Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for redundant identification of a storage medium format. The apparatus for redundant identification of a storage medium format is provided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of writing a Format Identification Data Set (“FID”) to a plurality of predetermined locations on the storage medium, determining a format of the storage medium based on information in the FID, and setting a starting position on the storage medium for a subsequent operation, wherein the starting position is associated with the format of the storage medium. These modules in the described embodiments include a write module, a determination module, and a position module. In a further embodiment, the storage medium may include a data storage tape housed within a tape cartridge, wherein the tape cartridge further comprises a cartridge memory (“CM”) for storing a CM FID.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for determining a tape speed for a next sync operation. A sync command is received. An average transaction size and an average host transfer rate of a set of previous sync operations are calculated. The tape speed for the next sync operation is determined using the average transaction size, the average host transfer rate, and a backhitch time. Data is written to a tape cartridge using the determined tape speed.

Abstract: A method for recording data freshness degrees by a tape drive is disclosed. During the recording of a set of data and a data freshness degree associated with the set of data a tape recording medium, a determination is made as to whether or not a fault occurs during the recording. In response to a determination that a fault occurs during the recording, a data freshness degree of data within a faulty portion on the tape recording medium is obtained. The data freshness degree of the set of data is then immediately recorded before the faulty portion on the tape recording medium. The data freshness degree is higher than the data freshness degree of data within the faulty portion.

Abstract: A device, method, and machine-readable medium program product for controlling a tape data storage drive are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device is provided for controlling a tape drive operable with a tape storage medium, the device comprising a buffer memory and a first functional unit. In the described embodiment, the first functional unit is configured to identify a logical end of the tape storage medium utilizing first data specifying a quantity of data stored within the buffer memory and second data specifying a current data write position on the tape storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for redundant identification of a storage medium format. The apparatus for redundant identification of a storage medium format is provided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of writing a Format Identification Data Set (“FID”) to a plurality of predetermined locations on the storage medium, determining a format of the storage medium based on information in the FID, and setting a starting position on the storage medium for a subsequent operation, wherein the starting position is associated with the format of the storage medium. These modules in the described embodiments include a write module, a determination module, and a position module. In a further embodiment, the storage medium may include a data storage tape housed within a tape cartridge, wherein the tape cartridge further comprises a cartridge memory (“CM”) for storing a CM FID.

Abstract: A write/read control method for recording at least one datum on a magnetic tape within a predetermined distance is provided. The method includes sequentially accumulating a plurality of blocks of data of variable length in a buffer divided into fixed length segments and writing the contents of each segment to the tape. If the segment contains at least one block of data, the data is written to the tape as a dataset and if the segment does not contain any data, then a null dataset is written to the tape within the predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may vary depending upon the format of a tape drive embodying the method. In response to a request to read a block of data, reading at least one dataset that includes the requested block of data from the tape to segments in the buffer, and reading the requested block of data for invalidating data transfer of a null dataset in the segment. By invalidating the transfer of a null dataset, blocks of data separated by the null dataset can be reconstructed.

Abstract: A device, method, and machine-readable medium program product for controlling a tape data storage drive are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device is provided for controlling a tape drive operable with a tape storage medium, the device comprising a buffer memory and a first functional unit. In the described embodiment, the first functional unit is configured to identify a logical end of the tape storage medium utilizing first data specifying a quantity of data stored within the buffer memory and second data specifying a current data write position on the tape storage medium.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, removable storage cartridge, and article of manufacture for validating an encryption key file on a removable storage media. Copies of an encryption key file are written to multiple locations on a removable storage media, wherein data is encrypted and decrypted using an encryption key included in the encryption key file. A validation operation is performed on the copy of the encryption key file at one of the key locations, wherein the key locations comprise the locations on the removable storage media to which the encryption key files were written. In response to the copy of the encryption key file not validating, a command is sent to cause the data and valid copies of the encryption key file to be rewritten to a new storage media.

Abstract: A method for recording data freshness degrees by a tape drive is disclosed. During the recording of a set of data and a data freshness degree associated with the set of data a tape recording medium, a determination is made as to whether or not a fault occurs during the recording. In response to a determination that a fault occurs during the recording, a data freshness degree of data within a faulty portion on the tape recording medium is obtained. The data freshness degree of the set of data is then immediately recorded before the faulty portion on the tape recording medium. The data freshness degree is higher than the data freshness degree of data within the faulty portion.

Abstract: The cosmetic of the present invention is a cosmetic that alleviates skin irritation by blending in polypropylene glycol, a specific polar oil, or polybutylene glycol, as well as an ultraviolet absorbent. The present invention also relates to an agent and a method for alleviating irritation by lipophilic drugs. Since the present invention alleviates skin irritation due to ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs in cosmetics, any amount of ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs can be blended in cosmetics, and therefore cosmetics that can fully manifest their effects can be provided. Also, it is possible to prepare a safe sunblock cosmetic with superior ultraviolet protection effects because the ultraviolet absorbent is not absorbed through skin.

Abstract: A write/read control method for recording at least one datum on a magnetic tape within a predetermined distance is provided. The method includes sequentially accumulating a plurality of blocks of data of variable length in a buffer divided into fixed length segments and writing the contents of each segment to the tape. If the segment contains at least one block of data, the data is written to the tape as a dataset and if the segment does not contain any data, then a null dataset is written to the tape within the predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may vary depending upon the format of a tape drive embodying the method. In response to a request to read a block of data, reading at least one dataset that includes the requested block of data from the tape to segments in the buffer, and reading the requested block of data for invalidating data transfer of a null dataset in the segment. By invalidating the transfer of a null dataset, blocks of data separated by the null dataset can be reconstructed.

Abstract: The cosmetic of the present invention is a cosmetic that alleviates skin irritation by blending in polypropylene glycol, a specific polar oil, or polybutylene glycol, as well as an ultraviolet absorbent. The present invention also relates to an agent and a method for alleviating irritation by lipophilic drugs. Since the present invention alleviates skin irritation due to ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs in cosmetics, any amount of ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs can be blended in cosmetics, and therefore cosmetics that can fully manifest their effects can be provided. Also, it is possible to prepare a safe sunblock cosmetic with superior ultraviolet protection effects because the ultraviolet absorbent is not absorbed through skin.

Abstract: A device, method, and machine-readable medium program product for controlling a tape data storage drive are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device is provided for controlling a tape drive operable with a tape storage medium, the device comprising a buffer memory and a first functional unit. In the described embodiment, the first functional unit is configured to identify a logical end of the tape storage medium utilizing first data specifying a quantity of data stored within the buffer memory and second data specifying a current data write position on the tape storage medium.

Abstract: Backspacing over data to overwrite the data as recorded on magnetic tape is provided logically, rather than by causing a magnetic tape to drive to backhitch. The data is written to the magnetic tape as it was before it was logically changed in order to insure that the data is preserved on tape. Recovery of the data is from a succeeding data set which logically invalidates the original data by a superseding identifier. Control logic arranges data transactions for writing to magnetic tape as data sets; and, in response to backspace and overwrite commands, or when transactions are accumulated into a succeeding data set, rewrites the original transaction adjusted in accordance with the commands as a superseding data set downstream from the original transaction, logically invalidating the original transaction by setting a superseding identifier in the superseding data set(s).

Abstract: Special fields for error recovery are provided in data set information tables of data sets written with synchronized transactions. If a transaction only partially fills a data set, that data set is rewritten in a succeeding data set, appending the next transaction. A moving access point in the table identifies the appended transaction, allowing the rewritten transaction to be skipped during read recovery. The table provides recovery trails by providing a thread to tie the data sets together, the status of the data set, and pointers, such as identifying the wrap of the immediately succeeding data set.

Abstract: External skin preparations with a sun-screening effect are frequently blended with an ultraviolet absorbent octyl methoxycinnamate together with ultraviolet reflectors titanium oxide and zinc oxide in powder. The skin irritation of octyl methoxycinnamate is enhanced when blended with the powders of titanium oxide and zinc oxide and the like. It is an object of the invention to provide an external skin preparation capable of reducing the skin irritation.

Abstract: The cosmetic of the present invention is a cosmetic that alleviates skin irritation by blending in polypropylene glycol, a specific polar oil, or polybutylene glycol, as well as an ultraviolet absorbent. The present invention also relates to an agent and a method for alleviating irritation by lipophilic drugs. Since the present invention alleviates skin irritation due to ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs in cosmetics, any amount of ultraviolet absorbents and lipophilic drugs can be blended in cosmetics, and therefore cosmetics that can fully manifest their effects can be provided. Also, it is possible to prepare a safe sunblock cosmetic with superior ultraviolet protection effects because the ultraviolet absorbent is not absorbed through skin.

Abstract: Special fields for error recovery are provided in data set information tables of data sets written with synchronized transactions. If a transaction only partially fills a data set, that data set is rewritten in a succeeding data set, appending the next transaction. A moving access point in the table identifies the appended transaction, allowing the rewritten transaction to be skipped during read recovery. The table provides recovery trails by providing a thread to tie the data sets together, the status of the data set, and pointers, such as identifying the wrap of the immediately succeeding data set.

Abstract: Provided are polypropylene-based films and sheets having good ultraviolet shieldability. While being stored, the films and the sheets are free from additive bleeding, and their outward appearance is kept all the time good. The films and the sheets are formed from a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polypropylene-based resin and from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of one or more compounds selected from the following (A) to (D): (A) 2-(2-hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl)benzotriazole, (B) 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-dodecyl-4-methylphenol, (C) specific triazine compounds, and (D) specific methylene-bisphenols.

Abstract: A flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition, characterized by comprising a polycarbonate resin (A) and a composite rubbery graft copolymer (B), preferably one obtained by grafting a composite rubber having a structure constituted of 1 to 99 wt. % of a polyorganosiloxane rubber component and 99 to 1 wt. % of a polyalkyl acrylate rubber component, the two components being so interwisted with each other as not to separate from each other, and a mean particle diameter of 0.01 to 0.6 &mgr;m with one or more vinyl monomers, at an (A) to (B) weight ratio of 99:1 to 90:10, and by containing, per 100 parts by weight of the sum total of the components (A) and (B), 0.3 to 1.2 parts by weight (in terms of phosphorus) of a halogen-free phosphoric ester (C) and 0.01 to 1.