Abstract: A system is provided for multicasting an event notification from an event producer to multiple event listeners, where the event producer and event listeners exist within a computer operating system having a user space, a kernel space, a device space, and an event protocol handler located in the kernel space. The system generates an event indication from an event producer located in the user space, kernel space, or device space, and receiving the event indication in the event protocol handler and generating an event notification. The event producer and the event listeners interface with the event protocol handler to send the event indication and receive the event notification. The event listeners may be located in the user space, kernel space, or device space.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A system is provided for multicasting an event notification from an event producer to multiple event listeners, where the event producer and event listeners exist within a computer operating system having a user space, a kernel space, a device space, and an event protocol handler located in the kernel space. The system generates an event indication from an event producer located in the user space, kernel space, or device space, and receiving the event indication in the event protocol handler and generating an event notification. The event producer and the event listeners interface with the event protocol handler to send the event indication and receive the event notification. The event listeners may be located in the user space, kernel space, or device space.

Abstract: A system is provided for multicasting an event notification from an event producer to multiple event listeners, where the event producer and event listeners exist within a computer operating system having a user space, a kernel space, a device space, and an event protocol handler located in the kernel space. The system generates an event indication from an event producer located in the user space, kernel space, or device space, and receiving the event indication in the event protocol handler and generating an event notification. The event producer and the event listeners interface with the event protocol handler to send the event indication and receive the event notification. The event listeners may be located in the user space, kernel space, or device space.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently scheduling timer events within an operating system by allocating a plurality of timers, each of which has an expiry time, to a set of available timer slots. The method defines a timer spread value that denotes the allowed variance of the expiry times of each of the timers, calculates a set of available timer slots for each of the timers based on the timer spread value, and adjusts the expiry times of the timers so as to insert and evenly spread the timers across the set of available timer slots. In one implementation, the set of available timer slots is located in a timer wheel existing within the operating system, and the timer wheel uses a plurality of timer vectors arranged into successively increasing levels, beginning with level zero.

Abstract: A system is provided for multicasting an event notification from an event producer to multiple event listeners, where the event producer and event listeners exist within a computer operating system having a user space, a kernel space, a device space, and an event protocol handler located in the kernel space. The system generates an event indication from an event producer located in the user space, kernel space, or device space, and receiving the event indication in the event protocol handler and generating an event notification. The event producer and the event listeners interface with the event protocol handler to send the event indication and receive the event notification. The event listeners may be located in the user space, kernel space, or device space.

Abstract: An ash and debris collector, particularly, but not exclusively, for a fireplace is comprised of a scoop body defined by an elongated open-ended channel member having a forward neck shovel portion and a rear discharge portion. At least a forward end of the shovel portion has a flat bottom wall with a straight front edge and opposed side walls. A skirt is provided in a front portion of the top wall of the shovel portion and projects outwardly of the top end of a front edge of the opposed side walls to prevent ashes from rising to the top wall of the scoop body during the scooping movement. A bag holder is secured to the rear discharge portion and extends rearwardly of a rear discharge opening defined by the rear discharge portion whereby to support a bag in an open condition. An open mouth of the bag is secured about the rear discharge opening by a band and a handle is provided on the rear discharge portion to manipulate the scoop.

Abstract: An earth cooled distribution transformer system and a method of cooling same and distributing electrical power to a plurality of consumer loads (31) is described. A distribution transformer (10 is provided with the primary (16) and secondary (17) windings encapsulated in a solid insulating material. The steel magnetic core (13) remains exposed and the transformer is buried in ground at a predetermined depth with the core (13) exposed whereby heat generated by the windings is dissipated into the earth through the exposed magnetic core. The high voltage supply cable (20) may be a buried cable or is at least partly buried as well as the power distribution cable (21), which feeds power to one or more consumer loads. The power distribution transformer (10) may be buried adjacent a manhole enclosure (12) with the primary and secondary winding power cables being connected to terminals (22-25) accessible in the manhole.

Abstract: This invention relates to a junction connector for permanently connecting electric cables, wherein its sleeve comprises a bore passing longitudinally therethrough, a part of the wall of this bore, extending over an angle at the center greater than 180.degree., being provided with longitudinal ribs projecting radially towards the center; aligned tapped holes, made from the outside, open out in the bore opposite the central generatrix of its ribbed part; and locking bolts whose end is in the form of a spherical cap and incorporating a cleavable head, are screwed in the tapped holes to assemble the cables sleeve.

Abstract: A load carrying handle for securement to an article to be hand-supported or displaced. The carrying handle comprises a handle grip having a strap retaining elongated cavity therein. The cavity has an open end and a bottom end wall. An article attaching element having at least a flat grip attaching portion is also provided. A wedge rod is disposed in tight fit in the cavity with the attaching portion of the attaching element wedged between the wedge rod and extends over opposed sides of the wedge rod and an inner end thereof. The wedge rod is dimensioned so that an outer end thereof terminates substantially flush with a peripheral end wall of the handle grip about the open end so that when the carrying handle is secured to an article and the attaching element is secured tightly about the article, the wedge rod outer end will abut the object and provide a solid connection therewith with the attaching portion held secured between the handle grip and wedge.

Abstract: A method of treatment of breast cancer in susceptible animals whose ovarian hormonal secretions were previously blocked by surgical or chemical means, e.g., by use of an LH-RH agonist, e.g., [D-Trp.sup.6, des-Gly-NH.sub.2.sup.10 ]LH-RH ethylamide with a combination therapy comprising administering an antiandrogen, e.g., flutamide and an antiestrogen, e.g., Tamoxifen, pharmaceutical compositions useful for such treatment and two and three component pharmaceutical kits containing such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A tile for use in constructing an entrance mat. The tile has a flat base and low walls surrounding the base for retaining water on the base. Scraper means are provided on the base for scraping snow, water and/or slush off the feet of people using the mat. Means are provided on each wall for use in connecting the tile to an adjacent tile. A plurality of the tiles are connected together to form a mat. Means are provided in each wall of a tile for directing water out of the tile when it reaches a certain level. The invention is also directed toward a mat made up of a plurality of the tiles.