Abstract: One aspect of the application can provide a system and method for replacing a failing node with a spare node in a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) system. During operation, in response to determining that a node-migration condition is met, the system can initialize a node controller of the spare node such that accesses to a memory local to the spare node are to be processed by the node controller, quiesce the failing node and the spare node to allow state information of processors on the failing node to be migrated to processors on the spare node, and subsequent to unquiescing the failing node and the spare node, migrate data from the failing node to the spare node while maintaining cache coherence in the NUMA system and while the NUMA system remains in operation, thereby facilitating continuous execution of processes previously executed on the failing node.

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: A dual cutter-carrier assembly that includes a rotatable carrier having a front portion, a rear portion, and a center portion, wherein the center portion defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened; a first cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the first cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a first cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the first cutter pin; a second cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the second cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a second cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the second cutter pin; a contact plate mounted within the interior cavity at the rear portion of the carrier, having a first yoke mechanically coupled to the first cutter and a second yoke mechanically coupled to the second cutter, wherein the contact plate moves in the direction of a pencil that is being sharpened when the tip of the advancing pencil touches the contact plate, wherein the first an

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: A gear assembly that includes a cutting gear having an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein a plurality of gear teeth is formed on the outer edge thereof; and an internal gear having an outer edge and an inner edge. The internal gear further includes a plurality of gear teeth formed on the inner edge thereof, wherein the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear are adapted to engage the gear teeth formed on the outer edge of the cutting gear; a plurality of troughs, wherein each trough in the plurality of troughs is formed between two of the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear; and a plurality of debris discharge channels, wherein each debris discharge channel is formed at the bottommost portion of each trough and extends away from the trough toward the outer edge of the internal gear.

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: A dual cutter-carrier assembly that includes a rotatable carrier having a front portion, a rear portion, and a center portion, wherein the center portion defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened; a first cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the first cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a first cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the first cutter pin; a second cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the second cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a second cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the second cutter pin; a contact plate mounted within the interior cavity at the rear portion of the carrier, having a first yoke mechanically coupled to the first cutter and a second yoke mechanically coupled to the second cutter, wherein the contact plate moves in the direction of a pencil that is being sharpened when the tip of the advancing pencil touches the contact plate, wherein the first an

Abstract: A dual cutter-carrier assembly that includes a rotatable carrier having a front portion, a rear portion, and a center portion, wherein the center portion defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened; a first cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the first cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a first cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the first cutter pin; a second cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the second cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a second cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the second cutter pin; a contact plate mounted within the interior cavity at the rear portion of the carrier, having a first yoke mechanically coupled to the first cutter and a second yoke mechanically coupled to the second cutter, wherein the contact plate moves in the direction of a pencil that is being sharpened when the tip of the advancing pencil touches the contact plate, wherein the first an

Abstract: A dual cutter-carrier assembly that includes a rotatable carrier having a front portion, a rear portion, and a center portion, wherein the center portion defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a pencil to be sharpened; a first cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the first cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a first cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the first cutter pin; a second cutter pin mounted on the carrier, wherein the second cutter pin has a front portion having an annular groove formed therein; a second cutter rotatably and slidably mounted on the second cutter pin; a contact plate mounted within the interior cavity at the rear portion of the carrier, having a first yoke mechanically coupled to the first cutter and a second yoke mechanically coupled to the second cutter, wherein the contact plate moves in the direction of a pencil that is being sharpened when the tip of the advancing pencil touches the contact plate, wherein the first an

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: A gear assembly that includes a cutting gear having an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein a plurality of gear teeth is formed on the outer edge thereof; and an internal gear having an outer edge and an inner edge. The internal gear further includes a plurality of gear teeth formed on the inner edge thereof, wherein the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear are adapted to engage the gear teeth formed on the outer edge of the cutting gear; a plurality of troughs, wherein each trough in the plurality of troughs is formed between two of the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear; and a plurality of debris discharge channels, wherein each debris discharge channel is formed at the bottommost portion of each trough and extends away from the trough toward the outer edge of the internal gear.

Abstract: A paper trimmer that includes a base having a paper cutting device pivotally attached to the base for providing a variable, user-determined cut angle. The cutting device further includes at least one guide rail; a blade carrier slidably mounted on the guide rail; at least one cutting blade retractably mounted within the blade carrier; a translucent paper holder positioned lengthwise beneath the guide rail, wherein one edge of the translucent paper holder is adjacent to the cutting blade; an illumination strip mounted on top of the translucent paper holder for illuminating the edge of the paper holder adjacent to the cutting blade; and a handle assembly mounted on the guide rail. The handle assembly further includes a first locking mechanism for holding the cutting device at a user-determined cut angle, and a second locking mechanism for raising or lowering the cutting device relative to the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: A cutting system that includes a rotary blade cartridge that can be interchangeably used with a variety of cutting tools is disclosed. The cartridge houses a rotary blade assembly that is maintained in a secure and safe retracted state and that can be activated when the cartridge is inserted into a cutting tool. Activating a plunger of any of the cutting tools causes a piston of the rotary blade assembly to move the blade to an operative cutting position protruding from an aperture provided in the cartridge housing. Deactivating the plunger causes the blade to be return to its retracted and inoperative position within the housing. Cutting tools of the invention include rail cutters such as a primary workstation and a compact workstation, circle cutters, elliptical cutters, and freeform cutters. Each cutting tool is capable of receiving a rotary blade cartridge. Cartridges are freely interchangeable between the cutting tools.

Abstract: Art instruments having a self-contained reservoir for dispensing paint or ink to a paintbrush portion provided on one end of the instrument. The instrument includes an ink-dispensing assembly comprised of a series of capillary tubes, orifice restrictors, pins and plugs to provide an assembly that prevents distribution of ink during shipping, but can be easily activated by a user to produce controllable and reliable ink flow to the brush portion on demand. The invention provides differing valve body components and configurations to provide optimal ink flow for inks of differing viscosities, creating a self-wicking art instrument that resists leakage, splattering, and other undesirable characteristics of known self-contained ink art instruments.