Abstract: Various embodiments set forth techniques for maintaining replicas of a data set. The techniques include storing, by a first node, a first replica of the data set on the first node; storing, by a second node, a second replica of the data set on the second node; and performing, by the first node and based on first metadata associated with the first replica, a first data management activity on the first replica that changes a first format of the first replica so that the first format of the first replica is different from a second format of the second replica.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that can manage access to a service from a cluster of computing nodes. An instance of the system can operate on a respective computing node. During operation, the system instance can identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which provides access to the service from the cluster of computing nodes to a client device at a client site. The system instance can select the computing node for hosting the IP address in the cluster of computing nodes based on a set of selection criteria. The selection is performed independently at the computing node. The system instance can then assign the IP address to the computing node. The assignment allows a request for the service to be directed to the computing node. Subsequently, the system instance can facilitate the service from the cluster of computing nodes based on the request.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods of making materials, where at least one surface of the material utilizes an emulsion to controllably release active agents, which can include hydrophilic agents, into the surrounding environment. Preferably, the materials are ‘slippery’ in that liquid droplets and other compounds, such as aqueous fluids, organic compounds and microorganisms, are able to easily slide off the surface without adhering to the surface. The active agents released by the emulsion may include antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, antibacterial agents and other molecules that can kill or otherwise reduce the number of the pathogens. The resulting materials have improved anti-fouling behaviors compared to many other existing types of anti-fouling surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS), slippery nanoemulsion-infused porous surfaces (SNIPS), lubricant-impregnated surfaces (LIS), and other materials fabricated using polymers, linkers, and/or liquids and emulsions that are degradable (preferably biodegradable) and biocompatible. In addition to having reduced negative environmental effects, these coatings exhibit durable and robust anti-fouling properties against a wide range of substances and organisms, and advance new approaches to the design of biodegradable and sustainable liquid-infused materials.

Abstract: One or more non-transitory computer-readable media can store program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps of organizing storage as a set of storage regions, each storage region having a fixed size; and for each storage region, storing a storage allocation structure of the storage region formatted in a first format selected from a format set including at least two formats, determining a change of an allocation feature of the storage region, based on the allocation feature of the storage region, selecting, from the format set, a second format of the storage allocation structure, and reformatting the storage allocation structure in the second format.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for importing a workload from an external system into a virtualization system. A virtual disk (vDisk) is created based on analysis of the data layout of the workload. The vDisk is sharded into a plurality of non-overlapping shards. Independently executing shard controllers are assigned to the non-overlapping shards. On an ongoing basis, the plurality of shard controllers manage respective shards of the plurality of shards. I/O activity on at least some individual ones of the plurality of shard controllers is monitored on an ongoing basis. Two or more shard controllers can be merged into a single shard controller when the I/O activity on the two or more shard controllers is measured to be below a threshold. A single shard controller can be split into two or more shard controllers when I/O activity on the single shard controller is measured to be above a threshold.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth techniques for maintaining replicas of a data set. The techniques include storing, by a first node, a first replica of the data set on the first node; storing, by a second node, a second replica of the data set on the second node; and performing, by the first node and based on first metadata associated with the first replica, a first data management activity on the first replica that changes a first format of the first replica so that the first format of the first replica is different from a second format of the second replica.

Abstract: One or more non-transitory computer-readable media can store program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps of organizing storage as a set of storage regions, each storage region having a fixed size; and for each storage region, storing a storage allocation structure of the storage region formatted in a first format selected from a format set including at least two formats, determining a change of an allocation feature of the storage region, based on the allocation feature of the storage region, selecting, from the format set, a second format of the storage allocation structure, and reformatting the storage allocation structure in the second format.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal (LC)-infused materials and methods for detecting compounds or impurities in liquid samples using such materials. These slippery materials comprise a lubricating liquid, preferably a thermotropic liquid crystal, and a solid substrate able to immobilize or host the lubricating liquid. The portion of the substrate coated by the lubricating fluid forms a slippery surface able to allow droplets of various materials to slide off the slippery surface in a manner dependent on the chemical composition of the droplet, which can be used to detect the presence of analytes, impurities and other molecules within the droplet.

Abstract: This invention discloses spray-based methods for generating polymer-based coatings with a range of morphologies, chemical reactivities, and physical stabilities useful for a broad range of applications, such as for the fabrication of non-wetting and slippery surfaces. Certain embodiments of this invention provide coatings with nanoscale morphologies, physical stabilities, and chemical reactivities that are similar to or improved compared to analogous coatings and materials made using conventional dip coating or flow-based methods. These spray-based methods can also be used to fabricate coatings with substantially similar functional properties, but with improved consistency, efficiency, additional functionality, and reproducibility. In an aspect of the invention, two or more chemically reactive polymer solutions are sprayed onto a substrate to form a crosslinked polymer coating on the substrate. The polymer solutions may be applied to the substrate sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods of making materials, where at least one surface of the material utilizes an emulsion to controllably release active agents, which can include hydrophilic agents, into the surrounding environment. Preferably, the materials are ‘slippery’ in that liquid droplets and other compounds, such as aqueous fluids, organic compounds and microorganisms, are able to easily slide off the surface without adhering to the surface. The active agents released by the emulsion may include antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, antibacterial agents and other molecules that can kill or otherwise reduce the number of the pathogens. The resulting materials have improved anti-fouling behaviors compared to many other existing types of anti-fouling surfaces.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that can manage access to a service from a cluster of computing nodes. An instance of the system can operate on a respective computing node. During operation, the system instance can identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which provides access to the service from the cluster of computing nodes to a client device at a client site. The system instance can select the computing node for hosting the IP address in the cluster of computing nodes based on a set of selection criteria. The selection is performed independently at the computing node. The system instance can then assign the IP address to the computing node. The assignment allows a request for the service to be directed to the computing node. Subsequently, the system instance can facilitate the service from the cluster of computing nodes based on the request.

Abstract: An online system stores online documents, where each online document has a layout. The system creates augmented online documents by combining the online documents with one or more content items. The system stores client interactions with the content items, responsive to presenting the augmented online documents via a client device. The system receives a new online document. The system creates new augmented online documents by combining the new online document with one or more new content items. For each new augmented online document, the system generates a score based on one or more features describing the layout of the new augmented online document. The system selects a new augmented online document based on the generated scores and sends the selected new augmented online document for presentation via a client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing vehicle operation are provided. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may receive and analyze image data depicting an individual located within a vehicle. The electronic device may also access and compile certain data related to an environment of the vehicle, and specifically to the vehicle's position relative to the sun. According to embodiments, the electronic device may determine, based on the accessed data, whether the vehicle is traveling into a direction of the sun, and may generate and record an indication of the same.

Abstract: Examples of a distributed message service include a virtualized file system including a virtual disk configured to store messages for a message topic, and a broker logically allocated to the message topic. The broker is configured to cause a message directed to the message topic provided from a publisher to be stored at the virtual disk, and to route the message to a subscriber of the message topic that is registered with the broker. The distributed message service further includes an operating system configured to manage the virtualized file system and includes a message service configured to manage logical allocation of the broker and manage allocation of the virtual disk to the message topic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing vehicle operation are provided. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may receive and analyze image data depicting an individual located within a vehicle. The electronic device may also access and compile certain data related to an environment of the vehicle, and specifically to the vehicle's position relative to the sun. According to embodiments, the electronic device may determine, based on the accessed data, whether the vehicle is traveling into a direction of the sun, and may generate and record an indication of the same.

Abstract: An online system stores online documents, where each online document has a layout. The system creates augmented online documents by combining the online documents with one or more content items. The system stores client interactions with the content items, responsive to presenting the augmented online documents via a client device. The system receives a new online document. The system creates new augmented online documents by combining the new online document with one or more new content items. For each new augmented online document, the system generates a score based on one or more features describing the layout of the new augmented online document. The system selects a new augmented online document based on the generated scores and sends the selected new augmented online document for presentation via a client device.

Abstract: An online system stores online documents, where each online document has a layout. The system creates augmented online documents by combining the online documents with one or more content items. The system stores client interactions with the content items, responsive to presenting the augmented online documents via a client device. The system receives a new online document. The system creates new augmented online documents by combining the new online document with one or more new content items. For each new augmented online document, the system generates a score based on one or more features describing the layout of the new augmented online document. The system selects a new augmented online document based on the generated scores and sends the selected new augmented online document for presentation via a client device.