Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for improving dialog management for task-oriented dialog systems. The disclosed dialog builder leverages machine teaching processing to improve development of dialog managers. In this way, the dialog builder combines the strengths of both rule-based and machine-learned approaches to allow dialog authors to: (1) import a dialog graph developed using popular dialog composers, (2) convert the dialog graph to text-based training dialogs, (3) continuously improve the trained dialogs based on log dialogs, and (4) generate a corrected dialog for retraining the machine learning.

Abstract: Simulated motion of the papillary muscles in a heart simulator is provided that simulates natural motion of the papillary muscles. This improves heart valve simulation. This can be done with a six degree of freedom robotic actuator (e.g., a Stewart platform or the like) appropriately driven by a controller. This can also be done with a robotic actuator that provides constrained motion of its effector by including a mechanical linkage, as long as the resulting simulated papillary muscle motion includes time-varying position and orientation of the papillary muscle.

Abstract: Trajectory generation for controlling motion or other behavior of an autonomous vehicle may include alternately determining a candidate action and predicting a future state based on that candidate action. The technique may include determining a cost associated with the candidate action that may include an estimation of a transition cost from a current or former state to a next state of the vehicle. This cost estimate may be a lower bound cost or an upper bound cost and the tree search may alternately apply the lower bound cost or upper bound cost exclusively or according to a ratio or changing ratio. The prediction of the future state may be based at least in part on a machine-learned model's classification of a dynamic object as being a reactive object or a passive object, which may change how the dynamic object is modeled for the prediction.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method includes receiving, at a computing device, borrower information and requested financing plan information. Likewise, a method includes outputting at least a portion of the received information to a second computing device and, after receiving an indication of a decision denying the requested financing plan, outputting at least a portion of the received information to a computing device associated with a lender and confirming, to a computing device associated with a borrower or a merchant that the information has been sent to the lender.

Abstract: A device comprises an array of elevationally-extending transistors and a circuit structure adjacent and electrically coupled to the elevationally-extending transistors of the array. The circuit structure comprises a stair step structure comprising vertically-alternating tiers comprising conductive steps that are at least partially elevationally separated from one another by insulative material. Operative conductive vias individually extend elevationally through one of the conductive steps at least to a bottom of the vertically-alternating tiers and individually electrically couple to an electronic component below the vertically-alternating tiers. Dummy structures individually extend elevationally through one of the conductive steps at least to the bottom of the vertically-alternating tiers. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sensor information is received (S41) at a host device from a mobile device. A pose of the mobile device is then determined by the host device based on the received sensor information. The pose of the mobile device is compared with pose information (S42) of previous poses of the mobile device, each previous pose of the mobile device being associated with a performance level of the system for data transmitted from the host device and received and output at the mobile device having that previous pose.

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array and conductive through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. A mask is formed comprising horizontally-elongated trench openings and operative TAV openings above the stack. Etching is conducted of unmasked portions of the stack through the trench and operative TAV openings in the mask to form horizontally-elongated trench openings in the stack and to form operative TAV openings in the stack. Conductive material is formed in the operative TAV openings in the stack to form individual operative TAVs in individual of the operative TAV openings in the stack. A wordline-intervening structure is formed in individual of the trench openings in the stack.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for mitral valve repair. For example, “C” or “D” shaped annuloplasty mitral valve rings are provided that include a structure including an elongate curved posterior segment and first and second curved lateral segments extending from opposite ends of the posterior segment, the posterior segment and lateral segments may lie within a plane and/or define a C-shape, the structure defining a first lateral axis extending between the lateral segments within the plane, and a second posterior-anterior axis perpendicular to the first axis intersecting a midpoint of the posterior segment, the structure having a stiffness such that the structure resists anterior-posterior motion along the second axis within the plane while allowing flexibility of the lateral segments out of the plane about the second axis.

Abstract: A method of presenting visual information on a screen (306) involves defining a boundary (314) delineating a first region of the screen (which may be towards a centre of the screen) from a second region of the screen (which may be towards a periphery of the screen), displaying a first portion of the visual information in the first region of the screen at a first display quality, and displaying a second portion of the visual information in the second region of the screen at a second, lower, display quality. The method further involves blurring the visual information for display in at least a portion of the second region. The location of the boundary (314) may change over time, and may be based on where a user is looking, or is expected to be looking, or on the type of information being displayed or based on other parameters.

Abstract: A method for processing data for display on a screen involves encoding, using a first colour space, a first portion of image data intended to be displayed on a first area of the screen and encoding, using a second colour space, a second portion of image data intended to be displayed on a second area of the screen. The encoded first and second portions of the image data are compressed, and transmitted over a link for display on the screen. By using different colour spaces to encode image data that is displayed in different parts of a screen, differences in a users vision and/or aberrations caused by display equipment may be accounted for and so provide an improved user experience. Using different colour spaces for different screen areas may also reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, for example by encoding image data more effectively and/or allowing more efficient compression of data.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers, a dielectric-filled opening vertically extending into the stack structure and defined between two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure and comprising steps defined by horizontal ends of at least some of the tiers, a first ledge extending upward from a first uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a first internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, and a second ledge extending upward from a second, opposite uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a second, opposite internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of writing data to, and reading data from, one or more buffers. The method comprises: determining a write rate of writing data into a first buffer; determining a read rate of reading data from the first buffer; determining, using the write rate and the read rate, a portion of the first buffer; writing data into the portion of the first buffer; starting to read data from the first buffer when the writing of data to the portion of the first buffer has finished; and writing data into a remaining part of the first buffer, different from the portion of the first buffer. The portion of the first buffer is determined such that the reading of data from the first buffer does not overtake the writing of data into the first buffer.

Abstract: Sensor information is received (S41) at a host device from a mobile device. A pose of the mobile device is then determined by the host device based on the received sensor information. The pose of the mobile device is compared with pose information (S42) of previous poses of the mobile device, each previous pose of the mobile device being associated with a performance level of the system for data transmitted from the host device and received and output at the mobile device having that previous pose.

Abstract: An automated framework provides security monitoring and analysis in a network by autonomously detecting actual and potential threats to the network. In response to detection of a threat, the framework instantiates a Situation to provide directed monitoring of the threat. The Situation invokes specific skills based on the state of the Situation to monitor network traffic for activity specific to the threat that instantiated the Situation. As data is collected, additional skills may be invoked based on the additional data to collect new data, and previously invoked skills may be terminated depending on the additional data to avoid collecting information that is no-longer relevant.

Abstract: Sensor information is received (S41) at a host device from a mobile device. A pose of the mobile device is then determined by the host device based on the received sensor information. The pose of the mobile device is compared with pose information (S42) of previous poses of the mobile device, each previous pose of the mobile device being associated with a performance level of the system for data transmitted from the host device and received and output at the mobile device having that previous pose.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for mitral repair of a mitral valve within a heart of a subject that includes introducing a distal portion of a delivery device carrying an artificial chordae into the vasculature of the subject; advancing the distal portion into a right atrium of the heart and trans-septally from the right atrium into a left atrium of the heart; directing the distal portion through a mitral valve of the heart into a left ventricle of the heart; securing a distal end of the artificial chordae to a posterior ventricular wall of the heart adjacent the mitral valve; coupling a leaflet anchor end of the artificial chordae to a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve; adjusting a distance between the leaflet anchor and the distal end of the artificial chordae until coaptation of the mitral valve is improved and/or regurgitation is eliminated; and removing the delivery device from the subject's body.

Abstract: An indoor tent that is configured to encompass a couch while maximizing viewing angles from inside the tent.

Abstract: A binding syrup composition for formulating food products containing allulose and low sugar syrups is provided. The binding syrup composition overcomes limitations of allulose-containing products including product stickiness and failure to maintain shape and texture of the products. More particularly, the binding syrup compositions described herein contain low sugar syrups with low mono- and di-saccharide content in combination with allulose to provide binding and textural attributes to the allulose-containing food products that are comparable to full sugar products. Food products containing the allulose binding syrup compositions described herein and methods of making the same are also provided. Beneficially, food products having reduced caloric and sugar content are provided when employing the allulose-containing binding syrup compositions described herein.