Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more computing devices receives, from a first user, a request to search for compatible users, wherein the first user is associated with a set of first expressed interests, accesses one or more sets of second expressed interests of one or more second users, respectively, normalizes the set of first expressed interests and the sets of second expressed interests to obtain a set of first normalized interests and one or more sets of second normalized interests, respectively, calculates, for each set of second expressed interests, an interest compatibility score based at least in part on a probability that a user will express one or more pairs of a first normalized interest and a second normalized interest, and sends, to the first user, information associated with one or more of the second users based on the calculated interest compatibility scores.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to a magnetic sensor comprising an input port to be connected to an external power supply, a magnetic field detecting circuit configured to generate a magnet detection signal, an output control circuit configured to control operation of the magnetic sensor in response to the magnet detection signal, and an output port. The magnetic field detecting circuit includes a magnetic sensing element configured to detect an external magnetic field and output a detection signal, a signal processing element configured to amplify the detection signal and removing interference from the detection signal to generate processed detection signal, and an analog-digital conversion element configured to convert the processed detection signal into a magnet detection signal, and the output control circuit is configured to control the magnetic sensor to operate in at least one of a first state and a second state responsive to at least the magnet detection signal.

Abstract: A shock absorbing screw includes a locking member, a friction member sleeved on the locking member, and a connecting frame sleeved on the friction member. The shock absorbing screw is connected to a hard disk by a connecting portion of the shock absorbing screw. An abutting portion of the shock absorbing screw is connected to the friction member. The connecting portion is passed through a second through hole defined in the friction member. A first end of the connecting frame includes a first clamping portion, a second end of the connecting frame includes a second clamping portion, and a second groove is defined between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The shock absorbing screw is connected to a hard disk frame in the second groove. The friction member is connected to the connecting frame through a first through hole defined in the connecting frame.

Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit includes a rectifier, a power supply module, an output control circuit and a detecting circuit. The rectifier is configured to convert an external power supply into a first direct current power supply. The power supply module includes a voltage regulator configured to generate a second direct current power supply different from the first direct current power supply. The detecting circuit is powered by the second direct current power supply and configured to detect an inputted signal and correspondingly generate a control signal. The output control circuit is configured to control, in response to at least the control signal, the sensor integrated circuit to operate in at least one of a first state in which a current flows out from an output port and a second state in which a current flows in from the output port.

Abstract: Statistically significant event patterns predict the timing for performing entity maintenance. Event patterns are determined based on a target variable having an undesired value for a given entity when the event pattern occurs. Event patterns are filtered based on distributions of the event patterns across multiple entities and distributions of event patterns during desired operation of the entities and undesired operation of the entities. A predictive maintenance process is established having significant event patterns as the basis for maintenance tasks.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a catalyst for catalyzing the degradation of organic pollutants in printing and dyeing wastewater by ozone, wherein the catalyst comprises a porous carbon material as a substrate and metal oxide nanoparticles deposited on the surface of the substrate. The method comprises the steps of: allowing a mixture of resorcinol, formaldehyde, trimethylhexadecyl ammonium bromide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and deionized water to react to form cured product, which is then calcinated and carbonized at high temperature to produce the porous carbon material; impregnating the resulting porous carbon material with nitrate solution, drying the porous carbon material, and calcinating it at high temperature, wherein the absorbed nitrate is decomposed into metal oxide and embedded into the porous carbon material.

Abstract: A semantic extraction method based on a natural language is provided. In a character library based on a single-character granularity, a character of an input natural language is queried, to obtain first semantic vectors representing semantic descriptions of the character. Candidate semantic intentions corresponding to second semantic vectors and weight vectors corresponding to the candidate semantic intentions are obtained, wherein the second semantic vectors are obtained by using a neural network and correspond to different permutations and combinations of the first semantic vectors. A candidate semantic intention is selected as a final semantic intention of the natural language based on a preset condition, and key information is obtained corresponding to the final semantic intention according to a weight vector corresponding to the final semantic intention.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for reordering an inventory item are provided herein. The device comprises a memory, a processor, and may comprise a sensor and/or a programming interface. The device receives and indication that an event occurred indicating that the inventory item has been used. The indication is received through a transceiver or through a sensor. The user programs a trigger threshold, and may program the device with a weighting factor for the triggering events or allow the device to calculate a weighting factor. The device automatically sends a signal when the number of triggering events calculated based on the weighting factor equals the trigger threshold. The indication may automatically reorder the inventory item or may send a message to the user requesting additional instructions.

Abstract: The compatibility score of members of a social network is based on the compatibility of their expressed interests. The compatibility score between any two interests is calculated as the log of the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express both interests divided by the product of: (i) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the first of the two interests and (ii) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the second of the two interests. The compatibility score between two individuals is calculated as the sum of the compatibility scores between each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the first of the two individuals and each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the second of the two individuals.

Abstract: A compound and use thereof are provided. The compound of the invention has formula I shown below. Each variable in formula I, is defined in the specification. The invention also provides a method for treating renal and cardiac dysfunction. The method includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the compound of the invention and a pharmaceutical acceptable salt and carrier.

Abstract: A grounding structure for power socket includes a grounding main body, which consists of a basic section, a first connecting section, a second connecting section, a grounding section and a contact section. The first and the second connecting section are separately downward extended from two opposite ends of the basic section, such that the basic section and the first and second connecting sections together define a receiving space in between them. The contact section is downward extended from a side edge of the basic section into the receiving space; and the first connecting section is outward bent at its lower end to form the grounding section. And, the grounding section is provided at an outer end with a grounding opening.

Abstract: A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable computing device is disclosed, comprising: a first electronic sensor configured to receive user input, a second electronic sensor configured to receive a signal indicating that a user depressed a physical button, a gate-keeping module implemented by a processor, wherein data from the first electronic sensor passes through the gate-keeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data from the first electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gate-keeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the first electronic sensor, and all data output from the gate-keeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the first electronic sensor. The device receives the signal indicating that the user has depressed the physical button; and enables or disables a functionality of a second computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable first computing device decoupled from a second computing device, comprising an electronic sensor and gate-keeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The first computing device retrieves responses to user input from a server different from a server that the second computing device would have retrieved data from but for prevented communication between the second computing device and the second server.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled cap for a computing device having a communication module is disclosed, comprising an electronic sensor and a gatekeeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The cap interferes with a function of the computing device, determines that user input recorded by the first electronic sensor comprises a first input content, and changes a nature of interference with the function of the computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled accessory for a computing device is disclosed. The accessory comprises an electronic sensor, configured to record user input comprising an utterance or gesture, and a gatekeeping module implemented by a processor, wherein all data received by the communications module based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, wherein no data based on data from the first electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, wherein all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the first electronic sensor, and wherein all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the first electronic sensor. The processor determines that user input comprises a first input content and in response automatically transmits a message to the computing device.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable computing device is disclosed, comprising a camera for recording video of human actions, a module for communication with a remote server, and a gate-keeping module that, when enabled prevents the communication module from transmitting data external to the device. The device determines, based on the content of the video, a user desire or situation requiring human attention and transmits messages as appropriate for satisfying that desire or addressing that situation. Additional methods for handling user input directed to a recipient other than the device and for ensuring data security via controlling the device's network access are also disclosed.

Abstract: An always-listening-capable decoupled cap for a computing device having a communication module, comprising an electronic sensor and a gatekeeping module. All data received by the communications module based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the gatekeeping module while a gatekeeping function is disabled, no data based on data from the electronic sensor passes through the communications module while the gatekeeping function is enabled, all data input to the gatekeeping module is received via an exclusive input lead from the electronic sensor, and all data output from the gatekeeping module is transmitted via an exclusive output lead to a component other than the electronic sensor. The cap interferes with a function of the computing device and retrieves a response to the user input from a server different from a server that the computing device would have retrieved data from but for the interference.

Abstract: Methods comprise performing two or more thermal cycles on an article comprising a body and a ceramic coating. Each thermal cycle of the two or more thermal cycles comprise heating the ceramic article to a target temperature at a first ramping rate. Each thermal cycle further comprises maintaining the article at the target temperature for a first duration of time and then cooling the article to a second target temperature at a second ramping rate. The method further comprises submerging the article in a bath for a second duration of time to remove the particles from the ceramic coating.

Abstract: Nanopowders containing nanoparticles having a core particle with a thin film coating. The core particles and thin film coatings are, independently, formed from at least one of a rare earth metal-containing oxide, a rare earth metal-containing fluoride, a rare earth metal-containing oxyfluoride or combinations thereof. The thin film coating may be formed using a non-line of sight technique such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). Also disclosed herein are nanoceramic materials formed from the nanopowders and methods of making and using the nanopowders.