Abstract: A method and system for detecting conflicts in replicated data in a database network is disclosed. The database network includes a plurality of computer systems, each having a table which includes replicated data. According to the method and system of the present invention, a column is provided to the table in each system which indicates whether replicated data in the table is current for the system. The method and system further includes determining whether replicated data in the table in the system is current based on a value in the column when a request to access the replicated data in the table is received.

Abstract: Improvements in security relating to the use of personalized document production equipment. The invention has particular use with respect to printers that are used to produce plastic cards, such as financial cards and identification cards. The invention prevents the unauthorized production of personalized documents through the use of stolen or fraudulently obtained production equipment or software. The equipment is locked until a user enters authorization data that matches authorization data stored in memory of the equipment. The equipment is able to power-up in the locked state, at which point the user is prompted to enter the authorization data. As a result, if the equipment is stolen, the thief is unable to operate the equipment without the necessary authorization data.

Abstract: A floating-point unit of a computer includes a floating-point computation unit, floating-point registers and a floating-point status register. The floating-point status register may include a main status field and one or more alternate status fields. Each of the status fields contains flag and control information. Different floating-point operations may be associated with different status fields. Subfields of the floating-point status register may be updated dynamically during operation. The control bits of the alternate status fields may include a trap disable bit for deferring interruptions during speculative execution. A widest range exponent control bit in the status fields may be used to prevent interruptions when the exponent of an intermediate result is within the range of the register format but exceeds the range of the memory format. The floating-point data may be stored in big endian or little endian format.

Abstract: A low-k dielectric layer (104) is treated with a dry-wet (D-W) or dry-wet-dry (D-W-D) process to improve patterning Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130). The D-W or D-W-D treatment is performed to either pretreat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130) or during a rework of the pattern (130).

Abstract: A low-k dielectric layer (104) is treated with a dry H2 plasma pretreatment to improve patterning. Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130). The H2 plasma pre-treatment is performed to either pretreat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130) or during a rework of the pattern (130).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a patterned continuous polymeric brush on a substrate surface. The method generally involves functionalization of the substrate surface followed by surface-initiated polymerization at the initiation sites so provided, e.g., using a living free radical polymerization technique or the like, whereby a covalently bound continuous polymeric brush results, with acid-labile groups present throughout. An acid is then applied to the continuous polymer brush in a predetermined pattern, under conditions that result in removal of the acid-labile groups in at least one first region of the continuous polymer brush but not in at least one second region of the continuous polymer brush. In a preferred embodiment, the acid is a photogenerated acid resulting from imagewise irradiation of a photoacid generator applied as a film or coating to the surface-bound polymer brush.

Abstract: An engine 20 has an oiling system including a pump (46) that delivers oil under nominal engine lubrication pressure to lubricate moving surfaces of the engine mechanism (42). The system also has first and second control passages (30, 32) to effect engine compression ratio change by operating connecting rod length change mechanisms (26A, 26B, 26C). Selectively operated hydraulic control devices cause pressure in the first passage to be greater than pressure in the second passage to effect an increase in engine compression ratio and pressure in the second passage to be greater than pressure in the first passage to effect a decrease in engine compression ratio. Multiple embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A floating-point unit of a computer includes a floating-point computation unit, floating-point registers and a floating-point status register. The floating-point status register may include a main status field and one or more alternate status fields. Each of the status fields contains flag and control information. Different floating-point operations may be associated with different status fields. Subfields of the floating-point status register may be updated dynamically during operation. The control bits of the alternate status fields may include a trap disable bit for deferring interruptions during speculative execution. A widest range exponent control bit in the status fields may be used to prevent interruptions when the exponent of an intermediate result is within the range of the register format but exceeds the range of the memory format. The floating-point data may be stored in big endian or little endian format.

Abstract: A machine comprising a base and an elongated cradle pivotally mounted on the base is used to facilitate separation of nested tapered drums from a stack. With the cradle in an upright position, the machine is moved toward the stack to embrace the stack in the cradle. A pair of clamps on the cradle embrace and grip successive drums at a lower end of the stack, and then the cradle is moved to a lay-down position, carrying the stack with it. A first clamp of the pair, gripping a first drum, is moved away from a second clamp of the pair and then releases the first drum so that it can be separated from the second drum. The first clamp is then moved toward the second clamp. The second clamp releases the second drum, and the laid-down stack is moved along the cradle to align the second drum with the first clamp and a third drum in the stack with the second clamp. The first and second clamps then grip the second and third drums, respectively, and the first clamp is again moved away from the second clamp.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for supporting speculative execution of an instruction set for a central processing unit (CPU) including non-speculative and speculative instructions. In accordance with one aspect of the invention a method includes the steps of evaluating the instructions of the program to determine whether the individual instructions are speculative or non-speculative, and assessing each of the speculative instructions to determine whether it generates an exception. For each of the speculative instructions that generates an exception, the method then encode a deferred exception token (DET) into an unused register value of a register of the CPU. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system is provided, which system includes circuitry configured to evaluate the instructions of the instruction set to determine whether the individual instructions are speculative or non-speculative.

Abstract: A floating-point unit of a computer includes a floating-point computation unit, floating-point registers and a floating-point status register. The floating-point status register may include a main status field and one or more alternate status fields. Each of the status fields contains flag and control information. Different floating-point operations may be associated with different status fields. Subfields of the floating-point status register may be updated dynamically during operation. The control bits of the alternate status fields may include a trap disable bit for deferring interruptions during speculative execution. A widest range exponent control bit in the status fields may be used to prevent interruptions when the exponent of an intermediate result is within the range of the register format but exceeds the range of the memory format. The floating-point data may be stored in big endian or little endian format.

Abstract: A ring reinforcement is utilized on the circular head and bottom of a conventional 55 gallon drum. The conventional drum contains a cylindrical steel body having the two conventional V-shaped ribs expanded into the sidewalls at the middle of the cylinder. The drum—when either of the open-head or closed-head variety—has a circular head and a circular bottom closing in sealed relationship with the drum interior. This circular head and circular bottom are reinforced by welding a drum-reinforcing rim preferably inside the barrel. It has been found that remarkable resistance to bulging results, enabling the barrel to be shipped with product with up to 25 psi pressure relative to the barrel exterior without objectional distortion.

Abstract: A floating-point unit of a computer includes a floating-point computation it, floating-point registers and a floating-point status register. The floating-point status register may include a main status field and one or more alternate status fields. Each of the status fields contains flag and control information. Different floating-point operations may be associated with different status fields. Subfields of the floating-point status register may be updated dynamically during operation. The control bits of the alternate status fields may include a trap disable bit for deferring interruptions during speculative execution. A widest range exponent control bit in the status fields may be used to prevent interruptions when the exponent of an intermediate result is within the range of the register format but exceeds the range of the memory format. The floating-point data may be stored in big endian or little endian format.

Abstract: A mixing vane is mounted interior of a drum having a plastic lining--preferably a vinyl lining. Preferably two mixing vanes covers a cylindrical solid angle of 240.degree. while 120.degree. remains unoccupied to permit convenient pouring of the contents from the barrel. The mixing vane is preferably constructed with a L-shaped section with the bottom of the "L" fitted to the interior of the lined drum and the vertical member of the "L" protruding outward from the barrel wall as the mixing vane. In the preferred embodiment, the vertical member of the "L" is disposed along a helical path to produce directional movement of the barrel contents during barrel rotation. Preferably, the mixing vane is injection molded from vinyl or polyethylene. In fastening to the sidewall of the 55 gallon, the mixing vane is softened at the bottom of the "L" by either placement in a vinyl solvent or heating to produce a sticky surface.

Abstract: A device and method develop a training record for use in creating an empirical model of a process from data associated with the process. Data from a continuous process in the form of a continuous file or data from a set of batch files associated with different runs of a batch process is used to develop a file having multiple values for each of a plurality of variables associated with the process. A flag or other indicator is placed within the file to indicate the location of a significant event within the process or the location at which the data from different batch files was concatenated together. A record is then developed from the file by selecting a multiplicity of values within the file. Thereafter, it is determined if any two of the selected values within the record are located within the file at positions which are on different sides of the position indicated by the flag or other indicator.

Abstract: A process modeling system and method develop a set of process model inputs for a process model, such as a neural network, from values for a number of process input variables and at least one process output variable. The system and method first determine a correlation measurement between each of the process input variables and the process output variable and select a set of potential model input variables based on the correlation measurements. The system and method then iteratively determine a succession of sets of potential model input variables by performing a regression analysis on the selected set of potential model input variables and the model output variable and by then refining the set of potential model input variables based on the result of the regression analysis and on the correlation measurements. After a number of iterations, the system and method choose a set of potential model input variables as the set of model inputs and develop a process model from the chosen set of model inputs.

Abstract: A 55 gallon drum is provided with a static mixer that enables internal mixing of product during barrel rotation. Before fastening of at least one of the respective lids, a circular elastic ring insert is place within the barrel. This circular plastic ring insert has a diameter exceeding that of the barrel, has two external protuberances for keying to the cylindrical inside of the barrel at internal ribs, and is cut across the ring so as to interrupt the otherwise endless dimension of the ring. Upon insertion to the barrel, the ring is opened at the cut and disposed in an auger like helix along the inside cylindrical wall of the drum. The two protuberances are keyed to the drum interior of the internal ribs to effectively fasten by friction its helical auger like path on the cylindrical inside wall of the drum. Thereafter, the drum is closed and filled with product. Upon drum rotation, relative motion between the contained product and helical auger like static mixer occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for generating estimates and orders for the manufacture of custom items such as business forms is provided which stores estimate data at a central location, e.g., a corporate office, for access by sales representatives at remote sales sites. A sales representative creates an item specification for a form to be manufactured and electronically transmits it to the corporate office for estimate data. Data relating to the cost and list price to produce the form based on the item specification is transmitted to the sales representative. The sales representative determines a sell price from the pricing data, and generates a production order using the item specification and the estimate data, among other data. The production order is transmitted to a manufacturing plant for job execution.

Abstract: A heavy duty off-pavement or dirt bicycle and frame therefor, includes a rear wheel frame portion having a metal alloy, tubular main frame member formed into a broad V-shape, a lower arcuate portion thereof being normally, in use, the lowest part of the frame. A tubular crank hub, having an axis orthogonal to the plane of the main frame member, is welded to an inner, forward side of such member, upwardly from the bottom thereof, so that the hub is within the confines of the main frame member and is protected thereby from damaging contact with large rocks, curbs, etc. The continuous nature of the main frame member greatly increases the strength of the rear frame portion over similar, sectioned frames. A socket joined to the upper forward end of the main frame member, pivotally mounts a front wheel fork assembly.