Abstract: An apparatus, system, device, and the like, for a liquid nitrogen dispensing head that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The dispensing head is positioned over a conveyor belt that conveys aggregate to a mixing apparatus to produce concrete. The head dispenses liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate to cool the aggregate and may include interior chambers separated by one or more baffles. The chambers may reduce the pressure of the liquid nitrogen onto the aggregate in relation to the flow pressure of the liquid nitrogen entering the dispensing head. In another example, an assembly may include sidewalls that extend to the aggregate on either side of the head to form a cooling tunnel through which the aggregate is conveyed and is exposed to the liquid nitrogen being dispensed from the head.

Abstract: A fluid heating element includes first and second conduits. The first conduit has a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is configured to receive a first portion of the fluid, and the first outlet is configured to discharge the first portion of the fluid. The second conduit has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet is configured to receive a second portion of the fluid, and the second outlet is configured to discharge the second portion of the fluid. The fluid heating element further includes an electrothermal coating associated with the first and second conduits and an electrical lead configured to apply an electric current across the electrothermal coating. The electrothermal coating converts the electric current to heat that is transferred to through the first and second conduits to the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for identifying program code changes causing a changed visual appearance of a graphical user interface of a computer application. A code change is received for the computer application in a build system. The code change results in a changed computer application. The changed computer application is run and screenshots of the visual appearance of the graphical user interface are captured and saved during the run. Differences between the saved screenshots are detected to identify changes in the visual appearance of the graphical user interface. The identified changes in the visual appearance are correlated with a particular section of program code causing the changes in the visual appearance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for localizing a source of a set of radio signals, such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations. A source of a set of radio signals (such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations) is localized by obtaining a plurality of radio signals in the set from a different location in an environment; determining a magnitude and received location for each of the plurality of radio signals; determining a direction for each of the plurality of radio signals by comparing each given radio signal to other radio signals in the set; and determining a location of the source of the set of radio signals by determining an intersection of the direction for each of the plurality of radio signals. The direction for each of the plurality of radio signals optionally comprises a net directional vector determined using a weighted circular mean.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for localizing a source of a set of radio signals, such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations. A source of a set of radio signals (such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations) is localized by obtaining a plurality of radio signals in the set from a different location in an environment; determining a magnitude and received location for each of the plurality of radio signals; determining a direction for each of the plurality of radio signals by comparing each given radio signal to other radio signals in the set; and determining a location of the source of the set of radio signals by determining an intersection of the direction for each of the plurality of radio signals. The direction for each of the plurality of radio signals optionally comprises a net directional vector determined using a weighted circular mean.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for identifying program code changes causing a changed visual appearance of a graphical user interface of a computer application. A code change is received for the computer application in a build system. The code change results in a changed computer application. The changed computer application is run and screenshots of the visual appearance of the graphical user interface are captured and saved during the run. Differences between the saved screenshots are detected to identify changes in the visual appearance of the graphical user interface. The identified changes in the visual appearance are correlated with a particular section of program code causing the changes in the visual appearance.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a molding apparatus for a turbine blade includes first and second mold compartments defining a mold cavity when in a closed position, at least one of the first and second mold compartments including a micro-structured surface facing an interior of the mold cavity. The micro-structured surface includes an array of V-shaped channels, and the V-shaped channels have a maximum height of 200 micrometers. A turbine blade including integral micro-structured riblets and method for making the turbine blade is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming at least one curved polymeric microneedle, wherein the microneedle includes a base portion and an elongated body portion terminating in a sharp tip, said elongated body portion comprising a lower portion that is 15% to 25% of the height of the microneedle, said elongated body portion being connected to said base layer. The method comprises: heating an array comprising said base layer and at least a segment of said elongated body portion; passing the heated array against a fixed member to bend the microneedles; and allowing the bent, heated array to be cooled. The heat applied to the base layer and elongated body portion is sufficient to cause the heated microneedle to be at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymer of the microneedle, but below a temperature that would cause the lower portion to bend during the passing step.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a molding apparatus for a turbine blade includes first and second mold compartments defining a mold cavity when in a closed position, at least one of the first and second mold compartments including a micro-structured surface facing an interior of the mold cavity. The micro-structured surface includes an array of V-shaped channels, and the V-shaped channels have a maximum height of 200 micrometers. A turbine blade including integral micro-structured riblets and method for making the turbine blade is also provided.

Abstract: A method for highlighting an electronic document comprises mining one or more sources to obtain data corresponding to a user, inferring one or more interests of the user based on the data, analyzing the electronic document to determine at least one portion of the electronic document related to the one or more interests, and automatically highlighting the at least one portion of the electronic document related to the one or more interests.

Abstract: A private message can be delivered by a computer system to a user in an environment, using a display in the environment, a user device, and sensors in the space. The device is detected and connected to a system once it enters a space. A private message is directed to the device and it is received by the system, which notifies the device that the message has been received. The user can then look up at a device to display the message and the system can determine where the user is looking, in order to deliver the message using rapid serial visual presentation to the user on the display device.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a location of a robotic device includes collecting first environmental data corresponding to a first current location of the robotic device, generating a first location signature based on the first environmental data, driving the robotic device to enter a standby mode at a first time, driving the robotic device to wake up from the standby mode after a predetermined time elapses at a second time after the driving the robotic device to enter the standby mode, collecting second environmental data corresponding to a second current location of the robotic device, generating the second location signature generated based on the second environmental data, comparing the first and second location signatures, and determining whether a location of the robotic device has been changed between the first and second times based on a comparison result between the first and second location signatures.

Abstract: In an approach for creating a hierarchal organization of spoken conference call topics, a processor determines an identity of a first speaker from a group of participants on a conference call, wherein the group of participants are known. A processor determines a first conference call topic, wherein the first conference call topic is determined using a portion of the first speaker's speech. A processor adds a second speaker's identity to a queue of speakers while recording the first speaker's voice. A processor determines a second conference call topic. A processor links the first conference call topic and the second conference call topic into a hierarchal organization of spoken conference call topics.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a location of a robotic device includes collecting first environmental data corresponding to a first current location of the robotic device, generating a first location signature based on the first environmental data, driving the robotic device to enter a standby mode at a first time, driving the robotic device to wake up from the standby mode after a predetermined time elapses at a second time after the driving the robotic device to enter the standby mode, collecting second environmental data corresponding to a second current location of the robotic device, generating the second location signature generated based on the second environmental data, comparing the first and second location signatures, and determining whether a location of the robotic device has been changed between the first and second times based on a comparison result between the first and second location signatures.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include managing a set of data associated with a corpus. By analyzing the corpus, a domain is established to characterize the subject matter of the set of data. A user identifier is generated for a portion of the set of data. Based upon a credibility computation, a quality factor for a portion of the set of data is determined. The credibility computation includes using both the domain and the user identifier to determine the quality factor for the portion of the set of data. The quality factor for the portion of the set of data is compared with a threshold. In response to a quality factor for a portion of the set of data exceeding the threshold, the portion of the set of data is selected.

Abstract: A method for highlighting an electronic document comprises mining one or more sources to obtain data corresponding to a user, inferring one or more interests of the user based on the data, analyzing the electronic document to determine at least one portion of the electronic document related to the one or more interests, and automatically highlighting the at least one portion of the electronic document related to the one or more interests.

Abstract: A micro-segmenting networked controller device receives network traffic information from at least one micro-segmenting network devices. At least two of the micro-segmenting networked devices are communicatively coupled to at least one micro-segment within a network. The network is configured to communicatively couple at least two hosts. Traffic flow data is generated from the network traffic information. Network micro-segment traffic rules are augmented employing, at least in part, at least some of the traffic flow data. Authority is received to implement the rules from at least two entities each serving at least one of a multitude of roles. At least one of the micro-segmenting networked devices are programmed to control traffic flow within at least one micro-segment employing the network micro-segment traffic rules.

Abstract: A private message can be delivered by a computer system to a user in an environment, using a display in the environment, a user device, and sensors in the space. The device is detected and connected to a system once it enters a space. A private message is directed to the device and it is received by the system, which notifies the device that the message has been received. The user can then look up at a device to display the message and the system can determine where the user is looking, in order to deliver the message using rapid serial visual presentation to the user on the display device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for localizing a source of a set of radio signals, such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations. A source of a set of radio signals (such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations) is localized by obtaining a plurality of radio signals in the set from a different location in an environment; determining a magnitude and received location for each of the plurality of radio signals; determining a direction for each of the plurality of radio signals by comparing each given radio signal to other radio signals in the set; and determining a location of the source of the set of radio signals by determining an intersection of the direction for each of the plurality of radio signals. The direction for each of the plurality of radio signals optionally comprises a net directional vector determined using a weighted circular mean.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for localizing a source of a set of radio signals, such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations. A source of a set of radio signals (such as radio signals received from an RFID tag at various locations) is localized by obtaining a plurality of radio signals in the set from a different location in an environment; determining a magnitude and received location for each of the plurality of radio signals; determining a direction for each of the plurality of radio signals by comparing each given radio signal to other radio signals in the set; and determining a location of the source of the set of radio signals by determining an intersection of the direction for each of the plurality of radio signals. The direction for each of the plurality of radio signals optionally comprises a net directional vector determined using a weighted circular mean.