Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling placement of replicas of data in a multi-region database are provided. A selection of a super region including at least first and second database regions can be received. A voting replica of data can be stored within the second database region based on the selection of the super region and a failure of the first database region. A selection of a secondary database region can be received. A voting replica of data can be stored within the secondary database region based on the selection of the secondary database region and a failure of a primary database region. Non-voting replicas of data can be stored in a subset of a plurality of database regions. A selection of a restricted replica placement configuration can be received. The non-voting replicas can be removed from database regions based on the selection of the restricted replica placement configuration.

Abstract: A platform for culturing modular, biomimetic compositions such as tissues, cartilage, bone, synovial membrane, is accomplished through the use of a 3D printed platform with cell well, well plate frame with culture and analysis modules, coverglass bottoms for imaging, and cross-talk flow to connect tissue modules for paracrine signaling. Human chondrocytes can be generated and kept in a cell back and expanded to zonal models, osteoarthritis progression models. The use of titanium oxide nanotubes and can produce bone marrow stem cells differentiated toward osteoblasts. The synovial membrane can be modeled by an electrospun mesh, macrophages with an inducible phenotype (quiescent vs. wound repair vs. inflammatory).

Abstract: Methods for forming multi-layer substrates including top and bottom surface layers and a melt softened thermoplastic material layer between the exterior surface layers, where the thermoplastic material includes polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F.-350° F. The 3 (or more) layers are assembled, and heated, melt softening the thermoplastic material, causing bonding of the thermoplastic layer to the exterior surface layers. A cleaning composition may be loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel between the surface layers. Adhesion between the surface layers and the thermoplastic layer is provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the surface layers. The process does not require chemical adhesives, any processing water, drying, or the like, so as to be possible with low capital investment.

Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising a top surface layer of pulp fibers, a bottom surface layer of pulp fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the pulp fiber layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the pulp fibers top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for multi-region database configuration in a distributed computing system are disclosed. A database comprising at least three voting replicas of a partition of a table is stored by a cluster of computing nodes. The database corresponds to one or more database regions that are each indicative of a geographic location corresponding to the cluster of computing nodes. Each of the voting replicas participates in voting to commit write operations to the partition. At least three computing nodes of the cluster each store a respective voting replica of the voting replicas, where each of the computing nodes is located within one of a first, second, or third database region of the database regions. Each of the database regions that does not store one of the voting replicas stores a non-voting replica that does not participate in the voting to commit the write operations to the partition.

Abstract: An electrical power tap connector for a model vehicle is provided including a first power tap housing. The first power tap housing contains a power tap terminal configured to electrically couple with a connector terminal of an electrical connector. The power tap connector also includes a second power tap housing releasably securable to the first power tap housing and a releasable locking mechanism configured to physically secure the power tap connector to the electrical connector. Wherein the power tap terminal is configured to electrically couple with the connector terminal via a non-mating end of the electrical connector.

Abstract: Multi-layer substrates comprising top and bottom surface layers comprised of synthetic nonwoven fibers, and a melted thermoplastic material layer between the top and bottom layers, where the thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene or has a tan delta value of 0.2 to 0.4 within the temperature range of 100° F. to 350° F. The multi-layer substrate can include a cleaning composition loaded onto the multi-layer substrate, where a fluid pathway through the melted thermoplastic material allows the cleaning composition to travel from the top surface layer to the bottom surface layer. The multi-layer substrate may be void of chemical adhesives, where adhesion between the top surface layer and the thermoplastic layer, and between the bottom surface layer and the thermoplastic layer is instead provided by the thermoplastic material itself, which bonds to groups of fibers in the top and bottom surface layers that are in contact with the thermoplastic material as it melts.