Abstract: Hexadecyl cis-9-tetradecenoate commonly known as Cetyl myristoleate (CMO) is being used for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint inflammatory diseases, cis-9-Tetradecenoic acid (cis-9-myristoleic acid) is the main precursor for the preparation of CMO. As there are limited natural plant sources for cis-9-tetradecenoic acid, the present invention aimed at the synthesis of cis-9-tetradecenoic acid methyl ester from oleic acid methyl ester. As oleic acid is not available in pure form, this has to be isolated from oleic acid-rich oils like olive oil. cis-10-Tetradecenoic acid methyl ester, an isomer of cis-9-tetradecenoic acid was also prepared from undecenoic acid methyl ester, a derivative of castor oil. Undecenoic acid is easily available commercially in pure form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method for the preparation of phytosteryl ferulate using ferulic acid and phytosterols (isolated from soybean oil deodorizer distillate) comprising of (a) acetylation of ferulic acid to ferulic acid acetate; (b) esterification of ferulic acid acetate with phytosterols to obtain phytosteryl ferulate acetate; (c) deprotection of phytosteryl ferulate acetate to phytosteryl ferulate. The phytosteryl ferulate was evaluated for hypocholesteremic activity in hamsters in comparison with that of natural oryzanol isolated from rice bran oil soap stock. This study confirmed that the phytosteryl ferulate significantly lowers the elevated cholesterol levels and also interferes with the absorption of cholesterol and the effect is comparable with that of natural oryzanol and is useful as nutraceutical/food supplement. Hence phytosteryl ferulate is a potential substitute for natural oryzanol for several applications.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a tread and a sidewall with a flat label region is disclosed. One or more grooves may surround the flat label region. The flat label region may in its entirety be raised from the surface of the tire. A method of forming a label on a tire sidewall is also disclosed, wherein, the method includes the steps of: providing a tire mold having a sidewall plate with a cavity; inserting a label mold in said cavity, curing the tire in the mold and forming a first surface layer on the sidewall of the tire; removing the tire from the mold, and affixing a decorative label to the first surface area.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing thermal comfort in an enclosure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a numerical analysis on a calibration enclosure including a thermal manikin in a uniform thermal environment to obtain a surface heat transfer coefficient (hcal) for each body part of the thermal manikin. The method also includes performing a numerical analysis on an enclosure including one or more thermal manikins in a non-uniform thermal environment to obtain a total heat flux (q?T) for each body part of the one or more thermal manikins. The method further includes computing an equivalent temperature (teq) of each body part of the one or more thermal manikins using the obtained associated hcal, the obtained associated q?T, and an associated surface temperature of the body part. Furthermore, the method includes evaluating thermal comfort in the enclosure based on each computed teq.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient file replication are provided. In some embodiments, one or more coarse signatures for blocks in a base file are compared with those coarse signatures for blocks of a revised file, until a match is found. A fine signature is then generated for the matching block of the revised file and compared to a fine signature of the base file. Thus, fine signatures are not computed unless a coarse signature match has been found, thereby minimizing unneeded time-consuming fine signature calculations. Methods are also provided for determining whether to initiate a delta file generation algorithm, or whether to utilize a more efficient replication method, based upon system and/or file parameters. In accordance with additional embodiments, the lengths of valid data on physical blocks are obtained from physical block mappings for the files, and these lengths and mappings are utilized for delta file generation, to minimize unnecessary signature computations.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamically administering a quorum of multiple members based on their involvements in using at least one network resource in a computer network. At least one system administrator responsible for managing a particular network resource will divest his power to the members of the quorum so that his own involvement can be minimized. After identifying one or more stakeholders out of a group of users of the network resource, a weight for each user is updated in one or more rounds of evaluation based on his use of the network resource. The quorum membership is then modified accordingly based on the updated weights of the users so that the network resource is managed appropriated by relevant users.

Abstract: An x-ray tube having a coated x-ray tube frame inner surface and a coated anode assembly is provided. The x-ray tube includes an x-ray tube frame in which an anode assembly is disposed therein. A cathode assembly is also disposed within the x-ray tube frame that emits an electron beam to strike a target surface of the anode assembly and form x-rays. A plasma-sprayed tungsten oxide coating is formed on an inner surface of the x-ray tube frame and on the anode assembly to dissipate heat created by the electron beam.

Abstract: Presented is a method of operating a server to enable a client to access data stored by a file system. The method comprises: receiving from the client a request to perform an operation on the data; instructing the file system to perform a preliminary metadata operation and, before the metadata-operation has completed, instructing the file system to perform the operation on the data; waiting for the file system to complete both the metadata-operation and the operation on the data; and responding to the client.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operating temperature of a catalytic reactor using a closed-loop system that provides for varying the reactor input and other operating parameters in order to maintain the operating temperature of the reactor at or near the initial setpoint temperature for operation of the reactor. In one example, maximum and minimum operating temperatures with a catalytic partial oxidation reactor are controlled, as well as maintaining control over the corresponding minimum required ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms, such that the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained below the material limits but above threshold temperatures for coking.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electron collector includes a body having an internal bore formed therethrough along a first direction and a window side having an aperture formed in a first portion thereof along a second direction different from the first direction. The apparatus also includes a cover plate having a bottom surface coupled to a second portion of the first surface of the electron collector, and an x-ray transmission window coupled to the cover plate and aligned with the aperture along the second direction, wherein a recess is formed along the second direction in one of the first portion of the first surface of the electron collector and a portion of the bottom surface of the cover plate, and wherein a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the cover plate and the first surface of the electron collector.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof methods for synthesizing thienopyridines and methods for inhibiting TNF-? activity for the treatment of cancer, asthma, arthritis, diabetes and inflammation. Provided are compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: Hexadecyl cis-9-tetradecenoate commonly known as Cetyl myristoleate (CMO) is being used for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint inflammatory diseases, cis-9-Tetradecenoic acid (cis-9-myristoleic acid) is the main precursor for the preparation of CMO. As there are limited natural plant sources for cis-9-tetradecenoic acid, the present invention aimed at the synthesis of cis-9-tetradecenoic acid methyl ester from oleic acid methyl ester. As oleic acid is not available in pure form, this has to be isolated from oleic acid-rich oils like olive oil. cis-10-Tetradecenoic acid methyl ester, an isomer of cis-9-tetradecenoic acid was also prepared from undecenoic acid methyl ester, a derivative of castor oil. Undecenoic acid is easily available commercially in pure form.

Abstract: A method for processing concurrent write operations in a computer system, the method comprising a first step of copying data residing in one or more source buffers to a contiguous intermediate buffer, prior to acquiring a lock for a write operation. In a second step, on acquiring the lock performing a translation operation between the intermediate buffer and a destination buffer, to process the write operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electron collector includes a body having an internal bore formed therethrough along a first direction and a window side having an aperture formed in a first portion thereof along a second direction different from the first direction. The apparatus also includes a cover plate having a bottom surface coupled to a second portion of the first surface of the electron collector, and an x-ray transmission window coupled to the cover plate and aligned with the aperture along the second direction, wherein a recess is formed along the second direction in one of the first portion of the first surface of the electron collector and a portion of the bottom surface of the cover plate, and wherein a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the cover plate and the first surface of the electron collector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient file replication are provided. In some embodiments, one or more coarse signatures for blocks in a base file are compared with those coarse signatures for blocks of a revised file, until a match is found. A fine signature is then generated for the matching block of the revised file and compared to a fine signature of the base file. Thus, fine signatures are not computed unless a coarse signature match has been found, thereby minimizing unneeded time-consuming fine signature calculations. Methods are also provided for determining whether to initiate a delta file generation algorithm, or whether to utilize a more efficient replication method, based upon system and/or file parameters. In accordance with additional embodiments, the lengths of valid data on physical blocks are obtained from physical block mappings for the files, and these lengths and mappings are utilized for delta file generation, to minimize unnecessary signature computations.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing thermal comfort in an enclosure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a numerical analysis on a calibration enclosure including a thermal manikin in a uniform thermal environment to obtain a surface heat transfer coefficient (hcal) for each body part of the thermal manikin. The method also includes performing a numerical analysis on an enclosure including one or more thermal manikins in a non-uniform thermal environment to obtain a total heat flux (q?T) for each body part of the one or more thermal manikins. The method further includes computing an equivalent temperature (teq) of each body part of the one or more thermal manikins using the obtained associated hcal, the obtained associated q?T, and an associated surface temperature of the body part. Furthermore, the method includes evaluating thermal comfort in the enclosure based on each computed teq.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient file replication are provided. In some embodiments, one or more coarse signatures for blocks in a base file are compared with those coarse signatures for blocks of a revised file, until a match is found. A fine signature is then generated for the matching block of the revised file and compared to a fine signature of the base file. Thus, fine signatures are not computed unless a coarse signature match has been found, thereby minimizing unneeded time-consuming fine signature calculations. Methods are also provided for determining whether to initiate a delta file generation algorithm, or whether to utilize a more efficient replication method, based upon system and/or file parameters. In accordance with additional embodiments, the lengths of valid data on physical blocks are obtained from physical block mappings for the files, and these lengths and mappings are utilized for delta file generation, to minimize unnecessary signature computations.

Abstract: Presented is a method of operating a server to enable a client to access data stored by a file system. The method comprises: receiving from the client a request to perform an operation on the data; instructing the file system to perform a preliminary metadata operation and, before the metadata-operation has completed, instructing the file system to perform the operation on the data; waiting for the file system to complete both the metadata-operation and the operation on the data; and responding to the client.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for inserting access control rules into an access control list. The access control list may be configured to contain independent rule blocks having ordered access rules. In one example, the method includes creating a new independent rule block and inserting a new access rule into the block if the list is empty. If the list is not empty, a set of mapped independent rule blocks may be created from the list. For each block in the set, the method may attempt to determine a position for the new access rule. Those blocks for which a position cannot be determined may be removed from the set, and the blocks in the set may be merged to form a new independent rule block with the new access rule.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting backscattered electrons within a substantially evacuated vessel containing both an electron-emitting cathode assembly and an electron-attracting anode assembly. The system and method comprises an electron collector assembly including a first plate, a second plate, an internal member, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The first plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the anode assembly. The second plate is mounted within the vessel closest to the cathode assembly. The internal member is positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and includes an internal conduit for conveying a heat absorbing cooling fluid therethrough.