Abstract: A mechanism for selectively disabling and enabling read caching based on past performance of the cache and current read/write requests. The system improves overall performance by using an autonomic algorithm to disable read caching for regions of backend disk storage (i.e., the backstore) that have had historically low cache hit ratios. The result is that more cache becomes available for workloads with larger hit ratios, and less time and machine cycles are spent searching the cache for data that is unlikely to be there.

Abstract: A method for producing a bilayer, the method comprising: (a) providing a hydrated support and a hydrophilic body immersed in a hydrophobic medium; wherein a first monolayer of amphipathic molecules is formed on an interface between the hydrophobic medium and the hydrophilic body and a second monolayer of amphipathic molecules is formed on an interface between the hydrophobic medium and the hydrated support; and (b) bringing the first monolayer into contact with the second monolayer to form a bilayer of amphipathic molecules, wherein at least part of a cell membrane, comprising cell membrane constituents, is provided in or on the hydrated support and/or in the hydrophilic body, and such that constituents of the cell membrane incorporate into the bilayer during or after the bilayer formation. A bilayer produced by the method of the invention, and uses of the bilayer.

Abstract: A method for producing a bilayer, the method comprising: (a) providing a hydrated support and a hydrophilic body immersed in a hydrophobic medium; wherein a first monolayer of amphipathic molecules is formed on an interface between the hydrophobic medium and the hydrophilic body and a second monolayer of amphipathic molecules is formed on an interface between the hydrophobic medium and the hydrated support; and (b) bringing the first monolayer into contact with the second monolayer to form a bilayer of amphipathic molecules, wherein at least part of a cell membrane, comprising cell membrane constituents, is provided in or on the hydrated support and/or in the hydrophilic body, and such that constituents of the cell membrane incorporate into the bilayer during or after the bilayer formation. A bilayer produced by the method of the invention, and uses of the bilayer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to optimize load distribution across logical and physical resources in a storage system. An apparatus in accordance with the invention may include an availability module and an allocation module. The availability module may dynamically assign values to resources in a hierarchical tree structure. Each value may correspond to an availability parameter such as allocated volumes, current resource utilization, and historic resource utilization. The allocation module may serially process the values and allocate a load to a least busy resource in the hierarchical tree structure based on the assigned values.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method to optimize load distribution across logical and physical resources in a storage system. An apparatus in accordance with the invention may include an availability module and an allocation module. The availability module may dynamically assign values to resources in a hierarchical tree structure. Each value may correspond to an availability parameter such as allocated volumes, current resource utilization, and historic resource utilization. The allocation module may serially process the values and allocate a load to a least busy resource in the hierarchical tree structure based on the assigned values.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively disabling and enabling read caching based on past performance of the cache and current read/write requests. The system improves overall performance by using an autonomic algorithm to disable read caching for regions of backend disk storage (i.e., the backstore) that have had historically low cache hit ratios. The result is that more cache becomes available for workloads with larger hit ratios, and less time and machine cycles are spent searching the cache for data that is unlikely to be there.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an invention for increasing the current carrying capability of high-Tc superconductor materials. The inventive method includes irradiating such superconductors with light particles, such as neutrons, protons and thermal neutrons, having energy sufficient to cause fission of one or more elements in the superconductor material at a dose rate and for a time sufficient to create highly splayed (dispersed in orientation) extended columns of damaged material therein. These splayed tracks significantly enhance the pinning of magnetic vortices thereby effectively reducing the vortex creep at high temperatures resulting in increased current carrying capability.