Abstract: Disclosed herein are biomarkers and uses thereof for evaluating anti-cancer efficacy and sensitivity.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for taking snapshots of a storage volume. According to aspects of one method, each snapshot is represented as a unique sequence number. Every fresh write access to a volume in a new snapshot lifetime is allocated a new section in the disk, called a provision, which is labeled with the sequence number. Read-modify-write operations are performed on a sub-provision level at the granularity of a chunk. Because each provision contains chunks with valid data and chunks with invalid data, a bitmap is utilized to identify the valid and invalid chunks with each provision. Provisions corresponding to different snapshots are arranged in a linked list. Branches from the linked list can be created for storing writable snapshots. Provisions may also be deleted and rolled back by manipulating the contents of the linked lists.

Abstract: A passive noise attenuation device and system is provided having a reticulated open-cell porous structure configured to acts as a passive control device in order to mitigate combustion noise and instability problems in combustion systems. A porous inert media structure is placed downstream of the reaction zone of a combustion chamber to dissipate noise and/or instability generated upstream in the flame. The porous inert media also limits and/or disintegrates vortical structures in the flame to produce a homogeneous flow field to facilitate distributed reaction zones.

Abstract: Valve arrangements for use with a water meter include a first valve comprising a first valve housing, a first inlet, and a first outlet, the first inlet and the first outlet of the first valve being oriented substantially perpendicular to one another, a second valve comprising a second valve housing, a second inlet, and a second outlet, the second inlet and the second outlet of the second valve being oriented substantially perpendicular to one another; the first inlet of the first valve and the second outlet of the second valve being substantially coaxial with one another, and the first outlet of the first valve and the second inlet of the second valve being oriented substantially 180° apart from one another, with the first valve housing and the second valve housing being joined together by a connection member. The valve arrangement may also be provided as a kit of parts with a set of pipeline attachment members.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an optimizing operations at a contact center. In one embodiment, an integrated contact center comprises: a workforce manager comprising a scheduler and a tracking function; and a lesson assignment function configured to receive at least one indicator of performance of the agent, and further configured to assign a lesson to the agent based on the at least one indicator.

Abstract: A rotatable building structure that comprises: a vertically extending building having one or more floors; a fixed core support for supporting the building, located substantially centrally beneath the building; a rotatable annular drive system for rotating the building, located lower than the building and with its centre substantially aligned with the vertical centerline of the building, the system having an upper surface and a planar lower surface; and a fixed outer support, located beneath the annular drive system, the support having a planar upper surface that contacts the planar lower surface of the annular drive system; wherein at least one of the lower surface of the annular drive system and the upper surface of the fixed outer support is a bearing material, permitting rotation of the annular drive system over the fixed outer support, such that the annular drive system is rotated via a planar to planar bearing system.

Abstract: Technologies for efficient synchronous replication across heterogeneous storage nodes can provide the performance of high-speed storage units while leveraging low-cost and high-capacity backup storage units within the same system. The performance of low-cost, high-capacity hard disks may be improved by initially storing data into sequential physical locations. A sequential journal of I/Os may be used in a replicated secondary node to allow for rapid completion of I/Os. A separate background process can later scatter the sequentially logged I/O data into its proper location for storage. A programmable n-way router can be configured to route I/Os as needed to improve overall performance of the storage unit. A secondary node log device can also be used to provide continuous data protection (CDP). Lastly, packetizing together I/Os prior to delivery to a secondary node may reduce interrupts and context switches in the primary node, thereby improving performance of the storage system.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing communications data. At least one embodiment of a method receiving data associated with a communications session, the communications session including a first communications stream and a second communications stream, wherein the first communications stream and the second communications stream are received in a receiving order and recording at least a portion of the communications session. Some embodiments include receiving a request to provide, from the recording, at least a portion of the first communications stream in a visual format and providing at least a portion of the first communications stream in the visual format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon particles which includes co-transfecting a host cell with the following: (i) an amplicon vector comprising an HSV origin of replication, an HSV cleavage/packaging signal, and a heterologous transgene expressible in a patient, (ii) one or more vectors individually or collectively encoding all essential HSV genes but excluding all cleavage/packaging signals, and (iii) a vhs expression vector encoding a virion host shutoff protein; and then isolating HSV amplicon particles produced by the host cell, the HSV amplicon particles including the transgene. Also disclosed are a system and a kit for preparing HSV amplicon particles, HSV amplicon particles prepared according to the process of the present invention, and their use.

Abstract: A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising providing a sample containing a mixture of cell types to a sample chamber of membrane-based electrophoresis apparatus adapted to separate cells and applying an electric potential causing at least one cell type in the sample to be separated from other cells in the sample.

Abstract: Boot consolidation based on writeable volume snapshots can leverage flexible mappings of snapshot dependencies. Such flexible mappings can be established by relating sequence numbers associated with various volume snapshots and can provide for an arbitrarily complex mapping to support a potentially unlimited number of writable snapshots in potentially any dependency configuration. Additionally, the pinning of volumes can provide support for chains of snapshots to depend from snapshots within other chains of snapshots. Merge agents can operate with writable snapshots and boot consolidation to provide system-wide updates where security patches, upgrades, and application software may be applied to a group of servers or a group of users in an efficient fashion.

Abstract: Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by administering virus to proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway are disclosed. The virus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. The virus is selected from modified adenovirus, modified HSV, modified vaccinia virus and modified parapoxvirus orf virus. Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by further administering an immunosuppressive agent.

Abstract: Methods for treating proliferative disorders, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated proliferative disorder, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts ras-mediated proliferating cells. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, serotype 1 (e.g., strain Lang), serotype 2 (e.g., strain Jones), serotype 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: A recording system that includes software configured to enable a first guest operating system to function in a virtual machine operating environment, a first recording software enabled to function by the first guest operating system, at least one processor, and at least one communication interface configured to receive first data corresponding to a first contact corresponding to a first contact center agent. The at least one processor is instructed by the first recording software to cause the first data to be stored in memory.

Abstract: Methods for treating proliferative disorders, by administering reovirus to a Ras-mediated proliferative disorder, are disclosed. The reovirus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts ras-mediated proliferating cells. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. Human reovirus, non-human mammalian reovirus, and/or avian reovirus can be used. If the reovirus is human reovirus, serotype 1 (e.g., strain Lang), serotype 2 (e.g., strain Jones), serotype 3 (e.g., strain Dearing or strain Abney), as well as other serotypes or strains of reovirus can be used. Combinations of more than one type and/or strain of reovirus can be used, as can reovirus from different species of animal. Either solid neoplasms or hematopoietic neoplasms can be treated.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for storing data at a virtual tape library (“VTL”) computer or server. According to one method, a VTL computer maintains one or more storage volumes for use by initiators on an array of mass storage devices. Space on each of the volumes is allocated using thin provisioning. The VTL computer may also include a cache memory that is at least the size of a full stripe of the array. Write requests received at the VTL computer are stored in the cache memory until a full stripe of data has been received. Once a full stripe of data has been received, the full stripe of data is written to the array at once. The array utilized by the VTL computer may include a hot spare mass storage device. When a failed mass storage device is identified, only the portions of the failed device that have been previously written are rebuilt onto the hot spare. The array may be maintained using RAID-5.

Abstract: A speech analyzer is integrated or otherwise coupled to an audio player. The speech analyzer is used to identify recorded communication sessions in accordance with a search criterion. A search criterion may be spoken or otherwise communicated to the speech analyzer. Results generated by the speech analyzer are converted into visual information that is presented to a user of the speech analyzer. Results generated by the speech analyzer can be cached for real-time user review while the speech analyzer processes additional stored conversations.

Abstract: Techniques for continuous data protection can include creating snapshots of one or more underlying storage volumes upon specific file system events. Generating snapshots upon every file close event can protect the files in a storage system by keeping a snapshot of every version or modification of each file. Removal of redundant snapshots can mitigate the impact on storage capacity associated with creating these large numbers of volume snapshots upon each file close event. Additionally, file closure lists can be employed to allow generating snapshots only when a previously closed file is reopened. Such an approach can protect the previous version of a file prior to the opening of a new version of the file. Such an approach can also mitigate storage capacity impact without the creation of redundant snapshots.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically formulating and delivering a video program that includes perishable information is provided. The system includes a video server that creates a video program using one or more recent video segments in combination with other video segments. The recent video segments are typically generated in a studio, whereas the other video segments are obtained from a variety of sources, including databases and live feeds. An audio system stores pre-recorded audio and is used to create audio for certain video segments. The video server enables an organization to deliver more customized video programs to more users and to update those video programs more frequently without requiring additional studio time or resources.

Abstract: Techniques for maintaining mirrored storage cluster data consistency can employ write-intent logging. The techniques can be scaled to any number of mirror nodes. The techniques can keep track of any outstanding I/Os, data in caches, and data that has gone out of sync between mirrored nodes due to link failures. The techniques can ensure that a power failure on any of the storage nodes does not result in inconsistent data among the storage nodes. The techniques may keep track of outstanding I/Os using a minimal memory foot-print and having a negligible impact on the I/O performance. Properly choosing the granularity of the system for tracking outstanding I/Os can result in a minimal amount of data requiring transfer to synchronize the mirror nodes. The capability to vary the granularity based on physical and logical parameters of the storage volumes may provide performance benefits.