Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product are provided for managing power consumption in a computer system based on the degree with which performance of tasks can be degraded in order to save power. A criticality value controls the degree with which performance of a task may be degraded is associated with tasks within a computer system. Power consumption of the computer system is then managed based on the criticality values associated with tasks executing within the computer system. A reduction in computer system power consumption can be realized by degrading the performance of non-critical tasks, which is accomplished by reducing the power consumed by at least a portion of the computer system. Power can also be reduced by scheduling non-critical tasks to portions of the computer system and reducing power consumption of other portions of the computer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of recovering molybdenum from a molybdenum bearing sulfide material. The material is contacted with a leaching solution in the presence of iron compounds and mesophilic or thermophilic iron oxidizing microorganisms and subsequently, a leaching process is performed by controlling the molar ratio of dissolved ferric iron to dissolved molybdenum. Preferably, a high amount and molar excess of dissolved iron is used. The presence of high concentrations of ferric iron in bioleach solutions allows iron-oxidizing microorganisms to grow and oxidize iron and bioleach molybdenite at dissolved Mo concentrations as high as 4.4 g/L. Organic metabolites were not required for protecting cells from Mo toxicity. Maximum dissolution rates depend on reactor configuration, with agglomerated material simulating heap leaching of almost 1% Mo/day, but up to 10.2% Mo/day in suspension/stirred reactor configurations, with rate highly dependent on temperature within the range of 25° C. to 40° C.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for CPU signaturing to aide in performance analysis. Exemplary embodiments include a performance analysis method including identifying a workload having one or more testcases, assigning a CPU signature to each of the one or more testcases, calling a CPU signature application programming interface that toggles the CPU to generate the CPU signature, passing four parameters to the CPU signature application programming interface, prior to running each of the one or more testcases of the workload, generating the CPU signature, dynamically determining a run order of the one or more testcases at a run time of the workload and reviewing performance data during the running of each of the one or more testcases, each of the one or more testcases being identifiable by its respective CPU signature.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for enabling retrieval and display from an information resource of additional information corresponding to topics within current, real-time communication between an instant message (IM) contact and a local user. Content is dynamically (or manually) retrieved from the contact's IM message during an ongoing IM session/communication. A searching facility, when turned on, dynamically performs the search for additional information related to the content retrieved from within the communication exchanged during the on-going IM session. Returned information is then visually presented in real-time to the local user to enhance the local user's knowledge of the particular topic.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for enabling retrieval and display from an information resource of additional information corresponding to an instant message (IM) contact using search topics detected/retrieved from: a profile of the IM contact; a stored list of topics of interest to the IM contact; and content manually selected from the contact's IM message during an ongoing IM session. The IM contact's profile information is entered by a local user or is received from the IM contact's IM client following an exchange of self-entered profile information between a local user and the IM contact during the IM session. A searching facility, when turned on, dynamically performs the search for additional information from the content retrieved from the profile. Returned information is then visually presented to the local user to enhance the local user's knowledge of the particular topic.

Abstract: Alternative designs, materials, and methods of making and using catheter manifolds. Some embodiments are related to a balloon catheter including a catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The shaft includes an outer tubular member defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft also includes an inner tubular member defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner tubular member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member such that the proximal end of the inner tubular member extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer tubular member. A catheter manifold is molded about a portion of the outer tubular member and a portion of the inner tubular member, and a balloon assembly attached to the distal portion of the shaft such that the balloon assembly is in fluid communication with at least one of the lumens.

Abstract: Medical devices, including intravascular medical devices, may be constructed to include on-board power generation capabilities adapted to provide power to an electrical load, such as a therapeutic element, that is disposed upon or formed within the medical device. An electrical power generator may be disposed upon or formed within a proximal portion of a medical device.

Abstract: A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.

Abstract: High-strength, low-hysteresis TiNi-based shape-memory alloys (SMAs) employing fully coherent low-misfit nanoscale precipitates, wherein the precipitate phase is based on an optimized composition for high parent-phase strength and martensite phase stability, and compensating the stored elastic energy through the addition of martensite stabilizers. The alloys, with a yield strength in excess of 1200 MPa, are useful for applications such as self-expanding stents, automotive actuators, and other applications wherein SMAs with high output force and long cyclic life are desired.

Abstract: A structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and may include an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a buoyancy system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. A substantially enclosed boathouse may form the structure when the structure has only a lower level. The boathouse is separable into sections each of which could be separately rolled over the ground by wheels attached to each section. This reduces the usual operational width of the boathouse into the smaller towed widths of the individual sections to ease the task of transporting the boathouse over the ground.

Abstract: A transformation toughened, high-strength steel alloy useful in plate steel applications achieves extreme fracture toughness (Cv & gt; 80 ft-lbs corresponding to KId & equals; 200 ksi.in½) at strength levels of 150-180 ksi yield strength, is weldable and formable. The alloy is characterized by dispersed austenite stabilization for transformation toughening to a weldable, bainitic plate steel and is strengthened by precipitation of M2C carbides in combination with copper and nickel. The desired microstructure is a matrix containing a bainite-martensite mix, BCC copper and M2C carbide particles for strengthening with a fine dispersion of optimum stability austenite for transformation toughening. The bainite-martensite mix is formed by air-cooling from solution treatment temperature and subsequent aging at secondary hardening temperatures to precipitate the toughening and strengthening dispersions.

Abstract: A medical device shaft with varying flexibility along its length is provided. The shaft includes at least first and second elongate shaft portions that have differing geometries and differing flexibilities. The elongate shaft portions can be made of different materials.

Abstract: A method of promoting the precipitation of secondary metal carbides in a carbon enriched zone of a carburized steel part with the reduced or eliminated use of cobalt and the resultant product. Copper is added to a steel alloy in combination with carbide forming non-ferrous metals for use in a part subjected to carburizing heat treatment tempering. During tempering the copper establishes heterogeneous nucleation sites to catalyze precipitation of non-ferrous metal carbides on the copper particles and/or on dislocations thereby reducing the need for cobalt additions.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize metadata collected for a lock in a computer program to determine an optimal lock acquisition strategy for the lock. The metadata is typically collected via profiling of the computer program to determine a wait characteristic for the lock in the particular runtime environment in which the computer program executes, and the metadata is used to select from among different lock access implementations to be used to attempt to acquire the lock, often enabling an optimum lock access implementation to be selected for a lock.

Abstract: A digital signal line echo reduction adaptor is configured to connect adjacent to a first end of a bridgetap line. The bridgetap line has a second end connected to a carrier communication line. The digital signal line echo reduction adaptor reduces an effect of echo from the bridgetap line on a rate of data transmission over the carrier communication line.

Abstract: This invention relates to a selectorized dumbbell having a handle that can be dropped down between nested left and right stacks of weight plates. The weight plates can comprise individual weights or a pair of weight plates, one from each stack, can be connected together to form a single weight. A selector is provided to allow the user to select a desired number of weight plates from each stack and couple such weight plates to the handle to provide an adjustable weight dumbbell. Each weight includes a weight frame having at least one carrier to which a commodity weight can be fastened. The dumbbell can be shipped by the manufacturer with empty weight frames to reduce shipping costs. When the dumbbell with empty weight frames reaches a destination, the dumbbell can be completed by securing commodity weights to the carriers on the respective weight frames.

Abstract: A material mixture is disclosed for storage of hydrogen for a hydrogen-using device and release of hydrogen on demand of the hydrogen-using device, especially by heating of the mixture. Such a mixture suitably comprises a solid hydrogen-containing lithium compound (e.g. LiBH4) and a solid magnesium compound, MgX, the magnesium compound being reactive with the lithium compound to release hydrogen and yield solid by products containing lithium and X. X may include one or more of F, Cl, OH, O, S, Se, Si, CO3, SO4, Cu, Ge, Ni, (OH)Cl, and P2O7.

Abstract: This invention relates to a selectorized dumbbell having a handle that can be dropped down between nested left and right stacks of weight plates. The weight plates can comprise individual weights or a pair of weight plates, one from each stack, can be connected together to form a single weight. A selector is provided to allow the user to select a desired number of weight plates from each stack and couple such weight plates to the handle to provide an adjustable weight dumbbell. Each weight plate comprises a pair of thinner or partial thickness weight subplates that are abutted and welded together, e.g. a ½? weight plate is formed by a pair of ¼? weight subplates. This substantially decreases the cost of manufacturing the selectorized dumbbell.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, program product, and method that utilize a user interface, also referred to as a “transparency skin”, to allow users of software applications with new or unfamiliar user interfaces to learn such interfaces while still being productive in their work related tasks. A first user interface is displayed on a computer display. The first user interface includes a first control configured to perform a computer operation in response to user input directed thereto. A second user interface is overlaid over the first user interface, where at least a portion of the second user interface is at least semi-transparent such that at least a portion of the first user interface is visible while the second user interface is overlaid. The second user interface includes a second control configured to perform the computer operation in response to user input directed thereto.

Abstract: A structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and may include an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a buoyancy system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. A substantially enclosed boathouse may form the structure when the structure has only a lower level. The boathouse is seperable into sections each of which could be separately rolled over the ground by wheels attached to each section. This reduces the usual operational width of the boathouse into the smaller towed widths of the individual sections to ease the task of transporting the boathouse over the ground.