Abstract: A system for emotionally enhancing dialogue includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing a software code including a predictive model. The processing hardware is configured to execute the software code to receive dialogue data identifying an utterance for use by a digital character in a conversation, analyze, using the dialogue data, an emotionality of the utterance at multiple structural levels of the utterance, and supplement the utterance with one or more emotional attributions, using the predictive model and the emotionality of the utterance at the multiple structural levels, to provide one or more candidate emotionally enhanced utterance(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, functionalized chromophoric polymer dots comprising a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic cap, and bioconjugates thereof. Also provided are improved methods for preparing functionalized chromophoric polymer dots. Methods for in vivo imaging and molecular labeling are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a self-watering pot base comprises a pot base, a lid and at least one absorbent. The lid is removably coupled to the pot to form an accommodation space, the lid comprises at least one leaking hole and at least one absorbent hole. The at least one absorbent passes through the at least one absorbent hole to reach the accommodation space. A method of using the aforementioned self-watering pot base is also disclosed, comprising coupling the lid and the pot base; and locating a fabric pot onto the lid.

Abstract: A reusable activated carbon filter is disclosed. It comprises: an outer mesh hollow cylinder, having a plurality of meshes formed thereon; an inner mesh hollow cylinder, having a plurality of meshes formed thereon, located inside the outer mesh hollow cylinder; two fixing rings, each having a plurality of long curved openings and a plurality of fixing holes, and fixing the outer mesh hollow cylinder and the inner mesh hollow cylinder at the same end; two flexible padding rings, each having a plurality of fixing protrusions, and detachably padding the long curved openings of one of the fixing rings with one fixing protrusion plugged in one corresponding fixing hole; a top connector, removably connected to one fixing ring, having a connecting opening for connecting to an inline fan; and a bottom cover, connected to the other fixing ring. Activated carbon granules are filled between the two mesh hollow cylinders.

Abstract: The present application discloses a self-watering pot base comprises a pot base, a lid and at least one absorbent. The lid is removably coupled to the pot to form an accommodation space, the lid comprises at least one leaking hole and at least one absorbent hole. The at least one absorbent passes through the at least one absorbent hole to reach the accommodation space. A method of using the aforementioned self-watering pot base is also disclosed, comprising coupling the lid and the pot base; and locating a fabric pot onto the lid.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) receiving, from a transportation requestor device, a request for transportation that comprises a transportation stop at a location next to a street, (ii) matching, by a dynamic transportation matching system, the transportation requestor device with a transportation provider, and (iii) improving, by the dynamic transportation matching system, a value of fulfilling the request by (a) determining that a near side of the street is closer to the location of the transportation stop than a far side of the street, (b) mapping, based on the determination that the near side of the street is closer to the location of the transportation stop, a driving route that traverses the street, and (c) directing the transportation provider to fulfill the request for transportation by traversing the driving route. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) receiving, by a dynamic transportation matching system, a request for transportation between initial waypoints, (ii) calculating, by the dynamic transportation matching system, a value metric for an initial driving route between the initial waypoints (iii) calculating a value metric for a walk-enabled driving route that comprises at least one alternate waypoint that is within a predetermined walking range of one of the initial waypoints, and (iv) improving, by the dynamic transportation matching system, a value of fulfilling the request for transportation by determining that a difference between the value metric of the walk-enabled driving route and the value metric of the initial driving route satisfies a walking-value threshold and selecting, based on the determination that the difference satisfies the walking-value threshold, the walk-enabled driving route for fulfilling the request for transportation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packet processing device and method. A parsing processor provides instruction-driven content inspection of network packets at 10-Gbps and above with a parsing engine that executes parsing instructions. A flow state unit maintains statefulness of packet flows to allow content inspection across several related network packets. A state-graph unit traces state-graph nodes to keyword indications and/or parsing instructions. The parsing instructions can be derived from a high-level application to emulate user-friendly parsing logic. The parsing processor sends parsed packets to a network processor unit for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packet processing device and method. A parsing processor provides instruction-driven content inspection of network packets at 10-Gbps and above with a parsing engine that executes parsing instructions. A flow state unit maintains statefulness of packet flows to allow content inspection across several related network packets. A state-graph unit traces state-graph nodes to keyword indications and/or parsing instructions. The parsing instructions can be derived from a high-level application to emulate user-friendly parsing logic. The parsing processor sends parsed packets to a network processor unit for further processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein only a partial key is stored in a hashing table is disclosed. By storing a partial key as opposed to storing the entire original key, less data is required to be stored in the hash table. This reduces the attendant memory costs. The reduction in memory requirement does not degrade the hash functionalities whatsoever. Hashing conflicts can be fully resolved by consulting the partial key.

Abstract: A method for sampling n-out-of-N packets in a network. Initially, the packet index corresponding to the N packets is pseudo-randomly shuffled. The shuffle function rearranges a set of numbers pseudo-randomly with a one-to-one mapping and no overlap. One way to perform the pseudo-random shuffle function is to use a linear feedback shift register (LFSR). The LFSR supports N being a power of two. However, the LFSR approach can be adapted to support N being any positive integer value. Based on the results of the shuffle function, sampling points are pseudo-randomly selected. By pseudo-randomly selecting the sample points, n-out-of-N sampling greatly minimizes biases.

Abstract: A data exchange system includes at least one transmitting agent, at least one receiving agent, and a plurality of data links each having a crossbar coupling respective transmitting agents and receiving agents. A stream of data packets including at least one Order Critical Flow of data packets having a critical order to be sent from the transmitting agent to the receiving agent is divided for transmission among the plurality of data links. Multiple Order Critical Flows between the transmitting agent and the receiving agent are possible and the packets within such Order Critical Flows can be intermixed for transmission (along with packets from other Non-Order Critical Flows).

Abstract: A data exchange system includes at least one transmitting agent, at least one receiving agent, and a plurality of data links each having a crossbar coupling respective transmitting agents and receiving agents. A stream of data packets including at least one Order Critical Flow of data packets having a critical order to be sent from the transmitting agent to the receiving agent is divided for transmission among the plurality of data links. Multiple Order Critical Flows between the transmitting agent and the receiving agent are possible and the packets within such Order Critical Flows can be intermixed for transmission (along with packets from other Non-Order Critical Flows).

Abstract: The temperature of heated exhaust gases from a gas turbine is increased to value sufficient to vaporize fog oil to form smoke. The turbine itself is unmodified and requires no bleed air control valve at the air inlet to the compressor to regulate exhaust gas temperature.