Abstract: A system includes a resource database that stores resource information representing solutions to a plurality customer inquiries and a destination database that stores destination information identifying a plurality of online forums available via a communications network. Each online forum includes a thread having at least one user post. The system further includes a language processor in communication with the resource database and the destination database. The language processor associates the at least one user post with at least one of the plurality of customer inquiries and selects from the resource database at least one solution to the customer inquiry identified. The language processor further generates a new post in the online forum with content from the resource information responsive to the customer inquiry associated with the at least one user post.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for capturing specific cell types from a mixture in a liquid suspension of cells are provided. Targeted magnetic nanoparticles of the invention can be utilized to isolate, quantify, and characterize circulating tumor cells from complex body fluids, such as blood. The magnetic nanoparticles are releasable after targeted cells have been isolated, leaving the cells in a viable state for characterization and growth in culture. The targeted magnetic nanoparticles are fabricated using surface-functionalized super paramagnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated in a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer to form microparticles. The microparticles are rendered target-selective by additional coatings of gelatin and gold nanoparticles which are derivatized with a targeting ligand specific for a targeted cell type.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a community portal for chat-based support services. Chat sessions corresponding to customer support service are established among multiple users and one or more agents. A community of the users is created during the chat sessions.

Abstract: User configurable wearable devices are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a wearable device including a flexible band having an outer surface. The flexible band may be formed into a loop and worn on a user or an object. A plurality of male interface components may be disposed on the outer surface. Each male interface component may comprise a protrusion dimensioned to be capable of insertion within a female interface component of an object, such as a building block, to mechanically attach the object with the flexible band. In some embodiments, each of the male interface components may be separated from each other by at least a common or standard distance, such as the distance defined between two adjacent female interface components of the object. Furthermore, adjacent male interface components may be separated by the standard distance for interfacing with adjacent female interface components of an object.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to efficiently implement user designs in programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a design identifying operations to be performed by a PLD. The computer-implemented method also includes synthesizing the design into a plurality of PLD components. In the computer-implemented method, the synthesizing includes detecting an incrementer-multiplier operation in the design and merging an incrementer portion of the incrementer-multiplier operation with a multiplier portion of the incrementer-multiplier operation to reduce the plurality of PLD components.

Abstract: A system may initiate a chat session between a first user device and a second user device, may receive a desired attribute associated with a multimedia item, and may provide information associated with multimedia items based on the desired attribute. The system may receive a selection of information associated with a multimedia item, may provide the multimedia item to the first user device based on the selection, and may enable the first user device to share the multimedia item with the second user device via the chat session. The system may receive an annotation to the multimedia item to generate an annotated multimedia item, and may enable the first user device and the second user device to share the annotated multimedia item via the chat session.

Abstract: An example system and method for multicast flow reordering in a network is provided and includes receiving a data packet at an egress of a node, the data packet associated with a descriptor including at least one parameter; determining the at least one parameter of the descriptor; and processing the data packet for reordering based on the determining of the at least on parameter of the descriptor.

Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame that has upper tubes spaced apart from each other; and an inlay spaced between the upper tubes. The frame of the bicycle may further include a pair of tubes spaced apart by the upper tubes. The inlay may extend between the pair of tubes. The inlay may be comprised of wood.

Abstract: A step size controller may be used to control the rate of adaptation in an acoustic echo canceller. Step size control based on the values of adaptive coefficients (rather than, e.g., a fixed initial adaptation period) provides improved reliability and resistance to disruption. Accordingly, features are disclosed for controlling step size based on the values of adaptive coefficients.

Abstract: An echo path change detector may be used to control the rate of adaptation in an acoustic echo canceller. When echo path change is declared, the rate of adaptation may be increased. However, echo path change should not be declared in the presence of double talk, because rapid adaptation during double talk is undesirable. Accordingly, various features are disclosed for detecting echo path changes while avoiding the declaration of such changes in the presence of double talk.

Abstract: An example system and method for multicast flow reordering in a network is provided and includes receiving a data packet at an egress of a node, the data packet associated with a descriptor including at least one parameter; determining the at least one parameter of the descriptor; and processing the data packet for reordering based on the determining of the at least on parameter of the descriptor.

Abstract: A number of ports are configured in a linecard in a network device as dedicated ports and a remaining number of ports as shared ports. A total bandwidth allocated to the dedicated ports is computed. It is determined that available bandwidth at a central crossbar is greater than the total bandwidth allocated to the dedicated ports. The total data sent the central crossbar is rate limited to less than the available bandwidth at the central crossbar. First data associated with the dedicated ports is scheduled to the central crossbar using a first priority. Second data associated with the shared ports is scheduled using a second priority. A shared port data is scheduled based on a ration of a bandwidth requirement for the shared port as a fraction of overall bandwidth requirement for the shared ports.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a frequency offset compensation technique for use by a multi-carrier receiver. Compared with legacy receiver designs, the technique introduces a new function which correlates various frequency offsets of the different carriers involved in multi-carrier signal transmission and reception. This new function can be coupled with an Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) function which can then utilize the correlation information provided by the new function to achieve significantly better frequency error/offset estimation when the carriers are correlated.

Abstract: An approach is provided for chat-based crisis management services. A crisis situation is recognized based on one or more events. Individuals needed for crisis management are identified and a bridge communication channel for a plurality of the identified individuals is facilitated. Data is shared among the identified individuals that participate in a chat session on the bridged communication channel. Dated exchanged among the participants is stored during the chat session. Access to the stored chat data is provided to the participants.

Abstract: A virtual service center is provided to a customer visiting the service provider website. The customer can take an avatar and proceed to collect a token number and wait for chat session service in a virtual lounge to partake in various interactive options. The number of the current serving number is displayed so that the customer knows the position in the queue. The waiting lounge can include a virtual kiosk to provide the customer with self service while waiting.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managed instant communication (or chat)-based customer support services. Data communication is received, at a customer service platform, from a customer requesting assistance. An instant communication session is established between the customer and an agent at the customer service platform. Speech-to-text conversion operation is activated for the agent, wherein the agent corresponds during the instant communication session by speech. Agent speech correspondence is converted during the instant communication session to text data. Agent correspondence is transmitted to the customer as text data.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing an integrated call and chat conferencing system. A first participant joins in a conference, wherein the first participant communicates over a voice session. The voice session is converted into a text stream and stored. A second participant joins in the conference, wherein the second participant communicates over a chat session. The stored converted text stream is presented to second participant.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and treating Mycobacterium-related diseases including reducing Mycobacterial virulence, reducing RV3133c dimerization, and treating a subject with a Mycobacterial infection using identified compounds are disclosed. Examples of compounds useful in the treatment of Mycobacterium-related diseases include N-(4-[(acetylamino)sulfonyl]phenyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; 1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-imino-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-1yl)ethanone hydrochloride; and 1-(1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-3-({4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfonyl]phenyl}amino)acrylaldehyde. Further disclosed are methods for identifying agents that interact with a polypeptide in a Mycobacterium cell.

Abstract: A user device may display, via a graphical user interface, questions associated with a voice menu that is used by an interactive voice response (IVR) system to forward calls. The user device may obtain, via the graphical user interface, user responses to the questions. In addition, the user device may send information corresponding to the user responses to the questions to a remote device. The remote device may query the IVR system to identify a call agent, in a call center, whose profile matches the information, obtain contact information of the call agent from the IVR system, and send the contact information to the user device. Furthermore, the user device may receive the contact information from the remote device and display the contact information via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a managed chat session. An agent establishes a chat session with a user for customer support. Information from the user is received via the chat session, wherein the information is used to determine customized content to be presented to the user over the chat session for duration of the chat session.