Abstract: A database is stored as a plurality of database shards in a distributed database grid comprising a plurality of grid elements, each including a mid-tier database system. A first grid element receives, from an application executing in the same memory as a mid-tier database system of the first grid element, a first database transaction including at least one database operation on specific data stored in a first database shard that belongs to the first grid element. The first grid element performs and commits the first database transaction without participation of another grid element of the plurality of grid elements. The first grid element receives a second database transaction that requires access to another database shard that does not belong to the first grid element. Multiple grid elements of the plurality of grid elements perform the second database transaction and commit the second database transaction using a two-phase commit protocol.

Abstract: An approach for consistent database recovery for distributed database systems uses “synchronization points”. A synchronization point is a global timestamp for which across all nodes of a distributed database system, the nodes have stored change records for any transaction occurring at and before the synchronization point in persistent logs. Each node may employ asynchronous flushing. However, on a periodic basis, each node coordinates to establish a synchronization point, which may entail ensuring change records for transactions that committed at or before the synchronization point are stored in persistent logs. In effect, a synchronization point represents that any transaction committed at or before the synchronization point has been durably committed.

Abstract: An approach for consistent database recovery for distributed database systems uses “synchronization points”. A synchronization point is a global timestamp for which across all nodes of a distributed database system, the nodes have stored change records for any transaction occurring at and before the synchronization point in persistent logs. Each node may employ asynchronous flushing. However, on a periodic basis, each node coordinates to establish a synchronization point, which may entail ensuring change records for transactions that committed at or before the synchronization point are stored in persistent logs. In effect, a synchronization point represents that any transaction committed at or before the synchronization point has been durably committed.

Abstract: A database is stored as a plurality of database shards in a distributed database grid comprising a plurality of grid elements, each including a mid-tier database system. A first grid element receives, from an application executing in the same memory as a mid-tier database system of the first grid element, a first database transaction including at least one database operation on specific data stored in a first database shard that belongs to the first grid element. The first grid element performs and commits the first database transaction without participation of another grid element of the plurality of grid elements. The first grid element receives a second database transaction that requires access to another database shard that does not belong to the first grid element. Multiple grid elements of the plurality of grid elements perform the second database transaction and commit the second database transaction using a two-phase commit protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine configured to automatically stop in response to an engine stop request and automatically start in response to an engine start request include selectively inhibiting an engine stop request based on an anticipated duration of an expected decreased driver power command state to reduce occurrence of successive automatic stops and automatic starts.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques and systems for capturing, storing, editing, and distributing synchronized data captured from multiple sensing devices. The data may be captured from the multiple sensing devices located a multiple locations. The data may be synchronized by instructing a capture card from each sensing device to simultaneously record the data provided by the multiple sensing devices. The synchronized data may be provided to other electronic devices for replay and/or provided to a data hosting service for editing.

Abstract: A method for controlling torque modification during a gearshift includes modifying transmission input torque during the gearshift using an actuator having slower and faster responses to a request for slow input torque modification, fulfilling the request using the slower response provided the faster response is unable to fulfill the request, and fulfilling the request using the faster response, provided the faster response can provide the requested torque modification.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine configured to automatically stop in response to an engine stop request and automatically start in response to an engine start request include selectively inhibiting an engine stop request based on an anticipated duration of an expected decreased driver power command state to reduce occurrence of successive automatic stops and automatic starts.

Abstract: A system for adding reconfigurable computational instructions to a computer, the system comprising a processor operable to execute a set of instructions of a computer program comprising a set of computational instructions and long instruction word instructions with at least one of the long instruction word instructions comprising an instruction extension, an extension adapter coupled to the processor and operable to detect the execution of the instruction extension, and programmable logic coupled to the extension adapter and operable to receive configuration data for defining the instruction extension and execute the instruction extension.

Abstract: A system for adding reconfigurable computational instructions to a computer, the system comprising a processor operable to execute a set of instructions of a computer program comprising a set of computational instructions and long instruction word instructions with at least one of the long instruction word instructions comprising an instruction extension, an extension adapter coupled to the processor and operable to detect the execution of the instruction extension, and programmable logic coupled to the extension adapter and operable to receive configuration data for defining the instruction extension and execute the instruction extension.

Abstract: A rigid shaped product is produced from organic or inorganic solid particulate materials, preferably waste materials by mixing the solid particulate materials with a non-toxic composed of an aqueous dispersion of a blend of acrylic and polyurethane resin which forms a self-crosslinking composition resin material in a thermoplastic state to form a flowable mixture. The flowable mixture is then formed into a desired shape such as a flat panel or sheet, by molding, extrusion, or injection molding, and cured to thermoset the resin material and form a rigid, shaped product such as a construction board.

Abstract: An improved textile yarn finish is provided having a continuous aqueous phase with a soil release agent incorporated therein and a discontinuous phase of a lubricating oil.

Abstract: An improved textile yarn finish is provided having a continuous aqueous phase with a soil release agent incorporated therein and a discontinuous phase of a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling system, especially for an optical fibre (or electrical) connector member. The connector member 10 has a body 12 with a cylindrical portion 14 and a semi-cylindrical extension 16, defining a stepped end profile comprising rearward and forward spaced parallel semi-annular transverse surfaces 24, 26 and a planar portion 22 between them, this structure having 180.degree. rotational symmetry about a transverse axis 56. A channel 20 is formed in the extension 16 as a continuation of a bore 18 in the portion 14 forming a recess. A boss 32 is in the channel 20 and has a projecting end 34 projecting forwardly of surface 26. A domed abutment surface 44 on an abutment member 42 resiliently mounted by a spring 40 at the rear of the boss faces rearwardly towards the bore 18. The space 50 between the boss 32 and the end surface 24 of the body portion 14 is sufficient to receive laterally the boss on an opposed identical connector member 58 when the abutment members are depressed.

Abstract: A fired ceramics compact for use in casting of a super alloy material consisting of a solid solution of BaO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 wherein the composition of the solid solution lies on or between a first and a second eutectic composition, the first and the second eutectic compositions being adjacent and occurring to either respective side of stoichiometric BaO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in a phase diagram of the solid solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical and optical fibre connectors. In the past, the terminal ends of electrical conductors or optical fibres retained in a connector have not reliably maintained a desired separation of the ends of optical fibres or a secure conducting connection formed between electrical conductors. According to the present invention, there is provided an improved optical fibre or electrical connector, comprising a termination member suitable for terminating an electrical conductor or an optical fibre, the termination member being slidably mounted through an aperture in a connector body-member, and a biasing element resiliently biasing the termination member against sliding movement in a first direction relative to the connector body-member.

Abstract: A quick-release electrical connector having a coupling member captive on and rotatable about a body of the connector, the member including circumferentially-spaced, forwardly-projecting tangs of polymeric material constituting a gapped barrel and having an internal screwthread thereon for engagement with an external screwthread of a mating connector. The tangs are resilient and allow rapid disconnection of the connectors upon application of an axial force sufficient to cause interaction of the internal and external screwthreads and expansion of the barrel to allow the internal screwthreads to ride over the external screwthreads. An inhibitor device is provided to selectively inhibit expansion of the barrel and separation of the connectors.

Abstract: A trimming potentiometer having a resistive member and a rotatable member attached to a wiper in contact with the resistive member for varying the position of the wiper thereon, wherein the rotatable member has a peripherally toothed portion and the non-rotatable part of the potentiometer is formed with a plurality of structures defining pivot points for a rotatable adjusting tool, each of the pivot points being spaced from the peripherally toothed portion of the rotatable member by less than the radius of this portion, whereby a toothed adjusting tool can be engaged with any one of the structures and with the toothed portion of the rotatable member for adjustment of the rotatable member by rotation of the tool, the structures being positioned to define different adjustment directions for the tool.