Abstract: Real-time pre-encoding dithering techniques mitigate or eliminate banding and other graphical artifacts in video frames prior to such video frames being encoded for transmission to and display by one or more client devices. For each of one or more input video frames, one or more random seeds and a frame identifier are received, and a dithering process is initiated for each of one or more pixels of the input video frame. The dithering process includes generating a YUV noise vector based on the random seeds and on the frame identifier, computing a YUV representation of the input pixel based on RGB color information for the input pixel, and generating a dithered output pixel by adding the generated YUV noise vector to the YUV representation of the input pixel.

Abstract: Soft and creamy lipid-based food fillings suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion are provided. In one approach, the filling includes about 30 to about 45 weight percent of an edible lipid having a melting point of about 45° C. or lower, about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a high oil-binding capacity material having an oil-binding capacity of at least about 100%, about 10 to about 30 weight percent of amorphous materials, and less than 30 weight percent sugar, sugar alcohol, or combinations thereof. The fillings generally have a particle size distribution with D50 of about 25 microns or less. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.45 or less and are substantially free of polyhydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohol-based humectants. The fillings maintain their soft and creamy texture after high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion, subsequent baking, and throughout storage.

Abstract: Soft and creamy lipid-based food fillings suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion are provided. In one approach, the filling includes about 30 to about 45 weight percent of an edible lipid having a melting point of about 45° C. or lower, about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a high oil-binding capacity material having an oil-binding capacity of at least about 100%, about 10 to about 30 weight percent of amorphous materials, and less than 30 weight percent sugar, sugar alcohol, or combinations thereof. The fillings generally have a particle size distribution with D50 of about 25 microns or less. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.45 or less and are substantially free of polyhydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohol-based humectants. The fillings maintain their soft and creamy texture after high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion, subsequent baking, and throughout storage.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods comprising CART cells with SHP-1 and/or SHP-2 genes knocked out.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a multi-texture, non-baked foodstuff having a first component with a first soluble solids ratio; and a second component with a second soluble solids ratio, wherein the second component is a non-baked foodstuff having at least 1% weight fraction of particulate matter having a particle size of about at least 100 ?m, including at least one setting agent and at least one texture-modifying particulate ingredient and having a gel strength of about at least 100 and a liquid weight fraction of about at least 35%.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a multi-texture, non-baked foodstuff having a first component with a first soluble solids ratio; and a second component with a second soluble solids ratio, wherein the second component is a non-baked foodstuff having at least 1% weight fraction of particulate matter having a particle size of about at least 100 ?m, including at least one setting agent and at least one texture-modifying particulate ingredient and having a gel strength of about at least 100 and a liquid weight fraction of about at least 35%.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing a user interface (UI) that allows a user to select an existing database having cloud storage volumes that contain historical data of one or more customers. A first command input on the UI replicates the existing database is to create one or more new databases. Each of the new databases has new cloud storage volumes created by taking a snapshot of a corresponding one of the volumes of the existing database. Each new database contains the historical data of the existing database such that a new set of databases results. A mapping algorithm is executed in a cloud-computing instance that maps the historical data of each of the one or more customers to produce a shard map. The mapping algorithm includes a round-robin partitioning of the historical data striped by date in a circular order across the new set of databases.

Abstract: Lipid-based, creamy food fillings are disclosed that are bake-stable up to a temperature of at least about 125° C. The creamy food fillings are particularly suitable for use in products that require the filling to be added prior to baking. In one aspect, the fillings are a solid-in-liquid dispersion having a dispersed solid phase including a hydrophilic powder and a high-melting lipid, as well as a continuous lipid phase including a low-melting lipid in which the hydrophilic powder and high-melting lipid are dispersed. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.5 or lower and are formed in the absence of additional humectants, thickening agents, or gelling agents.

Abstract: A shelf-stable acidified starch and cheese sauce meal is provided. In one aspect, the meal includes an acidified starch component having a pH of about 4.6 or below and a separate cheese-based sauce component having a pH between about 5.7 and about 6.2. The sauce component is to be combined with the acidified starch component when the meal is ready to be consumed. In another aspect, a buffering composition is blended into the separate cheese-based sauce component and includes blends of dibasic phosphate salts, monobasic phosphate salts, and an edible acid where the cheese-based sauce component has a total dry weight of phosphate salt between about 3 and about 5 percent.

Abstract: Anti-boil-over compositions and methods are provided that significantly reduce boil-over during microwave oven cooking of pasta relative similar pasta and water mixtures such that oversized containers are not required. Thus, when prepared using limited volume container, the container of cooked pasta appears full.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes of preparing structured polymer matrix using two or more simultaneous multiple acervation mechanisms. In addition, the methods described herein provide flexible processes for forming structured polymer matrices from nearly any combination of polymers, preferably, although not limited to, food polymers. The simultaneous application of two or more acervation mechanisms unexpectedly gives novel matrices having improved texture and/or process efficiency that are superior to the polymer matrices produced by acervation mechanisms conducted individually or sequentially.

Abstract: A creamy-textured, bake stable filling including: a liquid component and at least about 1 wt % microparticles, wherein the particle size of the microparticles is less than about 8 microns; and wherein the liquid component includes microparticles in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 30 wt % of the liquid component.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a multi-texture, non-baked foodstuff having a first component with a first soluble solids ratio; and a second component with a second soluble solids ratio, wherein the second component is a non-baked foodstuff having at least 1% weight fraction of particulate matter having a particle size of about at least 100 ?m, including at least one setting agent and at least one texture-modifying particulate ingredient and having a gel strength of about at least 100 and a liquid weight fraction of about at least 35%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to instant acidified milk beverages and methods for producing such instant acidified milk beverages. More specifically, the present invention provides a powdered composition which can be added to a liquid milk product with minimal mixing to produce an instant acidified milk beverage having a smooth texture. Even more specifically, the powdered composition includes at least one edible monobasic salt of polyprotonic acid. The powdered composition may include a buffer salt, and other optional ingredients such as sweetener, thickener, fiber, bulking agent, anti-caking agent, fruit juice solid, flavor, and colorant, etc.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing a multi-texture, non-baked foodstuff having a first component with a first soluble solids ratio; and a second component with a second soluble solids ratio, wherein the second component is a non-baked foodstuff having at least 1% weight fraction of particulate matter having a particle size of about at least 100 ?m, including at least one setting agent and at least one texture-modifying particulate ingredient and having a gel strength of about at least 100 and a liquid weight fraction of about at least 35%.

Abstract: Improved methods for potassium fortification in food products and the resulting potassium-fortified food products produced therefrom are provided. The methods of this invention allow significant levels of potassium fortification (i.e., greater than about 10 percent, and even up to about 50 percent, of the current U.S. Daily Values (DV) in a single serving) without the objectionable and unpleasant taste profile normally associated with current methods of potassium fortification.

Abstract: Lipid-based, creamy food fillings are disclosed that are bake-stable up to a temperature of at least about 125° C. The creamy food fillings are particularly suitable for use in products that require the filling to be added prior to baking. In one aspect, the fillings are a solid-in-liquid dispersion having a dispersed solid phase including a hydrophilic powder and a high-melting lipid, as well as a continuous lipid phase including a low-melting lipid in which the hydrophilic powder and high-melting lipid are dispersed. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.5 or lower and are formed in the absence of additional humectants, thickening agents, or gelling agents.

Abstract: Anti-boil-over compositions and methods are provided that significantly reduce boil-over during microwave oven cooking of pasta relative similar pasta and water mixtures such that oversized containers are not required. Thus, when prepared using limited volume container, the container of cooked pasta appears full.

Abstract: Lipid-based, creamy food fillings are disclosed that are bake-stable up to a temperature of at least about 125° C. The creamy food fillings are particularly suitable for use in products that require the filling to be added prior to baking. In one aspect, the fillings are a solid-in-liquid dispersion having a dispersed solid phase including a hydrophilic powder and a high-melting lipid, as well as a continuous lipid phase including a low-melting lipid in which the hydrophilic powder and high-melting lipid are dispersed. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.5 or lower and are formed in the absence of additional humectants, thickening agents, or gelling agents.

Abstract: Anti-boil-over compositions and methods are provided that significantly reduce boil-over during microwave oven cooking of pasta relative similar pasta and water mixtures such that oversized containers are not required. Thus, when prepared using limited volume container, the container of cooked pasta appears full.