Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting polynucleotides in a sample and for quantifying polynucleotide load in a sample. The polynucleotides can be associated with a disease, disorder, or condition. In some applications, methylated DNA is quantified, e.g., in order to determine the load of polynucleotides in a sample. The present disclosure also provides methods and compositions for determining the load of fetal polynucleotides in a biological sample, e.g., the load of fetal polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA) in maternal plasma. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting cellular processes such as cellular viability, growth rates, and infection rates. This disclosure also provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g.

Abstract: A pack for tobacco industry products such as menthol cigarettes, comprises a housing (1) defining an enclosure containing tobacco industry products (4) and a pad (34) disposed in or on the pack, impregnated with the substance for altering characteristics of the tobacco industry products, such as a menthol flavorant, and a removable strip (32), attached to the pad so that when removed, the substance is released into the pack from the carrier to be adsorbed by the cigarettes. Thus, menthol can be released from the pad into the pack after opening by the consumer, by removal of the strip to boost the level of menthol flavorant in the cigarettes.

Abstract: A pack for tobacco industry products such as menthol cigarettes, comprises a housing (1) defining an enclosure containing tobacco industry products (4) and a pad (34) disposed in or on the pack, impregnated with the substance for altering characteristics of the tobacco industry products, such as a menthol flavourant, and a removable strip (32), attached to the pad so that when removed, the substance is released into the pack from the carrier to be adsorbed by the cigarettes. Thus, menthol can be released from the pad into the pack after opening by the consumer, by removal of the strip to boost the level of menthol flavourant in the cigarettes.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprises one or more packing machines (MC1, MC2, MC3) which are operable to join together at least two assembled packs (P1, P2). A strap applicator (MC4) applies a strap system (S) to one face of all but one of the assembled packs (P1, P2). Conveying means (TC) guide the assembled packs (P5 P1, P2) such that the face of each assembled pack (P1, P2) having the strap attached thereto abuts a face of another of the assembled packs such that the strap (S) is sandwiched between the abutting faces. Fixing means, which fix the strap (S) about adjacent packs such that the packs (P1, P2) are joined together and are movable relative to each other by rotation about one or more edges.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus comprises one or more packing machines (MC1, MC2, MC3) which are operable to join together at least two assembled packs (P1, P2). A strap applicator (MC4) applies a strap system (S) to one face of all but one of the assembled packs (P1, P2). Conveying means (TC) guide the assembled packs (P5 P1, P2) such that the face of each assembled pack (P1, P2) having the strap attached thereto abuts a face of another of the assembled packs such that the strap (S) is sandwiched between the abutting faces. Fixing means, which fix the strap (S) about adjacent packs such that the packs (P1, P2) are joined together and are movable relative to each other by rotation about one or more edges.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a pump includes a recess in its surface adjacent the high pressure side of the pump. The recess acts as a trap to capture and retain debris particles in the working fluid. By capturing and retaining the debris particles in the recess, jamming of the pressure relief valve in an open position can be avoided. Preferably, the upper edge of the recess includes a chamfered edge which enhances the likelihood of the debris particles entering the recess. Also preferably, the recess can be magnetized, or a magnetic member can be inserted into the recess, to enhance the capture and retention of magnetic debris particles in the recess.

Abstract: High level commands for a disk drive are processed by a task manager program that parses them into low level subcommands (e.g., SCSI commands). The low level subcommands are. then presented to the command execution means of the disk drive for execution. The parsing or sub tasking of a high level command into a number of low level commands permits the efficient handling of subcommands that must be deferred until other subcommands are executed and of third party XOR operations.

Abstract: A disk drive that is enabled by information contained in a mode page and in a command to access data blocks of either a small size (e.g., 512 bytes) or of a large size (e.g., 4,096 bytes). This allows legacy application software written for 512 byte sized blocks to run without change. By turning on the 4,096 byte sized block flag in the command, new software written to obtain improved performance benefits may also be used with the disk drive. The dual block capability is implemented in software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for serializing access to disk arrays shareable among a plurality of RAID control units at a substantial reduction in intercontrol unit communication by (a) defining a lock function over the parity image blocks at each of the disk drives of a shared disk array; and (b) executing a path expression at each accessing control unit, the path expression includes requesting a lock from the drive on the parity image and enforcing a busy-wait until a lock is granted, executing the RAID function, and then releasing the lock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the function of deep joint stabilizing muscles. Superficial muscles are monitored using an EMG (3) during performance of an activity known to require recruitment, primarily, of deep stabilizing muscles when performed correctly. If the deep muscle functions adequately, there is little activity of the superficial muscles. Conversely, if the deep muscle function is inadequate, the superficial muscle activity is increased. Monitoring of the superficial muscles may be combined with monitoring of the deep joint stabilizing muscle using ultrasound imaging (12) and/or pressure biofeedback. The apparatus includes an EMG unit (3) ultrasound unit, pressure biofeedback unit (16) and vitalograph (9), in combination with a computer (5) programmed to analyze data from them and given an indication of function.

Abstract: A data processing system having multiple independent paths for communication between a host and a plurality of storage devices where each path has its own queue for servicing requests generated by the host for accessing the storage devices. Each request is assigned a unique sequential ID before it is stored, along with its unique ID, in all the queues. Each storage device has a "mailbox" register where the ID and the status of the latest request being carried out is stored. Queues are serviced and their status updated based on the content of the mailbox in each storage device. The combination of assigning a unique task ID to each request and a "mailbox" register in each storage device allows the queue in each path to be completely out of sync with each of the queues in the other paths without causing data integrity problems, duplication of requests at the device level, or a need for complex locking schemes to keep the queues in sync with each other.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating command for updating and reconstructing data in an array of storage devices connected to a computer system when multiple initiators issue commands. Sets of data blocks and corresponding parity blocks are arranged on a plurality of storage devices, such that a data block can be reconstructed using a set of data blocks and at least one parity block. When a new data block is written to the disk drive, a corresponding old parity block is write updated with an updated parity block. When reconstructing an unavailable data block an initiator issues a read command to each storage device having a data block or a parity block used for reconstructing the unavailable data block. Each read command is enqueued on a command queue for each storage device in a priority order coordinating each read command with any write update command for the same block so that a new data block and an old parity block are not read as part of the same parity stripe and vice versa.

Abstract: A data processing system incorporating the invention hereof, includes a host processor or server, connected to an array of disk drives which are further interconnected via a network. Each disk drive is logically divided into plural logical memory segments and, in the preferred embodiment, corresponding logical memory segments in each disk drive are arranged as a parity set in a RAID fashion. The host processor includes a driver which generates read and write commands to the array of disk drives. The commands include addresses which are in accord with ranges of addresses assigned to logical memory segments in each disk drive. Each disk drive stores an array configuration page which includes data that identifies a logical memory segment size; a first identifier for the disk drive that incorporates the respective memory segment; and a second identifier for the last disk drive which stores parity for the parity set including the logical memory segment.