Abstract: The invention relates to medical implants, including spinal implants and bone grafts, for fixation and integration with hard tissue. The bone medical implants include at least one rotational fixation mechanism that further includes or is attached to one or more sharp protrusions configured to penetrate and become lodged into hard tissue to provide support and positional stability. Such support is useful to ensure that the spinal bone graft may be used without additional stabilizing or anchoring structures, such as supporting plates or screws.

Abstract: A method executes at a computer system to retrieve data from a database. Upon receiving a database query, the computer system translates the query into an intermediate representation, and estimates a compilation time to compile the intermediate representation into machine executable code. The query execution time to retrieve a result set is also estimated. In accordance with a determination that the query execution time and compilation time satisfy an interpretation criterion, the computer system invokes a byte code interpreter to interpret the intermediate representation and retrieve the result set from the database. In accordance with a determination that the query execution and compilation times satisfy one of a plurality of compilation criteria, the computer system compiles the intermediate representation to form machine code and executes the machine code to retrieve the result set from the database. In some cases, the query intermediate representation is optimized prior to compilation.

Abstract: A carrier apparatus for a portable computer including a single rectangular flexible case having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a foldable horizontal crease disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. A transparent pocket is disposed on an internal surface of the bottom portion of the case. A neck strap is attached to a top edge of the top portion of the case. A female snap fastener of a snap fastener is disposed on the bottom portion of the case, and a male snap fastener of the snap fastener is disposed on the top portion of the case. A plurality of a pair of side release buckles are attached to a plurality of a pair of straps attached to the case. Each of a right closure mechanism and a left closure mechanism of a pair of closure mechanism are disposed on the case.

Abstract: A transport container for transport of bicycle frames (22) comprises an outer container (10,16). In the outer container (10,16), a receiving element (20) is arranged. The receiving element (20) is connected to fixing elements (50) for fixing the bicycle frame (22). By the provision of spacers (30,32), the bicycle frame is held at a distance from inner walls of the outer container (10,16), thus protecting the frame from damage during transport.

Abstract: A load sensor includes a housing and a magnet carrier axially movable within the housing. A first and a second magnet are coupled to the magnet carrier in an axially spaced apart arrangement and oriented to provide repelling magnetic fields. The magnet carrier and the first and second magnets are axially movable relative to the magnetic field sensor, and the magnetic field sensor is configured to provide an output that is indicative of the position of the magnetic filed sensor relative to the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A load sensor includes a housing and a magnet carrier axially movable within the housing. A first and a second magnet are coupled to the magnet carrier in an axially spaced apart arrangement and oriented to provide repelling magnetic fields. The magnet carrier and the first and second magnets are axially movable relative to the magnetic field sensor, and the magnetic field sensor is configured to provide an output that is indicative of the position of the magnetic filed sensor relative to the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A fuel sender assembly comprises an electric fuel pump held in a mounting plate which is, in turn, mounted in a fuel tank, such as an automotive fuel tank. The mounting plate includes a chamber wall that defines a pump chamber having an inboard end and an outboard end. The electric fuel pump is received in the pump chamber such that an inlet end, which includes a fuel inlet, is disposed within the fuel tank adjacent the inboard end of the pump chamber. The outlet end of the fuel pump includes the electrical terminals and is disposed adjacent the outboard end of the pump chamber so that the electrical terminals are accessible outside the fuel pump for connection to an external power source. A hermetic seal is formed between the fuel pump and the chamber wall to prevent vapors from escaping through the pump chamber. The fuel sender assembly permits electrical connections to be made to the fuel pump without requiring wires within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A credit card sized remote control transmitter comprising a complete independent remote control transmitter with an internal power supply, user operable switches, a system security encoder circuit, a transmitting circuit, an antenna, and printed circuit board combined into a transmitter embedded into a card that is the size of a normal credit card or smaller and thin enough to be easily and conveniently stored and carried in a user's wallet, purse, or garment pocket. The transmitter can be easily, conveniently, and comfortably stored and carried as an emergency or convenience remote control transmitter in case the primary remote control transmitter fails, is lost, is misplaced, or is inaccessibly locked inside the vehicle. Additionally, the transmitter optionally comprises a mechanical key for any emergency or convenience operation of any locking mechanism.

Abstract: Dinorbornene compounds, many of them novel, have been found to form polymers having a ladder structure. The dinorbornene compounds and dinorbornene polymers with other polymers such as the polyolefins, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyethers, polyureas, polyurethanes, natural polymers, etc., are readily crosslinked by irradiation.