Abstract: A method is provided for forming a lithium aluminium oxide phosphate (LAPO) solid electrolyte film. The comprises: depositing an aqueous precursor solution onto a substrate to form a deposited film; and annealing the deposited film to form the LAPO solid electrolyte film. The precursor solution contains lithium and aluminium in a molar ratio of at least 2.6:1.

Abstract: A uniform model for distinct types of data replication, including receiving, at a source data repository, an update to a dataset; generating, based on the update to the dataset, both metadata describing the update to the dataset and also a metadata representation of the dataset; and initiating, based on the same metadata describing the update to the dataset and also based on the same metadata representation of the dataset, either a first type of data replication or a second type of data replication from among a plurality of types of data replication.

Abstract: Transitioning between replication sources for data replication operations, including: delaying a transition from using a first data repository as a source for data replication to using a second data repository as the source for data replication after detecting that one or more storage operations directed to the first data repository have not been replicated to the second data repository; and promoting the second data repository as the source for data replication such that storage operations received after completing the transition are directed to the second data repository.

Abstract: A recovery storage system asynchronously protecting a synchronously replicated dataset, where the asynchronous protection of the synchronously replicated dataset includes: receiving, by a recovery storage system, an identifier of a synchronously replicated dataset, wherein the synchronously replicated dataset is a dataset synchronously replicated across the plurality of storage systems; asynchronously replicating, on the recovery storage system, the synchronously replicated dataset from the plurality of storage systems; detecting that each dataset in the synchronously replicated dataset on the plurality of storage systems has become unavailable; and restoring the dataset on the recovery storage system.

Abstract: Continuing to service a dataset after prevailing in mediation, including: requesting, by a first storage system, mediation from a mediation service that is configured to resolve which storage system continues to service a dataset after the triggering event, wherein the dataset is synchronously replicated by a plurality of storage systems that includes the first storage system and a second storage system; and detaching the second storage system from a plurality of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset.

Abstract: A storage system switching between mediation models within a storage system, where the switching between mediation models includes: determining, among one or more of the plurality of storage systems, a change in availability of a mediator service, wherein one or more of the plurality of storage systems are configured to request mediation from the mediator service in response to a fault; and communicating, among the plurality of storage systems and responsive to determining the change in availability of the mediator service, a fault response model to be used as an alternate to the mediator service among one or more of the plurality of storage systems.

Abstract: Verifying that data has been correctly replicated to a replication target, including: replicating a dataset stored at a first computing system to a second computing system; and determining, based at least on a comparison of a first hash and a second hash, validity of the dataset stored at the second computing system, wherein the first hash is generated by applying a hash function to a copy of the dataset that is stored at the first computing system and the second hash is generated by applying the hash function to a copy of the dataset that is stored at the second computing system.

Abstract: Creating a modifiable cloned image of a dataset, including: generating, based on a dataset stored within a source data repository, a tracking copy of replica data on a target data repository; generating, after receiving an indication to begin accepting modifications to the tracking copy of the replica data, a cloned image of the dataset that is modifiable without modifying the tracking copy of the replica data; and responsive to a storage operation directed to the target data repository, modifying the cloned image of the dataset without modifying the tracking copy of the replica data.

Abstract: A method of managing host mappings for replication endpoints, the method including: identifying a target storage system replicating a source dataset of a source storage system, wherein a first host is mapped to the source dataset on the source storage system; providing, to the target storage system and in dependence upon a mapping of the first host to the source dataset, configuration information for connecting to a second host; and implementing, in response to a triggering event, a mapping of the second host to a replica dataset on the target storage system.

Abstract: Managing storage systems that are synchronously replicating a dataset, including: detecting a change in membership to the set of storage systems synchronously replicating the dataset; and applying one or more membership protocols to determine a new set of storage systems to synchronously replicate the dataset, wherein the one or more membership protocols include a quorum protocol, an external management protocol, or a racing protocol, and wherein one or more I/O operations directed to the dataset are applied to a new set of storage systems.

Abstract: A variable volume fluid dispenser (10) for medical therapy and diagnostic use includes a tubular body (12) having a proximal end (16) and a distal end (14). Each end includes a fluidic connector (18, 26) and the tubular body (12) defines an interior volume. A piston (30) is located within the interior volume and is configured to create a fluid and gas seal within the interior volume of the tubular body (12) and to move axially under the action of a displacement fluid via the fluidic connectors (18, 26) between the proximal end (16) and the distal end (14). The position of the piston (30) relative to the distal end defines the volume of fluid to be dispensed.

Abstract: A neurosurgical apparatus for convection enhanced delivery of an infusate to the brain parenchyma, the apparatus comprising: a guide tube for insertion into the brain and having a proximal end, a distal end and a through-bore for passage of a cannula; wherein at least an outer layer (24) of the guide tube is of a hydrophobic material that is resiliently deformable and porous to allow passage of air. Also provided is a kit for convection enhanced delivery of an infusate to the brain parenchyma and a surgical method for convection enhanced delivery of an infusate to the brain parenchyma.

Abstract: A surgical guide hub for implanting in an aperture formed in a skull and made along a trajectory to a brain target, wherein the guide hub comprises: a through-bore for delivering a device therethrough and along the trajectory; at least one first formation on an external surface for securing the hub within the aperture in a skull; and at least one second formation on the surface of the through-bore for securing a guide device, an implantable device, or a cap to the hub. Also provided are a jig for setting the depth of insertion of a surgical tool into a patient during surgery, and a method of preparing an operative length of a surgical tool.

Abstract: A neurosurgical kit includes a catheter and a guide tube. The catheter includes a distal section of tubing having a distal end with a port or ports for delivering fluid to a target site within the brain. The distal section of tubing has an outer diameter that is smaller than an internal diameter of the guide tube. The catheter and guide tube are arranged such that, when the catheter is inserted into the guide tube to locate the port or ports at the target site, a recess is provided in a distal end section of the guide tube between the guide tube and the distal section of tubing of the catheter.

Abstract: Automatic storage system configuration for mediation services that includes: determining that a particular storage system of the storage systems is not configured to request mediation from a mediation target for mediation between storage systems synchronously replicating a dataset; requesting, by the particular storage system from a configuration service, configuration information indicating one or more service handles for a mediation service; and configuring, in dependence upon the one or more service handles received from the configuration service, a mediation handler to communicate with the mediation service responsive to detecting a communication fault with one of the storage systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a control system and/or a driver of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a processing circuitry configured to: determine for a plurality of positions within a vicinity of the vehicle, based on motion state information of the vehicle, a respective first probability measure that the vehicle will be at the respective position at one or more future time instants; determine for the plurality of positions, based on motion state information of at least one traffic object, a respective second probability measure that the at least one traffic object will be at the respective position at the one or more future time instants; and determine for the plurality of positions, a respective combined probability measure that the vehicle and the at least one traffic object will be at the respective position at the one or more future time instants.

Abstract: Maintaining a synchronous replication relationship between two or more storage systems, including: receiving, by at least one of a plurality of storage systems across which a dataset will be synchronously replicated, timing information for at least one of the plurality of storage systems; and establishing, based on the timing information, a synchronous replication lease describing a period of time during which the synchronous replication relationship is valid, wherein a request to modify the dataset may only be acknowledged after a copy of the dataset has been modified on each of the storage systems.

Abstract: Continuous data protection, including sending, to a target data repository from a source data repository, metadata describing one or more updates to one or more datasets stored within the source data repository; generating, based on the metadata describing the one or more updates to the one or more datasets, an ordered log of metadata describing an ordered application of the one or more updates to the one or more datasets; and generating, on the source data repository and based on the ordered log of metadata, the one or more datasets in accordance with the one or more updates corresponding to a specified point in time.

Abstract: A method of estimating an accident risk level of a first traffic participant based on interactions or negotiations of the first traffic participant with one or more other traffic participants is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of virtual trajectories of the first traffic participant based on a recorded initial position, a recorded final position of the first traffic participant, and a recorded initial position of each of the one or more other traffic participants. The plurality of virtual trajectories of the first traffic participant are associated with a plurality of virtual behaviors of the first traffic participant. The method further includes identifying a virtual trajectory that is most similar to a recorded trajectory of the first traffic participant. The method enables an automatic interpretation of an actual maneuver of the first traffic participant based on the virtual behavior of first traffic participant associated with the identified virtual trajectory.

Abstract: A storage system switching mediators within a storage system synchronously replicating data, where the switching between mediators includes: determining, among one or more of the plurality of storage systems, a change in availability of a first mediator service, wherein one or more of the plurality of storage systems are configured to request mediation from the first mediator service; communicating, among the plurality of storage systems and responsive to determining the change in availability of the first mediator service, a second mediator service to use in response to a fault; and switching, in dependence upon the change in availability of the first mediator service, from the first mediator service to the second mediator service.