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 retraction unit for keys and the like having a housing with a reel mounted in the housing for rotation, a retraction spring for the reel, and a cable carried on the reel, with the inner end of the cable connected to the reel, and a cable end fitting carried on the outer end of the cable.

Abstract: A closure is provided for use with a drink container wherein the closure includes an inner member, having an opening formed therein for receiving a straw and having a peripheral portion for mounting to the drink container, and an outer member configured to be fitted to the inner member forming a compartment therebetween. The outer member also has an opening, with the opening of the outer member aligned with the opening of the inner member while the outer member is fitted to the inner member. The aligned openings permit penetration of a straw therethrough. The inner member is shaped to prevent any beverage from within the drink container from entering the compartment even while a straw penetrates the aligned openings of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) adaptor customized for a stored procedure. In accordance with the present invention, stored procedure application developers can provides their stored procedure to a builder, which creates a CGI adaptor customized for the stored procedure. To generate the CGI adaptor, the builder parses the stored procedure to identify the arguments of the stored procedure. Then, using the stored procedure arguments, the builder generates logic to extract variables from an input data stream, wherein the variables correspond to the arguments of the stored procedure. The builder also generates logic to invoke the stored procedure using the variables extracted from the input data stream. The generated logic comprises the customized CGI adaptor.

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 or interpreter 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 or interprets 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 a computer implemented storage mechanism for persistent objects in a database management system. A statement is executed in a computer. The statement is performed by the computer to manipulate data in a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. It is determined that an object is to be stored in an inline buffer. When the object can be entirely stored in the inline buffer, the object is stored in the inline buffer. When the object cannot be entirely stored in the inline buffer, a selected portion of the object is stored in the inline buffer and the remaining portion of the object is stored as a large object.

Abstract: A handle assembly used for actuating the latch mechanism of an aircraft door to control the opening and the closing of the aircraft door. The handle assembly includes an interior handle, an exterior handle, an actuator, and an exterior housing having a recess. The interior handle and the exterior handle each have an open and a closed position, respectively, and are connected to the actuator. The actuator is rotatably mounted within the exterior housing and the exterior housing is mountable within the aircraft door. The actuator may be secured to the latch mechanism of the aircraft door and the latch mechanism may be operated by the actuator. The rotation of the interior handle to the open position moves the actuator such that the latch mechanism is actuated to the open position allowing the aircraft door to be opened. A cam is connected to the interior handle and is rotatably mounted relative to the exterior handle.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a programming development environment that supports the development of Internet and Intranet applications. In particular, a database extender can be created. Initially, information from a user interface is captured. An intermediate language is then generated corresponding to the captured information. A source code is generated from the generated intermediate language. The source code implements the functionality of the database extender by interfacing to a generic extender. The interfaced generic extender is configured to take on the characteristics of the specific extender defined in the intermediate language. Then, the configured generic extender is executed as configured to access and maintain the relational integrity of the specific extender.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a scalable data warehouse architecture. A query is executed in a computer to retrieve data from a database stored on a data storage device. Under control of a manager server, one of a plurality of agent servers is selected to execute the query based upon availability of each agent server and based upon connections between each agent server and a data source and a data target required for execution of the query.

Abstract: Disclosed are an isolated antibody or antibody fragment that selectively binds a polypeptide encoded by Cytokine Response gene 2 (CR2), and in particular, selectively binds to a first polypeptide having the sequence of residues 1-60 of SEQ. ID No: 4. Also disclosed is a composition containing the antibody or antibody fragment and a diluent or carrier. Also disclosed are methods, using the present antibody or antibody fragment, of isolating or purifying a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 1-60 of SEQ. ID No: 4 or an antibody binding fragment thereof that is at least 10 to 30 amino acids long, or a fusion protein comprising any of these.

Abstract: Early-induced genes by interleukin-2 (IL-2) have various DNA sequences. This patent describes a nucleotide segment encoding a polypeptide including amino acids 1-356 of SEQ. ID No: 6, antibody binding homologues thereof, antibody binding fragments, and fusion proteins thereof, alleles or naturally occurring mutants of the polyribonucleotides, and anti-sense polyribonucleotides thereof. Also provided are proteins, homologues, fragments, fusion proteins, vectors, transfected hosts, animal models, probes, and other related technology.

Abstract: A method of activating the immune system of a subject comprises the chronic administration of low doses of an agent such as IL-2, fusion proteins thereof and derivatives thereof that are pharmaceutically acceptable. The agent is provided as a dermal composition, transdermal delivery device and electrotransport device as well as in the form of a kit for self-administration.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a container, a cap for the container, and a dispenser valve for the container, the container being a one piece molded item having a front, a back, a left side, a right side and a bottom, with each of the sides having an outer wall and an inner wall, with the inner walls, the front, the back and the bottom forming the container with an open top, with the cap mounted on the container at the open top, and with the front of the container having an opening for receiving the dispenser valve and a second opening for receiving an inspection window. A sanitary napkin and tampon disposal container.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented random reliability engine for computer-implemented dimension reduction using association rules for data mining application. The data mining is performed by the computer to retrieve data from a data store stored on a data storage device coupled to the computer. The data store has records that have multiple attributes. The multiple attributes of a table are clustered to produce a plurality of sets of attributes. Each set of attributes is clustered to obtain data mining attributes.

Abstract: A method for producing a complementary DNA (cDNA) library enriched in ligand-inducible genes of a cell is described. The method includes activating a cellular ligand receptor for a predetermined period of time in the presence of labelled RNA precursors and a substance which enhances the level of RNA in the cell. The RNA precursors are incorporated into the RNA synthesized by the cell in response to receptor activation. The labelled RNA is separated from unlabelled RNA and used to prepare cDNA. The cDNA is cloned into host cells to provide a cDNA library of cDNA-containing clones, which is then screened for clones containing ligand-induced genes. Also described are several novel ligand-induced genes identified using the method of the invention.