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 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: 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: Hair colourant formulations fall into three main categories designated permanent, semi-permanent and temporary. Permanent hair colourant formulations are oxidative dye systems and generally contain paraphenylene diamine (PPD) and resorcinol, both of which have been shown to cause sensitisation and mutagenicity. Furthermore, severe oxidising conditions are required which in themselves cause skin irritation and sensitization as well as hair fibre damage. The inventive composition addresses the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a hair colour composition comprising: (a) Gossypetin; and either (b1) A combination of a peroxidase with either a hydrogen peroxide generator or hydrogen peroxide, or (b2) a laccase; wherein the composition has a pH of 4.5 to 7.0, preferably less than or equal to 6.0.

Abstract: A composition which is adapted for oral consumption and which is in the form of a substantially homogeneous aqueous emulsion, suspension or dispersion comprising salicylic acid, or a C1 to C6 alkyl ester thereof, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect in skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair colour composition, in particular a hair colour composition comprising a flavonoid, a catalyst consisting of iron (II) or cobalt (II) complexed to a non-proteinaceous heterocyclic macrocycle ligand composed of pyrrole or pyrroline subunits, and either a hydrogen peroxide generator or 0.0001 to less than 1.5% w/w hydrogen peroxide. The flavonoid is selected from the group consisting of flavones, isoflavones, flavans, isoflavans, flavanones, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, dihydroflavon ol, flavanonols, proanthocyanidins, aurones, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, flavonolignans, and derivatives thereof, wherein the hair colour composition has a pH of 4.5 to 8.0, preferably 5.5 to 7.5.

Abstract: Hair can be damaged in a number of ways including exposure to heat, bleaching, use of shampoos and styling products, brushing and combing, and exposure to the environment, for example ultra-violet light. Existing treatments designed to repair damaged hair make use of surface active materials that mask the problem rather than actually repairing the hair. These materials modify fibre feel by changing consumer perceivable fibre sensory cues such as smoothness, may change some measurable physical properties such as hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, but do not change other physical characteristics such as fibre stiffness, strength or structural integrity. The invention relates to a method of repairing hair fibres using flavonoids, hydrogen peroxide and a peroxidase enzyme.

Abstract: Use of dried rehydratable food, such as in a dried soup, a dried beverage, a breakfast cereal, a yoghurt and a dried sauce, is widespread. However it has been observed that when the dried components are fruit and/or vegetable, the components, on rehydration, do not resemble the fruit and/or vegetable before desiccation. That is to say they no longer have a fresh appearance but are discoloured and lack firmness. This transformation is due to cellular damage which occurs during desiccation. In particular, it is thought that phospholipid membranes are destabilised by insertion of cellular amphiphiles, phase transition into the gel phase and membrane fusion. This invention seeks to solve the above-mentioned technical problem by providing, amongst other things, a dried rehydratable food which is a fruit, vegetable or part thereof which, on rehydration, has improved appearance, texture and rehydration properties.

Abstract: A composition suitable to improve skin characteristics is described along with a regimen to improve skin characteristics. The composition is not limited to format, and can be in the form of a capsule, tablet or food product. When consumed within a defined regimen, the composition with active mixture results in skin that is smoother and with a reduction in wrinkles.

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: Hair colourant formulations fall into three main categories designated permanent, semi-permanent and temporary. Permanent hair colourant formulations are oxidative dye systems and generally contain paraphenylene diamine (PPD) and resorcinol, both of which have been shown to cause sensitisation and mutagenicity. Furthermore, severe oxidising conditions are required which in themselves cause skin irritation and sensitization as well as hair fibre damage. The inventive method addresses the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a method of colouring hair fibres, the method comprising the step of applying a hair colour composition, the hair colour composition comprising: (a) (+)-Catechin, (?)-catechin, (+)-epicatechin, (?)-epicatechin or mixtures thereof; (b) A hydrogen peroxide generator or hydrogen peroxide; and (c) A peroxidase and; wherein the composition has a pH of 4.5 to 7.0, preferably less than or equal to 6.0.