Abstract: A method for recording parity data of data stripes within shingled media recording bands in a redundant array of independent disks can be accomplished using a plurality of shingled media recording (SMR) hard disk drives (HDD) each with a plurality of shingled data bands. A data stream received from a host computer system is sequentially stored to a plurality of block segments in successive order, one stripe at a time successively. Each of the shingled data bands possess n data blocks (or multiple data blocks that are grouped together as a data unit) that are successively ordered, each corresponding successive data block from all of the SMR HDDs defines a data stripe, accordingly n data blocks in each SMR HDD defines n stripes across the shingled data bands. A transaction group sync triggers a halt to writing the data stream. The rest of the data stripe is written with fill bits.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing, improving, and monitoring the co-prosperity of members of a network, an ego network, a subnetwork or affiliated networks, implement the steps of: for each member, profiling the habits of the member and determining a member habit index; profiling the welfare and wellbeing of the member and determining a member success index; determining a co-prosperity index for the member reflecting the member's benefits from and contributions to the network; determining the causal relationships between the member and network relationship habit profiles and the co-prosperity index of the member; developing and delivering a habit improvement program to the member based on the predictive modelling of the impact of changes to the member habit profile and the member welfare and wellbeing outcomes. The method and system may track the effectiveness of the habit improvement program by periodically updating the habit profile of the member and the welfare and wellbeing profile of the member.

Abstract: An enhanced male prophylactic shield includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines a concavity for containing a scrotum. The second portion extends from the rim of the first portion and defines a hole through which a penis is extendable. Adhesive is mounted to the abdominal panel in a position to adhere to the abdomen of the user at a position superior to the penis.

Abstract: Methods and software products for analysis of alternative splicing are disclosed. In general the methods involve normalizing probe set or exon intensity to an expression level measurement of the gene. The methods may be used to identify tissue-specific alternative splicing events.

Abstract: A method for using a block storage device for storing and reproducing electronic files is disclosed. The block storage device includes blocks, each one possessing a logical block address (LBA) unique to that block. The method includes providing a deduplication pathway, including a deduplication data structure (DDS), and a block indirection pathway, including a block indirection data structure (BIDS). When receiving an electronic file, if deduplication is desired for the electronic file, then processing the electronic file only through the deduplication pathway, and, otherwise, processing the electronic file only through the block indirection pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for noise reduction including a tubular conduit and an exterior shell disposed about the tubular conduit. The tubular conduit can include a first section configured to be fluidly connected to an engine to allow exhaust gas to pass through the first section. The first section can include a plurality of openings. The tubular conduit can include a second section that is fluidly connected to the first section and is configured to accelerate the velocity of exhaust gas and decrease the pressure within the second tubular section. The second section can include a tube with a first tapered section that reduces in diameter, a second tubular section with a plurality of openings, and a third reverse-tapered section that expands in diameter. The tubular conduit can include a third section configured to be fluidly connected to the second section. The third section can include a plurality of openings.

Abstract: There is described a composition for synthetic stone. The composition having (a) 3 to 25 wt % acrylic resin, the acrylic resin having:—(i) >50 upto 95 wt % methyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate monomer residues, (ii) 4 to 40 wt % higher boiling point mono(alk)acrylate monomer, (iii) optionally, 0 to 10 wt % other acrylate or vinyl comonomer residues, and(iv) a crosslinking agent. The MMA residues of component (a)(i) are present in the acrylic resin in the form of a MMA residue containing (co)polyemer, comprising at least 80% residues of MMA by weight of the (co)polymer. The composition further having (b) 70 to 95 wt % filler; and (c) optionally, a coupling agent. The composition being especially useful for the manufacture of synthetic stone for use in outdoor applications.

Abstract: A disclosed embodiment of a downhole tool includes a pump that is powered by rotation of the drill string to increase fluid pressure during downhole circulation.

Abstract: A method for nucleic acid sequencing includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of a parameter measured for a plurality of defined spaces, at least some of the defined spaces including one or more sample nucleic acids, the signals being responsive to a plurality of nucleotide flows introducing nucleotides to the defined spaces; determining, for at least some of the defined spaces, whether the defined space includes a sample nucleic acid; processing, for at least some of the defined spaces determined to include a sample nucleic acid, the received signals to improve a quality of the received signals; and predicting a plurality of nucleotide sequences corresponding to respective sample nucleic acids for the defined spaces based on the processed signals and the nucleotide flows.

Abstract: A method of forming a hollow article (2) comprises the steps of providing a metal blank in the form of a disk. Subsequently, a metal blank is transferred to a first forming station which comprises a punch and a die. A metal blank is formed into a cup having a sidewall and a closed base. A boundary lubrication is provided between the die and the metal blank by application of a lubricant. Hereinafter, the metal cup is provided to a set of forming stations in a deep drawing transfer press. The set of forming stations comprises at least one set of punches and dies. Said metal cup is deep drawn into a hollow article (2) having a sidewall (4) and a closed base (7) with an inner and an outer surface (, 8, 6, 9) by the action of said at least one set of punches and dies. Subsequently, the hollow article (2) is provided to a subsequent forming station in the deep drawing transfer press.

Abstract: For transformerless switching regulators, a current-mode controlled boost converter operates based on current sensing through a switch to ground, allowing use of common controllers. To avoid reverse current from a cascaded charge pump, the input of the charge pump is blocked by a diode from passing through the switch to ground and is itself separately switched to ground.

Abstract: A method (1) for at least partially equipping a Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) with electric connections (3), wherein the Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) at least has at least one measuring tube (5a, 5b), at least one actuator receptacle (6a, 6b) attached to the measuring tube (5a, 5b) and at least one sensor receptacle (7a-7d) attached to the measuring tube (5a, 5b) as structural parts and such a Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) can be implemented for achieving smaller production tolerances, higher accuracy and reliability in production and operation in that the electric connections (3) are applied on at least one structural part of the Coriolis mass flowmeter (2) by means of a mechanical printing method.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to removing residue from a well bore and well bore equipment with a treatment fluid composition, and in some embodiments, to treatment fluid compositions that comprise nanoparticles. An embodiment provides a method of removing drilling fluid residue from the surfaces of well equipment. The method comprising: applying a solid nanoparticle film to at least a portion of the surfaces of the well equipment with a treatment fluid comprising solid nanoparticles; and allowing the solid nanoparticles to interact with the surfaces of the well equipment and the drilling fluid residue adhered to the surfaces of the well equipment to remove at least a portion of the drilling fluid residue from the surfaces of the well equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a vehicle 1 by a driver, in order to monitor driver behavior using a personal mobile electronic device 2. The electronic device detects wireless signals and determines if the identity of a device 3 transmitting the signal is known in order to identify if the driver is driving a vehicle to be monitored. Monitoring is then carried out only by the electronic device. Monitoring only takes place when a signal from a known transmitting device is detected avoiding unnecessarily recoding journeys and preserving battery life of the electronic device. A set-up mode is provided to enable a user to identify vehicles for monitoring.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to weighted fluids for treatment of subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method includes placing a weighted fluid in the subterranean formation. The weighted fluid includes calcium bromide. The weighted fluid includes one or more secondary salts that are each independently an inorganic bromide salt other than calcium bromide. The weighted fluid also includes water. The weighted fluid has a density at standard temperature and pressure of at least about 1.7 g/cm3.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler canister combination comprises a canister configured for containing a pharmaceutical composition, the canister having a canister base, a side wall extending from the canister base, an open end distal from the base and a first cooperating formation arranged at said open end and extending generally distally from said canister base; a shroud having a shroud base and a side wall extending from the shroud base to a waist, the base and side wall defining a vessel configured to receive the canister therein, the waist defining an aperture of constricted width configured to receive the canister therethrough, and a second cooperating formation extending generally distally from said waist, wherein the respective first and second cooperating formations adopt an engaged condition in which the canister is retained within the shroud.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to removing residue from a well bore and well bore equipment with a treatment fluid composition, and in some embodiments, to treatment fluid compositions that comprise nanoparticles. An embodiment provides a method of removing drilling fluid residue from the surfaces of well equipment. The method comprising: applying a solid nanoparticle film to at least a portion of the surfaces of the well equipment with a treatment fluid comprising solid nanoparticles; and allowing the solid nanoparticles to interact with the surfaces of the well equipment and the drilling fluid residue adhered to the surfaces of the well equipment to remove at least a portion of the drilling fluid residue from the surfaces of the well equipment.

Abstract: A wax mold for investment casting includes a sprue having at least one pattern support. The pattern support includes a plurality of sockets formed therein. The wax mold further includes a plurality of wax patterns. Each wax pattern has a portion received in a respective one of the plurality of sockets to support the wax patterns on the at least one pattern support.

Abstract: High-connection density and bandwidth fiber optic apparatuses and related equipment and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, fiber optic apparatuses are provided and comprise a chassis defining one or more U space fiber optic equipment units. At least one of the one or more U space fiber optic equipment units may be configured to support particular fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths in a given 1-U space. The fiber optic connection densities and bandwidths may be supported by one or more fiber optic components, including but not limited to fiber optic adapters and fiber optic connectors, including but not limited to simplex, duplex, and other multi-fiber fiber optic components. The fiber optic components may also be disposed in fiber optic modules, fiber optic patch panels, or other types of fiber optic equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a vehicle 1 by a driver, in order to monitor driver behaviour using a personal mobile electronic device 2. The electronic device detects wireless signals and determines if the identity of a device 3 transmitting the signal is known in order to identify if the driver is driving a vehicle to be monitored. Monitoring is then carried out only by the electronic device. Monitoring only takes place when a signal from a known transmitting device is detected avoiding unnecessarily recoding journeys and preserving battery life of the electronic device. A set-up mode is provided to enable a user to identify vehicles for monitoring.