Abstract: Apparatus, system, method and computer-readable media for organizing a listing of key pairs to increase the likelihood that key pairs more likely to satisfy database queries will be examined in the course of the query execution before key pairs that are less likely to satisfy a database query.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a memory-management system that supports both address-referenced objects and identifier-referenced objects, wherein an address-referenced object is accessed through a reference containing an address of the object, and wherein an identifier-referenced object is accessed through a reference containing an object identifier (OID) for the object. During operation, the system receives a request to access an object. Next, the system determines if the object is an address-referenced object or an identifier-referenced object. If the object is an address-referenced object, the system accesses the object using the associated address for the object. If the object is an identifier-referenced object, the system accesses the object by using the associated OID for the object to look up the address for the object, and then using the address to access the object.

Abstract: Described are a network and method for performing live migration of a virtual machine (VM) executing at a source site to at least one destination site over an optical network. An application program executes on the VM on behalf of a client system. In the event of a VM migration, a virtual machine turntable control agent coordinates the resource allocation with the VM data transfer. One or more lightpaths are dynamically and securely established through the optical network between the source site and the destination site(s). The VM migration from the source site to multiple destination sites occurs simultaneously, while the application program executes on the VM. After the VM migration, the application resumes at the destination site(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for delivering self-expanding stents to stenting sites within the body, which minimizes trauma to the affected tissue of the patient yet, at the same time, offers the medical practitioner a robust and simple system for stent placement. These technical effects are achieved by providing a catheter which receives the stent at its proximal end and guides it to the stenting site. The catheter serves as a guide catheter and has a tapered distal tip from which the stent emerges at the site of stenting. A stent pusher can be used which abuts the proximal end of the stent inside the guide catheter. The tapered tip can be molded and can be integral with the catheter shaft or bonded to it. The guide catheter can include a figurated portion towards its distal tip. The system has particular application to stenting the carotid artery.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microchannel plate includes forming a plurality of pores in a silicon substrate. The plurality of pores is oxidized, thereby consuming silicon at surfaces of the plurality of pores and forming a silicon dioxide layer over the plurality of pores. At least a portion of the silicon dioxide layer is stripped, which reduces a surface roughness of the plurality of pores. A semiconducting layer can be deposited onto the surface of the silicon dioxide layer. The semiconducting layer is then oxidized, thereby consuming at least some of the polysilicon or amorphous silicon layer and forming an insulating layer. Resistive and secondary electron emissive layers are then deposited on the insulating layer by atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: A power transmission and power receiving apparatus and method is disclosed. Charging while in a non-contact processing operation for the purpose other than charging is realized. An approach of a portable electronic device with a rapid bulk electricity storing module, which is a chargeable power source, is detected at the side of a power transmitting device, and power transmission for charging the rapid bulk electricity storing module is executed in response to the detection of the approach. A power source can be charged in operation for non-contact authentication which is executed when a device approaches an authentication device.

Abstract: A fiber bed mist eliminator has a fiber bed which is formed of a composite fiber bed collecting media strip including a collection layer which is not subjected to needle punching. The fiber bed can be made very thin while retaining high efficiency in removing small particles of aerosol from a gas stream passing through the fiber bed. The fiber bed collecting media strip lends itself to be applied to the mist eliminator by spirally wrapping the element onto the mist eliminator. The fiber bed collecting media strip can overlap itself to seal at the locations where the fiber element overlaps itself. The fiber bed collecting media strip can be provided to the field in different formats for use in making a mist eliminator fiber bed.

Abstract: A method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle includes the steps of transmitting a first plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle and transmitting a second plurality of engine start signals to the vehicle. Each of the first plurality of engine start signals having a first power level. Each of the second plurality of engine start signals having a second power level that is less than the first power level.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to detect a fault in the feedback circuit of a switching power supply while the power supply operates in a mode where the output is below its regulated value. The power supply delivers maximum power at a given switching frequency without a feedback signal while the output is below its regulated value. A fault protection circuit substantially reduces the average output power if there is no feedback signal for the duration of a fault time. When there is no feedback signal, the power supply increases the maximum output power by increasing the switching frequency before the end of the fault time to increase the output to a regulated value. The presence of a feedback signal when the output reaches a regulated value restores the original switching frequency and returns the output to its unregulated value. The absence of a feedback signal at the end of the fault time engages the fault protection circuit to substantially reduce the output power.

Abstract: A linear battery chargers is disclosed which comprises a current generator, a current detector, an operational amplifier, and a multiplexing device. The current generator provides current to charge a battery module, and the current is detected and transformed to a detected voltage by the current detector. The operational amplifier has an output terminal coupled to a control terminal of the current generator. In a constant current charge mode, the multiplexing device couples a first reference voltage and the detected voltage to first and second input terminals of the operational amplifier, respectively. The current generated by the current generator is maintained at a constant current level. In a constant voltage charge mode, the multiplexing device couples a second reference voltage and the voltage level of the battery module to the first and second input terminals of the operational amplifier, respectively. The voltage level of the battery module gradually approaches a constant voltage level.

Abstract: A data-packet processing method is used in a network system. The network system includes a buffer for optionally storing a data packet to be transferred, and the method includes steps of: determining a type of the data packet to be transferred; determining a storage state of a buffer where the data packet is to be temporarily stored before transferring; and storing the data packet into the buffer if the storage state of the buffer is a packet-accepting storage state; wherein the packet-accepting storage state of the buffer varies with the type of the data packet.

Abstract: A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. A cartridge assembly may be mounted in the housing. One or more fans may be mounted to the cartridge assembly. The fans may intake air through the air inlet and expel air through an air outlet located on the housing. One or more motors may be mounted to the cartridge assembly and coupled to the fans. The cartridge assembly may be removed from the housing with the fans and motors mounted to the cartridge assembly. The blower system may be portable. The blower system may allow a user to apply the air from the air outlet to livestock.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removing polysilicon material from a semiconductor workpiece are disclosed. A particular method includes contacting a polishing pad with a semiconductor workpiece having a surface polysilicon material. The method also includes disposing a polishing liquid between the polysilicon material and the polishing pad. The polishing liquid contains an oxidizer that does not include metal elements. The method further includes moving at least one of the semiconductor workpiece and the polishing pad relative to the other while the semiconductor workpiece contacts the polishing pad and the polishing liquid. At least some of the polysilicon material is removed while the polysilicon material contacts the oxidizer in the polishing liquid, as at least one of the semiconductor workpiece and the polishing pad moves relative to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.

Abstract: Acoustic flow meter with dual flow measurements. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, and meter electronics electrically coupled to the first and second plurality of transducer pairs (the meter electronics configured to determine a first value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the first value determined using only signals of the first plurality of transducer pairs). The meter electronics further configured to determine a second value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the second value determined using only signals of the second plurality of transducer pairs.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a mailer to sort incoming mail pieces in accordance with changeable criteria that are important to the mailer. This invention accomplishes the foregoing by placing a unique identifier or code tying the mail piece to a data file on each business reply envelope, on or in each windowed envelope or post card that is sent to a customer and returned to the mailer. The unique identifier would enable the mailer to establish parameters for evaluating the unique identifier so as to set a priority for processing mail that is in the mail stream, i.e. prioritize mail that is received just before a late fee is due to improve customer relations. The code tying the mail piece to a data file may be used by the mailer to track payment cycles, order the sortation of incoming mail based upon credit balances, process mail based upon the expected amount of the enclosed check. The foregoing would enable the mailer to receive monies earlier and improve the mailers cash flow.