Abstract: A method, system, and program managing analysis of a degraded service in a grid environment are provided. In a grid environment of multiple diverse systems, a service availability management agent is enabled to receive multiple types of error messages generated from the multiple diverse systems within the grid environment. Each error message is parsed to determine a general error indicator. Then, the service availability management agent attempts to resolve the general error indicator and return a solution to each parsed error message. Solutions may include an adjustment of resource usage by a particular service, an explanation of a particular error message, or a recommendation of alternate resources. The service availability management agent preferably specifies the transmission of the solution in a format specified for the requester system.

Abstract: A data storage medium is disclosed from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith. The medium includes a substrate and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A collector ring for use with a center pivot irrigation system which permits the mounting of a communication device above the span structure. The collector ring also includes a monitoring device which senses the angle or rotation of the span structure with respect to the fixed center pivot structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the self-checkout of secured items from a lending or sales establishment. A self-checkout system may be configured to determine a patron's eligibility to checkout items. Subsequently, the system may be configured to determine whether an item wished to be checked out by a patron is stored in a secure locked case. The present invention provides means for allowing the patron to unlock the secure locked case without the need of library staff assistance. A blocking mechanism is provided which controls access to the unlocking mechanism such that a patron may only unlock a secure locked case when authorized to do so by the system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a wheel suspension device on a right side and a wheel suspension device on a left side, with the right and left side wheel suspension devices being connected to each other through a rear frame mounted on a body frame. The right and left side wheel suspension devices include a lower arm supported at an inner end of the rear frame so as to extend outward and so as to be pivotally movable in a vertical direction. The right and left side wheel suspension devices also include an upper arm connected to the outer end of the lower arm through a wheel-supporting knuckle and so as to extend outward from the knuckle. The wheel suspension devices are provided with a rear cushion unit connected at one end to the swinging side end of one of the lower and upper arm members. At least one of the inner end of the upper arm and the other end of the rear cushion unit is supported on the rear frame so as to be pivotally movable.

Abstract: A graphics processing subsystem is programmed with shader programs that make calls to an abstract interface. One or more subshaders implementing the functions of the abstract interface can also be defined. The binding of interfaces to functions is resolved by a language runtime module that compiles the subshaders. As shader programs are compiled, the runtime module determines whether each method call is associated with an interface function. For each interface method call, the runtime module determines the appropriate implementation of the interface to be bound to the method call. Once the appropriate implementation is identified, the interface binding is created using string substitution or indirect addressing instructions. At the time of compilation, which may be during the execution of the rendering application, the desired combinations of subshaders are specified and compiled into a combined shader program, which can then be executed by the graphics processing subsystem.

Abstract: An accessor moveably disposed within an autowated data storage and retrieval system is provided, wherein the automated data storage and retrieval system includes one or more power supply modules removeably disposed therein. Each of the one or more power supply modules comprises an attachment device, and the accessor comprises at least one gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism can be releaseably attached to the attachment device.

Abstract: A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a basketball rim attachment is disclosed. The basketball rim attachment includes a generally C-shaped ring capable of circumferential contraction from its normal unrestrained configuration. The coupling device is employed to cause the circumferential contraction of the ring to facilitate the installation and removal of the basketball rim attachment to and from a rim of a basketball goal.

Abstract: A fuel processor system contains an autothermal reactor (ATR) that produces a hydrogen-rich first gas stream containing carbon monoxide. Downstream of the ATR, a pressure swing adsorber produces a second hydrogen-rich gas stream containing 5 ppm carbon monoxide or more. Downstream of the PSA, there is a methanation reactor sized to reduce the CO level of the second stream below 5 ppm. A method of operating of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack involves cooling the methanator output and feeding it into the stack as an anode fuel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods by which cardiac biomarkers are assigned an index (cardiovascular biomarker index-cardiobioindex, CBI) as a means to describe the utility of each biomarker, or combination of biomarkers for risk evaluation, diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular disease status.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating information regarding input/output (IO) processing in a shared access to memory environment is disclosed. A central processing unit (CPU) and an input/output processor (IOP) are configured to write to and read from predetermined memory locations to manage the detection, performance, and completion of IOs. The CPU and the IOP may read from and write to memory as desired.

Abstract: A four pole, three-phase, NPC converter that produces virtually no common mode voltage. The low common mode voltage output is achieved by constraining the switch states of the NPC converter. A fourth pole and associated control balance the upper and lower DC link voltages. The converter may be an inverter or a rectifier.

Abstract: A belt tensioning apparatus for a combine or harvester header has a frame with two spaced apart longitudinal support members and at least one transverse member attached to each of the longitudinal support members. An end roller support bracket has two bracket extensions extending longitudinally and disposed to slidingly engage with bracket extension receivers attached to the longitudinal support members. A push rod is longitudinally oriented and slidingly mounted on the transverse member intermediate to the longitudinal support members. The push rod is attached to the end roller support bracket and mounted to have a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator is attached to the longitudinal support members and exerts a substantially uniform force to the push rod along a range of travel of the push rod between the retracted position and the extended position. The actuator may be a scissors assembly or a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for trapping, manipulation and transferring ions along RF and DC potential surfaces and through RF ion guides Potential wells are formed near RF-field generating surfaces due to the overlap of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and electrostatic fields created by static potentials applied to surrounding electrodes. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in such wells During confinement, ions may be subjected to various processes, such as accumulation, fragmentation, collisional cooling, focusing, mass-to-charge filtering, spatial separation ion mobility and chemical interactions, leading to improved performance in subsequent processing and analysis steps, such as mass analysis. Alternatively, the motion of ions may be better manipulated during confinement to improve the efficiency of their transport to specific locations, such as an entrance aperture into vacuum from atmospheric pressure or into a subsequent vacuum stage.

Abstract: Methods and compositions including an aqueous liquid that includes an acid-sensitive dye are disclosed for use in dental and orthodontic procedures. The aqueous liquid can be useful for providing a visible color change to indicate contact with acidic materials including, for example, etching compositions, self-etching adhesives, and self-adhesive compositions.

Abstract: Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired, such as the lower back, the arch of the foot, etc.); and (b) a body position feedback system engaged with or integrally formed as part of the garment structure. The body position feedback system may apply higher tensile or constricting (compressive) forces to selected portions of the wearer's body, which can help stimulate or interact with nerves and deep tissue receptors located in various portions of the body. The increased forces at selected locations of the body give the wearer sensory feedback regarding the position or orientation of these parts of the body and can improve or accelerate development of “muscle memory.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: Subject ranking management system provides a ranked search result for a given set of one or more search terms. The subject ranking management system determines, using a taxonomy, one or more parent subject items related to one or more matching subject items that match a given set of search terms. The system statistically ranks relevant subject items including the matching subject items and the parent subject items, and organizes the relevant subject items as ranked by the item ranking calculation unit. Ranked subjects can then be presented to an operator to assist with further refinement or used to automatically produce a better search without further operator invention.