Abstract: A sous-vide cooker is disclosed. The sous-vide cooker comprises a cooking chamber, a heating system, and a housing that houses the cooking chamber and the heating system. The cooking chamber comprises a chamber body, a multi-function lid, a passive water circulator and, optionally, a rack for holding food items during the cooking process. The heating system comprises a heating unit, one or more temperature sensors, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, and a control panel. The PID controller is calibrated. The sous-vide cooker maintains a constant water temperature within tolerances.

Abstract: A containment (3;3a;3b;3c) comprises an outer box (2;2a;2b;3c) defining an inner space where a stack of individual pouches (1;1a) is arranged. The individual pouches each have a pocket (10) containing a product, e.g. a thin-film strip (FS), and are designed to be individually removed from the stack. The outer box (2;2a;2b;2c) comprises a closure (26;26a;26b;26c) for preventing/allowing access to the individual pouches (1;1a) and further comprises means (20;20a;20b;20c) for interacting with the pouches (1;1a) in a manner such as to allow access to the pocket (10) upon removing the pouch from the stack. The means (20;20a;20b;20c) for interacting with the pouches are arranged such that upon removing a pouch (1;1a) from the stack the pouch is opened along an essential part of its longitudinal extension and is completely removed from the outer box (2;2a;2b;2c) with no residual part of the pouch (1;1a) remaining in the outer box.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with electrical pulses are disclosed. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment includes an aerodynamic body having a flow surface exposed to an adjacent air stream, and a flow control assembly that includes a first electrode positioned at least proximate to the flow surface and a second electrode positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the first electrode. A dielectric material can be positioned between the first and second electrodes, and a controller can be coupled to at least one of the electrodes, with the controller programmed with instructions to direct air-ionizing pulses to the electrode, and provide a generally steady-state signal to the electrode during intervals between the pulses.

Abstract: Backpacks, book bags and day packs have advantages over conventional luggage in that the user's hands are free from carrying the backpack since the backpack is carried on the back of the user. However, this places the backpack out of line of sight from the user, and thus subjects the user to pickpocket or other thieves accessing goods carried in the backpack. The inventive backpack disclosed herein limits access to the packing compartment of the backpack (2) by continuing the zipper tracks (20, 56) for those compartments (12, 50) and terminating them on the back face (6) of the backpack which is normally contacting the upper back of the user. These zipper tracks terminate in a pouch (22) secured by a releasable closure, such as a hook and loop fastener (29). This pouch is primarily defined by a flap (28) which is covered by or constructed of the same padded textile material that covers the back face of the backpack to provide comfort to the user. Thus, the backpack is not easily opened by sneak thieves.

Abstract: A containment (3;3a;3b;3c) comprises an outer box (2;2a;2b;3c) defining an inner space where a stack of individual pouches (1;1a) is arranged. The individual pouches each have a pocket (10) containing a product, e.g. a thin-film strip (FS), and are designed to be individually removed from the stack. The outer box (2;2a;2b;2c) comprises a closure (26;26a;26b;26c) for preventing/allowing access to the individual pouches (1;1a) and further comprises means (20;20a;20b;20c) for interacting with the pouches (1;1a) in a manner such as to allow access to the pocket (10) upon removing the pouch from the stack. The means (20;20a;20b;20c) for interacting with the pouches are arranged such that upon removing a pouch (1;1a) from the stack the pouch is opened along an essential part of its longitudinal extension and is completely removed from the outer box (2;2a;2b;2c) with no residual part of the pouch (1;1a) remaining in the outer box.

Abstract: A controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink is a variety of hyperlink that is directed to a redirection facility when selected. The hyperlink redirection facility is a redirection facility for directing the controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink in a modified format to a service provider. The controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink may be embellished and encapsulated in a “controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink.” The hyperlink redirection facility makes a determination of which service provider to use to service the request associated with the controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink by examining user preferences, if any. The controlled vocabulary abstract hyperlink is then passed onto a service provider, which translates the request into an appropriate format for a selected service provider that has been identified by the hyperlink redirection facility. The service provider processes the request and returns results to the user.

Abstract: A weak record locking scheme that, while enforcing serialization of record updates, permits a read to extract data from uncommitted updates. Specifically, records are locked in association with a process or thread performing a lock. When the records affected by a transaction are initially locked for reading or updating, they are locked at the process level. When a particular record is to be read or updated as part of a transaction, it is locked at the thread level. A read transaction that will accept uncommitted changes uses a weak lock to lock the record for reading. A weak lock may be made on a record so long as the record is not already locked for updating at the thread level. While a record is weakly locked for reading, it cannot be locked for updating at the thread level. A record may thus be weakly locked even though the record is locked for updating at the process level by the same process. Weak locking thus preserves serialization of updates, while reducing delays caused by locking conflicts.

Abstract: A weak record locking scheme that, while enforcing serialization of record updates, permits a read to extract data from uncommitted updates. Specifically, records are locked in association with a process or thread performing a lock. When the records affected by a transaction are initially locked for reading or updating, they are locked at the process level. When a particular record is to be read or updated as part of a transaction, it is locked at the thread level. A read transaction that will accept uncommitted changes uses a weak lock to lock the record for reading. A weak lock may be made on a record so long as the record is not already locked for updating at the thread level. While a record is weakly locked for reading, it cannot be locked for updating at the thread level. A record may thus be weakly locked even though the record is locked for updating at the process level by the same process. Weak locking thus preserves serialization of updates, while reducing delays caused by locking conflicts.

Abstract: A method, memory system, and computer program product are provided for implementing lock based delayed space recycle control. The memory space recycle method is used with a memory in a computer system. A data element lock is obtained for a data record in a data block. Then an update on the data record is performed. A waiting to be recycled index for the data block is maintained. The waiting to be recycled index includes a record number, an address of the large object block (LOB) and the length of the LOB space. When the last lock on a data element is about to be released the waiting to be recycled areas associated with that data element are freed.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided for implementing highly concurrent record insertion in an ordinal number dependent database. Serialized processing is provided with one concurrent task of multiple concurrent tasks allowed to execute, for allocation of ordinal numbers for record insertion. Concurrent validation processing operations of multiple concurrent tasks are enabled for record insertion in the ordinal number dependent database. A set of counter variables are maintained with the database to enable removal of serialization from the validation phase processing operations for record insertion in the ordinal number dependent database.

Abstract: A digital isolation apparatus for coupling between a telecommunication network and a digital signal processing device. A CODEC is arranged to couple to the telecommunication network, convert a first set of analog signals from the telecommunication network to a first set of digital signals, and convert a second set of digital signals to a second set of analog signals to the telecommunication network. A digital isolation device, arranged to connect between the CODEC and the digital signal processing device, pass the first set of digital signals from the CODEC to the digital signal processing device, and pass the second set of digital signals from the digital signal processing device to the CODEC. A power supply assembly supplies power to the CODEC via the digital isolation device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a multi-layer transformer includes a plurality of layers having a magnetic core area disposed on each of the layers forming a magnetic core of the transformer having a primary winding disposed on at least one of the layers, and a secondary winding disposed on at least one of the layers. A plurality of interconnecting vias connect the primary winding between the layers, and a second plurality of interconnecting vias connect the secondary winding between the layers. The interconnecting vias are disposed proximate a center of the magnetic core of the transformer, thus, reducing the overall volume, size, weight, and cost of a transformer while meeting regulatory isolation safety requirements.

Abstract: Personal leather goods (PLG's) such as wallets, billfolds, pocket calendars have a portion which is required to bend repeatedly. This bending causes cracking and extreme wear which adversely affects the looks of the item and reduces its useful life. Disclosed is a mechanical hinge which attaches to leather-like panels of such PLG's. The hinge includes a set of interleaving knuckles of relatively soft material which form an axial bore along the length of the hinge, the bore receiving a thin pintle made of a relatively stiff but resilient material. The pintle is shorter than the axial length of the bore and is held into the bore by end caps, either separately applied or integrally formed with the hinge leaf. The leaves of the hinge have an overall curving shape having a concave side and convex side to permit the panels to which the hinges attached to remain parallel when materials are received between them.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out tracheostomy tube replacement includes the use of a specially constructed obturator having a central longitudinal opening. The central opening of the obturator allows the obturator to pass over a guide tube which has been left in place after removal of the old tracheostomy tube. The obturator also has an atraumatic rounded tip to make passage of the obturator and replacement tracheostomy tube assembly through the stoma and into the tracheal lumen safer and easier, guided by the emplaced guide tube.

Abstract: A luggage case 11 comprises two shells 12 and 13 hinged together along their back wall 19. The case is fastened by three latches. One latch 26 is key operated and located at the middle of the front wall 18. The other two latches 24 and 25 are located at the front of the end walls of the case and prevent gaping of the case when it is overfilled. The latches 24 and 25 are secured by sliding bolts.

Abstract: Problems arise when a traveler must quickly identify his suitcase from an array of similar suitcases, such as on a checked luggage carousel or traveling belt. Tags and labels bearing ownership information are normally not distinctive enough to help in the split second decision to grab one's own suitcase. For cases with wheels, an identification system includes a label sized to fit within the outer periphery of the circular face of the wheel and an element for attaching the label to the face of the wheel. Preferably, the attaching system includes adhesives labels for attaching to the outer face of a hubcap on the wheel. Alternatively, the hubcap may be made transparent or may have a transparent portion, and includes releasable barbed attachments for holding the hubcap and the identifying indicia positioned between the transparent hubcap and the circular face of the wheel.