Abstract: In some embodiments, a system uses a two-dimensional polar plot to analyze imbalance of components. On the two-dimensional polar plot imbalance magnitude and orientation are depicted relative to a reference. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to assess measurement error for measurement devices and components. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to determine patterns associated with processing operations to identify sources of imbalance from the manufacturing process. Some embodiments use the two-dimensional polar plot to determine correlations between processing operations to identify sources of imbalance.

Abstract: An in-game video game editing system and method is provided. An electronic processor executes a game software application to generate, on a display, a graphical gameplay interface including a plurality of sprites and a graphical editing panel listing predetermined modifications. The electronic processor receives a selection of one of the predetermined modifications ad determines a type of the predetermined modification. The type indicates whether the predetermined modification includes adding a new sprite or selecting an existing sprite. Based on the type, an existing sprite is selected from the graphical gameplay interface. The electronic processor then adds a block of code to the selected sprite based on the predetermined modification to generate a modified sprite, and executes the block of code to provide the modified sprite on the graphical gameplay interface.

Abstract: A handset or other end device in a local service domain receives video service notifications. The video service notifications can provide information to a user of the end device about a video service (e.g., a television program or a movie) available within a local network. The video service notification can include a request for a response to the notification, with the request having a corresponding URI or other type of link to cause a desired action (e.g., to commence recording or playing content associated with a particular video service). A mobile device configurable for direct communication in a wide area wireless network can join a local service domain and receive services through a gateway of that local service domain.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for grounded natural language learning in an interactive setting. In embodiments, during a learning process, an agent learns natural language by interacting with a teacher and learning from feedback, thus learning and improving language skills while taking part in the conversation. In embodiments, a model is used to incorporate both imitation and reinforcement by leveraging jointly sentence and reward feedback from the teacher. Various experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of a model embodiment.

Abstract: Flow-zone switching provides for the switching of frames through a network, basing forwarding decisions on location and flow information encoded in the frames, such as in the source and destination addresses. Various address formats are disclosed, supporting transfer of packet data among data switches as well as among endpoints. Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are apparatus and associated methods related to producing an enhanced surface area biochar product with a desired activation level based on receiving biochar into a processing vessel configured with multiple independently temperature-controlled chambers and counter-flow steam injection, controlling activation levels of the biochar by moving the biochar through the processing vessel and adjusting the temperature of the biochar by injecting steam into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel, recovering volatiles driven off through dehydration using a thermal oxidizer, cooling the biochar to a desired discharge temperature using steam and retention time, and discharging the activated biochar product. The processing vessel may be a calciner, a rotary calciner, or a kiln. Biochar may be heated or cooled to a desired thermochemical processing temperature depending on the temperature of the received biochar.

Abstract: A separable footwear article may comprise an outsole oriented at the bottom of the footwear and configured for ground contact, the outsole comprising a first material; an upper portion releasably coupled to the outsole with thread using chain stitching, the upper portion comprising a second material different from the first material; and an insole removeably disposed adjacent the upper portion and the outsole, the insole comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; wherein the outsole, the upper portion, and insole are capable of being separated by releasing the thread and hand pulling the thread from the footwear article.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods of microbial enhanced oil recovery using biochemical-producing microbes. In specific embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise applying a bio surfactant-producing bacteria and/or a growth by-product thereof to an oil-producing site. In preferred embodiments, the bacteria is a strain of Bacillus in spore form. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise applying the bacteria with a yeast fermentation product, an alkaline compound, a polymer, a non-biological surfactant, and/or one or more chelating agents. Advantageously, the subject invention can be useful for stimulating the flow of oil from a well, as well as dissolving scale present in an oil-bearing formation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with a sub-nanosecond round trip time.

Abstract: A method and system for determining if an individual is impaired. In one embodiment, physical and cognitive testing of the individual are conducted in the field or at the scene of an event. The test results are compared to previously stored baseline test results taken for the specific individual while the individual is known to be in an unimpaired state or condition. The current test results are electronically compared to the baseline test results and if the results differ or deviate beyond a predetermined level or amount the individual is considered to be impaired. If no baseline test results exist for the specific individual, the current test results can alternatively be compared to previously determined or known scientifically accepted or minimums for the specific tests given to the individual.

Abstract: Methods are provided for cultivating fungi for scaled-up production of microbe-based products. Specifically, cultures of fungi, such as, e.g., Pisolithus tinctorius, are grown by aerobic submerged fermentation in liquid medium containing a particulate anchoring carrier to increase mycelial biomass.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing an aqueous solution into the electrochemical cell, applying a current across an anode and a cathode to produce a product, monitoring the voltage, dissolved hydrogen, or a condition of the aqueous solution, and reversing polarity of the anode and the cathode responsive to one of the measured parameters is disclosed. An electrochemical system including an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, a source of an aqueous solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the electrochemical cell, a sensor for measuring a parameter, and a controller configured to cause the anode and the cathode to reverse polarity responsive to the parameter measurement is disclosed. Methods of suppressing accumulation of hydrogen gas within the electrochemical cell are also disclosed. Methods of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implementations disclose a handoff feature for a content sharing platform. A method includes maintaining a session history of a session that occurred at a first client device, the session history identified by a visit identifier (ID) and comprising a set of recently consumed content items on a content sharing platform, determining that a user associated with the session is active on a second client device, transmitting, to the second client device, a session continuation notification associated with the visit ID and a navigation end-point of the session, receiving, from the second client device, a request for a content item corresponding to the navigation end-point of the session, and transmitting, to the second client device, instructions to load the content item and to request additional components of the content item using the visit ID.

Abstract: A method for programming a non-volatile memory structure with four-page data, wherein the method comprises, in a first stage, selecting four programmable states of a segment of MLC NAND-type memory cells, programming at least a first of the four programmable states with two pages of a four-page data at a first step voltage level, between programming at least two neighboring programmable states of the four programmable states, increasing the first step voltage level to a second step voltage level for a single program pulse and according to a pre-determined magnitude, and programming a latter of the at least two neighboring programmable states at the first step voltage level.

Abstract: In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for providing immersive entertainment experiences by coordinating the actions of connected home devices. For instance, in one example, a metadata file is encoded in a first signal. The metadata file contains data that indicates how to adjust a setting of a connected home device to synchronize a home system with a portion of a media. The first signal is then delivered to a customer device in communication with the connected home device.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for synthesizing 5?Capped RNAs wherein the initiating capped oligonucleotide primers have the general form m7Gppp[N2?Ome]n[N]m wherein m7G is N7-methylated guanosine or any guanosine analog, N is any natural, modified or unnatural nucleoside, “n” can be any integer from 0 to 4 and “m” can be an integer from 1 to 9.

Abstract: Compositions comprising unseparated amnion/chorion derived from the placenta and methods of preparing and using those compositions are provided. Washing or preservation of placental tissue according to the methods of the disclosure may allow for one or more benefits such as more efficient removal of blood remnants, retention of wound healing and tissue regeneration components, better handling characteristics, increased absorption potential, or improved healing capacity. The present invention also includes methods of healing a wound of the skin, eye, nerve, tendon, or dura comprising applying the compositions of the invention to the wound.