Abstract: Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses, Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.

Abstract: A methods and system to operate hydraulic fracturing units may include utilizing hydraulic fracturing unit profiles. The system may include hydraulic fracturing units may include various components. The components may include an engine and associated local controller and sensors, a transmission connected to the engine, transmission sensors, and a pump connected to the transmission and powered by the engine via the transmission and associated local controller and sensors. A supervisory controller may control the hydraulic fracturing units. The supervisory controller may be in communication with components of each hydraulic fracturing unit. The supervisory controller may include instructions to, for each hydraulic fracturing units, obtain hydraulic fracturing unit parameters, determine a hydraulic fracturing unit health assessment, and build a hydraulic unit profile including the health assessment and parameters.

Abstract: A distributed system structure for a large-way, symmetric multiprocessor system using a bus-based cache-coherence protocol is provided. The distributed system structure contains an address switch, multiple memory subsystems, and multiple master devices, either processors, I/O agents, or coherent memory adapters, organized into a set of nodes supported by a node controller. The node controller receives transactions from a master device, communicates with a master device as another master device or as a slave device, and queues transactions received from a master device. Since the achievement of coherency is distributed in time and space, the node controller helps to maintain cache coherency. A transaction tag format for a standard bus protocol is expanded to ensure unique transaction tags are maintained throughout the system. A sideband signal is used for intervention and Reruns to preserve transaction tags at the node controller in certain circumstances.

Abstract: A variable-range power supply for a model vehicle layout, such as a model train track for powering model trains or the like, is configured to receive a control input defining respective ends of an output voltage range. The control input may correspond to opposing ends of a range of motion for a hand-operated actuator, or other control input. The power supply further includes a controller configured to allow a user to select a desired output voltage level for a minimum or maximum of the output range. Output power is maintained within the user-specified range.

Abstract: A variable-range power supply for a model vehicle layout, such as a model train track for powering model trains or the like, is configured to receive a control input defining respective ends of an output voltage range. The control input may correspond to opposing ends of a range of motion for a hand-operated actuator, or other control input. The power supply further includes a controller configured to allow a user to select a desired output voltage level for a minimum or maximum of the output range. Output power is maintained within the user-specified range.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting model cars of a model train includes an integrated resilient contact supported by a first coupling member disposed against a mating electrical connector of a second coupling member. The first and second coupling members are configured to bear mechanical tension and compression, while permitting vertical movement of one coupling relative to the other. The resilient contact and mating contact are configured to maintain an electrical connection during relative vertical movement of the coupling members. Using the coupling, separate cars of a model train may be placed in electrical communication with one another without requiring a separate electrical connector. A wireless connection may also be made through the coupling.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting model cars of a model train includes an integrated resilient contact supported by a first coupling member disposed against a mating electrical connector of a second coupling member. The first and second coupling members are configured to bear mechanical tension and compression, while permitting vertical movement of one coupling relative to the other. The resilient contact and mating contact are configured to maintain an electrical connection during relative vertical movement of the coupling members. Using the coupling, separate cars of a model train may be placed in electrical communication with one another without requiring a separate electrical connector. A wireless connection may also be made through the coupling.

Abstract: A flexible connector for use in a model train is provided. The flexible connector includes a first coupling member associated with a first train car, and a second coupling member associated with a second train car, wherein the second coupling member is configured for engagement with the first coupling member. The flexible connector further includes a first layer of electrically conductive material connected to a first circuit and disposed on the surface of the first coupling member. The flexible connector still further includes a second layer of electrically conductive material connected to a second circuit and disposed on the surface of the second coupling member such that the first and second train cars are mechanically and electrically connected when the first and second coupling members are engaged.

Abstract: A flexible connector for use in a model train is provided. The flexible connector includes a first coupling member associated with a first train car, and a second coupling member associated with a second train car, wherein the second coupling member is configured for engagement with the first coupling member. The flexible connector further includes a first layer of electrically conductive material connected to a first circuit and disposed on the surface of the first coupling member. The flexible connector still further includes a second layer of electrically conductive material connected to a second circuit and disposed on the surface of the second coupling member such that the first and second train cars are mechanically and electrically connected when the first and second coupling members are engaged.

Abstract: A distributed system structure for a large-way, symmetric multiprocessor system using a bus-based cache-coherence protocol is provided. The distributed system structure contains an address switch, multiple memory subsystems, and multiple master devices, either processors, I/O agents, or coherent memory adapters, organized into a set of nodes supported by a node controller. The node controller receives commands from a master device, communicates with a master device as another master device or as a slave device, and queues commands received from a master device. Due to pin limitations that may be caused by large buses, e.g. buses that support a high number of data pins, the node controller may be implemented such that the functionality for its address paths and data paths are implemented in physically separate components, chips, or circuitry, such as a node data controller or a node address controller.

Abstract: A system and method for severing a portion of a wrapping film for facilitating the detachment and attachment of trailing and leading end portions of the wrapping film from and onto loads disposed at a wrapping station in conjunction with film wrapping operations being performed upon loads being wrapped at a wrapping station comprises an actuating arm movable between retracted and extended positions and upon which a fixed clamping member and a movable clamping member are mounted such that the movable clamping member can move toward and away from the fixed clamping member so as to define therewith CLOSED and OPENED positions. Upon termination of a wrapping operation, the actuating arm is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the clamping members are moved to their CLOSED position so as to clamp a portion of the wrapping film therebetween, and a hot-wire cutter is energized so as to sever a portion of the clamped film.

Abstract: A distributed system structure for a large-way, symmetric multiprocessor system using a bus-based cache-coherence protocol is provided. The distributed system structure contains an address switch, multiple memory subsystems, and multiple master devices, either processors, I/O agents, or coherent memory adapters, organized into a set of nodes supported by a node controller. The node controller receives transactions from a master device, communicates with a master device as another master device or as a slave device, and queues transactions received from a master device. Since the achievement of coherency is distributed in time and space, the node controller helps to maintain cache coherency. A transaction tag format for a standard bus protocol is expanded to ensure unique transaction tags are maintained throughout the system. A sideband signal is used for intervention and Reruns to preserve transaction tags at the node controller in certain circumstances.

Abstract: A method of transferring data between devices in a computer system. In a preferred embodiment, a requesting device broadcasts a request for data to other devices in the computer system. The computer system identifies, from a plurality of responding devices within the computer system, a target device that contains the data. In response to a determination that the target device does not support higher-performance transactions, the computer system disables higher-performance transactions and transfers the data to the requesting device via a lower-performance transaction process.

Abstract: A system and method for severing a portion of a wrapping film for facilitating the detachment and attachment of trailing and leading end portions of the wrapping film from and onto loads disposed at a wrapping station in conjunction with film wrapping operations being performed upon loads being wrapped at a wrapping station comprises an actuating arm movable between retracted and extended positions and upon which a fixed clamping member and a movable clamping member are mounted such that the movable clamping member can move toward and away from the fixed clamping member so as to define therewith CLOSED and OPENED positions. Upon termination of a wrapping operation, the actuating arm is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the clamping members are moved to their CLOSED position so as to clamp a portion of the wrapping film therebetween, and a hot-wire cutter is energized so as to sever a portion of the clamped film.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between devices in a computer system. In a preferred embodiment, a requesting device broadcasts a request for data. Each of a plurality of devices within the computer system responds to the request and indicates the location of the device and whether the device contains the requested data. The data is then transferred to the requesting device from one of the devices containing the data within the plurality of devices to the requesting device. The device selected to transfer the data to the requesting device has the closest logical proximity to the requesting device which results in a quick transfer of data.

Abstract: A label film applicator mechanism which is integrally incorporated into the overall stretch wrap film applicator system so as to be located at the same wrapping station as that of the stretch wrap film mechanism whereby the stretch wrap film can be applied to or wrapped upon, for example, the palletized load independent of the label film, however, the stretch wrap film and the label film can also be simultaneously applied to or wrapped upon, for example, the palletized load when it is desired to apply a label film to, for example, the palletized load during a predetermined portion of the stretch wrap film load wrapping cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for the practicing of gymnastics in the water without the linear movement of the user, including a frame, pedal mechanism, a system of transmission by means of a cascade of pinions, adjustable blades which allow a more or less great resistance of the water and a means of supporting the user either in a seated vertical position, for the exercising of his lower limbs, seat, handlebars or in a horizontal position, for the exercising of the upper limbs after modifications to the seat and the handlebars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system having a plurality of node controllers and a memory unit for each of the node controllers. Each one of the node controllers including at least one processor having a cache. Each memory unit including a plurality of entries each having an exclusive bit, an address tag, and an inclusion field. Each bit of the inclusion field representing one of the node controllers. The method and apparatus allow error recovery for errors occurring within the entries without using the ECC implementation. Specifically, two parity bits are used for detecting errors within an entry and logic for flushing any cache lines represented by the entry in error. The method and apparatus also includes means for detecting persistent errors and for indicating whether the error is generated by either hardware or software.

Abstract: An arbitration protocol, preferably known as data-valid extended (DVE) protocol, for determining which one of the two units within a computer system may obtain access to a common bus is described. The DVE protocol is based on a point-to-point communication between two peer units. The DVE protocol is a physical level signalling convention for controlling switch communications on bi-directional address buses and data buses in a boundary-latched synchronous environment. The DVE protocol is asymmetric, yet fair, and is designed to minimize the number of cycles spent (or latency) in accessing the address or data buses and to maximize the number useful cycles (or bandwidth) on the address buses as well as the data buses. The asymmetry of the DVE protocol reduces the number of cycles spent in arbitration to zero for any data transfer size greater than one.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for conducting broadcast, multipoint, and conference communications in a TDMA network at various data rates while simultaneously conducting point-to-point communications at other data rates, either between local ports or between geographically remote ports during time intervals within a TDMA burst, which are not necessarily predefined. The disclosed apparatus appends a direct destination address to each point-to-point port communication for transmission over a communications link, to directly address the intended destination port. The disclosed invention appends an indirect destination address to each broadcast communication transmitted over the communications link. A broadcast memory is provided at the receiving end of the communications link, for storing correlated direct addresses which are accessed by the indirect destination addresses, to directly address a plurality of intended destination ports.