Abstract: A knot-tying head adapted to form a knot with a filament around a cylindrical part, and wherein the knot-tying head includes a first body and a second body, wherein both bodies are configured such that when they are attached they form a hollow space between one another for receiving the part; wherein the first body and the second body include at least one conduit forming a path substantially around the hollow space, and the conduit being adapted to receive the filament, and at least one groove communicating the conduit with the hollow space along all or part of its path, the width of the groove being less than the width of the conduit and greater than the width of the filament used to form the knot.

Abstract: A knot-tying head adapted to form a knot with a filament around a cylindrical part, and wherein the knot-tying head includes a first body and a second body, wherein both bodies are configured such that when they are attached they form a hollow space between one another for receiving the part; wherein the first body and the second body include at least one conduit forming a path substantially around the hollow space, and the conduit being adapted to receive the filament, and at least one groove communicating the conduit with the hollow space along all or part of its path, the width of the groove being less than the width of the conduit and greater than the width of the filament used to form the knot.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of thin films comprising at least preparing a solution containing at least one transition metal oxide powder in a solvent, continuously stirring said solution in order to form a sol, and using said sol in the form of said transition metal oxide film, wherein the powder is subjected to a preliminary preparation step.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. First contextual information about a user of a mobile device is identified. A prioritization of definitions of terms is determined. Based on the prioritization, a lexicon of the terms is generated. Using mobile-based time series manipulation and pattern recognition and based on historical usage of the mobile device, a location of the user, an environment of the user, and a bodily function of the user, second contextual information is forecasted. Based on a word sense disambiguation of the terms in the lexicon and an adjustment of the prioritization, candidate answers are modified and then ranked. The highest ranked candidate answer is more likely to be a correct answer to the natural language question than the other candidate answers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. First contextual information about a user of a mobile device is identified. A prioritization of definitions of terms is determined. Based on the prioritization, a lexicon of the terms is generated. Using mobile-based time series manipulation and pattern recognition and based on historical usage of the mobile device, a location of the user, an environment of the user, and a bodily function of the user, second contextual information is forecasted. Based on a word sense disambiguation of the terms in the lexicon and an adjustment of the prioritization, candidate answers are modified and then ranked. The highest ranked candidate answer is more likely to be a correct answer to the natural language question than the other candidate answers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. Candidate answers to a natural language question received from a mobile device are generated. First contextual information about a user of the mobile device is identified. A prioritization of definitions of terms is determined. Based on the prioritization, a lexicon of the terms is generated. Using mobile-based time series manipulation and pattern recognition and based on historical usage of the mobile device, a location of the user, an environment of the user, and a bodily function of the user, second contextual information is forecasted. Based on a word sense disambiguation of the terms in the lexicon and an adjustment of the prioritization, the candidate answers are modified and then ranked. The highest ranked candidate answer is more likely to be a correct answer to the natural language question than the other candidate answers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. Candidate answers to a natural language question received from a mobile device are generated. First contextual information about a user of the mobile device is identified. A prioritization of definitions of terms is determined. Based on the prioritization, a lexicon of the terms is generated. Using mobile-based time series manipulation and pattern recognition and based on historical usage of the mobile device, a location of the user, an environment of the user, and a bodily function of the user, second contextual information is forecasted. Based on a word sense disambiguation of the terms in the lexicon and an adjustment of the prioritization, the candidate answers are modified and then ranked. The highest ranked candidate answer is more likely to be a correct answer to the natural language question than the other candidate answers.

Abstract: A method produces thin films. The method includes preparing a solution containing transition metal oxide precursors, a chelating agent, and a polar organic solvent. The solution is agitated in order to form a sol. The sol is used in the form of the transition metal oxide film. The chelating agent is selected from among di- or tri-aliphatic carboxylic acids, or salts or mixtures thereof. The polar organic solvent has a boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure of less than 150° C.

Abstract: A method produces thin films. The method includes preparing a solution containing transition metal oxide precursors, a chelating agent, and a polar organic solvent. The solution is agitated to form a sol. The sol is used in the form of the transition metal oxide film. The chelating agent is selected from among di- or tri-aliphatic carboxylic acids, or salts or mixtures thereof. The polar organic solvent has a boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure of less than 150° C.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. A natural language question is received from a user of a mobile device. Candidate answers to the received natural language question are generated. A lexicon is generated based on contextual information of the user determined by the mobile device. Contextual information of the user is forecasted based on usage of the mobile device. Based in part on the lexicon and the forecasted contextual information, the candidate answers to the natural language question are ranked.

Abstract: An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. A natural language question is received from a user of a mobile device. Candidate answers to the received natural language question are generated. A lexicon is generated based on contextual information of the user determined by the mobile device. Contextual information of the user is forecasted based on usage of the mobile device. Based in part on the lexicon and the forecasted contextual information, the candidate answers to the natural language question are ranked.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for the streamwise deployment of an aircraft trailing or leading edge flap. The mechanism connects the spar and flap. There are a pair of swivel links which pivotally connect the spar to the flap. There are also a pair of slaving mechanisms which rotationally connect the spar to the flap by spherical bearings. A linear flap actuator initiates the combined pivotal and rotational action from the spar which translates into a single downward and rearward motion of the flap.

Abstract: A folding wing assembly for use on an aircraft is disclosed. The folding wing assembly includes inboard and outboard wing sections which are pivotally interconnected such that the outboard wing section may pivot between folded and unfolded positions. A fairing unit is further pivotally interconnected to both the wing sections and extends chordwise across the wing assembly. The fairing unit is provided with a seal extending chordwise across an inner spanwise end of the fairing. The seat is adapted to engage the underside of a sealing flange attached to the upper surface of the inboard wing section. The other spanwise end of the fairing is adapted to engage a seal carried by the outboard wing section when the outboard wing section is in its fully unfolded position.

Abstract: A method of forming Y shaped support structures by diffusion bonding and/or superplastic forming wherein layers of metal capable of diffusion bonding and/or superplastic forming are placed in a sandwich-like assembly having a top, bottom and intermediate layers, the layers having been selectively coated with stop-off. The sandwich assembly is subjected to sufficient pressure and heat to diffusion bond and superplastically form the sandwich assembly into a Y shaped stringer or support structure. The layers and/or a reinforcing member are selectively coated with stop-off so as to form at least two Y shaped support structures.

Abstract: A system for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding of a metal workpiece sandwich between an upper and lower die to form a structural shape wherein a hollow stainless steel pin is in sealed relationship with a hole in the surface of one metal layer and communicates with the interior of the sandwich. The hollow pin extends into a recess in one of the dies and is in sealing relationship with the recess.