Abstract: A natural language processing system for analyzing speech includes a computer processing device configured to receive recorded speech of a person. The computer processing device constructs a baseline speech model of the person, the baseline speech model of the person including a property of speech based on a personal attribute of the person, compares current recorded speech of the person to the baseline speech model of the person to determine a deviation of the property of speech therebetween, and determines if the deviation of the property of speech meets a threshold of the property of speech that is defined for a disorder.

Abstract: A banknote processing device comprises a banknote transport path defined at least in part by a transport plate on one side of the banknote transport path, the banknote transport plate being pivotally mounted about a first axis near an upstream end of the transport plate, the transport plate including a working position and an open position, a display assembly being pivotally mounted about a second axis spaced a defined distance apart from the first axis, the display assembly including an operational position and a non-operational position, and a linkage coupled to display assembly and to the transport plate near a downstream end of the transport plate, wherein, when the display assembly is rotated from the operational position to the non-operational position, the linkage causes the transport plate to move from the working position to the open position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for crop grading and crop management. One or more images of crops are obtained and one or more crop related features are at least one of identified or extracted from the one or more images. A crop health status is determined based on the one or more crop related features, an environmental context, a growth stage of the crop, and a farm cohort by using a computerized deep learning system to perform an automated growth stage analysis. One or more actions are at least one of recommended, triggered, and performed.

Abstract: A medical tool may comprise sheath and a needle extendable from and retractable into the sheath. The sheath may comprise a tubular shaft member and a guard member attached to the tubular shaft member. The needle may comprise a flexible jacket. One or more of these components may be configured to prevent interference between the flexible jacket and a portion of the guard member as the need is extended or retracted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls a driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). One or more processors compare a control processor competence level of an on-board SDV control processor in controlling the SDV to a human driver competence level of a human driver in controlling the SDV while the SDV encounters a current roadway condition which is a result of current weather conditions of the roadway on which the SDV is currently traveling. One or more processors then selectively assign control of the SDV to the SDV control processor or to the human driver while the SDV encounters the current roadway condition based on which of the control processor competence level and the human driver competence level is relatively higher to one another.

Abstract: A set of learner data associated with a learner is received. The set of learner data includes at least a real-time data stream, e.g., derived from instrumentation, in a social network enabled digital learning environment. Based on the set of learner data, at least one learning improvement strategy is determined for improving the learner's learning capability. Atomic level mentorship activities are generated. Each atomic level mentorship activity is targeted with a specific skill and knowledge item and having an estimated duration period. At least one mentorship is identified from at least one social network platform. An initial incentive structure comprising at least an amount of payment and payment modality is created. The atomic level mentorship activities with the initial incentive structure are presented.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights detects an approaching vehicle, and assesses road conditions, intensity of the emergency lights at the approaching vehicle, a response of the approaching vehicle to the emergency lights, and a state variable related to a driver of the approaching vehicle. The emergency vehicle then obtains a likelihood value that the approaching vehicle will initiate an accident, by supplying information about the road conditions, the intensity of the emergency lights at the approaching vehicle, the response of the approaching vehicle, and the state variable as inputs to a neural network trained to correlate accidents to such information. In response to the likelihood value exceeding a threshold value, the emergency vehicle modifies the emergency lights.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for verifying signatures. The system includes at least one processing component, at least one memory component, and a reference storage comprising a set of reference signatures. The system also includes a model generator configured to generate a signature model based on the set of reference signatures. Further, the system includes a verification component configured to receive a signature, and determine whether the signature is valid.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer product for operating a self-driving vehicle (SDV). The SDV receives information from a calendar entry of a passenger's schedule about an event at a destination location to which the SDV is to drive the passenger to. The SDV sensors detect one or more behaviors or cognitive states of the passenger while in the vehicle. The SDV determines an optimal arrival time at the destination location based on the user's schedule information and the user's behavior or cognitive state; and further alters the driving speed or route taken by the SDV based on the determined optimal arrival time and an estimated travel time. The reshaping of the SDV driving characteristics is based on calendar information received including: an event meeting time, event topic, attendees, event importance. A detected passenger behavior can include talking on a phone, reading, or being in a tired, sleeping, agitated or nervous state.

Abstract: A medical device comprises an elongate sheath comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion and defining a first lumen. The medical device further comprises an elongate instrument slidably disposed at least partially within the first lumen. The elongate instrument comprises a rigid distal section defining a second lumen. The medical device further comprises a first extension member coupled to a proximal end of the elongate instrument and a second extension member coupled to a proximal end of the elongate sheath. The second extension member is configured to at least partially receive the elongate instrument. The medical device further comprises a holding mechanism coupled to the second extension member. The holding mechanism includes a protrusion configured to maintain the elongate instrument in a rotationally fixed position relative to the distal portion of the elongate sheath.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls a driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). One or more processors compare a control processor competence level of an on-board SDV control processor in controlling the SDV to a human driver competence level of a human driver in controlling the SDV while the SDV encounters a current roadway condition which is a result of current weather conditions of the roadway on which the SDV is currently traveling. One or more processors then selectively assign control of the SDV to the SDV control processor or to the human driver while the SDV encounters the current roadway condition based on which of the control processor competence level and the human driver competence level is relatively higher to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe predictively reconstructing a physical event using augmented reality. Embodiments describe, identifying relative states of objects located in a physical event area by using video analysis to analyze collected video feeds from the physical event area before and after a physical event involving at least one of the objects, creating a knowledge corpus including the video analysis and the collected video feeds associated with the physical event and historical information, and capturing data, by a computing device, of the physical event area.

Abstract: A method for enhancing speech performance includes communicating, via an input/output (I/O) device, speech data of a patient with speech problems, segmenting the speech data, generating one or more feature vectors based on at least the segmented speech data, determining whether the one or more feature vectors match with one or more recognition objects pre-trained using clinical data of one or more other patients, determining a speech disorder based on a matched result between the one or more feature vectors and the one or more recognition objects, and communicating, via the I/O device, one or more ameliorative actions for mitigating the determined speech disorder.

Abstract: A social media control method, system, and computer program product, include detecting a contextual meaning of a content of a third-party post on a user's social media account, classifying the content into user-defined categories based on an overlap between the contextual meaning and the user-defined categories, identifying an undesired piece of information from the content, identifying a trusted online friend within a social media circle of the user, and providing a one-time access control to the identified trusted online friend to rectify the undesired content in the third-party post.

Abstract: A headgear device for a user including an integrated face shield, mask and hood. More specifically, the headgear device includes a hood, a face shield, and a moisture barrier fabric to cover the user's mouth when the headgear device is worn and direct air out through a breathable particle filtration fabric.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an autonomous mobile attenuator system for mitigating vehicular collisions. The system includes one or more mobile attenuators that receive data indicating a need for deployment from one or more sensors. The one or more mobile attenuators perform a collision risk assessment on the received data to determine a probability of a potential vehicle collision. The one or more mobile attenuators determine the probability of the potential vehicle collision exceeds a predetermined risk threshold value. The one or more mobile attenuators determine a predicted location for the potential vehicle collision. The one or more mobile attenuators proceed to the predicted location to mitigate the potential vehicle collision.

Abstract: A selection of content from a content presentation is received. At least one topic from the selected content is extracted using natural language processing (NLP). The at least one topic is representative of a subject conveyed within the selected content. At least one perspective associated with the at least one topic is extracted using NLP. The at least one perspective is representative of a point of view conveyed within the selected content regarding the at least one topic. A topic rating of the extracted topics and associated perspectives is determined based upon the extracted topics and associated perspectives. The topic rating is representative of a topic diversity among the extracted topics and associated perspectives. The topic rating is presented within a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: An image file is to be posted on a social media web site is automatically detected, the image file containing at least an image of a first individual with a background image depicting a location determined to be unsafe. A risk level associated with the location is determined. Based on the risk level, an action is automatically activated, which prevents at least a second individual from taking a photograph of the second individual at the location.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system to verify the source of a suspect message, so that it is no longer suspect.

Abstract: A cohort associated with a user is identified. A virtual object is generated according to the cohort. An augmented reality setting of a location is generated in relation to the user. A context of the location is determined. The virtual object is modified in the augmented reality setting according to the context and the cohort.