Abstract: A method of data storage includes determining a latency distance from a primary node to each of two or more replica nodes, choosing a preferred replica node of the two or more replica nodes based on the determined latency distances, and write-caching data into the preferred replica node.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an article using a first bonding module having a first bonding module face and a second bonding module having a second bonding module face include supplying a first non-woven fabric to at least one of the first bonding module face and the second bonding module face, and supplying a plurality of elastic strands to a surface of the first non-woven fabric. The method and system further include entrapping a first elastic strand between a first pair of adjacent bonds in a first row in the first non-woven fabric, entrapping a second elastic strand between a second pair of adjacent bonds in the first row, and creating a third pair of adjacent bonds in the first row free of elastic bands therebetween. The third pair of adjacent bonds is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.

Abstract: A hollow core photonic bandgap optical fibre comprises: a cladding comprising capillaries in a hexagonal array and a hollow core formed by excluding a hexagonal group of nineteen capillaries from the centre of the hexagonal array. The core is inflated. A core size ratio is 1.26 or above, defined as a ratio of the core diameter to the cladding diameter normalized to the ratio of the core diameter to the cladding diameter in an undistorted hexagonal array; a first ring ratio is between 0.55 and 2.50, defined as a ratio of the length of radially aligned struts separating the capillaries of the first ring to the length of a strut in an undistorted hexagonal array; and a core node spacing is between 0.60 and 1.90, where defined as a ratio of a strut length around the core of a largest corner capillary and a strut length around the core of a smallest side capillary. The fabrication method comprises four different pressures for the core, corner capillary, side capillary and cladding.

Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein the upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning head.

Abstract: A bicycle is for use by an operator, and the bicycle includes a frame having a front wheel and a rear wheel rotatably coupled thereto. An electric motor is coupled to the frame and configured to receive electrical energy from an energy storage device and drive at least one of the wheels to thereby assist the operator in propelling the bicycle. A wind sensor is configured to sense winds acting on the bicycle and generate a measured wind sensor input. A control system is operable to control a power output of the electric motor. The control system receives the measured wind sensor input and controls the power output of the electric motor based on the wind sensor input.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, a method of manufacturing an apparatus, and a method of constructing an integrated circuit are provided. A processor of an application server layer detects a degree of a change in a workload in an input/output stream received through a network from one or more user devices. The processor determines a degree range, from a plurality of preset degree ranges, that the degree of the change in the workload is within. The processor determines a distribution strategy, from among a plurality of distribution strategies, to distribute the workload across one or more of a plurality of solid state devices (SSDs) in a performance cache tier of a centralized multi-tier storage pool, based on the determined degree range. The processor distributes the workload across the one or more of the plurality of solid state devices based on the determined distribution strategy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of an HBV vaccine to a subject. The disclosure comprises apparatus for the controlled administration of the HBV vaccine through an orifice to the subject, a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice, and an electrical signal generator operatively connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: An aerosol provision system comprising: a substrate comprising aerosol generating medium, the substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; a source of energy for heating arranged to face the second surface of the substrate, wherein the source of energy for heating is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol; and a movement mechanism arranged to enable movement of the aerosol generating medium relative to the source of energy for heating, wherein the aerosol generating medium is rotationally movable relative to the source of energy for heating such that portions of the aerosol generating medium are presented to the source of energy for heating, and wherein the aerosol generating medium is rotated around an axis at an angle to the first surface.

Abstract: A compiler can receive a computation workload, and a description of the computation graph of the workload and compile a circuit layout of the workload. In one embodiment, an RTL generator assigns the node operations of the computation graph to a first or second type. In the first type, the workload is loaded and processed in tiles equal to a compute filter width. In the second type, the workload is loaded in tiles larger in size than the width of the compute filter, allowing the compute filter to process more operations in parallel and reach the data needed for the underlying operations more efficiently.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and associated computer program and apparatus for characterising changes within a subsurface volume between a first time and a second time. The method comprises obtaining first seismic data corresponding to the first time and processing this data to obtain a seismic image of the subsurface volume. This processing is reversed for relevant portions of the seismic image to obtain relevant portions of first seismic data. Changes within the subsurface volume between the first time and the second time are characterised by estimating the changes between second seismic data corresponding to the second time and the relevant portions of first seismic data.

Abstract: A method includes configuring one or multiple pools of Device-to-Device (D2D) communication resources by an eNodeB (eNB), signaling of the configured pool(s) of D2D communication resources by the eNB to a first User Equipment (UE) and a plurality of UEs using a common broadcast channel; sending a request for one or multiple D2D communication resources to an eNB by the first UE configured to transmit D2D messages; determining one or multiple resources for D2D communication by an eNB for the first UE; communicating D2D resource allocation information to the first UE; communicating D2D resource allocation information by the first UE to multiple UEs; and transmitting D2D data by the first UE to multiple UEs. Methods for configuring and signaling D2D communication resources by relay or out-of-coverage UEs are also considered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound which is an indane according to Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, L, n and p are as defined herein. The compounds are useful in the treatment of antibacterial infection either as stand alone antibiotics, or in combination with further antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated NG 2982 B3XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety NG 2982 B3XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety NG 2982 B3XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety NG 2982 B3XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: Drive testing for network optimization has been supplemented by the use of information measuring radio conditions collected by mobile terminals (i.e. UEs). To improve the user experience of multicast and broadcast services based on cellular telecommunications networks, such as MBMS and eMBMS, a mechanism is described that adapts UE-based reporting of measurement reports to multicast and broadcast services.

Abstract: In one or more embodiment described herein, a precursor of an active material of an electrode of a lead-acid battery may be made by a process that includes forming an active material paste and curing the active material paste to form the precursor of the active material of the electrode of the lead-acid battery. The active material paste may be made by combining at least water, an acid, a glass composition having at least 25 wt. % of a single metal oxide, and lead oxide. The metal oxide may be selected from barium oxide, lead oxide, zinc oxide, or antimony oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module. The second bonding module is positionable in close proximity to the first bonding module for receiving a first nonwoven fabric, a second nonwoven fabric, and at least one elastic strand therebetween. The second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a plurality of ridges includes a first ridge and a pair of second ridges positioned on opposing sides of the first ridge along the circumferential axis. The first ridge defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches, and the second ridges are configured to sever the at least one elastic strand when in close proximity to the first bonding module.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.

Abstract: A fluid vessel insertion device (10), typically for medical use, comprises a puncture member (18) arranged for locaton within a sleeve (20), and a retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) for retracting the puncture member relative to the sleeve. The puncture member (18) is retractable in use between a first condition in which an end (18A) of the puncture member protrudes beyond an end (24) of the sleeve and a second condition in which the end of the puncture member is within the sleeve (20). The retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) actuates the puncture member between the first and second conditions in response to fluid pressure at the end (18A) of the puncture member. The device may be used during positioning of the sleeve in a desired fluid vessel, such as, for example, during intravenous cannulation.

Abstract: A technology to teach speech perception, including phonetics, phonology, and word and phrase segmentation from the audio stream, and pronunciation for second-language acquisition. The technology parses sentences or phrases into words, then learners parse words into phonemes, and then pronounce the words and phrases. Learners receive immediate feedback for each phoneme click. Learners' pronunciation is evaluated by an automatic speech recognition (ASR) program. Vernacular material such as videos and podcasts are presented. Data visualizations include a view for instructors to see correct and incorrect responses for each member of a class, and a view of an individual's phonemes to see which phonemes are difficult for that individual.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent to a subject. The present disclosure comprises apparatus for the controlled administration of the therapeutic agent through an orifice to the subject, a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice, and an electrical signal generator operatively connected to the electrodes.