Abstract: Embodiments are directed to establishing a fault tolerant parallel database system and to detecting the health of parallel database services. In an embodiment, a computer system establishes a control node cluster that includes at least one active control node and at least one spare control node. Each node of the control node cluster includes specific functions assumable only by other control nodes. The computer system also establishes a compute node cluster that includes at least one active computing node, at least one spare computing node, at least one active storage node and at least one spare storage node. Each of the computing and storage nodes includes specific functions assumable only by other computing and storage nodes. The computer system detects a failure of an active node and instantiates a corresponding spare node that is configured to perform the functions of the failed active node.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to simultaneously backing up data from multiple locations to a single location and to restoring data from a single location to multiple locations simultaneously. In an embodiment, a computer system receives a backup command from a user which indicates that various specified portions of data are to be backed up. The data portions are stored in multiple different locations in a parallel database. The computer system generates multiple backup commands specific for each location in which the data is stored. The backup commands initiate a parallel backup from the various locations to a single location in a data store. The computer system also executes the generated backup commands in parallel, so that the data from each of the different locations is backed up in the data store.

Abstract: A producer node receives data that is to be transmitted to a consumer node. The producer node receives a credit indication from the consumer node indicating that a portion of credit has been extended to the producer node. The credit portion specifies the amount of data that is to be sent to the consumer node. The producer node sends the amount of data specified in the credit indication to the consumer node. The consumer node receives data that is to be processed. The consumer node returns the portion of credit indicated in the credit indication to a credit pool, where, upon addition to the credit pool, the credit is made available for distribution to the producer node. The consumer node sends a new credit indication to the producer node indicating a specified amount of data that is to be sent to the consumer node to be processed.

Abstract: The disclosed system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of merchants, products, services, vacation destinations or other offerings that might be of interest based on the purchases of similar card members. In one instance, this process looks at all card members that made purchases at a merchant and then it identifies all other merchants in the same category where those card members also made purchases. The associated merchants are ranked based on largest number of shared card members and the top results may be shared with card members or merchants in order to enhance promotions, card use and marketing.

Abstract: The disclosed system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of merchants, products, services, vacation destinations or other offerings that might be of interest based on the purchases of similar card members. In one instance, this process looks at all card members that made purchases at a merchant and then it identifies all other merchants in the same category where those card members also made purchases. The associated merchants are ranked based on largest number of shared card members and the top results may be shared with card members or merchants in order to enhance promotions, card use and marketing.

Abstract: The disclosed system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of merchants, products, services, vacation destinations or other offerings that might be of interest based on the purchases of similar card members. In one instance, this process looks at all card members that made purchases at a merchant and then it identifies all other merchants in the same category where those card members also made purchases. The associated merchants are ranked based on largest number of shared card members and the top results may be shared with card members or merchants in order to enhance promotions, card use and marketing.

Abstract: Compressor installation with a water-injected compressor element to which an inlet line (4) and an outlet line (5) are connected, an air inlet filter (13) to which said inlet line (4) is connected, a water separator (6) into which said outlet line (5) feeds and a return line (7) between this water separator (6) and the compressor element (2), characterised in that said air inlet filter (13) takes the form of a wet filter to which a water supply is connected.

Abstract: A method for ensuring compliance with an investment policy is described. Information regarding past or contemplated future trades is collected. Financial and/or fiduciary positions are then automatically approved, automatically denied, or submitted for approval or denial by a supervisory user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-injected screw compressor, comprising a compressor element (2) with a housing (7) which borders a compression chamber (8) in which two rotors (9, 10) are installed, which, by means of an axle ends (13, 14; 15, 16), are borne in the housing (7) by means of water-lubricated slide bearings (1), an electric motor (3) comprising a housing (18) which carries a stator (19) at the inside, which stator surrounds a rotor (21) with a rotor shaft (22). An axle end (13) of one of the rotors (9) is directly coupled to or forms one piece with the rotor shaft (22) of the motor (3), said rotor shaft being located in the prolongation of said axle end. The rotor shaft (22) of the motor (3) is borne in at least one water-lubricated slide bearing (23).

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A sachet assembly, includes a closed bag which is formed from water-permeable filter paper, and a solid substance which is contained in the bag and is at least partially water-soluble. The water-soluble solid substance comprises a preparation for cut flowers. In particular, the preparation comprises a foodstuff and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth inhibitor. The packaging assembly includes a waterproof, or at least moisture-proof, outer packaging containing a large number of sachets. The invention also relates to the use of a sachet made from water-permeable filter paper for administering a preparation to cut flowers which are standing in water.

Abstract: The disclosed system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of merchants, products, services, vacation destinations or other offerings that might be of interest based on the purchases of similar card members. In one instance, this process looks at all card members that made purchases at a merchant and then it identifies all other merchants in the same category where those card members also made purchases. The associated merchants are ranked based on largest number of shared card members and the top results may be shared with card members or merchants in order to enhance promotions, card use and marketing.

Abstract: Cloned disimmortalizable mammalian chromaffin cell lines that express chromaffin cell phenotype/genotype are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a nutritional supplement which includes micronutrients to facilitate reduction of cholesterol, and/or reduction of homocystein and/or reduction of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) oxidation in humans. In one embodiment the supplement is a multi-vitamin, a mineral supplement which includes at least one component known to reduce cholesterol. The invention further provides a method for tableting one fourth to one half of the daily effective dosage of a phytosterol containing nutritional supplement in a practical sized tablet and a method for reducing blood cholesterol in humans.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-injected screw compressor, comprising a compressor element (2) with a housing (7) which borders a compression chamber (8) in which two rotors (9, 10) are installed, which, by means of an axle ends (13, 14; 15, 16), are borne in the housing (7) by means of water-lubricated slide bearings (1), an electric motor (3) comprising a housing (18) which carries a stator (19) at the inside, which stator surrounds a rotor (21) with a rotor shaft (22). An axle end (13) of one of the rotors (9) is directly coupled to or forms one piece with the rotor shaft (22) of the motor (3), said rotor shaft being located in the prolongation of said axle end. The rotor shaft (22) of the motor (3) is borne in at least one water-lubricated slide bearing (23).

Abstract: The invention concerns an element of a screw compressor injected with water containing two rotors (2-3) in a rotor chamber (4). The water circuit (11) contains a part (10) in which practically prevails the outlet pressure. On the inlet side, the axle journals (13, 16) are radially supported on hydrodynamic slide bearings (18, 19). In the housing (1) opposite to the crosscut ends of the axle journals (13, 16) are formed chambers (20, 21) which are connected to the above-mentioned part (10) or to the inside of the rotor chamber (4). On the outlet side, the axle journals (14, 17) are radially supported on hydrodynamic slide bearings (25, 26) on the one hand, and they are axially supported on hydrostatic slide bearings (27, 28) on the other hand which are connected to the above-mentioned part (10) of the water circuit (11), or on hydrodynamic slide bearings (37, 38).

Abstract: A pogo stick has an upper tubular member with a hand graspable means on an upper end and a foot engageable means on a lower end, and a lower slider member with a top end and a bottom end, the top end being shaped to telescopically engage the lower end of the upper tubular member, and the bottom end having a removable bumper having a co-molded rubber portion. The lower slider member slides between a retracted position and an extended position, and the upper tubular member includes a spring assembly for biasing the lower slider member towards the extended position. The pogo stick includes a spring assembly that includes springs of varying strengths which, in conjunction with a compression assembly that pre-compresses the spring assembly, enables the user to customize the desired spring characteristics. The hand graspable means includes a novel pair of laterally extending hand grips that can be attached to the upper tubular member with a clamping mechanism supported by an inner lip.

Abstract: The invention concerns an element of a screw compressor injected with water containing two rotors (2-3) in a rotor chamber (4). The water circuit (11) contains a part (10) in which practically prevails the outlet pressure. On the inlet side, the axle journals (13, 16) are radially supported on hydrodynamic slide bearings (18, 19). In the housing (1) opposite to the crosscut ends of the axle journals (13, 16) arc formed chambers (20, 21) which are connected to the above-mentioned part (10) or to the inside of the rotor chamber (4). On the outlet side, the axle journals (14, 17) are radially supported on hydrodynamic slide bearings (25, 26) on the one hand, and they are axially supported on hydrostatic slide bearings (27, 28) on the other hand which are connected to the above-mentioned part (10) of the water circuit (11), or on hydrodynamic slide bearings (37, 38).

Abstract: A method and assembly for playing roulette wherein normal bets are placed by players and a roulette wheel having a plurality of pocket numbers is rotated to randomly receive a ball by chance to determine a winning roulette number. The invention is characterized by randomly selecting a plurality of numbers as bonus game numbers, randomly selecting a plurality of numbers as player positions, randomly selecting a bonus odds prize, and awarding the selected player a bonus payout on all winning bets.