Abstract: A method, computer program product and apparatus are provided for data backup and recovery in a computer system. The data backup and recovery method uses a plurality of tape drives in parallel. A unique token is associated with each data object being saved to a tape media. While saving backup data to the plurality of tape drives, a dynamic load balancer dynamically balances the load between the plurality of tape drives. While recovering backup data from tape media, the unique token is utilized for processing tape media files in any order. Data segments of one or more objects are distributed across the parallel tape devices and are non-serial across the tape media files used. When recovering backup data from tape media, the same number or fewer tape drives than used during data saving can be used.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes: electronic circuitry for transferring digital data signals along a digital data signal path between different clock timing domains. The clock timing domains have a common higher frequency source clock. A first clock timing domain clock signal has a relatively fixed phase and a second clock timing domain clock signal has a relatively varying phase. The electronic circuitry includes delay elements in clock signal paths associated with the digital data signal path so that along the digital data signal path, clock signals in different clock timing domains are respectively staggered for a relatively short time compared with a given cycle of the source clock. The electronic circuitry further includes a digital data signal path including a data value retention element to delay the transfer of digital data signals between different clock timing domains at selected times.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the integrity of shared files when products are removed and restored. At least two programs, a first program and a second program, within the data processing system share a data structure. A profile is created for the data structure that is shared by the first and second programs. The first program is removed from the data processing system. The shared data structure altered using the profile such that the second program remains on the data processing system unaffected by the alteration of the shared data structure, wherein programs within the data processing system are efficiently maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for moving a unit of data (such as an object, program, or file) from a computer operating at a current release level N to a computer operating at a previous release level N-M in a manner that assures that the unit of data will function predictably when restored to the previous release without having to make modifications or updates to the N-M level computer system. This invention allows a new release to be gradually phased in for a distributed computing system instead of requiring that all computers be upgraded to the new release before any units of data can be moved between systems.

Abstract: A breast pump is disclosed comprising a body (50) with an inlet (84) thereto to receive milk expressed from a woman's breast. The body is formed for releasable attachment to a container for collecting expressed milk and houses a deformable diaphragm (51) which is cyclicly moved by manually or electrically driven actuating lever (53, 54) connected thereto to generate and release cyclicly a negative pressure in the nipple region sufficient to stimulate the nipple area to cause lactation. The pump preferably includes valve (80) mounted in the body so that the negative pressure is created in the pump body only and not in the container for the expressed milk when connected thereto.

Abstract: A shared object is created which is copied to all system nodes requiring access to the object and a used-by table is created identifying the nodes holding a copy of the object. When the object is updated by operations at one of the nodes then the copies identified by the used-by table are also updated.

Abstract: Tubing or pipe bend or elbow for use in carrying pneumatically conveyed granular material has an axial bore with an input opening at one end and gradually diminishes to a smaller opening at the output end, such that the incoming material sees a pressure relief, or drop, at the input to the bend. As a feature, a tubing bend may be segmented, i.e., made out of a series of separate or individual bends with the output of one coupled to the input of another.

Abstract: An electrical data transmission system employs a telephone line to transmit data from a subscriber data equipment to a telephone exchange data equipment when the telephone line is idle. A first idle line sensing means is associated with the subscriber equipment and is operable to connect the line to the subscriber equipment when the line is idle and to disconnect the line from the subscriber equipment when the line is busy. A second idle line sensing means is associated with the exchange data equipment and is operable to connect the line to the exchange equipment when the line is idle and to disconnect the line from the exchange equipment when the line is busy.

Abstract: A device for use in carrying out immunodiffusion having a trough for accommodating a substrate and one or more wells in communication with the trough whereby a first immunological reagent when located in said well may diffuse into the substrate to react with a second immunological reagent dispersed in said substrate.