Abstract: An illustrative method includes determining that a total amount of read traffic and write traffic processed by a storage system during a time period exceeds a threshold; determining a first compressibility metric associated with the write traffic; determining a second compressibility metric associated with the read traffic; determining, based on a comparison of the first compressibility metric with the second compressibility metric, that the write traffic is less compressible than the read traffic; determining, based on the total amount of read traffic and write traffic exceeding the threshold and on the write traffic being less compressible than the read traffic, that the storage system is possibly being targeted by a security threat; and modifying, in response to the determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by the security threat, a data protection parameter set for one or more recovery datasets generated by the storage system.

Abstract: A planter packaging arrangement is disclosed that comprises a packaging element and at least one planter mounter therein. The packaging element includes a bottom surface, a top surface and two pairs of opposing side walls collectively defining a generally enclosed space. A first opening is defined through the top surface and aligned with a second opening defined through the bottom surface of the packaging element. The at least one planter is mounted within the packaging element, with an open top end disposed within the enclosed space of the packaging element. The second opening is aligned with the open top end such that an interior of the planter is accessible through the second opening of the bottom surface of the packaging element. A portion of the body portion extends through the first opening of the top surface of the packaging element such that the bottom surface is disposed above the top surface.

Abstract: An illustrative method includes determining that a total amount of read traffic and write traffic processed by a storage system during a time period exceeds a threshold; determining a first compressibility metric associated with the write traffic; determining a second compressibility metric associated with the read traffic; determining, based on a comparison of the first compressibility metric with the second compressibility metric, that the write traffic is less compressible than the read traffic; determining, based on the total amount of read traffic and write traffic exceeding the threshold and on the write traffic being less compressible than the read traffic, that the storage system is possibly being targeted by a security threat; and modifying, in response to the determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by the security threat, a data protection parameter set for one or more recovery datasets generated by the storage system.

Abstract: Large semiconductor ICs provide the processing power for billions of electronic devices used in every facet of modern life. Multiphase converters are the most common means of providing the current required for these CPUs, GPUs, and ASICs. Contemporary designs require 8, 12, 16, and even higher phase counts. Existing designs require each phase provide an independent current feedback line to the multiphase controller for current sharing purposes; this drastically increases the pin count of the controller and creates congestion in PCB routing. Our new idea moves the current sharing function to the power stage element, thereby reducing the cost of the controller and the complexity of the PCB.

Abstract: Providing persistent storage to transient cloud computing services, including: creating a cloud computing instance, wherein the cloud computing instance is created on on-premises cloud infrastructure; and storing, in non-volatile storage in a storage system that is communicatively coupled to the on-premises cloud infrastructure, data associated with the cloud computing instance.

Abstract: Providing persistent storage to transient cloud computing services, including: creating a cloud computing instance, wherein the cloud computing instance is created on on-premises cloud infrastructure; and storing, in non-volatile storage in a storage system that is communicatively coupled to the on-premises cloud infrastructure, data associated with the cloud computing instance.

Abstract: An illustrative method includes a data protection system directing a storage system to generate recovery datasets over time in accordance with a data protection parameter set, the recovery datasets usable to restore data maintained by the storage system to a state corresponding to a selectable point in time, determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by a security threat, and modifying, in response to the determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by the security threat, the data protection parameter set for one or more of the recovery datasets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microorganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formulation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microorganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation agent is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: An illustrative method includes a data protection system directing a storage system to generate recovery datasets over time in accordance with a data protection parameter set, the recovery datasets usable to restore data maintained by the storage system to a state corresponding to a selectable point in time, determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by a security threat, and modifying, in response to the determining that the storage system is possibly being targeted by the security threat, the data protection parameter set for one or more of the recovery datasets.

Abstract: Dry stabilizing compositions for bioactive materials include sugars and hydrolyzed proteins, and may be formed into tablets or other forms providing enhanced stability for the bioactive material. Compositions containing the bioactive materials may be produced by a method that includes (a) combining the bioactive material with other ingredients in an aqueous solvent to form a viscous slurry; (b) snap-freezing the slurry in liquid nitrogen to form solid frozen particles, beads, droplets or strings; (c) primary drying by water removal under vacuum of the product of step (b) while maintaining it at a temperature above its freezing temperature; and (d) secondary drying of the product of step (c) at maximum vacuum and a temperature of 20° C. or higher for a time sufficient to reduce the water activity to below 0.3 Aw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and a method for manufacturing semi-dry or dry particles containing a mucoadhesive polymer and a bioactive agent such as, but not limited to, an Immunogenic Substance (e.g., a vaccine), that allows the oral or nasal administration and delivery of the bioactive agent essentially unaltered to mucosal surfaces in the animal, including an aquatic animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding live or dead microrganisms and/or bioactive materials in a protective dry formulation matrix, wherein the formation includes the bioactive microorganism or material, a formulation stabilizer agent, and a protective agent. The formulation agent is prepared by dispersing all the solid components in a solution, with or without a vacuum, and cooling the solution to a temperature above its freezing temperature. The methods include a primary drying step of the formulation at a desired temperature and time period, and an accelerated secondary drying step under maximum vacuum and elevated temperature, to achieve a final desirable water activity of the dry material.

Abstract: Dry stabilizing compositions for bioactive materials include sugars and hydrolyzed proteins, and may be formed into tablets or other forms providing enhanced stability for the bioactive material. Compositions containing the bioactive materials may be produced by a method that includes (a) combining the bioactive material with other ingredients in an aqueous solvent to form a viscous slurry; (b) snap-freezing the slurry in liquid nitrogen to form solid frozen particles, beads, droplets or strings; (c) primary drying by water removal under vacuum of the product of step (b) while maintaining it at a temperature above its freezing temperature; and (d) secondary drying of the product of step (c) at maximum vacuum and a temperature of 20° C. or higher for a time sufficient to reduce the water activity to below 0.3 Aw.

Abstract: Implant devices for the internal fixation of fractured bones, and more particularly to ankle plates for the tibia bone are disclosed and include an anterolateral tibia plate having an L-shaped body including a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a distal portion defining a traverse axis, and having a support bridge connected between the proximal portion and the distal portion. Implant devices disclosed also include an anterior tibia plate having an elongated first portion, a second portion that widens outward with respect to the elongated first portion, and a plurality of removable tabs attached to the outer edge of the second portion. Implant devices disclosed also include a medial tibia plate having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is configured to extend proximate to a base of medial malleolus, and has a curvature with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft. The distal portion may include a plurality of removable tabs.

Abstract: A voltage converter circuit includes a high side transistor, a high side driver coupled to a control input of the high side transistor, a low side transistor coupled to the high side transistor at a switch node, and a current steering circuit coupled to the control input of the high side and to the switch node. During transition of the high side transistor to an on state, a current from the high side driver initially divides between the control input of the high side transistor and the current steering circuit, and as a voltage on the switch node increases, less of the current from the high side driver flows through the current steering circuit and more of the current from the high side driver flows to the control input of the high side transistor.

Abstract: An auctioning method is conducted using an interactive auction host system. The method includes providing access for auction participants to a live auction for one or more auctioned lots of products or services that is conducted and overseen by an auction administrator at an auction host location. At least some of the access to the live auction is provided to remote auction participants through an auction host system of the auction host system. Data is transmitted substantially in real time from the auction host system, which may include auction-related data and at least one of video and audio feeds of the live auction through a network to one or more remote auction participants located at a remote participant interface. Information provided from the remote auction participants through the remote participant interface is provided and received by auction host system. At least one of various other actions are performed.

Abstract: Implant devices for the internal fixation of fractured bones, and more particularly to ankle plates for the tibia bone are disclosed and include an anterolateral tibia plate having an L-shaped body including a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a distal portion defining a traverse axis, and having a support bridge connected between the proximal portion and the distal portion. Implant devices disclosed also include an anterior tibia plate having an elongated first portion, a second portion that widens outward with respect to the elongated first portion, and a plurality of removable tabs attached to the outer edge of the second portion. Implant devices disclosed also include a medial tibia plate having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is configured to extend proximate to a base of medial malleolus, and has a curvature with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft. The distal portion may include a plurality of removable tabs.