Abstract: A transverse connector system for coupling elongate elements to each other in a spinal fixation system. A trans-connector plate with at least one slot-like passage may have top and bottom elongated concave surface configurations. A cylindrical component of a coupling member may be configured to couple with an elongate fixation element by way of a helical slot. A male component on the coupling member may be inserted through the slot like passage and a locking member may be secured thereon to position and orient the coupling member. A second coupling member and locking member may be utilized through a passage in the trans-connector plate, which may be a second slot-like passage. Each locking member cooperates with its respective coupling member to prevent uncoupling, and each may be positioned at a desired lateral position along a slot-like passage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses enable generating distributed workflows that couple actions with a business scenario, and relate activities to each other with request-to-perform (RTP) relationships. The activities are coupled to the business scenario to generate a workflow, and the RTP relationships enable management of distributed activities that are part of the workflow. Individual actions and activities that are part of a business objective are modeled. The modeled actions define resources related to a business activity. The individual activities can be instantiated and related with RTP relationships to result in a workflow that can be generated and managed by the enterprise system. Interactions between users can be captured within the system as part of the workflow. In one embodiment, distributed workflows operate within traditional fixed (e.g., ERP) workflows, for example, by modeling complex tasks of a fixed workflow that actually requires multiple actions before being completed.

Abstract: Encapsulated colorants for waterborne coating compositions are provided as a system and kit with a method for tinting the water borne coating compositions. The encapsulated colorant comprises at least one water dispersible tinting material to be released into the based coating composition upon dissolution of the encapsulating layer to give the coating composition color. The encapsulating layer surrounding the colorant has at least one polymer that is soluble in aqueous medium surrounding the tinting material wherein the layer has a thickness from about 0.5 to about 5 mils and can dissolve to release the dispersible tinting material in an aqueous coating composition having about 25 to about 45 volume percent solids and about 55 to about 75 volume percent water in less than 15 minutes with agitation at a temperature in the range of about 50 to about 110° F.

Abstract: A top-loading multi-axial, double locking bone anchor assembly. A receiver member receives an internal saddle member, a bi-polar member, and a bone anchor through an open bottom, which are retained by an internal threaded ring member threaded onto the receiver member. A double-locking compression retaining member includes an external nut-like fastener and an internal setscrew-like fastener. The nut-like fastener attaches to an upper portion of the receiver member and interfaces with the internal saddle member to retain a desired angular position on the bone anchor and the setscrew-like fastener interfaces with an elongated member placed in a channel of the receiver member to retain it to the assembly. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial as well as multi-polar positioning with respect to the receiver member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide for a meta-repository to store business processes from different backend systems and make the business processes available to the different backend systems. In one embodiment, the backend systems execute incompatible software, but the business processes are standardized and can be instantiated in each of the backend systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses enable a workflow creation framework with which to create a portable ad hoc workflow. The ad hoc workflow is generated as a business process embodying a sequence of work actions performed. The ad hoc workflow is stored as a portable ad hoc workflow in a business process repository that provides access to business processes to different backend systems. The business process repository provides the portable ad hoc workflow as a template from which to generate a business process. The system in which the business process will be generated does not have to be the same backend system, or even a compatible backend system, with the backend system in which the ad hoc workflow was created.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses enable evolution of components used in developing modeled applications and processes. A framework allows for observing and storing information regarding the relatedness of a component to another component. The framework can provide context changes and component modifications based at least in part on the observed relatedness information for use in development and/or execution of developed applications and processes.

Abstract: A business process modification framework enables evolution of a business process within an organization without the need to change underlying software that runs the business process. The modification framework is invoked with a suggested modification of a business process stored in a business process repository. A proposed modified business process is generated, evaluated, and tested, which may be performed iteratively with further changes. If the proposed modified business process is successful in evaluation and testing, the modified business process may replace the original business process in the organization. Thus, the organization may deploy the suggested business process in place of the original business process to enable its business processes to evolve. After deployment, a business process can be monitored to determine whether performance in actual implementation meets expectations. Agents can provide automation to the testing and/or monitoring of the business process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide a search tool to conduct a deep enterprise search for business objects related to a query received at a search interface. The search tool identifies an object type and an argument, and searches the enterprise via one or more enterprise services for one or more business objects related to the argument of the search string. Results can be particularly formatted to be appropriate for the context and device with which the search was requested.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus can enable a trading network can use participant nodes of the trading network as a hub node to distribute tasks within the trading network, instead of a fixed server as a fixed hub. The trading network can allow for distribution of tasks for grid computing. The trading network can also be enabled to switch from using one participant node as the hub to using another participant node as the hub. Additionally, the hub node can be enabled to pass functionality to another node at the request of the hub node instead of at the request of the receiving node.

Abstract: The structure and status of a process are displayed jointly. Multiple visualization mechanisms are used to provide the visualization of business process data. Drill-down of the data provides interactivity for a user to access information. In one embodiment color coding is used to provide a color distribution to visually indicate information to a user regarding a process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide for a dynamic view and access to data and workflows. The dynamic view and access is generated through a modeled software application based on a determined authorization. The authorization enables access to data, and is based on a context in which the data is requested or attempted to be accessed. The context includes a business role associated with the request or access.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses enable providing an action center in which to perform work. The action center is generated as a modeled software application that provides dynamic access to data and one or more callable services with which to perform an activity related to the data. The dynamic access is provided via determining an authorization based on a business role associated with a request for the data related. The request for the data is related to a work activity of a workflow associated with the data.

Abstract: Grid user tools enable access to information related to a grid network by a user. The grid user tools may provide interactive access to data objects, to allow the user to access additional information, and/or process/operations related to the data objects. The grid user tools can provide dynamic information displays, and provide up-to-date statistics related to the grid network.

Abstract: A screensaver displays tools for use by a grid trading network participant. The tools can be interactive to allow the participant to access information related to the grid trading network.

Abstract: The structure and status of multiple processes are displayed jointly. Multiple visualization mechanisms are used to provide the visualization of business process data to provide a comparison of multiple processes together. Drill-down of the data provides interactivity for a user to access information about one or more of the processes. In one embodiment color coding is used to provide a color distribution to visually indicate information to a user regarding the processes.

Abstract: Presentation methods are determined from a work context and/or user preferences. The presentation methods can be combined in any manner with various navigational methods and working modes, to present any type of enterprise data to a user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide contextual awareness to a groupware client with respect to an enterprise backend system. The groupware client generates a query or request for data within a context of the groupware client. A backend determines the context, which may include processing an indication of the context received with the query. Data is selectively chosen based on the context, and the selected data is provided to the groupware client to fulfill the request. In one embodiment, the backend determines a permission associated with the context.

Abstract: A backend enterprise server includes an application that sends metadata to a groupware client. The metadata enables an enterprise user to modify a function of the backend application from within the context of the groupware client. The groupware client sends metadata describing the modification back to the backend application where the modification is applied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide extension to a groupware client to enable the groupware client to access a workflow of a business process from the context of the groupware client. An enterprise server that manages the workflow can interface with the groupware client to provide action on the workflow from within the context of the groupware client. The enterprise server passes the action to the enterprise backend to implement the action on the workflow. Thus, action on the workflow from the groupware client affects the workflow on the enterprise level. Status information about the workflow may be persisted in the groupware client to enable continued interaction with the workflow from within the groupware client.