Abstract: A system and method for the configuration, protection and repair of virtual ring networks is revealed. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of configuring an existing network topology, such as a mesh topology, into a virtual ring-based topology. The virtual rings disclosed are configurable through the use of software contained at the constituent nodes. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables a network carrier to make quality of service guarantees to customers equivalent to that expected from UPSR and BLSR based networks without having to employ expensive protection schemes. Node and trunk failures within the virtual ring are often repairable through path recalculation within the virtual ring thereby enabling shared protection schemes to be implemented for the virtual ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for managing data having a first database for storing system data, a second database for storing client data and at least one database server to control the first database and the second database. In addition, a first set of objects are linked to the first database through the database server, and a second set of objects are linked to the second database through the database server. Moreover, a set of minions is linked to the second set of objects, an agent manger is linked to the first set of objects and the set of minions, and an interactive manager is linked to the first set of objects, the agent manager and a user application via an inter-process communication interface.

Abstract: An automated appliance control system includes a unit which transmits binary coded address and function control signals along the a.c. power line to a plurality of appliance control modules connected to the power line at various locations in the home. The binary coded signals transmitted along the a.c. power line are in the form of binary rf bursts which occur before and after the a.c. power line zero crossing points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and computer program for managing data by storing one or more data records in a database, creating a management plan having one or more states, selecting one or more data records from the database and assigning each of the selected data records to an initial state in the management plan, updating the values of the one or more elements of each data record with new data, and moving each selected data record to the next state whenever the trigger value matches the updated value of the trigger element. Each data record has one or more elements. Each state has one or more rules. Each rule has a trigger element, a trigger value and a next state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, computer program and system for managing data. The computer program has at least one code segment to control system data stored in a first database and client data stored in a second database and several code segments that define a first set of objects linked to the first database, a second set of objects linked to the second database, and one or more minions. In addition, there are code segments to allow interaction with one or more agent processes. There is also a code segment to provide an interface between an external application and the code segment to manage the job queue.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, computer program and system for managing data. The computer program has at least one code segment to control system data stored in a first database and client data stored in a second database and several code segments that define a first set of objects linked to the first database, a second set of objects linked to the second database, and one or more minions. In addition, there are code segments to manage ajob queue, and one or more agent processes. There is also a code segment to provide an interface between a user and the code segment to manage the job queue.

Abstract: A probe type instrument to characterize tissue type that combines optical and electrical tests in a single device capable of providing data of both types almost simultaneously from very small, e.g. 3-10 mm diameter, areas of tissue surface. Key to this approach is an instrument capable of making almost simultaneous electrical and optical measurements on the same small areas of tissue, before being moved to scan adjacent tissue areas. In the preferred operation of the system fourteen measurement cycles are performed per second and each measurement involves a complex sequence of events, including (1) three optical and fifteen electrical tissue stimulations with subsequent detection, filtering and digitization of the tissue response; (2) extraction of specific parameters from the optical and electrical signals; (3) checking for errors, and subsequent classification of the extracted parameters into various tissue type categories; and (4) feedback to the system operator.

Abstract: A process for further purification of nitrogen gas, thereby producing ultra-high purity nitrogen which is substantially free of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon monoxide, wherein the nitrogen gas is contacted with a metal-containing adsorbent at a temperature of 150 K. or less.

Abstract: A communications system and method, for facilitating exchange of data between a first computer and a second computer connected in a network to operate in a client/server arrangement: The first computer employing a different operating system to the second computer and the system having a basic communications application program interface (API). The system includes a first device for processing requests from a first application running on the first computer for connection with the second computer to carry out one of a plurality of communication services, second device for instructing a second application on the second computer to carry out the communications services and for returning data provided by the second application to the first computer and a storage device, on each computer accessible by the respective devices, storing a single object class for providing definitions for each of the plurality of communication services.

Abstract: A fluorometric luminescence immunoassay method includes forming a sample by exposing a first immune reaction reactant to a second immune reaction reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant, one of the first and second immune reaction reactants being labelled with a photoluminescent energy transfer donor and the other being labelled with a photoluminescent energy transfer acceptor complementary to the photoluminescent donor. At least the photoluminescent donor has the property of photoluminescence, and the photoluminescent donor and acceptor are chosen so that when the first immune reaction reactant reacts with the second immune reaction reactant, the donor and the acceptor are capable of interacting to produce a detectable luminescence lifetime change. The sample is excited with radiation, and the resulting emission is detected. The apparent luminescent lifetime is then calculated to determine the presence of a reaction product of the first and second immune reaction reactants.

Abstract: A tamper evident dual snap on cap and spout for a plastic bottle neck has a removable first closure having an upper skirt and an upstanding spout with an inwardly spaced sealing flange. A tear skirt joined to the lower most edge of the upper skirt with a circumferential tear line and depending tab extending therefrom. A second closure has an annular band engageable on a portion of the bottle neck, an inwardly spaced sealing flange and a pour spout engageable with the upstanding spout and inwardly spaced sealing flange of the first closure. Removal of the tear skirt allows removal of the first closure and access to the closure's pour spout.

Abstract: Highly palatable, shelf-stable, moist, pasta-type extruded food products are provided which can be formulated as a human food (e.g., a confection) or as a pet food. The extruded products of the invention include a substantially completely gelatinized matrix including therein from about 35-70% by weight starch, dry basis, together with quantities of protein and sugar. The extruded products should have a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight, and a water activity of from about 0.6-0.9. The products are made by forming a mixture of ingredients followed by preconditioning, extrusion and drying and/or cooling to achieve the final desired moisture.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a light producing microemulsion formed in the resence of a surfactant/cosurfactant pair from an oil phase medium having at least an oxalate derivative and a fluorescer compound dissolved in it and an aqueous phase medium containing at least an oxidant dissolved in it. The light produced in such a microemulsion can be used to analyze aqueous oxidant-containing samples by comparing the amount of light produced by a microemulsion formed from a known quantity of an oxidant to a similar sample containing an unknown quantity of an oxidant. The comparison can be made by any well known photosensitive means and can be computerized.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a light producing microemulsion formed in the resence of a surfactant/cosurfactant pair from an oil phase medium having at least an oxalate derivative and a fluorescer compound dissolved in it and an aqueous phase medium containing at least an oxidant dissolved in it. The light produced in such a microemulsion can be used to analyze aqueous oxidant-containing samples by comparing the amount of light produced by a microemulsion formed from a known quantity of an oxidant to a similar sample containing an unknown quantity of an oxidant. The comparison can be made by any well known photosensitive means and can be computerized.

Abstract: Electric meters contained within modular enclosures are field-installed within the electric distribution system busway by a busway riser and an associated busway connector. The busway connector interfaces between a pair of meter modules electrically connected on either side by means of busway connector straps. The busway connector straps are welded to the individual bus bars within the busway system on both sides of the bus bars.

Abstract: There is disclosed a necktie or cravat which has snaps or other fasteners allowing it to be fastened at the shirt collar or removed without tying or untying the knot. One embodiment has a strip of semi-rigid plastic several inches in length with holes which engage with standard male snap fasteners at the top ends of the two panels of the necktie. The necktie is attached and removed by snapping and unsnapping the snap fastener into a selected hole in the plastic strip. Holes spaced one-half inch apart provide adjustability to accommodate different neck sizes. Preferably the two panels of the tie are not actually knotted but are provided with a separate matching slide formed of the same material as the tie and wrapped about the panels in a manner to simulate a single windsor knot, a double windsor knot or other decorative simulated knot.

Abstract: An electric feedthrough unit particularly advantageous for application to a wellhead to interconnect an aboveground source of power with underground equipment comprises a tubular structure of steel, or other material having like properties of strength and resistance to distortion, and a rigid body of insulating material which is positioned within said tubular structure in a location intermediately of and spaced from its respective ends, one of which ends constitutes an upper end and the other a lower end when said electric feedthrough unit is applied to a wellhead. Electrically conductive elements are contained by and in recessed relation to the outer surface of said body of insulating material, spaced from the respective ends of said tubular structure. Said body of insulating material is interposed between said conductive elements and said housing to receive and transmit to said housing such forces and stresses and strains as are applied thereto directly, or indirectly.