Abstract: Systems and methods that process natural language travel requests are described herein. According to some embodiments, methods for processing natural language travel requests may include: (a) decoding itinerary components from a natural language travel request, (b) determining a node type for each of the itinerary components, (c) ascertaining dependencies between each of the itinerary components based upon respective node types, (d) generating an unconstrained schedule using the itinerary components and respective dependencies therebetween, and (d) allocating available inventory to each of the itinerary components according to the unconstrained schedule to fulfill the natural language travel request.

Abstract: Ice test devices include an ice adhesion test device. The ice adhesion test device comprises an ice adhesion test target in the form of a well in which, in use, a layer of accreted ice is built up. The target comprises a sample plate at the bottom of the well and an ice-engagement element positioned circumferentially around the sample plate and providing a side wall of the well, and wherein the sample plate is rotatable relative to the ice-engagement element. The ice adhesion test device also comprises torque means for applying a rotational torque between the sample plate and the ice-engagement element. The ice adhesion test device also comprises transducer means for, at least at a point at which the layer of accreted ice separates from the sample plate, measuring the rotational torque and/or the stress on the ice.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making Nucleoside Phosphoramidate Compounds of formula (I): which are useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of HCV infection. The present invention is also directed to compounds that are useful as synthetic intermediates for making the compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for monitoring facial presentation of a first user to a second user. The system may include at least one image capturing device configured for capturing at least one image of the first user. Further, the system may include a communication device communicatively coupled to the at least one image capturing device. Further, the system may include a processing device communicatively coupled to the communication device. The communication device may be configured for transmitting the at least one image to a processing device. The processing device may be configured for analyzing the at least one image. The processing device may be configured for identifying a face of the first user based on the analyzing. Further, the processing device may be configured for generating facial presentation data based on the identifying. Further, the system may include a storage device configured for storing the facial presentation data.

Abstract: An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The body can be formed of a porous material compatible with at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt. The body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, such that the at least one of an ionic liquid or room-temperature molten salt is capable of being transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide scalable spinlocks for non-uniform memory access (NUMA). In some examples, a global spinlock configured to protect access to a shareable resource is protected by multiple local spinlocks, which are each configured to control access to the global spinlock. In a multi-socket NUMA system, the global spinlock is allocated on one of the sockets, and the local spinlocks are distributed over the multiple sockets. In some embodiments, one local spinlock is allocated on each of the multiple sockets. In other embodiments, the multiple local spinlocks may be equally distributed over the NUMA sockets. When contention for the global spinlock is low, processes can attempt to directly acquire the global spinlock. In contrast, when contention for the global spinlock is high, processes need to first acquire one of the local spinlocks associated with the global spinlock before attempting to acquire the global spinlock.

Abstract: A wireless apparatus controls physical access through a portal by forward verification of a single origin code submitted by a mobile application device. A system forward verifies a single physical access control code upon each successful physical access request. The apparatus sets a flag that triggers an action when a single origin code is received out of sequence. The controller receives a plurality of physical access requests from a plurality of mobile application devices. The controller determines for each mobile application device a sequence of access requests comprising at least a first access request and a second access request. Upon authenticating the first access request, the controller writes into storage a forward verification code specific to an immediately subsequent second access request from the same app device. Upon receiving a successor, the controller performs an authentication process by matching the stored forward verification code associated with the predecessor.

Abstract: This invention relates to microphone accessories, particularly microphone flags, for use with a hand-held microphone having a bulbous head and elongate stalk extending therefrom. The accessory has at least one body having at least one display face for displaying at least a first communication; at least one attachment formation for attaching the body to the microphone; and at least one display member for displaying at least a second communication, wherein the at least one display member is permanently or removably attachable to the body and/or the microphone, and wherein the at least one display member is configured to extend and/or supplement the at least one display face of the body, in use. The invention also relates to a method of using a microphone and to a microphone accessory apparatus.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds, such as compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit wild-type RET and its resistant mutants, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions, e.g.

Abstract: One example discloses an apparatus for wireless communication, including: a first wireless device configured to communicate with a second wireless device over a first wireless link, according to a first wireless link protocol; wherein the first wireless link protocol defines communications between the first wireless device and the second wireless device; wherein the first wireless device is configured to monitor communications on a second wireless link between the second wireless device and a third wireless device; wherein the second wireless link is configured according to a second wireless link protocol that defines communications between the second wireless device and the third wireless device; and wherein the first wireless device is configured to spoof the second wireless device in response to an error condition or signal degradation on the second wireless link.

Abstract: A needle tip storage and removal device comprises a storage compartment having a splined socket which engages the complementary splines on a needle tip collar, a compartment being sealed by a peelable foil. Alongside the storage compartment is a removal compartment having a drive socket of similar configuration. The device assists safe removal and disposal of a used needle prior to fitting a new needle.

Abstract: Payment card transactions at a point of sale (POS) are secured in certain embodiments by intercepting, with a POS security layer installed on a POS terminal, payment data from the POS terminal, transmitting the payment data from the POS security layer to a server security application installed on a POS server, and providing false payment data from the POS security layer to a POS terminal application installed on the POS terminal. The false payment data in various embodiments is processed as if it were the payment data, such that the POS terminal transmits an authorization request to the POS server using the false payment data. In addition, the authorization request may be transmitted from the POS server to a payment gateway.

Abstract: An exchange that fulfills natural language travel requests is described herein. According to some embodiments, systems for managing an exchange that fulfills natural language travel requests may include a publishing module that receives a plurality of inventory records from a plurality of suppliers, each of the plurality of inventory records pertaining to an available offering, the offering being defined by a set of metadata attributes, and a pattern recognition artificial intelligence engine that generates equivalent phrases for the set of metadata attributes from each inventory record by applying pattern recognition artificial intelligence to the set of metadata attributes, the equivalent phrases representing possible natural language queries to which an inventory record may correspond.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering augmented reality display data to locations of a physical presentation environment based on a presentation configuration are provided. A physical presentation environment configuration may be accessed that includes locations of a physical presentation environment for mapping augmented reality display data. The augmented reality display data may include a plurality of augmented reality objects that are rendered for display. Presentation attributes of the augmented reality display data may be used in conjunction with the presentation configuration for mapping and rendering the augmented reality display data. The rendered augmented reality display data may be dynamically interactive, and may be generated based on previous presentation configurations, mapping preferences, mapping limitations, and/or other factors.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for implementing a multi-device mixed interactivity system are provided. The interactivity system includes paired mixed-input devices for interacting and controlling virtual objects. In operation, a selection input associated with a virtual object is accessed. The selection input is based on real input associated with a selection device and virtual input associated with a mixed-reality device. The selection device has a first display that displays the virtual object and the mixed-reality device has a second display that displays the virtual object. A selection profile is generated based on the selection input. The selection profile comprises one or more selection profile attributes for isolating a portion of the virtual object. A selected portion of the virtual object is determined based on the selection profile. The selected portion of the virtual reality object is caused to be displayed on the first display of the selection device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for implementing a multi-device mixed interactivity system are provided. The interactivity system includes paired mixed-input devices for interacting and controlling virtual objects. In operation, a selection profile associated with a virtual object is accessed. The selection profile is generated based on a selection input determined using real input associated with a selection device and virtual input associated with a mixed-reality device. The selection device has a first display and the mixed-reality device has a second display that both display the virtual object. An annotation input for the virtual object based on a selected portion corresponding to the selection profile is received. An annotation profile based on the annotation input is generated. The annotation profile includes annotation profile attributes for annotating a portion of the virtual object. An annotation of the selected portion of the virtual reality object is caused to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) having the property of binding to SLLMWITQC-HLA-A*0201. the SLLMWITQC SEQ ID NO:126 peptide being derived from the NY-ESO-1 protein which is expressed by a range of tumour cells. The TCRs have a KD for the said peptide-HLA complex of less than or equal to 1 ?M and/or have an off-rate (koff) of 1×10?3 S?1 or slower.

Abstract: As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and or method involves a switching power supply circuit and a control circuit therefor. The switching power supply circuit operates in high and low-power modes. In the high power mode, high and low power rails of a first circuit and of a second circuit are coupled to a power source circuit (e.g. a battery). In the low-power mode, the first circuit is operated in a high power domain and the second circuit is operated in a low power domain using recycled charge from the high power domain. The control circuit operates the switching circuit in the high-power mode and low-power mode (for power conservation) in response to a control signal.

Abstract: Provided are articles, kits, and methods for teaching a person how to tie a bow tie. A practice bow tie includes an elongated piece of flexible material with indicators on the front and rear surface of the bow tie. The indicators, also provided in a kit, define a portion, fold line, or step that aid a user in tying a bow tie to achieve a satisfactory appearance.

Abstract: Electrically conductive aerogel and methods of making the same are disclosed. A solution is provided. The solution is cured to form a polymer. The polymer is carbonized to form the conductive aerogel.