Abstract: The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders.

Abstract: An automated blood draw system operates in conjunction with an arterial or venous line. The aspiration mechanism allows the rate of aspiration, volume of aspirate, and the time interval of aspiration to be predetermined. Blood can be collected in sequential collection vials for subsequent analysis of a given laboratory parameter, or delivered directly to integrated analysis devices. While a predetermined volume of aspirate can be wasted, excessive aspiration is prevented by monitoring waste obtained in a collection receptacle. A flush system maintains the patency of the line without contamination of the specimen.

Abstract: An expandable surgical retractor for minimally invasive surgical applications is disclosed. The expandable retractor, preferably in the form of an inflatable balloon retractor, is inserted in a surgical corridor and expanded to the desired size and shape. The retractor of the present invention is amenable to many shapes including cylindrical, conical with the base at the depth of the corridor, hourglass, and crescent and are dictated by the surgeon's needs. Cooling of the retractor allows the retractor to maintain the expanded characteristic. The expanded relatively rigid retractor provides an ideal corridor for surgical applications. In a preferred embodiment, a second retractor, of the invention, can be placed at a greater depth through the first placed retractor; the “telescoping” effect rapidly provides greater exposure with minimal manipulation. Following surgery, such retractor(s) can be removed in a manner that minimizes bleeding and tissue damage.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) to increase the accuracy and efficiency of an RFID system is provided. A system includes an RFID component that receives a signal from an RFID reader, and an identifier component that interfaces with the RFID component and identifies the source of the signal. The system further includes a signal strength component that interfaces with the identifier component and measures the strength of the signal. The system can include an environment component that analyzes an operating environment.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates utilizing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an object. An RFID component can receive extended data from the RFID tag that identifies an operation. An automation device can then manipulate the object based at least in part upon the extended data and the identified operation. Moreover, a controller can be utilized to control the automation device, wherein the controller utilizes an internal database and/or data store to provide efficient access to specific information.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to exploitation of sequence information in a workload for the purpose of performance tuning. An optimal or exhaustive approach to tune sequences by mapping to a shortest path problem is provided as well as powerful techniques that result in optimal or nearly optimal solutions. Also disclosed is greedy approach that is much more efficient than the optimal approach and yet also generates solutions of comparable quality. Further yet, systems and methods are provided that facilitate extraction of sequence information and implementation of recommendations.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to logical schema tuning for databases. Mechanisms are provided for automatically recommending one or more logical schema transformations to improve database performance with respect to workload and data characteristics. Furthermore, several potential schema transformations including desirable properties are presented including mapping tables, vertical partitioning, frequent value elimination and type and attribute conversion. Still further yet, disclosed is a mechanism for rewriting database operations (e.g. queries, updates . . . ) for an optimized schema to ensure correct evaluation.

Abstract: An RFID reader and/or writer module in an industrial controller (e.g., PLC). The RFID module interfaces internally to the controller for tight integration therewith. The RFID module can also be part of a controller communications framework and as a standalone module with the PLC as a master device, and interact with the RFID module in the same manner as it interacts with other I/O devices connected to the controller. In another aspect, RFID read/write tag technology is incorporated into some or all major PLC and rack components, and utilized for wireless communication both between PLC system components and between the PLC and other devices, locations, and media. The RFID tag can be used to store and exchange electronic keying data, security information, module diagnostics and warranty information, series and revision levels code, I/O configuration data, and, replacement data. Artificial intelligence is also employed.

Abstract: An outlier index for a database and a given workload is generated by identifying sub-relations of tuples in the database induced by selection and group by conditions in queries in the workload. A variance is then generated for values in each sub-relation. Sub-relations having higher variances are selected, and outliers from such sub-relations having higher variances are generated.

Abstract: Infrastructure for capturing and correlating application context and database context for tuning, profiling and debugging tasks. The infrastructure extends the DBMS and application profiling infrastructure making it easy for a developer to invoke and interact with a tool from inside the development environment. Three sources of information are employed when an application is executed: server tracing, data access layer tracing, and application tracing. The events obtained from each of these sources are written into a log file. An event log is generated on each machine that involves either an application process or the DBMS server process and the log file receives log traces from different processes on a machine to the same trace session. A post-processing step over the event log(s) correlates the application and database contexts. The output is a single view where both the application and database profile of each statement issued by the application are exposed.

Abstract: A proactive monitoring mechanism for correcting the choice of access methods (available query plans) for a given query, based on execution feedback from the same query. The mechanism exploits bypassing predicate short-circuiting inside the database server's predicate evaluation module to obtain expression cardinalities. The mechanism can also modify a plan to obtain expression cardinalities. These techniques are used judiciously by the query optimizer and/or a database administrator (DBA) so that the execution overheads are within acceptable limits.

Abstract: Assignment algorithm for automatically making assignments between documents and document reviewers for a review process. If the automated assignments need adjusting, a coordinator can manually refine the assignment(s). The assignment algorithm facilitates the automated assignment process based on inputs related to a constraint and/or a preference. The constraints and preferences include, but are not limited to, a conflict of interest, a minimum number of reviews, a maximum number of submissions, a partial assignment, bidding preferences, and health metrics. Once the assignments have been made, histograms can be generated that present an overview of certain health metrics, further allowing refinement of the assignment process.

Abstract: An RFID reader and/or writer module in an industrial controller (e.g., PLC). The RFID module interfaces internally to the controller for tight integration therewith. The RFID module can also be part of a controller communications framework and as a standalone module with the PLC as a master device, and interact with the RFID module in the same manner as it interacts with other I/O devices connected to the controller. In another aspect, RFID read/write tag technology is incorporated into some or all major PLC and rack components, and utilized for wireless communication both between PLC system components and between the PLC and other devices, locations, and media. The RFID tag can be used to store and exchange electronic keying data, security information, module diagnostics and warranty information, series and revision levels code, I/O configuration data, and, replacement data. Artificial intelligence is also employed.

Abstract: A method of estimating results of a database query, the results are estimated by performing a sampling of weighted tuples in a database based on a probability of usage of tuples required in executing a workload. A probability is associated with each tuple sampled. An aggregate is computed over values in each sampled tuple while multiplying by the inverses of the probabilities associated with each tuple sampled.

Abstract: A monitoring component of a database server collects a subset of a query workload along with related statistics. A remote index tuning component uses the workload subset and related statistics to determine a physical design that minimizes the cost of executing queries in the workload subset while ensuring that queries omitted from the subset do not degrade in performance.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for maintaining software applications on a computer. Multiple profiles having distinct attributes are defined on the computer. Separate updates for software applications are defined for individual profiles. A service module installed on the computer automatically selects appropriate updates for software applications for installation according to the individual profiles.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for installing software products on a computer. A software product is identified and authorized for installation on a computer. Parameters useful for installing the software product are identified and transmitted to a server. Installations instructions are received from the server, and the identified software product is automatically installed according to the received instructions.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for self-updating software applications on a computer system. Installed software applications register with a service module installed on the computer. The service module requests updates for the installed software applications, including itself, and receives identification of available updates, including an update for itself. After receiving the identification, the service module automatically installs the identified updates, including updating itself.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for updating software applications on a computer. Parameters associated with installed software applications are collected and transmitted to a server and installation instructions are determined based on the parameters. Installation instructions are then received from the server and appropriate updates are automatically installed according to the received instructions.

Abstract: A portable RFID reader (or reader/writer) that also employs a location determination subsystem that facilitates determination of the reader (or reader/writer) location. The location subsystem can employ a satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) location technology where such signals are unimpeded by structures. Additionally, the location subsystem can employ other terrestrial location technologies that operate inside structures such as warehouses and the factory automation environment.