Abstract: A decorative assembly having a finial element and a fastening element configured to couple with the finial element, where the fastening element may be mounted to a surface such as a wall. The finial element may come in various shapes and sizes, including without limitation ball shape, end cap, cut acrylic, tiered glass, to name a few. The decorative assembly may be utilized for decorative purposes accenting the end of objects such as drapery or curtain rods.

Abstract: A method includes receiving fault code data identifying one or more fault conditions detected onboard an aircraft and receiving fault context data indicating one or more conditions of the aircraft in a timeframe associated with the condition(s). The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, state data indicating a current state of the aircraft, and historical maintenance data) a first checklist display including a first set of incomplete checklist items. The method further includes receiving input indicating completion of one or more checklist items of the first set of incomplete checklist items and updating the state data based on the input. The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, the updated state data, and historical maintenance data) a second checklist display including a second set of incomplete checklist items.

Abstract: A method includes receiving fault code data identifying one or more fault conditions detected onboard an aircraft and receiving fault context data indicating one or more conditions of the aircraft in a timeframe associated with the condition(s). The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, state data indicating a current state of the aircraft, and historical maintenance data) a first checklist display including a first set of incomplete checklist items. The method further includes receiving input indicating completion of one or more checklist items of the first set of incomplete checklist items and updating the state data based on the input. The method also includes generating (based on the fault code data, the fault context data, the updated state data, and historical maintenance data) a second checklist display including a second set of incomplete checklist items.

Abstract: A trial medical instrument for aligning an acetabular component, comprising: a first portion configured to fit within a patient's acetabulum; and a second portion extending from the first portion; wherein the second portion extends from the first portion in a direction that mimics a shape formed by a femoral implant component coupled with an acetabular implant component when a femur to which the femoral implant component is coupled is in a position relative to an acetabulum to which the acetabular implant component is coupled that is near an extent of a typical range of motion of the femur. As used herein, the phrase “extent of a typical range of motion” describes typical angular displacements of a femur as usually limited by patient anatomy.

Abstract: Techniques of determining user preferences are described. One embodiment can include a user's electronic device receiving, from a server, icons assigned to a category. The icons may be presented on a display associated with the electronic device. Next, the device may receive inputs via a user interface associated with the device. Each of the inputs may correspond to a selected one of the icons and includes at least one of a plurality of input types. In response to each input, a display status of a selected icon may be adjusted on the display based on the corresponding input type. The display status of each icon indicates a user preference level for the category assigned to the icon. The device can send the user preference levels for the plurality of categories to the server. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic methods for determining a subtype of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a biological sample of a mammal. Methods include providing a biological sample of the mammal, performing a PCR analysis of the biological sample, and analyzing the PCR amplicons with respect to their sizes so as to determine for type I, type II, type III, type IV or type V MRSA that may be present in the biological sample. Further example embodiments include using at least one mecA primer pair and/or using at least one Staphylococcus aureus nuc primer pair in the PCR analysis. Further disclosed are methods for screening populations for MRSA, and methods of treating a mammal testing positive for Type IV MRSA. Also disclosed are kits for determining a MRSA subtype in a mammal and isolated primers that may be used in the present methods and kits.

Abstract: Execution of an application is suspended and the runtime state of the application is collected and persisted. Execution of the application may be resumed based on the runtime state. A proxy layer might also be utilized to translate requests received from the application for resources that are modified after the runtime state of the application is persisted. For instance, the runtime state that is persisted may include first data identifying a resource in use by the application at the time the execution of the application is suspended. After resuming the execution of the application, the proxy layer may translate the first data included in a request for the resource to second data identifying the resource, or a different resource, at a time the execution of the application is resumed, and the second data can be used to provide the application access to the resource.

Abstract: Techniques of determining user preferences are described. One embodiment can include a user's electronic device receiving, from a server, icons assigned to a category. The icons may be presented on a display associated with the electronic device. Next, the device may receive inputs via a user interface associated with the device. Each of the inputs may correspond to a selected one of the icons and includes at least one of a plurality of input types. In response to each input, a display status of a selected icon may be adjusted on the display based on the corresponding input type. The display status of each icon indicates a user preference level for the category assigned to the icon. The device can send the user preference levels for the plurality of categories to the server. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compiling personal preferences of a user are provided. A method comprises simultaneously displaying a plurality of icons in a clustered arrangement, each icon being assigned to a respective one of a plurality of values; receiving a first input in association with a first icon, the first input indicating a preference for the value assigned to the first icon; adjusting a size of the first icon in response to the first input; redistributing, within the clustered arrangement, the remaining icons to accommodate the size adjustment; receiving a second input in association with a second icon, the second input indicating a dislike for the value assigned to the second icon; deleting, from the clustered arrangement, the second icon in response to the second input; and redistributing, within the clustered arrangement, the remaining icons to fill a space emptied by the deletion.

Abstract: Execution of an application is suspended and the runtime state of the application is collected and persisted. Execution of the application may be resumed based on the runtime state. A proxy layer might also be utilized to translate requests received from the application for resources that are modified after the runtime state of the application is persisted. For instance, the runtime state that is persisted may include first data identifying a resource in use by the application at the time the execution of the application is suspended. After resuming the execution of the application, the proxy layer may translate the first data included in a request for the resource to second data identifying the resource, or a different resource, at a time the execution of the application is resumed, and the second data can be used to provide the application access to the resource.

Abstract: Execution of an application is suspended and the runtime state of the application is collected and persisted. Maintenance operations may then be performed on the computer that the application was executing upon. The runtime state might also be moved to another computer. In order to resume execution of the application, the runtime state of the application is restored. Once the runtime state of the application has been restored, execution of the application may be restarted from the point at which execution was suspended. A proxy layer might also be utilized to translate requests received from the application for resources that are modified after the runtime state of the application is persisted.

Abstract: A seasoning apparatus and method for evenly and consistently seasoning french fries or other food. The seasoning apparatus may include a hollow hopper for holding and selectively dispensing seasoning therefrom and a plurality of actuatable dispensing elements each translatably attached to the hopper and each having a holding compartment formed therein. The actuatable dispensing elements may receive seasoning in the holding compartment from the hopper. When translated to a dispensing position, the dispensing elements may dispense seasoning from the holding compartment. The seasoning apparatus may also include a seasoning spreader for spreading seasoning dispensed from the actuatable dispensing elements and a food-holding container fixed a distance below the hopper and seasoning spreader. The food-holding container may have a weighing device coupled with a controller for determining an amount of seasoning to dispense from the hopper and actuating the actuatable dispensing elements accordingly.

Abstract: A sandscreen joint is capable of providing zonal isolation. The ends of a portion of the sandscreen are capable of extension on activation of the sandscreen, including transition areas, which are coated with an elastomer sleeve. On activation of the sandscreen, the sleeve is pushed out into contact with the bore wall and serves to isolate the zone on one side of the activated sleeve from the zone on the other side of the sleeve. Thus, the sleeve on the activated sandscreen may prevent fluid from flowing axially along the bore between the bore wall and sandscreen. This may protect the weave at the transition area, preventing axial flow through the transition areas.

Abstract: Execution of an application is suspended and the runtime state of the application is collected and persisted. Maintenance operations may then be performed on the computer that the application was executing upon. The runtime state might also be moved to another computer. In order to resume execution of the application, the runtime state of the application is restored. Once the runtime state of the application has been restored, execution of the application may be restarted from the point at which execution was suspended. A proxy layer might also be utilized to translate requests received from the application for resources that are modified after the runtime state of the application is persisted.

Abstract: Execution of an application is suspended and the runtime state of the application is collected and persisted. Maintenance operations may then be performed on the computer that the application was executing upon. The runtime state might also be moved to another computer. In order to resume execution of the application, the runtime state of the application is restored. Once the runtime state of the application has been restored, execution of the application may be restarted from the point at which execution was suspended. A proxy layer might also be utilized to translate requests received from the application for resources that are modified after the runtime state of the application is persisted.