Abstract: A business method. A dividend is calculated from: (i) a penalty assessed against a holder, of at least one share of a financial instrument, who sells the at least one share on a date of sale preceding an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument; and/or (ii) a premium lost by other purchasers of the financial instrument who sell, on dates of sale preceding an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument, shares of the financial instrument purchased by the other purchasers, wherein a premium consisting of an upfront fee against a purchaser of one or more shares of the financial instrument is assessed against the purchaser which entitles the purchaser to a future portion of the premium lost. The dividend is distributed, on a date subsequent to the date of sale, to all Holders of Record of the financial instrument on the date of sale.

Abstract: A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1, and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.

Abstract: A surface mount header is shown which may be mounted to a surface of a printed circuit board, where pins project away from the board. Alternatively, the surface mount header may be connected to a surface of a printed circuit board with the pins projecting downwardly through an opening in the board. Insulative sleeves surround the pins in order to protect the pins from contact with conductive paths within the board.

Abstract: A financial instrument of an entity and a related business method. The financial instrument includes: a conventional investment instrument; a penalty feature added to the conventional investment instrument; and a dividend feature added to the conventional investment instrument. The penalty feature is characterized by a penalty assessed against a holder of at least one share of the financial instrument who sells the at least one share on a date of sale that precedes an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument. The dividend feature is characterized by a dividend adapted to be distributed, on a date subsequent to the date of sale, to all Holders of Record of the financial instrument on the date of sale. The dividend is derived from the penalty. The financial instrument is adapted to be acquired by a plurality of investors.

Abstract: A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1 and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.

Abstract: A surface mount header is shown which may be mounted to a surface of a printed circuit board, where pins project away from the board. Alternatively, the surface mount header may be connected to a surface of a printed circuit board with the pins projecting downwardly through an opening in the board. Insulative sleeves surround the pins in order to protect the pins from contact with conductive paths within the board.

Abstract: A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1, and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.

Abstract: The present invention provides a financial instrument of an entity and a related business method. The financial instrument includes: a conventional investment instrument; a premium and/or penalty feature added to the conventional investment instrument; and a dividend feature added to the conventional investment instrument. The premium feature is characterized by an upfront fee paid by the purchaser of at least one share of the financial instrument. The penalty feature is characterized by a penalty assessed against the holder of at least one share of the financial instrument who sells the at least one share on a date of sale that proceeds an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument. The dividend feature is characterized by a dividend adapted to be distributed, on a date subsequent to the date of sale, to all Holders of Record of the financial instrument on the date of sale.

Abstract: A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1, and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.

Abstract: A financial instrument of an entity and a related business method. The financial instrument includes: a conventional investment instrument; a penalty feature added to the conventional investment instrument; and a dividend feature added to the conventional investment instrument. The penalty feature is characterized by a penalty assessed against a holder of at least one share of the financial instrument who sells the at least one share on a date of sale that precedes an extinguish date associated with the financial instrument. The dividend feature is characterized by a dividend adapted to be distributed, on a date subsequent to the date of sale, to all Holders of Record of the financial instrument on the date of sale. The dividend is derived from the penalty. The financial instrument is adapted to be acquired by a plurality of investors.

Abstract: A flow status monitoring method is disclosed for a gravity flow metering system employing a metering chamber separated by a movable diaphragm into two compartments, each with a valved inlet and valved outlet. The system alternately opens pairs of valves on opposite sides of the diaphragm at preselected time intervals to deliver a fixed increment of fluid. Each preselected interval is divided into a series of discrete sub-intervals, and flow monitoring information is generated by displaying a a discrete indicator representative of the sub-interval in which movement of the diaphragm across the chamber is completed.

Abstract: An intravenous administration set assembly (10) is disclosed which is capable of introducing fluid from a plurality of sources of intravenous fluids into a patient and which allows the various sources of fluid to be easily attached and detected from the assembly without the necessity for intravening safety steps, such as purging the system, and yet without any possibility of air or bacteria being introduced through the system into the patient. An air-eliminating filter (32) is attached to a manifold formed of fittings (26) which are connected through inlet adapters (28) to the sources of intravenous fluid. The air-eliminating filter (32) ensures that air or bacteria introduced into the assembly (10) through attaching or detaching sources to the assembly does not pass to the patient and also ensures that a head pressure is maintained relative to the venous pressure of the patient to prevent a back flow of blood from the patient into the assembly.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device utilizing a catheter wound inside a two-piece generally cylindrical dispenser and extending outwardly into a slotted needle secured to an outlet from the dispenser; a stiffener comprising a closely-wound wire helix which surrounds a central straight wire is positioned inside the catheter; the dispenser is composed of two relatively rotatable parts, one a relatively flat base having a slot communicating with the slotted needle, the other a receptacle having an inwardly-facing wall which engages the catheter; the receptacle is releasably and rotatably held to the base by a central spindle extending upwardly from the base member through a hole in the top of the receptacle; a flexible feed guide extends from the base adjacent the dispenser outlet and guides the catheter toward the outlet; the guide is engageable with a stop to positively prevent further rotation of the receptacle at a predetermined point when the proximal end of the catheter nears the outlet; the dispenser spindle is s