Abstract: A nozzle or retaining cap for a plasma arc torch that includes a surface defining a conductive contact portion for exchanging heat with an adjacent torch component. The adjacent torch component can be a retaining cap, electrode or nozzle. The surface of the nozzle or retaining cap can also at least partially define a cooling channel having a curvilinear surface. A sealant portion can be positioned between the conductive contact portion and the cooling channel. The sealant portion can form or create a fluid barrier between the cooling channel and the conductive portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a video image comprising a means for generating a digital video image, a means for classifying the digital video image into one or more regions of interest and a background image, and a means for encoding the digital video image, wherein the encoding is selected to provide at least one of; enhancement of the image clarity of the one or more ROI relative to the background image encoding, and decreasing the video quality of the background image relative to the one or more ROI. A feedback loop is formed by the means for classifying the digital video image using a previous video image to generate a new ROI and thus allow for tracking of targets as they move through the imager field-of-view.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for thermally processing a workpiece include directing a plasma arc to the workpiece and using a dielectric shield or dielectric coating to protect a forward portion (e.g., a torch head) of a plasma arc torch. The dielectric shield or dielectric coating covers a nozzle disposed within the torch head and protects the nozzle from the effects of slag and double arcing. The shield also improves operator visibility due to the spatial relationship between the dielectric shield and the nozzle.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for collecting data. The data is collected from a particular data source by an application portion of agent to form collected data. The application portion is associated with the particular data source in response to an event. The collected data stored in a temporary data store for transfer to a data storage system to form stored data. The stored data sent to the data storage system using a generic portion of the agent, wherein the generic portion of the agent is configured to send data to the data storage system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing data in a data storage system. A section of data in the data storage system is identified. The section of data in the data storage system is pruned based on a policy.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to aggregate data. Data is parsed for a behavior tag assigned to a portion of the data. In response to detecting a behavior tag, a determination is made as to whether a policy is associated with the behavior tag. The policy associated with a behavior tag defines how the portion of the data assigned to the behavior tag is to be aggregated. The portion of the data is aggregated using the policy associated with the behavior tag.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to identify a policy for managing data in a data storage system. Raw data is located in the data storage system for processing to form located data. The located data is aggregated based on the policy to form aggregated data. The aggregated data is stored in the data storage system.

Abstract: An execution engine is disclosed for executing business processes. An executable object model is generated for a business process document. Executable object models of business processes are assigned to virtual processors.

Abstract: A Java based server is disclosed for providing streaming data. Streaming data is received in a publisher interface and processed to generate Java messages describing real time updated. One application of the Java based server is to provide streaming data for business process.

Abstract: Disparate data and application sources are integrated in a business process using .NET™ web services and Java web services to access different data sources.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer readable medium is disclosed for integrating disparate data and application sources using a web services orchestration platform, with business process execution language (BPEL).

Abstract: A method of utilizing one or more generic software components to develop a specific voice application. The generic software components are configured to enable development of a specific voice application. The generic software components include a generic dialog asset that is stored in a repository. The method further comprises the step of deploying the specific voice application in a deployment environment, wherein the deployment environment includes the repository.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identifying genes that are differentially regulated or expressed in bone deposition disorders. Specifically, a novel gene has been identified as being differentially regulated during the maturation of osteoblasts and whose expression can be correlated, for example, with bone deposition disorders such as osteoporosis (including correlation with degrees of severity of the disease).

Abstract: The present invention provides a sophisticated automated accreditation and certification platform that substantially streamlines the oversight process, reducing the duration of the on-site survey, eliminating paper and allowing for the efficient, electronic transfer of documents. In addition, the online process is interactive, allowing users to get up-front feedback on standards compliance and perform a self-assessment prior to their actual survey. The invention allows the creation of an automated survey and the association of accreditation criteria with the questions in the automated survey.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a telephone call in a distributed system comprising a voice response unit and a resource server connected by a local area network; wherein the voice response unit utilizes one or more digital trunks, each of the trunks having a plurality of telephone lines, and wherein the resource server includes a voice recognition system. The method and system comprise demultiplexing an incoming signal, aggregating the incoming telephone signal into a succession of voice data packets, transmitting the packets over the local area network, performing a voice recognition function on the succession of packets, and transmitting the recognized text over the local area network.

Abstract: A method is described of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is moveable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction. The method includes the steps of fixing the first body portion with a stationary support, restraining the second body portion with a movable restraining member capable of motion within a plane, applying a first selected level of resistance to the motion of the movable restraining member which is constant regardless of the force applied to the movable restraining member, and contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane. The rate of change of position of the second body portion is then measured during a plurality of contracting steps.

Abstract: A first computer workstation 10 includes a voice response unit for interfacing to a telephone network. The first computer workstation is attached by a communications link 18 to a second computer workstation 20, which includes a server to perform a particular voice processing function, such as text to speech, voice recognition, FAX-back, and so on. For inbound applications the first computer workstation forwards the incoming signal over the communications link to the server on the second computer workstation for real-time processing, whilst for outbound applications, the reverse process occurs.

Abstract: A first computer workstation 10 includes a voice response unit for interfacing to a telephone network. The first computer workstation is attached by a communications link 18 to a second computer workstation 20, which includes a server to perform a particular voice processing function, such as text to speech, voice recognition, FAX-back, and so on. For inbound applications the first computer workstation forwards the incoming signal over the communications link to the server on the second computer workstation for real-time processing, whilst for outbound applications, the reverse process occurs.

Abstract: A method is described of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is moveable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction. The method includes the steps of fixing the first body portion with a stationary support, restraining the second body portion with a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, applying a first selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve, and contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane. The rate of change of position of the second body portion is then measured during a plurality of contracting steps.