Abstract: A computer-implemented method, data processing system and computer readable medium manages processing of data entries in a data buffer. Data entries are stored in a data buffer. A representation of a two-directional matrix is annotated to mark the data arrivals as a plurality of entries. In addition, the two-directional matrix is annotated to define a valid processing period for the data entries. The data entries in the data buffer are processed by removing the data entries from the data buffer, marked for processing in the two-dimensional matrix during the valid processing period, by annotating the matrix, labeled as ACS, to define the number of available entries as a cumulative sum along the columns, A-X, such that ACS=cumsum(A-X), where ‘cumsum’ is the cumulative column-sum. Finally, the data entries from the data buffer are processed to determine the entries removed from the data buffer as defined by the row-sum of X.

Abstract: Performing a backup is disclosed. A first set of data associated with a second set of data is backed up. The first set of data is made available for use before backing up the second set of data. The second set of data is backed up within a prescribed interval after completing the backup of the first set of data. One of the first set of data and the second set data comprises metadata associated with the other of the first set of data and the second set of data and the other comprises one or more items of managed content.

Abstract: Performing a backup is disclosed. One or more directories at a lowest level in a file directory associated with a storage is identified. The identified lowest level directories are divided into one or more directory groups. The backup of the directory groups is performed using parallel threads until all directory groups have been backed up.

Abstract: A valve particularly intended to act as a water key for a musical wind instrument comprises a ball 17 captively mounted inside a housing 15 and a spring 18 which biases the ball 17 into an inlet aperture 12 of the valve. An annular actuator 20 extends around the housing 15 and comprises a plurality of projections 21 which extend radially inwardly through the housing 15, the inner ends of the projections 21 surrounding the ball 17. In use, when the actuator 20 is pushed in any radial direction, the projections 21 dislodge the ball 17 from the inlet aperture 12 to open the valve and to allow fluid to pass into the valve through the inlet aperture 12 and out an aperture 16 in the valve, When the actuator 20 is released, the ball 17 returns to its normal position under the spring bias to close the aperture 12. The valve is simple in construction and provides a reliable seal when closed, which is not prone to wear.

Abstract: A flash arrestor applicable to suppress explosions in gas lines generally, but specifically appropriate for suppressing explosions of pyrophoric gases, particularly silane in connection with integrated circuit manufacturing, has two identical flash suppression assemblies that are interconnected and act bidirectionally so as to suppress explosions occurring on either side of the apparatus. The positioning of a poppet relative to a poppet seat can be set manually into “open,” “closed” and “armed” positions, the latter indicating that the apparatus has been configured so as to intercept automatically any explosion that is transmitted to it through a gas line so as to yield a valve “closed” configuration, and that closed position can then be locked in manually.

Abstract: A valve particularly intended to act as a water key for a musical wind instrument comprises a ball 17 captively mounted inside a housing 15 and a spring 18 which biases the ball 17 into an inlet aperture 12 of the valve. An annular actuator 20 extends around the housing 15 and comprises a plurality of projections 21 which extend radially inwardly through the housing 15, the inner ends of the projections 21 surrounding the ball 17.

Abstract: A flash arrestor applicable to suppress explosions in gas lines generally, but specifically appropriate for suppressing explosions of pyrophoric gases, particularly silane in connection with integrated circuit manufacturing, has two identical flash suppression assemblies that are interconnected and act bidirectionally so as to suppress explosions occurring on either side of the apparatus. The positioning of a poppet relative to a poppet seat can be set manually into “open,” “closed” and “armed” positions, the latter indicating that the apparatus has been configured so as to intercept automatically any explosion that is transmitted to it through a gas line so as to yield a valve “closed” configuration, and that closed position can then be locked in manually.