Abstract: Authenticating a backup image stored on a storage device prior to restoring the backup image. A value such as a hash value is generated based on the image to be preserved. The value is stored on the storage device in a first area accessible for writing only when the computing device is in an update mode. The first area becomes read-only when the computing device is in an operating system mode. The image is stored on the storage device in a second area accessible for writing when the computing device is in the update mode or the operating system mode. When attempting to restore the image from the second area, the value from the first area is compared to another value generated at the time of the restoration for validation.

Abstract: A self-propelled roping dummy apparatus comprising a dummy body shaped to represent an animal such as a steer and a head pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body. The apparatus further comprises a pair of adjustable legs attached to a rear portion of the dummy body or a base frame comprising a wheel assembly driven by a motor unit powered by a rechargeable battery. The apparatus can be used for roping training including heading and heeling practicing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an exhaust gas stream 12 from a processing chamber 10. The method comprises the steps of: conveying the exhaust gas from the processing chamber using a vacuum pumping arrangement 11, 22 or atmospheric line; abating the exhaust gas in an abatement region 18 of an abatement device 14; and injecting a cooling agent, such as a liquid 26, downstream of the abatement region to cool the abated gases in a cooling region 24 by phase change of the cooling agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems to allow user space applications running on different cores to efficiently communicate interrupts between each other without have to enter an OS kernel. In one aspect, a hardware device for delivering inter-processor interrupts is provided. The hardware device includes a memory having a memory space that corresponds to a virtual memory space of a first guest process and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to detect when interrupt information is recorded in the memory space. In that regard, the interrupt information is directed to a second guest process associated with a particular CPU core. In response to detecting interrupt information recorded in the memory space, the controller is configured to cause the second guest process to run on a different CPU core without making an operating system call.

Abstract: A valve stem connector assembly, which connects a lead screw of a globe valve actuator to a valve stem of a globe valve, includes a retainer secured to the lead screw. The retainer includes a retainer body and at least one cam rotatably secured to the retainer. The valve stem connector assembly further includes a retainer latch coupled to the lead screw and the retainer. The retainer latch is configured to move from a normally unlocked position in which the valve stem is unsecured from the lead screw and a locked position in which the retainer latch moves toward the retainer to rotate the at least one cam to secure the valve stem to the lead screw. A method of releasably securing a valve stem of a globe valve to a lead screw of a globe valve actuator is further disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to biomimetic membranes and methods of manufacturing such membranes that include structural features that mimic the structures of cellular membrane channels and produce membrane designs capable of high selectivity and high permeability or adsorptivity. The membrane structure, material and chemistry can be selected to perform liquid separations, gas separation and capture, ion transport and adsorption for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for vending at least one cosmetic product to a first consumer. A real-time image of a portion of a body of the consumer is captured using a personal computational device and the consumer provides a desired makeup look via the personal computational device. The desired makeup look is then applied to an image of the portion of the body of the consumer, thereby generating a composite image of the portion of the body of the first consumer with the desired makeup look, and a retail order for the cosmetic product is received from the consumer. The order may be received before or after the consumer's image is captured. Another consumer, or a product specialist, may be involved in the aforesaid process via a computer communications link.

Abstract: Described herein are xerogels consisting essentially of 12-hydroxy-stearic acid (12-HSA) wherein the xerogel is characterized by a spherulitic fibrillar network structure. Also provided is a method for adsorbing an apolar liquid by contacting a 12-HSA xerogel composition with the apolar liquid.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for real-time simulation of the application of one or more cosmetic products to a portion of the body of a user being imaged in an image-capture environment that is subject to uncertain lighting conditions. A real-time image of a portion of the user is captured and used to derive both image-capture environment parameters and user visual characteristics. Based on a desired look received from the user, a correspondence is extracted between the desired look and the pertinent portion of the user so that the desired look can be adapted to the image-capture environment parameters and the user's visual characteristics, and the adapted look is applied to an image of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring performance comprises two elements: a first element (4) for attaching to a human or animal, containing two or more of physiological, biochemical, kinematic, and/or environmental sensors and a processing means which records in memory signals or derivates of signals from said sensors and contains a means of re-transmitting this data to a second element, and a second element (13, 16) containing a display (12, 17) or audio output to present the processed live or previous recorded data to the user.

Abstract: The communication device has: a first communication transceiver for transmitting and receiving communication with a first facsimile machine via an analogue link; a second communication transceiver for transmitting and receiving communication with a digital communication network via a digital link; a converter to convert an analogue signal to a digital signal; a memory adapted to store the telephone number of a second, remote, facsimile machine receiving a fax to be transmitted, and to store in memory a digital data file corresponding to the conversion of a fax in analogue form into a digital file by the converter; and an electronic controller having a first simulator simulating an analogue telephone network, a second simulator simulating the second facsimile machine ready to receive a fax, and a forwarding device to forward digital data via the digital communication network which contain the digital file corresponding to the fax.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-view learning to leverage highly informative, high-cost, psychophysiological data collected in a laboratory setting, to improve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening in the field, where only less-informative, low-cost, speech data are available. Partial least squares (PLS) methods can be used to learn a bilinear factor model, which projects speech and EEG responses onto latent spaces, where the covariance between the projections is maximized. The systems and methods use a speech representation based on a combination of audio and language descriptors extracted from spoken responses to open-ended questions.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for propping a golf club up so that the grip end of the club is elevated above the ground. The assembly is composed of a club stand hingeably mounted within the grip so as to be flush with the grip surface. The grip has the same circumferential shape as golf grips lacking the assembly so that the golf feels no or little difference between the two grip types.

Abstract: Aspects of a turn conveyor system are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor, where the first conveyor includes a lateral displacement mechanism configured to displace an article laterally between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The system also includes a lateral conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a sensor configured to sense a position of an article on the first conveyor, an arm positioner configured to position a turn arm to one of a plurality of locations, and control logic. The control arm can be configured to control an operation of the arm positioner to position the turn arm for rotation of the article, and control an operation of the lateral displacement mechanism based in part on the position of the article to displace the article onto the lateral conveyor and into the turn arm.

Abstract: A valve stem connector assembly, which connects a lead screw of a globe valve actuator to a valve stem of a globe valve, includes a retainer secured to the lead screw. The retainer includes a retainer body and at least one cam rotatably secured to the retainer. The valve stem connector assembly further includes a retainer latch coupled to the lead screw and the retainer. The retainer latch is configured to move from a normally unlocked position in which the valve stem is unsecured from the lead screw and a locked position in which the retainer latch moves toward the retainer to rotate the at least one cam to secure the valve stem to the lead screw. A method of releasably securing a valve stem of a globe valve to a lead screw of a globe valve actuator is further disclosed.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, for use in an aerosol-generating system and an aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device includes a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article; a first solid-liquid phase-change material positioned about a perimeter of the cavity; and heating means configured to heat the first solid-liquid phase-change material to a temperature above the melting point of the first solid-liquid phase-change material. The aerosol-generating device further includes a second solid-liquid phase-change material, wherein the melting point of the second solid-liquid phase-change material is higher than the melting point of the first solid-liquid phase-change material.