Abstract: Blockchain-backed redistributable electronic content components is created and distributed. These techniques provider greater computer security and authentication controls, in various embodiments. An electronic content component associated with a first entity and a first set of actions is created. The electronic content component is published, and the first set of actions and a block representing the electronic content component are added to a blockchain. A second entity requests use of the electronic content component and a distribution agreement between the first and second entities associated with a second set of actions is created. The second set of actions and a block representing the distribution agreement are added to a blockchain. The electronic content component and distribution agreement are validated based on the blockchain, and custom content including the electronic content component is published.

Abstract: This specification provides a computer-implemented method, the method comprising obtaining a machine-learning model. The machine-learning model is being trained with expert data comprising a plurality of training examples. Each training example comprises: (i) game state data representing a state of a video game environment, and (ii) scored action data representing an action and a score for that action if performed by a video game entity of the video game environment subsequent to the state of the video game environment. An action is performed by the video game entity based on a prediction for the action generated by the machine-learning model. The method further comprises determining whether the action performed by the video game entity was optimal. In response to determining that the action performed by the video game entity was suboptimal, a healed training example is generated.

Abstract: Active agent-containing articles, for example fibrous structures, that exhibit consumer acceptable article in-use properties, such as flexibility, article dimensions, and/or dissolvability, and product-shipping assemblies for containing the same are provided.

Abstract: A cross-flow membrane filtration channel defined by at least one membrane, wherein at least one surface of the channel is inclined at an angle away from a centreline of the channel in a direction of feed flow in the channel.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.

Abstract: A networked computer system for providing a casino patron loyalty program is described herein. The networked computer system includes a promotions management computer server that is coupled to a plurality of player tracking servers. The promotions management computer server includes a processor programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of receiving a gaming request signal from a player tracking server indicating a request from a patron to initiate a gaming session, displaying a gaming charm selection screen on the gaming device, receiving a patron selected gaming charm and responsively generating an escrowed award record in an award escrow data file that includes a session ID, the patron ID, the device ID, and a charm ID associated with the patron selected gaming charm.

Abstract: Compositions for forming a silicon-containing film such as without limitation a silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, a carbon-doped silicon nitride, or a carbon-doped silicon oxide film on at least a surface of a substrate having a surface feature. In one aspect, the composition comprises at least one compound is selected from the group consisting of a siloxane, a trisilylamine-based compound, and a cyclic trisilazane compound.

Abstract: A method for making a dense organosilicon film with improved mechanical properties, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate within a reaction chamber; introducing into the reaction chamber a gaseous composition comprising hydrido-dimethyl-alkoxysilane; and applying energy to the gaseous composition comprising hydrido-dimethyl-alkoxysilane in the reaction chamber to induce reaction of the gaseous composition comprising hydrido-dimethyl-alkoxysilane to deposit an organosilicon film on the substrate, wherein the organosilicon film has a dielectric constant from ˜2.70 to ˜3.50, an elastic modulus of from ˜6 to ˜32 GPa, and an at. % carbon from ˜10 to ˜35 as measured by XPS.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymer formulations of poly(itaconic acid-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) for dishwasher detergent compositions with a controlled amount of a second polymeric component.

Abstract: This specification provides a computer-implemented method, the method comprising obtaining a machine-learning model. The machine-learning model is being trained with expert data comprising a plurality of training examples. Each training example comprises: (i) game state data representing a state of a video game environment, and (ii) scored action data representing an action and a score for that action if performed by a video game entity of the video game environment subsequent to the state of the video game environment. An action is performed by the video game entity based on a prediction for the action generated by the machine-learning model. The method further comprises determining whether the action performed by the video game entity was optimal. In response to determining that the action performed by the video game entity was suboptimal, a healed training example is generated.

Abstract: A platinum alloy composition consisting, in weight percent, of: 0.0 to 10.0 gold, 0.0 to 5.0 cobalt, 0.0 to 10.0 copper, 0.0 to 7.0 iron, 0.0 to 4.0 gallium, 0.0 to 3.0 indium, 0.0 to 5.0 iridium, 0.0 to 10.0 manganese, 0.0 to 7.0 nickel, 0.0 to 15.0 palladium, 0.0 to 5.0 rhenium, 0.0 to 5.0 rhodium, 0.0 to 10.0 ruthenium, 0.0 to 3.0 tin, 85.0 or more platinum and incidental impurities, wherein two or more of gallium, indium and tin are present in an amount of 0.1 or more, wherein the following equation is satisfied in which Wco, WCu, WFe, WGa, WIn, WNi, WPd, WSn, WRh, WIr, WAu, WRu, WRe, and WMn are the weight percent of cobalt, copper, iron, gallium, indium, nickel, palladium, tin, rhodium, iridium, gold, ruthenium, rhenium, and manganese in the alloy respectively 60+WPd*2.5+WRh*3.4+WIr*6.455+WAu*11.93+WRu*13.241+WCu*14.328+WRe*16.6+WNi*16.9+WMn*18.48+WCo*18.69+WFe*21.879+WIn*29+WSn*28.207+WGa*42.

Abstract: This specification provides a computer-implemented method, the method comprising obtaining a machine-learning model. The machine-learning model is being trained with expert data comprising a plurality of training examples. Each training example comprises: (i) game state data representing a state of a video game environment, and (ii) scored action data representing an action and a score for that action if performed by a video game entity of the video game environment subsequent to the state of the video game environment. An action is performed by the video game entity based on a prediction for the action generated by the machine-learning model. The method further comprises determining whether the action performed by the video game entity was optimal. In response to determining that the action performed by the video game entity was suboptimal, a healed training example is generated.

Abstract: This specification provides a computer-implemented method, the method comprising obtaining a machine-learning model. The machine-learning model is being trained with expert data comprising a plurality of training examples. Each training example comprises: (i) game state data representing a state of a video game environment, and (ii) scored action data representing an action and a score for that action if performed by a video game entity of the video game environment subsequent to the state of the video game environment. An action is performed by the video game entity based on a prediction for the action generated by the machine-learning model. The method further comprises determining whether the action performed by the video game entity was optimal. In response to determining that the action performed by the video game entity was suboptimal, a healed training example is generated.

Abstract: Blockchain-backed redistributable electronic content components is created and distributed. These techniques provider greater computer security and authentication controls, in various embodiments. An electronic content component associated with a first entity and a first set of actions is created. The electronic content component is published, and the first set of actions and a block representing the electronic content component are added to a blockchain. A second entity requests use of the electronic content component and a distribution agreement between the first and second entities associated with a second set of actions is created. The second set of actions and a block representing the distribution agreement are added to a blockchain. The electronic content component and distribution agreement are validated based on the blockchain, and custom content including the electronic content component is published.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power to a water heater. The method comprises providing the water heater in a locked state, wherein at least one heating element of the water heater is inoperable when the water heater is in the locked state, coupling a digital key module to a communications port of the water heater, and receiving a digital key from the digital key module through the communications port. The method comprises coupling an electrical grid controller to the water heater through the communications port and placing the water heater in an unlocked state, wherein the at least one heating element of the water heater is operable when the water heater is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for creating and distributing blockchain-backed redistributable electronic content components. These techniques provider greater computer security and authentication controls, in various embodiments. An electronic content component associated with a first entity and a first set of actions is created. The electronic content component is published, and the first set of actions and a block representing the electronic content component are added to a blockchain. A second entity requests use of the electronic content component and a distribution agreement between the first and second entities associated with a second set of actions is created. The second set of actions and a block representing the distribution agreement are added to a blockchain. The electronic content component and distribution agreement are validated based on the blockchain, and custom content including the electronic content component is published.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of obtaining clonal seeds, methods of plant cloning, methods of screening for maternal plants that produce clonal seeds asexually and methods of increasing yield of clonal seeds. Also disclosed are constructs comprising a nucleic acid that may silence the activity of a RNA-dependent DNA methylation pathway gene. Further disclosed are maternal plants comprising a construct wherein the construct comprises an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, wherein the construct renders the maternal plant defective for RNA-dependent DNA methylation.

Abstract: A nickel-based alloy composition consisting, in weight percent, of: 1.5 to 4.5% aluminium, 1.1 to 3.4% titanium, 0.0 to 4.0% niobium, 0.0 to 5.2% tantalum, 0.9 to 6.6% tungsten, 0.0 to 3.0% molybdenum, 0.0 to 24.0% cobalt, 12.5 to 20.6% chromium, 0.02 to 0.15% carbon, 0.001 to 0.015% boron, 0.0 to 0.1% zirconium, 0.0 to 3.0% rhenium, 0.0 to 2.0% ruthenium, 0.0 to 3.0% iridium, 0.0 to 0.5% vanadium, 0.0 to 1.0% palladium, 0.0 to 1.0% platinum, 0.0 to 0.5% silicon, 0.0 to 0.1% yttrium, 0.0 to 0.1% lanthanum, 0.0 to 0.1% cerium, 0.0 to 0.003% sulphur, 0.0 to 0.25% manganese, 0.0 to 0.1 magnesium, 0.0 to 5.0% iron, 0.0 to 0.5% copper, 0.0 to 1.0% hafnium, the balance being nickel and incidental impurities, wherein the following equations are satisfied in which WAl, WTi, WNb, WTa and WW are the weight percent of aluminium, titanium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten in the alloy respectively 0.65?0.3 WNb+0.15 W 3.6?WAl+0.5 WTi+0.3 WNb+0.15 WTa?5.7 WTa+0.92WW?6.1.