Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and variable quality playback system for selecting a quality of media content. The method comprising receiving (S4001) media content of a data segment (1010) over at least one network path (1031a, 1031b, 1031c), the media content being encoded with network or application-layer code and storing (S4002) the media content in a network or application-layer decoder (1050). The network or application-layer decoder (1050) is configured to decode the media content and provide decoded media content to a buffer (5061) associated with a media renderer (1060). The method further comprises obtaining a decoding metric of the network or application-layer decoder (1050), the decoding metric indicating a property of the decoding process and selecting the quality of the media content of subsequent data segments based on the decoding metric.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure provide a method for transferring an achievement token, comprising: receiving a request to transfer an achievement token to a user; querying a smart contract to obtain a requirement associated with the achievement token; verifying, via a blockchain, the user completed the requirement, including retrieving user evidence associated with the requirement from the blockchain; and storing user evidence with a transaction history associated with the transfer of the achievement token to the user; and transferring, via the blockchain, the achievement token to the user.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a carrying bag is disclosed which includes a one or more security panel assemblies comprising a first flexible material layer and a polymeric fiber matrix, such as a polymer fiber-based cut-resistant fabric, matrix or mesh. Various carrying straps are disclosed which include a first flexible fabric or webbing; and a second flexible fabric or webbing comprising a polymeric fiber matrix. Additional polymeric fibers, filaments, cables, threads or yarns may be included in the security panel assemblies and straps, such as cut-resistant monofilament and multifilament fibers comprised of a polyethylene such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), or High Performance Polyethylene (HPPE), for example.

Abstract: A disclosed system for dynamically controlling energy performance operations in a facility includes: energy sources, energy sources controllers, and a centralized controller. The centralized controller can: receive signals indicating performance of the energy sources in real-time, retrieve at least one model that is iteratively trained using machine learning techniques and training data including (i) at least a portion of the received signals and (ii) decisions made by the centralized controller, provide at least a portion of the received signals as input to the model, and receive, as output from the model, control operations for one or more of the energy sources for a predetermined period of time, and return the control operations to respective controllers of the one or more energy sources for execution during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods of using base editors comprising a polynucleotide programmable nucleotide binding domain and a nucleobase editing domain in conjunction with a guide polynucleotide. Also provided herein are base editor systems for editing nucleobases of target nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A method for delivering media to a playback device including outputting first test media to be viewed by a first user. The method further includes receiving a first user input related to a first perception of the first test media by the first user and indicating a first personalized quality of experience of the first user with respect to the first test media. The method further includes generating a first personalized sensitivity profile including one or more viewing characteristics of the first user based on the first user input, and determining, based at least in part on the first personalized sensitivity profile, a first media parameter. The first media parameter is determined in order to increase an efficiency of media delivery to the first playback device over a network while preserving the first personalized quality of experience of the first user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a computing device, a particular textual description of a scene. The method also includes applying a neural network for text-to-image generation to generate an output image rendition of the scene, the neural network having been trained to cause two image renditions associated with a same textual description to attract each other and two image renditions associated with different textual descriptions to repel each other based on mutual information between a plurality of corresponding pairs, wherein the plurality of corresponding pairs comprise an image-to-image pair and a text-to-image pair. The method further includes predicting the output image rendition of the scene.

Abstract: A method for delivering media content to one or more clients over a distributed system is disclosed. The method may include generating a plurality of network-coded symbols from a plurality of original symbols representing a first media asset. The method may further include generating an original plurality of coded variants of the first media asset. The method may further include distributing a first coded variant of the original plurality of coded variants to a first cache on a first server device for storage in the first cache. The method may further include distributing a second coded variant of the original plurality of coded variants to a second cache on a second server device for storage in the second cache.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure provide a method for transferring an achievement token, comprising: receiving a request to transfer an achievement token to a user; querying a smart contract to obtain a requirement associated with the achievement token; verifying, via a blockchain, the user completed the requirement, including retrieving user evidence associated with the requirement from the blockchain; and storing user evidence with a transaction history associated with the transfer of the achievement token to the user; and transferring, via the blockchain, the achievement token to the user.

Abstract: A method for providing media content within a media distribution network. The method comprises transforming source media content into an interim format, thereby providing transformed content. Furthermore, the method comprises storing the transformed content on at least one core storage unit. In addition, the method comprises receiving a request for the source media content from a client. The method further comprises encoding the transformed content or intermediate coded content derived therefrom into encoded content suitable for transmission over a core network and/or an edge network, as well as sending the encoded content via the core network and/or the edge network to the client.

Abstract: The invention of the disclosure features compositions and methods for treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by introducing alterations to a survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) polynucleotide(s) in a cell. In particular embodiments, the invention provides a base editor system (e.g., a fusion protein or complex comprising a programmable DNA binding protein, a nucleobase editor, and gRNA) for modifying an SMN2 polynucleotide(s), where the alteration is associated with increased expression of the SMN2 polypeptide(s) encoded by the polynucleotide(s).

Abstract: Substrates with a glass core and glass buildup layers, and methods of forming the same, are described herein. In one example, a substrate includes a glass core, glass layers above and below the glass core, conductive traces in the glass core and at least some of the glass layers, and conductive contacts on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An e-commerce backbone system for facilitating a unified marketplace for unique items includes: a dealer system interface configured to communicate over a computer network with a plurality of dealer marketplace systems; a normalization engine configured to: translate data received from the plurality of dealer marketplace systems into data compliant with a standardized data model; and translate data sent to the plurality of dealer marketplace systems from data compliant with the standardized data model into data compliant with requirements of each individual dealer marketplace system; a dealer mappings database configured to store mappings that define translation methods for each individual dealer marketplace system; and a marketplace application programming interface (API) engine configured to present an API for sending and receiving data from one or more unified marketplace systems.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a treadmill may comprise one or more lifting mechanisms configured to lift and lower a treadmill belt (e.g., adjust an angle of the treadmill belt relative to a support surface) by adjusting a height of the front and rear of the treadmill about a pivot point. In particular embodiments, the pivot point may be positioned somewhat centered along a length of the belt. In particular embodiments, a seesaw arrangement may provide a central pivot point, providing a moment arm to the motor while decreasing a moment arm caused by the load (e.g., a runner). In this way, an apparent load on a motor providing incline and decline to the running surface may be reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a data aggregator interactive graphical user interface. An interactive graphical user interface (GUI) includes a selectable symbol region, a query region and a data results region. The selectable symbol region displays predefined symbols. The query region displays user input fields for generating queries. The system receives user input associated with the user input fields of the query region to form a filter set. The data results region is automatically updated responsive to the user input, to display one or more data values from among one or more databases associated with the filter set. The system receives a subscription request to save the filter set as a user-customized query. A custom symbol is created responsive to the subscription request that is associated with the filter set. The selectable symbol region is updated to display the custom symbol together with the predefined symbols.