Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems that enable automatic recognition of the meaning, sentiment, and intent of an Internet meme. An Internet meme refers to a digitized image, video, or sound that is a unit of cultural information, carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme, and is generally known and understood by members of a particular culture. The disclosed methods include automatic identification of a meme template and automatic detection of the sentiment and relationships between entities in the meme. The methods provide the determination of a meme's meaning as intended by its purveyors, as well as recognition of the original sentiment and attitudes conveyed by the use of entities within the meme.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: A fixation mechanism of an implantable lead includes a plurality of depressions of an outermost surface of the lead and a relatively flexible sleeve mounted around the outermost surface. The depressions are spaced apart from one another along a length, and each extends circumferentially, wherein a longitudinal center-to-center spacing between each adjacent depression is uniform along the length, and each depression is of substantially the same size. The sleeve has an internal surface in sliding engagement with the outermost surface of the lead, and an external surface, in which suture grooves are formed. A longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent suture grooves may be substantially the same as, or a multiple of, the longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent depressions of the outermost surface of the lead. The sleeve may also include a ridge protruding from the internal surface, aligned with, or offset (by center-to-center spacing of depressions) from, the grooves.

Abstract: The invention discloses an occluder for a structural heart defect, comprising a tubular interlaced structure having a pitch that varies along an axial length of the occluder; a proximal element; a distal element; and an intermediate element extending between the proximal element and the distal element. According to one aspect, at least one transition section of the pitch, from a first pitch to a second pitch, is located closer to the intermediate element of the occluder than an outer circumference of at least one of the proximal elements and the distal element when the occluder is in a relaxed state. According to another aspect, the occluder is extendible from the relaxed state to an axially extended state wherein the load to extension ratio, measured in N/mm, provided by the occluder is less than about 0.75 when extended at least 2 mm.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: A fly shield for a garment such as, for example, a pair of jeans. The fly shield is coupled to a waistband of the garment and extends along a zipper and over a crotch seam of the garment. The portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam of the garment has less than four layers of material and/or consists of a first material layer and a second material layer.

Abstract: A technique for tuning a ladder-shaped inductor that achieves a finer tuning resolution by severing one or more shorts, skipping the severing of one or more shorts, and severing one or more subsequent shorts within the ladder-shaped inductor. This technique can be applied to a voltage-controlled oscillator using a differential or single-ended ladder-shaped inductor as part of the resonant circuit. Within an oscillator, such a technique provides for a more precise modulation of the effective inductance of the ladder-shaped inductor, which enables an improved tuning resolution of the operating frequency of the oscillator.

Abstract: A fixation mechanism of an implantable lead includes a plurality of depressions of an outermost surface of the lead and a relatively flexible sleeve mounted around the outermost surface. The depressions are spaced apart from one another along a length, and each extends circumferentially, wherein a longitudinal center-to-center spacing between each adjacent depression is uniform along the length, and each depression is of substantially the same size. The sleeve has an internal surface in sliding engagement with the outermost surface of the lead, and an external surface, in which suture grooves are formed. A longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent suture grooves may be substantially the same as, or a multiple of, the longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent depressions of the outermost surface of the lead. The sleeve may also include a ridge protruding from the internal surface, aligned with, or offset (by center-to-center spacing of depressions) from, the grooves.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: A fixation mechanism of an implantable lead includes a plurality of depressions of an outermost surface of the lead and a relatively flexible sleeve mounted around the outermost surface. The depressions are spaced apart from one another along a length, and each extends circumferentially, wherein a longitudinal center-to-center spacing between each adjacent depression is uniform along the length, and each depression is of substantially the same size. The sleeve has an internal surface in sliding engagement with the outermost surface of the lead, and an external surface, in which suture grooves are formed. A longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent suture grooves may be substantially the same as, or a multiple of, the longitudinal center-to-center spacing between adjacent depressions of the outermost surface of the lead. The sleeve may also include a ridge protruding from the internal surface, aligned with, or offset (by center-to-center spacing of depressions) from, the grooves.

Abstract: A fly shield for a garment such as, for example, a pair of jeans. The fly shield is coupled to a waistband of the garment and extends along a zipper and over a crotch seam of the garment. The portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam of the garment has less than four layers of material and/or consists of a first material layer and a second material layer.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: A fly shield for a garment such as, for example, a pair of jeans. The fly shield includes a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner. The mitered corner is defined by a fly shield seam and the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle. The fly shield seam extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. The fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle.

Abstract: Systems can identify visible surfaces for pixels in an image (portion) to be rendered. A sampling pattern of ray directions is applied to the pixels, so that the sampling pattern of ray directions repeats, and with respect to any pixel, the same ray direction can be found in the same relative position, with respect to that pixel, as for other pixels. Rays are emitted from visible surfaces in the respective ray direction supplied from the sampling pattern. Ray intersections can cause shaders to execute and contribute results to a sample buffer. With respect to shading of a given pixel, ray results from a selected subset of the pixels are used; the subset is selected by identifying a set of pixels, collectively from which rays were traced for the ray directions in the pattern, and requiring that surfaces from which rays were traced for those pixels satisfy a similarity criteria.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having an elongated lead body and a fixation helix extending along a generally helical axis, mounted around the outer circumference of the lead body. The fixation helix has a free end spaced from and extending from the lead body for less than the circumference of the lead body. The lead body includes an additional component which provides a rotation stop extending from the outer circumference of the lead body and provides stop surface generally perpendicular to the axis of the helix.