Abstract: A video-conferencing system that simulates depth in a two-dimensional video of a remote speaker via a parallax effect. The background of the video of the remote speaker is removed and the resulting backgroundless video is combined with a background image according to poses of a viewing participant face captured by a camera. As the poses change, the orientation of the backgroundless video and the background image are changed proportionally to yield a parallax effect. The backgroundless video and the background image are combined at the client device of the remote speaker and is transferred to the client device of the viewing participant as a multilayer video.

Abstract: A video-conferencing system that simulates depth in a two-dimensional video of a remote speaker via a parallax effect. The background of the video of the remote speaker is removed and the resulting backgroundless video is combined with a background image according to poses of a viewing participant face captured by a camera. As the poses change, the orientation of the backgroundless video and the background image are changed proportionally to yield a parallax effect. The video or the backgroundless video and the background image are transferred to a client device of the viewing participant via separate channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for communicating between platforms, comprising the steps of initializing a first platform and a second platform; optically tracking a movement of the second platform by the first platform; and optically communicating bi-directionally between the first platform and the second platform. Disclosed herein is an optical communication device comprising various elements including but not limited to: a processor configured to provide at least a tracking mode and a communications mode; an input-output interface coupled to the processor; an electro-optic controller coupled to the input-output interface; an acquisition-tracking portion coupled to the electro-optic controller; and a communication portion coupled to the electro-optic controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the creation of Dynamic/Moving Backgrounds for multiple operating systems channeled through recorded or “live” video sources. The program provides a custom NSWindow subclass, using a borderless style mask. It then sets the level of that window to the ‘lowest’ possible depth, and shows it in all spaces, ignoring any windowing collection behavior. Once the window has been created. It sets the window video content using whatever video content the user specifies. System and methods make a determination of the Aspect Ratio of the selected video and the conversion of that Aspect Ratio to match the Aspect Ratio of the user's Display. Chosen video is displayed from a Private Internal Browser in full screen mode from the NSWindow.

Abstract: A connector port assembly for releasably securing an implantable lead to a header of an implantable medical device comprises a connector block having a connector block bore and an access hole extending radially through the connector block and oriented orthogonally to an axis of the connector block bore and sized to receive a shaft of a release tool, and a collet assembly including a collet body and a plurality of bearings arranged about a circumference of the collet body, the collet body including a forward end portion having a curved outer surface, and a distal portion opposite the forward end portion, wherein the access hole of the connector block is positioned such that a shaft of the release tool can engage the curved outer surface of the forward end portion of the collet body.

Abstract: Techniques for providing using software applications within persistent hybrid virtual collaborative workspaces are provided. In an example, a method establishes a virtual collaborative workspace characterized by or more virtual collaborative workspace resources and associated with one or more users to interact with other users or collaborative workspace resources within the virtual collaborative workspace. The method further receives, from a client device associated with a first user associated with the virtual space, an identification of an application to use in the virtual collaborative workspace. The method, based on the receiving, adds the application to the virtual collaborative workspace and configures the application to access one or more resources associated with the virtual collaborative workspace. The method further provides access to the application within the virtual collaborative workspace to at least a subset of the users associated with the virtual collaborative workspace.

Abstract: A hub motor for a single-wheel electric vehicle. The motor includes an outer rotor which encloses a stator that in turn encloses an interior chamber within the hub motor that may be used to hold an electronic controller. One or more end caps may suspend a mounting board within the interior chamber, and the exterior of the one or more end caps connects the apparatus to the electric vehicle's chassis. The additional capacity provided by the interior chamber allows the electric vehicle to hold more battery capacity, thereby extending the range of the electric vehicle between recharges.

Abstract: One example method includes joining, from a client device, a virtual meeting hosted by a virtual meeting provider, the virtual meeting comprising a plurality of participants, displaying the virtual meeting on the display of the client device, receiving an eye tracking signal from an eye tracking sensor, the eye tracking signal associated with a first user of the client device, and determining, based at least in part on the eye tracking signal, a location of the display on which the first user is focused. The method further includes identifying a first audio stream of a plurality of audio streams associated with the virtual meeting based at least in part on the location, and responsive to identifying the first audio stream, increasing a volume of the first audio stream relative to the rest of the plurality of audio streams.

Abstract: Example methods and systems provide push-to-talk (PTT) functionality integrated with other functions. The PTT functionality can include a graphical interface provided by a client application. The graphical interface can display PTT groups and/or icons for individual users. Users can generate PTT group definitions in response to input to the client application. A group control input can cause PTT transmission from a client device to a group of client devices corresponding to the PTT group. PTT groups can optionally be shared through the client application or via a URL that invokes a private Web page, and recording and transcription of PTT communication can optionally be provided.

Abstract: A single wheel vehicle may include first and second footpads. Each footpad may be configured to receive a left or right foot of a rider that is oriented generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device. A detecting region may be located on the first and second footpads. The detecting region may include switches. Each switch may be electrically connected to corresponding resistor such that the resistance across a powerline drops for each switch that is pressed. A motor controller may receive device orientation information and rider presence information derived from a measurement of the powerline. The motor controller may cause a motor to propel the device based on the device orientation information and the rider presence information, which may correspond to the number of switches pressed. The motor controller may also disengage the motor based on the number of switches pressed.

Abstract: A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.

Abstract: An asphalt modifier includes bitumen, polyolefin particles, and one or more alkyl terephthalamides. Preparing an asphalt modifier includes combining one or more alkyl terephthalamides, polyolefin particles, and bitumen, and dispersing the polyolefin particles in the bitumen to yield the asphalt modifier. Digesting polyethylene terephthalate includes combining polyethylene terephthalate with an alkylamine or carboxyalkylamine to yield a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature between about 20° C. and about 300° C. to yield an alkyl terephthalamide.

Abstract: An elongate web of wrapping material having a longitudinal axis and a series of lines of weakening spaced from each other in a direction along the axis is disclosed. Each line of weakening is configured to form an extraction opening for the removal of smoking articles from a bundle of smoking articles wrapped in a longitudinal section of the wrapping material cut from the web. A portion of each line of weakening extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least a part of said portion extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis. A method of manufacturing an elongate web of wrapping material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for creating a free radical effluent with reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and other species and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The system is used in sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing, or decontaminating items in the chamber or room and, with a wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body. The wound chamber may be designed to maintain separation from wounds being treated. Various embodiments can control moisture to reduce or avoid unwanted condensation. Some embodiments can be incorporated into an appliance having a closed space, such as a washing machine. Some embodiments may include a residual coating device that deposits a bactericidal coating on sterilized items.

Abstract: Synchronous content sharing of media assets via an object data model propagated through a star network or a mesh network. Each user device updates a local object data model including information on the status of the media asset delivery, to achieve synchronization with the source data. Updates to the local object data model may be the result of direct connection between a user device and an application server via a network, or the result of indirect connections through peers in mesh networks, where the local object data model is shared through hops between peers in the mesh network if the direct connection is unavailable.

Abstract: A machine learning model is trained from characteristics of code changes and characteristics of tests to generate an output indicative of a likely test result of running a corresponding test on a code change. One or more machine learning models may be trained for a specific code repository and based on developer feedback. When a code change is generated by a developer to code in a code repository, a machine learning model is selected based on the repository and characteristics or features of the code change are extracted and input to the machine learning model. The machine learning model generates a model output indicative of the likely test results of running each of a plurality of different tests on the code change. The model output indicates how likely it is that each of the plurality of different tests will fail. Based on the model output, a test selection system selects a subset of the plurality of different tests that should be run against the code changes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a boat hull comprising: forming a foam mold of a predetermined shape and size from one or more pieces of foam; cutting, into the foam, at least one C-channel running in a longitudinal or a lateral direction within the foam; and coating the foam with at least one layer of reinforcing fiber and resin.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving a request to join a virtual space, the request received from a user device associated with a first user; responsive to determining that the first user is a member of the virtual space, providing access to the virtual space; changing a status of the first user based on the first user accessing the virtual space; providing state information associated with a then-current state of the virtual space; and providing an indication of a conference attached to the virtual space to the first user, the conference being between two or more members of the virtual space.

Abstract: Techniques for managing outputs from persistent hybrid collaborative workspaces are disclosed. In an example, a method receives, from a client device, a request to view a history of the virtual collaborative workspace. The method obtains, from a data store, past occurrences associated with one or more virtual collaborative workspace resources within the virtual space. The virtual collaborative workspace resources can include a virtual collaborative workspace, a list of users associated with the virtual collaborative workspace, a shared document, a video stream, or textual messages. The method further transmits indications of the one or more virtual collaborative workspace resources to the client device.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for producing or editing a mechanistic model of biological systems and/or for validating (e.g., assessing the comprehensiveness of) the mechanistic model. An illustrative method produces and/or edits a mechanistic model using information derived (e.g., generated and/or identified) from a corpus comprising public and/or proprietary scientific literature using a natural language processing (NLP) machine-learning model. Producing a mechanistic model may be or include generating, modifying, extending, and/or annotating the mechanistic model. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, by one or more processors of one or more computing devices, a prompt. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the one or more processors, information responsive to the prompt. A mechanistic model may be produced using the information, for example, by a human user.