Abstract: An input question enhancement mechanism is provided for merging sub-question results in Question and Answer (QA) systems in order to answer an input question submitted from a user. A plurality of sub-questions associated with the input question is identified. Responsive to submitting the set of questions to a QA pipeline of the QA system, a set of answers and a set of passages related to the set of answers corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-questions are received. A mapping is applied to the set of passages to form a consolidated set of passages. The set of answers is then merged into the mapping so as to generate a consolidated set of answers. A factoid question response report is generated with answers from the consolidated set of answers and passages from the consolidated set of passages. The factoid question response report is then provided to the user.

Abstract: Generating a controllable panoramic image while eliminating unsuitable dynamic elements by receiving a plurality of images of a location from a user device, wherein the plurality of images includes images of a location at various times, identifying an object of one or more images of the plurality of images, wherein the object corresponds to an unsuitable condition for a database, determining a score of the one or more images of the plurality of images based at least in part on the identified object, determining a base image from the one or more images of the plurality of images, and generating a set of replacement images of the location based at least in part on respective determined scores of the one or more images of the plurality of images.

Abstract: Generating a controllable panoramic image while eliminating unsuitable dynamic elements by receiving a plurality of images of a location from a user device, wherein the plurality of images includes images of a location at various times, identifying an object of one or more images of the plurality of images, wherein the object corresponds to an unsuitable condition for a database, determining a score of the one or more images of the plurality of images based at least in part on the identified object, determining a base image from the one or more images of the plurality of images, and generating a set of replacement images of the location based at least in part on respective determined scores of the one or more images of the plurality of images.

Abstract: Generating automated conversation responses by receiving a conversation input message, determining an intent associated with the conversation input message, detecting content associated with the intent in a data stream in response to determining the intent, and generating a conversation output according to the content and the intent.

Abstract: A method for managing data processes in a network of computing resources includes: receiving at least one child request being routed from an intermediary device to at least one corresponding destination device, the at least one child request requesting execution of at least one corresponding child data process, each of the at least one child data process for executing at least a portion of the at least one parent data process from an instructor device, and each of the at least one child request including a destination key derived at least in part from the at least one instructor key; storing the at least one child request in at least one storage device; modifying the at least one child request upon receiving a child request modification signal; and generating signals for communicating the child requests to one or more requesting devices.

Abstract: Livestock handling equipment characterized by a modular alley construction employing shared bows with hole-penetrated front and rear faces for fastening of elongated structural beams and coupling of side panels at both of said faces. Longitudinally protruding coupling members on said side panels for engaging said holes include grooved and longitudinally extendable/retractable pivot pins at the bottom ends of the side panels. Selectively mountable/removable cladding members enable convenient strategic customization of cladding coverage to optimize livestock flow via pressure zone techniques, physical intervention and/or light-based attraction, and also enable physical access for inspection and treatment of the animals.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute features a side-gate frame delimiting a side-access opening for lateral access to an animal secured in the chute's head gate. An openable/closeable side-gate is movably coupled to the gate frame to enable selective obstruction of a lower area of the side-access opening. An upper barrier is movably coupled to the side-gate for movement into and out of a closed state at least partially obstructing an upper area of said side-access opening. A hinged connection by which said side-gate is both pivotably and removably coupled to said gate frame comprises a set of male stub shafts and a cooperating set of female receptacles, by which said side-gate is pivotally movable at a first elevation, and fully removable when lifted to a greater second elevation. When both are removed from the frame, the barrier is set an angle forming a supportive prop for the gate.

Abstract: A head gate drive assembly for a livestock chute features a rectangular longitudinal shaft at a first side of the chute, a handle slidable along the shaft and operable to rotate same, and a control arm coupled to the shaft at the front of the chute to operate the head gate. The arm and shaft are directly coupled in a fastener-free removable manner enabling remounting of the arm in a reversed orientation for use at an opposing second side of the chute. Front and rear support assemblies for the shaft are removably mounted at first predefined mounting locations on the first side of the chute, which are mirrored by a second set of predefined mounting locations on the second side of the chute. The front support assembly features bushings of circular outer profile rotatable inside a housing, and of rectangular inner profile conforming to the shaft passing through said housing.

Abstract: A livestock head holder with movably supported top and bottom holding members movable by an operating mechanism into a closed state bracing against the topside and underside of an animal's head, neck or jaw region. Selectively attachable scoop extensions for the bottom head holder enable selective enlargement of a neck scoop thereof for more effective performance on larger animals of greater size at said body region. A selectively attachable/removable stabilizer on the top holding member is of increased breadth relative to a main elongated bar of the top holding member to increase the area of surface contact at the topside of said body region. This spreads the holding force over a greater area and reduces pressure concentration on the animal's body to provide increased comfort and a calming effect.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A system and method for a remotely deployable, off-grid system to autonomously detect, quantify, and automatically wort emissions of methane (CH4) and other gases to the atmosphere, Automated CH4 emissions detection is accomplished by the use of commercially available CH4 sensors. CH4 accuracy is maximized by simultaneously measuring, and accounting for, undesired CH4 sensor response from interfering gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and water vapor (H2O), and undesired CH4 sensor response from ambient temperature (T) changes. Automated CH4 emissions quantification is accomplished by calculating a leak rate (mass or volume per unit time) from the measured concentration enhancements using simultaneous measurements of wind speed and direction. Automated CH emissions reporting is accomplished following transmission of measured CH4concentrations via cellular wireless, radio, or satellite link to a central cloud-based server.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimizing search query results is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a first natural language query, selecting a plurality of search query patterns based on the first natural language query, assigning a weight to each search query pattern in the plurality of search query patterns, generating one or more weighted keyword queries from each search query pattern based on the weight assigned to each search query pattern and one or more keywords from the first natural language query, evaluating a relevancy of one or more search results returned by each of the one or more weighted keyword queries for the first natural language query, and iteratively altering the weight assigned to a search query pattern until an optimal number of relevant search results are returned from the search query pattern for the first natural language query.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for determining statement attributions. The system includes at least one processing component, at least one memory component, a feature extractor, a model generator, a model database, and an attribution selector. The method includes receiving a statement, generating at least one pattern that defines a grammatical feature of the statement, and generating a statement model from the at least one pattern. The method also includes determining a similarity value for the statement model and at least one reference model.

Abstract: A livestock force tub features a perimeter structure delimiting an interior space of said livestock tub, including a main peripheral wall spanning circumferentially around a central upright axis, an exit situated at or proximate a terminal end of the main peripheral wall and a supplemental wall section at an area adjacent the exit on a side thereof opposite the terminal end of the main peripheral wall. The supplemental wall section increases an angular span of the tub around the central axis to create an auxiliary space beyond the exit. This auxiliary space accommodates a possible uncooperative animal during unloading of the force tub while allowing others to still reach the exit. The supplemental wall section and a terminal section of the main peripheral wall have a lesser opacity than more significantly cladded areas of the main peripheral wall, whereby increased light admission and environmental visibility attract livestock toward the exit.

Abstract: A vessel-supportable flexible-elongate-element spooling system (100) for spooling a flexible elongate element (12). The system comprises a container (14) having an internal volume defined by a radially inner barrier (22), a radially outer barrier (24), and a base (26). A flexible-elongate-element feeder (18) feeds the flexible elongate element (12) towards the base (26) of the container (14). A flexible-elongate-element force applicator (20) applies a force to the flexible elongate element (12) to retain a curvature imparted to the flexible elongate element (12) on discharge from the flexible-elongate-element feeder (18). The curvature is at least in part defined by the inner barrier (22) and/or the outer barrier (24).

Abstract: A method for managing data processes in a network of computing resources includes: receiving at least one child request being routed from an intermediary device to at least one corresponding destination device, the at least one child request requesting execution of at least one corresponding child data process, each of the at least one child data process for executing at least a portion of the at least one parent data process from an instructor device, and each of the at least one child request including a destination key derived at least in part from the at least one instructor key; storing the at least one child request in at least one storage device; modifying the at least one child request upon receiving a child request modification signal; and generating signals for communicating the child requests to one or more requesting devices.