Abstract: Techniques for managing teleconferences. A plurality of people are associated with a plurality of identifiers such that each person is associated with at least one identifier. For each caller to a teleconference associated with a different identifier, authentication information is solicited from the caller. Authentication information is received from the caller in response to the solicitation and a determination, based on the received authentication information, is made whether the caller is associated with one of the identifiers.

Abstract: A system platform and associated methods are provided for implementing online reverse auctions in a social network platform (SNP). A fully-automated, live, reverse-auction based system is integrated into an SNP to enable buyers to initiate desired transactions and take advantage of a subscribers' network of friends, colleagues, co-workers, family members and connections by connecting buyers and sellers in a non-intrusive, targeted fashion. Sellers compete for buyers' business by providing dynamic, real-time seller-specific pricing while simultaneously optimizing the seller's target parameters such as price, inventory levels, profit, revenue and volume.

Abstract: A plurality of diagonal matrices Ci is determined, where the plurality of diagonal matrices Ci is for modifying a plurality of transmit signals to be transmitted via a plurality of transmit antennas, each diagonal matrix Ci for modifying an i-th block of sub-carriers, adjacent in frequency, in the plurality of transmit signals. The plurality of diagonal matrices Ci is used to modify the plurality of transmit signals to implement transmit diversity.

Abstract: Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds have been identified as serious health hazards. This is especially true for personnel working with JP8 jet fuel and other fuels containing naphthalene as well as other hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to naphthalene or other hazardous VOCs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for initiating an operating a high speed uplink channel. A user equipment may receive an order from a Node B triggering a feedback response. The user equipment may perform a physical random access channel (PRACH) procedure in response to receiving the order, and may also initiate a collision resolution procedure The user equipment may transmit a current channel quality indicator (CQI) of the user equipment on a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH) prior to achieving collision resolution.

Abstract: In a method for controlling transmission of an information signal to a plurality of receive antennas associated with one or more receivers, a steering matrix is developed using a subset of receive antennas, wherein the subset of receive antennas includes less than all of the plurality of receive antennas. Transmission of the information signal via a plurality of transmit antennas is controlled using the steering matrix.

Abstract: A rotatable blade for use in a turbomachine includes an airfoil portion having a leading edge, a trailing edge a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end; a root section at to the radially-inner end of the airfoil portion, and a part-span shroud located on the airfoil portion between the root section and the radially-outer end. The part-span shroud decreases in width and thickness from decreasing in width and thickness from the airfoil portion to a contact surface adapted to engage a mating contact surface on a part-span shroud of an adjacent blade.

Abstract: Systems and methods for answering user questions using databases annotated with answerable questions are disclosed. The database includes database items organized into columns. Each of the columns may have a question annotated thereto. The question is a parameterized question that is answerable by the database items in the column. A question answering algorithm is used to search the database for an annotated question corresponding to a question that needs to be answered.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless communication include applying a compression algorithm to a data flow, and evaluating a level of compression of the data flow resulting from the applying of the compression algorithm. Further aspects include determining when the level of compression of the data flow is below a first threshold, and disabling compression of the data flow when the level of compression is below the first threshold. Additional aspects include determining when the level of compression of the data flow is above a second threshold, and enabling compression of the data flow when the level of compression is above the second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: An exhaust diffuser is provided having a center body having an inlet adapted for coupling to a turbine. The center body has an outer wall, and a guide member disposed inside the center body. A flow path reducing member is disposed inside the center body. The flow path reducing member is configured to be movable into a first position and a second position. The first position is an inactive position having no impact on an exit flow area of the exhaust diffuser, and the second position is a deployed position that reduces the exit flow area of the exhaust diffuser.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless communication include receiving, at a compressor component, a data packet flow and determining information associated with the data packet flow from one or more data packets associated with the data packet flow. The determined information includes source or destination information corresponding to the one or more data packets of the data packet flow. Further, the methods and apparatus include classifying the data packet flow as a compressible or an uncompressed data packet flow based on the determined information, and compressing or skipping compressing of the one or more data packets associated with the data packet flow based on the classification of the data packet flow. Additionally, the methods and apparatus include transmitting the one or more compressed or uncompressed data packets depending on the classification of the data packet flow.

Abstract: A glass sheet is formed on a mold into a glass article having a three-dimensional shape. The mold, with the glass article thereon, is arranged within an interior space of a radiation shield such that the mold is between a leading end barrier and a trailing end barrier of the radiation shield. The mold, glass article, and radiation shield are translated through a sequence of cooling stations while maintaining the mold between the leading and trailing end barriers, wherein the leading and trailing end barriers inhibit radiation heat transfer at leading and trailing ends of the mold.

Abstract: Computer implemented techniques are disclosed for fixing signal hold-time violations in semiconductor chips. Analysis includes estimation of hold-time requirements using ideal clocks. Allocation of placement regions within the design and near the macro circuits allows for later placement and wiring use during layout hold-time fixing. The placement region sizes are based on estimates of the needed buffers. Nets, within the design for detail routing, are ordered such that nets with hold-time violations are wired later, thus fixing hold-time violations without scaling or adding further buffers. Hold times are re-evaluated once wiring of track routes is complete.

Abstract: An electrical wiring device includes a metal switch cover as a user contact point. The metal switch cover has antimicrobial properties that reduces microorganisms that are present on the wiring device, and helps reduce the spread of infections or disease from user to user. The metal switch cover is disposed on a switch in the wiring device, such that users touch the metal switch cover when operating the switch. In some exemplary embodiments, the metal switch cover is coupled to a paddle-style switch and takes on the profile of a paddle. In some exemplary embodiments, the metal switch cover is coupled to a toggle-style switch and take on the profile of a toggle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of wireless communication includes determining, at a compressor component, whether to transmit a current data packet as a compressed current data packet or an uncompressed current data packet. Further, these aspects include determining whether a data sequence in the current data packet matches a first or second data sequence when determining to transmit the uncompressed current data packet, wherein the first data sequence indicates a first compression state and the second data sequence indicates a second compression state. Also, these aspects include adding the second data sequence to the uncompressed current data packet for transmission when the data sequence in the current data packet matches the first or second data sequence. Additionally, these aspects include transmitting the uncompressed current data packet with the second data sequence when the data sequence in the current data packet matches the first or second data sequence.

Abstract: Posts are ranked for display on a page in a social network environment based on interaction and user score signals associated with the post and a viewing user. The signals for each of the posts are scored, and a ranking score for each post is determined. The posts are ranked in an order for display based on the ranking score and displayed for the viewing user on the page. Posts submitted by other users who have established connections with the viewing user are also filtered for display in a social box on the page.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for cranial fixation following a craniotomy and treatment for increased intracranial pressure. The cranial fixation device comprises two heads connected by a telescopic extension with one head attached to the skull and the other to the bone flap. The telescopic extension provides constrained movement of the bone flap relative to the skull to accommodate an increase in the intracranial pressure.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for executing block trades for a security includes steps or devices for receiving a block trade request, at a computer system. The block request includes data representing a quantity of shares of the security to be traded over a period of time. The computer system divides the period of time into a plurality of time bins. A computer system, for the received block trade request, computes, for each time bin, a number of shares to be traded as a trading target based on at least historical trading volumes using predictive analysis. For a first time bin, a computer system generates executable trade orders for a number of shares to be traded that is substantially equal to the trading target for the first time bin. A computer system executes at least a portion of the executable trade orders in a trade forum within each time bin in the future.

Abstract: A fast rebuild mechanism that includes a background initialization mechanism. The fast rebuild mechanism allows a RAID controller to be made aware of what blocks are actually in use so that only those blocks are rebuilt after a disk drive failure. The fast rebuild mechanism also includes functionality for an IO controller (such as storage controller) to detect whether a block has stored data to indicate that the block has valid data when the block is accessed.

Abstract: A method of reducing glare may include sensing a first light source with a second vehicle, and sensing a second light source with a first vehicle and oscillating a first light source ICF between a substantially opaque state and a substantially clear state on a first schedule. A second windscreen ICF may be oscillating between the substantially opaque state and the substantially clear state on a second schedule different from the first schedule. A position of the light source may be sensed and an eye position of the occupant estimated. An intersecting region of the selectively-darkenable ICF, which is located substantially along a line from the position of the light source to the eye position, is calculated. The intersecting region of the ICF is darkened, such that a reduced amount of light from the light source passes through the intersecting region.