Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to compositions and methods production of n-butanol by aerobic hydrogen bacteria. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A circuit may be configured to precompensate the storage of data on a storage device. The magnitude and polarity of the precompensated time adjustment can be determined by looking up data patterns of storage regions in a table. A boundary can include storage regions of the device used to determine the precompensation.

Abstract: A sunlight redirector has a first mirror array formed of a first plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal outward mirror segments; and a second mirror array formed of a second plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal inward mirror segments. Each mirror segment has a normal vector. The outward mirror segments are adjustably positionable, such that their normal vectors remain parallel. The first mirror array is rotatable about a normal vector of the sunlight redirector. The inward mirror segments may remain fixed in position at all times; or they may be moved, twice per day, between first and second fixed positions.

Abstract: A bearing system configured for use on a downhole tool including a rolling cutter member having a plurality of cutting structures thereon comprises a first plurality of bearings disposed between a head washer and an at least substantially planar shaft washer, and a second plurality of bearings disposed between the at least substantially planar shaft washer and a rolling cutter washer. A downhole tool, such as an earth-boring rotary rolling cutter drill bit includes such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body. Methods of forming such a downhole tool include the assembly of such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body.

Abstract: A firearm suppressor mounting device has a body defining a body bullet passage on a bore axis and having a first attachment facility at a first end, the first attachment facility adapted to connect to the muzzle of the firearm, the body having a second attachment facility, a device adapted to removably and rotatably connect to the second attachment facility, a retention facility connected to the body and movable between an engaged position in which the retention facility abuts the device and a disengaged position in which the retention facility is spaced apart from the device, and each of the retention facility and the device having a plurality of engagement features that are engaged to each other to prevent rotation of the device with respect to the body when the retention facility is in the engaged position. The retention facility may encircle the bore axis.

Abstract: Illustrative methods are provided for annealing nuclear fission reactor materials, such as without limitation, a nuclear fission reactor core or fuel assembly or components thereof within the nuclear core. Annealing a metallic component of a nuclear fission reactor within the reactor core may include determining an annealing temperature for at least a portion of at least one metallic component of a nuclear fission fuel assembly of the reactor. The temperature of the core may be adjusted to affect the determined annealing temperature, which in some cases may be greater than the predetermined operating temperature range of the nuclear fission fuel assembly. The portion of the at least one metallic component of the nuclear fission fuel assembly is annealed within the core at the annealing temperature range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting mode hopping in a laser diode or other optical energy source in heat-assisted magnetic recording. An output power of the laser diode or other optical energy source is measured and the output power is differentiated over time to determine a rate of change. If it is determined that the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, a fault signal is asserted indicating a potential mode hopping event.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for allowing a single-die preamp to act as two or more virtual preamps for reading or writing data through multiple heads or elements concurrently. A selection register of a preamplifier is set to enable access to a primary register map. Values of registers in the primary register map are set to program a primary preamp channel for performing read or write operations to a first head. The selection register is then set to enable access to a secondary register map, and values of registers in the secondary register map are set to program a secondary preamp channel for performing read or write operations to a second head. Read or write operations can be performed to the first head through the primary preamp channel at a same time that read or write operations are performed to the second head through the second preamp channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data storage system including a data memory device and controller having interface error detection and handling logic. In one example, a solid-state data memory device is provided and includes a semiconductor package. A memory array is provided in the semiconductor package and an interface is provided that is communicatively couplable to a device bus for receiving data to be stored to the memory array. An error detection component is provided in the semiconductor package and is associated with the interface of the solid-state data memory device. The error detection component is configured to detect errors occurring on data received at the interface prior to the data being stored to the memory array.

Abstract: A mobile communication device and non-transitory computer readable memory is provided. A processor executes instructions to provide a parser for parsing at least one skinning theme document into a template describing rendering characteristics of a graphical interface, the skinning theme document identifying at least one data element. The instructions also provide an interaction interface for receiving from data from at least one application associated with one or more of the at least one data element. A renderer is provided for rendering the received data on a display in accordance with the template as the graphical interface wherein the graphical interface presents one or more data elements of the at least one application that is rendered.

Abstract: Procurement systems and methods are provided for making buying and selling goods and/or services via the internet easier, faster and more efficient. A procurement system allows users to create and customize one or more orders. Each item for goods or services is standardized according to certain rules, then using a standardized item identification, a search is performed against sellers' databases to determine if item is in-stock or services can be performed. Once the search results are returned, the user can customize the display of the information and then place the order and have the items delivered or the services performed. A Request for Proposal (RFP) can be submitted with different criteria which then can be searched by users who can then place a bid on the RFP. The submitter of the RFP can select and accept the best bid.

Abstract: An airline operations system, controller and method reschedules flights affected by a disruption that precludes a planned schedule for the flights. The method includes obtaining data related to a scheduled origination and a scheduled destination for each of a set of passengers scheduled on the flights, generating a passenger connection network of connections between the scheduled origination and the scheduled destination for a subset of the set of passengers, applying at least one criterion to the passenger connection network and rescheduling at least one connecting flight based on the criteria. The system and controller solves a network flow problem to reschedule a subset of connecting flights to have a delayed projected departure time. Resulting output can include the set of delayed flights along with modified projected departure times, a set of flight cancellations and a set of passengers with missed connections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for data integrity management in a data storage device. In accordance with some embodiments, a controller transfers user data blocks between a host device and a main memory. Each user data block has an associated logical address. A data integrity manager generates and stores a verification code for each user data block in a table structure in a local memory. The data integrity manager uses the verification code to independently verify a most current version of a selected user data block is being retrieved by the controller from the main memory during a host read request.

Abstract: A system for assisting blood flow in a patient includes an implantable pump system for assisting in blood flow from the heart and an implantable control system for communicative connection with the implantable pump system. The control system includes a pacemaker system that is operative to control heart rate and the pump system interdependently to achieve a determined level of blood flow assist. The control system is adapted to increase the heart rate of the patient to above a normal heart rate for the patient under the present conditions of the patient via the pacemaker while controlling the pump system to achieve the determined level of blood flow assist based upon the increased heart rate and a level of assist provided by the pump system.

Abstract: A sunlight redirector has a first mirror array formed of a first plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudmal outward mirror segments; and a second mirror array formed of a second plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal inward mirror segments. Each mirror segment has a normal vector. The outward mirror segments are adjustably positionable, such that their normal vectors remain parallel. The first mirror array is rotatable about a normal vector of the sunlight redirector. The inward mirror segments may remain fixed in position at all times; or they may be moved, twice per day, between first and second fixed positions.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for authenticating a user login are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying an image and dynamically presenting symbols adjacent the image. The example method includes receiving a code, the code formed by an arrangement of one or more of the symbols on the image. The example method includes authenticating a user based on the code.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting media defects using a multi-sensor transducer. In some embodiments, a first pattern is written to a first track on a rotatable storage media and a second pattern is written to a second track on the media. A first read sensor of a multi-sensor transducer senses the first pattern from the first track and a second read sensor of the multi-sensor transducer concurrently senses the second pattern from the second track. At least one storage media defect is detected responsive to the sensed first and second patterns.

Abstract: A method for manually controlling the motion of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is disclosed. The method may include providing at least one guide element motion tracking sensor; defining a guide element active tracking volume relative to one of the guide element tracking sensor and a portion of the CMM; placing a guide element in the active motion tracking volume; tracking the position of the guide element; and moving a measurement probe of the CMM in response to the tracked position (e.g., to follow the position changes). The method may further include detecting a tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition, and operating the CMM to move the measurement probe portion of the CMM according to the tracking motion after the tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition is detected and according to the condition that the guide element is located in the active tracking volume.

Abstract: A method for manually controlling the motion of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is disclosed. The method may include providing at least one guide element motion tracking sensor; defining a guide element active tracking volume relative to one of the guide element tracking sensor and a portion of the CMM; placing a guide element in the active motion tracking volume; tracking the position of the guide element; and moving a measurement probe of the CMM in response to the tracked position (e.g., to follow the position changes). The method may further include detecting a tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition, and operating the CMM to move the measurement probe portion of the CMM according to the tracking motion after the tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition is detected and according to the condition that the guide element is located in the active tracking volume.

Abstract: A method for managing aircraft ground operations includes receiving an initial gate assignment schedule, an initial operational task schedule, and a current flight schedule. The method also includes determining a first adjusted gate assignment schedule based at least in part on the initial gate assignment schedule and the current flight schedule to reduce costs associated with reassigning aircraft to alternative gates. In addition, the method includes determining a first adjusted operational task schedule based at least in part on the initial operational task schedule and the current flight schedule to reduce costs associated with reassigning ground crew members to alternative tasks. Furthermore, the method includes determining a second adjusted gate assignment schedule and a second adjusted operational task schedule based at least in part on the current flight schedule, the first adjusted gate assignment schedule, and the first adjusted operational task schedule.