Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable the generation of candidate endorsements for recommended items of content using an ensemble of nominators. Various implementations include each nominator in the ensemble providing a candidate endorsement for each recommended item of content. Additionally or alternatively, an endorsement is selected to present to the user based on a score determined for each candidate endorsement.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable the generation of candidate endorsements for recommended items of content using an ensemble of nominators. Various implementations include each nominator in the ensemble providing a candidate endorsement for each recommended item of content. Additionally or alternatively, an endorsement is selected to present to the user based on a score determined for each candidate endorsement.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable the generation of candidate endorsements for recommended items of content using an ensemble of nominators. Various implementations include each nominator in the ensemble providing a candidate endorsement for each recommended item of content. Additionally or alternatively, an endorsement is selected to present to the user based on a score determined for each candidate endorsement.

Abstract: A system may pre-fetch search result information in anticipation of a user request for the search result information. The system may receive a user search query and request initial search results from a server based on the search query. The system may receive the initial search results from the server and render the initial search results for display to the user. In anticipation of a user request for additional search results, the system may request additional search results from the server. The additional search results may then be pre-fetched for potential display to the user in response to a user request to render the additional search results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a tone differential between a given segment of a document and a larger segment of the document. The tone differential may be based on comparison of a first tone associated with the given segment and a second tone associated with the larger segment. The tone differential is indicative of the variance between the tone of the given segment and the tone of the larger segment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to verifying annotations of textual segments based on human feedback that is responsive to questions generated to solicit feedback relevant to the annotations. Some implementations are directed generally to generating one or more task specifications to solicit feedback relevant to a potential annotation of a target textual segment, transmitting the task specifications for review by a plurality of human reviewers, receiving feedback responsive to the task specifications, and using the feedback to determine whether the potential annotation is a verified annotation. Some implementations are directed generally to determining an effectiveness measure for a task system and/or one or more reviewers, wherein the effectiveness measure is indicative of effectiveness in providing feedback instances related to one or more annotations for one or more textual segments.

Abstract: Information about named entities referenced in an electronic book (ebook) is provided to a client device. An ebook identifier identifying the ebook is received from the client device. A set of layers available for use with the ebook is determined. The layers in the set provide information associated with the ebook and a layer in the set provides information associated with named entities referenced in content of the ebook. A content range identifying a range of content of the ebook for which layer information is requested and an identification of one or more of the layers in the set for which layer information is requested is received from the client device. Layer information associated with the ebook content identified by the content range for the identified layers is transmitted to the client device. The transmitted layer information includes information associated with named entities referenced by ebook content.

Abstract: A system may pre-fetch search result information in anticipation of a user request for the search result information. The system may receive a user search query and request initial search results from a server based on the search query. The system may receive the initial search results from the server and render the initial search results for display to the user. In anticipation of a user request for additional search results, the system may request additional search results from the server. The additional search results may then be pre-fetched for potential display to the user in response to a user request to render the additional search results.

Abstract: A system may pre-fetch search result information in anticipation of a user request for the search result information. The system may receive a user search query and request initial search results from a server based on the search query. The system may receive the initial search results from the server and render the initial search results for display to the user. In anticipation of a user request for additional search results, the system may request additional search results from the server. The additional search results may then be pre-fetched for potential display to the user in response to a user request to render the additional search results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining similarities and/or differences between entities in a segment of text based on various signals are presented, and for determining one or more likelihoods that one or more subjects found in a segment of text are capable of performing one or more associated actions based on various signals.

Abstract: The functionality of an ereader module that is displaying an electronic book (“ebook”) is extended. A user identifier specifying a user using a client device executing the ereader module and an ebook identifier specifying the ebook displayed by the ereader module are received from the client device. One or more layers associated with the user are determined. One or more layers associated with the ebook are determined. A list of one or more layers is assembled. The layer list is transmitted to the client device. The client device enables the user to select a layer and use the selected layer to interact with content of the ebook.

Abstract: A document analysis system analyzes a corpus of documents and automatically generates a dictionary of specialized phrases not already in conventional dictionaries. The dictionary generation process involves a series of operations on the phrases to identify the phrases most suitable for inclusion in a dictionary, such as phrase scoring and phrase clustering. The dictionary generation process also comprises the identification of one or more corresponding definitions for the various phrases identified for inclusion in the specialized dictionary.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to using web resources to determine an answer for a query. Some implementations are directed generally to determining answers to interrogative queries that are submitted by users via computing devices of the users, such as typed or spoken queries submitted via a search engine interface. Some implementations are directed to determining answers to interrogative queries that are automatically formulated to identify missing information, verify existing information, and/or update existing information in a structured entity database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing advertisements. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for an advertisement from a user device associated with a first user, and identifying advertisements responsive to the request. A determination is made that one of the advertisements describes a good or service that is associated with an endorsement provided by an endorser, and the endorser is recommended by a second user that belongs to a same social network as the first user. The advertisements are ranked based on one or more signals associated with each advertisement, wherein one of the signals for the one advertisement is the endorsement and is used in the ranking in response to the determination. The ranked advertisements are provided in response to the request.

Abstract: The functionality of an ereader module that is displaying an electronic book (“ebook”) is extended. A user identifier specifying a user using a client device executing the ereader module and an ebook identifier specifying the ebook displayed by the ereader module are received from the client device. One or more layers associated with the user are determined. One or more layers associated with the ebook are determined. A list of one or more layers is assembled. The layer list is transmitted to the client device. The client device enables the user to select a layer and use the selected layer to interact with content of the ebook.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining similarities and/or differences between entities in a segment of text based on various signals are presented, and for determining one or more likelihoods that one or more subjects found in a segment of text are capable of performing one or more associated actions based on various signals.

Abstract: The functionality of an ereader module that is displaying an electronic book (“ebook”) is extended. A user identifier specifying a user using a client device executing the ereader module and an ebook identifier specifying the ebook displayed by the ereader module are received from the client device. One or more layers associated with the user are determined. One or more layers associated with the ebook are determined. A list of one or more layers is assembled. The layer list is transmitted to the client device. The client device enables the user to select a layer and use the selected layer to interact with content of the ebook.

Abstract: Information about named entities referenced in an electronic book (ebook) is provided to a client device. An ebook identifier identifying the ebook is received from the client device. A set of layers available for use with the ebook is determined. The layers in the set provide information associated with the ebook and a layer in the set provides information associated with named entities referenced in content of the ebook. A content range identifying a range of content of the ebook for which layer information is requested and an identification of one or more of the layers in the set for which layer information is requested is received from the client device. Layer information associated with the ebook content identified by the content range for the identified layers is transmitted to the client device. The transmitted layer information includes information associated with named entities referenced by ebook content.

Abstract: Information about named entities referenced in an electronic book (ebook) is provided to a client device. An ebook identifier identifying the ebook is received from the client device. A set of layers available for use with the ebook is determined. The layers in the set provide information associated with the ebook and a layer in the set provides information associated with named entities referenced in content of the ebook. A content range identifying a range of content of the ebook for which layer information is requested and an identification of one or more of the layers in the set for which layer information is requested is received from the client device. Layer information associated with the ebook content identified by the content range for the identified layers is transmitted to the client device. The transmitted layer information includes information associated with named entities referenced by ebook content.

Abstract: A system may pre-fetch search result information in anticipation of a user request for the search result information. The system may receive a user search query and request initial search results from a server based on the search query. The system may receive the initial search results from the server and render the initial search results for display to the user. In anticipation of a user request for additional search results, the system may request additional search results from the server. The additional search results may then be pre-fetched for potential display to the user in response to a user request to render the additional search results.