Abstract: A first hardware island is defined as including at least a first compute cluster. First backup infrastructure is associated with the first compute cluster. A second hardware island is defined as including at least a second compute cluster. Second backup infrastructure is associated with the second compute cluster. A partnership is established between the first and second compute clusters. A selection of a backup policy to be associated with a workload is received. The workload is provisioned to the first compute cluster for processing and the selected backup policy is provided to the second backup infrastructure.

Abstract: An object model is provided that represents resources available in a cloud computing environment as hardware islands. A first compute cluster is registered with a first hardware island. A second compute cluster is registered with a second hardware island. A partnership is established between the first and second compute clusters. Based on the partnership, a workload processed by at least the first compute cluster is protected.

Abstract: A cloud object model represents resources available in a cloud computing environment as hardware islands. A compute cluster is registered with a hardware island. The compute cluster is designated as being of a particular cluster type. An indication is received from a user to provision the compute cluster with storage. The object model is accessed to determine a cluster type of the cluster. The cluster is provisioned with storage of a type that corresponds to the cluster being of the particular type, where the storage provisioned includes one of replicated storage or non-replicated storage.

Abstract: A method of detecting and locating a micro-interface abnormality within an electrical system having a plurality of conductors and a plurality of electrical connections includes identifying a subset of the plurality of electrical connections by detecting an acoustic signal within the electrical system and analyzing the detected acoustic signal and determining that the detected acoustic signal is indicative of an electrical fault, measuring a contact resistance of each of the subset of the plurality of electrical connections, and identifying at least one of the subset of the plurality of electrical connection points as having a micro-interface abnormality based on the measured contact resistances.

Abstract: A method of detecting and locating a micro-interface abnormality within an electrical system having a plurality of conductors and a plurality of electrical connections includes identifying a subset of the plurality of electrical connections by detecting an acoustic signal within the electrical system and analyzing the detected acoustic signal and determining that the detected acoustic signal is indicative of an electrical fault, measuring a contact resistance of each of the subset of the plurality of electrical connections, and identifying at least one of the subset of the plurality of electrical connection points as having a micro-interface abnormality based on the measured contact resistances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal medium with a highly twisted structure, to the use of said medium for optoelectronic applications in the fields of non-linear optics (NLO) and laser optics and to electrooptic devices, displays and lasers containing said medium.

Abstract: An example calling system includes a dialer, a user interface via which a user can select one or more call lists from a plurality of call lists from different call list providers, and software stored in computer readable memory configured to cause at least in part phone numbers to be streamed from the one or more user selected call lists to the dialer so that the dialer can dial the phone numbers.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymerizable charge transport compounds, their use as semiconductors or charge transport materials, in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices like for example organic field effect transistors (FET or OFET) for thin film transistor liquid crystal displays and integrated circuit devices such as RFID tags, electroluminescent devices in flat panel displays, and in plotovoltaic and sensor devices, and to a field effect transistor, light emitting device or ID tag comprising the polymerisable charge transport compounds.

Abstract: A solicitation method comprises the steps of: providing a WAN accessible client prospects database, wherein the database includes an encrypted lead telephone number; installing a solicitation software program into a user computer system wherein the computer system has an automatic phone dialup feature and a WAN accessing feature; interconnecting the computer system with the client prospects database through the WAN over a phone network; and, for each of the client telephone numbers, presenting a client identity on a monitor of the computer system; executing automatic dialup of the respective client telephone number without disclosing the client telephone number to the user; communicating a connection result, as good or bad, to the database; and compiling a service billing based on only the good connections.

Abstract: A joystick controller comprises an operating shaft mounted for pivotal movement relative to a housing. The joystick controller is configured such that when the operating shaft is in a null position a release of pressure applied on the operating shaft is effective to lock the joystick so as to prevent further pivotal movement. Re-application of pressure on the operating shaft is effective to unlock the joystick.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a liquid crystal composition in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a single polariser reflective or transflective zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device as well as a bistable liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel 9- and/or 10-substituted anthracenes, to their use in liquid crystal, light-emitting or semiconducting materials and devices, in anisotropic polymers, optical, electrooptical, decorative, security, cosmetic, diagnostic, electric, electronic, charge transport, semiconductor, optical recording, electroluminescent, photoconductor or electrophotographic applications, and to liquid crystal, light-emitting and semiconducting materials, polymers and devices comprising them.

Abstract: A system for providing the ability to obtain consumption data from a communication device used to transmit accumulated data from the meter register. The system includes a programming port formed as part of the communication device. The programming port includes the programming coil that allows the accumulation data received from the meter register to be read by an interrogation device. Further, the programming coil allows programming information to be transferred to the communication device from the interrogation device. The system can also include a reading module coupled to the programming port of the communication device through an inductive coupling. The reading module can extend through a pit lid such that the reading module can be accessed without removing the pit lid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical retardation film comprising two layers of an anisotropic polymer adjacent to each other or adjacent to both sides of a substrate, characterized in that each layer exhibits a tilted structure with an optical symmetry axis having a tilt angle ? relative to the plane of the layer, to a means to produce substantially linear polarized light comprising such an optical retardation film and to a liquid crystal display comprising such an optical retardation film.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a liquid includes a dispenser body having a liquid passage and an air passage. A valve stem is mounted in the dispenser body and reciprocates between an open position allowing liquid flow and a closed position preventing liquid flow. A pre-assembled unitary seal assembly is threadably engaged with the dispenser body and includes a housing having a bore therethrough. The housing includes a first and second seal members positioned within the bore that each form a dynamic seal with the valve stem to prevent air and liquid from leaking out of the air and liquid passages. The housing further includes a static seal between the outside of the housing and the dispenser body. The valve stem may be moved to an open position by pressurized air acting on a piston and moved to the closed position by a spring-return mechanism to selectively dispense the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal medium with a highly twisted structure, to the use of said medium for optoelectronic applications in the fields of non-linear optics (NLO) and laser optics and to electrooptic devices, displays and lasers containing said medium.

Abstract: A spring-biased filter assembly for a liquid dispenser is disclosed that permits ready removal of a filter assembly from a filter housing. The filter housing includes a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a liquid passageway therebetween. The filter housing also has an opening in communication with the liquid passageway. The filter assembly comprises a closure element positioned in the opening and releasably coupled to the filter housing through movement between connected and disconnected positions with respect to the filter housing. A filter element is positioned in the liquid passageway and coupled to the closure element. A biasing member is coupled to the closure element and the filter element and biases the closure element into the connected position.