Abstract: An apparatus for performing nucleic acid amplification reactions includes a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with multiple receptacle wells. Each well has a through-hole extending from an inner surface of the well to an outer surface of the holder. A cover is rotatable between an open position and a closed position relative to the holder and is configured to exert a force onto any receptacles in the wells when the cover is in the closed position. The apparatus includes multiple optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers provides optical communication between one of the wells and an excitation signal source and/or an emission signal detector. A thermal element is positioned between a thermally-conductive support and the receptacle holder.

Abstract: A software enhancement and management system (E&M System) can include two ways to decompose existing software such that new functionality can be added: functional decomposition and time-affecting linear pathway (TALP) decomposition. Functional decomposition captures the inputs and outputs of the existing software's functions and attaches the new algorithmic constructs presented as other functions that receive the outputs of the existing software's functions. TALP decomposition allows for the generation of time-prediction polynomials that approximate time-complexity functions, speedup, and automatic dynamic loop-unrolling-based parallelization for each TALP.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a continued conversation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving first audio data of a first utterance. The actions further include obtaining a first transcription of the first utterance. The actions further include receiving second audio data of a second utterance. The actions further include obtaining a second transcription of the second utterance. The actions further include determining whether the second utterance includes a query directed to a query processing system based on analysis of the second transcription and the first transcription or a response to the first query. The actions further include configuring the data routing component to provide the second transcription of the second utterance to the query processing system as a second query or bypass routing the second transcription.

Abstract: Software systems and methods convert algorithms and software codes into time affecting linear pathways (TALPs) via decomposition and convert paired Input/Output (l/O) datasets into TALPs via Value Complexity polynomials. Generated TALPs can be enhanced through merging with other TALPs. TALPs can be grouped by matching the outputs of the TALP-associated prediction polynomials with some set of given criteria into families and cross-families that are useful in a new type of software optimization that allows for output values of grouped TALPs to be modeled, pooled, discretized and optimized to enhance goals or meet user goals.

Abstract: A lensmeter system may include a mobile device having a camera. The camera may capture a first image of a pattern through a lens that is separate from the camera, while the lens is in contact with a pattern. The mobile device may determine the size of the lens based on the first image and known features of the pattern. The camera may capture a second image of the pattern, while the lens is at an intermediate location between the camera and the pattern. The second image may be transformed to an ideal coordinate system, and processed determine a distortion of the pattern attributable to the lens. The mobile device may measure characteristics of the lens based on the distortion. Characteristics of the lens may include a spherical power, a cylinder power, and/or an astigmatism angle.

Abstract: A software enhancement and management system (E&M System) can include two ways to decompose existing software such that new functionality can be added: functional decomposition and time-affecting linear pathway (TALP) decomposition. Functional decomposition captures the inputs and outputs of the existing software's functions and attaches the new algorithmic constructs presented as other functions that receive the outputs of the existing software's functions. TALP decomposition allows for the generation of time-prediction polynomials that approximate time-complexity functions, speedup, and automatic dynamic loop-unrolling-based parallelization for each TALP.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting a landing zone of a wellbore include identifying a first subsurface geological model of a first subterranean layer located under a terranean surface that includes an upper boundary depth of the first subterranean layer and a lower boundary depth of the first subterranean layer; identifying a second subsurface geological model of a second subterranean layer deeper than the first subterranean layer that is independent of the first subsurface geological model and includes an upper boundary depth of the second subterranean layer; correlating a predicted landing zone for a plurality of wellbores using the first and second subsurface geological models that is based on a location of a horizontal portion of each wellbore; and generating data that comprises a representation of the correlated plurality of wellbores for presentation on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: A method for automatic speech recognition using joint acoustic echo cancellation, speech enhancement, and voice separation includes receiving, at a contextual frontend processing model, input speech features corresponding to a target utterance. The method also includes receiving, at the contextual frontend processing model, at least one of a reference audio signal, a contextual noise signal including noise prior to the target utterance, or a speaker embedding including voice characteristics of a target speaker that spoke the target utterance. The method further includes processing, using the contextual frontend processing model, the input speech features and the at least one of the reference audio signal, the contextual noise signal, or the speaker embedding vector to generate enhanced speech features.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for classification using neural networks. One method includes receiving audio data corresponding to an utterance. Obtaining a transcription of the utterance. Generating a representation of the audio data. Generating a representation of the transcription of the utterance. Providing (i) the representation of the audio data and (ii) the representation of the transcription of the utterance to a classifier that, based on a given representation of the audio data and a given representation of the transcription of the utterance, is trained to output an indication of whether the utterance associated with the given representation is likely directed to an automated assistance or is likely not directed to an automated assistant.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a continued conversation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving first audio data of a first utterance. The actions further include obtaining a first transcription of the first utterance. The actions further include receiving second audio data of a second utterance. The actions further include obtaining a second transcription of the second utterance. The actions further include determining whether the second utterance includes a query directed to a query processing system based on analysis of the second transcription and the first transcription or a response to the first query. The actions further include configuring the data routing component to provide the second transcription of the second utterance to the query processing system as a second query or bypass routing the second transcription.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a computer-implemented method of executing multi-factor authentication (MFA). In embodiments of the invention, the computer-implemented method includes analyzing multiple categories of MFA factors, wherein a first category of the multiple categories of MFA factors includes a something-you-have MFA (SYH-MFA) factor. The SYH-MFA factor is analyzed by receiving, using a processor of an authenticating entity, an SYH certificate from a to-be-authenticated (TBA) entity; and determining, using the processor, that the SYH-MFA factor is satisfied by determining that the SYH certificate possessed by the TBA entity is valid.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for virtual fitting of items such as spectacles and/or spectacle frames. A user interface for virtual fitting may be implemented at a server or at a user device, and utilize three-dimensional information for the user and three-dimensional information for each frame, with frame information stored in a frame database, to identify and/or recommend frames that are likely to fit the user. Fit information can be provided for a group of frames or for each individual frame selected by the user. The fit information can be provided with a static image of the frames and/or within a virtual try-on operation in which the frames are virtually placed on a real-time image of the user.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting a landing zone of a wellbore include identifying a first subsurface geological model of a first subterranean layer located under a terranean surface that includes an upper boundary depth of the first subterranean layer and a lower boundary depth of the first subterranean layer; identifying a second subsurface geological model of a second subterranean layer deeper than the first subterranean layer that is independent of the first subsurface geological model and includes an upper boundary depth of the second subterranean layer; correlating a predicted landing zone for a plurality of wellbores using the first and second subsurface geological models that is based on a location of a horizontal portion of each wellbore; and generating data that comprises a representation of the correlated plurality of wellbores for presentation on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a splice component for joining two or more workpieces includes a base plate and one or more bias assemblies. The base plate includes one or more passageways extending through the base plate and one or more barrier elements mounted proximate to the passageway(s). Each barrier element and associated passageway are configured to freely receive a protrusion of a splice component. The bias assembly includes a bias element that extends proximate to the passageway and is configured to move resiliently to urge the protrusion against the barrier element. The passageway, the barrier element, and the bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the splice component relative to the base plate transverse to a direction of force applied by the bias element on the protrusion.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a spoken utterance that includes a plurality of words, and generating, using a neural network-based utterance classifier comprising a stack of multiple Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) layers, a respective textual representation for each word of the of the plurality of words of the spoken utterance. The neural network-based utterance classifier trained on negative training examples of spoken utterances not directed toward an automated assistant server. The method further including determining, using the respective textual representation generated for each word of the plurality of words of the spoken utterance, that the spoken utterance is one of directed toward the automated assistant server or not directed toward the automated assistant server, and when the spoken utterance is directed toward the automated assistant server, generating instructions that cause the automated assistant server to generate a response to the spoken utterance.

Abstract: A method for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay employs a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with one or more receptacle wells, each conforming to an outer surface of a lower portion of a vial. A through-hole extends from an inner surface of each well to an outer surface of the holder. A thermal element is positioned proximal to the holder for altering a temperature of the holder. A signal detection module is configured to generate an excitation signal directed through the through-hole of the well and detect an optical emission from a fluid contained in the vial supported by the well. At least one well supports a capped vial containing a reagent for a nucleic acid amplification assay and including an opaque cap sealing an open end of the vial. The lower portion of the vial is contained within a well, and the cap is situated above a top surface of the holder.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting a continued conversation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving first audio data of a first utterance. The actions further include obtaining a first transcription of the first utterance. The actions further include receiving second audio data of a second utterance. The actions further include obtaining a second transcription of the second utterance. The actions further include determining whether the second utterance includes a query directed to a query processing system based on analysis of the second transcription and the first transcription or a response to the first query. The actions further include configuring the data routing component to provide the second transcription of the second utterance to the query processing system as a second query or bypass routing the second transcription.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a myoelectric prosthesis allowing at least partial decoupling of the movement of the at least one electrode from the electrode housing case and from the prosthesis socket through the mounting of the at least one electrode using at least one biasing element. This allows the at least one electrode to be forced into contact with the patient in the target area using a moveable pressure application structure reducing/eliminating socket motion artifacts because the pressure is transferred toward the target area but the at least one electrode is not otherwise constrained to minimise or avoid the at least one electrode being dragged across the target area through the mounting to the prosthesis socket which causes socket motion artifacts.

Abstract: Processing within a computing environment is facilitated by generating a hybrid security certificate using multiple cryptosystems. The generating includes obtaining data for inclusion in the hybrid security certificate, and generating a first digital signature associated with a first cryptosystem to cover the data, and a second digital signature associated with a second cryptosystem to cover the data. The generating further includes providing the hybrid security certificate, where the hybrid security certificate includes the data, the first digital signature associated with the first cryptosystem, and the second digital signature associated with the second cryptosystem, and where the first digital signature has no dependency on a key of the second cryptosystem or the second digital signature, and the second digital signature has no dependency on a key of the first cryptosystem or the first digital signature.

Abstract: An inorganic substrate with an improved via shape and methods for facilitating formation of such improved via shape are disclosed. A double-sided opening process may be applied to an inorganic substrate to form openings at the ends of a damage track previously formed in the inorganic substrate. One side of the inorganic substrate may then be sealed, such as by being temporarily bonded to a carrier or blocking substrate, so that a single-sided opening process may be applied to the other unsealed or unblocked surface of the inorganic substrate. The single-sided opening process may enlarge at least one of the openings formed by the double-sided opening process and may enlarge a channel between the openings to form a via having an advantageous shape.