Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to receive an indication that a buyer has placed an item in a virtual shopping cart. One or more conversion shipping options associated with shipping options used to ship one or more previously purchased items purchased by the buyer may be determined. One or more non-conversion shipping options associated with shipping options presented to the buyer with one or more unpurchased items previously placed in a virtual shopping cart by the buyer but not purchased by the buyer may be determined. A plurality of conversion probabilities may be determined for a plurality of different shipping options for the item in the virtual shopping cart based at least in part on the conversion shipping options and the non-conversion shipping options. In some embodiments, a shipping option may be selected based on the plurality of different shipping options and the plurality of conversion probabilities.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and/or a computer system for modeling the performance and lifetime of a photovoltaic module (PV). The method includes preparing a comprehensive finite element model; viscoelastic modeling of the encapsulant material of the PV; and orthotropic modeling of the silicon cells of the PV. It also includes carrying out the finite element model by including the predicted time to crack initiation due to temperature; and analyzing the temperature cycling fatigue of copper interconnects in the PV module, and analyzing the PV module under variable mechanical environmental stresses including temperature and sun exposure. Meteorological data are used for modeling the variable environmental stresses.

Abstract: A controlled food intake system includes an apparatus having an inlet tube configured to connect to a lower esophageal stoma, a flow controller, and at least one container configured to detachably attach to the inlet tube and to administer nutrition liquids to a patient at a flow rate based on a position of the flow controller. The apparatus also includes an outlet tube configured to connect to an upper esophageal stoma and a waste container that detachably attaches to the outlet tube. Processing circuitry of the apparatus is configured to control the flow controller to control the flow rate of the nutrition liquids being administered to the patient based on prescribed nutrition intake order. The controlled food intake system also includes at least one server configured to generate reports based on the nutrition liquids administered to the patient and substance consumed by the patient.

Abstract: A coach decision support method including collecting sensor data associated with an athlete at a data logger circuitry; wherein sensor data is generated by at least one sensor placed on the athlete; pre-processing the sensor data at the data logger circuitry and filtering sensor noise from the collected sensor data; extracting at least one feature of the collected sensor data; classifying the at least one extracted feature into at least one physical activity; transmitting the physical activity classification to a data analysis module; generating a detailed report of the physical activity analyzing the athlete's performance within a sporting arena; and generating at least one coach decision recommendation based at least in part on the generated detailed report.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices for facilitating presentation of search result items having varying prominence is provided. The method includes referencing a search result item to be presented within a search results page in response to a search query. Thereafter, a determination is made that a size prominence of the search result item is to be modified. Such a determination can be based on a result attribute(s) associated with the search result item and a result attribute(s) associated with other search result items within the search results page. The size of the search result item is adjusted in accordance with the determination that the size prominence of the search result item is to be modified.

Abstract: A computer system can detect a request for status information relating to a particular deployment pattern; query, in response to the request, a deployment pattern registry for deployment configuration information about the particular deployment pattern; test deployment capabilities for the particular deployment pattern by: verifying installation files for the particular deployment pattern are accessible; identifying one or more candidate deployment components for a hypothetical deployment of the particular deployment pattern; installing, on the one or more candidate deployment components, a virtual machine that is configured to test computing resources of the one or more candidate deployment components; and deleting the virtual machine in response to receiving test results regarding the resources of the one or more candidate deployment components. The system can generate a notification in response to detecting a failure in the testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing composite materials, and in particular, to utilizing an artificial neural network for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material. A method for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of designing an artificial neural network including a plurality of neurons, training the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance by adjusting an output of the plurality of neurons according to sample data and known results of the sample data, inputting data of the composite material into the artificial neural network, and utilizing the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance of the composite material.

Abstract: A computer system can detect a request for status information relating to a particular deployment pattern; query, in response to the request, a deployment pattern registry for deployment configuration information about the particular deployment pattern; test deployment capabilities for the particular deployment pattern by: verifying installation files for the particular deployment pattern are accessible; identifying one or more candidate deployment components for a hypothetical deployment of the particular deployment pattern; installing, on the one or more candidate deployment components, a virtual machine that is configured to test computing resources of the one or more candidate deployment components; and deleting the virtual machine in response to receiving test results regarding the resources of the one or more candidate deployment components. The system can generate a notification in response to detecting a failure in the testing.

Abstract: A set of computing devices are networked together. Each device maintains data about the other computing devices in the set, namely, a time and location of a last successful connection between the device and one or more of the other devices. The data at a device is updated as computing devices in the set move out of communication range with one another, for example (a) when the particular computing device itself loses contact with one of the other computing devices in the set, or (b) when the particular computing device receives a notification from one of the other computing devices that such other computing device has lost contact with a computing device that the other computing device had been in contact with. The connection table data is then used to locate a lost computing device, or the identity of a device that has such information in its connection table.

Abstract: The heat exchanger for photovoltaic (PV) panels is a heat exchanger that maintains a uniform temperature for cooling PV modules. The heat exchanger is a box-shaped enclosure attached to the rear face of the PV panel. The enclosure has an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of parallel baffles disposed between the ends defining a plurality of channels dividing fluid flow through the enclosure into parallel paths. The spaces between the ends of the baffles and the inlet and outlet ends define an inlet header and an outlet header. In one embodiment, the fluid inlet and outlet are disposed in diagonally opposite corners of the disclosure, opening into triangular input and output headers. In another embodiment, the fluid inlet and outlet are centered at the ends of the enclosure, and the outlet header is V-shaped with the vertex extending into the enclosure along its centerline.

Abstract: A computer system can detect a request for status information relating to a particular deployment pattern; query, in response to the request, a deployment pattern registry for deployment configuration information about the particular deployment pattern; test deployment capabilities for the particular deployment pattern by: verifying installation files for the particular deployment pattern are accessible; identifying one or more candidate deployment components for a hypothetical deployment of the particular deployment pattern; installing, on the one or more candidate deployment components, a virtual machine that is configured to test computing resources of the one or more candidate deployment components; and deleting the virtual machine in response to receiving test results regarding the resources of the one or more candidate deployment components. The system can generate a notification in response to detecting a failure in the testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing composite materials, and in particular, to utilizing an artificial neural network for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material. A method for predicting an impact resistance of a composite material in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of designing an artificial neural network including a plurality of neurons, training the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance by adjusting an output of the plurality of neurons according to sample data and known results of the sample data, inputting data of the composite material into the artificial neural network, and utilizing the artificial neural network to predict the impact resistance of the composite material.

Abstract: Gas treatment systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one device defining a space and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The device also includes an electrode assembly, where the electrode assembly includes a dielectric plate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a conductive layer. The electrodes are elongate electrodes disposed on a first major surface of the dielectric plate and arranged substantially in parallel. Further, the conductive layer extends over a second major surface of the dielectric plate, is electrically coupled to the one of the electrodes, and is electrically isolated from the other electrode. The system includes a circuit configured for generating a pulsed electric field between the electrodes.

Abstract: A first delivery estimate prediction model and a second delivery estimate prediction model are generated using historical data from an online marketplace. Transaction information related to an item listed in the online marketplace is determined. A first time estimate is calculated by applying the transaction information to the first delivery estimate prediction model. A second time estimate is calculated by applying the transaction information to the second delivery estimate prediction model. A delivery time estimate is generated based on the lowest of the first time estimate and the second time estimate.

Abstract: A method for inter-frequency cell reselection by a wireless communication device is described. The wireless communication device camps on a serving cell. An evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service (eMBMS) service provided by a neighbor cell is discovered. Inter-frequency parameters of the neighbor cell are measured. It is determined whether to perform an inter-frequency cell reselection based on one or more inter-frequency cell reselection factors. An inter-frequency cell reselection to the neighbor cell is performed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a methods and systems operable by a network entity for wireless communication, that includes determining that User Equipment (UE) is in idle mode and receiving eMBMS (evolved Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service); and based on the determining, activating a power optimization procedure in order to reduce power consumption of the UE. Examples of a power optimization procedures include a single or multi-level hardware shut down procedure, lowering the clock rate of hardware, and shutting down a communication bus during periods of non-use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for molecular fingerprinting to identify Inbreeding and Outbreeding Depression Factors (IODFs) in an animal are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods receive inputs such as information pertaining to a set of loci, allele quantity and size, genotype, and/or so on. The systems and methods calculate, based on at least a subset of inputs and a set of microsatellite markers, an IODF. The systems and methods evaluate the calculated IODF to determine if the animal is a suitable/good candidate for a breeding program.

Abstract: A patterning device, including alignment targets having alignment features formed from a plurality of diffractive elements, each diffractive element including an absorber stack and a multi-layered reflector stack is provided. The diffractive elements are configured to enhance a pre-determined diffraction order used for pre-alignment and to diffract light in a pre-determined direction of a pre-alignment system when illuminated with light of a wavelength used for the pre-alignment. The diffractive elements may occupy at least half of an area of each alignment feature. The diffractive elements may be configured to enhance first or higher order diffractions, while substantially reducing zeroth diffraction orders and specular reflection when illuminated with a wavelength used for reticle prealignment. The dimensions of each diffractive element may be a function of a diffraction grating period of each alignment feature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a heated exhaust gas including hydrocarbons are provided. A method includes providing a first gas including a gaseous mixture of vaporized diesel fuel and steam and treating the first gas using at least one corona discharge including a combination of streamers to transform the first gas into a second gas including volatile partially oxidized hydrocarbons (PO—HC) and hydrogen gas (H2), the combination of streamers including primarily surface streamers. The method also includes extracting at least a portion of vaporized diesel fuel and steam from the second gas to form a third gas and directing a combination of the third gas and the exhaust gas into a nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction reactor.

Abstract: The method of modeling thermal problems using a non-dimensional finite element method is a computerized method for modeling thermal systems that relies on the variational principle. The variational principle specifies the total potential of the system, given by a scalar quantity ?, which is defined by an integral form for a continuum problem. The solution of the continuum problem is a function that makes ? stationary with respect to the state variables. The governing equation of the problem is used to calculate the potential ?. The non-dimensional form of the potential is obtained by insertion of the defined non-dimensionless parameters. The element non-dimensional stiffness matrix and the non-dimensional load vectors are then obtained by invoking the stationarity of the non-dimensional potential ? with respect to a non-dimensional temperature vector {?}.