The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program product for controlling a recommender system, wherein a user profile normally used by a recommender to predict user ratings is employed to generate a targeted query for the remote database yielding a set of results that can be scored by the recommender and provided as suggestions to the user. The circuit of the present invention matches the output dynamic range of a CCD imager to an ADC and subsequent DSPASIC by using a logarithmic function to fit a wider input dynamic range onto a narrower output dynamic range. or more in melting point and a low-melting biodegradable resin ingredient of 100 C. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion of at least one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon. Accordingly, a new optical fiber probe both with a high transmission efficiency and with a large polarization degree is obtained. In a second embodiment the grease is driven from the barrel by suction applied by a pump against the surface of said disc.