Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial intervertebral disc for implanting between two vertebral bodies (W) comprising two end plates (1, 2) which bound a hollow space (4), which is filled with an elastically and/or plastically deformable nucleus (3), at two opposite sides, with the hollow space (4) being enclosed by a tubular fiber ring (5) such that the end plates (1, 2), together with the fiber ring (5), bound the hollow space (4) and the end plates (1, 2) are in tensile connection with the fiber ring (5). The fiber ring (5) is designed as elastically extensible in the radial and axial directions, with the fiber ring (5) having a larger modulus of elasticity than the nucleus (3) and the nucleus (3) and the fiber ring (5) interacting such that the elastic properties of the artificial intervertebral disc show a non-linear behavior with increasing deformation at least with respect to a compression force (F).

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing power dissipation within a communications system having a plurality of adaptive filters with a plurality of taps, each tap is switchable between an active and an inactive state, each tap also has a coefficient. An acceptable error for the system is specified. This error is typically the mean squared error of the system. A tap threshold is set for each active tap. Those taps having a coefficient with an absolute value less than the tap threshold set for the active tap are deactivated. The error of the system is computed and compared to the acceptable system error. If the computed system error is less than the acceptable system error, the tap threshold for each active tap is increased.

Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a valve housing formed with a piston receiving chamber that has a piston member slidingly and sealingly disposed therein to divide the piston receiving chamber into a volume-variable gas compartment filled with pressurized gas and a volume-variable fluid compartment. A regulator receiving chamber has a large-diameter rod receiving section, and a small-diameter fluid channel with a rate control section that is aligned with and that extends from the rod receiving section. The fluid channel interconects fluidly the rod receiving section and the fluid compartment.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive structural adhesive is formed by applying a thin layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive to one or both sides of a core layer of partially cured structural adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive provides a tacky surface allowing a temporary bond at room temperature. Upon curing of the construction, the bond properties change to that of a structural adhesive, providing a strong permanent bond. Upon cure, the skin layer or layers of pressure-sensitive adhesive are absorbed into the layer of structural adhesive.