Abstract: Technologies are described herein for event delivery and stream processing utilizing virtual processing agents. Upon receiving an event publication in a queue, a runtime system identifies one or more virtual processing agents that might be interested in, but have not explicitly subscribed to, the published event. Event information of the published event is then delivered to the identified virtual processing agents. Prior to the actual delivery, the runtime system further determines if the virtual processing agents have been activated and activates those processing agents that have not been activated. Based on the received event information, some of the virtual processing agents might decide to explicitly submit subscriptions to receive more events from the queue. The explicit subscriptions will trigger the runtime system to deliver the subscribed events to the processing agents, which might include past events that have been published in the queue before the explicit subscription is received.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for scalable workflow processing. In one embodiment, a plurality of decision applications each embody a functional expression of a corresponding one of a plurality of workflow definitions. Each of the plurality of decision applications is configured to be repeatedly instantiated. A workflow execution application is configured to orchestrate an execution of each one of a plurality of workflow instances. The workflow execution application is in data communication with each instance of a respective one of the plurality of decision applications. Each of the plurality of decision applications is configured to determine a next action to be taken for respective ones of the plurality of workflow instances.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to assist an operator in connecting electrical connectors. The apparatus includes a first U-shaped cradle and a second U-shaped cradle. Each of the cradles has a contact surface on a front side that is configured to contact a flange on an electrical connector. Each of the cradles also includes a jaw mount configured to mount on a jaw member of a bar clamp.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for event delivery and stream processing utilizing virtual processing agents. Upon receiving an event publication in a queue, a runtime system identifies one or more virtual processing agents that might be interested in, but have not explicitly subscribed to, the published event. Event information of the published event is then delivered to the identified virtual processing agents. Prior to the actual delivery, the runtime system further determines if the virtual processing agents have been activated and activates those processing agents that have not been activated. Based on the received event information, some of the virtual processing agents might decide to explicitly submit subscriptions to receive more events from the queue. The explicit subscriptions will trigger the runtime system to deliver the subscribed events to the processing agents, which might include past events that have been published in the queue before the explicit subscription is received.

Abstract: The present disclosure addresses biologically active formulations for agricultural and other applications that comprise a solid growth substrate that defines an open cell matrix and an active population of one or more microorganisms adhered thereto. The formulation is configured to be applied directly to a plant growth environment and does not require additional isolation and/or processing steps that would separate the microorganisms from the solid growth substrate prior to deployment. The disclosure also addresses related methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for scalable workflow processing. To this end, a workflow instance is placed in a queue accessible to a processor-based system, the queue being associated with a workflow. A workflow history associated with the workflow instance is applied to a decision application in response to a poll from the decision application, where the decision application is configured to determine a next action to be taken for the workflow instance. The next action to be taken for the workflow instance is initiated in the processor-based system based on a directive from the decision application generated based on the workflow history.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound according to general formula (I) wherein X represents N or CH; R1 is —CN, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (3-7 membered)heterocycloalkyl, (5-6 membered)heteroaryl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C4)alkyl, (3-7 membered)heterocycloalkyl-(C1-C4)alkyl or (5-6 membered)heteroaryl-(C1-C4)alkyl; R2 is halogen, cyano, (C1-C4)alkyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl; R3 is halogen, cyano, (C1-C4)alkyl, (C1-C4)haloalkyl or (C3-C7)cycloalkyl; R4 is (C1-C4)alkyl or (C1-C4)haloalkyl; R5 is (C1-C6)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-(C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl-(C1-C6)alkyl, (3-7 membered)heterocycloalkyl, phenyl, (5-6 membered)heteroaryl or —ORa. The invention further relates to said compounds for use in therapy, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and to intermediates for preparation of said compounds.

Abstract: A plurality of redundant brokers may be used as intermediaries to exchange messages between one or more producers and one or more consumers. More specifically, one or more producers may enqueue messages to a primary broker. The primary broker then dispatches the received messages to one or more interested consumers. However, should the primary broker fail, messages enqueued by the producers may be lost, and thus delivery of such messages may fail. Accordingly, one or more backup brokers may be provided that can assume the responsibilities of the failed primary broker and dispatch copies of the messages that were enqueued by the producers to the failed primary broker.

Abstract: Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing unsaturated carbocyclic compounds through dehydrogenation of corresponding saturated carbocyclic compounds.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which comprises: a body; and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material (not shown), the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position (shown in FIG. 8) where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position (shown in FIG. 9) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The device is characterized in that the body slideably supports the sample collection member, and in that the body or collection member include a ramp-like projection portion (116 FIG. 10) operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: Nucleic acid agents for reducing or removing infestations of the Varroa destructor mite are described. Compositions comprising the nucleic acid agents and methods for controlling mite infestations using the nucleic acid agents and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biological sample collector 500 comprising a solid support 12 having plural discrete areas (22, 24, 26, 28 FIG. 1) for accepting a biological sample, each area being chemically differentiated, for example by having a different chemical treatment sorbed onto the solid support. An envelope 530 encloses the solid support. A cover portion 520 can cover the biological sample after collection to prevent infection. UV light can be applied to the collected sample to reduce the risk of infection.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing messages sent from senders to receivers in a reliable and real-time manner. Some of the receivers are designated as recording receivers that are responsible for recording each message that it receives so it can provide to other receivers messages they have missed. When a sender distributes a message, it waits for an acknowledgement from a recorder that it received and recorded the message. If an acknowledgement is received, then the sender knows at least one recorder has a copy of the message that that recorder can provide to other receivers that missed the message. When a receiver detects that it missed a message, it then initiates a “hole filling” process that distributes a request for the missing message to the recorders. A recorder who can provide the missing message sends to the requesting receiver a response indicating it can provide the missing message.

Abstract: Provided is a Group 9 novel metal catalyst complex further comprising a ketone-containing cocatalyst. The metal catalyst complex is useful in generating olefins from alkanes with great efficiency. In one embodiment, provided is an iridium catalyst complex useful in the dehydrogenation of alkanes comprising a ketone-containing cocatalyst and iridium complexed with a tridentate ligand. Also provided is a novel dehydrogenation method which utilizes the catalyst composition. In other embodiments, a novel process for preparing oligomers from alkanes utilizing the catalyst composition is provided.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replicating a data container of a source storage server at the logical level in an unordered stream of individual data units are described. In certain embodiments, the replication operations can be performed without regard to the differences in geometry of physical persistent storage of the source and destination storage servers and without regard to the differences in data container format of the source and destination storage servers. An initial replication operation of the source data container is performed by transferring the data objects within the source data container to a replica data container in the destination storage server as an unordered stream of individual data units while preserving data object identifiers of the source data objects. Afterwards, incremental replication operations can be performed to capture modifications to the source data container over time after the initial replication operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting and quantifying gut flora derived from human faeces, comprising acquiring a solid support containing human faeces; optionally amplifying nucleic acid from the human faeces; and detecting and quantifying the presence of gut flora of interest. Also disclsoed is a method for assessing whether a person has type-2 diabetes as well as a kit for detecting and quantifying gut flora from human faeces, comprising a solid support for collecting human faeces; and primer pairs for amplifying 16S rRNA sequence from bacteria of interest.

Abstract: Provided is a Group 9 novel metal catalyst complex further comprising a ketone-containing cocatalyst. The metal catalyst complex is useful in generating olefins from alkanes with great efficiency. In one embodiment, provided is an iridium catalyst complex useful in the dehydrogenation of alkanes comprising a ketone-containing cocatalyst and iridium complexed with a tridentate ligand. Also provided is a novel dehydrogenation method which utilizes the catalyst composition. In other embodiments, a novel process for preparing oligomers from alkanes utilizing the catalyst composition is provided.