Abstract: There is disclosed a system for transmitting data to users. The system includes nodes interconnected by at least one data network. The nodes are organized hierarchically to comprise a root node and at least two child nodes. The data transmission characteristics of communication with each of the child nodes are different. The root node is configured to: receive data transmission preferences of a particular user; receive data to be transmitted to the particular user; and transmit a selected subset of the data to at least one of the child nodes. The subset selected based on at least the received data transmission preferences and the data transmission characteristics, to permit the particular user to obtain data from the child nodes according to the data transmission preferences. The at least one of the child nodes being configured to: receive data from the root node; and transmit at least part of the received data to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing adaptive learning activities, such as exercises, quizzes, tests, examination, learning assessment tools, and other learning activities. A first aspect involves the system providing a progressive learning activity, where a question associated with a first step is presented to a user. If the user responds to the question incorrectly, the system presents the user another question associated with the first step. If the user responds correctly, the system presents the user another question associated with a second step. The questions get progressively more difficult as the user completes steps. A second aspect involves the system presenting a list of topics for review by the user based on responding to a single question or multiple questions. A third aspect involves the system generating a quiz based on one or more parameters selected by a user or based on a learning progress indicator of the user.

Abstract: Provided is an object detecting method and apparatus, the apparatus configured to extract a frame image and a motion vector from a video, generate an integrated feature vector based on the frame image and the motion vector, and detect an object included in the video based on the integrated feature vector.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-aminobutyrate, putrescine or 1,4-butanediol by forming one or two terminal functional groups, comprised of amine or hydroxyl group, in a C5 backbone substrate such as 2-oxoglutarate or L-glutamate.

Abstract: This document describes materials and methods for, for example, producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid using a ?-ketothiolase or synthase and an alcohol O-acetyltransferase to form a 6-acetyloxy-3-oxohexanoyl-CoA intermediate. This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid using a ?-ketothiolase or synthase and an alcohol O-acetyltransferase to form a 6-acetyloxy-3-oxohexanoyl-CoA intermediate. 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid can be enzymatically converted to adipic acid, caprolactam, 6-aminohexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine or 1,6-hexanediol. This document also describes recombinant hosts producing 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid as well as adipic acid, caprolactam, 6-aminohexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine and 1,6-hexanediol.

Abstract: This disclosure describes nontoxic cushion mats and methods of making and using them. Nontoxic CorkiBoo mixtures composed of cork granules and bamboo, cotton, or polyester fibers, and methods of making the mixtures are disclosed. Cushions mats are constructed using single layers of CorkiBoo mixtures, or multiple layers of cushion sheets composed of one or more types of cork granules, bamboo, cotton, or polyester fibers, CorkiBoo mixtures, or blends of them. The hardness level of each of the cushion layers is determined in advance. Covers can be used to enclose the cushions. The cushion mats can be modular or non-modular. For modular cushion mats, the modules can be connected using enclosing covers attached with snaps or hook-and-loop strips. Modules of the cushion mats can be used to assemble 3-dimensional polygons, which may be used as toys or temporary portable cribs.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems, devices, and methods for distributing pre-fetch data. A parent node obtains pre-fetch data comprising at least one of: i) data expected to be of interest to a particular user, pre-fetched by the parent node from at least one data source; and (ii) at least one identifier identifying data expected to be of interest to the particular user, for pre-fetching the identified data at a child node. The parent node selects first and second subsets of the pre-fetch data for transmission, respectively, to first and second child nodes, the selecting based on at least a predicted future location of the particular user and a respective geographic location of the first and second child nodes; and transmits the first and second subsets of the pre-fetch data, respectively, to the first and second child nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of disaggregating and detecting energy usage associated with electric vehicle charging from a whole-house consumption signal. In general, methods of the present invention may include: identifying by an electronic processor potential interval candidates of electric vehicle charging, based at least in part upon long and decreasing patterns; determining by the electronic processor intervals associated with the charging of an electric vehicle, based at least in part on evaluating each potential interval candidate; determining by the electronic processor an initial point of charging for each interval associated with the charging of an electric vehicle; and accounting by the electronic processor for feedback of any incorrectly detected signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the Transporting of Fibre Channel data over Ethernet are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, Fibre Channel data frame and primitive signals are transported over Ethernet instead of using the Fibre Channel FC-1 and FC-0 protocols. This allows less expensive Ethernet equipment and devices to transport and perform services for Fibre Channel connected devices without having a physical Fibre Channel interface. The ability to provide Fibre Channel services and functions without having a physical Fibre Channel interface allows existing Ethernet equipment to be placed into service as SAN components without modification.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for validating whether an interfering communications signal has been encountered by a node in a wireless communications network due to signals transmitted by a node operating in another wireless communications network. The wireless communications networks may operate as directional wireless communications networks. Signals transmitted by a node may include an indicator which is associated with a particular node or wireless link. The indicator or information used to generate the indicator may be provided to a third party such as a network operator or regulator. If a received signal includes an interfering signal transmitted by another node, a report of the interfering signal is validated by sending the indicator included in the signal to the third party to check against indicators of transmitting nodes.

Abstract: A plasma processing system for generating plasma to process a wafer. The plasma processing system includes a set of top coils for initiating the plasma, a set of side coils for affecting distribution of the plasma, and a chamber structure for containing the plasma. The chamber structure includes a chamber wall and a dielectric member. The dielectric member includes a top, a vertical wall, and a flange. The top is connected through the vertical wall to the flange, and is connected through the vertical wall and the flange to the chamber wall. The set of top coils is disposed above the top. The set of side coils surrounds the vertical wall. A vertical inner surface of the vertical wall is configured to be exposed to the plasma. The inner diameter of the vertical wall is smaller than the inner diameter of the chamber wall.

Abstract: A condom is disclosed having a foraminous side wall having a plurality of openings for enhancing sensation and encouraging usage.

Abstract: Antenna systems and methods for Massive Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) (M-MIMO) communication are provided. Antennas systems include a M-MIMO transmitter architecture with a hybrid matrix structure. The hybrid matrix structure protects against transmit path component failures and ensures that a spatial rate of the MIMO transmitter is not degraded by the failures. Antenna systems and methods also include antenna selection schemes for selecting a subset of antennas from a plurality of antennas to transmit to a receiver.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of an automatically started engine are described. In one example, engine speed is adjusted to a sole run-up speed and, held at the desired engine run-up speed for a desired period, before being ramped to an idle speed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus request web pages and content rating information thereof have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a user for a web page, retrieving content rating of the web page in response to the request, and fetching the web page substantially simultaneously with the retrieving of the content rating in response to the request. Other embodiments have been claimed and described.

Abstract: In one aspect, a content item presentation server sends, to a first client of the server, browser-executable instructions implementing a presentation application. The instructions are configured to present, at the first client, at least a portion of a content item in the presentation application with at least one user control of the presentation application for navigating the content item in a particular manner disabled. After sending the instructions, the server receives, from a second client of the server, a first command to navigate the content item in the particular manner. In response to receiving the first command, the server sends, to the first client, a second command to navigate the content item in the particular manner thereby causing the presentation application to automatically navigate, at the first client, the content item in the particular manner.

Abstract: A patient temperature control catheter (10) includes working fluid supply (16) and return (18) lumens through which working fluid circulates to exchange heat with a patient in whom the catheter is positioned. At least one lumen is defined by plural coils (32) axially spaced from each other. At least a first coil is a large coil that inflates with working fluid to seat against a wall of a blood vessel in which the catheter is positioned, with blood flowing through the coil so as not to block blood flow in the vessel. Alternate centering structures (116) are disclosed.