Abstract: Elasticity of a particular product is calculated based on product demand against various price points. Accurate product demand calculations are ensured by calculating the price journey of the product, with appropriate adjustments made for out of stock conditions and promotions and or discounts. The price journey data is then input into an impact estimation algorithm which allows calculation of demand elasticity accounting for various real-world factors impacting demand and elasticity, such as: price of a substitute or compliment, competitor price, weather, local events, calendar events, and other factors. This approach allows for superior price journey-based item-specific elasticity calculation, which allows for superior optimization of item price to maximize volume and profit.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for triggering a writing of a new block on a blockchain structure based on a completion of a work order using one or more Internet of Things (IoT) sensor readings is provided. The present invention may include addressing, by a service technician, an IoT event associated with a physical asset. The present invention may then include updating a digital twin associated with the physical asset based on the addressed IoT event. The present invention may further include automatically writing the new block associated with the addressed IoT event on the blockchain structure based on the updated digital twin associated with the physical asset.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with incrementally swapping items in an assortment are described. In one embodiment, a computing system includes demand logic configured to read data from an electronic data structure that defines an assortment. The assortment defines a subset of items from a product category. The demand logic is configured to generate forecasted changes to an associated metric value by generating demand transference values for (i) individually removing each item presently in the assortment and (ii) individually adding each item of a set of available items of the product category. The computing system includes assortment logic configured to transform the electronic data structure that defines the assortment according to the forecasted changes by incrementally swapping items in the assortment for new items in the available set of items until the forecasted changes between items in the assortment and new items in the set of available items satisfy a predefined condition.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a user device, a request for an automation service for a project. The device may analyze the request to identify one or more input keywords. The device may obtain, by using the one or more input keywords to search one or more data sources, project information for a set of projects and/or automation services information for a set of automation services. The device may determine one or more similar projects and/or one or more similar automation services by analyzing the project information and/or the automation services information. The device may provide, to the user device, a recommendation that identifies one or more automation services associated with the one or more similar projects and/or the one or more similar automation services.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In a method embodiment, a dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a source/drain region. An opening is formed through the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. A silicide region is formed on the source/drain region and a barrier layer is formed in the opening along sidewalls of the dielectric layer by a same Plasma-Enhance Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process.

Abstract: A device may receive a process model and a reference process model. The process model may include a first plurality of nodes corresponding to a first plurality of stages of a particular process. The reference process model may include a second plurality of nodes corresponding to a second plurality of stages of a reference process. The device may map the process model to the reference process model, identify that a first stage corresponds to a second stage, determine a difference between a value, of a metric, associated with the first stage and a value, of the metric, associated with the second stage, cause an interactive user interface to display a visual representation of the difference, identify automation service(s) that compensate for the difference, determine a score for the process model, and cause the interactive user interface to display the score to enable selection of optimal automation service(s) to deploy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive stack/structure comprising (a) etching through a second magnetic region to (i) provide sidewalls of the second magnetic region and (ii) expose a surface of a dielectric layer, (b) depositing a first encapsulation layer on the sidewalls of the second magnetic region and over a surface of the dielectric layer. (c) thereafter: (i) etching the first encapsulation layer which is disposed over the dielectric layer using a first etch process, and (ii) etching re-deposited material using a second etch process, wherein, after such etching, a portion of the first encapsulation layer remains on the sidewalls of the second magnetic region, (d) etching (i) through the dielectric layer to form a tunnel barrier and provide sidewalls thereof and (ii) etching the first magnetic region to provide sidewalls thereof, and (e) depositing a second encapsulation layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier and first magnetic region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring worker movement within a warehouse setting are provided. According to one implementation, a wearable apparatus comprises an audio unit configured to receive audio input signals from a user and convey audio output signals to the user. Also, the wearable apparatus includes a step count unit configured to detect walking movements of the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, software and system for determining a service demand in a service network are disclosed. A first information indicative of prior proportion knowledge of elements of the service demand is received. Two or more elements of the service demand represent service volumes for two or more pairs of zones and the first information indicates reference relative relationships between the two or more elements of the service demand. Second information indicative of instances of service at specific locations in the service network are received. The service demand is determined by minimising a cost function. The cost function is based on the first information and the second information.

Abstract: In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a list of items to be purchased by a user. The method further includes performing an analysis of the list of items based at least in part on a cost for each item of the list of items at each of a plurality of stores, a distance of travel to each of the plurality of stores, and promotional discounts for one or more of the items of the list of items at each of the plurality of stores. The method further includes generating a table of recommendations based on the analysis. Each recommendation of the table of recommendations can include a description, a total travel distance, and a total cost.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of making same. The semiconductor device includes: a first conductivity type transistor and a second conductivity type transistor, wherein each of the first conductivity type transistor and the second conductivity type includes a gate insulating film formed on a base, a metal gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, and side wall spacers formed at side walls of the metal gate electrode, wherein the gate insulating film is made of a high dielectric constant material, and wherein offset spacers are formed between the side walls of the metal gate electrode and the inner walls of the side wall spacers in any one of the first conductivity type transistor and the second conductivity type transistor, or offset spacers having different thicknesses are formed in the first conductivity type transistor and the second conductivity type transistor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for calculating closing metrics regarding a contract between a promotion service and provider. A promotional system may calculate a probability of closing, and an estimated time to close. The promotion service may offer a promotion to consumers for a discounted product or service, to be honored by the provider. A category, lead source, historical data, stage in sales, and/or size of the provider may be used in calculating a probability of close and/or time to close. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.

Abstract: A framework for object registration, and in particular for registering and executing calculation models and business rules, is described herein. In one embodiment, metadata definitions and input/output Application Program Interfaces (APIs) define uniform conventions that, when followed by a customized calculation model or business rule, allow transparent execution of pre-defined as well as customized calculation models and business rules. In one embodiment, a customized calculation model is registered with a stored procedure and a metadata table. In another embodiment, business rules are registered with a stored procedure and type information. By following the uniform conventions, initial processing is enabled with pre-defined calculation models or business rules, while subsequent processing is seamlessly enabled with customized calculation models or business rules.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein provide techniques for planning and scheduling a semiconductor back end factory. The technique begins by running a first mathematical programing model applied to factory data and production targets that produces a solution and processing the solution to produce a bottleneck loading plan for at least one machine of the factory's bottleneck machine families. The technique further includes running a second mathematical programing model applied to the bottleneck loading plan that produces a solution and processing the solution to produce a conversion schedule for the at least one machine of the bottleneck machine families. The technique further includes creating a lot schedule for the factory by running a simulation that follows the conversion schedule. The technique further includes publishing the lot schedule.

Abstract: Aspects include identifying a customer that received a product as part of an early product program. A document that describes the early product program is accessed. Variables of the early product program are extracted based at least in part on content of the document. Customer profile rules are created based at least in part on the extracted variables. The customer profile rules are applied to a customer profile of the customer. The applying includes identifying issues in the customer profile of the customer that relate to the early product program. The customer profile of the customer is updated based at least in part on the applying. The updating includes flagging the identified issues as being related to the early product program.

Abstract: A method of utilizing opportunity gain for personal enrichment of a user including receiving a selection of a personal enrichment goal (e.g., buying a vehicle or home, traveling, saving for retirement). The method also includes monitoring a routine of the user that includes an activity (e.g., daily commute, shopping, eating habits), and an amount of the personal commodity (e.g., money) is used when the user performs the activity. An average amount of the personal commodity used to perform the activity in the past is determined, and an excess amount of the personal commodity generated when the user deviates from the routine is determined. The excess amount of the personal commodity is determined as a function of the average amount and the amount of the personal commodity. The user may be notified that the excess amount of the personal commodity may be applied to achievement of the personal enrichment goal.

Abstract: A plant maintenance assisting system is provided with: an abnormality indication monitoring system; an abnormality diagnosis system; a maintenance plan creation system; a risk evaluation system; and a component management system. On the basis of risk information and abnormality diagnosis information that is a result of diagnosis by the abnormality diagnosis system, the risk evaluation system determines the need for maintenance work with respect to an abnormality indicating facility. In a case where it is determined that maintenance work with respect to the abnormality indicating facility is necessary, the maintenance plan creation system sets, in a maintenance plan, maintenance implementation timing of maintenance work with respect to a facility including the abnormality indicating facility. On the basis of component management information, the component management system determines whether a component can be procured at the maintenance implementation timing set by the maintenance plan creation system.

Abstract: Provided is a thin film transistor including an active layer including a first silicon active layer, a second silicon active layer, and an oxide active layer in a space between the first silicon active layer and the second silicon active layer, a gate electrode on the active layer with a gate insulating layer disposed therebetween, and a source electrode and a drain electrode with an interlayer insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes, the source and drain electrodes being in contact with the first silicon active layer and the second silicon active layer, respectively.

Abstract: A computer-based system for improving a process for synchronizing an asset management system with a work order management system is disclosed. The computer-based system determines whether report data has been received from an asset management system. In response to determining that report data has been received, the report data is parsed to determine one or more keywords that describe an issue reported by the asset management system. The keywords are used to determine whether one or more instructions are available for handling the issue. If the instructions are available, then the instructions are obtained and used to generate one or more messages. The messages are transmitted to a work order management system to cause the work order management system to generate a work order and to dispatch the work order to a service provider to cause the service provider to resolve the issue reported by the asset management system.

Abstract: A system for assessing and optimizing master data maturity for an enterprise master data architecture. The master data maturity analysis system generates a master data maturity matrix for individual master data users. Each unique master data user's master data maturity matrix is used to generate master data matrices for other hierarchical entities for an enterprise such as lines of business and/or the enterprise as a whole. Master data maturity matrices are stored over time and tracked to assess and optimize the master data maturity and improvement of the master data technology vertically and horizontally across all enterprise hierarchies and business components.