Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for selecting one or more of the highest ranking records in a database system that has one or more processing units. At each processing unit, a candidate list of records is generated in a memory space of the processing unit. Each record contains a field value. The generated candidate list of records is ranked based on the field value as each new candidate is added to the generated candidate list. When the memory space of the processing unit is insufficient, the ranked candidate list of records are transferred from the memory space of the processing unit to a data store. At the data store, a predefined number of extrema values are identified by using the transferred candidate list of records.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for ensuring cache coherency in a database containing a data store on a central data storage device connected to a plurality of computers. When an immediate write option is set, the data in a local buffer pool changed by a first transaction on a first computer is immediately written to a group buffer pool at the central data storage device, prior to initiating a second transaction upon a second computer that relies upon the modified data. Local buffer pools are then invalidated thereby facilitating local buffer pool updates from the group buffer pool. The immediate write (IW) option may be a subsystem parameter set at a system level or a bind option set at a plan level. The immediate write option may be set so that data is written to the group buffer pool at or before a phase one commit.

Abstract: A waste treatment system is provided, including a waste melter system and an air pollution control system. Hazardous and/or radioactive waste in drums is conducted through a waste feed system into a plasma chamber where the waste is exposed to heat from a plasma torch. A part of the waste volatilizes and leaves the plasma chamber for a secondary reaction chamber, in which the waste is combusted to form a waste gas stream. The air pollution control system treats the waste gas stream through quenching, filtering and scrubbing, to produce a clean gas stream suitable for release to the atmosphere. Offgas may be recirculated through the waste treatment system as desired. The waste remaining inside the plasma chamber melts and drops onto sloped processing surfaces inside a hearth located below the plasma torch. The hearth includes ground electrodes configured for electrical contact with waste held in the hearth so that the melted waste in the hearth may be further heated by the plasma torch.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented building indexes system. Indexes are built for a database that is stored in a data storage device coupled to a computer. An amount of available memory is determined. An amount of memory for use in transmitting data between extract, sort, and index build tasks is determined. Then, a number of sort tasks to be used to build indexes is determined based on the determined amount of available memory, the determined amount of memory for use in transmitting data between tasks, and task memory requirements.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A glucose monitor, and related method, determines the concentration of glucose in a sample with water, using a predictive regression model. The glucose monitor illuminates the sample with ultraviolet excitation light that induces the water and any glucose present in the sample to emit return light that includes raman scattered light and glucose emission or fluorescence light. The return light is monitored and processed using a predictive regression model to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample. The predictive regression model accounts for nonlinearities between the glucose concentration and intensity of return light within different wavelength bands at a predetermined excitation light energy or the intensity of return light within a predetermined wavelength band at different excitation energy levels. A fiber-optic waveguide is used to guide the excitation light from a laser excitation source to the sample and the return light from the sample to a sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: An object language application (e.g., C++, JAVA, etc.,) issues a query over a view and receives back, as query results, handles to application type objects which can be further manipulated by the application. A view is defined herein as a collection of a view type, and a view type is defined as a class or type. A tool is used by a programmer writing the application to create object language class definitions that are based upon the view type of the view referenced by the query. Upon receipt of the query referencing a view type, a query engine generates a query plan that builds mock (i.e., proxy) application type objects in memory based upon the view types. The application objects have a form that is consistent with the class definition for a type of object returned as a result.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for computer-implemented support of database indexes based on a generalized B-tree index. The index is stored in a B-tree on a data storage device connected to a computer. In particular, multiple key sources are processed using key transformation. Then, a plurality of key targets are generated based on the processed key sources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented query compiler. A query is executed in a computer, the query being performed by the computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. The query is received containing at least one variable. At execution time, a value is determined for each variable in the query. A filter factor is estimated using the determined value for each variable. Then, an access path is determined for the query using the estimated filter factor.

Abstract: A picture frame is constructed of a base member and a backing member with the backing member in some embodiments having the same configuration as the base member. The backing member, typically, is deflectable. The base member includes a border section which encloses a planar center section. Relative to the backing member, the border section is concave. The base member and backing member can be hinged. Mounted in conjunction with the border section of the base member are series of locking tabs with these tabs to be movable to fixedly retain the backing member in conjunction with the base member. A sheet material attachment is connectable with at least one pair of slits formed within the backing member able to assume an angular relationship relative to the backing member resembling an easel shape to support the picture frame in an upright manner when the attachment and a portion of the border section of the picture frame rest on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for using a relational database management system to support on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems. A multi-dimensional database is defined using an outline that contains one or more dimensions, each dimension having a list of one or more members. A relational schema is defined based on the defined multi-dimensional database. A relational database is created based on the defined relational schema. The relational database is accessed using access mechanisms provided by the multi-dimensional database and the relational database.

Abstract: A technique for forming a contoured axially extending engineered moulding that has at least one axially extending exposed surface. The technique includes providing an elongated outer wood section. A substrate having at least one axially extending side is provided. The wood section is adhered to the axially extending side. The wood section is contoured uniformly in an axial direction to form the exposed surface. A preferred embodiment uses a reengineered rip saw to contour the piece of wood. It is also assumed that multiple moldings can be machined by the reengineered rip saw simultaneously. The simultaneous machining by the reengineered rip saw also permits simultaneous measurements and simultaneous cross cutting and dado cutting of the moldings.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for a retractor includes a flat spring (72), securely disposed between an interior surface of the sidewall (30) and an outside diameter surface (64) of a cylindrical spool (60). The flat spring has a detent (92) integrally formed thereon. The detent slidably engages notches (68) formed on the outside diameter surface to permit rotation in one direction but not the other. The ratchet mechanism further includes a thumb slide (74) that engages the flat spring and releases the detent from the notches to allow the spool to rotate under the force of the torsional spring (62).