Abstract: A method for statistically distinguishing between two or more populations, such as between samples containing background and threat particles, is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method for statistically distinguishing is a method for processing a signal in a particle detection system. The method may include characterizing each particle detected by a signal vector. The method may further include calculating a weight of each particle detected using a weighting function of the signal vectors. The weighting function may be a functional of a threat particle probability distribution and a background particle probability distribution. The method may also include summing a total weight of all particles tested and generating an alarm signal if the total weight exceeds an alarm level.

Abstract: An electric deep frying appliance adapted for the heating of cooking oil comprising a bowl and heating assembly; said heating assembly including a heat distributor wherein said heat distributor is in the form of an annular dished member; said heating assembly further including a control pylon adapted to provide power and temperature control to said heat distributor.

Abstract: An integrated particle detection apparatus for optical detection of particles in an air stream. The particle detection apparatus includes a scalper for removing large panicles from the air stream, a concentrator for separating out small particles and increasing the concentration of particles of interest, and a fluorescence sensor system for detecting the particles present in the air stream. The scalper, concentrator and sensor comprise a single integrated unit, such that the scalper is fluidly contiguous with the concentrator and the concentrator is fluidly contiguous with the sensor.

Abstract: A rugged resonator for a laser includes a laser pump housing. An X-fold resonator assembly is configured to receive and hold the laser pump housing. The resonator includes at least four mirrors, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth mirror. The first mirror is configured to receive a first incident laser beam from the first end and to reflect a first reflected beam to reflect as a third reflected beam from the third mirror. The second mirror is configured to receive a second incident laser beam from the second end and reflecting a second reflected beam to intersect the first reflected beam and to reflect as a fourth reflected beam from the fourth mirror. An optical coupler is affixed to an optics plate and configured to receive the third reflected beam. A high reflector is affixed to the optics plate and configured to receive the fourth reflected beam.

Abstract: A damping section, for an aerodynamic wind tunnel having a test section defined by a nozzle mouth at an upstream end and a collector mouth at a downstream end, is adapted to conform to a perimeter of the collector mouth and extend in the downstream end of the test section, and includes a slotted section adapted to dissipate irregularities in the flow of air at the perimeter of the collector mouth.

Abstract: A rugged resonator for a laser includes a laser pump housing. An X-fold resonator assembly is configured to receive and hold the laser pump housing. The resonator includes at least four mirrors, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth mirror. The first mirror is configured to receive a first incident laser beam from the first end and to reflect a first reflected beam to reflect as a third reflected beam from the third mirror. The second mirror is configured to receive a second incident laser beam from the second end and reflecting a second reflected beam to intersect the first reflected beam and to reflect as a fourth reflected beam from the fourth mirror. An optical coupler is affixed to an optics plate and configured to receive the third reflected beam. A high reflector is affixed to the optics plate and configured to receive the fourth reflected beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: recombinant DNA encoding the SbfI restriction endonuclease as well as the SbfI methylase, and expression of the SbfI restriction endonuclease and SbfI methylase in E. coli cells containing the recombinant DNA; and methods for cloning the SbfI restriction gene (sbfIR) from Streptomyces species Bf-61 into E. coli by PCR. The method relied on primers based on DNA sequences predicted from amino acid sequences of the purified SbfI restriction endonuclease.

Abstract: A polymeric composite useful for producing large shaped articles such as railroad crossties comprisesa filler component having minimal reinforcing/structural characteristics; and a polymer blend including at least one polymeric stiffening component, at least one polymeric density component, and at least one polymeric flexibility component. The polymer blend can include post-consumer recycled thermoplastic polymers. To produce the composite, a multistage extruder brings a blend of polymer and filler materials to an extrudable threshold without completely liquefying the polymer blend. The extruded blend is cooled within a mold to form a shaped article such as a recycled composite crosstie. Exemplary recycled composite mixtures may include composite polymer materials, such as, polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), ABS, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations of these polymers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gas detection system comprises a sample cell containing at least one aperture and a substrate. The substrate comprises a chemiluminescent material that produces photons upon exposure to a fluorine-containing compound. A photo-detector is positioned to receive at least a portion of the photons, wherein the photo-detector generates an electrical output signal relating to a concentration of the fluorine-containing compound.

Abstract: An intelligent approach for collecting statistical information in information systems generally involves performing a set of administrative function steps within a “maintenance window” that is defined by one or more specified time periods. First, a set of administrative function steps to be performed are identified. The set of administrative function steps is prioritized to produce a set of prioritized administrative function steps. Then, the set of prioritized administrative function steps is performed during the maintenance window. Aspects and features of the invention include: identifying and prioritizing administrative function steps; estimated function times and maintenance window; failure prediction; environment recommendations; history information and learning techniques; saving state and context information; and user feedback.

Abstract: A workload reduction mechanism for index tuning is described that selects relevant database statements from a database workload, standardizes a format of the relevant database statements and reduces the formatted, relevant database statements into a representative set of database statements. These statements may then be provided to an index tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A food mixer includes a head (12) that is detachable from a base (11) for use separately in mixing food such as cake ingredients. The turntable motor (25) in the base is controlled by an independent speed control (18). Control (18) and motor(25) receive their power from wires attached to a pair of electrically conductive hooks (32) which serve not only to physically secure the head (12) in position, but also to conduct the electric current.

Abstract: An intelligent approach for performing administrative functions generally involves performing a set of administrative function steps within a “maintenance window” that is defined by one or more specified time periods. First, a set of administrative function steps to be performed are identified. The set of administrative function steps is prioritized to produce a set of prioritized administrative function steps. Then, the set of prioritized administrative function steps is performed during the maintenance window. Aspects and features of the invention include: identifying and prioritizing administrative function steps; estimated function times and maintenance window; failure prediction; environment recommendations; history information and learning techniques; saving state and context information; and user feedback.

Abstract: A food mixer includes a head (12) that is detachable from a base (11) for use separately in mixing food such as cake ingredients. The turntable motor (25) in the base is controlled by an independent speed control (18). Control (18) and motor (25) receive their power from wires attached to a pair of electrically conductive hooks (32) which serve not only to physically secure the head (12) in position, but also to conduct the electric current.

Abstract: A golf club having a shaft (3) and a club head (2) which is connected to a shank portion (4) of the shaft at its heel end (31) so that it can be rotated around the axis of the shank portion. The configuration of the shank portion is such that the shaft axis and the shank axis intersect at about the bottom of the heel end of the club head so that rotating the club head around the shank axis causes the angle between the club face (30) and the shaft (3) to change.

Abstract: A method for non-recursive data driven parameter evaluation within an information management system (e.g., a relational database management system, RDBMS). Parameters are attributes within an RDBMS system whose value can be modified to influence the manner in which a database environment responds. Depending on the character of the data within a database environment or the hardware resources allocated to the database, the parameter values have a large influence on the performance efficiency of the database. For instance, a parameter value may influence the memory size of certain data storage areas within a database environment and, if set too small, can cause an inefficiently large amount of input/output accesses to occur as data is moved in and out of disk storage. Also, many parameters are data dependent on other parameters. The novel system presents an automated system for evaluating parameters using a non-recursive evaluation process.