Abstract: An orthopedic device is described for stabilizing the spinal column between first and second vertebral bodies. The device has first and second screws adapted for fixation to the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The device further includes an elongated ligament with a first end connected to the first screw and the second end operatively connected with the second screw. The ligament is made preferably of a nickel titanium alloy selected to have ductile inelastic properties at body temperature and is capable of plastic deformation to allow relative constrained motion between the vertebral bodies. The preferred nickel titanium has a martensite/austenite transition temperature above body temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the second pedicle screw includes a bearing for receiving the ligament in a slidably engageable relationship. The device further includes optional first and second dampening members surrounding the ligament for restraining the spinal column during flexion and extension.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyolefin blends and nanocomposites and methods for their production. In embodiments, a blend or nanocomposite of the present disclosure may include at least one polyolefin and at least one ionic liquid and/or one modified carbon nanofiller. In embodiments, the at least one modified carbon nanotube may be treated with at least one ionic compound.

Abstract: A product display shelf comprising a bottom surface, a rear surface and at least one compliant member is disclosed. The bottom surface is configured to support at least one product thereon. The rear surface extends upwardly from the bottom surface. The at least one compliant member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rear surface and is configured to substantially prevent the product supported by the bottom surface from movement relative to the bottom surface upon movement of the product display shelf.

Abstract: Whether or not a pixel output signal corresponding to a previously stored blinking defective pixel address is an abnormal value is detected. Then, when a signal value indicating a defective pixel is being output, the output signal is corrected. Deterioration of a taken image caused by excessively correcting a blinking defective pixel can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: An Explicit Multi-Threading (XMT) system and method is provided for processing multiple spawned threads associated with SPAWN-type commands of an XMT program. The method includes executing a plurality of child threads by a plurality of TCUs including a first TCU executing a child thread which is allocated to it; completing execution of the child thread by the first TCU; announcing that the first TCU is available to execute another child thread; executing by a second TCU a parent child thread that includes a nested spawn-type command for spawning additional child threads of the plurality of child threads, wherein the parent child thread is related in a parent-child relationship to the child threads that are spawned in conjunction with the nested spawn-type command; assigning a thread ID (TID) to each child thread, wherein the TID is unique with respect to the other TIDs; and allocating a new child thread to the first TCU.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a light metering unit, a setting unit configured to set an exposure condition including exposure time and an aperture value at a time of flash photography based on a result of light metering by the light metering unit, and a first calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of light emission by a light emission unit to perform flash photography under the set exposure condition based on the result of light metering, wherein, when a first amount of light emission to perform flash photography under a first exposure condition is larger than a maximum amount of light emission that can be achieved by the light emission unit, the setting unit sets a second exposure condition having shorter exposure time and a smaller aperture value than the first exposure condition, and the first calculation unit calculates a second amount of light emission smaller than the maximum amount of light emission.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record moving image data onto a plurality of recording media as a file, a detection unit configured to detect a recording error while the moving image data is being recorded onto the recording media, a control unit configured to control the recording unit according to an output of the detection unit, and when the moving image data is simultaneously recorded onto the recording media, if a recording error is detected, the control unit controls the recording unit such that the recording of the data onto the one recording medium is stopped while the recording onto another recording media is continued, and if a new file is generated in another recording media after recording of the moving image data onto the one recording medium is stopped, a new file is generated in the one recording medium and the recording is resumed.

Abstract: An apparatus detects a communication state of a wireless communication, detects posture of the apparatus, and controls communication by a wireless communication unit according to the detected posture if it is detected that field intensity of the wireless communication is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory which successively stores frame data of video data, an interpolating unit which generates interpolation frame data which is inserted between the frame data and stores the interpolation frame data in the memory, and a readout unit which successively reads out the frame data and the interpolation frame data from the memory at a frame rate higher than a frame rate of the video data. The apparatus further includes a generating unit which generates image data which is composited with the frame data and stores the image data in the memory, and a control unit which, based on display-related characteristics of the image data, controls the interpolating unit to halt the generation of the interpolation frame data, and also controls the readout unit to read out the frame data in duplicate instead of the interpolation frame data.

Abstract: Cell cultures or tissue engineering supports, include at least a porous matrix based on a collagen sponge which defines first pores and a porous three-dimensional knit which defines second pores, the porous matrix filling the three-dimensional knit and all the first and second pores being at least partially interconnected with one another.

Abstract: An authentication server, on receipt of a request to delete a user account, determines whether the account exists in a user authentication table. If the account exists, the authentication server deletes the account, and retrieves, from a requesters list in which information of devices from which users have to date requested user authentication is saved, an address of a device from which the user targeted for deletion has previously issued an authentication request, and issues a deletion request to that device together with account information. Similar processing to change a user account is performed in response to a change request.

Abstract: Plural kinds of feature information for identifying an object and a period of time, set for each kind of the feature information, for which the feature information is effective are stored in connection with each other. A feature is extracted from image data, the extracted feature is compared with the feature information, which is within the set period of time, among the stored feature information, and an object is recognized.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for replacing a diseased or damaged intervertebral disc in the spine of a patient. The device provided having at least two units, each of the units having an articulation surface and a bone contacting surface, the articulation surfaces of each of the at least two being in articulating opposition one to the other, one of which having a convex articulation surface and the other having a complementary concave articulation surface. The bone contacting surfaces being provided with bone implantation securing elements such as keel type or spike type protrusions. Also provided is a method of implanting the device into an intervertebral space from a posterior approach.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate supporting member including a spin head on which a substrate is placed, a nozzle discharging processing liquid to the substrate placed on the spin head, and a processing liquid supplying source supplying the processing liquid to the nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle main body that has a plurality of discrete discharging openings and an integration discharging opening. The discrete discharging openings have a slit-shaped cross section having a first length and are arrayed in series in a predetermined direction. The integration discharging opening is formed by connecting the discrete discharging openings to each other in a single slot shape having a length greater than the first length, and finally discharges the processing liquid.

Abstract: A handle for a rotating tool extension is disclosed. The handle includes a body member having a central portion with first and second end portions. The body member is positionable along an axis of rotation of the rotating tool extension and includes a bore formed in the body member extending therethrough along the axis of rotation. A liner may be at least partially disposed within the bore, and may be at least partially removable from and insertable within the bore. A rotating tool extension is at least partially inserted within the liner. Alternatively, the body member may include at least one roller bearing member contacting at least a portion of the rotating tool extension during rotation of the extension. The handle and extension may be provided as a combination and also as a kit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a biomechanical implant and anterior, lateral or posterior instrumentation construct. The construct may be of unitary or modular construction, whereby a single molded construction can form the entire assembly, in which case the through holes may be adapted to receive a metallic insert for screw fixation; or alternatively be of a modular construction wherein the anterior/lateral instrumentation and intervertebral spacer are designed for removable locking engagement, one with the other, for insertion by the surgeon as a unitary construct.