Abstract: Detecting malware by linking Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Scheduled Task Service (STS) activities to a source program. Using send Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC) messages and receive ALPC messages, source programs that initiate the creation of temporary files and perform defined operations may be identified. If the source programs responsible for the temporary files and defined operations are determined to be malware programs, a security action may be performed on the source programs.

Abstract: A method for facilitating utilization of processing resources of a plurality of user electronic devices for mining of cryptocurrency. A user application on each user device includes code for a cryptocurrency mining module and code for functionality different from cryptocurrency mining. Various mining activity data indicative of an extent to which each of the plurality of user electronic devices is utilized by a cryptocurrency mining pool to perform cryptocurrency mining operations is received. The method further includes receiving, from at least one of the cryptocurrency mining pool and a cryptocurrency server separate from the cryptocurrency mining pool, an aggregate amount of cryptocurrency. The aggregate amount cryptocurrency may be exchanged, by communicating with a cryptocurrency exchange server, for an aggregate amount of currency other than cryptocurrency.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a computing device includes detecting one or more wireless devices configured as wireless access points. A handshake operation involving the computing device and a key device may then be performed. The method further includes receiving, at the computing device and during a calibration phase, wireless signals transmitted by the key device wherein during the calibration phase the computing device determines an approximate signal strength corresponding to a desired distance between the computing device and the key device. Subsequent to the calibration phase, other wireless signals transmitted by the key device are received at the computing device. The method further includes detecting, based upon a received signal strength of the other wireless signals, that the computing device and the key device are separated by at least the desired distance and, in response, electronically locking or otherwise inhibiting user access to the computing device.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a computing device which involves detecting, at a key device, one or more wireless devices configured as wireless access points. A handshake operation involving the key device and the computing device is performed wherein the computing device is included among the one or more wireless devices. Wireless signals transmitted by the computing device are received, during a calibration phase, at the key device. During the calibration phase the key device determines an approximate signal strength corresponding to a desired distance between the key device and the computing device. Based upon a received signal strength of other wireless signals transmitted by the computing device, it may be detected that the key device and the computing device are separated by at least the desired distance. If so, the computing device may be electronically locked or user access to it otherwise inhibited.

Abstract: A method for facilitating utilization of processing resources of a plurality of user electronic devices for mining of cryptocurrency. A user application on each user device includes code for a cryptocurrency mining module and code for functionality different from cryptocurrency mining. Various mining activity data indicative of an extent to which each of the plurality of user electronic devices is utilized by a cryptocurrency mining pool to perform cryptocurrency mining operations is received. The method further includes receiving, from at least one of the cryptocurrency mining pool and a cryptocurrency server separate from the cryptocurrency mining pool, an aggregate amount of cryptocurrency. The aggregate amount cryptocurrency may be exchanged, by communicating with a cryptocurrency exchange server, for an aggregate amount of currency other than cryptocurrency.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for estimating a time associated with shifting a first workload from a first compute environment to a second compute environment, separate from the first compute environment, estimating a likelihood of success associated with a likelihood that the first workload could successfully be shifted to the second compute environment, dividing or using the likelihood of success by the time to yield or produce a risk-adjusted shift time and, when a comparison of the shift time is longer than a maximum acceptable wait time, proceeding with a first operation associated with how to preempt the first workload by the second workload.

Abstract: A design for a RBC (rotary biological contactor), wherein there is provided a plurality of support members enveloped in a chamber, configured so as to support microorganisms or cells. Specifically, the support members are corrugated sheet media which include drain holes formed therein. The corrugated sheet media are supported within a rotating infusion unit which is positioned so as to rotate within an outer jacket. The RBC also includes a system to vary the nutrient environment of said microorganisms or cells, including means to vary the temperature and/or atmosphere within the jacket and infusion unit.

Abstract: In a digital computing system such as the Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX computer system which uses the VMS operating system in which terminal devices are connected to the system through terminal dependent device drivers coupled to terminal independent device drivers so that the operating system of the computer system need not be modified each time a terminal device is added or subtracted, a system and method is provided for effectively paralleling an auxiliary terminal with a selected terminal of the system so that the selected terminal can be monitored for instruction, security, audit, or other purposes, by creating a user controlling driver and a user controlling device coupled thereto, and coupling the user controlling driver and user controlling device combination between the terminal independent device driver and the terminal dependent device driver associated with the terminal device to be paralleled so that the output of the terminal independent device driver intended for the terminal dependent d

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting converting microorganism cells immobilized on the support discs of a rotary biological contactor. A plurality of cell scraper units are located between the discs and are rotated with the discs while the microorganism cells are growing and performing their converting function. The rotation of the scraper units is then stopped while the discs continue to rotate slowly and the stationary scraper units under controlled pressure scrape the cells off the rotating discs.

Abstract: A method for treating waste fluids to remove selected chemicals such as minerals and metals wherein a bacterial culture that will attach to a selected chemical is transferred to a nutrient medium for a time period sufficient to produce satisfactory bacterial cell growth. The bacterial cells are then attached to a porous fiber webbing supported in a suitable container and the nutrient medium is then withdrawn from the container and waste fluid introduced into the container for a period of time sufficient to attach the chemical to the bacterial cells. The waste fluid is then removed from the container and the chemical separated from the fiber webbing.

Abstract: A photochemical reactor is divided into a first section suitable for containing a volume of fluid to be reacted and a second section having at least one light transmitting wall. A porous, high area, fiber webbing is mounted within the reactor so that at least a portion of the webbing is immersed in the fluid. The webbing is moved within the reactor so that the webbing is sequentially immersed in the fluid contained in the first reactor section and then moved to the second reactor section whereat the fluid attached to the webbing is exposed to light transmitted through the light transmitting wall.

Abstract: A catalytic heat exchanger useful for carrying out a catalytic reaction wherein a gaseous or vaporized mixture is flowed into contact with a catalytic material reactive with such mixture. The heat exchanger includes a reaction zone divided by a plurality of baffle plates into regions of progressive increasing or decreasing volume. The baffle plates form a tortuous flow path for the gaseous or vaporized mixture that provides intermittent contact with a bundle of heat exchange tubes and the catalytic material. The intermittent contact in turn provides a uniform reaction temperature which promotes reaction specificity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution, a substrate comprising a multiplicity of fibers suitable for supporting a selected converting organism supported within the container and means for moving one of the substrate and the nutrient solution relative to the other at a speed slightly below that at which the organism becomes detached from the substrate while maintaining sufficient contact time between the nutrient solution and the converting organism to produce a satisfactory yield.

Abstract: An electric heat storage apparatus comprises an electric heating element, a ceramic heat storage pipe, an air passageway in communication with the pipe, and a thermostatically controlled air circulation means. The ceramic pipe has a scalloped-shaped outer surface providing a plurality of crests and troughs and a series of parallel grooves cut in at least some of the crests. The heating element is located in the grooves in contact with the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe is provided with a plurality of internal ribs of at least two different lengths. The pipe is supported on a ceramic cradle and a ceramic sponge or metal turnings are inserted into the pipe between the ribs to increase the heat transfer area.

Abstract: A horizontal fermenter which allows the uninhibited growth of an organism is disclosed. The fermenter is particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose, and comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution. A fiber or wood substrate is included for supporting a selected organism such as Zymomonas. Also included is means for physically detaching or dislodging the organisms from the substrate.

Abstract: Individual high area contactors suitable for filling a rotary biological contactor and for packing a fluid column or tower are disclosed. According to this invention each of the individual contactors include a tough abrasive-resistant outer member such as perforated substantially spherical members, or cylindrical shaped outer members such as Raschig rings. This tough outer member encloses or protects a more fragile high-area internal member or reaction support member. In a preferred embodiment such as for high temperature uses or uses where the contactor would be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, the outer member is preferably made of abrasive resistant ceramic and the high-area internal member is a ceramic sponge. In certain embodiments, the outer member can be made with a rather thin shell and still maintain its strength by the use of internal ceramic sponge shaped to provide support to the outer shell.

Abstract: A ceramic sponge made from plastic is described. Because of the ease of cutting the plastic in various shapes before converting to ceramic several unique applications are possible. In case of a column packing better contact between liquid and gas is made. For an auto catalytic converter better contact between gas and catalyst is realized. By cutting in other ways a filter to remove solids is made, permitting longer use before clogging, also a scrubber to remove particulates. A rotary ceramic filter is described; it is also a composite of fibers and ceramic which retains small particulates without excessive pressure drop upon passage of fluid through the filter. An acid resistant collector plate for an electrostatic precipitation is described.

Abstract: A heat-exchanger composed of a body of ceramic sponge defining randomly located interconnected walls bounding a plurality of randomly located interconnected cavities and a plurality of elongate heat-conductive members embedded in the body and having a surface in heat-exchanging relation with the body and an end zone at the surface of the body and another opposite end zone which is located depthwise in the body, so that, heat may be conducted between the interior of the body and the surface of the body along the heat-conductive members. The heat-conductive members may be of suitable material, such as silicon carbide or metallic glass. In another case a silicon carbide rod is attached to a ceramic plate so as to conduct heat directly from one side of the plate to the other. A method of increasing the efficiency of a tube heat exchanger with sponge baffles is described. A method of resistance heating of an auto catalytic converter is detailed.

Abstract: A novel supported catalyst is described. The catalyst contains (a) a ceramic sponge support having internal surfaces comprised of the walls of cavities randomly dispersed throughout the sponge support and the walls of intersticial passageways connecting said cavities; (b) a first layer of either nickel, copper or cobalt substantially uniformly deposited on and adherent to all internal surfaces of the ceramic sponge support; (c) a second layer comprising a lattice network of either nickel, copper or cobalt adherent to and on the surface of said first layer; and (d) a sufficient quantity of either aluminum, magnesium or zinc intermittently dispersed throughout the second layer to retain the integral structure of said lattice network. The catalyst exhibits increased efficiency over prior art catalysts when used in similar capacities.