Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a composition, the composition comprising a crosslinked first polymer, optionally a second polymer, which may be crosslinked or non-crosslinked, and water, wherein the first and the second polymer are selected from a polysaccharide, comprising at least steps (i) to (iv): (i) crosslinking a mixture comprising the first polymer and water; (ii) subsequent to the crosslinking in step (i), terminating the crosslinking; (iii) optionally blending the product obtained in step (ii) with the second polymer; (iv) subjecting the product obtained in step (iii) to dialysis.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a tight subterranean formation comprising: introducing a cement composition comprising cement and water into the tight subterranean formation thereby creating or enhancing a fracture in the tight subterranean formation, wherein the tight subterranean formation comprises at least one formation zone with a permeability of less than 1 millidarcy; allowing the cement composition to set within the fracture; and creating a permeable flow path within the set cement composition using pressure pulses. Another method comprises introducing a treatment fluid into the tight subterranean formation at or above the fracture gradient of the set cement composition to create or enhance a permeable flow path within the set cement composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a composition, the composition comprising a crosslinked first polymer, optionally a second polymer, which may be crosslinked or non-crosslinked, and water, wherein the first and the second polymer are selected from a polysaccharide, comprising at least steps (i) to (iv): (i) crosslinking a mixture comprising the first polymer and water; (ii) subsequent to the crosslinking in step (i), terminating the crosslinking; (iii) optionally blending the product obtained in step (ii) with the second polymer; (iv) subjecting the product obtained in step (iii) to dialysis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server-implemented method for providing an image file. The server receives a uniform resource locator (URL) containing identification of a requested image file for display within the browser of a user, the URL including criteria specified by one or more parameters relating to the size and/or format of the image file to provide. The server determines whether a cached version of the requested image file satisfying the one or more criteria exists. If so, then the server provides the cached version of the requested image file for display within the browser of the user. If not, then the server (i) generates a processed image file by modifying a stored version of the requested image file based on the one or more criteria; (ii) stores a cached version of the processed image file; and (iii) provides the processed image file for display within the browser of the user.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for validating stored copies of data images to load into memory. An image of data is maintained in a memory, wherein the image in the memory includes a generation number. The image in the memory is written to at least two copies of the image to storage locations in response to a first event, wherein the generation number for the image in the memory is stored in the storage locations having the copies of the image. A check generation number is stored in a storage location. The image is loaded from at least one of the copies of the image in one of the storage locations to the memory in response to a second event The generation number for the image loaded into the memory. The check generation number is incremented in response to the second event. The generation numbers for the copies of the image in the storage locations and the check generation number are used to validate the copies of the image.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for validating stored copies of data images to load into memory. An image of data is maintained in a memory, wherein the image in the memory includes a generation number. The image in the memory is written to at least two copies of the image to storage locations in response to a first event, wherein the generation number for the image in the memory is stored in the storage locations having the copies of the image. A check generation number is stored in a storage location. The image is loaded from at least one of the copies of the image in one of the storage locations to the memory in response to a second event. The generation number for the image loaded into the memory. The check generation number is incremented in response to the second event. The generation numbers for the copies of the image in the storage locations and the check generation number are used to validate the copies of the image.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for validating stored copies of data images to load into memory. An image of data is maintained in a memory, wherein the image in the memory includes a generation number. The image in the memory is written to at least two copies of the image to storage locations in response to a first event, wherein the generation number for the image in the memory is stored in the storage locations having the copies of the image. A check generation number is stored in a storage location. The image is loaded from at least one of the copies of the image in one of the storage locations to the memory in response to a second event The generation number for the image loaded into the memory. The check generation number is incremented in response to the second event. The generation numbers for the copies of the image in the storage locations and the check generation number are used to validate the copies of the image.

Abstract: A system, method and software product automate engineering processes for build-to-order (BTO) products. A request for quote (RFQ) for a BTO product is received from a BTO user. A DNA product string is generated based on information contained in the RFQ, the DNA product string defining the BTO product. The DNA product string is validated against pre-defined business rules and a model of the BTO product is generated based on the DNA product string. A quote for the BTO product is determined based upon the RFQ, the model and the DNA product string. The quote includes one or more of a price, a delivery schedule and a bill of materials.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for validating stored copies of data images to load into memory. An image of data is maintained in a memory, wherein the image in the memory includes a generation number. The image in the memory is written to at least two copies of the image to storage locations in response to a first event, wherein the generation number for the image in the memory is stored in the storage locations having the copies of the image. A check generation number is stored in a storage location. The image is loaded from at least one of the copies of the image in one of the storage locations to the memory in response to a second event. The generation number for the image loaded into the memory. The check generation number is incremented in response to the second event. The generation numbers for the copies of the image in the storage locations and the check generation number are used to validate the copies of the image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for preventing a cloned modem from completing the registration process with a communications network. A cable modem termination system (CMTS) compares the media access control (MAC) address of a modem attempting to register with the network with a list of cable modems that are currently registered. If the MAC address is already contained in the list, the CMTS examines communication characteristics associated with the modem to determine if the device attempting to register is a clone. Additionally, a network monitoring system may be used to monitor the MAC addresses contained in DHCP messages to determine if a modem is potentially a clone.