Abstract: An index tuning wizard produces a fast and reasonable recommendation identifying database indexes to use given a specified workload. A query optimizer is used to determine the expected usefulness of potential indexes for the specified workload by taking cost of queries in the workload into account. A cost based pruning of indexes is then performed to provide an intermediate set of proposed indexes. Indexes having most benefit based on storage constraints are then selected. The optimizer is then used again, and further pruning is done on a benefits basis. An index is not recommended unless it has a significant impact on the workload.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for efficiently performing nearest neighbor queries on a database of records wherein each record has a large number of attributes by automatically extracting a multidimensional index from the data. The method is based on first obtaining a statistical model of the content of the data in the form of a probability density function. This density is then used to decide how data should be reorganized on disk for efficient nearest neighbor queries. At query time, the model decides the order in which data should be scanned. It also provides the means for evaluating the probability of correctness of the answer found so far in the partial scan of data determined by the model. In this invention a clustering process is performed on the database to produce multiple data clusters. Each cluster is characterized by a cluster model. The set of clusters represent a probability density function in the form of a mixture model.

Abstract: A knittable cut resistant yarn for use in protective wear, such as gloves, arm protectors, aprons, or the like, including a core with at least one strand of flexible material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel wire and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide. The core is wrapped with at least one strand of an antimicrobial treated acrylic fiber. A first wrap is wound in one direction about the core having a denier in the range of about 75 to about 600. Each additional wrap is wound about the core in a different direction. The antimicrobial treated acrylic fiber contains the antimicrobial agent 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment the invention provides a data mining system for use in finding clusters of data items in a database or any other data storage medium. Before the data evaluation begins a choice is made of the number M of models to be explored, and the number of clusters (K) of clusters within each of the M models. The clusters are used in categorizing the data in the database into K different clusters within each model. An initial set of estimates for a data distribution of each model to be explored is provided. Then a portion of the data in the database is read from a storage medium and brought into a rapid access memory buffer whose size is determined by the user or operating system depending on available memory resources. Data contained in the data buffer is used to update the original model data distributions in each of the K clusters over all M models.

Abstract: A booster station having an integral foundation preinstalled prior to shipment to an installation site. An above ground pump enclosure houses at least one pump. Each pump has a pump inlet for receiving water and a pump outlet for discharging water at a predetermined pressure. A relatively rigid concrete foundation is integral to the pump enclosure. The foundation has an inner wall surface forming a chamber, an outer wall surface, a top wall supporting the pump enclosure, and a foundation floor opposite the top wall having an opening therein for allowing drainage of fluid from the chamber. The foundation has at least one inlet port for receiving water and at least one outlet port for discharging water to a water transport system. The inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the foundation ports at a first end and to the purrip at a second end. The inlet and outlet pipes include a relatively flexible synthetic rubber boot located at the first end that extends through the foundation outer wall surface.

Abstract: An improved floatable lighting assembly includes a base with a central concave wall that can face a liquid surface and a peripheral portion extending around the concave wall. A shell is constructed so as to extend from the peripheral portion to form a chamber around the concave wall that provides the lighting assembly with buoyancy. A lamp has a lower light-emitting portion and an electrical contact portion. The electrical contact portion is disposed in an interior region formed by the concave wall. A heat shield is disposed between the shell and the lamp. Electrical wire is electrically connected to the contact portion of the lamp. Structure in the base directs electrical wire from a lower portion of the base into the liquid. The electrical cable includes a loop strain relief member for preventing the cable from pulling away from the structure during use of the lighting assembly.

Abstract: Roofing structure includes roofing brackets having a first leg attached to vertical members of a roof structure and a second leg that extends at an angle from the first leg and attached to horizontal members of the roof structure. Brackets serve to attache the vertical members to a support surface of the roof. The first and second legs include a plurality of preformed patterned holes and slots having varying sizes to receive fasteners. The pattern and size of the holes and slots allows for fastening of the brackets to steel bar joists while enabling the fasteners in the slots to be fastened near center lines of the respective bar joists. The slot sizes and positions enable fastening to steel bar joists for most distances between the flanges of their top angle chord members.

Abstract: A tie arrangement (10) comprising a housing (12) with a passage (16), an engagement part (22) and an elongate member (14), the free end of the elongate member (14) being extendable through the passage (16), the engagement part (22) and a locking member (18) being arranged inside the passage (16) for locking the elongate member (14) inside the passage (16), such that if said elongate member (14) is pulled, this causes the engagement part (22) to move together with the elongate member (14), which causes clamping of the elongate member (14) between the engagement part (22) and the passage walls (16) by virtue of the decreasing size of the passage (16), thereby preventing further movement of the elongate member (14).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an ion implanter including a rotatable support disposed in an implantation chamber of an ion beam implanter for supporting a plurality of wafer workpieces. The rotatable support includes a hub adapted to be rotated about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a direction of an ion beam beam line entering the implantation chamber. The rotatable support further includes a plurality of wafer support members adapted to be attached to the hub, each wafer support member adapted to support at least one of the wafer workpieces. Each wafer support member includes an attachment structure for affixing the support to the rotating member and a wafer support pad extending from the attachment structure and passing through the beam line as the hub rotates. The wafer support pad includes a wafer support surface facing the beam line that includes a concave portion.

Abstract: What-if index analysis utility provides the ability to analyze the performance of the existing configuration of a database system with respect to one or more workloads of queries and to propose a hypothetical configuration for the database system to analyze its potential impact on the performance of the database system. The utility may be used, for example, to perform an impact analysis of the set of indexes selected by an index selection tool, for example, with respect to a workload of queries and may also be used to explore what-if scenarios for the database system by analyzing the impact of hypothetical sets of indexes with respect to the execution of various workloads over projected sizes of a database. The utility may be used to perform summarizations of workloads, configurations, and the performance of workloads with respect to the existing configuration and hypothetical configurations.

Abstract: A process for solid fossil fuel oxidation that utilizes a refractory that defines a reactor core and a combustor chamber in serial communication. The reactor core is heated by burning an air fuel mixture external to the reactor core. A non-oxidizing gas/coal mixture is introduced into the reactor core where heat energy is transferred to the non-oxidizing gas/coal mixture so that the specific heat of the mixture is substantially raised. The non-oxidizing gas/coal mixture is discharged from the reactor core into the combustor chamber at which point an oxidizing medium such as air is introduced in order to instantly oxidize the heated non-oxidizing gas/coal mixture. The non-oxidizing gas may be a flammable gas, such as methane.