Abstract: An interface receives storage requests for storing data in a software-defined storage network using an append-only storage scheme. The requests include an identifier of a data object to be stored. The requests are agnostic of hardware-specific details of the storage devices. A virtualization layer accesses space allocation data for the storage devices; and policies for prioritizing performance. Based on the data and policies, a physical storage location at the plurality of storage devices is selected for storing the data object. Metadata is generated for the data object indicating that the data object is an append-only object and mapping the physical storage location of the data object to the identifier. The request is translated to instructions for storing the data object at the physical storage location using the append-only storage scheme. The data object is stored at the physical storage location using the append-only storage scheme.

Abstract: An interface is instantiated for receiving storage requests for storing data in a software-defined storage network using an append-only storage scheme. The interface receives requests that are agnostic of interfaces and hardware-specific details of the storage devices of the software-defined storage network. A request comprises an identifier of a data object to be stored in the software-defined storage network using the append-only storage scheme. Metadata is generated for the data object indicating that the data object is an append-only object; and the request is translated to instructions for storing the data object in the storage devices using the append-only storage scheme. The data object is stored at one of the plurality of storage devices based on the instructions. The metadata is updated to indicate a mapping between the data object and a stored location of the data object.

Abstract: A test strip includes a substantially transparent substrate and one or more colorimetric test spots on the transparent substrate. Each colorimetric test spot has one or more sensing chemicals chemically attached onto a porous support material. The porous support material has at least one exposed surface configured to absorb a body fluid. The one or more sensing chemicals are configured to change a color in response to a presence of a target drug in the body fluid.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition to combat skin aging, particularly on the neck, includes a blend of skin actives comprising at least the combination of glaucine, retinol and a blend of peptides. The skin actives are provided in an aqueous carrier in a single phase, biphase or emulsion wherein the cosmetic composition is a leave on treatment in the form of a cream, gel, lotion, toner, or serum. The cosmetic composition provides one or more benefits, including, but not limited to improvement in many signs of skin aging, particularly on the neck, such as lines, wrinkles, crepiness, and sagging, the benefits conferred by one or more of increasing firmness, increasing elasticity, improving hydration, and reducing the presence superficial adipose tissue. The cosmetic composition may include one or more of additional skin actives, solvents, surfactants, oils, thickeners, preservatives, brightening agents, effect pigments, essential oils, plant extracts, or combinations of these.

Abstract: A membraneless electrochemical device comprises a fluid feed stream input to the membraneless electrochemical cell, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode comprises a first redox-active material configured to have a proton-coupled oxidation reaction with a first portion of the fluid feed stream, and the second electrode comprises a second redox-active material configured to have a proton-coupled reduction reaction with a second portion of the fluid feed stream. The first portion and the second portion of the fluid feed stream are separated. A first effluent stream comprises the first portion and has a first pH, and a second effluent stream comprises the second portion and has a second pH, different from the first pH.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the present techniques provide specific arrangements of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in SMA actuation apparatuses. In one arrangement, a single straight shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, which may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction. In another arrangement, two straight lengths of shape memory alloy actuator wire may be used, where the SMA wires may be inclined at an acute angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a plane normal to the movement direction.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions comprising high amount of Silybum marianum Extract, relatively high amounts of skin active ingredients chosen from salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, a cinnamic acid derivative, or a mixture thereof; c) one or more surfactants; d) from about 3 to about 15 wt. % of Propylene Glycol; e) from about 5 to about 18 wt. % of Dipropylene Glycol; and f) water; and wherein the composition has a pH not higher than about 5.

Abstract: An interrogation data management system operates to manage implantable cardiac device interrogation data and reports. In one example the system generates a report including a reading physician note, a summary report, and an implantable cardiac device manufacturer's report. Some embodiments include smart routing, to automatically route interrogation data reports to medical professionals based on predetermined rules. The interrogation data management system interacts with the reading physician to formally review the interrogation data reports and to generate a reading physician note. The reading physician note includes the reading physician's findings/interpretations and conclusions. Other aspects are also described in this disclosure.

Abstract: A skin care composition includes a gel stabilized emulsion comprising a combination of actives that include azelaic acid, at least one hydroquinone derivative, and niacinamide, at least one anionic polymer thickener, and at least one fatty compound. The provides a hydrating formula that is comfortable for the wearer and is oil free, without appearing shiny or greasy on the skin, and includes actives to treat the appearance of dark spots and inflammatory lesions, including acne, for all skin types. The skin care composition is free or essentially free of monoalcohols, silicones, silicone oils, and oils other than fatty compounds that comprise emollient esters, hydrogenated polyisobutene, and squalane.

Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure may ingest content from a plurality of data sources with the content including ingested documents referencing entities and events relevant to the ESG signals. The content may be stored in a content database. The System may also identify metadata and a body of text associated with each document to produce a set of preprocessed documents. An entity may be tagged to a first preprocessed document from the set of preprocessed documents, and the document may include a first document identifier. The System may generate an event score related to a first ESG signal including a direction and a magnitude associated with an event identified in the body of text. The event score may be tagged to the document. The system may write to an unstructured data set the document identifier in association with the tagged entity and the tagged event score for delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control arrangement for an application “app” for gamblers, the control including a number of steps. The steps included may include a) identification of a potential member through data input into the app b) verification of the identified user identity, c) registration as a member of the identified and verified user; and d) application for a membership level. The control arrangement membership level limits the periodic spend on gambling and the verified member is incentivised by membership rewards and or betting rewards. The invention also relates to variant methods thereon.

Abstract: A microcontroller has a central processing unit and a plurality of peripheral units and a plurality of port bit circuits provided through at least one input/output port. At least one port bit circuit of the plurality of port bit circuits is not connected to an external pin and the at least one port bit circuit is configurable to route a signal received at the port bit circuit to a selected peripheral of the microcontroller.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition including a metal chelation system includes a combination of ascorbic acid, ferulic acid and phytic acid in a carrier system that includes water, and further includes one or more other ingredients for providing one of a variety of forms of cosmetic products. The cosmetic composition demonstrates removal of free metal ions in material contacted with the cosmetic composition, the removal of free metal ions in a range from at least about 40% and up to about 99%.

Abstract: A particle is provided that includes a first material and a second material, arranged to provide a Fano resonance effect, for example in the visible portion of electromagnetic spectrum. The first and second materials may be substantially clear in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The first material may include an inorganic material, such as SiO2, TiO2, HfO2, ZrO2, diamond, or a combination thereof. The second material may include a polymer. The first material has a first refractive index and the second material has a second refractive index, where the first refractive index and second refractive index have a difference of 0.5 or greater, and 1.0 or less. The first material may form a core and the second material may form a shell surrounding the core. Alternatively, the first and second materials may form a Janus particle, an asymmetric dimer, or an aggregate.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions comprising high amount of Silybum marianum Extract, relatively high amounts of skin active ingredients chosen from salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, a cinnamic acid derivative, or a mixture thereof; c) one or more surfactants; d) from about 3 to about 15 wt. % of Propylene Glycol; e) from about 5 to about 18 wt. % of Dipropylene Glycol; and f) water; and wherein the composition has a pH not higher than about 5.

Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.

Abstract: A skin care formulation includes azelaic acid. The skin care formulation also includes a first booster composition including at least one first active booster ingredient. The skin care formulation further includes a second booster composition including at least one second active booster ingredient. The skin care formulation is a water-based emulsion that is stable for at least 3 months. A method of forming a skin care formulation includes combining an anti-acne booster composition, a first booster composition, a second booster composition, and an aqueous base composition to form the skin care formulation. The anti-acne booster composition includes azelaic acid.

Abstract: A service for automatically generating video representations of audio content is provided. A video representation generation component receives a request with search criteria related to processing audio content to generate video representations of the content. The video representation generation component then identifies one or more audio clips or segments from the audio content responsive to the search criteria. The video representation generation component can then generate or obtain video representations of the audio clips without requiring a generation of representations of the full audio content. The processing result can be utilized used to publish to social media sites or electronic communications as video content.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.