Abstract: A method and system for detecting congestion in a network of nodes, abating the network congestion, and identifying the cause of the network congestion is provided. A congestion detection system may comprise a detection system, an abatement system, and a causation system. The detection system monitors the performance of network components such as the network interface controllers and tiles of routers to determine whether the network is congested such that a delay in delivering packets becomes unacceptable. Upon detecting that the network is congested, an abatement system abates the congestion by limiting the rate at which packets are injected into the network from the nodes. Upon detecting that the network is congested, a causation system may identify the job that is executing on a node that is the cause of the network congestion.

Abstract: A contact center control loop system including a traffic generator module configured to produce simulated contact center traffic patterns, an aggregated historical data module configured to store and provide historical contact center data, and a contact center emulator configured to receive, as input, data representing the operational status of the contact center, the simulated traffic patterns from the traffic generator, and the historical data from the aggregated historical data module and to generate forecasts of contact center behavior based on such input.

Abstract: This invention provides an information system about medicine and biology. The system organizes information about these subjects into a variety of classes and allows navigation through the information by displays that include links to related information. The links, when selected, provide links to other related information, allowing quick access to related information. In certain instances the information is displayed in a graphical representation. Selection of an icon representing an item in the graphical representation produces expert-curated information about the item, or links to it, and expert-curated information related to the item, for example, links to related information.

Abstract: A method of allocating a location-related order to one of a number of mobile agents, such as taxicabs, delivery or repair vehicles. The method involves the following steps: a) holding current order details which identify at least the location and time at which each agent is expected to become free to fulfill new orders; b) keeping a listing of locations, where each location in the listing is prioritised for an agent according to the availability of the agent to reach that location after the agent becomes free; c) receiving a new order and recording the location and time at which this order is to be fulfilled; d) deciding, based on the prioritised listing of locations, which agent(s) are most suitable to take the new order; and e) allocating the new order to the identified agent(s).

Abstract: A programmable device for which an application is to be installed analyzes permissions requested by the application and other application information to assist the user in deciding whether to allow installation of the application. The analysis may either block or allow the installation, or may provide a calculated risk level to the user and request a decision. Application information, such as a category of application, typical permissions requested by similar applications, and trustworthiness of the application source, in addition to whitelists and blacklists may be employed as part of the analysis and evaluation of the permissions. As a result, the user need not be burdened with overly technical information and may make a better informed decision on installation.

Abstract: A fiber-optic connector for connecting an optical fiber to other optical assemblies is disclosed. The fiber-optic connector includes a top plate having a window of similar refractive index and transmission index as the material of an optic fiber to be contained within the fiber-optic connector. The fiber-optic connector also includes a ferrule connected to the top plate via multiple spring-loaded screws. The ferrule includes an interface and an insert. The insert is capable of firmly gripping an optical fiber. In order to reduce Fresnel reflection losses of the fiber-optic connector, the window is pre-coated with an anti-reflective surface on the side opposite an optic fiber to be contained within the fiber-optic connector.

Abstract: A flexible tie including a head having a first cross-sectional geometry and a tail extending from the head in a longitudinal direction and having a second cross-sectional geometry different from the first cross-sectional geometry. The tie includes a lock disposed on the head and including a passage configured to receive the tail and a plurality of barbs disposed on the tail and configured to pass through the passage in the lock in a first direction, and configured to be restricted from retreating through the passage in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The tie also includes a tail break-point disposed on the tail and including a first cross-sectional area, as viewed along the longitudinal direction, smaller than any other cross-sectional area of the tail as viewed along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the tie includes a visual indicator in the head.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration device for storing food within an electric field. The refrigeration device includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment vertically below an elevation of the fresh food compartment. A storage compartment in which a desired temperature for storing food is selectable by a user independently of a target temperature of at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A refrigeration system provides a cooling effect to the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the storage compartment, and a conductor is arranged within close physical proximity to a bottom surface of the storage compartment. A control system controls delivery of an alternating electric signal to the conductor for generating an electric field that extends into the storage compartment, wherein the alternating electric signal comprises a frequency less than 1 kHz and a voltage greater than or equal to 1 kV.

Abstract: This invention provides an information system about medicine and biology. The system organizes information about these subjects into a variety of classes and allows navigation through the information by displays that include links to related information. The links, when selected, provide links to other related information, allowing quick access to related information. In certain instances the information is displayed in a graphical representation. Selection of an icon representing an item in the graphical representation produces expert-curated information about the item, or links to it, and expert-curated information related to the item, for example, links to related information.

Abstract: A fiber-optic connector for connecting an optical fiber to other optical assemblies is disclosed. The fiber-optic connector includes a top plate having a window of similar refractive index and transmission index as the material of an optic fiber to be contained within the fiber-optic connector. The fiber-optic connector also includes a ferrule connected to the top plate via multiple spring-loaded screws. The ferrule includes an interface and an insert. The insert is capable of firmly gripping an optical fiber. In order to reduce Fresnel reflection losses of the fiber-optic connector, the window is pre-coated with an anti-reflective surface on the side opposite an optic fiber to be contained within the fiber-optic connector.

Abstract: A flexible tie including a head having a first cross-sectional geometry and a tail extending from the head in a longitudinal direction and having a second cross-sectional geometry different from the first cross-sectional geometry. The tie includes a lock disposed on the head and including a passage configured to receive the tail and a plurality of barbs disposed on the tail and configured to pass through the passage in the lock in a first direction, and configured to be restricted from retreating through the passage in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The tie also includes a tail break-point disposed on the tail and including a first cross-sectional area, as viewed along the longitudinal direction, smaller than any other cross-sectional area of the tail as viewed along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the tie includes a visual indicator in the head.

Abstract: The outdoor pet waste disposal system comprises a receptacle for collecting the waste and a volume of flushing fluid, a flushing valve member, a one-way valve member to prevent cross contamination, a trap, and a plumbing stub whereby the waste and flushing fluid is flushed in a siphon-type action into a sewer line. The method of disposing of pet waste comprises the steps of providing an outdoor pet waste disposal apparatus comprising a receptacle, an inlet conduit coupled to the receptacle, a one-way valve, a volume of flushing fluid, a flushing valve, an outlet conduit having a hydrostatic seal, said outlet conduit being coupled to the receptacle and a sewer; placing a volume of pet waste into said receptacle; filling the receptacle with flushing fluid; opening the flushing valve to allow the pet waste to exit the receptacle through the outlet conduit into the sewer.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing carcasses of gallinaceous animals, including a conveyor line 3 from which, in operation, carcasses are suspended by their legs, a heating cabinet 1 through which the carcasses are transported on the conveyor line 3, the heating cabinet 1 including hot air means 10, 11, 15 to project a flow of hot air onto the carcasses to warm the outer surface on the carcasses to thereby loosen the feather.

Abstract: This invention provides an information system about medicine and biology. The system organizes information about these subjects into a variety of classes and allows navigation through the information by displays that include links to related information. The links, when selected, provide links to other related information, allowing quick access to related information. In certain instances the information is displayed in a graphical representation. Selection of an icon representing an item in the graphical representation produces expert-curated information about the item, or links to it, and expert-curated information related to the item, for example, links to related information.

Abstract: A communications session directed at a group of contact centers is held outside the contact centers at an IVR server, while the requirements of the session are determined. A request is formulated specifying the requirements, and this request is sent to a web services provider agent exposed by the group of contact centers. The request is forwarded to the contact centers which collectively respond with an identification of an address associated with a specific endpoint to which the communications session should be sent in order that it will receive the specified handling. The IVR server holding the call can thereby direct the session to a suitable endpoint without having any need to remain aware of the state of the contact centers or the agents within those centers.

Abstract: Mammalian prolactin (PRL) variants having a mutation or set of mutations within the 14 N-terminal amino acids that prevent the formation of a disulfide bridge between Cys4 and Cys11 and, a sterically hindering mutation or set of mutations within binding site 2 of PRL. These variants are useful as antagonists of mammalian prolactin receptors (PRLR), more particularly of human prolactin receptor (hPRLR).

Abstract: Load balancing between agents in a network skillset has become a particular problem. Not only is there a need to ensure efficient use of agent resources in the network skillset but increasingly labor law and union requirements mean that work must be shared between agents in an equitable manner. A source contact node in a network of contact centers requests nodal longest idle agent information from the other contact centers in the network. Using this information a network longest idle agent is identified and the incoming contact routed to that agent. A reservation system is used in combination with the longest idle agent information in order to prevent dropped contacts and to ensure equal sharing of work between agents in a network skillset. Contact center servers are linked over a separate network, isolated from a network linking the contact center switches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer program product, method and data processing apparatus for reviewing files for potential malware. The computer program product comprises logging code operable to maintain a statistical log having an entry for each file sent for review, each entry being arranged to store a count value indicating the number of times that the file has been sent for review and a value of one or more predetermined attributes relating to the file. Weighting table code is also used to maintain a weighting table identifying, for each value of said one or more predetermined attributes, a weighting indicating the likelihood that a file having that value of the one or more predetermined attributes will be malware.

Abstract: A communications session directed at a group of contact centers is held outside the contact centers at an IVR server, while the requirements of the session are determined. A request is formulated specifying the requirements, and this request is sent to a web services provider agent exposed by the group of contact centers. The request is forwarded to the contact centers which collectively respond with an identification of an address associated with a specific endpoint to which the communications session should be sent in order that it will receive the specified handling. The IVR server holding the call can thereby direct the session to a suitable endpoint without having any need to remain aware of the state of the contact centers or the agents within those centers.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing carcasses of gallinaceous animals, including a conveyor line 3 from which, in operation, carcasses are suspended by their legs, a heating cabinet 1 through which the carcasses are transported on the conveyor line 3, the heating cabinet 1 including hot air means 10, 11, 15 to project a flow of hot air onto the carcasses to warm the outer surface on the carcasses to thereby loosen the feather.