Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining an intent of a user from an utterance of the user. The system initially builds an intent determination model using a plurality of sample utterances, each assigned with at least one intent class. That is, on receiving the sample utterances, the system extracts significant word pairs from each sample utterance, computes a distinction factor of each significant word pairs, computes a Positive Probability and a Negative Probability for each significant word pairs, and generates the intent determination model by storing each significant word pairs and its distinction factor, the Positive Probability and the Negative Probability. Then on receiving any new utterance, the system extracts significant word pairs, identifies one or more matching word pairs in the model and determines the intent of based on the distinction factor, Positive Probability, and the Negative Probability of the one or more matched word pairs.

Abstract: A method at a network element for attestation of applications, the method including sending a challenge to an application at an electronic device; receiving a response from the electronic device; processing the response; and upon determining that the response is invalid based on the processing, taking an enforcement action against the application.

Abstract: A method at a network element for attestation of applications, the method including sending a challenge to an application at an electronic device; receiving a response from the electronic device; processing the response; and upon determining that the response is invalid based on the processing, taking an enforcement action against the application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleansing composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable aqueous medium: (a) at least a film-forming starch, (b) at least one cationic polymer, (c) at least one surfactant, (d) at least a soap. The present invention also relates to a process for cleansing the skin, which consists in applying to the said skin said composition, eventually with water, in working the said composition into a foam and then in rinsing off the said composition.

Abstract: An optical switch including a bistable component, a reflective component, the reflective component being operatively connected to the bistable component, a first electrothermal bent beam actuator, a first contacting component operatively connected to the first electrothermal bent beam actuator component, the first electrothermal bent beam actuator component and the first contacting component disposed such as to enable advancing the bistable component the reflective component from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, a second electrothermal bent beam actuator component and a second contacting component operatively connected to the second electrothermal bent beam actuator component, the second electrothermal bent beam actuator component and the second contacting component disposed such as to enable advancing the bistable component and the reflective component from the second stable configuration to the first stable configuration.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that creates a high shear rate in a workpiece using a head including a ring-shaped rotatable shoulder, a first pin and a second pin, both pins extending downwardly relative to the shoulder. The process includes coupling the workpiece to a table and rotating the first pin and the second pin in the same direction, wherein the first pin has a diameter, wherein a gap between the first pin and the second pin is less than the diameter. The head is plowed through the workpiece with the shoulder bearing downwardly against the workpiece and the first and second pin disposed in the first and second workpieces. The first pin rotates in a direction opposite the direction of the second pin in the gap to create a high shear rate of the workpiece within the gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing ultra-fine grained magnesium metal alloy material sheets. The apparatus molds and rapidly solidifies a metal alloy material to form a fine grain precursor. The precursor is then subjected to deformation strains that alter the grain structure of the precursor so as to form a ultra fine grained structure in sheet form. The sheet form may then be subjected to superplastic forming to form a net shaped article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing ultra-fine grained metal material sheets. The apparatus molds and rapidly solidifies a metal material to form a fine grain precursor. The precursor is then subjected to a series of successive alternating tensile and compressive strains that alter the grain structure of the precursor so as to form a ultra fine grained structure in sheet form. The sheet form may then be subjected to superplastic forming to form a net shaped article.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that creates a high shear rate in a workpiece using a head including a ring-shaped rotatable shoulder, a first pin and a second pin, both pins extending downwardly relative to the shoulder. The process includes coupling the workpiece to a table and rotating the first pin and the second pin in the same direction, wherein the first pin has a diameter, wherein a gap between the first pin and the second pin is less than the diameter. The head is plowed through the workpiece with the shoulder bearing downwardly against the workpiece and the first and second pin disposed in the first and second workpieces. The first pin rotates in a direction opposite the direction of the second pin in the gap to create a high shear rate of the workpiece within the gap.

Abstract: Work item rules for a work item tracking system are provided. Work item rules may be accessible, usable and subject to interpretation by multiple software entities. Further, work item rules may be configured to be subject to creation and change by users, for example, by exposure to users through a user interface. A work item rule may specify an identifier by which the abstraction can be identified and/or a name, and may specify, or be indicative of, a condition and an action to be taken if the condition is satisfied. In response to a first user action affecting a first work item rule, one or more work item rules corresponding to the first user and/or the first work item may be determined. The one or more work item rules then may be interpreted, and the user action responded to based on the interpretation.

Abstract: Techniques for improving operating system performance are provided. A subsystem of an operating system operates as a kernel mode component, such as a kernel mode driver, instead of operating as a user mode component.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling inter-subsystem resource sharing are provided. The techniques include providing an RPC client on a first subsystem for acting as a proxy for a resource of a second subsystem. When the first subsystem receives a request from an application to access the resource, the RPC client may invoke a function of an RPC server associated with the second subsystem. The RPC server may load the resource on the second subsystem. The RPC client may then act as a proxy for the resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of obtaining a xylanase, said process comprising: providing a protein-containing extract of a transplastomic plant tissue comprising plastids transformed with a polynucleotide encoding said xylanase, said extract having been subjected to heat treatment that has denatured at least some of the protein content of said tissue but under which the xylanase has remained stable; and recovering said xylanase from said extract.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus is provided for a semiconductor wafer, which includes a light source, a body containing the light source, and an illumination optical system for directing light from the light source to the semiconductor wafer. A holder in the body holds a reticle and a zero layer reticle is disposed between the illumination optical system and the light source for masking light from the light source. The zero layer reticle has a pellicle frame and a pellicle film with a zero layer image placement indicator thereon.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus is provided for a semiconductor wafer, which includes a light source, a body containing the light source, and an illumination optical system for directing light from the light source to the semiconductor wafer. A holder in the body holds a reticle and a zero layer reticle is disposed between the illumination optical system and the light source for masking light from the light source. The zero layer reticle has a pellicle frame and a pellicle film with a zero layer image placement indicator thereon.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of nontoxinogenic V. cholerae strain and a process for preparing a cholera vaccine from said V. cholerae strain, said process comprising (a) isolating V. cholerae from the stool of a patient suffering from cholera by spreading the stool on a selector medium specific for V. cholerae, (b) separating the non-toxinogenic V. cholerae strain from the population of the V. cholerae strains isolated in step (a), and (c) incorporating immunogenic cholera toxin (ctx) B subunit gene into the chromosome of the strain by conventional methods to produce the vaccine.