Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a delivery time for the delivery of messages are described. According to various embodiments, a system determines, for each of a plurality of time intervals, a likelihood of a particular member of an online social network service performing a particular member user action on a particular message content item during the corresponding time interval. The plurality of time intervals are then ranked, based on the determined likelihoods corresponding to the plurality of time intervals. Thereafter, a particular time interval is identified from among the plurality of time intervals that is associated with a highest ranking. The particular time interval is then classified as an optimum personalized message delivery time for the particular member.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a delivery time for the delivery of messages are described. According to various embodiments, members of an online social network service that are currently located in a particular geographic location (e.g., a particular time zone) are identified. Thereafter, messages (e.g., e-mails) are transmitted to the members at multiple local times (e.g., multiple times of the day). It is then determined that one or more of the messages that were transmitted at a particular local time have received a highest value for a response metric among the messages, the response metric indicating responses by the members to the messages. The particular local time is then classified as an optimum local message delivery time for the particular geographic location.

Abstract: Techniques for inferring a time zone of a user (e.g., a member of an online social network service) are described. According to various embodiments, it is determined that a particular member of an online social networks service is currently located in a particular country. Responsive to determining that a single time zone is associated with the particular country, it is determined that the particular member is currently located in the single time zone. Responsive to determining that multiple time zones are associated with the particular country, an IP address associated with a user login request is accessed, a geographic location associated with the IP address is identified, and a specific one of the multiple time zones that corresponds to the geographic location is identified. It is determined that the particular member is currently located in the specific time zone.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for maintaining an accurate organization chart, are presented. The method may include accessing organization chart data defining a hierarchy of an organization comprising a group of users. At least one user of the group of users may be prompted to provide verification information pertaining to the accuracy of a portion of the organization chart data. Upon receiving the verification information from the at least one user, the method may include updating the organization chart data in accordance with the verification information.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for assigning a task based on content presented in a data feed are presented. A data feed that includes a set of content items is presented. Each of the content items included in the data feed may include a graphical user interface element capable of invoking task assignment functionality with respect to each content item. A task based on a content item presented in the data feed may be created and assigned to a selected user in response to receiving a selection of the graphical user interface element. The method may further include generating an individual status report for the user that includes every task assigned to the user.

Abstract: A communication server, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for executing commands embedded in messages are provided. The method may include accessing a message that is being routed through a communication server. The message may include a command operator that is operative to execute an action performed by a network-based service executing on an application server. The method may further include identifying the command operator included in the message, and transmitting a request to the application server to perform the action corresponding thereto.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products that monitor and prioritize communications transported over one or more communication channels are described. Communications received by a user may be prioritized based on one or more of a level of urgency associated with the communication and an action indicated by the communication. In one example embodiment, one or more communication channels may be monitored, an indication of a priority level of a communication may be detected, and an indication of the priority of the communication may be provided.

Abstract: A water dispersible composition comprises a polyaniline copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 30,000 and a polymeric acid comprising sulfonic acid groups. The polyaniline copolymer comprises i) about 10 mol % to about 15 mol % of a fluorine-containing first aniline repeat unit based on total moles of repeat units in the polyaniline copolymer, and ii) a second aniline repeat unit comprising no fluorine. The sulfonic acid groups of the polymeric acid are present in a molar amount greater than or equal to total moles of repeat units of the polyaniline copolymer. The composition has a conductivity of at least 0.0001 S/cm.

Abstract: A water dispersible composition comprises a polyaniline copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 30,000 and a polymeric acid comprising sulfonic acid groups. The polyaniline copolymer comprises i) about 10 mol % to about 15 mol % of a fluorine-containing first aniline repeat unit based on total moles of repeat units in the polyaniline copolymer, and ii) a second aniline repeat unit comprising no fluorine. The sulfonic acid groups of the polymeric acid are present in a molar amount greater than or equal to total moles of repeat units of the polyaniline copolymer. The composition has a conductivity of at least 0.0001 S/cm.

Abstract: Enabling a content publisher and a receiving user to control access to content updates based on user relationships. The content publisher and the receiving user may assign a relationship degree, relationship category, and/or relationship rating to each other and to other users. The content publisher and/or receiving user also specify a required relationship that is needed to access or accept a content update. The content publisher and receiving user may further specify acceptable types of content updates, such as blog entries, product reviews, photos, and the like that are accessible or acceptable. Upon logon or other event, a summary of content updates is provided to each receiving user that meets each content publisher's required relationship, and the content updates are delivered according to a selected delivery method from those content publishers that meet the relationship requirements of the receiving users. Delivery includes email, instant message, RSS feeds, and the like.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing a view of a social network user's personal information based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards a user's relationship with each prospective viewer. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective viewer, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be mapped against various categories of information associated with social network user to provide customized views of the social network user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards making a user's online portal information available to members of an online social network. Portal information can include information entered by the user and information determined based on the user's online behaviors, such as frequenting a Web site, sending spam messages, and the like. The online social network enables multiple degrees of relationships among members of the online social network. At least a portion of the portal information is made accessible to at least some of the members of the online social network who have a relationship to the user. The relationship can be through a public activity available to all members and/or through a user-defined category of members, such as family, friends, business contacts, and the like. The portal information can be used to determine which relationships will be established and/or which information will be available to members.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards communicating a message within a social network based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards filtering outgoing and/or incoming messages. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective recipient, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be employed to determine to whom a message may be sent, as well from whom a message may be received.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are directed towards enabling information filtering using measures of an affinity of a relationship between subscribers of an online portal system. The affinity of a relationship may be determined based, in part, on the tracking of various online behaviors of and between subscribers of the portal system. Any of a variety of behaviors may be tracked, including message communications between subscribers, participation in instant messaging groups, purchases, activities, categories, and so forth. Such behaviors may be employed to determine a level of trust (or affinity) between subscribers of the portal system. This affinity measurement may be used to filter various information, including, but not limited to, product recommendations, ratings, polling queries, advertising, social network communications, personal ads, search results, and the like. Moreover, this affinity measurement may also be employed to perform message spam detection.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for producing libraries of expressible gene sequences. The method of the invention allows for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple gene sequences and thus allows libraries to be created in an efficient and high throughput manner. The expression vectors containing verified gene sequences can be used to transfect cells for the production of recombinant proteins. The invention further comprises libraries of expressible gene sequences produced using the method of the invention and expression vectors used in the construction of said libraries.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computing (NMRQC) uses a liquid crystal solvent into which the quantum computing molecules are dissolved. The method allows implementation of more complex quantum algorithms which require execution of many logic gates over the duration of a decoherence time, allows NMRQC clock frequencies to be increased by at least an order of magnitude beyond those achievable using isotropic liquid solvents, and decreases the reinitialization times for a NMR quantum computer without decreasing the computational capability of the molecular systems.

Abstract: A method of packaging thermoplastic hot melt adhesive compositions in a continuous process. The process is especially suited for hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives to provide convenient handling of such. The process includes the steps of: dispensing a thermoplastic composition into a hollow sleeve of thermoplastic film, wherein said film is submerged in a heat sink bath; sealing the molten thermoplastic composition filled composition; allowing the molten thermoplastic composition to cool and solidify while submerged in the heat sink bath.