Abstract: A removable data storage device that intelligently operates as one large data storage region or as multiple, smaller data storage regions is disclosed. The removable data storage device can be used in not only modern electronic products (using 32-bit addressing) but also legacy products (using 16-bit addressing). A host device can couple to the removable storage device to access data stored in/to the removable storage device. As an example, the removable data storage device can be a memory card.

Abstract: The present invention presents a non-volatile memory and method for its operation that ensures reliable mechanism for write and erase abort detection in the event of lost of power during non-volatile memory programming and erasing with minimized system performance penalty. During a multi-sector write process, an indication of a successful write in one sector is written into the overhead of the following sector at the same time as the following sector's data content is written. The last sector written will additionally have an indication of its own successful write written into its overhead. For erase, an erase abort flag in the first sector of the block can be marked after a successful erase operation.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking reactor vessel includes enhanced components for the conversion of a hydrogen gas and fossil fuel feedstream to light liquid hydrocarbons. The reactor vessel comprises one or more of a reactor cup riser with a helical cyclonic separator conduit for separating a liquid and vapor product stream to provide an essentially vapor-free liquid recycle stream; a grid plate bubble cap with wall housing having serrated edges for producing small hydrogen bubbles of increased total surface area of bubbles at lower pressure drop; a feedstream inlet pipe sparger containing rows of downward directed slots for even distribution of the feedstream across the cross-sectional area of the reactor and providing free drain of solid particles from the sparger; and optionally a liquid recycle inlet distributor containing vertically curved plates for creating a whirling motion in the liquid recycle stream for better mixing with the feedstream with minimal solids settling.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking reactor vessel for the conversion of a hydrogen gas and fossil fuel feedstream to light liquid hydrocarbons. The reactor vessel comprises reactor cup riser means with a helical cyclonic separator conduit for separating a liquid and vapor product stream to provide an essentially vapor-free liquid recycle stream, grid plate bubble cap means with tapered bell cap wall housing having serrated edges for producing small hydrogen bubbles of increased total surface area of bubbles at lower pressure drop, optionally feedstream inlet pipe sparger means containing rows of downward directed slots for even distribution of the feedstream across the cross-sectional area of the reactor and providing free drain of solid particles from the sparger, and optionally liquid recycle inlet distributor means containing vertically curved plates for creating a whirling motion in the liquid recycle stream for better mixing with the feedstream with minimal solids settling.

Abstract: A catalytic hydrocracking reactor vessel includes enhanced components for the conversion of a hydrogen gas and fossil fuel feedstream to light liquid hydrocarbons. The reactor vessel comprises one or more of a reactor cup riser with a helical cyclonic separator conduit for separating a liquid and vapor product stream to provide an essentially vapor-free liquid recycle stream; a grid plate bubble cap with wall housing having serrated edges for producing small hydrogen bubbles of increased total surface area of bubbles at lower pressure drop; a feedstream inlet pipe sparger containing rows of downward directed slots for even distribution of the feedstream across the cross-sectional area of the reactor and providing free drain of solid particles from the sparger; and optionally a liquid recycle inlet distributor containing vertically curved plates for creating a whirling motion in the liquid recycle stream for better mixing with the feedstream with minimal solids settling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling updates to data structures to be scheduled are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a memory system with a non-volatile memory that includes a plurality of physical blocks and a plurality of data structures including an erase count block involves determining when contents of at least one data structure is to be updated. A request to update the contents of the data structure is queued or scheduled when it is determined that the contents are to be updated, and the request is executed when it effectively reaches the top of the queue.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant gelatins, and to recombinant gelatins useful in gelatin capsule manufacture, and to compositions, gelatin capsules, and gelatin films comprising these, as well as methods of production.

Abstract: Implants or systems of implants apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods supplement, repair, or replace a native heart valve. The devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that, in use, extends adjacent a valve annulus. The implant includes a mobile neoleaflet element that occupies the space of at least a portion of one native valve leaflet. The implant mimics the one-way valve function of a native leaflet, to resist or prevent retrograde flow. The implant restores normal coaptation of the leaflets to resist retrograde flow, thereby resisting eversion and/or prolapse, which, in turn, reduces regurgitation.

Abstract: An ethernet wide area network (10) has a number of interconnected network ethernet switches (12). A first local area network (18) has a first local area ethernet switch (16) and is connected to one (14) of the interconnected network ethernet switches (12). A second local area network (24) has a second local area ethernet switch (22) connected to a second (20) of the interconnected network ethernet switches (12).

Abstract: A system for booting a microprocessor controlled system wherein a basic interface between the processor and peripheral devices is copied from an application and file storage device into random access memory without usage of the microprocessor or need for a non-volatile code storage device.

Abstract: A method of improving the reliability of peer-to-peer network downloads includes the steps of initiating a search from a client on a peer-to-peer network (152). Next, a list of servers is downloaded that satisfies the search (154). At least one of the servers is selected from the list of servers (156). Next, one of a plurality of downloading systems is selected based on a predetermined criteria (158). A file is downloaded using one of the plurality of downloading systems.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for simplified recombinant production of fibrillar collagens. DNAs encoding fibrillar collagen monomers lacking the N propeptide, the C propeptide, or both propeptides are introduced into recombinant host cells and expressed. Trimeric collagen is recovered from the recombinant host cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for simplified recombinant production of fibrillar collagens. DNAs encoding fibrillar collagen monomers lacking the N propeptide, the C propeptide, or both propeptides are introduced into recombinant host cells and expressed. Trimeric collagen is recovered from the recombinant host cells.

Abstract: A brake device for a bicycle includes a mounting seat having a space and an opening that faces a bicycle wheel. A resilient member is mounted in the space. A brake piece is mounted in front of the space for braking the bicycle wheel. The brake piece is connected to the resilient member to move therewith. A connecting member includes a first end operably connected to the resilient member and a second end actuatable by a brake lever for urging the resilient member and the brake piece to brake the bicycle wheel.

Abstract: A protective cover for saddle girths is made of a thickness of scratch-resistant and tear-resistant polyvinyl chloride having a textured surface. The cover is in the form of a sleeve covering the belt portion of the girth to act as a protective pad between the girth and the horse's skin, and is of a closed-cell foam to prevent absorption of water. Toughness of the cover prevents tears and abrasions by spurs, brush, and the like, increasing the longevity of the cover and enhancing its appearance.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a bicycle, which includes a front fork and two cylinders, the front fork including a frame and two columns each of which has a slot defined therein, the frame having two side plates each of which has at least two rollers rotatably disposed thereto and the column movably disposed and guided between the two rollers by extending a bolt through one end of the cylinder, the slot of the column and being engaged to the side plate, the other end of the cylinder fixedly disposed to the column such that when shocks transferred from a wheel of the bicycle the columns moved upwardly and depress the cylinders to absorb the shocks.

Abstract: A fixing device for securing a handlebar stem of a bicycle includes a handlebar stem having vertical and level portions. The level portion has a receiving element formed on a free end thereof for securing a handlebar therein, the vertical portion having a scroll-like tube with one end thereof overlapping the other to form an inner part and an outer part. An opening is formed in the outer part and a first lug is formed on an edge of the opening and a second lug is formed on inner part and extends outwardly through the opening, such that the tube securing an upper end of a front fork by screwing a bolt therethrough.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle has a seat body for the posterior of a rider, mechanical parts for fixedly attaching the seat body to a seat post by connecting the a lower wall of the seat body to the seat post, a base has a substantially triangular wall defining a central hole therewithin and a snapping tongue member. The central hole surrounds the seat post and the snapping tongue member extends upwardly and inwardly from the periphery of the wall of the base. The mechanical parts for attaching the bicycle saddle to the seat post are totally enclosed by the base and the seat body; thus, they are hidden from sight.