Abstract: A turnstile having two hub and arm assemblies funnels individuals to different sides or lanes. Machine intelligence allows the turnstile to select which side or lane an individual transits. The turnstile may randomly, pseudo-randomly, or strategically which side or lane an individual transits.

Abstract: Adsorptive media for chromatography, particularly ionexchange chromatography, derived from a shaped fiber, useful for purifying viruses. In certain embodiments, the functionalized shaped fiber presents a fibrillated or ridged structure which greatly increases the surface area of the fibers when compared to ordinary fibers. Surface pendant functional groups can be added that provides ion-exchange functionality to the high surface area fibers. This pendant functionality is useful for the ion-exchange chromatographic purification of viruses, such as influenza.

Abstract: A gauge profile apparatus (100) includes a gauge profile system (104) and a lap count system (106) for determining an average three-dimensional profile over the length of a sheet coil (10). The gauge profile system (104) includes a lap profile measuring device (112) which will make a distance determination between top and bottom surfaces for the sheet coil (10). A second embodiment of a lap count system (600) is also provided, which utilizes a pair of reflectance lasers and a positioning system.

Abstract: A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for intelligently determining when to merge transactions to backup storage. In particular, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, queued transactions may be merged based on a variety of criteria, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: the number of queued transactions; the rate of growth of the number of queued transactions; the calendrical time; estimates of the time required to execute the individual transactions; a measure of importance of the individual transactions; the transaction types of the individual transactions; a measure of importance of one or more data updated by the individual transactions; a measure of availability of one or more resources; a current estimate of the time penalty associated with shadowing a page of memory; and the probability of rollback for the individual transactions, and for the merged transaction.

Abstract: An inductorless LED driver powers a string of low current LEDs. A phase controlled triac dimmer, serially connected to a full-wave rectifier circuit, performs as an LED current and triac holding current control element. The output of the full-wave rectifier circuit is divided into two circuit paths; the first path provides power to drive a string of serially-connected low-current LEDs, and the second path connects to a dynamic load, which supplies a holding current that flows through the triac dimmer. There are two feedback control systems; the first regulates the luminance of the LEDs; the second regulates the triac holding current to eliminate lamp flicker.

Abstract: A computer based process that is adapted to work with a social media visual interface to provide active and real-time communication between users. The social media membership is made up of a plurality of members and the process collects and compares personal information pertaining to each member to identify common characteristics between members. The process also collects and compares information pertaining to one or more travel destinations and/or information relating to activities at a travel destination as provided by each member. The process subsequently uses the information provided by each member to associate each member with another member or with a group of members where each associated member has provided similar characteristics and interests.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating effects of process parameters on hydrogasification processes. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, a pressurized feed system, a hopper system, a hydrogen gas source, and a carrier gas source. Pressurized carbonaceous material, such as coal, is fed to the reactor using the carrier gas and reacted with hydrogen to produce natural gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving performance in high-availability systems are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, pages of memory of a primary system that are to be shadowed are initially copied to a backup system's memory, as well as to a cache in the primary system. A duplication manager process maintains the cache in an intelligent manner that significantly reduces the overhead required to keep the backup system in sync with the primary system, as well as the cache size needed to achieve a given level of performance. Advantageously, the duplication manager is executed on a different processor core than the application process executing transactions, further improving performance.

Abstract: A liner string for a well has a liner hanger assembly at an upper portion of the liner string. A profile sub is located at a bottom portion of the liner string. A bottom hole assembly is latched to the profile sub. The operator lowers the liner string into the well with a drill pipe string and rotates the drill pipe string to rotate the drill bit to deepen the well. At a selected depth, the operator releases the bottom hole assembly from the profile sub and reverse circulates drilling fluid from a liner annulus surrounding the liner string, pumping the bottom hole assembly up the liner string. When the bottom hole assembly reaches the lower end of the drill pipe string, it latches to a catcher tool located at the lower end of the drill pipe string. The operator moves the liner hanger assembly into setting engagement with the casing string, releases the drill pipe string from the liner string, and retrieves the drill pipe string along with the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed expandable in a front direction, and a screen shield arranged at a front end of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate, right and left stationary side panels, a front panel, expandable side panels, and an expandable bottom plate and can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to a rear portion riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the space. Each of the expandable side panels and the screen shield are supported by a vehicle body configuring portion so as to be integrally shifted between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.

Abstract: A gauge profile apparatus (100) includes a gauge profile system (104) and a lap count system (106) for determining an average three-dimensional profile over the length of a sheet coil (10). The gauge profile system (104) includes a lap profile measuring device (112) which will make a distance determination between top and bottom surfaces for the sheet coil (10). A second embodiment of a lap count system (600) is also provided, which utilizes a pair of reflectance lasers and a positioning system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a composite sheet for creating a customized design. The composite sheet includes a first fabric portion, a second fabric portion, and a membrane portion disposed between the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion, where the first fabric portion is sewn with stitching to the second fabric portion. One advantage of the composite sheet and related systems and methods is that users can create customized designs conveniently on their own home printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving performance in high-availability systems are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, pages of memory of a primary system that are to be shadowed are initially copied to a backup system's memory, as well as to a cache in the primary system. A duplication manager process maintains the cache in an intelligent manner that significantly reduces the overhead required to keep the backup system in sync with the primary system, as well as the cache size needed to achieve a given level of performance. Advantageously, the duplication manager is executed on a different processor core than the application process executing transactions, further improving performance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a composite sheet for creating a customized design. The composite sheet includes a first fabric portion, a second fabric portion, and a membrane portion disposed between the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion, where the first fabric portion is sewn with stitching to the second fabric portion. One advantage of the composite sheet and related systems and methods is that users can create customized designs conveniently on their own home printer.

Abstract: A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.

Abstract: A target game has a target apparatus and at least one throwing device.

Abstract: A method of casing drilling a portion of an offshore well includes running a casing string with a drill bit assembly attached to it into a previously drilled portion of the well. Before the drill bit assembly reaches bottom, the operator attaches drill pipe to the casing string and lowers the casing string on the drill pipe. When the drill bit is at bottom, an upper end of the casing string should be below the blowout preventer. The operator then performs casing drilling by rotating the drill pipe. When at a desired depth for the casing string, the operator pulls the drill pipe from the well and lifts the casing string up until its upper end is at the rig floor. The operator then runs the casing string back into the well but using casing in this instance. The operator then cements the casing string.

Abstract: A fragrance product is disclosed including a container containing liquid fragrance and a dispenser assembly for dispensing the liquid fragrance including a transport assembly and a tube connected to the transport assembly and extending into the liquid fragrance. The tube and the liquid fragrance each have a refractive index, and the difference between the refractive index of the tube and the liquid fragrance is not greater than about 0.04.