Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides for an optical-phased array (OPA) comprising a star coupler coupled to a plurality of grating couplers, wherein the star coupler comprises multiple inputs and multiple outputs. In some embodiments, each output of the star coupler is coupled to a grating coupler of the plurality of grating couplers. In some embodiments, the star coupler is coupled to the plurality of grating couplers by a plurality of optical delay lines. In some embodiments each output of the star coupler is coupled to a grating coupler of the plurality of grating couplers via an optical delay line of the plurality of optical delay lines. In some embodiments, the OPA further includes an optical switch coupled to the multiple inputs of the star coupler, and at least one tunable laser. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for steering light using the OPA.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a Question and Answer (QA) system comprising a processor and a memory are provided for generating an answer to a question. A question is received for which an answer is sought as part of a communication exchange. The question is processed to generate candidate answers and corresponding confidence scores and perform a context based selection of a final answer from the candidate answers. The selected final answer is output as a final answer to the question via a computing device. The context based selection involves determining a context of the input question and selecting a final answer from the one or more candidate answers based on the context of the input question. The selected final answer is an answer previously provided in association with the context of the question.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a Question and Answer (QA) system comprising a processor and a memory are provided for generating an answer to a question. A question is received for which an answer is sought as part of a communication exchange. The question is processed to generate candidate answers and corresponding confidence scores and perform a context based selection of a final answer from the candidate answers. The selected final answer is output as a final answer to the question via a computing device. The context based selection involves determining a context of the input question and selecting a final answer from the one or more candidate answers based on the context of the input question. The selected final answer is an answer previously provided in association with the context of the question.

Abstract: The Construction Industry is one of the largest industries in the United States. Physical infrastructure (including but not limited to housing, hospitals, schools, highways, airports, railways, ports, factories, power plants, etc.) is the foundation of our modem society. One major characteristic of the Construction Industry is that many projects are delayed beyond their originally projected completion date. The “Timeliness Rating™” concept creates a simple and straightforward way to quantify project delays. It is simply the ratio of the actual project duration to the originally projected duration. This concept can be applied to any type and size of project, including non-construction projects. Some benefits of this concept are that all participants in a project will put their best efforts into achieving a “Timeliness Rating™” of 1.00 or less. Avoiding costly project delays can represent savings of billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy.