Abstract: Methods and systems for creating an advanced virtual sports platform over a computer network by establishing and storing input data sources for a real-world competition; receiving, querying, and storing user account credentials from users; querying and generating user leagues the one real-world competition; receiving and storing user teams for the competition user league; operating a live draft for the competition user leagues and teams, including draft timer and nonresponse autopick features; querying and receiving stage data for the competition from input data sources; establishing bonus specifiers for the user leagues; outputting stage data scores; assigning user team points based on the output stage data scores; generating rankings for the user teams; and displaying rankings for the user teams. Other aspects include analyzing the platform data for significant variations between expected and actual performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating an advanced virtual sports platform over a computer network by establishing and storing input data sources for a real-world competition; receiving, querying, and storing user account credentials from users; querying and generating user leagues the one real-world competition; receiving and storing user teams for the competition user league; operating a live draft for the competition user leagues and teams, including draft timer and nonresponse autopick features; querying and receiving stage data for the competition from input data sources; establishing bonus specifiers for the user leagues; outputting stage data scores; assigning user team points based on the output stage data scores; generating rankings for the user teams; and displaying rankings for the user teams. Other aspects include analyzing the platform data for significant variations between expected and actual performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with wireless devices is described. The apparatus in one form includes a shrouded antenna arrangement (700) which is arranged to produce a radiated field forming a pre-determined detection zone having a boundary, spaced apart from the arrangement. Outside of the boundary the energy of the radiated field is below a pre-determined cut-off threshold. The shrouded antenna arrangement (700) in one form comprises an antenna (705) within an RFAM shroud (710). The RFAM shroud (710) may then have an absorption profile that varies around the antenna to form the detection zone.

Abstract: A stair climbing arrangement includes at least one wheel attachable to an article to be transported up a flight of stairs, at least one receiver in operable communication with the at least one wheel and a lever pivotally engagable with the at least one receiver. The lever is positioned such that a first portion thereof is extended past the receiver on one side and a second portion is extendable on an opposing side. The first portion is engagable with a step of the flight of stairs such that lifting of the second portion causes the at least one receiver, the at least one wheel and the article to be lifted relative to the step.

Abstract: A clamp assembly including: a clamp frame including a first portion including a first opening which accepts a fastener, and a second portion interposed between the first portion and a third portion, wherein the third portion includes a second opening and a third opening, each of which accepts a fastener, a threaded rod disposed through the first portion of the clamp frame; and a clamp pad on an inner end of the clamp rod.

Abstract: A clamp assembly including: a clamp frame including a first portion including a first opening which accepts a fastener, and a second portion interposed between the first portion and a third portion, wherein the third portion includes a second opening and a third opening, each of which accepts a fastener, a threaded rod disposed through the first portion of the clamp frame; and a clamp pad on an inner end of the clamp rod.

Abstract: A clamp assembly including: a clamp frame including a first portion including a first opening which accepts a fastener, and a second portion interposed between the first portion and a third portion, wherein the third portion includes a second opening and a third opening, each of which accepts a fastener, a threaded rod disposed through the first portion of the clamp frame; and a clamp pad on an inner end of the clamp rod.

Abstract: A shotgun barrel of a construction that reduces recoil is provided. The shotgun barrel includes a smooth, non-rifled bore and a choke approximate the muzzle of the barrel. A plurality of vent holes through the barrel and extending into the bore in equal number and in alignment on opposing sides of the barrel along a length of the barrel that is inward of the choke, the sum of the transverse area of each of the plurality of vent holes not exceeding 50% of the muzzle area. A shotgun including the barrel of reduced recoil is also provided.

Abstract: A shotgun barrel of a construction that reduces recoil is provided. The shotgun barrel includes a smooth, non-rifled bore and a choke approximate the muzzle of the barrel. A plurality of vent holes through the barrel and extending into the bore in equal number and in alignment on opposing sides of the barrel along a length of the barrel that is inward of the choke, the sum of the transverse area of each of the plurality of vent holes not exceeding 50% of the muzzle area. A shotgun including the barrel of reduced recoil is also provided.

Abstract: A clamp assembly including: a clamp frame including a first portion including a first opening which accepts a fastener, and a second portion interposed between the first portion and a third portion, wherein the third portion includes a second opening and a third opening, each of which accepts a fastener, a threaded rod disposed through the first portion of the clamp frame; and a clamp pad on an inner end of the clamp rod.

Abstract: A remotely operable device, capable of creating authentic gunshot sounds, provides a very useful training tool for dog trainers by allowing for simulated gunshots in conjunction with thrown training dummies (or birds). The remotely operable device further provides the ability for a single dog trainer to create a realistic training environment which includes realistic sounds and visual indications. The remotely operable device includes a housing capable of receiving a blank shell, a receiver cooperating with a remote control device operated by the trainer, an striker system which operates in response to a remote actuation signal received by the receiver. The striker system has a striker element and a striker release, where the striker release is activated by a servo which is responsive to signals received by the receiver. Once released, the striker element is spring biased to cause the striker to move into contact with the blank shell, thus causing the blank shell to be fired creating the desired sound.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for exchanging Small Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messages in a multi-network system between devices across different networks and a network management station. Network identification information is provided into SNMP messages transmitted across a common network backbone. A respective SNMP firewall provided at the networks extract the network identification information to determine if the SNMP message is addressed to a device in the respective network. The SNMP firewall removes the network identification information and forwards the SNMP message to the destination device if the SNMP message is associated with a device in the respective network. Providing network identification information in the SNMP messages allows devices in different networks to have similar IP addresses, while still allowing current SNMP tool sets to facilitate network managements when networks are coupled to one another to form a larger more complex network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting a set of values from a computing device and associating the collected set of values with a process, such as an business process or industrial process. Process activity is monitored by collecting one or more parameters associated with specific repeatable tasks or activities performed on a computing device. The one or more collected parameters are then aggregated to form a specific process pattern that can be associated with the actual throughput and efficiency of a process.

Abstract: A method (and system) of storing data in a value-based storage system, includes optimizing a value of data stored in the value-based storage system.

Abstract: A method of caching faceted search results includes providing a rule set and receiving system criteria. The method further includes generating at least one faceted search result based on a first faceted search using a plurality of search terms, and maintaining at least a portion of the faceted search results in a denormalized database based on the rule set and system criteria. A computer readable medium including computer readable code for executing the method steps, as well as a system including means for executing the method steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: An archwire used during the course of orthodontic treatment has four generally flat sides that are arranged in the general shape of a rectangle. The four sides are connected by curved surfaces having a radius of curvature that is substantially larger than the corners of conventional archwires. The cross-sectional shape of the archwire facilitates insertion and removal of the archwire in orthodontic appliances such as brackets and also tends to reduce resistance to sliding movement of the appliances along the archwire.

Abstract: The invention includes tetrahydroquinoline and related compounds of formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, that exhibit useful antibacterial activity against a wide range of human and veterinary pathogens.

Abstract: A technique of allocating shared resources in a computer network-based storage system comprises taking periodic performance samples on a running storage system; evaluating an objective function that takes as input the performance samples to quantify how aligned a current state of the storage system is with organizational objectives; building and maintaining models of behavior and capabilities of the storage system by using the performance samples as input; determining how resources of the storage system should be allocated among client computers in the storage system by selecting one among many possible allocations based on predictions generated by the models in order to maximize a value of the objective function; calculating a confidence statistic value for a chosen resource allocation based on an accuracy of the models; and enforcing the chosen resource allocation on the running storage system when the confidence statistic value is at or above a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments herein present a method, system, computer program product, etc. for automated management using a hybrid of prediction models and feedback-based systems. The method begins by calculating confidence values of models. Next, the method selects a first model based on the confidence values and processes the first model through a constraint solver to produce first workload throttling values. Following this, workloads are repeatedly processed through a feedback-based execution engine, wherein the feedback-based execution engine is controlled by the first workload throttling values. The first workload throttling values are applied incrementally to the feedback-based execution engine, during repetitions of the processing of the workloads, with a step-size that is proportional to the confidence values. The processing of the workloads is repeated until an objective function is maximized, wherein the objective function specifies performance goals of the workloads.