Abstract: A method for monitoring performance of a ML system includes receiving a data stream via a processor and generating a first plurality of metrics based on the data stream. The processor also generates input data based on the data stream, and sends the input data to a machine learning (ML) model for generation of intermediate output and model output based on the input data. The processor also generates a second plurality of metrics based on the intermediate output, and a third plurality of metrics based on the model output. An alert is generated based on at least one of the first plurality of metrics, the second plurality of metrics, or the third plurality of metrics, and a signal representing the alert is sent for display to a user via an interface.

Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A discrete lost motion device for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine comprises a housing having a housing bore extending longitudinally into the housing and a second end having a housing contact surface configured to engage a corresponding contact surface of a first valve train component. A plunger slidably is disposed in the housing bore is controllable between a first state in which the plunger rigidly extends out of the housing bore and a second state in which the plunger is permitted to reciprocate within the housing bore, the plunger further comprising an end having a plunger contact surface configured to engage a corresponding contact surface of a second valve train component. The housing contact surface and the plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first and second valve train components.

Abstract: An attenuation or “gap” may be inserted into at least a first frequency range of at least first and second audio playback signals of a content stream during at least a first time interval to generate at least first and second modified audio playback signals. Corresponding audio device playback sound may be provided by at least first and second audio devices. At least one microphone may detect at least the first audio device playback sound and the second audio device playback sound and may generate corresponding microphone signals. Audio data may be extracted from the microphone signals in at least the first frequency range, to produce extracted audio data. A far-field audio environment impulse response and/or audio environment noise may be estimated based, at least in part, on the extracted audio data.

Abstract: A method for monitoring performance of a ML system includes receiving a data stream via a processor and generating a first plurality of metrics based on the data stream. The processor also generates input data based on the data stream, and sends the input data to a machine learning (ML) model for generation of intermediate output and model output based on the input data. The processor also generates a second plurality of metrics based on the intermediate output, and a third plurality of metrics based on the model output. An alert is generated based on at least one of the first plurality of metrics, the second plurality of metrics, or the third plurality of metrics, and a signal representing the alert is sent for display to a user via an interface.

Abstract: A system for quantifying risk associated with preclinical indicators of one or more clinical skin conditions, the system is formed of a plurality of measurement tools in connection with a processor, the measurement tools configured to various pre-clinical indicators of the skin health of a subject' hand, where the processor is configured to calculate a score based on the combined data from the plurality of measurement tools, this score being representative of the subject's risk of future development of one or more clinical skin conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting a polyether polysiloxane surfactant to optimise an alcohol and water containing foaming cleansing composition selecting an amount of alcohol to be used in the final composition; and selecting the degree of polymerisation of the backbone of the siloxane (PDMS) of the polyether polysiloxane surfactant and the degree of polymerisation of polyether side groups of the polyether polysiloxane surfactant for that amount of alcohol from a predetermined optimisation calibration, where the alcohol is a C1 to C4 straight or branched chain alcohol, the polysiloxane backbone is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the polyether is selected from a polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO) or a mixed PEO/PPO polyether.

Abstract: A consumables monitoring system is in communication with computing means and has a dispenser assembly formed of a dispenser and a mounting unit. The mounting unit and dispenser are arranged such that a plurality of sensors in the mounting unit is able to measure the quantity of consumables in the dispenser, and the dispenser assembly communicates sensor data to the computing means, which thereby monitor the usage of the dispenser. The plurality of sensors have different sensitivities over a range of inputs, wherein system is configured to switch between the sensors depending on the value of the inputs detected. The fact that the mounting unit may engage multiple different types of otherwise stand-alone dispensers provides for a monitoring system that can be used in conjunction with any type of dispenser and consumable. The plurality of dispensers allows for optimum sensitivity across a broad range of dispenser fill levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material comprising cellulose. The composite material comprises a first cellulose-based material, which may be a textile or fabric, and a second cellulose-based material, which may be a film or cellulose based material or powdered cellulose-based material. The second cellulose-based material may be a sheet material comprising cellulose, such as a paper or a regenerated cellulose film. In embodiments the material is a so called “all cellulose composite” where both of the materials that are brought together are different forms of material comprising or being cellulose. For example, the different materials originate from cellulose-based feedstocks. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the composite materials of the invention utilising ionic liquids.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser filling hose for use in filling a liquid dispenser with liquid from a liquid reservoir via a pump, comprising: a distal coupler for coupling the filling hose to the liquid dispenser; and a controller arranged to control the pump. The liquid dispenser may be filled using a method comprising: providing a liquid reservoir, a pump and a controller arranged to control the pump, and a filling hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the filling hose being coupled to the liquid reservoir; coupling the distal end of the filling hose via a distal coupler to the liquid dispenser; and transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose to an airless liquid container forming part of the liquid dispenser. A system for filling a liquid dispenser, comprising: the liquid filling hose; and a liquid reservoir and/or liquid supply station is also described.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article directed to (a)forming apply having successive layers, namely, (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymer material; (ii)a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii)a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature that of the first and third layers; (b)subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature, and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the firsts layer to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer, and to compact the ply; and (c)cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at a lower compaction temperature than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for the production of a polymeric article directed to (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely, (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymer material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature, and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the firsts layer to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer, and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at a lower compaction temperature than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser filling hose for use in filling a liquid dispenser with liquid from a liquid reservoir via a pump, comprising: a distal coupler for coupling the filling hose to the liquid dispenser; and a controller arranged to control the pump. The liquid dispenser may be filled using a method comprising: providing a liquid reservoir, a pump and a controller arranged to control the pump, and a filling hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the filling hose being coupled to the liquid reservoir; coupling the distal end of the filling hose via a distal coupler to the liquid dispenser; and transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose to an airless liquid container forming part of the liquid dispenser. A system for filling a liquid dispenser, comprising: the liquid filling hose; and a liquid reservoir and/or liquid supply station is also described.

Abstract: A method of determining a skin health score for a first subject, the method comprising the steps of assessing the health of the skin of a subject using a plurality of measurement systems, each of the plurality of measurement systems configured to provide a first score characteristic of the health of the skin of the subject as determined by said measurement system, and calculating a second score based on a combination of each of the plurality of first scores, said second score indicative of a skin health score for the first subject.

Abstract: A system for quantifying risk associated with preclinical indicators of one or more clinical skin conditions, the system is formed of a plurality of measurement tools in connection with a processor, the measurement tools configured to various pre-clinical indicators of the skin health of a subject' hand, where the processor is configured to calculate a score based on the combined data from the plurality of measurement tools, this score being representative of the subject's risk of future development of one or more clinical skin conditions.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser filling hose for use in filling a liquid dispenser with liquid from a liquid reservoir via a pump, comprising: a distal coupler for coupling the filling hose to the liquid dispenser; and a controller arranged to control the pump. The liquid dispenser may be filled using a method comprising: providing a liquid reservoir, a pump and a controller arranged to control the pump, and a filling hose having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the filling hose being coupled to the liquid reservoir; coupling the distal end of the filling hose via a distal coupler to the liquid dispenser; and transferring liquid from the liquid reservoir via the filling hose to an airless liquid container forming part of the liquid dispenser. A system for filling a liquid dispenser, comprising: the liquid filling hose; and a liquid reservoir and/or liquid supply station is also described.

Abstract: A system for reducing occupational dermatitis at a work place the system comprising at a facility: one or more dispensers configured to dispense a pre-work hand product; one or more dispensers configured to dispense a washing or cleansing product; one or more dispensers configured to dispense a conditioning product; one or more dispensers configured to dispense a post-work product; a dispenser usage monitoring system; each of said plurality of dispensers in communication with the dispenser usage compliance system and configured to provide a signal to the dispenser usage monitoring system, indicative of usage of the dispenser, wherein the dispenser usage monitoring system is configured to determine usage of the plurality of the dispensers against a skin care regime.

Abstract: A hand hygiene compliance benchmark is determined for a target institution based on observations of hand hygiene opportunities in a studied institution and relationships between the number of observed hand hygiene opportunities and characteristics of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution is determined based on target institution characteristics and the relationships between institution characteristics and observed hand hygiene opportunities of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution may be adjusted based on direct observation of hand hygiene opportunities in the target institution.

Abstract: A consumables monitoring system is in communication with computing means and has a dispenser assembly formed of a dispenser and a mounting unit. The mounting unit and dispenser are arranged such that a plurality of sensors in the mounting unit is able to measure the quantity of consumables in the dispenser, and the dispenser assembly communicates sensor data to the computing means, which thereby monitor the usage of the dispenser. The plurality of sensors have different sensitivities over a range of inputs, wherein system is configured to switch between the sensors depending on the value of the inputs detected. The fact that the mounting unit may engage multiple different types of otherwise stand-alone dispensers provides for a monitoring system that can be used in conjunction with any type of dispenser and consumable. The plurality of dispensers allows for optimum sensitivity across a broad range of dispenser fill levels.

Abstract: A hand product use benchmark is determined for a target institution based on observations of hand product use in a studied institution and relationships between the number of observed hand product uses and characteristics of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution is determined based on target institution characteristics and the relationships between institution characteristics and observed hand product uses of the studied institution. The benchmark for the target institution may be adjusted based on direct observation of hand product uses in the target institution and based on actual conditions on which the benchmark is based. Compliance with the benchmark is determined by comparison of activity within the target institution to the benchmark.