Abstract: A drive shaft coupling is provided, such as a coupling used with a formula delivery appliance. The drive shaft coupling generally includes a drive gear and a driven gear, with one of the drive gear and driven gear having a biasing member to allow axial translation. The drive shaft coupling is generally configured to transfer rotation from the drive gear to the driven gear. In one aspect, the drive shaft coupling is capable of alignment and coupling of the drive gear and driven gear upon the radial sliding of the coupling from a non-engagement position to an engagement position.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms. The method includes receiving a first message for initiating associations or disassociations between a first user and a second user of over the top (OTT) service platforms. The OTT service platforms are controlled and operated by distinct entities. The method also includes determining, using at least one of information in the first message and stored information, the OTT service platforms in which associations are to be established or disestablished. The method further includes sending at least a second message for establishing or disestablishing an association between the first user and the second user in the OTT service platforms.

Abstract: A device for connecting a chain or line, such as a portion of a chain or line, to a structure, the device comprising a first portion comprising a first axis, the first portion being configured to connect or be connectable to a structure so as to be movable relative to the structure; a first guide element, the first guide element being arranged on or relative to the first portion to be movable around or about the first axis of the first portion; and a second guide element, the second guide element being configured to align at least a portion of a chain relative to the first guide element.

Abstract: Face soaking devices (devices) may include a vessel and a vessel neck gasket. The vessel may be configured to hold a liquid to submerge a face of a user or a portion thereof. The vessel neck gasket may be (removably) joined to the vessel. The vessel neck gasket may be configured to comfortably accommodate a portion of the user's neck. The devices may include a breathing apparatus that may be in removable contact with: the vessel, with a head rest subassembly, and/or with the user. The breathing apparatus may be configured to permit the user to breathe while the user's face may be submerged within the liquid. When the vessel may be filled with the liquid to at least a sufficient level, the user may soak the face or the portion thereof, such that the skin being soaked receives a benefit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for preparing particulate materials having high electrochemical capacities that are suitable for use as anode active materials in rechargeable metal-ion batteries. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a process for preparing a particulate material comprising a plurality of composite particles. The process includes providing particulate porous carbon frameworks comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the porous carbon frameworks have a D50 particle diameter of at least 50 ?m; depositing an electroactive material selected from silicon and alloys thereof into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks using a chemical vapor infiltration process in a fluidized bed reactor, to provide intermediate particles; and comminuting the intermediate particles to provide said composite particles.

Abstract: Face soaking devices (devices) and methods of use are described and disclosed. In some embodiments the device may comprise a vessel and a vessel neck gasket. The vessel may be configured to hold a liquid to submerge a face of a user or a portion thereof. The vessel neck gasket may be (removably) joined to the vessel. The vessel neck gasket may be configured to comfortably accommodate a portion of the user's neck. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a breathing apparatus that may be in removable contact with: the vessel, with a head rest subassembly, and/or with the user. The breathing apparatus may be configured to permit the user to breathe while the user's face may be submerged within the liquid. When the vessel may be filled with the liquid to at least a sufficient level, the user may soak the face or the portion thereof, such that the skin being soaked receives a benefit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for mooring a structure, the apparatus includes a first portion for receiving a portion of a line, such as a mooring line, extending from a structure. A guide portion for guiding a/the portion of a line received by the first portion, the guide portion being movably connected to the first portion and a second portion for connecting or coupling the apparatus to a seabed or a further structure located thereon, the second portion being movably connected to the first portion and/or guide portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate material comprising a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous carbon framework comprising micropores and mesopores having a total pore volume of at least 0.6 cm3/g and no more than 2 cm3/g, where the volume fraction of micropores is in the range from 0.5 to 0.9 and the volume fraction of pores having a pore diameter no more than 10 nm is at least 0.75, and the porous carbon framework has a D50 particle size of less than 20 ?m; (b) silicon located within the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon framework in a defined amount relative to the volume of the micropores and/or mesopores.

Abstract: A connector or connector assembly (10, 210), such as a subsea or underwater connector or assembly including a first member (18, 218) movably connected or connectable to a second member (36, 236) and a first inductive element (24, 224a) provided on the first member (18, 218), the first inductive element (24, 224a) being arranged for inductive transmission and/or reception with a second inductive element (42, 242a) of the second member (36, 236). The first member (18, 218) may rotatably or pivotably connected or connectable to the second member (36, 236). The first inductive element (24, 224a) may be arranged on the first member (18, 218) to maintain inductive transmission with the second inductive element (42, 242a) of the second member (36, 236) throughout movement of the first member (18, 218) relative to a second member (36, 236).

Abstract: A laser device has a photonic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL) element. At a first lateral side of the PCSEL element, a reflector is arranged to reflect back into the PCSEL element at least a portion of light travelling out of the PCSEL element through the first lateral side of the PCSEL element. Between the first lateral side of the PCSEL element and the reflector there is interposed an electrically controllable light-transmission region configured to control the transmission of light from the PCSEL element to the reflector, based on an electrical input. Also disclosed is a method of operation of a corresponding laser device.

Abstract: Devices providing adjustable optical power have previously been proposed for use as corrective lenses in prescription eyeglasses. There is disclosed a lens having optical power adjustable by relative lateral translation of two lens elements, the lens comprising: a first lens element sealed to a cover to define a cavity therebetween; a second lens element disposed within the cavity and coupled to an elongate drive element extending laterally from the second lens element, the second lens element being arranged to be driven laterally relative to the first lens element by lateral translation of the elongate drive element to thereby adjust the optical power of the lens, the lens comprising a lateral projection into which the cavity and drive element extend, the lateral projection having there mounted an adjuster for driving lateral translation of the elongate drive element. The lens reduces or prevents the ingress of dirt, moisture, sweat and grease between surfaces of the lens elements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a pipe enclosure includes: a body having a void; a male interlocking portion at a first end of the body, the male interlocking portion and the body being integrally formed of a metal, the male interlocking portion having a first bore extending therethrough, the first bore being contiguous with the void; and a female interlocking portion at a second end of the body, the female interlocking portion and the body being integrally formed of the metal, the female interlocking portion having a second bore extending therethrough, the second bore being contiguous with the void, the female interlocking portion and the male interlocking portion having complimentary shapes.

Abstract: A method of matching a first person in a first image to a person in a second image. At least one companion in the first image is determined and being different to the first person. A contextual confidence for the first person, the companion and each of a plurality of people in the second image is determined, the contextual confidence being a measure of prediction accuracy of a match to the first person. An appearance score between each person in the first image and each of the plurality of people in the second image, the appearance score measuring similarity of appearance. The method selects from the plurality of people in the second image, a match for the first person and, based on the match for the first person, a match for the companion, each of the matches being determined according to the contextual confidence and appearance score.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques for sending interim notifications to clients of a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and each cloud controller caches portions of the distributed filesystem. During operation, a cloud controller receives a client request to perform a namespace operation upon a filesystem object. The cloud controller determines that it will need to contact at least one of another peer cloud controller or a cloud storage system to service the request, and sends an interim notification to the client to notify the client that the request is pending.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an object in a distorted image. The method comprises detecting a location of a first part of the object on the distorted image; determining a corresponding location of the first part of the object on an undistorted image plane corresponding to the distorted image based on a plurality of calibration parameters; predicting a location of a second part of the object on the undistorted image plane based on the determined location of the first part on the undistorted image plane; determining a corresponding location of the second part of the object on the distorted image based on the predicted location of the second part of the object on the undistorted image plane and the calibration parameters; and determining the object based on the detected location of the first part of the object and the determined location of the second part in the distorted image.

Abstract: A method of determining a vertical medial axis of an object in an input image, is disclosed. A measure of horizontal symmetry is determined for each pixel of the image. First and second vertical bounds within the image are determined. A continuous path between the first and second vertical bounds is determined based on the horizontal symmetry measure, the continuous path representing the vertical medial axis of the object.

Abstract: A formula delivery appliance can be used for treatment of the hair and scalp, such as an appliance used to color hair. The appliance may include a consumable assembly incorporating various components of the hair and scalp treatment appliance, a portion of which may be consumed and then replaced by a user. In this regard, the consumable assembly may include one or more formulation delivery packets, nozzles, manifold chambers, distribution protrusions, and the like. The hair treatment appliance may also include a rotatable coupling having a driven gear and a drive gear, where the driven gear may selectively engage the drive gear. In another aspect, the hair treatment appliance may also include a fluid container to retain a volume of formulation for delivery to the appliance.