Abstract: A system includes a computing device comprising a memory storing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive: purchase data associated with products purchased by a user, online activity data performed by the user and other users and associated with information pertaining to the products, and vendor information comprising retail sales data, after-market sales data, and product availability associated with the products. The processor determines one or more values of the products based on the purchase data, the online activity data, and the vendor information and whether the purchased products correspond to specialty products based on the purchase data, the online activity data, and the values of the products. The processor may then send a notification to the user comprising an offer for insurance for the products in response to determining the products correspond to specialty products.

Abstract: A head mounted display system for displaying image content to a user comprises at least one display configured to be worn by a user to present virtual content to first and second eyes of a user, one or more inwardly facing sensors or camera configured to monitor one or both of the users eye and processing electronics. This head mounted display system is configured such that virtual content activity can be initiated and/or driven from eye inputs such as gaze direction, eyelid motions (e.g., blinking), and/or other eye gestures.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses genetically-modified immune cells (and populations thereof) expressing a microRNA-adapted shRNA (shRNAmiR) that reduces the expression of a target endogenous protein. Methods for reducing the expression of an endogenous protein in an immune cell are also provided wherein the method comprises introducing a shRNAmiR that targets the endogenous protein. Using shRNAmiRs for knocking down the expression of a target protein allows for stable knockdown of expression of endogenous proteins in immune cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improving programming to data storage devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs). A first memory device has a first XOR element and a second memory device has a second XOR element. The ratio of the first XOR element to the capacity of the first memory device is substantially smaller than the ratio of the second XOR element to the capacity of the second memory device. A read verify operation to find program failures is executed on either a wordline to wordline basis, an erase block to erase block basis, or both a wordline to wordline basis and an erase block to erase block basis. Because the program failures are found and fixed prior to programming to the second memory device, the second XOR element may be decreased substantially.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improving programming to data storage devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs). A first memory device has a first XOR element and a second memory device has a second XOR element. The ratio of the first XOR element to the capacity of the first memory device is substantially smaller than the ratio of the second XOR element to the capacity of the second memory device. A read verify operation to find program failures is executed on either a wordline to wordline basis, an erase block to erase block basis, or both a wordline to wordline basis and an erase block to erase block basis. Because the program failures are found and fixed prior to programming to the second memory device, the second XOR element may be decreased substantially.

Abstract: A data storage device includes one or more memory devices that each includes one or more superblocks and a controller coupled to the one or more memory devices. Each superblock includes a plurality of wordlines. The controller is configured to write data to a first wordline of the plurality of wordlines, write data to a second wordline of the plurality of wordlines, perform a read verify operation on the first wordline, and perform a read verify operation on the second wordline. At least one of the first wordline and the second wordline does not include an XOR parity element and one or more wordlines of the plurality of wordlines includes the XOR parity element.

Abstract: A curcumin entrained vapor generator providing the release of an essence, or compound or substances, from a solid or powder or liquid into a vapor exiting the generator, comprising a container having an interior volume and a region disposed to contain a liquid which emits or forms a vapor, and an openable closed end distal from said contained liquid. An interior support formed to support material (e.g. curcumin or other) thereon and is included and has a plurality of openings, and is dimensioned less than said container interior dimension across said container liquid to form a large vapor passage allowing the essence of the included material to be gently released into the vapor of the liquid and released into the external environment via the container openings. Other embodiments include esthetically shaped support structures, e.g. a leaf, a plant twig-like arms, etc. and/or graphic overlays, etchings, engravings, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improving programming to data storage devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs). A first memory device has a first XOR element and a second memory device has a second XOR element. The ratio of the first XOR element to the capacity of the first memory device is substantially smaller than the ratio of the second XOR element to the capacity of the second memory device. A read verify operation to find program failures is executed on either a wordline to wordline basis, an erase block to erase block basis, or both a wordline to wordline basis and an erase block to erase block basis. Because the program failures are found and fixed prior to programming to the second memory device, the second XOR element may be decreased substantially.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of instruction presentations to a ‘virtual’ audience or students including real-time information formed from observable audience reactions as they receive the presentation material, and further includes apparatus and methods to correlate the detected or missing audience reactions in relation to specific presented material, rapidly prompting the presenter and/or the audience with specific, timely, low-latency feedback. The presenter is alerted (possibly before an audience question can be formulated), and the audience member is prompted that there may be questions or contributions regarding a specific matter as it is presented, whereupon the audience member is given the freedom to join or question (or not).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improving programming to data storage devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs). A first memory device has a first XOR element and a second memory device has a second XOR element. The ratio of the first XOR element to the capacity of the first memory device is substantially smaller than the ratio of the second XOR element to the capacity of the second memory device. A read verify operation to find program failures is executed on either a wordline to wordline basis, an erase block to erase block basis, or both a wordline to wordline basis and an erase block to erase block basis. Because the program failures are found and fixed prior to programming to the second memory device, the second XOR element may be decreased substantially.

Abstract: A curcumin entrained vapor generator providing the release of an essence, or compound or substances, from a solid or powder or liquid into a vapor exiting the generator, comprising a container having an interior volume and a region disposed to contain a liquid which emits or forms a vapor, and an openable closed end distal from said contained liquid. An interior support formed to support material (e.g. curcumin or other) thereon and is included and has a plurality of openings, and is dimensioned less than said container interior dimension across said container liquid to form a large vapor passage allowing the essence of the included material to be gently released into the vapor of the liquid and released into the external environment via the container openings. Other embodiments include esthetically shaped support structures, e.g. a leaf, a plant twig-like arms, etc. and/or graphic overlays, etchings, engravings, etc.

Abstract: A head mounted display system for displaying image content to a user comprises at least one display configured to be worn by a user to present virtual content to first and second eyes of a user, one or more inwardly facing sensors or camera configured to monitor one or both of the users eye and processing electronics. This head mounted display system is configured such that virtual content activity can be initiated and/or driven from eye inputs such as gaze direction, eyelid motions (e.g., blinking), and/or other eye gestures.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention that assembles an acoustic arrangement of the participants (e.g. a square grid, a circle, etc. in a venue), wherein the sounds received by each participant from each of the other participants are processed according to a model of the selected arrangement and the acoustic signature of the venue to permit each participant to localize, identify the participant location and more easily comprehend what is said or presented. Also, corresponding visual representations are placed in the corresponding visual location of the selected arrangement, and together with rapid acoustic localization of a speaking participant, mental ‘overhead’ is significantly reduced and the participant can resume a near normal, in-person meeting behavior.

Abstract: A method of operation of a storage control system includes: determining a bit error rate of a page; calculating a slope based on the bit error rate; and adjusting a threshold voltage for the page based on the slope for reading a memory device.

Abstract: A technique for incorporating odor control agent particles into an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, the odor control particles are “homogenously” distributed (e.g., in a substantially uniform manner) within an airformed fiber matrix of an absorbent core of an absorbent article. An absorbent core containing such a homogeneously distributed odor control particles may possess a greater surface area for contacting malodorous compounds, thereby increasing the likelihood of odor reduction.

Abstract: A method of operation of a storage control system includes: determining a bit error rate of a page; calculating a slope based on the bit error rate; and adjusting a threshold voltage for the page based on the slope for reading a memory device.

Abstract: A method for detecting a microorganism or class of microorganisms is provided. More specifically, the method employs an array that contains a plurality of discrete regions (referred to as “addresses”) spaced apart on a solid support in a predetermined pattern. The addresses are selected so that the array provides a distinct spectral response (e.g., pattern of colors) or “fingerprint” for a particular microorganism or class of microorganisms. For example, the array may provide a certain spectral response in the presence of one microorganism or class of microoryanisms (e.g., gram-negative bacteria), but provide a completely different spectral response in the presence of another microorganism or class of microorganisms (e.g., gram-positive bacteria). Detection of the spectral response provided by the array may thus allow for differentiation between microorganisms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are described. Embodiments of the present invention empower and educate patients and their advocates, while providing proximate (and in some cases, real-time) feedback to health care workers (HCWs) regarding their compliance with known protocols that reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Abstract: A sensor wipe, made in part by a hydroentangling or conforming process, includes fibers onto which an indicator dye is immobilized. The substrate may be used to make sensor wipes for testing surface conditions, including but not limited to pH or the presence of certain microbes. The indicator dye does not leach from the sensor wipe. The indicator dye may be reversible so that the sensor wipe can be reused prior to disposal.

Abstract: Described herein are neutral prodrugs of phosphorus-containing inhibitors of farnesyl transferase that include one or more phosphate fragments or analogs of phosphate fragments. Analogs of phosphate fragments include various linkers other than oxygen connecting the phosphate fragment to the remaining portion of the drug, such as but not limited to linkers forming phosphoramidates, phosphonates, difluorophosphonates, phosphordiamidates, and the like.