Abstract: A computing device determines that an executing first operator process is to be upgraded to a second operator process in an upgrade process, wherein the first operator process maintains on a cluster of compute nodes a desired identified state of an application. The computing device prior to initiating the second operator process, determines that the upgrade process will cause an initiation of a new container of the application to replace an existing container of the application. The computing device determines that an upgrade mode associated with the first operator process is a rolling upgrade mode, wherein the existing container and the new container will execute concurrently for a period of time. The computing device makes a determination whether computing resources needed to execute the existing container and the new container concurrently are available. The computing device takes an upgrade request action based on the determination.

Abstract: A method is described for recycling nickel from waste battery material. The method includes providing waste battery material comprising a nickel-containing oxide, reducing the nickel in the waste battery material to the zero oxidation state to provide a reduced waste battery material, reacting the reduced waste battery material with carbon monoxide to form Ni(CO)4, and reacting the Ni(CO)4 with a source of sulfate to form NiSO4. The NiSO4 product is useful as a nickel feedstock in various processes which require a nickel source, including processes which prepare new battery materials.

Abstract: Improved, high count rate thermal neutron counters and electronics enabling new, higher measurement capabilities are disclosed. Next generation 3He and 10B tubes may include an electronics package capable of operating at higher count rates and in higher gamma fields and providing more efficient use of 3He gas. Conventional detector systems may also be upgraded, providing a possible solution to measure spent nuclear fuel with high neutron efficiency previously not possible in 235U fission counter systems. Switching the number of tubes per amplifier allows use of the measured nuclear material for a calibration standard for dead time correction, increasing accuracy of neutron measurements systems. An optimized detector geometry and advanced electronics with double pulse filtering and a dual channel readout may be provided. A bipolar shaper may improve dead time, provide efficient detector use, reduce double pulsing, facilitate high count rate measurements, and allow remote threshold setting.

Abstract: A joint connector for connecting abutting edges of tapered drywall is provided that includes a base, a column projecting forward from said base, and mud legs extending generally perpendicular to said column forming pockets for receipt of tapered edges of said drywall.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for separating residual magnetic resin from a liquid stream by passing the stream through or over permanent magnets located within the stream wherein the process also includes a means for releasing any resin retained by the permanent magnets and capturing the released resin.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for separating residual magnetic resin from a liquid stream by passing the stream through or over permanent magnets located within the stream wherein the process also includes a means for releasing any resin retained by the permanent magnets and capturing the released resin.

Abstract: Method and system for repairing memory failure in a computer system in one aspect determines one or more test patterns and time duration for testing the new memory unit that replaced a failed memory unit. The test pattern is written to the new memory unit and read from the new memory unit. The read pattern is compared to the test pattern that was used to write. If the read test pattern and the written test pattern doe not match, a further repair action is taken. If they match, writing and reading of the test pattern repeats until the time duration for testing expires. The new memory unit may be configured as available for use when the write and read test completes successfully for the testing time duration.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for separating residual magnetic resin from a liquid stream by passing the stream through or over permanent magnets (30) located within the stream wherein the process also includes a means for releasing any resin retained by the permanent magnets (30) and capturing the released resin.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing requests to access data in a computer environment. In one aspect of the present invention, a request manager receives a request associated with meta data corresponding to data that is maintained separately from the meta data. In another aspect, the request manager informs a data object manager of an anticipated request that will be received by the data object manager to enable it to prepare for the anticipated request. The data object manager commences preparing for the anticipated request in response to being informed of the anticipated request to facilitate a reduction in data access time. In one example of a computing environment utilizing one or more aspects of the invention, a storage subsystem comprising a data object manager prepares for the anticipated request by pre-fetching data blocks from storage media into a cache.

Abstract: The Voice Protector Security Alarm is an improvement to current alarm systems that are on the market today. The voice sensors are placed in normal home objects that home invaders will not notice. In the instance of a home invasion, the victim calls for help, the voice is picked up through a sensor and a strobe light is activated to ensure the victim that help is on the way. This signal goes to a central station or law enforcement agency. They in turn, send help. Upgrades to this system are digital photos that are transmitted of the area in question to the central station, allowing authorities to identify the perpetrators.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and systems for creating roles on a centralized management server that include one to many authorizations for a given identity as well as the component targets they will be authorized for. The authorizations are defined based on the intersection of the task and the component for which it will act on. This combined authorization is then associated with specific identities. When a task is to be initiated, the central management server determines if the identity has been authorized for that task and for which components it can execute that task against. The infrastructure then generates the appropriate sub commands and only executes those sub commands against the authorized components contained in the list of requested components from the initiation request.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and corresponding method for temperature correction and count rate expansion of inorganic scintillation detectors. A temperature sensor is attached to an inorganic scintillation detector. The inorganic scintillation detector, due to interaction with incident radiation, creates light pulse signals. A photoreceiver processes the light pulse signals to current signals. Temperature correction circuitry that uses a fast light component signal, a slow light component signal, and the temperature signal from the temperature sensor to corrected an inorganic scintillation detector signal output and expanded the count rate.

Abstract: A liquid sample dispenser for use with an optical analysis disc. The dispenser includes a body portion, a tip portion connected to the body portion, first and second retainer members moveably supported within the tip portion, and a sealant contained between the first and second retainer members. One of the retainer members also functions as an inlet stopper. The associated optical analysis disc includes a substrate and a channel layer associated with the substrate. The disc further includes a cover portion located so that the channel layer is positioned between the substrate and the cover portion. An inlet port formed in the cover portion is adapted to receive a test sample from the tip portion of the dispenser. The sample is loaded form the dispenser into the disc followed by the inlet stopper and sealant to seal the sample in the disc. Related methods for loading a biological sample into the analysis disc through the dispenser, and sealing the disc inlet are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing requests to access data in a computer environment. In one aspect of the present invention, a request manager receives a request associated with meta data corresponding to data that is maintained separately from the meta data. In another aspect, the request manager informs a data object manager of an anticipated request that will be received by the data object manager to enable it to prepare for the anticipated request. The data object manager commences preparing for the anticipated request in response to being informed of the anticipated request to facilitate a reduction in data access time. In one example of a computing environment utilizing one or aspects of the invention, a storage subsystem comprising a data object manager prepares for the anticipated request by pre-fetching data blocks from storage media into a cache.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for manufacturing a detergent bar, the bar comprises a first distinct zone comprising a first component and at least a second distinct zone comprising a second component. In an injection step, the first and second components are injected into the mould cavity via nozzle means having a first orifice through which the first component is injected. The second component is injected through a second orifice of the nozzle means. The first and second components solidify in the cavity to form the bar. The interface between the zones may be non-planar and/or such that the zones cannot be separated by a unidirectional cut. The first and second zones may respectively comprise detergent and a benefit agent. The first and second zones may differ in texture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting data from an optical analysis disc such as a bio-disc are disclosed. The process of capturing the data is controlled by a single computer. In one embodiment, a template is provided in determining the location of desired sample regions. In another embodiment, one or more ditches are obliterated on the disc in determining the location of the desired samples. In one embodiment, a user enters measured distances to a control program to indicate the sample region location. The user may specify the sample rate. The user may also specify the number of capture regions. In one embodiment, capture regions are separated by radial lines. The head of a disc drive may be maintained at a constant radial distance. This distance is maintained to cause the disc to act as a centrifuge at a desired speed.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of cooled, rotating casting rolls forming a nip between them. Molten metal is delivered into the nip between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten metal supported on the rolls. The cast strip produced is delivered downwardly from the nip and guided through a transit path which takes it away from the nip. An enclosure confirms the strip throughout the transit path and includes an enclosure wall including a movable section disposed beneath the casting rolls and formed to serve as a movable receptacle for scrap produced at any stage of the casting process, which enclosure is sealed to control ingress of oxygen containing atmosphere during operation of the apparatus, thereby controlling the formation of scale on the strip during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A steel strip (12) is continuously cast from a pool (30) of molten metal that is supported on one or more chilled casting surfaces (22A). The casting surfaces (22A) are moved to produce a solidified strip (12) moving away from the casting pool (30) along a transit path (10). The formation of scale on the solidified strip (12) as it passes through the transit path (10) is controlled by confining the solidified strip within an enclosure (37) from which oxygen is extracted by oxidation of the strip and which is sealed to control ingress of oxygen containing atmosphere.

Abstract: An edible spread comprises water, from 2% to 20% by weight of water soluble starch, particularly a combination of hydrolysed maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent of less than 5. A water binding system comprises from 0.05% to 1.5% by weight of alginate, from 0.5% to 5.0% by weight of gelatin and a calcium source material such as calcium salts or milk protein to stabilize the spread. From 2% to 12% by weight of a soluble vegetable fibre may also be used as part of the water binding system. The spread may include up to 40% added fat.