Abstract: A user activity pattern may be ascertained using signal data from a set of computing devices. The activity pattern may be used to infer user intent with regards to a user interaction with a computing device or to predict a likely future action by the user. In one implementation, a set of computing devices is monitored to detect user activities using sensors associated with the computing devices. Activity features associated with the detected user activities are determined and used to identify an activity pattern based on a plurality of user activities having similar features. Examples of user activity patterns may include patterns based on time, location, content, or other context. The inferred user intent or predicted future actions may be used to provide improved user experiences, such as personalization, modifying functionality of user devices, or providing more efficient consumption of bandwidth or power.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming first semiconductor devices over a first substrate, forming a first dielectric material layer over the first semiconductor devices, forming vertical recesses in the first dielectric material layer, such that each of the vertical recesses vertically extends from a topmost surface of the first dielectric material layer toward the first substrate, forming silicon nitride material portions in each of the vertical recesses; and locally irradiating a second subset of the silicon nitride material portions with a laser beam.

Abstract: A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a computer system is provided for handling video streams. The method may include: receiving a 360° video stream, the 360° video stream including a multiple overlay parameter; when the multiple overlay parameter is a first value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is permissible by the user terminal, and displaying, by the user terminal, the 360° video stream with the two or more overlays; and when the multiple overlay parameter is a second value, determining that overlaying the 360° video stream with two or more overlays is not permissible and displaying the 360° video stream with zero overlays or one overlay.

Abstract: A porphyrine organic framework (“POF”) material is introduced with a one-pot method for photothermal material fabrication. The POF material may be deposited on a support scaffold by reacting a pyrrole by acid-catalyzed dehydration forming a plurality of porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks particles on the support scaffold.

Abstract: A method for using treated biochar to reduce the overall environmental impact of farming and minimize the carbon footprint of farms is provided. The method comprising engaging in one or more of the following practices: (1) combining treated biochar with feed or using biochar as feed for animals to reduce methane from enteric fermentation and increase animal health and nutrition; (2) combining treated biochar with compost, animal bedding or manure piles to reduce odor and increase nutrient retention; (3) applying treated biochar to lagoons to reduce odor and treat water; (4) applying treated biochar to pastures to increase pasture health; (5) applying treated biochar to crops to increase crop productivity, healthier roots and prevent fertilizer leaching; and (6) using the carbon negativity of a produced biochar to reduce the overall farm or ranch carbon footprint.

Abstract: Techniques for managing storage may comprise: receiving a request for a first amount of free capacity, wherein the request includes a first priority denoting a purpose for which the first amount of free capacity is requested; determining whether a current utilization of storage exceeds a first threshold associated with the first priority; responsive to determining the current utilization of storage is less than the first threshold associated with the first priority, performing first processing including: determining whether there is a sufficient amount of existing free capacity to grant the first amount; and responsive to determining there is a sufficient amount of existing free capacity to grant the first amount, granting the first amount of free capacity; and responsive to determining the current utilization of storage is not less than the first threshold associated with the first priority, rejecting the request and not granting the first amount of free capacity.

Abstract: A turbo is connected to a compressor, and includes a turbine, a wheel, and a cone-shaped catalyst that has an inner surface defining a divergent flow channel for fluid exiting the turbine and driving the wheel such that the fluid passes through the inner surface and pores of the catalyst prior to exiting the turbo.

Abstract: An index of a storage system is managed. For example, events in a data stream to be stored are received. According to a predetermined length of a time window and occurrence times of the events, an event among the events that occurs within the time window is determined. Based on the event, a window index node is created including an index of the event. In response to determining that a current time point meets a threshold time point corresponding to the time window, the window index node is added to the index, and the threshold time point indicates that the number of received events that occur within the time window in the data stream reaches a threshold number. Thus, an index can be created in time for a large number of events entering the storage system. Further, the storage system can be queried and updated accurately and effectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for multiple duration deduplication entries. A processor may be configured to perform data deduplication operations, including setting a first indicator for first metadata stored to a hash database identifying a first time interval to maintain the first metadata in the database, and setting a second indicator for second metadata stored to the database identifying a second time interval to maintain the second metadata in the database longer than the first time interval. The processor may remove the first metadata from the database when no duplicative data is detected for the first metadata within the first time interval, and remove the second metadata from the database when no duplicative data is detected for the second metadata within the second time interval.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and computer program products for transmitting data to computing devices via audio communication channels. A computer-implemented method performed by one or more processing devices may include, for example, providing an audio token to a broadcasting device for broadcast via an audio communication channel, receiving the audio token from a user computing device, the audio token being received from the user computing device based on an audio broadcast of the audio token by the broadcasting device via the audio communication channel, and obtaining, in response to determining data that is associated with the received audio token, approval to process a payment transaction by at least in part transmitting the data to the user computing device.

Abstract: An interactive video distribution system and video player are described. A client server arrangement may be used for providing a video player and video content to a client device. The video player may display navigation images enabling navigation to specific portions of the video content by activating a corresponding navigation image. The video player may also enable the sharing of a segment of the video with other video players, enabling the video players to play the streamed segment of the video without having to play the entire video, thereby reducing network bandwidth usage. The video player may be embeddable. The server may associate searchable tags with respective video segments.

Abstract: Methods are provided to prepare a low sulfur fuel from hydrocarbon sources, such as light tight oil and high sulfur fuel oil, often less desired by conventional refiners, who split crude into a wide range of differing products and may prefer presence of wide ranges (C3 or C5 to C20 or higher) of hydrocarbons. These fuels can be produced by separating feeds into untreated and treated streams, and then recombining them. Such fuels can also be formulated by combinations of light, middle and heavy range constituents in a selected manner as claimed. Not only low in sulfur, the fuels of this invention are also low in nitrogen and essentially metals free. Fuel use applications include on-board large marine transport vessels but also on-shore for large land based combustion gas turbines, boilers, fired heaters and transport vehicles and trains.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to determine a duration of media presentation based on tuning session duration. Example apparatus a receiver to obtain a first tuning session duration indicative of an amount of time between channel changes of a first media presentation device at a first media presentation location, a presentation session estimator to select a model from storage, the model selected based on a match of the first tuning session duration and a second tuning session duration, the model including a relation between the second tuning session duration and a first presentation session duration of media presented on a second media presentation device at a second media presentation location, and estimate a second presentation session duration of media presented within the first tuning session duration based on the model.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and a conductive layer. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position, and a second voltage is applied to a stop to electrostatically hold the shutter in the closed position. The first and second voltage levels can be reduced once the shutter is extended to the closed position, the reduction to the first voltage level being greater than the reduction to the second voltage level.

Abstract: The first connector body includes: a recess mating with the second connector body; a first side wall part extending in the longitudinal direction so as to define both sides of the recess; and a projection extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess so as to mate with a recessed groove of the second connector body, the first terminal includes a first contact part contacting the second terminal in a recessed groove between the projection and the first side wall part, the first connector further includes a shield plate which is held in the center in the width direction of the projection so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, the second reinforcing bracket includes a reference potential connection part connected to a reference potential trace; and a tongue part contacting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shield plate, and the second connector further includes a reference potential terminal which includes a tail part connected to the reference potential trace along with a contact pa

Abstract: Systems and methods for power and thermal management of autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system includes processor(s) and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining data associated with an autonomous vehicle. The operations include identifying one or more vehicle parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The operations include determining a modification to one or more operating characteristics of one or more systems onboard the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more vehicle parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising a set of wireless communication nodes that are configured to operate as part of a wireless mesh network. Each respective wireless communication node may be directly coupled to at least one other wireless communication node via a respective short-hop wireless link, and at least a first pair of wireless nodes may be both (a) indirectly coupled to one another via a first communication path that comprises one or more intermediary wireless communication nodes and two or more short-hop wireless links and (b) directly coupled to one another via a first long-hop wireless link that provides a second communication path between the first pair of wireless communication nodes having a lesser number of hops than the first communication path. A fiber access point may be directly coupled to a first wireless communication node of the set of wireless communication nodes.

Abstract: Techniques test a storage system. Such techniques involve: acquiring a result of performing a first test on the storage system using a test case; if the result indicates that the storage system fails the first test, performing a second test on the storage system based on a problem of the storage system; and if the result indicates that the storage system passes the first test, determining a security level of the test case based on the result. Such techniques can effectively enhance test performance and system reliability of the storage system.

Abstract: An improved device for collecting particulate matter suspended in the ambient air is disclosed comprising a container extending between an open first end and a closed second end defining a container interior. A container output communicates with a container interior located proximate the closed second end of the container. A filter cassette comprising a collection filter is permanently affixed to a filter holder. A retainer having a retainer input retains the filter cassette between the retainer input and the container output. An output connector connects the container output to a low pressure source for drawing ambient air into the retainer input for enabling the collection filter to collect particulate matter suspended in the ambient air entering the retainer input. Preferably, the filter holder and the filter are disposable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for receiving and holding debris in a collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner. The collection chamber has an inlet opening through which debris-entrained air enters the collection chamber. When the vacuum cleaner is off, an internal valve prevents debris from leaving the collection chamber through the inlet opening. The internal valve is movable from a first sealed position, in which the internal valve covers the chamber inlet opening, to a second unsealed position in which the internal valve does not cover the chamber inlet opening.