Abstract: A method, computer program, and database system are disclosed for executing database queries. The database includes a first table (T1) having a primary key (PK) column and a first correlated value column (CV1) and a second table (T2) having a foreign key (FK) column related to the primary key column of the first table and a second correlated value column (CV2). One implementation of the method includes preparing a database query for execution based at least in part on application of a derived constraint rule (DCR) having the form, (PK=FK)?CV2+C1?CV1?CV2+C2, where C1 and C2 are constants and “?” means “implies,” to produce an execution plan. A frequency of errors due to changes in DCRs is taken into account when preparing the execution plan. The plan is then executed.

Abstract: A hand-held device (2) for applying a barrier material (4, 6) to a lock of hair to be treated with a highlighting composition (32) is disclosed. The device may comprise one or two rolls (8, 10) of a tape of barrier material (4, 6) that is dispensed to the lock of hair as the same time as the roll or rolls (8, 10) are unrolled. The device may also contain the highlighting composition (32), either applied on the rolled tape or via a reservoir contained in the body.

Abstract: A hand-held device (2) for applying a barrier material (4, 6) to a lock of hair to be treated with a highlighting composition (32) is disclosed. The device may comprise one or two rolls (8, 10) of a tape of barrier material (4, 6) that is dispensed to the lock of hair as the same time as the roll or rolls (8, 10) are unrolled. The device may also contain the highlighting composition (32), either applied on the rolled tape or via a reservoir contained in the body.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and database system are disclosed for executing database queries. The database includes a first table (T1) having a primary key (PK) column and a first correlated value column (CV1) and a second table (T2) having a foreign key (FK) column related to the primary key column of the first table and a second correlated value column (CV2). One implementation of the method includes preparing a database query for execution based at least in part on application of a derived constraint rule (DCR) having the form, (PK=FK)?CV2+C1?CV1?CV2+C2, where C1 and C2 are constants and “?” means “implies,” to produce an execution plan. Abort steps that are conditioned on changes in the DCR are also included in the execution plan. The plan is then executed.

Abstract: An assessments framework includes a framework batch processor and a partner batch processor. The framework batch processor performs static assessments based on information obtained from a task definition database and a policy database. The partner batch processor outputs dynamic task definitions and dynamic policy information, to be input to the framework batch processor for executing an assessment when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event may be a schedule-based trigger or an event-based trigger.

Abstract: A method, computer program and system for joining two tables, t1 and t2 are described. Each table contains rows and columns and is divided into one or more partitions. A correlation function is calculated between a first correlated value column of table t1 and a second correlated value column of table t2. Following a query request, a joining algorithm is used to join t1 and t2, using a reduced set of partitions based in part upon the correlation function.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for sampling bone marrow tissue, comprising a handle, and tissue sampling means comprising a sampling tube with a bore therein to receive a tissue sample, the outer surface of the sampling tube having an abrading formation extending in an axial direction along the tube, for abrading the sampled tissue, to permit the cannula tip to be laterally displaced whilst the tube is inserted into the bone marrow tissue. A biopsy needle for sampling bone marrow tissue, comprising a handle, tissue sampling means comprising a sampling tube with a bore therein to receive a tissue sample, and coupling means, separable from the needle, for coupling the needle to a rotary motor drive, whereby the needle is adaptable to both manual insertion and motor-assisted insertion.

Abstract: A service node is provided in a mobile communications network which collects radio link measurement reports which are transmitted to the service node by mobile stations. The mobile stations transmit the measurement reports in encapsulated form, in the form of SMS messages, in order to prevent the interception of the measurement report by the serving base station. The service node is able to perform handover decision algorithms using the measurement reports collected from the mobile stations in order to determine appropriate radio access nodes to be allocated to the mobile stations.

Abstract: A hand-held device (2) for applying a barrier material (4, 6) to a lock of hair to be treated with a highlighting composition (32) is disclosed. The device may comprise one or two rolls (8, 10) of a tape of barrier material (4, 6) that is dispensed to the lock of hair as the same time as the roll or rolls (8, 10) are unrolled. The device may also contain the highlighting composition (32), either applied on the rolled tape or via a reservoir contained in the body.

Abstract: A database system with multi-level partitioning is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of storage facilities with each storage facility storing data that represents rows of database tables. In each storage facility table rows corresponding to a specific table are logically ordered according to a row identifier, also called the row ID. The row ID includes a first value that is based on one or more columns of the table. The row ID also includes a second value that is based on one or more columns of the table. The row ID also includes a third value. The first value is calculated based on a single-level function. The single-level function is a combination of a plurality of functions. The single-level function produces different values for two rows when any of the plurality of functions produces different values for the two rows. The first value of the row ID is predominate in determining the order of the rows in the storage facilities.

Abstract: A method for automatically tracking compliance in a clinical trials process involving one or more operations comprising selecting a container; associating an identifier with the container, the identifier having a unique signature data item thereon; reading the unique signature data item to a relational database; performing a first operation relating to the container; checking the performance of the first operation against a compliance standard; following the successful completion of the first operation, writing an associated compliance data item to the relational database; optionally performing one or more further operations relating to the container; and following the successful completion of each optional further operation or a package thereof, writing an associated compliance data item to the database.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program are claimed for selecting rows from first and second tables each having rows containing values in columns. In at least the first table, the rows are divided into partitions at least one of which is populated by one or more rows.

Abstract: A mobile handset for use in a mobile communications system includes a user interface, a radio communications front end, a radio transceiving antenna, and a browser application to interpret a multimedia document received from a remote server. The browser application recognizes textual presentation markup tags in the document and presents text to a user in accordance with the markup tags. The browser application recognizes a standard set of document-independent local library file markup tags in the document, and stores a standard set of non-textual local library files corresponding to the local library file markup tags. The browser application further presents content provided by one of the local library files via the user interface in response to the recognition of one of the local library file markup tags in the document.

Abstract: A method and computer system for optimizing queries to a database are disclosed. The database includes a first table (T1) having a primary key (PK) column and a first correlated value column (CV1) and a second table (T2) having a foreign key (FK) column related to the primary key column of the first table and a second correlated value column (CV2). The method includes joining T1 to the T2 using PK=FK as the join condition to produce a join result having rows. Each row includes a value from CV1 and a value from CV2. The method further includes creating an initial running constraint (RC). The initial running constraint includes a null range.

Abstract: A mobile handset for use in a mobile communications system includes a user interface, a radio communications front end, a radio transceiving antenna, and a browser application to interpret a multimedia document received from a remote server. The browser application recognizes textual presentation markup tags in the document and presents text to a user in accordance with the markup tags. The browser application recognizes a standard set of document-independent local library file markup tags in the document, and stores a standard set of non-textual local library files corresponding to the local library file markup tags. The browser application further presents content provided by one of the local library files via the user interface in response to the recognition of one of the local library file markup tags in the document.

Abstract: A method, database system and computer program are disclosed for optimizing a SQL query, in which the SQL query includes a WHERE clause and a FROM clause. An evaluation is done to determine whether a non-covering join index partially but not completely covers the query. If it does, the join index is added to the FROM clause of the query without removing the partially covered base tables and the WHERE clause of the query is modified by: (1) mapping a query condition to the join index for its partially covered base tables; and (2) adding a join back condition from the join index to a base table from which the join index was formed.

Abstract: A soft tissue biopsy device which results the recovery of a biopsy of tissue which is a flat section in shape, particularly suitable for lymph node biopsy, and comprising twin opposing primary blades preferably aligned in parallel planes, to cut the upper and lower surfaces of the biopsy. A detachment blade is provided to cut the side walls and distal ends of the biopsy. In a preferred embodiment each primary blade has a sharpened tip set at an angle with a sharpened point to assist tissue penetration. The detachment blade, preferably has inwardly curving flexible sharpened tips at its distal end, and is attached to the handle at its proximal end by a slider such that when in a retracted position, the detachment blade is retracted from the tip of the twin blades; and when in an advanced position, the tip of the detachment blade abuts the tip of the twin blades.

Abstract: An assessments framework includes a framework batch processor and a partner batch processor. The framework batch processor performs static assessments based on information obtained from a task definition database and a policy database. The partner batch processor outputs dynamic task definitions and dynamic policy information, to be input to the framework batch processor for executing an assessment when a triggering event occurs. The triggering event may be a schedule-based trigger or an event-based trigger.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, software, and system that provides for a flexible definition of an assessment task including data services by providing a policy that defines a sequence of one or more data services, and associating an assessment task with the policy. An assessment framework executes the assessment task by performing the sequence of one of more data services defined in the policy. The policy is stored in a policy database and the assessment type is stored in an analyzer database and/or an audit request database.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical amplifier, in particular for optical fiber telecommunication lines (1), operating with a transmission signal in a predetermined wavelength range, which amplifier comprises a fluorescent active optical fiber (6) doped with erbium, having two cores (11 and 12, 101 and 102), one (11, 101) of which is connected to a fiber (4) in which a transmission signal to be amplified and a luminous pumping energy are multiplexed, and to an outgoing fiber adapted to transmit the amplified signal, whereas the second core (12, 102) is optically coupled to the first core and is capable of absorbing the spontaneous erbium emission which would constitute a noise source, allowing a signal to be amplified in a wavelength range substantially corresponding to the tolerance range of the commercially available signal laser emitters.