Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant to provide extension of digital assistant services are provided. An example method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors, receiving, from a first user, a first speech input representing a user request. The method further includes obtaining an identity of the first user; and in accordance with the user identity, providing a representation of the user request to at least one of a second electronic device or a third electronic device. The method further includes receiving, based on a determination of whether the second electronic device or the third electronic device, or both, is to provide the response to the first electronic device, the response to the user request from the second electronic device or the third electronic device. The method further includes providing a representation of the response to the first user.

Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant to provide extension of digital assistant services are provided. An example method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors, receiving, from a first user, a first speech input representing a user request. The method further includes obtaining an identity of the first user; and in accordance with the user identity, providing a representation of the user request to at least one of a second electronic device or a third electronic device. The method further includes receiving, based on a determination of whether the second electronic device or the third electronic device, or both, is to provide the response to the first electronic device, the response to the user request from the second electronic device or the third electronic device. The method further includes providing a representation of the response to the first user.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors and memory includes a procedure for enabling conversation persistence across two or more instances of a digital assistant. In some embodiments, the device displays a first dialogue in a first instance of a digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to display a user interface different from the digital assistant user interface, the device displays the user interface different from the digital assistant user interface. In response to a request to invoke the digital assistant, the device displays a second instance of the digital assistant user interface, including displaying a second dialogue in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface, where the first dialogue remains available for display in the second instance of the digital assistant user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling window arrangements for tabbed user interface elements. An example method includes displaying a plurality of application windows including at least one application window for a web browser application having multiple open tabs, the multiple open tabs including at least one active tab and multiple inactive tabs, receiving an input to invoke a snap assist mode; in response to the input, display a snap assist user interface to reconfigure the display of one or more the plurality of the application windows, the snap assist user interface including tab representations and an application-window representation. In response to receiving a selection of a tab representation, a web browser application window is displayed with the corresponding tab as the active tab.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a blockchain-based risk assessment engine using any technique are described herein.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for x-ray tube components is disclosed. The method of fabricating an x-ray tube component includes providing a powder into an electrically conductive die constructed to have a cavity shaped as the x-ray tube component being fabricated and simultaneously applying a mechanical pressure and an electric field to the die so as to cause sintering of the powder and thereby fabricate the x-ray tube component, wherein the electric field applied to the die directly passes through the die to the powder, so as to generate heat internally within the powder responsive to the applied electric field.

Abstract: A system and method for x-ray tube components is disclosed. The method of fabricating an x-ray tube component includes providing a powder into an electrically conductive die constructed to have a cavity shaped as the x-ray tube component being fabricated and simultaneously applying a mechanical pressure and an electric field to the die so as to cause sintering of the powder and thereby fabricate the x-ray tube component, wherein the electric field applied to the die directly passes through the die to the powder, so as to generate heat internally within the powder responsive to the applied electric field.

Abstract: A computer-based interactive fantasy sports gaming system that enables players to create a fantasy sports team for virtual participation. The fantasy gaming system implements and manages gaming sessions that correspond to and last for a single real-world sporting event. A user-interface is provided to facilitate athlete selection under constraints that limit the overall pool of athlete candidates to just those participating in the corresponding real-world event, and that limit teams to a smaller subset of the athletes participating in the real-world event. The gaming system is fully integrated with social media channels such as, without limitation, Twitter®, Google+®, and Facebook®, through which players can challenge, communicate and play with their friends.

Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.

Abstract: A method of joining a first component and a second component is provided. The first component has a surface that comprises at least about 75% by volume of a refractory metal. The second component has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first component. The method includes disposing a coating on the surface of the first component. The coating includes an adhesion layer and a wetting layer disposed over the adhesion layer. The method further includes disposing a bonding material between the first and second components and joining them. The bonding material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the second component. An article made using the method is also presented.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a photo-imageable material is deposited on a circuit structure. The photo-imageable material is then exposed to a pattern of radiation, thereby polymerizing portions of the photo-imageable. Un-polymerized portions of the photo-imageable material are then removed to define a solder mask having solder deposition areas. Solder is then deposited in the solder deposition areas. A circuit structure that may be produced in accordance with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) forming a plurality of channel plate layers in ceramic green sheet, 2) forming at least one channel plate feature in at least one of the channel plate layers, and 3) laminating the channel plate layers to form the channel plate. A method for making a switch with a ceramic channel plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a channel plate such that the material is registered to one or more channels formed in the channel plate includes filling at least one of the channels with a resist that is not wetted by the material; depositing the material on at least a region of the channel plate that includes at least part of the resist, the material registering with at least one channel edge as a result of the material's abutment to the resist; and then removing the resist. The method may be used, in one embodiment, to apply an adhesive or gasket material that is used in assembling a switch.

Abstract: An electrical relay comprising having two wettable electrical contacts supporting a conducting liquid. A non-wettable switch finger is moved between first and second positions between the electrical contacts by action of an actuator. In the first position the switch finger permits the conducting liquid to bridge the gap between the contacts and complete an electrical circuit between the contacts. In the second position the switch finger separates the conducting liquid into two volumes, breaking the electrical circuit between the contacts. The switch finger may be located at the free end of a beam that is deflected or bent by the action of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: An electrical relay having two wettable electrical contacts, each supporting a conducting liquid. A wettable switch finger is moved from a non-deflected position to first and second positions by action of an actuator. In the first position the switch finger touches the conducting liquid and causes it to wet between the contacts and the switch and thereby complete an electrical circuit between the contacts. When the switch finger is in the second position, the conducting liquid cannot wet between first and second contacts and the switch finger and the electrical circuit between the first and second contacts is broken. The switch finger may be located at the free end of a beam that is deflected or bent by the action of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) forming a plurality of channel plate layers in ceramic green sheet, 2) forming at least one channel plate feature in at least one of the channel plate layers, and 3) laminating the channel plate layers to form the channel plate. Switches using ceramic channel plates, and a method for making a switch with a ceramic channel plate, are also disclosed.