Abstract: There is provided a system and method of runtime examination of a semiconductor specimen. The method includes obtaining a runtime image representative of an inspection area of the specimen, the runtime image having a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); and processing the runtime image using a machine learning (ML) model to obtain examination data specific for a given examination application, wherein the ML model is previously trained for the given examination application using one or more training samples, each training sample representative of a respective reference area sharing the same design pattern as the inspection area and comprising: a first training image of the respective reference area having a relatively low SNR; and label data indicative of ground truth in the respective reference area pertaining to the given examination application, the label data obtained by annotating a second training image of the respective reference area having a relatively high SNR.

Abstract: System, device, and method for improved encoding and enhanced compression of images, videos, and media content. A method includes: (a) receiving a source image, and analyzing its content on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and classifying each pixel as either (I) a pixel associated with Photographic content, or (II) a pixel associated with Non-Photographic content; (c) generating a pixel-clusters map that indicates (i) clusters of pixels that were classified as Photographic content, and (ii) clusters of pixels that were classified as Non-Photographic content; (d) generating a composed image, by: (d1) applying a first encoding technique, particularly lossy encoding, to encode pixel-clusters that were classified as Photographic content; (d2) applying a second, different, encoding technique, particularly lossless encoding, to encode pixel-clusters that were classified as Non-Photographic content.

Abstract: A method for in-planta high throughput evaluation of endogenous genetic regulatory elements of a crop plant, obtaining a nucleic acid encoding a native regulatory element of a trait-related gene, introducing one or more genetic changes in each of a plurality of copies of the native regulatory element, introducing the genetic library into model plants, utilizing high throughput transformation, screening the transformed model plants, and identifying the one or more genetic changes in the altered regulatory element of the selected model plant.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for online advertising. Bids are solicited from multiple bidders for an online ad display opportunity. A current value of a budget factor is retrieved and used for computing, for each advertisement corresponding to a respective bid, a wrapper function value based on the current value of the budget factor and a flow type of the advertisement. Based on the wrapper function value for each advertisement, a ranking score is determined and used to rank the advertisements associated with the bids. A winning bid is accordingly selected based on the ranking scores.

Abstract: A system comprises pulse program compiler circuitry operable to analyze a pulse program that includes a pulse operation statement, and to generate, based on the pulse program, machine code that, if loaded into a pulse generation and measurement circuit, configures the pulse generation and measurement circuit to generate one or more pulses and/or process one or more received pulses. The pulse operation statement may specify a first pulse to be generated, and a target of the first pulse. The pulse operation statement may specify parameters to be used for processing of a return signal resulting from transmission of the first pulse. The pulse operation statement may specify an expression to be used for processing of the first pulse by the pulse generation and measurement circuit before the pulse generation and measurement circuit sends the first pulse to the target.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring user activities at an endpoint device on a network, determining if a user activity at the endpoint device presents a potential threat to network security, creating an alert of the threat, and providing the alert with a redacted version of a screenshot from the endpoint device. One or more open windows are obscured or removed in the redacted version of the screenshot of the endpoint device. Providing the redacted includes receiving data describing physical characteristics of the open window(s) from an operating system, receiving a screenshot of the screen of the endpoint device, and obscuring the one or more open windows by creating one or more visual covers. Each visual cover matches a size and shape of one of the open windows based on the data that describes the physical characteristics of the open window(s). Each visual cover is placed over the corresponding open window.

Abstract: A system for determining a physical characteristic or measuring a physical activity of a subject using back-illumination of an eye of a subject includes at least one light source configured for illuminating an eye of a subject using light from within the head of the subject. The system further includes at least one light sensor positionable outside of the head of the subject for sensing light from the at least one light source exiting the subject through the eye of the subject. The system further includes a controller coupled to the at least one light source and to the at least one light sensor for recording an indication of the light while controlling the illuminating.

Abstract: Implementations are provided for automatically mining corpus(es) of electronic video files for video clips that contain spoken utterances that are suitable usage examples to accompany or compliment dictionary definitions. These video clips may then be associated with target n-grams in a searchable database, such as a database underlying an online dictionary. In various implementations, a set of candidate video clips in which a target n-gram is uttered in a target context may be identified from a corpus of electronic video files. For each candidate video clip of the set, pre-existing manual subtitles associated with the candidate video clip may be compared to text generated based on speech recognition processing of an audio portion of the candidate video clip. Based at least in part on the comparing, a measure of suitability as a dictionary usage example may be calculated for the candidate video clip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) editing agents, and their use in preparing DNA-edited cells and birds. The present disclosure further relates to gene-edited or genetically modified avians and gene-edited or genetically modified avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) for producing gene-edited or genetically modified avians (birds) that can serve as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing avian strains that can produce viable embryos and offspring, in both sexes, and for their subsequent use as surrogate hosts for donor PGCs.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for implementing a model for serving exploration traffic are provided. An amount of spend by a content provider to provide content items of the content provider through a content serving platform to client devices of users is determined. A number of exploration impressions of users viewing exploration content items of the content provider over a timespan is determined. A return on exploration impression metric is determined for the content provider based upon a ratio of the amount of spend to the number of exploration impressions. The return on exploration metric is used to rank available exploration content items of content providers for serving exploration traffic.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for isolated budget utilization are provided. A first budget pacing component is assigned to control bidding by a first content serving component for a set of content items. A second budget pacing component is assigned to control bidding by a second content serving component for the set of content items. The first budget pacing component controls the bidding by the first content serving component according to a first portion of a content item budget based upon a traffic share of the first content serving component. The second budget pacing component controls the bidding by the second content serving component according to a second portion of the content item budget based upon a traffic share of the second content serving component.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for isolated budget utilization are provided. A first budget pacing component is assigned to control bidding by a first content serving component for a set of content items. A second budget pacing component is assigned to control bidding by a second content serving component for the set of content items. The first budget pacing component controls the bidding by the first content serving component according to a first portion of a content item budget based upon a traffic share of the first content serving component. The second budget pacing component controls the bidding by the second content serving component according to a second portion of the content item budget based upon a traffic share of the second content serving component.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to generating combination distributions for ads. A prediction model is obtained via machine learning with respect to a criterion. Training data are associated with multiple ads each having multiple attributes, and include combinations with recorded performance for each ad. Each combination has multiple assets representing respective attributes of an ad. Using the prediction model, performance of each combination of each ad can be predicted and used for generating combination distributions for the ads. Such generated combination distributions are then sent to an explore/exploit layer (EEL) at a frontend ad serving engine so that it can draw a combination associated with an auction winning ad for rendering on a webpage viewed by a user on a user device.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to displaying ads. An explore/exploit layer (EEL) is provided at frontend ad serving engine for storing combination distributions with respect to multiple ads. Each ad has multiple attributes. Each attribute can be instantiated using one of multiple assets. The frontend ad serving engine requests a recommended ad for bidding an ad display opportunity in a slot of a webpage viewed by a user on a user device. The recommended ad is one of the multiple ads. When the auction is successful, a combination of assets for the ad is drawn from the combination distributions in EEL and each of the assets instantiates a corresponding attribute of the ad. The combination is transmitted to the user device to render the ad.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to generating combination distributions for ads. Features are computed based on training data associated with ads, each of which has a plurality of attributes. The training data include asset combinations with past performance thereof for each of the ads. Each combination includes multiple assets representing respective attributes of an ad. The features are used in machine learning to obtain an auxiliary model, which is used to generate combination distributions for each ad based on predicted performance for each combination associated with the ad. Such generated combination distributions are sent to an explore/exploit layer (EEL) for a frontend ad serving engine to draw a combination therefrom for an auction winning ad for rendering on a webpage viewed by a user on a user device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for using a specialized sensor for detecting activation of a fluid dispenser and for using gathered data therefrom for a variety of purposes, including determining when to refill the dispenser, tracking and analyzing operation thereof, matching operation to expected or anticipated operation, and identifying specific users and specific incidents of use associated therewith. Also provided are use of remote data repositories and/or processing devices that for processing and use of such data.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for implementing a model for serving exploration traffic are provided. An amount of spend by a content provider to provide content items of the content provider through a content serving platform to client devices of users is determined. A number of exploration impressions of users viewing exploration content items of the content provider over a timespan is determined. A return on exploration impression metric is determined for the content provider based upon a ratio of the amount of spend to the number of exploration impressions. The return on exploration metric is used to rank available exploration content items of content providers for serving exploration traffic.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for using a specialized sensor for detecting activation of a fluid dispenser and for using gathered data therefrom for a variety of purposes, including determining when to refill the dispenser, tracking and analyzing operation thereof, matching operation to expected or anticipated operation, and identifying specific users and specific incidents of use associated therewith. Also provided are use of remote data repositories and/or processing devices that for processing and use of such data.

Abstract: Implementations are provided for automatically mining corpus(es) of electronic video files for video clips that contain spoken utterances that are suitable usage examples to accompany or compliment dictionary definitions. These video clips may then be associated with target n-grams in a searchable database, such as a database underlying an online dictionary. In various implementations, a set of candidate video clips in which a target n-gram is uttered in a target context may be identified from a corpus of electronic video files. For each candidate video clip of the set, pre-existing manual subtitles associated with the candidate video clip may be compared to text generated based on speech recognition processing of an audio portion of the candidate video clip. Based at least in part on the comparing, a measure of suitability as a dictionary usage example may be calculated for the candidate video clip.