Abstract: In a distributed database, a transaction is to be committed at a first coordinator server and one or more participant servers 1210. The first coordinator server is configured to receive a notification that each participant server of the transaction is prepared at a respective prepared timestamp, the respective prepared timestamp being chosen within a time range for which the respective participant server obtained at least one lock 1220. The first coordinator server computes the commit timestamp for the transaction equal or greater than each of the prepared timestamps 1230, and restrict the commit timestamp such that a second coordinator server sharing at least one of the participant servers for one or more other transactions at a shared shard cannot select the same commit timestamp for any of the other transactions 1240. The transaction is committed at the commit timestamp 1250.

Abstract: A vacuum valve including a valve seat having a valve opening defining an opening axis and a first seal surface circumferential around the valve opening and having a closure element having a second seal surface corresponding to the first seal surface. The first seal surface and/or the second seal surface has an at least two-component material composite having a metallic carrier component and a polymer-based seal material. The metallic carrier component defines an inner and outer carrier region and has a plurality of defined depressions extending in the inner carrier region by the seal surface. The seal material is applied to the carrier component such that a defined profile of the seal material is provided on the outer carrier region and a part of the seal material extends at least into a part of the depressions of the carrier component and fills them at least halfway.

Abstract: In a distributed system where a client's call to commit a transaction occurs outside the transaction's lock-hold interval, computation of timestamp information for the transaction is moved to a client library, while ensuring that no conflicting reads or writes are performed between a time of the computation and acquiring all locks for the transaction. The transaction is committed in phases, with each phase being initiated by the client library. Timestamp information is added to the locks to ensure that timestamps are generated during lock-hold intervals. An increased number of network messages is thereby overlapped with a commit wait period in which a write in a distributed database is delayed in time to ensure concurrency in the database.

Abstract: A centrifugation approach used to accelerate current empirical methods used to investigate silicone drainage in syringes is disclosed. A siliconized syringe is placed into a holder of a centrifuge in a predefined orientation. Centrifugation of the syringe is activated at a predetermined G rate and for a period of intended simulation time and is ended as that time elapses. The time can be a function of intended simulation time, acceleration due to gravity, square of centrifuge revolution rate, and distance from center of rotor hub to matching point on the syringe barrel. One or more injection functionality parameters of the syringe is assessed after the elapsed period of time. A bucket fixture for retaining one or more syringes in the predefined orientation is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a distributed system where a client's call to commit a transaction occurs outside the transaction's lock-hold interval, computation of timestamp information for the transaction is moved to a client library, while ensuring that no conflicting reads or writes are performed between a time of the computation and acquiring all locks for the transaction. The transaction is committed in phases, with each phase being initiated by the client library. Timestamp information is added to the locks to ensure that timestamps are generated during lock-hold intervals. An increased number of network messages is thereby overlapped with a commit wait period in which a write in a distributed database is delayed in time to ensure concurrency in the database.

Abstract: A centrifugation approach used to accelerate current empirical methods used to investigate silicone drainage in syringes is disclosed. A siliconized syringe is placed into a holder of a centrifuge in a predefined orientation. Centrifugation of the syringe is activated at a predetermined G rate and for a period of intended simulation time and is ended as that time elapses. The time can be a function of intended simulation time, acceleration due to gravity, square of centrifuge revolution rate, and distance from center of rotor hub to matching point on the syringe barrel. One or more injection functionality parameters of the syringe is assessed after the elapsed period of time. A bucket fixture for retaining one or more syringes in the predefined orientation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing a playlist of a user. The systems and methods receive an indication from the user of a song to add to the playlist and adds the song to the playlist. In aspects, the systems and methods analyze the playlist to determine whether an attribute of the playlist meets a specified parameter. In some cases, the specified parameter can be met if a musical attribute of the song is similar to a music profile of one of the users, or if an amount of songs on the playlist meets or exceeds a specified threshold. The systems and methods can enable the user to distribute the playlist either publicly or to a specified set of users if the specified parameter of the playlist is met.

Abstract: A centrifugation approach used to accelerate current empirical methods used to investigate silicone drainage in syringes is disclosed. A siliconized syringe is placed into a holder of a centrifuge in a predefined orientation. Centrifugation of the syringe is activated at a predetermined G rate and for a period of intended simulation time and is ended as that time elapses. The time can be a function of intended simulation time, acceleration due to gravity, square of centrifuge revolution rate, and distance from center of rotor hub to matching point on the syringe barrel. One or more injection functionality parameters of the syringe is assessed after the elapsed period of time. A bucket fixture for retaining one or more syringes in the predefined orientation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently sending large units of data in a network. A sender computing device splits the proposal into a plurality of fragments, and sends each of the plurality of fragments to a receiver computing device. The sender computing device receives an acknowledgement from the receiver computing device for each fragment received by the receiver computing device. If no acknowledgements for any fragments are received within a predetermined time period, it may be determined that an error occurred, in which case the sender may time out or take another action. The sender computing device further sends a message to the receiver computing device, wherein a payload of the message includes one or more references corresponding to the plurality of fragments sent.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for managing at least one cache for a database. In one method, an operation record is inserted in an operations log for each write operation to the database. The operation record includes a Log Sequence Number (LSN). At least one cache is updated using operation records in the operations log. To update a cache, unapplied operations in the operations log for the cache are identified using an applied LSN associated with the cache. The applied LSN denotes an LSN of a last operation applied to the cache. The unapplied operations are then applied to the cache and the applied LSN is updated with an LSN corresponding to the last unapplied operation of the unapplied operations that were applied to the cache during updating the cache.

Abstract: A pneumatic mattress having a plurality of pneumatic cells so connected that sets of them can be selectively and cyclically pressurized and exhausted in sequence to support a user, or permanently inflated. The mattress also including an air flow manifold within a cover around the cells for providing air flow to spaces between some of the pneumatic cells beneath of the cover. The cells are provided transversely of the mattress with longitudinal edge cells, and the air flow manifold is provided inwards of the longitudinal cells across the ends of the transverse cells. The cover is semi-permeable to allow moisture from the patient to be carried away by the air flow. Between the cells and the cover, a replaceable open weave or gauze layer of non-woven material is provided, allowing air flow from one inter-cell space to the next with the cover held from the cells by the gauze layer.

Abstract: In a distributed system where a client's call to commit a transaction occurs outside the transaction's lock-hold interval, computation of timestamp information for the transaction is moved to a client library, while ensuring that no conflicting reads or writes are performed between a time of the computation and acquiring all locks for the transaction. The transaction is committed in phases, with each phase being initiated by the client library. Timestamp information is added to the locks to ensure that timestamps are generated during lock-hold intervals. An increased number of network messages is thereby overlapped with a commit wait period in which a write in a distributed database is delayed in time to ensure concurrency in the database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a Cart Inspector to create a suspicion level for a transaction when a video image of the transaction portrays an item(s) left in a shopping cart. Specifically, the Cart Inspector obtains video data associated with a time(s) of interest. The video data originates from a video camera that monitors a transaction area. The Cart Inspector analyzes the video data with respect to target image(s) associated with a transaction in the transaction area during the time(s) of interest. The Cart Inspector creates an indication of a suspicion level for the transaction based on analysis of the target image(s). Creation of a high suspicion level for the transaction indicates that the transaction's corresponding video images most likely portray occurrences where the purchase price of an item transported through the transaction area was not included in the total amount paid by the customer.

Abstract: A vacuum valve including a valve seat having a valve opening defining an opening axis and a first seal surface circumferential around the valve opening and having a closure element having a second seal surface corresponding to the first seal surface. The first seal surface and/or the second seal surface has an at least two-component material composite having a metallic carrier component and a polymer-based seal material. The metallic carrier component defines an inner and outer carrier region and has a plurality of defined depressions extending in the inner carrier region by the seal surface. The seal material is applied to the carrier component such that a defined profile of the seal material is provided on the outer carrier region and a part of the seal material extends at least into a part of the depressions of the carrier component and fills them at least halfway.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of isocyanate monomers from isocyanate-containing mixtures by the provision of the mixture in a solvent and dialysis of the dissolved mixture against the solvent by means of a permeable membrane having a pore size in the range of between 5 and 400 nm. The method may in particular be employed for the separation of isocyanate monomers from prepolymers containing isocyanate groups, with said prepolymers being used for the production of adhesives, insulating, and expanding foams.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing a playlist of a user. The systems and methods receive an indication from the user of a song to add to the playlist and adds the song to the playlist. In aspects, the systems and methods analyze the playlist to determine whether an attribute of the playlist meets a specified parameter. In some cases, the specified parameter can be met if a musical attribute of the song is similar to a music profile of one of the users, or if an amount of songs on the playlist meets or exceeds a specified threshold. The systems and methods can enable the user to distribute the playlist either publicly or to a specified set of users if the specified parameter of the playlist is met.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing a playlist of a user. The systems and methods receive an indication from the user of a song to add to the playlist and adds the song to the playlist. In aspects, the systems and methods analyze the playlist to determine whether an attribute of the playlist meets a specified parameter. In some cases, the specified parameter can be met if a musical attribute of the song is similar to a music profile of one of the users, or if an amount of songs on the playlist meets or exceeds a specified threshold. The systems and methods can enable the user to distribute the playlist either publicly or to a specified set of users if the specified parameter of the playlist is met.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing a playlist of a user. The systems and methods receive an indication from the user of a song to add to the playlist and adds the song to the playlist. In aspects, the systems and methods analyze the playlist to determine whether an attribute of the playlist meets a specified parameter. In some cases, the specified parameter can be met if a musical attribute of the song is similar to a music profile of one of the users, or if an amount of songs on the playlist meets or exceeds a specified threshold. The systems and methods can enable the user to distribute the playlist either publicly or to a specified set of users if the specified parameter of the playlist is met.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of isocyanate monomers from isocyanate-containing mixtures by the provision of the mixture in a solvent and dialysis of the dissolved mixture against the solvent by means of a permeable membrane having a pore size in the range of between 5 and 400 nm. The method may in particular be employed for the separation of isocyanate monomers from prepolymers containing isocyanate groups, with said prepolymers being used for the production of adhesives, insulating, and expanding foams.