Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method that includes contacting a surface of a first layer that includes a Group III element and a Group V element with a gas that includes HCl, where the first layer is positioned in thermal contact with a wafer positioned in a chamber of a reactor, and the contacting results in a roughening of the surface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve generating one or more of appearance guide and a positional guide and using one or more of the guides to synthesize a stylized image or animation. For example, a system obtains data indicating a target image and a style exemplar image. The system generates an appearance guide, a positional guide, or both from the target image and the style exemplar image. The system uses one or more of the guides to transfer a texture or style from the style exemplar image to the target image.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods predict visemes from an audio sequence. A viseme-generation application accesses a first set of training data that includes a first audio sequence representing a sentence spoken by a first speaker and a sequence of visemes. Each viseme is mapped to a respective audio sample of the first audio sequence. The viseme-generation application creates a second set of training data adjusting a second audio sequence spoken by a second speaker speaking the sentence such that the second and first sequences have the same length and at least one phoneme occurs at the same time stamp in the first sequence and in the second sequence. The viseme-generation application maps the sequence of visemes to the second audio sequence and trains a viseme prediction model to predict a sequence of visemes from an audio sequence.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve generating an appearance guide, a segmentation guide, and a positional guide and using one or more of the guides to synthesize a stylized image or animation. For example, a system obtains data indicating a target and a style exemplar image and generates a segmentation guide for segmenting the target image and the style exemplar image and identifying a feature of the target image and a corresponding feature of the style exemplar image. The system generates a positional guide for determining positions of the target feature and style feature relative to a common grid system. The system generates an appearance guide for modifying intensity levels and contrast values in the target image based on the style exemplar image. The system uses one or more of the guides to transfer a texture of the style feature to the corresponding target feature.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve automatically generating a layered animatable puppet using a content stream. For example, a system identifies various frames of a content stream that includes a character performing various gestures usable for generating a layered puppet. The system separates the various frames of the content stream into various individual layers. The system extracts a face of the character from the various individual layers and creates the layered puppet by combining the individual layers and using the face of the character. The system can output the layered puppet for animation to perform a gesture of the various gestures.

Abstract: Embodiments involve reducing collision-based defects in motion-stylizations. For example, a device obtains facial landmark data from video data. The facial landmark data includes a first trajectory traveled by a first point tracking one or more facial features, and a second trajectory traveled by a second point tracking one or more facial features. The device applies a motion-stylization to the facial landmark data that causes a first change to one or more of the first trajectory and the second trajectory. The device also identifies a new collision between the first and second points that is introduced by the first change. The device applies a modified stylization to the facial landmark data that causes a second change to one or more of the first trajectory and the second trajectory. If the new collision is removed by the second change, the device outputs the facial landmark data with the modified stylization applied.

Abstract: Embodiments involve reducing collision-based defects in motion-stylizations. For example, a device obtains facial landmark data from video data. The facial landmark data includes a first trajectory traveled by a first point tracking one or more facial features, and a second trajectory traveled by a second point tracking one or more facial features. The device applies a motion-stylization to the facial landmark data that causes a first change to one or more of the first trajectory and the second trajectory. The device also identifies a new collision between the first and second points that is introduced by the first change. The device applies a modified stylization to the facial landmark data that causes a second change to one or more of the first trajectory and the second trajectory. If the new collision is removed by the second change, the device outputs the facial landmark data with the modified stylization applied.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Each segment of multiple segments is associated with at least two data blocks of multiple data blocks. The segments are sequenced according to a unique stream index for one stream associated with multimedia content. The unique stream index for the one stream is assigned a main index that describes multiple streams for the multimedia content. The multiple streams include the one stream. A request for content of the multimedia content is received. The request specifies a data chunk, of the multiple data chunks, that denotes the requested content. The main index is analyzed with respect to the specified data chunk to determine the stream and segments and/or data blocks therein that encompass the requested content. The determined stream and segments and/or data blocks therein are transmitted over the communication network in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods and circuits for regulating the voltage of the isolated output of an isolated buck converter. Pursuant to a representative method, a parameter of the primary side of an isolated buck transformer is measured, wherein the parameter is dependent in part upon the output voltage on the secondary side of the transformer. The duty cycle of the isolated buck converter is set based at least in part on the value of the measured parameter.

Abstract: Presented herein are reactors for growing or depositing semiconductor films or devices. The reactors disclosed may be used for the production of III-V materials grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE).

Abstract: A method and device for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Data associated with multimedia content is received over the communication network. Portions of the data are processed into multiple data blocks. The multiple data blocks are associated with multiple segments by associating each segment with at least two data blocks of the multiple data blocks. The segments of the multiple segments are sequenced according to a stream index. The stream index is assigned to a main index that describes a set of streams for the multimedia content.

Abstract: Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.

Abstract: A method and system for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Live multimedia content is divided into multiple data chunks. Each generated data chunk: has a first chunk size, is associated with a respective portion of the live multimedia content, and is indexed according to a time associated with the live multimedia content such that each data chunk is associated with a unique time at which each data chunk begins. The data chunks having the first chunk size are stored as the data chunks having the first chunk size are being generated. The stored data chunks having the first chunk size, starting at the one stored data chunk, are converted to data chunks having a second chunk size that differs from the first chunk size. The data chunks having the second chunk size are directly transmitted to a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for subsequent transmission a client device.

Abstract: A method and associated device for streaming multimedia data over a communication network. Data associated with live multimedia content is received. Portions of the data are processed into data chunks. Each data chunk is associated with the live multimedia content. A request is received for the live multimedia content. The data chunks associated with the live multimedia content are transmitted over the communication network, in response to the request for the live multimedia content.

Abstract: Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.

Abstract: An intubation aid (10) for insertion into an endotracheal tube (30) has a cross-sectional shape having at least one vertex defining a longitudinally extending edge. The intubation aid (10) is supported within the endotracheal tube (30), in use, by the longitudinally extending edge.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve automatically generating a layered animatable puppet using a content stream. For example, a system identifies various frames of a content stream that includes a character performing various gestures usable for generating a layered puppet. The system separates the various frames of the content stream into various individual layers. The system extracts a face of the character from the various individual layers and creates the layered puppet by combining the individual layers and using the face of the character. The system can output the layered puppet for animation to perform a gesture of the various gestures.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve generating an appearance guide, a segmentation guide, and a positional guide and using one or more of the guides to synthesize a stylized image or animation. For example, a system obtains data indicating a target and a style exemplar image and generates a segmentation guide for segmenting the target image and the style exemplar image and identifying a feature of the target image and a corresponding feature of the style exemplar image. The system generates a positional guide for determining positions of the target feature and style feature relative to a common grid system. The system generates an appearance guide for modifying intensity levels and contrast values in the target image based on the style exemplar image. The system uses one or more of the guides to transfer a texture of the style feature to the corresponding target feature.

Abstract: Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Medical Devices The present invention relates to medical devices and methods of manufacturing medical devices. The application describes method of manufacturing a medical device where at least one insert (20,22) is provided with a first sheath including an inner sheath body (24) and one or more sheath projections (26), such that the insert (20,22) and the first sheath can be supported by the one or more sheath projections (24) within a mould chamber, and a second sheath (28) is injection moulded about the inner sheath body (24) and the at least one insert (20,22), between the one or more sheath projections (26).

Abstract: Methods for forming interdigitated back contact solar cells from III-V materials are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a method includes depositing a patterned Zn layer to cover first areas of an n-type emitter region, wherein the emitter region comprises a III-V material, and forming a passivated back contact region by counter-doping the first areas of the emitter region by diffusing Zn from the patterned Zn layer into the first areas of the emitter region, such that the first areas of the emitter region become p-type.