Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for dynamic sharding, such as in an online gaming environment. The invention includes providing a shared data store including at least a table store adapted to store data representative of table state; creating a plurality of shards wherein each shard includes at least a floor manager system and a game system; presenting a plurality of tables to players via a lobby interface; and scaling a number of the plurality of shards to support a current number of players. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for dynamic sharding, such as in an online gaming environment. The invention includes providing a shared data store including at least a table store adapted to store data representative of table state; creating a plurality of shards wherein each shard includes at least a floor manager system and a game system; presenting a plurality of tables to players via a lobby interface; and scaling a number of the plurality of shards to support a current number of players. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for dynamic sharding, such as in an online gaming environment. The invention includes providing a shared data store including at least a table store adapted to store data representative of table state; creating a plurality of shards wherein each shard includes at least a floor manager system and a game system; presenting a plurality of tables to players via a lobby interface; and scaling a number of the plurality of shards to support a current number of players. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorescent bicyclic compounds of the formula (I); wherein ring A, the broken lines -----, C1----C2, R4 and R1 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to nucleoside and nucleotide analogues of said compounds, and their use as biological markers.

Abstract: An image (100) of particulate material, such as an X-ray image of coal, is captured and processed to determine a parameter of the material, such as particle density or particle size distribution. The performance or efficiency of a processing system, such as a dense medium separator, can be evaluated by determining parameters of the material before entry to and after exit from the processing system. The parameter is determined by comparing image characteristics (relating to statistical features), to a predetermined set of image characteristics. If the image (100) is obtained by transmission of radiation through the material, accuracy can be improved by measuring the thickness of the material.

Abstract: An image (100) of particulate material, such as an X-ray image of coal, is captured and processed to determine a parameter of the material, such as particle density or particle size distribution. The performance or efficiency of a processing system, such as a dense medium separator, can be evaluated by determining parameters of the material before entry to and after exit from the processing system. The parameter is determined by comparing image characteristics (relating to statistical features), to a predetermined set of image characteristics. If the image (100) is obtained by transmission of radiation through the material, accuracy can be improved by measuring the thickness of the material.

Abstract: A device for projecting into a substance, comprises two substantially planar flaps 4 having respective first edge zones 6 and respective second edge zones 8. The respective first edge zones 6 are interconnected in the manner of a hinge 10 which has an axis of turning 12 about which the flaps 4 can turn relative to each other. Each of the edge zones 8 of the device 2 has one or more projecting lugs 14 for immersing in the substance and located between a series of steps 16. The device is inserted into the substance which is initially in a substantially liquid state but subsequently hardens to a substantially solid state, such that the projecting lugs of the device become embedded in the substantially solid substance. Most preferably, the substantially liquid material is water and the substantially solid material is ice, in the form of an ice cube. The substantially solid substance is released from the device by squeezing the two substantially planar flaps 4.

Abstract: Hydrophobic material is selectively separated from an aqueous feed by forming gas bubbles in a flow of the feed, forming hydrophobic material/gas bubbles aggregates by motionless mixing and separating the aggregates as a froth by use of centrifugal action.

Abstract: An all-solid-state laser comprising a slab (1) of gain medium, a diode laser pump system (3) configured in an end pumping geometry with the gain medium (1) and a heat sink thermally contacted to the gain medium (1) wherein the diode laser pump system (3) and the gain medium (1) are cooperably arranged so that in use a positive thermal lens is capable of being formed within the medium, the gain medium (1) having a thickness (d-d') made as small as possible while permitting the substantially unhindered passage through the slab of the laser mode established between the two mirrors (M1, M2).