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 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: 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 remotely actuated latch mechanism for securing a cowling to an aircraft structure including a handle having a closed and an open position which is connected to a remote latch. The remote latch comprises a housing, a linkage mounted to the housing, and a strut connected to the linkage at a first end and to a keeper at a second end. The handle is connected to the linkage of the remote latch by a push/pull cable. The actuation of the handle from the closed position to the open position causes the push/pull cable to move the linkage of the remote latch such that the strut moves from a closed to an open position relative to the keeper allowing the cowling of the aircraft to then be pivoted open. The strut and the keeper are securely engaged in both the open and closed position insuring that when the latch is remotely opened and closed that the keeper is always properly engaged and that the latch properly closes.

Abstract: A biopsy sampling system and method for aspirating bone marrow and bone cores from a patient with minimal or no perceived pain to the patient. The system includes a bone aspiration needle assembly having a handle and an electrically conductive needle shaft and an electrical nerve stimulator (ENS) which supplies a current of adjustable intensity to the needle shaft. Thus, when the aspirating needle is inserted into the bone marrow cavity of the patient, the stimulator is activated to anesthetize the nerves in the vicinity of the aspiration permitting the extraction to commence with little or no increased pain to the patient. A nonconducting insulating shaft is also disclosed to be placed on the needle shaft in order direct the ENS current to the area of the shaft that can most efficiently anesthetize the pain conducting nerves, i.e. to the tip of the needle shaft.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented image copying system for identifying modifications in a database in a computer. The database contains data objects and is stored on a primary data storage device connected to the computer. A data object identifier is generated for each data object as the data object is modified. An image identifier is generated for an image copy of the database when the image copy is updated, wherein the image copy is stored on a secondary data storage device. When one or more data objects are to be copied from the primary data storage device to the secondary data storage device, the data objects to be copied are determined by comparing the data object identifier of each data object to the image identifier.

Abstract: A method establishes for the first time a HHV-8 producing immortalized lymphoma cell line, which is free of EBV, CMV, and HIV. Large quantities of uncontaminated HHV-8 are produced by the cells, and the virus or immunogenic fragments thereof are used to obtain specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibody. Assays and kits are useful for detecting viral infection in mammalian samples.

Abstract: A universal floral bouquet assembly secures a keepsake to a floral bouquet arrangement. In particular, a container is provided having an upright probe projecting vertically from the center of the container. Floral foam that receives a bouquet of flowers is pressed into and through the probe. A receptacle associated with the keepsake frictionally engages the opposite end of the probe to securely support the keepsake above the floral arrangement. The receptacle may be integral to the base of the keepsake or may be a component of a transition piece, called an intermediate support, upon which the keepsake, such as a cylindrical candle, is secured. The supporting components are inexpensive to manufacture and ship, simple to assemble, provide firm support for the assembled arrangement during its transportation, and are small and unobtrusive, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing, but inexpensive floral/bouquet arrangement. The components are also reusable for those applications that require this feature.

Abstract: A apparatus, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented inplace reorganization system. Data in a database is stored on a data storage device connected to a computer is reorganized. Large object data that needs to be reorganized within a table space is identified. One or more chunks in the table space are allocated to the identified large object data. In particular, a combination of full and partial chunks of space within the table space are allocated to contain the reorganized large object data. Then, the large object data is moved into the allocated chunks to reorganize the large object data inplace. Furthermore, the free space at the end of the table space may be reclaimed.

Abstract: A technique is described for identifying mutations, if any, present in a biological sample, from a pre-selected set of known mutations. The method can be applied to DNA, RNA and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) microarrays. The method analyzes a dot spectrogram representative of quantized hybridization activity of oligonucleotides in the sample to identify the mutations. In accordance with the method, a resonance pattern is generated which is representative of nonlinear resonances between a stimulus pattern associated with the set of known mutations and the dot spectrogram. The resonance pattern is interpreted to a yield a set of confirmed mutations by comparing resonances found therein with predetermined resonances expected for the selected set of mutations.

Abstract: An improved non-thermal plasma treatment method and apparatus provide for the pretreatment of nitric oxide-bearing exhaust gas with ethanol, either by vapor absorption or direct vapor injection. Advantageously, the high vapor pressure of ethanol permits a significant portion of the ethanol to be absorbed. Moreover, the solubility of ethanol permits the ethanol to be readily scrubbed from the exhaust gas, along with the nitrogen dioxides converted from the nitric oxides. The non-thermal plasma apparatus comprises a non-thermal plasma reactor having a chamber which provides a plurality of electrodes. The apparatus further comprises an inlet and an outlet connected to the reaction chamber, permitting the exhaust gas to enter and leave the chamber. In one embodiment, the inlet is further connected to a diverter equipped with an injector, which diverts a portion of the gas stream through the ethanol bath before reinjecting the ethanol-bearing gas stream into the inlet.