Abstract: An example virtualized computing system includes: a host cluster having hosts and a virtualization layer executing on hardware platforms of the hosts, the virtualization layer supporting execution of virtual machines (VMs); an orchestration control plane integrated with the virtualization layer, the orchestration control plane including a master server executing in a first VM of the VMs; guest cluster infrastructure software (GCIS) executing in the master server, the GCIS configured to create a set of objects defining a container orchestration cluster, and manage lifecycles of second VMs of the VMs based on state of the set of objects; and guest software executing in the second VMs to implement the container orchestration cluster as a guest cluster of the host cluster, the guest software having components that interface with the GCIS.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions that inhibit pathogen proliferation. More specifically, in various embodiments the present invention relates to activities of acylases as disruptors of bacterial disease, and thus virulence, and the utility of acylases as control agents for plant disease.

Abstract: A multi-port switching apparatus (104) comprises a first port (204) and a second port (210) for coupling respectively to a device under test (300). The apparatus (104) also comprises an analyser port (108) for coupling to a signal analyser (102) and a switching unit (200) coupled to the first port (204), the second port (210) and the analyser port (108). The switching unit (200) is controllable so as to couple, when in use, the analyser port (108) to the first port (204) for a first duration. After the first duration, the analyser port (108) is coupled to the second port (210) substantially instead of the first port (204) for a second duration.

Abstract: A radio radio quasi-circulator-jammer system, which connects a transceiver and a jammer unit to a single antenna, for isolating the transceiver from the co-located transmitter jammer. The radio quasi-circulator-jammer system includes includes a quasi-circulator having a transformer, a matched electrical load having an electrical impedance substantially matched to the antenna electrical impedance and three radio signal splitters adapted to split incoming radio power signals into two substantially equal outgoing radio power signals.

Abstract: A laser shock peening method including laser shock peening a first area with at least one high fluence normal laser beam and laser shock peening a border area between the first area and a non-laser shock peened area of the article with at least one first low fluence oblique laser beam. The border area may be laser shock peened with two or more low fluence oblique laser beams. The second low fluence oblique laser beam and others have a lower fluence than the first low fluence oblique laser beam. The border area may be laser shock peened with progressively lower fluence oblique laser beams starting with the one first fluence oblique laser beam wherein the progressively lower fluence oblique laser beams are in order of greatest fluence to least fluence in a direction outwardly from the first area through the border area to the non-laser shock peened area.

Abstract: Backscatter imaging using Hadamard transform masking includes an area x-ray source with alternating, masked, Hadamard transform patterns. The total backscatter signal from a target for each pair of corresponding masks is recorded. The difference in signal strengths for each pair of corresponding masks is a direct measurement of the Hadamard transform coefficient for that mask. An image of the target is formed by performing an inverse discrete Hadamard transform on the complete matrix of coefficients.

Abstract: A telecommunication network includes a local switch for receiving and switching a telecommunication signal to remote switches in the network. A local control arrangement is provided which includes a memory for storing instructions and data and which uses the stored instructions and data to control the switching operation of the local switch. A remote control arrangement is provided which also includes a memory for storing equivalent instructions and data. The remote control arrangement is also adapted to control the switching operation of the local switch and the local switch can be controlled by either the local or the remote control arrangements. A manager is provided for modifying the instructions and data in the memories of the local and remote control means and modify the instructions and data in either the local or remote control arrangements immediately. A marker is then sent to the other of the local or remote control means to mark the instructions and data as being out of date.

Abstract: Hydroquinone having a purity greater than 99 percent is isolated through an aqueous recovery scheme compatible with the methyl isobutyl ketone based diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide isolation process. Hydroquinone, from the Hock-splitting reaction, is extracted into water while the impurities are concentrated in a distillation tower. Phase separation of the distillation tower bottoms affords an efficient separation of the hydroquinone from the organic impurities. Concentration, crystallization, and solid liquid separation (centrifugation) of the aqueous phase yields a wet hydroquinone cake which, upon recrystallization from acetone, yields high purity hydroquinone.

Abstract: Hydroquinone is obtained in greater than 95 percent yield through a nonaqueous recovery process compatible with the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) based diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide isolation process. Hydroquinone, from the Hock-splitting reaction, is precipitated (after most of the reaction solvent is distilled off), separated, repulped in acetone, crystallized and separated again. The supernatant from the first separation step contains hydroquinone along with tars. This stream is subjected to a purification process comprising a series of distillation and extraction steps so that the hydroquinone in that stream can be recycled back into the process.

Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus comprises the combination of an insulated Dewar container for cryogenic liquid and a probe-like device for the introduction of heat into the liquid, the device being of elongated form, increasing in cross-section from an upper, heat-input end towards a lower, heat-output end. The device may be of copper and substantially conical whereby its cross-section is substantially circular. The heat-input end of the device has an upper extension which penetrates a low-loss self-venting cover-plug disposed in the neck of the insulated container. A metallic "cold" plate is attached to the upper end of the extension and provides a large-area surface over which cold is distributed by convection.