Abstract: A system for, and method of, measuring a degree of independence of semantic classes in separate domains. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a cross-domain distance calculator that estimates a similarity between n-gram contexts for the semantic classes in each of the separate domains to determine domain-dependent relative entropies associated with the semantic classes and (2) a distance summer, associated with the cross-domain distance calculator, that adds the domain-dependent distances over a domain vocabulary to yield the degree of independence of the semantic classes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article that comprises a superconductor-insulator (s-i) layer structure. The superconductor material has nominal composition Ba.sub.1-x M.sub.x BiO.sub.3-y (M is K, Rb, or K and Rb, 0.35<x.ltorsim.0.5, 0<y.ltorsim.0.25). In some preferred embodiments the insulator is a Ba- and Bi containing oxide, exemplarily BaBi.sub.2 O.sub.4, Ba.sub.1-x M.sub.x BiO.sub.3 (0.ltoreq.x<0.35), or Ba.sub.1-x Bi.sub.1+x O.sub.3 (0.ltoreq.x.ltorsim.0.5). In other embodiments the insulator is an insulating oxide with the NaCl structure (e.g., Mg.sub.1-x Ca.sub.x O), an insulating perovskite (e.g., BaZrO.sub.3 ), an insulator with the K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 structure (e.g., Ba.sub.2 PbO.sub.4), an insulating fluoride with the BaF.sub.2 structure (e.g., Ba.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x F.sub.2), or an insulating fluoride with the NaCl structure (e.g., LiF). Disclosed are also advantageous methods of making an article according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuous introduction and exit of workpieces into and out of a vacuum. A first seal is provided between the atmosphere and a first pumping station. This seal comprises compliant members positioned within cavities in a plate so that the pressure differential causes the members to push against the workpiece and the cavity wall to establish a rotating seal. A second seal may also be provided between the first pumping station and the vacuum chabmer. This seal includes compliant members mounted within a series of differentially pumped cavities and providing a low friction seal with the workpiece.