Sublinear expected time approximate string match-ing and biological applications

The invention relates to nipple-electrode assemblies and joints, such as those used in electric arc furnaces, and to a means of distributing thread clearance throughout the assembly and/or joint. These means include the pre-positioning of the nipple in the socket of the electrode section into which the nipple is threaded so as to provide a clearance between the non-load bearing flanks of the threads of said threaded nipple and said threaded electrode socket and the placing within the space between the base of the nipple and the bottom of the socket of the electrode section a hot, non-gaseous fluid, carbonizable material which solidifies upon cooling, thereby preparing a preassembly wherein the nipple is fixed in the electrode section, thereby maintaining the aforedescribed pre-positioning and thread clearance and thereby also providing room for thermal expansion of the threads of the connection. The hot, carbonizable material is introduced into the space between the base of the nipple and the bottom of the socket, while in a hot, fluid condition, through a hole in the nipple after the nipple has been threaded into the electrode socket, after which the carbonizable material solidifies. Upon connection of the projecting end of the nipple into a socket of an electrode section and use in a column of electrodes in an electric arc furnace, the solidified carbonizable material again becomes heated, melts and some of it flows downwardly through the hole into the corresponding space in the socket of the electrode section of the column and then becomes solid and carbonizes due to the heat encountered, thereby locking the nipple in the sockets of both electrode sections joined.