Abstract: Techniques and systems for communicating information via a computer-implemented agent are described. A computing device may obtain sensor data of an individual, such as visual data, audible data, physiological data, or combinations thereof. An emotional state of the individual may be determined based on the sensor data. A communications framework may be identified based on the emotional state of the individual. The communications framework may indicate a manner in which the computer-implemented agent communicates information to the individual. For example, the communications framework may specify voice features, facial features, body language, positioning in the environment, or combinations thereof, that may be utilized to produce a representation of a computer-implemented agent that communicates information to the individual. In some cases, the individual may provide feedback indicating a preference to have the computer-implemented agent communicate information in a different manner.

Abstract: A user may be authenticated to access an account, computing device, or other resource based on the user's gaze pattern and neural or other physiological response(s) to one or more images or other stimuli. When the user attempts to access the resource, a computing device may obtain login gaze tracking data and measurement of a physiological condition of the user at the time that the user is viewing an image or other stimulus. Based on comparison of the login gaze tracking data and the measurement of the physiological condition to a model, the computing device can determine whether to authenticate the user to access the resource.

Abstract: Computer systems, methods, and storage media for tailoring a user interface to a user according to a determined user state and a determined interface context corresponding to the determined user state. The user interface is tailored by modifying the format of at least a portion of the interface, including modifying the content, layout of the content, presentation sequence, or visual display of the interface. A user interface includes a selectable formatting object for controlling the formatting of the user interface and for generating feedback data for training an ensemble learning component to enable more effective predictive formatting changes.

Abstract: Emotional/cognitive state-triggered recording is described. A buffer is used to temporarily store captured video content until a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user is detected. Sensor data indicating a change in an emotional or cognitive state of a user triggers the creation of a video segment based on the current contents of the buffer.

Abstract: Emotional/cognitive state presentation is described. When two or more users, each using a device configured to present emotional/cognitive state data, are in proximity to one another, each device communicates an emotional/cognitive state of the user of the device to another device. Upon receiving data indicating an emotional/cognitive state of another user, an indication of the emotional/cognitive state of the user is presented.

Abstract: Computer vision systems for segmenting scenes into semantic components identify a differential within the physiological readings from the user. The differential corresponds to a semantic boundary associated with the user's gaze. Based upon data gathered by a gaze tracking device, the computer vision system identifies a relative location of the user's gaze at the time of the identified differential. The computer vision system then associates the relative location of the user's gaze with a semantic boundary.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for modifying a user interface (“UI”) provided by a computing device based upon a user's brain activity and gaze. A machine learning classifier is trained using data that identifies the state of a UI provided by a computing device, data identifying brain activity of a user of the computing device, and data identifying the location of the user's gaze. Once trained, the classifier can select a state for the UI provided by the computing device based upon brain activity and gaze of the user. The UI can then be configured based on the selected state. An API can also expose an interface through which an operating system and programs can obtain data identifying the UI state selected by the machine learning classifier. Through the use of this data, a UI can be configured for suitability with a user's current mental state and gaze.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for identifying objects using gaze tracking techniques are described. A computing system may determine or infer that an individual is requesting to identify an object that is unknown to the individual based at least partly on images of the individual, images of a scene including the object, or both. In some cases, images of the individual may be used to determine a gaze path of the individual and the unknown object may be within the gaze path of the individual. Additionally, a computing system may send a request to identify the object to at least one individual. One or more of the responses received from the at least one individual may be provided in order to identify the object.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for modifying the modality of a computing device based upon a user's brain activity. A machine learning classifier is trained using data that identifies a modality for operating a computing device and data identifying brain activity of a user of the computing device. Once trained, the machine learning classifier can select a mode of operation for the computing device based upon a user's current brain activity and, potentially, other biological data. The computing device can then be operated in accordance with the selected modality. An application programming interface can also expose an interface through which an operating system and application programs executing on the computing device can obtain data identifying the modality selected by the machine learning classifier. Through the use of this data, the operating system and application programs can modify their mode of operation to be most suitable for the user's current mental state.

Abstract: A computing platform for presenting contextual content based on detected user confusion is described. In at least one example, sensor data can be received from at least one sensor. The sensor data can be associated with measurements of at least one physiological attribute of a user. Based at least in part on the sensor data, an occurrence of an event corresponding to a confused mental state of the user can be determined. In at least one example, contextual data associated with the event can be determined. The contextual data can identify at least an application being executed at a time corresponding to the occurrence of the event. The contextual data can be leveraged to access content data for mitigating the confused mental state of the user and the content data can be presented via an output interface associated with a device corresponding to the user.

Abstract: A user may be authenticated to access an account, computing device, or other resource using gaze tracking. A gaze-based password may be established by prompting a user to identify multiple gaze targets within a scene. The gaze-based password may be used to authenticate the user to access the resource. In some examples, when the user attempts to access the resource, the scene may be presented on a display. In some examples, the scene may be a real-world scene including the user's real-world surroundings, or a mixed reality scene. The user's gaze may be tracked while the user is viewing the scene to generate login gaze tracking data. The login gaze tracking data may be compared to the gaze-based password and, if the login gaze tracking data satisfies the gaze-based password, the user may be authenticated to access the resource.

Abstract: A method for distributing video in a display system equipped with at least one camera. The video is distributed among multiple display zones, which are movable with respect to each other. The method includes acquiring optically, with the camera, a calibration image of a display zone of a display-enabled electronic device. The method includes computing, based on the calibration image, a coordinate transform responsive to dimensions, position, and orientation of the display zone relative to the camera, the coordinate transform being usable to effect video rendering on the display zone. The method includes transmitting to the display-enabled electronic device one or more of the coordinate transform and video rendered for display on the display zone based on the coordinate transform.

Abstract: The ?,?-unsaturated ketone moiety of a substrate representative of non-food based biomass was hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated alcohol moiety using a composition including (1) a copper salt; (2) a phosphine; (3) a polar aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile, and (4) a compound suitable for providing hydrogen for the hydrogenation, such as a suitable silane material or a suitable siloxane material.

Abstract: The ?,?-unsaturated ketone moiety of a substrate representative of non-food based biomass was hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated alcohol moiety using a composition including (1) a copper salt; (2) a phosphine; (3) a polar aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile, and (4) a compound suitable for providing hydrogen for the hydrogenation, such as a suitable silane material or a suitable siloxane material.

Abstract: Method of producing C8-C15 hydrocarbons comprising providing a ketone starting material; providing an aldol starting material comprising hydroxymethylfurfural; mixing the ketone starting material and the aldol starting material in a reaction in the presence of a proline-containing catalyst selected from the group consisting of Zn(Pro)2, Yb(Pro)2, and combinations thereof, or a catalyst having one of the structures (I), (II) or (III), and in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and is substantially free of organic solvents, where (I), (II) and (III) respectively are: where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl moiety, X=(OH) and n=2. In (III), X may be CH2, sulfur or selenium, M may be Zn, Mg, or a lanthanide, and R1 and R2 each independently may be a methyl, ethyl, phenyl moiety.

Abstract: Crystals of a solvated cerium(III) halide solvate complex resulted from a process of forming a paste of a cerium(III) halide in an ionic liquid, adding a solvent to the paste, removing any undissolved solid, and then cooling the liquid phase. Diffusing a solvent vapor into the liquid phase also resulted in crystals of a solvated cerium(III) halide complex.

Abstract: Method of producing C8-C15 hydrocarbons. comprising providing a ketone starting material; providing an aldol starting material comprising chloromethylfurfural; mixing the ketone starting material and the aldol starting material in a reaction in the presence of a proline-containing catalyst selected from the group consisting of Zn(Pro)2, Yb(Pro)3, and combinations thereof, or a catalyst having one of the structures (I), (II) or (III), and in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and is substantially free of organic solvents, where (I), (II) and (III) respectively are: where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl moiety, X=(OH) and n=2. In (III), X may be CH2, sulfur or selenium, M may be Zn, Mg, or a lanthanide, and R1 and R2 each independently may be a methyl, ethyl, phenyl moiety.

Abstract: Method of producing ammonia borane, comprising providing a reagent comprising a dehydrogenated material in a suitable solvent; and combining the reagent with a reducing agent comprising hydrazine, a hydrazine derivative, or combinations thereof, in a reaction which produces a mixture comprising ammonia borane.

Abstract: Method of producing C8-C15 hydrocarbons comprising providing a ketone starting material; providing an aldol starting material comprising hydroxymethylfurfural; mixing the ketone starting material and the aldol starting material in a reaction in the presence of a proline-containing catalyst selected from the group consisting of Zn(Pro)2, Yb(Pro)2, and combinations thereof, or a catalyst having one of the structures (I), (II) or (III), and in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and is substantially free of organic solvents, where (I), (II) and (III) respectively are: where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl moiety, X=(OH) and n=2. In (III), X may be CH2, sulfur or selenium, M may be Zn, Mg, or a lanthanide, and R1 and R2 each independently may be a methyl, ethyl, phenyl moiety.

Abstract: Method of producing C8-C15 hydrocarbons. comprising providing a ketone starting material; providing an aldol starting material comprising chloromethylfurfural; mixing the ketone starting material and the aldol starting material in a reaction in the presence of a proline-containing catalyst selected from the group consisting of Zn(Pro)2, Yb(Pro)3, and combinations thereof, or a catalyst having one of the structures (I), (II) or (III), and in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises water and is substantially free of organic solvents, where (I), (II) and (III) respectively are: where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl moiety, X?(OH) and n=2. In (III), X may be CH2, sulfur or selenium, M may be Zn, Mg, or a lanthanide, and R1 and R2 each independently may be a methyl, ethyl, phenyl moiety.