Abstract: A method and system to perform caching based at least on one or more file-level heuristics. The caching of a storage medium in a caching device is performed by a cache policy engine. The cache policy engine receives file-level information of input/output access of data of the storage medium and caches or evicts the data of the storage medium in the caching device based on the received file-level information. By utilizing information about the files and file operations associated with the disk sectors or logical block addresses of the storage medium, the cache policy engine can make a better decision on the data selection of the storage medium to be cached in or evicted from the caching device in one embodiment of the invention. Higher cache hit rates can be achieved and the performance of the system utilizing the cache policy engine is improved.

Abstract: A shipping container support mechanism for a rail freight wagon is adjustable between a retracted position in which a container can be supported in a well of the wagon between elevated end platforms which extend over wheels and bogies. In the deployed, extended position, the mechanism supports an end region of a container, the opposite end of which can be supported on another such mechanism or an end platform. The support mechanism is mountable in the side wall of the wagon and has a pivotal support arm which can move from a stowed position in the wagon frame to a horizontally extended position.

Abstract: Fluid amplifiers and vibration damping and isolation systems are provided. A fluid amplifier includes a housing assembly, a piezo-electric element, two amplification stages, and a rod. The piezo-electric element is disposed within the housing assembly and is capable of being energized to lengthen axially to provide an input stroke at an initial magnitude. The first amplification stage is disposed within the housing assembly adjacent to the piezo-electric element and is adapted to amplify the input stroke from the piezo-electric element to a first magnitude. The second amplification stage is disposed in series with the first amplification stage and is adapted to increase the input stroke from the first magnitude to a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude to yield an amplified input stroke. The rod extends through the second amplification stage and is coupled thereto to transmit the amplified input stroke having the second magnitude.

Abstract: Fluid amplifiers and vibration damping and isolation systems are provided. A fluid amplifier includes a housing assembly, a piezo-electric element, two amplification stages, and a rod. The piezo-electric element is disposed within the housing assembly and is capable of being energized to lengthen axially to provide an input stroke at an initial magnitude. The first amplification stage is disposed within the housing assembly adjacent to the piezo-electric element and is adapted to amplify the input stroke from the piezo-electric element to a first magnitude. The second amplification stage is disposed in series with the first amplification stage and is adapted to increase the input stroke from the first magnitude to a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude to yield an amplified input stroke. The rod extends through the second amplification stage and is coupled thereto to transmit the amplified input stroke having the second magnitude.

Abstract: A SAS expander adaptively configures a Serial-Attached-SCSI (SAS) PHY to accommodate varying lengths of a cable coupling the PHY to a remote PHY. The expander (a) configures the SAS PHY with settings of an entry of a table of PHY configuration settings, each entry in the table having different PHY configuration setting values; (b) clears a counter; (c) operates the PHY to communicate with the remote PHY for a monitoring period, after configuring the PHY and clearing the counter; (d) increments the counter when the PHY detects a PHY event during the monitoring period, and otherwise decrements the counter; (e) repeats steps (c) and (d) unless the counter rises above a threshold; and (f) when the counter rises above the threshold, repeats steps (a) through (e), wherein step (a) is performed with the settings of a different entry of the table.

Abstract: Traffic flows through an administered network from an off-network source and/or to an off-network destination are simulated and analyzed by selecting an ingress and/or egress node within the administered network, the ingress node capable of collecting traffic from an off-network source, and the egress node capable of routing traffic to an off-network destination. Traffic flow is mapped from the source or ingress node through the administered network to the egress node. The traffic flow may be simulated and analyzed. The ingress and/or egress nodes may be selected in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a macromolecule having a controlled terminal group stoichiometry, the macromolecule including a surface layer, at least one subsurface layer and at least two terminal groups including: a first terminal group which is a residue of a pharmaceutically active agent, a derivative thereof or precursor therefor; and a second terminal group selected to modify the pharmacokinetics of the pharmaceutically active agent and/or macromolecule, wherein terminal group stoichiometry refers to the number and type of terminal groups.

Abstract: An exercise repetition sensor comprises an electricity generator, such as an electricity generator, which is coupled to an exercise system, where the electricity generator is capable of sensing exercise movements of any size or intensity on the exercise system. The electricity generator can be based on a number of electrical, magnetic, or optical sensing principles. For example, an electricity generator comprising an electricity generator includes a spindle that is coupled to one or more parts that move in proportion to an applied force. The voltage-generator generates an electrical current as the spindle moves, and sends the electrical current to an electronic display interface. In one embodiment, the voltage-generator sends a positive direct current through one of two circuit wires to the electronic console, such that the electronic console can immediately identify that the user has performed an exercise repetition.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes circuitry to determine, at least in part, whether respective idle conditions have been satisfied for respective storage devices. If the circuitry determines, at least in part, that at least one respective storage device comprised in the respective storage devices satisfies at least one respective idle condition, the circuitry is also to issue at least one request that the at least one respective storage device enter, independently from at least one other respective storage device comprised in the respective storage devices, a respective relatively lower power consumption state compared to a respective relatively higher power consumption state. Of course, many alternatives, modifications, and variations are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: An aquarium for jellyfish and other plankton species is described. The aquarium has a water container formed by two vertical front facets and a side surface between the front facets, the container having a polygonal, round or other shape when viewed from the front. A sealed chamber is located adjacent the water container with a water inlet that provides water to the chamber. A diffuser block provides a water passage from the sealed chamber to the water container. The diffuser block has a plurality of parallel channels so that water entering the container from the sealed chamber forms a plurality of jet streams along the side surface. This creates a laminar flow of water inside the water container near the side surface, which helps to keep the jellyfish suspended. The water container also has a discharge port covered with a screen to prevent the jellyfish from being sucked out.

Abstract: In some embodiments a determination is made as to whether a file is to be placed on a slower drive of a logical storage volume span or a faster drive of the logical storage volume span. The file is placed on the slower drive or the faster drive based on the determining, and a user does not need to be aware of whether the file has been placed on the slower drive or the faster drive. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A SAS expander includes SAS PHYs for transceiving signals with SAS devices on corresponding SAS links coupled to the SAS PHYs. The SAS expander includes status registers that provide fault detection parameters concerning communications on the SAS links. A microprocessor of the SAS expander identifies faulty communications on one of the SAS links, based on the fault detection parameters, and disables a corresponding one of the SAS PHYs coupled to the SAS link on which the microprocessor identified the faulty communications. The microprocessor may also report the PHY disabling to a SAS initiator. The microprocessor may also re-enable the PHY after corrective action is taken, such as in response to user input, an indication from a SAS device, or automatically detecting the corrective action. The expander may also automatically take the corrective action. The fault detection parameters may include error counters and corresponding thresholds, interrupt indicators, and state values.

Abstract: The following invention is directed to macromolecules having controlled stoichiometry and topology, processes for their production, and applications for their use. The macromolecules have a controlled functional moiety stoichiometry and include at least one dendritic motif having a surface layer formed from at least one surface building unit and at least one subsurface layer formed from at least one building unit, the surface building unit and building units having a hydrocarbon backbone bearing a carbonyl group and at least one amine group; and at least two different functional moieties on the building unit and/or surface building unit; where functional moiety stoichiometry refers to the number and type of functional moieties.

Abstract: An oral care instrument, such as a motorized toothbrush, which activates upon exposure to the oral environment of the user, is described. The electrical conductivity of saliva, optionally mixed with toothpaste and water, may be utilized to complete an electrical circuit that powers a motorized device within the instrument.

Abstract: The invention includes a compound or an oral care composition comprising a compound represented by the structure (I): wherein R3 is selected from a hydrogen atom and a structure represented by: wherein m is an integer of 0 to 100, R is independently selected from a first hydrocarbon structure having from 1 to 50 carbon atom and R1 and R2 are independently chosen from a hydrogen atom and a second hydrocarbon structure having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a virtualization aware hard drive. A method may include issuing a context command and an input/output (I/O) command by a virtual machine to either a hardware controller or a virtual machine monitor (VMM). The controller (or VMM) fills in a context tag that corresponds to the context command and the I/O command. The controller (or VMM) provides the context tag and the I/O command to a virtualization aware hard drive. The context tag provides context to the hard drive for the I/O command. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Films are disclosed that comprise a first polymer and a second polymer having a solubility temperature lower than that of the first polymer; wherein the breaking strength of the film is greater than about 750 psi (5,171 kPa). Also disclosed are compositions comprising such films that are useful as oral care, personal care or home care compositions. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Channel access delays and reception uncertainty are modeled as protocol-independent generic processes that are optimized for improved simulation performance. The generic process components are designed such that each different protocol can be modeled using an arrangement of these components that is specific to the protocol. In this way, speed and/or accuracy improvements to the generic process components are reflected in each of such protocol models. If an accurate analytic model is not available for the generic process component, a prediction engine, such as a neural network, is preferably used. The prediction engine is trained using the existing detailed models of network devices. Once trained, the prediction engine is used to model the generic process, and the protocol model that includes the generic component is used in lieu of the detailed models, thereby saving substantial processing time.

Abstract: Actuator levers, collets and collet tools for use in process control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an actuator lever, a collet coupled to the actuator lever, and a collet tool. In the example apparatus, the collet tool is removably coupled to at least one of the lever or the collet, and the collet tool applies a force to at least one of the actuator lever, the collet, a valve shaft, or an intervening structure to couple or decouple the collet to or from the lever.

Abstract: Traffic flows through an administered network from an off-network source and/or to an off-network destination are simulated and analyzed by selecting an ingress and/or egress node within the administered network, the ingress node capable of collecting traffic from an off-network source, and the egress node capable of routing traffic to an off-network destination. Traffic flow is mapped from the source or ingress node through the administered network to the egress node. The traffic flow may be simulated and analyzed. The ingress and/or egress nodes may be selected in a variety of ways.