mixed audio signals from a plurality of acoustic sources, such as microphones. The microphones may have captured speech and sound from a remote location or far end, such as in a conferencing environment. The acoustic echo cancellation may generate an echo-cancelled mixed audio signal based on a mixed audio signal from a mixer, information gathered from the audio signal from each of the plurality of acoustic sources, and a remote audio signal. The systems and methods may be computationally efficient and resource-friendly.

Abstract: A method may include, by a network resource optimization system, receiving from a network node a resource request, determining a plurality of network resources based on the resource request, and determining a subset of network resources from the plurality of network resources and a network resource from the subset based on a score of each network resource. The score of each network resource may be based on a rate of acceptance of communication requests received or a number of communication sessions established. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, transmitting a communication request to the determined network resource and receiving an acceptance from the network resource. The method may include, by the network resource optimization system, causing a selection mechanism to be activated at the network node, receiving from the network node a selection, and initiating the communication session in response to the selection.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation systems and methods are provided that can cancel and suppress acoustic echo from the output of a mixer that has mixed audio signals from a plurality of acoustic sources, such as microphones. The microphones may have captured speech and sound from a remote location or far end, such as in a conferencing environment. The acoustic echo cancellation may generate an echo-cancelled mixed audio signal based on a mixed audio signal from a mixer, information gathered from the audio signal from each of the plurality of acoustic sources, and a remote audio signal. The systems and methods may be computationally efficient and resource-friendly.

Abstract: A watercraft configured for use in a body of water is provided including a deck and at least one propulsion mechanism mounted at a first end of the deck. The at least one propulsion mechanism is configured to move the watercraft within the body of water. A man lift movable between a lowered position and a raised position is mounted to the deck. The man lift is configured to raise a person a vertical distance above the deck. Mounting brackets are arranged adjacent a first and second side of the deck. The mounting brackets are translatable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the mounting brackets extend perpendicularly from the first side and the second side, respectively. An inflatable pontoon is removably coupled to each of the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A mill includes a generally vertical, rotatable shaft having at least one set of cutter blades driven thereby and a fan assembly mounted on the shaft below the cutter blades in position to receive output therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan disc secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith. A plurality of fan blades is secured to the fan disc in a generally radial orientation. A terminal portion of the mill includes a gradually, radially expanding outer wall configured in a volute form. The expanded outer wall decreases wear and increases efficiency of discharge and airflow through the mill.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for facilitating communication sessions between a service provider and a consumer. More specifically, the embodiments described herein are directed to receiving, from a consumer, a request for a product or service. The request is analyzed to determine one or more service providers that perform or provide the requested product or service. When various service providers are identified, an algorithm ranks the service providers from high to low. The highest ranked service provider is provided with an opportunity to instantly begin a communication with the consumer. If the highest ranked service provider declines, the next highest service provider is given the opportunity.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a topical sunless tanning composition, in particular a topical sunless tanning composition which provides an immediate colour effect. There is much interest in effectuating a tan via cosmetic means. Most prominent among the sunless tanning agents is dihydroxyacetone (DHA, which is also chemically known as 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propanone). However, a problem with using DHA to tan the skin is the length of time it takes for the skin to develop colour (from 3 to 12 hours after application in general). Thus, in a first aspect of the invention, a topical sunless tanning composition is provided, the topical sunless tanning composition comprising: (a) 0.01-10, preferably 0.1-5 w/w a polyphenol selected from the group consisting of (+)-catechin, (?)-catechin, (+)-epicatechin, (?)-epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, (?)-epigallocatechin, (?)-catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, or mixtures thereof; (b) A peroxidase or laccase (c) 0.0001-3 preferably 0.001-1, most preferably 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plurality of compositions for dietary health management and its use in the prevention or treatment of any one of the disease states in the group consisting of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and diarrhoea. Human evolution has been a very slow process in contrast to the relatively recent, rapid changes in our diet since the Neolithic revolution which marked the switch from hunter-gatherer to agricultural life-style around 10,000 years ago. Moreover our genome has not had time to evolve at the same pace and therefore it is postulated that our bodies will work more efficiently with an ancestral diet.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of chitosan or a salt thereof in an anti-perspirant composition as an anti-perspirant ingredient. Current anti-perspirants are based on aluminium, but inorganic salts have the effect of leaving white patches on clothes. Additionally there is a perceived health risk associated with aluminium The current approach is to reduce the amount of aluminium in antiperspirants or to use additional metal salts such as those of zirconium. However, this approach tends to lower the efficacy of the formulation and hence prove more expensive. Zirconium-based antiperspirants tend to leave yellow patches on clothes. Use of chitosan or a salt thereof in an anti-perspirant composition as an anti-perspirant ingredient is provided, wherein the chitosan or salt thereof has a degree of acetylation of 0-15, preferably 0-12, most preferably 0-10%, wherein the chitosan or salt thereof is either in an anhydrous form or dissolved in water at a pH of no more than 6.0, preferably no more than 5.