Abstract: A social networking system identifies a user's relative preference for objects maintained by the social networking system, such as pages associated with movies, restaurants, businesses, or other content. To obtain the user's preferences, the system provides pairs, or groups, of objects to a user and prompts the user to indicate a preference between the objects in each pair. This obtained information about the user's relative preferences is stored in conjunction with the user's profile, which can then be used to select content subsequently presented to the user.

Abstract: An example solar structure is disclosed for providing shade to a roof of a building having a building support structure. The solar structure may comprise: a plurality of vertical supports; a plurality of connecting beams; and a plurality of solar panels, wherein the plurality of vertical supports couple the load of the solar structure directly to the building support structure. Example methods are disclosed for keeping rooftop equipment cooler and operating more efficiently and longer, for specifying smaller AC units, for extending the life of a roof, for reducing the heat entering a building from sunshine, for reducing the heat re-radiated from solar panels onto a roof, and for specifying smaller structural roof support beams. An example solar structure comprises a movable portion configured to move from a first position to a second position to allow rooftop equipment to be lifted off the roof through the solar structure.

Abstract: A power actuated tilting head restraint assembly includes a head restraint mountable to a vehicle seat. The assembly also includes a power actuation assembly including an electric motor to adjust a rotational position of the head restraint, the electric motor programmed to adjust the rotational position at a first speed during manual adjustment of the head restraint and at a second speed upon detection of an imminent impact by an impact detection system, the second speed greater than the first speed.

Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The headrest assembly includes a housing. The headrest assembly also includes an adjustment component operatively coupling the housing to a seatback of a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly further includes an actuator including a motor operatively coupled to the adjustment component, the motor effectuating movement of the housing between a deployed position and a stowed position. The headrest assembly yet further includes a sensor for detecting the presence of an occupant on the vehicle seat, wherein the detection of an occupant on the vehicle seat causes the actuator to move the housing from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A headrest assembly moveable in a cross-car direction along an upper portion of a seatback. The headrest assembly includes a seatback track member and a headrest track member that are operably connected for relative sliding movement therebetween. Movement of the headrest assembly in the cross-car direction can be automated via a motor and a controller. Certain safety features may be implemented such as a maximum range of motion of the headrest assembly in accordance with specific software implemented instructions. Stored profiles are accessible such that each headrest assembly associated with a passenger's seat can be moved into preferred locations for minimum visual obstruction when not in use. In addition, movement of the headrest assembly in the cross-car direction can also be effectuated manually.

Abstract: A multi-direction power actuated head restraint assembly includes a head restraint mountable to a vehicle seat. The head restraint assembly also includes a fore-aft power actuation mechanism including a fore-aft electric motor to adjust a fore-aft position of the head restraint, the fore-aft electric motor programmed to adjust the fore-aft position at a first fore-aft speed during manual adjustment of the head restraint and at a second fore-aft speed upon detection of an imminent impact by an impact detection system, the second fore-aft speed greater than the first fore-aft speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for semi-durable transaction log storage in a two-phase commit protocol transaction processing. An exemplary method includes receiving a distributed transaction comprising a plurality of processes for processing, wherein the processing uses a two-phase commit protocol and preparing, by a main coordinator, at least one participant comprising at least one of the plurality of processes to prepare for execution by the at least one participant. The method further includes receiving, by the main coordinator, information comprising prepared processes of the at least one of the plurality of processes and storing, by the main coordinator, a transaction log comprising the at least one participant and the information to a semi-durable storage. The semi-durable storage may comprise a crash-proof storage that survives system failure. Thus, the semi-durable storage may write the transaction log to the durable storage if there is a system failure.

Abstract: An example solar structure is disclosed for providing shade to a roof of a building having a building support structure. The solar structure may comprise: a plurality of vertical supports; a plurality of connecting beams; and a plurality of solar panels, wherein the plurality of vertical supports couple the load of the solar structure directly to the building support structure. Example methods are disclosed for keeping rooftop equipment cooler and operating more efficiently and longer, for specifying smaller AC units, for extending the life of a roof, for reducing the heat entering a building from sunshine, for reducing the heat re-radiated from solar panels onto a roof, and for specifying smaller structural roof support beams. An example solar structure comprises a movable portion configured to move from a first position to a second position to allow rooftop equipment to be lifted off the roof through the solar structure.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for executing distributed transactions with dynamic form. A transaction coordinator may send to a first transaction node a commit request indicating a first transaction operation and a first object and receive an indication that the first transaction node holds a lock for the first object. The transaction coordinator may also send to a second transaction node a commit request indicating a second transaction operation and a second object and receive an indication that the second transaction node is one-phase-aware. If the number of enrolled transaction nodes includes at least a threshold number of nodes, the distributed transaction may be converted to a compensation transaction.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion. Also included is a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion. Further included is a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable manner thereto. The locking mechanism also includes a lock slide having at least one lock tooth engageable with the lock, the lock tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prepare list communication to participants in a two-phase commit protocol transaction processing. An exemplary method includes receiving a distributed transaction for processing, wherein the processing uses a two-phase commit protocol, preparing a first participating node comprising a first process of the distributed transaction, and preparing a second participating node comprising a second process of the distributed transaction. The method further includes determining whether the first participating node can commit the first process and transmitting the determination the first participating node can commit the first process to the second participating node. The first participating node and the second participating node may determine a coordinator of the distributed transaction has failed and the second participating node may use the determination to query the first participating node for a transaction outcome, such as a commit of fail state.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for distributed transactions with extended locks. A transaction node may receive from a coordinator node an instruction to execute an assigned operation on an object. The assigned operation may be part of a distributed transaction. The transaction node may obtain a lock associated with the object and execute the assigned operation. The transaction node may also set a time-to-expiration of a lock timer to an initial value and start the lock timer. When the transaction node determines that the lock timer has expired, it may release the lock.

Abstract: Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for managing and classifying assets in an information technology (“IF”) environment using a tag-based approach. The disclosed tag-based classification techniques can be implemented through a graphical user interface. Embodiments of the disclosed tag-based classification techniques can be used to allow a user to easily and quickly select, and perform actions on groups of one or more assets (e.g., monitor policies, perform upgrades, etc.). For example, the tag-based classification techniques can automatically classify assets into “tag sets” (or “tagged sets”) based on node properties or user-selected criteria or conditions (e.g., criteria or conditions that are established in a user-created tagging profile or rule). The tagged assets can then be further filtered to identify even deeper relationships between the assets.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enlisting single phase commit resources in a two phase commit transaction. An exemplary method includes accessing a global transaction having a plurality of processes requiring single phase commit (1PC) resource and a two phase commit (2PC) resource, initializing a 1PC resource manager for the 1PC resource with a first process of the plurality of processes, wherein the first process requires the 1PC resource, preparing a 2PC resource manager for the 2PC resource with a second process of the plurality of processes, wherein the second process requires the 2PC resource, generating a unique identifier for the 1PC resource, transmitting the unique identifier to the 1PC resource manager, and instructing the 1PC resource manager to commit the first process to the 1PC resource, wherein committing the first process to the 1PC resource comprises recording the unique identifier to the 1PC resource.

Abstract: Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for managing and classifying assets in an information technology (“IT”) environment using a tag-based approach. The disclosed tag-based classification techniques can be implemented through a graphical user interface. Embodiments of the disclosed tag-based classification techniques can be used to allow a user to easily and quickly select and perform actions on groups of one or more assets (e.g., monitor policies, perform upgrades, etc.). For example, the tag-based classification techniques can automatically classify assets into “tag sets” (or “tagged sets”) based on node properties or user-selected criteria or conditions (e.g., criteria or conditions that are established in a user-created tagging profile or rule). The tagged assets can then be further filtered to identify even deeper relationships between the assets.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cover for protecting the contents of the bed of a pickup truck. In some examples, the cover is designed for use in any standard pickup truck without the need for after-market modifications to the truck. In some examples, the truck bed cover comprises a panel system that is easily installed using the existing stake holes of the truck. In some further examples, the cover includes ability to convert the panels to sidewalls to protect taller cargo. In still further examples, the cover includes retaining cables, support bars, moisture protection, and a locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for prepare list communication to participants in a two-phase commit protocol transaction processing. An exemplary method includes receiving a distributed transaction for processing, wherein the processing uses a two-phase commit protocol, receiving a distributed transaction comprising a plurality of processes for processing, wherein the processing uses a two-phase commit protocol and preparing, by a main coordinator, at least one participating processing node from the plurality of processes, wherein the at least one participating processing node comprises a first sub-coordinator and a first participant, and wherein the first participant executes a first process of the plurality of processes. The method further includes receiving, by the main coordinator, a first list comprising the first participant registered with the first sub-coordinator.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for distributed transactions with extended locks. A transaction node may receive from a coordinator node an instruction to execute an assigned operation on an object. The assigned operation may be part of a distributed transaction. The transaction node may obtain a lock associated with the object and execute the assigned operation. The transaction node may also set a time-to-expiration of a lock timer to an initial value and start the lock timer. When the transaction node determines that the lock timer has expired, it may release the lock.