Abstract: A method performs large-scale data processing in a distributed and parallel processing environment. The method defines application-independent map and reduce operations, each invoking one or more library functions that automatically handle data partitioning, parallelization of computations, and fault tolerance. A user specifies a map operation, which calls one or more of the application-independent map operators to perform data read and write operations. A user also specifies a reduce operation, which calls one or more of the application-independent reduce operators to perform data read and write operations. The method executes application-independent map worker processes. Each map worker process executes the user-specified map operation to read designated portions of input files and store intermediate data values in intermediate data structures. The method also executes application-independent reduce worker processes.

Abstract: A rail coaster operates as a cross between a roller coaster and a zip line. A rail may be suspended under a frame by flexible cables or solid brackets. The rail may turn, incline, decline, or twist, but need not twist to still provide a “rolling” degree of freedom for a rider. An eddy current brake provides proportional braking as a function of speed. A cam-adjustment-axle (eccentric) carries certain wheels to provide finely divided, discrete, but incrementally small adjustments of idler wheel clearances to accommodate variations in the rail, wheel wear, and onsite adjustment of tolerances for curvature, unevenness, and friction. A “static universal” bracket provides adjustment in four degrees of freedom, three of translation and one of rotation in securing a rail to a supporting frame.

Abstract: In some embodiments, compositions and methods comprising reflective flowable materials, e.g., reflective liquids including reflective inks and/or liquid metals, are described. In some embodiments, a surface is contacted with a reflective flowable material, thereby forming a reflective layer on the surface. In some embodiments, the surface is a surface of a waveguide, for example a waveguide for a display device, and the flowable material coats surfaces of protrusions on the surface to form reflective diffractive optical elements. Some embodiments include a display device comprising a reflective layer of reflective flowable material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a waveguide having a combination of a binary grating structure and a blazed grating structure includes cutting a substrate off-axis, depositing a first layer on the substrate, and depositing a resist layer on the first layer. The resist layer includes a pattern. The method also includes etching the first layer in the pattern using the resist layer as a mask. The pattern includes a first region and a second region. The method further includes creating the binary grating structure in the substrate in the second region and creating the blazed grating structure in the substrate in the first region.

Abstract: A method of accessing data includes storing a table that includes a plurality of tablets corresponding to distinct non-overlapping table portions. Respective pluralities of tablet access objects and application objects are stored in a plurality of servers. A distinct application object and distinct tablet are associated with each tablet access object. Each application object corresponds to a distinct instantiation of an application associated with the table. The tablet access objects and associated application objects are redistributed among the servers in accordance with a first load-balancing criterion. A first request directed to a respective tablet is received from a client. In response, the tablet access object associated with the respective tablet is used to perform a data access operation on the respective tablet, and the application object associated with the respective tablet is used to perform an additional computational operation to produce a result to be returned to the client.

Abstract: A soft through-air dried tissue having a soothing feel and method of making the same is disclosed which contains an aqueous softening composition comprising from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic softening compound, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and imidazolinium compounds; from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, and optionally a silicone or glycerin. Examples of the cationic softening compound include tallow- and ester-substituted quaternary ammonium compounds having chloride or methyl sulfate as the anion, and examples of the polyhydroxy compound include polyethylene glycols (PEG) or polypropylene glycols (PPG) having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, such as PEG-1000 and PEG-8000.

Abstract: A protective flavored thong including a waistband configured to extend around the waist of a wearer, a crotch band, and at least one flavor ridge applied centrally along the crotch band. The thong provides an erotic female under-garment that is convenient to wear, visually appealing, accentuates the wearer's womanly curves, and provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases during cunnilingus for both the wearer and her sexual partner. Additionally, the thong includes a flavor ridge that imparts a pleasant flavor, also providing lingual and tactile guidance to the woman's partner during cunnilingus in an environment with possibly limited visual guidance. The flavor ridge can be applied to a backing layer that is applied centrally along the crotch band. The crotch band can include a panel of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to serve as a protective barrier against transmission of STDs between the wearer and her partner during cunnilingus.

Abstract: A tankless electric water heater system including a heating chamber having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a heating element connected to the heating chamber, a first temperature sensor disposed near the first end of the heating chamber, a second temperature sensor disposed near the second end of the heating chamber, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow of water and disposed near the heating chamber, and a controller connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the flow sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to have a set point temperature, to detect temperature and flow data from the first and second temperature sensors, and the flow sensor, and to provide as output a power setting to the heating element.

Abstract: Disclosed are papermaking fabrics comprising a plurality of structuring elements disposed on a carrier structure. The fabrics are useful in the manufacture of tissue products having good caliper and smoothness without negatively affecting drying of the tissue product. The fabrics have structuring elements having a polygonal cross-sectional shape and a perimeter less than 3.6 mm, such as from about 1.4 to 3.6 mm. In certain instances the structuring elements may cover more than about 28 percent, such as from about 28 to about 35 percent, of the surface area of the web contacting surface of the carrier structure without adversely affecting drying. In this manner the amount of the nascent web that contacts the structuring elements and is molded into a smooth surface is maximized without exacerbating the negative affect to drying commonly associated with occluding a large portion of the surface area of the papermaking fabric.

Abstract: A method of accessing data includes storing a table that includes a plurality of tablets corresponding to distinct non-overlapping table portions. Respective pluralities of tablet access objects and application objects are stored in a plurality of servers. A distinct application object and distinct tablet are associated with each tablet access object. Each application object corresponds to a distinct instantiation of an application associated with the table. The tablet access objects and associated application objects are redistributed among the servers in accordance with a first load-balancing criterion. A first request directed to a respective tablet is received from a client. In response, the tablet access object associated with the respective tablet is used to perform a data access operation on the respective tablet, and the application object associated with the respective tablet is used to perform an additional computational operation to produce a result to be returned to the client.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training a model using parameter server shards. One of the methods includes receiving, at a parameter server shard configured to maintain values of a disjoint partition of the parameters of the model, a succession of respective requests for parameter values from each of a plurality of replicas of the model; in response to each request, downloading a current value of each requested parameter to the replica from which the request was received; receiving a succession of uploads, each upload including respective delta values for each of the parameters in the partition maintained by the shard; and updating values of the parameters in the partition maintained by the parameter server shard repeatedly based on the uploads of delta values to generate current parameter values.

Abstract: Security systems for secured assets such as vehicles, are described in which facial recognition systems or other biometrics systems provide enhanced security for an authorized user. Subtle or covert cues provided by the user during authentication or subsequent monitoring of the user by the facial recognition system and other input systems are used to invoke user-editable personal security rules that respond to the cues to implement the user's desired responses for added security in various situations. Related security systems, methods, and devices are described to protect an asset such as an automobile or other vehicle or other secured asset through the use of biometrics and personal security rules. In such systems, a training module may provide periodic training and practice sessions to assist the user in being prepared to properly use the personal rules system in response to various scenarios and threats, and can guide adjustment of personal rules for better success.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and media for providing an automated delivery of a safe deposit box are provided. The methodology includes operations of receiving a first user request for the delivery of the safe deposit box, the first user request including user account information; determining, based on information included in the first user request, a safe deposit box warehouse facility location that relates to the safe deposit box to be delivered, and determining at least one facility parameter; determining, based on the information included in the first user request, user delivery requirements; determining, based on each of the safe deposit box warehouse facility location, the at least one facility parameter, and the user delivery requirements, at least one delivery option; receiving a user selection of a desired delivery option; and transmitting information relating to a delivery schedule for delivering the safe deposit box.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to characterize fluid valves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve having a valve seat and a flow control member to sealingly engage the valve seat. The apparatus includes a sensor to detect a change in position of the flow control member. The apparatus includes a processor to determine at least one of a seating point or a breakout point corresponding to the flow control member based on the change in position.

Abstract: An enclosed space air treating assembly includes a compartment having an interior. The compartment has an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein pressurized air enters into the interior through the air inlet and exits the interior through the air outlet. Pressurized air received by the air inlet is defined as received air. An atomizer is in fluid communication with the interior and supplies atomized fluid to the received air within the interior such that that the atomized fluid is carried outwardly through the air outlet. A control is in communication with the atomizer. The control turns on the atomizer intermittently for a preselected amount of time while the pressurized air flows through the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products having improved z-directional properties. The improved z-directional properties may be achieved by providing the structure with a unique three-dimensional surface topography, which increases the structure's Exponential Compression Modulus (K) and Caliper Under Load (C0). By improving both K and C0, the present inventors have also been able to provide tissue structures with relatively high Compression Energy (E), which enables the structures to be calendered at high loads without significant loss of sheet bulk or degradation of strength.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides techniques for visualizing text expressions in spreadsheet cells in a more intuitive and user friendly manner by mapping syntactic elements of the text expressions to two-dimensional (2D) configurations of 2D elements, and displaying the 2D configurations in a graphical user interface, wherein the syntactic relationships between syntactic elements in the text expressions are rendered as spatial relationships between the 2D elements in the 2D configuration. In one embodiment, a method for converting a text expression into a 2D configuration comprises selecting a spreadsheet cell based on input received from a user input device, wherein the spreadsheet cell comprises a text expression, parsing the text expression, using a logic subsystem, into at least a first syntactic element, mapping the first syntactic element, using the logic subsystem, to a first two-dimensional (2D) element, and displaying the first 2D element in a graphical user interface via a display subsystem.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using embedded function with a deep network. One of the methods includes receiving an input comprising a plurality of features, wherein each of the features is of a different feature type; processing each of the features using a respective embedding function to generate one or more numeric values, wherein each of the embedding functions operates independently of each other embedding function, and wherein each of the embedding functions is used for features of a respective feature type; processing the numeric values using a deep network to generate a first alternative representation of the input, wherein the deep network is a machine learning model composed of a plurality of levels of non-linear operations; and processing the first alternative representation of the input using a logistic regression classifier to predict a label for the input.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating alert notifications using discrete input channels are described. An apparatus includes a field device to control a process of a process plant. The field device has a digital valve controller including a process parameter monitor to monitor a process parameter of the field device and an alarm determiner to detect an error condition associated with the process parameter. The alarm determiner generates an alarm notification associated with the error condition of the process parameter. The digital valve controller includes an alarm status assignor to assign a status notification for equipment associated with the process parameter detected by the alarm determiner to be in the error condition and a discrete output channel. The apparatus includes a host device having a discrete input channel directly coupled to the discrete output channel to receive the alarm notification and the status notification from the digital valve controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides high bulk tissue products, as well as an apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. The tissue products provided herein not only have high bulk, but they also have improved surface smoothness, particularly compared to tissue products of similar basis weights.