Abstract: A method and system that replicates state information stored in a first data processing system to a second data processing system, whereby the state information is kept in a set of records. An incoming request message requesting a change of the state information is received and an indicator is assigned to the incoming request message representing the order in which the incoming request messages are processed. The sender of the incoming request message is sent a response message after confirmation that the at least one first storage subsystem received a modification record containing the indicator for the incoming request message and modification records of all predecessors of the incoming request message. The at least one first storage subsystem may send an acknowledge message to the first data processing unit confirming receipt of a modification record.

Abstract: In a process for drying microporous, fluid-containing particles, the heat required for increasing the temperature is supplied by convection by reducing the interfacial tension of the fluid, preferably to 0 to 1/10, in particular to 0 to 1/20, of the interfacial tension of the fluid at room temperature, by appropriately increasing the temperature at from close to the critical pressure to supercritical pressure of the fluid. Furthermore, microporous, three-dimensionally networked particles are prepared by a process in which the drying process is used. In addition, an apparatus is used for carrying out the drying process, the apparatus comprising a pressure container having an inner container and pressure-withstanding outer container and suitable measuring and control apparatuses and pump apparatuses and heat exchangers, the inner container being provided for holding the particles to be dried and a gap being provided between the inner container and the outer container.

Abstract: The present invention provides facilities for tagging files or data with attribute information in the form of a file tag (TAGINFO) which contains an identifier for text information (TXTFLAG) and an attribute (CCSID) for identifying encoding schemes. TXTFLAG is an auto conversion flag that inhibits automatic conversion between encoding schemes when switched off, while CCSID is an encoding scheme identifier. Furthermore, a runtime attribute (process CCSID) is assigned to a process specifying the runtime encoding scheme. A conversion is done automatically by an auto conversion function if both CCSIDs allow a conversion. Files having no file tag are tagged with a virtual file tag (default tag) by means of an automatic tagging (AUTOTAG) function using heuristic rules for determining whether the data or file contains text or binary information. Old applications must work with untagged files as before.

Abstract: In a method and a corresponding apparatus for adjusting the wavelength in an optical device, a wavelength selective filter element, for example a Fabry-Perot etalon, whose wavelength characteristic depends on the angle of incidence (.alpha..sub.min) of the light beam on the filter element is arranged on a shaft which can be rotated by a motor. The filter element is mounted to the shaft such that its surface normal forms an angle (.gamma..sub.o) with the axis. The shaft itself is inclined relative to the axis of the light beam passing through the filter element. When the axis is rotating, the angle of incidence of the light beam on the filter element changes, resulting in a change of the wavelength of the transmitted beam. By rotating the axis, very small changes of the angle of incidence and thus of the wavelength can be precisely adjusted. The invention can be used in an external cavity laser comprising a semiconductor laser chip, a lens and a grating.

Abstract: A method of pretreating suspended flexible containers of the type including an upper tubular part of a flexible material and a lower bottom rigid part. The method comprises applying to a lower edge portion of the upper tubular part a pulling force in a longitudinal direction towards the lower bottom part so that the upper tubular part elongates to its maximum length, and subsequent fixedly connecting the lower edge of the upper tubular part to the lower bottom part. An arrangement for pretreating such containers comprises means for suspending the container by an upper edge portion of the tubular part, pulling means for pulling the lower edge of the upper tubular parts in a longitudinal direction to the lower bottom part and for subsequently fixedly connecting the lower edge of the upper tubular part to the lower bottom part, means for connecting the pulling means to the upper tubular part, and means for connecting the pulling means to the lower bottom parts.