Abstract: A self-sampling apparatus for collection of a cellular sample, particularly a vaginal sample for detection of human papillomavirus and its use is disclosed. The apparatus has an evacuated sample container closed by a puncturable seal and a fluid sample chamber in fluid communication with the evacuated container via a needle assembly. A fluid sample is drawn into the evacuated sample container upon establishing fluid communication between the fluid sample chamber and the evacuated container.

Abstract: A database system with a transactional commit protocol based on a safe conjunction of majorities is disclosed. In various embodiments, a directed acyclic graph comprising, for each of a plurality of database transactions, data identifying the transaction, data indicating one or more prior database transactions on which the database transaction depends, and data indicating whether the transaction has been committed is stored. A leading edge comprising a set of committed leaf nodes of the directed acyclic graph is determined. Data representing the leading edge is provided to a transaction coordinator configured to use the leading edge to determine based at least in part on the leading edge to commit a transaction.

Abstract: There is provided a device for measuring a person's ventilation or metabolism metrics. The device includes a conduit shaped to receive an exhalation of air therethrough. The device includes at least one gas sensor passively sampling said exhalation of air by means of a positive or negative pressure differential. The device includes a pump configured to assist in said passive sampling. The pump is configured to adjust the flow rate of a sample portion of said exhalation of air passing through to the at least one gas sensor, so as to be proportional or linear within a predetermined threshold, to the flow rate of the exhalation of air passing through the conduit. The device is configured to operate via both breath-mixing and breath-by-breath modes using a single flow path. The device is configured to change between the breath-mixing and breath-by-breath modes as a function of operation of the pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the cardinality of graph pattern queries using graph statistics and metadata is presented. In various embodiments, node and edge labels are used to compute estimates for graph patterns (bi-grams) and the estimates for these patterns as composed to provide cardinality estimates of longer paths. The computation of bi-grams is low cost and requires only minimal changes to the existing query planner in the existing database machinery to be useful. The resulting estimates are used during query execution to minimize the amount of work needed to complete a query and return a faithful and accurate answer to the user. The apparatus includes modules containing computer-executable instructions to perform the above method.

Abstract: A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connected to the expandable stopper body; and a locking assembly comprising a locking ring movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage the expandable stopper body in the locked configuration to prohibit contraction of the expandable stopper body and to secure the pipe stopper in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A method of using a pipe stopper to stop fluid flow through a pipeline includes providing the pipe stopper, the pipe stopper comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising a housing cavity; lowering the expandable stopper body of the pipe stopper into a pipe channel of the pipeline in the contracted configuration; orienting the pressure assembly in the open configuration, wherein an upper portion of the housing cavity is in fluid communication with an atmosphere external to the pipeline and a lower portion of the housing cavity is in fluid communication with the pipe channel; and biasing the expandable stopper body to the expanded configuration to block fluid flow through the pipe channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the cardinality of graph pattern queries using graph statistics and metadata is presented. In various embodiments, node and edge labels are used to compute estimates for graph patterns (bi-grams) and the estimates for these patterns as composed to provide cardinality estimates of longer paths. The computation of bi-grams is low cost and requires only minimal changes to the existing query planner in the existing database machinery to be useful. The resulting estimates are used during query execution to minimize the amount of work needed to complete a query and return a faithful and accurate answer to the user. The apparatus includes modules containing computer-executable instructions to perform the above method.

Abstract: A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connected to the expandable stopper body; and a locking assembly comprising a locking rod and a locking device, a lower end of the locking rod disposed within the housing cavity, the locking rod further comprising a rod engagement mechanism, the locking device comprising a locking engagement mechanism; wherein the locking device is configurable in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and wherein, in the locked configuration, the locking engagement mechanism engages the rod engagement mechanism to lock the expandable stopper body in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A pipe stopper assembly includes a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the open configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fitting channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the cardinality of graph pattern queries using graph statistics and metadata is presented. In various embodiments, node and edge labels are used to compute estimates for graph patterns (bi-grams) and the estimates for these patterns as composed to provide cardinality estimates of longer paths. The computation of bi-grams is low cost and requires only minimal changes to the existing query planner in the existing database machinery to be useful. The resulting estimates are used during query execution to minimize the amount of work needed to complete a query and return a faithful and accurate answer to the user. The apparatus includes modules containing computer-executable instructions to perform the above method.

Abstract: A water ski ramp that can be selectively adjusted to provide a variety of launch heights for a jumper is provided. The water ski ramp includes a floating dock comprising a first dock portion and a second dock portion operatively connected to the first dock portion, in which the first dock portion and the second dock portion define an obtuse angle ‘?’ therebetween. The water ski ramp also includes a jumping platform operatively connected to the second dock portion via a dock-to-surface hinge. The water ski ramp may also include an adjustable lift including a first end operatively connected to the first dock portion and a second end operatively connected to the jumping platform, in which the adjustable lift and the first dock portion define an acute angle ‘?’ therebetween.

Abstract: A method of using a pipe stopper to stop fluid flow through a pipeline includes providing the pipe stopper, the pipe stopper comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising a housing cavity; lowering the expandable stopper body of the pipe stopper into a pipe channel of the pipeline in the contracted configuration; orienting the pressure assembly in the open configuration, wherein an upper portion of the housing cavity is in fluid communication with an atmosphere external to the pipeline and a lower portion of the housing cavity is in fluid communication with the pipe channel; and biasing the expandable stopper body to the expanded configuration to block fluid flow through the pipe channel.

Abstract: A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connected to the expandable stopper body; and a locking assembly comprising a locking rod and a locking device, a lower end of the locking rod disposed within the housing cavity, the locking rod further comprising a rod engagement mechanism, the locking device comprising a locking engagement mechanism; wherein the locking device is configurable in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and wherein, in the locked configuration, the locking engagement mechanism engages the rod engagement mechanism to lock the expandable stopper body in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A pipe stopper assembly includes a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the open configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fitting channel.

Abstract: A database system with a transactional commit protocol based on a safe conjunction of majorities is disclosed. In various embodiments, a directed acyclic graph comprising, for each of a plurality of database transactions, data identifying the transaction, data indicating one or more prior database transactions on which the database transaction depends, and data indicating whether the transaction has been committed is stored. A leading edge comprising a set of committed leaf nodes of the directed acyclic graph is determined. Data representing the leading edge is provided to a transaction coordinator configured to use the leading edge to determine based at least in part on the leading edge to commit a transaction.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide guided natural language interactions with a connected data system, such as a graph database. In various embodiments, natural language input associated with a graph database query associated with a graph data set is received. The natural language input is processed to generate a set of candidate strings. At least a subset of the candidate strings is mapped to an entity in the graph data set. The entity and data comprising the graph data are used set to determine a candidate graph pattern associated with the graph database query. The candidate graph pattern is used to guide a user associated with the natural language input to refine the graph database query.

Abstract: There is accordingly provided a device for measuring a person's ventilation including oxygen consumption. The device includes a breathing conduit with at least one sensor sampling port. The device includes a dehumidification conduit extending from the sensor sampling port towards a sensor. The dehumidification conduit has a proximal end portion flush with the sensor sampling port. The dehumidification conduit has a longitudinal axis about which the proximal end portion thereof extends. The breathing conduit is shaped to promote a flow of air adjacent the sensor sampling port in one or more directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the cardinality of graph pattern queries using graph statistics and metadata is presented. In various embodiments, node and edge labels are used to compute estimates for graph patterns (bi-grams) and the estimates for these patterns as composed to provide cardinality estimates of longer paths. The computation of bi-grams is low cost and requires only minimal changes to the existing query planner in the existing database machinery to be useful. The resulting estimates are used during query execution to minimize the amount of work needed to complete a query and return a faithful and accurate answer to the user. The apparatus includes modules containing computer-executable instructions to perform the above method.

Abstract: A database system with a transactional commit protocol based on a safe conjunction of majorities is disclosed. In various embodiments, a directed acyclic graph comprising, for each of a plurality of database transactions, data identifying the transaction, data indicating one or more prior database transactions on which the database transaction depends, and data indicating whether the transaction has been committed is stored. A leading edge comprising a set of committed leaf nodes of the directed acyclic graph is determined. Data representing the leading edge is provided to a transaction coordinator configured to use the leading edge to determine based at least in part on the leading edge to commit a transaction.

Abstract: This disclosure may generally relate to additive manufacturing operations and, more particularly, to systems and methods for three dimensional (3D) printing a sealing element. Specifically, examples of the present disclosure may be implemented to manufacture a sealing element which may be disposed in a wellbore to seal off a portion of a well.