Abstract: Systems and methods for providing push notifications of social network content items include determining first and second engagement values for first and second content items, respectively, provided by first and second content item sources, respectively, based on previous interactions with content items. First and second utility values are determined for the first and second content items, respectively, based on a mathematical operation applied to the first and second engagement values, respectively, the first and second selection metrics, respectively, and, for the first utility value, the value metric. One of the first and second content items are determined as a push content item based on a difference between the first and second utility values and displayed on a user device.

Abstract: A system and method for the federation of content items of a social network based on personalized relevance includes obtaining content items from first and second content item sources. Profile data for a member of the social network is obtained from the electronic data storage. A relevance score of the content item to the profile data of the member is determined for each of the content items. A utility value is determined based on the selection value, the value metric for content items from the first content item source, and the relevance score. A user device associated with the member displays the content items based on their respective utility values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing push notifications of social network content items include determining first and second engagement values for first and second content items, respectively, provided by first and second content item sources, respectively, based on previous interactions with content items. First and second utility values are determined for the first and second content items, respectively, based on a mathematical operation applied to the first and second engagement values, respectively, the first and second selection metrics, respectively, and, for the first utility value, the value metric. One of the first and second content items are determined as a push content item based on a difference between the first and second utility values and displayed on a user device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for federating social network content items include determining an engagement value for content items based on previous interactions with content items from first and second content item sources stored in an electronic data storage, certain content items having selection metrics and value metrics according to varying selection schemas and a value schema. A utility value is generated for each of the at least some of the content items, the utility value including an engagement component and a monetary component. A user device displays the content items in an order based on the utility values.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ranking adjustment of federated content items in a social network include causing content items from a first content item source to be selectively displayed on a user interface, the content items form the first content item source being ranked according to a first ranking schema. Content items from a second content item source are displayed on the user interface based, at least in part, on a ranking according to a second ranking schema. Activity data related to interactions with the content items are obtained from the first content item source. A utility value adjustment to be applied to the first ranking schema is determined based on the activity data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blending content items in a social network include identifying at least one content item type for each of a plurality of content items stored in an electronic data storage. A utility value is determined individually for each of the content items, based, at least in part, on an engagement value and a monetary value of each of the content items. The content items are ranked according to the utility values and blending concepts to obtain a ranking. The content items are displayed on a user interface according to the ranking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing diversity of content items of a social network includes determining a utility score individually for each of a plurality of content items. The plurality of content items are ranked according to their individually determined utility scores. At least some of the plurality of content items are assigned to positions in a user interface according to the rank. The assigning of positions is iteratively adjusted according to a diversity criterion. A user interface displays the at least some of the plurality of content items according to the positions as iteratively adjusted.

Abstract: A system and method for the relevance driven aggregation of content items in a social network includes obtaining, with a processor, from each of a plurality of content item sources, at least some of a plurality of content items of the plurality of content item sources. An aggregated content item is made up of a set of the plurality of content items is generated based, at least in part, on a utility value of each of the some of the plurality of content items. A utility value of the aggregated content item is determined. A user interface displays the aggregated content item based on the utility value of the aggregated content item.

Abstract: A rotary knife assembly includes a rotatable core and a plurality of knife blades extending from the rotatable core. A heating element is coupled with the plurality of knife blades, and the heating element is configured to heat the knife blades. One or more package guides are interposed between each of the plurality of knife blades configured to engage along one or more deformable packages as the rotatable core is rotated. In another example, a discharge assembly includes a conveyor belt including inner and outer belt surfaces, and a plurality of belt rows extending along a belt length. A plurality of package spacing ridges each include outer engaging edges, and one package spacing ridge of the plurality is positioned between each of the plurality of belt rows. The outer belt surface is recessed from the outer engaging edges.

Abstract: Methods for identifying insurance product offerings from different insurers to present to a user are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving user information for a user seeking an insurance product offering, and identifying, based on the user information, at least one insurance product offering from at least one of the plurality of insurers to provide for display in a prioritized insurance policy presentation. The method also includes providing the identification of the at least one insurance product offering from the at least one of the plurality of insurers for display in the prioritized insurance policy presentation. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A rotary knife assembly includes a rotatable core and a plurality of knife blades extending from the rotatable core. A heating element is coupled with the plurality of knife blades, and the heating element is configured to heat the knife blades. One or more package guides are interposed between each of the plurality of knife blades configured to engage along one or more deformable packages as the rotatable core is rotated. In another example, a discharge assembly includes a conveyor belt including inner and outer belt surfaces, and a plurality of belt rows extending along a belt length. A plurality of package spacing ridges each include outer engaging edges, and one package spacing ridge of the plurality is positioned between each of the plurality of belt rows. The outer belt surface is recessed from the outer engaging edges.

Abstract: A rotary knife assembly includes a rotatable core and a plurality of knife blades extending from the rotatable core. A heating element is coupled with the plurality of knife blades, and the heating element is configured to heat the knife blades. One or more package guides are interposed between each of the plurality of knife blades configured to engage along one or more deformable packages as the rotatable core is rotated. In another example, a discharge assembly includes a conveyor belt including inner and outer belt surfaces, and a plurality of belt rows extending along a belt length. A plurality of package spacing ridges each include outer engaging edges, and one package spacing ridge of the plurality is positioned between each of the plurality of belt rows. The outer belt surface is recessed from the outer engaging edges.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders.

Abstract: A projectile formed from dissimilar materials. The projectile includes a metallurgical interlayer that joins the dissimilar materials together. The metallurgical interlayer also matches the shock impedance of the two materials to prevent delamination during launch and during impact.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders.