Abstract: An end unit (100) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly comprises a first frame (110) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (120). The second frame (120) comprises a rotatable body (130) for supporting a conveyor belt (300), and is arranged to pivot with respect to the first frame (110), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). An intermediate unit (200) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly is configured to be disposed between a pair of end units (100), and comprises a first frame (210) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (220) comprising a support surface (223) for supporting a conveyor belt (300). The second frame (220) is pivotally attached to the first frame (210), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). A conveyor (1000) comprises a pair of end units (100), and optionally one or more of the intermediate units (200).

Abstract: A method and a network node for managing access, by a device, to a blockchain. The network node receives, a first request for creation of a first account. The first request includes information relating to a user of the device and a first hash value. The network node creates, based on the information and the first hash value, the first account on the blockchain, whereby a first address is obtained. The network node receives, a second request for recovering account information of the first account. The second request includes the first address of the first account, a source value from which the first hash value is derived and a second address of a second account. The network node generates a second hash value based on the source value. The network node initiates transfer of the account information of the first account to the second account.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing cloud services using smart contracts to facilitate various functions, such as tenant login, tenant enrollment, service registration, tenant usage charging, tenant usage tracking, tenant quota management, and tenant rights revocation. The proposed techniques allow tenant and service accounts to be represented as smart contracts, and for services to delegate authorization for bundles of service attributes to tenants and other services, for which the tenants and services are then charged. The business logic is implemented on a permissioned, distributed ledger (e.g., a private blockchain) and therefore is easily customized for specific classes of tenants and services.

Abstract: Methods and systems for authorizing the access of a service are described. A server is operative to receive a request to subscribe to a service. The server is to receive from the requestor a selected service offer from the set of service offers, where the selected service offer is cryptographically signed with the private key of the requestor and the private key of the service. The server is further to record a delegation contract into a blockchain database, where the delegation contract includes an identification of the service, an identification of the requestor, and the service offer that is cryptographically signed with the private keys of the requestor and the service. The server is to transmit, to the requestor, a confirmation that the service can be accessed based on the selected service offer; and transmit to the service the delegation contract causing the service to provide access to the requestor.

Abstract: A scissor lift (100) for use in a stage assembly includes a base portion (110) configured to be supported on a floor or other support surface and a top portion (120) configured to support a platform. A scissor arm assembly (130) connects the base portion (110) and the top portion, and a rigid chain lifting system (150) comprising a rigid chain (151) connecting the base portion (110) and the top portion (120). Extension and retraction of the rigid chain (151) causes the top portion (120) to rise and fall with respect to the base portion (110). The use of a rigid chain lifting system (150) means that the scissors (130) are provided for guidance rather than applying load. The scissor lift (100) can be used in conjunction with one or more passive scissors (200), couplable to the scissor lift (100).

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a distributed blockchain transaction processing element in a data center are described. A call to a function is received. The call for the function is dispatched to a first runtime environment of a first server. Code is fetched from the blockchain database. The code is executed in the first runtime environment resulting in a blockchain transaction. A copy of the blockchain transaction is written in a storage medium that is locally accessible by the first server. The blockchain transaction is added to a first block. A consensus mechanism is used to determine whether the first block is to be added to the blockchain database; and responsive to determining that the first block is to be added to the blockchain database, the first block is caused to be stored in a persistent storage as part of the blockchain database.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the nuclear spin polarization of target molecules (10) uses a hyperpolarized source material (12) that is co-confined with the target molecules (10) in a porous molecular matrix (20). The matrix (20) may be a D4R-polysiloxane copolymer such as polyoligosiloxysilicone number two (PSS-2) that has recesses of an appropriate diameter. A source material (12), such as parahydrogen, is transferred to the matrix (20) together with the target molecules (10), and an external pressure is applied to force them into the recesses of the matrix (20). The nano-confinement of the source material (12) and target molecules (10) together enables or enhances a transfer of spin polarization from the source material (12) to the target molecules (10). When the target molecules (10) are removed from the matrix (20), the enhanced spin polarization greatly enhances the signal strength of the target molecules (10) in any subsequent magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: A method and a network device in a cloud computing system, including a first blockchain component that is one of a plurality of blockchain components forming a blockchain system, of dynamic discovery of another blockchain component of the blockchain system are described. A multicast address including a multicast group identifier is generated. The multicast group identifier is generated at least in part based on a genesis block identifier that uniquely identifies a blockchain serviced by the blockchain system. The network device joins a multicast group identified by the multicast group identifier; and transmits a message destined to the multicast address, where the message includes a request for a unicast address of another component of the blockchain system.

Abstract: Mechanisms for path continuity determination in an aggregate flow environment. An ingress node and a downstream node for which a path continuity check is desired are determined. The ingress node devolves, from an aggregate flow entry, one or more microflows that comprise packets which are destined for the downstream node. The downstream node is directed to generate corresponding microflows. Each microflow is associated with a continuity set identifier and has one or more timers, such as an idle timer and/or a hard timeout timer. Upon timeout of one of the timers, the ingress node and the downstream node send a microflow termination message that contains the continuity set identifier to a controller node. The controller node determines a path continuity status between the ingress node and the downstream node based on a receipt of one or more microflow termination messages from the ingress node and the downstream node.

Abstract: Exemplary techniques for policy-controlled analytic data collection in large-scale systems are described. A policy engine receives predicate/action pairs and an alerts policy, each predicate identifying an operating condition at a reporting module that can be evaluated as true or false, and a corresponding action identifying what the reporting module is to do upon the corresponding predicate being evaluated as true. The policy engine provides the predicate/action pairs to reporting modules to be installed as rules, which generate analytic data vectors and apply those vectors against the rules. The actions may cause the reporting modules to send the analytic data vectors as analytic report data to an analytics engine, which has been configured with the alerts policy received by the policy engine. The analytics engine applies received analytic report data against the alerts policy to determine whether to send alert event data to the policy engine or to perform a responsive action.

Abstract: A method and system is implemented by a computing device to improve the utilization of skilled technicians by use of automated delivery of telepresence devices to job sites. The method includes receiving a work order for a remote on location job, determining resource availability to complete the job, scheduling a route and delivery of resources and a telepresence device to a location of the job, and transmitting the route and resource information to a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A tenant management system and method operative in a cloud-based database environment. A distributed blockchain ledger is provided for holding tenant records embodied in smart contracts, the consistency of which is maintained by a consensus protocol between multiple chain servers processing requests from leaf servers for tenant authorization and charging. The tenant records contain the bytecode for the tenant management contracts, the tenant's credit, and other state associated with the contract such as the services the tenant is authorized to access.

Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.

Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.

Abstract: Mechanisms for path continuity determination in an aggregate flow environment. An ingress node and a downstream node for which a path continuity check is desired are determined. The ingress node devolves, from an aggregate flow entry, one or more microflows that comprise packets which are destined for the downstream node. The downstream node is directed to generate corresponding microflows. Each microflow is associated with a continuity set identifier and has one or more timers, such as an idle timer and/or a hard timeout timer. Upon timeout of one of the timers, the ingress node and the downstream node send a microflow termination message that contains the continuity set identifier to a controller node. The controller node determines a path continuity status between the ingress node and the downstream node based on a receipt of one or more microflow termination messages from the ingress node and the downstream node.

Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.

Abstract: A device which can slide up and down on a chain or cable, can be loosened to attach to the chain or cable, but does not have any parts that come free when the part is loosened. The device includes first and second pieces, each made of structural material, the first and second pieces fitting together at concave and convex surfaces, to form an interlock forms inner surfaces with a through hole of a first shape that can slide along either a cable or a chain.

Abstract: A multi-surface cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes. The body further comprises at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom. The first array is configured for engaging a flat surface and the second array is configured for engaging a woven surface. First and second wheels are guided by a respective annular eccentric race formed by an inset and a boss in the race. The eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races prevent the wheels from engaging a flooring surface when the first array is in contact with the floor and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allow the wheels to engage a flooring surface when the second array is in contact with the floor.

Abstract: A truss hinge that allows hinging between truss parts, and also allows configuration into a different size, and spreads the angle of the truss open ends. One embodiment uses a first plate, having a connection part to a first truss, where the connection part is adapted for connection to a first truss. A second plate is movable relative to the first plate. The second plate also has a second connection part adapted for connection to a second truss. An angle setting part forms a connection between the first plate and the second plate, that holds the first plate relative to the second plate at any of a number of different relative locations between the first plate and the second plate. The plates include angle markings to set the connections.

Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.