Abstract: Inquiry lists for financial interests are submitted, negotiated and traded between investors and dealers over a network or networks. An investor interface for display is provided to an investor. A dealer interface for display is provided to a plurality of dealers. The investor can create an inquiry list via the investor interface containing a plurality of inquiries for a corresponding plurality of different financial interests and can send a message containing the inquiry list to selected dealer(s) where an established relationship exists between said investor and dealers. The dealer(s) can provide respective responses to the message, the response containing respective offers/bids on the plurality of inquiries contained in the inquiry list via the dealer interface. The respective offers/bids are displayed in the inquiry list on the investor interface. The investor may then select one of the respective dealer offers/bids for each inquiry list line item via the investor interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to stimulate subterranean production and injection wells, such as oil and gas wells, utilizing rocket propellants. Rapid production of high-pressure gas from controlled combustion of a propellant, during initial ignition and subsequent combustion, together with proper positioning of the energy source in relation to geologic formations, can be used to establish and maintain increased formation porosity and flow conditions with respect to the pay zone.

Abstract: A device for positional securing and guiding of rails for railway tracks for trains, in particular high-speed trains, includes guide plates. In general, rails are laid directly or indirectly by intermediate assembly of intermediate plates to fixed concrete track beds and guide plates, against which the rail base and possibly intermediate plates lie laterally. Guide plates are embedded on or in the concrete track beds, wherein the guide plates are fabricated of high-strength, form-stable material, preferably reinforced plastic, such as for example glass-fiber reinforced plastic, in particular polyamide. The device according to the invention allows to create guide plates which are overall more wear resistant. Wear resistance is achieved in that the guide plate within the surface area, on which the rail base rests, has an insert or areas provided with inserts, the insert being fabricated of slippable, low-abrasion or friction-resistant, low-wear or wear-resistant and flexibly resilient material.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for trading of debt securities (bonds), where multiple dealers participate and compete on a single platform (100). Dealers and investors have respective interfaces (250, 230) for communicating. In one aspect, dealers announce new debt security issues (400), the investors communicate an indication of interest (IOI) (500) in purchasing the new debt security issues, and the issues are allocated to the investors. In another aspect, issues from multiple dealers are made available to investors on a secondary trading market in a searchable format (1000). In response to price inquires sent by the investors (1200), the dealers provide offers (1300) which are briefly held and released to the investor concurrently to allow the investor to consider all offers together. In another aspect, the dealers post bid and offer terms for actively traded issues (1700) that are updated in real-time to avoid the need for the inquiry procedure.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for subscribing to data feeds on a network. An user utilizes a transmitting device to transmit data packets that are split between a plurality of data centers for processing. The data packets are captured at the data centers. The data packets are recombined. The recombined data can be analyzed for fraud detection, marketing analysis, network intrusion detection, customer service analysis, and/or performance analysis. If fraudulent activity is detected, then the user can be interdicted to prevent further fraudulent activity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for ruggedizing a nucleic acid analyzing apparatus. The ruggedized apparatus can be used reliably and effectively in uncontrolled environments, such as, for example at a crime scene to collect and analyze forensic data, as well as in semi-controlled environments, such as, for example at a point of care location.

Abstract: A delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising: at least one nosepiece unit (21) for insertion into one nasal cavity of a subject and comprising a nosepiece (25) for fitting to the respective nostril of the subject; and at least one delivery unit (23) which is operative to deliver a substance through the at least one nosepiece unit into the one nasal cavity of the subject, wherein the at least one delivery unit includes a substance supply unit (27) for delivering a substance and an actuation unit (29) which is operable to actuate the substance supply unit, either automatically or manually, in response to nasal exhalation or at least attempted nasal exhalation by the subject.

Abstract: Described are infrared light sources and methods for generating infrared radiation. The infrared light source includes a source of laser radiation, a target and an enclosure. The target is positioned in a path of an output region of the source of laser radiation. The target includes an absorbing material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength within the lasing spectrum of the source of laser radiation and converts the absorbed radiation into thermal energy. The enclosure defines a cavity that includes the target. The enclosure includes an infrared reflecting film on a side that defines the cavity.

Abstract: A reader for reading computer-generated individualized holograms which are written into a storage medium, having a light source for generating a light beam, a recording means for acquiring image data generated by the light beam by illuminating the individualized hologram, and display means for displaying the display data generated from the image data, wherein all the components are combined in a portable handheld unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for trading of debt securities (bonds), where multiple dealers participate and compete on a single platform (100). Dealers and investors have respective interfaces (250, 230) for communicating. In one aspect, dealers announce new debt security issues (400), the investors communicate an indication of interest (IOI) (500) in purchasing the new debt security issues, and the issues are allocated to the investors. In another aspect, issues from multiple dealers are made available to investors on a secondary trading market in a searchable format (1000). In response to price inquires sent by investors (1200), the dealers provide offers (1300) which are briefly held and released to the investor concurrently to allow the investor to consider all offers together. In another aspect, the dealers post bid and offer terms for actively traded issues (1700) that are updated in real-time to avoid the need for the inquiry procedure.

Abstract: A low power BPSK demodulator having a simple architecture, compact design and reliable is provided. The BPSK demodulator includes a first branch (210) having a first mixer (212) and a first low pass filter (214), a second branch (220) coupled to the first branch at the output of the first low pass filter (214) and input of the first mixer (212) and having a second mixer (222), and a third branch (230) coupled to the second branch at the input and output of the second mixer (222) and having a third mixer (232) a second low pass filter (234) and a voltage control oscillator (236), wherein the third branch and the second branch form a charge pumped based phase lock loop that locks onto a carrier frequency of the BPSK demodulator.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite part is provided. The method includes a first and at least one second part, wherein the first part at least in part is made of a first metal and the second part at least in part is made of another metal that has a lower melting temperature than that of the first metal. Composite parts produced by the method are also provided. The method for producing composite parts which have an improved load-bearing capacity and yet low weight, is achieved by the fact that at least one breakthrough encompassing a breakthrough collar is introduced into the first part and the second part is non-positively and/or positively moulded onto the first part at least in the area of the breakthrough and the breakthrough collar by heating the second part and applying pressure to said second part.

Abstract: An improved torch providing high visibility of the work zone to the operator, an increased viewing angle, and a reduced obstruction angle. The high visibility torch includes consumables adapted to maintain torch and consumables performance while reducing visual obstruction to the user, by coordinating, balancing, and optimizing design requirements and stack up tolerances. The invention also includes a related low-profile safety switch that promotes workpiece visibility and minimizes view obstruction.

Abstract: A nasal delivery device (11) for delivering substance to a nasal airway (1) of a subject, comprising: first and second nosepiece units (17, 19), each including a nosepiece (21, 23) for fitting to respective nostrils of a subject; at least one substance supply unit (13, 15) for supplying substance for delivery to the nasal airway (1) of the subject; and a valve unit (35, 37) for selectively fluidly connecting the at least one substance supply unit (13, 15) alternately to respective ones of the nosepiece units (17, 19).

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting fraudulent activity on a network. A user utilizes a transmitting device to transmit user requests that are split between a plurality of data centers for processing. The user requests are captured at the data centers. The user requests are unified into a user session. The user session can be analyzed for fraud detection, marketing analysis, network intrusion detection, customer service analysis, and/or performance analysis. If fraudulent activity is detected, then the user can be interdicted to prevent further fraudulent activity.

Abstract: A method for producing light includes introducing an ionizable medium for generating a plasma into a chamber. The method also includes applying at least one pulse of energy to a magnetic core that surrounds a portion of a plasma discharge region within the chamber such that the magnetic core delivers power to the plasma which forms a secondary of a transformer according to Faraday's law of induction. The plasma has a localized high intensity zone.

Abstract: A high voltage propellant isolator includes at least two different types of isolator rings or segments, in alternating lateral arrangement, that direct the flow of propellant, such as xenon gas, in a tortuous path through the isolator.

Abstract: A load acceptance hook for suspending a load provides for the movement of loads by simple means and despite a high load-bearing capacity has a reduced weight in relation to known hooks. This is achieved by the fact that it is formed at least in sections by a latticed framework, the braces of which are arranged and dimensioned depending on the stresses taking effect locally with the load suspended in the load acceptance hook.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an insert for expanding an article of clothing, including an article of footwear, are described. Articles of clothing incorporating such inserts are also described. The insert includes a body portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and a perimeter. Fasteners are disposed along the first and second edges. The fasteners couple to fastening structures of the article of clothing, and the perimeter of the body increases a size or circumference of the article of the clothing. The material for the insert, fasteners, fastening structures, or portions thereof can be selected to be decorative or to match, complement, correspond to, or coordinate with articles of clothing and/or accessories.

Abstract: An unfinished cylinder head casting for producing a cylinder head for internal combustion engines powered with diesel fuel includes a sealing surface, intended for mounting in a finished state on a corresponding sealing surface of an engine block, and designed on a sealing surface section of the unfinished cylinder head casting. A thickness of the sealing surface section in a casting state exhibits a machining allowance in relation to its set thickness, obtained after a material-removing finishing of the sealing surface. The sealing surface includes a combustion chamber region, associated with a combustion chamber formed in the engine block. In the case of such a cylinder head, an optimum load-bearing capacity is achieved in a simple manner in that a combustion chamber region sealing surface section machining allowance amounts to a maximum of 15% of the machining allowance of the sealing surface section in the remaining region of the sealing surface.