Abstract: A modular recycling cleaning system comprising in combination: a pressure washing and control module, a vacuum motor assembly module, a reservoir module, an air/liquid separator module, a flexible hose system, a control system and a cleaning head, capable of being easily configured so as to function as any one of: a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied from an external source; a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied internally from an integral water reservoir; a recycling pressure washer with cleaning liquid being supplied and reused from an integral cleaning liquid reservoir replenished with cleaning liquid by means of a vacuum recovery system; a straight through pressure washer with recovery of contaminated cleaning liquid but without reuse; a conventional wet vacuum cleaning system or a conventional dry vacuum cleaning system. The appliance being capable of further configuration as a shampooing machine.

Abstract: The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.

Abstract: An injector for co-axial-type dispensers for multiple flowable components is provided. The dispenser has a multi-chamber cartridge with a first outlet for a first flowable component arranged within a second outlet for a second flowable component. The injector includes an inner sleeve for fitting engagement with an inner wall of the first outlet of the dispenser, wherein an interior of the inner sleeve defines a first passage for the first flowable component; and an outer sleeve for fitting engagement with an outer wall of the first outlet of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous processes for the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A method for tracking digital media presentations: providing a corresponding web page for each digital media presentation to be delivered; providing identifier data to the user's computer; providing a timer applet to the user's computer; and, storing data indicative of received identifier data; wherein each provided webpage causes corresponding digital media presentation data to be streamed from a second computer system distinct from a first computer system directly to the user's computer independent of the first computer system; and stored data is indicative of an amount of time the digital media presentation data is streamed from the second computer system to the user's computer.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises supplying, by a network node to a peer network node, a randomization seed assigned to the network node for generating a prescribed sequence of pseudorandom numbers according to a prescribed pseudorandom number generation function; encoding each data block having a corresponding position in an ordered sequence of a stream of data blocks, into a corresponding differentially-encoded data block based on applying a product of the corresponding data block and the corresponding pseudorandom number, having the corresponding position in the prescribed sequence, to a corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block from the prescribed ordered sequence, the data block recoverable solely based on a determined difference between the corresponding differentially-encoded data block and the corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block relative to the corresponding pseudorandom number; and outputting each differentially-encoded data block in

Abstract: Distributed data, having been stored in a distributed storage system as a collection of distributed data elements, is recovered based on connection of multiple user nodes, each user node having stored selected distributed data elements as a corresponding portion of the distributed data during replication of the distributed data elements throughout the distributed storage system. Each distributed data element is identifiable by a corresponding unique object identifier (OID). Each user node includes a discovery resource for discovering reachable user nodes, a local cache configured for identifying at least the corresponding portion of the distributed data based on the respective OIDs, and an identification service module configured for resolving a data object to a corresponding OID, via the corresponding local cache, or based on sending a query to the reachable user nodes. Hence, user nodes can recover distributed data based on exchanging resolution information and OID information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a computer implemented method for automatically modifying the terms of a plurality of mortgages within a portfolio of mortgages, such that, monthly payments for the plurality of mortgages are reduced. The method includes calculating a current net present value for each of the mortgages in the portfolio of mortgages. The method also includes calculating a plurality of future net present values for each of the mortgages in the portfolio, each future net present value corresponding to one set of modified loan terms. The method also includes selecting the largest calculated future net present value. The method also includes automatically modifying the loan terms of each of the plurality of mortgages where the largest future net present value is greater than the current net present value. Loan terms are modified to correspond to the modified loan terms resulting in the largest net present value.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium including computer-executable code for enhancing an electronic document with one link and being served via a network responsively to a request received via the network and correspondent to an electronic document. The chat application may be for use with a mobile device and be less computing resource intensive. Certain embodiments of the present invention may not require a code or applets to be inserted to provide chat functionality. Advantageously, only a link may need to be inserted, for example. This may provide particularly well suited for use with websites where traditional chat code or applets may not be inserted.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating a user are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for authenticating a user includes displaying a first representation of a challenge. The challenge is based on a ruleset. The method also includes receiving a first input, determining if the first input furthers a successful completion of the first representation of the challenge, and determining if the first input completes the first representation of the challenge. If it is determined that the first input completes the first representation of the challenge and that the first input furthers the successful completion of the first representation of the challenge, the method further includes positively augmenting a security indicator.

Abstract: Casing shoes comprise a nose portion having an inner profile and an outer profile. At least one cutting structure is on the outer profile. A stem section extends longitudinally from the nose portion. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is disposed within the stem section. Methods of installing sections of casing within wellbores comprise advancing the at least one section of casing into contact with subterranean formation material with a casing shoe attached thereto. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is carried within the casing shoe into the wellbore. The wellbore is drilled or reamed using at least one cutting structure on the casing shoe as the at least one section of casing is advanced into the wellbore.

Abstract: Described is a system for offering financing to a couple seeking financing for the purchase of real estate, the improvement comprising gathering information from the couple regarding the couple and the piece of residential real estate; calculating, with computerized software, a divorce insurance policy premium for the couple based upon this and other information; determining the insurance policy premium's price with the mortgage financing; offering the mortgage financing, coupled with the insurance premium, to the couple; if the couple accepts, creating a legally binding document memorializing the mortgage insurance policy, wherein the legally binding document sets forth terms and conditions of the mortgage insurance policy; transmitting the completed, legally binding document to the couple; periodically and regularly charging the calculated periodic amount to the couple; and administering the mortgage insurance policy in such a manner that, upon divorce or legal separation of the couple, paying damages arisi

Abstract: A dry powdered animal repellent that does not harm animals or plants. The repellant uses dried and powdered blood meal mixed with chili powder and/or cayenne pepper. The repellant is mixed together in a large moisture resistant container and then sprinkled around or into the soil around plants or into a tunnel opening formed by a rodent. In the first embodiment, designed to repel dogs and cats, the composition contains a 60%/40% (w/w) mixture of blood meal and chili powder (with 10% or less moisture content) with the chili powder being made from peppers with a heat rating of at least 85,000 Scoville units or greater. In the second embodiment, the concentration of blood meal to chili powder is increased to 80%/20% (w/w) respectively, to promote greater plant growth and for greater absorption into worms or grubs living in the soil.

Abstract: A package having a roughened surface that does not adhere to a medical device enclosed therein.

Abstract: A network provides distributed computing services based on participation in respective resource groups by computing nodes, each resource group including a corresponding resource requirement for any computing node that joins the corresponding resource group for execution of the corresponding distributed computing service. Each computing node, in response to determining its corresponding available node capacity, is configured for selectively creating and joining at least one new resource group for execution of a corresponding distributed computing service having a corresponding resource requirement, and/or selectively joining at least one of the available resource groups, based on the corresponding available node capacity satisfying the corresponding resource requirement. Each computing node also is configured for selectively leaving any one of the joined resource groups based on determined conditions.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises supplying, by a network node to a peer network node, a randomization seed assigned to the network node for generating a prescribed sequence of pseudorandom numbers according to a prescribed pseudorandom number generation function; encoding each data block having a corresponding position in an ordered sequence of a stream of data blocks, by the network node into a corresponding differentially-encoded data block based on applying a product of the corresponding data block and the corresponding pseudorandom number, having the corresponding position in the prescribed sequence, to a corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block from the prescribed ordered sequence, the data block recoverable solely based on a determined difference between the corresponding differentially-encoded data block and the corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block relative to the corresponding pseudorandom number; and outputting each differentially-e