Abstract: A waste storage device (200) is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid (206). The device (200) further comprises a dispenser (208) for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device (200) and an actuator (212) arranged to activate the dispenser (208).

Abstract: A pallet and product protector for a lift truck. The pallet and product protector can include an impact portion and a mounting portion coupled to the impact portion. The impact portion can include a central impact plate having a pair of ends and a side impact plate disposed at each of the pair of ends of the central impact plate. The side impact plate can be coupled to the central impact plate in slidable relation thereto.

Abstract: Storage optimization selection for virtual disks of a virtualization environment, where the storage optimization can be selected based in part on the disk type of a virtual disk included in a virtual machine. The disk type of the virtual disk can be discovered by the virtualization environment which queries a database within the virtualization environment for metadata associated with the virtual disk. The metadata can be created when a virtual desktop infrastructure creates the virtual disk, and a virtual machine template that includes the at least one virtual disk. The virtual disk can be modified to either include or be associated with the metadata that describes a disk type of the virtual disk. Upon executing the virtual machine that includes the modified virtual disk, a storage subsystem of the virtualization environment can obtain the metadata of the virtual disk to discover the disk type of the virtual disk.

Abstract: Storage optimization selection for virtual disks of a virtualization environment, where the storage optimization can be selected based in part on the disk type of a virtual disk included in a virtual machine. The disk type of the virtual disk can be discovered by the virtualization environment which queries a database within the virtualization environment for metadata associated with the virtual disk. The metadata can be created when a virtual desktop infrastructure creates the virtual disk, and a virtual machine template that includes the at least one virtual disk. The virtual disk can be modified to either include or be associated with the metadata that describes a disk type of the virtual disk. Upon executing the virtual machine that includes the modified virtual disk, a storage subsystem of the virtualization environment can obtain the metadata of the virtual disk to discover the disk type of the virtual disk.

Abstract: A pneumatic-internal combustion (IC) engine based power management system with improved energy efficiency for automobile application. More particularly, the pneumatic IC engine based power management system comprises a compressor, a pressure vessel, a pneumatic motor and related control mechanisms to provide energy on demand and reduce environmental pollution. The compressor is driven by the IC engine during low power demand by the vehicle. The lightweight pressure vessel wrapped with high strength metal wire and/or fibers provide impact resistance adequate to store compressed air at rated pressure. For low/no load condition of engine or compressor, the IC engine will shut off rather than idling to save fuel. The stored compressed air drives the air motor that powers the vehicle's initial motion and then starts the IC engine to provide continuous power. A controller monitors the power demand and actuates different system components accordingly through sensors.

Abstract: The performance monitoring system allocates virtual machines to users or user sessions according to a user categorization that is determine using user session information and virtual machine metrics. A session monitor of the performance monitoring system is notified that a user session terminated, where the user session accessed a virtual machine. The session monitor responsively records the user session information and obtains virtual machine metrics for the virtual machine from a virtual machine performance monitor. The performance monitoring system updates a user workload profile using the user session information and the virtual machine metrics, and categorizes the user of the user session according to the user workload profile. Upon receiving a request from a user for a virtual machine, a virtual desktop infrastructure requests a virtual machine from a virtual machine manager. The virtual machine manager responsively allocates a virtual machine to the user according to the user's categorization.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication interface, an input/output interface, a processor, and logic to collect, in the electronic apparatus, a first identifier associated with a first communication device and second identifier associated with a second communication device, logic to establish a communication connection between the electronic apparatus and the first communication device, and logic to initiate, in the electronic apparatus, a connection request for a communication connection between the first communication device and the second communication device. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: Storage optimization selection for virtual disks of a virtualization environment, where the storage optimization can be selected based in part on the disk type of a virtual disk included in a virtual machine. The disk type of the virtual disk can be discovered by the virtualization environment which queries a database within the virtualization environment for metadata associated with the virtual disk. The metadata can be created when a virtual desktop infrastructure creates the virtual disk, and a virtual machine template that includes the at least one virtual disk. The virtual disk can be modified to either include or be associated with the metadata that describes a disk type of the virtual disk. Upon executing the virtual machine that includes the modified virtual disk, a storage subsystem of the virtualization environment can obtain the metadata of the virtual disk to discover the disk type of the virtual disk.

Abstract: A networking policy implementation for a multi-virtual machine appliance that includes a method for selecting a network implementation by applying a network policy to existing network configurations within a virtualization environment of a computing device. A control program that executes within the virtualization environment, receives an event notification generated by a virtual machine in response to a lifecycle event. The control program, in response to receiving the notification, invokes a policy engine that applies a network policy to existing network configurations of the virtualization environment. This network policy can correspond to the virtual machine or to a network object connected to virtual interface objects of the virtual machine. The policy engine then identifies an existing network configuration that has attributes which satisfy the network policy, and selects a network implementation that satisfies the network policy and the network configuration.

Abstract: A pneumatic-internal combustion (IC) engine based power management system with improved energy efficiency for automobile application. More particularly, the pneumatic IC engine based power management system comprises a compressor, a pressure vessel, a pneumatic motor and related control mechanisms to provide energy on demand and reduce environmental pollution. The compressor is driven by the IC engine during low power demand by the vehicle. The lightweight pressure vessel wrapped with high strength metal wire and/or fibers provide impact resistance adequate to store compressed air at rated pressure. For low/no load condition of engine or compressor, the IC engine will shut off rather than idling to save fuel. The stored compressed air drives the air motor that powers the vehicle's initial motion and then starts the IC engine to provide continuous power. A controller monitors the power demand and actuates different system components accordingly through sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for treating a bacterial biofilm, comprising a first bacteriophage that is capable of infecting a bacterium within said biofilm, and a first polysaccharide lyase enzyme that is capable of degrading a polysaccharide within said biofilm. The composition preferably further comprises a pharmaceutically-acceptable antimicrobial agent, and may also include a DNase. Also provided are modified bacteriophages, methods of creating modified bacteriophages, use of said compositions and bacteriophage for treating biofilms, and methods for treating biofilms using the bacteriophages and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication interface, an input/output interface, a processor, and logic to collect, in the electronic apparatus, a first identifier associated with a first communication device and second identifier associated with a second communication device, logic to establish a communication connection between the electronic apparatus and the first communication device, and logic to initiate, in the electronic apparatus, a connection request for a communication connection between the first communication device and the second communication device. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for treating a bacterial biofilm, comprising a first bacteriophage that is capable of infecting a bacterium within said biofilm, and a first polysaccharide lyase enzyme that is capable of degrading a polysaccharide within said biofilm. The composition preferably further comprises a pharmaceutically-acceptable antimicrobial agent, and may also include a DNase. Also provided are modified bacteriophages, methods of creating modified bacteriophages, use of said compositions and bacteriophage for treating biofilms, and methods for treating biofilms using the bacteriophages and compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A method for reducing the magnetic field level in the vicinity of two or more connected reactors wherein each reactor is a magnetic dipole and wound so that currents flow in opposite directions and resulting in magnetic fluxes opposing each other.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a fire risk assessment system comprises a data storage unit, a customer interface, a location unit, and a protection status unit. The data storage contains fire station information. The customer interface accepts address data and outputs fire station, address and protection status information. The location unit calculates locations of addresses, calculates driving distances from fire stations and determines whether that location is within a municipality. A protection status unit assigns a protection status to the address based on fire station distance and municipality status information.

Abstract: A rotating inner member is used to drive a downhole tool housed within the hollow outer member of a dual-member drill string. The downhole tool preferably will be adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, the downhole tool is an electric generator connected to a downhole electric device. In another preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a mechanical transmission that uses the rotational energy from the inner member to drive a non-electric tool, such as a downhole hammer. This invention will increase the consistency and efficiency of downhole energy production.

Abstract: A method for reducing the magnetic field level in the vicinity of two or more connected reactors wherein each reactor is a magnetic dipole and wound so that currents flow in opposite directions and resulting in magnetic fluxes opposing each other.

Abstract: A method for improving the bit error rate of a modulated optical signal transmitted over single mode fiber is provided. The modulating voltage supplied to a single arm or alternatively to both arms of a Mach-Zehnder modulator is increased to result in a reduced extinction ratio of the modulated optical signal. This results in an optimum optical signal with a reduced bit error rate at a receiver coupled to the Mach-Zehnder modulator.