Abstract: An environment of sensors and actuators is operated in accordance with predetermined policies, and the effectiveness of individual policies is monitored by comparing inputs from the sensors (550) with intended outcomes from policies controlled by previous inputs from one or more of the same sensors. Each policy includes a check function (554), wherein a sensor, other than the one that triggers the actions, monitors the actions generated by the policy and generates an output (556) indicative of whether a system state is approaching a condition specified by the policy.

Abstract: A coating for a medical device or appliance may include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide. Such coatings may provide a lubricious exterior surface that facilitates insertion or displacement of a medical device in a body lumen. Some coatings that include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide may, among other functions and characteristics, provide increased strength and/or durability relative to some other coatings.

Abstract: An environment of sensors and actuators is operated in accordance with predetermined policies, and the effectiveness of individual policies is monitored by comparing inputs from the sensors (550) with intended outcomes from policies controlled by previous inputs from one or more of the same sensors. Each policy includes a check function (554), wherein a sensor, other than the one that triggers the actions, monitors the actions generated by the policy and generates an output (556) indicative of whether a system state is approaching a condition specified by the policy.

Abstract: A coating for a medical device or appliance may include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide. Such coatings may provide a lubricious exterior surface that facilitates insertion or displacement of a medical device in a body lumen. Some coatings that include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide may, among other functions and characteristics, provide increased strength and/or durability relative to some other coatings.

Abstract: A coating for a medical device or appliance may include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide. Such coatings may provide a lubricious exterior surface that facilitates insertion or displacement of a medical device in a body lumen. Some coatings that include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide may, among other functions and characteristics, provide increased strength and/or durability relative to some other coatings.

Abstract: A lenticular tag display system and a lenticular tag are provided. The tag display system includes a display structure having an axis of rotation and a set of the lenticular tags, removably connected to the display structure. Each tag in the set of lenticular tags has a first lenticular image selected by a name program and a second lenticular image that is a souvenir image. Each tag is oriented relative to the display structure such that an axis of lenticulation of the lenticular tag is parallel to the axis of rotation of the display structure.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a card game is provided. The play may occur in a casino using a standard deck of cards with players making an ante wager, optional second wager, a third wager, and optional bonus event wager. Players are dealt two cards face down (player viewable only), two shared community cards which are dealt face down, and one or more shared community joker value cards. A player first makes an ante wager and then an optional second wager based on the player's impression of the player dealt cards. Then, a first community card is revealed to the player and the player provided an opportunity to make an optional third wager, which is required to continue game play. If a third wager is placed, the dealer reveals the second community card and the player's five card hand and bonus event hand is evaluated for a winning outcome.

Abstract: A coating for a medical device or appliance may include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide. Such coatings may provide a lubricious exterior surface that facilitates insertion or displacement of a medical device in a body lumen. Some coatings that include a fluoropolymer and a polyimide may, among other functions and characteristics, provide increased strength and/or durability relative to some other coatings.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a card game is provided. The play may occur in a casino using a standard deck of cards with players making an ante wager, optional second wager, a third wager, and optional bonus event wager. Players are dealt two cards face down (player viewable only), two shared community cards which are dealt face down, and one or more shared community joker value cards. A player first makes an ante wager and then an optional second wager based on the player's impression of the player dealt cards. Then, a first community card is revealed to the player and the player provided an opportunity to make an optional third wager, which is required to continue game play. If a third wager is placed, the dealer reveals the second community card and the player's five card hand and bonus event hand is evaluated for a winning outcome.

Abstract: A lenticular tag display system and a lenticular tag are provided. The tag display system includes a display structure having an axis of rotation and a set of the lenticular tags, removably connected to the display structure. Each tag in the set of lenticular tags has a first lenticular image selected by a name program and a second lenticular image that is a souvenir image. Each tag is oriented relative to the display structure such that an axis of lenticulation of the lenticular tag is parallel to the axis of rotation of the display structure.

Abstract: A distributed data processing system is disclosed. A problem with distributed data processing systems, especially data centres, is the low level of utilisation of those data centres. This is, in part, owing to data centre providers being concerned not to attract financial penalties levied by their customers in response to the quality of service provided to those customers by the data centre falling below service level agreed in service level agreements. Embodiments are disclosed which tackle this problem by having the data centre control the load placed upon it by carrying out an assessment of the likely impact of performing a requested bundle of jobs on jobs which are already running in the data centre. The decision whether to provide the requested bundle of jobs is then made by weighing-up the expected increase in penalties payable to customers against the revenue expected in return for running the requested bundle of jobs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer system, in particular to a computer system having a plurality of components which can be initialised. There is provided a computer system having a plurality of components that can be initialised, wherein each component is configured to produce status data from which the level of need for that component to be initialised can be inferred. At least one component is configured to: receive status data from other components; make a comparison using the status data received from respective components; in dependence on the comparison, select one or more components for initialisation; and, issue initialisation instructions to the selected component(s). By making a comparison between the status data from different components, the relative need for different components to be initialised can be evaluated, allowing a component with a high need for initialisation to be selected over a component with a lower need.

Abstract: The discovery process comprises the device (10) generating messages (112, 120 126) which together have the purpose of identifying a predetermined number of devices which satisfy a test condition included in each message. These messages are sent respectively to the on-line devices (12, 20, 26) neighbouring device (10). To ensure that no more devices than necessary are identified by the messages, each message includes a variable which is referred to as a token bucket which indicates the number of devices to be discovered by the message. Additionally, each message includes a unique identifier. When a device (12, 20 26) receives a discovery message sent from another device, it determines if it satisfies the test condition and if so it sends an acceptance message to the originating device, decrements the token bucket in the message and forwards on any remaining tokens to another neighbour. The process stops once all tokens have been disposed of in this way.

Abstract: A distributed storage network of computers is disclosed in which a determination as to whether to store a data item at a computer connected to said network is made in dependence on a policy document associated with that data item. The policy document is constructed in accordance with a Document Type Definition expressed in extensible Markup Language (XML). This provides a more flexible method of system managed storage than has hitherto been achieved.

Abstract: A distributed computing network is disclosed, the membership of which is determined in accordance with policy data stored at existing member nodes. A node wishing to join the distributed computing network sends profile data indicating the resources it has available for shared computation to a member node. The member node compares the resources with the requirement indicated in the priority data. If the comparison indicates that the applicant node should join, then data indicating the topology of the distributed computing network is updated at the member node and created at the applicant node. This allows for the creation of a distributed computing network whose topology is well-suited to a given task, provided the policy properly reflects the requirements of that task.

Abstract: Fabrics having improved aesthetic characteristics in addition to good FR characteristics and strength are described, as well as a method for making the fabrics. The fabrics are made by subjecting a fabric containing inherently flame resistant fibers to a fluid treatment process such that a fabric with good comfort and aesthetic characteristics is formed. In one form of the invention, the fabric comprises plied yarns, and the fluid treatment process serves to separate the plies from each other. The fabrics have a soft hand, good protective characteristics, good strength and durability, as well as good wicking and soil release characteristics.

Abstract: A computer network is managed by policies. This allows selections to be made from a range of control options and optionally to be based on locally available system information. Policy-based management is distributed across the system and is handled locally by management agents (70) allowing control of a sub-network (72). As a result a distributed policy-based management system is provided which allows additional flexibility of control.

Abstract: The present invention is a flush valve adapter that will provide a dual flush. This is installed within a new or existing flush tank. The discharge opening is in communication with the flush tank outlet and the inlet opening of the toilet bowl. Separate operator handles are provided for the flush valve adapter so that the appropriate flush handle can be selectively used to dispose of waste material. The present invention can be used in two circumstances: 1. As shown in FIG. 2 used in conjunction with the existing flush valve. 2. Use with new tank construction and eliminate FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 by adding a second handle hole in the tank wall. Standard commercial handles and levers can be used.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual flush valve within a flush tank. Each valve 1 and 2 work independently of the other with the discharge openings in communication with the flush tank outlet and the inlet opening of the toilet bowl. Separate operator handles are provided for the flush valve 1 which also includes valve 2 for the full and partial sides of the valve so that the appropriate flush valve can be selectively opened to dispose of waste material. The present invention can be used in three different circumstances. As shown in FIG. 2 to replace existing flush valve. As shown in FIG. 3 used in conjunction with the existing flush valve. Use with new tank construction and eliminate FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 by adding a second handle hole in the tank wall. Standard commercial handles and levers can then be used.

Abstract: A filter structure includes a central perforated cylinder surrounded by flexible separable filter units of self-standing porous material through which water is drawn by a pump connected to a cylinder for filtering algae and the like from the water. The central cylinder is apertured at the junction of separate filter units so that water may be drawn through the structure even though the filter units become clogged with filtered material.