Abstract: In a distributed system that includes a collection of machines, a server system generates a global dictionary from sampling responses received from machines in the collection of machine, at least a subject of the sampling responses including information indicating one or more terms in a corpus of information stored at a respective machine in the collection of machines. The global dictionary includes global document frequency values corresponding to the document frequencies of terms in the corpora of information stored in the collection of machines. The server system generates a similarity search query for a target document, the similarity search query including identifiers of terms in the target document and optionally document frequency information for those terms, obtained from the global dictionary, and sends, through one or more linear communication orbits, the similarity search query to one or more respective machines in the collection of machines.

Abstract: A server system, coupled to a linear communication orbit, has a plurality of function modules. Each function module is configured to collect data from machines located at nodes of the linear communication orbit, process collected data according to a schema definition to generate result data, and store the result data in a database. Data collection requests, based on the schema definition, are sent through the linear communication orbit to collecting data from a set of machines via the linear communication orbit. In some embodiments, a central data management module of the one or more servers is configured to provide the schema definition to and receive result data reported from the function modules.

Abstract: A machine in a linear communication orbit receives a query, including a set of one or more rules, through the linear communication orbit. The machine, for each respective rule: identifies files that contain content that satisfies the respective rule, generates a first report identifying a count of files at the machine that contain content satisfying the rule, and sends the first report through the linear communication orbit to a server. The machine receives an instruction packet from an external machine that includes an instruction for establishing a direct duplex connection between the respective machine and the external machine. then sends a request to the external machine to establish the direct duplex connection. The machine sends to the external machine, via the direct duplex connection, a second report including information identifying files at the machine that contain file content satisfying each rule in the set of one or more rules.

Abstract: This application is directed to a distributed data processing method performed at a server system coupled to a linear communication orbit. The server system has a plurality of function modules. Each function module is configured to collect data related to a core function from the linear communication orbit. Each function module includes an internal client configured to adaptively perform a set of data processing operations according to a schema definition, including generating a data collection request for collecting raw data items, sending the data collection request through the linear communication orbit, collecting the requested raw data items from a set of machines via the linear communication orbit, and performing analysis on the collected raw data items. In some embodiments, a central data management module of the one or more servers is configured to provide the schema definition to and receive result data reported from the function modules.

Abstract: In a distributed system, each of N machines receives a similarity search query through a linear communication orbit. The similarity search query includes token identifiers corresponding to tokens in a target document. Each machine, in response, identifies files that meet predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document. Subsequent to receiving the similarity search query, the machine generates a first report, including a count of files stored at the machine that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document, and/or information identifying a set of files that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document; and sends the first report to a server through the linear communication orbit. The server produces a merged report presenting information with respect to files at a set of machines, including the N machines, that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document.

Abstract: In a distributed system, each of N machines receives a similarity search query through a linear communication orbit. The similarity search query includes token identifiers corresponding to tokens in a target document. Each machine, in response, identifies files that meet predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document. Subsequent to receiving the similarity search query, the machine generates a first report, including a count of files stored at the machine that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document, and/or information identifying a set of files that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document; and sends the first report to a server through the linear communication orbit. The server produces a merged report presenting information with respect to files at a set of machines, including the N machines, that meet the predefined similarity criteria with respect to the target document.

Abstract: This application is directed to a distributed data processing method performed at a server system coupled to a linear communication orbit. The server system has a plurality of function modules. Each function module is configured to collect data related to a core function from the linear communication orbit. Each function module includes an internal client configured to adaptively perform a set of data processing operations according to a schema definition, including generating a data collection request for collecting raw data items, sending the data collection request through the linear communication orbit, collecting the requested raw data items from a set of machines via the linear communication orbit, and performing analysis on the collected raw data items. In some embodiments, a central data management module of the one or more servers is configured to provide the schema definition to and receive result data reported from the function modules.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption apparatus (10) is provided with actuator air via a reservoir (40) which draws its supply either from one or more of the process vessels (12) after it has been dried thereby or directly from the system compressor (32). Controls are provided to ensure actuator air is preferentially drawn from the dried source and for ensuring instrument air is available even on start up of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a material with ozone including the steps of passing oxygen rich gas from a PSA plant 2 through an ozonizer 4 and then passing the ozonized oxygen thus formed directly back to the PSA plant where the ozone is adsorbed in a bed of silica gel contained within a vessel. During the desorption step nitrogen adsorbed in a bed of zeolite also located in the vessel desorbs the ozone from the bed of silica gel and a nitrogen-ozone gas leaves the PSA plant via a line in the feed end. The material is treated with the nitrogen-ozone gas.

Abstract: During a purge step of a PSA plant the waste gas being vented is analyzed to identify when a preselected volume of the waste gas contains purge gas after which the purge step is stopped.

Abstract: A wick assembly (1) for use in e.g. an anaesthetic vaporizer (not shown) comprises layer (2) of absorbent wick material, e.g. a metallic wire cloth, secured to an impermeable backing sheet (3) e.g. of stainless steel. The wick material (2) and backing sheet (3) are rolled into a spiral configuration and thus define a spiral flow passage for gas to be vaporized. Fastening means are provided to hold the wick material (2) and sheet (3) in the spiral configuration whereby the assembly forms a self-contained unit adapted to be detachably mounted in a vaporizer.