Abstract: A base caching disk and associated methods for facilitating fast instantiation of virtual machines in distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes during an instantiation process of a virtual machine on a node in the distributed computing system, determining whether a base caching disk on the node contains a block of data of the image needed for the instantiation process of the virtual machine. The method can also include, in response to determining that the base caching disk does not contain the block of data, retrieving the block of data from the central image store without retrieving the entire image, writing the retrieved block of data to a sector on the base caching disk at the node and subsequently, marking the sector containing the written block of data on the base caching disk as read-only.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus for accessing data. In some implementations, an apparatus includes address offset value elements that are each configured to store an address offset value. For each address offset value element, the apparatus can include address computation elements that each store a value used to determine the address offset value. One or more processors are configured to receive a program for performing computations using tensor elements of a tensor. The processor(s) can identify, in the program, a prologue or epilogue loop having a corresponding data array for storing values of the prologue or epilogue loop and populate, for a first address offset value element that corresponds to the prologue or epilogue loop, the address computation elements for the first address offset value element with respective values based at least on a number of iterations of the prologue or epilogue loop.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using selective resolution reduction on images to be transmitted and/or used by a playback device are described. Prior to transmission one or more images of an environment are captured. Based on image content, motion detection and/or user input a resolution reduction operation is selected and performed. The reduced resolution image is communicated to a playback device along with information indicating a UV map corresponding to the selected resolution allocation that should be used by the playback device for rendering the communicated image. By changing the resolution allocation used and which UV map is used by the playback device different resolution allocations can be made with respect to different portions of the environment while allowing the number of pixels in transmitted images to remain constant. The playback device renders the individual images with the UV map corresponding to the resolution allocation used to generate the individual images.

Abstract: A method and system for optoelectronic receivers utilizing waveguide heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs) integrated in a wafer are disclosed and may include receiving optical signals via optical fibers operably coupled to a top surface of the chip. Electrical signals may be generated utilizing HPTs that detect the optical signals. The electrical signals may be amplified via voltage amplifiers, or transimpedance amplifiers, the outputs of which may be utilized to bias the HPTs by a feedback network. The optical signals may be coupled into opposite ends of the HPTs. A collector of the HPTs may comprise a silicon layer and a germanium layer, a base may comprise a silicon germanium alloy with germanium composition ranging from 70% to 100%, and an emitter including crystalline or poly Si or SiGe.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide location-based access control to secured resources. Generally described, configurations disclosed herein enable a system to dynamically modify access to secured resources based on one or more location-related actions. For example, techniques disclosed herein can enable a computing system to control access to resources such as computing devices, display devices, secured locations, and secured data. In some configurations, the techniques disclosed herein can enable controlled access to secured resources based, at least in part, on an invitation associated with a location and positioning data indicating a location of a user.

Abstract: A warming blanket (8) has a metalized fabric exterior layer and a heating element formed from a random fiber carbon veil material (52). A conductive ink layer (56) is deposited onto opposite side edges of the carbon veil material as side rails. Lower conductive strips (58) are attached onto a bottom edge of the carbon veil material. Each lower conductive strip is electrically coupled to a side rail. The lower conductive strips have connecting ends (60) which are spaced from each other so as to accept a connection circuit board. Side conductive strips (62) are coupled to the conductive ink side rails. Electrical current controlled by the connection circuit board is passed through the carbon veil material to create heat.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a module that mounts within an interior of a housing. The housing has a door that latches closed. The module includes a module frame having a bulkhead that divides the interior of the housing into first and second regions. Fiber optic adapters are mounted to the bulkhead. First ports of the adapters are accessible at the first region of the housing interior and second ports are accessible at the second region of the housing interior. The module includes a removable cover for restricting access to the first region. The removable cover including a latch catch that interlocks with the door latch to secure the door in the closed position. The module includes a tray mounted to the module frame within the first region of the housing.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes a pair of alternating stacks of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a semiconductor region, and laterally spaced from each other by a backside trench, memory stack structures extending through the pair of alternating, each memory stack structure containing a vertical semiconductor channel and a memory film, and a backside contact assembly located in the backside trench. The backside contact assembly includes an isolation dielectric spacer contacting the pair of alternating stacks, a conductive liner contacting inner sidewalls of the isolation dielectric spacer and a top surface of the semiconductor region, and composite non-metallic core containing at least one outer dielectric fill material portion that is laterally enclosed by a lower portion of the conductive liner and a dielectric core contacting an inner sidewall of the at least one outer dielectric fill material portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments include computing devices and methods for provisioning a set top box (STB) with a software stack. A processor of a computing device may receive a software stack download request comprising downstream channel descriptor (DCD) information, determine region information for the STB based on the DCD information, determine a software stack authorization for the STB, select a software stack for the STB based on the region information and the software stack authorization for the STB, and obtain the selected software stack to enable the STB to replace existing software with the selected software stack.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a respirator. The respirator includes a mask structure comprising one or more layers, multiple folds, and a contact surface region, and the one or more layers include a filtration layer. Meanwhile, the respirator includes an attachment mechanism coupled to the mask structure. The attachment mechanism is operable to couple the mask structure to a face region of a user. The user has a maxilla bone having a first frontal process and a second frontal process, and when the mask structure is coupled to the face region of the user by the attachment mechanism, the multiple folds conform the contact surface region to the face region of the user over the first frontal process of the maxilla bone and over the second frontal process of the maxilla bone. Other embodiments of related respirators and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice storage bin with sliding sleeve metering device for filling buckets, totes or other ice containers. The metering device allows the containers to be filled from the ice storage bin with the exact volume of ice desired during each dispense. The metering device won't spill ice or water, is easily operated and prevents the ice container from being removed prematurely. The metering device can be operated either manually or automatically. The bucket or container is optionally a liner disposed in a bucket with a false bottom.

Abstract: A software input string is received and tokenized into a sequence of tokens. The sequence of tokens is applied to a trained sequence-dependent lock/unlock classifier so that each of the tokens is classified as a token that should be locked, or remain unlocked, for subsequent translation. The software input string is converted to a converted string, in which the locked tokens are identified and the converted string is submitted for machine translation. A machine translation result is received and converted so that the locked tokens are replaced in the machine translation result, to obtain a translated software string.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to recreational balls with patterned illuminated surfaces are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an air-tight object having an outer layer and an inner layer. The opacity of the outer layer is greater than the opacity of the inner layer. The outer layer defines an aperture. Additionally, a light module is configured to send light from an interior of the air-tight object through the aperture of the outer layer.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and a computer system are provided. The computer system includes a BMC of a host. The BMC redirects images from the host to a device for displaying at a redirection display. The BMC further receives an indication that the redirection display is no longer in an active mode. The BMC then stops redirecting the images from the BMC to the device in response to the indication.

Abstract: A method and testing apparatus determine receding contact angles of liquids on surfaces by depositing a liquid in a manner whereby the volume of the drop is increased through stepwise addition of smaller drops. Each increment of volume growth causes the perimeter of the drop to advance across the surface. The incremental volume elements impart sufficient energy to the growing drop such that the drop perimeter expands beyond its equilibrium diameter for that volume. The drop perimeter tends to contract between volume additions as the excess energy is dissipated. The method and testing apparatus determine the receding contact angle between the incremental volume additions.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging an object utilizing a plurality of flip angles is provided. The method includes transmitting a first preparation pulse corresponding to a first flip angle of the plurality into the object, and receiving a first MR signal from the object based at least in part on the first preparation pulse. The method further includes transmitting a second preparation pulse corresponding to a second flip angle of the plurality into the object, receiving a second MR signal from the object based at least in part on the second preparation pulse, and generating a T1 mapping of the object based at least in part on the first MR signal and the second MR signal. The second flip angle is different than the first flip angle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing analog-to-digital conversion is provided. In one example, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit comprises a leakage compensation circuit and a quantizer. The leakage compensation circuit is configured to: receive an input signal, the input signal being susceptible to a drift due to a charge leakage; receive a reference signal; and generate a leakage-compensated signal pair to compensate for the charge leakage, wherein the leakage-compensated signal pair comprises one of: (a) a leakage-compensated version of the input signal and the reference signal, (b) the input signal and a leakage-compensated version of the reference signal, or (c) a leakage-compensated version of the input signal and a leakage-compensated version of the reference signal. The quantizer is configured to perform a leakage-compensated quantization of the input signal based on the leakage-compensated signal pair to generate a digital output representing the input signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for providing, operating and conducting an application for facilitating transactions displayed with the display of content relating to the subject matter of the transactions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a trocar assembly having a proximal end and a distal end comprises an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is formed with an opening at the proximal end and an opening at the distal end, the openings adapted to provide access for one or more surgical instruments during a surgical procedure. The outer tubular member is disposed about the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member being partitioned into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein: the inner tubular member is separated from the outer tubular member by an inner wall; the first chamber is separated from the second chamber; and the first chamber and the second chamber are defined by the inner wall and an outer wall of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording, the slider comprising an air bearing surface (ABS), a writer, a reader, and a plurality of electrical bond-pads. The apparatus also includes a first component situated at the ABS of the slider proximate the reader and operatively coupled to a first pair of the plurality of electrical bond-pads, the first component being a thermocouple configured to sense for a thermal aspect of a magnetic recording medium surface. According to aspects of the invention, the slider is configured to share at least one bond-pad by operatively coupling a second pair of the plurality of electrical bond-pads to a second component, and the slider is configured to selectively utilize the thermocouple and the second component.