Abstract: A system and method synchronizes multiple data stores and achieves data consistency in a non-transactional multiprocessing computer system. Processes are paused and later resumed according to their position in a dependency tree of the system. The data input sources of the system are in effect disabled and any data flow currently in progress in the system is flushed out the various data flow paths to the different data stores. When this process is complete, each of the multiple data stores is synchronized and the data is in a consistent state.

Abstract: An object conversion system which allows applications and their data to migrate from a classless object space to a class-based object space independently of other applications and data. A set of procedures operate upon, update, and maintain a set of four tables, including, (1) a field location table for use in determining whether a field was created by a classless object model application or a class-based object model application; (2) a field method table for storing mappings from fields to both their corresponding class and method for access; (3) an identification table for storing the mapping between a classless object ID and its corresponding class-based object ID; and (4) an object description table for storing the mapping between a classless object ID to every field associated with that classless object ID.

Abstract: Expression vector for expressing the E. coli a polypeptide other than E. coli malate dehydrogenase coded for by a DNA coding sequence. The vector includes a DNA coding for the polypeptide and also includes an initiation codon wherein the DNA sequence is operatively linked to an upstream sequence located upstream of the initiation codon and which is capable of controlling expression of the polypeptide. The upstream sequence consists on the 285 base pair sequence defined by SEQ ID NO:3. A process for expressing a polypeptide by culturing a host strain of E. coli transformed with an expression vector of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical analysis of particles such as biological cells utilizes twin beams passing through a common optical fibre to avoid problems of alignment. For scattering measurements, a narrower beam can be used to gate detection of a broader beam to avoid amiguities associated with off-axis particles. The twin beams can also be used for thermal lensing, fluorescence or other techniques. Different beam diameters can alternatively be achieved in a single beam by controlling the focal length of a beam focussing lens.